The fate of Librona weighed heavily on the shoulders of the weary king, arched painfully over the tactical maps before him. Their world was no longer at balance; one great kingdom would fall, surly altering life as they knew it on Praecanto. Worry and despair marked crevices deep in his skin, a mark of many years of uncertainty, far beyond his own age. King Sloan studied the maps before him. The little iron horses of the calvary marked their last known position in Asmar, just outside the kingdom’s capital. Librona’s foot soldiers marked the front lines as they were slowly pushed further and further from the city.

Asmar was a rogue nation. A kingdom without a king. A people with hatred and vengeance in their hearts. And the witch Calliope that called Librona home was to blame. A murderer on the loose, and there was nothing more King Sloan could do to protect the witch that had done nothing but help protect his people.

His fingers tapped on the wooden table, each tap another passing second that his army was without their commander; without any direction. Only two options presented themselves in this moment of crisis: pull back and risk losing his kingdom, or find Mido.

He could not let his pride get the best of him. The choice, whether he liked it or not, had already been made, but he refused to see the truth that stood on the line. His stomach twisted sickeningly at the possible truth that marked the blacksmith. But Mido was gone. He left with Calliope, doing his best to protect her in this war, and there was no way to know where in the world they were. It had been just over a month since they left, and his army, still stuck in Asmar, had been making no progress. It was time to make a decision.

King Sloan straightened, his back cracking, as footsteps brought him out of his thoughts. Melinda’s worried gaze met his as she approached her husband. King Sloan turned back to his maps, staring at nothing in particular, as he turned his final decision over in his mind.

“I'm losing men over there,” he muttered. “We can't do this any longer.”

“You need Mido,” his wife reminded, a fact he already knew.

King Sloan winced at the words she spoke and shook his head. “He betrayed his kingdom. He will not return.”

“He will if it means keeping Calliope safe.”

“And how am I supposed to find him?” King Sloan could not meet his wife’s gaze, furious with himself for getting upset over something he knew needed to be done.

“Send a raven to In'audis and see if they're there. Unless they crossed the sea, their only option is to go south.”

The king hesitated. It was a likely option, but another possibility crept into the corners of his mind. A possibility that would decide the fate of their world once and for all. A factor that lay across the sea, in the kingdom of Re’iam. South was not their only option, but did Calliope know of the legend of the creators of their world? The legends had seemed only stories to King Sloan, and though he tried to keep their history alive through his son, Lucas, he struggled himself to believe in what seemed like just a myth.

But if the stories held true, and if Calliope had also known, surely she would go to Re’iam. Their queen would not see her kingdoms fall over a witch. She would bring peace and order back to their world.

He felt foolish as he began to have hope in the legendary queen that ruled over Re’iam and their world. It was just a dying myth. And while Re’iam had vital resources and proved to be a valuable trade partner, they were nothing more than a much wealthier kingdom. In fact, the kingdom was a mystery to King Sloan. Too far away to travel to, and the seas often too dangerous, only Re’iam’s merchants made the trip, never asking for much in return.

“Sloan?”

King Sloan rubbed his eyes. It had been days since he slept. “I don't even know if what that old woman said is true.”

“You won't know until you tell him.”

The king rolled his eyes. “Yes, because that will go so well,” King Sloan said.

Melinda crossed her arms. “Sarcasm, Sloan?”

King Sloan finally met his wife’s gaze, his eyes red. “Melinda, he will not take to this news.”

“He will do whatever it takes to protect Calliope.”

King Sloan sighed. “If he's anything like me, he will put up a damn fight. And I know he's just like me. I should have seen it sooner. That was me at his age.” King Sloan cursed under his breath. “I was a damn fool.”

“You can't blame yourself,” Melinda said. “It was a very long time ago.”

“I just had to disobey my father,” he muttered, turning back to the old maps.

Melinda moved closer to her husband, her hand warm on his shoulder. “But look what that did. Mido is a good man and loyal to his friends. He will do this.”

King Sloan was quiet as his eyes shifted curiously over to Re’iam, the large island kingdom in the middle of the Animula sea. “I just wish I had known.” When Melinda said nothing, King Sloan turned to her. Her eyes were soft and sad on the floor.

“I'm sorry,” he said. “I know how hard this must be for you.”

“Don't apologize,” she said, her eyes back on his. “It was long before I came along.” She smiled. “I can't blame you for having a lover before me.”

