𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖘𝖊𝖆 𝖙𝖗𝖊𝖒𝖇𝖑𝖊𝖘

Keeva’s frown mirrored Elena’s. Some said the rebels had only targeted nobles and dragons, others said they had witnessed them striking indiscriminately. She wasn’t sure which made more sense, the only rumors of the rebellion that had reached her ears prior to Glasswater had been their focus on dragons. While Keeva was no expert, Josefin said Elena was a bard not a noble so either the prior was untrue or she was merely caught in the crossfire. The reasoning behind it hardly mattered to Keeva in her drunken state, merely the outcome. 

“Mmm.” Keeva hummed in agreement before laughing lightly. “That seems to be her nature, openhanded kindness. She helped me get here too.” She shook her head, tossing the spiral of thoughts from it. Taking another long swig of her ale she enjoyed the warmth of the fire a moment before speaking up again. “Have you played all over Elysi? I admit I have been rather… secluded, so I wasn’t familiar when she mentioned your name.” She asked, then reassured, remembering something a tribe member once said about bards. They make their living on their names as much as they make it on the names of other’s. Keeva didn’t want to offend with her lack of familiarity.

     INSULT  MINGLED  WITH  INTRIGUE  ,  an  odd  combination  indeed  but  the  bard  was  both  a  vain  and  curious  creature.  what  elena  heard  was  that  there  was  a  place  untouched  by  the  rumors  and  stories  churned  out  by  all  of  the  courts  ,  that  elena  and  her  musical  prowess  did  not  reach  every  corner  of  the  earth.  there  was  a  story  in  keeva’s  admittance  ,  as  much  as  there  was  a  blow  to  elena’s  ego.  

     “  i  cannot  believe  there  is  such  a  place  that  has  not  been  graced  by  my  playing.  ”  elena  declared  ,  a  swig  of  liquor  quickly  following.  the  heat  of  the  drink  reached  even  her  toes  now  and  her  freckles  set  by  a  warm  blush  framing  her  eyes.  words  loosened  from  her  lips  even  quicker  —  though  those  same  words  would  have  been  eventually  said  ,  after  some  thorough  consideration  of  how  insulted  elena  wanted  to  seem.  “  i  will  put  my  shock  aside  if  you  tell  me  about  this  secluded  place  you’re  from.  i  find  that  if  places  do  not  need  me  to  entertain  then  they  must  be  quite  something.  ”    

“It’s not like that!” Kirian protested instantly, even if he felt his cheeks betray him by heating up. He rolled his eyes and huffed a breath, muttering in a failed attempt to save some dignity. “Between the two of us, I’m not the embarrassing one.”

It made sense, that Elena would know Josefin. Josefin had always been interested in the more elegant, delicate things in life. Art, music, knowledge. And if she could help people while enjoying those, he imagined it was only even better.

Perhaps he shouldn’t have said anything. It wasn’t that easy, anyway. It really wasn’t like that. He could never be with her in any way that worked. He would never marry her, stand by her side as she lead her people, support her through her days. He could never be worthy of that.

And Elena wasn’t really known for tact. He didn’t mind the teasing, usually, but this, this was –

“I can play for you,” he blurted out and then immediately regretted that too. “I mean. I’m sure it will be fine if you just sing. The people could use some distraction here, I doubt they are too picky.”

He also doubted they’d be able to pay her anything, but he had gained his bearings enough not to mention that.

     “  ME?  ”  there  was  an  incredulous  note  to  her  voice  ,  her  —  siren  of  the  northlands  ,  entertainer  of  the  noble  and  wealthy  —  embarrassing?  “  i  think  not.  ”  elena  huffed  ,  “  josefin  would  not  have  invited  me  to  so  many  parties  if  i  was  embarrassing.  pity  ,  if  i  knew  about  your  infatuation  ,  i  could  have  taken  you  with  me.  ”  

     insulted  or  not  ,  elena  could  not  help  the  flicker  of  gratefulness.  her  and  kirian  had  fallen  into  a  rhythm  that  was  reminiscent  of  the  time  before  anyone  could  be  an  enemy  .  .  .  not  that  elena  believed  any  rebel  thought  her  an  enemy.  anyone  who  had  been  caught  behind  the  palace  walls  had  been  declared  a  target  during  the  masquerade.  but  now?  elena  saw  the  easy  path  painted  before  her  :  slink  away  from  her  noble  patrons  for  now  and  let  her  injury  heal  all  while  her  friends’s  world  burned  (  but  sooner  or  later  the  fire  would  reach  her  too  ).     

