//------------------------------// // Chapter 16 // Story: Realms of Magic: The Realm of the Gryphons // by TheEighthDayofNight //------------------------------// Kathranis felt himself awaken, an oddity he still wasn’t quite used to as his body finished healing. All the external wounds were gone, but there were still the non-physical traumas his body had to forgive before he could slip into Reverie once again. A day or two more of sleep, then he would be back to normal. After cutting Calak free, the zebra had apologized profusely, in his own boisterous way. Terran had indeed asked him to test the elves to see what their limits were, and luckily, the king had been impressed at the end of it all. While he didn’t have a positive affinity for being tested, Kathranis had begrudged the king a social test in his own kingdom. He certainly wasn’t one to complain of odd and uncomfortable social traditions. The dinner had ended, however, with the promise to resume once a Talk was held. After Kathranis gave Valan public permission to sleep in his own bed, the elves had returned to their quarters alone. Again what should have been a time of grand re-uniting was tempered with his news of war, and of the Talk to come. Joyous noise at having the chance to re-connect with their Blademaster quickly fell to whisper-filled quiet as the elves separated in small groups to talk among themselves. Kathranis let himself drift to no group, instead prepared the last bed in the row for his personal use. First he stowed the new clothing Aquila had commissioned him, then he took the time to polish his swords and armor. By the time he began his evening prayers, his elves were preparing for sleep, and a few stopped by his temporary home to give him kind greetings. Then came darkness, brought on by Fordred using a magic wind to blow out the lanterns and torches that kept the room lit. Only the fire place toward the center of the room remained alight, broadcasting its warmth against the cold mountain night. Those furthest away from its heat were given additional blankets and furs, and all remained warm. Kathranis felt a chill pass through his body as he sat up. The room was dark, and the sound of deep breathing touched his pointed ears. He smiled and looked around, expecting to find his brethren in Reverie. He was surprised when he found each elf sleeping like he had been, their heads on pillows. A few wouldn’t have been too abnormal; they all had memories best left unvisited, but for all of them to sleep? No, not quite all. One bed close to the fireplace sat empty, its blankets tossed aside, and its occupant missing. Kathranis knew that Fordred had fallen begun his rest in that bed. He slipped from his covers and tip-toed to the bathrooms. He found them empty of the elvish wizard, and so crept back to his bed. He stood at the foot of his bed, frowning in thought. Where could Fordred have gone? If his intention had been to spend the night with Deyenidal, he would have fallen into the gryphon’s woo-ing arms after the dinner. While checking with the gryphoness was still an option, his gut told him to look elsewhere first. It wasn’t like Fordred to wander during the night. A grunt touched his ears, and Kathranis blinked to find Secil staring at him with patient, glowing eyes. The cat had Kathranis’ new cloak in his teeth as he perched on the end of the bed. ‘If you’re going out, you need to wear more than cloth,’ the cat huffed. ‘Or you could finally talk to Lady Sylvanus about that beast magic spell we heard about. I’m sure Aquila would appreciate you having more fur.” “I have no idea why that would matter,” Kathranis replied. “And I don’t need fur, but thank you for my cloak. It does get cold up here.” Secil rolled his eyes and hopped down from the bed. ‘I can tell, you’re shivering cub. Do try to make it back before you freeze, because I will wake up the entire castle to look for you.’ Kathranis snorted and smiled. He gave Secil a quick scratch behind his ear as the cat settled by the fire, then he crept from the room, making sure to remain as quiet as possible. He made it through the doors without issue, offering a bright smile to the pair of gryphons standing guard at the doorway. Neither matched the expression. Not letting it shake him, Kathranis asked; “Have either of you seen my friend Fordred come by? He’s a touch shorter and a touch younger than I am. The… the wizard?” One of the guards nodded. “He went toward the gardens.” Kathranis offered him a slight bow. “Thank you friend.” The guard frowned, looking slightly confused as the elf walked away, unconcerned. As he walked toward the gardens, Kathranis found it odd that Terran had put guards on his merry little band. Yes, he had made a thinly veiled threat, but that was directed primarily at Calak, and was only made under duress! He had no intention