Skin Deep 26: Old Friends, New Problems

The day was quiet with Coredan sitting on the couch and staring out the large windows into the blank blue sky. Peryn wandered around in circles, as if she could find something to do by looking for it intently on the floor. He could still read that book Darek had given him yesterday… but for once he was actually tired of reading. “Peryn,” he moaned. “There’s nothing to do.” Peryn whimpered, falling over onto her side dramatically. Coredan laughed.

The door squeaked open revealing Londel yawning as he wandered in. “Coredan…” he stopped momentarily. “Hmm. I keep forgetting that Markel moved into the guards barracks.”

“Are you done for the day?” Coredan asked hopefully.

“Sort of,” the prince stared at the wall. “All this pointless paper shuffling and political riffraff better end by the time I succeed,” he muttered. “Otherwise I might just keel over. Then they really won’t have a successor.” Coredan smiled despite himself.

A soft knock on the door caught both of their attention. Coredan stood to answer, as was his job as the servant, hopping over. The area outside the door was empty. Stepping out, he saw something move behind the door. Peering around it he found Resten standing quietly.

“Hey Resten,” Coredan smiled. “What are you doing all the way up here?”

Resten looked up at the taller boy sheepishly. “I… I just wanted to come say goodbye to my friend Coredan.”

“Oh, are you leaving with Doriten today?”

Resten nodded. He looked up beseechingly, “Mister Coredan…”

Coredan raised an eyebrow, “What’s the matter?”

“You… you shouldn’t come to Amedyn,” Resten said quietly. “I don’t think you and Mister Prince should go.”

“But we have to go. It’s for the good of the realm. I mean, its just a peace conference right?” Coredan wondered if the boy knew more than he seemed to.

“Yes,” Resten said, looking at the floor again. “But it could be dangerous. The… the ocean is full of monsters!”

Coredan blinked. Monsters? “But don’t you have to travel across the ocean to get back? Are you scared?”

Resten looked off to the side. “Well… The monsters can’t get us… because of Miss Adelia.”

Adelia… that sounded familiar. “Do you mean the Queen?”

“She says to call her Miss Adelia.”

“Well… Wait here a moment,” Coredan turned back into the room. Looking around his small bedroom, he quickly grabbed the first thing he saw. Returning to the hallway, he held the small item out to Resten. “Here.”

The boy took the small stuffed dog. “What is this?”

“This is Bawin,” Coredan explained. “You have to promise to take good care of him for me, ok? But I’m only letting you borrow him. You can give him back when I see you in Amedyn. Promise?”

Resten’s eyes seemed to glow with pride. “I’ll take very good care of him! I promise!”

“Good,” Coredan smiled. “Well, I suppose you’d better be on your way, we wouldn’t want Prince Doriten being late for his exams would we?”

“Master Doriten won’t be late. His exams don’t start until the day after tomorrow,” Resten assured Coredan. “I’ll see you soon then friend Coredan!”

“Right, see you soon Resten,” Coredan waved at the boy as he went down the stairs. Once he had gone completely out of sight, he returned to the main rooms where Londel sat with a glass of apple juice. “Londel… how long does it take to get to Amedyn?”

“By ship? Probably about a week with perfect weather,” the prince sighed. “But seeing as it is later in the fall perfect weather is a rarity. It might be closer to a week and a half to two.”

How could Doriten’s exams start the day after tomorrow if the trip lasted that long? There had to be something to do with that wall. “Londel… I think we should go check out that wall. The mirror-like one?”

Londel grimaced. “Can we later?”

Coredan laughed, “Yeah of course. You’re so lazy.”

“I am not,” was the disgruntled reply.

Later that evening Coredan hopped up the last few steps to the ballroom with Londel only a few paces behind. “Hmm…” mused the prince; “We’ve never gone exploring together before. How exciting.”

Coredan rolled his eyes as he pushed the door open. The grand expanse of the ballroom seemed even larger with the lack of hundreds of people roaming its lengths. Coredan whistled and grinned when the sound echoed back to him threefold. “Stop that,” Londel ordered, scratching his ear.

After traversing across the large room and reaching the door to the servant’s hall, Coredan peered around silently to make sure no one was there. He didn’t expect anyone to be, but he decided it would be better to be safe. Once he ascertained that there was more than likely no one there, he continued down the hall with Londel close behind.

“Don’t they ever dust back here?” Londel sniffed. He poked at a suit of armor. “What is all this stuff?”

“Londel, there’s stuff here from royal members centuries past. You can’t imagine the expanse of history right here in this little hall.” Coredan began knocking on various parts of the wall.

Londel chuckled, “Little history nut.”

“I’m ignoring that,” Coredan muttered as he kicked at the wall. “I was pretty sure it was around here. This is the table I was under, and that’s the nightstand on the other side of the door. So it should be right here.”

“How did it open last time?” Londel stared at the wall blandly.

“I kicked it.”

Londel tried not to grin as he began to inspect the bricks closer. “These bricks are slightly different than the others down the hall. And these spots on the floor seem to show that some of this stuff here,” he waved at a mountain of vases across the hall, “was sitting in front of it. It’s been moved recently.”

“Well yeah,” Coredan crossed his arms. He poked at all of the bricks on the bottom with his foot. “Why won’t it open?”

“Maybe someone’s already in there,” Londel mused. “Try doing exactly what you did last time.”

Coredan thought for a moment before kneeling to the floor and crawling beneath the table. Londel watched with interest as the boy crawled back out, dust covering the top of his head, gripping the edge of the table to support himself.

“Wait a moment,” Londel stepped over, dusting off the extra coat from Coredan’s head. The boy sneezed. “Maybe you’re just not applying enough force?”

Coredan kicked the wall harder, but it still didn’t budge. “I don’t understand…” He looked over at Londel, who was trying vainly to move the table he had hid under. “What are you doing?”

“This table is stationary,” Londel began pressing around the top until a small chip on the edge fell inward. “Try now.”

Coredan kicked the wall at the bottom; a crack forming as it opened slightly. “Well…” he sighed. “That was complicated.”

Londel laughed as he pressed the door open wide enough for the both of them to walk in. The room was the same as before, still no lights but somehow lit enough to see perfectly. The prince approached the grand expanse of wall opposite them that was framed. “Interesting…” he watched as the small signs disappeared and reappeared all over the wall, rippling a soft reflection of him that disappeared.

“So what do you think it is?” Coredan stood next to him.

“I don’t really know. It is extremely old though. The oldest origin magic I’ve ever seen.”

“Origin magic?”

“That’s what you get when you perform magic through an object, or use something to hold magic. That item becomes the origin. This wall,” he knocked on a brick, “Is the origin for… something.”

“Do you think this is how Doriten got here from Amedyn so quickly? And how he got back? Resten, the servant with him, said his exams started the day after tomorrow. He’d never be able to get back by ship in time.”

“Maybe it’s some kind of… portal or doorway to Amedyn,” Londel mused to himself. “Although I’d have no idea how to work it. I’ve never heard of anything like this before. It’s far beyond any current magic I know of.”

“You said it was old though,” Coredan watched the signs move about. They seemed to be repeating themselves.

