"I've had this dream before" I said gasping for air "I'm in a forest, doves are being released then I spot four people and a child in a bassinet. The queen is there with my mother the other two I don't recognize. They're arguing and then suddenly I'm transported to a white space. In my dream, I saw Amanda there but this time it was my sister Harlow"

"I was told Amanda Whitlock died" Sir Arkyn says "That is correct?"

"Yes" Alison responds, her voice breaking slightly.

"My condolences" Sir Arkyn says then turns to me "Is your sister well?"

"I haven't seen her in years" I respond.

"This might just be the time to start looking for her" he says "I don't mean to alarm you but if I'm correct then your sister is in the limbo" he looks at Alison "Along with yours. Not dead nor alive. Their souls linger between here and the other side"

He grabs the necklace from the water and hands it to me "This pearl came to you for a reason. Channel the power it's blessed with and find your sister"

"How?" I ask.

"Haven't you had magical training" he asks.

I shake my head.

"Find your own strengths within your soul and connect them with the pearl" he says "I have a feeling you excel at clairvoyance. I met your mother, she was no halfling. Pure witch blood flowed through her veins."

"Whatever it is that's brewing in Corter right now will spread to all parts of the otherworld if we don't come up with something to stop Leodor"

Sir Arkyn starts walking out of the cave and we follow after him.

"So what do we do?" Finn asks. We all turn to him.

"I think you should find your mother" Sir Arkyn looks at me "She was in on the kidnapping of the changeling"

"You know about that?" Alison asks.

"I was still part of the union back then" Sir Arkyn responds "I quit right after but yes, all of us knew"

"What do you mean she was 'in on it'?" I ask.

Sir Arkyn's horse is walking towards us from the stables.

"You'll have to find her and ask her that" he responds "Meet me at the inn in three days. I have a friend who lives in solace. Me and him used to be in the union together and he was close to Leodor before he was banished. I'll see if he can help us with anything."

"But I don't know where my mother is" I say quickly as he jumps on his horse.

"You have magic, don't you?" he asks and I give him a small nod "Then use it" is all he says as he rides off.

"If a lifetime wasn't enough to find her" I say "How will three days be?"

"There's no time to waste" Alison says "Come on" she says and starts walking back inside the cave.

"Are you sure it's a good idea to use the pearl?" I ask.

"Like Sir Arkyn said" she says "It found you for a reason."

✧ ˚ · ☾

"Ali it's not working" Lyle says after about five hours of me dunking my head underwater and trying to see something.

"Are you sure you're not seeing anything?" Alison asks me.

"Nothing" I respond

"Well, how'd you do it the last time?" Tori asks.

"I don't know" I say "I just did it"

"That's helpful" Lyle says.

"Try to channel the pearl" Alison says.

"We've been doing this for five hours" I say "What do you think I've been doing"

"We could try a locator spell" Finn says.

"No way" I respond "It'll never work. My father has been looking for them for ten years and he had found nothing." I take the necklace into my hands "This is quite literally our only option"

As I hold the necklace in my hand and close my eyes, I start seeing flashing images behind my eyelids.

It's a place by the ocean. I spot a few shipwrecks. There are huge rocks and mountains so large that there's snow on top of them. There's a small village with only women living in it.

I open my eyes. Alison is looking at me.

"What did you see" she asks me.

"It's a village" I respond "By the ocean. With tall mountains around it and there are shipwrecks."

"Sirens" Lyle says.

"Sirens?" I ask "How do you know?"

"My father loved sailing all his life" he says "One day he and his best friend were sailing in Averill and they never came home. I found out years later what really happened"

"I'm sorry" I say.

"I know where that village is" I tracked them down years ago"

"How do you know it's not another siren village that Letty saw" Finn asks.

"I'm sure this is the one where my father went missing" Lyle responds "Trust me, I know what I'm talking about"

"Well" Alison stands up "There's no time to waste then"

✧ ˚ · ☾

We grab five horses from the stables and we hope no one notices that they're gone. We ride as fast as we can, trying to get the most out of the little daylight that's left. The past few days have been darker than usual. This could be a sign of a fast-approaching winter or that the dark days are at hand.

After about seven hours of silence, Tori is the first one to speak. "Maybe we should stop soon" Tori says "Give the horses some rest too"

"We have to keep going" Alison says "At least until midnight. If we are to find Letty's mother, talk to her, and make it back in time to meet Sir Arkyn then we need to minimize the time we're resting"

"Look" I say.

