Royce's Handwriting:

  Evelyn would be upset if I did not update while she was unable to. This has become somewhat of a ritual to her since we have arrived in Amboria. I will not read what she has already written- I know she would prefer if that remained private.

  But you will have questions when you wake, Evey. Maybe you can make sense of what happened better than I can.

  Where should I begin? Is this a full-day recap? Oh, well. It was an… eventful day.

  Greta did not make it through the night. We were woken to the sounds of wailing shortly before daybreak. I saw the grief-struck face of my wife and could do nothing to comfort her other than to pull her into my arms and rock her gently. No words could comfort either of us right now.

  She did not deserve to see such casual death. The blood and tear stained faces of children. It was something I had never wished to see again, truth be told.

  It was a long time before we heard anything after the sounds of mourning passed. We did not wish to interrupt them, and I didn’t know if Evelyn even possessed the strength to stand.

  A while after daybreak, Rupee came. A few others were behind her, dragging a bow, quiver, and bag of arrows. Once they reached the edge of the clearing, they set the weapon down and turned to leave.

  “Thank you, again, king-slayers. We hope this aids you in your journey.” Rupee started to leave, too.

  I heard Evelyn take in a ragged breath. “Thank you. For everything.”

  Rupee paused, nodding to her once. “Please, do not disappoint me. I cannot bear any more grief.” Before she left, too.

  I held Evelyn for a long time after they left. I could feel her empty sobs against my chest and still lacked the words it took to comfort her. All I could do was rub circles into the small of her back with my thumb as she shook.

  When she pulled away, we did not speak. We shared a look, and began to gather our things. We did not have much, but the gnomes had fashioned a satchel of sorts for our few belongings.

  We set out.

  I cannot pretend to know what was going through her head as we silently trekked away from the only friendly creatures we had encountered so far in our time here. I only know what was running through mine.

  Whatever killed Fallon I would find. And I would kill. Not just for Rupee and the others- but for making Evelyn cry. For how broken she looked last night.

  Whatever it was that killed her, though, was incredibly good at covering their tracks. My eyes remained glued to the forest floor, carefully scanning for any signs of disturbance or movement.

  We made a quick lunch from some berries we confirmed were safe against the notebook Fallon had given us. I saw her pained expression when I produced it, but we needed to be sure.

  It was almost dusk before we found anything. Well, before Evelyn noticed them, at least. Like I said, my eyes were glued to the forest floor.

  I had suggested we start to look for a tree sturdy enough for both of us to sleep in when I felt her go still behind me.

  I turned quickly, following her line of sight as she slowly spun in a circle, her light eyes flitting from tree to tree worriedly.

  I squinted, not seeing what she was seeing for a moment. And then I realized.

  “They’re-” I breathed, incredulous.

  “Plants.” She finished, quietly, in agreement.

  The not-gnomes perched in the trees were completely still, even their chests unmoving when they should have been taking breaths. Armor of leaves covered their bodies, a sharp hood completely hid any facial features though I’m sure it was blank underneath.

  I raised a nocked arrow towards what I hoped was the closest one to Evelyn. “How the hell are we supposed to kill plants?” I huffed under my breath.

  She did not respond, but raised her sword. Her back pressed into mine.

  And then the chaos of combat erupted. It was something I had grown familiar with- but never with the stakes quite as high. Not with my Evelyn being in mayhem with me.

  I cursed myself for not giving myself the time to practice with my new bow.

  It almost felt like a different life to think back on, but I had been a decent shot with a bow before my legs were rendered useless. Every thanksgiving, Ethan and I would go bow-hunting for a turkey, and every fall, we’d stock our icebox with a deer or two to last us through the season.

  But never with a handmade bow.

  My first arrow whizzed by the head of one, a few inches off. It took a few arrows to figure out how to calibrate my aim.

  She was a blur, her movements almost dance-like. She was deadly accurate, slicing through them easily. There was no blood, but a darkened green sap spewed from the arcs she cut through them.

  I tried to keep my eyes on her, but it was difficult in the heat of the moment. It didn’t matter how many arrows I nocked and released. They kept coming. Eventually, my quiver was barren. I ripped what arrows were salvageable from their still-twitching bodies or where they had lodged themselves in the trees.

  This is the part I hope you will have better recollections of when you awake.

