“There is joy resonating from the other end of the valley. It must be her. To think even with this much planning and preparation she still surprises me. Once I understand what her situation is I can decide my next course of action.”

Rell

“Easy there, we can’t afford to get caught this close to camp,” someone whispered.

“Relax, as long as we’re off the path we’ll be fine. You worry more than Kenta does.”

“Ha! That’s rich…”

All Rell could do was listen as she was guided forward, suffocating darkness around her as she stumbled over some roots, hands still bound behind her back. She squinted as she tried to see through the black wool over her head, struggling to make sense of where they were going. Judging by the snapping of twigs and whispering of leaves, Rell’s best guess was that they were deep in the woods again.

“We’re nearly at the entrance. Just lay low a bit longer.”

“You’re all paranoid over nothing. As far as Elra’s concerned, the children are safe and sound in Keshkin. Tuulin is going to be ecstatic when he sees we managed to catch them.”

Someone snorted. “If he’s awake to find out.”

“Oh, don’t worry. Kenta’s with us, and I’m sure he’ll be anxious to hear from him.”

Suddenly Rell was yanked to the side, gasping as she was suddenly pulled another direction.

“Here, just around this rock.”

“Glad to see at least one of us knows the way back to camp.”

“I wouldn’t be on hunting duty if I didn’t know how to get back home…”

“How are we going to get them down?” Kenta’s voice suddenly stood out.

“Just pick them up. They’re human kids; they hardly weigh a thing.”

There was a shifting sound, before Rell was pulled off her feet. She stifled a gasp as she was slung over someone’s shoulder, before feeling them bounce below her, as though descending down a flight of stairs. She heard a muffled scream, assuming it to be Rune being picked up as well.

“Oi, cut it out. I’ll drop you if you keep squirming,” someone else growled.

With one last lurch, there was a thump and a sigh as she felt herself being lowered down again. She let her feet sway for a bit before finally feeling the ground, finding it firm and gritty beneath her sandals. A moment later, there was a sweeping motion as the cloth over her head was suddenly pulled away. She took a breath as her eyes suddenly adjusted to the light of a torch just to the side.

Rell let her eyes scan the area around her, finding it to be a small cave underground. The Arden were lined up behind her. One of them brought Rune down, Celendrin following closely behind. The other two prisoners were swiftly freed from the black canvases over their heads.

There was a steep slope behind where she assumed they had come from, and the cave was more composed of dirt and clay than it was of rock and stone.

“Come on, let’s keep moving. My wife expected me home an hour ago,” someone said as they stepped past Rell, holding the torch over his head.

“She’ll spare you her wrath when she sees you’re home safely,” another said as he nudged Rune forward, who grunted in response before complying.

Kenta tugged lightly at Rell’s arm as he began moving forward. She didn’t say a word as they began making their way through the tunnel, the crunching of sandals and boots against the gravelly ground echoing into the distance. She kept her focus to the ground to avoid making eye contact with anyone as they trudged through the uneven tunnel for easily ten minutes, maybe more. As they moved forward the dirt and clay began to transition into stone and rock.

Celendrin audibly took a breath, before gently raising his voice. “What is it that you want with these children? What do you expect to accomplish by taking them prisoner like this?”

One of the other Arden looked over his shoulder. He paused for a moment, mumbling something to himself before looking ahead with a nervous breath. “To be honest, we don’t really know,” he responded.

Rell tilted her head a bit in confusion as Celendrin went on. “How can you follow orders without knowing why they were given?”

“You humans would not understand,” the Arden leading the way spoke. “Unlike your kind, we live our lives in loyalty to our people and our leader; our king. And as it stands, the only king we have is Tuulin.”

Celendrin opened his mouth to speak again, but held his tongue.

“In our culture, loyalty is of the utmost importance,” Kenta’s quiet voice spoke. “A king is a king for a reason, we must trust his judgement, that we may all be united under one banner... for to go against the King is to sow the seeds of anarchy,”

For once, the other Arden seemed to respect Kenta’s words as they nodded grimly, the lot of them all avoiding eye contact with their prisoners.

