“My Honoured Friend,


    I regrettably write not with good news, but to inform you of information gleaned from the Stellar Observatory. The Magus and Astromancers operating it have relayed to us grim tidings regarding our previous correspondence. Though we had halted the advance of Twilight, we all knew it was only a matter of time before the Age of Twilight would seize the mantle from the Stars. I fear what is to come, and I fear what that would mean for us all. I write to ask, nay, plead with you to arrange a meeting between my messenger and the Northern Lords. The Papal authorities desire to keep this secret but I believe that only by preparing can we truly withstand the darkness about to embrace us. May the High Goddess preserve us all in the coming days.


    Blessed by the Stars.


    M. ”


    -???Unknown Letter on Desk of King Edelin of Carrador.


    <hr><hr>


    Arteria. Sophie breathed slowly, savouring every breath of fresh slightly sweet air as her eyes swept across the landscape. The blue skies and fluffy white clouds lazily carried out their duties, the sky stretching off to the horizon to meet with the waters below. The land separated into two, a deep gorge that swept down from the Highwall to create a natural boundary for the verdant sweeping fields cradled on one side, and the forestry hills on the other. So deep was the opening that, even when she looked down, she couldn’t tell how far they would have to fall before they’d reach the water. Compounding that discovery was her inability to clearly see the river below. Early morning mists had already begun dissipating but trapped within the gorge itself was a thin layer of fog that looked to Sophie as if an ethereal force was holding the other side aloft with magic. It was here that the river met the ocean, the two intertwined, born from ancient magics that carved the land into two.


    Sophie walked up to the edge of the gorge, the hill having taken the duo to the overlook before it descended towards a bridge that connected the two landmasses. Her hands touched the hilt of her blade, no longer gripped with tension, but instead a dependable companion in which her palms rested upon. Over the gorge, the vast tracts of fields were dotted with little villages and farms, the countless squat dwellings punctuated by churches and manors that stood above the rest. But none of these could hold a candle to the city beyond them, with even the walls dwarfing the tallest of village churches. The land itself too seemed to acknowledge this, with the fields converging into what felt like a path that led to a singular destination. Arteria.


    Massive turquoise towers and domes dominated the skyline, some little twigs that pushed upwards towards the heavens, others, thick sturdy buildings that announced their presence proudly against the sky. What stood out most of all was the tiered structure that held her gaze at the center of the city. Even from here, far from their goal, perhaps still two days away, she could see clearly the different arches and towers of the structure. A monument to the achievements of a civilisation. A reminder of the power concentrated into this one place.


    From her angle, the entire place looked more like an elevated peninsula above the sea. The idea was further reinforced by the myriad of naval vessels and trading ships that scooted just out of clear visual range on the horizon. Yet, there was evidence that this area was still just part of the mainland, various tributaries and rivers still snaked their way across the land, ending up at the edge of the gorge and producing magnificent waterfalls that draped the sides in a curtain of water.


    Birds chirped their strange but pleasant songs even whilst the water below rushed with a ferocity, the loud cacophony fading into calmness in the deep blue great ocean beyond. Frogs and other marsh dwellers also groaned their guttural noises from below the forest, but here, their cries seemed more mellow, more at ease in their habitat. The forest itself swayed to the breeze, its usual suffocating hold having opened up into the world in earnest as the leaves gave way to the fields.


    “We’re here.” Sophie let out a soft whisper, her free hand digging in her pants, “We’re here.”


    She burned the sights into her memory, taking great pains to absorb every noise, object and color into her mind. Even the leaves that sprinkled gently down from the tree shading her, she took effort to remember. For the first time in a long time, she felt a strange feeling she had almost forgotten existed, safe. She felt truly safe.


    Her eyes sparkled like the water itself, a deep vibrant blue that seemed so alien yet majestic to her. So much water. From the oppressiveness of the Mistveil, the horrors of the wilderness, and the suffering in Melisgrad, what she saw seemed too good to be true. A jewel of the continent, surrounded by water, kept safe by its adventurers and home of a site where the forces of light repelled the darkness. It was like a dream for her to gaze upon it. Her exuberance however, was soon tempered by a niggling feeling cropping up within her, a minuscule doubt that nonetheless echoed loudly within her, but can I even function here? After everything that happened I… I don’t know.


