Archive of Our Own

              The confinement was a success. Farah hoped Rosalind wasn't hurt. The mentor said nothing, only smiled sweetly, as if she had forgiven and let go of all wrongs. She didn't even put up any resistance, which caused Farah to have mixed feelings. For a moment the fairy even wanted to stop, but her sense of duty got the better of her and she continued.

             When the resulting barrier tightly enveloped the former principal of Althea in its arms, Farah retreated a few steps, casting a bewildered, depressed look at her creation. Farah shivered, clutching her jacket tighter with her hands. Her head hurt terribly from wasting so much energy on the spell. She should have rested for a while before she made her scheduled visit to the Queen of Solaria, or else her head threatened to ache even more.

              Leaving Rosalind behind, Farah knew she would be back here more than once.

                        - Please note, Farah, that the reputation of everyone in this office, thanks to what you've done, has sunk to a low point.

              It was unbearably stuffy in the study, but no one even thought to open a window in the heat of the argument. Queen Luna was seated majestically at the desk of the former Headmistress, looking down at the trio seated on the black leather sofa. Farah, who was sitting in the middle, flinched at the remark and looked up silently, stroking the royal face with undisguised anger.

                       - With all due respect, queen, what Farah did was your idea, - Saul disagreed, causing Luna to smirk snidely.
                       - And who would believe you, Saul? Even I can't take your side, under the circumstances. Or should I get Rosalind from behind the barrier to find out for myself?

            There was a silence, but no one was uncomfortable. Everybody wanted to get it over with.

                      - Mr. Harvey, did you make the Zanbaq like I asked?

            Ben cleared his throat.

                     - Almost done.
                     - Almost?
                     - The quantity is too much, I'm doing the best I can.

            Luna let out a disappointed chuckle.

                     - Everything must be ready by tomorrow afternoon. Solaria's army can't wait. The Aster-Dell and the surrounding area must be checked for Burned Ones. And this must be done immediately, and your incompetence, Mr. Harvey, is slowing down the whole process.

           Ben decided he had better be silent in response to the agitated queen's remarks, or it won't end well.

                     - So, what's happened makes us extremely vulnerable in every way. And I would like all recent events to remain a mystery. Any problems that have arisen or will arise in connection with Rosalind's departure and Andreas' death must be resolved as soon as possible. Otherwise, I will be forced to put the three of you on trial. And I wouldn't quite want that, considering that some of you have families.

           Luna's gaze fell on Ben, who was nervously rubbing the sleeve of his sweater.

                     - But you can't let everyone know how the Queen of Solaria failed to prevent the genocide of an entire people, - Dowling quipped. - You will be hated.
                     - It wasn't genocide," Luna retorted, not without irritation, - but Rosalind's mistake.
                     - And who will believe you? We were there and you weren't.
                     - In that case, it's within my power to pin Andreas's murder on Mr. Silva, for instance. After all, no one saw what happened between those two but themselves. It is in your interest, Farah, to be on my side.

          Dowling understood perfectly well why Luna was playing this game of submission and power. The fairy felt the ineffability of the queen's emotions as she demonstrated what she could do to people. Or as she called them "subjects." In today's world, it sounded ridiculous to call the inhabitants of any kingdom that way, but Luna emphasized her status this way and was terribly flattered when people treated her royally, even though she denied it in every way. She felt hypocrisy keenly, especially when it was carefully concealed. The fairy hated the Solarian queen with all her soul. She never bowed to her or her supposed omnipotence. Never once had she broken under her contrived hospitality or her endless false admiration.

          That could not be said of Rosalind, who always behaved with the queen, as they now put it, with dignity. Because her mentor knew how to easily win Luna's favor with almost no effort at all. Every time she saw such a picture, Farah felt a twinge of hypocrisy in the air and longed to leave the place where they were at that moment as soon as possible.

          Rosalind always said that pride and stubbornness would one day ruin Dowling. Allegedly she should be more pleasant and friendly rather than prickly and repulsive. Farah has always reasoned that she cannot keep her emotions in check for long if the person standing in front of her dislikes her or, conversely, Farah dislikes her. That's why Dowling didn't get along well with people. It's also because Rosalind taught her protégé endless power over emotions and feelings, which eventually led to unconscious control of all areas of Farah's life. At one point, she even found it hard to be herself alone with her few friends. Around large numbers of people, she was terribly inhibited in her displays of sincere emotion. Farah became afraid of them, and eventually the fear of the uncontrollable took a back seat. The one feeling she never hid was hatred. And at times, it sucked the strength out of her, particularly at the very moment when Queen Luna opened her mouth.

