Fragments of Dreams

Zach woke up from his arm being moved. The blinked his eyes open and rubbed them. "You're up," he yawned, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. He blinked at her. That was a lot of orders to give for someone who's just recovered. His brows furrowed. "You sure you should be moving around so soon," he asked. He looked at the Averman. "I wasn't asleep for five da-err... Lights." Might as well get used to saying the terms they used. "Was I?" He didn't feel like he'd been asleep for days. Maybe a couple hours longer than he usually slept, but definitely not that long. He glanced down at the necklace his mom had given him before he went to sleep. He picked up the pendant and studied it, thinking about his dream.
 
"You may go back to bed, my lord. Thank you, for feeding my soul and helping me heal." Edrea smiled genuinely, squeezing his hand lightly.

"It truly is remarkable, Majesties. The damage had been extensive. It appears... well, it is evident that the Princess may have found her soul mate. No matter how powerful a being is, no soul could recuperate as fast as the Princess did with the Prince by her side." The Princess thought about it.

"That means we could practically heal each other. Impressive. But, as much as I'd like to stay and chat, I must take care of some business." Edrea once again smiled at Zach before she bowed. "My lord, if you'll excuse me."
 
Zach squeezed her hand back. "I got the sleep I need. I'm just hungry now," he told her. He looked over at the old man as he spoke and blinked. Soul mate, huh? He wasn't exactly opposed to it, she was gorgeous and he liked hanging out with her. But that was moving a bit fast. He looked at Edrea and smiled sheepishly. "You don't have to bow to me. Go do whatever you have to do. I'm hungry and I need a shower." He thought about it and his brows furrowed. "I don't have any clothes..." Or money to buy clothes, for that matter. Well, shoot.

Miria, who was up and about by now, peeked her head in. "Oh, good. You're up. Princess, you're awake so soon," she asked in shock. She stepped in and studied them curiously. "Soul mates," she asked, guessing the reason as to why it only took one night for the Princess to heal, as opposed to the five Lights it was expected to take.

"That's what he said," Zach nodded towards the Averman. He stood up to stretch his legs and sighed, feeling remarkably good for all the excitement that went on yesterday. "Oh, is Molrim alright," he asked, remembering the big guy.

"He is recovering," Miria nodded. "A room has been set up for you for your use when the Princess has recovered. Clothes have already been put in there for you. The chambermaids will help you dress-"

"Wait, wha-" Zach did not feel comfortable with someone dressing him, let alone several girls.

"And will show you the way to the dining room when you are finished," Miria finished. "We all have busy schedules today, so we have to hurry."

"Well then let's go," Zach said, walking towards her.

"Bow to the Princess. We'll also be practicing etiquette today," she told him.

Zach blinked at his mom, but turned around and bowed. His mother told him to hold it as she fixed the placement of his hands. "Don't slouch," she ordered and he straightened his back. "This is a proper bow. Remember it. You'll be using it a lot today," she told her son. "Now, if you'll excuse us, Princess," she bowed to Edrea and opened the door. "Come on, Zach. We have a lot to do."

Zach stood and shot Edrea a smile before he followed his mom out the door, where she ridiculed his walking and posture and fixed them accordingly. This was gonna be a long day...
 
Edrea couldn't help but chuckle. It was simply too adorable. She, too, bowed to the Queen and the Prince as they left. She headed to her bath. After she was dressed, she looked at herself in the mirror. "Your Majesty, you look magical." Said the magic mirror. The Dreamweavers have created them and sent them to Prince and Princesses of the kingdom. "Thank you, mirror." Edrea said, running a hand on the fabric made of cloudsilk. "You also seem to be so energetic and vibrant!" Edrea smiled. It was the mirror's job to make the royals feel good about themselves. She quite missed her morning interactions with the mirror. She headed out. Maybe she'll join the Prince for breakfast.

