I jolted up from my sleep in a cold sweat that trickled down my brow, panting heavily as I did. My muscles were tense, and my neck ached from the uncomfortable position I slept on. Oddly enough I saw my hands tremble faintly while my throat went dry.

The dream.

The dream I had.... I paused and the sudden intense feeling came down as I realised, I had forgotten what the dream was about. It was all gone the moment I woke up, forgetting every single detail of it. It was completely gone, deleted from my memories just like a click of a button.

With an annoyed sigh, I leaned back and relaxed myself against the warm wooden wall. Placing my palm on my forehead, the overflowing of heat penetrated through, and I was stunned when I felt it.

'Do I have a fever?' I questioned myself, hoping it was just me being. I don't think I would be surprised if I do get sick due to the fact that Diana's body was never exposed to harsh environment or the ecosystem. I doubt her immune system is strong either, it's probably so weak or vulnerable just like Ariana's weak immune system.

Ariana wouldn't often get sick on the journey but when it came to a little harsh weather like a heavy rain or a hike over the cold mountains, she would get sick.

And guess who would stay by her side, aiding her to get better? No, it wasn't Damon, he was just there standing on the sidelines because he didn't know what to do. Let's just say he was like the side character that motivated the MC to get better or whatever.

It was Aspen. A gentle and knowledgeable royal mage who looked after her when she got sick.

Thinking of Aspen Chiaccio, he become crown prince not by the line of the throne but because he was favoured by the emperor. I can't remember many details about his family and background, but I presume his father had 3 wives and a few concubines.

None of them lived in harmony with each, as each wife had their own palace while the concubines lived in their own mansions provided by the emperor. It was common in their land to have many wives and concubines, probably because it was a little difficult to provide medicine in such harsh cold weathers.

If a child of the royal family were to get sick and they had no cure for them leaving them to die, the king wouldn't have to worry about having his line of monarchy end since he has other kids to take over.

And for that Aspen has or had, I don't know if some died or still living. 12 siblings in total, none however were related by full blood.

I think he was the 7th prince or the 5th. I don't know, I can't physically remember which line he come from but that he was given the title of crown prince because of the favour of his concubine of a mother.

Aspen was written as the kindest prince out of the five. He was skilled in magic and even though he did not have any healing abilities he could heal any wound or injury with water. He was fine young gentleman with very well-mannered skill, a husband material in so many mother and father's eyes for their daughters not to mention his handsome angel like appearance.

Hair the colour of gold that would shimmer under the sun, warm eyes colour of the waters surface which made any lady that looked into them fall deeply in love, skin so soft and warm just like an angel.

I'm just remembering what was written in the book and the Ariana's thoughts when she saw him for the first time.

Aspen was calm and polite with his words, never getting angry even at the slightest. He would keep a serene expression, solving the matter with words then violence. He was gentle with the ladies and kind towards the children of all status.

I don't think I would have a problem with him if he doesn't have a problem with me. I doubt it though, we would pass each other like strangers would.

Furthermore, Damon, Neil, and Aspen had a thing for competing against each other on who was smarter then who even though it was never mentioned in the book. It just like felt like it when you read their lines and the roles they played.

Yet I can say that Aspen had an ok relationship with Neil and Edmond however Lykos and the water prince could never be in the same room as one another or one of them would have ended up dead... Mostly Aspen after Lykos is a better fighter than he is.

It such a shame that someone like him was wasted on Ariana the dumb saint even though he is love for her may have been of a friend. He could have had a brilliant life with his destined anonymous partner then getting cursed and then killed by a witch.

In the end I don't really care. Even if I do end up actually crossing paths with him one day, it wouldn't really matter because he never knew who Diana was and only heard of her from Edmond but that was like months after Diana was executed.

Being the reader, I read his thoughts and felt kind of touched by his response. His understanding manner when it came to Diana.

Aspen through Edmond off guard with his response that silenced the young prince of Terra into a deep remorseful thought.

The water prince sympathised the young duchess, and never agreed with her punishment knowing that the course of it was because of her horrible upbringing. Aspen knew that Diana wouldn't have turn the way she was if Duchess Marina of Isvand did not die.

