In their next day of travel, the four finally cleared Ronin pass, and the air became fresh and warm, tinted with the scent of something sweet and clayish. All were relieved to be free of the mountains, in the final leg of their journey.

Now that they were officially in Lorea, Wilky began to worry. She knew Thea and Casey would probably leave her alone in Lieronin, and then it would be up to Wilky to wait for Destin's arrival, which could take any number of days, weeks, or even months.

On the one hand, the idea of leaving her new friends behind forever was devastating. After over a week of travel together, she'd really grown attached to them. Casey, with his whimsical, quirky nature, Helewis, stern and questioning, and even Thea, who had originally been dull and moody, but who had gradually warmed up to having Wilky along on the journey.

But even after all they had been through, Wilky was very much aware that these people were her guides, not her forever friends. Another wizard or witch could teach Wilky magic just as well as Casey. Destin had promised to meet Wilky in Lorea, and it was up to Wilky to be here waiting for him. The gold ring she still wore on her finger was a constant reminder of her bond to Destin Cantari, her future husband. She couldn't just abandon him to join her new friends- who weren't even primarily her friends, as she had to keep reminding herself.

They soon reached Lieronin, a town that reminded Wilky of spider web, in how the buildings were spread far apart, with roads whose primary function was connecting said buildings. It was green in every shade of the word, in the form of flower boxes in every window, trees lining the narrow roads, and thick vines clinging to the grey bricks of houses and shops. The people were brightly colored and well dressed, with children clinging to arms and hugging legs, and young men and women strolling casually together for the purpose of having a nice chat, or catching up on local gossip.

"It's because they're right by Ronin Pass," Casey explained to Wilky. "Most of the trade Lorea does with Kown, Tawnin, and the other countries is based around here, and Lieronin clearly benefits from it."

As evening dragged its dimming orange dusk across the land, and the liquid yellow sun dissolved into the darkening horizon, the four companions booked a room at an Inn for the night, then, leaving Tempest and Ditto in the stables, headed to The Fair Burrow Tavern, a lively little establishment that squatted on one side of the main town square, its entrance shaded by slender filligren trees, but nonetheless the center of attention for anyone looking for a good beer and a good time.

Already, the tavern was brimming with young people, talking and laughing around stained wooden tables, the pink glow of alcohol bright in their cheeks. Casey led them over to a table, then ordered dinner for each of them.

"Don't worry," he said. "It's on the house. Celebration of our arrival in Lorea. Only one more day of travelling before we reach Ezrimond, capital of Lorea!"

"When all this is over, I'm gonna miss you guys," Wilky sighed.

"How sweet." Thea droned.

"Even me?" Helewis teased, tipping his chair onto its back legs.

"Nobody will miss you," Casey said, grinning. "I suppose we'll have to find somewhere to turn you in for our reward, won't we?"

Helewis's chair landed back on all fours with a thump. "Reward? What the sackan are you talking about, Caster?"

"I hear your capture goes for quite a lot here in Lorea. You're a dangerous criminal."

Helewis rolled his eyes, trying to look calm, but sensing that Casey could see right through to the chaos in his mind. "I'm not that dangerous, I just-" then he saw the look on Casey's face.

"I'm just joking, my dear companion, I wouldn't turn you in for any silly reward. You're not really such a bad guy, I think. You'll be coming with us to Ezrimond."

"To do what?"

"To visit Iliana, the most famous library of magic in all of Ohruna," Casey grinned. "You'll love it there, Wilky."

Wilky beamed. "I can't wait! Out of curiosity, how difficult would it be to get an audience with the queen? I want to see if she'll help me rescue my family from Cordia."

"Not too difficult, actually. She allows visiting during a few hours of the day most days of the week. The more difficult part will be convincing her to help you. Lorea prefers not to get involved in the war between Cordia and Hortizor.

"Well, it's worth a try." Wilky decided. "Thea, are you coming?"

"I'm afraid not." Thea replied.

"Awww... why not?" Wilky asked.

"I need to figure out my life here, and I need to do it alone. In order to become a citizen of Lorea, I'll need to have lived here for five years, and that means finding somewhere I can do that." she sighed. "I've endangered the rest of you enough already."

