Morning dawned on me after an eventful day yesterday, during which I learned about a clan secret involving Mom, the crowning of a new king, the shifting status quo, and taking care of a tiny, adorable fox spirit. Yesterday was too tiring for me. But luckily, a good night's sleep recharged me; of course, there was a cute ball of white fluff snuggling up to me, which also helped. I opened my eyes and saw Runa under the covers, lying on my chest, her head as close to me as it could be.
Seemed Runa got up here and fell asleep right on me. I thought.
I didn't mind that she was up here with me; it was so adorable, and my heart and mind felt more at ease than they had been in a while thanks to her presence. I reached up towards her and began petting her fur, a smile dotted her sleeping face. I didn't want to disturb the sleeping fox, but I couldn't resist.
I should go back to sleep. I thought.
Seeing the adorable fox spirit still sleeping made me want to go back to sleep and take extra time to rest and compose myself for the day ahead, but that idea was pushed aside as Runa's eyes began to stutter open as they contacted mine.
"Hey Runa," I said, my voice soft and quiet, "Did you sleep well?"
Runa tried to shoot up and tried to jump off my chest, her cheeks red with embarrassment, but my hand that was petting her kept her there.
"Sor- sorry, Lori," She apologized, looking scared, "I didn't mean to."
I smiled at her, sitting up, "Hey, it's okay, you are not in trouble." I petted her head.
"You are not mad?" she asked.
I shook my head. "No," then I smiled. "If anything, you helped me sleep," I added.
"I did?" she quietly asked.
"Yes"
I scratched behind her ear, where she began purring and leaning into my touch.
"How are we feeling today?" I asked
"Better." She quietly said, although she sounded sad.
I frowned.
I had done my best so far to take care of her, but she was still sad even after everything. I wanted to make her feel better, but I didn't know what to do.
"What's wrong, Runa?" I asked her.
She looked at me with sad puppy dog eyes, which made my heart ache.
"I don't know Lori." She said, looking away. "I am scared."
That made my heart ache even more. She was scared, even after everything I had done to help her, but I couldn't take her fear and sorrow away from her. It was probably due to how humans treated her in the past.
"What can I do to help?"
"I don't know, Lori, I'm sorry."
I smiled at her and continued stroking her fur. "Don't worry, we will help each other, okay?"
She gave me a soft smile, her mood changed slightly, it was a start for her recovery.
"Okay, Lori."
I sat up, clutching her to my chest, and prepared to get ready. I grabbed a blanket, wrapped her in it, and sat her on the bed as I began gathering clothes. I wore similar attire to yesterday and picked Runa back up, still wrapped in a blanket. Today, I would look at Mom's belongings to find some clues about her exile and where she might be.
"Alright, let's get going," I told her.
We made our way down the stairs and to the dining table, where I had met with Father yesterday and discovered that he had left me several of Mom's things for me to go over. I grabbed a bowl and a jar of berries for Runa and sat down, having her in my lap as I looked at Mom's things. I gazed through the various items until I found an old leather-bound journal filled to the brim with additional notes, wrapped in an old red band. Of all the items I have looked at, this one felt promising. I picked it up, undid the band, opened the cover, and began reading several paragraphs.
Runa poked her up and took an interest in what I was doing, "What is that, Lori?" she asked, tilting her head.
"Mom's journal," I told her as I flipped through the pages, learning more of what it held, until something caught my eye.
I read aloud one of the passages. "There are Ancient ruins scattered across the Everlasting Isles that are far older than the Isles themselves, predating the divine intervention of Alaya five hundred years ago."
I set the journal down and took all that in. Ruins older than the Isles themselves were that even possible? The Isles held secrets that were hard to uncover, but this, this was different, something that could change the Isles themselves. I picked up the journal once more and started reading more about the ruins.
"Lori." Runa nudged me, breaking me from a sentence.
"Yes, Runa," I said, looking down.
