"So, where shall we go this time to get out of our parent's sight?" Konrad asked with a mischievous smile. He then looked over his shoulder, at a gardener attempting to follow them through the hedges and rows of plants. "And away from their spies."

Konrad's boyish smile reminded Azara that he was younger than her. However, since she had last seen him, he'd changed even more than the previous time. He wasn't a boy anymore, and hardly looked the part of a young adolescent teenager.

"You're...taller than me now," Azara said as they continued walking.

He chuckled and then grabbed her around the waist and pulled her close to him. It reminded Azara of when they had first gotten...close...when their parents were having yet another diplomatic meeting just a year prior. She felt herself blush red.

"Yes, turns out I am, by a little bit," he responded. ", you used to tell me I was little. Guess that isn't true now."

Azara felt herself wilting away from him in embarrassment. He was much more confident now, more than he had ever been since she had known him. This same time last year, it'd been her that was teasing him in response to his taunts. They'd been more like kids then, and now it felt like they were adults. When had that happened? Hadn't they just been two prepubescent children, mocking each other and being silly only a short time ago? But it hadn't been, many years had passed.

She lightly pushed him away from her and shrugged. "You're right, and I guess you're not anymore."

"Is everything alright?" he asked and looked concerned. "This isn't the sunset girl, I know."

Azara froze. She liked that he was worried about her, but he was also right to find her actions strange. The way she was acting wasn't usual for her, and it wasn't the situation should be. She was the one who took the reigns, not Konrad. So what if he was taller now, more muscular, more handsome than before? Sure, he was wonderful, but he'd been wonderful a year ago; otherwise, she wouldn't have pursued him then. He'd been interesting when she had made him into a friend, many years ago.

So what difference did it make? It was no reason to act like some lily and swoon over him.

She grabbed his hand and looked him in the eye. "This will be more wonderful than last time."

Now it was his turn to blush, and she gave a wry grin.

"Azara, this is the middle of the-"

"You idiot," she said, then rolled her eyes and pulled him suddenly along towards the walls of the manor's gardens. "I'm going to show you parts of Aruslan you've never seen before, places even my mother doesn't know, and none of her servants either. Not even your father's spies will follow us!"

"Are you sure? Mister Lackland is a determined individual." Konrad said, chuckling. "And if I'm gone too long, Shep will miss me, and you know that he will find me."

"And how long will I miss you? When will we have a chance to see each other again?" Azara said. She knew that he had been joking, but she was serious. "The hound can wait, and I assure you that your butler's determination to find us will not match mine to keep us hidden."

And then, she pulled him along, out a side gate that leads into an alley, where a burning city confronted her.

Azara paused, unsure of what to do. Konrad, whose had she'd just been holding, was dead upon the ground beside her. Ash fell like snow, and she was sure that she saw volcanoes upon the horizon, erupting plumes of lava and dust into the atmosphere above them.

It wasn't a sight she was familiar with and looked around in confusion before the world shook and the ground fell out from under her. A light, jade in color, glowed from the darkness beneath her as she fell.

Azara awoke in a sweat, her white sleeping gown and the sheets soaked through, clinging to her. Despite this, the air was fresh and dry, and when she got out of bed, her legs felt weak. The dream was part of a memory, and she knew that, but it had come with additions and changes that she couldn't remember - before it had warped into a nightmare.

The morning, like so many of her mornings, was filled with preparation. The manor house she was staying in had been provided to her by Valerius and Irinia, on this particular visit. How they still considered her a friend, she was still unsure. Irinia, Azara supposed, had placated Valerius worries to an extreme that Azara had not thought possible. If this was indeed the case, though, Azara did not know it. She had not spoken with Irinia or Valerius much since the fateful day when her mother had convinced the couple into a lopsided alliance.

That alliance had proved beneficial over the past few months. Valerius and Irinia had secured power over Ursulam and only had to put out a few pockets of loyalist resistance. Most of the nobility had sworn fealty to them. Now, they were to be married, and Azara had was invited to the ceremony.

She wore a simple dress, a gown of grey and soft red, and her jewelry was minimal compared to the normal wear. A few diamonds, in a ring, a necklace, and earrings. She knew that she was already more beautiful than the bride, or any woman present, so to outdo them in wealth and extravagance would have been foolish and unnecessary. Inviting the spite of noblewomen in Ursulam, as she had already done multiple times in Aericia, was not on her to-do list.

