#aldane family

[creeppiest]

josephine aldane, b. 19 october 1980 ➝ daughter of joseph and evangeline aldane, the spare

[writeandsurvive]

Request by @parkersbunny76 : Hey do you think you could do a aldan Parker fix where y/n in love with Parker but doesn’t want him to know. Because she believes he is still in love with his ex joy But he also feels the same way but thinks she doesn’t feel the same and and Parker figures it out and confronts reader and has to prove his feelings? Thanks so much

Author's note: this turns out longer than I had planned, and I really hope it did it justice 🥺 (yes, always doubting myself)

Warnings: age gap, mutual pining, girls night out, jealousy, ncis stuff

Believe Me ~ Alden Parker

If you were set on not telling Alden about your feelings for him, after hearing about his first love Joy, you were even more convinced. There was no point in telling him, you'd just make a fool of yourself. Gibbs taught you a lot of things; trusting your guts was the most important. And now, your guts were telling you that Alden Parker was still in love with his ex-girlfriend and had zero interest in you.

Despite Jess and Kasie telling you otherwise, saying that the man was completely smitten, you kept your mouth shut and even took some distance from your team leader. You missed him, and it hurt but you needed to protect your heart - wasn't it too late though?

Before knowing about Joy, you'd hang out with Alden outside of work. You two would go out for drinks, watch games together, talk about music. He even showed you his piano skills and that was when you knew how deeply in love you were with him. You almost leaned in to kiss him then, and it looked like he was leaning to, but before you knew it, he was standing up and asking you if you wanted another drink.

Now, you weren't turning down all of his invites, using work or family obligations. However, Jess told you that he was questioning it. He had asked her if something was wrong with you, if he had done something to upset you. A part of you felt bad, you didn't want him overthinking, but most importantly, you didn't want him to get suspicious. After all, he's an investigator too, he could easily figure it out.

So after some mental preparation, you agreed to grab a drink with him after all. Technically, the whole was invited at first, but Tim had to go to his family, Jimmy and Jess were spending the evening with Victoria, Nick is still recovering with his alcohol issues and can't be in a bar for now. That left Kasie, who somehow had "something" to do - her wink at you wasn't subtle.

If you only had a drink or two, it'd be okay. Too much alcohol would get you to be very honest, and you'd probably spill out everything. You ordered a glass of wine, while Alden went with a beer. It started alright, a bit awkward, but he was doing a good job at making small talk, and avoiding the elephant in the room. You did your best to keep a friendly facade, and not think about how bad you loved and wanted him, or how bad you wanted to ask him about Joy.

But you did have an answer without asking. Alden excused himself when he felt his phone buzzing, and he took it out of his pocket. Sitting on his left, you had a clear view on his screen. You didn't want to look at it, you tried not to but your eyes laid on it and it was the confirmation you needed. Joy was texting him, asking if he'd stop by. He simply answered that he wouldn't, and would talk to her later.

You went to the bathroom, letting the tears that had been threatening. You needed to leave immediately; find whatever pretext, and rush over to Kasie's. You felt so stupid for crying over this man, nothing ever happened with him. It wasn't like he was betraying you but it felt like it.

You were insanely jealous of this woman.

Once you were sure it didn't look like you cried, you got back to Alden and told him you were tired and wanted to go home. He offered to walk you back to the car, but you refused. "It's not like I'm going to stick around." He finished his beer and grabbed his coat. "Let's go."

Luckily the cars were fairly close, so the walk wasn't long. It was very awkward though, Alden wanted to make sure you'd eat, so he offered if you wanted to stop at the food joint across the street. "I got food at home. I'm sure it's not too late for you to go to Joy's."

"I-I'm not--" you didn't want to hear any explanations or excuses, so you quickly got into your car and left.

You knew you were being unfair to him, he didn't deserve this but you couldn't help it. Spending the night at Kasie's, you cried some more and felt sorry for yourself. Thank god, she's your best friend.

Alden was getting tired of this. At first, he didn't understand what was going on, why you were shutting him out like this. He asked every member of the team, and it was obvious that they were holding back. They knew why you were acting like this, but they didn't want to betray you. The most infuriating was that he was so in love with you, it hurt to feel rejected. Especially after all those moments together, which meant a lot to Alden. He remembered that time he played piano for you, something he's never done with anyone before. He wanted to kiss you, and do more things. But he was scared. Scared of being rejected, that you'd want just something physical, scared of getting his heart broken again. You were younger, and he felt like you'd waste your time with an old man like him.

After that comment you made about Joy, Alden started to think that maybe you had actual feelings for him. It totally sounded like jealousy and it'd be the only explanation. But he couldn't quite believe it. In his mind, a pretty young woman like you would never fall in love with an old man like him.

But you weren't like any other woman.

You and Kasie have had a traditional girls night out at least every other week and Jess quickly took a part of those nights after she joined the team. Ever since it became common knowledge, Jimmy had been trying to get in, at least once. You always turned him down, it became kind of a running gag. Now that Jimmy was dating Jess, she was on his side and tried to convince you and Kasie to let him in.

Eventually, you caved in. "I love you, I love you, I love you." Jimmy shouted, running over to you and kissing your face. You laughed, trying to get out of his grip - technically you could but didn't want to hurt sweet Palmer.

"What's going on here?" Nick asked for everyone.

"I am officially welcomed in girls night out."

"Just tonight." You pointed.

"After four years, you finally made it!" Tim laughed.

"I arranged everything. Vic is staying at her friend's house, and we're all sleeping at my place."

"We are?"

"Yup. Let's get crazy!"

Accepting him created a monster.

~

Alden's plan formed shortly after Jimmy left the bullpen. Later in the day, he went down to autopsy with a coffee and a pastry. "Oh, what's that for?" Jimmy welcomed the treat with a smile.

"A bribery."

"At least, you're honest. What can I do for you?"

"Where are you guys going tonight?"

Jimmy stayed silent for a moment, trying to figure out why Alden was asking this. "I need to have a talk with her, Jimmy. And she's avoiding me."

"And you think she'll talk after you crash the girls night out?"

"I could be where you guys are. Simple coincidence." Jimmy immediately gave him a glare, but Alden brushed it off. "And you convince them to let me hang out with you."

"Parker, it took me four years to convince them to let me go out with them just once."

"Ah come on. Help me out here."

"Only if you are honest with me."

"Shoot."

"Do you have serious feelings for her?"

Alden didn't even need to say a word, his face and eyes spoke for themselves.

A night out with your friends was exactly what you needed. Drinking, dancing, laughing and forgetting about Alden. You decided to wear a sexy black dress with some boots. You did your makeup and hair more nicely than you usually do. You didn't want to hook up with a random guy, but it'd be nice to flirt and dance with one.

It started out great, you were on your second drink while everyone was finishing their first. They all were making a point of not talking about him, or even about work. You noticed a cute guy looking several times at you and smiling. You smiled back, because why not?

"Oh dear god." Jess said, looking over your shoulder.

Puzzled, you turned around to see him. Alden Parker was there and walked right to the table. "Hey guys!"

You were staring at his beautiful face, with the urge of kissing him and screaming at him for being there and ruining your night. Your Alden free night.

"Parker, what are you doing here?" Kasie asked.

"Can I join?" He avoided her question and he was already sitting next to you.

You were ready to get out of here when your eyes dropped on Jimmy, who looked very guilty. "You dickhead!" You shouted at him.

"Told you." He said to Alden before looking at you. "Look I'm sorry--"

"Forget it." You stood up and rushed over to the bar. Waiting for the bartender to spot you, the man who had been smiling at you stood by your right.

"Hello there." He said with the most charming British accent. Screw Alden. You smiled at the man.

"Hi."

"I was waiting for the moment you'd finally be alone. Not to be creepy, I just didn't want to make a fool of myself in front of your friends." He laughed, "Can I offer you a drink?"

"Sure. Don't worry, you're not making a fool of yourself."

"Good, can I keep you to myself for a few minutes then?"

"Absolutely. I'm sure you can save my night."

You don't know how long you stayed with this man, just talking and getting to know each other. Going back to the table where Alden was didn't sound appealing at all. But of course, he eventually found his way to you.

"I'm busy, Parker." You said before he could speak a word. So instead of talking, he simply grabbed your hand and made you follow him outside. "What the fuck!"

He stood on the sidewalk, crossed arms and was clearly angry. "I'm done playing this game, Y/N. We talk now, once and for all. And if you want to go to your boy toy, I promise I won't hold you back."

"What game are you talking about?"

"You avoiding me like the plague ever since you learned about Joy." You immediately looked down at your feet, but Alden held your chin and made you look back up. "I don't know what you created in your mind, but I'm not seeing her. And I won't. I already got someone who made herself very comfortable in my mind and my heart."

"Who?" You shyly asked, not believing what he was saying.

"Who?" He sarcastically laughed. "You, for god sakes! It's been you ever since I walked into that damn building. And being turned down, even as a friend, hurts pretty bad. Cause I want you in my life, whatever way you want. But I got a feeling that's what you want too cause why else would you be jealous?"

"Who said I was jealous?"

"Well, aren't you?" You started to look down again but Alden immediately caught your chin and took a step closer. "Don't break eye contact with me, sweetheart. Talk to me, tell me if I'm completely off based here --"

"You're not!" You breathed out and a single tear left your eye. "You're right. I was-- I am jealous. Because you clearly still love her and--"

"I don't. Why are you so sure about that?"

"My guts. And the texts last week."

"I admit she--would like to give me and her a chance, but I'm not interested. I told her so." He brushed the tear off the corner of your mouth, his thumb roaming over your lips. "I want you." He whispered.

You wrapped your arms over his neck, nose brushing against each other and lips dangerously close together. "I want to believe you, but-"

Alden caved in. He couldn't be so close to you and not kiss you, know the taste of your lips. It was extremely gentle and slow, clearly giving you time to pull away if you wanted, but you couldn't. You simply closed your eyes and opened your mouth to grant him access.

Unfortunately, he pulled away when he felt eyes on the two of you. Jimmy immediately got back inside when he got caught, but his grin didn't go unnoticed. "Let me take you on a date and make you believe me."

"No. I'll go on a date with you once I believe you."

