.Elementals.

-13-

(some of these places only appear in the following books of the series)

As the princess had said I was called by the queen alongside Amalia to be told we'd accompany them to the woodlands where the long lived fair people if the east lived, the elvish kind.

I had my pouch ready, hiding more than a few seeds in it and a dagger hung from my right hip, a simple steel blade with a black handle as I do not own a sword, a spear nor a bow, I had a simple staff that was my height but it wasn't practical to carry when riding on horseback.

I hung a supply full satchel on each side of Arial's saddle before vaulting myself on her back and leading her to the meeting point.

The queen and princess would be the ones travelling in a carriage with Amalia in it for safety while I would ride in front to scan for dangers from the outside, six guard accompanying us all on horseback so it would be faster travel even if it wouldn't be galloping speeds, the horses weren't small but Arial was still bigger, coming from a bloodline of strong and fast horses.

I jumped off her when I arrived.

"Your Majesty, your Highness." I bowed to each with the little quirk to the queen's bow.

"The travel will be three days there and three back."

"I am conscious Majesty, I have all I need on me and Arial."

"Good to hear mage Mystery, how's she been treating you?"

"As stubborn as if she was a mule Majesty, bribing her with apples and carrots each time I want to ride her."

"She has always been a strong headed horse."

"That she is, your Majesty."

I watched her walk away to supervise the finishing touches.

"Good morning Highness, I hope nothing troubled you in your sleep."

"No, on the contrary mage I had a wonderful sleep you have the knack to ease my worries with a few words alone."

"It's what I am good at."

"I noticed tho this trip worries me."

"How so?"

"Who knows who we'll meet and what will happen?"

"The guards and us mages are here for that purpose Highness; I will not let harm come to you nor your mother your Majesty."

"I trust in your abilities mage don't disappoint."

"When have I ever?" I said with a smile. "Go on your Highness, her Majesty is waiting for you."

"Right, until we met again."

"It won't be that long Highness."

"It still does feel like it."

I pulled myself back on Arial and snapped the reins to tell her to move, a slight squeeze on my legs would usually work too but well.... I learnt falsely and she got used to it, trotting her to the front and waiting for everyone to get ready.

"Be careful up there sister." I lifted my left arm, with a small wave of my hand palm towards the sky, a way more casual gesture then most I've exchanged, showing Amalia I heard her and appreciated it.

"You too sister, don't piss off a royal you can't escape from that carriage." I told her and she gave me back my gesture with a soft laugh before getting in the carriage.

I looked around to see all ready.

"Come on girl, it's time." I said, passing my hand on her crest before lifting my right closed fist in the air, knowing I'd gain the guards attention. "Company march! We don't stop until sunset do I make myself clear?" I said, looking back.

"Yes mage Mystery!" The six said at the same time as I nodded, turning back forwards and snapping Arial's reins, starting her on our trip.

We weren't travelling at great speedy but it coincided with the wanted pace.

Solor was a very cold country up north so our forests were made mostly of cedar, pin and birch trees as they survived the harsh winters, elm's, despite doing good in cold didn't grew this far up north so the one in the castle was one of its kind, my staff was made of its branches I had snapped of when I was young when I thought it could hold my weight.

We traveled the dirt road on the side of a slight incline, trees getting dense around us.

I didn't only keep an eye out for potential humans that could cause us trouble like bandits but also the fauna, some of these creatures could be more dangerous than raging dragons for the one reason that dragons have a moral code and think, these? no.

I heard the screams of some of the inhabitants as the sun was setting and I would have liked to find flatter terrain to camp out in but this light incline will have to do.

When the night had set a pit of fire blazed as the horses were tied up left to graze.

"Nothing out of the normal." I nodded at Amalia's words while staring into the darkness.

"I take first and third and you take second and fourth." I said, walking to the guards, telling them today we mages would stand guard and that they could sleep.

Amalia brought the food for the royals, having made the best with what we had, a bit of bread and meat.

Amalia went to lay on top of the carriage in case something would happen she'd be near while I sat on a stone near the fire, a black cape with the insignia embroidered into the fabric I brought in a satchel rested over my shoulders and the hood over my head as the nights get cold the higher we go and the woodlands despite it being east they don't fall low, half of the year the trees flower and grow green and the other half all is covered in snow and ice.

Soon I was the only one awake so I stood and stretch before wrapping my cape around me, walking to the carriage while stepping over the bodies of guards.

I traced my finger over the complex mosaic of colored glass, a faint colorless glow remaining where my finger passed, tracing out a rune for protection, if people saw me doing this....

I pulled my hand away and the soft glow pulsed once before fading completely into darkness.

I sat by the fire again, waiting for the night to pass.