From Chapter 1:
The purple vines had grown their way through the cracks of the drawbridge, covering it like a web. They made their way up the grey wall of stone as if they were having a race. The moat resembled a clear-watered river. Under the ground, it joined a nearby stream. There were no guards standing on top of the wall but a couple of servants instead, hoping to catch some trout from the water for supper.
The fortress of Labelend had remained untouched for many reigns and many days of peace.
The spring urged even the shyest straw of grass to peek from the ground, and the tiny buds on the vines of the castle wall were ready to wake up to see the daylight.
At night, Labelend looked like a cluster of taller and taller candles. Every tower was lit up with a spell.
From Chapter 2:
Ririn Beldin tried to relax the muscles in her face. She couldn’t show anything except dignity and sympathy. Ririn knocked on the wooden door, and a weak “come in” sounded from the room.
Ririn opened the door, and walked to the big canopy bed across the room. The girl resting under the covers looked calm despite her high fever. Ririn stole glances at Sierra Denina. Her delicate features had turned anaemic. Her cheeks looked hollow.
Ririn put a cup of herb potion on the table next to the bed.
– Drink it while it’s warm, please, Ririn said. She always reminded Sierra, just in case, even thought she was a good patient. The drink would lose Ririn’s magical energy if left standing on the table for too long.
Sierra nodded wearily. Ririn took it as her cue to leave. When she’d turned her back, she felt her face stiffen again, and a blush crept up, caused by the confusing mix of emotions inside of her.
On the surface, Ririn left shame and jealously. She fiddled anxiously with her dress while she descended the stairs into the first cellar level, and walked to the kitchen, where the head healer Tearin watched over other healers’ work.
Ririn focused on smiling normally, so her mother wouldn’t see anything was wrong.
From Chapter 3:
Sofie Zeralde sat in the Alchemists’ chambers and stirred bat repellent absent-mindedly. It wasn’t really something she needed to focus on, it was all in her muscle memory. On a normal day, Sofie would have been bored if she hadn’t had anything more meaningful to do, but today her mind was occupied with the love potion she’d made with Ririn.
That particular potion was something Sofie had been itching to try for a while now. Not all the ingredients grew near Solumea, so Ririn’s familiar Lux had made a couple of long flying trips in order to acquire everything. Sofie couldn’t wait to see the strength of the potion in action.
Although, Evangelica had been there at the time, so Sofie had been drawn into an aggravating shouting match about whether she should experiment on an unknowing subject. Even though the potion only caused a day-long infatuation on the giver of the potion. Evangelica was going to press Sofie to find a volunteer, that much Sofie was sure of.
Evangelica’s attitude annoyed Sofie. Evangelica should have known that Sofie would have already asked someone if she had known anyone who wasn’t too much of a coward. Mages wouldn’t do, because Sofie wanted to see the effects in someone who didn’t have magic of their own. And if Evangelica took it upon herself to find a subject, she would just take the first person who said yes. That wouldn’t do. Evangelica wouldn’t know how to assess the magical potential of the person.
But then a smile lit up Sofie’s face, when the answer formed in her mind. She knew where she would go after work.
Interlude:
The river flowed quietly across the valley. Rocks peaked up on the surface, and a man was standing on one of them.
He watched the stream with a dreamy smile upon his face. Only the corners of his pale eyes held a flicker of capriciousness. The blowing wind revealed a metallic tint in his hair.
The area was green, but empty. Smoke behind the nearby woods revealed a village was close, but there was no one in sight.
The man reached slowly for the surface of the water. Something was floating closer, and he slipped his fingers in the water. A soap-bubble-coloured, fragile, and round something, bumped into his hand. The man lifted the creature from the water.
From Chapter 14:
Hemer Mikia woke up to a voice that was calling his name. He found himself lying on a bench next to a long table at Solumea’s town square. It took him a moment to remember the summer celebrations. Then he saw Ririn Beldin, sitting next to him on the bench, and realized the voice belonged to her.
– I’m sorry, Ririn muttered, when Hemer sat up. – You fell asleep while you were watching the fireworks on your back, and I didn’t want to disturb you. But the musicians were packing their things already, so I thought we should probably get going as well.
