[A/N] Like I mentioned earlier, this is the last chapter in Book One. I will be moving onto Book Two: ~The Fire Burns and The Wind Laughs Again~ Look forward to it in the upcoming future. Anyways, enjoy the last chapter and please review. Like I said, if any suggestions fit with the plot then I will be glad to add it. Also, I will be creating more original characters in the future Books to join the Kingdoms and war, so if you have any ideas with regards to names or characteristics then please write to me and I will see if I can use them. Or if you want to create an original character to be added into the story, then send me a description and he/she could make an appearance. I plan to add these OC as fighting members for the war (they could be warriors, tacticians, romance interests, etc.)
Chapter 5
Late in the evening…
Mai sat calmly at the writing desk while gently placing a small, beautifully carved wooden box in front of her. Opening the box, Mai took out a deck of cards and slowly placed three cards on the table faced down. Looking out her window and up at the stars Mai let out a small sigh, "it seems as though fate has already decided…home will have to wait…"
Mai's moment of silent was interrupted by a knock on her door. She shook her head and turned towards the door, 'how…predictable…'
"Come in."
Two hours earlier…
Mai had already parted with Lygatts and Rygart, who each had already retired to their rooms for the night. She was now following a servant towards a guest room within the castle. Finally reaching a door, the servant opened it and stepped aside for her to enter. However, before she could even enter another female servant walked up the two of them and dismissed the servant that had accompanied her.
The female servant gave a polite bow to Mai. "Sorry for the disturbance Lady Dragonil, but before you retire for the evening, her highness, Queen Sigyn would like to speak with you," informed the female servant.
Mai gave an amused smile that went unnoticed by the female servant, 'hmm…I wonder what the queen would like to speak to me about…' Mai nodded her consent and followed the female servant to meet the queen in her chambers.
In the Queen's chamber…
The female servant had excused herself, leaving Mai to stand with the queen out on her balcony. There was a long silence before the queen finally spoke, "I'm sorry for calling you here so late Lady Dragonil."
"Maistyria," commented Mai plainly.
"Excuse me?" questioned Sigyn slightly confused.
"My name is Maistyria, no need to be so formal your highness."
Sigyn nodded at the explanation. "I see. Then please refer to me as Sigyn as well."
"Hn," nodded Mai.
Sigyn watched Mai as she merely stared out into the distance. She felt a little intimated by the young woman's aloof demeanor and the fact that she was Rygart's official fiancée. "Well…I… about… Ry…" stuttered Sigyn as she did not know how to word what she wanted to say without letting Mai suspect her true feelings for Rygart.
Mai gently rested her elbows on the ledge of the balcony and placed her chin on one hand with a small tilt of her head to the side to look at the queen. Mai let out a sigh and chose to end the queen's hesitation. "Please do not worry Sigyn, just state what you need."
Sigyn took a deep breath and nodded, "well…I wanted to give you this." Sigyn reached into her pocket and pulled out a key. "This is the key to the lock on Rygart's golem," Sigyn paused and placed the key on the ledge next to Mai's elbow. "If you take the golem, the three of you can travel much faster and further away from Krisna. That way, Ry-" Sigyn caught her slip and corrected herself, "umm…the three of you will be safe…"
Mai straighten herself and reached for the key. She inwardly sighed, 'how…obvious…' Mai lifted the key and held it firmly in her hand before turning her gaze back to the queen. "Thank you Sigyn. Rygart, Lygatts, and I appreciate your consideration," Mai answered calmly.
Sigyn nodded and looked out into the distance.
Noticing that there was nothing left to say, Mai turned towards the balcony door. "Well, if you may, I will excuse myself Sigyn," Mai stated and started walking towards the exit. Before Mai could step inside the room and take her leave, she was stopped by Sigyn's voice.
"Please, take care of-"
"Always," was Mai's simple response as she interrupted Sigyn and exited the room.
In the hallway…
Mai looked at the key as she walked back to her room, 'Rygart…is this why you chose to stay and fig-'. Mai's thought was interrupted as she noticed Rygart entering, what looked like, the king's study. She shook her head softly with a small sigh, 'you never change…' With the thought lingering in her mind, Mai quickly continued her journey back to her room.
In the King's study…
Rygart approached Hodr as he stood looking out his window and towards the city. Rygart mimicked Hodr's gaze and watched the city glow under the setting sun. The two watched the sunset quietly and listened the silent howling of the wind. After several minutes of silence Hodr finally turned to Rygart, "Ry-"
Before Hodr could go any further, Rygart placed his hand up to stop him. "I know what you want to say…and…I refuse."
Hodr shook his head, "Rygart…had I known you had a fiancée, I would have never wrote you that letter. I cannot have you pulled any further into this…this…meaningle-"
"It's not," spoke Rygart sternly and shook his head. "It's not meaningless when my friends need me. I will not turn my back on the two of you," Rygart paused and placed his hands on Hodr's shoulders. "That is what friends are for," finished Rygart with a smile.
Hodr smiled at Rygart's words. Simple yet straightforward and honest just like Rygart. Hodr could not deny the warmth that it brought him as he also places his hands on Rygart's shoulders, "thank you…my friend."
Two hours later…
"Come in."
Rygart heard the soft response from behind the door and quietly entered the room. Upon closing the door and turning around, he noticed Mai sitting in front of the writing desk and looking out the window. Rygart slowly approached the desk and sat down in front of Mai.
"Mai," whispered Rygart softly as he waits for her to look at him. Turning around, Mai let her gaze settle onto Rygart's. With her acknowledgement Rygart continued, "we…we need to talk."
Mai let out a sigh, "I already know what you want, but go ahead and tell me anyway."
"Mai…I…I have never asked you for a favor before...but...but I hope that you will help Krisna," said Rygart as he continued to hold her gaze.
Mai gently closed her eyes, "so you're asking me to kill people…" whispered Mai softly.
"What! No...I…I'm merely asking you to help-" Rygart stopped his words when Mai shook her head and slowly opened her eyes to look at Rygart again. However, the look in her eyes was not the usual teasing, murderous, or even the rare gentleness that he was used to seeing. For the first time, he was faced with an actual look of absolute seriousness and sadness.
"Rygart, it is a war you are trying to get involved with," Mai paused and rested her arms on the desk as she leaned closer to Rygart. "It is how to kill people."
Rygart swallowed at the severity of Mai's tone. This tone of voice was also a first for him. He was used to her usual placid tone when talking to others, her playful tone when teasing him, her authoritative tone when ordering Lygatts or him around, and her rare gentle tone when alone with him. But the finality and sincerity in her voice told him how serious she was. "Maistyria," the name escaped his lips almost inaudibly as he lowered his gaze from hers.
"Never forget your promise."
Rygart snapped his head up at the statement. The look in her eyes and the tone of her voice were the ones that he could never forget. It was same as when they first met. The eyes and voice that erased the world of everything but them.
"We will go home…together."
Rygart gently took one of Mai's hands and placed it above his heart. "It is a promise…forever."
Mai closed her eyes and listened to the sound of his heart beat as she gave Rygart one of her rare, genuine smile. "Then Rygart, choose," stated Mai as she motioned him to the three cards lying faced down on the desk.
