Fandom Dragon Prince: Divining the Dark [Closed]

[Lucyfer]

Prison did not suit Viren.

He had been woken once, told to expect company, and found one of his butterflies had come his way. Aaravos must have found a way to call it, or else knew when to wake him so he could catch it, crush it, and allow his appearance to return to something palpable for humanity to digest, for they were unable to accept the form that dark magic had given him. The visual sacrifices he had made for their sake caused them to revile him.

Claudia and Soren had been his guests, arriving with accusations about what he may or may not have told Soren to do. Naturally, he denied it, although he’d had an instinct to tell them the truth, Aaravos counseled otherwise – that strange elf who Viren remained uncertain about trusting.

Especially then, as he woke to his absence, with dusk settling.

His sleeping schedule had gone to hell, but what else was he supposed to do in prison?

‘So, you did lie to me.’ Aaravos promised to stay with him, but he was nowhere in sight now.

The thought came as he clenched his fists, arms resting on his knees, frustrated with the situation he found himself in. His children were wary of him. Even if Claudia had believed him, he knew, deep down, Soren was hurt. He knew that, too, would impact Claudia. He buried his face in his hands. ‘Damnit.’ How did this go so wrong?

Well, obviously, by Harrow not listening to him.

And then by Soren and Claudia failing their respective missions to kill the princes, and bring back the dragon, of course.

Then the Pentarchy not listening to reason. The only thing good that may have come of this, was Ezran returning. If Opeli had been left in charge, his head would be severed from his neck already, but Ezran had a…soft-touch. He did not despise the boy for it. Harrow, too, had a soft-touch. It was something Viren had loved about him, even when it frustrated him to no end.

Right now, it was all that stood between him and death.

Ezran might just exile him. ‘What then?’

He curled his fingers into his scalp, frustration eating at him. What could he do to better things with Claudia and Soren?

What could he do to avoid exile? How did he convince Ezran the war was necessary, Xadia was a threat, and that dragonling he’d been escorting was a danger to all of them?

‘Patience.’ Everything was supposedly set in motion, if the missing Aaravos could be trusted – which, of course, he couldn’t be. He had admitted as much. Frustration caused him to groan aloud, before he heard the sounds of additional steps.

They were too heavy to be Opeli, or Ezran, not that he expected to see Ezran soon.

Too light to be Soren, as well.

Viren lowered his hands and lifted his head just in time to see coins hit the hands of the guard, and hear the clink of them, suggesting it was not a light sum, before a figure in red strode towards the bars, “High Mage Viren,” he addressed, and Viren squinted through the darkness as torches were brought forward, illuminating the face of the hooded figures, and others behind.

Viren rose without speaking.

“I have brought some people who wish to speak with you,” the man stated, before stepping back, allowing a couple of people to step forward.

The first to lower their hood was not a familiar figure to Viren, but they looked enough like King Ahling with his dark skin and cut of his face for Viren to guess that he immediately had to be Prince Kasef – the poor son who apparently didn’t know words as long as Queen Aanya knew…and who still argued about eating his vegetables.

‘Never mind that.’ This was…a very good sign, actually. They were here to see him, which meant they were here in Katolis, because the threat from Xadia had become very real to them. His assassination plan had worked.

“Prince Kasef,” he greeted, deciding not to second-guess himself on who it was. The glint of approval at being recognized was enough to suggest that was the right answer. As was the touch of shock.

That was genuine, though. He hadn’t been expecting a response so soon, and certainly not like this. If they were here, it meant they weren’t getting answers they liked from Ezran.

His gaze shifted to the other, wondering who else seemed to be struggling with Prince Ezran’s answers about the Xadian threat, holding back any sense of sudden smugness and relief he felt as he did so, his poise remaining – along with some genuine shock that people had come to him, admittedly.

~***~

“Please, King Dieter – trust me.”

The armies of Del Bar waited less than ten miles from the castle of Katolis, because King Dieter decided to trust the woman who had borne witness to the death of King Florian. She was not the sole witness, or perhaps she would have been suspect, but she was the one who now urged caution in approaching Katolis because of that incident, although she would not explain – other than there appeared to be a connection that the Sun showed her.

She had to make sure it was safe.

‘I have to know his intentions.’

That was what the woman could not tell Dieter as she slipped off her stallion, leaving it in Neolandia’s camp. She briefly met with Prince Kasef, who was in a rage over his father’s assassination attempt, and more, in a rage over Viren being imprisoned and Ezran not “having the guts” to go to war.

The change was startling, and not at all what Alette anticipated, but that was going to make her job significantly easier. Viren couldn’t protect his study, and that was exactly where Alette wanted to go.

So, Alette donned her gray robe and made her way to the castle on foot from the Neolandia campsite. The robe blended in with the stones and bricks as she reached the castle, and slipped inside. Of course, the robe was far from ordinary, touched with dark magic as it was to shield the wearer from notice. It also helped that the castle itself was too busy to concern itself with yet another new arrival, given how many kingdoms and their armies had arrived after the attack.

‘The lie.’

The truth was hidden, but nothing is ever really hidden from the sun, even if it happens under moonlight. After all, the moon gets its light from the sun, and passes her secrets on eventually. So it was the mage slipped into familiar quarters, shown to her once upon a time by Viren, and lowered her hood at last, revealing a head of white hair and nearly white skin, with dark markings, mostly around her eyes, but also extending from her fingers, beyond her wrists, and a few other joints.

The people of Del Bar knew her as colorful. She had met Kasef with her pink hair, but had stripped herself of it after leaving. That image was a pretty lie, although High Mage Alette Solana was not bothered by the truth, she only knew how the truth impacted her relationships with others. She also knew it was pointless to wear the lie here; the magic she would likely have to use to get the answers she wanted would strip her of the lie soon enough, anyways.

The room gave up no secrets on its own, save the strange mirror, which Alette did approach, looking over the golden mirror. There were runes upon it, draconic, some familiar to Alette, but others… ‘No, they’re just…reversed and flipped, like a mirror.’ The left side and the right side held the same runes, but the one at the top and bottom were different. None of it told her what the point of the mirror was, though, and she quickly shook her head.

Likely, not important.

“All right, Viren,” she murmured, taking her bag off of her shoulder and crouching down as she began to take out the items she needed, including shadowpaw fur, ink made with plumeria petals, and of course, the primal stone which had been concealed in the bag.

She drew the runes on the ground in the ink, before sprinkling the fur onto them, murmuring the spell, “srellik s’nairolF – thurt eht kees.” Her eyes took the purple glow of dark magic as the ink began to smoke, and then caught on flame with another word of power and the primal stone, that lit it on fire.

The smoke filled the room, the incense clearing her memory, but also touching on the memory of everything in the room, and going through its history, seeking the truth, as she commanded, to Florian’s killer…or killers, as she suspected. The smoke would begin to weave the story as it latched onto it, for Alette knew it was within the month, and play the scene back.

And indeed – it showed Viren gathering the items he needed to make the assassins.

It carried his voice.

He was talking to someone, but their image did not manifest in the smoke, nor did their voice tremble it. ‘Has Viren gone mad?’ That was worrisome, and Alette approached the smoky memory of Viren, seeking an answer as he addressed someone not there, someone who’s voice didn’t carry in the smoke, nor did their presence. ‘No, no, I saw someone else, an elf. Where are they then?’ Moonshadow elves could become invisible, were they invisible when they spoke to Viren? ‘Then how do you explain not hearing them?’

Damnit.

‘Should have known this wouldn’t be easy.’ But at least now she could see Viren grabbing items, and her mind put together what sort of spell he had used, so now she knew for certain he did it. But why? For an elf – their supposed enemy? It made no sense.

 

[cleopat]

Farah had just buried her sister’s body, in a solemn ceremony filled with the lights of fireflies and humming of Evenere’s famous dragonflies.

Her body wasn’t even warm, and already one of Farah’s first acts as queen was to travel to Katolis to rethink their decision regarding the war with Xadia.

The Moonshadow elves that murdered her sister while she slept in her bed would have to pay. She needed to make sure no one else suffered at their hands.

And it seemed that the boy-king Ezran wasn’t going to take any actions against Xadia. He had a soft heart, she could tell, but did he truly know what he was doing? That his decisions as king would have lifelong consequences? No, she didn’t think he understood that. And out of the goodness for Katolis, a regent needed to be in place through this tumultuous time. Until he was old enough to finally understand what he was doing.

It was when she appeared at Ezran’s court that she overheard the conspiracy between the prince of Neolandia and a councilman to try and get Ezran to abdicate the throne. She felt bad for conspiring such a treasonous thing right underneath the boy’s nose, but it had to be done. For the better of all their kingdoms.

After speaking with them, they made their plan, and they didn’t wait long before heading down to the dungeons to see the High Mage in his cell. She and Prince Kasef both wore red cloaks, hers in contrast to the mourning clothes she wore underneath, to hide their identity as they passed guards, bribing them with coins for their discretion and lack of questions.

Really, it was best no one knew that a prince and a queen were on their way to visit the disgraced mage.

They passed by two teenagers in the corridor, but they seemed too caught up in their own thoughts to give them any consideration.

The last guard was bribed with a bag full of coins from Prince Kasef. He stepped towards the cell door to let Viren know of their presence, and immediately stepped back after he was done to let them go forward.

Viren seemed to know Prince Kasef, or at least know of him. He was nearly a spitting image of his father, whom she had met many years ago. Would he surmise just as easily who she was, through her resemblance to her late sister?

