The five stones combined

“No, I mean, it's huge.” Fjaril said once again.
“It's pretty big, I know. Now just come on, ok?” Hikary was growing a bit tired of Fjaril's constant gasping over the castle ever since it had come into sight fifteen minutes ago. Of course it was bigger than anything the guy had ever seen before, but he did not have to keep pointing it out! They were in front of the gate now, and Hikary was eager to get home.

She stubbornly walked on and she heard Ivy, Yuuro and Fjaril following her. Ever since they had parted with Ruki and Taira, their journey had been terribly uneventful. They had followed the main roads and had soon come across the trade route, which they had followed all the way to the northeast until it led them to the crossing to the Friendship Lands.

Both Yuuro and Fjaril missed Ruki and Taira, that much was obvious. It had bothered her at first, how they had kept talking about Ruki, but at some point she had simply given up, reminding herself how lucky her little niece was. She had carried the stones herself all the time in two separate bags. She didn't dare put them together- somehow she had the feeling they reacted to each other, but she simply didn't know if they should.

They walked through the garden which was in full bloom right now. The flowerbeds were beautiful with a mix of yellow, white and purple flowers, and the trees and bushes were all radiant green which made a gorgeous contrast with the light colored stone path that led to the castle. The gardener had truly outdone himself this year.

Hikary had missed an entire season here. She had left when the snow was barely melting, and now summer was already here. They had been gone for such a long time, but now they had all five stones. They could stay at home now, a prospect Hikary liked more than a little bit. If only Taira and Ruki would come home soon. She had often wondered what they had set out to do. Obviously Taira had referred to the last part of the message. The last winged one... did her sister know where to find her?

The doors of the castle were open, as were many of it's windows, to allow the warmth of summer to enter. “We're home.” She sighed as she stepped into the hallway. There was no one around- not even a servant. Everyone took off their bags, all except the two that carried the stones, and put them in the corner.
“Let's go see mother first.” Ivy said as she walked into the throne room.

Queen Regina was sitting on her throne, reading a scroll, no doubt about taxes or the harvest or something else important. “Mother.” Hikary said, bowing before she approached the throne.
“Hikary!” Regina exclaimed as she put her papers aside. Her mother trotted towards them and hugged her. “I'm so glad you're home safely.” Regina said.

“My queen.” Yuuro bowed as Regina let go of Hikary.
“Yuuro. I'm happy to see you.” She gave the boy a short hug.
“And you must be Fjaril. Welcome to the Friendship Lands.” Regina bowed slightly before Fjaril, remembering that he too was a king.
“It is an honor to finally meet you, my queen.” Fjaril said as he bowed before her.
“Taira talked a lot about you.” Regina said. “I am looking forward to getting to know you better.”

Regina then turned to the last of their group. Hikary noticed her sister had lingered in the doorway.
“Ivy.” Regina said, her voice strict and firm.
“H...hello, mother. It's good to see you. Has everything been well?”
“Yes... but not thanks to you. How could you have just taken off like that, Ivy? Could you not have discussed it with me first?”

Hikary could tell from the tone of her mother's voice that Regina had been more concerned than angry with her daughter.
“I... I just had to go. Decide for myself, and go. I needed to say goodbye, mother. I'd have never forgiven myself if I hadn't. I'm sorry I took off like that, but I was afraid I might have been too late otherwise.”

Regina shook her head. “We'll discuss this later, Ivy. I'm glad you're safely back now.” The queen turned to the others. She wanted to say something but then hesitated.
“Where are Ruki and Taira?” Regina asked, looking around.
“I'm afraid they had some... unattended business. They will join us as soon as they can.” Hikary answered. “Unattended business?”
“I don't know either. Something that has to do with the stones... but I'm not sure what. We collected all five now.”

Regina sighed. “That's too bad. I was looking forward to discussing some matters with Taira. But I guess it can't be helped.” Regina walked back to her throne and sat down wearily.
“I am sure you are all tired. Why don't you go to your room and refresh yourself? We will have dinner together, and you can tell me all about your adventures. Hikary, can you find one of the servants to show Fjaril to an available room?”

When Hikary had made sure Fjaril was shown a room, she slipped away as fast as she could. She had more urgent things to do than showing Taira's lover around. Why didn't he sleep in her bedroom anyway? Hikary had noticed Ivy had stayed behind with Regina, probably to talk things over more. She understood why Regina was upset, but she was also a little grateful- now she could check on the other three stones.

She slipped past her mother's study room and unlocked the wooden door to the basement. She could tell it had not been opened during the time she had been away- the little spell she had put on the lock was untouched. Still, she'd only be relieved once she saw all three stones. She descended down the dark stairs and unlocked the next door in the darkness.

The room was still lit by the faint glow of the stones, exactly like she had left it. No one had been there and nothing had changed. She put the two bags on the floor and closed the door behind her. First she inspected the three stones; the blue stone they had gotten from Fiume's spring, the red stone Takato had given them, and the copper stone she had retrieved from the mountains of the Old Friendship Lands.

They were all there, still glowing faintly in the silent little room designed only to keep them safe. The flower-shaped cradles weren't even dusty, and the two empty ones longed for their stones, waiting only in the bags at her hooves. There was no sense in waiting, so Hikary picked up the first bag and opened it.

