The carriage rocked left and right peacefully as it skimmed over the pebbled road. A sudden bump interrupted the placid journey, jolting Ela awake.

She didn't remember exactly at what point she collapsed. Right after her big stunt, the entire world plunged into darkness. The mere thought of what she did brought an uneasy panic to her heart, but also some kind of twisted pride. I saved them, didn't I? The others must have gone away, she decided and whirled around triumphantly to face the window.

She halted. What kind of prison wagon has windows?

It was the first time she glanced around her. It looked like an ordinary carriage; two windows on the side, two sets of seats facing each other and ornate spirals of silver twirling gracefully around the walls. A guard was dozing off on the opposite seat, his head rested on the window.

Ela considered opening the door and rolling out. A peer out of the window was enough to change her mind. Fields. Green, and some more fields. The sun's rays were peeking over the hills curiously, showering the landscape in a warm shade of orange. She rarely ventured out of the Academy, so even if nobody else was guarding the carriage, she wouldn't know in which direction to run and where that would lead her. Having made her choice, she kicked the shin of the bulky man before her.

He jumped up, looking around frightened. When the girl was all he saw, he slumped back on his seat, staring at the passing grass with an unamused glare.

Ela cleared her throat. "Do you know where we are?"

He bobbed his head in confirmation.

"Will you tell me?"

He didn't move. She got her answer.

Ela sighed and placed her chin on her open palm. She knew she would not go to jail. Why would the captured sister of the prince need to? The Seyali didn't know the whole story, because nobody told them. And they would never tell them that Ela had turned against her nation for a few outlaws. That she had caused major damage in what was now their allied nation. That she would pluck Kage's eyes out if he hadn't stopped her. To the people, it seemed like just a frenzied attempt of a teenage girl to escape the crooked criminals.

The girl thought back to those so-called thugs. Ailyn had been injured, and maybe by now she would have sighed her last breath. When doubts started creeping in her mind, whispering 'what if's and crackling at her possible mistake, she pushed it all out. They might have healed Ailyn if she had returned to Seyal. But she would be rotting in a prison cell. I did the right thing, she assured herself, but deep down it only unsettled her more. 

It may have been the right thing for all the others, but for her it wasn't. She had caged herself in the country now. She had sacrificed the freedom she longed for, and she would never have it back. No guard would leave her out of their sight again.

After countless moments of thick silence, the carriage finally rolled to a stop. The door flew open, revealing a woman in the black and blue guard suit beckoning her outside. Hesitantly, she stepped on the stone road. Her legs wobbled slightly, so numb she had almost forgotten they existed. The guard helped her stand, but Ela shoved her hand away. I will not be treated like an injured sparrow, she promised and straightened her posture.

Before her towered the last gate of the Royal Seyali Academy of the High Arts. She had thought her first stop could be at the palace, but the sight of her school didn't confuse her. They had to act like nothing was wrong, like now that she was back she would eagerly continue with her old life. What did surprise her, however, was the figure of the Princess of Time standing next to the entrance and a few maids holding boxes of clothes and silks next to her. Ela left behind the guard, striding over to where Kasmir Sha was resting. Her amber hair was sticking to her cheek, waving around with a few shoves of the wind. The expression painted on her face was somber, yet somehow still exasperated.

"Your—"

"Just call me Kasmir."

Ela nodded. The gate creaked open and the two walked inside, followed by guards and maids trailing close behind. Kasmir's step was quick as she led Ela through the shaded road. She looked as if she had better places to be. Ela cleared her throat, touching Kasmir's arm slightly. The woman slowed her pace, but didn't cease moving her legs.

"Where is my brother?" asked the girl, but it sounded wrong in her mouth. Kage wasn't her family anymore. Not after everything.

Kasmir looked back at her, arching a dark brow. "In the palace, where he should be. Where I should be. Can we hurry, please?"

Ela caught up to her, lowering her voice. "Can I ask a question?"

The princess threw her a weary glance, but shrugged.

Taking a deep breath, Ela thought back to all the conversations she and her former team had had. There were so many things she didn't know, so many questions that remained unanswered. She plucked the one that disturbed her the most. "Would you have any idea why... why Kage didn't use the Kingfisher before?"