In her tiny mouth was a sealed letter that was far too big to fit in her mouth, which must have fallen out of the journal when I picked it up.
"Look." She mumbled.
I grabbed the letter addressed to me. I opened it and began reading.
Dear Lorien
If you are reading this, then it means my work to save Ironclad has been completed — though at a terrible cost. I have been forced into exile, both for my own safety and for yours. The forces that brought ruin upon our city still move in the shadows, and to remain would endanger everyone I care about. I go now to uncover the truth behind the disease that ravaged our home, to continue my research into the hidden mysteries of the Isles. There is something ancient and terrible at the heart of it — a being of great power known only as the Radiant. I fear that its influence extends far beyond what we once believed, and if left unchecked, it could bring destruction to all the Isles. I know I left without a proper farewell, and for that, I am deeply sorry. Not a day passes that I don't think of you, Lorien. You are my anchor in this storm, the memory that keeps me from losing myself entirely. I love you — more than words can say — and I carry that love with me into the unknown. If fate is kind, we will meet again. Until then, remember me not as the one who vanished, but as the one who fought to give you a future.
Love Mom
Tears began staining the letter as I let the tears that had been building up for a while flow. She was somewhere on the Isles trying to protect me and everyone, despite everyone treating her and me terribly. I felt a tiny weight leaning against me. I looked down and saw Runa curling up against me, looking up with a soft smile on her face.
"Don't cry, Lori," she said.
I began stroking her fur, and she started purring. I smiled at her, and all my worries and sorrow began washing away.
"Thank you, Runa, you are the best," I told her.
She gave a satisfying, happy purr in response to my comment. I continue reading Mom's journal, and I begin learning more about these ruins. For the most part, Mom had most of the ruins labeled on a rough sketch of the isles, with two of them being close to Ironclad itself. She left some footnotes about the two ruins. She pointed to more ruins, where she left more notes for someone to find, or she just left them there because she forgot them. She was sometimes a scatterbrain, but super smart and powerful. According to Old King Tharion and Father, she just has some quirks that I didn't see when I was growing up.
"Lor are you okay?" a familiar voice said from behind me.
I turned around and saw Astrid standing in the archway. I didn't wipe tears away; I wasn't ashamed that my big sister saw me crying. She always knew when I was sad. I shook my head and showed her the letter. She walked over, grabbed the letter, and began to read it. After realizing what Mom had left me, she quickly hugged me.
"I am sorry, Lor," she said
"Thanks, Sis," I replied quietly.
She looked down and saw Runa curled up against my lap, and her mood immediately changed.
"Aww, she is cute," she said in a high-pitched voice that I had never heard from her before.
Runa, upon hearing her, quickly crawled under the blanket on my lap and started shaking in fear. "Scary," she said under the blanket.
I began stroking her as best I could, despite the blanket. "Sssh, it's okay, this is Astrid, she is my sister," I told her.
I knew she didn't like humans, with me being the exception; I knew it was going to be a long healing process.
"What's wrong with her?" Astrid asked.
"She was mistreated and abused by humans, particularly her first master," I explained.
"Oh, well, it looks like she trusts you to protect her."
"I guess," I said softly. I wasn't sure how she felt about me, but I wanted to help her as best I could if she would let me.
Astrid took a knee and got close to the blanket-covered Runa. "Hey there, little one, my name is Astrid. What's yours?" she said in a familiar tone. It was something I was familiar with when I was younger, and she used it with me a lot.
Runa poked her head out from the blanket and looked at Astrid. "Ru-Runa," she said, her cheeks tinted red.
"Hi Runa, I am Lorien's big sister. I take care of him like he takes care of you," she explained.
"You take care of Lori?" she said. Astrid gave me a look as she heard her call me Lori, and I merely rolled my eyes at her with a smile on my face. And she turned back to Runa.
"Yep, like he is taking care of you."
"You're aloud," Runa said.
