"How dare you?!" Queen Kira let out a shrill cry. "Your loyalty to Vareus is blatantly clear now, and for that, you must suffer a hundred lifetimes." The Queen took decisive steps towards Emery. The sun surrounded her frame like a glowing veil, while it cast a tall, dark shadow over the gatekeeper.  "Fireborn scum," she growled at Emery, baring her teeth. 

"I am not!" Emery yelled back, earning a harsh kick on the back of the legs from Alfan. The blow sent her crashing knees-first against the blue floor. Queen Kira looked down at her, with chin raised and rage in her eyes. 

"Wait! Do not harm her," the King stepped toward the scene, waving for the guard to step back. "We must not be prejudiced. Otherwise, we are no better than the tyrant who tarnished the fireborn name."

Emery felt a touch of hope, like a single drop before a refreshing rainfall. It might've been near impossible to convince the Queen, but King Leonard seemed to be fair. If she had any shot of getting out of this crystal hell, it was through him. 

Queen Kira turned back around toward her throne. 

"Now," the King continued, "why exactly can't we kill the Prince, gatekeeper?"

Emery took a nervous, dry gulp as pushed herself up from the floor. What she said next could either save them all or condemn her to an eternity of suffering. "In my very short time as gatekeeper, I've learned that my duty is to serve my people. This is why I made the deal with Prince Theodore. When no other House would lend their help, this seemed like a reasonable plan. And—"

"As we established before, your ignorance is not enough for us to spare the Prince. Neither will placing the blame on third parties absolve his many crimes. The suffering he's caused . . . Unforgivable."

His many crimes . . . The suffering he's caused . . . 

She didn't fail to notice how the King too, despite saying otherwise, saw Theo's and Vareus' crimes as one and the same. The only thing they could possibly find Theo guilty of is having possession of the Song of Water. Yet, to the Diunan Royals, he shared the blame for what his father did. 

Blood for blood, regardless of who's really to blame.

They're not going to let me go, she realized. It didn't matter what she said, or what she did . . . She'd be their prisoner until they got what they so desired. 

Vengeance.

Nevertheless, she felt the need to continue this hopeless pursuit. "You have to understand. Even though I made this deal through ignorance, I believe it was the right choice."

"How so?"

Emery gulped. "Because Theo is good." She pinched her lips together. As she expected, they didn't seem convinced. 

"Nonsense. Anyone who condemned us to years without the Song and Gate cannot be good," Queen Kira disagreed. 

"How was he supposed to give it to you? He doesn't have the ability to use it and come here to give it to you. He's just as cursed as the Banished King."

"If he really meant well, he would've found a way. He is a guilty and serious threat. He must be captured and he will face the consequences."

This was pointless; Emery had no proof. She shut her eyes tight, a pounding headache growing on her temples from the stress and the increasing hunger. "If you do that, you will be depriving my people of a possible heir. Please, at least give him a fair shot at redemption. Without him, we will be left without a kingdom, without land . . . without a voice."

The Queen frowned, holding Emery's gaze for a few seconds before tearing it away with an angry humph. "A hunch is not a reason for us to risk the safety of our people. My mind remains unchanged."

Judgemental eyes glared at Emery from every direction. The silent tension that followed was a continual answer to her declaration. None of them believed a word she said.

The King was sat back at his throne, resting his heavy head on his hand. He didn't meet Emery's gaze anymore, not even as he said, "I don't doubt you speak the truth, but I must agree with Queen Kira. We cannot condemn this whole realm to mere assumptions about the Prince's character. We'd be safer if we exterminated him and kept you under close surveillance until then."

"Exterminated?" Emery scoffed. "Do you hear yourself? You don't see us as people. You see us as vermin."

The King bowed his head. "Now, now . . . Don't twist my words. I only spoke of Prince Theodore, not all fireborn."

"You might as well have! You're all prejudiced. What was the point of this audience? My fate was sealed the moment you locked me in a cell!" she exploded, baring her teeth with each yell. The burst of anger earned another strong kick to the legs. It sent her barrelling face-first toward the floor, scraping her cheek in the process. 

