One big droplet of water followed another one. The cycle repeated for quite a while and a downpour was unavoidable.

„Obex"I called forth a transparent barrier remembering the time I got caught up in a lovely rain with the zombie Leo. The fire spirit didn't seem to mind the rain but it stayed under my shield.

Despite the rain and an occasional thunderbolt accompanied by lighting it wasn't chilly. It was warm enough to feel comfortable. I didn't fear staying outside in weather such as this. It was actually pleasant. The smell of fresh grass filled my lungs and I walked forth quickly because we were near our destination.

The fire spirit suddenly appeared in front of my eyes. I instantly stopped. It floated towards the left to show me a kid taking shelter from the rain. The child was very small. She was probably only a few summers old.

"A witch!" She gasped as she looked at me with her big, sad grey eyes.

Her clothes were completely muddy and I smelled blood from her. She reminded me of the little witch girl I met but this troubled kid didn't have any magic.

"Are you all right? Why are you out here all alone? " I asked the little girl.

Fresh blood was mixed with the rain and mud. She was completely silent.

"Hey!" I called her again but she continued to watch me in silence. The girls' black hair was completely drenched.

I didn't know what was a proper thing to say in a situation like this. The smell of blood got more intense.

I closed my eyes to focus. I could sense pain in her back. Everything else seemed to be okay.

"Curatio" As soon as I said that she jumped in joy. Her pain was instantly gone. The wound wasn't deep but it bled a lot.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" She cried in joy. „You are a lifesaver!"

The little girl bowed which made me blush. Bowing is a gesture reserved for royals. I was a villager too. Her gratitude didn't stop at this. She jumped to hug me. I didn't refuse. It was quite a while since I received one. I cheeks got redder but it was nice to receive such heartfelt gratitude.

When she distanced herself from me, she gave me a big smile.

"How did you get hurt?" I asked her.

"Work!" she said as she gestured a few moves. She mimicked washing and cutting.

I looked at her again carefully. Work? But she was so small and so young. Someone her age wasn't supposed to work.

"Those who don't work don't get to eat!" she reacted to my confusion.

I scratched my head. „That's true, but how old are you? Six? Seven?"

"Five and a half," she proudly said as she stepped on her toes to make herself look taller.

"That's so little..."

"I've already seen many things in my life!" she interrupted me with a serious face.

She was cute while doing an impression of an adult but small children were supposed to play lots and enjoy their childhood. However, maybe I was thinking about this too deep. Her work could be playtime she took seriously.

"You know, once, when I worked in the kitchen a black hole appeared! It swallowed half of the kitchen!" she yelled.

I felt a cold sweat and I barely managed to control my body so that it doesn't start shaking.

"The people who worked there? Are they all right?" I asked.

"They are fine," she laughed. „Nobody got hurt."

I sighed in relief.

"By the way sis you've got pretty hair," She pulled a lock of my hair strongly.

"Stop!" I said in a crying tune as I removed her hand.

"Sorry," she recognized the pain she caused me."You can go ahead and pull my hair if you want!"

"I don't want to!" I passed the age of five a long time ago!"

I'll take you to my mama and papa. They work in the kitchen!" she joyfully said.

It was nice to know that her family was close by but my happy thought were interrupted when I reminded myself of her injury crossed my mind.

"Your injury! Do your parents know about it?" I needed to know the answers.

She laughed in an awkward way. "They don't know about it."

"They don't?" I looked at her full of doubt.

"Actually, I didn't tell the whole truth before," the girl's cheeks became red.

Her behavior puzzled me. "Who hurt you?" The evildoer must be hurt!

"It was a horse," she replied.

"A horse?" I didn't expect that answer. All kinds of ideas were going through my head and all of them turned out to be false.

"I just wanted to play but that horse is always so angry!" she said in her defense.

I read that horses were like people, there were good and bad-tempered ones. I can't say I had interactions with them. We did everything on foot in my village and horses were only a distant, fleeting dream.

"Equus doesn't like anybody. Not even the fat prince!" she continued. „And he is the owner."

The girl suddenly jumped around and imitated a horse. She actually got on her fours to the ground. Her imitation was so funny that I couldn't help chuckling. Even the fire spirit thought it was amusing. I could sense its happy mood.

"Equus must have a will of its own," I said.

"Yes!" The girl jumped up and down. "I've never seen anyone so strong-willed in my entire life. Folk says that he has got tons of willpower, a lot more than its owner."

"Actually, I came here to meet the prince," I said.

