Ok, back from hiatus. I still have one more application to make, but the time-scale between now and the deadline is a little more breathable than the others were.

All that about applications being said, I actually DID manage to get some writing done even while doing the applications. So, I have been just deciding to pad my buffer chapters a little bit. As a result, I ought to be able to keep to a 3 day release schedule for a while, so you can depend on more regularity to updates for this series for the time being.

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Aerien’s POV

“So, this is what you wanted to show me?” Gaerien asked. After our practice with each other, I had her do her partner meditation with me again, wondering if maybe she might have some advice on how to deal with this whole fairy oath thing. She was currently together with me inside my spirit realm, and we were looking at the giant with the chain protruding from his back and the binding crown of vines patterned tattoo on the head.

“Yes, they had me take some kind of oath of nobility. I was wondering if you could tell me something about it.” My older spirit told her.

“Well, it looks like a pretty normal binding oath to me.” Gaerien responded. “Second level by the looks of it. I would suggest abiding by whatever they had you swear, this thing could completely undo all your progress in your cultivation in an instant if you were to break it.”

I sighed at her response. I had kinda expected that much.

“Your oath…” Gaerien continued. “Was there something objectionable to it?”

“Only the fact that I was more or less deceived into it.” I told her. “That fact gets me a little pissed, but aside from that there wasn’t anything all that bad to it. It just relates to watching over the kingdom and managing the dryads.”

“Well, if that’s the case then I suppose you can’t exactly ignore what just happened with this abduction business.”

“Mmm..” My younger self let out a grunt from the side-lines, looking like she was making a very strong point of appearing upset. “Yeah, we’re gonna get mommy back, right?” She asks. Gaerien lets out a snort the moment she hears those words.

“We will, absolutely.” My older self says.

“So, what is this going to mean for the queen?” Gaerien asks. Of course, I was aware she was referring to my opinions toward her after making me swear this oath.

“I don’t know, I’m still trying to figure that out.” I said. “It’s never going to really sit right for me, but for now the situation demands that I work with her.”

-

Upon waking from my meditation, the first thing I did was attempt to call dryad for a talk. However, I was immediately advised by Sagel that their spirit has been undetectable since mother and Eirlathion were stolen. It seems that option is out. Well, if dryad’s not here anymore, then I just need to go to their main body.

Determined and undeterred, I went straight to the upper branches, leaving Gaerien and the boys with Sagel. My route was clear for now. What I had to do was find a representative of the arbor committee and ask for their assistance. As for the queen, I wouldn’t even have to talk with her at all. In fact, this seemed like the best route. I would fulfill my duties while also getting mother and Eirlathion back, and I would express my displeasure at the same time by giving the queen the cold shoulder. I could get away with expressing such displeasure, but shirking my duties is not something that would be so easily forgiven. I would also want to do this anyway even if it were not ordered, so to refuse would only be a show of spite that would do nothing but harm me while gaining me nothing.

However, it turns out reality had other plans. As soon as I arrived, the queen noticed me and called out using words that were fairly difficult to ignore.

‘Aerien, it seems like you came at a good time.’ She said. ‘Lord Virides has just returned from his venture to retrieve the five new great fairies, you will need to hear this. Now then, Lord Virides, pleas start over for my daughter’s sake. This is in direct concern to her and her mission.’

Well, this does sound like it’s probably quite important and of interest. I chose not to respond to the queen, but I did utilize my formal robe’s flight function to take a position somewhat between her and the dragon I noticed was in the center of Isanil’s crown.

‘Yes your majesty.’ The dragon responded with a nod of his head, and then directed his attention toward me. ‘Upon my arrival to the capital’s old location, I immediately went to where the new Great Fairies were left only to find their gnome-forged iron encasement destroyed by vines. It would appear they were released by someone with nature powers of a rather high level.’

‘I do not want to think it,’ the queen said from behind me, ‘that location is dozens of dragon leagues away, thousands if we were to speak in terms of an elven league. I find it impossible this may be the work of your dryad, but given all that has happened so far it does not seem prudent to rule out this possibility. I would like for you to be aware of this when you venture out to confront them.’

“I see.” I commented, and then turned back to the dragon in front of me. “I take it you are from the arbor committee?”

