“By God, where is Miranda?” The head maid bellowed, searching frantically for the girl through the giant halls of the Bedivere family. “Has anyone seen Miranda?! Miranda?! Miranda! MIRANDA!!”


    This was a usual ordeal in the Bedivere residence, a place that was usually quiet, especially being situated in the city’s center. Among the High Noble families of the Kingdom of Aethelria, the Bedivere family ranked high in the social ladder, third only to the Aethelgard, the current ruling family, and the Pendragons, the rightful ruling family.


    The fact that they also had two lines of descent also made their circumstances quite unique, giving them an edge over all others.


    “MIRANDA!!! My, this child would be the death of me.”


    “Words are powerful , head maid.”


    “Oh, Sir Noah. Good evening, sir.”


    “Evening,” Noah replied with his usual smile, “The little girl is missing again, huh?”


    “She is making our work quite difficult. This place may be a haven, but other places may not be as welcoming.”


    “I understand, I understand.” Noah said, placing a hand on the head maid’s shoulder, “I will look for her, worry not.”


    The rain had cleared up the clouds in the sky, revealing the stars that danced in the sky, playing alongside the half moon. The girl lay underneath the display of it all,the cold air brushing against her face, the smell of grass in the air. Her calm expression was fixated on what lay beyond the stars, far far away in a place on she could reach, where the boundaries of what could and could not be where defined by her alone.


    “The entire house searches for you, young lady.”


    The girl’s calm expression twisted into a frown as she was forced to leave her own little universe to face the cold and bland reality.


    “She’s annoying.”


    “She’s only doing her job.”


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    “ ‘Oh Miranda? Have you done your homework? Have you read your books. Don’t forget your archery lessons. You have to act like a lady, blah, blah, blah”


    “Funny, your father used to act like that all the time. Now he is the most strictest between the two of us.”


    “When will father be back?” Miranda asked.”


    “It is uncertain, little Miranda.” Noah said, patting her blue hair, a color that all Bedivere’s had. “But he is in perfect health.”


    Miranda sighed but said nothing. She looked up at the sky again, watching the stars dance once again in the sky, this time in the company of her beloved uncle.


    Noah lay the little girl in her bed, closing the door behind him. He nodded at hr bodyguard, who saluted him as he left. He walked through the empty halls, the only people around being the family’s guards.


    He moved his room, watching his wife and son sleep soundly. He kissed his wife on the forehead, pulling the sheets over their bodies before snuffing out the light in the room.


    He continued his tour of the house, going through the empty dining halls and up the stairs. It was there his interest was peaked by the light coming out of a room which should not be opened. He approached it slowly, a silver blade forming in his hand. He waited for a full minute, listening to figure out who dared to desecrate the sanctity of that space.


    “Fret not, Noah, I’m no wizard.”


    The sound of his brother’s voice took him by surprise. Noah stepped into the candlelit room, watching his brother as he sat at his desk, his feet up on his desk as he fiddled with a long war-bow.


    “Norman. When did you arrive.”


    “Today. Thought I could surprise little Miranda, but she was already asleep.”


    “Didn’t even tell me you were coming.”


    “I believe it is called a surprise.”


    Noah shrugged, the silver place shrinking into a small silver ball. He approached the desk, pouring two glasses of wine for himself and brother.


    “How’s Fountain’s Reach.”


    “Same. All the usual scheming, planning, lies and deception.”


    “Must be thrilling.”


    “The Pendragons clearly want to take over the throne, and once the King dies, it will be only a matter of time.”


    “What about the Aethelgard brats? Clearly they have a hold of the throne.”


    “Not with their attitude. The King may be trying his best, but the war is starting to reveal the cracks in his leadership.”


    The war. The Knights of Aethelria and Illumina, Men who whose bodies rejected the arcane and men whose bodies accepted it. It had been going on for ages, some even said as far back as the creation of the world itself. The last treaty between the two kingdoms ended only five years ago, and war had began to wear out both sides. There were rumors of peace, but everyone knew that it was only temporary. But the damage had already been done.


    Many lives had been lost, many cities destroyed. The Illuminorians were far to powerful with their ability to manipulate all phenomena, whereas very little of them had Descent. Not even mentioning the petty and nonsensical strife between the nobles. Truly war brought out the worst in everyone.


    “Let’s just forget about it.” Norman said as he raised his glass, “To the King.”


    Noah raised his glass as well, “To the King,” He said, in an audible but sad voice.