《Lord of the Mountains》


 Welcome to Cragg

    Four monarchies rule the West: Daegon, Hituh, Kindling and Tijora; each with their own elemental people. Daegon and Kindling are home to fire artists. Hituh, built atop the mountains, harbours stone elementals who build cities that can withstand even the most ferocious earthquake. The water elementals live along the west coast, most of them still operating as separate tribes rather than as a unity.


    For nearly five years, Hituh and Tijora have quarrelled over land. In a bid to find peace, Queen Jade of Hituh pushed to settle a dispute through marriage. Primrose Costa, a child of Jora (water) and Ares Saber, a child of ¡®Ston (stone), were wed. The agreement was that Primrose would move to Cragg for a minimum of five years to help ease tensions before they both returned to Tijora in anticipation of Primrose becoming empress. Cragg, an ancient and spiritual city in Hituh, was considered to be where the first stone elementals were born. It was also the most dangerous place in all of Hituh.


    The people of Hituh, and Cragg especially, were furious at the arrangement. The Saber family, however, resolved to keep an open mind about the arrangement despite the tensions they felt. After all, it wasn¡¯t the first time a Saber had married an opposing elemental.


    Chapter One.


    <h2>Welcome to Cragg.</h2>


    Ares Saber and Primrose Costa are in a carriage headed for the City of Cragg. With platinum hair tinged green from the mineral-rich rivers of home, Primrose, heir to her tribe in Onda, smiles nervously as the carriage pulls closer to Cragg. Ares Saber, skin dark and eyes golden just like the fire warriors of Daegon, seems even more nervous, his usual carefree nature dipping with every corner turned.


    Somewhere wandering the castle grounds, Set Saber is walking with his dogs. On hearing the carriage, he stops, and with a mischievous grin, leads the dogs in a long howl that leads all the way to Primrose and Ares, who give mixed responses to the sound. When they finally pull up to the front door, Set is already waiting with seven dogs. He leads them to sit with a single command. With a deep breath for bravery Primrose places her hand on the handle, but Ares pulls the door shut on her quickly.


    ARES: Don¡¯t do it, it¡¯s a trap.


    PRIMROSE: Excuse me?


    ARES: The dogs. They¡¯ll knock you over. I recognise that stance, and they¡¯re ready to pounce.


    PRIMROSE: What, are they going to maul us?


    ARES: No, but they¡¯ll slobber on anyone who ¨C wait ¨C


    PRIMROSE: Danielle!


    A knock comes from outside. Frozen, Primrose and Ares do nothing. After another knock, the door opens.


    DANIELLE: Hello! Are you ready--?


    Ares pulls the door closed before she can finish her sentence. Primrose looks at him, bewildered.


    PRIMROSE: What exactly is the plan, here? Are we living in the carriage now?


    ARES: No¡­ just until someone else comes out. He won¡¯t sic them on us if someone else is here.


    PRIMROSE: So, Danielle is just supposed to stand awkwardly outside by herself?


    ARES: ¡­yes.


    PRIMROSE: You know, a gentlemen would take the hit, so she¡¯s not standing there like an idiot.


    ARES: Not once have I claimed to be a gentleman.


    ¡­Okay, fine!


    Ares gets out of the car, and with a quick gesture, Set sets the dogs on him. After Ares is pinned to the ground, Primrose hesitantly gets out of the carriage.


    SET: Hi, Primrose! Nice to see you again.


    PRIMROSE: Set, good to see you¡­ these are your dogs?


    SET: Only for now. They¡¯re going off to the Queen¡¯s Guard as soon as they pass the training.


    PRIMROSE: I see¡­


    SET: Weird, isn¡¯t it? A few months ago, I thought I was training them to protect our people from yours.


    Hey!


    Set whistles the dogs back to attention. Primrose looks pissed.


    SET: Don¡¯t look like that. They don¡¯t attack unless they¡¯re told. Here, see this old girl? This is my Kahmen. Want to pat her? She likes it around the ears, like this¡­


    While Primrose and Danielle take a moment to pat Kahmen, Set glances at the front of the house before pouncing on Ares.


    SET: You¡¯re finally home.


    ARES: You saying you missed me?


    SET: It¡¯s just that we expected you five weeks ago, and Dad¡¯s going insane. He keeps going on and on about what an honour this is for you and how we all need to hurry up and get married so he can meet his grandchildren¡­ it¡¯s weird.


    ARES: That is weird. He hates kids.


    SET: Yeah, well, anyway. I¡¯m glad you¡¯re home.


    ARES: For a couple years, at least. Where is everyone?


    SET: Not expecting you. Did you tell Osprey you were coming? I don¡¯t think he mentioned¡­


    ARES: We didn¡¯t write. Primrose decided she was tired last minute.


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯d just like a short rest before we start travelling again.


    ARES: Yeah, yeah. Well, let¡¯s do it, then. Danielle, will you help with the bags? We¡¯ll call for the servants once we¡¯re inside.


    SET: Why are you bothering to help? Just let her do it.


    ARES: Well, Set¡­ Danielle isn¡¯t a servant. They don¡¯t have those in Tijora.


    SET: ¡­So then, what is she?


    PRIMROSE: She¡¯s my assistant.


    SET: ¡­what¡¯s the difference?


    ARES: It¡¯s kind of like being a squire without the combat training.


    SET: ¡­so, a servant?


    PRIMROSE: It¡¯s different. The word ¡®servant¡¯ suggests a lack of respect.


    SET: I mean, yeah. Of course, it does. You, me, Ares¡­ we¡¯re descendants of literal Gods. Servants are just built differently.


    *?? ??*????


    The kitchens of the castle are enormous, with a large dining area where the Night Staff are gathered around for lunch.


    Though there are many people employed to upkeep the castle, there are also a small number of employees who live at the castle full time. Referred to as night staff, they have a range of important duties. They must tend to every need, be ready at a moment¡¯s notice, and keep complete confidentiality on everything that happens in the castle. Working up to sixteen hours a day, they tend to have insider knowledge on a lot of the castle¡¯s darkest secrets.


    Tiger, the head chef, is working away.


    TIGER: Alright everyone, how are we on that lunch preparation? Augustus, how¡¯s the bread?


    AUGUSTUS: I still don¡¯t understand why we can¡¯t buy a slicer. Do posh people really think it¡¯s better if it¡¯s sliced by hand?


    TIGER: Not what I asked, little fucker. Osprey, how¡¯re those potatoes?


    OSPREY: Uh¡­naked, I guess?


    TIGER: Someone want to explain why everyone is being so annoying today? Is this part of the Ares-is-absent fever?


    OSPREY: That¡¯s Lord Ares to you, and yes, it is. He¡¯s a calming presence, at least for Lord Kur. And especially for me.


    AUGUSTUS: That¡¯s because you¡¯re his squire, and he gets to take you away from this place. Meanwhile, I have to answer to Set.


    ELIZABETH: But you have to admit, Kur is calmer when Lord Ares is here.


    AUGUSTUS: Sure¡­ why is that, again?


    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    It¡¯s clear Augustus is poking some sort of bear, but Osprey doesn¡¯t take the bait.


    OSPREY: Did Set do something to you, Augustus? I thought you said he hadn¡¯t whipped you in a while.


    AUGUSTUS: He called me stupid. Me. He¡¯s failing classes I aced. Little fucking idiot.


    ELIZABETH: Ooh, careful with that. If you say it in front of us, you might say it in front of him by accident.


    OSPREY: Can you imagine? Bet the whippings would start up again, then¡­


    ELIZABETH: Might be worth it to see the young master¡¯s face, though.


    AUGUSTUS: You¡¯re telling me¡­


    Python, family nurse and squire to Minerva Saber, enters.


    PYTHON: Oh, good, you¡¯re both here.


    OSPREY: What¡¯d¡¯ya want with us now?


    PYTHON: ¡­he¡¯s back.


    OSPREY: Who¡¯s back? Lord Ares?!


    PYTHON: Alongside Princess Primrose and her assistant. Come on, hurry up!


    Augustus and Osprey Bird hurry to fix themselves then rush from the kitchens.


    Osprey is Ares¡¯s personal squire, which means he will be Ares¡¯s right-hand man when they go to battle. It also means he helps handle more personal affairs, such as scheduling visits with other lords and ladies or hiding dead bodies. A squire is the highest rank a peasant can hope to be. Augustus, on the other hand, is Set¡¯s page. Set isn¡¯t a knight yet, and neither of them have been to the knight¡¯s academy. A page has all the same expectations as a squire, save for the respected title.


    Osprey and Augustus hurry to the entryway to find Primrose and Ares waiting.


    ARES: Osprey, there you are! Primrose, these are two of our best workers, Osprey and Augustus. Augustus, get these things upstairs. Have you seen the boss?


    OSPREY: He¡¯s probably in the¡ª


    HORUS: I thought I heard voices.


    Lord Horus Saber appears from the direction of the library. Ares breaks into a giant smile.


    ARES: Horus.


    HORUS: Finally decided to come back, did you?


    ARES: Wanted to come tell you all about how terrible you are at your job.


    ¡­good to see you, Baron.


    HORUS: Good to have you back, brother. How was your honeymoon?


    ARES: It was amazing. *We fell in love.*


    HORUS: No. Seriously?


    ARES: Yep.


    HORUS: Well¡­ that is amazing¡­


    Though clearly affectionate for one another, the two men share only a handshake. Very alike in appearance, Horus stands taller than Ares, with broad shoulders and sharp features. Horus, the true Baron of Cragg, is the eldest of the Saber siblings.


    While Horus greets Primrose, Python appears quietly beside Ares. Python has worked for the Saber family for almost thirty years, and only in the last ten has become a squire. Ares gives her a big smile and rests his hand on her shoulder.


    ARES: Python! Good to see you. Let me guess. Minerva is still asleep?


    PYTHON: On her way down now.


    HORUS: Good. Lunch shouldn¡¯t be far off. We can eat before you rest. We¡¯ll have someone give you a proper tour of the castle later.


    PRIMROSE: Oh, yes please. I might need five. This place is huge!


    HORUS: You should see the palace at Capital City.


    Minerva Saber, the only living daughter, enters.


    ARES: There you are! Thanks for getting up.


    MINERVA: You¡¯re not welcome.


    ARES: Don¡¯t be like that. C¡¯mon, remember Primrose?


    MINERVA: Vividly.


    HORUS: I was just telling Primrose that if she thinks our home is big, she should visit the palace.


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯d love to see it, but something tells me I wouldn¡¯t be welcome there.


    MINERVA: You¡¯ve got that right.


    ARES: Calm down, Minerva. Why are you acting so angry?


    MINERVA: Usual reasons.


    HORUS: Her potions have been exploding on her.


    MINERVA: That¡¯s not why I¡¯m angry. I¡¯m angry because you didn¡¯t write to tell us when you¡¯d be here.


    ARES: Spare of the moment. I thought you¡¯d be happy to see me! C¡¯mon¡­


    Ares wrestles a hug out of her. She pushes him away but smiles. Minerva looks almost identical to Ares in the face, but she¡¯s considerably shorter.


    MINERVA: Stop it. Buffoon. Where¡¯s father?


    KUR: I¡¯m here.


    Kur Saber, acting Baron of Cragg and father to the Saber children, has been standing up the stairs, listening.


    KUR: Welcome back, son.


    ARES: Yeah, good to be back.


    KUR: Would you step into my study? Immediately, please. Primrose, Osprey will take you to your room.


    Kur turns around and leaves. Primrose despairs at the interaction.


    PRIMROSE: A little ominous, isn¡¯t it? He didn¡¯t even say hello.


    ARES: Nah, that¡¯s just dad. I better go. I¡¯ll meet you at my room, alright?


    Ares gives Primrose a big, inappropriate kiss and takes to the stairs. Primrose smiles awkwardly between Osprey, Horus and Minerva. Danielle coughs politely behind them.


    PRIMROSE: Well¡­ I guess I better go unpack. Osprey?


    OSPREY: Yes, my lady. Follow me.


    Osprey leads her away. Horus and Minerva stand together.


    MINERVA: She¡¯s not going to have an easy time here, is she?


    HORUS: Be nice, Minerva. Ares said he fell in love with her.


    MINERVA: Oh, gross. He would do something like that, wouldn¡¯t he?


    HORUS: Yep, classic Ares¡­


    Upstairs, Ares enters his father¡¯s study. The smoke from Kur¡¯s cigar dangles in the air.


    KUR: So, how was the honeymoon?


    ARES: Fine, thanks.


    Ares hangs awkwardly back, not approaching his father. Kur takes a long drag of his cigar, not saying anything. Ares fidgets.


    ARES: How were things here?


    KUR: They were¡­


    Kur turns to Ares without finishing his thought.


    KUR: A letter came for you.


    ARES: What about?


    KUR: ¡­magic. You¡¯ve been summoned.


    *?? ??*????


    Osprey is taking Primrose and Danielle up to the room. On the way, he stops to show her a portrait of a pale woman with red hair and blue eyes.


    OSPREY: And this is Lady Eleanor, Ares¡¯s mother, previous Baron of Cragg.


    PRIMROSE: She was beautiful.


    OSPREY: Yes, she was.


    PRIMROSE: How long ago did she die?


    OSPREY: Nearly nineteen years. I knew her, briefly.


    PRIMROSE: Wow. You¡¯ve worked here a long time.


    OSPREY: Yes, my lady. If you¡¯ll follow me¡­


    PRIMROSE: Can I ask another question?


    OSPREY: Of course.


    PRIMROSE: Well, I can¡¯t help but notice that the rest of the family doesn¡¯t exactly look¡­


    OSPREY: ¡­like their mother?


    PRIMROSE: Just wondering where¡ª


    OSPREY: Lord Kur was born in Nedaeya, Daegon.


    PRIMROSE: Really?


    OSPREY: You should ask Lord Ares about it. Here we are.


    Ares¡¯s room is a bit warmer and softer than the rest of the castle. Osprey sets down some things and begins unpacking.


    PRIMROSE: Hm? Oh, Osprey. Don¡¯t do that now. Ares and I can do it later.


    OSPREY: It¡¯s part of my job, my lady. He¡¯s too important to waste time unpacking, and no-one else may handle his things. Even you.


    PRIMROSE: ¡­you are Osprey, right?


    OSPREY: Yes, my lady.


    PRIMROSE: It¡¯s just¡­ you¡¯re so different from all the stories I¡¯ve heard. The way Ares talked about you, I thought you were more of a best friend than a¡­


    OSPREY: ¡­than a servant?


    PRIMROSE: ¡­sorry.


    OSPREY: No matter, my lady. But I do take this job seriously.


    PRIMROSE: He told me you helped him rob a pub.


    OSPREY: ¡­he told you that story, huh? Look, robbed makes it sound violent. We just¡­ helped ourselves to some liquor we¡¯d been told not to buy. I¡¯m sure we¡¯ve made up for it since then.


    PRIMROSE: If you go out drinking with him, there must be some flexibility to your work.


    OSPREY: Sometimes the job requires helping him have fun. Listen, my lady, I don¡¯t mean to speak out of turn, but may I make a suggestion?


    PRIMROSE: Of course. You¡¯re not out of turn at all.


    OSPREY: Thank you. Thing is, there is a big divide between the servants and the family. If something goes wrong, we can be severely punished. Physically.


    PRIMROSE: Are¨C are you serious?


    OSPREY: Yes, my lady. Please, when you¡¯re with us, don¡¯t address us as friends, and keep tales like the one you just shared secret. Lord Kur is unforgiving when it comes to lower-class mingling with his children.


    PRIMROSE: That¡¯s¡­ awful.


    OSPREY: We¡¯re very thankful for the work Lord Kur has given us. Alright, I need to get this laundry off. Danielle, want me to show you to your room? Or I can take you later if you¡¯d prefer.


    Primrose grabs Danielle for support. Osprey laughs kindly.


    DANIELLE: I think I¡¯ll wait here for a bit. See you soon.


    Osprey leaves. Danielle and Primrose freeze for a moment before collapsing in heaps.


    DANIELLE: Are you okay?


    PRIMROSE: No. I feel surrounded. I can feel everyone¡¯s hatred of me burning into my skull. At least my family made an effort when they met Ares.


    DANIELLE: Ares took some time to warm up to you, didn¡¯t he? And now he loves you. Give them time to get to know you.


    PRIMROSE: Yeah¡­ I can¡¯t believe papa expects me to learn things out here. From Lord Kur. Who isn¡¯t even a man of Hituh!


    DANIELLE: Now he is terrifying. Chills.


    PRIMROSE: I think you might be treated like a servant, Dani.


    DANIELLE: So long as no-one tries to hurt me, we¡¯re good.


    PRIMROSE: If they do, I¡¯ll murder them where they stand.


    DANIELLE: See? Everything is fine. Besides, being a servant will be good. I¡¯ll get insider gossip.


    PRIMROSE: Good point.


    DANIELLE: And you¡¯ll be fine without me around. You have Ares. He¡¯s great, right?


    PRIMROSE: Yeah¡­ wow, he¡¯s amazing. Danielle, can you believe I¡¯m so lucky?


    DANIELLE: ¡­Not really.


    PRIMROSE: Oh, wait till you know him better.


    Ares comes in a second later, looking sulky.


    PRIMROSE: Speak of the devil! How¡¯s your dad?


    ARES: Uh¡­ he was fine. Did Osprey leave already?


    PRIMROSE: Not so long ago. Everything okay?


    ARES: I need to talk to you. Danielle, could you give us a minute?


    DANIELLE: Certainly, Ares. Just point me in the right direction, and¡­


    ARES: No, you¡¯ll get lost. Hang on¡­ (leans out his bedroom door) Python! Get in here! Oh, and Danielle, call me ¡®Lord¡¯ Ares while you¡¯re here.


    Python appears. Primrose and Danielle exchange worried looks.


    PYTHON: Yes, my lord?


    ARES: Take Danielle to her room and get her settled, please. Ensure she¡¯s not given any work until I¡¯ve had time to discuss it with Marsden myself.


    PYTHON: Certainly, my lord. She¡¯s set up on the system, so you can call for her on your watches anytime.


    ARES: Thanks, Python. See you soon, Danielle.


    DANIELLE: Okay¡­ see you soon, Prim¡ª Lady Primrose.


    Python leads Danielle out. Ares struggles to find the words, deep concern knit in his brow. Primrose places a gentle hand on his shoulder.


    PRIMROSE: Ares?


    He hugs her suddenly.


    ARES: A letter came for me. From the queen.


    PRIMROSE: What about? Is everything okay? She hasn¡¯t changed her mind about us, has she?


    ARES: No, no, thank goodness, no. She, uh¡­ needs me to go to the capital. For a couple days.


    PRIMROSE: You¡¯re¡­ leaving me here?


    ARES: It won¡¯t be for long. I can¡¯t bring you with me ¡ª it isn¡¯t safe. We need to give people time to let the news settle.


    PRIMROSE: But¡­ you want me to stay here, alone?


    ARES: Hey, you¡¯re the one who wanted to get to know my family. If we¡¯d kept holidaying, we might have missed the invitation.


    PRIMROSE: ¡­what does she want?


    ARES: ¡­Magic.


    PRIMROSE: Oh! You mean like, she wants you to cast a spell?


    ARES: I have no idea, Primrose. She¡¯s asked for people with human-magic to report to the capital for further instruction. That¡¯s all I know. I have no idea what she could want. No-one¡¯s ever asked me to do anything more than a party trick.


    There are two schools of magic accessed by ¡°humans¡±.


    Godly magic ¨C referred to in the West commonly as elemental magic, is magic passed onto humans from the gods who lived among them. Those who control fire, earth and water are considered nobility. Other godly magic is extremely rare to come across. Although they¡¯re enormously powerful, elementals are far and few, and typically only found in nobility.


    Human magic, however, takes on an entirely different form. Older than the gods themselves, human magic can be manipulated in many different ways. At its core, it relies on tapping away from a physical connection to the earth and leaning into a spiritual connection instead, allowing the soul to be manipulated into power. The soul can be turned into beams of energy that shoots at its victims, it can be used in alchemy, it can be used to generate shields or create illusions. It can be very, very powerful, and very, very unpredictable.


    Ares lifts his hand, bringing with it a small sphere of blue light. He rolls it gently over his fingers before flicking it upwards where it explodes in little sparkles that flicker briefly before disappearing. Primrose grabs at his hand.


    PRIMROSE: Surely it can¡¯t be for anything too serious. I thought they had extensive training for warfare mages, right? You never did the training, so she¡¯s hardly likely to ask you to do anything too serious.


    ARES: ¡­when I told you I never did the warfare training, what I didn¡¯t tell you was that I was home-schooled for it. A little. I call on my magic to fight when I need it.


    PRIMROSE: Ares. You were telling me not long ago that your mental health isn¡¯t good. You shouldn¡¯t be doing magic if you¡¯re unwell.


    ARES: Yeah. I know.


    PRIMROSE: Did something happen?


    ARES: Yes. Things got out of control, and it took a while for things to get back to normal¡­ please, calm down. I¡¯m okay now.


    PRIMROSE: Doesn¡¯t she have enough mages? I don¡¯t want you to risk going insane. What if¡ª


    ARES: Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t go insane as long as I have you here waiting for me, I can promise you that. Look, you were probably right when you said it was nothing. I¡¯m just upset because I don¡¯t even like entertaining the idea. I¡¯m going to go shower, then we¡¯ll go down for lunch. Okay?


    PRIMROSE: Okay¡­


    Ares disappears into the ensuite, then reappears a second later.


    ARES: Hey. Come with me.


    PRIMROSE: Sure. Just give me a second.


    Ares leaves, and Primrose waits to hear the shower before she lets out a huge sigh.


    PRIMROSE: Well, papa, now I¡¯m here. What secrets am I supposed to learn, exactly?

 The In-Laws

    <h2>The in-laws.</h2>


    Back in the kitchens, the servants help Tiger prepare for dinner. The night staff all have vastly different schedules, so it¡¯s rare for them all to have time to gather together. When they do, they tend to make the most of it.


    ELIZABETH: Go on, Osprey. Tell us more about them.


    OSPREY: Not much else to tell so far. Primrose is kind, and she actually does seem to care about Ares, which is a nice surprise. Once she¡¯s settled, I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll be fine.


    PYTHON: She¡¯ll be fine. What about us? If she keeps trying to treat us like a friend, we¡¯re going to get whipped for it.


    AUGUSTUS: What a sad state of the world that someone being kind to other human beings means they¡¯re ostracised. She won¡¯t fit in with them, or with us. Who¡¯s she going to talk to?


    OSPREY: Her servant¡ª that is, assistant.


    ELIZABETH: I mean, seriously? What even is the difference between them?


    AUGUSTUS: Between the work? Not a lot. Between the titles? Everything. She¡¯ll be given leeway we would never even dream of. Not to mention, better hours. She¡¯ll probably earn the same respect as Marsden, maybe more. Even if she never does a thing to earn her keep.


    ELIZABETH: Now, why would you assume she won¡¯t earn her keep?


    PYTHON: You can just tell. Trust us on that one.


    ELIZABETH: Well¡­ I¡¯m excited about her being here. I want to learn about Tijora. A life by the ocean sounds relaxing and romantic. Osprey, will you go with them when they go?


    OSPREY: If they ask me, I¡¯ll go. No questions.


    TIGER: Can you all stop waffling so much? It¡¯s time to take up dinner.


    OSPREY: Sheesh, Tiger. You¡¯re always so grumpy. Everyone ready?


    PYTHON: Dinner with Ares¡¯s wife¡­ hard to know what to expect, really.


    AUGUSTUS: Want to place bets? Will Lord Kur be pleasant or insane?


    OSPREY: Watch your tongue, Augustus. Just do your jobs. That¡¯s all we ever have to do.


    The servants take their plates of food and head through to the dining room. The whole family is already seated.


    ARES: Then, after climbing Mount Otto, we stayed a night in Din¡¯s Vale, and now we¡¯re home. We want to continue out East as soon as we¡¯re rested.


    MINERVA: Sounds like you had a lovely time. And I hear you fell in love with each other while you were there.


    ARES: ¡­Uh, yeah. We did. Sorry, Minerva. I know that goes against your anti-arranged marriage stances.


    MINERVA: Don¡¯t be silly. I¡¯m happy you¡¯re happy. Less happy I¡¯ll get to hear how happy you are, seeing as our rooms are next to one another.


    ARES: We¡¯re not animals.


    KUR: Let¡¯s not be vulgar at the dinner table. In any case, Ares, I¡¯m glad you¡¯re home. I hope your new wife adjusts to our way of life here quickly, we wouldn¡¯t want anyone giving her a hard time thanks to those clothes. I had Marsden take inventory in the nursery, there¡¯s probably things to add and replace, you can look it over when you have the time.


    ARES: Uh, actually¡­


    KUR: What?


    ARES: Thing is¡­ Primrose and I talked about it, and I know Queen Jade and the Tijoran elders wanted Primrose and I to start a family, but we¡¯re too young to do that right now.


    KUR: ¡­no children?


    PRIMROSE: Let me clarify, Lord Kur. No children yet. I definitely want kids one day, just not for a few years.


    There¡¯s an uncomfortable silence. Set snickers to himself.


    HORUS: Forgive him, Primrose. Father¡¯s keen to have grandchildren. I¡¯m sure your parents are the same.


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯m the oldest of nine. They¡¯re not in any rush. Sorry.


    KUR: I suppose I can wait a couple years. Maybe I wouldn¡¯t have to, if my other children would hurry up and find someone to marry. They¡¯ve been dodging the subject for weeks.


    HORUS: We¡¯re not dodging the subject, it¡¯s just that there¡¯s nothing new to discuss. There¡¯s no-one out there for me or Minerva, strategically speaking. It¡¯s not like there¡¯s any hurry.


    KUR: Except that all of us are getting old, and I want to meet my grandchildren. At this rate, Set will be the next to get married. People will think there¡¯s something wrong with how I raised you.


    SET: ¡­Actually, Dad? About me getting married?


    KUR: Gods, Set. Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re backing out of your marriage with Madam Jean.


    HORUS: We organised that almost a year ago.


    SET: I know, and I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯ll marry her, it¡¯s just¡­ I wanted to ask if it was okay¡­ to marry someone else.


    HORUS: Don¡¯t tell us you have someone in mind?


    SET: No, not at all. It¡¯s just¡­ ah¡­


    KUR: Spit it out, Set.


    SET: ¡­I¡¯ll never be able to fall in love with Madam Jean. I want a chance at that.


    ARES: Why can¡¯t you fall in love with her? You¡¯d be surprised¡ª


    SET: Because I prefer men.


    A brief silence is followed by laughter from Horus, Minerva and Ares. Set waits patiently for Kur¡¯s reaction.