          The queen was well aware of the warm relationship between her friends, and was surely happy to see the discouragement in their faces. Farah hated Luna for exactly that. And she hated herself for the fact that their lives might depend on Farah's own choices or decisions. Also, when she couldn't influence the situation and protect her friends. It put her in a daze, the many attempts to pull herself together and think properly. After what had happened, her head rumbled like the engine of a faulty car in a constant monotone. She imagined the screams and groans of people burned alive. In her nightmares she saw herself burning with Saul and Ben, with Rosalind watching their charred bodies cold-bloodedly from above. And Farah still couldn't understand why her mentor didn't care so much about how something like this would affect her students? What would become of them? Didn't she realize that they would never be the same after something like this? For as long as Farah could remember, no one had ever seen such boundless cruelty from Rosalind.

          Farah was pulled from her thoughts by the arrogant tone of the Solarian queen.

                    - So, now, hopefully, we've got everything sorted out. Let's stick to our plan. Don't try to be arbitrary. It could cost everyone here their lives.

          Already on the way to Solaria, Farah could feel the tension in the air. Saul and Ben went with her. Even if they hadn't been invited, there was no way they would have left their fighting friend in such a difficult situation for everyone. They still had to deal with Andreas' body. The funeral arrangements were not to be delayed. In addition, little prince Sky needed to be transported to Alfea as soon as possible.

         Had it not been for Saul and Farah's entreaties, Queen Luna herself would have taken custody of the boy or given him to another well-to-do family. The friends were able to argue their case, and the queen allowed custody of the future prince on the condition that the boy would know his roots and his true father as a hero. No one was against such terms, and the friends did not initially plan to make Andreas look like a bloody conqueror. To them, such an assumption would have been surprising if it had not been made by the Queen of Solaria.

                 - Have you spoken to Sky's regent yet? - Farah asked, to lighten the mood.
                 - We've had a few words," Saul answered. - Luna decided she could do the job better than some specialist.

       Her friend's placid smile made Farah feel a little relieved.

                - I hope she won't meddle in his upbringing.
                - For all I know, she already has plans to introduce the three-month-old prince to the two-month-old Solaria heiress.

      Farah rolled her eyes, which made Saul chuckle softly. It wasn't the first time they had discussed the quirks of the Queen of Solaria. They still had about an hour to go, so they had to keep themselves busy and try to lighten the mood. Neither of them could remember the last time they had smiled or talked about anything distracting. It was too hard to look into each other's eyes and not see in them the reflections of pain and despair because of the events that had happened.

                 - Do you think she'll insist on that option?

      The tone of seriousness of the question threw Farah into a slight stupor. She knew what Saul meant, but she had no idea what to answer. Or rather, she wanted a reassuring answer, but nothing came to mind.

                - In the meantime, under the circumstances, she could have come up with something more mitigating, - Ben chimed in.
                - The circumstances were worse than originally thought. Rosalind offered little resistance.
                - Yes, we weren't prepared for that, - Ben said thoughtfully.
                - I should have thought of all the possibilities, - interrupted Farah. - She realized that running away wouldn't do her any good. - She realized there was no escape. Even if she could, she wouldn't. You know Rosalind.
                - Farah, this was unexpected for everyone. If you're talking about anyone's guilt, it's shared.
                - I know, - Farah agreed languidly. - But I did it. Just like Luna wanted me to.
                - What about the trial? - Saul asked, turning to the fairy.
                - Luna said no. Said she was afraid of a revolt among the population in favor of Rosalind. Believes that despite such a significant miss, many will oppose her arrest. It is better for everyone if everyone thinks she is dead.
                - And the queen doesn't want to get her hands dirty again? - Saul asked grudgingly.

      Farah shrugged her shoulders. The last thing she cared about right now was Rosalind's fate. The Headmistress was alive and safe. That was enough for now. Right now, Farah was far more concerned about the fate of her friends and Alfea sitting on either side of her.

      They no longer spoke for the rest of the trip, only occasionally glanced at each other, and each watched with his own thoughts as the tree tops flickered outside the car windows. Very soon the wooded area was replaced by fields of flowers and bushes. The sun began to shine brighter as they passed a succession of endless mighty trees.