Astrid's eyes widened in shock, and she looked momentarily taken aback by the tiny's spirited comment. "Did you actually tell her that?" she asked incredulously, her tone revealing both surprise and curiosity.
"No, it's just that she's sharp enough to notice how loud you can be," I answered with a hint of teasing.
At that moment, Astrid seized my ear between her fingers, pulling gently but insistently.
"Ow, that really hurts, Astrid!" I protested, wincing at the unexpected pinch.
"Maybe if you showed a bit more respect to your big sister, I wouldn't have to punish you like this," she said with a playful smirk, her tone firm but lighthearted.
"I-I'm really sorry!" I exclaimed, eager to end the playful reprimand. The instant I apologized, Astrid released her grip and shifted her demeanor, enveloping me in a comforting embrace.
"There you go, some respect for your big sister," she said softly, her voice soothing as she stroked my back, a smile spreading across her face.
"Jeez, Ari, you didn't have to do that; you scared Runa." I looked down to see Runa shaking under the blanket.
"Oh, I am sorry." Astrid gasped
"L-Lori sister is a big meanie," Runa said
"It's okay, Runa, she didn't mean it, it's just a brother and sister thing, okay? Astrid is very nice; she is always protecting me from the rest of the clan."
Runa poked her head out and looked at me with tears in her eyes. She snuffled her nose. I used my shirt and wiped her tears away.
"She isn't a meanie." She asked, tilting her head.
"No, she is the best big sister ever." I softly told her.
"Astrid is my big sister, too?" Runa asked
Astrid and I both laughed. I started to stroke Runa's fur, which made her smile.
"Of course, Runa."
Astrid looked over my shoulder and saw all the papers and journals I had laid out across the table. I didn't try to hide anything from her. I hadn't thought of it at all, but I had a feeling that she wouldn't let me go in search of these ruins, as it would have been dangerous to do so, but I needed to do this.
"Clues about Mom and the secrets of the Everlasting Isles that she was trying to uncover," I told her.
"Secrets of the Isles? She echoed
"Yeah, look what Mom wrote about," I told her, picking up her journal, flipping to the first page, which explained everything, and showing it to Astrid.
She read the same passage, whispering the words to herself, her eyes widening with each word.
"Lor, this is big," she said.
I nodded. "I know, sis, there are two ruins located near Ironclad, I—"
I paused, my words catching on the edge of uncertainty. The flickering hearthlight cast Astrid's shadow long against the wall, the flames twisting her expression into something unreadable. I swallowed, forcing the words out. "I plan on heading to them. To search for more clues about where Mom is."
Astrid's eyes widened. She took a step back as if struck, her breath leaving her in a sharp exhale. The silence that followed was thick—so thick that even Runa stirred in my arms, her small hands tightening around the fabric of my cloak. I turned to face my sister fully, holding Runa close, feeling the faint rhythm of her heartbeat against my chest. Her curious gaze darted between us, sensing the tension even if she didn't understand it.
"I can't let you, Lorien," Astrid finally said, her voice soft but trembling.
I stood from the chair, the legs scraping harshly against the wooden floor. "But why not?" I demanded, clutching Runa tighter. "I may be a mage, but I am capable of protecting myself." My voice wavered with a mix of defiance and desperation. "You know that."
Astrid's lips parted, but for a moment, no sound came out. Then she shook her head, strands of her hair falling loose around her face. "I know, Lor," she said quietly. "But—but I don't want to see you get hurt, okay?"
Her words cracked at the edges, and I saw the fear there—the same fear that had followed her since that day when Mom left Ironclad. It wasn't just worry; it was guilt. The kind that never faded, no matter how many times she told herself it wasn't her fault.
I opened my mouth to argue again, but something in her eyes stopped me. The firelight reflected there, mingling with the sheen of unshed tears. For a heartbeat, neither of us moved. The only sound was the soft hiss of the flames and Runa's quiet breathing.
Finally, I sighed and looked away. "I can't just sit here and do nothing, Astrid," I murmured. "If there's even a chance she's out there, I have to try."