“I'm sure you've had your fair share.”

Melinda put her hands on her hips. “Really, Sloan? I was hardly a woman when we wed.”

“Do you regret it?” he asked, his voice softer now as he searched her eyes.

Melinda smiled and put her hands on his face. “I don't regret a single moment,” she said. She kissed his lips. “I was pretty lucky to fall in love with this man.”

King Sloan smiled and returned her kiss. “I wouldn't have changed a thing, bastard child or not.”

Melinda looked at him seriously. “Mido needs to know. He could end this war. We need to get him back.”

King Sloan nodded. His wife was right. She said the words he could not bring himself to say outloud. He pushed Re’iam out of his mind. They could only be in In’audis. “I'll send a raven,” King Sloan confirmed.

     Lily dipped her nose into the cool river, her tail swishing at the flies in the breeze. The water rippled away from her muzzle. The air was quiet and calm around her. She lifted her head and pricked her ears forward at a giggle coming from the tall grass just yards away. She nickered softly as her master came into view with the witch in his arms. They smiled and kissed each other's noses. Lily returned her attention to the clear water before her, quenching her thirst once more.

Calliope watched the mare for a moment before resting her head against Mido's bare chest. She sighed and ran her fingers along his body for a moment before pushing away and getting to her feet.

“Come on,” she said, feeling anxious to continue their journey.

Mido groaned and pushed himself to his feet, stretching his arms above him.

“Can't we just take our time and enjoy ourselves?” he said. “We've been traveling for over a month now.”

“Doesn't that make you anxious to see something?”

Mido held his arms open in exaggeration. “There's a whole world here for us to see.”

Calliope smiled. “Exactly. And we've barely touched it. I want to see people. Houses. Villages. Kingdoms.”

Mido let his hands drop. “I don't think I want to be involved in another kingdom,” he said carefully. “I like this renegade thing.”

Calliope slouched, her eyes pleading with him. She turned and made her way to the mare, patting her lovingly on the neck and cooing to her. Mido sighed and pulled his shirt on over his head.

“Do you even know where we are?” Calliope asked.

“Not a clue.”

“We could be in someone's kingdom right now.”

“I suppose we could.”

“Haven't you ever wondered what else was in the world?”

Mido thought about this for a moment. “I guess I didn't really have a chance to wonder,” he said with a shrug. “I knew there was a kingdom beyond the forest, somewhere. But, it's so far away that I don't think anyone has bothered to travel that distance. We had everything we needed near by. Our port, our trades, our allies.”

“Maybe they could be a new ally.”

“Maybe. Or maybe not. We don't know anything about them or any other kingdoms. They might not even take too kindly to travelers. We need to be careful.”

Calliope fished through the saddle packs and pulled out the pages to Samus's journal. She bent down and sat on the river bank, letting her toes wiggle in the water; she reviewed the notes as she had done almost every day since they left Librona. Mido sat beside her and looked over her shoulder.

“Samus had some drawings of wolves and ravens in here,” Calliope said. “It sounds like Scarletta's mother could shapeshift into animals. I think Scarletta tried to learn how at one point.”

“Can you do that?”

Calliope shrugged. “I don't know. There's no mention in here on how it could be done.”

“Try it.”

Calliope raised an eyebrow and met his gaze. “How am I supposed to try it?”

Mido shrugged. “I don't know. You're the witch. How does your magic work?”

Calliope looked into the clear water. “I don't know. I never thought about it before. I just summon it inside me.”

“Then do that.”

She sighed. “It doesn't work like that. I have to-” she hesitated in thought. “-think about it, I guess. I have to focus on what I want to do and, I don't know, I just do it.”

“Think about being a raven. Or a wolf.”

“Okay,” she said, defeated. “I'm thinking. I'm thinking of being a raven.”

“That's your thinking face?”

Calliope twisted her face into her most exaggerated thinking face. Mido burst into laughter.

“Oh good god I hope that's not your thinking face.”

Calliope rolled her eyes. “Maybe there are other witches around here and we don't even know it. Maybe they can teach me things.”

Mido stood and stretched an arm out towards her. “I think one of you is more than enough.”

Calliope smiled and took his hand as he pulled her up off the ground.

“Let's go, witch,” he said. “I know you're anxious to see a person other than me.”

“You have no idea,” she muttered.