As we're riding through the dried-up fields of Corter a few mountains in Solace are still somewhat visible. I can hardly see that far but the mountain is in flames and what I presume to be at least fifty thousand caeth are all working on demolishing this one mountain.

"What are they doing?" Finn asks.

"They're opening the ground" I respond.

"For Leodor" Alison continues "Let's go. We must hurry or there won't be an inn to return to"

We end up riding all night and by first light, we reach Frialdo which is a city in Averill that lies directly before the border with Corter.

"We should find someplace where we can sleep for a while" Alison says.

"In Frialdo?" Tori asks.

"I think it's best we stay outside the city" Alison responds "Don't want anyone asking any questions"

And so we find a nice protected area a few hundred feet from the city walls. We tie our horses to a tree and let them rest as well.

"We shouldn't stay too long" I say "Three hours max. We need to make it to the village by late afternoon."

"The bells will go off at ten AM" Finn says "That's when military training starts for the day so all of Averill is notified"

"Perfect" Alison responds "Good night until then"

Just as expected the bells ring at ten sharp. We get up from our makeshift beds that were mostly made up of dry leaves, our cloaks, and grass.

"Do we have any food?" Tori asks.

Alison reaches into her bag and pulls out some suspicious-looking thing and tosses it towards Tori "Here"

Tori pauses and examines it.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Oh come on" Alison says as she starts getting our horses "It's just caramelized berries"

"Why are they so flat?" Tori asks.

"They do look a little questionable" I say half laughing as I go up to my horse and untie him from the tree.

"Let's just go" Alison says trying to look mad. The rest of us just share a look as we get on our horses and ride off.

We ride for a few hours and it's after mid-day now. We are about two hours away from the village and there are lots of tarns because most of the mountains melted down during the summer so we stop for a quick water break. We let the horses into the water so they can drink and cool down a little.

I go up to the water and sit down on a rock overlooking the small lake.

"You doing okay?"

I turn around to see Lyle walking up to me.

"Yeah" I respond "Why?"

"No particular reason" he says "Just making sure"

I turn back around to look at the lake "Are you?" I ask

"What makes you think I'm not?" he asks.

"I don't know" I respond, matching his energy.

He chuckles "I was just asking because I can imagine how strange it must be to know that you're gonna see your mother for the first time in what? Ten years?"

"Twelve" I respond "It is kinda strange now that you mention it" I say "But a family reunion is the last thing on my mind. Is it weird for you? Because of your dad?"

He sits down beside me "I'd lie if I said it wasn't" he says

"I'm sorry" I say "It's tough losing a parent like that. I know my mother is alive but sometimes it feels like she and my sister both died the day we left Elsher all those years ago"

"Sorry for being a jerk that night at the estate" he says.

"I've met worse people" I respond giving him a small smile.

"Lydia" he says chuckling.

I laugh, and then I look back at the lake "Are you scared?" I ask in a serious tone.

"What do you mean?" he responds with a question.

"I know our leaders tried to hide it but the dark days have been upon us for some time" I turn my head to look at him "We'll find my mother and then what? There are so many of them Lyle, we don't stand a chance against the caeth, especially if they manage to 'resurrect' Leodor"

He looks at me with concern in his eyes.

"Letty, Lyle" Alison shouts from a distance "Let's go"

We get back on our horses and continue riding deeper into the Averillian mountains. The roads are foggy and we can barely see anything.

"Are you sure this is the way?" Finn asks.

"According to the map, we should be able to see the ocean soon. We're about an hour from the village" Alison responds.

I see something in the corner of my eye and apparently, my horse does too because he gets scared and jolts in fear.

"Woah" I say holding the reins more firmly.

"Maybe we should get out of here, I'm getting a little spooked" Tori says.

We hear a whooshing sound and our horses grow more and more scared.

"Go" Alison says "Hurry"

We all start galloping in one direction, hoping that the ocean is close by and that whatever is in here won't kill us.

We eventually start hearing waves and the fog clears almost completely. Then we spot the water.

"We're almost there" Alison says "Look" she points to a village that's about five minutes from where we are "Is that the village you saw?" she asks me.

