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Fandom Dragon Prince: Divining the Dark [Closed]

While Viren might have considered it was time to start taking those animals away from Ezran, and introducing him to more political duties – slowly – there was little point in doing so right now. Hypothetical futures that wouldn’t happen, didn’t need to be discussed, when he could just nod agreement with the fact Ezran should have more of a childhood.

Should have had more of a childhood.

“And so he has been. Thanks to you, Your Grace,” Viren soothed, “He will thank you, in time, I am certain of it. He may come to seek your advice in the future,” Viren chuckled, “I hope you’ll manage it well when he’s sending you endless letters to find out how to handle various matters of state.”

A pleasant thought for a future that wouldn’t be.

And Viren would continue to ignore the elf paying too much attention to all of this, and not at all hiding it. “Or when I’m sending you endless letters on how to handle children…adult ones included,” a slight smile, though it didn’t remain, it still softened his features.

~***~

Alette only smiled and hummed at Aaravos’s query of inflating his ego, without answering. She doubted such a thing was possible, he was full to bursting with confidence. She just had no qualms with lauding others for their traits. That it often helped her was a secondary side-effect – not that it was likely to help her much with him.

He didn’t need the strokes to his ego.

But, who knew?

“All right, when we’re done with Samir, I’ll take you back. Tempting as it would have been to use you as an excuse to get out of my martial trainings, I suppose I can be generous and return you to Viren.” She was not a fan of them. It was enough that she worked out, why did she have to learn how to fight? She was a mage, damnit, that’s what she had magic for!

“Shame you can’t light up, though, but I guess we’ll figure something else out,” and his warnings in the future would be helpful, and she’d heed them, “that way you don’t have to feel entirely helpless.” It had to be terrible. Trapped in his mirror, trapped as a bug, or as a specter, unable to interact as he’d like. “Honestly, surprised you didn’t just come out and tell Viren your cost as freedom, but I suppose you have to be mysterious about it.”

That Viren hadn’t figured out Aaravos was a prisoner, would have surprised her.

They were entering the Evenere camp by then, and Alette didn’t need to ask for directions to Samir’s tent, this time.
 
Farah easily smiled at Viren. It was easy to believe Viren’s words, that Farah did help spare Ezran from those decisions, when it was something she so desperately wanted to hear to ease her guilt over convincing the young prince out of his throne.

Just for a few years. Then Ezran would be king. Then all would be right again.

At the thought of Ezran sending her a lot of letters, she chuckled with a shake of her head. “And I shall answer each one with careful and deliberate thought,” as if it were her own sister asking for advice on various matters of the state. Anything to help reconcile with Ezran after a rocky start.

“Oh, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be of much use in the matters of handling children, young or adult ones,” she chuckled. Her eyes flickered over to Soren, remaining diligently on guard. So young, and already a member of the Crownguard. Viren had to be proud of him for that.

In another reality, Farah would know how to actually handle children based on experience, a thought she had with a pang in her heart.

Her eyes refocused on Viren, a soft smile hiding any other emotions she felt in the moment. “You seem to be doing a good job of handling children, but I will happily respond to any letter you may write to me.”

~~~

“Thank you for agreeing to take me back willingly. I would hate to embarrass you during your martial training.” Though Aaravos couldn’t see Alette physically fighting at all, and observing this training session was a tempting thought.

Maybe another time.

“Isn’t mystery part of my allure?” he chuckled. Mystery could continue to fascinate and intrigue people to continue doing what he needed them to do, like Viren. And now Alette. She was an insanely curious human, which could work quite well for him.

He would have to feed her just enough information to keep her interested, but not so much where she may be able to uncover anything he didn’t want to reveal.

“Ah, this friend of yours is from Evenere?” he commented upon their arrival at the camp, and he noticed the colors and dragonfly symbol on the armor of the soldiers. “I knew their king once upon a time.” Many, many years ago, around the same time as the Orphan Queen of Katolis.

Upon arrival to Samir’s tent, they would find the mind hunkered over a text, studying it intently and unaware of the world around him.
 
Viren knew she would have answered Ezran well. Would have guided him well. It would not be needed, and yet he still felt glad it would have been. It was good for the future, to think that the monarchs would now work so closely together once the Xadian threat was dealt with. There would be future conflicts; it would be best if they weren’t warring with each other over them, but working together.

This would be a unifying conflict.

Farah’s attention towards Soren did draw his own; he had forgotten he was there. He fit in so well as a guard. Silent. Stoic. Even though Soren was none of those things; the Soren that Viren knew was rambunctious and unable to stay still, but when he was doing his job…he was good at it. And Viren was proud he knew how to perform it.

And perform it well.

“Well, then perhaps I will just have to write you on other matters,” Viren allowed, indeed wondering what they would discuss, “There will be plenty to speak of going forward into this new future, and I would be remiss if I did not make it a point to see Evenere thrive after your aid, or alert you to new goings-on in Katolis that Ezran may overlook, although I am sure he will make sure you have an open invitation to all of our future festivals.”

And he would like to see her at them.

He told himself he would also like to see the other monarchs there, for that image of unity. That was true. But he was allowed favorites, wasn’t he? Favorites one didn’t speak of, just as they didn’t speak of favorite children.

Farah was already his favorite of the other monarchs.

~***~

Alette wanted to deny that mystery was part of the allure, but mystery did keep her investigating things, didn’t it? She dropped plenty of things once she understood them. Why continue? It was why her parents’ arts hadn’t kept her involved. Dark magic was an ever evolving thing, ever fascinating, and so it kept her enthralled.

Would this elf end up boring her? Possibly.

She wanted to find out. And she wanted to know more about the king he knew, but of course, had to stifle herself as she entered Samir’s tent, and saw him oblivious to the world. ‘Good.’ She took Aaravos carefully off of her ear, and crept around him, careful with where her shadow fell so she wouldn’t disturb him until it was too late.

It was always too easy to creep up on him, though.

The thought of dropping the bug on the book did occur, but the risk of Samir slamming the book shut prevented her from doing that, so instead, she folded an arm over his shoulder as she leaned into him, tilting her head against his, “Having fun?”

And then she offered the other hand into his sight with the bug, “I got it back! This is my bug pal, Starling,” she introduced, “different, isn’t it?” but very obviously a star arcanum, now that Alette knew what was behind the bug. If the bug was even a real thing. It probably wasn’t. “Very polite bug, though. Doesn’t try to go running off.” So no jar needed.

For now.
 
Farah was pleased to see that she would have any ally in Viren after the war, maybe even a friend. Oh, she could already see Samir’s face. Her mage did not like Viren for a reason unknown to her.

Oh well. He’ll get over it. His dislike was probably for some petty reasons anyways.

“I appreciate your kind words. Hopefully we can continue to allow this friendship to thrive after the war, and I look forward to our future alliance, as well as getting to experience the different Katolis festivals.” Something she had only read about, but never attended in the past, for something always came up, or the invitation wasn’t meant for her.

But now, as she looked at Viren, Farah had plenty of reasons to attend these festivals.

“Our largest festival of the year, the Festival of the Dragonflies, will be coming up within the next few months. Should this war finally be behind us, I would love to see Katolis, and the other kingdoms, represented with familiar faces." Such as Viren, as he would no doubt still be king should nothing happen to him in the war.

A thought she found herself not wishing to entertain.

~~~

Samir, so engrossed in his studies, didn’t notice Alette sneaking up behind him. When the arm folded over his shoulder, he visibly jumped. “Shit,” he cursed, placing one hand over his chest to still his beating heart. “You know I’ve told you repeatedly not to sneak up on me like that.”

He was getting too old for this.

Samir didn’t answer her question of his having fun. Instead, his attention focused on the bug Alette held in her hand, one brow rising at the unique design of the caterpillar. “Very different,” he agreed, gently taking the caterpillar in the palm of his hand.

If only he knew he was holding a form of a five thousand year old Startouch elf.

Even in his expert knowledge of the insects in Evenere, and advanced knowledge of bugs elsewhere in the Human Kingdoms, he had never seen such a caterpillar before. “Do you know where it came from?” he asked as his eyes glanced over the markings. “Definitely haven’t seen anything like it before in the Kingdoms. I assume these Aaravos caterpillars come from Xadia?”

It almost had to, as the insects and other animals from Xadia always seem to have an extra special…something to them. “It’s a beautiful little creature.”
 
