"This is what I want you to do," Nela explained, "Reach out, focus on the tingling feeling of the energy in the air, and try to pull that feeling inside of you. Then, after a moment, say the word I did."

  They were waiting just outside Faehaven as Ronny and Hamond did one final check to make sure they hadn't left anything behind. Nela figured she could use the moment to start teaching Jylania the basics of spellcasting, starting with the simple light spell. The actual healing spells, and when to use them, could come later.

  That later actually was a little worrying to Nela. She'd taken it for granted then, but being taught by Morgivel had her working with all kinds of people with all kinds of illnesses and injuries. Out on the road, moving from town to town, there was no guarantee Jylania would be able to benefit from the same experience.

  Shit, maybe she really was too young for an apprentice.

  "It's not working," Jylania said. The girl was staring at her hands with a scowl.

  "That's fine," Nela said, "It took me a few days to be able to make anything happen. Practice it whenever we take a break on our journey. You should get the feel of it soon enough."

  As she had told Jylania before, it was indeed too late to go back on their decisions. Nela supposed she'd have to figure it out later. It would be months before it might become a problem, so she had the time to think it through. For now, she would teach Jylania what she could, and try to keep her safe.

  "What's taking them so long?" Edeline stepped away from the tree she'd been leaning on. "It should've only been a few seconds to see we have everything."

  "Think someone stopped them to ask something?" It was the only thing Nela could think of. She didn't think anyone from Faehaven had any business left with them, but she could've forgotten something.

  "I am also curious as to why they are not ready." Ugotlas shimmered into view, as Jylania gasped.

  "Am I going to have to go look for them?" Nela wondered out loud. She shifted uneasily on her feet, not sure what they should do. Ronny had been the one pushing for them to leave as soon as possible, even though there shouldn't be any problem in waiting until afternoon. None of those aldermen Anthyla had mentioned would be coming out to Faehaven anyway.

  It was a relief to Nela, when moments later, Ronny emerged from Faehaven, Hamond following behind. "Sorry for the wait," he said, "We got caught up in a discussion about our plans."

  "You know, we weren't the only ones waiting on you two to get out of that house," Nela reminded him.

  "Sorry," Hamond said, "So, are you ready?"

  "We have been ready," Edeline grumbled.

  "Then we should go." Ronny looked back towards Faehaven. Nela followed his gaze back to the buildings, where she could hear the sounds of people going about their day. The sun shone down on the place peacefully. Hard to believe that a few days ago, it was under threat of being destroyed.

  Turning away, Nela silently bid a goodbye to Faehaven.

  "Regarding those plans," Ronny spoke up as they walked on, looking over at Edeline. "I have a question. A request, really."

  "What is it?" Edeline asked.

  "I know you're determined to find out just what happened to the Elemental Hex, and help free them from whatever spell bound them there. But I'm Elefae now, and after what happened here, I have a goal of my own. There are likely more places like Faehaven, where the Elefae are under attack, either directly or indirectly. If we come across them, I want to offer my aid. Our aid."

  "You're asking for me to help as well," Edeline answered, "And you know I would. Like you once reminded me, I am still your sister despite it all. Besides..." She trailed off for a moment, raising her hand once again to touch her ear. "Even if the Stormsage granted me these spells to ensure I could free her and her fellows, she was still an Elefae. I believe she would have also wanted me to do this much, anywhere it is possible."

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  "Thank you," Ronny said.

  "Don't I get a say in this?" Nela's outrage was mostly faked, although she wished Ronny had talked it over with her in advance.

  "I figured you'd be the first to ask the next time there were elves in trouble," Ronny said with a smile, "So I asked in advance."

  It was hard to argue against that.

  "Onward to Lasfont," Edeline declared, pointing ahead to the north. "We've got five more of the Hex to find."

  "A bold assumption," Ugotlas noted, "One I must tell you is, in all likelihood, incorrect."

  "Are you saying there's more?" Edeline asked. Nela was going to be irritated if this ended up with them spending a hexty years or such just searching every single one down.

  "The opposite." Ugotlas's tail began to spin in the air. "But perhaps I am getting ahead of myself. During the fighting yesterday, I was attempting to analyze some of the spells being cast. I had misjudged the speed and skill of that woman's spells however, which left me unable to contribute to the battle. I will not make such an error again."

