Ansel walked into the parlor to find Griffa, Issa, and Max reading quietly. He walked over and sat down next to Griffa on the sofa glancing at the book she was reading. Ansel saw Max glanced up at him before lowering his gaze to his book.

“Still studying protector’s magic, I see,” said Ansel to Griffa.

“Yes, I’m trying to figure out how it exactly works in different situations. Obviously, you can control it in some ways, but I can’t find much on it in battle.” Griffa put her book down at looked at Ansel.

“I don’t remember much of what happened the day I left Aurumist. I do remember you coming in the throne room. I remember feeling your protector’s magic wash over me. It gave me strength. If you hadn’t had come in when you did, I don’t think I would have lasted much longer.”

Max made a noise and closed his book. He stood up and walked out abruptly. Issa shut her own book and shook her head.

“I thought maybe he was getting past all of this,” sighed Issa.

Griffa looked at Issa with a frown. “We will have to give him more time. I will talk to him soon.” Griffa turned back to Ansel. “What do you remember about that day in the palace?”

“I remember walking out of the passageway, and I knew you were close. I couldn’t control myself. I had to get to you. I felt like I was being drawn to you. When I saw you in trouble, I just knew what to do, and my magic responded. It set up a barrier around you,” said Ansel. “I remember it well, but it almost feels like some odd dream.”

Griffa nodded. “I think we need to go out on the back lawn tomorrow and try some training exercises. I don’t know how much you can, or I can control it, but we should find out.”

Griffa yawned and blinked her eyes.

“You should go take a nap,” said Ansel looking at Griffa. “I doubt you slept much last night.”

“I’m fine, Ansel,” said Griffa stretching. “My eyes are just tired from reading.”

Ansel looked at Griffa closely. She was still so thin, and her eyes had dark circles underneath them. He was tempted to pick her up and take her to bed. She needed to rest. “Go to bed for a while, Griffa.”

“No,” said Griffa adamantly. “I don’t want to be up there alone. I won’t have you lying in bed in the middle of the day for me.”

“Griffa, just rest your head there on the couch for a bit,” said Issa kindly. “You won’t be alone. I’ll be here even if Ansel is needed somewhere.”

Griffa sighed and nodded. She nestled down into the corner of the sofa, curling her feet under her. Ansel watched until her eyes closed, and her breathing became even.

“She’s still not sleeping well?” asked Issa quietly.

“No,” whispered Ansel. “I doubt she wakes me up half the times she can’t sleep. She says when she’s awake she remembers Aurumist. When she’s asleep she has nightmares of the kingdom.”

“I know,” said Issa sadly. “Max has talked to me about it. I know he’s trying to find some way to help her.”

“Where do you think Max went?” asked Ansel.

“Probably the conservatory,” answered Issa.

“Can you stay here with Griffa until I get back? I don’t want her to wake up alone.”

“Yes, I won’t leave her. Are you going to go try and talk to Max?”

“Yes,” said Ansel standing up carefully. “I know he is angry with me, but if he can help Griffa I will let him rail at me all he wants.”

Ansel walked out towards the conservatory. As he walked in the room, he saw Max reading, facing the large windows. Ansel walked over and sat down next to Max. Max glanced at Ansel and went back to reading his book.

“I know you are still angry at me, and I’m not going to ask you to forgive me. I’m not going to ask you to relent in your anger.”

“Good,” said Max no looking up. “It wouldn’t do you any good.”

“I know,” said Ansel. “I also know you care about Griffa. She is not well, Max. If there is anything you have found that might help her, I need to know.”

Max put down his book and looked at Ansel. “I have been reading all the books I can find on the kings and queens of Regventus. I have found a few things that might explain what is going on, but I have found no solutions except one.”

“What have you found?”

“There have been several time throughout history where the kingdom was suffering from war or sickness. The sovereign at the time would have terrible dreams. They would feel suffering for their kingdom. Even Queen Agatha knew what was coming. She suffered for many months before she was driven from the castle. I think there is a magical bond between the sovereign and the folk of Regventus.

“I believe King Nathin made it so. When he took the throne, he swore to all the people he would prosper and suffer as they did. He swore it for his entire line.”

“You said there was one solution. What is it?” asked Ansel.

“Griffa will have to fix the problem in the kingdom. She will have to work towards helping the people.”

“But we don’t know what the problem is, Max. How can we fix it, when we don’t know what’s coming?” asked Ansel desperately.

“I don’t know,” said Max. “I expect we will know something soon. Until then, we will have to support Griffa. I will keep looking for any way to give her some relief.”

“Thank you,” said Ansel standing up.

“I’m not doing it for you,” said Max.

