Chapter Text
Celeste opened her eyes. The familiarities of her room were cast in shadows in the untold hour of the night. Sleep had been difficult for her. In the morning, she was leaving K’tharia for Dreamdon. She was supposed to be getting a good nights sleep. However, dreams full of stress causing her to wake frequently. Falling back asleep was difficult; every time she woke her mind would flit through charged thoughts.
Turning several times, she pulled the blankets back and slid out her bed. Lighting a candle by repeated motion, Celeste wrapped her arms with a shawl. Opening the door quietly she left to the sitting room. If she was going to be up might as well read to calm the mind.
Not completely surprising, she wasn’t the only one up. Finnly was notorious for keeping odd hours. They often passed the time with quiet activities to not disturb their suitmates. Tonight was such a night apparently.
The soles of her feet treaded the rugs to the more open space. There was more light. More candles had been lit in the sitting room. A easel was set up with a canvas, along with a one of the small tables had been moved and surface was covered with painting supplies. Fin was standing before the easle with a brush in their hand. They were standing a couple steps back to look at their work. Then moved in, dabbing the brush onto the pallet to pick up pigmnet and apply to the canvas.
Celeste played with the hem of her shall as she moved closer. “Fin.” She called out softy.
They turned around sharply, “Celeste! What are you doing up at this hour?”
“I could ask you the same thing?” She took a seat on the couch. “What are you working on?”
Finnly set the brush down, “I don’t know yet. I just get feeling for more yellow calling in that area. Paint what feels right.” They sat on the cushion next to her. “Troubled mind?”
“Seams it won’t quiet.” She sighed.
Fin checked their hand to make sure they didn’t have paint on it, before offering it. “Share you worries.”
Celeste sighed again, “oh, just everything I supposed. The impending travel, strong safety concerns, the immence amount of preasure of expectations from all sides. If it hadn’t been made clear for weeks how important this trip is.”
“Your mom always worries,”
“Its not just my mother’s worries weighting on me. All of them are worried. Everyone is holding their breath, watching me like a hawk. Waiting for me to screw up, Mother told me so. Even the Queen, as cleaverly as she is concealing it. I can tell.”
Fin squeezed her hand. “It’s intimidating. You’re allowed to be scared.”
“I don’t know if I have fears or it’s simply everyone else projected onto me.”
“But you won’t be facing it all alone. The girls and I will be there. And you have some familiar faces as guard; you go back with Philza and Technoblade right?”
Celeste tucked her legs in and shifted to sit on them. “Yes, though its been so long, Techno especially feels more like a stranger.”
“You grew up with him and Wilbur right?”
“Yes.” She nodded. “Phil served under my father, and was friends with him. His son’s were close in age to me so we played together many times.”
“Where you close?”
“Well, out of all of Phil’s boys I was the closest with Will, just in that we played together the most. Techno would play but he was always focused on his own stuff.”
“How many kids does Philza have?”
“Four boys. Techno and Will are twins, then there’s Tubbo and Tommy who are a year apart. The twins are two years older than me, and I think its five or six between me and the younger two.”
“Wow.” Fin looked at their painting, thinking. “I know Wilbur went and founded L’manburg, what about the rest?”
“Tommy and Tubbo followed Will. Techno was the first to leave home, I’m not exactly sure what he’s been doing. Phil says he’s retired to a home up north, and Techno will stay with him from time to time.”
“Is anyone from L’manburg going to be at the festival?”
“I have no idea. Its hard to assume given the history. As far as I know tentions are still high between the two.”
Finnley nodded. They leaned towards Celeste, “Well you’ve got me and Evelyn and Calli in your corner. We’ll be with you the whole time to buffer people. Anytime you don’t want to talk with someone, just give the signal and we’ll move it so you can escape.”
She smiled, “Thanks, I appricate that.”
“You wanna help me paint a bit?”
Celeste appriciated her friend’s tactics to distract and calm. A bit of relaxing before another attempt at sleeping. Hopefully this time will be more successful.
Normally mornings were leisure affairs for Celeste and her friends. Rising gradually by the sun, breakfast being brought and set up for them to pick and choose as they like. However the past few weeks their routine had been disrupted, mostly for the Princess, with meetings and demanding prep schedule. The morning of their trip effected the whole suite. Servants were in early lead by Charlie, to pack, feed, and dress the occupants for travel. The number of people buzzing around made the atmosphere feel chaoctic.
Celeste, who usually got herself ready with the help of Calliope for the fancier gowns, had a different servant sent in to dress her. She was an older woman who she learned her name was Martha.
Martha pulled out her riding clothes; a thinker brown pant, a blue shirt to go under a brown vest. Over top was a purple cloak with K’tharia’s symble ebroyered in golden thread that covered her from her neck to her boots. After she dressed, Martha also braied her hair back. As she finished up Charlie came in.
