The Elephant Gate

Two weeks passed in a blur. Kevin felt stronger and leaner, no doubt bolstered by the near-constant training. His skin had darkened in the sun, although it would never reach the native tones. More importantly, his relationship with the people he had previously known in this life had returned to previous closeness.

All except one.

Since that meeting weeks ago, Kevin had not spoken with the princess again. Perhaps it was best, since it was clear that she had developed a prickly personality solely directed at him.

Today, he was at the stables, rubbing down Rowdy after a training session. The horse playfully blew Kevin's sweaty hair, making it stick up at odd angles. He was used to the gelding's shenanigans, though, and took it in stride.

He smiled at the sound of familiar footsteps behind him.

"Hello, Dad."

Thadchai walked to the wash stall and patted Rowdy's damp flank before looking at his son. It still seemed a miracle that this young man had returned from that mysterious other place.

"Tonight there will be a secret meeting in one of the villages nearby. I want you to come along with us, and observe the people there. I want this to be a test to see how well you blend in the populace here. All the townspeople have a strong alliance to the monarchy, so the danger should be minimal. Of course, you still must be wary and stay alert."

Kevin turned and smiled. "I feel like I'm ready for this. Has there been any word regarding the movement of Antunam troops at the border?"

"According to our information, there has been a large amount of ground forces amassing just over the border. It's possible that a mass invasion will take place in the foreseeable future.

Thadchai looked pensive.

It appears that the prince is becoming impatient. Although marriage to Princess Suriya would be vest in the eyes of the world, he doesn't plan to wait much longer before flooding our kingdom with troops and suppressing the civilian populations."

"So soon." Kevin was surprised at the swiftness of the action.

The older man chuckled. "Soon for you, but this has been going on for quite a while before you appeared within our midst again."

Ah, he had forgotten. With his current days falling into routine, he barely felt the passage of time. Was time in the real world still moving forward? Or was it frozen, like before, waiting for his return before restarting? Kevin shook these disturbing thoughts away and focused on the now.

"Okay, what preparations do we need for the meeting tonight, Dad."

"When you are done here, I want you to come to my office so we can go over the general layout of the village and surrounding area. I want you to familiarize yourself with certain landmarks, so if something happens you will be better able to protect yourself and return."

Kevin quirked a brow. "Is this likely" The older man shrugged.

"Knowledge is useful no matter what. It's better for you to be aware of the surroundings as a backup. I'll see you inside the house, then. Mae Joy should have lunch ready by then as well."

Kevin nodded and went back to his chores.

He was putting away the hose when a tiny sound alerted him to the presence of another person. He continued his task, waiting until the figure crept closer, before spinning around and tackling the intruder to the ground.

The softness of the figure stunned him a split second before he hear a feminine gasp.