Queen Vira of Fretan paced around the war room of her castle, silently muttering to herself, as her counsel silently looked on. After her generals had returned with the news that Mordals army was advancing, she had resigned to pacing around a large map in the center of the area. A large crimson block had been placed past the border with Esalta, a grim reminder that a once peaceful country was once again plagued by malice. 

“My queen.” Vira looked up to find a messenger. 

“Yes, what is it?” She asked, trying to present an aura of order that was most definitely not there. 

“My queen, some refugees have arrived from Esalta. They request asylum from the advancing armies from Morena.” Vira sighed, another problem brought on by the war. 

“Queen Vira, I must protest,” another voice echoed through the hall. General Ere stood, his arm bloody and mangled from battle. “The city is already overcrowded with the citizens from the surrounding villages. There is no more space for them inside our walls.”

“We cannot abandon them General,” Vira countered. “We have a duty to protect our constituents.” She looked over at the map of their country, noticing a large fortress that was relatively empty.  “What about our fortress to the south? With soldiers being mobilized, there has to be room.”

“Yes my queen, there is but-”

“No buts about it! They seek asylum, and as queen of this land, I must ensure their safety.” Vira turned to the messenger. “Please have the royal guard escort the refugees to the southern stronghold.” The messenger nodded and left. Vira sighed and turned back to her advisors. 

“Now that that’s solved, we need to get back to the problem at hand. Where are Henrick and Aron!” 

“No one knows my queen,” another advisor said. “They have been gone for weeks now and there has been no word.”

“Anything from our spies in the occupied countries?”

“None.” A tense silence fell over the room as Vira began to pace back and forth again.

“With Mordal’s army so close, their safety is at risk,” she mused, considering what could have happened to her brother and her captain of the guard. “I know they like to sneak out, but they always come back, Aron wouldn't let anything happen to Henrick.” 

“My queen, with the prince and the captain gone, and the encroaching threat, maybe it would be wise to assume the worst.” The statement hung in the air, their orator refusing to make themselves known as Vira turned back towards the crowd of advisors; their solemn faces expressed the scenario that they were asking her to consider. 

Vira shook her head fervently as she focused on the floor, trying her best to hide her emotion. “No, Aron and my brother are both strong. I believe both of them are fine.”

“But my queen-” 

“I will entertain that possibility when there is undeniable proof! Until then, we await their return!” Vira turned around struggling to contain her emotions. As much as she tried to remain strong, it was trials such as this that pushed her to her limits as queen and as a person. 

“I understand you must think I am in denial,” she said gently, “ but at this point, we all need something to hope for. And right now that is My brother and Captain Lochelm.” 

Suddenly, a small purple orb flew into the room, sending everyone into a panic. “Everyone get down! Call the guards!” yelled General Ere, grabbing the Princess and covering her behind a cluster of chairs. The small orb flew down and planted itself directly above the map. “No one moves!” warned Ere, drawing his sword. “We have no idea what could come out of that thing. Be ready to fight whatever does.”

Everyone held their breath as the orb unceremoniously dropped a mound onto the table. For a moment the disheveled mass wiggled around before separating into four separate people. The room's occupants inched closer to the mystery people, first noticing a young man looking pale and weak, blood dripping out of his shoulder and onto the map. Next to him was a little girl with fiery red hair, clinging to him for dear life. The last two were quickly on their feet, observing their surroundings with knives drawn. In an instant Vira recognized them.

“HENRICK! ARON! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!” The pair whipped around, finding the young queen red in the face and in utter confusion. Meekly, both sheathed their weapons, and Henrick took a careful step forward, his fear masked by a nervous smile. 

“Hey, Vira. Heh, You're… probably wondering what's going on… and where we’ve been.