What were the odds the war would be done so quickly? Viren doubted they would be finished. Perhaps with the dragon prince, but not the entirety of the project, something he hadn’t truly fathomed the depth of, except that he knew it went beyond the dragon prince. The dragon prince was power, and once he had that, he could use it to destroy the rest of those who would threaten the human kingdoms…but there would be more. There would be attempts at revenge.

It would be a headache.

The Dragonfly Festival, however, would at least be in the future. “If not this year, at least in the future,” he wouldn’t directly state his doubts, “Perhaps if we are still at war, we can find time for a moment of peace. I’ve heard it’s good for morale to still celebrate holidays and events, so people don’t lose sight of what they’re fighting for, and they will be fighting to maintain these traditions, as much as anything else.”

He knew a bit about the festival, but he’d never seen it. He’d been to Del Bar’s festivals for his ex-wife, but he hadn’t truly been to the other kingdoms and experienced what they had to offer. When Harrow went, he stayed behind to keep the peace and handle the business.

“Why don’t you tell me about the festival? I’m afraid I’ve never been able to attend. Someone had to keep Katolis running, and let King Harrow do his diplomatic duties of…running off to festivals with children,” he chuckled a bit, the memories fond enough, even if there was also pain.

Pain for Harrow’s loss.

Pain for what had to follow. Callum and Ezran would never again get to see such things…but perhaps his dear Claudia, and Soren, would be able to in the future, when they were crown Princess and Prince. They would need to mingle and see what the other kingdoms had to offer.

They would get to enjoy some peace.

Some culture.

~***~

Alette never got tired of bothering Samir, and only smiled as he cursed over her interruption, before letting himself be enthralled with the Aaravos caterpillar. It really was a shame she had no idea what Aaravos was thinking of all of this right now, though she would assume he was annoyed with being handled like a mere bug. She’d hate it in his position, but he didn’t hate it enough to provide her details, so he could suffer a little.

“Mm, I’m not sure where it originates, I’m certain I didn’t find it anywhere near its home,” she noted, “I found it in Del Bar by chance,” because of course she did. Otherwise she’d have to create a travel narrative. “I’m not sure what it was doing so far from Xadia.” But creatures moved. Some moved far out of their comfort zones.

She could only grin as he also easily complimented the bug, and she let him hold it, moving away and finding a seat nearby, “Yes, yes he is,” she agreed, “no wonder Viren doesn’t want to let it go, either. Starling is just going to have to get used to everyone wanting to research him further,” she chuckled.

Aaravos would indeed have to suffer through these changing hands. “I need to write up a custody agreement or something,” she joked, “but now you see why I was interested, and then finding the fading words…it really is a conundrum. I guess the caterpillar had to be named before the name was cursed, though. Which, I suppose, means Aaravos was some sort of good figure, before, well, he wasn’t.”

Before he fell from grace.

“Not sure how much Starling here helps you, but now you know the start of this project. I guess if the markings give anything away…that might be useful.” It had to share something with Aaravos, right? Not that Alette really saw anything, but she also hadn’t had long to look at Aaravos.

Not as long as she’d like.

She’d be a little jealous of Viren.
 
Farah also entertained thoughts of the war lasting much longer than what she spoke, but was it so foolish to hope it would be over soon? Maybe so, but it was also the only way she kept her sanity with her. Thinking about the death of her sister, an endless war, and the lives of her people that will be lost as a result would overwhelm her.

And if they are still at war, at least Viren could see the opportunity to still celebrate life. “That will be important, won’t it?” She echoed his sentiments in still celebrating holidays and events even in war, so people won’t lose sight of why they are fighting. For their very culture and traditions.

Upon the suggestion to tell a little bit about the festival, Farah smiled fondly in memory as she leaned against the table, now devoid of Aaravos. The throne room was devoid of the Startouch elf. “Everyone decorates their boats will all sorts of colorful lanterns, and depending on where in the kingdom they live, they will travel to lakes, rivers, or harbors with these boats and join other celebrants to form a brilliant, glowing dragonfly on the waters, lasting several days.”

As a child, she had been enamored with the colors of the lanterns that dotted her vision as far as the eye could see. Even as an adult, it still amazed her.

“Since everyone typically leaves their home to celebrate, it is a celebration of renewed friendship, blossoming romance, and amazing food.” Oh, she could go on about the food. “My favorite Evenerean dish is typically made during this festival. It’s a crawfish stew served with rice and a warm piece of bread. The dish always feels like a warm blanket on those cold, wet winter days.”

~~~

Samir made a noise of acknowledgement as Alette explained to him how she found the bug, how she believed the creature strayed far from its home for some reason. So odd for such a small creature to be so far from home.

Larger animals? Sure, it happens. But bugs? Not unless it accidentally hitched a ride on someone who crossed from Xadia into Del Bar.

“I’m sure the bug won’t mind everyone wanting to research him,” Samir chuckled. It was a caterpillar. It didn’t care about anything except food!

“If the caterpillar was named before this real Aaravos was cursed, one would assume that the caterpillar species would have picked up a new nickname over the years, assuming this curse happened a long time ago, which I’m assuming it did since that poem you showed me mentioned that city of Elarion.” A fabled city destroyed over a thousand years ago.

Time erased everything.

“Well, the markings of this creature certainly confirms its connection with the star arcane. You mentioned that you think this Aaravos is a Startouch elf, which I think is a good guess. Now if this helps with anything? I’m not sure. I admit, I don’t know much about the Startouch elves. I’m not sure many humans today do,” he chuckled with a shake of his head. When was the last time a Startouch elf was even seen?

“Maybe if I research more into them, I can uncover some clue.”
 
Aaravos left the table, though Viren still cast a casual glance around the room. No sight of the elf. ‘Hm.’ Well, this wasn’t anything important that Aaravos needed to be watching. Soren barely needed to stay, the odds of Farah trying to kill him were slim to none, but he wouldn’t dismiss his son on that off chance, anyways.

He followed her to the table and listened about the festival. They’d need to be near enough to a body of water, then. And have the material to make the lanterns. “Mm, well, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a body of water. We’ll want to stay near them, anyways,” journeying without water was always a risk, so whenever possible, they tried to stay near them.

“Although I do not enjoy the thought of this occurring in the war, I think it would be a grand way for the many kingdoms to learn more about the other cultures, and the other people they are fighting alongside. I don’t know much about it – I confess, I don’t know the purpose of this festival. It happens in winter, doesn’t it?” he leaned a bit into the table, “is it some sort of festival to mark the turn of winter towards spring?”

No, he really didn’t know much about it at all.

“We don’t have anything comparative in Katolis, though there’s a winter festival in Del Bar that marks the turn. It’s not nearly as comfortable,” it was actually the opposite, and he hadn’t enjoyed it at all. Climbing a mountain in a single layer of clothes to greet the sun after the longest night? No, never again.

“Here, winter is just greeted with sweets and warm drinks, and people gathering at night,” there was no grand festival, just a lot of mingling and merchants. It was good for the economy, and for those with a sweet tooth. “It’s not bad,” he chuckled, “but it’s nothing…extravagant.” Just quaint. Cozy.

~***~

Of course, Samir’s theory didn’t matter much so far as bug naming went, but Alette couldn’t help but tilt her head at it, “Curious,” they did think differently on that, though he had a point, “I was just assuming tradition won out,” she chuckled, “but I guess it could have been named in honor of what others think are heinous crimes. Especially given Elarion.”

Something she hoped that he would indeed find out more about. Something she wished Aaravos would just tell her about, but no, of course he wouldn’t. That would be far too easy, and Aaravos wasn’t going to be easy. Her one mercy was that he’d revealed himself to her. After that, there seemed to be none.

“Mm, Viren does, too,” not that he cared what Viren thought, but it was still two mages that agreed on something. She still lit up as he promised to research more about the Startouch elves. “Oh, thank you! You might want to check the Katolis library before we leave,” she doubted he had much on him, “I can ask Claudia or Soren to help me find books on Startouch elves, and other related things.”

May as well, right? Plus she had to return the bug, so she could do that at the same time. That would get her out of martial training for the day, right? She’d just…conveniently fall asleep in the library. It sounded like a genius plan to her. “Do you know of any texts I could try asking for specifically?”

She did glance at the caterpillar to see if it would give any hint as to whether or not this was a good idea. Not that she would necessarily trust it, if it seemed to disagree, but…well, she could hope for a bit more mercy, right?
 
Farah swore she felt her heart melt when Viren thought about ways to make the Evenerean festival happen during the war. It would be such a thoughtful act to do for the Evenerean soldiers, as well as everyone else who would for sure enjoy the festival.

At Viren’s question about the festival, Farah shook her head. “It marks the beginning of winter, which for Evenere, is the beginning of a dark flooding season, so we try to start what is arguably the gloomiest time of the year with a festival of love, lights, and food.” There was no snow in Evenere in the wintertime. Just rain and darkness.

But the Festival of the Dragonflies offered a chance to start such a season with joy and color.

“I’ve read about that festival in Del Bar. It honestly does not seem like something I would enjoy,” she chuckled. “I’m not used to the cold, or climbing mountains.” Del Bar and Evenere truly had complete opposite climates. Farah couldn’t even remember the last time she saw snow.

“Not every festival has to be extravagant. I think celebrating winter with sweets, warm drinks, and enjoyable company sounds like a pleasant time.” And if they were still at war at the beginning of winter, it sounded easy enough to arrange for the soldiers. Who wouldn’t enjoy an evening of sweet treats and warm drinks?

“I have to know, since it is a yearly festival,” she said with a cheeky smile, “do you have a favorite sweet?”

