In between fishing, slingshot and archery lessons, training, Wood Elves hosting wild sporting events, attacks from the dark army, news of unrest from other realms and the general, uncomfortable smell of random things burning – the Elves held a lot of marriage ceremonies.

It was that time of the year for them. If someone was not getting hitched then they were getting engaged. It was absolutely normal to witness boys proposing and hear girls squealing wherever one went, or bump into ceremonies at every turn. Waverly had been to so many of them that she had ultimately lost count.

Sometimes, she crafted random gifts to present to the newest couple as it was likely for her to run into a nuptial during the day or at night.

Dermot helped, and together, they amassed an entire hoarde of wedding presents. Diarmaid, on the other hand, simply took stuff from the Wanderers Cavern. Somehow, his gifts were never questioned. Instead they got the highest praise being items from ancient times.

"Will anyone not figure out where he gets them from?" Waverly had asked.

"Hopefully not." Was Dermot's reply.

"Will you get married one day?" She pestered.

Dermot went silent for a short moment then shrugged. "Maybe."

"What about Raid Maid?" Waverly laughed, recalling Diarmaid's mode of introduction the first day they had met.

Dermot let out his signature melodious laughter. "I wish he'd get married soon. At least then, he'll learn to be responsible for someone other than himself."

The following week, Waverly was in her room, perfecting her letter to HalfHyde when a powerful pounding on the door made her jump. It was so loud it threatened to break her door down. She rushed to it as soon she recognized the voice calling out her name.

When she turned the knob, a bearish hug knocked her to the ground. Phyllis was squealing in excitement, and Waverly did not need to guess far to know why.

"Ceylon proposed to you." She muttered weakly as Phyllis's arms tightened around her neck.

"Yes." The Elfin squealed joyously.

"If you don't let go, I will probably die before the wedding." Waverly choked.

Phyllis broke off immediately. "By Gayl, I'm so sorry. I'm just really excited." She pulled Waverly to her feet.

"Can I see your ring?" Waverly asked, suddenly contacting the excitement fever.

Phyllis stretched out her right hand where a slim silver band shone on her tiny finger even in the dimly lit room. It held a diamond that was cut to look like a blooming flower with two sapphires in the middle that practically glowed.

"It is amazing." Waverly commented, inspecting the ring. There were tiny details in Elvish across the band, but the dull light did not permit her to read them.

"I know." Phyllis agreed, bopping up and down. She had the widest smile on her face that grew even wider every time.

"When are you—?

"We still have a few years left to court." The Elfin interjected. "Perfect timing is all that matters for a wedding, but I don't care about that. I'm just so happy he asked me now."

Waverly gave a questioning pout. "Now?"

Phyllis sighed. "Yes. You know of all that has been going on lately, right?" She lowered her voice. "The Emperor of Chaos himself is on the loose and people are dying. A war is coming and there's the possibility of the obliteration of all life on earth."

"B-But is that not a good reason to get married now?" Waverly inquired.

Phyllis looked shocked. "Goodness, no."

"But what if—?"

"We both die or one of us dies?" She completed then chuckled. "Pfft! That's not going to happen, and I'm sure of it."

Waverly was surprised at how convinced Phyllis was of her statement, but she said nothing to diminish the Elf's hopes. If there was one thing she had learned from living with Elves, it was that anything was possible as long as one had enough faith in it.

"Now, come on. We have to go." Phyllis said, taking Waverly's hand.

"Go? Go where?"

"Uh, Aurora's wedding is next week. We have to get our dresses."

"We're invited?"

Phyllis rolled her eyes and chuckled. "Duh. The Queen wouldn't let her precious Tyros miss her own daughter's wedding. We're automatic VIPs."

Waverly frowned. "Veeps?"

"You're dopey." Phyllis laughed and led them both outside.

"I have to go fishing today with Dermot and Diarmaid." Waverly announced as they passed by a cluster of Elven and Vestonian soldiers, leaning over to peer at a massive map spread across the surface of three empty smorgasbord tables that had been drawn together.

"You can fish later. Dresses first. If we don't go now, we might not be able to get our measurements down." Phyllis said.

Waverly kept quiet and followed her into Nael to the biggest tailoring store she had ever been in. There were over thirty seamstresses and fifteen tailors all working on different spindles and stitchers. A number of other people dyed fabric, and another group wrung the color out of them and took them out to sun.

