Winged creatures that carry me to the skies in a body not my own...

~

Five days before the cave...

After Lasory pulled his stunt with the Queen thing, I did my best to forget about it. I'm just gonna spit it out like a piece of gum and wait till I finish dinner to chew on it.

Right now, we all sat back in Fezege's office, silently eating sandwiches she grabbed from the castle's kitchen.

My food was good, ignoring the fact that I hadn't eaten in days. I hadn't had long to enjoy it, though, before the door opened once more, this time in a hurry.

A black-haired teen hunched over in the door frame, catching his breath. He was about as good for cardio as me.

"Edgar," Fezege greeted, concern lacing her voice. "Something wrong?"

He gave off the same aura of familiarity that Sage had.

"The Holy Knight called for a meeting. He wants you there." This Edgar made it sound like that was something to worry about. So worry I did.

"Holy Knight" sounds important too.

"Okay. Thank you, Edgar," Fezege politely thanked him and he left, once again in a hurry.

She went right back to eating her sandwich like nothing had happened. I didn't feel like questioning her nonchalance, but I was kind of getting anxious, like she was going to get in trouble for keeping the Holy Knight waiting.

I'd imagine someone with that kind of title is impatient as all hell.

In the end I just shrugged it off and kept eating what was left of my sandwich, which didn't taste all that great since Sage had the bright idea of correcting it for me by adding a million and one vegetables since I had none.

But, you know, I was hungry so... oh well.

After probably five more minutes of comfortably-silent eating, Fezege got up and brushed off the crumbs of her food.

"I'm gonna go before I get killed."

I couldn't tell if she was being genuine or not, and it didn't help that she said it in an "eh, fine" tone.

"You three should come along," she offered.

"What for?" I asked.

"Something to do, I suppose."

I pondered for a moment. "Okay."

So, I as well stood and brushed the crumbs off myself, pushing my glasses back closer to my face. I noticed Lasory doing something swiftly from the corner of my eye, and when I looked over at him, he was looking away from me awkwardly and uncomfortably.

It clicked pretty quickly.

I get it. If I'm his Queen, and he's my servant, he's probably used to being the one to brush off the crumbs.

It'll take me a long time to get used to this. That is if I ever do.

~

"We are at war. I am pleased to say, though, we remain far ahead of our enemies in this battle, and that the end is in sight."

I sat at the back of the small crowd of people - maybe 40 or 50 - in a sort of round intersection room that had a raised statue stand at the center with plenty of room on it for two people to stand and talk. I had to kneel on top of a chair in order to see anything because I'm half the height of everyone here.

The Holy Knight was a bold and striking young woman. She stood by an equally heroic-looking man who she said was her subordinate.

I guess they weren't too terrible of people, other than the fact that they were absolutely terrifying and probably wouldn't take well to a "Queen" amidst their castle.

"However, we have some bad news," the Knight continued. "The Wood Elves continue to ignore Zechstra and his forces among their trees as they fortify bases of operation, and they've become a threat."

This caused a little bit of a stir among the room.

"Don't allow this to cause you any panic. We'll be doubling down on the new recruits, and ensure we remain in control."

I could sense Fezege next to me becoming annoyed, though I couldn't help but wonder why I was brought here.

"Lady Nuvire made a discovery near the Western base of the mountain," the man began as he stepped forward. I looked over at Sage, who glanced back at me. "A squad of at least 6 demons was slain near the edge of the Forest. We don't know their killers, but we do know there are other forces that seek to vanquish the threat that looms over us all, and that incredible powers aid us yet."

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Whispers traveled through the crowd. "Demons?" "What is wrong with them?" "Those creatures" along with plenty of quiet scoffs and sounds of disgust.

Lasory mentioned that the Demon Clan is well-known for brutal assaults on any land they can lay their eyes and feet on, though they were recently pushed towards extinction and went into hiding.

It made me think of Lockwood. He was a demon. The king of Sakari had fought many battles for his nation, but was possibly the most giving and fair ruler I'd ever met.

"I think demons get a bad rep. Some of them are just people trying to be people." Lasory's words echoed in my mind.

I remember the first time I met the King. He had curly horns atop his head and stunning crimson eyes. I was afraid for a moment, but the warmth upon his pale face and the sparkle in his gentle smile assured me that Lasory's and the rest of the kingdom's faith in him was well-placed.

The male Knight looked as though he was getting ready to end this meeting, until he made eye contact with me.

"Before this announcement is adjourned, I'd like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the Messengers of Sakari," he said while pointing to us, which drew the gaze of the crowd upon Lasory and I.

I was already sick to my stomach.

"You have our hospitality and best wishes," he finished, bowing his head very lightly. I could sense that everyone felt he was being unusually formal. I could also tell their comments about the demons were now focused on Lasory and I and our allegiance to Lockwood.