    KUR: You¡­prefer men?


    SET: Yes, Dad. Sorry.


    KUR: Want to tell me how you know?


    SET: What?


    KUR: It¡¯s not like you¡¯ve tried man or woman¡­ unless you¡¯re not longer chaste, of course¡­


    SET: I¡¯m chaste, father, and promise to stay that way until marriage, which is more than we can say for some people at the table.


    I¡¯d rather not go into any physical details of how I know, but¡­ I know. I can¡¯t fall in love with Jean.


    HORUS: Why does that matter? You don¡¯t have to love someone to marry them.


    SET: Well, that hardly seems fair. I¡¯d be marrying her under false pretences. And besides¡­ I thought the whole point of staying chaste was about finding someone you love. I mean, Ares and Primrose weren¡¯t in love, but they are now. Dad, you and mama were never meant to be married, but because you loved each other it worked. I mean¡­ maybe it¡¯s stupid, but I at least want a chance to fall in love. So, yeah, I¡¯m asking, please don¡¯t make me marry Jean.


    A silence drags for a while, most people watching Kur for his reaction. Primrose coughs uncomfortably.


    KUR: ¡­fine.


    SET: Wait, really?


    KUR: Yes. Really. The pool of noble men willing to date men is small, though. Are you prepared to settle?


    SET: ¡­I mean, yes. Within reason.


    MINERVA: Aw, Set¡¯s gonna marry an old pervert.


    HORUS: No, he is not.


    MINERVA: What, you want him to find someone younger?


    HORUS: Is that your plan, is it?


    MINERVA: You know, father, seeing as Set isn¡¯t marrying Jean, maybe Horus could marry her?


    KUR: ¡­interesting.


    HORUS: Absolutely not. She¡¯s half my age.


    KUR: Fifteen years isn¡¯t such a big difference.


    HORUS: No, father.


    ARES: *I am so glad not to be roped into these conversations anymore.*


    PRIMROSE: *Me too. I guess this is something our families have in common.*


    KUR: I¡¯m sorry, is there something the two of you want to share?


    ARES: Sorry, Dad. There¡¯s nothing.


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    KUR: Hm.


    Osprey refills Ares and Primrose¡¯s glasses. Primrose smiles at him.


    PRIMROSE: Thank you.


    The room goes quiet at her words. Ares laughs sheepishly.


    ARES: Uh¡­ Primrose? We don¡¯t normally thank the servants.


    PRIMROSE: Really? Why?


    ARES: It¡¯s kind of hard to explain¡ª


    KUR: It¡¯s because they¡¯re less. Don¡¯t let their vests and polished shoes fool you ¡ª when I hired them, they were just as dirty and ignorant as any common villager. They don¡¯t have the same blood we do. There¡¯s no need to thank someone like that. You wouldn¡¯t thank the mailman, would you?


    PRIMROSE: Well¡­ actually, yes. We thank our mailman all the time.


    Silence lingers until Set laughs.


    SET: Sorry. Sorry. It¡¯s just funny to me. I guess your family dinners look pretty different to this one, huh Primrose?


    PRIMROSE: You could say that. For one thing, there¡¯s eleven of us. We also tend to play music.


    MINERVA: That would make the awkward silences easier to fill.


    KUR: Yes, your culture is rather different to ours. Differences in culture can be a strain on new relationships.


    PRIMROSE: Yeah, so can being separated from your husband.


    The room goes quiet again.


    HORUS: Am I to assume this has something to do with the letter that came for Ares?


    KUR: Yes. Ares is paying the capital a visit.


    MINERVA: For how long?


    ARES: I dunno. Depends how long they hold me there. I reckon I¡¯ll be home within ten days. Primrose is worried it will be longer.


    HORUS: Dare I ask what it¡¯s all about?


    KUR: Not now. There¡¯s no point worrying, Primrose. I don¡¯t know how they do it in Tijora, but Ares will be safe as he travels to the Capital.


    PRIMROSE: ¡­What does that mean, exactly?


    SET: Sorry to interrupt. I just want to be very clear ¡ª I¡¯m not marrying Jean, right?


    KUR: ¡­No, Set. You aren¡¯t marrying Jean.


    None of my children are marrying anyone.


    ARES: ¡­I just got married?


    HORUS: Listen. What if we held Solstice this year? We can invite potential new marriage candidates for all of us, not to mention, smooth over whatever feathers this new marriage has ruffled.


    KUR: I suppose that¡¯s true¡­ people will be wanting to meet her¡­


    HORUS: Perfect. Then there¡¯ll be no more marriage talk until then.


    KUR: ¡­I see you¡¯ve all decided to gang up on me. I suppose I¡¯ll retire, then.


    ARES: Dad, we weren¡¯t¡ª


    KUR: I understand. It¡¯s how siblings are. Servants, have Marsden bring me some wine. Primrose, there is a lot to learn about this place. I¡¯d like you in my study tomorrow morning at ten so I can make some of my expectations clear.


    PRIMROSE: I look forward to that very much.


    KUR: Wonderful. Good evening.


    Kur leaves, giving Set and Minerva a head kiss on the way out. As soon as the door is closed, everyone noticeably relaxes, including servants.


    ARES: You can relax now, Primrose. The Big Bad Wolf is tucked away for the evening.


    HORUS: With Set coming out victorious. I¡¯ve caught you with your hand up girls¡¯ skirts, Set. You¡¯re telling me you¡¯re only interested in men now?


    SET: Yes, Horus. None of that was a lie, honest! I really thought he¡¯d freak out. I¡¯m going to need a surrogate to have kids now.


    ARES: You always make Dad out to be a monster, but he¡¯s normally pretty reasonable. The only one who¡¯s ever been forced into a marriage is me.


    PRIMROSE: And we got pretty lucky.


    ARES: Yeah, well¡­ he wouldn¡¯t have agreed if we didn¡¯t have a chance. Love does matter to him.


    MINERVA: Easy for the favourite child to say.


    ARES: You think I¡¯m the favourite?!


    HORUS: Shall we not? get into it? The point I was making, is Set¡¯s a snake.


    SET: I¡¯m not a snake! Those girls you saw me with¡­ call them unresponsive tests.


    PRIMROSE: While we¡¯re on it, I want to ask about your version of being ¡®chaste¡¯. How can you call yourself chaste when you¡¯ve had your hands up girls¡¯ skirts?


    SET: It was just my hands. So long as no-one touches me, which they haven¡¯t, it counts. I¡¯m a good boy.


    ARES: At least tell a joke that¡¯s somewhat believable.


    MINERVA: He got the ¡®boy¡¯ part right. Isn¡¯t it time for little boys to go to bed?


    SET: I¡¯m not a little boy. I¡¯m literally taller than you.


    MINERVA: Yet still so unwise. Goodnight, Set.


    SET: What! They haven¡¯t even brought out the dessert, yet.


    MINERVA: Ruin your figure if you want.


    HORUS: Can we all stop bickering? We¡¯re making a terrible impression on our guest. Sorry, Primrose. We¡¯re not normally like this.


    SET: We¡¯re normally much, much worse.


    PRIMROSE: Please, don¡¯t apologise. I have eight siblings, remember? I know how tense a family dinner can get.


    MINERVA: Is your father psychotic, too?


    HORUS: Don¡¯t, Minerva. Our father is abrupt, but I assure you, Primrose, that he¡¯s very just and fair.


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯m sure he is. I hope to learn a lot from him ¡ª from all of you ¡ª while I¡¯m here.


    HORUS: Good. There¡¯s a lot to learn.


    I¡¯d better go up and keep working. Set, straight to bed after dessert, alright?


    SET: I¡¯m not having any. Might ruin my figure.


    HORUS: Don¡¯t be dramatic. Goodnight, everyone.


    Horus leaves. Primrose offers Minerva a smile, but she looks away.


    ARES: They¡¯re a dramatic pair, those two. I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m leaving so soon. Being here really made me realise how much I need rest.


    MINERVA: Why are you going, anyway?


    ARES: Magic stuff. I¡¯d better practice tonight, actually. But let¡¯s not get into it now. Minerva, how¡¯s life in the lab?


    MINERVA: It¡¯s fine. Business as usual.


    SET: She¡¯s been blowing stuff up.


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯m sorry, did you saying blowing stuff up?


    ARES: Minerva is a chemist. She makes potions and poisons. It¡¯s her way of getting out of combat.


    MINERVA: Ha-ha.


    SET: Lately she¡¯s been working on something explosive.


    ARES: That¡¯s not like you.


    MINERVA: I wanted to get away from poisons for a bit. There¡¯s only so much you can do to someone¡¯s heart.


    PRIMROSE: Heart?


    ARES: Minerva is famous for something called Vascular Venom. It¡¯s a poison that slowly eats away at your heart¡¯s valves, and eventually gives you a heart attack. It takes several days to work, making it really difficult to trace. Minerva perfected the stuff when she was what, seventeen? It¡¯s still her biggest seller, even now, no-one¡¯s done any better.


    MINERVA: Ares, don¡¯t give away country secrets to a terrorist.


    ARES: Don¡¯t call her that. She¡¯s not the enemy.


    SET: She was until a few weeks ago. I¡¯m interested to see what father does to her tomorrow at ten.


    PRIMROSE: You make it sound like he¡¯s planning on attacking me.


    SET: I mean¡­ he might.


    ARES: Shut-up, Set. Don¡¯t worry, Primrose. Dad¡¯s fine.


    MINERVA: Let her decide that for herself.


    *?? ??*????


    Ares stands alone on the second-floor balcony. As he breathes in the clean, crisp air, he exhales a bright blue energy. As he begins his routine, blue energy follows him, radiating strength as he shoots it towards the sky in energy waves. Horus enters from behind and watches for a while before speaking.


    HORUS: Didn¡¯t we agree you wouldn¡¯t practice alone anymore?


    ARES: I¡¯m just doing some warm-ups. I¡¯m hardly likely to get hurt.


    HORUS: Right¡­ so this is what your visit to the capital is all about, then?


    ARES: They¡¯re summoning people who use human magic for some sort of testing. My magic is still pretty low-level. I doubt they¡¯ll want me for anything.


    HORUS: ¡­let¡¯s hope not.


    Don¡¯t keep pushing yourself. Practice tomorrow when you¡¯re rested.


    ARES: Dad wants to practice with me tomorrow. I need to warm up before then.


    I¡¯m fine, Horus. Don¡¯t worry. I haven¡¯t forgotten what happened.


    ¡­Please, go away. I¡¯m fine.


    HORUS: ¡­goodnight, Ares.


    Horus leaves. Moments later, Osprey appears.


    OSPREY: Not interrupting, am I?


    ARES: Osprey. It¡¯s so good to see you again.


    OSPREY: Lord Ares. I¡¯m so happy you¡¯re home.


    ARES: How was everything while I was away?


    OSPREY: Fine, Master. Nothing to be concerned about.


    ARES: ¡­no big fights, then?


    OSPREY: I don¡¯t know. I was on leave for most of your departure, though it didn¡¯t feel like it. My siblings kept me on my feet.


    ARES: I¡¯ll bet. The whole thing already feels like a dream. Like, did I really just marry a Tijoran a few weeks ago? Did we really have a wedding, fall in love, travel the mountains? Did all that really happen, only for me to come back here, and nothing¡¯s changed?


    OSPREY: ¡­I¡¯m really happy you fell in love, Master.


    ARES: Me too. I can¡¯t tell you how much. Look, I don¡¯t want to keep you here. It¡¯s past bedtime. Horus obviously sent you to keep an eye on me.


    OSPREY: Of course not. I wanted to see you.


    ARES: Mind if I practice a bit more?


    Osprey nods and Ares continues his routine. Everything is going well, until he tries something too big, and it shoots back, shocking him. He doubles over in pain, and in those moments, millions of whispers scatter in his mind, a carnival of sounds, before dying down again. Osprey watches from a safe distance, waiting for the chi to fade before approaching.


    OSPREY: Ares¡­? Are you alright?


    ARES: Yeah¡­ yeah, I¡¯m okay. I¡¯d better get to bed. Thanks for the company. Oh, Primrose sleeps late, by the way, so don¡¯t come up early. We¡¯ll buzz when we¡¯re ready.


    OSPREY: Yes, Lord Ares.


    ARES: Thanks. See you soon.


    Ares goes inside and leans in the corridor, out of sight. The whispers linger in the walls.


    *?? ??*????


    Ares and Primrose are riding goats through the city outskirts. They stop somewhere close to the giant windfarms.


    PRIMROSE: Wow, these are huge! So much bigger up close. These power the entire city?


    ARES: And then some. Mountains get a lot of wind.


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯ve noticed.


    ARES: Must seem weird when you¡¯re used to water-power. Anyway, what do you think of goat riding?


    PRIMROSE: Exhausting. Very different to riding serpents.


    ARES: Yeah? Well, everyone rides goats around here. They¡¯re kind of necessary for getting around the mountains. I usually train horses, though, the kind we use in wars.


    PRIMROSE: I see.


    ARES: ¡­anyway, how¡¯d your meeting go this morning with my dad?


    PRIMROSE: ¡­well¡­


    KUR: Thank you for coming. I trust you slept well.


    PRIMROSE: Yes, thank you. The mountain air is so refreshing.


    KUR: Yes. It keeps our people level-headed.


    ¡­I want to discuss my expectations with you. I understand you¡¯ll one day be the tribal leader of your little¡­ smidge of land¡­ but while you¡¯re here we expect you to uphold Saber values. We want to see a woman of power and dignity in these halls, one my wife would have been proud to see. Do you know how to fight with a sword?


    PRIMROSE: Uh, a little¡­


    KUR: You¡¯ll learn. Until then, I suggest working on your manners. You smile far too much, it shows weakness.


    PRIMROSE: ¡­Lord Kur. I appreciate our cultures are different and I¡¯m willing to compromise, but you¡¯re kidding yourself if you think I¡¯m going to leave myself behind. I won¡¯t stop smiling, and I won¡¯t stop being kind and saying, ¡®thank you¡¯. And you know what else? You can expect me to teach those same things to your grandchildren, because if you¡¯ll remember, I¡¯m not a Saber, but Ares is a Costa.


    ARES: You¡­ really said all that to my father? What did he say?


    PRIMROSE: Nothing, actually. He stared at me quietly, so I excused myself and left. Now we¡¯re here.


    ARES: I¡¯m sorry. I can¡¯t believe he told you to smile less.


    PRIMROSE: Don¡¯t worry about it. Some old people are set in their ways, thanks to wars. It¡¯s a wonder you turned out so normal, actually.


    ARES: Well, Dad didn¡¯t do much in the way of raising me. I mean, we always trained and dined together, but he was pretty busy most of the time.


    PRIMROSE: If your father didn¡¯t raise you, and your mother died when you were seven, who looked after you growing up?


    ARES: The servants. Most of them have been with us their whole lives. You know Marsden? He was hired when Dad first moved here ¡ª he was twelve years old. Been Dad¡¯s squire and estate steward as long as I can remember. Python moved here when she was nine, or something. Hired when Horus was born, pretty much raised us all from the baby years. Then Osprey was assigned to me when I was six ¡ª normally, kids don¡¯t get a personal servant till they¡¯re over ten, but I was a handful, and mum was pregnant with Set and she¡¯d had a stillbirth the last pregnancy¡­ so, yeah, mostly it¡¯s been Python and Osprey raising me.


    PRIMROSE: I see¡­ no wonder they¡¯re all so defensive around me.


    ARES: They¡¯ll settle down once they get to know you.


    PRIMROSE: Hope so. Danielle said they¡¯re too busy to talk to her much. I think we¡¯ll miss Tijora.


    ARES: You¡¯re talking like we won¡¯t go visit. How¡¯s your legs?


    PRIMROSE: Sore. Riding a goat is really rough on the groin area, isn¡¯t it?


    ARES: Try being a guy. C¡¯mon, let¡¯s head back. It¡¯s my turn to meet with Father for a special talk.


    PRIMROSE: You¡¯re going to be careful, right, Ares? You won¡¯t push your magic too hard.


    ARES: Don¡¯t be silly, Primrose. Magic isn¡¯t as dangerous as everyone makes it out to be. I¡¯ll be fine.


    PRIMROSE: Ares, you¡¯ve already lost control once¡­


    ARES: I was a teenager. I¡¯m not going to lose it now. C¡¯mere. Listen, everything¡¯s going to be fine. Just do me a favour, and don¡¯t challenge my father unless I¡¯m around, alright?


    PRIMROSE: What¡¯s that mean?


    ARES: Just don¡¯t. Let him be a jerk until I get back from capital. Just¡­ don¡¯t do anything reckless while I¡¯m away. Promise?


    PRIMROSE: I¡­ I guess so¡­


    ARES: Good. Now, let¡¯s go.


    Ares takes his goat and starts trotting off. Primrose turns to look at the castle, tucked onto a bed of green that¡¯s sprawling beside the mountains, before turning to catch up to Ares.

 Kur.

    <h2>Kur.</h2>


    The castle dungeons, hidden underneath the earth, has two levels. The upper level is used for torture and execution and the lower level a prison for the most heinous of Cragg criminals. Those who enter the cells are almost never released ¡ª and those who do see light again are never quite the same from having stayed there. The dungeons aren¡¯t visited by the day or night staff but rather manned by the security team. The dungeons are designed to hold more than just humans.


    Ares, Kur and Marsden stand in the upper level. Ares is stripped down, hair dripping wet. Kur and Marsden stand dry, watching him closely.


    KUR: You¡¯ve become lazy. Complacent. When was the last time you trained?


    ARES: Not since¡­ I¡­ I had to take a break¡­


    KUR: Don¡¯t give me excuses! Let¡¯s try it again. Show me your power.


    Ares shakes the water from his eyes and brings back the blue glow. When it forms it together, he shoots it to the side at the body of a decaying criminal, but none of his attacks are powerful to do any more than give the body a light nudge. Kur picks up one of many buckets of icy water and hurls it at Ares, stopping him in his tracks. The same carnival of thoughts comes circling around Ares¡¯s mind. When he doesn¡¯t respond to Kur calling him, Kur rolls his eyes and tosses a towel to Ares.


    KUR: If you don¡¯t practice magic every day, you¡¯ll never learn to control it. What happened to our agreement?


    ARES: It wasn¡¯t safe for me to use it, so I stopped. Father ¡ª


    KUR: Think carefully about what may happen to you if you lose control of yourself again. You¡¯re already in ill-favour for marrying a Tijoran. There won¡¯t be coming back from it this time.


    ARES: I know, but¡ª


    KUR: So, stop letting yourself be distracted! Concentrate, Ares. Your magic is important. Monsters are everywhere right now¡ª


    ARES: I said, I know! Can you stop?!


    A silence hangs after Ares¡¯ outburst. Kur looks furious, but Marsden looks saddened.


    ARES: Sorry. I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m really tired. I only just got home.


    KUR: Yes, much later than we expected. You barely even wrote.


    ARES: We were busy, Dad. I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t write more.


    KUR: ¡­Don¡¯t let her make you forget who you really are, or where your allegiances really lie.


    ARES: I know, I won¡¯t.


    KUR: Good. Let¡¯s try again.


    Ares brings back the magic, pushes through the pain, and then begins to collapse on himself. With head pointed to the ceiling, he slowly sinks to his knees, and starts convulsing.


    KUR: Ares! Come back!


    Ares continues to tremble as blue lights float towards Kur, who slashes them away with his sword. Marsden coughs politely.


    KUR: ¡­Damnit. Call for Horus.


    Marsden calls for Horus and Osprey on his watch. The watches are worn by each member of night staff and the Saber family, allowing them to call whoever they need with the press of a few buttons. Keeping a close eye on Ares and the floating lights, Kur and Marsden wait. Horus arrives to the dungeons first.


    HORUS: What¡¯re you¡ª shit, Ares! Dad¡ª


    KUR: Shut-up, Horus. Just fix it.


    Horus takes Kur¡¯s sword from him and goes forward, using the sword to scare off any magic that creeps towards him. Once he¡¯s close enough, Horus launches himself at Ares, wrapping him in an immobile hug and pressing his forehead firmly into Ares¡¯s own. A soft, orange light begins to spread over Horus, beginning from the fingertips.


    HORUS: Wake up, Ares. Come home. I¡¯m here.


    Ares lets out a guttural, otherworldly screech. The sound rattles Kur and Marsden, but Horus remains calm. The lights coming from Ares are clinging to Horus, slowly engulfing his orange glow. Horus squeezes him harder.


    HORUS: Wake up, Ares. Come back to the human world. Wake up.


    Ares stops screaming. A moment later, the glow around Horus begins to fade, and the lights coming from Ares dim slowly until they disappear. Ares slumps once all the magic from the room is gone, a faint blue glow all that¡¯s left. Osprey arrives just in time to see the soul return to Ares¡¯s body.


    HORUS: Ares? Are you with us?


    ARES: ¡­Yes. I¡¯m fine, don¡¯t¡ª


    A violent shudder interrupts him as the light surges, then goes away again. Ares clutches at Horus.


    ARES: I¡¯m really cold.


    HORUS: ¡­Osprey? Take Ares to the library and keep him close to the fire. Stay with him until I arrive.


    Osprey hurries forward and hoists Ares up without too much difficulty. They stagger out, leaving Horus, Marsden, and Kur behind.


    HORUS: One day. That¡¯s how long it took you to break him.


    KUR: You¡¯re adopting Set¡¯s flair for the dramatic. He¡¯s not broken¡­


    HORUS: What would¡¯ve happened if I wasn¡¯t here?


    KUR: ¡­Everything is fine, Horus. Stop worrying so much. Ares is a soldier. He needs to learn to be pushed. He hasn¡¯t seen the same wars as you.


    HORUS: Let¡¯s hope he never does. Why doesn¡¯t it frighten you to see him like that? Can¡¯t you see what I see? The danger he¡¯s in?


    KUR: Don¡¯t be so theatrical. It doesn¡¯t suit you. Make sure his wife doesn¡¯t see him like that.


    Kur exits. Horus eyes Marsden mopping up the water.


    HORUS: How long were they practicing down here?


    MARSDEN: I can¡¯t say for sure, my lord. Less than an hour.


    HORUS: ¡­what did he do to him?


    MARSDEN: It isn¡¯t my place to say, my lord.


    HORUS: You¡¯re not supposed to be down here. Get upstairs. Someone from security will clean up.


    MARSDEN: Certainly. I¡¯m sorry for the intrusion.


    Marsden leaves, and Horus collapses suddenly. Head pounding, heart racing, he stays kneeling for a long time, his face twisted in pain.


    *?? ??*????


    Osprey lays Ares down carefully in front of the fire, calling for Python once he¡¯s down. He then takes some blankets from the cupboard and rushes to pack them around Ares. The fire seems to restore some of his energy.


    ARES: Osprey?


    OSPREY: Shh, rest, Ares.


    ARES: No, listen. We can¡¯t make a big deal out of this to Primrose. She¡¯s already freaked out about the whole magic thing.


    OSPREY: With good reason. Wait here while I go get some tea.


    Osprey rushes from the room before Ares can protest. While he waits for tea to boil, Python passes him.


    PYTHON: What¡¯s¡ª


    OSPREY: Ares. By the fire. Go quick.


    Python breaks into a run. Osprey leans against the small table while he waits and closes his eyes. He takes a few deep breaths before he slaps himself back to attention. He quickly makes tea and heads back to the library, where Python is taking temperature and checking blood pressure. Osprey hands Ares the tea and sits down beside him.


    ARES: I already feel a lot better. I was just so cold¡­


    PYTHON: He doesn¡¯t seem to have any problems. A warm bath and he¡¯ll be right as rain. Osprey, why don¡¯t you go run one for him?


    ARES: No, Primrose¡¯s asleep in our room. Goat-riding completely exhausted her. I¡¯ll do it. Just let me rest here for a while, okay?


    OSPREY: Certainly. Let me get you some pillows.


    PYTHON: Ares, can I ask you to tell me what day it is?


    ARES: It¡¯s Friday. Honestly, I¡¯m fine.


    PYTHON: Can you please follow the light with your eyes?


    Osprey waits beside them with pillows and watches while Python shines a torch for Ares. He can follow the light, but he¡¯s extremely irritated. He seems relieved when she puts it away.


    PYTHON: Full name?


    ARES: Ares Saber. No, Ares Costa.


    PYTHON: Who is our current Monarch?


    ARES: The Stone Queen ¨C- Queen Jade Sama.


    PYTHON: Which war did you fight most recently?


    ARES: Python, this is¡­


    PYTHON: Please, Ares. You seem to have hit your head. Most recent battle?


    ARES: Uh¡­ a year ago. With the three towns across the border. I led soldiers across the bridge, the enemy rode sea serpents that attacked us as we went.


    PYTHON: Can you tell me the name of anyone who was there with you?


    ARES: Lumos. He was always there, somehow, he always survived.


    Is it kind of loud in here?


    Python and Osprey look at each other, feeling the silence hanging around them. Python places a gentle hand on Ares¡¯s forehead as though feeling his temperature.


    PYTHON: Lumos? I don¡¯t remember him ever mentioning a Lumos before.


    OSPREY: I¡¯ve never heard of a Lumos before.


    Is he¡­?


    PYTHON: Physically he¡¯s fine, just needs some rest.


    OSPREY: Mentally?


    ARES: You guys know I can hear you, right?


    PYTHON: He seems okay, mostly. Disoriented. A sleep would do him good.


    ARES: I told you, I¡¯m fine.


    PYTHON: Can you tell us anything more about Lumos? What¡¯d he look like?


    ARES: You know Lumos. Osprey met him. White hair, lots of tattoos.


    Look, I¡¯m not doing this. I¡¯m going upstairs to bathe and sleep. See you later.


    PYTHON: If you insist, my lord. But if you feel dizzy or confused, please, call.


    Ares leaves. Python and Osprey remain motionless until he¡¯s out of earshot.


    PYTHON: Are you okay?


    OSPREY: Yeah¡­ he¡¯s been back for what, ten seconds, and this is how we find him?


    PYTHON: What happened?


    OSPREY: ¡­you know what happened.


    PYTHON: Hmm. We can talk later. Ah, Lord Horus.


    Horus enters, face twisted into a frown.


    HORUS: Where is he? I told you to wait with him.


    OSPREY: He went upstairs for a bath. He seemed alright, my lord, although he mentioned someone named Lumos. I wondered if you knew the name.


    HORUS: Lumos? No. I don¡¯t think so. When did he leave?


    OSPREY: Just a minute ago.


    Horus rushes out to catch him. Osprey and Python tidy up while an indistinguishable argument happens in the next room. Osprey wipes away some tears.


