The Mage of Argaris

Ashlyn had a mischievous smile about her lips as she watched Lana. “You weren’t?” She questioned. “Not even a little bit?” A chuckle came from the woman. “That’s a damn shame. She had enough wine, her cheeks were pink every time you even looked at her.” She teased and then smiled. “But it…is…” She pondered a moment as she searched for the word. “Respectful. Something you do for someone you actually care for. Hm?” She had a warm smile now, one that seemed to resonate through the room. “She had about half of a bottle. I imagine that’s quite a bit for a girl like her, I imagine.” She spoke as she took a bite of her food. “Okay you do that. I’ll be right here.” She spoke before she sipped her coffee.

**
Vaena stood within a large lecture hall of the academy. She stood before her father. He had a cross look in his eyes. “I’ve told you time and time again, Vaena. Lana Highlander is nothing but a troublemaker.” His eyes bore into her. “I’ve allowed you far too much freedom. Your academic progress is suffering.”

“Father…Lana is…--”

“You do not need a friend like her.” Her father spoke with spite in his voice, Vaena winced slightly. “I’ve outlined your week. I’ve made adjustments to your class schedule and I’ve set you a generous tutor schedule for you to fine tune your skills.” He crossed his arms over his chest as he looked to his daughter. She looked completely defeated.

“She’s my friend…” Vaena whispered softly, she had tears in her eyes.

“She is nothing of the sort. She’s leeching off of you and causing your focus to dwindle. We are not discussing this, Vaena.” Her father walked passed her as the door to the lecture hall opened. “Ah Professor Alia.”

A young woman gazed around the dean to Vaena a moment. “I’m not. Interrupting am I?” She questioned.

“No, no of course not. Just a small conversation with my daughter.” He chuckled as if he hadn’t just berated her. As if he hadn’t just crushed what little happiness she had.

Vaena tilted her head back as she fought back tears. She stared at the ceiling of the room as her breathing trembled. She hugged her books to her chest as students began to filter into the hall. Her eyes glanced to see Lana and she immediately slipped from the hall. It wasn’t long after this conversation that Lana had been expelled…Vaena was stacked with more and more books. More and more work that her father put on her to keep her away from Lana.

Hey there Princess. The words cut into the dream. Vaena turned within the dream, her brows furrowed. “Lana?” She questioned softly, her breath caught in her chest.

Vaena drew in deep even breaths, her fingertips grasped upon the book, she held a piece of chalk in her other hand. Her brows furrowed in her sleep, the grip she held upon the book was quite strong. She’d made each and every line of the sigil perfect. The lines were reinforced and smooth as can be. As smooth as some of the finest artwork on canvas. Her fingertips released the book easily as Lana slipped it from her grasp, her fingers curled slightly as if searching for the book. As Lana spoke Vaena muttered within her sleep. Her eyes fluttered open. She drew in a breath as she groggily lifted her head to gaze to Lana. The warmth of Lana’s hand upon her shoulder comforted her. “Lana…” She breathed. She blinked sleepily as Lana helped her to her feet. Her jade hues gazed to Lana, a soft smile upon her lips.

As Lana’s muscles jerked, Vaena’s eyes widened slightly and she’d gasped. She glanced behind herself and then back to Lana as she cleared her throat. Her lips parted to speak but Lana filled the silence. She wanted to ask what she saw. Perhaps Lana was imagining things? Perhaps Lana had not jumped as if she’d seen a ghost. “Oh…” Vaena gazed to the sigil. “I…I um…I couldn’t sleep.” She gazed down to their hands, her mind replayed the dream…her memory. “It has to be perfect.” She lifted her eyes back to Lana. “So…I made sure it was perfect. I don’t want this to be the end, Lana.” She gave a soft sigh. She looked exhausted. “You looked uncomfortable. You should have seen yourself.” She commented with a small laugh. “I’ll be okay…I’ve slept like that too many times to count.” She admitted.

She gazed to their hands that were clasped together, to their fingers that curled around each other, a soft smile upon her lips. When Lana took her hand away Vaena lifted her gaze to her. She gave a weak smile, “Food. Yes. Right.” She gave another soft laugh. “You’re always taking care of me.” She spoke as she walked down the hallway toward the delicious smell of food. “You know…” She paused and looked to Lana. She searched her eyes a moment. “You should talk to me more.” She spoke, her brows knitted together. “If something is troubling you. I would like to help, Lana.” She reached up and cupped Lana’s cheek. Vaena’s hues glowed slightly as she drew in a deep breath. Her fingertips took on a white glow as her magic chased away Lana’s splitting headache. She gave a weak smile before her hand slipped away and she stepped into the kitchen.

Ashlyn looked up from her plate that was nearly finished, she grinned to the two. “Good morning sleeping beauty. Get some good rest?” She questioned with a playful tone.

Vaena sat at the table and lifted her coffee mug. She drew in a breath of the decadent coffee smell and closed her eyes slightly. “Not nearly enough. But there was no time to sleep.” She spoke softly. She turned her eyes to Lana was the question was posed. When? That was the question that had burned into Vaena’s mind. The question that she calculated a thousand times. She pressed her lips together in thought for a long moment before she took a sip of her coffee. “The timing is as precise as each line of the sigil.” She spoke and then looked to Ashlyn before her eyes settled back on Lana.

“It will be imperative that we start exactly at noon, when the sun is high in the sky. We are quite lucky you see. Today is a solstice. The ribbon between the living and the spirit realm is said to be the thinnest. We will need that in order for this to work. In order for…it to not kill us.” Her brows tugged together, she took another sip of her coffee. “Lana, you will need to begin the spell.” She reached and grasped the book from the table. She opened to the page which she’d drawn the sigil onto. “This is the incantation that you will need to speak. I’ve written it on a separate page so that you can read it. You’ll need to connect with the spirit realm. Once that connection is made I will need to syphon my magic into you to protect you from the darkness within the spirit realm. My magic is the only thing that can keep you sane during this.”