Astrid let out a soft sigh, her expression shifting to one of genuine concern as she met my gaze. A warm smile spread across her face, illuminating her features, and she gently cupped my shoulders with her hands. "Okay, Lorien," she said, her voice a soothing whisper, "You can go, but please, just be safe, alright?"
"I promise, Astrid," I replied, feeling the weight of her words.
With that, she pulled me into a tender embrace, wrapping her arms around me in a comforting hug. I sank into her warmth, still holding Runa, who purred at the warmth we shared. Astrid ended the hug and knelt to my eye level, hands remaining on my shoulders.
" Don't do anything, I would do okay?"
"I'll try not to. "I chuckled.
She chuckled, too.
"Good, now go see if you can find Mom, while I get to work." She said.
I frowned. If anything, I wanted her to come with me; it was her Mom, too, even if she was her stepmother. Mom loved Astrid no matter what, like she was her birth mother.
"You don't want to come with me?" I asked her.
She ruffled my hair, "Sorry, Lor, but duty calls don't worry, I will be able to join you soon, okay, just-" she paused for a moment, thinking, and continued. "Be careful, I am not there to protect you."
I lightly smacked her hand away from my head and tried fixing my hair that she ruined. " I know, sis, just trust me, okay."
She smiled and then leaned down and kissed me on my forehead. I felt my cheeks warm. I shouldn't have felt embarrassed by my older sister showing me affection, but I wasn't anymore, well, at least in my eyes, obviously not hers. She pulled her head back, gave a small smile, and left without saying a word.
"Love you too, sis." I quietly said to myself as she left, my cheeks a bright red.
I shook my head, trying to clear it. I looked down at Runa in my arms, unsure if I should bring her with me. She needed to rest so that she could heal, but I also would have felt bad if I just left her here alone.
"He,y Runa."
"Yes, Lori?" she said, looking up at me with her big golden eyes, head tilted.
"Do you want to come with me?" I asked softly.
She let out a curious "Hmm," looked away for a moment, thought, and finally turned her antlered head back to me.
"I don't want to be alone," she said, "So I will go with you, Lori," she cheerfully added.
I smiled at her, but then a thought occurred to me: What if it is dangerous? What happens if she gets hurt? Those thoughts plagued my mind because I didn't want to see her hurt.
"Are you sure?" I asked, concern in my voice. "It could be dangerous, you could get hurt," I added.
She looked at me with a confident and brave expression, her chest puffed out, a first for her. "I can protect myself and you with my magic," she said proudly.
"Oh, you protect me?" I said in surprise.
"Yep, I'll protect you like you protected me," she said
I felt a warmth fill my body. I found it adorable that she wanted to protect me, but I wasn't going to allow her to fight my mine battles for me; I wasn't going to be the mage that allows their familiars to fight for them; if anything, I would fight with her.
"Please protect me, oh great Runa." I giggled, playing along.
She just smiled happily.
"Fine, you can come with me."
"Yay," She leaped from my arms and landed on my shoulder, her tail wrapping around my neck like a scarf, and nuzzled against my cheek.
"Alright, let's get going then," I told her.
I grabbed Mom's journal, several pages of notes, and a local map of the Maris River Valley and stashed them in a satchel. I grabbed a simple brown cloak and clipped it around my neck, draping it all the way down to my bare knees. I also changed footwear to something fitting for adventure: ankle-high brown boots. I stood at the door, my hand reaching for the knob. I felt my hands shake as I went for the door, my heart beating in my throat. I was scared and nervous at what I didn't know, perhaps of the danger of following Mom's footsteps or learning that she was no longer- I shook my head. Don't think like that, Lori. She is still alive. Great, I now refer to myself as Lori. Sensing my unease, Runa nuzzled her head into my cheek. I reached up and scratched behind her ears, my nerves calming. I took a deep breath and swung the door open, rushing out with determination.