of actually attacking anyone! Or perhaps it was something else. Aquila had mentioned some issues with her people’s views on his elves… Perhaps the good king was just being kind, offering protection from enemies they did not yet know of. Who was to say? ‘Certainly not me,’ Kathranis thought as he pushed through a set of doors and into the castle gardens. A sharp gust of wind sent shivers down his spine, and Kathranis instantly regretted not putting on his boots. The stone walkways were ice cold, and caused his bare feet to stick slightly as he walked through, pulling his cloak tight around his shoulders. He pulled the hood up, relishing in the plush fur lining as his breath created a cloud of fog. Looking up found a brightly painted sky of stars, completely unmarred by clouds, and out-shined only by a moon that glowed white. He stared up at the starry sky for a long moment, but the chill seeping into his feet got him moving again before he froze solid. He stalked through the gardens, not wanting to call out for Fordred. It wouldn’t do to disturb the entire castle with his caterwauling, especially if the elvish wizard had just gone for a late-night walk. They were all prone to their occasional flights of fancy and midnight walks were common. Kathranis’ path wove deeper into the maze of greenery, eventually bringing his steps toward his usual prayer grounds. He was surprised to find someone already in prayer, though instead of praying near his usual spot, the glowing elf was singing his prayers softly beneath the tree Aquila had declared as Harmony’s own. Kathranis felt a touch colder as he watched Fordred, half bare, sing, his arms stretched toward the sky. The wizard’s eyes were closed, and if he had heard Kathranis’ approach, he didn’t show it. He was completely immersed, and the glow he cast off was inviting and warm. Kathranis’ hand crept to his holy symbol, holding tightly as he resisted the urge to move toward the warm light. He shuddered as a warmth spell passed over his body, the source obvious even as he sent a whispered prayer of thanks to the sky. He remained away, watching quietly and only occasionally shifting on his feet as Fordred continued to sing. He didn’t understand the words his fellow elf sang, but imagined he never would, not unless he abandoned his goddess, and the chances of that happening were so low that he never considered it a serious thought. His eyes eventually drifted to the try, and he watched as rainbow colored light flitted and flowed between the branches, pooling in the leaves before rushing back toward the trunk. The soil around the base of the tree glowed with that light, and Kathranis noticed tiny creeping lines, slowly slithering toward Fordred. Some were already in place, beginning to circle the elvish wizard. Kathranis watched the lines carefully as they grew, and thickened with energy. The song began to grow in intensity, and he couldn’t help himself as the lines of rainbow colored light slowly blossomed from the ground. He gasped. The sound, as soft as it was, rang through the air like a bellowing dragon. Fordred’s song vanished and he shot to his feet, his eyes wide with alarm as he whirled around. The lines shriveled away, disappearing back under ground, and all light from the tree vanished. The gardens became too quite, and Kathranis felt a shiver of shame pass up his spine even as he stepped forward and tried putting on a convincing smile. “Are you alright Fordred?” he asked. “I noticed you absent from your bed and came looking…” “Why did you interrupt me?” the wizard snapped. Kathranis had never heard the wizard get angry with him, and he found that he didn’t like it much. Especially since his elves had always been kind and attentive when he was involved with his own rites and ceremonies, small though they were. He certainly wouldn’t taken to being interrupted while in prayer. He sighed and bowed his head. “Apologies my friend. I did not mean to. I came upon you while and song and remained back, but there was something reaching for you… I apologize. It was disrespectful, and I know better. I will go.” A hurt look passed over Fordred’s body as Kathranis turned away. “Wait-” the wizard called. “It’s… It’s fine Blademaster.” Kathranis met Fordred’s eyes and shook his head. “No, it isn’t. I would be offended if you had done such to me, and I am ashamed for interrupting you. I will go.” He didn’t make it a step before Fordred was at his side. “No,” the elvish wizard said, gently grabbing his arm. “Come sit with me. Harmony wouldn’t be proud of me if my first act in her name was turning away a friend for an honest mistake.” Those words cause Kathranis’ eyebrows to raise, but he let himself be led by the younger elf. Fordred smiled and pulled him toward the tree. It seemed to pulse warmer as they approached, and Kathranis felt