Fandom Dragon Prince: Divining the Dark [Closed]

[cleopat]

Farah smiled softly at Ezran. “No, I don’t. I see Xadia with elves and creatures as complex as we are. I do admit that I have my…biases, but I’m not letting those cloud my judgements.” She knew she couldn’t say that others had the same opinions as she did, but she was queen. They were not.

She only had to worry about the other monarchs and that they won’t let their egos blind them.

Farah could feel a pang in her chest as Ezran’s smile faltered, and he broke her gaze to look down. She wanted to reach an arm out and hugged him, but she was aware of the eyes on them. She was aware of the current situation, that her country would declare war on his if he didn’t make the proper choice.

“And I do hope you make the right decision.” She stood up, brushing her hands over the fabric of her clothes. “I am sorry for this situation. I wish we could have met under better circumstances.”

~~~

If Aaravos had a face, the mages would see him smirking as Alette left the dungeons.

It seemed that despite the man’s current predicament, several people in the castle cared for Viren. Valuable information to store away for later, when it was needed.

“I take it you trust her.” It wasn’t a question than more of a statement. She knew what had really happened on the night of the Moonshadow assassins. Viren seemed to trust that she wouldn’t run off and tell someone, even if she hinted at it.

“Maybe she’ll be a valuable asset down the line,” as he was slowly gauging everyone Viren came into contact with. How they could be of use. What they could do for them. Having another mage in the mix would certainly prove interesting.

~~~

Soren perked up at Alette’s words. “Did he really say that?” A light flush tinted his cheeks as he rubbed the back of his head. Hearing that his father bragged about him was the last thing he expected.

Not that he didn’t think his father didn’t love him…but the man showed it in weird ways.

“I’m only doing my job,” he chuckled. “But it’s nice to see that someone appreciates the hard work I put into it.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Ezran was relieved to hear it wasn’t even just the elves that Farah thought fell under ‘complex’. Of course, with what they knew of dragons, it was hard to consider they weren’t complex, but some people certainly did think of them as just fire-breathing monsters. Or lightning-spewing. Or whatever arcana they were associated with. ‘I wonder what a star dragon would breathe….’ Not the time for such thoughts.

Ezran sighed as he heard her say she hoped he made the right decision.

She hoped he abdicated to Viren.

But who else could lead the war? Who else wouldn’t keep his own decision? ‘Does that mean they’re more right if only one would go to war?’ Or were they blinded by anger at how Viren arranged all of this by summoning the Pentarchy when he didn’t have the authority to do so – and was that really so bad? He had been looking out for all the kingdoms.

Still, it didn’t sit right with Ezran. He had that gut feeling that there was more to it than that, that Viren was in the wrong, even if he didn’t know how, or why. Well, besides the laws – that his intentions hadn’t been pure.

“I wish we could have, too,” Ezran agreed, looking back up before grabbing Bait to take back to his entourage. The glowtoad gave a croak of protest; it wanted to stay by the pond a little longer, even if he hadn’t gone into the water yet. He was warming to it!

“But at least we’ve met,” he said, “and I know a little more now,” about her, and about the people – that others might see a way to peace. That others wouldn’t treat Xadia as if it was full of heartless monsters that wanted to destroy all of the human kingdoms. “I hope you’ll go forward and try to approach as many enemies as you can like this.”

With this gentle understanding.

“Maybe they’ll all make the right decisions.”

~***~

Viren sighed at the comment of trusting Alette. He trusted her enough for this situation, right now. She understood the sacrifice and the necessity of it. A few people, to save millions. If King Florian hadn’t been preparing for a defensive, she may not have understood. He was glad the man was doing so; he’d been silent when Aanya spoke, and he hadn’t thought King Florian fully believed in what Aanya said, but he’d prefer to let Katolis fall and hope that weakened the approaching armies from Xadia.

Fool.

“Enough, for now,” less than Aaravos, which was saying a lot. He didn’t actually trust Aaravos as much as he’d professed to trust him, either. That had been necessary to make sure Alette didn’t flinch away because he was indecisive about the elf.

Which he was.

The term ‘asset’ didn’t even register as something he should be concerned with in this circumstance. He knew Alette. He’d known her for a while, and while there was a strange closeness there, there was also a distance. Much of their knowing was through letters, faceless, which had made it easier to reveal some things, but also kept him at a certain…emotional distance. If she perished, he would be sad to lose that outlet, but it wasn’t like losing someone who was a constant presence in his life.

Not like Claudia or Soren.

So, he agreed rather easily, “She will be. That Primal Stone will come in handy,” the thing that she had, which Viren didn’t, and even if it could be stolen from her, it would take time to learn to work with. Alette already had all that history, and could use it rapidly, as evidenced in how she uncovered his work with the assassins.

~***~

‘Aww.’ Although, Alette could relate to Soren’s embarrassment. Despite how high Alette had worked herself up in Del Bar, her parents weren’t exactly proud, nor did they brag about it. They still met her with a certain chill for her choices, and seemed to ask when she was going to ‘give it up’ and become a real doctor. It was…frustrating.

She didn’t imagine it was like that with Viren. He was just a bit of a hard man. Never liked revealing weakness.

“You and Claudia, both,” Alette confirmed, “with enough embarrassing stories,” she wouldn’t elude to which ones – let Soren wonder about what terrible things she knew he’d done through the years. She did see some trepidation on his expression as she mentioned it. “Don’t worry, they’re safe with me. Besides – how come you went with Crownguard, anyways?”

“Ah, well,” the embarrassment was still there, “I wasn’t ever really good at dark magic, and it…kinda still freaks me out, just a little?” He paused, “Not that you do, or the…weird…dark magicy…form.” Alette arched a brow, “Sorry, is that—I don’t know if there’s a term for it.”

“I think we just call it natural.”

“Really? Natural? That—uh—that looks…great!” He gave a hasty thumbs up, and Alette fought against laughing hard at his obvious attempt to not comment it was absolutely horrifying and how could anyone do that to themselves. “Uh, right, Crownguard. Well I…I wanted to do something, and ya know, I had the opportunity of every boy to just hit people with sticks, and I was really good at that, so I kinda…went with it. And then I was really, really good at it, so I got promoted through knight, and into Crownguard,” he answered, “and it’s useful! I can protect my dad, my sister, and Ezran like this. I’m glad he let me have the position back, after…everything.”

‘Ezran….’ The boy king Viren needed deposed. The boy king that Soren liked. “I’m sure he appreciates having you around,” which ‘he’ didn’t matter. “No matter what’s happened.”

Soren nodded, then frowned, “How come you went into dark magic? Your parents?” it was apparently hard for Soren to imagine others going to it without that kind of influence.

Alette shook her head, laughed, “Oh no, they’re consistently disappointed in my life decisions,” though she laughed, that pang of bitterness was still there. “They’re both kinds of doctors, and I always wanted to heal, but I didn’t want to do the same thing as them. I ended up studying dark magic, even when they disapproved. They tried to stop me,” they really had, “but one day a boy came in with cancer they couldn’t fix, and I…I fixed him. How could I not?” Indeed, what choice did she have when she knew how? “I wrote to your father, actually. He was able to advise me on how to go about it.”

“Ah, yeah. He saved me, too,” Soren recalled, “I don’t remember it well, but….” The but was left hanging. A lot had happened then. “Is it always healing and saving people?”

“No. Not for every dark mage. Some people are just terrible,” she joked, but it was true. Some were just in it for the power, or other, selfish reasons.

They reached the outside of the castle, “Do you need an escort back to your camp? I know Katolis pretty safe, but with tensions right now….”

“No, no, I’ll be fine, but I could use a favor,” she said, “There was actually a book Viren thought I should read, since I’m letting him keep our bug pal a little longer.” Sure, that was how to explain that one, “it’s about the Fall of Elarion. He couldn’t remember the title, but he thinks there’s only one or two in the library. If I could borrow that, I’d appreciate it – I can come pick it up in the morning if that’s better!”

 

[cleopat]

Farah smiled at the glowtoad and its little antics, completely oblivious to the world and its current state of affairs except for how Ezran was feeling in the moment.

Ezran seemed quite conflicted, showing that he knew more about the state of the world than a kid his age should know. It almost made Farah feel guilty for trying to persuade him to temporarily give up his throne for a few years, until he got older. The kid obviously held some political knowledge that would serve him well as king.

But no kid should be making decisions concerning war. And she hoped Ezran could see that too, and realize that abdication in favor of High Mage Viren was the best course for Katolis right now.

They parted ways, Farah ignoring the glares Ezran’s entourage was still giving her. All that mattered to her was that Ezran was willing to listen to her, and seemed to be debating his options.

She just hoped it would be the right one.

With her own bodyguard following after her, Farah traveled back to Evenere’s army camp with the full intention of talking to her good friend and High Mage, Samir.

