Though earlier in the day than usual, Rhys prepared a much larger dinner to accommodate Eidgar’s group. Beyond the window, the fire-lit trees still shine brightly beneath a fading, dusk-tinted sky. The house, lacking enough chairs for everyone, caused a short debate between Rhys and Eidgar about who should eat at the table. Rhys and his family eventually lose the discussion. Faraine and I eat at the table with them, while the Eidgar and the others sit on the floor, stairs, and other lounge furniture.

The food that Rhys prepared was a large flat mushroom, green vegetables, and fluffy bread. He cooked the mushroom like a piece of meat, searing both sides until they were well-done. The oil, juice, and handful of seasonings he cooked the mushrooms in, infused them with a rich, tangy flavor. The vegetables were individually wrapped and grilled in a thin strip of meat. He also mixed three different sauces to dip the savory, wrapped greens in. The bread had a dark-brown swirl design that started at its center, its slight sweetness complimented the savory vegetables well.

With our meal coming to an end, Rhys and Shelly begin to clean up the dishes. Rydel returns to the front to manage the store. Sana tries to help, but Rhys and Shelly appear to discipline her. While this is happening, Glendale, Eidgar’s personal guard, and Lloyd help Rhys and Shelly with cleaning up dinner.

“Aaaah,” I exhale, rubbing my stomach, “I needed that.”

“It was a pleasant meal,” Faraine comments.

“Pleasant,” I scoff, “That might’ve been one of the best meals I’ve had in a while.”

Faraine chuckles, “I won’t deny that it was uniquely delicious.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Eidgar and Vehra approach the table. As I turn to focus on them, Vehra activates her axiom on Eidgar, releasing a green glow from her hand that covers Eidgar’s throat.

“Before dinner, Kari mentioned something about you wanting to plan some scouting and a day to rescue… Was his name Revus?” Eidgar inquires.

Faraine manifests her blue and red wings and flies up toward Eidgar. As she approaches him, my eyes wander and eventually lock onto the green light coming from Vehra’s hand.

I sigh. How nice it would be to have that axiom. Then I wouldn’t need to learn any other languages. I tilt my head. Actually, why didn’t Revus have that axiom? It would’ve made it easier for both of us if he did. “Hmmm?” I survey the room, scanning all the enōōfen, then Faraine and Eidgar, before locking back onto the green glow. Wait… Can’t all of them speak Parazic? So couldn’t Vehra use her axiom on me so I could understand everyone, then no one would be excluded from the conversation. I glance over at Shelly and Rhys. I’d also be able to talk with them. I conjure my wings and fly toward the blue-haired fairy.

“So you want us to try and figure out the layout of the building the fairy hunters are staying at?” Eidgar questions.

“If possible,” Faraine answers, then turns to face me.

“Hey, I had a question.”

“What is it?”

I look down at Vehra’s glowing, green hand, and ask, “Couldn’t Vehra use her axiom on me so that I can understand Parazic?”

Faraine silently looks down, then her eyes shoot up as she tilts her head, “Huh… Yeah, I guess she could.” She focuses on me and asks, “But are you okay with that? She would have to be touching you.”

“Well…” Having an enōōfen, especially one I don’t know… A sharp pain runs down my back as I remember my wings being torn off. I take a deep breath, glance down at Vehra’s hand, then toward Shelly and the other enōōfen, “I think I’ll be okay.”

Faraine smiles, “In that case, follow me.”

We fly around Eidgar and stop next to Vehra’s ears. Faraine says something in Parazic, causing the white-haired elf to look at me, then nod her head and reply. Vehra pulls her hands away from Eidgar and holds them out in front of her.

Faraine turns to me and states, “Whenever you’re ready.”

I stare down at the open hands and land atop them. Suddenly, they start to glow green as I feel an energy envelop me.

“Can you understand me, Miss Evetta?” Eidgar says in unfamiliar words.

“I- I can understand him?” I murmur to myself. I glance at Vehra and she smiles. I face Eidgar, nod, and shout in Zoic, “I can.” I wonder if my words were also translated? I guess even if they were, he likely can’t hear me from here but at least I can understand them.

“That’s good,” Eidgar replies, then inquires, “Shall we resume our discussion?”

Faraine flies back over to Eidgar’s ear and answers him. I can’t hear Faraine though. I purse my lips, look at Vehra, and motion her to get closer. She leans forward, turns her ear toward me, and asks, “Do you need something?”

“Can you bring me closer to Faraine so I can hear her too?”

“Sure,” Vehra says.

“Thanks,” I quickly reply before she turns and raises me up to Eidgar’s ear.

Now alongside Faraine, I focus on the conversation.

“That’s possible,” Eidgar states, scratching his chin. He glances sideways at us and asks, “Miss Evetta, do you have any idea why the empire’s hunters haven’t left Galegarde yet?”

My eyes bounce from Eidgar to Faraine. Oh… I wasn’t expecting him to address me instantly. “Um… I’m not sure, maybe they’re trying to find us too?”

