ᴛʜᴇ ᴠᴇɪʟᴇᴅ ꜱᴇɴꜱᴇ

Chapter IX: A step towards change

Sylvia Aradove rushed into her dark hut, searching for essentials to take with her on the short trip back to the pirates. She hated the feeling of leaving Elena alone, especially when in pain, but she knew she had to get back to her brother. And so, the elf peeked back into the tent to inform Elena about her absence, however the mage was already asleep.

Sylvia traveled through the border's forest towards the dock, already having the path memorized by heart. Of course, she couldn't have the slightest of an idea if the Black Rose had come back on land or not, but if anything, Sylvia knew to trust her intuition. However she had to remember to be quiet, Spaudan soldiers would come for her if they sensed an elf near the border. Carefully stepping down a dirt road to the shore, Sylvia could catch glimpses of the familiar ship's sail coming to an end at the dock, making her hurry.

The crew was just starting to step out of the vehicle as Sylvia ran and pulled Caleb into a tight hug before searching for any wounds and making sure he's okay.

"Hi, Caleb! Oh, how I've missed you, my dear. Say, has Arthur come back here?"

Caleb gave a few silent nods and shifted his gaze behind Sylvia, signaling for her to look.

Sylvia turned around, not exactly knowing if behind her would be a soldier or something else. But to her relief, it was only Arthur. The healer's face immediately lit up upon seeing the pirate and she ran up to him, also examining his face and body for injuries. Arthur was clearly wounded, but not as severely as what Sylvia had seen at the medic stations.

"Sylvia, I'm okay. No need to get so worried." he proclaimed with a tone as calm as ever, but Sylvia was indifferent.

"You're not okay, you have cuts everywhere. I'll need to heal you before we do anything else. I insist."

Arthur only chuckled at the elf's amount of worry for the other, but didn't resist the offer, mostly knowing that Sylvia would not let it rest.

The crew and the elves took some time to calm down and catch up on the current situation as Sylvia healed Arthur's wounds, leaving even more tan scars on his arms and legs.

"What's the plan for the future now? It seems that both countries are drawing back from the war, but it's most likely only for a short while." Lorraine began talking, suggesting for the group to decide their next step. Sylvia took a glance at Arthur and pulled him aside for a private conversation.

"Hey, listen. I have something in mind that could ease the anger between humans and elves. And for that, I need you to come with me to Agrela and talk to our queen." she explained with a confident look in her eyes. Arthur swallowed.

"What for? What are you going to do?"
"You fought with us against your own kind, there's plenty of elves that can be providers of proof that you truly do not want to harm us. If I can convince queen Siora that you and many other humans are good people, maybe she would want to start negotiating with your king?"

Arthur looked away, doubt flashing in his gaze as he thought about Aradove's suggestion.

"Sylvia, I don't know. It's risky, I mean she wants to capture me, correct? I'm not sure she'll change her mind just like that."
Sylvia looked up at the man with pleading eyes full of hope.

"Please? It's worth a try and I will not let her harm you. She's our queen, she has to listen to what the citizens have to say about you."

Arthur took in a deep breath and sighed with anxiety. He wasn't going to lie, he was terrified of Siora Valzana. But then again, the pirate simply couldn't say no.

"Oh, I owe you something." Sylvia said, making Arthur look back at her with a puzzled expression. The healer simply leaned in and placed a soft, gentle kiss on his lips as both gratitude and love towards him. Sylvia couldn't help but giggle at Arthur's confused look as she pulled back and went back to the pirates.

"Arthur and I will take a quick trip to the elven queen in an effort to negotiate. I hope that's alright with you, captain Faulkner?"

The older man only nodded in a silent approval, knowing his son was now old enough to follow his own heart and decisions. Caleb ran up to Sylvia in a distressed manner.

"Sylv! You won't be leaving me again, will you?"

The healer gave a warm, reassuring smile, sending waves of comfort throughout Caleb's body.

"Of course not. You can come within, but not to the castle. There's Elena and Elizabeth at Northon, they will take care of you while we're gone and then we'll come back. Sound good?"

The young boy's face relaxed upon hearing the plan and he smiled brightly before taking a hold of his sister's hand as the trio began making their way back to Agrela once again.

Now that the war had quieted down and the sky was starting to clear, Sylvia felt more and more optimistic. She could leave her little brother safe in Northon while she made the effort to try and talk sense into the queen. And if her suggestion did not get accepted by Siora, she could go back to Northon with Arthur and think about the next step there. It seemed like nothing could go wrong.

"You behave while we're gone, alright? We really won't be gone for long." Sylvia reminded Caleb as she and Arthur prepared for their take off.

"Thank you, Elizabeth. I owe you my life for this." Sylvia exaggerated, thanking the elder elf, who smiled in response.

"That's alright, dear. I'm always glad to help you and Caleb."

Sylvia began leading Arthur to the nearby medic camp where she knew she could find soldiers of the First Lane. Faulkner was clearly feeling a tad bit of distress due to the situation that was about to unfold, but wanted to seem strong and confident in front of his newfound love.

"Excuse me, sir. I am Sylvia Aradove. I have some business to settle with the queen. Do you know if she is free for a chat?" the healer approached a soldier with a self-assured look. Since the elf's capture at Spaudan, everyone in Agrela had come to know Sylvia Aradove's name. The guard's gaze switched to the human.

"I'm not too sure if I can let you in with a human."

"This is Arthur Faulkner. Perhaps you've heard of him as well? He won't do any harm, besides you've got the First Lane to take care of it if he does. Now, is Valzana free?"

The soldier was clearly taken aback by Sylvia's sudden wave of assertiveness, but composed himself.

"Yes, I'm sure she'll be interested in what you have to say. I will get you both a carriage immediately." he said before giving a slight bow and going about his business. Arthur looked at Sylvia with confused eyes.

"And since when have you been able to control people with your gaze?"

Sylvia chuckled at the pirate's accusation.

"I guess it's always been a talent of mine. Wouldn't you agree?" she spoke with a rather flirtatious tone, using the same enchanting gaze she had when the two were bathing in the pool lightened by bioluminescence. Before the man could respond, a carriage was brought right in front of them along with a few guards.

"Here you go, miss Aradove. We will bring you right to the palace." a soldier explained as another opened the door for the two. The duo exchanged glances before climbing into the vehicle.

"Woah, I never realized how much of a celebrity you are here." Arthur exclaimed.

"Honestly? Me neither."

The ride towards the castle was mostly spent in silence, as Arthur felt awkward around the intimidating First Lane soldiers and wasn't sure if he and Sylvia should expose their close relationship.

As the carriage got closer to the royal castle, Sylvia leaned in to Arthur and whispered.

"Just stay behind me and I'll lead the way. You've got nothing to worry about."

The pirate nodded a couple of times, seemingly drowned in his own thoughts. Once the horses stopped pulling, the door of the carriage was opened for the two in a polite manner and the couple stepped out. Arthur was impressed by the sheer size of the palace; it was clearly bigger than that of Bruno Eshil's. The man swallowed down his fears and fixed his posture as he followed close behind Sylvia to the giant gates, soldiers surrounding them.