As the four girls continued on their journey, unrest followed in their wake. There were those who had reasons to be concerned about their departure.
"Oh, my dear sister, oh what trouble have you gotten us into this time." Ihzyhur, third prince of Wyxir, couldn't believe what his sister had done. Times of war were fast approaching, it wasn't safe to leave the palace walls like she had. Agreeably, he could understand her motivation, he himself felt he didn't fit in at court. His older brothers, both presiding over all matters of the crown, had not felt fit to include either of them in anything as yet. Even their parents felt out of their reach. Today was the closest he had been to any of them.
"Ihzyhur, listen, it's imperative that you find our misbegotten sister and bring her home, post-haste. The foolish girl doesn't understand the worth of her own blood. I'm bound by matters of court enough as is, and our esteemed brother will have his hands filled soon enough, our war preparations are progressing quickly. Qicir doesn't appear to be standing idle either." His eldest brother, the first prince, hadn't spoken to him this directly in years. "You, you've spent time with our sister to understand the ways she works. You are our best chance at finding her and bringing her back. You however also have the selfsame blood in your veins, we can't risk your own danger either. I'm going to assign you your own detachment of the royal guard, to assist you in your search."
The royal guard weren't just solders trained to guard the royal family, they were the most elite of the elite. A single royal guard would be a force to be reckoned with. A whole detachment was like a compact army. Ihzyhur was getting worried that everything was quickly blowing out of proportion. However, it's not like he wasn't worried either. Alone in the wilderness, what if she fell upon by beasts or knaves of the wild. He wasn't sure she could deal with bandits, let alone enemy soldiers. Her training was good, but her timid nature would certainly have her hesitate under fatal circumstances, facing real danger. He had to find her, and quickly.
Ihzyhur himself wasn't used to taking authority over soldiers, nor were they used to reporting to him. Due to his name, he was oft begotten as 'the normal prince', in reference to him having no field of influence or responsibility. Though, everyone was smart enough to hold caution in which circles that title was used. In the wrong circumstances, heads would roll. However, word had spread quickly about the princess's disappearance, and Ihzyhur's determination started new rumors quickly as his preparations ran smoothly. The third prince was chosen for his ability to hunt? His unstoppable will ran the halls cold as ice. Clearly, it was because he was born for the hunt.
It didn't even take hours for the title of "Crown Seekers" to fall upon his team, and he wasn't left ignorant of it. He felt it wasn't that inaccurate either, a role he might enjoy in the future, if the future was so kind. For now though, he had a job to do. More than being the seekers for the crown, they were to be seekers of a crown, of the royal princess. A dark shadow crawled across his face, and his attendants backed away. They were well aware of how fierce he could be. Several of their own had already been questioned regarding the disappearance of the princess. Many had been punished.
Soon after, his company was on the roads. They were currently investigating an Inn. "So, I've come to learn that a woman had passed through here, not that long ago. A floral dress, red in color. She should be recognizable for her absent-mindedness, her reputation for such is abound in this area. I take it you are familiar with the woman I speak of?" The innkeeper was terrified, listening to Ihzyhur. Reputations of the Seekers had preceded them. Two inns had already been shut down, having been considered failing to properly conduct business with an etiquette befitting reception of the royal family. In their case, this particular inn had taken pride in getting five times the standard rate from the gullible woman. The cost it seems would be too high for such an accomplishment.
Another Seeker came in. "Sir, we caught word from the soldiers in the area. They had spotted a woman matching the princess's appearance from behind, and had monitored her until she was safely out of their operating space. They mention she was headed in the direction of the Magus Citadel." Of course! His sister was naive, but she wasn't stupid. The citadel was one place she could go easily, which would effectively slow his company down. The diplomacy required to bring armed soldiers across their borders, even royal guards, would hold them at the gates. It was perhaps quite clever of her.
"Pack up at once. Send a missive to the citadel, tell them we're tracking a.. fugitive of the crown. Pass them a description of the princess. I will be at the gates myself shortly, I just need to wrap things up here." Ihzyhur's tone lightened with hope, they were getting closer. The innkeeper was starting to feel like he might escape this situation, only to realize the implications of Ihzyhur's closing statement. This inn wasn't going to escape consequence either.
