Katherine:

Katherine sat in her room, surrounded by a disarray of belongings.

The princess carefully packed her essentials into a few bags she planned to carry with her. One of her attendants had enchanted some of her items, and she had picked them up last night.

The funeral for the old seer had come and gone. Each thought of leaving tugged at her heart, regret filling her with a deep sense of guilt. She wished she hadn’t even suggested the idea of leaving. It was all her fault. But her father had made up his mind, and Katherine wouldn’t disobey him this time, especially considering the political parties at play. She knew her father well, and he would likely call her back eventually. However, the recent drastic changes made her uncertain about what the future held.

Finally, she strapped her spear onto her back and gathered her bags. Just as she finished, someone entered the room.

“Are you done?” The person asked gently.

Katherine sighed and nodded. “Oh, hello, Mary.”

“I will miss you, my dear. I knew your mother well, and your father...he may not show it, but he cares deeply for you. He cares even more than you realize. Whatever he is doing, he believes it’s for your own good. And we all agree,” Mary said, her voice filled with empathy.

Katherine grunted in acknowledgment, her emotions conflicted.

“You have also distanced yourself from everyone else in the Kingdom. You rarely visit or interact with anyone. When you’re out there, make some friends. They can be life-savers,” Mary advised, concern etched on her face.

Katherine looked at her, seeing the pleading expression in Mary's eyes. She had often kept to herself, as she never trusted anyone else. Being the princess, people considered her as an asset, something that could lead them to power. Katherine longed for genuine connections, for someone her age who truly cared. Yet, those hopes had been shattered.

“Not possible.” Katherine replied despondently.

“Just give it a try. It’s not as difficult when people don’t want something from you,” Mary encouraged.

Katherine hesitated, reconsidering her stance. “I will try, but I won't expect anything. Thank you for suggesting it.”

“You’re welcome, my dear. Now, let me lead you one last time to your father, even though we both know you know the way,” Mary chuckled.

“Last time? I think not,” she added playfully.

Katherine followed Mary as they engaged in light conversation, discussing monthly gossip and sharing their plans after Katherine’s departure. After a brief walk, they finally arrived at the King’s room. Over the past few months, Katherine had confined herself mostly to her room, occasionally venturing out to the garden or her father’s room.

It may have seemed foolish, but she preferred to be lost in her own thoughts. The Void Spear, her uncertain magical abilities, and her father’s decision to cast her out to search for the weapon had left her overwhelmed with confusion.

The preparations for her departure only added to her burdensome thoughts.

“Hello, Daughter. It’s time for your trip. I hope you slept well.”

“I’m already packed, father.”

“That’s a pleasant surprise,” her father replied.

Katherine just nodded, she would miss his voice and dry humor. Her father looked at her for a moment in his study and stood up, finally facing her. He looked her straight in the eyes, “Did you pack the amethyst amulet?”

She nodded.

"You know how dangerous that artifact is. Only use it in the worst of situations. Once you find someone to help you with it."

"Father, Serra casted a subjugation spell on it for now. Once I've received my arcane energy, I'll unlock it myself."

The man smiled brightly. "Very well. Wear it with caution."

The Arbitrator closed his eyes. “Despite what Mary has probably told you already, we need you to go to the junction between Bearbes and Bridgemond. More better, straight into Bridgemond. From there you can go to Pinewick like you said. It’s the fastest and safest path.”

Mary looked shocked, and Katherine briefly felt confused about what she had missed. Mary appeared angry as she exclaimed, "You can’t send her there! Your Highness, have you lost your mind? That’s not safe at all!"

The princess interjected, defending Mary for her impudence.

“Now, Now. Her concern is warranted. I wouldn’t be a good ruler if I punished her for being right and smarter than all of my advisors. At least, the ones who are left.”

Katherine mentally sighed in relief.

“I don’t care about that, father, what does she mean? What is wrong?”

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

“Well, for one thing, Bearbes was recently bombed and destroyed by the Riders. They murdered and deported civilians to the three mines while also having the support of the Bridgemond local guards.”

"Weren't those the Kingdom forest guardians and wilderness experts?"

"Yes. Their honor code only consisted of three tenets. Upholding justice through patrolling the Kingdom, keeping animal quotas at the correct ratios, and sending spotted wanted criminals to the guard. But now that's all changed."

Katherine shook her head. “So, there are no more residents in Bridgemond because of the Riders?”

"The King has implemented a system to taking people to the North, South and East mines. Unsurprisingly, it's very rigorous. Ten villagers per bimonthly cycle, and if the quota isn't met or one of the quarries escape, they burn and pillage the village, murdering everyone else."

"That's horrible..."

"Yes. The village razing eventually becomes inevitable."

"That's the King you've been working with all this time?"

"Hopefully incorrect. To me, he didn't seem like an ore obsessed fool. Antony has gone mad, or he is already dead. We don’t know. Hopefully, the latter.”

Katherine stared her father down. “How is that okay?”

“To preserve his memory, child. He was a great man before this mess. But still, that also shows that there's someone pulling the strings behind the scenes.”

Katherine nodded again.

“Back to the topic of your travel, it's better for you to start there, because it’s the safest place right now. It's under their control and hosts their main base, so you won’t face any attacks there unless you provoke them.”

“Princess, I will be there for your final farewell,” Mary said, leaving the room immediately after. Katherine sensed her childhood helper's embarrassment from her outburst before.

The Arbitrator chuckled and continued, “After that, you can do as you please. Just six months. Explore the outside world, meet new people. When you return, I look forward to meeting them.”

