"I swear they attacked from behind the walls too. One minute the Dux was yelling out his orders, the next we found a small swarm of these things bursting out of the main keep. Mishappen awful creatures that had no other way of having ended up there besides from being summoned from within. Tore the Dux limb from limb, then the vicious bastards fell upon us, allowing those outside to break through. I got lucky, some idiot set off the armory, the explosion sent me flying off the wall. Morea's tits, you bet I fucking ran after that."

- Investigation On Incidents Across The Korathi Frontier, Excerpt From Testimony Of Traxian Legionnaire, "Fall Of Border Fortress Ardit"

Sophie lay in her bed and stared up at the ceiling, pondering the day's events. Unlike Pyra's almost indecipherable thoughts, Tribune Lyran was about as direct as an undead yet living warrior could be. He explained the task in its simplest form; head up to the northern mountains, which Sophie presumed were the Frostwinds. Find a ruined mountaintop monastery, then gain access to what sounded like a lair that was guarded by another of the black knights, or 'unbroken' as he had called them. From there, the knight would somehow recognize her and guide her to her objective, though even Sir Lyran was playing coy and never directly stated what it was that she needed to recover.

Perhaps the only good news and equally terrifying directive had been to "Get it done within the next few years." A statement that had been given so casually that Sophie thought she had misheard it at first. It was a fairly generous timetable, one that certainly left more than enough room to spare for an almost continental journey to the western shores and up the mountains back to the eastern delta of Gratia. It horrified her though, that this was a request to retrieve something of utmost impotence and dear to the mad princess. Yet that the timeframe was so long and vague that she shuddered to think of how Pyra and her retinue truly saw the world. No doubt, it leant more credence to hail from a long forgotten land. After all, what was another decade to ones who have lived for centuries. Kind of like the elves, huh.

She reached up and stroked her ears, finding a new sense of strangeness emerging from herself. She was a half blood, that much was obvious. Yet according to Pyra, it was because of her, specifically her, that some tragedy or another had befallen her people. But I'm just me, Sophie, the weird little void child.

She turned over to look at those by her side. She had informed the others when they all met back up at La Souris Royale. Though how they received the information had been relatively muted compared to what she had expected. Perhaps they had mostly predicted such things, or had plans of their own. She even got a glimpse of a rat scurrying by when Mila and Philippe left for a side room to presumably yell at each other for the inquisitor's momentary indecision back when dealing with Pyra. Even Marduk appeared less than satisfied, the orc's stoic expression occasionally descending into one resembling a scowl.

Elaria took the new information and request in stride, Raylani continuing to follow whatever her mistress dictated, much to the bard's amusement and chagrin. Lucinia was the more interesting factor, the knowledge that Sophie was somehow a half blood that was even older than expected seemed to bother her quite a bit. More than once or twice she had caught the princess staring intently at her, as if trying to dissect her with her eyes.

By the time they all dispersed for the night, Sophie was left feeling guilty. It felt like she had heaped a load of responsibility upon everyone, getting them involved in something far more arduous than they had expected. This whole damned visit has been more difficult than expected, she grumbled.

Sisters, undead, demons, wars, now the Frostwinds again. Hah. She burrowed herself into her blanket and sighed. Goddess above, I just hope Ary and the others are having a better time than we are. At least the war hasn't started off yet. We should be able to make it back in time.

The one pressing problem was making it the port of Mare's Berth. Angering the chevaliers of the Kingdom had allowed them to cross the border with some limited confrontation. Going back was another matter entirely. Captain Hentri Fontaine and the Gratian Duke Louis now stood in their way. Barring another exit point, they would leave around the same general area and thus have to traverse a similar route that they took to arrive from the port. Territory that was now distinctly hostile to her.

Exhausted, she rolled over to lay on her side. Her eyes widened in momentary alarm as she met an equally alarmed Traxian who was staring back at her with nowhere else to turn.

"Hells, Lucinia." Sophie quietly hissed.

"Hells to yourself." The former princess swore.

"Stars above, I was just turning in my sleep. You're the one staring at me." Sophie shot back.

"Staring at… bah, that's crazy. I was just… looking around."

