The great journey began as they all moved from town to town, village to village on the horses. It was twilight when Prince Lloyd spotted a lively bar at the outskirts of the village.
"Why don't we stop over for tonight?" he suggested. Leo didn't bluff. Ignoring his silence, Prince Lloyd led the others to the bar, but Leo's steed was in front.
Wendy was so tired; they had to walk such long distances, and she needed to rest. As they got to the entrance, the bar owner stopped them.
"Payment before service," he announced.
"How much for six rooms?" Prince Lloyd asked. The greedy, pot-bellied man licked his lips. From the looks of these people, they were extremely well-to-do; he judged from their peculiar brand of horses.
"How about 5,000 Dale gold?" he said. Lloyd shrieked. That was simply too much.
"Isn't that like three times the normal price?" Prince Lloyd asked.
"You want the best services, you gotta pay," he added.
To Wendy, the rooms might just be one of those cramped little spaces for hooligans who came to drink and sleep with harlots. It shouldn't be that much. Then it occurred to her: this man didn't know who he was dealing with.
"I refuse to pay that much. Do you even know who I am?" Prince Lloyd said. The man laughed.
"Who you are doesn't matter. It looks like you rich folks aren't complying… or perhaps you could give out your pretty servant," he said, licking his lips as he eyed Wendy lustfully. She felt disgusted.
"I'll give you the best rooms in exchange for this… angel," he said, moving to touch her chin, but she drew back with a kill-you-if-you-try expression on her face. Liliana couldn't help but laugh as she whispered,
"You need to see your face."
Wendy was surprised; Liliana actually spoke to her… didn't she hate her?
While Prince Lloyd negotiated with the bar man, Prince Leo was silent, watching. He had a hood over his head because he was drawing so much attention on their way. Sometimes, he would hear people yell or coo at him.
"Oh! My," or even whistle, but it got out of hand as a man had whistled sexily… then it occurred to him that he wasn't the only one drawing attention… the crazy bookworm maid. What was special about her anyway?
Prince Leo got down from his horse and moved gingerly toward the pot-bellied bar man. Noticing his dangerous aura, the man stiffened. Leo held out a bag full of coins and waved it at his face.
"You'd have had all of it, but all you're getting is nothing," he said, handing his horse over to the man.
"Tend to these horses," he said as he walked in, leaving the man in shock. He tried to protest, but something inside him couldn't. Was it because of Leo's hidden face or his deadly aura?
"Your Highness, do we follow?" a guard asked, and Prince Lloyd nodded.
Wait… did he just say "Your Highness"? The man was dumbfounded.
"You heard the prince. Tend the horses," another guard said. That was when he noticed the Dale palace badge on the guards and maids—they were the royal princes on the journey. As they handed the horses to him, he frowned… he was the bar owner, not a worker, and yet the scary guy had forced him to tend horses… who was he anyway?
"Who was that mean fellow?" he asked Ma Morrie.
"The youngest prince," she replied, avoiding calling his name. The man's face turned purple in fear as he trembled… did he just escape death?
"You're lucky he's in a good mood," Lady Sally said as she held Lloyd's hands and they both walked into the bar.
In the bar, the bar man tried offering the best services after finding out who they were. The servants sat at a table; Prince Lloyd, Lady Sally, and the Pathfinder Mr. Rooke shared a table, while Prince Leo sat alone at the edge of a window away from everyone… such a sadist.
The bar maids served the dishes, and dessert—which was Wendy's most dreaded, 'almond pie'. She was allergic, so she gave hers to Liliana, who gobbled it up… they were starting to get along.
Sally walked toward Wendy's table, but she was so engrossed in the book she was reading.
"Hey, slave girl, tell the bar maids to get the prince something else and return the dessert."
"Huh…?" she said in surprise. So the great prince was scared of almonds too? Wow, she wasn't the only one. Back in the North Village, no one ate almonds in her home; it was forbidden and had serious side effects.
"Didn't you hear me, you worthless slave?" Sally scolded. Wendy took the book and went toward the prince's table, grabbed the pie, squeezing her face as if it were something disgusting while the prince watched her.
As she walked to meet a barmaid, she stood waiting for their response. Opening her book, she flipped to the next page and squealed in excitement—but then she collided with someone, and her book fell.
"I'm sorry," the handsome, majestic guy said, picking up the book for her. Wendy admired him; he was tall, lean, with a round, feminine face but an extreme scar on his cheek. He wore a light robe, and his hair was also held up by a band—but he was nothing compared to the god sitting at the edge of the window.
"I'm Lynn," he said, pulling out his hand for a handshake.
"I'm Wendy," she replied, shaking him.
"Wow! you love books," he said, and she smiled.
"You too?" she asked.
