The Song of the Keepers

Chapter 33 Sisterly Love

"There you are, we've been looking all over for you!"
I exclaimed nearly twenty minutes later.

"I was trying to speak with Evangeline but none of her friends will let me near her. I can't believe what she did, I mean, she hardly knows me! I have to thank her, ask her why she did it."
Vienna explained.

"Your highness?"
She added in confusion, just noticing my companion.

"Ranen, is fine."
He assured her.

"What are you doing here?"
She asked him.

He glanced and at me before saying:

"It's a long story."

"Well, I'd sure like to hear it."
Vienna informed him, eyeing the two of us suspiciously.

This wasn't exactly how I wanted to tell my friend I was leaving the Citadel, and consequently her, indefinitely. Then again, there really wasn't any good way of explaining it.

"Ranen is developing his own personal royal guard and has convinced the council to send me to Los Eres to head it up."

Vienna blinked.

"You're leaving?"
Her voice was quiet.

I winced, staring down at the floor uncomfortably.

"I don't suppose there's any chance I can come with you?"

I sent a hopeful look Ranen's direction.

"I'm afraid I've maxed out my privileges with the council this time round. But we'll put our heads together and see if we could come up with a way to get you to Los Eres as well, maybe in a few months."
Ranen offered apologetically.

Vienna sighed and shrugged her shoulders.

"I figured it wasn't possible, but it was worth asking."

"Vienna, I'm so sorry, I know the timing couldn't be worse."
I reached out for her but she backed away.

"No, no, it's fine. Good even, I'm happy for you."

But nothing about her demeanor confirmed her words.

"I have to go."
She mumbled before jogging off in the opposite direction.

I watched her go, a fault line fracturing my heart.

"On a scale of one to ten how mad are you at me right about now?"
Ranen questioned, looking rather like a little boy afraid he's about to get a scolding.

I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples.

"I'm not mad at you, I'm just frustrated at the situation. Vienna's been going through a rough time of it, even before today's fiasco. She only just opened up to me and I wish I could be here for her."

"Who are you and what have you done with Astrid Coften?"
He queried with raised eyebrows.

"What? You expected me to hate you or something?"

"Kinda. Or at least take a swing at me to make yourself feel better."

I snorted, a wry smile playing at my lips for a moment.