  I released an arrow at one in front of me, sending it hurling backwards. I think I heard you scream, and I turned towards you worriedly.

  But her eyes were on me. Her mouth was moving, but I couldn’t understand what she was saying. It was like time slowed for just a moment.

  I realized with a start that Evelyn was bleeding. I didn’t see where from, but a stream of blood darkened the grass under her feet.

  It was like a ripple erupted from the spot where her blood touched.

  Her eyes burned, so intensely green it was frightening, and then the vines around us writhed to life, seizing and smashing the bodies of the not-gnomes over and over again until their bodies did not move anymore.

  The sword clattered from her hand, and I realized the bleeding had come from a single slice against her palm, like she had done it to herself. It was deep, but far from fatal.

  Her eyes were normal again, though now ringed with dark circles and bloodshot. Her legs gave out on her, and she collapsed to the floor.

  She is resting now. I did not want to risk moving her too much, so I laid out our sheets of airplane seat covers and moved her gently to lay on them, wiping the dirt and grime that sweat had plastered to her face away.

  She was so pale in the moonlight. Her skin was feverish to the touch despite her complete lack of color. I tried to drop water into her mouth, but I don’t know if it made much difference.

  We will return to the gnomes in the morning. Not to stay, just to let them know that at least this threat was taken care of. To give them what closure we could.

  I know it will not bring them any comfort. But I hope it will bring her some.

  ***

  Evelyn's Handwriting:

  I have read over Royce’s recollection of yesterday’s events several times. To be honest, and much to both of our dismay, I remember little to none of it. I remember almost nothing after we departed from the gnomes.

  Royce looked almost moved to tears when I stirred. I have no idea how long I had been out but the sun burned brightly overhead.

  He fussed over me for a long time before deciding that I appeared to be alright. Even when he verbally recounted what happened with the ‘not-gnomes’, as he called them, and the vines coming to life… my memories do not return to me.

  My head aches dully as I try to recall. My body feels exhausted and drained; each limb is heavier than it should be and I find my movements sluggish as I rise.

  He is wanting to take some time to ensure I have fully recovered. I suppose at some point he went foraging, for he is feeding me berries and making sure I am drinking water as I write this.

  I am glad he continued my little ritual when I could not, and especially relieved he had not read through everything while I was incapacitated.

  I do not want to worry him with something we have no way of knowing to be true- no. I will not worry him with something I will not allow to happen.

  The thought of returning to the gnomes is honestly a little frightening. I know this news will not bring them peace, nor quell their thirst for revenge.

  But it is all we can do.

  ***

  It did not take us long to return to the gnomes.

  Royce carried one of the broken bodies of the not-gnomes, though its leaves were shredded and it was hard to keep it from falling apart.

  When we arrived, a hush fell. All eyes on us, searching for any sort of answer.

  Royce dropped the body with a rustle of brittle leaves. “They’re all dead.” Was all he said. He did not look at anyone but Hamish as he spoke, whose cheeks were flush in anger.

  A cheer erupted, but not from Rupee or Hamish.

  He turned his back once he saw us, disappearing behind a knotted branch.

  Rupee bowed her head in solemn thanks to us. “We promised you one more thing, king-slayers. Safe passage to another ally that could help you. Share one last meal with us, and we will depart.”

  I did not want to. I wanted to leave this place, to not have to think about Fallon or Hamish again for a very long time.

  But I could not do that.

  We agreed, excusing ourselves back to our moss beds until the meal was ready.

  Royce seemed to be about as keen as staying as I was, but knew we needed allies and didn’t even know what direction to begin traveling in.

  We sat in almost complete silence as they prepared a meal. It did not take long, thankfully, before we were eating.

  Rabbits and carrots again. I wondered if that was an intentional callback to our first meal we were served, but did not have it in me to ask.

  I did not see Hamish again. He never joined the others for dinner. I was grateful.

  When everyone had finished, Rupee stood. She looked bone-tired, but she still spoke assuredly. “I shall escort the king-slayers alone. Hamish will take heed in my absence.”

  There was a minimal murmur that broke out among the gnomes. Royce nor I would question her decisions in front of the others, so we bowed our heads in agreement.

  We departed shortly after.

  It was silent, for the most part. Neither of us had any idea how far we were traveling, and occasionally glanced towards the other just to ensure we were alright.

