Chapter 8

Author's Notes: Sorry if I haven't been updating but I'm starting to work on it again. This chapter has a lot of phrases that I really like. I hope you guys like them too.

Morning came in what seemed to be only a few hours. Selena and Duessel's children woke up simultaneously and were still tired. The room was cold from last night's rainfall. Selena looked at the children and smiled, "Why don't you two stay in bed? Children shouldn't wake so early."

Maray yawned and slumped back under the covers. Lily did the same and fell asleep. Selena got dressed and washed herself in the basin provided in what seemed to be their bathroom. She got dressed and headed down to join the others who have probably awakened faster than her.

Botan was at the table drinking some tea. She opened her eyes after taking a sip and looked up at her, "Selena, what are you doing up so early? It's only 5 o'clock."

"It is? I thought it was beyond that time."

"Nope. The boys are still asleep."

Selena looked around at the dark room and said, "Well since I'm already awake, I guess I should just stay up."

"Oh good. Please come enjoy a cup of tea with me."

Selena sat beside Botan as she poured her a cup of tea. The nice aroma filled the room they were in and it would soothe anyone's pain. As she took a sip, Selena had to wonder why Botan was up so early, "Botan, why are you up so early?"

She smiled her brilliant smile and replied, "I always wake up early during rainfalls. I need to make sure my garden doesn't get ruined by it."

"And if they do?"

"Oh I put a cover over them. It takes a while but I manage. So far I've only had some lilies die but my Lily planted more to replace them. Duessel doesn't like to garden as much as the girls and I do but he still likes to look at the garden. He's a sweet husband to be with…" Botan seemed to begin daydreaming until Selena poured herself another cup of milk tea.

Selena looked out the window and wondered how the castle was doing. They've been gone for only one day but she already feels very uncomfortable. She didn't want to truly leave Vigarde or Lyon but she was sure they could manage. Selena sighed mournfully and took a sip of tea.

Botan walked up from behind and asked tenderly, "What's the matter Selena?"

She near jumped but replied, "Oh, I was just wondering if the castle is doing okay…Duessel said that he would plan something out with us to help me and Glen. I just hope the plan have the part of killing anybody…"

Botan smiled and said, "So you're a pure-hearted person aren't you? The same as everyone else in this town…Well at least they used to be. Now all they could think about is war. All of our neighbors that used to live the closest to us are gone now."

"I'm sorry…"

"You have no reason to apologize. It's this war that should be apologizing but wars can't talk. The only way for it to apologize is to stop."

The two women stood there looking out the window. The rain was beginning to stop and become only a sprinkle.

Botan asked Selena, "Selena, would you like to go outside with me and uncover the plants?"

Selena nodded as her reply.

While Botan was taking off the cover, Selena looked into the sky and saw a pair of wyvern wings come closer and closer. She began to worry and think that it might be Valter who was sent out to find them. When it was in view, Selena squinted and found that it was him. "Botan, it's Valter…"

She looked up from her gardening, "Who?"

"Valter, a general from the castle of Grado. He must've been sent out to find us…Please we have to go back in. We can't let him find us out."

Botan dropped her work and got in. She began closing all the curtains to make it look as though no one were home. Selena knew that Valter would have to come knocking on that door at any moment though wanting to know if they were here. Botan looked over at Selena and ordered, "Go wake the boys and tell them."

"But what about you?" Selena was whispering now, worried that Valter was standing out on the other side of that door.

"I'll keep him waiting. Now go on."

Selena had to trust her and left upstairs. First she found Duessel and shook him awake. It took a while but when he did wake, she nearly yelled, "Duessel, you have to get downstairs. Valter's here and your wife could be in big trouble if he comes walking in."

Duessel got out of his bed and stuffed on a shirt, "What about the others?"

"Cormag and Glen? I'm going to get to them soon."

"And the girls?" It was obvious that Duessel was worried about his children.

"They're still asleep. If you want I'll-," Selena was cut off by Duessel who held out his palm.

"If we wake them they'll surely panic. Let's not let them know okay?"

Selena nodded and they went their separate ways. Selena headed down the hall to go get Cormag and Glen. When she entered, she found them already up. They were looking out the window in their room. Selena pulled them both back from the collar of their shirts. When they looked back, she said quietly, "We have to be careful. If he sees us then we're good as dead."