“Maybe… well that’s not really possible…”

“What?”

“Maybe… it’s a lost magic?” Londel mused. “That’d put it before the Dark Times though. That was… an extremely long time ago. I don’t know if the markings are that old.”

“I could research it,” Coredan offered.

“You’re good at that,” Londel laughed. “Much better than I anyway.”

“Well,” Coredan changed the subject; “I’m hungry. Shall we go eat sir prince?” The glare he received made him laugh as he moved back towards the hall.

--

A few days later Coredan, wrapped in a warm jacket, was sitting on a crate in front of one of the many docks of Red Bay, holding on to Peryn’s leash as she kept trying to pull away from him to chase a butterfly or bird or bug or something. Londel walked up with Markel and a few other guards behind him. “Are you hungry?” he offered Coredan a turnover.

“Thanks… Uh, thank you sire,” Coredan corrected himself. After a moment he remembered to stand as well. He wasn’t used to being out in public and having to constantly be formal to Londel. Now he felt like he had a feeling why the prince was so against it.

“They should be here soon,” Londel mused. “Unless they were delayed. But we didn’t receive word of anything.”

“Are we sure it’s this dock?” Coredan asked. A guard gave him a funny look. “Sire?” he tacked on with a sigh.

“This is the one reserved for royalty and whatnot,” Londel mumbled, sitting on the crate and tossing Peryn a bit of bread. “Perhaps that’s it,” he pointed at a ship that seemed the size of Peryn on the water. “Still a bit far off. But it looks like it could be Zenalquian.”

After a while, the ship finally docked as its passengers began unboarding. Coredan, watching from behind the crowd of guards and random spectators, recognized Mat-Kanl and Minet walk down onto the docks followed by San-Kuat and Sivien. A smile crossed his face; happy to see these various friends he had made what had been months ago.

“Prince San-Kuat of Zenalquia,” he heard Londel state. “What an honor to have you and your wife grace Candeth with your royal presence.”

“What a show,” San-Kuat laughed. “Are you always so grandiose with your visitors?”

Coredan saw Londel shrug playfully before a guard moved in front of him, pushing him backwards. He caught himself on the edge of the dock, holding on to a pole with one hand and Peryn’s leash the other. Why were they being so pushy? Turning, he found an extremely large crowd of people that had begun crowding the area, most likely in hopes of viewing the foreign royalty.

“Coredan!!” yelled a female voice from behind him. He turned just in time for Sivien to practically pounce on him with a hug around his neck. “I’ve missed you so mu-”

Coredan’s balance was completely gone as he lost his grip on the pole. He heard someone call Sivien’s name as Mat-Kanl grabbed her around the waist. Coredan, on the other hand, continued to fall backwards. Sivien grabbed the front of his shirt, leaving Coredan at an odd angle hanging out over the water beneath the docks.

“Don’t worry Coredan I’ve got-” her voice was lost as a ripping noise was quickly followed by rushing water. Coredan held his breath as he righted himself underwater, moving upwards to break the surface as he gasped for air. “Coredan! Coredan!” Sivien was screaming.

“I’m ok,” he called up, looking to find everyone staring down at him.

Sivien was practically in tears as she waved around the piece of ripped cloth that had come from the front of Coredan’s tunic, “Coredan! I’m so sorry! Don’t die! I’ll save you!” She tried to wrestle from San-Kuat’s grasp to jump in.

“Sivi! Calm down! I’m ok,” he sneezed. The water was so cold. He looked back at landside of the docks, seeing a net that reached down to him. He swam towards it, climbing up the netting and hoisting himself onto land. Sivien and everyone quickly ran up to him.

“Coredan I’m so sorry!” she cried.

“I said I’m fine,” he laughed, moving his soaked hair out of his face. “Bit cold though…”

Londel appeared from nowhere at his side, removing the water-laden jacket from Coredan and replacing it with his dry one. “We have to get you dry before you catch cold, or worse pneumonia,” the prince was smiling. Coredan blushed, suddenly embarrassed. He realized everyone was staring at him.

The group stopped quickly at a clothes press, where Londel simply bought Coredan a new set of clothes. Coredan rode in the enclosed carriage along with the royalty. The ride started in silence with Sivien sitting sheepishly in the corner staring at her hands in her lap. Coredan wasn’t sure what he could say to make her feel better. They had at least another hour before they reached Simitar.

“So… was your trip here a good one?” Londel asked, breaking the silence.

“Yes, actually,” San-Kuat answered after waiting a moment to allow Sivien, if she wanted. “No bad weather, no pirates. Smooth sailing the whole way. Of course, Sivien here did get a little seasick the first day.” The princess looked out the window disregardingly.

“Well… that’s normal for someone who doesn’t travel often I believe,” Londel offered.

“When we went to Zenalquia a few months back I couldn’t eat much,” Coredan said. “It was my second time on a boat, and the first one hadn’t lasted a whole day so my first actual voyage was kind of rocky.”

Sivien looked up at Coredan sheepishly. “Coredan…”

He smiled at her, “I can’t wait to show you around Sivi. And we can go to my family’s restaurant… well, if you want to that is.”

Sivien seemed to pause a moment to take a breath before hopping across the carriage to sit next to Coredan and hug him again. “I’m so excited! I can’t wait to go all around Simitar, and eat at your family’s restaurant, and see where you live, and see that big statue of Londel you told me about…”

“Coredan,” Londel asked darkly. The boy merely laughed lightly.

Peryn woke up from her nap in Coredan’s lap to sniff at Sivien. After deciding that she both remembered the princess or that she was all right, she hopped over in the girl’s lap and fell back asleep. Sivien scratched at Peryn’s ears, making the dog sigh happily. The trip afterward went by quickly as they came upon the castle.

They only had a week and a half left to stay in Candeth before the group of royalty, and Coredan, set sail for Amedyn. Sivien and San-Kuat were allowed to rest for the rest of the day that they arrived. Sivien made Coredan promise to come find her early the next day.

“I’ve got it all planned out,” Sivi said happily when Coredan trudged into her room. “Today we’ll go around the palace, and then tomorrow we can go out to the city. The day after we’ll make Londel and San-Kuat do something with us, then the day after we’ll-”

“Sivi…” Coredan sighed. “We’ve got a week. Don’t worry so much about it.”

“Oh all right,” Sivien pouted. “Well first you can explain to me why it took you so freaking long to write to me! Do you realize how worried I was? San-Kuat’s mother kept smacking me in the head because I couldn’t concentrate on my duties right! Tell me everything, now! I command you.”

“You command me?”

“Yes.”

Coredan laughed before going into a long and detailed story starting from the day that they had returned from Zenalquia. He had only been able to write so much in the letter, so now he was able to give more details in person. Sivi listened intently, save for the few interruptions of “That whore!” or “How dare she! He’s your prince!” or the occasional grunt of disgust. When Coredan told her about Peryn lighting Marta’s dress on fire, he wondered if she was ever going to stop laughing. But later when he got to the part where he and Londel had separated for a few weeks, she was very teary eyed and all sniffles.

“I’m so thankful everything worked out,” she said once he was done. “I would have had to march up here and found you and him and smacked you both. Sheesh.”

