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Tranquil Waters: The Lead Crown Ch 9.1, Accountability

The Princess' travel carriage was a grand affair. Easily as wide as the road they traveled, the carriage had an entrance on both sides which opened to the same adjoining hall. Two doors on each side of the hall led to separate traveling compartments for ease of comfort and privacy; considering that there were six travelers that meant two groups of two had to share rooms. Quite frankly Kesst was surprised when the Princess asked for him to join her in hers.

Ever since departing Newport Princess Noriene had held her own council, barely saying a word to anyone... except Kesst himself. It seemed strange to the Dragon that someone would confide in him at all, let alone favor him for discussion over anyone else. Yet that was the case as the Princess treated him like some long-lost cousin rather than an alien being made up of wires, springs, and cogs rather than flesh, bone, and sinew. Kesst wasn't so jaded to think that it all had to do with him; he was very well aware that it more likely had something to do with his creator Wiesen, and the connection he and the Princess had shared in the past.

During their discussions Princess Noriene had often referenced Sir Wiesen, saying that she believed that they would be able to rely on his aid. She seemed to have a lot of faith in Kesst's creator and that gave him hope. If she truly felt that he'd help her then Kesst knew that by her side would be the best place for him. Of course, the fact that Kesst hadn't heard from Wiesen since the strange experience back at the Princess' manor left him feeling a little uneasy but the Princess didn't seem bothered by it.

While the Princess spent a fair amount of her time talking about casual things during travel there were times when the discussion went to Kesst; even with occasional references to her past dealings with him the Wolf was able to tell Kesst far more about his creator than he'd ever known... all the while including little tidbits about how she'd spent her summers as a pup or why she and her mother got along much better than she and her father.

It was a strange experience having someone speak so much to him without any apparent real purpose. What was even more noteworthy was the fact that she was tight lipped during their stops; whenever they took a break outside the carriage she was quiet, aloof, and distant. It was as though the Princess were two completely different people... and he couldn't help but wonder if perhaps that number was too low. Was it possible that she had far more masks than the one she showed alone with him and the one she presented to others during their rest stops?

It was during those breaks that Kesst had time to connect with the rest of the travel group... not that he spoke any more with them than he did with the Princess. The Dragon wasn't able to detect the same hesitation and concern in his companions that he felt himself and he wasn't sure whether that was a good thing or a bad thing. Either way, Princess Noriene and her 'quest' (for better or for worse) seemed to be all anyone else needed to stay focused.

Roaring-Flood and Sanmer had reconnected well enough; he knew there was something going on there... probably developed during the time he was unconscious. That thought gave him a moment's pause; was he truly unconscious or just 'inoperable'? It was a quandary he didn't much care to have and so he kept his mind focused on the playful banter and occasional roughhousing between the graceful fox and the bear easily three times his weight. Of course, watching a white-furred Fox treating a big Black tribal bear like a jungle gym was only good enough of a distraction and eventually his mind started to wander again.

A much better attention-grabber turned out to be Enarork and Theo. While the white-furred Scholar had originally been obsessed about the welfare of his sister and overanalyzing his decision to leave her behind a few hours in the carriage did him some good; before long he and the Bear were spending time helping him to increase his understanding of the Tribal language. If Enarork's general air of approval were any indicator it was obvious that Theo was a good student. So it was that Kesst spent the majority of his time lingering around the two learning what he could of the tribesmen and their language from dwelling on the periphery.

The one thing he found consistent among his traveling companions was that each sought a distraction and, considering the fact that he was using them as his own way of not facing his own thoughts perhaps he was more alike them than he wanted to admit. The main difference however was the fact that he had his eyes on the prize; just so long as he remained with Princess Noriene eventually his creator would find him and then he would have his questions answered. Wiesen would protect him from the Church... that much he knew for certain.

Of course, to get that protection he had to survive until then and so leaving Newport turned out to be something of a bonus for him. The party was traveling to Graddin because Princess Noriene said that's where the answers would be-- for her, perhaps. And what of the others traveling with them? The Princess was heading to Graddin for answers and Kesst was following her because she would lead Wiesen to him. It seemed almost strange that in such a sense they would both get their answers, but where did that leave the rest of the party?

He knew that Enarork was staying due to the loyalty he had for Professor Blackburn, a Bear, by all counts who was as much a scholar as a shaman... if such a thing were possible. Roaring-Flood could likely have desired to join out of the same sense of duty, or because of his need to aid his brother, or perhaps even as some kind of bit for unity with Sanmer.

Oh yes... Sanmer; now THERE was ANOTHER enigma waiting to be solved. It was possible that the Fox had his whole entire agenda for going to Graddin, or perhaps he was just looking for some excitement. The Dragon continued to wrack his brain on that thought until his contemplation was disrupted by a polite clearing-of-the-throat from his traveling companion. "Don't you think?"

To be honest, Kesst had completely lost track of the current tangent in conversation with the Princess. It had been nearly two hours since their last travel stop and the Wolf seemed content to carry on as if the Dragon were a lady-in-waiting. In all honesty he had never thought such an enigmatic woman could possibly be so open with her words. Regardless, he was honest enough to admit the truth. "I'm sorry, your Highness... my mind has been full lately and I'm afraid it was wandering."

Princess Noriene had the right to be upset but instead of a frown a smile graced her muzzle. "But of course, young Master Kesst... I'm certain that issues of courtly concern may seem drull and otherwise tedious to one such as yourself. I apologize for forcing them upon you."

Kesst cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Oh... no need, your Majesty... I was being rude for not paying better attention. You were... ah... talking about the gift your mother gave you for your twelfth birthday?"

The Princess let out a sigh, her gaze fading off into the distance. "Yes... it was the last birthday gift I would get for her before her passing. This shawl, you see."

The Wolf brushed one of her delicate, cream-colored paws across the just-as-delicate lacework that adorned the cloth that hung about her shoulders. Kesst nodded respectfully. "It is very beautiful, your highness."

The discussion took a surprising turn as the Princess sat forward in her seat. "Do you know what awaits us in Graddin, young Master Kesst?'

"I... I am afraid I do not, your Highness."

She slid further forward in her seat until their knees almost touched in the space between. "Danger. A lot of danger... both socially and physically."

Kesst let out a quiet breath as he considered his response. In the end he couldn't withhold a hint of attitude. "So pretty much what we left at Newport."

There was an almost musical tone to the Princess' laughter and the Dragon was surprised at how natural it sounded; had he actually succeeded in tickling her humor? She extended a paw and rested it on his shoulder, then leaned further forward and placed her muzzle against his cheek, providing him a kiss. "Danger, Kesst... life-changing danger. But I am not worried and you should not be either. We have one another, and we have Sir Crook. If you believe that all will end well then it will end well I believe this and you should too."

It was a strange pep talk and really didn't provide the Dragon any true understanding about what awaited them in Graddin but he was sure that it would mean trouble. He offered her his best smile as she disengaged. "Then I am sure everything will be alright."

She was correct; he had to believe it. Either way he made it a point to convince himself that Wiesen would find him and then things would come to a resolution. Even if the group wasn't able to manage Wiesen would set things right. Yes... Wiesen would set things right; he WAS sure of it.