Legends

  ( Winterwish )

  "What a day. Sure was fun, right?" asked Cherrychomp.

  Winterwish watched as the little red fairy skipped happily through the palace, leaving sticky footprints in her wake. "Mhm," she responded without much thought. Her eyes might've been focused on the tattered and splattered girl beside her, but her mind was elsewhere.

  Splishsplash had yet to say a word, and her grip upon the faesteel trident known as Loyalty had remained firm since the others had left. Neither of those two things were all that unusual, but Winterwish remained suspicious.

  She's Titania's Ace. Her most capable asset. So why was she ordered to babysit us?

  "Hey, Splishsplash. Will the others be ok out there?" asked Winterwish.

  "I do not know for certain," Splishsplash stated flatly.

  Winterwish let out a small sigh, but she was at least glad the merprincess was talking. "Ok, but what do you think? Do you think they'll be ok?"

  "You survived your encounter," said Splishsplash. "That suggests the enemy is either fearful, merciful, or weak."

  "Hey!" Cherrychomp puffed her cheeks. "Maybe it's not any of those! Maybe am just super tough!"

  "Perhaps, but Winterwish is not," said Splishsplash.

  Winterwish frowned. Not because she believed the words were intended to insult, but because they were true. It was simple, tactless fact.

  If they'd struck while Cherrychomp was unconscious, I'd have been helpless. It was likely only the flares I launched and Titania's approach that kept them at bay...

  Queen Titania had instructed them to tell Splishsplash everything, but they were yet to be pressed, and so Winterwish changed the subject. "Splishsplash, may I ask you about the stone ruins in the Enchanted Forest? Cherrychomp mentioned you might know something of them."

  "Not much," said Splishsplash. "Legends tell that they were destroyed by the Dreaded Dragon."

  Winterwish came to an immediate stop, as if lightning had struck before her toes. "...What!?"

  Splishsplash halted too, though in a far calmer manner. Her head tilted and placid pools peered, like curiosity was a completely alien concept.

  "More, Splishsplash. Explain more!" Winterwish stirred her hands, as if generating air currents might produce further information. "What legend? What Dreaded Dragon?"

  "The Legend of the Dreaded Dragon," said Splishsplash. "According to the tale, during The Reckoning, a -"

  "Wait!" Winterwish ceased churning and thrust out her palms. "Go back. The Reckoning. Start there!"

  To the merprincess' credit, she didn't seem to take any offense nor frustration from Winterwish's demands. "Supposedly, the Age Before Magic ended in a great war known as The Reckoning, during which a wealth of culture and knowledge was lost. It raged until the Dreaded Dragon awoke and wiped out army after army, bringing an end the conflict."

  Winterwish put palms to temples, as if trying to squeeze out memories that otherwise refused to surface.

  Haven't I heard this story before?

  What Splishsplash was saying seemed to make sense, yet no matter how much Winterwish strained, her mind remained incapable of filling in the blanks. "What else do you know? What about the Age Before Magic?"

  "I cannot be certain of events that transpired over a thousand years ago," said Splishsplash. "I would presume, as the name implies, it was a duration preceding magic."

  Winterwish whimpered. "That can't be all!"

  "That is all I know," said Splishsplash.

  "But I have so many questions!" Winterwish's hands left her head to reach out, as if trying to grab at further clues. "What caused The Reckoning? Who was the war between? Where did magic come from? What happened to the Dreaded Dragon?"

  "I do not know," said Splishsplash.

  Winterwish retracted her hands so she could pretend to sob into sugar-crusted palms.

  An Age Before Magic. The Reckoning. The Dreaded Dragon. The formation of the three queendoms. Iron doors and forbidden worship. If I can just figure out how it all connects...

  "Legends should not be considered fact, Winterwish," said Splishsplash. "Especially when they talk of creatures we have no evidence ever existed."

  Winterwish slowly lowered her hands with a sigh. "...Sure."

  "Additionally..." Splishsplash's expression tightened. It was the subtlest of changes, but enough to convey her seriousness. "Do not bring up such tales before Queen Titania. She does not appreciate contemplating the past."

  ...And why is that?