“Your letter helped me a lot Sivi,” Coredan said sincerely. “I really want to thank you for being there. I really appreciate it.”

Sivi stared at Coredan silently for a moment before sniffling and flying across to him to hug him again. “It’ll be ok Coredan! I’ll always be here for you! I promise.”

“It’s already ok,” he managed to squeak around her crushing force.

She pulled back and patted his head with a smile. “I know. So, what should we do today?”

Coredan thought for a moment. “I know. I have a friend you can meet.”

“Oh, I love friends!” Sivi began to hop gleefully. “Let’s go!” She headed out the door before Coredan, who had to jog to catch up.

Once Sivien realized that she had no idea how to get around the castle, she slowed and allowed Coredan to lead. He took her to the library, thinking that he should introduce his friend from far away to the one friend he had in the castle (besides Londel and Markel). Besides, he was sure they’d get along.

“Darek!” Coredan called as they entered the library.

“Wow,” Sivi whispered, gaping at the tall walls and shelves of books. “It’s huge!”

“Yep,” Coredan answered as he began walking to the back offices. He finally found a figure in blue robes bent over a box full of dusty books, muttering something. “Darek?”

Darek stood and turned, “Ah! Coredan, there you are. Where have you been boy?”

“I was just here two days ago,” he replied.

“Ah, well, the time between your visits seems to expound greatly upon my mind.” Sivien’s giggle caught his attention. “Ah, hello. Who might this be?” Darek peered through his glasses.

“This is Princess Sivien of Zenalquia, originally from Ciere,” Coredan introduced. “Sivi, this is my good friend Darek. He’s like a bookkeeper.”

Darek bowed over Sivien’s hand, “It is my honor and my pleasure to meet you milady.”

Sivi giggled again, “Nice to meet you too Sir Darek. Please call me Sivi. You keep the books here? What all kinds are there? Are they in a certain order? Why are those in a box?”

Darek blinked for a moment, taken aback by the string of questions. Coredan laughed silently. This was almost like revenge for those times with the King. “Well,” Darek said after a breath, “We have all kinds. They are grouped by subject, and then by date. And I found this box in an old closet behind a mop yesterday.”

“Oooh,” Sivi peered at the box.

“Behind a mop?” Coredan asked skeptically.

“Yes. I’m have a dreadful time trying to find their correct spots. They’re rather old, and I don’t quite feel like climbing ladders today.”

“I can help,” Sivi offered.

“Thank you, but no milady,” Darek smiled. “If one of us has to fall and break their necks, the world would miss me much less than it would you. I’d rather take the chances myself.”

“I’ll help then,” Coredan grabbed the dusty box. “Any particular area they go in?”

While Darek directed, Coredan climbed the ladders on the walls to put the books back. On the third trip up, he heard Darek and Sivien begin to talk about the peace conference in Amedyn coming up.

“It sounds fishy to me,” Sivien sighed, crossing her arms. “I mean, all the rulers and/or heirs of all the countries in one place, especially in a place like the Fortress, at the same time?” Coredan smiled. Londel had said the exact same thing.

“Especially,” she continued, “with the way Sencaln and Barbonta have been acting up lately? Honestly, it sounds like trouble. But if we don’t go we’d just be asking for war. It’s either go and risk our lives, or not go and risk our countries. And your country always comes first.”

Coredan’s smile faded. He felt like a brat. He didn’t want the country to come first. He wanted to be first with Londel. He grabbed another book and began to head back up the ladder, trying to shake his childish thoughts.

“You’ll make a grand queen some day,” Darek said.

Sivien giggled. “Please. I could never do it alone. That’s why I have San-Kuat. I know he’ll be a wonderful king.” Darek smiled.

“Where does this one go?” Coredan asked blandly, holding up the last book.

Sivien seemed to pick up on his change of mood instantly. “Coredan! I only meant… I mean I didn’t mean… It’s still possible, ok? I just meant… when choosing yourself or your… no, wait. I mean…”

“Sivi, calm down,” Coredan forced a smile before heading back up the ladder. “You always blow things out of proportion.”

Sivi stared up at Coredan sadly when Darek asked, “What exactly are you talking about? Last I checked, Coredan was no royalty. Are you not telling me something boy?”

“It’s nothing Darek,” Coredan called down as he fished the last book into place. “You worry too much.”

Sivi merely changed the subject when Darek looked at her questioningly. These kids, always expect an old man to not know anything he thought.

--

The next day Sivien had to attend something with San-Kuat, Londel, and the King and Queen leaving Coredan alone. He spent his time in the library again, telling Darek about the mirror wall behind the ballroom and looking through various ancient magic books. There seemed to be nothing about walls with markings or portals anywhere. A thought struck Coredan. He went to the very end of the magic section, finding the most recent book on Lost, Forbidden, and Graven magics.

There it was. Portal magic, a Graven magic. It was a limited type spell that took up to twenty mages to make together, with a special type of stone found from volcanic soot that had hardened. It also took at least four to five months to make one portal. Skipping the parts about how it had been done, Coredan went straight to what this was exactly supposed to do.

“Portal magic was not only expensive and time consuming, it was also risky. Mages who work on creating such a wall have been known to lose their minds to the magic, any reason as to why is unknown. The end result between two such walls was the ability to walk from one side of the earth to the other by merely stepping through the wall. A major side effect was intense pain in the process of transfer, although it was said to be extremely short lived. Since such portals are only used in the main castles of all countries, intense restrictions were applied. Only royalty, along with one trusted mage, were allowed to know the rites of passage.

Portal magic was Graven during the final day of Senti the Last Singer. During his “attack” upon Amedyn, one of the magics that he effectively destroyed was that of portals. When such a magic is destroyed, or made to become graven, its ability to exist is completely erased from the world. Other examples of graven magics include: Gate magic, Seed magic, and Personification. See Index for full list.”

Closing the book, Coredan stared at the cover for a short moment. Making sure it was all right with Darek to take the book again, he returned to Londel’s rooms. He thought on his way. Portal magic was supposed to be Graven, which means it shouldn’t be able to be used. If Doriten really was using the portal magic, then he had found some way to get around a law of magic. Despite not have personal experience with magic, Coredan knew that the laws of it were absolute. They were unbreakable. The issue with forbidden magic was a little bit different, where people could still use them… but faced greater consequences later.

Once back in his room, Coredan sat down to look through the book more carefully. He had read through this once, why didn’t he remember any of it? Coredan tried not to blush when he realized why. Londel just had to go and distract him at the most important times…

If Doriten, or whomever he was working with, actually had gotten around the portals being Graven, then that posed a bigger problem. They could also be using any of these other Graven magics. Thankfully, the list wasn’t too long when Coredan found it in the back of the book. All but two had become Graven at the same incident with Senti the Last. The other two had happened earlier, and exact records were lost.

