As such, Rehema ensured their magic quickly progressed to harnessing fire and learning how to both defend and attack with their magic. The three women had also become extremely skilled sword fighters – indeed, nowhere near the skill of the infamous warriors of Calathis, but with their growing power of solar magic, they were not a force to trifle with.
Still, the attacks weighed heavily on Calathis and everyone in the castle now walked around armed to the teeth – even Aurelia. Clodovea had given her a beautiful golden dagger that she had grown fond of that always remained strapped around her waist, no matter the occasion. She could hardly recognize herself in the mirror now, standing so tall and powerful.
Strong.
She wasn’t used to it.
In any and all free time they had, they would spend in the library, endlessly searching for more information regarding creatures bred from magic and of lunar magic itself. The trouble was, hardly any piece of literature dared mention such horror and they remained stuck on the same knowledge they had collected at the beginning.
Still, the kingdom of Calathis could not figure out how the beast had gotten through such elaborate defenses. Elowyn resolved to tripling the warriors surrounding the perimeter and increasing the strength of the magical enchantments, and there hadn’t been an attack since.
Aurelia had a bad feeling that it wouldn’t make a difference when they decided to return.
As the Council meeting drew near, Aurelia found herself wandering to the warrior corridors at all hours of the night, sword in hand, attacking one of the practice dummies over and over until she dripping with sweat.
It was the only pastime that gave her the slightest peace of mind. Though she found herself making a home in the unfamiliar world, Aurelia felt the familiar emptiness from home surrounding her like a familiar friend, pulling her back into the darkness she was all too familiar with.
Every waking moment when she wasn’t delving into something or another, keeping busy with tasks, anxiety would creep up her back like a heavy weight that refused to let go. She would be damned if she didn’t do every possible thing she could to be ready for what the future had in store for not only her, but the world. It wasn’t lost on Aurelia that if she died, there would be no one to take the throne. It wasn’t lost on her in the least.
That next evening, Aurelia found herself once more sneaking down to the warrior corridors. At this time of night, the castle remained empty except for the invisible guards and enchantments that observed from afar. It was what she enjoyed so greatly, and where she had found solace from the heaviness of her thoughts. She sighed deeply as she strolled through the corridors, enjoying the silence that blanketed the kingdom.
As Aurelia turned down the training corridors, she suddenly paused, for there were distinct voices echoing from one of the side corridors – voices that sounded angry.
Pulling out her dagger, she tip-toed towards the sound, pushing her body back against the wall.
“I understand.” Someone said angrily through gritted teeth. “How many times do I have to tell you? I’m working on it.” Aurelia began walking towards the corner, anxious as to who she was going to find – and what they were talking about.
“No.” They said coldly, “I’m—“ They paused. “I have to go. Someone’s here.”
Aurelia froze, and using this as her only chance, swung around the corner. Sitting there was Ilaria, alone, with only her tiny mirror in her hand that she always kept in her dress pocket.
“Who were you talking to?” Aurelia asked suspiciously, her eyes narrowing on the woman in front of her. “What are you doing up this late at night?”
Ilaria shot Aurelia a scalding glare. “I could ask you the same question, princess.” She sneered. “Some people have a lot more to their life than a damn castle.” She stood, stalking away from Aurelia.
Aurelia stepped back at her cold words, watching her fade into the night, remaining unconvinced at Ilaria’s words.
Who was she talking to?
Attempting to shake it off, she hurried to her favorite training room, the only one with windows that allowed the light of the moon to shine in. Taking a deep breath, she began her moves, pretending as if the dummy in front of her were truly the most terrible person she had ever met.
“You’ve improved immensely,” A voice behind her said gently, and Aurelia whipped around, her dagger pointed in front of her in defense.
Instead of an attacker, however, it was merely her grandmother. Unlike her usual self, she no longer was adorned in jewels and fancy fabric, but only a loose robe covering her nightgown. Her white hair was in loose curls around her shoulders, and she smiled at Aurelia. “Couldn’t sleep either?”
Aurelia shook her head, looking back at the dummy she had slashed to shreds of fabric.
Elowyn smiled. “Are you packed for tomorrow’s journey?”
Aurelia shrugged. “What does one even pack to go to an underwater kingdom?”
Truth be told, the date of departure had crept up on Aurelia. She hadn’t realized tomorrow was officially the day they would be heading towards Oceria, having to cross a good portion of the Continent to do so.
