Xiao Jingshen Ananse's Story

Amelia picked out a beautiful scarlet colored mask fashioned into a rose bloom. Soon she, Severyn, Xiao and Kiran were greeted by Tenanye and Arkaelus. There were talks of a man wrestling a bear. Amelia was quite intrigued by the thought of such a sight. Severyn looked to Amelia. "I don't mind, What of you, Your Grace, we can do something else if you like?" He asked her, placing a hand atop of hers.



Amelia smiled joyously. ”My lord I am most comfortable with wherever you decide to go. I, as well, would most like to see what all of the fuss and excitement if about. Yes, let us accompany them.” she said in response. She never wanted to let go of Severyn’s smooth hand. He made that ember of insecurity she always felt suddenly snuff out. She hadn’t had that luxury since her husband was alive. When the group arrived at the match Amelia was initially shocked to see that Dorian was the one battling the bear. However, when she thought back to the tough and slightly unpredictable vibe he displayed earlier, the feeling of surprise swiftly diminished.

As she watched the happening she was not quite sure how to feel about it. She admired how strong Dorian was but she didn’t feel the happening was quite right to the bear. This was a death match and one of them, if not both of them, could lose their life. She noticed Xiao’s discomfort and she didn’t blame her one bit. Amelia wondered if this sort of happening was considered common entertainment in Khalidor. She stood slightly closer to Severyn, ”I’n not quite sure how to feel about this.” she said as if deep in thought.

It seemed Moloch’s younger brother arrived and would be the one to comfort Xiao. Amelia thought that it was fitting. The little siblings of two headstrong leaders getting along with one another. Amelia watched with a smile on her face. She wrapped her arm around Severyn’s as if snuggling it slightly. She usually was very guarded with others but this was far from the case with the Fae prince.

Soon afterward Valen and Zexen came into view. Even with a mask Valen’s physique and style of dress was easily distinguishable. With them was the Blue Faery and another young man. Suddenly Amelia felt a sudden chill in the air, it was different than the cool breezes that Khaldor was known for. It was a warning from the wind. She looked un towards the sky with worry in her eyes. ”Something is wrong. The wind… it’s worried about something.” she said to Severyn.



With a strange boom an odd wave of energy stretched across the land. Immediately Amelia felt a horrible pain overtake her. She felt faint and dropped down to the ground. Her dress fluffed out around her like a cushion. Severyn seemed to be affected as well as many others. Whatever was happening it was bad and Amelia had hoped it would soon pass.

Just as the man began to speak, there was sudden shift in the air. Like a storm on the rise. She pulled her mask from her face, tradtions be damned, it fell into the snow with a dull thud. Something was wrong, the air felt wrong, it felt like.....

"Magic..." She turned to the Northman, she didn't know him, but she didn't care either. She was scared.

Then suddenly, like something knocked the wind out of her, she was blown back, and then, there was pain. Her legs, once long and lovely crumbled beneath her. The magic was gone, completely. She pulled up her skirt to her knees to find her legs, gnarled and broken, bruised and purple, she bit back a horrible scream, grabbing her now useless limbs. She looked at them in horror, the once glowing blue runes were as black as night. She reached out, her hands shaking as she reached for her calf. She bit her lip, her brows creased into a frown as tears worked behind her eyes...she pulled back before her hand touch her leg, unable to bring herself to do it. Why was the magic gone?

"You look beautiful. I think your mask suits you." Xiao Jingshen blushed behind her mask. "To answer your question, I am human. Well, Moloch says we have dragon blood, but I've never felt like a dragon. The philosophers in Drake like to speak about humans as though they are observers. I think it helps them study human nature better or something. Cyrus would know more."

"Dragons!" She exclaimed. "How wonderful!" She grinned.

"This festival is wonderful. We can dance or watch the perform-," Prince Kallias suddenly stopped, looking up toward the large citedal, she watched as a wave of magic came rushing toward them. Kallias then grabbed her, his back toward the wave, and she ducked into his shoulder as it blew through them.

