It took a week for the message to arrive. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aDomjkwxX 維尼

The messenger, a young boy who wore only a thin shirt and short pants, was shouting into the inn’s tavern one morning. “Message for Maya Shieldsmith?”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8G81EnS2yD 維尼

Maya jerked her head up from beneath the kitchen table and yelped. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlfC2LciKy 維尼

Janice came out from Gerald’s study. “What was that? Did something fall?”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGEC2EiAsK 維尼

“No, i just hit my head.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEtMnT9jWj 維尼

“Is Maya Shieldsmith here?” the messenger asked and stepped through the threshold. “I have a message from her da.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUQZKRDmQv 維尼

Janice and Maya froze. Their eyes widened and stared at the boy who was impatiently waiting for someone to answer him. “Well? I haven’t got all day, you know. Could I get something to drink while I wait for Maya Shieldsmith?”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGP6VfugsU 維尼

“I-I’m Maya,” Maya said. “You have something from my da?”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡffLwfRGMZD 維尼

The boy rummaged around his bag and brought out a small folded piece of paper. “Here.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡcW657aP4pc 維尼

Maya took it with shaking fingers and gave Janice a nervous look. The woman patted her arm and went to fetch the messenger a drink. Maya took in a deep breath and unfolded the paper. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMVivUhW3i 維尼

Jorge, 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡyS2wJTwzS4 維尼

The materials that I requested last week has not arrived yet. Please send them at once to my shop so I could fix your girl’s necklace.8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKHeMqIrkD 維尼

Mabs8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnDlJcSYyY 維尼

Maya stared incomprehensibly at the letter and flipped it. She read it again with shaking fingers and looked at the messenger who was drinking eagerly out of a mug. “This isn’t for me.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnCsLTJSAR 維尼

“Of course it’s for you,” the messenger said. “Maya Shieldsmith, right?”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAF4xomNkv 維尼

Maya’s heart, which was still racing so fast, made her yell. “This isn’t for me! Look at it!”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQoUyu2tUv 維尼

The boy took the letter and squinted at the recipient. “Oh! You’re right.” He took out a stack of letters from his bag and spread them out on the table. “Hm…which one is it?” He began to look at every piece of paper and reading out the names. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡaH1EW0Lrs3 維尼

Maya took a step back and placed her shaking hands to her head. “Do you actually have a letter for me or not?”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡftKLjhH2jU 維尼

“Yeah, yeah! The man with two horses dying of heat in that odd heavy cloak of his. You’d think that he has never been to Enzla before, with what he wore. Your da coming from Icia?” the messenger looked with with a cautious frown. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNEseOrEPq 維尼

“He was just down south in the cold region!” Maya said in dismay. “Why would da go to Icia?”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5NX7tYd4D 維尼

The boy raised his hands defensively. “He was roasting in his clothes! And here, the letter.” 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5PrNF3Gqq 維尼

Maya snatched the letter from the messenger with a huff. She looked at the folded piece of paper which had her name on the back. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9zijqWy87 維尼

Maya Shieldsmith. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Hk96tRI9Y 維尼

“Is there anything else?” the boy asked. “It’s right, isn’t it? Why aren’t you opening it?”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡybvMNko9W4 維尼

“I’m going to,” she said, staring at the words shaped into letters with the same curves that she recognised from her father’s notes.8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRzNh0bpt7 維尼

“Then open it,” the boy urged. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡDG5MTDL4JI 維尼

Maya glowered at him. “What’s it to you? You can go now!”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j8c7B3iIV 維尼

The boy shrugged and poured the letters back into his bag. With a wave, he left at a jog. Maya turned her gaze back to the letter. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3x56bcsp2W 維尼

“Go on upstairs,” Janice said with a light push. “There’s nothing to do down here except clean up.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMxcuBMb9B 維尼

“Are you sure? This could wait,” Maya said and started to put the letter away into a pocket. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgujjgK99f 維尼

