__Luin Elen/ Father Superior__
__(The Blue Faery)__
ā__Zexen Tiberius__Elen__ā
Zexen was in awe of the Empress of Anansai. She was very beautiful and graceful. A funny little smile crept across his face as she nodded to him. He could see that there must have been some form of dynamics between her and his father. It was becoming really apparent that Valen had not left Anansai of his own accord. However what exactly happened to spark his departure and migration to present day Valen Alus?
Zexen thought back to the moment Valen and Father Superior greeted one another. He noted the odd exchange between the two. Zexen was beginning to see that the two had some form of complicated history. He knew that Father Superior seemed to make his father nervous seeing that Valen was aggressively against the summoning of wishing star faeries. But the real question was why. Zexenās eyes toggled back and forth between the two and he noted, that they acted like separated ex-lovers. Zexenās eyes narrowed. He tapped his father on the arm lightly, āFather a word.ā
āYes.ā Valen replied as he was beginning to sit down.
Zexen took his seat next to his father, and made sure that Father Superior would sit on the other side of him. āWhatās the nature of your relation to Father Superior?ā He asked quietly.
Valen rolled his eyes slightly, his attempt at belittling the inquiry. āLong and extremely complicated.ā
Zexen smirked, āI figured that would be your answer. Very well, I just wanted to get hear your response to the question before I asked him.ā Zexen immediately looked over toward Blue, who was getting settled in his seat. Just before Zexen could ask a question he saw a beautiful young fae woman enter the room. She caught the full attention of Empress Tenanye who immediately stood to her feet. Zexen felt that the Empress, in that moment, resembled his father when he was impatiently awaiting Zexenās return from an excursion. The young man snickered a little looking at the event.
Tenanye rose then.
"My Lord, Arkalus, In honor of our first venture out unto your world, and you, so graciously hosting us, We, The Fae of Anansai, have brought you the gift of our song." She announced,
" With your blessing, once the other Lords and Ladies arrive, My sister, The Princess and the Finest Singer in Anansai, shall sing and dance it for you." She said and Xiao Jingshen, the young fae woman, shot to her feet.
"My sister is much too kind, I shall do my best." She said, bowed and sat down again.
Zexen was much interested in seeing the young sister of the empress sing and dance. He wondered if the dances of Anansai were anything like the dances of Valen Alus. Moloch proposed a toast and everyone drank to it. Zexen couldnāt help but notice an exceptionally pleased look fall upon Valenās face. He knew his father was interested in consulting for the Drake king. Zexen looked Moloch up and down in assessment. He had heard a lot about that man but had never before seen him in person. Zexen could tell that Moloch earned every bit of respect he commanded. The revelation only made Zexen begin to feel a bit in over his head.
Father Superior leaned a little closer toward Zexen. He spoke quietly, āWith you always is a kingās heart. Never lose faith in that strength dear. Itāll carry you through the darkest of moments.ā
Zexen felt like he saw a light at the end of a dark tunnel. He looked over to Blue and smiled. āThank you Father Superior. I needed to hear that.ā Zexen took a moment and then spoke again, āI also wanted to apologize to you for what I asked you to do before. You were right it was a heart darkening deed I set out upon and I regret having done what I did.ā Zexen took a big drink from his glass.
āWorry not, you may have lost your way for a moment but you are back on the right path. No one is immune to darkness. I myself broke a rule doing what I did that day. You reminded me of a time when I could have held on to someone dear to me by breaking a rule and fighting for them. Instead I gave up on them, something I regret doing.ā Blue responded with a melancholy expression. Valen overheard the conversation and upon hearing Blueās words he quietly closed his eyes to take it all in. Trying to keep up the appearance that he wasnāt listening he turned to look about the room.
Zexen replied, āIām sure you did the right thing back then. Youāre not head of the Nuns and Monks of Anansai for nothing.ā Zexen said with a chuckle. The wishing star faeries were known to be something akin to monks and nuns in the Anansai realm.
āWell dear that is what I tell myself.ā Blue responded with a light smile.
Valen took a moment to approach Moloch. āMoloch Markus, King of the magnificent Drake City. May I express my sincere desire to one day serve as a consultant to your cause whatever it may be. The magic of Valen Alus may be of service to you. You remind me of your parents, strong of both heart and will. I owe a debt to them, I would like to repay that debt by assisting you. If you decide on it, let me know.ā Valen soon returned to his table.
"Zexen..." Arkaelus began, as the prince was closer to his chair. Zexen was a bit surprised to be called. He turned to address the voice and it was of the King of Khalidor himself Arkaelus. He looked far more mature and had much more presence since he last saw him years ago.
Zexen responded somewhat shyly, āYes your majesty.ā Zexen knew he wasnāt technically royalty like many of the others being kings, empresses and the like. His father simply claimed to be the Lord of his nation and Zexen was a young lord, a noble in their kingdom. Zexen tried to make sure he addressed people properly and in a way befitting his status.
The Khalidor King continued,
"I've heard that you're quite the warrior and I was wondering if you would hear out a request? My cousin Dorian is always looking for a good sparring partner and I think you would be just right. I don't believe you've met him, but he'll be here later. Anyway I'm sure that both of you could learn some new techniques from one another, after all it would be the best of Khalidor and the best of Valen Alus." Zexen felt flattered to be called the best warrior in his country especially from a foreigner. It was true that he rarely lost a match with some of the best warriors in Valen Alus. He was excellently trained by Peregrine Le Buque. Zexen was unaware that he had a reputation of combat prowess abroad. He hoped that he wasnāt blushing. āI am most honored by your request your majesty. I accept. I can only hope that I am a challenge for Sir Dorian. I look forward to meeting him. I also wanted to express how much I admire the architecture here in your kingdom. It is very regal. I would like to visit here on holiday sometime soon.ā Zexen took another drink from his cup.
Valen was most proud of his son. He gave a glance toward Father Superior who quietly watched Zexen with a smile. Valen couldnāt help but wonder how much, if anything, did Father Superior actually know about Zexen. Given Blueās rule as the Superior sage of wishing star faeries he had a connection to a higher powered entity in Anansai that gave him insight on certain things that others didnāt have. However Valen seemed sure that Father Superior had no knowledge of the truth behind his secret.
Valen took this moment to present his gift to Arkaelus. āKing Arkaelus, Zexen and I would like to present you with a gift for your invitation to this summit, and for being a kind host to us.ā Valen then presented the ring. āThis, my lord, is a magic ring most rare. It is called Binding Agreement. When wearing this ring any deals you make become binding when you and the other party shake hands. The party who breaks their end of the bargain with suffer an unfortunate happening as punishment. May your future deals be honest and true.ā Valen handed the ring box over to Valen with a relaxed smile.
Father Superior cringed a little, āI see some things seldom change with time.ā He said quietly as he folded his arms. He decided that he no longer wished to watch Valen back in his old habit of dangling darkness in front of mortals. He stepped over to the royals of Cinnabar. He bowed, āGreeting your majesties. Iām Father Superior of the wishing star faeries of Anansai. I wanted to express to you that your people are quite the dreamers. The wishes that come from the citizens of Cinnabar are so full of hope and pure intention. That is a sign of a gentle leader. I felt that was something you should know, to cherish and to nurture within your kingdom.ā