Xyithy was another on a similar hunt. Then at the Guardhall of the Shieldbearers, she was busy tearing into the chief. "So, let me see if I've got this correctly. Instead of taking any form of prompt action to actually teach any sort of decent skills, you had decided it smart to impart on Qheria a.. vactation.. at this late a time. How can you be such an utter fool!" Cold sweat dripped down the chief's face. Confronting the great hero was intimidating in the best of times. Confronting her when she was this furious was nightmarish. The desk cracked under the force of Xyithy's palm, the Shieldbearers watching outside cringing in kind.
The chief opened his mouth as if to speak, but Xyithy put a stop to it right away. "I don't want to hear any excuses. I want her found. I will have her found, even if I have to do it myself! We are this close to war, and she still isn't ready. You had a responsibility to train her, to prepare her. She was supposed to be safe here, learning. The castle has been asking me for days now to have her moved into the war efforts, her.. potential talents were to be.. incalculably valuable to our success. Wyxir already has clear demonstration of their power, we need every edge we've got. But no!! I had to trust the safety of my girl to you, because the shieldbearers was supposed to be safer than the military. If this is safer, where has my girl gone!" The desk finally snapped in half. Xyithy stormed out of the room.
Soldiers waited patiently for her, at the entrance of the Guardhall. They were a special ops force, hand-picked by the great hero herself. The Shadow Reavers, they were far more reliable, like death walking through the shadows. Target recovery, this wasn't the sort of task they were typically assigned to, but stalking prey was at least something they excelled at. All of them saluted her arrival.
"I'm done here. Have we found a trail?" "Yes, ma'am. It seems she headed in the direction of the Magus Citadel." Xyithy cursed her misfortune, the reaver she spoke with still unflinching. It had taken far too long to get everything organized. Her daughter would be well ahead of them as is, and the Magus Citadel made things a bit more complicated. That fool of a girl still didn't understand just how big this situation was. Some of it was Xyithy's own fault, she supposed.. it's not like Qheria had ever been told what her future held. The girl was too timid to properly understand.
Now though, she was in danger. Worse, her enemies could learn at any time just how valuable she actually was, maybe even turn her against them. Wyxir had weapons aplenty, her own reavers had already uncovered such. It had been her life's work to give Qicir a weapon of their own, her own self being one of them, but her own daughter another. She knew she could ill-afford to leave Qicir without any of it's greatest weapons, but there was also no one who would be capable of recovering the one that was lost. The castle has told her that they would attempt to.. delay the war, in line with her own return.
She was not without at least a bit of luck. Her own reavers had also uncovered unrest within Wyxir, it appears they had their own troubles. This would offer her the opportunity she would need. But Qheria was still such a timid woman, she would be far too easy to be used by the enemy. She set off immediately for the Magus Citadel, her Shadow Reavers close behind.
Aelyiq was having trouble digesting his own misfortune, as he knelt before the High-Sage herself. He aspired himself nothing more than an elven traveler, so to honor her grace like this was a miracle of an experience. To kneel in disgrace brought him a fountain of shame. "I .. I am truly sorry, milady. I wasn't aware who.. who it was I had been speaking to." "Your innocence is regrettable, but understandable. My daughter has not been one seen by many of elven-kind, much less one who does not frequent these parts."
The High-Sage did not appear herself angry with him. "Perhaps much of the blame in fact belongs to the staff of the library, who failed in their responsibilities. Regardless, my daughter has fled not only her sanctuary, but even passed beyond these lands. Finding one who holds the skills to visit distant places would be no easy task. Fittingly enough though, that appears to describe you well enough. So instead of punishment, I offer you redemption. Find my daughter."
Aelyiq was overwhelmed by the monumental task set before him. "Myself alone?" "Of course not, that would be foolish. You will be assigned into the care of the Wardens of the Glade. Do not disappoint me." This was only getting worse. The wardens weren't just some simple crew, they were the pride of the elves. To be assigned in search of any one elf, it was unheard of. Aelyiq was worried that the High-Sage might be overstepping her authority in this one. It might be out of motherly love, but the High-Sage's daughter held no true status to the elves, regardless of her lineage.
Stolen novel; please report.
"Please forgive me, but I must state my concerns. Wouldn't the Circle take offense to this over-usage of resources?" The Circle was effectively the ruling authority of the elves, even the High-Sage reported to the Circle. His statement was then reasonable, and the High-Sage understood that a bit more clarity would be necessary. "If Mhyl was not more than a simple elf, you would be right. However, when she was little, I had been given message of her... gifts. She has been chosen by the forest, marked as a Saviour. I'm certain you understand that a Saviour is deserving of this and more."
