Note: Just a heads up, Duran and Angela's section takes place around the same time Flamekhan announces Nevarl is becoming a kingdom, but before Eagle's death. Then it goes back to the present.

Also, both ways in how they get it in their heads to go to Wendel are different, as really, it sort of doesn't make any sense how Angela just goes into an inn and just happens to find a fortune teller there. Duran's will still have one, yet the methods they meet are different.

Up next is Hawkeye and Riesz, then Kevin and Charlotte!

Duran's Quest and Angela's Departure

Valsena

Slice upward. Downward. Cross cut. Slice through. This was the basic kata he had come to call upon when facing the torn-up scarecrow in the yard. Though, at the moment, his movements were rather sloppy, the consumption of an overwhelming amount of alcohol had that effect on a person.

That crimson wizard, that damned crimson wizard! He ruined him! Everywhere Duran went, he saw eyes glancing at him. They were judging him, mocking him, he knew it! And the few whispers that he heard, all of them were about what happened that night.


"Did you hear? That wizard guy infiltrated the castle!"

"Yeah, who knows how many guards were injured or killed!"

"And isn't that the guy that won the tournament? So why couldn't he do anything to stop him?"

"Maybe he isn't as good as they say. Maybe he's still just a kid."


Duran gritted his teeth. A silly little boy. The words of that blonde bastard echoed in his mind. With a mighty slash, he tore the scarecrow in half, the straw man falling to pieces before him as he cut and cut and cut until it was little more than pieces of straw and string and a sliced-up hat and sweater. Lowering his sword, Duran fell to his knees and sighed. It did nothing. It never did anything. Everyone knew of his failure; he had failed in everything. Beating back the intruder, preventing so many from being slain, and protecting the king, he bet his father would have succeeded with no problem. His father must've been ashamed of him too.

"Big brother!" a young voice cried out, Wendy coming out of the house to see the damage he had wrought on the scarecrow. "You killed Mr. Crow!" she wailed, clearly upset. As mentioned above, she had crafted Mr. Crow with old clothes given to her by Aunt Stella and made him all by herself. It was her pride and joy; now, her brother had torn it to pieces. "Big brother, you can't keep doing this!" she shouted. "Aunt Stella is worried, and I'm worried!" Duran didn't answer, only sat there. "You...you're just a big crybaby!" Wendy then shouted. "You're not tough at all!" She ran inside the house, slamming the door behind her.

Duran scoffed. What did Wendy know? She was just some foolish little kid. How could she possibly know how he felt? How could anyone know how he felt? One moment, he was the pride of the kingdom, the next, he was the greatest failure. Aunt Stella continuously told him he was exaggerating, but he didn't care. What did she know? Auntie should've known better than anyone. She outright KNEW both his parents while they were still around! She knew what Loki's accomplishments had been in the war with Pedda! And with the first encounter with the so-called Dragon Lord.

Dragon Lord, even now, such a name brought a reaction from those in Valsena. Dread, fear, yet also a sense of fascination. No one knew too much of the rumored head of the dragons; that was the title given to him, and even then, that was up for debate. Duran knew that he was involved in the war with Pedda nineteen years ago that both his father and King Richard were interested in. The Dragon Lord had lent his tribe's forces to the advanced kingdom; no one involved had to do battle with him. Yet his creatures had been foes worth fearing, for they had slain many of Pedda's enemies, often singlehandedly and seemingly without effort.

Why he did this, no one could say. Some said that he genuinely wished to ally himself and his tribe with Pedda in their conquest of the world; some said that he was simply waiting for Pedda to weaken the world, allowing him to step in and take its place as its conqueror. Some leaned more towards the latter option, given how he again began causing trouble afterward some years later, which is where his father and King Richard came into the picture. Since then, no one had heard a word of the Dragon Lord. Again, rumors circulated that he was dead or perhaps hiding away in some dark corner of the world, slowly recovering his strength to strike again.