Rell lowered her head. “Even if that loyalty hurts others?”

Kenta looked at Rell for a moment. His mouth was open as though to respond, but he turned his gaze forward again.

“Childlike naivety at its finest... sometimes, difficult decisions must be made in order to prosper,” the Arden leading the way replied without even looking back.

“We are nearly there,” the torch bearer muttered as the tunnel began to widen.

Rell squinted as she made out some scattered lights at the end of the path, before it opened into an enormous cavern. She gawked for a moment as she looked around the expanse.

Directly below the tunnel was a large, underground lake, where a small collection of rafts and logs clung to the bank. They extended outwards a short distance into the water, where a pair of rowboats were bobbing up and down on softly rippling waters.

Kenta lead Rell down a steep slope carefully, before guiding her across the makeshift dock. He picked her up and placed her down in one of the two boats, before joining her in it. Rune and Celendrin were taken to the other boat, Kenta swiftly pushed off from the dock. Any Arden not situated in a boat took to the air and soared over the small body of water.

The boats scraped against gravel as they reached the far shore, and Kenta hopped out, pulling the boat a bit further up the bank before lifting Rell out.

“Well princess, here we are. Camp Faulix,” he introduced as he waved a hand.

Rell mouth dropped as she looked around. Torches lined some of the cavern walls and stood up on wooden pegs, dwelling close to tents of mixed animal hides and wooden coverings protruding from the sides of the cave. Up ahead she saw other Arden scattered across the cavern floor; men, women, and children alike. There was a large pile of rusted weapons and scattered metals off in a corner, and supplies strewn across the cave ranging from wood, boxes and skins.

Kenta seemed to notice Rell’s staring as he took a breath. “Faulix is our main camp. What you’re seeing is the best we have at the moment.”

The makeshift escort group continued forward, passing a slew of people huddled close to the walls, others sharing mediocre helpings of hunted meat or broths around a fire. As they passed, narrowed eyes followed their movements as Rell avoided their gazes. Her heart grew heavy as she looked down to the floor. This is what became of the people that lost the war?

As she continued, Kenta nudged her a little bit, causing her to look up. He pointed to a small pocket in the cavern wall that had become visible. Rell gasped as she saw a collection of blankets over top of what she could only assume were bodies. She turned away and closed her eyes tightly, following the kidnappers obediently. Kenta didn’t say a word, simply sighed and placed a hand on Rell’s shoulder.

As he did so, Rell felt his grip tighten. She blinked as she let her eyes fall on him. His face was filled with fear as he had tensed, looking straight ahead. Rell followed his gaze to see a large awning composed of branches and hides, where there was an Arden lady and a human on either side of an older looking man.

The human man did a double take, his mouth opening in shock as he saw the approaching group. “Impossible… you- you actually caught them.”

“Can he spare the time to greet his guests, Nillien?” the leader of the group questioned sternly.

“What sort of host would I be to sleep through their arrival.” The Arden man in the middle spoke quietly as he sat up. Rell took a cautious step back as he slowly stood tall, flexing his wings behind him, brushing his silver, unkempt hair away from his face. Tuulin, she realized as he let out a contented breath.

“Miss Rell and Rune, full glad am I to see you here. I could use some good news.” His voice was remarkably soft as he knelt in front of her.

Rune was given a shove as she stumbled forward beside Rell. Tuulin tilted his head and looked at the black-haired princess. “She wears a gag… come now, let’s get that off of you,” he said reaching forward.

Rune glared as she tried to back away, only to step into one of their escorts. Tuulin reached around her head and undid the gag, removing it from her mouth and tossing it to the side. “There. I presume my companions have already introduced you to this place.”

Rell nodded slowly, evoking a gentle smile from Tuulin in response. “A rather miserable hovel, isn’t it? A far cry from the palace that I once lived in.”

The young princess said nothing, just looked into his icy eyes as she tried to read his expression.

“I’ve not seen you in person for at least a year now. You’ve grown a few inches, I think.” Tuulin reached a hand out to her. Rell leaned away from him as he took her hand in his. He carefully turned her palm to the ceiling as he looked into it. “Are you afraid?”

