The Republic of Khalidor

Dae made her way with Eva toward with they would be setting up. "There you are, Miss Missan, We feared you weren't coming there year?" said , a large man, with a long white beard, named Grey. He wore a mask of Bear. Dae smile wearily. "How is your father?"

"Well enough," She said and that was all she was going to say on the subject. "I'd like to play first, " She said and Grey nodded, handing her a violin as Eva set out the bowls for the coins to be dropped into. She then went over and picked up a flute, while Grey manned the drums. They had originally started doing Khalidorian style music, but when Dae arrived, and she played for Eva, she fell in love with Dae's Naathi music and believed that the rest of Khalidor would and they had. Now with the foreign dignitaries here, they had a better change of making more coin, those the Faerie's bothered her. They had a happen of taking musicians and dancers....she would know.

She rose the vioin to her chin, resting the bow on the strings as Eva and Grey began. She took a deep breath, and began to play, leading them in a haunting song that rose up and over the voices. She closed her eyes, and let the music take her home.

Dorian boasted about his skill as they reached the ring, that housed the fighting bear. A large circle of thick oaken logs served as a pen and arena where men could sit in the stands and watch from above the contest between man and beast. At floor level was a single iron gate where the participant could enter guarded by two Khalidorian soldiers. As they reached the gate Jon and Dorian got their first look at the bear. A massive creature of thick muscle and wild fury, the bear would easily tower over Dorian. Jon stared in shock at the size of the creature and the absurdity that the beast master who owned the creature actually expected someone to fight the thing.

"That is the biggest bear I've ever seen."

Jon said as he marveled at the creature. He almost didn't notice his friend enter the ring. He blinked in shock that Dorian would actually consider fighting it for fun.

"I'll take on the bear, no weapons."

Dorian said as he walked through the gate. Jon was dumbfounded.

"Dorian! Dorian are you mad?"

It was too late, the fight was on. No sooner did Dorian Ursuul enter the ring did the beast charge with a savage roar. Dorian used the beasts momentum and leverage to his advantage to allow him to counter act its titanic strength. He tried to grapple its flank only to be hurled across the ring with a single swing of its massive paw. Jon cursed under his breath as he watched anxiously. The bear rushed Dorian again only to get a square punch in the nose.The blow disoriented the beast, its nose shown to be rather sensitive. Jon heard of using the tactic to fend of a dog attack, apparently it worked on bears as well. Dorian tried to press the advantage by kicking the beast in the neck, unfortunately the big kodiaks neck was thick with fur and muscle and no doubt hardly felt the blow. It punished him for the attempt with a brutal slash from its claws, tearing his back to ribbons.

"Dorian!"

Jon shouted as he ripped Long Claw from its sheath. Jon wasn't about to watch his friend torn to pieces by a bear for a jest. The bear may have been strong but stood no chance against valyrian steel. Yet the naked blade caught the attention of the guards who stepped between Jon and the gate.

"Move! Its going to kill him!"

Jon barked at the men as he tried to push past them. In the cofusion they didn't know who he was, just that a man wielding a blade was trying to rush through a festival crowd. Jon could only watch as Dorian fought his way onto the beasts back and wrap his legs around its mid section so he could strangle the beasts neck with his arms. It took a few tense moments but the bear fell unconcious and Dorian tumbled to the dirt. In frustration Jon sheathed his blade and shoved the guards aside before rushing to his friends side. As he reached him Dorian looked up at him with a bloody smile.

"See Jon, told you I could do it."

He said, wincing in pain. Jon could only chuckle at his friends recklessness.

"Gods... You're a mad man, you know that right?"

Dorian replied with a cough, rich with blood.

"Could you find me a meister?"

His friend asked weakly. Jon put a hand reasuringly on his shoulder as he shouted at the guards who were so keen on stopping him moments ago.

"He needs a meister, now! Hurry!"