Well, there was only one way to find out. Farah lowered her hood and revealed her face to Viren. “High Mage Viren,” she started, “I’m sure you can guess as to the nature of our visit.”

“King Ezran doesn’t know what he is doing, in several regards,” Kasef said. “Xadia needs to answer for their crimes before they do something even worse.”

“We need someone who understands that going to war is the appropriate answer here,” she added. Something she could imagine herself saying, but she still grieved the loss of her sister. She wanted answers.

~~~

It didn’t take much to amuse Aaravos these days.

After centuries of isolation and perusing his collection, any deviation from the norm held his attention to a delightful degree. And not only did Viren serve as a useful pawn in his schemes, but the human provided endless amusement for the Startouch elf.

And right now, every pawn was exactly where they were supposed to be. The child on the throne, Viren in his prison cell, and all the kingdoms arriving at Katolis after the assassinations. Humans really were terribly predictable.

Which was why he left Viren in his cell for the time being. He wasn’t going anywhere, though people were coming to him. He would let their conversations happen while he returned to Viren’s study.

Something called to him, and he needed to see what amusement awaited for him there.

Aaravos perched on top of a shelf as a woman entered the room, cloak initially hiding her appearance before she lowered the hood. Ah, so that’s why he had to come back to Viren’s study. There was another dark mage in the castle, and that was just wonderful, wasn’t it?

He watched in mild curiosity and fascination as to what she was doing. A spell to look into the past, at a particular moment in time. While he couldn’t see exactly what she saw, he could make an educated guess between her familiarity to Viren, the spell she uttered, and what was presently going on in the castle.

Which meant Viren was talking to him, but she wouldn’t know that. She wouldn’t see that. She would only see that Viren looked like he was talking to himself.

He thought it would be amusing to introduce himself to this dark mage, to show her who Viren was talking to. Maybe she could be just as useful as a pawn for him, especially with her perceived relationship, whatever it may be, with Viren.

Aaravos had moved from the shelf over to the mirror she stood in front of, and he climbed up the side to be near eye level with her. “And just what exactly are you doing here? I know you’re not supposed to be in here.” He would most certainly be telling Viren of his little guest. “And performing such magic? Very intriguing indeed.”

Would she be just as easy to manipulate as Viren? “If you wanted the answer, I’m sure Viren would love to give you the answer.”

 

[Lucyfer]

The next to lower her hood was not one Viren met, but much like Kasef, she had a family resemblance, and Viren knew the royal houses, the nobles, and the names of their various scions. He knew who this had to be as he saw the red hair. ‘Farah.’ The youngest daughter of the family, and now, the last. He did feel guilt – for both Queen Fareeda and King Ahling. He had not wanted it to come to that, he had wanted them to listen to reason, but instead they let Aanya talk them all out of it.

A child.

Just as a child now sat on the throne of Katolis. “Princess Farah,” he greeted, not presuming to call her Queen yet, although she likely was. It might also be hard for her to hear that title so soon after the death of Fareeda. “Yes, I can come to some conclusions.” That much was obvious even before Kasef spoke.

It was Xadia that needed to answer for their crimes.

For Harrow, of course – and for pushing him to these things to protect everyone.

He inclined his head, sighing, “Yes. Unfortunately, Ezran has…a soft touch,” he noted. He knew Ezran was back. “I would advise him to war, but he will not see me. I have not been allowed to explain the situation to him, to let him know even what happened the night his father was attacked by those assassins.”

“He intends to give an answer to me tomorrow,” Kasef said, shifting his weight, “but I know what it will be, and I know what I must say,” he was quite sure of himself again, “that Neolandia and Evenere will march on Katolis to force them into war if he will not consent to it. I am certain Del Bar will agree, I spoke with their own High Mage earlier; she wanted to speak to Ezran herself. I would rather it not come to that.”

“Nor would I.” Viren agreed, “But Ezran will not agree to war,” however – oh, that however – “but he will likely realize as he starts to consider the cost of resistance that he also cannot allow the people of Katolis to suffer. People who loved his father. People who also want revenge on the elves, and the dragons. My children told me a dragon attacked one of our outer cities.”

“Then you would take over?”

“I would,” Viren said, “but he will have to abdicate the throne to me, which,” Viren let his eyes move between them, “I do not want him slandered. He is but a boy who has lost his father, and has tried in all his power to seek peace, but he doesn’t understand these things – but he must hear what the people of Katolis want.”

The suggestion of the smear campaign was there.

Viren really didn’t care if Ezran was slandered in it, and that was truly inevitable, but he had to make sure to show he cared.

He did. This was Harrow’s son. An obstacle that had to be dealt with, one Soren should have dealt with, but all the same…Harrow’s son. His best friend’s child. He could be both beloved and an obstacle. “He must hear that the people want war. He must hear that they would rather see Katolis stronger hands than they are in now, and I cannot make him hear that from here.”

Then, of course, “Certainly, that is what you two are hearing, and what you can make known to him?”

~***~

Alette saw something move out of the corner of her eye as she was assessing the Smoke-Viren, and then heard a voice herself. She straightened up, glancing around before recognizing there was a creature on the mirror that was unlike any she’d seen. Well, it was a caterpillar of some sort – but not one she recognized the species of, and she knew plenty of them. ‘Wait.’ She looked back at Smoke-Viren.

There was a caterpillar at his ear.

‘Ah.’

There was the answer, then.

The caterpillar was talking. How did that tie to the elf in the image, though? Could elves shapeshift? She stepped closer to the mirror, but kept both hands on the Primal stone. If nothing else, it was very good at shooting fireballs, but it was also good at revealing truths. She didn’t know if she could dismiss whatever illusion this bug was, and she wouldn’t try just yet.

“I wanted the answers before I spoke with Viren, actually, so he couldn’t lie about it.” Alette could see actions. She couldn’t see intentions. “I already know he killed King Florian. I know he had help doing it. Perhaps you’d be willing to fill in the blanks, little one?” She couldn’t help but smile at it. “You seem to be his cute new familiar, and I can see you were there with him as he started to prepare for things.”

Well, it was cute, even if it was also probably evil.

Or at least not to be trusted.

It was some sort of illusion after all. Had to be.

“See, what I can’t put together is why Viren had the help of an elf to kill King Florian, when he wants to take us all to war with Xadia – elves, you know. People I assume another elf wouldn’t be keen on killing. I mean, I get it, humanity annoys me sometimes, too, but not that much,” gods did humanity annoy her sometimes, though, “You must have been with him when he met his new little elf friend, maybe you can tell me what’s going on, hm?”

 

[cleopat]

“It’s queen now, actually,” Farah gently correctly, even if it technically wasn’t correct. The coronation ceremony hadn’t happened yet, as the mourning period for Queen Fareeda wasn’t over yet. As tradition dictated, they had to wait until forty days after her funeral before holding the coronation, but she was, according to the laws of the kingdom, the new queen.

She felt such sorrow for plotting against a young boy, a child that would have been roughly the same age as her own child. It brought a sharp pain in her chest, one she has easily ignored over the years. Now was no time for her ever-present grief.

Now as queen, she had to push those feelings aside. She couldn’t protect her people if she was too absorbed in the past.

“We are in agreement, Viren. The people of Evenere want someone to answer for the death of Queen Fareeda,” just as much as she did, a silent thought she added. “I will help Prince Kasef deliver the message to Ezran tomorrow. This will be a painful lesson for him to learn, but an important one nonetheless.” There was no escape from suffering and casualties, no matter what happens in the end.

Whether or not Katolis agrees to war, suffering will happen in the end. The question was, could they make Ezran see the bigger picture of the war on Xadia?

“Of course the people will want someone in power who can actually rule,” Prince Kasef said. “No one wants to see a mere boy making such heavy decisions for an entire country.”

“We can make him understand this, that abdication is in best interest for his people, and that someone who is familiar with the responsibilities of the throne is better suited to lead the country right now.” And Farah knew that Viren would be the best fit for that role, given his time spent at the side of King Harrow for years.

~~~

Aaravos inwardly smiled as Alette was quick to find him and offer answers as to why she was there. No, he didn’t blame her for wanting some answers before she spoke with Viren. Viren was exceptionally cunning and knew how to manipulate the humans around him.

Thankfully for Aaravos, he was always one step ahead of the dark mage.

“Oh, so you think I’m cute?” He was tickled by all these nicknames people were giving him in his caterpillar form. If only they knew what he truly was, then they would be thinking of different nicknames. Grander nicknames.

“Maybe you should be seeking Viren out to answer these questions. After all, I am just a cute new familiar.” Of course he wouldn’t be giving this newcomer all the answers she sought. No, he had to make her work for them.

“But of course, I am curious as to the name of the dark mage who entered Viren’s study unannounced and uninvited.” A subtle threat, one for her to take in any direction she so pleased. “What exactly is your relationship to Viren?” Would it be one he could exploit down the line, such as Viren’s attachment to his children?

Humans made their weaknesses all too easy to surmise and exploit. They cherished such relationships, even to the detriment of what was truly important.

 

[Lucyfer]

Of course, Viren nodded as Farah corrected him, a solemn expression as she confessed what he knew – that Fareeda was dead. That Kasef hadn’t corrected him was also evidence that Ahling might not quite be dead – or he was still in too deep of mourning to claim it. In either case, the boy was upset, and so was Farah. Upset enough to remove a child from the throne he was born for.

Perhaps just as a temporary measure – at least, they could tell themselves that.

