After the medics stabilized Atropa and Frost, we began our journey to the countess’s estate. The archmage was back on his feet by the time of our arrival, but Frost remained asleep, having passed out after I introduced her to the wall of Atropa’s mansion.

  Sorry about that, little bird.

  After I gave her an explanation, Selene was willing to have Frost’s hands and feet bound, to reduce the amount of trouble she could make upon waking. I hoped that she had just gotten carried away during the fight, but we had to be certain. Atropa seemed to have fully regained his senses, but for our own safety, he also agreed to be bound and have his magic sealed with a special device.

  After we reached the bottom of the hill and boarded a carriage, Selene offered me another blanket. She removed a warm stone from atop a magical heater.

  “A hand-warmer for you, Saintess.”

  “Thank you, Dame.”

  I was in no hurry to discuss recent events and it seemed she had a lot to consider, so we sat in silence together as the carriage swayed back and forth, the near-featureless terrain blurring past us.

  After about an hour of total quiet, the Dame spoke. “I understand if there are things you don’t want to talk about, Saintess Helian. But I need an explanation for what happened earlier.”

  I nodded. “I understand, Dame Selene. I’ll be as forthcoming as possible. How much do you already know?”

  She paused for a moment, then summarized what Frost had told her. She and the countess had been given an overview of the novel, along with key plot points and the identity of four Suitors. I was relieved to learn that this information allowed Lady Solana to survive the Duchess’s arrival at her estate, though the encounter had left Frost somewhat worse for wear.

  “She defeated Duchess Coroban in a duel? Frost did?”

  Selene shrugged. “She sent the guards away, so the only witnesses were some servants watching from the upper levels of the estate. They said that after the duchess swung at her a few times, Lady Frost retaliated with magic which caused the duchess to flee.”

  “I should answer the question you asked me earlier, then. As far as I know, Frost never had this ability. She must have learned how to use magic by watching me and practicing in secret. She never told you or the countess that she possessed this ability?”

  This bothered me. Frost never hid her pride whenever she mastered a new skill. I remember how excited she was to show me her first complete sheet of letters. The one she had deftly copied from her storybook her father bought for her.

  She was good at copying things.

  “No, she didn’t. I’m confused as to why she held this information back, as well.”

  “Another question just occurred to me, Dame: did Frost ever show you anything written in a foreign language?”

  Selene stared off into space for a minute or so, then replied. “Not intentionally, but I once glimpsed something in her desk drawer that appeared to be written in another script, yes.”

  Ah. She made a copy of my notes when I wasn’t looking. This was a problem— the deaths of her mother and father were in those notes. Which meant she knew that I could have tried harder to save them.

  How did Frost truly feel about me? It was impossible to know now for sure. She had been keeping so many things from me… If I were in her place, I’d be furious. I recalled how she spoke about the author once learning the truth about the novel.

  “I’ll wring his neck.”

  “That bastard has a lot to answer for.”

  All of this exists for me, so isn’t it my responsibility? What about me, then? What do I have to answer for?

  ------

  Despite my hopes, Frost remained asleep once we arrived at the countess’s estate. She and the archmage were both brought inside to be treated and monitored in the clinic, all while under guard. After I informed Selene of the matter’s connection to the marchioness and her cult, she agreed that I should resume living at the countess’s vacation home to appear as if the two of us remained on poor terms.

  In a way, Coroban’s intervention had been helpful by further establishing me as a victim in need of protection. Luring in Marigold was still possible if we played our cards correctly. If we succeeded, we could learn more about the threat we faced in the process of bringing her to justice.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  For his part, Atropa was more than happy to explain matters to me, Selene, and the countess. This was a relief given our previous conversation had been interrupted before he could answer the questions that had been weighing on my mind this whole time.

  The archmage shook his wrists gently, causing the manastone cuffs to clink like the sound of wine glasses tapping together for a toast. “I take it these aren’t coming off?”

  Selene shook her head. “I’m afraid not, Sir Atropa. Perhaps later.”

  He nodded. “I understand your caution.”

  The four of us were seated around a table in one of the countess’s meeting rooms. With his instruction, I erected a silence barrier that prevented eavesdropping. Knowing this spell would certainly come in handy in the future. Once the barrier was conjured, Atropa launched into a recap of our past conversation.

  “Lady Solana, if I could interrupt to ask a question?”

  The countess nodded. “Go ahead, Helian.”

  “Why do the Seekers crave saintesses, Sir Atropa? You never explained in detail. I may be strong, but I’m neither invincible nor immortal. There are people in this world much stronger than me.”