    OSPREY: Let¡¯s get out of here. Spoken to Minerva yet?


    PYTHON: No. I still don¡¯t know how to approach it.


    A loud yell from Horus is followed by silence. Osprey and Python stare towards the door.


    OSPREY: He¡¯s turning into his father. If we don¡¯t act soon, we¡¯ll be too late.


    PYTHON: Don¡¯t make assumptions because he¡¯s upset. We don¡¯t know the full story.


    Osprey nods, and they disappear into the Servants¡¯ Corridors.


    *?? ??*????


    The Servants¡¯ Corridors are a series of hidden networks all over the castle. The dark passageways have low ceilings and narrow walls, originally designed so servants could move about without disturbing the nobles. Frequently, they are also used by eavesdropping night staff.


    The corridors open out into a couple of main spaces, including the entryway, the library, kitchens, ballroom, Kur¡¯s study, the east and west wings, (close to Ares and Horus¡¯s rooms) and in Kur, Minerva, and Set¡¯s walk-in-robes. The other entry/exits are mostly unused. These passageways can only be accessed by a key possessed by the night staff. No noble or even member of security have access to the corridors.


    *?? ??*????


    Tiger slumps in one of the chairs in the kitchen, exhausted. Collapsed around are the some of the night staff ¡ª Python looks to be falling asleep in her chair, and Osprey and Augustus play cards silently. Tiger sighs dramatically.


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    TIGER: They always do this. Months of peace, silence, and empty bedrooms, followed by an onslaught of evenings that seemingly go for hours. Why did I have to serve dinner so late, again?


    OSPREY: Lord Ares. He wasn¡¯t well.


    AUGUSTUS: And the Set didn¡¯t finish its homework, so he was late coming in, too.


    OSPREY: Did you call him ¡®the¡¯ Set?


    PYTHON: Don¡¯t, Augustus.


    OSPREY: Why ¡®the¡¯?


    AUGUSTUS: A ¡®set¡¯ was an animal from ancient times. It was a demonic dog or something.


    TIGER: Very fitting.


    AUGUSTUS: I thought so.


    OSPREY: As fitting as it may be, it¡¯s not safe to say out loud. Watch yourself, Augustus.


    Marsden enters, and Osprey points to him as if proving a point. Osprey rises to offer help, but Marsden waves him back down.


    OSPREY: Hey, boss. How¡¯re you?


    MARSDEN: Fine, thank you. I was expecting you all to be asleep already. Burning the candle at both ends?


    OSPREY: Just unwinding before bed. I wanted to ask you about Danielle, seeing as you¡¯re here.


    MARSDEN: Yes, I¡¯m wondering about her, too. I haven¡¯t had an opportunity to speak to Lady Primrose, and Lord Ares was adamant we do not delegate work until we do. Has anyone spoken to Danielle? I do hope she isn¡¯t too bored.


    AUGUSTUS: She slept most of the day, Elizabeth checked on her twice.


    OSPREY: I wonder what that feels like.


    PYTHON: Like you want to be awake all night. That¡¯s true for Lady Minerva, at least.


    OSPREY: You work all day for the castle and then all night for Minerva. Honestly, when do you rest?


    PYTHON: Only when there are no aligning stars.


    MARSDEN: If you¡¯re being pushed too hard, Python, tell me, and I can make adjustments.


    PYTHON: I know. I¡¯m fine. Thank you, Marsden.


    MARSDEN: Hm. Well, don¡¯t stay up late, any of you. I expect we¡¯ll be very busy for the next few weeks. Something in the air feels different.


    OSPREY: Everyone is home for a change. You know how mischievous they can be when they have each other.


    TIGER: Sure do, and it always makes them hungry. I¡¯m going to need to ask for an increase in allowance.


    MARSDEN: Show me your receipts, Tiger, and we can talk about your allowance. Goodnight, everyone. Don¡¯t forget the lights.


    OSPREY: Gods, Marsden, I forgot them once! Stop reminding me.


    MARSDEN: Goodnight. And Python? I meant what I said. I don¡¯t want you to get sick again. Go to sleep soon.


    PYTHON: I promise. Goodnight.


    Marsden leaves. The boys give each other cheeky grins.


    AUGUSTUS: ¡°Don¡¯t get sick, Python, it¡¯s almost past your bedtime.¡±


    Seriously, Marsden is such a dad when you¡¯re around. When did you even get sick? I¡¯ve worked here since I was twelve, I don¡¯t remember you ever even taking a day off.


    PYTHON: Last time I got sick was before you worked here. We were all sick, Osprey too. Set was so little, I thought he was going to die. I remember lying with him on his bed while we both struggled to breathe, trying to read him to sleep. He¡¯s always loved his books.


    AUGUSTUS: Fucking hell, here she goes again. ¡°You should be nicer to Master Set.¡± The man strikes me, Python. How can you keep defending him?


    PYTHON: You didn¡¯t know him then. Before you met him, he was kind and sensitive. Now¡­


    OSPREY: Now he¡¯s been corrupted by Kur.


    A silence creeps into the room. Tiger smiles and pulls out his pipe.


    TIGER: I see you¡¯ve all been talking about what I said.


    PYTHON: To some extent. The things you were saying about murder were insanity.


    OSPREY: Yes, they were. But everything else you were saying¡­


    TIGER: I understand you¡¯ve lived with it. Grown up with it. But please, understand, the way Lord Kur treats people isn¡¯t normal. Corporal punishment is legal, but his treatment of you is completely insane. The fact you¡¯re always bleeding is unacceptable. The way he treats his children, the heirs to Cragg¡­ I don¡¯t want this man ruling the mountains.


    OSPREY: Okay, you don¡¯t need to sell us again. It¡¯s just not clear where we should go from here.


    AUGUSTUS: Lord Kur is a monster. He needs to be punished.


    OSPREY: It isn¡¯t about punishment.


    PYTHON: Please, keep your tempers down. I¡¯m not doing anything to hurt Lord Kur.


    AUGUSTUS: You don¡¯t have to, but Kur needs to be punished, or kicked out, or something, or nothing will change. He¡¯s a complete monster, and he doesn¡¯t deserve your gratitude.


    OSPREY: We are grateful. That¡¯s part of the problem. You don¡¯t have to like it, but Lord Kur was a great man. Is a great man. Just¡­ not to us.


    PYTHON: ¡­or his children.


    AUGUSTUS: I don¡¯t care about the precious heirs. I care about us. I care about Marsden and Fairfax and Elizabeth, all of whom are subject to that¡­ insane person. Honestly? For me it isn¡¯t about how he treats us. I just can¡¯t keep waiting around to see which one of us will die first.


    OSPREY: Augustus¡ª


    AUGUSTUS: When he goes off, all of us are in danger. You know that.


    OSPREY: I¡¯m with you. I am. I just don¡¯t know what to do about it. We¡¯re powerless against a Saber.


    TIGER: Anyone with a brain is far from powerless. Magic users are proof enough of that. We just need to think of something.


    OSPREY: Well¡­ Python and I might have an idea. But it¡¯s high risk. I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s worth it.


    AUGUSTUS: You¡¯re not thinking of talking to Lord Ares, are you? Because if you really think he¡¯ll listen to you on this¡­


    OSPREY: No, I¡¯m not talking to Ares. He loves his father to a fault. No, we were thinking¡­ that Python would talk to Minerva.


    AUGUSTUS: Are you out of your mind?


    TIGER: You cannot be serious. Daddy¡¯s girl?


    AUGUSTUS: She¡¯s terrifying, Python. She¡¯s literally insane.


    PYTHON: She is terrifying. I feel proud of how terrifying she is. But trust me, she isn¡¯t ¡®daddy¡¯s girl¡¯. She¡¯s been disenchanted with her father for a long time.


    AUGUSTUS: She¡¯s going to poison you.


    OSPREY: What¡¯s the next best idea? If Minerva gets on our side, she can take action on our behalf. She can talk to Horus about it.


    Listen, we can¡¯t do this just us servants. We need a noble to be on our side. Minerva¡¯s never struck any of us, she never goes into a rage or a meltdown¡­ she¡¯s objectively the best choice we have.


    TIGER: ¡­we don¡¯t need Minerva. Just access to her poison. Bring it to me, I can make a meal for Lord Kur that¡ª


    PYTHON: No, Tiger. Don¡¯t even joke. We¡¯re not killing Lord Kur.


    AUGUSTUS: I agree it¡¯s extreme, but you know, people have been put to death for less than this. Lord Kur has put people to death for less than this.


    OSPREY: We¡¯re not killing Lord Kur. Because despite his terror, he¡¯s also given us both a home for most of our lives. I¡¯ve been here for nineteen years. And Python, how long now?


    PYTHON: Thirty-three.


    OSPREY: Lord Kur pays us incredibly well. Every single one of our siblings has their private schooling paid for because of him. He¡¯s an incredible war strategist and talented knight who makes us all better at fighting and protecting our country. We¡¯re never hungry, and we don¡¯t go cold, and he has kept us all safe through many wars.


    AUGUSTUS: Not letting your employees go hungry or cold is literally the bare minimum standards. That should go without saying. Not to mention, doesn¡¯t let you go cold? Is your memory broken? You¡¯re bonding with your captors. You think they care about you, Osprey. You¡¯re ignoring literal scars. Do we need to look again?


    PYTHON: Don¡¯t, Augustus¡ª


    Augustus pulls up his sleeve to show scars from a whip. Most are light or have faded but are distinctive. He then shows his stomach, where a couple more marks are.


    AUGUSTUS: Look at this. Look at your own arms! I hate to think what my back looks like by now. I refuse to sympathise with that monster. And make no mistake, his children aren¡¯t innocent in all this, either. They¡¯ve seen the way he treats us. They watch him whip us. They¡¯re just as guilty as he is.


    The room goes quiet for a moment, and Python puts her head down on the table with a long sigh. Osprey turns his arm to look at his own scars before shaking down his sleeve.


    OSPREY: It isn¡¯t that simple. It¡¯s ingrained from generations of this kind of behaviour. They¡¯re pressured into behaving like that, even when they know it¡¯s wrong.


    AUGUSTUS: That¡¯s not an excuse. We deserve better.


    TIGER: Gentlemen. This is out of hand. We¡¯re all on the same side, aren¡¯t we?


    OSPREY: Yes. We do deserve better. But let¡¯s not rush into doing anything. Marsden was right when he said we¡¯re going to be busy. We¡¯ll talk once everything has calmed down.


    AUGUSTUS: Yeah, whatever. Goodnight, enjoy your morning with a Master who¡¯s kind to you.


    TIGER: Sheesh. Never worked somewhere where talking about killing the boss was controversial.


    OSPREY: Will you stop with that? We¡¯re not murderers.


    TIGER: Not with that attitude. Goodnight.


    Python sighs again once Augustus and Tiger are gone. Osprey smiles and nudges her up.


    OSPREY: C¡¯mon, don¡¯t be a hero. Marsden was right, you need sleep.


    PYTHON: I need to get my head straight. I can¡¯t believe we¡¯re even talking about¡­


    OSPREY: We¡¯re just talking. There¡¯s nothing wrong with us voicing what we¡¯ve all been thinking about, is there? Besides, our promise to serve and protect won¡¯t change, no matter how riled up Augustus gets.


    PYTHON: And, what if Minerva does something terrible to Kur? What then? Will you tell Ares you were involved?


    OSPREY: I¡­ uh¡­


    PYTHON: You should talk to him. Horus will listen to Ares.


    OSPREY: I know. You¡¯re right. I¡¯ll¡­ I¡¯ll try. When the time is right.


    PYTHON: I¡¯ve been saying that all week. Trust me, it¡¯s not ¡®when¡¯ the time is right, it¡¯s ¡®if¡¯.


    *?? ??*????


    The servants¡¯ quarters, where the night staff sleep, is small but cosy. Following a corridor of bedrooms, the floor opens up into a small living area with enough lounges to comfortably sit the whole team. As Python comes out of the women¡¯s bathroom, she sees the light still on under Augustus¡¯s door. She goes over and knocks quietly before going in. A desk and chair, single bed, single wardrobe, small window. Augustus is lying on his bed, book in hand. There is little in the way of personal effects.


    AUGUSTUS: Hey. Sorry I snapped before.


    PYTHON: No, you were right. You¡¯re right to be angry. Except¡­


    AUGUSTUS: I don¡¯t know if I want to hear it after the day I¡¯ve had being grouped in with the dogs.


    PYTHON: Then¡­ just come with me a moment, will you?


    Augustus sighs but rolls off his bed and follows her all the same. She leads him to her room, which is almost identical to his. Python hands him a small photo album of the Saber siblings from when they were little. Augustus points to a picture of Python getting kissed on the cheek by a small child, his eyes widening.


    AUGUSTUS: Is that¡­?


    PYTHON: Yes. Lord Horus when he was three. Because I was so good with him, they let me study nursing, and then later let me join the academy so I could practice healing magic. Here, look at this photo.


    AUGUSTUS: Fat baby. I¡¯m guessing this is Set.


    PYTHON: That¡¯s right. Look how obsessed he was with Osprey. When they were still little, Lord Kur and Lady Eleanor didn¡¯t give them much attention, so it was our job to raise them. They showed us such kindness and warmth, and even today¡­ they¡¯re not bad people, Augustus.


    AUGUSTUS: These photos are kind of like contraband in a weird way. It¡¯s nice to know the rich aren¡¯t born evil, but that doesn¡¯t mean they aren¡¯t that way now. This baby? Huge dickhead now. This baby here? Psycho witch lady. I wish you¡¯d be more careful around Lady Minerva, Python. And don¡¯t you dare speak to her about Lord Kur.


    Python smiles and takes the photo pile and shuffles through. The next photo is of the servant staff years ago when Augustus first started at twelve years old. She smiles and points at him.


    AUGUSTUS: You have a problem.


    PYTHON: Set¡¯s still just a kid. He needs some guidance. And, you know, you never gave him much of a chance.


    AUGUSTUS: Probably never will. Goodnight, Python.


    PYTHON: Goodnight. And be patient, okay? Change is coming.


    AUGUSTUS: It better.


    *?? ??*????


    Ares and Primrose are asleep in bed. Ares starts tossing and turning and wakes in a cold sweat as whispers around his mind grow louder and louder. They dissipate as he comes to his senses and he snuggles into Primrose for warmth, rousing her in the process.


    PRIMROSE: You having nightmares? I didn¡¯t know you got those.


    ARES: Only sometimes. Go back to sleep.


    PRIMROSE: Honestly, I¡¯ve been a bit cold. Are there any blankets anywhere?


    ARES: Sure, I¡¯ll call for¡­


    PRIMROSE: Surely, you can get the blankets on your own. Don¡¯t disturb the poor servants. Do you know where the blankets are kept?


    ARES: Well¡­ I guess I know where they are, and they¡¯re not far. Alright, for you, my love, I¡¯ll venture into the cold.


    Ares rolls out of bed and hurries out into the hall to look for the blankets. The light under Minerva¡¯s door is still on, but Ares ignores it and heads down the long hall towards the linen closet. He sees a small glow coming from under the door. The linen closet doesn¡¯t normally glow.


    Ares opens the door slowly. Inside, a human body is crammed horrifically inside one of the shelves. The body fits Ares¡¯ earlier description of Lumos. Ares begins to glow again.


    LUMOS: You didn¡¯t come. You didn¡¯t save me.


    Ares jumps backwards in fear, his aura getting stronger.


    LUMOS: I¡¯m going to make you pay for what you did to us.


    Ares stumbles backwards in alarm and knocks over something porcelain, which falls and smashes to the ground. The sound disturbs Minerva, who calls the night staff to investigate. Meanwhile, Ares continues to sway as he watches Lumos, processing the body horror of how he must have been squished inside, and closes his eyes.


    ARES: You¡¯re not real. You can¡¯t be real.


    He takes a few deep breaths, reaches forwards, and slams the door. He pauses a moment, then opens it again. Lumos is gone and is replaced with blankets. Ares reaches for one hesitantly, then takes it slowly. Nothing changes. He closes the door quietly and stares at it. Seemingly no light comes from underneath.


    After another deep breath, he turns to leave, when the whispers come back in a rush. He moves forward carefully, one step at a time. The whispers get louder.


    LUMOS: Why didn¡¯t you come back for us? You can¡¯t imagine the pain we suffered because you didn¡¯t uphold your promise.


    Ares turns the corner to find Lumos again, this time standing in the hallway with blood spilling from his eyes and spluttering from his mouth. Ares freezes and ducks to the floor, covering his ears.


    ARES: This can¡¯t be real. I know it isn¡¯t real.


    Meanwhile, the servants are looking for the source of the sound. Osprey and Python eventually come across Ares, leaning with his head as far out the window as he can reach. They rush to pull him back in.


    PYTHON: Lord Ares, you¡¯ll freeze if you do that!


    ARES: I needed the air. I needed to breathe. Please, take me outside¡­ I feel¡­


    OSPREY: Just lie down a minute, sir. Python, go get help. Ares, what¡¯s wrong?


    ARES: My friend Lumos. My dear, dear friend Lumos. Everything went wrong because of me.


    OSPREY: That¡¯s nothing from this life, sir.


    ARES: But¡­ he meant so much. How did I forget? What will happen if I forget him completely? Will I forget all he¡¯s taught me?


    OSPREY: Sir¡­ I, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯re not making sense. Please, you¡¯re cold all over. Let me get you into bed¡­


    ARES: No. Primrose can¡¯t find out. You promised.


    OSPREY: I¡­ Yes, my lord.


    Minerva and Python come in. Minerva has a vial in her hand.


    OSPREY: What¡¯s that?


    MINERVA: Something to calm him down. If we can¡­


    ARES: I don¡¯t want that shit. It stunts my magic. I need my magic. There¡¯s an evil spirit not far from here.


    MINERVA: There¡¯s¡­ what did you say?


    ARES: I feel it. I can feel it. Lumos told me about it. It¡¯s getting stronger. Because of me.


    MINERVA: Who the hell is Lumos? Ares, you¡¯re glowing. I don¡¯t want you to explode again, so drink the potion.


    ARES: I don¡¯t need that. Osprey, pull me into your chest and squeeze me so I can feel your heartbeat. Quick¡­


    Osprey hugs Ares, and as promised, the glow starts to fade. Ares is focusing on controlling his breathing when Kur and Marsden come in.


    KUR: What is this?


    OSPREY: Wait, Lord Kur¡­


    Kur whips him. Osprey rolls out of the way and cowers to the side, where Kur whips him twice more. Python jumps in alarm and looks between Minerva and Ares. Neither flinch.


    ARES: Father¡­ my mind, it¡¯s playing tricks¡­


    KUR: That¡¯s no excuse to let a peasant touch you. Stand up.


    Ares doesn¡¯t. He starts to spin out of control instead and turns a much darker blue than before. Osprey opens his mouth to protest but shuts it quickly when Kur looks his way. Kur snarls and looks to Minerva.


    KUR: Give him the nullifier.


    Minerva moves forward and helps/forces Ares to drink the potion. It takes a while, with Ares initially getting worse before he starts to calm as promised, and the glow fades again. He hangs his head in exhaustion.


    KUR: Good. Now everyone, go back to bed immediately. (Kur exits)


    ARES: I¡­ need a blanket for Primrose.


    OSPREY: It¡¯s here, my lord.


    MINERVA: Well, I¡¯m heading back to my room. Are you okay with him?


    PYTHON: Certainly. I¡¯ll be in later.


    MINERVA: If you have time. Goodnight.


    Python and Osprey help Ares to his feet and back towards his room, completely unaware Marsden has been watching them. As Ares is returned and puts the blanket on the bed, Primrose makes a happy sound.


    PRIMROSE: Finally, what took you so long? And what was all the noise?


    ARES: I¡­ got lost. C¡¯mere, you¡¯re so warm.


    PRIMROSE: Ahh! Don¡¯t put your feet on me.


    ARES: I¡¯m going to put my feet on you. Stop squirming! Wow, you make me so happy. I¡¯ll always be okay so long as I know you¡¯re out there somewhere, waiting for me. Don¡¯t forget that.


    *?? ??*????


    It¡¯s getting close to dawn. Minerva is still awake, cauldron beside her, vials covering a bookshelf. She¡¯s constantly stirring and pouring more liquid into vials, and once she¡¯s done, she turns to the cauldron. She peers around her room a moment before chanting nonsense quietly into the cauldron, adding precious gemstones to the broth. The steam from the cauldron starts glowing, small sparks jumping from the top of the cloud. She takes a long swig of wine before lighting a match and dropping it into the cauldron. She waits till the following smoke cloud dies down before putting a lid on the pot and going to the window for air. Behind her, she hears a knock.


    MINERVA: Come in, Python!


    Python enters from the walk-in.


    PYTHON: My lady, you¡¯re ¡ª oh, my, what happened in here?


    MINERVA: Only what was supposed to happen. Just should¡¯ve been outdoors for it, is all. I¡¯ll know for next time. What are you doing here?


    PYTHON: Oh, well¡­ I wanted to make sure you were okay.


    MINERVA: What, because of Ares? He does shit like that all the time. Damn fool has no self-control.


    PYTHON: Well¡­ it¡¯s a little frightening seeing him turn that dark blue, is all.


    MINERVA: Yes, it is. You can almost feel how powerful he is, can¡¯t you? Anyway, any moron could see it was Father¡¯s fault. That was an hour ago. What have you been doing since then?


    ~


    Marsden has just confronted Python. Hands on her shoulders, he looks intimidating, like he¡¯s warning her. In turn, Python appears to have been crying.


    ~


    PYTHON: I¡­ was having a conversation about your father.


    Minerva stops what she¡¯s doing.


    MINERVA: Oh? With whom?


    PYTHON: Minerva¡­ do you ever think that maybe your father¡­


    ¡­goes a little too far sometimes?


    MINERVA: Is this your first time visiting? He¡¯s been mental for years. Why say something now?


    Did Osprey put you up to this?


    PYTHON: No. I put myself up to it after many years. I¡¯m sorry for speaking out of turn. I¡¯ll leave¡­


    MINERVA: Python, I thought we¡¯d got past all that formal shit years ago. Sit down. You want to talk about corporal punishment, right? That¡¯s a pretty ancient tradition, it won¡¯t be easy to change his ways.


    PYTHON: ¡­I can handle the punishments, my lady. It¡¯s more¡­ I worry about you and your brothers. You don¡¯t deserve the treatment you receive.


    MINERVA: ¡­wow. Interesting. So, what are you suggesting?


    PYTHON: That¡¯s just the thing, Minerva. I don¡¯t know what to do. I feel hopeless.


    MINERVA: You are. There¡¯s nothing anyone can do to stop my father.


    PYTHON: I¡¯m so sorry. I hope you forgive my insolence.


    MINERVA: You¡¯re not insolent. Look, it¡¯s past bedtime. Let¡¯s sleep and talk more tomorrow, okay?


    PYTHON: Thank you, Minerva. I¡¯d like that.


    MINERVA: My father¡­ what are some of the ways he punishes you?


    PYTHON: Burns, or threats of burns. He crushes bones in our hands and feet or beats us or takes us in the night¡­


    MINERVA: Wait, hold on. What does ¡®takes us in the night¡¯ mean?


    PYTHON: It¡­ nothing. I¡¯m sorry, you don¡¯t want to hear this.


    MINERVA: ¡­You said he burns you? I haven¡¯t seen him cast fire since the incident. Why didn¡¯t you ever say anything before?


    PYTHON: It¡¯s not easy to bring up.


    MINERVA: What a psychopath¡­


    PYTHON: I¡¯m sorry I said anything. I was just upset about what happened to Osprey, and I was talking to Marsden about it. That¡¯s all.


    MINERVA: What happened to Osprey?


    PYTHON: ¡­he was whipped for hugging your brother, my lady.


    MINERVA: Oh yeah. Then Ares went crazy because of it. Right. Tomorrow. Let¡¯s talk tomorrow.


    Minerva and Python both settle down to sleep, but Minerva can¡¯t stop staring at the ceiling. She sits back up.


    MINERVA: If we were to stop my father, we couldn¡¯t do it alone. We¡¯d need a lot of help.


    PYTHON: I¡¯m not sure speaking of this to someone is a good idea for either of us.


    Please, Minerva. Don¡¯t get into trouble. Forget I mentioned it.


    MINERVA: You¡¯re not powerless when you have friends in high places, Python. I don¡¯t know how we¡¯re going to do it yet, but¡­ it¡¯s time.


    It¡¯s time to make him pay for what he did to Freyja.

 Alone

    Chapter Two.


    <h2>Alone.</h2>


    ~ Twenty years ago ~


    Minerva is about seven years old. The girl she is with, around nine, looks just like Horus. Freyja has a mischievous smile on her face, and she gives Minerva a little shake.


    FREYJA: Ready? You promised!


    MINERVA: No. I don¡¯t see why I should have to do this.


    FREYJA: Climbing is fun. There¡¯s all sorts of things you can find and learn from climbing. You get to go places most humans don¡¯t go. Come on!


    MINERVA: ¡­What if I fall?


    FREYJA: You won¡¯t fall! Just follow my lead.


    Freyja begins to climb. They¡¯re out in the hills, away from the castle, facing a slanted rock wall. It is steep, but not too dangerous. Minerva reluctantly follows her, matching every step. Freyja helps her up a couple times, and eventually, they make it to the top, panting as they reach flat ground once more. The pair collapse and look out at the view.


    MINERVA: That was scary. I don¡¯t know if I can get down. Aren¡¯t you scared to fall?


    FREYJA: Never. I¡¯m never afraid of falling. You never climb unless you¡¯re sure it¡¯s safe, and you never take a risk. I¡¯ve climbed everything within my reach, and when I¡¯m older, my arms will be longer, and I¡¯ll be able to climb everywhere. No mountaintop will be too tall for me. And I¡¯ll never fall.


    And don¡¯t worry about climbing down. I can carry you. I¡¯ve carried Horus before.


    MINERVA: You have?


    FREYJA: Yeah. He¡¯s afraid of heights, so I¡¯m teaching him.


    MINERVA: ¡­He¡¯s turned into a real jerk since his birthday.


    FREYJA: I agree. Let¡¯s just ignore him. He¡¯s out of nursery now, so it doesn¡¯t matter. Come on, follow me! There¡¯s some berries over here. You can only find them up high!


    Freyja jumps up and runs away without Minerva, who peers cautiously over the ledge before turning and hurrying to follow.


    ~


    Minerva stands before the very same cliff. It¡¯s changed somewhat, but still recognisable.


    MINERVA: If I could do it at seven¡­


    She begins to climb and makes it to the top with ease. She¡¯s not afraid this time. When she looks over the horizon, only the trees are taller, nothing else.


