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

Ivelle, Adrastos and Delroy stayed behind with Áedh to learn the news of Sanctuary. They waited until everyone had left, then stood around the huge table, and Áedh began his long explanation about the whereabouts of the Alliance’s troops. He leaned over the huge map explaining every little detail.

To sum it up: they were screwed. Very screwed. Etalia, Etealind and Drauri were the last free kingdoms. Without the mines of the dwarves, it became harder to produce weapons and armours. Allerick died while he was escaping Lorlea. Prince, khm, King Cirillo was crowned a week ago. King Sorin’s family couldn’t escape Gwolla. They were now the puppets of Merikh. There were smaller or bigger battles every day.

“And what’s happening here?” Asked Adrastos pointing at the coast of Abonwan.

“Merikh started building a ship flotte.” Explained Áedh with a sigh. “We think that he wants to enclose us.”

“That seems to be the situation.” Nodded Adrastos” With the ships he could attack from the South, and with the army of Abonwan he could attack both Etalia and Etealind from the East.”

“Yes.” Nodded Áedh while pointing towards the North border of Etalia. “And the Savage could attack from the North. There’s no chance we can win.”

“Only if we get help.” Said Adrastos with a frown.

“Yes. The dragons can attack Abonwan from the North, but... I don’t think that would work. Abonwan is too big. We also made allies here.” He pointed at a forest in Abonwan.”

“The Ghosts.” exclaimed Ivelle immediately.

“Yes. They sabotage Merikh in every way they can. It slows them down a bit, but not much.” He shook his head.

“We need the ships of Marmoris.” Summed Adrastos up “And the magic of the ice sorcerers.”

“And the knights of Lillaleux.” Added Ivelle.

“And the shrewdness of Prigon.” Added Delroy.

“And who was that man with the blood red clothes?” Asked Adrastos.

“Nikolaus. The new Supreme Sorcerer.”

“What happened to Vortigern?”

“Either dead or captured. We don’t know. The same goes for his sister.” Explained Áedh “Nikolaus is noticeably young, and there were rumours that he wants the title of the Supreme Sorcerer. Now that Vortigern is missing... There was nothing in his way.”

“How lucky.” Murmured Delroy in a sarcastic voice.

“Indeed, but at least he has a smattering of tactics. He was trained to be knight before his parents discovered his magical talent.” He sighed and looked at Adrastos “But tell me, how did you get the sword?” Adrastos looked at Delroy.

“Really Delroy, how did we get it?” He asked with a raised eyebrow, crossing his arms on his chest.

“Well... After I had left you in the prison of Prigon, I was hiding in one of the settlements. That’s where I met Prôteus. I managed to talk to him, and he agreed to help us. He took me to his cottage, and we made a plan. He would help you escape, while I go to Arcanum. Those gods... most of them are big-headed and arrogant. I never want to see them again.” said Delroy shaking his head.

“I know someone like that.” said Ivelle looking at Adrastos, who just rolled his eyes.

“Prôteus was nearly late. If he arrives a minute later, we would be dead.” said Adrastos.

“Wait, wait, wait!” said Áedh quickly “Arcanum exists?”

“Yep.” nodded Ivelle.

“Whoa.” sighed Áedh.

“You knew about it?” asked Adrastos disbelievingly.

“Well...”

“I don’t know about you, but I’m extremely tired.” said Ivelle “If we finished, I’d like to take a rest.” she smiled.

“Sure.” said Adrastos “We’re done I guess.” he looked at Áedh.

“Yes, I told you everything.” he nodded agreeingly.

Ivelle nodded her head and said goodbye to them. A guard was already waiting her outside to take her to her room. When she arrived in the cozy, spacious room, she immediately collapsed on the bed.

After a long sleep, Ivelle decided to take a walk around the castle. She was walking through one of the wood-covered corridors when someone caught up with her.

“Ivelle, wait!” she turned around, seeing Hagan running after her.

“Hagan!” she exclaimed and pulled him into a hug, as soon as the man reached her “It’s so nice to see you!” she smiled and released him.

“You too.” he smiled back.

“How are you? I haven’t talked to you in ages.”

“Well...” he said, “I got married.” he said with a bright smile.

“What? What do you mean you got married?” she asked taken-aback “When? How? Why?”

Hagan burst out laughing.

“You should see your face.” he said, trying to suppress his laughter. Ivelle boxed into his arm.

“Stop laughing and tell me everything!”

“Fine, fine.” he said, finally stopping laughing “Do you want to take a walk? The hanging gardens are amazing.” offered Hagan. Ivelle nodded and followed him.