Kallias collapsed to the ground, while Xiao Jingshen was spun around and blown back on her knees. Her body quaked as she felt as if she were being pulled a part. Her arms was pulled behind her, as her eyes went wide, enlarging, the pupils sliding into small slits, the white turning a golden yellow. Her mouth opened, but no scream could be heard but her pearly white teeth, sharpened into fangs. Just as the change happened, it disappeared, pulled along with the rest of the shockwave, she then dropped unconscious beside Kallias.

Tenanye hadn't walked far, she was on her way toward where the music was coming from but was struck but the sudden burst of magic, she turned, just in time to see her sister dropped to her knees, all that was Fae in her seeming to come out at once and disappear just as quickly. It was only enough for her to see, as the shockwave blew through her as well, knocking her back. She kept her footing, there was a moment, she looked down at herself, checking for injuries and there were none. She took a step and that's when she felt it, pain, like her skin was burning. Breathing hard, she looked at her hands, they began to glow like the sun.

"No...No not now, not now!" She tried to tell the magic, but it wouldn't stop, she couldn't stop it, not this time.

She rubbed her hands but the glow crawled up her body until she was completely covered, her silks burned off, as her skin erupted into flames. She couldn't help her sister, she couldn't even touch her, so she ran as fast as she could, into the forest avoiding the trees and anything else she could until the flames disappeared and she dropped into the ground, she had just enough consciousness to cover herself with her arms, and curl up before she dropped unconscious, her body twitching every so often.

Severyn felt the magic shift in the air, he turned, shifting Amelia behind him as the magical shockwave blasted into him. suddenly, the woman around him all seemed to be in horrible pain. Severyn himself felt as if he were struck, winded, and dizzy but Amelia, she went down, he managed to catch her before she struck her head but his sudden weakness made him unable to hold her up. Then Xiao Jingshen, it was like the Fae would torn right out of her and what shocked him the most was his Empress. He watched as she suddenly caught fire.

His eyes went wide and he understood now. Why she wanted to come here all of a sudden, why she was so eager to learn more about the outside world.

"Summer Queen," He breathed, before he watched her run off into the forest. He wanted to go after her, he needed to but between Amelia and Xiao Jingshen he wasn't sure what to do, that coupled with his own sudden weakness.

He understood what this was. Someone, somewhere just took the magic from them. He was only barely effected he was an Elf, not a Daoine Maithe like Xiao Jingshen and Tenanye. he could preform magic, spells and things like that, but wasn't made of magic, which was why he was only weak.
The people of Khalidor seemed to be in a panic, guards rushing around, maesters too.

He wanted to get Amelia and Tenanye but he swore to protect Xiao Jingshen, he figured if he tried to duplication spell, it would not work, so he could not be in three places at once.

Taking a breath, and caught a maester, who looked afraid. "you, get her," He told him and nodded toward Amelia. "Careful, she is Queen." He told him and the maester nodded, unable to take his eyes off of the Elf Prince for a moment before turning to Xiao Jingshen and his doppleganger. It was odd seeing his own face like this, howling in pain. "Peace, boy, peace..."He said, his voice calming as he kneeled down to him. He figured he'd never seen battle and never felt true pain before. " You're magic has been taken, try to breath through the pain." He said. This boy was born with magic. That was a curious thing but a curiosity for late.r He scooped up the near weightless Xiao Jingshen but she felt heavy and he was so tired. He shook it off, soldiering through it.

"Where's the infirmary?" He called out to who he thought was Dorian Ursuul but instead it was another dark haired lad, covered in furs tending to the woman who'd Xiao Jingshen ran into, her legs looked as through they'd been crushed but nothing fell, He and Xiao had sensed her magic, by the runes of her legs. He recognized them, Xiao Jingshen was very skilled with rune magic, if she were away, and still Fae, she would fix her.

"you all did this?" the woman said, and Severyn shook his head. "No, this was not Fae..."

"It was magic."

