Mykel glanced at Lyrik. "You won't be tested, since no-one will be able to hear you. I explained to the counterman that you would be watching as well. Here, take this." He handed her a black hoodie. "So that we don't have to take forever to explain about your being dead." She nodded.

"Kael Gryffin, please come this way," a red-haired man ushered them away. 

"I'm with them- Mykel Doal."

"M-my apologies, my prince. I was merely surprised." The man bowed and Mykel rolled his eyes.

"It is fine."

They followed the man through a yellow hall- what was up with the halls?- and stopped at another door. Lyrik sighed. Why are M'Doallians so obsessed with halls and doors? Are they sacred or something?

"We're here," the man announced, dipped his head, and left.

The door led to a huge backyard. A woman with beautiful golden hair greeted them.

"I'm Glys, I'll be testing... Kael."

"I will be watching them," Mykel added. Glys nodded. "How long do you estimate it will take?" She shrugged.

"From ten minutes to an hour. It really depends. So, Kael, you'll just have to do some things I ask you to do."

"Sure," Kael responded. Lyrik scowled. 

"Okay, the first thing is really easy, you just have to tell me if you've ever shown a sign of being a keeper. Like a candle going out when you get mad, the wind taking your feet above the ground, stuff like that."

"Nope," Kael answered. "Never anything like that."

"I'll ask a few more questions and then we'll move onto the more physical aspect of the test. Is that fine with you?" Kael nodded and Glys started to say something else.

"Why are you helping me?" Lyrik asked suddenly, turning to Mykel. The prince blinked.

"Why not?"

"Really, though. You must have some reason or some motive," she pushed. He sighed.

"Your sister came to me, the prince of M'Doal, from M'Dall, and when she told me everything, she had such desperation in her eyes... And I've always known that I'm not meant to be king. It just doesn't feel right. So I thought that maybe helping you was my reason, why the gods made me, and didn't make someone stronger and braver. I'm no fierce king, I'm just a nerdy prince."

He looked surprised as he finished, as if he hadn't expect to say that much to her. I'm glad, Lyrik thought, almost afraid to think it, that he opened up to me. It's so much easier to trust him now that he's open about his flaws. 

He seems more real.

Maybe he's really just scared of all of this... Like I thought... But I think he truly wants to help me. I... Think...

"Thank you," she murmured, then felt her cheeks burn. That was so awkward, my gods... "I mean, um..."

"I get it."

They were silent for a moment, watching Kael do a cartwheel. 

"How is that even related to the test?" she said suddenly. Mykel snorted.

"It's probably not. I bet he's trying to impress her or something." They both laughed, and then Lyrik mentioned something, and they talked and talked until Glys told them that Kael was done his test.

"So, you're not a keeper," Mykel blinked. "That sucks."

"Wha? No, not really. I don't want people being scared of me!" Good thing you're not a Silver Eyes like I am, hah.

"I mean, you have a disadvantage in a fight."

"Not necessarily," Lyrik interjected. "That's unfair. Being a keeper also has disadvantages. Take you, for example. In the cold, it costs more energy to generate and control fire, and it's smaller and not as warm. You'd also feel very tired."

Mykel and Kael stared at her, then blinked in unison.

"What? I learned about this stuff!"

After a moment of silence, Kael shrugged. "So, you can't get tested?"

"No. There's too many things she can't do in this form."

This form. You mean in my death.

"We should stock up on materials," she suggested, "for the trip. Food and clothes and stuff. The Snowlands are cold, right?" Mykel nodded.

"Yes, but I already have food and clothes- for me. All we need is clothes for you two."

"Okay, then let's go. Where to?"

"We can take a public carriage to M'Mall." M'Mall? That's the most famous mall in both M'Doal and M'Dall- and crazy expensive! But duh, he's a prince. He's obviously rich.

"Come on, let's first check out the normal clothes, then we can look at the equipment and jackets and everything else." Lyrik nodded. "Er, Kael, you go find some stuff that you want, and Lyrik, you do the same. I'll be at the checkout counter, so go there, after you've found everything."

"'K," Kael responded, walking off. Lyrik shrugged and went towards a women's clothes shop. She didn't really take the looks to heart; she just took what fit her and was comfortable. She couldn't believe that she'd gone for days with one ragged, dirty dress.

"That's all?" Mykel asked. Lyrik nodded. A few minutes later, Kael joined them, and they moved on to the equipment and such. The M'Dallians took out a jacket each and some sweaters, as well as hats. The gloves were smooth, like a thick layer of skin, instead of packy and uncomfortable like the cheaper ones.

"Try to take jackets that are very warm but not too thick," Mykel suggested, "since we might have to move quickly and it would get in the way."

"I already found boots," Kael announced, and Lyrik grabbed some off the shelves, determined not to be beaten.

"As have I!" she countered. They looked quite pretty, reaching to just below her knees and a gorgeous dark blue. Kael's were simpler and shorter, but the brown brought out his light freckles. 

"Those must be the most expensive in the store," Mykel commented, snorting. Lyrik flushed. "Do not worry, it's fine. But what about the jackets? And hats?"

