No matter how soft the bed Davina was lying down on, she still couldn't bring herself to sleep. She tossed and turned but nothing happened. Not wanting to waste the night, she took her sword and tried to practice using it. If she was going to accompany the Inarians tomorrow in Eris as their protector, she had to make sure she was up to the task.
Davina paused when she realized what she was thinking. Her past self would've laughed at her if she told her her current situation. She would never believe that she'd ever try to protect an Inarian.
"This is for Felix. This is all for Felix," she said as she moved the furniture from her room.
After they discussed the plans for tomorrow, Kira brought Davina to her room. It was at the very end of the hallway of the ship and was beside Kira's room. Apparently, they thought they'd only have three people in the ship so they used the room for storage. It was why Kira wanted to go early and prepare it for her.
Her room was composed of a bed and a wardrobe on the right side of it. There was also a small desk and chair on the left side of the bed. The room was quaint and homely. It was a nice contrast from her old one.
When she was able to gather up as much space as she could, she started to train. The feeling of the sword in her hand still felt different. She missed her old sword. But that was melted away when the prince was killed. This new sword was still heavy in her hands, but she was certain she could get used to it in time. It would only take some practice.
Months of being locked up and doing nothing brought a toll on her body. If she was going to turn back into the model soldier she once was, she had to train and get back in shape.
"You know, you don't have to do this for me," Felix said while she was in the middle of practicing moves for hand-to-hand combat.
"Don't be ridiculous," his sudden appearance didn't faze her. She still continued her training. "What else am I supposed to do?"
"Whatever you want. You're free now."
"No," she shook her head. "I'm not free until I find whoever killed you."
"But-"
"You'd do the same for me won't you?" She finally stopped and looked at green eyes. That silenced Felix because he would.
"But would you want me to?" Felix asked in a soft voice.
"Would you listen to me if I told you not to?"
They both knew the answer to that.
"I'm surprised you're trying to tell me to stop," she continued. "I thought you would've told me to help the Inarians."
"You're right. I would want you to help them. But if it isn't something you want to do, I wouldn't force you."
"It's not like I have a choice anyways."
Seeing that there was nothing he could do to change her mind, Felix stayed quiet. Once Davina has set her mind on something, she's stubborn enough to try to see it through.
~~~~~
The next day, Davina and Quinn were on the deck of the ship getting ready to leave. She was only able to have around three hours of sleep, which neither Felix or Quinn were pleased about. When Davina tried to look for Kira, Quinn said that she woke up early and was scouting the kingdom. Just like yesterday, she had an early start.
"Will she meet up with us somewhere?" Davina asked.
"If she needs us or if we need her," replied Quinn.
Davina didn't bother to ask what he meant by that. All she needed to think of was what she had to do.
Arlo was there to see them off. He didn't say anything to protest about the plan they established yesterday. However, she could see the hostility he had in his eyes for her. She expected him to threaten her or to warn her that if any harm comes to Quinn or Kira, he'll kill her. Nothing of the sort happened. She only felt his stares at the back of her head as she and Quinn were leaving.
Davina made sure the cloak Quinn gave her fit her well. She had no idea what illusion they were going to place on her, but the cloak was her next option. As she and Quinn were now walking in the forest and were heading to the kingdom, she wondered about who they were going to meet.
As much as she wished it would be Rianne, she knew it couldn't be her. The princess has never left the Royal Grounds. Or maybe she has and Davina had no idea about it. She shook away the thought.
How could they sneak out a young princess nowadays? Especially since leaving the Royal Grounds must be hard now because of her escape. A shiver ran through her boy. It might've been the thought of the guards who were still on the lookout for her or the cold wind that flew by her. Whatever it was, Davina pulled the cloak closer to her body.
The melodic and soft cry of an eagle filled Davina's ears. Above her, there was an eagle flying right above them.
"Nice to see you Rowan," said Quinn.
Davina looked around. "Who are you talking to?"
"The eagle you saw on Arlo yesterday."
"The one that turned into wood?" Quinn nodded. "He's probably here to keep an eye on us."
Davina knew he was just too nice to say the eagle was there to keep an eye on her. She looked up and watched as it glided in the sky. She reached out her hand out of habit.
"What are you doing?" Quinn stopped and looked at her curiously.
"Nothing. So this map," Davina started, "can't you tell me what it's about?" She hasn't had the chance to ask anyone with Arlo's deadly gaze on her yesterday.
