Kaelen and Gelasia packing their belongings. “You’ve known you’d be leaving me for a while now, Gelasia, haven’t you?”
“Yes, my dear,” she replied, taking Calista’s hand. “This is where I am most needed. Between my magic and presence, I can help him adjust to his new home and help him make the final part of this transition as painless as possible.”
Calista cleared her throat, trying to downplay her emotion. “We won’t see you again, will we?”
“Ah, my dear Calista, you know that even when I’m gone, my essence will remain. But I’m afraid that yes, this is goodbye.”
Forgetting her normal reserve, Calista threw her arms around the tiny, frail-looking fairy. “I will miss you terribly.”
Patting her back gently Gelasia said, “And I you. But know that a bit of me shall always remain, right here in your heart.”
“Well, safe journey my dear friend.”
“Goodbye, my dear one. Take care of my students for me.”
Laughing, Calista said, “I always do.”
Calypso had arrived as well to bid farewell. Kaelen walked over to her with the book he’d borrowed. “I found the answers I was looking for. I won’t need this anymore.”
“You found turquoise, I take it,” she replied with a smile, though she didn’t take the book.
Nodding, he explained, “Turquoise is like a gem made of water. It’s supposed to carry healing properties and can cool an angry heart. Amber and turquoise are both considered element gems. Together, their unique properties fuse and double in strength, almost like a tree gets strength from rainwater.”
“Why don’t you keep the book, Kaelen? Consider it a housewarming gift. I’m sure you’ll find a way to use it.” She then walked away.
Kaelen placed it in his bag before turning to Gelasia and Calista. “Are you sure you want to join me, Gelasia? I’ll understand if you want to stay here.”
“I’m quite sure, my dear,” she replied. “You still have many things to learn before you get started on your quest.”
Calista handed him a folded piece of parchment. “Kaelen, normally I wouldn’t give this to you until graduation, however under the circumstances, I will give it to you now. Open it when you have time to really consider your quest. Good luck, Kaelen.”
“Thank you.” He offered Gelasia his arm. “Shall we begin our journey?”
“No time like the present.” She followed Kaelen into the carriage and waved out the window. Just before the carriage began to pull away she imparted a final farewell, “Be joyful and merry for always.”
Wiping a tear from her eye as she waved in return, Calista said, “And you, dear Gelasia.”
Year 6 Chapter 1
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Lucian’s family did spend one week by the sea before traveling to Lictthane. Lucian spent as much time as he could with his sister. Soon, they packed their bags and left. When they arrived, Lavinia met them apologetically. “I know you’ve just arrived, but we received an urgent message from Uncle Sebastian to meet him in Rendorlin.”
“I do hope that everything is alright,” Alexandra said. “We’re already packed; we can leave as soon as you’re ready. Is there anything we can do to help?”
“Thank you,” Lavinia breathed. “We’ve actually spent all morning packing. I believe everyone is packed and ready to go.”
Because of how much people had grown, Nana declared that it would be too crowded to travel together in one carriage. “And in some ways there is safety in numbers. Having two carriages looks like a larger party,” she added. She, Leticia and Lavinia were going to go in one carriage. “Alexandra, we’d love to have you join us.”
“I couldn’t think of anything better,” Alexandra replied. “Darling, will you ride with the others?”
“Certainly.”
“It’s settled then, enjoy the ride. We’ll stop tonight at the halfway point,” Nana explained. “Then tomorrow we’ll go as far as The Dancing Fairies.”
Waving, the ladies entered their carriage and they waited for Lysander’s carriage to be in the lead. As the journey began, Lucian asked, “So, what do you think Uncle Sebastian wants?”
Moira shrugged. “I’m guessing that there’s some sort of festival that he thinks we should see. I don’t think there’s an emergency. Although, between us, I think he has special feelings for the proprietress at The Dancing Fairies.”
“Really? What makes you think so?”
“Uncle Sebastian has never stayed in one place for so long,” she said. “Mom has said that even when Aunt Isabelle was alive, the two were always out adventuring. Yes, they stayed at the castle as often as needed for running the kingdom, but every summer they would travel to some new, exotic place. Sometimes they traveled in winter as well. When she died, it was like his wanderlust doubled. He stayed around the kingdom only at the very most important of times and as soon as the new king was crowned, he was off. Now, he spends more time in Rendorlin than anywhere else. And he wants desperately to know her name.”
