"The general plan is to stay along the borders, near Dareisol. The merchant caravans had faced harassment here, along this central area before the route split." Henry stood beside a table that had a map spread in front of it. Fist-sized rocks were used to hold the edges down as Henry used his finger to follow a line he'd already drawn. "I want to avoid crossing those areas. Our merchant escorts have secured the routes, but the recent harassment has prompted other merchants to add more escorts to their caravans.

"More escorts, more people. Those routes will be crowded, as will the rest areas along the way," Henry continued. "This lesser used route is more direct to where we want to go and we'll have more room."

"You'll need it, especially when you stop for the night," Efan replied. "What about here and here?" He pointed to the two spots circled on the map. "There aren't any water sources."

"One night without a water source shouldn't be bad, as long as we fill up the night before," Henry said.

"How is your pacing?" Colonel Arelias asked.

Henry let out a heavy sigh. "Nearly everyone will be walking and there are roughly a thousand people, of all ages and varying health. We'd only get as far as half a normal march would in a day."

Several concerned hums came through the tent. For soldiers, that was a rather pitiful distance, but considering the circumstances, it made sense. It was also clear that Henry was purposely giving extra time to accommodate for slower travelers.

"It seems that you have a strong plan," the Colonel told him. "We have discussed and find that twenty of our soldiers can escort you, along with Dr. Rothendam."

Henry's eyes widened and he moved his head back just a bit. "Soldiers? Dr. Rothendam? They are members of Dareisol's army. I, as a foreigner, can't request them to use as an escort."

"Atractas, while the miners we rescued first are much better, the ones we rescued lately are still suffering from their malnutrition and assorted injuries," Efan said as he crossed his arms. "The medic team at the camp made the decision to send one of them to go with your group."

"Yes, Dr. Helmsmith is too old to take on such a long journey. Dr. Bloom is still in training," Colonel Arelias told him. "Dr. Rotherham has both enough experience and is still able-bodied enough to take on an arduous trip there and back."

"Which is another reason why we're assigning an escort," Efan continued. "After settling them, they'll return with Dr. Rotherham. Afterwards, they will take their cycle leave."

Henry's brows were knit with uncertainty. "Is this allowed? Twenty soldiers is not a small number."

"Henry, you're leading a thousand people," Elka said from where she sat. Her leg was healed and she could easily walk around on her own, even get on and off a horse with ease. The doctors monitoring her injury were frantically writing feedback reports for Ash after witnessing the accelerated healing the various medical tape and other prototype supplies had made. "You will need enough people to not only keep order, but to help in case of emergency."

"That isn't to say that you are not a capable leader," Colonel Arelias added with a small nod. "However, the extra backing is useful to assert your authority. Especially in a situation like this."

Henry drew his lips inward and bit them. He understood that. When tensions were high and the future was uncertain, if leadership failed to keep their people calm and confident, then they'd be ripped out of a leadership role and replaced. Colonel Arelias was correct.

In order to keep his authority, and thus ensure that his orders were followed to avoid an incident, he would need something to back it up.

Seeing the torn expression on him, Elka spoke up once again. "The soldiers who are going are mostly volunteers. All of them have served around the resettlers camp, so their faces and presence will be familiar to the miners and their families."

Henry didn't want to voice it, but Elka had addressed one of his concerns. The miners had been wary of the soldiers that patrolled their temporary camp, and it took weeks for them to become somewhat comfortable. The soldiers also did their part, helping wherever they could, including hunting and gathering.

The leader was Lieutenant Commander Weavers, a thirty-year-old woman who was also a cousin of Elka's through an aunt. The Lieutenant Commander was strict and enforced a boundary between the two groups so as not to become too involved in the miners' lives and become biased, especially when there were arguments and disagreements between the miners.

That healthy boundary was strict to the point that the soldiers rejected invitations to join miners at meals. Henry thought it was like having co-workers whom you liked, but weren't necessary friends with outside of work.

No matter what, being used to that group of soldiers would make the escort much easier to accept. He wouldn't be surprised if some of the miners welcomed them for added security. Dr. Rotherham would also be very much welcome.

"Has this been approved?" Henry asked.

"Yes. It is also an extension of our duties, as we captured those miners. We are responsible for at least part of their resettlement," Colonel Arelias replied. "We will not be reprimanded for the use of a twenty-soldier escort."