"You don't mean to say... you care about us?" Casey said hopefully. Thea stared down at the table.

"I don't want to put you in any unnecessary danger."

"So you care about us," Casey concluded.

"What danger could you possibly put us in?" Wilky asked, looking worried.

"It's..."

"Complicated?" Wilky finished.

They locked eyes for a minute, and then Thea sighed.

"Yes. Yes, it is."

The arrival of their dinner put a stopper on any further conversation.

The next morning, the four set out bright and early on the final leg of their journey. The day was sunny and the breeze was brisk and cool. It was a perfect day for travelling.

They arrived in Ezrimond early in the afternoon. The city was the most beautiful thing Wilky had ever seen, but her thoughts were tinged by the knowledge that Thea would soon be leaving them. Wilky had gotten used to Thea's sour attitude in their midst, and had even started to enjoy it. Thea acted like the world was falling apart, but when she spoke, you could hear a certain wonder that it wasn't. She wasn't nearly as angry and negative as she seemed; somewhere inside there was a little girl wanting to get out and see the world. And she was.

"I think here is where I'll say goodbye," Thea said, stopping as Casey, Helewis and Wilky started up the steps to the palace.

Wilky stopped and ran back, bowling into Thea with a big bear hug. Thea stumbled in her surprise, her heart giving a great leap. After a moment, she put her arms around Wilky's small body, holding her tight.

"I'll miss you!" Wilky whimpered into Thea's shoulder.

"I'll miss you too," Thea whispered. She would never be quite sure whether Wilky heard her or not.

The two stood back, and Casey held out his arms expectantly.

"Do I get a hug too?" he asked. Thea rolled her eyes.

"If you really want."

"Yay!" Casey hugged her tightly; Thea looked like her eyes might pop out of her head.

"Did you want a hug too?" Thea asked Helewis. Helewis shook his head.

"I'm good."

"Well then, have a wonderful journey, and good luck to you." Casey said, shaking Thea's hand. "May we meet again someday."

"Yes, may we!" Wilky chimed in.

Thea inclined her head slightly. "Thank you for everything. I never would have made it here without you as my guide."

"Not a problem," Casey replied.

Thea turned, her forest green cloak swirling behind her, and disappeared into the twisting streets of Ezrimond.

"And now, for you," Casey said, turning to Helewis, who blinked in surprise and took a step back.

"Me? What about me?" Helewis stammered. "You said you wouldn't turn me in, you said-"

"I think I'll let you go free." Casey muttered thoughtfully. "On the condition that you leave Thea alone. It is my understanding that your fear of... other powers will keep you from stepping out of line for a time. At which point I'll let some more talented and attractive wizard attempt to wrangle you." He pointed his wand at Helewis's wrists, which, as ever, were bound with the invisible red string. Casey muttered something and there was a loud snap. Helewis pulled his hands apart and grinned.

"I can't believe this," he looked up at Casey. "You're really letting me go?"

Casey smiled.

"I have nothing to gain by turning you in or keeping you around. Clearly you're not enjoying yourself."

"I mean..." Helewis started, as if to contradict him. Casey raised an eyebrow. "I mean, yeah, you're right. Th-thanks. I'll see you... around."

Helewis took a few steps in the opposite direction, then turned his back on Wilky and Casey, taking off through the winding streets of Ezrimond.

Casey sighed and looked up at the palace.

"I sure hope that's not the last time I see him," he muttered. "Now, for that audience with the Queen."

Queen Ivette Miriad-Whitley was the ruler of all of Lorea and her four colonies, and would someday be famous for her involvement in Tawnin's reconstruction after the river nation was torn apart by Cordia in its desperation to win the war against Horitzor. Later in life, Ivette would attribute her own bleeding heart to a young woman named Wilkynn Geodonna, who came before her one sunny day in spring and told the heartbreaking story of how her family had been kidnapped in the middle of the night to be sold into slavery by the Cordians, and how she had barely escaped with her life thanks to her dear fiancee, who unfortunately, did not make it to freedom.

"There is nothing I can do at the moment," she would remember herself saying. "The war with Cordia and Hortizor is still going strong, and I do not wish to put my people or our freedom in danger. But when the fighting ceases, as it inevitably must, I will do what I can to assist all those enslaved in Cordia."

