Miquella sat at his desk with books and papers stacked up high on every flat surface of his room, save the small space for his paper and quill. He scribbled, crossed out, flipped through the pages of his books, and then with a loud sigh, began scribbling again.

When Ranni came in, she was surprised at how it seemed the young boy grew. Of course, it was impossible! The nature of Miquella's curse was that he could never grow and his body remained that of a two-year-old child. So, to see this, Ranni wasn't sure what to make of it.

Malenia on the other hand, was curled up on the chair, looking a little worse for wear and bored. Her shoulder hadn't healed as intended and Ranni could see the scarlet rot was bothering her a bit. It was a surprise she managed to make it out of bed at all as sores began forming on the soles of her feet.

"Come on, Miquella. Can't you read me a story? You can do that later," Malenia begged.

"I'm doing this for you," snapped Miquella. "So, stop breaking my concentration."

He slipped off his chair and began to pull the books from his shelves and throw them on the ground. He then paced around the room before he sat back at his desk.

"They were right here!" Miquella cried. "Where could they have gone?"

"Miquella, I have obtained what thou hath asked," said Ranni.

Miquella told her to put the papers on his desk but showed little interest in them.

"He's still upset about his notes," explained Malenia. "It's been weeks, and they haven't come up."

"The loss of things isn't always terrible. Sometimes it forces one to look in a different direction. Look, there's perhaps something here of some interest," said Ranni. She thumbed through the papers and pulled out one parchment in particular. "This here is a technique known as consecration. Before Marika's became the One Goddess, other gods were said to use it to ward off the meddling of their rivals."

"It's just a theory," said Miquella. "Not any better than all those other theories."

"Perhaps, but this has the benefit of a trustworthy source," said Ranni. "You wouldn't believe what animal he is."

"A dog!" exclaimed Malenia.

"No," laughed Ranni. "A very wise turtle. He's a good friend of my mother's and maybe even older than the Erdtree. And I'm certain that even if it is not accurately depicted in these references, then thy mother would surely recall the technique."

Malenia laughed at the thought of a giant talking turtle, but Miquella wasn't amused. He lashed out at his sister for not taking these matters seriously and helping him find his notes, which stunned Malenia.

"Miquella?" said Ranni.

"I'll look at it. But everything I worked for. I spent hours on those notes. Some of them came from the perfumers and the perfumers never write anything down."

"What about this?" Ranni asked, picking up one of the pieces of paper.

"It's a sleeping spell," said Miquella. "It's the only thing I can find."

"It's torture," scoffed Malenia.

"It helps so it doesn't hurt anymore," said Miquella.

"The dreams still hurt," said Malenia.

"Would you rather they cut your arm off while you're awake?"

Malenia grew quiet and began rubbing her shoulder where her arm once was. It still hurt, sometimes a great deal and Malenia struggled with the healing process. She had nightmares about losing her remaining limbs and no one could reassure her. Already the scarlet rot began to writhe again.

Malenia got up out of her chair and limped away. Miquella went to go after her, but Ranni stopped him.

"Little Sister... I'm sorry... I didn't mean it like that," said Miquella. "I didn't mean to say that."

"What's said is said and cannot be revoked," said Ranni.

"I don't want her to leave. Please, tell me she won't leave," said Miquella.

Ranni hugged him and assured him that Malenia couldn't go anywhere. She was upset, and understandably so. As noble as it was for Miquella to take it upon himself to help Malenia, he had to understand that Malenia also needed the will to live. Things like reading to her and visiting her when she couldn't leave her sickbed were just as important as the cure itself.

"Miquella has been so mean," said Malenia. She held Mr. Margit's hand as they walked through the wild garden in the warm afternoon.

"It is not you who makes him angry. It was a terrible day when thou was nearly lost to him. Control over emotions, particularly anger can take time to learn and master," said Mr. Margit. He noticed Malenia struggled to walk and looked a bit sick. "Shall I carry thee?"

Malenia nodded and Margit picked her up. Malenia laughed, happy to be off her sore feet, "I can reach the branches!"

