Calmness. Part 1.

After the attack, I spent about a month in the Capital recovering. During the first week, I wasn't allowed to move much; the healer visited me every day, providing optimistic prognoses. Meals were brought to my room, along with books for entertainment. Court ladies paid visits, expressing their admiration for my strength and resilience.

The King managed to visit me on the third day. He was polite but when I mentioned the Elven Kingdom, he assured me that I had nothing to worry about and promised to explain everything when I could leave my room. It was clear that he hinted at the possibility of eavesdropping in other chambers, thus, he only discussed such matters in his office. He vaguely explained that upon learning of my father's interest in dark artifacts, he didn't intervene, hoping that my father would uncover what had eluded the King. Christoph claimed that he had been seeking a way to secure the borders and the frontier against the Crowleys since his youth.

Mother was taken away when information surfaced about suspicious mages showing interest in my father's research. No one could describe these mages or identify them; they presented themselves differently each time, arriving on islands on trade ships, fishing boats, or simply as travelers from different realms. This raised suspicions with the King, and through his Elven acquaintance from the academy, he sent an invitation to my mother to visit their capital. Father was supposed to accompany her but withdrew at the last moment. By the time news reached Christoph, it was too late, and his people, who were meant to bring Father to the Capital on the King's orders, arrived a day late.

To me, this seemed like an excuse, but I pretended to believe it. The King showed me a record in the book of decrees, where he ordered my father's return to the capital. All the facts seemed to align, but everything went too smoothly and seemed overly planned; there was nothing concrete to object to. It wasn't surprising that Rainn believed it. However, I believed my father and his letter. I knew him too well; he wouldn't have accused the King without reason.

After my father's death and my escape, Mother moved frequently to stay safe. No one knew exactly where she was. The King's trusted person among the Elves maintained contact with Christoph through a special artifact. Even the King of the Seas never knew the exact location of the Duchess. It was reassuring that the safety of my mother was personally vouched for by the Elven King. I managed to contact him through the crystal, and he confirmed that Mother was safe, promising to protect her as long as necessary. I wasn't allowed to visit her; it was too dangerous. Many were interested in the identity of the guardian, especially after Christoph's leaflets with my portrait and the promise of a reward. In many kingdoms, people knew how I looked, so sneaking me to the Duchess was impossible without risking everything.

The binding artifacts that Rainn had mentioned were indeed in the possession of the king, and I discovered the same thing in them as Daniel. They held traces of powerful earth mages. Christoph explained that their magical levels were approaching Sebastian's. If it were just one mage, Father could have easily dealt with them, but there were at least three of them. It was almost a death squad, and if they allied with Sebastian, they could decimate a small elemental force. This explained why Christoph didn't accuse the King of the Woods.

He said that artifacts with a disruptive power could help in this situation. These artifacts would be directed at the enemy, blocking their magic. Christoph asked for my assistance in imbuing these artifacts when they were ready and appealed to my memories of my father. I promised to consider it and give an answer when the finished artifacts and the weaving scheme were provided to me. This response seemed to satisfy him, at least for the time being. Our secret meeting came to an end.

The investigation into the attack progressed slowly. During the first week, we collected all possible details at the scene, but then Sebastian went to de Forest, and everything came to a standstill. There were no official updates on the progress of the investigation. Christoph assured me that he didn't expect much from Frederick after what had happened to Father. I believed that Sebastian would do everything possible, but I understood he wouldn't go against his father.

I hadn't been alone with Sebastian since the attack. He had left before the healer released me, and he wasn't allowed to enter my room. Twice, I received polite notes from him, wishing me a speedy recovery. I suspected that Christoph scrutinized them for hidden messages, so there was nothing special in them, just common courteous words. It was a form of respect, nothing more.