"Think of it as a humanitarian mission," Elka said.

Henry took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before nodding his head. "Then, I thank the Colonel for his arrangements."

"And we thank you for your assistance during the raids," the old man replied.

"I will ensure that when the soldiers and Dr. Rotherham return, they will have enough supplies with them," Henry said. "And I will take care of their supplies on the way."

"You've been supplying food from that bag of yours for some time now, not only to the resettlement camp, but also to Elka."

Elka narrowed her eyes and snapped her head at her older brother. "I don't eat that much."

"The bags Ash prepared for us have a far larger space for holding than some of our caravan and shipping containers," Henry replied. "The only downside is that the mouth of the bag is only so big, so what we have can only be so wide to fit inside the entrance."

"Then, you'll have enough for the journey?" someone asked. Henry nodded.

"More than enough that an extra twenty-one mouths can eat their fill."

"Twenty-two mouths," Elka said. Several heads, including Henry's, turned towards her with question. She met Henry's gaze and beamed. "I'm coming, too."

"Absolutely not!" Henry had opened his mouth to discourage her only to have Efan's voice beat him to it. "That is a journey that will be over a month long. Can your injury handle it?"

"First of all, I'll be riding a horse," Elka replied with her chin up in defiance. "I'll be fine. Second, my leave cycle has begun. The next three months will be Ezra and Matias' units."

Her other brother and cousin were set to take over with their units, slowly switching places with the active soldiers to allow them to rest. Henry hadn't paid attention, but he supposed it was time.

"The journey there and back will take up most of your leave cycle!" her brother argued as he slammed a hand on the table. "Not to mention that if you go, you'll technically still be on duty."

"I'm not going as a soldier; I'm going as his future wife!" She threw out her arm and pointed to Henry as the entire tent went quiet.

For a moment, Henry wished he could sink beneath the table. Now, her brother would for sure blame him for her wanting to join him on a near cross-continent trek.

"You're not even engaged yet!"

"Since when did we give our approval!"

"Does your father know?" Several of Elka's relatives and her brothers spoke out at once, their voices sounding over each other in protest not to Elka going, but to calling herself his future wife.

Henry frowned a bit. Yes, it was implied. It was their life plan, but he hadn't made a proper proposal. In Ashtar, his engagement would've been arranged mainly by his parents as a sociopolitical and financial decision.

But in the Federation, grand gestures as proposals were the norm amongst the merchant elite. They were romantic, emotional, and oftentimes extravagant. He had hoped that once he regained his throne, he could give Elka a fitting proposal.

He already had the gifts lined up: rare items to make bows and arrows and secured collaboration with the most skilled weapons makers in the Dragon Continent, the Steelhead Dwarves. He also reserved a Southern Iverian Golden horse, known for its use in war as highly intelligent, agile, and swift. All of this was with the usual jewelry and future household goods, of which he'd started collecting already.

However, now was not the place to reveal all of this. It would only bring him further under scrutiny, as while Elka's mother approved, her father seemed somewhat resistant to his only daughter's marriage prospect with him.

At least Ash had it easier. Hana was also the only daughter, but everyone except for Hide, Hana's middle brother, liked Ash.

That's not fair to compare. Ash and Hana's immediate family all lived in Carthage Harbor, so they had plenty of communication. The Nobuya's had known Ash for some time. In comparison, Elka's father spent most of his time in the Arelias Army, as his eldest brother was Marquis Arelias. If Henry married Elka, it was likely that Elka would retire from the Arelias Army.

As a result, the man only knew of Henry from his children and wife, as their personal contact was limited to those few times Henry stood in the background as his aunt beat up Elka's father. Henry couldn't exactly count on her brothers to build him up in front of their father, either.

"You can't stop me! I've also submitted a request for extended leave!" Elka told her siblings proudly.

Colonel Arelias gasped. "That's why you submitted it? I thought you wanted to rest your leg longer!"

"Uncle, did you already approve it?" Eli asked with a horrified look.

Colonel Arelias slowly nodded his head. "Yes...I didn't expect that she planned to use the time to go."

"Elka, you'd only be gone for part of your leave cycle. Why did you submit an extension?" Efan asked with a disapproving smile.

"Just in case the journey takes longer, I wanted to make sure I didn't return late," she replied with a shrug.