And hope that she didn’t have to formally declare war on Katolis tomorrow.

~~~

Trusting just enough was good enough for Aaravos. He could work with that.

Some people trusted far too easily, as Viren seemed to Aaravos. And yet there was still that distance, as the elf knew that the dark mage still held his trepidation in regards to who exactly Aaravos was.

Viren was a smart man, after all. He would be foolish to blindly follow everything Aaravos laid out for him instead of questioning.

“Good, very good. She seems to be hesitant of our actions, and yet her doubt was quite clear.” Her doubt on what to do. Her doubt on whether or not Viren was in the right. Doubt could be a powerful motivator.

He just needed to prove to Alette that he could be trusted.

“How is everything else falling into place? I do so apologize for disappearing for a bit, but I absolutely had to figure out what was happening in your study.”

~~~

Soren found himself warming up to Alette quite well with how easy it seemed to talk to her while it was…less so with his father. So he was eager to ask questions about dark magic.

And, fortunately for him, Alette didn’t seem annoyed by his questions, which made it all the easier for him to agree to Alette’s request.

Soren eagerly nodded. “Sure, I can find that book for you.” Or, well, he could get some assistance from those that work in the library to help him locate the books, as Soren wasn’t the most well-read person out there.

But finding books? Not a problem!

“The morning will be great. That gives me plenty of time to look for it.” Or maybe Claudia could help him search for the book? She did frequent the library enough to where Soren believed she knew where nearly everything was located.

 

[Lucyfer]

Viren hummed agreement. He’d known to hit on that himself, knew that she had doubts to be in front of him, which meant she trusted enough. That was a powerful tool, and it only had to hold until he had the crown, and a little more. Once she was in too deep, there would be no going back, no sudden outcry of a revelation. By then, hopefully, she would also fully believe that he was in the right, and that they were taking the necessary steps to defend their homes.

That was, after all, the truth of it.

“I would have appreciated a warning,” Viren noted, but supposed there wasn’t time for that when he’d been sleeping. “Still, I am…grateful that you checked,” couldn’t he have seen through his mirror, though? Maybe, maybe not. Viren didn’t fully understand how it worked on his side. He was just fairly certain he’d finally figured it out by chance, when he had to eliminate the flames he’d started in a rage.

He’d seen Aaravos do the same only a couple of days later, and then it seemed that Aaravos could see him, too.

Which likely meant Aaravos had done the trick a few times and had been able to see him while he couldn’t.

If only Viren knew that wasn’t the case at all.

“Things are falling into place well. Ezran is too young to lead,” obviously, “and the other kingdoms except Duren want war with Xadia. His refusal to answer their actions with war make him seem weak and impotent. The other kingdoms will declare war on Katolis if he refuses to move on the matter,” Viren folded his arms over his knees, “He will abdicate. He doesn’t have the stomach to damn Katolis, nor does he have the stomach to agree to declare war on Xadia.”

So he’d do nothing.

He’d let someone else do it instead, and believe that made him innocent. Inaction was as damning as action, though. Especially when you knew where it led. It was a lesson Ezran would learn. Perhaps his last lesson.

“Our plan worked,” that much was obvious, “where it wasn’t found out.” He wondered now if Aanya’s mage had found out, too. If so, why wasn’t it being screamed from Duren? Perhaps because they wouldn’t believe a child?

Who knew – he’d just have to hope Duren stayed out of their way.

“Why did you reveal yourself to her?” he asked, a bit annoyed with all of that. “I appreciate you saving my study, but was that necessary?” Of course, if she saw Aaravos already through her magic, perhaps it was pointless to hide him, but…somehow, this felt like knowledge that should have been kept from everyone.

~***~

The morning would be good enough for Alette, as no doubt, she’d be coming back with King Dieter. “Thank you so much, Soren! I appreciate it!” She was gone soon after, no sneaking back into the castle for that night, and returned to her camp, the ride back feeling much longer than it had on the way there. Of course, there were still a thousand questions and doubts weighing her down on the way back which hadn’t been there on the way there. She’d been full of a desire to get answers.

Now that she had them, she didn’t like them.

Not an uncommon problem.

She reconsidered her decision alone in the dark half a dozen times, but by the time she entered the camp and put on her glamor to mask what dark magic had done to her, she was telling Dieter what Evenere and Neolandia had decided, and advising him to go along with it.

By the time she left his side, she was kicking herself for the deceit with such a new king, such a new relationship, and her sleep was plagued by the usual, and the unusual, nightmares. Such was the cost for dark magic, or so Xandros had told her once upon a time. Of course, he also said the nightmares should have stopped, but they hadn’t.

So, she drowned in a sea of a stars and watched the sun die on the horizon, before the light brushes of dawn’s fingers woke her.

At least she could always rely on the sun to save her in reality, and cause the dream to slip from memory.

“Uuugh.”

That did not make her a morning person.

She went about her routine, sipping her tea, until she felt prepared enough to leave her tent and prepare to leave with King Dieter for Katolis. The journey was shorter with his company, and she met Soren quickly enough to get the book (though he almost didn't recognize her with the pink hair), and chat a little more, before she left with it, finding a place to look it over, and try to find what Viren spoke of with regards to Aaravos.

It didn’t take long. As soon as she landed on the page and her eyes alighted on the name, the ink seemed to melt into the page, allowing her to only glean a few words.

Embraced…night-black flame.
…when she…,
… avowed,
… whispered, "Aaravos",

Elarion, black-eyed child,
Her…and far,

“No, no, no! Augh!” Out came the Primal stone, “Lumen!” A flash of light, but no revelations. She went through a repertoire of spells to try and bring the words back, but nothing worked with the stone, and she opted not to do dark magic right there. Better save that for later.

Besides, she knew where to get additional help.

The camp for Evenere was close, and she left a message for Dieter on his horse of where she’d gone before heading that way. She asked for Samir, and was shown his tent – but he wasn’t there. She opted not to wait there for him, but continued through the camp, book in hand, until she spotted him. Unconcerned with what he was doing, or what she may or may not be interrupting, she quietly crept up behind him until she was close enough to wrap her arms around him from behind.

“Hey nerd~,” she greeted cheerfully, and didn’t let go as she tapped the book against his side, since, well, it was still in her hand. “Need your help!” She’d let him go then so he could actually turn around.

 

[cleopat]

“I am pleased to hear that everything is falling into place.” Just as he expected to happen. Viren was competent. He was even smart. He would be able to put forth the pieces necessary for the next steps.

And, since it seemed that war was inevitable, the young King Ezran would abdicate, which likely meant Viren would come to power in his place, and thus lead the war into Xadia.

Perfect.

He chuckled at Viren’s questions. “Why do you ask that? Are you jealous?” Aaravos teased. Of course, now that Viren wasn’t the only dark mage to know of Aaravos, maybe the man was indeed a little bit jealous, no matter how much he may protest. “One day, you’ll find that everything I do is necessary.”

Just bonus points if it seemingly annoyed Viren for no reason.