    MINERVA: They told me you fell, Freyja. You told me you could never fall.


    *?? ??*????


    Ares is leaning beside the window, smoking. Behind him, an empty duffle bag on an unmade bed. Primrose is nowhere to be seen. Osprey enters a moment later.


    OSPREY: Good morning, Ares. Oh, has Primrose gone downstairs already?


    ARES: *Good* morning, is it?


    OSPREY: ¡­how are you feeling?


    ARES: Primrose just walked out of here crying about fifteen minutes ago, so that¡¯s got a lot to do with how I¡¯m feeling.


    OSPREY: I¡¯m¡­ sorry, Ares. I came here to pack, but should I let you be alone?


    ARES: No, please. I could use the company.


    OSPREY: I didn¡¯t know you¡¯d started smoking again.


    ARES: I didn¡¯t.


    This is just for special occasions. Don¡¯t tell Primrose.


    OSPREY: You won¡¯t be gone long, Master. Don¡¯t fret. Just focus on being well¡­ how are you since that night?


    ARES: I¡¯m no more interested in talking about it now than I normally am, and before you ask¡­ no, I still don¡¯t know who Lumos is.


    OSPREY: ¡­alright. Hopefully you don¡¯t have visions of him again, then.


    You¡¯d best go down and eat something. You¡¯re due to leave in under half an hour.


    ARES: I hope you know I don¡¯t want to go. If I felt like I had a choice¡­


    OSPREY: I know, Ares. It¡¯s alright. Just so long as you take care of yourself, which you can make a start on by putting out the cigarette and going down to eat.


    ARES: Yeah¡­ okay. You¡¯ll take care of Primrose, right?


    OSPREY: Certainly. After tea I¡¯ll be taking her and Danielle to ride.


    ARES: Yeah, she¡¯ll like that. Alright, I¡¯ll go eat. Thanks for helping out.


    OSPREY: Of course¡­ but Ares? Please. Look after yourself. Seeing how you were¡­


    ARES: It¡¯s just because I was out of practice, and I was tired from all the travel. I¡¯ll be fine after a couple nights on the road.


    OSPREY: If you say so, my lord. I just don¡¯t like seeing you that way.


    ARES: Trust me, it¡¯s not so nice being that way, either. I still feel groggy from Minerva¡¯s potion. Hope it wears off when I get to capital in a couple days.


    OSPREY: I¡¯m sure your sister wouldn¡¯t give you anything that would harm your performance.


    ARES: You obviously don¡¯t know her like I do.


    Ares makes his way downstairs and to the breakfast room where Minerva and Horus are already waiting.


    ARES: Where¡¯s Primrose?


    HORUS: Good morning to you, too. Your sister made your wife cry.


    ARES: Seriously?


    MINERVA: I didn¡¯t do anything! I just told her I hoped she didn¡¯t find it too cold at night now, you know, with you being gone and all.


    ARES: Where is she?


    HORUS: She went to the library, but she said she¡¯d be back. Sit for a moment.


    You must be looking forward to visiting the capital. Anyone you¡¯re planning to visit?


    ARES: Nope, no time to visit anyone. Do you know if Icarus¡ª


    HORUS: Still fighting orcs in the mountains. He¡¯ll be home for Solstice.


    ARES: Right¡­


    Minerva, can you please be nice to Primrose while I¡¯m gone? She¡¯s important to me.


    MINERVA: I¡¯m going to treat her exactly like I treat anyone else.


    ARES: What, terribly? Good to know you¡¯ll have my back, Min.


    HORUS: Hey, quit with the tempers. Ares, you know we¡¯ll take care of Primrose. Osprey is staying behind specifically to keep an eye on her. Don¡¯t you have bigger things to worry about right now?


    ARES: ¡­No, Horus, I don¡¯t have anything bigger to worry about. Primrose is the most important person in the world to me, and now I¡¯m going to leave her alone with¡­ you guys.


    MINERVA: If I had feelings, Ares, they¡¯d hurt. You know no-one told you to fall in love with her.


    HORUS: Stop it, Minerva. You¡¯re being excessive. Ares, I promise I¡¯ll look after Primrose. She and I are both leading dynasties, which is more in common than I have with most people. Now please, calm down. You need to keep your emotions at a steady¡ª


    ARES: Too late for that. I¡¯m going to look for Primrose.


    Ares storms out. Horus watches the door for a moment, then looks accusingly at Minerva.


    HORUS: That was kind of mean.


    MINERVA: You¡¯re always mean.


    HORUS: You know, you do have feelings, Minerva.


    MINERVA: I know.


    HORUS: So¡­ he hurt them?


    MINERVA: A little¡­ I¡¯m not that awful to everyone.


    HORUS: Yes, you are. We both are. Meanwhile, Set and Ares can talk to anyone. I don¡¯t know how they do it, especially Set, seeing as he never goes to school.


    MINERVA: Maybe they take after Mama.


    HORUS: Oh, yes. She was always the life of parties. Remember?


    MINERVA: No. She died before I left the nursery.


    HORUS: Right, of course. People practically lined up to speak with her.


    You know, I was really glad when you turned ten. I was always so awkward around all the other kids, and I still don¡¯t know how to talk to the adults.


    MINERVA: You¡¯re good with adults now. People would rather talk to you than they would father, at least. Speaking of people, I suppose you¡¯re in charge of planning Solstice.


    HORUS: Yes, want to help?


    MINERVA: No.


    I¡¯m busy. I have other projects.


    HORUS: More chemistry, I suppose.


    MINERVA: Chemistry is always only half of what I¡¯m doing. You¡¯re working too hard if you don¡¯t know that.


    HORUS: Alright, then tell me now. What else have you been doing?


    MINERVA: Oh, not much¡­ just teaching myself to climb.


    HORUS: Climbing?


    Minerva, you aren¡¯t serious.


    MINERVA: Why wouldn¡¯t I be serious about that?


    HORUS: You¡¯re forbidden from climbing.


    MINERVA: You¡¯re forbidden from telling me what to do. The climbing gym is completely safe. Climbing is a huge part of our heritage.


    HORUS: Uh-huh, and what¡¯s the real reason you¡¯re learning to climb?


    MINERVA: That is the real reason. Besides¡­ I think it will honour Freyja¡¯s memory.


    Just don¡¯t tell Dad, alright? It¡¯ll only freak him out.


    HORUS: With good cause. She fell, Minerva. To her death. I don¡¯t want you to fall, too.


    MINERVA: I¡¯m not going to fall. Not now my arms and legs are long enough.


    HORUS: Every five years or so you do this. Freyja fell, Minerva. I saw her fall. Let it go.


    MINERVA: ¡­you¡¯re lying.


    HORUS: You might have feelings, but I¡¯m not convinced you have any empathy. Let¡¯s go outside. It¡¯s time to say goodbye.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.¡­I miss her too, Minerva. But she¡¯s been dead twenty years. Let her go.


    Horus leaves the room. Minerva¡¯s eyes well with water and she gets herself under control before following. Outside Ares and Primrose are already waiting with Ares¡¯s loyal goat Venus, his most trusty steed.


    Usually, goats aren¡¯t chosen to ride, and people favour horses instead. However, the mountain goats offer many speedy passages through the mountains that are otherwise inaccessible. Goats are slower and considerably more unpredictable but they¡¯re also good for wars, so the people of Cragg have always ridden them. Ares is the most adept rider of the family.


    ARES: Ready for a ride, little Venus? Who¡¯s a good girl?


    PRIMROSE: You¡¯re really okay for her to scale you up the cliff?


    ARES: Yeah, takes a lot of abdominals, of which I¡¯m not short, and a lot of guts, but it¡¯s safe if you know how. Plus, it¡¯s a lot faster to take the goat trail.


    PRIMROSE: And¡­ it¡¯s just ten days, right?


    ARES: Hopefully less. I¡¯ll write once I know more. See you soon, alright?


    HORUS: Ares. Safe travels. And don¡¯t worry about Primrose, we¡¯ll take care of her.


    ARES: Yeah, thanks. Where¡¯s Set?


    SET: I¡¯m here! Sorry, I was finishing with the dogs.


    ARES: Set! Keep Kahmen away from Venus! Gods¡­


    Where¡¯s Dad?


    HORUS: He isn¡¯t coming down. Said his back was hurting.


    ARES: ¡­right.


    Well, see you all soon.


    PRIMROSE: Be safe, Ares. Don¡¯t worry about me. I¡¯m a tribal leader, I¡¯ll be fine.


    ARES: Yeah. Okay.


    ¡­Look after her, alright?


    Ares mounts Venus and gives Primrose one last look, then trots off without another word. Horus and Set go their separate ways, but Minerva and Primrose stay outside, Primrose watching after Ares, and Minerva eyeing Primrose.


    Eventually, Minerva calls out to her. Not realising she wasn¡¯t alone; Primrose jumps about a mile in the air.


    PRIMROSE: Oh, sorry Minerva¡­


    MINERVA: ¡­are you crying?


    PRIMROSE: A little. Sorry.


    MINERVA: He¡¯s coming back. It¡¯s just Capital¡­


    Have you been into the village yet?


    PRIMROSE: Here? No, not yet.


    MINERVA: Come with me. I have a couple things to pick up, and I don¡¯t fancy sending a servant. It¡¯s not too long a ride.


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯d love to come. I¡¯ll just go get my coat¡­


    MINERVA: Have your maid get it for you.


    PRIMROSE: Danielle is my assistant.


    MINERVA: Ah, I see. And what will she be assisting you with?


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯m¡­not too sure, yet. I¡¯m not sure what I¡¯m going to be doing.


    MINERVA: You¡¯ll figure it out. My advice? Take up projects. You¡¯ll need an excuse to have your time occupied.


    The girls get a couple horses together and ride out with Python and Danielle, Python and Minerva on the horses and Primrose and Danielle in the back on a small, open carriage.


    Built into the unwelcoming hillsides, the houses of Cragg reflect the people who live there. Rough, battle-worn, wind-bashed, unyielding. Though the mountains of Cragg are susceptible to earthquakes, the houses hold strong, blending into the natural environment with ease. Despite being a town of significant historical significance, it holds little tourism appeal, in part due to the dangers of travelling the mountain paths, but also due to the aggressive nature of most folk who live there. Mostly miners, soldiers and monster hunters, the people of the mountains were some of the few left in Hituh that still spoke the ancient language. Their patriotic nature has always been evident as they resist change and offer distrust to anyone who has lived another life.


    The townspeople stare directly into Primrose and Danielle¡¯s eyes as the carriage passes them by.


    PRIMROSE: Why are they staring at us like that?


    MINERVA: Why do you think? The Tijoran princess is here. Of course, they¡¯re going to stare.


    PRIMROSE: Am¡­am I safe?


    MINERVA: Probably. People weren¡¯t so happy with the idea of my brother marrying a Tijoran.


    PRIMROSE: It was hardly our choice. Surely they can understand that?


    MINERVA: You can hardly blame them. We came here from war. It was only a few months ago that your people were killing my people.


    PRIMROSE: It wasn¡¯t my people. I¡¯m from an entirely different state, and my people had nothing to do with it. Besides, your people did their fair share of killing. And I believe your people started it.


    MINERVA: Well, Queen Jade did. And you can see her point. The land has a lot of mountains that are sacred to people.


    PRIMROSE: And the waterfalls are sacred to the water people. You don¡¯t have claim over every mountain there ever was, you know.


    MINERVA: Let¡¯s not get into it, the whole thing is resolved now, right? Besides, the peasants are listening in. They don¡¯t need any extra incentive not to like you.


    PRIMROSE: ¡­so, where are we going?


    MINERVA: Keep a secret for me?


    PRIMROSE: Of course.


    MINERVA: I need to purchase some climbing gear.


    PRIMROSE: I see¡­ may I ask why it¡¯s a secret? Isn¡¯t climbing, like¡­ a big part of living here?


    MINERVA: It¡¯s a little complicated. My sister Freyja died when she was ten years old from a bad climbing accident. We all swore not to go climbing after that.


    PRIMROSE: Yet here you are.


    MINERVA: Yes, here I am. Promises have expiration dates.


    They arrive at the shop and go inside, leaving Danielle and Python with the security accompanying them.


    MINERVA: Excuse me, sir. I need a few things.


    VENDOR: Certainly, my lady¡­


    MINERVA: Don¡¯t look at her. I need shoes, ropes, hooks, the lot.


    VENDOR: Let me bring you a few packages. One moment¡­


    PRIMROSE: ¡­I¡¯m sorry to hear about your sister.


    MINERVA: Thanks. Freyja was really important to me and Horus. She was the positive, happy influence we both needed in our lives. She used to talk down Mama and Dad when they got hysterical. It was a big shock when she died such a sudden, preventable death.


    PRIMROSE: I see¡­ I guess I understand why it¡¯s a secret, but why are you learning to climb if it holds such trauma for all your family?


    The Vendor has gathered the packs together at this point and is standing back idly, listening to the conversation. Minerva narrows her eyes at him.


    MINERVA: I¡¯m sorry, do you think you¡¯re invited to this conversation?


    VENDOR: N-No! I just¡ª


    MINVERA: Leave, immediately. Imbecile. Anyway, climbing is a tradition Cragg has always practiced. We¡¯re the first family of Sabers who haven¡¯t taken to it. It¡¯s¡­ important to me. Culturally.


    PRIMROSE: That, I can understand. I hope you¡¯ll be careful.


    MINERVA: Of course. Most of my family will be against it regardless, so I want to keep it secret for as long as possible.


    PRIMROSE: I imagine Ares would side with you. He¡¯s pretty free-spirited.


    MINERVA: Yeah, well. He¡¯s complicated. He always sides with us, until father doesn¡¯t.


    PRIMROSE: What do you mean?


    MINERVA: Well, let¡¯s take his marriage with you, for example. I suggested he run for the mountains, get away for a few years until things settled down. He was all on board with the decision until father talked him around.


    Minerva finally diverts her attention from Primrose to talk to the vendor. Primrose glances over her shoulder to Python and Danielle, where a small crowd has gathered. Primrose points it out to Minerva once she¡¯s unoccupied. While Danielle bears the thousands of eyes on her, Python beams and chats pleasantly with the civilians around her.


    MINERVA: Hm? Oh, yeah, people love Python. You will, too. She¡¯s my best friend for a reason. Not to mention, Danielle is beautiful. They¡¯ll probably be asking questions about her clothes. How much for this one?


    VENDOR: Twenty crystals.


    Minerva picks up the pack and together her and Primrose return to the carriage. Some peasants scatter at the sight of them. A few others linger. Minerva eyes them coldly.


    MINERVA: Time to go, princess. Hurry up¡­


    PEASANT: My lady, please forgive me for speaking out of turn¡ª


    SECURITY: Back off, peasant!


    PEASANT: Please, it won¡¯t take a moment! My daughter desperately needs a hospital bed, but they have no room for her there. We need a bigger hospital¡­


    PYTHON: Remove yourself before consequences befall you.


    PEASANT: My daughter is dying, while your family spends a fortune on weddings! I¡¯m supposed to stand by while you sit in your marble tower and do nothing?!


    Within seconds, Minerva has her sword drawn and is pointing it towards the peasant¡¯s face. Everyone freezes in place.


    MINERVA: Say anything else out of line, and I¡¯ll cut out your tongue personally. Or maybe you¡¯d like to offer me your eyes? I can make a healing potion using human eyes. Is that what needs to happen to stop you from bitching about your daughter? Shall I take your eyes?


    After a brief pause, security intervene and shove the peasant, who staggers backwards and says nothing else. Minerva pulls herself up on her horse and without another look, kicks the horses back towards the castle.


    PRIMROSE: Minerva¡­ you wouldn¡¯t really take his tongue, would you? I mean, his daughter doesn¡¯t have a bed¡­


    MINERVA: The hospital and all things relating to the town are Horus and father¡¯s problem. If the peasants are stupid enough to speak to me then they deserve to have their throats cut. Don¡¯t let their little cries fool you ¡ª this city is full of violence and corruption waiting to break free. All it takes is one kind leader to bring out the worst in peasants. I suggest you try changing your inclusive thinking if you want to win my father¡¯s favour.


    PRIMROSE: ¡­


    Can you really make a healing potion using human eyes?


    MINERVA: Theoretically, yes. You can make all sorts of potions using human parts.


    PRIMROSE: Isn¡¯t that technically alchemy?


    MINERVA: ¡­technically, maybe.


    PRIMROSE: Is that another secret, or¡­?


    MINERVA: I¡¯m not doing alchemy. Knowing how to do alchemy and actually doing alchemy are very different things.


    PRIMROSE: May I ask you something?


    MINERVA: I suppose.


    PRIMROSE: Ares and his magic¡­ what¡¯s he like?


    MINERVA: Powerful. Incredibly powerful. It¡¯s saved him countless times, but he struggles to access it unless he¡¯s in real danger. I wouldn¡¯t worry about Ares, Primrose. He¡¯s like¡­ a little invincible.


    Minerva kicks the horses up a notch, and Danielle and Primrose grab hold of the carriage to steady themselves. Danielle leans over to whisper to Primrose.


    DANIELLE: I¡¯m not worried about Ares. I¡¯m worried about you.


    PRIMROSE: ¡­I think I¡¯m worried for both of us.


    *?? ??*????*


    Later, Primrose and Danielle are walking around the gardens alone. The gardens are quite vast, but reasonably barren of flowers given the harsh climate temperatures. As such, it¡¯s mostly shrubs and topiary designs.


    DANIELLE: Surely, we¡¯re far away enough now no-one will hear anything.


    PRIMROSE: Hm. I suppose.


    DANIELLE: So¡­ what do you think of the Sabers?


    PRIMROSE: ¡­Danielle, I can¡¯t tell you how surprising this is to me. Ares and I had a wonderful time while we were away. I really fell in love with him. He warned me his family were a bit strange, but he never mentioned how cold and¡­scary they are. I don¡¯t understand. He seems so normal.


    DANIELLE: Sometimes kids turn out good despite insane parents.


    PRIMROSE: Let¡¯s do a quick recap of everything that¡¯s happened so far. Kur didn¡¯t say hello to me when I arrived, didn¡¯t speak to me until dinner where he made passing statements about my culture and the physical differences of the class system¡­


    DANIELLE: The servants all have evidence of lashings on their arms and work fourteen-hour days, minimum,


    PRIMROSE: And he asked me to smile less! But it isn¡¯t even just him, Danielle. Minerva is borderline psychotic, and Horus seems to be exactly like his father.


    DANIELLE: The servants hate Set. Apparently, he shares his father¡¯s views regarding them.


    PRIMROSE: Yeah, I don¡¯t think we should stay here for long.


    DANIELLE: I would have already left if you weren¡¯t here, Primrose.


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯m not forcing you to stay.


    DANIELLE: I¡¯m not leaving you here alone! I¡¯ll be staying put until you and Ares are sailing away into the sunset.


    PRIMROSE: Thank you, Danielle. Really. I don¡¯t mean to be dramatic, but I feel like I need you here.


    DANIELLE: Of course. Marsden keeps asking about me starting work, by the way¡­


    PRIMROSE: Who is he, again?


    DANIELLE: He¡¯s Lord Kur¡¯s squire, and the estate steward. A lot of the other servants refer to him as ¡®boss¡¯.


    An estate steward is a position considerably higher than that of other servants. They greet guests, represent the family when the nobles are away (such as when they went to Tijora for Ares¡¯s wedding) and generally are in charge of everything related to the house ¡ª cleaning, repairs, security, purchases.


    PRIMROSE: Right. Well, I don¡¯t have work for you to do.


    DANIELLE: I think they¡¯re hoping I¡¯ll help them out with their work.


    PRIMROSE: How do you feel about that?


    I¡¯m not going to force you to do anything.


    DANIELLE: It¡¯s alright. I can help out here and there, Elizabeth, she¡¯s the housekeeper, seems really nice. Maybe tell him to have me work with her?


    PRIMROSE: Sure. But don¡¯t work yourself too hard.


    DANIELLE: Honestly, I think they¡¯re starting to resent me for not working. A bit of work will be good. I might go tell him now, if that¡¯s alright?


    PRIMROSE: Go, go. I¡¯m going to wander the gardens a while, then see if Osprey can help me find some warmer clothes.


    DANIELLE: I told you; you packed too light.


    PRIMROSE: We were travelling. I¡¯ll have my stuff sent from Tijora once things have settled.


    Go on. I¡¯ll see you later.


    Danielle leaves and Primrose continues around the gardens for a bit when all of a sudden, she is barrelled over by one of the dogs. It pins her down and growls loudly in her face until Set is heard calling it off a moment later.


    SET: Shit, I¡¯m so sorry, Primrose! Bad dog!


    PRIMROSE: What the fuck, Set?


    SET: They¡¯re still trying to figure out when it¡¯s acceptable to attack a stranger or not! I¡¯m sorry, okay? Don¡¯t tell my father. I¡¯ll make it up to you. Shit, don¡¯t tell Ares, either. Bad fucking dog!


    PRIMROSE: Don¡¯t blame the dogs! You trained them to be like this. It attacked because I¡¯m a foreigner.


    SET: I don¡¯t exactly have foreigners lying around I can train my dogs with. They attacked because they don¡¯t know you. Calm down, will you? You can¡¯t be hurt from that. He didn¡¯t bite.


    PRIMROSE: Sorry if I¡¯m not accustomed to being attacked by dogs. I guess you¡¯re right, I¡¯m not hurt. You might¡¯ve made more of an effort to make sure I was okay.


    SET: But you are okay, right? So there¡¯s no need to tell Father.


    PRIMROSE: ¡­I¡¯m not going to tell on you, Set. We¡¯re siblings now. Doesn¡¯t that mean we¡¯re supposed to look after each other?


    SET: Depends which sibling you¡¯re talking to. Ares will be pissed at me, too, so don¡¯t tell him either.


    PRIMROSE: I will definitely be telling on you to Ares the second he gets home.


    SET: So much for looking after each other.


    PRIMROSE: What have you done so far to look after me?


    SET: ¡­I¡¯ll give you my dessert.


    PRIMROSE: No thanks.


    SET: What do you want, then?


    PRIMROSE: ¡­I need help getting along with your Father. He scares me.


    SET: He scares everyone. I¡¯m not exactly an expert at being on Father¡¯s good side, but¡­ sure. I¡¯ll give you a hand with that. I¡¯d give anyone a hand with that, honestly. First of all, you need some new clothes. He¡¯s weird with stuff like that. I¡¯m not even allowed to undo my top button in the summer.


    PRIMROSE: Oh, is it like a no-skin thing?


    SET: Yeah, something like that.


    PRIMROSE: Where did that idea come from? Seems a bit outdated, doesn¡¯t it?


    SET: It¡¯s complicated. Dad comes from Daegon, right? Well, he moved here when he was a kid and all the temples constructed for Dae were created by people from Kindling. My dad is a weird blend of both styles of Dae¡¯ism, but mostly, we¡¯re New Age Daes, not Traditional Daes. New Age is where the idea of chastity and covering yourself up comes from.


    PRIMROSE: Right. I¡¯m no stranger to the variations of religion. People who follow the teachings of Jora are all vastly different in their worship and traditions to Her.


    SET: Yeah, I guess.


    PRIMROSE: Anything else I should know about Lord Kur?


    SET: ¡­do you know how to fight with a sword?


    PRIMROSE: I know all about the importance of steel to this family. The Saber¡¯s are historically known for their elemental bond with steel and how it can translate to swordplay. He¡¯s not a stone elemental, though.


    SET: Yeah, but he¡¯s really good with a sword. He dedicated his life to learning how to be good with a sword so he could help Mama uphold the family name. ¡°There¡¯s no excuse.¡± Why do you even care?


    PRIMROSE: I want to stay away from his bad side, that¡¯s all.


    SET: You¡¯re already on his bad side.


    Don¡¯t get me wrong. Everyone is. That¡¯s just what he¡¯s like. He¡¯ll take any excuse he can get.


    PRIMROSE: What¡¯s that supposed to mean?


    SET: Just¡­ don¡¯t ever talk back. If you have a problem with him, go to Ares, or even Horus. He likes the silent type who dominate rooms with their eyes. Shit, I don¡¯t know.


    PRIMROSE: That¡¯s alright. You¡¯ve been a little helpful, I suppose. Just keep the damned dogs away from me from now on.


    SET: Sorry. It was an accident. This won¡¯t be the last thing to frighten you, though. Careful of the ghosts!


    Set runs away before Primrose can say anything else, taking the dogs with him. Primrose puts her hands on her hips and groans to herself.


    PRIMROSE: Damnit. I hate ghosts.

 Capital, the gemstone city.

    <h2>Capital, the gemstone city.</h2>


    The Capital of Hituh is North-West of Cragg, situated in Crystal Plains. The city, Capital, was built by the children of ¡®Ston¡¯s eldest child, while his younger child remained in Cragg as protectors of the mountains. Whereas the homes of Cragg were created by the elementals who could craft stone, Capital¡¯s elementals were talented in crystal and gemstone arts. The roads paved with granite, and buildings lined with pearls and opals, the glittering city was practically blinding if the sun came through on the wrong angles. The palace is in the middle of the city with a simple wall around it ¡ª made to protect the castle from civillians, not war. Whenever the city is under extreme duress, its people retreat to the safety of the mountains of Cragg.


    Ares moves quickly through the city towards palace walls, ignoring the civilians who scurry away or hide their faces at the sight of his insignia. As he reaches the gate, two squires come to greet him.


    SQUIRE 1: Good day sir! Do you have an invitation?


    Ares hands over the letter.


    SQUIRE 1: Very good, sire! If you would like to follow us¡­


    The squires begin to lead him inside. Inside the palace is vast, with large gardens decorated with crystal trees and sparkling mineral stones. The entire place is glittering, with several noble folk strolling the gardens or practising their instruments. As they go on, Squire 2 begins to joke around with Squire 1, nudging and jumping at her.


    SQUIRE 1: Shh, stop!


    SQUIRE 2: Why, what¡¯s wrong with you?


    SQUIRE 1: *He¡¯s a Saber.*


    SQUIRE 2: So?


    SQUIRE 1: *Shh¡­*


    We¡¯ll stable your goat for you, sir, and attend to anything you need while you¡¯re here. You¡¯ve been asked to report to the training grounds ¡ª do you know where they are?


    ARES: Yes, thank you. Please bring some tea once you¡¯ve put my goat away. And be careful, she bites.


    SQUIRE 1: Certainly, sir. I¡¯ll make it right away.


    Ares dismounts and with a nod to the squires¡¯ heads around the corner to a large pit where several knights warm up with some sparring. A gruff, short man approaches him.


    BRANSON: Ares Saber! Long time no see. What are you doing here?


