As the sun set a small ceremony was being held with Lara and Taylor in the centre. A circuit of magic laid out beneath them and we watched close by.
"I, Lara, Hero of the Kingdom, declare you Taylor a free women," Lara held out her hand to the kneeling Taylor.
"I gratefully accept," Taylor lifted her neck to her where the slave collar glowed.
"Then I must give you one last order," Lara smiled and her eyes passed mine. "From this day forth you will promise to continue to love Rain Axel and be his companion as long as he desires it. Can you do this?" I couldn't help not blush.
"I already planned to," Taylor laughed. Really as soon as the collar was dispelled any command was gone so there was no point other than a verbal promise. Although it did make me feel warm inside.
Lara's hand touched the collar and with a single spark it disintegrated to nothing.
Taylor jumped up happily, "Finally! It feels so refreshing to not be bound anymore. Not that you really abused me at all. Though banning me from touching Rain was a bit low."
"I told you not tell anyone!" Lara complained embarrassed.
"No collar no qualms," she laughed and stepped towards me. "You and me, a date in the city, tonight, right now."
I squirmed as the others turned to me with smug smiles. Ronalt particularly as he nodded to us, "Our mission is complete, you two can do whatever you want. No need to hold back."
"Then let's go," Taylor took my hand. Her smile softened sweetly, "I've been looking forward to this."
"So have I," I gently squeezed her hand.
Ardent heaved a nostalgic smile, "Oh what it is to be young."
"Indeed," Earnest nodded. "Such purity is quite outstanding."
Taylor turned to them both with a glare, "I'm on the opposite end of pure. The only reason I'm like this is because of Rain."
"Right, right," I pulled her away. "Let's go before this becomes even more awkward. I'll see you all later." I caught Lara's warm gaze. "Lara... we'll talk soon."
She waved, "Bye, have fun."
"We will," Taylor grinned.
In the end we had a lovely evening together in the Kingdom's Capital. The Queen hearing about it had even prepared us reservations at a high class restaurant, though the message we received read, Dear Rain, from your caring Aunt Nera. P.s. Don't have too much fun. I managed to hide the note from Taylor as we were guided to our seats. The food was exceptional and without an agenda lurking behind our backs, the two of us could really enjoy each other's company. The memories we had made on the journey, our inner thoughts at the time and even the promises of things we wanted to do in the future. If it wasn't for Lara who was waiting for our return, I don't think Taylor would have let the date end there. We still had plenty of time together so it was okay.
A week passed by with a relaxing quickness. I continued to train with Earnest, though to his disappointment I couldn't perform as well as when I had fought the Demon Lord. The problem was he was convinced I could one day match him and wouldn't let up. Marley gave us a tour of the Temple she was raised in close to the Capital. It held the same peaceful atmosphere as the one in the Demon's territory. I had to wonder if Lady Tillia and Daryl were doing well. Ronalt showed us around the Palace and where the knights trained and together with Ardent the two of us spent quite a few hours in the library. Although it hadn't been that long, everything that had happened felt a lot further in the past. There was no great agenda and we were rewarded by a very cared for holiday.
Though of course things couldn't be easy forever. I opened the door to the palace roof. Lara was already sitting at its edge, her feet dangling. It was a nice view and we could see most the city. The night sky was illuminated with stars and below us displaying a beautiful tapestry were the lights of the Capital.
I sat down next to her, "Getting some fresh air?"
She nodded.
After a minute of silence I turned to her, "So about what I said the other day, how about it? Come with me and Taylor to Axel. Earnest wants to come as well and I'd really appreciate a way to get him off my back." She remained silent. "Lara?"
Her eyes stared out into the city, "I'm going to the Empire tomorrow."
"What?" I replied shocked. "Since when?"
"Just before. A messenger came and requested the Hero to grace them with her presence. I can't really refuse."
"But...."
