Faerie

"You're going to live here in Noir? That's great!" Lyrus grinned widely as Alea broke the news to him. After her father announces who she would marry, she would run away from the castle and settle down in the village. Edrana will surely help her find a place and a way to keep her identity safe.

"Well…I'm just starting with the necessary arrangements but when everything's ready, I'll let you know. Hmmm…Come to think of it, maybe I should also build a hut at the edge of Nieblahim so that we can neighbors. What do you think?" Alea giggled at Lyrus' surprised face. A simple hut by the woods? It didn't sound bad to be honest, and in fact maybe it would be better for her to live outside the capital. That way it would be less likely for her true identity to be discovered. Besides she can also be Lyrus neighbor. The thought somehow made Alea's face go red.

"Are you okay? Your face is red." Lyrus looked at her with concern, making Alea blushed more.

"I-I'm fine," Alea answered as the two walked back to the snow-covered Noir. It had been a month since winter came to Threanas, and everything, from the streets to the far-off province of Elund, had been blanketed by the snow. Alea hugged her fur coat tighter to her body. Alea can't help but pity Lyrus as the lad shivered, wearing only a linen coat over his tunic. She just realized that all this time, she represented herself to her friend as coming from a well-off family whom she visits every now and then. It seems that even as Alea, she still can't shed her true self.

"Hey…use this." Alea gave her fur coat to Lyrus. It was one of her old coats, a present from a noble. She used it whenever she needed to go out of the castle as Alea since it would certainly be suspicious to see a commoner wearing an expensive looking winter clothing.

"Tha-thanks. But what about you?" Lyrus asked as he wrapped the coat around him.

"I'm fine. I have a spare coat back at home," answered Alea. Home. She told Lyrus that her home was far away and that she stays at one of the numerous inns in the capital. Alea felt guilty for hiding her secret to her friend. But she didn't plan to hide her identity to him for long. Maybe after a few years of living as Alea she would reveal to Lyrus who she really was.

Alea tiptoed across the castle grounds, shivering as she did so. She berated herself for giving away the coat to Lyrus without thinking that she herself don't have anything to warm her up when she returns to the castle. Just a few more steps…just a few more steps and she would be at the staircase leading to her room. Silvia should be waiting for her back there, hopefully with a warm bowl of soup. Just a few more steps…and Alea felt her appearance changed back.

"Why hello there, princess Auria. You seem to be in a hurry. Why are you not wearing any coat or robe in this kind of weather?" Of all the people Auria could ran into, it just had to be Lophen. The prince of thieves flashed a mischievous smile, making Auria uncomfortable.

"I-I…left my coat. I was just about to get it from my room before taking a stroll at the castle garden. I-I ju-just love to look at snow slowly falling around the hedges of roses and daisies." Auria cursed under her breath. It seemed like Lyrus' habit of stuttering was rubbing off her.

"Oh…is that so? Then perhaps you would like me to accompany you? I myself am particularly amused by snow since as you may know, it doesn't snow in the desserts of Quirun," Lophen slowly walked towards Auria.

"No-no, thanks. I prefer to be alone when watching the snow." Auria quickly made a dash for the stairs, not bothering to look back at the prince.

The rest of the day was dismal. Dreading to have another encounter with Lophen, Auria stayed at her room, chatting with Silvia. The two talked about a lot of things. Auria revealed her plan to run away to her friend who vehemently opposed the idea. The maid pleaded to Auria to think things carefully. The kingdom needs her especially now that there are rumors of overthrowing the king. Auria shuddered at the thought. A rebellion? If the people of Threanas took arms against her father, the consequences would surely be dire. A civil war would certainly break out and Threanas might cease to exist. Is this the plan of the Midnight Council all along?

Seeing the concern and panic in her friend's eyes, Auria reluctantly promised Silvia that she won't run away. It was a lie and both of them know it. That night, Auria's dreams were filled with images of war and snow.

Auria left the castle early the next day. Thankfully, her father was away on another trip. Perhaps, trying to find the powerful potion that Lophen had confirmed to exist. Such thought brought to Auria's mind the faces of the other princes. While they may not be the kind of men she would like to marry, she's sure that they are still good men. It would definitely make her sad to see them be put under her father's spell.

"Alea! Are you listening? I said, bring the horses near the edge of the river of Wesdirec. The snow has not froze the river yet so grass would most likely still sprout around the area." Alea snapped out of her trance as Janus, a son of one of the wealthy merchants of Noir gave her the reins to the two horses. She was hoping to do some errands for the nobles today but this was not what she had in mind.

Alea looked back at the huge stone walls of the capital as she lead the horses towards the river of Wesdirec. She didn't bother asking Lyrus to accompany her with the errand. Somehow it felt like Lyrus had been going through some difficult times lately as he seemed to be always in a trance, his mind wandering. It would be best if she let him have some time alone. What could Lyrus be doing right now?

