Which was worse—getting captured while escaping or getting arrested after being saved?

The wind nipped at Xanthy's face as her body bounced with every leaping step the raslione made. Xanthy's fingers clenched as the man with the light brown hair pushed her forward to a gathered entourage of fairies with their respective rides. How these nature fairies crept behind and leeched them from the red coats had been quick. Too easy.

A large creature with a short snout, tall ears, attentive brown eyes, and black and burnt ocher fur lowered itself to the ground after a nature fairy with dark skin whistled sharply. Another gentle push from the man with light brown hair and Xanthy was thrown against the animal's flank. Soft tufts curled underneath her knuckles as Nyxis was dragged flailing followed by June's unmoving form. Xanthy knitted her eyebrows. How did fur like this stop that bullet?

What could be so dangerous about this animal that just its presence sent a legion of trained soldiers fleeing like bothered clerets?

The creature panted, its long, pink tongue lolling out of its jaw fitted with curved fangs as long as Xanthy's hand. It's...tame enough? Maybe?

"Move out!" a nature fairy with pink hair and the owner of the deep voice yelled to her comrades before clambering up a creature that looked like a cat but bigger and with feathery wings. The man with the light brown hair followed the woman and whistled before tapping the large cat's white flank.

Soon, they were on the way. Towards where? Beats Xanthy.

She glanced at Nyxis and nodded. Whatever this was, they couldn't escape now if they would have to deal with creatures that rivaled the graspel in size and possibly in speed, too. Not to mention that this was the nature fairies' turf. It wasn't wise to fight anyone in their comfort zone.

Xanthy tugged against the twine wrapping around her wrists. They're tight but not enough to bite at her skin. She glanced at the nature fairy that tied it riding on a different but familiar creature. That man got skills.

The curls tied back into a fluffy bun bounced along the head of the nature fairy that travelled with them on the raslione. Xanthy narrowed her eyes at the tunic tucked in trousers fitted with a vest filled with pockets. What kind of uniform was this? Guards? Forest mages? The gem at the hilt of a short sword glinted against the meager sunlight peeking through the canopies. The sword's sheath was slung against the nature fairy's back. If Xanthy could just reach it...

Nyxis cleared his throat. Xanthy snapped towards him and he shook his head. Bad idea, his drawn eyebrows and pursed lips seemed to be saying. Xanthy exhaled through her nose and glanced at June. Thankfully, the half-blood had stopped retching and was now draped against the raslione's flank like a lifeless dishrag.

Was that a good thing? Xanthy shook her head.

A bird that looked like the manwari cawed as it tore through the undergrowth with its buzzing wings and steel-like blue and green feathers. The nature fairy perched on its back didn't seem to mind the wind blowing back his braided dark hair.

"Myrrin, Slethra, Hylis," the woman with pink hair called as their mounts tore through the forest filled with an explosion of color and sounds. "Take to the skies. Survey for other dangers."

A woman astride a creature that looked like a large insect with a curved, patterned shell nodded and clicked her tongue. A huge gust of wind almost sent Xanthy tumbling off the raslione's back as a creature with long, slender white neck and gold-tipped feathers spread and flapped its wings. The two men on its back grew smaller before Xanthy could even see them.

That left them with three nature fairies, a raslione, and a huge cat. Xanthy closed her eyes and called on her magic. It was still frayed and out of her reach. She sighed. Without her magic, she would be mauled to death before she could even blink.

The branches and leaves rustled; the fallen leaves crunched underfoot. Cold, forest wind kissed Xanthy's cheeks. Her stomach churned. Was the raslione going faster? Soon, the sound of running water roared in the distance. Blood drained from Xanthy's face. Would the nature fairies push them off a waterfall?

The line of trees soon gave way to a clearing. Xanthy shielded her eyes as the midday sun shone fully without the massive canopies blocking most of its rays. The raslione skittered to a stop. Beyond her...

A huge caldera yawned a few distances ahead. Water curtained the sides of the caldera in a wide, raging expanse as if every river in this territory were being emptied into it. Fog rose from the base of the caldera in thick wafts. Xanthy squinted at the patch of land sticking in the middle of the caldera. What in Umazure?

A single, marble bridge stemmed from the forest west of where Xanthy and the nature fairy entourage were and connected to the land in the caldera's mouth. From a distance, Xanthy spied a structure with four spires and arched windows standing in the land amid the waterfalls. That's probably the only fairy-made thing in the entirety of Dwanzeig.

Xanthy's heart dropped to her gut. If that structure was their destination, there would be no means of escape. Not if she didn't want to end up as sludge at whatever bottom this chasm has. Moreover...

She glanced at their captors. The cat with wings could make it, sure. She raked her eyes at the flank of the raslione. This one though...

True enough, the cat spread its wings and launched itself into the chasm. Xanthy turned to the man riding with them and opened her mouth. Her question died in her throat as the raslione howled before launching itself into the air. No, no, no. Xanthy wasn't ready to die yet.