"Of course! Thou art the most tallest lady in the Lands-Between. Beautiful just like the Fair Lady," said Mr. Margit. He took her to the bed of lilies that Miquella left him as a gift for helping the two of them. He had ensured all the other weeds were cleared away so that they may thrive. "Did I ever say how I have a brother too?"

Malenia shook her head.

"We didn't always get along either. Sometimes hurtful things are said and done because we're scared we might lose the people we love."

Malenia giggled, "What was his name?"

Mr. Margit was about to say when they heard someone calling for Malenia.

"That's Radahn," said Malenia.

"Now, what would a general want with thee?" said Mr. Margit.

"I don't know," said Malenia.

"Malenia, your mother is looking for you," said Radahn.

Mr. Margit grew suspicious. Perhaps Radahn's mother had to call for her brood but Queen Marika needn't ever "look" for her children. And even if she did, she wouldn't send her General to fetch them.

"You should hide," whispered Malenia. She kissed Mr. Margit on the cheek and then asked to be put down. "I'll get him to go away so he doesn't see you."

Radahn scratched the back of his head. To see Miquella upset and say he didn't know where Malenia went was worrisome. The twins were never separated since the day they were born and each struggled with their curses.

"And what are you doing in there?" Radahn asked when Malenia appeared.

"Nothing," said Malenia.

Radahn was skeptical. "You're not supposed to be in there."

"Guards aren't supposed to be in there. Mama says I can do what I want," said Malenia.

"I see," said Radahn. He started to examine the tree line.

"Don't look in there," said Malenia.

"I can do what I want too," said Radahn.

"No, you can't. You're the general and you have to be an example for your soldiers," said Malenia.

"You don't like to lose, do you?" scoffed Radahn. "Fine. I hope you're not too spoiled. You're coming with me for a bit."

Malenia was puzzled, "Where?"

"Just for a bit," said Radahn.

Mr. Margit didn't like it. It was near evening, which was far too late for a casual ride, and the way that Radahn switched his stories as to why he wanted Malenia was suspicious.

There were many secrets in Lands-Between of the Erdtree and Marika herself; some in plain sight and others that her other offspring couldn't possibly know about. As her firstborn and one his mother once called "divine", Mr. Margit was privy to many of them.

He placed his hand on the golden bark and said, "Mother, is it by thy command he takes her? I will risk myself to bring her back to thee if it not be thy will, Mother."

He waited a moment as the world went silent. The birds, the breeze, and even the swaying of the other trees' branches.

The response came in the wrestling of the leaves and branches of the Erdtree.

The General intends her no harm, Morgott. Let him do as he pleases.

It was an awkward walk to the stables. Radahn didn't particularly know Malenia well since she was a child who spent most of her days on her sickbed. He would sit in with her, as all his siblings did from time to time, during her bad days, but she was often delirious and in agonizing pain. It wasn't long before Radahn couldn't do it anymore, and left to study magic at the first opportunity.

Radahn regretted that, but what was done was done and now Radahn had to ensure Malenia's well-being. If so much as a hair on Malenia's head was harmed, then Marika would rain down the entirety of her wrath. This was about sending a message to Godwyn that he couldn't mistreat Ranni and expect no consequence.

Radahn could tell that Malenia was suspicious. As they exited the gates of Leyndell, she continued to look back on the city's walls, but like a typical child, she hesitated to question the adults. Particularly not the elder brother who had always protected her.

They headed north up the side gate which led out to the Dominula up in the north.

"Did you know only certain people are allowed in Leyndell?" Radahn asked.

Malenia shook her head.

"Your mother is a goddess. Only those of the purest blood may look upon a goddess," said Radahn."So, we, her demigod children, go from place to place to enforce her will."

"If I become a goddess, can I still have friends?" Malenia asked.

Radahn wasn't sure, since it seemed the only person Marika was ever close to was Godfrey and her children. She was certainly never seen with her husband Radagon and it wasn't hard to decern the two didn't seem happy together.

"I'm sure you can do what you want at that point," said Radahn. He looked out to the road ahead. "Speaking of friends, there's one of mine!"