~~~

If he wanted to research the topic concerning Startouch elves, Samir would indeed have to borrow from the Katolis library. He didn’t exactly have access to his library in Evenere from a war camp. “Oh thank you, I appreciate that. I don’t know if I’ll have much time to visit their library before we leave,” whenever that was. He still hadn’t received the news of what was discussed in the throne room.

Deeming himself done with analyzing the little critter, Samir handed the caterpillar back over to Alette. “I don’t know of any books off the top of my head that would be of use. Just anything that may discuss the elves and Xadian history in general.” Even a brief one-word mention could be of use.

Aaravos wouldn’t give Alette any hint as if he was against this idea. If anything, he was curious to see what they would dig up in a human library, as he bet his own personal library had more information on what they sought than the Katolis library.

“What do you know of the Startouch elves or Elarion?” Samir asked. “Maybe you just so happen to have slightly different information than I do,” he added with a chuckle.
 
A dark flooding season – not fun at all. He could understand the desire to want to light everything up before all of that, and carry that light forward to get through it. No wonder it lasted several days, in comparison to the frigid and not at all comfy event of Del Bar. The comfy events, at least lasted a while. That was one blessing about Del Bar’s choices.

Perhaps the Del Bar people would be okay with the comfy celebrations since there shouldn’t be any frigid mountains to climb.

Hopefully.

“I would argue it isn’t meant to be enjoyed, but the people…,” Viren chuckled and shrugged, “Well, everyone is different.” He supposed there was a sense of accomplishment that was enjoyable. That was worth something, “I hope they won’t be offended if we skip their festivities. It’s a bit more difficult to replicate.”

The thought of the festival was at least a pleasant one. And the treats, treats he was unlikely to have this year. “Well, my favorite isn’t from the festival, but of those, I do favor the toffee puddings with caramel. It’s not a cold pudding,” he noted, aware some places did them cold. That was blasphemy, but he’d withhold that comment, “it’s warm and soothing, with many delectable spices. Absolutely worth a try when you’re here for the festival.”

As if it was something said and done.

He realized that, and had a moment’s internal pause as he realized he was…making plans with her. Easily. Readily.

‘Oh.’ Okay then. This wasn’t bad, but it was unexpected.

And he still had things to do, didn’t he? He still had to speak to the soldiers of Katolis. “Perhaps tomorrow I shall have to introduce you to some of Katolis’s cuisine. There won’t be much time, but there must always be time to eat.” It was an easy way to start segueing to an exit, as well.

For tomorrow.

~***~

Alette was happy to oblige him with the library hunt, and took the worm back, idly placing it on her shoulder. Aaravos could move as he pleased, but she figured it’d be a bit too weird to put it at her ear right then. If he climbed up there, well, that was his choice. Samir couldn’t call her out for that, and she could just call the worm weird. Or a hunter of warmth, probably. That’d make more sense. It would be warm there, and covered over by her hair. Warm and dark.

She arched a brow when he asked about Elarion and Startouch elves, though. ‘Enough to recognize one on sight.’ Which…she supposed had actually been a bit weird, as she put her cheek against her hand, propping her arm up on the table. “I don’t know much at all about Startouch elves,” she said, “I always imagined they were starry though. Literally, covered in stars,” she chuckled, “but that’s probably foolish. I don’t think any other elf is covered in…leaves or whatever it is Earthblood elves look like.”

She’d been right, though.

“But Elarion – you have to know more than I, you’ve gone on the pilgrimage to the ruins, haven’t you?” she wouldn’t wait long for an answer, “It was the last bastion of humanity, after we were ousted from Xadia, and even that wasn’t enough.” She shut her eyes, “Xadia still hunted us down at Elarion and tried to eliminate us. We were lucky there was a dark mage who blinded Sol Regem and made him miss his mark by enough to spare lives.”

At least, that’s how she understood it through the stories. She didn’t know the name of this mage. She was only sad he hadn’t killed Sol Regem, but it was a mistake they’d make up for, one day. Sol Regem deserved to drown in the darkest pits of hell, to never know the warmth of the sun again, to have his lungs forever full of water.

“The founders of our kingdoms escaped from there, and divided humanity in five to protect it, rather than keep it all in one.” She opened her eyes, “so much was lost there about our history, though.” There was a longing there, for the unknown in her voice, for something she had never known, but something that still felt like a missing piece. They’d tried and tried to restore what dark magic had once been, and perhaps they were closer…but Alette didn’t think so.

The importance of the staff was still lost on her. She’d made one, but it wasn’t as if she needed it so long as she had ingredients. It didn’t feel like it made things easier. “Why, do you know something different, Samir?”
 
Farah had to agree with Viren in his observation of the people of Del Bar. They seemed like the hearty type to enjoy frigid temperatures and long treks up mountains just to say they’ve done it. “Yes, everyone is different, and these festivities are a fun reminder of that.” And maybe their armies would get to enjoy the festivities of other kingdoms and learn of these differences.

Except she and Viren were in an agreement that they wouldn’t replicate Del Bar’s tradition. They would just have to make it up to the Del Bar soldiers some other way.

“Oh, a toffee pudding with caramel does sound decadent.” She could practically picture it now, with her not-so-hidden sweet tooth. Her parents always scolded her as a child for eating too many puff-puffs, but her brother would always sneak her just one more.

The way Viren said that she should try some when she was there for the festival did not escape her notice. In a fleeting thought, she imagined the two of them eating toffee puddings together while conversing and enjoying the atmosphere of the festival. “I’ll definitely be sure to try one of those puddings.”

And then he easily shifted the conversation to the next day, offering to introduce her to some of the cuisine of Katolis. “Is this a gesture you’re extending to the other monarchs, or am I special?” she asked with a teasing smile. “Regardless, I would love to sample some of what Katolis has to offer tomorrow when we are both free.”