Her father offered a sorrowful smile, a gesture he had been making frequently lately.

“Katherine, remember that you are an adult. As a parent, I give you permission to do whatever your heart says. If you find yourself in any situation, just question if it aligns with your heart. I have done the same my entire life, and look where that has gotten me. In a good situation I mean, not at the moment, but at my prime.”

Katherine chuckled forcefully. He laughed with her, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“Alright, father, I will take my leave now.” Katherine ran up to her father, and for the first time in a while, gave a heartfelt hug. He returned it, and they had a few seconds of silence. The Arbitrator broke it and looked into Katherine’s eyes.

“I'll see you soon.” He said with a heavy voice.

Katherine took her bags off of the ornate floor and went outside.

She walked to the main entrance, which was many stairwells away, and dropped her bags. It was very eerie to see no one bustling near the Aiyimorean palace, but it was more peaceful. Too bad she couldn’t stay, she thought. Katherine swiftly tied her hair. She noticed her maid running up to her.

Katherine tried speaking out loud, not letting the stone lodge her throat, “Mary, what's the real reason I haven’t seen anyone here except you, father, and our attendants? I find it hard to believe that everyone left the Kingdom that one night.”

Her maid's presence had always evoked faint memories of what Katherine imagined having a mother might feel like. Often, Katherine found herself wishing she had never been born, believing it would have brought happiness to her father and spared her mother's life. It felt like a kind of barter, but one where her father received the short end of the stick.

The Rythin Lady had achieved so much, yet it all seemed to crumble because of something as simple as bearing a child. Katherine couldn't shake the belief that she was a curse to everyone around her, a notion seemingly validated by her imminent departure, orchestrated by her father. Her insecurities tangled within her mind, unspoken and unresolved. Lost in these thoughts, she suddenly refocused, realizing Mary’s hands waving in front of her.

“Katherine! I was worried I would have to take you to the infirmary for a moment.”

“No need. Just please make me a promise.”

“What is it, darling?”

“Just promise you will still be there once I’m back.” The maid didn't even hesitate and confidently replied with a, “I’ll be there.”

After her goodbyes, Katherine left the castle with a heavy heart, her mind burdened with sorrow and determination. The weight of her emotions seemed to match the heaviness of her footsteps as she made her way through the castle gates.

"Wait!" Someone called behind her. Her maid rushed towards her, hands pulling up her skirt over the deep snow.

Katherine stood there, waiting until she caught up.

"Katherine. You asked why they all disappeared right?" She said, panting.

Patting herself, she pulled a letter out of her back pocket, handing it to her. The envelope looked mundane, maybe even a bit redundant due to how thin the paper was.

"Take this, princess."

Mary looked like she was going to cry. Katherine had never seen that side of her before. The princess went to comfort her, but Mary stopped her with the palms of her hands, handing the envelope.

"When I was young and a maid-in-training, I used to read books about the Lutrian Kingdom. I used to be obsessed," she said, while wiping her eyes. "One thing that really stood out to me was human dreams. As Aiyimoreans that have stood at guard for millennia, we don't have them."

"What do you mean?"

"I read a poem by one of the humans, and it told me that when the Void Star is the only star in the night sky, then all your pains and struggles will be forgotten. So I implore you to read this letter when that happens."

Katherine put a hand on her heart. "I promise."

"I'll miss you...Katherine."

She smiled. "Don't worry, I'll be back in only a few months!"

"You will. You really will."

Mary straightened, wiping what was left of her tears on her blouse.

"Remember that the Arbitrator, I, and everyone else loves you very much."

"I love you too."

----------------------------------------

As she ventured further away from the safety of the castle walls, the landscape transformed into a formidable obstacle course. Towering cliffs stood like impassable barriers, their jagged edges threatening to halt her progress. But Katherine was not one to be deterred. She could climb with ease. However, she just realized how hard it was to navigate her childhood home. It seemed impossible how an entire race had moved here, almost superhuman like. However, with the power of magic, it seemed like anything was possible.

She had to focus however. With a determined spirit, she began scaling the cliffs with the agility of a mountain goat, each foothold and handhold a testament to her resilience. After overcoming the first hurdle, Katherine’s gaze turned towards the distant outpost, a beacon of hope amidst the unforgiving wilderness. However, her path was shrouded in uncertainty. She possessed a tattered map with faded markings, an outdated guide to an ever-changing landscape. She also had to hold her heavy bags and clothing.

The map had also frosted to the weather. She couldn’t believe that just outside the castle in a very short radius it would be this cold. For the first time in her life, she didn’t feel safe at all. Additionally, night fall would amplify her feelings. She tried to focus her mind on the task. Undeterred, she relied on her instincts, choosing a direction that felt right, guided by her unwavering determination to reach Bridgemond.

As the hours passed, the biting chill of the mountains intensified, gnawing at Katherine’s flesh. The temperature dropped mercilessly, numbing her fingertips and turning her breath into misty clouds. Realizing the dire consequences of being caught unprepared in the frozen wilderness, she thanked Mary for forcing her to pack extra jackets. Bundling up in layers of warmth, Katherine pressed onward, her resolve bolstered by the knowledge that she was as equipped as she could be.

Days blurred into a relentless trek through perilous terrain. Every step tested her physical endurance and mental strength. Katherine maneuvered through dense forests where branches scraped her skin and thorny underbrush threatened to trip her. She navigated treacherous ravines and traversed icy slopes, requiring her utmost caution. Along the way, she encountered chilling encounters with wolves. Their jet-white eyes and coats were haunting, but Katherine managed to evade them, though they watched her closely as she moved on.