Eomis, the continent where the forest of fireflies was, was divided into three nations. The Sapphire Empire, the nation of the forest of fireflies and No one’s land.

No one’s land was actually the Ogre and Giant kingdom, but the first Sapphire Emperor didn’t recognize them as a sovereign nation, and neither did his successors.

To get to the continent of Larion, where the forest of plenty was located, one had to pass through No one’s land. The Ogres ruled the southern regions of the land while the Giants ruled the northern ones. They each wanted a toll and if the traveler couldn’t pay, they ate him.

Elmar knew all that as he packed a map together with his staff inside his dimensional bag. He also had food in there and water and had even indulged himself by having a bag of the cookies he had spent all day yesterday to make in there.

He also had a change of clothes and a pair of shoes, a present from Claudia. Who, after figuring out she couldn’t stop him from leaving a couple of days ago, had bought them for him.

Elmar went out of the house to see Dereck and Diana already waiting for him by the door. The twins had matching bags on their backs, and their brown eyes betrayed their excitement.

“We only need to say goodbye to the little Highness, and we are all set to go.” Said Diana, and the two boys nodded. They headed towards Crassus’ house only to see Crassus and Esmer outside, making breakfast.

Elmar looked at the pancakes with longing. If they wanted to make good time on their travels, they needed to skip breakfast. Diana took the lead, and she bowed before the two adults.

“I want to thank you both for taking us in,” she said, and the two adults smiled at her. “Know that we will repay this good deed somehow. But now we have to go.”

“Can’t you stay at least a couple of more years? You are all so young,” said Crassus, but Esmer nudged him.

“Don’t chip on their resolve now. They know what they are doing and where they are heading. Ah, the first adventure. It is always special,” she said, and that gave the three children courage.

“We want to say goodbye to Thea and Mari,” said Elmar, and Crassus pointed at the house.

“But be quiet about it. They are napping,” said Crassus, and the three went inside the house.

Marinus was half out of the bed, one of his legs hanging out. Dereck snickered at that, and he tucked the boy back in. Then they moved to Theanore, who was hugging a rag doll.

Diana ran her fingers through Theanore’s strawberry-blonde curls and gave her forehead a kiss. Theanore’s green eyes snapped open.

“Di, what are you doing here during lunch nap time?” She asked, and Diana smiled at her.

“It is still morning, little Highness. Didn’t you sleep during the night?”

“I pointed the mirror at everyone. I have to do something for all the blue children today. Maybe make a fair?” Said Theanore, thoughtful.

“The world is a brighter place with you in it, little Highness. We are leaving, Thea. We came to say goodbye,” said Elmar from behind Diana.

“But you are my court wizard!” Protested Theanore quietly to not wake up Marinus.

“I have a crucial task, Princess. I need to reunite a married couple. If I don’t, they will be sorrowful,” said Elmar, putting things in smaller terms so that the little girl could understand him.

“Sadder than me when you leave?” Asked Theanore. She reached out a hand and Elmar held it gently.

“Heartbroken,” he responded and gave the hand a gentle squeeze.

“Well then, court wizard, here is a new decree. I hereby charge you with reuniting that married couple, so they can be happy again. Leave with my blessing,” said Theanore with her best courtly voice.

Dereck poked her on the nose, and she scrunched it up.

“Dede, you are mean. I charge you with not being so mean from now on!” Said Theanore and Diana smirked at Dereck.

“Yes Dede. Don’t be mean.”

“Women,” said Dereck, but he was smiling brightly.

Theanore reached out behind her and got a pink scarf from a box by the bed. It was the same scarf that she got from the achievement.

“Diana Raskovic, I hereby name you Countess Raskovic and gift you with this magical scarf. It will keep you warm from head to toe. Upon your return there will be land waiting for you to match your title, so come back safe, Di,” said Theanore, giving the scarf to a bewildered Diana.

“Theanore, I can’t accept this,” said Diana, but Theanore still pushed the scarf in her hands.

“I will be sorrowful if you go out in the cold without a scarf, Di. The men need to become manlier, so I won’t give them one. Besides, I don’t have any more magical scarfs,” said Theanore, and Diana finally accepted the scarf. She put it on and noticed that her slightly cold feet immediately warmed up.

“Dereck Raskovic, I hereby name you Sir Raskovic, a knight of the nation of the forest of fireflies. Kneel,” said Theanore, and she got her back scratcher in her hands. Dereck knelt, and he could barely contain himself from laughing.

“I charge you to be good,” said Theanore, touching the royal back scratcher to Dereck’s left shoulder. “And less mean, or not mean at all, if you can manage.” The back scratcher touched his right shoulder. “To protect Countess Raskovic and court wizard Elmar Denrivir. The innocents and most importantly the good name of the nation of the forest of fireflies. You are my first knight. Upon your return, you will be granted with a tower that will be given to your children as an inheritance when you leave this world.”

The back scratcher bonked Dereck on the head and then poked his nose. Dereck stood up.

“Court wizard, Elmar Denrivir, I charge you to be less blue and more red. Keep Countess and Sir Raskovic safe, will you? When you come back, you will have a house by the lake waiting for you. So, please come back,” said Theanore, tearing up.

Elmar bend down and hugged her.

“Little Highness honors me. I will make sure the trust that little Highness shows me is not undeserved. See you soon, Theanore the nymph,” said Elmar as he let go of her.

Then the three left the house and Theanore went to Marinus’ bed and slipped in. He hugged her in his sleep and his breathing lulled her back to a dreamland of unlimited friends filled with plants and everything nice.