“Desolation.” Verdant whispered lightly, yet her words were baked with power. A raw, primal heat embodied her words while her hand planted firmly on the wall before her.

  In an instant a conflagration started. Azure flames licked and scorched the stone walls, eating away at the masonry in an instant—Verdant didn’t waste time, she quickly picked Tassia back up and set through the molten opening she made.

  “GO!” Verdant shouted when she saw her guards weren’t following. Their gazes remained locked on the opening, but finally they followed behind her.

  “The docks are on the western coast of the city, keep going, if we get split up meet there!” Verdant gave up on subtlety as she heard the fighting come to a close behind them. They were on a timer now, they had to move and fast.

  “Understood.” Both guards chimed before the group fell silent and continued their sprint under the faltering illusions of Tassia’s magic.

  —

  A knock roused me from my dreamless rest, a groan raising from my lips as I rolled over.

  “It’s too early…” I whined, weakly.

  “I know, Miss Kirin, but we need to get you ready for today,” Panna said with a worried tone. “I’ve let you sleep in as much as I could—But the carriage will be here in the hour.” She added hurriedly.

  “Alright… Alright…” I grumbled, shifting around in bed as I sat up. “You can come in.” I said, my tone defeated.

  Panna wasted no time after I spoke. She hurriedly stepped inside, my dress draped over her arms before she set it on the night stand.

  “Do you need help getting dressed, Kirin?” She asked quickly, her gaze more attentive than usual.

  “No—I’ll be fine with this. Though, I’ll need help with my hair… I still have no eye for that.” I answered with a yawn.

  “Very well. While you get dressed I’ll get something for you to eat,” She looked concerned for a moment before nodding. “Will you be wearing your blindfold today?” She asked with a raised brow.

  “Probably…” I sighed, feeling slightly disgruntled by that fact. “I can’t control those feelings… And in a room with too many people? I don’t want to get overwhelmed.” I couldn’t help but think back to the harvest festival as I spoke. The feeling of hundreds of eyes digging into my skin, all of them judging me—If there was any real chance for me to avoid that happening again, I wanted to take it.

  Panna simply nodded at my words and quietly excused herself from the room.

  With a groan I pushed myself out of bed, disturbing the still resting Akemi quite a bit as I got out.

  “Rude.” The soft voice of the Kitsune whispered in the back of my mind.

  “Well, you’re coming with today too, so you better get up.” I deadpanned at her, from which I received a slightly offended look from the little fox.

  “What? You think I’m going to just leave you to laze around while I’m sent off to another country?” I asked with a slight smile. Akemi just let out a low whine, settling herself deeper into the covers with dismay.

  Finally I stood up, making my way to where Panna had set the dress down. It was quite familiar after all, the deep red cloths and elegant black leathers still easily appreciated—Even if I dreaded the idea of having to wear it again.

  Though, as I inspected the dress while shedding my own garments, I noted a new branding on both shoulders. Both shoulders bore my insignia, twin stormclouds surrounded by four bolts of lightning.

  It didn’t take particularly long to get myself into the dress. Between the multiple pieces it lay in and the general lack of extravagance that I would have expected from most such things, the process was actually quite painless. By the time Panna was back I was already dressed and sitting in a chair before the grand mirror in the room.

  “I was told that you should eat light… Something about nerves?” Panna asked uncertainly as she put a plate of fruits down on the table before me. “So… This is all I brought… I hope it's fine!” Panna spoke quickly, her nerves clearly already getting the better of her.

  “That’s fine… and probably smart,” I answered, albeit slightly begrudgingly. “I’d like more food… but being nervous, with too full of a stomach would be awful.” I answered as I reached slowly for one of the fruits.

  “Good! Then, I’ll try and get your hair set up right…” Panna said quickly.

  Looking at her in the mirror, I couldn’t help but notice how anxious she looked, let alone the spiraling colors around her frame that screamed far more obvious signs. She was sweating bullets while her hands shakily reached around for the brushes she had laid about. I kept staring until she met my eyes in the mirror, her sapphire gaze locking into my red eyes.

  “I-Is something wrong?” Panna asked nervously.

  “No—Nothing, just… Why are you the nervous one?” I wondered with a slight smile. “I’m the one who has to go stand in front of the King of all people soon.” I said with a shuttering breath.