Janice gave her a shocked look. She stared at Maya for a second before shaking her head. “Maya, you’ve been waiting for something like this for six years! Go and open it right now. There’s no reason to be scared!”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfAuOwIfGy 維尼

Janice was right, Maya realised. She was stalling. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY5DHGksaE 維尼

She hated them. She didn’t want to read something given to her from parents who abandoned their daughter for six years. Still…what was in the letter? What if something happened to them? What if—? Maya steered her thoughts away from those dark thoughts and did as Janice ordered. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzvXahlsKL 維尼

Sitting on her bed with her back against the wall, Maya flipped open the paper and held her breath. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7HVUOvWxT 維尼

Maya, 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡzu5XMI4Ajt 維尼

I’m sorry it took so long to write to you. We weren’t able to send any letters out from where we were because of the trouble on the road. I’ll be coming back to you on the morning of the new moon. Hopefully this letter finds you before then. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LezjVWALN 維尼

I’ll see you soon. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxVqbgPB5e 維尼

Love, 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrEHoT04qr 維尼

Da8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89h33v6otg 維尼

Maya stared at the last words. Love, Da. Da? Da? Her fingers gripped the paper until she heard it crinkle. She abruptly dropped it on her bed and fisted her hands. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHjYlm7W1k 維尼

Her father was coming back after six years? Six years of no contact and that was his excuse? Sent by a note? How dare he call himself her da!She crumpled the note in her hand. She flattened it and then held it in both hands, ready to rip shred it and stomp it into the mud until it was only a soggy patch on the road. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKI4KdWGJl 維尼

But she let go of the note and cried. I hate them. I hate them. I hate them!8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSLaxn1gd3 維尼

…8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWDd37OmEs 維尼

“Janice?” 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvQRQxU3G4 維尼

“Good morning!” Janice looked at the customer and smiled at him. “What would you—M-M-Marcus?” Janice dropped her apron and stared at the man in shock.8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMoOBVfV9C 維尼

The last time she saw him was when she was fourteen—old enough to get an impression of him but so long ago that she didn’t recognise him at first. He still wore his hair short and probably also still had two braids at the back of his head. Now, she stood only a head taller shorter than him. There weren’t any visible signs of age, but something about him marked the passage of time.8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡphDe5yAQTq 維尼

Marcus’ smile faltered. “You didn’t get my letter.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbZbFFFu4o 維尼

“W-We got it just this morning—where have you been all these years?” Janice exclaimed. “Maya’s sick with worry over you two! Not that it shows. It’s bordering along hate now.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3kEYK8JqC 維尼

Marcus closed his eyes for a moment and sighed. “There were disruptions while travelling and there were even more complications when we got there. Where’s Maya? Is she well?”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Lsvjx6Zu4 維尼

Janice frowned in disapproval and gave him a glare. She was with Maya every day since her parents left to go on their one year mission. She was with Maya when the younger girl cried, when she threw things in anger, and when she read those notebooks and journals so hungrily, looking for any  connection to her parents. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBg8Q1MXc0 維尼

Marcus was going to have to work for Maya’s smile if he ever wanted to see it again. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRd7UJBNhG 維尼

“She upstairs. Third floor,” Janice said and jerked her chin toward the stairs. She turned back to the door with a start as Marcus went up the stairs. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfwrqDf3OJ 維尼

Aldene. Where was Aldene? Janice clutched the apron she retrieved from the floor and went to the stables next to the inn. Two almost identical brown mares were settled in comfortably in the last two stalls. She rubbed their noses and saw Marcus’ ridiculously thick garments abandoned on the crate in his horse’s stall. There weren’t any other bags that would hint at Aldene’s presence. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFclRskfUK 維尼

Where was Maya’s mother?8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNBAJArRrv 維尼

Suddenly she heard Maya shrieking. Then a door slammed.8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡB84Ps9HajB 維尼

