Previous
Chapter 20: A Short Reunion
Another exhausting day, and Penina had to massage her forehead as she was looking over the documents on the table. Yet, she sensed someone’s presence and looked up towards the doorway.
She locked eyes with her sister, and saw that Kailani clearly tensed up her body when she noticed her. “Kailani?” Penina whispered, as though in disbelief at what she saw.
“Heh, yeah. Hi, sis,” Kailani said shyly, but Penina leapt at her so strongly that she knocked her backwards. “I’ve missed you so much!!!” she cried and she firmly hugged her. Kailani was rigid in shock at first, but slowly softened and returned her sister’s hug, “I missed you too…I’m so sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about!” Penina pulled away and looked directly into her eyes, “Nothing. I’m just so happy to see you. I didn’t expect you to already be back. Did you already go through mother’s journal?” her questions were shot in rapid succession.
Kailani looked away awkwardly and wrung her hands, “Well, no. Actually, we came back to try to figure out where to go next.” Penina tilted her head, “Mother didn’t say exactly where she went?”
“No, well, not exactly,” Kailani was struggling at what to say, “Do you remember ever going to an island’s cove with our parents?” “No, not at all. Mother and father were always so busy that we hardly had a chance to do anything together, especially away from the palace,” Penina said, deep in thought, “So you’re trying to figure out where this island is?”
Kailani gave a small nod, “Exactly. Murchadh was going to ask Siren to see if she knew anything about it, so we can go there next.” “Oh, the guard that has been assisting you? We can assign you more guards or one of the more experienced guards instead since you’re here,” Penina said, “I heard he was one of the newer additions to the guard.”
The proposition alarmed Kailani, “No, no. He’s great.” The look she saw from her sister caused her to blush, “Errr, wait, I mean, he’s been very helpful protecting me and bringing me to the places from mother’s journal. It’s probably best that we stick together and see through the rest of it.”
At this point, Penina had to bring a hand to her face to hide her grin and suppress her laughter. “Jeez, it’s not like that, sis!” Kailani shoved her sister. “Mhm, I’m sure,” Penina said with a chuckle, “but if he has been protecting you well, then I won’t stand in your way. Just stay safe, okay?”
“You know me!” Kailani pipped, and she grabbed Penina’s hand and squeezed it, “So what have I missed since I’ve been away?”
Murchadh swam into the room where Siren was discussing plans with a few of the guards. He waited patiently until Siren finished and dismissed the others. “Murchadh, report. How is Princess Kailani?”
“She is well. We’ve been able to follow her mother’s route successfully so far…except now. The queen mentioned an island in her journal, whose cove was used by her and her parents as a sort of vacation spot.”
Siren’s eyes widened, “The Pebble Pearl Cove? Now that is a place I have not heard about in some time, at least not since…” she paused, “…since Fetia lost her brother there.” Now it was Murchadh’s eyes that widened in surprise, “The queen had a brother?”
“Yes, not many remember since he was young at the time,” Siren began, “During one outing there, he strayed away from the group, and no one noticed his absence until it was too late. All that was left was his pearl, which washed up on the shore and had notable gashes on it. Fetia’s parents thought the worse, and we retreated before any one of us were attacked next. No one has been there since.”
Murchadh stayed silent, surprise still outlined on his face. “Well, it matters not. Princess Kailani’s journey stops here. The King has ordered his daughters to remain in the palace. You have done well in protecting her and guiding her back to us,” Siren said as she looked down at the map that was laid on the table, “We will go over your new orders in the morning. You are dismissed.”
He was ready to speak up, but bit his tongue. Once Siren made a decision, she was hard to persuade otherwise. Instead, Murchadh saluted and swam out without a word. He had to speak to Kailani soonest about what transpired.
“Pst, Kailani, over here!” Murchadh whispered out from behind a corner. Kailani had finished talking with Penina and was heading to the kitchen for some food. She was surprised to see Murchadh trying to hide, and swam up to him, “Hey, did you find out where the island is?”
“Shhh, not here. Follow me,” and he started swimming towards a hall. Kailani pulled at his tail to steer him in a different direction, “No if you want secrecy, then follow me. I know the best place,” and she led the way. She brought them both to a room that appeared to be that for guests to wait in until they were ushered to the throne room. Going to the side of a pedestel, she placed her hand on its bust of one of the first rulers of Nan’nalu and pressed in its eyes at the same time. They heard a soft grinding of stone, and Kailani pulled Murchadh through a doorway hidden behind a large hanging tapestry.
“Wow, how did you know about this?” Murchadh asked in wonder. “My mother,” said Kailani with a grin, “She told me all of the best hiding spots. But that’s why she could always find me too…No one else I know in the palace knows about these hidden rooms.”
The room they entered was a curious one, adorned with an assortment of texts, doodads, tools, and wonders. Even though there was a large number of items, it didn’t seem too cluttered, but more of an organized mess that could easily distract a hatchling.
