“To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit tonight, Veya?” I asked my mage as she stood by the door of my quarters. “I wanted to come by and wish you a happy birthday before the day’s end.”

 “So you did remember it was my birthday today. Why didn’t you tell me you would be missing at the ceremony?” I asked dryly. “I apologize for my absence at your ceremony this evening, Zerona. I had other business to attend to outside the castle.” Veya replied. I knew it must have been something important. Veya had not only been my mage, but also my closest friend, my confidante through the years. “Anyhow, thank you, Veya. Six years today and you are still by my side. A loyal mage indeed. Actually, I wanted to ask you something. Please,” I opened the door of my room. “Come inside.” 

We sat on the wooden stools by the stained glass window. A full moon shone bright in the clear night sky. The moonlight made the stained glass glisten and cast beautiful shadows on my walls. I looked up at the moon and let the moonlight wash over my face. Veya could sense something was weighing down on me. She was, after all, very perceptive and in tune with my energies. I looked over my shoulder and Veya pulled in closer to me in a way trying to comfort me. She was always the one person that I could confide in without holding back. I spoke slowly, “I haven't told anyone else about this...” I hesitated, Veya’s amber, brown eyes were wide open and staring down my soul. She knew something was up. I continued, “but I thought you might have some knowledge of this…” I couldn’t seem to find the right words, but I kept going, “this mystical occurrence.” I slowly pulled by my left arm and began to roll up my sleeve, my heart pounding, to reveal a birthmark in the shape of a crescent on my forearm. “This odd birthmark simply appeared on my arm when I woke this morning. It’s strange, I don't remember seeing it at all before today.” At first, Veya had a puzzled look on her face. She tilted her head as she examined my arm. Suddenly her jaw dropped and she jumped up from her stool. “Well, that’s-that-No, no. It can't be.” I stood up as well. “Can't be what?” My blood ran cold. What was she afraid to tell me? “That crescent mark, I have seen it before. Zerona, it’s...it’s the mark of Perolis’ royal bloodline. The day a royal Perolian child is born, their royal mage casts a spell for this mark to be revealed only on their sixteenth birthday,” I could feel the intensity build up in Veya’s voice as she continued, “which for you, was today.” This didn't make any sense. I had lived in Rolen my whole life. I staggered back in astoundment. “But, how could I be a child of our rival kingdom?” 

“I had heard many rumors of the last heir of Perolis’ royal family being kidnapped as a baby shortly after the King and Queen died, but I thought they were just rumors. Apparently, that was the turning point of the war. Without clear leadership, Perolis’ government had become weak and although they fought on, they were not making any progress. That is the sole reason we are so close to victory now. And come to think of it, that was exactly sixteen years ago.” I stood there shaking. “So, what exactly does this mean? Am I some secret princess now? That’s ludicrous.” 

“Zerona, I see no other explanation for your birthmark’s magical appearance.” I stood in silence for a moment, trying to comprehend what Veya had just told me. Had I been lied to my entire life? So many questions filled my head, I found myself rambling and pacing circles around my room. “I can't believe this! I have to talk to my family and ask for their side of the story.” Veya grabbed my arm as I tried to leave. “No, Zerona, wait! If this is true, who knows what the King and Queen might do if they know you've uncovered their secret. I understand they are the ones who have raised you, but,” She let out a sigh and looked up at me. “You also know their true nature, their hunger for power. Do you really think that kidnapping a child for political gain is beneath them?”

“Fine, I suppose you’re right. It would be too dangerous to confront them right now. But, I need answers.” I picked up Veya’s wooden staff and handed it to her with a daring smile. “We’re going to Perolis.”

