"You must allow me to tell you

  how ardently I admire and love you"

  - Pride and Prejudice By Jane Austen

  Someone was licking Micah’s face. First, it was rather easy to ignore as it was not his first time being awoken this way. Then, he remembered that he laid beside Nicodemus. He opened his eyes. Virgil’s white fur covered his view. Micah reacted by pushing the mutt away. Nicodemus laughed, pouring himself a glass of water.

  "Upset it was not a lover?" Cain chuckled, getting his shoes on. Ruth had just come out from the bathroom, her hair was down and wet. Micah had never seen her hair out.

  "I'm rather upset it was not his majesty." Micah got up and stretched. Nicodemus choked on his water and glanced at him. Micah stuck his tongue out.

  "If you stick it any further, I'll have no issue pulling it out." Nicodemus walked away.

  "Demus, it was a joke!" Micah teased. He made his way through the small space in the room reaching the bathroom. His hair had a habit of sticking up after a good rest, he washed his face, brushed his teeth and put on a new change of clothes. Since they were headed north again, the temperature would be dropping. Alvonia was a colder country and its border was known to have giant forests and snow. He was very excited. Compared to Avernita, which was more desert and heat, he much preferred the cold.

  Micah took a mental note to make sure everyone had new boots and coats. They would also need to prepare their horses. Around this time of year, they did not have snow; however at nightfall one could easily get sick if not covered properly. They did not need to be slowed down any further. Out of the bathroom he made an announcement.

  "Let's have one last feast! God knows when we will be able to enjoy a nice warm meal, we might as well take full advantage of it now." They all agreed, making their way out.

  Micah followed behind, matching Nicodemus' and Virgil's pace. Cain was sharing stories with Ruth. She was fascinated by them, he had spent an inconsiderable amount of time talking about his own family. Which was mainly what Micah and Nicodemus wanted to hear about. The rest of the stories were those already known or told to them both. Ruth was particularly interested in the story of Isaac and Rebekah, a beautiful woman who left her family to marry Isaac, it had taught her about God's will and to have more faith as well as trust God and His timing. Like most stories told by the prophets, there was also a consequence, but Cain only glossed over it as best as he could.

  Ruth took notes in her book, she asked questions and her eyes glimmered. Micah would one day invite her to see the scrolls in person. Cain enjoyed her company as anyone else would, Micah wondered if it was because he had spent many years alone. They five of them settled down and began to feast as soon as their meal had arrived. Nicodemus was awfully quiet this time. He was not much of a talker in the first place, however, it became almost awkward when he would zone out.

  "You alright?" Micah asked

  "I am fine, I don't speak when eating." Nicodemus shot back. Micah's eye twitched. He always had somewhat of a comeback, which sounded arrogant with his tone of voice. Micah was deflated. The others snickered and quieted down too. This would annoy him, he was used to chatting, he never ate in silence.

  "Cain, when you mentioned Levan Shiamin you brought up a fire? How is that possible if the Mountains are known to be cold?" Micah sought more details about their next destination now, before they faced any unknown trials. Nicodemus put his silverware down, this was the sign that he too wanted to speak.

  "Do you remember learning about the fallen city of Babylon?"

  "It was briefly covered." All he remembered was the ancient Babylonians built a tower to make a name for themselves and to reach the heavens. However, God had confused them by separating their one language into many. The workers were not able to communicate with one another. That was one of the few stories he knew as well as that of it being conquered by the great Persian king. Many of the old cities were destroyed now, lands and empires shifted into one after the earth's land collided.

  "You know about the tower of babel then!" Cain said

  "Mhm!"

  "Since it was never destroyed, it still exists." Cain pulled out one of their maps, on the back he drew up a small pyramid. Micah, Nicodemus and Ruth scooted closer. "God hid the tower. There are nine levels one must climb in order to get to Enoch. The eighth level is chastity. Heavenly flames shield Enoch and the key of Eden, it was never meant to be easy to find him. Everyone who enters, even his loyal angels, face the flames and the nine levels. Lucky for you, I found the Tower of Babel's base floor. It is being taken over by the Levan Shiamins. Super easy to miss, if you do not know what you look for." Cain drew up a rough sketch of what it looked like. Micah felt excited. Nine levels? Ten Thousand steps each floor? Different trials? Sign him up.

  "It will take us a day or two to climb." Nicodemus said confidently.

  "No, a week if you are lucky." Cain said. "You do not get it, Your Majesty. You must face all your sins. Only those who have pure intentions can pass the flames. Even if I try, I hold far too much sin."