‘That is correct your highness.’ The dragon responded.

I gave a nod to his response. “This is good. I actually came up here to set out on said journey to confront the dryad of Cundo. I wish to meet with one from the arbor committee to convey me as my flight speed does not measure up to that of a dragon. If you are not too tired, and with your committee leader’s permission…” I looked off in the direction of the largest group, figuring that under the current circumstances that was likely to be the Arbor committee. I seem to have grown lucky as the largest dragon there nodded his head. “I would like to ask if you should like to render this service to me.”

‘I would be honored, your highness. It may have not been a fault of my own, but I wish to clear this failure from my name, and such an immediate opportunity is something which I greatly appreciate.’

‘So ordered.’ The voice of another dragon sounded through the space. I nodded back to what I was fairly certain must be the Arbor committee and then returned my attention to the dragon before me.

“Well then, I would like to be under way immediately. The dryad of Cundo needs to be brought under control.” I respond and then fly to the dragon’s main. Before I can reach it though, I feel a strong force as though the wind itself has grabbed me, and I am pulled down to stand on the top of his head.

‘Rest assured your highness, I will convey you safely and in a manner befitting your station.’ At those words, the world began moving around me as he turned his head in the direction we were to go and flew from the court. I turned to face the direction we were going, it seemed he had used some form of magic to mitigate the effects of wind and the force which inertia had on me, much like when the queen was lifting me. I could feel the acceleration in my organs, but my body and my feet were not pulled back. So, it seemed the method likely had something to do with a collective push on every part of my body uniformly that counteracted the force of inertia.

As he said, he was definitely carrying me in style. I was able to easily stand on top of his head and watch the terrain ahead of us. The canceling of inertia and the distance we were from the ground made it difficult to estimate our speed, but considering the rate at which Isanil’s tree was already shrinking in it’s profile in the distance and we seemed to already have cleared the barrens of the heaven’s scar, I would have to say we really are moving quite fast. I had not heard or felt anything like a sonic boom but, considering the assistance of magic, that really did not mean much in regards to whether or not we were flying at mach speeds. Well, considering the mood I was in now, getting there fast suits me just fine.

‘That is the dryad’s tree.’ The dragon said as a new large tree appeared on the horizon. It was nowhere even close to the size of Isanil’s tree, but it still was noticeably taller than the other trees that surrounded it.

We approached at a slight angle, circling around the tree, before finding our way into the village through the canopy. As we had slowed, I leapt from the dragon’s head and flew straight toward the largest tree in the grove which I knew had to be dryad’s tree.

“Dryad! This is Aerien! I have come to demand you return Eirlathion and my mother!” I heard my own voice crack as I called out. I had thought I had my emotions a little more focused, but as soon as I said their names the pain of loss and the anger at the one who had taken them just returned. “Dryad!” I shouted when there was no response.

‘Your highness, there is something wrong.’ The dragon who brought me called out, but I was not interested at the moment. I flew straight at the large tree. Large amounts of spirit energy are supposed to be capable of forcibly controlling a dryad, and I have an unlimited supply. If dryad won’t talk, I will just have to make them talk. However, when I reached out my hand, something unexpected happened. I touched nothing. My hand passed through the wood of the tree as though it was only air.

I was stunned by this. I reached out again and sunk my entire arm into the tree, barely comprehending what was going on.

“DRYAD!!!” I shouted, intentionally letting out my aura with all the force I could manage.

‘YOUR HIGHNESS!!!’ The dragon shouted back at me and then I felt the wind of him passing by me. His entire body passed right through the large tree and then his head turned town to look at me from above. ‘It is a light magic projection. I do not believe the dryad is here. Please, I will immediately retrieve my subordinates. The great fairies are proficient in light magic and should be able to dispel this illusion so that we can see what the situation truly is.’

My mind went blank again. I slowly allowed myself to descend to the ground.

‘Your highness, let us return. We can make no further progress without dispelling this illusion.’

“Go.” I said.

‘Your highness?’

“I. Said. Go.” My voice had a dangerous growl to it as I snapped out each word individually.

‘Your highness, I cannot simply leave you here by yourself!!!’

