"So…what are you thinking? We can't just go knock on an old lady's door and start asking her questions about her missing husband…she will freak out and call the cops on us." Wain said.
"We could dress up…and pretend we are journalists. Yeah, we can say we are journalist in college working on a story and wanted to talk about her husband." Kristan said with a smile…she was clearly enjoying the undercover angle.
"That could work." Arthos said in agreement.
"Sorry guys…a blind guy like me on a cross-country road-tip pretending to be a reporter? No one will believe that. I would like to help solve this case, but I think I can help more from here." Percy said with conviction.
"I'm out too…a big guy like me tends to stand out. I will be of little help undercover. Besides, the poor old lady will probably call the cops as soon as she sees a big guy like me at her door." Hector said apologizing.
"Well, I'm in!" Wain said with excitement.
"Me too!" Kristan exclaimed imagining the adventure ahead…she was already picturing the undercover stuff with much excitement.
Arthos smiled glad to have the support of two of his closest friends.
He said, "ok, it's settled then. The three of us will go to Lumina, New Mexico and follow the clue. Percy and Hector, we will check-in with you daily. Watch your backs and stay safe…I get the feeling things will get hectic around here."
He added, "before we go, I don't feel comfortable leaving 50 million Nanocoins in my account. It's the raid reward we earned from the last raid…I'm transferring the funds to the guild treasury for safe keeping. If anything happens to us, use the funds however you see best." Arthos said addressing his family.
[…]
[CAMARAX KINGDOM – CASTLE CAMARAX]
"My King. I bring grave news. On our way to Avalor to negotiate a peaceful resolution, my party was attacked and killed by forces from Avalor. Only I managed to escape."
Loud murmurs erupted among the many court officials and council members present.
"This is an outrage! We must call the banners and prepare for war!" Cried out the Chief Counselor Thornell.
"Princess Elencia, what is your counsel on this matter?" King Isandor asked.
"Attacking and killing a messenger of the King is a grave offense, punishable with death." The princess said in a stern voice.
"The loss of my men is indeed a serious crime. One that will not be overlooked. However, these soldiers from Avalor are foreigners. We have no idea what their culture or customs may be. We have no way of knowing what they intended by attacking my men. The last thing anyone wants is engaging in a senseless war," the King said firmly.
King Isandor continued, "Princess Elencia, I hereby appointed you as the ambassador of the crown to handle this personally. Take my ring as a symbol of your official position in this matter. Take with you four elite soldiers and engage Avalor in peace negotiations along with recompense for my men that were slain."
"I will see it done my King."
The King said, "that is all. Please clear the room except for Princess Elencia. I wish to speak to her privately."
A few minutes later the room was empty except for the King and the Princess.
"Are you sure about this brother? Trying to negotiate peace with a bunch of thugs that killed your men?" The Princess asked.
"If father were here…it's what he would have wanted. He hated war…and did everything he could to protect his people from it. We need to try…not just for our sake, but for our people. Think about it. If we march to war, how many soldiers will die? Fathers, grandfathers, brothers, uncles, and sons? What of the widows and the orphans…"
The King paused unable to complete the last sentence about the orphans. Elencia lowered her gaze as painful memories surfaced.
"Ok brother, I will see it done…for you, and for father."
"Be extra careful my dear sister. I fear there is much more at play than we realize."
[…]
"Where is Prince Luceran?" Elencia asked as she entered his chamber.
"Apologies my lady…the Prince refused to listen to us and jumped out the window. Should I summon a guard to find him?" The attendant asked apologetically.
"No need. I know where he went." Elencia said as she turned and left the room.
On the west corner of the castle, near the stables, was a large open training yard where soldiers trained and honed their skills. The air was filled the sounds of blades clashing, shouts, and grunts of men and women sparing. Near the yard was a large cherry tree overlooking the training yard.
"Luceran, come down. I know you are up there." Elencia said standing under the cherry tree.
The leaves and branches shuffled followed by a gentle "thud" sound partially muffled by grass beneath the tree. A bright-eye boy with scruffy blue hair giggled with joy, loud, bright, and unstoppable.
"How did you find me?" He asked still laughing with joy over his successful escapade.
"Why are you not in your room? Your tutor is coming any minute now," Elencia said with annoyance.
"Math is boring…why do I even need to lean math? When I grow up, I want to be an invincible knight fighting magic beasts and defending the Kingdom!" He swung a stick pretending he was in a death battle with a monster.
"You are a Prince…that means you don't get to choose. You serve the Kingdom however you are needed…and right now you are needed in your room studying." His big sister commanded.
"Oww…do I really?"
"Yes. I came here to say bye. I'm leaving on a mission for a few weeks. Please be a good boy and behave. Don't give our big brother any trouble…study hard and I will bring you something special when I return."
She hugged him tight and kissed him on his forehead as she departed.
[LAST STOP ORPHANGE]
"So, there are a few Greyhound buses leaving to Lumina, New Mexico soon. There are buses leaving at 8pm, 9pm, and 10pm." Wain said to Arthos and Kristan as the two packed their bags in a hurry.
"Greyhound? Really? You got to be kidding right? We are millionaires now…and not just in Avalor. I say we hire a professional driver and live a little." Kristan suggested with a devious smile.
The two boys smiled in agreement.
Most of the time, they simply forgot about the money they managed to accumulate within Avalor…the idea of being "millionaires" sounded so foreign that they almost didn't believe it. However, a cross-country road-trip cruising in style did sound fun. An hour later arrangements were made for a personal driver to drive them in a Cadillac Escalade. The group had dinner together at the Rose Diner and said their goodbyes.
[…]
The drive to Lumina was long…very long. It took three full days of driving 14 hours…with some occasional stops for sightseeing, eating, and breaks.
The drive was long but comfortable. Kristan sat by the window, Wain in the middle, and Arthos by the opposite window. The trio looked out the window with excitement as they left Boston, the city where they had spent many years. As the city view died in the distance, industrial cities were replaced by the Great Plains that stretched for endless miles like an ocean of grass.
Kristan grew tired as the hours passed, she rested her head against Wain…and fell into a deep peaceful sleep. She hugged Wain tightly like a snuggle bear. Wain blushed a little and proceeded to gently wrap a blanket around her. He whispered softly to Arthos.
"Whatever happens, I just want to tell you thank you. You changed my life…for the first time ever, I feel like I have somewhere to belong."
"Me too…me too. I never told you this before, but I'm glad it was you that first day…and I'm glad you and Kristan are here with me on this trip."