When Reisguard Falls

Lily’s eyes fell upon Jen as she leaned against the doorframe. Her brows drew together, her breath shook. The chuckle was taunting, though the words were nothing like Jen had used in the past. Words were not something that she could think of as she watched the mage enter the room. When she pointed out the lock of silver Lily moved her eyes slightly, she could see it. The silvery hair ran along her face, it was a good three inches thick and bright as the sun against her dark wavy locks. She grit her teeth slightly, “You.” She finally spoke, her voice was filled with anger. She stood swiftly, her eyes glowed. Though the glow flickered as she sucked in a quick breath, her knees buckled and she found herself sitting back upon the bed once more, her chest rose and fell quickly. Lucky for Jen, she wouldn’t have to deal with Lily’s outrage for the time being. She’d certainly recovered, though her strength wasn’t quite back yet. This forced her to listen to Jen’s next words.

The princess watched as the mage sat across from her. Her hands balled the thick quilt that sat beneath her. Her body trembled slightly. She wanted nothing more than to kill Jen. All the hateful things she’d said to her. It made the thought of her death seem so much sweeter. It was a revenge that she couldn’t quite get off of her mind. Though, she listened to the mage. Her icy eyes never left the woman, the scowl never dropped from her expression. It was true, she could feel the magic within her flowing like that of a river. One that had rapids that would engulf a man if he fell in. “Thank you?!” She finally snapped though this was the moment that Leliana stepped into the room. She looked to the woman that had taken the place of her mother after Reisguard was destroyed. Her breaths trembled as Leliana spoke and cupped her cheek. She closed her eyes. Lies. It seemed everything about her life had always been filled with lies. “If I am so safe.” She opened her eyes and looked to Jenna. “How can you say that I am safe as the murderer of my father sits across from me? The woman that with the flick of a wrist she destroyed Destin just days before the Nuhn army arrived at our doorstep of Reisguard.” Her voice shook. The glow returned to her eyes, it swirled and flickered. “How...can you say that I am safe?” She breathed heavily.

“Lily.” Leliana took the princess’ hand as she knelt before her. “Look at me.” She gazed up into her eyes. “Breathe.” Her voice was calm. A glow came from her hands as she touched the princess. She was placing a calming spell upon her. Leliana might not have been useful for war like some mages, but her touch to the mind and body was that of a godly nature. The flickering glow subsided as Lily focused upon the woman before her. “That’s it.” She gave a gentle smile. “Do you remember when you were a child?” She asked a soft smile upon her lips. “When you said that your mother made you practice healing arts? Hm?” The elf tucked the silver lock behind Lily’s ears. “When all you wanted to do was practice magic, to make things float and fly...” She watched as Lily nodded slightly. “You did it because your mother asked you to, hm?” She smiled as she rubbed her thumb over the back of Lily’s hand. “Just as when you were 16 your mother had to kill that thief for pickpocketing a noble’s daughter. Do you remember that? She said it would be hard, but it needed to be done.” The princess’ breath caught in her chest as Leliana spoke of this.

“H-how do you know about that?” She asked softly, her eyes searched Leliana’s. This had been one of the hardest things that the princess had done. She’d never killed. Nor had she hurt someone before. Her mother was preparing her. The queen knew that the war was coming. She wanted her daughter to be strong for when the war came. As if the queen knew they would not survive it.

Leliana only smiled. “Our oracle shared a few things with me about you when you first arrived, you were such a frightened young girl. It was the only way I could make connections with you at the time. You were so afraid that the soldiers of Nuhn would find you. You barely slept. Remember?” She watched as Lily nodded. She then gave a gentle smile. “Now, back to the point of my story dear.” She glanced to Jenna. “You see.” Her eyes came back to the princess once again as she brushed a tear from her cheek. “Jenna has a life full of troubles as well. Full of things that well...she’d never do if it wasn’t for her father asking it of her. Just as you did as your mother and father asked of you. It may have not have been to such a large magnitude as Jenna has been asked...but...things are not always as they seem. Give her a chance to explain, Lily.” She stood and grasped the mug of tea and held it to Lily. “And drink this dear, it’ll help with your strength.” She brushed another tear away before she stepped back and looked to Jenna. “If you need me.” She nodded. “I want you to tell her everything, but I have another wounded that I must heal. It’ll only be a moment, Jen.” She stepped from the room then.

Lily’s eyes were upon the mage. She held the mug of hot tea within her hands, the steam rose up and cupped her face as it floated away and disappeared. “You taunted me on purpose...” She spoke after a long moment of silence. Her eyes were glassy, the pain that she held was like that of a wounded alpha wolf that had lost its pack. She looked lost even. “You...said that unlocking my power is what will allow me to kill King Wrykor...that is...the Court of Nuhn...your king...” Her voice shook slightly. Confusion. “Why? If you knew that...why would you help me unlock it?” Her brows furrowed, she wasn’t making sense of anything. She finally took a sip of the tea, her muscles relaxed slightly from the first sip as she watched Jenna for her response.