“Thank you,” Viren said, sighing with the heavy weight of relief, and, well, sorrow. “I hate to do this to Ezran, but he is in no state to govern. Perhaps, when he is older, and has had more time to learn what he needs,” but that was not now. Now, he was a boy who ought to enjoy jelly tarts, and complain over those studies which would bring him to the knowledge he’d need in the future.

“When we present him with the ultimatum of you on the throne, or—”

Viren’s gaze shot up to Kasef, “No, no,” Viren shook his head, “My name cannot be said so publicly. His advisors will make sure he does not even consider a regent, let alone abdicating, if that is the case. They are still smarting over my actions to summon the Pentarchy – they refuse to see how it was necessary to take action.”

“Fools,” Kasef grumbled.

Viren wouldn’t call them that, though he quietly agreed. “Katolis has enjoyed peace for a long time. They were not prepared for the speed at which the Moonshadow assassins moved, nor prepared for the haste needed afterwards. The mindset is evidence of our good times,” a wane smile, “but unnecessary now. It is why any direct mention of me, must be done in a more private form to Ezran.”

Kasef huffed.

Private, quiet, and subtle, were quite obviously not his strong suits.

~***~

Cute Little Familiar was also going to be worthless, it seemed, and keep insisting she go visit Viren. As if that were going to be easy with the guards. Sure, she could get by them, but as soon as she spoke, they’d hear her, and that would blow it all to hell. She didn’t need to end up a prisoner herself in Katolis.

Bribery was an option, but she didn’t have that kind of gold on her, and she didn’t want to go back to Dieter without answers…especially to ask for gold to bribe guards.

The tone of the familiar caused her to smirk as it asked for information about her, instead, “Mmm, no.” She straightened up and turned away from the familiar. “Not that he won’t figure it out when you tell him. I was an almost-student of his,” as the familiar inevitably would tell him. She gave a little, but no name, “but he’ll have to narrow it down from all the other dark mages he knows,” she wasn’t the only one, she was certain of that.

Not even that she intended to hide that she was here, considering she planned to confront him about this regardless to decide what way Del Bar was going to go – with Viren, or against him – but she already gave the little familiar details.

Information wasn’t cheap.

Not to mention she knew enough the power of naming things, and even if it was a cute little familiar, that didn’t mean it lacked magical capabilities. Familiars usually did have something to contribute, after all. So, she went back to her bag, kneeling on the ground and setting her Primal stone down to dig through it for more ingredients.

The first spell hadn’t given her what she wanted, but there were other ways to see who had been in here and try to find what she wanted. “Did he tell you to stay here to try and protect his study, little one?” idle conversation, really. It seemed the most likely reason for the familiar to be there, after all. “Or just to spy on the goings on?” She was sure Opeli and the others had found this place already.

 

[cleopat]

Farah saw the logic in not stating Viren’s name when confronting Ezran. Based on the whispers she heard, many people thought Ezran’s punishment of being sent to the cell was far too light for Viren. They wanted something far harsher, especially Opeli.

She was certain if Opeli had her way, they wouldn’t even be talking to Viren right now.

Farah shot a glance towards Kasef. Ezran may have still been a boy, but Kasef was no better as a temperamental teenager with still much to learn about the crown himself.

“We will make sure to use absolute discretion,” she assured Viren. “Your name will not be uttered in front of an audience, but rather, if we can manage to have a more private audience with the young king, we will persuade him that you are currently what’s best for Katolis.”

After all, Viren was the one who saw the threat with Xadia before the Moonshadow assassins struck. He could see what they didn’t, from being too blinded by the time of peace.

But peace couldn’t last forever.

“You shouldn't have even been sent here to begin with. It was a foolish error on their part.” Viren should be walking free, for in her eyes, he did nothing wrong. But some people just needed more convincing to see the bigger picture.

~~~

So the human was going to be difficult.

Aaravos was definitely amused.

He would ask Viren later about her, and glean from him the information she withheld from him simply because he was also playing coy with her questions.

But he wasn’t going to outright tell her that he was the one talking to Viren as he summoned the Moonshadow assassins.

“And I’m sure so many almost-students of his fit your physical description.” She seemed unique for a human, no thanks to the dark magic that altered her appearance. Aaravos always got the information he sought, especially if it came from humans.

“He actually expected me to stay by his side,” he admitted with amusement. “But I thought the prison cell was much too boring, and so I came here when I sensed the dark magic within you.” And so off he went to see what was going on in the study. “Oh, do you think I’m intimidating enough to try and protect his study? I know some of you humans don’t like bugs.” Like that daughter of Viren, who called him creepy.

He much preferred cute over creepy, even if this wasn’t his true form.

 

[Lucyfer]

Viren certainly felt better about trusting Farah in that regard. Kasef’s anger and blustering rage would have its use. It made his threat of turning the armies on Katolis all the more sincere. Reasoning with a man driven by passion was hard, and as they were all going to learn, reasoning with a child was hard. Driving a child by fear, however, was certainly possible, and Kasef could do that.

Kasef wasn’t going to fear an unprepared Katolis.

Not with Evenere and possibly Del Bar at his back. ‘But where is Alette?’ Not with them, not there to swear allegiance, only a maybe. He didn’t enjoy that thought nagging at the back of his mind that she might not be on board with this.

He managed a wane smile as Farah expressed her opinion of where he belonged. ‘Well, at least someone understands.’ He definitely felt some relief at knowing she had his back, and truly believed he was in the right. Of course, he knew what lies were underpinning that, but nonetheless, they were the correct and necessary lies. Her sister would have been killed regardless.

“It was,” he agreed, “but it will be rectified, and then we will all make sure Xadia never threatens us again.” That was all he wanted – peace for humanity, to prosper, and live well. Was that so much to ask? Apparently, it was, given how difficult a task it was becoming, and how fractured even humanity chose to be, but it was being overcome, slowly but surely. “I truly appreciate your faith in me, both of you. It has been…difficult reconciling my position in this cell. I’ve had too much time to think over whether or not my instincts were right.”

A self-depreciating laugh accompanied that. “Seeing you all has confirmed they were, even if Katolis is now blinded by the return of Ezran, and the love they had – rightfully had – for his father.”

He sighed, “One day, he could be a great king.”

One day Ezran would never see.

“I hope to create the kind of world that someone like him, can rule in.”

~***~

“What, female?” Alette queried at the statement of her physicality. True, there were more men in black magic than female, and some liked to say it was because women were too compassionate, or some such nonsense, to do it. It was compassion that led her to it. It was compassion that kept her at it.

It was compassion that was giving Viren a chance and not just going straight to Ezran to tell him what Viren did. To tell Kasef, Farah, Aanya, and everyone else who was harmed in some way by Viren’s actions, because she knew Viren tried to do what was right. Had it just been him in the image, she may very well have gone right to him, but it wasn’t.

She still laughed at his question of intimidating, finally finding what she wanted for the next spell – dummybird feathers. Moon primal, great at recall, thus the name for how often they fooled people with their cries. “Not in the least, but isn’t that how the best traps work? Not seeming to be what you are?” So much of this work required moon primals, but that made sense.

The moon was all about images, after all.

She rose as she crushed the feathers between her fingers and palms, and felt them dissolving as she spoke, “srotisiv ruoy wohs,” knowing the limit would be the timeframe of the moon – 28 days. That was enough to see people in and around the time of the assassinations.

And indeed, they began to play out – Viren, soldiers, Opeli, bug.

Viren.

Bug.

No elf cycled through the visitors that manifested in spectral moonlight and faded rapidly, mid-stride of activity, half-recalled.

As her eyes lightened from black back to green, she glared into the empty space. ‘The elf has never been here.’ And that did leave the consideration of the mirror, and communication at a distance. Always possible. She knew how to do that herself, but everything told her the mirror was not something to play with.

She had to at least try, though, so she turned back to it and the bug. “I am starting to wonder if you’re Viren’s familiar, or the elf’s, though.” She acknowledged, dropping down to the bag once again to dig out what she needed to try on the mirror. A recall spell should be enough – recall the last bit of magic done on it, that should definitely be a spell to open the connection, right? “The elf has been talking to Viren through the mirror, haven’t they? That’s why I can’t see them in here.”

 

[cleopat]

They will all make sure Xadia answers for its crimes.

Not that Farah wanted complete destruction, no one deserved that. But they had to send a message that killing leaders and monarchs was not acceptable, and punishment would be dealt.

And her course of action would’ve been the same had the people of her kingdom had been attacked instead of her sister.

“Your instincts were correct,” she affirmed for him. “I just wish we had the same foresight.” Maybe then the unnecessary deaths could have been prevented. There was no use dwelling on what ifs though. The past has already happened, so now they needed to focus on the future and what to do next.

Like, as Viren said, create a kind of world Ezran could rule in and become a great leader.

“We can create that kind of world for him. We just first need to make sure everything falls into place when we speak with him.”

“And I already know exactly what to say to him,” Kasef said with full confidence. Confidence, that Farah hoped wasn’t simply false bravado coming from a teenager full of passion and desire to prove they were capable.

~~~

“One of many possible descriptors, yes.” Not that Aaravos would outright make judgements on the basis of one’s gender. He’s met many powerful mages over the years, and knew never to judge one based on appearance.

But they also had so much to learn.

“Oh yes, the best traps are the ones you aren’t expecting.” But this wasn’t a trap. Not yet at least. He still needed to understand her better, and see how he could shape her into a valuable asset along with Viren.

The possibilities were there.