– Sorry, Hemer said. It was pretty embarrassing to fall asleep. He tried to think of something to say that could save his honour in Ririn’s eyes, but it was too difficult when he’d just woken up.
In the end he started to say:
– You know…
Ririn turned to him.
– Yes?
Her voice seemed a bit higher than normal. Maybe she was really pissed about Hemer’s behaviour.
– I think you loo-
– Ririn!
Someone was shouting close by. Then Sofie came half-running across the dimly lit town square. She was coming towards Ririn, her face beaming, but then she noticed Hemer.
– Sorry, I hope I didn’t interrupt anything, Sofie said, panting a little.
– Oh, no, not at all, Hemer mumbled. – We were just leaving anyway.
Hemer got up and walked past Ririn.
– Well, thank you for your company, he said to her a bit uncertainly. Ririn smiled back meekly.
– Thank you, she said. – See you around.
Hemer nodded and headed towards the castle.
Ririn’s gaze followed him for a while, but then she remembered the enlightened expression she had just seen on Sofie’s face, and turned to her, to hear where she had been all day.
– Were you with Ramon? Ririn almost gasped. Sofie’s face lit up again.
– Maybe, she said with a laugh. – Where’s Evang? She didn’t come?
– She did, but Lord Hart had a job for her, Ririn said.
Sofie raised her eyebrows.
– At this hour?
Ririn let out a quiet mix of a laugh and a sigh.
– Actually, you missed quite a lot, she said. – Zerin Anderram paid a surprise visit from Okaria to deliver a message, and after that him, Evangelica, Leco and Lord Hart were swept away to the castle to have an emergency meeting with Commander Olborn. And I was left alone with Hemer and… and! Finally, finally he asked me to dance, maybe only because it would’ve been rude not to, but it was still so surprising. And you know what else was surprising? How Evangelica…
– You’re still here! sounded Evangelica’s voice somewhere behind them. She was approaching her friends through the square, skirts flowing.
– …looked today, Ririn finished, and they both looked at Evangelica, who seemed to have momentarily forgotten how much attention the change in her appearance had drawn that night. Until she saw Sofie’s chin fall to the ground.
– Are you wearing lipstick? Sofie almost yelled and looked like she had got a blow to her head. – No, no, Evang, tell me you didn’t look like that while you were having whatever military meeting it was…
– It’s not like I had time to go change, Evangelica muttered and clenched her fists. – And I don’t need to be reminded.
– I can see the whole episode in my mind, Sofie said and sighed dramatically. Evangelica’s face started to lose its cool.
– Oh, come on! It was humiliating enough without your input! Commander Olborn looked like it took him at least half an hour to decide whether the whole meeting was some kind of joke, all because of the way I looked, even though he knew very well that all of us had been to the festival! I could have been naked, the way he was staring, and he wasn’t listening to half of what everyone was saying… and Leco! He looked like he was about to cover me with his cape. I looked at him angry enough, so he luckily didn’t do it, and Zerin was just having way too much fun watching it all, he was about to burst into laughter so many times that it was laughable, and I have never seen Hart Mikia swallow so many bursts of anger. And all this because I wasn’t wearing pants! In the end I was so mad I just put my feet on the table in front of Olborn’s big ugly face.
Evangelica took a breath, and Ririn was trying to hide her uncontrollable giggling in vain. Sofie slammed her hand to her forehead.
– How in the world could you think it was a good idea to start showing your legs off in that situation! Sofie said with pain in her voice.
Evangelica shrugged.
– I think a small part of Olborn’s brain snapped out of it, when Hart Mikia slammed his feet on the table as well, she said with a smile, even though there was still anger under it. – Maybe it was because of the way the table trembled under it.
Ririn and Sofie burst out laughing.
From Chapter 20:
Zerin Anderram woke up to the first rays of sunlight. He yawned, and turned to look at Sibylle, who was sleeping in his arms. Her thick brown curls were sprawled across her white night dress, and her eyelashes looked very dark against her cheeks.