Lily sat with her fingers curled around the warm mug of tea, her eyes trained on Jen. When the mage began to explain things she sipped upon her tea, listening to her finally. She listened to the words that came from Jen, speaking of the fact that she had been turned into a weapon, that she was nothing more than that. Her eyes lowered slightly, she felt a tinge of sadness bubble up within her. She was unable to kill the king...such a strange concept that such a powerful mage was incapable of anything. As the woman spoke of her birth Lily watched with furrowed brows. How horrible is must have been. To be born of such a thing. An experiment that was meant only for destruction. Her eyes became glassy...she felt sorrow for the pour mage before her. She could see just how difficult this was for her to speak of her birth.

When she began to speak of the dream Lily took a long sip from her mug before she once again hugged it with her fingertips. She could feel the herbs calming her. Was Jen the reason of the prophecy? She’d seen such a dream and she’d spoken about it to the mages here in the village and that was how the prophecy began? To think that the woman that Lily had always had a deep hatred for sat across from her, not an enemy but a secret ally to the princess. It was a strange thought indeed. Though there was something more behind it. Lily’s jaw loosened when Jen spoke that all the lives lost were not truly lost, merely locked away. She her breath caught in her chest, tears welled in her eyes. Everything she’d lost….it wasn’t truly gone. She was without words. How could she possibly speak to this? Such information just thrown at her as if she could easily accept it. Was it truth or another trick? Lily wanted to believe it…

Everything was planned. Every motion that she’d taken since the day that Reisguard fell was planned out for her without her even realizing it. In fact, the camp of Nuhn soldiers….Leliana told her about them. She imagined that was a flag….a sign for Jen that Lily was ready. Everything came together in an intricate web before her. She looked to her empty mug as a few tears rolled over her cheeks. The thought of everything returning. It was almost frightening. 8 years. It was such a long time. Yet only a blip of existence for some creatures upon the soils of Weissen.

Before she knew it Jen stood. She’d spoken so much and she’d left the room. She left Lily to her thoughts...and thoughts she had. She sat there for hours staring to the empty chair where Jen once sat. Where she spoke of the unthinkable. Never in her wildest dreams had Lily imagined that Reisguard could truly be restored and yet...here Jen sat with the key to everything that Lily had ever prayed for since that fateful day 8 years ago.

**

“You really dropped the bomb on her.” Leliana spoke a gentle smile upon her lips. “I didn’t think you’d tell her everything in one go, dear.” She stepped forward and gave Jen a loving motherly hug, her arms wrapped around her and held her a long moment. “You are so brave to do this. We will put an end to him and free you. Lily is capable of it.” She whispered before she finally released the woman. She gazed into her eyes and cupped her cheek. “Another tea dear? I’ve prepared some that will aid in your sleep.” She gave a gentle smile. “You deserve it after everything.” She nodded as she poured the tea into Jen’s mug.

**

The next morning Lily woke before the sun rose. Her body was absolutely jittery with magic. She sat at the edge of her bed and took in deep breaths, her hands clutched onto her knees. She had to do something to expend the energy...so she did the one thing that she used to do when she lived here. She ran. Lily changed into a tunic and short like tights. She pulled her hair up into a messy bun and off she went. She ran, and ran. Her eyes glowed and flickered with her magic. The plants and the trees seemed to have glowing life within them as she passed. She ran until the sun rose over the forest and then she ran more…

**

Leliana sat at the breakfast table her eyes looked to the empty seat where Lily was supposed to sit. She’d gone to the princess’ room nearly an hour ago in search of her but found nothing but an empty well made bed. She lifted her hues as Rydel and the other elves entered the room to eat. Rydel sat down near her and gave a gentle smile. “Where’s the princess?” he questioned curiously.

“Running.” Leliana chuckled and shook her head. “She’s always running….but that’s what she does...she’s always done that...since the moment we brought her here she’d ran the forest to calm herself. I’m sure she has a lot to think about this morning.” She spoke as she poured herself a glass of hot tea.

**

It wasn’t too long after that the doors to the hall opened and Lily walked in. Though she didn’t look tired from the run. She didn’t look exhausted at all. She walked up to the table and took her seat. “When do we leave?” She questioned as she looked to Jen. Her eyes flickered like electricity as her magic surged within her.

Lily returned the smirk the Jen, she had a different persona today. The anger was locked away, no longer directed toward Jen. She glanced to Leliana a moment then back to the mage before she nodded. “Good. I don’t want to put this off any longer than it already has been.” She spoke before she began eating. She was quiet, her mind running over everything. Though, she wasn’t as high strung as before. “So we go to Yule...and get the souls back?” She spoke after a few minutes of silence.

Leliana gave a gentle smile. “It won’t be that simple, Lily...the magic that was used to save the souls is much more complicated than that.”