"Well no." Davina frowned. "Not yet anyways. All I can tell you is that the map will take you to the place that holds all the answers. Since you're coming with us, you'll find out soon enough."
Quinn expected Davina to ask more about it, but she was surprisingly silent. That was because he formed those words earlier. The way he used to describe it...it reminded her of someone.
"You'll know all the answers you're looking for in this island, Dana," the young voice of a lost friend rang in her mind.
She waved away the memory. It wasn't important now.
"Can't you use your magic to get there faster?" Davina asked after a while.
"Are you getting tired?"
Davina scowled at him teasing her. "No, I just thought you used your magic for everything."
"There are some who do that," he replied. He offered his gloved hand to help her get off a ledge. She ignored it and jumped off. It wasn't even that high. "It's a bit of an advanced type of magic, so not everyone does it. But there are some who naturally have the gift, so they do it."
"So what about you?"
"I just don't like to use my magic that often."
Davina's mind went back to the night they met. If he used his magic, he could've easily taken out the guards. But he resorted to using the sleeping dust.
"Why?"
Quinn was silent for a moment, as if thinking of the right thing to say.
"I like to enjoy the view a little longer," he finally said.
Yet another statement from Quinn Davina didn't understand but didn't bother to ask what he meant.
~~~~~
The two walked in silence until Davina and Quinn reached the docks of the Kingdom of Eris. As one would expect, there were many ships and people were walking in and out of the nearby pubs. Davina doesn't always go to this part of the kingdom. The only times she did before was when they needed to greet an aristocrat or Royal Guests came from overseas and the Royal Family had to greet them.
Hopefully, because of how scarce she visits this place, not many people would know her face. Yet she still couldn't be certain. She put up the hood of the cloak and asked closer beside Quinn as they were starting to see people.
Davina tensed as there were more and more people around them. She expected someone to be able to recognize her any minute and give her away. Not only was she hiding from the Erisians, but she was also trying to hide her real identity from Quinn. However, it didn't look like she had to worry because everyone was so occupied with their daily lives to notice a wanted fugitive was walking a few feet away from them.
"I think you would be less suspicious if you took off your hood," whispered Quinn.
"It's cold. Everyone's wearing cloaks."
"But not with their hoods on."
"Then they'll see my face and put you all in danger. Nice plan."
"I did say we'll create an illusion. Just take it off."
Davina didn't want to argue. But if she would take off her hood, it's a gamble if there truly was an illusion on her.
What would they gain by betraying me?
They had their own mission and their own plan. If they were to expose her, what could they gain by it? Even if they were to give her up to the kingdom, she knew they were Inarians and could use it against them. Letting herself trust Quinn, she took off the hood.
The sun blinded her eyes. She slowly opened them. She was waiting for the roars and cries of the crowd much like on the night she was to be burnt on the stake. Or on the days she was taken out of her cell to be flogged or beaten. There was none of the sort when she opened her eyes.
"See? All good right?" Quinn had a boyish smile on his face. It was the kind of smile she didn't know could exist during these times.
Davina looked at her hands and she saw that her scared brown skin got smoother and darker. Her short hair that only reached her shoulders became curly and was touching her back.
"Kira and I talked about it yesterday and we agreed that I'll make you look like her."
"Oh," was all she could say. She was still amazed with the transformation of her body.
"But since I'm not as good as Kira with them, I can only keep up the illusion as long as you're close."
"Got it."
When she got used to her new skin, she let herself relax. She made sure from time to time that Quinn was still beside her. That's until she got tired of checking up on him that she held on a piece of his cloak to be certain.
"So where are we going?" She asked.
"I'm still waiting for the signal."
"What signal?"
As if it heard its cue, Davina and Quinn heard the high-pitched singing of a bird. It was Kira as a swallow who was perched on top of a sign of a small cabin.Quinn made its way to the cabin and Davina followed behind him.
The two of them entered the cabin. It was dark and empty. Since they were hopefully away from any probable witnesses, Davina let go of Quinn's cloak and rested her right hand on the sword's hilt.
"Are you sure this is the place?"
"Yes."
In the blink of an eye, the once dark cabin was now filled with light. The lanterns on the sides of the room were now lit. There was someone inside the room with them as well. Just like Davina and Quinn, this person was wearing a cloak and a hood that covered their face.
Davina tried to get a good look on the cloaked person. Although it was only for a moment, she could've sworn she saw a familiar shade of red under the hood.