"Why?" the girl's happiness instantly dropped."He isn't a fun person to be around but you can follow me if you insist."

She ran in front of me and I slowly followed after. Her black hair fluttered and it reminded me of Rheya's hair. I hope she won't grow up to become a Rheya's follower.

"How about we play instead?" she proposed.

"I need to meet prince Frederic. We can play later," I said.

An enemy of my enemy is my friend! But what if he also brings bad news? I was choosing the lesser evil. Right? I just wanted to make an alliance against Rheya.

"Okaaay," she said unhappily.

The barrel prince clearly wasn't loved. His people didn't trust him. They lived in poverty without hope for a better future. Such a royal, one who won't try to make things better, should step down before he makes further damage. He brought the hate on himself.

I started to wonder was being here was the right thing. Both prince Fredrick and princess Rheya were people I shouldn't make an alliance with, but now that I am here I should see things through.

The girl led me to the royal garden. It was full of rainbow coloured flowers in full bloom. I stopped to admire them. I've never seen such lovely coloured plants. They smelled amazing. Their scent reminded me of early spring blossoms.

Besides the rainbow-colored plants, there was a vast amount of different flowers. Each had its own unique shape. I manage to recognize some of them, but many of them were a mystery. Some were useful for potions. My hand automatically reached for them but I stopped myself. It wouldn't be proper. This was someone's, no, this was the prince's garden. Taking flowers without permission would be stealing.

I wanted to enjoy the sight some more. Every branch, grass patch seemed to be in perfect harmony. The person who tended this garden must have poured a lot of his or her care and love.

The girl pinched me and laughed."Sorry I couldn't help myself. Those who stare at one place for too long deserve it."

I really need an ally against Rheya. The prince was the first one to come to mind, but I'll quickly get out of here if he turns out to be good for nothing royal as I was expecting. If it comes to it I'll need to search for help elsewhere.

The girl pinched me again."You weren't paying attention again."

"Stop!" I yelled louder than I thought I would and felt myself blush. It would be bad to draw attention to myself here by yelling at a child I just saved. If anyone were to witness this situation, I'd look like an evildoer.

"Adults have a lot of problems," I continued calmly.

"Problems," she giggled. „You should talk about them with others. That's how they get solved."

Talk to someone? But I don't have anyone like that. During my entire journey, I didn't have a single person I could tell my heartfelt thoughts. I felt a pang of loneliness in my chest, but it lasted only for a moment.

"You should ask your mom and dad," she continued. "I always do!"

I imagined my mother and father. What were they up to? I missed them so much. "That actually isn't bad advice," I smiled.

After I meet the prince, I'll write them a letter and I'll tell them everything that happened this time. I omitted some parts of my travels because I didn't want them to worry too much, but now that a lot of the bad things were behind me I should tell the truth. Asking for advice, someone who is older, wiser, and close to me wasn't a bad idea.

"Lei!" I heard a panicked woman's voice from the distance."Lei!"

"That's mama!", the girl said.

"Go on!" I said but she didn't move. „Thank you for leading me to the garden I'll find my way from here."

Lei nodded. She turned her back on me and ran fast towards her mom but suddenly stopped.

"You're here all alone. Will you be okay?" she asked.

The fire spirit has been with us the entire time but it hid its presence from Lei. I didn't want to uncover its presence here.

"I'll be fine. Go to your mom," I waved at her.

Lei waved back and ran to her mother very fast. She was gone in a few seconds.

"Well, shall we go find an attendant and announce ourselves?" I asked the fire spirit.

The fire spirit reluctantly gave me a nod because it was having second thought about showing its presence to the prince. I didn't understand it. The spirit should receive a grand welcome if it makes itself visible. There wasn0t anything bad about it. Even to a royal, an elemental spirit should be a higher being that ought to be worshiped.

I was unable to argue with the spirit about it so I just went for a stroll through the garden while it followed me.

Once I thoroughly enjoyed the garden I found a small path towards the small palace, which looked old and run down. Repairs were necessary but I didn't see any workers or their tools. A royal castle was a royal's pride so it was strange to see it in such a sorry state.

For starters, the path from the palace to the garden wasn't even paved. It was an earthy path made by people passing by often. I couldn't imagine a royal walking on dirt, but they must have been going to the garden. What would be the point of a royal garden if the royals didn't come to admire it?

As I stepped on the earthy path, an awkward feeling overcame me. I didn't feel like I was going to meet a prince. Royals shouldn't be this poor but maybe this was one of many life cycles. Just as life fades and appears, new kingdoms arise and old ones fall into ruin. This kingdom was even poorer than my Awerataton which was one of the least powerful kingdoms.