Lily took a drink of her own tea and then let out a breath, “Alright...well...” She seemed to be deep in thought then. “Whatever you need to me to do, Jen...that bastard deserves to die...and don’t worry, it won’t be pleasant.” A bit of darkness showed in her eyes as she spoke. Her anger. Jen was correct on how much Lily’s emotions drove her magic. That was a distinct thing in younger mages. Emotions were strong and would etch the way that the magic responded. They could be helpful or detrimental.

When breakfast was over Lily watched curiously as Jen created the portal. She watched as the others stepped through and she glanced to the mage a moment. “Go on.” Rydel spoke. “We’ll be here when you get back from saving the world.” He chuckled as he pushed her forward through the portal. Rydel would stay to ensure the city stayed in order and well hidden within the forest.

Lily stumbled when she came out the other side. She sucked in a deep breath as if it was the first breath she’d taken after being submerged beneath water for an extended period of time. She grit her teeth slightly as she looked about the ship. She could feel the movement of it as it floated within the water. It was a strange feeling, she’d never set foot on a boat...she’d never been on the water at all. Lily’s eyes caught the small pixie of a woman that jumped down to greet them. She drew her brows together as the woman asked Jen if this was ‘her’. She then blushed slightly when the woman said that she was cute.

The princess glanced to Leliana whom chuckled as she looked to Lily’s almost shocked expression. Pirates. It was an odd sort of thing. The crew was a combination of different men, tall...short, fat, skinny….human and not human. It was interesting to see such a thing. Lily wavered slightly as the ship moved, her eyes widened slightly. “You’re alright.” Leliana chuckled. “First time on the sea huh?” She watched as the princess only responded with a nod.

Lily stepped over to Jen as she asked for their help to mask the ship. “Make it invisible….? The whole thing?” She questioned. She’d made herself invisible. But that was a small feat. The princess bit her lower lip slightly and finally nodded before she took Leliana’s hand and then Jenna’s hand. She allowed the magic to flow into her as she closed her eyes. She let out a slow breath. It was a strange feeling, to share her magic in this way, to allow Jenna’s magic into her. She opened her eyes to reveal that they were glowing vibrantly. The princess gripped a bit more tightly upon Leliana and Jenna.

The magic seemed to swirl about them, then suddenly Lily’s magic became stronger. It flowed from her swiftly into the other two, her body even took on a bit of a glow. She shut her eyes tightly as this happened and as she did so she disappeared, and no more than a moment later everything else disappeared. The ocean splashed around them and the wind kicked up. This propelled the ship forward at an almost aggressive speed. Lily opened her eyes to gaze around her to the crew that worked the ship as the wind that swelled into the sails shoved the ship forward at quick speeds. She’d created the wind with her power….without even truly trying. She just wanted to get out of there alive and quick. She held tightly onto the other two as they kept the illusion up for nearly an hour. Long enough to get them off shore and to be nothing but a figment of the imagination of the King’s men.

When Lily finally let go, it was her that became visible first. Seemingly floating in the air before the deck began for form beneath her. Then as she blinked her eyes suddenly the spell dropped and everything was visible once again. The princess brushed a droplet of blood from her nose as she staggered slightly. She’d nearly powered the entire spell on her own, her magic had pushed aside Jenna’s and Leliana’s magic swiftly.

Leliana took a step forward and placed a hand on Lily’s shoulder. “Woah there.” She steadied her and sighed softly. She then glanced to Jenna. “She has to get used to her new powers, hm?” She gave a soft laugh. “How many days is it across the sea to Yule?” She asked then.

Lily closed her eyes briefly as she calmed her heart that raced within her chest. “I think...I’m going to be sick.” She muttered before she rushed to the side of the deck and swiftly hurled over the railing. She gripped onto the wood and groaned slightly before she slowly crumpled to sit with her back against the side of the ship. Sea sickness wasn’t something that she’d ever had to deal with...

A woman dressed in a long coat with a lovely fashionable tricorn hat upon her head approached Ren as Jenna walked away to joint Leliana and Lily. She leaned against the railing with a soft smile about her lips. “Funny how it seems like such a long time ago that I too stood in her shoes.” She spoke and glanced to Ren. Her eyes were a beautiful ocean blue, her hair a chocolate brown. “To think of what she’s going through.” She let out a breath and shook her head. “Perhaps she would enjoy a bit of guidance from someone who was once a princess as well?” She smiled before she turned and placed a kiss upon Ren’s cheek. “If you get tired just let me know. I do hope they can protect us from that storm...” She slipped from the balcony then.

**

Lily sipped upon her tea, her eyes tired. Such a use of her power, it was an incredibly display but she was certainly feeling it. Lily watched Jenna as she spoke she only gave a nod. “No, we can’t waste any time. We must push through it...I think I can help.” She bit her lip slightly. She wasn’t sure about her grasp upon her magic at this point. Everything felt different. She was completely out of control and yet in control all at the same time. She followed Jenna to the room, her eyes glanced to Leliana whom nodded for her to continue. “Meditation...” Lily spoke she gave a slow nod. “I’ve never really done such a thing...I’ve seen Leliana do it.” She spoke as she watched Jenna draw the sigil upon the floor.

