#Wyrdstone

[acourtofquestions]

"You find Celaena Sardothien. Give her this. No one else. No one else. Tell her that you can open any door, if you have the key.

And tell her to remember her promise to me—to punish them all.

When she asks why, tell her I said that they would not let me bring the cloak she gave me, but I kept a piece of it.

To remember that promise she made.

To remember to repay her for a warm cloak in a cold dungeon."

[the-god-of-hellfire]

I recently had a literal dream about Mordheim ...and then a day later found myself lementing a lack of generic objective markers.

...obviously that was an Omen that I needed to make me some Wyrdstone!

[grommtheorc]

I've got some mutated, warpstone-tainted Stormvermin here ready to paint! Still wotking out color scheme but I'm excited!

[harperbrynne]

“Two days, before I spied the mossy stones placed across from each other, a faint whirl carved into them both. A gate.” (ACOTAR, pg273)

It’s interesting to think of the wall as being more of a collar leashing one side or both sides

It’s also interesting that the wall is described as invisible like its construction could have involved Wyrdstone but someone concealed it from view

[siderealxmelody]

Poppy beamed, dragging Isaiah away, taking the key with her.

Fucking finally.

"Tell Nismera about Thurr okay? He isn't the ally she thinks he is....should we just leave them for awhile?"

Fates, how long would their bond need for the centuries it was denied from forming?

She hadn't seen any marks but hopefully those would appear soon.

------

She laughed, or tried to. Her body yielded, pulling him tighter and tighter. She felt the wall against her back, nearly stumbling, but he held her up.

He caught her like he used to.

She leaned into it, letting him in. Her fingers curled into his hair, reveling in the touch of it. Reveling in having him here, inhaling him.

Yours her magic purred.

Only. YOURS.

Her arms brushed against his clothes, the pain finally forcing her let out a hiss. They looked worse than they did before.

Burning, skin falling off. She supposed since it was magical in nature - it would need a magical cure.

"Kaden it hurts."

She wouldn't have cared had her body not demanded it. Had it felt like the fire was burrowing into her bones. Her magic couldn't push it out, every time it tried it left her more tired - more exhausted.

Not to mention her dress from the rain felt cloying and too tight. She stared at the wounds, eyes narrowing as she stared at them again.

No it wasn't - she swayed.

Black veins.

Dianna wouldn't have gotten a good enough shot for magic to do more than graze her. She'd used -

"It's Wyrdstone. She -"

She felt that burn, her own magic answering it, steaming on her skin. She stared up at him, a smile pulling on her lips.

She saw past that anger, it didn't scare her any longer. If he truly didn't care, if he didn't want her why not just kill her?

Why was he trying so damn hard?

Why didn't he just walk away and leave her to wallow?

No he cared, he cared so much it terrified him.

It paralyzed him.

How adorable.

"You sure nothing scares you Kaden?"

Her tone matched his, tired, wanting just a little bit. She reached for him, fingers running up his jaw and into his hair to kiss him.

If she was to burn she'd burn with him.

[offtorivendell]

My thoughts on the Bryce, Azriel and Nesta HOFAS bonus chapter...

Disclaimer: as suggested by the title, the following discusses the Walmart HOFAS bonus chapter featuring Azriel, Bryce and Nesta. I haven't read the main text, so it won't feature anything related to that, but there are massive Maasverse and HOFAS spoilers ahead regardless. Please beware.

These are just my initial thoughts, not expanded upon in any substantial way and, as usual, I could always be way off the mark.

Also, yes, fair warning that I'll be mentioning the ACOTAR characters a lot. If that's not your jam, and you'd rather avoid any of the possible implications of the crossover, then I'd give this post a miss. On the other hand, if you're interested in how CC/HOFAS may affect Prythian going forward, please read on.

Music:

The Stone Mother song has me 👀 especially as the stone and water were "talking" at the start.

@cassianfanclub and @wingedblooms have already posted about the Stone Mother (here and here); @ladynightcourt3 has found the Phrygian goddess Cybele, also known as the "Mountain Mother," who sounds very relevant.

That being said, am I crazy to think Elain could have been listening in? Is Azriel stone and Elain water? His stone siphons - which Elain called beautiful, did she hear their song, as kin? - and Elain possibly as water? Was she using salt water to boost her powers, or a reflection pool to scry, and keep tabs on her sister and friend?

Or is it the space between linking worlds? Are the old gods talking?

Alternatively, could stone be referring to Nuala and Cerridwen, who are capable of manifesting stone around themselves and others (ACOTAR).