    As a few stray leaves gently tumbled down from above, she sighed deeply and stilled her breath. Whatever doubt she had could wait; she still needed to get there first. She finally found herself turning slightly to look at her companion, the redhead also taking the sights in for herself. There was a sense of majesty and wonder that Sophie herself found hard to replicate, and for a split second a solemn sense of envy dash through her mind. To see the world through curious eyes, heh, I don’t know if I even want to travel the continent anymore, and here we are, a girl with the same dream as me. At that thought she just smiled, observing the green eyes filled with wonder. She vowed to protect them, to help fulfill Aryana’s dream of travel.


    A small giggle escaped her lips which finally broke the spell of silence between the duo, Aryana too taking a deep breath before she looked up towards Sophie, a smile plastered across her face.


    “Is… is that where we’re going?” Aryana fiddled with her braid excitedly.


    “Yeah, that’s where we’re going.” Sophie replied with a smile, one she didn’t have to force on.


    Aryana beamed one of her own, the redhead giving her own cheeks a small caress before looking back up. “I…I didn’t know things could look so… umm so…”


    “Pristine? Majestic?” Sophie suggested.


    Aryana scrunched her brow together as she tried to recall something but ended up nodding fervently, “Yes! Something so pristine and majestic so far from home. So big too. How… how many people do you think live there? Hundreds? Thousands? Hundreds of thousands? It… it looks bigger than Stormwatch.” Aryana chittered.


    Sophie just shrugged but offered a cheeky smile in return. “Only one way to find out.” She gestured with both arms outstretched, kneeling slightly with her head bowed, like a knight offering their lady the rite of passage.


    “Stop it!” Aryana giggled.


    Sophie grinned and met the girl’s green eyes. The two shared a smile before Sophie finally got back up to her feet. “Shall we, then?” Sophie offered.


    “Yes! We shall! Let’s go explore!” Aryana cheered.


    Sophie could sense the warmth of Aryana’s mood and felt a pang of anxiety. After everything we’ve gone through the past four months, all the suffering and loss, and so much because of me. Am I allowed to celebrate so soon? Will Eva take me in? Accept what I’ve…what I’ve become. She shivered as she touched her own hand, the sight of her fallen foe being torn apart flashing in her mind.


    “Let’s gooo, slowpoke! Last one to cross the bridge umm… umm… let’s go!” Aryana hurried as she bounded down the path with renewed vigor.


    Sophie scoffed at the sight and shelved her thoughts for later. She had a responsibility to keep Aryana safe after all. With that, she shuffled off after the girl, the sun gently kissed their skin as the relaxing breeze heralded a new chapter of their journey.


    <hr><hr>


    There was a markedly noticeable contrast when they finally emerged onto the main road. Travelers, peddlers, caravans, guards and all manner of other folk dotted the thoroughfare, folks as far back up the hills leading towards Carrador, others from the side paths and bridges that led to other nearby regions. A few carriages of noble nature too found themselves on the rounds, though generally the mounted knights guarding them proved more than enough to separate them from the others.


    Aryana seemed bewildered by the strange designs and sights they were witness to. Sophie could only do her best to contain her chuckling, the redhead reminding her of herself whenever Eva would bring her along to the Carradorian capital of Neun Carad. She too marvelled at the sights there, the towering architecture, the castle, the city and all its inhabitants. In a way, the more she looked down the road and towards Arteria, she could feel the same wellspring of wondrous emotions that she once felt, even if the colors seemed slightly duller than before.


    Yet, it was amidst this wonder and awe that Sophie could feel it once again, the gazes and judgment of the people around them. She felt vulnerable, their sharp eyes and bleak looks reminding her of the whispered words the estate staff had used, the half blood is here, the wench, the outcast. At the very least, she could see that Aryana wasn’t subjected to the same assumptions, most of the heads turning towards her only to admire the girl’s strange appearance and beauty.


    The first township they reached was Brightfields, named for the evidently vibrant fields of flowers hidden behind the buildings. It was a quaint little place surrounded by greenery beyond its boundaries From there, Sophie could just about make out where they were standing hours ago on the opposite side of the gorge. Shaded by the Highwall above, Sophie could begin to understand why few merchants ever traveled the roads they just used. Ensnared by the forest at the foothills and under the mountain’s shadow, it looked almost like a separate realm completely compared to the green fields of Arteria. Even the marshlands on the other side seemed more subdued compared to the forest itself. Sophie muttered a small prayer of thanks for the relatively uneventful journey through the trees, grateful for not having to deal with more dangers on her own.


