Chapter 17: Cardaloth

"My journey to the elven city sparked something within myself that I do not yet understand. Is it the company of people that I've come to trust, or is it something more? This world alone has its surprises, though I question if I will ever get another chance like the old fort. All I can do is hope,"

The night was dark and gorgeous, with the full moon shining through the darkened lands. Jushiro was alone as he was writing another entry in his journal recounting the events in Areth.

"It's been weeks since I came to Areth. No doubt that it's November now, and my birthday had already passed. I wonder if the people of this world celebrate birthdays like on Earth, who knows. All I do know is finding a way to return home and..."

He paused for a moment in his entry. He puts out the light in his candle then closed his journal to look up at the night sky.

He stared wholly up into the stars. Jushiro sat on top of a boulder overlooking vast plains. He gazed with determination and hope. Then out of the blue, he heard the sound of Vinbror calling him to camp. Jushiro put away his journal, returning to camp to join the others.

"Jushiro, you shouldn't stray from camp in a place or time like this," said a worrisome Arthoria.

Jushiro instead didn't say anything aside from sitting down with the others to grab dinner. He ate the stew in his wooden bowl, starring down in deep thought, remembering the dreams he had regarding the forest and the marble table.

Vinbror caught on to Jushiro but didn't want to burden him with questions. Then, Sigreth broke the silence to erase the awkward presence glooming over the four by pulling out a map of Areth from his bag. He addressed to the others the route they will take to the Imlanor.

He insisted on proceeding through the main road of Cardaloth as it stood between Aredain and Imlanor.

"Is it the fastest possible road to the city?" Jushiro asked.

"Yes, it will take us three days if we go through Cardaloth. Aredain has been close allies with that kingdom for centuries, so I'm sure we'll receive a warm welcome from the matriarch of..." Sigreth stopped in his explanation, hearing the sound of horses.

Before Sigreth could say more, armored knights approached, surrounding the group. One knight appearing to be the leader, asked the group.

"What are you doing in these lands, trespassers. Speak now! Identify yourselves immediately," said the knight in a demanding tone.

The situation became serious, as everyone from both sides felt on edge. A voice called out from behind the knights. The rider approached from the darkness to greet the travelers.

The individual appeared to be a woman, clad in silver amethyst armor with gold trimmings. The rider dismounted her horse to introduce herself.

"A pleasure to meet you travelers from Aredain. I am the vice commander of the Cardaloth knights. My name is Joan Auger," said the woman in armor.

"We hail from Aredain. I am the first princess Arthoria Daemein. These men here are my bodyguards. We were hoping to use your main road to cross over to Imlanor to speak with the elven rulers," Arthoria said to the vice commander.

"Is that so? Would you grant her majesty the pleasure of visiting her palace? If you need more supplies for your trip, we can grant it. Also, the queen herself is aware of your otherworldly friend here and would like to meet him as well,"

Shocked to hear, Arthoria asked how does the queen know.

"If you want to know more or why I suggest you come with us and ask her yourselves," Vice commander Joan recommended.

Without saying any words, the group looked and nodded in agreement to see the queen of Cardaloth. Arthoria almost broke the momentary silence until Jushiro stepped forth to introduce himself.

"I am Jushiro Motoshita, lady knight. My companions and I accept your ruler's invitation. We'd be delighted to visit the kingdom's capital,"

With the decision made, the four travelers mounted their horses. They head east to the capital city Fleur-L'eaumur.

The group rode all through the night. Relying on the Cardaloth knights to guide the four to the capital, Jushiro started feeling weary from the long journey.

They soon rode up a large hill where the knight vice commander informed the group they have arrived at the capital. But Jushiro couldn't see anything, as it was still dark. All he could see was darkness over the lands. Then as the sun slowly rose, Jushiro could see the city.

He was amazed by the sight of the city Fleur-L'eaumur.

"It stood on a large river connected by a few other rivers going in different directions, making this city ideal for travel and trade. The walls of the city were in the shape of an eight-pointed star with only one main gate. A large moat surrounded most of the city outside. There was only one gatehouse in front of the city gates. Standing tall and magnificent at the center of the capital was the royal palace. It was a sight to behold. I couldn't help but wonder how the city of Imlanor will be. compared to Fleur-L'eaumur,"

The company ventured through the city gates, entering the royal palace. There they are met by the knight commander of the Cardaloth knights, Nappo Leon. He greeted and directed the group to the main room, where the queen waited for them.

They entered the throne room. Jushiro noticed the room adorned with flowers, water, and fish decorations with the marble stone walls. There Jushiro and the others saw the queen sitting on her throne. The four stepped forth, bowing their heads to the matriarch of the kingdom.

"Welcome to my realm. I am Freyja Eld Solberg, the queen of Cardaloth. It's a pleasure to see you again, lord Sigreth and you as well, Princess Arthoria. It's been a long time, my dear niece. I've missed you and your family,"

Jushiro's eyes widened in surprise at the queen's words.

"Did she..., say, niece!? So Arthoria and her siblings are related to the queen!?

"Tell me, who are you two? I know one of you is a newcomer to this world. Please step forth," Queen Freyja said.

