Sitara pushed her concerns aside to focus on researching the items that went into her bath. All the herbs and tonics that went into her bath were proven to aid in the strengthening of a faes life force. Inara however grew restless as Sitara spent her days in the library.
"Sitara why are we here again?" Inara sighed as she laid upside down on the chaise across from Sitara and her large assortment of books she had been reading about life forces from in the ancient Fae library.
"This is for you if I am to care for you I need to know how better to aid you Naree," Sitara used her nickname which Inara always loved. Sitara was the first to give her one and she cherished it.
"Okay okay can I help?" She chuckled tossing a dagger at Davian to see if he was still paying attention he stopped it from hitting his face between his fingers. Inara smirked as he looked at her irritated.
"Anything would be helpful really. Davian if you have any ideas that would be great," she glared at him. He sighed as moved from his spot to get closer to the girls.
"My mother was talking about an ancient race that has long since died off but they are said to have had a stone of some type that could read a faes life force," he said going over to a different section not to far from them.
"Nassau and the Puca," Sitara read to herself after Davian handed the book to her.
"Puca? You mean the pixies that used to help the fairies clean the palace?" Inara asked looking over Sitaras shoulder. Sitara shook her head.
"No Puca are a very old and ancient race they shape shift to fit their needs so no one knows what they truly look like. They lived in a very small mountain range between the unseelie realm and the badlands they were thought to be the original Fae but they aren't even fae at all," Davian said sitting back in his original seat.
"What are they?"
"They are Puca how am I suppose to know what they are exactly I just overheard my mother talking about it with a client that wanted rare stones on her stupid hat," he stated.
"Maybe the book can tell us," Sitara opened the book to the index and skimmed through it. "Puca are mysterious creatures that enjoy doing favors for those that they deem worthy. They also don't do anything for free. They change their shape and look constantly so even Puca don't know how they look naturally. They do prefer to take on a look of half cat half fae with long tails," Inara couldn't help her excitement at the mention of cat. She adored cats to no end and begged her father for one constantly.
"I want one," she said grabbing the book and flipping a few pages. "Oh Sitara look!"
She showed Sitara the book and both their eyes grew wide. Just as Davian had said they had a stone that could read a faes life force but it could only be found with their pets known as Alicanto. These birds were great at finding rare metals and gems and when they ate them their wings would change to the color of the metal or gem.
"I want the bird," Sitara spoke quietly. She wondered what would happen if she gave some of the Úlëa to it.
"How would you get the stone? It's not an easy trip," Inara said getting up and going to a map on the wall to see the mountain range mentioned.
"Hmmmm perhaps I can ask Nebri," Sitara absentmindedly muttered.
"You think he'd risk his life just to get you a stupid rock?" Davian scoffed. Sitara shot him a look and he stopped chuckling. Inara laughed at their antics but still studied the map.
"I know he would actually. I'll write him as soon as I return to our rooms and ask him," she stood up and started to leave the library when she stopped and looked at Inara. She was sadly looking at the map.
"Naree?" Sitara placed her hand on her shoulder. This action startled Inara and she looked up at Sitara.
"I never realized how far Valaina was from here," her voice soft as she looked back at the map to the home of her uncle. The home her mother had to stay at since she had Inara. The first 3 years of inaras life she was able to live with her every 6 months however as she got older even her body was unable to handle the aura of the island. Now she can only visit for a few days every 6 months.
"Isn't it almost time to visit Naree?" Sitara tried to raise the young girl's spirits.
"Yes, but it's so hard to leave and my father won't be able to go this time to see her." Inara walked away from the map and left the library with Davian and Sitara watching with solemn expressions. The czar was only permitted a day with the queen a year. Anymore than that and they tended to get out of hand. The queen's health was so delicate that any change in her environment for to long often did more harm than good. When Inara was young any time the princess left the Queen she would be bed ridden with grief for weeks. It got easier over time and the Aenor worked hard to ensure she was comfortable but these arrangements were hard on everyone involved. Sitara felt horrible they couldn't be together but she didn't know how to help.
"I don't know what I'd do without my mom," Davian said snapping Sitara out of her thoughts.
"I can't imagine not having my parents and siblings and not being able to see them," she added. She and Davian followed Inara out of the library.
Sitara did keep her word and sent a letter to her brother. She informed him of her want to help the princess better and that the stone may be of some help to her.
She stayed close to the princess the rest of the evening and watched as the princess was silent for the rest of the day she even skipped training and opted for playing the flute on her balcony. Anyone that passed by the balcony below stopped and enjoyed the music even though it sounded happy the undertones held a sad melancholy feel to it. Sitara and Davian both made sure to keep their distance but be near incase she needed them.