Olivia slowly opened her eyes, feeling the warm glow of the sun filtering through the windows. A soft, comforting flame continued to burn in the fireplace, while the scent of dried herbs hanging from the ceiling permeated the air, mingling with the smell of burning wood.

Next to her, the fox continued to sleep, tucked in by its own fluffy tail. She felt like petting him but it seemed disrespectful.

There was no sign of the healer or the lovely fairies.

For a few minutes, she took the time to contemplate the interior of the room. In spite of her humility, old Barthra had created a cozy home full of charm. Her hut, built with logs, mud and straw covered with vines, blended perfectly with its surroundings as if nature itself had made it grow like another tree in the forest. Inside the furniture was simple but comfortable, with wooden chairs and tables and decorative cushions. The walls and floor were covered with tapestries and hand-woven rugs. Jars of healing powders, potions and ointments were neatly lined up on the table and shelves.

During her childhood, she had visited the hut many times accompanied by her father, who held a special fondness for the old woman. They used to escape there some afternoons just to forget who they were and the responsibilities that awaited on their return. If anyone had seen them from afar wearing simple clothes while playing or helping Barthra with her daily chores, they would have been taken for a family of commoners.

Olivia had never met her grandparents but she knew the story of her tyrannical grandfather who had made life miserable for his poor wife, blaming her for the fact that her weak body had failed to give him more than a single sickly heir who was left under the care of the renowned healer who had been summoned from a distant land.

Unfortunately, Barthra failed to save the newborn's mother and with the old count's permission she devoted herself to providing the child with the basic care and affection he needed so badly until he grew strong enough to begin his training as a future Guardian of the Circle. For her services, the old Count intended to reward her handsomely, but she simply asked to be granted a small corner in the forest to build her little house.

And now, because of Olivia, perhaps Barthra and her father would be at odds for life.

She now watched as the fox woke up next to her and exhaled a slow yawn.

“Good morning,” she greeted him in a singsong voice.

The fox emitted a grunt and began to scratch one ear. Looking away, as if uncomfortable, he asked:

“How are you feeling?”

“I feel drowsy, but better.”

The fox continued without looking at her, as he studied his surroundings.

“Don't you think you overdid it a little?” he asked suddenly.

“What do you mean?”

“Your rescue mission. Last night you almost died... not once... but twice.”

“I told you. I was to blame...”

“Yeah, yeah, sure, the guilt... but... after all... you don't know me.”

“Well... you're a chimera... it's my duty to protect...”

“And what do you know about chimeras?” he abruptly interrupted her.

“I've read something... they are unique beings that...”

“We are enemies.”

Olivia sighed.

“We were enemies... a hundred years ago...” she continued.

“Chimeras never joined the Covenant, so we're still at war.”

“What nonsense. I don't regret saving you. I'd do it again a hundred times over.”

“That doesn't make sense,” the fox shook his head. “You're abandoning your father for a stranger.”

“I had other reasons for abandoning him but it seemed to me that saving you was the best excuse.”

“What will happen to your wedding then?”

“Well... I guess it will be called off...”

“What about your father? I suppose there will be consequences.”

Olivia was already losing her patience.

“Why do you care so much? Haven't you ever disobeyed your own father?”

The fox didn't answer and Olivia immediately regretted what she had said. For some reason unknown to her, he might be alone in the world and she just had hit the nail on the head.

“It's not that I didn't want to get married,” she explained, changing the subject. “In fact, I was willing to do it ... I don't know the prince, maybe he is a terrible person or the opposite. All I wanted was freedom.”

“Freedom?” the fox's voice sounded mocking.

“Yes, by getting married I would become the mistress of my own life. I would be an adult, no one would lock me in my room anymore.”

“And you would do that by chaining yourself to another man? What if he locks you up too?”

“I no longer have to worry anyway.”

“Luckily, because your plan was so flawed. That's not freedom.”

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“Do you even know what freedom is?”

“I'm free to go wherever I want.”

“Despite being chased? Why didn't you go back to the mountains?”

The fox did not answer and Olivia changed her strategy.

“Listen. You and I want the same thing.”

“Which is...?”

“We are alone and we want to be masters of our own life.”

“Speak for yourself.”

“I've never had any real friends, at least not my age... By the way, how old are you?”

The fox looked away.

“Well, well, we've just met. I won't insist,” the girl retracted. “But in the future I would like us to be friends. What do you say?”

“No promises.”

“Then... we'll be allies. At least for the moment, while we get to know each other,” Olivia put her hand to her heart and began to declare solemnly. “I, Lady Olivia of Shadowrock, decree from now on that you... ah...” she paused in embarrassment. “What is your name?”

The fox turned his head again.

“Chimeras don't have names.”

“That doesn't make sense! What do you call each other when...?”

“What nonsense... well, with howls... or with ...”

“Besides, I'm sure I read somewhere about a legendary chimera...”

“You read too much. I'm sure that was made up by a human.”

“I swear I read it somewhere...” Olivia shook her head. “Never mind. I'll give you one myself.”

The fox's ears flicked back and forth nervously.

“You tried that once and look how we ended up.”

“But I thought you were a real cat!” she protested.

He let out a snort, but remained thoughtful. After a moment he asked curiously:

“And now... what name would you give me?”

Olivia puckered her lips.

“Let me think... well... Godric...”

“No way,” he grunted.

“Lyndon.”

“Worse.”

“Galen? Finnian? Lucian? Rowan?” Olivia went on with ten more names but none of them appealed to the fox.

“Yeah, give it up. You're not good at this.”

“Silas?”

The chimera shuddered.

“Silas!” the girl repeated with excitement.

“Now, now, that's enough. Shut up.”