They walked in silence until they reached the gardens. They were indeed amazing. Ivelle couldn’t find the right words to describe them.

They were built around a centuries old, huge, oak tree, that most probably stood there ever since the foundation of sanctuary.

It was luxurious plot of grass, framed by tangled flower bushes. The flower beds were well kept, precisely cut, and meticulously looked after; they were like a cloud of colour. The flower bushes they had recently been trimmed. Here and there was laying a small boulder, giving people an elegant way of exploring the garden. Roots tried to claim every party of the garden as their own with every chance they get, held back only by sheers, trimmers, and mowers.

Hagan led Ivelle to the far back of the garden, where was standing a white pagoda. It was nicely decorated with flower and animal carvings. Its one side was completely covered with crimson rambler rose.

“Actually, I engaged Adallina here.” he said sitting on a bench.

“Oh.” said Ivelle averting her gaze from the garden.

“It was right after the attack on Lorlea, nearly two months ago.” Ivelle didn’t realize they had been away for that long. “We had our wedding a week after that. Crazy times you know, didn’t want to wait.”

“I understand.” she nodded her head. “How was the wedding?”

Hagan smiled and started telling everything; from the dress of Adallina, to the decorations and the music. He seemed incredibly happy. After a while they started walking around again.

His story was interrupted by a loud yell of “Iveeeeeelle!” and the next moment she found herself on the ground. When she turned around and looked up, she saw two faces: Hagan’s who was again at the edge of bursting into laughter, and Daven’s hang-dog look.

“I’m sorry.” he said, looking at the ground and digging it with the tip of his shoes.

“Daven!” she said, and immediately kneeled up bringing him into a hug. “Oh my god, you’re so tall!” she looked him up and down.

“I missed you.” he said.

“Me too.”

“Daven Lorente!” said a woman running after them. “I’m so sorry.” she started apologizing “I don’t know what gotten into him.” he gave strict look to him.

“No problem he was just happy to see me.” said Ivelle standing up and putting her hand on the boy’s shoulder. “I’m Ivelle Preston.” she introduced herself and reached out a hand.

“Irmak.” she said accepting her hand “I’m their tutor.” she said nodding her head towards a group of apprentices.

“Ivelle was the one who saved me.” said Daven enthusiastically.

“I see.” said Irmak, leaning down, so she was now face-to-face to Daven “I promise you can meet her later. After you finished your lessons.” she gave him a light smile.

“Fine.” said Daven and started his way back to the group. “Bye!” he waved and joined the others.

“Prince Hagan, Lady Ivelle.” Irmak curtsied and hurried back to her students “Lady Merle.” she heard Irmak’s voice from the distance. She turned to see Merle nodding towards Irmak and walking up to her and Hagan.

“Prince Hagan, Ivelle.” she nodded her head and gave a hug to Ivelle “It’s good to see you again.” she added.

“You too.”

“I’ll let you talk.” said Hagan “Lady Merle, Ivelle.” he smiled, and bowed slightly before Ivelle could differ.

“I heard what happened to Vortigern and his sister. I’m sorry.”

“Thank you. We were not close though.” answered Merle “And Nikolaus proves himself to be a good leader.” she added quickly. “Did he tell you?” she asked “Hagan.”

“The marriage?”

“Mhm.” nodded Merle.

“Oh yes. It’s crazy.” said Ivelle “I didn’t know they were that close.”

“I know!” exclaimed Merle looking at the sky “And what about you and Prince Adrastos?” she asked with a grin.

“What about us?”

“Come on, you like him!” said Merle giving a knowing look.

But did she like him? Adrastos was...funny yes. And caring, sometimes, and he was smart. And a good friend. And yes, they were sometimes thick as thieves. But that was all. Right?

Or not? Okay maybe she felt something more. But Adrastos clearly wasn’t. And they were in the middle of a war. And for God’s sake he was a lot older than her.

“So I was right. You like him!” she said a bit louder than she should’ve.

“Shhh.” hissed Ivelle “Is it that obvious?”

“Visible from the moon.” confirmed Merle “You should tell him.”

“Nah, I don’t think he likes me that way.”

“I think he does. Maybe he’s not aware of it, but he does.”

“I don’t know. We are good friends, but I don’t think we would last long as a couple, or anything.”

“If you say so.” sighed Merle “I have to go now. I hope we’ll meet before you go back to Marmoris.”

Ivelle nodded.

“Me too.” she said, and they parted their ways.

She watched Merle leaving. Ivelle didn’t want to admit, but she put a flea in her ear. She shook her head quickly and returned to the castle. She had plans to make.