“I feel that that’s what makes the most sense,” Faraine notes as we look at each other, “We were previously captured so they already know about us, and since Revus rescued us, they know there’s at least three fairies in the area.”

“Hmm…” Eidgar hums, “You said Revus is unique amongst the fairies so maybe…”

“He very much is,” Faraine answers.

“And you two aren’t noticeably unique, right?” Eidgar inquires.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

I glance at myself, then scan the other fairy. Not really. I mean, we have different colored hair but that doesn’t mean much. Although Faraine’s wings look impressive so maybe she looks more unique in that way.

“We probably don’t look that unique to you or the hunters, so yeah,” Faraine simply confirms, “we are kind of simple based on appearances.”

“Then why not leave if they seemingly have the more unique fairy?” Eidgar questions aloud.

I instantly open my mouth, but stop. Wait, I don’t think he’s asking us to leave.

“What if they are staying because of the weather?” Vehra offers. Oh yeah…

“I guess that’s possible,” Faraine murmurs, “This winter is going to be the coldest of the year…”

Yeah… Not looking forward to that.

“But even then…” Faraine continues, “If I had a valuable prisoner, why would I choose not to return?”

“How about we just assume that they’re still looking for you two until proven otherwise?” Kari mentions as she approaches us.

Faraine looks at the cat-girl and sighs, “The proven otherwise is what I’m worried about. Not knowing why they’re still here limits how we should approach them.” She glances at me, “Then there’s how Revus got captured… the part that really worries me.”

“Why so?” Vehra questions.

“Revus is…” Faraine goes quiet, “Well, he’s not one to go along quietly.”

“So what are you worried about then?” Eidgar asks.

“From what I know of Revus, and…” Faraine looks at me, “…feel free to elaborate, Evetta, he would cause a commotion that everyone in town would have heard before getting captured.”

“Is that true Miss Evetta?” Eidgar asks.

“Um… Yeah, Revus and I have been together for months without being separated for more than a few hours,” I explain, “If he thought he was going to be captured, I don’t think he’d hesitate to attack some people to ensure his…” Or my. “…safety.”

“I see…” Eidgar murmurs.

“This is purely me speculating,” Faraine starts, “but I believe he viewed something as a threat to Evetta and engaged with that thing silently.”

“What makes you say that?” Kari inquires.

“As I previously said, he would have caused a commotion if he thought he was going to get captured. That being the case, I believe he found something. An animal, some kind of tool, maybe a weapon, or information. Whatever it was, he tried to get rid of it for Evetta’s sake, was ambushed, and captured without being able to put up any kind of resistance.”

Is that even possible? Sneaking up on Revus like that…

“So… Revus found something so potentially dangerous that he felt the need to deal with it immediately? Am I understanding that properly?” Eidgar asks.

“Yes,” Faraine confirms.

“What if he found the other captured fairy and tried to release them?” I offer.

“I doubt it,” Faraine rejects as she looks at me, “He’s only interested in helping you. It’s difficult imagining him putting himself into unnecessary danger.”

“But-”

“Evetta, please, be honest with me,” she lowers herself, “Do you think if you weren’t in that cabin in the forest, would he have helped me?”

I stare into her red eyes and open my mouth, but struggle to answer her. I close my eyes and turn away from her, “He-”

“It’s okay,” she consoles, putting her hand on my shoulder, “I’m not upset by it, that just shows how important you are to him.”

“But he wouldn’t just leave you if you were in trouble,” I anxiously argue, looking at her.

She smiles softly, “Maybe if it was just me in danger, but if you were also in danger, he would… and it wouldn’t be the first time.”

“What?” I furrow my brows, “But you guys-”

“My aunt, Novaraine,” Faraine interjects, “Ellalyn, Zoelle, and your siblings. He left all of them when you were in danger.. I’ve heard some of the circumstances about what happened, but the fact remains that he left because you weren’t safe.”

“You really think he’d abandon you if I was in danger?”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he forsook the entire world to keep you safe.”

I look down, biting my lip. He wouldn’t do that. He wouldn’t… Would he?

“Sorry to interrupt,” Kari calls, “but we seem to have gotten off topic.”

“My apologies,” Faraine states, standing up and facing Eidgar.

“I have no reason to doubt your reasoning Miss Faraine,” the blonde prince announces, “So, what would you like us to do to help?”

“Ideally, I’d like to know the specific location where Revus is potentially being held. Where it is, and its layout,” Faraine clarifies. “Additionally, I’d like to know roughly how many people there are and how many besāād they have?”

I look at Eidgar and watch as he silently scratches his chin. Kari comments, “The building, and his location within, shouldn’t be too hard…” She flicks her tail, “But the layout is a bit more difficult without having someone sneak in.”

“Counting the people and finding the besāād is also pretty difficult,” Vehra notes.

“Difficult, but not impossible,” Lloyd remarks from across the room.