In their gentle conversation, though he couldn’t quite make out what they were saying, Soren couldn’t help but to look over at them, furrowing his brows as he noticed the queen was actually smiling around Viren. And Viren looked…Relaxed? Not quite as tense as he normally was? It was a strange sight to see a woman not scowling at his father. Claudia would definitely hear about this.

~~~

Samir looked at the caterpillar now perched on Alette’s shoulder who looked quite comfortable to be there. He could’ve sworn the caterpillar understood what they were saying. But that was crazy! It was just a bug. ‘Maybe I just need some sleep.’ Something he hadn’t been getting enough of recently. Something he always bugged Farah about.

Samir placed a hand on Alette’s back, rubbing small circles. “That’s about the extent of my knowledge on Startouch elves,” he chuckled. For all they knew, those elves could be covered in as many stars as in the night sky.

He did imagine them to have an indigo skin color.

Samir hummed as Alette summarized the story of the fall of Elarion. “Oh no, you pretty much summed up what I know of Elarion as well, even with my pilgrimage to the ruins. I’m just wondering how this Aaravos plays into the city’s history and destruction.” And he tried to recall the words the poem held before it disappeared upon the name ‘Aaravos’ being read.

“I will need to read that poem again, but it almost seems like Aaravos may have tried to help the people of Elarion, but it’s hard to know without the rest of the poem, or, well, the rest of the history.” A history essentially wiped out thanks to the elves and Sol Regem.

By that point in the conversation, Aaravos had indeed crawled back up to Alette’s ear. “Your friend here is a smart one. I’m surprised.”
 
“Well, the other monarchs didn’t stay long enough to have such an offer extended….” Viren, obviously, was not offering it to Kasef and Dieter. It was their loss, really. Katolis had excellent food, and Viren knew how to make most of it better than anyone. Not the crème brulee, though, his daughter had a market on that, but his pancakes were still superior.

“I’ll make a point to find you before the others to share some of this with,” he promised, smiling only too easily with the thought of something…nice awaiting him in the morning. It would make going through this nonsense process of allowing soldiers to defect in the midst of war easier.

“Unfortunately, I must call our current conversation to a close. I still have one last duty to go forth with for the night in honoring Ezran’s wishes,” he sighed, “it’s not a bad command, but I do not enjoy allowing soldiers to think they’ll be able to defect in a time of war with no punishment.” He was concerned it would spread through the campaign, amongst those who decided to go along with it.

He'd have to make it clear from the first one who tried that there would be consequences for such a thing. Harsh consequences, that would make facing dragons seem like the less frightening option. Once they decided to join the march, they were in this until the end, and that would only come with the fall of the threat that Xadia presented to humanity.

“I hope you have a pleasant night, Queen Farah,” he wanted to say her name without the title, to linger in familiarity, but he knew better than to test that. So, her name with the title would be as close as he reached to that enviable position…tonight.

~***~

There was much missing with Elarion. The history of its life, for one. What was carried by those who survived were the stories of its fall, not its life. Samir didn’t know much of that, either, and Alette hummed acknowledgment, her disappointment in their lack of anything more soothed by the backrub.

She perked up a bit at what he’d read, though. “Really?” Which required explanation, “I didn’t read much of it, I was looking for the name by then.” So it vanished quickly, without her absorbing the details.

Details Aaravos seemed to confirm by calling Samir out for his intelligence. Which, yes, yes he was, Aaravos should have trusted her on that. ‘Wait!’ She immediately wanted to ask Aaravos about it. She wanted to know how Elarion fell, how people survived – the history of humanity! She might have fumbled an excuse if she wasn’t reminded how frustrating Aaravos was as soon as the thought slammed into her.

“If this Aaravos helped, that’d be reason enough to damn them, I’m sure. It’s a miracle the elves didn’t just curse the entire name Elarion,” Alette huffed, and did actually wonder at that. Why Aaravos and not also Elarion? Was it too difficult to curse Elarion, with all remaining humans knowing it?

She straightened up again, “I’ll find more on Elarion, too.” She was going to leave Katolis with a wheelbarrow of books. Or a very annoyed crownguard carrying them. Whichever was easier. She leaned towards Samir and placed a kiss on his cheek as she rose, “I’ll be back tomorrow at least with all these books – I appreciate all the help.”

Much as she hated leaving, she did have to. The books demanded it if she wanted to find enough before they started on the war march.
 
“So I get to enjoy this special treat all to myself,” Farah said with a smile, the implications of what the whole situation could mean not escaping her mind. But it was just a meeting of two new monarchs in a fresh alliance right before going to war together, discussing matter over a meal. Right?

That’s what Farah was telling herself.

But for now, they had to end their conversation, for both of them had much to prepare. “I certainly understand.” Fortunately, no one had asked to leave Evenere’s army when talks of war began. Their army was small enough as is, and Farah didn’t want to dole out harsh punishments for deserters so early in her reign.

“I wish you the best of luck with that endeavor, and hopefully it will end up not being an issue at all.” But with the size of Katolis’ army, she wondered how many would leave to avoid war.

“And please, when it’s just the two of us, you may call me Farah.” Perhaps a bit too familiar with someone she didn’t know too well, but it felt right. “Good night, King Viren, and I shall see you tomorrow.” She didn’t know if the same would apply to her, so she decided to play it safe until he said otherwise.

With those parting words, Farah gave him a smile and a nod of her head before she turned to walk out of the throne room, her crownguard following behind her once she reached him at the doors.

~~~

Samir made a noise of agreement to Alette’s thoughts, but he added, “Either they damned Aaravos for helping Elarion, or that was just their first strike in a list of acts that someone powerful didn’t like.” Was that it? Did this Aaravos had a long list of truly reprehensible acts that the others in Xadia didn’t like?

Samir smiled at the friendly kiss on the cheek. “I look forward to seeing what you bring.” And seeing what books Katolis had in their library. He thought that he really should make a visit to Katolis, after this war was over, to explore what knowledge their library held, but then he remembered that Viren was still here.

There went that idea.

After Alette left the mage’s tent, Aaravos would speak up. “I would appreciate it if you didn’t pass me off to anyone else tonight, except Viren.” It was humiliating, although he picked up his own silent observations about the mage. He may prove useful as well.

“And speaking of Viren, he seems to be getting rather close with the queen of Evenere.” The man already invited her to share a meal with him. It was not subtle.
 
“Why, are you suddenly shy?” Alette teased once she was free of the tent, amused with Aaravos’s request but not surprised. She had considered passing him off to one of Viren’s kids, though. It would be easier than interrupting Viren with whatever he was doing…which was apparently flirting with the Queen of Evenere.

At first, she smiled, chuckled, “Really now?” she would have to tease Samir with this information, and torment him over his Queen and Viren being a thing. That would make him suffer! She might even be able to pull him into some mostly harmless games against Viren…until she remembered what Viren had done to Farah and the smile faltered. The humor faded.

She knew why Viren did it. That it was nothing personal. Yet…you didn’t kill someone and flirt with their sister, no matter the reason. And Farah would never understand why her sister had to be a casualty in all of this, either. ‘Oh.’ “It’s probably just politics,” she knew it wasn’t or Aaravos would have no reason to mention it, but she didn’t want to humor the thought right then, when the guilt weighed too heavy to find it…nice.

She didn’t say much else on the way back to Katolis, her questions and curiosity silenced since she had to actually go to Viren, who was apparently doing something terrible that was on a line she hadn’t known existed. She hadn’t decided just how terrible it was, or if it was just something new, and not that terrible, actually.

Thankfully, getting to Viren was no issue; the others had already left.



And Viren had finished up his discussion with the soldiers by that time, dismissing the weak links with insults to their love of Katolis, their love of family, and much else to dehumanize them so no one would be able to make eye contact or think their decision was brave or right. It was after that, he learned Ezran was gone, and no one knew how.

The guards were inept…but none mentioned Soren had gone to visit Ezran. No one had gone to visit Ezran.

He was frustrated with all of that when Alette arrived with Aaravos, “Find out enough?” he couldn’t help the snappish tone as she took Aaravos from her ear.

“Do I ever?” she disregarded the tone, back to being light and airy, “What has you so upset, Viren?” he took the worm, the recognition of his anger enough to force him to let it out in a sigh, and try again.

“Ezran went missing,” he answered, “No one thought to tell me when it was noticed.”

“Probably for the best – imagine the kind of rage you’d show in front of them if it happened while all the monarchs were here,” Alette teased, “Dieter would have laughed at you.”

Viren did not enjoy that assessment as he returned Aaravos to his place, but considered the pros and cons briefly. She was likely right. He would have flown into a rage, and that didn’t help him at the Pentarchy. He didn’t need to do it again. “Dieter is surprisingly cautious for one of Del Bar.” He focused on that instead.

“Well, when the previous monarch gets assassinated, it tends to happen,” she shrugged.

“I hear he’s also making you learn to fight.”

“I hear you’re flirting with Farah.” Alette didn’t want to talk about that. Besides which, Viren’s reaction was priceless, the sudden startled breath, the scoff, and then the irritation.

“Aaravos!” He knew who to blame, and Alette laughed, shrugged, as he let out another exasperated sigh. “It was not flirting, we were simply talking, and she lingered after the others.”

“Mmm, well good. You shouldn’t be flirting with the sister of Queen Fareeda.” Oh, his look – he was definitely flirting. Definitely. “But I need the library. As I said…I haven’t found out enough yet,” that would keep it from an argument.

“Fine, fine,” he waved it off, “I’ll show you to it.” And he would do so…and alert the guards not to let her go wandering from the library to anywhere except the exit of the castle, and hope they at least listened to him about this.

He wouldn’t get much sleep that night, but in the morning, his small kitchen was still full of pleasant scents for his children to walk into, Claudia still wiping sleep from her eyes, and Soren basically sitting-asleep when he found his seat…after almost faceplanting into the table.