  We walked for what felt like hours. And then, the trees broke.

  We appeared to be on a road, but for the first time I could see further than the immediate treeline. I felt my breath catch in my throat.

  Perched atop a mountain in the distance was a castle. It sat on what appeared to be the highest peak of the land, but it was almost hard to spot. It was almost completely overgrown, a dark colored ivy warping the iron and stone of the structure visible even from a great distance.

  “That is where the cruel king resides.” Rupee said colorlessly, like anyone could possibly live there.

  “What about this ally you keep mentioning?” Royce stammered, looking up at the castle with an ashen expression.

  “They should be here soon. They are not good at keeping time.”

  I almost jumped out of my skin when a voice spoke behind me.

  “I take great offense to that, little one. I am never late.”

  I spun around wildly, heart hammering in my chest, and was met face-to-face with a… rhino?

  It took me a moment to recognize what it was. I had only seen one once, when a traveling circus brought one to our town when the children were younger. I took one look at the scars on the poor, panting animals, and couldn’t stomach to watch any longer.

  Taking up almost the entire stretch of road was… a house. Four large carriage wheels supported it, a rhino attached through a series of fashions. Lights were coming from inside the house, and I could smell incense faintly before the rhino exhaled and I stumbled back, coughing.

  “Sorry about that.” The voice giggled. “Eunice has horrible breath. They don’t really make toothbrushes for someone with teeth quite like hers.”

  I almost jumped at the mention of something as simple as toothbrushes. I turned again, to see a woman leaned against a tree next to Rupee. She had blond hair so pale it was almost bone-white that fell to her waist, curly and wild. Shiny trinkets and baubles were braided throughout. Her dress was dark and flowed loosely, hanging off of her shoulders. Several necklaces hung around her neck, the moonlight catching on some of them.

  “You’re never early, either.” Rupee grumbled. “Evelyn, Royce, this is Karnella.”

  Karnella stepped towards us. She was taller than I was but still looked up at Royce, and had slender, pale hands that reached towards both of us in greeting. Her hands were cool as she grasped one of each of our hands. “It is truly a pleasure to meet both of you. All of us have been waiting a long, long time.” She smiled brightly.

  “You’re a human?” Royce’s voice echoed both of our incredulousness.

  Her laugh sounded like wind chimes. “Well, kind of. It’s been a long time since I’ve thought about something that silly, though. Rupee, are you joining us for tea?” She turned back to the gnome, who was already retreating back into the forest.

  She seemed ashamed of being caught, but stopped. She cleared her throat. “No. You all go ahead.”

  Karnella frowned. “Rupee. It’s dangerous to travel by yourself.” She sounded almost disappointed.

  “You travel by yourself.” Rupee retorted quickly.

  “I am a witch.” Karnella said intently, and Royce and I shared a glance quickly. “It’s different. I can protect myself. You don’t even have a weapon.” She continued.

  Rupee shook her head again. “I will make it back to the others. I’m not so lucky for another fate.”

  Karnella’s face fell, and she looked between us and Rupee like we could sway her. It was a small motion, but Royce shook his head once.

  She looked torn for several more moments. “Wait!” She finally exclaimed before Rupee disappeared completely. “Just wait a minute, alright? I’ll be right back.” With a huff, she climbed the attached stairs into her house on wheels and disappeared inside.

  It only took a moment for her to stomp back down the stairs, a small vial in her hand. She took a few brisk steps and pressed it into Rupee’s hand. “If you hear anything, anything at all, you drink this and run, alright? I expect to hear from you when you get back.” She spoke with intensity.

  Rupee nodded, and thanked her, before leaving.

  Karnella didn’t make us wait long. She turned back to us, clasping her hands together. “I’m sure you both would love a bath and a cup of tea, hm?” She suggested.

  “Do you have anything a little stronger than tea?” Royce joked half-heartedly, and I could feel him practically sagging with relief.

  It was, I had to admit, very nice to be talking to someone your own size and from your own world again. And the mention of a bath sounded- more than I can ever stress- glorious.

  Karnella’s dark eyes creased with humor. “I can tell, we’re going to get along just fine. Watch your step.” She instructed, ushering us inside. Before she stepped in fully, she took a long whip off a hook by the door and leaned back out, giving a firm smack to the rhino before leaning back inside.