The Redmane Knight Ogha approached with his helmet tucked under his arm and disguised as a Leyndell knight. He bowed to the general with one hand across his chest. He was an older man and among the first to join the Redmanes when Radahn took command at the age of fifteen. He would say, that the moment he laid eyes on the young commander, he knew the youth had great potential to lead beyond any other demigod before him.

A few Redmanes disguised as nobles stood outside a coffin cart. It was the perfect guise since most Erdtree burials happened at night when the Night's Calvary could attend them.

"The path has been cleared of any and all threats. We're ready to escort you and the little lady back to Caelid, General," said Ogha.

"What about the man I asked you to find?"

"He's waiting at your castle, but he's none too pleased that we 'deceived him.'"

"Would he have come if I told him the truth?"

"To be fair, probably not," said Ogha.

Radahn picked Malenia up and set her on the back of the cart before he ordered his men to prepare to move out. It wasn't long before Marika would check in on her young children and find Malenia missing. Radahn intended to be as far from Leyndell as possible when that happened.

Malenia had never been outside the outer gate of Leyndell and never outside the palace after dark, so was upset as it grew dark. The creaking sound of the turning windmill blades began to scare her as they were new and strange noises.

"Radahn," cried Malenia. "I don't feel well."

"You're okay."

"I want Mama," said Malenia. She clutched the stump of her arm with tears rolling down her face.

"Hey, you need to be brave and try to sleep," said Radahn. He promised he'd have the surgeon look at the arm once they reached Redmane castle.

Malenia couldn't. There wasn't a single night that the queen didn't come and hold her until she fell asleep. To do without that comfort was impossible.

Radahn tucked her in a blanket and they set off.

Now, Malenia was scared as the strange noises from the creatures continued. She heard the shrieks of land octopuses and the puffs of land squirts as they entered the territory of Liurnia. But it was the haunting song of the chanting winged dame that scared her the most and caused her to hide under the blanket. The only assurance was hearing Radahn's voice, knowing he had not gone anywhere.

Soon, she curled up and drifted into a haze.

Her dream brought her under the canopy of the Erdtree. There was Marika, sitting on the grass with a scroll in her hand, reading as she usually did whenever she had time for leisure.

Without saying a word, Malenia ran to her mother and crawled into Marika's lap. Marika kissed her head and then resumed reading. As strange as it was, the two never exchanged much for words. Marika was her mother, and that was all Malenia ever cared to know.

They traveled south through Liurnia where Radahn and his group made a brief stop for some rest. He checked on Malenia who was curled up asleep and sucking her thumb.

They passed Stormveil castle into Limgrave and soon arrived at the green prairies of the Caelid wilds. It was beautiful with the flowers in full bloom and few trees scattered throughout. Radahn was tempted to wake Malenia to show her where they were, but he decided to let her rest. Soon, they arrived at the bridge that led into Redmane Castle and Radahn gave a sigh of relief that his plan went off without any problems.

"Hey, wake up," said Radahn. He pulled Malenia's thumb from her mouth.

She sat up and looked around at the unfamiliar place. The courtyard was full of activity. Washerwomen cleaning clothes, stable boys brushing off the horses, the blacksmith repairing the weapons. They all made noises that were loud compared to the sanctuary of the Erdtree. What little Malenia could still see showed that it was bustling with activity as the blurry forms of people walked by. Redmane castle was always in a constant state of war since they began their campaign on the stars and Radahn was thankful they so far only faced some retaliation from a few falling stars that managed to break through his gravity barriers.

"Where you'll be staying for a bit," said Radahn as he helped her out of the hearse and sat her down in the fine dirt. Her bandages needed changing and her sores treated, so he called for the army surgeon.

Ogha approached and said Radahn's guest was waiting and growing impatient. Radahn knelt down in front of Malenia.

"Stay with Ogha, Little Sister. He'll tell you some funny stories," said Radahn. He patted Ogha on the shoulders, "Tell her that one where your saddle got caught in the trees."

A dark-skinned man stood within the ranks of the Redmanes. He was part of a group Marika had called the "blue men" within her poems, owing to the color of their cloaks and turbans. She described among those who served Godfrey during the wars, and now known as the Tarnished. Around his eyes was a gray cloth to keep the sun from his eyes that often irritated them.