“Let go of her,” Rune snarled.

Tuulin glanced to the younger princess. “My apologies, little one. As you command.” The older man released Rell and took a breath before letting it out slowly and standing tall, extending his arms in either direction as he stretched.

“My Lord,” the man behind Rell spoke. “Kenta has returned as well.”

Tuulin’s contented demeanor instantly faded as he turned towards the smaller Arden man. “So I see,” he muttered as he began walking a circle around Kenta, who tensed up again as he watched Tuulin. Rell’s eyes followed nervously as the older man held his hands behind his back.

“Tell me, Kenta… after you interrupted my spell, what made you change your mind?” Tuulin began. “Was playing the selfless hero not fulfilling enough?”

Kenta gulped before sputtering out his response. “Seeing the relationship of the princesses and Madia… I am afraid my feelings got the best of me. My service is and always has been to the throne of Alniacht. It would be a great dishonor for me to sway now when times become difficult. I won’t fail you again, sir.”

Tuulin didn’t break eye-contact with Kenta as he continued his walk. “I understand how you feel, Kenta; you have always had a soft spot for family... Perhaps that is why Mennic thought so highly of you. Having said that, I trust you won’t let your emotions cloud your judgement again.”

“N-no, my Lord.” Kenta nodded.

Rell looked at Rune with surprise as Kenta and Tuulin spoke. So Kenta really DID try to save us! That wasn’t a part of the plan… As these thoughts ran through Rell’s mind, a spring of hope began to well up within her. Kenta was not beyond saving.

“I always knew you had it in you,” Tuulin said as he pulled the knife from Kenta’s belt. Kenta’s eyes filled with fear as the older man examined the blade. “Well well, you even brought me a prize. Your charisma and size seems to have worked well to your benefit.”

Rell went wide-eyed as she recognized the knife as Madia’s. I didn’t even notice he had that!

Kenta smiled awkwardly. “Yes, I thought it a fitting trophy for our victory.”

Tuulin grinned as he stopped between Kenta and Rell. “Certainly. I believe this will be very useful.” The man looked over his shoulder to Kenta. “Remove the heir’s bindings,” Tuulin suddenly commanded.

Rune narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth a bit in confusion as Kenta did as he was told, untying Rell’s hands. Tuulin kneeled down before Rell as he flipped the knife in his hand, pointing the hilt to her. “Listen closely your majesty,” Tuulin started. “I want you to take this blade, and drive it into my heart,” Tuulin whispered.

Rell’s eyes went wide in terror and confusion as she looked up at him. Tuulin extended his arms to either side with a smile. Even Rune seemed to take a breath as she looked back and forth between her sister and the lord of the Arden. Rell looked down at Madia’s knife in her hand, then back at the man before her. Her mind spun as she was given her task, trying to think clearly as she looked at everyone around her. Kenta seemed just as confused as her, and Rune was watching anxiously.

“Do it Rell... come on!” Rune whispered.

Tuulin just looked sternly at the young princess before him. She tightened her grip on the hilt and clenched her teeth. This man is the reason we’re in so much peril, he sent us to Mennic a year ago and we almost died.

Rell glared as she looked up at him, her teeth grinding together a bit as her hands shook. What if this is what he wants? Is he manipulating me? But what for? If I kill him… I could free Madia from her nightmare. I could end this right now!

The young princess stepped forward, brandishing the blade. As she tensed herself up to make her move, a still quiet voice seemed to echo in her head. Rell just gets along with everyone. She gasped as her mind went back to the idle chatter that, though only spoken earlier that day, felt like an eternity ago. And that is the make of a good leader! Rune and Celendrin’s words reached her as she slowly relaxed. Tuulin seemed to notice this and he tilted his head in curiosity.

“Fascinating. I felt your shift just now. You were prepared to strike me down. It was not fear that stopped you. What changed?” he questioned.

Rell frowned as she dropped the knife, searching for words. “If I kill you, I-I’m no better than Mennic. If I kill you… I am only furthering the conflict between our people.”

