"The date is set." Princess Keitha announced while orchestrating her handmaidens across an obstacle course of frocks, gowns, shoes, and an assortment of coats that would be journeying to Thathis long before her departure. "I leave the day after the Autumn Twilight Festival." She beamed at Lily as she clutched her hand.

"Thia, you are not going and that is final!" Valdor fumed, although his shout lost some of its authority as he dodged a trunk that was being carried out the door by two footmen.

Lily tried to blend into the background of Princess Keithia's receiving room, a statue on a green crushed velvet settee. An innocent bystander and uncomfortable witness to the siblings' squabble.

"Landros cannot go because he is the heir," Thia called out her reasons. "You cannot go because you look like father and it is most likely it is you, she wants at her court." In a whoosh, she grabbed several garments from a nearby trunk as it passed. "Which do you prefer, the cream, the violet, or the emerald?" She lapped several silk shawls laced with shimmering threads of silver and gold over Lily's legs. "Whilst I," she continued her argument, smoothing out the garments, "know enough of court politics to secure an open dialogue between us."

Lily felt the lushness of the material of the emerald scarf. "That's my favorite too." Thia smiled and lifted it to hand them over to a maid. "Separate the emerald one. I'll wear that one for my journey." She looked gleefully at her brother, satisfied with her decision.

In a few angry strides, Valdor towered over them. "I do not care how many pretty scarves or hats-"

"Oh! Hats! I'd forgotten-"

"You are not going!"

"You sound just like Mother," Thia said annoyed.

The words stunned Valdor into silence.

"This was grandsire's decision. He believes and trusts in me." Thia sniffed with shoulders slumped. "Unlike you and mother."

Valdor went to his knees and took Thia's free hand. "Of course, I believe in you. I'm worried about you. Thathis is not safe."

"Grandsire would not send me if he thought there was any danger. I do not have plans on doing anything daring." Her finger went to her chin, "Except maybe riding a sulkan." She squeezed Lily's hand with excitement, then Thia shifted to face her brother. "My whole purpose is to discuss trade. Any trade that is not by sea has suffered for nearly three years since the start of the revolt in Mithoran. We do not have the fleet for constant trade to the human nations and the Southern Continent. Thathis is our neighbor and it is landlocked. It is a shame to not trade with them."

Thia pressed on, not allowing Valdor time for rebuttal. "As I told the king, they need to trade with us as much as we need them. For all the furiousness of the sulkan, they cannot carry large, heavy loads. My goal is to negotiate a joint endeavor of a merchant road built by both kingdoms. By splitting the cost, each kingdom will be able to claim ownership.

"The road will run parallel to Kai'lym's coastline until inside the Thathis border. This will grant them access to the coast, a fee that we can determine later after the construction is complete, and best of all, they can gather the funds by building taxing posts and waypoint stations throughout the road. The road essentially pays for itself and it will expedite shipments and allow for a steady flow of goods. Profitable to both parties." She leaned in, eager for his approval. "What do you think?"

"It's brilliant, Thia." He admitted.

"Do you think I can do it?"
"Without a doubt. You're perfect for this."

"That's what I told grandsire." Thia nodded.

"You mean this traveling to Thathis business, this was your idea!"

"Yes, and now with you agreeing along with Landros, there'll be less arguing from Mother." Thia wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you Valdor. It means everything to me that you believe I can do this."

Valdor opened his mouth to say something, then stopped and sighed. "You moved me around like a game piece on a board." Thia giggled. "How could you do this to your own brother?" He accused next to her ear.

"I learned from the best." She released him with a smile. "I'm ready." Thia turned to Lily and looked at her fondly. "Although I'm sad that I will not be spending more time with you. We will just have to make the most of it. Which reminds me-"

A loud knock brought their attention to Elithin, who stood at the entrance to the room, looking sour as always. The grey robes he wore did not help in convincing Lily he was not a statue.

"Forgive the intrusion, your Highnesses," he addressed Valdor and Thia, "but I need to deliver two messages." Elithin paused as if waiting for something to happen. His narrow gaze focused on Lily.

"Go on then." Valdor encouraged.

"Prince Valdor, you have someone waiting for you in the Greeting Room, but before you go, Prince Landros requests that you meet with him first. He is in River Room. Waiting." Elithin said the last with an air of annoyance.

At the mention of Landros, Lily's interest was piqued. He must truly be feeling well if he is out of his study chambers, requesting to speak with Valdor, and resuming his royal duties. She tried to put their awkward encounter from the previous night behind her but it spun in her head like a bee hovering over every spring flower, undecided.

To that, Valdor sat back on the settee. "Well, then, I'd best hurry." He did not move. "Who is in the Greeting Room?"

"I am unaware," Elithin replied.

"That seems unlikely." Valdor scoffed, then slowly collected himself from the settee. "I'm off to see our dreary cousin," he rolled his eyes, "and then this mysterious visitor, no one seems to know." He cocked an eyebrow at Elithin. With a bow, he tugged his sister's hair and said, "This far from over, Thia."