Vaena paused a moment, she was deep in thought. She’d stepped through the plan so many times in the late hours of the night. “Ashlyn, once we have done this you will begin. You will link our souls with the time that is depicted by the sigil. I can’t say how far back we will go. It is…hard to calculate. So We can only hope that this works. That we go back far enough…but not too far.” She spoke a bit quickly now. “Then once you’ve done this the spell will be in full swing. I will finish it…” Vaena paused. “If all goes according to plan we will be sent back in time…just enough to save this world.” She sipped from her coffee again.

Vaena held a hand to her head, she blinked a few times and pinched the bridge of her nose. Ashlyn watched her a moment and tilted her head. “Vaena love, your nose…” She grasped a hand towel and brushed it against her upper lip. Bright red blood. Ashlyn looked to Lana and bit her lip slightly. What they’d read about the injection. They only had hours left before Vaena would lose control. Waiting until noon, it would be dicey. But if Vaena said that noon was the time to start. Then it was the time that they had to wait until. Ashlyn pressed her lips together, she didn’t need to speak about the thin line that they would be walking in order to pull this off. If they were too late, Vaena would not be able to complete her part of the spell…

“I’m alright.” Vaena spoke she grasped the towel and dabbed at her nose. “We will do this.” She nodded and then glanced to Lana. “I want to go to another carnival.” She gave a soft laugh. “And…I don’t want to forget all of this…” She set the towel down and then pushed the food around on her plate. She was too nervous to eat. She set the fork down and then sipped from her coffee once again as a soft sigh came over her lips.

Vaena had a gentle smile as Lana touched her wrist. “Mhm.” She responded as the woman spoke her words, not giving any answers to her jumpy behavior. Perhaps it was nerves. This was huge...what was about to happen could kill them. It was a frightening thought to mull over. She merely nodded to Lana’s mouthed words before she turned and entered the kitchen where Ashlyn was.

Once she’d spoken she looked to Lana and nodded. “Exactly. The only way to accomplish this is to avoid the Laws of Existence itself...to...defy the gods so to speak. If there are any gods. I’ve never seen them. You’d think there would be signs.” She muttered the last bit. “Help at least.” She shook her head slightly. She glanced to Lana. Fate. Perhaps the gods were showing a sign. She gave a gentle smile and nodded. “Perhaps that is what I should be looking for. Subtle hints of the Gods.” She laughed lightly, she was on edge. It was almost a forced laugh. That was when the blood dripped from her nose.

The room went cold. Vaena didn’t want to acknowledge that...there was a high chance she might fail this spell. She knew it. Ashlyn knew it. And...well she had a high suspicion that Lana would know it as well. The timeline would draw so close that if they were not exactly in sync...Vaena would fail and they would die. It was what kept her up. It was what chewed at her mind and nearly drove her to insanity. She glanced to Lana and gave a weak smile. “I’ll try.” She whispered as she pushed the food around with her fork once again.

Ashlyn watched as Lana left the room. She sipped upon her coffee. “You need to eat. Just like she said. A few bites. Hm? I...know you are worried. Nervous.” She stepped around and placed her hand upon Vaena’s shoulder. “I may be all fun and games. But don’t let that fool you.” She wrapped her arm around Vaena and pulled her into a gentle side hug. “You will do just fine. You will not fail.” She seemed to know that Vaena was worried about this. “I know it. You know it. Lana knows it. Lana believes in you. Isn’t that what you’re looking for?” She gave a bit of a crooked smile as she released Vaena. “Believe in yourself a little, love. It does wonders. I promise.” Ashlyn searched her expression for a long moment. She sighed as she lifted the towel from the table and wiped a bit of blood from Vaena’s nose once again. “You are the most powerful white mage I have ever seen. More powerful even than your great grandfather. He would be proud of you.” She gave a gentle squeeze to Vaena once again. “I’ll see you soon.” She whispered before she slipped from the room to do her own preparations.

Vaena pushed the food around, her brows were tugged tightly together. She sat over the food for nearly an hour. As she sat there her nose began to drip blood. Vaena took in a shaken breath. It wasn’t a good sign. Not at all. She stood and slipped from the room with the bloodied towel in hand. She walked slowly down the hallway, as if headed to her own funeral. She didn’t look to the artwork. She recited her incantation in her mind. She thought of it again, and again, and again. Enough to make someone insane. She found herself in the middle of the sigil with her book in hand. She read it over and over. She checked the lines. She checked the lines again. Her breaths shuddered. “No.” She breathed to herself. She could feel her mind trying to slip away into the insanity that she would eventually succumb to. An insanity that would cause her to destroy everything around her.

When Lana came to the room Vaena was still sitting in the middle of the sigil. She looked up and wiped the blood that trickled from her nose. She gave a slight nod, a smile didn’t tug at her lips now. Her heart raced within her chest. She couldn’t let them down. She couldn’t let...Lana down. Vaena stood and took Ashlyn’s hand then Lana’s. She gazed to Lana. She couldn’t fail her.

“Remember. We are the strongest mages of our class. Don’t talk yourself out of that.” Ashlyn winked playfully as she settled into the meditation. She allowed her magic to flow freely for Vaena and Lana to feel. A grin tugged at the edges of her lips and she gave into it eventually. “This...is incredible.” She laughed happily. It was a rare thing for a mage to let their magic flow freely like this. It was vulnerable. Ashlyn chuckled and closed her eyes as she leaned her head back. “Fuck the Capitol.” She spoke in a smooth voice. “Fuck all of them.”

Vaena was silent as she gripped onto their hands, her breathing was quick. She was losing touch. Second by second she couldn’t focus. Blood trickled from her ears….her nose….but she ignored it as she gripped tightly onto the two, her knuckles were white. “F-fuck the capitol.” She managed to speak.