Arriving at the great river, Alea looked for a large patch of grass where the horses can feed. True enough, the river has not frozen over yet and after some searching she found a large birch tree with an abundance of grass underneath it. She then tied the animals to the tree and sat a few meters away from it.

The magnitude of the river never ceased to amaze her. The river of Wesdirec ran from the base of the First mountain up to the forest of Nieblahim where it branches off to smaller streams leading to other provinces. Alea had seen the river a number of times as it was here where Thenan would sometimes take her to train.

Alea sighed. The memories of the past few months suddenly came rushing into her mind. It had been a few months since her ordeal started and while lots of amazing things happened to her, she still can't help but feel sad. Is this really the life for her? Is she really destined to simply obey her father's whim? She had always thought that great things are in store for her. Her life…everything just changed when her mother vanished, her once kind and loving father turning into a cold and heartless man.

Would things have changed if her mother didn't disappear? Alea can't help but wonder. She doesn't remember her mother's face well. All that was left in her mind now was the sweet sound of her voice. It was like the sound of a harp playing on a windy autumn afternoon. Her mother…what would she say right now?

Snow started to fall once more, prompting Alea to wrap her coat closer to her body. If she ran away from the throne, she would be enduring harsh winters like this one. She would need to chop her own firewood and start her own fire lest she should freeze to death. She would also need to work, to earn coins lest she starved to death. She would need to learn to live on her own. It maybe hard but it surely would be a nice life, nicer than being trapped in the castle and forced to obey her father. Besides, she has her friends, Lyrus, Silvia, Thenan, Edrana, and the others she had met as Alea, their company is more than enough to help her get through whatever hardships she would face. She will run away and never look back. She had made up her mind.

Alea untied the horses from the tree as she prepared to go back to Noir. Snow had started to fall heavily. It would be unwise to get trap in a blizzard. However, as she pulled the animals away, Alea heard a loud bellow. Still, something didn't feel right. The air felt colder than usual, carrying with it a tinge of decay, and then she saw it.

The creature emerged from the forest at the opposite side of the river. It was a tall being, taller than the Woodland Beast and covered with black and red scales, giving it the appearance of having drops of blood littering its body. The behemoth stood on two hooved feet, a thick spiky tail swerving back and forth visible from behind it while huge long claws hang from its hands. Its head was shaped like that of a snake, flat and elongated, with small horn like protrusions along its neck. On tops of its head was numerous thick black horns, thicker than the ones the Woodland Beast used to have. The snake-like eyes of the creature darted about, as if searching for something. Alea walked closer the edge of the river to have a better view of the beast despite her mind strongly opposing the idea.

Examining the creature closer, Alea saw the black tendrils that sprouted from the Woodland Beast. These however, were shorter in length and had a wispy feature to it, making it appear that the behemoth before her was made of smoke. Alea swallowed. She slowly backed away from the edge of Wesdirec. She didn't like the appearance of the beast at all. It reminded her of the decay that inhabited Nieblahim. Unfortunately, before she can make a run for it, her eyes locked with that of the creature's.

The being opened its mouth, exposing two rows of crooked sharp teeth, and roared. Fear immediately gripped Alea, paralyzing her on the very spot where she stood. With a blink of an eye, the creature jumped over the river and landed a few meters to where she was. Cold sweat ran down Alea's face as the beast's snout came close to her face. The beast sniffed her, and as if in preparation of devouring her, it let out its long tongue, similar to a snake's, and licked her. Inside her mind, she shouted with all her might but no words came out of her mouth. Is this the end for her?

As if on cue, a sudden flash of light burst from behind Alea. A warm sensation spread through her body and in a matter of seconds, she was able to move again. As for the creature, it was knocked backwards by the light. Looking to her side, Alea, saw what appeared to be a woman draped in pure light walking towards the beast. However, before she can even ask the mysterious figure anything, Alea felt her strength and consciousness ebbed, the last image she saw was the being of light turning into Edrana.

Alea woke up, her head aching greatly. She was greeted by the smiling face of Edrana. She was on the apothecary's bed. She was back at Noir. Remembering what happened, she bolted out of the old woman's bed. The beast! She needs to alert the castle of its presemce. She was sure that unlike the Woodland Beast, the creature she faced would not hesitate to enter Noir and ravage the capital.

"There, there. You're still weak. You need to rest. If it's the horses you're worried about, they're fine. I lead them back to Janus' stable." Edrana gave a cup of warm tea to Alea which she drank immediately. She felt weak, like all the strength in her body was drained from her. Moreover, she was hungry. Wait. Edrana lead the horses back? So she was indeed at the river when the creature appeared. Does that mean?