"It is" I respond "Let's go, there's no time to waste"

We ride into the village. It's pretty small and isn't protected by any kind of walls or anything but it looks nice.

"Should we ask someone if they know where to find her?" Finn asks.

I spot a friendly-looking lady. I get off my horse and I ask her "Excuse me, do you have a minute?"

"Can I help you?" she asks eyeing the five of us.

"I'm looking for Ingred" even saying her name feels weird "Do you know her?"

"Ingred?" she asks "What is this about?"

"I'm her daughter" I say. I'm ready to tell her some sob story about how I've been looking for her for years if it means she'll take me to her.

"Amanda" she says, almost in awe.

I give her a weird look and turn my head to look at Alison.

"Letitia" I say correcting her.

"Well" she says hesitating and taking a long look at us again "Follow me then"

We first take our horses to the stables so they can have some food and rest. The houses are almost entirely made of stone except for the doors and windows. The lady leads us to what I presume to be my mother's house.

"This is it" she says.

I take one more deep breath and I knock on the wooden door. My mother opens the door.

"What can I do for you?" she says with a small smile on her face.

She seriously doesn't recognize me? I was five the last time she saw me but come on. I open my mouth to say something but suddenly all the air is sucked out of my lungs. She gives me a weird look.

"These youngsters asked specifically to see you, Ingred" the lady says, not revealing my identity.

"Is that so?" my mother asks.

"Yes miss" Alison says but clearly doesn't know how to finish that sentence so she pauses for a second "uh, my friend is interested in your work and she was wondering if she could ask you a few questions" she says looking at me.

"Oh, my work?" my mother asks me.

"Yes" I clear my throat "Do you have a few minutes?" I ask.

"Sure, come on in" she says.

"We'll just stay out here" Alison says.

"Just such a beautiful day you know" Tori adds while Alison gives her a look.

"Okay then" my mother says "This way" she motions for me to step inside.

We walk to the small living area and I take a seat. The house is pretty rustic with a lot of plants and small details. It's nothing over the top but it's cozy.

"Would you like some tea?" she asks.

"Sure, that would be nice" I say.

"I never got your name" she says as she walks into the kitchen, waiting for me to answer.

Even though I wish more than ever to just stand up from my seat and run out of the house I gather all the courage I have within me and decide to tell her "Letitia"

She puts the kettle down on the kitchen table and turns around. Without any serious effort or trouble, she sends me flying across the room and pins me into a corner with her powers.

"Who are you?" she says firmly.

"I told you" I try to speak but I feel like my throat is closing up "I'm your daughter, Letitia"

"What's going on?" Finn and the rest of the group open up the door.

"What do you want from me?" she asks, still not letting me go.

I realize that if I don't get myself out of this corner somehow then I'll choke within seconds. I try to channel the energy of the pearl and focus on nothing but saving myself. Two seconds later the roles are reversed and my mother falls back as I break free.

"We're not here to hurt you" I take a deep breath to try and regain all the oxygen I just lost.

"We just want to ask you a few questions" Alison says "About your time in the union of the arcane"

My mother gets up from the ground "It emerged hasn't it?" she looks at us "The last pearl of Magdalene"

We look at each other.

"Can we trust you?" I step closer to my mother "Please, we really need your help"

"Close the door" she instructs "And follow me"

Finn closes the door and we follow my mother. She leads us down to the basement which is far bigger than the entire living space itself.

"What is this place?" Alison asks looking around in awe.

The basement is filled with weapons, piles of paper that reach up to the ceiling, herbs, huge bookshelves, and what I presume to be magical artifacts from different parts of the otherworld.

"This is my life's work honey" my mother responds looking around "So, how can I help you exactly?"

"I have the pearl" I say "It found me"

"I see" she responds "Don't tell me Arkyn sent you here"

We look at each other.

"Of course he did" she says with a sigh and leans against a table "He's been trying to get in contact with me for years" she looks at me "Did you use the pearl?"

I nod.

"And I thought your sister was the powerful one" she says in an impressed voice.

"Harlow?" I ask "Do you know where she is? Dad always said she was with you"

"Harlow is here" she says "But that's not the sister I'm talking about"

I give her a confused look. Could my father have another daughter? "What do you mean?" I ask.

"Follow me" she says.

She leads us through a door to another room. There are two large stone blocks next to each other. To my surprise, with a small movement of her hand, she opens the blocks up like coffins.

