Max sat with Griffa in the cellar of Keene Manor, both sitting on low stools in front of the fireplace. A large kettle was hanging over the fire, and Griffa had a thick old book open. She was furiously reading the directions she found there.

“Do you think this is the right potion?” asked Max as he leaned to look at what she was reading.

“Yes,” she said not looking up. “I think this is it.”

It had been two days since Griffa had come back from the East Village. She had gone immediately to her study. She had Ansel and Talon bring her boxes and boxes of books from storage. Max and Issa joined her in reading book after book after she told them what they were looking for. They read for hours.

Ansel forced them to take a quick break to eat a few times, but they would not leave the study. Max finally sent Issa to bed late the first night, but he and Griffa kept reading and searching. At some point Max had drifted off in his chair. When he woke up the next morning, Griffa was still reading.

The next day, Ansel tried several times to make Griffa rest, but she would order him away. Talon eventually came in and took her books away. He made her tell him what to look for, so she could rest. She finally relented when Ansel came in and pleaded with her. She was soon back. Just this morning, she had finally found what she had been looking for.

She spent the rest of the day collecting ingredients she needed. She got what she could from town. She sent Talon and Kedan out to the forest to find what they could. Now, late at night, she and Max sat in the cellar putting the potion together.

“Max, grab those toadstools there on the table and add it,” said Griffa looking up.

Max did as she instructed as Griffa stood up. She grabbed a large stick by the fireplace and stirred the potion.

“How long does it take to brew?” asked Max.

“It should be done by mid-morning. I will have to watch it tonight to make sure it doesn’t boil over,” said Griffa. She stopped stirring and put the stick by the fireplace.

Griffa sat back down on her stool and rubbed her eyes. Max looked at her and saw that she was very pale. Her eyes looked tired with dark circles under them. He watched her sway a little in her seat.

“Griffa, why don’t you rest a bit on your cot or go on up to bed. I can watch the potion. I’ve had more rest than you,” said Max.

“No, it is almost done. I will see it through. Hopefully, we can start delivering this late tomorrow or the next day,” answered Griffa stretching.

“If you want to take this potion to the folk, you will need to rest first.”

“How can I rest when my people are suffering?” asked Griffa. “I will rest when I am done.”

“Griffa,” started Max.

“Please, Max. I know how I look. I am tired, but I don’t think I could rest even if I tried. I need to do this.”

Max grabbed Griffa’s hand. He held it, letting their magic swirl together. “You don’t have to do it alone,” said Max staring at Griffa. “Let us help you. I can stay up and do this. Talon could do this.”

Griffa squeezed Max hand as there was a knock at the door.

“I heard my name. Go on and let me in,” said Talon from the other side.

Max let go of Griffa’s hand to open the door. Talon and Ansel both stood in the doorway, and Max let them in.

“Come on, Griffa,” said Talon. “Enough is enough. You are going to bed.”

Griffa looked up at Talon and sighed. She shook her head lightly. Ansel pushed past Talon and walked over to Griffa. He knelt own by her side, and took her hand.

“Come to bed, Griffa,” said Ansel. Griffa looked up at him and opened her mouth. “Please, don’t order me away. Others can help you with this.”

“I can,” said Talon. “Tell me what needs to be done. You have named me the second chair of your Ring. Let me help you.”

“I’ll stay with him for a while, Griffa,” said Max. “I can show him what needs to be done.”

“Fine,” said Griffa quietly. “I am tired, but if you have any questions, you will come find me.”

“Of course,” said Talon.

Ansel stood up. He held his hand out to Griffa, and she took it. He pulled her up and to him, wrapping his arms around her. Max imagined he was comforting her with his protector’s magic. Ansel kissed the top of Griffa’s head and let her go.

“Come on,” he said to her. “A bath is ready for you. You can rest for a while and come back early tomorrow morning.”

She nodded. She smiled at Max and walked up to Talon, taking his hand. “Thank you, if you need anything at all tonight, please come get me.”

Talon brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “I will, I promise. Now go rest.”

Ansel put his arm around Griffa and swept her from the room. Talon sat down on Griffa’s vacated stool and looked at Max.

“What needs to be done?”

“It just needs to be watched overnight to make sure it doesn’t bubble over. The fire will need to be kept in check, and it will need to be stirred several times,” replied Max.

“Easy enough,” said Talon leaning up and looking at the potion. “This will work to cure the disease?”