Alden agreed and he started that same night. After going back inside, where everyone already knew about the kiss but didn't say a word, he didn't leave your side. Flirted with you the rest of the night, inviting you to dance even if he was self conscious about his dancing skills. He looked several times to the man you had been talking to, making sure he knew you were not available.

He drove you home, and helped you to the apartment as you were quite drunk. You were very touchy with him, and he loved every second of it but still acted like a true gentleman. When you woke up, your phone was plugged in, there was some aspirin and a glass of water with a note stuck to it on the nightstand. The note read: "I'll stop by around 10 with breakfast. Hope you slept well. -A"

He obviously did as he said; bringing all your favorite things for your favorite place at 10 exactly. He left right away, saying that he had to visit his dad like every Sunday, but not before repeating what he said a few hours ago. He even went further and admitted he had true and deep feelings for you.

Following that, Alden did at least one thing for you every day to prove his point. Offering you a single red rose, setting up a plant at your desk, bringing your fav pastries, telling you how beautiful and smart you were, he was even praising you in front of the team.

But the most meaningful thing to you was the one he didn't plan or think of. While working on a new case, he offered himself on a silver platter to the suspect, in order to save you. It didn't work at first as the man noticed how much Alden cared for you. "You're right, man. This woman does mean the world to me, so much that I'm willing to die for her. But I'm also willing to do anything to finally have my first date with her, which means that whatever you need, I'll give it to you so we can both get out of here alive. I'm not sure she'd do the same for me, so it'd be more beneficial for you to take me and let her go."

You wanted to kiss him here and there, beg him to take you on a date, despite the gun pressing your temple. "I'm older, I worked for the FBI before, so I know a lot more people than her who can help. But let me be clear, if you kill her- you won't get anything from me, except for a bullet in your head. But you don't want to die, otherwise we wouldn't be in this situation. So, what's going to be?"

Somehow, Alden's trick worked. "I love you." He mouthed as he followed the suspect instructions and got away from you.

The following hours were a nightmare, you were more than scared about never seeing his pretty face again, and not having the opportunity to tell him exactly how you felt, and have more time with the man you love.

When you saw him again, unarmed, you rushed into his arms and didn't think twice. "I love you too."

[shadcwcursed]

[ eiza gonzalez | she/her ] Another face is seeking safety in New Orleans. Make sure to welcome ZERAPHINE MONDRAGÓN to the home of the resilient. Rumor has it that they are an 903 year old DRAGON, who is one of the RETURNED but we’ll keep that a secret. They are said to be FEARSOME, but that’s all a façade to cover up their WISE nature. We’ve heard that they can be found listening to LISTEN TO THE WIND by KARLIENE, which sums them up pretty well. Let’s hope that they can find a way to survive this harsh new world.

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐄:

𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄: zeraphine aldane. 𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄: zera, z 𝐀𝐆𝐄: nine hundred and three 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: unknown, celebrated on the 9th of May 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐎𝐖𝐍: long lost 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄: new orleans 𝐎𝐂𝐂𝐔𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: treasure hoarder, but since she's misplaced it, who's hiring? 𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓: true neutral...probably. 𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓: tbd.

𝐀𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐂: DARK CORNERS AND FORTRESSES, ALL THAT SHIMMERS, RAIN TAPPING AGAINST THE WINDOW, GOLD COINS FLOWING DRESSES, TBD.

𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐆𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒: death tw

𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘:

In the days of old, Zeraphine found fascination with humanity, and they welcomed her with open arms. The power was valued, revered, and she lived among them as near royalty. Yet, time is cruel, and humanity more so. She could not bear their constant wars and violence, taking solace only in the company of her brothers. Storing up her treasures in a secret place, it built higher and higher around her until it was her fortress of safety.

For centuries, she lingered more in her dragon form more than her human one. If only they had left her alone...she'd have been content all her days.

The legends, the myths invited curiosity, invasion, and the war she sought to avoid came to find her. She protected what was hers with a ferocity that made her death the conquest of many, and yet, she survived. Until...

Near a century ago, her neck was struck, and she fell. Her eyes shut, and she found peace, a wondering why she'd ever fought so hard to remain on this earth. Yet again, she found her life in another twist. The downpour of rain welcomed her back to the earth that had made her more story than woman.

Leaving the city, she had sought to find the treasure she lost upon her death, but time is cruel. Or is it? Her absence was not long, but perhaps she has found the far more valuable thing, something that has led her back to the city she had first stepped through.

𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐍'𝐒: ⭒ She loves to sing in the comfort of her home, but you might have difficulty catching her doing it in public ⭒ Her eyes are drawn to shiny things, and sometimes she takes them...without asking. Building her collection of treasures back up might take another 900 years, but she will try. ⭒ She knows she needs a job because things here cost money, and she's been dead for a hundred years and was unable to locate what is billions in accumulated treasure. She's not happy about it. The richest poor girl you'll ever meet. ⭒ more tbd.

𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒:

PARENTS: deceased. RELATIONSHIPS: aliyah simmons (wouldn't you like to know), more tbd SIBLINGS: ignacio and apsephion. EXTENDED FAMILY: tbd. WANTED: tbd.

[cyverrieee]

Introducing the Neries Family

Harris Johnson Neries

- Works for Aldan Greene

- Actually hates Alden Greene but has to work for him for the money

- Has burned scars since birth

- Always Tired for working under Aldan Greene

Hailey Kaitlyn Neries

Sorry I misspelled hailey

- Obsessive with her appearance

- Overly Dramatic

- Hates Coach Kirk for killing Vicky (who is her friend that she cares for platonically)

- is actually a very sensitive and sweet person

Lily Rosear Neries (Luams)

- a sweet woman who died two years after Elian was born

- has a twin sister named Lilac Rachel Olives (Luams) [Lilac is married

Elian Miles Neries

- scared of the dark

- loves tea parties because he likes it lol

- can make bombs that look like everyday objects

- secretly has burned scars from his father but covers them under his sweater

[storyweaverofgondor]

Erica Jayne Aldan’s Demeter for all your rarepair crumbs

@sybright​ for obvious reasons.

@jellicle-home-for-jellicle-ships​​

[theroyalsims]

A SHOW OF UNITY AND STRENGTH: QUEEN EMILIA AND DAUGHTERS VISIT BRINDLETON HARBOUR MUSEUM

Her Majesty and her two daughters, Crown Princess Anya and Princess Ingrid had a joint engagement this morning -  a visit to the historic Brindleton Harbour Museum.

The outing is in line with the museum’s upcoming centenary, as well as an upcoming exhibit dedicated to the historic Brindleton Expedition, led by famed explorer Aldan Friedman Glen. The museum is working hand-in-hand with The Brindleton Historical Society, of which The Crown Princess serves as Royal Patron.

The outing marks the first time any member of the Royal Family has gone out following yesterday’s official rebuke concerning rumours surrounding The Crown Princess. The strongly-worded statement seems to have successfully quelled the uproar surrounding Her Royal Highness. 

However, it seems as though that some damage has been done. The outing started out “tense” as one onlooker shares: “It was obvious that The Crown Princess was a little tense and nervous. She smiled and waved, but you know she was a little upset, no doubt afraid that the public has turned on her. But when they exited, you can see that she’s visibly become more comfortable.” Perhaps her little sister had something to do with it! 

Princess Ingrid was photographed engaging her big sister in conversation several times during the outing. The two, despite their age gap, reportedly have a very close relationship. A source shares that while Eleanore’s closet is off-limits to anyone else, Ingrid loves raiding Anya’s closet, and Anya doesn’t mind one bit. 

The source further shares: “Ingrid has always been the peacekeeper of the household. Every time things get tense, she and her brother, Prince Nicky, come up with the wildest, funniest things to say, and suddenly, everyone’s forgotten whatever it is they’ve been arguing about. Those two are such adorable ‘clowns,’ much to their parents’ delight.” 

The outing is also the first after last night’s “Eleanore Meltdown,” as dubbed by netizens, referring to Princess Eleanore’s most-recent unfortunate outing. As expected, there was no mention of the matter during today’s engagement, and it’s quite interesting to note that the Royals skipped the usual meet-and-greet during the walkabout. Although HM and TRH’s did their usual walk and wave routine, they didn’t engage in conversation with the crowd.

One palace insider spills: “Even if last night’s mess is still quite fresh, The Queen didn’t want to cancel this outing because it would only cause more rumours and more speculation. She committed to this engagement months ago, and she tries her best to keep her appointments. But there were a few changes to this outing. What was supposed to be a solo engagement, however, was changed to accommodate Anya. The Queen wanted the public to see that she hasn’t lost faith in her eldest child. Princess Ingrid happened to be in town from uni and wanted to see the boats near the harbour, so she asked her mum if she could also tag along, and she said ‘yes.’ HM also requested that the walkabout this time be quick and short.”

(Above: HM and TRH’s graced the museum’s famed balcony that offers sweeping views of the harbour. 

Below: visitors frequent the museum not just to gawk at its priceless display, but to take in the view of the harbour.)

The mother-and-daughters trio looked picture perfect in their seemingly colour-coordinated outfits. 

The Crown Princess wore a blue belted wrap dress with white detailing, which had a nautical vibe to it. Her Royal Highness paired the dress with black strappy wedges, and a matching marble-print clutch. HRH also accessorised with gold bangles, a pearl watch, drop pearl earrings, a tiered necklace, and her “lucky” diamond floral ring. 

Also in a nautical themed dress? The Queen’s youngest daughter, Princess Ingrid. The royal teen wore a nautical-themed fit and flare dress with white, blue, and red accents. If it looks familiar, it’s because she’s already worn it before during her birthday photoshoot with Prince Nicky. She completed her adorable ensemble with black tights and black Mary Jane flats. HRH also wore her blonde hair in a half-up-half-down ‘do, which perfectly showcased an adorable pair of gold pearl and diamond tiara earrings fit for a princess!

Last but certainly not the least, we have Her Majesty, who also wore a re-wear: her navy blue boat neck, long sleeved belted dress, which she wore during an investiture some time ago. She kept things simple in the shoe department with her trusty black pumps. She finished her look with Queen Ophelia’s ruby and pearl earrings, a multi-gem gold choker (reportedly a birthday present from Prince Jacques), diamond and sapphire bracelets, and her wedding band and engagement ring.