"So, you decided to set a return date even later?" Eli choked out.

"I need to report it to the military through proper means," Elka replied. "As I was saying, one day I'm going to marry Henry, so I should see where I could help him now." She looked back at him and smiled affectionately with her cheeks a bit pink.

Henry's expression softened. While he appreciated it, he didn't want to drag her through a several week-long journey leading a thousand people through forest and mountain.

"All right, all right," Efan said as he raised his hands. He looked at her with narrowed eyes. "You're very willing to support him, but he has yet to open his mouth to say he supports you."

All attention went back to Henry. Even Elka fixed her gaze on him, waiting for him to jump in and support her to prove her brothers wrong.

Henry frowned and looked at Efan. "I will support Elka in her decisions-"

"Are you forgetting that he flew on a dragon half way across the world, without stopping, for two days, just to come rescue me the moment his brother notified him that something might, not was, but might, have gone wrong?" Elka shouted as she also slapped her palm on the table. "Since he found me, he carried me around when my leg was healing, kept me company, and fed me!"

"Sometimes by hand, which was unnecessary...." Eli muttered under his breath.

"Shut up, Eli," both Elka and Efan shouted back, making the youngest son shrink back.

"All right, I understand everyone's concerns," Henry said, holding out his hands to calm them down. "I also have siblings. I also worry about their partners. I mean...you've met Effie and Ash." His eyes crinkled up thinking of his siblings. "Not everyone can handle them. One of them is a little money grubber who can sell a stick to a tree, and the other one is...Ash."

The room was mostly quiet, but several people seemed to nod their heads after pondering. Efan and Eli knew Henry's brother and sister.

"Do you know how it will affect Elka's reputation if she goes off with you?" Colonel Arelias said in a low, but sincerely concerned voice. "Atractas, you are no doubt a responsible man, but you two are not yet engaged."

"Then at this point, can it not be said that she is joining as a volunteer?" Henry asked. "Technically, Elka is on leave, therefore, this is her free time."

From the corner of his eye, he saw Elka's face light up. His suggestion meant that he must've supported her. He did, even if he didn't want her to trouble herself. It was just that in front of everyone, he wanted to present a united front.

"Atractas, you were the first to see how severe her injury was!" Efan argued with a scowl.

"And I have provided everything in my power, and done my utmost, to ensure that she heals quickly and well," Henry replied. "Elka has also followed orders to remain at camp or in her tent for long periods of time in order to avoid aggravating her wound. Now that it's healed over, and that the medics say she can return to duty, it is fair to assess that she is capable of joining the trek to the resettlement site."

Elka nodded her head in agreement.

Efan took a deep breath and glared at his sister, as if knowing that if she didn't say she was going, Henry likely wouldn't have asked her.

"When you arrive, you must send a message confirming it and your scheduled return date," Efan told her.

A wide smile crossed Elka's face and she gave him a salute. "Understood."

"I will ensure her safety and provide any resources she made need when she travels with me," Henry assured them. "Good or bad, I will send a messenger hawk if there is significant news."

"See! We're all in agreement!" Elka smiled. She looked at Henry. "Everything is packed. I'm ready to leave when you are!"

Her siblings stared at her expressionlessly. Henry accepted that there was no convincing Elka to stay behind.

With all the reassurances they were given, the Areliases conceded. Elka left the tent almost strutting with triumph.

Henry followed behind her. "Are you sure you'll have enough time to return to Dareisol after the resettlement?"

"Yes!"

"And you do plan to return to Dareisol, yes?" Henry prodded. Elka kept walking and didn't look back. She also didn't answer. Henry squinted. "Elka."

"How long will you be in the resettlement site?" she asked.

"As long as everything goes as planned, no longer than a week," he replied. "I need to meet Auntie and Ash at the border. The Ashtar deal is important and we'll have a lot to do. The Dareisol soldiers escorting us will also be on leave and will return to the empire, but I believe a few will escort Dr. Rothendam back to this camp."

"Yes, that's the plan."

"Do you plan to come back to this camp instead?" Henry asked. No matter what, he wanted to ensure that she'd have everything she'd need on her journey back. He decided to voice this so she wouldn't be worried. "No matter who you go with, I'll make sure the teams are provided for."