But she simply waved him away unbothered by his threat. Before leaving, he winked at Lily and stood beside Elithin. "After you."

Elithin did not make to leave, instead, he took a small step forward, hands behind his back, head lifted as if avoiding an offending smell. "I must address one more message to uhm, ... his patient."

Lily could not stop her pulse from fluttering. Did Landros send her a message? Why? Heat rushed to her cheeks. What could he possibly have to say to her in front of Valdor and Thia after their abrupt parting? Lily held her breath.

"Prince Landros will be delaying your healing sessions and wishes not to be disturbed until further notice. He's also requested all residing within the Healers Quarters to minimize nuisances, such as shouts or loud knocks that could disturb his concentration." Elithin gave a quick nod and walked out the door, barely waiting for Valdor.

Nuisances! Disturbed! Loud knocks! The nerve of that...that-ELF!

"Lily, dear, you're clutching my hand awfully tight." Thia's words forced her to calm down. But only a little.

"Forgive me."

"This must be upsetting news to you, but do not worry, Landros is the most gifted healer in generations. He will find a way to heal you. Come. I have something to show you that may cheer you up." Thia patted her hand and guided her to another room.

As they entered, two servants stood before a flowered partition, and a matronly elf, dressed in emerald with a high-collared coat, stood off to the side with hands clasped in front. Not a wrinkle to be seen. Each pleat perfectly symmetrical and flattering. She gave a deep nod to Thia before she approached them. Lily marveled at the fabric as it floated in the air with each step, like ripples in a meadow. Her hair was bone white, and although her foam green eyes radiated warmth, Lily knew when she was been assessed. "This is the one. Hmm."

"Mistress Deilios, this is Lily. Soon to be a ward of House Verakis if my brother has anything to do about it." Thia beamed with barely contained excitement.

Mistress Deilios nodded once, then turned to Lily. There was a moment of silence as her eyes roamed Lily's body. "She has good features. Long figure, a graceful neck, horrible posture. Yes, I can work with her."

"I beg your pardon? Princess Thia, I don't understand. What is happening? Who is this?"

"Oof, but where are my manners? I tend to get caught up in the structure and textures running in my thoughts that I forget about the little knots society demands. I am Deilios Verni, Mistress of the Spindle and Thread. I fashion all the garments for the royal household. You may call me Mistress Deilios." She grinned and a few wrinkles appeared near her eyes, the only dare to crease.

"Apparently, we do not keep her busy enough. She's the most sought seamstress in all of Lathimnar and she has an army of apprentices at her disposal. I have commissioned Mistress Deilios to create your entire wardrobe while I am gone. Starting with this!" Thia spread her arm and the servants opened the partition at the center.

She always did like looking her best and was meticulous about her clothes, but since arriving in Lathimnar that hadn't entered her mind. Until now. The magnificence of the gown in front of her was on another level. Several levels. With Thia's help, she walked around it. The gown was off the shoulder and at the arms, a black sheer cape with shimmering gemstones flowed down. The black bodice was trimmed with silvery embroidery and from the waist the dress flourished like a flower bleeding from black to indigo.

"What do you think?" Thia asked.

"This is the most stunning gown I've ever seen."

"Of course, it is." Clearly, Mistress Deilios didn't suffer from modesty.

"Wait until you put it on." Thia laughed.

Mistress Deilios nodded, and without another word, servants descended on Lily and before she knew it, she was standing on a pedestal laced into the silky dress. It was heavier than she expected. Holding on to the princess's hand, Lily stared at her reflection in the mirror.

"Holy moly! I look like something out of a dream." Lily's mouth hung open.

"That's how I felt the first time I wore one of Mistress Deilios's gowns."

"Only one time, your highness?" Mistress Deilios paused in the middle of fuzzing with the gown, pin in the air.

"Every time." Thia appeased Mistress Deilios's ego.

"I've not had much experience with humans so I drew from the only source of inspiration I could find, the Armindian Prophecy."

"The Armindian Prophecy?" Lily's heart stopped. Aurora hadn't mentioned anything about a prophecy.

"Oh, I see. The Key will come with bravery and might, to wear the burden of darkest night. Or something of the sort." Thia waved her hand.

"That is excellent, your highness." There was more pinning and tugging by Mistress Deilios.

"Don't be too impressed. My brother has been obsessed with it for years, but he's always had a fondness for all things human." Thia winked at Lily.

"Is there more to it?" Lily asked.

"Yes, something about igniting a fire that leads to destruction and death. You know, all these prophecies are alike. They never end well. You do look lovely in this dress. Mistress Deilios you have outdone yourself. I do think, however, that some..." Thia went on. Together with Mistress Deilios, they continued a back and forth of pointing out where the dress should be tucked in and more threading added.

But Lily heard none of it. Their voices became a distant droning as she grew more anxious with every pull of the dress. Was the prophecy the reason Aurora had left for Armindia? Was it connected to the vision she'd had before Aurora left? What else did the prophecy say? There was only one person that could give her any answers.

Valdor.