Bellaire shakily got to her feet, helped by the captain.

“You hurt?” He asked.

“No, I’m okay.” She said breathless from her shock. She shook herself out of it. “At least we’re safe. For now.” The captain righted Bellaire and turned back toward the royalty.

“What are our orders?” He called, saluting the former Queen.

“Stand down and that is an order. The Dead King will only cut through you.” The Queen commanded. “This is a task for us,”

“You’ll be okay? Right?” Starkon asked his mother. She looked at him sadly,

“You be strong, like you always have.” She said and descended the stairs all the way. Starkon reached for her but his hand waved right through her. Roskva grabbed him and stopped him from following her. The Queen descended closer and closer to the wall of ghosts. The Dead King only stared at the sword in confusion. Looking up to the ghost Queen in equal confusion.

“You are not welcome here! Be gone!’” She commanded. The visage of the corpse weakened but did not vanish. The Queen stormed closer. “You are not welcome here!” The Dead King weakened again but again did not vanish. The Queen passed through the wall of ghosts and took a hold of the Dead King.

“With my love and all the strength I have. I BANISH YOU TO BACK TO THE DEPTHS!” The Queen commanded and the Dead King trembled. The ground rumbled and the phantom river flooded down from the mountains washing into the walls of the palace and carrying the Dead King and the Queen down deep into the depths.

In a second, it was all over. The river dried up and disappeared. The wall of phantoms vanished. The mist still wafted through the town but it left the palace untouched.

“Mother? Where did she go?” Starkon yelled. No one answered, no one could. Starkon looked around for any hint that she might be hiding. “We- Aneira! Where are they? They called this down. We need to-”

“No!” Roskva yelled pulling Starkon back. “There is no way Aneira did this. They couldn’t have.”

“Roskva.” Bellaire said, sheepishly approaching the stairs. “Aneira might be a Do’laeth.”

“Might!?” Starkon asked.

“No, they. No.” Roskva laughed hysterically. “I mean. I would know, wouldn’t I?”

“They told me not to tell you.” Bellaire admitted. “But I agree that this is never something Aneira would do intentionally.”

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“What do we do, then?” Starkon asked. Looking back and forth between Bellaire and Roskva. “How do we see our family again?” Bellaire felt her throat closing but tried to stay neutral.

“I don’t know, but I do know I need to find Aneira again.” Roskva said. “I think that’s where we should start.”

“Maybe they can stop whatever it is that’s happening now.” Bellaire agreed, “or can at least give us an insight.”

“Okay, that’s at least a plan.” Starkon took a deep breath. “We prepare and leave at dawn.”

“We’ll have an envoy ready to accompany you.” The captain said.

“I need you and your men to stay here and defend the people we still have taking shelter in the palace.” Starkon said. “We have Bellaire to protect us and she’s proved herself capable.”

“As you wish it.” The Captain said.

“Take inventory of all supplies and begin rationing. We don’t know how long this will last.” Roskva said. “Hopefully, only a few days.” Bellaire nodded. The three looked at the palace, not able to get started.

“I’ll secure us a horse.” Bellaire broke the silence and moved toward the stables.

“Right. We need camping gear. I’ll scrounge something up.” Roskva agreed and went into the palace. Starkon stared where the ghost of his mother had been.

“I suppose, we’ll need some funds and comfort items.” He said, hoarsely. Wandering into the palace as well.

Bellaire pulled three horses from the carts. Saddling them through her tears. Roskva gathered sleeping bags and tents in a trance holding each item close. Hugging them tight for comfort. Starkon moved stiffly. Collecting a purse of coins and light blankets in a daze. Only moving with speed when a tear slipped out.

They reconvened in Roskva’s room. Piling all the things together. All staring at the items awkwardly.

“I guess. We should try to sleep?” Roskva suggested.

“I guess so.” Bellaire agreed.

“The people out there, they aren’t really?”

“No. I mean. I don’t think so.” Bellaire said. “I’ll sleep on this love seat. Starkon can have the sofa and you have your bed.”

“All in the same room?” Roskva asked, both hopeful and trepidatious.

“Might be safer that way. Given the circumstances.” Bellaire said. “But if you would be more comfortable we can leave.”

“No! I would much rather you didn’t.” Roskva sighed. “I’m just a bit unsettled.”

“All right then,” Bellaire said and sat on the love seat. Starkon fell onto the sofa, dead eyed. Roskva retreated into her room, not knowing how she was going to get any sleep. But in the end she was the only one who got any sleep. The clock chimed and rang out that it was morning. Bellaire woke Roskva, Starkon was already awake and readying the horses. They came out to him ready and waiting.

“Let’s get a move on, slow pokes!” He called, hopping onto his horse.

“You’re in a chipper mood,” Roskva said, taking her own horses’ reins.

“Sooner we find Aneira, sooner we get the kingdom back to normal and we see our relatives!” He said.

“Right,” Bellaire agreed as she jumped onto her horses back. The three looked at each other with rising hope. Roskva turned back to look at the captain watching her.

“We’ll be back soon. Keep everyone safe and if Aneira returns before us send up a red flare to signal us.” She said. The captain bowed to her.

“Without Aneira you are the next in line.” He said. “Stay safe, your grace.”

“I will. And I’ll bring them back.” Roskva said, with a look to both her companions she started her horse into the mist…

End.