She headed to the East Wing Solstice and on her way a large, white saber-tooth tiger came running towards her. "Sylvana!" She cried as she opened her arms to her Animus who was so much larger than her. "I missed you so much." The Animus licked her affectionately before allowing her to caress her under her ears. "I'm home now, my love. There's no need to worry. Let's go to the East Wing Solstice Chamber, I want you to meet the Prince!"
 
Zach looked highly uncomfortable as the chambermaids in his room had already drawn the bath. They looked happy to see him, and worried that he looked so uneasy. "Come, Prince, your bath is drawn," they bowed to him and let him pass. He undressed quickly and practically threw himself in the sudsy water to hide himself. They scrubbed him clean and put something in his hair to make it soft and shiny, like a Prince's hair should be. When he was clean and his face clean shaven, they helped him into his clothes. He then saw why he needed their help. There were many layers to what his mother had picked out for him to wear. Finally dressed with his hair fixed by the maids, he nodded his thanks and left the room.

Miria, having been waiting patiently in the hall, smiled and nodded in approval. "You look so much like your father," she smiled. "Let's go eat," she said and led him to the dining hall.

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Edrea was dressed in all white; her dress embellished in diamonds and crystals. Most of her back was bare, the dress cautiously only held together on her neck and waist by a few gems, letting the rest of it flow freely to the floor. The Princess looked like a walking dream. Especially because of the fact that she was accompanied by a large black and white tiger with huge fangs. The pressure of the war was forgotten for a brief moment of time as the Orian is relieved by the presence of the Princess and the homecoming of the Shadowlands' royal family. It seemed the dark shadows that surrounded the Orian has been lifted and they seemed to be able to breathe again.

Before they reached the dining hall, Edrea saw the Prince and the Queen. She smiled warmly at them and curtsied. It was very strange to see Zach dressed in a Prince's garments, having been used to seeing him in mortal clothing.

"You look dashing, my lord. And of course, you are ever the beauty of the Kingdoms, my lady. Welcome to the Orian." Once again she curtsied before motioning for the guards to open up the doors of the dining hall. They were welcomed in an elaborate feast that is quite normal for them. The Orian's beauty was clearly visible from the large, towering windows as the Sun's natural light filled the whole large room. Edrea had missed home.
 
Zach couldn't help but stare at Edrea as they came into view of her. She looked... Breathtaking. He literally had to remind himself to breathe. He smiled and bowed, putting his hands where his mother had said they belonged in such a bow.

"Thank you, Princess," Miria curtsied as well, smiling happily. She gently nudged her son towards the Princess with an amused grin.

Zach, a little flustered and embarrassed, offered her his arm to escort her to the table. "My lady. You look nothing short of amazing." He didn't even thing that word fit. Perfect was more like it. Walking perfection. He turned his gaze to the large tiger curiously. He almost felt as if he were dreaming. Giant tigers, other Planes, magic and Gods. It was a lot different than what he grew up knowing, that was for sure.
 
Edrea accepted his hand as they entered the dining hall. She noticed him curiously looking at Sylvana who was studying him just as well. "She is my Animus, a gift from my mother. She was the one who carried me from the land of the Gods." As she was taking a seat she noticed Molrim standing guard. "Molrim. You are well." Edrea said with a hint of fascination.

"Yes, My Princess. Thank you, for healing me." She simply smiled and sat at the end of the table, Sylvana sitting behind her making the view rather majestic. "Please," she motioned for the Queen and Zach to sit as well. She looked around, watching everyone around her. Finally, she was back in her own element. But then she looked at Zach, he must've felt as helpless as she did back in the Mortal Plane. She smiled kindly at him. How strange is it that he was her soul mate? Such a rarity.
 
Zach smiled at the Animus. "She's beautiful, I'm not gonna lie." He also noticed Molrim and smiled at him. He was glad he was alright. Zach sat in the chair to Edrea's right, after glancing at his mom to make sure it was alright; she'd nodded. He smiled back at her. He did feel helpless, but he was slowly getting used to all of it. However, the strange looking foods in front of him made him both curious and wary.