“Good Morning your Highness, you have a final meeting with the Queen before your depature.” He stood with his hands clasped behing his back.
“Very well.”
“You shall meet up with your companions at the carriage.” He said and move to lead her to the door.
Celeste followed him out of her room. She heard Evelyn’s grievances for being woken up early. He set a pace of urgency that forcer her to speed walk. An axious buzz was in the air, like a hive of bees when an enemy was near. Celeste was particulary aware of it but tried to ignore it. Not to show the worries she felt. Despite the hurried urge, it still felt like it took long to arrive at the red doors of her Grandmother’s study.
Charlie opened, introduced her, and shut the door behind her with effecency. Celeste ws greeted by her Grandmother, Mother, and Aunt. She respectively cutrsied.
Princess Patrice took her daughter’s hands, “There you are, have you gotten your bags pack? All your dresses and jewels?”
“Yes mom.”
“And you’re prepared your words for the King? And practiced your dancing?”
“She’s ready.” Her Grandmother assured. “My Granddaughter has always approached an event with grace and preparedness. She will do us proud.”
Her mother flashed a nervous smile. “I know. A mother can’t help but worry for her child, even when they’re no longer a child.” She reached out and cupped Celeste’s cheek with her index finger and thumb.
“I have guards and my council with me.” She reminded.
Princess Patrice pulled her into an embrace, “Take care. There are many dangers on the road and in Dreamdon. Stay cautious; not all who appear friendly have good intentions.”
Princess Estell stepped up next, “I know you’ll look after your cousins. Make sure you enjoy yourself too. Trust you’re judgement.”
“Thank you Aunt Estell, I will.”
Queen Lotti approached and took her hands. “Are you nervous.”
“Just a bit.”
She nodded, “Hard not to. I know I’ve put you in a very difficult position. This trip you’ll feel rather exposed to judging eyes. As long as you keep a calm head and not flinch, you’ll do well. You’ll have Technoblade and Philza by your side. I trust them to keep you safe.”
Celeste nodded.
“Now, you and your friend will depart today. Your cousins will be sent in a seperate carriage two days time. It is for everyone’s safety. Once you arrive a messanger will send back word.”
She gently squeeze her wrinkled hands. “I hope to do you and K’tharia proud.”
“I have no doubts. You have your father’s courage and patience.” She lean forward and kissed her forehead. “Be brave my Darling. We shall see you again in a few weeks time. Now, Charlie will take you down to the stables, where your carriage is being prepared. Technoblade and Phil shall already be waiting.”
Celeste gave her grandmother a hug. Stepping back, she smooth her hands against her cloak front. “I shall see you all again in a fortnight then.”
“Safe travels my dearest.” Patrice pressed her fingertips to her lips.
The door opened again. Celeste gave a final nod and turned to the awaiting attending. Head held high as they quickly departed. Axiousness, excitement, and nautious nerves bubbled under the surface.
Celeste had traveled outside of K’tharia before. Summer holiday trips with her parents, a couple of hunting trips with her father before he passed, and the occational delegation visit. The delegation trips in particular she had some experience of expectation. Certainly not at the level it was at now.
Outside, dawn had barely broke the horizion. The air was a little chilled. A royal carriage was stationed in front of the stables. Strong men were loading up the trunks. Evelyn and Calliope looked rather tired but stood waiting. Finnly surprising looked somewhat lively. Also standing together was Technoblade and Philza. Both dressed the same as she saw last it looked like. Celeste approached her friends.
“Morning, ready for travel?” Calliope asked.
“As ready as one can be.”
“How far is Dreamdon again?” Evelyn yawned.
“Taking the King’s road, and leaving at dawn, a day’s worth of travel. Probably arrive in the evening in time for supper.” Finnly stretched their arms above their head.
“Goodie.”
Phil cleared his thoat, “If your Highness, ladies, and nobel would board the carriage, We’d like to get on the road if we are to make Dreamdon within a reasonable hour.”
Celeste nodded at him, then glanced at Technoblade. The soldier stoic as ever watched her. She quickly looked away and moved to the carriage where a servant opened the door and help her in. As her friends climbed in after her, she watched their guards get their horses. With Phil and Techno there were four more to escourt them. Phil and Techno took to the head, while the two others staged behind the carriage. As soon as they were in position, the final two guards climbed the carriage.
The men gave the command to spur the horses. Hoves clacked on the cobblestone and the carriage lurched forward. They watched from their seat as the castle passed by. Through the gates into town. Some of the people were up early and gave them a send off. The carriage passed by quickly, and soon they were on the road. Houses were traded for fields of crops and farms, and then trees and natural fields of grass. And soon K’tharia was left behind them.