The stone of flowers, as it was called, lived up to that name. While it had been so pure and clear in Batafurai in the water, like the others it was now vaguer and more solid inside. It's color was very light pink, like a snowdrop in early spring desiring to be a red rose in summer's sunlight. She inspected the stone to be sure, but of course it had taken no damage during the trip. These stones were so strong, Hikary was sure she could drop it without it even getting so much as a scratch.

She didn't dare risk it, though, so she put it in the empty cradle between the blue and the red stone. Instantly, the room was a little lighter. Like the other stones, the flower stone lit up once it was placed in line with the others, and now joined by their fourth sister, the other three shone a bit brighter themselves as if they were strengthened by her presence. The glow was different though, than what she had seen the stone doing in the water in Batafurai. Less clear, like a candle flickering in a breeze, and Hikary could not put the thought aside that without the others none of these stones would shine.

She picked up the last bag and took out the golden stone they had recovered from the breach. So much has changed now, because they had taken this one away. The breach had died- it was only a deep gap in the earth now. The powers of the east and the west were mingling, but was this good or bad?

Hikary placed the golden stone in the only cradle left, the one between the red stone and the copper stone. Was the flower stone like a flickering candle, this stone shone as bright as the sun on a summer's day. It's light made that of the other stones fade away like daylight making any candle unnecessary.

Hikary remembered what Taira and Ruki had said- that this stone had shone so bright, and that it had talked to them. She hadn't believed them then- but now what she saw this, she couldn't help but consider their story again. This stone was indeed stronger than the others, less worn down from the world and from use, still pure as it had been intended to be once, long ago. Maybe that tower had indeed been it's shrine. If so, had the others had a shrine like that too, once?

“That one is truly something different.” Hikary almost jumped to defend her stones, but she realized in time it was only her mother.
“Oh, Regina... I thought you were talking with Ivy.” Hikary said, lowering her guard. She had not heard her mother come down into the basement at all- she had been too absorbed by the golden stone.

“I was, but we are done talking. Ivy is refreshing herself now. That girl... well, I am not glad that she took off without even coming by to say goodbye, but I am glad that she decided to do this for herself. She's growing up and becoming as headstrong as her sisters, I'm afraid.” Regina smiled sadly. For the first time, Hikary noticed her mother was becoming old.

Not because of the wrinkles on her face or the gray hairs that were now all to visible in her mane, but because of the look in her eyes that revealed both wisdom and a realization that life would not last forever.
“I understand. She can take care of herself, that girl. Even with what I did to her... when all this is over, I will find a way to lift the seal I placed on her. I promised her.”
Not one day went by in which Hikary was not reminded of the horrible thing she had done to her sister.

“I know you will. But we need to focus on this first, and Ivy understands. I am glad you managed to collect all of them in time, Hikary.” Regina said while observing the five stones.
“So am I. The day of the daylight star... according to what the copper stone said, we still have some time. But we do need to find the last winged one. I don't even know where to begin.”

“Do you not think that is what Taira and Ruki are doing right now?” Regina asked. Of course she thought that. “Probably. Taira... I think she knows more about that than she ever told any of us. Whenever I started about that subject she told me it would be okay and that I had to focus on the stones. I think she knew... I think she knows, and I think that's exactly what she is doing right now. Only...”

“Only you don't like that she kept this from you, while you always shared everything you knew.” Regina finished for her.
“Well, yes.” Hikary admitted uneasily.
“I understand. Once, I was in your position too. My sister Campestre was to become queen, and I was supposed to be her second. I would support her and help her and do the things she could not do. I was happy back then, that I would not have to bear the burdens she would have to bear...

But looking back on it, that also meant she sometimes would do some things without consulting me or trusting me, while that was something I could never do. Of course reality turned out to be quite different... but I understand how hard that might be on you, my dear. The only thing you can do is trust her judgment. Taira knows what she is doing.”

“I understand. And I trust Taira, I really do. But this is something that does not concern us alone. The task has been given to us, to all of us, so she shouldn't bear any of this alone.” Hikary admitted. Could Taira handle it? The thought had crossed her mind so often the past few weeks.
“But she's not alone, is she? Ruki is with her. That girl is stronger than either of us know, I think. She will help her mother.”

Ruki... maybe Regina was right. Maybe Hikary had underestimated Taira's daughter. She had already proven to be strong... but Hikary knew for sure Ruki was only a little girl too.
“Thanks, mother. I know I should have faith.” Hikary glanced at the stones once more, and noticed the golden stone still had not calmed down. It will probably keep shining this bright, Hikary realized. It's a good thing we keep them down here.

“I think, Hikary, you need to rest now. The stones are fine. Go refresh yourself, take a small nap, and join us for dinner. I ordered the cook to make a special meal to celebrate your return. Relax a bit. There's nothing we can do until Taira and Ruki are home, so you better rest and recover your strength. Taira will need you.” Regina said.

As Hikary followed her mother out of the basement, she couldn't help but admit that she was right. Taira would need her, and she'd better be ready for that. After all, though it may seem far away yet, the day of the daylight star was coming... and nobody knew what would happen once it did.