Trust

Vanessa stood in the courtyard of the Runewalker mansion and looked up at the sky. She would do this whenever she had the free time as if waiting for Kye's signal to come to his side. As a greater angel, she had no need for sleep or sustenance so she could keep her watchful gaze on the sky.

'You're right to be worried Vanessa but you'll wear yourself out if you keep this up. Know that I would tell you if Kye desperately needed you. I am the goddess of life and technically your mother you know!'

Alayah's charming voice sounded in her head. Because Vanessa was a greater angel, she had a direct line of contact with her patron at all times and often talked to her when the need arose. Vanessa gave a small sigh.

"He doesn't trust me."

'Well... that's just Kye. He isn't a natural socialiser but he is changing. You also have to take the initiative to talk to him as well you know?'

"How could I be so casual with my master?"

'Haaaa... One of the main reasons he doesn't trust you is because you keep yourself at a distance like this all the time! If you don't open up to him you will never have his trust.'

Vanessa frowned.

"I was created by you to serve him forever. How could he not trust me?"

'It's what makes life so great Vanessa. Logically, Kye knows that you will never betray him and that you can be trusted with any task yet he will not confide in you because there is no personal trust. Have you told him that I can converse with you? That I have given you the location of many relics and treasures that he can use?'

"..."

'Exactly my dear, you have not been forthright with him yet are expecting him to trust you implicitly. Navigating your emotions will take time, you are still like a young child in that regard. But know that Kye is a wonderful human, you can confide in him and he will no doubt assist you in developing those emotional connections.'

"... I understand mistress."

'Geez, I told you to call me mother!'

"... Yes mother."

'Good! Now, I've got to go, my sisters are still demanding me to give over Kye's information and I can only delay them for so long. Try and get along with him, okay dear?"

"I will try mother."

Vanessa no longer felt the comfortable buzzing in her skull notifying her of Alayah's presence and sighed deeply.

'I need to be open with him, right? Then once he returns I will have a long chat with him.'

Vanessa was about to turn back and head inside when she saw something bright burning in the sky. She recognised it as the emergency flare Kye was given by his father and rushed into the mansion to find Frey and alert him. She reached the door to Frey's office and didn't bother knocking before slamming the door open. The shocked faces of Frey and Rose greeted Vanessa.

"Kye has launched the emergency flare!"

Frey's jaw tightened and he vaulted out of his seat and across his desk.

"We have to go now. Vanessa, you can reach him before we can so go now and ensure he is safe. Rose, gather the knights, we have to go help him!"

Rose nodded and ran out of the mansion while Vanessa wasted no time in summoning her wings and flew at great speeds out of the window in Frey's office. Frey ran down to talk to Alicia about what happened. He ran to her room and opened the door.

"Frey, what's the matter?"

"Kye has used the emergency flare. Vanessa is flying to him now and Rose is gathering the knights. I'm going with them, hold down the fort until I return."

"Wait! Is Kye safe!?"

"I don't know, but I will make sure he returns. Let everyone else know what is going on, I won't return until I have him."

"You make sure my son returns safely!"

Frey nodded and ran back to his office where he pulled a book out of the bookshelf, triggering a hidden mechanism. The bookshelf swung open to reveal Frey's armoury, where he kept his weapons and armour. He suited up, grabbed his spear and made his way down to the lobby where Rose was waiting in her armour with a squad of the most veteran knights from the territory.

"I have one of the personnel carrier vehicles to take us to the forest, we should leave now."

"Yes, let's go. Hopefully, Vanessa can temporarily deal with whatever Kye's struggling with."

They all got into the large vehicle and set off as fast as the personnel carrier would take them, speeding through the streets and startling passersby on the sidewalk.

'Kye, just stay safe. Please'

Frey looked up to the sky from inside the cabin of the personnel carrier and internally muttered his prayer.

-

Vanessa had flown straight towards the clearing for the last hour and was now approaching the cabin. She saw the light of the cabin with a few shadowy figures standing out the front. She braced herself for landing and plummeted downwards towards the clearing. She landed and kicked up a massive cloud of dirt and dust, her wings wrapping around her to protect her from the debris she kicked up. Once the dust settled, she looked at the figures and noted that none of them were Kye, but in fact elves. A young man with a sword, an older warrior and a young girl.

"Where is Kye?!"

The young girl came forward.

"He is laying down on the bed. We did all we could but he suffered bad injuries and lost a lot of blood."

Vanessa didn't wait and rushed past them, bumping into Nadiya as she passed. She burst into the cabin and saw Kye's body lying prone on the bed. She approached quickly and looked at Kye's face, seeing how pale his skin was. Kye's eyes opened slightly and saw Vanessa's face above his. He gave a small smile.

"You came... *cough* good, you have to *cough* help them."

"Help them!? Master, you are heavily wounded! My duty is to keep you safe not them! Allow me to treat you, please!"

"This is... my order Vanessa. Please."

Vanessa bit on her lip before shaking her head.

"No. I cannot follow that order master. I will keep them safe with you here, I will not abandon you."

"Vanessa..."

"I was born out of mother's love for you, I cannot bear to see you like this! It hurts my very soul master! Please, let me stay by your side."

"... I'm sorry Vanessa... okay, please stay here with me and them."

Vanessa gave Kye a soft smile.

"That I can do master. Now, please rest, I will take care of it from here."

Kye slowly closed his eyes and went to sleep. Once she confirmed Kye was asleep, Vanessa's eyes went sharp and she looked to the three elves who had now re-entered the cabin.

"Who did this to him?"