Aaravos knew that the woman wouldn’t find what she was seeking. He could just end her frustration and reveal his true self in the mirror, but where was the fun in that? Besides, he wanted to see what else she would do. What lengths she would go through in order to try and find the visitor she wanted to see. Him.

“Who said I was anyone’s familiar?” he teased, as he watched in mild fascination as she gathered the ingredients for her next spell. “As for the elf friend, I’m sure you will find your answers soon enough.” Just not soon enough for her liking, perhaps.

 

[Lucyfer]

“So do I, though I wonder if it would have changed much,” he sighed, which was a valid concern. The assassins attacked shortly after everyone had returned home, which certainly signified they had been lying in wait for a bit. It didn’t matter now, of course. There was no time to prevent what had already happened; they could not reverse time.

Viren, at least, hadn’t found a way to do so.

Right now, they had to move forward, and create a better world.

Viren did shoot Kasef a dubious look for his confidence. Perhaps in public, Kasef would know what to say to invoke the fear into Ezran, but he doubted that Kasef would have the right touch in private. For that, he was fully trusting Farah, although he would not say that in front of the prince. It wouldn’t take much to offend him and turn him away from his cause, after all.

There were always other leaders.

Or Kasef could try to lead on his own, assuming Farah or whoever was now in charge of Del Bar…actually, where were the other kingdoms? He’d only heard of these three. “I know you will both do what is needed to be done,” he sighed, “I have not heard much from here. Can you tell me what has happened with the other kingdoms. Is Queen Aanya…is she still all right?” She was but a child, and though he’d sent the assassin to kill, he felt…not regret, but sorrow, certainly, for the thought.

Her mothers had done them a great turn once upon a time.

And she was just a child who didn’t understand…sadly, he didn’t have time for children who didn’t understand, any longer. Like Ezran, he had no time for Aanya, yet a part of him held out hope that she was just severely injured, and her regent would now be taking up the cause.

~***~

“I’ve said it,” Alette noted, “you’re more than welcome to confirm whether or not you are a familiar,” she wasn’t married to the idea. She had considered he was some sort of weird illusion, which was given some additional weight with his own words about the ‘elf friend’. She had nothing solid, except she didn’t know what the hell he was, which…was honestly a little surprising, her understanding of fauna and flora was notably higher than most due to the nature of her job.

Which was also why she had a lot of weird things in her bags, including one she’d hesitated to pack due to the rarity: the hourglass spider. It was her only creature associated with the stars, for those were exceedingly rare, but she had thought it might come in handy. This spider was already dead, sadly, but she had preserved the body of the creature; creatures associated with the stars were rare, after all. Some claimed they weren’t even native to Xadia, but Alette wasn’t a part of that theory.

The hourglass spider was known as such for the blue marking on its abdomen, which was a sign of its poison, as well. Alette had already extracted what she could of the poison to make antidotes, now all that was left was the rest of it, with the little bit of magic it still had in its body, it’s blood, “Don’t worry, it’s dead. It can’t hurt you.”

As if the caterpillar would be concerned.

She tipped the glass jar so the spider fell into her hand, and crushed it, staining her fingers with its blood before drawing on the mirror, “llacer,” black eyes again – but she could still see through that, well enough to see the draconic rune that formed on the mirror and understand – but no time to react other than for her eyes to widen in sudden fright, even as the question of why sky arcana was used last on the mirror came to mind.

Lightning pulsed out of the mirror, striking her and knocking her far back from it, knocking her head on the stone floor.

 

[cleopat]

Farah was relieved that she could give Viren positive news regarding the young Queen Aanya. No doubt the poor girl is shaken up, but if she had the same spirit her mothers had, then she would be okay. She had a strong support system in Duren.

“Fortunately, Queen Aanya is okay. Her High Mage was able to intercept the attack and kill the assassin before they got to her.” Some small part of her resented the young girl for surviving, when her own sister didn’t, but that was a ridiculous, selfish thought, wasn’t it? To wish ill on such a young girl. “As far as I know, she is still against going to war, as Duren is presently not here.”

Farah was just still in mourning, in that fragile mental state where she would do anything to get another minute with her sister.

“King Florian was killed, and as a result, many in Del Bar seem to want Xadia to answer for his death as well. I don’t believe King Dieter is fully convinced that war is the appropriate course of action, but I do not see him being hard to persuade to see our cause.” And if they could make Ezran see reason, abdicate, and appoint a more suited leader who would lead them to war, she was certain Del Bar would follow.

She wouldn’t speak for Kasef, but gestured for him to explain what happened to Neolandia. “My father was gravely injured in the attack, and it is still unknown whether or not he will survive.” Kasef’s face was solemn as he spoke, as he made the realization that he was acting king until his father woke up. If he woke up.

“And this goes without saying, but I am willing to lead the armies of Neolandia into battle against Xadia. For my father.”

~~~

Aaravos remained silent on the matter of his being a familiar. Who was he to spoil all the fun and reveal his true self to this newcomer so soon?

He wanted to see everything that she was going to do first. Gauge what it is she knew exactly.

And so she brought out something he hadn’t seen in many moons. An hourglass spider, a rare creature associated with the stars. He perked his little caterpillar head up as he watched Alette tip the spider into her hand and crush it between her fingers. Oh, so that’s what she was going to do.

Aaravos had half a mind to give her a warning, but he remained silent as she drew the draconic rune on the mirror. As expected, for him, lightning pulsed out of the mirror, striking her and knocking her back.

He didn’t know if she was immediately okay. He was, after all, a caterpillar. The mage wasn’t moving, and so Aaravos moved over to her supine form. He couldn’t tell if she was simply dazed or knocked out, but either way, once she came back to reality and realized she had a little bug pal on her ear, much like he did with Viren, the elf decided he would give her some answers.

She deserved some award for the catastrophe that was that last attempt.

 

[Lucyfer]

Viren was as relieved as he was annoyed that Aanya lived without a scratch. The other leaders had been immediately more inclined to help him, before she spoke, after all. She was the one he blamed for all of them turning against him, yet he knew not to show much of that frustration. He showed his relief in a sigh and the bowing of his head, before he shook it at the note that she was still standing against all of this.

The foolishness of youth.

Even now she couldn’t be convinced to attack Xadia. What were her and Ezran made of, that made them so forgiving? So soft?

It didn’t cross his mind that Aanya’s mage might have revealed the truth to Aanya.

He had Neolandia, though, and Evenere. Del Bar was the question. “Didn’t you say you spoke with High Mage Alette, Kasef?” Viren questioned, and the man nodded. “It’s her that’s here, not Dieter?”

“Yes – she said he was close. Armies move slower than individuals,” Kasef noted, which was, indeed, true. Still, Viren found that strange. Enough that it clicked in his mind – she saw something.

What was her favorite saying? Nothing hides under the Sun?

“I hope you will bring her news of our conversation, as well,” Viren said, “if she is dissatisfied with what Ezran tells her,” ideally before she ever spoke to Ezran.

“I’m sure she will be,” Kasef scoffed, not at all doubting it, “she was upset with the elf responsible.”

“’Scuse me,” a voice interrupted, a bit further back, though Viren recognized it and almost sighed again as his son, Soren, came into sight, “Hey – sorry to interrupt, didn’t realize you still had visiting hours.” Kasef looked very annoyed to be bunted out of the way as Soren stepped forward and ahead of him.

Viren gave him a dull, deadened look, “What do you want, Soren?”

“Hypothetically, is there anything in your study that might just…explode on its own?”

“No, but—” as he said it, the thought came again: where the hell was Aaravos? And this clearly wasn’t a hypothetical question, something exploded in his study, “Soren, what’s going on?”

~***~

Alette had one hell of a headache when consciousness returned. Her head was ringing, and her first instinct (after groaning) was to reach back and check for blood at the major pain point. Thankfully, no blood came back on her hand and so she sat up, slowly, feeling her head swim as she did so. “Damn mirror,” she muttered, before putting her head into her hand.

‘Ow.’

Even the pain couldn’t stop her swimming thoughts. Was the mirror trapped? Was that really the last spell used on it? If so – why? She knew Viren had access to the Sky Primal stone, so it wasn’t entirely implausible that he did it, but why? Perhaps he was furious with it? If so, it held up quite well against the lightning.

‘This is why you don’t play with another mage’s things.’ A lesson she consistently refused to learn.

Alette eventually dropped her hand when it felt like the world wasn’t spinning any longer, and got to her feet. The lightning still lingered as a spasm here and there in one part of her body, but she’d be fine. She’d heal herself up later. For now, she had to get back to this mirror and the weird….

‘Bug.’ Bug was missing from its spot on the mirror. Did the lightning hit him, too? “Heey! I’m sorry if the lightning got you, I didn’t realize that was going to happen.” Obviously. “Are you okay?” Maybe it dispelled the illusion and the bug was gone?

Without much consideration, she made a swipe at her ear; through the pain, she could still feel something weird on it, which she assumed was just a stray bit of hair that placed itself awkwardly against her ear.

 

[cleopat]

Their private conversation was interrupted by one of the crown guards, the same teenager she saw leave the cell as she was coming in. There seemed to be a high level of familiarity between the crown guard, who’s name she learned was Soren, and Viren. Farah took small glances between the two, and she could see some facial similarities.

Were they related?

Wait…explode?

Soren rubbed the back of his neck. “There was a loud explosion noise that came from your study.” And as he restated the information to Viren, he realized he probably should have checked out the noise for himself.

But what if it was something that could explode on its own? What if it was one of Viren’s ingredients that was dangerous! Really, Soren was in the right to ask about it first, since he wasn’t as well versed in the items contained in Viren’s study, like his father and sister were.

Farah raised an eyebrow. The poor boy was…trying, that she could see. “Does anyone else use your study?” she asked, in case someone he knew could have created an accident. No use in worrying over something like that right now after discussing forcibly abdicating a boy from his birthright in order to unleash war on the enemy.

Though mages and what they used in spells were still a mystery to her, even though the Evenere court had a High Mage.