"Are they dead?" I ask, my breath getting caught in my throat. My dad is in one of the coffins and Harlow is in another one. I hadn't seen her in twelve years but I could never not recognize her.

"No" she responds while looking at them "You could say they're asleep"

"You could say?" I ask in a slightly harsh tone.

"I'm cloaking their energies" she responds "So no one can find them"

"What did you mean when you said that Harlow wasn't the sister you were talking about?" Alison asks as she steps closer to my mother.

"Alison Whitlock, right?" my mother asks.

Alison nods.

My mother takes a deep breath "You sister was my daughter" she says.

Alison, who always knows what to say suddenly looks like she's at a loss for words "So does that mean that I'm-"

My mother cuts her off "Oh no" she responds letting an awkward smile creep onto her lips "No, you're not my daughter" she says.

"What do you know about a changeling?" I ask in an aggravated tone "You do the math"

"Maybe we should sit down" she closes the coffins and walks us back to the main room to a table.

Everyone takes a seat except for me.

"So" my mother says "Tori and Finn huh" she gives them a small smile "I haven't seen you since you were this litt-"

I cut her off "Don't" I say "We don't have a lot of time mother" I walk closer to her "Did you do it? Did you kidnap the changeling?"

"Why do you think I haven't said anything all those years?" she matches my tone "I'm trying to protect you Tisha!"

I haven't heard that nickname in years.

I let out a sarcastic laugh "That's funny. What better way to protect your daughter than to leave her rotting in Solace for twelve years"

My mother stands up "You may not see it right now but all I ever did was protect you" she says.

"So how come you took Harlow with you?" I ask "Was she prettier? Enlighten me, please because I just can't seem to understand why you couldn't take both of your daughters with you"

"It's not that simple" she says.

"Explain it then" I respond.

"Harlow isn't technically your sister" she finally spits it out.

"Excuse me?" I respond.

"You don't know anything, Tisha. Why do you think we left Elsher? I know you've been having visions"

I don't respond, I just look at her "How could I ever know anything if all you ever did was lie to me?" I ask her.

"This isn't just about you" she responds.

"No, it's not" I say "It's now about Alison too"

My mother looks like she's finally about to give in "Fine" she says "Sit down at least"

I quickly pull an empty chair out and take a seat at the table.

My mother takes a deep breath "Before I had met Letitia's father I was seeing a man" she looks at Alison "Your father. It went on for about four months and then he met his wife, Alison's mother who he got married to rather quickly. At this point, I already knew Gregory, Letita's father and we were thinking of marriage ourselves. I found out I was pregnant two weeks before our wedding and I told him. The kind man he is, he said that he didn't care and he'd love this child like it was his. Shortly after Amanda was born Alison's parents announced that they were expecting a child of their own. This would've been fine if Alison's father hadn't figured out that Amanda was his daughter."

"Wait" Tori says "I thought Alison didn't have any other sibling besides Amanda"

"She wasn't supposed to" my mother continues "When the queen found out she was furious. It turns out that siphons run in the Whitlock family"

"Siphons?" I ask.

"People born with no magical powers" Alison responds " It's one of the curses of Adelaide. They have to suck magic out of other things or beings"

"Who's Adelaide?" Finn asks.

"Adelaide's husband fathered a bastard child after they had married and had a child of their own" Alison responds "Adelaide cursed her own son and the bastard daughter and took away their magic. As the children grew they were slowly siphoning small amounts of magic and then one day Adelaide made them turn on each other. She was hoping that her son was stronger and he could siphon all the magic and life from her husband's bastard daughter but to her surprise, her son lost"

"So who was the daughter?" Tori asks.

"Magdalene" I respond.

"Siphons are always half siblings" my mother says "When the queen found out that Alison's mother was pregnant she was furious and forbade her from having the child. Alison's mother didn't listen to her and she had a daughter, Harlow. At this point, the only thing they could do was send one of the sisters as far from each other as possible"

"So they created a changeling" Lyle says.

"Exactly" my mother says "The only thing wrong with this plan was that neither me nor Alison's mother wanted to send our daughters away. Eventually, it was decided that the bastard child a.k.a Amanda should be the one who gets sent to Averill. Elsher promised them a future leader who would grow up to be powerful in battle because of her siphoning capabilities."

"But why didn't Harlow stay with her actual parents?" I ask.