by Shakyra Dunn
“When were you going to tell me that you were running off for Magiten Academy, hm? I would have wanted to be part of the sending committee.”
Leilana pulled away, taking a sudden interest in the dirt. “I was giving it a lot of thought, but it’s time for me to go back. The Academy deserves to know of Hinju’s deeds, and the Order of Helix must be disbanded. The responsibility is mine to uphold.”
“It’s not just yours.” Solus laid his hands on her cheeks. “Please, let me come with you. We can resolve things together.”
“As much as I would love for you to join me… you’re needed here, restoring Linmus,” she told him. “I have all the necessary means to return home. All that I need is your totem. But I couldn’t wait. I was hoping to return and convince the council of my deeds, with or without it.”
“My totem, that’s right.” Solus eyed the ribbon around his wrist. There was no greater trinket that he possessed than an heirloom that carried him through dark days and kept his hair tied down as much as his composure. After managing to unravel it from his arm, he tied it around Leilana’s bun, making sure that it was secure enough. “That should do.”
“I figured out your totem the day that we brought the war to an end,” Leilana told him. “Your heart is full of love for those that you align with.”
“Love, you say?” He chuckled, perplexed by the new information. “Somehow, that feels incredibly cliché, but I suppose that it fits me. After all, that shining power of love brought you to me.”
“That sounded even more cliché,” Leilana pointed out.
“Oh, but it’s true, my dear.” He kissed the back of her hand. “I have always seen greatness within you. A burning desire to help those in need, born to right the wrongs… you were always budding with passion, and you had yet to truly discover it. We’ve all seen it for ourselves. Now it’s time that you show it to the world.” He ruffled his hair a bit, his cheeks forming a rosy tint. “There’s a lot that I wanted to say to you before you left, but that was the first thing to come to mind.”
“There was a lot that I wanted to say, but since I couldn’t tell you in person, I decided to scribe it. Did you happen to get my letter from Lancett?”
“It’s in my pocket. I just thought it would be better to discuss things in person. Silly, I know.” As the seconds elapsed, his brimming smile and confidence became saturated with a hint of sorrow. “How long do you think that you’ll be away?”
“I wish I knew.” Leilana sighed. “Listen, Solus, I don’t want you to waste your time waiting for my return. You’re going to become king of this country, and they’re going to expect you to carry on with your duties. You can’t accomplish that worrying about me.”
“Don’t be silly, Leilana,” he told her. “I will spend every day working myself to the bone, as long as it takes, so long as I know that you will come home someday. You are the only person I will wait for. You are my world, and I intend to shape myself around it for the rest of my life.”
“What are you saying?” she asked slowly.
Solus carefully knelt to the ground on his right knee, continuing to hold her hand. “Princess Leilana Erovina. I carry no ring with me, only my beating heart. If you will have me, I shall act as your servant and guide for all my days. Will you allow me to become your husband?”
Leilana’s mouth fell open, her own heart speeding across the pavement. At first, she was too baffled to respond, but Solus didn’t seem to mind that, for he patiently stared up at her. Finally, she caught her breath and stooped down in front of him, still holding his hand, leaning forward to kiss him.
“Is that a yes?” Solus whispered once she’d broken for air.
“It’s very much a yes,” she responded, poking his nose. “But, only after I’ve come back home to you. My duties come first, just as yours do. Not a day sooner.”
Solus was too overjoyed to frown, nuzzling his nose against hers before leaving her with one more parting kiss. “Very well then, my love. You’d best be prepared for me not leaving your side the moment that you do return though. We have a lot to think about as one united force.”
“Of course. I look forward to the days of peace.”
Once Leilana had gotten on her way, Solus took a seat inside of Kinstreak, resting his back against the counter. No one would be able to disturb him here. He carefully pried open the letter she’d left behind for him with his fingernail and set the envelope at his side.
* * *
Dearest Solus,
I’m sorry that I might not get to see you off, but I’m sure you’d understand what I need to accomplish. There’s much I wanted to say to you, but I’d like to start with giving you my gratitude for all these years of endless support.
Our meeting was coincidental, but I think that we both know there was more than one development between us. Together, we’ve loved, lost, and restored so much with our own hands. We’ve brought change. And now, when we’re able to reunite, I hope that we’ll be able to change again. I hope that one day, we’ll be able to face the morning sun together and live strong.
Maybe, one day, I could stand by your side not as a mere Princess or Arcana, but as your partner in the many stages of life we’ve yet to experience.
I can’t wait to see you again and tell you stories about my journey.
Love, Leilana
* * *
“Silly girl,” Solus laughed to himself, folding the slip of paper to hide away in his back pocket once more. “Always trying to keep that serious mold up.”
He wouldn’t have it any other way.
He pushed open the door, returning to the castle to get a start on his new life.
It took Leilana three weeks to return to the gates of Magiten Academy, guided passage by several citizens over the sea, grasslands, and desolate towns. Her feet were bruised, her hair beginning to crinkle and dry up from the mix of weather fluctuations, only held in a standard fashion due to Solus’s sturdy hair ribbon keeping it in order. The golden bars were closed tight, the school bell hanging above. She tugged on the long rope with both hands, listening to the resounding chimes that were said to echo throughout the large building. She stepped back, leaning against the gate.
