"This is utterly dreadful," Leo scowls, walking beside me through the rain, the two of us having decided to leave our horses under the shelter of the tavern, although I did take my bow with me just to be safe.

"I thought nothing could bother you," I chuckle, surprised to see him so glum.

"Yeah, well, you don't know me," Leo says as we continue to walk to the address Selia gave us, his expression completely neutral.

My smile falls at his words and as I watch him I know that he's completely serious, which somehow hurts for some reason.

"No," I sigh, looking away from him, "you're right, I don't."

Part of me wanted to add "but I could", but I refrained from saying so. After all, why would I want to befriend a Horseman, especially as a specialist...I think this, and yet...I find myself wanting to know him regardless.

Due to the rain, the streets have all cleared out, most of the townspeople and travelers retreating into their homes or places of shelter, leaving just me and Leo on the streets. Walking the rest of the way in silence, we eventually reach the inn where Freya is supposed to be staying. Leo opens the door for me and I walk in, stopping to stand on the circular red and gold carpet that sits in the center of the room on the wooden floors, a potted plant on either side of the door and on either side of the receptionist desk that's across from the door.

A brunette receptionist sits up in his chair and places his phone down upon seeing us enter, moving to grab his guest log and a feather pen.

"Hi," the receptionist starts, his green eyes flickering between the two of us, "I'm Andy, how can I help you?"

"We're looking to visit someone," Leo says. "Could you point us in the direction of room 405?"

"Sure," Andy nods, pointing to the right, "there's an elevator over there. Should be on the fourth floor. Please sign the guest log before you go, though."

Andy slides a book across the table and the two of us sign our names and which room number we're visiting before we head over for the elevator. Leo pushes the button and the two of us wait for it to come down to the lobby before we enter. Once we enter, I push the fourth floor button and it takes us to Freya's floor.

I follow Leo out of the elevator and down the left hall, which is covered in red carpet and has cream colored walls, until we come to the door for 405. I raise my hand to knock on the door and Leo reaches for my hand, his eyes meeting mine. I raise my eyebrows in surprise as he lowers my hand and reaches for one of his blades. Understanding, I move so that I'm half shielded by him and then he knocks on the door.

The door opens a few moments later to reveal Selia in her same blue and white shawl that goes over top of a white tank-top and is paired with a high waisted blue skirt that goes to her ankles and has a slit in the right thigh, her over the knee dark brown boots matching the dark brown leather belt around her waist.

"Come in," Selia says with a roll of her eyes before she steps aside to let us enter.

The room itself has wooden floors and tan walls, a white bed off to the left with a bathroom door a few feet away from the bed, a wooden dresser with a mirror hanging above it directly beside the bed on the side the door isn't on, and there's a TV on the wall directly across from the bed. The wall across from the door is made entirely of large windows that go from ceiling to floor and there's a card table by the center of the line of windows.

At the card table, which has multiple papers and books scattered around it and a white ceramic vase with a purple orchid, there sits a woman in mint green heels that wind around her ankles and a short white ruffled skirt and a black top that has ruffles around the collarbone. She also has a white cloak on with the hood up, which she made sure thoroughly covers her eyes. Although most of her face is hidden, her long mint green hair flows out of the hood and down to her stomach.

"It's nice to meet you both," the woman says, with a wave of her hand, drawing attention to the silver bracelets dangling around her right wrist and the silver ring on her right index finger, as well as her black painted nails. "Please, have a seat."

"Freya, I presume?" Leo asks as him and I walk over to take seats at the card table, Selia choosing to stand and watch us with her arms crossed.

"The one and only," she says, her pink lips curving into a grin. "Let me cut to the chase here. I know your agenda, Horseman, and I know your reasons behind it. I don't approve of your ruler's methods, but I'm afraid that if we want to accomplish our goals of restoring magic that we'll have to work together."

"What do you propose we do?" Leo asks, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms.

"If we can form an allegiance between Sylver, Maracoste, Asterithe, and Helena against Listine, we can corner the council," Freya says. "In order to succeed, we'll need to first unite the regions with the idea of restoring magic in order to ensure there's not any backlash if we succeed. By doing so, we'll also unite the people and gain allies for our cause. Once we've done so, we can focus on taking down the council, which must be done before we can reach the Grand Master herself."

