Silverus was shocked to find his Queen seated in her study, pouring over a map. Just as if the past events had only been a nightmare And his heart skipped a beat.
Could it be that she had remembered something? It was not too much to hope for was it?
"Silverus come quick" she had spotted the tips of his ears from over the stacks of books and paper rolls. And beaconed him closer. "This is a map of Gauberhodgy and here is the waking willows, were they used to be though you know that they have invaded the moor".
"Yes my Queen, I fear it draws nearer as we speak".
"Anyways I have figured it out, except there is one problem, have we any ships".
"Ships?" He met the determined eyes of his Queen, with curiosity. "Of course! The largest and swiftest of them all!"
"Great! then prepare the citizens for evacuation".
He felt his heart drop. His Queen, his fearless queen, who had been like a bright star of hope, standing in the face of danger, wanted to flee the kingdom?! Oldin's words reverberated in his head but his stubborn cankey heart would not budge.
"My Queen it's called the skeleton sea for a reason, Dark fish beasts inhabit its depths and even the best of sailors can barely make it across".
"We do not need to make it past, we only need to follow the coast around the gullies of Hebran. There we can pull ashore on the untamed hillocks here!" She pointed confidently to the spot".
"But what if we are spotted and our plan found out? There would be an ambush waiting for us when he let down the anchor!"
"Head out far enough and use the waves as cover ". She replied without batting a lash.
"Yes my Queen, I will issue the command of evacuation". Though disheartened, the cankey was firm in his belief, if the queen thought their best option, to retreat, then that was just what they would do".
"Evacuation! And you issued the command!"
Silverus had no time for the lion hybrid.
"Queen's orders". He was trying to out walk him, something close to impossible as Oldin had the longer legs and kept a tail behind with ease.
"You know the Queen is not herself!"
"Oldin!".
"Ahem!" He cleared his throat loudly.
"I mean Lord Oldin, it is already done, either you help with the evacuation but don't waste my time!"
Oldin roared a frightful laugh which withered the very bones of the cankey. And when he had convalesced, he hastened to distance himself from the angered creature.
The atmosphere had never been heavier before, all around was a blur of drooping ears and disheartened sighs. And no one she came across, could muster the strength to greet her with a smile. It was as if she had proclaimed a march to Hebran in surrender! Presently, Alia came to a flight of stairs, leading down to the storerooms. When the door to the kitchen busted open and she watched as Netly shuffled out, a barrel of supplies tucked under one arm. His tail dragged on the ground and his eyes were down casted. He managed to raise his head to stare, eyes dim with sorrow, before returning them to the floor.
And she knew then, she had not been sympathizing with them. This was their home, how could she ask them to leave it all behind? Still, had they ever stood a fighting chance? She thought back on the words of the whispering willow. She was not the real Queen and they could not depend on her to save them!
It did not take long for the cankey to find her retreat, out on the balcony below the summoning chamber.
"How did you know I was out here?" she questioned Silverus.
"Because you always come here your majesty, whenever you are not sure about a decision".
"Really?" She eyed him a small smile. Even though she could not be his Queen, Alia was comforted by the small creature's devotion and she wished with all her might that his Queen would return safely.
"Yes, there is something else I should have shown you from the very day you came back".
She sighed internally, taking the cankey's offered hand. She knew it was no use trying to remember a life that she never knew but if it made her little friend feel any better.
They walked the corridors of the Royal quarters, pass her lounge, study and bedchambers to a closed door. Here, Silverus patted his pockets before producing a key which he then handed over. She took the key sceptically, and thinking it better to get over with it speedily, opened the door. Inside was dark, save the four lanterns in each corner. And in the very center of the room, stood a glass container which enclosed the scepter. A smooth polished cane with a blue gem pulsing softly atop.
"This is the scepter, my Queen. The most powerful weapon in Gauberhodgy, yet it means nothing without a worthy wielder. You are that leader your highness".
Tears were threatening to stream from her eyes as he said those words. Why could he not let it go? She was about to try and explain to him again that she was from another dimension when she heard Rwen's frantic voice!
"Alia!"
She neglected the darkened room and the scepter to find Rwen nocking earnestly at her room door.
"Rwen?"
"I tried to stop her Alia but I couldn't! I couldn't!"
"Stop who, what are you talking about?"
"Candy! She said that she had been invited to some sort of gathering and she packed a bag and... and left. I tried to tell her it was dangerous...."
Alia had stopped listening and was matching towards Orpha's room with smoke steaming from her ears.
"Where is she?" she questioned the dragon that guarded the room. Yawning, he lifted a weary tail to point north.
"What will we do Alia we can't just leave her on her own. She's my sister."
Alia had squeezed both eyes shut and was praying this was only a nightmare of the nightmare she was living.
"My Queen she is most likely on her way to Delorel, they are having their annual festival these three days. Perhaps if we hurry we can stop her".
"It's no use, once she has made up her mind, there is no deterring her".
"Yes I remember, Orpha has always been a handful plus it would be too risky for all of us to go after her. But don't worry, she will be safe in Delorel that's for certain".