“The Ice Markets of Marsun are considered a cultural sight worth visiting on any travellers tour of the Ingramarian Principalities. It’s vast towering ice sculptures and equally fantastical ice furnishings make for a sight to behold as one first steps foot into the grand bazar. Marsun itself contains dozens of more intricate little secrets, hidden bars and restaurants waiting for the intrepid travellers to discover. May this little guide help you on that journey. ”


    - A Traveller’s Guide to Ingramar, “City of Marsun”


    <hr><hr>


    One Week Later


    “My, my. I’m impressed. Not many manage to broker a deal with Clan Stonearm, let alone earn that honor.” Karzan chortled, the dwarf merchant happily downing a mug of ale in-between words.


    “Uhh, right! And your brother? I think he was your brother, Varni? I’m sorry, it’s been a bit. He says he hopes you’re doing well.” Sophie passed the message along.


    Ary shot her a disappointed look at how poorly it was conveyed. Sophie just shrugged. It’s all I could remember.


    “Vranis? That codger? Hah! To think the shit’s still alive and kicking.” Karzan bellowed, “Musta been business with the black robes too for ye to meet him. Thought he’d be hiding in some fortress somewhere.”


    “Seemed pretty lively to me.” Sophie replied.


    “And just for the last time. Really, just to confirm. You can’t tell me what you were actually there for?”


    Sophie grinned and shook her head, “Inquisitor said no and I’m rather inclined to not push their buttons.”


    “Heh. That reminds me, any news with the minotaur and the girlie? Not the one legged one, the other one.” Karzan asked.


    “We don’t know where Sir Taurox went.” Ary answered, looking to Sophie for confirmation.


    She nodded.


    “Our other friend, Mila, actually both her and the ranger are in Gratia.”


    “Gratia? My word, I mean, you’ve both heard right?” Karzan gasped.


    “A third faction?” Sophie queried.


    “Aye. In their civil war. You reckon…”


    “I… we probably hope not. But considering our luck so far…” Sophie trailed off.


    Ary grunted sadly before sighing, “I fear you might be right, Sir Karzan.”


    The three settled into an uncomfortable silence. The dwarf realizing he accidentally ruined the mood, contemplatively stroking his beard. The duo felt worried for their friends, both their expressions a tad more melancholic as they recalled the last letter they received from Mila. And the desperation in it.


    Karzan then seemed to perk up and snapped his meaty fingers to grab their attention.


    “Tell ya what. I’ve never heard a tale quite as wild as yours, in the flesh from a foreigner to the deeps. So how about a trade? Next time ye find something sparkly or weird, you come to me first. In exchange, right about… let’s say when we’re done, I’ll send out some feelers, figure out what’s happening over in the east.” He proposed.


    “Sounds fine to me.” Sophie shrugged, she didn’t see any downsides to it at least.


    “Excellent!” He thumped the table, “I’ll let you know if I can come up with anything. But given the distance, don''t expect too much out of me.”


    “Of course, We’d be grateful just to know the gist of things.”


    “Yeah, we’re worried about them.” Ary added.


    The dwarf chuckled, his beard bobbing up and down as a more complex expression overtook his visage, “Me as well. But,” He thumped the empty tankard down on the table, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be excusing myself. Got load to think about and a store to run.”


    “Thank you for the help.”


    “Bye, Sir Karzan.”


    The duo acknowledged.


    “Heh, and don’t worry. The tab is on me.” He winked as he left, the dwarf’s books making a distinctively heavy thudding against the wooden floor with every step


    Though the mood was soured, Sophie could feel Ary poke her and turned to the girl. A look of melancholy rested upon her. Sophie gently squeeed her hand and she squeezed back. The two of them could feel the unspoken words between them, the doubt they had regarding their journey so far. But with little way to change the past, they merely sighed in unison.


    “Feels weird without the rest of them.” Sophie grumbled.


    “Mmhmm. But, you are enough.” Ary smirked.


    Sophie’s face flushed at the words and she smushed her cheek against Ary''s, the two of them taking in each other’s scents as they calmed back down.


    It had been Ary’s idea to originally visit Karzan on their day off, to debrief with a dwarf about events in the deep. The other three were off at the exams and Alodie had departed for the academy earlier to sort out her own affairs. That left the two of them alone for a perfect few hours to have a date in. Yet, despite having an elaborate plan to hit up all their usual Arterian sights, Sophie could tell neither of them were quite feeling up to it. At least, not with the ever present worry of their friend’s wellbeing on their minds. Worse, she could tell that they were both a bit tuckered out, the past winter break’s events having strained both of them to their physical and mental limits.