We’re hoping for more sightings of these three beautiful royal ladies in the future!

[ambrosiaicecreem]

RQOTD: What is a random fact or piece of information about your story that you have been wanting to share but haven’t had a reason to share it?

hello anon thank you so much for the question!

here are some various random facts about the montolvo's universe:

Vampires, witches, and humans aren't the only beings within the Montolvo universe. The three are the most relevant to the Montolvo's story however so we won't be seeing many others. Without spoiling who (because I do want to get to their stories eventually), there is 1 werewolf hybrid who has already been introduced in the story. There is 1 mermaid who will be showing up within one of The Families of New Brando stories.

The Council members in particular have a lot of lore that probably won't ever be brought up naturally in the story. Orville, for example, was a pirate and he has a husband named Aldan, who works as an ambassador for New Brando. Orville is very private and protective of his family however, so they don't live in New Brando. Felix is from Australia and is the youngest of all the Council members, and he was also best friends with Marcus before they had a falling out.

[kronsela]

( howard charles, cis man, he/him, 37 ) ** ♔ announcing IFE ROHAN ADIO MAOCHA ALDANE CASIM OF MYRIE,  the SELLSWORD from POLAND ! upon closer look, they resemble HOWARD CHARLES. it is a miracle that HE survived the last five years, considering they are SOLEMN, HARDY, and DISTRUSTFUL. i hope the plague has not changed them. they are AGAINST working together with the other kingdoms. ( kat, she/her, 22, est )

casim was raised in a noble family in a small, autonomous city where his family helped to rule for centuries, originally named ife rohan adio maocha aldane, a duke in his own right.

when he was 20, he left his home to create a legacy as a knight with a mentor, learning the way of the sword as well as the duty that came with it.

but at the age of 25, the city he called his home was overrun and his family was killed, the city absorbed into the neighboring country that had invaded. his sister went missing during the invasion and was presumed dead.

casim abandoned his duty as a knight to go find her, searching every inch of the country to which she may have fled. due to abandoning his duty, he is now a wanted man and rebrands himself as casim, a name meaning the one who distributes, and becomes a sellsword to support his travels and help those he sees along the way.

after many years of searching, he becomes disillusioned, but nothing solidifies that more than the plague. since he was a traveler, he was especially at risk, and the lawlessness that countries descended into during the plague made it difficult for him to find work.

as the plague ended, casim heard of a place independent of poland where no royals ruled. a city where he could blend into the populace, find ample work, and possibly maintain a small home, but continue to search for his sister. as a wanted royal, there is no place safer for her to go than the free city of gdansk.

casim traveled to gdansk, but was intercepted by men working for the king of poland. the king has a job for him that will pay more handsomely than he expected, and gold like that is too good to ignore. casim decides to travel with the king to france, offering his services for whatever the king may need.

SOME THINGS OF NOTE

he has a trained crow as a pet that sends letters and fetches things for him

casim has many scars, the most notable being the large scar across his face from an axe wound when he was 28

he has not bought new clothing since before the plague, but was recently outfitted by the polish crown

a man of few words, he mostly stares blankly and occasionally offers short, terse answers.

casim fights with dual swords: a rapier and a short sword.

he’s basically geralt.

actually, he just is geralt.

i play two henry cavill vehicles.

WANTED CONNECTIONS

someone who requires his services for any reason. while he’s employed by the polish king, he’s not beneath taking on more jobs. assassinations, body guard positions, surveillance, he’ll do it all.

a courtesan he uses to blow off steam with.

someone who knows anything about his missing sister, who would be in her 20s now.

[laughterlincs]

[JACOB ELORDI | TWENTY-THREE | HE/HIM | CIS MAN] if it isn’t MILES ALDAN ! you know, MILES ! they’ve lived in monarda for FOUR MONTHS. some people say that they’re VENTURESOME & DETERMINED, but that they can also be GUARDED & UNPREDICTABLE. last i heard, they were working at THE MONARDA CAFE as a WAITER ! i’ve also heard the rumor that they’re a HUMAN. if you’d ask me, they remind me of LONG DRIVES, LOUD MUSIC, LATE NIGHTS ! i wonder what monarda’s got in store for them today!

tw death mention

ok so i have some random info filled out for him here but here is some actual backstory:

he had a pretty average middle class american childhood (or so tv tells me) his parents were together, he had a younger sister, and they all had a golden retriever 

that changed when he was 12 though and there was an accident where his sister ended up passing away and he blames himself for it 

his family came apart at the seams after that his dad left and moved on and started a new family and miles was left with his mom who was no longer in a good position to take care of him

inevitably he ended up going into foster care and he did not do well in it 

as soon as he was able to leave he did and he has pretty much been on his own ever since 

he travels a lot and doesn’t tend to stay in one place for long

when he gets bored of a place he packs up and goes somewhere else and starts his life there until he gets bored and the cycle repeats

but he’s been in monarda for 4 months now 

this does also mean he’s still mostly oblivious to the witch stuff 

he does not believe in the supernatural but i’m sure this will change quickly lol

as for his personality he is a generally bright person he is very social and loves to be around other people so he tends to make friends wherever he goes 

however most of these friendships tend to be rather shallow in that he doesn’t actually tell anyone important things about himself or let people get too close 

this stems from a fear of them deciding to dislike him if they really know him so he hides behind a façade so he cannot get hurt 

but yes he’s easy to get along with and he loves a good time parties bar nights any sort of social gathering and he will be there 

he’s also super romantic but tends to have an idealized idea of love which often makes his crushes and relationships unsustainable in the long run 

he can be super unpredictable although this may somewhat stem from others not really knowing him can’t be predicted if you can’t be understood in the first place or something

anyways yes he’s outgoing and loves to make friends 

i think i’ve covered it 

i made a page of wanted connection ideas here if you’re interested! 

[heroineimages]

“You seem a bit harried this morning, Captain,” her majesty commented as Bevren entered.

Bevren laughed as he handed her a stack of dispatches from Captain Aldan’s training camps. He thought he’d hidden his frustration pretty well—he should have expected Queen Viarra would pick up on it regardless.

“My wife’s mother is staying with us, spending a few days with her granddaughters,” he informed her. “She and I… have rarely gotten along well.”

Her majesty nodded as she sipped her tea and skimmed over the dispatches. “Didn’t you tell me her sister is married into [the late] Tetrarch Olwen’s family?”

“Indeed,” Bevren nodded grimly, “which only gives the old broad more reason to hate me. I don’t think my mother-in-law has ever referred to me by name. For years I was ‘that damned infantry thug’ that her daughter married. Since coming into your service I’m now ‘the she-tyrant’s little henchman.’”

“I can have her hanged as a dissenter if you’d like,” Queen Viarra offered, her voice neutral as she continued to read the reports.

Bevren snorted and grinned slightly. “Thanks, but she’s my problem, you don’t need to get involved.”

“It’s up to you,” her majesty shrugged.

[thcskeptic]

/Hello again! Here’s some stuff about him and like this if you want to plot and I will message you!

(JACOB ELORDI, 23, CIS MAN, HE/HIM) ⮕ Hey, isn’t that [MILES ALDAN]? I heard that they were a part of the crew. According to the wiki it says they’re the [SKEPTIC] of the group. Avid fans say that they’re [OUTGOING], but that they can also be [STUBBORN]. Maybe that’s because they’re a [TAURUS]. This gossip forum says they joined the group because [IT GAVE HIM SOMETHING TO DO FOR FUN]. I wonder if that’s true. I also heard they [DO NOT] believe in ghosts. I wonder if their time in arcane inc will change that.

TW: DEATH MENTION

He had a pretty average life until he was like 12 

Then his sister died in an accident he blames himself for to this day

And his family fell apart his dad left and his mom couldn’t take care of him

So he went into foster care when he was like 14 

Bounced around a lot and had to repeat 9th grade

After which he just dropped out of school and kinda ran away 

Started bouncing around from friends houses instead moved around a lot 

So he was always kind of a person who liked to move around 

Which is why the group suited him

It was just something to do to pass the time for him

Then they started getting paid for it so he really likes that aspect of it too 

Anyways yeah he is the skeptic because he does not believe in ghosts or an afterlife or any of that 

He thinks there’s just life and then there’s nothing

He will be trying to explain away anything that does happen 

Other than that though he is generally easy to get along with 

He is a bit of a people pleaser he will say things just to make other people happy even if he doesn’t believe them (except for his insistence that ghosts are not real he will be standing by that one) 

He is also a thrill seeker type of person will do anything for the fun of it 

Also has a lot of hedonistic tendencies he loves to party and drink and all that 

He also loves to be around people and with people, but he has a bit of a hard time making deep connections

When people get too close he tends to push them away because he’s scared of caring about them and then being abandoned by them 

Basically abandonment issues because of his parents

He is great and shallow connections with other people though he is the type of person who would have a lot of kinda friends rather than a small group of close friends 

He is very outgoing loves to talk and be talked too super extroverted to the point of rarely being alone 

That’s pretty much all I can think of right now we will learn more as we go along lol

[lildevyl]

Idea that will NEVER See the Light of Day!

Okay, so, I’m going through a FUNK right now!  So, I’m just going to put all my ideas that are going through my head and the ones that I actually written down here.  Feel free to use any of them! Just tag me if ya do so I can R&R!

Art Ideas:

My Creative Buddies/Multi-Fandom Fiends as Yugioh Cards:

Okay, so I’ve kinda have some inspiration! A while ago I posted that I’ve been going through somethings and needed a distraction. Someone reached out and gave me an Art Request! I’m going to do it! I just need kick myself to get going! The Art Request is Joey Wheeler from Yugioh in Prince Aldan’s Costume from Disney’s Aladdin.

The idea and inspiration is draw all of my Creative Buddies (Mutals) and my Multi-Fandom Fiends as Yugioh Cards! And have a little text about the cards. Their special Attacks/Abilities, which cards go great with them.

Don’t Draw Chase!:

This is a two parter!

Part 1:  I do the little challenge/tag reblog of my drawing Chase and then gets transported to where Chase got transported too

Part 2:  I draw my Creative Buddies/Multi-Fandom Fiends who are Artists, drawing Chase and then they get transported to where Chase gets transported too! The Plot Twist is that they call me up wanting to know if I can help them get back, only for me to find out that they somehow got transported into a story or comic that I was working on!