"Who-who are you? Wha-what did you do with me? Wha-what did you do with beast?" Alea dropped the cup of tea and assumed a fighting stance with only her clenched fists to defend her. Edrana on the other hand, continued to smile, seemingly amused at Alea's reaction.

"Who am I? I'm Edrana, the apothecary here in Noir. I am your friend. I gave you the potion you are using to hide your identity as the princess of Threanas. As for the beast, I slayed it. The creature, to begin with, doesn't belong here in this realm," Edrana answered as the old lady stooped to pick up the cup that Alea dropped. Examining the woman before her, Alea's instinct told her that it was indeed Edrana. However, something didn't feel right. Edrana is an old woman. She cannot slay a beast.

"Are you a mage?" Alea asked. That's the only explanation she could think of. Edrana is a powerful mage, after all, she managed to find a cure even for the supposedly incurable Wood Fever.

"No. I am more than that. Humans use many words to describe me, words such as nymph, sylph, and the most popular, faerie." Edrana smiled once more as she returned from the kitchen with a loaf of bread. Faerie? Edrana is a faerie? Alea can't believe what she just heard. Faeries are just part of legends, powerful gentle beings that only helps other races when they deem the endeavor worthy of their time.

"I-I don't understand…Faeries are just…" Alea's voice trailed off.

"Legend? My dear, even the dragons were once mere legends to the humans. Just because you cannot see something, means that it doesn't exist. Love cannot be seen yet humans know that it exists. They even believe in its power." Edrana gestured to Alea to eat which the latter did, still maintaining eye contact with the old woman.

"Why did I settle here in Noir? Because I like it here. This place brings back a lot of memories since it is here where your mother and I grew up. No, I am not your aunt, silly girl. I am your mother's childhood friend." Alea's jaw dropped. Edrana knew her mother. Moreover, the two were childhood friends. But how can that be? Edrana appeared to be a hundred years old unless…Alea's thoughts were cut off when the apothecary chuckled upon seeing her incredulous expression.

"My dear. I suggest you continue eating and to listen to me for what I am about to tell you next is very important." Edrana's expression suddenly turned into a serious one. Holding back herself from further questioning the old woman, Alea listened.

"My time here is cut short by the recent events for the past few months. You might not see me that frequent in my shop anymore. However, if you need a refill of the potion I gave you then simply visit the shop and you will always find a freshly made batch in the large cauldron by the chimney." Edrana held Alea's hand. She once more felt the familiar warmth spreading throughout her body. Come to think of it, everything regarding Edrana being a faerie fit. Edrana can use magic, is well versed in healing and brewing potions, and a warmth aura always seem to emanate from the old woman. Surely, only a faerie can do such things.

"Next, I want you to prepare. The next few months will be a test to you and Threanas as a whole. Be strong Auria. Darkness has started to swallow this realm." Tears seem to well up in the old woman's eyes as she struggled to continue what she was saying.

"Lastly, and most importantly, always follow your heart. Do what you think is right not just for you, but for others as well. Remember, you are not alone in this. There is someone who would always be there for you. You just need to look carefully." Edrana hugged Alea. Feeling that she might not see the kind old woman for a long time, Alea returned the gesture.

It was almost dusk when Alea left Edrana's shop and while she got no answer as to the old woman's connection to her mother, she felt contented. It was enough that she spent an afternoon chatting with the old woman. She knew in her heart that when the right time comes, Edrana would tell her everything that the latter knows. In the meantime, she just needs to be strong and to follow her heart.

"Is what you say true?" King Deanor asked as he sat on a stone carved chair. Before him stood Lophen, the prince of thieves. While he knew that he needed to be wary of the words that come out of the mouth of the prince, he also knew when to believe such words.

"Yes, your majesty. It appears that princess Auria is masquerading as a squire named Alea, using a potion." Lophen answered with a sneer.

"And where did the potion come from?" King Deanor inquired. The thought that all this time his daughter had been leading another life behind his back was simply reprehensible. Such act did not fit a noble like her. She was once more running away from her responsibilities. Moreover, it seemed that someone was helping her with the nefarious deed.

"I apologize but even my sources cannot determine who is helping the princess" Lophen bowed. Despite the annoyance such news brought him, Deanor felt satisfied. It appeared that aligning himself with the prince was a great idea after all.

"Very well. I leave to you the task of maintaining a close look of Auria. You are to report to me whatever you are to find out, understood? Do this and your position by my side shall be assured." Deanor's anger boiled. With the rumors of a possible rebellion, the continued rampage of the dragon in the province of Burne, the mysterious prince of Crusdea, the stupid adventures of his daughter was the least of his problems.