Luckily I wasn’t far from the outskirts of the capital, only about a 2 hour walk. I waved to the guards at the gates who let me through. On this side of the city, there was no question of who I was. My parents’ manor was dwarfed by the cathedral just up the street, but no other manor stood taller than it did here. It also helped having an odd shade of hair.

  I couldn’t help but notice the whispers, however. I looked around behind me when I watched numerous people hurry across the street when they saw me. “Elidyr’s sister.” “The mage.” Careful, they’ll arrest us for associating with her.” “How could Lady Elidyr have a sister like that? Elidyr swore off magic years ago, why didn’t the second Nightingale?” I felt like ice had lodged itself in my heart. I hurried down a side street and ducked behind a low wall, opening my suitcase and pulled out my long cape I kept just in case. It was impractical, but it was warm and had a deep hood I could hide my face and hair in easily. Three months and people were already damning those that were associated with magic.

  I snapped my suitcase shut and hurried down the street, ducking down back alleys to avoid the main roads, taking the long way around to the manor. Luckily, I didn’t encounter many people and the few I did, scurried away or ignored me outright, busy with their work. I stopped however, when I started to feel sick, like I’d suddenly eaten something I shouldn’t have. I looked around the alley and found, there, in the dark corner, the source of my ill feeling. Miasma.

  I walked towards it and focused on it, picking the strings of miasma out from the mana. I followed the trail of miasma and it led me to one of the many sealed off gates to the underground city. There was a bit wafting up from beneath the door, but not enough to cause all of this miasma. There wasn’t anything I could do right now, on account of my mana depletion and I didn’t have any spores from the cave mushrooms with me.

  I turned and walked back the way I came, wondering once again, why the Astral Mages decided it was such a good idea to ban magic to everyone but their own. No matter how I spun it, none of it made any sense. They had to know they were all but killing everyone, right? Magic had to be used, otherwise the miasma grows rampant like it currently is. There’s always been a bit of miasma, but never on this scale. Especially not in the city.

  I stood just outside the gates and stared up at the tall, dark spires, mirroring the dread I felt within me. The dark blue roof quickly growing darker in the fading light. It was a gift from the king himself but I had so many awful memories growing up here. Elidyr would morph into a completely different person every time we came back here from the holidays in the Deepwood Forest. Truth be told, so had I, trying to fit in with her and the other noble children.

  Mom and I had gotten into the nastiest argument about it to which she’d slapped me and then sent me to bed without dinner. Finally making me realize exactly what kind of monster I’d become when I tried to fit in. It was then that I’d stopped going to social gatherings when I could, opting to instead go to the training grounds to practice with other knights if Teodoric was busy.

  Princess Igraine had taken a notice and would often disappear to come find me. Somehow she’d managed to continue being herself, kind, understanding, and strong. I figured, if she could do it, so could I. We trained together on occasion, further strengthening our friendship.

  “Ah, Lady Rivienne.” A tall, middle-aged man stepped through the gates in front of me.

  “Hello Ogbert. It’s been a while.” I smiled at him, relieved to see a friendly face.

  “It has, indeed. 7 months and 8 days to be exact.” He held his hand out to take my suitcase from me.

  “Leave it to you to keep track of all that.” I laughed, handing him the suitcase as I pulled my hood down.

  “Tis merely a guess, my lady.” He winked at me. “Now, how have you been?”

  I tried to put on a happy face for him, but failed miserably when my shoulders involuntarily drooped.

  “It’s the same here, I fear.” He said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders, steering me through the gates. “At least there is one bright spot in all the doom and gloom. The others will, no doubt, also be happy to see you’ve returned.”

  It was all I could take and couldn't even fight a single tear that started pouring from my eyes. “It’s awful Ogbert. The magic has grown stagnant here already, I don’t know if I can do the right thing to fix it, I try to help and it all goes wrong, my friends are mad at me again, and I didn’t even say goodbye to anyone.” I blubbered, and just like that, I’d reverted back to the crybaby I’d always been.

  He set my suitcase down and pulled me in for a hug. “I don’t have any answers to give you, but the least I can do is allow you to cry and to let you know that we see you. We see you for who you are. We see your heart you’ve closed up behind your walls. We see you and your worries. Your friends are probably mad at you because they’re worried about you. Knowing you, you used too much magic again?”

  I pulled away and wiped my eyes on my sleeve and sniffed. “Sorry.” I mumbled.

  “I’ll take that as a yes. Don’t be sorry. We hear the whispers too, the rumors about you. I assume that’s what’s upset you so?”

