“I’ve lost track of her. I suppose there are still places in her mind I cannot reach. No matter, the damage has been done. I’ll have to tread carefully, though. Right about now, conflict should be escalating in the waking world.”

Rell

“Rell, a glass, please.” Flain’s strained voice snapped Rell out of her stupor. Flain was reaching out from his bed, barely leaning up against the headrest where his pillow had been propped up. Rell quickly grabbed a glass and poured some water into it, before handing it to Flain. The Keeper of Law grabbed the glass and took a thorough sip from it before setting it down on a small table beside his bed. “Ah, thank you your majesty,” he muttered.

Rell nodded in acknowledgement, not saying another word in response.

“Master Flain, I’ve brought the papers you requested.” Celendrin entered with a small leather bag filled with scrolls and parchment.

“Excellent.” Flain nodded as the papers were set down on the end of his bed. “Celendrin, are you well?”

Celendrin nodded slowly. “I am in far better condition than you, my liege.”

Flain stared for a moment, before sighing and brushing some hair away from his face. “It doesn’t matter who’s in better condition. What matters is what we do with the princesses now. It’s obvious they won’t be safe here.”

“Why not?” Rune’s voice spoke from the opposite end of the table to Rell. “The barrier is closed again.”

“But the Malnix are still around. They scattered when I recreated the barrier, but as soon as they regroup they’ll certainly try another attack now that they’re through,” Flain countered.

“There have not been Malnix this side of the border since the day Alaria and Enorian were crowned queen and king,” Celendrin spoke gravely. “If my history is correct, they will set fire to a nearby wood, and breed like rabbits, for wherever there is fire, there is a chance for them to grow in numbers.”

Flain nodded. “Exactly, and if we allow this to happen they will surely cause even more havoc that you children should not be caught in the middle of.”

Rell frowned and let out a breath. “I can defend myself.”

“But for how long? You can only use magic if you have the energy and the reagents to do so. You aren’t trained enough to control your magic for long periods of time,” Flain rebuked the young princess. “Besides, it’s not just about defending yourself. I must deal with the Malnix before they spread further and cause greater chaos,” Flain continued.

“So we cannot stay here?” Rune asked.

“No, I would like you to return to the castle while I remain behind. I will take the day to recover, and then set out to hunt the Malnix.”

Rell and Rune exchanged glances. “But we don’t know the way back to the castle, and if the Malnix are out there, it won’t safe.”

“I will escort you, your majesties.” Celendrin bowed a little bit. “I know the way to the castle, in fact I need to be heading there with the festival coming up soon.”

Flain snapped his fingers. “That’s right! The festival!” Flain suddenly reached down and grabbed at some of the papers, a quill and a bottle of ink, placing them on the side counter and starting to scribble furiously.

Celendrin leaned over to see what Flain was writing, while Rell and Rune simply sat there awkwardly as the scribe frantically wrote.

Finally, he put the quill down and blew on the fresh ink. “Celendrin, deliver this to Aevum when you arrive. It contains some of the information we uncovered. I did my best to explain it in terms he’ll understand,” Flain spoke urgently.

Celendrin took the paper and began rolling it up. “Understood, my lord. I’ll see it gets to him.”

“Rell, Rune, you are to keep yourselves hidden on the way back,” Flain began again as he looked to the children sternly. “Your hoods stay up at all times, and stay close to Celendrin.”

“Are we in that much danger?” Rune questioned.

Rell shot her little sister a look. “Of course we are! The Malnix are still out there, and you saw what happened with that… dream stuff to the barrier,” she scolded.

“We can defend ourselves against them.” Rune murmured.

“Your majesty, we’ve been over this. Just promise me you’ll stay safe. I’m not about to be responsible for any harm coming to you; Madia would have my head,” Flain grumbled right back.

Rune pouted and let out a frustrated sigh. “Fine.”

“Good. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m quite exhausted. Celendrin, I entrust the princess to your care.” Flain paused as he looked at the three of them. There was a moment of hesitation as everyone exchanged glances, before Flain broke the silence. “Well? What are you waiting for?”

Celendrin flinched and got up from the table. “Come, your majesties. Let’s be off.”

Rune followed Celendrin out the door as Rell slid off the chair and glanced back to Flain, who looked visibly older still. Flain’s eyes were filled with pain, and what looked like disappointment as he gave Rell a look that said ‘I’m sorry.’ The young girl felt her heart ache on seeing the young Keeper. I’ve never seen him so vulnerable.

“Sister?” Rune’s voice called from outside the house.