Xanthy's fingers closed on the raslione's soft fur while her other hand grasped June's collar. From behind her, Nyxis's face paled two notches lighter. Her heart leaped to her throat as the earth's pull grabbed the raslione with the dark bottom of the chasm anticipating the drop. Gods of Calaris, save her now.

The bottom neared. The wind screamed as it tore through Xanthy's cheeks. Then, the world swirled like someone crumpled a sheet of parchment. The sky, the chasm, and even the roar of the water warped. Merged. Tore apart. In a blink, the world rearranged itself and the raslione's paws tapped against solid ground.

What...?

Xanthy raised her head tucked under her arm. When had she even done it? The balustrades, the smooth floor, and the wall of water roaring around her. She knew where this was. Her eyes widened.

The bridge. They were on the bridge. How...?

"Raslionis can manipulate shadows to pass through them," the nature fairy's pink hair bobbed as she slid off the white cat with wings. She jerked her chin at the structure at the end of the bridge. "Most people weren't able to stop screaming for an hour when they underwent spatial transport. So, good job."

"Great Daexis, we should have let the whole barracks see their faces!" the man with curly dark hair slid off the raslione and whistled again. Xanthy's world rocked as the creature lowered itself to the bridge. Strong hands gripped her arms and yanked her down. Nyxis and June followed her not long after with the latter plopping to the ground like a bag of pumkess. Xanthy's heart wrenched.

The man with light brown hair slid off the cat with wings and strode towards Xanthy. In a flash, the twine around her wrists loosened. The man winked at her once more as he drew away from her and rejoined his comrades when the mini-procession through the bridge started.

"Obeia, Eldan, take them to the Grand Royal," the woman with pink hair said from the front of their cohort. "I'll have to check on other...important matters."

"You heard the boss," the dark skinned fairy who could only be Obeia or Eldan prodded Xanthy further. The pink-haired fairy put two fingers into her mouth and gave a sharp whistle. She jumped from the edge of the balustrade just in time to land into another raslione's back, this time with pure black fur.

"Hurry along now," the light-haired nature fairy said with a silky voice. "The Grand Royal is ready for your trial."

Xanthy clenched her jaw as she started walking. The structure loomed closer. Its brick red tiles plating the slanting roofs glinted like dried blood against the unshaded sunlight. Purple vines with pink flowers coated the structure's walls. The four spires towered over Xanthy as she drew closer to her doom.

Xanthy gritted her teeth and clenched her fists at her side. She had enough trials in the past week that if it came to a fight, it would probably be nature fairy entrails that's going to paint their fancy arches. A curse bubbled in Xanthy's throat. If only her magic wasn't failing her.

The water's roaring churn seemed to be mocking her as she was prodded forward. The bridge gave way to a vast front yard where a plot of shrubs with dark green leaves and mid-sized violet flowers flourished. Their buds seemed to follow Xanthy as she came in front of a huge pair of doors made from interlocking purple vines as thick as her form.

The doors swung open to reveal an average-sized room supported by pillars crowned with braziers. Greens and violets painted the walls in splashes. Arches lined three of the walls, giving Xanthy a perfect reminder of where she was standing. Xanthy craned her neck to watch the crisscross of wooden planks bearing the ceiling up. The wind carried an earthy smell as it speared through the room.

Fabric rustled as fairies dressed in loose, dark green robes started whispering to one another the moment Xanthy entered the room. Her boots clacked against the stone floor with loud echoes, the dark carpet that covered the straight line towards the center end of the room barely muffling her footsteps.

"Grand Royal," a deep voice echoed in the room. A hand gripped Xanthy's elbow to stop her from going further. She craned her neck to see the light-haired man beside her. "We have brought the accused."

Xanthy glanced at Nyxis but the human had his eyes at the walls. Wonder shone in his eyes as he turned here and there no doubt absorbing the plant life existing around them. Xanthy scoffed. He seemed to forget that he was here for a trial that would determine their fates.

The man with dark, curly hair stepped back with a dip of his head towards somewhere beyond Xanthy.

"Obeia, kindly explain what this blunder is about," a lazy, masculine voice drawled from a throne a few paces away from Xanthy. She turned in that direction and knitted her eyebrows. This...didn't make sense.

The Grand Royal sat on a throne made of intertwined branches with his legs crossed. Skin paler than a cloud shone against the abundance of dark brown in this room. Purple irises flashed with intensity that could gut a whatraut. Dark green strands were brushed back from his high forehead and hung in straight and rigid strands up to his waist.

The dark skinned fairy named Obeia cleared his throat as he gestured towards Xanthy. "These children are caught vandalizing the forest," he turned back to the throne with a final stomp of his boots. "That, in itself, is a crime punishable by death."

Gold hoop earrings flashed when the Grand Royal rested his chin on his hand. Long nails curved like talons and were close to poking his eye. He didn't speak and merely tapped his onyx boots against the floor, the slick heel making light jabbing noises against the carpet.

Xanthy ogled at the boots. Damn, they're killer.

