It was the night before the seventh day at the forge. May hadn't returned back yet, but Keiran assured (F/n) that she would return; she was fully capable of keeping herself safe. (F/n) hoped that he was right, but he knew May better than she. As they waited for news from her, though, Keiran began his work on her new limbs. He was starting with an arm first. It'd be quicker than a leg, and she could begin to do some tasks again without assistance.

Most of the days were spent in the forge. She'd be seated on one of the wooden chairs within it and watch him work. Back in Credel, she never had the chance to watch his craft, and she had to admit that she admired his talent. His ability to shape metal was impressive, and it was interesting to watch the process before he enchanted the metal with his magic, before it became the living metal he was known for. Barrett had trained him well.

While Keiran worked and she watched, it was mostly quiet between the two of them. She didn't want to interrupt and cause him to make a mistake. The downside to this, though, was that her mind would wander. She'd try not to let negative thoughts gain a hold of her; she tried not to think of how impossible the task ahead of them seemed. But, she had trouble not finding herself a burden when she'd need to stop Keiran to have a drink of water or relieve herself. Never, though, did he show any frustration with her. Rather, he stopped as soon as he could and would assist her. He was so patient with her, and it made her heart skip a beat every now and then.

His kindness also helped to heal her wounded heart. It did help fight back the negative thoughts that tried to tell her that she was worthless and should've been left to die. She reminded herself that she would have new limbs and that she could help him fight the battles that lay ahead of them. Even in the interim, she told herself that she could use her knowledge to help their cause. And with May's assistance, that would help her make all the more thought out decisions.

When they weren't in the forge, they were either tending to Finn, Keiran was making dinner or Keiran would help her wash. The moments with Finn were relaxing and fun. He loved his brushing and feeding moments, which consisted of the grasses that grew around the home, as (F/n) imagined most domesticated animals did. Keiran also gathered extra grasses and stored them in the stable for when it began to snow. In Credel, though, she only interacted with the royal horses. She didn't have a particular one; she trained with all of them in case she didn't have the luxury of picking any that suited her. So, it was nice to be able to focus on one horse and take more time to build a better bond with him.

The time with Finn also distracted her from reality for a little bit. She couldn't feed or brush him herself, but Keiran seated her nearby so that she could enjoy the moments where Finn would interact with him. Sometimes, Finn would move his head closer to her and rub gently against her shoulder. It warmed (F/n)'s heart, but she was thankful that her wounds had healed more. They weren't bleeding anymore, and FInn was gentle enough not to damage the healing scar tissue.

As for food for themselves, there were stores of pine nuts. There were also dried strawberries and blueberries as well as flour. Keiran went out hunting too, and he'd make sure not to leave (F/n) alone for too long, and he'd often place her on their shared bed so that she was more comfortable while she waited.

When it came to washing, Keiran knew where a nearby stream was and would take a bucket with him. He'd warm the water in the fireplace and use a clean rag to wash off her face, back and what was left of her arms and legs. As for the rest of her, he'd dump water over those areas once it was cool enough. Soap would be used too. As always, he'd do his best not to look at anything. When May returned, she'd ask and see if she could help her. If she didn't want to, though, she'd understand as they still only knew each other so much, less than a day for that matter.

As for right now, they were sitting by the fire and eating a meal of dried berries and cooked rabbit. The fire crackled in the background, and (F/n) accepted the next bite of her food. Her (h/c) locks rested loosely around her head, the last of the water drying from her wash. Keiran's grey shirt hung over her shoulders, and the braies were on her lower half. The clothing was cozy, and the fire kept her getting cold. She was beginning to get used to the flames. She knew that they wouldn't lash out and consume her, and her mind was slowly beginning to accept that fact.

After she took her next bite of food, a question she had been wondering popped back into her head. Keiran and her had been on this journey now for almost two and half weeks, so she hoped that it wouldn't be rude to ask. "Keiran?"

"Hmm? What is it, (F/n)" he asked kindly as he prepped the last bite of her food for her.

"I'm curious. How did you come to the castle? Or, were you born there? You've been there since I was born is what I heard." He paused slightly before he held out the last bite for her. She took it and swallowed soon after. Keiran set down the dish and glanced over to the fire. "I'm sorry if that was too personal," she quickly added. "I shouldn't have."

"No, it's fine." He gave her a reassuring smile. (F/n) could make any request of him, and he'd follow it as long as it wasn't a risk to her safety. If he lost her, he didn't know what he'd do. She was his everything after all. "I just wasn't expecting it." He sat up on his chair. "I'm sure that you noticed that I didn't have any parents at the castle." She nodded.

"I was told that my mother died in childbirth. My parents lived on the outskirts of the kingdom, and my father couldn't find help in time." A saddened smile touched his lips. "Barrett tried to put it nicely, but I understood that my father blamed me for my mother's death." He stared at his food but didn't touch it. "But, Barrett served the role of a father for me, so it made the news more tolerable."