…8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡNg0i5kBfId 維尼

Aldene is going to kill me, Marcus thought. Their daughter had just slammed the door in his face after screaming with tears in her eyes about how she hated them.8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvEbVYAjgZ 維尼

He considered knocking on the door again. Then he gently felt his crushed nose and thought it would be better to wait. Even so…she grew so much! He recognised her immediately but his Maya was no longer a child. She could no longer wrap her arms around his legs asking for a lift up. She’d no longer jump as high as she could, trying to reach for his raised hands. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡau2anRDGCl 維尼

Maya was still shorter than him but compared to her ten year old self, having her head reach his shoulders made her feel very tall to him. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNnt2iAHfd 維尼

Marcus hit his head against the wall in despair. We’ve missed out on so much. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGLjKNC6I6 維尼

After setting his nose right, Marcus went down to the first floor just in time to see Gerald emerging from his room and Janice coming in through the back door. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡykagNIAMeE 維尼

Gerald’s eyes bugged out at the sight of Marcus. A wide smile stretched across his face as he said, “Marcus, you’re back! Thank the ’sters you’re safe!” He wrapped Marcus in his arms and crushed the younger man to him. “Ohhh, it’s so good to see you again.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZuG085LuY 維尼

Marcus laughed and returned the hug. “It’s good to be home. Thank you for looking after Maya.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZe3ShiMaf 維尼

“About that,” Gerald said slowly and released Marcus…only to punch the man until he doubled over.8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UjuMvDtaL 維尼

Janice gasped. “I can’t believe you just did that.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1Dh39rUS1 維尼

“Mmm…he deserved it,” Gerald said. “No news for six years? Usually they are considered dead if they do not come back three years past the original date.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡpt9EM0XAdc 維尼

“You thought they were dead for two years and you didn’t tell us?” Janice asked. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65oGgiBe9j 維尼

Gerald waved a hand. “Marcus and Aldene are experienced in the field. They know how to look after themselves so I did not worry too much.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBZ5L7wq0Z 維尼

Marcus groaned from his position on the floor. “I put all the blame on the Icians. Damned kingdom can’t even control their own people.” He blinked at the ceiling for a few seconds. After he caught his breath, he stood on uncertain legs and settled onto a nearby bench. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡf15kcrrMa9 維尼

“Janice, get him something to eat,” Gerald said and took the bench opposite the small square table. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RzDDsPMkE 維尼

“I know we’re late,” Marcus said. “I can’t even say that we would’ve been back within a year. Perhaps two, but there was so much going on.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FH30VlGwJ 維尼

“Can you tell me?” Gerald asked. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiw2hGi6Il 維尼

Marcus mulled over the question. “I don’t see why not. The news will spread soon enough. Lord Albin was poisoned by a rare disease that we had never seen before: one that changed each time an antidote was administered. The only time any of us had heard of it was in myths. It turned out that the disease is still a myth. He was continuously poisoned by one of the healers, Konnoly. For years, we didn’t know what was going on. When we were getting close, the Icians attacked.8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡCelt4iGPzh 維尼

“That occupied more of our time and attention, dragging out Lord Albin’s recovery. And neither one of us were willing to leave them when the enemy was at their doorstep.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0hSQnFpGu 維尼

Janice placed freshly baked bread in front of Marcus and took the seat between the two men. “Marcus?”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡIu4DZBNGOM 維尼

“Yes?” Marcus bit into the bread and started to chew. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡtb6HDpX5mZ 維尼

“Where’s Aldene?”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡSI1YDZHzRN 維尼

Gerald gave her daughter a sidelong glance before watching Marcus’ reaction. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU0DuAkFhJ 維尼

Marcus paused for a second before continuing to chew, albeit more forcefully. He took a swig of the contents in the mug Janice set out for him. “She’s fine.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqM58TJUV7 維尼

“But—” Janice said but Gerald interrupted her. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡ250lbZA7ZT 維尼