After gathering less than a week’s worth of food and supplies, we left that same night. We tied together my bedsheets and spare linen, then defenestrated it. In hindsight, it was definitely not the safest, nor the most effective option to escape the castle. As we climbed down, we noticed one of the sheets begin to rip and began rushing to climb to the ground. Just when we thought we had made it out of the courtyard safely, I heard a much too familiar voice, “Well, it’s awfully late for the birthday girl to still be out at this hour.” It was my youngest brother, Aeris, still two years older than me. He was of small stature with curly blonde locks of hair and hazel eyes. He and I had been the closest of my siblings and we always had each other's backs. “And what are you still doing out? This is no time for a prince to be out so late either.” I asked, trying to turn the tables on him. “Well, I’ve got the night shift for patrol. What’s your excuse?” He knew I didn’t have one. As my knight squadron commander, he knew all the cadets’ schedules, including mine. “Don't tell me you're trying to sneak out?” He got off his horse.

At this point, I quickly ran through all my options in my head and realized my only option was to try to get him on my side. Surely, he would understand. 

“Fine, you caught us, alright?. But, there's more to it, just let us explain.” I uncuffed my sleeve to show him my new birthmark. Veya jumped in to narrate the story and the conclusions we had reached just hours earlier. He was almost as shocked as I was, yet he agreed with us and understood why I needed to go. “Alright, I won't tell anyone your secret, but only on one condition: I’m coming with you.” he announced. “I’m a knight, just like you Zerona, that too, a higher ranked one. I can help you both cross the border and get to Perolis safely.” With some hesitation, I sighed and responded, “Hmph, I suppose we’ll need someone we can trust if we’re going to be on the run from the royal guards when they realize I’m missing. What do you think, Veya?”

“Against my better judgement, I’ll have to agree. We’ll need all the help we can get at this point,.” sShe replied. “An excellent decision. Haha, who would have thought we’d go from heirs to the throne to fugitives all in one night? Never saw that coming.” Aeris remarked with a sarcastic grin. “I’ll get another horse from the stables for you two. I’m on duty so no one will suspect a thing. We’ll get to the border much faster riding rather than on foot. You guys didn’t plan this out much did you?”

We had been riding our horses for almost an hour when we finally reached the walls bordering Rolen and Perolis. Luckily for us, word of our absence had not yet reached the guards of the drawbridge and my brother and I were able to get us through because of our royal status. As the drawbridge lowered, I breathed a sigh of relief. The answers to my past were in Perolis, and I was one step closer to the truth. 

The only way to Perolis was through a tunnel that stretched through Reich mountain, which separated the two kingdoms. The trouble was how to get there. We huddled together to view the tattered map Veya had laid out on a large rock. She suggested, “If this map is correct, Encaris forest should be our best bet for safe passage.” 

“No way!” Exclaimed Aeris. “Encaris is a mystical forest. Those can be very hostile and spontaneous. What if we went around it, this way?” Aeris argued as he swiped his finger in a semicircle on the map. “I don't think that’s going to work, Aeris. Going all the way around would take us far too long and now that you’ve tagged along, I don't think we have enough food to last us that long. Besides, what do we have to worry about?” I nudged Veya with my elbow. “We have a valiant mage by our side to help us with any mystical dangers. Don't we?” Veya chuckled. We sat atop our horses, and set out for Encaris. 

As our steeds trotted through the forest side by side, we felt the air thicken. A fog had set in and we began quickly feeling tired, too quickly. I tried to keep my eyes open and steer my horse, but it was no use. We got off and began unpacking our supplies. “Let’s-” I let out a big yawn. “Camp out here for the night and resume the journey in the morning.” Those were my last words before I fell into a deep slumber.

“Zerona! Wake up, Zerona! Wake up!” Veya yelled as I groggily opened my eyes to her vigorously shaking me to wake me up. “The night sky still shines, Veya. Why are you waking us at this hour?” Aeris asked, yawning and slowly waking up. “No, you don't understand. We came here last night, we slept through the whole day!” Veya shouted. “What?” I asked, rubbing my eyes in disbelief. Veya explained as quickly as she could while she had our attention, “I have read that some plants in Encaris produce a misting spell that makes its prey feel tired and fall asleep so it can come back and devour it the next day. I have cast a mild protection spell on us and our horses, which should somewhat dilute the plant’s effects on us and give us time to escape, but hurry! We must get out of here before the beast returns looking for its midnight snack!” We scurried to pack up all our bedsheets and supplies. We mounted our horses and rushed out while forcing our eyelids to remain wide open. 