The carriage ride to the celebration was uneventful. It was filled with the beautiful sights of Souster's countryside, rolling hills, and beautiful meadows. They even passed by the River Mirth, with its foaming white rapids. It was an idyllic place, and the perfect spot to be married, Azara thought.

The ceremony itself was simple, and as a guest of honor, Azara had a place at the banquets afterward, which was relatively close to Irinia and Valerius - though they did not speak a word to her. Joakim, who was also present, similarly did not pay her much attention. Such conversation was not necessary to keep her busy, however, since every Ursulan present seemed intent on asking her every question possible and attending to her every need.

After all, the tale that her mother had spun, and had become historical fact, did include the truth that she aided Valerius in defeating a dragon. Thus, she was something a hero to the Ursulans and a symbol of their new alliance with the fledgling nation of Aruslan.

In an attempt to get away from such attention, Azara made her way outside the large manor house which Valerius had grown up. It was now also where he had been married.

She soon found herself walking the palace grounds, through shrubbery and gardens. The sun was getting low in the sky, and the sky glowing bright orange. She heard voices coming from around a hedge, and when she turned around it, she found herself face to face with three individuals, all of whom she recognized.

One was Joakim, standing tall and looking strong compared to the other two individuals with whom he was conversing. These other two were a man and a woman, walking arm in arm. They were both dressed in robes of white, similar to the robes mages wore - but different. These robes fastened in the front, more like coats, but had a hood and flowed over the individuals wearing them. The man's garb was covered in symbols and letters Azara did not recognize, and the woman had intricate drawings, diagrams, and pictures all over hers.

The man had black hair, slicked back, and green eyes and seemed just a little unnatural. The woman's eyes were similar, but she had chocolate brown that draped down her back. The two were about the same height. When the woman saw Azara, she instantly stopped her conversation.

"Azara! Oh my goodness, it is so good to see you!" she said and rushed forward to hug Azara. She was shorter than Azara, but still a little tall for a woman. Azara wanted to be stern and angry at the sight of the couple. However, Azara couldn't find it in her heart to do so. The bright smile and joyful greeting were welcome after a day of stress and melancholy.

"Hello, Chloris," Azara replied and hugged Chloris in return. Chloris Florine. A woman Azara could never decide if she liked or disliked. However, when they got to speak, it was as if there wasn't a decision at all. It was hard not to find the woman endearing.

"Is everything going well in Aruslan? I've only heard good things about Astra's engineering work," she said, then pulled away from the hug, beaming.

"Yes, I would like to know as well. Astra hasn't sent any letters recently." The man said.

Now, as for Chloris's husband, Azara didn't have any problem finding out what she thought of him. She glared.

"Can't you just get a message to her some other way? Something magical, maybe one of your nonsensical devices, elixirs, or contraptions?" Azara said, her eyes boring holes through the man.

"No, I'm afraid not, we never set up any sort of system like that. Writing is preferred between us," he said, his expression becoming stone.

Chloris rolled her eyes, then crossed her arms toward her companion. "Now come on you two, I know you've never been friends, but if anyone is to blame for your situation it is me, so give me the blame, and I'll take it."

He shook his head. "Dear, I don't hold any enmity towards -"

"Ignatius," Chloris said, and gave him a stern look, "Now isn't the time to argue. Just be nice."

Ignatius was about to sigh, but he stopped himself and then smiled. "Yes, Azara, I could probably get news from her another way."

"You all know each other?" Joakim asked, looking between them.

Azara nodded. "Yes, this man and my mother were...associated, at one time."

It was more like 'here's a child, not let me run off with someone else' Azara thought, but as Chloris had said - now wasn't the time.

"How did you come to know each other?" Azara asked.

"Mutual friend through the Hawks," Chloris said. "We made some products for their members, now sadly passed in the battle for Ursus. Joakim here got King Valerius to invite us; he needed chat with us about - uh, something."

Azara felt her heart sink at the mention of a mutual friend. It was Kasper. She hadn't found out until long after the battle had been over what had happened to the young man. It was unfair that he should just vanish into the swaths of people and conflict, and his death just another name in some report of those that died in the battle. That was war, though, and it was terrible.

Attempting to avoid the subject, Azara decided to question what issue Joakim could have that required him to talk with Aericia's leading scholars.