“I know,” said Ansel. “You are doing it for Griffa and the kingdom, but Griffa is my life. If you can help save her, I will spend the rest of my days in gratitude towards you no matter how much you hate me.”

“I don’t hate you,” said Max quietly. “I don’t. I know how I feel isn’t rational. I just can’t get past it, not yet.”

“I understand,” said Ansel. He turned to leave

“Wait,” said Max. He held up a book to Ansel. “I have marked a section of this book. It is on the original protector of the kingdom, the first of your line. It explains the bond you have with the line of Adalwen. You should read it, and show it to Griffa. It explains many of your responsibilities to Griffa. It also explains your ability to protect her and advance her magic.”

Ansel took the book, and saw that it looked very old.

“Do not fail her, Ansel. Whatever you do, you have to keep her safe. She thinks she is replaceable as queen, but I know she isn’t. I have had dreams and visions. If we want Regventus to survive, Griffa has to sit on the throne.”

“I will never fail her again or you. I know I’m not your protector, Max, but when I brought you here, I pledged to keep you safe. I will keep that pledge.”

“Keep the queen safe and you can consider that pledge fulfilled,” said Max. He went back to his book.

Ansel looked at Max for a moment and then left. He walked back in the parlor to find Griffa sleeping on the sofa. Issa was silently reading in a chair. Ansel sat on the end of the sofa softly.

“Has she slept the entire time?” asked Ansel quietly.

Issa nodded. “She mumbled something earlier, but since then she seems to have slept soundly.”

“Good,” said Ansel.

“How was Max?” asked Issa

Ansel shrugged.

“I think I’ll go check on him, if you don’t mind,” said Issa.

“You should go. I’ll stay here with Griffa,” said Ansel as He opened the book Max gave him, flipping to the marked pages.

King Nathin was crowned the king of the magical folk of Regventus during the great war of Regventus. Etan of the line of Raya pledged his life and line to the line of Adalwen three days before the battle of Aurumist. Etan pledged that no other would come before Raya’s sovereign. The line of Raya would be the protector of the kingdom and the protector of the sovereign of Regventus. Raya would defend the line of Adalwen with their life. Etan put the full trust of himself and his descendants into the hands of Nathin and Nathin’s descendants. This was sealed with a blood oath under the guidance of Maxen Keene.

Nathin in turn pledged he would rule his folk with fairness and goodness. If he or any of his descendants broke this promise, the protector would be able to break the magical bond. Until then, the protector submits to the ruler of the line of Adalwen. No threat to the sovereign can be denied or dismissed. No order from the ruler can be denied by the line of Raya. The magic of each will know each other. They will work with one another to protect both the line of Adalwen and the line of Raya.

Ansel looked up. He could feel magic in the air as he read these lines. He could almost feel the magical bond he shared with his descendants. He could feel the bond he shared with Griffa and the line of Adalwen.

Griffa stirred in her sleep. She sat up with her eyes half closed. “Protector,” she said quietly.

“Yes, my queen,” said Ansel automatically.

“Do not leave me.”

Ansel felt himself compelled to answer her. “Yes, my queen. I will not leave you.”

Griffa moved over and leaned on Ansel. He put his book down and took Griffa into his arms. She burrowed her head into his chest.

“I will never leave you, Griffa,” he said quietly as he kissed the top of her head.

After dinner, Griffa had read the book Max had given Ansel. There was much in the passages about how they could use their magic together. Ansel could protect Griffa from most attacks if he was close to her and concentrating. Griffa’ s magical power would increase in his presence.

There were other things in the passages as well. Ansel could never ignore a direct order from Griffa. He could not hurt her in any way, not that he ever would. He would know her moods if she allowed him. She could shield him if she tried. Griffa could know Ansel’s mood anytime she liked. The protector could heal the sovereign. He could also soothe his sovereign in times of distress. They would both be aware of each other’s presence if they were close. They stayed up late talking over all the information, as Griffa read the book in bed.

“The more I learn of our bond, the more I am not sure of it,” said Griffa looking over the book again.

“What do you mean?” asked Ansel

“I don’t like having any control over another person, especially you. I don’t like the idea I could force a command on you,” said Griffa with distaste.

“Griffa, you are a queen. You will have to get used to having control over people’s lives. Besides, I think you are looking at this wrong. This is a magical bond of trust. The line of Raya trusts the line of Adalwen. I trust you completely. There are also safeguards. If a sovereign tried using their powers for evil, it negates the bond.”

“I guess,” said Griffa. “I do want to try out our magical bond tomorrow on the back lawn. Talon said he will help us.”

“Very well, but that means you need to sleep,” said Ansel. He took the book out of Griffa’s hands.

“I’m not tired, though,” said Griffa. “I napped too long on the couch.” She glanced mischievously over at Ansel who was putting the book on a table by the bed.

