107: Call from home

Call from home

Arkin was an irreplaceable presence in Adela's life.1

Once a friend and then a knight and a protector, the revelation that he was her brother would have been nothing short of a blessing if not for their burdensome titles and the animosity between the de Lanarks and the von Conradies.

Observing how vulnerable this cherished man appeared at the moment, Adela wondered what she could do to alleviate his discomfort.

I hope his neck isn't swollen...

"How's your neck?" She made a move to touch his neck, but Arkin quickly covered it with his hand.

"It's fine. The needle was painful, but I wasn't paralyzed," he said, glancing at Egon. "Who is that man with the blue and black eyes anyway?"

Egon's expression grew serious as he looked at Arkin, speaking urgently. "Someone is approaching... Many of them."

Arkin furrowed his brow, unable to hear anything unusual.

"Are they more people from the desert?" Adela inquired, her voice filled with concern.

Egon's gaze remained fixed ahead, ignoring her question. He turned his attention back to Arkin and fixed him with a stern glare. "No matter what you hear, stay inside the tent. And remember your oath to protect her."

Arkin's face flushed red in an instant, and he was about to confront Egon when Adela grabbed him by the shirt, her hands trembling.

"Let's just listen to him, please," she pleaded in whispers.

Arkin looked deeply into her troubled green eyes, she never begged for anything, not even when they were friends.

He didn't like it at all.

"Egon, come and see this!" a soft-spoken man called from outside the tent, his voice filled with amusement.

"Stay here, Adelaide," Egon commanded before stepping out of the tent.

Arkin stood up and extended a hand to Adela. She immediately took it and rose to her feet. He placed his hands on her shoulders, looking into her eyes again.

"You are a de Lanark. Don't plead; demand," he said firmly, his gaze shifting towards the tent's entrance. "Don't let him change that in you. Not him," Arkin added, his voice filled with loyalty. "Not anyone else."

Adela took a deep breath steadying herself. the helplessness on her face dissipated as she embraced the pride of her royal Emorian lineage, her eyes filling with gratitude for Arkin's reminder.

"Let's go out," she said with newfound resolve.

Arkin and Adela followed Egon's voice, stepping out of the tent into the vast expanse of the Latoran desert. As their eyes adjusted to the brightness, they were greeted by an astonishing sight.

In the distance, a dust cloud rose, gradually taking shape. It was a massive caravan approaching, the sight of Emorian flags fluttering in the wind and the de Lanark crest proudly displayed on the knights' standards stirred deep emotions within Adela. The procession moved with precision, a combination of the royal guards and the knights of the First Order, distinguished by the color of their armors and the flags they carried. The synchronized footsteps echoed through the dunes, a display of military might reminiscent of an Emorian delegation to another kingdom rather than within a duchy.

As the caravan approached closer, something caught Adela's attention.

Amidst the procession was a camel palanquin, the same type used by the Emorian Queen for transportation in the streets of Emoria. It was a magnificent sight, carried by a pair of strong and elegant camels, their tall frames swaying in perfect harmony with each step. The palanquin was draped in transparent fabrics decorated with silver embroidery that caught the rays of the unforgiven desert sun. Attendants dressed in lavish garments surrounded it, matching the grandeur of the procession.

"Egon, it seems you've been keeping important information from us..." Rauul's voice almost sang the words out.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Egon mumbled.

"What message is His Majesty trying to convey by sending the Queen's palanquin here?" Arkin wondered aloud.

His words hung in the air, causing everyone present to ponder their significance.

The procession came to a halt at a respectful distance from Adela's tent, and a royal guard, who led the procession, approached with assured steps.

"In the name of the Sun of Emoria, King Emanuel de Lanark, I greet the jewel of Emoria, Lady Adelaide de Lanark," he addressed her, his head lowered respectfully.

Adela stared at the palanquin, unable to utter a single word.

"Your Ladyship, this procession was sent by His Majesty, King Emanuel de Lanark, to accompany you back to Lanark," the guard continued, avoiding direct eye contact with her. "Immediately."

Adela's peripheral vision caught Arkin's movement as he reached for his non-existent sword, while she sensed Egon radiating animosity beside her. However, it was Rauul who stepped forward.

"How interesting it is for you to be able to find her ladyship in this vast desert, my friend," Rauul remarked with excessive awe.

The royal knight lifted his head and arrogantly regarded the tribesman, a significant shift in his demeanor that matched Egon's mood swings. "She was never lost to be found," 

The royal guard's response was met with a stifled cough as if Rauul was trying to contain a laugh.

"Forgive me, my friend... Since you seem to know so much, you must be aware that you have no authority over when the lady chooses to depart. How bold of you! We have much to learn from His Majesty's esteemed royal guards."

The mockery was delivered with such impeccable attitude that Adela looked at Rauul with newfound curiosity.

Is he a noble?

The royal guard reached inside his armor and retrieved a parchment, approaching Adela with confidence before extending the scroll to her in a humble gesture.

"Father," she whispered, her finger tracing the red wax seal imprinted with her family's signet ring. She broke the seal and unrolled the scroll, reading its contents with her eyes.

Unfortunate events have befallen the Archduchy in your absence, regardless of whether you have completed your mission in Latora. Make haste in returning to your homeland.

Adela's grip tightened around Arkin's forearm as panic flickered in her eyes. She turned to Egon, seeking answers for the possible calamities that had occurred during her short absence.

What could have happened that necessitates all of this?

"Rauul, your camel is faster than mine. Consider it a favor," Egon declared, taking control of the situation as he had foreseen the unfolding events before anyone else.

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