Duran refused to believe that latter. Whoever this Dragon Lord was, he was gone. His father saw to it that the best fell by his hand. A legacy that he'd never be able to live up to and honor. Not now.

"One person's life is controlled ninety-nine percent by fate." suddenly, an old woman's voice was heard. "The other one percent is by one's own volition." Duran turned to see an older woman supporting herself with a cane and garbed in a violet shirt and shawl, a long, yellow skirt, and simple, brown shoes. She wore a veil of yellow with a silver band with a single red jewel around her forehead, had pale, wrinkled skin, pointed ears (was she part elf?), thick, white eyebrows, and silver hoop earrings. "So, young man, which part in it will you take?"

Duran rose from the ground. "Who are you?"

The woman smiled. "Merely an old woman who saw one who needs direction. It looks like you need one from all the trips to the bar you've been making."

Duran furrowed his brows. "I don't believe in fortunes, lady." he huffed. "Did you come to mock me too?"

"Far from it." she hobbled forward and extended her hand. "Come to my shop. I shall point you in the right direction."

Who was she trying to fool? He did not need such shit! Still, he had to admit, he was feeling as low as he could fathom anyone could handle. And really, what else did he have to lose?

"Lead the way, lady."

Snow Hamlet Alrant

She remembered walking and walking and walking with no sense of direction or purpose. Nowhere to go, so much ground to cover, and no relief in sight. Was she still being chased? Angela knew that she wouldn't last much longer, whatever the case was. Her attire did nothing to shield her from the overwhelming cold, her fingers and toes had gone numb long ago, and the numbness was crawling up the rest of her limbs. The cold was all she could think of. So, so cold. It was true what they said: your teeth did chatter. She lost her footing and fell face-first into the snow; the powder was soft but stinging on her flesh. She gasped at the sensation and found that she could barely move anymore. If she couldn't walk, then she had to crawl. Get away, she told herself. The guards could've been right behind her, ready to be taken back. Get away...get away...get away...get…

She could take no more. Then, beyond her control, her body gave out, and her green eyes rolled to the back of her head as she slumped over, and everything went dark.

Nothing was what she registered at first, but as the cloud as thick as the mist outside began to lift, Angela became aware that she was in a different place than before. A far warmer, softer place. Slowly opening her eyes, she found herself in a warm, thick bed, her clothes on a nearby chair, her boots and socks on the floor, and her crown atop the folded attire. "What the…" she moaned, trying to get up, but she immediately found that she couldn't register whether or not she was even moving her legs.

"I wouldn't do that." a woman's voice told her, the woman coming to be seen from around the corner. "If anything, you shouldn't be going anywhere for a while." The woman had short, red hair and a white blouse with frilled ends on the sleeves. She wore a corset of purple and a lilac skirt with brown boots made for treading through the snow on her feet. "You've got a nasty case of frostbite."

"F-Frostbite?!" Angela exclaimed, panicking. Throwing the sheets off her, she saw her fingers and toes had become swollen and red. Then, she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Relax, it's not that bad." then what was that about it being nasty, Angela thought. "True, you're going to be numb for a few days, but there are no beginning stages of gangrene. You'll keep them all. But you probably will be getting a few blisters." oh, that was great, Angela thought. Still, she tried to stand. The floor was chilled on her bare skin, and she could barely feel anything save for mild pressure, yet she still attempted to walk. Only to fall flat on her face. "I told you!" the red-haired woman said, lifting her. "You don't need to be going anywhere!" her blue eyes then turned to the clothes on the table. "Speaking of, what were you thinking wearing that outside! It's no wonder you got frostbite! I'm surprised this level of damage was all you got!" Angela said nothing, only continued shaking. "I'm sorry." the woman apologized. "You need rest, not a lecture."

"Hey, is the lady up, mama?" a young girl came into the picture, her hair purple, and she wore a pink dress with a long-sleeved undershirt with frills at the ends, similar to her mother. "Can I play with her?"

