บท 581: Failure is not an Option
The pair walked along in the wintery wonderland of the garden a bit longer discussing plans so that they would have a united front when they returned. The reason that few ever saw the Emperor and Empress say a cross word to one another was because they had agreed long ago to talk things through rather than fight.
They were a team, and to be a team they needed to be on the same side. That did not always mean agreeing entirely, but it at least included finding all the common ground possible. Building on what they agreed on was always easier than dying on a hill of an argument that never mattered in the first place.
After a while, motion caught Aurora's attention. At first she thought it might be one of the guards who she knew was following them. When the couple needed privacy in an open space, the soldiers tried to stay as hidden as possible.
But it turned out to be sweet Mairwen and her husband Renat. Aurora could not help but smile at the princess and her spouse. Seeing the lanky scientist back in his human form did good for her soul.
While the Empress didn't like that they had killed the magic to do it, at least there was some good that had come out of the battle with Taran. Renat was whole once more. He and the princess could lead a long and happy life together. As humans.
'Assuming we do not all burn up from the scorching sun if we failed to fix the magic.'
Oblivious to Aurora's musings, Devrim engaged the couple as they approached. "Is the meeting already over? We were just about to head back inside."
Mairwen nodded. "It was recessed for the afternoon while Reyan helps Zan make a packing list. Since he is the only one who has traveled these lands fully, it made sense to let him dictate the supplies that will be needed."
"That makes sense," Aurora nodded. "I am glad we are making progress toward our departure."
"I guess Father came around then?" Mairwen winked. "I suppose that means I am not having a sibling in the next nine months."
Aurora blanched. "Do I look like I'm pregnant?" She pulled back her cloak and looked down at her gown, slightly horrified.
Mairwen laughed, "Of course not! But Father wouldn't have objected so strongly to you going unless he had a serious concern. Other than the fear of you dying, a baby is the most logical option. Also, we might have had a similar conversation on the way to find you."
"Wait, are you..." Devrim felt a strange mix of emotions well up inside him until he noticed the princess shake her head vehemently.
"No, but my husband needed to make sure before we agreed and packed our bags." Mairwen loved the way the word husband sounded. She got so wrapped up in the word that she missed her parents exchange a confused glance.
"Packed your bags for what? If you think you are going to the South, then we need to backtrack a moment. As we do not plan to engage in combat unless absolutely necessary, your archery skills and Renat's scientific expertise are not necessary." Aurora was about to soften the blow when Mairwen cut her off.
"I fully agree. We are needed somewhere else." The princess smiled innocently.
"Where is this somewhere else?" Devrim got a sinking feeling for the second time in this conversation.
"North of course," Mairwen announced brightly. She clapped her hands. "Hanna says the Fates need our help as well. Now that the mist and poppies are not a deterrent, the wild creatures will swoop in and try to take over. Even without their magic, some of them can be very dangerous. You may not need me to battle, but they might be in need of my aim."
"And you think that you can keep a host of wild creatures away from the Mystic Spires? You are good, darling, but not that good." Devrim smiled weakly.
Mairwen could outshoot the Emperor with one of her eyes closed, but she knew nothing of magical creatures near the spires. Devrim had nearly been devoured by a griffin and wyverns, and according to Brinn, those weren't even the most malicious creatures of the wildlands.
"Most of the worst ones are run in packs. Hanna thinks we can herd them away long enough to create a safe space." The princess looked to her husband.
"Then I can calculate a way to get the Fates down," Renat added. "And by the time you return with the seed, we will have a way to get it to the spire to restart the falls."
"Brinn knows the king will send the elven troops to help us. She is already writing him a message for us to take." Mairwen pulled her cloak more tightly around herself. The wind suddenly felt like it was picking up.
"Devrim," Aurora looked to her husband for support but he smiled gently.
"She's a grown woman and a married one at that," the Emperor pursed his lips, "If I cannot tell you not to go, I certainly cannot stop either of them from doing what they feel called to do. You tried to dissuade her from looking for Dania and in the end finding her was the key to ending the war with Taran."
Aurora sighed. Of course her husband was right. She found his hand and squeezed it tightly. Her eyes became misty. Especially when she saw the look of hope on the princess's face. Mairwen looked so much like she had when going to the Land of Magic the first time.
It was indeed a land full of mystery. What young person who longs for adventure wouldn't relish the chance?
And Mairwen had seen the ugly side of humanity. She wasn't going into this journey full of innocent ignorance. The decision was quick, but Aurora very much doubted that it had been rash or impulsive.
The Empress blinked away her tears. "Very well. If Hanna is going with you, then I will trust her to keep you safe. She may not have her powers, but the Fate has countless years of knowledge on the Land of Magic and its inhabitants. That knowledge will be invaluable to your success."
"Thank you, mother and father. We will not let you down." Mairwen beamed. Renat wrapped his arms around her to show that he would protect her. The two men exchanged an unspoken understanding.
"When you get to the land of the elves, don't let Queen Lanassa steamroll you into an agreement that will put you at a disadvantage. Ithel is generous, and his mother tends to overcorrect." Aurora began to spout her motherly knowledge.
"I'll bring a gift from Colvyr for her. That should help with her prickliness." Mairwen already had a good idea of what to bring.
"Another politician in the family," Devrim chuckled. "It's almost like you both were made to run a kingdom or something."
"I do have one request, and it is non-negotiable. Take Alaron with you. He has some experience in the wild lands and spent a year with the Fates. While I don't think he has his inhuman strength, he is still much more skilled than most humans." Aurora tilted up one side of her mouth. "He is also very good at spying."
"Not good enough," Alaron materialized from seemingly nowhere. Even without the help of his magical cloak, he was still very good at sneaking around. His face was still hidden by the hood, but the impenetrable darkness seemed less daunting than before.
Renat stepped in front of Mairwen before realizing it was the Guardian.
"I used to try and remain unseen. On top of that, I had an elf for a spymaster who enjoyed sneaking up on me. There are few tricks that I have not seen, my dear. You were very good," Aurora commended the young man.
Alaron took the compliment graciously with a bow. It was a far cry from the pompous youth who used to grace the palace halls. "I guess that means the group is getting back together for a final tour." He looked at his sister and her husband. "Should we sing a song to commemorate the occasion?"
"Leave the singing to Junayd," Renat winced. "We should focus on preparing for our trip."
"One of these days I hope we can all go on a trip together," Mairwen turned a little nostalgic.
"Your father has that covered. When we get back we are all going on a beach trip. Your father wants to check out some islands for our retirement." Aurora rubbed her arms to feel some warmth instead of the chill.
"You are retiring?!" The three young people were shocked.
Devrim waved off their concerns. "Not any time soon. Unless we fail. Then I suppose we will all be retiring sooner than planned..."
It was decided. They better not fail.
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