After I left Konda to himself, I flew to meet with Bennett and Dorian’s candidates too. They all passed the tests I had given to them, as expected. Those guys are really something, to have such reliable disciples for themselves. It looks like the new generation has nothing to fear with people like them around. Yet I couldn’t forget the scene I had seen in my dream, not even for an hour. It’s always at the back of my mind, urging me to focus on the disaster that quietly approached us. “Just a little more, please. Let me enjoy these days with everyone,” I thought to myself.

I was well aware of the difficulties I would face if I entered human society, but I couldn't stand by and watch as they rose and fell, loved and killed each other. They might live only for a few decades, yet they live a brighter life than many elves. Like a single torch burning up for such a short moment, before its fire disappears forever, leaving only smoke behind. I wanted to experience this brightness, see how far it will lead them. We elves might live for millennia, but we are pragmatic by nature. Creativity is something most of us don’t consider important. After all, what good is an artwork which will erode in a few hundred years and only take up space? What is the point of knowledge if the animals, flowers, or trees you are researching for centuries won’t stick around for more than 1500–2000 years? This is a sentiment that is quite common among elves, and one I never want to be part of. Youthful indiscretion? Let it be. I could experience so many things since I decided to help this kingdom, which faced inevitable destruction, that I don’t mind what other elves think of my actions. And I’m sure the others, let them be sages or commoners, think the same.

So please, just a little more…

With these thoughts I arrived at the castle. Based on my estimation Ashton and his guards might have arrived in a few hours, so I still had time to speak with Winston and Rufus.

I first went towards the throne room, but I could already see Winston arguing with a minister in one of the halls.

“I am telling you my prince, it’s impossible to achieve! Fifel is one thing, but you can’t expect people to plant seeds during Fimbul! Crops won’t grow during winter periods!”

“That is why I’m telling you to create this building! It will house the crops and shield them from the cold of winters! We already tested it with Ferdinand during last winters, and the flowers survived these months. It’s something which could help with the Kingdom’s and the whole Alliance’s crop yield. The Empire suffers from famine every decade because Fifelwinter lasts more in their northern regions, right? With this we won’t have to send them provisions, or we can have more to share!”

I could see the hopelessness on the minister’s face, so I thought it’s the perfect moment to hop in their conversation.

“What are you guys talking about?”

“Ah, Sage Aleyna, thank the gods you have returned. Please, tell the prince that his idea is impossible to achieve.”

“And I am telling you that we have already tested it successfully!” said Winston then turned to me. “Lady Aleyna, you must remember that project we had with Ferdinand. We built that glass house and stored flowers and seeds inside.”

“Oh yeah, you surprised even me! Who could have thought that they would be safe from the cold in there by using Heat Runes you bought during your trip to the Mountain Dwarves?”

“See, Gerard? They were a success,” said Winston with renewed motivation.

“Still,” I continued, “your idea of making its usage common might face some problems. You need to consider the glass prices, not to mention the runes. You will also need to make it work on a larger scale if you want to produce enough crops to prevent famines. And with a larger scale the amount of glass and rune used will also be greater. The concept might be working in such a miniscule scale, but it’s far from the phase where we can use it for more than a few plants. But don’t give up! If you continue working on it, then your plans will come to fruition, I’m sure of it.” I added the last part as I saw Winston’s bright face turn disappointed.

“Thank you, Sage Aleyna” bowed the minister. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have duties to attend.”

With that, the minister hurried away, leaving only the two of us in the wide hallway. Winston moved in the direction of the garden and sat down on a bench. In the distance we could see the glasshouse he and Ferdinand, the head gardener had built.

“Are you saying my idea is impossible to achieve?” asked Winston with a wandering gaze.

“Oh, certainly not, it’s quite achievable. But you need to consider the resources and cost more. For now, only royalty and high nobles can afford it. With considerate planning it might be something even commoners will use. You have a good sense for innovation, Winston. Don’t let anyone make you think otherwise.” I told him with a smile, although I felt this innovation might be a bit grand to be finished in his lifetime for commoner use, just like many other artifacts and rune based equipments are. But I will make sure his idea becomes reality. “Although you still need me, to help you out here and there. I am surprised Monique isn’t helping you out on this front more.”

He laughed. “My wife is busy enough with the kids. If I were to nag her with my ideas and plans too, I’m sure she would yell at me.”

“Well, you reap what you sow for not choosing me. I will gladly welcome you if she were to kick you out, you know?” I said with a wink while sticking my tongue out playfully.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

“Please don’t jest with me, Lady Aleyna. You are like a second mother to me.”

“Stop with that ‘lady’ stuff! I told you, Leyna is enough when nobody is around. Leave the courtesies for the council meetings.”

“I am not a kid anymore. I can’t keep calling you that,” smiled Winston. Looked like I could cheer him up successfully.

“Oh? Last time I was a few centuries older than you. You are pretty much a baby to me.”

“Then what’s with the ‘choosing you’ thing you mentioned?” laughed Winston and I followed suit.

