#it's just the same as some people saying Ezran had the right to punish Runaan

[enwie]

"If they just kill this one person who's really evil they'll fix the cycle of violence forever" <- people who somehow fail to grasp the message of a children's show which is not being subtle about it

[beautifulterriblequeen]

Isn't it really annoying that the dragonguards spent 9 years of their life chilling up on a mountain doing nothing other than training and standing around and when it was time to finally do something, they just run away? And it just bothers me so much because, you had one job, dude. You literally had ONE job. Anyway, sorry to bother you with my ramblings. The actual question is, do you think we'll ever see them again on the show? Learn more about their motives? What kind of punishment did they

I have such mixed feels about the Dragonguard, anon! I love that they exist. It’s a very noble posting, and I love what it says about Xadian culture: Dragons have quite a bit of sway, they prefer their own primal-source elves, but if you’re truly impressive, then yeah, they’re not gonna be stuck up about inviting you in.

I think there are two things at work that help me understand why the Dragonguard fled. First is the intrinsic nature of the Skywing elves, and second is the historic and cultural Xadian horror of dark magic.

IIRC, Skywings are a semi-nomadic people, and they’re few in number. They don’t really have a single home their whole lives, and maybe not even for a year or a season. Maybe they migrate, spending summers in the cool north and winters in the temperate south. So for six Skywings to live at the Storm Spire for nine years in a row? Maybe that was a big sacrifice for them, too. Or maybe they rotated through, while Lain and Tiadrin more easily stayed put because of A: honor and B: they’re natural homebodies.

And then there’s the effect of dark magic on the minds of elves. I think I have a theory post somewhere about how fear of dark magic may have changed the elven cultures, driven them apart from each other, and made them all retreat into defensive positions while calling them a new set of cultural norms.

The average elven citizen fled at the sight of dark magic there in the heart of Lux Aurea.

They were terrified. The very heart of their Nexus just got poisoned and their eternal sunshine of the spotless mind just went dark. Turns out they can’t actually erase dark magic from the world just by keeping the lights on forever, huh? Who knew. So that illusion of safety is gone, and they’re panicking and running. Sun knows what’s going to happen next. Maybe they’ll all get burnt up for magic, or eaten, or chopped up, aaaa better run! 

See, the way that civilization works is, when something truly horrible happens that can affect everyone, we spin stories about it for our kids so they know what the Bad Thing is, in case they ever come across it. Monsters, liars, schemers., or dark magic. The stories are to prepare them. We want them to be safe in case we’re not around when they get into trouble. So you can bet that for the past thousand years, all the elves in Xadia have been handing down folk tales about the evils of dark magic and the dangerous mages who wield it. Just like the humans have told stories about the horrible elves and all the terrible things they do.

So even this brave Dragonguard, Hendyr, probably grew up hearing about how dangerous dark magic is, and feeling lucky that he’s got wings to get himself to safety if he needs to. Even while serving the Dragon Queen with pride and purpose, he’s still the same elf who grew up hearing all those scary stories.

And then, then, Avizandum stomps out one day to handle a couple of foolish human interlopers... and somehow, in the worst possible outcome, he’s murdered at the foot of the Storm Spire. He didn’t even last five minutes.

That’s a big Oh Shit Moment right there. The most powerful being in Xadia just bit the dust. Dark magic is just as terrifying as the stories say! Sky knows what’s going to happen next. Maybe they’ll all get burnt up for magic, or eaten, or chopped up, aaaa better run!

Hendyr does try to convince Lain and Tiadrin to leave, but when they say no, he takes off, refusing to save the egg. He’s scared. He doesn’t think it’ll make any difference either way--the egg will die whether it’s somewhere else with him or there with Lain and Tiadrin, because the dark mage is coming on up the stairs.

He’s right, in a way. Lain and Tiadrin couldn’t stop Viren. Only Tiadrin’s cleverness spared the egg, and for her trouble, she and her husband got coined. Hendyr couldn’t have known how easy or hard it was for Viren to track him down. He couldn’t have known it took the dark mage nine years to settle on this one plan. All he had was what he’d been told and what he could see with his own eyes. And in his mind, the egg was doomed. 

I think the situation would’ve been very different a short while earlier, though. Avizandum ordering his Dragonguard to stay with the egg, he’ll be right back, this invasion will not be allowed, yadda yadda yadda Storm King stuff. Avizandum lived a long life, compared to the elves who served him, and he was supremely confident, right up until that spear struck him. If he’d remained in the tower and Viren and Harrow had had to climb it for their vengeance, things might have gone very differently for the elves, if they first had to fight alongside the King of the Dragons. 

Interesting comparison: I think we saw the Skywing Dragonguards on their very worst day, just like we saw Ethari on his. And Janai on hers.

The Skywings were terrified and fled their duty.

Janai tried to sacrifice herself for love of her sister and her people, and only survived because her prisoner literally tackled her, knowing the futility of such a gesture.

Ethari was in deep mourning and ghosted his daughter, then got angry at her and stalked off when she came to him for help.

All these elves suffered because of Viren and his dark magic, one way or another.

But see, Ethari found something new to live for: Rayla. And hopefully soon, he’ll get involved in trying to free Runaan as well. He’ll find his way back to happiness because he loves his family.

And Janai is in a similar situation, except her loved one is probably actually dead. She can’t get her back. But she has found a new love, and a new purpose, and she’s seeing the world differently because of Amaya’s protection and care for her.

So maybe we will see Hendyr again, and maybe the others. Maybe they’re in hiding together somewhere, afraid to mix with other Skywings, or even any other elves, because they’ll be judged so harshly for their cowardice. Maybe they’ll come forward to make amends once they learn that Zym is hale and whole and that Tiadrin’s plan saved him and then her daughter saved him again.

They could come and offer their apologies to Zym directly for abandoning him in fear. He’s who they should speak to first. And Ezran can translate his response for them. I think that, with the bond Zym and Ez have, they’d both be willing to show mercy and offer a second chance.

But I kinda want some mark or such so they remember that they owe Zym. Maybe they can dye their left wings black or something? Pick up a dramatic squad name like The Forsaken or The Black Guard or somesuch. As one does when one fails one’s duty, you know how it goes. Far better than losing a hand, amirite?