  Micah looked at Nicodemus, they both seemed to think the same thing. "How do you plan to guide us?" Cain sighed loudly. Ruth interrupted.

  "Assuming the flames are the only thing stopping you, everything else you can handle?" Cain nodded. Micah's cheeks turned red from embarrassment. The answer was not hard to guess. Nicodemus sat back down normally and grunted. Micah patted his shoulder. They knew it wouldn't be simple. Matter of fact, finding Cain was probably the easiest task. Micah knew his way around the border, but he was not aware of how much it hid.

  "Other than the flames, what else do you know about the tower?" Nicodemus rested his hand on Micah's and shot him a smile. Cain thought for a moment before shaking his head.

  "I am afraid not much. The experience is unique to the individual. I cannot warn you much about what it is like or what to expect because, what I feel or see will not directly reflect what you will see or feel."

  "Which makes sense. Is there anyone else who cannot pass the last level?" Ruth asked, Micah thought that Ruth was clever with her questions. She was jotting down all words spoken by Cain.

  "Yes, My mother, Lucifer and myself. That is all." Micah could not read his face. He wondered why God had blocked him and Eve. It was better not to question it. Nicodemus got up first, and stretched his back.

  "Undoubtedly, there is much more we can converse about. Shall we get going then? Let's gather some supplies. Plan our route and ride. Cain would you be able to ride with me?"

  "I don't see why not. Forgive me for not bringing a horse."

  "Nonsense, apologies won't be needed." Nicodemus left gold on the table, and headed to the exit.

  Micah prepared his horse the best he could. They had stopped by a few local markets to gather some food and warm clothes. Virgil seemed the most excited as all the ladies and kids pet him and scratched behind his ears. He was fed raw meat, cooked chicken, anything a child or adult were willing to let him have. Micah had to pull him away from of few people. He had told Nicodemus that he refused to be in charge of the mutt, yet here he was making sure the mutt was kept in check. Normally, Ruth took Virgil under her control. However, she was more fond of the trinkets one could buy. She had mentioned wanting to bring Dimitri back a gift. Cain helped her pick out a few small items, he almost got into an argument with a merchant who tried to upsell a fake watch. In the end, she settled for a gold necklace, and some charms.

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  Nicodemus on the other hand got lost. Micah felt a rush of panic consume him. Virgil sniffed him out. The mutt barked and Nicodemus turned back.

  "Find everything alright?" He asked.

  "The necessities. Your mutt is over fed, I will say." Virgil sat on the ground with his tongue out.

  "Yeah?" Nicodemus laughed, he kneeled down and rubbed his nose with the mutt's. Virgil barked and ran off.

  "You are awfully distant sometimes you know. I feel like our relationship has gotten better, but then you disappear the first chance you get. You were no better back in the palace."

  "What is the relationship you speak of? " Nicodemus raised his head.

  "Oh." Micah turned his head away. He did not have a response to that comment. They never fully stated what their relationship was. Before it was prisoner and emperor, then after a few drinks Nicodemus looked at him differently. Micah thought perhaps he let his guard down, or maybe it was all in his head. Nicodemus stood up and faced him crossing his arms.

  "I had no intention of pressing you for a response. Nevertheless, what is our relationship to you? I am curious, perhaps then I may explain myself."

  "Why does that matter now? After I take you home, I will return to Alvonia and our paths will never cross again." Micah did not want to talk to him anymore. Could he be more of an asshole? No, he could. There was not a limit to his 'Asshole-ness'. Micah heard him silently laugh, Nicodemus had his mouth covered but his shoulders gave it away.

  "Fuck off." Micah turned around, a simple 'We're friends.' or an apology would have been nice. No wonder this bastard had no friends. He did not even know how to keep them. Laughing at a time like this? Micah was genuinely worried and concerned, it had washed away now. Nicodemus reached out and pulled him back.

  "Micah, you're my best friend. Is it that much of a mystery to you how I feel about you? I was looking to get you something, the tailor is almost finished with it too. I have been distant. I keep thinking about how we will be heading home soon. The idea of never seeing you again, it brings me great displeasure. However, I have cherished every second you spend at my side."   Nicodemus kept his eyes on him. Micah felt like running away, he was not expecting him to say any of that. Nicodemus was always reserved. However, he did not treat Ruth any different, than he did with him. He knew he had overthought their interactions. Yet, hearing that confession alone was not what he had imagined.