"Clearly, we are not the only one who posses it, My Lady, this was not us, Fae cannot--"

"Lie, I know..." She said and clutched to the man with her. "I'll find a maester." He said and it was then he found Dorian. "General, What in All Hells happened?" He asked him, danger in his voice as he clutched the girl in his arms. He spotted another maester and grabbed him, shoving him toward the girl with the broken legs.

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.

If there was one comfort Moloch took in this sudden turn of events, it was the fact that things could have been much worse. The effects wrought by the attack had been temporary, thank the gods. Most of his power had already returned, though Cyrus still had trouble walking. The magi was much older and magical than Moloch himself so it made sense for him to take a longer time recovering. At least the quarters he was given were comfortable. He knocked on the old man's door.

"I'm decent! Did you bring the wine?" Cyrus' voice rang out. Moloch suppressed a laugh. The healers had the magi on a stricter diet than he'd have liked and that included alcohol, much to his old tutor's dismay. Moloch raised his bottle in an ironic salute.

"I do, but I might finish it on my own if you don't open the door," he retorted, earning a laugh as Cyrus opened the door. He leaned on his staff slightly as he raised an eyebrow at Moloch.

"Oh, what would Princess Aada think, Your Grace. You shouldn't get drunk till she agrees to marry her," he smirked. Moloch suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. Yes, they were courting, but the old man was already planning their wedding just to wind him up. He refused to take the bait.

"I hope you have glasses," Moloch told him as the Magi ushered him over to a small sitting table. Sure enough, he already had two crystal goblets ready along with a few more should they have company. Moloch poured them both a generous amount and Cyrus took large gulp.

"Ah.... Wine speeds one's recovery quickest, not their northern fungus," Cyrus told him as Moloch sipped his. The two drank in silence for a few minutes until Cyrus broke it, his tone serious.

"Either Dorian or Arkaelus will almost certainly be made dictator. There's nothing like a crisis to convince people they need a strong leader."

"As long as the other doesn't make any trouble, it won't make any difference to me. If I only have to deal with one or two people instead of the whole Senate, my life will certainly be made easier," Moloch told his old tutor. He frowned slightly, "It was a pity the Ashkarans were murdered. Kallias' marriage to one of their princesses would have gained us a powerful ally."

"Perhaps it's for the best. Kallias has constantly been visiting that lovely sister of Empress Tenanye, Princess Xiao Jingshen Ananse. I haven't seen him so smitten," Cyrus noted. Moloch snorted.

"Then you haven't been paying attention to him since he hit puberty. He falls for them all. That's why Lila favors him."

"No... This is different. Normally, his attention is diverted by the next pretty face or adventure."

"Regardless, we will have to return to Drake soon. I do not like being away from my kingdom for so long."

"And Princess Aada, Your Grace?" Cyrus asked with a knowing smile. Moloch eyed his goblet thoughtfully.

"She would be visiting as well, if she consents to it."



Kallias had been really fortunate. The merchant had just the thing to make a Fae feel better and presented him with a dozen stalks of heather flowers. He only charged 40 gold pieces too. Thus, with heathers in hand he made his way to Xiao's quarters. He hoped she was feeling okay today. He wish that he could have protected her better. Surely there was something he could have done.

When he reached her door, he raised his hand to give it a knock.

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.

She looked so small and frightened in that bed. Kallias felt his heart ache at the sight of the joyful young woman from that wondrous festival so vulnerable. He bowed his head and sat next to her bed, setting the flowers in the vase next to her bed.

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

Kallias could have kicked himself. Of course she would want to know what happened to her sister. If he were in her position, his thoughts would immediately turn to his brother. He didn't know what to say, but delaying his answers would make her worry more so he spoke.

"We suffered from an anti-magical attack. You should recover soon. Everyone says it was Queen Fiona, but I don't know why she would do such a thing. Moloch says it was a foolish thing to attempt with little to gain. Severyn is visiting Amelia. I think he is smitten," he told her, trying to lighten up the last bit. Still, he hadn't mentioned her sister and Kallias knew he had to tell her. He'd have been desperate to know if he was in her shoes.

