Chapter One: Hasty Assumptions

The day was only hitting its peak at the Obsidian Palace where Emperor Jaskaran and his two advisors held a meeting in the grand drawing room. They sat at a round, polished stone table with another naiad and a merman with a shark's tail. The dim light of the glowfish chandelier above them left dramatic shadows on their faces as they feasted on their luncheon and discussed matters light-heartedly. The meeting seemed to be going very well for the emperor and his advisors until a booming voice jolted the smooth current surrounding them.

"I require a word with His Majesty! Immediately."

Jaskaran paused for a moment to eye who had dared interrupted them. When he recognized it was his wife, he breathed a heavy sigh and addressed his guests. "I apologize for this. Please wait outside, we shouldn't be long."

His guests and advisors politely exited the drawing room without a word, but bowed to the empress and left the two alone. Jaskaran endeavored to remain calm as he approached Renée, who stood beside a large desk chipped from stone and painted in gold. They both waited to speak until the door was closed.

"What is it, Renée?" Jaskaran asked.

"I just returned from the miracle worker and she threatened me," Renée whined.

"How so?"

"She blamed me for Nadia's illness! She said that if I don't cure my mood within a year, we'll have to send Nadia to shore. And she'll be cursed!"

"Then you'd better lighten up, Renée," Jaskaran growled.

Renée gazed at her husband in disappointed shock. "You mean you're not going to do anything about this?"

"What would you have me do, Renée? I've done everything to make you happy, to make you comfortable in my palace! I've allowed you to remain at Nadia's bedside even though everyone advised me not to, and besides that I've done everything in my power to provide Nadia with the best treatment in all the seas!"

Renée was taken aback. "Surely you don't blame me for her illness too!"

"No, I'm to blame as well for letting you poison her with your negativity despite the warnings of numerous miracle workers and advisors!"

"I beg your pardon!"

"Renée, my father believed that there is a noble reason behind everything the miracle worker says and does, thus I trust the same, and you should too. It is apparent to me that you have a mighty task at hand. I urge you to let me know what it is that I can do to aid you for Nadia's good."

"You can have that wretched eel executed and find another miracle worker to heal Nadia!" said Renée as she glared at Jaskaran with her crystal eyes.

"There are no more miracle workers, Renée! This is our last chance! Now did she say anything else I should know about?"

"She said that Nadia's condition will not worsen until my time is up. And she gave me this key." Renée handed the key to Jaskaran. "She said it'll tell me how much time I have left. She also said to keep it hidden, otherwise it'll hinder my ability to find happiness."

"I see you're doing well with that," the emperor deadpanned.

"You know what, Jaskaran," Renée spat. "If you're not going to help then hand me the key and get back to your meeting."

"No, I'm keeping the key so that it remains hidden like the miracle worker directed. Now leave and tell Flint and Maine to return with our guests. I need to complete this meeting."

Renée hesitated for a moment to try and think of something to say to get the key back, but Emperor Jaskaran shot her a look that told her to leave. So she did.

During the many months following her discussion with the miracle worker, Empress Renée roamed around outside the Obsidian Palace in the hope that she could find healing in the empire's ocean-life, but it only reminded her of why she had always locked herself up in the palace to get away from such dirty creatures. She even spent several months visiting her family, but as much as they tried to lift her spirits she wouldn't budge. It only reminded her why she had tried so hard to marry Jaskaran and leave their presence, and thus worsened her mood. Then she spent time in the palace's glowing garden which she had commanded be planted for her to find a median between palace life and ocean-life since neither made her happy. Despite the fact that it was twice the size of the average palace courtyard, it felt much too small for her and was so confining she felt as though she was drowning.

All the while, Renée stewed in the knowledge that everyone blamed her for Nadia's poor health. Hadn't she done everything she could for that child? It wasn't even her child! Why did it seem like everyone cared more about Nadia's health than they cared about their empress's health? How could she make everyone see that she wasn't the villain here? How could she make everyone see that she, too, was a victim? Renée soon grew stressed to the point where she decided that she would have to continue her problem-solving on land, but she needed to take that key with her to know how much time she had left.