slightly uncomfortable, tugging his arm free of Fordred’s grasp. “I am still devoted to Lady Sylvanus…” “I know,” Fordred said, again grabbing Kathranis’ arm, his smile bright. “And I think Harmony is beginning to learn that too. Come!” The wizard’s excitement couldn’t be squashed, nor did Kathranis want to ruin it. He let Fordred guide him to sit beneath the branches of the tree, only sparing one nervous glance upward before settling his eyes on the beaming elf. Kathranis tugged his cloak tighter around his body, glad for its presence as he sat opposite his friend. “So,” Kathranis began. “You spoke of acting in Harmony’s name. I do not need to say what that implies.” Fordred’s smile dimmed slightly, and his eyes momentarily took on a dazed look. He looked around, blinking at the tree, then at the dark gardens. He leaned back on his hands, frowning for a moment before again meeting Kathranis’ eyes. “I… I suppose you don’t.” The younger elf shifted uncomfortably, and Kathranis smiled, reaching out a hand to touch Fordred’s knee. “Don’t be alarmed, I’m not going to persecute you, I just wish to talk this out, to make sure this is your decision, and not something you were pressured into.” Fordred’s smile made a return, and he leaned forward. “Of course you do Blademaster. You’ve always cared for us, and I’ve never seen that more clearly than right now.” “What do you mean?” Fordred chuckled. “It’s the dead of night and near freezing, and you came looking for me with nothing but a cloak. You could have assumed I was safe and sound elsewhere in the castle, but instead you came looking, and now you’re humoring me and are trying to talk through my change of faith still in the freezing cold. A better friend I couldn’t ask for.” Kathranis bowed, placing a hand over his heart. “You offer far too gracious praise. I am merely trying to make sure you are safe and happy, as I should.” Fordred hummed happily in agreement. “It is a change in faith then?” Kathranis asked, picking up the core of the conversation once more. Fordred nodded. “Yes.” “If I may ask, when did you discover your new goddess?” “In the bathhouse,” Fordred said. “While Queen Scylla was praying. I assume you too felt Harmony’s light?” “I did, though Lady Sylvanus did not take well to it,” Kathranis said with a wry smile. “She made sure to remind me of my faith, and I am glad for it, though I wish I could offer Harmony an apology. I did not mean to seem callous when rejecting her embrace, it is simply not for me.” “Harmony does not hold it against you,” Fordred said. “That I know.” “May I ask how? It is early for a new devotee of her faith to have such direct contact.” “Perhaps in Faerun, but here…” Fordred shivered and his smile brightened. “Here Harmony is very personal, and she does not seem the type to hold grudges. I think she is merely… confused for the moment. I believe she learned some from my prayers though. Perhaps in time she will understand completely your polite declination of her embrace.” “I should hope so,” Kathranis said. “But let me again ask; is she your goddess now? Have you fully abandoned Lady Mystra?” Fordred stared into the garden for a moment, then nodded very slowly. His hand slipped into the pockets of his trousers and he drew forth a charm that Kathranis quickly recognized as belonging to Mystra. Fordred held the chain aloft so that he could see it better in the tree-light. After a moment of staring, he let his arm drop, flipped the charm over in his grasp so that it rested in his palm. Fordred again stared at it in a long silence before finally looking to Kathranis. “This doesn’t mean anything to me anymore. Mystra…. Mystra isn’t here Blademaster.” The wizard tossed the charm to his elder, who caught it deftly. Kathranis eyed the charm for a moment before tucking it into a pocket of his cloak. Holy symbol or not, it was a piece of elvish history now. A relic of what was quickly becoming a bygone era. Kathranis then looked back to Fordred. “What does that mean to you Fordred? You know she is real, that she is a goddess.” “But she isn’t here Blademaster,” Fordred reiterated. “I am not casting doubt on her existence, nor am I saying that you are wrong to continue your faith. I respect your belief, you know that.” Kathranis held a hand up. “I do know that,” he assured. “I just want to make sure you know that. I want to make sure you are not making this decision rashly or out of fear. I want you to think. Faith is a matter of the heart, yes, but blind faith is something best avoided. Just as the body requires many parts working in concert to swing a sword, so too does it need to coordinate matters of the heart.” Fordred let out a breath, and his posture relaxed. “I know. Before you arrived, I tried praying to Mystra, just as Huron and the others tried praying to Selune. I got no answer, not