"Empress Tenanye disappeared in the chaos. People are saying as thousand different things, anything from her bursting into flame to eloping with one of the Ashkaran princes."

His voice choked at the mention of the princes. He had seen their bodies.

"I can confirm that the last part isn't true. May Unyielding Mandos look favorably upon them. I..."

Couldn't protect anyone. He thought.

Xiao Jingshen watched Prince Kallias as he walked in, setting flowers down and sitting beside her on the bed. Where those for her? Why?

"We suffered from an anti-magical attack. You should recover soon. Everyone says it was Queen Fiona, but I don't know why she would do such a thing. Moloch says it was a foolish thing to attempt with little to gain. Severyn is visiting Amelia. I think he is smitten," He said, but she couldn't find joy in that. She wanted to, but he didn't speak of her sister, and Xiao Jingshen felt empty. Like a part of her was missing.

"Empress Tenanye disappeared in the chaos. People are saying as thousand different things, anything from her bursting into flame to eloping with one of the Ashkaran princes." He said, and frowned set on her small face. She knew her sister, she wouldn't even marry Severyn and she loved him once, she would never elope...Xiao Jingshen was offended by the comment.

"I can confirm that the last part isn't true. May Unyielding Mandos look favorably upon them. I..."

He said and Xiao Jingshen's eyes weld up. "Prince Kiran....."She peeped. "He....his brothers....They....no, that can't be," She cried and there it was, right in her statement, was proof of her ailment.

She could lie...she knew it to be true, she felt it, Kiran's pain just before...but the words sprang from her lips anyway. "I lied....." She said, looking at him with wide teary eyes. "Prince Kallias... I told an untruth and my throat did not close....I've not choked on my words...."She said, sobbing now. "I am Fae no longer....."She dropped her head in her hands, sobbing into her palm. She had to find her sister.

"No, no," he reassured her standing up in order to walk over to her. He gripped her shoulder, "This is only temporary. Moloch and I have already regained our powers and other people have as well. Severyn is well too. I am certain that whatever has been done to you, it is temporary. Besides...."

He bent down so that his face was level with hers.

"Even if this is permanent, your sister will still love you. I can tell that much about her even from my brief meeting with her. When she is found, she will not care," he told her. He paused for a moment, trying to find the right words for him to say.

"Whatever happens, I am ever at your service, milady. If your sister is not found soon, I will find her myself. I promise."

"No, no," Prince Kallias said, moving to her, getting a firm but gentle grip on her shoulder. She could only stare with wide eyes. "This is only temporary. Moloch and I have already regained our powers and other people have as well. Severyn is well too. I am certain that whatever has been done to you, it is temporary. Besides...." He said, and that was a relief, to a certain to degree, but then Humans could lie, they spoke untruths, even if it was only to make someone feel better. Of course, Severyn was fine, he was Elvish, he wasn't born of magic, he could use it, but wasn't born of it, like her, so who was to say if she'd get her Fae back. Kallias knelled down, eye level with hers. She could see the subtle difference between him and Severyn, how even though they both had kind eyes, Kallias' was more innocent like a child's, where Severyn's was older, wiser in a way.


"Even if this is permanent, your sister will still love you. I can tell that much about her even from my brief meeting with her. When she is found, she will not care," He spoke and Xiao Jingshen looked down at her hands in her lap, blanketed by the sheets. Of course, Tennye would not care, even when the whole of Anansai tried her less, because she was half human, Tenanye never cared, not once, in fact, she probably loved her more because of it.
"Whatever happens, I am ever at your service, milady. If your sister is not found soon, I will find her myself. I promise." He said, and Xiao Jingshen looked up at him, a smile briefly tugged at her lips. "You are so kind, Prince Kallias." She said, and graced him with a small kiss to his cheek.

Tenanye felt him shift before he spoke and only cut her eyes in his direction as he spoke. That must of been one hell of a night." He said and Tenanye made no move, she just waited for him to get his barrings, clearly he could not remember what happened and thought it was some result of his apparently hallucinatory grog. "Are you all right?"

