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Previous Chapter: ENDLESS Chapter 75: Proposal

Next Chapter: ENDLESS Chapter 77: Epilogue

All Chapters HERE .

Watch the Trailer: ENDLESS Trailer

CHAPTER 76: BEGINNING

“Is this layout enough?” Malia opened the parchment on the table, its surface detailing the structure and process Eirian craftsmen followed when building ships.

“More than enough.” Licorice inspected the design, “Hedera and I can recreate it once we reach the northern coastline. Unlike humans we can grow our raw materials; there’s no need to damage the forests here.” She held up the schematic, “Humans are exceedingly clever when it comes to this type of thing though. I wouldn’t come up with such a shape. Sister, should we do without the sails? I’m not sure whether relying on Vayu is a good idea or not, but Aqua is harder to reason with.”

When Hedera did not respond, her twin sighed in annoyance, already aware of the current whereabouts of her sister’s attention, “Even the princess succeeded in keeping a façade of normalcy during the height of her infatuation with Gorken. An ancient demon should have the dignity to do the same.”

Hedera removed her eyes from the copper ring Bayard had made for her, “You know that deep down I am listening. Stop your nagging, Lico.”

“I wasn’t infatuated.” Malia protested in a tiny voice.

“You still are.” Licorice welcomed the butterfly that landed on her hand, “Worry not, Gorken is just as infatuated with you. You two are just decent enough to remain competent. We’re done here; I need sunlight and so does the little one.” Licorice took the dragon heart on her way out and into the balcony.

After weeks of outlining their expedition and preparing for it, the Spearhead squad of the newly founded Eirian Exploration Force left the southern palace. ‘General’ Malia had a hard time getting used to how official it all sounded, just as much as Gorken, Aldous and Bayard struggled to feel like their ‘Captain’ titles truly referred to them. The mundane joy of travelling together as a group was familiar enough, however, and soon it enveloped them along with the excitement of starting a new adventure, free, unbound, not alone.

In spite of the cheerful chatter that had garnished the previous days of travel, they barely talked the morning they reached Kadem’s lair. They buried the silver witch’s remains by the shade of Gabrielle’s tree; its golden flowers still danced in full bloom, unaffected by the passage of time and the mandates of the seasons. The marvelous clearing, untouched and undefiled, was a worthy shelter for the grave of the last silver child. They cooked and ate and sang and slept around the tomb, determined to leave by its side the warm memories of comfort. They wouldn’t allow Kadem’s home to become a sad place.

“We’ll be back.” They vowed before resuming their march northward. They would keep their oath. Quietly, Gorken made sure to hold Malia’s hand as they abandoned the Gray Forest.

“Are you sure you’ll be all right?” Gorken asked one night as he checked on the mushrooms he was roasting, tending to the fire, “We don’t have to stop by the Northern Palace necessarily.”

“What do you mean?” Malia was just about done readying the wild berry salad.

Gorken faltered, unable to find the proper words; maybe he didn’t want to find the words, so Aldous stepped in as assistance, “Weren’t you like, brutally tortured the last time you were there? Ring any bells?”

“I was.” Malia blinked, “You’re right. To this day… sometimes, in that instant right before falling asleep, panic like no other assails me… But what’s scary is the memory of a feeling, I think. I had never thought of the place as the scary part. I’ll be fine. Moreover, I really need to talk with Lyra, and Rose is also there. The northern palace no longer is the ‘Northern Palace’.”

“Remember, if you feel troubled while there all you have to do is say the word.”

“Thank you, Gorken. You guys are too sweet.”

“That salad better be sweeter.” Aldous sniffed the bowl, “I’m still against letting you anywhere near where food is being prepared, princess. Are you certain you followed Bayard’s instructions to the letter?”

“If you had been here instead of dozing off, you would know.” Malia smirked, “You’re free to go gather berries and make your own salad, since you’re such a skilled cook all of a sudden.”

“I can never win, can I?” the redhead resigned to his fate.

Rose’s extravagantly affectionate welcome was extensive enough to dwarf the great stone wall and its wide-open gates. Her overwhelming squeezes and pinches accompanied by brisk quips and stifling hugs would make anyone forget a lifetime of immortal formality and oppressive royal courts. Her incessant questions and requests for details about each and every miniscule part of their travels were also effective in drowning the other party’s thoughts, but attentive in a caring sort of manner. Malia was secretly thankful that the motherly woman would keep her comrades occupied while she pursued her current, vital aim: finding Lyra.

