Severyn Alderson; Seelie Prince's Story

Dorian was lucky enough to have looked at the palace towering above central Jodan, just as it disappeared. For a second he was in shock, then as he watched as people further up the streets collapsed, realizing there was an area effect he quickly cast the strongest protection spell he could muster. Then the pain happened. It felt as if his vir was at max stress, like his body was dissolving away, forcing him to violently threw up what had drank.

Now shivering he looked up at those around him. The fae queen, Tenanye, had burst into flames, running through the streets. Her sister had collapsed as well as Berlin. He grinned to himself if only for moment. At least he knew now how to deal with the Anansi fae.

With the pain starting to secede, the man stood up to watch the carnage that had been unleashed around him. Perhaps the only reason he was sparred was because of his protection spell, still he felt that much of his reserves had left him. Looking around, Dorian removed his mask and put his fingers to his throat. Using magic to enhance his voice, which made his bones ache, he shouted out to the crowd. "All soldiers and guards that can hear me, this is Dorian Ursuul, report to the center immediately."

Minutes later two dozen troops arrived accompanied dby tens of guards and several meisters. He designated the guards to search for the senators that had come to the festival and bring them to the Capitol for an emergency meeting. Then he called up eight soldiers. "The fae queen has retreated from the city. Seek her out and bring her to my apartments. Follow the smoke to find her." He told them, turning to ten more. "Find Arkaelus and bring him to my apartments as well. I want all of the royals treated for as soon as possible."

It was then that the elf rushed over to him. "General, What in All Hells happened?" Dorian sighed "No doubt an attack while we were distracted. These soldiers will guide you and Xiao to safety." He told him, walking over to the woman that Severyn was screaming about. The legs weren't working, but they weren't broken. Maybe paralyzed.

"Let's say what we can do here." Dorian told the crippled woman, examining her legs. He cast a light transmutation spell, one that made him bleed from the nose. Yet another after effect. The spell would make her legs work if only for a few hours until she could find a proper meister. "This should work for now." He told her.

The pain was excruciating. He didn't know what it was like to be whipped to the extent skin was peeled off, but he had a feeling it was a bit like this. He laid on the ground, waiting for the pain to go away.

"Peace, boy, peace..." A calm voice echoed over him. It sounded familiar and soothing. " You're magic has been taken, try to breath through the pain."

He took a slow, deep breath, focusing on the voice as he opened his eyes. The pain was fading, thank the gods, but he still felt winded. It was as though he had been conjuring fire non-stop for ten hours. As his vision focused, he grinned at the familiar face. Slowly, he stood up.

"Severyn, I'm glad you're okay," Kallias told his doppelganger. His eyes widened, however, as he found that he had not been successful in protecting Xiao. He staggered over to her with a sinking feeling. He had failed. Her sister had trusted him to protect her and she was still hurt and, judging from her unconscious state, even more than himself. He walked beside Severyn as he carried her.

"By the gods, I hoped to protect her. I wish I knew some medicine."



Moloch had been on enough battlefields to develop a certain sixth sense when it came to danger. Most veterans did so, whether they were mages, rangers, drakons, or knights. Thus, he had already conjured a flaming shield around himself and Aada when the shockwave hit. He was knocked off his feet, his breath knocked out of him as the pain hit. He felt as though he had been stabbed through the heart, but he fought to stand up. He was no whelp that he would lay on the ground, waiting for whoever was responsible to finish him off.

He looked around him, his vision swimming.

"Aada, are you alright?!"

Aada stepped back when Kallias arrived. He held a mask out to Moloch, "Moloch, the masquerade is starting. I got your mask here."

"Cyrus designed it, didn't he?"

"He thought you'd like it."

"You should go ahead. I'll look for my brother. I'm sure I'll find you in the crowds Your Majesty."

Aada curtseyed to Kallias and Moloch before taking her leave. She retraced her steps to the hall they had been gathering in. She lingered by the door, searching the room for her brother. From what she could see, Arim had retired elsewhere. "He's in his quarters Your Highness," one of their footman arrived at her elbow.

"Where are they?" She asked.