"It's okay. Ronalt is already signed up to come with me plus a sizeable group of knights so I won't be alone. Also Ardent did promise to look into getting me a way back home and he's based in the Empire so...," she smiled at me, "you don't need to come."
I heaved a sigh, "The Empire... they're not entirely trustworthy, plus with the Imperium, it worries me."
Lara scoffed, "I took down the Demon Lord. I should be worried about you. Without Marley Earnest might actually kill you. Besides, your family miss you."
"You're my family as well," I said firmly.
"I'll be gone less than a month. Heck, why don't you meet me at the Magician's guild once you visit home for a few weeks. Ardent has given you a free pass."
"Ardent still wants to experiment on me and I'm still not sure how I feel about that," I grimaced. My hand reached out and patted her head, "But yes I'll meet you there. Once I check up on everyone in Axel I'll head right over, just don't do anything stupid."
"I should be saying that to you," she pushed me lightly and laughed. "You're still young. Don't blame me if you suddenly have a kid."
"We haven't-," I stopped myself short. "The age of marriage here is a lot lower than where we came from."
She looked at me in distaste, "You weren't meant to take me seriously."
I flicked her in the forehead, "Watch it you. Who knows maybe you'll be swept away by the Empire's prince. Unlike the Kingdom I heard there are quite a few of them."
Her eyes turned down, "Nah, I think I missed my chance."
"Hmm?"
"Never mind," she picked herself up and stood leaning over the roof with perfect balance. "Before coming here I would have been too scared to even get this close to the edge, but now, even if I fell and did nothing I'd survive without a scratch. Scary huh?"
"Well I'd still die at least," I stood up myself.
"Not unless I caught you."
"Don't tempt me," I smiled to her. "Well this conversation didn't go the way I thought it would but, who knows it might be for the better." I stretched my arms, "It's late, I'm going to bed. Don't leave before I say goodbye."
"You're going to bed alone right?"
"Like I said before, we're taking it slowly," I sighed at her.
"Good night Rain."
"Good night."
Like that we parted ways on the roof. I went down the stairs and she jumped.
*
"Goodbye Lara!" Marley clung on to her practically swinging from her neck. "Don't stay too long."
"Okay, okay," Lara put the smaller girl down.
"I'll look after her," Ronalt said firmly standing just behind. Unlike our small farewell before, a large amount of mounted knights and several carriages were waiting in the palace courtyard. Must be nice for the auxiliary staff to have so much help unlike one person doing all the work.
I shook Ronalt's hand, "All the best. Hopefully I'll see you on the return journey."
"You better," he gripped my hand in return. "It won't be the same without you."
The Queen stepped forward, "Though you are travelling as a representative of the Kingdom, you are still the Hero and her attendants. The Empire may be the dominant country on this continent but they are not all powerful. Hold your heads with pride."
"By your words your highness!" the knights bowed in unison expelling a loud resounding reply.
I approached Lara together with Taylor close behind, "Stay safe okay."
"You do the same," she replied with a smile and hugged me. "Taylor look after him."
"Oh I'll do more than just that," Taylor smirked.
Lara sighed, "Well at least I know you'll have fun with each other."
I patted her head as we separated, "Don't worry about us and focus on handling the Empire. If things go wrong remember, you're the most powerful being on this continent if not the world. Show them that's for a reason."
Ardent smiled beside her assured, "The Empire knows that but a demonstration wouldn't hurt. Either way, the Magicians guild will offer you their support."
"I'd really rather just talk to them and leave," Lara sighed.
The proceedings went quickly from there and before long I was watching Ronalt, Ardent and Lara leave the palace grounds. A stifling sense of loss overcame me as they disappeared into the city. My memories as Jane were stirring. They wanted to go where she was but the me now had family to see as well. It was difficult. Taylor pinched my cheek.
"Hey," I batted her hand away.
"Stop moping, we have to get a move on as well." She shook her head, "Despite me being your girlfriend you care about her way too much. Not that I mind though. I've accepted it."