      They were received with proper reverence at the royal palace, after which they were immediately escorted into the meeting room, where at the long table, at the head, sat Her Majesty. Luna nodded to the servants and only after the doors were shut tightly did she invite her guests to sit down. Saul, Ben, and Farah were seated not far from the queen, not giving her a respectful nod. Fortunately her requests did not extend to the former soldiers of Alfea.

              - It's good to see you alive and unharmed. Especially you, Farah.

      The queen focused her attention on the woman, glancing at her with an extremely haughty expression.

              - Very generous of you, queen, thank you.

      Luna let the fairy's remark pass her lips, and continued.

             - So, now that you're here, I assume it's all taken care of. Is Prince Sky in Alfea now?
             - No, Queen," the guardian's negative reply caused Luna to be on the verge of insanity. - Don't worry, he's perfectly safe and...
             - Where is he?" the queen interrupted sharply.
             - At this very moment, Prince Sky is on Linphea, - Ben interjected. - In the capable hands of my wife Rose. He's under close supervision.
             - Very well, but next time I demand to be informed of Prince Sky's movements until he comes of age, - the queen's relaxed tone ran through the room with a hint of exasperation. - What about Andreas?
             - His funeral will be held in the next few days on Eraklyon," Saul answered muffled. - As far as I know, preparations are underway.
             - Oh, that's wonderful! I hope you remember the circumstances surrounding the death of the King of Eraklyon?
             - Yes, of course, - the friends answered in unison.
             - The true circumstances are strictly confidential, as are the reasons for the destruction of Aster-Dell. Whoever or whatever asks you - you are obliged to keep silent, to conceal, to deceive. Anything, but the truth must remain our privilege. We signed a treaty with you and you remember what will happen to you if you violate it.

      The friends nodded assuredly. No one wanted unnecessary questions and problems.

             - Fine, - smiled Luna happily. - Let's get to the main part.

      Farah cleared her throat and visibly tensed, clenching and unclenching her hands into fists. Saul, who was sitting next to her, looked at her with a soothing and reassuring look in an attempt to relax her friend a little.

             - You'll have to serve your time, Farah, you know that, - Luna said with an inept feigned regret. Farah swallowed nervously. - The Solarians won't understand my leniency toward you. They'd take me for an accomplice, which I wouldn't like.
             - How much? - Saul asked emotionlessly.
             - Three years, no more.
             - Three years for murder? No one would believe that, - Ben replied.
             - We'll assume that Farah did it in self-defense. Rosalind's actions were fanatical and cost a lot of lives. I think a lot of people would agree with that. And if not, what will they do about it? This and any other issues related to Farah Dowling's time in prison are or will be settled.
             - Then what? - Continuing to hold the emotionless bar asked Saul.
             - Farah will be able to run the school.
             - An ex-prisoner runs a fairy school? - Farah chuckled weakly. - I have little faith in that.
             - Why not?

       Farah was ready to make a ton of arguments to support her assertion, and she intended to do so with as much distaste as she could muster. It was boiling inside, and Farah couldn't take the oppressive feeling anymore. To Luna, they were like hunted animals, ready to obey any order to avoid being disliked by their master. The queen did not care what was going on now between the three friends. How deep they had gone, what had become of their former selves. She preferred to pretend that this was as it should be.

       Farah sincerely hoped no one could see her shaking lightly in pain and despair right now. The fighting spirit was slowly drifting away, and instead came the desire to burst into tears right in this room and not give a damn about anything else. The fairy concentrated so hard on her inner state that she only woke up when she felt a touch on her fingers.

            - Maybe we should take a break. - In a low voice Saul suggested worriedly, gently covering Farah's hand with his palm.

       Farah could only shake her head in disapproval and look calmly into her friend's eyes. The fairy felt her eyes wet slightly, giving away the feeling and emotion she was now feeling. At that moment, Luna emerged from the table, walked slowly to the high window, and answered her own question to Farah in a deep voice.

            - The prison in which you will supposedly be imprisoned will not prevent you from living a normal life. You'll be able to leave it, but on a certain schedule. And as a kind of punishment, you will help in the education of my daughter. No one will suspect a thing, Farah. After all, the prison is in my power, as well as many other things. Be assured you will be given the best facilities.

      Disbelief sparkled in Dowling's eyes. Does the queen really think they're such mindless idiots? Surely Luna will not put herself in harm's way, but will find a far more suitable pillow to beat. Especially since Farah has already been guilty of cutting Rosalind off from the outside world. And it doesn't matter at all who gave the order to execute it.