    ARES: A summoning from the queen. I imagine I¡¯m here for the same reason as you.


    BRANSON: What, for magic? I didn¡¯t know you were gifted.


    ARES: I¡¯m not particularly. I have no idea why she¡¯s summoned me. Have we learned anything more than what¡¯s on the letter?


    BRANSON: I¡¯m afraid not. We¡¯ve just been told to run some drills until everyone arrives. There can¡¯t be too many more coming, surely.


    ARES: Well, perhaps you¡¯ll do me the honour of a friendly wrestling match while we wait.


    BRANSON: So long as it stays wrestling. I hope never to enter a sword fight with anyone from your family.


    They spar for some time, until Squire 1 shows up with Ares¡¯s tea. They stop while she brings it over.


    SQUIRE 1: Your tea, sire. Can I bring you anything else?


    ARES: No.


    SQUIRE 1: Very good, sire. I¡¯ve sent your bags to your room and your goat is being wiped down now.


    ARES: I expect nothing less. You can go now.


    The squire squeaks and runs away. Branson laughs at the sight.


    BRANSON: What did you do to her?


    ARES: Nothing. Apparently the family name is back in circulation.


    BRANSON: Hardly surprising, given what happened between your brother and Baron Chuff.


    ARES: What happened? I didn¡¯t hear.


    BRANSON: It was a few weeks ago. Horus was here on business and happened to overhear Chuff saying he was going to start inching on the outskirts of Cragg, expanding his farms into your territory. He¡¯s still on bedrest the beating was so bad.


    ARES: Sounds like he had it coming. Did Horus get punished?


    BRANSON: Not a chance. He had his name cleared before anyone even found the body. Anyway, that explains the squire¡¯s reaction.


    ARES: In that case, I guess it¡¯s lucky for her the tea is so fantastic.


    The captain of the guard, Pearce, approaches the training yard. As people notice him, they stop what they¡¯re doing and stand to face him.


    PEARCE: Attention, soldiers! If you would please follow me!


    Pearce leads the group away from the training yard and into the palace. They go into a sizeable meeting room where they¡¯re told to take formation and stand to attention. The room goes quiet as people wait patiently until Queen Jade enters. Everyone in the room takes a knee save for Pearce, who bows and greets her at the front. All around the room, knights and mages look at each other worriedly. It must be bad if she¡¯s meeting with them personally.


    PEARCE: Thank you all for gathering on such short notice. I won¡¯t sugar coat the truth, which is that an evil spirit has broken through the barrier and is lurking in the mountains somewhere close to the city¡­ if it gets any bigger, it will start attracting civillians. We have, of course, deployed a significant number of our military mages, however at their current power levels, they are barely enough to keep this beast at bay.


    Though few of you have any sort of training or experience fighting evil spirits, we call upon all of you to offer assistance. I understand you need time to prepare, and our mages are confident they can hold off the beast for another three months. This gives you until just after the Solstice. We ask that you do not take your training lightly. Spirits of this power have extremely high mortality rates. We have shamans available here for anyone who would like to undergo training in Capital. For now, we will host some sparring matches so we can make plans based on how you use your powers.


    QUEEN JADE: Loyal subjects, your country needs you. Please understand the need to keep this matter secretive. Causing panic will do nothing to help anyone. All who fight the spirit and survive will be greatly rewarded, and any outstanding crimes forgiven.


    PEARCE: Any questions?


    Very well. Please rest until you are called to sparr. Hail, Queen Jade, and glory to the mountain dragon.


    ALL: Hail, Queen Jade. Glory to the mountain dragon.


    The attendees are dismissed and make their way out. Branson elbows Ares on the way out.


    BRANSON: An evil spirit. It must be huge if the castle mages aren¡¯t enough to hold it off.


    ARES: Sometimes huge just means it¡¯s hard to destroy, not that it¡¯s powerful. Besides, when people die from evil spirits, things can get pretty crazy, so they¡¯re probably just being proactive.


    BRANSON: Well, good to know what we¡¯re doing the next few months. Will you stay here to train?


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    ARES: No. My wife is waiting at home for me.


    BRANSON: Who do you have there to train you?


    ARES: Just my dad.


    BRANSON: Ah¡­ his magic isn¡¯t like yours, though. He¡¯s an elemental.


    ARES: He taught me everything I know so far.


    BRANSON: Hm. Well, I look forward to seeing what you can do. There¡¯s that squire of yours with more tea. Did you ask her to bring you more?


    ARES: I didn¡¯t. I suppose sometimes its good to have a bad reputation.


    *?? ??*????*


    The rooms where castle mages train their magic are vast and empty. With five mages standing in a circle, Area waits patiently, eyes closed, for them to attack. Magic of a high level generally takes the form of a circle of light, and although they are more powerful with a broader range, they generally take longer to form than a more juvenile style. Ares is quick to attack once they begin summoning, but his magic isn¡¯t strong enough to block all their attacks. Though he deals many attacks, they don¡¯t do much damage, and at the same time although he takes many hits he stays standing and continues to fight. As the attacks continue in a never-ending onslaught, Ares gradually begins to stress and lose control. The colour of his attacks darken, and a glow seeps onto his skin. Before the mages have time to recognise it, Ares releases a giant wave of magic that knocks three of them off their feet. Left completely breathless following the attack, Ares barely hears the whistle dismissing him.


    Still covered in a negative energy, people in the waiting area gasp as he passes by. He barely makes it halfway to the showers before collapsing against the wall, where he remains until Pearce finds him.


    PEARCE: Oh dear. Come on, lad¡­


    Pearce helps Ares back to his room. When they get there, he lights some incense and gives Ares water. Ares drinks it greedily.


    ARES: I¡¯m not used to such long training sessions.


    PEARCE: Fighting with Spirits isn¡¯t usually a quick battle. We appreciate your efforts, soldier.


    Pearce leaves. Ares lies in the dark, listening to the voices in his head. Late that night, he is summoned back to the training room. It¡¯s been cleared and only LEN, a high-ranking castle mage, remains. He welcomes Ares as he enters.


    LEN: Lord Saber. Or has your title changed since marriage?


    ARES: I suppose since I¡¯ll eventually be moving to her estate, I should get used to people calling me Lord Costa.


    LEN: As long as you¡¯re on Hituh soil, I say you¡¯re a Saber. About your performance, your magic is incredibly powerful, but unless you learn to control it, we cannot guarantee your safety for the mission.


    ARES: That¡¯s okay. I won¡¯t go on the mission.


    LEN: You will. Stay here with us until it¡¯s time. We¡¯ll give you special access to the priests and shamans, to ensure you¡¯re as protected as you can be.


    ARES: I¡¯ve only just got married. I need to go home to my wife.


    LEN: You won¡¯t survive if you go the way as you are now.


    ARES: Where am I supposed to find someone who can train me?


    LEN: ¡­Moonie lives in Cragg territory, doesn¡¯t she? She¡¯s here somewhere, and I¡¯m sure she¡¯d be happy to help you train. You¡¯ll receive a summons in the mail when we¡¯re ready for you. I suggest you work hard. With the right training, you could become an honourary queens guard.


    ARES: Thank you, Len.


    LEN: Thank you, Lord Saber. See you in a few months.


    *?? ??*????*


    Ares is waiting outside, squinting against the afternoon sun. He looks tired and poorly rested. As he waits, Branson approaches him.


    BRANSON: Hey there, soldier. Didn¡¯t see you last night, even at dinner.


    ARES: I wasn¡¯t feeling well. I¡¯m not cut out for this magic stuff.


    BRANSON: Is that what they told you?


    ARES: ¡­Not in so many words.


    BRANSON: What sort of words did they use, then?


    ARES: The kind that suggested if I want to survive this spirit, I¡¯ll need to go insane.


    Sorry, I¡¯m being rude. How did you go?


    BRANSON: As expected. They told me I was old beyond my years.


    ARES: Insults like that are hard to move on from without some serious action, aren¡¯t they?


    BRANSON: Certainly are. So, you go a bit mental with magic, do you?


    ARES: I thought most people did.


    BRANSON: It was definitely something I had trouble with as a teenager, but we spent a good year learning to protect our minds at magic school. Your father never taught you?


    ARES: Not as such¡­ He¡¯s a ¡®push it down¡¯ kind of guy. Some of my most impressive magic has been thanks to such advice.


    BRANSON: Sounds dangerous. So, how do you intend to deal with this, then?


    ARES: ¡­Len suggested I ask Moonie for help.


    BRANSON: Moonie? Didn¡¯t she¡­?


    ARES: Date my brother? Yes, yes, she did. Should be a delightful conversation coming from both directions. Given where she lives, it would make sense for me to invite her out to stay with us for two months. We could accomplish a lot working together.


    BRANSON: ¡­Actually, I was going to ask if she was the one who managed to put a curse on the ancient statue by Lake Fortuitous.


    ARES: Oh, that. That was Horus¡¯s idea, actually. Damn, they made such a good couple while it lasted.


    BRANSON: What happened?


    ARES: He said she was crazy, she said he wasn¡¯t crazy enough. Something like that.


    BRANSON: Well, she¡¯s engaged now, so hopefully that will alleviate some tension. I¡¯d best head off, there¡¯s a lot of ground to cover before I get back home. I suppose I¡¯ll see you in a few months¡¯ time. Feel free to write if you need any help.


    ARES: Thank you, Branson. Perhaps you¡¯d like to join our family for our Solstice party.


    BRANSON: I shouldn¡¯t think so, my wife runs cold, and those mountains aren¡¯t good for her arthritis. I appreciate the thought. Travel safe, I hear there¡¯s ogres up your way.


    ARES: They¡¯re more than welcome to greet me.


    Ares and Branson wave each other goodbye. Ares sighs and leans back, closing his eyes. The sound of footsteps approaching brings him back to attention.


    MOONIE: I hear you summoned me?


    ARES: Hello, Moonie. It¡¯s nice to see you again.


    MOONIE: Mmhmm. What do you want?


    ARES: ¡­Len asked me to speak to you. I didn¡¯t realise you held so much contempt for the family.


    MOONIE: I don¡¯t¡­ ah, fine. Sorry for being short, young master.


    ARES: ¡­


    MOONIE: ¡­Right, you¡¯re all grown up now. Lord Saber, what can I do for you?


    ARES: I need your help training for this evil spirit.


    MOONIE: Oh? You and I haven¡¯t played with magic in almost ten years.


    ARES: No, but you¡¯ve been a magic user your whole life and never had so much as a psychotic hiccup. I have control issues, you see.


    MOONIE: Following in the family footsteps, huh?


    Uh, right, so you want me to teach you Sense Aegis? Honestly, I don¡¯t think I can. I need to do my own training¡­ besides, I¡¯m not sure your brother would like¡­


    ARES: Oh, come on, Moonie! I need help with this. If I don¡¯t find someone to train me, I don¡¯t stand a chance. You¡¯re engaged, surely you can appreciate the position I¡¯m in with my new wife. Besides, as you say, you have training to do. Wouldn¡¯t it be nice to have a familiar sparring partner?


    MOONIE: You¡¯re not familiar. Not anymore.


    ARES: I know you were hurt when you and Horus split, but I thought you and I always liked each other. I used to think you¡¯d become my big sister.


    MOONIE: So did I.


    ¡­Fine, alright. I¡¯ll do it.


    ARES: You will? Thank you, Moonie. I really appreciate it.


    MOONIE: You said you¡¯re married now?


    ARES: Yeah. To a Tijoran tribal princess.


    MOONIE: Oh, well¡­ I¡¯m happy for you. Be careful, though. I hear those Tijorans can be pretty emotional.


    ARES: Nah, not Primrose. Anyway, in five or so years we¡¯re due to move back to Tijora and run her estate there¡­ Can¡¯t wait to live on the beach.


    MOONIE: Can¡¯t wait to get away from home even more, I¡¯ll bet. You were certainly keen as you were growing up.


    ARES: Was I?


    MOONIE: In the time Horus and I were dating, you ran away from home three times.


    ARES: ¡­I suppose I did used to run away a lot.


    MOONIE: And now, you¡¯ve married a woman who lives in a different country.


    ARES: That was arranged.


    MOONIE: You¡¯re what, twenty-five? You could have refused.


    ARES: And what, upset my father?


    MOONIE: Why not? Lord Kur is the whole reason Horus and I broke up, you know.


    ARES: He is?


    MOONIE: He said I wasn¡¯t noble enough to marry your brother.


    ARES: Wow. That¡¯s surprising. He¡¯d probably change his tune now, he¡¯s desperate for Horus to get married.


    MOONIE: Really? Good. That makes me happy.


    ARES: Still, you shouldn¡¯t speak against him.


    MOONIE: Hmph. This whole thing is so stupid. Why does the queen want you, anyway? Doesn¡¯t she have enough soldiers without involving a Saber?


    ARES: Took the question right from my mouth. I don¡¯t know, but Len made it sound like fighting wasn¡¯t optional.


    MOONIE: ¡­You know, if I¡¯m training you, that makes me your Master. I have superiority over you.


    ARES: Yes, while we¡¯re in training. Which we aren¡¯t currently.


    MOONIE: A technicality¡­


    Ares and Moonie reach the stables where both parties are brought their goats. They make their way out of town, exchanging some pleasantries, and as they reach the outskirts they¡¯re stopped by the gatekeepers.


    GATEKEEPER: Apologies. But this road is closed for now.


    ARES: Why? I came through here two days ago.


    GATEKEEPER: Ogres. We¡¯ve sent for the castle mages, but apparently they¡¯ll be a while. I¡¯d go back to where you were staying and try again tomorrow.


    ARES: ¡­let¡¯s just set up camp here. I don¡¯t want to stay at the castle.


    MOONIE: We could be here for days, Ares.


    ARES: Then¡­ we¡¯ll fight them ourselves.


    MOONIE: ¡­look, I know you¡¯re gifted with the sword¡ª


    ARES: And you¡¯re gifted with magic, right? We can take on a hoarde of ogres. We don¡¯t have to kill all of them, just get through them.


    MOONIE: ¡­Alright, we can assess the situation and see.


    ARES: Well, what are we waiting for?


    MOONIE: Morning. We¡¯re waiting for morning. Go to sleep, Ares.


    Moonie sets up her swag and lies down. Ares starts a fire instead and stares into it. Darkness comes over, and he continues to watch the flames, heavy circles under his eyes. A whisper from across the fire draws his attention.


    ARES: Who¡¯s there?


    LUMOS: It¡¯s me. You ran away from me, again. Why do you keep running?


    ARES: I¡­ don¡¯t understand you. Who are you?


    LUMOS: We waited for you, Ares. You promised me you¡¯d come to us.


    ARES: I did?


    LUMOS: We all suffered because of you.


    ARES: I did some really, really bad things.


    LUMOS: More than you remember.


    MOONIE: Ares?


    The apparition of Lumos disappears in an instant.


    ARES: Hm?


    MOONIE: Who are you talking to?


    ARES: ¡­myself.


    MOONIE: Go to sleep, Ares.


    Ares settles down, but he doesn¡¯t stop watching the fire.

 Avoid the wrath of Saber.

    <h2>Avoid the wrath of Saber.</h2>


    It¡¯s late afternoon, the night staff are sitting around the tables in the kitchens together. Marsden and Fairfax have spread their paperwork all across one of them, Osprey is both shining shoes and talking Augustus through how to hem Set¡¯s pants, while Python rests with her head on the table. Tiger comes in a moment later with groceries.


    TIGER: Everyone, stop what you¡¯re doing and come help.


    Marsden and Fairfax keep working, but everyone else jumps to attention and go to help unpack.


    OSPREY: Why did you buy so much? Are we expecting guests?


    TIGER: No, but I have a hunch. Lady Primrose is going to be worked to the bone, and she¡¯ll be hungry. Pythons trying to build a climbing gym, plus, once Ares gets back, they¡¯ll probably want to do big family meals¡­ Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll get through all of this easy.


    FAIRFAX: Did¡­ you say Python¡¯s building a climbing gym?


    TIGER: Oh, was that supposed to be a secret?


    MARSDEN: Python, is this true?


    PYTHON: Yes. Lady Minerva wants to learn again. She¡¯s asked to keep it quiet.


    MARSDEN: Then the secret should have been kept from Tiger. Why is she climbing? Surely, she knows how her father will react.


    PYTHON: She wants to honour her sister¡¯s memory, and her culture. You won¡¯t tell anyone, will you?


    MARSDEN: I¡¯m not sure yet. I suppose if she¡¯s only climbing on equipment that will keep her safe, I can keep quiet.


    PYTHON: Thank you. Incidentally, Tiger, how did you find out?


    TIGER: Danielle told Elizabeth, who told me. I don¡¯t know where Danielle got her information, but Elizabeth confirmed it. She knows everything about everything going on in this place¡­ so do I.


    OSPREY: I didn¡¯t realise you and Elizabeth were so close.


    TIGER: When the squires go to war, she and I remain here. Any other secrets I can spill? Anyone?


    AUGUSTUS: Sure, just what the hell does Lady Minerva do in that laboratory of hers?


    TIGER: That, I¡¯m afraid, we can¡¯t ascertain. It¡¯s not like we can tell what she¡¯s making. Although lately, Elizabeth has been cleaning up remnants from smoke clouds¡­


    PYTHON: Enough, Tiger. Augustus, leave Lady Minerva alone. Despite what you may be thinking, she hasn¡¯t learned to turn people into frogs yet.


    AUGUSTUS: A frog wouldn¡¯t be so bad. I¡¯m just waiting for the day I get turned into one of Set¡¯s dogs.


    TIGER: Yeah, maybe then you¡¯d be treated with some respect.


    MARSDEN: Quit the insolence, immediately. Tiger, are you certain this extra food doesn¡¯t have to do with someone¡¯s forthcoming birthday?


    AUGUSTUS: It¡¯d better not be.


    TIGER: It isn¡¯t. I know better than anyone not to put food for servants on the master¡¯s tab, even if Augustus is reaching a special milestone birthday.


    MARSDEN: Glad to hear it. Have you drafted a menu for the Solstice?


    TIGER: Not yet. Waiting on His Lordship¡¯s Esteemed Squire Fairfax to give me an idea about how many guests to expect.


    FAIRFAX: We can hardly have an idea of how many guests we¡¯re going to have when we only decided to host two nights ago. Lord Horus hasn¡¯t even finished writing letters of invitation.


    MARSDEN: It is imperative we have enough food for the party.


    FAIRFAX: Yes, I know, which is why I asked Tiger to put together a couple drafts.


    TIGER: And why I told Fairfax that without a ballpark figure of how many guests, I won¡¯t know what I can and can¡¯t handle. This isn¡¯t complicated. We can hire more help, but we can¡¯t expand the kitchen. What I can offer directly correlates to how many guests we¡¯ll have. The more guests, the simpler the cuisine, because we¡¯ll need things that I can prepare in advance. If we have fewer guests, I can afford to do something exotic or exquisite.


    FAIRFAX: Stop being so dramatic all the time. We¡¯re hosting solstice, it¡¯ll be freezing, just go with something hot and traditional.


    TIGER: Traditional has a lot of layers, you know.


    MARSDEN: Tiger, next time you¡¯re in town be sure to mention you¡¯ll be after a large order. We can guess somewhere near one-hundred guests, so use that as a guide. This has reminded me, Osprey, are any of your family willing to help with set up and clean up for the event?


    OSPREY: Fairfax already asked, and the answer is yes. They love an excuse to come up here, anyone from the village would.


    MARSDEN: Well, at least that¡¯s one thing we don¡¯t have to worry about. Fairfax, why don¡¯t you and I continue this in the library. I fear this sleeping situation may be worse than we¡¯d feared.


    Marsden and Fairfax pack up their papers and leave. As they go for the exit, Elizabeth and Danielle come in, almost bumping into them.


    ELIZABETH: Oops! Sorry boss. I was just seeing if Danielle could show me around the place. She did well!


    OSPREY: Good student, better teacher. It¡¯s not easy learning your way around here.


    DANIELLE: I thought I was doing alright, but Elizabeth has just informed me there¡¯s an entire wing of guest rooms hidden out the back.


    OSPREY: Yeah, they get freezing down there, too. Hope Marsden and Fairfax have thought about the firewood. Did they say they were worried about the rooming?


    AUGUSTUS: Maybe it¡¯s not the firewood that will be a problem, but those rumours about the ghosts.


    DANIELLE: Oh, come on, Augustus. You can¡¯t seriously tell me the castle is haunted.


    TIGER: Oh yes, incredibly so¡­ if you¡¯re interested in urban legend.


    AUGUSTUS: I can¡¯t believe we¡¯re doing this again, but there are ghosts in this castle.


    TIGER: No, there aren¡¯t.


    OSPREY: Yes, there are.


    PYTHON: Of course, there are.


    ELIZABETH: Stop it! There¡¯s no ghosts. If there were a ghost, I¡¯d have seen it by now.


    AUGUSTUS: I haven¡¯t seen one since I was a kid, doesn¡¯t mean they aren¡¯t there.


    TIGER: Oh, stop it. I¡¯m not doing this again.


    OSPREY: I can¡¯t do it either. If you two want to anger the ancient spirits by not believing in them, then that¡¯s your choice to make¡­ Oh, don¡¯t worry, Danielle. The ghosts here have never hurt anyone. They just jump out and scare people.


    DANIELLE: We¡¯ve had some pretty nasty ghosts in Tijora¡­ I¡¯d have liked it here much more if I¡¯d thought there were no ghosts.


    ELIZABETH: Don¡¯t listen to the squires. They¡¯re always making up stories. There¡¯s no ghosts, but there¡¯s plenty other spooky things around these parts. Monsters from the mountains come down sometimes, not to mention all the poisonous rats.


    DANIELLE: ¡­Suddenly I miss the idea of ghosts. I never thought about the fact you might have rats in the mountains.


    TIGER: Oh yes. Lots of them. Dreadful things, nip at your toes in the night if you let them.


    DANIELLE: Enough. Please, no more rat-talk. Tell me more about the ghosts.


    OSPREY: Well, some ghosts we think are actually spirits. My theory is we¡¯re built somewhere near a portal that opens to the spirit world. Some, though, I recognise as people the Saber¡¯s have killed.


    DANIELLE: Oh dear.


    AUGUSTUS: I wouldn¡¯t worry. It¡¯s not like all of them appear. None of us ever saw Lord Odin after he died, and we were certain he¡¯d haunt the place.


    TIGER: Enough with the ghosts! Get out of my kitchen and go get your masters ready for dinner, won¡¯t you?


    The squires leave, Osprey motioning for Danielle to follow him.


    *?? ??*????*


    The following morning, Primrose wakes up to the sound of knocking on her door. She groans loudly and Danielle enters.


    DANIELLE: Rise and shine, Lady Prim! You¡¯ve been summoned for breakfast with the family.


    PRIMROSE: Breakfast? It¡¯s so early¡­ I don¡¯t want to get out of bed.


    DANIELLE: Trust me, neither did I. These servants are out of bed at six-thirty, ready for work at seven. It was freezing at that hour!


    PRIMROSE: They¡¯re fools. Don¡¯t they know the beauty of sleeping till ten?


    DANIELLE: Afraid not. Come on, Lord Kur asked everyone to breakfast this morning. Get dressed.


    PRIMROSE: He asked for us? Why do I feel such an immense sense of anxiety at learning that?


    Danielle shrugs sympathetically and helps drag Primrose out of bed, who reluctantly gets dressed and hurries downstairs, grabbing Ares¡¯s cloak on the way out. In the breakfast room, Minerva sits on one side reading a book, and Horus and Set sit together on the other side, pouring over his maths homework. Primrose sits tentatively next to Minerva.


    PRIMROSE: Good morning, everyone.


    MINERVA: No need for such lies. It¡¯s a regular morning.


    HORUS: Minerva, be nice. Sorry, Primrose. She¡¯s usually asleep at this time.


    PRIMROSE: That¡¯s alright. It¡¯s a little early for me, too. Do you often eat breakfast together?


    MINERVA: Not usually. Only when Dad wants something. Sometimes he likes to open all our mail with us present.


    SET: Pretty sure this¡¯ll be about me. I don¡¯t fucking get this. My tutor is already so pissed at me¡­


    HORUS: Calm down, Set. We¡¯ll work it out.


    As breakfast is being served, Kur comes in.


    KUR: Ah, I see you¡¯re all here. For once. Seems we should be keeping touch while our newest member of the family settles in. Tell us, Primrose, how were the goats?


    PRIMROSE: They were alright once I got used to the sensation, although I¡¯m pretty sore today.


    KUR: It certainly sounded like you were enjoying yourself. I could hear your childish giggling from my study.


    I¡¯ve called us together because I¡¯m expecting to hear from the capital today. I assumed we¡¯d all want to hear news of Ares. Has the mail come in yet?


    HORUS: Not yet¡­ what makes you so sure we¡¯ll hear from the capital?


    KUR: I asked Captain Pearce to write. He understands impatience well, so I¡¯m sure there¡¯ll be no problem¡­ Why are there so many books on my breakfast table?


    MINERVA: The little one is working on his maths.


    SET: Again, I¡¯m taller than you.


    MINERVA: And again, still so unwise.


    KUR: I¡¯m also expecting a letter from your tutor today, Set. He said you did some tests recently.


    SET: They weren¡¯t tests. Or maybe¡­ they were practice tests.


    KUR: You¡¯re running out of time to bring up your grades. I hope this letter tells us of something positive.


    SET: Me too.


    PYTHON: Here¡¯s the mailman now, sir. It¡¯s the sheepish one, he¡¯s been standing there for two minutes. I¡¯ll just go¡­


    SET: Oh, the one who fainted a couple weeks ago? When did he start coming back?


    PYTHON: I¡¯m not too sure, young master.


    HORUS: The mailmen are expected to bring the mail to the door. Perhaps I should¡­


    SET: No, let Minerva go.


    HORUS: Good idea.


    MINERVA: Why would I talk to the mailman instead of the lord of the house?


    SET: Because you¡¯re the one who made him faint last time.


    KUR: Enough, children. Minerva, go get the mail.


    Minerva sighs but gets up all the same. Primrose smiles quizzically.


    PRIMROSE: I don¡¯t understand. What happened?


    SET: It was so funny. The guy knocked over one of our garden ornaments. He came up to the door all shaking¡­ Minerva answered, and she didn¡¯t even say anything. The guy just collapsed.


    PRIMROSE: Oh¡­ I feel kind of bad for the man.


    SET: Shh, let¡¯s listen.


    From the next room, Minerva can be heard speaking clearly about being punctual with the mail. When the mailman doesn¡¯t respond, she threatens to steal his tongue, and slams the door shut. Set and Horus erupt into laughter as Minerva comes back, and even Kur smiles.


