Location: Azmar Luminary Institute, neutral kingdom of Azmar in the world of Aethalgard.
The Eldorian entourage's departure from the Institute was quiet, which Vivian found comforting. It gave her time to reflect on the books she had seen and to formulate a plan for attacking each one. She clutched the borrowed book in her hands, anxious to discover its wisdom.
Once they were settled inside the velvet-lined carriage, Callum watched her with curious interest. "I know that goofy smile. You are going to disappear down that book, and we are going to have to drag you around in your newfound stupor."
Vivian faked a pout at Callum's teasing. "It's not my fault there are so many things in this world I have not read, yet."
Callum noticed her fake pout and covered his mouth to hide his smile. "And that makes you much more trouble than Ally. Somehow, you have turned me into a stuffy old father warning you to behave yourself."
Vivian looked at him, narrowing her eyes as she studied his features with a highly analytical gaze. "I never noticed it before, but Cal... you do have a resting-dad-face."
Staring at each other in the dim light of the carriage, Vivian lost the standoff and started laughing first.
Callum shook his head in disbelief. "I do not even know what you mean. I am pretty sure it is some form of you teasing me."
Vivian nodded vigorously. "I will explain the 'resting-x-face' expression in exchange for something to eat?" Vivian asked hopefully.
"As I expected. But we are almost to the Royal Eldorian Manor."
"This must be like an embassy for your world," Vivian guessed, peering out the window.
Callum shook his head. "Maybe? If I knew what one is. It is common for royals and distinct noble families to have a place here for international meetings and for children attending the Institute."
"But why the carriage? It's easily walkable and probably faster," Vivian said.
"We are also carrying a lot of things requested by the professor. We will be working out of the manor, which is a lot easier to keep secure."
Vivian looked up at Callum with another pout. "But… the library… the books?"
Callum patted her head as if he knew she would react exactly that way. "Professor Aethelstone says he can recommend some of interest and will have any others you might like sent over."
"You really have thought of everything. But Cal?" Vivian said in a teasing yet warning voice. "Never mess up a girl's hair."
Callum threw his hands up in immediate surrender as Vivian smiled brightly.
The carriage rolled to a gentle halt. The Eldorian Royal Manor presented a dramatic shift from the crystalline geometry of the Luminary Institute. The manor's architecture embraced the natural world that was reminiscent of Eldoria, featuring living timber seamlessly woven into sweeping archways and walls draped in vibrant, blossoming vines. The air carried the rich, earthy scent of damp soil and blooming flowers that looked perfectly natural in a place that was a hodgepodge of all things Aethelgard.
As the Barklars began unloading the heavy crates, the sound of wooden wheels grinding against the spongy cobblestone driveway announced the arrival of a second transport. Callum turned, his posture shifting into a rigid, defensive stance.
Professor Cyrus Aethelstone stepped out of the newly arrived carriage, his sapphire blue coat catching the evening breeze. Tristan followed closely behind him, smoothly directing several Azmarian porters who were carrying massive, iron-bound trunks.
"Professor," Callum stated, maintaining a strictly neutral tone. "I anticipated the arrival of the reference materials via courier."
"Theoretical research requires practical, hands-on observation," Cyrus proposed, gesturing toward the heavy trunks. "We must accurately gauge Vivian's capacity, necessitating my personal supervision of the initial energy assessment. Furthermore, Tristan's research expertise will prove essential."
Tristan offered Vivian a disarmingly charming smile, seamlessly slipping a ledger out of his vest pocket. "I assure you, Prince Callum, we only intend to occupy a small wing of the manor."
Callum let out a slow, measured exhale through his teeth, recognizing he had been entirely outmaneuvered by the scholars.
*******************************************************************
Location: Eldorian Royal Manor in Azmar, neutral kingdom of Azmar in the world of Aethalgard.
Back at the Eldorian Royal Manor, a short while later, Vivian narrowed her eyes, looking puzzled at Cal. "I believe you said we were going to have a nice, quiet dinner and rest here before all of the chaos began."
Cal cleared his throat and nodded.
"So... that?" Vivian pointed to Cyrus and Tristan enjoying a pre-dinner aperitif as if they could not hear the words others were saying.