  “W-Well…” Panna trailed off, her eyes quickly averting away. “I’m just nervous that I’ll mess something up! I barely know how to do any of this still!” She exclaimed after a few moments of hesitation.

  “Well,” I began, turning my head to look at Panna directly now. “You’re as clueless as me, if I’m being honest.” I said with a self-deprecating smile. When Panna looked at me, her gaze clearly confused, I shrugged and explained;

  “Remember, I was a prisoner for as long as I could remember before this. I just learnt a few days ago that I’m apparently the sole heir to one of the strongest families in the country. And I still don’t even know what my father did that I was imprisoned over it,” I explained calmly. “I'm only ‘calm’ because so much has happened in literally a single year that I’m running out of ‘surprise’ to feel.” Once I finished I let out a heavy sigh, resting my head slowly back on the chair.

  “So… you’re just as worried as me?” Panna asked hesitantly.

  “Honestly? I’d say I’m feeling doubly so,” I said with a smile. “But, that extra half is just what I’m feeling from you.” I added with a light chuckle.

  “H-Hey!” Panna exclaimed defensively. Though, my slightly chuckling, which quickly turned into full-on giggling was apparently contagious, as after only a handful of moments Panna was joining with me.

  When our collective giggling fits ended the colors swirling around Panna had visibly calmed. Anxious blues still easily dominated the rest, but slight tinges of joy and curiosity were also starting to leak into that cloud.

  As Panna set to work, starting with just brushing my mess of hair straight again, she looked into the mirror and met my gaze once more.

  “So… You can actually just tell what I’m feeling?” She asked curiously.

  “Sort of?...” I answered uncertainly. But, when Panna’s gaze asked for more, I sighed and did my best to explain. “It’s like a cloud is surrounding you—I’m already used to something similar from Mages, we all have a sort of visible aura when you focus. But… This one isn’t only when I focus, it's just a cloud of colors like a haze. But when I look at one of those colors I can feel something?” I let out a heavy sigh, unsatisfied with my own explanation.

  “I'm trying to figure out an entirely new sense that I don’t understand.” After I fell silent Panna just nodded.

  “It sounds… Scary.” Panna said when the silence felt like it would drag on.

  “It is…” I agreed. “But I have to live with it now.” I added.

  The silence remained between us after that, the entire room growing heavy with it as Panna set to work. I, meanwhile, set to the far more important work of eating what little food I was able to have. But, even if light, the fruits were a more than welcome treat thanks to how fresh they still were.

  “Alright, I think that’s all the tangles out now.” Panna said as she stepped back, admiring her own work for a few moments.

  My hair was in almost the exact same pattern Tulip had cut it to, with two longer strands framing my face and the rest hanging over my back. The tapering edges working all the way down to my shoulders at their longest point.

  “Thank you, Panna,” I said with a smile. “Between your brushing and Tulip’s cutting… I don’t think my hair has ever been better.” I added happily.

  Panna for her part had a slight blush on her face, but the warm yellow color around her told me all I needed to know—She was happy, one way or another.

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  “Oh—Well I… I really didn’t do much…” Panna quickly tried to demean her own work, her gaze turning away anxiously.

  “You did plenty,” I corrected her as I stood up. “I’m glad that Carmine had the foresight for… everything.” I couldn’t help but smile as I faced her. But, soon enough a loud knock came from deeper in the home.

  “Oh! The Carriage!" Panna exclaimed, her voice clearly worried.

  “I’ll be down in a minute. You just get the things I need packed, alright?” I nodded reassuringly at her.

  “Alright! Good Luck!” Panna nodded rapidly, hurrying off elsewhere into the home to get… something.

  “Energy…” Akemi muttered.

  “She is energetic,” I agreed with a thought. “Now, come on, time to go.”

  —

  Verdant’s footsteps echoed through the city, the sounds of the Flamewatch chasing them growing ever closer.

  “Shit…” She cursed silently. They weren’t going to make it to the docks at this rate. Everything was going wrong now—And they were so close.

  “Keep going, I’ll buy time.” Before she could even react, one of her guards again turned away.

  She wanted to scream. She desperately wanted to go and scream for them to stay. But she couldn’t, she knew they would catch her.

  “Please, please don’t let there be any more…” Verdant begged silently, her grip on Tassia growing firmer with each step. Every heavy breath that escaped her lips, every roaring beat of her heart, they were all desperate echoes, demanding that she take just one more step. She had to make it.