The gate magic stuck out to Coredan for some reason. It took years to build one, and plenty of magic, but it could only be used once. Some had various uses, but the primary one was to suck away the power in someone. According to the book, everyone’s soul or being was created of a particular essence. Everyone’s was different, and all with different attributes. It also stated that everyone held a gateway attached to that essence. Normally, the gateway is shut, it holds the essence in place inside the person. But some people, namely mages, were born with open gates that allowed them to harness the essence. Gate magic was created to take one person’s magic, or essence, and do various things with it. But in taking that essence, you essentially take the person’s soul. They either end up lifeless, or actually dead. It was a magic hardly ever used, and apparently the last attempt was against Senti the Last.

Coredan flipped through the other Graven magics. Some seemed perfectly harmless, while others made him wonder exactly what whoever had created them was thinking. He finally heard the doors open and ran in the main room to meet Londel.

“Londel, I found the… Oh, hi Sivi,” he bowed, “And hello Prince San-Kuat.”

“They followed me home,” Londel sighed.

“We thought we might join you for dinner. Of course, Londel invited us,” Sivien giggled.

“Sure I did,” the prince shrugged dramatically.

After a short while, Mat-Kanl and Minet appeared as well. Coredan decided to wait until later to discuss what he had found with Londel. For now he would enjoy their dinner.

--

The next day led Coredan to take Sivien out to the city. They had all been talking so much through dinner, that nightfall had come before he realized it. He hadn’t gotten to talk to Londel then, but he would tonight after they were both back from their various duties. Peryn tugged on her leash, trying to get to a meat seller, disrupting his thoughts.

“Oh, Coredan, Simitar is so alive! I love it here!” Sivien beamed, trying to take everything in at once.

“It is rather interesting,” concluded Mat-Kanl who had accompanied them as well as Minet.

Coredan followed Sivien around to various jewelry and clothes stands, admiring everything. After a while, midday rolled around as Coredan’s stomach grumbled. “If you’re ready for lunch we can head over to my family’s restaurant,” he offered.

“Wonderful!” Sivien stated. “Let’s go. I’m starved.”

When they reached the Little Sparrow, only a few of the tables were being used. “Looks like we beat the midday rush,” Coredan mused happily. “Where is Koreina…”

“Mother! I said yeast rolls, not wheat biscuits!” yelled a familiar voice. “We have to have a batch of yeast rolls before the midday rush!” Koreina came crashing through the doors to the back. She tossed her apron on the counter before stomping towards the doors to the street.

“Koreina,” Coredan called.

His little sister glanced at him. “Oh, hey Coredan. I’ll be back in a little bit, help yourself.” She continued out the door.

“Uhm…” Coredan stared after her. “Forgive my sister’s rudeness,” he told Sivien and the others. “She’s not usually like that.”

“She’s probably just working hard, just like her big brother,” Sivien smacked his arm.

“Yeah, maybe,” he muttered. He was kind of insulted she hadn’t even stopped to greet him, let alone his company. It was like she was so used to him being gone that it didn’t matter if he stopped by to say hi anymore. He pushed his feelings aside. He was being petulant, and probably looking too much into it anyway. “I’ll go get my mom. I don’t want you to see the kitchen, so take a seat wherever you like.”

Entering the kitchen, he found his mother sitting on a stool with her head in her hands. A pile of peeled potatoes sat in a bucket next to her, as well as another pile of unpeeled ones. He softly sat his hand on her shoulder. “Mom?”

She jerked to a start, wiping her face hurriedly. “C-Coredan! What are you doing here? You didn’t tell me you were coming, I would have prepared something. How have you been honey?” she hugged her son. “I’ve missed you. Are you working hard for the prince?”

“Yes mother,” he smiled, hugging her back. “We’re going to Amedyn for a peace conference in December. I wanted to come by before I left, and I brought some friends.”

“Not the prince, did you?” she looked out the doors.

“No… Why would it matter if I brought the prince?”

“Because I look absolutely horrid today!” she exclaimed. “You have to warn me before you bring him so I can be presentable at least!”

Coredan laughed. “Alright. Well come out and meet the friends I did bring.” After fixing her hair in the reflection of a metal pan and smoothing out her skirts, she followed him into the dinning room. “Sivi, Kanl, Minet, this is my mom. Mom, this is… well Sivi, Kanl, and Minet.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you dearies,” his mother cooed happily, shaking hands. When she shook Sivien’s hand she chuckled, “Well my, aren’t you a pretty sight dear! Now ya’ll order up whatever you want and don’t worry about paying nothing. Coredan’s friends are always welcome on an open budget.”

“But I’d like to pay,” Sivien said happily. “To show my appreciation. You must put so much hard work into all this. It’s so admirable!”

His mother laughed again, “Oh well thank you dear. I’ll give ya’ll some time to think, I have to return to my potato peeling.”

Coredan sat between Sivien and Minet and picked up a menu. Sivien glanced at him, “Coredan… why didn’t you introduce me as Princess Sivien? You always do that. You called me Sivi.”

“Well you said you wanted to go through the city like a normal person today. Figured I’d give you a round tour,” he glanced back at her. “Should I rectify my mistake? I’m really sorry.”

“I’m not mad!” Sivi laughed, slapping his shoulder again. “It’s wonderful, I think!”

After they placed their orders, Coredan excused himself from the table to follow his mother into the kitchen. “Hey mom. Where is Koreina?” he asked.

“Oh she probably ran off to get more yeast rolls and vegetables or something,” she huffed.

“And where’s dad?”

“Your father had to run errands today, paying bills and the whatnot. He’s been feeling a bit shaky recently so I don’t let him work too much in the kitchen.”

“Mom…” Coredan said softly. “I think you need to hire some help.”

“Well it was fine when Senti was here to help,” she huffed. “Now he’s off to wherever, some kind of family business so I understand perfectly. But now that he’s gone your sister is off her whistle trying to do everything herself and do it perfectly. I understand she’s worried, but it’s just frustrating.”

“I know mom,” he hugged her. “I’ll help while I’m here.”

“No, you have company. Don’t worry about me I’ll be fine.” She pushed him out the door, “That Sivi friend of yours is a pretty girl.”

“She’s married ma,” he sighed.

“Oh. To the big intimidating one?” she pointed at Kanl.

Coredan laughed. “No, Kanl’s with someone else. Sivi’s husband was busy today.”

“I see, well go keep your company entertained.”

Once they had eaten, Coredan bid his mother goodbye with promises to come again soon and bring the prince with him. Koreina gave him a half-hearted hug before going straight back to taking orders. He wondered if she was really ok. She shouldn’t be so worried over someone just gone to take care of a family matter. Coredan thought back to the conversation he had overheard at Senti’s house. Maybe there was a bigger problem.

When they returned to the castle Mat-Kanl and Minet returned to their guest areas to find San-Kuat while Sivien followed Coredan back up to his and Londel’s rooms. When they entered, Londel was seated on the couch with apple juice in hand.

“Coredan,” he smiled. “And Lady Sivien. I have some news, whether its good or bad I leave to your discretion. The weather-watchers have predicted some fierce storms later next week, so we’re leaving in two days. Not five. Use tomorrow to pack and get ready.”

“We’re leaving so soon…” Sivien seemed downtrodden at the news. “I haven’t gotten to see everything.”