“The more powerful the mage, the more at risk for chaotic outbreaks you become. If you do not get a full grasp of your magic and live with it, you must truly become one with it.” The woman that stood next to Ren leaned against the doorway. “You just have to allow yourself to relax.” She spoke with a smile her ocean eyes glanced to Jenna. “It’s been awhile Jenna. Good to see you. Ren and I have been waiting for this for so long. Yet, years to us seem rather different now.” She laughed lightly as she stepped forward. “I’m Ayla Saralonde.” She spoke as she sat down in a chair. “I was once the heir to the throne of Alexander….”

“The Alexander that was destroyed nearly 500 years ago?” Lily spoke up, she knew her history, that was for certain. She watched the woman in almost awe. “You disappeared. Didn’t you? Kidnapped. That’s what the history books state...and that the king illicited dark magics to find you, ultimately destroying his own kingdom and leveling it.”

Ayla smirked as she watched the young mage. “Very impressive. Did you just read books as a child in Reisguard?” She laughed lightly. “Most don’t remember much of Alexander except for the fact that is was destroyed by a huge explosion...” She paused as she drew in a breath. “In truth, I am to blame for that explosion of power...I fought against demons to try and save the kingdom...but I lost the city to them, I was young...I wasn’t strong enough yet...and I lost control...” Alya’s eyes fell away slightly. “We don’t have much time before the storm...I should allow you to draw your magic back, hm?” She smiled, there was a call from down the hall for her. “We’ll talk more later.” She spoke as she slipped from the room.

Lily stared to the open doorway. Her eyes watched for a long moment before she looked back to Jenna. “Right.” She spoke as she moved and sat in the center of the sigil that Jenna had artfully drawn. “Just...relax?” She questioned, her icy eyes looked to the woman a moment before she placed her hands upon her thighs. She closed her eyes and drew in a breath. It didn’t take long before the sigil beneath her began to glow bright white. Lily’s head slumped forward as she slipped into the world of her magic.

**

Lily stood in a field of lush green grass, the knolls rolled as far as her eyes could see. Surrounding the grassy patch was a vast beautiful forest. Lily blinked a few times as she glanced around. “Hello?” She called, her mind filled with confusion. It felt more like a dream than anything else. Her eyes fell upon dark shadowy figures that marched from the forests. Featureless creatures that stood taller than her, lanky and dark. Lily’s heart began to race as she backed only to realize that she was surrounded by these creatures. “Jenna?” She questioned, fear in her voice.

**

Lily took in quick breaths, her fingertips curled and clutched to her knees. Sweat beaded upon her brow. A slight whimper came over her lips.

Leliana took in a breath as she watched closely. “Do you think it was too soon to send her into that?” She asked, her eyes looked to Jenna. “She was weak going in...what if...” She sighed and shook her head.

**

Lily reached for her sword that was upon her hip, though it was no longer there. She was slammed forward by one of the figures. Her body bounced around within the tightening circle of shadows. Though as this happened her eyes began to glow as she fought against them. “Enough!” She screamed, a massive wave of power emit from her. All of the shadows were forced back from her, a hiss came from the shadows as they converged forward again.

**

The sigil pulsated as blood dripped from Lily’s nose. Her breaths shuddered. A swirl of magic surrounded her being, it glowed brightly as it fed into her essence.

Leliana watched with worried eyes. “She has to gain control. Jenna.” She looked to the mage with eyes of a mother afraid to lose a child. “We can’t let this crush her….she could...” She looked back to the princess worried.

**

Lily reached forward a sword formed of shadows in her hand, then her other hand formed another short dagger. She sliced through the group with expert precision. Only a few blows landed from the shadows upon her own body. She screamed as she spun around within the field. She found herself face to face with her mother. Her breaths trembled as the woman stood before her, a golden glow about her body. “Mother?” She questioned as tears welled in her eyes.

The queen cupped Lily’s cheek with a soft smile upon her lips. “I thought you’d never come.” She whispered before she hugged Lily. “My sweet girl.”

Lily felt an overwhelming sensation fill her as she hugged onto the projection of her mother. Her body swelled with magic. It was warm and inviting. She began to glow as she closed her eyes.

**

“Hey we don’t have much time.” Ayla gripped onto the doorway, the ship was already beginning to rock about roughly upon the waves as they approached the wicked storm. “Pull her out of there.” She turned and ran back to the deck to help aid in pulling down the sails to prepare for the worst.

Leliana gripped against the wall as a wave slammed the side of the ship, nearly capsizing it. “She has to wake on her own. We can’t just pull her out.” She spoke quickly, fear in her eyes. “We need her for this, Jen.” Leliana knelt before Lily. “You have to wake up, Lily.” She whispered.