It began then. Lana began the spell as Vaena had written it so carefully. As the air froze around them Vaena shivered. Her grip tightened more. She couldn’t lose Lana. Lana was her only ground in this moment. Her mind was jumbled. Her thoughts were confused. She grit her teeth as she forced herself to focus. As they were transported into the spirit realm Vaena found it hard the breathe. The dark magic that surrounded her suffocated her. She opened her eyes to see the figure, the skull was stark against the darkness that surrounded her. Vaena breathed quickly. She grit her teeth as she strained to focus. Blood trickled from her nose freely now.

Vaena could feel the power within the spell as it surged. She gripped tighter. Tears welled in her eyes as she forced herself to focus. Blood trickled from her ears and nose. She grit her teeth. Everything was becoming a horrible blur. She could barely focus on breathing, her grip loosened.

“Focus!” Ashlyn cried as the arms tugged at her body.

Vaena stared to the arm that was shoved within Vaena, tears rolled down her cheeks. She sobbed slightly. The voice reached her then as the beasts of the shadows tugged at them. “Lana.” She spoke her voice a whisper. Blood flowed freely from her nose now and dripped to the floor as her breath quaked within her chest. Vaena squeezed her eyes shut and a whimper came from her.

Her breaths shuddered as she tried to focus. Ashlyn let out a cry as one of the shadow arms stabbed through her body and she was tugged harshly. Vaena couldn’t falter. Not now. “Rongaire Balorum Eunarach Vicit Romnia.” She spoke the spell of protection. The area filled with a bright blinding white light from Vaena as she breathed heavily.

Ashlyn grinned as she felt the grasp of the shadowy figures disappear. It was her turn. She could feel the magic of Vaena as it protected her. She felt as thought she was upon a warm sandy beach on a perfect bluebird day. “Di deaequie, hanc mihi custodiam.” She began to speak her voice was strong. She didn’t seem to fear the words.

The world around them began to spin. A wind licked against the three violently. She grit her teeth, “Fac ut det mihi potestatem temporis iter.” She squeezed her eyes shut as a red vibrant glow scooped over the three. Her chest rose and fell quickly. “Fac ut det mihi potestatum temporis iter.” She spoke the worse as Vaena had written them. The world around them began to spin violently. The forest was no longer visible.

Vaena whimpered slightly as she gripped tightly to the two. Her mind was slipping. It was her turn to finish the spell. “Fac….ut….det...mihi...potestatem...temporise iter….Ita esto...” Blood flowed freely from her nose now. She shut her eyes tightly. “Fac ut tempus permittas haec verba dico.” She shuddered. Her focus. It was beginning to break. She shook her head as the world around them began to turn a bright white color. She must push through. She couldn’t stop. Not now. Not when they were so close.

“Perge ad locum et tempus in amino….deinde cogitans de tempore et loco….ad iter volo….hoc mihi fac….sodes….amabo…..” At the last word a violent wind licked against the three. Vaena cried out as the magic flowed from her. It was so much. Too much. The world around them was violent.

Then darkness. Suddenly. It was cold and dark. Vaena couldn’t feel Lana or Ashlyn. She tried to move, but she found she couldn’t.

“You protected them. How surprising.” The deep voice spoke once again. The voice that she now associated with the shadowy figure with the skull.

Vaena’s vision came to. She lay within a lavish room, a comfortable bed. She rolled to her side and gagged slightly, but nothing came up. She grit her teeth as she held her hand to her stomach. “Princess?” A voice asked. “Princess are you alright?” The voice was of a man that wore tight fitting armor.

Vaena looked to him with a confused gaze. She looked down to herself. She wore a silky night gown. She was on her knees on the floor. “I...I’m alright...what...is happening?”

“Not again...” The guard mumbled to himself. “Princess Vaena...you must have had too much to drink.” He gave a gentle smile as he held a mug of water forward. “Please. Drink.” He stepped back as she took the drink.

Vaena took the water and sipped from it a few times as she sat back and leaned her head back against the bed. “Princess....” She breathed. “What...year...?” She asked.

The guard looked to her confused once again. “It is year 1803....do you not remember...should I call the physician?” He questioned.

“No....no it’s okay....” Vaena pushed herself up. She blinked a few times as she walked over to the mirror. She looked much like herself. The person she remembered anyway. But...princess? She closed her eyes a moment. “Lana...” She breathed.

**

Ashlyn woke within a field. She rolled to her side and swiftly vomited. She groaned as she gripped her stomach. She quickly made her way to her feet and gazed around. A large city was in the distance. “Virantis.” She spoke and a chuckle came over her lips. They had teleported 200 years at least...give or take. She smirked slightly as she looked around, though the smirk faded. “Lana? Vaena?” She questioned. She started to walk toward the city of Virantis.

Vaena remembered one thing from the spirit realm. It was distant. It didn’t make any sense. But she remembered a feeling of comfort. She remembered gazing into Lana’s hues. The blurry vision of Lana and the warmth of her lips pressed against Vaena’s lips. Then darkness. Empty darkness...

Vaena sat in front of a mirror as a servant brushed through her long red locks. She stared to herself in the mirror, her jade hues that she’d known her entire life. The curls of her hair that had always been there. That run of freckles along her cheeks that was light, but it was there. Her fair skin. It was all the same. But...this...this was not the same. This was not the life that she knew. And yet, she knew. She knew the memories of this Princess that she now was. Was this an alternate timeline? Her lips pressed together as she closed her eyes.

“Princess, are you alright?” The servant asked softly as she gazed in the mirror to the woman. “You’ve been really quiet. Was it the ball last night?”

The ball. Vaena could remember it. She remembered being in the arms of a young man, a noble man. The name escaped her. It seemed some of her memories were jumbled. The mesh of her soul with this soul...it wasn’t exact. Was that because she had nearly succombed to the toxin that had been injected into her body?