Jushiro stood up and approached the queen to introduced himself. He disclosed the truth he is from another world, and he is also trying to find a magic gate stone to return home. He thanked queen Freyja for her hospitality. Stating he must soon carry on with his quest to the elven city Imlanor to meet with the elven kings.

The queen understood his intentions and offered the four to stay in the palace for the day. Wanting to know more about Jushiro, the queen invited them for dinner as she intended to learn more.

The queen instructed the palace maids to prepare guest rooms for the four travelers. Jushiro wondered what to expect from the queen as he could tell she'll have many questions for him.

Settling in his temporary room, Jushiro changed to be ready for dinner with the queen. He heard Vinbror knock on the door, informing him it's time to meet the queen. He obliged, following Vinbror into the dining hall where queen Freyja waited with the others.

Jushiro took his place at the table next to Vinbror in front of the queen.

He saw a girl sitting next to the queen. Her hair was light purple, her eyes an amethyst blue. Queen Freyja asked the girl to introduce herself to everyone at the table.

She felt nervous at first, not used to talking with people outside her family. As she starred at Jushiro, she couldn't help but feel hesitant.

"Um... Hello, I am the first princess of Caraloth. I am Asheala Lagu Solberg. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir knights," said the princess.

Jushiro nodded his head in acknowledgment.

"Sir Jushiro, I want to make sure of the truth. Did you say you come from another world? Well, would you mind enlightening what it is like in your world? I'm curious what your people do in their lives and yours, of course," the queen insisted.

Jushiro explained everything there is to know about Earth. It's policies, nations, technologies, and more. He also disclosed the fact regarding him being an instructor of an educational institution and an artist. However, he didn't talk about his tragic past as he was still hesitant about it.

The queen became fascinated by his world. She admitted her surprise regarding the people ruling themselves, that monarchs and empires are nearly irrelevant in Jushiro's era.

"This day has been intriguing, I dare say. That most nations are democracies with their citizens capable of becoming leaders. I admit there are some republics in this world. Though, as a queen of a kingdom, I find it disquieting. To think the citizens would revolt against their leaders, I find this troublesome," the queen said.

"Such things will only happen if the leadership is incompetent. It's never easy to guarantee eternal prosper. Your responsibility is to do all you can do while you live. The same goes for your descendants after you. Empires can rise and fall whenever it wants. You needn't trouble yourself with the future but the present, or you'll make mistakes without realizing it," Jushiro stated to the queen.

"I... I see now, yes, I guess you're right, sir Jushiro," the queen replied.

"It's been an enjoyable dinner, your majesty. I believe now is the time to get some shut-eye. We should leave first thing in the morning," Sigreth suggested.

Arthoria and Jushiro agreed to Sigreth's suggestion. Jushiro thanked the queen again for dinner.

Returning to the guest room, Jushiro stopped in his tracks, hearing someone call out his name. He saw princess Asheala who ran up to him. To his surprise, she gave him his pocket watch. Assuming he dropped it during dinner, he took it.

"Thank you, your highness. I appreciate it. I never noticed that I dropped it. My bad,"

"Uh... um, yeah, I uh, I mean, your welcome, sir, Jushiro!" She nervously said.

She speed-walked in the opposite direction, passing by her cousin Arthoria and Sigreth without saying a word. Arthoria looked at Jushiro with curiosity as to what happened between them.

"What did you do? Did something happen between you both?" Arthoria asked Jushiro.

Jushiro told her what transpired, stating he's just as confused as she is. Vinbror advised the three they should turn in for the night.

In his room, Jushiro laid in bed, staring up at the ceiling. He wondered if he did something to upset the princess.

Closing his eyes, he decided he'll apologize to her in the morning.

The sunlight shined through the windows, beaming on Jushiro's face. He woke up, standing up from bed.

He donned his armor to prepare for the journey.

He walked downstairs to meet up with the others in the stables. He found everyone in the courtyard, with his horse with them. They explained how they have been trying to wake him for the past twenty minutes, only to give up and wait. Vinbror told him how much of a heavy sleeper he is.

Feeling annoyed by his comment, Jushiro gave him a look of exasperation.

"If it was that hard, then why not splash water on me?" Jushiro asked.

"Because we thought you'd be enraged at us if we did," Vinbror answered him back.

Feeling irritated, Jushiro turned his head the other way, letting out a grunt. He grabbed his horse and mounted it, following the others outside the palace gates.

Queen Freyja and her daughter waited outside to see them off. She wished them all good fortune as she watched them leave the city. Jushiro turned around one last time to wave goodbye to Queen Freyja and Princess Asheala.

Asheala, with a smile on her face, waved back. It surprised Jushuiro as he thought he did something to upset her. He soon realized that wasn't the case at all.

"I never imagined why she felt apprehensive to me and the others. Though to me, it felt like she was mostly nervous around me. I wonder why,"

He shook off his thoughts as the group was nearly about to enter the high elven realm. The next day they have set foot within the boundaries of the elven kingdom.

"The trip did not go without delight. The thought of visiting and seeing other realms in this world truly brought out great intrigue within me. I might write a story for the folks back home,"