“My Lady?” Evira gingerly asked.

She placed her hand on Linea’s shoulder, which broke her concentration. Her healing spell broke while she was in the middle of restoring a mangled hand.

“What?” Linea replied and turned around with a frown. “Can’t you see that I’m working?”

“I apologize, My Lady,” Evira answered. “But I must express my concern about your wellbeing. I really think, you should take a rest at the keep.”

“I don’t care what you think,” Linea spat. “There are still injured people, and I still have energy to spend. I’ll stop once there is nothing left to do.”

With that said, Linea focused back on the soldier lying before her. She placed her hands above his injured hand and cast the healing spell again.

Evira looked at Aruna, who joined them with a towel in her hands, which she used to clean her hands from blood.

“Don’t look at me,” she said to Evira. “I told her to take a nap hours ago. Princess doesn’t listen and I’m not her mother.”

“Can I help in any way to speed up the process?” Evira asked and looked around the lower floor of the Black Bear Inn where all the injured soldiers had been brought. There lay over two dozen men, who were still unattended apart from the life-saving first aid.

“Do you have any experience with injuries?” Aruna asked with furrowed eyebrows.

“Not really,” Evira admitted. “I’ve seen a fair share of them but… treating them?”

“Well, nothing you can do then. Just go around and ask the soldiers if you can bring them water or food. But only those without a belly wound.”

Evira nodded and got to work.

Linea sighed, when both women had left her alone. She most likely wouldn’t sweat too much about these soldiers if it weren’t for the fact that Sarah - and therefore Linea - was responsible for most injuries in this room.

It taken her hours after the fight to heal the most dangerous wounds of those soldiers, who barely came out alive when Sarah had obliterated a part of the wall. When they told her the casualties of that little stunt, Linea had to swallow hard. Sarah had killed at least twenty-six soldiers and one Void Hunter novice. The beam had not only cut through the dragon and the wall but through the whole city behind it only missing the keep by a few meters. They had avoided a disaster only by a hair's breadth.

And now Sarah wasn’t even there to complain to.

A tear fell down from Linea’s face, which she hastily wiped away. She stared at the hand she had healed for a few seconds, and the soldier thanked her profusely. Linea gave him a forced smile and excused herself to tend to the next man.

She was exhausted and even the Life Force provided by Luna ran out slowly but surely. She sat down by a man missing an arm. He was unconscious much to Linea’s relief. After she removed the bandage over his stump, she noticed the clear wound edge which indicated that the Void beam was the most likely cause.

She sighed and placed her hand over the wound. The spell guided her hand as she reconstructed the arm out of nothing. She had to start over after losing her concentration midway through.

‘This is so hard…’ Linea said in her mind, but she got no answer.

She took a deep breath and stood up again. The soldier with his new arm hadn’t woken up from the treatment and Linea was thankful for it. She couldn't deal with their gratitude at the moment.

A quick check on her power reserves told her she had to take a break now. She had healed people for hours and now even her vast powers were depleted.

Without talking to anyone, she left the inn and headed for the keep. Evira and her guardsmen caught up with her.

“My Lady,” Evira said and looked at Linea with concerned eyes. “Where are we headed?”

“The keep,” Linea answered without giving Evira any real attention.

They walked silently the whole way to the keep. Most citizens of Taldira had already returned to their houses and the word about Linea’s victory over the dark mage and the dragon had spread fast. People were waving at her and thanking her for saving them. Evira’s men kept them on distance, but Linea didn’t even notice the fuss. Her mind was occupied with Sarah’s disappearance.

When they reached the keep, Linea instantly got into her chambers and let Tenasia and Minara strip her down. Minara worked reluctantly on Linea’s dirtied dress armor, while Tenasia prepared a bath for Linea.

After removing the mud from her hair with water, Linea walked into the bath and lowered herself into the bathtub. A deep sigh escaped her as she submerged into the hot water. Tenasia sat down behind her and worked through her hair with soap to clean it properly. Linea closed her eyes and tried to relax with limited success.

A few minutes later, someone entered the bath.

