The Fall of Askabar

Amalliey relaxed in Lynn’s arms, she hugged her back, a soft smile on her lips. “Lynn…” She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. Though a moment later Lynn pulled away. She looked to her and a smile came back to her lips. “I’m back because of you.” She whispered as the others came into the room. It was then that her mother’s arms wrapped around her, squeezing her so much that it was almost painful. Though Amalliey didn’t fight it she hugged her mother. She was tired. She felt like she’d slept for days, yet she felt like she hadn’t had any rest at all.

Amalliey’s eyes moved to Lynn as she exited the room, followed by Castile. She then looked to her father. “Dinner…sounds nice…” She spoke softly, she was exhausted. She also felt as if it had been weeks since her last meal.

Xavier brushed her hair from her face and then sat down at the foot of the bed looking to his daughter. Elanor sat in the chair next to the bed where Lynn was once sitting. “Do you want me to bring you a plate?” He asked again, searching her eyes.

Amalliey thought a moment. “No I can…I can come.” She moved slowly and stood. Elanor stood and steadied her, she was very weak, she almost fell over.

Elanor held her close to her body. “Amalliey.” She spoke as she held her. “Maybe you should take it slow?” She eased her back onto the bed. “Your father can make you up a plate of food.” She nodded, “Just take it easy, don’t rush. Your body must be depleted of everything…”

Amalliey thought a long moment, she fumbled with her hands, she could only remember Lynn’s voice within the void. She remembered darkness, but nothing else. “What…happened to me?” She asked her voice soft.

Xavier took in a slow breath. “You were in a place called the void. You were in a trial of some sort…but you’re here now, Amalliey.” He placed his hand on her knee and smiled. It was then that Rakalis called about food being read. He stood. “I’ll be right back, huh?” He stepped from the room.

Elanor hugged Amalliey again, “I’m going to go get a plate as well. Just relax okay?” She spoke before she pulled back.

Amalliey relaxed back into the pillows of the bed. “The void…” She muttered to herself, thinking. Nothing. How could she not remember?

**

Xavier stepped up to Lynn’s side and gently hugged her. “Thank you, Lynn.” He kissed her forehead gently. “You are truly incredible.” He then moved and began placing items on the plate for Amalliey. He got a bit of everything and then carried it off to the bedroom.

Amalliey looked to her father as he stepped into the room. “Why don’t I remember?” She asked. “If I went through a trial, surely I would remember…”

Xavier let out a sigh and shook his head. “Amalliey, the void, that realm, only a few mages have even emerged from it, and they were locked there for months…you…were only gone a day. I’m sure you’re tired.” He sat down in the chair next to the bed. “Let’s get some food in you and then you can rest. Maybe then you will remember something? Don’t become too distraught if you can’t remember, most mages don’t…there is something about that world, that experience that causes your mind to block it, or lose it.” He shook his head.

Amalliey took the plate from her father and took a few bits. “It just doesn’t make any sense…” She muttered softly. “I remember Lynn…her voice…I remember how I felt when I heard her voice…” She furrowed her brows and sighed softly.

Xavier leaned back in the chair and thought a moment. “The connection that your magic has with Lynn’s is unique.” He spoke as he stared to the bookcase, reading the titles and looking over the art on the spines. “Your magic seems to yearn for hers, it calls to her. I’ve seen magic do strange things over my years, but I’ve never seen the magic of two mages combined in such a way that is harmonious, she plays perfectly off of you as you do with her.” He fell quiet as he thought of how Amalliey saved Lynn, how she hadn’t even thought it through when she jumped in to purge the darkness from Lynn. How Lynn had entered the spell when Xavier was pushed out. How if it wasn’t for Lynn Amalliey may have died. “There is something about the combination of your magic with her.” He then shook his head. “I’m rambling.” He chuckled slightly. “I…it’s good to see you awake, Amalliey.” He took her empty plate. “Is that enough? Do you want any more?”

Amalliey had heavy eyes, the food in her stomach was making her sleepy. “No, I’m good…” She whispered.

“I’ll make you some tea, hm?” Xavier gave a gentle smile.

Amalliey looked to him, “Could you…have Lynn bring it?” She asked as she relaxed back into the pillows.