Lasory bowed towards the Knights, and I awkwardly followed suit.

They waved their hands, then turned around and left. The room began to stir with people leaving and chattering, and amid the volume, I could hear more unspeakably nasty comments, this time about Lockwood.

"She has a Scar," someone pointed out in horror, unknowing that I had an acute ear for conversations in a crowd. I was mortified. Of course they'd bitch about something so stupid and trivial.

I knew then that this place was not the safe haven we thought it was.

I felt like everyone was staring at me as I forgot how to breathe, feeling the walls closing in on me and a bright spotlight beaming the light of the sun onto me and me only.

I gulped and looked forward, giving a wobbly smile to Sage, who looked concerned for me. I guess in the end it wouldn't be the first time I've heard comments like these. Lockwood never retaliated when people called him a monster for being what he was. And I promised myself I'd learn to do the same.

Fezege led us back to the room we'd been in before the meeting, and we all took a deep breath.

"Are you okay, Lydia?" Fezege asked gently.

I nodded slowly, looking down and feeling the silence of the other three. My heart rate slowed as I sat down in the same chair as last time I was here.

I looked up to see the others staring at me with questioning looks on their faces.

Fezege cleared her throat.

"Well, if it's any consolation, I think you'll be fine."

I laughed a little, which I guess distracted me some.

"Really, though. This kingdom is full of dirty and gritty politics and people who are rude on the best of days. My students, as well as the younger generations of people here are much more... sondering in their treatment of others."

I tilted my head back and forth in a that's fair type of motion.

"But, I have somewhere you can stay for a few nights, and then I know a place outside the castle where you won't have to be worried about all this drama."

Some queen I am.

I'm being relocated based on my dislike of drama. Boy do I wish that were true.

All I know is, I need a break. Big time. Fleeing for my life and being surrounded by people that aren't overly fond of me is pretty draining you know.

"Lasory can take you there," Fezege broke my train of thought.

"Where?" I asked, forgetting our conversation from a few seconds ago.

"Somewhere you can stay a few days."

"Wait," Sage broke in. "Is she staying with... the twins?"

Fezege nodded, and for the first time in probably ever, Lasory looked legitimately excited.

"Oh you lucky little shit," Sage groaned.

Of course I was mortifyingly confused at who or what they were talking about since I'm in the dark about everything half the time.

But, you know what, at this point I wouldn't be surprised if there's a bounty worth millions on my head, so I can play things a little spicy.

Lasory got up rather quickly, and as soon as I was too, he started moving without a moment's hesitation. Fezege quietly giggled, knowing he was practically dying to see whoever these people were.

So, he led me through a short route of halls and a couple staircases, and the theme of design left from a welcoming, yet formal feel to something homely and natural, made of mostly darker wood and stone.

Of course, on the last staircase, I tripped.

Lasory was instant to catch me, and quickly set me right on my feet.

"That was fast... thank you."

"Anything for my Queen," he said with the proudest and most honest smile.

On the one hand, I thought it was wholesome and beautiful that that's the kind of loyalty and dedication he has, but on the other, it made me feel weirded out again.

I don't know if I can cope with the idea of being Sakari's "queen". I feel like I wouldn't put right the countless people that died that night by being some makeshift royalty. It just doesn't feel right and makes me queasy.

"Need me to carry you?" Lasory asked with 0 hint of joking in his voice.

I wanted to puke. No offense to him at all, but there was just no way I could ask him to do something like that.

"N-no thanks," I barely mustered out.

I could tell he easily sensed my uneasiness - not that I was any good at hiding it.

"What troubles you, my Queen?"

"Th-that," I stammered, feeling the nausea coming back, but got up the courage to say what needed to be said anyway. "I just can't do this queen thing."

Part of him understood and expected me to say that at some point or other, but another was still hurt.

At this point, I decided that I'd be better off telling him the truth rather than trying to suck it up and accept what he wants. Whatever he wants from me as the queen, he won't find, because it's simply a fact that I'm a nervous and socially incapable wreck that could never make decisions for a country.

"Why's that?" He spoke like he had plenty of patience, like he was ready for this.

"Because after everything that's happened, I'm just not re-ready."

"That's natural, I'm sure. It's been a rough few days for you, and it's a big title, but you're the best and only person to continue the legacy."

It just kept building and building, I stopped paying attention and started thinking about crowds of people in front of me, big and important people begging me for answers and to make choices and-

I was at my limit. I felt like I would burst from the pressure, and I started crying.

Of course, Lasory placed his hand on my back to try and help comfort me.

In my panic, I shoved his hand away. My vision was spinning.

"Go!" I shouted. "Sakari is dead! I should be too! I'm not your Queen."

I don't know what happened after that. I fell to the floor against the wall, laying my head back and crying.

Someone help me.

I wish you were here, Myu.