The Mage Wars

Part Two

Vacation

Eve's Pov

"Father!"

"Yes, my child." He stops in the middle of the hall and gives me the chance to catch up with him. Dark bags sit under his eyes.

I know I don't look much better. I'm up for hours after dusk, my mind stuck on Korbin's death. Rather his imminent death. I may not have known Korbin, but it doesn't mean I'd wish death on him.

"What's going to happen to Korbin?"

"Kaelen is taking Liron to see your Aunt Adriel and cousins," Father says, putting his hands on my shoulders. He turns me around and places his head on top of mine. His arms wrap around my shoulders in a hug of some sort. "It's been two days, and you're still having nightmares, of what I know not. Now, go find General Galen. He has a surprise for you."

"Father."

He squeezed my shoulders before heading off to wherever he was headed. I sigh and set off for Galen's chambers. Along the way, my mind wanders to what he has in store.
______

"Gale?" I knock on his door.

The general yells for me to come in.

I open the door and step in. His room is a reflection of who he is. Neat and organized. Even his bookshelves are well-ordered. Compared to my own, which has paper, books, quills and ink wells all over the place. It's very Galen.

"I was told to come see you,"

Galen shoves a few shirts and pants into a bag as he talks. "I took the liberty of asking a maid to pack some of your clothes,"

"What for?"

Galen ignores my question and continues rambling. He rushes around the room, finding clothes and a book, at least from what I can make of his muttering. On his bed is another bag, similar to the one he's packing now. I can only assume that's where my clothes are.

He pauses to look over his bookcase. Galen grumbles. I guess he can't find it.

When I ask where we're going, he turns around. A spark lit in his eyes.

"My family's cottage. King Avalon thinks it's a good idea,"

Galen tosses me my bag and opens the door for us to head for the stables. "Let's go,"

I groan. Spirits, I must sound like a spoiled princess. I hate it when people automatically assume I'm spoiled just because I'm a damned princess. We all have our bad days, and today just happens to be mine.

I follow him down the halls and out the front doors. People greet us with friendly smiles and waves. All of which we return. Inside the stables, we saddle up and mount. We make sure we have everything before heading out the main gate.

Galen explains that we will take the main road until we see a sign for Healer. From there, we will follow the glowing runes to a clearing.

"How long should it take us to get to your parents?" I ask as we near the entrance to the eastern woods. These woods are old.

"A few hours."

So much for not getting too saddle-shore.
_____

"Father? Da?" Galen yells as we approach a cottage in the centre of a large clearing. Over by a tree-engulfed barn, a male who looks strikingly like Galen walks out. Whoa. That must be his Father.

"Gale?"

"Father!" Galen dismounts from Keith.

The second his feet touch the ground, the cottage door bursts open. A male of average height sprints out. Right, he has two Fathers, not just one. If I remember correctly, his Mother left his Father days after Kael and I were born.