Saria was alone in the control room of the ship. She's sitting at the main computer checking for any problems the ship may be experiencing. She began to bite her lip when she noticed that the mana crystal that powered the ship was running low. With this in mind she estimated that the ship would be able to fly for a few days before having to land to restore the core. Unfortunately, they wouldn't make it to Astria so she adjusted the ship's destination to a city that wasn't far from where they were at the moment. 

She pulled off the bow that kept her hair up causing her curly hair to spring everywhere. Her hair fell to the nap of her neck and covered most of her face. She sighed as she pushed her hair to the side so she could see clearly. The main door to the control room opened and Solara entered. She was wiping her hands on a rag appearing frustrated.

    "I took care of Ava's wounds but she'll definitely need to see a professional healer." Solara said as she sat down in a chair a few feet away from Saria. "By the way...sorry about leaving Ky." Solara said in a slightly sincere tone. Saria looked over at Solara briefly before looking away. 

     "Now I have to live with leaving him to be killed by your comrade. Not only that but I'm sure he did believe I wanted him killed." Saria said slowly as she continued examining the ship's diagnostics. Solara is sighing with a guilty look on her face. She slowly stood to her feet as she took a moment to think of what to say. 

   "It wasn't anything personal...Vesryn told us he'd pay us extra if we killed Ky or caused an accident. If anyone held something personal towards Ky it was Vesryn. Also, I don't think Ky would ever believe you would be a part of that." Solara said as Saria remained silent. As the silence between them began to grow a portal opened in the middle of the control room. They both looked over surprised and worried. Vesryn emerged from the portal and he was clearly frustrated. Vesryn lunged at Solara who stumbled back frightened. Saria appeared in front of Vesryn with a knife causing him to stop in his tracks. He gently reached up to touch his neck as he stared at her with unwavering eyes. He felt blood and if it was anyone else he'd have killed them already. 

    "Get...out, right now!" Saria demanded as Vesryn still didn't move from where he stood. Saria's calm demeanor was beginning to fade for she no longer could hold her composure. Vesryn stepped back appalled by her change but he expected it. 

   "Saria, I know you're upset about what happened but he got himself killed." Vesryn said in an emotionless tone that caused Saria to yell as she swung her knife at Vesryn. He stepped back but she cut the side of his face. He was surprised to feel the blood trickling down his cheek. 

    "When did you plan this with them?" Saria asked as she pointed a finger at Solara. Solara had moved away from the two out of fear of Vesryn.

    "Before we left Astria." Solara chimed in, causing Saria to glance at her before returning her attention to Vesryn. He was glaring wickedly at Solara who stood against the wall trembling in fear.

    "It was foolish of you to even allow him to accompany us, Saria." Vesryn said as Saria just looked at him with eyes that lacked any emotion. At this point she felt nothing for Vesryn and no longer recognized him. She didn't see her childhood friend but merely a stranger."

    "All these years I never knew you could be so horrible." Saria trailed off  leaving Vesryn to be at a loss for words. He took in a deep breath as he raised his hand slowly. 

    "Vesryn is a man that gets everything he wants...except you, Saria." Solara said silently but Saria managed to hear her comment. Vesryn was looking at Solara with menacing eyes. He stared at her with a gaze that made it clear he could kill her in an instant if she so pleased. Vesryn was from a long line of powerful warriors who always stood out amongst their peers. The Shaynore family were in a class of their own and if they so pleased could possibly take the crown from the current royal family. 

    "Vesryn, please leave. I don't want to see you and I don't want to talk to you." Saria said as Vesryn's gaze softened as his attention returned to her. He tried to step closer to her but she stepped back and magic circles appeared floating beside her. Vesryn scoffed as he shook his head in annoyance. 

    "Prepping a nullification spell, really princess?" Vesryn questioned as Saria looked at him with a serious look on his face.

     "Don't call me princess and this is a precaution in case you think to attack Solara." Saria said as Vesryn glanced over at Solara before turning away. He raised his hand as a faint wisp of lavender energy began to form. A second went by before a portal began to form in front of him. He glanced over his shoulder one last time. His eyes wandered over to the control system noticing the coordinates Saria set for the ship. He scoffed as he finally turned away and entered the portal. Once he left the portal closed leaving Solara and Saria alone once again. They both let out a sigh of relief as they glanced at each other. 

   "Thanks for standing up for me despite what I did to Ky." Solara said with a guilty look on her face causing Saria to glare at her silently. Saria turned away and headed back to seat near the main controls. She sat down slowly as she struggled to keep her composure. At the moment Saria was greatly confused and her emotions were everywhere. 

*

In the med bay Ava was in bed laying down staring at the ceiling. She was stricken with guilt for what she had been a part of as well as upset that she was betrayed by her best friend. She was close to Taegan and looked at him as her older brother. The fact he stabbed her like it was nothing broke her heart. Ava struggled to sit up as the door to the room slid open. Solara entered the room appearing stressed out about something. "I didn't think the princess would be so fond of a peasant." Solara said as Ava bit her lip as she thought about the statement Solara had just made.

   "You think she'll punish us?" Ava asked, sounding slightly scared. Solara scoffed as she walked over to Ava. 

   "Saria isn't as cruel as her sister, Syndra." Solara said half chuckling as Ava scoffed at her remark. She shook her head as she looked out the round window at the dark sky. Ava knew a storm was coming for their lives if Taegan was truly taking the sword to tartareans. "If you'd like, you could come with me to Athea . I have an extra room in my home if you'd like." Solara said as she sat down on the bed as Ava looked at her surprised.

   "That would be nice but I can't take you up on that offer. Taegan and I come from the same village so I have to stop him before he does something foolish." Ava said in a determined tone of voice. Solara was taken aback by this statement as she waved her hand.

     "He has the reaping sword...a sword that can literally reap your soul. If he stabbed you before, he won't hesitate to do it again." Solara said softly as Ava remained silent struggling to find a response.

    "Well I can't just tell the queen that we literally infringed on the quest. She'll have our heads so someone has to fix this mess." Ava said as she laid back down and turned away from Solara. Solara looked at Ava for a moment before she got up and left the room. At this point it became very clear to everyone that the land of Faeria was in trouble.