The expressions on their faces showed her that they agreed. Selena slowly went back to the window and looked out. She saw Botan out there trying to tell Valter that no one was in here. He seemed to be falling for her trick but Selena knew Valter quite well. He wouldn't leave until he did as he wanted. So just as Selena expected, Valter pushed Botan out of the way and entered the house.

"Oh no…" Selena looked at Glen and his brother. She didn't know what else to do so relied on them now.

"We don't know what to do either Selena. I'm sorry." Cormag said. He looked at his brother now who was usually the one people went to for advice.

"I don't know why we're afraid of just one man. We can take him can't we?" He looked at the two for their agreement. He especially kept an eye on Selena who had reluctantly been forced to do this.

Glen kept looking at their faces then they heard footsteps. Cormag looked up from the ground then at his brother's face. He smiled and whispered, "Of course we can. Ready Selena?"

"I think I have been through enough. It won't matter to me much if I have to fight."

"Good." Glen went to the door and clutched his spear in his right hand. Across from him was Cormag who did the same thing. Selena didn't have her magic book with her so just stood beside Glen. He smiled at her and with his free hand he grasped her hand.

Meanwhile on the other side of the door, Valter went searching through the halls. First he looked in the girls' room and saw Lily and Maray still asleep. Then he looked in Duessel's room. He looked in the corner and found some armor with the mark of Grado. Nice red armor it was but it was dulling. Valter smirked, "Well, well…I believe some rat had decided to lie. Now who shall be hiding in the last room…" He was obviously talking about the room in which the three were hiding in. "Three runaways I assume?"

Valter knocked on the door and heard no reply. "Let me guess. You guys are in there with your weapons, ready to attack me once I get in right? How pathetic." Valter kicked the door opened and no one was in there. He went around kicking Glen's and Cormag's stuff around. "Come out."

Selena and the other two had gotten out from climbing out the window. Duessel told them that if they killed Valter, his daughters would get worried. So now they hid in a bush, waiting for Valter to leave.

"But what about Maray and Lily?" Selena asked in a worried tone.

"I'll go get them. You three stay here." Duessel stood up and went running back to the house. Glen watched him and ever since he had arrived in his house, he had aspired to be a father just like him.

Duessel went to his daughter's room and snatched them up. Maray woke up and yawned. "Hi there Daddy…Where're we going?"

"Quiet Maray. Just go back to sleep."

"Okay then." Just as soon as she said it, Maray fell into a deep sleep again. Duessel now had to sneak out without getting Valter to notice them. But the bad thing was that Valter had already spotted them.

"Obsidian…I knew that you had to be here. Now come here and I'll end your life quickly but I cannot promise you that it will be painless." Valter ran at him with a look of a madman on his face.

Just as Valter was about to lay his spear upon Duessel, another lance had blocked the way. Duessel looked to who was wielding the lance and saw Cormag. "Cormag, what are you doing here?"

"Don't worry about me General. Now take your daughters and leave." Cormag had put his body between Valter's spear and Duessel.

"You must be careful then Cormag. I wish you luck." Duessel left down the hall, leaving Cormag to face Valter.

Valter spun his lance above his head and smiled, "Do you truly believe that you of all people can defeat me? I, if you haven't noticed yet, am a former member of the Imperial Three. I was replaced by that man you call a brother. If you want, I'll let you go but in return you bring Glen."

Cormag pointed the tip of his spear in front of Valter. "I am your opponent Valter. Now let's not waste more time. I'm ready to finish you off."

"Once you choose to battle with me, you're begging for death." Valter charged at Cormag who held his lance in a defensive mode. Valter bounced back and continued to come charging back at him. But as if he didn't learn from his past mistakes, the same thing happened.

"Why are you holding back Valter?" Valter's eyes nearly glowed with anger. "If you were a former member of the great Imperial Three, how come you're so weak?"

"That's it boy. You asked for it." Valter went back to his regular tactics but this time he did a different maneuver. Once he had clashed weapons with Cormag, he turned the end so it faced the opponent and he pushed it up into Cormag's neck.

Cormag coughed and let his defense fall. Valter brought his lance down but Cormag was able to move out of the way in time to avoid it. "Now I would like to see you say that I'm weak again."