“If it isn’t Leilana Erovina!” A cheery voice careened in. Leilana’s eyes landed on a middle-aged woman clothed in a long-sleeved lavender dress, her cloud-like brown hair pulled into a single ponytail at the top of her head, held back with a red bow. Her skin was lightly tanned, her demeanor all too sweet and saucy for Leilana to stomach.
“Miss Bell, hello,” Leilana replied quickly, bowing to the woman.
“Now, you know better than to call me Miss Bell, lady, it’s Hilda!”
She flushed at the sudden spike in temperament. “Right, I’m sorry. It’s been quite some time. How have you been?” Hilda ruffled the girl’s hair, already back to her playful side.
“Right as rainfall, sweetness!” She cupped the girl’s cheeks in her hands, giggling. Normally, Leilana would have been a bit irritated by the childish banter, but it was all too refreshing to be showered with such unique affection. “How you’ve grown these last five years! When I heard you were dropping back in to talk to the council, I just had to get a good look at you before anyone else! Just so beautiful, and so tall now!”
Leilana couldn’t wipe away her smile. “Thank you, ma’am. I’m glad to see you again.”
Hilda wrapped an arm around her former pupil’s shoulders. “I’ll let the council know that you’ve shown up, so let’s get you inside and have you freshened up. You look like you haven’t had a good meal in weeks. Let the work slide for a night, princess gumdrop.”
She supposed one night of relaxing couldn’t hurt.
“Is it all right if I look around the school a little first? It’s just been so long, and I want to get a feel for this place again.”
“Of course,” Hilda spoke in an unnaturally calm tone. “You can take as long as you need. I’ll come find you in a pinch when you’re ready, and
I’ll have a room set up for you.”
In a flash, Hilda was gone, and Leilana was subjected to silence again. After staring at the entrance for what felt like hours, she entered the school grounds. The halls were desolate, likely because it was just after teaching sessions had come to an end for the day, and all the students were off training or resting. Still, nothing about the school seemed to have changed, barely touched since the day that Hinju sent the Order of Helix to attack them, all as some pitiful diversion to draw her back. She couldn’t afford to leave her allies, and it cost many young lives despite the efforts of the faculty.
But now Solus could make things right with a little time. And she could assist him as much as possible until the wars were no more, and the pain was a distant past.
She strolled past Hinju’s office and peered inside when she found the door slightly ajar. Spare his nameplate being ripped off the door, his items went untouched. She assumed that though he was wicked, his intentions were respectful, and that was enough to leave a memento to him for the school. She closed the door and listened to the latch click.
Her first steps back in the courtyard brought iciness and desolation. The trees were void of leaves, the winter chill already settled in the isolated land where students sought to become primed mages and better Adrylis with their own hands. She found a place under the trees, gazing up at the sky. The days she spent dreaming of changing the world was outshone by the reality of what the world was truly like outside of the gated walls. So much differed from what she sought as a Warlord in training.
A new outlook on the place where she had grown up was the last thing that she was anticipating when she stepped through these doors.
The last time she’d really lost her thoughts in this place was the day that she was separated from Ennis for good. It was a chilly autumn evening, and the sun was nearly gone for the day, but no one was able to tell from the perspective that the school was blanketed under, just out of sight from the rest of the world. The day that he held her as she cried while telling her that he was leaving to become a Warlord. He was always skilled and unique. He was prosperous and defied his odds as the youngest to stand among a garnered title. She wasn’t a Warlord and could never become one now that she’d made a name under a title of Sage. Still, the faculty had to understand what one of their own had truly done to affect their home.
“You’re awfully quiet,” Hilda chimed in. Leilana hid her surprise when the woman had popped a squat next to her on the bench. “Thinking about a lot, I take it, sweetness?”
“A lot is going to change, Miss Hilda,” Leilana began. “I’m not sure if I’m ready for it.”
“You don’t need to burden yourself, Leilana. There’s much to look forward to. I mean, you only get one life. You should live it to the fullest. Take a load off when you need it, know when you’ve got to step your game up. They don’t want you to wait, then damn them. You’re full of spirit.”
“I’ve been reading my grimoire to conjure some items during my travels, but no matter how much I try, I can’t seem to recover my abilities,” Leilana admitted. “I don’t think I can use my magic anymore. It makes me feel so… useless.”
“I said spirit, not magic,” Hilda scoffed. “Everyone’s got a little in them somewhere, even if we can’t cast spells or fight, or even use them to cook up some trouble. Even if you never get your powers back, you’ve got way more going for you than that. After all, you’ve got your wits, you’ve got your spirit… and you’ve got mounds of hope sitting right in your pretty little heart. You’ve gotta be nuts not to see that for yourself, sweetness. Work with what you’ve got left and make a difference out there.”
Leilana sighed. “I suppose you’re right.”
Hilda took her by the hand, pulling her to her feet. “Of course I’m right! I’m Hilda Bell, the witch of wonder and wisdom! Now hold on tight, we’re going for a little ride.”
