Golden Promise

Sunset. The time of day where most people sat outside their homes and enjoyed the colours the leaving sun produced. Orange, yellow, red here and there, but the prettiest of them all is when a hint of purple seeped through and joined the others. Nyla certainly thought so as she stood on her balcony, the view of the rest of the palace and the setting sun easing her racing mind. Her dark skin glistened gold as the retreating rays hit her. Her dark brown butterfly locks rested on her shoulder. She was wearing a dark red robe that reached the marble ground, tied in the middle with a red ribbon. It highlighted her curvaceous, voluminous figure. She was tall and stunning. Her eyes were deer-like and amber. Eyebrows shaped and dark. Her nose was straight with a high nose bridge. Each side was decorated with a tiny golden owl head nose cuff. Her full lips were glossed. She was almost like a goddess. With one final look at the sunset, she entered her room. It was grand. The walls and floors were a warm brown marble. Large windows with beautiful navy blue curtains draped over them. Her king-size bed was decorated in gold sheets and pillowcases. To the bed, four pillars were attached at each corner. Allowing a beautiful crimson curtain to fall from them. By the balcony, sofas that were made with the finest cotton were placed there. A massive bookshelf was placed by the bedroom door. Her bathroom followed the same theme.  She softly threw herself on her bed, bouncing a bit when she did. She sighed in content as her muscles started relaxing. Her eyes closed slowly. Without warning, a maid draped in a white robe, reaching her ankles rushed in. Nyla jumped up with wide alert eyes. The maid before looked to be around her mid to late teens. Her skin was honey-toned and lathered in freckles. "I pardon my intrusion m'lady. However, I'm afraid your mother is getting worse." This prompted Nyla to jump up and run past the maid.  She zoomed down the golden hall filled with paintings of the kings and queens before. Statues of brave warriors who won battle after battle. She ran by the massive statue that was at the end of the hall to take a hard left. The statue was of the goddess Aera of war and wisdom. The maid behind took a quick second to pray before running after the girl. Nyla finally stopped at a large gold door with a massive lion knob on it.  Bending down and grabbing her knees, she took a deep breath before barging in. "Mother!" She accidentally yelled. The group of servants halted their chatter and stared at her with confused looks, causing her face to heat up. Her mother sat upright on her white covered, king-sized bed with a cup of tea and a biscuit in her hand.  Her father coddled upon her mother's side, sound asleep and at peace. She walked up to her mother, a look of confusion painted on her face. Her mother tried so hard to keep her laughter in. She was a spitting image of Nyla. Her skin was a bit lighter, her face sculpted like a goddess. Her hair is in a loose afro, so big and beautiful. However, Nyla could see the effects the illness had on her mother.  Obvious signs of major weight loss. Her eyes were sunken and were almost lifeless. Her mother's appetite seemed to dwindle as well. She sat on the edge of the bed and smiled at the close-up sight of her father. His face was under the covers, and one hand over his wife's waist. Her mother's eyes were soft with love as she stared at her husband. Nyla then gestured to her mother what was up.  "I decided to trick you into coming here." Her mother said. A massive grin on her face. The older woman placed her palm on Nyla's hand, rubbing it soothingly. "Have you eaten?" Nyla nodded her head. A small smile now on her face. A soft knock echoed across the room.  "M'lady, it's Lyon." Nyla's eyes widened for a split second before returning to normal. Her mother wiggled her eyebrows and smirked, causing Nyla to internally groan. "Ah Lyon, come in." The large doors opened and a very tall male walked in.  Everything was moving in slow motion for the princess as she watched the man walk in. He was tall, at least 6'5. His skin was a deep rich tan that glistened gold when the setting sun rays hit him. His face was sculpted like a Greek god. Lips plump and moisturized. His hair was long and white, curtain bangs were neatly cut. Eyes ice grey and intimidating. His body was an athletic build with broad shoulders, his gold and white coloured military uniform hugging to his body. His large hands were covered in silk white gloves. Nyla needed to stop blatantly staring. Her amber eyes locked with his ice ones before she turned away and stood. Giving a kiss on her mother's cheek, she turned around and headed for the door. "I'll tell you later at dinner." Her mother made a noise of agreement and Nyla left. Irene, the maid from earlier tailing behind her.  Lyon stared at the retreating figure with a blank stare before turning back to the queen. "Your grace, you have summoned here for?" Relia's bright look soon dulled, a heavy sigh leaving her lips. Kujo, the king, had awoken from his slumber upon hearing the conversation. He was a man in his mid-40s with long dreaded hair. His dark skin was covered in freckles. His eyes were a bright amber shade, an obvious contrast to Relia's dark brown ones. His straight nose had a snake cuff on the left nostril. All in all, he was indeed a handsome man.  A solemn painted Kujoe's face, knowing where the conversation was going. "My illness doesn't seem to be stopping, and I very much want to get better and continue living," she took a deep breath before continuing. "I've been informed by the doctors that I don't have much time. I've been told I won't make it till Nyla's 22nd birthday." Lyon’s eyes widened. He approached the bed and sat on the edge. "Your grace, that's only six months away." A worried look on her face.  "We've found a way to prevent the illness from taking her life. We’ve found a way to cure it." Dr Boneman stated. They all turned towards her. She was a tall lanky woman dressed in a doctor's outfit. Her deathly pale skin always made it seem like she was on the verge of death. Her small face hollowed. Big bright blue eyes staring into their souls. One would call her a beautiful corpse.  Lyon gestured for her to go on. She pulled out a map of Sena. She pointed to a pentagon. "There's a plant here in the village of Fiola. A village is known for its medicinal herbs. They're also known for being the home to a well-known clan."  "The Gargionas," Lyon said. "You would be correct." Dr Boneman proceeded to tilt her falling glasses upwards and continue with her explanation. "As you can see, getting the actual plant won't be an easy thing. Firstly, the journey there will take approximately three months and three months to get back." "That won't be enough time!" He exclaimed, Relia and Kujoe comforted the minister before allowing the doctor to continue. "That's why we've prepared a route. A fairly dangerous one, but a route nonetheless." She pointed down a trail that led up to Fiola. "This route will lead you through three major cities. Black Steel, Enola and Harune."  She then lifted a large piece of beige paper and placed it on top of the map, the trio on the bed's focus never wavering. "This is where the danger comes. After passing through the cities, which should take about a month," she spoke earnestly. "The valley of screaming shadows. A place where most people's journey ends with death. If you're able to keep your sanity and survive the valley, then Fiola is a week away." She then turned fully towards the audience. "Your whole journey there will take approximately a month and a half. To ensure your safety back, taking the original route will be for the best. Which concludes your four-month and a half journey."  Lyon nodded his head and looked back at the king and queen, kissing their hand before standing up, she turned to Dr Boneman and started to speak."Who's to accompany me on this journey?" Dr Boneman and the couple looked at each other before looking back at Lyon. "A group of well-trained knights and Nyla," Relia spoke out. Lyon tried so hard to keep his emotions in check. 'A bloody princess to accompany me on this journey.' "Is there a problem my boy?" Kujo spoke. Lyon shook his head and excused himself from the room. Well....this sure was going to be a journey.                          ~~~~~~~~~~ "EXCUSE ME!" The maids covered their ears as Nyla angrily screeched. "I'm going to do what with whom?" "Accompany the minister Lyon  on a journey." A scrawny and pale butler spoke. His balding head was covered in sweat and his brown eyes were shaking. Nyla starts pacing around, a hand running up and down her face aggressively. Why must she be punished? Without a second thought, she exited her room and made a beeline to the ministry room. Her robe almost tripped her due to her pace. Without warning, not like she needed any, she burst through the only dull looking room in the palace. The door was made out of brown timbre, the walls covered in beige. Shelves upon shelves filled with books, files and scrolls. In the middle of the room sat a confused Lyon. A brown office desk filled with documents and many quills. His snow-like hair was pulled into a ponytail, pieces of long side hair cupping his handsome face and his curtain bangs perfect as always.  He bit back a smirk as Nyla slammed her hands on his desk. "You outdated w***e. " Venomous, but funny. "And the insult was warranted, because?" He questioned, his voice going up an octave to make it sound like he was mocking her. Nyla calmed herself down and stepped back, crossing her red robed arms across her chest.  "Why do I need to go with you?" She questions, stopping herself from seething. "Because your mother has organized it to be that way." A short answer, one that does not satisfy Nyla. Lyon then switched into a serious mood, coming forehead and placing one hand in the other.  "You know just how important the journey is. Her grace has taken into account that your combat skills and magical capabilities, as well as mine, are the reasons we are best suited." 'His deep voice does wonders.' She internally shook her head to get back on topic. Her amber eyes ducking down to his lips every now and then, then going back up to his grey eyes." Are you listening, m'lady?" " Indeed I am. I've only got one thing to say to you. Don't expect me to save you whenever you're in trouble."  With that, she spun around on her heel and left the room. Lyon let out a laugh he was desperately holding. "She's adorable." He said to no one in particular. He picked up a file and opened it. It was an immigration quota that was sent to him for approval. As he read the words, his mind could help but not register it, as it was filled with images of Nyla blowing a fuse like some child. A chuckle again escaped him. His assistant came out of the hole created by scrolls to give him a look of judgement, prompting the young man to regain composure.  Tomorrow they started their 4-month journey. Two people who couldn't get along for one second were now stuck together for 4 months. What a game fate plays.  The midnight hours fell upon the land of Sena. Nyla was seated at her dresser, looking at her freshly washed face with happiness. "Morana, tomorrow is the day you and I parted for four months." Morana was a beautiful dark-skinned woman with long blue hair. Her eyes were lavender in colour and mesmerizing. Her figure was more on the chubby side but she still maintained an hourglass figure. The maid chuckled before gently patting the young girl's shoulders. " I wanted to come along, however, Juliana was way more eager to be your attending maid on the journey. So eager, it was almost out of character." Nyla stood up from the dresser. She was wearing a lavender nightgown and she was more than ready to hit the bed and get some good rest. "I barely know her, so this will definitely be awkward. On the other hand, I'll make sure that I get some gifts for everyone, if the pain in the butt minister allows it."  A sour look dawned upon her face as the uptight man's face popped into her mind.    Morana chuckled into her sleeve as she watched the princess mentality fight the minister in her head. She couldn't wait to hear the details of the journey when Nyla came back. The said princess plopped on the bed and sighed in bliss. She had until dawn to rest up and she could already feel the sleepiness getting to her. Her mind absently went back to dinner today. She had almost thrown herself out the window as her mother laughed out loud at Nyla's concerns. Concerns including why she didn't want to go with the minister. Sometimes she had wondered just how old her mother actually was. It wasn't a laughable thing and yet her mother was bending over trying to catch her breath. Her father, on the other hand, had reassured her that the minister was the best choice and they both needed to set aside their differences and get along for the sake of the journey.    Her eyes finally closed and with one finally, long awaited sigh, she slept into la la land.