“She may just be necessary for our future plans,” he added. “Don’t worry, I’m still your little bug pal.”

~~~

Farah didn’t enjoy relaying to her military leaders back at camp the plans for Evenere. There will be a war either way, but they will know soon enough whether that war would be against Xadia or Katolis.

She truly did not hope it was against Katolis.

Farah did not sleep through the night at all, instead staying up throughout the late hours and poured over documents that needed to be read and work that needed to be done. She rarely slept without nightmares anyways, without the help of a draught.

In the morning, Samir came to get Farah to let her know the hour, and to get her to walk around in the fresh air. The tension in the air was not lost on anyone. They would know soon enough of Ezran’s decision.

They paused in their morning stroll, light conversation shifting to a more serious discussion of what to expect from the day.

But their conversation was interrupted by an unexpected arrival. Samir was startled by the sudden arms that wrapped around him, followed by a familiar voice. He groaned at the playful nickname, said in front of his queen nonetheless!

“Alette,” he greeted before he could even turn around to face her. “It’s so nice to see you again.” He wrapped his arms around her in a brief hug before turning his attention back to Farah, who was desperately trying not to laugh at her friend. He gave her an apologetic look. “Alette, this is Queen Farah. Your Grace, this is a good friend of mine, and High Mage of Del Bar.”

Farah smiled at Alette. “It’s nice to meet you.” Though she could have sworn that the woman looked familiar. Maybe their paths had crossed before? It wouldn’t surprise her, if she was indeed a good friend of Samir.

“What is this about you needing help?” Although the timing was a bit bad, he would help her if it was at all possible.

 

[Lucyfer]

Jealous? No.

Not really. Viren did admittedly enjoy the sense of being ‘special’, but he understood practicalities and he wouldn’t let such a thing as that get in the way. Nor give Aaravos that satisfaction. He regretted being able to hear him. Sign language would have been preferable to this, but then he’d have to stay by the mirror at all times, and that just wouldn’t work out.

It also, probably, wouldn’t stop his incessant need to tease.

He was just so damn annoying.

He could only sigh at the comment of being his bug pal. “I ask because I would like to know some of these things you see,” Viren pointed out, but knew it was pointless. Aaravos would reveal things as needed, not when wanted. “I know she’s another dark mage, but she is hardly the only one who will be traveling with us to war.”

There were other options.

Admittedly, he’d prefer not to rope Samir into things, and of the options, she was likely the most…useful one, even without the primal stone. He was still assuming that was the heart of it all, really. “I want to make sure we’re on the same page, that these future plans of yours are still in line with my future plans.” Sure, Aaravos said he was there to serve, but…well, how far?

For how long?

For what cost?

Viren meant what he said, of course. Whatever the price for his goals, he’d pay it…but that didn’t mean he wasn’t curious about what that was. He also knew Aaravos wouldn’t be telling him. Nor would he be telling him if Alette’s use was more for Viren, or more for his own plans.

Viren would just have to wait and see.

~***~

Ah, the Queen.

Whoops!

Alette dropped into a low curtsy as she was introduced, “Your Grace,” she smiled as she lifted up. The woman did seem familiar, but she couldn’t really place her. Then again, she’d run around Evenere enough, it was possible their paths had crossed. She wasn’t a complete stranger in the royal palace, but she didn’t exactly have time for, well, royalty. “It is an honor to meet you,” when she met her eyes, she felt a strong urge to look away.

‘You’re only queen because Fareeda’s dead.’ And she had the red hair Fareeda was known for. She was certain she had to be a relative. Farah was a close enough name; some families were like that. She had to fight that urge so as not to be suspicious, and was given ample enough reason to look away, none too soon, when Samir asked what she needed help with.

‘Aaravos.’

Except, she thought saying the name in front of Farah might also be a bad idea. Best not to spread the information too far, even if she already had an easy cover story for how she found out about it that had nothing to do with Viren’s little bug pal. "I apologize for stealing Samir for a moment, Your Grace," she added, before bringing the book up between them.

“Words disappearing in books,” she answered, opening the book to the same page as before. Thankfully, the poem had restored itself when the book was shut. “There’s a few others, but this is the one I had with me – I think I know what’s in common.”

She wouldn’t look at it, though.

She was curious if the trigger was alighting on the word Aaravos, and she knew where to look for that…so maybe he’d be able to read a lot more, and recognize the trigger without her saying it first. Or maybe not – maybe it would fade as soon as he even started.

 

[cleopat]

Aaravos hummed as Viren admitted his concerns to him. “Oh, I think you worry far too much.” Or maybe he didn’t worry enough. But Aaravos didn’t care about that. He only cared if his plans fell into place, with Viren acting as his agent on the outside.

Once he could get out of the mirror, then he wouldn’t have to worry about Viren anymore or anyone else he draws in as pawns in his grand scheme.

“But don’t worry, your future plans are secure. I know things may seem a little…bleak in this cell, but things are falling into place perfectly. You’ll be out soon, and your own goals will be set forth in motion.” And so would his as they ventured into Xadia.

Maybe with more pawns than he initially anticipated. Maybe there would be setbacks, but for the most part, Aaravos had no worries.

~~~

Samir was admittedly curious about disappearing words in books, but he had also been in mid conversation with Farah. He glanced at her with a questioning look, and she simply nodded at him. Their conversation could wait a few minutes.

She had to wait for an official answer from Katolis before she could go forward with anything anyways.

With a satisfied nod, Samir turned back to Alette. He took the book and glanced at the passage she opened it to. He read over the words, but when it came upon the word ‘Aaravos,’ the passage disappeared. He frowned, hoping the words would reappear after a few seconds, but they didn’t.

“How peculiar,” he muttered. “I take it you’ve already tried a few illuminating spells on it?” He was certain she did, but it never hurt to ask.

And that word he read when the words on paper disappeared. Aaravos. What is a place? A person? Something else? “What’s Aaravos?” he had to ask.

 

[Lucyfer]

Aaravos wasn’t wrong. Viren knew he would be out soon, and then, they would march on Xadia, kill the dragon prince, and make sure Xadia never rose against humanity ever again. Payback, for all the years living in fear of them, just because they tried to live with comforts and dignity. Viren sighed and shut his eyes, impatient, but aware he had to wait.

He would wait.

“No point in staying up anxious about it,” and there was little to do in the cell other than eat and sleep. There wasn’t even room to pace. He was definitely not afforded the luxury cell…not that there were any. He supposed it was better than what he gave the moon elf and Gren. They hadn’t even had the opportunity to move around at all.

“Fine,” more to himself, he kicked up his feet and laid back down on the cot, “Next time, at least wake me up before you go off.” He opened his eyes to look at the ceiling, the window that let moonlight in. Kasef, Dieter, and Farah would be united against Ezran. Ezran would abdicate. He would move on to Xadia. The dragon prince would perish.

Then….

Well, that’s where he wasn’t sure, exactly.

But it would be figured out. He had always worked well under stress.

That’s likely why this waiting was annoying. He had all this stress and nothing to do.

~***~

The words vanished for Samir as well, but not as quickly. Of course, Alette had been looking specifically for the name, so when she saw it, that was when she began to pay attention to the rest of the words – and it was too late by then for her to discern anything about the context. She nodded as he asked, “Several, but only with the primal stone so far,” she answered, “That’s what I tend to use for revelations, so my knowledge on the dark magic here isn’t as great.”

Not a lie at all, though she had ways with dark magic. This was different then trying to recall memories people lived, or rewind time, though. This was an actual enchantment, which he figured out the name all too easily.

Good.

Another nod, “Mm. I’ve figured out it’s a ‘who’ – I think,” she said, “they appear in a few other books on Xadia’s history, but every time it starts to fade before I can get anywhere with it. I stumbled upon it by chance,” she laughed, which also, wasn’t a lie. The book part was. Stumbling upon Aaravos himself was not, but she wasn't explaining that with any honesty anytime soon. Definitely not in front of Farah. Samir maybe, except she doubted he would be as understanding. He had some weird bias against Viren, “and now I’m obsessed, so I need to know who this was that’s been cursed to oblivion.”

It probably wasn’t humans.

So far as Alette was aware, dark magic couldn’t curse like this, through generation upon generation, damning a single name in every appearance. But what magic was it? Moon or Star, she was certain it had to be narrowed down to those two. “Will you help? Please,” she drew it out a little, “You’re the best at this stuff.”

 

[cleopat]

“Don’t worry, I won’t be leaving so soon,” Aaravos chuckled. No, this time he intended to stay and see things pan out from the comfort of Viren’s ear.

Though, he did have a few plans of his own to finally act out on.

Aaravos crawled up Viren’s face and to his eye. “Don’t panic, this is all according to the plan,” he assured the man. He began to spin his little web over Viren’s eye, a web that will eventually be removed and allow Viren to see a form of Aaravos right in front of him.

While being a mere voice in Viren’s ear was acceptable, wouldn’t Aaravos gain more trust if the man could see the Startouch elf right in front of him? And it would be easier for certain…events to play out, once Viren did get out of the cell and into Xadia with his army.