“Dad? What’s the occasion?” Claudia murmured, “Oh no! Did I miss my birthday?”

Viren shook his head, “No, no,” he disagreed, “I just thought one last homecooked meal before we set off would be good.”

“Aww, dad, it won’t be the last,” Claudia promised, wrapping her arms around him as he worked over the fire in a quick hug.

“I hope not,” Soren said, seeming to wake up a bit faster, “I’d want that to be my favorite meal.”

“Yes, well,” Viren brought the stack of pancakes over to the table, “I’m afraid these will have to suffice,” there were also eggs, cooked the way his children liked, made soon, as well as sausages, and plenty of syrup, before he began to set aside from, and not take a seat with them while they dug in.

“Are you not joining us?” Claudia asked, around a mouthful of food.

“Unfortunately, I have to take breakfast on the road,” he said.

“You’ve been working all night?” Claudia couldn’t keep the mournful tone out of her voice, but jumped up, “Hold on,” and almost as expected, she brewed up the hot brown magical potion – more than enough for one cup, “You probably need all of it,” she joked as she handed it to him.

Viren smiled at the kind gesture, “Maybe. Thank you, Claudia,” he might share some with Farah if she looked a little tired. It did work wonders. “I’ll see you both later this evening.”

“Bye dad~,” they chimed, as he would make his way out, and towards Evenere’s camp, the sun only just beginning to rise.

He’d be early enough to catch the Queen before any business, certainly.
 
Farah left the castle to return back to the Evenere camp, where she and her Crownguard leader engaged in simple conversation along the way. She wouldn’t disclose with him what the monarchs discussed in the throne room, the generals and leaders of her army get that privilege first.

And when they arrived back at camp, she did just that. No one protested, but a few had their trepidations. The Sunfire elves had a reputation, but with the army of four kingdoms? They could do this.

She retired to her tent without speaking to anyone else, including Samir, which she was sure he would come to see her in the morning about. They could discuss things then, after she attempted to rest and relax after a rather eventful day.

Her sleep was restless, so giving up on actually sleeping, she stayed up until dawn reading over documents pertaining to matters back home. Dreadfully boring stuff, that she had hoped it would put her to sleep. No such luck.

The first rays of sunrise filtered underneath the edges of the tent, but it was the light talking of the soldiers getting up early to start the day that roused her from her thoughts and made her move to get dressed and ready for the day. She could at least look put together if her mind didn’t feel the same way.

Farah had just finished putting on her clothes when she heard of minor disturbance outside her tent.

“King Viren!” Someone outside her tent said, and Farah perked her head up. There was talking she couldn’t quite hear, and the next moment, her guard came through the flaps and bowed. “Queen Farah, King Viren is here to see you.”

She hid her surprise. Sure, they talked about meeting today for food, but she honestly hadn’t expected him to remember that. Viren was so busy, after all, that she had expected for it to slip his mind.

She was far from disappointed, aside from the fact that her hair wasn’t put up.

Farah nodded as she smoothed over her hair and over nonexistent wrinkles in her clothes absentmindedly. “Thank you, you may send him in.”

~~~

Like the small creature he was, Aaravos was passed back off to Viren as promised. Part of the evening was spent discussing their plan for Xadia, and the potential the path near the Sunfire elves gave them.

Eventually, Aaravos was left on his own. Stuck between a lonely prison and a sleeping castle, he found himself tremendously bored again. For so long the sound of his own voice had been his only company, and now he had all of these humans to play with. If only he could actually touch someone else.

With that thought, an image of Alette popped into his head. A curious human, entertaining at times, and irritating at others, he wondered at the dark magic she knew. What he could teach her that could help him, just as he taught Viren.

Maybe he could even get out of his prison faster if he added another mage to his pawns.

Sitting at his desk, a sly smirk crossed his face. Maybe there was something he could do about her. There was only so much he could do as a caterpillar perched on their ears.

But if they could see his actual form in their own eyes?

The magic into someone’s subconsciousness was as easy as closing his eyes and taking a deep breath for Aaravos. He willed for it, and when Alette started her pleasant dreams, he would be there, waiting for her, hoping, with a sly smile, that he could make those dreams even better.
 
Viren was pleased to be allowed in so early, and he did step in to see Farah mostly put together…except her hair was down. He didn’t know how normal or abnormal that was, but from what he suspected, he had a feeling he had gotten there just a little too early. Not that she seemed upset at all to see him, and so he greeted her with a pleasant, “Farah,” rather than the royal title…but there was still a bit of an inclination of his head and body.

Which he straightened up from quickly, took in the closest table, and moved towards it with his basket of goods, “I considered our options for dining together and realized there was likely not to be much time through the course of the day, so I thought I’d…surprise you, before every other surprise could crop up and steal away the valuable time we have.”

As he said it, he did begin to unload the breakfast, “I admit, this isn’t Katolis’s finest cuisine, but our pancakes are different than some of the other kingdoms, as is the way we prepare our sausages,” he knew Del Bar pancakes may as well be crepes, and he swore they never heard of syrup, just fruits and jams.

Which had still been good. Syrupy fruits on thin pancakes had been a delicious treat.

He laid out the two plates, the two cups, the container of hot brown magical potion, the eggs – all of it, and motioned her over, “The syrup is unique to Katolis, too. Dragon berry.” They had a lot of berries in Katolis, now that he thought of it. Winter berry and moonberries were also popular treats, though moonberries were had to find.

Maybe on the way into Xadia. “They’re more commonly found in jelly tarts here,” he admitted, “but the syrup is just as good.”

Then, he realized, he didn’t really know if she had gotten up this early without things to attend to, “Ah…I suppose I should have made sure you had time to enjoy breakfast this early. If you do have other matters to attend, I can leave it here with you, as well, your gr—Farah.”

~***~

Alette didn’t know the last time she had pleasant dreams was. She assumed when she was a child, but she hardly kept a record of them. They certainly weren’t present when she fell asleep in the Katolis library, digging through tomes for information on Aaravos, startouch elves, and Elarion.

Perhaps someone was smart enough after the fall of Elarion to write about Aaravos without naming him?

So far, no luck, and certainly no luck in dreams.

“Dark magic has its costs, even beyond your beauty, Alette.” Xandros had told her about the nightmares, that it was to be expected in the early stages. Viren had confirmed it, but all of them insisted the nightmares would fade in time. For Alette, they never had. They went on a cycle. Sometimes, she drowned chasing the sun. Other times, she grew ill helping others. It was that dream which decided to manifest.

She was in Del Bar, in her father’s clinic. It started out normal, of course – helping people with small, easy things, chatting and laughing with old friends, before someone showed up with no visible symptoms, but insisted they were dying. Alette would rush around trying to find something, anything, before realizing there was nothing, not a single ingredient – even all the things she had used before and saw she had in plentiful numbers, were gone.

But dreams never followed logic, and the spell she used in the dream, as far as she knew, didn’t exist. Yet, in the dreams, she always said a spell that brought the illness into herself, and the person walked away with no more complaints…before another showed up, and another, complaining of much the same with no illness.

And Alette felt it building with each one, until it showed physically on Dream Alette. But as she’d told each one – she could help herself later. They were dying. They needed the attention now, and she’d give it.

By the time Aaravos had stepped into the dream, Alette was dealing with the not-dark-magic black veins, bleeding from her nose (which she’d stuffed with cotton balls), and nearly blind eyes (made black, of course, something she was allowed to occasionally see through the weird logic of dreams), a hand that wouldn’t uncurl from a fist no matter what she tried, and a patient yelling at her to hurry up with no regard for Alette’s state.

And of course, she wasn’t angry about that. She felt guilt. She felt frustration, sorrow, and desperation. Her eyes had already watered with tears, but not from pain. She’d taken this job, and she knew it would require everything of her, damn it! She just had to get her fist unclenched and she could do the spell again, and help another person. Maybe they’d be the last! Maybe then she could take care of herself.
 
Farah smiled as Viren remembered to drop her title when it was just the two of them. “King Viren,” she said with a nod of her head. He hadn’t said the same to her, so she wouldn’t assume to drop the title just yet. Hopefully by the end of their meal, they would be completely on a first name basis when just in the company of one another.

Her face held an amused grin as she watched Viren dive directly into the basket he brought without so much as a ‘good morning’ or a question of if she even had the time for a meal right now.

Thankfully, she did, but it was still all terribly entertaining.

Her mouth watered as she smelled the pancakes, sausages, and eggs. Not what she normally ate for breakfast, but she certainly wouldn’t complain. It all smelled so delicious!

When prompted, she moved over to the table and took a seat, “Oh, this all smells delicious.” Traveling and living in a camp for a while now, it’s been some time since her last hot breakfast that wasn’t some type of porridge. But she wasn’t complaining. There were far more important matters to worry about than a hot breakfast.

“I don’t think I’ve had dragon berries before,” but with her sweet tooth, she was sure she was going to love the syrup. “I can’t believe you actually went through the trouble of getting breakfast and bringing it to me. I had honestly thought your new kingly duties and preparing for this war on Xadia would’ve kept you too busy.”

But it hadn’t, and that touched her.

And at the last minute, he thought about the same for her. She chuckled lightly with a shake of her head. “You came just early enough, King Viren. I don’t have any other matters to attend to for a while.” Normally she would hate idle time to do nothing, but in this case, she loved it.

One container remained, and Farah motioned a hand towards the container of the hot brown magical potion. “What’s in there?”