“So what happened?” Kailani asked, curiosity shining in her eyes. “The place is called Pebble Pearl’s Cove, and I was able to find its coordinates using a map from the palace’s library,” Murchadh began. “Then we can head out first thing tomorrow!” she clapped her hands in glee.
“Actually, the guard doesn’t want us to head out at all. The last orders of the King was to keep you and your sister in the palace, and Siren intends to carry out that order for you,” Murchadh said bitterly, “and she wants me to carry out new orders elsewhere.”
It caused Kailani’s face to harden, “Well, they can try. I escaped them last time, so I’ll escape them again.” Murchadh nodded, “But you have to leave now, before they add new guards to watch over you. Otherwise, it’ll be too much for us to handle.”
“Us?” Kailani asked. “Yeah, well, I’m not about to let you go off alone and get hurt,” Murchadh said quickly, “And you need help getting to that island, so you need me,” he looked away and rummaged in a bag held at his side in embarrassment, “I have everything we need for supplies, but we got to go fast.”
He was ready to turn around and leave the room, but Kailani grabbed his hand, “Wait.” Murchadh looked into her eyes and saw warmth in them that he didn’t expect. “You’ve been so kind to me, and I can’t imagine finishing this journey without you. But it’s more than that,” she was thinking about how embarrassed she was with her sister at the idea of liking him, “I think I love you, and I want to tell you that in case anything happens.”
Murchadh was quiet and looked at the his hand that Kailani was holding, “I…I think I love you too,” and he squeezed her hand back, “Let’s talk about it later though. I don’t want us missing this window of opportunity to escape.” Kailani only gave a nod, and they swam out of the room. Using the passageways that were empty, they were able to manage to get to the stables where Aalto was. Since Aalto was so large, it was instead circling above the stables and appeared agitated at the stablehands who were arguing below.
Seizing the moment where the stablehands were distracted and bickering, Kailani swam to Aalto’s side and gently patted it, whispering, “We got to go.” Kailani and Murchadh grabbed onto Aalto’s back and steered it away from the palace. The stablehands only noticed Aalto’s disappearance too late, as Aalto was able to quickly flee the palace with a few wingbeats.
next
@Petall @Aquasparky @Reshiramu
Phew, it was a quick stop at the palace before the duo had to continue their journey, much at the dismay of Nan’nalu’s royal guard. Kailani escapes the palace again, but this time willingly with Murchadh. Hope you are looking forward to what comes next! I’m very excited!
Chapter 20: A Short Reunion
Another exhausting day, and Penina had to massage her forehead as she was looking over the documents on the table. Yet, she sensed someone’s presence and looked up towards the doorway.
She locked eyes with her sister, and saw that Kailani clearly tensed up her body when she noticed her. “Kailani?” Penina whispered, as though in disbelief at what she saw.
“Heh, yeah. Hi, sis,” Kailani said shyly, but Penina leapt at her so strongly that she knocked her backwards. “I’ve missed you so much!!!” she cried and she firmly hugged her. Kailani was rigid in shock at first, but slowly softened and returned her sister’s hug, “I missed you too…I’m so sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about!” Penina pulled away and looked directly into her eyes, “Nothing. I’m just so happy to see you. I didn’t expect you to already be back. Did you already go through mother’s journal?” her questions were shot in rapid succession.
Kailani looked away awkwardly and wrung her hands, “Well, no. Actually, we came back to try to figure out where to go next.” Penina tilted her head, “Mother didn’t say exactly where she went?”
“No, well, not exactly,” Kailani was struggling at what to say, “Do you remember ever going to an island’s cove with our parents?” “No, not at all. Mother and father were always so busy that we hardly had a chance to do anything together, especially away from the palace,” Penina said, deep in thought, “So you’re trying to figure out where this island is?”
Kailani gave a small nod, “Exactly. Murchadh was going to ask Siren to see if she knew anything about it, so we can go there next.” “Oh, the guard that has been assisting you? We can assign you more guards or one of the more experienced guards instead since you’re here,” Penina said, “I heard he was one of the newer additions to the guard.”
The proposition alarmed Kailani, “No, no. He’s great.” The look she saw from her sister caused her to blush, “Errr, wait, I mean, he’s been very helpful protecting me and bringing me to the places from mother’s journal. It’s probably best that we stick together and see through the rest of it.”
At this point, Penina had to bring a hand to her face to hide her grin and suppress her laughter. “Jeez, it’s not like that, sis!” Kailani shoved her sister. “Mhm, I’m sure,” Penina said with a chuckle, “but if he has been protecting you well, then I won’t stand in your way. Just stay safe, okay?”
“You know me!” Kailani pipped, and she grabbed Penina’s hand and squeezed it, “So what have I missed since I’ve been away?”
Murchadh swam into the room where Siren was discussing plans with a few of the guards. He waited patiently until Siren finished and dismissed the others. “Murchadh, report. How is Princess Kailani?”