Elka began to slow down. She glanced over her shoulder with a look of hesitation on her face. Henry felt his stomach tighten. He wasn't sure that was a good sign.

"Actually....I was hoping to go with you."

"What?" Henry jerked his head back, coming to a stop just a step behind her. "You mean to the resettlement camp?"

Elka's lips tightened into a guilty line and shook her head. "With you."

His eyes crinkled up, silently praying that she wasn't implying what he thought she was. "Elka, I'm going to meet with my family, and then we are going to cross the border into Ashtar. Ashtar that Dareisol has declared war on."

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Elka's Dareisol travel papers would not get her into the country. At best, she could rely on your travel papers from Carthage Harbor, if she had them with her.

Elka nodded. "I know."

Henry closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "No." His voice was firm. "The journey to the resettlement is fine. Spending a few days there, also fine. But afterwards, you need to return to Dareisol or, even Carthage Harbor."

"Henry-"

"It is too dangerous for you to go to Ashtar!" He took a step closer, lowering his voice to almost a whisper as he stood in front of her. "Elka, it is dangerous for me."

Elka opened her mouth, a bit at a loss for words. "But...isn't Effie going?"

"My aunt has already arranged for Effie's paperwork to enter. The documents were agreed upon when we had left Shae Merchant City," Henry continued to keep his voice low and matter of fact. "There is only enough paperwork for the four of us."

Him, Ash, his aunt, and Effie. In addition, Effie was a beast master. With her proper training, the ability provided her with a layer of safety that Elka didn't have, even if Elka was a master archer and could use a sword.

Elka lowered her head and furrowed her brows. "Isn't there any way to arrange for additional papers for me?"

"The person who arranged the papers for us had to travel to Ridua, Ashtar's capital, to get them. Then, he's set to meet us at the border so we can fill out our portion to enter."

He watched her shoulder slump down. "Difficult to get in. Difficult to get out?"

Henry's eyes softened, helpless. He grasped her hand and wove his fingers between hers before pulling her forward, towards her tent.

"At most, you can come with me to the border, but after that, you have to return." He began considering which soldiers would be willing to make the extra travel to ensure that Elka did not travel alone.

He felt her hand squeeze his. "How long are you going to be in Ashtar?"

He had no answer for her. More than she'd like, obviously, but he hoped that whatever violent overthrow of the imperial family they planned would be quick and efficient. Quick was subjective.

"I don't know," he answered honestly. "You know the market situation in Ashtar is. They haven't had outside trade. There are so many legal loopholes to go through just for foreign merchants to sell there. It'll take time to settle a flagship Snake, Scarab, and Sons in Ridua. And even when we do, the local merchants may not welcome us." He shook his head. Considering that the local merchants were all tied to powerful families, they most certainly would not be happy to see a foreign group coming in and taking a piece of their market share.

Elka stopped just outside her tent and looked at him. "When you said it was dangerous...."

Henry gave her a wry smile. "Those currently in power don't want us there." There was more weight to that then Elka realized. "But, really, anytime we go into a new territory to do business is a risk-"

She shook her head. "Then, why are you going? Your family already has one of the largest merchant companies in the world. Nearly every large city and caravan top has a Snake, Scarab, and Sons. Do you need to open one in Ashtar?"

He licked his lips and tried to find the words. "It's...more than just the teahouse."

He held her gaze for a few moments and slowly watched as the realization seemed to flicker in her eyes. The surprise was overwhelmed by sadness. She swallowed hard.

"I see...." she whispered. Her hands clasped him tightly. "I never asked you to tell me exactly why you have to go back, but I have an idea."

Henry lowered his eyes. They had told Elka a sanitized version of his background. His father had a favorite son, and that favorite son took over the inheritance rights that should've gone to Henry. Ashtar was a volatile place already; it would not be easy to regain his inheritance.

He forced a smile on his face. That battle would be much bloodier than opening up a teahouse. "We're not going to Ashtar to try to fight for my inheritance rights."

Elka's expression darkened. She drew her head back and frowned. "Liar."

He shook his head, at a loss. "Elka-"

Without a word, she threw his hands down and turned to her tent. "I will still come with you, and I'll help you maintain order and support the resettlers," she said in a firm voice as she threw aside the tent flat to enter. She whirled around and glared at him. "But don't lie to me!"

