As planned, May had left the next morning. She was gone like last time before (F/n) awoke. Keiran had heard her leave, but he didn't wake (F/n) for he felt that her rest was more important, not to mention that he trusted May would be alright. Neither of them knew when she would return, so Keiran continued to work on crafting the first arm for (F/n). They returned to their routine the first time May had left, and the days passed like before while (F/n) did her best not to think about her sister's wedding that would've happened already.

She managed that by thinking about how she had confronted her feelings regarding Keiran. Well, she had with May because May forced her to. But, she wasn't mad at May. No, May told her the truth, and that was it. If anything, she was grateful. She accepted that she didn't reveal her feelings to Keiran because of fear. Had she conquered that fear? No, not yet.

If May couldn't find the magic user, she had plenty of time before they'd leave the forge. She planned on telling him before they left. Right now, there was some stability in her life. Once they left, things could fall apart real quick no matter what plan they formed. If they left and died soon after, she wanted Keiran to know at least that she returned his feelings.

It did help knowing that he loved her, and she trusted that May wasn't lying to her on that. But, she still needed time, especially since she didn't know what would come after she disclosed her feelings. How would things change?

If they were back in Credel, things followed a natural path. They'd become engaged. In fact, their time spent together already would've been considered courting the other. Then, they'd marry. Children would be expected of them, and she didn't mind. She wanted to have children with the man she loved, but now ... How would that all happen?

Yes, they could still become engaged and marry, but who would marry them? May? Would that count since they were in a unique situation? She always thought that she would marry in the cathedral by the castle, and a priest would perform the ceremony. Everything she expected of her life was turned upside down.

A sigh escaped her lips as she leaned back against the chair. Keiran didn't hear her. The sound of metal against metal filled his ears. He was focused, and she wished that she could focus on something else. But, she was thankful that her mind was preoccupied with romance and not always fixating on the awful experiences of her recent past.

(F/n) planned to talk to May more once she returned. Hopefully, that would be soon. It had already been four days since she had left. Kindly, though, May had left her two other light blue dresses, which May had modified by shortening the bottom and arms. (F/n) was wearing one of those now.

Keiran planned on thanking May too for them. He couldn't deny that the color suited her. Back in the castle, she had worn colors like pinks, greens and reds. He was surprised that she hadn't worn blue since it suited her so nicely. Then again, blue was a more common color among the populace, and he imagined that her dress code as a royal was stricter than his even as a royal blacksmith. Still, a darker blue would've suited her and was rarer to see due to the increased amount of dye it required.

Presently, he paused on his work and glanced over to (F/n). She seemed to be lost in thought, and she didn't notice when he smiled slightly. He could watch her all day; she just seemed to make his heart skip in delight even with the simplest of her actions. When her (e/c) optics met his, he smiled more and wiped his brow. "Well, should we take a break from here? It's close to evening."

About to answer, (F/n) instantly tensed. Was that ... Her eyes widened, and she looked to Keiran, fear very present in her eyes. Keiran spun around and set down his tools fast. He grabbed his sword and unsheathed it. Taking off his glove, the sword began to mold to his right hand and arm as it became an extension of him.

Someone was in the house. The door had slammed open and closed. They had heard it. Keiran stood protectively in front of (F/n) and waited for whoever entered the home to reveal themselves. It could be May, but the running steps sounded too heavy to be hers. Her illusion always worked unless someone ran smack into it, but why would anyone run straight into a tree? They were also far enough in the woods that no one would spend the extra effort to cut down a tree in that area. Not to mention the illusion trees had their branches high enough that no one should try to climb them. This only increased Keiran's worry.

The running soon stopped, but Keiran remained on alert. Yelling could be heard outside the forge. Thankfully, no one on the outside of the illusion could hear them, but they could hear those outside of it. "What happened?! We were so close!" someone yelled, and someone answered back, but they were quieter. Keiran and (F/n) couldn't make out what was being said until they heard, "Fan out and search!"

Running steps were heard outside, but none inside. So, who entered? Was it one of those individuals? It sounds like they were hunting someone down possibly. Soon, though, they heard steps inside again. Whoever was creating them wasn't running anymore, but the person was drawing nearer to them. Keiran didn't move from his position. He wouldn't risk (F/n) being in the line of fire even to perform a sneak attack.

The doorknob turned slowly, and the door creaked open. A man stepped in, wearing a blue cloak, the hood was down since it probably had fallen off due to his running. Wavy orange hair covered his head, and bright blue eyes stared back at them, ridden with fear, especially when they landed on Keiran's sword arm. He wore beige pants and a shirt with brown leather boots, and he looked to be in his early twenties. . His lips parted to speak, but nothing came out.

