WITCH - The Queen

Chapter 37

Julia

"You're leaving already?" Flordelis wrapped her arms around Julia's neck. "And that without me!"

"We'll come here again. Then, you can accompany us if that's your wish", Julia replied and hugged her beloved friend. "But the mountains are no place for you."

"All right." Flordelis nodded. "Mom wanted to tie me to our tent anyway when Tiyam babbled about us leaving with you. She doesn't want us to put ourselves in danger."

They said goodbye to friends and family. Flora and Hanno cried and Elodie didn't want to let go of Finn at first. And then, the journey finally started. Without Tiyam and Flordelis, they would have problems crossing the mountains. Julia was also worried about Finn, but it would work somehow.

Cleo and Charlotte were nervous. They didn't like the idea of dragons and harpies.

But first, they had to follow the river for a long time to reach the desert. Fiete had turned into a horse to carry Finn. Of course, they would cross the desert faster if the dragons were flying, but they couldn't carry them all. And Finn wouldn't be able to stay on the back of a dragon.

Marko and Peter talked and joked happily with each other. But it was clear that they were worried.

Josefine jumped while walking. She, on the other hand, was excited. After all, she had never seen the desert before. Although she felt from the bottom of her soul that she belonged there.

Julia mourned the light-heartedness of the last years. And she was afraid.

What would happen now? She clung to Leopold's hand as if he were her last lifeline. But at the same time, she had to think about her nightmares, in which he had never helped her.

Why?

Lea

Chloe and Benjamin looked disgruntled from the bushes from which they were watching the wall. Shay and Lea were sitting in another bush, a little away from the two teenagers. They were on the lookout for intruders or students who wanted to leave.

It was dark. Almost midnight.

They heard the call of an owl and the rustling of the trees, but otherwise, it was quiet at the wall.

They had chosen a somewhat remote part of the wall, as they considered this to be the most likely place for escape attempts. If they didn't see anyone today, they would split up the next night. But for now, they would stay together in case the eventual intruders were dangerous. Lea and Shay wanted to make sure that the twins behaved correctly in case of danger. That they did not leave their hiding place and did not do stupid things.

A few students wandered around after some time of silence. Others met at the wall to secretly experiment with fire magic. They tried spells that were forbidden on the school grounds. Lea was tempted to leave her hiding place and scold the rascals...

But no one tried to leave the property. And no intruder could be seen.

Finally, they climbed out of their hiding places and went back to sleep for a few hours.

Marlon

Marlon grinned like a child who got a big birthday present. He was sitting on one of his expensive sofas in the living room. He had sent the servants away in order to be able to talk to his guest undisturbed. In front of him stood a darkly dressed man who handed him the eagerly awaited letter. He came just in time because the very next day Marlon would have to drive back to the castle.

"And they were sent by Queen Agathe?" Marlon opened the letter. Inside was a small box and a piece of paper, which he quickly read. "You're an assassin?", asked Marlon quietly. "Your name is Keno?"

"Right!" The wizard nodded. "The Queen said that you might need my services."

"She writes about it, yes. She is extremely reliable! A wonderful woman." Marlon put the letter in the pocket of his fancy jacket. The jacket was new. The leather reminded him of the skin of dragons. "Would you like some tea? I'll call for a servant."

His guest yawned. "No thanks. But I'm very tired."

"Of course. The servants will prepare one of the guest rooms for you! And tomorrow, you will accompany me to the castle. Wonderful!" He clapped his hands loudly. Shortly afterward a servant arrived. Of course, a vampire and not a human. Marlon instructed him to prepare one of the guest rooms and then impatiently sent the servant away. He couldn't wait to become king.

"And after that? When we're at the castle?", asked Keno.

"Oh! I'll think about that tomorrow! Cookie?" Marlon held out a cookie tin to his guest. The wizard reached out with a smile.

"Thank you."

Annemarie

Rayk played with wooden figures together with the two nannies, and Rosina squeaked and shook a stuffed animal, which she presented to all the servants who walked past her. The two young women played the dragons, against which Rayks wooden knights fought. Rosina sat on the lap of one of the two women and babbled happily. She tried to say the word 'dragon', struggling with the vocals and consonants. "Gon!", the little girl finally exclaimed. For a few days now, she was interested in words. Especially in difficult words.

Annemarie walked restlessly up and down the room. She had a bad feeling.

Something was wrong. But what? Her children were healthy and happy. Her marriage went well. But something felt very wrong. Her brother behaved strangely in the presence of their parents.

Maybe it was best to leave the castle for a few days? After all, Marlon would be expected back soon.

"Honey?" Torsten came into the nursery smiling. "Here you are! Why weren't you at the Council meeting? It was voted against sending Queen Agathe the rope she wants. They want to keep the production secret. But she will get weapons."

"Good..." She nodded, went to her children, and took Rosina in her arms. She hugged the little one close to her while she went with her to Torsten. Every step felt heavy. She was more than just worried.

"What's wrong?" Torsten kissed his daughter and hugged Annemarie.

"Daddy! I'm fighting!", shouted Rayk.

"That's nice!" Torsten nodded appreciatively.

"I think we should move to our property for a few days. I don't feel safe here... I don't know. I want to go. A little break for us and the children!" Annemarie sighed.

"You don't feel safe? Is it because of Marlon?" He kissed her cheek.

"Yes. But it's just a feeling."

"If you want to go, we'll go." Torsten stroked first her and then Rosina's hair. "You two are the most important thing to me. You and our Rayk. If you feel we're not safe here, we'll go. A few servants pack our bags and we'll leave tomorrow!"

"Thank you." She smiled. "And if I'm wrong?"

"Then we had a pleasant family holiday on our estate!" He winked at her.

The two nannies threw nervous glances at each other but remained silent on the subject.

"We go?", asked Rayk. He had quietly crept up to them and was now tugging at Torsten's pants asking to get picked up. "With grandma and grandpa?"

"No Rayk. Just us!" Torsten lifted him up and press a kiss on his cheek. "We will go on some adventures! Have I told you that there is a treasure hidden in our garden? We can look for it."

"Yes!" Rayk nodded. "Treasure! Find treasure!"

"We pack bags for the kids", said one of the nannies. They bowed and hurried to fetch said bags.

(c: sasi)