"What do you know about the lands in the East?" Laiex asked.

"That there is a single country there, but they are divided into many islands and the fact that everything they built so far relies on their skills with ships," Zaos replied.

"That is the gist of things, but it seems you don't know anything about their chain of command," Laiex said. "Much like the mercenaries in the West, the people of Vezar don't follow a king or noble families. Those who control their country rise to power by becoming more influential economically speaking."

"So, they are a merchant country," Zaos said.

"We have been maintaining a good relationship with them for the past decades. A certain family has maintained itself in power, unlike the others which quickly ascend and then descend," Laiex explained. "Despite that, both parties tried to maintain neutrality, but then two weeks ago, the head of that family invited the princess to the birthday party of his eldest daughter."

"Why not send the royal guard?" Zaos asked.

"Like I said, things were getting suspect in other parties of the kingdom," Laiex said. "That is why around the same time His Majesty received the letter, he had planned to go and take a good part of his royal guard with him. Naturally, Drian and I will go as well."

"What about the other part?" Zaos asked. 

"They will stay behind and protect Her Majesty, the queen," Laiex replied.

"… Why can't they postpone one of those trips?" Zaos asked, visibly impatient.

"His Majesty has considered that, but that might cause problems," Laiex said. "We want to show to our enemies that we are paying attention to their movements and that we are willing to do anything to stop them. As for the birthday party, that isn't something that can't be postponed. Refusing to go might damage the relations between our countries."

  Zaos was having a hard time controlling his anger… as if he had anything to do with all that bullshit. He was stressed. He knew that. He knew that if it weren't for his failures, he would understand the situation with a calm mind, but Zaos couldn't do that right now.

"If you don't have even that little loyalty toward the kingdom, at least do this for your mother," Laiex said. "I am not trying to play innocent in this matter, I know that my actions affected her health, but your recent actions made her worry a lot. Perhaps if you go and succeed, your mother's health will improve. I, more than anyone else, understand that I can't force you to go if you don't want to. So, you will have to decide for yourself. The princess and her entourage will depart tomorrow morning with or without you."

  Laiex left, and Zaos was left behind while clenching his teeth and fists. Once again, his father's words made him enraged, even more than usual because he was telling the truth. Zaos knew that he was making his mother worry, but he couldn't help it… if something happened to her and Zaos didn't try his best to help… that idea alone made him feel an incredible sense of despair in the bottom of his heart. Zaos could fail with anyone else, but he didn't want to fail his mother.

  After a while, Zaos felt someone hugging him from behind, and he recognized his mother. She had woken up sooner than usual, and he could understand why…

"Go, Zaos," Lyra said. "I don't want to be a burden on your life, and Ameria needs you. Drannor is a good kid and a good soldier, but he still is young."

"You are not a burden, mom," Zaos said. "I just…"

"Do you remember when you were shorter than me?" Lyra asked. "We used to walk around the garden every day early in the morning, but we always stopped at this exact stop to take a nap."

"Yeah, but why are you saying that?" Zaos frowned.

"I promise you that I will be waiting right here," Lyra said. "The trip will last for a few months. That won't change anything. I will wait exactly here, all right?"

  Zaos turned around and saw his mother. He still looked tired, and she had bags under her eyes. If Zaos doesn't go, he will only make things more difficult for her… it was a pain, but he had to go. While it wouldn't be much, Zaos would have time to do his research, and even if he can't use the spells on her, he can always send the knowledge using letters.

"All right… I am going," Zaos said.

"Good boy," Lyra said and then hugged Zaos again and patted his back.

  Zaos returned the hug and then stayed like that for a while. He won't have the chance to feel that comfortable hug for a while, so he has to enjoy it while he can. After that, Zaos went to his room to pack his things, feeling a lot more refreshed than usual.

  The next morning, Ameria showed up at the gate of the castle, and Drannor and everyone else was ready to depart. She had heard from Laiex that Zaos might join them, but he never came to confirm that, and since everything was ready to go and he wasn't there, Ameria assumed that Zaos wouldn't come. She looked at Drannor, but he only shrugged.

"It can't be helped. He is worried about his mother," Drannor said.

  Those two knew what Zaos was trying to do. It was easy to obtain intel even without going to his home since Laiex couldn't ignore the princess. Regardless, they opened the carriage and then found Zaos there writing something.

"Zaos?" Ameria frowned.

"What?" Zaos asked without looking at them. "I am kind of busy here."

"You sure have some nerve, man…" Drannor said and then sighed. "You could have at least told us that you were coming."

"I had better things to do," Zaos replied.

  In the end, Drannor and Ameria couldn't complain. Zaos accepted the mission despite the fact that he was worried sick about his mother. Not to mention, he was the same as usual, so the trip might be more fun than they expected.