"When did you learn about what happened?"

"Seven." He took a bit of his food and swallowed. "Barrett, I assume thought that I was ready for the details. I had asked in the past since I knew that he wasn't my father. He never hid that from me, but he did the best he could to fill the role of a father." A light sigh parted from him. "He disclosed to me that I was found by an outskirt guard patrol." Now, a chuckle left him. "Apparently, I had a spoon attached to my hand and was waving it around, giggling, since it had become part of my hand." His caramel eyes showed amusement. "Apparently, that caught the guards' attention, and they took me straight to your father."

A laugh escaped her. "I imagine. I'm sure that the castle staff had an interesting time if you were around metal as an infant and toddler before you could control the ability."

"Yes, it would seem so." He chuckled again. "They certainly had their hands full."

"But," she glanced down to her lap, "do you miss them? Do you miss not knowing them?" She knew that she was ruining the mood with such questions, but she also wanted to let him know that she was there for him if he needed her. He already had provided his support for her numerous times over.

"At times, I've wondered what it would've been like had my mother not passed, but I imagine that I still would've been brought to the castle one way or another due to my magic ability. Unless my parents wanted to keep me hidden. I can't say what they would've wanted." After he took another bite, he leaned back. "But to be honest, I find myself missing Barrett more. He was my father even if not by blood. He taught me what I know and helped raise me."

Barrett helped keep him grounded when he began to develop feelings for (F/n). He told him that he might not be able to be with the princess, that her eyes might be on another and that it wasn't his place to force an interaction with her. That despite his admiration and growing love for the kind, empathetic and beautiful princess he might never draw her affection.

If he didn't have Barrett, he might've done something rash. And once Barrett passed, May filled in for him. Already, he had told May about his feelings for (F/n), but he talked to her about (F/n) even more when Barrett was no longer around. The time between his few trips made it difficult to keep himself in check, so he was grateful that he got to be so close to her now. His emotions were easier to handle, and his desires didn't wander off to darker ones since he was with her so often. And with the more time they spent together, he was sure that she'd eventually agree to be with him forever. She had to, right?

Keiran, though, broke out of his thoughts when (F/n) next asked, "Your birth father, do you know what happened to him?"

"No, I don't. Even if he was found, no one would know that he was my father unless he stood right beside me for comparison. Even then, that's assuming that I look like him and didn't take after my mother's features more." He finished his meal and set the dishes aside with the other ones. "But, it doesn't bother me. I had someone who loved me like his own child. That's enough for me." A chuckle escaped him. "And, you've met May. She acts like she's my mother at times despite her age."

Now, another laugh did leave (F/n). "Yes, that's true. More so my father for me," she chuckled out. "She truly is something else."

"Yes, she is good to have around." Keiran stood up and picked up the dishes. He set them off to the side to be washed. "But, we should begin to get ready for bed. Another day of work awaits us." She nodded, and he was about to pick her up, but they both paused when the door opened.

(F/n) would be lying if relief didn't wash over her. There was May standing in the doorway. She had returned safely. A bag was over her shoulders, and she soon closed the door behind her. Keiran was relieved too, and he was eager to hear the news she brought with her. "Sorry, it took longer than I thought to gather some information. Not to mention that it's a mess out there right now. The royal family is growing more anxious with each day of failure, and capturers are growing in number."

Walking further into the home, she placed her bag down between all of them. Keiran stood up and offered his seat to her, which she gratefully accepted. "Thank you, Keiran." She leaned back onto it. "And as you can tell, I wasn't successful with finding the magic user. It sounds like he might still be in Stowwen, but it's possible that he's gone already." A frown touched her lips when she met (F/n)'s eyes. "I'm sorry, (F/n)."

"No, we knew this might happen. There's still time." She gave May a small smile. "You did what you could. I'm glad that you're back safe."

"You're too kind." She returned the smile before she brought the bag onto her lap. "I do have some good news, though." She opened it up and reached inside. Keiran peered over her shoulder. (F/n) wanted to see, but she knew that she would in the next couple seconds. May pulled out the item. It was a small pouch. "I got some loss blossom."

(F/n) felt her heart stop for a moment before it increased its beat when May opened the bag and moved over to (F/n). Inside were pink petals. They looked harmless, but they all knew better. She finally laid eyes on what made her lose her trial, on what Felin poisoned her with. This flower sealed her fate until Keiran intervened. "How? Where did you find?" (F/n) met May's eyes. "Was it on the black market?"

"Yes, I found a vendor based on rumors and acquired these."

"What did they charge you? Or, were they willing to trade?" Keiran asked, amazed at her being able to get some of the item based on how rare May described. Then again, she was a good listener and knew where to go when she wanted something. She was resourceful.

"Pieces of jewelry that I no longer need." Keiran raised a brow, believing those pieces to be her mother's. May never wore jewelry, but her mother had. "I need to move on. We'll be leaving this place anyway. It's time I start saying my goodbyes."