"There's nothing you can do?" The girl had asked, wide eyes nearly brimming with tears. Ivette's heart sank in her chest. This was the difficult part of her job: turning away deserving souls with pure intent, for the sake of the greater country of Lorea.

"There is nothing I can do. But I wish you good luck in someday rejoining your fiancee and family. If your sister ever comes to Lorea I would be happy to offer her a place in the military."

"I'll let her know," The girl whispered. "When I see her again."

She had been so optimistic that the queen would have the answer. It hurt Ivette to turn her away.

And yet, the Queen prided herself on never forgetting her visitors, and she certainly never forgot Wilkynn Geodonna. She would wonder, sometimes, what had happened to the girl, and if she had ever found her family.

Iliana was more grand and beautiful than Wilky could have ever imagined.

It sat in the center of Ezrimond, streets leading up to it like spokes on a wheel. The building itself was a tall cylinder, the outside dotted with windows. Inside, it was all books and shelves, from floor to ceiling, with a various catwalks here and there, and ladders leading up to them. The limited floor space was taken up by a massive rug of any colors, as well as a few armchairs and tables. Even better, the library was filled with fellow magicians, reading or chatting or browsing the shelves.

Wilky took off immediately, climbing the ladders until she reached the very top of the building. The ceiling was a dome of glass that case in a pattern of light upon the floor.

Then, Wilky turned to the books, and began reading. Most of the spells were too advanced or dangerous for her to attempt, but even so, she loved reading about them, finding out more about this strange magical community she had stumbled into.

Once she'd had her fill of the books, she started up a conversation with a fellow apprentice. After that, she gawked at the potions and vials and sorcery ingredients that sat on shelves.

The day flew by, and it was one thing after another after another. Wilky could've stayed there forever.

Later in the day, Casey left to find them something to eat, while Wilky remained, engrossed in a book about famous magicians. The library was starting to clear out a bit, though there were a few older magicians still hanging about, and the library had a very still, solemn air to it that Wilky enjoyed.

Then, someone approached the chair where she sat, placing his hand on the arm of her chair.

"Wilkynn Geodonna, correct?"

Wilky lowered the book and studied the man. His skin was pale, and his face had a sallow look to it, but other than that, he was very striking, his hair shining, and his cheekbones prominent.

"Yes..."

"I imagine the first thing you'd like to ask is how I know your name."

"I didn't ask that yet."

"But you would've, given time." The pale man surveyed the room, then dropped into one of the comfortable armchairs.

"Fine. How do you know my name?"

"I... well, I imagine you know me by name. Before I tell you who I am, however, I must ask you not to judge me until I have told you my side of the story."

Wilky frowned. "What story?"

"About your companions. Surely you've realized-" when her face remained blank, his eyes widened. "You don't know me then? I see," he swore under his breath. "My name is Draegon Rinn. I don't know if Avina mentioned me at all... sounds like she didn't."

"Avina?"

"I believe she's been going by Thea lately."

"I know Thea!" Wilky exclaimed, grinning.

"No, you don't," Draegon corrected. "I'm afraid you don't know her at all."

"What are you talking about?"

"Avina- or Thea- is not who she seems. Neither is her companion, Casey Caster."

Wilky was silent, so Draegon went on.

"You were born into a wealthy family. Your family name, among others, holds importance in Tawnin. When your family was enslaved and the Geodonnas were lost, a notorious Lorean crime lord by the name of Rooker Blood took advantage of the situation, hiring bounty hunters to hunt down anyone of your name, as well as the names of a few other families. Avina and Casey were two of those bounty hunters, a wizard and a warrior working together, two outlaws in search of an opportunity. And then, of course, they stumbled across you."

Wilky could feel her heart shattering into a thousand pieces. "But... but Thea never liked me."

"Part of the act, I imagine. If they acted like they wanted you there, you might get suspicious. Not only that, but I have reason to believe you are cursed, because of your name, Wilkynn. You are cursed to believe all you hear, and Caster and Avina used this to manipulate you."

"A curse?"

"Your name means 'believer'. Have you ever noticed anything strange about how you never question anything?"

