Looking for Answers and Finding More Questions.

"We should go to the Sun Palace to see what we can find out. Dad was on a mission so we can find him and he should be able to undo this", I tell Elias confidently. There is a chance they dont know about Tatingville just yet. The sun palace is about two hours away so we should get their before sundown if we keep at a steady pace.

I rack my brain trying to think of anyone that would do this but we are in a time of peace. The Sun Kingdom's new king wasn't worried about taking anyone's land or goods he was focused on bettering his own lands and people which made the attack seem bizarre and unwarranted.

My legs ache from over use but we both continue on without complaint. Soon enough we near the main streets of the Sun Kingdom and find it desolate as well. I look at Elias in question and he is a shocked as I am. We walk to the unguarded palace gates and a putrid smell hits my nose. What I see inside makes me gasp in shock before turning my head from the gruesome sight.

Dead bodies littered the floor making it impossible to walk without touching one. Most had their throats slashed while some had been stabbed in the heart. The smell of death overwhelmed my senses and I kneel over spewing breakfast all over the ground. They had been dead for a little while it would seem.

Was my dad there I wonder unable to make out anything familiar and I look away not wanting to see anything close to his resemblance.

Tears rush from my eyes as I sob for my kingdom. The old and the young all thrown about so carelessly left to rot as if they were garbage. Elias wraps me in a hug trying to comfort me but all I feel is anger and sadness. When I look back at the gruesome sight I notice something I hadn't noticed before on the opening wall beside the gate four circles were drawn together interweaving with each other drawn in blood with some type of writing smeared underneath it. I'd never seen these markings before and by the look on Elias's face he had not either.

"Do you have any ink and parchment", I ask him and he digs in his satchel before withdrawing quill, parchment, and ink. I write down the symbols and the strange letters underneath before rolling the parchment up and placing it in my satchel. "If I can find out what nation uses this sort of language and insignia then I will know who wronged my kingdom", I tell him formulating a plan. "I'm going to the elves. They are wise and know the many languages of the people, I think they would be our best lead".

Elias looks conflicted at the mention of elves which isn't to surprising. Though ridiculously smart the elves have a reputation for being snobby and unhelpful. "They will probably just turn us a way. They don't like to help anyone unless they have something to gain from it themselves", he warns me. I give him an annoyed look knowing his words are true but there isn't a whole lot of options.

"Do you have a better plan then", I remark knowing that I'm being hostile but my emotions are out of control. He shakes his head no so I walk back to the streets entering in several market buildings. I grab a few detailed maps, a couple more sharp daggers, and a lot of jerky. Elias looks at me in question wondering what I'm doing. " They are dead Elias leaving them money would do no good and If I'm going to find out who did this to them I'm going to need a few things", I state quietly not liking this anymore than he does. He nods in understanding as I walk into one last building, a clothing wares dealer. I make my way over to the pants and shirts and grab two of each of the smallest adult sizes they have.

Getting behind a changing curtain I change from my dress into the somewhat baggy clothes. I tie my hair in a braid over my shoulder and then put my traveling cloak back on with my daggers and sheaths tied to both thighs. I probably look a bit silly but I'm more comfortable than I've ever been in my life. Traveling in pants would be much better than the restricting dresses I was used to. I walk out of the building to find Elias waiting patiently for me with an awoken Luna.

"Figured there wasn't much use in keeping her hidden", he explains when I lean down to pet her. I feel so grateful for Elias but its unfair of me to expect him to follow me around to find answers that may take years.

"Thank you for all you've done Elias. I know you already had plans to travel elsewhere and I don't expect you to drop your plans to help me. I appreciate all that you've taught me and thank you for saving me", I tell him straightening back up and holding my hand out for him to shake in farewell.

"You can't get rid of me that easily", he responds smacking my hand away playfully and ruffling my hair instead. I smile gratefully at him as he throws an arm over my shoulder and we look at a map together deciding on the best route to take to see the elves. It's at that moment I hear a weak cry inside one of the buildings. Elias and I follow the muffled cry to open what looks like someone's home. There in the floor covered in filth is a small hungry looking toddler. My breath catches at the pitiful sight and I rush to them picking them up from the floor. The crying child that looks to be around one or two wraps theirs arms around my neck tightly.

"We can't leave her here she will die", I say tearfully holding the child as Luna searches around the house. Elias agrees and we leave the empty house with the child in my arms. With the sun getting ready to set we decide to stay at the in for the night.

We build a fire in the fireplace and put on some water to warm to wash up the child. While waiting for the water I reach the small girl a cup of water and some soup I made with some dried vegetables and potatoes. She inhales the food wanting seconds which I gladly give her before scrubbing her clean and washing her hair. I grab the extra shirt I had just got slipping it on her small form and wrapping a ribbon her stomach to keep it from being to loose.

"What's your name little one", I ask her as she snuggles against me. She doesn't respond and I expect that she probably doesn't know how to just yet. Luna lays down beside my lap licking the small child's foot.