Hrina rolled her eyes and smiled.

'You just won a candy. You didn't know, Mrs. Ronsenburg?'

'Please call me Linda', Mom said. 'I heard many times of those Archadian Judges but never did I see a portrait of one of them. My son Noah, however, shows a keen interest for law, and I guess he heard of this man many times. Right, Noah?'

I nodded and moved next to her. She tousled my hair and smiled.

'So we have a future lawyer? How lucky I am!' Hrina said. 'So, let's talk about this woman now. Do you know her name?'

She looked at the three teenagers, and we all shook our heads in negation. She turned towards Mom, and saw her smile become bigger.

'Yes, this is Lady Ephie! Oh Faram, how beautiful she was!' she replied, with the excitement of a little girl.

'This is indeed Lady Ephedrine; Emperor Gramis's first wife', Hrina confirmed. It is said she had a special power over males who looked at her eyes – a negative power. So it was forbidden for male painters to portray her face, and for men to look at her without her veil.'

'How beautiful she… was?' repeated Naria. 'You mean she's dead?'

'Yes, she died in 673, certainly around your birth date. She was very ill and it was hard for her to move, but she came to Nabradia several times, and she even honored me of a visit in this inn!'

'She actually came here?' Basch asked.

'Yes!' Hrina continued. 'She stopped by for a prayer, and I didn't change the prayer room's laying out ever since.'

'For a prayer?' Mom repeated. 'Could I use this prayer room, sometimes?'

'Of course! Be my guest.' Hrina said. 'Did you notice something else on the painting?'

Naria asked to come and looked at it thoroughly.

'Yes!' she exclaimed. 'There's a dark blue light above them. What is it?'

'This is Nabradia's most precious treasure!' Hrina said with pride. 'It is called the Midlight Shard, and we believe it is a legacy from the Dynast King himself. It is a magic stone that spreads a blue light, similar of the color of a night sky. The Midlight Shard has not been brought to Nabreus – it is strictly confined in Verdpale Palace – but the painter chose to represent its light shining over the imperial couple. Some say the King and the Queen showed the shard itself to Judge Zecht and Ephedrine during their first visit, as a symbol of peace between Nabradia and Archadia – maybe that's why it's there.'

'That's an interesting story. I did not know all this!' my mother said.

'Now you should go and visit the city. You can take the same path your noble predecessors took before you; the details are shown on the signboards at the entrance of Nabreus.'

'And we should also eat!' Basch pointed out.

We all laughed and we went back to the desk, where Hrina gave us a list of addresses where we could find the best restaurants in the city.

The rest of our stay was positive. Step by step, Basch found the – not so – right words to talk to Nareszcie, followed by myself, and adjudge whether she was bruised inside by her father's death. At our great surprise, it turned out she had quickly recovered from her mourning – just like we did with ours – and she was all ready for new adventures. She hadn't changed from the Naria we always knew after all: full of life, open-minded and extrovert. She wasn't afraid to say what she felt deep inside, and because of this, we knew she wasn't lying. She also told us that our mother's support had been determinant for her, so she could know she wasn't alone in what was to follow. We also promised her to help for the farm and anything else she would need.

Nabudis itself was a vast city, surrounded by hills, forests, and of course the Shimmering Gardens. The entertainment park was located southern Nabreus, not far from the Salikawood. We played water-based attractions as well as horror attractions – it was so funny to hear Naria scream for false skeletons and zombies. After that, we went to almost all the country's museums – at Basch's great disappointment – and there was even a Law museum – at my great excitement. I took notes to show Cirla and Margit once we'd be home. The food was… exotic, but still delicious. Basch enjoyed it in particular. We were as happy to eat outside as to stay in Hrina's lovely inn when we were too tired. Her cuisine was absolutely exquisite and healthy. Plus, she did not charge my mother much for all the meals we took.

One day, however, we had to leave. We had spent a week and half in one of the most beautiful countries in Ivalice, renowned even in Archadia. We packed our luggage and travelled back to Landis. This time though, we had animated conversations with our friend Naria; the glass between us had been broken, and we felt all free again, almost like sky pirates – we played at guessing which of the airships crossing the sky belonged to one.

Once we landed and took a cart back to Uwielbinie village, Naria turned her back and began to shake. My mother put a hand on her shoulder and asked her what was wrong. Then Naria suddenly rushed into her arms and said in a sob:

'Auntie… Thank you! I would like to pay you for this wonderful trip because that's too much for a gift.'

'Oh, Nareszcie…'

She hugged her:

'Your company is our retribution. Please don't hesitate in visiting us as often as you want!'

'Err… I have much work in the farm now that I'm the mistress but don't worry, we'll meet very soon! I'll come with Book! Right boys?'

'Of course!' Basch and I replied.

We left her at her house and we went to ours.

On the following day, I prepared to go to Waldgott – I had so much to tell my friends! – but Mom prevented me from doing so.

'We just came back! You should rest a bit, my son.'

However, after solid negotiations, I managed to get away with it and I went to my friends' house.

'Hello! It's me, Noah!' I said as I rang the bell.

Cirla came to open the door, his face almost not friendly at all.

'Come. You're welcome, but it'll be a bit complicated today…'

'Why so?' I asked, as I left my jacket on the coat hanger.

'Hello Noah!' little Margit said. 'Well, Father has been appointed at the Presidency's Office and we help him in his hard task.'

'Which task?'

What were they all talking about?

Cirla's words opened my eyes:

'Have you forgotten? We're in 684. It's been four years under the same authority. Next year is the big year… We're preparing law documents for the presidential election.'