The tent flap fluttered down dramatically after she stormed into her tent, leaving Henry standing there awkwardly with the two soldiers who were guarding her tent avoiding eye contact, though obviously having witnessed everything.

Henry ran his hand down his face.

In private, after that festival ball in Dareisol, Nera had spoken to him.

"If you are serious about Elka, she should know. It is up to you to tell her."

He asked her if his father had known who she really was and Nera had snorted and said "Of course, not." Then she paused. "But Enroshan does."

Henry chose to keep that a secret from Ash, and didn't dwell on telling Elka, as he thought he had plenty of time. Before he knew it, he was just a few weeks away from entering Ashtar.

The next day, when he left the tent he shared with other soldiers, he found Elka waiting by with the horses. Her horse was loaded with her things and she was dressed ready for the journey.

She looked serious and pretended not to see him, but Henry's face still perked up with joy seeing her. "Elka, good morning."

He received a grunt in response before Elka turned away to face her horse. Henry let out a heavy breath. He needed to figure out how he was going to tell her.

The time to arrive came and they were joined by two more soldiers. Most of the soldiers who volunteered to come on the journey were already at the other camp, so they would be meeting them there. Dr. Rothendam had come to camp to gather some more supplies to prepare for the journey and was riding with them.

Most of the short ride was the doctor asking Henry about Ash's medical supplies and expressing his interest.

"I also have the feedback reports for the Second Young Master. My fellow medics would be more than happy to do any future, real-world testing for him and Moonflower," Dr. Rothendam told him with excitement in his voice.

Henry expected Ash's supplies to make a difference, but didn't expect that the results would be so good that all the doctors at the camp were excited. In a way, he felt excited for Ash. "I'm sure in that case, when additional supplies require testing, he'll reach out."

"Will I have a chance to meet him on this trip?" Dr. Rothendam looked hopeful and Henry felt a twinge of guilt.

"Not likely. He and the rest of my family are heading elsewhere to meet." The doctor deflated, but nodded.

When they arrived at camp, Henry was pleased to see that all the tents had been packed up for a long time. The resettlement camp had been informed of their departure date two weeks earlier; giving them ample time to prepare and gather any supplies they could find. Several parties had returned to the vacant mining sites to scavenge for anything of use.

The section heads and the family heads came to meet with Henry to review their marching orders.

Henry's eyes swept across the camp and its people. "You've all done an excellent job! This kind of preparation is irreplaceable during such a time. First, I'd like everyone to gather here to re-introduce our section heads, the volunteer soldiers who will be escorting us, and our medic."

He called the section heads first, had them name off which families were in their section, and their section number. Then, the soldiers were introduced. Henry wanted everyone to become familiar with their faces.

"Dr. Rothendam, with whom many of you are familiar with as he has served the camp during this period, has graciously volunteered to stay with us until the resettlement city. This is both to monitor those who are still ill or recovering from injury, as well, as provide medical help in case of any accidents."

Several people, including the section heads, spoke to thank the man, who lifted his hand and gave them thoughtful smiles.

"Of our twenty soldiers, fifteen of them will be assigned to a section. They are on horseback and will follow you. Should someone get hurt or face a sudden emergency, notify your escort soldier and they will ride to the front to inform us quickly." Maintaining adequate communication could save lives and Henry was cautious.

Family units were to move together, but those who were particularly sick or injured were moved to the front. Henry had purchased a few covered wagons and oxen from villages a few days walk away in order to carry the infirmed. Dr. Rothendam would stay with them and soldiers would drive the carts.

Before noon, the party of a thousand strong set out. With the encouragement of the people, they didn't stop for lunch, but continued to push forward until about an hour before sunset. It gave the group time to set up places to sleep and eat before the sunset.

The organization of the camp was set up similar to how it had been in the forest. Everyone was used to it, and if they hadn't been told to use that same formation, they likely would've done so anyway out of habit.

While the people were settling down for the night, Henry and the soldiers began distributing food. As before, Henry carried all the food supplies in his space preservation bag. The food was enough for dinner, breakfast, and to make a light lunch. This took the load of carrying bags of grain and other supplies off of everyone, but they were still required to provide their own water.

It was sunset when Henry returned. He found Elka untying some water bags from her saddle. He had been busy all day, distracted with making sure everyone was becoming accustomed to the journey, but he knew that Elka wasn't speaking to him.