"I'd be happy to escort you," the young man offered. Aada nodded her agreement and followed the footman through the Citadel. He stopped outside Arim's quarters. "These are his quarters, Your Highness."

"Thank you."

The footman bowed and left Aada. Aada knocked on Arim's door and waited for him to answer. When he opened the door, Aada noticed that Arim had already changed his clothes. "Ah, I take it you won't be joining us at the masquerade?" she asked.

Arim looked down at himself, "No, I won't be. The journey has tired me too much for the revelries. But you go, enjoy yourself. You deserve it." Arim placed a kiss on Aada's forehead. "Your rooms are next door, I made sure of it."

"Rest well."

---

Aada checked her mask was in place. Even though everyone's faces were covered, she was sure she could find King Moloch in the crowd. All around her, people were dancing with abandon. The smell of food and alcohol was heavy in the air. Music and laughter echoed through the streets. A crowd seemed to be gathering.

In the centre of the crowd, Khalidor's general was fighting a bear. This was definitely something new. Bear fights weren't something that happened in Cinnabar. To fight the bear without weapons seemed suicidal, but the general carried an air of cockiness about him, a self-assurance in his victory. Aada shook her head and turned away from the fight. She spotted Moloch's mask a little way away. Thankful for familiar company, Aada weaved through the crowd to Moloch's side. "I thought I'd lost you for a moment."

As the celebration continued, Aada felt a sense of unease growing. She instinctively moved closer to Moloch. She felt magic being used behind her when she was knocked off her feet. Moloch fell over her, protecting her from the worst of the blast. Aada pulled her mask off. Her ears were ringing from the blast. The breath had been knocked from her. She gasped for breath. She looked up at what remained of the Citadel. Oh Gods no. She felt panic rising in her chest.

"Aada, are you alright?!"

She nodded, "I think so." She rose to her feet shakily. "Arim's in there."



In his quarters, Arim woke in a cold sweat. He was tangled in the sheets. He kicked them off and stumbled to the window. There was a mist stretching out across the sky. This didn't look like a normal mist though, the colour was off. The air was humming with magic. He felt weak. He needed Aada. He should have gone with her. She would know what to do. She always did.

The mist began to recede. The magic grew stronger and darker. He tried to push against the air to form a shield around himself, but his magic was weakened. He felt panic wrap itself around him. He threw himself under the desk, wrapping an arm around his head and trying to form a small barrier around him with the free hand. A weak barrier formed, but the pain he felt was agonising.

The blast tore through the Citadel. Arim was thrown forward. He bounced off the floor. The pain was instant as his head smacked the stone floor. He could feel his heartbeat in his ears. He gingerly pressed a hand against his ear. There was a thin trickle of blood. His head was of more concern. He could feel something hot and wet trickling through his hair. He no doubt had broken bones. His leg definitely if the sharp pain was anything to go by.

While he waited for help to arrive, questions chased each other. Who would do this? Was this Sphex's doing? He was the only one that made sense at that moment in time. Valyria? Their absence was noticeable. Arim fought to keep his eyes open while he waited for someone to find him.

Zexen, Valen, Blue, and Niven headed towards the festival leaving Skandar and Fiona behind in the courtyard. Blue, Zexen, and Niven nodded politely towards Fiona having realized that she was not accompanying them to the festivities. Seeing that Dorian had prematurely spilled the beans in telling Valen that Zexen would be staying in Khalidor, Zexen would have to explain the matter to his father.



Valen looked toward his son with a raised eyebrow waiting for Zexen to explain. Zexen took a deep breath and began. ”As Sir Dorian already stated, I will be extending my stay in Khalidor to train under Dorian in Khalidorian magical arts. I hope I will have your blessing father.”

Valen wasn’t too hopeful regarding the General’s potential to actually help his son but if Zexen believed in a cause he wanted to support it. Valen gave a subtle smile and responded, ”If you feel it is necessary, I will support your endeavor. However I will be sure to have a little talk with the Grand General so that WE have an understanding.” Valen wanted to ensure that Zexen was treated with the utmost care. His son was the most precious thing in the world to him.
”Thank you father.” Zexen replied.