     seeing  kirian  ,  however  ,  banished  all  sane  thoughts  of  escape.  how  unfortunate  it  was  for  the  bard  that  she  felt  a  kinship  for  the  former  dragon  rider  and  countless  others  .  .  .  it  almost  seemed  better  when  kirian  blurted  out  his  suggestion. 

     kirian  offered  a  kindness  that  she  had  not  been  prepared  for  —  blasted  friends  and  their  good  intentions  ,  she  grumbled  silently.  still  ,  it  was  an  alternative  to  sulking  about  her  wrist.    

“Nothing more than that,” she repeated, skepticism dripping from ever word, she crossed her arms momentarily before she held out a hand, beckoning her with her fingers. “Let me see,” she said, “so I can put one more worry out of my mind.”

“Besides, if you don’t, your work will suffer for it. I can’t imagine singing or playing with a hurt wrist makes for an impressive show.”

      “  ALRIGHT  ,  MOTHER  HEN  —  ”  elena  was  about  to  surrender  ,  offer  up  her  wrist  for  beatrice  to  examine  ,  but  she  paused.  there  was  a  flash  of  a  wicked  smile  on  her  face  before  she  arched  a  brow  and  said  ,  “  but  only  if  you  tell  me  why  you’re  here  .  .  .  i  might  as  well  be  entertained  with  a  story  while  you  poke  and  prod  at  my  wrist.  ”   

“It almost was too good to be true. I think if there weren’t cooler heads in charge then it wouldn’t have happened.” She was referring to Kirian of course. She helped somewhat in the initial organization of it but it was the man that spearheaded the movement while Josefin was indisposed. Yet, if it were just left up to her she’d have no knowledge of the Stoneward home near the lake, and survivors would only be so protected sheltered in the wood–especially humans.

 “But it is, and bustling, if that is an appropriate word to use. We’re not likely to stay set up forever but for a time we will be safe.”

She smiled to Elena, the woman had a way about her that when she felt true joy it radiated outward. The elf wondered if it was the performer in Elena that had this effect. “I would certainly be happy to show you the way, and entertain you as I do- But ah-” She looked up briefly, then back down. “Just one moment.” She bowed as a way of apology, then slipped back up the tree. Slinging her body in the higher branches to grab a few more handfuls of the flowering vine she was out here to grab. 

With a solid thud she dropped down to the ground again.

“There.”  Wiping a bit of dirt from her clothes, but not really worrying as she would with her personal wardrobe.“Shall we?” She held out her arm for Elena to take, a motion just as practiced as the tree-climbing. 

“I’m so terribly sorry you must have been scared and shaking as a young willow out here by yourself with no signs of others.” Xi’mia’s gaze grew sympathetic, glancing from Elena to the road they walked. She was careful to walk slowly through the trees. Their path had heavy leaf litter, boughs, and roots all the way through it and the elf did not want to pull Elena along. She looked affected enough as it was, going through an internal turmoil. It would be better not to trip her as well.

“I don’t know where the Stonewards are, I’m afraid.” She felt terrible for the lie, although she considered it a white one. There were enough clues that Josefin was recovering in the camp, and from her position she knew the princess was present. This was not common knowledge, and was her understanding it was not to be shared at will. “But yes-” She paused at that, curious smile curling the edges of her lips. “Yes Kirian is there. I would say he’s the reason we’re all there alive and organized enough to stay alive, though he would not agree.”

    ELENA  TOOK  NOTES  OF  THE  TIDBITS  XI’MIA  FED  HER  —  her  mind  raced  with  ideas  of  what  this  camp  was  like  ,  who  was  leading  it  ,  if  she  could  find  familiar  faces  there  .  .  .  there  were  far  too  many  unknowns  ,  even  for  the  young  bard.  in  any  other  situation  she  would  have  relished  in  a  destination  strange  and  unfamiliar  to  her.  she  had  set  off  on  similar  journeys  before.  but  this  ,  there  were  too  many  things  at  stake  and  elena  was  only  just  realizing  that.  

