Chapter 2

Many years had passed and Selena had grown up into a beautiful woman that was apart of the Imperial Three. The other two members were Glen the Sunstone and Duessel the Obsidian. She had learned the skill of magic as well as using the healing rod. She had also watched young Prince Lyon grow up and she relished on her own memories as a child, before her parent's death. It made her happy to know that at least he wouldn't be losing a loved parent.

While she was watching the Prince play with both the Princess and the Prince of Renais from the window, Glen surprised her by calling her name, "Selena?"

"Huh? Oh Glen…it's you…"

"It is. Tell me, what are you looking at?"

"I'm just watching the Prince and his friends. They seem to be such great friends…"

He placed a hand on her shoulder, "You wish that you had friends like that when you were little?"

She nodded.

"I understand. I had no friends when I was little either. My closest friend was my younger brother Cormag."

She smiled. "At least you had a friend…"

Glen knew what he had said offended her so as the gentleman he was, he replied, "It doesn't matter anymore Selena. You have friends now, so the past doesn't matter."

Selena nodded and replied, "You're right Glen. I'm glad I have great friends like you and Duessel."

He grasped her hand and her face turned bright red. He didn't seem to notice since he began speaking again, "Anyway, Lord Vigarde told us that we need to go train some beginners along side General Duessel. You don't mind that do you?"

"It's fine…"

"Something wrong?" He saw how she was no longer looking at him.

"It's nothing…Let's go."

The castle garden was beautiful and whoever grew it was a magnificent gardener indeed. No one could spot one dead plant no less a dead leaf even if they had the sharpest of eyes. Selena and Glen walked down the garden to get into the training zone. It was like a maze, but Glen had been here thousands of times and he was able to lead the way out.

"I always loved this garden. Don't you like it, Glen?"

"Yes. It's beautiful and eye catching as well."

They got out of the garden and crashed into Prince Lyon.

"Prince Lyon, forgive us, we didn't mean to bump into you." Glen bowed his head and Selena did the same.

"Oh it's okay. It was my clumsiness that did it. No need to bow General Glen and Dame Selena. I was just leading my friends into the castle to have some lunch." Princess Eirika and her twin brother Prince Ephraim smiled from behind him.

"It's an honor to meet the son and daughter of King Fado." Selena had never expected them be the same age as Lyon, but their height and face shows that they were.

"It's a pleasure to meet two of the royal guards of the Grado castle." Princess Eirika replied back cheerfully.

"Well, let's get going now. I'll see you two at dinner. Let's go Eirika, Ephraim." The Prince led them through the garden and Glen and Selena continued on to their destination.

They walked near the training grounds and spotted General Duessel explaining how to wield a lance, "Now you hold it near the middle with your more comfortable hand and your other hand…" He continued on with his speech and didn't seem to notice the two coming at him.

"General Duessel, forgive us if we're in the middle of your tutoring, but where has Emperor Vigarde told us to go?" Glen spoke up first.

"You guys don't need to teach these guys. It is my duty."

Glen was confused, "Wait, so we had no need to walk up here?"

"Correct. Where did you learn that you needed to come up here?"

"Maybe it was just a dream. But I see it all so clearly… I remember his Majesty telling me to tell Selena that we had to do this…"

"It must've been a vivid dream indeed. Why don't you guys go back into the castle. From what I know, a storm will begin. I could smell it." Duessel sniffed the air and a few other students did the same.

"Alright. Let's go Selena." Once again he took her hand and led her back.

During the walk, Selena became curious of Duessel. Of course he was calm and quiet, but she began wondering more about him every time she spoke to him. "Hey Glen."

"Yes?"

"I've been wondering… Does Duessel have a family?"

"Of course he does. He doesn't speak of them much. He likes to keep a low profile on them. Has he spoken to you about them?"

"No he hasn't. Can you tell me about them?"

"I guess…We are a team…," Glen placed a finger on her lips, "But you mustn't tell anyone about them. Just in case."

"Okay."

"Alright. Duessel married a woman by the name of Botan. They have known each other before he became a member of the Imperial Three. In fact they've known each other before Duessel even became apart of the castle crew. Anyway, they got married as I have already told you and had two girls by the names of Lily, the elder sister, and Maray, the younger sister."

Selena couldn't believe that Duessel had kept this whole life secret from her. And now, another thought came into mind. "Oh yes and Glen, I've learned that Duessel doesn't live here, right? Well where does he live?"

"He lives with his family on the border of Grado. I've heard that it's quite peaceful where he resides in. I'm sure it's much more peaceful than the castle. People are always up and about here, even in the night."

"It would be nice to stay there for one night." Selena began daydreaming about what it would be like.

"I'm fine at where I am. Cormag and I have been to many places but we've never found anything that was better than the castle."

As Selena heard that, she realized that her whole life was spent here at the castle. She didn't mind at all but it was strange to think that she hasn't gotten use to it yet. The night guards still made her wake at night and people's footsteps always bothered her. But she didn't care. It made her feel like home. This was her home now along with some other soldiers.

"Glen how long have you been here at the castle?"

He smiled at her, "What's with all the questions now?"

"I guess it's just that we never really speak like this so now I get to let out all my questions that I've been willing to ask you for such a long time. Does it bother you?"

"No."

"I'll just keep my questions for now. I wouldn't want to bother you with all this." She opened the door and they both entered.