Is this what SJM meant when she said we'd see Elain in "some form" in the next book?

@psychee92 said she wished that SJM had somehow included Mr Brightside, and now I wish the same; even a mention of indie rock. 😭

Josie and Laurel - "He/god will add/increase" "(laurel) trees/victory"? Elain? Lol sorry, but it's either giving gardener, or Elain killing Hybern.

Wraith-like harmonies? After the description of Josie and Laurel's voices? It's crack, but is it a metaphor for Nuala and Cerridwen?

The musical similarities between what Juniper dances to and Prythian's music?!

Azriel's humming/singing made the shadows dance, once more suggesting that shadows dancing is a response to power, not mate bonds

The music Az liked was death metal. Could this link to any sort of metal artefact, like an iron crown for grounding? Or wyrdstone jewellery?

The glass coffin?

"Nineteenth century literature presents the glass coffin as a prison within which sleeping women are frequently mistaken for dead or vice versa." (Source). It's giving Sleeping Beauty (credit to @elriell for the OG SB theory), and a little Snow White.

Check out this tale from The Brothers Grimm, which sounds... suspiciously relevant to Elain.

@cassianfanclub also suggested that it's giving necromancer vibes, and I'd love that for Elain.

Feyre once said she could sleep for a hundred years after coming back from the Prison, right before going to the Hewn City in ACOWAR. After Elain had left the room, and before Feyre went to check in on her to find her "asleep—breathing."

Let's not forget Elain's assistance in rescuing the human COTB, Briar, from Hybern's camp.

Will Elain prick herself while weaving?

I was tired enough that I could barely summon the breath to ask, “Do you think the Cauldron made her insane?” “I think she went through something terrible,” Lucien countered carefully. “And it wouldn’t hurt to have your best healer do a thorough examination.” I rubbed my hand over my face. “All right.” My breath snagged on the words. “Tomorrow morning.” I managed a shallow nod, rallying my strength to rise from the chair. Heavy—there was an old heaviness in me. Like I could sleep for a hundred years and it wouldn’t be enough. “Please tell me,” Lucien said when I crossed the threshold into the foyer. “What the healer says. And if—if you need me for anything.” I gave him one final nod, speech suddenly beyond me. I knew Nesta still wasn’t asleep as I walked past her room. Knew she’d heard every word of our conversation thanks to that Fae hearing. And I knew she heard as I listened at Elain’s door, knocked once, and poked my head in to find her asleep—breathing. - ACOWAR, chapter 27

Azriel specifically said Nesta "beheaded" Hybern, after looking down at Truth-Teller.

This is not Azriel giving Nesta credit for the assassination. If anything he's hiding Elain's involvement.

I've said before, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who has done so, but I would expect Azriel to protect his LI with silence, whoever they are.

He had to have been thinking about Elain, who I've theorised could now/soon be known as "The Shadowsinger's Knife" after she became the "knife in the dark" in Azriel's place at the end of ACOWAR.

The young girl sitting on the mushroom:

I'm still looking into the carving of the young girl sitting on the toadstool with the hound sprawled on the ground beside her, as I find it really interesting. My initial thought was that it seemed like a convenient place to drop a mention of a garden-like fairy carving with a hound right after Bryce had quizzed Azriel about his hypothetical mate, or lack thereof (Elain being both heavily associated with plant life, thanks to her "little garden," as well as dogs, after Nesta called her one in ACOSF).

I also wonder if it has anything to do with the Czech tale that amanita muscaria - while psychoactive/toxic - are said to protect from lightning and other ill fortune. If this is correct, it reminds me a little of the markings - wyrdmarks - on the Archeron cottage.

I don't know where Bryce and co were walking, as I have only read this bonus chapter and the prologue, but given it was carved on an underground wall, and I suspect that there are underground portals in at least the Hewn City and the Prison, and maybe the waterways... could it have been for protection against the invading lightning Asteri? Or did the Asteri (Daglan?) put them there to protect against Thunderbirds, or whatever Hunt is?

Miscellany

Maybe Bryce hadn't been sent there by Urd? Who then? Was @silverlinedeyes right all along?

The mention of pleasure halls seems like a call back to Azriel's bonus chapter, but it's also likely that they aren't all brothels (see Rita's).

Azriel listening closely about Nesta now liking being Fae; he could extrapolate her responses to Elain. Maybe she's no longer miserable, and in need of their pity. And maybe she's changed her mind from ACOFAS, when she said to Feyre "I don't want a mate, I don't want a male."