[kuno-chan]

Sides of the Moon - Ch. 21, Aspiro Lillies

Summary: Runaan and his team of assassins discovers that Rayla has defied him. Again. But when they find her, she’s bleeding out in the woods with precious cargo under her arm and face to face with the princes of Katolis running away from their own castle. They find that, upon this meeting, the die has already been cast.

Rating: T

Click to continue. Please consider reviewing on Ao3.

--

Anarr sneered in Rayla’s face.

“ I will follow you to the ends of these wretched lands and when you’re at the edge of your world, I will put my blade through you the same way Runaan did to Leland.” She pulled their faces together. “ No one will save you, my little doll.”

Rayla’s ribs were screaming. She reached for her swords on the nightstand. They weren’t there.

She only had a second to look at Anarr. The knife came down.

Rayla sat up, cold sweat making her shiver. It wasn’t just the cold.

Beside her, Andromeda was out of her bed and the room felt normal. It didn’t feel like someone was in the shadows, waiting for the older assassin to leave the younger, injured one on her own. Runaan said that Anarr had always been clever. From their time together years ago and apparently even till now.

Rayla laid back down, rubbing her face and turning over onto her side. Was this dark magic, too? Was this something Anarr had done to her?

Or was Rayla just scared?

She’d always known that she could die sooner than the average elf. With her line of work, it was always a possibility. It shouldn’t have bothered her now.

She thought of Callum.

They still hadn’t talked about her role as an assassin. How it was her job to kill her targets in the most efficient way possible. She wasn’t sure if Callum… understood. She wasn’t sure if she should expect him too.

That mattered to her. She didn’t know why, but it did.

Then, there was the issue about the guard she killed in Meraxia. What if she’d just been honest with Callum in the first place? But she was--

She was scared to tell him.

The prospect of seeing him disgusted with her made her sick to her stomach. Was that because of what she thought of her job? Or what she thought of herself? Or what he might think and not understand?

Her head hurt by the time she went back to sleep.

-:-:-:-

Andromeda knew she might find Runaan in the night.

He was on the roof; the cold be damned. He didn’t look at her, but it wasn’t like he didn’t hear her either. They both knew he did.

Their earlier argument made things between them colder than the air on their skin. They were stiff. Inhospitable. In the past, they disagreed at times, but they never truly argued. Not like this. Runaan had more genuine arguments with Skor, Ram and, arguably, Callisto than he did with her. But Andromeda couldn’t blame him.

She would make the same decision again. Even after taking the day to think about it, that hadn’t changed.

But it didn’t mean she wanted to stay in this state with Runaan.

Sitting next to him, she wasn’t sure what she should say.

In the end, the apology wasn’t for saving Ezran. There was no real point in apologizing for something she would do again. It was for what she said and the fact that she knew he wasn’t wrong.

Even if it wasn’t enough to change her mind.

“I would do it again.” She broke the silence. “You know this.”

He said nothing, but he was listening.

She paused. “... but I am sorry. For how I handled it. For what I said--”

“No,” he said, not looking at her. She paused. “You were right.”

Her head turned sharply. What did he say?

He continued. “I would have done the same thing. I’ve already bent the rules for Rayla. I should have punished her for what she did when we started this mission. That human was supposed to die, she deliberately failed and I should have dealt with it accordingly. But I didn’t.” Runaan looked to her. “If I had to choose, I would have saved her.”

“You would have hated yourself for not saving the egg.”

“I would have saved her, anyway.”

The words hung in the air. He’d never said it like that before, but Runaan was so earnest when he spoke, she had no choice but to assume that was exactly how he felt. Something lifted between them.

“You were always good at this.”

Runaan frowned. “Good at what?”

“Being someone I could believe in.”

They sat in silence for some time, ignoring the cold. Runaan’s breath misted the air. “This human village is a prison. And we can’t stay here. But what are your thoughts?”

Andromeda smiled. It wasn’t quite so cold anymore. “I think you’re right. However, even prisons provide rest.”

He said nothing.

“You’re worried.”

“Anarr’s always been clever. Always. I have more training, but Rayla is the fastest, strongest of us. I was her captain, but not because Anarr couldn’t outmaneuver me.”

“Then, we leave as soon as possible. Tomorrow. No later than the day after.”

Runaan nodded after a pause. She put her hand on his shoulder and it was his turn to look at her. If there was one thing she admired about him, about her friend -- it was this. He wasn’t fool enough to think he was the best. Not at everything. He knew his strengths. He knew his weaknesses. He kept track of other’s strengths and weaknesses. It helped them stay alive.

“Go rest. I’ll stay up here and keep a lookout.”

“... you have Rayla’s room. You go. I need time to think.”

Andromeda didn’t go right away, but she didn’t argue with him. He had a point about Rayla.

-:-:-:-:-

Skor continued to go about repairing the inn. More than he even promised. They didn’t understand why he was suddenly repairing a human woman’s house, but they didn’t question it, either. Callum thought it was kind.

After breakfast, he sat in front of the rune tome. Maybe he could find a healing spell? Could primal magic heal dark magic? Determination ran through him as he flipped through the pages. He had to find something, anything.

Anything that would help.

“I know you get excited about magic and everything, but you’ve been reading that thing for an hour? It can’t be that interesting.”

Rayla sat next to him. He looked up and blinked at her. “You should be resting.”

“I was stabbed. I didn’t get, you know, really hurt.”

His brows shot up.

She rolled her eyes. “I’m fine. You act as if you’ve never been stabbed before.”

“I haven’t. That’s not really normal, Rayla. Are you being--”

She laughed. He rolled his eyes. Of course she was messing with him. Callum shook his head. “I’m sorry, Callum.” She put a hand over the crook of his elbow. “But I’ve been hurt before. This isn’t enough to stop me. Now, are you going to tell me what you’re doing with that thing and why you look so worried?”

That answer didn’t comfort him, but his lip twitched into a smile. “Well, it’s just…” Callum looked around. He didn’t know why he didn’t want Callisto to know, but Callisto didn’t seem to enjoy people fussing over him. Their last conversation about it hadn’t gone over too well. “Shouldn’t we try to help him? Callisto, I mean.”