Zerin smiled. Sibylle looked like a doll when she was asleep. She was small anyway, but somehow looked even smaller now.
Zerin felt a draft, and thought Sibylle must have forgotten to close the upstairs window again, but when he turned to look, his eyes stopped at a figure on the window, and the sight immediately captured all his thoughts.
The figure was Evangelica Weil. She was sitting there, on the third floor windowsill, leaning on its frame. Her legs were hanging on the street’s side of the window. Her eyes were closed and her face perfectly calm.
Zerin stared at her in wonder. Was she really sleeping? She should’ve been afraid of falling, right? Zerin sat up on the bed and kept staring. For one reason or another, he couldn’t resist looking at the girl. It was unusual to get a chance. Evangelica was weird in many ways, and Zerin had to admit it made her interesting.
Evangelica was wearing her normal clothes, a hooded green tunic, and long boots. Her long ponytail was moving slightly in the wind. Zerin looked carefully at her narrow face and sharp cheekbones, as sharp as her eyebrows. They made Evangelica look alert even when she was sleeping.
When Zerin realized he’d been looking at her too carefully and for an inappropriately long time, he hit himself in the face. Of course. He was still dreaming. Why else would Evangelica be sitting on his window like that?
When Zerin turned to look again, Evangelica was still there, but her eyes were open, and she was looking at Zerin. Either she’d woken up to the sound of Zerin hitting himself, or she hadn’t been asleep in the first place.
– Good morning, newly-wed, Evangelica said with a grin. Zerin’s face turned into a frown. Did she have to start nagging at him so early in the morning?
– That was two years ago, and for your information: we have a door, Zerin said.
Sibylle had just woken up to the sounds, and she sat up on the bed, blinking at Evangelica.
– Oh my, she mumbled. – Good morning.
– My apologies for coming in like this, Evangelica said. – I desperately needed assistance on an official business, and I only reached the town just before the dawn. Looking for an inn would’ve slowed things down.
– Well, there’s barely a shoulder of you inside the house, Zerin muttered.
Sibylle laughed.
– So, come in, she said and smiled at Evangelica.
– Thank you, Evangelica said and threw her legs on the other side of the window.
– So, you’re living in Solumea these days, and working for Hart Mikia? Sibylle asked.
– That’s right, at least for now, Evangelica said.
Sibylle laughed again.
– How funny, for you to have settled so close to us again. Zerin has been talking my ears off about that lake monster…
Zerin rolled his eyes.
– Couple of times, briefly.
– Yeah right, Sibylle said, but she stopped teasing. She turned back to Evangelica.
– I’m sure your business is urgent.
– Unfortunately, I’m running out of time, Evangelica said.
Sibylle didn’t seem bothered. She gave Zerin a quick kiss and got up from the bed.
– I’ll make some breakfast, so you can talk in peace, she said with a smile, before she went downstairs, almost dancing. Her humming sounded from the stairs as she went.
Evangelica was still sitting on the window, and Zerin was half dressed on the bed.
– Alright, if I put a shirt on first? Zerin said after a moment of silence.
– Go ahead, Evangelica said, with a bit of amusement in her voice.
Zerin crawled out of bed and grabbed a shirt from the floor. When his head appeared out of the shirt again, Evangelica asked:
– You wouldn’t happen to know where the Deninas live?
Zerin’s eyes fixed on her for a moment, before he said in confusion:
– Funny you should ask.
From Chapter 25:
When Sofie and Evangelica had climbed to the attic to go to sleep, and Sofie had closed the door, she had one burning question in her mind she wanted an answer to.
– Why are we coming back to Minre? Sofie asked with agitation in her voice.
Evangelica was standing close, her back to Sofie, and she didn’t turn.
– If we go by boat, the horses will be left here, so you’re planning to come back, right? I mean, maybe we can get to the swamp faster by boat, but coming back here will slow down our journey home, so why?
But Sofie didn’t stop to wait for an answer and went on:
– Why did you say there were no Zeraldes in Santora!
– Sof…
Evangelica turned around, and Sofie stared at her with anger gleaming in her eyes.
– What did you mean! she yelled.