    Feeling Ary shift slightly, Sophie read her mind and nuzzled the top of the girl’s head, giving it a quick kiss before pulling away.


    “Want to walk the market? Then maybe the library?” Sophie asked.


    “Heheh, only if you let me buy something.” Ary giggled.


    “When have I ever stopped you?” Sophie looked on with feigned horror.


    “Never. But I know you sometimes think I’m a bit too easily…uhmm… what’s the word?” Ary frowned.


    “Enticed?”


    "Yeah! Too easily enticed.”


    “And?”


    “Wha-? So you…? Wow, rude.” Ary stuck her tongue.


    Annoyed by the mock argument, Yana fluttered out of Ary’s bags and began twirling about the room, stretching her wings. The faerie had spent most of the time pretending to be a light charm, taking advantage of her permanent post to claim the pocket on Ary’s bag as her little travel home. But this was too much, even when flirting or talking about their plans, Yana could feel the worry and melancholy hidden in their voices. It was too real for her. For Yana did not like sad things, particularly those that had etched themselves onto Aryana''s psyche.


    Trying to quickly get both their attentions in one go, she fluttered around for a bit before her eyes lit up with mischief. The faerie paused and scratched an itch on her bum so uncaringly that the duo stared in shock. Pleased that she had earned their attention with minimal effort, Yana puffed out her chest with a smug look. Still too stunned to say anything, the duo just waited for Yana to say whatever it is that she wanted.


    "Gaze upon me peasants, bask in my magnificence!” Yana proudly announced.


    There was a pause as everything slowly resumed functioning within Sophie’s brain.


    “Bwahaha!” Sophie laughed, her spirits lifted.


    “Eheheh.” Ary politely giggled.


    Yana looked smug as can be for a few seconds, but the duo could see her expression wilt a little as they kept laughing.


    "You are magnificent indeed.” Sophie reassured the faerie.


    If there was an indicator for how smug the faerie was, Sophie was sure she’d just reached the limit. Yana put her hands on her hips and just smirked knowingly at the room. Ary tried but failed to contain her continued fitful giggles, though she was able to just barely nod to affirm Sophie’s point.


    Only when the laughter died down did Yana lower herself to their level, settling on the edge of Sophie’s tankard. With her beating wings brought to a halt, she crossed her legs and stared at the two with a mischievous look on her face.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    “What is it?” Sophie broached the question.


    The smug look returned and the faerie practically clapped in glee, “I did not mind, that you stared at my behind.”


    Before she could continue the duo snickered some more. This however, only seemed to embolden Yana, who looked far too excited. Stars, what is she aiming for? Why do I feel worried?


    “To catch the human eye is hard, especially if I don’t look like a bard. But there’s a surefire way that I know, one that will never be slow. Because from what I’ve seen while near, dear Aryana likes your rear.” Yana cackled as she finished, the faerie doubling over herself and nearly falling into Sophie’s drink.


    “What… eheheh,” Sophie started snickering for a few moments, but as her muscles continued moving, she made more and more noise until she burst into her own laughter, “What the fuck? Hahaha! By the stars!”


    Ary sat still, frozen in disbelief. The pang of betrayal shaking up her sanity, the worries of the future and past locked away as pure confusion crawled throughout every fiber of her being. She knew, of course, from stories that her tribe and mother used to share that the creatures of nature like the fae were wild and mischievous. Today, she felt that those stories might have some credence after all.


    “Oh my… Ary…” Sophie wheezed a little, “I didn’t know… you uh…”


    Ary glared at her.  Heh.


    “When she thinks no one sees, her gaze turns to thee.” Yana guffawed.


    Sophie could see Ary slowly turning red with embarrassment and rage. Finally deciding to put the poor girl out of her misery and to hopefully prevent more teasing from the faerie, Sophie leaned over. When she managed to regain enough self control to focus, she wrapped her arms around Ary with a bear hug.


    Startled, the redhead let out a small squeak and tensed up. When Sophie pecked her forehead however, it was all over. Ary let out a soft sight and burrowed herself against Sophie. Though Sophie could still feel the lingering animosity coming out of her.