"Right, right. Looking at the back of my head." Sophie teased.

Lucinia fumed a little bit more, but the two were slowly calming back down. Alarm turned to curiosity and suspicion. The two maintaining a quiet peace as they each contemplated the current situation in their own ways. Sophie could almost see the little cogs turning in the princess's mind, how she was holding back her questions and comments, unlike a certain other princess she had the displeasure of meeting.

Too exhausted to properly resist, but too awake to simply go to sleep, she opened the floor to the former princess.

"Don't need to hide anything, Lucinia. If you're curious, just ask." Sophie whispered.

She couldn't quite make out the Traxian's expression, but she suspected that the girl was pouting in one way or another. Still, the phase did not last long. Lucinia let out what she tried to make sound like a tired sigh before she tried to adopt a more serious expression.

"Gah, if you insist. I suppose there are a few things I do want to know." Lucinia admitted.

Sophie would've snorted if not for the fact that the others were currently sleeping.

With control handed over to her, the former princess wasted no time in interrogating Sophie.

"Do you trust her?" Lucinia asked.

Sophie gently shook her head, "No, but also yes."

"Hmm?"

"She's definitely mad and we can't take everything she says as truth. Goddess knows I have a hard enough time trying to understand her, and that's before she randomly has her guards fight me." Sophie grumbled, "But it's like… there's something she's after, and in that, she seems… determined enough. And in this matter, I think she means it."

"Okay. Assuming that's the case, what's stopping her from sending one of her own people? Or even a mercenary or two like the other team that was with us."

"You mean Arnold and Runebound? But most of them were Anna's former companions, in a way… vetted…" Sophie muttered. She still found the fact that they were all up and alive a most unsettling proposition. And with how casually Pyra had dismissed them and seemingly held no direct control over them afterwards. She wondered how easy it would be for a necromancer or someone with that capability to have their servants blend into a crowd.

In theory and in practice, they seemed mostly undetectable, if Runebound's activities throughout Arteria were any indicator.

"I suppose, but still, controlling one's proxy must certainly be easier than relying on an unknown variable like yourself. You saw them. They were about as effective as they needed to be. Minus the fact that they had apparently died before. Though I wouldn't know that if you guys didn't tell me."

"Mmm." Sophie weakly affirmed. She felt a little uneasy and was lost in thought. The question of the undead impervious to detection magic still bothered her somehow.

"I mean it. There are far more reliable ways for her to get things done than relying on you. Which, if you don't think she's out to lead you into a trap or anything, means that she likely has a whole different reason for dispatching you instead of one of her trusted warriors." Lucinia mused.

"Maybe that's the case." Sophie sighed, unable to come up with anything about the undead, she forcefully dragged her focus back to their current conversation, "So what are you suggesting she actually wants? Why us, then?"

Lucinia stared at her incredulously for a moment. Until the girl was certain Sophie was not setting her up did she deign to reply.

Stolen story; please report.

"Stars above Sophie, at least pretend to pay attention. You're her supposed sister. Hells, a long lost ancient half elf thing if everyone's version of your origins are to be believed." Lucinia paused and sat up, examining Sophie intently before letting her expression devolve into a sneer, "Maybe even part Myndir."

"Would that be so bad?" Sophie asked. In truth, she had already wondered if she was Myndir before. Though she never gave the thought too much space to gestate.

"That remains to be seen." Lucinia huffed, the princess then frowned, and her eyes widened in shock.

"Lucinia?" Sophie queried, unable to keep quiet at the sudden shift in expression.

"Fucking hells." Lucinia swore and shot out of bed, absently wandering towards Sophie before gripping her shoulders with a vice-like grip.

"Lucinia?!" Sophie hissed.

"Of course." The girl's eyes shone with a new found sparkle, "Of course. You're her sister. But half blood from old ages."

"Right-"

"Myndiri blood. Thin, but maybe there. Sophie, holy hells, this is massive."

"What is-?"

Sophie didn't even get a chance to fully speak before Lucinia cut her off.