**

Lily moved and sat within the field, magic swarmed around her, glowing brightly as she closed her eyes. No more shadows. The figures that stood around her were those of the people of Reisguard. At the center of the group, standing just before the princess the king and queen stood with soft smiles about their lips. You have to wake up, Lily. A whisper in her ear.

**

Lily’s eyes suddenly opened, the bright white glow of her hues seemed brighter than the sun for a few moments before the glow faded away. Lily took in quick breaths as she glanced about the room. She was rocked to the side harshly by another wave hitting the ship. “The storm.” She spoke as she scattered to her feet. Lily rushed from the room without another word. As she made it to the deck she was pelted with waves of rain. Lily was drenched before she made it to the center of the deck.

Lily staggered and slipped as a wave crashed over the deck. It shoved her against the railing, threatening to toss her into the ravaging sea. Lily screamed as she gripped onto the side. She fought against it and fell to her hands and knees. Her eyes lifted and she looked to the huge black cloud that held the storm. It spun and seemed to growl as they approached it. A hand held forward to her, Lily’s eyes lifted to see Ayla whom stood with a relaxed expression. She took her hand and was hoisted to her feet. “You have to keep us safe, eh?” Ayla spoke as she helped her back to the center of the deck.

Another wave. The men on the deck yelled out as one of the masts threatened to snap in two from the wind sheer. Lily grounded herself as a wave crashed against her once again. Her eyes began to glow brightly as the magic swelled within her. The ship lifted from the sea as it crashed over one of the crests of a wave. Ahead of them was a massive cyclone. The ship was headed straight for it and without sails to help control their direction they were at the mercy of the sea. Magic swirled around Lily as a bubble seemed to form around the huge ship. The rain upon the deck ceased. The men stood and looked up at the sky, the rain ran down the protective field. Lily let out a cry as her magic surged. Wind ripped at the protecting field that she’d created as they entered the cyclone. Blood began to drip from her nose as she fought to hold the ship steady. It was stunning that she was capable of such magic...

Lily shut her eyes as she focused on the spell. She held her feet against the deck as the winds whipped around the vessel. She only opened her eyes for a moment as Leliana took her hands and pressed their palms together. Her glowing orbs gazed to the woman that was her mentor over the past 8 years. A soft smile curved up her lips, no words were needed as she closed her eyes once again. She could feel her body use Leliana’s magic to strengthen the shield around the ship. She was so focused that she didn’t notice as the ship lifted upward into the skies…

It wasn’t until she heard Leliana whisper, “You can stop now.” That the princess opened her eyes to see the beautiful clear skies around them. Her hands lowered and the bubbled around the ship disappeared. She could feel the wind in her hair as she gazed around. Her brows tucked together slightly as she stepped to the edge of the ship and gazed over it to the storm below. This was pure magic. Magic that was only written about in fairytales. “Incredible isn’t she?” Leliana asked with a smile upon her lips. “We are lucky she truly is on our side. Hm?” She spoke as she watched the mage focus.

Lily drew her brows together as she saw the figure appear before Jenna. “Wait...” She spoke as she felt the ship falter to the distraction. She had to catch her bearings again as she gripped onto the railing. Her eyes stared to the clouds below, her breathing quickened. She steadied herself as the ship plunged toward the sea below. Others upon the decks let out yells and gripped onto the masts and railings.

It was chaos at its finest as they slammed into the sea. Though Jen had slowed the descent it was still a rough landing. The princess flew forward, her hands grasping onto a rope from a mast as her feet left the deck of the ship as it tilted nearly onto its side. Though as the ship erected itself once again she swung back and landed just in time to gaze to Jenna whom slashed out at the figure that had broken her concentration. The princess took in a shaken breath as she gazed about to the crew whom seemed to resume normal functions. They brought the sails down as Captain Ren yelled out orders and commands.

“You’ve a lot to learn.” Ayla leaned against the mast near Lily, a smile upon her lips. “But, you’re in goods hands to do so.” She spoke before she stepped off toward the captain’s deck to check in on Ren.

Lily released the ropes as she stepped forward her eyes on Jenna. She walked across the deck and held her hand out. “That was amazing, you know?” She spoke with a soft smile. She helped Jenna to her feet and gazed into her eyes. “Who is that woman?” She questioned. “The shadowy figure...it distracted you...that’s what caused us to fall, isn’t it?” The princess searched Jenna’s eyes a long moment. “I want to know more about the meditation...” She crossed her arms slightly. “I saw my mother...”

“Just a few more days of travel.” Ayla spoke as she approached. “You flew us quite a ways, cutting our travel in half.” She chuckled. “I miss the days that this ship could fly to Ren’s hand.” She leaned against the railing and gazed to Lily then for a moment before she gazed to Jenna. “What if we all entered meditation together? Hm? That might answer a few of your questions, Jen.” She smirked slightly. It was dangerous to breach too far into the void, but Alya was accustomed to it because of her magic. Spirits of the void might lead them to the answer that Jen was looking for, as to why Lily was so powerful. Was it natural? Or was it something as unnatural as Jenna’s birth?