“I am going to attempt to dispell this magic myself.” I growled. “My methods will be far from elegant, and frankly I do not know what might happen to you if you are nearby when I do this. I am telling you to get out of here!”

‘Your highness? Are you saying you can use light magic?’

“JUST GO!!!!” I shout and glare up at him with my unrestrained aura. A tremble ripples through his entire body and the fear is evident in his eyes. Despite his obvious fear, he maintains eye contact for all of around three seconds before turning his head toward the sky.

‘I will remain nearby, I will be observing the situation from above in case anything happens.’ He says, and then immediately flies to the sky.

I let out a breath as soon as he is gone and attempt to plant my feet on the ground. However, the rather firm looking ground I tried to land on seemed to be a lot more loose than I expected it to be and my foot felt as though it was sinking into recently tilled soil. Despite this, the forest floor looked completely undisturbed. My foot was merely passing into the firm looking ground. I lifted my foot, and the place I was just standing looked completely undisturbed, but my foot had obvious signs of loos soil on it.

Well, that gives me a pretty strong suspicion of what I’m going to see once this illusion is gone. Well, time to get to work. I take a deep breath in and then slowly let it out, focusing my mind on what I’m about to do. Well, I’ve already done this once before actually, and it scared the ever living hell out of Eirlathion. If this has powered up along with the rest of my spirit, then it just might be the thing we need right now.

Focusing inward on my meditation, I forced the gate of heaven closed while keeping the gate to the void open. Unlike last time where I was trying to hide my own power though, this time I put my attention on breathing in the power of every energy in the area around me. I immediately felt the energy of the plant life in the area as it passed through my body. All of the plant life spoke to me. The knowledge of a plant was quite simple, but there were two messages that were perfectly clear from every tree and shrub in the area. First, the soil is disturbed. Second, the strong spirit is gone.

As I looked up, a static-like distortion rippled through the tree in front of me. This image of a tree flickered in and out of existence several times before finally dissolving. And, just as I suspected, in it’s place was a large hollowed out crater left behind by a large object being removed. It was not just the large tree either. All the other lakira trees that made up Cundo village were gone. What had once appeared to be the grove of trees that was Cundo village was now just an empty area of disturbed soil.

I let out one more breath before returning to my normal meditation, allowing the gate of heaven to open once again and equalize out the pull of the void gate.

“Ok, I am finished.” I said in a dead tone of voice. “You can come back now.” The dragon flying high in the sky flew back to the clearing that was now devoid of even the illusion of a tree.

‘Your… your highness, what was that just now?’ He asked in a trembling voice.

“An ability, natural as part of my meditation.” I gave him a courtesy explanation, but my tone was still very heavy and I kept my back turned to him and my eyes toward the ground. I really did not want to accidentally subject such a clearly loyal individual to the dangerous aura I’m quite certain I am letting off right now. “Dryad was a step ahead of us again!”

‘Yes.’

“When is the last time that it rained?” I ask.

‘Rain? Are you asking about here or closer to the great tree your highness?’

“Here, of course. The disturbed soil shows signs of rain erosion, but the lack of mud tells me it must have been more than a day ago.”

‘That… I am surprised you can tell something like that just looking at the dirt.’ He says.

“It is far easier with recently disturbed soil, anyone who has seen tilled land before ought to be able to recognize the difference between soil that has been rained on and soil that’s just freshly disturbed at a glance. I suppose a dragon would not be so exposed to this, but I think every single human even on this world ought to be able to recognize this at a glance.”

‘I see, I feel ashamed there was such a gap in my knowledge. So, you are saying we can figure out how long it has been since the dryad moved by the soil if we know how long it has been since it rained? I can ask Lord Shugen, he passed through this area two days ago in order to interview witnesses.’

Well, at the very least his inability to immediately answer my question told me one thing. We truly had crossed a great distance in only a matter of minutes. It seemed dragon flight was incredibly fast. “Let’s go back. We have to tell this to the court.” I said, and then flew back to my spot on top of the dragon’s head.

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Subscriber's comment of the chapter

"Your mom is in another castle princess."

                                                               -Roy

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@Roy *Facepalm* Still doesn't beat the comment about Aerien being a closet squirrel.