Xavier searched his daughter’s eyes for a moment. “Of course.” He gave a smile and a nod before he left the room. Xavier walked down the hallway and found the kitchen. He glanced in to everyone sitting around the dining table enjoying dinner. He placed a pot and began heating it up. A few minutes later her poured it into a cup and added a dash of milk and honey as well as a few spices.

Rakalis came into the kitchen with empty plates then. “Xavier.” She spoke and smiled to him. “Too busy to eat dinner with us?” She asked and chuckled. “Ahh did you make some peacebloom tea?”

Xavier gave a nod, “That I did, I will eat in a moment, Rakalis.” He then stepped to the dining room where he set the mug down in front of Lynn. “The princess has requested that you bring tea to her.” He chuckled and sat down. “Not me, not her mother, but you.” He winked then before he stood and went to the kitchen to create his own plate of food.

Amalliey opened her eyes, she’d drifted off into a light sleep. She looked to Lynn with a soft smile on her lips as she came into the room. “Thank you, Lady Lynn.” She giggled slightly as she took the tea and sipped from the cup.

She closed her eyes to Lynn’s touch and took in a breath as she opened her eyes and took another sip of tea. “I am alright, I will make it through.” She let out a soft laugh, “I took a beating? Something I can not remember.” Amalliey shook her head slightly and sipped from her tea as she listened to Lynn. She finished her tea as she listened to the story, how Lynn said it was her who fought out of the void. “Lynn…” She spoke, her voice soft. “It was because of you that I am alive, and that I am here now. No matter what you tell yourself, I can not remember a moment within the void, except for your voice. I remember you very clearly…” She sighed softly.

Amalliey set her tea cup down on the night stand then and looked to Lynn for a moment. “I feel horrible for what happened to Alexandria….I can’t even imagine what has happened to Askabar…what has the king done?” She muttered softly. “We must press on though…” She looked to Lynn, sadness in her eyes. “If we do not find the souls, this will only get worse and…our world will turn to flames, much like it did when Trichondris was around before.”

She relaxed back into the pillows, her eyes becoming heavy from the tea. “Lynn…thank you….for everything…” She whispered softly, sleep tugged on her. “I couldn’t do this without you.” Her fingertips curled around Lynn’s and then loosened as she slipped to sleep.

**

The next morning came swiftly. Amalliey’s eyes blinked open. She groaned slightly, her body somehow felt more sore than it did before her rest. She sat up slowly, her head spun and she held her hand to the side of her head.

“Amalliey…” Elanor’s voice spoke as she came into the room. Within the blink of an eye Elanor knelt before her daughter. “Take it slow.” She spoke and searched her eyes. “You went through a lot…more than most mages ever go through in training.” She took in a breath.

“Mother….We can’t take this slow.” She spoke and began to stand. “We can’t stop with demon at our heels, he’s destroyed Alexandria…he won’t stop.” She waivered slightly, her muscles weak.

Elanor steadied Amalliey and looked to her with worried eyes. “He will destroy things until the end of time, Amalliey, that is what Trichondris does. He seeks out power and controls whomever he can. It was the elves years ago, and now it is the king. He will stop at nothing. He killed so many Azazel Mages trying to harvest our power…he killed dragons trying to harvest them.”

“More reason not to slow down.” Amalliey spoke. “We’ve spent too much time in one place already…” Amalliey took a step and stumbled, she gripped onto the wall, her vision blurred. She took in quick breaths.

“We aren’t going anywhere with you like this, my dear.” Elanor spoke, “Come.” She helped Amalliey back to the bed and then placed her hand over her forehead. A white light came from her hand and eventually it bled to cover her entire body. Elanor stayed like this for a long moment before she pulled her hand away. “Your father and I will help you until your body mends.” She spoke. “For now, you will be weak.”

Amalliey gave a slight nod. “I’ve never felt this weak before…” She muttered.

“The trials of the void are trying on the body…” Elanor spoke. “I’ll gather the others, we will head toward Levitan, I know some mages there, they may know something of the chest…” She shook her head. “I need to get Lynn to see if Marlick knows…” She muttered, “Come, we have breakfast.” She helped Amalliey to her feet.