This time, Kasmir halted. She swirled around, grabbing Ela's forearms. "Listen," she sighed, but she didn't seem to be angry anymore. The confusion was clear in her tone. "Two weeks ago, I did not even know the Kingfisher contained important information. To me it was just decorative. I'm just as puzzled as you here." She pursed her lips, dropping her hands. "But I've come to realize Kage is right about most things. The Kingfisher shouldn't concern you anymore."

"Wait!" Ela yelled when Kasmir picked up her pace again. She walked next to her, glaring at the various people who were now peering at them bewildered. "You are a time manipulator. You can see the future, for all that's holy! Is that future not riddled with chaos?"

"You seem to be forgetting something," Kasmir informed calmly, smoothing out her blue dress. "This is my country, Elara. And it is your country too. Flouorn is stealing our land, and using the gods as an excuse for it. That is the highest act of blasphemy." As they approached the large door, she turned to the girl. "I do see turmoil. Many good people will die. But we are at war, dear. Sometimes we have to do horrible things to protect what we love."

Ela swallowed back a curse. It wouldn't be wise to make an enemy of the Ascended Council. She dropped her glance to her soiled shoes, her fists clenching into tight balls. She wasn't mad at Kasmir. She was mad at herself, because she knew the princess was right. Whatever she had done wasn't because she felt bad for Flouorn; it was because she wanted to prove to Kage and herself that she had the power to change something. 

Kasmir was right, yet the girl couldn't shake off the worry that had engulfed her senses. Where is Arden? What is Nora and Salo doing? Is Ailyn even still alive? The team had done nothing but betray and hurt her, yet her stupid heart had stuck with them. Maybe because they cared, deep down. Or perhaps because they seemed like the family she never had.

"Just a friendly word of advice, Elara," Kasmir muttered. "I have not attempted to look into your future, but it is written all over your face. A life of struggle awaits you, one filled with battles and heartbreaks. You will be caught in the crossfire of a war you did not choose to fight. That power you like to flaunter will be turned against you, and then you will have no choice but to hurt the people who care about you." She paused, staring into Ela's golden orbs. "But the future can change. We all had to sacrifice something to reach the point we are at now."

Ela drowned a sarcastic laugh, but a small chuckled escaped her. "Like Ailyn had to sacrifice her parents?"

She expected Kasmir to curse, or perhaps to seem a little unsettled. The Princess of Life simply nodded solemnly, though. "Yes. Exactly. If you want a successful life in the military, if you wish to escape the destiny that has been written out for you, then you must give up something you cherish. Keep that in mind before making any more selfish decisions, Elara."

As Kasmir slowly walked away, Ela couldn't keep the words in her mouth. They flooded out in streams, desperate to justify the situation she had gotten herself in. "Was sacrificing myself to save this cursed world selfish, too?" she yelled, ignoring all the looks the nearby students gave her.

The woman's legs kept moving, but her head tilted to the side, her puckered lips coming into view. "No," she retorted. "That was only foolish."

Her figure soon narrowed to a single blue dot in the cobbled road.

Ela wanted to scream a thousand profanities at her. She wanted to burn the whole school down and ask who the foolish one was then. Even the wild thought that her prophecy was fabricated by Kage's order crossed her head. None of that made her words lose their meaning.

A guard approached the girl, taking her arm and pulling her forward. "Miss, I will escort—"

"I can walk by myself," Ela hissed, nudging off his hand.

The way to her room was reminiscent of her old life in the academy. That is, what her life had been like only a few days ago. She recalled all the times she stomped down these halls, desperate to reach the seclusion of her dorm. She might have had a roommate, but Mara barely came back to sleep there. The chamber was her sanctuary; one nobody was brave enough to breach without receiving a burn or two in return.

Once they reached the corner where the familiar door was placed, the guard took hold of her wrist once again and led her down the hallway instead.

"Where are we going?" she quizzed, this time not bothering to shake off the guard's firm grip.

"His Highness, the Prince, requested you are taken out and socialized more."

Ela instantly halted, a grimace forming on her face. "What am I, a dog? So now I have no free will!"

"No, your Grace. I—"

"Can we stop with these titles? My name is Elara Sillich."

He sighed. "Miss Elara Sillich, I have been given orders to escort you wherever you want to go."

"Okay. What if I wanted you to escort me as I marched over to Flouorn and announced peace?"