The Arden around whispered and muttered to each other. Tuulin frowned a bit, before picking up the knife and handing it back to Kenta. “Very wise indeed, your majesty. I am impressed. I see why your family was the ruling power prior to Mennic’s arrival.”

Rell was taken aback as he complimented her, confused to receive such praise from he who she thought her enemy.

“Princess Rell, heir to the throne of Fendra. You have sympathy towards our kind, despite all that has happened. I can feel it in your heart; see it in your eyes,” Tuulin spoke. “You may just be the one to unite us.”

Rell shook her head as it began to pound, rapidly becoming overwhelmed as she tried to comprehend where he was going with this.

“I am no leader. I am far too soft-spoken; I have not the strength and willpower to lead a nation… but perhaps you do.” He extended a hand out towards her as he kneeled down again. Rell shivered a bit as she raised her hand a bit, not quite extending it out to meet his as she felt hot around the ears.

“A-ah… my Lord. If I may,” Kenta spoke.

Tuulin looked up at the young Arden. “Yes, Kenta?”

“Her majesty is still young, and she has been through much today. Perhaps it would be better to give her time to think,” Kenta suggested.

Tuulin bit his lip before looking back at the princess. “Perhaps so, and I believe it may be time for me to return to my sleep, lest the Keeper awaken. We cannot risk even one of the keepers coming to this camp. It would mean the end of our people.”

Rell looked up at him in shock. “N-no! The Keepers would never do that. They want peace too!”

Tuulin glared as he narrowed his eyes. “They have left my people to suffer.” Tuulin spoked dryly as he looked around the camp. “If the Keepers truly desire peace, they would try to establish it, not leave our people to die in the mountain caves.”

Some murmurs of agreement rose up around the underground camp. Rell backed away a little as Rune stepped forward to speak. “And you think kidnapping us is going to make things any better?”

Tuulin glared at Rune. “We are out of options. They would not speak to us, so we must resort to more drastic measures. I wish to confront the Keepers - or Keeper - myself. Your dear sister will act as the mediator between our races.”

Rune only glared back as she narrowed her eyes, hands still tied behind her back.

Rell, meanwhile, wasn’t done, her heart pounding in her chest as she narrowed her eyes. “You know that is not true, Tuulin.”

The Arden gathered simultaneously locked their eyes upon the young princess, but she did not falter as she continued. “You sent Kenta to Elra and he negotiated with Madia and Aevum. They were listening to him and they wanted to help him and the Arden!” Rell looked back at Kenta, who’s mouth was hanging open. “Kenta knows it too… the Keepers are ready to make peace.” Rell suddenly whirled around and pointed a finger at Tuulin. “But you attacked first! You put Madia into her nightmare. YOU made the order to kidnap us. If you truly wanted us under one banner – wanted mankind and Arden to work together - you would not have started this conflict anew.”

Silence fell upon the cavern. Even those not directly part of the conversation had quieted down as all eyes fell upon the young princess. Rell saw something she didn’t expect to see in Tuulin as he began to look around. There was fear in his eyes as he appeared to be surveying the situation. He is hiding something from us… from the Arden. Rell quickly put the pieces together as Tuulin cleared his throat.

“You are very smart, princess… but you cannot hope to fathom what my people are going through, and what must be done to ensure our people are given the best possible solution. But enough of this. I must return to my rest. Alduin, Kenta, you will be tasked with watching the princesses. The younger one seems like she would be far more prepared to take a life than her sister. Alduin, listen to Kenta. Despite his weaknesses, he makes up for his lack of strength in his mind, and unlike Mennic, I respect such a talent.”

Another Arden stood at attention. “Y-yes my Lord.” His voice came out airy as he looked at Kenta. Kenta met Alduin’s gaze with his, appearing perplexed by Tuulin’s behaviour.

Despite this, the two Arden began leading them away, and Tuulin returned to his makeshift tent. Rell’s head ached as she tried to make sense of what Tuulin’s plan was, his true motives yet unclear. Whatever he was doing, Rell could see it in his eyes; something in Tuulin was changing.

Or perhaps… adjusting.