Where was Lana? Where was Ashlyn?

“It was a late night.” Vaena spoke, her voice prim and proper. “There were a lot of suitors. It was quite exhausting, Lily.”

The woman worked a braid into Vaena’s hair, she looked to her with soft eyes. “I couldn’t imagine having the schedule that you do, Princess. You barely get time to sleep.” She held up a dress and gave a gentle smile. “Are you ready for the Solstice tonight?” She questioned as she helped Vaena slip from her silky gown and into the beautiful dress that was quite fit for a princess. It was a gorgeous shade of blue – which happened to be the color of the royal family. It held silver embelishments upon it that danced about the torso of the corset. Vaena held her breath as the servant cinched the corset down tight. It hugged against her body, constricting her breathing. She wore laced gloves that reached up to her biceps.

Lastly Lily fastened a silver pendant that held a dragon with fire flowing from its mouth, the family crest of the Draegon family. Vaena ran her fingertips over the crest as she studied her perfect reflection. The make-up, her hair...she looked like something out of a movie.

“Ready? You’ve nearly slept the day away. The queen wanted to meet with you before the Solstice ball tonight.” She gave a warm smile. “Good luck, Vaena.”

Vaena glanced to the woman as she’d left the room. Lily was her friend. A servant. But someone that truly understood her. The two spent hours together with all the time that Lily had to take to get Vaena ready for this or that. She’d had Lily as her servant for over 10 years now. She stood and flattened the dress before she gazed to herself for another moment. “Lana where are you...?” She whispered softly to herself.

**

Ashlyn walked into the gates of the city of Cyer. She gazed about and a chuckle came over her lips. “Well that was far off calculation wasn’t it Vaena.” She muttered. She was clad in fine clothing, a dress that hugged against her body and held shades of black and blue. Knee high leather boots, a tight leather corset.

“Ashlyn I’ve been lookin’ for ye all day!” A man walked forward from one of the establishments. “Where the hell have you been?” He questioned as he clasped her shoulder with a grin. “Find yourself someone did ye?” He chuckled before he took a swig out of a brown bottle.

“Pete, you know me. I’m always looking for trouble.” She winked to him and grasped the bottle. She took a long swig herself. “But I’ve got things to do today.” She shoved the bottle against his chest. “Don’t you remember it’s the Solstice?”

Ashlyn didn’t know how she knew all of the information that was fed to her by her memories. She remembered kissing the handsome dark haired man before her long ago. She remembered serving drinks at the bar, the establishment that he’d walked from. She owned it. She was to service the drinks at the Solstice ball for the royal family this evening.

This evening was even more important than anything she’d ever served before. The Princess was to recieve a gift from the king – a right of passage the a young heir. She was over the moon with excitement as she tried to figure out just what the king would gift the princess. She was a talented young woman that had grown up during a time of unrest in the kingdom. Magic was becoming something that turned sour within the mouths of those who spoke of it. War was on the horizon. What would the king gift his dear daughter? His only heir? On the night of the Solstice. Tonight she was to become available for courtship. Ashlyn could only imagine how many of the kingdom’s noble heirs would be chasing after the beautiful princess.

“Did you cart the stuff up to the castle?” She questioned Pete as he took another swig of the liquor.

“What cart?” He questioned with a goofy smile.

Ashlyn pat his cheek, “You had better be kidding, less you lose your job.” She grinned to him.

“Of course, of course I’m kidding. It’s at the ball already.” He gazed up to the sun that was beginning to set. “You better hurry. You wouldn’t want to displease the king. Would you?”

Ashlyn rolled her eyes slightly before she rushed off. A laugh came over her lips as she moved through the crowd. The streets were more crowded than usual. With the Solstice ball as well as the princess’ hand up for courtship. She could only imagine how many had come from the far reaches of the kingdom.

**

One of the knights that held a blue cape over his right shoulder smiled as he saw Lana ascending the stairs. “Welcome, blacksmith.” He stepped to her and gazed to the box. “Go right inside. The ball has yet to begin. Help yourself to the food and drink.” He was the commander of the knights. A man that had checked on the sword many times as well. He was one of the few that knew what the gift was that the princess would be recieving.

Inside the ball many already chatted and danced to the music that was played by a small live band. Servers walked around with their platters of food and drinks held high. It was a sight to behold. Everyone was dressed in their finest for the occasion of the Solstice. “Lana!” A voice exclaimed. In the next moment Ashlyn stood before Lana with a grin upon her lips. “Well don’t you clean up well.” She winked playfully before she gazed to the box. She then lifted her ocean hues to look to Lana. “Where is Vaena? Have you seen her? Please tell me she didn’t break into a thousand pieces and get us here...she nearly lost it...I...I am not certain what pulled her through the spell. I could feel her grip loosen. We made it just in time, Lana.” Ashlyn spoke quickly. She glanced about to the nobles that swayed and moved about happily.

It was then that there was a chime of a glass as a spoon tapped against it. The king stood on a staircase that led up to a balcony. He had a peppered beard and dark hair that held salt within it as well. He was a handsome man though. “Good evening, Lords and Ladies. Welcome to the Solstice.” He announced with a strong voice as he held his glass high in the air. A woman stood next to him, her arm wrapped around one of his, the queen. She had fair skin and fiery red locks. Her eyes gazed about the crowd as the king spoke on the important time of the year that this was, how blessed their kingdom was for the great harvest.

“As most of you know. Tonight is a special night. On this Solstice my daughter, heir to the throne of the kingdom of Cyer...she is available for courtship.” There was a clapping from the crowd. The king smiled. “I have prepared a lovely gift for such an occasion for my daughter.” His eyes found Lana then. “Many of you know our wonderful blacksmith that has graced us with world class works.” Many nobles within the crowd turned to look to Lana and then to Ashlyn whom stood with a dumbfounded look.

