So maybe Malvolia wasn't so bad. After talking about her work as a Divine Sister and showing her my magic, the paranoia melted away into something more friendly and accepting. It was nice having another girl around as well. We connected on a deeper level that was different than how I connected with Stolas and Alder.
Malvolia was telling me about the fun things I could do in Othesh. She was, of course, secretive about most of it. She said that she wanted it to be a surprise. She wanted me to know enough to where I wasn't overwhelmed and could still have fun. And it was working. We agreed to take a day to ourselves. She would give me a secret girls only tour. Whatever that meant.
Alder was walking on my left side. "We should be at the kingdom soon. Are you excited?"
I nodded. "Very! I honestly thought we'd get here sooner, but…"
"Life is full of diverging paths. It is not unusual that your journey was not linear." He held out a roll. "Here. A snack to keep you held over until dinner. Malvolia, would you like one?"
She was walking on my right side, holding Flops. "I'm good."
"Thanks." I took the roll gratefully. My stomach rumbled slightly. I was too excited to eat breakfast this morning.
"You have been doing good, little blossom. I am happy to see you relaxed again."
I sheepishly laughed. "I feel kinda stupid about it now. There really was no reason for me to freak out, huh? I'm sorry about that."
"It is alright." Alder cupped my cheek briefly, smiling down at me. "You have worked hard so far, Cahira. I am proud of you."
My face flushed and I shyly looked away. Alder chuckled before walking up to Stolas to converse with him. It felt nice to be praised. The last couple of weeks were a blur and I felt like I had barely any time to breathe. My emotions were all over the place. I had no idea what was going on half the time. So hearing that I was working hard and doing a good job at it… felt good. Especially from Alder.
"That was interesting." Malvolia siddled closer to me. "Does Alder always do that?"
"Do what?" I asked, taking a large bite of the roll.
"Treat you like you're the love of his life."
Her words caught me off guard and I stopped walking. I inhaled sharply and a piece of bread got stuck in my throat. I started choking, violently coughing to get it dislodged. Malvolia snorted and patted my back roughly. Alder rushed over, taking out his water jug and handing it to me.
"Drink. Slowly."
I took a big gulp, the water thankfully pushing the offending piece of food down my throat. I straightened. "Th-Thanks."
Alder sighed and patted my head. "Be more careful, little blossom. Eating slowly while walking."
He took his water jug back and walked off. Malvolia had an evil grin. "See? He likes you."
"O-Of course he likes me." I cleared my throat. "We're friends."
"No. He like likes you."
"Empyrians help me."
I groaned and lowered my head. He does not like me. I don't think Alder sees me in a romantic light at all. If anything, I'm the entertaining little elf that he just lets tag along. Or I was his cute pupil that was clueless about everything. Alder was leagues above me. He was handsome, he was smart, he was kind, he was… He's The Fairy King. Despite my status as the daughter of the matriarch and patriarch of the Northern War Elves, I hardly think that constitutes me being able to marry Alder. Even if I wanted-
"Oh, look!" Malvolia pointed at the horizon as Flops hopped out of her arms and onto the ground.
The walls of the kingdom loomed over the hill. My eyes widened in surprise. I quickly stuffed the rest of the roll in my mouth and ran forward. Flops ran next to, the excitement unbearable. Months of traveling, fighting, learning magic… and I was finally at the capital! I was at Othesh! I held in a squeal as I swallowed the bread and looked behind me. Alder, Malvolia, and Stolas were all grinning at me. They looked amused at my childish wonderment.
The walls came into full view as I hurried down the path, leaving my friends behind. The iron gates opened in an invitation to the kingdom. It was unbelievably big. Our village was large. But Othesh had to be at least twice the size of my village. My eyes were focused on the entrance. I could just run through there, take out my flute, and start playing. I'd be the bard I've always dreamed of being.
"C'mon, little lady. We won't hurt you too bad if you just cooperate."
Are you kidding me?! I huffed angrily and looked to where three men and a scared looking woman were standing. There was always something, wasn't there? I put my hands on my hips. Flops stopped next to me and angrily thumped her feet on the ground. I felt the same way. I pointed my finger at the men.
"Back off!"
One of them, a short and stocky type, whipped his head around. "Huh?! Who the hell are you?"
"A really annoyed elf."
"Why should I-" The man looked at me up and down. He grinned. "You look like you got some nice loot on you, girl."
I frowned. "Are you really trying to rob me?"
One of the other men grabbed the girl, who let out a whimper. "It's three of us against you. What are you gonna do?"
I sighed and shook my head. I looked down at my rabbit. "I think we gotta kill these thugs, Flops."
Flops sighed. The last thug, one with an oily ponytail, started stalking towards me. "What the hell did you just say?! Do you think you can really beat us, you brat?"
Just a bit more. I crossed my arms and shrugged. I turned my head away indignantly. The ponytail thug growled in frustration and started stomping over to me. I started walking and moved right past him to the woman. She was a frail thing, with a short bob and wide brown eyes. I slapped the second thug's hand. He hissed and let go of her. I moved the woman behind me.
"It's not nice to steal." I said. I smirked, sticking my tongue out. "I'm gonna tell on you!"
The short and stocky thug's face turned red. "Are you a child? By the time you get the guards, we'll already be gone!"
"Oh, I'm not talking about the guards. I'm talking about them."
I pointed behind me. There was no one there. I waited… and waited. Okay, my timing was off. Slightly embarrassing, but it didn't matter. After a minute, they finally came into view. Malvolia had her hands behind her back, with a grin stretching across her face. Stolas was stretching out his wings. Alder's eyes were on me.
"Cahira! What are you doing?"
"I was going to go straight into the kingdom, but these doofuses were trying to rob this poor girl."
Malvolia clicked her tongue. "Aww, sweetie. Come here. Let my friends take care of them."
The girl looked at me and then at Malvolia. "Divine Sister…!"
Malvolia held her arms out. The woman ran into them without another thought. Empyrism must've been very influential if it made a stranger immediately trust a Divine Sister or Brother. I looked back at the three thieves. Alder moved behind me, putting a hand on my shoulder. Stolas was now standing next to me with a hand on his hip.
He sighed. "We were almost there. I'm starting to think you bring bad luck, Cahira."
"Thanks." I rolled my eyes. "Can we please take care of them so we can go into the kingdom?"
All three thugs took out some gnarly looking knives. The second one pointed it at me. "Just try it. See what happens."
I looked back at Alder, a pleading look on my face. "Can I fight?"
He looked down at me. He hesitated before nodding. "Stolas and I will fight the other two. Be careful."
"Hah!" I took out my flute. "Time for some action!"
The thug raised an eyebrow. "Are you gonna fight… with a flute?"
"Prepare for death!!"