"Wouldn't it be wise to go after the council while also making our allegiances in order to slowly break away their power so that the Grand Master isn't alerted by a sudden immediate major threat to her council?" Leo suggests.

"You do have a point," Freya hums. "I could work on weakening the trust between the council members and give you information from the inside on mostly whatever you'd need if you do the ground work for me, since I have to maintain my place on the council."

"Where should we start?" I ask. "Here in Sylver?"

"No," Freya frowns, "Sylver's ruler is out of the region for the next month due to family matters. She's visiting her aunt in Helena for them to commemorate the memory of her parents since the anniversary of their passing is coming soon. She's put her second in command in charge. While he's amicable enough, it would be best to negotiate with Princess Astoria herself."

"Then where do you suggest we go?" Leo asks. "Perhaps it would be best to talk to my heiress before fully committing to this. After all, she can be quite harsh when she wants to be, especially if she feels she's been betrayed."

"It would be wise to discuss this with your heiress first, especially since you're a Horseman," Freya says. "When you make your deal for an alliance, be sure not to mention there being an inside source. Instead, find some way to assure them that aligning against Valeria is a wise and practical idea that is sure to succeed."

"My heiress ultimately also wants what you want," Leo says. "I don't believe it will be hard to convince her. Although, there may be some aspects she won't agree with. So, we start with Helena, then?"

"Freya, while I do see the logic here, I really believe it would be best to visit Asterithe first," Selia interjects. "As an aristocrat from Asterithe, I can tell you that Asterithe sincerely needs guidance. It's a wonderful region, but it has fallen into a darkness that I worry no light will be able to heal if it is not stopped soon."

"What do you mean by that, Selia?" Freya frowns.

"Asterithe's queen," Selia starts, her hands clenching into fists and unclenching, "it's like she's being controlled by someone else as of lately. If she goes through with her next diplomatic order in a week, your alliance will never happen in Asterithe."

"What order?" Leo asks, frowning.

"Queen Iris is going to indefinitely completely close off Asterithe from all who aren't from the region and stop the production of all trade between Asterithe and other regions," Selia says. "She wants to stop the production of magical items being created in Asterithe and sent out to other regions because although magical items are forbidden by Listine's laws, seventy-five percent of all magical items come from Asterithe and are still being produced heavily. The old Iris...she used to be so fascinated by magic, even when she wasn't supposed to be. She never would've ordered this."

"You think she's being influenced?" Freya asks.

"I truly do," Selia nods. "And if we can figure out how to get her back to her normal self, I have no doubt that she'd agree to an alliance to restore magic."

"Then I guess there's no choice but to go to Asterithe," Freya sighs.

"I suppose," Leo sighs defeatedly, "although if there's a misunderstanding involving my heiress and I over this I may have to...disappear for a while. The other Horsemen like to...well, let's just say we don't get along."

"Yes, I know all about that, Four," Freya says, directing her attention to Leo. "Black sheep of the Horsemen."

"What does she mean?" I ask, my eyes flickering between Freya and Leo, uncertain.

"None of us all really get along, however, there are certain ones of us who get along with each other better than others," Leo waves a hand. "Let's just say that a few of them like to cause trouble for me due to my unorthodox methods."

"You mean your inability to do exactly as you're told and instead do things your way, which also goes hand and hand with your tendency to be impulsive?" I muse.

"Hey," Leo scowls, "I get things done. So what if they're not always done the way I'm told to do them? At least I get them done. Besides, sometimes there's a better way to do things. I may be impulsive but I'm always reliable. My word is my word."

"Better or more fun?" Selia crosses her arms and Leo glares at her.

"Regardless, he does have a point," Freya says. "No matter how you look at it, Leo is loyal to a fault and always does exactly what he promises to. He never disappoints. In fact, I think he'd rather die than come up empty handed, especially to those he's most loyal. It's that same unwavering loyalty and resolve that makes me know he'll be able reliable and someone I can trust. His will is his heiress' will, and his heiress' will is the same as mine. I can think of no better ally."

"If that's all, I'll be heading out now," Leo says, standing up. "It's late and I'd like some sleep before going to Asterithe. You should get some rest as well, Rosaline."

"Rest where?" I furrow my eyebrows, watching as Leo walks towards the door.

"I'm booking a room here after I get my horse back from the tavern," Leo says. "You should, too."

"You're probably right..." I sigh, moving to stand up and meet Leo at the door.

