Chapter 177: An Unforeseen Sense of Crisis

Chapter 177: An Unforeseen Sense of Crisis

Im not judging you.

Yes, you are. I can see it in your eyes. Tori narrowed her gaze as JP looked around the private Tres Arcos dock that was around a cove and led to beachside fortification.

I didnt say anything.

Youre thinking that Im rich. She watched JP raise his arms and seemed to motion all around him.

Are you not? he asked. Who has a private dock?

Other marquis families. Its practical so military and political use does not disrupt merchant and common use, Tori said. She looked to one of the men watching their things being taken from Sur Bronce. The massive ship seemed to fill the area, dwarfing other ships, including several anchored near-by that Tori recognized as OTuagh ships. Her cousins mustve already arrived. Axton, does von Schwert have a private dock at the port closest to their regional capital?

Yes, but its more heavily fortified than here, Axton replied. Tori waved her hand towards him, as if to tell JP she was right.

Are we going directly to Presidio from here? Ilyana asked as she stood with the others closer to the shore.

Since its already late afternoon, well stay in Tres Arcos for the night, but the large things we brought, such as the chests and the horses, will be transported immediately. Thats why I told you to keep a bag with overnight necessities with you, Tori said, walking up to join them. Well leave tomorrow with a carriage caravan. Dont worry, all our things will be guarded on the way.

My lady! Welcome back! Tori turned towards the shore and saw several Guevera knights standing to attention in their crisp, maroon and black uniforms. As soon as she made eye contact, they bowed their heads at once.

I take it we will also be guarded on our way to Presidio? Henrik asked in a quiet voice.

Of course. Tori beamed. Do you think my parents would let me travel through Sur unattended?

Henrik gave her a dull look. You have twelve imperial knights with you.

Uh...Imperial knights arent as skilled as march knights, Ewan whispered in an embarrassed voice.

Good afternoon! Tori stepped forward to greet the knight. Thank you for coming to meet us.

The knight who seemed to be heading the group gave her a gentle smile. He was a middle-aged man with graying hair and green eyes, and the first captain of the second division. Not at all, my lady. We welcome you and your guests to Sur. The carriages are prepared to take you to the resort for the night. We leave after breakfast tomorrow morning.

Captain Montez, where are we stopping on the way? Tori asked as she was ushered in the direction of the awaiting carriages. They were simple-looking carriages with little decoration on them so as not to attract attention, but Tori noticed the little changes in suspension, climate control, and general comfort that had been made not only for those inside, but for the driver and footmen.

It looked like her family had installed all the things shed suggested and sent over from the delta. The air conditioning would be a godsend since Sur was the hottest place in mainland Soleil.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

Tomorrow night we will stop at Fort Campanilla, the next night at Fort Jacinto, and then we will arrive at Presidio by the third day. The cargo will travel continuously and will arrive at the Fortress before us. Rest assured that all the horses will be taken care of at the Fortress stables, Captain Montez told her. He seemed to see Ewan pass and smiled. Ewan, my boy. Welcome back.

Ewan stood to attention at once and saluted him. Captain Montez, sir! It is an honor to return.

Captain Montez chuckled. Then are you going to join us for morning training?

Ewan took a deep breath and scrunched his face. He hesitated for a bit and Tori chuckled. He was on vacation; she was sure he wasnt expecting to do training.

Itll be good for you to continue some training when you can, Axton said behind him as he slapped Ewans shoulder. Youre at the top of your class right now. You want to remain sharp.

Faced with that logic, Ewans expression grew determined and he nodded. Youre right, Master. Captain Montez, I will join the morning training.

Captain Montez and the other Guevera knights laughed, pleased with his decision. Good, good!

Yes, that is good, Piers voice came from behind the group. Captain Montez, I would like all of my knights to join morning training with yours.

Silence permeated through the group as Tori and her friends gave the innocent imperial knights looks of pity. Tori couldve sworn a few of them paled upon hearing that they would be faced with additional training, and by march knights, one of what was supposed to be a generic escort assignment.

Your Highness, welcome to Sur. Captain Montez was less enthusiastic when greeting Piers, who seemed to have faded into the background upon the appearance of Tori, their young lady, and Ewan, their group protege. Still, the Guevera knights properly greeted him. Piers didnt seem at all bothered by it and answered with a small nod. Your knights are welcome to train with us. I hope they are prepared.