  "Although we met in unfortunate circumstances. You alone, surpass many I have known all my life. Blood Oath or not, you could have ran away. When I was in Sodom, I saw a mimic of you. You never once—"

  "Enough!" Micah placed both his hands to cover Nicodemus' mouth. Nicodemus' eyes softened and he laughed again. Micah was red in the face, his heart was beating fast. He had been confessed to by girls and boys... All his life. He was used to hearing them sing his praises. He hated to admit, that he preferred when Nicodemus was mute or nonchalant. At least then being mad at him was easy.

  Nicodemus took a step back. Micah put his hands down, he was no longer angry at him. In fact, he was not able to stop smiling.

  "Forgiven. I need you to shut up and just stop having me question you so much. If something bothers you, tell me. If you're scared, worried, sad, for heavens sake Nicodemus just talk to me."

  "Why is your face so red?" Nicodemus teased.

  "Never mind, I hate you again." Micah huffed. Micah pushed Nicodemus to the side yet, his lips curled upward.

  Cain and Ruth were deeply immersed in a conversation, Micah had no idea how those two got along so well. When Nicodemus rested for two days straight, Cain had kept Ruth company as well as took care of Virgil. Micah thought he was strange. Cain had nothing particularly wrong with him. He was just more distant with Micah and looked at him funny. Nicodemus never had suspicions of him, truth be told, Nicodemus had terrible judgment in people. He was traveling with a man who broke into his home. He even called Micah his best friend. Although, to Micah, he thought he was a rather nice person. He also was Nicodemus' best friend. He liked him and that was enough.

  Ruth went over the plan for how they would travel, and the breaks they would take. Cain would take the lead with Nicodemus and his horse. Ruth and Micah would follow behind. Their horses would be left in a nearby town, the rest of the trip would be done on foot. Plain and simple, Micah had no argument against the plan. He felt as if Nicodemus was also doing much better than before. After their short conversation, he was more at ease.

  Micah helped Ruth with gearing up, he checked all weapons and bags, made sure their horses were fed and that they would be set for the cold nights. Micah would be closer to home than ever before. Only a few mountains kept him away. He felt homesick. Just beyond the border was his entire life. He held his palm out, as his index finger ran across the scar from the blood oath. He wondered if the sisters were looking for him. How his disciples were? If anyone from the church even noticed he was missing. Micah was never a big deal back home. He was only a teacher. Back in the palace, he dreamed of the days he would not be confined by four walls. He was free now, but he was not home.

  "Micah, let's go." Ruth broke him out of his trance. Micah hadn't noticed how far off he was gone staring at the distance. He agreed and jumped on his horse. Their first ride would not take long. A day at most. It had been just past a week since they left. They needed to return soon. He could tell Nicodemus was anxious about how his butler was doing. No-speak Oaths tend to choke the individual in less than three months for less extreme cases. Micah had made a promise and whether or not he wanted to, he had to keep it.

  The ride was painful. He had almost forgotten how much he hated being on a horse. He thought perhaps his horse had gotten fatter. Nicodemus rode behind Cain, he kept yawning the entire ride. Virgil managed to always run ahead of them, the cotton ball was hard to see for miles. Ruth on the other hand seemed to enjoy riding. She was much happier now that all she had to do was follow and not lead. Micah thought about complaining again, but kept it to himself.

  The views were lovely around this time of year. Sodom and Gomorrah were mainly desert, he was tired of cleaning sand out his hair. The grasslands were better in his opinion. They stopped a few times allowing the horses to eat. Earlier on they had rested for quite a while, although it was important to get back on track. Wasting daylight wasn't a wise choice. Cain mentioned that they would go through one of the major forests that lay in the border. It was known to have the tallest trees in the world. Nicodemus perked up from behind.

  "I was not aware of your appreciation for trees, your majesty." Micah spoke up.

  "I am rather fond of them. I can name a few." Nicodemus said. He pointed at one "That's an olive tree, my mother planted a few back in the garden. Before Egypt was destroyed by the ancient powers, a goddess named Isis had given it to humans for them to extract oils from. It was my mom's favorite since it represents wisdom. It is also carved on my crown."

  "You were taught about Egypt?" Micah asked.

  "I was, before the earth collided creating the mountains. I knew about the ancient empires. I do hope to one day be able to explore them. Although, I doubt time is on my side." Nicodemus' face dropped slightly. Micah had forgotten that once home, Nicodemus would take the crown and not have time to explore.

  "I hope you get to explore someday." Micah said.

  "If I do, I hope you come with." Nicodemus replied