Lily was quiet as she watched the interaction between the three. Ayla had chuckled as Ren wrapped her arm around her waist and she leaned against the captain with a smile. Ayla smirked when Jenna agreed. “Good. It will be good for all of us. Hm?” She turned her gaze to Lily. “We might learn a thing or two.” She spoke before she kissed Ren upon the cheek. “Keep the ship steady, love.” She found her way to the captain’s chambers.

Lily followed her eyes moved about the room, looking to the old artifacts that had been collected over the years. She crossed her arms as she watched Ayla move about the room. She drew a sigil upon the floor, quite carefully. She would draw a few lines and then step back to inspect it. It had been quite sometime since she’d entered the void with a group. Something that had been a regular occurrence in her younger years. She brought candles from a small box and set them very strategically about the floor before she placed three small pillows for them to sit upon. Ayla smiled as she looked to the two. “Come on then.” She spoke, “You’ll feel refreshed after this.”

Lily hesitated slightly, she didn’t know this woman. Though, Leliana seemed to trust her, as did Jenna. So she stepped forward and sat down where Ayla pointed for her to sit. She gazed to the sigil that was expertly drawn. It seemed all of the symbols were pointed toward the seat that she took. Though, the princess didn’t ask questions as she felt Ayla take her hand and she took Jenna’s hand. “How do we...”

“Just relax. No need to worry.” Ayla spoke, “Close your eyes and breathe.” She spoke as she relaxed her posture. “Focus on relaxing every muscle in your body, feel the movement of the ship beneath you. Feel your heart within your chest.” Ayla drew in a deep breath. The next words that came over her lips were of an ancient language that Lily didn’t recognize. She focused on the words and syllables. Her breathing became even and deep as she felt the air around her cool. The sound of the creaking wood of the ship disappeared moments later. The movement of the ship soon followed. “Open your eyes.” Ayla spoke as her hands slipped from Jenna and Lily.

Lily opened her eyes and she gazed around. The world around them was filled with shadows. Dark trees jutted from the ground without leafs or life it seemed. The ground was cracked and dry. She slowly stood and looked around as her brows pulled together. “What is this place?” Lily questioned a shiver ran down her spine.

“The void.” Ayla spoke as she glanced about. “Hm, an interesting section of it too.” She cleared her throat slightly as she looked about. Wisps of glowing orbs floated through the air. “It’s the forest of the lost.” She spoke as she reached forward and pushed an orb with her fingertips, the wisps of light swirled about as it floated away. “These are all spirits.” She spoke as she looked about. “Come on, we shouldn’t stay here long.” She nodded.

Lily stepped forward her eyes looked to the floating orbs that seemed to gravitate toward her. She moved swiftly behind Ayla. “Why did you bring us somewhere that isn’t safe?” She questioned quickly.

“I didn’t.” Ayla turned, she stopped in her tracks. “Your soul brought us here.” She searched Lily’s eyes a long moment. “I had no way of knowing that this is where we would show up in the void.” She turned then and continued forward.

There was a loud screeching sound from ahead of them. A gust of wind kicked up and suddenly Lily was pushed back from Ayla and Jenna. Her back pressed against the bark of one of the dead trees. Her eyes gazed to a creature that held her within its large claw like grasp. It snarled as Lily writhed against it and she let out a scream. Though the scream didn’t come over her lips. The world seemed to fill with silence. Her eyes began to glow as she gripped onto the creature. She could feel it crushing her. The sound of her bones cracking filled her ears as she kicked against the beast. It’s large jaws snapped before her face as she pushed against it. Her eyes began to glow bright white as she let out another cry. Energy released from her and the world around her morphed. The creature turned to ash as the world around her spun and darkness overtook her.

Lily stood and stumbled as the shadows melted away, she stood within the city of Reisguard. The streets were busy with those hustling about in their daily business. She glanced around, “Jen?” She asked, her voice seemed to echo. “Jenna? Ayla?” She took a step forward.

Ayla held onto Jenna’s shoulder, “You’re right, she is powerful.” She spoke, her voice curious. They were just a few paces behind Lily. “Lily.” Ayla called out to her. She watched as the princess spun around to look for them. She couldn’t see the two at all. “Hm...” Ayla tilted her head slightly. It was as if the three stood in different timelines. Ayla looked around to the crumbled city of Reisguard. Though the world within 10 feet of Lily was lively, just as if it hadn’t fallen.

Lily spun around for a moment before her eyes caught something. “Mother…?” She questioned as she saw the woman. She rushed through the city streets slipping passed citizens and merchants into the back alleyway that her mother rushed through. She followed her quickly, her heels clicked against the old stone steps that led beneath a building. Lily pushed the door open as she followed into the old shop of the apothecary.