Elowyn laughed, deep and long, unlocking memories of when Aurelia was younger and every joyous moment was filled with the same sound. “Only your most scandalous gowns, of course.” She walked to where Aurelia stood and gently kissed her forehead. “I am so exceptionally proud of the work you’ve done. Clodovea has truly done excellent work with you.”
Aurelia sighed, her heavy emotions from the past few weeks suddenly bubbling to the surface. “I’m not sure I’m ready, Nonna.” She gestured to the room around them. “It’s been weeks. I’ve hardly learned much other than basic skills.”
Elowyn tilted her head, clasping Aurelia’s hands in her own. “One is always ready for one’s destiny, Aurelia. In just a few weeks, you have accomplished enough to give some of my warriors – some, not all, but some – a good fight. You are ready.” She gestured towards the door. “But surely not without sleep. Come, dear. We have a long days of riding ahead of us. Let us wake up tomorrow morning our best selves.”
Aurelia reluctantly followed her grandmother back to their tower, crawling into bed, careful not to wake Brina nor Calandra.
The next morning, the castle was up well before dawn preparing the riding horses for the trek across the Continent, Aurelia, Brina, and Calandra included. They had dressed for the occasion in their best sun goddess gowns with riding cloaks of various shades of blue. The air was thick with tension, but also excitement. Aurelia couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of hope of how magical exploring Oceria would be once they arrived.
“But...mermaids,” Aurelia repeated to Brina and Calandra, the excitement lost on the pair.
“Have you never seen one?” Brina asked Aurelia skeptically. “They’re a bit greedy creatures, really. We had some live in one of our great lakes back at home. Would always try to steal necklaces and rings off of anyone who swam in there.”
Aurelia rolled her eyes. “Okay, perhaps not the mermaids. What of the beautiful beach and underwater castle? The bright blue ocean, the white sand?”
Calandra nodded approvingly. “Now that I can get behind.”
“Are you ladies ready? I can spot you into your saddles,” Dinevra interrupted as she walked up to them.
They had gathered near the castle gardens where the royal stables were housed. Riding was a popular pastime in many kingdoms but as the Calathian city capital was situated on a mountain, walking was preferred unless leaving to the countryside.
Though it was tradition for royalty to ride in carriages, there was both a much higher risk of being attacked by theives and took a lot longer to travel.Thus, Clodovea had decided they would ride by horse, citing they would arrive in Oceria in half the time.
Aurelia herself was fascinated by the prospect of riding horses, and thus could hardly contain her excitement as the three of them strapped on their packs to their horses.
“Yes, Dinevra, thank you,” Aurelia said, a small smile forming upon her face as Dinevra led her over to her horse – a beautiful, snow white horse – and cupped her hands for Aurelia to step on and swing over the horse’s back.
“Are you coming with us?” Aurelia asked, looking down from her high perch on the horse’s back. Dinevra moved to Calandra, hoisting her on her horse, hers a chestnut brown.
“Yes, my lady.” Dinevra answered. “Clodovea, however, is staying here to guard the fortress. They are very worried about an attack while people are away.” She moved to Brina, hoisting her on the last horse, a midnight black color.
Aurelia frowned. “Understandable.” She watched as Elowyn made her way over, checking each horse and their rider.
The traveling party was not large – it consisted of Aurelia, her grandmother, Brina, Calandra, Rehema, Elowyn’s four ladies in waiting, Sigrid – the Calathis ambassador for other kingdoms, and eight Royal Guards to accompany them. Nesrin had chosen to stay with Clodovea to help keep the castle underway while Anwyn, the leader of affairs of Calathis, temporarily was granted power in case of an emergency. Aurelia was secretly relieved that Ilaria was staying at the castle instead of joining them after what had happened the night before.
“Are you ready?” Elowyn asked as she arrived at Aurelia’s horse. “Stay close to the main party. Each horse has a pack of food, a bed roll, and a tent strapped onto it.” She paused as she took in the large trunk on Calandra’s horse, a smile forming on her lips. “And clearly, all the clothes you could need for the next year.”
Calandra’s cheeks turned pink and a small laugh emitted from her lips. She would always be the woman of the three of them that knew how to dress no matter the occasion, despite her overpacking of various skin creams, hair stylers, and gowns she promised were Ocerian style.
Elowyn’s face grew serious once more. “If you see anything suspicious....tell someone immediately. Aurelia, the woods – nor anywhere here, really, are like what they are back home. There are magical creatures, bandits, all sorts of things awaiting us. You must be prepared.”