~~~

Aaravos waited patiently for Alette to come to.

There wasn’t long to wait, and he allowed the dark mage a moment to regain her bearings in her silence. He was pleasantly surprised that she searched for him, asking if he was okay after the lightning blast, even though it would take a little more than a draconic spell to harm him.

“Aww, are you already concerned for me?” he said, voice directly in her ear as he still perched on it. “Careful, though, or you’ll knock me off.” He was still in a caterpillar body, and thus, with related caterpillar problems.

Such a nuisance until he can find a way out of his prison.

But there was another option if his plan worked out.

“Are you truly desperate enough to hurt yourself to see who was Viren’s visitor?” he chuckled. In a way, he was almost flattered. “Maybe I should just end your pain now and help you seek the answer.”

 

[Lucyfer]

"Claudia, my daughter," Viren answered Farah, "I take it you know it's not her," that was a given, Soren would know if it was Claudia. They'd left together. They must have parted ways, because Soren was...ah, yes, still a bit...miffed that his perspective wasn't being trusted, which Viren could see again when he asked that question in the way Soren both glared, and looked a bit hurt that it was coming into question again.

"I know it isn't Claudia," he stated.

"Right, right, of course you do," Viren sighed, "No, there's nothing in there that should explode on its own. I sleep in there too often to have that threat hanging over my head," he was sure there were other dark mages not as careful.

He knew there was one dark mage nearby. As he knew Aaravos was...somewhere. What were the odds...? With his luck, not great. "It's possible it's the mage from Del Bar," he sighed, taking a seat on his cot, "I borrowed something a couple of years back I suspect she wouldn't want the entire world finding out about. She may have gone to find it."

Soren ought to be able to mention all of that and with any luck, she'd play along. If it was her. She was the only other guess. "If it's her, you can bring her here, I can tell her where it is." His mind was already cycling through which item of his collection to sacrifice for the sake of momentary peace.

"And if it's not her?"

Viren's expression was still dull, "I imagine the crown guard has rules for castle intruders, don't they?"

"Ah, yeah, right, just--okay." Soren nodded, "I'll handle it." he turned off quickly and Viren glanced up at the two present.

"That was my son, Soren," he noted, "he...didn't quite get a knack for magic. Doesn't understand much of what's in my study," although he should have known that much about him. Then again, the history of explosions probably put that into question.

"Is Soren...trustworthy?" Kasef asked.

"To a point." No. But Viren couldn't say that. It was his son. There was love...but he'd also just negated everything Soren perceived not long ago and he wouldn't be trusting him for a bit. He had to fix that, and not because it was useful to have Soren at his back.

Soren was his son.

But the lie was necessary. If Claudia knew what he'd asked Soren...she'd never forgive him.

~***~

The voice was more than a little surprise, given it was right at her ear. She jolted, before a shiver ran through her. 'I didn't give you permission!' then again, what bug had she ever really given permission? Bugs had no sense of personal space. Alette stopped her hand from brushing him off and folded her arms over her chest, before walking to the mirror so she could at least see who she was talking to.

And in case inspiration struck about how to deal with the mirror.

"There's more than my life and comfort at stake, so yes," not that it was Alette's plan, but sometimes blood came into spells, and hers was always readily available for such things. She'd always found that odd, since humans supposedly didn't have magic, that their blood could still be used in some rituals.

She wasn't unhappy with that, but it did make her wonder.

"If you could please just be a nice caterpillar and tell me what you know, it would go a long ways towards less injury. Hopefully."

Theoretically.

 

[cleopat]

There was something about the interaction between Viren and his son Soren that made her feel some bit of sympathy for Soren, but Viren was in a cell. His son was a member of the crown guard. There couldn’t be a pretty story.

She wouldn’t pry where she didn’t belong. At least, not with something like this.

The son was a member of the crown guard. Farah could see why they shouldn’t fully trust him. His very position is to protect the king, and if he hears any potential conspiracies concerning the king? Then they all would be thrown in a cell, and any hope of a war against Xadia was gone.

But still, he seemed so sweet…

“Is there anything else we need to discuss?” Farah asked, looking back to Viren. “We shouldn’t linger too much longer here, or else someone may notice.” Notice that the new queen of Evenere and acting king of Neolandia were visiting the high mage accused of treason. It wasn’t a good look.

~~~

If she could see his true form, she would be able to see his amused smile. Amused by her. Amused by her whole current situation. And the way she asked so nicely for some help.

How could he refuse?

“Well, when you say please so prettily, who am I to refuse?” he teased. “No spell you know would be able to give you what you currently seek. Only the person on the other side of the mirror can reveal themself.” Just as he revealed himself to Viren after the dark mage tried so long to get the mirror to reveal its secrets.

Viren didn’t do much to hide his desperation when seeking something out.

“Now, look closely,” he said as the room they were in began to fade in the mirror, and in its place, a library began to form, with Aaravos standing by a desk. As the image fully came into view, the real Aaravos looked over at the mirror, staring straight through it at Alette. One hand reached up and brushed his ear. “I believe I am who you are looking for.”

 

[Lucyfer]

The major points had been discussed. Viren knew that the two would declare their war with Katolis, and whisper that leadership should change, war with Xadia ought to be allowed. Ezran would leave the throne…or, well, Katolis would be attacked, and Viren freed by force. Not ideal, but he’d take whatever he could get. There wasn’t much more in the way of nuance to be discussed, though Viren wasn’t enthused about the thought of being alone again.

Perhaps not for long if Soren ended up bringing Alette here.

Or Aaravos returned.

“No,” he said, shaking his head, “odds are, none of you should return here. Ideally, the next time I see any of you, I will be free of these bars,” he managed a smile, albeit weak. He hated his position here. He hated not being able to do anything, and having to trust all these other people to do what was necessary to get him free.

He knew he should have that trust, but he wasn’t accustomed to it. Whenever he didn’t do things, it went awry – case and point with Callum and Ezran, really, but he should have seen that coming. He was asking too much of both Claudia and Soren. He should have known that when he set them on the task.

If he’d just asked them to steal the egg, perhaps it would have been fine. ‘Or, well, literal dragon.’ That was going to be a problem. That was why he had to get out of here.

“You have my gratitude. You have Katolis’s – no, all the gratitude, of the Human Kingdoms,” no matter what Queen Aanya may think, she would thank them in the end, when they finally entered an era of peace.

~***~

Alette huffed at the declaration that there was no spell in existence that would reveal the other side of the mirror. There was always a way. That was what dark magic was all about, really – making ways to do the impossible. Still, she wouldn’t say that, since it seemed he wanted to help her with this and reveal the other side.

On the other side was the elf, as she’d started to guess.

An elf that was speaking through the caterpillar. That, she hadn’t quite put together, but it didn’t shock her quite as much as it may have if she didn’t already have concerns about what the caterpillar was. What the elf was. “You’re…a Startouch Elf,” there was some wonder in even saying it. Sure, she’d literally never seen any elf before, but she knew Startouch Elves were rare.

Rarer than unicorns, and those were rumored to be extinct.

She hadn’t quite known what he was from the image of the assassin.

Did that change things? ‘Maybe.’ Maybe not. The fact her wonder got ahead of her only caused her to force a bit of a deeper scowl as she looked at him, “All this time, you could have—augh,” she threw her hands up, sighed, chuckled, “I suppose I might have enjoyed the same thing,” she shifted her weight, let her posture relax, “Okay. Well. I’m Alette, High Mage of Del Bar,” she hadn’t introduced herself, and now she felt she should since he’d done quite the reveal. “You’re helping Viren. Or Viren’s helping you. Or it’s mutual…either way…please tell me what your stake is in this war with Xadia that caused Viren to kill one of my dear friends.”

She wanted to trust that Viren had his mind right. That there was a good reason. She understood sacrifice, but it wasn’t…ever…human. Not before. So why now? “Why do you want this war? Why was it worth all that?”

 

[cleopat]

Evenere was ready for war. The people were fiercely loyal to their deceased queen, and so Farah knew she would have no issue leading them to wherever their battleground may be: Katolis or Xadia.

She just hoped for Ezran’s sake, and for the sake of everyone in Katolis, that they would be marching on Xadia.

Farah and Kasef met later on, without the worry of being seen talking to Viren as a prisoner, to discuss together more of how they would approach Ezran. While Kasef’s passion and anger were too much at times, especially during diplomatic negotiations, it was perhaps what they needed to truly drive into Ezran’s head what was at stake.

And that was why she was content to let Kasef speak for the kingdoms that wanted war with Xadia, but were also willing to declare war on Katolis, with all of their armies at the ready for an immediate attack should it come to that.

Even if Farah wanted to add to the discussion, she couldn’t, as Ezran immediately rejected the idea. Foolish child, you have condemned us all.

A child’s mind must truly be a wondrous place.

But there was still one more chance at changing Ezran’s mind, as both Kasef and Farah knew. She just needed to be able to talk to the child without anyone else present, especially someone like Opeli.

But it was by chance she was able to run into the young king just a little bit later, of course accompanied by his courtly entourage. “King Ezran,” she greeted with a slight nod of her head. “Maybe I speak to you,” a slight pause as she regarded the people near him, “alone? It’s of great importance.”

