the trick is to keep breathing

Notes: Sara’s demeanor is inspired a bit by the Memory of Heroes take (where she’s more outwardly feisty).

The evening skies cloaked Castle Sasune in shades of orange and violet. It was around the point where the night guard would take over and most of the remaining staff would soon retire to their quarters.
Sara Altney stood overlooking the grounds from one of the balconies in wait. She knew it was only a matter of time before-
“Lady Sara. You have requested me?”
Sara turned to meet her visitor. It was Ingus; One of Sasune’s many soldiers and one of the four Warriors of Light.
At this point in time, the Warriors of Light were deep into their journey. Sara knew that they had to be a long ways away by that point, and while she had no idea how far into their quest they were, she knew that they had to be quite busy. It was for that reason that her usual “spontaneous” response to her problem was more hesitant. Compared to ensuring that the world didn’t fall to darkness, her pendant breaking seemed like an extremely minor situation, a personal crisis though it may be. Still, she decided it was worth a shot to ask Ingus to repair it.
While she was hopeful, she certainly didn’t expect the Warriors to return to Sasune for the sole purpose of taking the pendant. Some days later, they returned with Sara’s precious pendant as good as new.
Perhaps it was the emotions that the pendant itself gave her, but Sara practically demanded that the party at least spend the night before resuming their quest.
The Warriors showed surprising, but understandable hesitation. Eventually, they decided that surely Xande won’t finish flooding the world with darkness for at least another day. Besides, they already had three of the crystals awoken. The future is bright.
Still, Sara could not help but worry.
“So. You will be heading out once more soon.” Sara started.
“Yes. We have awakened three of the four crystals now. Once we leave, we shall make our way towards Doga’s Manor. After we retrieve the key to Syrcus Tower, we will go there and confront Xande.” Ingus stated. “I sent a report to his majesty. You can read that for mor-”
“I know about the report!” Sara replied angrily. “I wanted to hear it from you directly!”
Sara huffed and then turned around.
“...Lady Sara, is there something wrong?”
Of course there was. She was here, stuck in this castle while he was out doing who knows what. It was not that Sara hated Sasune; Just some weeks ago she was marching through the Djinn’s cavern to save her people with a tenacity that not even the Warriors of Light could falter. But her opportunities to move outside of the castle were already limited and only grew moreso after the earthquake. Boredom caught up with her quickly and hearing of the Warriors of Light’s adventures through Ingus’ notes and reports only served to pepper in fear and envy with her other feelings.
But she didn’t say any of that.
“Ingus,” Sara paused, quietly considering how to word her next sentence. “I have one command for you.”
“Yes, your highness?” Ingus said, snapping to attention.
“I want you to promise me that you and the others will come back alive.”
“...Lady Sara. I apologize for this, but I cannot in good faith fulfill that command.”
“?! What do you mean?!” Sara asked, her voice torn between frustrated disbelief and unsettled concern.
“It was something Doga told us. He said that the Warriors of Darkness perished in their battle to stop the Flood of Light.” Ingus crossed his arms thoughtfully. “I do not like to dwell upon it either, but to ignore that possibility would also be arrogant. Anything could happen duri-”
Princess Sara was a spontaneous person. She tended to think with her heart first and her head second.
Which is why, as Ingus continued to cast doubts on any assurance of the party’s survival, Sara grabbed him and kissed him.
The stoic soldier went wide-eyed, but made no attempt to break the kiss. Was he shocked? Did he want this as well? Sara did not know and, for the moment, she did not care. She just needed to do something.
Sara pulled away after what felt like an eternity.
“Please. No matter what happens. Just…come back safe.” Sara said quietly.
Ingus did not respond, still in shock.
“Sara…” Ingus said with a quiet vulnerability that Sara had only seen during that night before he left. Ingus settled back into his grim determination and nodded.
“You have my word, Lady Sara. We shall return.” While Ingus’ words earlier cast doubt on the validity of that statement, Sara knew that he meant it; His eyes, always having that sharp quality to them unlike any of the other soldiers, shone with determination to fulfill the princess’ request.
“And one more thing.” Sara continued.
“Yes, your highness?”
“Once you’ve returned, you must make time to show me the surface.” Sara ordered. “I want to see all of it. As much as you can possibly afford to show me.”
Ingus looked shocked for a moment before sighing. Despite this, he seemed to have a ghost of a smile on his face.
“Very well, your highness. I must warn you that the surface is far more vast than even the floating continent.”
Sara smiled.
“Are you trying to dissuade me? Because you are only doing the opposite.”
Sara and Ingus chatted until the wee hours of the morning.