Aurelia gestured to the dagger and sword strapped to her waist and the bow laying across her body. Clodovea had strapped everyone coming with every weapon in their disposal, making everyone swear to be prepared to use them.
Elowyn nodded her approval. “Very well. I’ll see you this evening around the fire.”
Elowyn turned and walked to the front of the party, hoisting herself up onto her horse – hers a magnificent caramel brown. “Let us commence our trip to Oceria,” She said loudly, urging her horse on. They began trotting towards the main square and before Aurelia knew it, the party had officially crossed the drawbridge, the fabled city of Calathis fading behind them.
Aurelia looked back on the city for a long moment, her new home she had created for herself disappearing behind them as the horses galloped farther down the tray. Hesitantly she turned forward in her saddle, looking towards the thick tree line they were riding towards, the same forest Aurelia had magically been dropped in only a month ago.
It seemed like much more time than that had passed – for from then, she had changed. She was no longer the timid, scared girl that fell through the magic. Though she hadn’t realized until this very moment, she had grown into someone that her past self would hardly recognize. As though she had lost pieces of herself she knew would never return, for the first time, the emptiness that had become her friend no longer threatened to overtake her.
The thought startled her, and she found her thoughts drifting far away from the present moment as her horse continued to gallop into the horizon.
The traveling party was quickly enveloped by the forest, its trees towering at least a hundred feet into the sky. The sunlight seemed to disappear the second they entered, making it difficult to see through the little light that the leaves let through. They continued on, encountering no creatures from Damaris nor forest animals. As they rode on, Aurelia couldn’t help but find the surroundings odd, as if it were missing something. It was quiet enough to be eerie, as if the forest was holding its breath.
Where were all the creatures?
She turned slightly towards Dinevra, making sure to keep her horse steady. “Where is all the…life?”
Dinevra shrugged. “Everything has been off since Damaris started attacking the lands. I wouldn’t be surprised if they went into hiding.”
Aurelia nodded hesitantly and continued forward, holding tightly to her horse’s reins. Brina and Calandra flanked either side of her as they rode, their cloaks billowing behind them. The breeze, the fresh air, the gallop of the horses as they rode through the forest – despite the tension of their current circumstances, Aurelia loved every second of it.
Thick roots sprouted out of the path as they crossed creeks and streams, the shadowed forest forcing the temperature drop to create a chill. The branches of the trees made odd shapes above them, vines hanging from the treetops as they rode through the shadows.
The forest seemed endless. It felt as if they were going in circles, not a blink of pure sunlight making its way through the trees as they continued riding for the entire day, only stopping for a fresh drink from a creek.
“Soon, the forest will open up to endless valleys of green grass, and then after that, you’ll see sand. Where there’s sand, there’s eventually a beach. That’s when we’ll be close.” Dinevra had assured her. It was well after dark when Elowyn finally slowed them to a stop, declaring the open area near the trail their resting place for the night.
Aurelia gingerly hopped off her horse, wrapping its reins tightly around the tree nearest to the group of them. Her thighs were incredibly sore and she winced as she waddled over to Brina and Calandra, helping them untie the tent that they had placed on Brina’s horse. She shivered despite the chill, wrapping her velvet cloak tighter around her body, glancing around at their surroundings.
Brina, thankfully, took the lead in putting up their tent, and by the time she was finished, the open area was entirely filled with a city of small, white-clothed tents.
“Are you sure we will all fit?” Aurelia asked skeptically, folding her arms as she observed the measly tent assigned to the three of them.
Brina rolled her eyes. “Come on,” She insisted, pulling Aurelia and their three bedrolls into the tent.
Aurelia gasped as their surroundings completely transformed, the inside of the tent opposite from the outdoors. It was at least three times the size, complete with a sitting area with cozy armchairs, a small fireplace, and room for at least three beds to sleep in. It felt as if they were in a portable apartment and by far exceeded Aurelia’s expectations.
“That’s more like it,” Calandra said, giving a small smile at Aurelia’s surprise as they unrolled the bed rolls, making each bed with blankets and pillows for the night.
“Indeed,” Aurelia replied, a small smile perking up her lips.
Together they made their way back outside, where Dinevra had built a small fire to cook some dinner for the traveling party. She had the assistance of Rehema, who had enchanted the air around the fire so that the smoke would dissipate. “We can’t risk anyone seeing the smoke and following it here,” She had said with concern, looking over nervously towards the empty, dark trail.
