The First Syldine

15 - Comrades

“She’ll wake up soon.” I heard Aellah’s faint voice.

Pain, I can feel it all over my body, but the sensation around my Undine’s mark has soothed.

But that dream, it felt real. The voice of Erutainees, the one who talked to me, the thoughts are messing up my head, and the fear I had facing that one with a black robe.

“Naia!” Prince Rage called me.

I saw myself sitting on my bed, barely and hardly breathing, with sweats running from my forehead down to my cheeks, my hands are trembling.

“Water, water!” he shouted and Mati came flying in with a glass of water.

Aellah aided me in drinking and it seemed like I wasn’t able to quench my thirst for years.

“You should lay down again and rest.” Aellah said as she helped me to do so.

“What happened?” I asked with a broken voice.

The feeling of being even weaker, it is lingering on me. The curse, it is the only reason I could think of, if I am not poisoned by anyone, it is the only possible way of pulling me into this agony.

“You passed out, as we were heading back Erutainee. You’re sleeping for almost 3 days.” Prince Rage said and I laughed bitterly.

That must be it. Slowly my mana is fading, and my physical body will turn into a stone before being fine ashes that will be carried by the wind.

“What happened to you? Did you get hurt by going in the abandoned house of the Airylisias’?” he asked and I shook my head.

“Don’t worry, I just need some rest and I will be fine in no time.” I answered.

“I’ll call Prince Zephyr.” Aellah said and dragged Mati on her way out.

“Zephyr’s trying to get information about the recent attacks in some cities, cause by Draksias.” Prince Rage said.

“Draksias?” I asked.

“That’s what we call those fairies who sold themselves to the Shades’ darkness in exchange of great power.” he answered.

It makes sense, term coming from the Pandaren of Shades, Drakilus.

“Do you think they are connected with those people I have encountered?” I asked again.

“Maybe, or maybe not. We are working secretly with our friends, including those two who crashed in the middle of training.” his response made me confuse.

“Nepturime and Cerine are Cheiums, great friends of mine. Vestile will be joining too today. But we are doing things under the table, even the Headmasters are not aware of what we are doing.” I am taking oo long to process everything but I just nodded at him.

“I am not seeing my Father unless I can take you with me.” he moved closed to me and held my hand.

His warmth, I can say that it is the best. For unknown reason, it is familiar yet unfamiliar to me.

I told him to continue giving me the updates, three days are long enough for me to miss a lot of happenings. I am worried about my mother too.

“We still don’t have any lead to whom the group you spotted with Wynmisia is after too. But we are doing everything to locate them.” he said.

“Are you getting enough sleep though? Are you eating on time?” changing the topic, he might have been pushing himself too hard on this.

He avoided my gaze and lightly messed his light red hair.

I glared at him.

“Seriously? If you are going to look after other people, take care of yourself first.” I was almost shouting when he laughed like a kid.

“Not funny your highness.” I mumbled and turned my back on him.

I kind of sounded like his mother or older sister.

“Alright, I was just to worry about you these past few days. I’ve been staying here waiting for you to wake up. Maybe try to recover faster so you can attend to me in return?” his voice sounded teasingly that it made my cheeks felt hot.

“O—okay I owe you one. Now eat, will you?” I said to him and I heard him starting to munch on some food.

I’m lucky enough to be under his protection, but I am having this weird feeling that I might only cause him misfortune in the future, which makes me sad and scared at the same time.

Aellah went back with Prince Zephyr, together with Prince Mason, Prince Aquon and three more ladies with purple robes.

“Hi!” the one with red curly hair greeted me.

I tried to sit up and give them the proper greeting knowing they are Cheiums but Zephyr told me not to.

“It’s fine. I’m glad you’re alright now.” he said to me with a sweet smile.

“Naia, these are Mason, Aquon, Nepturime, Cerine and Vestile.” Prince Rage introduced the Cheums as Mati is flying over their heads, to make me remember not only their names but their faces too.