Amalliey steadied herself with her mother’s help before they walked to the dining room. Rakalis offered a smile. “Good to see you up and around Princess.” She spoke and set a plate before her.

Lionel sat at the table, “Princess…” He spoke, “I…think that I would be better suited to stay here for awhile, help Rakalis around the town, she has to maintain this place alone…”

Amalliey gave a smile, “Of course Lionel. Thank you.” She spoke before she began munching on her food. It wasn’t long after that the crew gathered up and they left the city walls across the bridge and summoned the portal that brought them back to the hot heat of the desert.

Amalliey was led along with the help of her father whom had an arm wrapped around her waist to help her. He’d argued about leaving, but Amalliey wasn’t having it. She knew they couldn’t rest. Not with Trichondris’ army on their tail. They traveled through the day and into the dusk hours hastily. Elanor and Xavier would stop and syphon some energy into Amalliey before they would continue on. Eventually they ended up in a lush valley and the lights of a small village appeared in the distance. It wasn’t Levitan…but it was somewhere to rest for the night. It was the young village of Amethyst, and fitting as such the lanterns in the town glowed a soft purple.

By this point the crew was becoming tired. Castile however, watched their tail. “I have an uneasy feeling about all of this…” He spoke, “It seems far to calm.”

Xavier looked to him and gave a nod in agreement. “We will stay alert.” He spoke as they came to the edge of the city. It was small, but it seemed that many moved through the town. It was a trade hub. Many had wagons that held goods, they pulled the wagons around or had a horse to pull the old rickety things around. Xavier led everyone through the city and to an inn. He got a room for himself and Elanor, one of Castile, and another for Lynn and Amalliey. He gave a gentle smile and a yawn. “At dawn we will get back on the road again.” He kissed Amalliey’s forehead and then hugged Lynn. “Goodnight.” He spoke.

Amalliey found her way to the room and collapsed down onto the bed, her body ached. She grit her teeth slightly. “How much longer will I feel like this?” She spoke, her voice soft.

Amalliey sat on the bed, she looked to Lynn as she spoke and gave a nod. “It makes sense…” Amalliey then looked to the door as Castile came. She stood and stepped over next to Lynn, she watched as the water within the bowl began to churn. She put her hands forward as Lynn stumbled back a moment later. Her eyes watched the Archmage with worry as she listened to her speak. She then looked to the hazy blue Marlick that stood before them. The world of despair was spreading, the demon would stop at nothing until he had the ultimate power, that of the Azazel Mage.

Castile nodded, “Of course.” He spoke and stepped from the room quickly.

Amalliey looked to Lynn. “Yes, I can.” She spoke, though she wasn’t fully recovered. She didn’t care, she couldn’t stop, she couldn’t rest. Not with the soldiers marching on them right in this very moment. She stepped to the window and peered to the horizon, she could see an orange haze over the next hillside. “We have to stop them, we have to send a message to Trichondris that he won’t so easily trample this world.”

Amalliey then stepped from the room, she gripped the railing as she moved down the stairs, her vision faded slightly, she shook her head and pressed on. Elanor came from her room with Xavier on her heels. She wrapped her arm around her daughter and helped her the rest of the way down the stairs.

“I’m going to alert the mayor, he has to have somewhere for these people to get to safety.” Xavier spoke as he ran off.

Elanor looked to her daughter as they stood outside. “Amalliey, you should be in safety with the others.” She spoke, searching her eyes. “You’re in no condition to take on any of these demons.

Castile stood by idly, he looked to Lynn then for a moment. He didn’t like seeing the mage that was supposed to save this world coddled and sheltered away. Though, he had no place to say anything, or so he felt. Amalliey took a step back from her mother, her brows tucked together. “No, I’m not going to hide. I’m not going to be hidden behind walls like I have my entire life.” Her voice was angry. “I’ve been sheltered away, to stop this from coming. Well, it still came. Even with me hidden. This is inevitable. We can not stop it. Stop doubting me.”

The bell tower began to chime then, an alert to the villagers. After moments the streets began to flood with the people of the city they all rushed in on direction. Amalliey stood now in the center of the city, she closed her eyes for a long moment. When she opened her eyes again the fires of her magic began to swirl within her iris. She began to speak in the ancient tongue and a rune began to appear beneath her feet. It began to etch into the cobblestone like embers of a fire.