It was incredible watching them work, weaving in and out of rooms and transporting materials of all kinds. Waverly saw a woman walk into a wide room, holding up a folded silk material. The door next to that one opened and another woman walked out, holding a beautiful, finished dress made from the softest textile. It was gray and had a lot of layers.

"Who is that one for?" Waverly asked, pointing at the incredible dress.

"Not us, that's who." Phyllis answered.

The walking pattern in the store was a funny movement to Waverly. It felt like a training ground to her. They ducked, flinched, sidestepped and halted; usually to let people pass with finished and unfinished things, heavy machinery or delicate dyer bowls.

At last, they found the room where they would get their measurements taken. Phyllis went first, and if it were not so quiet, Waverly would have laughed at the procedure. She was made to stretch out her arms, lift them, or put them in a complicated position. It was the most ridiculous exercise.

Waverly's turn came and ended quickly because she was still much smaller in comparison to an Elf.

"Your dress is going to be a. . . peculiar one dear," The seamstress beamed. "But you'll have to grow out a little more hair."

Waverly inadvertently felt her hair. "Why? What is wrong with the one I have now?"

The lady laughed. "Oh, nothing, dear. I was just making a suggestion. You can wear your hair however you want to."

Waverly nodded, but saw in the woman's eyes that she was not okay with being refuted like that. She followed Phyllis out of the store.

"Why does she want me to grow out my hair just to wear a dress?"

Phyllis glanced at a swordsmith in a forge, beating hot metal with a hammer. "Doris is always that way. She thinks her opinion matters above all else."

She turned her gaze to Waverly and stroked her hair backwards once.

"I think your hair is great."

Afterwards, Waverly joined Diarmaid on a boat that they were to take out to sea – according to him – for a better fishing experience.

"Can't we just fish on the shore?" She asked and passed him a fishing rod.

"It's boring. There's not a lot of fish there, and by the way, you're already used to fishing on small waters. Why not go big this time, eh?"

Waverly agreed and helped him stack the oars onto the boat. Just then, Dermot joined them.

"Do we have all the bait?" He asked and put down his fishing rod and a green box. The flat, wooden bridge vibrated from the sound of his boots as he walked along it toward the boat.

Waverly stood and squinted her eyes then pointed out. "Tiny fish, worms, Diarmaid, lure. We're all set."

Diarmaid cackled. "I can't believe you just did that."

She shrugged and picked up the green box then climbed down carefully into the boat.

"You said that a good joke should have no respect, right?" She asked, looking up at Diarmaid.

"Absolutely" He began, pointing a finger at her. "Jokes can be made at any time and directed at anyone."

"Why don't you walk into the King's court one of these days and make fun of his clothing choices?" Dermot offered. "I'd love to see just how solid your theory would be right after."

"Now, you know that's not what I meant." Diarmaid chuckled, spreading his arm.

"What did you mean?" Waverly asked and picked up an oar.

"No, I'll row with him. You sit." Dermot said, collecting the wooden device from her.

"I meant that you can make a joke at the expense of just about anyone, but you must have good timing." Diarmaid explained. "So, I could make a joke about the King's robes just. . . when he's not there."

"I, for one, would love to hear it." A new voice said.

Waverly turned and found Brijjet walking down the wooden bridge. He carried a fishing rod too.

"Wanna join us, loverboy?" Diarmaid asked.

Brijjet looked at him. "I'd love to, but I'm already taking Aurora."

"Then, what are you doing here?" Waverly asked, rather harshly.

Brijjet turned to her, ignoring her tone. "I came to give you these." He pulled out three small pieces of rolled up parchment and handed it to Dermot.

"Invitations?" Dermot asked, inspecting the golden seal. "I thought we were already invited."

"I thought so too," Brijjet sighed. "But the King is getting apprehensive. He will house refugees in his realm, but he can't trust them in his house. It's better if the wedding is strictly by invitation only."

"What about Lameth?" Diarmaid asked.

"You think he'd play guard dog just because he's in Javan's house now?" Brijjet chuckled bitterly.

"Alright then. Thanks for uh. . ." Dermot trailed off, waved the scrolls and sat down.

"Did you find anything yet?" Diarmaid asked.

Waverly cocked her head, confused about what he meant then realized almost immediately.

Brijjet suddenly looked very troubled. He gazed at the horizon. "Nothing. There's nothing anywhere."

Diarmaid nodded solemnly. "I'm sorry."

Brijjet sighed. "It's alright. You guys have fun."

And with that, he left.

"Aurora?" Waverly asked. She felt like kicking herself for sounding so mean at first, but Brijjet was already gone and she could not call him back to apologise.