             - Saul will be headmaster for the duration of your imprisonment, and Mr. Harvey will help him, won't he?
             - With all due respect, Queen, I have a family.
             - Your respect must be worthless if you object to my orders. The question was rhetorical. And since you have a family, Mr. Harvey, you should follow my orders ten times faster.

      Saul glimpsed Ben, who instantly drooped and changed his face.

            - Queen, Mr. Harvey has a pregnant wife and a young son. He can't leave them alone for that long.
            - What do you suggest, Mr. Silva? - Luna asked, not without irritation.
            - Mr. Harvey's family could stay in Alfea for a while, at least until the baby is born. Besides, Prince Sky wouldn't be bored, even at such a young age. Socializing with his peers would do him good.

      The queen's eyes narrowed and her lips pressed together. Then she returned to her chair and sat down slowly. Her gaze ran over each of the trio and stopped on poor Ben, who didn't know where to put himself anymore.

            - Mr. Harvey," Luna folded her hands together, interlacing her fingers, "tell me, will your wife and son be able to do any good for Alfea while they are there gratuitously?
            - My wife is an excellent botanist," Ben said with relief and confidence in his voice. - My son is still very young, but I promise you that he will not cause trouble to Alfea and its inhabitants.

      The queen shook her head indefinitely and looked away as if remembering something.

           - Good. Your family can stay in Alfea for a while.
           - Thank you, Queen.

       Ben looked at Saul and nodded gratefully at his friend, a look that promised he wouldn't be indebted. But it was more of a pure formality. They had always helped each other unselfishly, without expecting anything in return. Sitting next to them, Farah smiled involuntarily, feeling her friend's sincere joy. His tension had almost driven her insane a moment ago. Now she tried to turn off all the extraneous "noises" around her and focus on herself, to tidy up her own thoughts and try to come to terms with the fact that she would spend the next three years as if she were in hell.

          - If there are no more questions or objections, you are free to go. - The tone of the queen's voice changed dramatically and became more resonant than usual. - Saul takes up his duties from tomorrow. I'll send you a mentor to help you get started. Mr. Harvey, will two days be enough time for you to move your family to Alfea?

      Ben nodded quickly.

         - Good. Farah, I'll give you exactly twenty-four hours to pack. And please take from Mr. Harvey the amount of Zanbaq he has had time to prepare. I expect the rest by tomorrow.

      When the friends left the meeting room, they felt alive again. It was as if a strange nightmare had happened to them all at once, and now, gradually waking up from it, they began to come to their senses. Now it wasn't only Farah's head that was buzzing. They all needed air.

      Everyone was replaying the conversation with the Queen of Solaria in their heads and still didn't fully understand how this seemingly well thought out plan would end in the end. Farah still wasn't sure she would be able to return, but then again, who could stop her from doing so? The fairy wondered about this throughout her packing. She didn't take too many things, but the essentials were already resting in her bag. Farah had arranged with her friends that in case their friend missed something, they would be sure to bring it all. Dowling was grateful for their support and wanted to believe in their reunion.

        - We'll get you out of this, Farah," Ben assured her, hugging the fairy tightly by the shoulders. - You're sure to make it.
        - Yeah, just promise you won't leave a pile of rocks behind the school when I get there," Farah smiled through her tears, hugging her friend back.
        - We'll try very hard," Saul grinned, suddenly appearing behind the fairies.

      Farah gently pulled away from Ben and turned around. The fairy noticed that steam was coming out of Saul's mouth and the future headmaster himself was getting a little frosty. The light jacket thrown over the turtleneck was not warm at all and Farah, with all the reproach in her eyes, fumbled for the slider and buttoned the jacket, touching the man's icy hand at the same time, showering her with warm waves that instantly warmed his entire body.

         - Do you want to catch a cold on your first day as headmaster? - The disapproving tone made Saul shiver a little.
         - Thank you, Farah," the newly minted headmaster replied, smiling disarmingly.

      The cold came all too suddenly. Autumn promised to be harsh and cold.

        - I brought you something.

      Saul slipped his hand into his pocket, fumbling for something. Asking the fairy to hold out her hand, he put a small, cold object in it. Opening his palm, Farah found a small silver ring. The minimalism of this piece of jewelry delighted Farah. The outline of the ring was thin, with a carved oval in the middle.