  “Your Highness,” The last guard with her began, her voice calm, yet struggling with her breathing in the sprint.

  “You're not sacrificing yourself.” Verdant snapped as she ran. She heard the guards jaw snap shut, an audible click chiming under her armor.

  “I won't sacrifice myself,” The guard began after a few moments, her voice absolutely certain in her resolve. “I trust you to the utmost. I wear your mark with pride, it is the sign of my trust. Now go, I know you will save me.” Verdant clenched her jaw while the guard spoke, even as tears tried to flee from her eyes.

  “Half an hour. You will survive that long, am I clear?” Verdant's voice was firm, albeit the plea clear in her tone.

  “Understood, your Highness. I'll make sure to live up to your expectations,” Her guard then turned, halting her momentum with a single step while drawing her sword. “You will not take another step in her direction!" She declared, yet, Verdant couldn't look back to see if her challenge was met.

  “Come on Tassia… Just a little further,” Verdant’s voice was pleading. Tassia only managed a fearful whimper in response. “Just a little further…” Verdant whispered, trying desperately to reassure herself.

  —

  Arcadia was quiet this time of day. With the sun not even beginning to crest the horizon, the city remained asleep and peaceful. It was a fact I found greatly reassuring as I tentatively stepped out the front door, my eyes still bare and open to the world.

  Before me in the street was the expected sight of a large carriage. much to my own amusement, it wasn't too dissimilar to the same one I originally rode in from the mines to here.

  “A deliberate choice, most likely.” I thought derisively as I approached it.

  The exterior of the carriage was made of gilded wood, the dark oaken frame outlined with bright silvers and golds that reflected even the dim moonlight.

  The driver of the carriage sat hidden behind a heavy frame, deeply shaded glass covering their visage even further.

  Before the carriage was a pair of massive horses, each one standing at nearly double my own height with their heads raised. Though, I was surprised to see gentle pink colors of care surrounding them as their gazes met mine.

  I smiled lightly at them, receiving a flash of green satisfaction from the horses. However, with a sigh I had to resist the urge to pet them, instead turning to make my way to the back of the carriage.

  Entering through the door I was greeted with a rather plain interior when compared to the exterior. The walls were completely bare, bar two windows of shaded glass so dark that I couldn't see out of them thanks to the time of day.

  Two couches lined both walls of the interior, plush, yet clearly stiff from just a glance. For someone like me, it was far too luxurious, yet I couldn't help but feel like it was meant to be a jab against me.

  My musings were soon cut to an end however, with a sharp knocking banging against the front wall of the carriage. With the warning received I quickly sat down, as I did so Akemi hopped from my shoulder and curled herself on the seat beside me.

  In a lurching motion the carriage began moving forwards, my gaze slowly trailing over to the faint shadows visible through the window as it did.

  “Worried?” Akemi's soft voice asked.

  “How can I not be?” I responded in kind, my head lolling to the side to rest against the wall.

  “Be fine. Kin. Safe.” Akemi's broken words came through, though, one of her paws gently reached over to rest on my leg.

  “Mhm… I'm glad I have you with me for this.” My hand reached over, gently scratching the Kitsune's ears. Glancing out the window, off in the distance I could see the first golden rays of sunlight cresting the horizon.

  —

  The first vestiges of sunrise graced her back as she ran. The wind grew wilder the closer she got to the docks, frigid and wet like it was made of the oceans ice as it ruthlessly beat against her frame.

  Even with the flames deep in her heart, those flames emanating from her origin, the cold was brutal. Tassia held herself desperately against Verdant's back as they ran, clinging to whatever heat she could feel.

  Every breath Verdant inhaled hurt, ice coated her lungs, threatening to drown her with every choking breath she took.

  “Just… Just a little further.” She had to keep telling herself. Every step, every breath, it was just a little further.

  Moonlight reflected on ice in the distance. The deep packed snow that covered the streets growing thicker with each step, she knew the ocean was in sight.

  “Halt!”

  Verdant's blood ran cold. The shout was just behind her, maybe a dozen paces away. The Flamewatch had caught up to them.

  Verdant of course didn't comply. Doing so would be tantamount to suicide now, her father would never let her go, not after this.

  “I am sorry, my people…” Verdant thought balefully. The mark covering her back began to glow, her eyes setting alight with an eternal, azure flame.