“Is there anything else you’d like us to do?” Eidgar asks, “Or are you fine with just gathering intel?”

“Once we have more information,” Faraine explains, “we’ll decide on how to sneak in, find Revus, and get him out without being found.”

“That-” Eidgar starts to speak, but goes quiet.

“Evetta and I will handle getting Revus out by ourselves,” Faraine clarifies. “As for you and your group,” she says looking at the prince, “Well… I’d like to request that you all cause some kind of distraction to lure out as many people as possible.”

“Woah woah woah,” Vehra chimes, “Scouting and gathering intel is one thing, but if we do anything that reveals us then…”

“Then what?” I ask, looking around at everyone.

“There’s the risk of starting a war,” Eidgar states, “Miss Faraine, Miss Evetta. That’s not a risk I’m willing to take with just a promise, even if you are fairies. I’m sorry but I’m going to need something more concrete.”

I glance at Eidgar, then Vehra. Asking them to possibly go to war… I look at Faraine. …I don’t know if I can do that.

“Eidgar,” Faraine calls, “Do any of you or your comrades know what hair color means for us fairies?” What are you doing, Faraine?

“Do any of you know what a fairy’s hair color means?” Eidgar repeats Faraine’s question aloud for everyone to hear. I look at the others and they all shake their heads negatively.

“Our hair color is something we specifically inherit from our mothers, and rarely does its color vary,” Faraine explains, “Because of this, we use a queen as our symbolic leader.”

“That’s interesting,” Eidgar says, “I’ll remember that.”

“In my case,” Faraine continues, “I am associated with a water clan because my hair is blue.”

“Does that mean you can use the water axiom?” Eidgar inquires.

“I can, but being from a clan does not mean you use its associated element.”

“Okay, I’m following,” Eidgar states, “but I’m not sure where you’re going with this.”

“The same is true for all twelves elements. Each one aligns with its color as represented by twelve of the moons in the sky.”

“Yes, but what about the other two?” Vehra questions, “There’s fourteen.”

“The two remaining moons are the black moon Titen, with black corresponding to no color for fairies,” Faraine describes, “On the other hand, there’s the white moon Maiden, its corresponding color, white, is associated with all of the elements.”

“Alright, but I’m still not sure what you’re getting at?” Eidgar mutters, still puzzled.

“Evetta has white hair, which she inherited from her mother.”

“Wait Fariane-” I blurt.

“It’s okay,” she says holding a hand up to stop me, “You want to rescue Revus don’t you.”

I nod.

“Wait, Miss Faraine,” Eidgar realizes, turning his head toward us, “Are you saying that Miss Evetta is connected to fairy royalty?”

Faraine walks over to me, leans down, and whispers into my ear, “Summon your wings.”

“Okay,” I oblige, conjuring my wings immediately after Faraine.

“I apologize for not telling you earlier, but I couldn’t fully trust you,” Faraine says, turning to face Eidgar. She walks to my side and bows, holding her arms toward me, “Before you is Princess Evetta Āāthis, third daughter of the current fairy queen, Vestele Āāthis.”

My eyes shoot from Faraine to Eidgar, then back to Faraine. I hover toward her and whisper, “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“Princess Evetta…” Eidgar murmurs.

I glance at him as Faraine straightens herself. “Yes. Evetta isn’t just related to the royal family as shown by her hair, but is also the youngest child of the current queen,” she elaborates, “Like we said before, Revus is a unique fairy in his own right and because he is Evetta’s personal guard, she is one of a kind amongst the royalty.”

Eidgar takes a breath.

“I know this may be difficult to believe, but just as you struggle to trust our words, we can’t fully trust your words either,” Faraine states, “After all, you could be doing all this as an elaborate charade to fool us and lure us into a trap.”

The cat-girl shouts, “We wouldn’t-”

“Kari!” Eidgar erupts. As his booming voice bellows around us, Faraine and I cover our ears. “Sorry,” he continues calmly, “They’re right. It is difficult to trust each other with words, but if you are who you say you are, then I hope you keep your promise to help our country.”

A silence washes over the room. I look at Faraine and she motions for me to respond.

“Of course,” I quickly reply, “If you can help us, then I promise, I’ll do whatever I can to ensure that you receive our help in return.”

Eidgar licks his bottom lip and squints, “Alright then, Miss Faraine, how big of a distraction would you like?”

I glance at Faraine and see her smile, “One big enough to pull out as many of their people as possible.”

Eidgar takes a deep breath and sighs, “Very well. We’ll see what we can find and come back tomorrow. Does that work for you?”

“That’s fine,” she calmly answers.

“Alright, is there anything else you’d like us to do tonight?” Eidgar asks.

“Not betray us,” Faraine states, “Other than that, I’ll leave it up to your judgement.”

“I understand,” the prince replies, then claps his hands and announces, “Alright everyone, we’ve got a job to do, so let’s get to it.”