Never Ever

20

Ever followed after him to see a huge crowd of pixies, surrounding her friends, who looked dazed..

Maya looked squirmish, Romeo as if trying not to be disgusted. Noire's face was red, and Axel looked stupid..

Ever: What are your friends making them see?

Norland: Oh, nothing. We are merely having a bit of innocent fun..

She felt the haze of illusionary magic creeping around her, but because she was aware of it, nothing happened

a couple of pixies pouted. She ignored them and demanded that her companions be freed from that spell

Norland clicked his fingers and the magic stopped

All her friends looked disoriented

Ever: It was just typical pixie magic. How are you guys doing

They told her they were fine

Romeo: On behalf of our group and the Fae crown, I thank you for your help

He bowed

Norland and Garnel nodded at him

Garnel: It was our pleasure, your highness

Ever: You are the one that's part elf, isn't that right, sir?

Garnel nodded, looking pointedly at Norland, who wasn't in the least perturbed by the old man's piercing gaze

Romeo: Forgive us for being blunt, but our journey had been trying.. We would like to ask for your help, if you are willing to join our alliance..

Norland: I figured as much.. We will have to thank about it. Your appearance brought a dark and dangerous force into our midst, that perhaps wouldn't have come, if it weren't foe you..

Romeo nodded: Fair enough..

Garnel: In the mean while you should rest, Lona will be responsible for your comfort

The fuscia haired pixie curtsied at them

Maya thought she was such an adorable little thing..

Ever: Are you alright?

They all nodded.. Ever was a bit curious about what the pixies made them see, but her friends didn't seem like they wanted to talk about it, especially Axel, he was avoiding her gaze, so she dropped it..

She told them about what Norland said

Romeo sighed: He's right, it's not like we weren't thinking about the same thing. They might not be willing to join the alliance, in light of the current circumstances

They nodded solemnly..

Ever: Your highness, if I may be so bold. You need to erect a magic shield, at least around you and Lady Maya.. If another attack like this occurs. I don't know if we will be able to survive. The last two attacks.. They were too strong, for all of us..

He nodded: You are right, we need to erect barriers around us, but so do you

She shook her head: It's bad enough I can't join shielding you. Shield magic needs strength and concentration. While your magic is incredibly strong, it will still work better if you erected the barrier around a smaller number of people, so you'd have magic to spare if another attack happens

Romeo: We will not leave you defendless

Ever: It's our job, my job, to protect you, not the other way around

Romeo: We can't stand by and watch if something like that happens again.. You won't stand a chance

Ever: I'm a soldier. I know the risks..

Maya interrupted her: His highness is right, we can't let you die, when we know we can help you! What kind of people would that make us, to desert others when they need us, and our friends at that

Axel: I'm with Maya here, at least you should be protected

Ever: And how am I any different than you. You should be included in their barrier. I will manage

Axel: You would do no such thing..

Romeo: That's enough! Noire, Lady Maya and myself will be forming a joint shield to protect all of us, Ever your help is welcome of course, at least in the formation of the shield. We are all in this together, and I will not hear of anything else regarding the matter. None of you is a liability, regardless of what you might think. All of you are important members of this team, and yo have helped tremendously..

Maya smiled brilliantly at him: Well said, your highness

He blushed: Thank you..

Noire kneeled: Thank you, your highness

Axel seemed a bit disturbed, but still said: Thank you, prince Romeo

Ever: You will make a great ruler, your highness

Then she got up and left