After we had finally escaped the depths of that ghastly forest, the only thing standing between me and Perolis was the tunnel through Reich mountain. We released our horses, knowing the remainder of the journey would be on foot. As we approached the cavernous opening of the tunnel, we noticed that there was one torch on the wall--already lit. I paused in front of it, “I don't think we’re alone.” I whispered. Aeris continued walking, “Oh, I’m sure it's nothing. The tunnel must have a spell of some sort on it to light the way for its visitors.” 

Veya voiced her uneasiness, “I don't sense much magical energy coming from it.” Aeris reassured in a proud, yet nervous tone, “Trust me, we’ll be fine. I’ve-I’ve been through here before for one of father’s missions.” We didn’t have time to waste deliberating, as the royal guards would have been on our tail by now and we had already lost a day asleep in Encaris. I picked up the torch and led the way. The tunnel was so silent, one could hear oneself breathe. The only light was from my torch and all we could see was about six feet in front of us. We stuck close together as we walked in unison. Our long shadows falling behind us in the light of the torch looked like ghosts following us. I looked back once. Veya immediately turned me around and gestured to just keep walking forward without looking back. 

Our footsteps echoed through the cavern. Suddenly, those echoing footsteps doubled. I stopped walking and tried to scan the area around us, but it was no use in this darkness. “Something’s wrong-” Before I could barely get my words out, the torch was kicked from my hand to the ground. The flame went out. I reached for my sword and shouted, “Veya! can you ignite the torch with your staff?” Without hesitation, she began chanting. The other footsteps had now stopped. I saw the torch light up across from me in--Aeris’ hand, and he wasn't alone.

“Sorry Zerona, but did you really think you could escape the Rolenian kingdom so easily?” I heard a snarky voice ask. As he stepped into the light of the torch, I saw my eldest brother, Histon, accompanied by his twin, Halor. They were identical twins, both with a head of thick, brown hair and a prominent jawline. At 6’3”, they were the tallest in our family, with broad shoulders and physiques built like traditional knights. They were quite the formidable force when they teamed up together. Halor walked towards me with fire in his eyes and spoke in a commanding voice, “Your little adventure is over. We are here to take you back to Rolen.” I was in no mood to be compliant and so I fired back at Aeris, “Did you tell them? When you went back to get the horse on the night we left Rolen? Did you? Answer me!” Aeris was silent. 

Histon jumped in, “Zerona, Halor and I have always known that you were kidnapped and brought over from Peroils by our father.” I couldn't believe it! I had to ask, “But then why didn’t he just kill me? I was just a baby? Why raise me to be a princess in this-this illusion of a perfect family when I’m not even one of you?” Histon spoke condescendingly, “It was mother, alright. She so desperately wanted a daughter, she wanted to raise you like her own. Father’s one condition was that he would raise you as a true Rolenian and never let you step foot into Perolis. You have to come back with us now or this will not end well for you.” That was his final warning, but it was clear to us all that I would not comply with their orders unless the mighty Zeus himself came down and made me. I unsheathed my sword from the scabbard on my back and drew it in defiance. The twins drew their swords in unison and charged forward at Veya. They knew that she was my weakness and attacking her first would throw me off guard. I leapt to block their attack with my blade and protect her, but Aeris saw this coming and countered my sword. 