~~~

Chaos. Alette’s dream was filled with chaos.

This was hardly surprising, given she was a human who utilized dark magic. They were susceptible to nightmares more than most, but such was the price to pay to harness that power.

Aaravos watched for a few seconds, observing the altered physical characteristics of Alette and the mental anguish she was in. He frowned. It certainly looked like an old memory, but he knew how dreams could play around with what was real and what wasn’t.

He wasn’t immune to nightmares either.

And while he could make himself appear in her dreams, he couldn’t alter them. Only Alette could do that. But he could coerce her into changing her appearance or the landscape. As if one was daydreaming, but…not quite that.

He stepped up to her, and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. Leaning down slightly, he said, “You look like you could use some help.”
 
Viren was glad that Farah had time for the treat, and also seemed touched by it. His gaze softened as he held her in it, “I would be remiss to make promises and offers to an ally, only to renege on them,” which was true, but his smile suggested it wasn’t just the alliance he cared for here. She was indeed a special case, for this treat had not been offered to the others, even if it could have been just as easily arranged as breakfast over discussions.

No, this was not for war.

This was for peace, for prosperity, and new relationships he was curious to see unfold, uncertain what it would spell, but fairly certain he was interested in its pursuit. He couldn’t deny Aaravos was likely onto something when he’d told Alette what it seemed to be; Farah was beautiful, and she was sensible. Not only that, she had already gone out of her way to help him to the throne – breakfast was the very least he could do.

As he settled food between them upon two plates, she noticed the container, and he chuckled, “One of my daughter’s inventions, actually. It has the terribly creative name of hot brown morning potion,” it was not creative, and he proved that by opening it, and pouring himself a cup, “I happen to like it sweetened, so I did bring sweetener and cream, but Claudia drinks it without any.”

It was a matter of taste, and he began to add to his, “It does give a kick of energy a bit more potent than most teas I’ve tried in my day, so I’ve ended up with a habit of drinking it in the mornings,” for better or worse, “though she still refuses to tell me the recipe, and I have yet to crack it.”

He had, in fact, tried.

“She also refuses to tell me her crème brulee secrets – she’s certainly attempting to become a better cook than I.”

~***~

“You look like you could use some help.”

It went against a script Alette knew, but didn’t, at the same time. The voice rung familiar in her head, but how could it be? She stopped trying to pry her fist open with her working hand to step away from the feather-light touch to see who had stepped to her, the darkness not entirely clear – a darkness that would have progressed until dream-death – and saw stars.

Stars, and then a face as she looked up.

An elf? In her father’s clinic?

‘No, no.’

Of course not, this wasn’t her father’s clinic, and so as all dreams did when challenged, the area shifted, and her hand opened. The darkness faded as if it had never been, and she was in Viren’s study. Only, it was a lot more like the study he’d had when she was younger, before he had the mirror, before he had need of the butterflies. It was more haphazard, messier, because children were a responsibility and he couldn’t always maintain his study’s cleanliness because of it. His rigid control fell apart when it was just him.

Not that even his study was a perfect memory; aspects of her own study bled into it, the sun stone upon a desk, hair dye on a vanity Viren would never own, and books she knew among the scattered parts, including the one that had the poem, Aaravos repeated on the opened pages over and over, nothing else sensible, because what else mattered?

Not that she remembered him immediately.

“Oh, yes,” she had needed help, but where was the woman who had been yelling at her to help? A glance around, “I guess Viren got to her….” Because her mind was still not quite lucid, not quite catching up, although it was starting to by placing Aaravos in the place she had seen him first. “Sorry, I’m…I’m okay,” the glamour of pink and health were gone, but she was no longer bleeding from her nose; that was a memory the dream forgot, like her hands, and the unmagical dark veins; the more standard ones were there, instead.
 
In his softness, Farah couldn’t understand why Viren seemed to be disliked by some people. By Samir. He was a kind, intelligent man with a deep love for his kingdom. He only wanted what was best for Katolis.

“Hot brown morning potion?” she repeated with a scrunch of her nose, although not entirely dismissing the drink. It was something she could sweeten, and it apparently gave more energy than a cup of tea. It seemed like a miracle! “If it’s as good and useful as you say, then maybe I’ll have to get my own High Mage to try and bribe your daughter into giving him the recipe, for me,” she chuckled, reaching for a cup for the potion.

She tasted a little of the drink without any additions of sweetener or cream, but she found the taste rather bitter. She reached for the sweetener and cream, adding just a little bit of each to her drink after pouring in enough to fill her cup. Ah, much better. “While the name is certainly off-putting, the drink is delightful.”

She really wanted that recipe.

“Crafting brilliant potions? Baking perfect crème brulee? Your daughter seems like one of many talents, though I’m sure she has her father to thank for that.”

~~~

When Alette noticed Aaravos, the scenery around them changed. It was one familiar to him, Viren’s own study, but there were the little details he didn’t recognize. It was messier, and there was almost a feminine touch to the office.

No doubt in Alette’s dreams, she didn’t get the exact details of the office down perfectly. Nothing ever was. Memories failed over time, and one’s own imagination sometimes played a role in the scenes created.

Aaravos strolled over to the desk, fingers brushing across the sun stone. He knew the Sunfire elves of Lux Aurea had a sun stone, and he knew Viren didn’t have one in his study. Did this mage possess one?

The mage also seemed to be struggling to process what was going on. She hadn’t quite yet realized she was dreaming. Oftentimes it was just easier to accept what was happening in one’s dreams than to put too much analysis into it as a look into one’s subconscious.

“I know you’re okay, because none of this is real. You’re dreaming, Alette.” He paused, turning to face her. “Do you know who I am?”
 
“Ha!” Viren doubted very much that Claudia would share with Samir. She was somewhat aware that Viren was not a fan of him, because Samir seemed to have some issue with him. Viren didn’t even understand it, and chocked it off to Samir being jealous of him. There were plenty of dark mages who were that petty. It made sense. “I doubt she will share it with Samir, but you are free to try.”

Farah tried it, though. Sweetened it, too. “I have told Claudia she ought to think of a…shorter name. So far, she hasn’t,” but it worked and it was tasty. One day it would have a shorter name. Maybe just ‘Morning Potion’, though it worked at all hours, in the morning was when it was needed. “Beyond that, she is growing into a lovely and intelligent woman. She’ll be as good a dark mage as I am one day, or better,” and he’d be proud either way.

She was definitely prodigal at dark magic, and that was likely due to him. The cooking, as well. Her mother had been no help, running off and abandoning Claudia as she had, and Soren, without even the opportunity to visit, or keep in touch. They chose Viren, and so they were just…what, scum? Viren never understood it.

“I appreciate the flattery, though,” that he was to thank, “I try.” And while he could boast about Claudia all day, he didn’t really want to linger on that topic, either. He was aware there were no children for him to ask about, where Farah was concerned. He also knew that could be a touchy subject.

“What do you usually enjoy for breakfast, Farah?” And then, he went on, “And please, no more King Viren. There’s no need for that when it’s just us.”

~***~

There was one thing Alette didn’t forget in dreams, and that was not to trust another with her sun stone. When she saw Aaravos’s fingers glide over it, she stepped closer and gently moved it off the desk, under her arm. He explained what was going on, though. A dream. Alette still squinted at him, trying to grasp that, before lucidity finally tumbled into place.

It was heading that way anyways thanks to the interruption of the usual nightmare.

She relaxed, set the stone back down. There was no risk to it, then. Well, maybe in the waking world, she didn’t remember falling asleep, but that was probably irrelevant.

“Aaravos, my little starling,” she answered him, grinning. He was not little. Was this his real height? He hadn’t seemed that tall in the mirror. “You know it’s not polite to invade people’s dreams without asking first,” she was a little annoyed he’d seen one of her nightmares. It definitely felt like a violation of sorts, but she didn’t intend to show it actually upset her that much. Partially because she was curious about how this was even possible, and secondly, because he probably had no idea what he was actually stepping into.

Would any dream have been less of a violation? Probably a happy one. Somehow.

“But I supposed I put you in a jar without asking, so I deserved that.” Sure, make it seem like they were even now. She blinked a couple of times, noticed the area as Viren’s old study, and frowned at that. She wasn’t a fan, but now that she wasn’t dreaming, she didn’t actually know how to control the dreamscape to change it.

“Were you that bored when everyone went to sleep in the castle? Or is there something you’re looking for?” Probably wouldn’t have announced himself if he was hoping to just spy on her. That wouldn’t work to his advantage. Or make her aware she was dreaming – he might have gotten away with a bit more if he’d left her in that not-quite-lucid state.
 
If Claudia wouldn’t even give the recipe to her own father, Farah too highly doubted that she would give it to Samir, but it was still an amusing thought. Maybe she would just have to befriend Claudia and hope to get that recipe herself.

The recipe to the hot brown morning potion, which definitely needed a new name, and was already doing wonders to the side effects of Farah’s late night insomnia.

Farah gave Viren a soft smile and a nod at his request of the name. She could definitely do that. The topic shifted, and Farah easily followed as she placed some of the pancakes, eggs, and sausages on her plate. “It normally depends on what kind of day I have prepared ahead of me. Usually a variety of Evenerean fruit is most common, but for hot breakfasts, there’s this dish that I love that’s a mixture of rice, seafood, and sausage.”

Oh how she missed it right then.

“Some days, I’ll indulge in something a bit sweeter, and when I do, I always go for this pastry called a puff-puff.” A fluffy, airy, sugary piece of heaven. “I used to indulge in them a bit too much as a child.” Syrup was poured over her pancakes, and Farah took her first bite. Oh, how delicious! She could just moan, but fortunately for her dignity, she resisted that reaction.

“Oh, these are just wonderful,” she said between bites. “Give my compliments to the chef.”

