20 Years Later

Swords were clashing. Arrows were shot from bows made out of the majestic woods of Silverside. The field of Combination Castle was bustling with many kinds of activities, mainly combat. Prince Jake and Prince Nathan, both grown and handsome young men, twenty-four and twenty-three respectively, were training their sword fighting skills. Bobby sat on a chair observing their methods with a to-do list on his lap. He was multitasking between mentoring the princes and answering the servants' questions about the jobs remaining that had to be completed by the end of the day. Princess Flyra was shooting arrows at a target board twenty metres away. And she was scoring bullseyes straight even though the wind was blowing in different directions. Her glamorous light blue dress and headscarf swaying in the wind. Laura was there assisting the princess with the arrows. Flyra had told her she was not needed but Laura had insisted. Captain, Bale and Oliver were there too, watching her and giving her support. They became best friends with the princess ever since she was able to walk. And they love telling her stories about the incidents that happened and mostly about their lost best friend, Prince Edward. That was how Flyra began to notice her father's expression saddened most of the time when he thought no one was looking. Now she knows what he had been through. And she was planning to do something about it.

Towards the northwest of the field, is the north pond. Dewi and Annie were there feeding the fishes swimming happily inside. They became best friends over the two decades. Lillain was part of the group as well but she was nowhere to be seen at the moment.

Away from the field, in the gazebo of the main gardens, King Henry was having a conversation with Master Jenny, the royal master of Combination and headmaster of SHAW Academy, over a cup of tea. They were discussing locations that had been searched for his lost children. Whether the location has magical force preventing them from finding what they intended to find. The entire map of Southernere was laid on a long table just beside the tea table. Combination somewhere in the middle, White Shore towards northeast. Towards north is Alhora, followed by The Valley of Sorrows. Barenge to the northwest of the city, further straight is Arstar, just beyond the Waterfront Lake. Directly towards the south of Arstar are two small towns, Waterfront and West Coast. They must be quite important in the alliances with Combination to be displayed on the map. Further south is the city of Trisnarim. Crossing the wide river above Trisnarim Bay, towards the east is Silverside. Further east will lead to the Marina Straits. Marina Island and Tiny Island are just south of Marina Straits. Dotted lines separate The Inlands and The Outlands. All the cities and kingdoms mentioned are part of The Inlands. The cartographer did not even care to add in towns and cities of The Outlands. They're not important to any Inlanders.

From the outside, anyone can see the castle's new look. It's new twenty years ago. They had started redesigning and reconstructing the castle three weeks after the incident and they had finished four months after. The reconstruction was not just for the damaged parts but they also renovated the entire castle. Even the basement and dungeons were renovated. The theme of the castle is now white and brown with a little bit of other colours here and there. Overall, the whole castle with its gardens, the field, and woods around it is still beautiful and magical.

'I doubt they have stopped coming' King Henry said.

'Your majesty, it has been peaceful for twenty years' Master Jenny said.

'That does not mean they won't attack anytime soon. Aside from finding my children, protecting the city is of utmost importance. This is the proud settlement of Combi. Set aside the rebellious Outlanders. We have a legacy to protect. I need more men trained, I think we're going to have an attack very soon, calculating the time. My daughter should be twenty-one years old now. Who knows what has she become'

Princess Flyra shot her last arrow from her quiver. Another bullseye. Laura rushed to take the arrows off the board. Ten boards have been used. Three arrows for each board. She scored bullseye for each shot. Flyra placed her bow and quiver on the foldable table set on the grass behind. Captain, Bale and Oliver cheered for her brilliance in archery.

'Talented as always Flyangel' Captain said. That's the nickname he gave her since she was young. One reason was because of the note from her mother, which Matilda referred to her as her angel. Secondly was because she is so beautiful.

'Thanks Cap' Flyra said, smiling gracefully. 'Do not forget our plan later'

Flyra winked.

'What plan?' Laura asked, she overheard the conversation as she was walking back towards them.

'Oh. Just a playdate with my best friends here' Flyra replied quickly.

'You have not been having playdates with anyone since you're fourteen'

'I did! With Annie, Dewi and Lillain only a week ago!'

'That was just a tea party your highness. A tea party that I was not told about' Laura ended her sentence with a sad tone. Flyra smiled, her usual sweet and affectionate smile. She reached for Laura's hands and held them gently.

'I told you I am sorry I forgot to tell you. It was Dewi's idea and it slipped off my mind to remember to invite you and any other handmaidens of your acquaintance. I promise the next time there is a tea party or any other ceremony, I'll invite you alright?' Flyra said. Her words were spoken in a very polite manner. She is well known as the most soft-spoken princess in all of The Inlands. Laura smiled in reply. She cannot pretend to be sad any longer. The princess is just too nice for that.