Daryn's heart hurt for the prince. She couldn't imagine being cooped up inside these walls, trapped. She needed space to run, struggle. Yet, she also needed company. She glanced up at Daelyn who was watching Triver’s face closely. What would life be like without her brother? It was rumored that they came out of the womb cradled in each other’s arms. How true that was is to be guessed, but Daryn didn’t know who she would be without her brother. To imagine a life spent with Daelyn gone on dangerous battles without her hurt. She felt the desire to go over and hug him, but the Prince started crying. Her eyes went wide, and she scooted away from him. 

It was Daelyn who reached over and put a hand on Triver’s shoulder. He couldn’t begin to imagine what the Prince felt, couldn’t even begin to. It was a lot for anyone to deal with. Daelyn commended the boy for being so strong, and he made it a point to try harder to deal with the mages. It was Daryn he worried about treating the mages badly. He knew how much she distrusted them, and he understood why. He glanced over at her to see her wide eyes and chuckled to himself. 

The crow flew down and told them about Inaris. Daryn wasn’t outright surprised, but Daelyn was. The man had seemed alright, if not a bit cold. It was clear that Ser’deni and Triver were shocked. Either one of the twins could have seen that. When the prince fell to the ground, out cold, Daelyn leaned after the boy, catching him before he hit the hard ground. The alarms blared over the two of them; guards ran everywhere. Daelyn scooped the boy up into his arms, looking to Daryn for instruction. 

“I don’t know,” she said, giving him a look, “I guess we head back to the castle. Find Ser’deni.” The bird was long gone, the sounds of metal armor in its place. Daryn weaved her way through the mess, Daelyn right behind her. It wasn’t long before they ran into a familiar face. 
“Twins. I was looking for you,” Enn said, giving Daelyn a odd look. 

“Prince Triver was a little shocked,” Daelyn answered.

“No doubt. It is a shock to us all.” Enn shook his head, reaching for Daryn’s elbow. “Come, quickly. Garrod wishes to speak to the two of you and the prince.” They took off then, finding it a lot easier to weave through the crowds with Enn leading them. They ducked inside the castle, where the alarm didn’t sound quite to loud. Daryn felt like she could breathe again. Enn led then down a long hallway that ran the length of the castle, not towards the center. They followed him into a room with a heavy wooden door. Garrod looked up at the three of them. 

“Thank you, Enn,” he said, his voice deep. Daryn had to admit the man was handsome, in a kind of scary way. He was built, tanned from years training outside. Yet, in his face were shadows, ghosts of things that Daryn could not have imagined. “Orders from the King are that his son, Ser’deni, and the two of you are to leave the castle immediately and search for Inaris. I know you two are new, and he might be hoping you get killed while you’re out there. Yet, the fact that you’re with the prince right now shows some potential.” He stood to face them both, crossing his arms. “As soon as you wake sleeping beauty, have him call for Ser’deni, so we can prep you all to leave.”

Daelyn sat Triver down in a seat, shaking his arms and hands. The idea of leaving the fortress was exciting, frightening but exciting. Daryn was jittery, ready to move. He could see her out of the corner of his eye. 

“How do you suggest we protect ourselves from his magic?” she asked, her back to the prince.

“Wit,” Garrod replied, “You in particular showed some intelligence during the trials. And your brother showed immense strength. Be smart, be fast. Be ready to drive your sword home.”