Animal AU:  This is based on @septic-dr-schneep​​ Animal AU.  The Egos as Animals! I want to draw JJ as a Rabbit thumping his big paw in Morse Code. Something like this, thumpthumpthump Thump Thump Thump  thumpthumpthump.  SOS

I’m planning on drawing all the Egos as the different Animals that I want to draw them as in the Animal AU that’s probably never going to see the light of day of me writing it!

JJ as a Rabbit.  Chase as a Golden Retriever.  Schneep as an Owl.  Marvin as a Cat or something in the feline family.  Jackie as Service Dog.  Anti as a Buzzer/Vulture something along those lines.

Draw this in Your Own Style:  I don’t think this is going to happen.  Mainly, b/c I don’t have my own style or I just don’t know what my style is!  I wanted to draw one of @huffletrax​ Marvin’s Drawings.  This might come around, when I get myself to stop staring at a blank screen or wasting time scrolling through Reddit or Tumblr and actually do something!

Fantasy AU:  Inspired by @rogue-of-broken-time​'s Fantasy AU.  I'm not sure if I'll ever get to draw this!

I want to draw like a mini comic or something.  You're walking along a path in the woods to find someone.  It's getting pretty dark, and you have no idea where to go or what's actually out here.  You see tiny little lights and then you see a floating eyeball?!  The green floating eyeball waves it's tail at you to follow it.  It leads down the path and then off the path to clearing.  There you see the person who you've been searching for!

"Ah, I see you found them, Sam!  Come in, come in!  Have a seat!"  The person points to one of the stones to sit on.  "So, what can I do for ya?" You hand them a scroll that King has order you, the Royal Scribe to give to them.  "Ah, so you want to know what actually happened?  You're the Royal Scribe?  The one to keep all the records?  I see.  Well, I can help you!  I know what did happen all to well."  They look off into the distance for some time.  "My name's Rogue and I'll tell you the tale."

Writing Ideas:

Animal AU:  This based on @septic-dr-schneep's Animal AU.  Thank You Rilia for the inspiration but I'm sorry that I won't be able to write anytime soon!

Summary:  Sarah needs a Service Dog a for her heart condition. If her heart rate reaches above a certain level she could pass-out and die.  Her father does everything he can to make sure that Sarah get the Service Dog that she needs! Sarah, names the dog Jackie after Septic City's Superhero Jackieboy Man. Some time passes and Sarah and Jackie are having a time of their lives!

Sarah's knows that do to her condition that she will never be able to follow in her father's footsteps to become an Officer, so she decides to become a Vet instead!  Being able to help others and their beloved pets.  However, Sarah and her friends notice that something really weird is going on in Septic City.  All the stray Animals have started to disappear and it's not do the Animal Shelters either!

Sarah accidentally stumbles upon the reason why the Stray Animals have been disappearing.  Some Mad Scientist/Vet have been pet-napping them and using them for his experiments.  Now, with Sarah in his grasp and them being out near the city limits of in one of the abandon warehouses, the Mad Scientist can finally start using her as a test subject!

Sarah's father, Septic City's Police Chief asks help of someone he never thought in a million years for help to help bring his daughter back in piece, Jackieboy Man.

Fantasy AU:  Inspired by @rogue-of-broken-time's Fantasy AU.  Thank You so much for the inspiration Rogue!  Hopefully, this might get written!

Summary:  In a far away land, a Kingdom lives in peace with Magic and Non-Magic users co-existing peacefully.  But things haven't always been, this peaceful between the two Races.  Magic was heavily feared and outlawed in a Kingdom where King Anti rules with an iron fist and a Black Heart.  One Kingdom welcomes all Magical beings and has kept the peace for years.  Until the Corrupted King declares war and secrets of the Corrupted King and the heir to the Magical Kingdom comes to the surface.

Wrestling AU:  This idea is inspired by the YouTuber Tournament Series by N60Sean!  He uses Create A Wrestlers of different YouTubers and it got me thinking!  A crossover of YouTube and Wresting!

Summary:  Felix Kjellberg aka "The King of YouTube" decides to start his own Wrestling Company with the help of his friends and Indie Wrestlers! The Wrestling Company is a huge success but it also catches the attention of another Wrestling Company, AEW (All Elite Wrestling).  Cody shows up on the biggest night of them all, offering to buy Felix's Company all out with no strings attached and to buy all of the Wrestlers too!  Felix refuses and now there is an all out War!

Yugioh AU:  A Crossover with YouTube and Yugioh!

Summary:  One of Jack's friends has been kidnapped!!!  Now, he and his friends have compete in a Duel Masters Tournament to get his friends back!  Along the way, Jack discovers more about himself, and about the spirit of his puzzle Sean.

Egopocaplse:  The Universe/World of the Egos that I've been writing about!  I'm not sure if I'll ever get to write the one-shots/multi chapter stories about the Egos that I want to write.  I have most of the Head Canons of the Egos and what I like to write about these guys and have an idea on where I want to go with it.  And with the all the Guest Stars too!  I just have no idea if I'll be able to actually not only write the stories but also finish the damn things!  I have so many WIPs it's not even funny and I want to freakin' finish them but it seems like every time I'm stuck on a story, I get an idea for another!

And no, I can't really hyper focus on one thing and though I'm super into it! My brain just work like that!  I don't know why, but I just doesn't!

Love Potion:  Inspired by @m4delin and @juju-on-that-yeet Ego Ship of Illinois and Yancy!

Summary:  Yancy and Illinois have a crush on another but neither of them know it!  It’s gotten to the point where everyone in Ego Inc. has place bets on who will confess to who first!  But when Illinois and Yancy over hear the other say something, they both think that the other has crush on someone else!

Meanwhile, Yandereplier is desperate to find their Senpi!!  After helping Marvin translate one his spell books, Yandere finds a spell that they want to try out. Reveal Your True Love.  When Illinois mistakes the potion for a flavor syrup that Yandere accidentally left out on the counter, Illinois suddenly has the urge to confess his love to a very confused Yancy.

Avatar the Last Airbender:

Summary:  Hundred years have passed since the last Avatar was reincarnated. No one knows what had happened to the last Avatar an Air Bender, but now with the Commit on its way to give the Fire Nation one last powerful push.  The new Avatar, a Water Bender has been found.  A South Pole Water Bender, named Sokka.

[milesaldan]

WELCOME TO THE DEN, HERE’S YOUR FILE  ╱  LUKE HEMMINGS. CISMALE. HE/HIM.  ╱ MILES ALDAN is TWENTY-THREE years old and they have made their way to fame by becoming a MUSICIAN. the situation that got them put the den was NOT SHOWING UP TO HIS OWN TOUR DATES. hopefully they can clean up their image before they lose everything.

Like this if you’d like to plot and I will come to you!

There’s some basic info about him under the cut:

Miles had a pretty normal childhood until he was around 12

TW: Death, drowning

At his 12th birthday party they were trying to celebrate via barbecue in the park and his parents told him to watch his sister while they unpacked the car

He did not watch his sister

She fell into the river and couldn’t swim

When he realized he jumped in trying to save her but he also could not swim

By the time his parents saw them and ran over it was too late for his sister

He blames himself for that

END OF THAT TW

His family fell apart shortly after that. His dad left and his mom was never quite herself again. 

He ended up in foster care after about a year of that 

He hated foster care though and left it to go hide away with friends instead

Moved around a lot because of that 

Never really meant to become a singer/musician but it was the only thing he was truly passionate about, and he was good at it, so

Didn’t have to pursue the career for long before people started to pay attention 

Now it’s actually a pretty good paying job for him, but of course, it comes with downsides 

He is a very private person and doesn’t really like the aspect of everything about him being googleable 

But mostly he enjoys it 

He’s generally a hard worker, which is why his scandal was so surprising. He had never missed or been late for tour dates before 

TW: Alcoholism

It’s because he developed some unhealthy coping mechanisms as a child 

That being alcoholism

Normally he’s pretty high functioning despite that

But recently it’s really been getting to him all the pressure and everything that comes with the business so he’s getting worse

Hence the missed shows 

But almost no one knows this about him. Even if they’re close to him. He refuses to admit that he has a problem even though he knows it’s not normal or okay for him to be doing all that 

END OF THAT TW

Generally, Miles is a laid back person, but he’s not afraid to fight if something really bothers him 

He tries to be as funny as possible, mostly at the expense of himself

But don’t let that fool you he is very confident in himself, especially in regards to his appearance the only thing he’s actually insecure about is that he thinks he’s not that smart due to dropping out of high school 

He kinda comes off like he has the emotional range of a chair

On the other hand he kind of clings to people because he’s scared of abandonment, but also always thinks he’s going to be hurt so distances himself. Emotionally distant, physically clingy 

Lowkey a sadboi but doesn’t really realize it yet, he just thinks everyone feels like shit all the time and it’s normal 

Curses too much

Jokes too much

I can’t think of anything else to add at the moment so I suppose this is the end 

[vicsmusehub]

A tragic tale of family, betrayal, and magic... The story of how the witch became the princess.

Long ago there was a king, Gemini Miller, who ruled over the Minerva Kingdom. He was a kind and fair ruler, wanting only the best for his people and family. His most precious treasure was his son, Prince Micheal Miller. Then… Micheal got sick. He tried everything, every sort of healing magic known throughout the kingdom, but nothing worked. At last, King Gemini had one last trick up his sleeve, a form of magic he had been working on for years now that has been seen by no one before, Blood magic. And it worked, but there’s always a cost to pay.

Not too long after, Gemini’s estranged brother, Aldan found out about his newfound practice and was disgusted. As punishment for Gemini’s sinful ways, he was sealed in his own tome by Aldan and cast into another dimension. With Gemini gone, Aldan took the throne and ruled with an iron fist. The once grimdark, but peaceful kingdom was now a land of fear and misery, masked with an ivory and holy polish. The former royal fled throughout the dimension, desperate to find Gemini, and his tome. This eventually led them to earth. 