The blonde handmaiden had been in the middle of a meeting when Malia had spotted her, so the princess waited patiently outside the hall. Lyra’s deep blue eyes had smiled just a moment before the rest of her features could catch up, so earnest had been her joy at noticing Malia on her way out of the assembly. Her hair still exudes the fragrance of magnolias, the princess reveled as they embraced.

As they traversed the path to what was now Lyra’s office, it didn’t escape Malia how differently her longtime friend was handling herself: she held her head high, when before it was easy for her lovable face to be obscured by her golden curls; she walked assuredly, without a hint of wavering in her quick steps; she didn’t break eye contact with anyone, and in fact more than once clerks and soldiers approached her with questions on what to do or how to proceed, and she answered swiftly, pragmatically. Only her gentle voice and face were unchanged, which only made her all the more alluringly imposing. Lyra’s past words came back to Malia, echoing from a memory: “I don’t mean to stay passively frozen in time. I’ll catch up, Princess.”

Malia smiled to herself. This feels more like I’m the one in need of catching up. Still, she would carry out her mission, she wouldn’t make the same mistakes anew.

“You know about the Eirian Exploration Force?” Malia sat at the desk.

“Of course. Both Queen Frida and your Lady Mother have been sending me letters regularly. The divergence in their perspectives is amusing, but informatively enriching nonetheless.”

“Lyra,” Malia locked stares with her, “would you like to come with us? With me?”

Lyra’s eyes filled with ecstatic tears, her rosy lips quivered. She paused. “No.” she said finally, “But thank you, princess, for asking. Thank you.”

It was the answer Malia had expected, from the moment her gaze had landed on her former handmaiden exercising her calling, doing what no one but she could do. Malia was proud of Lyra, and she yearned for Lyra to be proud of her. That was a sentiment she wouldn’t forget, no matter how far her quest took her.

Another hug, the scent of magnolias, whispered promises, tepid tears, and Malia was out of the office saluting Amsel and Petros as she left.

The ensuing nights were embellished by Rose’s wholesome cuisine, by the laughter of her friends, by Lyra’s soothing company, by Hedera’s and Bayard’s blushed cheeks, by the heartbeats of a golden gem, by Gorken’s disarming kisses and irresistible touch.

And so, their new journey started at last. Together they would love, and cry, and hate, and learn, and fear, and help, and grow, and hurt, and lose, and find. They knew that. As they walked forward, there was much else they did not know.

Description
You can also follow ENDLESS on TWITTER !

Previous Chapter: ENDLESS Chapter 75: Proposal

Next Chapter: ENDLESS Chapter 77: Epilogue

All Chapters HERE .

Watch the Trailer: ENDLESS Trailer

CHAPTER 76: BEGINNING

“Is this layout enough?” Malia opened the parchment on the table, its surface detailing the structure and process Eirian craftsmen followed when building ships.

“More than enough.” Licorice inspected the design, “Hedera and I can recreate it once we reach the northern coastline. Unlike humans we can grow our raw materials; there’s no need to damage the forests here.” She held up the schematic, “Humans are exceedingly clever when it comes to this type of thing though. I wouldn’t come up with such a shape. Sister, should we do without the sails? I’m not sure whether relying on Vayu is a good idea or not, but Aqua is harder to reason with.”

When Hedera did not respond, her twin sighed in annoyance, already aware of the current whereabouts of her sister’s attention, “Even the princess succeeded in keeping a façade of normalcy during the height of her infatuation with Gorken. An ancient demon should have the dignity to do the same.”

Hedera removed her eyes from the copper ring Bayard had made for her, “You know that deep down I am listening. Stop your nagging, Lico.”

“I wasn’t infatuated.” Malia protested in a tiny voice.

“You still are.” Licorice welcomed the butterfly that landed on her hand, “Worry not, Gorken is just as infatuated with you. You two are just decent enough to remain competent. We’re done here; I need sunlight and so does the little one.” Licorice took the dragon heart on her way out and into the balcony.

After weeks of outlining their expedition and preparing for it, the Spearhead squad of the newly founded Eirian Exploration Force left the southern palace. ‘General’ Malia had a hard time getting used to how official it all sounded, just as much as Gorken, Aldous and Bayard struggled to feel like their ‘Captain’ titles truly referred to them. The mundane joy of travelling together as a group was familiar enough, however, and soon it enveloped them along with the excitement of starting a new adventure, free, unbound, not alone.

In spite of the cheerful chatter that had garnished the previous days of travel, they barely talked the morning they reached Kadem’s lair. They buried the silver witch’s remains by the shade of Gabrielle’s tree; its golden flowers still danced in full bloom, unaffected by the passage of time and the mandates of the seasons. The marvelous clearing, untouched and undefiled, was a worthy shelter for the grave of the last silver child. They cooked and ate and sang and slept around the tomb, determined to leave by its side the warm memories of comfort. They wouldn’t allow Kadem’s home to become a sad place.