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    MINERVA: What¡¯s so funny? Here¡¯s the mail, father.


    KUR: Quiet down, boys. Here¡¯s letter from Pearce¡­


    Sir Kur, thank you for your invitation¡­ tensions across the border continue to ease¡­ ah. Your son¡¯s display of magic went well, he is talented, but lacks necessary control. He will need to train with a proper professional from this point¡­ Sounds like everything is already over. I suppose that¡¯s that.


    HORUS: He needs to keep training?


    KUR: We¡¯ll ask him when he¡¯s home. I suppose you¡¯ll be delighted, Primrose. He¡¯ll be home sooner than we¡¯d thought.


    PRIMROSE: I am. I¡¯ve missed him.


    KUR: Quaint.


    Set, here¡¯s the letter from your tutor¡­


    The whole family stop eating to watch Kur as he reads on in silence. After a moment of not saying anything, Horus pats Set sympathetically and starts shifting glassware away from the table¡¯s edge. Finally, Kur puts down the letter.


    KUR: ¡­He¡¯s predicting you¡¯ll fail.


    SET: What? Seriously?


    KUR: How is this possible, Set? You promised me you¡¯d been studying.


    SET: I¡­ I have been¡­


    KUR: We don¡¯t tolerate stupidity in this house.


    SET: I¡¯m¡­ sorry¡ª


    Kur lashes out suddenly and smacks Set hard across the face. Everyone in the room winces as Set cowers towards Horus, holding his cheek. Kur rises from his chair.


    KUR: What the fuck have you been doing?


    SET: I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ll study harder.


    KUR: Yes, you will. No more dogs for the next week.


    Kur grabs Sets hair and drags him to the floor.


    KUR: Do you understand? If you don¡¯t get your grades up, you will be punished.


    Set nods. Kur stomps on him twice, then returns to his seat. All around the room, people wince for Set¡¯s pain. Primrose looks around the room in horror and ends up locking eyes with Osprey, who shakes his head silently at her.


    KUR: Get the fuck out. You can eat once you¡¯re smart.


    Set runs. Augustus hurries to collect Set¡¯s books, while Kur goes back to sifting through the mail. Yet another letter catches his eyes.


    KUR: Minerva¡­ you have a letter from someone in the city.


    MINERVA: I do? Why?


    KUR: I don¡¯t¡­ oh. Did you have a run-in with a peasant recently?


    MINERVA: ¡­oh yeah. I met him while getting some ingredients. What does it say?


    KUR: That he¡¯ll give you his eyes if it means you¡¯ll save his daughter.


    Minerva starts laughing, but no-one else looks so amused.


    HORUS: What¡¯s that all about?


    MINERVA: A stupid man calling a big bluff. I should take his eyes just to teach him a lesson.


    HORUS: And then not save his daughter?


    MINERVA: Certainly not. It¡¯s not my fault crime is so high they don¡¯t have capacity at the hospital. His daughter is probably in hospital from street fights to begin with.


    KUR: Minerva, I didn¡¯t realise you knew how to cook using human ingredients.


    MINERVA: I don¡¯t¡­ well, not in practice. There¡¯s a lot of elixirs you can make from eyes, but I¡¯ve never heard of any for healing. I could definitely use them to make some poison.


    HORUS: Give that to his daughter as the medicine?


    MINERVA: Ooh, that¡¯s good. At least no-one would ever ask me for a favour ever again.


    PRIMROSE: You¡­ wouldn¡¯t really take his eyes for no reason, would you?


    After a momentary pause, Minerva flicks her gaze to Horus who gives her a mischievous smile. One the one hand, Ares asked they be nice to Primrose, but on the other hand¡­


    MINERVA: I would. Strong leaders instil fear in their subjects.


    HORUS: Well, actually, we wouldn¡¯t take the eyes. We¡¯re too busy for that. He¡¯d have to have them removed and sent here himself.


    MINERVA: Might be difficult, given the lack of beds at the hospital.


    HORUS: Yes. But we¡¯re patient people, and we can wait. Anyone who disrespects us deserves to be punished¡­ if we can let them punish themselves, all the better.


    PRIMROSE: But he just wants to look after his daughter.


    HORUS: That¡¯s true. Father, you have a daughter. What do you think about all this?


    KUR: ¡­I think the rest of the mail is RSVPs for the party. That was a quick turnaround.


    HORUS: The Solstice is soon, father.


    MINERVA: Primrose, you don¡¯t seem to be eating.


    PRIMROSE: Oh, I just¡­ I¡¯m a bit distracted.


    KUR: You¡¯d best wake yourself up. You¡¯re coming to sword practice with us, and I want to see your archery before then.


    PRIMROSE: I can shoot arrows while sleeping.


    KUR: Good. Let¡¯s get going, then.


    PRIMROSE: ¡­right now?


    KUR: Why, is this moment less convenient than when you¡¯re asleep?


    Primrose hesitates a little longer than what¡¯s polite, but reluctantly gets up and follows Kur outside. Once they¡¯re out of earshot, Minerva and Horus burst into laughter.


    HORUS: Ares is going to be mad at us for that, you know. We¡¯re supposed to be nice to her.


    MINERVA: Oh, she brought it on herself. She really had to ask if I¡¯d take some peasants eyes for no reason? How psychotic does she think we are?


    HORUS: I¡¯m inclined to agree, but¡­ she¡¯s not from here. Whatever opinion she has of you, she made on her own.


    MINERVA: I guess you were right. We are intimidating.


    HORUS: Think of it as a positive. Look at Primrose, she¡¯s so soft and warm, she¡¯d never scare anyone. That doesn¡¯t exactly make for a good leader. She¡¯s lucky she married Ares.


    MINERVA: But being soft is a strength in itself¡­ people will do things for people they like.


    HORUS: They do things for people they respect. It¡¯s easy to disrespect kindness.


    MINERVA: I suppose we¡¯ll see eventually how she reacts when pushed.


    HORUS: Yes¡­ let¡¯s leave that honour to father, though. Ares wouldn¡¯t forgive anyone else.


    MINERVA: ¡­You think he really loves her, or it¡¯s just a honeymoon phase?


    HORUS: Hard to know. Given how important marriage is to dad, I daresay Ares will do everything he can to make himself believe he loves her. I¡¯d also guess that eventually, Ares will side with dad over her, and that won¡¯t be an easy fix. She¡¯ll leave him, and we¡¯ll go back to war.


    MINERVA: Oh, I don¡¯t know about that¡­ maybe she¡¯ll finally fracture whatever¡¯s going on in that weird as fuck relationship. She¡¯s certainly opposed to Ares doing magic.


    HORUS: Yet he¡¯s off in the capital because father told him he had to go. He can¡¯t stand up to father, so instead he blindly obeys.


    Minerva nods quietly but doesn¡¯t say anything. Horus has already moved on, having found something in the paper.


    HORUS: There¡¯s been seven deaths in Wayward Valley. The ogre problem is getting out of control.


    MINERVA: Seven deaths? They must have been ambushed. Those monsters are getting smarter.


    HORUS: Still not as smart as the trolls or the orcs. Ares will be coming that way. Maybe I should go¡­


    MINERVA: If there¡¯s ogres all about, travelling isn¡¯t safe. Once Ares is home we can reassess and make a plan.


    HORUS: Hm¡­ Wayward Valley isn¡¯t close, but it¡¯s not far, either. It wouldn¡¯t hurt to do a scout and kill any thoughts they may have about coming here.


    MINERVA: You and Ares are so alike. I¡¯d bet anything he¡¯s fighting his way through the ogres intentionally.


    HORUS: Yes. His recklessness is one of his best assets, isn¡¯t it?


    *?? ??*????*


    Out in the training yard, Primrose shows her archery skills to Kur. She his every target on a bullseye regardless of if she¡¯s stationary or not, and even when riding horses, she hits all the targets. Kur isn¡¯t impressed until he watches her shooting with her feet.


    KUR: I see. You are quite skilled.


    PRIMROSE: Well, yes. We¡¯re big on archery in my country. I¡¯ll be better at riding horses soon; I just have to wait for my riding pants to come in.


    KUR: Yes, I noted the tailor paid a visit. I¡¯m glad the issue of your clothes will be resolved shortly. So, you¡¯re skilled with the bow, how about the sword?


    PRIMROSE: I mean¡­ I know a little.


    KUR: Children know a little.


    Marsden?


    Marsden approaches with two swords. Primrose frowns but takes the sword handed to her. It¡¯s a little heavy, and Kur frowns at her a moment before examining his own sword. It is simple in design save for the hilt, which has a fire dragon engraved into the side. Kur¡¯s frown deepens as Primrose takes a fighting stance.


    KUR: That¡¯s your stance?


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯m used to fighting with two, much lighter swords.


    KUR: ¡­very well. Marsden, see what you can find.


    Tell you what, Primrose. We¡¯ll spar for three minutes. I realise you¡¯re at a disadvantage, so I¡¯ll allow you to focus solely on being on the offensive. I want to see what your fighting style looks like. If you can draw blood, we¡¯ll stop early. If you can¡¯t, you sustain the damage of any counters I may have to your attacks. Sound fair?


    PRIMROSE: You¡­ want me to try and draw blood from you?


    KUR: Yes. Marsden! What did you find?


    MARSDEN: Osprey knew where to find the sword and dagger she travelled with. I assume that will suffice.


    PRIMROSE: ¡­I¡­ guess so?


    KUR: Good. Three minutes. Marsden, start the clock.


    Without another warning, Kur lunges forward, sword raised, forcing her to respond. Their steel clangs together loudly as she blocks and jumps backs, and Kur begins to circle impatiently. Primrose does a couple of light jabs before retreating back further, forcing him to follow.


    KUR: Don¡¯t run. Fight.


    Kur goes forward to meet her, but now she¡¯s had time to process she goes on the offensive. The difference in skill is stark and despite her efforts Primrose can¡¯t land a single hit on Kur, and is instead battered and bruised until she sustains a cut on her arm. She retreats backwards again to recover. Kur grins.


    KUR: You¡¯re running out of time. Stop running.


    PRIMROSE: I need to think.


    Primrose scans her area but there¡¯s nothing to help her. Kur starts running forward, and instead of meeting him head on she dodges past his sword and smacks her shoulder into his chest. He falters, but only for a moment, and in the next moment he¡¯s bringing his sword towards her neck as she lifts hers to block. Marsden¡¯s whistle blows a moment later. Kur and Primrose freeze in place, swords still drawn. Primrose is exhausted, but Kur is barely panting. He gives her a sickly smile.


    KUR: A few more seconds and you¡¯d be cutting your throat with your own sword.


    Kur releases her, and she staggers a little, still trying to gather her thoughts.


    KUR: Your style is unique, but you have a lot left you can learn. I recommend you work on getting stronger. If this were a real fight, I¡¯d have had you dead in less than thirty seconds.


    PRIMROSE: If this were a real fight, you¡¯d be shot dead with an arrow before you got anywhere near me.


    Kur eyes her coldly but doesn¡¯t say anything. Instead, he gives Marsden a look, who comes to collect the swords. Primrose pulls herself upright and examines the scratch on her arm.


    PRIMROSE: I thought you weren¡¯t supposed to draw blood in sparring matches.


    KUR: Only if you¡¯re comfortable disrespecting the gods of steel. You¡¯re dismissed, Primrose. See you at training later.


    Kur leaves, Marsden following along behind. Primrose is left alone in the field, and she sighs in relief, letting her legs give so she can sit. Doesn¡¯t matter where she looks, she¡¯s completely surrounded by mountains.


    *?? ??*????*


    Primrose wanders the hallways of the castle, examining the paintings that line the walls. Most portray battle scenes or the mountains, so when she comes across a portrait of an older woman, she stops to examine her. As she¡¯s staring, the eyes move suddenly to look sharply at her. Primrose jumps backwards and screams so loudly it echoes the halls. She jumps to the left, then the right. They eyes continue to follow her. A moment later, Horus appears from around the corner.


    HORUS: Primrose! Are you alright?


    PRIMROSE: Yes, I¡­ I¡¯m fine, but the eyes¡­


    Primrose points to the portrait. Horus stops to laugh.


    HORUS: Oh, that. It¡¯s got a hex on it, but we don¡¯t know who it was. I have a theory it was Minerva, and she can see everything through that crystal ball of hers. If the eyes are looking, she¡¯s watching.


    Horus and Primrose both look back at the portrait. The eyes flick between them.


    PRIMROSE: I thought Minerva couldn¡¯t do magic?


    HORUS: She can¡¯t, but that doesn¡¯t mean she can¡¯t pay other people to do it for her.


    PRIMROSE: Ares can¡¯t do magic like this, can he?


    HORUS: Not that I know of. My father taught Ares, and father doesn¡¯t know anything about spells or curses.


    Horus begins to walk away, Primrose follows behind him.


    PRIMROSE: I didn¡¯t know your father could do magic.


    HORUS: He can and he can¡¯t. It¡¯s kind of a sensitive topic, but basically, he was banned from practicing his magic years ago. You should ask Ares about it.


    How are you finding Cragg so far?


    PRIMROSE: Honestly¡­ a little lonely, so far. I¡¯m not used to so much space and so few people.


    HORUS: ¡­I¡¯m sorry to hear that. We grew up with it, so we¡¯re all used to it. There are a couple lower nobles in the area, I¡¯m sure they¡¯d like to meet you.


    PRIMROSE: You mean, I should invite them over?


    HORUS: Ah¡­ you could, but I doubt they¡¯d come. We lost favour with them some time ago.


    PRIMROSE: ¡­


    HORUS: You¡¯re not sure how to feel about us, are you?


    PRIMROSE: It¡¯s not that. It¡¯s just all so new, and different, and¡­


    HORUS: ¡­and Ares isn¡¯t here.


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯m sorry. I know your father thinks it¡¯s ¡°quaint¡± for me to miss him, but¡­


    HORUS: Don¡¯t be silly. I¡¯m glad you miss him. Besides, you¡¯re not the only one who misses him when he¡¯s away. Set becomes a million times more difficult without the favourite around.


    PRIMROSE: Ares is the favourite, is he?


    HORUS: Ares is everyone¡¯s favourite. You¡¯ll see at the party.


    PRIMROSE: Can I be honest? I¡¯m starting to dread the Solstice.


    HORUS: I don¡¯t blame you. A lot of people attending won¡¯t be sure how to feel about you. Mind you, they¡¯re not sure how to feel about any of us.


    PRIMROSE: ¡­Can I clarify something?


    HORUS: Of course.


    PRIMROSE: Who, exactly, is Baron? I keep getting confused¡­


    HORUS: Technically, I¡¯m Baron. I inherited it from mother when she died, but I was only thirteen at the time. Father took over as acting Baron and just¡­ hasn¡¯t stepped down yet. We sort of co-Baron, I suppose, even though it¡¯s my signature on all the documents.


    PRIMROSE: Wow. Seems like I have a lot I could learn from you if you¡¯ve been doing this since thirteen. How old are you now, anyway?


    HORUS: Not old enough that should warrant you asking that question, I¡¯d have thought.


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t mean it like that.


    HORUS: I¡¯m thirty-one. Not an old man just yet. I¡¯m not set in my ways like father.


    PRIMROSE: Even regarding corporal punishment?


    Horus stops walking and stares Primrose down.


    HORUS: Don¡¯t go there, Primrose. Father told me you stood up to him. Don¡¯t do it again.


    ¡­Sorry. Ares asked us to look after you.


    PRIMROSE: It¡¯s weird that so many people think I need to be looked after.


    HORUS: As you say, you¡¯re new and different. There¡¯s a lot about each other we¡¯ll have to get used to. By the way, I heard you had a tailor come in. They¡¯re so used to making clothes for us, if you don¡¯t specify, you¡¯ll end up in a suit that looks exactly the same as all of ours. Your clothes should suit our style, but¡­ feel free to bring some tradition to the clothing if you want.


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯d love to, but not sure your father would approve.


    HORUS: Father was a refugee. He understands the importance of culture.


    PRIMROSE: Wait, a refugee? Really?


    HORUS: Yes. He was a child at the time, back when Kindling and Daegon were in active war. Kindling people were snatching children from Daegon, his parents couldn¡¯t be there to keep dad safe¡­ they sent him to the foothills of Cragg, close to Dunes, where he lived with the Olla family until he was old enough to survive on his own. My grandparents both died, so he never got a chance to go home. Even though he was young, he remembers a lot about Daegon.


    PRIMROSE: ¡­of course. Ares had dragons on his robes at the wedding, and Set mentioned you grew up with a weird blend of religions. That must have been strange.


    HORUS: Only a little. All our religions tell the same stories, we just take different messages from them. Anyway, my point is¡­ father wants you to be modest, and look practical. Respect our ethos, but celebrate your culture all the same. You don¡¯t have to hide who you are while you¡¯re here.


    PRIMROSE: Thank you. I don¡¯t intend to.


    HORUS: Good. Now, before we go downstairs, shall we check on my brother?


    PRIMROSE: Should we? I don¡¯t want to get him into more trouble.


    HORUS: I¡¯m Baron. I¡¯ll do what I want.


    Horus opens the door to Set¡¯s room and walks in. He looks around, checks the ensuite and the cupboard. He turns back to Primrose with a smile.


    HORUS: He¡¯s gone.


    Horus is still laughing as he closes the door behind him. Primrose is a lot more concerned.


    PRIMROSE: What¡¯s he thinking? Won¡¯t Kur punish him?


    HORUS: Call him ¡®father¡¯, or ¡®Lord Kur¡¯. And yes, he would, but¡­ Set¡¯s smart. Not with books, but with other things. If he¡¯s gone, it¡¯s because he knows father isn¡¯t going to check up on him.


    PRIMROSE: He wasn¡¯t smart enough to think you might check on him.


    HORUS: He doesn¡¯t need to be. I¡¯m certainly not going to tell. I feel bad for the kid. It¡¯s not his fault he¡¯s stupid¡­ actually, maybe it is. He could be studying right now.


    PRIMROSE: It¡¯s hard not to have other priorities at that age.


    HORUS: If his only priority isn¡¯t getting into and surviving the academy, then he¡¯s a fucking idiot. That place is going to eat him alive.


    Later that night, Primrose is getting ready for bed. Danielle is with her, she¡¯s nodding off in the armchair by the fire. Primrose goes to shake her awake.


    PRIMROSE: C¡¯mon, Danielle. Bedtime.


    DANIELLE: Hmm¡­ but it¡¯s so cold in the servants quarters. We don¡¯t have any heating in the bedrooms.


    PRIMROSE: ¡­None?


    DANIELLE: Our blankets are very warm, don¡¯t get me wrong. But gosh, my face gets so cold in the night.


    PRIMROSE: Maybe I can talk to Horus about it in the morning.


    DANIELLE: I wouldn¡¯t. No-one else is complaining. I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll get used to it.


    Outside the door, there¡¯s a loud crash. Primrose and Danielle look at each other.


    PRIMROSE: ¡­It¡¯s nearly one-am. What¡­?


    DANIELLE: I daresay we shouldn¡¯t ask.


    They stand to listen. Another crash, then another. Primrose goes to the door and peers out into darkness.


    DANIELLE: Can you see anything?


    PRIMROSE: No¡­


    Another crash, louder this time. The light to Minerva¡¯s room is off. Primrose closes the door and pulls her shoes back on. She tucks her club onto her belt.


    DANIELLE: You¡¯re not going out there, are you?


    PRIMROSE: What if someone needs help? Are you coming?


    Danielle nods. Primrose and Danielle creep into the hallways, stepping quietly and carefully in the direction of the sound. They hear more sounds of banging and crashing, and as they get closer realise there are footsteps accompanying the sound. The head of security, Nail, steps out from a corner up ahead, causing both of them to jump.


    PRIMROSE: Oh, I¡¯m sorry¡­


    NAIL: Go back to bed, ma¡¯am. The situation is under control.


    PRIMROSE: Of course. Let¡¯s go, Danielle¡­


    Primrose and Danielle turn to leave hurriedly, and come face to face with Horus. Primrose sighs in relief.


    PRIMROSE: Horus. I¡¯m so sorry. We heard sounds and we were worried¡­


    HORUS: Everything is under control. I¡¯m sorry this woke you.


    PRIMROSE: Oh, it didn¡¯t¡­


    A thud nearby, and suddenly the running footsteps are closer. Horus pushes Primrose and Danielle to the wall and stands as a shield in front of them as someone comes sprinting around the corner at an alarming speed. The man crashes into the wall in front of him loudly and falls down. When he gets up, he turns and faces Horus eyes wide and hair wiry. Blindly, he runs towards them at full speed. The security guard lunges for him, but the prisoner dodges out of his grasp. Horus tracks the movement and lunges forward, intercepting the body and crushing it into the opposite wall. The man gives out a quiet yelp, spits at Horus and tries to bite him, and subsequently slips away. Nail follows after him.


    HORUS: He won¡¯t be running much longer.


    PRIMROSE: Who was that?!


    HORUS: Oh, that was one of our prisoners. Sometimes one will slip past an officer and run the halls.


    PRIMROSE: You¡­ you keep prisoners here?


    HORUS: Certainly. I¡¯m Baron, remember? When people go to trial, they stand before me and father for judgement. Who better than to see them serve their sentence than us?


    PRIMROSE: Where do you keep them?


    HORUS: In the dungeons. The deep, deep dungeons.


    The sound of a body crashing into a wall comes to them. Horus gives a smile.


    HORUS: Thrill of the chase, hm? Minerva and I have this under control. I apologise again for scaring you. This man will be dead before sunrise.


    PRIMROSE: You¡¯re going to kill him?


    HORUS: Yes. This man murdered children. He didn¡¯t deserve the chance for reform in the first place. Goodnight, Primrose. I¡¯ll see you in the morning. Oh, by the way, we got letter from Ares. There¡¯s ogres blocking his way, so he¡¯ll take a little longer getting here. But don¡¯t worry, there¡¯s plenty of ways to entertain yourself.


    Horus runs off in the direction of the prisoner. Primrose and Danielle, clutching hands tight, hurry back to the bedroom, the sound of laughter and crashing fill their ears as they go.

 Preparations

    Chapter Three.


    <h2>Preparations</h2>


    Minerva and Horus are sitting at the breakfast table. Minerva has a smug grin on her face as she doodles some math in a notebook. Horus is ignoring her, reading the paper. Python enters with fruit a moment later.


    MINERVA: Good morning, Python.


    PYTHON: You¡¯re awake bright and early.


    MINERVA: I¡¯m awake since yesterday. Father wanted us at this breakfast, so I decided to stay up. How¡¯s Princess Primrose?


    PYTHON: Taking breakfast in her room. She¡¯s a little shaken, I¡¯m afraid.


    KUR (entering): Who¡¯s shaken?


    MINERVA: Primrose. She won¡¯t be joining us this morning.


    KUR: And why, pray tell, should she be shaken?


    HORUS: A prisoner escaped the cells, father. He had a run-in with Primrose and the maid. She wasn¡¯t hurt, but I suppose she was spooked.


    KUR: ¡­A prisoner escaped, did they?


    Horus and Minerva look at each other and shrug innocently. Kur raises his brows non-threateningly.


    KUR: Who apprehended the man in the end?


    Minerva takes a big, smug gulp of juice. Horus eyes her menacingly.


    HORUS: Blood spill goes to the girl. I body-slammed him four times before that, though.


    MINERVA: I body-slammed him twice before he was fit to die.


    KUR: Blood-spiller is the winner. Well done, Minerva. May I ask who escaped?


    Horus and Minerva go silent, suddenly interested in their food.


    KUR: Ah. I suppose it was that man convicted of murder. How many children did he total?


    HORUS: Seventeen, father.


    KUR: I see. And how old were they?


    HORUS: Ages four through ten.


    KUR: Dreadful. How many years did I give him?


    I know it wasn¡¯t a short amount of time. If it were, he wouldn¡¯t have tried to escape. Minerva, do you remember the sentencing?


    MINERVA: Twenty-five years, father.


    KUR: A long time. So, he tried to escape, did he? All of his own volition?


    MINERVA: ¡­I suppose so.


    KUR: Hm. That¡¯s funny. I seem to recall there being talk of him being paid into a nicer facility. Do you remember receiving such a bribe, Horus?


    HORUS: I do. I overturned it immediately. Maybe that¡¯s why he tried to escape.


    KUR: Well, I certainly hope whoever tried to bail him out is happy with such a reasoning.


    HORUS: He¡¯s going to have to be.


    KUR: I didn¡¯t ask you to join me this morning to discuss an escaped prisoner. Some farmers in the north were attacked by ogres yesterday. There¡¯s a small horde ¡ª around ten ¡ª heading our way. They¡¯ll be here in a day or two if they stay on their course.


    HORUS: No problem, I can ride out, and¡­


    KUR: No need. They¡¯ve gone up Pillars Peak. We¡¯ll wait to see where they go, then ride out. More than likely, they¡¯ll come here. Nail and his men are already warning to villagers to stay indoors.


    HORUS: ¡­It¡¯s almost like you¡¯ve done everything I was supposed to do.


    KUR: ¡­Matter of fact, I have. Finish breakfast, then go change. I¡¯ll meet you both in the training hall.


    Kur leaves. Horus gives Minerva a look, and she gives a wry smile in return.


    MINERVA: Having fun, Baron of Cragg?


    HORUS: Oh, shut up. Python, make sure Primrose knows about the ogres coming this way. She¡¯ll likely want to ride out with us.


    PYTHON: Forgive me for butting in, sir, but I¡¯m not sure she¡¯s a confident rider yet.


    HORUS: Then she can ride with me. A skilled archer could make a fight with ogres a whole lot safer. Last time there was an ogre ambush, people¡¯s homes were destroyed. Do you remember?


    MINERVA: No. Last ogre outbreak, I was away, and the one before that, I was a teenager. This¡¯ll be my first fight with ogres at home.


    HORUS: A special occasion, then! I¡¯ll leave the clean-up to you.


    MINERVA: Please do. Ogre blood is good for potions.


    HORUS: ¡­I really did weaken the guy a whole lot before you shanked him, you know.


    MINERVA: Doesn¡¯t matter. As father says, the win goes to the one who spills the blood.


    HORUS: Well, he was fast. And surprisingly disoriented.


    Horus does a look around to make sure it¡¯s just the three of them listening.


    HORUS: Quite an elixir you brewed him.


    MINERVA: ¡­I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.


    *?? ??*????*


    The castle barracks is quite large, with an arena and extensive training yard attached. On the side closest to the main residence is a smaller, indoor area often favoured for high-impact sparring matches. The family prefer this area and generally have a rotating roster of soldiers training alongside them. Marsden and Nail collaborate on what trainings take place and the pairings of fighters.