~
“Woah!” A guard atop the carriage yelled, pulling them to a stop. Evelyn had been sleeping on Celeste shoulder, while Finley and Calliope dozed against each other on the bench seat across from them.
“Why have we stopped?” Calliope asked as they came to in a daze.
“I’m not sure.” Celeste pushed the tapestry back from the window.
Technoblade aproached fast, startling her. He forcefully tugged the door open as her hand retreated back.
“What’s going on?” Evelyn straighted.
“I just need the Princess.” He said without elaboration.
Celeste gave her friend’s hand a squeeze. “It’s alright, stay here.”
She rose hunched and stepped out cautiously. Technoblade motioned for her to step down. When she did he shut the door and walked back to the lead position. Celeste followed in confusion. Her friends poked their heads out the windows to watch.
“What’s going on?”
“Eh, slight change of plans. For you anyways.”
“What do you mean by that?”
At the front, Philza was dismounting his horse. “We think it best if you two were to ride seperately for the group. You’ll take my horse; he’s a trusted steed who takes direction well.”
‘That’s why Martha dressed me for riding.’ Celeste thought as she glanced down at her attire.
Techno cleared his throat, “We don’t have all day.” Receiving a bag from Phil, he slung it over his shoulder. Then with one arm, pulled himself up into the saddle of his horse in one swift moment.
Phil offered his hand. Celeste glanced back at the carriage. Logically for her safety it made sense to split from the group. Still, she was hesitant to leave her friends.
“Don’t worry, I’ll look after them. We’ll all arrive safely.” He assured.
His small comfort combinded with her suspicion he had this planned from the start made her move towards him. Taking his hand, Celeste put her left foot in the stirrup and reached over with her right, the pulled herself up and settle on the tall mount.
“Alright let’s get the show moving.” Techno didn’t leave room to dwaddle.
“We’ll see you in Dreamdon.” Philza waved them off.
They started at a quick trot, with Techno setting the pace. Celeste had no trouble adjusting. Her father gave her lessons starting when she was seven years of age. He spent hours telling her about horses. Their temperments, how to work with them, and the dangers that could happen if she wasn’t cautious.
“If you are going to learn, I want you to learn to do things the right way.” He often said.
She had many fond memories of spending time with her Father. He taught her to ride, how to hunt, how to use basic weapons and tools. Anything she asked, he made time to teach her. In his eyes there weren’t things boys need to know, and things girls needed to know. They were just skills that would benifit anyone who was willing to learn.
The warrior took them off the main path. Terrian was fairly even so far. Clearly, however, Techno did not want to stick to the main road. Not even twenty minute into their riding he forced them to stop again.
“Take off the cloak.” He ordered.
“Pardon?”
“You’re wearing a bright color with your Kingdom’s emblem. Aka, a clear walking target. Take it off.” He said as he pulled the pack around to his front, unzipped it, pulled a simple brown cloak out, and tossed it at her.
Celeste let the reigns rests as she undid her purple and swapped it for the brown. “Aren’t you worried your bight red will draw attention?”
“No.” He stuffed her purple cloak in the bag. “No why would I be drawing attention from anyone?”
“Because it’s noticable?”
“Nah, you’re wrong. I’ve completely thought about all contingencies.” As he said this, he undid the clasp, and stuffed his cloak in the bag as well. The bulkier pack went back around his shoulder. Now without the cloak, Celeste could see the white shirt, black pants, and the shethed swoard attached to his waist. Attached to his saddle was an axe, a bow, and a leather quiver with a cover over the end to keep the arrows contained.
Once settled he gave his horse the comand to move, “Alright, lets get moving.”
Celeste picked the reigns up again. “I take it we’re taking a different path as well.”
“The main road’s probably being watched by tryhards looking for some easy coin.”
“You sure the other’s will be alright without you?”
“I’m sure, they got Philza. He can handle a couple of loosers trying to ambush a carriage.”
Celeste gave him a confused look, “You call your father by his name?”
“I’m not really into the whole family lables like ‘Dad’.”
“Strange.” Celeste muttered.
“Eh?” He glanced back at her. “I need you to speak up.“
“I think that’s a bit strange.”
Technoblade looked ahead again, “Okay. I wasn’t asking your opinion on the matter.”
“You’re rather blunt, then.” She picked up the pace.
“No, I wouldn’t say I’m blunt. I’m not blunt, just, just very goal oriented. I’m good at being task focused.” He moved to keep his lead in front of her. “And since I’m tasked with keeping you safe, you could say I’m the leader here. So, we got a lot of ground to cover so I suggest we pick up the pace.”
“Very well.” Celeste clicked her tounge. And perhaps she may get reacquainted with the soldier she had become estranged to.