  That almost sounded like an apology to Nela, although not much of one. "You had a single sword chasing you," she pointed out.

  "Criticize me if you wish. It was my error." Ugotlas closed his eyes, slowing his pace for a second. "But I was able to determine an important detail, one I find myself suspecting you were not aware of."

  "How was studying the Witch of Wrath's spells going to help with the Elemental Hex?" Hamond frowned at Ugotlas.

  "I was not analyzing her spells," Ugotlas stated, looking directly at Hamond, "I was analyzing yours."

  Hamond came to a complete halt, staring back at the cat. The rest of them had to stop in turn. "What?" was all he managed.

  "Different spells draw on the heka in different ways. To one who is trained, taking the time to study them will reveal the nature and origin of those spells." Ugotlas's tail made one final spin, and then came to actually point in Hamond's direction. "One of your spells bears a certain similarity to your companion's spells. The ones that came from Stormsage."

  Nela wasn't a fool, and could see where this talk was going. The Spellking had been Hamond's teacher, something he'd made clear to them shortly after they met. If he had learned that spell from the Spellking, then...

  "Which spell was it?" Hamond was frozen, shock on his face.

  "It was the spell that manipulated the wind to knock the targets over."

  "The Zephyr." Going by her face, Edeline had already arrived at the same conclusion Nela had. "He found one of them."

  "I will ask the same question the Witch of Wrath did. Who was it that taught you?" Ugotlas smiled, cold and unnatural. Nela really didn't like when he did that.

  There was a bigger worry than a sphinx's facial expressions looking strange. Turning to Jylania, Nela could see the girl looking completely confused. There hadn't be a moment to speak about Hamond's past. Well, no, she could have brought them up instead of teaching Jylania that spell. It was just...Nela didn't know how she could've known the matter would come up so soon.

  Time to fix that then. "You know we were talking about how traveling with us might be dangerous?" Nela said in a low voice, stepping closer to Jylania. "You're about to find out why."

  Hamond sighed, shoulders slumped in resignation. "The Spellking," he said.

  Jylania's eyes widened, but she remained silent. With her strong sense of curiosity, Nela knew the questions would come later. She just hoped Jylania could understand Hamond was nothing like his instructor. She'd mistrusted Hamond a bit before, but he'd proved he was sincere about rejecting the Spellking.

  Shit, at some point she'd have to explain Edeline's parentage as well. That would be a headache, having to lay out just what had happened to the old royal family, or Ronny and Edeline's. Nela had to admit no one ever said taking an apprentice would be easy, but couldn't it at least wait a month before the hard part started?

  One thing was certain: there was no chance Centurla would've let them travel together with Jylania, had the woman known the truth.

  "Interesting," Ugotlas said, "Perhaps you would be willing to share your knowledge of the Spellking. The possibility of him winning control of your kingdom cannot be ignored."

  "No," Hamond stated flatly.

  "Is there a reason for your refusal?" Ugotlas sat back on his hind legs, the smile fading.

  "We can discuss this later." Ronny raised his voice slightly, a sign he wasn't at all happy to deal with this shit now. "But we need to keep moving."

  Shut up and push through, in other words. "No arguments here," Nela said, gesturing to Jylania. The same time that Jylania had to start learning magic was time they could use to plan out what came next, whatever that may be.

  "Very well then." Ugotlas said, voice calm. He began to quickly walk ahead, putting distance between him the rest of the group.

  Edeline walked over and took Hamond's hand, clearly trying to reassure him. He didn't seem that reassured, with a look of worry as he met Edeline's gaze. Thankfully there would be time for that too. Time for so many things, both good and bad, so long as they were willing to fight for it.

  "Fighting for the future," Nela voiced her thoughts out loud. This was nothing like what she had wanted when she left Hallowscroft originally. Neither was it what she'd wanted on her return alongside Ronny. But looking back at what they'd done, and what they could do...it felt right. It felt good.

  Maybe it was that feeling that was worth fighting for.

  The Chimeric Maiden - will begin. Here...there be monsters.