The old meister arrived quickly, shadowed by a pari of attendants. Jon heard him before he saw him, evident by the clinking of his meisters chain forged of different metals he wore around his neck. The old man set to work quickly, treating Dorian there on the scene afraid to move him until he'd stopped bleeding in his back. Jon ran his fingers through his hair with a sigh.

"Hope that was worth it. Why in seven hells did you want to fight that thing without weapons? It could have taken your head off. It'ls not like you need this."

He said kicking the chest of gold he'd won for his victory against the bear.

The feeling of meisters healing one's wounds was never pleasant. It felt like a painful growth spurt. The flesh burned and the bones felt soft, flimsy. Still, Dorian thought it was worth it. Sure he'd still have some scars and bruises after the meister was done, but there would still be talk of him through the town for his match.

"Hope that was worth it. Why in seven hells did you want to fight that thing without weapons? It could have taken your head off. It'ls not like you need this."

"Simple. The bear was unarmed. How do you expect me to duel something that's unarmed if I'm not unarmed myself? Just can't. Also there was glory in that match. People will talking about how I took on this bear alone for a year now. Then it'll get stretched. Pretty soon they might even say that I took it out with one blow." Dorian smiled with the thought. "For a general without a title, the power behind my name is really all I have. I can't have my men thinking that I'm taking it easy, even during a festival. This keeps them in line too."

After a few moments the meister finished, telling Dorian that he needed to take it easy and avoid physical exertion. The old man offered milk of the poppy, but he passed. He made the mistake of letting the bear hit him so he would deal with the pain. He sighed as he looked over the gold that he won.

"Well Jon, there's a lot of people who don't have the cash to enjoy themselves at these events. A lot of them only have a silver to their names. I think that we should give them the gold so they can have at least one nice night." He said as he stood up, being careful about his back. Then he heard a song play. It wasn't an old Khalidoran song, it was foreign. Must have been from some immigrants.

"Let's go towards that music. Just toss some gold at those that don't look like aristocrats. Cheap masks and cheap dyes." Dorian told him. His night wasn't over yet.

He did feel bad about leaving Moloch and his lovely lady friend, but it wasn't completely his fault. His brother and Princess Aada were slow to join the festivities and Kallias had been looking forward to them for months and they did not disappoint. The masks were a wonderful idea. There was no way of judging someone before you talked to them. No one knew who he was. No one called him "milord" or "my prince" or anything amounting to a royal formality. He didn't know if it was because no one could tell he was nobility or if it was because of the philosophy behind the festival, but it was liberating all the same. It was unfortunate that his good mood had to come crashing down.

"Someone's fighting the bear!" someone cried, tugging on a friend's arm, "We have to see this."

"Oh, that poor bastard's going to be torn to pieces. Gods, I love this time of year."

Curious, Kallias followed the crowd to a sight that made him sick. He had never liked people fighting wild animals in Drake. The poor things were often half-starved and never had a choice in the matter. Twice, he had petitioned his brother to ban such matches and twice his brother had been sidetracked by "more important matters." He turned away in disgust.

"Oh, Lady Lila, how can men find beauty in this?"

In the distance, he could hear music and he closed his eyes, focusing on the soothing rhythm lest he do something he regretted.

Xiao Jingshen had ran ahead of her sister and Severyn. She knew she was being impatient but she wanted to see the ber. They didn't have bears in Anansai, not like these ones anyway. Xiao Jingshen couldn't wait to see them fighting.

She made her way to the ring only to find the bear wasn't fighting another bear, that would have been find, but it was fighitng a much more intelligent....but only slightly in Xiao Jingshen's eyes, human.

In fact, it was Dorian, King Arkaelus' brother.

Xiao Jingshen watched in horror, tears dotting her eyes, as man fought beast. She saw a handsome man, unmasked free a blade that made even her dizzy. Once he sheathed it though, she was fine, she did noticed something odd about the man, he seemed cold, too cold, even from here, she could sense it. Much like the girl with the pretty butterfly mask, she was different too, touched somehow. She watched the man for a moment until finally, the King's brother eventually won. She shook her head.