The fire spirit didn't show any emotions or interest in prince Frederic's headquarters, but it kept close to me. I poked it to get a reaction but it just floated to my other side. I poked it again and it avoided me. The third time I tried to poke the spirit suddenly turned into its human form and pushed me.

"Gosh, Calytrix, stop poking me and watch where you are going!" it reverted to its standard flame ball form.

Horses ran near us in fury. They would have hit me if the spirit didn't push me. If that happened, I would probably have a broken limb now.

"Thank you and sorry," I whispered to the spirit while scratching my head.

It floated in its affirmation pause and I was slightly relieved.

"Equus!" I heard Lia's shout from far away. She must have been messing with the unfriendly horse again.

"Let's hurry to the castle," it seemed dangerous to linger outside.

This time I watched my step and I was fully aware of my surroundings. There wasn't anything dangerous anymore but still, I walked slowly and carefully.

The gates of the castle were completely closed off as well as all the other possible entrance areas. It was the middle of the day and the kingdom wasn't in a war. Why were they so cautious? Why would they close the gates already? Weren't castles supposed to be busy?

I looked at the fire spirit hoping it could clear the mystery but it floated around in disinterest. Nobody else seemed to be around either.

What should I do? Do I break-in? But why would I do that since I wasn't completely sure myself whether I should make an audience with the prince? Do I go back simply saying it wasn't meant to be? But such a thing would leave regret.

Maybe the prince moved locations and nobody was at home, but then again Lia didn't seem like she would lie to me.

I cleared my mind of all thoughts and tried to sense living, human presences. There were a lot of people inside but they didn't want any guests, I guess.

"Calytrix," suddenly I heard a familiar whisper carried by a sudden gust of wind.

Was someone inside calling me? But inside shouldn't be anyone who knows me. I'm sure the barrel prince forgot about me a long time ago.

I looked at the spirit again which was still floating around with great disinterest. Maybe it was just my imagination since the spirit didn't react at all.

"Let's try to find a way inside," I told the spirit.

It didn't react to my words but it followed me as I walked around the castle. There must be at least one open entrance. Lia and her mother were outside so surely the servants came in and out as they pleased. Maybe they'll let me through there.

Everything was eerily silent and I couldn't hear a single noise from the inside. I stopped focusing on sensing presences. There were certainly signs of life in there, a lot of them.

I glanced at the windows and noticed that the curtains were pulled together but for the high up windows, I couldn't tell. It was impossible to see whether they were pulled or not from the point of the ground, I was at. I didn't want to use a levitation spell to check up because I would probably freak out someone. The fire spirit was so disinterested so I didn't want to bother it with requests.

Entering through a window was an option I crossed out. Either I'll enter through a door or if I don't find one I'll go back and rethink my choices.

My highest chance of entering would be looking for the kitchen or more precisely, a place where fresh food supplies were brought. The spot should become clearly visible by itself once I encircle the whole castle. Luckily it wasn't big so I'll find it quickly without tiring my legs at all.

As I was slowly walked around I heard a strange squeak behind my back. I instantly turned around, there wasn't anybody around, but a widely opened door showed itself as though it was inviting me. I was completely sure I didn't see the door as I passed. Doors don't appear magically! I mean I'm the only witch here and I didn't enchant the castle.

I rubbed my eyes to make sure that I was seeing correctly. How didn't I notice the door? It was so strange.

"Calytrix," I could barely hear the whisper.

"Did you hear that? Somebody is clearly calling me." I asked the spirit.

It floated back to me but it didn't answer my question. The spirit was preoccupied with its own thoughts. Maybe I heard wrong? If someone actually is calling out to me it probably wasn't good news.

I peeked inside but could only see darkness.

"Oh well, it's time to go in," I said as I light up a strong flame for light.

We descended the cold, rock-solid spiral staircase. The fire spirit floated before me and caused so much more light than I intended. Thanks to it I could see clearly inside as though there were windows that let out the daylight.

When we reached the end of the stairs, a long hallway greeted us with sturdy iron bars on both sides. Dungeons! Not again! However, a castle without dungeons would be an odd one.

I looked at the small prison cells but nobody was inside. It was just empty space. Just the stonewalls, no windows, and a hard, rocky bottom. The temperature inside was okay, it wasn't cold and there was no extreme humidity so spending some time here wouldn't badly affect health. For better or for worse there were no criminals. If I were a royal guard, the lack of prisoners would worry me but since I am a witch, I don't have a strong opinion on it. Maybe not a lot of crimes happened lately, or all the criminals were already trialed, or the guards were out there to catch them.