“Where have ya’ll been today?” Londel asked. Sivien went into a long explanation of their travels through the city. Once she was nearing the end, a knock sounded at the door. It was Kanl, who had come to retrieve Sivien to the guest quarters.

“Perhaps we can do something tomorrow once we’re packed Coredan,” she said as Londel and Coredan rose to see her out. “Or we could help each other pack.”

“Sure,” Coredan agreed. Londel sighed. “What?” Coredan asked.

“You’re my servant you know. And here you are promising other royalty to help them with their packing,” he looked at his cup of apple juice forlornly.

“I’ll do yours first sir,” Coredan rolled his eyes. “I know you can’t function without me.”

Londel opened his mouth to make a retort, but stopped when he noticed Sivien staring at them weirdly. Coredan followed his gaze to see Sivien with a big grin across her face, obviously having been enjoying their argument. “I apologize Sivien,” Londel started.

“Why? It’s so adorable!” she exclaimed. “Kuat only ever smirks at me when I try to flirt. It’s heartbreaking sometimes. But I know he means it in fun. Speaking of Kuat, I’d better return. I’ll see you two tomorrow,” she waved and shut the door behind her.

“Coredan,” Londel said simply.

“Hmm?” Coredan wondered what was coming.

“Why did Princess Sivien just insinuate we were flirting?”

“Oh…” Coredan realized he had never actually told Londel that Sivien knew. Guess now is as good a time as ever. “Well she uh… kinda… figured it out… that uh… we… I mean…” he scratched at his head trying to figure out exactly what to say.

Londel turned at looked at him. “…What?”

“Well, I mean she knows that… well… that we, I mean I… that I love you?”

“And how does she know that?” Londel asked a bit too calmly.

“It’s not my fault!” Coredan exclaimed, trying to curb whatever might be coming. “She figured it out on her own back in Zenalquia! It’s your fault actually!”

“My fault?!” Londel looked shocked.

“Because you had to go around kissing me and stuff… and she saw. What was I supposed to say? And I told her it wasn’t true but she kept insinuating and then she just figured it out!”

Londel looked back at his apple juice sadly before taking a sip. “So no more kissing…”

“Hey… wait a minute,” Coredan frowned. This was not the way the conversation was supposed to be going. “I didn’t say that, it’s just that you did it in front of the window…” he grumbled.

Londel finally laughed. “I’m just teasing. Well she hasn’t told anyone…”

“No she promised she wouldn’t,” Coredan sighed.

“So does anyone else know that I should know about?” Londel asked jokingly, taking another sip.

“Well Markel knows…”

Londel choked on his juice. “What?!”

“Ok, I really didn’t tell him,” Coredan threw his hands up and took a step back. “I didn’t even know he knew till he came to get me in the city and told me. He said that’s why he moved out.”

Londel rubbed his head. “Oh brother. Anyone else?”

“My sister’s fiancée might know…” Coredan said sheepishly.

Londel threw his hands in the air before gulping down the rest of the apple juice. “Let’s tell the kingdom now and get it over with,” he muttered.

Coredan stared at him silently. What did that mean? “I’m sorry,” he said.

“It’s not your fault,” Londel said, patting his head. “Wait, does Darek know?”

“No. At least… I think not. I don’t really know. I can never figure out what that guy is thinking…”

Londel sighed. He stared at Coredan a moment before reaching out and pulling the boy closer to him into a one armed hug against his chest. “I didn’t mean to make you feel like you did anything wrong. You didn’t. I still love you Coredan.”

Something in Coredan’s chest ached when he heard that. He returned the hug, holding his prince tightly. Londel laughed softly as he planted a kiss on Coredan’s head. Suddenly Coredan looked up, “Oh! Londel, we have to talk.”

Londel laughed nervously, “Uhm… What did I do?”

“Do?” Coredan pulled away and headed to his room. “You didn’t do anything.”

“All conversations starting with ‘We need to talk’ are bad!” Londel stated following Coredan.

Coredan emerged from his room with the book in tow, “No, silly. Not that. I found the mirror wall!”

“Oh…” Londel breathed. “You could have just said so,” he grumbled before taking the open page Coredan offered. “What do we have here?”

--

It was late afternoon before Coredan was completely finished with all the packing. He couldn’t really figure out why Sivien had unpacked as much as she had. Sure, they were supposed to have stayed at least another five days, but still…

Instead of trying to formulate a plan to do anything special, the two decided to take a late lunch out in the gardens. Peryn incinerated flowers and chased butterflies to her hearts content while Sivien remarked how delicious Candeth food was over and over.

“Oh oh oh!” Sivien suddenly exclaimed halfway through their dessert rolls. “You have to show me the statue!”

Coredan rolled his eyes playfully as he stood. “Londel will probably kill me for showing you.”

“I want to see it anyway,” she followed him into the next area of the gardens. Once they arrived at what Londel thought to be a pure abomination, Sivien circled it twice as if deep in thought. After her second trip around she stopped and planted her hands on her hips. “It’s quite remarkable!’

“It is definitely an impressive work of art,” Coredan conceded. “They even went really far with all the details.”

“What’s your favorite part of the statue?” Sivien asked slyly.

“I do not have to answer that,” he moaned.

“Yes you do,” she smiled as she poked him. “Personally, I think his nose looks rather well done.”

Coredan looked up to the statue’s face to survey the nose. It was well shaped, but… “I think… the hands,” he sighed.

Sivien blinked. “The hands?”

“Yeah. I think they show how strong he is. Not in a physical matter, just… as a person,” he gazed at the statue as Peryn hopped on his foot.

“I thought for sure you’d say the eyes or something,” Sivien moaned, depressed at having nothing to tease him with now.

“No,” he gazed at the eyes. “No statue would ever be able to capture his eyes. Even if they colored them. It’s just… not possible,” he picked Peryn up. He looked at Sivi who was looking at him as if thinking.

“Coredan,” she said dramatically, taking her friend’s arm in hers, “You are dreadfully in love my friend.”

“Yep,” he smiled, trying not to giver her leeway in teasing him. “So are you. Oh, I told Londel that you knew last night.”

“He didn’t know?” she looked surprised.

“Well I kind of forgot to tell him…”

“Coredan!” Sivien laughed. “How could you forget?”

Coredan shrugged. “He didn’t seem to mind too much. For you, anyway. I think he’s too worried about this conference in Amedyn to really worry about it. He trusts you.”

“I’m worried too,” Sivien looked down, suddenly serious. “We have to go. I understand that, but… I’m scared. I can’t explain why.”

“I know,” Coredan patted her shoulder. “We’ll all be there for each other though. Besides, I heard that their majesties are sending Domnyk with us.”

“Who?”

“Only one of the three most powerful mages in the realm,” he smiled. “And he’s allied with us. He’d be hard to get by.”

“Well…” Sivien sighed. “I suppose that’s good.” She suddenly huffed and smiled at him. “Why are we getting so worried? We’ll have each other there to look out for trouble! So we can just enjoy traveling to a new place.”

Coredan smiled back. Sivien was always so optimistic. It wasn’t hard to miss the fact that everyone he knew attending this conference was worried in some way. Either they were all extra wary, or there really was something to be on the watch for.