“We’ll be back.” They vowed before resuming their march northward. They would keep their oath. Quietly, Gorken made sure to hold Malia’s hand as they abandoned the Gray Forest.

“Are you sure you’ll be all right?” Gorken asked one night as he checked on the mushrooms he was roasting, tending to the fire, “We don’t have to stop by the Northern Palace necessarily.”

“What do you mean?” Malia was just about done readying the wild berry salad.

Gorken faltered, unable to find the proper words; maybe he didn’t want to find the words, so Aldous stepped in as assistance, “Weren’t you like, brutally tortured the last time you were there? Ring any bells?”

“I was.” Malia blinked, “You’re right. To this day… sometimes, in that instant right before falling asleep, panic like no other assails me… But what’s scary is the memory of a feeling, I think. I had never thought of the place as the scary part. I’ll be fine. Moreover, I really need to talk with Lyra, and Rose is also there. The northern palace no longer is the ‘Northern Palace’.”

“Remember, if you feel troubled while there all you have to do is say the word.”

“Thank you, Gorken. You guys are too sweet.”

“That salad better be sweeter.” Aldous sniffed the bowl, “I’m still against letting you anywhere near where food is being prepared, princess. Are you certain you followed Bayard’s instructions to the letter?”

“If you had been here instead of dozing off, you would know.” Malia smirked, “You’re free to go gather berries and make your own salad, since you’re such a skilled cook all of a sudden.”

“I can never win, can I?” the redhead resigned to his fate.

Rose’s extravagantly affectionate welcome was extensive enough to dwarf the great stone wall and its wide-open gates. Her overwhelming squeezes and pinches accompanied by brisk quips and stifling hugs would make anyone forget a lifetime of immortal formality and oppressive royal courts. Her incessant questions and requests for details about each and every miniscule part of their travels were also effective in drowning the other party’s thoughts, but attentive in a caring sort of manner. Malia was secretly thankful that the motherly woman would keep her comrades occupied while she pursued her current, vital aim: finding Lyra.

The blonde handmaiden had been in the middle of a meeting when Malia had spotted her, so the princess waited patiently outside the hall. Lyra’s deep blue eyes had smiled just a moment before the rest of her features could catch up, so earnest had been her joy at noticing Malia on her way out of the assembly. Her hair still exudes the fragrance of magnolias, the princess reveled as they embraced.

As they traversed the path to what was now Lyra’s office, it didn’t escape Malia how differently her longtime friend was handling herself: she held her head high, when before it was easy for her lovable face to be obscured by her golden curls; she walked assuredly, without a hint of wavering in her quick steps; she didn’t break eye contact with anyone, and in fact more than once clerks and soldiers approached her with questions on what to do or how to proceed, and she answered swiftly, pragmatically. Only her gentle voice and face were unchanged, which only made her all the more alluringly imposing. Lyra’s past words came back to Malia, echoing from a memory: “I don’t mean to stay passively frozen in time. I’ll catch up, Princess.”

Malia smiled to herself. This feels more like I’m the one in need of catching up. Still, she would carry out her mission, she wouldn’t make the same mistakes anew.

“You know about the Eirian Exploration Force?” Malia sat at the desk.

“Of course. Both Queen Frida and your Lady Mother have been sending me letters regularly. The divergence in their perspectives is amusing, but informatively enriching nonetheless.”

“Lyra,” Malia locked stares with her, “would you like to come with us? With me?”

Lyra’s eyes filled with ecstatic tears, her rosy lips quivered. She paused. “No.” she said finally, “But thank you, princess, for asking. Thank you.”

It was the answer Malia had expected, from the moment her gaze had landed on her former handmaiden exercising her calling, doing what no one but she could do. Malia was proud of Lyra, and she yearned for Lyra to be proud of her. That was a sentiment she wouldn’t forget, no matter how far her quest took her.

Another hug, the scent of magnolias, whispered promises, tepid tears, and Malia was out of the office saluting Amsel and Petros as she left.

The ensuing nights were embellished by Rose’s wholesome cuisine, by the laughter of her friends, by Lyra’s soothing company, by Hedera’s and Bayard’s blushed cheeks, by the heartbeats of a golden gem, by Gorken’s disarming kisses and irresistible touch.

And so, their new journey started at last. Together they would love, and cry, and hate, and learn, and fear, and help, and grow, and hurt, and lose, and find. They knew that. As they walked forward, there was much else they did not know.