Prince Micheal made a pledge that he would find this tome and free his people from Aldan’s grasp. However, he eventually grew too old to keep this promise so it was passed down to his daughter, then his granddaughter and finally his great-granddaughter, Ophelia Miller. Sadly, her mother never found the tome, as she was killed by witchfinders, along with her father. 4 years of her life go by since then and eventually she’s called to a mysterious book store with a mysterious tome. After returning home and accidentally spilling a drop of blood on the book, at long last, Gemini was found and freed. Upon learning her true origin and her great grandfather’s tragic tale, she became determined to win her kingdom back.

And she did.

With the help of her friends, Gemini, and a small rebel force, Ophelia was able to take back the Minerva and dethrone Aldan. Gemini finally returned to his people and Ophelia was crowned princess. She now lives her youth happily in her kingdom, dreaming of the day she’ll become Queen. However, it is said that Aldan is still lurking in Minerva, looking for his revenge and planning to drag all of Minerva to the darkest depths of Hades.

Roles:

Ophelia: Princess of Minerva. Kind and fair, she hopes to learn as much as she can about her kingdom before her coronation on her 21st birthday. Age: 14-19 (Varies)

Gemini: (Belongs to @legerdcmain​ ) King of Minerva. Sealed inside his own grimoire after his brother found out that he created blood magic to save Micheal. Years later he was freed by his great-granddaughter and the two returned to Minerva to take back the crown. He now continues his rule and hopes to guide Ophelia on the right path of becoming queen. 

Claudius: One of Ophelia’s friends from Earth. After assisting Ophelia return the crown to Gemini, he was made the royal bard. 

Sarah: One of Ophelia’s friends from Earth. After assisting Ophelia return the crown to Gemini, she was made the royal artificer/researcher. 

Melissa: Formerly an underground fighter, Melissa is now a knight in training after assisting the rebel army in overthrowing Aldan.

Maxxine Seaford: Formerly leader of the rebel army, after overthrowing Aldan she was made captain of the royal navy. 

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[fableweaver]

Arc of the Bastard Mage

Arc of the Bastard Mage

The crowds seemed worse than the day before as they marched up the hill towards the palace and the Tower of Balal. Xavier noticed it was mostly mages around them as they walked few servants and slaves among the crowd.

“Are you sure we should be going today?” Martel asked as they walked.

“Today the library will be mostly empty,” Xavier said. “Everyone must be gathering at the palace.”

“The king will be giving a speech,” a passing mage said. “That is why we are gathering.”

“Thank you,” Xavier said to the mage, a woman with a hint of blonde to her hair. “I hadn’t heard the king was speaking, I’m surprised I thought he stopped making public appearances.”

“He hasn’t been seen in over twenty years,” the woman answered. “Not since the wars. This is a special occasion though; I guess to you it isn’t much of a big deal reaching a hundred years of life.”

“It is a big deal to anyone,” Xavier answered, knowing what she meant. The Aldan could live for nearly a hundred and fifty years, and not have aged until they were about to die. “I dread the day I see my first wrinkle.”

The woman only made a sour face and kept walking. Xavier shook his head, he never understood the desire to live for an eternity, probably because most of his life he had wished he was dead.

They reached the top of the hill and looked out into the great open courtyard between the palace and tower. It was full of mages, a sea of white as people gathered to face the palace. City guards stood at the entrances of the streets. When they reached the guards they were stopped, the mage stepping in front of Xavier.

“No slaves beyond this point,” the man said. “Turn back.”

“I am a free servant sir,” Xavier said pointedly. “I do not wear a mage sigil.”

“You still don’t get passed,” the guard answered. “Only mages beyond here.”

“Xavier,” Martel said taking his sleeve.

“Go on milady,” Xavier said knowing it would be strange if they all turned back. “We’ll meet up later alright?”

He winked at her and Martel nodded in understanding. She and Lycus led the other children into the square joining the crowd of mages leaving Xavier with Kalyani.

“Now what?” Kalyani asked as she and Xavier walked back a ways.

“We step sideways,” Xavier answered and Kalyani grinned. They slipped into a shadowed ally and called on the Elder Magic. It was a small amount of aether to let wash over them as they stepped into the aether distortion. Xavier hoped it was a small enough amount that it wouldn’t be noticed.

They walked back out keeping to the shadows. The point of stepping sideways was to hide, and it worked better in dim light and darkness. Out in broad daylight it didn’t work as well, but they were still able to slip past the guards and into the crowd. They tried to keep from touching the mages as they walked by, luckily the mages stood far enough apart it wasn’t a problem.

Xavier looked for Martel and the children, spotting them at last fairly far into the crowd, probably carried by the tide of people. They caught up with them and stepped back into sight, the mages around them focused on the palace they didn’t notice.

“Xavier,” Martel said relieved as he appeared next to her. “Should we head for the library now?”

Xavier almost answered, but while he was scanning the crowd to make sure no one had noticed them something caught his eye. They were standing a few spans away from the marble pillared walkway along the side of the courtyard, the walkway was empty, but for a few lone figures marching along between the pillars. Even at this distance Xavier recognized one of the men and felt his blood boil.

He hurried off leaving Martel and the others in the crowd. Once again he stepped sideways, a few mages next to him jumping as he vanished, but they did nothing but shake their heads in confusion. He reached the walkway, the pillars casting long shadows in the morning light. His target had two guards next to him as he walked towards the palace and Xavier drew his sword. Xavier stepped up behind one unseen and hit the man on the temple with his pommel. As the first guard fell Xavier turned to the second and did the same as the man turned to try and see their invisible assailant. The guards dispatched Xavier put his blade to his target’s throat and stepped back into visibility.

“Grandfather,” Xavier said darkly facing the man responsible for his birth.

Varas Lonelove looked at him with hooded red eyes, his face set in a look of superiority despite the blade at his throat. He looked exactly the same as the last time Xavier had seen him when he was only thirteen. His hair and skin as white as snow, his face was unlined but gaunt.

“Xavier,” Varas said with distain. “You’re alive.”

“What are you doing here?” Xavier asked. “I thought you were Dridia’s ambassador to the King’s Council.”

“I left to come and see how Ilya was doing with his immortality research,” Varas answered.

“I should have known you had your hand in that disgusting experiment,” Xavier said, his knuckles white as he gripped his sword with all his strength. The blade remained steady as he stared his Grandfather down. Even looking into those red eyes was hard, memories he had long since buried coming to the surface.

“Believe it or not Xavier I have been working all my life to protect our people,” Varas scolded. “You were meant to protect our people from the other Kingdoms so that we would not be overrun as we sought ways to preserve our dwindling numbers. Everything I have done it was for Dridia.”

“Everything?” Xavier said darkly and saw Varas flinch. His eyes burned and his nostrils flared with his anger. Xavier knew him well enough to know that anger was defensive, Varas was ashamed of his predilection. Had there not been a blade at his throat Varas would have attacked.

“You were a spoiled child and I needed to make sure you were properly disciplined,” Varas answered.

“You call raping me discipline?” Xavier hissed, his sword nicking Varas’ neck and spilling blood.

“Xavier, I am your grandfather,” Varas said, his tone still scolding as if Xavier were still a child. “I am your only kin.”

Xavier felt his rage burning in him as he stared at Varas. This man had murdered his father, caused his mother’s death in the birth of him. He had made Xavier’s life and existence a burden he had wanted to rid himself of for years. He had ruined his childhood and taken any future away from him. He deserved to die a thousand deaths in the most painful of ways.

“Xavier,” Martel said and he turned to see her, the other children, and Kalyani standing at the pillars. The looks on their faces made him stop his throat dry. Shame burned through him at the look of disappointment on their faces. Zaire would have understood, and her sympathy would have cooled his anger into a healing sorrow. But Martel and the others showed him what pain his anger could cause.

“Who are they?” Varas said shocked staring at the mage children.

“They are ancient mages from the isle our ancestors fled from,” Xavier answered. “I saved them from an island that had been preserved by a time seal until it broke ten years ago. They are mages of ancient power.”

Xavier had never seen his grandfather shocked and found it almost satisfying.

“Come Martel,” Xavier said, satisfied to see Varas flinch at the name and didn’t bother elaborating that this Martel was not the same as the heroine from the tale. “We should go see the King’s speech.”

He withdrew his blade and sheathed it, about to turn away when Varas gathered his power. Xavier had never seen anyone draw a dual attack sigil in the matter of a heartbeat, and could do nothing as Varas’ sigil formed towards him. Suddenly Kalyani was there between them, a wing appearing on her back as she shed her skin just enough to let her wings free. She cut Varas’ sigil with her wing and kicked him in the gut sending him tumbling back.

Varas coughed and gasped as he struggled to his feet, staring up at Kalyani and Xavier standing over him.

“Oh I forgot to introduce Kalyani a Griffin of the same isle,” Xavier said. “One of the Younger races of the Phay the Griffins can apparently cut through High Magic with their feathers.”

“Xavier,” Varas gasped, shaking with either fear or rage. “Wait…”

“No Grandfather we’re done here,” Xavier said coldly. “Goodbye.”

“Wait!” Varas said. “You girl, Martel!” Xavier saw Martel raise her head at her name to meet Varas’ gaze. “You belong with your kin, all of you. You deserve to live as royalty and be taught the true power of the High Magic. Please do not listen to this mad man, he is little better than Atlas!”

Xavier waited, watching Martel carefully though he wanted to argue with his grandfather. Martel looked at him hesitantly and Xavier saw her resolve. She walked forward and stood by Kalyani and Xavier looking down at Varas.

“And where does Xavier belong?” Martel asked and Varas hesitated. “We belong with him and he belongs with us, because we are family.”

She took Xavier’s hand and led him away from his grandfather, Kalyani following them withdrawing her wings.

“You will regret this,” Varas said as they left. Martel just gripped Xavier’s hand harder as they walked into the crowd of mages again.

“Thank you,” Xavier said as they walked through the crowd and towards the tower of Balal. “How much of that did you overhear?”

“Everything,” Martel said. “He hurt you when you were a child didn’t he?”

“He did,” Xavier said but he knew she didn’t understand to what depths. He never wanted her to know that reality. She held his hand harder and Xavier felt Lycus take his other hand.

“Let’s go to the library while everyone listens to the boring king,” Lycus said with a forced smile.

“Of course,” Xavier said with his own forced smile, though it didn’t feel as strained as it normally did.