"No, Chichi." the woman shook her head. "She doesn't need to be doing anything for a few days." the little girl looked disappointed. "Go ask Bella; she'll play with you."

"No, she's cooking for Grandma." Chichi grumbled.

"Again? Honestly, the woman's memory can't be that bad!" the woman exited the room, taking her daughter with her, leaving Angela alone.

Well, it was clear that her mobility was severely compromised, so it would be best to remain in bed for a bit. Crawling back into bed, she sunk into the warmth created by the covers, and unconsciousness retook her.

Valsena

Fortunate Shop

The room was adorned in purple curtains and tapestries decorated with star maps and artistic depictions of planets. Trinkets hung from the ceiling, all of which the old woman probably would claim to 'heighten' her powers. But, honestly, what was Duran doing here?

"Now, young man," the old woman began, sitting on the other side of a cloth-covered table, a shimmering ball in the center. "Be still and allow me to read you." she lifted her hands and held them above the ball, and while he believed this was all nonsense, Duran's blue eyes widened when the ball began to glow. "Yes...hmm...yes, I see." she moaned, slowly moving her hands over the sphere, long nails lightly touching the glass. "I can see...a distant land." she began. "Beyond Valsena...past the city of Jadd...in Wendel." Wendel? As in, the Holy City? "A man in robes of white...ah! The Priest of Light!" she exclaimed, but then, the crystal seemed to darken. "And...oh. Oh my…"

"What?" Duran asked, despite his previous disinterest, had become enticed now. "What is it?"

"There is...a great tree. A great, mighty tree. A land, the holiest in the world, yet cut off from the world. And…" the ball then began to glow green. "I see a sword resting in the roots of the mighty tree. A sword that holds power to save...as well as the power to destroy."

"But what does that have to do with what direction to go?" Duran asked, but the woman went on.

"Eight stones...eight spirits...and eight beasts." the crystal turned black, the entire room darkening. "And three...three evils that wish to see them free…." What she said then got his full attention. "An emperor amongst winged beasts…." Winged beasts? Like dragons?! "A Prince that has lost his light...and a former healer of broken spirits…."

"Hey, what about an emperor of winged beasts?" Duran asked, yet she continued. "Hey!"

"Even now, their servants are at work, organizing for war, planning to acquire the stones of the other countries. Their goal is that holy land."

"Hey!" Duran demanded, slamming his hands on the table. "What about the emperor?! Is it the Dragon Lord?! Tell me!"

The woman released a sigh and slumped back in her chair, the crystal ball losing its light and becoming little more than a sphere of glass. "The vision has left me. There is no more. Your question of whether one of these evils is the fabled Dragon Lord is unknown."

"What good was any of that?" Duran asked. "How does this somehow point me in the right direction? That was just a bunch of bullshit you threw at me!"

The older woman was unfazed by the young man's words, clearly peaking in frustration. "Seek the Priest of Light. From there, you will find true strength."

True strength. Enough strength to beat that wizard?

The Next Day

Alrant

Well, it was sort of nice that she was able to move again, but what the woman, of whom she learned to be named Anna, said was true: she had developed a couple of blisters, which made walking somewhat tricky. To Angela's disgust, a few of them popped and exposed the raw skin underneath; she had to wrap parts of her hands and feet in gauze to lessen the pain. She had been housed with a small family in a place that she had come to know as the Hamlet of Alrant that consisted of a mother (Anna), a daughter around her age (Bella), and a younger daughter (Chichi), and their grandmother (Gladys). Anna had mainly checked up on her and monitored her condition while Chichi kept wondering whether or not Angela would ever be in the proper condition to play. Bella had hair the same color as her own and dressed very much like her mother, but her attire mostly consisted of brown. Gladys mainly wore a bonnet of blue and a dress of mauve and was almost always at the table.

"Ah, there you are, Bella!" the old woman greeted Angela. But, honestly, how many times had she mistaken her for her granddaughter? "When's dinner?"

