Running was no longer optional, it was survival. With her wings gone, Rein had to adapt quickly: no more gliding through trees, no more swift escapes on the wind. She felt every step in her bones. She would have to climb, sprint, crawl, and depend on other animals for transportation. She didn’t have time to hunt for an animal to ride, though. She tore through the tunnels of the rats and mice domain, breath shallow but measured, careful not to push herself past the edge again. When she emerged, the stone wall loomed ahead, jagged and cold, marking the edge of the Lucierna Forest. She stared up at it, already dreading the ascent. Climbing was slow and grueling. Her fingers trembled against the stone. Every grip burned. By the time she reached the top, her arms screamed with effort. Getting down required even more caution; one wrong step and she’d tumble the rest of the way in a blur of pain and shattered bones.She made it. And she kept running. Through snow-dusted underbrush and thick p

Emperor Plake gently tossed the letter onto the table in front of him.“Well it is a good thing this is no hoax.” He called to his scribe. “Cal! Write down everything we have discussed in a letter addressed to Emperor Mandingo. There is no need for code or such. I trust this pixie can avoid capture. Be sure to write every detail.”“Yes, Your Majesty,” Cal replied.“Should we begin preparation in that case, sire?” asked a general.“No,” replied the emperor. “Mandingo seemed skeptical in his letter. You know as well as I that we cannot execute this plan without his assistance. In the meantime, I would like to make Jorge a general of his own division. He seems to know what he is doing, which is more than I can say for some. General Jorge, your troops are stationed in Baskerville. I had promised them a new general about a month ago, so I am sure they will be pleased to finally see you. You will leave after I receive notice back from Mandingo. Go and claim your horse.”“Yes, Your Majesty,”