"Who are you?" Keiran asked, voice low and making no motion to lower his sword. The man glanced between Keiran and (F/n), eyes slightly widening when he noticed (F/n)'s missing limbs. They only widened more when he noticed that Keiran's sword was connected to his arm. "I asked you a question, and you better answer soon before you lose the opportunity to."

Gulping, he took a step back, only to jump a little when he heard the men outside. Quietly, he closed the door behind him and remained pressed up against it. His eyes focused on the door leading to outside of the forge. No doubt, those were his pursuers. "They can't hear you. I'm sure you noticed that what you thought was trees isn't." Keiran didn't sound pleased in the slightest at the man's silence. "So, answer me."

Upon hearing Keiran's words, he settled a little. "... Sorry, I ..." He released a breath of air. "You won't hurt me? You're not with them?"

"Clearly, we aren't. Or, we wouldn't have an illusion on this place." Keiran was getting all the more annoyed. "We know how the Stowwen royal family treats its magic users. And, we won't hurt you depending on your answer."

"Yeah, right." He nodded slowly before he motioned to Keiran's blade with his head. "You're one, aren't you? And, she ..."

"Tell me who you are. And, maybe then, we can get to know each other." Keiran took a menacing step forward while (F/n) peered a little around him at the stranger, but she couldn't do so too much or she'd lose her balance on the chair. He didn't seem as terrified as when he first entered, but he noticeably was breathing hard from the running.

"Right." He slumped against the door and began to slide down it. His arms rested on his knees, and he leaned his head back against the wood. (F/n) supposed that he did so to seem less threatening, but Keiran didn't drop his guard. "Well if you both have been up here long enough, I'm sure you heard the news about the escaped magic user. Then again, maybe, you haven't if you've been hidden in here."

"Are you him?" Keiran asked quickly.

"Well yeah." He let out a tired laugh. "Guess I ran into the right house." Keiran eased up a little but didn't sheathe his sword yet. "I was running out of stamina and went to lean on a tree to support myself up, but I was so tired that I fell in the process. That's when I found myself in a stable and saw the door. I ran inside from there." He lifted his arms a little. "And, here I am."

"That does explain how you saw through the illusion. It would've just felt like trees to you otherwise." Keiran stood up straight. "And, you won't harm us?" The man nodded, catching his breath some more. "You're a metal magic user?" Another nod. "What's your ability?" Keiran needed to make sure that the magic user before them couldn't kill them out of nowhere. Hopefully, it would be what May described to them, but they didn't know for sure. The magic user hesitated, but when he saw Keiran lift up the blade again, he answered him.

"I can take metal and mold it to whatever shape I need it to be." Keiran stared at him a moment before he motioned to him. "Do you have any weapons on you?" A moment of hesitation came from the man. "Remove them and toss them this way. Toss any metal too. Remove your cloak." Keiran wouldn't take any refusal. Yes, he was ecstatic that the man they had been looking for ran through into their home, but he couldn't just trust him like that.

"And, how am I sure that you won't harm me?"

"You aren't. But, the same can be said about you." The man paused and looked around Keiran to (F/n). His brows furrowed, but (F/n) could tell that he was putting the pieces together in his mind. He must've heard that Credel had a new queen and how such a thing had happened. Keiran stepped in front of (F/n) more, blocking his view. "Well, will you comply?"

"I ... First, tell me that I heard wrong." He now held a serious look and met Keiran's gaze head on. "Behind you, that's the traitor princess. Anyone could tell once they notice she's missing her arms and legs." The magic user sat up straight and frowned. "You somehow saved her. But, why save someone who killed her parents unless you were in on it?"

"She's the rightful queen." Keiran's words were fierce, and he lifted his weapon more. "She's no traitor."

"Keiran," (F/n) started, but Keiran didn't look back to her, "let me talk to him." Now, Keiran hesitated. "Keiran, he just escaped harm. He's trying to make sure that he didn't run back into it." Keiran didn't lower his sword. "I'm not asking you to stand down, but let me talk." Reluctantly, he moved slightly to the side of her but not enough where she was too exposed. "Thank you." (F/n) met the man's bright blue eyes with her own (e/c) optics.

"What news is spreading is false. Kendra (L/n), my sister, killed my parents with my past mentor, the new king, Felin Sanis or Felin (L/n) if he's using our family's name. I was framed for it. I was outside when my parents were poisoned, and mordia flower was placed in one of my curative bottles." A frown remained on her lips as she recounted the details. She didn't let any tears fall despite part of her wanting to at the memories. "Not knowing I had been betrayed, Felin easily drugged me before my trial with loss blossom." She glanced down to herself. "You can tell what happened next before Keiran saved my life." (F/n) sat up straight as best she could. "You can believe me or not, but your choice will determine what Keiran's next move is."

"And, what if I believe you but also wish to leave here?" The magic user tensed a little. "Will you let me leave?"