Thinking about in more depth, I realise that if Aspen had met Diana much sooner, he might have helped her and she wouldn't have to be executed for her crimes, the crimes that might have never been committed if Aspen was there.

Oh well it happened, and I can't do anything about it.

The warmth of my forehead began to cool down. 'Maybe I was just hot' I thought, moving my hand away.

I looked over to the window, watching the sun rise slowly and painting the night sky in bright warm colours. The room began to lit up as a shadow cast upon the wooden deck.

I scanned the village streets, every corner and window for any sign of the prince or maybe a movement but still could not see him anywhere.

My eyelid twitches in irritation 'That damn prince' I cursed.

Gazing away from the window, I stood up and went towards the bathroom to get clean myself and get ready.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Oi wake up" I snatched the blanket and pulled it off the two. Homura jolted up in shock and Jackal squealed as he was startled from sleep. "Go wash off. We are leaving in an hour" I said bluntly, looking down at them emotionless.

Jackal's nodded off a few times while he groaned in a tired sleep. His brown hair was a mess, and his eyes were droopy. Homura was far more annoyed, yet he already knew the que, resulting him to leap of the bed and land on all fours, grumbling a few curse words.

"You take too long; I'll leave without you" I warned. I turned around and threw the blanket over to the side of the bed. "And make your bed while your at it. I'll be waiting downstairs with breakfast"

~~~~~~~~~

Jackal was stuffing the porridge quickly down, scooping every last bit of the breakfast clean off the wooden bowl with his wooden spoon.

"Relax Jackal. No one is going to steal your food" I reassured him, taking a sip of my warm milk. Jackal gulped down his spoon full of oatmeal and gazed at me apologetically.

"Sorry"

I didn't respond to him and only sighed, continuing to scan the tavern of only a few people. It was small place with only few wooden dining furniture around and swords placed in a cross as decorations. Typical 8 to 10th century taverns.

"Jackal-" I saw a small grin twitch the corner of his mouth and those silver eyes continuing to glitter with curiosity. I closed my mouth and stared blankly at him, taking a sip of my milk, and watching his facial expression drop when I didn't say anything.

"I don't hold any responsibility to whatever happens to you" I reminded him once again. "You lose a limb. Your problem." I pointed him. "You fall off a cliff. That's your problem" .

Jackal's facial expression changed into a dead panned look, eyes gawking at me as if I said something stupid.

"I die, it's my problem" he responded bluntly, knowing exactly what I was going to say next. I paused, a twitching grin crossing my lips.

"Exactly" I clicked my finger then to point it like a gun.

"Thanks for reminding me again" his voice held disappointment yet his expression didn't change at all. "Is that all you want to tell me?"

I marshalled my thoughts before I replied. I was a little reluctant to verbalise them as much really dependent on his knowledge. "What do you know of the King and the great battle of Alphyria?" I tossed the question out quickly to see his reaction.

He paused and I saw the the puzzled expression flit across Jackal's expression. "The great King of Alphyria who chased the orcs back to the mountains they had crawled from and locking them away, a thousand years ago which divided the continent into five human empires" I explained hoping it would ring a bell to him.

"Oh....yes" he said. "The great King. I read about him"

"Really" I said expansively. "Perhaps you could tell me a little about him" I leaned back on the wooden chair and placing my foot up on the edge the chair, getting myself comfortable.

I watched as Jackal cast about desperately in his memories, trying to remember a shred of detail of the King or maybe pretending to.

"He was...." he hesitated, pretending to gather his thoughts. ".....the great king of Alphyria" that much he knew of and glanced at me to see if he could stop now. I merely smiled and made a rolling gesture with my hand that meant go on.

"He was the King of Alphyria..... a thousand years ago" Jackal said, trying to sound certain of his facts.

Homura gave him a stupefied look, clearly not buying a word Jackal was trying to say. "he clearly doesn't know anything" he grumbled, rolling his amber eyes at Jackal. "seemingly just rephrasing your words you just said"

Ignoring Homura, I gestured him to continue yet again.

"Ummm...Well, I seem to recall that he was the one that chased the orcs to mountains in which they came from a thousand years ago, and he split the continent of Alphyria into five human empires" he said hopefully and I raised my eyebrows in mock surprise.