Rainn was still in stasis; it turned out the arrows were poisoned, intended to kill him. His recovery was slow, and the healers couldn't predict when or even if he would wake up. I often visited him in the evenings when the healing wing was empty. I would tell him about how I spent the day, the true reason Sebastian sent him away, and how he should have told me earlier. I held his hand and recounted the books I read while in my room, the weather, the scent of the peonies that had been planted in all the flowerbeds. I promised to show him my favorite spot in the garden where I constantly read. I relayed palace gossip, expressed my gratitude to him, and talked about how much I missed him, sometimes shedding tears. Our relationship was unique; I had grown very attached to him. But Rainn wasn't getting any better. And I couldn't stay in the capital any longer. In Savoyarde, there were duties to uphold according to the contract we had signed with Frederick. And I couldn't leave everything to Sem anymore.

After a month, I returned to Savoyar once again.

During my absence, the mages had constructed several barracks and enclosed the future settlement area. The castle now had almost a full staff of servants, sent by Sebastian. While this used to bring me joy, it now raised concerns. On the very first day, I summoned Semyon and Samantha to my study and briefly explained the situation and my apprehensions regarding the castle's security with such a large number of subjects from the Kingdom of the Woods.

Sem and I agreed that he would personally find suitable servants for key positions close to me, from whom I would demand an unbreakable oath. If we couldn't find such servants, I was prepared to manage without them, but I would do everything in my power to ensure the castle's safety. This house belonged to me, and I wouldn't allow Frederick to fill Savoyar with his spies or puppets.

Nearly a year went by, entirely dedicated to castle affairs. Sebastian never appeared in Savoyarde, and we didn't cross paths. He appointed the air mage Peter Hughes as his deputy. Peter was a young and agreeable man, and I found something reminiscent of Rainn in him.

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As for Rainn, his condition gradually improved due to the elven artifact that helped him combat the poison.

Regarding Peter, we immediately found common ground and ways to communicate. He often delivered letters from Sebastian to me and sent mine to him. Our correspondence remained formal and devoid of liberties. From the very first letter, I suspected that all our messages were under the King's surveillance. This seemed to be the reason why Sebastian didn't come to Savoyar. After a few months, he informed me that he was heading to the Drow Kingdom to negotiate concerning the dark artifacts needed since several houses were already prepared in the settlement.

Breakthroughs in the Rift were becoming more frequent – initially occurring once a month, but now up to three times. However, they were all of a relatively low level. With each breakthrough, I felt the rift better and could accurately predict where it would occur, how many Khrums would come out and determine the time of the event to within a few hours.

Tomorrow is my 19th birthday. Though I hadn't planned on holding a reception or banquet, Sem and Samantha still hoped for a celebration. Nevertheless, I convinced them that it wasn't the best idea, especially considering the increased frequency of the breakthroughs. I managed to persuade them to postpone the celebration until the protective artifacts were ready. Christoph had sent me his best wishes in advance along with a splendid dress and a multitude of elven cosmetics.

In the evening, just before sleep, an inner restlessness overcame me, and I sensed that tomorrow the Rift would present me with an unexpected gift. Changes in the Rift often coincided with my birthday. The night was restless, and sleep eluded me. With the first rays of dawn, I got up, feeling utterly drained and weary. The castle was only beginning to awaken. I donned the Keeper's uniform and quietly headed to the stables, startling the sleepy stablehand.

Half an hour later, I was sitting in a glade, gazing at the Rift. Everything was calm, and the rhythmic hum reassured me, indicating the absence of danger. Feeling fatigue took its toll, I lay down, closed my eyes, and drifted off to sleep.

I was awakened by a sudden shout: "Wake up!" and an unusual impulse that instantly heightened my instincts. I opened my eyes, seized my weapon, and focused, preparing for defense.

"Too bad, such a pity. I preferred you when you were asleep," I heard a strange voice and turned my head. Standing several dozen meters away from me was a tall man. He seemed familiar, but I was certain I'd never heard his voice before.

I straightened up and asked, "Who are you? Have we met?" Squinting, I tried to recall where I might have seen him.

"Oh no, dear, you wouldn't forget me," the man said with a sneering smile. "But you definitely knew my brother," his voice grew firmer, and he drew his sword. Swinging it through the air, he pointed it at me.