  Winterwish gave a defeated nod, then looked to Cherrychomp. "Did you know there was a time before magic? I feel like it's kind of a big deal..."

  The little red fairy blinked. "My magic is cherries!" she cheered.

  Winterwish was suddenly even more eager for the others to return.

  Blissful steam rolled from the communal bath and condensed upon stained skin. Winterwish was thankful the hypocaust beneath burned constantly. It meant that they could bathe any time of day without waiting for the water to warm.

  Cherrychomp wasted no time before dive-bombing into the deep end.

  Winterwish, however, hesitated. She turned to Splishsplash awkwardly. "...You're just going to stand there and watch?"

  "Correct," said Splishsplash.

  "Wouldn't it make more sense to bathe too while you're here?" asked Winterwish.

  "I will bathe later. You will bathe now," said Splishsplash.

  Winterwish eyed the merprincess' grip upon Loyalty once more. Clearly, dancing around the issue was getting her nowhere. "I'm not stupid, you know."

  "I did not claim you were," said Splishsplash.

  "What I mean is, I know you're not here to help us," said Winterwish. "We don't need help bathing. We're not children."

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  Cherrychomp spread her arms and spun back and forth, flinging water everywhere.

  "Technically correct," said Splishsplash.

  "Then what is this all about? Why are you here watching us, and not out there helping the others?" asked Winterwish.

  "Bathe," Splishsplash demanded monotonously.

  From the moment they'd met, Winterwish had found Splishsplash's relentless dispassion intimidating. The tense situation only made it more so, yet she forced herself to maintain eye contact. In the short time she'd known the merprincess, she'd found her to be blunt but rational. If she were to be swayed, it would be with cold logic.

  "If you do not tell us, we'll be forced to come to our own conclusions, and worse still, grow distrustful," said Winterwish. "Surely that would be disadvantageous for everyone." She couldn't help feeling just a little bit proud of herself.

  Splishsplash tapped her index finger upon the shaft of her weapon, before finally issuing a single nod. "True. I will explain. You made contact with an enemy. There is a chance you are contaminated. I am here to ensure that you are not."

  "Contaminated?" Winterwish gulped. "You mean, by ichor?"

  "Correct," said Splishsplash. "The chance is slim, but one we cannot take lightly."

  Hideous images flooded Winterwish's mind. Memories of contorted bone and shredded flesh. She looked to Cherrychomp, then to herself, rapidly removing her clothes to examine the skin beneath. "H-how do we know?"

  "The effects of corruption are usually immediate," said Splishsplash. "My presence is a precaution. If you show no signs within the hour, I believe we can be certain."

  "Immediate?" asked Winterwish. "Then we should be good, right? We should be safe! I don't see anything! Do you see anything?" She turned on the spot whilst craning her neck, trying to glimpse the arc of her back.

  "I do not," said Splishsplash.

  "Wait..." said Winterwish. "What happens if we are infected?"

  Splishsplash did not answer, nor react to the question in any way. Instead, she simply repeated herself. "Bathe."

  Winterwish protested no further.

  Cherrychomp may have spent the time thrashing and diving without a care in the world, but Winterwish remained on edge. With fingers like shrivelled prunes, she scrubbed and scrubbed at her limbs long after they appeared spotless. Fearful imaginings of gruesome mutation plagued her thoughts, until finally, Splishsplash dropped two towels at the bath's edge.

  "Dry yourselves."

  Winterwish tried to hurry over, the water slowing her stride. "We're safe then? For sure?"

  "Correct," said Splishsplash. "Now that we are sure you are of sound body and mind, you will tell me what happened."

  Winterwish nodded but remained quiet. She focused on drying herself, buying as much time as possible to consider their options.

  I didn't really want Splishsplash or Titania knowing about our visit to the ruins of Thornweald... but I left evidence scattered all over. Lying seems too risky. I suppose the truth, or close enough, is our only option.

  With hair and body wrapped in towels, Winterwish explained how Cherrychomp had caught the scent of burning. Of how they'd gone to check if anyone was in danger, then become aware of an enemy's presence. The only details she omitted were of the corpse she'd discovered, and that Cherrychomp had given chase alone.