Cormag managed to stand back up on his feet and shake the pain away. He went for Valter's shoulder but he had blocked it, and Cormag then felt a stinging pain on his shoulder. Once he looked at it, there was a spear that had gone through his outer layer of skin. Cormag winced but stepped back, getting the spear out. Valter shook his head in disappointment, "Tsk, tsk, tsk… This won't do…"

Cormag saw Valter looking at his spear and knew that he wanted to take it for his own. Valter smirked and said, "I see you get my gist. Now how about we make it easier for the both of us and hand it over."

"You think I would give it to you?"

"Well yes. Now hand it over like a good boy." Valter held his hand out and he held a smile on his lips.

Cormag went attacking him but was confused. Valter just stood there, holding out his hand for the lance, not trying to defend himself in any way. Cormag still continued his charge either way. But that was a bad choice. Cormag was too busy with Valter's vulnerability that he hadn't realized his other hand, in which he held his lance, was hiding behind him. Then once again he felt that stinging pain but this time it was directly in the shoulder. "Now," Valter said, "I'll finish you off." The lance pointed directly at Cormag's face.

"I'm sorry Brother," Cormag said to himself. He closed his eyes and expected to feel the sharp pain of the lance but heard a metal clang instead.

"Cormag, get away."

Cormag heard his brother's voice and turned around. He saw Glen standing down on the other end of the hallway with some javelins. "Glen…"

"Get up and go."

"Right." Cormag held his shoulder and ran to his brother's side.

Glen looked and realized how wounded he was. "Cormag get out of here and get to Selena. She'll take care of you."

"What about you?"

"I'll take care of him."

"Got it." Cormag began taking off until he heard his brother's voice say one more thing.

"Cormag tell Selena that she mustn't follow me if I am to not return."

"What?"

"Just do it Cormag. And please take care of yourself if I am to go. Now hurry."

Cormag gulped and thought about what his brother was doing. Was he thinking about leaving them or was it some other reason? Cormag shook his head and said, "No I can't worry…He'll be fine. He is my brother, one of the Imperial Three."

Once Cormag was out of sight, Glen pointed his lance at Valter who was holding his bleeding hand. "Pick it up Valter."

"What?" Valter demanded. "You dare order me to do something?"

"I am."

"You know I'm vulnerable so why not take this advantage?"

"And prove how weak I am by doing so? No…I want to finish this off in a good battle. I want to prove that I'm worth something in the Imperial Three."

Valter picked up his lance with his good hand and laughed, "This is why you Imperial Three members are so naïve. You try to act so loyal and strong. If you die upon my feet, you will know it was entirely your own fault."

"That won't be happening Valter. It will be the other way around."

"Well then, may the better man win."

Glen lunged at Valter, trying to get a good stab in him. Of course, though, Valter easily blocked his lance strike even with his right hand. Glen then found that Valter was maybe a double-handed fighter. Maybe Glen had come to underestimate him? Either way, Glen wasn't going to lose.

The two clashed at each other and they stood face to face. Only centimeters away from each other, the two tried to push the other weapon into the other's face.

"Give it up Valter. I know you can't use your left hand but I still have both hands still well."

"And yet you still do not take that advantage?" Valter scoffed and placed his left hand on the lance, pushing with both hands now.

Both weapons broke through each other and then Valter fell on his knees. Glen just needed to stab his blade into him but then Valter smirked. He reached under his doublet and grabbed out a dagger. Glen was too late before he could stop his attack to block the upcoming attack. Valter then stabbed the blade into Glen's chest. Glen fell onto his knees then onto his face.

Valter stood up and picked up Glen's body. "My prize…" He jumped out the window and below was his wyvern. "Come now. Time to show the emperor my new prize." He laughed maniacally and off the wyvern went.

Selena was nearly being dragged down the stairs in her attempt to get back up to Glen. "Let go Cormag…I have to help him…"

"Selena no…He said he was going to take care of himself."

"Let go!" With one last pull, Selena broke free from Cormag's grasp and ran up the stairs. She gasped as she saw the hallway empty. She gulped and went searching through the rooms, making sure that they weren't gone. Cormag realized what Selena had realized and grabbed hold of her again. "That's enough Selena."

She slumped to her knees and began to weep quietly. The only thing she saw left of their battle was just a tiny drip of blood. "Glen, you can't be gone…You promised me…"

Duessel and his family had come up after Selena as well and frowned once they saw the empty hallway. Maray ran to Selena and pulled her arm, "Lady Selena, where's Glen…?"

Selena grabbed Maray and hugged her, crying into her hair.