“Why do you think she won’t tell anyone?” Allegra wondered aloud.
“Perhaps she can’t,” Lysander suggested.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“Wait, George told me that when he met with Gelasia, she said that some quests are never completed,” Lucian recalled. “I remember, because he said he wants save the lost princesses after graduation. Do you think Mother could be a lost princess?”
Lysander shrugged, “It is possible, I suppose. If she is, she certainly can’t tell us.”
“Why not?” Moira asked.
“It’s the way quests work. When a princess disappears as part of her quest, she can’t tell anyone that she’s a princess. So, for example, Moira, if you were to be suddenly transported to a small village in Bordington, you wouldn’t be able to tell any of the people that you were a princess. It’s part of the romance and mystery of questing.”
“Well,” Allegra stated, “I think it would be wonderful if Uncle Sebastian and the proprietress fell in love. Wouldn’t a wedding be the perfect end to summer?”
Soon Allegra and Moira were busily talking about the perfect, summer wedding. Lysander leaned over to Lucian. “I think I’ll take a nap. I want no part of planning someone else’s wedding, particularly when there’s no engagement.”
“Can I take a nap too?” Lucian whispered.
Lysander chuckled and leaned back against the seat, tipping his traveling hat over his face. Lucian thought it vastly unfair that now he was stuck listening to the plans without having someone to talk to. Instead, Lucian spent the trip looking out the window watching the landscape fly past. It didn’t seem long at all before the sun was beginning to set and they pulled into a small town for the evening.
In the morning, Lysander spoke with the innkeeper as to the swiftest route to their destination. “Mark me words,” the older man said, “you’ll be wanting to take caution in traveling these parts. Those ruffians ain’t been caught and they’re gettin’ bolder. Been makin’ attacks during the day too, right under the sun.”
“Has no one been able to catch them?” Lysander asked.
“Not a one o’ them,” the innkeeper replied, shaking his head. “’Tis a bad business. Were only three days ago we were sent to bring in the last victims. All dead, rest their souls.”
Lysander paid the innkeeper for their stay. “Thank you, sir.”
“Safe journey,” he called.
When they reached the carriages, Lysander explained in brief what the innkeeper had told him. “Lucian will go with Alexandra, Lavinia, and Nana. We stay close together at all times. Lucian, if something should happen, you are in charge. If we have a plan of attack, we’re more likely to be successful in a battle. Here,” he added, holding out a sheathed rapier. “Just in case you need it. And take this horn. Use it only if in danger.”
“I will,” Lucian promised.
Lysander instructed the carriage drivers before getting in with Moira and Allegra. L
ucian handed his mother, Lavinia and Nana into the carriage before getting in himself. He sincerely hoped that the freshly sharpened rapier would not be needed. As they began their journey, he found himself jumping at the slightest sound.
“Lucian, dear,” Alexandra said after about an hour, “you’re going to wear yourself out, fretting so. Being cautious doesn’t mean exhausting your energies looking for a fight.”
“I’m not being taken off my guard,” Lucian replied stubbornly.
No one was happier than Lucian when they finally arrived at The Dancing Fairies. Mother welcomed them in joyfully. “Come in, come in, all safe and sound I see. Bless you, child! You look asleep on your feet,” she added as Lucian came inside.
“Someone was being very watchful,” Nana explained.
“And right he is too,” Mother said. “I told Sebastian not to send for you.”
“But they needed to be here, Agatha,” he countered as he walked into the parlor.
“That’s not my name,” she laughed as Sebastian hugged everyone.
“I’ll get it one of these times. Come, come, everyone. We have supper waiting for you. That will perk you up in no time. You must tell me everything about your journey.”
“Uncle Sebastian,” Lucian replied, “I doubt you want to hear my report. Because while I can tell you how many bumps there were in the road and how many strange whistles through the trees, I can’t tell you anything at all of what the scenery looked like.”
“Seriously took your role as protector I see,” he laughed. “Well, then the ladies must