"What know you of prejudice?! What know you of anything, gatekeeper?" Alfan yelled at her, while he placed a heavy boot over her back. Emery squirmed to get out from under the weight of his armor. "You don't know what any of us went through. The pain this kingdom has had to face. The royals must be cautious. We've gone through enough!" 

The pain was so sharp in his words. It was so genuine, it almost made Emery feel empathy toward the man pinning her against the floor.

"More death will solve nothing," she countered, her voice sounding hoarse.

"Stop!" a familiar voice shouted from behind them. 

Emery heard some shuffling over her, and Alfan's heavy foot eased off her back. A tall woman with a thick braid draped over her shoulder popped into Emery's view. "Melinda?" 

"Hush, before you get yourself in any more trouble." Melinda knelt beside her and helped her to her feet. She stroked the dirty hair away from Emery's face and checked her arms for marks—a comforting gesture she wasn't used to seeing from her. 

She got over the shock enough to see Mave walking close behind, holding on to a thick wooden staff for support. 

"How did you find me?" Emery whispered as Melinda helped her to her feet. 

The woman's dark eyes flickered toward the guard, before whispering, "He turned himself in, Emery."

Her eyes went wide. "No . . . He wouldn't have. . . ."

"Your Majesties," Mave's voice caught Emery's attention. She watched as the House of Fire's leader stopped in front of the thrones and bowed her head until she was addressed. 

"Mave," Queen Kira called her, clearly taken aback. "I didn't expect you to join us."

"I'm sure you know the House must become involved with matters regarding our gatekeeper.  Our sincerest apologies for the delay. We've only just learned you had her in custody. Hopefully, we'll be able to clear up this messy situation."

The Queen let out a dry chuckle. "Messy is an understatement. You have a rogue Prince roaming about your land, and though you've known for some time, you've done nothing to remedy it."

"Yes, well . . . With this new knowledge of Emery's connection to the Prince, we plan to take a more peaceful approach. We wouldn't want to make any rash decisions that would threaten our safety." 

The Queen's eyebrow twitched at the word 'our', yet she didn't address it. "You think the boy has a shot of redemption?" 

"I believe he does," Mave agreed unwaveringly. There was a certain decisiveness in her tone that Emery lacked, she realized. 

How could I have possibly convinced them? she thought. When I hardly believe in him myself.

"This is why we'll need our gatekeeper. If we ever wish to meet the Prince in peaceful terms, she must be present."

Emery flinched. If? Why would she say 'If we ever', if Theo was already in the House of Fire's custody? She looked at Melinda from the edge of her eye and furrowed her brow in confusion. Melinda noticed the slight gesture and subtly shook her head from side to side.

"They can't know," was Emery's understanding. She guessed if the royals found out they had Theo, they'd storm the House while they were weak. With an open portal and only Lila and Poppy as defense, Theo was theirs for the taking. 

"The gatekeeper is on trial for trespassing on our land with our Song and Gate. No matter your beliefs about the fireborn Prince, she stays until we've reached a final judgment," the King announced. 

"Well, then allow me to make this judgment easier for you," Mave countered. "It's no secret that you've no gatekeeper. If Emery is freed, she can return the Song and Gate to your kingdom. While you continue to keep this innocent girl in your custody, you have an open portal, allowing rogue Princes or all sorts of unknown beasts to come upon your lands. Free her, and your gate will be sealed. You will be protected once more, and the Prince will be ours to deal with. For better or for worse."

The Diunan royals remained quiet. Even Queen Kira, who'd proven quick to deny everything, had to pinch her lips at the tempting offer. She turned to look at the King, and he met her gaze. A silent conversation seemed to pass between them, until the Queen bowed her head and announced, "We accept."

King Leonard nodded in understanding. "Though the matter of Prince Theodore is of importance, we must prioritize the safety of our people. That open gate is the biggest threat of all. Without it, the Prince cannot reach us anyway." He stopped to give Queen Kira a sympathetic smile. "Restoring our precious Song and Gate will be our victory for today."

"Then we're agreed. Emery shall be released," Mave concluded. 

"Yes. We free her."