Rayla blinked. “I mean… Callum, you know I want to, but he’s right. And he’s stubborn. How are we going to help him out here? The faster we get away from Anarr and her human partner, the faster we get to Xadia and help Callisto.” Her shoulders slumped. “But… I understand. I’m scared for him, too.”

Callum flipped to another page. “That’s what I was looking for in this book. Maybe, there’s a spell I can do to help. A rune I can draw. There has to be some way to help him.”

“Callum… he’s saved my life more than once. Many times. But I don’t think this will go the way you want. Besides, you’d have to get him to agree to it. And Callisto hates it when people fuss over him. He’s never had to deal with it.”

Right.

No parents.

No family to speak of, really.

He saw Callisto’s tendencies in Rayla, too, whose parents had been largely absent for most of her life. But Rayla had Runaan.

Callisto had nobody. Nobody, but this team.

Callum sat back, rubbing his eyes. “I feel helpless. We’re all in danger and I can’t even do this much.”

Rayla pulled him into a hug. “You’re not helpless. We’re a team. We all save each other. Now, quit your worrying and let’s go find your brother. He wants to show us a trick he says Bait does.”

“Bait does tricks?”

-:-:-:-

The idea didn’t leave Callum even after he, Rayla and Ezran let off a little steam playing with Bait.

Even if for the first time in forever things felt… normal. If only for a while.

Not to mention, Ezran noticed that something wasn’t particularly right with Callum’s demeanor. When they explained the issue to him, Ezran smiled sadly. “Yeah… he’s helped us a lot.”

“There just has to be something we can do.”

“But Callum…” Ezran debated with himself, picking Bait up almost as a security. “I think Rayla’s right and we’re in a tough spot right now. How are we going to help him? Neither of us know anything about dark magic or how to heal it. If we can get to Xadia, we can probably get a lot more help for Callisto.”

“That’s if he even makes it there. If we make it there.”

Callum shook his head, their positions jarred him a little. Normally, it was Callum who was trying to be the voice of reason to Ezran. Not the other way around. The weeks since they’d left home had aged him.

Ezran walked over to Callum and hugged him. Callum hugged him back, despite not having expected it. “You don’t have to worry about it on your own, Callum. I’m sure Runaan, Andromeda and everyone else are also thinking about it.”

“I just wish we would do something about it.”

“We also have to think about the egg. That’s our job now, too.”

Callum pulled back and blinked at Ezran. He smiled. “Look at you being the responsible one.”

It hurt him to realize Ezran was thinking about the politics of the egg of the dragon prince brought with it. After all, Ezran… well, he was King Ezran now. By right, anyway.

Callum sighed. “I’m going to take a walk.”

Rayla frowned. “Where?”

“Not too far. Just down the street, maybe I can find something warm to grab.”

Stealing still didn’t sit right with him. But… what choice did they have? The air was stifling. He just wanted to do something. Anything useful.

“Callum--”

He didn’t wait for her to answer.

-:-:-:-

Callum went past just ‘down the street.’ He went to the next street over, a little ways from the inn. He didn’t know what he was looking for. Barely knew what he wanted.

What he knew was that this aggravating empty feeling wouldn’t go away. He had a primal stone. He was a mage now.

Why wasn’t there some way he could help?

He didn’t even know why it bothered him so much. It wasn’t like Callisto was exactly the friendliest elf around. That title probably went to Ram who he last heard was keeping watch over the egg and making sure Herna didn’t exactly walk in on it.

It wasn’t like he’d known Callisto for more than a month, maybe.

Then again, he’d known Rayla the same amount of time and Callum knew he would never question his care for her despite it all.

Perhaps, similar reasons and rules applied here.

His thoughts distracted him until he happened upon a shop with the symbol of a stone pommel in a bowl.

An apothecary.

Callum stood there for a moment.

It wasn’t as if dark magic was a foreign concept to humans. Claudia would probably have had an idea about how to deal with a dark magic wound.

Perhaps…?

A bell chimed as he entered the apothecary. It was old and dingy, but otherwise clean. The place was small, but there were cabinets full of medicines and concoctions, beds made and liberal wooden counter space with a tool or two left out.

He heard someone shuffling behind a curtain. Out popped the head of a weathered old man with brown eyes and greying brown hair. His smile was kind as he edged from around the dusty curtain and greeted Callum.

“Good morning, good morning. Just washing some sheets. Don’t mind me. My name is Zumar. Who might you be?”

“Good morning, Mr. Zumar. I’m Callum.”

“Callum? It’s good to meet you. How may I help you today, young man?” He wiped wet hands with a rag. “Are you in need of any tonics today? Perhaps a remedy for energy or strength?”

Callum shook his head. “No, thank you. I was actually wondering if you ... maybe had anything that could help with healing someone hurt by dark magic?”

Every word made it clear the old clerk did not have many customers asking for those kinds of items.

“Dark magic.”

Callum nodded.

Zumar pursed his lips. “I am afraid that I don’t deal much in those kinds of healing matters. And I am sorry it happened. What I know of magical injuries is that they can be hard to heal without the right ingredients. If, at all.”

Callum’s heart fell. “So, you don’t know of any place? There’s someone I-- He’s hurt. And it’s bad. We ran into some trouble on the way. I… I’m just trying to help him.”

Zumar frowned. “You have my sympathies. But I’m truly afraid I have nothing. I have tonics for pain, but an injury inflicted by dark magic is another discipline entirely. One outside of my area of expertise. And I’m afraid I don’t know of anybody in town that could help.”

“Nobody?” Callum heard his voice crack a little.

Again, there was that nagging feeling. It hurt. Just a little. Why did he care so much? At a base level, he didn’t want Callisto to die. Which he knew would happen, eventually. Anarr and Morgan were right on their tails and from listening to Runaan and the others… that wasn’t going to change. The dark mages were herding them right where they wanted.

Meraxia hadn’t been an entirely unplanned event for them, Callum was sure.