Azriel said "no" to whether or not he has a mate rather quickly. Hmm... the shadowsinger doth protest too much?

It's also potentially important that Nesta said "yes, WE are" curious about Azriel's mate status. Her, Azriel and most of the fandom! 😂

"Okay, okay," Bryce said. "But it'd be cool to know something about your world. Or about you." They were both silent. Bryce asked Nesta, "You have a mate, right?" She nodded to Azriel. "Do you?" "No." Azriel said quickly, flatly. "A partner or spouse?" "No." Bryce sighed. "Okay, then." Azriel's wings twitched. "You're incurably nosy." "I think that's the nicest thing you've said about me." Bryce winked at him. "Look, I just... I'm curious. Aren't you?" Azriel didn't answer, but Nesta said, "Yes. We are." - HOFAS, Bryce, Azriel and Nesta bonus chapter

All in all, while there were no overt mentions of Elain - and really, why would SJM do that in a series that wasn't Elain's own - imo we got the Elain-shaped holes in the text that I was hoping for, and I can't wait to see if there are any more in the full book.

[bookishgirl21]

A whole new world

Azriel x TOG!reader

PT 1 ?

Summary: You are Dorians half sister who goes with him and Aelin to forge the lock but you don't return with Aelin as tumble down to an unknown world

Being the bastard daughter of the king of Adarlan has never been easy, especially being half fae. The only reason why my father ever kept me around was because the believed me to have no magic, my mother said that I must never let anyone l know of my magic . So I've kept it secret for years until recent months.

"Close the wyrdmark once I've finished" Aelin says to Rowan, his nod is his only answer, as Aelin puts the wyrdstones in her arm and we're transportded to a place thats not a place and we begin fordging the lock...

"We can go home " I say with a smile on my face Aelin looks at me with a smile as big as mine " Lets go home" then we begin falling through the worlds , but we are falling to fast and as we see the world their are two fae standnig on a balcony we though out our arms as to signal them, thats when I feel my hand loose its grip on Aelins then I'm falling into the world, I hear Aeiln shout my name but its to late, she disappears into the next world.

I'm tumbling down from the sky, thinking this would be my end when I feel someone catch me , I open my eyes and look up to see who had caught me and see the man from the balcony, he's speaking to me but I don't here a word he is saying over the roaring of the wind.

As we land on the balcony , I take a moment to catch my breath when the man speaks to me in a language I've never heard, my confusion must have shown on my face because he stopped and looked to the female. I then spoke to them in the old language " Where am I ? " the male looked at me and said in the old language " You are in Velaris the city of starlight, who are you? "

" I'm y/n , can you help me get back to my please? " he looked towards the female again and spoke to her before answering " Hello y/n my name is Rhysand, will you please follow me and meet some of m people who might be able to help you"

I follow the two inside to what looke like an office " Please sit down, the others will be here shortly" the male Rhysand said, I took a seat on the lovely couch. There was a Knock on the door when two winged males walked in and a female with short black hair, as I looked at the males one was handsome in a rough way and the other male.....he was the most beautiful male I've had ever seen, he had shadows around him, they almost seemed alive.

the male said in the old language " Y/n this is Amren she is the most likely to help you home and these are Cassian and Azriel " Amren sad to me " Where are you from girl ? " "Erilea" I reply, I look at the male Azriel and see that he is already looking at me with some emotion in his eyes that i cant place. " It will take some time to find a way for you to get back home in the mean time Azriel will take you to a room here in the House of wind, where you may stay while we try and find a way home for you, we will have dinner soon Azriel will come by and help you to the dinning room" "Thank you for your kindness and willingness to help"

Azriel leads me to a room that will be my bedroom for the time being. ''This will be your room, my room is right across if you need anything'' I look around the room, its cozy theres a big bed in the middle of the room with creamy white sheets, their is big floor to celling windows, there is a door on the other side of the room which leads to a bathroom. '' There should be some clean clothes in the dresser over their and the bathroom is stocked with all the bathing things you'd need, I'll stop by later to take you to dinner'' I turn to him ''My Azriel I am here for about half an hour and you're already taking me to dinner'' I say with a sly grin on my face, he looks at me with shock clear on his face and stumbles with his words ''No, no, th-thats not what I meant, I'll come and-'' I laugh and say ''I know what you meant I was just pulling your leg'' he looks at me again and huffs a laugh '' I'll leave you to your bath''

I walk over to the dresser to see what cloths I could get, I choose a white with blue flower dress that looks comfortable, and can't help but think of how the blue looks likes Dorians eyes, tears fill my eyes, how long will I stay here in this unknown world with these people , I hadn't realized I was crying until I felt a tear drop on my arm. I wipe away my tears and head for the bath room.