What was happening? What was this world? This alternate reality....?

“Without further adue. I give you, my daughter, heir to the throne, Princess Vaena Draegon.” He held his hand up the stairs as Vaena appeared. She walked down carefully, yet with confidence. Her eyes searched the crowd as she walked down the stairs. She came to her father’s side and greeted him with a kiss on the cheek.

“Oh shit...she’s the princess?” Ashlyn blurted out, her jaw dropped slightly. She glanced to Lana and then back to Vaena whom stood at her father’s side as he continued to speak to the crowd about other trivial matters. “What is this place? This timeline...” She shook her head. “Do you know everything...like everything...all the memories of the person you are here in this time?” She questioned quickly. “I know. Everything. Literally everything.” She held her hands by her head and motioned like an explostion. “And Vaena is a fucking princess...what is going on?” She glanced back as Vaena walked down to the dance floor. “There are a lot of things I felt like I knew in the world. But this. This magic that we’ve performed. It breaks literally every law that there is with the Gods.” She shook her head slightly as she watched Vaena twirled about by one of the nobles. A smirk curved up her lips. “At least she knows how to dance now, hm?” She elbowed Lana playfully.

After several songs Vaena stood within the center of the dance floor. The king called Lana forth to present the gift to his daughter and to take her hand in a dance. Vaena searched the crowd as she heard the king speak the name Lana. Was it her Lana? The one she knew...the one that she tried terribly to keep safe within the spirit realm. She remembered the blurry soul of Lana before her just moments before they were separated. She stood quietly as she waited, though her eyes showed her lack of patience as she looked about, scouring the crowd for a sign.

Ashlyn followed suit and wrapped her arm around Lana as well as a chuckle came from her lips. “I am! It’s incredible. We did it!” She was full of a vibrant energy. She released Lana and smirked to her as she pat her hair, a nod was her response. “Hm perhaps she is one of the nobles here? I’ll keep an eye out for her.” Ashlyn spoke as she snagged a drink from one of the platters. She took a long drink and grinned. It was then that the king called for everyones attention. Ashlyn chuckled to Lana, “Of course you are. I am the owner of the fine distillery in town. The drinks that they are serving are from my shop.” She winked playfully.

It was then that Vaena was revealed. Ashlyn glanced to Lana and gave a weak smile. “It seems she is destined for something bigger. But...look at us. We did not fall into some commoner’s shoes. We fell into the shoes of important people as well.” She gave a smile as her words of wisdom slipped out. Ashlyn tilted her head slightly to Lana’s next words. No laws. She doubted it. She saw the dark figure in the spirit realm, the one with a skull for a helm. If that wasn’t a god. Then what was? But perhaps their rules were different than mortals expected them to be. Perhaps the gods were entertained by their display of strength. “Hm.” Ashlyn took a sip from the champagne flute. “Perhaps your life here has been much different. You seem quite successful to be making a sword for the princess.” She winked and then let out a playful chuckle.

When the king waved Lana over Ashlyn smirked, “Go. Your king calls you.” She winked and gave a smile to the king. He lifted his glass and nodded his head to her. Bourbon. Her specialty.

**

As the crowd cleared and allowed Vaena to see, her jade hues fell upon Lana. She was dressed in fine attire, a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. She wanted to rush forward and wrap her arms around the woman – she wanted to scream with excitement that Lana was alive. But she knew she couldn’t. Not now. The princess that she was told her to remain composed and elegant. As Lana began to speak Vaena listened to her intently. She clung to each and every word from the woman’s mouth. It was a smooth speech, one that she knew Lana must have practiced.

Vaena gazed to Lana as the woman stepped forward with the gorgeous rapier. She looked into the deep purple hues of the woman. Within the jade color of Vaena’s hues a glimmer of magic could be seen if one looked deep enough. But it was not the purple color, it was a silvery white glow. A shimmer that seemed to belong to her eyes. As Lana held the blade forward the princess took it into her hands, a smile finally curved up her lips. She inspected it and slipped it from the sheath. The princess felt the balance of the blade before her eyes gazed back to Lana. “This is beautiful, the balance is stunning. It is as light as it is strong.” She spoke, her voice held a much stronger accent than she ever had. She grinned to Lana as she slipped the blade back into the sheath.

Her eyes glanced to her father, King Martin, he had a bright smile upon his lips. An arm was wrapped around her mother’s waist. The woman brushed away a tear. It was difficult for them to give up their daughter. Just as Lana had spoken in her speech. But they would not lose her. No. This was not an end but simply the beginning. Lana’s words pulled her attention back to the blacksmith. “Yes, please. Thank you.” She handed the sword forward to the woman and turned to aid her in fastening the sword about her hips. She watched as Lana carefully adjusted the belt. She wanted to pull Lana into a tight embrace. She wanted to flee from the ball with her and find Ashlyn. It was then that her eyes lifted and she saw Ashlyn within the crowd, a drink in hand. The woman lifted her glass and nodded to her with a smirk.

They survived. Lana and Ashlyn survived. Would you accept my hand in a dance?

The words broke Vaena from her thoughts once again. She held her hand forward and a smile curved up her lips. “Yes, of course.” She had a beautiful smile. The darkness that once settled behind Vaena’s eyes seemed to be all but gone. She smiled to her father as he grinned to her from the stairs, the smile of a proud father. Vaena slipped into the dance effortlessly. She followed each step and move of Lana without having to think about it at all. As she was swung back and Vaena came close to Lana she gazed into the woman’s deep purple hues. The question was posed. Is it really you?

Vaena smiled, that bright smile that Lana had always fought to get from the woman. “You made it.” She breathed, “We all made it.” A laugh of joy came from her lips. Lana made her comment and another laugh escaped Vaena just before she was dropped into the deep dip. Then the spin. Vaena came back and held both Lana’s hands. She gazed deeply into her eyes. “You got us here. You pulled me through.” She spoke, she remembered the kiss. Her lips parted to speak, but then she pressed her lips together again and merely smiled.