Mido cocked her head at her and smiled. “Ow.” He helped Calliope into the saddle and mounted behind her, taking the reins in hand and nudging Lily forward.

“Don't you miss it?” she asked.

“Miss what?”

“Librona? Ian and Maria and William?”

Mido was quiet.

“I do,” she said softly.

Mido tried not to think of the life they left behind. He still woke up sweating every night from the nightmares. Flashbacks of the war and Jon's death continuously played through his mind and churned his stomach. Calliope turned to check on him through the corner of her eye. Mido smiled in an attempt to keep her from worrying.

“I try not to think about it,” he said.

“Well, I hope they're all okay.”

“I think I see civilization,” Mido said, changing the subject and pointing. Ahead of them, Calliope could see the looming walls of a distant city. Little colored flags flapped energetically in the breeze. Mido urged Lily faster toward the city and it grew quickly before them. Calliope looked on in awe and excitement. They slowed as they neared the gates and were greeted by two guards.

“You two look like you could use an inn,” one of the guards said to them as they approached.

“How long ye been travelin'?”

“Over a month now,” Mido said.

“Where from?”

“We passed through Librona.”

The two guards exchanged glances. “Librona? That's quite a distance. Didn't care to take in the sights?”

“They're in the midst of war.”

Another glance was exchanged. “Shit,” one said.

“Ye don't hear much of 'em, bein' so far 'way 'n all.”

“What are ya names?”

“I'm Avery,” Mido said, and then gestured to Calliope. “and this is Sophia.”

“Well, Avery and Sophia, welcome to Corvua, the of the kingdom of In'audis. The Red Door Inn is just beyond the center of town. Can't miss it.”

“The one with the red door.”

The two guards stepped aside, allowing the two travelers to pass through and into the bustling city. Mido thanked them as they passed and joined the busy city. Horses pulled carts through the streets as others trotted by with their riders. Merchants called to those who passed, encouraging them to buy their goods. Curious eyes looked upon the two strangers, greeting them pleasantly as they passed.

“And I thought Alryn was big,” Calliope muttered, feeling overwhelmed by the crowd.

“At least no one hates us here.”

“People only hate you,” Calliope corrected him. “They love me.”

Mido smiled and rolled his eyes. He guided Lily aimlessly through the streets, taking in the sights.

“Do you want to stop for the night?” he asked.

“A bed would be nice.”

Mido was quiet as he searched for the inn the guards had mentioned. He felt unsure of staying long in the city, but he knew Calliope would feel more at ease knowing they weren't alone in the world.

“We'll stay for a bit,” he said cautiously.

“Just a bit?”

“We're on the run, remember?”

“We don't have to be.”

“If Librona falls, Asmar will stop at nothing to find you. It wouldn't be safe to stay in one place for long.”

“Librona won't fall,” Calliope whispered. “I won't let them.”

“You're not going back there. It's not safe.”

“I can help.”

Mido sighed. “We've had this conversation, Calli. There's no way you can help without destroying Asmar. Do you really want to be responsible for that?”

“If I don't, either Librona does, or they fall.”

“Let Librona deal with it.”

Calliope was quiet. She knew he was right, but she couldn't help feeling responsible. She wished she could do something to help them. She felt lost and hopeless.

Mido helped her off Lily's back; the little inn was just before them.

“I know you struggle with this,” he said to her. “Go get a nice big bed and I'll see you in there.” Mido kissed her forehead and guided Lily into the nearby stables.

     Calliope let her body fall onto the bed. She buried her face in the feathered pillow and sighed. She had forgotten what this comfort had felt like. No more hard forest floors or a worn, leather saddle. She hadn't realized how much her body ached until that moment.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and her eyes fluttered open. Mido sat on the bed beside her.

“You gonna sleep all day?”

Calliope sat up in the bed and yawned. “I wasn't sleeping.”

“You've been out for over an hour now.”

“I was?” She didn't even remember falling asleep.

Mido leaned into the pillow and sighed.

“What do we do now?” she asked.

“I don't know. You're the one that wanted civilization. Go out and civilize. I'll be sleeping for a week.”

“A whole week, huh?”

Mido nodded. “And we're leaving as soon as I wake up.”

“All right,” Calliope said, climbing over him and off the bed.

“Where you going?”

“To civilize.”

“Fine, hold on, I'm coming.”

“I thought you were going to sleep for a week?”

“I thought you were going to join me.”