  He stroked his beard. The shackles around his wrists clinked together. “I wish I could answer this with confidence, but what I know is speculation based on centuries of research that began with one of the first saintesses.”

  “We believe the Seekers were born south of here, where a great city once thrived. At its center stood a massive tree called ‘the Holy Root.’ Its fruit was reputed to grant wisdom and strength to any who ate it. Naturally, as such, it was coveted by all.” He paused. “As a result, the city possessed both mighty soldiers and wise rulers in great number.”

  I frowned. “But the city is gone, then?”

  “Yes, it perished long ago. It’s believed that the tree craved so much water that its massive and far-reaching roots parched the lands all around it, turning the environs inhospitable. The tree likely ended up perishing, as well.”

  Selene raised an eyebrow. “Likely? The status of a tree that large does not sound difficult to verify.”

  Atropa smiled and continued. “True. However, it has long been impossible for anyone to enter the city. Years ago, as the tree began to wither, the shadow it cast changed in nature. This shadow now acts as a strange barrier, its depth and total lack of light repelling all those who try to enter. We believe the Seekers aim to breach this barrier.”

  He turned to me. “I believe the saintess can now infer the answer to her own question.”

  “Saintesses can breach the wall.”

  “Yes, that is correct. Another saintess succeeded in doing so in the past, which validated some of our theories. She was an accomplished researcher with a brilliant mind. Unfortunately, she refused to allow anyone to accompany her, lest a demon follow on her heels, so we only have her written records to rely on for knowledge of what lies inside.”

  I felt a new fear grow within me, but I could not put it into words.

  ------

  Our discussion continued into the late evening, but in my memory, the rest was a blur. After comparing notes at some length, it was determined that the best course of action was for me to investigate the marchioness’s cult.

  “But only if you want to, Helian,” reassured the countess.

  Selene nodded in agreement. “You’ve already been through plenty, and we understand if you want to rest. You’ve more than earned it.”

  I sighed. “I don’t think I’ll be able to rest peacefully until we’ve put all this behind us. I’m worried, and Frost remains asleep…”

  It was the countess’s turn to sigh. “Yes. The healers say nothing serious is wrong with her body, so all we can do is wait. I’ll send word immediately if anything changes.”

  Selene took me by the hand. “It’s late. We should get you back so you can rest.”

  ------

  The carriage arrived at the countess’s vacation home shortly after 8. While I didn’t look forward to living in an empty manor, the idea of sleeping a few hundred meters from Frost’s sickbed felt even worse. It would be impossible to put her out of my mind.

  Rosa rushed out of the front entrance and lifted me into the air in a bear hug.

  “Saintess Helian! I’m so glad you’re okay!”

  “I’m glad to see you’re well, Rosa.”

  The maid squeezed me tighter. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t come to get you personally. I wanted to, but they said they’d be fighting mages, and in any case, my outfit would get all bogged down in the snow, and I’m no good with cold temperatures anyway… but that doesn’t mean I would’ve let any of that stop me! It did stop me this time, but that was because the countess insisted! And the other one, XXXXX? Or is her name Frost? She also insisted I stay behind. If not for them I would have rushed to your side!”

  “I believe you, Rosa. Could you put me down now? I’d like to get inside and have a bath.”

  Rosa set me down and took my hand to lead me into the manor. “Of course! I’ll draw a bath for you right away. Let me know if you’d like a light meal and I’ll have the chef prepare something for you to eat after your bath. We collected your things from the duchess’s castle and I’ve put them all back where they were before. Though, first we had them exorcised by a priestess from the temple, just to be safe.”

  She leaned over and whispered in my ear. “I’ve also hidden a dagger under your pillow and put a bottle of holy water in your dresser drawer, just in case. But you shouldn’t need them, because I’ll be here.” She squeezed my hand tightly.

  “Thank you, Rosa.” It was good to see her again, even if I would struggle to hear myself think for a while.

  ------

  As I sat down at my desk and uncapped my pen, Rosa tapped me on the shoulder.

  “Lady Saintess, haven’t you had a long day? It might be best to put that off until tomorrow.”

  “I’m fine, Rosa.”

  “Yes, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t need to rest.”

  I sighed. “Okay, Rosa.”

  She led me over to the bed and waited for me to climb in. After she tucked me in, she pulled up a stool and took a seat. “I’ll be here if you need anything.”

  Before long, I drifted off to sleep. I dreamt of the wolf trying to devour Little Red Riding Hood, only for Rosa to jump through the window and put it in a headlock, squeezing the beast until it begged for mercy.

  Then, Rosa and Little Red Riding Hood went to collect stones from a nearby river basin.