Free Sicarius by Enrique R. Rodriguez Page B

army as I told you two before. This island consists of several villages. There is a main village where the king and queen stay on their farm. This is where you two will be staying. This ride will take an hour or so.” 
    Aida’s mouth drops open in surprise. “You never said we would stay with royalty.” She then glances at Ambrose, trying to concentrate on riding and the conversation. “And they live on a farm?” 
    “I did not think it mattered. They are just as ordinary as you two and I. No need to try to impress. This island or land is very strange but good. No one is more wealthy than the next person. Everybody is equal. They just need two people, out of them all, who are kind and fair. These people are to keep order. It just happens that out of all the people, they chose two elderly farmers with no children, that all know of their hospitality.” Ambrose smiles with the sunlight hitting his face as they trot without a care to their destination. 
    “This place is nice, and the people you speak of must be. If a place as nice as this picked them out of all the people to rule, they must be marvelous. We are going to like this place.” Aida looks around to admire her tropical forest surroundings. 
    “Look, a monkey.” Gytha points at it. “Why do most people not move here, Ambrose? It seems perfect.” 
    “It is extremely difficult to board a ship to this place. These people do not want an overpopulated island. The only reason why we could was my emblem.” 
    “Well, good thing you never took it off. Do you still have it on?” Gytha looks at Ambrose’s shoulder. 
    “Yes. I think I will keep it on, but only in Fraudule, just in case.” 
    “That is a good idea,” said Aida. 
    “Some more information of this place is that most of the Fraudule kingdom thinks this land is following their rules. The people of Pacem like it that way. This was part of the deal we made to let any of the Fraudule soldiers come and do their business. Their business never lasts long, no longer than a day or two. When these soldiers come, the people are to act as if they are under the control of Fraudule until the soldiers leave. This goes for you two now.” 
    Gytha looks up to see the birds fly. “No need to worry. We will.” 
    “There is no need to always to be on guard. Very few soldiers come. When they do, they soon leave after their business due to boredom. They never go too far into the land. They only stay on the shoreline.” 
    “Well, that’s a relief,” says Gytha. 
    “Yes, it is, and if I did not show this emblem, we would have had to board the ship by force.” 
    “I am not meaning to change the subject, but I do not want Gytha and me to live in a damaged house from a fire. When we do reach this place, do you think the people rebuilt their farm?” 
    “Yes, the people here are hard workers and look after one another as I said before. They would have rebuilt it as soon as I left. Oh, and I forgot to tell you their names. The wife’s name is Bliss and—” 
    Gytha suddenly has a surge of interest. “What is the man’s name?” 
    “Frith.” Ambrose smiles from the endearing way Gytha asks. 
    “Frith and Bliss. Their names alone sound wonderful,” said Aida. 

 
    Chapter VIII 
     
     
     
    The three talk among themselves and enjoy one another’s company as much as possible. The girls ask as many questions as they can about the land of Pacem. Ambrose and the girls know this will be the last time they will see one another for a long time. Before they know it, they arrive at their destination. The farm is rebuilt as Ambrose said. It looks as if it never caught fire. 
    The three jump off their horses and walk to the door. Aida hides the black sword so the owners would not think they mean danger. When they knock, Frith opens the door. Gytha and Aida were expecting something different. Frith hunches over, has liver spots all along his loose skin, and looks as if he is in his early seventies.