“You are destined for greatness.” Aaravos backed off Viren’s face once the web was spun, and now they would wait. Wait for the web to be ready to pull off, wait for the plans to continue forward in action, and wait to get out of here once the young king abdicated his throne.

~~~

A name cursed for generations, destined to fade at its mere mention? Samir hadn’t heard of such a fate before, and he began to wonder if any dark magic he knew would be suitable to reverse this curse on the page.

Damn, he was insanely curious to learn more as well. And it didn’t help that Alette knew how to soften him.

He turned toward Farah with an apologetic expression on his face. Already sensing what he was about to ask, she chuckled and waved him off with a hand. “I’ll be in my tent when you’re done. I’m just playing a waiting game for now anyways.”

Samir nodded and watched as she walked off, a look on his face for a split second before he turned back to Alette. “Now, tell me exactly what you know about this Aaravos. I think you know more than you’re letting on.” And now with Farah gone, he hoped she would open up more about what it is she knew exactly.

He began to walk off, and waved to her to follow him. “I have a tent we can use for privacy, and I may have a few items I can use to try and make this poem reappear.” But if this curse was so strong that every mention of this Aaravos disappeared, Samir didn’t have much hope that what he had with him would do much good. He wasn’t in his study back in Evenere, after all.

 

[Lucyfer]

Viren was not a fan of what Aaravos chose to do. He had to keep his eye open while he put some webbing over his eye. Viren understood – but that didn’t make it less agonizing in a way. He needed to blink. It was a frustrating feeling – but he stayed still, eye tracking the progress as Aaravos moved over his eye.

It was done, after only too long, and he let out a relieved sigh, closing his eye and trying not to soak in the words Aaravos said. A part of his mind understood they were the words he'd say if he wanted something of someone.

But they were still so effective because people wanted to believe them. He wanted to believe them. That was always the problem with those little phrases - the person wanted to believe they were true.

And why not? Did Viren not figure out the mirror? Had he not set all of this into motion. He would save humanity.

He was destined for it.

Right now, he just had to resist the urge to wipe at his eye, “Do you want to explain that?” he groaned, when at last the nuisance of it had faded away, and he had blinked enough times to feel like his eye wasn’t going to dry out and wither away within its socket. “Or is this another wait and see situation?”

~***~

Alette could only chuckle a little at the exchange between Samir and His Queen. “Thank you, Your Majesty!” she called after, not apologetic, but certainly grateful to have Samir’s full attention on the project at hand. She needed to know more, and the sooner, the better. Not that it was going to change things immediately, but if this was…well, bad, she might be able to do something about it before it spiralled out of control. She liked Viren, and she knew he was smart, but there was something wrong with this entire situation based on the simple fact Viren was listening to someone without knowing their motives.

So, with some freedom to talk as they headed back for the tent, Alette spun her lie, “Did I ever tell you about the bug I sent to Viren?” No, of course not, because that never happened, but she would have to work this bug custody thing into the story anyways since that’s what Soren knew, and that was what Claudia would know, and it would continue to be A Thing because the bug was Aaravos and she was going to talk to it more. “I found two interesting bugs – both tied to the Star Arcana. I kept the spider until I had to use it, but I sent the caterpillar to Viren so he could look into it more, because I couldn’t identify it.”

“Anyways,” she waved it off, “finally figured out it’s called the Aaravos caterpillar, and as you can imagine…figuring that out meant finding out about the whole name disappearing thing. I thought it was just the caterpillar, but then I figured out the caterpillar was actually named after an elf,” they reached the tent, and she took the first seat she saw, “Ten gold says they’re a startouch elf,” she smirked, but it faltered into a sigh.

“I don’t have much more than that,” she confessed, “I was hoping Viren did. I actually raided his study last night to try and find my bug and information,” she chuckled, “I got found by his son after I maybe set off a spell and knocked myself out,” she put a hand behind her head in embarrassment, as well as with the phantom pain from getting knocked out, “he also thinks there’s a startouch elf involved, but he couldn’t figure anything else about the namesake, so that’s why I’m here now. Viren couldn’t help me, so I’m hoping you can.”

What more would Samir like than showing up Viren? Nothing. Alette really was counting on that to push him through without asking many more questions. Curiosity was, after all, the deadly curse of all mages. It wasn’t strange that Alette would go digging after finding a name that vanished in the first place. He just needed to know how she got to it.

Now he did – bug pal wrapped up nicely in the lie so she could show him off later without it being weird.

~***~

The day would not go on too long before decisions were made behind the stone walls of Katolis’s castle. King Ezran chose to abdicate in favor of Viren, to avoid the other three kingdoms striking at his throne. He knew what it would lead to…but thought he could deal with that. He had more time…theoretically.

And Viren promised that all who did not want to fight, could leave. They would not be forced to go along with it.

The young king hoped that would spare innocent lives. Not that the others weren’t, in their way, innocent – fighting for Katolis, in a war they didn’t need to fight…but nonetheless with home and family in their hearts. How could he hate them for that?

How could he hate Viren?

Yet, the boy did not like him as he went into his cell.

Messengers would hardly be relaying the details or what weighed on the hearts of those involved.

They would only hurry to each campsite to deliver the messages.

The one that stumbled into Queen Farah’s campsite was the Associate Crow Lord himself, since, well, he didn’t have crows trained to fly so close, which meant he got stuck with the job of running the messages himself. He did take a crow with him, though, and she remained perched on his shoulder as a kind of symbol of his office as he asked the guards to take him to Queen Farah so he could deliver the message.

Thankfully there was little fuss over that, and he was allowed into her tent, “Your Majesty,” he bowed at the sight of her, even though the crow immediately began to fuss with the movement, and pulled at a few strands of hair, “Ow–ow, sorry,” he straightened up, reached a hand to stroke the crow – and had it nipped for the effort. He winced again and drew his hand back, saw Farah, and tried to compose himself as, well, proper.

“I am the Associate Crow Lord of Katolis with a message for you. King Ezran has abdicated the Throne. There will be a ceremony to crown the new monarch shortly, your attendance is requested.” He moved a hand over his heart as he spoke, though seemed quite uncertain about the gesture all the same. “I, uh, would have sent a crow but they’re not really trained for short flights, and they didn’t…really know the destinations…so, sorry I don’t have an official letter with a seal to present, but I assure you, I come with no lies.”

 

[cleopat]

Aaravos simply chuckled at Viren’s questions. “Another wait and see situation, but you’ll see for yourself very soon what this is all about. Sooner than our other plans that are in motion.”

And soon Viren shall see, for Aaravos directed Viren to remove the web from his eye right before the guards came to free him and put the young king in the same cell. His spiritual form passed through the cell bars and gave a flourishing bow to Viren. “In the flesh, so to speak.”

Viren would still need the bug to hear Aaravos, but now he could also see him, which made things easier for Aaravos. It’s easier to communicate with someone when one could actually see them.

And Aaravos was there when Viren was freed from the cell, and he was there as the mage went to claim the throne as his. Now with the power of the crown, they could march into Xadia with the Katolis army, and the armies of those that chose to follow them to enact revenge upon Xadia.

~~~

Samir gave Alette a look as she began her explanation. No, she didn’t tell him about the bug, but he assumed that it just slipped her mind in her absentmindedness. Nevertheless, he listened carefully as Alette explained the situation.

The Aaravos caterpillar…he had never heard of such a thing. But if it was Xadia in origin, and named after an elf, it wouldn’t surprise him to have never heard of it.

At the mention of Viren’s name, Samir scoffed with a wave of his hand. “Of course he couldn’t help you. He lacks the expertise in that area.” Though, Samir didn’t know how helpful he would be either. “I take it you couldn’t find your little bug?” he asked with a raised brow. She did come to him empty handed, save for the book she presented to him.

Having the bug would be a lot more useful for him.

“I’m honestly not sure how helpful I’ll be in this situation,” he sighed, shaking his head. He placed the book on a desk, opened to the poem. “This sounds like a powerful curse, whatever it is damning simply a name to obscurity in every text. There is one spell I would like to try over the text…” Samir’s words faded as he searched the small inventory of items he brought with him to Katolis. He smiled as he paused over a jar holding a couple of fireflies from deep in the Evenere swamps.

He took one from the jar in a closed fist, which he brought over to the book. Crushing the firefly in his fist, he uttered a spell, but nothing reappeared on the page. It remained blank. He sighed and shook his head. “I don’t think I can offer much without actually seeing this caterpillar. In the meantime, I can try and research the matter when I have time.”