Vigarde was sitting on his throne and speaking with the two twins from Renais. Selena and Glen peered from behind a wall, waiting until he was finished chatting with them. They couldn't really hear him since Vigarde was such a quiet talker, and they were glad that he was since they wouldn't be eavesdropping.

Glen whispered to Selena, "Tell me, why are we waiting for Lord Vigarde?"

"It's just something I need to ask him. You may go if you wish. I won't get disappointed. It's pretty much a personal question too."

"Alright. I'll be in my room if you need me." Glen bowed his head and walked off quietly.

It took about five minutes for their conversation to end and once they left, Selena entered and approached the king. She stopped and went on one knee, "Emperor Vigarde I'm here to ask you of something."

"Selena, you have no need to bow. Please stand up." She did as he was told and he continued on, "Now, what is it?"

"Milord, I want to go to the city today if you would allow me. I haven't seen it in about eighteen or so years. I know you have forbidden me to go when I first went under your wing but now I've grown. I'll get over it."

"Selena, I know you've grown very much and I will allow you to go to the city, but you must tell me, what are your reasons?"

"I will not lie to you Milord. I really just want to see my parents' grave. And I would like to go alone on my horse."

"That's fine Selena. Please be back before dinner."

She couldn't help but to smile, "Yes sir. I'll come back as soon as possible." She turned around and went out of the room. Vigarde had never seen her so happy about seeing her parents. It was true that she was no longer that little girl from eighteen years ago.

The rain had begun pelting on the windows now and the maids were rushing about the castle trying to close the windows. Duessel had brought in the trainees and was now telling them that in war, there was no time to worry about catching a cold. Glen wasn't seen anywhere in the castle so he was probably in his room that was locked. Princess Eirika and Prince Ephraim had headed home a long time ago. Selena tried to sneak out without being seen so as not to worry everybody.

Selena looked around and quietly opened the door. Fortunately for her, no one spotted her. Now she had to get to the horse stalls. She thought that no one would be out here, especially in the rain, so she walked without a care.

Then as she turned the corner, she crashed into something. Selena fell on the floor and rubbed her nose. "What was that?"

When she looked up, Selena spotted Glen, "Selena, I'm sorry." He held out his hand and she took it. He carefully pulled her up and dusted off her shoulders. "I'm so sorry. I was careless."

"No Glen, I was the one being careless…" She blushed and rubbed the back of her head.

Glen smiled at her and then asked, "Anyway, what is a lady doing out here in the cold?"

The question was hard to answer for Selena. Should I really lie to him? But if I don't, he's going to end up coming with me. Well I don't really mind do I? She was too busy thinking that she jumped when Glen repeated his answer.

"Well Selena?"

"Oh um Glen… Please don't tell anyone about this."

"If it's that secretive, I don't need to know."

"Yes but I really need to get it out of me…I haven't been able to get it out of me but if I tell it to you, I'm sure I would feel much better."

He got closer to her and looked down at her. She couldn't help but to look back at him. Glen looked as if he was ready to embrace her until he patted her hair. "Would you like to sit in a warmer and dryer place?"

"If you wouldn't mind, I would like to go to my horse."

"Alright. I'll guide you." Once again, their hands grasped each other and the Wyvernlord was leading the way.

The horses neighed as the two entered the stable. All the horses looked the same but Selena knew which one was hers. She let go of her grasp on Glen's hand and went to her little horse. Once she reached him, she stroked the horse's nose and mumbled, "Hey there sweetie. I haven't seen you in quite a while."

It was amazing to watch Selena converse with her horse but Glen had to remind her why they were here. "Selena, I'm sorry to interrupt you and your horse's reunion but you wanted to tell me what you wanted to get out."

"Oh yes. I almost forgot." She opened the door keeping her horse behind and it walked out.

Glen saw what she was doing and dragged a carriage to the horse. He connected the horse's reins and the carriage together and said, "Is this okay?"

"It is. Thank you Glen."

He helped her up and then sat himself beside her. "Alright now, please tell me."

Fluorspar was fiddling with her fingers the whole time but she soon managed to explain, "Glen, I'm going on a trip to the city to see my parents…"

He didn't know what she meant so replied, "Well that's nice to hear."

"I know but you see my parents are…dead…"

Immediately Glen apologized, "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

Selena looked at him and smiled. "Glen, how were you supposed to know? It's fine. This is the reason why I needed to talk to you. I want you to come with me to visit my parents. That is if you don't mind…"

"I'll go with you."

Selena sat closer to him, trying to get some body warmth. She had forgotten her cloak in her attempt to leave the castle without being seen. Glen noticed and threw his cape around her shoulders.

"Thank you…I guess I forgot mine."

"It's fine. Anyway, are you ready to go now?"

"Yes…But out of curiosity, why were you out here?"

"I was waiting for Cormag to come back from his obligation. He still hasn't returned though. I wonder what's keeping him…"

"Maybe he just got sidetracked. Anyway, your brother is very strong. I'm sure whatever predicament he's in he'll manage."

"You're right. Now let's not waste anymore time. Let's go." With that, Glen shook the reins and the beautiful horse went off.

Selena couldn't wait until the city came into view. Her mind stayed on that subject the whole time, What will I do when I get there? I was waiting for so long to come but now I don't even know what I'll do…