“I will make sure that never happens, Claire. Until my dying breath I will make sure no man touches you.” I say.” Not as your protector any more, but as your fiance.”

“You were serious about that? I had thought you said that to get mom furious and-” She tries to say, but I grab her hand.

“I meant every word. Why would I lie?” I ask.

“I just…. Had my doubts.” She says and turns her head.

“That’s alright, but I’m sure this is what your father had planned from the beginning.” I say and lift her chin up.” He wanted me to save you from that life and from those coming to get you.” I could hear her heartbeat and knew what I said was the right thing. It was what she wanted to hear from the beginning.

We both expected it to be interrupted, but the soft moment we shared and the kiss after went on without anyone’s interference.

After the wild night we had, Claire and I decided we should set out for the castle. As her protector I would usually have said no to her request to leave so no else would get hurt, but as her fiance I knew there was no stopping her. I decided to help her instead of even trying to get in her way. I should have expected an ambush as we tried to leave though.

“Where do you two love birds think you’re going?” Thu’ane asks while leaning against a tree.

“Away from here, you might as well come with.” I say.

He nods and says,” I would have followed you anyways. It’s been awhile since we traveled together, think you can handle me for months on end?”

“It’s always more fun having you around to be honest.” I say and we embrace in a handshake.

“Are you two done?” Claire asks.” Because we need to leave before-”

“Before someone else finds you?” Edward says walking from where we came.

“Yeah, that.” She says.

“Like Hell I’d let you go without me, or them.” He says pointing back.

“I have a feeling that the attack from before was more of a diversion. I don’t think we know the whole story.” Ryan says.

“I agree, we figured wherever you were going, the answers are probably there too.” Beth says.” Plus, we’re both worried about you two. You don’t have any mages to heal you.”

“And I am here to give you my sword, though it may not be much, I would like to keep learning from you, Kyle. Ever since I met you, I’ve become a better man just by being around you.” Edward says,” So I will follow you to the ends of the world until I can rightfully stand by your side.”

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“That was deep.” Thu’ane says.” That makes my reasoning sound so stupid now.”

“I don’t know about this, it’d be easier to sneak a Claire and I through. Six of us is a bit too much.” I say.

“It’s futile to try and reason with us, we’re coming with.” Ryan says.

“I assume you all are packed and ready right?” I ask and they all nod.” Fine let’s get going.”

In front of us stood the Headmaster and I knew our party was going to be bumped up to seven. I sigh and offer my hand to the old lady. She embraces my hand and we shake. No words were needed because we understood our resolves.

“Can we get going before any other distractions pop up?” Claire asks.

From there we set out from the school that had protected us. We walked in silence and I realized that there was one last distraction ahead of us. One who I knew was waiting for this the entire time. Arthur was standing at the end of the road.

“I’m glad I caught you before you left. You think I’d let you leave empty handed?” He asks me.” I wanted to give you as much as possible to protect my one and only daughter. Here, take this.” He hands me a large sum of money and the seal of his house. One for the trip and the other as a seal of approval for me.

“I take it you finally stood up to Susan and decided to help me?” I ask.

“I owe you, for everything that had happened since I let her cast you out. I feel responsible for your suffering and this is the only thing I could do.” He says with sorrow.

I hug him and tell him,” I don’t blame you for any of my past. I’m just happy to have someone like you to help me.”

Claire hugs him too and says,” Thank you, Father. I’ll make sure we make it back.”

“When you come back, I’ll walk you down the aisle with my full approval.” He says and then we let go of eachother.” I’d better go try and soothe your mother now.”

He leaves and I look back at my party. It was people I had grown to trust in this unknown world. People who had stood next to me at my worst and those who are willing to die along side me. I feel like I could defeat him, the one that made us set out. I felt like I could defeat the Mad King right then and there.