"Yes." Keiran looked to interrupt. That would endanger her. If this magic user even told one person that (F/n) was alive, not to mention where they were hiding out, that would make things all the more difficult. "I just ask that you promise me that you won't share that I'm alive or my whereabouts with anyone. Same for Keiran's whereabouts."

"That's awfully trusting."

"Yes, it is." Her gaze hardened, though. "But if you endanger either of us, we know what you look like now. I won't let Keiran die on my behalf." But, he would if he needed to. "If that means killing you, then, that will be what happens."

"It'd seem easier to kill me now."

"You're hardly doing a good job of arguing for yourself," Keiran mentioned, annoyance clear in his tone.

"I know, but I want to know my options, and who you both are. I need to know that staying here isn't a worse option than continuing to run for my well being." He slowly stood up and held his hands up showing that he wouldn't do anything. "So, what of you?" Narrowing his blue eyes in thought, he asked, "Are you the magic user of Credel? I know they had one, and you clearly have magic. Plus, you saved her, so you must've known her beforehand to risk your life for her."

Keiran glanced to (F/n) who nodded in reassurance. This man knew who she was; he already knew too much. Besides, (F/n) saw it that he agreed to help them, keep their secret and run off or choose death; she wouldn't enslave him like the Stowwen royal family had done. That would go against her beliefs that magic users weren't to be treated like possessions. She was hoping for the first option. "Yes," Keiran answered when he looked back to him.

"I see." He focused back on (F/n). "Then, what you say ... I can trust you? You're not a murderer."

"Yes, you can, and I'm not." (F/n) held her gaze with him. "And, I'm not like the royal family of Stowwen either. If I were, I can assure you that Keiran wouldn't be so quick to have helped me and continue to help me." Her gaze softened a little. "I'm not some power hungry monster who would murder her own parents and betray not just her family but her kingdom. Rather, I'm scared for my people. Knowing now what Kendra and Felin are capable of, I fear that Credel will greatly change for the worse if they're not stopped."

To him, they were both strangers. But, they hadn't killed him yet, and one of them was a magic user, who respected a royal. That boded well. She seemed genuine, and the male beside simply protective of his queen, which was very understandable if what she said was true. At face value, they did seem like a better option than running back outside. But, what about the illusion on the home? Was that the magic user's doing? He had a sword attached to his arm. Was that an illusion too? Or, was metal part of his magic too? "Is there another magic user here? Just what is your magic?"

"We can answer you if you do what Keiran says first." If the magic user before them did choose to fight, it was better that he didn't know Keiran's exact ability yet. Sighing deeply, the new magic user nodded. He decided to move forward with trusting them rather than running back out into the open and potentially capture. He couldn't go back to the castle; he wouldn't go back. Removing his dual daggers, he slid them over to Keiran and tossed his cloak.

Holding up his arms above his head, he stated, "I don't have any other metal on me. You can search me. Or, I can strip down if you need me to." He seriously hoped that he wasn't making a mistake in trusting these two.

"Do so," Keiran ordered, stepping in front of (F/n) now so that she couldn't see. She didn't want to peer around either so as to be respectful. Hearing the shuffling of clothes and seeing Keiran give a nod of his head, it seemed that the new magic user was telling the truth.

Putting his clothes and shoes back on, he looked to both Keiran and (F/n) as he waited for (F/n) to respond. Keiran put the daggers and cloak nearby and steadily removed the sword from his arm. The new magic user watched in fascination and saw the sword go back to being a regular sword but with a blue sheen to it before it was sheathed. "Keiran is a metal magic user like yourself, but his ability is different." Keiran stepped slightly to the side of (F/n) so that she could see the new male again, and she explained in more detail what his magic did exactly.

"That's ... Well, that's really useful. No wonder Credel was confident with just one magic user compared to the Stowwen and Aercen. Credel's military must be no joke, then." He pushed back locks of orange hair and let out a breath of air. "But, the illusion on the home, then?"

"Another magic user. She'll be back." A frown touched her lips. "Hopefully, our unwanted guests are gone by then."

"I hope so too," the new magic user answered. He relaxed a little. "Since I'll be staying here ... If that's alright." (F/n) nodded. "Well, I might as well introduce myself, then. My name is Edwin."

"It's good to meet you, Edwin." It really was since he seemed to be on the friendly side so far. "I'm (F/n), and this is Keiran." Keiran stood beside (F/n) now, but his stance indicated that he'd jump to action if Edwin decided to try anything out of the blue. "And, you'll be staying? Does that mean for awhile, only a little bit? What's the extent of your stay?"

"I'll stay as long as I'm welcomed. This is a nice hideaway until things die down out there. But," he steadily walked over to the chair in the room as Keiran kept a close eye on him, "I'll pull my weight around here." He took a seat and scooted it a little bit away from (F/n), which he could tell pleased Keiran. Edwin didn't want to pick a fight with no weapons or metal.