His eyes bulged as he shook his head, trying to decipher Ela's expression. "U-Um, I...?"

Ela managed a tight smile, walking ahead. "It's sarcasm, Mr...?"

"My name is Stephano."

A few minutes of silent walking were enough to reach the garden. Ela's breath involuntarily hitched as she caught sight of the labyrinth of roses. Blue, white, even some red petals fell gracefully to the ground as the wind plucked them from their buds. The girl's eyes wandered around the site of her kidnapping, and she finally had the chance to examine the academy. She hadn't been gone for more than a week, but apparently four days were enough to repair the building almost entirely. The windows had been replaced with new, ebony frames, and the black ashes on the wall had been cleaned thoroughly. Anything to maintain their perfect image.

Stephano placed a hand on her shoulder, veering her away from the maze of flowers and towards some seats placed on the grass. The moment she nudged his hand off, another arm coiled around her waist and pulled her into a suffocating hug. If the yelps and giggles weren't enough to identify the person smothering her, the radiant blue eyes shining up at her when she pulled away certainly were.

Mara sighed, her lips stretching into a grin. "I'm so glad you're finally back! You have to tell me everything that happened to you."

"Spare me the pity," Ela snorted, but the puzzled look she earned from Mara forced a frown on her face. She didn't know what really happened, and she didn't need to. "Let's walk, but I don't want to talk about this."

As they cruised around the field, Ela had the chance to think about what Kasmir had told her. That was her country, and soon it would be her war, too. Every time she thought about Kage getting his way, her stomach twisted into knots of aggravation. It had never been that way. Maybe something really had changed.

"Will you keep staying here?" Mara blurted out, yet her words were carefully culled out of dozens of indiscreet questions. The hunger for gossip was clear in her eyes. 

"I am here, aren't I?"

Mara caressed her chin. "You don't seem so sure."

"Look," Ela groaned, turning to face her. She had never spoken to the girl sincerely. There's a first time for everything. "I cannot and will not bother with any of your questions. The answer to everything is, 'I don't know'. Now can we change the subject, please?"

Mara's lips slightly pouted, but she dropped her gaze as soon as the words left Ela's lips. "Okay," she murmured finally. "What are you wearing at the ball?"

"The what?"

"Have you not been notified?" she giggled. "A ball is being thrown for the return of Lady Elara Sillich."

Ela blinked, staring at the snow. She had yet to process everything her friend was churning out. "And... Why am I learning this now?"

"Perhaps because they want to keep it within the nation. A party is the perfect chance for the enemy to attack."

A party? For me? Ela knew Kage wanted people to believe he was delirious she was back, but a whole ball in her favor seemed a bit too much for his standards. "Sorry, I have nothing to wear," was all she could say to Mara. She couldn't hide the wonder in her tone.

Mara gasped, turning to look at Ela through wide sockets. "Maybe we could go dress shopping together!"

"I'm not in the mood," Ela said bluntly, but before Mara could complain any further,  a ring echoed throughout the garden, bouncing off the walls, piercing her ears.

Mara nodded, reluctantly walking towards the wide doors to the hall along with many other students. Ela's first steps behind her were interrupted by a hand shooting to her shoulder and hauling her back.

"We have been instructed to keep you in the garden."

She looked back at Stephano, raising a brow at his tight mouth. "What is that supposed to mean?"

He gulped down what seemed like hesitation and breathed a long whiff of air before looking straight ahead. "You have been signed out of your lessons." 

Ela looked at him, studying every inch of his round face, trying to detect the humour she desperately wished there was. Her attempts proved fruitless. Stephano's deadpan almost looked apologetic as he stared on, examining every bud of the flower-infested walls and trying to avoid what he knew would await him when he looked at Ela.

But she didn't scream. She didn't cry, or pounce on the man. The overuse of her abilities the day before had not just drained her power, but also her body and mind. She could stand no more anger and confrontations. All she wanted was to take a break from the situation she had put herself in.

But there are no breaks in war. Just victory or defeat.

All she managed was a sigh. "Why?" she huffed, shaking her head, trying to nudge her thoughts back in place. Why was Kage so focused on making her life miserable? What more did she do than defend her opinion?

"It's not just for you, my lady. All classes for dual benders have been banned. I believe you will be attending just the usual classes when you have fully recovered."