--

The next day, their group left on their voyage to Amedyn. It seemed the entire city of Simitar had come to see Prince Londel off with well wishes. Their departure went smoothly. It was now their third day at sea. So far everything had gone perfect. No storms, no bad weather, and no pirates or sea monsters. Coredan was trying to find a certain shirt packed away in Londel’s things when he felt something large and bulky in the bottom of the bag. Fishing it out, he was greeted with the clock from Londel’s study. As if on cue, Londel walked into their room.

“Londel,” Coredan stood with the clock. “Why’d you bring this thing?”

Londel instantly frowned. “I didn’t.”

“Then… how’d it get in the bag?” Coredan wondered out loud.

“I purposefully left the damn thing,” Londel grabbed it and threw it against a wall. It fell with a clunk to the floor, not chipped or broken at all. “I don’t need the origin and castor in the same pla-” he started coughing through his anger, which inadvertently calmed him down. He sat on the bed as he tried to catch his breath.

Coredan sat next to him, patting his back. He merely thought to himself silently instead of asking questions. It had been obvious since the day they left that this trip was bothering Londel. He was edgier and constantly complained of headaches. Coredan had wondered if it was the curse acting up, but he still wasn’t convinced it wasn’t that either. Either way, he was worried for his prince.

To top that off, Coredan could easily figure now that the clock had been the origin all along. He wondered why he hadn’t figured that out before. Picking it up off the floor, he looked at it again. Eleven fifty-eight. All of the stars but the one for twelve were black. The last one at the top was silver. He would never understand this clock. Maybe it was just doing weird things like the wall that shimmered.

After putting the clock away, Coredan returned next to his prince. “Hey,” he said softly, touching Londel’s shoulder. “I think the crew said they were going to make some apple cider tonight. That’ll be good right?”

Londel laughed. “Yeah,” he leaned over and planted a kiss on Coredan’s forehead. “Sivien was looking for you. That was my original reason for coming in here.”

“She must still be sea-sick,” Coredan sighed. “I hope she’s ok.”

Sivien had been seasick since the first day. Londel had tried to help by magicing up a small concoction that was supposed to reduce nausea, but she still wouldn’t come out of her room very much. Coredan was about to knock on her door when someone ran into him.

“Pardon me!” exclaimed a distracted voice. “Didn’t see you there,” the tall man with long dark red hair continued walking.

“It’s fine,” Coredan muttered. The man turned around, shutting the book he had been reading intently.

“I do sincerely apologize Coredan,” he bowed slightly.

“How did you…”

“I’m Domnyk,” the man poked a hand out, which Coredan took. “I’ve made it my business to know the people of importance here. I may be officially attending this showboat as a delegate, but protection is my first priority.” He shook Coredan’s hand jovially.

“Oh… It’s an honor to meet you Master Domnyk,” Coredan stared at him. “But I’m not a people of importance. I’m only the prince’s servant.”

“And will thereby have more access to the underbelly of the beast we are entering,” Domnyk nodded. “We may have just met but you seem like a bright and amiable young chap. If you see anything of suspicion do not hesitate to inform me, alright?”

“Yes sir,” Coredan answer, slightly confused.

“It’s just Domnyk,” the man replied, looking off at nothing particular. He suddenly looked back at the shorter boy, “Are you hungry by chance? I haven’t eaten yet and it’s quite lonely eating alone.”

“Uhm… slightly?” Coredan replied with a blink. How could the high mage of Candeth be so… harebrained? “I was just checking if Princess Sivien was wanting some lunch.”

“Oh yes, very good, we can all eat together,” Domnyk knocked on the door. When Sivien opened the door, she almost jumped in surprise when Domnyk immediately said, “A good afternoon to you milady Prince Sivien,” he bowed. “Young Coredan and I here were wondering if you would be interested in joining us for a bit of lunch, so we might all get to know each other better, hmm? Splendid idea if I do say so…” and he began walking down the hall. “Come come,” he called when he realized he was not being followed.

“What in the god’s names…” Sivien muttered. Coredan almost laughed. Anyone who could surprise Sivien had to be quite… interesting.

Lunch wasn’t the last time they saw Domnyk. He was regularly found whenever a meal was involved, and Peryn seemed to have taken quite a liking to him, as he had to her. He was fascinated how the little dog was able to produce magic of its own by merely ‘falling into some sort of witchery’ as he put it. He was constantly attempting to test the small ball of fluff’s abilities, which Peryn took as an entertaining game.

The rest of the voyage was quiet, nothing of major consequence happening. Londel still changed at nightfall, but recently he seemed to be in more pain than was necessary. Coredan wanted desperately to help, but could not really do anything of significance except stay by his prince’s side.

Their voyage came to an end on their eighth day at sea, as the watchman cried there was land ahead. Coredan stood next to Londel, watching in amazement as they pulled into the docks of the Fortress of Amedyn.

The city seemed tightly packed with building as people bustled around everywhere. The city itself was divided into three parts by large and thick stone walls. The outermost ring was obviously the poorer area of the city, where large families shared two room houses. Animals and children ran through the streets as vendors moved their stalls down to each corner to sell their goods. Coredan knew from reading that the middle area would be where the more well-off merchants lived and did business. It also stored the taverns, and better outfitted hotels. Meat sellers and bakers could also be found in the area. The streets were lined with children as well, but they were better clothed and cleaner than the ones from the outer district. The final area, the center of the great expanse which was easily ten miles in diameter. held the grand castle at its center. Another wall encircled the castle, separating it still from the noble’s homes and temples in the center area. The temples themselves were large with various statues and friezes denoting their purpose.

A final wall that separated it from the forests and mountains in the background as well as the ocean walled off the entire city. Naval ships could be seen at every port area, as well as patrolling the open waters around them. Once such patrol boat pulled near their own to ascertain exactly who they were.

Coredan’s attention was pulled away from the amazing city when Londel grabbed his shoulder. “Coredan…” he spoke quietly, “Promise me that you’ll be cautious here. I mean… really be careful. Don’t get yourself into any trouble. And do not trust anyway. Amedyn is a breeding ground for conflict.”

“I promise,” Coredan stared at him. Londel was obviously even more worried now that they were finally here.

Once they had made their way onto land, Coredan found himself and Sivien between Londel and San-Kuat as circles of their own guards as well as Amedian ones surrounded them. They began to make their way through the city, the guards pushing their way through the crowds to make way. Many people began to gather to view the foreign royalty. Coredan looked around, observing the buildings and the streets. The outer area seemed somewhat… dirty.

They passed through the gateway that led them to the middle district. People gathered here as well, but they stayed away from the passing guards and royalty, allowing much easier passage. The buildings and streets in this area were much nicer. The streets were a smooth stone rather than dirt, and the homes all made of fine wood.

Once they had made their way into the center of the city, the illustrious buildings of the homes of the nobility as well as the many temples blew Coredan away. He was admiring a rather large temple constructed of marble when movement behind one of the pillars distracted him. Someone moved behind the large pillars, darting into the temple as the group passed. Coredan thought it had been Senti. If he had actually come back from Candeth, then it could have been, but why would he be sneaking around?