“It should according to the books. Griffa says it is the same sickness that plagued the kingdom before King Nathin. I don’t know how she knows, but she seemed certain,” said Max shifting on his stool to get more comfortable.

“I won’t be the one to question her. If she says this is the cure, I believe her. I suppose she will want to go deliver the first batch herself.”

“At least the first,” said Max. “I know you don’t like her out in the open, but she can’t help it. The kingdom calls for her to care for the folk. She can’t ignore it.”

“If she is killed, then where will we be?” asked Talon. “Would you step in as king?”

“If Griffa dies, I’m afraid the hope for the kingdom dies with her. I would do what I could, but I have seen visions. Without Griffa, I don’t know how the kingdom will be healed.”

“It’s a lot to put on one woman,” said Talon quietly. “It hardly seems fair.”

“She not just any woman. She is the queen.”

Talon nodded. “Sometimes, I wish she wasn’t. Queen’s lives aren’t usually easy.”

“You care for your friend, and you want to keep her safe. I do as well, but we can’t deny who she is. We can only support her and do everything we can to keep her safe.”

“How old are you, Max?” asked Talon

“Seventeen. I will reach my majority when summer comes.”

“You seem so much older. It makes me rather sad.”

“Why?” asked Max as he peeked at the potion.

“You shouldn’t have all these cares on your shoulders this young. You should be chasing young women around, finding ways to get into trouble.”

Max smiled slightly. “I have no reason to chase young women, I have been lucky to find someone to love. I never did like trouble very much.”

Talon chuckled. “I wish I had been more like you in some ways. I was always rather fond of trouble and chasing young women. I think it might have come back to hurt me in the end.”

“You seem to have made it alright. You are the leader to a great village. You are the second chair of the Ring. You don’t seem to have any regrets,” said Max stretching his arms.

“Everyone has some regrets, Max,” said Talon seriously. Talon watched the fire with a frown.

Max sat silently watching Talon. He wasn’t sure what to say.

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“Do you really have visions?” asked Talon not turning his eyes away from the fire.

“Yes,” said Max.

“Do you see Griffa in your visions?”

“I do.”

“Will she make it? Will she live?” asked Talon. He turned to look at Max.

Max thought about this question. He really didn’t know. She had not perished in any of his real visions, but sometimes when she would talk about saving her kingdom, Max would feel a sense of dread. He worried about the fate of Griffa constantly.

“I don’t know.”

“You must have some sort of feeling,” said Talon.

Max’s cast his eyes down to the floor. He did have a feeling. He hoped he wasn’t right.

“I’m sorry I asked,” said Talon clearly reading Max’s expression.

“Visions aren’t always set in stone. I’m also new at this. I could misinterpret things. You shouldn’t give up on her.”

“I will never give up on her,” said Talon with conviction. “She will sit on the throne in Aurumist. I will give my life it that’s what it takes.”

Max smiled at Talon. “I feel the same, but I hope it doesn’t come to it.”

“You should go rest, Max,” said Talon. “Maybe go check in on your Issa. I can watch the potion tonight.”

“I will go if you don’t mind. You can come get me if anything is needed.”

“Go, I can take care of this.”

Max stood up and stretched. He walked by Talon and something made him stop. He reached out and put his hand on Talon’s shoulder. Max felt his vision go hazy. A thousand different visions flashed before his eyes, all including Talon and Griffa.

“Talon Wendell,” Max hear himself say. “You must stay near our queen. She will need you. It will not be easy for you, but she cannot do what she needs to do without you. You cannot abandon her. Even when she pushes you away, you cannot leave her.”

“Max,” said Talon looking up at Max. “Are you alright?”

Max blinked his eyes quickly. “Yes. Please remember what I just said. I think it was important.”

Talon nodded. Max walked from the room.

The next morning, Max woke up early. He looked at his window and saw Issa sitting on the back lawn watching the sun rise. He quickly dressed and walked outside. He sat next to her on the grass.

“What are you doing out here?” asked Max glancing at Issa.

“I woke up early and couldn’t sleep. I came out here to clear my head.”

“What’s worrying you?”

“My father. The sickness is out there. It’s in the West Village. I worry for him and his wife Meriam. I haven’t heard from him in a few weeks.”

Max laid his hand on hers. “I’m sure he’s fine. Griffa thinks she found a cure last night. It should be ready today. We will start taking it to the folk very soon. This will all be under control.”

“There are a lot of sick people, Max. It could take a long time,” said Issa looking at him.