"You do not know Professor Aethelstone very well, but he is a bit... impulsive," Callum explained with no surprise at Cyrus rushing over the same day.
"My father is insatiable once he is curious about something. I apologize for his rudeness," Tristan added.
"Father?" Cal and Viv said in unison.
Cyrus nodded and pointed over his shoulder with his thumb. "Yes, Tristan is one of my brood. Did I not tell you that?"
Cal and Viv looked at each other as if to check if the other one had been told. Then they looked at Cyrus and Tristan and said, "No," at the same time.
Cyrus put his eating utensils down on the table and said, "His assistance is indispensable for our task. I would like him to know what you told me... but only if you approve."
Cal defensively said, "The more people who know, the more at risk she is." Cal lowered his head with realization. "You told him already?"
"I did say he was indispensable for what we are trying to do...." Cyrus looked at Callum sheepishly but with hope.
"If ever I am justified in killing you..." Callum attempted to suppress his anger and disappointment, then sighed loudly. "We have to contain this." Callum stood up and left the room.
Cyrus was already staring intensely at Vivian again. "Are all princes so uptight in your world?"
Vivian hesitated and then responded, "We don't really have royals and nobles anymore."
"And what type of magic does your world have?" Cyrus asked with sincere curiosity.
"Uhm... we don't really have magic, either? We have science, which could be similar to your magic in some ways," Vivian explained.
Cyrus' eyes lit up, "I see. I see! You are looking for things in our magic that resemble your science!"
Vivian nodded with a soft smile.
Cyrus whispered, "Fascinating."
Cal returned with Kel and Aart right behind. In a commanding voice that said what he said was final, "These two are under guard and not allowed to leave the premises without permission from me." Cal then looked at Cyrus, who was still staring at Vivian. "You two are not going anywhere until we know Vivian is safe. Got it?"
Cyrus nodded. "I would practically insist on it, my dear prince. We already packed for a lengthy stay. It's all in the carriage if you would send someone to fetch it."
Callum took deep breaths. "I really should have known. You are the absolute worst."
Vivian was trying not to laugh, hearing Callum use an expression she had taught him.
******************************************************************
The group continued their chat around the grand dining table until late in the evening. The manor staff served plates of roasted fowl and spiced root vegetables. Cyrus sat across from Vivian, his teal eyes reflecting his insatiable curiosity.
"Tell me about what you do in this other world," Cyrus requested, leaning forward.
"My world operates entirely without ambient energy, " Vivian explained, slicing into a root vegetable. "For example, to extinguish a fire, we use pressurized water systems and chemical retardants to interrupt the combustion process. My colleagues and I study thermodynamics, structural integrity, and the behavior of heat in enclosed spaces to safely rescue people from hazardous environments."
Tristan paused, his fork hovering above his plate. "I am not familiar with a lot of those words, but… Is it that you study the physical degradation of structures to predict their collapse? That implies a highly analytical approach to survival."
"Exactly," Vivian agreed, her analytical mind engaging. "We calculate the fuel load, the oxygen supply, and the thermal layers. Every fire acts as a chemical puzzle. And then I use that information to determine if the fire happened by accident or was set on purpose."
Cyrus practically beamed with fatherly pride. "A brilliant, systematic methodology. Your analytical mindset should greatly assist you in visualizing the flow of our world's energies."
**************************************************************************
After sleeping arrangements were made for the two unexpected guests, Cal walked Viv back to her own room—the furthest possible distance from the Aethelstones. "I should have just put them in with Barklars' lodging," Cal lamented.
"The professor would have deserved it. He promised to keep everything confidential and did not even last a day." Vivian smirked at the ludicrous situation. "Now, if we could only flash forward in a training montage."
"Viv, I mean this from the bottom of my heart... write a dictionary so I can understand these things," Cal teased.
"I think you grasp the meanings, even if you do not understand the words."
"Some of the time. Others, I have these crazy images in my head, usually of something impossible." They paused at Vivian's door, but Cal wanted to talk with her more. "Could we... Do you mind if we continue chatting in your room? I understand if you feel it is too forward or scandalous."
Vivian chuckled. "It would probably be more of an issue for you than me. In my world, no one cares about a guy and a girl just chatting all night." She seemed lost in thought for a moment and added, "Ben and I used to pull all-nighters... Uh, stay up all night just talking."