They walked through the crowds, when mages gathered in large numbers like this they tended to stand apart loosely making it easier to weave between them. They were half way across the courtyard when a blare of trumpets sounded, magically enhanced so they rang out across the courtyard. Xavier looked up at the palace to see the great doors opening. A figure walked out, stooped with age. Xavier couldn’t make the King out at this distance, but he didn’t need to. Sigils blazed and soon the King’s image was hovering in illusion over the crowd.

Nicias was so old his skin had become almost transparent, all his veins and tendons standing out in ropy lines over his neck and hands. His hair was wispy and thin, and his eyes dark red with power. Xavier realized he had a bit of a glow about him, probably from a full century immersed in the High Magic unlike Martel’s natural glow.

“My people,” Nicias said his voice low but carried by the sigils blazing around them. Xavier saw his fingers dancing and lines of power coming from his hand and realized all the sigils of illusion and sound had been cast by him. Nicias was showing he was still a mage of great power despite his age.

“Today marks one hundred years I have had in this life, and eighty four years I have been your king. I hold this honor dear and thank you my citizens for your support all these years.”

Xavier rolled his eyes, sensing this was going to be a long and dry speech. He was about to turn away when two other figures stepped up behind Nicias. Ilya stood tall and young next to his father, none of his years showing on him. Ileana stood serine as a marble statue, and just as beautiful. Nicias kept droning on either unaware his children were behind him or he didn’t care.

Xavier watched Ilya closely, wishing he could kill the bastard but knowing he couldn’t. As he watched however Varas joined Ilya on the steps of the palace. Varas whispered in Ilya’s ear and he looked around astonished. So Xavier’s cover was blown. They exchanged words and Varas stepped aside to talk to some guards.

“We need to get out of here,” Xavier said afraid.

“How?” Martel asked having seen the same thing and drawn the same conclusion. “With sigils they’ve probably already warned the other guards.”

“They are already gathering,” Kalyani said.

“How fast can you get word to the others?” Xavier asked Kalyani.

“Wait,” Kalyani answered. She looked to the sky, spotted a sylph and called it down. She whispered to it and set it racing off on the wind. “The sylph will reach them in minutes, but it will take them time to arrive here.”

“Let’s try to get to the tower,” Xavier said. They slowly began to make their way to the Tower of Balal.

Xavier was keeping his eyes on Ilya and Varas, surprised by the alliance they seemed to have. Watching them glare at each other he realized this was a shaky alliance at best. He felt a foreboding, like darkness was closing in around them and it had nothing to do with the gathering guards.

“Xavier, something is about to happen,” Kalyani gasped. Xavier felt it too, but could not figure out what it was. Then he saw the king’s shadow distort and rise. A spear of darkness rose out of the shadow and stabbed Nicias through the heart. There was a moment when his sigils held his image over the crowd with a look of surprise, the sound of his last breath echoing over the crowd.

The shadow vanished and Nicias fell dead to the steps of the palace. A moment of dull shock strangled the air with silence before a woman screamed. The mages surged up and the crowd became chaotic, pushing and shoving suddenly. Xavier shouted and turned to the children, relieved to see they were all holding hands. He reached for Martel’s hand and pulled her along towards the Tower of Balal.

They pushed and shoved their way through the panicked crowd, others similarly trying to keep their feet as people either tried to flee or run towards the palace. Xavier knew who had been behind the assassination; that power had not been a High Magic sigil or Nicias would have countered it. Ilya had gotten Tobias to do his dirty work for him.

They reached the tower and Xavier was relieved to see the guards were all trying to keep the crowd calm and under control. They hurried inside; Xavier counted heads and glad to see all were accounted for.

“To the top of the tower,” Xavier said.

“Will we be able to get to the top?” Martel asked.

“I can take care of any sigils in the way,” Kalyani answered.

“And I can take care of anything else,” Xavier added. “Now go!”

Xavier could see the sadness in Martel’s eyes as they hurried through the entry hall of the library, her regret obvious that she would not get to enjoy the library. They hurried through the empty hall and to the tower proper, heading for the stairs that wound their way around the tower. There were magical lifts that would have been easier to use, but there were guard sigils on those to prevent them from reaching the top. If Kalyani tried to break those she would only make the lift inoperable.

The stairs wound up the tower in an enclosed well and they hurried up the steps. The children were all in good shape and were able to keep up as Xavier hurried up the steps. About half way up they heard shouts and sounds of pursuit.

“I’ll slow them down,” Martel said and turned. She took out her wand and drew a warding sigil behind them on the steps, the magic blazing as it sealed of the steps behind them. It was a high level seal and she had drawn it with a lot of power, it would take a mage of some skill to break that.

“Hurry, they can use the lift unlike us,” Xavier said.

They kept going, Martel or Lycus pausing occasionally to draw a ward behind them. Xavier would have added an Elder Magic ward, but there wasn’t time since those took longer.

They started to reach the tower’s wards and Kalyani took the lead, sheading her human skin and walking through the wards as if they were rain, shattering the magic. They kept going, no mages coming to meet them on the stairs ahead. Xavier realized that even though the mages could use the lifts to head them off, none had because they had thought the intruders would have been trapped by now by the tower’s defenses.

They reached the top of the tower and Xavier stared in awe at what the mages had topped the Tower of Balal with. A great glass dome crowned the tower, etchings of the stars and constellations covering the dome. Xavier couldn’t help but gaze up at it and think that Zaire would have loved it. Then a bird shape moved over it followed by another. The Griffins had arrived, wheeling around over the tower hidden in the clouds.

“Xavier,” Kalyani said and he turned to see she had opened one of the great windows along the wall. “I have called the Wild Braves over here.”

“Good,” Xavier said. “Will they be able to fly in here?”

His question was answered instantly by Kavi shooting in like a stone from a sling, the young griffin skidding to a halt on the marble floor.

“Sorry we’re late!” he shouted.

“Enough,” Xavier said. “How did you manage to get the harnesses on?”

“We managed to slip them on but they aren’t buckled,” Kavi answered and Xavier noticed he was right.

“Castor and Felix help the griffins buckle the harnesses and the other children mount,” Xavier ordered. “Martel…”

“We’re holding the door,” Martel said. She and Lycus were by the door drawing wards and seals over the door. They moved on to the lift doors and drew seals over them as well. Xavier hurried to help buckle harnesses as the griffins landed in the room, and then helped each child mount their griffin.

He heard a crackling and turned to see Martel and Lycus’ wards were under attack. He couldn’t see the mages on the other sides of the doors, but light was blazing as they tried to break the wards.

“Go, hurry,” Xavier said as Martel mounted Kalyani, Raja having brought her harness.

“What about you?” Martel asked afraid.

“I’m coming don’t worry,” Xavier said. He saw she was clearly worried, but Kalyani turned away before Martel could argue. Kalyani leapt out the open window, her wings snapping open. The others followed her, Xavier waiting until the last griffin was clear before he began to form his skin. The wards were thin now; the guards close to breaking through. Xavier ignored them as he concentrated on the skin.

The wards broke with a thunder clap, three mages leaping out with sigils blazing in their hands. They broke through just in time to see Xavier step into his skin and change form in to the osprey. The mages shouted and threw their attack sigils, but they bounced off Xavier uselessly.

“Don’t bother,” Xavier said, his voice coming out as an odd croak. He spread his wings and took flight, leaving the mages staring after him stunned. The wind hit him hard when he left the window and for a moment he lost his wings and tumbled through the air before he righted himself again.

The wind around the tower was chaotic, a great cloud swirling around the top of the tower to hide the top of it. Xavier flew through the cloud confused, letting the wind carry him until he was out of the cloud and into open air. Xavier glided looking down far below to see the people like ants in the square below him. They were still milling around and he could hear Ilya’s amplified voice calling for them to stay calm.

Xavier turned away; he knew what Ilya would do. The prince was going to paint Xavier the assassin, calling him the new Atlas. It was ironic, Xavier felt like Ilya was closer to being Atlas than he was. He had corrupted and twisted lifeforms, he had just murdered his own father, and soon he would rule like a tyrant over the people. Only this time they didn’t know they were being ruled by a monster.

Xavier saw the griffins forming up and joined them, Kalyani turning her beak south. They flew high to avoid detection, flying among the greater sylphs, the creatures little more than swirls of air and cloud. They flew until Xavier found a place to shelter, a grove of trees at the top of a hill. It was midday but they decided to stop and leave again when night fell.

“What happened?” Raja asked once they had set up camp. Kalyani filled in the griffins about the events and their failure to gain any information.

“I’m sorry Martel that we had to leave so early,” Xavier said and she shook her head.

“We will return when it is safe again,” Martel said.

“I’m afraid it might never be,” Xavier said. “Ilya, the prince and now king, is allied with Kal Ba’el and the Legion. Dridia is headed in a dark direction.”

“What of that war?” Kalyani asked. “I overheard you talking to some people about a war to the south.”

Xavier had gotten some news and gossip while he was with Kalyani and he nodded.

“Regis is at war with Lir,” Xavier said. “A usurper to the Lirian throne killed the king there. The High King has a nephew in line for the Lirian throne so he is trying to get his nephew on the throne. As far as I can tell this is nothing new. The kingdoms have warred like this before; many families have lost their crowns to a usurper who managed to gain control of the kingdom.”

“The timing of this war is the same as when the Phay intend to march,” Kalyani said. “Are you sure they are not connected?”

“It just means the Kingdoms are at business as usual,” Xavier said, but he felt a sense of foreboding. “But I’ll think on it Kalyani. Let’s get some rest and head out at dusk.”

It was difficult sleeping in the middle of the day, but everyone had an exciting morning so an afternoon nap was almost welcomed. They set out again at dusk heading south, Xavier leading the way. He had studied maps, but he had never traveled this way before nor by air. Xavier soon thought of following the southern trade road by air so they wouldn’t get lost. He realized though this wouldn’t work at night, even Shankar had trouble seeing the road from the air at night.

So they stopped again and set out in the morning. This time the griffins flew high and Xavier low enough to see the road, and the griffins followed him. Xavier found they covered leagues much faster in the air despite having to take frequent breaks to rest. In two days they had flown over much of Dridia. Xavier looked down on the ground a lot of the time feeling a sense of awe at the land rolling below him. Southern Dridia was hilly and full of Elmerian farms. Few mages lived outside Myr, their dropping numbers meant they were gathering more often in the city. They passed a few large villages and towns, but none were city sized.