Then Evangelica took a step towards her and pulled her into an embrace.
– Stay here, Evangelica said. – Stay here with Acacia, please.
Sofie was a little startled. Evangelica could be gentle and understanding when the situation called for it, but a sudden affectionate gesture wasn’t typical of her. Sofie had to collect herself to say:
– I knew it! You meant for me to stay in Minre with my relatives from the start, because in Santora my name wouldn’t mean a thing!
– You’re safe here.
– When you’re both in danger! Sofie yelled. – I’m not useless, you know!
– Of course we’re planning to avoid danger, Evangelica said. – But you’ve seen the level of magic we’re faced with. Staying hidden to gather information is the number one priority. It’s game over if the mages spot your aura.
Sofie couldn’t say anything to that. She could hide her powers from weak or mediocre mages, but she knew it would be useless against someone even close to Zeraldes’ level.
Sofie put her arms around her friend, and realized how fragile she was compared to Evangelica. As kids, they had been about the same height, but Evangelica had grown tall. Sofie had thought before how easy it was to underestimate Evangelica, because she didn’t look that much stronger than average, but feeling Evangelica’s back and the arms around herself told Sofie how strong she was.
Sofie knew Evangelica had been through a lot. And she remembered Evangelica had that weird sword that seemed to be able to resist some level of magic. And Leco, he must be as strong as a bull, and would be able to defend himself against any warrior or monster.
While Sofie’s own powers had turned against her. This time her magic wouldn’t be just useless, it would be a hindrance. And she couldn’t do anything about it.
Sofie had to bite her teeth not to cry.
– I know, she muttered. – I have to stay here.
She pulled away from Evangelica and went straight to bed without even looking at her. Sofie knew that her unfair fate wasn’t technically Evangelica’s fault, but she couldn’t really control her feelings at the moment.
– Good, Evangelica said. She sounded relieved.
From Chapter 25:
Leco pouted while walking ahead for a while, looking at Evangelica, who was walking in front of him. Sometimes he looked around. Birds were the only animals they had seen or heard in a while.
– Aren’t you scared? Leco asked.
Evangelica glanced at him, but then turned to look back ahead.
– Fear is a waste of time and energy. It distorts your common sense, Evangelica said.
– Not helpful, said Leco quietly.
Evangelica seemed to ponder for a moment.
– You’re in danger every moment. It’s enough to fall down the stairs. There’s no justifiable reason to be more scared one moment than another.
– So, there’s reason to panic all the time, Leco said with a sigh.
– No, I mean you can choose the option where you remain sane.
– In theory, Leco muttered.
Evangelica snorted a little, and they walked on in silence for a moment. Then she said:
– Fear is not the opposite of courage. It’s a requirement. Only the brave stay in fear, because a coward will run away.
– Oh great, it’s time for proverbs.
– Maybe you need to tell yourself some romantic story about Prince Brave.
– Now you’re just bullying.
– Sorry. I was trying to change tactics.
– Everything you’re saying is pretty weak, Leco muttered, and started to look a bit embarrassed too, averting his eyes. They went on in silence again.
– Don’t be afraid. We’re okay, Evangelica said after a while and almost smiled. Leco glanced at her.
– That was the best try until now, he said, and sighed quietly.
– I can see the swamp now, Evangelica said just as quietly. – We should whisper for now.
They walked as close as they dared, and Evangelica pointed at some tall pines for a place to observe the surroundings. The treetops where bushy enough for cover.
– Unless it’s too tough for you to climb, she teased.
– Hey, I am stronger than you at least, Leco said with a snort.
– You couldn’t climb one halfway up when you were ten-ish, Evangelica whispered.
Leco was taken aback.
– Oh, you remember.
– Of course I do, Evangelica said. She turned to walk. They both climbed a tree far apart enough to cover the whole swamp. Leco could see the forest side and Evangelica the lakeside.
Everything looked deserted. The place had been a swamp witch village a long time ago, and there was hardly anything left of their houses. The remains of wood close to the forest were almost unrecognizable. The sparse trees hid some of the lake, but some rotten wood close to the water was visible and could’ve been part of a boat once.