One day I'll be free from dungeons. The waterfall village I think I'll find my settlement doesn't have any dungeons nearby. I'll be able to live in peace there with my magic. No more black holes, no more crazy princesses taking over the world, just a kinder world. That's the kind of future I envisioned. A future I'll do my best to see.

The fire spirit floated around me, probably because it wanted to check on me. I must have been smiling while thinking about good things.

"Let's make the future better," I said. „First let's finish our business here and go to a happier place."

The spirit happily nodded and floated in dance motions. It probably wanted to have some fun too. We had some relaxing, simple days on our journey where nothing particularly happened but I always pushed forward feeling lost about a place I should stay at. Having a day with the simple of enjoying ourselves wouldn't be great. It could actually be the best thing that happened on my journey since the black holes closed.

As I walked, I touched the iron bar and knocked on them to see whether they'd make a sound. It might attract someone. After the small resonating sound nothing could be heard. I knocked on the bars again and there still wasn't any reaction.

There wasn't anybody in here? Well, since there was no light here in the first place that was expected. I turned my back towards the exit when I heard heavy breathing.

The heavy breathing continued from far away. There actually was a prisoner in here. Maybe he or she was hurt. I slowly went in the direction of the breathing. Since I wasn't sure what to expect I'd better make sure to keep calm. The spirit floated near me in a calm manner.

"Who is there?" I heard a male voice full of pain.

"Calytrix!"

The person didn't answer anything but continued with heavy breathing as though he was lacking air. I felt tense but I didn't show any sign of weakness, at least that's what I think. I slowly turned to the prison cell from which the breathing came out to see a familiar figure.

That receding hairstyle, the skin issues, and the extreme lust for food were unmistakable.

"Barrel prince!" he was lying down all curled up. I brought my head closer to examine him but I couldn't see any external injuries. „I mean prince Frederic, sorry."

He stopped his breathing while intensely staring at me."Who are you?" He blinked his eyes and looked like he never saw me in his life."Those witchy clothes, you must be my fiancé Rheya. Your duty is to help me."

"I am not Rheya! I already named myself. I'm Calytrix!" I shouted.

"Not Rheya..." he muttered. The prince stopped looking at me and stared at the ceiling. I looked up too but there wasn't anything there. He was just thinking."Not Rheya,"

He intensely looked at me again" Rheya's maid!" he happily exclaimed.

"Calytrix!"my loud words echoed in the hallway."I don't serve anyone! I am my own person. I am a fully-fledged adult, independent witch," I introduced myself proudly.

"Have we met somewhere?" the prince said.

I just nodded and waited for him to remember.

"No, I don't remember seeing you," he gave up on remembering.

The princess heavy breading stopped but he didn't try to get up from the ground. I kept my distance from him until I grasp his current situation and decide whether he could be my ally.

"We met in the forest path. In your carriage! I was lost in the woods and Count Valerious found me. He mistook me for Rheya."

"Oh, Valerious! You must help him, please! Please Rheya," the barrel prince cried. Tears fell one after another making his face and the floor wet very quickly. He sobbed as though he lost a loved one. Valerious must be dear to him."Help him, Rheya!"

"As I said I am not Rheya, what is wrong with you?"I controlled my anger."But I will help the Count if he is in trouble."

Prince Barrel stopped crying and looked at me again while smiling. The sudden change of attitude freaked me out. He twitched a little and intensely looked at me again. "Who are you? Have we met?"

There was something deeply wrong with him. He forgot about me again even though I was standing here all this time. It was like his memory was damaged. I closed my eyes and focused on discovering the pain points of the barrel prince. There were no weak points on his body. Everything seemed healthy, but he was acting so strange. Physically he was perfectly fine. My magic couldn't detect anything.

"Go find my father and tell him I'm cold!" he demanded.

Wouldn't one in a situation like this ask to be freed first? Tell that to your father on your own.

Instead of answering the prince, I let out a sigh.

"Where is my father? He didn't abandon me, right?" the prince continued.

From this brief conversation, I decided that the barrel prince couldn't be my ally. The old saying of the enemy of my enemy is my friend can't be applied in real life. The prince was annoying as the last time.

"Why are you standing still? I ordered you something, woman," the prince demanded.

"I'm not obliged to listen to you," I simply answered.

"Know your place woman, you are an inferior being!" he yelled.