    still  she  kept  the  hint  of  a  smile  on  her  lips  ,  if  only  to  put  xi’mia  at  ease.  “  i  would  be  grateful  for  your  help  —  ”  her  voice  fell  ,  watching  the  lithe  elf  climb  the  tree  ,  weaving  between  branches  ,  on  a  mission  it  would  seem.  the  laugh  that  tumbled  from  her  mouth  was  genuine  ,  if  not  filled  with  a  little  surprise.  

    when  xi’mia’s  feet  were  on  the  ground  again  ,  elena  accepted  her  arm  as  she  said  ,  “  you  have  to  give  me  those  tips.  i  have  all  the  grace  of  a  concussed  drunk  when  i  climb  trees.  ”  curious  eyes  drifted  over  the  vines  that  xi’mia  had  collected  but  she  made  no  question  of  them  ,  sure  they  would  be  used  for  healing  droughts  and  other  things  elena  had  never  had  a  mind  for.  her  talents  laid  in  pretty  music  and  charming  smiles  ,  not  healing.  she  had  always  depended  on  beatrice  for  that  .  .  

    xi’mia’s  kind  words  made  elena  wish  to  disappear  ,  not  that  she  did  not  appreciate  them  but  she  hated  to  be  seen  so  honestly.  desperate  for  safety  ,  elena  had  not  had  enough  time  to  put  up  her  walls  to  guard  her  vulnerabilities  from  the  other’s  gaze.  elena  was  living  on  shaky  legs  and  would  continue  to  do  so  until  she  could  salvage  some  parts  of  her  life  before  the  attack.  

    elena  chose  to  shrug  off  xi’mia’s  concern  and  focused  on  her  careful  steps.  though  her  eyes  were  aimed  at  the  ground  beneath  her  ,  she  said  ,  “  i  am  quite  accustomed  to  sticky  situations.  ”  elena  lifted  her  gaze  to  give  xi’mia  a  crooked  smile  ,  “  nothing’s  killed  me  yet.  i  trust  that  the  gods  have  more  tricks  up  their  sleeves  for  me.  ”  pretty  ,  empty  words  from  a  woman  who  rarely  gave  the  gods  any  thought  aside  from  the  music  she  sang  (  and  the  curses  that  rattled  out  of  her  mouth  ).          

    the  crooked  smile  fell  when  xi’mia  admitted  she  did  not  know  of  josefin  or  ada’s  whereabouts  ,  only  to  lift  at  the  mention  of  kirian.  “  are  you  sure  we  are  discussing  the  same  kirian?  ”  elena  laughed  —  a  sound  of  relief  and  joy  rolled  into  one.  “  well  ,  the  refusing  to  accept  praise  does  sound  like  him  .  .  ”  her  heart  felt  lighter  now  with  the  knowledge  of  kirian’s  safety  ,  at  least  one  of  her  friends  was  safe.  

    “  how  did  you  all  manage  to  organize  yourselves?  ”

“Well it is about bloody time.” Henri laughed, turning around to hug her in greeting. “I wondered if you had gotten yourself into some trouble.. you know, as usual.” He teased. “Welcome home.” He too was covered in relief when he saw that she had returned safely. “Ah well, yes and no.” He chuckled. “I am never truly released, I just do what I want regardless.” He shrugged. “Although, I am doing more than my usual share given all the current circumstances. “There is an endless list of things to prepare, just in case.” From provisions to military strategy to protecting civilians should it come to that, he and his sister had a lot on their plate. 

“When did you arrive? Did your Aunt give you grief as you anticipated?” He questioned, believing that he already knew the answer. 

     “  I’M  INSULTED.  ”  elena  said  in  response  —  though  it  was  all  in  good  fun  ,  a  smile  lifting  the  edges  of  her  lips.  she  fell  into  the  embrace  easily  ,  keeping  her  relief  to  see  him  secret  and  quiet.  and  it  wasn’t  as  if  she  hadn’t  gotten  into  trouble  ,  she  realized  ,  thinking  back  to  the  people  her  and  adaline  ran  into.  henri  didn’t  need  to  know  the  truth  in  his  words.  she  instead  poked  his  side  and  smirked  ,  “  look  at  you  ,  all  princely  and  such.  you  are  doing  our  northlands  proud.  ”  