“Hey Lin,” Nora whispered. “Can we talk?”

Linea sighed as she didn’t feel like talking, but she knew she could only talk to Nora about her main problem.

“Tenasia, would you give us a few minutes? I’ll let Nora get you, when I want to get out.”

“As you wish, My Lady,” Tenasia said and left after she had dried her hands.

Nora took the stool Tenasia had used and placed it beside the bathtub. She expected Linea to talk to her, but Linea stayed silent and looked at the ceiling.

“Linea, what is wrong?” Nora asked as she realized that something was amiss.

“She is gone…” Linea whispered.

“Who is…” Nora wanted to ask, but as she said it she understood what Linea was saying. “Oh, what do you mean by ‘gone’?”

“When we fought the dark mage, Sarah used more of her abilities than she should have. And now… now she is gone,” Linea said fighting her tears.

“You mean Sarah is dead?” Nora asked shocked.

Linea wanted to answer yes, but the problem was that she wasn't sure.

“She said she would be unconscious for a time…” Linea admitted. “But I can’t feel her anymore. As if she never had been there!”

“So, you’re panicking about something she warned you would happen?” Nora asked.

Linea frowned about Nora’s oversimplified assumption but realized that Nora had a point.

“Yes, basically. But perhaps something happened that she didn’t expect?”

“I understand that you’re confused about this, but why don’t we just go to the temple after you’re done bathing and ask someone, who can answer that for you?” Nora suggested with a smile.

“That’s… a good idea,” Linea admitted and looked at her best friend.

“No need to sound surprised,” Nora said and crossed her arms. “But I don’t think you need to worry too much. From what I’ve heard, Sarah needs to rest for now. She killed a dragon! She’ll be fine!”

“Yeah, and over two dozen soldiers as well!” Linea said angrily. She didn’t like that everyone was praising the killing of a dragon although so many of their own died in the same time.

“Really?” Nora asked. “No one told me about that. People are talking about how you cut down the enemy army, killed a dark mage and cleaved a dragon in two.”

“You saw the path of destruction in the city?” Linea asked in response. “We did that. How can I look those people in the eye and let myself be praised as a hero? It wasn’t even me! And even if I would claim the feat for myself, how can it be heroic, if we killed so many?”

Linea pulled her knees to her chin and wrapped her arms around herself.

“Lalana even comforted me!” she let fly. “She should hate me now!”

“Maybe she was just happy that you saved her city?” Nora asked. “I understand that you’re sad about those soldiers, but you did more good than harm. I can’t imagine Lady Lalana being angry about this.”

Linea fell silent again and starred at the soap bubbles floating in her bathtub.

“Let’s get you out of the water and into something nice,” Nora said and smiled at her. “We’ll go to the temple and you pray to the goddess. You can pray for the fallen as well.”

An hour later, Linea approached the temple together with her entourage. Apart from Nora and Evira, Senia had decided to join them as well. The sisters hadn’t exchanged a single word after Linea had saved her life, and Senia didn’t try to do so now. She had simply joined them without even asking where they were headed. Linea’s thoughts were preoccupied with more important problems and ignored her sister for now.

In front of the temple stood a troop of city guards protecting the entrance. They attempted to stop them.

“Why is the temple cordoned off?” Senia asked one guard.

“The countess wants to pray and asked to have her quiet,” the guard answered. “We were tasked to make sure that no one interrupts My Lady.”

Linea in her troubled and irritated state couldn’t find the patience to discuss the situation.

“Get out of my way!” she growled. “I dare you to deny the goddess’ chosen entrance to one of her temples.”

To make her point even clearer, she activated her mark. The guard hesitated for a second, but then he looked at another guard, who shrugged. The first guard didn’t look all that happy, but he complied.

Linea walked past them into the temple. She found Lalana kneeling in front of the altar in a prayer dress. Linea didn’t want to interrupt Lalana and signaled her companies to stay quiet. She sat down on a bench and prayed.

‘Luna, please hear my prayer…’ she said in her mind.

