Land of Athlora

*Chapter 3 - Plan

-13th day of the 8th month of 1519

In the capital of Micaellis, there was great rejoice and festivities throughout the kingdom as the third prince of the kingdom was wed to Adrianna, the second daughter of Duke Morgan Dalvair. At the pleasure house of Madam Norialise, the house is bursting at its seams from all of the wealthy clientele. The men laugh and toast the newlywed couple, while enjoying the provide and take advantage of the companionship being provided.

Away from the festivities on the second floor, Zarris finishes packing their two small travel bags. Zarris places the travel bags under the bed to hide in case of an unexpected visitor, while his daughter docilely sits on the bed clutching her pendant in her hands. Zarris gently reaches and takes hold of one of her hands and clutches her small hand tightly in his. They sit in silence, neither daring to break, what may be their final moments together.

The rambunctious voices and laughter drifting from the guests below are in full swing. Wren quivers slightly as she raises her eyes to meet her father's anxious own. Wren trembling says, "It's now or never father. I can do this."

Zarris pulls her into his arms and holds her as tightly as possible as he remembers the small child, who hid in his arms at her first thunder storm. The twitch of a smile appears on his face as he recalls the time when Wren ate an entire week's supply of sweets by herself and he found her fearfully hiding under the bed. At that time, he had so easily protected her and taken the blame, but now she would be one protecting him, and no child should have to take on such a burden.

Zarris reluctantly releases Wren from his grasp as his voice quivers for a second, "The magical contracts are in the hidden drawer in the wooden desk. Turn the knob of the first drawer, three times to your right. Then turn the second knob on the third drawer, five times to your left. The hidden drawer will be released and quickly search for my magical contract. Once you have found my contract return the contracts back the drawer and return as quickly as possible to me."

Wren repeats the instructions back to her intent father as she planned for the worse or any upsets. "Father, when I open the drawer is there a possibility of a trap being triggered?" She tentatively asked.

Zarris shakes his head. "Madam Norialise has never placed any traps on her drawer, except for those that are for slaves. If I tried to open the drawer, a spell would immediately be triggered disabling me. However, since you are not a slave, there will be no trigger. And as a magical registered contract owner if the Madam's contracts are stolen, she can quickly file a claim with the merchant's association as they are very efficient at finding the thieves and punishing them," he said.

Wren nervously fiddles with her pendant and hesitantly stares at her father and asks, "Father is there a way for them to track us, once I have stolen the contract?" Wren knew if that was the case her father may need to abandon her and later return for her, if necessary. She was just preparing herself for the worst-case scenario.

Zarris considers his answer carefully, before answering, "Once you return with the contract, I will destroy the contract and as long as we make it out of the city gates the merchant association cannot track us. But for as long we remain within the city, the merchant association can use their paper copy of the magical contract to find us." Zarris silently prays that his answer, has not frightened his daughter more than she already is.

Wren nods her head in relieved acceptance and carefully hides her pendent. With her heat pounding Wren rises and stops at the door, "Wait for me father, I will return triumphant." Zarris helplessly sits on the bed as he watches his beloved daughter shut the door behind her. Zarris clenches his hands together and prays for her safe return for if anything ever happened to her, he would never forgive himself.