They passed through the final gateway to enter the front courtyard of the castle. Coredan was struck with more awe for this architecture than any of the previous buildings or temples. The base stretched out, large enough to be three times the size of a normal Hold back home, it’s roof sloped upward against the mid-section of the structure. Each floor was smaller than the one under it, giving a pyramid effect. Towers surrounded the castle next to the walls, as well as being randomly placed throughout the building itself. A single tower stretched higher than the others in the very center.

When they entered the castle, they were immediately taken to what appeared a meeting room. A man dressed in a guard uniform with extra badges denoting a higher station walked up and saluted. “Greetings Prince Londel of Candeth, Prince San-Kuat and Princess Sivien of Zenalquia. You are the final delegates to arrive. The Queen of Amedyn has been informed of your arrival, and has called for a first official meeting of all delegates.”

“But we’ve just arrived,” spoke San-Kuat. “Are we not allowed to rest?”

“Begging your pardon majesty,” the man bowed again. “As you were the last delegates the conference has been waiting for, her Highness Queen Amelia has deemed it appropriate that all the delegates meet so as to know one another.”

Just then a group of people walked in from a set of doors on the opposite side of the room. Coredan couldn’t recognize who they were until Sivien leaned towards him to whisper “The King of East Barbonta and King of Sencaln. Don’t go near them.”

“Why?” he whispered back.

“They’re extremely picky about servants. They’ve been known to kill servants and slaves on a whim, even if their not theirs.”

The doors behind them opened again, revealing Doriten and Marta followed by the heir of Tockn. A moment later the delegates of Ciere and Marquis arrived as well. Coredan couldn’t help but notice how the two sides of the previous wars tended to keep to themselves. East Barbonta, Tockn, Sencaln, and on one side with West Barbonta, Candeth, Zenalquia, and Ciere on the other. The heir of Marquis stood alone in a corner, observing the two separated groups. While Marquis had fought alongside Candeth’s enemies in the past, a new ruling family had overthrown their former emperor. It seemed they hadn’t decided where to side themselves yet. Coredan tried to ignore the fact that Doriten stuck to the opposite side of them.

“Why is everyone separated?” Coredan whispered to Sivien. “Isn’t this supposed to be a peace conference?”

“That doesn’t mean everyone has to like each other,” Sivien whispered, turning her back to the opposite side of the room. “Politics get really nasty really fast. Everyone has had a country insulted, or a deal turned bad, or some previous grievance to not like the guy next to them. If the Queen of Amedyn thinks she’s going to get everyone to see eye to eye with this peace treaty, I’d like to see how she thinks she’s going to accomplish it. There’s always someone who wants something for their country or their position, and if they don’t get it they’ll make a fuss.”

Coredan looked at his friend. “I never pegged you as the political comprehender.”

She smiled and shrugged, “It’s my job.”

A banging sound quieted everyone and brought their attention to the front of the room where steps led upwards to a large gold door. The guard from before spoke again, “Greetings delegates from the countries of our realm. I present to you the hostess of this peace conference, and ruler of Amedyn, her Highness Queen Amelia.”

All the guards in the room bowed as the doors opened. Coredan stared up at the woman that emerged. Queen Amelia was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her clothing was in ancient Amedian design. The bottom layer was of red silk with thin black stripes that pointed down, covered by a cream body wrap that opened in the front of the legs to show the red silk. The top coat was gold with hand sewn designs of cranes wrapping down the body. The left sleeve of the gold coat was draped off her shoulder to reveal a half chest guard as well as a ceremonial arm piece. The long coat was held in place by a wrap of the same red silk, covered in a large belt with a sword at her side.

What was most striking was her face. Her strong bone structure and pale skin was framed with knee length raven black hair that held three stripes of gold at the top. The top half of her hair was pinned up in more ceremonial hair pieces resembling wings that were draped with bells at the tips. A see through shawl hung around her face as one lock of black hair fell before her. Three silver jewels dotted above her left eye were an eyebrow should have been, as well as beneath her right eye. Her eyes were an odd piercing purple. The silver and purple were matched in sharp finger covers that showed beneath her cream sleeves.

Coredan didn’t realize he was staring until both Sivien and Londel tugged on his shirt, making him realize he should be bowing. Quickly taking the same position as everyone else, he looked over at Londel to see the prince raise an eyebrow at him. The queen began to speak.

“My friends,” her voice was deep and melodious, and somehow familiar. “Please rise. I welcome you to Amedyn, to your home for the next month. I pray that your stay here will be a pleasant one as we bring a new peace to our realm together. I have had prepared a wonderful dinner for us all to share this evening, and would be honored if you would join me. Everyone’s presence here is a true blessing, and I am deeply happy and honored to be able to serve you. For the good of the realm,” she bowed towards the people below her. Everyone, in turn, bowed lower.

“I understand that coming here may have been stressful for some of you. I apologize for your worry, and wish to make your stay here as comfortable and safe as possible. I have made endeavors to provide such surroundings for everyone, and have but a few restrictions and requests.

“First, please be introduced to our crowned heir Prince Baltheon,” she waved a graceful hand to her left. There stood a tall and well-muscled man that seemed around Coredan’s age. He also wore impressive Amedian style clothing, but not as impressive as the queen’s. “And Second,” she waved gracefully to the right,” please be introduced to our high mage of Amedyn, Lady Onyk.” At the bottom of the stairs there was suddenly a short woman with medium length white hair. She wasn’t old, but not young either and was dressed in an ankle length black mage robe. “Both Baltheon and Onyk will be more than happy to help anyone should anything arise. It will be our honor to accommodate everyone as well as possible.” Baltheon and Onyk both bowed to the group.

“Third, I wish to address a matter of safety. I realize it took great courage for all of you to decide to come here, with old friends and old enemies. So that everyone may feel safe around one another, I would request everyone wear one of the inhibitor bracelets that the guards will pass out to you. Onyk will activate them, and explain their use to you momentarily.”

“You expect us to walk around without our most basic form of self protection?” growled the Emperor of Sencaln, Marta’s father. “Are you insane?”

The queen didn’t even bat an eye at the insult, “Emperor Maynok, I expect you to work together with everyone here to provide a secure environment. I shall also be wearing an inhibitor. The only ones who will not be required are the three high mages of the realm.” Maynok growled something under his breath, but didn’t argue.

“Further, I would like to invite everyone to explore our castle and our city as much as they would like. If anyone ever need assistance to find a place, you may feel free to request the escort of our guard. Due to the thoughtfulness of Prince Baltheon, the inhibitor bracelets will also provide you with a basic map of the area in case you find yourself alone somewhere. Also, I would request that no person hold on their person any concealed weapons. Open weapons, such as my own sword, are acceptable, but any that are hidden from natural sight will be confiscated and that person put under house arrest until deemed appropriate. That is all for now, I hope that everyone can agree to these restrictions to allow us all to work together peacefully.

“Please, feel free to visit amongst one another until the dinner. Those who have just arrived I am sure are very tired. Allow my guards to show you to your rooms. Until this evening my friends,” she bowed again before turning back into the doors she had come from.