even the usual light touch of acknowledgment I usually get.” He shifted nervously. “I do not mean to cast doubt, but have you… heard Lady Sylvanus? Have you felt her genuinely?” Kathranis’s smile lacked any sort happiness as he sighed softly. “You know me Fordred. I don’t test my goddess.” Yet answer the call I shall, Sylvanus whispered faintly in his ear. No more shall doubt my Champion. Both elves turned as the garden became alive with emerald light. The hedges rustled, growing rapidly and perfectly, remaining carefully trimmed even as they crept toward the sky. Glowing vines crept through the swaying undergrowth, and on it rode a trio of bird-shaped flowers. The vine stopped between the elves, and the flowers popped to life, shaking free of their stems. They hopped around the vine, and then onto Fordred. The wizard smiled, then laughed as the birds began picking at his hair. “I suppose this is more than enough answer,” he said, chuckling as a flower-bird nestled behind his ear. Kathranis touched his leaf charm and whispered a word of thanks, promising extra prayers in the morning. Light laughter filled the air, slowly fading with the glow of the plant life. The birds turned back into flowers, falling into Fordred’s lap, while the vine slipped back into the hedges. With a few last shakes and shudders, all fell quiet once more. Kathranis smiled and spread his hands. “I take it that is evidence enough?” Fordred bowed his head, the smile never leaving his face. “I am glad for you Blademaster. Such is a blessing. Please apologize to Lady Sylvanus on my behalf.” Kathranis chuckled. “She knows my friend. She’s here. She cares for me now more than she ever did.” His smile dimmed. “And I am sorry that you cannot say the same of your goddess.” Fordred shrugged. “My relationship with Mystra was never as close as yours is with Lady Sylvanus. I worshiped her because it was the right thing to do for a wizard, because it benefited everyone when I had something in common with other wizards, and yes, I enjoyed the occasional touch of companionship and the occasional magic grant… but I wouldn’t call my former worship love. Not like now.” He shuddered, his smile widening. “Now it’s all so… potent. Deyenidal loves me on the physical plain, and Harmony is just as caring on the spiritual. It’s a beautiful thing Blademaster, and this is a new world. Things change, and we must change as well. You are lucky to keep something extremely important to you, but for me? I am glad Harmony has been welcoming. I… I feel genuinely loved now.” Kathranis felt hurt at that, and it evidently showed on his face. Fordred winced. “I apologize Blademaster. That’s not what I meant.” “It’s alright,” Kathranis said, rubbing his thumbs along his cloak’s edge. He looked down at his crossed legs. “I am not so old Fordred; it is hard to try and… love everyone like I should. I imagine an elf a century my senior would know just what to say to relate to each and everyone of our elves, but-” he sighed. “I haven’t even engaged them yet, in this new place. Tomorrow will be the first time most in our merry band have the chance to sit and speak with their Blademaster. I have not taken time to let them lean on me, to let them speak to me. I have instead, selfishly I might add, taken every opportunity to experience the kindness of our hosts. I have left our people neglected, and unheard.” Fordred reached out, touching Kathranis’ shoulder. “They don’t think that Blademaster, and they know how much you care, as do I. What they see is a mighty elf that tried to better our situation no matter his own injuries, who allowed them the freedom to go out and experience this new world. It is not neglect, you are merely learning! As are we all! Yes, tomorrow has to cover a very serious matter, but they also know you will give time to them.” He winked. “And they smell the blood in the water Blademaster. They know you are distracted with more… personal matters.” Kathranis’ eyebrows furrowed and he glanced up. “I didn’t think my prayers took that long.” Fordred chuckled, but when Kathranis didn’t join him, he coughed into his hand. “R-right. Deyenidal had said Princess Aquila was complaining about… Nevermind. I, uh…” He coughed again, then cleared his throat. “Apologies Blademaster. I am still not the best at this kind of talk.” Kathranis pondered for a brief second more on what Fordred could have possibly meant before letting a smile touch his face. “Nonsense my friend,” he said. “I think you’ve matured quite a bit, and in only a month! Am I such a poor influence on you?” Fordred blushed. “You did help to keep me sheltered… but I think it’s all that’s happened in these last few days. Love, a new goddess…” He met Kathranis’ eyes. “If I may be so bold; what did you feel when Harmony touched you in the bathhouse?” “An intoxicating warmth,” Kathranis