Elowyn, following her lead, began enchanting around their campsite to hide their existence.
What in particular were they afraid would come?
It appeared Aurelia was doomed to find out.
After eating a meal of roasted rabbit and bread, everyone began heading towards their tents from the exhaustive day, the fire dwindling down to embers.
“Mind if I sleep with you?” Dinevra had asked. “Well,” She restarted. “Let me rephrase that. The queen has respectfully placed me in your tent.”
“Very well,” Aurelia nodded a smile, slightly relieved at the company and safety Dinevra offered.
Together, the four of them climbed into the tent, Dinevra stopping at the entrance to use an extra protection charm to stop an intruder from entering.
Aurelia sighed deeply as she headed to bed, unhooking her cloak and falling into the cozy bedroll that looked too comfortable to resist.
She felt as if she had shut her eyes for only seconds before she relaxed, her body exhausted from the trip, anxious to get rest before the next day of travel.
Just as Aurelia’s consciousness began to drift away, a howl broke the silence, another following that was a bit louder. They continued, slowly getting closer.
Dinevra sat up quietly, listening outside, motioning to her lips to indicate the importance of silence. Quickly, she unsheathed her sword and moved towards the front of the tent, attempting a glimpse outside through the narrow gap of the tent curtains.
Aurelia leaned down and picked up her own sword, adrenaline shooting through her as Brina and Calandra slept on. She stood, hooking her cloak back on her shoulders as she gently leaned down to shake them awake, shushing them before they had a chance to speak.
“Come,” Dinevra mouthed, stepping silently outside the tent. Reluctantly, the three followed, their weapons at the ready, unprepared for what might be waiting for them outside.
At first, Aurelia didn’t notice anything. She could hear her heart pounding as they surveyed their surroundings, a sliver of fear snaking up her spine at the unknown
Only the quiet whistle of swaying branches in the winds and the little she could see of the others, all outside their tents, in the moonlight.
But then there it was – the sound of a branch cracking underneath something – or someone.
Rehema quickly threw an orb of light into the center of their campsite, illuminating the surrounding area. The sudden burst of light revealed a pack of four wolves silently treading towards the women, their teeth bared, walking silently. They looked nothing like the other creatures of Damaris, sending Aurelia a shred of relief. Their bodies were thick with muscle, dark fur coating their skin and red eyes staring them down.
Aurelia’s eyes widened as one in particular focused on the group of them and i n the next moment they launched towards the women, growling with their sharp teeth glinting in the moonlight.
Aurelia quickly sprung to action creating a barrier of fire between the wolves and the four of them while Calandra began sending balls of fire towards a wolf that had cornered one of the guards. Brina, the best with a sword, had moved towards the rest of the group, helping Dinevra try to kill another wolf, their slashes on its body doing little to slow it down.
However, nothing could compare to Elowyn’s warrior prowess as she fearlessly strode towards the wolves, summoning a great light into her palm and throwing it gracefully towards them, hitting one directly in the face.
Aurelia couldn’t figure out what that had meant to do as the wolf began moving much clumsier, allowing Rehema to quickly overpower it. Elowyn moved on to the second wolf, teleporting directly in front of it, conjuring such extraordinary power that she truly looked like a goddess, her body glowing – no, radiating – with sunlight.
That was when she realized – her grandmother had blinded them.
Grinning, Aurelia turned back to her and Calandra’s wolf and pulled at the earth, tugging on her golden thread as she imagined thick, dark roots coming up from the earth and locking the wolf into place. The roots quickly grounded the third wolf to the spot and Brina ran forward, sticking her dagger deep in its chest.
The last wolf was quickly apprehended by a group of the warriors, the woods suddenly silent as the women stared at each other, bloody and out of breath, their attackers lying at their feet.
“What was that?” Aurelia asked in shock, her heart still pumping from adrenaline.
“It’s just as I feared,” Elowyn said gravely, tucking back a loose strand of white hair. “The forest is no longer safe. The world is taking sides.” She looked around the group. “They did not take ours. We need to leave immediately. We ride to the grasslands. Tonight.”
Quickly, she turned to murmur something to Rehema beneath her breath and began quickly packing up. Whatever it meant, it did not look good. Aurelia gave Brina and Calandra a worried glance before hurrying to pack their items.
The rest of the group followed suit and in moments they were packed and any trace of their short stay had disappeared. They rode for the rest of the night and well into the morning before they finally reached the grasslands.
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