Axton tossed his head back and laughed. His eyes were crescents as he looked at the imperial knights with a gleeful smile. Dont look so disappointed. This is a good opportunity to keep your skills at their peak.

It must be good training, Albert said. His Grace is enthusiastic, as well.

Oh, Im here as a guest, not a knight. Axton smiled, lopsided.

You are still my knight. Piers spoke up behind him and Axton froze. And the order was for all my knights to join morning training.

Axton whirled around with a betrayal on his face. But Im here in my capacity as Duke Alvere!

Are you still my knight?

Axton looked pained. Yes....

Piers nodded, satisfied. Then you will join the Guevera Knights morning training. He walked past Axton to the first carriage and held out his hand to help Tori inside.

Tori threw Axton an apologetic look as she carried Alexander into the carriage. He looked defeated as JP passed him and gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder and climbed into the second carriage with his sister, Ilyana, Henrik, and Albert.

Henrik sat down and frowned. Wheres Ewan?

Lured away by the knights, Sonia said as she leaned out the window and squinted. I think they brought him a horse.

Tori chuckled from inside the first carriage. She looked out the window with Alexander and Ewan was indeed presented with a horse to ride. It will be good training for him. First tier knights should have excellent riding ability, Piers said across from her.

Hes been riding since he was a child, but isnt at JP and Sonias level. I suppose riding with the knights will be good. They wont push him too hard, Tori said. Shed watched with her brothers and father when Ewan had visited to train, and the training leaders were always very cautious with Ewan. He was still young, so they didnt make him do everything expected of a standard Guevera knight.

It was a slow, gradual process and everyone had been very encouraging of Ewan.

My brother and Fabian should arrive in Presidio the day after we arrive, Piers said. Since Sur Bronce was a march ship with trained march sailors, Piers didnt come with a heavy entourage of imperial knights.

Gideon was the one who had an entire train with him split up into three groups: a vanguard, him and Fabian with at least another two dozen knights, and then another group taking up the rear. Along with them were another dozen of Piers knights. The last remaining dozen were leaving with Master Ramos, who needed to wait for an important crystal shipment and would leave two days after them.

The carriage moved as Axton climbed in. Piers frowned. Why are you coming inside?

Because Im going with you, Axton replied in a dull voice. He seemed severely weakened by the planned training.

Why are you not riding a horse? Outside.

Axton looked exasperated. Piers, Blue River is going with the other horses to be taken to Presidio directly. What horse am I going to ride?

Ask Captain Montez.

Piers, let him ride here. Tori gave Piers a firm look. Axton, get in. Did you already call your brother to let him know you arrived?

Hes still working right now. Ill call him when we get to the resort, Axton said as he took a seat next to Tori. He looked across at Piers as the door closed. He narrowed his eyes. Ill sit here because someone doesnt seem to want my company.

It is good for you to train with the Guevera knights.

You know what Im talking about. Axton narrowed his eyes. You just want to sit here alone with Tori and complain.

Piers motioned towards the windowsill. Alexander is here. He is a good listener.

Nyaow! Alexander hopped from one bench to the other and sat next to Piers, as if to take a side.

Piers lifted his hand and touched Alexanders head gently. Axton balked and Tori sighed.

That reminds me, I need to call Guthry when were at the resort to check on him and make sure hes following his exercise regimen and diet, Tori said, lifting her hand to touch her comcry in her pocket.

Is he doing any better? Axton asked. Youve been visiting him often.

Its important for him to have someone to support him, especially in the beginning, Tori said. These last few weeks, Ive seen him more than Ive seen you two.

The other marquises! Albert exclaimed.

Marquis OTuagh is our cousin. Her grandfather or great-grandfather, I forget which, and my grandmother were siblings. Marquis Nordursin is Idunns aunt, the older sister of her father. The Marquis General isnt coming. Piers and his brother are representing both the imperial family and the von Schwerts, Tori reminded them.

Somehow, Prince Gideon representing the Marquis General is much less impressive than it is.... Ilyana muttered.

All that aside, what happens after dinner? Henrik asked as he sat forward.