"Guards," the Queen called. Two knights stepped out from behind Emery and kneeled before the Diunan royals. "Ready a carriage. Make sure you escort them to wherever they must go, but when night falls, you must take them to the Water Temple so they can take their leave and fulfill their half of this arrangement."

"Thank you, Your Majesties. We will make haste to return what belongs to you, and we will not forget your kindness today," Mave said, lowering her head before the King and Queen. 

A firm nod was their response. With a flick of the hand, the King ordered the guards to escort the three out. 

When they neared the stairs, they were stopped once again. "Mave," the Queen called her back. They all turned to find her a few feet away, a guard at either side. Her severe expression faltered. She laid a hand over her heart, the jeweled rings in her hands shimmering in the light. Kindness glimmered in her beautiful eyes. Emery wondered if she was this way before Vareus destroyed half her kingdom.

"Yes, your Majesty?"

"If the unlikely happens and that boy is meant to take the throne . . ." she stopped, pinching her eyes together, seemingly in deep pain. "If you are sure—absolutely sure—he is nothing like his father. Then, we'd like to receive the future King in Diuna."

A warm smile slipped into Mave's expression. "If Theodore will become King, the Kingdom of Diuna will be the first to know."

"Likewise, we will inform you if he is not fit to rule," Melinda spoke suddenly, her sharp features as cold as winter ice. 

Mave's gaze flickered toward Melinda in surprise, before returning to the Queen. "Whatever the decision is . . . we will send word."

"Yes, well . . . I'll keep you no longer. May Izoven bring blessings upon your soul."

"And yours."

⤝◈◈◈◈◈⤞

"You had no right to say that," Mave bitterly whispered. Her head-turning over her shoulder every few seconds to glance at the carriage driver. 

Melinda looked out the window at the Diunan horizon, her prideful eyes unwavering. "It needed to be said. You seemed entirely too convinced the boy is going to ascend to power. What will happen if this doesn't play out as you and Emery wish? We'll all look like fools . . . again."

"Better that than to imply that we mistrust him. You've implanted even more doubt into the Queen's mind." Mave shook her head, her big oval earrings swinging as she did. "No matter. What's been said, can't be unsaid. We'll resolve this matter once we get back to Bellenau."

Emery finally felt the courage to talk. "What will happen then? With Theo, I mean."

"The fool speaks," Melinda noted, throwing a sharp glare her way. "Don't think we've overlooked your ignorant behavior. You put us all in danger by making deals with Theodore."

"Or maybe she's saved us all," Mave countered, but only earned a scoff from the proud woman sitting across from her.

"Maybe. . . ."

"But he turned himself in, right? That means something," Emery said, though she wasn't entirely sure what it meant herself. Did he do it to save her? Or was this just a small part of a bigger plan he was scheming?

Melinda pursed her lips. "It means something, I'm just not convinced it's what you both want it to mean." Her eyes flashed toward Emery before returning out the window. 

What the hell was that supposed to mean?

The carriage seemed to slow to a halt. Emery scooted forward in her cushioned seat to look out the window. Outside stood a stone bridge leading to a gathering of tall pines. 

Master Sago's, she recognized it. Except this time, the knights were much more hospitable. They opened the carriage door and gestured for her to walk down the path over the river. 

"No more . . . We'll continue this when we return home. You must get your gate now, Emery. Go on," Mave told her, patting an encouraging hand over her shoulder. 

"You won't come with me?" Emery asked. 

The woman pressed her full lips into a thin line. "I'm afraid not."

"Or maybe just 'afraid'," Melinda said, throwing a teasing smile her way. 

"No such thing," the leader denied, pushing a little harder on Emery's shoulder until she hopped out of the carriage. "We'll be waiting," she called after her, before reaching for the door handle and slamming it shut.

Emery resisted the urge to bite her knuckles as she walked toward Sago's cottage. She could only hope he knew nothing of the events that transpired. For some reason, she didn't want to disappoint him . . . Though he didn't seem to have any big expectations of her in the first place. 

Past the threatening pines and the dead garden, she finally made it to the wooden door. As she lifted her fist to knock, the door flew open, revealing a small Master upon a step. 

"Yes, yes . . . Come in. I've been expecting you," he hastily acknowledged her before hopping down and walking briskly to his work station. "It wasn't easy, but I'm almost done."