I began repeatedly plunging my sword toward him, each time only to be met by his blade. The piercing sounds of our metal swords colliding over and over again echoed through the tunnel. I was overly emotional to say the least, and he knew how to take advantage of that. “How could you? You know why I need to go! You know how much this means to me and yet, you still side with them?” I screamed, as tears began to well up in my eyes. “I trusted you! I loved you!” Aeris remained silent. His gaze was pinned on my blade and never met my eyes. “You even lured Veya into your trap? God, if anything happens to her because of you I swear-” He perried my blade and, in the darkness, I tripped on a jagged stone behind me. As I laid there, helpless on the ground, he raised his sword in the air directly above my neck. I could hear my heart beating out of my chest. The last thing I saw in that moment was his sword plunging down. I flinched, clenching my eyelids shut as I prepared to meet my maker. 

When I opened my eyes, I was staring down the tip of Aeris’ blade. His hands quaked and his eyes welled up as they stared into me with rage and pain. I assume he was angry at himself for not being able to complete his mission, the true failure of a knight. As I looked closer in the dim light, I saw a tear trickle down his face. Looking back, I realize that this mission caused him great pain. Aeris was different from my other brothers, killing without remorse didn't come as easily to him as it did them. Every life he took pained him in some way, taking mine may have simply been too much for him. However, in that moment, Aeris’ conscience suddenly kicking in was not a bet I was willing to take, especially when my life wasn't the only one on the line. I saw an opportunity and I took it. With one swift motion, I swept my leg through Aeris’ feet. He fell into the dirt and his sword dropped to the ground.

Veya had done her best to fend off Histon and Halor by blocking their attacks with her spells. However, it was wearing her down quickly and eventually, they knocked the staff out her hands. I sprung up and ran to assist Veya. I charged at my brothers with my sword, creating enough of a distraction for Veya to grab her staff. Summoning up all her strength one last time, she cast the freezing spell on Histon and Halor which rendered them immovable for at least several minutes. She grabbed my arm, and we began to run. It was pitch dark and I had no idea where we were headed, but I trusted Veya’s senses. I trusted her. We kept running for what seemed like an eternity. Then almost out of nowhere, we saw a glimmer of hope, a literal light at the end of the tunnel. As we got closer to the end, we realized we were almost at the outer walls of the kingdom of Perolis. By this time we were both exhausted and our legs gave out. We collapsed at the base of the wall. We looked at each other in awe that we had finally made it. 

A part of me was left behind in that tunnel. The part of me that loved my brother, Aeris. The part of me that trusted so easily. “Gods, how could I have been so naive?” I yelled, pressing my hands to my face. “I can't believe I trusted him! I let my guard down and look at what has happened to us, to you. I shouldn't have made you come with me. I can't keep relying on others like this, not if it hurts the people I love.” Tears began to stream down my face. With the little energy she had left, Veya wrapped her arms around me and gave me a gentle squeeze. “This isn't your fault. Aeris was your brother. He was by your side for sixteen years. There was no way you could have seen this coming.” she said in a soft voice. “And I chose to go with you that night. You should know by now that I would never let you do this alone, Zerona. What would have happened in Encaris if I wasn't there to save your hide, huh?” she joked with a kind smile. I wiped my tears and Veya helped me get to my feet. 

I was finally able to wrap my head around where we were and what I was about to do. I was nervous, yet excited for our journey to finally end. Behind that wall was a world I have been longing to see. Behind that wall was my truth. Behind that wall was my future, a future I had no idea existed until just a few days ago. At that moment, I realized what I had to do. I had to reclaim my rightful spot as Queen of Perolis and lead my people to victory. I felt a rush of adrenaline inside of me and I stood up with a new sense of confidence and hope. With a sly grin, I looked at Veya, who knew exactly what I was thinking. She smiled at me and gave me that look she always did when she knew I was about to do something crazy. It was the look that said:  “Go ahead, I'm with you all the way.”