"Really now?" I rested my cheek agaisnt my fisted knuckles. "You recall that, do you?" I said and Jackal had a horrible moment where he realised that I had merely said that Alphyria was split after the orcs were locked away, not necessarily by him.

"Ahhh, well, when I say he split Alphyria in five human realms I actually meant he was the king when Alphyria was split into five empire amongst the humans." he said gulping down a spit full of salvia, itching the side of his chin and averting his silver eyes away from mine to avoid me from seeing right through him.

"A thousand years ago?" I prompted, raising an eyebrow and crossing my hands.

Jackall nodded emphatically. "That's right."

"Well, that's remarkable, seeing how I just told you those facts a minute or so ago" I said, my eyebrows coming down like thunderclouds over my eyes. The little brat glanced down at his hands, ashamed of himself. At that moment Jackal thought it might be better if he said nothing.

Homura burst out laughing. His fox howls brought attention to us by the only few people in the tavern. Each one giving us intensive glares however we ignored them. "What a way to humour me. Stupid human cub" his chuckles lightened as he swept a fake tear from his eyes.

Jackal clenched his jaw tight, and his cheeks flushed. it seemed he knew what the dramatic fox was laughing at.

I sighed, in milder tone I spoke to him "Kid, if you don't know something, don't try to bluff your way through it. Simply tell me 'I don't know', is that clear?"

"Yes, Artemis" Jackal nodded his head, eyes downcast. There was silence, then he spoke again "Big sis Artemis?"

"Yeah kid" I replied with a bored tone, now resting my heel on the table and leaning back on the chair with my hands crossed against my chest, icy blues gazing at Jackal's small figure firmly.

"About the great King.... I don't really know about him. I only just heard of his name a few years ago" the little brat admitted. I didn't say anything but sighed.

I was kind of hoping this brat knew at least something about the King I didn't since I can't really trust my memories of the novel now. Nothing makes sense anymore really as everything is getting completely off track with the information provided.

I just thought that maybe there would be hint in something Jackal knew of the King that I didn't but luck is never on my side.

'Oh well. There is always other ways to figure things out and asking this kid isn't one of it'

I stood up from my sight. "Let's go. We are done here" I said, throwing a few copper coins on the table. Jackal followed too, pushing his empty bowl and cup aside and getting off the wooden chair he was sitting on.

"Ugh finally. I thought I was going to get jinxed with all the ugly eyes on my beautiful self" Homura said dramatically, raising his tail in the air as if he was all high in mighty or something.

We headed out the entrance of the inn. The fresh morning air wafted past us, blowing the long strands of silver hair away from my face. I took a lungful of air then began walking away.

Jackal and Homura followed by.

We walked along the now bustling dirt road of the village. Villagers were going on their day, buying bread, fruit or other home necessities from stalls.

I suddenly could feel their gazing stare's pierce through my soul as I walked by. I shuddered, my sudden long last fear could be sensed returning back to me. 'I hate it when they stare' . My heart began to beat fast and my throat ran dry.

"Big sis Artemis?" Jackal said, his concern for me was clear in his tone.

"Just keep walking" I quickly responded, glancing downwards so I wouldn't have to look their way.

"Oi Artemis" Homura called me. I looked sideways at Homura.

The fox's ears were perched up and his amber eye scanned his surroundings like a predator would before lifting his nose in the air and sniffing. "I smell a familiar faint scent" the bitter tone slipped out his snout and those autumn eyes reflected a shimmer of hatred.

"It's Edmond"

Those predator eyes gazed at me surprised. "You know?" he asked.

"I found out last night when everyone was asleep" I answered slowly. "He has been following us but I don't know for how long"

"The prince I scammed has been following us?" Jackal seemed to have caught on with me and Homura's conversation.

We both nodded at Jackal's question.

Jackal's eyes widened while he tried to contain the smile that twitched to form.

Homura began to chuckle lightly, already knowing what was going through the little brat's head. "He may not be stupid after all" the fox teased.

"Oh what delightful thought" I grinned softly as I placed my hand on the handle of my Katana.

'A delightful thought indeed'