~~~

Aaravos silently observed the way Alette was protective of the sun stone when he got too close to it. Of course, it would be considered a treasure for humans, especially those that use it to help harness magic. And there were only so few left, with him as one of those left who still knew how to make another one.

He chuckled, shaking his head. “I know you’re not one to tell me what is considered polite or not.” And she was quick to make that connection as well. He stepped closer, enough to place a finger under her chin to angle her head better to look at him. “And don’t forget all the times you took me from Viren without considering my feelings.”

He lowered his finger, not before gently brushing it against her skin. “Maybe I just wanted to see you without the barriers we are presented with. I hardly need the same amount of sleep that humans need, and given my current circumstances, I am left with plenty of free time.”

He took a glance around the study. “What I am curious about is why you brought us to Viren’s office. Do you consider this as some sort of safe space?”
 
Viren could never settle for a breakfast of just fruits. He always needed to cook, or make something, or have something made. Just the raw ingredients were never enough except as a snack…which, he supposed, he might have to get used to the idea of just snacking along the journey. That was often how these things turned out. Eating was a necessity, but pleasure was often not a part of it.

He certainly took pleasure in Farah’s compliments, and humored keeping the secret to himself for a moment…before deciding to respond, “You just told the chef,” and chuckled as he cut into his own pancake to take a bite of it, adding afterwards, “I’ve been making these for decades. They seem to be a favorite.”

They were so simple to him now, but perhaps that was part of it? A simple, warm, comfort food that wasn’t overpowering. Oh, it had plenty of flavor on its own, but it paired well with so many different syrups, jams, and fruits, that it was quite versatile. He’d even watched Soren wrap sausages in it and just shove it all into his mouth.

He hadn’t tried Soren’s method, but Claudia said it was surprisingly good, with a little bit of the tree sap syrups on it. Not so much the fruit ones, apparently. “We do have to have hobbies outside of our jobs. I always enjoyed cooking. I think it went hand in hand with getting to know plants and animals. It was a way to still use that knowledge, but, ah, not for my job.”

It created a new level of familiarity.

“I know you must have a few, too.” She had never been set for leadership, but he wouldn’t say that so overtly. Everyone born into royalty often received some training to prepare in case tragedies happened.

~***~

Aaravos had little concept of personal space. Not that Alette had a greater idea with people she’d started to get to know. Until they made their boundaries clear, she was willing to find them herself. The touch was still that terrible, feather-light touch of dreams. Registering, but not the way it ought.

She couldn’t help but chuckle at his comment about taking him away. As if it were some atrocious crime that was terribly upsetting. Well, it could be, in the wrong circumstances, but Alette had told him she wouldn’t do that if he could make it obvious that it was a bad time. “My apologies, Aaravos,” it wasn’t that sincere, “you know I will try not to do that again,” he’d make it known if he shouldn’t be taken away.

She still would, now and then.

Apparently, he wanted to see her, after all. This didn’t seem to be a business visit, which almost made it a shame that of all the places for her dreaming mind to pick, it was an old copy of Viren’s office. Not exact, and really, no threat to her. Not even with Aaravos’s question. She shook her head, “It’s not that it isn’t…safe, exactly. I think my mind just latched onto you, and where you belonged in my memory, since you didn’t belong….” Where had she been?

The nightmares always faded. A blessing and a curse. With her mind more awake, it was harder to recall, and she just sighed at the futility of it, “Wherever we were before. Unless we were here.” Although that much, she was certain, wasn’t true. “I met Viren years ago, he was the first dark mage I met, and ended up a kind of mentor since then, mostly through letters, but also the occasional visit.”

He wasn’t the one that actually taught her how to truly harness it, which was a shame. He would have been a better teacher than Xandros. “I guess the short answer is, it is a safe space, in a way. Or it was.” She wasn’t sure anymore. She really wasn’t sure about all the ways Viren had changed, and what he was doing. The logic was there, she understood it…but given he was taking tips from an elf she knew next to nothing about, who’s name vanished in books, it was…debatable how sane this was.

“After all, this was before your mirror,” she gestured at the empty space with a grin, teasing at his existence being a threat too easily.
 
What Viren admitted to Farah took her a few seconds to understand, but when she did, her eyes widened, and there was that familiar skip of her heartbeat she hadn’t experienced in such a long time. She knew she shouldn’t put too much thought into it, but how could she not?

“Oh, you didn't have to go through so much trouble, Viren. I know you must be busy enough already with everything going on.” She would feel more guilty, but how could she when the food tasted so good? “But thank you. I am greatly honored that you took the time out of your morning to cook breakfast and bring it here.”

Even if he did love cooking, Viren had to be busy these days, between getting used to being the new king of Katolis, to preparing for a great war on Xadia. How could she not feel honored? And knowing he only did it for her, and not the other two monarchs left her with a strange giddiness. Oh I hope I’m not blushing.

Farah nodded at his inquiry. “I have always enjoyed fencing and archery. When I got older, some of the Crownguards even helped me evolve my fencing skills into swordfighting.” Her husband had also been one to teach her, but she wouldn’t mention that particular fact. “I also spend a great deal of my time reading anything I can get my hands on. Growing up, I spent a great deal of time in our library. We have an impressive collection, but I’m sure I could tell you where every book in our collection is located,” she said with a chuckle.