The workshop looked a mess, even worse than on her first visit. A few small, unfinished replicas of the gate were discarded by the door; a pile of wood shavings lay at the foot of Master Sago's stool, and a large burn stain now adorned the edge of the big table. 

The gatekeeper kept quiet, taking a seat on a stool in a corner of the room. Her eyes studied his skillful hands as he passed a tissue over the gate's surface and re-tightened the nuts and bolts. 

It was calm here. Faint whispers of the river made their way through the thicket. Birds chirped, as the Izovenian day was coming to an end. The smell of wood varnish hung in the air. Everything was absolutely pleasant. Yet . . . she'd never felt this unsettled. 

Her insides twisted and turned from nervousness. The hunger she'd felt these past few days disappeared, replaced with the gnawing teeth of guilt. 

Theo was waiting back in Bellenau. They had to make some sort of decision about his future, and a whole kingdom's as well. What if they made the wrong one? All because she'd gotten close to him. All because she said he might not be what he seems at first. 

"Ow!" Emery yelled as she felt a stinging pain in her cheek. She looked down to find Master Sago with his palm raised in front of her face. "Did you just slap me?"

"Good, you're back. Now, pay attention," he continued, unbothered by her spacing out. He reached for the finished gate on the table and dropped it upon her lap. "You break my gate again, I'll turn you into a toad."

She paid no mind to the mention of an exciting new spell and instead nodded. "Fine," her voice was barely above a whisper. 

He removed his working gloves and threw them over his shoulder, not caring as one flew out the back window and the other nearly landed on the lit fireplace. "Something wrong?"

"No," she dismissed his question, hugging the gate closer to her. 

"Very well . . . I've included instructions on for an object teleportation spell inside. You'll probably need it to keep it safe and accessible at all times."

"Okay. . . ."

"Don't scratch the varnish. Don't use it too frequently or the mechanics will become strained from the magic. Don't— Goodness me, why are you crying this time?" 

Emery flinched, reaching a hand toward her cheeks. A single tear was slipping down her face. "I'm sorry." She wiped it off and took a deep breath. "I have no control over myself lately."

"Clearly," he agreed, looking awkwardly toward the ceiling. 

After another deep breath, she told him, "You've been around for a long time, Sago. You must've come across hard decisions, right?"

He nodded proudly, resting his closed fists on his hips. 

"How did you know you were making the right one?"

"I didn't," he answered, with a shrug of his shoulders. 

Emery glared at him. "That's not helpful."

Master Sago nodded. "Yes, well . . . That's when a decision is really hard, isn't it? When there's no straightforward answer. When every choice is a risk. When every path is equally troublesome. Best you can do is trust your experience and morals to lead the way, but even then . . . You might go wrong."

"What if I can't afford to go wrong?"

"You must be willing to take the risk, no matter the outcome."

"But—"

"A choice must be made. A risk must be taken. There is no foolproof way to go through life's hardships."

Emery chewed on her lip and closed her eyes. "But how do you choose?"

The old boy clicked his tongue and returned to his stool. "My experience has proved that in circumstances like the one you speak of, I already know the answer. It's just a matter of admitting it to yourself."

No, she didn't! If she already knew the answer, she wouldn't be asking. 

"Will that be all?" he asked, rolling up a large blueprint and tying it with a piece of string. 

She nodded, stood, and bowed toward the small master. "Thank you for everything."

"Goodbye," he said flatly, and Emery headed toward the door. "Wait," he stopped her, his tone seemingly annoyed. "My wisdom is not free in this household. From now on, you must come and tend to my garden when you visit," Sago said rather proudly, scrunching up his baby-smooth face in a failed attempt at seeming intimidating. 

Emery resisted the urge to smile. "But . . . you hate visitors."

He looked up and away, avoiding her gaze. "Some company would be nice . . . now and again."

"Alright, I'll bring some seeds next time I get the chance."

"You must promise."

"I promise," Emery stated. "Take care, old man."

A hint of a rare Sago smile appeared on his features before he waved her away once more. "Go on. I've had enough for today." She closed the door behind her, and only then did she hear Master Sago say, "Take care, Emery."