"What is that something?" Azara asked, raising an eyebrow. "You two are quite the pair to consult."

"Uh, a...condition, of mine," Joakim said. "Its rather embarrassing, and I'd rather not speak of it. It has to do with me falling asleep during full moons and at night. Involuntary actions like that."

It took every bit of willpower for Azara to keep herself from snickering or laughing, and she decided that this moment was not the time to explain Joakim's 'condition' to him.

"Yes, that wouldn't be a good subject," Chloris interjected, putting the topic to rest. "Look, Azara, how have things been in Aruslan? We've heard there will soon be a war between Aericia and Aruslan - probably next year if the military keeps building up as it has. That would be terrible."

"Well, as usual, in the sense that yes - the military is building. The industry is thriving, but only because mother is emptying the taxes of the province into it to raise an army and to make war machines." Azara replied and shrugged. It was a forgone conclusion now that war was going to happen between Aruslan and Aericia. Ursulam would join, maybe even North Sukarram.

"That's sad, but it is nice to hear some people are making a living out of it," Chloris said, always the optimist. Then a bright smile appeared on her face. "Hey, Ignatius, don't you think we could make some money too? We could sell nerve gas."

Ignatius sighed and rolled his eyes. "Dear, please think through that thought again. Do you think it would be wise or kind to introduce this world to chemical warfare? Right now, I'm going to keep on experimenting with the yeast to sugar ratios in Camilanian wine - I think that shall be much more profitable an endeavor for everyone."

Chloris shrugged and nodded. "Yeah, now that I think of it, you're right. That thought left my mouth way faster than it should."

She then looked back at Azara. "I swear I wasn't just happy at the thought of millions of people convulsing and dying because of having their acetylcholine reception being disrupted; I just thought I was brilliant for a second. That was very dumb, and a cruel tho."

And there they went again, Azara thought, talking about things that made no sense to her or anyone else. They spoke in strange terms and used symbols nobody else could understand. However, they were brilliant, despite being crazy, and had earned respect far and wide academically.

"Well, it was nice seeing you all here, and - " Azara began, as she attempted to break away from the conversation and once more get back to brooding when she was interrupted.

"Azara." Irinia's voice said from behind.

When Azara turned to see her, she was stunned to find that Irinia was not alone. Konrad was with her, standing quietly to her right and a little ways behind her.

"We need to talk," Irinia said, and Azara felt trapped. Ignatius, Chloris, and Joakim on one side. Then Irinia and Konrad, on the other.

"What is this?" Azara asked, looking between the two groups. "What do you all need to confront me over here? What now? Haven't I been tormented enough."

Chloris shrugged and looked sheepish at the sight of Irinia, the Queen of Ursulam. "Uh, perhaps we should leave? This matter doesn't have anything to do with us."

Azara raised an eyebrow at her. "Really? You all didn't conspire with those two to trap me here, with people I'd rather not talk to?"

As she said the last words, she glanced between Konrad and Ignatius.

Irinia shook her head and looked confused. "No, of course not. I don't even know those two. They're just guests who Joakim recommended be invited."

"But I know him!" Ignatius said, smiling as he pointed towards Konrad. "Lord Fallenstar, how are you? I've been wondering, or rather meaning to ask, how has Arina been?"

Konrad, for his part, seemed suddenly shocked. "What?! I - you..."

Ignatius's mood soured. "Are you alright? Has something happened I should know about?"

Konrad glared at Azara. "Azara, you should honor the Queen of Ursulam's request."

After this was said, he addressed Ignatius, his expression solemn. "I'll need to discuss something with you later, I'm afraid."

Then, he turned around and began to walk away.

"You should go, fire spitter," Joakim said, to Azara, who was left in stunned confusion over what had just occurred. "Fate is a terrible mistress, but unfortunately, we are bound to her shackles and desires - as beasts lead to the way she has woven history."

Azara looked towards him, catching his eyes and focusing. Beneath them, she could see something cold, horrible, and dangerous - like she had not seen before. He was more than a man, she realized, though she'd never given him enough thought to know it. Perhaps he had just been very good at concealing it. She had no time to ask about him, though, to learn whatever secrets he was hiding, which had let him in on her true identity. Instead, she just nodded and then turned to follow Konrad and Irinia.