The group explored the festival grounds after having acquired masks for themselves. Niven was drawn by the sound lovely music being played. He could tell it was magical. As he looked upon the young lady playing he could see what he was feeling. She had most definitely been in contact with Fae in some substantial manner at some point in her life. It was an odd assumption but it stood out to him somehow. He smiled almost mischievously.



He soon rejoined Father Superior, Valen and Zexen. Father superior could feel something was wrong. He felt a building up of magic in the distance. He looked about and could feel something ascending into the sky. ”I have a feeling something terrible is upon us. I can’t quite place what it is other than strong magic.” He said.


Niven looked upward and shouted ”Father Superior, Look! What is it?”



Valen’s eyes widened in terror. He had a feeling he knew what manner of magic he was seeing. He knew such a thing would severely harm beings like himself, Father Superior, Zexen, and Niven if struck full force by it.


Zexen looked up in the direction that the others were focused on. He too began to worry. What was about to happen, he thought.



Father Superior looked to Valen, ”I don’t have nearly enough time to conjure a shielding spell strong enough to fully protect us from what’s swiftly coming our way.” He said in a panicked manner.Valen gave a deep exhale and extended his hands out in front of him, conjuring up a very ornate tome. It was large and inscribed with magic runes. The tome was very old. Father Superior knew exactly what it was when he saw it. Valen hadn’t wanted Father Superior of all people to see it but this was a desperate moment.




Father Superior looked up at Valen and with a gravely serious sounding tone he spoke, ”That’s The Book of Cosmos… Where and HOW did you get this?!” Blue knew that the book of Cosmos was a very powerful magic relic that was protected by a powerful sorcerer of Legend. That item being in Valen’s posession was a bad sign.



Valen replied quickly, ”As of now, that is unimportant. I will not allow that mana bomb to rip the two people I love most in this world from me. You’ll thank me later for this Luin.” Valen opened the book and began to chant. The book glowed a bright golden light and emitted sparks that looked like stars. He knew a disaster was upon them and everyone present would need people with healing magic, the likes that Father Superior had. He needed to be completely protected and the only way to do so was to absorb the Blue Faery into the Book of Cosmos temporarily. The glowing light of the book became a vacuum vortex that pulled Father Superior inside the book. Zexen and Niven watched the scene terrified at what Valen had done.

Zexen Shouted, “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!!!???”
Valen commanded in response, ”THERE IS NO TIME. He is fine and will be fine. Stay close to me and do not move. The book will protect the two of you from the worst of the damage. It’s here. Niven, take the Blue Faery’s wand and when the wave passes use what magic you have left to release the Blue Faery from the Book. You will need something that belonged to him in order to free him. It will not be easy but with his wand you can do it. Prepare for great pain.”



As soon as Valen concluded the mana mist was upon them. Valen himself was outside of the protection spell cast by the Book of Cosmos and was hit with the brunt of the mana wave. His hands shot up into the air and he let out a painstaking cry. His magic was being violently pulled from him. He held lots of Dark Magic and dark magic was perfect from destructive use. It suited the purpose of the mana mist perfectly and it pulled as much as it could from Valen as it passed.

As the wave hit the protection spell cast by the Book of Cosmos Niven and Zexen double over in striking pain. What they felt was not nearly as bad as what Valen was experiencing but it was still not pleasant. Niven held on tight to The Blue Faery’s wand as he fell to his knees. Zexen cried out in pain, his whole body trembled and every muscle seemed to burn. He felt as if he were going to pass out. Zexen was the product of magic and this wave of magic sapping energy could have killed him. Zexen blacked out and several scenes from the past flashed in his mind.



Zexen awoke moments later to a scene of utter panic and terror. People screamed and ran about frantically. Zexen’s head was throbbing as it lay against the cold ground. Also in his vision was his father laying unconscious on the ground. Zexen’s eyes slowly trailed over to see Niven slumped over the Book of Cosmos, hugging his stomach with one arm and waving the Blue Faery’s wand over the Book of Cosmos with the other. Niven was trying to release Father Superior from the tome. However using magic caused him even more pain at the moment. Zexen crawled over to Niven and placed his hand on Niven’s. They both focused the magic energy they could muster and the Book of Cosmos opened and the golden light that vacuumed the Blue Faery into it had flashed revealing the Blue Faery to be freed once more.