“His name was Silas! The most powerful chimera of all! On his back rode the ancient giant king during the war between the Prairie and Forest Clans! I knew I had read it somewhere!”

“That was written by humans...”

“I'll call you Silas then!”

“As you wish... if that will keep you quiet,” the fox gave up but didn't seem bothered by his new name.

“I'm sure you'll be as powerful as him one day.”

Now the fox was annoyed, as if his pride had been hurt.

“Don't make fun of me!”

“I mean it!” Olivia's words sounded sincere. “Listen, I have a plan. I wasn't sure at first but now I've made up my mind. I want to continue training my magic to reach Master level and I'm sure you also want to become stronger to control your transformations.”

“Who told you I can't control them?”

“In the latrines... before jumping...”

“Ah...”

“And I've only seen you in three forms so far...”

“I can turn into a wolf and eat you right now.”

Olivia crossed her arms.

“All right, you do that. I'll wait for you.”

The fox growled.

“I haven't been eating properly. I need more energy, especially when dealing with larger animals and this lady's food does not...”

“If you come with me, I promise you'll get stronger,” Olivia interrupted him.

He narrowed his eyes with suspicion.

“And where are you supposed to go?”

The girl took a deep breath before answering.

“To the Isle of Demons.”

“Sounds like a wonderful place, I wonder what it's like,” he said sarcastically.

“No, no, wait, that's the name people usually use... but actually the Fellowship of the Island lives there...”

The fox's ears perked up.

“The hybrids?”

“That's right!”

“The hybrids are also enemies of the chimeras.”

Must be because the chimeras are so hard-headed, Olivia thought.

“It was a centur...”

“And what do hybrids have to do with it?” he asked.

“Well... there is a magic academy there, run by the most powerful wizard in Terrarkana. Rumor has it that he may have reached the level of Architect.”

“What does that mean?”

Olivia went on by explaining that humans who practiced magic were divided into four groups according to their ability to manipulate the Ethereal Codes: Initiate, Acolyte, Master, and Archmage. It took at least four years of practice to reach each level. She, for example, was very close to becoming an Acolyte. On the other hand, the most powerful Masters could lead orders, such as Eldrin; while Archmages were those who belonged to the Conclave, a group of five wizards who presided over the Council and whose power was equal to that of the royal family.

However, there were three more levels, impossible for an ordinary human to reach. No one was known to have reached the level of Architect, unless it was an elf, a sirenian, a giant or the nymph Nemertyss herself. In theory, hybrids as well, although no cases had been proven. Supposedly, the Archmage of the Island was supposed to be a hybrid who could have reached that level, but he was someone very mysterious who, for political reasons, was kept out of the Conclave.

In contrast, the only Alchemist recorded in the Chronicles had been the legendary Blue Dragon, forger of life in Terrarkana. Of course, above him were the celestial travelers, also known as Eternals.

“And where do chimeras come into all that?” asked the fox.

Olivia blushed.

“Unfortunately, there are no records about that, although it is mentioned that they were very powerful. No wonder the giants...”

“They used us as pets,” he scoffed.

Olivia was not going to give up.

“Anyway, if there's anyone in the kingdom who should know how to train a chimera it should be the Archmage of the Island.”

“And why would he want to help me?”

“The Fellowship is totally neutral and it was they who were responsible for concluding the peace treaty that ended the last war. Their only interest is knowledge and harmony between the races.”

A long silence followed. The chimera took his time to assimilate all that he had told her.

“How far away is it?” he finally asked.

It would not be easy. They should continue through the forest, avoid the roads and the areas near the Dragon Lake. Once they had completed that stage, they would have to reach Stormbrace Port and from there embark on a ship. Walking at a good pace it would take them about fifteen days, unless they managed to get a horse.

“Don't think I'm going to turn into one, let alone ride me,” warned the fox.

“I would never ask you to... do that...” Olivia blushed again. “Well then...” she sighed. “For me, there's no turning back now. If I return, my father won't let me forget my betrayal for the rest of my life. At least, I'll try to get to the island first. What do you say?

“If you get caught, I'll escape and you'll have to fend for yourself.”

“Fine, but if they catch you, I'll rescue you again.”

“You're impossible,” the fox shook his head as if rolling his eyes.

“Don't worry,” Olivia reassured him. “I don't expect you to change your mind. You don't owe me anything. You are free to leave whenever you want.”

“Fine, we have a deal."

“Ah, but first...”

“What now?” growled the fox.

“You said the war wasn't over yet... well... we'll end it here and now.”

“What?!?”

This time Olivia held out her hand and beckoned the fox to place its paw on it. Though hesitant, the creature did so. Olivia then, with much ceremony, began to recite her own version of the Covenant of Eternal Harmony's Sacred Oath, proclaimed a hundred years ago by the various races of Terrarkana, who gathered at the central spot of what was now called the Circle of Truce.

I, Olivia of Shadowrock, and you, Silas of the Mountain Clan, two souls who have known discord, have assembled here and now with the longing to put our ancient grudges behind us, and extend our hands in a gesture of reconciliation.

This act of peace is a proof of our strong will and deep commitment to cultivate harmony and understanding among us all. May we remember this moment not only in times of tranquility, but also in times of challenge, when our differences threaten to divide us again.

May this first step lead us to a lasting friendship, may our actions reflect our genuine desire to build a better future together. May we find in our alliance a new beginning, filled with respect, compassion and solidarity.

May it be so, now and always.

As Olivia's words hung in the air, another long silence descended, only broken by strange noises that made them stop their ears.

It took them a while to realize, but there was no doubt about it.

From the distance, through the thick forest, they heard the screams of men, combative and distorted, like the distant echo of a bloody battle.