    Yana looked positively delighted and was just chuckling in satisfaction. Yana also noticed Sophie’s gaze wash over her, and when their eyes met, the faerie almost forgot who she had shared the moment with. Upon realising that Sophie was, in fact, Sophie, Yana crossed her arms and mockingly huffed. Ahh, Sophie hummed to herself, is she… was she trying to lift out spirits? How kind of the faerie.


    Sophie sighed and continued to spoil Ary, her motions calming the agitated redhead down. Though Ary bristled at the sight of Yana, the fact that the faerie looked more ridiculously smug every time they looked over was growing more and more comical. Eventually, Sophie felt Ary’s muscles loosen, a faint sense of calm finally returning to the room.


    “I do not… just... stare at your ass.” Ary grumbled.


    Her comment also caught Sophie off guard, the half elf frowning as she spent a few seconds merely trying to process the statement.


    “Hmmm,” Sophie ran her hand through her hair, “I wouldn’t mind.”


    Hearing this, Ary blushed lightly, turning away from her. Yana on the other hand, let out a few more snickers and took to the skies once more, the gentle fluttering of the faerie’s wings filling the silence. The duo turned to look at the faerie once more, watching with some level of curiosity as she settled back in Ary’s bag, looking at the two of them expectantly once more. Seeing that neither knew what to do however, Yana rolled her eyes.


    “Were you not planning to go on a date? With dearest Aryana, who is your mate?” Yana scoffed.


    It was Sophie’s turn to be a little dumbfounded, but hearing Ary’s pleasant giggling made her at least nod towards the faerie.


    “Whatever your problems involve, we will eventually solve. So instead of sitting and looking pretty, take me out to see the city!” Yana demanded.


    Ahh, it all makes sense now. Everything clicked within Sophie’s mind, Yana is getting bored, she wishes to see more or she acts more mischievous. But, Sophie also felt a pang of worry sprout to life within her, when we get onto the campus, how will we deal with her then? Her thoughts were disrupted when Ary tugged at her sleeves, a much more measured expression on her face.


    “Hmm?” Sophie asked.


    “I think Yana is bored.” Ary stated.


    “Pfft. I know.” Sophie giggled a little, much to Ary’s consternation, “Sorry, sorry. No, yeah. Let’s go explore the city a bit. It’ll help take our mind off of things too.”


    “Yeah!” Ary uttered, her face now beaming. Cute.


    <hr><hr>


    There was something to be said about a relaxing orange black tea that the two couldn’t seem to get enough of. This time, they manage to sneak a paper cup for Yana, the faerie looking even more pleased than before.


    Sophie’s ambitious date plan had been not just ambitious, but untenable for a winter’s day. Not only did the two realize that they preferred being indoors. But there would be no point visiting a closed flower garden as Arteria’s park wardens had closed it for maintenance and protection over the winter months. Thus a warm drink and some time at the library proved pivotal for maximum enjoyment. It was a reminder of when they had just arrived, and Sophie felt her own restlessness calmed somewhat. A pleasant memory.


    The other advantage of hanging out in the library, be it with adventure books or just research material, was all they needed for Yana was a stick-like object. Since normal people perceived her as nothing but a light, Sophie hoped that the faerie could pass as a reading light and be let out of her pocket home.


    Ary cutely yawned and Sophie tapped the top of her nose, the redhead trying but failing to retaliate by sticking her tongue out. They giggled and toyed with each other as they waited. Sophie remembered how her entry exam had been, the sheer exhaustion of the day’s events taking its toll on her. Hence she wanted to be there for their companions, to support them as they finished. And despite how Elaria jests, I am still technically the elder sister, hah. What a strange concept, me, a sister.


    <hr><hr>


    Yana could feel something strange, like a sort of whispery chill that settled on a warm summer’s day. The fae were sensitive to almost all kinds of natural stimuli and she was no different. She was trying to learn how to read a human story book, filled with interesting pictures and paragraphs and letters that all seemed to blend together. But her bonded Aryana seemed to like them, so she endeavoured to impress. Before she turned the next page with her magic, she paused. The couple’s incessant flirting had attracted attention.


    From about two bookcases away, she spied a gaggle of odd looking humans whispering amongst themselves as they kept pointing and glancing over at Aryana. Yana was caught in a bind, on one hand, she wanted to warn the couple, to alert them of these concerning developments. On the other, none of the humans appeared to be threatening harm, nor would the entire group stand a chance against the half elf. Worse yet, she was bored, and this seemed like the perfect side show to distract her. She did keep one finger at the ready, just in case these newcomers tried anything dangerous.