When he stood, he was almost as tall as a Numan, but not quite. Beneath his robes held a fold of muscles from a lifetime of training and deep scars from a lifetime of battle. As instructed by Radahn, the Redmanes did not insult the old master by asking him to remove his armaments, though he was able to defeat any one of them.

He disdain towards Markia and, by extension, her demigod children. That was understandable since she banished all his students and kinsmen from the Lands-Between.

Radahn introduced himself, and the swordsman replied, "I wanted no dealings with any of Marika's children."

"Am I her child?" said Radahn.

"A distinction with no difference."

"Deception is always part of war."

"War? What war are you fighting, General?"

"I am, but that's not why you're here," said Radahn. "I have a little girl with me who's fighting her own war against your old enemy."

"Oh, no, no. I am not interested in fighting that fiend again. The natural order of birth and decay isn't something for mere men to interfere."

"I'm a demigod. And we're not talking about a balance of anything. She's already lost her arm and is mostly blind like yourself," said Radahn.

"That is a tragedy indeed, but can also be seen as what is meant to be."

"She's a child," said Radahn. "An Empyrean child. So rest assured that means your old enemy will return sooner rather than later if you don't help us."

The Swordsman went quiet.

"If you can't help her, then tell me how I can," said Radahn.

"Fine. I will. But only for the child's sake, not for Marika's. Take me to her," said the swordsman.

Malenia was squatted down in the dirt breathing hard and in a self-soothing rocking. She aggressively sucked her thumb as Ogha tried to get her attention. It seemed like any further stress might break her in two.

"Malenia, this is..." said Radahn. He turned back to the Swordsman, "I'm not sure your name."

"Call me Medjai. That's as good a name as any," said the Swordsman.

Medjai knelt down in front of her.

"Hello, little one. Don't be afraid. I assure you that I am not dangerous," he said with a smile. "You poor little thing. You are in such bad shape."

"She has open sores that won't heal."

"Unbandage them."

"And let them become infected?"

"You ask me for what I think and I tell you. Unbandage her arms. Is she educated?" said Medjai.

"She can't see."

"Then teach her what you can. Teach her how to lead. Does she like to play?"

"Whenever she's feeling up to it."

"No! She must play all the time. Even when she does not feel like playing. What is inside her feeds off stillness. The illness she feels is all a trick of that creature so she remains stagnant," said Medjai. "Find her someone to play with."

"Ogha, is that little girl you and the men found in that filth still at the castle? The one whose drunk father we threw into the gael?" Radahn whispered.

"We couldn't find anyone to take her in, so the men decided to adopt her."

"What's her name?"

"Finlay."

Radahn raised an eyebrow, "That wasn't her name."

"Hearing her name terrified her, General. So, we call her Finlay. You know, it means 'courage.'"

"Tell her to come. She has a new job. One she's better suited for than carrying water and cleaning stables," said Radahn.

"She's a bit shy."

"If you were a six-year-old girl, surrounded by ugly men, you'd be a bit shy too. Time she has another child her own age," said Radahn.

Somehow, Medjai was able to get Malenia's attention. Medjai was doing a silly dance, with his arms spread out and leaping around, alternating from one foot to the next. Malenia giggled and tried to imitate him, fell down a couple times, but was all too eager to try again.

Ogha came back with a young girl, about Malenia's age - though no one really knew for sure - at his side. She had sandy blond hair, white skin, and gold-colored eyes which were different from the sickly pale dirty child the Redmanes found. They had taken good care of her, with each one treating her as his own. But Ogha was truly the one that the girl saw as her protector. The one who found her took her back to the camp, ensured she was fed, and gave her a new name to go with her new life.

New life was so rare in the Lands-Between that any choice to harm it was an act of blasphemy. So, the Redmanes treated it as such.

"Malenia, this is Finlay. She'll show you the ropes around here," said Radahn.

The girls looked at each other for a moment, not sure what to do with the introduction. Finally, Malenia said, "You want to dance with us?"

"The old masters were wont to call this work their white swan, their albefication, or making white, their sublimation, distillation, circulation, and purification." (qt. Fabricious, 137).