Ansel looked at Griffa, “What?”

“Protector,” said Griffa with a smile. “Come kiss your queen.”

“Oh, is this a command? Are you already abusing your power?”

Griffa raised one eyebrow.

Ansel grinned and pulled Griffa to him. He kissed her soundly.

“Very good,” Griffa purred.

She reached up and stroked his cheek and kissed his jaw. Ansel sighed and closed his eyes.

“Protector,” said Griffa quietly. “Will you love your queen?”

Ansel opened his eyes and looked at Griffa. “Is that a command?”

“Do you want it to be?”

“Yes, my queen.”

The next day Ansel stood on the lawn with Griffa by his side. Talon stood about twenty feet away from them, as Kedan sat on the grass watching. They were outside trying to see if they could understand more about protector’s magic.

“When shall we begin?” asked Talon calling to Griffa and Ansel.

“One moment, Talon,” said Griffa raising her hand. “I’ll signal to you.”

Talon nodded his head.

“Alright, Ansel, are you ready to try this? Just concentrate and see what kind of barrier you can put around us. I’ll give you a few moments before I signal Talon”

Ansel nodded. He took a deep breath and stood close to Griffa. He felt his magic reach out and search for her. When it found her, he felt it surround her. He willed it to shield her from harm, as he put his hands up and opened his eyes.

Griffa nodded to Talon and stood at the ready with her staff up. Talon raised his hands and pushed out, and a spell shot at them. Ansel concentrated on Griffa and kept his hands up. He felt the spell deflect before it hit them. Talon sent two more spells their way, and Ansel kept his hands up. They were deflected.

Ansel turned to look at Griffa. Her eyes were bright. Her hair was blowing even though there was not much wind that day. She pushed her hand out lightly, and a spell shot towards Talon. He put a block up, but was knocked down anyway. He fell on his back, but quickly sat up. Ansel put his hands down, and he turned to Griffa. Her hair was now lying still against her shoulders.

“That was definitely something,” she said with a smile. She looked over at Talon. “Are you alright?”

“Yes, but that was quite a spell. I thought you said you would hold back, Griffa,” answered Talon rubbing his back and walking towards her and Ansel.

“I did,” said Griffa still smiling.

“I guess we know that protector’s magic can work at any point you want it to, Ansel,” said Talon.

“As long as my queen is near, I can manage it. I wonder how many people it can cover. In the palace Kedan was able to be protected,” said Ansel.

“It probably has to do with how close someone is to me,” said Griffa. “Kedan, come here a moment, please.”

Kedan got up off the ground and walked over to Griffa.

She smiled at him. “I’d like to try something, but if you don’t want to do, please tell me so. I want you to stand by me while Ansel protects me. I want to see how well you are protected. We can try with you right by my side, then you can take a few steps away. Whatever happens, Talon won’t hurt you.”

“I’ll do it,” said Kedan smiling at Griffa. “I’ll do whatever I can to help.”

“Thank you,” said Griffa taking Kedan’s arm. She stood him very near to her. “Talon, go back and try again. I won’t fight back this time.”

Talon nodded and walked away from them. When Talon got into place, Griffa turned to Ansel.

“Are you ready?” she asked him.

Ansel nodded and put his hands up. Griffa nodded to Talon, and he sent a couple of spells their way. They deflected off of them. Ansel looked back to see Kedan still standing by Griffa’s side.

“Good,” said Griffa. “Now, Kedan take a few steps away from me, not too far.”

Kedan took two steps to the right. Griffa nodded at Talon. He sent two more spells their way. Ansel kept his block up, and the spells deflected. Kedan still stood.

“Dare we try a couple more steps?” asked Griffa looking at Kedan. Kedan shrugged and walked a few more steps away.

They repeated this cycle until Kedan was about ten feet from Griffa. Ansel held up his block, Talon threw two spells. This time Kedan went down hard on his side. Griffa walked over quickly to him and knelt down beside him.

“Are you alright, Kedan?” asked Griffa helping Kedan sit up.

“Yes,” he said. “My shoulders a little sore where I fell on it, but I’m fine.”

Griffa put her hand on Kedan’s shoulder and closed her eyes. Ansel watched as Kedan’s eyes went wide, and then he smiled slightly.

“Better?” asked Griffa.

“Yes,” said Kedan marveling at Griffa. “Thank you.” Griffa got up and offered Kedan her hand. He took it and stood up.

“I think that is enough for today,” said Griffa. “I think we have learned quite a bit from our time.”

“I agree,” said Ansel as he walked over and offered Griffa his arm to escort her into the house.

Griffa called over her shoulder, “Come on, Kedan. Eat lunch, and then I will meet you back out here for our training.”