"Why?" She asked, no one, turning away, beautiful music rose up, but even that didn't calm her. She turned sharply away, blinking back her tears.

"Why?"

A gentle voice echoed his thoughts and he turned to see a beautiful young woman all in white wearing a butterfly mask inlaid with jewels. His own swan-masked face turned to face her. Even with her face cloaked by the night and her mask, he could tell she was trying not to cry. He tried to sound gentle and strong like his brother did when they had been younger and hadn't been so concerned about Kallias "growing up".

"Humans are often cruel. The crowd hasn't given any thought about how an animal might feel, alone in a strange place, forced to fight... They might not care if told. Even in my home country, people enjoy violence without a second thought."

His thoughts drifted to the Arena. It was one thing for men to face each other in battle of their own free will or even to hunt a beast threatening livestock and humans alike in the wild. It was another thing to cage a beast and fight it for sport. He tried to think of more that he could say, but he couldn't. He placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I am sorry."

Dae took a breath as the crowd applauded. All but one, he looked at her...more like through her. There was something the way he read her masked face that made her feel like he saw her. Truly saw her. She turned away, as Eva got up and collected the coin from the bowls. Grey looked at her. "You alright, Miss Dae." He asked, as he rubbed his hands. She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Sure." She said, and Grey sighed as she placed took a seat and placed her violin in her lap, while rubbing resin on the bow. "Miss Dae, you know we appreciate what you're doing...." He said, and Dae nodded, but didn't look at him. "I should be home...." She said, and while Grey probably thought she meant back in her place that she shared with her ill father and Eva, but that wasn't true. She hated it here. She hated most of the people here. She hated the weather, she hated the food. She hated it all. She wanted to go home, but she couldn't. She'd never go home again.

"Hey, why don't you take a break, enjoy the festival--"

Dae looked at him. " As much as you can." He said and she sighed. " I don't know...."

"Go, We can take it from here." Eva said, coming over. and Dae sighed. "Besides, I think that Northern lad, likes you." She said with a giggle and Dae rolled her eyes. That was the last thing she needed.

"Alright, I'll go, but I won't be long." She said and stood up, walking out. Grey placed a few coins in her hand. " you earned it, use it." He told her and she nodded.

Dae didn't know what she wanted to do, nor where she wanted to go. She saw the bear fights and rolled her eyes to that. She saw other dancers and different musicians, food cart after food cart but none of this was would make her happy. It even sated her for a time. Her heart was too heavy to lift her spirits.

She walked out, and only managed to take a breath of the cool air, unsure what to do next. She took a deep breath and made her way through the crowd of people, coming in and out of the tavern, she elbowed through as best she could only for her to run into a firm back covered in leather and fur. She should have worn something warmer, at least to seem normal.

"je suis désolé" she said without thinking. She cleared her throat. "I am sorry." She said, before she got a look at who it was she'd run into.

Jon Stark was alone and he was grateful for it. The festivul was splendid, with its food and drink and fine music. Yet there was no part of Jon that wanted to partake in any of it. He was in Khalidor to do a duty, as a new king, to make alliances with the other nobles here. Yet a masquerade ball was the one event where he wouldn't know a king from a stable hand and didn't feel he needed to suffer through it unnecessarily. He could allow himself a respite and no one would even notice his absence, as far as he was aware the only person who knew who he was at the event was Dorian and he was enjoying himself too much for Jon to want to dampen his mood. So Jon Stark did what he'd done since he was a boy. Slip away from the crowds and find solace in solitude, it took him back to a simpler time.

His brother had been named standing general to Winterfells Host as well as its crowned prince, at only nineteen years of age it was quite the accomplishment but Robb was always better than Jon, at everything. Robb was the better fighter and the better rider, not to mention the girls, gods the girls oved him Jon thought as he made his way out of the grey keep and headed for the tree line. He'd nearly reached the woods when he'd heard a voice from behind him.

