Roses on Fire ~ The Tale of Roses and Thorns 2.

“Admit it, we need help. ” Said Ivelle, leaning back on the couch, and rubbing her face with her hands.

“No, we don’t. ” Said Adrastos looking at her from the other side of the coffee table, still leaning over a book.

“Yes, we do.” Seeing Adrastos’s strict look she quickly added “Look, it’s been half a year. We move from one place to the other, reading everything we find in the libraries. What’s more, I dare to say that we’ve already read everything on the Internet. ” She waved towards the laptop on one of the armchairs “And still, we found nothing. We need the elves’ library or something.”

“No.” said Adrastos closing his book and leaning back “If we go back, we can easily be unfolded. And then- ”

“...Merikh’s people will capture us and kill us... ” She rolled her eyes “I know, you’ve already told me like a thousand times. ”

“Well, it looks like it wasn’t enough. ” He crossed his arms on his chest. Ivelle wanted to retort, but at that very moment the door opened, and a tired Delroy stepped in.

“Any news? ” Asked Adrastos immediately.

"Welcome back Delroy, ” started Delroy on a mocking voice ”It’s good to see you again. How was your journey? ” Adrastos rolled his eyes.

“I’m still your prince so tell me what’s going on in Sanctuary. ” he said on his usual stoic voice.

“As you wish, Your Highness. " He said on a mocking tone, which earned him a strict and dark look from Adrastos.

“If we were in Nendawin, I would execute you. ”

“How lucky we’re not there. ” said Ivelle.

“Fine.” Delroy dropped in an armchair ” Merikh occupied half of Abonwan including the capital. The royal court managed to escape to Etalia, but rumours say that King Skender’s dead. What’s more, Merikh started calling himself an emperor and Nendawin an empire.”

“Why didn’t they fight back? ” Asked Ivelle taken-aback. She thought that the situation was bad, but it was worse than in her worst nightmares.

“They tried to, but by the time King Skender knew where he was, the Dark Soldiers were already in his kingdom. He asked for the other kingdoms’ help, but by the time they arrived at the capital it was too late. Now, they are concentrating on their own kingdoms’ safety and the refugees.”

“The next’s going to be Drauri. ” Said Adrastos. It wasn’t a question, but a claim. Delroy nodded.

“Most probably. It’s the closest to Nendawin’s borders. ” He wandered off, looking out the window “Although King Dragomir formed an alliance with the elves, fairies and sorcerers. They call themselves the New Alliance. Rumours has it the dwarves want to join too. ”

“That’ll buy them some time. ” Adrastos turned to Ivelle “Do you understand now, why can’t we go to Sanctuary? ”

“I’ve never said we have to go to Sanctuary. ”

“You said we need help. ”

“We can get help here too. ” She motioned around with her hand.

“How? ”

“My mother had a friend here, Margareth Lloyd, or Margita as Cirillo called her... ” she stopped for a moment and grimaced. She still hadn’t forgiven him for not helping her “...she’s from Sanctuary, maybe she can help. ” Adrastos sat there, his arms still folded eyeing Ivelle.

“It worth a try. ” said Delroy. Adrastos quickly looked at him, then back at Ivelle.

“Fine, but if we die, or get captured, or both, ” he pointed at Ivelle and then at Delroy “It’ll be your fault. ” He stood up “So where does this Margita live? ” Ivelle smiled and patted him on the shoulder. Half a year ago she wouldn’t had thought that she could call the Dark Prince and one of his soldiers her friends, but now... she got closer with them, especially with Adrastos. They became good friends and learnt how to trust each other... more or less...

She quickly ran upstairs grabbed her backpack and ran down stairs.

“Let’s go. ” she said with a grin, and although she couldn’t see Adrastos’s face, since he was standing with his back to her, she knew that he was rolling his eyes.

In a few minutes they were standing outside Naunton. Ivelle led the two men towards Margareth’s house. As they got closer to the house Adrastos got more and more nervous and stopped suddenly.

“Don’t tell me you’ve changed your mind!” groaned Ivelle.

“No.” he ran his finger through his hair “I just think it would be more...logical if only the two of you went.”

“Wh... why?” asked Ivelle with slight surprise in her tone.

“Because I’m the Dark Prince and if she’s really your mother’s friend she most probably knows me.”

“Then I guess Delroy should stay too.”

“Oh no, don’t even think about going alone.” said Adrastos with a strict look and Ivelle knew there was no way he would change his mind “You would get yourself killed, or worse, blurt out something you shouldn’t.” he added quickly, and Ivelle huffed.

“Fine.” she said and turned to Delroy “Come.”

Delroy quickly turned to Adrastos, and Ivelle could hear him say:

“Great, now you made her angry. She’s gonna kill me.” At that Ivelle turned back and gave a furious look to Delroy, who with a grin started walking after her.

They quickly reached the small house of Margareth and knocked on the door. A few minutes later the short elder woman opened the door and gave a huge smile to Ivelle.

“Ivelle,” she said stepping aside so they could walk in “what a pleasure! Come in, come in!”

“Margareth” she smiled and followed Margareth’s gaze which fell on Delroy “He’s my friend...David.”

“I see.” she said eyeing ‘David’ for a few minutes “What can I do for you?”

Ivelle sighed looked at Delroy then back at Margareth and finally said:

“We need help.”

“What kind of help?”

“We...um...looking for the Sisters. Do you know anything about them?”

“No, not really. As far as I know all of them are dead.” she walked to her bookshelf and took of a book “However I heard rumours which said that one of them is still alive.” she handed the book to Ivelle “You can find everything about them in this book.”

“Thank you.” she smiled.

“Why are you looking for them?” she asked.

“Just simple curiosity.” answered Delroy.

“In times of war, there’s no such a thing as simple curiosity.” she gave the two a knowing look. “It’s about the blade, right?”

“Oh, no” said Delroy waving his hand “We just thought they might be able to help, that’s all.” Margareth quickly hummed and turned to Ivelle.

“Then tell me, why does everyone in Sanctuary think that you’re dead?”

“Because Merikh wants me dead.” she said simply “And if everyone thinks that I’m dead, there’s less chance he’ll find out that I’m not.”

“In that case, you better leave, because one of my friends from Sanctuary will be here soon.” she gave them a half smile “Your secret is safe with me.” she winked at them.

“Thank you.” smiled Ivelle and went to the door with Delroy.

“But please, Ivelle, be very careful.” said the old lady as they left.

“I promise.” she turned back once more and then they started their way back to Adrastos.

“David?” asked Delroy tauntingly.

“That was the first name that came into my mind.” shrugged Ivelle.

“Next time just let me introduce myself.” he said with a grin, and Ivelle rolled her eyes.