"Grand Royal," Obeia said. "Perhaps you should go down and survey the damage they've done. It would take at least a month to scrub traces of magic off it. The gods wouldn't be pleased especially after..."

He trailed off. The Grand Royal sighed and turned to the orange-and-pink bud as big as his head to his right. He absently stroked it and Xanthy could swear it let out a purr of pleasure. Another bud to his left swayed as if demanding attention, too. Bile coated the back of Xanthy's tongue. Were those things alive?

"After what?" the Grand Royal raised a curved eyebrow at the dark-skinned nature fairy. "Do finish the thought when talking, Obeia. When you're wasting time, waste it wisely, at the very least."

Obeia's face reddened. He scratched his neck. "Ever since the Life Rewarder has shown signs of wilting."

The whole throne room plunged into silence. The robed figures standing by the Grand Royal's throne gestured and shook heads at each other. The Grand Royal, himself, stopped stroking the buds to level his gaze at Obeia. His eyes smoldered.

"It senses danger, Obeia," the Grand Royal said after a minute of silence. He leaned back against his throne and tapped his nails against one of the armrests. "You and your belief had nothing to do with it."

Obeia stepped forward and touched his chest. "Grand Royal, it's enough that these children perhaps have something to do with it," he waved his hand in Xanthy's direction. "What they did to the forest is enough danger."

The Grand Royal turned an unblinking gaze towards Xanthy. Heartbeat pounded in Xanthy's ears as her chest started constricting. Those purple eyes bored into her as if they could see right through her form. She clenched her fingers and blew a breath. Relax. Just...relax.

"They came from Ansevir's border, fifty Unities at their tail, shooting spells without regard to the sacred forest around them," Obeia crossed his arms. "We managed to turn the Unities away, but these children, I believe, were under our jurisdiction to punish."

Xanthy sucked in a breath when the Royal inclined his head, his earrings clinking with the movement. "What would you like me to do?"

"According to the Code of Nature," Obeia said. "They are to be fed to the Manderfin."

Xanthy knitted her eyebrows. What kind of a territory was this? What in the world was a manderfin? Was it a creature that lived in the chasm's depths?

The Royal stood up. Green robes fell to his knees as he stepped down from his throne and strode towards Xanthy with long, delicate legs. Xanthy pursed her lips. He looked more like a woman than a brute.

Xanthy unwittingly took a step back when the Royal reached her and towered over her. A small whimper escaped from her lips when he cocked his head to one side. She averted her gaze from those purple eyes trained on her. Nyxis cursed from somewhere to her left. "Look at me," the Grand Royal's gentle voice bloomed in Xanthy's ears.

She turned towards him to find him with a light grin on his lips that were painted dark green. Gods, he has such thick eyelashes. "Are you acquainted with the Code of Nature?" the Grand Royal asked.

Xanthy shook her head, forcing her tongue to unlatch from the roof of her mouth. "N-no."

"Why are you being chased by the Unities?" the Grand Royal narrowed his eyes at Xanthy.

Xanthy gulped. "I—"

Her voice died on her throat. What was she going to say? The truth? Why would she tell them that the High Queen's killer—her own son—was as limp as a vegetable and was now lying unconscious on their feet?

"W-we're fleeing Lanteglos because of a shortage of supplies," Xanthy mustered what little courage she could gather from her veins and raised her gaze to meet the Grand Royal's. "The red coats caught up to us by the border and wouldn't let us pass. We needed an out so we fought."

The Grand Royal's expression was flat. He turned to Obeia. "A lot of fairies are unguided in our ways," he nodded to Xanthy. " Would we punish innocence?"

Obeia sputtered. "But, Grand Royal—"

The Royal held up a hand. "No harm is to come to this girl or her companions," his eyes sparkled as he clasped his hands behind him. "Rather, they must be educated about our customs," the Grand Royal faced robed figures by the throne who stared at the whole debacle with wide eyes and knitted eyebrows. "Should they disobey the Code after that," he switched to Ylanenla. "Then we shall decide what animal will feed on their entrails."

The Royal turned to Obeia again. "If you have qualms about my decision, you can take it up to Eldan," he jerked his chin at the light-haired fairy standing next to Xanthy whose expression remained placid.

Obeia whipped to his comrade. Xanthy shared his confusion. "Eldan?" Obeia snorted and knitted his eyebrows. "What's he got to do with the girl?"

Yeah, what has Xanthy got to do with Eldan?

The Grand Royal turned to Eldan with a knowing smile. Eldan returned the Grand Royal's gesture and winked at Xanthy. Ugh. Quit the winking, creepy hag.

"Besides," the Grand Royal turned and strode back to his throne. He waved a hand in the air. "I'd hate to have the Virtakios, herself, get fed to a manderfin on my watch."

Obeia glanced at Xanthy then back at the Grand Royal. "W-what—"

"Obeia, the Grand Royal has decided," Eldan stepped forward and clapped his comrade's back. "Aside from the fact that she's the Virtakios, you should at least have shown some kindness towards my daughter."

Xanthy's eyes were bigger than Obeia's after that. Daughter?