She followed orders and assisted where needed, like the other soldiers, but she avoided looking at him when he looked towards her.

Grasping the exhaustion of the day, he approached her with a gentle smile. "Elka, what do you want to eat-"

"I'm going to help them get water from the creek!" Elka had six water bags around her body and in her arms as she whirled around and swept past Henry, as if she didn't see him.

If it wasn't obvious she was ignoring him before, it was now. Henry remained standing in place, his mouth partially open and his arms still out. Several soldiers quickly looked away, pretending they hadn't seen the humiliating rejection.

Henry let out a small cough and sighed. "I deserve that," he muttered to himself. He hadn't been completely honest with her about his tragic backstory; despite having told her he wanted to marry her. He could understand her irritation and impatience.

Of course, for others who didn't know what was going on and why Elka was giving him the cold shoulder, there were whispers. Was he upset at him? Why was she upset with him? Had he done something wrong?

"I heard that they planned to marry," he heard some people whisper as he passed. That wasn't a surprise; the soldiers knew about him and Elka, and they talked. The resettlers were bound to hear the news. "But now it doesn't look like it."

Henry almost tripped. It took all his will power not to turn around with an incredulous look and ask, 'excuse me, what did you say?'.

"The Young Master is an exceptional young man. If that young lady wants to break up with him, she is missing out."

Henry pretended not to hear as he gave some treats to his horse. What did they mean break up with him? No one was breaking up with him.

"If it's true, then I have a granddaughter he might like."

Henry couldn't take it anymore and marched away to avoid hearing gossip about his love life. Despite the frustration, a part of him was relieved that his siblings weren't there. Ash and Effie would've been neck deep in gossiping with those little old ladies. They'd probably say things that would blow the situation out of proportion.

Henry took a seat around the fire with some soldiers. They were cooking a meal for themselves while chatting. Henry opened his bag and began to rummage through, trying to decide on what to have for dinner.

What's there to decide on? Just get her favorite comfort meal. Henry nodded to himself and then took out a glass jar. A piece of cloth was wrapped around it because the jar was still hot to the touch after the contents had been poured in fresh. He took out two bowls and spoons, then put together a little wooden table so that they could put their bowls on it.

The soldiers watched him, knowing who he was preparing the meal for.

"I kind of wish my girlfriend was as attentive," one of the soldiers said.

"I was my boyfriend had a space preservation bag," another said. They all nodded. That was the key.

"What's that, Young Master?" one of the soldiers asked.

"A spinach, chicken, and egg soup. It's an elven dish," Henry replied.

One of the soldiers let out a small hum and tapped her chin. "Wait...I recall Elka saying her grandmother's soup was her favorite dish." She and the other soldiers smirked as they looked at Henry. "What a coincidence, eh?"

Henry raised a brow. The corner of his lip curled up. "It's not a coincidence."

Henry didn't open the jar yet. He wanted to wait until Elka returned. When she did, half an hour had passed. Even when she arrived, she glanced at him and then turned her head away. She waddled towards the ox carts to deliver the water skins she'd filled up.

She took her time doing it. Henry put the jar back inside his bag to keep it from getting cold.

Finally, when Elka returned to the camp fire where the soldiers and Henry were, she sat down next to him without a word.

Henry held back his surprise. Elka kept her eyes averted, but had moved a little closer to him. He studied her and felt that her irritation and anger dissipated a lot. Did she talk to someone? Some wise elder who helped her understand his troubles and asked her to give him time?

Elka's quiet, resistant voice spoke up beside him. "The old ladies asked me if I had broken up with you."

"Ah." So, that's what it was. He quietly removed the jar from his bag. And grabbed the lid to turn it open. "Don't listen to them. I'm not going to marry someone else's granddaughter."

Elka raised her head to look at him as he put the lid down and carefully poured the contents of the jar into a bowl. "You heard?"

"They're not exactly quiet about it." He shrugged. "I guess I'm more popular than I thought."

Elka sat up straight and sent him a glare, but was met instead with a bowl of soup. Her glare hardened. "You can't distract me with-"

A cooled spoonful of soup went into her mouth and she automatically closed her lips. Her eyes widened as she looked at Henry. After a few moments she swallowed and Henry smiled. "Like it?"