     “  a  few  days  ago.  i  thought  to  have  a  day  of  peace  before  i  went  to  see  her  but  my  aunt  tracked  me  down.  ”  elena  snorted  ,  “  she  could  guilt  me  to  death  if  she  really  gave  it  her  best  —  but  no  matter.  what  do  i  have  to  do  to  steal  you  away  from  your  duties?  ”  elena  waved  her  hand  vaguely  at  whatever  henri  was  busying  himself  with             

𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐒  :  for  ROSALINE  DESROCHERS  /  @thenorthernrose​

     HENRI  HAD  ASKED  ELENA  QUITE  THE  FAVOR  :  to  entertain  his  sister  ,  the  queen.  and  while  elena  enjoyed  milking  him  for  repayment  in  ale  and  pastries  ,  she  was  genuinely  intrigued  by  her  majesty  ,  rosaline  desrochers.  though  she  had  been  the  topic  of  many  of  her  and  henri’s  conversations  ,  the  bard  had  never  met  her  sovereign  in  person.  

     despite  the  unknown  factors  ,  it  was  not  nerves  that  thrummed  in  elena’s  blood  ,  but  excitement.  she  awaited  her  queen  in  the  courtyard  outside  the  chateau’s  enormous  main  doors  ,  ideas  and  plans  running  amuck  in  her  mind.  if  anything  this  was  an  opportunity  to  garner  her  own  queen  as  a  patron  ,  if  she  was  impressed  by  elena.  there  was  no  doubt  in  her  mind  that  she  would  fail  to  showcase  her  skills  or  show  the  queen  a  good  time.  though  the  bard  was  far  more  comfortable  in  a  crowd  of  cheery  drunks  ,  she  knew  nobles  ,  had  spent  plenty  of  time  among  them  at  their  homes  and  parties.  it  was  only  a  matter  of  discovering  what  would  bring  the  queen  joy.  

     for  a  moment  ,  she  considered  asking  one  of  the  guards  for  advice  :  how  does  the  queen  not  go  mad  here  ,  her  responsibilities  piled  high  around  her?  they  stood  tall  and  proud  by  the  doors  ,  but  elena  knew  that  was  an  act  ,  having  seen  both  of  the  guards  absolutely  tossed  at  one  of  her  favorite  pubs.  before  she  could  open  her  mouth  ,  however  ,  the  doors  flung  open  and  there  was  the  queen  of  the  northlands.  

𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐒  :  for  HENRI  DESROCHERS  /  @henrixdesrochers​

     IT  HAD  BEEN  MONTHS  SINCE  ELENA  SET  FOOT  IN  THE  NORTHLANDS.  her  homeland  had  not  lost  the  bite  in  its  air.  for  that  ,  elena  was  grateful.  for  a  girl  so  obsessed  with  finery  and  beauty  ,  she  respected  her  home  and  her  people  for  their  resilience  —  it  was  what  steeled  her  when  her  aunt  found  her  in  one  of  elena’s  old  haunts  ,  a  tavern  in  a  seedier  part  of  the  city.  the  woman  had  released  a  tirade  so  hot  it  warmed  the  northland  air  :  no  letter  ,  no  note  ,  how  was  i  supposed  to  know  if  you  were  alive?  and  your  wrist!  what  is  a  bard  without  her  instrument?  did  you  learn  nothing  from  me?  what  would  your  parents  think?  rolling  over  wherever  they  are  —  eshvar  bless  their  souls.       

     eventually  ,  her  aunt  had  pulled  elena  into  a  tight  hug  then  freed  her  from  her  guilt  and  worry.  it  was  then  elena  decided  to  seek  out  the  person  she  had  crossed  the  border  with  ,  having  been  separated  from  henri  since  they  arrived.  both  had  their  own  business  to  attend  to  ,  elena  her  fearsome  aunt  and  henri  .  .  .  well  the  rest  of  country.  

     the  bard  found  the  northland  prince  just  outside  the  chateau.  she  released  a  breath  of  relief  ,  now  knowing  that  she  wouldn’t  have  to  bicker  with  the  guards  to  let  her  into  the  hold.  she  quietly  snuck  up  on  him  only  revealing  herself  when  she  poked  his  sides  and  yelled  a  quite  distinguished  ‘  boo!  ’.   the  worry  had  faded  from  elena’s  thoughts.  as  soon  as  she  realized  that  her  friends  were  fine  ,  she  slipped  into  old  habits  :  ignoring  problems  until  they  went  away.   