    Marble fountains and small statues decorated the little town, supplemented by brightly coloured brick buildings. It seemed a peaceful and happy place, with a multitude of townsfolk buzzing about alongside the merchants and other guests who passed by. Brightfields did not only cultivate a variety of flowers, but it evidently served as a layover point, the town center packed tight with family run inns, bursting at the seams with cheer and visitors. Unfortunately for the duo, their good fortune and cheer could only take them so far. Sophie had left what little money she had with Annalise, Aryana having unintentionally left everything behind as well when she got spirited away.


    It thus fell to her to deliver the news to the excitable redhead, who almost at once grew crestfallen at realising they wouldn’t stay here for the night.


    “Don’t look so glum, at least now we can get a proper fire started and actually cook some of our food.” Sophie meekly tried to cheer her up.


    “I guess.” Aryana had wearily responded.


    Sophie felt her non-existent heart get squeezed by the wave of guilt that poured forth from seeing her companion so disappointed. But there was nothing she could do. Her own slowly deflating form must’ve caught the attention of a few locals as she could hear their whispering nearby.


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    “Look at that, it’s one of them.” A young boy’s voice came from a second story window.


    “Mama said to avoid them, that their pointy ears will hurt us. But it looks so sad.” A younger one, a girl, responded.


    “Sad? It''s probably plotting. Do you think they really take naughty kids away? You could be next.” The boy chuckled menacingly.


    “I don’t want to be taken away!” The shrill protest followed.


    Sophie tuned the rest out, a slow scowl building upon her face as she self consciously patted at her ears, trying to flatten them slightly to look more human. Truthfully, she could still feel their gazes, not just of them but of the other villagers too. Evidently modern elves hadn’t left a good impression on them either. Yet there was another certainty that their words reinforced, something she herself knew too well. Treesinger Vulen was kind to me, but the rangers seemed almost dismissive, I somehow doubt that I’d get any better reception amongst the elves either. Despondent, she let out a small sigh and hid her emotions from Aryana, rationalising that the girl was already disappointed enough.


    Their tenuous situation wasn’t helped by being broke. They were also unable to afford to purchase any souvenirs or foods that were on sale, a fact that not just devastated Aryana, but Sophie as well. What little awe and majesty that had been felt before had entirely evaporated at this point. Left with their few rations and supplies, they made quick progress through Brightfields.


    Overwhelmed by a sense of failure by not just preparing, but by letting someone down once again. Sophie fell into a quiet despair after that, and though she knew Aryana had noticed, her mind found it hard to peel away, leaving the duo to continue their trek in silence. Well, at least it can only look up from here.


    <hr><hr>


    They pushed through the night, their joy tempered by the more pragmatic concerns that hindered their journey. At the very least, they drew ever closer to Arteria, the city’s walls now truly imposing, no longer just something to be gawked at from far away. Though she wasn’t exactly surprised, the amount of other travelers and caravans that also trekked in the darkness was more than she expected. The little torches and lanterns that bobbed along the road brought some level of comfort in knowing that they were protected to some extent. It was a burden off their backs since they didn’t need to be as vigilant against external threats, being able to just soak in the Arterian countryside without worry.


    Her skin crawled at how natural she felt here, on the road, traveling instead of being in a town. What a strange feeling. Part of her heart still beat anxiously, they would soon be at the gates of Arteria. In front of the very city that she once thought of as some distant goal to reach Eva. Fuck… this still feels so surreal. Her eyes flickered over to her companion ahead of her, the girl’s mood slightly recovered from the earlier disappointment. At least she bounced back quickly. She didn’t even seem to mind when we ate our food cold again, though that could just be her hiding her sadness.


    In their quiet travel, shuffling past other convoys, some already camped out of the side of the road, Sophie was struck by a sudden thought.


    “Aryana.” She said.


    “Mmm?!” The girl froze in surprise, her body caught mid step.


    “Are you doing okay?”


    “Umm… yeah?” Aryana answered, the two now standing awkwardly in the middle of the road.