“Coming!” Rell called as she turned around and ran outside. She squinted as the morning light shone down, blinding her briefly as her eyes adjusted. Before long she was able to make out the charred grass, and the locals wandering around assessing the damages from the previous night, some already making efforts to repair their homes, others sifting through ashes for belongings. Up ahead, Celendrin was helping Rune up onto his horse. Rell ran to catch up and undid the reigns that had kept her own pony tied to the fence.

As she approached, Fae jumped and whinnied a bit anxiously, shaking her head as she saw her master. “Hey! Easy there, girl, it’s alright now!” Rell reassured the spooked mare as she stroked her neck. Fae seemed to relax at that, and aside from some fidgeting hooves, calmed down enough for Rell to climb up.

“You seem to have a way with animals, your majesty,” Celendrin commented with a warm smile.

Rell returned the smile. “Well, I wouldn’t go that far. Fae just knows me well!”

“Well young mistress, most children your age would be jealous of such a bond with an animal,” the blind man pointed out.

Rune snorted. “Rell just gets along with everyone.”

Celendrin chuckled as he tugged on the reins lightly. “And that is a sign of a great leader.”

Rell smiled awkwardly at the complement and followed as Celendrin and Rune began to pull ahead, guiding Fae gently forwards.

Rell held a hand to her forehead as she looked up towards the sky. The sun had risen to its peak by now, and the young girl was feeling quite grateful towards the trees along the path for shading her. The leaves above swayed gently, hardly making a sound in the gentle breeze. It left Rell to listen to the trotting of the horses, keeping a brisk pace, but hardly a gallop.

“Is it really that difficult?” Rune’s quiet voice spoke.

“Illusion magic takes a lot of self-awareness, your majesty. Believe it or not, my partial blindness helped me master the form,” Celendrin replied.

“That doesn’t make sense,” Rune muttered.

“Actually, it does! Since I can’t see very clearly, my other senses are much better trained to get me through the day, and that includes my ability to sense magic,” the older man responded.

Rune tilted her head. “Oh. Well, I guess.”

She fell silent for a moment, as though contemplating something. “How long do you think it would take me to learn it?”

“You, your majesty? Well probably at least a couple months. Mastery takes years though,” Celendrin replied without looking over his shoulder.

Rune groaned. “But that’s so long!”

Celendrin chuckled. “Being good at something takes time, my lady. You can be the most talented magician in the realm, but there’s always opportunities to take your talents further.”

“Celendrin?” Rell said as she trotted up beside him.

“Yes, ma’am?” he glanced in her direction ever so slightly.

“What’s your relation to Madia?” Rell questioned.

Celendrin blinked as his expression shifted in response to the question, as though he had been struck by memories. “Ah, Madia used to live in Keshkin,” he started. “As an Illusionary like the rest of us, she was held by the same traditions of secrecy and mental fortitude.”

“Yes, but how did you know her?” Rell prodded.

Celendrin opened his mouth and paused for a moment, before letting out a sigh. “When she was growing up, I was often tasked with teaching her. She was exceptionally talented in magic, however I always found her behavior to be quite strange.”

Rell narrowed her eyes. “Strange?”

“Well, you see, it is not uncommon for children from Keshkin to develop heightened senses, but she seemed to possess this ability to figure out what people were thinking with a mere glance, as though reading their minds,” Celendrin explained.

“And this was before she was even a Keeper?”

“Indeed. In fact, I think she even visited Dafra’neer before ascending.”

Rell’s eyes widened. “You mean she went to the Realm of Dreams before she became the Keeper of Mind?”

Celendrin nodded. “Yes, although none of us believed her back then. However, her descriptions when she was younger were unnaturally detailed.”

“So it’s possible to go there without being a Keeper?” Rell asked further.

Celendrin frowned at that before looking at Rell through his blank eyes. “Perhaps. But it would not do well to dwell on such things.”

Rell leaned away from Celendrin a bit, before looking down at the ground. “I’ve spoken to Madia there before. She lets me visit.”

Celendrin sighed. “Yes, that does, indeed, sound like something lady Madia would do.”

Celendrin looked like he was about to continue, but he suddenly tensed up and gripped the reins tightly, causing his horse to slow down with a soft whinny. He raised a hand and fell silent. Rell mimicked his motion and brought Fae to a stop, tilting her head a bit in response.

“Why have we stopped?” Rune muttered.

“Shh…” Celendrin silenced her with a quick turn of the head.

Rune blinked, looking a bit indignant at first, before starting to look around in confusion. With the sound of hooves now gone, there was nothing but the wind in the leaves to fill the quiet air. Celendrin cautiously reached to a pouch hanging from his saddle, carefully pulling a book out. He began muttering, but Rell couldn’t make out what he was saying. His expression was filled with worry as he closed his eyes, mouth open as he breathed anxiously.

