Chapter Text
“Oh shit,” Ember screams as she and Nova duck under the fallen marble column to keep from being hit by the falling rocks. “ For fucks sake, Lydia,” Nova exclaims as I sprint past them, blood streaming down my leg. “We almost got caught that time.” “Well, we didn’t,” I say as I pull the stolen goods out of my pockets. “We should probably go before they come here,” Nova suggests. Nova examines my leg wound as I call over Fay, my dragon, and she sizes up to carry us. Flying over Agonmore, my mind goes back to the day It all started.
***
“Come on, Lydia!” Helena says as she waits for me at the bottom of the stairs. “Coming,” I say as I slide down the stair railing. The distinct sound of arguing drifts into the room as we start walking. Helena’s parents stumble into the room, both drunk as shit, screaming at each other. “ Mother, Father,” Helena says as a somber expression takes her face. “ Queen Sasha, King Benjamin, “ I say with a quick bow, “shall I call your guards?” I tentatively ask. They both look like they just noticed us. “ no, thank you, dear, “ Queen Sasha says, slurring her words. “Where is your guard, daughter?” The king demands, “Oh, I-“ “and this pathetic excuse of a guard in training doesn’t count. She’s 14 and hardly done with her training.”
“My apologies, sir,” I murmur while focusing on the floor. “ I’m not sure where Ribu is, father.” Suddenly, Fredrick struts into the room. “Oh, Princess Helena, there you are; it's time for etiquette class.” “my king, my queen,” he drops to a bow, then escorts Helena away. She gives me a dry smile. The king scoffs and says, “You worthless child, my daughter needs the best guards in the kingdom, and that is certainly not you. He tries to backhand me, but the queen grabs his arm. “That's enough for one day.” The king sighs, and she gives me a look of pity. The King and Queen promptly ignore me and walk away. Unfortunately, that’s an everyday occurrence, and I go to find my best friends, Ember and Nova.
Ember and Nova are where they usually are; the mages study. Ember and I have been friends since we grew up in royal guard training. Nova is the mage's daughter. The three of us try to lay low around the castle, but 14-year-olds can manage a lot if they go unchecked. “Hey!” I exclaim as a smile creeps onto my face. Ember and I caused a lot of trouble growing up. All the guard trainees live in the battle ward until they graduate and become real guards, but Ember and I were dropped off there when we were born and raised as guards. Nova’s abusive father refuses to call her Nova, so she spends most of her time with us, but she has access to magic.
“Lil!” They both shout and run to hug me. “ the king and queen are wasted upstairs, so be careful.” “gods, are they ever not drunk?” Nova mutters, “how’s her royal pain in the ass.” “Hey, she ok if you get to know her,” Ember interjects. “She is only nice to the two of you because you're going to be responsible for her life,” says Nova. “if you say so,” I roll my eyes. ‘Anyway,” I say with a slow smile, “I have two daggers and one poison arrow.” “I found a healing potion,” a disgruntled Ember manages. “ you’ll never believe what I just enchanted, “ Nova exclaims, eyes sparkling. “ a bag that stores the void!” Ember and I give confused looks in return. “ oh my gods guys, it's a bottomless bag. And I have a foldable enchanted tent, too!” “ Holy shit, that’s so cool!” “Wow, really.” working in the castle has led us to enlighten a few truths about the kingdom, and the three of us were going to run away. Suddenly, a bell sounds. “What now?” I say as the three of us walk towards the door. When the king rings the bell, you go to the courtyard.
***
Ember binds the wound on my thigh and pours some healing potion on my leg. I wince; it's going to leave a nasty scar. “Where should we hit next?” Nova asks. “Did you hear the king and queen of Stragland died?” “Yeah, poison arrow to the heart, freak accident, right.” We all started laughing. “We could go to the coronation, hit the castle with some dragon flame, get some weapons and spell books,” Ember suggests. “Oh, I like that plan,” Fay growls.“ You like anything that results in burning buildings,” I reply. “ I’m not too sure about that plan,” Nova says, “ we promised we'd never go back.” I sigh “So two votes for yes, one for no, and one undecided.” Is It worth seeing her again, going back?