  “Not the only thing, but yes.” I sighed. “What’s happened here? Why has my name become such a curse already?”

  “It’s late and you could use some rest. Your parents were called to the palace almost as soon as they got here, so the dinner they had planned to eat with you had to be cancelled.”

  I nodded in understanding, knowing that they were busy and a lot of it was out of their control.

  “Come to the kitchens, we’ll have stew together if you’d like.” Ogbert said, opening the front door for me.

  I stepped through and took my cape off and adjusted my green tunic so it lay correctly.

  “I think I’ll-”

  “Lady Rivienne!”

  “Emma!” I reached out as one of the maids all but threw herself at me in a hug.

  “Oh I’m so glad you’re back.” She said, letting me go and taking my cape from me. “Come eat with us, please? We’ve all missed you and I don’t want you to be alone right now. Oh please?” She pleaded.

  “Fine, fine.” I shook my head in amusement, glad to be back.

  Ogbert disappeared, presumably to put my suitcase in my room for me, and Emma pulled me by my arm to the kitchens.

  “Look who’s back!” She said, waving her arms at me with a flourish.

  “Rivienne.” Patty, our cook, pulled me in for a bone-crushing hug. A hug from Patty was guaranteed to melt all your worries away, for a few moments at least.

  I wrapped my arms around her and breathed in deeply, comforted by the familiar smell of flour and cooking oil wafting around the kitchen.

  “How was your time in Deepwood?” She asked, letting me go, much to my dismay.

  “Heard you took part in the riots.” Emilio said, coming in the back door. “Don’t bother denying it. You could’ve at least hid your hair.” He scowled.

  “I told you not to bring it up.” Patty whirled on him. “If she hadn’t stood up to the mages, the entire forest would be under their control.”

  “They’re calling for her arrest. How do you think that makes us and her own family look? We’ve all been pulled in for questioning too many times.” He glared at me.

  “I didn’t realize-” “They were executed.” Everything was crumbling and I was blind to it.

  “Of course you didn’t realize. You never pay attention to the important things.” He snapped. “Your actions have sullied your family’s name enough. Do us all a favor and turn yourself in.” He spun on his heel and left, slamming the door behind him.

  I felt sick to my stomach. “Are they really calling for my arrest? Why haven’t they done it already? Why wasn’t I stopped at the gates? Why-”

  “Don’t.” Patty said, laying a hand on my shoulder. “Don’t think about it. This city was known as the city of magic for many reasons. There are people who still believe that magic shouldn’t be outlawed. When the rumors started about you fending off the mages yourself, people here rallied under a green lily. In all your years here, you have taught so many people how to use magic and they don’t forget their debts. There are those who will sell you out, but for every one of them, 2 others will rise up in your defence. On this side of the city at least.” She rolled her sleeve up and showed me a strip of cloth she’d tied around her arm with a green water lily embroidered on it.

  “We all have one, well, except Emilio.” Emma said, showing me hers as well.

  “But why?” I asked, tracing the lily on Patty’s arm.

  “There were others who rose up in defiance, but you’re the only person we have in common with the residents of Deepwood. As much as you centered your life around magic, we all know you wouldn’t give it up without a fight.” Patty smiled, pulling her sleeve back down.

  “Even if it means we all get arrested, don’t stop fighting.” Emma grinned. “I’ll happily rot in a stone box if it means you’re one step closer to bringing magic back to us. That is what you’re planning on doing, right?”

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “Well…” Life without magic wasn’t something I wanted to consider. It was already happening, but I would put my magic on the back burner, but I wouldn’t stop it completely. Not for anything. “Yes. I am planning on finding a way to convince the mages to stop with their senseless… whatever it is they’re trying to accomplish. From where I stand, it’s doing more harm than good.”

  “Trade is taking a serious hit, the war to the south is steadily growing thanks to that and thanks to the king.” Patty said, sitting at the table. She grabbed a spoon and started filling bowls from the pot on the table while Emma grabbed a knife and started cutting some bread.

  I grabbed the pitcher off the table and started filling cups with water. If anyone would know exactly what was going on, it was Igraine. I figured after I eat, I could make my way to the palace. The city was so ancient, there were hidden tunnels under the city that connected straight to the throne room itself. Some of the tunnels led to the underground city, but if you knew the route, you wouldn’t get lost.

  “Rivienne-” Ogbert hissed from the doorway. “Knights are on their way here, I assume for you.”

  “Thank you.” I said, grabbing a spoon and dipping it in the pot of stew, filled it and took a bite of it. Not wanting to miss out on Patty’s stew completely. I set the spoon down and left the kitchens, headed for the front door.