Elanor stood, her eyes on her daughter, she bit her lip slightly and then took several steps away from her, giving distance. She took in a breath. “Aleris.” She spoke and leaned her head back as her eyes began to glow with a beautiful icy blue light. Ice began to crawl over her skin, it moved rapidly until every inch of her body was covered. Then suddenly a burst of light came from her. Shards of the ice shot out and clattered to the ground. A gust of air shot out from where Elanor had stood. Now, a beautiful dragon was perched in the spot that the mage stood in. The eyes were an icy glowing blue. The dragon snarled and shot up into the sky with a single flap of its white wings. The scales on this dragon were white and beautiful. In comparison to Ryuk, Aleris was much smaller, but that didn’t mean that she wasn’t strong.

Amalliey took in a shaken breath as a ball of fire formed before her and Ryuk burst from the flames. He snarled and leaned down toward her. He nudged her carefully and looked into her eyes. Do not give up. He stared to her for a moment as the fire of his eyes seemed to match hers.

Amalliey lifted up her arm and blocked her face as Ryuk flew off into the sky as well. She glanced off into the distance, she could see the hillside moving with the soldiers that marched toward them. Castile waved his hand and a sword appeared from thin air, almost as if it had appeared from the shadows. He then looked to Amalliey. “Fight well, princess.” He spoke as he ran forward, suddenly wings appeared on his back, the feathers were dark as the night. He shot up over the home and toward the marching demons.

Amalliey pulled her dagger from her hip and looked to Lynn, fear in her eyes. She then gave a nod. “We have to stop them.” She spoke and took a few steps forward. The demons were beginning to enter the city at this point. Amalliey rushed forward toward one as it ran into the city. She lunged forward and slipped her dagger through an opening in the black armor. She looked into the glowing red eyes of the demon as it began to chuckle. It smacked her easily by backhanding her. Amalliey tumbled back and winced as she pushed herself to her feet again. She focused her energy into her dagger, the blade began to glow white. “You can’t have this city.” She spoke as she stabbed the demon again. Light burst from within the armor and then suddenly the armor crumpled to the ground, falling to pieces. She took in quick breaths and turned to the next attacker.

Xavier fought his way through knights as well, he pulled his sword from his hip and slashed through them. Ryuk flew over the mass of the knights as they marched toward the city. He waited for Aleris to freeze them and then he would blast them with his flames, shattering them almost instantly. Though, several knights still flooded into the city, killing innocent civilians that hadn’t gotten to safety and rushing toward the group.

Amalliey spun, she threw her arm up and winced. She heard the clatter of a sword against metal, but it did not hit her dagger. She opened her eyes to see that Lynn had blocked an attack that would have caused her quite a bit of harm. Amalliey turned and jabbed her dagger into another one of the demons. White light came from its eye sockets as it burst into ashes. Her magic was highly effective against them. Amalliey turned her eyes to Lynn as she spoke of what these abominations were that were closing in on them. She stared back at the soldiers, her eyes looked over the faces and limbs that were put together like puzzles.

Amalliey took in a shaken breath, her vision blurred slightly and she stumbled. She managed to block an attack and nearly fell. She jabbed her dagger forward and gripped onto the shoulder of the demon to regain her balance. “You are not a living creature, you do not belong here.” She whispered, her voice shook. She turned then just as Lynn grabbed her, she let out a yelp. Amalliey realized quickly that it was Lynn who grabbed her, her fingers curled into her clothing and she leaned against her, her body trembled. She could hear the sickening crunch of the creatures getting ripped piece by piece chopped up like in a meat processor. Amalliey shut her eyes and leaned against Lynn. War was not a pretty thing. It was something she’d never witnessed. Death. Her mother’s death was the first she’d seen. Even those sentenced to beheading, she did not see. She chose not to go. Even though these creatures were abominations…she still wondered of the souls that used to occupy the bodies that were pieced together.