"What do you and this Ben you always mention talk about?" Cal tried to ask gently, but he would be okay if he never heard the name Ben again.
"Everything. Nothing. He's my best friend. It would not be any different for me if he was a girl." She smiled to herself, remembering how Ben liked to debate everything. "Outside of the nobility, it's probably not so uncommon here, either."
"Ben is like a girl to you?" Callum enjoyed the sound of that.
"I mean, I obviously know he's a man. But our time together is not based on romance. It's based on friendship. We call it 'platonic'." Vivian watched Callum as he thought about what she had explained. Then she had an idea. "Cal? Since I am here longer this time, maybe I could see more than royal privilege?"
"When it is safer, let us talk about it again." Callum stood, deep in thought. "I think I will let you rest. You almost fell asleep on the short ride here."
Vivian nodded, already yawning. "Yeah... I've never been very good at sleeping, but it doesn't stop me from trying," she said, smiling weakly at Callum.
Callum nodded passively and disappeared after closing her door.
As Vivian gave herself over to sleep, she dreamed of being on call at the station and being dispatched to a scene. The building looked like an explosion had gone off, and the firefighters were attempting to keep the sparks from spreading to other buildings. She went inside with a partner, checking for hotspots, signs of survivors, and stability of what was left of the structure.
Her partner called her over, pointing to a small fire still burning from the kindling of papers and books that fed into it. Vivian nodded, then she felt a warmth of those symbols lighting up on her body and the fire being pulled into her until it was out.
She panicked at the thought of the other firefighter seeing her draw in the flames, but he didn't seem to notice. Instead, he started to take off his gear. Vivian tried to protest, but he turned around with a warm smile. "It's okay, Vivian. You are almost there," he said in a tone so gentle and comforting that she seemed to know it was her father.
Then the wall behind him suddenly exploded and consumed him. It was surrounding her, as well, but she continued to pull all the energy from it into her own body until it had cleared. She could see her father lying on the floor, dressed like the arson inspector she saw photos of in family albums. "It's okay," he said again. "It was always supposed to be like this."
As he smiled warmly at his daughter, before he passed away, the scene changed on Vivian. She was screaming and burning everything down around her in anger as the bodies of her (Ally's) family were neatly lined up on the ground before her.
She woke with a sudden gasp, trying to suppress the primal rage she had felt just moments before. She was on the floor, and she heard frantic knocking on the door.
"Are you okay, my Lady?" She recognized Aart's voice, followed by another man's that was inaudible, but she thought he said, "Open it."
Callum came rushing in and, seeing her in her night clothes, he told everyone else to stay outside and closed the door. It took Vivian a moment to understand where she was, and she let out a sigh. "I'm fine, Cal. Just one of my bad dreams."
Vivian stood up before the concerned Callum and said, "That's probably all the sleep I can handle tonight."
"It is mid-day, Vivian. No one wanted to disturb you while you finally rested."
Vivian looked at Callum with surprise at the new information. Callum looked at her and saw tears flowing down her cheeks. He asked, "Is it bad?"
Vivian responded, "In my dream…" She collected herself, then continued, "I saw my father die in my dream." She took another deep breath, "and then I saw myself as Ally, filled with rage and burning everything down."
Callum pulled her head to his chest in a comforting embrace. "I am sorry, Viv. But you are right here, and you are safe. I will make sure of it."
"Even from you?" Vivian asked with a sudden shift in tone.
Taken aback, Callum asked, "Yes, but why me?"
"You are in my room with the door closed, holding me while I am wearing my nightgown." Vivian chuckled softly as she attempted to lighten the mood. "The fourth prince of Eldoria caught in a scandalous act is sure to spread quickly."
Callum jumped back, keeping his hands where they could be seen. Then he sighed as he endured her teasing.
"I guess, if I have already created a scandal..." He grabbed Vivian's face with both of his hands. "Then it will not matter if I do this?" He leaned down to meet her lips in a soft but hesitant kiss. He pulled back to gauge her reaction and then asked, "This makes us more than plant-tonic, right?"
Muting the awkwardness of the moment, she laughed.