"Grandma, it's still a few hours away," Bella answered from the living room, reading a book. She then looked to Angela, who was up and walking around. "What are you doing up. Mom said that you're supposed to stay in bed."

"I know, but I can't stand being cooped up here anymore." Angela moaned. "I've got to get out and at least take a walk."

"Oooh, are you going to get some ingredients, Bella?" Gladys asked Bella; she sighed. But then, she just had a thought.

" Actually, grandma," she got out of her chair and went to get a thick coat from the closet. She then threw it in Angela's direction, catching it. "I am."

Valsena

He couldn't believe he bought into that, even if it was just for the tiniest second. NOT worth the five hundred lurce the old bag asked for. And then, when he rightfully called her out on her nonsense, she told him to scram! Stupid old bat. She was probably drunk anyway; he could've sworn he had seen her in the bar.

Well, whatever. Her words were nothing more than that, and they sure didn't bring him any closer to lifting his mood. But, of course, he couldn't continue like this. But what could he do?

He kept silent as there was a briefing about what had occurred a short time before. "From what both Duran and several others have reported, the magician was dressed in a cloak of red." a high-ranking soldier in golden armor said to the plethora of gathered troops. "And the dark knight appeared to be collaborating with him, as both entered and went with each other simultaneously."

"You don't think," another golden knight interjected. "That it's the Wizard of the Red Lotus, do you?"

"The Crimson Wizard of Altena?" a soldier in the crowd asked, questions being passed around. Duran hadn't even considered such a possibility before, yet why would Altena wish to send someone like that here? And to cause such damage no less?

"We had an alliance with Altena, didn't we?" a soldier asked.

"Yeah, during the war with Pedda. Queen Valda, the Queen of Reason, extended her help to King Richard and Sir Loki themselves."

"Why would they risk it now?"

"Enough." King Richard commanded, sitting on his throne, yet it was clear he was in a reasonable degree of pain. The doctor had reported that he had a few broken ribs, yet aside from that, nothing vital had been punctured or heavily damaged. Yet still, should that knight return, there was no way he could defend himself against such an attack again. Let alone against this Crimson Wizard. "If this is true, I fear this might be a preemptive strike. Next may well be a potential invasion." he delivered this grim message with much sadness in his voice, as if the prospect of it cut into a profound, personal aspect of himself.

"Then we should send spies over there ourselves!" a soldier suggested, one of the golden knights shaking their heads.

"However," King Richard continued. "We have no concrete evidence that this was a command by Queen Valda herself, or that this or that this Crimson Wizard was acting at her behest. Therefore, we cannot simply go and be an aggressor to Altena. Not to mention, assuming that Altena WAS where this Crimson Wizard came from, it is clear that, unfortunately, we are outmatched."

"Then what do we do?" several among the various soldiers asked. Questions about potential solutions to how proof would have been gotten were thrown around everywhere, yet it was clear that they were getting nowhere. Then, someone suggested something.

"Perhaps the Priest of Light has answers."

Duran's eyes widened. Priest of Light…

"Hey, yeah! The Priest of Light in Wendel! He knows just about everything! Surely he can tell us what we should do!" This seemed to gain traction with all present, Duran remembering the old bat's words and her supposed visions.

"Your Majesty." one of the golden knights then requested. "If I may be bold, I believe this is the best course of action. If anyone could assist us now, it would be His Eminence."

Richard pondered this, trying his best not to lean over to bring pain to himself. "It...shall be considered." he then turned to the soldiers before him. "Until then, our top priority is strengthening the kingdom's defenses! Make sure that no area is left uncovered!"

"Yes, sir!" everyone said in unison.

"Good." Richard nodded. "You are all dismissed."

The soldiers all began to take their leave, returning to their posts—all except one.

Alrant

Going out and doing someone else's work WASN'T what she had in mind! She had only known them for a couple of days, yet already, Angela decided that Bella was her least favorite person in the household.