Amalliey opened her eyes when Lynn spoke to her. In the next moment she felt Lynn’s lips against her forehead and she shut her eyes briefly. She could feel the dark magic swirl through her body. Amalliey took a few steps back, she stared to Lynn for a moment as more of the creatures began to surround them. She gripped her dagger and glanced around. The creatures that were coming now weren’t the same. These had thick black plated armor on, the helmet held a set of curled horns that turned upward and ran along the metal. They held axes, swords, maces, any weapon imaginable. Amalliey took in a shaken breath. You’ve got this…

She glanced to Lynn, the words echoed in her mind. Her eyes swirled with fire as she turned her attention back to the swarm that was running toward them. Amalliey dodged an attack by one and was caught in the back by another blow that sent her stumbling forward. She couldn’t catch herself as she fell to her knees. She rolled and instantly a soldier was coming at her. She scrambled back and let out a cry. Her dagger had clattered to the ground, leaving her unarmed.

Amalliey kicked at a soldier causing him to stumble back. She flipped over and pushed herself to her feet, rushing forward toward her dagger. She ran into something that felt much like a brick wall. Amalliey slammed to the ground and let out a cry. More and more soldiers were filling the area. “Lynn!” She screamed as she was grabbed by her neck. She heard a deep chuckle then. Her eyes moved to the demon that held her. He was not like the other soldiers, this had to be the commander. His helmet had huge horns that stuck up into the air, glowing red eyes illuminated from behind the metal of the helmet. He had huge red shoulder pieces and a red cape. The arm the gripped Amalliey around her throat had a shield attached to his forearm. His other held a large broadsword. “L….” Amalliey choked as she writhed against him, her eyes fluttered.

“Ahh the Azazel Mage.” The demon spoke, his voice deep. “Your Archmage is busy right now, and so is your dragon.” He snickered. Explosions sounded at the edge of the town, Amalliey could hear Ryuk let out a mighty roar. “Oh that must have hurt….did you feel it?” He asked, Amalliey’s nose began to bleed, Ryuk had been hit by something. The explosion? Amalliey trembled in his grasp, her breath shook as she tried to breathe, her eyes began to flutter. “You’re so weak.” He grinned. “How easily I will capture you and bring you back to my master.” He snickered as he lifted her up. Her feet dangled toward the ground.

Amalliey’s grip on his hand that held her began to loosen, she kicked as she was held in the air, though her kicks began to slow. Her body began to become limp. It was then that her time in the void began to flash before her eyes. The demon chuckled as he loosened his grip and allowed her to fall to the ground. He lifted her by her chest plate and began to drag her along the ground, away from Lynn as she was bombarded with the abominations and the officer soldiers. “I thought an Azazel Mage would have been a worthy opponent against me, I guess, you’re nothing but a human? Hm?” He snickered as he towed her along.

Amalliey’s eyes flashed white then, her body tensed. She grit her teeth and a flash of light came from her body. This caused the demon to drop her and stumble back. All of the demons stumbled from the blast of white magic that came from Amalliey. When the light settled Amalliey was left standing, her eyes glowed bright white. Something had triggered as her memory of the void flooded back to her. She stood with beautiful white wings, though black ran through the wings, Lynn’s magic. Amalliey held a weapon in her hands it looked much like a staff, though it hade a blade on both ends. She was covered in a beautiful intricate armor that was a perfect silver color. A red hood was up over her head that fed into a red robe that was upon her body.

The commander took a few steps back. Though he gripped his sword after a moment. He rushed forward and took a swing at her. Amalliey’s wings moved and she was lifted back away from him. Though other soldiers began to rush her. She spun around, her blade sliced through the soldiers like butter, the blade was illuminated with her magic, glowing as white as her eyes. She then suddenly slammed the weapon to the ground and a wave of magic rippled through the city. The abominations turned to ashes and crumbled to the ground. Only the officers and the commander were left. The numbers were dwindled significantly. The commander rushed forward and they began to battle. Amalliey blocked his moves as though she’d been fighting for years, her movements were fluid. She let out a cry as his blade sliced through her thigh. Though she didn’t stop. Amalliey lunged forward, her wings beat once and she rammed the lance through his chest, lifting him upward. Another blast of energy came from her then, reverberating through the entire city, the creatures that were left fell to their knees, disintegrating into ashes.