  In a moment, I could feel the wheels underneath us turning, though the house did not bounce and rock as I braced myself for it to. We stepped fully inside, and I gasped. I was expecting something that matched the outward size, which was roughly the size of one bedroom.

  Inside, the space stretched and warped in strange ways. It was compact still, but in a cozy way. There was a hearth with a fire burning warmly, a small kitchen with something simmering in a pot and a kettle of tea on, a small table with a few chairs, and a few closed doors further back.

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  Karnella followed after us, closing her door with a thud. “It’s not much, but welcome home.” She stepped past us, reaching for the kettle of tea just as it whistled.

  She already had three mugs laid out on the table, and three bowls next to those. Humming absentmindedly, she poured the three of us a glass, and began dishing out a stew that made my mouth water from the moment she took the lid out.

  Royce and I sat, and I wrapped my hands around the mug mostly just for the feeling. The normalcy.

  “So,” She continued, taking a seat across from us as she slid the silverware in our direction. “Although I do love the drama of it all, what is going on with Rupee? I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so down.”

  I looked down at the mug in my hands. “Fallon was killed. Greta died when she heard the news. And Hamish blames us.” I said slowly.

  She paused, listening closely. “Damn. That’s brutal.” She finally decided.

  “So, you’re a… witch?” Royce asked, swallowing hard before he said it. “What does that entail, exactly?”

  She giggled again, already forgetting the drama with Rupee. “Nothing for you to worry about. I made a few bargains with a few powerful entities and it’s all groovy, all the time.” She smiled.

  “Bargains?” Royce echoed in confusion.

  “Deals. Trades. Whatever you want to call it. I sold my soul for powers beyond mortal comprehension. It seemed a fair trade at the time, and I can’t find it in me to regret that decision now.” She spoke casually.

  He blanched slightly in nervousness.

  I sipped my tea cautiously, knowing it was still scorching but being unable to resist the temptation. It was perfectly steeped, and was much sweeter than I expected. Deliciously sweet. Despite its heat, I drained half my cup in one gulp. “A witch on the side of the rebellion?” I questioned.

  She leaned back in her chair slightly, seemingly sizing me up. “So you’re her?” She ignored my question, asking me one instead.

  I held her level gaze. “Everyone seems to think so.”

  “What about you?” She shifted slightly, a head cock to the side in curiosity. Her forearms were braced on the table in front of her. “What do you think?”

  “I think everyone’s got the wrong woman.” I felt like the answer was being crushed out of me under the weight of her gaze, but I couldn’t break away from it. Her eyes were deep brown, almost swirling with intensity as she looked at me.

  “Why?” She pressed.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Royce looking between us worriedly, but even his movements seemed slowed. Faintly, I heard him protest, but it sounded so distant.

  “I’m not special. A birthmark doesn’t make me a king-slayer. I just want to keep my husband safe.” Again, I felt compelled to speak. I couldn’t help the words spilling from my lips.

  She leaned forward abruptly, almost startling me if I wasn’t still entranced with her dark eyes. She took a deep inhale through her nose and leaned back, seemingly satisfied. She blinked, and her compulsion on me ended.

  I sat back, Royce’s hands on my arm as he asked if I was alright.

  “What was that?” I ignored my worried husband, anger bubbling in my stomach. I didn’t appreciate whatever she had done to me.

  She was laughing though, which infuriated me more. “Sorry. I just had to be sure.” She said simply.

  “I’m getting really tired of everyone testing me. Had to be sure of what?” The anger in my voice surprised me, and it seemed to surprise Royce too, but he looked back at Karnella like he wanted an answer, too.

  “That it was you. You’re right, a birthmark doesn’t make you a kingslayer. But all that rage… that just might.” A small smirk was touching her lips. “But enough of the cryptic bullshit. Eat, I’ve got wine if you want it. And a hot bath is waiting.”

  “I still have questions-” I argued, but her hand dropped to the table, her rings rapping against the wood and quieting me.

  “Evelyn, was it?” She asked, and I nodded. “Evelyn, you reek of mana poisoning. Is that tea sweet?”

  I looked between my cup and her for a moment before slowly nodding.

  “Royce, is your tea sweet?” She continued, turning her attention to him for a moment.

