Numbly I opened my eyes. I was lying in my bed; couldn't remember how I had gotten here. Ruby was sitting on the chair in my room, asleep. I sat up and checked my body. Just some black and blue marks but nothing serious, no broken bones or something like that.
I tried to consider whether Ruby got some scrapes, but she seemed to be okay.

Strange.

I attempt to ascertain which day it was or how much time had elapsed. Then certainly Ruby woke up.
"Tess! You're awake!", she exclaimed delightedly. "How do you feel? Are you okay?" The words spit out of her mouth. In the first moment, I was blindsided but then I recovered myself and were able to answer.
"I'm fine, Ruby. Don't worry." I slightly smiled then tried to get out of my bed. Ruby was about to give a hand to me, but I turned down her help.
"As I told you, I'm fine, Ruby. I'll get this." I said resolutely.
"Are you sure?" She worried.
I rolled my eyes and finally sat up. Ruby handed me some fresh clothes.

"How long did I sleep?" I asked her while changing outfits.
"3 days" She answered veridically. I paused for a moment and stared at her, deeply shocked.
"WHAT?!" I exclaimed outraged. "Why didn't you wake me up?" Now my glance was rather reproachful than startled.
"The doctor advised us to let you sleep until your body has entirely regenerated itself." Ruby shrugged her shoulders and acted innocent. I chuntered and then gingerly tried to stand up.

"Now come, our parents surely wait for dinner." Ruby tugged at my sleeve. Slowly we went to the kitchen where Leonidas and Selene indeed sat at the large table. When we entered the room, Selene stood up and cuddled me.

"Antessa, you couldn't imagine how worried sick we were." She whispered right into my ear.
"It's okay mum, now everything is all right." Selene suddenly stiffened.
"Well, I think we have to tell you two something... but please sit down first, Ruby and Antessa."
"What's wrong?" Ruby asked immediately.

We sat down at the table and inquisitively faced our parents. They seemed unhappy.

It was quiet in the kitchen, nobody dared to say something. Then Leonidas hemmed.
"We had to make a hard decision: Neither at home nor in school Antessa is secure anymore, so she has to leave. Selene and I decided, that the two of you will travel to Aunt Martha in the north. We're sure Antessa will be safe there." He explained.

Ruby has turned into a pillar of salt with mouth agape. She needed a few moments to recover herself then sprang up indignant: "WHAT?! TELL ME THAT YOU'RE FOOLING US! THIS CAN'T BE REAL! IT'S..."
"Ruby, enough!" I exclaimed. She gazed at me aghast.
"Tess don't tell me you're supporting this nonsense! They're going to ruin our future! My future, I..." She was about to burst into tears and slowly sat down again. I hugged her slightly.
"If they're seeking for me then you don't have a future anymore already," I mentioned wistfully. My sister shot a glance at our parents. Tears were running down their faces too.

After a short uneasy silence, Ruby came to ask: "Why do you think, Tess will be safe at Martha's place? Why isn't she here? I mean – obviously, she has the magic gen, she should be a princess and pretend to the throne!"
"First, Antessa isn't able to force her magic yet and secondly, Hydra could be out there somewhere, rise again and easily murder Antessa. Furthermore, she is the only person with magic after fifteen years. Somebody should train her. Aunt Martha's village, Bajo, practises the old culture so they're in common with magic and may help Antessa develop her potential." Leonidas explained soberly.

I had silenced and deliberated. Eventually, with a glance at Ruby, I told decisively: "I want and will travel to Aunt Martha. I'm taking a stand on that owning and using magic isn't unfair or prosecutable. So, I desire to learn about."

That settled the matter once and for all.

"I'm worried about the journey, I mean, you can't fight or defend yourself, Tess." Ruby remarked. I smiled.
"That's why I'll have one of the best Eratrix at her age on my side. If someone can protect me, then her. And of course, we'll be careful."
Ruby slightly laughed. "Thanks for the compliment, Tess."

Half an hour later, dinner was over. Selena asked us to pack our bags, but I recognised that she was secretly depressed.

I followed my sister into our room where we quietly began to pack a rucksack.

"I think our parents truly are extraordinarily sad and worried about this, aren't they? They just don't want to show us." Ruby suddenly broke the silence.
"Of course they are. They love us from the bottom of their hearts. Imagine you let your kids travel alone through the world, not knowing when or better if you'll ever see them again. Actually, they're losing their children."
Ruby kept quiet and so I asked her what she was worried about. Instantly, she burst out crying: "Not only they're losing their children, but also we're losing our parents! Our family... our future... everything got destroyed! I don't know how tomorrow will look like and don't know where I'm intended to be in 5 years..." She seemed to quail.
Without saying anything, I put my arm around her, hoping to comfort her.

After a few minutes I whispered quietly: "Everything will turn out all right and no matter what will happen, I'll always stay at your side."
"Tess, you're the best friend in the world." Ruby cried out and lightly smiled.
I grinned: "Well, I give my best."

It was 23 o'clock when we were finished packing. Our plan was to wake up early to not waste time and daylight. Tiredly we went to bed, even as Leonidas and Selene entered the room: "We just want to wish you goodnight."
"Good night, mum and dad!" Ruby and I said concurrently.
"We wish you good luck for tomorrow." Selene caressed our heads lovely.

A few moments later I fell asleep.

Chapter three finally done! Hope you enjoyed reading. :)
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