Dearest Ella,
I understand your confusion about how an emperor so capable and just would leave an edict like the one you read. You have to know that you have to read the history of his father and the Emperor Valor Reign Valerian before him, who fell in love with a princess from a small kingdom who dragged him to war that almost took Valerian off the map. But your letter got me thinking, what would I do if I were in his position? And I think the answer is easy: I would never be in his position.
I liked how you organised the books, and as a gift, I give you this pendant. If you ever are in trouble, show it and it will get you out of any situation.
So long,
Elan
"Oh my gift, I totally forgot about this, but wait, is this really Arthur?" Evie thought. She couldn't picture the stoic Arthur writing out something like this. "It doesn't really matter now, does it?" Evie thought, folding the scroll and putting it in her sleeves. "I wonder what kingdom the lady behind the strange edict is," Evie said, stroking the jade pendant. "I have a feeling I will like her," she added.
"What are you talking about, Your Highness?" Helga asked.
"Nothing. Let's go find the maps," Evie said, moving from shelf to shelf.
Evie spread out a map on the table, looking at Silvarin the capital and the towns around. "Helga, where should we go from the capital? Starian Empire is this side, so we will start with Frostmere."
"No," Evie said. "When we leave, the emperor will look for our background. Although he won't find mine, it would be easier to find yours. So this route passes through Velma, and it is where he will look first. Okay, then what about Whitebrooks?" Helga asked again.
"Still no," Evie said.
"Why? It is totally the opposite side," Helga said.
"That's exactly why. The emperor is clever. He will also look into the opposite side, as he will either assume we are naive and use the direct route or be clever and use the opposite route. Here," Evie said, pointing to a place. "Greykeep is our safest bet."
"But Your Highness, that is a fortress town... There are soldiers and watchtowers all over the route."
"That's exactly why it is the best route. No one will think we are that stupid to pass by the belly of the beast, and it will work in our favour."
"I see your point now, Your Highness," Helga said.
"Good. It will take us twice the amount of time to get to Starian, but at least we will get there. Any other route, we will be captured and brought back to face the judgement," Evie said.
She looked out to see the sunset. "Let's go. The sun is already setting; we have been here too long," Evie said, standing up from the chair and walking to the door. The environment was beautiful as the setting sun turned everything orange, but both Evie and Helga had lots on their mind and their walk to Moonlight Pavilion was quiet.
"Your Highness, let me help you to your bath chamber. The water is ready," Helga said, pulling Evie from her thoughts.
"Yes, let's go," Evie said, walking to the bath chamber. She looked around. "Is it only you?" Evie said.
"Yes, Your Highness," Helga said.
"Good," then Evie said, reaching to her head and removing her wig.
"Haa!" Helga gasped as two long, vibrant, fiery red braids fell to Evie's back. "You look so different, Your Highness."
"Yes, and this is our ticket out of here," Evie replied, putting the braid in front to unbraid it and the second one. Once her hair was unbraided, she looked at the mirror to see herself. It was exactly how she looked in her late teens. She walked to the bathtub and entered. She sighed with satisfaction as the hot water hit her skin.
Helga helped her bathe and wash her hair, and then they exited the bath chamber. Evie sat in front of her dressing mirror as Helga helped her dry her hair. "Tonight you will go to check on Cathy and Lila, and then in the morning, heat the milk and bring it to her. Okay?" Evie said.
"Yes, Your Highness," Helga said.
"Okay, go and rest. I need to rest too," Evie said.
Evie kept tossing and turning in bed, her stomach in knots. She was so afraid of failing, but she had to try, at least. She looked out of the window to look at the bright moon in the sky. "It is going to be fine," she whispered to herself, crossing her arms over her chest and rubbing her other hand in a self-soothing manner, and drifted to sleep.
Evie felt a light pat on her shoulder. "Your Highness, wake up. It is morning; we need to prepare," Helga said.
She didn't know when she fell asleep, but she woke up refreshed and ready to take on the world. "Breakfast and the bath are ready; let's go," Helga said, more panicked, her hand shaking. Evie put out her hand to hold Helga's. "Listen, my dear, it's very easy to sense fear and panic in people, but if you act confident, you can trick anyone anywhere. So take a deep breath," Evie said, and Helga took a deep breath, filling her lungs. "Another one. Okay, good. Now let's go," she added, standing up.
The bath was fast, and so was the breakfast, and as soon as Evie put down her fork, "Good morning, Your Highness!" Cathy said, bursting through the hall of the dining room, followed closely by Lila.
"God, the size of the bags under your eyes," Evie said, putting her hand on her mouth, trying to mimic the reaction Cathy had the previous day, making Cathy and Lila giggle. "How is the progress?" Evie asked with a smile.
"It's going well, Your Highness. It will be done by midday," Cathy answered.
"Okay, good. You deserve a nice sleep. Here, drink this," she said, handing both a cup of warm milk with honey that Helga had just prepared.
"Ooh, you are so nice. Thank you, Your Highness," Cathy said, gulping the cup of milk.
"Sit and drink this tea as well," Evie said, leading them to the dining table.