  He started, his cup clattering as he hurriedly raised it to his lips. After a moment, he coughed, and shook his head as his face twisted from bitterness. He pushed the cup away from him slightly as he placed it back down on the table.

  “That would be because your beautiful wife here almost killed herself with that little magic outburst. She exhausted her tank so completely, her body can’t naturally replenish it. So, Evelyn,” she turned back towards me, pinning me with her gaze again. “Drink your tea. And then take a bath in my enchanted bathtub. It’s always warm and there’s always bubbles. And then when I decide that you’ve both recovered enough, you can ask me all your questions and I’ll do my best to answer them with a straight face. Deal?”

  I set my jaw, deciding arguing would be pointless. Besides, a bath sounded as close to a miracle as I could get today.

  “Fine.” I agreed.

  “Fine.” She repeated teasingly. “So, lovers, enjoy your meal. If you need me, all you have to do is say my name.” She stood, offering a smile over her shoulder, and disappeared behind one of the doors that led elsewhere.

  I felt my anger deflate, and I looked at Royce.

  He was staring at me, something I wasn’t expecting etched onto his face. “I just… you had gotten quite docile in our old age.” He finally decided on saying. “I guess I missed the fire.”

  I felt myself laugh, and drained the last of my tea before reaching for his cup, too.

  The stew was delicious. The meat shredded apart with any pressure at all from the fork at all, though she had not specified what kind of meat it was. Beef, perhaps? Or something I had never even heard of. It was too good to care. The potatoes were soft, the vegetables well seasoned.

  I drained Royce’s cup of tea, too, by the time we were done eating. The last few dregs of his had indeed tasted incredibly bitter, but I wanted to be as replenished as possible.

  The door with the aforementioned enchanted bathtub was left ajar for us to find. I was almost brought to tears by the smell of the lavender bubbles. I immediately stepped out of my filthy clothes that hadn’t ever fit my new body and into that large, claw-foot tub.

  The water was warm, I couldn’t help but to moan as I lowered myself into it. I heard Royce slip in across from me but my eyes were closed as I sank into those glorious bubbles.

  I laughed. I couldn’t help it. Royce splashed me, and the two of us ensued an oceanic warfare of warm water and good-smelling bubbles. I scrubbed my skin until it was pink and raw, stinging slightly but completely dirt and sweat and dirt free.

  Royce pulled me to him after we were both clean and inhaled deeply, planting a kiss against the side of my head as I giggled. It was the first time in a very, very long time that I got to fully appreciate how physically fit my husband had been in his youth.

  I don’t know when we got out of that bathtub. My stomach hurt from laughter and my fingers were pruning.

  I don’t know what happened to our old clothes. I cannot complain, though. There were two separate piles of folded clothing waiting for us beside warm towels that I quickly wrapped around my shivering body.

  Royce dressed first. A loose, off-white tunic over brown pants, a pair of boots and thick boot socks. He tied the belt around his waist, a much more sturdy quiver for arrows swinging from this one.

  I was next. I pulled myself into dark brown leather pants, which is incredibly difficult immediately following a bath, I might add, and a dark green blouse. It was loose, as well, with billowing sleeves and a neckline that showed my collarbone. A dark brown vest with a belt was waiting for me that I laced through the vest and pulled tight, sheathing my sword through. I stepped into my boots that almost perfectly matched my pants. They were the most comfortable shoes I had ever worn, seemingly to already mesh perfectly against my feet.

  From the look on Royce’s face as he took a few steps, his fit him much the same.

  A brush and comb waited next to the clothing, and we spent a few more minutes grooming before emerging from the foggy washroom.

  On the table, the dishes from dinner had been cleared away. Three glasses of a dark red wine waited, and it appeared Karnella had reappeared back in her seat.

  She motioned for us to sit as we stepped back into the room without even turning around to see us. “I think you two deserve this after everything you’ve been through.”

  “Where did you get wine in a place like this?” Royce asked incredulously as he pulled out his chair. His eyes were alight- reds had always been his favorite.

  She stifled a laugh. “Do you think the gnomes are as civilized as Amboria gets? You’ve got plenty to see, sweetheart.”

  I bristled slightly at the name, and I know she noticed. Her eyes were on me as I settled across from her again. I did drink, though. A part of her agreed with her that we deserved it, but I didn’t care about deserving it at that moment. I just wanted it.