    “You can tell me if you’re upset.”


    “I… I will?”


    “Mmhmm.” Sophie affirmed, but could not bring herself to ask the question she meant to.


    So it was that they fell silent, Sophie waiting for a response to a question never asked, and Aryana unsure of what exactly was happening. The bite of awkwardness slowly bubbled up between the two until the redhead finally broke the silence again.


    “Err… so why the questions?” The redhead asked.


    Sophie sighed, her mind still running through the different ways to present the question. She said she would keep Aryana safe in her travels, to be her protector of sorts. But now that they were so close to Arteria, to Eva. Sophie was uncertain. She knew she would end up in the academy, preferably as a student of knowledge, but perhaps as just a maid back under her mistress. Yet, that would also mean a halt to any travel plans. Even the potential for adventuring or guild related activities would come to a standstill. It effectively meant stopping Aryana’s dreams in her tracks, and Sophie couldn’t stand the idea of just letting her down yet again.


    “Sophie?” Aryana spoke up, Sophie jumping back from the sound and the hand being waved in her face.


    “Gah!” Sophie squeaked, rudely torn from her thoughts once more.


    This unexpected display prompted a small giggle from the redhead, her eyes twinkling with delight at having somehow scared Sophie.


    “You’re spacing out again.” Aryana grumbled as she prodded at Sophie’s side.


    Sophie reflexively squirmed away from the tickle, eliciting another amused reaction from the redhead. But her mind was muddled enough, the sudden fright doing little to help organise her thoughts. She took a deep breath, and sighed.


    “I… I have a question.” Sophie began.


    Aryana just nodded, the girl’s playful demeanour vanishing at the seriousness in Sophie’s voice.


    “A question… for me?” Aryana pointed at herself.


    “Yeah.”


    “Uhh… okay?”


    “Can I…?”


    “Ask? Sure?” Aryana tilted her head. Sophie could see the concern starting to write its way on the girl’s face, Aryana looking a little more worried at Sophie’s words.


    Sophie steeled herself and finally presented her query, “Do you… would you mind if we stopped traveling together?”


    There was a momentary pause, a silence that seemed to plunge itself deep into her. She could see Aryana had stopped breathing, stopped moving even. It was in this moment that Sophie ran her mind across her choice of words and realised too late what her mouth had said compared to the thoughts int her head.


    “Together?! You want us to stop traveling together?” Aryana interjected before she could clarify, the girl’s eyes widening with flashes of anger, madness, and sorrow, “You just said… yesterday… why? Why?! Did I do something wrong? I’m sorry! I… I-I don’t know what it was but I’m sorry!” She started to plead, a look of desperation in her eyes.


    “Argh! No! I worded-” Sophie began but the girl’s hysteria cut her off.


    “You said you wouldn’t just leave me! I mean… I know I’m a burden and I… I’m sorry for wanting to travel for being so naive and stupid. Please don''t leave me. Please.” Aryana gasped and Sophie could feel the tide of sadness radiating out from the girl.


    Her cries too slowly attracted the attention of folks further afield as her likely soon-to-be sobs echoed sharply in the night. What crashing waves, hoots of owls or crickets and conversation doing little to dampen the noise. Deeply regretting her choice of words, Sophie reluctantly lifted her hands, wrapping them around the hysterical girl and drew her into a hug in an attempt to calm her down. My hands, these hands are tainting her with my sin, to influence such a pure heart, I need to find forgiveness soon. But perhaps already strained by the recent setback in Brightfields, Sophie found herself floundering with her words.


    “Shhh, shhh. I didn’t mean it like that, I didn’t mean it like that.” Sophie quickly reassured the girl, hurriedly whispering into her ear even as she winced from every head that turned towards them.


    “Wuh-what?” Aryana stammered out.


    “I’ll still protect you, I’ll still travel with you. We just might have to stay in the city a bit and I wanted to-” Sophie began only to suddenly have her vision blur for a moment.


    Pain only followed moments later as her senses finally registered the slap. She staggered back slightly to find Aryana’s face contorted between apoplectic anger and despair.


    “I… what I meant to say was that I’ll have to stay in the city a while and don’t know if I can keep you company that long.” Sophie managed to say even whilst she nursed her cheek.


    “You..” Aryana spoke through gritted teeth.


