The Journey to Alessandria (1)

I was looking at an endless sea of sand. I was wearing a bandana covering my whole head where my eyes are the only one seen. The bandana was helpful for the harsh sands that were blowing because of the wind in the dessert. I was atop a camel, an animal I have never seen in my entire life. These animals can only be seen in Alessandria where they are used for travel and transportation.

I can feel the heat of the sun even with my current garments covering me completely. I was traveling with Alessandrians that I were not familiar to me. I can see Jessie riding a camel as well right beside me.

The scorching hot sun was not kind to us. I can see that the people traveling with me are hot and also tired. We have been traveling for a while now and we needed a break. Thankfully, we saw an oasis not far from where we are.

When we arrived at the oasis, we got down from our camels and rested under the trees. Jessie took my water pouch and proceeded to the water hole to refill our supply of water. I was resting under a shade of a tree when I heard screaming.

A group of men with covered faces came from out of nowhere and attacked my group. The Alessandrians that were traveling with me fought and tried to protect me, but they were outnumbered. One by one they dropped down dead in the ensuing fight.

"Get their things." A man ordered. "This must look like we stole their belongings."

I realized that the group of men were trying to let this attack seem like bandits doing. They were not really here to steal but to kill all of the people in my group.

"Your highness!" Jessie ran towards me when she saw a man about to slash me with his sword.

"Jessie!!!" I shouted. "Nooo!!!"

Jessie blocked the attack and took the blow for me. She dropped down and I caught her in my arms. Blood has stained her dress completely. I looked at my hands stained with Jessie's blood.

"No, Jessie… hang in there." I said while holding back my tears. "You… you are going to be okay."

"Y-Your highness…" Jessie said.

"Do not talk." I said to her. "Save your strength. I-I am going to heal you."

I focused my energy towards on Jessie's wound.

"I… I am glad that I had been a help to you." Jessie said.

Jessie's hands that I was holding went limp. The spark in her eyes went out. That was when I knew that she had died. I was not able to heal her in time, the wound was to deep that even my powers were of no use.

"NO!!! Jessie!!!" I cried my heart out by her passing.

"Pity…" The man that was giving orders hovered above me. "She saved you for nothing. You would also die here as well."

"Tell me…" I looked at the man with such hatred. "You were sent here to kill me, correct? Who sent you?" I asked.

"I guess it will be of no harm to tell a dying person." The man said. He took off his mask and I saw the face of a young man of Alessandrian features. He had black hair and dark obsidian eyes. My eyes were caught on his snake tattoo that stretched from his neck towards the right side of his face. "Duke Noel Aberfort had commissioned us to kill you."

"Heh, as I thought." I scoffed. "Tell me, as I am dying anyway. How much did they pay you to kill the first princess of the Constantine Empire and the soon to be concubine of the Emperor of Alessandria?" I asked.

"It is not how much but what." The man replied. "The duke said that he has in his possession an elixir that can heal any illness in this world. He said that elixir came from the saintess herself, the deceased empress of the Constantine Empire. We need it. Now that I have told you, the time has come to bid you farewell."

"Wait…" I tried to stop the man but then I felt his blade slash my throat clean.

**

"*cough cough cough cough*" I was suddenly awoken by a fit of cough.

I had my eyes wide open and saw that I was till inside the carriage that just departed the palace of Constantine.

"Your highness, are you alright?" Jessie who was seating in front of me asked.

"Water…" I said with a hoarse voice. "Give me water."

"H-Here, your highness." Jessie gave me a bottle of water.

I quickly drink from the bottle, making some of the water drip from my lips. I felt parched for some reason.

"Thank you, Jessie." I returned the bottle to her.

"You are welcome your highness." Jessie smiled brightly.

Then I remembered my dream from before, how I saw Jessies lifeless face before me. Then I remember when the sword has slashed my neck. I held my neck still feeling something from my dream.

'That was a prophetic dream.' I thought to myself.

I never thought that I will fall asleep the moment the carriage departed the palace. It was just a nap that I did not realize I would be deep in slumber enough to have a prophetic dream.

There was a difference of a normal dream from a prophetic one for me. In a normal dream, it was foggy and sometimes I would not remember what I dreamt about. It was different from a prophetic dream, it felt as if it was real, and I can feel the same feeling until the few minutes I woke up. That is why I can still feel the slash of the sword on my neck the moment I opened my eyes.

'So, that is what Duke Noel is planning. Well, I will not let that happen.' I thought to myself. 'That man with the snake tattoo on his face, I might find out who he is. He said that he and his men were hired by Duke Noel to kill me with a promise of an elixir that can heal any illness. Well, there is no such thing.'

If he needs someone to be healed of an incurable illness, then what he needs is me.