Chapter 5: The Colours of Magic

Chapter 5

“Sera, love, halflings have begun to arrive,” Oliver said.  

Seraphina looked up from her book,  “already?”  she asked in surprise.

“Just the ones from around the castle, from the closest towns,” Oliver explained.

“I want to wait before I explain what’s happening, so the halflings who live further away have a chance to arrive,” Seraphina said.

“I’ve given orders that they’re shown to the rooms in the west wing.  Will a week be enough time?”  Oliver asked.

“It will have to be.  We don’t have time to spare.  Everyday we don’t do something more people die,” Seraphina said sadly.

“We will think of something,” Oliver said encouragingly.

“I know,” Seraphina said, “but my father spent years looking for a way to win the war.”  

“And we know everything he tried, so we don’t have to worry about that, we can focus on everything he didn’t try,” Oliver said.

“It’s so lucky I have you,” Seraphina said with a small smile.  

“Aren’t you though,” Oliver said cheekily.  Seraphina smacked his shoulder affectionately.  

“Ow,” Oliver complained.

Seraphina rolled her eyes, “baby,” she said, and they both burst out laughing.  It was nice for them to laugh because with the war and everything else that had happened they didn’t have much else to laugh about.