When Aria finished her story, Yuki sat in silence for a good long while. He now fully understood all she went through and the gravity of the situation she was in. His initial anger about the fact that she held him in complete ignorance was replaced with the feeling of guilt.

“I...I am sorry, Aria.” he broke the silence. “I didn’t know.”

“Nor could you know. There is nothing to be sorry about. I’ve spent months mourning everyone I lost while I was preparing to summon you. I’m fine now.”

Yuki didn’t believe her but decided not to push it. They both went back into silent rumination. After a while, Yuki got up on his feet. The sight of the burned village was still terrifying, but he could handle it now.

“So, basically, this guy, Ezekiel, after you ran away, usurped the throne, overtook the kingdom and started the war.”

“Yeah…but the thing I don’t understand is how. The people loved my father and the military was loyal to him. Now, it seems like everyone forgot that Lunaris lineage ever existed. The people are celebrating Ezekiel’s rule and the army executes his every command, without second thought.”

Yuki shook his head. “That is weird, but even with the support of the army, how is he even able to wage a war against a powerful kingdom like Aris? Shouldn’t Lunaris’ military forces be considerably weaker?”

“Yes, and that would usually be an important factor, but Ezekiel’s strength is unmeasurable. He is a walking calamity and no one is sure what the extent of his power is. I guess King Darian is being careful and mounting a tight defense, giving up territory he deems undefendable.”

“He is really that powerful?” Yuki asked, more as a rhetorical question, but the answer came nevertheless.

“If you want to curse a high level individual, you need a lot of preparation. He did it in a matter of seconds and after being hit at point blank range with a level sixty spell. I managed to retain my sense of self and a glimpse of my former powers but basically, that’s all.”

Another long silence followed. A cool spring breeze ruffled Yuki’s hair. He was looking over the horizon, trying to avoid the sight of the burned village. He felt as if looking at it further would disturbed the painfully earned rest of the dead.

Thinking of pain reminded him of his mother. He wondered if she was worried about him. A stupid question. She was probably losing her mind. He missed her. He missed his home and his sheltered, peaceful life. He hoped that time in his world somehow froze and that when he went back, he would find himself on that same sidewalk he dissapeared from.

“We should go.” Aria interrupted his wistfulness. They quietly started down the hill, towards the path where the fight with the wolves took place.

Something in the back of her mind was pestering Aria about the wolves. She never heard or seen anything like them and she regarded herself to have a wide knowledge about the flora and fauna of the known world. Yuki defeated them swiftly, but they were weak in the first place, though they looked more terrifying than the ordinary wolves. She also felt a faint glint of magic emanating from them which was somehow weirdly familiar.

“You don’t know what he wants from you? Ezekiel I mean.” Yuki asked.

“No. I don’t know why he kept me alive either. Maybe he still wants to force me into a marriage. Or else he will always be seen as an usurper. That’s my best guess for now.”

Suddenly Yuki stopped. “Aria, careful.” he whispered. At the bottom of the hill, along the small path that lead back to the main road three shadowy figures prowled. Yuki got behind the closest tree and observed the figures. They looked mostly human, but waves of black mist emanated from their armor and swords. Both Yuki and Aria caught a glimpse of the eyes of one of them. Amid a dry, grey face he saw red pupils surrounded by complete darkness.

“Yuki, those eyes…”

“Yeah, I know.”

They were the same as the wolves’ eyes they encountered earlier.

I knew I felt something familiar coming from those wolves. It was Ezekiel’s magic. And these...things are reeking of it.

“They are looking for us.” Aria whispered. “Those are Ezekiel’s spies.”

“I’ll try to stay low and get away from them. You should get into my pocket.”

Yuki was waiting for the perfect time to sneak away from the spies.

“Watch out, behind you!” a voice came from somewhere nearby. The fourth spy, which they didn’t notice, was standing behind Yuki, holding his sword overhead, preparing to split the boy in half. Yuki did an ungainly roll to the side just in time to avoid losing his head. Other spies noticed the boy and started moving towards him.

“Over here.” A familiar face was sitting atop a brown steed that was galloping through the groove in their direction. Yuki jumped towards him, taking the offered hand that pulled him up on the running horse.

The four spies started murmuring spells and a moment later four violet magic spears flew at the horse riders.

“Shield of light!” Yuki heard his saviour casting a spell. A sphere of soothing dense light surrounded them, absorbing the attackers spells. The shield gave them enough time to get out of the range where spells could reach them. After a while, it started dispersing, making crackling noises throughout the process.

They continued running until the fatigue got the better of the horse and it refused to continue. It was already late into the night. Last traces of daylight disappeared long ago and the stars ruled the clear night sky. They moved away from the pathway and into a spot they from which they could easily scout the surrounding area.

“Good work Pax, you can rest now.” They got off the horse and said proper greetings.

“Good to see you Joseph.” said Yuki with a smile.

“Likewise, Yuki...” Joseph nodded his head and added looking at Yuki’s clothes. “...and Princess Aria.”

Aria got out of Yuki’s pocket. “Hello Joseph. And thank you for saving us.”

Joseph didn’t respond. He patted the horse on its back and started unsaddling it. His otherwise perfect hair was messy from the long ride and dark circles under his eyes exposed the extent of his tiredness.

“I can see you are as talkative as ever. Can you at least explain to us why you were there? It’s hard to believe you just happen upon us while picking flowers.”

“Adam sent me to look after you. I was trailing you since Orfurt.” he answered in his calm, indifferent manner.

Aria thought for a moment then asked. “Is… Is Adam all right?”

Joseph didn’t answer the question. One could attribute the silence to his natural reticence but both Aria and Yuki knew better.

Instead he said. “We should rest for the night and continue to the north with the first light. There should be a village on the way where we can resupply. I got rid of the spies’ horses, so you don’t have to worry about them for now.” he paused shortly. “Ezekiel and most of his army are still south. They will start to move soon but we have enough time.”

Yuki and Aria both stood awkwardly behind Joseph unsure what to say to him. It was apparent that he was very loyal to Adam and that nothing good happened in Orfurt after they all left. Joseph was a knight and probably couldn’t forgive himself for leaving his lord in middle of a crisis.

"Joseph, I'm sorry..." Aria tried to emphatise but the knight interrupted her with a heavy exhale.

“I don’t think Adam is dead. His kind doesn’t die easily. Now, go and get some rest, we have a long way ahead of us. I’ll keep us safe.”

Yuki found a flat, grassy spot under a tree that would serve as his bed for the night. He made a pillow out of his cloak, but quickly changed his mind and turned the pillow into a blanket.

Aria floated beside him, thinking about everything that happened. She wondered if Adam met the same fate as her father and her family. A feeling of guilt arose inside her.

Everything is my fault. I brought so much pain and suffering to the people around me. I was even so selfish to drag Yuki into this whole mess.

She looked at the boy who was already fast asleep. His face seemed to have lost the innocence it had back when she first met him. Yet another thing to add to her long list of regrets.