But with the looming war and helping Queen Farah, he wouldn’t have much free time to do that.

~~~

The guard that came into Farah’s tent interrupted her from her thoughts, as she found herself lost in so often nowadays. Thoughts of if she was making the right decision, of what her sister would do, of how much she missed her sister…

With a sigh, she looked up at the guard with a simple motion that signaled for him to speak. “The Associate Crow Lord of Katolis is here to deliver a message, Your Majesty.”

Oh, so a decision has been made. With a nod, Farah told the guard to let him enter.

And enter he did with quite the entrance, the crow on his shoulder fussing with the young man, who seemed to be struggling. She couldn’t help the smile that appeared at the situation, as with everything going on, it was entertaining.

The smile vanished as he began relaying the news to her that King Ezran abdicated the throne. “He actually did it,” she muttered as she breathed a sigh of relief. Relief that the young boy decided he should wait to become king. Relief that she wouldn’t have to declare war on Katolis and fight the young king’s army.

She still hated the entire situation, but in her eyes, this was the better option.

Farah smiled at the Crow Lord’s apology. “It’s alright, I understand. Thank you for letting me know. I shall be there.” Now that there would be no war, she had no reason to not come, though she wondered if those who worked in the castle would still be better at Evenere over the threat of war. No worries, she could handle the glares.

Though she did assume it was Viren who assumed the crown, she had to ask, “Who was named the new monarch?”

 

[Lucyfer]

Alette kept the grin off her face at how Samir reacted to Viren. Well – not completely, but enough of it so that it was only the normal amused reaction at the petty rivalry. “I know, I know, I just thought he’d have an idea since he’s, you know, older,” she sighed, as that apparently hadn’t worked out.

It meant Samir was on the case, though!

“And no – but I told Viren I want it back, so once he gets out of this, I should get my bug pal back,” yeah, that was going to remain a thing. “Then I can let you see it,” and study it, a little, of course. Whether or not it would help was debatable, but it would absolutely help with her lie, so it had to continue.

After all, the firefly trick didn’t work. “I appreciate your help. As soon as I get the caterpillar back, I’ll show you,” she promised, “and until then, you can borrow the book and work on it, just…try not to destroy it?” She really should return it to the Katolis library, in one piece. Otherwise she’d have to find a new one, and something told her that wasn’t going to be too easy. How many books had information on Elarion?

She’d stay to watch a little longer, and chat a bit more, while trying not to drift off. It was always too easy to do so around a few people, and Samir was one of those people that she knew if she fell asleep around him, she’d have a nightmare-less sleep. There’d be none of that, though, even if she’d chosen to do so. They were interrupted by the message that Ezran had abdicated.

Alette was quick to bid her farewells to Samir and left the book behind to catch up with King Dieter, apologetic at the sight of him, though he didn’t look upset, thankfully. He was a new king, she didn’t yet have a good feel for him and how temperamental he’d be. “Where’s the book you were so excited about?”

“I’m letting Samir borrow it,” she said, “he’s helping me with some research.” Dieter gestured for her to walk with him, and she did. There was almost something comical, really, about it. Dieter’s crownguards were notably smaller than him, and Alette smaller still, while Dieter towered over them, tall and broad, with shaggy dark hair, and the attire more of a warrior than a king.

His crownguard looked more royal than he did. Even Alette seemed more regal, but then again, Dieter didn’t exactly come from royal blood.

“Anything that’s going to help with this war?”

“Maybe, but that’s not the intention.”

Dieter huffed.

Alette held up her hands, “Don’t worry, I’m plenty prepared for war and I have numerous ingredients to help,” they walked back to Katolis castle together, “Do we know who’s stepping up?”

“That’s a point of contention,” Dieter answered as they stepped in, “but only among a few. Ezran said he was abdicating to Viren.” As they stepped into the castle, the Katolis crownguard lead them towards the throne room, already starting to fill with Katolis nobles and others from the neighboring kingdoms.

They took their place in the room, and indeed, Alette could feel some of that tension, mostly coming from a woman robed in white and a few people around her.

~***~

The Crow Lord Associate was relieved with being forgiven this oversight, and glad that Farah would be there. One down, two more to go! At least their encampments weren’t too far from each other. Well, that was both a good thing and a bad thing; it showed how unified they had been in waging war against Katolis.

Didn’t really make him feel too great to be in there.

At Farah’s question, he shifted his weight a bit, “Well, that’s…that’s complicated,” the Crow Lord Associate noted, “You see, Ezran abdicated, so technically the Head Council should decide since Ezran didn’t name a regent, but he released Viren as one of his last acts, and suggested Viren take over, so,” another shift, “it’s not clear, really.”

Opeli was going to challenge it. The Crow Lord knew that, as well as he knew that Viren wasn’t going to care, and he didn’t know what was going to happen, but he was pretty sure that was why he’d been sent to get all of these other monarchs, because they would back Viren, and with that kind of pressure, Opeli would be powerless.

He didn’t like it.

He favored Opeli if he was honest, but Viren was scary. “So I—answers should be finalized in the throne room, between, ah, Viren and the Head Council of Katolis. I—I presume the situation we’re in will dictate a few things.” Such as going off script in such a way. “If you’ll excuse me, I still need to deliver the message to Del Bar and Neolandia.”

He would bow and prepare to head out with that.

~***~

Viren was able to see Aaravos. He arched a brow, but didn’t complain. This was useful. For some things, it was better to be able to see and visualize it, rather than just be instructed with words only.

Although, he was unlikely to need either when Ezran came to his cell and released him, taking his own place. He offered a paltry apology he really didn’t mean – something Ezran called him on. Perhaps he should have insisted, made a greater show of hating deposing Harrow’s child…but he didn’t.

“No, I’m not."

He left Ezran with that non-apology as he made arrangements to have the message sent to the other kingdoms, all too aware even without Aaravos’s warning that Opeli would be scheming against him. Abdication was not the same as appointing a regent. Viren understood what it meant, and what Opeli would try to pull, but with the weight of the other kingdoms there, it would fail.

And then he’d just have Opeli imprisoned for treason and executed.

She’d been a thorn in his side for too many years as it was. He’d have to do that later, though. For now, dressed, with his staff once again in hand, and his son acting as his crownguard, he returned to the throne room that was filling with people from Katolis, and their warmongering neighbors.

He preferred those faces, and his eyes did move over monarchs, picking out Dieter easily by Alette, the only one he hadn’t seen, before alighting on the others as he spoke, “The sun has dawned on a new day for humanity, and a new leadership in Katolis. I thank you all for gathering for this momentous occasion as we prepare to step into a new era, where we will no longer—”

“You can’t do this, Viren!”

Opeli.

Of course.

He just sighed and shifted his attention to the nuisance as she marched out from the sidelines. “We have laws! Ezran abdicated, which means an orphan must ascend.”

“My parents are dead,” Viren pointed out.

Opeli just glared at him. “You know that’s not what it means.”

Viren wouldn’t agree. Instead, he glanced out at the gathered, “Does anyone else share Opeli’s concern about my ascent?”

He knew no one would speak to agree with Opeli.

They would be silenced by the enemies in the room, dressed in the colors of all the other kingdoms.

 

[cleopat]

Samir would indeed set upon the task of working on the book in his spare time, utilizing any spell he could think of to try and make the words that disappear to stay on the page, all while trying to not destroy the book.

And he was doing that as Farah came and visited him, and he would continue to do so after she left for the castle with her head of the crownguard after a brief conversation regarding the little task Alette asked of him, and after discussing the subject of Ezran’s abdication and Farah leaving for the castle to see the new monarch crowned. Samir decided to stay behind, which was fine by Farah.

She didn’t think she would stay very long, depending on how things go down in the crown room, and she had her crownguard with her should anything happen.

Farah wasn’t pleased to hear that there was some contention over who should wear the crown of Katolis. In her eyes, the man who was close to King Harrow, and his most trusted advisor, was the logical successor. But this wasn’t her kingdom, so she couldn’t actually contest the throne.

Maybe she could throw in her opinion though, if others would listen to her.

Farah filed into the throne room right before Viren began to speak, and just as Opeli voiced her disagreement. There was an uncomfortable silence that followed, as no one dared to speak up in support of Opeli. Not with the other kingdoms in the throne room who disagreed with her.

With the silence, Farah felt the desire to speak out in support of Viren. “I received word that one of Ezran’s last acts before he abdicated was to suggest that Lord Viren should take the crown.” Her gaze glanced from Viren to Opeli. Oh how she could feel the icy glare of the woman. “I say we honor those wishes since he was still king at the time.”

She heard a murmur of agreement from the room, but she couldn’t see who it came from as her stare didn’t waver from Opeli.

Nor did she see the smirk that came from the spectral form of the Startouch elf currently bound to Viren. He leaned against the throne, watching the events unfold before him. All like he had expected. His gaze paused on Alette for a moment, recalling his earlier interaction with her, before refocusing on the scene developing.

Humans were so entertaining and predictable.

 

[Lucyfer]

Viren anticipated silence. When Farah spoke, he was mildly surprised, but not at all disappointed as she pointed out what Ezran’s last will had been. Opeli gave her such a poisonous look, it was rather delightful. “There you have it, Opeli,” he turned from the crowd, towards the throne and the crown, where he could see Aaravos but he would not look at him as he reached for the crown.

“You’re not above the law, Viren!” Opeli tried to snap, but she had already lost. That much was obvious as he put the crown on, and looked towards her.

“I believe you have misjudged this situation terribly,” with the crown on his head, it was very easy to add, “I am the law.”

The way color left Opeli’s face was quite pleasing, especially as someone of Neolandia cried out, “King Viren!” which was followed by a few others of Katolis and Neolandia, most of all. She stepped back into the crowd, and he knew, she would be leaving. She would be looking for a way to get Ezran out, but he would deal with that later. Opeli wasn’t a major problem; there was nothing she could do to oust him, and she would have no more power in Katolis.

He raised his hand to silence the cries, “Thank you, all of you, for coming together to witness this, and coming together to do what is right, and what must be done, to protect humanity. Together, we will march on Xadia. Tonight, I will rally Katolis’s forces, and the day after tomorrow, we will move.”

It took time to rally and prepare. There was also the war meetings, and strategy, before leaving, but it would happen quickly. They would all have to agree on a route, after all. There was more than one into Xadia, but for an army of this size…some would not be possible. He would have all the monarchs gathered soon for those meetings, once he knew what the Katolis force looked like, when any cowards who didn’t want to fight left. He was hoping none would, but he already saw the weak stomachs of some, like Ezran and Opeli.

There would be others who fell victim to their own weakness.

They’d be better without them. Ezran’s last request was a boon, not a bane.

“If I may have a moment more of your time, I would like to speak with the monarchs of the other kingdoms, so we may all be on the same page.”

The room began to clear, and Viren rose from his throne, already moving to approach Farah first, a kind smile on his lips. Genuine. He was grateful, “Your Majesty,” he greeted, “I appreciate you speaking up to remind Opeli of Ezran’s will. She is distraught with all of this, of course – a stickler for the law, and not understanding the need to be flexible in emergency situations.”

Soren and Claudia, of course, did not leave with the others; Soren stayed near his dad, though did cast a few looks at people who were lingering and were not royalty.



Alette didn’t intend to leave without her bug – well, Viren’s bug, but she’d forever get to claim it was hers in public, which was fun. “I’ll leave you to the meeting in a moment, I just need to get something from Viren.”

“You really think he brought the bug with him?”

“If he didn’t, he can send Claudia to help me find it,” Alette shrugged.

Dieter just chuckled and shook his head, “There is a lot I’ve yet to learn about you mages.” Alette grinned.

“You’ll have plenty of time,” she clapped a hand over his upper arm, before moving away to go bother Viren, only to be briefly waylaid by, well, Soren.

“Sorry, Alette,” Soren kept some distance so he wouldn’t be interrupting his father’s Obviously Important conversation, “I don’t think you’re included on the guest list.”

“Oh! I don’t plan to stay, I just want my bug pal back for a bit.”

Soren’s expression screwed up in confusion a moment, “Oh right!” the bug. The bug she left with Viren the night before, for…some reason. “I’m not sure he has it here with him,” seemed weird, “uh,” how did he even go about interrupting his dad for a weird bug? Instead, he motioned to Claudia.

She understood mage stuff.

 

[cleopat]

Opeli was of no more concern to Farah as no one voiced any agreement with her. Instead, everyone else remained silent as the exchange happened. She disregarded Opeli in her vocal loss and instead turned her focus back on Viren, who easily exuded power as he placed the crown on his head.

It was a good look for him.

She didn’t join in on the chorus cheering for the new King Viren, but she did smile at him. From first meeting him on the other side of cell bars to seeing their plan in fruition, the march into Xadia would come next, after discussing with the other monarchs their plans and strategies.

Farah had hope for what came next, and the ensuing battles. They will be victorious. There was no other option for her. Those that killed her sister must pay.

Upon Viren announcing that he wanted to speak with the monarchs, Farah looked over to the crownguard with her and instructed him to wait near the door for her. He hesitated a moment before nodding. The odds of any great threat present in the room after most of the other people left were very low, but never zero. But he did as instructed.

Not even a second later Viren approached her, and she greeted him with a smile. “It was no trouble at all. She was acting too much on emotion, and she just needed a reminder on who should be currently wearing the crown based on the wishes of the previous king.” Even if said previous king was only king for a few days.

“I imagine there is a lot of tension in the halls of this castle these days.” A very fact that was evident in the way they first spoke with one another - with Viren thrown in a cell for doing what he thought was right.

Turns out, he was.




Claudia had been watching her father interact with the new Queen of Evenere from a distance when Soren began to motion her over. She bounced over, “What’s up Sor-bear?”

Soren looked between the women, unsure of how exactly to phrase the question, because the question in general sounded ridiculous to him. “High Mage Alette here wants to…get her bug pal back from dad.”

Claudia, who did not yet know of the bug situation, gave a funny look. “Dad’s…bug pal? Dad never told me he had a bug pal.” Sure, he had bugs, but never had he mentioned any of them actually being a…pal.




Aaravos had been watching Viren talk to the other monarchs, before his attention diverted over to Alette, whatever it was she was trying to do, and to Viren’s children. He overheard the use of the term ‘bug pal,’ and he frowned. There was no doubt that was him they were talking about.

He stood next to Alette, not that the woman could see him. “Are you planning on taking me away?” he asked, as if she could respond.

Maybe it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

He could further gauge her in general, to see how she compared as a practitioner of dark magic to Viren. And she seemed more interesting to talk to, but would she be as enjoyable to annoy?

 

[Lucyfer]

Viren could only sigh at the remark about tension in the halls. There was, more than he realized, as lines had been drawn while he was in his cell, and only intensified as he came out of it. “There is, but that is to be expected. Ezran is beloved, and this shift has not changed that, nor would I want it to. I’ve made some concessions to Ezran as well that I must complete tonight, or we would march sooner.”

He wanted to be moving already.

“The first is allowing any knight of soldier of Katolis who does not want to participate the ability to leave without consequence,” there’d be consequences later. He’d have a full list of them, but he’d make it seem as if there wouldn’t be for now, and deal with it later.

“A tedious ordeal, but given Ezran’s own stance, it can’t be helped. He still imagines peace is possible with the elves that killed his own father,” which really was stupid. Even if he might not be wrong, given what he and Callum had stolen from him.

Then he heard another voice, not from one of the monarchs, and did his best to ignore hearing Aaravos’s commentary on the Alette situation, which now involved Claudia. He did take a glance at it out of the corner of his eye. Of course, the one who knew about the fucking dragon egg was going to remain a nuisance.

Did he ignore it or did he interrupt it? Decisions, decisions.

Prince Kasef and King Dieter approached, Dieter looking a bit amused himself, so Viren supposed there was going to be no ignoring it. “Apologies about Alette, Your Grace,” Dieter introduced first, “I think your daughter is handling it – something about getting back a bug from you,” Dieter waved it off as if it was nothing.

Certainly, something Claudia could handle.

If only. It wasn’t some bug in his study, though. ‘Do you want to go?’ He couldn’t ask Aaravos that, because he couldn’t talk to the bug in public without looking crazy. “I know the bug she’s talking about,” he sighed, “Excuse me, Claudia isn’t aware of this yet.” He was rolling his eyes as he turned away, exasperated with this.

Damn Aaravos.

Kasef just looked annoyed, and glanced at Dieter. “Bug?”

Dieter shrugged, “Mages.” He didn’t get it either.



‘Sor-bear, aww.’ Alette would not fawn over the siblings being siblings. She’d never had a sibling. She was jealous of it. She was always jealous of it. Alette could only giggle at the confusion from Claudia, “He probably doesn’t call it a bug pal,” she said, “but he had very clear instructions not to kill it when I lent it to him to research. It’s tied to the star arcana.”

“Ooo!” Claudia was excited by that, “He never told me about that, but I’m sure it can’t be too hard to find in his study.”

“Yeah, it’s purple,” Soren noted.

“Wait, you’ve already seen it and you didn’t tell me?” there was a whine in her voice, “Soren!”

“I’m sorry! There was a lot going on and I kinda forgot about it,” obviously. “It’s probably somewhere back in his study though,” because why would Viren have it here, “we can go ask dad where—” but Viren was joining them, and Soren straightened up. He was going to be professional.

Claudia was not, grabbing his arm, “Dad you have a bug pal?”

Viren could not have looked more dead inside if he tried. “I have a bug,” he said, not agreeing that it was a pal, because he was not joining this stupid game, “I brought it with me, Alette. I didn’t forget,” and he plucked Aaravos off from behind his ear to offer out to her, which she took willingly enough.

“Oh, it is purple! Dad how come you never told me about this one?” Claudia pouted.

Viren just sighed.

“Right? It’s cute,” Alette agreed, opting to go ahead and casually put it to her ear so that there’d be no problems there, “Thank you, Viren~,” sing-song, and not title, which visibly agitated him, but then, he’d always just be Viren to her. “I’ll get out of your hair now,” she did at least bow for her departure.

 

[cleopat]

Farah looked amused as Viren walked over to his children and Alette. “Bug?” she echoed, but neither Kasef nor Dieter knew what was going on either. Kasef just looked annoyed, which Farah was convinced was his natural state, and Dieter actually looked entertained.

But as she swore she heard the phrase ‘bug pal,’ Farah needed to know what was going on.

As she politely excused herself from Kasef and Dieter, she walked over to where Viren was, and caught as he removed a…bug? From his ear and gave it to Alette. Farah gave Alette a nod as the mage left, and she turned back to the group, amusement still clear on her face. “Bug pal?”

Maybe it was some mage thing she simply didn’t understand, but as far as she knew, Samir didn’t call any of his bugs in his collection ‘pals.’ They were all used in his spells.

Unless this was just a spell she didn’t understand, which could also be very likely.

“He didn’t tell me about this either,” Claudia complained with a slight whine in her voice.