This would explain why the High-Sage had kept her daughter in sanctuary for all of these years. Keeping her safe from the world, so that she could return and keep the elves safe in turn. Being marked a Saviour also means the forest was aware of a danger approaching, the elves were at risk at some point in Mhyl's lifetime, and no one knew when that might be. Her absence from the Elnir put them all in serious danger. Involving the Wardens for such a reason.. it made plain sense. The circle would never doubt this judgement.
"Al-.. alright, I will take up this charge, in defense of my homeland. I have been beyond the woods, I am familiar with the ways of those beyond. I have even taken the time to study their language and cultures. Do we know where she headed?" "She passed through the everglade, following along the river, into the lands of the humans beyond." Having his question answered, Aelyiq went pale at the implications. He was fully aware of the growing strife within the lands in that direction. The High-Sage grew more concerned, taking consideration of his expression.
"You know something of concern with the humans of those lands, I take it. What dangers does this bring to the Saviour, to my daughter?" The High-Sage was still protective of her daughter, even if she also understood how things were much more complicated than that. "The humans there prepare for war among each other. Young Mhyl is walking into the middle of a battlefield." The poor girl, having seen nothing of the world, she wouldn't understand the trouble she would be walking into. Guilt surged through Aelyiq, he was the one who instilled this need to see the world beyond. He would find her.
Concern registered on the High-Sage's face, bringing an understanding that the situation had an even stronger sense of urgency. "The forest does not bring word of her coming to harm, she is still fine for the moment. Considering how long she had left, then I suspect she has found a new place to hide. Find it, search her down, and bring her home." With that, the High-Sage dismissed him. He knew he had to proceed with haste.
He met immediately with the Wardens waiting for him, and gathered them to follow his lead. In all accounts, she could possibly hide by following the river. If she had done so, she would have found herself at what the humans called the Magus Citadel. That place was held neutrally away from its warring neighbours, possibly the best place to hide. But elves in the lands of humans would raise considerable questions, they had to proceed with care. He passed this information to the Wardens, who reported that they would work to make arrangements. They were to leave immediately.
Ehryinae was a disciple of the Arch-Magus himself, and was herself the leader of one of its many pillars. Belonging to the Pillar of Embers marked her as one of the most powerful of her peers. This was perhaps why she was confused as to why she was being called to follow the Arch-Magus personally, on his visit to a simple Inn. They had just arrived, so the Arch-Magus put aside the tome he was reviewing, something about celestial storms. Ehryinae opened the door for him.
The girl at the front counter jumped, seeing the importance of her guests. The Citadel Inn has been having some of the strangest of guests recently. "Yes, yes, hi, uh.. Can I help you with anything, sir?" "Yes, young lady, can you please fetch your father for me." "DAD!!!" The girl ran off, searching for her father, desperate to escape. Her brother approached to investigate. "Ah, the Arch-Magus himself. To what honor do we have for this visit?" The boy was doing well at keeping things professional, though his eyes gave away his real fear. Ehryinae couldn't blame the kid, she didn't know why they were here either.
"Thank you my boy, but it's alright. I'll just wait for your father, you should just keep attending to your other guests." The Arch-Magus excused the boy, so the boy just stood and waited. He obviously had no idea what else he should do in this situation. Footfalls could be heard in the distance, as the girl returned with her father. "Arch-Magus, hello. To what honor do we have for this visit?" The same father made it clear from where the boy's lessons came from. "I have came to have a word with you. In private, if you will." The arch-magus still gave away nothing of his intentions, but they were guided to another room.
The arch-magus motioned that Ehryinae was to guard the door, though from the inside. That means she would be expected to listen, but to ensure there were no interruptions. It might also mean she was to prevent anyone escaping. The Arch-Magus took the seat indicated for him. "I seem to have noticed that this Inn is working slightly under its usual staffing. Could you care to explain this?" The Innkeeper father looked like he might even understand why this would be of any consequence for the Arch-Magus. "We... uh... It appears one of our staff has gone missing. Don't worry, we will ensure that correctional measures..." "It appears you aren't fully grasping the immensity of the situation. After all, none of your staff here even appear concerned that the granddaughter of the Arch-Magus is no where to be found!"