On their third day of flight Xavier watched the sky nervously. The morning had been gray with a spring storm, yet they had taken off hoping it would clear. Outside of Myr the mage’s weather tampering had made unpredictable storms at times. Xavier eyed the storm to the east with apprehension, seeing the greater sylph in the storm was angry. Lightning flashed in the clouds and the sylph paced around like an angry cat, moving further west with each pace.

Kalyani flew in next to him, her ears flat against her head.

“We need to land!” she shouted. “That sylph is angry.”

Xavier nodded, and looked to the ground ahead. The road continued on empty until he spotted a structure off in the distance. He could just make out a roadside inn at a crossroads in the lee of some rocky hills.

“There, we’ll land among the hills,” Xavier shouted and Kalyani nodded. The wind was becoming turbulent as lesser sylphs fled the angry storm sylph, Xavier struggling to keep his wings as he flew for the rocky hills. The hill stood tall over the surrounding land making for an easier target, but with the winds as turbulent as they were it was going to be a rough landing. Xavier struggled as he neared the hill and shed his skin midair, landing and rolling to his feet. He swore as he scrapped his knee on a rock, ripping his pants.

He stood dusting himself off just in time to see Kavi crash land next to him in a lump of feathers and fur.

“You alright?” Xavier asked.

“Still the master of crash landings,” Kavi said as he stood and shook himself. “Nothing broken.”

“I’m starting to think your skull is made of rock,” Xavier said helping Kavi out of his harness and bags. Esha and Lila landed with Alex and Cyrus, much more graceful than Kavi.

“Nope, just full of them,” Lila said having heard Xavier.

“Thanks,” Kavi said laying his ears back. The other griffins landed and they hurried to take off the harnesses and packs. They found an overhang to take shelter under, but it looked like a tight fit.

“There was a building down by the road,” Martel said looking into the cave full of griffins. There was barely room for the griffins to move about without stepping on wings.

“I think that was an inn telling by the stables,” Xavier said. “Crossroads are a popular place for inns. Would you rather sleep there tonight?”

“I think it would be best given how tight it is here,” Martel said.

“Kalyani,” Xavier said and she turned to him, or at least tried to given Vasu was in her way. “Me and the mages are going to the inn and stay there for the night to give you some space. Help yourself to the rations.”

“Be careful,” Kalyani answered. “It looks like it is about to rain.”

Xavier nodded and waved the children to follow him. They hurried but they still didn’t beat the rain; it started as they made their way down the hill. It was coming down in sheets making the footing treacherous as they struggled down the rocky hillside. At last they reached the bottom with a few scrapped hands and knees. Xavier noted the children didn’t cry at scraped palms, they had dealt with worse in their lives.

The inn was more like a compound, four buildings surrounded by a wood palisade. They walked to the road and slogged their way through the mud to the gate which was closed. Xavier pounded on the door until a little peep hole slid open.

“Who are you?” the man behind the door asked.

“Travelers,” Xavier answered shortly. “Now open up.”

“Why should I?” the man asked.

“This is an inn isn’t it?” Xavier asked angrily.

“It is but only for those with coin,” the man answered. Gritting his teeth Xavier took out his purse string and held out a copper piece.

“Only one copper?” the man whined taking the coin.

“I have steel if that would suit you better,” Xavier growled his hand going to his sword.

“No this is fine,” the man said and quickly shut the peep hole. Xavier waited impatiently in the rain as the man opened the gate enough for them to file in. Xavier glared at the gatekeeper, a weedy Elmerian man. Once the children were all in and the gate shut the man pointed over to the inn across the muddy courtyard.

“Welcome to the Hanged Man’s Crossroads,” the man said grinning. Xavier looked at the inn with distaste. It was large and old, looking like a lord’s forgotten mansion. There were two smaller cabins off to the side, and the stables on the other side. The place looked rundown and shady, Xavier sure the beds were going to be lice infested.

“Need help with your bags?” the gate keeper asked snidely, knowing they didn’t carry anything. Xavier glared at him and aimed a kick at the man’s legs, but he danced aside snickering. Before Xavier could go after him Martel tugged on his sleeve.

“Can we go inside now,” she asked in a small voice. She was shivering and soaking wet, her glow dull and lips blue. The other children were in much the same state and Xavier sighed.

“Right, come on,” Xavier said leading the way off.

“Have a nice stay!” the gate keeper shouted after them and Xavier made a rude gesture back at him. The wind was blowing strong now and Xavier felt hail mixed in with the rain as they hurried across the courtyard.

When he opened the door it was nearly blown off its hinges, and he struggled to hold it as the children hurried in. He slammed the door shut, turning to look into the inn. It was worse inside than outside. The common room looked like it had been made by knocking out several walls to make it big enough, the wood floor covered with straw and saw dust to absorb any foul liquids spilled onto it. A rough bar was set up at one end and odd tables and chairs filled the rest of the room. It was smoky from the fireplace, the room lit with greasy tapers and candles.

The patrons were Elmerian and Markian, a few Rhodin mixed in. The Elmerians looked like wagon workers, the burly men that worked in trade caravans. The Markians looked like drovers, probably taking their break from the cattle out on the highlands. The Rhodin were typical for their kind, they had a table to themselves, only two women with five men.

“Welcome travelers,” the man at the bar said as he stepped around to greet them. He was Elmerian, tall and heavy set. His striped apron was grease stained and covered his big beer belly, tucked into his waistband. The man had a pudgy nose and was missing an eye, but his smile was warm and welcoming. “Name’s Benny, what’ll be your pleasure?”

“A room until this storm dies down,” Xavier said. “A private room.”

“Sure thing,” Benny answered. “Three silvers.”

“A hundred coppers,” Xavier answered and continued to haggle until he got down to a hundred fifty coppers. He paid the inn keeper, got the key, and was about to lead the children off to the room when Benny stopped him.

“There’s no heat up there,” Benny said. “This is the only warm place in the inn.”

“Great,” Xavier said displeased. He walked towards the fireplace where a spit was turning, a dog on a wheel turning the spit. The children started to peel off their wet and muddy clothes, Xavier joining them. He heard someone snicker and looked up to glare at the group of Markians, the men quieting at his glare.

“Xavier,” Martel said. “I’ll take your clothes and dry them.”

Xavier handed over his tunic, never taking his eyes from the other men. There were ten of them, all the typical Markian brute with more balls than brains. They glared right back at him; Xavier guessing more than one was tempted to risk a beating for the chance at one of the children. The Elmerian waggoneers were watching as well, though they looked more wary. Only the Rhodin seemed disinterested, though Xavier noticed they cast a few dirty looks at the Markians.

Martel and the others worked on drying the clothes, seeming oblivious to the tension in the room. She finished drying his clothes with a sigil and handed them back, Xavier pulling his tunic back on. She tried to take his pants off but he waved her off, so she cast the sigil on them while he wore them. Martel laughed a little as he scowled at her, the sigil making his pants glow a bit.

Xavier heard a few snickers across the room and glared again at the Markians. Before he could do anything Benny appeared carrying a tray of food.

“Thought you lot would be hungry,” he said setting the tray down on the table.

“Thank you,” Martel said as the children crowded around to sit at the table to eat. Xavier looked at the food surprised, oat bread, thick butter, a bean and bacon soup, a meat pie, and several baked potatoes sat on the tray. It was simple traveler’s fair but it was much better than the thin cabbage soup and gruel he had been expecting. Benny went to the spit and cut off a generous portion and put it on the table.

“Y’all want some ale too?” Benny asked.

“What’s ale?” Lycus asked.

“No we have water,” Xavier said ignoring him. Benny simply nodded and walked off, giving a glare to the Markians which seemed to make them shrink back. A little more relieved Xavier sat at the table making sure to still face the room. They ate, Xavier surprised to find the food as good as it looked. The children chattered quietly, occasionally venturing a question to Xavier which he answered.

Melissa, Jove, and Rufus started to feed scraps to the spit dog, laughing as they made him run faster for his treat. The other children started to play with the cutlery, making an imaginary war between the knives and spoons. Xavier watched them, laughing occasionally at one antic or another, when the door suddenly banged open.

Startled everyone turned to see four figures stumble in. The two shorter men hurried to close the door but the wind had it, the third taller man turning to help them. The last was a woman; she had fallen to the floor and was struggling to stand under the weight of her sodden fur cloak the hood over her face. Xavier stood and hurried to help her to her feet, lifting her up from the elbow.

“Are you alright?” Xavier asked, her head low bent over something in her hands.

“I’m fine,” she answered as she finished cleaning her glasses. She put them on as she raised her head to look up at him, pushing back her hood. Xavier stared in shock looking down at Zaire who was just as stunned. For a heartbeat time seemed to stop, and then Zaire’s eyes rolled back in her head and she fell in a dead faint. Xavier already holding her elbow held her up, wrapping his arms around her sodden form.

Before his mind could even try to comprehend how Zaire was suddenly in his arms he felt a blade at his throat.

“Let go o her scum,” a man in a Daunish accent said. Xavier looked to see the door had been closed, the three men standing around him. The Daunish man, the tallest one though he barely stood above Xavier’s shoulder, had a dagger at his throat. The other two were dark haired and so short they barely stood above Xavier’s elbow. But both were armed with swords and had them drawn. Xavier felt rage which he quickly clamped down on, now was not the time to get into a fight.

“Oi, no fighting in my inn,” Benny said appearing. “You sir, put the lady down.”

Reluctantly Xavier moved Zaire over to a chair and put her down, the Daunish man removing his dagger so he could kneel next to her. He took off Zaire’s wet fur cloak, trying to revive her gently. Xavier stepped back, but kept close his mind still in shock. The two other men sheathed their swords, one turned to Benny.

“Sorry for the disruption,” he said to Benny. He had an odd accent, one Xavier had never heard before. “We are travelers looking for lodging.”

“Of course,” Benny said and they started to haggle. The other man looked at Xavier, glaring at him at first before his face suddenly went white. He pulled on the other one’s arm and said something in a low voice. The other stopped and turned to look at Xavier too. His face took on the same look. He handed over whatever Benny had asked for and the two quickly hurried over.