        𝐇𝐔𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐑  home’s walls seemed to increase at a pace she was far too uninterested in acknowledging. that is… until one of her ladies knocked on the meeting room’s door, causing her advisor to fall silent. elia was still new at being the ruling lady and what with her lack of a husband to carry some weight… she was often too busy with getting council.   

          ❝ duchess… there’s a bard asking for you. ❞ her voice is shaky, almost as if dreading the interruption. eliana, on the other hand, is refraining from thanking the girl for freeing her from the monotonous advise of her late father’s trusted friend. after excusing herself politely, the small framed duchess stands and moves to join the other before shutting the door and uttering a soft thank you. 

            their walk is silent, elia not being fond of gossip or harsh chatter when the person isn’t in attendance. however, as soon as dark optics find the blonde haired woman standing in the middle of the common area… her head tilts. there’s an eery familiarity to her, something she cannot quite decipher. 

            as she speaks, confusion takes the place of curiosity. that is, until her beloved mother’s name falls from her lips. her confusion grows because… clearly she hadn’t heard of her mother’s untimely fate. ❝ you… wish to meet with my mother ?? ❞ her voice rings, hushed enough to stay between the two. her head tilts, glance spared towards her sides before allowing dark gaze to settle back onto the woman in front of her. the news had traveled when elia was no older than ten but the youthful features of the other leaves the lady with no doubt that she was too young to remember. 

            elia had enough sense to refrain from accusing the other of playing some sort of sick joke on her. reminding herself silently, that, the blonde was young and maybe just didn’t know. ❝ perhaps we should speak somewhere more private. ❞ eliana would add eventually, stretching her hand out to motion towards the door leading towards theron hall’s garden. 

     ELENA  HAD  NOT  ANTICIPATED  CONFUSION  UPON  HER  REQUEST.  her  eyes  swept  over  the  woman  (  a  cousin  ,  she  had  to  be.  )  trying  to  place  the  features  that  reminded  elena  of  her  mother  —  perhaps  the  eyes  or  small  frame.  elena  lacked  in  height  as  well  ,  she  remembered  her  father’s  fond  teasing  of  her  and  her  mother.  the  man  had  stood  as  tall  as  an  oak  tree  ,  and  his  daughter  was  merely  a  fraction  of  his  height.  she  wondered  if  she  would  find  more  similarities  in  her  aunt.  elena  did  not  know  if  that  excited  her  or  deepened  the  dread  pooling  in  her  stomach.     

     elena  nodded  her  confirmation  ;  the  name  at  the  bottom  of  the  letters  had  been  alysia  everfield  ,  though  no  lady  or  duchess  accompanied  the  name.  it  was  that  ,  the  rounded  words  of  mother  and  father  ,  and  the  hurt  and  fondness  she  felt  in  the  words  that  made  her  realize  this  alysia  everfield  was  family.      

     the  noblewoman  —  lady  eliana  everfield  ,  elena  knew  —  acted  as  if  that  name  hadn’t  been  spoken  in  ages  .  .  .   as  if  something  had  happened.  she  had  expected  the  silence  concerning  duchess  alysia  everfield  was  because  the  woman  preferred  to  stay  out  of  the  gossip.  elena  had  heard  of  the  duke’s  passing  but  nothing  of  the  duchess.  

     elena’s  brow  arched  as  the  lady  gestured  towards  the  door.  questions  could  be  saved  for  once  she  passed  through  it  ,  she  supposed.  the  bard  was  pleasantly  surprised  to  find  gardens  on  the  other  side  ,  even  allowed  herself  a  smile  —  even  if  it  only  flitted  across  her  face  for  a  moment.  alas  ,  there  was  business  to  attend  to.  

     elena  swept  around  to  face  eliana  ,  her  confusion  clear  on  her  face.  “  i  was  under  the  impression  that  she  resided  her.  i  only  just  learned  of  her  name  —  ”  she  paused  to  open  her  satchel  and  pull  out  the  wretched  letters  that  began  this  whole  ordeal  ,  even  extended  her  hand  to  pass  them  over.  “  my  mother  is  margaret  ricard  ,  of  the  northlands  noble  house  ricard.  i  believe  the  duchess  is  my  aunt  .  .  .  and  that  would  make  you  my  cousin?  ”  

“Absolutely not. After all that has happened I’m not letting you go off on your own.” Henri shook his head. “Should your aunt give you grief I will smooth over the situation with with my charm and keep her wrath from reaching you. Alright? Nothing to worry about.” He assured her. “I heard whispers of a refugee camp forming. I suppose that is where many of them have gone to.”