  “Where are you going? If you go out the back door-”

  “Thank you Emma, but I’m going to go, I really would like to know what they want. Besides, you’ve all covered for me enough as it is. It’s my turn.” I gave her and Ogbert a quick hug, as they had followed me out.

  “We didn’t cover for you just so you could turn yourself in. You’re one of a few powerful mages left who can stand up to the Astral Order.” Ogbert said, crossing his arms.

  “Maybe so, but I’m not the only one. There’s hundreds of us still, at least.”

  “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” Emma said, looking away. “They executed the mage knights without even giving them an opportunity to join the Astral Order. We don’t even know if the people they’ve arrested are even alive anymore either. Rivi, you can’t just willingly throw your life away without-”

  “Sorry Emma, but I never said I would be throwing my life away. I have an idea and I don’t know if it’ll work, but please trust me.” I pleaded, not even believing myself. A plan? What plan? Did I even have one? No, I never have one, except a harebrained scheme.

  “Of course I trust you, but please, please be careful.” She said, with tears in her eyes. “I’ve lost… no, we’ve lost too many people to the mages already.”

  I jumped when someone banged on the front doors, rattling the glass.

  To turn myself in or to make a run for it to fight another day…

  “Rivienne, what is your plan?” Ogbert asked.

  Turn myself in or fight.

  Bang bang bang

  “I can do both.” Struck with an idea, I whirled around. “I’m going to make a run for it, I must ask that you tell them I’ve already gone out to find my parents.” I used mana to find my suitcase, rapier, and cape, summoning them to me. I reached down to pick my cape up and put it on when it appeared with my suitcase and rapier.

  “Where are you planning to go?” Emma asked.

  “The less you know, the better.” I picked up my suitcase and shrunk it, shoving it into my pocket. I didn’t like shrinking things because sometimes they didn’t always want to regrow, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I shoved my rapier through my belt loop and ran to the library just off the entrance hall, finding the hidden door that lead to the underground tunnels. I didn’t wait to see what Ogbert and Emma would do, hoping they would be alright.

  My hands shook as I tried to remember the book order to open the door, in my panic, I nearly dropped one, but I got it into its place on the shelf and listened for the click, telling me the door was open.

  I opened it just far enough to slide through and slowly closed it behind me with the quietest click before climbing down the stone steps that led to the tunnel system. At the bottom of the steps, there was a stone door, locked by blood magic. I placed my hand on the door and it shifted, gears clicking as it opened. I stepped through and took off at a run in the pitch black darkness, the door slamming shut behind me. I summoned a green butterfly that glowed enough to light the way for me and followed it, running through the winding tunnels, heading to the palace.

  There was a lot more going on here than just magic being outlawed and I had to find out what. It took me the better part of an hour to make my way through the tunnels, having to backtrack a couple times because I took a wrong turn, before I finally made it to the door I was looking for. I pulled out a key Igraine had given me years ago and tapped the door with it, and it opened straight into her bedroom. I peeked through the crack, listening for any movement and heard only silence, so I opened it further and stepped through. I tiptoed to the door so my heels wouldn’t click on the polished marble floor and pressed my ear to the door, listening.

  I heard her guards chattering quietly, which meant she was somewhere nearby. I walked to the opposite side of the room and rubbed Opal, Igraine’s dragon, on her nose. Opal snorted and sat up, staring at me with unblinking eyes.

  “She’s in her study, go quickly before the guards realize you’re not with your parents.” She said in amusement, reading my mind.

  I nodded and dashed to the doors beside Opal, opening one and slipping through. I froze where I was, realizing who was in the room with Igraine. Silvo. Lord Silvo’s son. Both of their backs were to me, so I closed the door behind me as quietly as possible without turning around and then sidled over to one of the tables near the wall and ducked behind it, using her furniture for cover, heading to the doors. I didn’t trust him and I doubt I ever would. I was too busy trying to remain silent to listen to their conversation, but when I was finally close enough to pick up on what they were saying, I froze from where I crouched behind one of her couches, my heart in my throat.

  “-know, Silvo. I don’t and I wish I did.” Igraine said, starting to pace, staring at the floor. “Do you know why your father is so adamant about finding her? Sure, she participated in riots in the forest, but so did a lot of others and he’s left them alone for the most part.”

  “Elidyr spoke with him about her magic, what she’s capable of. If what she says is true, then I don’t think even Rivienne knows her own potential. First, there’s her hair color which is already unusual for someone not fae or witchborn, second, there’s her control over wild runes which aren’t something even the senior artificers in the southern kingdom use willy nilly.”