  She leaned back again as we drank, raising the glass to her own lips. She watched me for another long moment before she spoke again. “Evey, I feel like you and I got off on the wrong foot.” She pouted slightly.

  I scowled. “Only Royce calls me Evey. It’s Evelyn to everyone else.”

  She giggled. “You two are so cute, did you know that? So, what was it? Was Evey your first love, Royce?” Her head tilted to him, and I saw a familiar twitch in her eye.

  Royce wheezed slightly. “Yes.” He managed, straining like he was under immense pressure.

  “Stop it.” I said, but she ignored me.

  “What was it like? Was it love at first sight?” She ignored me, her attention fully on my husband.

  I could see the trickle of sweat forming on his brow. “Yes.” He choked. “She was late to school, and I was-”

  “Karnella,” I warned. “Stop this right now.”

  “And she turned you down? Time and time again? You’re a persistent one, aren’t you, Royce? Such a loyal pup?”

  Blood trickled from his nose. His body almost shook with strain. His mouth worked against its own movement like it was trying to close but couldn’t. “I was alright with waiting until she was ready-”

  “Damn it, Karnella, stop this!” I stood abruptly, unsheathing the sword and holding it to her throat.

  She finally looked away from him, and I heard him practically slump against the table as he took in several heaping breaths.

  “Even drained, you’re more resilient than he is.” She observed, but I had enough of the games.

  I pressed the blade further towards her, resting it on her collarbone now. “Don’t you dare tell me this was another test.”

  “Isn’t everything, Evey?” She questioned teasingly.

  “Stop calling me that!” I shouted. “Stop calling me that, and stop with your compulsions. If you want to know something, ask and trust that we’re being as honest as we’re trusting you to be.”

  She sized me up, the ghost of a smile never leaving her mouth. Her head casually tilted like there wasn’t a blade pressed against her throat. “Alright, Evelyn. I’m sorry for angering you.” She ceded.

  I sheathed the sword, the blush of anger still burning behind my cheeks as I hooked the leg of my chair around my ankle and dragged it back into place. I lowered myself back into my seat, looking towards Royce. He had wiped away the small trickle of blood and evened out his breathing. Other than looking a little more tired, he appeared to be alright, and gave me a glance that supported as much.

  “I am sorry,” Karnella continued. “I needed to see what the two of you can endure. I wish we could take our time, but that is something that the two of you don’t have too much of.”

  “Why?” I pressed.

  She raised an eyebrow at me. “I’m sorry, I thought Rupee wrote that the cruel king tried to strangle you to death in your dreams.” She said plainly. “Do you think whatever scared him off will keep him from trying again? It’s only a matter of time. And I need your minds to be impenetrable if you want to survive this.”

  I sat back, taking another sip from my glass of wine. “So? How do we do it?”

  She looked at me, surprised, and then laughed. “Well, you’ve got a snowball’s chance in hell.” She said to me. “You, however, you tortured soul,” She directed towards Royce, her voice dripping like poisoned honey. “That shiny, new brain is really struggling to come to terms with all those ugly scars from the war, isn’t it?”

  I looked at my husband in semi-shock as he sat his glass of wine down. A dark look had passed over his face at the mention. Slowly, he nodded.

  “Your head is a battle-zone right now. Thankfully, the king won’t want to step foot into that mess. He’s a war veteran himself. On the flip side, anyone with as much power as I have can just peek right into that carnage.” She poured him another glass as he spoke, and I pushed mine forward for her to top mine off.

  “The king is a war vet?” I found myself asking.

  She nodded. “World War II.”

  Royce’s brows came together. “I thought Rupee had said the king has been here for over 200 years.”

  “Time is different here.” She sighed deeply. “The land pulls people from any time. The king was mid-war when he arrived. The man whose sword that originally belonged to was a Roman centurion. I got way too high at Woodstock and wandered in here. Time out there doesn’t matter here.”

  I wanted to comment on the last bit, but Royce was already talking.

  “The king never learned that the war was over, then?” He asked.

  Karnella shrugged.

  “That’s why he’s so scared.” I understood where Royce’s train of thought was going. “That’s why the land has changed so much- he still thinks he’s at war.”

  “Hey, newsflash, idiots, he washed up on paradise. No outsiders to war with. If he didn’t get the memo that he was out of the war, don’t you think he’s a bit thick-skulled?” Karnella argued.