Zumar shook his head. “Perhaps in the cities you would have better luck. If you travel west, you may find what you’re looking for.”

“We can’t go west, unfortunately.”

“No?”

“It’s not on our way.” He added quickly. That was enough information about their destination. “Thank you though. I appreciate your time.”

Zumar’s nod was stiff. Callum turned to leave, but the old man said, “This person means something to you?”

Callum looked at Zumar, he opened his mouth, then closed it. He didn’t know what to say at first. “I guess things happen when you start travelling with people. I just want him to be okay. I don’t know if it’s fair that he’s hurt like this.”

He was constantly reminding himself that his companions were assassins. They were sent to kill his stepfather and only failed because Lord Viren beat them to it.

But The Dragon Queen sent them because his stepfather killed Thunder. Callum thought of the egg of The Dragon Prince sitting with Ram at the inn, it’s life dimmer than before and dimmer still as Ram tried to figure out a way to save it. It was one of the several problems they had on top of just surviving.

And Runaan was always trying to figure out a plan of attack. Or defense. How to get to Xadia alive with two dark mages on your tail? One who knew how to think like an assassin because she was one. The other was a mysterious variable in the entire thing.

It always came to this: Assassins. What his stepfather did. Where they were now.

Saying life was odd would be the understatement of the year.

Zumar sighed. “Don’t quote me on this, but there is a flower that grows year-round. Even in the snow. It’s a remarkable thing called an Aspiro Lily--”

Callum’s eyes widened. “A what?”

“An Aspiro Lily. They’re named as such because legend has it that Skywing Elves used them for healing medicine in ancient times passed, but most of them grow on the human side of the border. So, human doctors and mages named them Aspiro Lilies. I’ve used a concoction with them once and it had remarkable properties when applied to all kinds of wounds. If you breathe it in as a powder, it can even help injuries to the lungs.”

Callum stepped forward. “And… you think this could help? You think it might work?”

“I’m saying it’s the only thing that could work in these parts. If you need a quick solution that might be your only option. Lucky for you, there’s an old hermit that lives on the mountain. He grows them. If you take the mountain path north, you’ll reach him by midday. Occasionally, I will go up there for other supplies, but he may be willing to give you one. He’s a kind man...” Zumar eyed Callum. “Please be kind back. I know what desperation can do to someone. Especially the young.”

Callum nodded. He even bowed a little. “I will. You have my word. I really appreciate your help.”

Zumar ambled back behind the curtain. “I hope your friend appreciates this.”

Callum wasn’t sure Callisto would.

And he wasn’t sure if it really mattered.

-:-:-:-

If he had gone back to the inn, the elves might have been suspicious. He didn’t want anyone to talk him out of this. This mission had possessed his spirit, and he was determined to make it work. If it was Callisto’s only shot, then he would at least try.

That all being said, Callum was no trained assassin. And he certainly wasn’t fit like one.

Rayla would have been able to make this trek well before midday. Runaan and any of the other elves? Within the hour because of some elven training method or other that Moonshadow elves prided themselves on. But Callum was a human prince, and he hadn’t exactly been good at that.

He was far enough up that looking down didn’t make him happy. The slope wasn’t particularly steep, but falling would hurt.

Callum’s legs were sore, and he was getting tired, but it was almost midday. He had to be close, right?

Just as that thought passed through his mind, he looked up, searching for any kind of relief. A sign. A bird flew by. Why couldn’t he have been born a Skywing elf?

He could just fly through the sky anywhere he wanted -- if they even had wings. He wasn’t entirely sure. -- rising up, past the plume of chimney smoke to find --

Wait.

Chimney smoke.

Cabin.

The pieces snapped in Callum’s head and he pushed himself up the trail. That had to be it. That had to be it. Ten minutes later of nearly lunging up the mountain, lungs straining from a workout they weren’t normally used to, or grateful for, he made it to the cabin.

He bent over, catching his breath as the trail plateaued. The cabin was solid, winter plants peeking out all around the house. Snow capped the roof, smoke pluming out of the chimney.

He was ready to knock on the door, but what was the man’s name? Callum hadn’t bothered to ask. He didn’t want to be rude...

But this is to help Callisto, he reminded himself.

He had to do this.

Callum approached the front door and knocked. When there was no answer, he knocked again. Silence. He raised his fist once more, but a voice at the other side stopped him.

“Who is it?” The voice was frail and almost not audible from outside.

“Oh, um-- Hi!” Callum called. “My name is Callum and Zumar said you grow Aspiro Lilies. I was wondering if it’s okay if I could have one. My friend is hurt…”

Nothing.

“Would it be alright if I came in?”

Saying all this outside was making him nervous, and he wasn’t sure if the old man was able enough to open the door or if it just took him awhile to get there, but his senses were--

“Come in,” the frail voice called again.

Callum blinked. He tried the knob.

The door creaked open for him.

-:-:-:-

“How’s the egg?”

Ram heard the young prince before he saw him. He was carrying the glow toad in his arms, Bait croaking a sort of greeting.

“The egg is unwell,” Ram sighed. He observed the dimming egg of The Dragon Prince. A prince that could become a king someday. If only it could live.

Ram had no notion of how to ensure that.

Ezran didn’t deign to ask him if Ram had tried everything. Instead, he set Bait down on the bed and climbed up. Ram let him put an ear to the egg to listen. Whatever power this boy had, it was real. He’d heard of such things, but never quite seen it for himself. Whatever the case, it came in handy in Meraxia.

“What do you hear?” Ram whispered.

Ezran listened. “It’s trying.”

“... can it hear us?”

“I think it can. It… it hears us.” Ezran frowned at the egg. Then, he hugged it. “Hang on, little guy. We’re going to help you. Just… hang on for us.”

“You have our word,” Ram said to the egg. “We will bring you home.”

“You have mine, too.”

Ezran nodded and looked at Ram, mouth set.

“An oath, then.”

The prince smiled. “Yeah, I guess so.”

A knock at the door made Ram look up. Rayla. She stood at the doorway, frowning. “Where is he?”

Ram knew who she was talking about.

“Is he still gone?” Ezran asked.

“He said he was just going down the street,” Rayla growled. “He knows we can’t be wandering around with two assassins on our trails, right?”