I emerge from the bath room feeling slightly better after being clean and having a good cry, I didn't know exactly when dinner would be served so I decided to have a looked around what was to be my room, a bookshelf in the corner of the room caught my eye, was running my hand along the titles that I couldn't read when someone clears their throat behind me, I turn quickly my magic rising in me, ''I didn't mean to scare you'' Azriel apologizes, he's standing by the door ''It's alright, I didn't hear you knock or enter? '' he looks at me with that same look from earlier '' What '' I ask '' Nothing , it's nothing, come lets go to dinner and introduce you to the rest of our court''

My palms begin to sweat as we walk to the dinning room, nervous to meet these people, I can't help but wonder whats going on back home, is Aelin alright did she find her way back ? is Dorian alright? did they make it in time to save Terssasn? will I ever see any of them again? ''I can hear you thinking, I can promise you as crazy as these people may be we will not harm you unless you prove to be a threat'' I look out the corner of my eye towards Azriel and give him a tight lipped smile '' that was not at all what I was thinking but thanks for the input'' we enter the dinning room and Rhysand, Cassan, Amren and the female from earlier are already seated, then there is three new females at the table as well one sharp looking female sitting next to Cassian and the female sitting next to her looked like a softer version of the sharp female, sisters possiblely, and then there was the third female wearing a red gown.

Azriel guides me to a seat and pulls out the chair next to mine, '' know that we are all here let me introduce you to my people, this is my mate Feyre and those are her sisters Nesta ( the sharp one) and Elain ( the soft one, who is glaring at me from across the table) and my cousin Morrigan . Everyone this is Y/n'' I smile at them and give an awkward wave to them ''It's nice to meet you all''

After the introductions where done food just appeared out of thin air, my shock must have shown on my face because Cassian says with a grin on his face '' what they don't have magic where your from? '' I look at him with shock still in my voice '' we do have magic we're I'm from it's just...I've never seen things just appear from thin air'' ''They just come from thin air it was just simply moved from the kitchen to the table'' Rhysand says amusement  shinning in his face.

As dinner comes to end I can't help but feel as Elain has a problem with me, she has been giving me dirty looks the whole night, as I look over at her now she is whispering something to Nesta who looks me up and down, with a sneer on her face, I look away quickly, and Azriel bumps me with his elbow , I look at him and he leans in to whisper '' if you wish to leave you may just ask and I am more then happy to take you back to your room'' I nod slowly and rise from my seat '' thank you for the dinner I would like to go back to my room and rest'' Rhysand looks at me and gives a gentle smile of course, tomorrow I'll have Az come by your room so that we may start our course of finding you a way home''

As we walk back to my room Azriel is quiet, and I let curiosity win over me'' what are these shadows around you?'' he looks shocked at my question but answers my question '' they are... like companions they also help me with my job.'' ''oh, I like them.'' and as i say that one breaks away and comes close to my face and it almost looks like it tilts it head in curiosity , I giggle and it goes around my neck before returning to Azriel, ''they're adorable'' he looks at me with a soft smile and says ''we're here'' he opens my door for me and as I go in I turn to say goodnight when I bump right into his muscled chest, ''oh I'm so sorry I-'' I stopped talking as I look at him in the eye and my breath was knocked right out of me, he looks down at me with his mouth slightly parted, his warm breath hits my face and I feel myself heat up, we slowly start to lean in and I close my eyes when a voice breaks the moment and we pull away from eachother to see who it was, Elain stands a few feet from us with a innocent look on her face and speaks in her language towards Azriel. He looks back at me and says '' I.. I'll see you tomorrow morning'' its takes me a minute to reply ''yes, yes uhm right I'll see you tomorrow''

As I enter my room I groan, what was I thinking, I was just about to kiss him, this man who I barely know, I run my hands over my face and head to the dresser to look for some thing to sleep in. As I climb into my bed I can't help but think of that almost kiss with Azriel.