  Royce shook his head. “Not if he was too far gone already. Or it’s something that still affects his subconscious.”

  “Are you saying your plan is to talk to him? You may have less hope than I thought you did.” Karnella sagged in her seat at the idea of peace-talks.

  “No.” Royce’s voice was hoarse. He dragged his eyes to me. There was pain behind them, sharp and clear. “If he’s been alone with nothing but the war on his mind for hundreds of years, I don’t know how much man is left.”

  “Now you’re getting it.” She agreed, sounding surprised.

  I finished my glass. “How did you know my mana was low?” I found myself asking.

  “It’s a smell. And a guess. You’ve been on the island for almost a month. One of you was bound to have done something. I wasn’t expecting you to be that low, but it’s a good thing I had the tea ready.” She shrugged. “So, what was it? That took that much out of you?”

  My head dropped in embarrassment.

  It was Royce who answered. “The gnomes were being hunted by plant copies of them. They were overwhelming us, and the next thing I know the vines around us are coming to life and smashing the not-gnomes.” He recounted.

  Karnella’s eyes widened. She sat up suddenly, her movements reminding me of a cat’s. This was the first time since our arrival that something seemed to fully catch her attention.“You did what?”

  I shrugged sheepishly. “I don’t remember any of it.” I admitted.

  “That makes me believe you more. Something like that to be your first? You’re bound to have some serious short-term amnesia. Was there blood?” She asked Royce, who nodded.

  “Her hand- like she cut herself with the blade.” He told her.

  Her dark eyes turned back to me. “You and I are going to have so much fun tomorrow.” She stood suddenly. “You two can finish the wine if you want to. I’m going to bed. And Evey… lyn. Do your morning stretches. I’m going to wear you out tomorrow.” She disappeared back down a different- maybe the same as before- door with a wink.

  I looked back towards Royce. “I feel like there were other ways to say that.”

  He nodded, pouring himself another glass of wine as he made a noise in agreement. “Definitely. That wording left a lot to the imagination.”

  I elbowed him sharply.

  “Evey?” He said, more serious than I expected him to be.

  I looked at him worriedly.

  He looked almost sad for a moment, touching my face gently. “Don’t worry about that stuff earlier, okay? My brain’s just fine.”

  I cupped his hand that was pressed against my face. “It gets bad, you let me know?” I asked earnestly. “I don’t mind holding you when the nightmares get too bad- I never have. And I can fight for us if it’s too much to you-”

  He kissed me, rather abruptly. When he pulled away, he was smiling sorrowfully. “I’ll let you know, okay?” He squeezed my cheek gently. “Now, did she tell us where we were supposed to be getting all this rest?”

  As if on cue, one of the other doors swung open gently.

  I sighed deeply, taking the bottle of wine back to the room with us. A bed awaited us, pillows fluffed and blankets turned up.

  “I never thought we’d see a bed again.” I admitted as I collapsed into the warm, down blankets.

  “As much as you may not like her, Karnella’s been the best thing that’s happened to us so far.” Royce settled in the bed after me, immediately burying his face into a pillow.

  “I didn’t say I didn’t like her!” I objected. In truth, I hadn’t decided. It was hard to tell with someone as chaotic as her. And I didn’t know what other parts of her house could be listening to us. “I just don’t like… I don’t know. I don’t like mind games. I don’t like people calling you pet names, or-”

  “Or anyone other than me calling you Evey.” He finished for me.

  I don’t know what to think of Karnella yet. I was relieved to have met another human, but I was starting to understand what she meant when she said she was only ‘kind of’ human.

  But if she could teach me anything at all about magic, it would be an improvement in our chances of survival. Not to mention I can still hear the quiet grind of the wheels as Royce falls asleep next to me and all is quiet. That rhino- Eunice- is still pulling us along.

  This ritual must have become important to me. I find myself unable to sleep until I finish my entries, even on a bed when I’ve slept on the forest floor for nearly a month.

  I guess I’m better at journals than I’ve been giving myself credit for.

  ***

  “You think the annoying little witch can help you?” The voice was like thunder. It did not come as a surprise- but it still made my heart stutter in my chest in fear.

  I blinked hard, rubbing the sleep from my eyes to look around me. I was back in that dull, red light. Cold stones were under my feet. The throne room.