“Janice, leave it.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDCaTN6nS5 維尼

Janice gave her father a dismayed and questioning look. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkceVWjiRY 維尼

“Go see how Maya is doing, please.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6NwpKv5L2 維尼

Janice huffed and left the table. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RB6sCfyFM 維尼

“Maya’s not taking this well,” Marcus said quietly. “We’ve been gone for far too long.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYE3MXLUCM 維尼

“It will take time,” Gerald said, “but you are still her father and she loves you.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡflt7iSn3eF 維尼

“She said she hated me, Gerald!”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXplOeWgFO 維尼

“She’s sixteen. Sixteen year olds hate everything and everyone.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVn3us0ejy 維尼

“I didn’t,” Marcus muttered. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡyO97AbDDci 維尼

Gerald remained silent. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡegbR0n28ze 維尼

“Oh, all right, all right. Stop looking at me like that. But this is different, isn’t it?”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7amQHvRBQ 維尼

“It may be harder for you, considering the circumstances.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡiY8Kp6KSj1 維尼

“You mean normal children don’t hate their parents because of a six year absence.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWzdRspT4i 維尼

“Usually it is…something smaller.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡJD3uCnHCiB 維尼

“That’s good to know, Gerald.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fiwsxNy2H 維尼

“What are you going to do today?”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡglqy3mE3Ne 維尼

Marcus looked toward the stairs again. “I need to go to the palace. Do you think Maya will be interested?”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡKL5QI2QwNC 維尼

“I can tell you that she hasn’t been up there yet,” Gerald remarked. “Still, she might not be interested. After all, it’s only the palace.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ru1fjgBqu 維尼

Marcus snorted. “It’s worth a try. If Maya agrees to come, we’ll probably stay in my rooms there since our home burned down.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡLq8Hzbp1g6 維尼

Gerald’s face suddenly froze. Marcus caught the expression instantly and narrowed his eyes. “What is it?”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3C7uMZgMJ 維尼

“Your daughter doesn’t remember that your home was burned to the ground. She didn’t think about it at first and later, she had no interest in going back.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwnswot4js 維尼

“That’s more disheartening.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeDCYKKTP7 維尼

Gerald clasped a hand to Marcus’ shoulder. “It will work out. By the time Aldene returns, you’ll both be at the gates to welcome her home.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzgSlN0xFd 維尼

Marcus gave Gerald a familiar grin, thankful that his retired mentor still had the same effect on him. Marcus left his bag on the table and headed once again, to the third floor. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqNmCo930o 維尼

…8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMmAM2cYxI 維尼

Maya couldn’t believe that she just exploded on her father. She just wasn’t expecting him so soon! The letter did say that he was coming on the morning of the new moon—she wiped her eyes dry and thought on that. The new moon was today. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1f84KyZsB 維尼

Serves him right for not bringing the note sooner, she thought.8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiaHOTbQZz 維尼

She stiffened when someone knocked firmly on the door. She briefly wondered if Janice was back. But it couldn’t be. If it were Janice, she would have just opened it. Gerald wouldn’t bother to come up the stairs—he’d just holler.8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YAKFQA0Zk 維尼

“Maya,” came her father’s muffled voice. “I need to go up to the palace now.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkoWQw16oO 維尼

Maya gave the door an astonished look. He was going to the palace? Where the queen lived? A hint of curiosity entered her mind but fell away at another thought. He was leaving her again. Will he ever stay in one place?8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLQi7dISHq 維尼

He continued after a pause. “Do you want to come with me?”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPdQFbhvIO 維尼

Maya scrambled off the bed and flung the door open. Her father had a surprised look on his face.  She gave him a glare and asked, “Do you think I’ll forgive you both just because I get to visit the palace? No! I don’t forgive six years that easily!”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡ045mBZRCXr 維尼

