They walked for about another two hours before Lysander stopped them in the path once more. “I think it’s time for a rest.” Lysander said as he took out a waterskin from his pouch and took a drink. He handed the waterskin to Merci which she took happily and drank some of the cool water.

“Thanks.” Merci handed the water skin back to him.

He put the corker back on it and slipped it in a pouch on his belt. “I have a lot to discuss with you my dear but all will come in time.”

“Can I ask you something now?” Merci was curious about the voice inside her head. She wanted to know if it was him or someone else as both voices sounded familiar. She needed to know if it had been him helping her out this whole time. Saving her time and time again, she wanted to thank him.

“What is it Merci?” Lysander knew what she wanted to ask as the bond allowed him to read her thoughts. He thought it was sweet that she wanted to thank him for helping but part of him wondered if he should tell her or not. As he knew that would lead to hundreds of more questions about the bond and what happened for them to be separated.

“Are you the voice in my head?” She looked up at him with curiosity in her eyes. Her heart fluttered as the man she was looking at was without a doubt one of the most handsome men she had ever met.

She blinked three times before he responded to her. “Yes, Merci. I am.” Lysander did question if she would believe that it was indeed him but considering she hasn’t run off yet, he had faith that she fully trusted the voice, therefore fully trusted him.

She twiddled her thumbs a bit before responding to him, “I know I should ask how I know it is really you, but the voice and yours…. It sounds the same.”

“Because it is.” Lysander reassured her, “Trust me. I have no reason to lie to you.” Lysander tilted his head as he studied her. She was hesitant to ask the question, that was for sure. However, he knew for her own peace of mind she had to ask.

She blinked twice, “I believe you.” She put her hand on his thigh and stared deeply into his chocolate brown eyes. Her heart raced just a tad as something began to stir within it.

“I think it’s time to get moving again.” Octaivus said as he approached the two. “We need to get to the castle before it gets dark. I prefer not to face off against anything in the dark.”

Lysander patted Merci’s hand and stood up. He offered his hand to her and she took it. Once she was on her own two feet they began their trek once more towards the castle off in the distance.

“What comes out at night?” Merci questioned as they fell into formation with Lysander moving in stride next to Merci and the two elven brothers behind them.

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“Creatures that you don’t want to face.” Octaivus spoke up. “At least at your level.”

Merci felt her eyes narrow, “My level?”

“Level four by my calculations, correct Lysander?”

“Give or take.” Lysander responded, “But she has grown quite well in power over the course of three months.”

Octaivus shook his head, “Regardless, creatures you don’t want to face. If I remember correctly, Lysander has only been teaching you helpful spells for around the farm. You haven’t really learned any combat spells, correct?”

“Combat spells?” Merci looked over at Lysander with a blank stare on her face. She was completely clueless when it came to that term.

Lysander sighed, “Yes, combat spells. I was trying to make sure you had what you needed for your duties on the farm. I slowly started introducing you into combat based spells. Primal Instinct for one and another Moonlight. As much as Moonlight is a utility based spell it is also a combat based spell.”

“Two combat spells out of the whole druidic spell list.” Octaivus explained in frustration, “Ealra could cause fire to rain down from the skies if she had to Lysander. And you have Merci doing Moonlight?”

“I said I will get to those spells in time.” Lysander’s tone of voice at this point had shifted. He was annoyed by Octaivus’s questioning in his teaching. “Perhaps you would be willing to train Merci on combat spells?” Lysander glared at him and quickly turned his focus back on the path in front of them.

“I would love to, however, I don’t think Merci could handle my training.” Octaivus smirked.

Merci felt her eyes narrow once more, “I think I can handle it. If I survived the farm, I can handle your training.” Merci glanced back at Octavius with a bitter stare.

How dare he. I can do it. I know I can. Merci thought to herself, which caused Lysander to chuckle.

“Looks like you have a challenge Octaivus. I will be eager to see how this plays out.” Lysander chuckled even more, “Good luck.”

Merci glared over at Lysander, “It wasn’t that bad teaching me magic was it?”

“Not completely.” Lysander said. “Teaching someone who has no idea what magical essence is and how to activate their powers, now that was difficult. Once I got you to actually cast a spell, it was quite easy.”

Merci felt her face warm up as she was sure her cheeks were turning red. “I’m sorry if I was any trouble.”

Lysander placed his hand on hers briefly before taking it away just as quickly. “It was no trouble. You have no recollection of anything, so it is not your fault.” Lysander’s voice soothed her nerves.

“Sorry.” She uttered one more time before falling silent. Her mind buzzed with possibilities as she couldn’t help but wonder what she would have been if her memory wasn’t tampered with. If her powers weren't taken from her. If she remembered who this Elara girl was.

However, she didn’t feel like asking those questions just yet, as she knew she would receive those answers in time. For now, she was just enjoying her life with the men that came to her aid. Octaivus, Nikalus, and the voice in her head, Lysander. Three men she was grateful to have met. Three men she looked forward to learning more about.