    Today, everyone is running drills in pairs. While the adults are all paired up, Set and Augustus are stuck together as the only minors off to the side[1]. Neither party is particularly interested in fighting, both somewhat fixated on watching Kur run drills with his partner, who is receiving absolutely no mercy. Quietly, Primrose steps in from the side. Kur sees her from his peripherals and knocks his partner to the ground, halting their training. Kur leaves him there to approach Primrose.


    KUR: You finally made it to a training session.


    PRIMROSE: Well, I finally got some proper clothes in, so¡­


    KUR: That doesn¡¯t explain why you¡¯re late today. The penalty is six laps. I suggest you make a start.


    Kur turns away, and rather than go back to his own opponent, swings suddenly at Horus. Fortunately, Horus is used to such behaviour and dodges away in time, ready to fight two-on-one. Primrose makes a face at the interaction but starts her run all the same. With long Tijoran legs she covers a lot of distance in a short amount of time. When the whistle blows for the pairings to take a break she¡¯s still running, and the Sabers fall together to watch her.


    KUR: Marsden¡­how many laps has she done already?


    MARSDEN: Finishing her fourth now, sir.


    KUR: Has she stopped?


    MARSDEN: No, sire. She hasn¡¯t stopped or slowed.


    HORUS: ¡­she¡¯s going to beat all our best times on the first try.


    KUR: We¡¯ll see. Let¡¯s change up our partners.


    Marsden calls out the rotations, which leaves Osprey paired with Kur. He looks extremely uncomfortable. As per, Kur begins before the whistle, leaving everyone else to follow on shortly afterwards. Set¡¯s very bored at this point and waiting for adult attention, so when Augustus comes swinging at him, instead of blocking, Set gives Augustus the finger and runs drills on his own. Meanwhile, Primrose finishes her run and stops to pant for a little while and watch everyone else sparring. They¡¯re very rough with one another. A mocking laugh catches her attention, and she looks around to see Set toying with Augustus, taking jabs at the sword¡¯s hilt. She grabs her swords and approaches them.


    Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    PRIMROSE: Hey! Can I interrupt?


    SET: What? Oh. We¡¯re not supposed to stop to chat.


    PRIMROSE: I didn¡¯t come over to chat. I want to take Augustus¡¯s place.


    Set finally stops to give her attention.


    SET: Dad says you fight with two swords.


    PRIMROSE: Sure do.


    SET: That¡¯s weird.


    PRIMROSE: Want to put your words where your steel is? How about a friendly match until father¡¯s ready to boss me around again?


    SET: ¡­yeah, alright. I¡¯ve never fought someone who wields two swords before.


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯m not used to fighting people who don¡¯t.


    SET: Okay. Let¡¯s do it. Free sparring?


    PRIMROSE: Absolutely. No blood, though.


    SET: I mean, it¡¯s a little disrespectful to the gods of steel, but¡­ okay. No blood. Ready?


    Set lunges forward without waiting for an answer. Primrose jumps back and they enter a friendly spar. At first, Set is quite harsh on her. He¡¯s surprisingly good. Primrose yelps out in pain when he hits her hand, drawing attention from a couple others. She shakes it and he stops a moment.


    SET: Oops. Are you okay?


    PRIMROSE: Yeah, fine¡­ I wasn¡¯t expecting you to be so good at your age.


    SET: I mean, to be fair, it¡¯s in my blood. Ready for more?


    PRIMROSE: Yep. I¡¯m not going easy on you, this time.


    They go back to sparring. Even with Primrose giving it more effort, Set out skills her. After more near misses Set starts to let up, talking her through what he¡¯s doing so she can learn. They¡¯re so absorbed in what they¡¯re doing they don¡¯t hear the timeout whistle and continue on even after everyone else has stopped and is staring at them.


    HORUS: What was her time?


    MARSDEN: Eight minutes fifteen, approximately.


    HORUS: And the record?


    MARSDEN: Seven minutes fifty-nine.


    MINERVA: ¡­if she tries, she¡¯ll beat it.


    HORUS: Ares worked so hard on that time, too. Do you remember?


    KUR: Her stamina does seem impressive. Still, look what swords she¡¯s wielding. She has a long way to go before she¡¯s strong. Marsden, next rotation.


    *?? ??*????*


    Set¡¯s back outside training the dogs. The dogs listen to every word and attack their targets with precision. To the side, Augustus is standing a little hesitantly, taking notes and occassionally giving orders to dogs. As Set directs them back to the kennels, he approaches Augustus.


    SET: Did Boomer¡¯s accuracy improve?


    AUGUSTUS: A little, but his jumps are still short.


    SET: What about Barker?


    AUGUSTUS: Still striking early, I¡¯m afraid.


    SET: Damnit. Well, what about Polly?


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­I, I don¡¯t think I saw¡­


    SET: What, you forgot to watch her again?


    AUGUSTUS: It¡¯s not that I forgot, it¡¯s that I¡­


    SET: A simple yes or no generally suffices.


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­I¡¯m sorry I missed it, Master Set.


    Set stares at him with contempt a moment before rolling his eyes and brushing past.


    SET: Idiot.


    I should go back in. Make sure they¡¯re fed and shut in for the night.


    AUGUSTUS: Certainly, master. I¡¯ll see you at seven with your dinner.


    SET: Forget it. I¡¯m not eating.


    AUGUSTUS: Yes, master.


    ¡­May I ask why?


    SET: I dunno. Maybe it¡¯ll help me focus on studying if I¡¯m hungry. Seems like I¡¯ve tried everything else.


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­good luck. I¡¯ll see you in the morning.


    SET: Yeah thanks, mister obvious.


    Set heads towards the castle, while Augustus heads for the kennels. Set¡¯s sneaking in towards the backway, and as he rounds the corner he bumps into Tiger, who is smoking from his pipe.


    SET: Sheesh! Tiger, you surprised me.


    TIGER: My apologies, young master. I was just taking a moment to myself before work.


    SET: Hm. Well, you have one less dish to prepare tonight. Good evening.


    TIGER: Good evening, master Set.


    Tiger watches Set for a moment then turns his attention to the field where Augustus is coming in. Augustus looks irritated.


    TIGER: How¡¯s the young master¡¯s page?


    AUGUSTUS: You have to stop smoking, Tiger. You can¡¯t afford the healthcare for such a pompous habit.


    Augustus goes inside without another word. Tiger exhales and narrows his eyes. When he goes back inside, he immediately finds Marsden.


    TIGER: Good afternoon, boss.


    MARSDEN: Tiger. What can I do for you?


    TIGER: I just wanted you to know master Set told me not to make him dinner. Should I comply?


    MARSDEN: And when, pray tell, did master Set tell you this?


    TIGER: Just now. He was coming in from the dogs.


    MARSDEN: Oh, was he?


    TIGER: That¡¯s right.


    MARSDEN: The young master is currently banned from working his dogs. I¡¯ll speak with him. Thank you, Tiger.


    Marsden leaves. Tiger smiles wickedly.


    TIGER: Serves him right, the fucking little demon.


    *?? ??*????*


    Minerva is lying on her couch by the window, groaning dramatically.


    PYTHON: Minerva, I urge you, go to sleep.


    MINERVA: My sleep pattern will be ruined if I do.


    PYTHON: I think the damage to your sleep cycle is done. You shouldn¡¯t be messing with explosives while you¡¯re tired. Sleep.


    MINERVA: I was doing okay until we had to run drills. My legs¡­ I can¡¯t do all the running around this place and climb. It¡¯s too exhausting.


    PYTHON: Take a break from climbing till after the ogres are gone. It¡¯ll do you well to rest.


    MINERVA: Hm. I hope so.


    About my father¡­


    PYTHON: I told you, Minerva, to forget what I said. We can¡¯t change your father. I shouldn¡¯t have said anything.


    MINERVA: I¡¯m not putting up with him much longer, Python. If Horus doesn¡¯t do something soon, I¡¯m leaving and taking you with me. Anyway, I¡¯ve been all over the mountains, and I still haven¡¯t found the quartz flower.


    PYTHON: That book you were reading was very old, Minerva. Maybe they don¡¯t grow anymore.


    ¡­Could you ask Lord Horus for help? He knows everything there is to know about the mountains. He might have an idea.


    MINERVA: Maybe. I keep thinking about Freyja. I just know he¡¯s hiding something from me.


    PYTHON: ¡­I¡¯m worried about what will happen if your father finds out you¡¯re climbing.


    MINERVA: Yeah, me too. But I have to. Look, I know I don¡¯t have proof, but I know, deep in my heart, that Horus and dad are lying about how Freyja died. I know she didn¡¯t just fall. I think dad¡­maybe both of them¡­ were involved. Climbing won¡¯t bring Freyja back, but the fact they killed her then banned the thing she loved the most makes my heart freeze over. Climbing is intwined with Saber family history. It was Freyja¡¯s favourite thing. Not to mention, all the spoils the mountains have to offer for my potions. I can brew a lot of elixirs using some of the stones and crystals I¡¯m finding.


    PYTHON: I don¡¯t want to overstep my bounds, Minerva, but you should know your father really does love his children. You and Freyja included.


    MINERVA: He has a dangerous way of showing it.


    ¡­I¡¯ll go to sleep. But I¡¯m not letting climbing or the dad thing go. Horus works with dad every day. If we don¡¯t do something, Horus will turn into something just like him. The world doesn¡¯t need that.


    PYTHON: What does this family need?


    MINERVA: ¡­I don¡¯t know. But getting rid of dad is a good start. Freyja died at her Heir Ignis twenty years ago, how much longer until another one of us die? Or one of you?


    What?


    PYTHON: You mentioned the Heir Ignis. Sorry, but it isn¡¯t often I hear it spoken of.


    MINERVA: It¡¯s a sacred fire ritual for a child¡¯s tenth birthday that¡¯s supposed to connect us to the fire dragons and protect us from them, even though none of us are proper fire elementals¡­ it can get pretty violent.


    PYTHON: I mean, I do know some things. After all, I tended to all your cuts, burns and broken bones following the event. It¡¯s not my place to ask, but the thought of your father injuring you so¡­


    MINERVA: It¡¯s a barbaric ritual, one I don¡¯t think the people in Daegon or Kindling even follow anymore. I don¡¯t know why dad did those things to us when we were so little.


    PYTHON: Why is it necessary for him to hurt you like that?


    MINERVA: It proves some sort of devotion to the gods, or something. I don¡¯t really like remembering it.


    PYTHON: I¡¯m sorry. You should be asleep. See you in a few hours.


    MINERVA: ¡­Did you see her body after she died?


    PYTHON: Freyja? Yes, I did. I tried to revive her.


    MINERVA: Was her death reminiscent of a fall?


    PYTHON: I was still relatively new to nursing, but¡­ yes. It seemed as though she died of a fall. She would have been nervous climbing that day. It¡¯s not unreasonable to think she might have slipped.


    MINERVA: Do you think he did it, or not?


    PYTHON: It¡¯s not up to me to decide. I hope you find closure soon. Try not to think about it now. Go to sleep.


    MINERVA: ¡­Freyja isn¡¯t the only one I¡¯m here to avenge. You¡¯re important, Python. You¡¯re like a mama to us. I want him to stop treating you the way he does.


    PYTHON: Hush, my Min. You know the walls have ears.


    Minerva finally falls asleep. Right as Python finishes tidying, a soft knock is heard at the door. Python hurries over so Minerva doesn¡¯t wake up and peers out cautiously to find Horus standing on the other side. She opens the door wider for him.


    PYTHON: Hello, my lord. Minerva is sleeping.


    HORUS: Good. She¡¯s been a bit off during training lately. May I¡­?


    PYTHON: It¡¯s your castle, my lord.


    HORUS: Only technically.


    Horus walks in. Minerva is conked out and doesn¡¯t stir. He looks around at her things.


    HORUS: What are all these vials?


    PYTHON: I don¡¯t know for sure, but they¡¯re dangerous, so please be careful.


    HORUS: She¡¯s amazing. I don¡¯t know where she found the patience to learn all this.


    PYTHON: A little bit of patience goes a long way over a great amount of time.


    HORUS: ¡­did you know she¡¯s climbing?


    PYTHON: ¡­how did you know?


    HORUS: She told me. What she didn¡¯t tell me is the real reason why.


    PYTHON: She wants to celebrate her culture. Her mother, grandparents, great parents¡­ all of them were climbers.


    HORUS: Does she want to honour culture, or to stick it to my father for what happened to Freyja?


    ¡­Sorry. I should know better than to ask questions. Just¡­ promise you¡¯ll keep her safe above all else?


    PYTHON: Always, Lord Horus. She is being safe, even without me telling her so. I¡¯m not used to watching her act so cautious, if I¡¯m honest.


    HORUS: Caution isn¡¯t her strong point. You¡¯re sure she¡¯ll be safe?


    PYTHON: Yes, Horus. I¡¯m watching over her.


    HORUS: Good. I need both of you.


    She looks peaceful when she sleeps, doesn¡¯t she?


    PYTHON: You look like you could use some shuteye, if it¡¯s not too bold to say.


    HORUS: I shouldn¡¯t¡­ there¡¯s too much work to do.


    ¡­I need Minerva to be okay, Python. I need it.


    PYTHON: Lord Horus¡­ Lady Minerva is being safe. She loves you, but¡­ she can¡¯t keep living her life based on events from the past. Let her climb.


    HORUS: ¡­you¡¯re right. As usual.


    Horus gives Minerva¡¯s cheek a cheeky slap, waking her up.


    MINERVA: Get the fuck out of my room, you weirdo.


    HORUS: Make me.


    MINERVA: I¡¯m sleeping, fuck off.


    HORUS Alright, alright. Just have dinner with me later.


    MINERVA: I will¡­ but we should invite Costa.


    HORUS: I suppose so. Ares would want that.


    MINERVA: We¡¯ll be nice to her, too. Now go away.


    Minerva goes back to sleep almost immediately. Horus smiles and waits for her to start snoring lightly before he starts patting her hair.


    HORUS: You better not fucking die on me, little firecracker.


    PYTHON: ¡­Lord Horus. You should rest.


    HORUS: You¡¯re dismissed, Python.


    Python gives a little bow and heads out, leaving the two of them alone.


    *?? ??*????*


    Quietly, tucked away in the privacy of his own chambers, Kur stands by his fireplace, close enough that flames have crept up his cloak and are settled neatly around his feet. Dancing with the flames is an image of Eleanor. Kur can¡¯t take his eyes off her.


    <hr>


    [1] The legal adult age in Hituh is twenty.

 Reckless behaviours

    <h2>Reckless behaviours.</h2>


    With even the sun not driving ogres away from the cities edge, the pathways remain unsafe for any solo travellers. Ares and Moonie, however, are the type not to let a bunch of murderous ogres tell them what paths to take. Moonie nudges Ares once the ogres come into view.


    MOONIE: You ready, Saber?


    ARES: More or less. I¡¯m excited to see this ¡®country magic¡¯ you speak of.


    MOONIE: Yeah, well¡­ you¡¯ll see.


    What I don¡¯t understand is why there are so many ogres around the bases of the mountain to begin with.


    ARES: Well, an orc is the natural predator of an ogre, right? Let¡¯s just say, the cousin of Saber is off in the mountains slaying orc armies as we speak.


    MOONIE: I see. So, while Icarus Savor is slaying orcs, average folk are being threatened by ogres.


    ARES: Not just ogres. Enough chatter. Are you ready to turn the rain red for today?


    MOONIE: I¡¯ve been waiting for an excuse. Lead the way, Sir Saber.


    *?? ??*????*


    A battle with ogres is no easy task. Ogres are huge, muscly creatures, although generally slow in both mind and body. Most monsters (including ogres, orcs, dragons, poisonous rats, elves and more) are weak to human magic, but have tough hides to protect them against human weapons (such as swords or guns). Even so, Ares favours the sword to fight the beasts, leaving Moonie to clean up any messes that may arise.


    It doesn¡¯t take long walking along the path before ogres confront them. Ares springs into action while Moonie retreats and starts building up her strength. When the ogres wont falter, Ares looks around to her.


    ARES: Are you helping or not, Moonie?! I thought you were meant to be a powerful witch!


    MOONIE: Give me a bit longer! I¡¯ll end it soon!


    Ares goes back to fighting. Not long later, Moonie finds herself ready to attack. She rushes forward, and as she does, she warns Ares to fall back. Rather than retreat, he dodges in to help protect her.


    When Moonie is close enough, she skids to a stop and raises her hands, summoning a two-dimensional magenta shape. Instead of a mandala ring of power, as is practiced at the castle, the warped shape is filled with diagrams and distorted images. Brought forth from the empty spaces, spectres rise to dance and taunt the ogres closer. As soon as the monsters are close enough, the spectres erupt with power, tearing the ogres open where they stand. When Moonie wavers from exhaustion, Ares lunges forward, taking down whatever ogres are left standing. Once the last ogre has fallen, Ares approaches Moonie.


    MOONIE: ¡­Thanks, Saber. Once upon a time, that attack would have killed them. Guess I¡¯m out of practice.


    ARES: That¡­ that was summoning magic. I didn¡¯t know you had powers so strong.


    MOONIE: There¡¯s a lot we have to relearn about each other, hm?


    Honestly, we killed them faster than I was expecting. They used to give me a lot of trouble when I was younger.


    ARES: Well, you didn¡¯t seem to have any trouble then. Even so, this many ogres against an innocent town would be understandably catastrophic. Not to mention, they can run in groups much larger than this. We¡¯re kind of lucky, actually.


    MOONIE: It¡¯s not like you to consider your own mortality.


    ARES: Yeah, well¡­ a married man has different priorities.


    Moonie and Ares rejoin their goats and head for the mountain paths. After riding in silence for a while, Ares glances at Moonie, concerned.


    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    ARES: Are you feeling alright? You seemed quite fatigued before.


    MOONIE: I¡¯m fine now. Magic is draining, you know that. Not to mention, I¡¯m out of practice. Usually, I can summon the circles without adrenaline.


    ARES: It was fascinating to see. Your circle looked so different from the castle mages. I¡¯ve never seen one move like that before.


    MOONIE: Calling on different gods for power, I imagine. Or maybe it¡¯s a difference in soul. Who knows? I was watching you mostly, waiting to see you do magic. You didn¡¯t even attempt it. Ogres are weak against magic, but you didn¡¯t leak any into your sword.


    ARES: I know. Like I said, I have control issues. It¡¯s dangerous for me to do magic in combat.


    MOONIE: Hmm. So, you¡¯re telling me your powers are strong, but you¡¯re not strong enough to wield them.


    ARES: You talk about magic like it¡¯s a pet.


    MOONIE: More like an old friend. Show me some of what you can do.


    ARES: Now?


    MOONIE: Sure. We could do a sparring match if you like.


    ARES: What, on the side of the cliff? Are you insane?


    MOONIE: What, you think you¡¯re strong enough to beat me? Come on, it¡¯s not like we¡¯re going to seriously hurt one another.


    ARES: We might. And we might do terrible things to ourselves. We¡¯ll spar when we get home.


    MOONIE: Very well. Can we stop at my place on the way? I¡¯ll need to gather some things if I¡¯ll be staying with you¡­ or maybe I should wait until you write with permission from your family.


    ARES: You¡¯ll get permission. I¡¯ll demand it.


    MOONIE: You sound certain.


    ARES: ¡­Did my father really say you weren¡¯t good enough for Horus?


    MOONIE: Yes. But it wasn¡¯t exactly a secret. He always hated me, ever since the first time Horus took me to the castle.


    ARES: Horus dated you for years. Why did father¡¯s opinion suddenly change his mind?


    MOONIE: How should I know?


    ARES: ¡­I¡¯m sorry. Thank you for agreeing to come live with him.


    MOONIE: I very much doubt I¡¯ll see him, knowing how he is. I¡¯m fine with never attending one of your family dinners, by the way. Those things were awful.


    ARES: Oh, come on. They weren¡¯t that bad.


    MOONIE: Are you kidding? I was so relieved when Minerva went away to school. The two of you used to torture me. And Set was such a little shit! Always flicking his food at me.


    ARES: He¡¯s still a nightmare¡­


    Primrose is going to be angry when I get home, isn¡¯t she?


    MOONIE: Not if she¡¯s smart. You Sabers are rough around the edges¡­ really rough. Like, the sharpest steel wrapped in barbed wire. If a rose bush never grew a single flower that¡¯d be your family. But underneath all those rough and pointy edges¡­ there¡¯s a lot to admire. Stop laughing.


    ARES: I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m not used to people saying this stuff to my face. You¡¯re rough around the edges, too.


    MOONIE: Anyway. I was trying to tell you that if Primrose is smart, she won¡¯t judge you based on your family. Families are complicated. There¡¯s certain¡­ obligations. Especially for the children of a Baron.


    ARES: That¡¯s putting it mildly, at best.


    MOONIE: ¡­Can I offer you some advice?


    ARES: You¡¯d do it even if I said no.


    MOONIE: Those family dinners¡­ the worst thing about them, far worse than any of the things you and your sister did, was that your father would make snide comments and Horus would never stand up for me. Your father would make a comment about my clothes not being up to standard or my family or my farm, and Horus would just stare at his plate and say nothing. It drove me crazy.


    ARES: ¡­what was he supposed to do, exactly?


    MOONIE: I don¡¯t know. He could¡¯ve at least held my hand to let me know he didn¡¯t feel the same.


    *?? ??*????*


    After scaling terrifying mountains, Moonie and Ares arrive to Moonie¡¯s farm, a small green haven nestled between the peaks. She doesn¡¯t live too far away from the castle, within a half-day¡¯s ride. With a setting sun in the distance, Moonie approaches Ares, who is sitting peacefully on the grass while the goats graze amongst the alpacas.


    MOONIE: Ready to leave at first light. You alright?


    ARES: Yes¡­ there¡¯s something so peaceful about being somewhere like this, compared to the grandeur of the castle.


    MOONIE: It¡¯s the comfort found in cosiness.


    ARES: Makes me think of the future I¡¯ll have with Primrose. Smaller houses, more people.


    MOONIE: Still worried she¡¯ll be angry when you get back?


    ARES: A little. I can hardly blame her. She didn¡¯t ask for me.


    MOONIE: ¡­Let me ask. You say you lose control, that you don¡¯t want to do magic away from home. Tell me, did something happen? Why do you need me to teach you Sense Aegis?


    ARES: In short, because my father doesn¡¯t know how.


    MOONIE: So why are we waiting to go home to train?


    ARES: Because¡­ it¡¯s safe, there.


    MOONIE: Safe with Lord Kur?


    ARES: No, but safe with Horus.


    MOONIE: ¡­I see. So, he¡¯ll be in training with us, will he?


    ARES: Not with us, just somewhere nearby. He can stop things before they get out of hand.


    MOONIE: ¡­you¡¯re making it sound like something really bad happened. Are you not allowed to practice magic alone?


    ARES: Can we talk about it later? I want to go to sleep, make sure we¡¯re rested for tomorrow.


    MOONIE: Fine, fine, but¡­ no talking to imaginary friends, alright?


    ARES: I won¡¯t. Promise.


    MOONIE: Good. Come on, I¡¯ll show you to your room.


    Ares follows a step behind, visions of Lumos leering over his shoulder.

 Ogres

    <h2>Ogres.</h2>


    As the last light of the day begins to disappear from above the mountains, Primrose meets with the family in the dining hall. The dining room is big, but when there are no visitors staying, the family use a small, eight-seater table to have their meals. Kur sits at the head furthest from the exit, Set and Minerva usually sit on either side and Horus sits next to Set. Primrose takes a seat next to Minerva.


    PRIMROSE: We¡¯re meeting for dinner quite early, aren¡¯t we?


    KUR: I thought you¡¯d all want to know immediately that I got word of Ares. Apparently, he fought through a horde of ogres and should be here soon. This evening, maybe.


    HORUS: Does he not know there¡¯s more ogres somewhere near us?


    MINERVA: I don¡¯t think fighting ogres bothers him.


    HORUS: Knowing him, he¡¯ll take down hundreds if it means getting home to his girl early.


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯d rather he wait until morning. Ogres are nocturnal, aren¡¯t they?


    HORUS: Yes. Have you ever fought them?


    PRIMROSE: Not yet. We don¡¯t really get ogres by the beach. Lots of goblins, though.


    MINERVA: I fucking hate goblins.


    PRIMROSE: Yes. I wonder which are worse, cave goblins, or water goblins?


    KUR: Goblins are a nuisance, but not much of a real threat to anyone who knows how to defend themselves.


    SET: Goblins are the only thing I¡¯m ever allowed to fight.


    HORUS: You¡¯re too young to fight ogres, Set. You have to wait until after you¡¯ve been to the academy. Quit whining all the time.


    Suddenly, an alarm sounds. The servants rush from the room while the Sabers all stand in their place and start shedding their jackets and jewellery. Primrose stands tentatively beside them when Nail rushes in.


    NAIL: Sir! More than sixty ogres have been spotted descending the southern peaks towards the city. Some have already reached citizen homes.


    KUR: We¡¯ll approach in a broad semi-circle, ensuring to cut off any coming in from the sides. Send the owls out to scout for any others.


    NAIL: Yes, sir!


    The servants come back, laden with armour and weapons. Already dressed for battle themselves, they work quickly to help the Sabers. Osprey goes to Primrose with her things.


    OSPREY: Will you ride out, my lady?


    PRIMROSE: Um¡­


    HORUS: You can ride with me. Use your strongest arrows. Ogres have thick hides.


    SET: What should I¡­


    KUR: Stay indoors. Let¡¯s move out, everyone.


    The family rush out, leaving Set and Augustus by themselves. Set trails along behind and watches them leave from the front door.


    SET: ¡­The ogres came from the south, but that doesn¡¯t mean they won¡¯t come here. Did you lock up the kennels yet?


    AUGUSTUS: No, we¡ª


    SET: The dogs will try and attack if one comes here, there¡¯ll be a bloodbath! Go lock them now and bring back Kahmen.


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­Yes, Master Set.


    SET: Hurry the fuck up, don¡¯t be such a pussy!


    Augustus rushes out to the kennels. When he gets there, he finds most of the dogs are missing. Panicking, he runs out and starts whistling for them, when he hears barking from around the corner. After a moment of hesitation, he runs towards the sound. He stops short when an ogre steps out from behind the wall, mess of dogs snapping at its heels. Augustus goes to run, but the ogre closes the distance between them in no time. Taking hold of Augustus, the beast lifts him clean off his feet and tosses him gruffly to the ground, where Augustus lands harshly on his side and cracks his ribs. When he scrambles to get up, he sees the ogre lurching towards him, club raised. Before Augustus can rise to his feet, Set comes flying in from the side, sword raised. Skidding past the ogre he leaves a large gash in its stomach, and as it turns to face him the dogs charge in, lunging for flesh to latch onto. Set continues to slash as the ogre staggers in confusion, and eventually, Set manages to wedge his sword into its neck. It falls to the ground with a thud and Set stares at it in a moment of disbelief before sprinting over to Augustus.