"Yep." Diarmaid replied. "There's nothing anyone can do about her."

They began to row out to sea. The sun was high up in the sky, but the heat was dull. There were numerous fishing boats dotting the water. Some of them held a few number of Elves while others were stacked with overexcited Human children that wanted learn to fish too. They squealed and leaned over the boat, slapping at the water and making loud splashes. The Elf that rowed them looked to be beyond exasperated and powerless over their actions.

"Do you get homesick looking at them?"

Waverly turned to Diarmaid. "No. I don't."

"Then, why are you staring as if you want to pulverize them? You know you have quite an unsettling stare, right?"

She threw her glance to the other direction. "Is there a spot where there's more fish, or we just fish wherever?"

"There's a spot. I don't think a lot of folks know it." Dermot revealed with a mischievous smile.

Waverly smiled back. Their boat was well away from everything when they finally stopped, floating in the middle of nowhere with no land in sight except for three unbelievably pointy rock spires as high as cliffs in front of them.

"Welcome, Waverly, to the ultimate exclusive fishing spot." Diarmaid said, spreading his arms in delight.

Waverly turned to Dermot in worry. "Are we lost?"

He playfully scrunched his face. "No."

"What is this called?" She asked, looking up at the spire that completely blocked out the sunlight. It had a more massive height than width.

"You think they have names?" Dermot queried, fixing bait to the hook of his fishing rod. Diarmaid did the same and Waverly followed suit.

"Yes. Pa told me Elves always gave names to things so that it bestowed a purpose on them and made them special."

"Uh, who's your father by the way?" Diarmaid asked.

"His name is HalfHyde." Waverly replied and cast her rod into the water along with Dermot.

Diarmaid shrugged. "Never heard of him, but he sure sounds told."

"Told?" Waverly asked. She still had difficulty keeping up with some of the words modern Elves used. Sometimes, a regular word meant a million things and it confused her.

"It means informed. Educated." Dermot explained. "Well, you are right. These spires do have a name. They're called Dragon Teeth."

"What dragon?" Waverly inquired. She reeled in her line, but it was empty. Dermot reeled his and found two fishes grappling with the hook.

"Her name was Heron." Dermot said.

"Heron? But that is a bird." Waverly stated.

"Yes, and she was named so because she looked like the bird, but much much bigger and quite different."

"Are these rocks really her teeth?" She asked, inching away from the rock face. Their boat was only half an arm's length away from it.

Dermot looked up. "What do you think?"

"I think it is not." Waverly said. "Teeth cannot be this big. Imagine the size of the creature if this were its teeth."

"We didn't tell you yet which god Heron belonged to." Diarmaid smiled. "Want to guess?"

"Cret." Waverly asked then shook her head in disagreement. "No, no, she has the Mint Butterfly."

"Guess again." Diarmaid prodded.

She thought hard, but no deity came to mind because she knew the godly animals of them all.

"I don't know."

"Yes. I caught six at once." Diarmaid cackled delightedly.

Waverly marveled at his catch then turned to Dermot, who only smiled and waved it off nonchalantly. "He just got lucky there."

"Tell me which god owns Heron." She queried.

"His name is Amino." Dermot answered. "It is possible you might not have heard of—"

"The god of blacksmiths and crafts." Waverly finished. She had seen his name once in her study books, but never really dwelled on it.

"Good!" Dermot praised. "Well, The Heron was Amino's sacred animal. He crafted her from the fires of the sun."

"Wow! How?" Waverly reeled in her line a second time, but there was still no fish hanging from it. Dermot gave her an encouraging look.

"No one knows, but that is the myth." He said.

"Myth? So, it means that the story is likely to be untrue?"

Dermot reeled in four fishes and placed them in the green box beside him. "Do you think a live dragon can be crafted from nothing but fire?"

"I think the gods could do such a thing, but it is somewhat mindboggling." Admitted Waverly.

"Yes, and that is why we do not overthink it. Either go with it or ignore it." Diarmaid said then pointed to her empty hook. "You're having a bit of tough luck there."

"She doesn't need you to point it out, Diarmaid." Dermot said calmly.

"I was just. . ." Diarmaid stood up. "Hey, maybe if we switched sides you could catch something."

Waverly nodded and carefully made her way over to Diarmaid's spot, but even after her fifth try, she still could not catch anything.

"I think something is wrong with it." She said examining the pole, but everything seemed to be in place.

