Avian capitol, Lectorn, (2008)

  The door to the throne room opened. A knight in black armor entered and saluted the King.

  “She is found, Torren.” His voice echoed from the eyeless helm, and he brought his arm down to his side. His dark presence filled the room with more than just fear. A deep and terrible awe impressed every person who met him. Even those who were not about to die by his hand.

  The king sat on his throne, looming and angry. His white wings draped over its back, and he leaned on the stone arms.

  “Bring her in. And when you do, leave. I can manage my daughter myself.”

  The knight bowed and then marched back out of the door. Thumps and clanking of metal boots followed, before the door burst open, and three hideous Goblires - the shapeshifters in their true form - came in escorting a woman. The Princess was fair of hair and skin, and her face was calm despite her father's anger. She walked of her own accord, with no one grabbing her arms or forcing her, as she bowed down at her father’s feet. Her wings were folded up behind her gracefully and matched her fathers, in color.

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  “Father. I should not have left. I apologize for my absence.”

  “Silence! You have no shame, do you? I awake one morning and find a treacherous servant has told you of the portal, and helped you travel through. You are gone for three YEARS! Haven’t I warned you time and again, the other world is not safe!? They are barbarians, and they have nothing our world needs, or should ever want. They are dangerous animals, and I am sick of this matter.”

  “NO!" She erupted angrily. sudden defiance filled her eyes before being tempered by fear. She continued, calm once more.

  "You were wrong! They have technologies we could never imagine, and they grow stronger every day. They tell me…”

  “We have MAGIC! We have no need for their technologies, we know they have no replacement for it. We will always be stronger than they ever will be. The other world is forbidden! And you will never see it again. You will be watched over every day, and I don’t want to hear any more on this subject, is that understood!?”

  “But…”

  “Nothing can change this.”

  The Princess lowered her head. She knew he was wrong. The other world had something far more precious than any magic. And she had vowed that he would never find out about them. As she was escorted to her chamber, and assigned a new lady in waiting, a lone tear dripped down her cheek for the two she had left behind.

  This wouldn’t be the last one she shed for them. She would never be able to go back.