It was the afternoon of October 5th. Claudia and Soren were racing each other on the Road of Kings, the main route of traffic that tied together the entire continental Pentarchy.
Barrelling past annoyed merchants and movers with their laden carts, the landscape on the horizon was changing from the freezing mountains of Del Bar to the lush green of Duren. They would enter the Garden Nation shortly, the border crossing already visible in the middle distance.
When they arrived at the crossing, a guard stepped up to the barrier, motioning them to dismount.
"Your papers, please. State your business in Duren."
Claudia handed over their passports. "We're just passing through. My brother and I are going to the Breach."
"Ma'am, that doesn't strike me as a good idea", the soldier said firmly, "We have reports of fighting and major loss of life at the border."
"I didn't say we're going there for a vacation", Claudia snickered, "We're in a bit of a hurry."
"I see. Well, I'll be right back."
The guard logged their data in a ledger inside the post, seemingly comparing it with a bunch of books that lay open on the same table.
When she returned, there was a cautious look on her face and Soren noticed her hand resting on the hilt of her sword.
"Ma'am. I'm sorry, you are not permitted to cross the border."
Claudia blinked. "What? Why not?"
"Your names are listed as barred. I can't tell you more than that. If you were to cross, you would be committing a crime."
Next to them, the Del Barian guards looked over, suspiciously.
"We don't have time for this. What can we do to get this cleared up?", Claudia asked, placing her fists on her hips.
"You can file your protest with me and I can send a raven to the nearest magistrate. I'd expect your case to be processed early next month."
"I'm a Katolin Crown guard", Soren interjected, annoyance plain on his features, "Doesn't that… count for something?"
The guard shook her head. "I'm sorry."
"Well. Thanks", Claudia said sarcastically, taking back their documents. They got back on their mounts and turned around. There was still the ferry to Katolis across the Valmar Bay.
Before they could move, their way was barred by Del Barian guards.
Soren's annoyed frown deepened. "Let me guess. We're not allowed to come back to Del Bar?"
"Worse", the male soldier smirked, "You still are in Del Bar, therefore under our jurisdiction, so you will dismount and follow us. Both of you are under arrest."
"Why?", Claudia asked, again.
"You are being accused of rebellion and conspiracy against the five kingdoms."
"Is this 'cause of our dad?", Soren asked, incredulous.
"Sir. I insist you dismount", the female guard from Duren said, critically, drawing her sword. Behind her, her colleagues stepped out of the guard post.
Soren measured them up. Small fry.
"Clauds, what do you think?", he said with a laugh.
His sister merely spurred her horse as answer.
Claudia and Soren's animals vaulted the barrier to Duren without effort, quickly leaving behind the clamoring border guard.
"They're gonna come after us.", the mage said, looking over her shoulder.
"So what? We can take them."
Claudia's face hardened with determination. Their horses had been riding hard for a day and a half now without an extended period of rest. Soon enough they would have to stop to give them time to recover.
"Why did they let us cross the first time? Did dad mess up more?", she asked her brother, not expecting a good answer.
"Dunno. I guess we'll find out once we get to the border."
Eventually, the road turned into the market street of a village, becoming incredibly busy. They had to slow down.
"Probably better if we dismount for a bit. The crowd will hide us", said Claudia and they awkwardly shuffled off their mounts.
This was good for the horses, too, since it would allow them to catch their breaths a little.
"This is stupid", Soren said, "Why would they lock us down like that? We didn't do anything wrong."
"It has to be dad. Whatever he's doing is going to affect us, too."
"I thought he was behind bars in Katolis, though?"
Claudia shrugged. "Maybe he got out. It's dad, after all. He's smart and determined."
"I'm still annoyed they wouldn't let us see him for longer. I really wanted to… ask him. About why he told us to do what he did. Without everyone around, I mean. We never really got a good answer, just his normal blah blah politics, blah blah servant stuff."
"I don't know, Sorebear. I feel like he's told us the truth. He thinks Ezran is being naive trying so hard for peace when the Elves have made it clear they're going to kill us whenever they get the chance."
"That's not what I mean. I get that. Killing attacking soldiers is okay. I just don't think he told us the truth about why he wanted me to get rid of the princes. He could've just worked with the twerp, like he always did. Ez isn't like the step-prince, he and dad were fine with each other."
He stretched and looked at his sister expectantly.
"I guess. Yeah", she nodded eventually, "He really took the craziest path. I know he loves us, a lot. His reaction in the cell showed that, too. I really wish the guards could've at least let us hug him in that moment. But he still said to focus on the egg, not you. It's just... not like him. He's intense, but I just can't think of him as evil."
Soren scoffed. "Yeah. That word's reserved for moonshadow elves"
"I don't know about that, either. From all we know, the elf who's with Callum is alright."
"That's what you probably wanna think, but I'm still not sure if she's not hexing him somehow."
"They are illusionists, so, maybe? Ez just spoke highly of her. Ah, but, now that I think about it, they also spent a bit of time together so if Callum's hexed, Ez could be, too. I just don't get the letter then. Wouldn't she want to keep him away from everyone? Again. I'm not sure."
Her brother shook his head. "I'm losing track of all the stuff we're not sure about."
Claudia stopped short, frozen in place, a hand coming up to clasp over her mouth.
"What?"
"Soren. I know what dad did."
Ahead of her on a wall behind a market stand was a picture of Viren, looking regal. She recognized the image immediately from one of the paintings at the Twin Towers.
"Wanted for `regicide`?", Soren said, "What does that mean?"
Tears welled into Claudia's eyes.
"He did what you didn't want to. It means he killed a king or queen"