Still, despite the cold, she couldn't deny that it was somewhat pleasant to get out. The heavy coat lessened it, but some gusts of wind managed to get past its barrier and freeze up her legs. In her hand was a woven basket filled with an assortment of vegetables that Bella had instructed, or instead, simply TOLD her to get without her input. She just shoved it in her hands and pushed Angela out the door. Guess Bella had to go shopping just one too many times? Well, whatever, when she got back, the violet-haired girl was going to give that girl a piece of her mind!

"That's even less than yesterday!" she heard a woman shout as she approached the market.

"The shipments are growing less and less each day." a man said. "Pretty soon, we won't be having anything here. And thanks to the weather, we can only grow so much, if anything."

"All the fish are disappearing too. What's going on here?"

Angela kept walking, trying to find what Bella had said to get. She was still quite angry about it, yet she was out here already. Besides, Bella would probably just kick her out if she didn't return with anything.

"Excuse me." she heard a voice not too far away, yet Angela couldn't help but feel it sounded familiar. Her blood ran cold in the direction it was coming from. "Have you seen this young lady?" A short distance away was a band of Altenian mages garbed in heavy coats and showing what appeared to be a piece of paper to a small group passing through. Observing it closer, Angela could tell it was an illustration of herself.

"The Princess?" an old woman among them asked. "What of her?"

"She is a wanted criminal and has committed a great sin against Her Highness."

"Criminal? Oh my!"

"She had escaped the castle, but so far, there's no trace of her in the Frostbite Fields. Have you seen anyone resembling her here recently?"

No, no, no, no, don't you dare say a word, you old bat!

"Um...well, now that you mention it…."

Damn it, damn it, damn it! Angela scurried her way back to the house, to hell with Bella's ingredients. Yet before she could open the door, she noticed that Anna was downstairs talking with someone. And the moment she saw who it was in the window, she knew well that she no longer had anywhere she could hide.

"I had no idea that the Princess was a wanted criminal," Anna told the blonde wizard, clearly surprised. Angela could hear little of this conversation, yet they were talking about her from what she could get. "This is quite shocking news to me."

"It is to me as well," Koren replied. "Her Highness is devastated...but justice must be executed. We cannot allow for any leniency, no matter one's class or status."

"I understand," Anna answered him, catching the coated Angela outside. "But really, why would she come here? And from what you've said, if it is always Spring in the kingdom, her attire would be light, wouldn't it?"

"I'll admit, she doesn't dress very...appropriate for one of her stature," Koren admitted, lips tightening in anger at the thought of that brat prancing around in such clothing. "But understand, madam, that you all could be in danger. You are all at her mercy if you're harboring a criminal and a magician. Surely you value the safety of your dear children, yes?"

You… Angeal fumed. You lying, no good...

"Yes, of course, sir," Anna admitted. "But truly, I am unaware of anyone like that being here."

"Are you certain?" Koren then began to turn to the staircase. "Would you care if I search?"

Anna froze. "Sir-" he didn't wait for her input, going up anyway. "S-Sir! You can't just-" she ran up after him.

Angela backed up from the window, dropped the basket, and began looking all around, losing herself as panic took over. Where could she go? This place was so small; she would be found for sure! If she ran out into the fields, then she'd surely die! Oh, Goddess, oh Spirits, what in the world was she going to do?!

"Mmph!" Suddenly, a hand placed itself over her mouth, a figure dragging her back in a shadowed area between a couple of the handful of houses around. She fought, finally able to turn around and face her would-be abductor. "I don't know who you think you are, but I'm not in the mood for…" her words died in her throat upon seeing who it was that grabbed her. "Victor?!"

Valsena

"Duran?" King Richard was puzzled as to why the youth had decided to stay. Yet there was a fire in his eyes—a very familiar fire.

"Majesty," Duran began, kneeling before the king. "I ask your permission to embark on a journey."