Her eyes reddened. "This is my grandma's spinach, chicken, and egg soup."

"It is."

Her eyes looked at the bowl. "Henry, grandma died last year."

"I know," he said. "Your mom was busy when your grandma started to get sick, so sometimes, Ash or I would check on her. We learned to cook it." He scooped up another spoonful for her and blew across it before holding it up. "She said it was your favorite when you were little."

Elka's pointed ears began to drop and her eyes began to glisten with tears. "So, you made this?"

"This jar? No," Henry said. "I have three left that she made and canned."

Elka sniffled. She ate the spoonful he gave her before she took it from him and began eating on her own. "Only three left?"

"Well...if you want more, I can try to make it. She said it was good enough, but only you can be the judge." Elka let out a small, muffled cry as she ate.

"You're not playing fair. I'm still mad at you."

"You can be angry with me all you want. I deserve it, just don't turn away from me." He gently wiped the tears on her cheeks as she ate.

"You have to save the rest of the jars," she said.

"I know."

"And practice making it."

"I will."

Her lower lip trembled. "Thank you, Henry."

"Thank you for being patient with me," he said. "Once I make some more preparations, I'll make it clear."

"When?" Elka paused.

"Before I go to Ashtar."

Elka looked at him with wide eyes. She looked down and nodded her head. "That's acceptable."

"Good-"

"Leave me the jars." Henry drew his lips in a line as she cracked a smile. She shrugged and continued to eat, as if indifferent. "What if you don't come back. Where will I get my grandma's soup?"

"Ash."

"Ash? Oh...that's right; he also learned."

"Yeah," Henry nodded. "And he also liked it a lot, and your grandma loved him, so she gave him twelve jars."

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

"Good evening, Miss Arelias!" A few older women greeted her cheerfully as Elka passed them on the way to the nearby river.

"Good evening. Don't forget to fill any extra containers you can carry," Elka replied with a warm smile. She couldn't help but be a little proud that her Ashtari was improving with all the immersion.

Tonight, everyone had to fill up on water, as the next night they stopped, they wouldn't be near a water source. It was for one night, but no one wanted to run out of water at any point. Elka focused most of her attention and labor on assisting Dr. Rothendam by arranging wellness checks, dealing with minor scrapes, bruises, and sprains, as well as going to fetch water every time they stopped for the night.

As a result, though she'd only been to the resettlement camp once before they left, most people were now familiar with her and everyone knew her face. They'd often greet her, and though she told them to just call her Elka or even Miss Elka, they insisted on using Miss Arelias.

When all the water bags she'd carried down with her were filled, she trekked up the embankment. In the distance, she could see the fires from the camp, and along the way, a few soldiers had stationed themselves with light slips to keep people from tripping on the uneven footpath.

"Be careful where you step. There are roots." Some of the soldiers had even picked up rudimentary Ashtari. It was all 'vulgar' Ashtari, so it was a shift from the more formal version she started to learn first, but most people didn't speak in the formal, and to avoid sounding too distant, Elka started learning a more common version.

"Good evening, Young Miss Arelias." She perked her head up at the sound of the court formal Ashtari. Every so often, someone would give her a proper greeting, so she'd try to respond in kind.

"Good evening, Esteemed Madam." Elka smiled at an elderly woman with a cane who was holding a bucket. It was strange, as most people were given water bags, as they were easier to hold and drink from, as well as less likely to be contaminated with dirt. Perhaps the old lady did not get one when they were passing them out. "Do you require a water bag, Esteemed Madam? Tell me your section, and I will bring one to you."

The old woman giggled, her eyes squinting with glee. "The Young Miss is so kind." The old woman's court formal was a bit broken, but she was trying and seemed pleased to converse with Elka in it. She moved closer and gave her a small bow. "I hope the Young Miss remembers us when she is Empress."

Elka immediately jerked her head back and opened her mouth to speak, but found herself speechless. "I...I'm not...."

"Ma!" A thin, middle-aged man with grayed hair gasped as he reached them. He quickly bowed to Elka before grasping his mother by the shoulders. "Ma, what are you doing? Don't run off like that without telling anyone!" The man had looked frantic and was shaking.

Elka understood. His mother was old and couldn't remember things any more.

"Dashen, don't speak so rudely in front of the Young Miss!" The old woman's leathery face flushed. "You must speak to her in formal!"