  I blinked in confusion. How did Elidyr know I’ve been practicing with runes?

  “But that still doesn’t explain his urgency with finding her.” Igraine said, getting angry with him.

  “There are greater evils in this world than those who oppose the law.” He said simply.

  “I am very well aware of that.” She crossed her arms. “You may be Lord Silvo’s son, but you are not higher ranking than I am. As your princess, I need an answer. Why is he after Rivienne?”

  I ducked lower around the couch, staring at her in disbelief. Igraine using the power card? Uh-oh.

  “He…” Silvo sighed, his shoulders drooping. “Fine. He’s after her magic to complete the binding process of… something. I don’t even know. I only overheard snippets of his conversation with your father.”

  “So instead of arresting her, why doesn’t he just, oh, I don’t know, ask her?” Igraine waved her arms angrily.

  “Because I think he knows she wouldn’t go for it. Not willingly.” He shrugged. “You know how she can be.”

  “I know exactly how she can be, she’d jump through fire to help someone. I’m fairly certain if he asked and explained whatever the situation was, she wouldn’t hesitate to help.”

  “I get the feeling she wouldn’t like whatever it is… I don’t think I like whatever it is he’s doing. Besides, he’s the reason magic is outlawed. I think she has a major problem with that.”

  She laughed dryly and shook her head. “You’re right. Of course, she’s not happy with him. Then again, no one is.” She snapped.

  I chose then to make my move, scurrying around the couch to the doors behind them, locking the doors and leaned against them, drawing my rapier.

  “I couldn’t have put it better myself.” I pointed my rapier at Silvo, daring him to challenge me right now. I didn’t want to hurt either one of them, but I wasn’t leaving the room until I had some answers and an audience with both the King and Lord Silvo.

  “How-” “Riv!” They said in unison, Igraine stepping around him to throw her arms around me in a hug.

  “Are you okay?” Igraine asked, pulling away from me to look me over.

  “I’m fine,” I waved her off.

  “Put the rapier away.” Silvo huffed, running a hand through his blonde hair.

  “Not until I know whose side you’re on, what your plans are, and you guarantee me an audience with your father.” I did at least lower my rapier slightly.

  “Side? There aren’t any sides here.” He rolled his eyes.

  “I hate to break it to you, but yes, there are. There’s the side who agrees that magic should be outlawed and the side that can agree that it shouldn’t be. Think carefully before you say which side you’re on. The lower levels of the city and even the deepest parts of Deepwood Forest are being choked out by miasma already, people are suffering without their artifacts, all of the general populace is unable to do their jobs or even daily chores anywhere near as quickly without magic. What only took them a few hours is now taking them days. The economy itself is going down the drain thanks to the severe lack of traders coming into the city. Need I go on?”

  “Rivienne, I know. Alright? He looked away, a strange look in his silver eyes. “I know people are suffering. I just can’t get involved with anything.”

  “You’re already involved!” I said, my voice cracking in anger. “Whether you help him or bury your head in the dirt while he does whatever it is he’s doing, you’re still involved.”

  “I’ve tried telling him that, Riv, but he won’t listen.” Igraine said, glaring at him.

  “I don’t know what to do.” He said, finally. His shoulders sagging as he drooped. “By Astral Order code, I cannot oppose the leaders. I’m already opposing them by not alerting them that you’re here, but… they’ll know you’re here soon enough.”

  “What do you mean, you can’t oppose them? What they’re doing is inhumane and quite frankly, just stupid.” I said, lowering my rapier even more.

  “We don’t have enough information.” Igraine shook her head. “I need to find Mother, she’ll know what to do.”

  “Can we trust her? Is she hiding anything too? The king is her husband after all, even if she did agree that what he’s doing is wrong, there’s a certain level of loyalty she has to keep.” I leaned further against the door, listening, when I heard voices outside.

  “I don’t know and I wish I did, but I what I do know is, she won’t turn you in right away. I mean, you’re almost as much a daughter to her as I am.” Igraine smiled a small smile, her eyes lighting up in the dark room.

  “You’re running out of time,” Silvo said, headed to another hidden door in the wall opposite me. “She’s in the throne room still?” He asked Igraine.

  “I would assume so.” Igraine said, beckoning to me. “Come on, I’m sure your parents would be happy to see you again.”

  I jumped when someone started banging on the door and scurried after Igraine, my heart pounding into my ribcage. I flipped my rapier and carried it, point up, behind my shoulder. I wasn’t planning on fighting anyone, but I would fight my way out of the palace if I had to.