Just then, two boats rowed out of the corner. Inside the first was Brijjet, a King's guard and Aurora. The second carried two palace guards and a servant girl. Waverly's countenance turned sour at the sight of the princess, but she kept shut.

"There they are!" Brijjet announced.

"Good afternoon, Your Highness." Dermot greeted. Diarmaid did the same, but Waverly said nothing.

"Is that Tommy and Diam?" Aurora asked, touching Brijjet's arm. She made to rise, but he held her down.

"Yes. They came fishing with Waverly."

Aurora tilted her head with a look of puzzlement. "Who?"

Waverly felt a sting in her chest. Aurora did not know who she was which meant that Brijjet had never mentioned her. At the same time, the thought made her glad as she did not quite like the princess.

"A good friend of mine. She's right there next to Dermot." Brijjet said. He caught Waverly's eye and looked away quickly.

"Is she an Elf?" Aurora asked. Waverly could almost taste the nervousness in the princess' tone.

Did she not fully trust Brijjet? The thought made her wildly glad.

"No. Waverly is Human." Brijjet replied.

"Bring me closer. I would like to meet her."

Aurora sounded calm, but Waverly suspected that if it had been just the both of them on land, the princess would have driven a knife through her chest without hesitation. The boat rowed closer until it touched theirs. Aurora oddly extended her hand toward Waverly as if she could see her there.

"Lovely to meet you, Waverly." She said with a ghostly smile.

"Pleasure." Waverly said simply and shook Aurora's soft hand.

The princess looked quite startled at the sound of Waverly's voice. She gave a nervous, but obviously contented laugh and turned to Brijjet.

"Why, she is a youngling." She stated.

Brijjet looked amused, but he nodded in agreement. "Yes, of course."

Aurora sighed. "Well, I hope you can make it to our wedding."

Waverly sensed mocking irony in the statement, but made no retorts.

"How many catches have you made so far, Tommy?" Aurora asked, speaking to Dermot.

Waverly frowned. What sort of name was Tommy?

Dermot peeped into his water filled box of flapping fishes. "There are just about twenty to twenty three."

Aurora laughed, a tinkering laughter full of pride and ridicule. "We've got forty already. I know you and Diam are good fishermen. Is your Human friend slowing you down?"

Dermot glanced at Waverly then gave a light chuckle. "No. She is quite good at this."

"How many fishes has she caught since you arrived then?" Aurora asked sweetly.

Waverly found that she liked the princess less and less. She clenched her teeth then felt Dermot's hand close around hers, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"None. She hasn't caught anything yet."

Aurora feigned shock. "Isn't that bad luck then? Are you sure she hasn't got bad blood? I hear some Humans have it."

Waverly looked away. The tension between her and the princess had grown to be the same height as one of the Dragon Teeth spires.

"She's just having a mildly unlucky time. You should have seen her catch a few days ago." Dermot offered.

"That could have been a touch of luck from Aster, you know. . . in pitiful little streams and lakes. We're out in our Lord Gayl's territory now. Only a select worthy few can get the best out of it."

"We hear you, Aurora." Diarmaid said. "How many catches did you make?"

Aurora smiled brightly. "Tell them, Brij."

Brijjet laughed a little. "She caught all forty."

"Impressive!" Diarmaid whistled. "Want a rematch? I bet I can catch way more than you can."

Aurora laughed. "I'd love to see you try, Diam. Come on over."

Diarmaid crossed over to Aurora's boat, and the guard rowed them away, but close enough that they were still in sight. The second boat followed them, leaving Waverly alone with Dermot.

"She's obnoxious, isn't she?" He spoke up, fixing another bait to his hook.

Waverly still glared at the boat, watching Diarmaid and Aurora cast their lines at the same time.

"If you mean that she is a mannerless, annoying, unpleasant, pompous, spoiled bratwurst, then, yes. Yes, she is obnoxious."

Dermot burst into long, genuine fits of laughter that made his eyes water. Waverly found herself laughing too.

"All the words you've said are the same thing. . . except," He gave an amused frown. "Bratwurst?"

"Even I do not know what that means, but I've heard people say it at camp, especially at dinner." Waverly confessed.

Dermot laughed again. "That is probably because bratwurst is fried pork meat."

"Oh!" She realized then pouted. "Even pork meat is way better than she is. How did they know to come here anyway?"

"Brijjet knows this place. We used to fish and swim here together when we were children. Initially, he was the one who discovered the spot."

"Good for him." Waverly spat.