answered honestly. “As I before said, had Lady Sylvanus not reminded me where my heart lies, I would have become smitten with a new goddess. While that in and of itself is not a bad thing, especially not with the genuineness I felt from Harmony, I would always hold an ache in my heart for my lost Lady, and I would have had to carry that burden forever.” He smiled. “And what is a new warmth against one so familiar? Harmony held genuineness, but Lady Sylvanus already knows me, loves me, as I do her. I am ever her servant, and glad for it.” Fordred’s smile didn’t diminish as he nodded. “Of course Blademaster, I’d expect no less from you.” He paused, then asked; “But what of everyone else? I think it clear that there are no other gods here-” “Sune, Lanthandar, and Mask actually,” Kathranis said. “-none that are elvish then,” Fordred amended. “I can only imagine that Lady Sylvanus wants to bring followers to her cause, but… can the others follow Harmony? Kathranis stared in thought at the cold flagstones beneath him, unsure of how to answer. Silence did not help his thinking however, so he bid Fordred to speak. “Tell me how you felt your belief in Harmony began. I want to know specifically what you felt in the bathhouse, down to the last detail, to know more about Harmony, to know more about what has changed within you, so that I may keep you close.” He glanced up. “I hope it does not offend you when I say that you were never this passionate with your worship of Mystra.” Fordred let out a breath and smiled. “Not at all Blademaster.” He took a deep breath, then began. “I… felt the light Queen Scylla cast,” he started. “It washed over Deyenidal and I, and I could just understand the song, even though I still cannot tell you the language it is sung in.” He shrugged, leaning back on his hands. “I understood, and then some part of my heart immediately joined in. It was like Harmony knew that I had devoted myself to Mystra, and that Mystra no longer held a place in my heart.” He shivered, his eyes closing. Kathranis pulled his cloak a little tighter as his fellow elf began to grow brighter. “Her song spoke to me,” Fordred continued. “She offered to fill the hole in my heart, and when I looked up and saw Deyenidal, it was like my love for her filled my every cell, and Harmony could tell.” He opened his eyes, and prismatic light briefly flickered in them. “And that was all it took. I joined in the song, as did Deyenidal. We… bonded over the affair, and then after tonight’s nightmare, I sought comfort in her light.” Kathranis blinked. The word was familiar, but Fordred didn’t have nightmares. He was young, was saved from many of the horrors of their lost homeland. He had not witnessed what the rest of their band had, and as such had no reason to experience nightmares. He shuffled the words toward the rear of his thoughts, making a note to address it before they left the garden. “And your intentions now?” Kathranis asked. “Seek out a priest I suppose,” Fordred replied. “I love the connection I have formed with Harmony, but I need to know more. I followed my heart tonight in seeking out her light, but I would like to worship her as you do Lady Sylvanus. I have no doubt there are rituals, rites, and prayers I should follow, and I would like to make a good impression on my new goddess.” Kathranis nodded slowly. “That is a good measure, but I also task you to merely learn more about Harmony. Learn her history, her reach. Learn the history of her following; you know just as well as I do how dangerous fanatics can be.” Fordred bowed his head. “Of course Blademaster, I will do so.” He chuckled. “I am quite eager to delve back into some books actually. Time away has done good, but…” Kathranis laughed. “But fundamentally you’re a wizard! It would terrify me if you completely abandoned your love of books.” The pair laughed together. Once they had fallen to quiet, Fordred sat up, clasping his hands before him. “So, onto the question of conversion.” Kathranis sighed and nodded. “I cannot control what everyone does Fordred, but Lady Sylvanus has tasked me with bringing followers to her faith. She cannot survive on my prayer alone. It is why she tasked me to approach Queen Scylla. She hoped to ally with Harmony, to spread her name that way.” Fordred’s face twitched, and the prismatic light made a return. A slightly feminine garble tinged his voice, so light that Kathranis wasn’t quite sure it was there at all. “What will happen if she does not gather followers? What if something happens to you?” “If she is lucky, she will return to the state she was in in the beginning of things,” Kathranis said. “This is not our world however, and I fear that she may just perish. Aquila, and a few other gryphons know her name now, but that is not enough. She may find that she one day… disappears. I doubt