[THE RETURN OF RIVERCHILD ]
he morning barely took over the horizon. when the carriage appeared at the gates of Noreda's palace that seemed to belong to no one but the horses that drew it.
It was Erevan's carriage. There was no mistaking the deep blue and silver trim, the etching of water and wind symbols along the woodwork.
At first, the guards thought it might be an illusion-perhaps some trick of the early morning fog. But when the carriage rolled to a stop, no one had to say anything. The silence was deafening, unnatural.
No driver.
The horses stood still, their breaths fogging the air, eyes distant yet alert. The palace courtyard was strangely still as well, as though holding its breath.
The courtyard fell eerily quiet as the Imperial Guards fanned out to inspect the surrounding grounds for any trace of Erevan. The once tranquil air of Noreda now hummed with tension. The palace gates stood open with not a single footprint to mark the presence of anyone.
Elvera stood with her father, watching as the guards moved systematically, their eyes scanning every shadow, every stone, every trace of disturbance. Yet-there was nothing. No sign of struggle, no sign of Erevan, no sign of any intruders.
The guards moved past the gates, entering the winding paths that led through the distant riverbanks, and into the forests that bordered the citadel. They searched meticulously, calling out in vain, voices echoing across the empty space.
The silence, thick with anticipation, seemed to mock their efforts. No sign of anyone.
One of the senior guards, Captain Faros, returned first. His brow was drenched with sweat even in the cold weather.
"There's no one out there, Your Majesty," he reported. "No travelers, no footprints, no indication that anyone passed through the grounds, least of all the prince."
King Eren's face remained stoic, but Elvera could see the line of worry tightening around his eyes.
"How far out did you search?" the king asked.
"Past the the riverbend, Your Majesty. We checked every direction. No sign of movement anywhere."
Elvera stood calmly beside her father, watching the guards as they continued their search. Despite the urgency of the situation, her expression remained composed. King Eren's gaze flicked toward her, his worry apparent, but Elvera was unwavering.
"He has gone to inspect the borders," Elvera said softly, her voice steady. "An old habit of his. Trust me, Father, he will come back soon."
Her words were a quiet reassurance, a calm certainty that contrasted with the palpable tension in the air. Though her father still looked troubled, there was a flicker of trust in his eyes as he took a deep breath.
Erevan was amazed at how much everything had changed during his absence.
Inspecting the border had become a routine of his, something he always did whenever he returned from his travels. Before heading back to the palace, he made it a point to ensure the perimeter was secure, checking for any disturbances, signs of unrest, or weaknesses in the fortifications.
It had become more than a task-it was a form of quiet reflection, a way for him to reconnect with the land and feel Noreda's pulse beneath the surface.
As he stood there, everything seemed fine. The air was peaceful, almost serene. There was no immediate cause for concern, no visible threat. The landscape stretched out before him, calm and still, as it always had been.
Queen Philodolferin's spells were always significant, and her presence could be felt even from a distance. He could sense the weight of her magic in the air, like a fog that hung around him, persistent and unyielding.
The witches of Rusrich were known for their subtlety-casting enchantments that blended seamlessly into the world around them, often unnoticed. But this spell felt different. There was an energy to it, something powerful and precise, unlike any magic he had encountered before.
Erevan paused for a moment, scanning the horizon. The land before him was still, peaceful-everything in its place. He probably should head to the Palace.
Elvera would be waiting for him, as always. And yet, there was something else that made him eager to get back,
the thought of the carriage, and how tense things must have been at the palace Speacially his Father, when it arrived without him. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips at the thought.
NOREDA PALACE
Elvera stepped out of the shower, the cool air of the room a stark contrast to the warmth of her skin after her intense sparring session. She had been practicing swordsmanship for the past week, and it had become an obsession of hers. Her muscles ached pleasantly from the effort, a reminder of how hard she had pushed herself, yet her mind felt clear and focused.
She walked slowly to the bed, her body tired but content. The soft glow of the moon filtered through the window, casting a calming light over the room. She reached for the duvet, pulling it over herself with a gentle tug.
Elvera closed her eyes, the rhythmic sound of her breathing and the occasional rustle of the duvet lulling her into a deep sense of relaxation. Suddenly, she felt her weight shift, and her eyes snapped open in a hurry. To her surprise, she saw Erevan standing before her.
Before she could react, he gently pulled her into a tight hug, holding her close.
"I knew you came back," Elvera said, her voice soft as she sat up and wrapped her arms around him. "Do you know how worried Father was?"
Erevan sighed, his voice laced with a mixture of exhaustion and affection. "I missed you," he murmured, resting his chin on top of her head. "I couldn't grab anyone's cheeks, couldn't pull anyone's hair, couldn't hug anyone when I felt low. I should have brought you with me."
Elvera smiled, a quiet laugh escaping her lips as she leaned back slightly to look at him. "You always know how to make me smile."
Elvera pulled back slightly, looking into Erevan's eyes. Despite the years apart, she could still see the familiar mischievous glint in his gaze, the one that always seemed to make her both irritated and fond of him at the same time.
"You've certainly been missed too," Elvera said, her voice soft but steady, as she pulled back enough to give him a playful shove on his chest. "Father's been pacing the palace grounds for days now. You have a way of making everyone worry, don't you?"
Erevan grinned, his eyes sparkling with the playful energy that made him so endearing. "It's a gift, I suppose. I never meant to make him worry, but you know how I like to take my time."
Elvera couldn't help but smile back at him, the warmth of the moment washing over her. She hadn't realized how much she missed him-his carefree attitude, his teasing remarks, the way he always seemed to know just when to lighten her mood.
"I'm glad you're back," she said, her voice quieter now, the affection and relief in her tone unmistakable. "Everything feels... a little more right with you here. Shouldn't you meet Father?" She asked.
Erevan looked at her with a soft expression, his hand reaching to gently ruffle her hair.
Erevan shook his head, sitting down beside her. "I'll go later...." Before he could finish, the door creaked open, revealing King Eren. His eyes quickly found Erevan, and a slight breath of relief escaped him.
King Eren stepped into the room, his usual stern demeanor softened by an underlying concern. "Erevan," he said, his voice a mix of relief and worry. "You've returned at last."
Erevan stood slowly, sensing the weight of his father's gaze. "I'm here, Father. No need to worry."
King Eren's brow furrowed slightly. "I always worry, son. You've been out longer than expected." His voice dropped to a quieter, more sincere tone. "I'm just glad you're safe and sound."
Erevan gave a small, affectionate smile, the corners of his lips lifting just enough to soften his usual serious expression. "I promised I'd come back, didn't I?"
King Eren nodded, stepping closer and placing a hand on his son's shoulder. "I know. It's just... there's always so much to do, so much at stake. I can't afford to have anything out of place specially the Council"
Both Erevan and Elvera looked at their father with concern. "What about the Council?" Erevan asked.
"Let's leave it for now," King Eren said with a sigh, his tone softening. "First, let's eat dinner. I will discuss this with you both-but it can wait."