  I looked up to see the king on his throne, the same glowering look darkening his features. “Do you think she can hide you from me?” He continued speaking.

  I realized that in this dream, I was not chained. Nothing bound me from speaking.

  He raised an eyebrow, waiting for a response.

  “No.” My voice was hoarse.

  “No?” He repeated back. He almost sounded surprised, though his voice still echoed through the chambers.

  “No.” I agreed. “I don’t think she can hide me from you, and I don’t think she's going to help me.” I admitted to him. If this was it, my only moment to bargain with him, I had to take it. “Please. I didn’t ask to come here- I don’t want the crown-”

  “Evelyn,” he said, and I felt my blood run cold. I don’t know what difference it made, ultimately, whether he knew my name or not. But the knowledge that he did was a heavy burden. “From our last encounter, I believed you to be above groveling. Are you choosing to disappoint me now?”

  My mouth snapped closed. I slowly shook my head.

  “We both know how this will end, don’t we?” He asked, tilting his head towards me. “Three heads. One crown. I wonder who will throw themselves in front of the other first? Your husband? Or you?”

  My eyes narrowed slightly at the visual. “How does this end, exactly?”

  He waved a bored hand, lazily rising to his feet.

  To my horror, one of the suits of armor lining the wall to his left jerkily began moving. It stood several feet above him, the shadow completely swallowing the throne and the king as it approached. In the red light, I could see skin- if you could even call it that anymore. It barely clung to the bones of this giant that clambered to a stop at the left hand of the king, flail and tower shield raised.

  The king emerged from the shadows, his cloaks removed to boast impeccable dark armor. It was beautifully and intricately crafted, seeming to fit him perfectly. Instead of a helmet, though, the thin circlet the color of blood pulsated on his forehead.

  He took in my horror smugly. “I hope Karnella is a fast teacher.” He laughed, waving his hand again. His laugh held no joy, just an empty sound.

  The giant suit of armor twisted and began stalking towards the door in the front of the room. With every step, the ground shook beneath my feet. He shouldered the massive door open, immediately letting in a cool rush of air from the night outside as he started down the mountain the castle sat upon.

  “I’ve only told him to bring back one of you alive. I wonder which it will be? Hm? Care to make a wager, Evelyn?’ He strolled towards me.

  I could feel the cool air on my back. I wasn’t chained. I could flee.

  But this was a dream, or at least, I was dreaming. How can I outrun the nightmare that I am trapped inside of my own skull? I set my jaw. I would not give him the satisfaction of watching me run.

  I watched as he approached. “If you touch a hair on his head, I’ll-”

  “You’ll what?” He laughed, so close he could reach out and touch me. Thankfully, he didn’t. Just leered over me. That’s all this was this time. Threats. A show of power.

  I was not so easily scared. “I will make whatever nightmares you think you saw in the war such a commonplace you will seek comfort in them. You shouldn’t be afraid of me killing you. You should be afraid of what happens if I don’t.” The confidence in my voice surprised me. I did not waver, coolly looking him in his dark eyes.

  For a moment, I saw a strange look pass over his face. Almost… respect.

  And then I woke up, gasping, sweat soaking through the nightgown that had been left for me and the sheets.

  I dragged myself out of the bed, still shaking, and back into the main part of Karnella’s home. Almost to no surprise, she was sitting at the table, sipping a cup of tea.

  “Bad dreams?” Her voice was humorous as I entered.

  I closed the door behind me, careful not to disturb Royce.

  “How do I keep him out of my head?” I asked with a strained throat. I could hear how tired my voice sounded but I didn’t care. I turned to her, desperation plain on my face.

  “You really need more rest-” she turned to wave me back into the bedroom but stopped when she saw me. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked me over, like she was reading something written on my forehead. “What happened?” She finally asked decidedly.

  So I told her. Every detail. The giant in the suit of armor that I was certain was on its way towards us. The idle threats of the king. His knowledge of her aiding us.

  She listened intently, pouring a glass of tea for me. When I finished recounting the dream to her, she nodded like it all made sense. “It’s hard to have the element of surprise when the land itself is against you.” She mused aloud. “This doesn’t change anything for us, though. But you’re right. Time is of the essence. Let’s start your training.”

  ***