This is news Ehryinae hadn't been aware of. She didn't even know the Arch-Magus had a granddaughter. Though, she could recall word of him having a daughter. She couldn't actually remember many details about that, but inevitably, having a daughter could mean one day having a granddaughter. What didn't make sense was all the secrecy around it. "But, sir, she's only a half-elf.." The Innkeeper father filled in the missing blanks. Now things made a bit more sense. Having a half-elf in your family, that's certainly not something the Arch-Magus would make public, quite the reverse in fact. This means she was being made privy to some really confidential information. Ehryinae took a moment to check around outside, in case anyone was listening.
"We did have an agreement, did we not? I'm sure you understand, given the circumstances, there weren't many I could turn to. I had trusted the people around me, it had cost me my daughter. I had believed that, for all of your faults, you could at least serve a... measure of success better than most. But you disappoint me." "But ... she's only a half-elf." Ehryinae wasn't even closely involved in the situation, and already she was herself getting tired of silently listening to his excuses. The Arch-Magus, being further invested in the situation, was bound to lose his patience very soon.
"I'm well aware of peoples fears of mixed bloods. My own wife couldn't even handle coming to term with such a mixed blood child, the foolishness of my own youth, falling in love with an elf. Bearing a child of mixed blood had quickly made her ill, and then taken her life. But even on her deathbed, her love for her daughter did not waver. And as my daughter laid dying before me, protecting her own daughter, she never wavered either. There was nothing I could do for either in those moments, nothing at my disposal was enough to save them. Yes, I so much wanted to save them, tainted by mixed blood. They were each dear and important to me, regardless of blood. Both are gone now, leaving only my granddaughter to remain." The Arch-Magus' family story was starting to have Ehryinae's eyes water.
"More tainted than their blood is the disregards of those too foolish to understand. You, you were among the foolish, and yet left me with the belief that you were the best recourse. My own foolishness, to have counted on you." "I.. I'm.. Uh.. She.." "I don't want to hear it. You had best hope I can still find her. If you cost me my family, I'm not sure how safe your own will remain. Ehryinae!" Ehryinae jumped at being called over by the Arch-Magus. She had a suspicion that she was being made to hear all of that for a reason.
"Yes, sir." Ehryinae quickly rushed to the Arch-Magus, who then continued speaking to her. "If you check our records, it seems there has been a slight trickle of funds leaving the Citadel, going to a.. specific Inn. I would ask that you would put a halt to it, in order to give me the opportunity to fully investigate it." Oh, so some of the Inn's business was even profiting from this service to the Arch-Magus. Foolish indeed for that to be forgotten. "With our business concluded, I believe it's time to depart. I trust the Citadel Inn will be certain to pass along any useful information that would... fit it's long term interests." Ehryinae took the cues that they were leaving, and opened the door for the Arch-Magus. Then, she promptly closed it before the Innkeeper father, treating him as little more than dirt.
Once safely away, the Arch-Magus addressed her again. "I trust you understand the terms of this situation. Mostly, at least, in consideration. Suffice it to say that the girl's grandmother was no simple elf, a circle elf in fact. A blood mixture then of considerable potential, that potential might be a bigger risk for her than the hatred held for mixed bloods in general. I'm certain this same fear of potential is in most what killed my daughter... ... Ehryinae, she MUST be found. I suspect she doesn't even know of her own potential."
The Arch-Magus took a moment to gather himself before continuing, his tone going much more formal at this point. "Ehryinae, dispatch the Embers, find her." "Sir! All of them?" "All of them." Ehryinae was stunned. To send the entire Pillar of Embers to search for the girl, something must have the Arch-Magus concerned. The Arch-Magus pulled out his previous Tome, glancing at it worryingly. "Oh, and Ehryinae. Please keep me informed of any... unusual weather patterns you notice during the investigation."
Ehryinae set out to gather all of the Embers. She didn't tell any of them why the girl was important, just saying that the girl was part of an arcane investigation by the Arch-Magus, and thus had to be found. They tracked down that the girl was seen leaving with three other women, heading towards the great mountain. Her company was suspicious, but the path around the great mountain would take no less than three days. It gave her an opportunity to catch up, before she lost the trail.
During her investigation, she found it concerning just how many travelers had appeared, who seemed to be doing investigations of their own. Taking a catalog of the travelers, she learned one party hailed from Wyxir and was composed of members of the Royal Guard themselves. Another was a suspicious escort of the Qiciri hero. Lastly, elves had came from the Elnir Woodlands, Wardens specifically.
It was exceedingly clear, something big would inevitably happen. Whatever it was, the world was already moving in response.