“I need your help.” The queen spoke. “I’ve made a grave mistake.” She had tears in her eyes. She held her abdomen that was protruding out slightly. “I don’t know if I can go through with this...what if it harms my child?”

The apothecary turned and gave a warm smile. “My queen.” She spoke as she stepped forward. “This will only help your daughter. The things that we have seen. The future that Reisguard has written for it. If we don’t do this, how will you protect her?” The woman had an old book in front of her. “The king wanted this, just as you did. Shall I remind you my queen?”

Lily drew her brows together as she watched the scene play out. The queen sat in a plush chair and took in a deep breath. “The stronger the mage that I can produce….the possibility of Reisguard surviving is increased...my lineage isn’t enough it seems.” The queen spoke as she accepted a drink from the apothecary. It was warm and steamed from the mug that she accepted.

“Ah yes my queen, the only reason that the king chose to wed to you is your lineage. Might I remind you that?” The young woman smirked. “Your daughter will be strong. This is just going to help ensure that, it’s safe. I promise.” She cupped the queen’s cheek before she moved back to her book and began mixing herbs as she followed a recipe.

“Lineage?” Lily questioned, her brows drawn together. The queen’s eyes lifted and seemed to gaze straight at her before the room swelled with magic and the life that was before her disappeared. She was left in the dusty shadow filled room.

“So there is something to her, hm?” Ayla smirked as she looked to Jenna.

Lily stepped forward to the book that sat upon the table. It was written in a language that she couldn’t understand. She moved her fingertips over the cover of the book and flipped through it until she found the page that the apothecary had once been on so many years ago. Her eyes lifted and she gazed to Ayla and Jenna, confusion in her expression. “I...don’t understand...” She spoke softly. “What does this all mean?” She questioned before she looked back to the strange text.

Lily looked to the broken world around her. The dust and the crumbled stone. Her eyes gazed up to the stars within the sky that sparkled as if the destruction below never happened. Leliana always spoke to Lily that the world kept going. No matter what, Lily couldn’t stop, she had to keep going. There were many nights that Lily felt lost after Reisguard was destroyed. Alone. That was the most destructive part of all of this, she had been alone even with the elves that took her in. It took her several years to finally accept them as her family, as friends. Her icy eyes looked to Jenna as she spoke of the book. It was as if as soon as Jenna touched the book the world around her died. At least, that is what happened in Lily’s eyes.

“Reisguard had nothing to do with the Circle.” Lily spoke up, though she spoke this as Jenna vanished. A wave washed over her as the world around her once again came to life.

“Lily.” Ayla’s voice was merely an echo.

“Ayla?” Lily spun around, her eyes caught onto Ayla then. “What’s happening?” Her voice sounded as if it was underwater.

Ayla stepped forward and grasped only Lily’s shoulders just as the world around them began to morph once again. “Focus.” Alya spoke. “Calm yourself, any sense of uncertainty in the void can spell destruction.”

Lily shut her eyes as the world around them melted away into a swirl of shadows. It was silent for a long while. The only thing she was aware of was that of her heart beating within her chest, and Ayla’s hands upon her shoulders. She could hear the shuddered breaths of the woman that seemed to ground her. “There has to be something that we can do.” The voice was recognizable. It was wise with age. “The oracle tells no lies, my queen.” The regent.

Lily’s eyes opened and they stood within the throne room. The king and queen sat upon their thrones, young. This was before Lily had come to be. “I’ve heard stories of the treachery that the Circle has conducted over the years. The experiments.” The queen spoke, her brows tucked together. “We will not be participating in that, no matter what the oracle says lies in our future. I will not agree to an abomination.” The queen squeezed the hand of the king tightly.

The regent stood, his trimmed grey beard seemed to quiver slightly for a moment as he organized his thoughts. “What of Castiel?” He asked after a long moment. “You’ve asked for the divine graces before, when your queen fell ill, my king.” The regent gazed to the king. “The gods grace Reisguard with their presence. With their angels.”

The king cleared his throat slightly, he glanced to the queen a moment before he looked back to the regent. “I will speak to my wife. We will not allow Reiguard to fall...at least not like this.” The king shooed the man from the room and he stood.

Lily took in a breath, her brows quivered as she followed after them, it felt almost as if her body was floating through the air. “Lily we need to go.” Ayla spoke as she grasped forward, “We can’t stay in the void for too long, you’re a young mage. Your body cannot handle this.”

Lily spun as Ayla grasped onto her and then shadows swirled around them once again. Lily let out a cry this time. The void was feeding off of her magic to show these projections. Ayla grit her teeth as she fought to hold onto the princess. “Lily!” She placed a hand on either side of her face. The shadows stopped swirling around them then. Lily gazed into Ayla’s eyes bright projections came from her back, the light was blinding at first but as the light settled beautiful white wings formed.

“What have we done?” A voice spoke, the queen. A baby wailed. Blood soaked the sheets of the bassonet that the baby lay within. “How could we do this...”