“Oh no, Miss Hilda, pl-” Hilda laid a finger on her forehead, and in a flash, the two were standing outside of an open door in the dormitory. Leilana had to catch herself before she went tumbling right to the floor while Hilda extended an arm to the room.
“Your quarters await, malady! I’ll be back bright and early to grab you for breakfast. Your dinner is on the desk, get some sleep, and try to have your speech ready for the council!”
“Wait, I-” Hilda was already well on her way, gone in yet another flash. “I’ve got to speak faster,” Leilana mumbled, holding her head. Maybe it would be better to heed her words.
It didn’t take her long to process that the room she was assigned was her old one from when she was a student at Magiten. The bed was a bit smaller than she recalled, but logically, she knew that she was much older now. It had been six years since she’d left this room, and everything was still in place. No one had removed anything or moved any furniture around. They kept up faith that some of their students would return, and she was grateful to be one.
She took a seat on the floor, reading over the motivational quotes on the posters she created, and set her pocket radio on the desk to tune in to the local news. It had been quite a while since it got some use, and she was amazed that the batteries were still functioning, albeit barely, after five years of roughage.
“-Linmus, the Kingdom of Rebirth, is currently undergoing renovations in preparation for Chosen Prince Solus Brenner’s coronation set in the next month. Many have become embroiled in celebration-”
She settled with her dinner, set the bowl aside once she was done, read over some passages in her grimoire while listening to the radio until the batteries finally died, settled her totems all in a row on her desk and quickly fell asleep.
Finger tapping, chairs shifting, and deadpan expressions were the norm for any major council meeting, but Leilana was left in the dark about all the gritty details long before now. Having all eyes on her was incredibly uncomfortable, and eyeing her proposal written over the course of weeks wasn’t making the situation any better.
“Princess Leilana,” one of the older men on the council piped up. “We prepared well in advance to hear your statements. Why don’t you enlighten us on what you’ve gathered?”
“Yes, of course.” She cleared her throat, stole one more glance at the proposal, and then pushed it aside, folding her hands in front of her. “Six years ago, I was a student at the academy, and I participated in my final testament to becoming a Warlord. However, it occurred to me over the course of several months that there was more to be tested than merely gaining insight from other people within Adrylis. The kingdom of Linmus was plagued with turmoil and deceit, and it spread rapidly to other countries until they were wiped out, one by one. Many of the students I was set to study alongside perished. The source of the issues lied in a band of rejected mages called the Order of Helix, and their leader was this school’s former dean, Hinju Leerus.”
“We have become aware of most of the details by this point,” another man cut in. “Hinju has already been long dealt thanks to you and Prince Solus Brenner. But that explains nothing about what you have addressed this meeting for.”
Leilana stood up, resting her hands on the table. “I’m here to tell you about what we should do next to secure some stability in Adrylis, and I am prepared to act under the status of Princess as well as a carrier of late Prince Remiel Vesarus’s will.”
“You’ve never had to perform your duties as a regal heir,” a much younger woman, likely around the same age as Leilana, pointed out. “How are we to trust your judgment?”
“How many days have you truly spent outside of this school since you became teachers, guiding others to reach their dreams? What do you think is happening out there? Don’t you want to save it, even if it’s just for the sake of your students?”
“Girl’s got a point,” Hilda piped up, levitating a pen in the air, spinning it in a rapid circle. “Wouldn’t want to run the risk of losing any promising futures if more people like Hinju were to rise against the status quo, would we, darli
ngs?”
“We can’t afford to just… leave,” a young man stated, hesitant about the direction that the meeting was going in. “The students, they need us.”
“I’m not asking for you to drop everything and fix the world, but I know that this can’t be done with just one force of action. I’m planning to make my home in Linmus with Solus, and we plan to start our work from there and move down the line. There are other citizens that need guidance to secure their own foundation. Please, have some of your graduating students find their places out there, and make tracks to improve Adrylis. We can change everything, together.”
Hilda stood up, laying her pen back on the ground before walking over to Leilana, putting her hands on the girl’s shoulders. “I’ve followed every story on the market. This girl did a lot to stop a war. And she had the help of not only some of our students but other people from different countries. I think we owe it to her by contributing. After all, we were blind enough to ignore Hinju’s doings. We’re responsible, just as much as the kingdom. Now, all in favor?”
One by one, the council members wrote down their conjunctions, and soon enough, Leilana was able to confirm that the ayes had it. She slumped into her seat, relieved that the pressure was finally off, and she could ease herself up.
“There’s one more thing we need to address,” Leilana suddenly remembered. “There are several members of the Order of Helix conjoined in one area. There needs to be an order crafted issuing their disbandment or they’re going to rebel again with a new leader.”
“We can have a scribe put out a warrant.” Hilda suddenly gained a catastrophic glint in her eyes. “If they choose to ignore it, we’re allowed to swoop in and eradicate them by force.”
“Please no,” Leilana whimpered. “No unnecessary violence.”
“Oh, fine, only for you, sweetness.”