"It's your damned half blood. Uhh, umm, back when I was in court. Sometimes I'd get a chance to read a report or two. Some even concerning accursed Myndir technologies. Some of it, our researchers could use, others left an unknowable mystery. But what if, now I'm just hypothesizing here, Sophie. What if, this is just theorizing, what if it's related to your bloodline. Whatever it is that crazed Pyra of yours is after?" Lucinia began babbling.

"Lucinia. Wait a minute-"

"Now, I'll admit I'm not as well read as most of the others or maybe even some of you guys. But what I do know is that historical records document widespread use of blood magic rituals and other incantations that rely upon one's life force or… well that of others. Whatever the case, it reasons that some Myndir artifacts, ruins, or rituals require Myndir blood in particular to operate. Though there's no accounting for how diluted yours is or even if you're really alive and-umpf?!" Lucinia almost yelled when Sophie covered her mouth with her hand.

"Mmppf!?" Lucinia tried in vain to protest. The girl twisting and squirming under Sophie's sudden embrace.

"Lucy, hush." Sophie hissed, "Or you'll wake the whole damned inn."

Upon hearing this, the protesting lessened, a gentle nudge or two, but mostly petering out. Lucinia glared at her, yet remained calm enough. Sophie gradually relaxed her grip and let go, the Traxian taking a small gulp of air before flicking Sophie's nose.

"Oi." Sophie clicked her tongue.

"That's for trying to muzzle me." Lucinia growled, then promptly rapped her atop the head with her knuckles, "And that's for being so rude."

"Alright, alright." Sophie held up her hands in surrender, "But you were getting a little too into your speech."

"Was not." Lucinia almost immediately retorted.

"Enough that you were getting louder." Sophie chuckled softly.

"Ugh, you buffoon. That's not the point. The point-"

"Is that you're making a lot of sense? But it sounds like something we should talk about with everyone. Tomorrow or back at the Academy. Because…" Sophie tutted disapprovingly at herself, "There's a lot of questions that I still need answered too. Hells, coming here was supposed to help solve some, not just give me more." She mumbled.

"Hah. At least you still have some rational thoughts in that skull of yours."

"Someone's growing rather crass and casual."

"Honestly, you're insufferable sometimes." The former princess pouted, her arms jokingly crossed, "And whose fault is that anyways?"

In a swift motion, the Traxian lets her back fall back upon her bed, the wood creaking underneath from the sudden shifting of weight. She shot Sophie one last judgemental glance before tucking herself back under her blanket, leaving the half elf standing awkwardly.

"What are you staring at?" Lucinia growled, no trace of malice, just a hint of annoyance, "You're the one who said to continue this discussion on the morrow. So? Go to bed." She commanded.

Sophie was thankful that Lucinia had turned away, unable to see her own exaggerated eye-roll. You're the one who was staring into the back of my head as I slept. Hypocrite. She almost chuckled. But the assessment was still sound and only left more doubts and ideas lingering within Sophie's mind.

She crawled back into her own bed, the still warm little dug out offering a small modicum of comfort. Laying back down onto her pillow, she stared at her empty hands, grasping at the air absently as she repeated the motion a few times. My blood huh? I wonder… Do I really have Myndiri blood? And, ah! Dammit. Then what the hells is the other half? What even is Pyra and the others?

Her fingers curled up to form a fist, a slight irritation crawling about under her skin. Goddess, why me? If what Pyra says is true, why did I make it here? Gah. She grasped at her hair and scratched at her scalp. Her world was changing too far, too fast. She could barely keep up on the best of days and the pace didn't seem to be slowing down. Worst of all, if the talks of a Dark Tide were true, she suspected that there was little hope for a peaceful existence spent simply with her friends and Ary.

Frustrated, she did the only thing that she could control in this moment. With the world slowly devolving into chaos around here, she closed her eyes and tried to sleep. A moment's respite against the maelstrom of change that was sure to follow.

There was a strange silence that lingered over Monte Del Trisse as they left. None of them knew if it was because of them, or if the princess had made some pronouncement or another in the time they were sleeping. Whatever the case, Sophie only hoped that this wasn't the sign of the civil war resuming once more.