Father Superior looked as if he’d been in another dimension. He was clearly shaken but seemingly alright. Niven asked him if he was okay and Father Superior nodded affirmatively in response. Niven handed Father Superior back his wand and he cast a spell that restored strength to both Zexen and Niven. They would be fine. Valen, however, would need more time to recover his strength. Father Superior waved his wand and Valen reverted to pixie size. Now he was light enough for Niven to carry to a safe place. Father Superior spoke to the two Wishing Star Fae, ”Listen carefully. Take him to a place where he can rest and place him in direct moonlight. It will recharge his magical energies swifter. I must help whomever I can. Zexen take the Book of Cosmos and do not let it out of you sight or possession. This is a VERY powerful and dangerous magic tome. The owner of this book will come looking for it very soon I fear. However for now you should be fine. Just keep it from harm. I will see you soon.” Ble then shifted to pixie size and flew off to assist those in need.

He smiled, soft and subtle at her question. A beautiful young woman stood before him, shoulders bare to the falling snow and she asked him about tradition. He was a bout to speak when the flutter of black wings on a cold wind echoed in his mind, he could almost hear the ravens caw. He turned as if expecting to see the creature from his dreams flying towards. Instead he saw nothing yet felt something awful, like a great fear welling up inside him, warning him of what was coming.

"Magic..."

She whispered in a hushed, fearful tone. The look on her face stirred something in Jon and all he knew in that moment was that he needed to protect her. He stepped forward only to fall to his knees. His eyes shot open in pain as icy fingers gripped his heart. He clenched his teeth in agony as his blood chilled to freezing and the world around him seemed to slow.

No... no, no, no, no not now... Please!"

His eyes locked on the woman before him, her mask had fallen away and she too was on the ground writhing in pain. Whatever was attacking him had seized her as well. He reached out only to recoil his hand in terror as he realized it was coated in frost, ice forming on his knuckles. He clenched his fist, bringing it to his chest as he tried to force his power to submit to him. This was wrong, his powers had swelled in the past but never like this. This was something else, something foreign and invasive. Jon groaned in pain as he did everything in his power to force the icy torrent in his veins to subside. The snow began falling harder around them as the wind picked up with an vengeful chill. Winter was coming, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

Jon gasped as ice began to form on the ground around him. Wicked, jagged spires erupted from the floor, cracking the stone work. Ice, coated his hands and up his forearms, spikes of ice formed on his shoulders and back. He could feel his skin growing cold and blue, his eyes shifting from their murky black to icy blue. The wind whipped around him in a frigid vortex of winter fury when he saw her. Weak and alone, she was laying in the snow, legs useless to her. She stared up at him, unable to flee from the monster before her. She looked at him and for a moment, she saw him, the man within ice and it was enough.

The wind died down and the ice ceased to grow. The spikes on his body fell away and shattered on the ground as his hands returned to normal. His skin warmed and the temperature around them returned to a normal. Last was his eyes, slowly fading back to their natural black as he went to a knee before the woman at his feet.

"Are you alright? Did I hurt you?"

He asked, reaching out tentaively. Her legs were horribly mangled and broken, her knees seemed gnarled and bruised. He prayed to any gods that could hear him that this was not his doing, his guilt were that the case would have been too much to bear. He slid his hands under her knees gently, his other around her back before lifting her into his arms with ease. She was feather light as he got to his feet, looking at her with worry and shame.

"I'm sorry, I'll get you to a maester."

Turning with her in her arms it was only then he realised the massive castle was not only ruins, Jon could only stare in shock.

"Gods..."

Despite her pain, Dae watched as the man, she was just speaking to, was overcome with ice. Like a frostbeast of legend, ice sprouted from his body. Fear struck her first, as he reached for her and his ice soon followed but then she saw it's...his eyes. He was afraid, he knew not what was happening and it frightened him. She watched his eyes and suddenly it was gone, the wind, the ice, it fell away and he dropped to his knees before her.

"Are you alright? Did I hurt you?"
He reached out for her legs and she winced and braced herself.