One night, about a year and four months after her discussion with the miracle worker, Empress Renée rose from bed while Emperor Jaskaran slept soundly, and she searched her husband's coral drawers for the key. When she didn't find it there, she searched under things, behind things, in boxes and bottles. She couldn't find it anywhere and after a few hours of searching, she opted to give up for the night and went to return to sleep. He must not be keeping it in the bedchamber, so she would have to search elsewhere another time. Perhaps his study.

Then when Renée approached her bed, she noticed a faint gleam beneath her husband's head. She stepped closer and realized that the shiny object was the key itself, hidden beneath Jaskaran's sponge pillow. She almost felt enraged. She knew that this wasn't his original hiding spot for important objects, which only meant that he had been carrying the key on his person this entire time. How could she have not noticed before? Renée breathed deeply in an effort to remain calm. It didn't matter anymore, she had found the key, and it was almost too easy to steal back as more than half of it was visible beneath the pillow. She simply snatched it, wrote a quick note of farewell to her husband, and quickly snuck out of the palace.

                                                                 ξ

Empress Renée made her way alone to the Maja Forest on the continent Noelle where she would often go to consult with Queen Tiana about her troubles. Nearly everyone knew her there, however most were fairly upset with her stubbornly negative disposition and the effects it was having on the world. So, once she surfaced from the Pixie River, no one greeted her.

Renée paid them no attention and ascended the stone steps that led to a grassy cliff overlooking the Pixie Lake. Here, there was a small section of the forest which looked like a polished marble ruin that had been spruced up and decorated. To the left Renée recognized a long ebony table, built and sculpted by none other than the dwarves of the forest. The table was surrounded by thirteen velvet dining chairs, crafted by the same dwarves. A stone statue of a legendary elf stood to the right beneath a silver arch which had been engraved with an Elvic blessing. But what Renée liked most about the area was the solid floor that looked like calm water, which rippled with each of her steps. She found Queen Tiana, a fairy dressed in black, dark green, and dark blue, sitting on her silver throne to the left of this section of forest. Her ashy-gray and silver wings flowed in the soft breeze with her ivory hair as she spoke with a púca, a tiny creature which loved to help people.

"And alert everyone that Avery predicts rain for tomorrow. The sprites and pixies should already be aware, but remind them in case they've forgotten."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the púca replied with a quick, deep bow, and then skipped away to do his queen's bidding.

Here, Queen Tiana glanced up with her bright green eyes and spotted Renée. "Empress Renée! My melancholy friend!" She stood to approach the empress.

"Queen Tiana," Renée replied with a sad smile. "How are you?"

"Very well." They embraced each other. "I suppose there's no need to ask how you're doing."

"I take it you've heard."

"The most recent event I've heard concerning you is Nadia's renewed illness." Queen Tiana approached a weeping willow that drooped over her long table, and touched a leaf on the tree so that all the dew began to glow to provide a little more light to the throne room. "Which was of course, quite some time ago. I imagine something new has come to pass."

"Yes, in fact," Renée replied as she played with the skirts of her light blue dress. "Jaskaran had me go and see the miracle worker in Moss Canyon. I have until the Rose Tree finishes growing its branches to become... happy I suppose."

"That doesn't sound too bad," replied Tiana as she sat at the end of the long table. She gestured for Renée to take a seat at the corner to her left. "What happens should you fail?"

"Nadia is cursed and sent to land."

"Ah, then yes you may want to change your attitude soon. The Rose Tree will be finished growing its branches in a month and a half." Tiana held her hand above the table and tea and fresh fruit appeared. "Eat something. You've lost a lot of weight."

Renée took a seat and sucked on some berries. "Why is it that everyone is on the miracle worker's side?"

"Because although you have a right to be upset about your daughter's illness, this is just ridiculous." Tiana mixed cream and sugar into her tea. "People learn to cope with sorrow instead of affecting the lives of everyone around them with it. I realize that this is something you've been battling for a while, though."