  "You can provide no description of the enemy?" Oceanic eyes stared blankly. As always, the merprincess' expression gave little away as to her thought process.

  "It was all just a blur of panic, fear, and chaos," said Winterwish. "I was too focused on calling for help and keeping out of harm's way. There were so many explosions that I couldn't follow the action. I'm sorry."

  "And you, Cherrychomp?" asked Splishsplash.

  The little red fairy cupped her chin and rolled her eyes upward. "Hmm. She was kinda weird. Slippy an' squelchy."

  "Explain," said Splishsplash.

  "Her dress was all wet an' shiny, an' she kept throwin' lil' stones at me! An' they'd go boom! An', an', an'! An' then she threw a growy one right into my Muncher's mouth! Ka-boooom! An' everything went all black and ringy. An' then Wintywish was tryin' to kiss me!"

  "I was not!" Winterwish choked. "I was checking your breathing!"

  "Did the enemy say anything?" asked Splishsplash.

  Cherrychomp shook her head. "Nuh-uh. But she was laughin'. I think she was 'avin' fun, like we was jus' playin' a game! That's why am not so sure she's a baddy anymore. It was jus' like trainin'."

  "And did you treat it as such?" asked Splishsplash. "When you realised the enemy was a Fairy Princess, did you hold back?"

  The little red fairy croaked. Worry spread across her face. Her head lowered, and the tips of index fingers started to bump before her chest.

  Oh no! So that's why she was so worried about explaining things to Titania...

  "She didn't!" blurted Winterwish. "She didn't hold back! But by trying to keep me safe, she couldn't go all out either. You said it yourself. I'm not tough. Not yet. It's my fault the enemy escaped."

  To her relief, Splishsplash did not question the lie. "That is unfortunate."

  "I'll do better next time," said Winterwish. "I'll be stronger, and more prepared. I promise."

  "That would be ideal," said Splishsplash. "We cannot allow this to happen again."

  Winterwish was in genuine and zealous agreement.

  Right. I will get stronger. I will get faster. Most importantly, I won't allow panic to befuddle me again!

  "Has anything like this ever happened before?" she asked. "An attack from an enemy Fairy Princess, I mean."

  "Not to my knowledge," said Splishsplash.

  "Then why now?" asked Winterwish. "Is Useel or Obon making moves against Titan?"

  "We do not know yet," said Splishsplash. "It would be reckless to speculate. Tell me, how did Queen Titania tell you to handle this information?"

  "She said we're to tell no one besides yourself," said Winterwish.

  "Super secret!" agreed Cherrychomp.

  Splishsplash nodded. "Understood. Return to your rooms and await further instruction." With that, the merprincess suddenly turned to leave. It seemed she was satisfied.

  Winterwish, however, was not. Now that they were speaking relatively freely, there was so much more she wanted to ask, but one question burned above all. "Splishsplash... What happened at Thornweald?"

  The merprincess looked back blankly. "Contamination."

  Winterwish gulped. "Everything? ...Everyone?"

  "No," said Splishsplash. "Most of the villagers proved uncorrupted. I relocated them to Rainbow City myself this morning."

  Thank goodness...

  The tightness in Winterwish's chest eased. Relief felt strange after what she'd witnessed, but she was just so glad that not all had met the same grim fate. "Will we be in trouble for deviating from our assignment? Because it was me who insisted on going, not Cherrychomp."

  "I do not believe so," said Splishsplash. "Your intentions were pure, and your actions understandable."

  ...Maybe she isn't all that bad?

  Winterwish slowly smiled. "You know, if we'd been better informed, this could've been avoided."

  "Perhaps. Perhaps not," said Splishsplash. "For now, to your rooms."

  "Of course," said Winterwish. "What will you do?"

  "I will join the search, seek the enemy, and if successful, eliminate them." With that, the merprincess took her leave.

  Cherrychomp puffed her cheeks and folded her arms tight. "Everyone gets to go out an' 'ave fun but us," she huffed. "No fair."

  Winterwish patted the towel wrapped atop her dainty sister's head. "I think we've earned a rest." An idea struck her. "...Say, Cherrychomp, do you like to draw?"