~~~

Aaravos smiled as Alette seemed slightly amazed at what exactly he was. “So I am.” There were only a handful of humans that had ever seen a Startouch Elf before, most only knew of them through old legends and stories, no doubt.

No, there weren’t many like him. Never had they been too great in number, and now it was only worse.

The image of Aaravos in the mirror clasped his hands behind his back and slightly nodded at Alette. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, High Mage Alette,” the worm spoke in his deep voice. He didn’t reciprocate with his own name, not when she was asking too many questions of her own.

He cocked his head to the side. “Those are some very heavy questions. Maybe you should ask Viren. After all, I’m in this mirror,” a silent comment on how could he want a war if it would seemingly have nothing to do with him. “Maybe I’m just helping him reach his own goals and desires.”

 

[Lucyfer]

It had not been a good day for Ezran. Kasef and Farah were declaring war on Katolis if he didn’t change his mind. Opeli and others had shown him a war map, and the many people at risk. ‘There are many more at risk in Xadia, too.’ What would his father do? And was that the best one to look towards?

His father had started this when they went to get the heart of a magma titan, when his mother died, and then they went back to kill Avizandum, Zym’s father. Now everyone feared retaliation, because some Moonshadow elves had attacked their homes. ‘How can I convince them it’ll be okay soon?’ If he told them that the dragon prince was alive and going home to mom, escorted by his brother and a moonshadow elf…they wouldn’t believe it could mean peace.

Besides which, he couldn’t say that.

He couldn’t give them up!

He was lost in these thoughts as he strode the grounds with Bait, trying to clear his head, a few guards – including Specifically Requested Corvus – following at a bit of a distance to give him that space. Yet, they were still there, and he still heard their reactions as Farah approached him. The adults, of course, met her with harsh stares, but Ezran looked at her with the utmost sorrow. Sorrow for her loss, sorrow for where they now stood with each other, on the brink of war.

“King Ezran,” Corvus interjected, “I would like to advise against speaking to her alone. She’s already declared war on Katolis. Her intentions cannot be trusted.” Even Bait had turned his angry colors, red, as he crouched in front of Ezran and let out a shaking croak.

Ezran patted Bait’s head to try and soothe him, “There, there, Bait, it’s okay.” She hadn’t spoken at all during Kasef’s rage, but she had been in agreement. Ezran didn’t understand why. He looked back to Corvus, “It’ll be okay,” he said, and then looked to Farah, “but maybe not out of sight? To ease their minds,” he gave her a kind smile, “we can talk over by the pond.” Bait liked the pond, it was one of the few safe places he could be in water. There were no large predators that could devour him there.

He picked Bait up, and started to walk, Corvus reaching a hand out, but not grasping him. He sighed, gave Farah another dirty look – and would follow, but at a distance. He would not leave the young king out of his sight, but he would be far enough away that he couldn’t hear.

And far enough away that he was agitated by anything that could happen since he wasn’t close.

At the pond, Ezran set Bait down, and looked back up at Farah, “I am sorry about your loss, Queen Farah. I didn’t know Queen Fareeda. I wished I could have. She clearly meant a lot to you, and to the people of Evenere. She must have been wonderful.”

~***~

Viren, Viren, Viren!

The Startouch elf was either the dumbest of the lot, or truly Viren’s keeper. Both seemed unlikely, without additional motive, and Alette’s glare said enough for how well she liked his answer. “You know, being pretty may be enough for Viren, but it’s really not enough for me,” not to like him, nor to trust him. “But I imagine if you’re stuck in that mirror,” he didn’t say that, but it was implied heavily enough, “you want out, and somehow, you’re going to use Viren for that, and he’s too desperate to realize it.”

She plucked the caterpillar off her ear, “I don’t really care for the airheaded ditz act. Or loyal hound.” She knelt and grabbed the jar that the spider had been in, and put the caterpillar in it, “But I always need new ingredients!” on went the lid, though she didn’t put it in the pack. Better to watch that thing.

If he was powerful enough for Viren to need his help, he might be powerful enough to get out of the jar. She wasn’t precisely sure what she intended to do. She was angry, and she was always irrational in anger. She was sad, as well, and that showed in the tears, spurred by both anger, sorrow, and frustration at the situation, that she wiped away as she gathered her things.

Go to Viren! Bah! Fuck Viren.

She was distracted by picking things up that she didn’t even hear the sound of heavy footfall and armor until she was rising from the floor with her bag, and her bug, and saw the stranger in the doorway. “Are you the mage from Del Bar?”

“Yes,” Alette hesitated just a bit, “Sorry, I—”

The Crown Guard just looked relieved, sighing, “Oh thank goodness, I was worried you might be trouble. Dad said you might be here looking for something.”

‘Dad? Vir—you’re Soren!’ She hadn’t seen Soren since…wow it had been a while. She was getting old, wasn’t she? Still, she found a smile for him. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen you, Soren.”

He blinked, confused, and she shook her head, “A long time ago, I used to visit Viren. I remember when you were barely walking,” she chuckled, “You’re right though, I was looking for something. I found it,” she held up the bug as a victory. “You can tell him.”

 

[cleopat]

Farah was all too aware of the harsh glares the adults were giving her, and she didn’t blame them one bit. For giving Katolis and Ezran such a grave ultimatum and essentially becoming an enemy, she honestly would’ve been surprised if they weren’t angry with her.

But, it seemed, that the young king was not.

She gave him a small smile, pleased that he agreed to talk to her away from prying ears, so she agreed to talk to him over by the pond. Still in sight of his people, but far enough away that they wouldn’t hear them. So she agreed with him, and followed him over, ignoring the heated glares of the adults now behind them.

Farah had long ago learned to ignore the looks of other people.

Giving a glance at Bait as the boy set him down, she gave a pained smile to Ezran. “Thank you, that means a lot. Queen Fareeda was…an amazing ruler, and an even better sister.” She paused to take a deep breath, swallowing her grief. “She had been my rock through tremendous personal loss, and she served as a similar support for the people of Evenere.”

She took a brief pause. “And to try and fill her shoes may be something I’ll be trying to do for the rest of my life.” She will spend her entire life trying to prove herself as a worthy ruler, but the question remained, could she be a great one?

And the similarities between her and Ezran weren’t lost on her. “And I’m sorry about the loss of your father. Everyone always had great things to say about him, and I’m sure that you’ll follow in those footsteps one day.” But he still had much to learn and much to navigate. The need for a regent was great.

~~~

Aaravos was far from amused when Alette placed him in the jar. His one connection to communicate with the outside world, gone in a single second by this woman.

Oh he was so irked, and he even gave her a glare in the mirror.

The reflection disappeared soon enough, and Viren’s son appeared in the doorway, instantly relieved when he learned who was in Viren’s study.

He would rather not deal with an intruder right now, not with everything going on. With all the different courts currently visiting. It would be a nightmare.

“I think he would prefer it if you told him yourself.” Soren rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish grin. “He wanted me to bring you to him, if it was you I found in his study.” Wait, that was what his father said, right? Either way, he was sure his father would want to see an old friend!

 

[Lucyfer]

Farah’s pain was obvious to the young king. She spoke fondly of Fareeda as Queen and Sister. Ezran had no sisters, but he knew what it was like to have a sibling. The thought of losing Callum out there in the wilds worried him constantly. He hadn’t felt the presence of Zym in a while now; he had to hope that was a good sign, that it meant Zym, Rayla, and Callum weren’t in any danger.

They did share the loss of family, though. Ezran offered that same sad smile as she spoke of Harrow, “I wish I got to know him longer,” but that was denied to him now, by the Moonshadow Assassins, Rayla’s group. He’d found it in his heart to forgive them, because he knew Rayla, and what she was trying to do now. She was striving for peace.

Certainly, the others would, if they knew….

Farah still spoke as if he had a future as a king, despite what she had declared as his future. That did cause a frown. “Forgive me, but it seems like your intentions are to remove me from that, so I’ll never have an opportunity to find out if I can rule well. You and Prince Kasef did say there would be war tomorrow if I didn’t agree to go to war against Xadia.”

So her words seemed…well, hollow.

Even if he could sense her hope was genuine. It was a conflict that he supposed was part of why she was there to talk to him, not to share in their grief. With the situation in front of them, there couldn’t really be any of that, for either of them. “So why are you here to talk to me, Queen Farah?”

~***~

The look the startouch elf gave her did not go unnoticed, but Alette wasn’t too concerned about that right then. She was more concerned with Soren and his want to take her to Viren, so they could talk. She was feeling spiteful, and didn’t want to go, but Soren seemed…well…almost embarassed? Uncertain? Alette couldn’t place it, but it was enough to soften her into a sigh, “All right, I suppose I can let him know.”

Whether she’d stay and chat was another story entirely. Showing him the caterpillar and running off did carry with it a sense of fun and amusement, but it might not be worth it if Viren told Soren she was stealing from him. Then again, he’d have to weigh that against all she knew of what she could say.

What she was already thinking of telling Dieter because of this nonsense.

But, Viren had a right to speak.

“Lead the way, Soren,” she agreed with a smile, tucking the jar under her arm and following him out.

The Crownguard seemed to have no problem with that, nor any problem in dismissing the other guards despite the fact he was family. One really should have reconsidered his access to Viren; it wouldn’t be difficult for him to release him at all, but Alette kept that to herself as she was brought before the very small cell that Viren was given.

He looked up, a bit startled, before rising. His eyes did fall on the caterpillar, of course, and Alette said, “I found what I needed. Thank you for keeping it safe.”

Viren was so not amused, and was absolutely fighting against saying much. “Yes, well – I do appreciate you lending it to me for a time, I was able to discern a few things. Ah, Soren, do you mind if we talk a bit? Mage stuff – nothing that would interest you.”

“I’m sure there were plenty of things you left out in your letters about our little bug pal.” Alette was clearly enjoying this too much.

 

[cleopat]

Farah sighed, contemplating how to approach such a delicate subject. The wrong words and she could only anger Ezran even further, turning him completely against what she and Kasef were saying to him. That could potentially put all of Katolis at risk.

She took a seat on the grass, patting a spot next to her to signal for the boy to sit down as well. “I do want to see you rule one day, I truly do. But I also want to see you continue living out your childhood as a child should, eating jelly tarts and playing with your glowtoad, and not worrying about making the right or wrong decisions concerning war and the lives of your people.”

The aforementioned glowtoad wasn’t red anymore, but Farah could see that it still wasn’t pleased with her. She imagined it was fiercely loyal to the boy. It was endearing.

“My grandmother became queen of Evenere when she was only eight years old, but she knew she wasn’t ready to lead a country, so she ultimately decided to choose someone close to her family to act as regent until she turned sixteen, when she felt more prepared to take on the burdens that come with the crown.” And thus she ruled until her son, Farah’s father, became king years later.

“And then there’s Queen Aanya of Duren. Queen since infancy, but she has a regent to bear the responsibilities of the crown until she is older and ready.” Though Queen Aanya decided to attend the meeting of the Pentarchy herself, which made Farah wonder whether or not the young queen was testing to see if she was ready to accept the crown.

“There is no shame in admitting that you’re not ready to make these difficult decisions yet. It’s okay to remain a child a little longer, and to employ someone you know well, someone who was close to your father, to lead instead for a few years.”