Some bushes nearby rustled and Rell gasped as she quickly turned her head to the left. Fae responded similarly with a soft whinny, clearly aware of the tense situation as all eyes turned to the shrubs off the path.

After what seemed like ages of staring at the now still underbrush, Celendrin finally let out a sigh and nodded. “Come, we had better keep moving.”

“What was that?” Rune whispered.

“I suspect we are being followed. By what, I’m not sure.”

Rell grimaced. “M-maybe we should have gotten more of an escort before heading back.”

“I can protect you from wild creatures and animals your majesty, but from other people, I cannot say.”

“I thought we left in secret. Nobody knows we’re here,” Rune grunted. “It’s probably just some animal.”

Celendrin nodded as they trotted along the path again. “One would think so, but after bearing witness to what unfolded last night, I’m not sure what to expect anymore-”

In that moment, there was a loud swooping sound as a war-cry filled the air.

“GET DOWN!” Celendrin cried out as he lowered his head and whipped the reins, sending his own steed into a gallop.

Rell screamed in terror as she ducked down, immediately hearing a burst of magic behind her as Fae let out a panicked bray and darted forward. They kept pace with Celendrin easily as wind suddenly started to rush through Rell’s hair, her hood being blown off her head.

Rell barely managed a glance at Celendrin as she saw him wave a hand, a brief light flashing from his fingertips as long shadows were suddenly cast from behind them. “Don’t look back, your majesty!” Celendrin called out.

Rell nearly did the very opposite, but forced herself to keep her eyes forward as she heard grunts and shouts of frustration behind her. She barely saw the shadows of men stretching out towards them, each form with a pair of dark wings protruding from their backs.

Rune gasped. “D-Dragonkind? Out here?”

“The Malnix attack last night must have alerted them of your presence in Keshkin! Just keep going!” Celendrin insisted as they leapt over roots, crashing back onto the ground with a clatter of hooves. Rell lurched forward as she tried to maintain her balance, hearing branches and leaves crackle behind her.

Celendrin waved his hand again and there was another flash behind them, accompanied by a resounding pop that left Rell’s ears ringing, angry shouts coming from the same direction. Now the sound of mighty wings batting against the air grew increasingly audible behind her as Fae struggled to keep up with the other, larger horse.

As they galloped forward, they suddenly broke out into a clearing full of grass that stood fully a foot deep, where Celendrin tugged hard on the reins, causing him to suddenly veer off towards the right as they were out in the open. With a little effort Rell managed to guide her own pony the same direction, skidding a bit at the sharp turn as she dared to glance over her shoulder. There were four Dragonkind men behind them, wings spread as they crashed out of the woods and launched forward through the air after the terrified princess. Rell tore her eyes away from them to look forward again to see a village up ahead.

Rell prayed with all her might that they would make it there to safety as their pursuers rapidly closed the gap.

Suddenly, she saw Celendrin’s horse leap up into the air, hooves escaping the grass for a moment as it came back down with a thud. Rell’s eyes went wide as she barely saw the ditch in time, pulling back hard, only for Fae to skid before tumbling into the ditch with a splash, and sending Rell head over heels off her back. Rell coughed as she hit the ground hard, winded as she rolled across the grassy ground below.

Panic rose up in her lungs as she panted heavily, sputtering as she tried to catch her breath. Fighting the pain in her legs, she tried to force herself to stand only to stumble down again as the Dragonkind approached. Celendrin and Rune circled around protectively as the Dragonkind landed on the ground, all of them regaining their footing for a moment as they took positions to surround the small party.

One of them snarled and leaned forward towards Celendrin, who kept his book close and one finger outstretched. “Don’t make me laugh, magician. Your lights are just a collection of tricks.”

Celendrin didn’t say a word, but held his ground, gulping nervously as he reached another hand to Rell, beckoning her to get closer. Rell managed to get up and hovered close by, turning her back to the horse and looking into the eyes of the other Dragonkind men. Now having a proper look at them, they were all ragged and seemed to bear scars and even some fresh-looking injuries across them, their clothing tattered but mixed and patched with leather; a bare form of make-shift protection.

Despite their disheveled appearance, Rell found herself intimidated by the men surrounding her. Though they appeared weak, they were tall and bulky, and obviously capable of overpowering Celendrin if they wanted to.

“What do you expect to gain from this? Do you want to create a wider gap between your people and the people of Fendra?” Celendrin questioned.

“I don’t have to answer your question, human. Now drop the book and lower your pitiful finger,” he said as he drew a knife from his belt. “Unless you would rather I cut it off for you.”