As the light faded away Amalliey was left on her knees, her breaths heavy, blood trickled from her nose. The demon commander lay before her a gaping hole through his chest from her lance. Her eyes fluttered as she fought to breathe.

Alaris landed with Ryuk at her side. Ryuk moved forward, as he moved he changed into his human form. He had a limp to his walk. He knelt before Amalliey and touched her cheek. “Amalliey.” He spoke, he held his side with his other hand. “You did well, don’t give up.” He whispered before he disappeared into fiery embers that melted into her pendant around her neck.

Alaris turned to ice and slowly the ice began to crack away. Elanor stumbled out only to be caught by Xavier. He wrapped his arms around her and looked to Amalliey with worried eyes before he searched for Lynn. “Lynn? Are you okay?” He asked as he pulled Elanor into his arms, she’d fallen unconscious. She hadn’t used her magic like that in such a long time.

Amalliey took in a shaken breath, she trembled as she fought to stand. She couldn’t push herself up, her vision was caving in on her. “L-Lynn…” She breathed, there was a small puddle of blood on the cobblestone beneath her from her nose.

Amalliey appeared in the trance, she waivered slightly and leaned into Lynn, allowing her to steady her. Amalliey closed her eyes as Lynn kissed her, she reached her hand up and leaned forward into the kiss as she felt Lynn’s power pour into her. It was a strange overwhelming feeling, but it didn’t frighten her. When she heard Lynn’s voice in her mind, she released her magic, she did as she was asked. She put every ounce into it as she could.

Amalliey took a step back, her breath caught in her chest, her eyes swirled with shadows for a moment before they settled back into the ocean blue. She stared into Lynn’s eyes her breathing slowed. “Lynn…” She reached her hand forward, her hand glowed with the soft white magic. She leaned forward and pressed her lips gently to Lynn’s and in that moment the world around her seemed to stop.

**

Amalliey gasped as she came to, her eyes swirled with shadows and fire. She glanced around. They were in the lodge. Amalliey gripped Lynn’s hand, her fingers still laced into hers. “Did…” She furrowed her brows slightly and slipped her hand from Lynn’s. She stood and moved to the window she looked out to the city, the townspeople were moving about, cleaning up, repairing the shops. “That wasn’t a dream…” She whispered, her eyes widened slightly. She glanced back to Lynn, and her cheeks became bright pink. “I…” She bit her lip slightly as she thought of the trance. How had Lynn forced her into the trance like that?

Amalliey turned and looked to Lynn for a long moment, her heart fluttered within her chest for a moment, her cheeks flushed red once again. She looked away and took in a shaken breath as she thought of the fight. She remembered everything in the void. Every second. She sat on the edge of the bed, deep in thought as she thought of the fight. The commander. How helpless she’d felt. Then…the burst of power, the wings. That feeling of flying…it was incredible. She took in a breath and slowly let it out. “Lynn….” She whispered softly and placed her hand on Lynn’s cheek. Her hand glowed slightly as she touched Lynn, she took in a quick breath but didn’t move. She could feel Lynn’s magic. More than before. Something was different. She took in a sharp breath then as her vision blurred. Her eyes began to glow white.

**

Amalliey stood in a field. She spun around. “Lynn?” She asked. Dark clouds swarmed in around her and a heavy wind kicked up. Amalliey fought to stay on her feet. Flames burst from the ground before her and a deep chuckle filled the air. Amalliey looked up to see the commander before her.

“Ahhh you thought you would be rid of me that easily?” He snickered. “Do not fret Azazel Mage, you will be mind yet, and I will take you to Trichondris.” He reached forward.

Amalliey dodged him. She furrowed her brows. “You will not take me.” She held her hand out, the lance appeared within her hands.

The commander chuckled, “You’ll get tired eventually, princess.” He spoke and disappeared into a burst of shadows.

Amalliey was left standing in the field, the dark clouds dissipated. She spun around as the world began to fade.

**

Amalliey took in a breath, her head was pressed against Lynn’s shoulder. She tensed up as she came back from the trance. Her pulse pounded. “Lynn…” She looked to Lynn, her finger’s curled around her arm, she’d been gripping onto her. “That commander…he isn’t dead…” She searched Lynn’s eyes. “I thought I killed him…” She then shook her head. “We…we should be going…we don’t have time for rest…” She spoke softly.