"Lady Selena…?" Lily questioned. She went up to Selena as well and went into Selena's embrace.

Duessel looked over at them and then at Coramg who looked at his palm. Duessel patted him on the back and said, "Your brother is a very strong man. I'm sure he didn't…" He didn't want to say anymore so as to not hurt Cormag anymore than he was now.

Cormag swallowed and said, "You're right…I'm sure it's all apart of his plan."

Botan went to Selena and patted her gently, whispering, "It'll all be okay. You know what they say: Time heals all wounds."

Selena agreed but said in her head, But time cannot heal scars… She sighed and said, "You're right…Besides, Glen promised me something and Glen is a man of his word."

Maray looked up at Selena and said joyfully, "Yeah. Sir Glen will be back."

"Uh-huh," Lily agreed. "He is a knight in shining armor and in fairytales they will always come to the damsel in distress. No matter what the obstacle."

Maray looked at her sister and smirked, "So involved with those stories, huh Sis'?"

"Well um…" Lily began fidgeting with her fingers.

Selena smiled after realizing what Lily had just said and replied, "She's right…He will come back."

Days came and went but no sign of Glen ever came. Soon months would pass and there would still be no Glen. Selena couldn't stay in this suspended state anymore. She could be searching for Glen or trying to find the cause of this war but no. Duessel had ordered her to stay at his house due to all the soldiers who are searching for them. It was hard to admit it but it was true and even if she did manage to leave, what would she do?

Selena sat near the window and a little white and grey bird perched on the sill cocking its head to one side. The bird reminded her of the owl she had met when she was coming here to Duessel's house. But that was when she was with Glen. Selena couldn't stop thinking about him now and depression was taking her over. She couldn't stand being like this any longer and finally went to Duessel.

He was sitting at the table at night, making sure none of the Grado soldiers would come. The bags that used to be beneath his eyes disappeared and he seemed to be happier. But now the opposite was happening to Selena. Now she had begun to sleep less and she had become dour.

Duessel looked over at the doorway leading to the kitchen and said, "Is there something wrong, Selena?"

She stepped into the kitchen and went to him. "Duessel, you have to understand…"

As if he knew what she was already talking about, he replied, "I can't let you go out into the war. If I let you get hurt, Glen would never forgive me."

"But how would you feel if your wife was taken from you? Would you just let her go or would you do something to help?" She tried to keep her voice at a minimum volume.

Duessel seemed to be thinking and then he placed his hand over his other. Selena looked at his left hand and saw a golden ring on his ring finger. Duessel seemed to notice her staring and slipped it off. "This is my wedding ring. I want you, Selena, to borrow it as a keepsake." He held the ring out to her.

She stared at the ring that was gleaming from the moonlight shining through the window. "No, I can't take your wedding ring. It's yours."

"Exactly. I'm only letting you borrow it, remember? You have to return it."

She finally understood him. He wanted her to come back alive and well. She gulped and slowly reached for it. Once she got a hold of it, she said with much honesty in her voice, "I promise Duessel that I'll return this ring to you."

"I'll remember those words you have just spoken to me, Selena. Even in the castle, you always were one who kept their promises. I'm sure I don't need to worry." He turned to look at her and then continued, "Now go on Selena. Glen's out there somewhere."

Selena nodded, trying to keep the tears from coming out, "Thank you Duessel…" Then she turned around and headed out into the darkness.

The horse stable was peaceful until Selena came walking in. A horse's head popped up and it neighed with delight. Selena walked up to it and stroked its head, "Gallant, it's time for us to go." She opened up the gate, letting it out. Then as she was guiding Gallant, she heard a cry from behind her.

When she turned around, she saw Glen's wyvern. The poor thing hadn't seen its owner in such a long time. Selena went to it and whispered, "Do you want to come with me to find Glen?" The wyvern seemed to "nod" and Selena said, "Alright then. You'll take the sky while Gallant and I look below. Okay?" She let it out and it flew through the stable, out into the open night sky. Gallant was waiting outside and it neighed. "I'm coming Gallant." I'm coming Glen.

The night was so peaceful. Only the sound of flapping wings and galloping were to be heard. Selena wondered where Glen was. Magvel was such a big place if you were only one person searching for someone. She sighed and pulled the reins. The wyvern above seemed to have heard the galloping stop so landed beside Selena. She held her hand to her head and thought for a second. What am I supposed to be doing? Where am I supposed to go? Then she heard a voice.