The golden knights looked at each other, King Richard as confused as they were. "A journey? Of what kind?"

"One of harnessing and gaining true strength," he explained. "I shall find the means to defeat the Crimson Wizard, even if it means my dying breath!"

All of them looked at each other. "Duran," Richard began. "Your intentions are noble, and your strength cannot be questioned."

A small bit of healing was dealt with his shattered pride. "Thank you, Majesty. I swear to you that I shall-"

"Yet I cannot allow for such a thing." It was dashed even further just like that.

"Wh-What?" Duran rose to his feet. "M-Majesty! Please, I must-"

"I understand, believe me, I do." Richard interrupted. "A warrior's pride is one of the most precious things a man can possess. Yet I cannot give my blessing in where you recklessly endanger yourself on a journey such as this."

"Majesty…"

"I'm sorry, Duran." Richard sighed. "But the answer is no."

Duran stood silently; for how long, no one knew. Yet by the time he did speak, it was clear that he was completely shattered. "I...I understand. Thank you, Majesty."

"Duran-" King Richard began, but Duran had already turned away, walking before going into a full-on sprint out through the throne room doors.

Alrant

"Shh!" the blonde young man shushed the Princess. "Not so loud!" he steadily uncovered Angela's mouth.

"What are you-"

"SHHH!"

"What are you doing here?" Angela said again, her voice far calmer.

"Getting you out of here, what else?" Victor told her. "But…" he then threw his arms around her. "I'm so glad you're safe. You nearly gave Jose a heart attack."

"He knows too?"

"Everybody knows!" Victor told her. "Why else are they here? And you don't want to know what Koren will do if he catches either of us."

"Then what do you suggest I do?" Angela questioned. "It's not like I can just waltz around here like nothing's going on now! They've got posters of me already!" It was then that Victor grew silent. "Victor."

"Listen," he told her, voice firm. "This is important." he then pointed her to a place off to the north. "There's a ship that's docking with shipments." she then felt a sack of coins in her hand. "Get on, and get out of here. But, then, go to Wendel."

"Wendel?" Angela was puzzled. "What would be in Wendel?"

"Jose told me." Victor clarified. "He also said it'd be best for you to see the Priest of Light."

"Priest of Light? Isn't he some old man?" Angela asked. "What could someone possibly even older than Jose do for me?"

"I don't know exactly...but if you make it to Wendel, you'll at least be safe from here." he then took her hands. "Angela, please. This is the only chance you have. After that, you're as good as dead if they catch you."

Angela saw the desperation in his eyes, averting her own to give herself some reprieve from the sheer intensity of them. Still, his words were actual. She was little more than a mouse running from a group of cats, all aiming to tear her apart. Still...her own mother? "Why?" she found herself asking aloud. "Why has mother-"

"I don't know," Victor admitted. "But you can't stay here. Hell, you could miss your chance at any moment. Go."

Angela sighed. "Ok. All right." she placed the sack she received in the coat's pocket.

"Oh, also," Victor pulled something from behind him, the curved, wooden wand from Jose's class. "The old man thought you should have this." Angela slowly took it. What would he give this to her for? After all, she had no skills in magic. But Victor's hurried tone made it clear that this was no time for questions. "Ok, go. I must cover for you, so make your way to the port."

"Ok. I…" she then hugged him. "I'm going to miss you."

"You can miss me later," Victor told her. Still, he embraced her. "Now go." she nodded, making her way from in between the homes in a walk, then quickening her pace as she dashed off. "Go!" he shouted, running out and watching as she made her way out of here.

"Victor?" he heard a voice, turning to see Koren himself. "I don't suppose you've had any luck?"

"I…" Victor sighed. "I haven't seen any sight of her."

"I see…" the red wizard nodded, though it was clear he wasn't buying it. He then looked at the new steps made in the snow. "Well, go and join the others in the search. The future of Altena depends on finding her."