‘Linea!’ the goddess immediately answered with noticeable relief. ‘I’m so happy to see you well. The whole city was under a blockade spell. I noticed that you prayed to me, but you couldn’t hear me. I wanted to warn you about the dragon!’

‘You knew about the dragon?’ Linea asked surprised.

‘Yes, someone saw the dragon and prayed to me to protect him from the dragon…’

‘Did you?’

‘No, I can’t directly interact with the mortal realms. Only through my devoted servants and my chosen, I can influence your world,’ Luna said with clear sadness in her voice.

Linea shared her grief. She wished the goddess could have done more to protect the city.

‘Luna… can you tell me, if Sarah is all right?’ Linea asked as she remembered why she had come to the temple. ‘She overextended her abilities and now… she is gone.’

‘Don’t worry too much,’ Luna said after a moment. ‘She is still alive, but she doesn’t have any emotions or thoughts at the moment. That’s probably why you can’t feel her.’

A wave of relief washed over Linea.

‘But you will be on your own for a while…’ Luna added and curbed Linea’s newfound optimism.

‘I will manage,’ Linea said. ‘I just need to stay away from trouble for a while.’

‘That could be more difficult than you think,’ Luna said with a serious tone. ‘While you fought the dark mage, the humans have attacked Myrana without a declaration of war. The attack was successful as far as I gathered.’

‘What?’ Linea asked dumbfounded.

‘I don’t know any specifics as no one in a position of power is praying right now. I only know what the citizens talk about,’ Luna explained. ‘My suggestion for you would be to contact your mother as soon as possible.’

‘I will…’ Linea said. ‘Oh and please guide those poor souls Sarah and I killed into the afterlife. I know you have little to do with the process, but… I feel sorry for them.’

Luna didn’t answer to that. She stayed silent for a while, and then she sighed.

‘All right, keep your head up,’ Luna said. ‘I have to attend other important prayers.’

Linea couldn’t even say goodbye as Luna had already vanished from her mind. Confused about Luna’s sudden disappearance Linea opened her eyes.

Lalana had completed her prayer as well and walked over to Linea.

“Can you give us a minute?” Linea asked Nora and Senia, who had taken the seats beside her.

Senia frowned, but Nora smiled and steered Senia away from Linea. Lalana took their place.

“How are you?” she asked.

“Better,” Linea said and smiled as she looked into Lalana’s face. To her surprise she noticed a lot of freckles on the countess’ face. “I didn’t know you had freckles. That’s unusual.”

“It runs in my family,” Lalana admitted with a blush on her face. “I cover them with make-up usually. Only if I pray I go without it, out of respect to our goddess, who made me like this.”

“But why?” Linea asked. “It looks so cute!”

Lalana chuckled but changed the topic.

“Are you here to pray to the goddess as well?”

“I already did,” Linea confirmed. “And I asked her to take care of the souls of your soldiers.”

Linea looked to her feet and her hands clawed into the fabric of her dress.

“I’m so sorry about what happened…”

Lalana didn’t react at first, but after some time she pulled Linea into a hug.

“It’s all right,” she said with a soothing voice. “We’re all sad about their deaths, but… no one is blaming you. Especially not me. I’m just happy that you saved the city. Death is part of a battle.”

Linea sobbed for some time but Lalana kept hugging her and hummed a sweet little tone.

After calming down, Linea remembered Luna’s words.

“We need to contact the capital,” she said to Lalana. “The humans have declared war and have apparently conquered Myrana.”

“What?” Lalana asked just as shocked as Linea had been.

Lalana had organized a carriage for them, on which they drove over to the Sorcerer’s Guild. The fastest way to contact Luna’sindranar was a mirror communication spell. The idea behind these were simple. Two special mirrors were by a spell, and every time someone poured mana into the construct, he was able to communicate with whoever was on the other side.

They were greeted by Sir Lundir, who worked with city officials on plans to repair the wall.

“How can we help you?” he asked courteous.

Lalana explained the situation quickly.

“This will pose a problem…” The mage said with a frown. “We’re all exhausted from the fight and the mana consumption of this spell is immense.”