Dermot scoffed. "Why are you so angry at him? What has he done that is so wrong to you?"

Waverly kept shut, until Dermot gave up waiting for an answer and threw his line into the sea. She folded her arms over her chest and watched the boat afar off.

"Will you not try one more time? Maybe Diarmaid was the reason why the fish didn't come to you." Dermot comforted.

Waverly hesitated then picked up her rod, fixed a worm to it and threw it in. The environment was quiet save for the laughter of Aurora and the others. Waverly thought she imagined seagulls calling, but when she looked up, there were no birds.

"You know what I think?" Dermot asked all of a sudden. His voice was calm and almost inaudible.

"What about?" Waverly asked, keeping her eyes glued to the ocean surface.

"About why you are angry at Brijjet." He said.

Waverly thinned her lips. She knew that he knew, but she did not want to hear him say it out. Her grip on the pole tightened as she waited for Dermot to speak, but he did not.

"Do you want me to say it?" He asked instead, glancing sideways at her.

She shook her head immediately. Just then, something yanked on her fishing rod and the sudden action made their boat lurch forward.

"Have you caught something?" Dermot quickly asked, firming his grip on the pole as it almost made its way out of his hand.

Waverly strained against the rod, but whatever it had caught onto was much stronger than she was. It rotated the boat and continuously slammed them against the rock spire.

"I don't know. It's really heavy."

Dermot hurriedly began to reel in his own line, but before he could finish, Waverly was forcefully yanked into the water.

"Waverly!" He yelled. His voice caught the attention of the others.

Waverly, on the other hand, was sinking fast. She tried to let go of her fishing pole, but some strange sort of sensation made it stick to her palm. She tugged and tugged, but the pole refused to come off. The creature her hook had caught on to dragged her further and further into the sea, until the sunlight became a tiny spot above.

Waverly felt a strong urge to inhale. Her chest went up in flames from lack of air, then a sudden movement caught her eye from the corner. She turned and almost yelped in fear when a hand gently touched her chest. The burning sensation inside her melted off and was replaced by a sort of vacuum.

Waverly had felt that way before back when she had last visited the realm of the Elemental Godhead, Gayl, Lord of The Wind and Seas.

She stared at the newcomer's arm that had red fins protruding from the elbow region. Her large brown eyes blinked repeatedly, and when she smiled, her entire face lifted with the movement.

"Niana." Waverly voiced in the water.

Niana swam around joyfully then returned and took Waverly's hand, prodding her to follow. Waverly hesitated. The fishing rod suddenly came free in her other hand. She tried to ask Niana what was going on and why she had pulled her into the water, but she could not speak underwater as much as Niana could not speak English.

The Nixie continuously pulled her, gesturing below.

Waverly looked up. Their boat was so tiny from the great distance that it looked like splint. She knew Dermot and Diarmaid would be worried about her, but as long as she knew she was fine, she felt she did not have to panic.

She finally succumbed and allowed Niana lead her to wherever the creature was so eager to go. The swim did not take too long because soon they reached a faraway reef. Niana pointed to the coral bed and swam towards it, then began to feel around for something.

Waverly watched her, unsure of what she searched for. Niana took quite a while searching  because the reef itself was quite big. Soon, the water grew dark, and Waverly guessed that night had come. She could see the half moon above and panicked slightly.

Would everyone think she was dead or lost at sea? And Dermot, he would blame himself for not being able to catch her before she had keeled over into the water.

She swam towards Niana and tapped her, using some of Judson's old gestures to ask what she was looking for. Niana seemed to understand perfectly. She gestured that she searched for a stone.

Waverly frowned. She almost wanted to shout at the Nixie for yanking her into the ocean and all the way to a reef just to look for a stone, but then she remembered that she was underwater and that Niana would not have dragged her that far if there was nothing important to do with it.

Besides, Niana was a purebreed – a direct servant to Gayl himself. She would not have risked being seen if her errand was not urgent or crucial. She went ahead to inquire what kind of stone Niana searched for. The Nixie took up Waverly's hand and pointed to her bracelet.

She looked down at it and recognized that one of the ropes had come loose, dangling off the edge of her wrist. She had lost a set of stones and never realized it at all. The thought made her mildly sick. She could not even remember which stones had been there. Niana swam lower  and disappeared on the cliff-like drop of the reef. A few moments later, she emerged holding an oyster shell.

She took hold of Waverly's hand again and led her toward the ocean surface.