~~~

Up until the moment he was traded off, Aaravos remained silent, watching the entire scene with mild fascination. Though he wasn’t as amused with being handed off without his permission. Like he was some child’s toy. Or an actual bug.

“Does this amuse you?” he asked Alette with a huff. As she walked off, his spectral form remained in the throne room, debating if there was any point in following her or staying behind. For now, he opted to keep his spectral form near Viren, so he would still know what was going on in the politics of the human kingdoms as they discussed marching on Xadia.

“At least it’s a common consensus that I’m apparently cute,” he said with mild amusement. Even if it was for his worm form, but he still remembered an earlier comment she made on his true form.

After hundreds of years, it was nice to hear such comments, but he would never dare to admit such a thing.

 

[Lucyfer]

Viren finally sighed and put a hand to his head, when Farah repeated ‘bug pal’. Why was this his day, his coronation? And why was Aaravos still there, looking that way? “He is not my bug pal, that is just the term Alette has chosen to use. I don’t dictate how other mages term their…bugs.” Why was this his life? Why was it a bug?

He lowered his hand, glancing to Claudia, “I apologize for not telling you about it, I only came into possession of it fairly recently. You and Soren had already gone on your venture by then,” and then he was in prison, “I am certain you will have ample opportunity to look it over if you like.”

“I will,” Claudia almost sounded vicious, “I am going to examine the crap out of it!”

Viren sighed again, and turned to Farah, “I would rather not discuss bugs or such things as that. They have their use, and I am certain my magic will prove immensely useful as we go forward, but the nature of one particular bug is of no consequence to the future of our campaign.” The fact it probably was, was not lost on Viren.