"Quite the opposite." She said grimly. " You're kingdom was attacked....Magic.....someone used magic to distrust those with magic. That's all that have pieced together thus far." She said, clearly he did not see nor remember her succumbing to the effects of the manabomb and that was a good thing. Not that any of them would understand the significance of her bursting into flames,
Mortals knew little of Faeries as it were, they would not know who she really was....so her plans were still in place.

"What do you remember?" She asked. "You must try." She said, trying to keep her thoughts from going to her sister. If anything, she would guess that Severyn, to whom she'd given her first Faery Kiss too, was with her and she could feel he was fine so Xiao Jingshen would be too.

It was funny. He had been kissed countless times by many woman, but a small kiss to the cheek made him blush like a youth. This woman was utterly without guile and her actions came from the heart. It made her smile more precious than any gem, he decided. Without thinking, he he placed a hand on her cheek before dropping it and smiling at her sheepishly.

"Thank you. It's a luxury from being the younger son, I think," he confessed. He was glad that the throne was not his burden to bear. He had seen how it had changed Moloch since his parents died. His manner grew colder and more calculated each passing day. Sometimes, he could not tell where King Moloch ended and his brother began. His courtship of Aada seemed to have allowed his brother to shine through more often, but it disturbed him.

"I could never be king. A king has to look for the darkness in the hearts of others, but I'd rather see the beauty. There is so much beauty in this world and Lila continues to show me such wonders that I could scarcely imagine before so I believe that everything always turns out well in the end. Even this attack can't mar this city forever. Nor you."

”Sire, The Blue Faery, Arch Bishop of Anansai is here. He says that he must speak with your highness. He claims it is a matter of great importance. Shall I grant him passage my lord?”

Moloch raised an eyebrow at the guard's comment. He did not know much about the Blue Faery of Anansai beyond rumors of wishes granted and magic different than and more powerful than humlan conjuring. With a glance as Cyrus, Moloch motioned for the guard to permit him to enter. He bestowed upon his visitor with his most gracious smile.

"We welcome you, Father Superior. I would offer you some wine," he said, pouring the faery a goblet of the vintage he and Cyrus had been sharing with one another beforehand, ignoring the glance shared between his oldest advisor and his visitor. He would have to question Cyrus about this later. It was a testament to Moloch's self-control that his motions remained the same as he heard the Anansai's next words. He set down the wine and took the letter wordlessly, his expression darkening as he read his old friend's words. He passed it over to Cyrus and he regard Father Superior seriously.

"You have done me a great service. Haviir has been recklessly spending money to the extent that I planned on using his debt to neutralize his threat. I confess that I had not expected he would take such reckless action so soon, even allying with the mad king..."

"I will inform King Arkaelus and Empress Tenanye at once of the threat to Drake and her life. I believe I can convince him that it is time that Valyria have a new king," Cyrus announced.

Moloch nodded in assent before turning to Father Superior, "I have heard rumors of your order's power, Father Superior. Would you be capable and willing to take me home so that I might defend my people?"

"If that is so, I would request that I say goodbye to my brother and let him know of his responsibilities here before I go... As well as say goodbye to Princess Aada."

I wish you were here, Francis. Gods keep you safe in the viper's nest. Moloch though for a moment before focusing his full attention on the matter at hand. Francis could be helped with his worries. He owed it to his people and his friend to make good use of his warning.



Normally, Cyrus was quick with quip and a laugh when dealing with fools, but now wasn't the time for his normally leisurely approach to life. He knew from firsthand experience how fast Fae could travel and if there was one powerful enough to threaten the Empress, her agents could be here even now, while the Empress was unwell.

"Lord Cyrus, you cannot enter the infirmary at this time," a guard began. In response, the old magi tapped his staff against his chest.

"The Blue Faery himself came to myself and my liege with a warning of an attack on our home and treachery against her by one of her own subjects. Assassins could be here even now, perhaps in collaboration with whoever perpetrated this attack on your own people. So, be a good soldier and let me through! And send men to Princess Xiao's chambers to secure her and Prince Kallias. Go!"