“I know. Write to your father. If we hear he is sick, we can make sure and send him potion quickly.”

“That doesn’t sound very fair to the other people who are sick,” said Issa with a small smile.

“There are benefits to being friends with the queen.”

Issa smiled wider. “Max, are you ever disappointed you aren’t the king?”

“Not at all,” said Max. “I know who I am now. It has helped me in many ways. I have much more control over my magic, and I feel settled. Are you disappointed I won’t be a king?”

“I’m not,” said Issa. “I feel guilty because I’m glad you aren’t. I love Griffa. I would hate for anything to happen to her, but the thought of you being in danger is too much to bear.” She scooted closer to Max, and Max put his arm around her.

“Don’t feel guilty. I love you. I can’t stand the thought of something happening to you either.”

Issa put her head on Max’s shoulder. “Is something does happen to me, do you promise to go on? I know it would be hard, but if something happens and we aren’t together, I need to know you will do all you can to make things right.”

“Nothing will happen to you, Issa.”

“I know, but if something did happen, do you promise to keep fighting?”

“I will,” said Max. “If you make me the same promise. You will keep fighting for Regventus and for Griffa no matter what. You would have to watch out for Griffa for me. I know she has Ansel and Talon and even Kedan, but sometimes they get caught up in arguing with each other about what’s best for her and the kingdom. Someone needs to keep an eye on Griffa and remember she is more than just our queen.”

“If something happens to you, I will do everything I can to make the kingdom right again for you, Max. I promise.”

Max looked turned to face Issa. She turned towards him. Max leaned down and kissed her. After a moment, she pulled back and smiled at Max. “Do you realize that less than two years ago, you were planning on working in a stable your whole life?”

“It’s hard to believe it wasn’t that long ago. If none of this had happened, I wonder where I would be.”

“I would have talked you into advanced lessons. Then when we both hit our majority, we would have gotten married. People would have talked, saying we were too young, but we wouldn’t have cared.”

“You want to marry me?” asked Max

“Of course, you want to marry me, don’t you?”

“Yes,” said Max quickly. “After this war, the first thing we will do is get married.”

“Sounds like a good plan. If you are really asking me, my answer is yes,” said Issa.

“I am really asking you. So now we are betrothed.”

Issa kissed him quickly. “That was rather easy.”

“I guess it wasn’t very romantic. Should I try again and ask proper?”

“No,” said Issa laughing lightly. “I think it was perfect.”

Max leaned forward and grabbed her bringing her close to him. He kissed her for a long time.

Issa and Max came in for breakfast. Kedan, Ansel and Griffa were at the table. Ansel was buttering some toast as Griffa drank some tea. Kedan sat on the end and looked sleepy.

“Where have you two been?” asked Griffa putting her cup down.

“Thought we might catch the sunrise this morning,” said Issa sitting down.

Griffa gave them both a small smile as Max sat down next to Issa. “When I looked out the back window, it looked like you two were having a nice chat.”

Ansel cracked a grin and looked at Griffa.

“You looked refreshed this morning, Griffa,” said Max putting some bacon on his plate. “Did you sleep well?”

“I did,” answered Griffa as Ansel handed her some toast. “Better than I have in a while.”

“Have you checked on the potion this morning?” asked Max before he bit into a piece of toast.

“I have. I sent Talon to bed, and the potion is ready. It’s cooling in the kettle as we speak. It will be ready to bottle this afternoon,” answered Griffa.

“Will we go today to deliver it?” asked Max.

Ansel and Griffa looked at each other. “It will be delivered today,” said Ansel. “But, you will not be going.”

“Why?” asked Max dropping the bacon in his hand. “Why should I not go. I helped make it.”

“Which is why you will stay here,” said Griffa looking at Max. “You will start the next batch of the potion.”

Max huffed and picked his bacon back up. He bit into it angrily. “I don’t understand why I can’t go. Talon could stay behind and start the potion.”

“Talon is the second chair of my Ring. He will go with me to visit the sick people,” said Griffa. She smiled at Max. “You are our next great diviner of the Ring. We will need your wisdom in the war to come. I need you to stay here and keep safe.”

“I thought you weren’t one for prophecy, Griffa?” asked Max tartly.

“I’d like to get all the information I can,” answered Griffa. “You are also young. You aren’t even at your majority yet. Better you stay here and keep safe.”

“That wasn’t your opinion when we went to the Valley,” said Max.

“And look what happened,” said Griffa. “You could have easily been killed. It was foolish of me to suggest you come.”