Plus, he did have daggers, but he was by no means a trained fighter. They were more so to discourage people from messing with him and only for use if he really had to fight. The Stowwen family didn't approve of arming their magic users, and his daggers only had been acquired from the royal smithy on his run out of the city. So even if he had run into trouble and decided to fight his way out of the forge, he most likely would've died in the process.

"Then," (F/n) remained hopeful, "would you be willing to help me, help us, take back Credel? Would you be willing to stay with us indefinitely?"

"I ..." Edwin chuckled nervously and rubbed his hand in his hair a bit. "Look, I just escaped an awful situation to finally restart my life."

"You'd have a home. You wouldn't be treated like you're a trophy that can be exploited whenever." Having two magic users on her side was immensely helpful, but a third would be even better. Yes, it would turn the royal family of Stowwen against them, but they wouldn't necessarily know that Edwin had joined their forces any time soon or ever since other kingdoms weren't privy to the capabilities of the magic users within the kingdom.

"Look if that's even possible," Edwin started, a little overwhelmed by the request, well more like a lot, "you're also making a stand against the Stowwen family. They may not find out, but you risk a war with them. You're scared for your people, but you also might be putting them in danger of a war. Would you be willing to risk that?"

"I think that most people in Credel would agree with me that they dislike how magic users are treated in this kingdom." She let out a rough sigh. "My parents hated it, but they didn't want a war. They wanted to maintain peace on Anigour. I don't want a war, especially another war, if that's the way things go to dethrone Kendra and Felin, but the conditions magic users must live in here, it's horrible. The constant fear and hiding so that you're not found by the royal family, it's awful." (F/n) hated putting her own people at risk, and the future was very much unknown to her, but after seeing first hand what things were like in Stowwen for magic users, would it be fair of her to let things just be? Could she really just turn a blind eye to how the royal family of Stowwen operated?

"So, you would be?" Edwin asked, honestly surprised. None of the other kingdoms ever had made a stand against Stowwen's policies on magic users. Keiran remained focused on Edwin, but he didn't stop his difficult questions because he genuinely was curious as well. Regardless of what (F/n) decided, he'd remain by her side; he wouldn't blame her for wanting to spare her people from more fighting. But if she decided to fight against Stowwen, he'd be all the more honored to be her grand officer since magic users no longer would have to be so cautious in Stowwen territory. They would be more free on the island.

"I would. I can't smile and just go about my own business with people who would willingly exploit people like that. Perhaps, the royal court wouldn't agree, but with two magic users from Stowwen helping reveal the truth about Kendra and Felin, they might feel more inclined to do so." She tried to sit more upright. "I'll fight for you, Edwin."

To say he was surprised was an understatement. Edwin didn't actually expect that answer. The woman before him had been betrayed by those closest to her and had endured a fate some would consider worse than death. Despite that, she was willing to put herself back into danger because she feared for her people and what awaited them under crooked rulers. But, she was also willing to risk a comfortable relationship with Stowwen so that he and other magic users could walk freely in the northern lands of Anigour. It seemed too good to be true.

Perhaps, she was just a fool with idealistic fantasies. But, the man beside her held no doubt. Easily, he could see that in Keiran's eyes. Maybe, he was just as foolish. In a way, though, it was beautiful to look upon. A woman, who he barely knew, was willing to put herself at great risk for him. He couldn't help but release a chuckle. "You're crazy." Edwin smiled to her. "You know that, right?"

A smile touched her lips. "Maybe, but most would believe it impossible for me to be alive. Keiran, though, did the impossible. So, it can be done." Keiran appreciated the compliment from her, and he smiled a little as his heart skipped a beat. Not to mention that he wanted to embrace her at her answer. The conviction with which she answered Edwin about fighting Stowwen was inspiring and made him all the happier to serve her.

"Well, I suppose that I can help." He smiled a little, though sadly. "If I were just to stay here, I'd just have to remain in hiding the rest of my life. If I left, I'd be running and always looking over my shoulder even if I sailed away. I wouldn't put it past them to send someone after me even over the water." His hands folded over one another and clenched a little. "I'd never be able to relax. This way, might give me that." Edwin chuckled. "I think that your crazy is already wearing off on me."

"Well, Keiran started it," she joked, earning a small chuckle from both men that time. Her smile turned into a more serious expression soon after, though. "So, Edwin, you'll join us?" He sat up straight and nodded with a small smile.

Keiran motioned to Edwin. "Then, vow to our queen." Understanding what he meant, Edwin stood up and knelt before (F/n).

He held his hand over his heart and bowed his head. "I vow to serve you, Queen (F/n) (L/n)." His bright blue optics met her (e/c) ones. "I shall always be loyal to you and will serve you in whatever challenges may lie ahead."