For the rest of the day, Caroline stayed in her room, not coming out unless called. She spoke to Belaria about many topics, delighting in what she learned. Belaria told her stories about her exploits with her three companions, lessons that she had been taught herself, told her of magics that hadn't been seen for centuries. Before she went to bed, Belaria told Caroline an idea she had to convince everyone that Caroline should go and find her. That night, Caroline dreamed the stories she was told.
The Following Day
Belaria woke up yawning, stretching Caroline's arms as far as they would go. She slid out of Caroline's bed and dressed in Caroline's clothes. In her head, she heard Caroline's voice talk to her. "How long is this going to last again?" Belaria smiled, remembering how the girl had jumped at the idea of switching places last night. "Only for the day, maximum. It's hard to keep the switch up right now, since I'm still connected to my vessel. It would be impossible if i wasn't in Elianst." She opened the door and stepped out into the hallway, and once she was inside she inhaled her first breath of fresh air in 400 years. She quickly made her way towards the sounds of battle preparations, finding herself facing the northern wall. Someone saw her and started walking over, obviously trying to stop her, but she smiled and with a twist of her magic disappeared, riding a gust of wind to the top of the wall. She reappeared standing next to the Queen and future King, staring out over the wall. Before the queen could say anything, Belaria turned to her. "Queen of Elianst, blood of my blood, hold that thought for a moment. I believe you assume me to be Caroline, but in fact I am merely borrowing her body for a time, seeing as I lack my own. My name is Belaria, Grand Magus of the kingdom of Luthara, though I know these names are little more than legends now." She paused for a second, looking back over the wall. "I know you have many questions, but the magic I use to hold this body is difficult, and the longest I can hold it is six hours. Caroline can explain the situation when she returns. For now my purpose is to offer you a glimpse of my power, and maybe make your decision on the girl's upcoming request a little easier." She pointed out towards the forces gathered beyond the walls. "Eliminate half of the force. Relinquish them of their weapons. Bring you twice as many soldiers. Double the strength of your defense." Turning once more to the queen's look of confusion, she finished. "Name one of these tasks, and it shall be done. After that I will have no more strength to hold on to the link, and the body will return to Caroline."
The Following Day
Belaria woke up yawning, stretching Caroline's arms as far as they would go. She slid out of Caroline's bed and dressed in Caroline's clothes. In her head, she heard Caroline's voice talk to her. "How long is this going to last again?" Belaria smiled, remembering how the girl had jumped at the idea of switching places last night. "Only for the day, maximum. It's hard to keep the switch up right now, since I'm still connected to my vessel. It would be impossible if i wasn't in Elianst." She opened the door and stepped out into the hallway, and once she was inside she inhaled her first breath of fresh air in 400 years. She quickly made her way towards the sounds of battle preparations, finding herself facing the northern wall. Someone saw her and started walking over, obviously trying to stop her, but she smiled and with a twist of her magic disappeared, riding a gust of wind to the top of the wall. She reappeared standing next to the Queen and future King, staring out over the wall. Before the queen could say anything, Belaria turned to her. "Queen of Elianst, blood of my blood, hold that thought for a moment. I believe you assume me to be Caroline, but in fact I am merely borrowing her body for a time, seeing as I lack my own. My name is Belaria, Grand Magus of the kingdom of Luthara, though I know these names are little more than legends now." She paused for a second, looking back over the wall. "I know you have many questions, but the magic I use to hold this body is difficult, and the longest I can hold it is six hours. Caroline can explain the situation when she returns. For now my purpose is to offer you a glimpse of my power, and maybe make your decision on the girl's upcoming request a little easier." She pointed out towards the forces gathered beyond the walls. "Eliminate half of the force. Relinquish them of their weapons. Bring you twice as many soldiers. Double the strength of your defense." Turning once more to the queen's look of confusion, she finished. "Name one of these tasks, and it shall be done. After that I will have no more strength to hold on to the link, and the body will return to Caroline."