     “  SCARED  I’LL  HAVE  FUN  WITHOUT  YOU?  ”  elena  halfheartedly  teased  though  she  understood  his  concern  ,  she  felt  it  too  as  much  as  she  hated  to  admit  it.  she  was  already  separated  from  so  many  of  her  friends  —  it  made  her  wonder  how  she  went  from  an  independent  bard  who  went  wherever  she  pleased  to  someone  tangled  in  the  lives  of  others  .  .  .  elena  did  not  let  herself  mourn  that  period  of  her  life  ,  henri  had  saved  her  life  ,  her  friends  had  guided  her  to  safety  ,  she  was  lucky  to  have  them.  and  so  ,  despite  how  few  times  elena  said  it  ,  she  quietly  replied  ,  “  thank  you  ,  henri  ,  truly.  ”  

     she  was  glad  henri  could  not  see  her  face  ,  could  not  see  the  relief  roll  from  her  shoulders  and  tears  prickle  at  her  eyes.  she  hoped  they  were  safe  ,  that  she  could  make  plans  to  see  them.  but  elena  kept  those  feelings  close  to  her  heart  ,  the  bard  had  an  image  to  protect  after  all.  

     Lately Adaline wasn’t herself, and, honestly, how could she be when her life was crumbling. Her home, her family, her city, her people. Everything was suddenly falling apart. And why? Because fuck nobility apparently. What did they think they, the rebels, think they were? Some kind of gods, who could do whatever they please? Take whatever they want? Everything could be discussed, Adaline believed. If only people would talk, people could come to a mutual agreement. And all of this was in her head day and night, she hadn’t been sleeping well and, Adaline assumed, Elena noticed that. Honestly, Ada hardly noticed things around her lately. Elena had to almost drag her out of the refugee camp and to a pub. At first she didn’t want to go, but the bard talked her into it. And as they were walking down the road Ada’s mind finally wasn’t thinking about the same over and over again. The song Elena was singing distracted her and Ada even enjoyed it. A small laugh escaped her lips at the lyrics of the song.

     But her joy was short lived and she noticed a lady in a desperate need for help. It looked a little suspicious and strange, why would they be on a side of a road like that. She was hesitant to walk closer, but since Elena wasn’t as hesitant as her, Ada kept a close distance in case she had to grab Elena and run. Suspicious about the woman’s intentions, Adaline focused on her to tap into her emotions. Nothing seemed off, she was genuinely worried and scared.

     I don’t know, she silently mouthed, leaning to one side a bit so the woman couldn’t see her lips. “She is genuinely scared and desperate, I can tell,” Adaline whispered before deciding to do the right thing and turning to the woman. “I don’t know how much of help we can be, we don’t have horses to get you to a healer, but we can try to help somehow,” she said to the woman and shot a small glance at Elena. “What happened?” Ada asked stepping closer.

     DESPITE  HER  BAD  SENSE  ,  even  elena  could  feel  the  uneasiness  radiating  off  of  the  group  —  they  seemed  as  scared  of  adaline  and  elena  as  they  were.  adaline  only  confirmed  her  suspicions  with  a  whisper.  her  friend’s  presence  at  least  put  the  bard  at  ease  ,  if  only  a  fraction.  elena  was  a  tremendous  screamer  and  ada  could  fight  ,  if  anything  went  awry  they  were  quite  a  team  .  .  .  though  elena  wasn’t  sure  how  far  her  yells  would  echo  ,  it  all  depended  on  how  close  they  were  to  civilization.  

     she  caught  the  woman’s  eyes  nervously  flickering  between  the  pair  of  them  and  her  own  company.  it  was  obvious  she  was  considering  how  much  she  could  confide  in  them  ,  they  were  only  strangers  after  all.  elena  would  not  trust  most  people  with  her  secrets  ,  especially  not  people  she  had  hailed  from  the  road.  