Ezran made a voice. “Callum can get pretty determined sometimes…”

Ram didn’t ask what he meant by that, but he told Rayla, “If he doesn’t come back within the hour, you should tell Runaan. It isn’t safe.”

“I’ll go find him soon enough. He probably got caught up doing something he shouldn’t.”

Ram shook his head. “No, Rayla. You are injured. If anything happens, you aren’t at full strength. You should rest now, in fact.”

She said nothing.

“Rayla.”

“Fine.” She crossed her arms, wincing.

Good as that ointment was, it wasn’t just a scratch. They used the last of the medicine and there was only so much it could have done, anyway. There were limits. It reminded Ram that Rayla was young. Not untried. Not anymore.

But she was young.

She left. Ezran and Ram exchanged looks.

It seemed the prince didn’t believe she would sleep either.

-:-:-:-

The frail voice spoke to him again. “How may I help you?”

Callum ventured into the cabin carefully, he looked for the old man, trying to figure out where the voice was coming from. Another room, he assumed, but every time he tried to follow the voice it always came from a different area.

He heard no footsteps. Saw no shadow.

“Uh… hi, my name is Callum,” he called. “Someone told me you grow Aspiro Lilies here. My friend is hurt and I think they would really help.”

The old man said nothing back.

“Hello?”

“Oh, they’re in my kitchen cabinet. I like keeping them from the cold,” the old man replied. “Past the den.”

Callum entered the den. It was warm, the fire going. Half eaten food had been left out on the coffee table and the chairs looked well worn, an imprint still left in the one he could see. Alright, so it wasn’t like this place was unused.

Then, why did it feel weird?

Callum shook his head. He should just get this flower and go. Rayla would have suggested sneaking in. Maybe he should have done that. They were taking the man’s flower. Not his money.

Man, when did the idea of stealing become more attractive to him?

As he was leaving the den to go into the kitchen the hairs on the back of his neck were standing up. Rayla would have suggested sneaking in for the sake of safety. Not because she enjoyed taking from others. They were lucky that amulet’s magic hadn’t worn off. They were lucky it even worked.

Callum opened the cabinets, never mind being rude. His muscles were tense. His heart was pounding faster than it was a few minutes ago. He found the lilies in the far most left cabinet, small and glowing dimly in the dark. He felt them. He wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was the primal stone in his bag. Maybe it was because he knew what sky magic felt like now. Either way, Callum grabbed a few and put them in his bag.

He was leaving. Now.

Nerves crackled like the lightning of the fulminis spell. He crossed the den and went back to the front door, saying nothing to the old man.

The old man hadn’t said a word since their initial conversation.

He hadn’t shown himself.

And the door was closed shut now. When Callum tried the knob again, it was locked.

Callum’s breathing shallowed.

He clutched his bag and looked around, searching for a nearby window. Taking deep breaths, he dared not try the knob again and alert whoever was keeping him in this house. Why did he come? Why did he come here by himself?

All the answers to those questions were a nice distraction, so he kept running them in the back of his mind, to stop himself from panicking. They weren’t helping. He shut them down. He was being trapped in this house on purpose. Whether Mr. Zumar had been in on it, he might never know and Callum would not go back to ask if he got out of here.

The den had windows. He could just go through one and probably not hurt himself.

He beelined for the window.

“You know, I’ve always liked chess.”

Callum froze. He spun around and almost vomited.

Morgan. At his feet, an old frail man too still to be anything but dead.

How long had he been sitting there? It couldn’t have been the whole time. Callum hadn’t seen him earlier.

He swallowed.

Meaning he’d been lurking from room to room the entire time, prowling around Callum like a stalker. He exhaled sharply. Probably lugging a body around to boot.

All far too silently to be natural.

Morgan’s ill smile made Callum’s nerves shrivel, hazel eyes trained on him like a predator. A spindly man, he’d changed his clothes from the last time they’d met. This time, he was in a drab colored well-fitted coat, trousers and boots. It didn’t miss Callum’s notice how they looked like they could fit the old man lying at Morgan’s feet.

Morgan laughed. Callum jumped.

“Dramatic entrance, I know. It’s a bit much, isn’t it?” Morgan leaned against the armrest, making himself far too at home. “I thought I’d see your reaction. I’m still getting to know you, after all. Never thought the king of Katolis would adopt a son even if it did come with his wife, but I guess the things we do for love, right? Though, I’m sure he loved you if I’m even here to deal with you in the first place. A king who didn’t love his stepson or put him anywhere in his will wouldn’t really be much of a threat, I suppose…”

Morgan mused, but Callum said nothing. Too many things were running through his head to entertain whatever nonsense the dark mage was spouting.

“Anyway, what was I saying…? Oh, right. Chess. I love chess, you know. I know all the variations, elven and human alike. The Sunfire elves have their version just like the people of Del Bar or Duren or the Moonshadow elves or the Earthblood elves. See, I love chess so much that I know all of them.” Callum took a step to the left. Morgan’s gaze followed him. Not once had he broken eye contact. Callum made it a point not to either. Mostly because he couldn’t. “The way you win is different in every game, but the game is the same. And when the game is done? You play another because you enjoy playing.”

Finally, Morgan looked down at Callum’s feet, observing him from head to toe. Evaluating. Callum had seen something marginally similar in his stepfather’s face in times of choice. He came back to Callum’s face. He smiled. “You know why I like chess?”

Callum glared at him. “What do you want?” he demanded.

Morgan barked a laugh. “He speaks! Well, I think I want you to guess why I like chess.”

Callum rolled his eyes. This monster will not intimidate him. At least, Callum told himself that despite his shaking hands and dry throat. “I don’t know.”

Morgan shook his head, disappointed. But his smile came back, wider and more wicked than the last. “I enjoy life, Prince Callum. Just like I enjoy chess. Chess is a hunter’s game. Life--” Morgan nodded, boring that sick hazel onto Callum with a coldness that didn’t match his amusement. “--is a hunter’s game. I like hunting elves, Prince Callum. I like hunting people… it’s like chess.”

Callum’s stomach churned.

“I will play another game after I’m done with you,” Morgan said with finality. Callum wasn’t sure if he was talking more to himself or Callum. Either way, he said to Callum, “I don’t care much about the goal unlike your Moonshadow friends. It’s not the mission I’ll keel over for. It’s the hunt… and the prize.” He chuckled. “I get nothing of real value for killing you, really, except the satisfaction of a mildly entertaining game. After all, here we are. But I can’t exactly leave one of the most dangerous pieces on the board. Even a young mage is troublesome and I don’t want to risk losing the game, right?”

Callum steadied his breathing. He became keenly aware of someone else in the house as Morgan talked, knowing that Callum was no threat here. He could talk as long as he liked.

Callum knew it was Anarr before she stalked through the door.

Morgan shook his head. “I don’t lose. If you have a chance to take out the most dangerous piece in the game, you do it. Anarr would agree, I believe.”

He looked at her. She nodded. “Agreed.”

Her eyes focused on Callum, flicking her wrist and summoning her dagger. Callum stepped back.

“But the prize for Rayla--” Callum’s mind ground to a halt. Morgan’s smiling face made something light up in his brain. “--will be very nice. So, I’ll enjoy that game a bit more.”

“You stay away from her.”

Morgan smirked. He stood up, snorting. “Kill him and let’s get this over with. I want to move on.”

“The girl cares for him,” Anarr said. Morgan paused. “We can use that.”

“We can use his corpse.”

“He’s more useful to us alive than dead.”

“I beg to differ--”

Callum was not waiting for them to stop. He drew the rune faster than he had ever before. “Aspiro!”

The force sent them flying to different corners of the room. Callum bolted for the door, sending out a fulminis spell as he rounded the corner. The door burst open and Callum sprinted. He was not worried about Morgan.

Anarr was on his tail. That much he knew without turning around. She was basically Rayla, but older and arguably faster. Either way, she was much faster than him and Callum was running down the mountain trail knees to chest.

It didn’t matter.

He heard her even before he dared to look back. She was right there. One lunge and he was hers. Callum twisted and drew out a fulminis rune.

It missed and crackled into the sky.

Callum braced himself. His lungs burned.

This was it--

Anarr leapt right past him. Swords clanged. There was a battle cry.

Rayla met Anarr blade for blade, grunting the entire time. They braced their blades against each other. Rayla pushed her off and sidestepped, pushing Callum behind her.

“Rayla--”

“Just going down the street?”

Callum winced. “Okay, you can get mad at me later, but what are you doing here?”

Rayla didn’t take her eyes off Anarr who was flexing her grip on her blades. “I was going to ask you the same thing.”

“I found something. Something that could help Callisto--”

“Callum, we talked about this,” she said against gritted teeth.

“And we’ll talk about it later.” Anarr took this as her cue and lunged. Rayla moved, but not as fast and received a nice cut on her arm as a result. Rayla stepped back. “Rayla, you can’t do this. You’re still hurt.”

“We don’t have a choice.”

“She’s got you at a disadvantage,” he argued. “She’ll only do worse.”

“I don’t care.”

Callum wasn’t asking permission. He stepped forward and drew out aspiro. The spell released and threw Anarr back; she went over the side, but he could see her fingers holding on. He shoved down the urge to vomit, flashing back to the sound Eveline made when she hit the ground.

He didn’t have time to think about it.

“Well, well, well, Prince Callum. Aren’t you generous?” Morgan’s voice yanked him back to the present. “You’ve brought her right to me.”

For Morgan, Callum drew out fulminis. The mage missed it narrowly and collided with Raylausing a vicious flurry of strikes. He was trying to overpower her, Callum realized.

And he was winning.

She couldn’t hold up against Morgan, now. Being stabbed by Anarr meant he was a match for her. Callum could see Anarr climbing back up out of the corner of his eye.

Callum scanned Morgan. He looked for something, anything, anything at all--

A necklace. Blue. A silver coloring to it. It glinted.

Morgan swept Rayla under the leg. She fell, scrambling for her blades.

Callum lunged and grabbed his necklace pulling on it as hard as he could. Morgan fought, dropping his swords and pulled forward where Callum was pulling back. They twisted and turned, Rayla calling Callum’s name as they neared the edge of the trail.

The necklace snapped and they fell to the ground. Callum felt the necklace in his hand, cold as the snow on the ground. Morgan coughed and his eyes found Callum’s.

“You’ve got some nerve, prince.” He seethed. “I told you I don’t like losing.”

Rayla didn’t get a chance to strike at Morgan as Anarr came back. Callum scrambled to Rayla. Anarr stood by Morgan.

Callum couldn’t see a proper way out of this.

“Take my bag and go,” he panted, looking at Rayla. “The flowers for Callisto are in there. They want me right now. You’re fast enough that you can get out of here and get back to the others.”

Rayla narrowed her eyes at him. “So, you can do what exactly?”

“Rayla, you’ll be safe--”

“I’m not leaving you here. We are getting out of here together.”

Callum looked at her face. Determined, firm. A face that had come to mean something to him.

Anarr and Morgan would slice them apart if they tried to run. Callum looked at the mountainside. The only other way down. He looked back at her. Her face hadn’t changed.

She would go down with him. Whatever that meant for them.

He couldn’t live with himself if he lived, and she died. He didn’t want her to die, even with him, period.

Anarr twisted on her heel. She sliced something in the air.

The arrow split in two, the head landing at Callum’s feet.

Runaan stood at a higher elevation, bow nocked and aimed at Anarr. Her eyes burned with hate as she watched him. From the shadows, Callum saw Skor and Andromeda, their blades at the ready. There was a silent stare down between Anarr and Runaan. Callum didn’t know who won, exactly, but he saw Anarr dodge the arrow meant for her and disappear, Morgan slithering along behind her. Just slow enough to meet Callum’s eyes one last time.

Nobody said anything, even after they’d left. Rayla watched Runaan approach them both. He frowned at her. “We will discuss this later.” She pursed her lips, but nodded.

“She didn’t use those blood beasts.” Callum said, changing the subject. “They were dead set on killing me, but she didn’t bother to use her beasts.

Runaan didn’t even look at him. “They exhaust her.”

“They wanted to kill me, but Anarr changed her mind. She wanted to keep me alive. T-to use me.”

He didn’t add that it was against Rayla specifically.

Runaan regarded him, then turned away. “This didn’t go the way it was supposed to. We will discuss this later. With both of you. Let’s go.”

Callum looked at Rayla. She was frowning at him. Apparently, he was going to get talked to twice.

-:-:-:-

The talk with Runaan amounted to “Don’t do that again” for Rayla and “Don’t do that again or I am leaving you here” for Callum. When Callum brought up the body of the old man -- they couldn’t just leave him there -- Runaan told him that Skor handled it.

“Skor?”

“He thought it pertinent to bury the man,” Runaan said.

Apparently, they would leave a tip to whoever the authorities were in town before they left. At least, they were doing that much. Callum would have felt horrible for just leaving the body there and not telling anyone. Frankly, it still felt horrible, but he tried to push it from his mind.

Just like he did when Lady Eveline slivered into his thoughts.

“That was stupid.”

“Rayla, you know why I did it,” he said, approaching her. It was late, after dinner, when he finally got a moment with Rayla. She was facing the fire, her arms crossed and not looking at him. He could see her pouting lip in the firelight. “C’mon, don’t be mad at me.”

“They could have killed you.”

“What about you? They could have killed you,” he argued.

“Because I went after you! Who else was going to make sure you don’t end up dying?” She uncrossed her arms, fists clenched at her sides. “You said down the street. The apothecary was not down the street! And don’t change the subject.”

“Rayla, c’mon,” he whined.

“Am I interrupting something?”

Callisto knocked at the door, clearing his throat. He was standing straighter than he had in a while.

“You look better,” Callum said.

Callisto nodded. He approached the fire, standing next to Callum. “I had no idea they grew Aspiro Lilies in the human lands… Rayla told me what you did. It was foolish.”

“Yeah,” he glanced at Rayla, who only crossed her arms again. Callum rubbed the back of his neck. “I know.”

“I’m sure she’s mentioned the foolish part then.”

“Oh, she has.”

“I’m right here, you know,” she snapped at them.

Callisto paused, searching the fire for a moment. “I know what you risked getting these flowers.” He faced Callum. “It appears I owe you my gratitude. And my respect.”

Callum blinked. “Oh, uh… you’re welcome? I just didn’t want you to die. You don’t deserve that. I don’t think you do, anyway.”

Callisto snorted. He shook his head. “Sleep well, Callum.”

He left, leaving Rayla and Callum alone again. Callum smiled. Just a little. “You’re not actually that mad at me, are you?”

Rayla glared at him over her shoulder. Even when she was frowning at him, her long lashes and the light against her features made her look… whatever it was, it made him lose his train of thought.

She sighed and uncrossed her arms for the last time. “Just don’t do that again, okay?” Her features softened. “I don’t know what I’d do if…”

“Funny,” he sat down. She sat down next to him. “That’s what I was thinking earlier. When I thought we might really jump off that mountain.”

“I would have jumped with you.”

“I know. That’s what’s scary.”

He swore her face was pink in the fire’s glow. “... it is, isn’t it?”

Callum looked at her for a long moment. Long enough that her ears drooped. She turned away, trying to look normal again. She started to get up. “But, Moonshadow elves don’t get scared. See, we’re taught that--”

Callum caught her by the wrist. His grip was gentle enough, but she still let him pull her back down.

And into a hug.

“It’s not that scary,” he said, hugging her tight. “Thank you, Rayla. For having my back. I would have been a goner if it wasn’t for you. I don’t know where I’d be without you. Just… don’t die for me, okay?”

To his pleasant surprise, she hugged him back. “I’ll try. But I can’t make any promises.”

Callum held her tighter still.

--

First of all, thank you all for your patience. I know it has been a WHILE, but on top of this fic, I also have another fic (an HTTYD AU called Love Amongst the Dragons in case anyone's interested), art I do, a podcast where I and Hailey from Cartoon Universe interview people from the show. Plus life and college and work (I have 2 jobs now technically). My degree is basically a 3rd job. It gets hard, but I am still here for this fic and that's why this chapter is a longer one. I have PLANS for this fic.

As always, I love your comments and reviews. They really keep me writing and motivated. Also, feel free to share about this fic on any social media, I'm on tumblr and twitter mostly. Feel free to talk about this fic too! I'd really appreciate seeing it around more! Thank you for reading! Tune in for next chapter!

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[luthienliveblogslately-blog]

Milestone write-up!

Since the story seems to be closing one story-arc and moving on to another, I feel this is a good place to take stock, summarize what we know and make some more or less educated guesses at what might happen in future. It got a bit away from me (”a bit” lol), so here’s a read more for your convenience. 

Players on the board

Last we left off, shit had decidedly hit the fan. We got painful confirmation that the elves successfully assassinated King Harrow, but they in turn had a painful price to pay. From what we can tell, Runaan is the only survivor, and he has been captured by Soren and Claudia. Claudia thinks he might come in “useful”, whatever that may mean. Might be they’ll interrogate him for information about Xadia, might be that Claudia has some more nefarious, magical things planned. She might ask him about Rayla and the egg, but it’s not like he can tell her anything that she doesn’t already know, aka Rayla and the boys have the egg and they plan to return it and use it to restore peace. Maybe, if they keep talking for long enough, he might actually get her to see that the egg really is just a yet to hatch baby dragon and therefore a sentient being in need of protection, and not just a powerful magical weapon to be used by whoever sees fit. If Runaan manages to escape or communicate with other elves, our heroes will have some real problems. He clearly sees Rayla as a traitor and seeks to punish her for the perceived crimes she committed, and there’s still that pesky magical bounty on Ezrans’s head… 

It’s hard to say what Claudia and Soren will do next. I think it depends very much on if Viren is sticking around the castle or not, and what his plans are. As to what his plans might be… god knows. Just how much does he want the egg back? Is he willing to go after it himself, or will he maybe send Soren? How much does Soren know about all this anyway? Five bucks says he had no idea about anything tbh. You know what still hasn’t been opened yet btw? The fucking letter. It’s still in Viren’s study. If it really has a contingency plan like “Callum becomes prince regent until Ezran is old enough to rule” I get the feeling Viren might pull some GoT-style shenanigans and try to put himself on the throne. At this point there isn’t really anything I wouldn’t put past him. In any case though the kingdom might be thrown into serious chaos for a while. After all: the King is Dead, long live the…. wait, who now? The crown prince is missing? The step-prince is missing, too? Well, guess it’s time for some good old-fashioned power grabbing! 

And then there’s our three four protagonists. We don’t know where the kingdom of Katolis is exactly, but in any case they have a long journey ahead. They will have to stick to the woods for most of it and avoid towns I think. Rayla can’t be seen by humans, the egg can’t be seen either, and Viren might try and put a bounty on all of them anyway, so the boys might not be save either. I trust Rayla will be able to get the foods from the woods though, so that should be alright. And then eventually they’ll reach the Breach and have to make their away across it and around however many standing armies manning the border from both sides. Yikes. Though we have no idea how far they’ll go in three remaining episodes. There are after all at least 5 more potential seasons in store for us, so there’s a good chance they won’t even remotely come close to the Breach in this one.  What I’m really worried about is Rayla keeping the truth about Harrow from the boys.  While it breaks my heart just thinking about them having to mourn their dad, I’m worried about Callum lashing out at Rayla in his grief. We already had a scene when he found out about the assassination plot and subsequently flipped out at Ez out of fear, and Ez hadn’t even really done anything. How much worse will that reaction be if she’s been lying to them for several days, even if it was just to spare them the pain? It might damage his trust in her, Callum might even try and make them split up and continue without her. Sounds like a really bad idea, but people do stupid things when they’re angry and sad. 

Other unresolved plot points

WHAT DOES THE FUCKING LETTER SAY

What’s up with the Mirror? For that matter, why is the mirror fishy enough to be covered up but not fishy enough to be hidden in the Lair of Dead Things? 

What’s with the picture Harrow looked at last time we saw him alive? It’s gotta be something, right? Why would they make the camera zoom in on it lying face down on the bed otherwise? Just have Harrow put it away and then forget it exists, don’t give it an extra shot!

Pip! Is he still alive? D: 

Callum still has the Storm Stone, but he might have to get his hands on a book or find himself a teacher to learn some new spells probably? 

WHAT DO THE BLACK EYES DO? DO THEY EVEN DO ANYTHING OR ARE THEY JUST FOR CREEPY EFFECT? 

Viren’s staff! Just cool historical artifact or actually relevant to the plot? 

Shameless Tin-hatting aka Foreshadowing Fucking Everywhere aka Miscellaneous Shit I Noticed While re-watching ep 1-3

Callum’s drawing of a Dragon roasting a Marshmallow Monster -> this show’s version of the Cookie Cat jingle? Possibly depicting Viren’s inevitable demise? 

Not foreshadowing, but I realized when the Narrator says “on the eve of last Winter’s Turn” in the opening what is meant with “last” is just most recent, as in “last month” or “last Christmas”. So it probably was some solstice type date after all. Makes sense with it now being spring. 

People keep pointing out how shit Bait is at hiding. I’m afraid at some point they’ll have to hide from something REALLY BAD and Bait will get them found. :/ Really, Bait being called Bait just seems super unfortunate in general. 

You know how Rayla says “My Heart for Xadia” during the ritual? Yeah, I’m getting the feeling Rayla will be instrumental in getting Ezran out of the magical contract, possibly in a super heroic way by just doing what her heart tells her to and saving the day, or possibly just… by dying in his stead. Oh god I feel like I jinxed her. :( 

You know how Callum was like “You’re so lucky, you get to learn magic!” and Claudia was like “You get to learn sword fighting!” and then Callum was like “I’d switch places in a second!”? Well, he’s doing magic now, so…. the little disaster bi that is myself is praying for Claudia in armor with a big-ass sword being a BAMF. ´

Anybody else who really wants to know what is under that OTHER, BIGGER tarp in the Lair of Dead Things? Because I really wanna know. I bet Ezran knows already. 

Harrow said about the letter that “[Callum will] understand in time.” What makes me think there’s more in there than just his last will, possibly it’s also his last confession. What terrible shit has he done over the years of his reign, how much of it did Viren have his fingers in and how much of it can Viren use against him post-mortem? And how will the boys react when they get confronted with their dad’s uglier side, possibly via what the elves or even some direct victims have to say about him? 

I’d really like to have a look at that book Callum is carrying everywhere. I figure it’s his sketch book and not relevant to anything, but it might still be fun to get to see some pages anyway. 

Stuff that I got spoilered on because there’s too many tags to block :( 

I saw some pics of the Dragon Prince after hatching! D: I’m sorry, it feels like I robbed myself of an awesome surprise and you of a genuine reaction. :( I didn’t look very closely, I just saw that he was adorable and had roughly the same color scheme as his dad. Which leads me to some more tin hatting: What with Thunder being called that and also breathing lightning, I’d like to propose that the Storm Stone still has a big role to play after all, other than just providing Callum with a magical source he can carry around. 

I saw General Amaya of the Standing Battalion being name dropped in a text post. I scrolled too fast to see any context, but considering who she is I guess we’ll get her as an upcoming character in some capacity.

I know that the elf making the MAGIC TREES amulets gets another ending slide at some point, and that people are theorizing he and Runaan are a Thing.  I’m not a super big fan of Runaan at this moment in time so I couldn’t give less of a shit about his love life tbh, and as much as I like to ship things I usually need a bit more than literally two pictures to get me going, so. I dunno, don’t expect much from me on that front until more material comes out in later seasons I guess. Like… if there isn’t enough for people to make emotional gif sets out of, can you even really call it a ship?

Netflix tried to push Chapter 4 on me when I went to re-watch the others. I got it shut down quickly enough, but I still saw the title. I think it was… Bloodthirsty? Bloodlust? Either way I think either Runaan is gonna have a REALLY bad time very soonish or our protagonists will have to run REALLY fast from people trying to catch them.  Maybe both.