~~~

Soren was visibly relieved that Alette agreed to follow him to see Viren. It was just one less thing he could disappoint his father with. He spared a glance in the direction of the glass jar she held, wondering about it. To him it just looked like a worm. Was it some mage thing?

Maybe he’ll ponder about it to Claudia later.

They easily accessed Viren in the dungeons without any issue from the guards on duty. He lightly frowned as Viren so easily dismissed him without as so much of a thank you, but should he have even expected that? There was too much going on, too much on Viren’s mind.

So as his father asked for him to leave, Soren merely nodded. “Of course.” The casual comment about a bug pal caused him to raise a brow at Alette, but he merely shook his head before leaving.

If the dark mages could see Aaravos, they would see his less than displeased expression on his face.

 

[Lucyfer]

The conversation of the regent returned. Ezran heard this already from Opeli, and he had wondered who she had in mind. Did she mean herself? Who did he have, besides Callum, that he would trust so much? No one. And Callum was far away in Xadia, unable to step in as regent. Yet, he didn’t think he needed it. ‘Well, maybe.’ He was on the verge of a war and he’d barely been king for three days.

He knew of Farah’s grandmother.

Of course, he knew of Queen Aanya. “Aanya didn’t have a say in a regent as an infant,” and likely not for quite a while, as she wouldn’t have been taught much about that until it was time to learn it, until they wanted her to consider that she could take over. He imagined they might have fought to hold onto it.

Some people were like that, once they had a taste of power.

Ezran just wanted to do the right thing for his people. ‘Someone close to your father.’ The name that popped into his head was immediate, but not one he agreed with. He hadn’t forgotten that Viren’s kids tried to kidnap him, Callum, and Zym. How they’d wanted to bring them all home. Maybe then, it would have been okay…but now, he wondered at Viren’s motivations.

Was he that angry at Xadia because his best friend had been killed?

But would he do what was right, or what was wrong? Was he blinded by his thirst for revenge, for taking Harrow from him?

“Why is this the decision you’re making, Queen Farah?” Ezran looked up, “We have both lost someone to Moonshadow assassins. I can see a way towards peace,” he was earnest, “why do you want war?” She was suggesting he wasn’t able to make the right decision, but why wasn’t he able? Why did so many adults want war?

~***~

Viren waited until Soren was gone, then settled his gaze back on Alette, not at all amused with her having the caterpillar. For one, he was certain Soren’s arrival didn’t inspire her to grab that as her ‘thing’, which likely meant she knew a bit more than he’d like her to know. The fact she was in his study was confirmation of enough of that.

He didn’t have to ask, though. She said it outright, “So, why are you working with a Startouch elf to kill the rulers of every nation – and what does the elf want?” She leaned against the wall near his cell, “He wouldn’t say anything on that. I’m sure you know, though, and you aren’t just deluded by him being pretty.”

“I’m honestly surprised he went so far as to show himself to you,” Viren noted, avoiding the question of what the elf wanted, for the moment. He didn’t know, and he was very aware of how stupid it was that he didn’t know, but he had been rather desperate in the moment he chose to kill the monarchs. Desperate enough to decide he had nothing to lose. There was no backtracking on that. She knew. “How did you find out?”

“You’re not exactly in a position to ask questions right now, Viren. I can turn around and tell Opeli what’s up, and I can prove it.”

‘Yet you couldn’t stop the assassin.’ Too late, no doubt. That would have made the situation different. He wondered if it would have made it better. ‘No, deep breath.’ She was here, which meant she was still open to listening. She understood sacrifice. “Very well. I did it because it was necessary, Alette. The threat from Xadia is real, even if those assassins I made were not. They were made from the assassins that came after Harrow, and right now, Xadia is massing for a war on us. I know this, because there is a rallying cry behind the birth of the dragon prince.”

“Thunder’s—I thought you destroyed the egg.”

“I…thought I made it inert in my studies. It seems I was mistaken.” He put a hand to his forehead, eyes dropping, “Had I known, I would have just crushed it, but you know how rare a dragon egg is, the many uses such a thing could have,” he sighed, “I regret that. I regret having to kill all of the monarchs, but I would do that again,” he lifted his gaze back to her, hand lowering, “They did not listen to me at the Pentarchy. Queen Aanya agreed a debt was owed to Katolis, they even understood the threat, but they all chose to make their own fortifications and let Katolis fall. Tell me that Florian was not already preparing to bar up Del Bar?”

Her expression said enough. ‘Florian never had an original idea.’ Florian was only too easy to read.

“He was preparing for a defensive,” Alette agreed.

“So you see? They all agreed attack was imminent and would not meet it head on. Did he think dragons would not fly over the boarders, that he might avoid them if he stayed in Del Bar?” Viren demanded, and watched Alette’s gaze fall, “They have already attacked Katolis, my children were attacked by one.” He emphasized, “We have a chance while Thunder’s son is young to strike hard, and destroy whatever morale they are building up. We have a chance to finally free ourselves from our constant fear of Xadia and have peace. Yes, it came at a cost, but what doesn’t? I would pay it again – four monarchs, for billions of human lives, for centuries of peace. Wouldn’t you?”

Alette shut her eyes. The frustration was there, but his point was seen, and he knew it. “I know it’s hard. I know I’ve killed more than just figureheads. Friends, sisters, fathers…but many of those would die if I did not.”

“Just…stop talking.”

Viren did. For several long seconds there was silence, forming tears, and frustration before Alette gathered herself and looked back at him, “You couldn’t have given us a chance to talk to them? You couldn’t have given me?”

“I’m sorry…there wasn’t time.”

“But time enough to conspire with an elf who—why does he want in on this?”

Viren could lie. He could make up a reason, but he didn’t. “I don’t know.” He holds his hand out for the jar, and though Alette hesitated, she did return it through the bars. He took it, opened it, “I put him in a jar similar to you when we first met, to try and find out who he was. His name is Aaravos, and whenever I sought information on him in the library – and it’s there – his name vanished with all the words. I didn’t have time to try and hold the words where they were. No, I didn’t trust him, but all of his actions have proven he is trustworthy. He has unflinchingly helped me with what I have needed since.”

Alette glanced at the caterpillar, then at Viren, “This will have a cost, Viren.”

“Maybe, but if it saves humanity, so be it.”

 

[cleopat]

Another sigh. A glance at the pond.

She missed home. She yearned to see her sister again.

“I don’t want war.” Farah wished she had the innocence a small child had. “Honestly, all I want is to go home and be able to properly mourn my sister.” Ezran claimed he saw a way towards peace, but that simply was wishful thinking. Sometimes, peace required great sacrifice, so that future generations could live in harmony.

If all went according to plan, Ezran could be a great ruler over a long period of peace.

“But sometimes the path to what we want isn’t as straightforward as we think it is. Sometimes, great and personal sacrifices are necessary in order for us to do what is best for our people.” Like war. “Assassinations and attempted assassinations are an act of war that can’t simply be let go. Our people will be their next targets.”

What if Xadia came after their children next?