“Thank you, Leyna.” I leaned against him as he said those words and closed my eyes.

People like him are the reason I left my home behind. Humans, just like dwarves, are creative minds and always come up with ideas most elf would scoff at. But they also need guidance to turn these ideas into reality. My grandfather said it all started with the wheel back then, an invention we never had a use for. We could just walk or fly if we wanted to travel and use magic to move things around. My ancestors were certainly curious to an extent when it came to magic, otherwise using it wouldn’t be second nature for us. But even this curiosity of magic must have only lasted until we could have full control over ourselves and our environment. Yes, this self-control is something I can never get rid of. Even if I joined human society and live among them, I was never able to feel emotions as powerfully as them. With time, I learned how to mimic their expressions and what to say based on the situation we were in. There are only two things I can say I really felt during these centuries, and these are passion and grief. My passion for human knowledge was what drove me to leave my home behind after all. And even though death might be something I saw plenty of times, it’s always saddening to see humans as bright as torches flicker out in mere decades. Even the greatest of human mages or inventors can’t escape the grasp of death. It’s something I will never get used to.

These thoughts reminded me of the dream I saw, so I quickly came back to reality.

“Oh, if it isn’t Sage Aleyna and Prince Winston. How are you doing today?” The person asking us the question was none other than Ferdinand, the head gardener.

“It’s nice to see you, Ferdinand! A certain someone sends her regards and these cookies” I said as I took out a box of cookies from my bag.

“My-my, is this what I think it is?” He asked with a warm smile as he grabbed the box. “Her skills didn’t worsen a bit. Here, you should take some too.”

“I already ate my share during my visit and on my way back” I said. The cookies Lute makes aren’t anything special. But people who know her also know that even with the most barebones of ingredients, she can make something delightful. She doesn’t know, but some even started calling her “The Cook Mage” for some reason. I’m surprised no one accidentally called out to her like that. Her reaction would have been also something delightful.

“I on the other hand will accept your offer, Ferdinand. This sweet smell brings back memories for me too,” said Winston and bit into one of them. “Rather, I think it’s even better than what I remembered. Lutezia really outdid herself.”

“I am surprised you remember her name, your highness.”

“I don’t think there is a single soul in the court who would forget about her. She spoke her mind freely and even scolded us if we did something wrong.”

“And I assure you she aged like fine wine,” spoke someone behind us. It was none other than Ashton.

“I see you came back in safety, brother.” Winston stood up to greet him.

“Speaking of which,” I said, “how is King Rufus? Is he feeling better now?”

“What are you talking about Le- Lady Aleyna? Our father is as fit as a fiddle. He is currently out horse riding, preparing for some battue a lord will hold. I think he will return soon,” said Winston who had a look of confusion on his face.

I looked at Ashton as I furrowed my brows. “You tricked me.”

“I wouldn’t go as far as calling it a trick. It was the easiest method to make you come back to the capital as soon as possible. A little more than two weeks left until the Sage Council’s meeting, no? I wanted to make sure you will be here in time for that. I know very well how easily you forget about time, Lady Aleyna.”

I wished I could feel real anger after hearing his words. But deep down I knew that it didn’t really matter to me. Two weeks meant nothing for someone who had already lived through several centuries. And I had already experienced this part of human behaviour before. Some could even say that invention and deception are the two sides of the same coin.

I could see that Winston wanted to say something, but I was faster to react. I didn’t want these two to argue with each other after what they experienced.

“I see. Very well, I understand your reasoning and concerns. But I believe there is more to it than the meeting, isn’t there? Do you need my help with something?”

“As expected from Lady Aleyna, you are quick on the uptake. The truth is, a few hunters reported the sighting of an animal, which resembled a bear.”

“Resembled?”

“According to the witnesses, the animal was at least twice as big with a darker black or grey fur and red eyes.”

“That fits the description of a solar bear from Noznia. They have pitch black fur with a light circle white patch below their necks… Where did they see it?”

“In the deeper part of a nearby forest. Do not worry, the bear didn’t attack anyone until now. Seeing that you have experience with this species, I see that my decision to call for you was correct.”

“You could have as well publish a quest for the Adventurer’s Guild. The A rank parties should be able to deal with it.”

“Their attacks were ineffective against the bear, Lady Aleyna.”

Hearing this, I stood up. “Are you sure?”

“My intel is always on-point.”

I fell silent. An animal which resisted physical and magical attacks yet attacked nobody. Could it be… a rare species?

“Thank you for telling me, Ashton. The bear problem will be solved in a few days.”

It’s not uncommon for rare species beasts to have a calm tendency even when being attacked. But most of them also have a period of rage. I would say those adventurers might have been lucky to find it when it was calm. I will deal with it as soon as possible, before it has a chance to do something unwanted.

He bowed and left the garden. Winston sighed.

“He is as enigmatic as ever. And he even took a few cookies! When could he…?” Seeing Winston’s surprised face, I chuckled.

“Everyone has their own way of doing things” I said and took a cookie from Ferdinand in the end which I happily ate.