Valerian, The Legendary

62 Approaching Storm.

(Before you read it further, Vertex also means Storm, and the situation with the Empress also is stormy.)

Valerian stood outside a cave, the entrance was not so easy to find as it was covered with vines and hidden behind boulders. Quies had told Valerian, “You have one day, the prince is not to be injured to the extent where his survival becomes difficult. Also, if you find anyone around the prince, kill them. Those people are not from the royal family or the Imperial army.”

The child kept that in mind as he looked up at the dark sky. At this hour, it was not possible for him to go deep into this uncharted territory without encountering any predatory beasts. Even if he was strong, Valerian understood that the beasts were stronger and they held the home field advantage.

He found himself a big tree and climbed up to find himself shelter in the crown of the tree. The nights in the forest were not silent, if you do not have any experience, it may seem to become a dreadful trauma to make you go crazy.

Valerian sat on the crown of the tree leaning against the trunks. He was half asleep the whole night, nothing could approach him and attack him. It did not take long before the sun came up. The child jumped down the tree and rushed to get some things done.

He looked around the forest and found a plant with black flowers. This was a cosmetic plant, the leaves of this one were so thin that Valerian touched it and the leaf was already smudged on his fingers. It was as if the leaves of the flowers were made up of ink.

Valerian understood why the Empress had told him to read the books regarding the flora and fauna of this place. He bend down and colored his hair black after collecting the flowers and smudging his hands with them.

He untied a mask from his waist and began his task. He called over for the birds and small animals. Then he told them, ‘Friends, I need you all to do me a favor...”

The animals agreed to it and they quickly spread the word. If any of the animals found the magical beast and an adult riding it. They will tell Valerian, and the child also told them to not make much noise, if the enemy got alert, it will be bad. In return, Valerian cured the injured small animals.

.....

It was not until noon, when Valerian got the word, that a human and a horse were spotted in the thicket. It seemed like both the targets were looking for something and that was not all. A group of birds showed that Vertex was being followed.

None of these people were from the Imperial family, because they were all moving in the shadows. Valerian decided to take out these people first. He let out a few tweeting sounds from his mouth and a small bird replied to him.

Valerian had asked, ‘Can you lead me to the people hiding in the forest? Without letting me get detected? ‘

The bird replied, ‘I can come on.’

Then Valerian followed the tail end of a small but energetic bird. Valerian moved very quickly as well, but he left no trail. The bird was smart and it took the boy to align behind the hidden figure.

Valerian could tell that there was someone not quite far away from him. He let go of the bird and stealthily moved closer to the assailant. He could see that the person was dressed in black garments, similar to him, but they had an insignia on their shoulder pads.

This insignia was definitely not from the royal family. The boy observed for a few minutes, the assailant did not seem too good at his job. He was looking forward but not keeping up with the changes behind him. Valerian had become one with the environment, until he wants him to be spotted, these people will not be able to do so.

Valerian acted quickly. A knife tied to his waist was directly stabbed through the neck of the person. The assailant was shocked, his whole body froze. After a few seconds, his life energy dissipated and slumped to the ground.

Valerian acted quickly, he used a magic spell and buried the body of the assailant but not before changing his clothes with him. He also found a short sword and a crossbow from the dead assailant. The child was not someone who could kill just anyone, but to become strong he had to do things that he did not like, and this task was one of those things.

He settled the scene here, and with the help of the birds began to move through the forest at a much faster pace. The speed was quick and the actions were silent. In the next hour, Valerian took down three assailants in total using the crossbow in his hands.

Then he began to approach the Second prince with a special idea in his mind.

...

In the palace, Fragrantia was looking at the horizon while leaning back in the chair. Beside her, Azula sat with an anxious expression on her face. The empress said, “Calm down, the shadow has been instructed, it will not let anything serious happen to the both of them.”

Azula shook her head and said, “You are playing a dangerous gamble her mother.”

Fragrantia smiled faintly but did not reply. At this moment, Priscilla came over and after bowing, she said, “Your Excellency, Lady Amour is here to visit you.”

Azula did not react when her mother nodded. Azula asked, “Why is she here?”

Fragrantia gazed at her and the princess fell silent. They both knew that the guest was not a very friendly one. She made a few one-handed signs to Azula, and Priscilla came over, leading a middle-aged lady dressed in a silk gown.

Azula stood up and bowed to the lady and said, “Greetings, Madam Prime minister.”

Lady Amour smiled and bowed back gently as she said, “Greetings, Your Highness.”

“What wind blew you here, old friend?”, asked the Empress.

The lady smiled with grace and said, “Your injury has been cured, so how can I not come over to congratulate you?”

Fragrantia smiled and said, “Have a seat, Azula was just leaving.”

This was a covert sign for the princess to leave them alone. The princess did not understand it but she did not say anything and left the area. After she came out, she mumbled, “Why does she have to visit mother?”

Priscilla said, “The wife of the prime minister is an enemy. Her Excellency will always follow, friends close, and enemies closer. Do you not know that?”

Azula rolled her eyes, “Do you think I have no knowledge of what is happening here? It is just I do not know why would mother entertain her venomous intentions. We all know she wants to cheat get over with her husband and steal my father.”

Priscilla chuckled as the two walked into the corridor. She said, “Your Highness, do you think, Lady Amour is so shallow? She aims for the throne itself.”

“Of course, I know. The whole capital knows, but what will she gain from coming to mother?”, asked the lady.

Priscilla sighed and said, “Her excellency is not all soft as she may seem, even you have no idea, how cruel she can be when it comes to guarding her house. The conspiracy with the princes had breached her bottom line and now everyone involved will pay the price.”

Azula gave her a glance and said, “I hope that it is as you say. I am not yet smart enough to deal with these things.”

...

Amour gazed at the horizon and said, “How do you feel?”

“I am fine, how have you been? I heard that you have started to distribute the pressure on Prime Minister Alm’s shoulders.”, asked the Empress.

Lady Amour smiled and nodded, “Sometimes we have to do a lot of things for the sake of our loved ones.”

Fragrantia smiled and said, “Indeed. So is it time to look for matches for Draco?”

Amour shook her head and said, “That boy has someone he likes and wishes to pursue. I have no idea how will he do that.”

The Empress smiled and said, “I see, well let the young ones deal within themselves. We have already crossed the prime of our lives, what is the point of bothering so much? After all, from my aid to the wife of the prime minister, you have had a good run. Why tire yourself too much?”

This may sound like chatter going on between the two friends but that was not the case. The Empress was warning the wife of the prime minister that her grasp had not yet reduced over her house, so she should better act like the outsider she is and not disturb too much peace.

Amour’s face changed into an ugly one. She gnawed her teeth, this reminder of her past was a spike in her heart, making her bleed. She turned her face to look at Fragrantia, who was gazing at her with indifference, and said, “Do not think that you are special, if it was not for your sister to run away from home on the day of matchmaking, she would have been sitting here.”

Fragrantia chuckled and said, “Indeed, if she was sitting here, a maid like you would be licking her shoes. I have been too soft on you.”

The air was filled with sparks, and on the other side, Valerian had reached close to the Second Prince and he could observe them clearly.