“You don't have to be with me every second of the day.”

“Yes I do.”

Calliope sighed and rolled her eyes. Mido smirked.

“Whatever. I give up. You exhaust me.”

“You exhaust me,” Mido retorted.

“Then sleep, dammit.”

Mido laughed and got to his feet. He took her hand in his and pulled her out the door. They made their way back onto the busy streets of Corvua. Mido let Calliope lead the way as she wandered in and out of crowds, her eyes taking in the sights around them. She wandered through merchants and stood on her tiptoes to watch the musicians entertaining the citizens. She watched the children laugh and play, just as they did in Librona, and her heart ached for the kingdom and the life she had known.

The sun set quickly, casting the city in shadow. Mido led the sleepy witch back towards the inn where they collapsed on the bed once more.

“It's so nice here,” Calliope whispered in the dark. Mido grunted in reply.

“Don't you wish we could stay?”

Mido rolled onto his side and looked into her golden eyes. “No,” he said simply.

Calliope sighed. “You're stubborn.” She turned to stare at the ceiling. Mido smiled as he watched her.

“Go to sleep,” he said with a yawn, but Calliope's eyes were already closed. Her chest rose and fell quietly.

#

The young man and his horse galloped into the little village, a torch in hand to light his way through the darkness. Mido looked up at the man on the horse as he spoke.

“The witch has attacked,” he shouted to the villagers.

Mido looked around for Calliope, but instead, his father stood at his side.

“Kill the witch!” he shouted, raising his sword above his head.

“Don't go,” Mido pleaded with his father, but the man ignored his son.

“Where is the witch?” the messenger asked.

The villagers panicked as the man spoke.

“Bring the witch to us alive,” he said.

Mido noticed the emblem around the man's neck. He recognized the symbol that marked the kingdom of Asmar.

“Avenge our king!”

Mido turned again and watched in horror as an Asmarian soldier thrust his sword through a young man's chest. The man fell to the ground, blood seeping from his wound. Mido approached the man and turned the body over. He stumbled backwards, recognizing William's face.

“Burn the witch!”

Mido bolted up in the bed, gasping for breath. He pulled his sweaty shirt off and threw it onto the floor before burying his face in his hands. Muffled voices caught his attention and he hurried to the window, peering outside onto the streets below. Five men on horseback galloped up and down the streets, torches blazing through the night.

“Where is the witch?” they yelled. Citizens poured from their homes, panicked and confused.

“Do not let her into your city!”

“Don't let anyone out!”

Mido squinted through the dirty window, catching Asmar's symbol on their saddles. His heart leapt into his throat and he held his breath.

“What is the meaning of this?” Four In'audisian soldiers approached.

“The king demands an explanation.”

An Asmarian approached, his face twisted in anger.

“Tell his highness that there is a witch loose. Librona has been harboring a witch for some time and she murdered our king.”

“Librona?”

“Weren't they in a war?”

The man nodded. “With us.”

“There's a witch?”

“Where did she go?”

“We tracked her through the woods beyond Librona. She could be right here in your kingdom.”

“Send word to King Gerard right away.”

“Lock the gates. Don't let anyone in or out.”

Mido backed away from the window. “Fuck,” he mumbled.

“Mido?” Calliope peered at him through the darkness. The moonlight caught her golden eyes as they flashed at Mido. “Are you okay?”

Mido met her gaze but didn't dare move, as if his movement would catch the attention of the people below. Calliope looked to the window, hearing the voices outside.

“Mido, what's going on?”

Mido’s heart raced, but he forced his voice to stay even. “We need to get out of here.”

Calliope's heart stopped. “What happened?”

Mido pulled her to her feet. “Five men from Asmar are here. Who knows how many more are in the kingdom.”

“Asmar?” Her heart jumped into her throat. “No,” she said, feeling faint. “No. What about Librona? Why didn't they stop them?”

“There's no time, Calli, we need to go now while we still can.”

“What are you talking about?”

“They're closing the gates. Won't let anyone in or out.”

They looked out the window, watching and waiting for Asmar's men to leave the city. When the coast was clear, they hurried out of the inn, checking their surroundings quickly before hurrying to the stables. They kept to the shadows and opened the barn doors quietly. Lily nickered as they entered. Mido saddled his horse hurriedly and pushed Calliope onto her back, the saddle slipping a little beneath her. He tightened the cinch quickly one last time before mounting behind her and kicking Lily onward and through the city.