     but  eventually  she  spoke  and  despite  her  shaky  breath  ,  her  voice  was  strong  and  proud  ,  unrelenting  in  the  face  of  fear  —  elena  noted  the  shift  in  her  tone.  “  we  were  caught  in  the  aftermath  of  the  glasswater  attack.  ”  

     elena  had  a  gift  of  bullshitting  ,  it  was  how  she  so  easily  detected  when  someone  was  trying  to  bullshit  her.  the  woman  stood  tall  and  placed  herself  between  her  and  her  friends  ,  blocking  something  from  view.  her  voice  had  wavered  when  she  summoned  elena  and  ada  to  her  side  ,  but  now  she  left  no  room  for  questions.  it  was  enough  for  elena  to  shove  past  her  to  assess  the  ‘  friends  ’  herself.  the  stranger  immediately  protested  ,  elena  paid  her  no  mind  and  approached  the  others.  

     the  stranger  did  not  lie  about  their  injuries  at  least.  blood  drenched  one’s  shirt  ,  a  gruesome  wound  likely  festered  beneath  the  fabric.  another  was  grimacing  as  they  attempted  to  adjust  their  shoulder.  the  last  had  plenty  of  blood  on  them  too  ,  but  elena  could  see  no  injury.  

     elena  directed  her  question  to  ada  ,  not  the  strangers  ,  “  what  kind  of  aftermath  could  do  this?  ”  as  she  spoke  ,  she  found  herself  retreating  backwards.  there  was  something  wrong  and  elena  wanted  no  part  of  it.  the  one  painted  in  blood  gave  her  a  haunted  look  ,  unspoken  stories  and  horrors  were  in  that  look.    

Her favourite patient? “You would be my favourite patient if you were my patient more infrequently,” she crossed her arms. Last she’d seen of the young lady she’d been in a bad state and now she was here, amongst the chaos and others who were in a bad state. Her brows furrowed, “you stress me right out you know that? I’ll go grey early I swear I will.” 

Her hardened gaze softened almost immediately, she sighed, shoulders heaving up and down,  “I wasn’t here when it all happened, I came later,” she said, “did you get hurt?”

     ELENA  FEIGNED  HURT  FEELINGS  ,  even  reaching  up  to  clutch  her  chest  simply  for  the  theatrics.  if  she  was  being  honest  ,  she  would  admit  that  the  less  she  saw  beatrice  ,  probably  the  better.  elena  was  always  bleeding  or  bruised  when  she  came  across  her  friend’s  path.  even  now  ,  elena  sported  her  injured  wrist.  “  i'll  pretend  i  didn’t  hear  that  ,  you  cruel  woman.  ”  

“She has come up in your songs,” he teased back, still basking in the happiness of finding her safe and sound. He glanced around, but Josefin had been doing better and her presence wouldn’t be kept a secret any longer. “Josefin Stoneward. We… used to know each other.” It was the easiest way to explain.

“Perhaps I have,” he admitted. Maybe it was soft, maybe it was weak, to let himself believe that there could be forgiveness for him. That he could finally have the dragon bond he had longed for his whole life, that he could save Josefin’s life and so make the sure that the brightest, best part of the world stayed in it, that he could face Avi and make him understand.

Maybe it was weakness, to allow himself this delusion.

His expression softened in sympathy. “What happened?” He tried giving her another gentle smile. “At least your lute didn’t break. And you can still sing.”

     “  JOSEFIN?  ”  elena  exclaimed.  her  eyes  widened  with  the  shout  and  she  immediately  clamped  her  mouth  shut  ,  even  slammed  her  hand  over  it.  when  xi’mia  had  escorted  her  to  the  camp  ,  she  had  said  she  was  unaware  of  the  stoneward  family’s  location  ,  but  kirian  said  her  name  like  she  was  safe  ,  alive.  a  breath  elena  did  not  realize  she  was  holding  loosened  from  her  lips.  

     “  i  know  josefin  —  and  before  you  go  ‘  well  everyone  knows  her  ’  ,  not  just  because  she’s  a  princess.  she’s  a  close  friend  ,  a  patron  too.  ”  elena  pictured  the  two  of  them  together  ,  shadow  and  light  meeting.  it  brought  a  smile  to  the  bard’s  face  and  not  only  because  of  the  amusing  image  of  kirian  fumbling  through  courting.  despite  the  obvious  gleam  of  delight  dancing  on  her  face  ,  elena  lifted  a  brow  and  waggled  a  finger  at  her  friend  ,  “  if  you  bring  up  that  you  know  me  ,  do  not  embarrass  me  ,  solgard.  ”