“She is well. We’ve been able to follow her mother’s route successfully so far…except now. The queen mentioned an island in her journal, whose cove was used by her and her parents as a sort of vacation spot.”
Siren’s eyes widened, “The Pebble Pearl Cove? Now that is a place I have not heard about in some time, at least not since…” she paused, “…since Fetia lost her brother there.” Now it was Murchadh’s eyes that widened in surprise, “The queen had a brother?”
“Yes, not many remember since he was young at the time,” Siren began, “During one outing there, he strayed away from the group, and no one noticed his absence until it was too late. All that was left was his pearl, which washed up on the shore and had notable gashes on it. Fetia’s parents thought the worse, and we retreated before any one of us were attacked next. No one has been there since.”
Murchadh stayed silent, surprise still outlined on his face. “Well, it matters not. Princess Kailani’s journey stops here. The King has ordered his daughters to remain in the palace. You have done well in protecting her and guiding her back to us,” Siren said as she looked down at the map that was laid on the table, “We will go over your new orders in the morning. You are dismissed.”
He was ready to speak up, but bit his tongue. Once Siren made a decision, she was hard to persuade otherwise. Instead, Murchadh saluted and swam out without a word. He had to speak to Kailani soonest about what transpired.
“Pst, Kailani, over here!” Murchadh whispered out from behind a corner. Kailani had finished talking with Penina and was heading to the kitchen for some food. She was surprised to see Murchadh trying to hide, and swam up to him, “Hey, did you find out where the island is?”
“Shhh, not here. Follow me,” and he started swimming towards a hall. Kailani pulled at his tail to steer him in a different direction, “No if you want secrecy, then follow me. I know the best place,” and she led the way. She brought them both to a room that appeared to be that for guests to wait in until they were ushered to the throne room. Going to the side of a pedestel, she placed her hand on its bust of one of the first rulers of Nan’nalu and pressed in its eyes at the same time. They heard a soft grinding of stone, and Kailani pulled Murchadh through a doorway hidden behind a large hanging tapestry.
“Wow, how did you know about this?” Murchadh asked in wonder. “My mother,” said Kailani with a grin, “She told me all of the best hiding spots. But that’s why she could always find me too…No one else I know in the palace knows about these hidden rooms.”
The room they entered was a curious one, adorned with an assortment of texts, doodads, tools, and wonders. Even though there was a large number of items, it didn’t seem too cluttered, but more of an organized mess that could easily distract a hatchling.
“So what happened?” Kailani asked, curiosity shining in her eyes. “The place is called Pebble Pearl’s Cove, and I was able to find its coordinates using a map from the palace’s library,” Murchadh began. “Then we can head out first thing tomorrow!” she clapped her hands in glee.
“Actually, the guard doesn’t want us to head out at all. The last orders of the King was to keep you and your sister in the palace, and Siren intends to carry out that order for you,” Murchadh said bitterly, “and she wants me to carry out new orders elsewhere.”
It caused Kailani’s face to harden, “Well, they can try. I escaped them last time, so I’ll escape them again.” Murchadh nodded, “But you have to leave now, before they add new guards to watch over you. Otherwise, it’ll be too much for us to handle.”
“Us?” Kailani asked. “Yeah, well, I’m not about to let you go off alone and get hurt,” Murchadh said quickly, “And you need help getting to that island, so you need me,” he looked away and rummaged in a bag held at his side in embarrassment, “I have everything we need for supplies, but we got to go fast.”
He was ready to turn around and leave the room, but Kailani grabbed his hand, “Wait.” Murchadh looked into her eyes and saw warmth in them that he didn’t expect. “You’ve been so kind to me, and I can’t imagine finishing this journey without you. But it’s more than that,” she was thinking about how embarrassed she was with her sister at the idea of liking him, “I think I love you, and I want to tell you that in case anything happens.”
Murchadh was quiet and looked at the his hand that Kailani was holding, “I…I think I love you too,” and he squeezed her hand back, “Let’s talk about it later though. I don’t want us missing this window of opportunity to escape.” Kailani only gave a nod, and they swam out of the room. Using the passageways that were empty, they were able to manage to get to the stables where Aalto was. Since Aalto was so large, it was instead circling above the stables and appeared agitated at the stablehands who were arguing below.
Seizing the moment where the stablehands were distracted and bickering, Kailani swam to Aalto’s side and gently patted it, whispering, “We got to go.” Kailani and Murchadh grabbed onto Aalto’s back and steered it away from the palace. The stablehands only noticed Aalto’s disappearance too late, as Aalto was able to quickly flee the palace with a few wingbeats.
next
@Petall @Aquasparky @Reshiramu
Phew, it was a quick stop at the palace before the duo had to continue their journey, much at the dismay of Nan’nalu’s royal guard. Kailani escapes the palace again, but this time willingly with Murchadh. Hope you are looking forward to what comes next! I’m very excited!
|
Wishlist FR+3 time Dragons for Sale Avatar Art Shop |
          
|