"I just don't know what it is," said Renée. "The miracle worker is right, there just seems to be something missing." She battled the thought of telling her friend about her new concerns. Would she understand even slightly?

"I know, Renée," said Tiana. "I personally believe that if you practiced a more positive attitude, joy would soon follow."

"Well that's easier said than done," Renée informed.

"Of course it is," Tiana replied. "It would take practice. Listen, Renée, the miracle worker is very strict and unsympathetic in her ways, this is true. But what she's doing is the last chance for you and for Nadia. If the support of your friends, family, and sympathizers aren't enough, then maybe this is the push you need to realize that joy, contentment, humbleness, they are all states of mind that you find within yourself. It certainly takes time, and I understand that it'll be much harder for you than it is for most, but you also have more people willing to support you through it than most."

The empress had no reply. She quickly realized that unless she found the nerve to confide in Tiana her feelings about everyone blaming her for the illness of a child that isn't even hers, she was wasting her time looking for help here. Meanwhile, Tiana felt that she shouldn't press her luck by lecturing further.

"So how are you to know when your time is up?" Tiana asked.

"The miracle worker gave me this," Renée answered. She pulled the chain around her neck to lift the key from the bodice of her dress. "When the rose blooms, my time is up."

Queen Tiana's eyes widened at the sight of the key, but she quickly composed herself so as not to alarm Renée. "You had better keep that well-hidden." She took a sip of tea.

"That's what the miracle worker said."

"I assume she failed to tell you why."

"She said it would hinder my search for joy."

Tiana gave an ironic chuckle as she set her teacup on the table. "Yes, I suppose it would."

"Do you know of another reason?" asked Renée.

"That key and what it unlocks is, in my personal opinion, one of the biggest mistakes us fairies have ever made. Of course, the others disagree." After adding sugar to her tea, she brought the cup back to her mouth and shrugged. "What can one do?"

"What's the mistake?" Renée eyed Tiana hungrily.

"You're aware of the myth of the Cataras Springs?" Renée nodded and Tiana shook her head. "It's no myth. It's as real as you and me. That's the key to it. Some people will kill you for that."

"I see." Renée thought for a moment. This changed everything. "Maybe there's a completely different reason as to why the miracle worker gave me this key."

"Like what?" Tiana asked.

"Maybe she's trying to tell me I'll find happiness there."

"She gave you a task, Renée, not a riddle."

"Sure, but don't one of the springs heal? I could... I could heal Nadia!"

"Yes, but healing your daughter won't change your mood. Otherwise, the miracle worker would've just given you medicine to heal Nadia."

"Maybe she wants me to be the one to heal Nadia. Why wouldn't that change my mood?"

"Because you've been unhappy even before you married Jaskaran. Nadia's illness only added to your negativity."

"Jaskaran and I are happily married, Tiana."

"Then perhaps you're homesick, or perhaps you require a hobby to keep your mind busy. You need to learn why you were so distraught before you got married to learn why you still feel the way you do now. Once you manage that, you can heal your mind of your condition and you'll be happier, your daughter will be in a better environment, she'll recover, and everything will be even better than before."

"I've already tried spending time with my family. As for hobbies, I quickly grow weary of them."

"Have you tried hosting galas?"

"Jaskaran hosts them. I also find them to be a bore."

"Do you go into these projects and events with this attitude?"

"I don't know, Tiana," Renée whined. "Perhaps?"

"The perhaps you can practice optimism."

"Well, I'll try the Cataras Springs first and if that fails, I'll give your advice a fair shot. Where is it?"

Tiana shook her head. "I can't tell you, Renée. You'll have to try my advice."

"Well that doesn't seem right, Tiana. I'm asking you for help."

"Who are you to tell me what's right and wrong? I must hold my tongue on the matter because I've made a covenant not to reveal its location. If you're so desperate to find the Springs, you'll have to figure it out for yourself."

"So it's just another world mystery then," said Renée. "Along with everything else you and your fairy friends created. Like what really lives at the top of the Darigo Mountains, the location of the one female miracle worker on land, if the zoilie stone exists and if it can really break any curse."