      - Thank you, Saul, - Farah smiled appreciatively, taking the future headmaster into a warm embrace. She could feel his hot breath on her neck and the warmth emanating from his body. Farah barely flinched in surprise when Saul whispered softly in her ear:

      - We'll be sure to get you out of there.
      - Don't, Saul," Farah said in the same muffled voice. - It would make things worse, and then we'd be enemies to the whole country. Sky would be without custody, and Luna would have all the control.
      - You make it sound like you're talking about the apocalypse.
      - It is. Remember, the most important thing is that you remember the ratio of water to baby formula in a four-milliliter bottle.
      - I'm not even going to ask where you got that knowledge.

      Farah pulled away from Saul, hurriedly wiping a tear from her cheek and sniffling her nose.

      - We can visit you, can't we? - Ben asked hopefully.
      - Yes, but not too often, I think, - Farah nodded, noticing a massive black car pulling up to the doorstep of the school. - Although, Luna will probably ask you to come with Sky to her palace periodically, so...

         The gravel driveway rattled loudly under the weight of the car. When the engine stopped right in front of the main entrance, it stalled. The driver's side front door swung open, and a man with an extremely stern expression stepped out. His heavy gait put just as much pressure on the gravel beneath him, and it seemed to crunch even louder than the car driving on it.

      - Your things, Miss Dowling.

      Farah stepped aside, letting the soldier take the bag. When everything was loaded, the fairy felt a sharp need to stay here, close to her friends. A lump in her throat choked unpleasantly from within and Farah did her best not to burst into tears.

      - Miss Dowling, we must go.

      The soldier grabbed Farah by the forearm, which displeased her. She twisted her arm out of his grasp, provoking the soldier's lightning-quick reaction as he tried to grab the woman again. But this time, Saul blocked Farah, putting one arm out in front of her, making contact with the soldier's ribcage.

      - She can get in the car on her own, - Saul said calmly, looking into the soldier's eyes.

      Nodding to Ben and then to Saul, Farah got into the car. The windows were tightly tinted, so the friends had to wave at each other at random. Inside, Farah knew they weren't taking her too far and she would actually be able to see her friends, but it was hard to know they wouldn't be around. Saul and Ben always knew how to cheer each other up or help each other, and now each of them had a new phase to tackle on their own.

      Driving up to the royal palace for the umpteenth time, Farah suddenly thought to herself that she hadn't been to this palace as many times in all of Queen Luna's reign as she had in the last couple of months. By counting at least ten or fifteen times she had seen Queen Luna and her possessions. It must have been some kind of preparation for the fact that she would have to see Luna much more often now. Perhaps Farah was exaggerating, and the queen would not, in fact, keep the fairy under total control every second, especially since Farah had not actually done anything.

      The fairy was led out of the car under her arms, which was different from previous visits when she was with Saul and Ben. Tactile contact from complete strangers caused Farah to have mild panic attacks. The fairy wanted to try to free herself, but remembered in time that here she was a criminal, albeit fictit a fictitious one. The anxiety receded a little.

      Her Majesty was walking toward them, clearly in high spirits. Her tidy hair, clothes that emphasized her status, her shoes, and her trademark sly gaze had already made Farah change her mind about the agreed plan.

       - Hello, Farah, - the smile never left her face. - Leave her alone.

      A nod toward the two soldiers worked instantly and the men, loosening their tight grip, quickly left.

            - Your things will be waiting for you in your chambers, in the palace. You will sleep there tonight.
            - Why not behind bars? - Farah asked incredulously.
            - You can sleep in your cell if you like, - the queen shrugged indifferently, "but it is not quite ready. Besides, there's a small procedure to be followed before you are confined. A pure formality.
            - We agreed on no other formalities, Luna," the fairy said with a grimace as she stopped.
            - Don't worry, it's the only moment I've missed. And it will have to be done one way or another.

      Farah tried to concentrate solely on herself. She wanted to get her thoughts in order and not let Luna bring her out emotionally. Being surrounded by the queen and everything that was associated with her was painful in Farah's chest. Her head didn't buzz as badly as it had on previous occasions. Apparently the fresh air was to be thanked.

      Hoping sincerely that this was the last unexpected surprise from the queen, Farah followed her into the meeting room. The queen walked in quickly, without a shadow of a doubt, which was not the case with Farah, who slowed considerably at the sight of intruders inside the room. She stopped in the doorway for only a few seconds, but Luna didn't let it go unnoticed.

           - Don't worry, Farah, - the queen said with deceptive friendliness, - these people are here to complete the formalities.