“Princess Vaena, might I steal you away?” A handsome man with a chiseled jaw stepped forward. He wore black and white with a family crest pinned to the lapel of his jacket. A prince perhapse? Or a noble. It was difficult to tell.

“Nathan.” Vaena spoke as she took a step back from Lana. “But of course.” She then looked to Lana. “Thank you again for the beautiful gift.” She was stolen away by the charming young man. He spun her about the dance floor and spoke to her as they danced about.

“The blade is absolutely stunning, you did a fine job.” The king spoke as he stepped next to Lana. He watched his daughter as she laughed to something that the nobleman said to her. “I assure you, you will be quite happy with the gift that I have sent to your shop in return.” He took a drink from his glass and then swirled the bourbon. “But, promise me you won’t stop your craft. You’re too good at it.” He gave a squeeze to her shoulder. “I’m glad to see you wore the outfit. It is quite beautiful on you.” His hand slipped away as he was called off by someone, an older man.

“That, was quite the show.” Ashlyn spoke as she walked up to Lana. Her eyes looked to Vaena as she danced with other suitor now. “How far back do you suppose we’ve gone?” She questioned as she looked about the beautiful ballroom. The ceiling reached high with stained glass windows that depicted knights that fought alongside dragons. “Do...you think dragons still exist?” She questioned curiously. “I seem to remember the Draegon line...I just can’t quite place it.” Ashlyn looked to Lana. “Didn’t...” She looked back to Vaena as she was twirled about. “Didn’t the Draegon line die in one of the early wars of magic?” She pressed her lips together. “Or am I confusing it...” She sighed and shook her head. “I was never the sort for studying the stupid history books.” A laugh came from Ashlyn as she watched Vaena. “She’s gorgeous like this. Isn’t she?” She commented. “You know.” She looked to Lana. “You two looked quite lovely dancing together.” She winked playfully and laughed once again before she took another sip from her drink.

Vaena had a smile that she couldn’t hold back while they danced. Her body was fluid, her grip light. She had a sense of joy about her that her old self would have never felt. A joy that she never knew existed in their old world. As her mother caught her eye during the dance the princess smiled brightly to her. She had family here. A family that seemed to love her deeply. One that wanted only the best for their daughter. It was not that they pushed her to be more, and pushed and pushed until she broke. No, it was nothing like that at all. She didn’t feel weighed down. Her body wasn’t exhausted of its magic. She felt different. Somehow there was something more that flowed through her veins. Something she didn’t quite understand just yet.

As Lana spoke at the end of their dance, Vaena glanced over her shoulder to her as she was pulled away by the nobleman. She smiled, “But, of course.” She replied, “Until we meet again, Lana.” Then she was gone to her dancing.

The king on the other hand had a warm smile. He was prideful as he looked to Lana, as he spoke of her and thanked her. “Ah yes, the Draegon line will live long, especially with such a determined future queen.” He smiled to her, “That obsidian rapier will do her well.” He spoke before he left her side.

“500 years.” Ashlyn drew in a breath and blew it out slowly. She took a long drink and grasped another. “Gods. Did we have to go back that far? Is this when the corruption began?” She pondered outloud before she smirked to Lana. As she told the tale her head tilted to the side, a playful smile came to the red mage. She chuckled, “Well, well look at you and your history lesson.” She glanced to the princess as she danced away. When Lana mentioned that Vaena had a dragon her grin widened. “Really? A dragon? So we are in the time before the dragons were hunted and killed. I can’t imagine seeing a dragon in real life.” She was giddy with excitement at the thought of it.

She gazed to Lana as she spoke of the night that she’d spent with Vaena, she smirked slightly, “You’ve been vying for her for a long time, hm?” She commented before they both admired the beauty of the princess. Ashlyn chuckled, “Well, I imagine a princess must know how to dance. A white mage that is of the Argaris Academy...well...that isn’t in the bookwork I would imagine.” Another playful smile.

As Lana held her hand forward, Ashlyn took it and gave a curtsey. “Ah yes my spirit mage, shall we?” She flowed with Lana. Though, her dancing was not nearly as immaculate as Vaena’s. But Ashlyn held her own quite well. She laughed happily as she was spun into the arms of another. It was from person to person that she danced, enjoying every minute of it.

Vaena glanced about as she moved from suitor to suitor. They would speak to her, ask her questions. She would smile and return the conversation with questions of her own. Her jade hues searched for only one though. Lana. She’d get a different smile upon her lips when her eyes would meet the deep purple hues of Lana. Then her attention would be stolen away by her suitor. She twirled about and clapped to the quick music. Her current dance partner had his hands upon her hips, a bit drunk. But it was all in good fun. All in what the princess expected at a ball. She turned away from his grasp and reached for a drink from one of the platters. She didn’t so much as hesitate as she drank from a flute of champagne. Her old self would have loathed the flavor. But the princess, she seemed to enjoy a drink or two. She stepped up to the balcony where she conversed with the king and queen, her hues would gaze down to the ballroom floor every now and again. She searched out Lana.

Ashlyn had a glass of bourbon in her hands, a smirk upon her lips. “This is fun. More fun than your timeline.” She chuckled as she looked to Lana over the rim of her glass before she took another sip and swirled it about with the ball of ice within it. She gazed to Lana as she spoke of how she was feeling. That sense of duty. She had it too. She wanted to succeed with her distillery. She was one of very few female owned distilleries in the kingdom and she had flourished. Her drinks were far better than any other. “7th and 10th hm....” She pondered a moment. “I’m just a few blocks away from you, 3rd and 6th.” She finished off her glass. “Finding a way to meet with the princess might pose to be difficult.” She commented and raised her brow slightly. “Though I am certain we will find a way.” She smirked once again before she set her glass on a passing tray.