I pinched her back, "Well good." I turned to Earnest, "Are you sure you want to come with us?"
He nodded earnestly, "Why of course. My apprentice can't be left alone and I don't have much better to do. Now that my debt to the Kingdom has been paid, I'm free again."
"You had a debt?" Marley asked.
The Queen approached us, "Yes, he built up quite the amount at the royal gambling parlour."
He laughed eyeing the Queen, "The drink there was awfully strong as well."
Her calm smile didn't fade, "It's a custom of the Kingdom."
Ignoring them I turned to Marley, "You can come with us as well if you'd like."
She shook her head, "I need to spend more time in the Temple. I have duties too you know. The adventurer's guild also have plenty of injured, they get some real nasty ones hehe."
I had to smile wryly. Though she was an incredible healer her love for gore was still disturbing especially when she smiled. Her superiors at the Temple must have a hard time....
I bowed to the Queen, "Then your highness with your blessing I shall return home."
"Before that, I have a reward for you," she waved her hand and from around the corner a happy pink bird trotted towards us, behind her a familiar carriage. "It seems Pina has grown attached to you and I do hope you'll use the carriage well."
Pina came right up to me and rubbed her head into mine.
I patted her feathers, "Thank you, I'll make sure to look after them both."
Taylor grinned, "Oh very nice. At least now we can still travel in comfort. Earnest we'll be changing the sleeping arrangements. On the plus side you'll have your own room."
"Of course," he nodded as if it was natural.
"Don't go making up things yourself," I shook my head at her. Once I got back to Axel I'd work on remodelling the inside. With my current knowledge of magic I could also improve the space a bit more, though I might die or pass out trying to.
The Queen's smile became more sincere, "As well there is one last thing I must show you. It should make your journey much faster." She faced her guards, "Leave us." They bowed and retreated.
We said our goodbyes to Marley as she was picked up by a group of older women wearing similar outfits to her. Together with Pina and the carriage, Taylor, Earnest and I followed the Queen. She led us to a quiet corner of the palace and into what looked like a warehouse. Inside was a single old man sweeping. From a single glance I could tell he was much more capable than an ordinary man and with a signal from the Queen he pulled a leaver revealing a hidden spiral ramp heading downwards. We descended slowly as the entrance closed. At the bottom two fully armoured knights were waiting and at the sight of the queen they stepped aside. Behind them was a medium sized room and a large circuit of magic. It was for some sort of transportation.
The Queen spoke, "This formation leads not far from Axel. I and the past royalty have used it as a way to get away from the city in times of trouble or stress. For your benefit you may use it but please keep it a secret, I can trust you all enough for that now."
I bowed to her again, "Thank you your highness. We will take this opportunity gratefully."
"Then stand within the circuit and my magicians will do the rest. You go with my blessing and well wishes." As we passed her and entered the room, she bent down and whispered in my ear, "Please tell Mattias I am well, not as Aunt Nera but the Queen."
"I will," I whispered back and entered the formation.
As the light around us filled the room, the Queen stayed to watch us leave. It only took a moment but as we vanished from sight I could see her expression tire. A lot had happened and seeing my Aunt like that, a small regret bloomed in my chest for not being able to do more. It was too late however as the world shifted and we found ourselves in a similar room but with entirely different people. They did not speak and pointed us to the exit.
I guided Pina outside. The morning sun greeted us and the view of the south eastern region of the Kingdom stretched around us. I recognized where we were. It was a large villa off the road from Axel to the Waltersea Port. It was only half a day's journey away from Axel and I had passed by several times before. So this is how Aunt Nera was able to visit Axel so regularly. Ordinarily the journey would be a two week round trip, an amount of time no Queen should spend away from her duties for a simple visit.
The villa was supported by numerous staff who greeted us as we passed by. As an additional gift they loaded the carriage with several trade goods before sending us on our way.
I looked towards Axel and breathed out, "I guess it's time to go home."