“What about you? Do you have any other hobbies that may surprise me?”

~~~

Aaravos didn’t quite believe that Alette wouldn’t try such a thing again, but he didn’t voice his disbelief. Soon enough, she won’t even be able to pick him up anymore, and he would cease being merely an object to pass around.

So her mind decided to conjure up Viren’s study, because it was where they first met. It was where she associated him with the most. That was understable, if not slightly disappointing. It didn’t exactly give him anything, but that was hardly of any concern.

But she did go a bit into her history with Viren, one that went back a long time. It explained why Viren so easily told Alette the truth of what was going on, and why Alette was going through his study when they first met.

“Why do you not consider it a safe space anymore? Is it because of what he revealed to you, in the cell?” That had caused some tension between the two, and even at the moment it happened, Alette had seemed unsure of the events, though her words agreed with him.

“And I hope you are not insinuating that the presence of a mere mirror threatens your safe space,” he chuckled. “I would be both insulted and honored.”
 
Viren was amused with Farah’s reaction. It was also one he hadn’t seen in such a long time. He usually did surprise people with the fact while they were enjoying the food, before telling them he had made it. It’d been a while since he had anyone to surprise. It’d been a while since he wanted to surprise anyone, and he chuckled as Farah insisted he shouldn’t have gone through the trouble.

“You’re welcome. If it helps, I was going to cook breakfast for Claudia and Soren anyways, so adding a little extra was no hardship. They deserved at least one more homecooked meal before we had to go to war – and so did you, even if it’s not exactly your home.” It was still a nice meal before setting out, nicer than they were likely to eat on the way.

It seemed that Farah’s hobbies were fairly normal for a royal upbringing. Swordplay and literature. “Perhaps you’ll be able to tell me every book, one day. There are a few I’ve been meaning to read that Katolis simply doesn’t have,” his own mind trailed to Elarion, and others on the subject, now that he had to deal with Aaravos. He wasn’t pursuing it like Alette – he didn’t have time for that – but he hadn’t forgotten, either.

“I probably do not have any surprising hobbies. I enjoy puzzles – riddles, mazes, jigsaw, numerical – any sort of puzzle, really. Probably expected of someone who spends all their time wrestling with problems without a sword,” he chuckled, “I learned a bit about fighting, but I can’t claim I’ve ever enjoyed it as a hobby, unlike my son.” He also did not use a sword, but that didn’t really need mentioning.

His staff was strong enough to stop any sword that came at him without breaking.

~***~

Alette chuckled at the last addition to Aaravos’s queries, before moving to sit on the desk and shaking her head, “No insult, but all the honor. No matter how you want to spin it, Aaravos, you can’t deny you’re a threat. I’m not an idiot,” some might consider it debatable, but she didn’t think she was being foolish for being suspicious of him, “No matter how pretty you are, that’s one of five things I know about you. The other three are that you’re trapped, and you’ve committed crimes heinous enough in someone’s perspective that it’s worth damning your entire existence to oblivion, and you were involved with Elarion. The last thing is that you helped Viren kill people, one of which was a friend of mine.”

She smiled, of course, while saying it all, “I may have agreed with Viren’s position in this. His heart’s in the right area,” or so it seemed, anyways, “but that doesn’t mean I trust you, and your involvement in all of this,” which was a tenuous situation for the other side, and she was sure Aaravos recognized that. Possibly grounds for an ‘accidental death’ so her knowledge was removed from the equation.

She was aware of what those admittances could mean.

“I don’t know how you got Viren to trust you without more investigation. He’s usually smarter than this,” or he was, but he had changed. Perhaps some of his intelligence went out the window in favor of…well, whatever this was. Revenge for Harrow? Possibly – revenge was blinding. Alette had been spared having any grand enemies to deal with. “I guess the loss of Harrow really got to him,” it was understandable.

“But, you can at least not feel so insulted. It’s not personal…it’s kind of the opposite of personal since I don’t know you.”
 
Hearing that Viren also made breakfast for his children did help some. It warmed her heart knowing that his new status as king organizing a war march did not stop him from cooking breakfast for his children to give them a special treat. “The sentiment still stands, regardless of whether or not I am home.”

And it was far better than the porridge she had been eating with her soldiers.

“What are some of these books that Katolis doesn’t have? Maybe we have something similar to what you’re looking for. After all, I’ve been told that the royal library of Evenere is the largest of the Five Kingdoms,” she said with a teasing wink. She hadn’t had the opportunity to test that theory, but Samir swore this was true.

Farah didn’t know how biased he was in that statement.

“We even have a few books so old and valuable, that they require special permission to view. If you ever find yourself in Evenere, I’m sure I can manage to arrange for you to see that collection.” Another slight tease. But she would have great pride in showing him the collection Evenere had amassed over the generations.

Evenereans prided themselves on their studies and disciplines. Having a library to reflect this was only natural.

Viren’s hobbies weren’t surprising at all. She could see him enjoying puzzles in his downtime, maybe with a cup of that hot brown morning potion next to him. “Do you enjoy chess?” It wasn’t too far off from puzzles, in its own way. “If you do, I would love to play a game against someone who isn’t my High Mage. I’ve grown to know his strategies far too well.”

~~~

Aaravos grinned at Alette’s thoughts. No, she wasn’t an idiot. She was smart for thinking he was a threat. In a certain perspective, he was a threat. A great one. “You’ve known of my existence for, what, one day? And you already came to those conclusions. Not bad at all.” He would neither confirm nor deny what she said.

He also wasn’t blind to the knowledge that if Alette could figure this out, there was potential for others to figure out. Or for Alette to go and alert someone of what was really going on, throwing his carefully balanced plans off balance.

“Loss can greatly affect anyone. Look at the Kingdoms who lost their monarchs, and have now sided with Viren for war. They were motivated by great loss.” Aaravos was also certain that Viren was curious for the magic Aaravos showed him, and wondered what more he could be shown.

Oh, he had so much more to show Viren.

“But I do not feel insulted at all. In fact, I may even be motivated to prove to you that I mean you no harm.”
 
Viren knew he had a list somewhere of books he wanted, but of course, that list wasn’t on him, and his mind mostly blanked on any titles. He let his brows knit together as he tried to think through them, while Farah mentioned how vast the library was, and how there was a section in there that required special permissions, “Likely what I want is in that section. I’ve become more interested in Elarion of late – perhaps no surprise, given our current situation. Katolis has few books on the subject.”

A few, of course. One of which he knew was now in Alette’s possession, along with some others she was going to be taking on the road, if his information from the librarian was correct. Assuming she woke up and remembered; he hadn’t seen fit to have her disturbed. Someone would get her eventually.

And he’d make use of her studies when the time came.

“After this is over, I think a visit to your library is long overdue. I am sure it will also do Soren some good to play regent while I am visiting,” it might be the worst idea ever, but Claudia would keep Soren on the right path while he was away, and not burn Katolis to the ground. He hoped that Soren could learn leadership.

Sarai had.

The mention of chess brought her to mind, “I admit, I have not played chess in a while so I may be rusty, but I used to enjoy it with Queen Sarai. Despite her warrior upbringing, she had a sharp mind. Sharper than Harrow, in some respects, and chess was one of those,” he indicated, “but I did enjoy it, and I am certain I would enjoy playing the game with you, on the way.” And a smile flickered on his lips, “we can always consider it strategic planning, in a way.”

A lie, really. Chess wasn’t great for reality. No piece ever played by rules.

Nonetheless, it did test one’s mind against another, and forced you to consider all the possibilities they could go with. It was a game of wits, and that was a part of war strategy. Staying ahead of the opponent was always critical. “Did you bring a set with you, or should I plan to have one packed with my things?”

~***~

Aaravos seemed to shake whatever insult or offense he teased at. Whether that was true or not – whether he’d actually been insulted, were all debatable. It was another thing Alette recognized but didn’t say. Aaravos was exceedingly hard to read, even when she could see his face and watch his movements in the dream.

And yet, he’d walked into what she wanted. ‘Or you made it obvious.’ Also possible – mentioning that he’d convinced Viren was an invitation to convince her. Alette was open to that, in most situations. She’d always preferred being open-minded, after all. It was how she heard Viren out in his cell.

“Mmm,” loss did impact people. Loss had impacted her enough. Near-loss, more than loss, in a way. It was that fear of loss that had turned her into a dark mage, even if she knew, loss was also an inevitable. Everyone died, eventually. Everyone was lost.

But not a child.

“I certainly prefer that route to a not-so accidental death for knowing too much,” Alette chuckled. She wanted to hope they were all making the right decision. She was aware that meant she was inclined to want to trust him, too. Not just because he was pretty, although even she couldn’t deny that terrible bias of wanting to trust someone because they were pretty and charming.

It was how so many people got away with murder, literally and figuratively. “You could start with telling me more about you, Aaravos. I know, I know, secrets about your plans and your crimes until you’ve truly roped me in, and probably nothing about Elarion and long lost spells,” a tease with a deep sigh of mock-exasperation, but likely, a truth, one she’d have to live with and try not to forget, “but I assume there are things about you as an individual that aren’t top secret, right? Favorite color, favorite food, childhood pets? How do you keep your hair looking so good, and is it as soft as it looks?”

Small things. Personal things. Would he even give that?
 
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