"Jon?"

He froze in his tracks, he was suprised she'd noticed he'd left, she always loved these parties.



"What are you doing out here Sansa?"

"I was going to ask you the same thing, don't you want to celebrate with the others."

Jon ran his hand through his hair with a sigh.

"I don't like those parties, I'd rather be out here... alone."

Sansa stared at her brother a confused look on her face before she walked up to him, took his face in her hands and kissed his forehead.

"But you're not alone Jon, not ever."

Jon blinked and Sansa was gone, the tree line outside of Winterfell was gone and the simpler time was all but a memory. He clenched is fist, angry at himself for all the lost opportunities with them growing up. As a boy he wanted to be alone, now he was and he loathed imself for it.

A soft nudge to his back pulled him from his minds wanderings.

"je suis désolé"

It was the woman with the song from the east, the one with the sad eyes. He'd never heard a language like hers before, but he did find it beautiful. She stared at him, bare shoulders and mid section exposed to the winter wind which struck him as odd. Most southerners could barely handle the cold in the region, even when they were bundled up in layer upon layer of furs.

"Are you not cold My Lady?"

"You have quite the talent. You should be proud." Arkaelus smiled at her compliment. He didn't play too often so he felt a bit rusty around the edges. "Why thank my lady." He told her in response. Then they met up with the others, who insisted on going to a bear fight. Funny, he hadn't expected Xiao to be the type to like such a brutal sport. Upon arriving he could tell who it was that was foolish enough to fight a Kodiak in single combat. Dorian, he had always been reckless, even this wasn't a change in his behavior.

Arkaelus watched as his cousin was nearly mauled by the bear and saw another figure talking to him afterwords. It looked like a northerner, but Dorian didn't associate himself with just anyone. "Excuse me my lady," He told Tenanye "but I must speak with my cousin." He walked over to where Dorian had been drinking, a bit disgusted by his lack of self control."

"The man who was with you, who was he?" He asked.

Dorian looked up smiling, no doubt feeling confident from his fight with the bear. "You should know that face by now. It's Jon. Jon Stark. True king of the North!" The slurring in his speech made it clear that he had been drinking quite a bit.

"He has grown since the last time I saw him. What happened to Ned and Robb?" Arkaelus asked. Dorian set his drink down and his lowered his head. Arkaelus knew what he wanted to say. "I'm sure Jon will make a fine ruler. Do you know where I can find him?" He asked his cousin. Dorian pointed to his right.

"Thanks." Arkaelus replied, walking in that general direction. He needed to find Jon to make some arrangements with him.

"Are you not cold My Lady?"

Dae looked down at herself. She didn't feel the cold, she didn't feel the heat. One of the very few good things to come from her secret, that is until she made a foolish mistake like this. She hated lying but she had to fake it somehow, less he start asking questions. "Now that you mentioned it." She said, rubbing her arms, though not a bump could be seen nor did a shiver quake her body. "I was much warmer in there then it is out here...." She said,That was one thing she'd learn from the Fae, how to lie without lying. She never said she was cold, or wasn't, just that he'd mentioned it and that it was much warmer inside then it was outside. Also true. She still didn't have a fur of her own, she didn't bring one, if she moved to go inside, she would have had to take someone else's fur. She could probably ask Eva, but the girl was so much smaller then her, she'd never be able to pretend that it belonged to her. "I'll be fine, thank you." She said, trying to remember to occasionally rub her arms.

How odd it was, that it was he to whom she ran into. He was -as much as she hated to admit it, and probably never would- much more handsome up close. Dark guarded eyes, snow pale skin, midnight curls the framed his face, he seemed to have soft features as if he took after his mother, that sharpened when given to him. Why was he alone suddenly when he seemed perfectly friendly with General Dorian. "You are suppose to wear a mask, it's the rules of this place." She said, glad for hers although, for something reason, why way he looked into her eyes during her song, he seemed to see right through the mask, both of them.