Miria sat across from her son. "Try everything," she hinted to her son with a smile. "I think you'll like all of it."

"You realize how many foods are on this table," Zach chuckled. "I don't know if I'm that hungry."

"We'll see," his mom smiled. Soon, their plates were full of food. The Queen raised her brow at her son's horrible posture and cleared her throat to hint to him that he should fix it. However, he was too fixated on the food to notice. He hadn't realized just how hungry he was.

"Zachary Denor," he heard and froze, looking at his mom. Uh oh. She'd used his middle name, which he just realized was his father's name. "This isn't a race and no one is going to take away your food. Slow down and sit up straight," she said with an exasperated look. He murmured an apology and fixed his posture before continuing to eat, though more slowly.
 
Edrea simply smiled, watching in fascination as Zach and his mother interacted. So, Zachary was it? She had taken a few bites of her food before Molrim approached her, whispering in her ear. "Your Majesty, there had been reports of the enemy's movements." Edrea simply nodded and Molrim went back to his stand. She wiped nonexistent crumbs from her mouth.

"Excuse me, my lady, my lord. There is urgent business I must attend to. Please, enjoy your meal. Also, Prince Zachary, your mentor is waiting for you at the Sunwell Garden. Please attend at your leisure." Molrim moved Edrea's chair back and she gave a small curtsy. She exited the dining hall with Sylvana right behind her.
 
Zach looked at Edrea curiously, and blinked at the mention that he had a mentor. He looked to his mom, who was looking at Molrim. He figured she was trying to find out what he'd said. He couldn't help but notice a little piece of him leaving with her. Was that due to them being soul mates? Or him sharing his soul with her? Or was it soul energy... Whatever it was, it was undeniable.

Miria looked at her son. "Finish your breakfast and I'll show you the way to the Sunwell Garden," she instructed and continued eating. The Prince nodded and did as he was told, wiping his mouth and finishing with a glass of water. The Queen stood and looked out of the window behind her before she showed Zach the way.

"You think they'll let me cook," Zach asked. He found cooking enjoyable and wanted to learn how to cook all these different foods he'd just tried. His mom chuckled. "Maybe. Though we are guests in Orian. I'm sure they won't mind in Hellthorne."

"Hellthorne was the one you grew up in, right," Zach asked as they exited the doors that lead to the garden. "Yes, that's right," Miria smiled at him. Zach felt something similar to what he felt in the Mortal Plane, when the shadow had taken a hold of his lungs. He stopped walking, frowning as he clutched his chest as if he could stop it from squeezing.

Miria noticed he stopped walking and turned around. "Zach! What's wrong," she asked, looking him over. She couldn't see anything wrong with him.

"Something's in me," he said, frowning. "Something squeezed my lungs during that attack in the Mortal Plane." Miria frowned. He was in a barrier with the Princess, was she affected by this as well? Or had it laid dormant? Either way, it was not good.
 
Molrim bowed too, following Edrea. As they were walking to the West Wing Chambers, Edrea suddenly paused. She felt like something was filling up her lungs, drowning her. She gasped. And then it was gone. What was that? Molrim noticed this and immediately went over to Edrea's side. "Your Majesty, are you alright?"
Edrea shrugged it off. "Yes, yes. I just... felt something strange."

She continued walking to the Chambers and everyone stood up and bowed. She curtsied as well, allowing them to sit. There was only 3 High Guards meeting them today.

"Your Majesty, we're glad to know your mission at the Mortal Plane had been a success and that you are now well," said Farim, one of the Bazaleel. Edrea smiled and nodded, motioning for them to get down to business. "There has been detected Dawntreader activity in the Wildling Forests." Wildling Forests is right at the edge of the kingdom. "Send in reinforcements. Assign the Selenian High Guard Lonsi for the mission. Make sure they can't get any further in. What's the progress on trying to retake the Shadowlands?"

"The Hellthorne army had been able to infiltrate a small portion of the kingdom. We're waiting for permission to send in more men to surround them."

