"That was all I could find out." Marla took a breath out. There had been a lot of information to relay. But, thankfully, she had done her job. They now knew the location of the Navaji.

"This is good news, Marla. You did well." Her grandmother embarrassed her. "You can get your power back, though I don't know how that will help us stop the Navaji when it can just take it away. But, if the Magoia believes in it, we should too."

"So that settles it then. Marla must find the magician in the east." Vayne nodded at Estarosa.

"That might prove difficult." Queen Damari tapped her fingers on the table. Her eyes drifted over to the three. "There is a reason the Navaji could not find The Great Magoia. Over a century ago, before my father, King Ricardo's reign, Ansellus ruled the Kingdom. He was the brother of the great mage, Oberas. Ansellus was ruthless and wild. He hated that The Great Magoia held power over him. Out of resentment, he hunted the magical creatures found throughout the land. My father, who was still young then, knew it was wrong and had a powerful wizard called Illias to create a secret sanctuary where all magical creatures would be safe.

"So magical creatures aren't extinct?" Marla's mouth dropped.

"That is correct. It would have turned out that way if action hadn't been taken." The Queen explained. "Illias keeps the sanctuary protected at all times. Not only that, but it moves around the kingdom constantly."

"Moves?" What did the Queen mean by this? How could a place move around? Was it a floating island?

"I might be able to help with that," Estarosa said. "I've been working on a location spell in case we needed it for the monster. However, it might work for this too. All it requires is an object relating to the person or thing, and it just so happens that I still have the flower Oberas gave me many years ago."

"You've met him? And wait-" Marla paused as she slowly processed her grandmother's words. "He gave you a flower?"

"We exchanged several potion ingredients on occasion. He had quite a crush on me, you see." She winked.

"Yes." Vayne sighed. "I recall he agreed to help only if it was Estarosa he dealt with. It was quite frustrating. Though it seems that is all in the past now. He refuses to make contact with us."

"I can have the location spell ready tonight."

"Yes. I can offer my assistance too."

"Thank you, Vayne."

A deep sigh escaped Queen Damari's lips.

"Have you both forgotten the vision that the sacred pool revealed to Marla? And what of my own dreams." She looked Marla in the eyes. "I, too, saw your death. I am sorry, but I cannot send you to the east, knowing it is your grave. We have already risked your life enough."

"But you are wrong-" Marla stopped herself. "My Queen, please forgive my rudeness, but the Great Magoia seems to believe in me. If this is the only way to stop the Navaji, we must try. I am willing to do this."

"I do not condone it." Queen Damari stood before her. "I have seen far too many of my people die from this monster."

"I have made up my mind." Marla stood her ground, though it would be lying to say she was not afraid. Hearing that others had seen her death made her hands shake. She did not want to die after all. But the Great Magoia expected to see her again. Someone needed to stand up. All the mages of the kingdom had gathered for one reason. They were willing to risk their lives for the sake of the Queen and her people. So Marla had to play her part as well.

"If that is your decision, I will not stop you. However, I will only allow it on one condition." She called in the royal guard from before. "My personal guard, Remalyn, will accompany you." The guard fell to a knee, placing a hand on their chest.

"My Queen." The guard stood and took their place by Marla's side.

"If The Great Magoia says to look east, we must trust those words. Estarosa, prepare the spell for them. Vayne, make sure Remalyn has what Illias requires from us. They will leave at once.

"Yes, my Queen." Everyone said at once. Within a blink, Marla was being dragged down the hall by Vayne.

"There is much to do."

"Should I go collect my things?" Marla asked.

"I already have a guard gathering them. Remalyn, you shall take what I pack for you."

"Of course." The royal guard spoke. Her helmet had been put on since; however, Marla still caught herself looking for the golden tattoos that laced around her neck.

Vayne handed the guard a hand-sized, wrapped item.

"What is that?" Marla asked. Marla leaned close to the guard called Remalyn, eyeing the mysterious object.

"I suggest you don't try to open it. We need it to stay intact."

"What is it?" Marla raised a brow. Vayne had avoided the question.

"Some essential herbs. Try not to open it. We can't have you losing any of it."

Marla wasn't dumb. She could tell Vayne was making excuses. She didn't want them to see what was underneath the tightly wrapped cloth.

"We need it to stay intact. Illias will need it to recreate your power."

"I'm sorry, what? My power?" What was Vayne talking about?

"Ah, yes. We forgot to tell you about that. Tell me, how do we attain our powers?"

"We are blessed with them at birth by the Magoia."

"Some, yes. However, those with better fortune have the option to choose their power before birth."

"Choose?" Marla had never heard of this.

"Yes. Through a form of magic that only Estarosa and I know, we can create an ability before the baby is born. It is how you receive your own power. We thought the power to nullify magic would be strong enough to stop the Navaji, so we chose it for you. Little did we know that it had many powers of its own. I was afraid it had all been for naught, but we are fortunate if the Great Magoia says it will work. We've only tried creating magic on newborns before birth, but Illias is a wise old man. He will figure it out."

"I have it!" Marla's grandmother burst through the doors. The Queen followed behind.

"Are they ready?"

"Yes." Vayne bowed.

Two guards approached. They handed Remalyn a stuffed satchel. Marla watched her struggle to fit her armored head through the bag's strap. Remayn's shoulder sagged at the weight. They had obviously overpacked.

Estarosa approached Marla and took her hands into her own.

"Are you ready?" She gently pushed a strand of Marla's hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear. "I wish I could come with you." Marla understood. The capital needed her grandmother's strength. If the Navaji returned, they would need all the firepower they could get.

"I will be fine. Promise." Marla tried to assure her.

Estarosa dropped a rose into Marla's hands.

"When you see Illias, would you tell him that I have not forgotten, and he is more than welcome to come and give me more roses whenever he wants." Marla chuckled. It was sweet to see this side of her grandmother. She had only known Estarosa as a fierce mage, a powerful fighter, and a loving grandmother. She would miss her.

"Right." Estarosa quickly wiped a tear or two from her eyes. "Vayne and I shall recite an incantation. It will transport you close to the sanctuary's location. The rose should help you gain entrance. Illias knows what is at stake. He is smart. With convincing, I am sure he will help us."

"Do what you must and learn what you can. Remalyn will protect you. She is the best sword fighter in all the land. And make it back to us in one piece." The Queen gave them a slight bow.

"That's the plan." Marla gave a toothy grin.

Estarosa and Vayne knelt on the ground. Their hands began to glow, and the old language of the Magoia rolled off their tongues. The area around them lit up. This was it. There was no turning back now.