"Well, not even Aranel knows where the Mystery Miracle Worker lives. As for everything else, yes."

"Not even Aranel knows where she lives?" Renée was captivated. "How is that possible?"

"It would appear the Mystery Miracle Worker has learned how to keep Aranel from seeing her," Queen Tiana answered. "I assume either with iron or an Elvic curse."

"Fascinating. Do you suppose the Mystery Miracle Worker may know the location of the Cataras Springs?"

"I highly doubt it," Tiana replied with an amused smile. She examined Renée. "You're not planning on going out searching for her, are you?"

"It's worth a shot since you refuse to help me."

"I am trying to help you, Renée. That's why I'm not telling you anything. These theories you're coming up with will only waste your time!"

"Why?"

"Because the Cataras Springs can't help you! To find joy you must search for it within a given situation, not pursue it like some lost treasure!" Renée narrowed her eyes at Tiana, who could see that the fight was lost. "Very well, I will tell you this: rumor has it that someone on Arcor discovered the location of the Mystery Miracle Worker."

"Really. Do you suppose that person knows about the Springs too?"

"Absolutely not. If the location of the Springs has been found, the whole world would likely know. The many powers of the Springs are too great for anyone to keep its location secret for long, which is why I'm convinced that even the Mystery Miracle Worker doesn't know."

"Perhaps she knows, she just hasn't gone to find it."

Tiana thought for a moment. "Perhaps. Go and find the Mystery Miracle Worker, Renée. But I'm telling you right here and now, the Cataras Springs are not going to do you any good."

"We'll see about that."

With the last word, Renée stood and left the ruin. While she descended the stairs, she heard a small rustle in the tree above her followed by an excited, "Renée!" She glanced up to spot a darkly dressed, wingless pixie gazing down at her from a branch in a peach tree. "It's been a while since your last visit."

"Rein Bow," said the empress with a faint smile.

"What have you been up to lately?" Rein asked. Then her eyes fell on the key the empress was wearing. Her expression darkened. "Where did you get that?"

"A miracle worker gave it to me."

"Interesting. I suppose he didn't tell you to keep it hidden?"

Empress Renée rolled her eyes and continued descending the steps. "Everyone's been telling me."

"Why don't you listen?"

"I keep forgetting and I'm too lazy to make an effort." Rein watched the empress leave and then went to go talk to Queen Tiana about this visit.

                                                                 ξ

"So she's going to Arcor?" Rein asked the queen. "With the key to the Cataras Springs?"

"I suppose so," Tiana answered with a shrug.

"How hard did you try to stop her?"

"Almost to the point of desperation, but do you really think anyone could have stopped her, Rein? She's almost as stubborn as you. Who can convince you to do something you don't want to do?"

Rein didn't answer. "Are you sure that an Arcorian found the Mystery Miracle Worker?"

"Positive," Tiana replied. "According to Aranel, two have. An Arcorian woman found her first and then traded the information with an Arcorian merchant."

"And does the Mystery Miracle Worker really know the location of the Springs?"

"We think so. That Arcorian woman appeared to gain the knowledge herself after visiting the Mystery Miracle Worker, and has already utilized the Springs."

Rein's eyes grew wide. "You don't say!"

Queen Tiana nodded her head. "I feel confident that once Renée is finished with the key, the Circle will vote to destroy the Cataras Springs; a feat which is long overdue."

"Do you suppose that if Renée drank from the healing spring and could bear her own child, she would be happy?" Rein asked.

"The fact that she didn't jump on the opportunity herself tells me no," Tiana answered. "Renée is angry with the world and she's in so deep that nothing but her own will could help her change her attitude. I'm hoping that by some miracle she can learn joy through this excursion she created for herself." There was a moment's pause until Tiana asked, "So what are you going to do, Rein?"

"I think I'll join her and see what I can do to help. Besides, this is the miracle worker who can give me wings again and I'm so sick of eating burdania petals every day for the last few centuries."

"Of course," said Tiana. "Good luck, Rein."