“Who are you?” the leader asked staring at him. Up close Xavier could see he looked vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t place where he had ever seen the man.

“I’m not sure I should answer that,” Xavier said. “Not when you don’t have the courtesy to introduce yourself.”

“You are right,” the man said with a quick bow. “My name is Donar, Chief of the Emir Clan. This is my captain Darin.”

Neither of the names meant anything, but the name Emir sounded so familiar Xavier had to shake his head as if to clear it.

“You are Eileen reborn aren’t you?” Darin asked and Xavier looked at him surprised.

“I am,” Xavier said looking at them closely now. “You are dwarves aren’t you?”

“We are,” Donar said. “I’m not sure if you remember or not but you and I met in our past lives. When you were Eileen and I was Emir.”

“I don’t remember,” Xavier said.

“I can help you with that,” Donar said. “We chiefs of the dwarves know how to recall the memories of our past lives. What is your name in this life?”

Before Xavier could answer a groan interrupted them. They turned to see Zaire coming to, the Daunish man helping her.

“Are you alright Zaire?” The man asked putting his hand on her shoulder. Xavier felt jealousy seethe through him, his heart constricting with the realization that Zaire might have moved on thinking he was dead.  

“I thought…” Zaire started to answer, her hand on her forehead, when she turned to Xavier. Everyone else in the room disappeared as their eyes met, Xavier thinking she might faint again. Instead she leapt to her feet pushing the Daunish man aside and running to leap into Xavier’s arms.

Then they were kissing, teeth knocking together but neither cared. There were tears and laughter between the kissing, Xavier holding her just as tight as she was holding him. They kissed with frenzied energy, both putting all their desire into kissing since they couldn’t do more in the middle of a tavern room. Eventually their excitement died down and they stood with foreheads pressed together, breathing heavily.

Xavier felt her in his arms, different than the last time he had held her in a storm tossed ship at sea. Her hair had grown slightly longer, the ends now just past her shoulders. Her hands were calloused and rough on his neck, her fingers cold as she stroked his face. She was more filled out; having gained back weight she had lost due to hardship. She smelled of wet fur and horses, her simple travel clothes wet and muddy.

“You’re alive,” she breathed, her body trembling against him.

“So are you,” he whispered in awe. “How?”

“It’s a long story,” she answered.

“Same,” Xavier said.

The door suddenly opened and Xavier turned to see two more dwarves come in and there was a scramble to get the door shut. The two men came over to join Donar and Darin, both were clearly Dwarves as well.

“These are our kin Hakk and Bgrim,” Darin said with a wry grin. “Telling by Zaire’s reaction I would guess you are Xavier.”

Xavier looked around and realized everyone in the room was staring. Zaire blushed crimson and hid her face in his chest, Xavier grinning.

“Your guess is right,” Xavier answered. “I think introductions are in order.”

He turned to see Martel was staring with the biggest smile on her face and felt glad that she was glad. The other children were watching fascinated, Lycus’ mouth hanging open. Xavier looked back and saw the Daunish man looking sullen and disappointed, but not as angry as Xavier would have expected if he was Zaire’s new lover.

“This is our guide Ronan,” Darin said seeing his gaze and Xavier nodded.

“These are my traveling companions,” Xavier said indicating the mage children. “Well half of them at least. This is Martel…”

“What?” Zaire said shocked looking at Martel.

“Not the Martel,” Martel answered blushing, her cheeks glowing. “I was named after her.”

Zaire left Xavier’s arms to go to Martel, her hands shaking as she looked at the mage girl. Xavier knew she could see her power; it was hard to miss since it shone from every pore in her body. Zaire reached out and hesitated, but Martel moved instead to embrace her, Zaire returning the embrace. Xavier went to her as the two parted, Xavier touching Zaire gently on the shoulder.

“This is Lycus, Castor, Felix, Nike, Marcus, Jove, Xenia, Rufus, Hector, Alex, Cyrus, and Melissa,” Xavier said. “They are the only survivors from one of the lost ships.”

“How?” Zaire said stunned.

“It’s a long story,” Xavier said. “Let’s get your clothes dried and have something to eat while we talk.”

Martel helped dry everyone’s clothes and two tables were pulled together so they could all sit. Benny appeared with another tray of food and some ale. The room settled down again as they ate, Xavier sitting close to Zaire as she ate. He could hardly believe she was alive, part of him afraid this was some cruel dream. He watched her eat as if expecting her to suddenly disappear again. She looked up and noticed him staring, a blush spreading over her cheeks.

“How did you survive?” Xavier asked.

“I managed to cling to a spar of wood from the ship,” Zaire answered. “I held on for five days before a trading ship rescued me and took me to Hólmsted. Since I hadn’t been marked a slave I was free. What about you? I saw a shark…”

“That was Keone a Merrow, she saved me,” Xavier said realizing he had no right to complain if Zaire had sought another lover. He had lain with Keone multiple times, though they were only casual lovers.

“A mermaid saved you?” Zaire said amazed. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, I’m traveling with dwarves.”

“Perhaps you two would like some time alone before we turn to discussions,” Darin said.

As much as Xavier wanted to take advantage of that offer he disliked the idea of making love in an inn with walls so thin they would be heard by everyone in the building. He glanced at Zaire and saw her blushing; she had reached the same conclusion.

“While the food here is good I’d rather not see the beds up close,” Xavier said. “But we should retire to our rooms to continue this conversation in private.”

He looked at the Elmerians specifically for this, none had signs of Legionnaires but Xavier didn’t want to risk it.

“Good idea,” Donar said. They finished eating and everyone tramped up to the room Xavier had rented since it was the larger. There were only three large beds, Martel casting a sigil to get rid of the bed bugs. There were only two chairs and a table so everyone sat in a big circle on the floor, the room was cold. Lycus lit the candles in the room, but it did little to dispel the cold.

“I guess I should start first,” Xavier said once they were gathered, Zaire sitting next to him leaning on him. He told the dwarves of his journey, letting a few questions pass but otherwise he went on uninterrupted. When he finished Donar shook his head.

“I am glad you turned the Griffins towards my kin but I can say the song never reached our borders,” Donar said. “Now let me go over our tale.”

Donar’s story was a lot more complicated and by the end Xavier felt his head ache with all the information. So Kal Ba’el was the Crippled One, the dragon king was reborn, and there was a potential war to the west.

“I suppose in the bigger picture we still don’t know the most important thing,” Xavier said. “Where is the song?”

“No, but we have one challenge done,” Donar said. “Finding you, and I think you are right that if we recover your lost memories we will learn where the song might be.”

“How will we do that exactly?” Xavier asked.

“I’ll explain later when we reach Alda,” Donar answered. “It takes time and a quiet place. Right now I think we should get some rest.”

Xavier looked around to see the children had all fallen asleep, the room now lit by candles as the sun had set. The storm still raged outside, the shutters rattling with the wind. Xavier sighed and they went about getting the children to bed, all of them filling the three beds in the room.

“You can have the use of our room Zaire,” Darin said to her trying to hand over the key.

“Thank you Darin but I think we’re fine,” Zaire answered quietly. “The walls are a bit thin here. I’ll stay here.”

Darin nodded; they could hear snores from the other rooms of the other patrons. The dwarves left, but Ronan stayed, sitting down in a corner.

“Aren’t you going with them?” Xavier asked crossly.

“I just thought I would be more comfortable here,” Ronan said. “Don’t mind me.”

“I do mind if you intend to seek one of the beds,” Xavier said darkly and Ronan looked up at him shocked.

“I assure you my tastes have never wandered that young even when I was the same age,” Ronan said seriously.

“It’s alright Xavier,” Zaire said and he looked at her. “He’s a good man.”

“Alright,” Xavier said, deciding Zaire must know him better than him.

“And I would clarify that me and Zaire have only been traveling companions,” Ronan added. “Nothing more, though I admit to a few flirtations as is my nature.”

Xavier saw Zaire blush and look at Ronan who seemed to understand her look.

“I’ve learned from my mistakes Lady Zaire,” Ronan said. “It seems I am to always play second flute.”

“Maybe not always Ronan,” Zaire said kindly. “Goodnight.”

Ronan nodded to them before pulling his wide brimmed hat down over his eyes. Xavier and Zaire took the other side of the room rolled in Zaire’s fur cloak, now dry thanks to Martel. Xavier held her against him just content in the feeling of her in his arms again. He held her, but he felt something lying between them unspoken. She had been honest now it was his turn.

“Zaire?” Xavier said and she shifted next to him looking up at him. “I know you didn’t take a lover but I did. Keone and I shared a few times together, though Merrow women seem to do that with whatever is handy. I was just one of her lovers, and to me she was just someone to try and forget my pain in losing you. She… she said I said your name when I made love to her.”

She was dead quiet, Xavier afraid he had just ruined everything. Then he heard her sob and the sound sent a knife to his heart. He held her tighter feeling guilty.

“I’m sorry Zaire,” he whispered. “I should have loved you forever even after I thought you were dead.”

“No,” she gasped holding onto him hard. “No Xavier I want you to be happy and not to wallow in misery after me. Please… I’m just as guilty as you, not with Ronan but I got drunk on Isra’s Night and slept with one of the Princes of Nyrgard. It was the only time, but I understand how you felt Xavier seeking comfort in another person. I couldn’t bear to go to Dirk again because he’s an ass, but if you found comfort in Keone I don’t blame you for it.”

Xavier held her feeling his own guilty tears rise up and held her closer, nuzzling against her neck. He didn’t care about her having slept with another man, he was just glad to have her again.

“I’ll tell you what,” he said in her ear. “I’ll forgive you if you forgive me, and we’ll forgive ourselves.”

“Alright,” Zaire said softly and she turned to kiss him. Xavier started to move his hands along her back, Zaire’s arms slipping over his shoulders pulling him closer. Ronan cleared his throat across the room and they stopped, Xavier turning to him to see him glaring from under the brim of his hat. Xavier sighed and they settled back to go to sleep.

“Xavier?” Zaire said softly and he mumbled in response, close to sleep now. “I think I’d like to meet Keone.”

“You’d like her, but I think she might take a liking to you too much,” Xavier said warningly. “I wouldn’t put it past her to suggest a threesome.”

Zaire chuckled and nuzzled close to him, Xavier falling asleep easily in her arms.