He shook his head in protest. “What? No, I just need to deliver a message to someone there! And you can’t expect to live here with Gerald and Janice forever. We have our own place to live.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡenGxYO7ZKp 維尼

Maya slowly comprehended what he was saying. It hadn’t even occurred to her that she’d have to leave. Now that her parents were back, there was no need for Gerald and Janice to take care of her. “I-I can live on my own,” she said. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEYyvIyHDh 維尼

Marcus gaped at her. “You’re only…” he closed his mouth and shook his head. He seemed to be debating something with himself. “I’m sorry that we didn’t come back sooner. It wasn’t supposed to take so long, but we couldn’t leave.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HhBOsyVUI 維尼

Maya wanted to cover her ears. She didn’t want to hear excuses, no matter how good they were. She wasn’t ready to forgive either of them and she knew that no matter how bad the excuse was, she’d take it and forgive them. But that would only leave her heart empty and broken. The part that wanted to forgive them belonged to an abandoned little girl. Stubborn as she now was and used to defending herself, Maya pushed the little girl to the corner of her mind. “I don’t want to hear it! Go to the palace on your own. I won’t be going with you. Just…where’s mother?”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡloig01qpk3 維尼

She had thought that her mother was downstairs talking to Gerald or brushing down the horses. But now that she was getting used to the idea of her parents being back in her life, she realised how stupid she was. Her mother would have come straight up like her father did. She should have been yelling at both of them, not just her father. She would have, if her mother was here in the first place.8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdPEPcsAgb 維尼

“Where is she?” Maya repeated.8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwCWAoS65o 維尼

“She’s fine.” Marcus clamped his mouth shut and a dark look passed his face. “I mean she’s not here.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pDnGF42T1 維尼

“What do you mean by that?” Why didn’t they come home together? They loved each other and wouldn’t leave the other behind. She was starting to feel the hysterics returning. “Is—Is she—Is she—” Dead?8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWpSHb8EG6 維尼

Marcus focused his attention back to her. “That’s what I’m going up to the palace for. I have a message from her that someone needs to see.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUH91K33Ex 維尼

“But where is she?” Maya shouted. “Why isn’t she here with you?”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzHwnfJMio 維尼

“She was delayed,” he said. “I can’t tell you more.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3XNPEX4Ty 維尼

“Delayed? How can she be delayed? It’s her daughter that she’s coming back to! How could anything have delayed her?”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4c8EubtGr 維尼

“Maya, she’s a scout, there are many things that can delay her,” Marcus finally said in a low voice. 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡoirzQu1CL5 維尼

“It’s not like we’re at war and they actually need scouts!” Maya waved her arms. “You don’t needa scout to send messages. Just send for any other messenger!”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9tgTb2oYn 維尼

Marcus hastily pushed Maya into her room and shut the door behind them. Maya took an extra step back and looked at him closely. “Is there a war?”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡRusXY4IaZ8 維尼

“Keep your voice down.” 8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡeA6dyEcmBL 維尼

Maya’s breath hitched. “There is one, isn’t there?”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhQPlyYUmx 維尼

“No,” her father said quickly. “There’s no war. It was just a skirmish with the Icians. Your mother discovered something suspicious on the way home. She went to investigate because it might be something bigger than a small invasion on Lord Albin’s castle. Whatever she finds might tell us if we need to prepare for war. That is why she’s not here.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡkP3umLVy4n 維尼

Marcus grimaced. “I need to go to the palace. Will you still be here when I come back?”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡvezcKlbu6p 維尼

Maya recovered from the shock that her mother was on a mission. She glared at him. “I’m not leaving here! You can go and do whatever you want. I’ll continue to work so I could stay here if I have to!”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡuv3cRHfJVT 維尼

He sighed and opened the door. “We’ll talk more later.”8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDD7p0nhlv 維尼

“And now you leave again.” Maya muttered in a voice so quiet that Marcus didn’t hear. 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWLYBOFfI9
8964 copyright protection377ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkfV0GFrZi 維尼

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