"Nah… not my thing at all ," he replied smiling sweetly. Just then, a bar girl had called her, and she entered to answer while her new friend waited outside. A few minutes later, she wasn't out, so he rushed in, only to find a group of men tormenting the poor girl. She was tied to a chair and sobbing.
"Let her go now!" he commanded, and the men laughed, mocking his skinny appearance.
"Let her go while I'm still nice," he said meanly. Wendy was scared; she didn't want this new friend of hers to get hurt because of her.
"Whatcha gonna do, fight?" one asked. Just then a bigger frame appeared from the door… his aura so deadly the men shook in fear as the hooded man entered. Everywhere fell silent.
"Where's my dessert?" The question knocked Lynn off balance… was he serious? Couldn't he see the girl was in danger?
"Really? All you could do is ask for dessert?" the guy asked. Leo scoffed; it was obvious he didn't know who he was dealing with. He turned to leave.
"You see, be like that, gentleman, and mind your own business," one man sneered. Lynn sprang into action like an agile Monkey she tumbled and jumped on the table, slashing his arms off, leaving the others drawing back in fear.
"Who's next?" Lynn said. Another charged with his own sword; Lynn tumbled and kicked him, sending him crashing down a wall. Wow. Impressive for someone so thin—Wendy could tell his strength was enormous as he slayed the men and set her free.
"Oh, thank you! Thank you so much!" she said, hugging him tight. She couldn't believe Prince Leo had left her like that… well, who was she then, and what was she for him to care when he himself didn't care for his brother?
Lynn angrily walked outside, and Wendy suspected he wanted to yell at Leo… it was obvious he didn't know who he was.
"Hey, you! I never knew you were that heartless!" he yelled, and Prince Lloyd and the others rushed to the scene. Prince Leo was drinking wine from a cup gently, ignoring him completely.
"You're not a prince! A prince would at least respect a human being, no matter how little," he added. Oh, so he knew who he was. Lynn tried to draw him back, but he was angry. How could someone leave a woman in such a situation?
"Go now before he loses it," Prince Lloyd commanded. As the man turned to leave, a different tiny voice spoke:
"Heartless demon!" And Prince Leo couldn't hold himself as he stood up and grabbed Lynn's neck… his killer grip. Prince Lloyd gasped in fear; he had seen his brother kill many with just his grip. The guy's face didn't turn blue; he didn't struggle, then did something crazy—he grabbed Prince Leo's neck and everyone gasped in shock. Even Prince Leo wasn't left out, He felt great strength emanating from the guy; he could tell he was gifted with unknown strength.
"Gifts are for protection, not causing pain. I know how it felt to be tied to a chair by hooligans. I feel the pain because… I'm a woman," she said, loosening her hair. It was brown and long and fell to her shoulders, causing a great uproar and murmuring. All this was too much, but Prince Leo frowned and flung her to the floor angrily, she got up gingerly staggering a bit. But It was obvious: no matter how strong she was, he was still stronger. No wonder she dared to speak to him in that manner, but the voice they heard was not hers… Wendy was very certain.
Everyone recoiled, but the woman went in search of the princes. When she found them, Leo was still boiling, but she didn't care.
"You again," Lloyd said. He actually found her attractive; she was busty and cute as a lady… but appeared quite rude. No one had ever challenged Leo like that, let alone fight him.
"I came to negotiate," she said dryly. Her manners and ways were so rude, Lloyd couldn't help but gawk at her.
"What do you want?" Leo asked in his deep, scary voice. The lady shrugged.
"I'd like to come along on the journey," she announced. Leo looked at her; his face held no expression.
"Why?" Lloyd asked.
"I want to return this guy," she said, putting her hands gently into her pocket and dragged out a white-winged creature with long ears and fox-like features. Prince Lloyd gasped while Prince Leo's eyes widened in surprise, then returned to normal.
"What is that creature?" Prince Lloyd shrieked.
"An Alopex?" Prince Leo replied while the creature frowned, its brows creased visibly.
"Who are are you calling a creature, punk?" the creature yelled, and Prince Lloyd almost screamed while Prince Leo hissed in response.
"You're a skilled woman. Why must you come with us? You could go on your own," Leo said without blinking.
"We heard your team had the map, and again, a lone traveler has slim chance of survival," she added.
"No, I can't let you," the prince said, his eyes as cold as ice.
"Leo, let's consider they might help us," Lloyd said. Lloyd was right; since the Alopex and Nytherians were familiar with each other, Leo didn't trust that easily.
"Ok, but any wrong move…" he said tapping the shear of his sword softly, then he turned away and left.
Meanwhile, Wendy was still recovering from the shock of what had happened right before her eyes, when Lynn came to sit beside her, smiling. She knew this girl had many questions, but she'd explain little by little.