Catching on, (F/n) questioned, "You sold heirlooms, didn't you?"

"Yes, but it's fine." She sighed and rested her hands on her knees. "Stop worrying both of you. I did what I needed to do, and I don't regret it." May glanced between the two of them. "The path ahead of us requires sacrifices, and I've chosen to make those." Resting a hand on (F/n)'s right shoulder, she reassured, "I chose to serve you, (F/n). So, I'll do what I need to do."

"... Thank you." She dipped her head out of gratitude. "Both of you, you're making the impossible seem all the more possible."

"That's what we're here for." May smiled again before she leaned back, and Keiran was also immensely grateful. He gave her a nod indicating such, and she knew what he meant. That jewelry was something May held onto as part of her memories of her mother, so what she did ... Well, he'd do the same if he had something left of Barrett and selling it meant helping (F/n). Barrett would understand; that he was sure of.

"But, I do have other news." A frown touched her lips, and her caramel eyes showed displeasure. No doubt, neither Keiran or (F/n) would like the information they were about to hear. "News of what happened in Credel has spread up to Stowwen. Not everything of course." She looked to Keiran. "Your disappearance hasn't been mentioned, which is understandable. They don't want it to get out that they've lost their only magic user."

"No doubt, and they probably know of the runaway magic user up north," Keiran mentioned, now leaning against the fireplace. "If they find him, they'll probably use him to get some favors from the Stowwen royal family."

"Yes, I worry if they find a magic user in Credel now, though, that isn't him as well." (F/n) frowned and stared down at her lap. "I can see them changing things to go the way of Stowwen's treatment of magic users. Felin will probably use your disappearance to convince the royal court somehow. Deceit clearly is a gift of his." She bit her lip in frustration. "I wish that I had seen it sooner."

"Dwelling on the past won't help, (F/n). Just focus on what we need to do now," May suggested, resting a hand on (F/n)'s shoulder again.

"Yes, I know." She sighed deeply to regain focus on the new information. "Did you hear anything else on Credel?"

"I did. Your sister had her coronation almost a week ago." (F/n) tensed and released a slow breath. So, she was now queen, a queen who gained her crown through murder and lies. Her baby sister turned out to be one of the cruelest people she knew, same with Felin. "And, her wedding will be tomorrow. It's to ..."

(F/n) cut her off. "My past mentor: Felin Sanis. But, he'll be taking our family name. He'll want to seem like he's honoring her, but I imagine it's just another manipulation tactic of his." She scoffed. "I always thought that I'd want to attend my sister's wedding, but I can safely say that I'm happy that I won't be there." Her own words hurt, but they were the truth. What she thought would be a happy occasion turned out to be nothing but an injustice to her parents' throne.

"Yes," May confirmed. "Members of the royal families will be attending I'm sure."

"No doubt. They've probably been told how I killed my parents too." No smile touched her lips. She was known as a traitor and power hungry when in fact that title belonged to two others. "They weren't invited to her coronation, though?"

"I'm not sure. That's all I heard. But, they are now aware of your supposed death and that Credel has new rulers."

"With her marriage coming up, they probably deemed that a more worthy event to invite the other kingdoms too. They'll see the new crowned queen and see the king being crowned after they marry. Not to mention the feast to follow," Keiran speculated. "Unfortunately, it sounds like it's not lessening the search for the escaped magic user."

"No, it isn't," May answered as she crossed her arms. "But with a new king and queen, there comes new rulings. If they're not careful, they could lose favor with their people."

"I hope so, but Felin isn't foolish. He'll try to make it seem like he's helping the people regardless of what's trying to be passed," (F/n) remarked, wishing that she could do something. She worried for her people and what might happen. What kind of place would she return to? How much damage would be done under their rule? Maybe, Felin and Kendra would wait before doing anything too drastic. Goodness, she hoped so, and that would give them more time to form their plan.

"But, we do have an advantage," May began. "We have you. Everyone thinks that you're dead. No one will be looking for you." She glanced over to Keiran. "We just have to keep an eye on searches for you, Keiran. I'll see what develops." Stretching, she stood back up and picked up her travel bag. "I ate already today. I'm going to rest, but I wanted to update you both first."

"Thank you, May. Will you be staying for a bit?" (F/n) asked, noting that she did seem quite tired. She must've been on constant alert out there.

"I'll rest for most of tomorrow and let my body heal from the exhaustion I put it through. After tomorrow, I'll head back out. The more time it takes, the less chance I have of finding the magic user." She smiled to (F/n). "So, don't worry about me. I'll be fine. I'll see you both tomorrow." Both (F/n) and Keiran nodded, and May soon was upstairs, just like before. At least this time, (F/n) would see her before she went off. Perhaps, they could have some time for just the two of them to talk as well.

"We should head to bed too," Keiran suggested, and (F/n) nodded in response. Soon enough, both of them were upstairs as well and began to get ready for a good night's sleep. At least, (F/n) hoped she could with the new information she just learned.