Tomorrow is a day of rest, then the day after is Robi and Fifis trifecta reblessing. Then another day of rest, then the wedding party and some guests go off for the three-day war games, Tori said. They do allow spectators, but I was told that unless youre actually in the game, its rather boring. Ewan is going, but I recommend that everyone else stay and take tours around Presidio.

And youll be practicing the whole time? JP asked. Tori nodded and sighed, already tired of thinking about it.

It cant be helped. I dont want to make a mistake at my brothers wedding. Designated knights will take you and the children around Presidio. Theyre not allowed to go with the party attending the war games, so they have to stay here. Tori thought for a moment. There are a few gardens, temples, and the basilica where Sebby is getting married is gorgeous. I suggest going to see it. There are amazing craftsmen in the artisan quarter. Ah, if you all want to ride horses or take Ciel Noir and Nuage out, tell the knight with you. There are excellent trails around the Fortress, and they will help you prepare.

We should do some things after the wedding, when youre available to come with us, Ilyana said with a small pout.

Well do a food crawl after the wedding, Tori said with an excited sparkle in her eye. I had Sir Pinzon gather recommendations from the knights and then we narrowed down the list by food type, from meat to vegetables, baked goods, desserts, and drinks. We can go out every day until we leave just doing food crawls.

Albert sniffled with joy on his face. I cant wait.

She could barely contain herself. She looked around at the adults eating lunch at a long table in a dining hall with vaulted ceilings.

Auntie Eili, when is Cousin Tori supposed to arrive? Ava looked towards the door, silently wishing for her Cousin Tori to materialize and walk in with an arm full of treats. Whenever her cousin was there, she had fun. Cousin Tori always had something interesting to do and could make yummy food.

Ava had been looking forward to this wedding for so long just to be indulged.

She is scheduled to arrive this afternoon. Eat your lunch, her Aunt Eili said in a smooth voice as she put another small piece of bread on Avas dish.

Its already afternoon. Ava knit her brows together and looked out one of the windows.

Its lunchtime. Tori may arrive just before sunset.

Ava sucked in a sharp breath. That long? This was not what was promised. It was a shame that she only got her own personal comcry that spring, otherwise she wouldve registered Cousin Toris comcry and could call her directly.

She sighed and poked at her food. Shed been so excited to see her cousin and only grew more excited when she found out that her cousins friends from the delta were coming. It was a shame that Riri couldnt come with his sister. He made for a good exploration buddy. Always happy to explore and didnt ask too many questions. Still, they made an appointment for the end of the summer.

The last time she had her mother call his mother, he told her that he would also be getting a comcry and they could register each others when they met up in Viclya.

Daddy, Im going to show Auntie Tori my chickens when she gets here. A small voice pierced her ears and Ava looked across the table at her cousins new children.

Her mother and aunts mentioned that Cousin Kasen had adopted two orphans from Horizon and the youngest was close to her in age. Ava was excited and planned to show her how to play dungeon crawl and other games, but when they got there and she met Fifi, she wasnt anything but a little kid!

Ava was six years old now. How could she play with a little kid who could barely keep up when she ran? Fifi didnt know how to play dungeon crawl. She could barely read. Ava had asked if she was interested in weapons. After all, the children of marches all knew how to use weapons.

Fifi did not and said she had no interest.

The conversation had lapsed into silence and then the little kid had asked her if she liked chickens. What kind of question was that? Ava liked chicken, but not as much as she liked lamb. Fifi did not like to explore; she preferred to go watch her brother.

Her new cousin Robi was a little interesting, at least. He had one good leg and was hobbling around on crutches. Ava was told that he had just received a fake leg because his original leg had to be cut off after it was crushed by a building. Ava had heard of people who lost their legs in fights and to animals, but not to a building.

Robi was also very nice. Much nicer than Aiden. Robi tried his best to show her around and even showed her his dungeon crawl limited edition story guides. At least he knew how to play. Unfortunately, her other cousins from Horizon, Marco and Mateo, had arrived the day before and they took up all of Robis time.

Maeve was the same age as Marco and Mateo, and two years older than Robi, so she got to go play with them. Aiden was getting some reviews from Cousin Kasen, since Aiden would apply to Lyce du Soleil next year.

This left Avas playmate to be a three-year-old kid. Fifi had claimed that she was very close to turning four, but she was still a kid who liked to color and tend to her pet chickens. What kind of pets were chickens? Why couldnt she get a dog or a cat or a falcon or a horse like normal march children?