Max looked at Griffa angrily. He started to stand up.

“Wait,” said Griffa putting her hand up. “That came out wrong. I have every belief in your capability to defend yourself. Nothing in the Valley was your fault. Max, if something happens to me you are the last hope for the kingdom. You are the only one besides me who has the full blood of Adalwen in your veins. If I die, you will be king. You are also the only one I trust to brew the potion that is the cure. If I am incapacitated in anyway, you will have to make sure the cure is sent out.”

Max sat down. “Nothing will happen to you, Griffa. It can’t.”

“I’m being realistic. It would be foolish for both of us to go out of the safety of Abscon at the same time. Please stay here and watch over the manor. Start working on the potion if you can. We won’t be gone long. Will you serve in this way?”

Max huffed again. “Yes, if that is your wish. I will do it.”

“Good,” said Griffa. She held her hand out across the table. Max hesitated, but then took her hand. He felt the familiar combining of their magic, as Griffa looked at Max and smiled slightly. He could feel her worry, and her fears. He could feel the anxiety she had for the kingdom. He could feel the love she had for him, and he softened.

“I’m sorry, Griffa,” said Max taking his hand back. “I know you are probably right. I don’t want to add to your worries.”

“You don’t,” said Griffa as she stood up. “I’m going to go for a walk on the back lawn if anyone would like to join me.”

“I will,” said Kedan standing up. Griffa smiled and nodded, and together they walked to the back door.

Ansel looked at Max. “I hope you know she is only trying to do what is best for the kingdom and you.”

“I do,” said Max. “I don’t like it, but I understand.”

“You will do as she asked, won’t you?”

“I will,” said Max. He went back to eating his breakfast.

Ansel stood up. “She is right you know, Max. If something happens to her, you will have to be king. It is best we keep at least one of you safe here in Abscon at all times.”

“If something happens to her, the kingdom will fall. Don’t let anything happen to her, protector,” said Max.

Ansel nodded slightly and walked out to the back lawn.

By late afternoon, Griffa had bottled all of the potion. She, Talon, Kedan, and Ansel left together to deliver the potion to the East Village, saying they would be back in a few hours. Max sat in the parlor with Issa, and she cuddled against him on the sofa. It was quiet in the house, except for the wind that whistled outside and a distant rumble of thunder.

“It sounds like it might rain,” said Issa. “I hope that doesn’t delay Griffa and the others.”

“I’m sure it won’t. I suppose I should go start a new batch of potion. If it works, there will be much demand for it.”

Issa leaned up and kissed Max lightly on his lips. “You should go. I’ll come down a bit and visit you.”

Max smile and stood up. As he walked out of the parlor, he heard the bell of the front door. Max opened it to find a pigeon standing there with a message around its leg. Max took the note, and the pigeon took off into the fading light.

“Issa,” said Max walking back into the parlor. “There is a message for you.”

Issa got up and met Max halfway, taking her message. She quickly opened it, reading it.

“It’s from Meriam,” said Issa with a frown. “Father is sick. He has been taken to Clarton for treatment. Miriam could not go because she is well and with child.” Issa looked up at Max with tears in her eyes.

“He will be alright, Issa,” said Max quickly. He walked to her and pulled her into his arms. “As soon as the others come back, we will let them know. There are still some vials of the cure here. When they get back, somebody can take some to Clarton.”

“This message is from two days ago,” said Issa tearfully. “The bird must have been lost. Father may not have much time left. He might now be able to wait another day.”

Max hugged her tighter. “Then I will go now. I will go to Clarton with the potion, and I will find him tonight.”

“Max, are you sure?”

“Yes, I will do this for you. It won’t take long.”

“I will go with you,” said Issa pushing back form Max gently. “I want to see my father.”

“Issa, I don’t know if that is wise. You should stay here safe. You can trust me, as I will not leave until I find your father.”

“No, I want to go. I need to go,” said Issa, begging. “Please, Max. We will find my father, give him the potion, and then get him home. You can take us quickly.”

Max looked at Issa. “Fine, but we have to go now so we can get back. I will leave a quick note telling the others not to worry. I will tell them we will be back by tomorrow mid-morning. That way you can stay with your father and make sure he is well.”

Issa nodded.

“Go get your cloak, it looks like rain,” said Max. “I will go get a vial of the potion.”

Issa nodded and ran out of the room. Max walked quickly towards the cellar, wondering if what he was doing was wise.