  “You will chain these people in winter no longer,” Verdant hissed, her body exuding steam as snow and frost alike melted in an instant. “These eternal flames are a gift, not a tool for control!”

  As Verdant shouted the blue flames erupted from her body, barely avoiding singing her or Tassia. The entire street was set alight, even the snow catching fire and burning away into nothing. She could only hope her people would take these flames and warm their homes until she returned.

  Even despite that, the clattering of armor still followed her. Dread crawled up her body, the world felt so… so cold now.

  “Verdant…” Tassia's fearful voice whispered in her ear.

  “Don't worry Tass, we'll make it.” Verdant assured her friend.

  “I know… I trust you.” Tassia said, her voice firm.

  Verdant clenched her jaw at that, even more so as the weight on her back shifted. In an instant Verdant's body became nearly invisible, while two doubles took her place, running beside her.

  “I can’t… keep it up long…” Tassia said weakly, her weight slumping over Verdant once more.

  “It's enough, Tass, it's enough.” Verdant said weakly. She was pushing herself as hard as she possibly could, her legs were on fire while her lungs felt ready to freeze solid.

  But, Tassia's illusions worked. The Flamewatch peeled off, chasing one as it ran down the alleyway while the other ran in another direction entirely.

  “Thank the gods intellect isn't a part of father's test for them…” Verdant thought darkly.

  As she pressed onward, the sun rising behind her back, she could see her safety in the distance.

  A grand vessel, its flanks covered with great paddle wheels and its deck blessed with folded sails. Her goal was in sight, within reach, all she had to do was make the last distance.

  With the sun at her back, she did just that.

  She ran with all her might down to the dockyard, just in time for Tassia's illusion to finally give way.

  “Start the ship!” Verdant shouted at the waiting crew. To their credit, they listened. She heard the steam whistling as mana was pushed through the ship's veins, engines soon roaring to life as she ran towards the boardwalk.

  “Where are the rest?” One of the crew asked as Verdant made it up the deck.

  “They're not making it. Now get moving and be ready to put out a fire!” The man blinked at Verdant's words in surprise, but he at least listened after a moment's hesitation.

  Verdant quickly set to work, laying the now unconscious Tassia down beside the main mast of the ship. Taking her own place she kneeled down to the deck, flames coating her hands as she began to draw a sigil of scorched wood.

  “The other two are too far…” Verdant though grimly. “She's still close enough… Just barely.” She couldn't help but smile.

  The mark on Verdant's back slowly began to glow brighter, just as the sigil was starting to set itself alight. In a moment the sigil flashed, bright and brilliant, before dissipating slowly. Within the scorched remnants sat her guard, on her knees and laughing hardily.

  “I knew you'd make it, your Highness.” The guard choked out between laughs.

  “Never do something like that again, am I understood?" Verdant's voice was hard, but the tears in her eyes spoke for more than words could. When the knight nodded Verdant tackled her into a hug, uncaring about the dancing flames, or frigid waters being sprayed over them.

  “Thank you… Thank you, Lorella.” Verdant spoke between sobs. Her knight, Lorella, could only offer a single arm for a reassuring hug.

  “I only did my duty, your Highness.” Lorella said awkwardly.

  “Ahem,” a sharp cough caught both of their attention.

  Looking up, Verdant could see a stocky man—A dwarf, his short, yet boulder-like build unmistakable.

  “While this is sweet. Get yer asses under deck. The seas are brutal this time of year, and I'm not losing my valuable cargo to a rogue wave.” The captain barked. For a moment, Verdant almost felt offended by his blatant disregard for her station.

  But, that moment soon passed as she turned her gaze towards the city they were quickly leaving behind. Its streets bathed in Azure flames, while cast in the shadow of a mountain which pierced the skies. It wasn’t her station, it wouldn't be her station again. Not until she could reclaim it in full.

  “Very well… And, thank you, Captain.” Verdant said lightly as she stood.

  “Save your thanks for when we dock,” The captain snapped. “Now get off my damn deck!” He barked.

  “Lorella?” Verdant asked softly, making sure only the woman could hear her voice.

  “I'll carry her, don't worry.” Lorella affirmed as she stood. Even if she walked with a newfound limp, she effortlessly made her way to Tassia and picked her up.

  With one, final glance over the edge of the ship, Verdant had to accept a single, simple fact. With a burning city in her wake, she knew the easiest part of her mission had come to a close.

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