Sorry to disappoint my non-existent readers (as I am writing this, my first chapter was posted a minute ago), but Janner, Nia, and the others will not be a part of this chapter. This is what happens in Aniiera while they are gone.

"My love has gone across the sea

To find a country far and fair
He sailed into the gilded west
And lo, my heart will never rest
Until my love returns to me
Or I set out to find him there

Come home, come home
I sing to thee
My love, come home and rest thy head
I'll watch for you the winter long
And sing for you a summer song
And if you can't return to me
Then I will sail to you instead

Through tow'ring wave and shriek of gale
I'll aim my vessel ever west
And steer it by the cord that bound
My heart to yours, until you're found
And should you find my body pale
And wrecked upon the loamy shale
Rejoice, my love, and call me blessed
In death my love I loved you best
Rejoice, my love, and call me blessed
In death, my love, I loved you best,"

Arundelle had never thought her singing voice the loveliest in the land. Her specialty was poems. But for Artham, she would do anything. So that's how she wound up singing Galya to sleep that day. Artham had promised, on behalf of King Kalmar, that they would be back very soon, but Arundelle didn't know the specifics of the journey. So for now, she was watching the 10-year old girl.

"Sing another one," pleaded Galya. "One that's your own words, not someone else's."

Arundelle thought for a moment and decided, anything for Artham.

So she began to sing, formulating the lyrics as she went along.

"Oh come, all children, to the Shining Isle.

for everyone is equal here.

With fields of gold and green all around,

Anniera is a picturesque town.

Come to the castle, run through the halls.

Have dinner with the king and the dogs.

Our people join to sing,

a blessing to our land.

A blessing to the land,

of the Shining Isle.

Oh, children, come join us to sing.

Sing the anthem of the Shining Isle.

You're offered freedom from all your woes,

So come here, sing the anthem.

Sing the anthem of the Shining Isle.

Sing the anthem of the Shining Isle."

"Sing the anthem of the Shining Isle," Galya muttered sleepily.

"That song you were singing before," she said.

"Who's the love that you were singing about? Is it Artham?"

That caused Arundelle to think.

Her love really was across the sea. With dragons.

But with the Wingfeathers, there was no worry.

Arundelle left the sleeping child at peace.

So. The second chapter. I haven't really got the story moving yet, but it's coming. Originally I was going to have Galya awake, but her singing her to sleep seemed more fitting. Thanks for reading!