Celendrin glanced around for a bit, sizing up their opponents. He looked over his shoulder to Rune, who despite her nervousness seemed ready to fight back. Rell favored one leg as she gripped the saddle above her, looking desperately at Celendrin.

“You will not hurt the children?” he questioned.

The Dragonkind looked at each other in pondering, before the same one who had spoken earlier nodded. “If you cooperate, nobody gets hurt. If not, then this knife will be dripping by the time this encounter is over. And I doubt my lord would be so pleased with me bringing a pair of corpses to his feet.”

Rell felt sick to her stomach upon hearing that, her heart skipping a beat as she stared at the ground blankly for a moment. With a sigh Celendrin dropped his arm and tucked the book into a satchel hanging off his steed. “Fine.”

As he spoke, the sound of wings flapping reached Rell’s ears again. Oh no… more? she thought nervously.

The other Arden turned their heads to see where the sound was coming from, as another Dragonkind man approached quickly from the air. Rell looked past the horse and immediately recognized Kenta fast approaching, and her heart soared as she saw him. Rune however seemed less impressed.

“IT WAS YOU!” Rune shouted angrily as Kenta landed on the ground and stumbled forward. Rell felt herself tense up again at the accusation.

“Kenta, it’s about time. Make yourself useful.” The leader of the group tossed the approaching Arden a coil of rope.

Rell blinked in horror as he caught the rope. “K-Kenta?”

The young man looked Rell in the eye, his mouth half open and his eyes staring with a mix of pain and determination. He seemed to swallow something before stepping past the others and approaching. Only now did Rell realize how much smaller Kenta was than the rest of the Arden.

“Kenta, please don’t do this!” Rell shouted.

“Oh shut her up!” There was a shout from the others before Kenta grimaced and raised an open palm before Rell before Celendrin jumped off his horse and caught the strike.

“Please, no bloodshed, especially not that of children,” Celendrin insisted, giving Kenta a remarkably intense look.

Kenta was frowning as he shook his fist in Celendrin’s hand for a bit, before ripping it away and pointing a finger at Rell. “N-not another word from you… princess,” he stuttered at first, before spitting out that last word.

Rell looked at him through tearful eyes as Rune clenched her teeth. Kenta stepped around behind Rell and began tying her hands together.

“Make sure they’re good and tight,” one man growled.

“I know, I know…” Kenta muttered as he gave the ropes a good tug, causing them to force her hands together. Rell desperately wanted to speak, but feared what would happen again should she open her mouth. Kenta repeated this for Celendrin and pulled Rune down off the horse.

“H-Hey! Get your hands off me!” Rune shouted angrily, shaking and squirming a bit in his grip. Kenta grunted as he brought her down, where she continued struggling for a bit before she broke away from his grip.

“Rune no!” Rell cried out as Rune darted towards Kenta angrily, her hands raised as though to tackle him, only for Kenta to swiftly side-step and let Rune fall head first to the ground, barely catching herself as she coughed. He immediately leaned down and pressed his knee against her back, keeping her on the ground as she writhed and kicked, screaming the whole time.

“Let me go! Let me go right now! I knew we couldn’t trust you! I knew it!”

“R-Rune just stop!” Rell whimpered.

“For heaven's sake, just gag her,” one of the others surrounding them groaned.

Kenta nodded and bit his lip before doing as he was told, wrapping a thick rope around and forcing it into Rune’s mouth before tying it tight behind her head and keeping it there.

“No more funny business. I’ve had enough from you...” Kenta scolded quietly.

The Arden laughed as he spoke. “Listen to you pretending to be all tough! Don’t fret kid, we’ll handle the intimidation. You stick to your task and keep being our errand boy. Tuulin chose wisely, eh?” He got a firm slap on the back, causing him to cough once as he looked over his shoulder. “That loyalty will take you far, maybe we’ll make a soldier out of you yet, Kenta; just maybe.”

Kenta stood up tall again, pulling Rune up with him, who had stopped fighting by now and only glared. Celendrin moved up and stayed close to the two princesses as he let out an anxious breath. “Just stay close to me you two, and don’t make this any harder than it has to be,” he whispered.

The leader of the pack snorted. “Hmph, a proper pacifist. Barden, turn their horses loose. We’ll take them by foot, it’s not far.”

One of the other men nodded before suddenly slapping Celendrin’s horse on the rear, causing it to whinny loudly before taking off. She wanted to protest as the same happened to Fae, but only watched as the smaller pony galloped away in fear, Rell’s heart sinking in her chest as her companion fled.

Rell dared to look at Kenta, who was clearly avoiding eye contact as he stared ahead. Was this your job all along; getting our trust just to break it?