"I... I have..." Wilky whispered. "But... wait, so... so who was Helewis?"

"Helewis Bronsky was aiding me in rescuing you, but was stunned by Caster and put under a confusion spell." Draegon paused and stared down at the intricate pattern on the carpet. "I'm not sure there's any of his mind to be salvaged anymore, after so long under Caster's spell."

How could this be possible? How could it be that all her friends wanted to turn her into a Lorean crime lord?

"But... the cursed horses! That was you!"

"It was me who caught your horses, but I was attempting only to reverse the curse already placed upon them by Avina."

"So..." Wilky was struggling to form words. "If they wanted to turn me in for ransom, why did Thea leave us? Why did Casey let Helewis go"

"Avina left to find Rooker, to claim their reward. As for Bronsky, Caster knew his mind was so far gone he would be no threat to anyone again."

Tears burned Wilky's eyes. Everything felt so wrong, and yet it was all true. Thea and Casey had lied to her all along.

You are cursed. You are flawed.

"Wilkynn," Draegon said, as Wilky's head fell into her hands, and the tears began to fall. "I can bring down Avina and Caster, as well as Rooker Blood, but I need your help."

"What... what do you need from me?"

You are cursed. You are flawed.

"I need to know where Avina and Caster are. I may also be able to help Bronsky if you give me his location. If you can help me, I have something that will cure you of your curse." Draegon removed a small vial filled with a lilac colored liquid.

Thea. Thea smiling at her. Thea annoyed, because Wilky couldn't stop smiling. Thea walking so the sun hit her face just right, and her skin glowed. Thea, and her perfect golden eyes, those spheres of fortune that stared so deeply into Wilky's own eyes, that saw things no one else saw.

You are cursed.

Thea was a lie. Her every word and emotion was a lie. Her beauty was a lie, her perfection was a lie, her flawless amber eyes were nothing but pure betrayal.

You are cursed.

Thea was never her friend. Thea never cared. Thea didn't love her.

Thea was her enemy.

Cursed. You are cursed.

Wilky tried to see a way around the truth, but there was none. She was a prisoner inside her own head, inside a prison of iron lies and patchwork truths, and she couldn't tell which ones were which in order to break through, and it all hurt too much to think about. As far as Wilky knew, everything was a lie. Her family was a lie, her friends were lies, Draegon was a lie, Mylla was a lie, because Wilky didn't know any better.

But no matter how much Wilky knew she was surrounded by lies, she still believed it all to be true.

Cursed.

Wilky's head hurt, and her stomach hurt, and her heart hurt in a way it never had before. She wanted the pain to go away, to think like anyone else, to question everything, to find the truth.

She wanted Thea to go away. She wanted the lie to fade, she wanted Destin to be there, she wanted to go home.

You are cursed.

"Thea left us on the steps of the palace earlier today," she gasped. "She's probably still in the city. Helewis too, if you're right about his being insane. I doubt he could go far. And Casey... he should be back here very soon."

Draegon nodded. "Thank you, Wilky."

Wilky was doubled over where she sat, but heard Draegon set the vial on the table in front of her.

"I can't imagine this has been easy for you," he said. "But by giving me this information, you have saved countless others from the ruthless acts of Rooker Blood."

You are cursed.

"Wait," Wilky choked, as Draegon reached the door. "I want to know... I want to find my fiancee, Destin... can you... can you tell me where he is? Or show me? Or something?"

Draegon thought for a second, then reached into one of his pockets, and drew out a small blue crystal, which he held in the air before her. She started to reach for it, but he shook his head. Then, he muttered something under his breath, and the crystal dissolved into a flickering image. It was fleeting, but Wilky didn't need to see it for any more than a moment to know that Destin was dead.

"I am sorry, my dear girl," Draegon patted her on the back as the image reformed a crystal in his hand. "I will revenge the traitors who did this."

And he was gone.

Wilky tried to compose herself, to stop the strangled sobs, but she couldn't. She wanted to go back to a time when everything made sense, when all she could see was a straight path ahead, when nothing had to be questioned.

"Wilky? Are you alright there?"

Casey stood over her, the last person she wanted to see. Wilky glared up at him.

"You," she breathed. Casey blinked.

