Warren slept through the night, though not without some twisted nightmares. He was in Castle Edrys’ courtyard walking through the snow when suddenly he was grabbed from behind with a hand clamped over his mouth. He looked behind him and saw Rei, though he was bloody and pale with a sickly tinge to his skin. Rei turned Warren around so they were facing each other, gripping his arms tightly.

“Warren, Warren, Warren. Why didn’t you save me? I thought you cared about me. We were best of friends and you let me go off to Edrys and die.”

Warren pushed himself away. “N-no,” he said, holding up his hands. “Rei, please. I-I want to find you. I want to save you. I wish I could’ve been there before to protect you. Then perhaps you would still be with us now.”

Rei frowned and tilted his head. “You want to save me? I’m already gone, Warren. You can’t save me. Oh Warren, Warren. Warren.”

Warren wanted to say something but couldn’t speak, and all he heard for the rest of the night were Rei’s disappointed words echoing through his mind.

Warren woke in a panic, prompting strange looks from the other knights getting dressed and washing up. He kept his head lowered as he got himself ready and tried not to draw any more attention as he slipped out of the barracks before any of the others. When Warren arrived at the castle’s main gate, the queen was already waiting with two servants. One handed him a rucksack, which he slung over his shoulder after stuffing his coat into it. He adjusted his sword belt then bowed his head as he glanced at the queen, who had a faraway look in her eyes.

“Your Majesty?”

“Oh! My apologies, Sir Warren. I suppose it’s time for you to depart.”

Something about the way she said it made him think she didn’t want him to go. Then again, after last night’s dream, Warren wasn’t so sure he wanted to go, either.

Yet here you are. And besides, you’re not just doing this for Rei; it’s bigger than that.

Warren took a few deep breaths to calm himself down.

“Alright- I’m ready.”

The queen nodded. “To review; you are to meet Lady Rosa in the village at Faylinn’s edge. There is a large sign with flower buds painted on it in her garden, so hopefully that makes it easier to spot. Tell her the queen sent you, and she should give you-”

“What? What’ll she give me? And how will it help Rei?”

Warren blushed, realizing his impatience had once again gotten the better of him.

The queen sighed. “I’m not certain, honestly. She makes potions and medicines, though what effect this one will have is unknown to me. She was quite vague in her letters, as I said.”

Warren nodded and gritted his teeth. “Alright then. Thank you again for this opportunity, Your Majesty. I will bring Rei back; I swear it on my honor as a knight of Faylinn.”

The queen said nothing and smiled, her eyes beginning to water. She waved to him as he started down the road, her servant motioning for her to step back inside. She said one final goodbye and then Warren was alone with the cool morning air and his thoughts.