Before she left Kings Harbor, her mother had told her to be nice to Fifi and Robi and Ava had every intention to. It was just that Robi tended to play with their big cousins and Fifi was boring.

I bet your Uncle Ewan would also like to see your chickens, Cousin Sebastian replied to the other little girl.

Ava narrowed her eyes a bit. Was that kid close to her cousins friends? She bit into her bread and chewed. She looked back at her plate. Soon, Cousin Tori would come, and she could play.

The main meal finished, and the loud, crowded dining hall didnt quiet down in the least. Pies were brought in for dessert and as Ava debated on which fruit pie she wanted, she saw one of the Guevera knights enter and walk directly to Marquis Guevera.

He bowed his head and hit his chest, similar to OTuagh knights, and bent down to report to the seated marquis. Marquis Guevera tilted his head up and listened. His calm expression brightened at once.

Toris entered the city gates!

The pie was forgotten. Ava hopped off her seat and prepared to run to the courtyard, only to be stopped by her aunt.

Where do you think youre going?

Cousin Toris coming! Ava said, pulling against Aunt Eilis arm.

Ava, it will take Toris carriage almost an hour to get here from the southeast gate. Her cousin Sebastians pretty future wife, Idunn, gave her a warm, amused smile. You have time to eat pie.

Ava couldnt help but look torn. She took a deep breath and returned to her seat. It was fine. She had all the time in the world. She could sit and enjoy her pie. When she finished, she could see her cousin and ask if she could stay in her room for the night with Alexander. She missed that cat.

Peach pie, please, Ava told the maid who was pushing a cart of pie slices. The pie was placed in front of her along with a small bowl of sweetened, whipped cream. Her eyes widened; she only saw this in Viclya. Where did you get the cream?

It has been prepared for my lady Countess Guevera, the maid said with a bright smile. She likes to have it with her dessert and has instructed that we have it prepared for you and your cousins.

Ava lifted her hand to her chest. Her cousin was always thinking of them. No one spoiled her like Cousin Tori. Happily, she dug into her pie, shoveling the syrupy peach slices into her mouth and squishing the flaky crust into the syrup to get maximum sweetness.

She relished the taste and took her time. She was still done well before her cousins carriage arrived. Ava paced the foyer, her eyes fixed on the open double doors to the courtyard where the carriages would arrive.

What is taking her so long? she said with a pout.

Maybe they stopped to get something to eat, Aiden suggested.

Ava scowled. But theyre so close!

Her friends like to eat, too, and theyve been traveling for some time, Maeve told her. Maybe they couldnt wait.

No, theyre almost here. Cousin Kasen was standing by the doorway holding Fifi. He narrowed his eyes and seemed to listen. The lower gate has opened. Theyre coming.

Ava shot out of the door and leapt off the steps. She ignored her cousin telling her to be careful as she bounced in place. She began to hear the familiar sounds of horses and the creaking of a wagon. Her heart began to speed up.

The gates to the courtyard were open and suddenly, a parade of uniformed knights on horses came through the gate. First, the now familiar maroon and black Guevera knights. Then, rows of knights in silver surrounded two carriages. The first one had its window open, and a smiling face peered out, waving.

Cousin Tori! Ava shrieked, almost jumping into the courtyard if Aiden didnt grab the back of her shirt to keep her back.

The knights continued further up the courtyard to dismount and have their horses brought to the stables, but the carriages rolled to a stop just in front of the entrance where they stood. A waiting Guevera knight stepped forward and opened the door to the first carriage.

Cousin Tori stepped out in the same clothes she usually wore in Viclya: some loose pants and a tunic. She smiled and held out her arms.

Ava prepared to run into them, only for another voice to break her thoughts.

Auntie Tori! A small child flung themselves into Cousin Toris arms before Ava could take so much as a step.

Her heart sank as she watched her beloved cousin laugh as she picked up the other little girl and swung her around. Shouldnt Cousin Tori come to her and give her a hug and kisses on the cheeks?

Why didnt Cousin Tori call out her name and tell her that she brought her something tasty? Her small hands trembled at her side as she stumbled to a stop.

An unforeseen sense of crisis arose in Ava as her wide, reddening eyes looked at the aunt and niece with heartbreak.

Have I...have I been replaced!?