“I never want war, but I also understand that I need to make the best decisions for my people that preserve their future. Sacrifices are, unfortunately, part of those decisions sometimes.” She looked back over at Ezran, expression full of empathy. “Do you understand?”

~~~

Aaravos was relieved to finally be free of the jar, his little caterpillar familiar breathing in fresh air once again instead of the quickly-turning stale air trapped in the jar.

Now both mages had placed him in a jar where he unfortunately could not escape in his current form, but he would forget about it for now.

“So you both think I’m pretty?” was the first thing Aaravos said, amused. “I must say, I am quite flattered. It has been so long since I’ve heard such a comment about myself.” So long since he had heard any voice beyond his own. So long since he has touched another person.

If things continue to fall into place, then he should be free from his prison soon enough.

“Your friend here was quite adamant about seeing who you’ve been talking to. After the lightning blast, I was afraid complete destruction of your little study would have been next. Or maybe your friend would have even killed herself in the attempt.” Like the foolish little mage she was.

 

[Lucyfer]

Would the people of Katolis be next? Would there be a true battle, before Rayla and Callum managed to return Zym? It was possible. Ezran couldn't deny that, "It may be an act by a small minority, you know."

He didn't know this.

Rayla seemed like an exception in so many ways, but he hadn't met any elves besides her. He had met Zym, though. "But I understand. None of us know that. We know what they did, and they took lives of our loved ones and our leaders. They think they can get away with it because we can't cross into Xadia easily."

This much, Ezran knew. He still sighed. He didn't like this. He didn't like to consider that while Rayla and Callum tried to bring Zym home, other Moonshadow elves could be mustering up a greater offensive to bring harm to Katolis, that the dragons which were flying over head would attack more and more places, rather than just show off that they were present.

It was possible, though.

"If others - if rulers in Xadia wanted to talk peace at some point, would you? They're still people, too. With families and loved ones, and fears. I...I know there's a lot I need to consider in...leading now or not, but I...I am curious about this. About everyone's thoughts on Xadia." That they knew they were more than monsters.

Bait, sensing his sorrow and worry, croaked and hopped near his hand for a pat.

~***~

"I did not say that," Viren protested immediately as Aaravos mentioned the 'pretty' bit, causing Alette to laugh. He only scowled at her.

"You're not denying it," she noted with a grin, and could have probably gone back and forth with him a while on it, but she didn't need to feed the elf's ego that much. Not when she still didn't quite understand what his motives were, or precisely how powerful he was.

Not powerful enough to escape a jar.

"I didn't think it was a comment that needed a response!" Viren huffed, apparently regretting releasing Aaravos, but he still returned the jar to Alette.

"Well, my opinion stands. You're pretty, Aaravos. And the worm is cute, but not in the same way," obviously. She tucked the jar back into her bag of wonders -- or bag of mess, depending on who was asked.

Viren groaned. "Yes, yes, flirt elsewhere. My study isn't destroyed, is it? And why lightning?"

"It's fine, and I used a recall spell on your mirror. Apparently that was the last thing. Care to explain?"

"I do not," Viren didn't need to explain anything anymore. She was on his side, and wasn't likely to turn over something like this.

Alette just sighed, but didn't press that. She really did have enough, she didn't need anything more to damn him. "What is the real endgame here, Viren?"

Viren sighed, "Killing the dragon prince is the first step. The rest...I'm not sure," he confessed, "We know so little about Xadia, we'll be doing much by ear to secure the safety of humanity."

He kept saying that.

Alette wondered if he believed it as much as he said it. Somehow, it was believable. She hadn't known him to be anything but interested in saving others, starting with Soren, and then on to saving hundreds of thousands of lives when Harrow made that egregious decision to work with Queen Aanya's mothers.

She wouldn't press on motive. As Aaravos avoided stating what he wanted, Viren would hide behind that, true or false. "And how do you get out of prison to do that?"

"Actually, that's already being handled. Prince Kasef and Queen Farah were in earlier. They've agreed to begin helping see Ezran removed from the throne." Alette's brows lifted in surprise. "I am sure they would appreciate the aid of Del Bar."

"Likely," would she grant it? Probably, "I can talk to King Dieter," she agreed, "but why don't you tell me what books you found some details about our little friend in?"

"If you tell me how you found me out."

"Oh, that," she laughed, "I've told you before, there are no secrets under the sun. Even the moon gives them up."

 

[cleopat]

Farah hardly believed that the act of the assassination of the monarchs was hardly done by a small minority, but she wouldn’t comment on that. She let his comment linger in the air, a false hope spoken by a young boy still so full of hope for the world.

What is it like to still have that childhood innocence?

At least Ezran seemed willing to respond to reason. There was much hope for him yet, she just had to make him see that he still needed a bit more time. More training. More education. Then one day, he would be a great leader.

Just not today.

Farah gave Ezran a kind look at his question. “Yes, if for some reason they wish to talk peace, I will be willing to listen and negotiate with them, if that is possible.” She didn’t add in that she didn’t think that would happen. “I know there are innocent people involved in this, on both sides, and that is one reason why making such decisions concerning war a difficult one that even the most experienced generals still have trouble with.”

She sighed. “This is just one of the reasons why I am suggesting for you to let someone else make these decisions for you, just until you get a little older. Someone with experience, and someone you’ve known for a long time now.” Someone like Viren, who had been by his father’s side for years now.

~~~

Aaravos immediately chuckled at Viren’s insistence, but he did not make another comment on the matter. Watching the two mages was entertainment enough as he remained stuck in his caterpillar form.

But he did enjoy being called pretty by the woman again. “Call me pretty one more time, and I would think you are flirting with me.” He didn’t completely object to the idea of a fun night with a human, and Alette was pretty for one.

But he had to concern himself with escaping from his prison first.

“Oh, some courtly conspiracy. It seems that I missed quite the conversation when I went to see who broke into your study.” They weren’t names of consequence to him right now, but it did matter for him that Viren was released from the cell, which Aaravos imagined would be soon.

 

[Lucyfer]

Ezran could hope, then, that Farah would make sure everyone heeded peace talks. That she would have the influence to force them to talk it out, with her own army, her own people. After all, she would understand a mother’s wrath for losing child and husband, right? And to have her child reunited…certainly, they could find common ground after that. Ezran would hold onto that as if it were a promise.

“Thank you. I’m glad you don’t see Xadia as just full of monsters. I know others do,” like Viren, he was sure of that. Or if not monsters, full of tools, which…might be worse in a way, honestly, but he wouldn’t say that. He knew who Farah wanted him to go to, even if she didn’t say it. She wanted him to pick the one who had agreed to this war, and started all of it, because…was it hurt over Harrow?

What else?

It was what he had to believe, to help him think Viren wasn’t wholly in the wrong. Just hurt. Just angry. And so even he could see reason, maybe?

Hadn’t he heard stories of all Viren had lost in pursuit of goods, such as when he saved Soren? The way Viren had risked his own life to distract Avizandum…and how his mom had gone back to save Viren….

He wasn’t all bad, right?

Just hurt.

“I know you want me to say that I will pick someone. I can’t say that yet,” he said, “but I will keep thinking about it. I have until dawn, right?” a half-smile, as if dawn would be met with something friendly.

It didn’t hold. It faltered and he looked down.

No, there was nothing about this situation he liked.

~***~

“This is why I prefer Del Bar. Courtly intrigue is simpler there,” Alette sighed.

“Barbaric.” Viren pointed out.

Alette just shrugged, but did not argue. It could be called that, and she couldn’t even disagree. Dieter came to the throne with a bloodied axe, after all. He wasn’t…exactly there because he was the brightest flame, but he wasn’t a dunce. That had actually surprised Alette, but he’d used more strategy in his fights than others. He’d be good on the war council, if Viren heeded him. “Now, honestly – tell me how you figured it out.”

Alette sighed, “I used the primal stone, Viren. It’s not hard, though no surprise it escaped your notice since…well,” obviously, humans didn’t use primal music. Dark magic could, and did, imitate it, but it wasn’t quite the same. Even she could feel the difference from channeling sun magic through dark magic, and channeling it through the primal stone. She didn’t quite have the words to explain it, it really was something just felt.

She’d tried, of course. She could explain dark magic, but primal magic eluded her, “I was close enough when it happened, I was able to shatter the illusion before it faded and it revealed the creators. You, and Aaravos.”

“How did you even know it was an illusion?”

“I saw it through the stone.”

Viren clearly wasn’t pleased with any of this, but he could hardly argue it. He hadn’t really used the primal stone he once had much, and had given it over to Claudia without much sense of loss. It just…wasn’t for him, if he was honest. He didn’t feel a connection to it. “Now, the books?”

“Right,” Viren touched his forehead as he sat down, trying to recall, “I know one of them was about the fall of Elarion – can’t be many in the library about that,” he scoffed, clearly disappointed by that, but the reason was fairly obvious. Some people didn’t even believe Elarion had been real.

Viren knew it was. He’d made the pilgrimage to the ruins.

So had Alette. “All right. I’ll see if I can find it,” she said, “I suppose I’ll see you soon, Viren,” assuming his plan went well. She would have to check in with the others, later, but for now, she had to advise Dieter what to do.

“And take care, pretty elf~,” she teased before walking out of the area, hearing Viren’s heavy sigh and imagining how annoying Aaravos was going to be. His problem now!

And into the hall where Soren was, “Oh. You’re here.”

“Yeaaaah, you might be a friend of my dad’s, but you did kinda sneak into the castle. I can’t have you wandering around and getting into more trouble.”

Well, there went her plans to steal a book from a library.

“Oh, fine,” she chuckled, “I guess I can’t fault you for that. Viren always did say you were a very dedicated Crownguard. You know, I didn’t believe him when he first mentioned it. I thought he was exaggerating how skilled you were – you know, like how some guys exaggerate the size of a fish they caught?”