Part 2

AN: alright thats all for now , I will make a pt 2 if you all enjoy this part, the next pt will defiently have more Az x reader scenes, hope you enjoyed this fic, and feedback is greatly welcomed, also if there is a scene you would like to see I will definitely add it , sorry if there are spelling mistakes it's like 1 in the morning so😅

[plasmometer]

We smokin straight Dark age STCs

When I pearled this bitch the admech made me a planetary governor

Smoking straight scrapcode

Shit's corrupting my data

She gave my man of iron some abominable intelligence

We snorting percs right off the Golden throne

Lighting my blunt on the astronomicon

I gave my ganger one boltgun and he single-handedly raised the hive's murder rate

Actually that's cap, I gave him two

Shit ain't nothing to me man

Rolled up that corrupted wyrdstone empyrean pack

Sparked that shit off the gellarfield, got the navigator catching a contact high

ok

[iwillwalkthroughthefire]

Seriously, I don't need anything from a man... Actually, maybe give me some money. I don't need money from a man; I've got my own, but I want money from a man.

—Aelin Ashryver Galathynius leaving the Assassins' Keep with the fake Wyrdstone ring on her finger

[qwimblenorrisstan]

Night-Terrors | Aedion x Reader

Summary: After the war is over, Aedion is still tormented by nightmares, leaving you to soothe him.

Word Count: ~1k

Warnings: Mentions of death, yknow bc war, nightmares, but it ends good

A/N: This is my first attempt at writing for tog, so be patient with me, but I hope you enjoy<3

Requests are open!

Aedion Ashryver believed he deserved this.

Aelin had used the three keys to forge the gate, to lock the Gods and Erawan away, but she’d given her life for nothing. Erawan remained, and the Gods had betrayed them.

The battle at Morath raged. Gavriel was dead, Fenrys and Lorcan well on the way. Their army was depleted, and the scent of death and suffering surrounded them. The Ironteeth had slaughtered all the Crochans and Manon’s Thirteen. The Myceniens were gone. Whatever remained of the ruhkins beyond their rotting corpses that had fallen to the ground days ago, Aedion didn’t know.

The wild people of the Wolf Tribe hadn’t come, and Dorian had probably been slaughtered by now. Where the older Lords had gone, he didn’t know either.

The battle went on until the Witch Towers were up, and with the amplified blast of the Yeilding, their entire army was ashes. Maeve and Erawan smiled at him, pure wickedness in their faces.

It was over. They lost.

Maeve slipped into his mind, and he was too weak to stop those icy talons from digging in. She gave him one last vision before the Wyrdstone collar clamped around his neck.

A world with no fire or flame, not a whisper of Aelin’s power, a world with no magic, only possessed by the tyrants of the world.

No light.

Valg infested the streets, spreading their stain of darkness until that was all Erilea was. Aedion couldn’t breathe, he couldn’t think. There was nothing and no one there for him, not even you, inside that broken realm.

Because he had failed.

Any last inch of spirit he had was when he tried to struggle against it, against them, but too soon did he hear a resounding click of stone against stone, and the coldness of it around his throat.

*********************************************************

You were half-asleep when you first heard his mumbling.

Sitting up and rubbing your eyes, your hair tousled by sleep, you saw Aedion writhing and struggling in his sleep. It wasn’t a sight that surprised you, not anymore.

The nightmares were a common occurrence for both you and Aedion, more so for him, and you’d slowly learned how to comfort him and help him through them, but never did he thrash this badly. And then he stopped, and you wondered if it was over.

You laid a gentle hand on his upper arm.

“Aedion?”

You whispered, and right after that, he jolted up. Before you could even move an inch, you were pinned forcefully against the bed, a hand around your throat and squeezing. He had a wild look in his eye, panic and fear flooded his scent.

“Stop—Aedion-“

You choked out, hands held down by him. You couldn’t move an inch, not beneath all his weight and pure muscle, especially with the hold he had you in. Muscle memory, most likely. Instinct too.

Right when your vision started getting splotchy, he must’ve realized what he was doing, because the pressure was immediately gone and he flipped onto his back beside you, sitting up, staring in horror. His chest was heaving as he panted for breath, silver lining his eyes.

“Oh gods, you’re-..you aren’t hurt, are you?”

He asked, his hands twitching as they went to go check you for any injury, before hesitating, knowing you might not want to be touched after what he’d done. You sat up, shakily taking in a breath, hands brushing over your throat before you took his in your own. They dwarfed yours, unsurprisingly.

“I’m fine, okay? Just..what happened?”

His eyes still shone with guilt, but he seemed more reassured by your hands in his. With a deep sigh, he squeezed your hands once. A few moments of silence passed, before he spoke, tears building.

“I don’t know, it was just a nightmare, but Aelin was gone, and we lost, and they put a collar around..”