The air was unbelievably cold when Waverly's head eventually broke out of the water. She inhaled and gasped sharply, struggling to breathe in as much air as she could. From that point, she could see land ahead lit up by nightlights and burning torches. Niana had brought her close enough to Nael.

She swam toward the nearest turf and sat down on the beach while Niana laid belly down on the sand, her green tail flapping gently behind her. She placed the shell on the wet ground and pushed it forward.

"I did not know I lost them." Waverly stated remorsefully. She examined the shell and opened it. Inside it were three little corals and a string of seaweed. She beamed at Niana.

"How did you know to bring me these anyway?"

Niana gurgled excitedly and rolled over. A heavy wave splashed over her and retreated. Just then, voices came from the trees behind. She recognized one of them immediately.

"Go! Now!" She whispered to Niana and pushed her backward until the water swallowed her whole then staggered back and fell, feeling incredibly light-headed.

"Waverly!" Dermot shouted.

Soon, she felt arms grabbing at her and gently pulling her toward the beach. She sat up, her head spinning and looked around. Dermot, Diarmaid and Brijjet were staring down with panic and wide eyes.

"Are you alright?" Dermot asked and stooped down to take her hand. He felt her forehead and grabbed her shoulder.

"Yes. I-I think I'm fine." She stuttered.

"How can you be coming out of the water conscious," Diarmaid pointed out, his face contorted in confusion. "When you've been in it for such a long time?"

Waverly bent over, heaving. She felt strangely heavy from being underwater for such a long time and her chest felt like it had been ripped open and kept that way for days. She pocketed the shell right before Dermot called her name and it assured her that none of them had seen the oyster, but when her eyes met Brijjet's, she became very uncertain.

"She's been missing for eight hours and that's your first question?" Dermot admonished.

"Eight hours?" Waverly mumbled in surprise.

"Dermot, Diarmaid, could you. . ." Brijjet started and trailed off. He turned to them and lowered his voice. "I want to speak with her."

Dermot glanced at Waverly then tapped Diarmaid gently on his stomach. Together, they headed back into the trees and were gone from sight. A moment of silence passed between Waverly and Brijjet before the latter finally spoke up.

"Other than being dizzy right now, I can see that you're fine. Where did you go?"

Waverly sighed and stood up. "Thank you for your concern, but I will like to return to camp now."

She began to walk away.

"I saw the Nixie." Brijjet stated.

Waverly halted and exhaled then turned to face him. "Was that your first time seeing a Ni—"

"I saw her back on our boat when she first arrived." He interrupted. "She took you, didn't she, then brought you back to the beach? That might be normal, but you've been underwater for eight hours. What are you hiding?"

"Nothing." She answered.

"I don't believe you." Brijjet stated. "First, you tell me that you knew the reason behind Judson's disappearance all along, then you go off and play with a purebred Nixie. Yes, Waverly, I heard her gurgle."

"Are you saying that I have some secret docket?" Waverly asked, her eyes reducing to slits.

"I'm saying that you've not been completely honest."

"And what about you?" She barked.

Brijjet's head jerked back in surprise. "What about me?"

"After my arrest, how many times did you come to see if I was fine? Even after my release, you disappeared. You left me with Diarmaid and Dermot and did not bother to show up until whenever it suited you."

"I told you I joined the Company." Brijjet said, fighting to keep his voice down.

"Did you tell me about Aurora?"

"That's personal." He scoffed. "What is your problem with her anyway? I noticed how stiff you were on the boat and before that when I brought you the invitation. I know you're angry at me for being so distant, but why are you directing it to Aurora?"

"You see a lot of things, don't you? How are you so blind to that bit?"

Waverly turned and began to leave again, but Brijjet caught up and grabbed her by the arm.

Without meaning to, she summoned a sword out of Calaire and pointed it to his chest. He let go of her arm and stepped backward.

"You might as well be hiding more than just a secret docket." He said in a deathly, but calm tone. "We are friends, Waverly, but if I find that you're doing something funny, I won't hesitate to—"

"What?" She challenged then retreated the sword. "You're going to bring me to your King and have him execute me, or place me on a giant catapult and throw me all the way back to my home because that would be great. At least, I could go back to my father; back to my former life, where there was never any trouble, any death, or a bloody war – and there was never any you."

Brijjet stared with his mouth half open as Waverly stormed away from the beach and into the trees. She met Diarmaid on her way back, but when he made an attempt to speak, she screamed at him and ran away.

"What do you think's happened to her?" He asked after she was gone.

Dermot sighed. "A lot, Diarmaid. A lot!"