"Er... This seems fine," Lyrik took out a dark blue jacket after a bit of walking through the aisles. Coincidentally, it matched her boots, and had silver buttons. It didn't look too packy but was very hot when she tried it on. When she asked, Mykel told her that advanced firekeepers could sometimes send a bit of heat into something, making it warm.

"Wow, really?" Kael asked. "In that case, this black one is fine. I don't need something fancy." Mykel nodded.

"I should take one too, if I get too cold my fire will go away for a while." He picked out a black leather one, the kind you would see gangsters wear in movies. Lyrik stifled a giggle. "Let's head to the hats."

"Where are we now?" Lyrik asked, glancing through the windows of the carriage. "Are we still in C'Doal- wait, we left V'Doal, right?"

"No- I mean yes, we left V'Doal, but we're not in C'Doal. We're on the borders of the Firering. Then we'll go through the Hederrym to the Snowlands and try to find the Scarlet Council's leader. Hopefully she'll know how to make you alive again. And she must pay for her crimes."

"The wolses need a break, can we stop for a few hours, Prince?" the driver called. Lyrik glanced at the animals. Their grey eyes were clouded and their long, furry legs were trembling.

"Of course," she decided for Mykel. Kael's brows furrowed.

"They seem awfully tired, you sure we don't need to spend the whole night?" he asked. The driver nodded, her hair whipping her face as she turned her head to look at him.

"Wolses are interesting creatures- they restore their full energy in just a few hours of rest. They'll be fine." She leaned down to ruffle the nearest wolse's head fur. "Take this wolse, for example, she only needs two hours or so. That's why she's one of the palace wolses."

"Wow," Kael responded. He seemed oddly fascinated.

"Let's walk around for a bit, get some fresh air," Lyrik proposed. 

"Fine." Mykel frowned. "I'll lead the way. Be careful; this is an unsafe neighbourhood." Lyrik nodded, getting out of the carriage. The inside was light pink, but the outside was red, bearing the golden royal symbol on the side.

After a bit of walking around and chatting, Mykel stopped walking and looked at the sky. "Oh, it'll be dusk soon. We should go back,"

"Sure." Kael suddenly jerked his hand to tap Mykel's. "Wait, someone's following us." The three of them stiffened.

Mykel gritted his teeth. "Keep walking," he muttered. "Is she still following us?" Lyrik glanced behind them. Sure enough, a white-haired girl was behind them. She froze all of a sudden, disappointment etched across her face.

"Yes, but she stopped walking just now."

"Huh..." Mykel spun around. "Why are you following me?" You mean us. The kid dove her hand into her pocket. Suspicious.

"Sorry, I thought you were someone else." She didn't look very sorry.

"Is that supposed to be reassuring?"

"No. It's just the truth."

Ugh. Now that Mykel's made her talk back we'll look stupid if we just let her go. "Back off, and don't be so snarky, kid," Lyrik snapped. The girl's eyes widened, and Kael winced. No, Kael, don't make us look like idiots! I'm dead, but I still have my pride!

"What's the deal with you? I thought you were someone else that I was looking for, and I was going after you to ask who you were. But you're clearly not Cynth."

"Cynth?" Kael asked. "Who-" Lyrik glared at him. Be quiet!

"You heard me,"

"Yes," the girl snorted.

"You're... Not supposed to hear me,"

"Is that supposed to be reassuring?" This kid was really getting on Lyrik's nerves. She was copying what they said now?

"No," Lyrik smirked, "it's just the truth." The kid scowled and turned. Good. She'd better g- Mykel grabbed her wrist. 

"Wait, you heard Lyrik, you must be confused why that's so weird... But how did you hear her?" Okay, that was the stupidest way ever to ask that question.

"I'm not confused, I know exactly what this is," she answered, at the same time as Lyrik snapped, "Shut up, roasted-brains!"

"Wait- you know?" Kael asked. The girl glared at him with ice in her eyes.

"I'm not helping you, and I'm not telling you nothing. You could be one of Them for all I know."

"Them?" Mykel frowned and jumped in.

"The Scarlet-?"

"Shut up!" the girl hissed. "If you say it, and I react, they'll know where I am! Then they'll all be here in minutes!"

"What?" Lyrik growled, sharpening her grey eyes. "What do you mean? And what's your name?"

"None of your business. You could be one of Them," she repeated.

"Them is the Scarlet Council, right?"

"Stop it! Stop it! Don't say it!"

"Why? Scarlet Council. Scarlet Council. Scarlet Council. Scarlet Council."

"She has a point, Lyrik, she doesn't know us. She is obviously not going to tell us, and she probably has trust issues or something," Mykel said. The girl flinched. "What if I told you who I am?"

"I don't give a damn who you are!" the girl snapped, glancing around. Is she planning to run?

"I'm Kael, if that helps, and this is Lyrik," Kael said. "Roasted-brains is Mykel." He scowled.

"I figured that out. You were spitting your names so obviously. And I don't care what your names are."

"It's not Mykel," Mykel began, "it's Prince Mykel."

