Page 10 of Their Chosen

“Of course, Your Highness. Please follow me while Jules gathers the supplies Baer has requested.” Pettit turned to lead the way to an alcove in the far corner, which held a small kitchen and table for the men to use during their rotations here.

Jules approached me as they were led away. “You're on a mission with the prince? It must be a serious matter if the prince himself has come. Have any other royals ever traveled to the mortal realms before?”

“I'm not sure. I highly doubt it. That's usually why they have us,” I responded, avoiding his obvious attempts to fish for information. If the prince had wanted them to know why we were here, he would have told them himself.

Thankfully, Jules got my hint and jumped into action. “Of course. I've got the perfect car. It's an older model, lacking as much technology and iron as possible, but it runs like a dream.” Jules led the way to a cabinet, which held the keys to all the cars. He grabbed a set and then walked to another cabinet, pulling out the maps we would need. “Anything else you need, Sir?” he asked as he handed over the items.

“We’ll need some cash for our travels, food, and lodging. I've already provided clothes, as you can see, but if we could get a couple of trackers just in case we run into any trouble?” I asked him, but we both knew he couldn't refuse.

“Sure. I'll go grab those now if you want to join the Prince and the Captain?”

“Thanks, Jules. You always come through when I need you.” He ran off to one of the rooms to gather up the other items as I headed to join my temporary companions. I usually preferred to travel on my own, preferring the solitude, never quite finding the camaraderie with the other soldiers that they shared amongst themselves.

I was pleased to see the Prince and Captain sitting at the table eating simple sandwiches while Pettit hovered, waiting to assist in any way. I smirked at the scene, grabbing a sandwich for myself before sitting at the table as well. I spread a map out between us and dove right in. “I was thinking we could drive to this area,” I pointed to the map before continuing, “where I know we can find lodgings. Once we have a room for the night, we’ll be able to speak more freely about our plans. Unless you would rather rest here instead, Your Highness?” I tacked on the honorific almost as an afterthought.

“That sounds fine, Baer, if not preferred. The sooner we can begin, the better,” the prince said after finishing his hastily prepared meal, barely sparing his attention for the other soldiers.

“Certainly, Your Highness. As soon as you’re done, we can leave.” As I finished speaking, Jules ran up to me, bowing before approaching to hand me the money and the trackers. I smirked again at the responses the prince seemed to draw from everyone else. I would be glad to get away from it as quickly as possible.

We finished our meals, and I grabbed the keys to our car, our plates and mess eagerly cleared by the other soldiers. Rising from my seat, the Prince and Captain followed suit. Once at the car, I opened the trunk and threw my bag inside. The other two did the same, but before heading to the driver's side, I spoke, “I always like to be prepared for any scenario we might come across, and even though this mission shouldn’t be dangerous, I would rather be safe than sorry.”

I held out a necklace with the tracking spells in it, one for each of them, and then placed one around my own neck. Continuing my explanation, I said, “Should we come across any trouble, get separated, or need to speak with each other, these necklaces will help. They hold tracking spells that allow us to find each other should it be necessary. Also,” I then handed them each some of the money, “this is what humans use to pay for services and goods. Again, just in case we’re separated.”

They each took the money and necklaces, placing them in pockets and around their necks. Satisfied, I walked to the driver's door and opened it. “One of you can sit up front on the other side or both in the back. It would help to have someone to navigate from up front with me, but tonight, we shouldn't have any need for directions.”

I slid behind the wheel, the captain sitting up front with me and the prince taking the back seat. As they got in, I could feel their curiosity about how the car would work. I reached over my shoulder and grabbed my seat belt. “If you look over your shoulders, you’ll find what the humans call seat belts. The humans have a law that says they must be worn while in a car and could result in unnecessary attention and fines from their guards, or police officers as they are called here. Drag the belt over your shoulder and push the metal end into the plastic slot next to your hip.” I proceeded to demonstrate the task, and they both followed, with only a little trouble with the buckle.

Satisfied, I started up the car and laughed to myself when they both jumped at the rumble of the engine. Once they realized it was an expected result, they settled back in. As I pulled out of the garage doors and away from the warehouse, I noticed that they were both gazing out the windows. I turned down the road, merged with the other cars on the road, and then sped up quickly as I got on the highway.

In the rear-view mirror, the prince remained stoic, but I could see his unease based on the tension around his eyes and in the tight pull of his mouth. The captain was gripping the armrests, his knuckles white.

“Do the humans always travel so quickly?” the captain asked.

“On the open roads, yes. But as we get around homes or businesses, the speeds are lowered.” I tried my best to keep my amusement from them, but I knew that was a lost cause. My face showed every emotion I felt.

“It doesn't seem like a very safe way to travel. Do they not care to see what they are passing?”

“The humans are not a very observant species, always rushing around from one place to the next. They're too busy looking forward to notice where they are or where they've been, so eager to accomplish the next task. As for safety, cars are very dangerous, especially because humans don't pay attention like they should. There are several car accidents or collisions with others on the road, which is why the humans made the seat belts and laws to help prevent death in such cases.”

“Foolish.” I barely caught the murmured word from the prince over the noise of the engine and highway.

“That they are, Your Highness, but I also believe their short lives push them to accomplish as much as they can in so short a time. Thankfully though, not all are so foolish or reckless. Some I have met have been quite wise and kind.”

“For this trip, Captain Oakley and Baer, I would like you to address me by my name, Lennox. There really is no need for such formalities amongst humans. Besides, from what I know, they don't have very many royals anymore, so the title would only call attention when we don't want any.” The prince met my eyes in the mirror before glancing at the captain. I nodded, thankful for the reprieve of not having to worry about offending him in some way on top of everything else.

“Of course, Your H... I mean, Lennox, Sir,” the captain replied. It seemed he would have the hardest time with the order. I chuckled softly.

“I guess that means I shouldn't go by my title either.” He still looked uncomfortable.

“I'm sorry, Captain, but what should we call you instead? I never did get your name. I mean, we all know the prince’s name because who doesn't, but I've only heard you called Captain Oakley.” I glanced at him briefly before turning my eyes back to the road.

“Ah, yes, well I’m Arryn.” He ran a hand over his head in an embarrassed way, mussing his hair. He glanced out the front windshield and caught a glimpse of the skyscrapers, his hand dropping to his lap. “What are those?”

The prince glanced out as well, both taking note of the increasing size of the buildings around us. “Those are called skyscrapers. Humans hold businesses inside them, all going into work for 8-10 hours a day, hundreds or thousands all in the same building at the same time, before leaving to go back home.”

“So many people?” Arryn asked.

“Indeed. One city can hold millions of people inside it. But Fort Worth doesn’t have as many skyscrapers as most of the other major cities around the world.”

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