"Hey there…Y-you m-must be D-Dame S-Selena…" The voice had no confidence in it whatsoever. It seemed to only show how much of a coward the speaker was.

Selena turned around and saw a girl with short blonde hair and she wore beautiful red armor. Selena could easily see that this young lady was a green recruit. "I am. And who are you?"

"I-I'm not allowed to t-tell you. B-but I'm s-supposed to bring you back to the e-emperor…So please do not make a fuss…"

"The emperor? Emperor Vigarde you mean?"

"Yes…"

Selena turned back around, "I'm sorry young lady but I will not allow you to take me to him. Unless…" Selena glanced back at her, "You want to fight me."

The girl gulped, "I promised to help my emperor so if I have to fight you then I will…"

Selena turned her horse around. Her eyes were sharp now but it was only a mask to scare the girl away. Selena wouldn't want to hurt anyone, especially if it was only a girl who had a long life ahead of her.

The girl's legs were shaking while her upper body showed courage. A lance lay in the girl's hands.

Selena knew that she wouldn't get anywhere if this simple girl was holding her up. So she got off of Gallant and landed on the ground. "You should've gone back. Now I see I have no choice but to do this." From the saddle, Selena pulled out a goldenrod colored book. She flipped it open and recited the words written on the page. Then a little bolt of lightning crashed to the ground in front of the girl's body.

The girl fell to her rear only out of fear and shock. Now her hands were trembling and she could feel her life come to the edge. She closed her eyes and felt Selena hovering over her.

"Now…time to finish this all…"

The girl bit her bottom lip, waiting for Selena to strike. But instead, nothing came.

"Open your eyes…"

The girl did as she was told and saw Selena's beautiful face smiling. Selena held out her hand and the frightened girl took it. She was pulled back to her feet and she said, "I-I don't u-understand…You're supposed to k-kill me…"

Selena, who was still smiling, said, "I'm supposed to? Well if you would like me to…"

"Wait…P-please…"

Selena giggled, "I'm not going to hurt you. Your eyes remind me of…well, me. They show much promise. You shouldn't be doing this you know that?"

"But it was my emperor's command…"

"And do you think this is right?"

"Well…no…But following his orders is."

"No. Following your heart and your feelings is the right way. I did that and that led me here."

The girl wondered about Selena so asked, "Why is Emperor Vigarde searching for you?"

Selena looked up into the sky and sighed but continued smiling, "Because I betrayed him…Because he was doing wrong things."

"I see…"

"But even though he is doing wrong things, I still love him from the bottom of my heart. He still is my father even now…"

"F-Father?" The girl was quite surprised. She never expected the king to go after his own daughter.

"Yes…I know some people may say he's not truly my father but as long as he took care of me, he's a father to me…"

"I understand."

"Good, now I must be on my way." Selena got back on her horse and began trotting off until the girl called to her.

"Dame Selena, I'll follow my heart and feelings as you have told me! And if we ever meet again, I want you to know my name!"

Selena turned her horse back around and said, "And what is your name?"

"Call me Amelia!"

"Amelia it is then. I'll remember that always." She rode off again but this time, she had a new name to remember.

Selena couldn't ride anymore and pulled the reins to stop. "Let's get some rest Gallant." She looked up and yelled, "Heros, come down, too." She finally remembered what Glen had named his wyvern. It suddenly came back to her as she thought of how much of a hero Glen was. The wyvern came down and rested on the ground. Selena watched her horse begin to sleep and she knew that she had better do the same.

"What do you think Selena?" Glen stood beside his new wyvern that was looking at the new faces.

"What's that? I wasn't paying attention…" Selena replied, blushing.

Glen laughed and said, "About the name of my wyvern, I was thinking that it should be Heros."

"Heros…It's like hero or heroes. I like it."

"Thanks…Cormag and I have always aspired to be a hero just like our father. He protected our mother until his very death. But before his death, he protected our village which was poor."

Selena smiled and said, "I would feel very jealous for the woman you get to marry. She gets to have her husband protect her."

Glen blushed and nodded, "Y-yeah…I guess I would protect the woman I married…"

Selena smiled up at him and giggled.

Glen looked away, blushing a great red.

"What's wrong? Do you have a fever?" She placed her palm on his forehead.

"N-nothing's wrong." He pulled away from her and said, "I think I hear your brother calling us. Let's go…"