That poked a nerve in the girl's mind. Her eyebrows neared together, knitting into an intricate line. "Since I have nothing to better to do now," she uttered, already stepping away from the garden, whose flowers seemed just a bit less radiant than before, "I'll escort myself to my room. You request a hearing with his Highness."

༺──────────────༻

Ela's room was different. Much different. The usual dark blue curtains had been replaced by ivory rags, embroidered with ornate flowers in the color of the winter sky. Her wardrobe had transformed from a nearly empty piece of decoration to a buffet of colorful clothes, dresses, shoes. Everything she never had. Everything I never wanted. The bookcase pushed to the corner of the room had been stripped of all it's books, now a host for new knowledge. It seemed as if Mara had made a complete makeover of the place in the span of half a week.

The way to her dorm hadn't been particularly easy. Perhaps the gods had forgotten mercy. Although classes were in session, students didn't hesitate to walk out of the classrooms and talk to her, touch her, examine the few scars marked on her pale skin. She absolutely despised every last one of them and their fake sympathy. Of course the slash on her forearm didn't concern them. But who cut her? Why? Those were the questions they sought answers for, yet she replied in the same old fashion that always worked; "I don't know."

The girl collapsed on the bed, pinching the bridge of her nose. Social interactions always exhausted her mentally, but the fatigue that had overwhelmed her was unusual. It was physical. 

A knock on the door seized her thoughts. "Come in," she called, and the entrance soon creaked open.

A petite servant hurried inside, carrying a vast white box with her. Her narrow frame quivered as she dropped the box next to Ela's bed and she struggled to catch her breath before finally speaking. "My lady," the girl said while performing a clumsy curtsy. "These are the clothes specifically selected for you to wear at the ball tomorrow night."

"Who sends them?"

"I believe there is a note," she smiled before rushing out of the room and pulling the door shut.

Ela's curiosity over-shined her weariness. She jumped to her feet, hauling the lid of the box open and peering inside. An ebony envelope dropped to her feet, drawing a sigh of confusion from her. 

The girl frowned. What shop sends black letters to its clients? She pinched it, bringing it her to her face. There was no writing on it, no addressee, no  greeting. It only took mere seconds for her to slip out the note tucked inside the envelope. Cursive, she noted. Too formal for a shop assistant.

"Dearest lady Ela Sillich of Seyal,

We are incredibly delighted to learn you are safely back to your country. We hope it was an enlightening trip for you, and worry not, your ideals of most remarkable nature have not escaped us. Please accept this present made from our most talented tailors. We hope our common stance brings us to an official agreement in the near future; a collaboration, if you will."

A few more words were scribbled with messy handwriting on the bottom of the page.

"Come to the fountain the night of the ball. There you will find the answer you seek."

Ela paused. She read the letter again and again, yet the words didn't rearrange to make sense. The first part was vague enough; the order at the bottom was even more puzzling. Collaboration? Common stance? Answer? Tried as she might, Ela couldn't decipher the sentences.

She reached into the box. Her fingers caught silk. As she pulled the garment out, her breath halted at her throat. She coughed out, rubbing her eyes vigorously, trying to realize whether the box was a sick prank played by the rest of the students. But as time flew on, Mara didn't jump out of the closet, screaming and laughing, nor did Kage burst through the door to snicker at her expression. The gown in her hands didn't dissolve into thin air, either.

A blood red gown, with sparkling golden flowers wandering from the bodice down to the skirt. The colours of Flouorn.

***

Hush, hush.

Okay. You have no idea how many weeks this chapter has been ready for. Why didn't I upload it, then? Because I was simply not happy with it. School has literally drained the inspiration out of me, and no matter how much I edited this chapter I couldn't bring myself to like it. Maybe because it's very different from the setting in the rest, I don't know. I'm so so sorry for the delay, and I promise you I'll try to upload two chapters this week.

Many people are adding this to their reading lists, which is so awesome! I don't think they'll make it to here, but I'm ecstatic people seem to like the premise of this story.

I'm pretty sure I'm talking to myself since my four readers probably fled after the whole one month delay, but I hope you enjoyed this, whoever is reading! Please consider voting and commenting if you did, it helps me a ton ♥

(Fun fact; I wrote that first part on the pool. When it was still warm enough to go swimming. Heh. Heheh.)