Lucinia at least, seemed fired up by her theories from last night. The girl had rather passionately and a little terrifyingly imprinted upon the rest of them the possibility of Sophie's blood being the key to many things. Even now, as their wagon rolled its way back towards the Death Wall, the former princess continued to ramble on about the possibilities of Myndir blood being used in the future.

The others gave the theory some thought, though none of them really moved to prove or disprove such claims. Instead, Sophie noticed how Elaria kept glancing over at her, using her as a gauge for how to assess the former princess's theory. Only when Sophie would provide an indifferent shrug or nod of approval did the group consensus move forwards, much to Lucinia's chagrin.

"I'm serious." She insisted, "Sophie being part elf and that elven part being Myndir might explain a lot more than you lot think!"

"And we believe you. But how would that information help us? Don't get me wrong, Lucinia. It's just that it doesn't change anything that is happening or would happen, would it?" Elaria queried.

"Of course it does!" Lucinia exclaimed emphatically, her hands visibly shaking from either the revelation she stumbled upon or the wagon's movements, "It means she-ack!" Lucinia squawked as a bump in the road made her jerk backwards.

Sophie quickly moved to support the girl, propping her up and keeping her from falling over. Appreciative but a little embarrassed, Lucinia muttered a quick thanks before adjusting her position to be more secure.

"You okay?" Sophie asked.

"Yes, yes. Where was I?" Lucinia frowned before lighting up once more, "Right. Sophie's blood matters because if she could be used to operate Myndiri artifacts, then it would explain why you're well, here, on Cyndralia."

Sophie just frowned, uncertain of the conclusion, but curious enough to continue listening.

"You're what? A half blooded elf void baby thing?" Lucinia incredulously stated, "What if the reason you're here now is because there's some ancient mechanism that only Myndiri can use? And since most are dead or their bloodlines thinned or bred out of them, that leaves less than a handful of elves who could still confidently claim Arneathian heritage, even less if they don't want to be hunted down even now. That leaves you, oddball Sophie Kasti-something. Someone with 'pure' enough blood to interact with their artifacts, something you've already done before."

Sophie looked uncomfortably towards Elaria. Her sister was almost completely lost in thought for once. Neither of them could actively prove or disprove the former princess's theory. Least of all Sophie if only for the simple fact that it wasn't something she ever paid attention too. Perhaps the only thing that she could definitively use against Lucinia's theory of her blood's importance was that she was almost certainly void touched and changed by the Master of the Void. Whatever it did to her, she assumed it would supersede anything else within her natural biological self.

In any case, that was a problem for their future selves. For now, the main issue was getting past the Kingdom's guards once they were through the Death Wall. One that'd likely need all their minds put together now that Runebound wasn't around.

"Lady Lucinia, save your thoughts." Sophie spoke up.

"What? That's what-? How rude you indignant little-"

"No. No. I mean write it down, journal them. Your ideas about my bloodline… they might have some merit. But that'll be a discussion once we're back in the Academy with proper ways to research it. Especially with the Calnodels or Lady Miraevie, they might genuinely know a lot more about this. For now, we need to focus on just getting to Mare's Berth." Sophie cut her off.

Across from her, Elaria smugly grinned. The bard was a little too happy that she was taking charge. Though for now, it mattered little.

"But-" Lucinia didn't even have time to reply when Elaria chimed in.

"Sophie's right. It is an interesting line of thought, but one we should look into more when we have time. But it won't matter if the Gratians end up locking us all up, will it?" The bard chuckled.

"That's… gah, fair." Lucinia grumbled dejectedly, her shoulders sagging and leading to her sighing.

"Pft. Don't look so upset, here." Elaria pulled out a notebook and tore out a page, "I usually use this to jot down things that might make for good ballads or songs, but write down your thoughts, yeah? Once we get to Mare's Berth we can buy more paper for ya." Elaria cheekily drawled.

Lucinia muttered a few curses before dipping her head in acknowledgement.

The commotion settled, Sophie turned her attention down the road. They were getting closer to cresting a small hill and already, she could see the faint purplish glow in the distance. One last leg and we'll be back home. Goddess keep us safe.

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