"Yes, it's me! I've got us some soup for lunch, it's just waiting-"

Wilky shot up from her seat, the book falling from her lap, and snatched her staff from where it leaned against the armchair.

"You lied to me!" she exclaimed, brandishing the staff in his face. She tore off the translator pendant he'd given her, tossing it to the ground.

"What?" Casey cried, completely taken aback. "I would nev-"

"Kilra!" Wilky screamed, the Lorean word for silence. Casey's mouth gaped like a fish, but no sound came out.

You are cursed.

"Let me speak for a moment," she spoke in Lorean, enjoying the feel of the foreign language on her tongue, the crackle of power that accompanied her words. Even if she wasn't intentionally casting a spell, magic flowed about her. "You lied to me, both of you. You told me you would help me. But all you wanted was to use me. You're a monster. Draegon is looked for you now, but with my help, he'll never find you."

Casey's eyes widened. He pulled his wand from his belt and pointed at her threateningly. Wilky didn't budge. She wasn't worried about him defending himself without the use of his voice, but then, there was a flicker of doubt, just before her staff was blasted out of her hand, her fingers burning with the impact of the red light.

"Wilky, listen to me," Casey said softly, pointing his wand at her. Her heart was pounding. She hadn't known he could perform magic without speaking. She was very clearly outmatched. Perhaps if she could stall for time...

"No!" she exclaimed. "I won't listen to you! I'm not listening to you ever again, you'll only lie to me, and I'm sick of it!"

The other magicians in the library had noticed the fight in their midst- how could they not- and were either disinterested in the action, or quickly clearing out before spells hit the fan.

"I'm not the one lying to you!" Casey argued desperately.

Wilky clapped her hands over her ears, willing herself not to believe him. She began edging toward her staff, though Casey's wand was still pointed at her. Then, she had another idea, and pulled the vial of purple potion from her pocket. Once she drank this, she'd never have to believe anything ever again. She wouldn't be cursed. She wouldn't be broken.

Casey's eyes widened.

"Wilky, no! Don't!"

She pulled off the cork, ignoring Casey's pleas.

"Don't drink that, Wilky, stop!"

He lowered his wand and ran towards her, leaping over a chair in the process. As she raised the vial to her lips, and was about to toss it back down her throat, he collided with her. The vial flew across the room and shattered on the ground, the potion staining the carpet purple. Casey, meanwhile, had Wilky pinned awkwardly to the floor. She strained against him, trying to throw him off.

"Don't touch me!" she cried, but Casey was stronger than he seemed, and pressed her into the carpet.

"Listen to me," he said, as Wilky kept struggling. "I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to turn you in or use you or lie to you, and neither did Thea."

Wilky had no choice but to hear him, but she fought against the truth of the words that was smashing into her skull like a hammer.

"That potion would have killed you!" Casey's voice cracked. "You have to believe that at least, I don't know what you thought, but it would have killed you!"

"It would have cured me!" Wilky screamed.

"Of what?"

"Of my curse! My curse to believe everything, all the lies you keep telling me, all of everything!" Wilky threw him off and sat up, chest heaving. For the moment, she was too exhausted to keep fighting him.

"What, because of your name?"

"Yes!"

"That's not how curses work, Wilky! You can't just cure it with a potion!"

"Yes, you-"

"Look at that!"

Wilky frowned. "Look at what?" she snarled.

"Wilky, I'm a traitor." he said.

"I know."

"Wilky, I'm your best friend."

"No you're-" her eyes widened. "But I didn't-"

"If ever there was a curse, it's gone now."

Wilky climbed to her feet. Her head spun, and everything seemed to clash together, truth and lie, friend and foe, black and white.

For the first time, there was more than just white.

For the first time, there was grey.

And grey came in so many colors. It was light, then dark, bluish, then reddish, dull, then shiny. Then silver.

Then... gold.

Golden eyes.

Thea's eyes.

Wilky picked up her staff and strode towards the doors to the library. This wasn't over yet.

Hello, and thanks for reading!  Sorry this chapter is so long, but there was so much happening, and I couldn't bear to break it into two parts.  Leave a vote or a comment if you enjoyed!  What do you think will happen next?