---
Hans floats out from a dark corner.
Hans: Hail, my truthful friend. How was the ritual?
Balin doesn't respond, nor even spare him a glance.
Hans: So... the next step is to embark on the journey. Although your cousin has just been crowned Emperor, don't you think he should remain behind...?
Duke Balin: (Keen stare) Nay. Thou seek the Dark Gem, I seek the Bias Gem. Without the Essence of the Ying, all will be to no avail.
Hans: Then what of that agile ælfen... um, if I recall... Ah! Lady Elvÿndia?
At the mention of her name, Balin stills for two seconds before resuming the slow swirl of his dagger, his full attention on its gleaming blade.
Duke Balin: The same as her. The Yör et Yär are both needed.
Hans: [😏] Why did you falter when I spoke her name?
Duke Balin: ...
Hans: Oh, Duke Gulzien... could it be you fancy that naughty, savage ælf..?
Balin snaps the dagger shut with a sharp click and glares.
Duke Balin: Silence.
Hans: 😳🤐
Balin resumes swirling the weapon as though nothing happened.
Duke Balin: (Coldly) You may go.
Hans: (Sighs, retreats)
---
🌥️ At the Imperial Palace, in the hallway.
Royal Commandant: (Snorts) My Lord, I should have known you'd outwit me again. Mischief follows you everywhere.
Royal Advisor: As always.
Elflord (Alf): It's hardly my fault you failed to notice.
Royal Commandant: T—!
Elflord: 😏 (Hurries off)
Royal Advisor: (Exhales, shaking his head)
---
Outside the Palace Walls
Queen Mother: Oh, my daughter. Must you also go? Must you follow my stubborn son in his deeds?
Elva: [How can I even go when your grip on my arm is this firm? 😅] Sama Lēofa, you need not worry. Aunt Brielle will care for you in my stead. 😁
Aunt Brielle: (Wrapping her arms around the Queen Mother's elbow) Of course, I will.
NOTE: "Sama" (FõLa), pronounced ZA–mah, means Mother. Lēofa = Beloved.
Royal Commandant: 🙂 (Sighs) Your Majesty, I hope you change this tricky behavior before you return.
King Alf: (Heaves a sigh, pats Philip's shoulder thrice) ...Dream on. (They exchange smiles.) Philip, take care of the Imperial House.
Royal Commandant: (Salutes) Yes, My Lord!
Queen Mother: ...Oh, my daughter.
Elva: [😭 Somebody save me before I die from nagging...]
Elflord: (Approaches) Mother.
Queen Mother: (Places a hand on his cheek) Me Hûm. Forever stubborn.
NOTE: "Me Hûm" = My Son.
Elflord: 😊
Queen Mother: 💢 (Strikes his arm)
Elflord: Ow 😢
Queen Mother: 😁
Elva: Rest assured, Mother Majesty. We'll be safe. 😉 (Converses with Ernest)
Queen Mother: Lovely girl. (Taps Alf's hand) Keep her safe. Let no harm befall her.
Elflord: I hear, Mother.
Elva: Bob, thank you.
Bob: It's Bobby.
Elva: Bob 😜
Bob: 😑
Elva: Mother Dear, Bob is a trustworthy acquaintance. He runs nearly all hangouts in our world. He'll protect you.
Bob: We are at your command, Queen Dowager.
Elva plants a gentle kiss on Aunt Brielle's and the Queen Mother's cheeks before stepping away.
Elflord: (To Bob) I trust you. 🙂
Bob: (Nods)
Thug 1: Forget all that, Your Majesty. All we want is for Elvÿ to be safe from dang—
His fellow thug smacks his head.
Thug 2: [Shut it, bro. That's the Emperor you're speaking to.]
Duke Balin: (Approaching) Rest assured. She is in safe care.
Thug 1: She'd better be. That's good.
Balin turns to Alf with a smile and walks past. King Alf glances back at him tending his horse, then looks forward again. Moments pass; the Dragon Successors, all but Elva, mount their steeds.
Duke Balin: Come, Milady. You may ride with me.
Elva: (Stares at the horse uneasily)
Duke Balin: (Low voice) I know your fear. Worry not. All will be well.
He extends his hand, but Elva avoids it, climbing the horse on her own.
Elva: I can mount a mare myself.
Duke Balin: (Withdraws hand)
Elflord: Let's move.
Elva's arms instinctively wrap around Balin's abdomen.
Duke Balin: 😳 (Mumbles) Haa, haa... (Swallows hard) Hyah!
The horses thunder forth. From the Illusion Dock, a special ship unfurls its sails.
---
Princess Raina: Wear these moonlit sandals. The path to the Purified Temple allows only Enchantresses and Shamans to pass unharmed.
Duke Balin: My Lady, could you assist me with these? They're... tricky.
Princess Raina: [Pfft, liar 🙂 ] Very well, I'll come.
Senior Attendant Hü: Permit your humble servant to place the sandals upon thy feet?
Elflord: Mm.
Elva struggles with hers until a glance from Balin prompts the Assistant Royal Commander.
ARC: It seems you need help, Milady.
Elva: Hm? Oh! Yes, please.
ARC: At once, Milady.
Elva: {He doesn't look pleased to help me. Good.}
As he kneels to assist her:
Elva: Wait.
ARC: What is it?
Elva: Kneel properly.
He obeys, lifting her foot gently.
Elva: (Mocking) Tsk, tsk, tsk. A change of fate, is it not, dear Commanding Aide?
ARC: I do not follow Milady's meaning.
Elva: Look me in the eye and say that.
ARC: {😤} I am but a lowly being before you. I dare not...
Elva lifts his chin.
Elva: It is, isn't it?
ARC: ...
Elva traces her thumb across his lower lip.
Elva: Ah. Is there even need for words, given all that's transpired?
Sailor 1: (Whispers) Is it me, or is that red-haired ælfen doing what I think she is?
Sailor 2: (Whispers) Yeah... that noble's bold as fire.
The Assistant Royal Commander calmly bites Elva's thumb.
Elva: (In slight pain) Hss.
ARC: To twist another's words is cruel, Milady. (Rises) Forgive me. I've duties unfinished.
Elva, satisfied:
Elva: Ya Sailors! Ye be needin' more hands on deck?!
Captain: Why ask, lass?! Unless ye've a taste for sails?!
Elva: Arrgh, ye bet yer hook I do! Let's set sail and test this 'red-haired noble's' seafaring skills. What say ye, me hearties?!
Sailors: Aye, matey!!
Captain: 😆 A spirited lady indeed. Up ye come then!
Elva: Yea!
---
Days later. At the Purified Temple, within the Revered Waterfall Sanctuary, by the Sphere Rock...
Madame Raphaela floats a carmine crystal toward a wall draped with dazzling, slender leafy vines.
Queen Raphaela: (Chants) Sainá-co nki vüs peu lïr.
The vines part, and so too does the wall. As Raina steps forward, she is gently pulled back by the elbow.
Princess Raina: What is it, Mother?
Queen Raphaela: (Low voice) A seam of Bias Energy has been loosed.
---