“How long can you keep it up?” Linea asked with crossed arms.

“I don’t know exactly, how much mana everyone has left, but I would assume not more than ten minutes.”

“That has to do it,” Linea said and shrugged.

“All right, I’ll send a courier to get all the sorcerer and mages,” Sir Lundir said. “And then I’ll call Luna’sindranar to get the queen. By the time everyone is here, the queen should be able to get to the mirror in Luna’sindranar.”

Linea had to wait for half an hour before everyone was gathered. She walked up and down in the main hall of the Sorcerer’s Guild, when the last two mages entered.

“Finally!” she exclaimed. “Can we start?”

Sir Lundir nodded and led them into a chamber where a two-meter mirror was placed. The name Luna’sindranar was engraved into the top part of the frame. The mages and sorcerers poured their mana without a chant into a crystal on top of the frame and with a rippling effect the sight of the mirror changed from Linea to someone else.

“Linea!” Tarina exclaimed with a big smile. “I’m so happy to see you!”

“Tarina!” Linea answered and smiled just as much. “I’m happy to see you as well, but we don’t have time to waste. Our mana reserves are low, and I think we have a lot to discuss.”

“That’s true,” Tarina agreed and her face grew darker. “But two things first. Is Senia with you? And what about the dark mage?”

“Yes, Senia is with me,” Linea said and rolled her eyes. She motioned Senia to step in front of the mirror.

“Hello Tarina, how are you?” Senia asked innocently.

“Don’t give me that!” Tarina yelled. “Have you any idea how mad mother was after you disappeared? We have searching squads looking for you everywhere.”

“We sent you a courier after we found her,” Evira threw in with furrowed eyebrows. “Did he not reach Luna’sindranar?”

“Not as far as I know,” Tarina said. “That’s disturbing.”

“It is,” Linea agreed. “But we don’t have time for it now. I removed the dark mage as a threat, by the way.”

Tarina raised an eyebrow.

“Already?” she asked. “I didn’t expect you to be so fast.”

“Yeah, it was child’s play,” Linea said and crossed her arms. “But that’s not important. What is up with the humans? Is it true that Myrana has been conquered?”

“It is,” Tarina said. “But that’s not all. There had been reports that the humans had marched on Kandir. Mother rallied our troops and wanted to take Myrana back while the humans besieged Kandir. We haven’t heard from them since they have passed Avandir. A few eyewitnesses said they were ambushed between Avandir and Myrana. We haven’t heard from mother since.”

“Do you mean…”

“Yes, all indications are that mother, father and Tovandir have been captured or killed.”

Linea stumbled as her knees gave in for a second. Senia grabbed her before she fell, but she looked just as pale as Linea.

“I have taken on the role as queen regent as long as we don’t know what happened to Mother,” Tarina said with a hard voice. Linea knew Tarina was just as shaken as her sister, but she had to appear firm and determined.

“Good,” Linea got out. “What do we do now?”

“I couldn’t move out of Luna’sindranar without knowing, if you were alive or where Senia was,” Tarina explained. “I need you in Avandir. We’ll meet up in Avandir. Shandir will bring his troops from the north. We will decide how to proceed from there.”

“What about me?” Senia asked eagerly.

“You?” Tarina replied dryly. “You come back to Luna’sindranar.”

“What? But I could help…”

“You will do as I say!” Tarina bellowed. “You have lost every right to an opinion the moment you left the capital without Mother’s permission. As the heir apparent to the throne in case of mother's death, your place is in the capital. Remember your place!”

Senia looked furious but didn’t dare to give a snarky reply.

“Time is up!” Sir Lundir suddenly said and the picture fizzled out and the mirror showed Linea’s and Senia reflection again.

“Already?” Linea asked surprised.

“Apologies, My Lady,” Sir Lundir said. “This isn’t an exact science. I guess we were lower on mana than I thought.”

“Well, nothing we can do about,” Linea said and looked at Evira. “You heard the queen regent. Let’s get ready to move.”