Coredan finally lowered his eyes, he had been staring at the queen the entire time she talked. He had just never seen anything or anyone so … mesmerizing before. He glanced back between Baltheon and Onyk to find Onyk staring straight at him. He looked away, glancing to his sides to see what Londel and Sivien were doing. A guard walked in front of him, offering him one of the bracelets the queen had mentioned. When he glanced back up at Onyk, she was looking towards Baltheon… but now Baltheon was staring at him.

Coredan looked down at the bracelet in his hands. Why did they keep staring at him? He raised his eyes without moving his head to see Onyk from his peripheral vision staring at him again. What was the deal?

“If I may have your attention,” was a sudden voice. Coredan looked up to find Onyk now standing on the third step up, talking to everyone. Baltheon took over the job of staring at Coredan now.

“As you can see, the inhibitor bracelets should clasp easily around your wrists. Once I’ve activated them, they will not come off until I have deactivated them. They will immediately identify your magic, and each bracelet will tune itself to its wearer. You will be able to do small amounts of magic, but any attack magic will be nullified. Healing, lighting candles, and various other little things that you may need will not be effected.

“In order to see the maps the queen spoke of, you need merely spark your magic into the blue or green gems next to the clasp. The blue will show you the castle, and the green will show the city. The red gem on the bottom is to be used only for emergencies or if you need serious immediate help. The yellow one at the top will beckon either Prince Baltheon to myself and we will aid you with what you need when we are available. Please note that we are not your personal servants, guards, or escorts. If you abuse this, we will disable the yellow gem. Are there any questions?”

“What are the black and purple gems on the back for?” Domnyk mused aloud, having taken Coredan’s to look at it.

Onyk frowned. “The black nullifies any hostile magic while the purple serves as a locator so we may find you. If you would all form a line to me, please, I will activate your bracelets and you may be on your way. Prince Baltheon will be here to greet you and answer any more questions you may have.”

Coredan looked at Londel, who was frowning down at the bracelet he was holding. “I don’t like this,” he muttered. “I understand the intention, but being unable to use offensive magic puts everyone at a disadvantage in case of some kind of attack.”

“Don’t worry,” Coredan whispered at him, “I’ll protect you.” Londel smiled ruefully as they moved towards the forming line.

As they stood, Coredan couldn’t help but wonder why on earth Baltheon and Onyk had been staring at him. Maybe they had been staring at something else and it just seemed they were staring at him. Coredan was behind his three royal friends when they reached Onyk. He peered around Sivien’s shoulder to see Onyk attaching the bracelet. Green magic poured from her hands into the gems.

Coredan blinked as San-Kuat stepped up for his. Once again, Onyk’s magic poured out green. Green magic… Coredan thought. He stood next to Londel as she fixed the prince’s inhibitor. He almost wanted to stop her from touching him with her magic, afraid something might happen. He’d had too many run-ins with green magic to feel comfortable around her. When she had finished Londel’s, she turned and stared at Coredan, the only one left.

Baltheon began to talk to Londel, distracting him as Onyk grabbed Coredan’s wrist. She frowned as she stared at him before focusing on the bracelet. When it didn’t connect, she cursed. “Why isn’t it working?”

“I… I don’t have magic,” Coredan said nervously. “I mean, I’m not a mage.”

“Not a mage? Then how are you in service to one of the crown, fool,” she stared at him again. She poked his forehead with a glowing finger as Coredan felt his vision go green.

“Stop,” he growled at her, pulling away.

“You really aren’t a mage,” she muttered, staring at him confused now. “Just a normal kid,” she smacked the bracelet onto his wrist and used her magic to meld the clasp. “Wear it anyway.” She pushed him towards Londel and Baltheon.

When he stood next to Londel, Baltheon looked down at him. Londel tugged on Coredan’s arm as he excused himself from Baltheon’s conversation, following Sivien and the others to find their rooms. Coredan could almost feel someone staring at him as they left the room.

It turned out their room was only a few down from Sivien’s. After promising to see each other later at dinner, they entered followed by Markel.

“Markel,” Coredan stated. “I’ve barely seen you this whole trip.”

“Security first, my friend,” Markel shrugged as he began his routine search. “Their highnesses personally asked me to double and head everything. Big jobs leave little time. I will be in an adjoined room right there with the other guards,” he pointed at a door.

“Where’s your bracelet?” Coredan asked.

“I’m no mage, I took it off.”

Coredan looked down at his. “She melded mine. I can’t take it off.”

“Pity. Seemed like a curst itchy thing to me,” he continued his search. Once he finished a bit later, he excused himself and retreated to the next room.

Londel fell onto the couch, removing his mask and rubbing his face roughly. He looked really tired and stressed, and Coredan said so. Londel sat up to look at him, rubbing the back of his neck. “The next month is going to be hell,” he stated simply.

Coredan stared at the right side of Londel’s face. The normal markings on his skin were worse than usual. The one connected to his eye looked swollen. “Are you alright?” Coredan asked worriedly.

“Yes. I expected this,” Londel put the mask back on. “Like I said: hell.”

Coredan sat next to his prince quietly before saying, “Onyk’s magic was green.”

“I noticed,” Londel sighed.

“The other magic from all the incidents before… it was green too.”

“Coredan,” Londel looked at him. “I know I already made you promise to be careful, but promise me to not go looking for trouble? And don’t start pointing fingers just yet. Just because she has green magic doesn’t make her our culprit. Baltheon, the Emperor of Sencaln, and the King and Queen of Tockn all have green magic too.”

“Ok,” Coredan sighed. “It just… seemed to make sense.”

“Never assume anything here makes sense,” Londel stated warningly. “Nothing is what it seems. Nothing. Please remember that.”

“I’m sorry,” Coredan said softly.

Londel put an arm around him, pulling him closer. “Don’t apologize. I appreciate your enthusiasm, really I do. Amedyn is full of secrets and magic and mysteries. More magic has originated from this country than anyone could possibly guess. You have to be careful, and never assume something is the way it seems to be. I’m not trying to preach. I just… I don’t want anything to happen to you. I care about you too mu-” he suddenly grunted and pulled away.

Coredan moved away to look at Londel straight, “What’s wrong? What happened? Londel…” Londel sat up, moving the arm he had had around Coredan stiffly. He pulled the sleeve up to reveal his beast-like scaly skin beneath. “But…” Coredan’s mind scrambled to figure out what was wrong. “But… You’ve never changed when… I mean…”

“Well,” Londel grunted, waiting for his arm to go back to normal. “Since it was better in Zenalquia, which was further away, I suppose it will get worse while we’re here in Amedyn.” He looked at Coredan sadly, “I’m sorry.”

Coredan frowned, “It’s not your fault.” He thought for a moment before saying quietly, “Can I kiss you?”

“What?”

“Well I don’t want you to be in pain or anything,” Coredan looked away. “But if you’re going to get worse then…”

Londel smiled, removing his mask and ghosting his lips over Coredan’s. He pressed his mouth firmly against the boy’s for only a second before pulling away. “Don’t worry about me,” he teased, touching a gloved finger to Coredan’s lips. “Pain or not I’ll always be happy to kiss you.” Coredan blushed, making his prince laugh.