“No one must ever know what we’ve done.” The king spoke, his hands covered in blood. “The Circle will surly kill her if they find out.” His eyes gazed to two feathery white wings that lay upon a table next to thick metal snips. “She will save Reisguard.” The king spoke, “As Castiel promised.”

Ayla focused her energy on Lily, she couldn’t see the projection of the past this time, though she could see the beautiful wings behind Lily. “We have to go.” She could see shadows closing in on them. Circling them. The void was no place to make home. She knew many whom had been lost within the void only for their family back in the realm of the living to worry about them constantly as they lay in a sort of coma, never to wake. The world around them vanished then.

Ayla gasped as she scrambled to her feet. She coughed slightly as she rushed forward to Lily. “Lily?” She questioned. Lily’s head was leaned back slightly, her eyes glowed a bright white though dark lines of shadows crawled from the orbits of her eyes. Ayla grit her teeth. Ayla quickly rushed about the room, she began drawing another rune around Lily as she spoke in an ancient language. She didn’t need a book. She knew this by heart. She’d pulled Ren from the void many times when things had gotten bad. The rune began to glow white then it slowly turned to a red color as it pulsated. Ayla continued to whisper the words of the enchant.

By the end Lily’s body fell back limply, only to be caught by Ayla. Lily had a trail of blood that leaked from her nose as her head lulled to the side and her eyes began to flutter. “There you are.” Ayla spoke. “Come on.” She tapped her cheek gently. “Time to wake up, Lily.”

Lily’s eyes shot open and she gasped for air, as if she’d been underwater for far too long. She turned quickly and made her way to her feet. To which Ayla steadied her and held a handkerchief forward. Lily stared to Ayla a long moment her icy blue eyes full of a confused gazed. She took the cloth and brushed away the blood just as the ship bumped gently against the dock at the port. She heard shouting from the deck as the men rushed about. “We’re here.” Ayla spoke as she pat Lily’s shoulder and stepped from the captain’s chambers.

Ayla approached Jenna and crossed her arms, she leaned against the side of the ship. “You missed quite the show, Jen.” She spoke, her royal tone bled through as thick a molasses. “I could have used your help getting her out of there, you know?” She raised a brow. “We nearly lost her, and she’s the key to ending all of this.” Ayla sighed softly then. “She saw something. I can see it in her eyes. I couldn’t see the last memory that she gazed upon...but the look in her eyes...we have to figure out just what Reisguard was up to.”

Lily emerged from the captain’s chambers. Her eyes looked upon the port that they landed in. A city with several stone buildings. Many moved about in the streets. The port of Saint Ignace. It was a well known port filled with many trading supplies and goods. Yule would be a few days by foot, easily. But first they had to find the mage that Jenna spoke of. Lily crossed her arms over her leather armor as she watched the men tie down the ship. Her expression was the same as it had been in the void. Like she’d seen something she’d never forget…

Ayla cleared her throat slightly. “I’ll go get Ren.” She gave a smile to Jenna before she hurried off. Clearly uncomfortable with the princess’ disposition.

“It wasn’t the Circle.” Lily spoke, her eyes upon Jenna. “I’m nothing more than an experiment as much as you are.” Her voice was broken. She turned then and stepped from the ship. The soles of her boots clicked against the cobblestone streets. Somehow she knew exactly which direction to go it seemed. She moved through the crowd like water about pebbles of a stream. The princess rounded a corner and her gaze landed upon the sign of a shop. An apothecary. A great mage to be exact. She stepped forward and pushed the door open.

“Ah, princess.” A voice from the back of the shop spoke. The shop was filled with herbs. It smelled of the earth. “I was beginning to wonder if you would come.” A woman stepped from the shadows of the back of the shop. She was a beautiful woman with long golden hair that held beads within the braided locks. Her eyes were as green as a meadow. A smirk curved up her lips as she watched the woman before her. “Did you bring the others?” She questioned as she gazed to the door. “Or just you?” She poured boiling water into a mug. “Tea?” She gave a warm smile.

This was the apothecary from her past. Though the woman hadn’t aged a bit. This was also one of the strongest mages around. Rykalis, Ayla’s ancestor. “You...” Lily spoke, her voice sounded distant. “You know...what I am...” She watched as a smile split the woman’s lips.

“Of course, child.” Rykalis spoke. “I was there, through all of it, up until I was not.” She smirked as she pressed the mug of tea into Lily’s hands. “Sit.” She spoke. “We shall wait for the others.”

Lily sat down as her eyes gazed about the shop. The different artifacts. There was no doubt this mage was much older than she looked to be. Just as Ren was much older and as was Ayla. Things that Lily had forged in stone….facts...were no longer facts. She sipped from the tea and closed her eyes slightly as she tried to wrap her head around everything. She couldn’t seem to make sense of the projections from the void. Her head felt wrapped in a cloud of smoke.