she will truly die, but the conscious part of her being will likely fade.” He shrugged meeting Fordred’s eyes, which shined with tears. “I’m afraid I don’t know, and she won’t tell me. You would need to ask a priest, but the only one’s who likely exist are among the humans. I highly doubt they will be speaking with us anytime soon.” Fordred nodded, and his eye returned to their normal blue. “That would be a tragedy,” he mumbled. “She did not travel with you just to die.” Kathranis shrugged again. “We can’t know. She speaks of the beauty of this world. Perhaps if I die, that will be enough for her.” He felt discontent creep beneath his skin, and the bushes at his back swayed in an un-felt wind. He could have sworn one tried to slap his head, and he chuckled. “Luckily,” he continued. “I have no intentions of dying, or of abandoning Lady Sylvanus, and I do intend to spread her faith, even if it is not the diplomatically wise thing to do. My Lady has claimed Luieustriel and Riven for her own, and I would request that you let me attempt to convert them before you try to shepherd them to Harmony’s side. It would be nice to have friends in faith aside from Secil.” Forded nodded. “Of course. And everyone else?” “Tomorrow,” Kathranis said with a sigh. “I will tell them what I have told you; that our gods and goddesses are gone, and that they now have choices to make. Please ward away anyone before I have the chance to inform them. They should hear about their loss in a careful way, not through some eager priest. They need our kindness, not to be shifted around like pieces in a trade deal.” The garble returned as Fordred said; “I couldn’t agree more.” Kathranis smiled. “Thank you my friend. After, you may talk to them about it, Queen Scylla will likely be eager to help, however-” his voice hardened “-you are not to force them, and you are not to let anyone of your new faith do so. They must have their own, natural experience with Harmony. I will hold you responsible if they feel they are being converted against their will. Am I clear?” Fordred bobbed his head. “Of course Blademaster! I would never-” “I know,” Kathranis cut in. “But I must say this, as your Blademaster. I love each of my elves, and I will do everything in my power to see them happy. I believe that Harmony can provide some of that happiness, but only if their relationship’s are genuine.” “Then I will await tomorrow,” Fordred said with a smile. “Or perhaps the day after if I can speak with Queen Scylla.” He gazed thoughtfully upward. “I think Deyenidal is allowed to issue orders to the guards. They should be able to keep away any petitioners, and I can talk with her first thing…” He shrugged and met Kathranis’ eyes again. “I’ll make it work Blademaster. Rest assured, only those who want to know Harmony will find themselves in her embrace.” Kathranis reached out, placing a hand on Fordred’s shoulder and giving it a firm squeeze. “I know I can trust you to help me keep them happy. Hopefully by the end of this, we can all share a prayer or two.” “Maybe,” Fordred mumbled, the prismatic light in his eyes finally falling away completely. Kathranis shivered and withdrew the hand, re-tightening his cloak. The light around them seemed to dim, and for the first time, Fordred seemed to notice the cold air around him. He shivered and drew his hands into his lap. Kathranis smiled and got to his feet. “Come on, let’s go inside. You’ll catch your death out here with nothing on.” Fordred let out a foggy breath, nodding in agreement. “Yes, I… think I got a little caught up in Harmony’s warmth. It’s freezing out here.” As the slim wizard got to his feet, Kathranis swung the cloak from his shoulders. Just as Fordred straightened, the enchanted fur closed around him, and the enchantment activated. As he shuddered with new warmth, Kathranis reached over the wizard and pulled the hood up, making sure the too-large cloak wasn’t going to slip off. “There,” he said with a smile. “I’m wearing more anyway.” “You’re wearing a tunic,” Fordred deadpanned. “Which is still more than you,” Kathranis smiled. “Besides, the walk is short. Let’s get inside.” He wrapped an arm around Fordred’s shoulders and guided him away from the tree. The wizard cast a look back, but didn’t say anything as they left the tree behind. As the pair wove back through the dark garden hedges, Kathranis brought up the final matter that needed addressed. “What was your nightmare about?” he asked. Fordred seemed to freeze, and he pulled away. Kathranis watched him, his brow furrowing slightly in confusion. The wizard stared at the dark tiles of the garden path and shivered. “I… I’m not sure I want to talk about it.” “Fordred, I will not mock you if you think it’s silly,” Kathranis said, taking a step toward the wizard. “We’ve all suffered through nightmares, and it is alright