Faylinn

I jerked up in shock when a loud thump broke me out of my peaceful slumber. I had fallen asleep at my desk again and surprisingly, Kieran was nowhere to be seen. Glancing at the window, I took a double take when a giant black bird met my eyes.

It cocked its head to the side, and I noticed that one of its wings looked a little... out of shape. Slowly approaching the window, I carefully slid it open, all the while looking the bird in the eye.

"It's okay... little birdie, I am, uh, simply concerned for your welfare..." At the sound of my voice, the bird stepped over the window sill and onto the ledge. It walked a bit closer, sharp beak dangerously close to my arm.

I backed up, a sliver of fear worming itself into my mind. A bird larger than the size of my head could do a lot of damage if it tried. As though it could sense my fear, it took one more step closer and lifted up its right leg towards me.

A small cylindrical tube was attached to it and even though I had never seen one before, I knew that it was a message. Keeping a close eye on its sharp beak and claws, I slowly detached the tube.

The bird made a sound of satisfaction and settled itself onto the window's ledge. I popped open the lid and a small scroll of parchment slid onto my open palm. As I slowly unravelled the scroll, I wondered who the sender was.

To His Majesty, the King,

Her honour the Crown Princess of Rowana seeks your presence for a discussion of war at your Kingdom in a week. May you be prepared for her arrival and Rowana thanks you for your hospitality.

- The Kingdom of Rowana

"The King? There has not been a King for almost ten years!" I glared at the bird, waving the piece of paper in the air, "What is this, a discussion of war? This Rowana wants war?"

Frowning, I read over the message again. The word Rowana sounded familiar... but I was sure I had never heard of it before.

"Must be a prank," I muttered to myself, dropping the paper on my desk, "and what do you think you're doing?"

The bird merely fluffed its feathers and closed its eyes, apparently making my window ledge its new home. I scowled at it, but with a closer look I saw that its left wing was bent at a strange angle.

"Can you fly?" I asked the bird, before realising how stupid I must have sounded. Shaking my head, I grabbed my handkerchief and an old blanket from my wardrobe. I curled the woolen blanket into a rough nest shape and placed my handkerchief over it.

"Go on," I gestured to the bird, hoping it would understand my actions. "It's... for... you!"

The bird cocked its head, black feathers gleaming. It hopped to the other side of the ledge and leapt off, plummeting for a second before somehow managing to catch a draft of wind.

I stared after it, my mouth opening and closing in disbelief. But had it not been injured...?

It flew to the top of my wardrobe before perching on one leg and closing its eyes again, seemingly content.

"But I just prepared-" I exclaimed in exasperation, waving my arms at the makeshift nest.

"Your Majesty?" A girl's voice--most likely Estella--called through my closed door, "Is there someone with you?"

"U-uh," I cleared my throat, giving the bird a glare for wasting my time before replying, "I was simply talking to myself, no need to worry."

"Yes, your Majesty... may I come in?"

"Of course, Estella." I answered, slightly confused as to why she needed to come in.

She came in with a curtsy and made her way to my wardrobe. Disappearing inside, I saw the bird perk up in interest of the newcomer.

"You better keep quiet!" I mouthed at it, trying to come off threatening, but I had a sneaking suspicion that the meaning was lost. If a bird could shrug, I was sure that it would but it went back to its nap instead.

"Your Majesty?" Estella emerged from between a row of dresses, holding a rose coloured gown with embroidered flowers, "Would you like to wear this for the council meeting?"

The meeting! I had completely forgotten about it.

I managed a nod, slightly stunned I had not remembered something so important. I reached up and touched my hair, grimacing as I realised how tangled it was.

Estella smiled at my expression and gestured to my vanity, "I'll fix it right up, your Majesty."

I returned her smile, grateful that I could rely on my maids.

After Estella dressed me, I headed through the halls towards the north tower where we held the Council of Elders' Meetings. I pushed open the tall oak doors, and all heads turned to me, some with a smile and others with a disapproving stare.

I did not need anyone telling me that I was cutting it close for time. Taking a seat on the raised chair at the head of the table, I folded my hands before me and surveyed the room.

The lack of empty seats meant that all the Elders had already arrived, but as I glanced around the room again, I noticed that Kieran was strangely absent.

Where was he?

It was strange, since he was usually the first to arrive, but...

I cleared my throat, choosing to focus on the meeting.

"We will now commence this meeting, " I announced, looking towards the man on my left, "Elder Grei would you like to present your report on our farmlands."

"The farms are producing their anticipated amounts and we predict that there will be ample food for us all this winter," he stated, reading off a scroll of parchment before him. "Wheat and corn are both filling up our storages, the farmers are content with the state of the land and we presume that it will stay that way."

I nodded, before turning to the Elder beside him.

"And Elder Sarrie? What of the mines?"

"That is what I was meaning to speak of, your Majesty. Our storages are full of Xealite, but our Earth Mages have struck upon another large strain of the crystal. I propose that they stop extracting it from the mountains for now and instead focus on nourishing the land we have used."

I frowned, considering it for a moment, "Yes, I think we shall go with that until winter passes."

They all nodded in agreement, and another Elder on the opposite end of the table spoke up.

"I hear that the Kingdom of Rowana and the Veraende Empire are currently at war with one another, but the shadow users of Veraende are too powerful-"

"Rowana?" I interrupted, startled by the familiar name from the parchment I had received earlier.

"Why yes, Rowana is the large and powerful kingdom on the other side of the Tewaine mountain range. They are, however..." He trailed off, exchanging a look with the Elder next to him.

"What are they?" I asked, curious about this Rowana kingdom.

Elder Grei cleared his throat, "Nothing, your Majesty. They are simply a thriving kingdom that should be left to its own devices. After all, we have to focus on protecting Xylia from potential threats from kingdoms such as Rowana."

I paused, thinking about the message I had received. "However Rowana seems to need help with the war, should we give aid to our neighbours?"

"Help those deceiving liars?" Elder Crane exclaimed, his face red with fury.

My eyes widened in surprise and I frowned. "Wha-"

"Your Majesty! You cannot possibly be thinking of that--not after what happened to your parents!" He blurted out, cutting me mid sentence.

"Silence!" Elder Grei glared his fellow Elder into submission. "Give her Majesty a chance to explain, have you no respect?"

Crane bowed his head low in shame, "My deepest apologies, your Majesty... I-I was simply overcome with emotion."

"My parents... they were on their way to Rowana?" My chest clenched with long-forgotten pain and I could feel my breath becoming shorter.

"Yes, they had been on a Royal Visit there when they disappeared on the way," Sarrie said, her face grim, "however, I personally believe that there is no connection to Rowana."

I saw Crane's head snap up to glare at the only female Elder in the room. I bit my lip, caught between helping Rowana and the mysterious disappearance of my parents.

The Elders in the room exchanged anxious looks with each other as they waited for me to speak. I glanced at Sarrie, and she gave an encouraging smile.

"I... I received a message from Rowana today," I said, ignoring the shocked gasps that arose, "their Crown Princess is arriving at Xylia in a week, perhaps less, and I believe we should hear her out before deciding our place in the war."

"But your Majesty!" Crane exclaimed, eyes wide in horror. "You can't possibly think that-"

"I believe in treating everyone as innocent before proven guilty," I said, my eyes daring him to say more.

"Let her come." 

a.n

Hey! Thanks to all you guys who have stuck with us during our hiatus on this story, but Empress and I have decided to resume the regular postings of this book (which shall be every Monday). ^^

So Faylinn and Astra are going to meet for the first time! What do you think will happen? How do you think they'll react? We'd love to know what you think!

- Emme