Coruscare received Lucius's letter just as night was falling.
"I am writing to extend to you an invitation to my kingdoms Harvest Feast. This invitation extends to Caeli's companions, Aurum and Brego as well.
Feel free to bring a guest of your own.
The date for our meeting is yet to be determined.
Caeli is still weak, as I'm sure your intelligence officer has told you.
She is not ready to travel for such a meeting, let alone Fate.
I will keep you posted.
-L"
Coruscare crumpled the letter into a tight ball and threw it across the room with such force it cleared the entirety of the floor to the very distant wall opposite him.
*Bastard.*, Coruscare thought to himself.
It may be true that Caeli was not fit for the trip, or the meeting.
But Coruscare knew that Lucius was delighting in her presence there. All the better that the Reconciliation, the first in many years, could be put off so as to tend to her care.
The idea of someone else feeding her, enjoying her smile, learning her story, it caused a heavy pit in his stomach.
He would accept the invite. Syll would go as his guest.
He had better let Aurum and Brego know, they would need to leave in three days to be there in time.
But before he did that, he had a gift for Caeli.
He stood from his desk and made his way to the archive.
——————————————————————————
There was a knock at the door, rousing Aurum from his napping.
He stretched leisurely and made his way to the door, opening it with the end of his tail.
A bird like creature with a humanoid face stood in the doorway.
"Good morning young master, delivery for you.", the female said, her head brightly adorned with red and blue feathers.
She handed Aurum an envelope with a taloned hand. More long and vibrant feathers attached to her arms.
"Have a good day.", the woman winked her large eye and pulled a bright scarf over her face before lifting herself into the air with her wings and flying towards the mountain peak.
Aurum shook off his stunned paralysis and closed the door, long after the delivery had been made.
"What is it?", Brego asked from the large mattress that served as his resting place and bed.
The pair had been moved to a larger and more permanent residence just after Caeli had left.
A moderate house off of the main road that lead to the Ausian Peak that served as castle and home to the Lord of Fire and Light.
Aurum shook his head and came to rest next to the gelding so that he may look over his shoulder.
"Greetings,
I have written to ask that you attend my kingdoms Harvest Festival.
Caeli has explicitly asked that you be invited and we would be pleased to have you as our guests.
An invitation has been sent to King Coruscare as well, I hope and expect that you will accompany him for a more comfortable travel.
Caeli has also inquired about her cloak and the objects therein.
If you are able to bring it, that would be greatly appreciated.
In the mean time, please inform me of any help that I could provide, either in your travels or bringing Caeli's personal affects.
Sincerely,
-Lucius Absentia, Lord of Midnight "
Aurum and Brego looked at each other in surprise.
"I wonder why Caeli didn't invite us herself?", Aurum mused.
Brego snorted.
"Perhaps she is having difficulty writing. In case you've forgotten, Caeli was on the brink of death for quite sometime.", Brego said solemnly.
Aurum nodded in agreement.
"But her cloak? I suppose I haven't seen it since our arrival. Perhaps it is important to her?", Aurum inquired aloud.
"I agree. I think it must have belonged to someone special. The day we left the village she carried only a few items, her cloak wrapped around her tightly. It's also been well cared for. Perhaps we should ask Lord Coruscare if he's seen it?", Brego replied standing and moving to the door.
"I suppose you're right.", he said absentmindedly. "Where are you going?", Aurum asked as Brego as he was leaving the cottage.
"To work of course. We'll need to get as much work done as possible before we leave. My assumption is that we will be gone for some time.", the horse said over his shoulder.
Aurum realized he was right and frantically began putting together lesson plans for his students while he was gone.
And don't even get him started on the amount of grading that needed done.