"Humans are often cruel. The crowd hasn't given any thought about how an animal might feel, alone in a strange place, forced to fight... They might not care if told. Even in my home country, people enjoy violence without a second thought."

Xiao Jingshen looked behind her to find a man with a lovely swan mask adorning his face. She knew his voice but couldn't place his name. He said humans? Was he not one? She would have known him if he wasn't.

"I am sorry." He said, after placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. She sniffed. "Why are you apologizing to me? you didn't hurt me, or the bear." She said, looking at him strangely and it was then that Tenanye joined them.

"Are you alright, Little Sparrow?" Tenanye asked and Xiao Jingshen nodded. "The King's cousin, hurt that poor bear..." She told her and Tenanye smiled softly. "He'll be alright." She said and Xiao Jingshen sighed. "I'll ask him when he wakes?" She said and Tenayne shook her head. "No, no, not here." She said and looked to see the man with the swan mask. She smiled beneath hers.

"I know you." She said, and Xiao Jingshen shook her head. "That's against the rules, Meimei---oops." She covered her mouth.

"You are the youngling that looks like my friend." She said and Xiao Jingshen smiled. "Oh! Hello!" She said, her tears all but dried now. "I remember!!" She said happily. "Are you not human?" She asked only to receive a look from Tenanye. She shruck back. "But he said...well, I was upset and I didn't know why that man would want to fight a bear, and he told me that humans were sometimes cruel....So...." She said shrugged. "I wanted to know."

"Forgive her, She is Fae, we are curious people." Tenanye said and Xiao Jingshen sighed. "Do you mind looking after my sister for me, I'd like around." She said and would be off the moment he said yes, if he did.

Kallias grinned at the young woman's words. He couldn't help it. She seemed so... innocent. He was glad that he was able to distract her from the bear's pain. At her mentioning his looking like her friend, he grinned happily.

"Indeed, I am! You are one of the Fae, Xiao, I think. We haven't been formerly introduced, I think. There were so many new people, I have a hard time keeping track so forgive me if I got your name wrong. I am Kallias, Prince of Drake. I can't forget the last part. Moloch would lecture me for hours if I did."

"Forgive her, She is Fae, we are curious people." A dark-skinned beauty he remembered as the Empress Tenanye spoke. He bowed in greeting before she continued, "Do you mind looking after my sister for me, I'd like around."

"Oh, I don't mind! I love meeting new people and seeing new places myself. I think we'll get along well."

As the Empress left, he turned to his new companion, an excited grin still on his face.

"You look beautiful. I think your mask suits you. 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."

"This festival is wonderful. We can dance or watch the perform-," he began only to fall silent as he saw a shock wave heading towards them. His eyes widened. It looked like it came from the palace. Before he could think anymore of it, he placed himself between it and Xiao, his back to the shockwave as he held her close to his chest in an effort to shield her from it.

He didn't have time to say anything. One moment, he was shielding the woman he was charged to look after, the next, he was on the ground screaming in pain. It felt like a thousand knives had stabbed him in the back even as something was siphoned from his veins, causing him to twitch wildly from the sudden, inexplicable loss.

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.

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?!"

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.

Dorian sighed as it became apparent that the girl's legs weren't healed. He always had been a poor healer. "Jon, get her to an infirmary. I trust that won't be too much a problem." He told his old friend. Taking off his mask he looked called up the guards that had rallied to his call. A handful of meisters and guards stood around him. "Form up! We march to the palace." He told them gruffly.

The guards marched orderly, with synchronized steps. It was important that the citizens of Jodan saw the City Watch as still being organized even during the great chaos surrounding them. Eventually they arrived to the palace or what was left of it. Everything was gone; from the courtyard to the stables to even the garden. "Search the grounds." He ordered the guards.

After several minutes of searching, the number of guards that had arrived to the scene had swelled in the hundreds. The elites were dragging away the unconscious body of Fiona Pynchon to the dungeons deep underneath Jodan where she would be questioned about her role in the terror which had been inflicted upon the city. Her staff was under close watch as every man who had tried to pick it up had died a terrible death. Dorian was searching through the remains of the second half of the palace. Much of what was beginning to crumble away, it was only a matter of time until the whole place collapsed.