Amalliey gave a nod, she looked to her father a long moment. “I agree, we could move much faster, and hopefully gain our distance from the demons. The commander…he’s still alive, he will be bloodthirsty, I could feel it.” She thought a moment.

Xavier took in a slow breath, “Demons usually are.” He spoke and then looked to Castile. “You were controlled by Trichondris what do you expect from him?”

Castile still leaned against the door frame, “He will be vicious, especially once he learns of the power that Amalliey possesses, she is much more than meets the eyes.” He smirked slightly and then looked to Lynn. “As is Lynn. Both combined will change the tides and our history will be re-written as we stand.” He then thought for a moment. “He will send more soldiers after us. He may come from all different angles, however, working with him before he is more of a brute than that of strategy. He isn’t the brightest, he would rather use force to get what we wants. Just like how he had his demons destroy Alexandria and who knows where else they have burned to the ground…I think the three of us staying behind and leading off at a northwest pattern will give you a good advantage. He will keep scouts on us now, I am sure of it. Which brings me to the next point. You will have to leave tonight, before he has time to send the scouts…” He looked to Xavier, “Do you know anyone here that could act as a decoy for Lynn and Amalliey?”

Xaiver thought for a moment, “I’ll go to the pub and see what I can drum up, I’m not sure if I know anyone anymore…it’s been a long time, but with luck.” He nodded. He turned to Amalliey and pulled her into a tight embrace. “This may be the last time I see you in a long time, Amalliey.” He spoke and held her close. “Keep Lynn safe huh?” He chuckled before he moved to Lynn and hugged her. He kissed her forehead. “I’ve missed you, Lynn. You’ve become such an incredible mage, I’m so very proud of you, and…I look forward to seeing you on the other side of this.” He released her then.

Castile watched as Xavier left the room, he had to. It was too hard for him to let them go…again…

Castile turned his attention back to the girls. “You’ll need cloaks, at least for the first week of travel north…the rumors that I have heard of where this chest lies is deep within the northern glacier…Trichondris has tried to find it, his demons can not survive there. Once you pass into the glacier it will be terribly cold, I advise you to gather the proper equipment on your way there, so you don’t perish to the cold as others before you have.” He stepped forward and pulled a trinket from his pocket and handed it to Lynn. It looked like a black sun and glowed with a gentle white light. “This will help protect you from Trichondris’ trickery. He’s had his grip on you once before, so…” He paused a moment. “If the demons to catch up to you he will make you his first target to use against the princess. This will keep him from your mind.” He wrapped her fingertips around it.

Amalliey looked to her sleeping mother and let out a slow sigh. She sat on the edge of the bed. “You will hate me when you wake.” She spoke and held her mother’s hand gently. “But father will calm you down and you will understand in time…I imagine, if you don’t understand from the beginning.” She then stood and looked to Lynn. “Okay, cloaks then…” She spoke and began to lead from the inn. They walked through the city and found a wears vendor. Amalliey stepped into the building.

“Our saviors!” The shop keep instantly spoke and rushed to them. He took Amalliey’s hand and Lynn’s hand. “Oh thank you.” He then pulled them into an awkward huddle of a hug. He stepped back with a big grin upon his face. “What can I do you for?” He asked and looked them over. “Anything you like, it’s on the house. The town owes you more than I can offer, but have a look and it’s yours.”

Amalliey looked to Lynn and then to the old man. “Do you have cloaks?” She asked as she glanced around the shop.

“Cloaks? Why yes of course.” He grinned.

Amalliey followed the man to the corner of the store. He began lifting up cloaks and held up a few to her and then a few to Lynn. “Oh yes this.” He helped Amalliey into one. “Yes, that’s the one.” He smiled.

Amalliey was dressed in a beautifully designed cloak that was a beautiful light grey material accented with a royal blue. It brought out the color of her eyes. She looked to him as he pulled the hood up, her face disappeared into the shadows of the cloak. The shop keep then moved to Lynn and held a few up before he dressed her into a cloak. “Yes.” He grinned. “That is it.” He nodded. “It accents your outfit quite well.”

Amalliey looked to Lynn as she lowered her hood, looking over the well crafted material.