I shrugged, indicating that his words meant nothing to me.

"You killed him, you wretch, and today you'll pay blood for blood," he growled and began to approach slowly.

The mention of killing a brother hinted at whom he reminded me of – an earth mage. They looked alike, but this one was older. So, Frederick had sent him. I could guess that he intended to finish what had been started.

I readied myself for battle, but it would be foolish to let such an opportunity slip. This was a chance.

"So, did you decide to seek revenge yourself, or did the King suggest it?" I said, forgetting all etiquette. "Or perhaps Count Lindwood?" I tilted my head, feigning innocence and fluttering my eyelashes. He just snorted and didn't reply.

"Come on, are you sorry, or what? After all, I can't leave here alive. Fulfill the last wish of the girl. I should know who to visit when I become a ghost," I made a last attempt.

"Shut up, you wretch!" the man yelled, hastening towards me and summoning power. The ground beneath me trembled, and everything became unsteady.

Here was chaos, seemingly stronger than his brother. "I advise against it," I said, trying to move away and maintain balance, but new fractures emerged in the ground.

"The Rift feeds on magic, you're summoning creatures!" I shouted, moving chaotically as the ground constantly shifted under my feet.

I intermittently cast attacking spells towards the mage, but there was not enough time for concentration and building up power.

I wouldn't be able to hold on for much longer. Vines started to emerge from the ground, some of them even becoming footholds as the ground simply vanished beneath my feet.

The clearing turned into a true nightmare, and I dodged as best as I could, but I couldn't muster the strength to attack. The mage seemed to grow tired of my evasions on the clearing, and the vines sprouted sharp thorns.

At the moment I grasped one of them, I cried out, let go, and barely avoided another thorn-laden vine flying at me. My hand was covered in blood, and then I remembered the artifact. Sebastian had said that he would be able to see and hear the same things as me when my blood touched the ring. Hopefully, he was watching now.

This was a chance to find out who this mage was, if he was indeed the King's confidant. Sebastian could recognize him. And then it would be easy to figure out who his brother was and who he was associated with. Filled with hope, pain and fear seemed to fade away within me. I started to approach the Rift, trying to glance at the mage as often as I could. I repeated the same words over and over, hoping Sebastian would hear.

"His brother attacked me in the capital. We need to identify him. His brother attacked me," I repeated like a mantra, hoping Sebastian would hear me.

When I reached the very edge of the portal, the mage seemed to have gone mad. Waves of thorny vines surged at me from one side, and earthy waves from the other. The path to the mage was blocked by a deep abyss, impossible to jump across. I stood with my back against the inactive portal, feeling it's cool, mirror-like surface. I cast another careful glance at the mage. He stood there, triumphantly smiling, understanding that this was the end for me.

I also understood this, so I whispered to the one who, I hoped, could hear me: "I hope you saw him. I hope you're hearing me. I love you, Sebastian. Goodbye." I pressed my bloodied palms against the fracture and closed my eyes, bracing myself for the pain.

But instead of pain, two very strange things happened. A bright flash erupted from the Rift, as if someone from within released a powerful magic that obliterated everything approaching me. At the same time, I was enveloped in a fiery shield. The madness continued for a few minutes, magic pouring out of the fracture in a torrent, so much that the wave could have reached Savoyar.

Then everything fell silent, but the shield didn't disappear. Through the fiery flashes, I saw a man approaching me. However, his gait was unsteady, as if he swayed after every step.

A chill ran down my spine. Perhaps this cocoon wasn't protection at all. What if it was a trap? And this mage - an accomplice, in case the first one failed to kill me, the fire mage would come and finish the job. While I was succumbing to mild panic, the mage approached, the cocoon around me vanished, and I collapsed right into his arms.

My heart froze. "Sebastian!!!" - I stared and couldn't believe it. Almost a year had passed since we last saw each other.

"I made it," Sebastian exhaled, lowering himself to the ground beside me, and kissed me.