I wanted to slap him with fire. My hand was in motion but I stopped. The fire completely surrounded me and it was just in front of the barrel prince. If I didn't stop he'd be surely burned so badly that it could cause death. I didn't want to kill such a pitiful prince. He was already on the path of his downfall. I didn't need to dirty my hands. Everything that happens to him from now on will probably be the result of his own wrongdoings. The fire spirit near me also showed its anger.

If Rheya ever decides to beat this prince up I won't stand in her way. I might even help her. The enemy of my enemy is somehow my enemy too. Real-life can be so messed up.

The barrel prince started screaming. My ears felt like bleeding. I immediately covered them. His sound was so annoyingly high-pitched. It was rare an adult male could make one. I had the misfortune to hear this rare sound.

There was no point in staying around. I need to get out. As I turned around I bumped into metal armor. It hurt a bit, but nothing major. I could end up with a little bruise on my forehead.

The amour was made of beautiful silver with a red cape on the left shoulder. There was only one guard I ever saw dressed like that. "Valerius?"

"Witch! You are under arrest for the assassination attempt of barrel prince Frederic!" the guard said in a gruff voice. His voice was nothing like that of Valerius. Besides, I doubt that Count Valerius would imprison the poor prince. It was impossible to be him.

The guard grabbed my arm so tight that I felt instant pain. It wasn't strong but it was still quite uncomfortable. If it were tighter, I would probably get bruises.

"Is this a joke? You guys were the ones keeping him prisoner," I stated.

The guard didn't answer right away. Our footsteps were the only sound echoing through the abandoned dungeon. "We didn't try to murder him," the guard said while having a sudden coughing fit.

"Neither did I," I calmly said.„I just found myself in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"Wrong for you, but right for us! Somebody has to take the blame," the guard explained.

"This kingdom is full of freaks too, „I sighed.

"Too? „the guard suddenly stopped. „Which freaky kingdom have you been before?"

"Rheya's kingdom!" I answered and the guard laughed as if I said the best joke in the world."You must be Calytrix," I could barely make out what the guard said from laughing.

"How do you know me?"I tried to squeeze out of his grip or at least stop the pulling but he was too strong.

"I'm from Rheya's kingdom," the guard suddenly spoke in a female voice.

"Don't tell me you're Rheya??"

"No, I'm just a loyal subject," she answered."My talent is mimicking voices." She couldn't have been Rheya because there was no magical energy in her. But the guard's extraordinary talent scared me for a second. In a normal situation, I would praise her skill but I couldn't say anything positive since it was used against me.

The fire spirit was slowly floating around us and although it didn't have a gaze I felt one. A judgmental one. It was telling me to hurry up and break free.

"I found the prince's assassin!" the guard yelled so loud that my ears hurt and I could hear far away footsteps from far away coming from all directions. How many of Rheya's followers were here? It was high time to use magic before I get encircled.

"Fumigant vellum!" I called forth a smokescreen that immediately took over the whole

The confused guard immediately let me go. I was free to run away, but there was a big problem. I also couldn't make out anything from the smoke.

"Abdo mihi" I'll quickly find a place to hide for starters.

"Calytrix!" the guard yelled.

"Don't let her escape!" another voice yelled out.

"Come here Calytrix," a shrill voice sounded too close, but somehow I avoided being detected.

"Fumigant vellum" I cast the spell once more because the first time my focus was weak and the spell could have broken off any second now.

Since I couldn't see nor smell anything I relied on my sense of touch. I hope I don't touch one of the guards but I didn't have many options left. My hand felt something soft. Fabric! I wasn't sure whether that was good or not but I touched it again. It was a large piece of fabric. Curtains! Silk ones! They were so nice to touch. That was great. I'll hide behind them and get out when the guards leave.

I hope I won't have to hide for too long. It'd be boring to stay for too long but the situation was still too tense to let my guard down.

I heard the footsteps of the guards from all directions. They were frantically calling my name but I didn't let out a single sound. I won't make myself notice me here. The fire spirit calmly floated near me. It was satisfied that I got out of the guard's sight.

I wanted to say something to it but I didn0t want to risk catching a guard's attention with my whisper. For now, I'll just close my eyes and focus on my invisibility spell. I squatted down to save my energy. It is tiring to stand up for a long time and now I remembered how I didn't sleep well last night. My eyelids felt heavy. A little rest won't hurt me. If something goes wrong the spirit will wake me up.

"Good night fire spirit. I hope everything gets calm when I wake up," I said in my mind.