Safe in Roy's hands, Cecilia had succeeded at escaping. Yet her freedom had cost her most of her size. Little of the accomplished general remained, but at least she was alive.
Leaving his trusted soldiers to take control of the castle, Roy retired to a small room near the entrance. Once inside, and sure he wasn't followed, he stepped over to a nearby table. Standing in his palm, Cecilia watched as shaking digits nervously approached her tiny body. She let out a little gasp when they closed either side of her waist. Pinching his tiny tutor between his finger and thumb, Roy lifted Cecilia and placed her upon the table. Sophia joined her soon after, the miniature mage still twice the size of Cecilia.
"We should wait here, for now." Roy said, sitting on a nearby chair. "Once the soldiers have calmed down from the battle, I'll tell them what has happened."
"That seems to be the best approach." Cecilia agreed. She was not looking forward to being seen by dozens of giants in her current tiny form. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that, she thought as she turned to Sophia.
"Now that we are safe, do you think you could reverse this spell?" Cecilia asked the purple-haired mage.
Sophia shook her head. "I'm... Sorry, but..."
Cecilia didn't wait for her to finish. "I see." She maintained her composure, trying to hide her shock. She wanted to run away, to hide and never be found. What good would she be to anyone at this size?
"Perhaps... There is a way..." Sophia breathed. "My village, Arcadia... We have many ancient texts... One of them might describe a reversal spell..."
"Worth a look." Cecilia nodded as hope returned.
"Arcadia?" Roy asked.
The pint-sized shaman looked up to the lord. "Arcadia lies to the East... In Nabata desert..."
Many hours later, the Lycian league was on the move. Progress had been slow for the army; they were not used to marching in such a sandy climate. The harsh sandstorm wasn't helping matters, making it difficult for them to know which way to walk.
"My lord!"
The veteran retainer, Marcus, approached Roy. "Enemies have been sighted ahead."
"Enemies? Do you know who they are?" Roy asked. The sand was forcing him to protect his eyes with his arm, limiting the young lord's vision.
"The forces of Bern, it seems." Marcus answered. "Bandits are here too."
"I see. Then we must be ready for battle." Roy said.
"Yes, my lord." Marcus replied, before riding away into the sand.
Roy trudged after him, being careful to maintain his footing. Wind and sand made for a dangerous combination.
"Wow... This is some sandstorm." He grunted as grains flew into his eyes.
"Yes..." His cape rustled, the part that was draped over his left shoulder. An inch-tall Sophia emerged, poking her head out over the cloth.
"This sandstorm... Has always protected our village from intruders..."
"It's going to be a pain to look for the village in this mess." Roy grumbled. "I can't see even three meters ahead... So in which direction should we be heading?"
"Head to the Northeast... But..." Roy could barely hear Sophia's tiny voice over the wind.
"But?"
"There may be things hidden in the sand... Blown around by the sandstorm..." She warned. "Please be careful where you step..."
"Right. But I'll be fine." Roy nodded. "I have you to help me. And of course..."
On his right shoulder, Cecilia emerged from beneath Roy's cape, the woman not even half an inch tall.
"I have your guidance too, General Cecilia!"
"Forgive me, Roy." Cecilia squeaked, wincing against the sand. "You shouldn't have to see me in such a state. If only I were bigger, I could fight alongside you."
"Don't worry. Once we reach Arcadia, we'll find a way to change you back to normal!" Roy encouraged her.
Though glad Roy would help her find a way to grow back to normal size, Cecilia was torn. Such an important member of the Lycian League should be more focused on winning the war than restoring her. Perhaps she should make that clear to him later. Even here, there may be no cure for them to find. Was it really worth them spending time on what may be a futile effort?
It had been some time since she had last grown. Perhaps at her measly height, she could shrink no smaller, her current size the end point of the strange spell. That would mean she had all the time she needed to find a solution. Though as the spell progressed and she shrank smaller, the time between her fluctuations in size grew longer. Perhaps she would grow again soon, though likely to a still small size.
These were all worries for the future, Cecilia told herself. Right now she had to focus, and lend Roy a hand. She was keen to see his skills, and his progress since she had last taught him. From her vantage point on his shoulder, she would likely never get a closer look than this...