Suddenly, an arrow flew in from the sky and pierced a pile of vines that I swore had not been there moments before. It must have been from the goddess of archery, Artemis, whom I had prayed to before leaving the Rolenian palace for the last time that night. Veya and I used them to scale the wall. As we descended on the other side of the wall, the sun was just coming up. Almost as if signaling the arrival of a new dawn, a new day, for me and possibly for Perolis. Within no time, we arrived at the palace walls and we heard a commotion of people as they appeared to be preparing for an event in the early hours of the morning. We stayed hidden for a while until we had a plan. We finally got our chance and snuck into the castle hiding in a wagon of hay being brought in for the festivities. Veya and I breathed a sigh of relief as we jumped off the wagon. 

Once inside the castle, we kept moving closer and closer to the commotion. Soon, music started to play. We could hear the sounds of singing and dancing, children laughing and enjoying the festivities. It all just seemed so wondrous. The people here were different, they didn’t appear to be very well off, yet they still seemed so happy. They had hope even after all these decades of a losing war with Rolen. I wanted to be a part of the celebration, but Veya immediately held me back and gave me a look; I knew I had to be patient. I needed to wait until the time was right to reveal my true identity. I was taking it all in. This was it. This was where I was meant to be. This is where I would write my own destiny. Soon, the crowds began heading to the main arena. The arena looked like it had seen better days, but the people’s livelihood made up for it. I looked around and said to Veya, “It must have been full of grandeur years ago. Look at the beautiful architecture of the arena, the motifs and the gargoyles. Pity, they are in disrepair today.” At one end was a grandstand which bore the gorgeous emblem of Perolis, now covered in ivy. At the center of the emblem was the crescent. The same crescent that was now a part of me. The crowd was suddenly called to order and what seemed like a group of nobles appeared at the grandstand. One of them announced, “People of Perolis, today is the day we celebrate life. According to the dying wishes of our King, we do not mourn the anniversary of his death and the tearing apart of his family. Instead, we celebrate the lives we all have. We celebrate the sacrifices of our beloved royal family. Let us bow our heads in a moment of silence in memory of our royal family. 

As the arena fell into a dead silence, I gathered the courage to step into the center of the arena. When they all opened their eyes, they all looked at this girl: at sixteen years old, standing tall and proud in the center of the arena. Her long, brown hair was tousled due to the long and perilous journey she had just endured; it gently flitted in the cool morning breeze. The silence lingered for a few moments and then turned into a murmur. “Who was she? What was she doing here? She certainly didn’t look like she was of Perolian nobility.” I stood calm for a moment and then I spoke, “My dear people of Perolis. I’m sure you are all wondering who I am and why I am here. A few moments ago, I had the same thought in my mind. But when I stepped into this arena, I knew right away who I am and why I was meant to be here. I am Zerona, the daughter of your beloved King Kalerin and Queen Lakia,” the crowd gasped, but I continued, “who were so brutally murdered by the Rolenians. I was kidnapped and raised by the Rolenian royals, until I discovered my true identity on my sixteenth birthday.” Some of the nobles started shouting and calling me an imposter while signaling the guards to evict me from the castle and from Perolis. I raised my arm and revealed my birthmark to the people. The murmur among the people now arose to a loud commotion. Suddenly, one of the noble women ordered the guards to stand back and signaled the people to quiet down. She called me up to the grandstand to meet with the Perolian royal mage. The mage examined my birthmark and his eyes widened. He nodded affirmatively at the nobles. The nobles looked at each other and without hesitation, kneeled to me in unison. The mage announced to the Perolians gathered in the arena, “The prodigal heir has returned!” In an instant, the people’s voices rose in a loud roar cheering for their Queen. I was home.

The people of Perolis deemed my return as a gift from the gods to finally have the royal leadership they needed to win the war. I gazed down at my new subjects below the stand and then back at my true friend, Veya, standing by my side like always. I vowed to lead my kingdom to victory. I vowed to lead with bravery and compassion. I vowed to return peace and prosperity to Perolis.