"Yes, sir." with that, Koren left. Yet the trail Angela had left behind...oh no. Oh no!

Valsena

So, not even King Richard had faith in him.

Well...fine then, he thought, packing the last of his stuff. He could do this all on his own. He would go to Wendel himself. Not that he was entertaining the old bat's words, but...even still, the fact that the holy city was mentioned so soon after his fortune was a rather remarkable coincidence. And after all, the Priest was well known for his guidance worldwide.

"Mm…" Duran heard Wendy moan in her sleep, turning over in her bed.

"Wendy...Aunt Stella...I'm sorry." he sighed. "But I have to do this." with that, he hoisted the sack over his shoulder and, as quietly as he could, eased his way downstairs and through the front door.

"And just where do you think you're doing up at this hour?" Duran froze, turning to see a blonde woman with her arms crossed.

"Aunt Stella...I-"

"I know well what you're up to," she said. "And...I wish you luck."

"Wait...what?"

"I know well you were going to do something like this. And despite whatever he said, the king probably knows too. After all, if he knew your father, he knows you well."

"Aunt Stella…"

"But before you go...at least take this." She then held out a sword of bronze. "It was your father's. He had this when he was your age. He even used it in the same tournament and took down Richard when he was still a Prince."

Duran's widened eyes looked down at the weapon, slowly reaching and taking it. Then, he slashed it and cut the air before stopping to look at it again. Despite himself and his efforts to fight back against it, he felt himself begin to tremble. "Auntie...th-thank you…" he felt a pair of arms hug him from behind.

"I haven't been raising you all these years for nothing." she sighed. "Yet please...don't lose yourself in this. Strength is a two-way street, so please, don't let yourself become consumed by the darker part."

"I won't." Duran sniffed, having lost the battle to compose himself. "I promise. Thank you." he then turned around and embraced her. They lost track of how long they held each other, but by the time they had let go, it was difficult for him to get going.

Still, nonetheless, his feet eventually began to move away from his home, then from the collection of houses, then through the gates of Valsena itself.

Alrant

"Five-hundred lurce to board."

Angela's mouth hung agape. "What?!"

"That's the going price. Don't like it; wait for the next ship." the skipper told her, folding his arms.

"Ok, fine," she grumbled, counting and handing him the right amount of coins. Then, she boarded the ship quickly and looked out at the ocean.

"Didn't you hear?" the bearded man suddenly asked.

"Hear what?"

"The Princess has run away."

Angela bit her lip. "Oh? Is that a fact?"

"Yep. And that's not all. I heard she's got a price on her head too."

"Huh. What a story."

"I know," he then boarded the ship as well. "Wonder what she could've done to get nearly the entire kingdom to go out and hunt her down."

Indeed. Angela said nothing, only wrapped the coat around her body as she stared at the vast ocean she'd soon be traveling. So many questions flooded her mind, having plagued her ever since she left. Just what were her mother and Lord Koren thinking? If they were that desperate for the Mana Stone's power, wouldn't there have been another way? How could she, her mother, go along with this?! Yet also, how did she manage to escape in the first place? What was that light that emitted from her? Had she used magic? Real magic? These and many more raced through her head as she looked on at the ocean's lapping waves.

"Anchor's away!" the skipper called out; the bridge raised back up and the anchor lifted, Angela feeling the ship begin to move. Yet just then, she saw someone looking from below at her. Victor looked around to see if he was alone, but when he was convinced he was, he gave her a small wave, and she, in turn, responded in kind.

Then, the ship began to sail away from the tiny hamlet. Away from the frozen landscape and to places unknown to either of them.

Note: Just a bit more, the characters will arrive in Jadd. I'll admit that I'm pleased with how this has been going: it's been slower-paced than the actual game, but not so slow that interest has been lost. I admit to being a slower person when it comes to writing, but I also want to ensure that I don't drag too much.

That said, thank you to all who have commented on this, both from here and on Archive of Our Own! I hope to see you all next time!