"Approved. Request to use the Hellthorne's Vulcans to usurp the area and dominate in aerial warfare. We have to ensure that they stay back. We will wage the war in their grounds. Their blood will not spill in Bethesda." Edrea looked at the High Guards, expecting them to report anymore to her. "Well? Have we any news of who leads their army?"

"Your Majesty," A High Guard from the Shadowlands spoke up, but it was as if he was unsure of himself. "We have a sighting of the said army leader but he wears a mask that encases his whole facade. We're afraid we have no specific identity of him. It is to our best knowledge that he stays in the heart of Shadowlands."

"Then I shall remove his mask with my bare hands." Edrea stood up. "This meeting is adjourned. Keep me updated for anymore news. Use the Griffins and some of our Vulcans to scout the area. The information about the Prince and the Queen must remain in the palace."
 
Zach frowned, rubbing his chest. "It's gone now.. That was weird..." He looked up at his mom. "I'm fine, don't look at me like that."

"I can't help it," she said, looking him over once more. She didn't sense anything, either. This worried her a lot. "I'm your mother and you're all I have left."

Zach sighed. "Well. Let's go see this mentor guy." Miria looked at him a little worriedly, but nodded and walked him into the garden. She liked the Orian gardens, they were all beautiful, and the view of the magnificent towers added to the wonder.

The Prince looked around, taking everything in. He'd been doing that a lot lately, and he had the feeling he'd be doing it a lot until he knew how to get around these places. "What is Hellthorne like, Mom? Is it like this?"

"Like Orian? In some ways, it is. In some ways, it isn't. I had a pet dragon growing up, as they are mostly found there. She was a small one, no bigger than a doberman," she smiled at him.

"You realize how big dobermans are, right," Zach asked her, looking at he with a raised brow.

"Oh, yes. I know. But dragons can be as big as small castles. Mine, her name was Kryssan, would walk with me up the sides of volcanoes and lava pits. It is much warmer in Hellthorne. You would think it looks dark, and it does compared to Orian. But I loved it there. Dry heat, the beats of dragon wings, the smell of fire and incense," she remembered with a smile. "When it's safe, we will go and visit," she smiled. "Maybe you'll get a dragon of your own."
 
"Sylvana, how do you feel about going for a bit of a run?" Edrea asked her Animus on their way out. She growled her agreement. It felt like forever since they have ever gone out hunting or doing anything. Perhaps Edrea would accompany the Hellthorne guardians in scouting the forest. "I'll be at the Sunwell," she caressed Sylvana before she was taken by one of the guards to be saddled.

"Molrim, who is the Prince's mentor?" Edrea asked as they walked towards the gardens, wanting to check on their honored guests.

"Tanril of the Hellthorne High Guards, My Princess. He is the best fire-wielder in all the lands of Hellthorne." She nodded her agreement.

"Wonderful. Have we gotten one yet for his Shadow ability?"

"Yes, Arthran have gladly offered his services."

"Excellent, excellent. Now, if only we could find this entity who dares disturb the peace of our Kingdoms."

The doors to the gardens automatically opened for Edrea. She took in the singing birds and the starflies as they flew around her. Flowers bloomed as she passed by, the leaves and branches seemingly coming alive at the presence of their Sun. Edrea smiled. Oh, how wonderful it feels to be home. She then spotted Queen Miria and Prince Zachary and walked towards them.

"My lady, my lord," she said, curtsying. Molrim bowed. "I hope everything is to your liking."

"Molrim, please inform High Guard Tanril that his student is ready."

She smiled once again at Zach. "How are you doing, my lord?"
 
Zach smiled. He'd like a companion, he never really had one growing up. He noticed Edrea coming towards them and smiled, bowing to her as his mother curtsied. "Just enjoying your garden," he smiled at her. She seemed even more radiant outside.

Miria glanced at Molrim. She needed to speak with him, as soon as Zach was occupied with his mentoring. "Your cape will get in the way," she told Zach and unclipped it from his shoulders for him.