His hands were gentle as they slid under her knees and behind her back. Her legs hung limply over his arms, and the pain was enough to cause her eyes to water.

"I'm sorry, I'll get you to a maester." He said and she shook her head, but it was at the moment she saw the citadel, the castle that was apart of the skyline, gone. It was almost funny, she would miss it.

"Gods..." He said. "You didn't do this..." She told him and before she could say more it was than that Dorian Ursuul came over to them. He didn't see the man's magic and the man didn't seem to want him to know. She knew the feeling.

Was he cursed, like her? She wanted to ask, but if he was, it wouldn't be something he wanted to talk about. The Fae man had seen her marks, he knew the magic that once adorned her legs.

"Let's say what we can do here." Dorian said, as he came over to her. She absentmindedly winced into the man, almost shying from Dorian's hands as he came to her, but her legs wouldn't move. He began to cast a spell on to her legs. The runes hummed but didn't glow. Dorian Ursuul, contrary to popular belief, was human, he magic was nothing compared to any Fae, especially a royal one. She did appreciate the attempted. The pain was gone at least,and the bones were reset, but she couldn't feel the man's arms under her knees. "This should work for now." He told her and she gave a weak smile that didn't reach her eyes. She had to admit, she did underestimate him, she thought him like his cousin but he wasted no time using his magic to heal her, or at least attempt to. "Thank you, General." She said, and then she looked at the man that carried her. She didn't even know his name. "Thank you, Mesiuer, I think you can let me down now." She said, and he did, gingerly. Her feet touched the ground and she couldn't feel the snow beneath her feet. The pain was gone, thanks to the general but she still couldn't walk.

The man let her go but just barely, before her legs wobbled like a new born calf. He held onto her and her fingers clutched to him reflexively as she closed her eyes, shaking her head. "I can't---"

No sooner did she speak, did the man lift her up again. He seemed to think he was the cause of this, and she wanted to tell him he wasn't to blame, but not in front of the General.

She looked at the man, and though she should at least offer him, her name. "I am Dae, Dae Missan, Thank you, Are you hurt at all?" She asked, not wanting to say more with Dorian there.

Xiao Jingshen opened her eyes at the sound of a knocking at the door. She looked around, unsure of where she was, she sat up in the soft bed, tugging the sheets over her chest.

"Come in?" She called and found Prince Kallias at her door. Odd, she didn't sense him. She didn't sense anyone or anything. She felt nothing. She felt strange, she didn't know how to explain it. She looked at him, with a strange look on her face the moment he entered the room.

"What happened? I feel strange." She said, "Where is my sister, and Severyn?"

Severyn was pacing, his mind reeling from all that had happened. A magic bubble tore through Khalidor, killing many, and disabling thousands. Amelia fainted, Xiao Jingshen lost her Fae but what terrified him the most was the Empress.

They'd heard the stories, the myths, the legends, but they never believed it. Not entirely. Fae couldn't lie, but they were never sure about the entire story. Why would the Summer Queen not know she was the Summer Queen? Why would it take so long when Winter supposedly changed immediately.

But Tenanye was on fire yet she did not burn.....She wasn't an Elemental. She was Spider. Why was she on fire?

It explained so much, her wanting to find the Hallows, why she wanted to do this now....Why she'd been so secretive. It all made sense.

She was the Summer Queen and she knew it.
Why didn't she tell him?
He made his way to Amelia's chambers and knocked. Just in case she was awake.

Tenanye awoke with a start. Her body ached, her head swam, and she felt unbelievably weak. Why was she here? What happened? Who saw her?

She didn't want anyone to know she was the Summer Queen. The Mortals wouldn't understand. They didn't know the stories, but Severyn would know, if he saw her, he would be upset. She should have told him, but she wasn't sure she was ready for that yet. Speaking it would just make it more real.

She didn't want to be Summer Queen. She didn't want to go to Otherworld and face the Winter King. She didn't want any of that. It wasn't fair.

She knew why it was her. She was curious, she wanted to change, like the Summer King before his fall. She wanted to see the world, explore, learn, she was rare among her kind.

She sat up slowly, and closed her hand over her face. Silent tears falling from her eyes.

She wasn't ready for this yet.