They sat in the trees for hours, the dark creeping over the forest slowly. Nothing had happened.
Leco had climbed down earlier than Evangelica, because he didn’t trust his ability to climb in the dark. Leco thought he heard when Evangelica began to descend from the tree, but he couldn’t see around by then. He didn’t hear when she reached the ground, and couldn’t make out her steps, while he waited. Occasional crackling sounds came from all directions in the forest anyway.
– Evangelica? Leco whispered as loudly as he dared. – Are you there?
– Yes, a sound came close by.
Leco’s stiffness and worry melted away a bit. He still couldn’t tell where the sound was coming from, though.
– Where?
After a while, Evangelica touched his arm.
– Here, she said quietly.
– You move like a ghost, Leco whispered, still sounding worried.
– I’ve had practise. Come, there are a few bushes with enough cover for us to sleep among, close by.
– You can still see around?
– Enough.
– I’m practically blind, Leco whined. Evangelica pulled him along, and Leco couldn’t even stop himself from stumbling on tree roots a few times.
– Try to look with the corners of your eyes, Evangelica said. Leco did as she said, and was able to make out the figure of the girl by his side.
– I kind of see you. How far are we going?
– Just a bit closer to the lake, Evangelica said. – Not much further now.
The bushes didn’t turn out to be a comfortable place to sleep in, but both fit well enough in the cover. The sun hadn’t warmed the forest much, so it was cool at night, although not too cold to sleep in.
Leco was looking for a bearable position.
– Don’t sleep on your back, Evangelica said. – To prevent snoring.
– Right, Leco whispered. He was starting to feel like an idiot by now, and clumsy as well. Evangelica was still making no sound. It didn’t help Leco to feel any less anxious.
– Couldn’t you at least breathe like you’re there? Leco whined quietly.
After a while, he heard her.
Leco was lying on the ground awake, when the darkness started to yield, and he could see the closest trees again. He hadn’t been able to sleep much. It was impossible to say whether Evangelica was sleeping or not. She looked like it, though.
Then Leco started to hear something. He focused on the new sound. At first, he thought it was coming from the opposite direction, but then he realized it was the sound of water. He listened to the lake. Someone must have been there, with a boat. The sound had to come from rowing. Leco listened quietly and began to stiffen, when the sound came closer and closer.
Evangelica had opened her eyes as well. When the boat seemed to be very close, they heard a splash, and then nothing. They waited, but nothing happened. Nobody seemed to walk on the shore, and they didn’t hear the sound of the boat being pulled from the water.
Leco sat up, but Evangelica grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back upon the ground.
– We can’t go look yet. Do you want to be seen?
– But something happened there. It might be our only chance, right? Leco whispered.
– If something relevant happened there, it’s going to happen again. Tomorrow night we’ll be waiting in the trees near the lake.
Leco muttered something, but stayed still. After a while, Evangelica seemed to be asleep again. Leco had trouble understanding how she could do it. He couldn’t even close his eyes anymore. Leco felt all too aware of every bird, flying from one tree to another. He even tried focusing on the sound of mosquitoes, but it only made him more restless in the end.
Leco sat up slowly. Evangelica didn’t react. She was probably sleeping, then, Leco thought. He felt like he would go crazy, if he was forced to lie there for a moment longer. The forest was still so dark that no one would likely see it if he just stretched his legs a little.
Leco tried hard not to step on anything that might wake Evangelica, when he made his way further from the bushes. Leco wanted to do something useful. Maybe he could find a place to watch the lake until morning. If something had happened on the lake, it might happen again tonight too.
A branch snapped under Leco’s foot. He froze for a moment, and wondered if Evangelica had heard. She clearly woke up easily. Then Leco continued to walk, because he imagined he was already almost at the shore. But it didn’t appear. His sense of direction must have been worse than he’d thought. Was he even going to the right direction?
Then his boots started to feel a little wet. Leco startled and tried to see better around him. Had he walked straight to the swamp? He must have. Leco was about to turn back, but his last step forward was a mistake. He didn’t even have time to yelp, as he slipped silently down, through something.
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