    Yana strained her ears to listen, catchin a precious few words before the couple noticed the others.


    “Is that the witch?”


    “Hush you.”


    “Why is she here?”


    “Quiet.”


    Came the faintest of hushed whispers.


    Yana had now fully stopped reading, ignoring even the couple as she concentrated on the new arrivals, trying to gauge their emotions.


    The fae could sense a great deal of things, their magic applicable in any and all scenarios, masterful users of mana in whatever form it takes. Yana was no different, though she would admit that the centuries trapped underground had dulled her senses somewhat. Still, these were, for all she could tell, humans that were infused with a bit more elemental magics than usual, nothing difficult.


    She could feel their apprehension, doubt and fear. Directed at Sophie, she more than understood. But at Aryana? Why? Yana furrowed her brows and tried to pry through all the emotions, trying to figure out just what was going on. But she was too slow.


    “Little Ari! Is that you?” A smooth male’s voice cut through the crowd, his aura emitting something completely different, admiration and desire.


    Yana noticed the immediate effect this had on her bonded, the girl’s eyes widening in fright. Her own senses flashing between her love for Sophie and overwhelming dread. Yana couldn’t sense Sophie’s aura, though she suspected that more attuned members of the fae might be able to. All she saw was the soul link between the two of them, something that brought no small amount of disgust to Yana. At least the half elf’s actions were clear as can be. The half elf quickly grabbed Aryana’s hand to give it a quick squeeze, her expression hardening with displeasure even as she tried to reassure Yana’s bond.


    “T-T-Tristan?” Aryana stammered, the girl very slowly looking over her shoulder, her poor attempt at hiding her fear easily visible to Yana.


    “By the mountains, it is you! How have you been?! And you too madame hatire,” He turned to Sophie, “Pardon me for forgetting your name. But I most certainly remember meeting you before as well.”


    “That''s right. Sophie.” Sophie stated politely.


    Yana could see how something seemingly flicked within her mind, the half elf looking friendly and professional, but also decidedly detached and mechanically.


    “Ahh, right. My apologies again. But it’s good to see you too, Madam Sophie.” The man bowed.


    “Likewise.” Sophie’s voice grew a bit more terse, “But to answer your question, the two of us are doing fine. I assume you and your compatriots are faring well?”


    “Why, of course! We''ve a chance to explore this city of wonder, after all. But yes, everyone''s doing fine.” Tristan smiled.


    Yana could tell at once that this man was sharp, his aura betraying the fact that a million thoughts and plans ran around within his head. His expressions and speech patterns however, showed only the calm and jovial parts.


    “So, how can we help you?” Sophie asked.


    “ Help? Oh, there''s no need to help. Just that, well, when I saw little Ari I just had to say hi. It’s been so long since we last spoke.” Tristan grinned.


    “Uhh... yeah, it''s been a while.” Ary cautiously murmured, her eyes constantly flicking back to Tristan’s posse behind him.


    “Fair enough.” Sophie grunted, “And what brings you and your to the library? Studying?”


    "Us? No, we’re here for the entrance exams.” Tristan chuckled.


    “Entrance exams? You’re taking them? Haven’t they already started?”


    “What? Ohhh! No, no, no.” He quickly shook his head, “We’re just here to support our friends who’re taking them.” The others of his posse nodded along, “Should be done soon, or so they say.”


    “Huh. Same here.”


    “Hopefully you’re not feeling too nervous, cause I sure am.”


    “Oh? Why’s that?” Sophie arched an eyebrow.


    “Well, let’s just say that our friends are a bit more on the…” Tristan mimed an angry looking person, his caricature making his posse laugh a little.


    “Pfft.” Sophie unintentionally let out a noise, much to Tristan’s delight.


    "Anyways. Sorry for disturbing the two of you, just wanted to come say hi.” Tristan bowed respectfully, “See you two later!” He waved as he left, taking his followers with him.


    Sophie was the only one who kept up appearances and waved back, Aryana just weakly nodding from next to her.


    Yana didn’t really understand the who, what, when, or even whys, any of this would be considered different than normal conversations. But judging by how silent and tense the duo remained after interacting with the man. All Yana could really gleam was that they were definitely worried and that the feeling was lingering.


    Yana deftly avoided their glances back towards the table and pretended she was still reading, uncaring of what was happening around her. But hidden from their view, she allowed herself a little smile. She cared for her bonded, and would not stand to see her suffering. But at the same time, she couldn’t help but feel that everything was about to get a little more exciting.