    “I-I’m sorry if it shocked you. I just… I told you about Eva, and I think I’ll end up spending an extended period of time at the Academy. So I didn’t think that I’d be able to travel with you during that time and-”


    There was no element of surprise here as she registered the second slap. Aryana at least, looked horrified at her own actions. Sophie blinked back at the sudden pain to find the girl almost frozen in confusion at what to do, like her own body had acted far before her mind could comprehend.


    “Sorry.” Sophie muttered.


    “You… you… mountain defiler.” Aryana growled.


    Mountain defiler? Sophie couldn’t help but chuckle at the strange phrasing. Truly, a soul still untainted by the world. This however, proved to be her undoing as Aryana rushed forward and grabbed the straps of her cuirass, holding her still.


    “What’s so funny?!” The redhead roared with a ferocity even Sophie hadn''t expected.


    “S-sorry.” Sophie offered a weak smile only to be shaken around by the redhead.


    “Argh! I… I have many unkind words for you right now! How can… I don’t…”


    “Sorry.”


    “Stupid Sophie, when you told me about Eva and the Academy I had already expected as much. I was even going to ask if I could join…at some point.” Aryana snarled as she shook Sophi, “You could’ve just said you wanted to stay in Arteria for a while you… you… montrudh. Did you have to say it like that? I thought you were going to… never mind.” Aryana let out an exasperated sigh and let go.


    Plopping to the road, Sophie quickly dipped her head down in apology, “Sorry.”


    “Ugh.. just… no… I don’t mind if you have things to do.”


    “Sorry.”


    “Argh! I mean sure it might be a bit lonely but I’m used to that. I think.” Aryana calmed down a little, “I just… I just don’t like being abandoned is all.”


    “Sorry.”


    The two stood opposite each other for a few moments, Sophie offering a few more apologetic bows as the redhead cradled her own face in her hands, likely silently screaming to herself. Once things had calmed a little, Sophie inched forward and startled the girl who only glared at Sophie with suspicion in her eyes.


    “What?”


    “I umm… did you say you were going to join at some point? As in, also join the academy? Uhhh… and sorry.” Sophie asked.


    “What’s it to you?” Aryana growled.


    “I uh… first off sorry. I definitely should’ve worded things better.”


    “Pfft, stupid montrudh.”


    Sophie offered a sheepish smile of her own and Aryana just huffed and looked away.


    “Secondly… what if you applied with me to be students, at the academy that is. I… I feel a little guilty for dragging you along to such danger and I guess I wanted to make up for it somehow. But, well, look how well that’s turning out.”


    “Hmpf.”


    “Sor-”


    “Enough with your apologies Vauttagh, I know you mean it. You’re also just an idiot.” Aryana stated without turning back.


    “I… yeah, I am. I’ll make it up to you, promise. I… I will… I’ll start by making dessert and then we’ll go to the academy together. Then you’ll get to meet Eva too! I swear you’ll become great friends. She’s fantastic.”


    “It better be some dessert.” Aryana murmured.


    “It is! Promise! I doubt many could… still… make it… anymore... ah.” Sophie spoke, a little too quickly as she caught her own words.


    Sophie found Aryana had finally turned back around, perhaps a little perturbed at Sophie’s speech suddenly faltering at the end. To Sophie’s great relief, that anger on the redhead’s face had vanished, replaced by a hint of concern, even if she deliberately scrunched up her face to give the appearance of anger. Sophie fought the urge to grin, Aryana’s attempt at mimicking anger seemed almost adorable, and she replied with a knowing nod.


    “Tell you what. How about I start my apology now? I told you about how Anna and I met in the Mistveil?”


    “Yes. It sounded… fairly unpleasant.” Aryana tried to reply in a monotone.


    “Right. So while we keep walking, let’s say I tell you all about the once great city of Eichafen and the…” A flash of darkness passed by on her own face, yet it was quick enough that she doubted Aryana had noticed it, “... the tragic tale that follows?”


    “Tragic… tale?” Aryana cocked her head quizzically, her monotone broken.


    “Mmhmm.” Sophie nodded, “Remember Melisgrad, and how I… I said it was…” She winced at the memory.


    “Yeah… partly your fault.” Aryana added with a small whisper, a little more sombrely.


    “Right. Well it wasn’t the first time something like that happened. In fact…”