The King Trials 2: Beyond.

~Tandem~

Captain Elfort's ship docks on the white shores of Tandem. The last port of Urium.

We have been ordered to wait on the ship until Primus Kelan and a select few go to retrieve new steeds and mules for our journey. In the meantime, they gave us; makeshift tents, bedrolls, satchels and carrier bags to relocate our belongings and pack only what we need. The rest are to be discarded.

I sense that during an arduous expedition through the unexplored breadth of what lies beyond. I do not see the value of keeping fancy fine dresses or expensive sets of Jewellery. But the jewels can come in handy if we come across a community of sorts, and I can barter them for needed goods.

My weapons I will carry on me. Daggers strapped to my thighs, my quiver is attached to my back, hooked with an additional back strap to secure the bow, the spiked end; a safe distance from my head.

When we are finished packing all of our personal belongings. We take it out to the Skydeck to pile them with the meagre assortment of supplies, sustenance and possessions that belong to the Avangard. All of our combined effects are shoved together before the railing. The Herems and I mill around them idly. Vince sits on the floor with his one leg bent, a hand dangling off his knee, leaning against a pack of bedrolls. Markiveus and Dario rest against the ledge itself with Brennon standing tall beside them.

Solaris and I stand on Vince's other flank with our hands crossed over the railing, staring out to the picturesque view of the ocean. Where the immaculate shores of Tandem melt away into the crystal-clear blue ocean. A brilliant sapphire where the horizon is undefined, unable to mark the boundary between sea and sky. The lapping surface glistens with pools of white, awash with twinkling sunlight.

The average temperature is warm, but it is doused by the cool ocean current.

"Is it wrong to admit my fear?" Solaris asks, his gaze sailing the sea.

I reply with a tiny head shake, though he isn't watching. "Well, I'm terrified. So no."

Solaris glances back at me with blatant doubt knitting into his expression. "You are terrified?" His eyes a perfect turquoise reflection of the sea. From where it starts at the shores and it gradually darkens to the depths.

"I will not repeat it again."

He cracks into a half-hearted smile. "I only mean that everyone seems...pretty calm about this. Travelling in Urium is one thing, to domains within its borders is one thing. Beyond... that is an entirely different matter. And I feel that the High King should have disclaimed that in the event of the King Trial. You may face sudden death."

"Would you have chosen differently?" The wind kicks a lock of hair and it clings to the bridge of my nose. I swipe it away, tucking it behind my earlobe. "If the High King had explicitly told us the mandate of the Trials, all what we agreed to when participating. Would you have chosen differently?"

Solaris's smile wavers before it fails completely. "Well, that is just it. I was never given the luxury of a choice. The High King decreed that the eldest pureblood descendant is to be sent. That is me. And my Regnum, my family, they all want me to win."

Solaris looks back at me and we both mirror a forlorn expression.

"But what is it that you want?"

 We stare at each other for a long, considering while before a smile fractures Solaris's solemnity and we both burst into a short fit of laughs.

"Enough sentimental talk, more game talk." He sneaks furtive glances over both shoulders. "Have you spoken with our new special guests?"

I bop my head exaggeratedly. "Yes, the twin Hitsches."