His voice trailed off, and then the tears fell, and he was sniffling, his hands separating from yours to wipe them away. Your heart broke at the sight of your mate, terrorized by nightmares and tormented by them.

You scooted closer to him, arms sliding around his waist carefully, tentatively, until he leaned into you, folding into your arms and sobbing into your shoulder. Your hand soothingly ran circles on his back as he babbled nonsense against your skin.

Eventually, sobs turned to sniffles, and he shifted to lie down with you, pulling some of the warm blanket over you as his golden hair spilled onto the pillow. You moved your hands to stroke his hair, lightly scratching his scalp in a way you knew he loved. He opened his eyes again, peering up at you.

“You’re sure that you’re alright?”

He questioned quietly, concerned and guilty still. You nodded.

“Are you sure that you’re okay?”

You questioned right back, and he sighed, nodding. His arms wrapped tightly around you, as if he needed you to ground him back down to reality, so he couldn’t get lost in nightmares or dreams. His head buried right into the nook of your shoulder as he took a deep inhale of your scent, and relaxed further after that.

“Do you wanna talk about it?”

You drowsily asked, and he shook his head.

“In the morning.”

He mumbled, and you gave a little hum of acknowledgment. Both of you had a habit of putting things off till morning, the discussion of his nightmare only being another one of them as you both began drifting off to sleep.

It was safe to say that Aedion Ashryver slept dreamlessly for the rest of the night.

[nestaismommy]

The wing leader cocked her head, her iron-tipped hand still touching the Wyrdstone collar. “Do you want me to kill you, Dorian?

“I want you to do a lot of things to me,” the prince said, raking his eyes along the witch’s body.

[acourtofquestions]

She didn't move; she didn't speak. She just sat there and stared at the wall of the carriage. A perfect, broken, obedient doll. I love you, Arobynn Hamel.

—

She'd held it together during the carriage ride, maintaining the mask of the puppet Arobynn believed she'd become. She crossed the room, keeping her arms at her sides to avoid chucking the Wyrdkey against the wall.

—

Every minute was an agony, but there were too many eyes on them—too many, even as they finally reached the warehouse and climbed out.

They waited until Arobynn's carriage had driven off before Rowan and Aedion flanked the queen as she slipped inside the warehouse and up the stairs.

The curtains were already shut inside the house, a few candles left burning. The flames caught on the golden dragon embroidered on the back of that remarkable gown, and Rowan didn't dare breathe as she just stood in the center of the room. A slave awaiting orders.

"Aelin?" Aedion said, his voice hoarse.

Aelin lifted her hands in front of her and turned.

She pulled off the ring. "So that was what he wanted. I honestly expected something grander."

[yourejinx]

Does Tamlin have a wyrdstone heart?????

I'm re reading acotar after finishing the ToG series and I'm - 🧐

[joemerl]

Writer's Month 2024, Day 16: "Ship"

Original fiction/Science Fantasy story Word count: 468 Summary: Based on this from @writing-prompt-s.

Captain Andromeda Mattinson strode into the Engine Room, her expression grim.

"Alright, people. Can anyone explain to me why we're stuck floating halfway between Saturn and Uranus?"

Private Michael Cheng coughed nervously. He strode forward, gave a quick salute and muttered, "With all due respect, ma'am, you might want to—"

"—shut up and listen for once, that's what she might want to do!"

Commander Wyrdstone strode forward, pounding his staff angrily on the metal floor. Unlike the rest of the U.S.F. Phoenix crew, Wyrdstone didn't wear a traditional uniform—or rather, he wore a very traditional one, a long robe with impactably wide sleeves and a pointed hat, all covered with planets and stars. (His outfit could, in fact, serve as a workable stellimap.) He looked even more frazzled than usual, glaring at the captain from beneath bushy eyebrows.

"I TOLD you that we needed powdered griffin claw! How do you expect me to power a hyperdrive without griffin claw?!"

She worked to keep her voice even. "Griffin claw is hard to come by on Charon. Private Cheng assured me that you would be able to—"

"Private Cheng has as much brains as a cockatrice!"

Michael, who was Wyrdstone's apprentice, winced. "I just said, sir—a wizard of your caliber might be able to—"

"Even Merlin couldn't conjure faster-than-light travel from nothing! A lesser wizard wouldn't have gotten us past Neptune! Now, if we had stopped at Ariel, LIKE I SAID TO, we might have gotten some more fuel. But why should anyone listen to ME?!" He waved his hand dismissively. "Never mind that I was running spaceships before the Outer Planets were colonized!"