As Dorian walked through a hallway in search of any surviving staff, he heard some heavy breathing coming from what he thought used to be one of the guest rooms. Inside to his surprise was none other than Arim Funar, the new king of Cinnabar. "Well hello majesty." Dorian told him. "I haven't had the fortune to meet you, but I must say, I wish it was under better circumstances." He told Arim as he picked the injured king up. "Don't worry now, we'll patch you up right quick."

Dorian carried Arim outside where some meisters were caring for the injured staff. "These are dangerous times we live in." He began as he set Arim down for the meisters. "Do you think that this could happen in Seleny?"

Arim heard footsteps coming closer. The pain in his leg was starting to dull. Arim gritted his teeth and jerked his leg. A sharp stab of pain shot up his leg. Good. Pain was good. He breathed through the pain, his teeth still gritted. The footsteps were definitely getting closer. That was good. Arim relaxed slightly.

"Well hello majesty," a man appeared over Arim, "I haven't had the fortune to meet you, but I must say, I wish it was under better circumstances."

Arim looked at the man as he was lifted from the ground. The man had an air of military about him. The man was Khalidor military. He carried Arim through the Citadel like a baby. Had Arim not felt so utterly exhausted and broken, he might have protested at the indignity. As it was, his mind was preoccupied with the white hot pain to form a coherent protest. "As do I."

"Don't worry now, we'll patch you up right quick."

Arim was barely processing the soldier's words. The man could have been passing a death sentence and Arim would have been none the wiser.

"These are dangerous times we live in." As the man spoke, Arim could feel that he was being lowered. Were they at the healing wing already? Arim didn't care. There was something soft underneath him. "Do you think that this could happen in Seleny?"

Arim moved his shoulder in something he hoped looked like a shrug, "I had not expected something like this to happen in Jodan, never mind Seleny. Perhaps gathering everyone in one place made us a target," Arim paused for breath, "The coming months will give us a better idea of the danger we are in. If we act too rashly, we may make the situation much worse."

"The coming months will give us a better idea of the danger we are in. If we act too rashly, we may make the situation much worse." Dorian stroked his beard as he listened to the man talk. Quick action would be rash, and but that was exactly what he wanted. He could use the attack to stir the fears of the senate to invoke him as Magister Populi. It would be the only way that he could legally force his policies into Khalidoran society. However, he would need to have something to show the senate that he would be a good candidate and a fresh alliance would suite fine.

"Yes, action must be done carefully, but preparations must be made in case the worst comes. And yes, it may have been an assassination attempt. After all, there are many new lords that have been gathered, and it's not a secret that new rulers aren't well liked in their beginning years. Often times the only thing that keeps those rulers on their thrones are strong allies. Does his highness have any strong allies?" He asked Arim. Dorian knew that the Funar family was an exception, they've been ruling over Cinnabar for hundreds of years without serious incident. Still, Dorian was betting that Arim, like Jon, must have been feeling overwhelmed by his new duties.

"Yes, action must be done carefully, but preparations must be made in case the worst comes. And yes, it may have been an assassination attempt. After all, there are many new lords that have been gathered, and it's not a secret that new rulers aren't well liked in their beginning years. Often times the only thing that keeps those rulers on their thrones are strong allies. Does his highness have any strong allies?"

Arim was silent when Dorian had finished speaking. His thoughts were sluggish. He remembered what Father Superior had said about his people. They were happy. A happy people had no quarrel with their king. His Council might be another matter, but he had little to fear so long as he had Bastien by his side. The petty Arls could be dealt with easily enough if they show their hand. "I do, in my court and outside it General. Cinnabar has always found its friends in Valen Alus. Perhaps, though, it might be time to find friend further afield. An alliance across the north would be formidable. There is good reason for Cinnabar and Khalidor being united beyond geography," Arim closed his eyes against the throbbing in his head, "Perhaps we might speak about this at a later time. I don't think I'm in the right state to be discussing international affairs just yet."