"Mooom," Zach frowned. "I can get it myself," he complained, wishing she wouldn't dote on him so much.

Miria giggled mischievously. "You never let me have any fun," she pouted, teasing him.

Zach sighed, looking defeated. He chuckled, though. He was glad his mom's actions towards him hadn't changed at all. She was still his mom, and he could still be himself. Just more formal, which he'd get used to. "So who's teaching me? High Guard Tamril?"

"Tanril," his mother corrected idly, folding his cape over her arm.
 
One of the guards came to take the cape away from Queen Miria, bowing the whole he did so.

Edrea simply smiled. It was adorable, the way his mother treated him. A tinge of jealousy pricked at her heart, but she simply shook it off. She knew her mother loved her. And just as she thought of never experiencing how it was like to have parents, Sylvana came running at her, saddled and ready for action. Her laughter echoed around the gardens when Sylvana tried to lick her. "I suppose I will have to leave you to your lessons, my lord." She curtsied before jumping up to Sylvana who had lowered herself. She rode with both legs on one side, holding on Sylvana's reins. "I shall see you later," she gave a small bow to Prince and the Queen before running off, her hair and her dress flying against the wind, making her look like a warrior goddess.

Just then, Tanril arrived, bowing deeply. "My liege," he said as he presented himself to the Queen and the Prince. It is such an honor for him to be the one teaching their Prince.
 
"Thank you," Miria smiled at the guard who had taken the cape off of her hands.

Zach smiled at Edrea. "Have fun," he chuckled, bowing in return. He turned to Tanril and bowed to him as well.

Miria smiled at Tanril, curtsying to him. "We appreciate you taking the time to teach him, Tanril. If you will excuse me, I will return shortly," she smiled and went to find Molrim.

Zach watched his mom leave and turned his attention back to the High Guard. "Alright. What is first," he asked, ready to begin learning.
 
Tanril bowed deeply as Queen Miria left them. Then he looked at the young prince. Oh, what a spitting image of his father. "We will start with the basics, Your Majesty. As of your Hellthorne birth, it allows you to control fire. There are different kinds of fire you may control, but as we are only starting, we will start with the normal kind of fire which you may find to use in cooking or in burning down a haystack." He went closer to the young man, rolling up his sleeves. "Your fire will not burn you, or your garments, but it can if you can't control it. Cases of people being immolated in their own fire has happened. So we have to be careful not to do that," he smiled. Trying to comfort the young prince. He pointed at his veins, the ones on his elbow. "You will feel the heat of your fire from this point over here and feel it traveling to your fingertips." He showed the tiny fire dancing on his fingertips. "But every fire must come from here," pointing at his heart. "Because that's where true passion is. Fire consumes, My Prince. It does not destroy, it does not damage, it immolates."


Molrim turned back from the garden when he saw Tanril arrive. He'd have to go find the Prince's other teacher and ensure Princess Edrea's safety. He turned to the direction of the stables, hoping to get a Vulcan to use.
 
Zack nodded as a silent way to say he understood what he was being told. He concentrated on the heat in his chest and let it travel down his arm to his fingertips. He smiled as the flames danced, emanating from his own hand. He did the same with the other hand, practicing with both and seeing how big and how small he could make the flames. He also felt the heat burn in his chest, not a hurting burn. But a warm and constant reminder of the source of the heat.

Miria lifted her skirts and jogged down the hall, the clicking of her heels echoing in the grand space. "Molrim," she called for him as she caught sight of him heading towards the stables.
 
"A natural talent," Tanril commented. "Now that you can do that, let's concentrate on being able to set things on fire just by thinking about it. This one's a little bit tricky. See those balls down there?" He pointed at the 3 floating balls that had been set up for this experiment. "Concentrate on one of them, imagine them being on fire. Watch," Tanril concentrated for two seconds and then floosh. The ball was set on fire which he then extinguished, having it automatically replaced by another one.

Molrim stopped in his tracks, recognizing the Queen's voice. He bowed to her when she approached. "My Queen, what service could I offer you?"
 
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