Captain Mattinson took a deep breath. "What can we do?" she asked calmly.

"Wait for a griffin to fly by," the wizard said, voice dripping sarcasm.

"Actually, sir—"

Michael winced as both of his superiors turned, Wyrdstone with eyes blazing beneath his bushy eyebrows. He swallowed, then pulled on a chain around his neck. A single small gemstone appeared from under his shirt.

"A Neptunian diamond I keep for emergencies. It should have enough magic to—"

He let out a strangling sound as Wyrdstone grabbed the chain, bringing the crystal to his eye for study.

"Hmm. Not the worst specimen I've seen. I can at least get us to Phoebe on this." He released the chain, then gave Michael an appraising look. "Good work, boy. You might just make a passable wizard yet."

He removed the chain from Michael's neck, then stomped away, giving neither him nor the captain another look. Michael rubbed his aching neck, while Captain Mattinson looked stony.

"I really need to fire that old warlock," she said, shaking her head. But Michael knew that she wouldn't. Say what you want about him, you couldn't find a better astromage than Wyrdstone.

[luxmaeastra]

//AHHHHH//

Imotekh woke to the sound of the horn, he slipped from his place between two rocky boulders.

It was time, they all turned 13 sometime this year - they could finally go home, or to a home worthy of them.

He looked to his wrist, his pulse quickening - two bones crossed on his chest with a drop of blood - Ivory.

He'd been Marked.

He ran down the slopes, falling in line with the other novices.

Now the real work began, the gates loomed above him, carved from Wyrdstone pulsing with magic.

It set his teeth edge, he and the others had been functionally starved for 5 years here. It was so much magic, a buffet that made him nauseous.

Behind the gates stood the Towers, second only to the Heriophants themselves. He met the eye of the Ivoryclan's and fought to keep the eye contact. The Tower gave a slow smile, turning to one of their compatriots as the gates began to open.

Whispers around him had him looking up, archers stood on the walls, not trained for him he knew. But for Unmarked, those deemed unworthy of a place among the Changelings.

He wondered if he knew any Markless now.

What would become of them.

He knew a few already had been torn apart, the meager magic they'd eaten ripped from them by others.

He hadn't bothered with that, he'd have no need for such things.

He was brutal enough for it.

------

He was 18 now, whispers had dragged him from his morning drills early. The next Cohort would be coming home soon.

Was that what the meeting was for?

He stood with the others, looking up on the dias. Their Heriophant stepped foward, smiling down at them.

It was slightly regrettable that there were very few females at 18 here. Most had been mated and bred. He wondered if any of them would become their next High Priestess now that the Heriophant's mate was dead.

"Hello my Adepts, my Guardians tell me your training has been coming along nicely. I'd come to tell you my reign will end at the next Blood Moon and to introduce your new High Priestess."

Every pair of eyes snapped to the curtain behind him. Imotekh swallowed, grounding his teeth as he felt the energy build. The velvet curtain swayed and moved as a figure stepped forward.

She was young, must have newly come home by the mark on her wrist she flashed as she looked to her father and adjusted her robes. Her eyes swept over them and she gave a nervous smile. She wore a dress of white, and he felt more than saw the collective inhale as they drank her in.

He'd go to war for her he quietly realized, he's burn entire cities of Gods to ash if she asked for it.

Perhaps it was the Heriophants who lead them, but it was the High Priestesses who made them more. The previous one had always been kind to him, her funeral had been a momentary bit of peace too.

He'd seen a few Towers even weep for her.

The Heriophant smiled at them, teeth and blood.

"Good luck to any who think themselves worthy of my daughter. You are dismissed."

------

War loomed, he could smell it on the damn wind. At 23 he was a Guardian now and he was beginning to understand why they were always so annoyed. The Novices and Adepts were grating - thought they knew things they didn't.

He needed a break, a reprieve so he'd come to walk the grounds. Some fresh air away from the barracks would do him some good - maybe it'll curb the impulse to beat some of the newer recruits bloody.

He stilled, tilting his head as he heard the sound of sniffing. He turned to a smaller bathhouse. It sounded distinctly feminine, his rage only grew.

Females were not to be touched, they weren't barbarians like the Jet Clan that beat their females till they broke.

Though....wasn't it said the Gods favored the Jet females and took them the most?

Perhaps it was the best precaution those backward things knew. He glanced to the sky, grinding his teeth - the Blood Moon was only a week away.

