5 A Flight to the Setting Sun

Lyzbeth Heredis

How could I forget that the one I'm rescuing is a courtier? Romain Amasio is a son of a scholarly courtier! He is even a squire! There is no doubt that this man would tell me off to the persecutors right away.

In any case, I can't leave him here forever. I could do no more but sigh and cast my incantation.

"Chain, chain, break away," I recite quietly.

As the chains fall to the ground, I cannot help but look away from Romain. He can tell me off right now. I'm sure he has a means to call the persecutors right now. I wait for him to speak, but it turns out he has nothing to say either.

"Thank you," Romain simply says.

That was not what I expected. Mentally, I was already preparing my defense in case I had to face the inquisition trial, but no. He thanks me. Even if he does not want to tell me off, why does he not parade me with questions? This is quite odd indeed.

Or, I can just make him forget. I've never exactly done this before, but I think it will work.

"Romain, after you hear my words, you will forget everything that just happened," I say solemnly. "I'm sorry."

I'm just aghast. I expect him to just nod, but no. He seems eager not to forget. "Lyzbeth, now, don't do that. Let me keep my memory of it."

"Romain, you have to forget. 'Tis unwise to let you go around with the knowledge of what you saw. You do not know what the King will do to me if he finds out."

As I was already preparing my incantation, an idea dawns upon him.

"I won't say anything!" Romain insists. "Lyzbeth, Scire's motto is Scientia et Libertas. This is what all of us must achieve. By letting me forget, you have just taken away my knowledge and my freedom to know what happened. That is not the way of a Scirese."

"But, you know Scire's policy! The king has a law which forbids any and all form of knowledge about The Arts. What you know can harm both you and me. Even a single book is considered enough evidence to be burned."

"Trust me. I won't tell."

His words are convincing, but it is not enough to save me. Yes, I want someone to know who I am and not fear for what I am. Can I really trust him?

"Romain, I'm so sorry," I say sadly.

I began raising my arms and closing my eyes. I cannot bear to see this. He is my first friend at a new school. He showed me that there's more to a normal Scirese than just logic and facts.

"If you worry about compromise, worry not."

I opened my eyes once more. "What do you mean?"

"Lyzbeth, I can be your friend. I thought we already are friends, but as a true friend, I promise not to tell anyone. Don't cast your spell. I promise, no harm will ever come to you after this."

Once again, my mind and my heart are at war with each other. My mind says not to trust him. Of course, why would I trust him? I've only just met him. For all I know, he might be an agent for the persecutors. Still, my heart says yes. What if he's just a normal boy that wants me as a friend?

This time, my mind wins. I rise up my arms once more in preparation for the incantation.

"Sights and thoughts – "

I break off. The next thing I know, he is already holding on to one of my hands.

"Lyzbeth, please. Trust in me. I know how The Arts work as much as you do. I know that you are in need of a friend."

And, now he claims to know me. How could he assume that of me? Well, in any case, he is right. I have no real friends in Scire. I see through his eyes. Maybe, he really has a good intention. Why do I suspect him so much?

Gently, I put my arms down. "Alright, I trust you."

I see him smile. As I look around the building, I see that Danaca and I had quite a fight. Though ruined, this building was standing strong, but now, it was as if a demolition team destroyed this place. In any case, 'tis abandoned. But, still I wonder. Where is this place? Is this even still Scire?

"So, how do we get home?" he asks me.

Yes, he's right. How do we get home? 'Tis not like we can hope for the Scirese buses to pass by around here. I don't think they'll give us a lift. I'm all out of coins. I gave half of my coins to that mischievous kid and the other as a payment for my fare. I even left that kid's bike in the bus. I don't even know how I'll get the coins to buy another one for that kid. As I think of a way, I came up with the most irrational idea.

"What if we just fly?" I say out of the blue.

Right away, I notice his eyes widen. "Fly? Are you mad, woman? You can cast spells, right? Can't you just, you know, cast a spell that will take us home?"

"We don't call spells 'spells'. We call it incantations, Romain. Also, I do not even know the way home. How am I supposed to cast an incantation?"

"And, how do you propose on flying us home?"

With a mischievous grin, I answer him. "Why, I'll pull you up the sky, of course. In any case, 'tis almost dusk. I think we are hardly noticeable up there."

Still, I know he has doubts. Flying should be fun. There are many things that only a bird can see up in the sky. I know Scire is beautiful. I just haven't seen it as a whole. While he thinks about "flying" thoroughly, I change myself into my enchantress form. I haven't flown in a while. This should be a fun ride.

"So, are you ready?" I ask him.

"Is this safe?"

"Of course, it is!"

Still, I see his doubts. I take his fidgeting hands on mine. "Don't worry. Just hold on to my hand. I can keep you safe."

With his hands firmly held on mine, I immediately take to the skies. I pull myself up, and soon enough we are flying high. From our place, I see that the building is surrounded with trees. The thick lush greenery is a forest, but soon enough, we see the beauty of the Kingdom of Scire. 'Tis a beautiful sight. The sun is setting in a blaze of sea of orange rays. As the sun takes her rest, the four moons of Medeis rise. We see the River Lorelei flowing through the misty forests near the park. Heavenly skyscrapers switch their lights on and it forms a horizon of lights in white and gold.

I feel like a free bird in this sky. Like a falcon soaring for the light, I fly through clouds amongst a flock of birds. I look back to Romain, and it seems he does not share this emotion. I see him pale as snow. Is he nauseous right now?

"I wish you'd go a little slower," Romain says, almost inaudible due to the pressure up in the sky.

"Oh, come on! Just enjoy the beauty of our land. Scire is at its most beautiful time."

"It would be more beautiful if you'd take the moment to see the sights," he says suggestively.

"None sense! We are here up in the sky not to go sightseeing. We are here to feel the essence of flying."

"Yes, but how are you going to find our homes if you keep flying so fast?"

"We are going to find it, worry not!"

And so, kept flying up in the sky. I cannot help but make loops and shapes with the clouds. The wind is just so perfect. It brushes past my hair ever so gently. My ride with the wind is the best I have ever felt in my life. Once again, I look back to check on Romain. He seems to be getting the hang of it now. Though he is still pale as snow, he's finally smiling. That's the spirit!

"You seem to like flying," he remarks.

"This is the only way I can show who I really am. The king cannot find me here. 'Tis to far beyond his grasps to understand The Arts."

"So, what Arts do you practice?"

"Why? Have you any knowledge of it?"

"Once, when I was a boy, my father had a book named 'The Legend of The Four Rulers'. Of course, that book is banned in Scire. My father had to burn it away when he began serving the House of Filia. I knew that legends contain a hint of truth, but I never knew that the entirety of that book is the truth."

I think things through. I think I have seen that book at a library in Lucerna. I don't think I have read that book, but it is considered a fact than fiction.

"I'm an enchantress, so do you know what we enchanters practice?"

"Radiant Arts, I suppose."

"That is correct."