"Perhaps we might speak about this at a later time. I don't think I'm in the right state to be discussing international affairs just yet." Dorian nodded and took a bow, as was courtesy when stepping out of the presence of royalty. It was understandable, after all, the man had almost died underneath an unsound building. He walked to the top of a crumbling wall, gazing over the city. Several fires had erupted, no doubt from the panic that struck the citizens after the pain.

Dorian marched the guards down the streets towards the Capitol, delivering order wherever need be. They were able to manage a few fires while for many the surrounding building simply had to be demolished to prevent the flames from spreading, Many homes would be lost before the city became calm again. Eventually he arrived at the Capitol where hundreds of guards and soldiers were lined in formation. Probably to protect the wealth inside from any criminals that tried to ransack it during the panic.

He walked inside and saw most of the senators had already arrived. There were twelve out of fifteen and Arkaelus wasn't conscious yet. Of course some of the senators from the colonies and the far north couldn't make it to the festival, but those that did seemed to have definitely regretted it. Many were shooting there heads around in paranoia, others were shivering, and some were tearing up. In the balcony there were the merchants who ran the city, eager to hear how their government could protect them. Dorian sat on the throne at the back end of the house and cleared his throat.

"This event has shaken us to the core. For centuries we Khalidorans had believed that Jodan was the untouchable bastion of power in the north. We were wrong. Today we were attacked and deceived by one whom we thought was an ally. She is under supervision and we believe that it was an assassination attempt to set up a global invasion." Of course Dorian was bullshitting all of his confirmed information. They knew that Fiona had something to do with the bomb, but past that they were in the dark. Still he needed to play to the fears of the senate and their backers. "Our enemies will soon be descending upon us, our armies are in shambles, our defenses are weak, should an invasion occur, we will lose our great nation to oblivion. I propose that you grant me dictatorial powers for only one term. I will assure that the security and safety of our nation will be delivered swiftly as I always have in the past."

The senators mumbled between themselves. Such a privledge hadn't been invoked since the Ashkaran invasion three centuries ago. Then one senator raised his hand in agreement. It was the same senator that had blocked all of Dorian's senators' policies before. Then, one by one, all the senators raised their arms. Dorian smiled as he had just been placed as the highest authority in the land, there were going to be some changes in Khalidor.

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.

Dorian wiped away the frost forming around his beard as looked outside the windows of his room. With the passing of the festival winter had begun in Khalidor and the roads had become muddy and slick. Fortunately the rivers only had some ice, so strong ships were able to swiftly make passage. Indeed the ship was strong, even partially made of Ironwood. As to why the prince was traveling under such conditions, he was his way to see Fiona, the suspected perpetrator accused of the attack, had been locked away in the Brikar Prison miles from Jodan. Due to the chaos of the attack and his newly appointed position, he hadn't been able to see her sooner until the day after.

He walked out from his chambers to the deck to see Zexen still practicing the spells that had been instructed to him. Dorian had ordered that Winter's Kiss was not to be heated and that his apprentice would not be given cooked food. According to meister training, Zexen would need to use isolated fire spells to cook and to warm himself while being lightly clothed during their short journey. Should he fail to use the spells properly he would freeze. Over a third of apprentices in the Order quit or perish from one of the tasks within the first month, those that do make it usually become entry level meisters. Though Dorian had confidence that his new apprentice wouldn't fail. Part of his confidence came from a ring that he had given Zexen would drain a portion of his mana as to help him channel his magic without disaster. The other was Zexen's seemingly infinite reserve of mana.

"Have you ate breakfast yet?" Dorian asked Zexen with a grin. "The bacon's delicious and the cocoa is phenomenal." He had already cooked his food in his chambers while reading over the budget. "Is there anything that you need help with?"