He hated that fact.

The others, of course, could not know how important the bug was, or even what he truly was. The fact he had to play this maddening game with Alette because she’d found out the secret would be a trial in frustration, and an immense test of his patience, which was wearing thinner every day.

~***~

“Should it not amuse me?” Alette asked aloud. The hallway was empty as she made her way out of the castle, so why not talk to the bug who was obviously annoyed? And also liked knowing the form chosen was cute. “You’d be amused in my shoes, admit it,” she teased, “We are going to have to work out this custody agreement, and I’m willing to humor a favorable one for you, but I also need to show you to another mage friend of mine. I’d suggest not talking to them so you don’t blow the wonderful story Viren and I have worked out on the fly.” It was actually rather interesting how well that worked out.

Interesting, and definitely to her advantage for custody.

In a bit, of course. She still wanted to just talk to Aaravos, although she doubted she was going to get any more answers than before. “I did find the books with your name in it. You must have done something quite heinous to be damned to oblivion.”

What he did was also, apparently, erased from memory, because the worst thing Alette knew was the destruction of Elarion. What could be worse to that? Well…perhaps nothing by human standards, but elf ones were another matter. “But I suppose you’re still not going to tell me anything, even though I did go talk to Viren, are you? Not really making yourself look good with that, you know.”

Less reason for her to be favorable about the custody, as she got outside the palace and went to where she left her horse.

 

[cleopat]

Sensing his frustration and irritation at the situation, Farah nodded and accepted the change in conversation. “Of course. We have much more important matters to discuss, after all.” Such as rallying their troops, and the best path to take into Xadia.

Soren took this as a sign to usher out Claudia. Despite now being the daughter of a king, he highly doubted the monarchs’ conversation included them. Even Soren would stand a bit away from them, just close enough to protect Viren should something happen. “Alright, time to go.”

“Ugh, fine,” Claudia relented. “But I expect more of that bug later!” she called out to her father before she departed.

Farah smiled, but as promised, she wouldn’t make any further comments on the matter of the bug. “Now, I believe we were discussing our armies?”

“Ugh, finally,” Prince Kasef huffed, not amused at all at the situation that unfolded. They should have been discussing the war the entire time, not get sidetracked by mere bugs!

~~~

Aaravos would not humor her and admit that a reverse of their situation would be amusing.

Any human as a bug to him would indeed be vastly amusing.

“Oh? So you’re going to show me off to a friend like I am indeed some pet of yours?” This he didn’t like either, and he almost entertained the thought of not remaining silent in the presence of another mage. “There will be something in this for me if I do humor you and stay quiet.”

Aaravos will figure something out.

And he did not say anything concerning what he had done in the past. “Or something heinous was done to me, unjustly.” Which, in his eyes, was what was done.

A heinous crime of imprisonment for the remainder of his days.

“Oh, but isn’t it more fun to try and piece together this puzzle yourself?” he teased. “I think you would rather find the answers yourself, rather than have it all delivered right to you with no effort whatsoever.”

One day Alette may know the truth, but for now…this was more fun. Especially since he was being passed around from human to human.

 

[Lucyfer]

Viren would not be giving Claudia more on the bug later. She could bother Alette for that. Or anyone else who was not him, for that matter. He was relieved that no one else in the room wanted to carry on the bug conversation. Or, if they did, they were willing to relegate it for later.

“Yes, thank you,” he moved then to a table he’d had set up earlier, but which had been well hidden by the mass of bodies. It had a full map upon it, and pieces for armies. Ezran had been using it to measure the fate of Katolis against the three armies aligned against him and his people, and made the smart decision. “As you can see, I have begun to account for those of you present, but I do not have exact numbers for what your forces hold.”

Viren looked up from the map, “I will need that, in order to pick the best route into Xadia. There are a few different ones, but not all are easy to traverse, and I have a feeling we will need to take the one closest to the Sunfire Elf lands, but I would rather be certain of that.”

“We aren’t going to sail?” Dieter asked, “That would be the easiest way. Less harm on the sea.”

“Less speed, as well,” Viren said, “and time is of the essence. I am aware that Xadia is mustering its forces for an attack here,” he gestured on the map to where Thunder had once reigned, a marker familiar to plenty. All humans knew of Thunder, the Dragon King. All had known the areas to fear, even if they did not cross into those lands.

Or, well, at least their leaders knew.

“If we can strike hard, and fast, we can disrupt them before they are prepared.”

“How are you so certain of this?” Dieter asked.

“The night King Harrow was attacked…,” Viren sighed, “I was able to capture one of the assassins and get information out of him,” he lied, “That was why I was in such a rush with calling for the Pentarchy as well, I knew our time was limited.”

But no one listened to him. No one, until now, of course.

Dieter still frowned, “Crossing those lands will lead to a fight…that will slow us.”

“Not if they’ve all gone towards that meeting,” Kasef said, “then we might even catch them on their march and eliminate them before they know what hit them,” he punched one fist into his hand, “we certainly outnumber them with Neolandia’s forces alone,” he boasted.

~***~

“I believe your prize is that your little game with Viren remains a secret. If you want to talk to my friend, by all means,” Alette chuckled, “I’ll just spill the whole truth to them, while you’re at it,” was it smart to remind this bug, who was a probably immensely powerful elf, that she could speak about things at any second? No.

Except it also was, because they didn’t really want to blow their own plan, did they? “You won’t find Samir as…sympathetic to Viren’s cause, I assure you.” Alette wondered at her own sympathies as she got the horse’s reins untied and led the mare out, not yet mounting it. “And as much as I love a puzzle, I’d still prefer truths in time sensitive situations.”

Which she still considered this pending war to be.

“But I already know you’re not going to say anything,” she’d figured that out. “which is why I have to introduce you to my friend who’s helping me with the puzzle. You’ve really just brought this on yourself, but maybe I’ll let you decide your little pet name, as my gift to you, my little starling,” starling probably wasn’t it, but it was cute.

“I can’t go around calling you Aaravos. I said that was the name of the caterpillar’s species – the Aaravos Caterpillar, named after you, since you’re such an infamous figure. And since we are going with this bug pal, pet, scenario…I should give you a proper name, don’t you think? So, what would you like to be called so we don’t give away the game, hm?”

There. Debt for silence paid. She’d let him decide what moniker he went by, unless it was something too outrageous.

 

[cleopat]

The war talk commenced. Farah was relieved that the suggestion for sailing into Xadia was shot down. There were just…too many unknown variables with that one.

They discussed the numbers of their armies, and with the confidence that Prince Kasef had of his own army, Farah backed Viren’s idea of marching their armies straight into Xadia, ultimately deciding on taking the path closest to the Sunfire Elf lands. They had the soldiers. They had the weapons and the manpower to tackle anything that attacked them.

Farah silently felt useless with her army compared to Katolis’ and Neolandia’s numbers. They were so much smaller, but it was support where they would need it.

And it didn’t escape her that if this proved to be a failure, so many Evenerean lives would be lost, which pained her.

Eventually the talks concluded, and as they were satisfied with what their campaign held, the monarchs slowly filtered out of the throne room as lingering discussions came to an end. After she finished her own conversation with King Dieter, Farah lingered behind as Dieter and Kasef, and their respective Crownguards, left. She looked over to Viren, "I'm happy to finally see you out from behind a cell."

~~~

If Alette could see Aaravos, she would see that he was glaring at her. He doesn’t appreciate threats very much, and providing an ultimatum to spill their little plan was indeed a threat to him.

He would allow her to have her confidence for now. The time will come when she will learn to regret that.

But for now, apparently he must put up with being examined by another mage. A mage, as he gathered, who didn’t like Viren. At least this will be somewhat entertaining. “If I must.”

And with a pet name. So demeaning. “Little starling is cute,” he chuckled. It was almost endearing, if the whole situation wasn’t humiliating. “Actually, let’s go with Starling.” It amused him enough to not hate the entirety of the situation.

“And I take it this friend of yours is going to help you uncover more of my past?” he mused. “At least this will be far more entertaining than the war talks Viren and those other human monarchs are currently discussing.”

 

[Lucyfer]

The talks were necessary, but tedious. Kasef, thankfully, kept pushing forward against any of Dieter’s reservations. It was a bit strange to see Dieter as the reserved one, with what Viren knew of Del Bar, and how monarchs came to power. After all, that was all about combat and violence…but the winner wasn’t necessarily the strongest.

It seemed Dieter hadn’t won on strength alone.

At least the forces he brought were enough, and would be good on the vanguard, although Kasef seemed quite willing to throw Neolandia into that position. Viren wouldn’t argue. Why argue with a self-sacrificing child? It’d be easier than asking the cautious Dieter to do it, even if Del Bar was known more for its brute strength.

He could use it elsewhere, and conversation did segue into battlelines and how that would look in different circumstances. Naturally, the mages and how they’d be used were also included in that conversation. He would stay at the helm of things, but he knew Alette would do better as a healer despite her primal stone, so she’d remain back. Samir would have his role, as would the others.