"So? Why should I care? It's not like you do much for people in M'Doal. I doubt you can even stand your own against me, let alone stop me from walking away. Move, I have something to do." she clenched her fists.

"What do you have to do?"

"None of your business, but if you must know, I'm looking for Cynth. Move."

Lyrik shoved Mykel aside and planted her feet in the ground. "No, thanks. I don't feel like it." Learn your place.

"I said move."

"Lyrik, Mykel, let's just go," Kael muttered urgently. "We don't have the time to stop for a fight, and if we get hurt now we might not last long in the Snowlands."

The girl stiffened.

"Why are you going to the Snowlands?"

"None of your business," Mykel spat. "You think I can't fight you, seriously? Are you even a keeper? And why do you care about the Snowlands?"

"The people in the Snowlands don't want firekeepers and deathkeepers trashing the snow and ice. And they don't want non-keepers looting the little that they have."

"Deathkee-"

"The people in the Snowlands are either dead or dying criminals."

"Am I a criminal? No. Were my parents criminals? No. Was any damn person in my bloodline a criminal? Nope. But we've faced waterkeepers trying to make the snow melt, skykeepers making the winds slow and warm, firekeepers destroying everything, and non-keepers just hurting everyone. Why do you think we left?"

"You're from the Snowlands?"

"I am."

"Does that mean you can guide us around there? I can pay you."

"I'm not going to accept your dirty money! Why are you going there, to ruin our lives? Well, I am never going to help anyone do that!"

"We're not-"

"I don't care!" the girl shoved Mykel and Lyrik aside and stomped away. Mykel grabbed her- again- and she rolled her eyes. "No. Just leave me alone."

"You're the only person from the Snowlands here." Mykel whispered. The girl grabbed his wrist, turning it enough that he knew she would twist it with no problem.

"Cynth is alive," she hissed. Kael blinked, attempting to ask his question for the second time.

"Who's-"

"He's probably dead, whoever he is. And close to you. That's why you won't believe that he's dead," Lyrik guessed, then bit her cheek. That was harsh. I didn't mean to say that. The teen snarled.

"He's. Not. Dead. You told me to back off, why don't you do that? You're sticking your nose into other people's business and one day you're gonna really regret it."

"And who are you to tell us that?" Mykel jerked his arm away. "You're what, ten? And you're definitely much lower in this hierarchy than me."

"I'm fourteen. And I don't give a damn 'bout your messed-up hierarchy. It's just some tool stupid people use when they have no comebacks."

The girl grinned. "You really wanna fight?"

Mykel threw a fireball at her head, and she ducked agilely, and shivered. 

"Okay, so you can dodge a bit better than I thought," Mykel said, "but I can still beat you easily."

"Pfft, yeah, right."

His aura blazed again, and she stepped to the side. "I can beat you without raising a finger," she claimed, grinning, "but I don't have the time. Leave me alone, okay?"

"With that bratty attitude?" Lyrik snapped. Dammit Mykel, this is going to far! But I'm not going to let her think she's better than us... "Someone's got to teach you a lesson eventually."

"Don't say I didn't warn you."

Mykel shot another fireball, and she ducked, then ran for him and punched him. "I lived in the Snowlands. I can fight better than you," she muttered. "Your fault for banishing people there. Your fault for not dealing with Them."

"A single punch isn't going to beat me," he replied, yet he winced as he shoved her back. The girl snarled, again,  inhumanely.

Somehow, an icy glove appeared around her fist, she slammed it into Mykel's stomach.

"How's that for one punch?"

"What the hell-" Mykel coughed.

"Why did you do that?!" Kael screamed. "And what kind of keeper are you?!"

"Why did I do it? Because he would have done it too me, too, if he were me," the girl answered. "He'll be fine. Keepers heal quickly, and my punch had barely any impact. It's just some scratches. In other words, he'll live. Go away, will you?"

"That was-"

"Awesome!" Mykel lifted his head, and to Lyrik's surprise, he was smiling. Lyrik's eyes shot wide open in shock. "You could easily take the Scarlet Council out!"

"The... The Scarlet Council- oh my god. I forgot- you just... Ruined everything," the girl dragged out, stumbling back. Her voice, however, was barely any quieter. "I used my power in a non-protected neighbourhood. They know where I am."

"If you guide us, they won't find you because we'll be far from here. I'll give you a house, too," Mykel seized the chance, although confusion was written across his face. So you went from attacking her to recruiting her. Great.

"Fine." The girl lifted her eyes to meet his. "Bring it on."

Hai!

I actually wrote this in "the girl's" perspective for my English assignment, I had to write an 8-paged story. Her whole story is really interesting, but that's all I'll say, hehehe...

I got questions! Also tell me if you don't like me putting questions...

What do you think of the chapter?

Who do you think "Cynth" is?

Who do you think "the girl" is?

Do you think they'll get to the Snowlands?

Was this chapter horribly written?

What did you like most 'bout the chapter?

Sorry I took so long to write this... But just as I promised, it's nearly 3000 words (2792, to be exact)!

Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed!