#before any questions come up - yes all the Dragons are high priestess/priest for their respective Muse. its to make sure the incident ->

[forthedancingandthethriving]

You.. are different.

Tama's ears pin back as she looks up at the dragon. Bright yellow eyes stare down at her, and golden scales glimmer in the sun.

"Lucero..?" She mutters softly. "Why.. am I in Dragon's Valley?"

Lucero, the dragon, looks at Tama as her eyes soften. This world doesn't know what to do with you. You're an unknown variable, even to the Muses. You once existed, you stopped, and now have returned. Different.

Tama looks up at the Herald of Bliss, her heart practically stopping. The fields of lilac around them swayed in gentle winds.

"Is this.. actually Dragon's Valley?" Tama croaks out.

Smart little thing. Lucero tilts her head. You are not. You are in the magic realm of Dragon's Valley. Where the Nine Heralds exist. After you fell asleep, the world brought you to me.

The kit takes a deep breath. A chance for information. "What.. what do you know?"

I am well aware that this world is a game. The dragon of Light closes her eyes. The day those strange.. things fell, us Heralds and Muses became well aware of it. And we know that.. you are from a world similar to this, but not exact. It's why you have very little problems existing her, but tend to have bouts of sickness.

Tama brings her knees to her chest. The Herald maneuvers, curling her enormous body around the young kit, and resting her head by her.

"Will I ever see my big sis again?" She asks, closing her eyes. "I.. I want her to meet mom and dad.. because.. we never had a mom and dad.." She sniffles. "It.. it was just us.. and the village and.." Her voice starts to crack. "And I want Blotch to be loved too because she was always stressed, but she never told me.. and.. and I wanted to get a good job to help her, and now I never can and.."

Lucero gently nuzzles the kit's cheek. I am not allowed to say, but I do believe there is a chance you will see your sister again.

Tama nods as the tears dry. Then, a small smile tugs on her lips. "You know how mom is the Avatar? Do you think I'll take over her role?"

Lucero gives a gentle snort. If your little fishing incident was anything to go by, then yes.

"I thought it was a bass!!"

Kit, it had sharp teeth! Bass don't have that sharp of teeth!

○●○

In a temple, whispers ring out.

"The High Priestess is in an usually good mood today.."

"She didn't snip at anyone.."

"I hear she just brushed off some apprentices who were late! Just said they should be more timely.."

Inside the office of the temple, a cat dressed in beautiful white robes with golden embroidery sits at her desk, writing with a quill. A knock rings out.

"Hm?"

"Uh, My Lady! Songbird Nimbus's kit is here.. she.. requested to see you..!"

A smile forms behind the veil.

"Of course. I'll be there soon."

Preists and priestesses, some knights too, watch with surprise and shock as the High Priestess walks through the halls, a soft tune humming from her.

Soon, she arrives in the chaple, where Tama sat on one of the pews. Beside her was a knight, and from the crest on their armor, it was no doubt one chosen by both Queen Melody and Commander Valiant.

She walks over and gets down on one knee, gently taking Tama's paw. "I greet the gentle dawn of the Luminos Kingdom. I am the High Priestess.."

Golden eyes meet Tama's surprised ones.

"Lucero."

The High Priestess stands back up, and Tama quickly hops off the pew. She courtesies, looking a bit nervous. "I, uh.. greet the.. ever present light of the church!" The knight beside her nods with a gentle smile. "I'm.. Tama..!"

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Tama." Lucero smiles.

"J-Just Tama is fine." The young kit shakes her head. "Uh.. High Priestess.. I.. I wanted to know about.. why.. the churches don't have much power." She looks down. "There's nothing about it in the history books that I'm learning about.."

The elder she-cat smiles. "It's a long story." She looks at the knight. "Perhaps a walk would be appropriate?"

The knight frowns before nodding. "So long as the young lady returns before sunset."

Lucero nods and begins to walk with Tama quickly walking to join her pace with the knight right behind. "Well, it all begins with the churches trying to covet the power of dragons.."

[godhelpmeimsesskag]

Fireworks

(be aware, keen angst here. This is like a Rory Doctor Who situation, the story will explain, its also the anime storyline. Keep in mind you will need to know some basic Japanese funeral customs.) 

Kagome shivered again, pulling her yukata closer to her as she took care, she let out a breath, took care of Inuyasha. He was old, she was not. All time seemed to no longer touch her the moment the jewel had been simply... wished away. She stayed in the past to be with him, and they had tried, tried for years, decades, and now a hundred years, to create a family. Maybe it was impossible for halfbreads to father children. So few had lived as long as Inuyasha. So-Kagome delicately onited his lips with a little water. 

Preparing for his funeral took more will, and more strength then she knew she had. It seemed so alien, she barely remembered her fathers funeral, the memories almost as distant as Souta’s voice, as his face. She slowly arranged things, methodical to the last. She wasn’t at all expecting Sesshomaru when his presence, sudden as a arrow to her heart, arrived as she and temple priests began to do the final preparations. She had just placed the six coins for passing, along with a finely crafted dagger. His clothes, a fine white kimono, along with the long since last used robes of the fire rat went in next. 

He would not want his fathers blade to go with him. He’d want it to go back to his fathers grave, or to protect her. Sesshomaru, arrived without saying a thing, and simply dropped a long flattened ball into the casket as she stared to him. Uncomprehending, heart aching. 

“He used to play with it.” he told her. “as a child.” She had saved even one cup of instant ramen, finding it actually from her now moth eaten schoolbag. That went too, as the grandson of Miroku, began the wake. She winced, frowning as she sat down, there were the descendants of Miroku and Sango, Shippo, his wife and child, and now Sesshomaru. He took front and center in the ceremony. Being the only living relative left and her being the grieving wife in white. 

The next day, she could only stare to the ground as Inuyasha was given a new name. Yuuto, for utter shortness to her mind to not focus as much on it, was finally now gone. Slowly she placed a small bunch of white lilies around his neck, no longer supple and moving as his body... Kagome pulled away going back to her placement as others offered their flowers. She felt dumb and weak and only noticed the huge arrangement Sesshomaru offered. It took two of his demon leiges to carry it, and made her stare to him. 

For their whole life Sesshomaru was a rare part of it. He had not informed them of Rin’s death, nor her child’s. She didn’t even know if that child had their own children, or if Rin was now almost erased. She barely even noticed as Yuuto was carried away by Sesshomaru’s two head dragon, in a luxurious cart. She followed blindly next to the demonlord. 

Sobbing as the fire was set and roared to life, taking away the last of who he once was. It was hot enough, by Sesshomaru’s directive, to even burn away the old red robes. It took an agonizing long time, it took such a long time that she felt like she hadn’t taken a breath in the entire cremation. 

With him, she carefully picked out the bones, as he placed them into the white and gold leafed urn. Then it was done, he handed her the urn and she took them to their empty home. Barely tasting food for the next 35 days she was sure she could hear footsteps, the always bare steps of Inu-Yuuto, but then they ceased as the final day ended. And it was time to place him into his final resting place. Kagome went alone, placing his urn into a grave that she knew in a few hundred years would be demolished to be made into high-rise buildings. Whatever remaining urns and remains interred somewhere else. Somewhere no longer home. 

It was then once the grave was sealed that Sesshomaru finally came back, and stayed silent as she stared at the fresh carved stone topping his grave. “I am offering my home to you.” he told her. Kagome blinked to him. 

“Why?” she questioned, her voice was hoarse and she only realized now, she had barely spoke a word since he died. 

“It’s what he would have wanted? You protected?” he replied, almost annoyed with her. She bristled at it. 

“I can protect myself, DAI-Youkai.” she replied hissing out a sharp breath. In-Yuuto would never trust his brother to do anything, let alone protect her. The demonlord looked to her and motioned her with him. 

“Unless you wish to live as a ghost in his home.” he said simply and with more humanity she had ever heard in his voice. The reminder of their home left her feeling that keen ache. Where ever board, every screen and mote of dust for years to come would remind her... Kagome sighed and nodded. 

“I will go with you.” she said defeated by her own sorrow. She left everything there, even jewelry, and fine clothes, she never wanted to remind herself of him, allowing everything to be donated to others through the temple. Sesshomaru made no comment, only guiding her into a wing of empty rooms. Empty of everything but the basic needs of life, servants both demon and human running around her to get her settled as soon as possible. 

Maybe a year or more passed, she didn’t really care, but now she was breathing out a fog of white breath in the winter. She felt like she had always been waiting, always been running to catch up with I-Yuuto. Maybe that was why it had taken years before she had removed the necklace from him. Until she knew he was hers loyal to the last...she frowned squeezing her eyes shut. 

“Do you want your dinner with me?” Sesshomaru asked her. He asked that every night since she had arrived, it was a constant, a steady rock for her to cling to. Something in her finally crumbled, leaving way for the rushing current to pass through. 

“Yes.” she replied following him feeling a unknown giddy feeling in her for the first time in years. Ever since she had realized that she did not age, ever since she realized that Yuuto would die long before she did. It seemed either she was displaced in time, forever waiting for her era to continue her life, or that the Shiikon Jewel had cursed her, or that demon within it, to live like she was now. Didn’t demons age? Didn’t they grow old and die? 

“..Akemi, used to eat here.” he gestured vaguely to the room around them. Kagome had a brief moment of confusion, until she realized he had done the same ceremony for the little girl that she had done for Yuuto. She had a shrine next to the one for Yuuto. “I do not require to eat everyday.” Kagome watched as a fairly simple meal compared to the luxurious meals she expected him to eat were placed down. 

“Did... did she live a good life?” she asked him. He made a noise, taking a bowl of rice and eating it. 

“Yes. Long until she was like... that old woman you roomed with.” he told her. Kagome followed his suit, eating, it felt like the first meal she ever had in her life. Nourishing in a strange and thrilling way. 

“I’m glad!” Kagome told him. “How many children?” 

“How many for you?” he retorted quickly like a jab. 

“I don’t mean it like that. Me... we never could... it never took.” He looked to her and then back to the meal. 

“She died in birth, her and the child.” Kagome swallowed. “Her husband perished from a fever years later. Having never taken another.” She continued to eat in silence. They were more alike then she thought, both of them had watched as those they cared for died. Either by age, or from the rigors of child birth. “One doesn’t miss things until they are gone.” he stated flatly. 

“I know... I kept hearing the sounds of his feet.” she replied forgetting the remains of her meal. 

“Laughter.” he replied simply. Kagome closed her eyes, all her memories, they were there waiting for her. As though waiting for her to have a chance to grieve, to allow herself to come to terms with her fate. Her brothers face and voice loud and annoying, her mothers kind compassion. Grandfather’s near paranoia at all creaks from the shrine. Said shrine was just being built, to be rebuilt later, over and over again at least four times. 

“Do... do you know what will happen with me? Will I age?” she asked bitterly. 

“If you are anything as I, then no. Demons of my stature do not die until they are slain.” she felt that rushing warmth, a hot spring formed up in the waters of her soul. Warming it until she felt alive again. 

“Maybe... you need a guard?” she asked him. He looked to her. “A priestess is a very powerful ally.” she hadn’t practiced in decades, but that power could be brought back. She could still feel it as a vital part of her. 

“You may stay as long as you wish lady Kagome.” he told her, affording her more respect then she ever remembered of him. For any human. 

“Thank you.” 

Time maybe a decade or more, it was hard to tell when you are as immortal seeming as Kagome, she leaned back into Sesshomaru’s back swallowing thickly. It wasn’t alien as it was the last time. He encircled his arms around her as the fireworks burst over a river the sounds thumping over the both of them. Just like the sparkles of light from the gunpower. 

They were alone in the courtyard of his home, his arm tightened around her waist, the other holding hers in clawed hands. He breathed in the smell of her hair as she watched the fireworks. Time extended out in front of her, sure as a river coursing through, sure as a deep hot spring. Even as the world changed around the two, even as she found the modern era again. 

It was as though she never existed. Never in this modern time, as she watched Souta, her mother and father laughing as they got ready for a festival. Without the existence of the Shiikon Jewel Kagome had never been born. But she had a place to be, and long since knew this. One of the wealthy patrons of what once her families shrine Kagome smiled as she picked up the latest little hanyo. The old tree, connected to the dry well still stood. Growing as strong as ever. Sesshomaru stood beside her as they navigated the world. 

Two timeless creatures come together as one. 

[burmecianblackmage]

Mugen Tsukuyomi

Send my Muse “Mugen Tsukuyomi” to get a glimpse of what their dream life would be

Most likely the most defining event in Sceada’s young life, the moment his mother finally and ultimately cast him away, threw him away and not just gave up on him but took everything he ever had from him - But what if it had never come to that? What if Sceada had never had to leave Burmecia and walk the path he walked…?

–Featuring: Calisto Ganymede @burmecianknight, Lancia Almathia Coral @eternalharvestpriestess-blog​,  Binrril Reep Balthazar @burmecianpaladin​

The sun was standing high over the barren desert, producing a dry heat that the Burmecian quite frankly did not take kindly to. He much prefered the rains and the humidity that defined his native city, but he had grown to tolerate the climate here. After all, this was hardly his first visit here in the Cleyran’ desert. And he was in no position to let his dislike for the parching weather show either…

“So! Why are we going to Cleyra again, FreTy?”

The brown haired Burmecian, clad in a simple white shirt, a pair of brown linen pants and a blue vest, cannot suppress a sigh when the cheerful voice of the younger female rings out in a tone most teasing.

“I told you not to call me like that…. please Calisto, show me some respect, will you?”

“Ah, I suppose I should… - but that’s no fun! Your name is kinda… boring on it’s own, you know…”

Oh no… that discussion again. The Burmecian with the sapphire blue eyes glanced over his shoulder at the girl. Despite the non-military nature of their visit she was still wearing the familiar blue armor that all Dragon Knights in training wore, and her cheerful countenance was framed by her auburn hair. At 14 she was his junior by a good 5 years, but really, with the armor she tended to look more like his equal.

“We’ve been over this… My name isn’t any more borng than yours. It’s a noble name, chosen by my mother just like your father chose yours. We should respect that. You wouldn’t want me calling you Cali either, now would you?”

“Well… you might be surprised…”

When the pair of mentor and student later passes by the guard at the entrance to Cleyra, Calisto is still chuckling with delight while her mentor tries to hide a certain rose tint in his countenance - to no avail.

In many regards Cleyra was Burmecia’s opposite: Where the kingdom almost always was shrouded in rain, Cleyra was in the middle of the dry dessert. Where the Burmecians were known to be quite militaristic and not one to back down, the citizens of the city surrounded by a sand storm prefered the more pacifistic approach and hid away from conflict altogether. Where for a Burmecian youth the rank of Dragon Knight was the highest imaginable honor, the children of Cleyra dreamed of once becoming High Priest. Truly, they were quite different people.

And yet still, their shared ancestry, their past, their nigh identical physique proved that they weren’t all that different. They were rather like two sides of a medal. Sides, that did not get along well - at least, until recently.

By now Calisto’s mentor had become a familiar and welcome guest in Cleyra, a feat that only a handful of Burmecians had managed to pull off in the last few decades. As such Calisto’s surprised look when her mentor is greeted so warmly is completely understandable . and mayhaps even a little bit adorable.

“Uhm… FreTy…? How… how come again they treat you so much like a friend here…?”

“Well, Calisto… that’s a long story. One, I do not wish to bore you with right no-” “Then maybe I can tell it to the young lady?”

As they had been walking towards the temple, a young priestess-to-be with locks of curly red hair that fell down unto her simple white dress, had come their way and overheard the question.

“Ah, Lancia. It is good to see you again. How have you been my friend?”

“Quite well, quite well. The preparations for the big ceremony have kept me busy, but I am also so excited to finally partake in them as more than just a spectator, so-”

“Uhm, who is that woman, FreTy? Someone you know?”

“Calisto, please! Mind your manners!”

It is rare that the male shoots his protege a look quite this harsh, so when it does indeed occur at this very moment, the young female is quite startled. Just why was her mentor suddenly so strict?

“Please do forgive her Lancia, this is the first time Calisto has ever been to Cleyra so she does not know the customs yet - or the rank one such as you holds.”

“Oh please, my friend, there is no need to be so mean to the poor girl. It’s not as if I am a Priestess just yet. Much like her - and you too, don’t we forget that - I am but an apprentice yet, so please, Miss Calisto, do not worry about offending me. We are all but children of Gaia after all, are we not?” The Cleyran’s words were offered with a smile most serene and kind, a quality the young man had come to deeply admire in her.

Still, with the aspiring Priestess showing such kindness to the at most two winters younger Dragon Knight in training, he could not help but feel as if he was indirectly being scolded by her. “Lancia, please, do not make me out as the bad guy… I’m just trying to teach her some basic respect here, the very same respect she’s been lacking towards me, so-“

“But! But FreTy! I always follow your instructions and do as you tell me! And… and I do respect you! You’re my mentor after all!” Calisto seemed very eager to prove her point and spoke with passion. And it was true, she was a good student in that regard, she honored the traditions and their respective positions in the military service, despite having been born of higher rank than he had. But that wasn’t what he took offense with after all…

“Oh… oh, I see how it is. My, how amusing!” Lancia meanwhile could not help but chuckle at the scene, once she realized just what it was that had her friend so disgruntled at the young woman. “So this is all just because of her little nickname for you? Oh my! Maybe I should in that case take it up as well then! What was it again? Frey-Ty?”

“Oh no, Lancia, please… not you too…” “FreTy! It’s FreTy, Miss Lancia!” – Looks like these two ladies have found some common ground to stand on now – One can only hope this does not mean that the young man will be swept away by the tides of this…

“You could have allowed her to come inside and join the conversation too, you know.”

“Maybe… but I was looking forward to speaking with you in private Lancia. Besides, this is Calisto’s first time proper here in Cleyra, so I feel it is probably more interesting for her to look around here for a while, together with the guide you fetched for her.”

Mmh… I guess so. For us who have lived here so many years in this our town, it holds barely any wonder and surprise anymore. But for a young outsider like her, it probably must be quite exciting still. I mean, even though we barely consider it so anymore, Cleyra is a beautiful place, and a little wonder in and of itself. To a visitor’s eyes it must be quite the marvel.”

“I recall how not all too long ago I too looked at Cleyra with such eyes…”

“Don’t you mean, the eyes of a trespasser my friend? You weren’t exactly as welcome here barely two years ago as you are nowadays after all.”

“Heh, yeah, well… I suppose you are right. To think that a dare that got out of hand would lead to this… it’s still hard to believe.”

“Yet it is the truth, and we are all the gladder for it. Cleyra and Burmecia are at long last speaking to each another again, the age of isolation is about to come to an end. And I feel you are to be thanked for that.”

“Oh Lancia, please… I wasn’t the one who took up negotiations, that was the High Priest’s doing. I… merely act as a messenger, really…”

“Such modesty… After all, you know that His Augustness would likely never have sought to contact your king had it not been for this incident with you. And besides, you are more emissary than messenger, don’t you think?”

“Be that as it may… I really don’t think I did much worth praising…”

“…always the modest young soldier, hmm…? Your mother has done a fine job of raising you… FreTy.”

The grin on the red-haired priestess-to-be’s lips instantly met with a pained expression of her guest. “Oh no, not you too Lancia… - But, now that you mentioned mother, I almost forgot I still have to deliver this:”

From his pocket the young Burmecian procures a sealed letter, adorned with the crest of the kingdom and addressed to the Lady Priestess that was overseeing the training and studies of Lancia and her peers.

“Hmm… this looks quite official and important – I’ll see to it that she will receive it right away my friend. That is… unless you’d like me to stay… so we can spend some time together…”

Lancia’s words serve well to make them both sport a hearty blush – and instill an uncomfortable silence in the room for a few moments. That is, until a certain male’s voice ever so softly offers but a few select words:

“…I’d like that…”

“…and then they showed me the Antlion’s Den! I had no idea that they could be friendly too, did you know that? Well, I mean, of course you did, you’ve been to Cleyra so often, but still…”

They had left the massive tree’s trunk behind them already, but still young Calisto had much to report from her tour around the settlement, her excitement overflowing now that they were alone and she did not have to uphold the guise of a respectable guest. Her words flowed forth unhindered as her eyes beamed with wonder still, and more often than not did her mentor comment on her tales with a gentle smile and a nod.

Yes, it was good that she had enjoyed herself thus, perfect even. Knowing his protégé, she would waste no time in telling her friends all about Cleyra and its beauty, and from there then the word would continue to spread… - Perhaps that’d be a valuable resource once the proposal to openly welcome the Cleyrans in Burmecia and reestablish a proper connection had been officially brought before the council. He sure hoped it would. Even if perhaps for the wrong reasons…

“Heeey, you’re not even listening to me FreTy, are you? Heeey!”

“Hmm? Oh, sorry Calisto, I..”

“You were daydreaming about her, huh? About the young Priestess, weren’t you?”

“…Priestess-to-be. Lancia still has a few years to go before she will attain that position.”

“So… that means there is still time, huh?*

“…what do you mean, still time?”

“Well, to make her your bride of course!”

Such… such impertinence! The Burmecian Dragon Knight finds himself at a loss for words at the so carelessly spoken insinuations of his trainee. How… how could she just say something like that?

“Mmh? What’s wrong FreTy? Oh, was this supposed to be a secret? But it’s so obvious seeing how you look at her, so I thought…”

“I.. I have no idea… what you mean Calisto…”

Bull’s Eye.

The younger female breathed a sigh at her mentor’s reaction. Seriously… he was so hopeless when it came to matters of the heart like this. Oblivious to the advances of the girls that had studied together with him, and at the same time oh so transparent himself. Well, seems like it was time for the student to teach the teacher a thing or two!

“Well, you see, us women have an eye for this kinda thing! I’m sure Miss Lancia has noticed too and – wait. FreTy, you don’t mean to tell me you didn’t even notice that she…? Ohohoho, this is too amusing!”

Something told the Burmecian that this particular trip back home would feel terribly, terribly long…

“Surely you speak in jest, mother. You cannot be serious about this.”

“Now now son, there is no need to become so aggravated about this matter. Let’s remain calm and talk about it, and I am certain you will see that this is the right choice for you.”

Skadi Skadrson was someone only few would dare oppose, for she often proved a relentless adversary – whether it was on the battlefield or in the council hall. Her opinion, her position on a matter, her conviction were all not easily overturned, and to convince her that another opinion was better was no small task to overcome. Those who despised that trait of her called her stubborn – she herself preferred the term “adamant”. Yes, standing against her was something not many dared – there was only one person who did so time and time again: Her son.

“No, mother, please… this is not a good idea, you know she is my student, this… this… How could you approve of a mentor and his student…? This goes against the principles you always stood for!”

“Does it? All I said was that it’d be wrong for a mentor to abuse their special knowledge and connection towards their pupils. That my fellow instructors ought not get involved with their students. The two of you however… that is a different matter.”

“Mother, she is five years younger than me! She is but a child still!”

“Didn’t you yourself tell me that rather than your student she was becoming your equal more and more every day? Besides, it is not like I am telling you to get married right away. There is ample time.”

“I can’t believe this… You are serious, are you not?”

“Have I ever not been?”

A deep sigh came over the young male’s lips. Usually, his mother was open to reason when it came to this particular topic, but today seemed different. So perhaps all he needed to do… was change his approach.

“Mother… you have presented me with more than just a few potential brides-to-be, but you have at the same time also always respect my decision. Why is it different this time? Why is this one so important to you?”

A moment of silence follows, with Skadi pondering just how she should answer her son’s fitting observation. Then, with a voice that seems much too calm compared to before, she finally reveals the truth:

“Because I am not the one putting this proposal forth. It comes from Ser Ganymede himself.”

“Calisto’s father desires this union? But… why? How did he come to consider this a good idea?”

“…he wishes for a strong male heir to his name. One, who is capable of making a name for themselves – and in turn uphold that of his family. And for one who will treat his dear daughter with respect… and as an equal.”

“… then he is asking the wrong youth. He should ask Binrril then, he is far better suited to uphold a grand name as Ganymede.”

“Son, you know that Binrril is twice as old as Calisto. If you claim the five years that keep you apart to be a problem, then you cannot in good conscience expect this to be okay.”

He knew she was right. Binrril, the one that had taken the path of a Paladin, was already 28 years old, and thus 9 years his own senior. That age gap was not something that could be overlooked easily in such a case – and much to his chagrin, he could not come up with another suitable candidate.

“…why can’t he just let Calisto chose herself? Or allow her to inherit his title and name? Given a few more years, she’d be more than capable of upholding the Ganymede’s honor.”

“And that she will, he holds no doubt regarding this. But… he does not wish her to be married to someone who would just use her for her status. He wishes for her to have an equal at her side.”

And short pause occurs, before the woman known as the Praying Mantis offers her son a smile.

“And besides… Ser Ganymede already considers you as if you were his own son, seeing how close Calisto has become to you.”

“…then all the more reason I shouldn’t be the one to marry her. If he thinks me a son, then that’d make me her brother and her my sister. And a brother and a sister, that…”

“Son.”

“I mean, that would just be wrong, you cannot deny that and…”

“Son.”

“What does Calisto even think of this all? I mean, I know she looks up to me, but…”

“Freyr Tyr Skadrson.”

Hearing his mother pronounce his name like this instantly stops the young Burmecian in his flow of words, causing him to look at her somewhat concerned – Hearing his name like that often was a bad sign, after all.

“Finally calmed down a bit? Good. Now listen son, and listen well for I shall not repeat myself: This proposal is not just the wish of Ser Ganymede and me, but also of his family. Whether this includes Calisto I do not know, but truthfully, I believe it does. After all, the way she looks at you…”

“…what is that supposed to mean now, mother?”

“Oh sweet child of mine, how innocent you can be… I wonder if you will ever learn to notice just what lies in a woman’s gaze…”

“What do you mean by that? Hey, mother, wait!”

And with that, the matter was closed.

Five months after that fateful conversation, Freyr Tyr Skadrson, sole heir to Lady Skadi Skadrson and rumored to be the future husband of the young Lady Calisto Ganymede, requested permission to leave on a journey. “To find myself and learn what I truly desire, like Sir Fratley once did.”. Despite opposition from both Lady Skadrson and Ser Ganymede, said permission was granted at the behest of the King.

He would be gone for 5 full years.

A few months later, Lady Lancia Almathia Coral, aspiring priestess of Cleyra, left her post during the festivities honoring the reconnection of Burmecia and Cleyra proper, leaving behind only a note with but five words: “I shall follow my heart.”. She never returned in person, but would continue sending letters every few months to her family and the Lady Priestess that had been training her. Rumor has it that she found a new home in the far off city of Daguerreo.

Fifteen years after he had set on his journey, Sir Freyr Tyr Ganymede, husband to the Lady Calisto Ganymede and father to two young daughters, Lancia and Leonora, would be awarded the rank and title of a Dragon Knight.

This would be the first and last occasion during which his mother, Lady Skadi Skadrson, would be seen shedding tears of joy.

…

Three years after that day, a young Burmecian boy named Sceada would come to stand before the kingdom’s gates, looking for a parent he never knew…