It was the middle of the night in the highest tower on the east side of Vanga's castle. A woman was tossing and turning, covered in sweat. She was having a terrible nightmare where she turned into a wild beast and tore out the throat of a young warrior with bright copper hair.

  "I woke up suddenly, breathing hard and reaching for air. My nightgown barely covered me. Slowly, I opened my eyes – one blue and one green. The moonlight shone on my face. Just then, I heard someone shout, 'Meya! Meya! Open the door!'"

  I quickly put on a silk nightgown and unlatched the heavy wooden door. My friend and leader of valkine, Helga Orin, stood there, looking shocked. Her eyes stayed on mine for a moment, and my heart tightened. I had forgotten to wear my special hairpin that hides my different colored eyes.

  Without saying anything, I let her into my room. My hand immediately went to my ear, and I put the pin in place. Before I could turn around, Helga ordered, "Put on your armor." I wasn't surprised. I quickly dressed in my combat gear, grabbed my long spear and medium-sized sword, and faced her.

  Helga said, "RED PRINCESS Meya Margrethe! The Queen has ordered the Valkine squad to safely escort the prince of Madicina. He's entering the country on the eastern border, near the Holver tribe's mountains. The Queen wants you to lead this mission. Getting the prince here safely is the most important thing, as he knows how to treat the illness our former king, Helios, has."

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  I couldn't hide my excitement and shock at this news – there was a cure for my grandfather! "I'm going to meet the Queen—" I started to say.

  But Helga cut me off. "And the Queen also said she's busy with a ritual and doesn't want to be disturbed."

  I stared at her for a long moment, then sighed. "Is the squad ready?" I asked.

  "They're preparing right now," she replied. I nodded and started walking towards the armory.

  *********

  Malen started walking on the edge of the windy mountian range i, with his familiar, Gyan, sitting on his shoulder. He had been panicking for days, wondering what would happen when the Queen's guards found the body of one of their baffins. He was even more worried they would trace it back to his tribe, or even to him. He complained to Gyan, "I've been searching for Zephyrus for fifteen days now, traveling deep into the woods. I've almost died three times! Gyan, can't you at least try to help me?"

  Gyan sighed, "There's too much magical energy in the air. I can't help."

  Annoyed, Malen said, "Well, at least tell me if I'm about to eat something poisonous, okay?"

  Gyan chuckled at that.