Forgotten Magic

Chapter 22

November 16th

Dear Quirin,

It's been a while since I've seen you. I didn't realize Edmund forced everyone to leave...Well, I'm still here, aren't I? Anyways, I hope you're doing well. I hope you found a place to settle and everything. Honestly, all this Moonstone business is getting a little out of hand. I'd honestly be quite glad if you'd simply started a new life!

Well, anyways, life here is...dull as ever. There's no one left. I mean, Edmund's here but he's become obsessed with protecting the moonstone. And obviously I have my parents and Daniel but nothing is exciting anymore! It's so boring.

Can't wait to hear what you've been up to! I hope Hector and Adira aren't arguing so much anymore. I mean, maybe being practically banished from the kingdom you're supposed to be protecting has gotta do something, eh? Anyways...can't wait to see your reply!

Your friend,

Isabel

I smiled. Those were my mother's words. They were maybe 20 or so years old. But they were hers.

I wondered if my mom had ever talked about me in these letters. And for how long they kept in contact. So I flipped to the newest one.

April 23rd

Kir,

I don't have much time, so take me seriously. I can't provide for Annie anymore and I'm sending her away. I don't know where she's going to go and whether or not she's going to survive, but it's her only chance. I know you're not a knight anymore, and I know you have a son to take care of, so I won't ask too much of you. Just please, if you meet her, please take good care of my daughter.

I can't say too much in case this letter is intercepted but listen well. I'm not leaving my daughter alone in this world. You know where to find us when you can. I can handle it but it's just us here. E.M. You know where to find us.

I'm afraid this might be goodbye.

Dan

What could that mean?

~ ~ ~

"Princess Rapunzel!" I burst into the room, running straight for the princess. Two guards were hot on my tail and I was out of breath. Someone grabbed me by my forearms and I failed to break free.

"Wait! It's okay!"

I was let go. My body slumped as I tried to regain my breath. "Rapunzel! My dad's in danger! You-You're the only one who can help. Please! You have to come to Old Corona with me. Now."

Rapunzel looked at the small group of people behind me, worry spreading across her face. She led me outside the room and away from the tense air.

"Varian? What's wrong?"

"Please! The rocks. They're-They're encasing my dad!" I shouted, my sentences getting jumbled as I spoke.

"Encasing? Wha-what are you saying?" she asks.

"Come! Come see for yourself!" I start to run down the hall. "You can help! I know you can. You have a connection to these rocks!"

"Varian, it's a state of emergency here. I'm sorry...I-I can't help you."

I stop in my tracks.

"Not right now."

I run back up to her. "No! No no no no! Listen to me! My dad doesn't have much time! You are the only one who can help! Rapunzel, please!"

"Your majesty, please." A dark-haired man with a big nose and an accent interrupted. "Whatever the boy's problem, it must be set aside! The storm's growing stronger by the second. We need you to make a decision-!"

"No! No no no, please!" I grabbed Rapunzel by the arms and turned her around, shaking her a bit. "Please, princess, you-you..wha-you promised you'd help me! You promised!"

Two guards came forward and grabbed me, pulling me away from Rapunzel. "Rapunzel! Gah! Princess! My dad needs help!"

"No! Don't hurt him!" I heard her yell.

"Rapunzel!" I cried. "You promised! You promised!"

I got thrown out of the castle. For a long moment, I kneeled there in the snow, shivering in the cold. She'd promised. She promised she'd help me. And she hadn't. In the moment, I'd forgotten her entire promise.

After a moment, I stood up and ran. Ran for home. I needed to be there for my dad.

. . .

"Dad! Dad!" I cried, bursting into my lab and slamming the door behind me. "Dad, dad, the princess refused to help but I-" I froze upon laying my eyes on the amber tomb that had encased my father. "No no no no no!" The boy ran up to the block of honey-amber and pressed my hands against it as if to see if it was solid. "No! No! Dad! Dad! Daddy!" I stretched my arms up to my father's face as my knees buckled. "No..." A single broken sob escaped the alchemist's throat as I kneeled there in the dark and the cold, the only light coming from my father's amber tomb.

~ ~ ~

I'd heard the front door open and slam shut. Varian. I ran down the stairs and followed the wet, snowy footprints to Varian's lab. I hesitated...before opening the door. And immediately regretted it.

Varian was crumbled on the ground, kneeling in front of..... A solid, honey-colored block of amber held Quirin, trapped in suspended animation as he held something up as high as he could. The world had stopped but for the two teenagers, one crying beneath his father's tomb and the other, gazing upon the death of the only caretaker she'd ever had.

"Don't worry, Dad," Varian murmured. "I will get to the bottom of this. I promise." I knew he would set his dad free and show him that he, Varian, was worthy of the village leader's trust! No matter what stood in his path, he was going to make it. But I didn't know the lengths he would truly go to uphold that promise.

As the alchemist thought his promises, I made a promise as well. I swore to follow Quirin's words. I would find my mom. Not only that, but I would make sure he was there to see it! To make sure he could see me. And not only me, but his own son as well! She wanted Quirin to be able to look at Varian and say to him, with confidence, that he was proud of his son! She swore that no matter what happened, she wasn't going to let him down.

I have to say... Quirin was so blessed to be able to take care of two kids so willing to do anything for him. If only he knew at that moment that we loved him and looked up to him. If he could hear our silent promises, it would've warmed his heart to know he'd helped raise two capable, kind hearted souls. Isabel herself would've been able to prove it. But if only Quirin could know what foul obstacles lay in our way.

In that minute, we made him promises that would change us for the rest of our lives, whether for better...or worse.