The king called the attention of the room from the balcony. He had a warm smile upon his lips. “I want to thank all the noble lords and ladies for coming this evening. It has been a Solstice Jubilee to remember. The festivities shall continue this week. We will have the tournament in the late afternoon tomorrow. I look forward to enjoying the competition with you all.” With that the king and queen left the balcony.

Vaena gazed down and found Lana one last time, she gave a soft smile before she turned her head. The king must have called to her. “Coming.” She called out. Her jade hues settled down on Lana once again, a sense of longing. She wanted nothing more than to speak with Lana and Ashlyn. She wanted to ask them of their lives in this world. Of...everything really. She wanted nothing more than to be at Lana’s side. She turned and left the balcony then in a hurried motion after her parents.

Ashlyn watched the balcony with a playful smile upon her lips. “She searches for you, hm?” She raised a brow slightly. A chuckle came over her lips. “Come, come. I want to show you my distillery!” Ashlyn weaved her arm into Lana’s and grinned to her. “I’ll even fix you a drink on the house.” She winked as she led her from the castle. She glanced up to the gorgeous stonework as they passed it.

“Good show tonight, Lana.” The Captain spoke and bowed his head to her. “That sword is more gorgeous than I’ve ever seen.” He smiled as he opened the gates for the two.

Ashlyn led Lana forward through the streets of the city that were alive with nobles. The stone paved roads weaved this way and that. There weren’t many that seemed to live in poverty. The king seemed to take good care of his people. Soon enough they came to the corner where a large building rest. Music sounded from within. Laughter and the clinking of mugs. Ashlyn walked in and a few cheered to her presence. She smirked to Lana before she led her down a flight of stairs. It was quiet here. The air was cold. There were barrels that lined the walls as she took Lana down a hallway. She pulled a key from around her neck and unlocked a door. The room within was rounded and held many cubbies that held different bottles. “Isn’t it more grand than the tasting room I had before?” Ashlyn grinned as she pulled out a bottle. “My special. A blueberry bourbon.” She grinned as she poured two glasses. “So...how do we get to the princess?” She questioned before she took a drink.

Ashlyn nodded to Lana to her comment about the magic. “It feels...more free.” She spoke softly. “More...like it belongs, rather than something that should be surpressed. I think because this world has yet to begin a war on magic...the land holds the magic. Much like the pools within the archive. Magic flows within everything. At least...that is what I was told the old days were like...by an old mage that was just as much of a bookworm as Vaena.” She chuckled lightly. Ashlyn watched as Lana stretched up to look over the shoulder of the knight. Ashlyn stifled a laugh as the knight thought that the princess had been looking to him. She was quiet as she gazed about to the other nobles as they walked from the castle. As Lana paused to look into the moat Ashlyn peered to a koi fish that fluttered along the surface.

Ashlyn gazed to Lana, listening to her story. “Ah, so I did not imagine that shadowy figure? I was afraid it was just my imagination.” She smiled and then gazed to the moat as Lana continued to speak. She gave a slow nod as she listened. “Wise words of a God, hm?” She grinned playfully. “I’ve done things through rage that I would dare not tell your princess either. Things that would likely cause her to gasp.” Ashlyn chuckled lightly. “You and I, Lana. You and I are much the same...but I am truly glad that you have found your purpose.” She winked. But then Lana abruptly left her side. Ashlyn chuckled, she could feel the nervous tension from the woman. To find ones true purpose. To let go of a grudge. It was hard. Ashlyn still felt that burning desire to end the Capitol before it could even begin. But, would she actually need to? With Vaena in the castle...what would that change for them?

She quickly caught back up to Lana and smirked to her, “You don’t need to be embarassed you know.” She wrapped her arm through Lana’s once again. “I’ve yet to release my anger. Perhaps, one day I might.” She spoke as they walked into the distillery.

As Lana exclaimed that the VIP suite was very much something that the Crimson Rose would have, Ashlyn grinned from ear to ear. “I know, isn’t it? It’s like the me from this timeline and the me that you know spoke...and this glorious beast was formed.” She motioned with her hand to the circular room filled to the brim with all sorts of alcohol.

She waited as she watched Lana taste the drink. A sense of pride as Lana exclaimed how good it was. It was a feeling that Ashlyn never felt. Such pride in her craft. She was cocky before with her magic. She knew she was the best. But this. To craft something that another could enjoy? She grinned wildly. “I prefer the term mage actually.” She winked and poured another glass. She sat across from Lana and sipped from her glass, her expression turned a bit serious. “Hm...they do?” She questioned to the comment about the couriers. “Well we best get writing then.” She grinned.

Ashlyn pursed her lips slightly in thought and tilted her head. “Hm, no I wouldn’t dare ask a princess to come to a tavern. The king would scold me.” She chuckled lightly and then took a drink. “Oh a night to explore the delicious drinks of the castle? But the king and queen would be there.” She finished her drink and poured another. She topped of Lana’s drink. “We can’t talk to our Vaena if the king and queen are there, we will be speaking with the princess at that point.” She smirked slightly. It was going to be a careful game of chess. She watched the nerves bubble up from the smithy and a chuckle came from her lips. “Don’t be so worried. Why don’t you invite her...to your shop? Say...you have a dagger for her to go with that rapier. You want her input on what she would like.” She smiled. “I can come to be a helping hand...for when you get nervous.” She winked as she took the parchment and began writing for Lana.

**

Vaena rushed about her room. She brushed through her hair and pulled out the braids as she tugged at the ties of the corset. The door opened and in walked Lily, her handmaiden. Lily smiled as she looked to the princess in the disheaveled state. “Where are you trying to get off to?” She questioned swiftly. Lily stepped behind the princess and loosened the corset.