And the Towers had closed ranks, they wouldn't make the Culling easy for any of them.

He slipped into the bathhouse and down the hallway to the smallest one. He opened the door, freezing.

The female's back was crisscrossed with lash marks, she stiffened turning at the sound.

She didn't move, those eyes watching him with fear....or something like it, perhaps acceptance? Had she been laid with to have such a reaction?

He inhaled as he stepped into the room and shut the door - no a Virgin by the smell of her.

Besides, there was no Claiming Mark on her neck.

"Who?"

She turned away, dipping a rag into the hot water and began to wash her arms again.

"You don't recognize me Imotekh?"

His body moved before his brain could catch up. He took the rag, gently cleaning her back.

"You know my name and I fail to remember yours....a clear oversight on my part Ailuros. Forgive me."

She made a noise looking back to him.

"Of course I know your name, the Towers whisper it when they think I don't listen."

It was the eyes as they hit the candlelight that had the name falling on his tongue.

"Hapthatra."

Why was their High Priestess being hurt? Who would dare to -

"Is it the Heriophant?"

She looked away to the candles and swallowed.

"He sent me late to the Culling Fields, at 10. He poisoned my mother because she saw a vision of him dying by his blood's hands...he - he doesn't like how I refuse to do as he asks."

Imotekh's grip tightened on the rag, pausing his work. Was this how the other warriors felt when they found their mates? He'd wanted one simply to get out of the Barracks, but he'd never dreamed so high to have her.

"And what does he wish for you to do Ailuros?"

She blinked, tears on her eyelashes.

"To give up my right to children. He - he says it'll be one of them, that's what the Threads whisper to him anyway. He won't let me practice he -"

"He wants a High Priestess he can control."

"Yes."

Imotekh felt his entire worldview rearrange in an instant as he stared at her profile. To remain here...even if he'd win that fight...it would be suicide.

"Do you hold blood from any of the other clans?"

She frowned at him in confusion.

"Jet, my mother has distant blood there. Why?"

He finished cleaning her wounds, leaning over to slid the salve on her back before readdressing them. He gave her his shirt, the entire time the silence calmed him.

It was nice, peaceful even.

He kissed her shoulder, his heart fluttering as she shivered and leaned into him.

He helped her to her feet, holding her hands in his.

"We're leaving to Jet. We will kill him Hapthatra. And you will have children and you will not die before he does."

He gripped her chin, forcing her eyes to meet his, they blazed like twin suns.

"I will make sure you have as many as you wish."

She swallowed, licking at his thumb over her lip.

"A Heriophant cannot claim two Clans Imotekh what then?"

He turned to the window, pulling her outside.

"War is coming, spies say the fae are growing wary of the gods ruling over them. They just need a match, perhaps we'll orchestrate one. With that happening who cares what we plan?"

------

Sarai gripped her hand, trying and failing to stop the bleeding.

"You need to move Hapthatra. We -"

Hapthatra shook her head, coughing blood. Her father still lived and they were running out of time.

Ramses would turn 8 at the winter's end. He could not remain here, he would not survive it.

"I - my sons, I need you to take them Sarai."

"No. You'll live and -"

She gripped her hand, squeezing it harder.

"Vow it to me you'll take them. Vow to me you'll be every bit their mother you are to Hallariel."

She could fell Imotekh watching, he didn't fall to his knees and beg. He didn't demand a price - no they'd seen too much and killed far more for such displays.

Sarai blinked back tears and nodded.

"I vow it."

Her eyes closed, Imotekh's words the last she heard.

I'm sorry I failed you Ailuros.

//Ailuros - kitten//

A vow, she would keep the vow. She would ensure that her sons were given they life they deserved, that they would not be the victim of their grandfather.

The sight of the two boys shattered her heart, the pair of them unsure. They weren’t scared, they were raised to not show that. They were strong fine males who would not falter, but she knew they were out of their comfort zone from the way they looked around. Assessing, trying to test the area.

“You mother wanted us to give you a chance a life, to experience…” She couldn’t say anything else. It felt like a smear of her friends memory, a friend who deserved much more.

Hallariel moved forwards, her arms folded as she looked upon the two of them. “I can show you around, there are some places that are good for hiding. Or if you like hunting or treks, there are some fun trails.”

[the274]

AMassive 6 player multi-battle at the epic end of our Mordheim Campaign! Carnival of Chaos is performing Dance for the Plague God and burning Wyrdstone, other warbands are there to stop the festival, gain wyrdstone or some other alternative goal.