Prince Mason has his body built like of massive, sturdy rocks. He must have been spending time in forming and shaping his muscles. On the contrary Prince Aquon has a slim physique, quite smaller than Prince Mason, but their height difference isn’t really that big. He looks timid, especially with his eyeglasses. The first princess is an Undine, with her hair falling straight like a silk made of dark blue color, her body proportion must have surely caught attractions from men. Now I wonder what her Undine tail looks like. The second is Princess Cerine, with her honey colored hair that lengths down to her shoulders. She’s carrying a book and has this shy aura. Lastly, Princess Vestile, she’s looking fiery like Prince Rage, a little smaller than the two princess but I bet she can take a head on with a man.

I pulled myself to sit again and smiled at them.

“Naia Lysse, your highnesses.” I greeted them.

“Drop the formalities silly you. When Rage told us about you, we came to like you already. It’s such a bummer to finally meet you but in this situation, and Ventire isn’t here in the Academy yet.” Princess Vestile said.

“Call us by our names. It is really hard to tame Rage, and for someone to actually do it, especially a total stranger, we commend your patience.” a giggling Princess Nepturime said and they all laughed together, except for Prince Rage who’s looking like an apnana because of redness.

“They already know the situation, except for Ventire. I’ve heard that Aersho has the most count of attacks from the rumored Draksias. One reason why she can’t leave the palace right now.” Zephyr said and my heart raised.

I need to see Mother.

“We will visit Aersho as soon as you are fully healed.” Aellah said to me and gave me a reassuring smile.

“Speaking of, I brought medicines from Hydreid. This might help you out Naia.” Princess Neptumire said and handed a bag full of bottles and canisters.

“Thank you you highness.” I said and she pouted.

“It will take a while for her to call you with address.” Zephyr commented.

I bowed my head.

I am not used to this, with the number of people around me, it is overwhelming I only had Mother at first, then Aellah, Prince Rage and Zephyr, Mati, and now more people that could be my comrades.

Never knew leaving our tree top can be this wonderful, well aside from Pele and he group’s existence.

“Now, I’ve got to go, I need to kick Pele’s ass.” Princess Vestile said.

“Would you?” Princess Cerine asked.

“Why not?” Prince Mason asked too.

“She used to fear her older sister.” Prince Rage answered.

“What?!” Aellah and I both exclaimed in shock.

“Oh, I should have introduced myself properly. I am Princess Vestile Alva, second in line of the Alvas. And in behalf of my older sister, her wrong doings. I am truly sorry Naia.” She said before heading out.

“How long has it been? 2 years?” Prince Aquon asked.

“A lot happened within the time of our separation I suppose. But isn’t it amazing? She grew well, and luckily her attitude and view towards Stoiches are different from her older sister’s.” Prince Rage said.

“If she became like her, I’ll be the one to knock the hell out of her first.” Princess Nepturime said.

There’s a heavy silence going on, as I try to recall and connect everything. So Prince Rage spent his childhood with these Cheiums, and they parted ways two years ago? Having their reunion right here, right now.

“What’s the plan?” Zephyr broke the ice inside our dorm room.

“I am highly suspicious of Pele’s group. I will let Vestile handle them.” Prince Rage answered.

“After Naia’s recovery, we will head to Ignisen to meet my father, go back by detouring to Aersho first and check on her Mother and make it in the Academy again before the annual games.” he added.

“What can we do to help?” Prince Mason asked.

“Aellah and Mati will be our surveillance outside Erutainee, keep an eye on Euphorium Forest. Aquon and Nepturime will gather information from Undines, Mason and Cerine from the Gnomes, Zephyr and Ventire from the Sylph, Vestile from Salamanders. If the Draksias will not show up in Erutainee, if things are staying cool in here, I would like two of three from you to sneak inside the library, to the secret room of it and find any book related to Aether, Reathe, Wisps or Shades. The remaining ones here will guard the academy. If anything happens, if the situation will go out of your hands, ask for the Headmasters’ help.” Prince Rage continued.

“We all know what the Great War brought to us, bloodshed before peace. And now that I can sense the Draksias threatening what we have built for years, all that have been sacrificed must not go in vain.” he said.