“I want to commune with the Gods at the basilica before midnight.” Vaena spoke her jade hues gazed to the woman as she pulled her hair to the side to aid the woman in assisting her out of her dress.

“Why are you in such a hurry, princess?” Lily questioned curiously. “Is it so urgent?”

“It is quite important for me to commune before the clock strikes the midnight hour, Lily. It is the Solstice...and this year is different...” She pressed her lips together a moment as she slipped from her dress. She stepped to her wardrobe in her undergarnments. She slipped on a pair of simple leather pants.

“And you’ve chosen to go at such an odd...secretive hour...because?” Lily had a smile upon her lips as she watched the princess.

The princess drew in a breath as she slipped on a simple ivory tunic she pulled on a evergreen bodice over that. “I didn’t have time earlier today. I was far too exhausted.” She offered as she stepped to Lily. She pulled on gauntlets that wrapped around her arms as her hand maiden tightened the bodice.

“Oh, that’s all. Here I was thinking you’d found someone of interest.” Lily spoke as she moved the princess to sit. She braided her hair to the side and allowed her bangs to hang out of the braid on the other side. Vaena looked to her with a frustrated gaze in the mirror. “What? I cannot have the princess of Cyer going to the basillica looking like a disheaveled commoner. Hm?” She had a playful smile. “Besides, I’m certain your suitor will be thankful that you’ve taken the time to look nice.” She spoke as she touched up Vaena’s make-up to ensure that she was as stunning out of a dress as she was at the ball.

Vaena closed her eyes and let out a sigh. “Alright, Lily. You caught me.” She spoke as she grasped a letter that held a fresh wax seal. “Get this to the courier.” She paused a moment. “Don’t read it.” She stood and fastened her sword upon her hip. She looked like a true warrior. Vaena grasped her blue and silver cloak and pulled it up over her head. “And don’t mention this to anyone.” She eyed Lily a moment before she slipped from the room.

**

“There. What do you think of this?” Ashlyn slid the note across the table to Lana. “Do you think she will like that?” She grinned.

Dear Princess,

It is with humble words that I request your presence at my shop within the city. I have a gift that I would like to create for you in regards to your journey to queen. It will go nicely with your new rapier.

Kindest,
Lana – smithy

“It’s simple. Short. It doesn’t have any mush or anything for her to have to read around. Humble even.” Ashlyn took another drink from her glass as the door pushed open. A man stepped in with a leather pack full of letters. “Hell I didn’t even call you yet.” Ashlyn chuckled as she grasped the letter and folded it up.

He looked to her with a quizzicle look in his eyes as she sealed the letter and held it toward him. He pulled a letter from his pack and held it to Lana. His eyes watched the smithy a moment before he looked back to Ashlyn. He looked down to the letter and chuckled. “Too bad you didn’t give this to me half an hour ago. I just came from the castle.” He grinned. “I’ll see to it that our princess gets this.” He lifted the letter and tossed it into his bag. “You have a drink for me, Ashlyn?” He asked with a smile.

Ashlyn gazed to the seal on the letter. She grinned – it held the seal of the Draegon family. “But of course my friend.” She pulled a small bottle out. “Where is your old one?” She asked and he produced an empty bottle. She grinned and exchanged it. “Until next time.” She winked and he was on his way. Ashlyn turned her attention to Lana. “That’s from the princess! Look at the seal!” She moved around the table to sit next to Lana. “That kiss of yours must have really lit a flame huh?” She elbowed Lana playfully.

The letter was written with perfect caligraphy. Each stroke of the ink pen left a careful line that formed into letters. A well practiced art, unlike Ashlyn’s messy writing that was barely legible.

Smithy,

I ask that you meet me at the basillica, before midnight. You will find me in the south tower. I will speak more to you once you’ve arrived.

Regards,
Princess Vaena Draegon of Cyer

Ashlyn read over the beautiful words and she smirked. “Cryptic princess isn’t she?” She asked with a chuckle. “Well...we have a temple to get to.” She stood. “Unless you’re too nervous?”

**

Vaena walked swiftly through the streets of the city. The moonlight cast a silvery glow upon her figure. As the hours drew late less and less people lined the streets. The basillica was in the center of the city. A monument to the gods. It was a gorgeous builting that held a huge dome and glorious columns. If there were gods, this place certainly spoke to them. Many came here to commune with the gods. To ask for aid. To thank them. It was a common thing for the princess to visit here and ask for guidance. Vaena stepped through the doors and into the large hall that held ceilings that lifted so high that the ceiling was lost in the shadows of night. She lifted her hood from her head for the preist that greeted her. “Good evening, preist.” She spoke with a soft smile.

He gazed to her and returned the smile. “Princess.” He spoke as he dotted her face with the waters of the temple before he pressed his thumb against her forehead. “May the gods be with you.” He bowed for her to enter.

Vaena pulled her hood back up as she walked into the place of worship. The heels of her boots clicked against the stone floors. The rubies upon her sword glistened in the candlelight. She gazed to those that bowed before the alters of the Gods. The candlelight danced off of their faces and cast shadows around them. She walked down a hallway to the right and climbed a set of stairs that brought her up the south tower. She pushed the door open and stepped into the circular room that overlooked the city. Few knew the existence of the south tower. It was reserved for nobles. Commoners were not allowed to ascend the stairs. Vaena stepped forward to the alter that candles were lit upon. As if she’d done it a thousand times the princess knelt to her knees before the alter and she began to pray. She sat on her heels as she gazed up to the beautiful statue of the Goddess of light. She closed her eyes as she continued her prayer, she spoke in the old language. A language that was common place in this timeline. The words rolled thickly off of her tongue – well rehearsed – spoken over and over again until she’d gotten them right. She could feel the surge of her magic as she spoke to the goddess. A warmth within her chest that she’d never experienced before. Yet somehow it felt all too familiar to the princess.