Inside the castle, in the Ether chamber, rich with the scent of sharp smelling herbs and lined with books older than Kindrea itself. Sunlight streamed in from the balcony casting a warm glow on Seraphina. She stood with her arms raised, and fingers shimmering with light that danced from her fingertips.
Suspended in the air above her, a wooden bird.
"I'm starting to get a headache, can we stop here?" She said, her face scrunched in effort, sweat sliding down her brow.
Dunvil, seated nearby, nose deep in his books, barely glances up. "Five more minutes, princess."
"You're not even watching!" she snapped, twitching.
"I don't need to watch to see. Just breathe. Focus."
Seraphina huffed. "Watch this! I'm going to try something…cool."
"Yes, yes. Just keep focusing," he said absently, still not paying attention
Squinting her eyes in focus, her iris turned golden, bright like the sun. Dust shimmered around the wooden bird, air crackling as if charged. Slowly, it absorbed the energy around the room, drawn from anything with a trace of life.
The air thinned, pressure building like a vacuum.
"By the king!" Dunvil stood, eyes widened. Seraphina had gotten his attention. "What are you doing?! Stop, child!"
"I…I can't!" Seraphina's voice trembled, her body shaking from the weight in the room.
Dunvil staggered toward her, the air pressing down on him like ocean depths. He reached out and grasped her hands. "Look into my eyes!"
Under his breath, he whispered words never been heard by a living mortal.
Seraphina let out a piercing scream. Her glowing eyes dimmed, and the bird dropped to the floor with a dull thud.
"I'm sorry," she gasped, falling to her knees and hugging him tightly, her body shivered. Tears wetting his robe.
Dunvil was pale with shock. On the floor the wooden bird twitched, part of it had flesh, and other parts feathers sticking out.
"Where did you learn this?" He asked trembling.
"It was in one of the old books. I didn't know…I shouldn't have read it," She sobbed.
"It's okay. You couldn't have known." Dunvil comforted her
"But…why did it turn out like that?" she asked.
"Ether is one of the ingredients for a soul. It cannot be created nor destroyed…not by mortal hands," he said gravely. "No matter how skilled a mage may be, they are still just a man or woman."
"I should know," he said staring at the 'bird' with a grim expression on him.
At the doorway, a voice called. "I heard noise, is everything okay?"
Princess Thessa stepped in, regal and armed with quiet authority. Her eyes swept the room, analyzing the mess.
"It's nothing. Everything's fine," Seraphina said quickly, wiping her eyes and forcing a smile. "Just practice."
"In that case, I'd like to speak with my sister. Privately," Thessa said, eyeing the mess.
Dunvil tucked the 'bird' into his pocket and gathered a few books. "No problem, your Highness. We were just about done anyway."
"And Seraphina," he added, casting a warning glance. "We will talk more about this. When I'm less busy."
As Dunvil exited, the sisters made their way to the balcony, navigating through the sea of turned over books, spilled elixirs, and various antiquities tossed on the floor.
"It's quiet a mess you two made," Thessa said.
"That's Magic for you," Seraphina quipped, smirking.
They sat side by side on the balcony couch, overlooking the kingdom in silence. The wind carried the distant hum of the city, and bustling market.
"You know why I'm here, Sera." Thessa spoke breaking the silence.
Seraphina with a playful smile. "Let me guess, you got kicked off the council?"
"That's not funny." Thessa frowned.
Seraphina, laughing lightly. "It's a joke! You should see your face. Lighten up!"
"Kindrea is on the verge of war, and unlike you, I don't have the luxury to 'lighten up'."
"You've only been on the council for a day. Relax. Father will handle it."
"I'll ignore that." Thessa said with a sigh. She leaned in and took her sisters hand. Her eyes gave out a worried expression.
"Hey! It's going to be okay, Thessa." Seraphina said grasping her sister's hand, and resting her head on her shoulder.
"Stop seeing that Knight." She said, with a blunt expression.
"Excuse me?" Seraphina said, sitting up.
"That knight you've been sneaking off to meet at the barn. What was his name again?"
"You have no right to tell me what to do!" Seraphina snapped.
"I am your older sister. I have every right!"
"Oh please. You spend all day training with your arrows and swords, and now you remember we're sisters."
"As a Princess of kindrea, it is my duty to protect my people," she said gesturing her hand towards the balcony. "Just as it is your duty to marry a nobleman."
"None of those nobles could even stand beside Aron. He's real and exciting!" Seraphina stated, with reddened cheeks.
"Exciting?" Thessa's voice turned sharp "Don't tell me you've let that peasant put his hands on you?"
"No! We're waiting until we're married."
"You actually plan on marrying him?" Thessa laughed. "God forbid, you are the last left alive in our bloodline. Do you want a commoner sitting on Father's throne?"
"You speak of protecting the people, but you look down on them!" Seraphina said tears rolling down her face. "I will marry Aron, so I can protect the people and the throne from your ego!"
"That's me fulfilling my duty," Seraphina said turning her head to watch the city, and to hide her tears.
Thessa noticing her sister's pain, reached for her.
"Leave me alone!" Seraphina pushed her hand away.
"Just…consider other options, Sera." Thessa said quietly. "What about Sir Victor?"
"No! He looks like he'd wear my dresses better, and he's rude!" Seraphina wailed. "And why do you even care?"
Thessa stopped. "I'm trying to help you. I'm worried about my sister."
"Worry about yourself. You haven't had a suitor in years!"
Thessa gasped, she stood abruptly and walked away kicking the clutter on the floor, not frowning or angry-but visibly hurt.
"Thessa, I'm sorry!" Seraphina called out.
Thessa stopped at the door, turned her head back slightly, so only the side of her eyes were seen.
"Pray he doesn't die on the wall," she left.
The words dug deep, sharper than a blade. Seraphina wrapped her arms around herself, not to shield from the breeze, but from the ache rising in her chest. She knew what war meant. And what standing guard at the walls while under siege meant.
She lowered her gaze and whispered, "You better come back to me, Aron. Please."