if you have started having them. I just need to know what your nightmare was so that we can-” Fordred whirled on him, his tone venomous. “I said I don’t want to talk about it!” He ripped off Kathranis’ cloak and threw it to the ground before storming back toward the castle. Kathranis could only watch, frozen with shock as his friend tore open the castle door, then slammed it behind him. Drawing in a frigid breath reminded him of his chilly situation, and he shook himself from his shock, moving to his cloak. He crouched, gingerly touching the fuzzy thing, probing to see if there was some sort of enchantment that had sparked the odd bout of anger from his friend. The cloak revealed nothing, remaining inert, and slightly warm as its enchantment struggled against the frigid night air. He brushed away some stray dirt, then swung the cloak around his shoulders, mildly grateful for the return to warmth, but more than a little concerned about Fordred. His anger was unlike when he had interrupted his worship. This was so sharp, sudden, and foreign. He had sounded almost confused even as he spoke anger-filled words. A glimmer of light drew his eyes up. Kathranis squinted against a chill wind at the shadowy towers of the castle, but found nothing. Whatever light had been there was gone. He narrowed his eyes, focusing and shifting his vision to see heat, instead of light. One spot on the castle walls, a small balcony, stood out instantly. The heat source was no longer present, and the chilly air was quickly causing the heat to fade, Kathranis knew that someone had just been there. Someone had been watching his conversation with Fordred. Why? He had few ideas, and those that he did have would need further investigation. He made a note of where on the castle the balcony was. He would need to ask for help locating it on the interior of the castle, but Aquila would likely be more than willing. Hopefully it would be nothing, a coincidence of timing between Fordred storming off and their observer re-entering their bedroom. Kathranis pulled his cloak tight around his shoulders and made for the castle. A chill raced up his back, likely just a coincidence, and not his instincts telling him that eyes were on his back. He wasn’t a big believer in coincidences though. ***** “Does he know?” The tall blue alicorn crossed her arms, watching as the elf made his way back inside. He was an attentive one, that much he had proven. Her magic had only danced on the wizard’s mind for but a moment, yet somehow the blademaster had sniffed it out. Perhaps the runes on his flesh gave him magic detection the same way they were shielding his mind. She could still influence his nightmares of course, but not nearly to the same degree as his fellows. “He likely suspects, but no more,” Luna said confidently. “And he knows not to the depth his kin are being persuaded.” Her guardian let out a long breath of relief. “That’s good news. If he found out-” “Then he would die,” Luna said, turning away from the window. “He is not nearly close enough yet to King Terran’s family to earn his protection, and he is not a mage. Already he drifts away from the rest of his band. His goddess is unique, and doesn’t seem to reach the rest of the elves. The wizard is already basking in Harmony’s love, it will only be a matter of time before the rest join him, making their conversion all the easier.” “Speaking of,” she continued, looking to the thestral, “how goes thine talks with Chief Calak?” The thestral’s teeth shined in the low light of the moon. “He has joined the count of your forces my-” He cleared his throat. “-my Princess. He has also promised to spread word of your call to arms to a few closely allied tribes. I have given him a few soldiers to eliminate any rivals that are too chatty.” Luna smiled and moved toward him. The thestral bowed his head as she approached, then purred softly as she embraced him in her wings. She hugged him and brushed his mane, her smile softening as he glanced up with desperate, worshiping eyes. “Very good Cold Shadow,” she muttered. “Thou art doing very well. If thou continues such performance, then thou will always have a place at my side.” His eyes shined with joy-filled tears and he whimpered softly. “Thank you my Queen. I will always serve you.” She chuckled, stroking his head and bringing it to rest against her bosom. Of course he would, he was a thestral after all. Were it not for the worship of his people, she would believe herself rightfully the lesser, but knowing they were relegated to cold caves as a species had driven the sparks of her neglect into full flame. She would see them set free into the world, not longer chained under the tyranny of the sun, and she knew, as she used her magic to begin the moonset, that Kathranis Shadowsong’s “moon” elves would be the ones to help her do it.