"Ah, Rosaline, right?" Freya grabs my wrist gently and stops me, drawing my attention to her. "I'd like to talk to you for a moment before you go."

I shoot Leo an uncertain look and Selia waves him out of the room, making him hold up his hands in surrender before he turns around and leaves.

"You too, Selia," Freya says, looking pointedly at her associate.

"What?" Selia frowns, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "But—"

"Please," Freya says.

"Fine," Selia sighs and leaves for the exit, turning to glance at Freya over her shoulder, "but if you need anything, I'll be right outside the door."

The door shuts with a soft click upon Selia's departure and I turn to look back at Freya, unsure of what she wants to talk to me about. My eyes widen as she reaches for her hood and drops it to her shoulders, revealing her brown eyes that are outlined by sharp black eyeliner, her lashes thick with mascara, an emerald circular cut jewel resting by the corner of her left eye. The jewel by her eye also matches her silver and emerald teardrop earrings that shift as she moves, sparkling when the light catches on them.

"Why would you—" I start, extremely confused.

"My dear, do you know who you are?" Freya asks.

"What do you mean?" I furrow my eyebrows.

"Let me start with a better question," Freya smiles apologetically, "do you know who I am?"

"Although I'm not sure what any of the council members look like, I know that there are eight, right? Two for each region," I say. "I believe their names are Malachite, Esmerelda, Kaede, Petunia, Axas, Irene, Jasper, and Henrietta. If I had to guess, I'd say you're highly intelligent, observant, intuitive, and perceptive. So, I'd guess you're one of Valeria's chief strategists or innovators?"

"Close," Freya nods. "I handle all research conducted in Listine and oversee research that comes in from the four regions. I work on alchemical and herbal medicinal advancements, as well as work as a negotiator and Valeria's primary logician. I'm one of the representatives from Sylver."

"That'd be a pretty big blow to Valeria's court for someone like you to turn against her," I say, my eyebrows raising.

"Yes, well..." Freya's lips curve into a knowing smile, "that's what I'm hoping."

"So...why did you ask for me specifically? I mean, you asked me who I am, but you never really explained why," I say.

"All things connect in time," Freya hums. "When one thing happens, another is sure to happen as a reaction, and so on and so forth. There is nothing in this world that happens without any connection to something else. Naturally, as a court member for the Grand Master, I heard of Leo's incident with Valeria's knights, and when I did, I also heard about a woman who was able to wield light. I've only ever heard of one other light wielder in existence."

"And..?" I trail off, uncertain where this is going.

"And, if you're who I think you are, that must mean you're related to her," Freya continues. "That is why I trust you."

"You trust me simply based on who my family may or may not be? And even if you're correct, I may be nothing like the person you're thinking of," I say.

"Maybe so," Freya hums. "But it's a risk I'm willing to take. If I show that I trust you, it means you can place some trust in me. You get what you give. Personally, it feels like you really needed someone you know you can trust. If we're going to be working together, I want us to trust each other."

"You're very calculating, you know that," I sigh, making Freya laugh.

"I've been told that quite a lot," she smiles.  "In any case, I have something I'd like to give you."

Freya reaches for a brown leather book that's resting on the table, a ruby placed in a golden spin dial lock that keeps the book strapped shut. She examines it for a moment before she hands it across the table to me and I take it from her hesitantly, glancing down at the embellished yet simple cover.

"What is it?" I ask.

"It's an old book written by the light user I once knew," Freya says. "It's a book about everything she discovered about her powers and how to use them. She wrote it and gave it to me for safekeeping. She told me to give it to someone worthy, that I'd know them when I saw them. To me, it seems she was talking about you. Don't let me be wrong, Rosaline. I don't very much like being wrong."

"I won't," I nod reassuringly as I grip the book tightly, looking back up at Freya to smile. "I promise."

"Good," Freya smiles in return. "I'll hold you to it. You should go now, get some rest. You'll need it."

"Yes, thank you," I nod once more, clutching the book to my chest as I stand up and make my way to the door.

"And, Rosaline?" Freya calls when I reach the door, making me look back at her as she pulls her hood back up. "Call me Esmerelda."

"Right," I nod, smiling at her gesture of trust. "Thank you for trusting me."

"Likewise," Esmerelda nods in return.

With that, I leave Esmerelda's room with a sense of hope that maybe being such an ambitious dreamer isn't a bad thing.