There was a gentle breeze dancing across the Obel Straits as the patrol ship carved through the sparkling blue water. The Queen stood at the prow of the ship enjoying the wind and sun on her face. How many more days like this will I see? She thought morbidly. The Rune had shown her nothing but death and suffering, which had done nothing to ease her fears over her fate as it leeched away at her life.

The imperialistic Kooluk had forced her hand when they descended on Obel from their northern home a few weeks previous. Fearing for her children, she had snuck through the ruins near the palace to see if long standing rumours of a powerful source of magic were true. Lino had been furious when she returned to him with the rune emblazoned on her left hand. She shuddered at the thought of Lino's fury that day.

"Mother," The Queen turned to see her daughter Flare. She was her double in all but her big blue eyes that shone like lapis lazuli in the sunlight. "Can you lift me up? Mr Cotton said there are dolphins."

The Queen smiled at her and then lifted her up. She sat her on the wooden rail and held on tightly. "Look ahead, Flare. There's Mordo." Flare lifted her hands out to the side, pretending to fly like the seagulls that glided alongside the ship. The Queen's heart soared.

"Ships ahead!" A call bellowed from the Crow's Nest.

The Queen pulled Flare down from the railing and turned to now see commotion on the deck. Her heart thumped hard. Turning back she now seen two ships appear at either side of the Island of Mordo. "Come, Flare." She pulled her along to get down off of the deck.

Inside the cabin Lino was soothing their son who was crying relentlessly. "At last. Take him, I need to get above." He said, handing their baby boy over. Her music box was chiming away. "It must be those Kooluk dogs again. The bastards."

"Language, Lino." She said, covering Flare's ears. Her green eyes burrowed into his blue ones. "I am coming with you, Nick can watch over the children."

"Absolutely not. You will stay here."

"I am coming, Lino. I'm more use above." She hissed, making her way over to a wooden chest on the floor. Inside was her beloved bow, Heket, which she retrieved along with a full quiver.

"Fine," He said, sighing. "But stay close to me at all times."

The Queen smiled briefly, before kissing both her children. "Flare, watch your brother until Mr Cotton comes below. You will listen to everything he tells you. I love you both." Flare nodded, a look of her mother's strength in her, which filled the Queen with pride. She will be a strong woman. She wound her music box and let it chime again.

"Be safe, my children. We'll back as soon as possible." Lino added, as he picked up his spear. An Obel soldier came into the cabin, his conical helmet hitting the top of the frame. The Queen really hated their uniforms.

"Your majesty. Confirmed sighting of—" Lino held his hand up to silence him.

"Outside, Rino." The soldier nodded, his face was flushed at being named by the King. They made their way out onto the deck. The Queen looked back at her children and blew a kiss before heading out with her bow in hand.