"No, no!" Elka shook her head at once. "Vulgar is fine! There is no need to speak formal."

"But you will speak formal in the palace," the old woman said, confusion filling her face.

The man flushed and looked at Elka with embarrassment. "Forgive us, my lady. My mother is old and her mind is no longer strong."

Now, he was using court formal, too. Elka frowned and shook her head. "It's not a problem. There isn't a reason for me to speak court formal."

"But you will be Empress!" the old woman said. "The prince is going to marry you. Everyone says so!"

"Prince?"

"Forgive her, my lady!" The son bowed once more. "My mother is confused. She was born in the countryside and believes the saying that all red-haired Ashtari are members of the imperial family."

Elka's pupils dilated a bit. Henry's hair was red, and at the moment, it wasn't dyed. "They are?"

"No, well, a bit," the man tried to explain, but appeared uncertain. "In Ashtar, several families had...ah...blood clan traits. They are old nobles. Inherited eye color or hair color, sometimes both," the man told her. "The Emperor's family is known for having red hair, but the main blood clan trait is their eyes."

Elka nodded. "What's wrong with their eyes?"

"Nothing! Nothing!" the man insisted. "The eyes of the imperial family are blue. Not just blue, but a very deep blue. Deeper than the sky! It is also said that their eyes have gold flecks in them."

Elka felt her chest tighten a bit. "Gold flecks...."

"Yes. No one else in the country has them, unless they are a blessed member of the imperial family."

"Lapis blue eyes are a gift from the sun goddess!" the old woman said, raising a trembling, wrinkled fist into the air with excitement.

"Ma, calm down!"

Elka shook her head and nodded. "Right...I see. That's...that's interesting." Her mouth flapped open for a while longer. "I...I need to bring the water back to the ox carts. Be careful on your way down to get water!"

She turned and quickened her step to get back to camp. She didn't realize until she felt the heat of camp fires that her heart was racing.

She'd heard the term 'lapis blue' before. Ash called Henry's eyes that color. At that moment, Henry's eyes were brown. He was using eye drops to color his eyes and had told her it was to help him blend in better.

Was that why? Was it because his eyes were unique?

"Bring the nuts and greens to the pregnant women," she heard Henry's voice in the distance. "They're at a crucial point of pregnancy, so pay special care to them."

Elka quietly put the water bags into one of the ox carts where they kept random supplies. She watched Henry from the other side of a camp fire.

She didn't know much about the imperial family of Ashtar, especially since they closed themselves off for most of her life, but she knew that the emperor had lost all of his sons, except for one. One who was his favorite.

It was such a prevalent story in the noble classes of Dareisol because everyone believed that the emperor of Ashtar had his less favored sons killed to ensure that his favorite son got the throne. There had already been a legitimate, first born crown prince that everyone expected to become the next emperor, but not long after the favorite son was found, the first crown prince died.

It would be a lie to say it wasn't suspicious.

If she thought about what Nera had said about Henry having lost his inheritance, the story kind of fit together, but it was too far-fetched. Which of the princes was Henry? And hadn't they all died?

There was also Ash. She'd known the family since they arrived at Carthage Harbor. Everyone knew that Effie was adopted, Ash was Nera's birth child, and Henry was her 'son' in name, but also Ash's brother. Was Nera a stepmother? Henry didn't call her as such, but all three of them had asserted that, yes, Henry and Ash were half-brothers.

As for what happened in their lives before they reached Carthage Harbor, Elka never asked. She knew they fled Ashtar during the Great Famine, so she didn't want to pry into their traumatic experience. Also, why would a prince flee during a famine? The capital was unaffected in the same way the famine areas were. Not to mention, where did Henry meet Nera and Ash? His half-brother and his half-brother's mother who clearly loved him like her own.

Elka scratched the side of her head. She was overthinking this. The old lady was confused, and she made Elka confused, too.

"You've been staring at me without a word for a while," a man's amused voice said. She lifted her head and saw Henry stopping in front of her. He tilted his head to the side and smiled that smile that made her entire body feel as if it were on fire. "Did I grow a second head or something?"

That winning smile, those intelligent eyes, and that body with a brain to match. Elka nodded and spoke before she could stop herself. "Even if you're not a prince, you definitely look the part."

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