Lily's hooves sounded like thunder through the sleeping city as they galloped towards the gate. Four guards stood at their posts as instructed by the closed gates. Mido's mind raced as they approached. Two of the guards stepped forward, signaling for him to stop. He continued to urge Lily forward.

“Do something,” he muttered to Calliope.

“Do what?”

“We're not stopping!”

Calliope watched in horror as they approached the soldiers at remarkable speed. She muttered under her breath and the gate flew backwards with surprising force, an exit for their escape. The two guards stood their ground until the horse got too close. They jumped out of the way of the stampeding horse as they bolted through the gates and away from the city.

“Stop them!” one of the guards yelled.

Calliope turned to see In'audis's mounted soldiers galloping out of the city in pursuit.

“They're coming, Mido,” she said, panicked.

“Well, do something!”

“No, Mido, I can't.”

“God dammit, Calli, don't bail on me now!”

Calliope bit her lip and turned back towards the soldiers. She squeezed her eyes shut, swung her leg over Lily's rump, and launched herself into the air, landing swiftly on her feet. She lifted her head and her eyes began to glow. She shot an arm in the air and the ground shot up, blocking the path of the horses.

Mido pulled Lily around and watched as Calliope went to work. She threw her arms towards the ground and it began to tremble beneath them. The ground opened up a chasm before them, growing wider and wider. Calliope stumbled backwards and ran back towards Mido. Mido pulled her up onto the horse and kicked Lily forward once more. They galloped away from the trembling earth until the city was out of sight. They galloped without stopping through the night and well into the morning when they reached the treeline of a forest. Mido eased the panting horse into a walk and patted the mare's neck.

“We're not safe here,” Mido said. “The entire kingdom will be looking for us now.”

“Shit. How did this happen?”

Mido shook his head, feeling defeated. “I don't know.”

“Where are we going to go?”

Mido sighed. “I don't know.”

“We can't do this without a plan!”

“The plan is to run, Calli. To run and to not get caught. Don't you see that now?”

Calliope felt that all too familiar lump form in her throat. She had hoped there was some way to fix things, but she was clearly wrong.

“I can't do this, Mido,” she sobbed. She slid off Lily's back and stumbled on the ground. Mido hopped down and turned her to face him. He moved a lock of hair out of her wet face and met he gaze.

“We can do this. I'm here with you. It will be okay.”

Calliope shook her head. “No, it won't be. It's not. Librona is gone and it's my fault.”

“We don't know that,” Mido hissed. “Don't say that.”

Her knees felt weak. “Asmar won't give up until I'm dead.”

“They will be stopped.”

“They won't be. Not unless they are destroyed.”

“Librona will do it.”

“Librona is fucked!” Her eyes seemed to glow again.

“Calliope, calm down.”

“King Sloan and Prince Lucas. Fallon and Tianna. William. Ian. Maria. Gone. Gone. They're all gone!”

“Stop it.”

“You stop, Mido! Stop kidding yourself. They're all dead. Dead!”

Mido let her go and let his arms fall to his side. “Calliope.” His voice was hoarse.

Calliope immediately regretted her outburst. Mido had been so strong and positive for her, but now she could see how much he truly suffered.

“I'm so sorry, Mido,” she whispered, the words barely making it out of her tight throat. “I'm sorry.”

Mido shook his head. “We need to go,” he said, turning away. He mounted Lily and waited for Calliope. Calliope didn't move. She watched him with sad eyes. He peered at her. “Come on.”

“They don't want you, Mido,” she said softly. “They want me. They'll kill us both.”

“I won't let them touch you.”

“I won't let you die for me, Mido.”

“You know I will.”

“And where does that leave me? Alone. I'll probably die anyway. I'd die without you.”

“So we'll die together.”

“Stop this.”

“Calliope, let's go.”

“No. I'm done. I'm not doing this. I'm not letting anyone else die because of me. This has gone on for too long.”

“Calliope, let's not do this now.”

“Mido, I'm done. You will not run for me. You will not risk your life. I won't let you. I can't. I can't do this.”

“Calliope, please.”

“I'm sorry, Mido,” she said quietly.

Mido met her gaze. She closed her eyes. A blinding light caused Lily to rear. Mido threw his arm over his eyes and clung to Lily's neck. When the light subsided, Mido looked around, but Calliope was gone.