Separated Again

Edric and Lyraeth were traveling by carriage from the capital to Bearhold, enjoying a rare moment of peace. The steady rhythm of the horses’ hooves against the ground was almost soothing. But their tranquility was shattered when a messenger on horseback caught up to them, urgency etched into his face.

“My lord, my lady, you must return to the capital immediately,” the messenger urged. “There’s trouble.”

Sensing the gravity of the situation, Edric and Lyraeth exchanged a glance before ordering the carriage to turn around. The journey back to Eldoria was tense, the air thick with unspoken worries.

Upon arrival at the palace, Edric left Lyraeth waiting in a saloon while he hurried to meet with King Thorne.

The king’s expression was grim as Edric entered his office, the weight of the moment palpable in the dimly lit room. Maps and documents lay scattered across the desk, as though hastily consulted, and the faint aroma of ink and candle wax lingered in the air. “Velandor has seized two of our castles,” the king announced without preamble, his tone heavy with urgency. “They’ve laid siege to a third—Highmarch, near the southern border.”

Edric straightened, his military instincts kicking in. “What are the captured castles?”

“Stonehaven and Emberfall,” the king replied. “We must act swiftly. I need you to lead your army to defend Highmarch and retake the other two. I also wrote to General Halford and General Mirelda to go there.”

Edric nodded, already planning his next moves. “I will return to Bearhold immediately to gather my forces.”

The king held up a hand. “Wait! There's more. I want Lyraeth to stay here in the capital.”

Edric frowned. “With all due respect, Your Majesty, Lyraeth is my strongest ally. We fought side by side for years. Why would you ask this of her? If anything, I wanted to bring her home to Bearhold and leave her in charge there.”

“It’s too suspicious that Velandor would attack now,” the king explained. “I fear this may be a distraction. Something might happen here in the palace while we’re focused on the border. While Lyraeth was here, she proved she knew the palace and the capital well enough to navigate it in secret. The royal children,  Princess Elara and Prince Darius, trust her. She is uniquely suited to protect them and keep an eye on any treachery.”

Edric hesitated, torn between his duty and his desire to keep Lyraeth by his side. Finally, he nodded. “Very well. But I’ll need to explain this to her.”

When Edric returned to the saloon, he found Lyraeth waiting for him, her expression a mixture of curiosity and concern. He sat beside her, taking her hands in his. “The king has tasked me with defending Highmarch and reclaiming Stonehaven and Emberfall. But he’s asked you to stay here, in the capital.”

Lyraeth’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of protest rising. “Stay here? While you march into battle? Why would he ask that of me?”

Edric hesitated for a moment, then replied carefully, “The attack on the border feels suspicious, too well-timed. The king believes there’s a risk of treachery within the palace. He wants you here to keep an eye on things—protect the royal children, uncover any schemes. And I agree with him. No one is better suited to the task than you.”

“But my place is with you,” Lyraeth protested, her voice tight with emotion. “I can support you in battle. We’re stronger together.”

“I know. I also don't want to part with you,” Edric said, his voice soft yet firm. “But the truth is, you’ll help me most by staying here. If there is treachery in the capital, you’re the one person I trust to uncover it and keep the royal family safe. The children trust you. You can do this.”

Her jaw tightened as she looked away, clearly struggling with the thought of being left behind. Finally, she exhaled slowly, nodding. “Fine. I’ll stay. But I won’t pretend to like it.”

“I know,” Edric said gently. “And I’m sorry. But this is how you can help me best. I need you here.”

She turned back to him, her eyes filled with resolve and a trace of sadness. “Just… come back to me. No matter what.”

“I will,” he promised, pulling her into a tight embrace. “Nothing will keep me from you.”

As Edric departed to prepare for his mission, Lyraeth turned her attention to Princess Elara. The young princess was thrilled at the prospect of spending more time with her. “Let’s make the most of this,” Elara said eagerly. “I’ll show you all my favorite books and foods from Calarith.”

Lyraeth smiled, though her mind remained occupied with thoughts of Edric’s safety. “And I’ll teach you a few things as well. Some basic self-defense, what to do if you’re cornered, how to escape unnoticed, and even how to hide in the shadows. Just in case.”

Elara’s eyes lit up, her youthful enthusiasm blending with a new determination. “Really? That sounds exciting!”

The lessons began in earnest. Lyraeth balanced fun and learning, starting with simple techniques for moving silently and evading detection. As they practiced, she also shared stories from her travels, weaving in wisdom from the spirit world. Elara, in turn, introduced Lyraeth to her favorite parts of life in the capital, from beloved books to the best places to sneak extra desserts. However, memories of how the young princess had once clumsily sneaked around and gotten into trouble kept Lyraeth cautious.

“I’ll show you how to avoid getting caught entirely,” Lyraeth said during one lesson, guiding Elara to a hidden alcove. “And if you do get caught, how to make them regret it.”

Elara laughed but took the lesson seriously, recalling how Lyraeth had nearly sacrificed her life to protect her. With newfound purpose, she threw herself into learning, practicing escapes and defensive moves with determination. Lyraeth couldn’t help but feel a growing affection for the girl and a stronger sense of duty to ensure her safety.

Their bond grew stronger with each passing day, a blend of camaraderie, trust, and shared purpose.

Meanwhile, Edric rode toward Bearhold to gather his army, the weight of his mission pressing heavily upon him. His thoughts strayed to Lyraeth, left behind in the capital. While he knew she was more than capable of handling the dangers there, the idea of being apart gnawed at him. He reassured himself that her skills were indispensable for uncovering any treachery in the palace and protecting the royal family. With a heavy heart but steadfast resolve, he vowed to reclaim the lost castles and return to her as soon as he could, no matter the cost.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***