With some ideas of how to go forward, and how to arrange battle lines, the conversations wrapped up. He still had to go speak to the Katolis soldiers, after all.

“Don’t worry, Alette will eventually join on the fighting lines,” Dieter chuckled, “I’ve already given her orders to start learning how to fight if she wants to remain as the High Mage.” Viren arched a brow at that.

He wouldn’t question it, of course, “Self-defense is a good skill to have.” He had some himself, though it all involved his staff, “If she needs convincing….”

“No, no,” he shook his head, “she’ll get there. We’re all adjusting since His Grace Florian passed, she gets a grace period, too.”

“Of course,” Viren agreed, “I will see you all in the morning,” he noted, and let him leave. Kasef had already left, but Farah remained.

Well, Farah and Aaravos, who thankfully couldn’t say anything, but could still be annoying.

He wasn’t sure why she remained, her comment was not important, though it gave him so relief to hear it all the same, “Likely, not as glad as I am to be out from behind those bars,” still, “Thank you,” he had already expressed his gratitude for her help earlier, he had made that his first point, really. She had believed in him, and she had seen it done, but, “How did you convince him? Ezran, that is,” he assumed she had gotten a chance to speak with him on her own.

~***~

“You have options. You can start talking instead,” Alette reminded at his little ‘if I must’. Not that he was going to take that seriously, although he did seem to take to the name Starling. It was cute. Endearing, really. She quite liked it, though she could have come up with several others on a whim. The stars were beautiful, and so often used as terms of endearment among humanity. The stars had always fascinated them, after all – so far above. Humans liked to think the stars were looking down on them, watching over them.

It was a hard thing not to hope for, really. They helped humanity navigate the world, after all, with their constellations.

“Well then, Starling,” she took to it easily, too, “my friend is going to help, yes. He’s good at these things, better than me,” her areas of expertise were more in the healing realm, still. The sun stone helped her uncover some things, but it seemed this curse was greater than what it could reveal, which was a nuisance. Eventually, they’d figure it out, of course.

“You’re still present with Viren?” apparently so. “Isn’t that difficult, being in…at least three places at once?” In his little home, as the worm, and hovering with Viren. That sounded like a headache to keep everything straight. “Or is it more like, two places? I suppose you could shut out the world around your actual self…wait how are you still with Viren? Is there another bug? Or?”

Not the questions she originally had in mind to ask, but this was new information, and she still had a bit of a walk.

 

[cleopat]

Farah sighed. “I appealed to his childlike softness for the world he has not yet lost.” And she still felt immense guilt over doing so, but there were no other options, were there? A kid’s first act as king shouldn’t have to be deciding between which war to wage with his people.

He should be enjoying time with his glow toad and causing innocent mischief in the castle.

“I also reminded him of other monarchs who came to the throne at a young age and delegated a regent until they were an older age, my own grandmother included.” And what Queen Aanya is currently doing. Or did. Farah was unsure if she only temporarily took over as queen, or just decided to attend the Pentarchy meeting for herself.

“When I approached him, he was already conflicted on what he should do. Convincing him, or at least guiding him in the right direction, was rather simple.” It was the right thing to do, right? She didn’t actually make him abdicate in favor of Viren. She just suggested it. Though there was the threat of war against Katolis if he didn’t do the right thing.

That lingering feeling in her gut didn’t fade.

~~~

And thus his new nickname was Starling, to be used in front of others while he still assumed the caterpillar form. Aaravos could hardly wait for Viren to hear this nickname, and for Alette to further explain what was going on.

And as far as nicknames went, Starling wasn’t bad. He could only imagine how creative Alette would’ve gotten had she had full control of that decision.

“I am still present with Viren, yes,” he easily confirmed. Why bother hiding it? Viren may end up telling her later anyways, that Aaravos was still present at the meeting. “So many questions from such a curious human,” he chuckled. “But no, it’s not hard at all for me to be in three places at once.”

Years of practicing his magic helped with that.

“I am with Viren in a form only he can see, though I am not able to talk to him unless this caterpillar form is with him,” he informed her. “So right now, I am essentially merely eavesdropping on his conversation with the other monarchs, and he knows this.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Farah had indeed spoken to him, and had done more than Kasef by appealing to, well, what a child still had. Childish ignorance, really, but softness and innocence were better ways of putting it. Yet, her guilt was obvious. The appeal was still done with a knife to Ezran’s throat, and she was not merciless.

She had still done what was necessary.

“I am sorry for having to ask that of you,” he sighed, truly apologetic, “It was not something I could do in my position or I would have talked sense into him,” but he wasn’t going to listen to him, and likely, not to Viren’s children. That Farah and Kasef had arrived was a true miracle. “I know it wasn’t easy, but you are right.”

He could ease her worries of that, “Having raised two children, I know they need time to, well, be kids. To play, to make mistakes – but not mistakes that cost lives. That trauma stays,” as did the trauma of being abandoned by a parent. He’d seen how trauma made its home in children’s hearts. “Ezran…still hasn’t even found a path to the kind of adult he wants to be. Last I knew, he spent most of his time with animals, not people.”

Which didn’t bode well for the future, but nevermind that. He would grow out of it.

Well, if he was given the chance, which Viren knew he couldn’t allow, no matter how hard a truth that was for even him to admit. Harrow would not forgive him in the afterlife, but the world would when he saved it.

~***~

Alette was impressed that Aaravos didn’t find this to be a strain, and hummed as he indicated how he appeared in front of Viren. Visual, but no sound. “I’m not sure who has the better luck here,” Alette noted with a laugh, “Viren with the sight, or myself with the sound. If this is how you actually sound, you hardly need the looks.”

Were the looks icing on the cake, or the sound? Hard to pick, really. “I suppose it’s an equal trade.” Viren might disagree, but then, she wasn’t clear on just what this relationship was. One of advice, and hearing was good to get advice. “I suppose I do have to return you so he has both, though.”

Shame.

“Which we should discuss a bit, because as I am a very curious human, my Starling, I am going to continue to steal you away in the future until my curiosity is satisfied, but I know I can’t do that at all times, so, are there upcoming times you absolutely need to be with your Lord and Master King Viren?” she chuckled a bit at that.

His play at power in the throne room had been amusing. When she a few years younger, the her with a stupid school girl crush on Viren would have swooned. She was a bit older now, and the relationship had decidedly changed; she couldn’t see him as anything but a mentor, however begrudging that was on his side currently, and so a figure to both learn from, and terrorize.

A second father, really, given her father gave her little support for these decisions.

“And is there any kind of…sign you can actually give as a worm to make it obvious if I shouldn’t take you away at a particular time? Like can you light up like a glow toad?” That would be cool. And obvious.

 

[cleopat]

Farah nodded as Viren spoke, his words doing much to ease her. The guilt abated, but not entirely. She still threatened a ten-year-old boy, and no words would ease her conscience over that decision.

But she felt better about the decision she did make for their future, and to help ensure that Ezran would have more time to be a kid and properly mourn his father. “And he should have more time to spend with those animals, if he so chooses, before he reaches the age where he will have to give up those childhood pleasures.”

But that wouldn’t be for a while, and in the meantime, Viren would act as king until Ezran reaches that age, as she believed.

“But you are right. He should be spared those decisions that will leave him with the trauma of war, trauma on top of just having lost his remaining parent.” She knew Queen Sarai died when Ezran was very young, so the bond between Harrow and Ezran…

The boy needed to process and grieve, although one never truly stopped grieving. They just learned to live with the absence that forever remained present.

As Farah focused on Viren, she remained completely oblivious to the Startouched elf who perched himself on top of the table, legs crossed as he intently listened to the conversation.

~~~

Aaravos chuckled at the compliment. “You’re saying I have both the looks and the voice? Why, you’re trying to inflate my ego, aren’t you?” Hardly compliments he hadn’t heard before, but they still amused him every time he heard them.

Previous lovers had commented how they could get off on his voice alone.

“But yes, please return me to him eventually. Preferably sooner rather than later.” Plans still needed to fall into place, and he couldn’t do that without instructing Viren. For now? He’ll amuse himself with Alette as he decided how exactly she could fit into his plans.

Another dark mage could end up working beautifully.

“Of course you are going to steal me away again,” he sighed, simultaneously not at all surprised and slightly annoyed. A very powerful elf being passed around like a pet! Which, in his current form, he might as well be.

“I can warn you in advance if and when there are times you mustn’t take me away from Viren.” As good as an answer he could give, with the ever changing times they face, going into Xadia. For now, everything is falling into place, and it wasn't of utmost urgency to remain a voice in Viren’s ear.

But certainly before they reached Lux Aurea.

“I can’t light up like a glow toad, but I am certain I will think of a warning signal for you so that you do not take me away like a helpless caterpillar.” Maybe a certain movement. Maybe he could simply tell Viren for her to not take him. But no, he couldn’t signal with some physical characteristic like a glow toad.