    SET: Shit, are you okay?


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­I¡­I¡­


    SET: Fuck. There¡¯s probably more of them, we need to get back inside. Go!


    Set helps Augustus to his feet before running the dogs back to the kennels. Augustus staggers to the castle and collapses onto the floor. Gritting his teeth against the pain in his ribs, he takes a moment to examine the grazes on his arms. Set comes in a moment later.


    SET: The dogs are away¡­ Shit, Augustus¡­ Okay, we need to get you upstairs. Ogres can carry traces of poison in their hands. Can you walk?


    Augustus nods, accepting a hand up yet again, and leans into Set as they walk together to the infirmary. With Python gone, Set helps Augustus on his own. Once the dirt and stones are cleaned from his skin, Augustus finally begins to calm down.


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­I¡¯m alright, Master Set. I can finish this.


    SET: Shut up. I¡¯m not completely useless. I can bandage an arm.


    AUGUSTUS: Master Set¡­


    SET: I¡¯m sorry, alright? I fucked up. I should never have asked you to go out there by yourself. I¡¯m a fucking idiot. I¡¯m sorry. Let me do this.


    AUGUSTUS: Master Set¡­


    SET: Some of the dogs got badly hurt. I¡¯m going back out there to try and rescue them as soon as I¡¯m done here.


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­


    SET: Just don¡¯t tell my dad I sent you out there by yourself. Please? I regretted it almost as soon as you left.


    AUGUSTUS: Master Set, please listen. I¡¯m fine, and I won¡¯t say what happened. I don¡¯t want your father whipping you, despite how satisfying it might be.


    SET: ¡­you don¡¯t?


    AUGUSTUS: I¡¯m vehemently against corporal punishment.


    SET: Makes sense¡­ Really, Augustus. I know you hate me, but I never meant for you to get hurt. You¡¯re sassy and shit with a sword, but you¡¯ve looked after me most of my life. I¡¯m sorry I put you in danger. It was irresponsible.


    AUGUSTUS: I don¡¯t hate you, I hate how you treat me.


    SET: Same difference.


    Set finishes bandaging Augustus.


    SET: Get Python to look it over when she gets back. I¡¯m going to see the dogs.


    Set hurries to leave. Augustus grabs him by the arm.


    SET: What are you doing?


    AUGUSTUS: It¡¯s not safe out there. Wait for your family to come back.


    SET: I have family bleeding to death in the kennels. Let go of my arm.


    AUGUSTUS: What if there was more than one ogre? You think you can fight off another one? You¡¯re not even wearing armour. Besides, I can¡¯t let you go alone.


    Set stares at him a moment before wrenching his hand from Augustus¡¯s grasp and running away. Augustus goes to run after him but stops in pain ¡ª his ribs aren¡¯t letting him go anywhere. He lies down instead, head pounding.


    *?? ??*????*


    In the city south, sirens blare through the empty streets as people peer cautiously out their windows, watching closely for signs of life. Some ogres bash on the walls of the homes furthest south while others continue pressing forward through the town, oblivious to the danger that is coming for them. The soldiers of Cragg strike forward with alarming speed, halting the ogres from progressing. Kur and Horus both wield giant swords that cut through the ogres, whereas Minerva has poisoned her blade and attacks less directly. Primrose is also incredibly helpful with her archery, as she takes down several from a distance. It¡¯s a bloody mess, but eventually, the ogre numbers start to dwindle, and some begin to retreat. Nail approaches Horus while other soldiers keep fighting.


    NAIL: Orders, sir?


    HORUS: Finish up here, then spread out. Keep civilians inside until mid-morning. I want complete scans of the mountains.


    NAIL: Yes, my lord. And clean-up?


    HORUS: Minerva needs the monster parts for her elixirs. Line the bodies up and she can take it from there.


    NAIL: As you command.


    HORUS: I¡¯m going back to the castle. Tell the others.


    Nail nods and Horus goes back to find his horse, where Primrose is waiting for him. They meet up with Kur and Minerva on the ride home and arrive back to the castle together. Set is in the entryway as they walk in, wiping himself down.


    SET: You¡¯re back already.


    HORUS: Yes. What happened here? Are you alright?


    SET: There was a minor setback. Python, can you go check on Augustus? He¡¯s in the infirmary.


    OSPREY: My lord?


    HORUS: Yes, Osprey, you can go with her. Set, what happened?


    SET: We went outside to shut the dogs away and an ogre came out of nowhere. I killed it, but Augustus was hurt.


    KUR: You went outside while there were ogres storming our city?


    SET: Yes. I¡­


    Kur grabs Set¡¯s chin and squeezes.


    KUR: Don¡¯t ever do something like that again. It isn¡¯t safe. What if you¡¯d gotten hurt? What if there¡¯d been more of them? You could have died.


    SET: I know. I¡¯m sorry, father.


    HORUS: Father, if there was an ogre in our garden, there¡¯s probably more. We should go back out and scout.


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯ll go with you.


    KUR: Alright. Minerva, keep an eye on your brother.


    Kur, Primrose and Horus go back outside, taking Fairfax with them.


    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    MINERVA: You just lied about something. What was it?


    SET: Shut up, Minerva. How was the fight?


    MINERVA: It was fine. Primrose is amazing with that bow and arrow. No wonder we lost so many soldiers to Tijora. Did you kill the ogre all by yourself?


    SET: Yes.


    MINERVA: Augustus didn¡¯t help?


    SET: He played the role of a distraction, but otherwise, I killed it myself. Why is that so surprising?


    MINERVA: Because it is. That¡¯s very impressive. Well done, Set. Come on, leave this mess to Elizabeth. Let¡¯s go upstairs and wash up.


    *?? ??*????*


    In the infirmary, Python is tending to Augustus. Osprey is sitting by the bed, clutching Augustus¡¯s hand tightly.


    OSPREY: Are you sure you¡¯re okay?


    AUGUSTUS: I¡¯m sure. I was just shaken up, mostly.


    PYTHON: You¡¯re lucky it wasn¡¯t worse. Those ogres can really pack a throw.


    AUGUSTUS: Really, I¡¯m fine. Sore, but fine. Can I claim any time off work?


    PYTHON: Of course. Two days. I¡¯ll have Marsden approve it tonight.


    OSPREY: Thank goodness Set was there to intervene. I hate to think¡­


    PYTHON: Let¡¯s not think.


    AUGUSTUS: No, it¡¯s alright. I just¡­ I keep finding myself reliving it, you know?


    PYTHON: That¡¯s normal. It must have been scary¡­


    AUGUSTUS: Not that. Set. I¡¯ve never seen¡­


    OSPREY: ¡­it¡¯s pretty amazing the first time you see a Saber in action, huh? A lot different from the training drills we¡¯re used to.


    AUGUSTUS: He was incredible. He¡¯s so small, I always assumed¡­


    PYTHON: A dangerous assumption many will make throughout his life, I imagine. The ethereal bond Saber¡¯s share with steel is no joke.


    OSPREY: Are you really sure you¡¯re okay, Augustus?


    AUGUSTUS: Yeah¡­ Can I go to bed now?


    PYTHON: If you can, you should go see Master Set. Tell him you¡¯re taking the two days and thank him while you¡¯re there.


    AUGUSTUS: Alright¡­


    Augustus doesn¡¯t move. Python and Osprey give each other the sly eye before Python puts a hand on his shoulder.


    PYTHON: Are you sure you didn¡¯t hit your head? You¡¯re acting a bit concussed.


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­I¡­ I really thought he¡¯d let me die. Even if he only saved me because he thought his father would be angry, I still thought¡­ I mean, no-one was around. He could have let me die, made up a story and got away with it. Why¡­


    OSPREY: Sounds like a question you should ask him. Go on, go see him and go to bed. I¡¯ll come see you once Primrose and Danielle are good for the night, okay?


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­Alright. Hey, don¡¯t mention this to Tiger.


    OSPREY: Why not?


    AUGUSTUS: Just¡­ don¡¯t. He¡¯ll worry. I¡¯ll tell him tomorrow.


    Augustus drags himself up, staggering a little but walking much better after Python¡¯s magic. Augustus makes his way through the servants¡¯ corridors and up to Set¡¯s room, where he enters through the walk-in robe. Set barely looks up from his sword as Augustus comes in.


    SET: Wasn¡¯t sure if I¡¯d see you again tonight. How¡¯s your arms?


    AUGUSTUS: They¡¯re fine, but I bruised my ribs pretty badly. Python wants me to take a couple days off in case there¡¯s further damage.


    SET: ¡­I see.


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­Master Set, I wanted to¡ª


    SET: Take the whole week if you want it.


    AUGUSTUS: I¡¯m sorry?


    SET: I can survive without you for a little while. Don¡¯t rush to come back if you need more time.


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­Two days will suffice, Master. I just wanted to say¡ª


    SET: Please don¡¯t quit.


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­What?


    SET: I was reckless and sent you out into danger and you got hurt and you want to quit. I¡¯m asking you not to.


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­Are you going to let me finish what I have to say?


    SET: Gods damnit, Augustus, why do you always have to be so sassy? Alright, fine. Say your piece.


    AUGUSTUS: I actually came to thank you. For saving me.


    SET: ¡­Are you stupid? I¡¯m the reason you got hurt in the first place.


    AUGUSTUS: Yeah, you are. But you didn¡¯t have to come outside, and you didn¡¯t have to put yourself in danger to save me.


    SET: As soon as you left, I knew I made a mistake. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong with me.


    AUGUSTUS: I don¡¯t know, Master Set, but tonight I thought you were brave. I¡¯ll be off to bed now, so I¡¯ll see you in a few days.


    SET: Just to be clear¡­ you aren¡¯t going to quit?


    AUGUSTUS: This job? You pay for my family¡¯s whole life. I¡¯m not leaving until you do. Why do you care?


    SET: ¡­I need you here. Especially now we¡¯re having a solstice party.


    AUGUSTUS: You¡¯re going away to the academy, Set. You need to learn to stand up for yourself.


    SET: ¡­you¡¯re dismissed, Augustus.


    Augustus leaves without another word. A little while after, Horus walks in.


    HORUS: There you are. We found two more ogres, but that seems to be all of them. We found the ogre you killed. It didn¡¯t look like a quick fight.


    SET: I suppose not. I didn¡¯t have the strength to kill it on the first strike.


    HORUS: But you did kill it.


    Horus sits down next to Set.


    HORUS: Father was right about what he said. You shouldn¡¯t have gone out there just the two of you. It was reckless.


    SET: I know¡­ I feel really bad about Augustus.


    HORUS: You do?


    SET: It was my idea to go outside, after all.


    HORUS: Well¡­ he¡¯ll be alright, so I wouldn¡¯t fret on it. You¡¯ll be more thoughtful next time.


    SET: Yeah¡­


    Horus wraps an arm around Set and kisses his temple.


    HORUS: I¡¯m proud of you. I still can¡¯t believe you¡¯re going to the academy in less than a year.


    Set¡¯s eyes fill with water, and Horus laughs.


    HORUS: Go to sleep. I¡¯ll see you at breakfast.


    SET: Wait. Are you alright?


    HORUS: Of course. A bunch of ogres aren¡¯t anything new to an old man like me, are they?


    Just as Horus is on the way out, Kur enters.


    KUR: I came to reprimand the boy, but I see you had a different approach.


    HORUS: He¡¯s already been told off twice for fighting an ogre. You have to admit, father, what he did was impressive.


    KUR: Certainly not. If he¡¯d faced two ogres, he¡¯d be dead. Set, you disobeyed my orders. You¡¯re on room arrest for the rest of the week.


    SET: Yes, father.


    KUR: ¡­I¡¯m glad you¡¯re okay, son. Next time, though, sacrifice the butler and save yourself.


    Kur exits. Set looks to Horus for confirmation, which Horus gives.


    HORUS: Well, I need to go shower. Are you sure you¡¯re feeling alright?


    SET: I think so.


    HORUS: Hm. Well, to be safe, come stay in my room tonight.


    SET: Seriously?


    HORUS: Yes. I want to keep an eye on you, just in case.


    SET: ¡­okay. Thank you.


    Do you think I have a chance of surviving knights training?


    HORUS: I think you can survive anything. Your Heir Ignis ritual proved that.


    Set and Horus go back to Horus¡¯s room. Set climbs into bed and stares at the ceiling while Horus goes to shower. With the door closed, Horus takes a moment to look at himself in the mirror. His reflection looks shockingly like Kur. After he¡¯s showered, he goes back out to find Set still staring.


    HORUS: Go to sleep, Set.


    SET: I can¡¯t.


    HORUS: ¡­Do you think I look like father?


    SET: What? All of us do, don¡¯t we?


    HORUS: I used to think I had some of mother¡¯s features. The older I get, the more I see dad.


    SET: I think I¡¯m going the other way. Aside from the hair, sometimes I don¡¯t think I look a thing like him.


    HORUS: Lucky bastard. Close your eyes, Set. Father will be on your case tomorrow; you can¡¯t afford to be awake all night.


    SET: ¡­I was supposed to study.


    HORUS: You¡¯ll study tomorrow. Sleep.


    Set rolls over and closes his eyes. Horus reads until Set¡¯s asleep, then quietly slips out of bed and steps outside. He bumps into Fairfax in the hallway.


    FAIRFAX: Oh, hello Master. Sorry I¡¯m so late, there was an awful lot to help Marsden with.


    HORUS: I assumed as much. You can go to bed now, Fairfax.


    FAIRFAX: My Lord, regarding what you mentioned earlier, I implore you to at least wait until Ares is home. Lord Kur¡­


    HORUS: We¡¯ve delayed long enough. I need to talk to him now. I won¡¯t sleep if I don¡¯t.


    FAIRFAX: Then¡­ Shall I keep Python on standby?


    HORUS: No, Fairfax. I¡¯ll be fine. See you in the morning.


    FAIRFAX: Very well. Goodnight, my lord.


    Fairfax leaves, and Horus climbs the stairs to Kur¡¯s room. There¡¯s a dim light from under the door. Horus knocks loudly.


    KUR: Come in, Horus.


    Horus goes into Kur¡¯s bedroom where he comes face to face with a large fireplace and a picture of Kur and Eleanor. Kur is by the fire, drinking whiskey. Horus goes over and sits in the adjoining chair.


    KUR: You¡¯re too conservative with your killings. You always were.


    HORUS: There¡¯s a time and a place for excess bloodshed. Painting the city with ogre blood will cause unnecessary panic. The less mess, the more in control we appear.


    KUR: The faster we kill the monsters, the less chance there is for casualties. Your mother taught you that, but I suppose you can¡¯t be expected to remember everything from before she died. I assume you came here for a reason.


    HORUS: Yes. I don¡¯t want Ares doing whatever it is the queen is asking of him.


    KUR: Is this a joke? Do you hear yourself?


    HORUS: You know better than any of us how dangerous Ares can be. His magic isn¡¯t stable, even in small doses. He can¡¯t do whatever she¡¯s asking.


    KUR: The queen¡¯s word is law.


    HORUS: I bet I could overturn that word.


    KUR: Stop it, Horus. You may not challenge the queen, ever. Ares will do what he¡¯s told.


    HORUS: Aren¡¯t you scared for him? Don¡¯t you want your son to be happy?


    KUR: You think forcing him to disobey the queen¡¯s orders will make him happy? He¡¯ll do what the queen asks. Him being dangerous could very well work in his favour if he¡¯s facing something dangerous.


    HORUS: You didn¡¯t answer my question.


    KUR: Yes, Horus. I¡¯m scared for Ares. I¡¯m scared for all of you. But I trust Ares will be alright. He¡¯s always been independent, and he¡¯s taken care of himself for this long. Stop letting your fears consume you. You have a bad habit of mothering your siblings.


    HORUS: ¡­I do not.


    KUR: Hm. By the way, did you notice anything about the ogre Set killed?


    HORUS: You mean that it took several attacks?


    KUR: No. You didn¡¯t see anything¡­odd?


    HORUS: Just tell me what you¡¯re getting at, dad.


    KUR: You didn¡¯t think there was considerably less blood than there should have been? Given the number of lacerations, don¡¯t you think we should have seen more spatter?


    Horus¡¯s eyes widen as he turns his gaze to the fireplace.


    HORUS: You¡­what are you saying, exactly?


    KUR: You know exactly what I¡¯m saying. I think Set summoned fire to his blade.


    HORUS: Set¡­is a fire elemental?


    KUR: Maybe. It¡¯s not unheard of for certain elemental powers to remain dormant until adulthood. I suppose we¡¯ll have to wait and see what happens.


    Horus shakes his head at the statement and draws his eyes to the portrait of his parents.


    HORUS: ¡­The days are starting to get cold. Mama¡¯s birthday will be here soon.


    KUR: I know.


    HORUS: Will you be okay this year?


    KUR: ¡­I think that depends on how safe I think my children will be once I¡¯m gone.


    HORUS: You know I¡¯ll always take care of them.


    KUR: I know you¡¯ll try. I¡¯m still not sure you¡¯ll be any good at it. Goodnight, son. We can talk about Ares more when he gets home.


    Horus leaves without complaint, taking Kur¡¯s bottle of whiskey on his way out. He¡¯s had several swigs by the time he gets into bed. When Set wakes up, Horus is sleeping heavily beside him, the bottle on the bedside table. It¡¯s missing a lot. Set silently takes a big swig as he gets up before heading off to tend his dogs.


    *?? ??*????*


    The following morning, Augustus wakes up early and rather than get up, stays in bed to read his book. Osprey stops by his room on his way to breakfast.


    OSPREY: You¡¯re here. Not used to seeing you in the mornings.


    AUGUSTUS: Day off, remember?


    OSPREY: What¡¯re you reading?


    AUGUSTUS: Hmm? Oh, it¡¯s a fictional recount of the war between Lee and Chan.


    OSPREY: Still on the history books, huh?


    AUGUSTUS: It¡¯s hardly history if it¡¯s fictional¡­


    OSPREY: Right, right. That¡¯s not why I¡¯m here. How are you feeling? How¡¯s the ribs?


    AUGUSTUS: I¡¯m¡­ fine. Really. Still trying to process everything.


    OSPREY: Probably still spooked, it¡¯s only natural. You¡¯re safe now, they scouted the whole area and there¡¯s no sign of anymore ogres. Okay?


    AUGUSTUS: Sure¡­ except¡­


    OSPREY: What now?


    AUGUSTUS: That¡¯s just it. What now? Set¡¯s leaving for the academy in less than a year, and I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m going with him or not.


    OSPREY: Well¡­ what do you think you should do?


    AUGUSTUS: Being a squire is good money. Mama and papa really benefit from us working here.


    OSPREY: How do you think you¡¯d go at the academy?


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­I think I¡¯d be a disaster. I doubt I¡¯d pass squires training.


    OSPREY: I don¡¯t understand it. You¡¯re a big, fit guy. Why didn¡¯t you take to the sword?


    AUGUSTUS: It¡¯s barbaric.


    OSPREY: Against humans, it¡¯s barbaric. Against ogres, it¡¯s lifesaving. But you don¡¯t want to stay working here forever, anyway.


    AUGUSTUS: Don¡¯t I?


    OSPREY: Of course not. You don¡¯t like Set, and you hate working for him. You¡¯ve never really tried with the dogs, even.


    AUGUSTUS: Yeah, I fucking hate the dogs.


    OSPREY: But they¡¯re his pride and joy. You could at least work harder for his sake. He has to study and train, you know? He needs you to help him pick up his slack. That¡¯s a pretty core part of being a squire.


    AUGUSTUS: I do help him pick up his slack.


    OSPREY: Of course, you do, but do you think you¡¯re doing the best job you can?


    AUGUSTUS: No. I hate this job. Why should I give it my best?


    OSPREY: Because in a job as demanding as this, it¡¯s all or nothing. If you¡¯re not doing your best, people will treat you like you¡¯re doing your worst. You shouldn¡¯t be here if you¡¯re not going to give it your all.


    AUGUSTUS: Hmm.


    If I¡¯m not working here, though¡­ what am I doing? If I want to do anything that makes money as good as this, I¡¯ll need a degree, which we can¡¯t really afford. I don¡¯t know if we can afford for me not to go to the academy, you know?


    OSPREY: If you don¡¯t want to be his squire, don¡¯t do it. You¡¯re smart, you could do anything you wanted. And we talked about this. I have money saved. We can get you into university if that¡¯s what you want to do.


    AUGUSTUS: I don¡¯t know what I¡¯d do there.


    OSPREY: Medicine. Tax. Farming. Mining. Anything that pays well. Just get the fuck out of here. You¡¯re too good for this place.


    AUGUSTUS: I¡¯m surprised you¡¯re trying so hard to get rid of me.


    OSPREY: It broke my heart when you started working here, Augustus. You were a smart guy and I really thought you go could off and do whatever you wanted, and you wouldn¡¯t have to go through all the bullshit I went through. I started working here for you, and you ended up stuck in here with me. All I want is for you to get out of here, same as Crow. You deserve to be happy. You won¡¯t find that here.


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­what about you?


    OSPREY: Lord Kur, at best, should only have forty years left in him. He won¡¯t be acting Baron for all that time. Besides, I¡¯ll hopefully be leaving to live in Tijora someday. I definitely don¡¯t want you here if I¡¯m not here to look after you.


    AUGUSTUS: Forty years is a long time, and Kur will never really be out of your life.


    OSPREY: I¡¯m okay with dedicating my life to the Sabers, Augustus. Really, I am. I love Ares, and I¡¯m devoted to this family. But I also love you, and you need to get out of here. You aren¡¯t safe. Especially not with your temper.


    Osprey¡¯s watch beeps, and he checks it quickly. A smile creeps onto his face.


    OSPREY: Ares is here. Just seen coming up the path. I better go. Make sure you go down for breakfast soon, okay?


    Augustus nods and Osprey rushes out without another word. He sprints all the way to the servants exit by the entryway before fixing himself and stepping outside to wait. Horus is already there with Fairfax, and Primrose, Minerva and Set join them not long after. Osprey can barely contain his smile.


    PRIMROSE: He¡¯s finally home! I barely slept, worried he¡¯d tried to ride through the night.


    HORUS: There he is. I thought he was bringing a shaman with him?


    MINERVA: Probably left them behind so he could show off for Primrose.


    PRIMROSE: Aww!


    Sure enough, as Ares approaches, he dismounts from Venus with a flashy jump that lands him at Primrose¡¯s feet, where he sweeps her into an overly affectionate hug. Kur comes outside at last, prompting Ares to finally put Primrose down and stop smothering her with kisses.


    ARES: Hey everyone! I¡¯m home.


    HORUS: Glad you¡¯re here safe. I thought you were bringing someone with you?


    ARES: Yeah, about that. She¡¯s riding up now, but I need to warn you¡­


    MINERVA: Oh my gods, Ares, is that Moonie?!


    They all turn to look. Sure enough, Moonie is approaching on her goat.


    ARES: ¡­yeah, so anyway, Moonie is going to be training magic with me for the next couple of months. Surprise.


    Everyone stares at Horus, waiting for his response, but his eyes are transfixed ahead, watching as Moonie draws closer.

 Magic Moonie

    Chapter Four.


    <h2>Magic Moonie</h2>


    ARES: ¡­Horus?


    Finally, Horus breaks his gaze away from Moonie and turns to face Ares.


    HORUS: I feel like you could¡¯ve given me more warning than this.


    ARES: I tried! She rides really fast.


    HORUS: I meant sending a letter.


    ARES: That would give you too much warning. You¡¯d have run off on ¡°business¡± or something.


    KUR: With good reason. Of all the magic users in all of Hituh, you¡¯ve hired Moonie to train you?


    ARES: She¡¯s doing it for free.


    Moonie finally pulls up, and after a quick address to the servants, strides up closer to the family.


    MOONIE: Hi! Remember me?


    Minerva gives her a big hug, and Moonie gives Set an enthusiastic wave on seeing him. Horus is suddenly interested in the ground.


    ARES: How could any of us forget you? Here, come meet my girl. Primrose, this is Moonie.


    MOONIE: Oh, finally! He wouldn¡¯t stop bloody talking about you. Seriously, he was incessant. Nice to meet you.


    PRIMROSE: Likewise! I assumed Ares was coming home with an old shaman, not someone so young as you.


    MOONIE: I started practicing magic as a baby, much to my parents¡¯ concern.


    Lord and Baron Saber. Good morning. I hope you don¡¯t mind me staying here while I train Lord Ares.


    KUR: ¡­I¡¯ll leave that decision up to the Baron.


    HORUS: ¡­It¡¯s not as though we don¡¯t have room. Have Osprey set something up for you. Now if you¡¯ll all excuse me, I¡¯m very busy. Good morning.


    Horus heads inside without another word, and after shooting some daggers at Moonie, Kur follows. Minerva lets loose a small giggle.


    MINERVA: You flustered him.


    MOONIE: Yes, a little easier than I¡¯d have liked. I¡¯m more worried about Lord Kur. Did you see the way he looked at me?


    ARES: That¡¯s just his face. Why don¡¯t you take some time to get settled, so I can talk to Primrose.


    SET: Just talking? Doesn¡¯t sound like you.


    MOONIE: Oh gods, Set, you¡¯re even worse now.


    SET: Thanks. I¡¯m not sure if I¡¯m happy or concerned you¡¯re back, Moonie.


    MOONIE: Me either, little dude. Me either.


    *?? ??*????*


    Not long later, Ares and Primrose are wrapped up together under the covers.


    ARES: I missed you~


    and I missed this~


    and I¡¯m so so so glad~


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯m glad you¡¯re home, too. You don¡¯t have to keep singing about it.


    ARES: I know. I just hate the capital.


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯d love to see it ¡ª an entire city crafted by the gemstone elementals. Does it really sparkle at sunset?


    ARES: Not just at sunset. The whole city is bedazzled. It¡¯s sickening.


    PRIMROSE: You¡¯re just jaded, if you¡¯ll pardon the pun.


    ARES: Your underwater city is much more impressive than our slabs of stone, trust me. Maybe we should get out of here and go see the ice city next. Did you say you have friends there?


    PRIMROSE: A few, but before we go off on our next adventure, do you want to tell me more about your visit to Capital? Why do you need a trainer? What does the queen want with you?


    ARES: Moonie is sort of like¡­ a buddy system. She¡¯s going to make sure I¡¯m alright. And the mission the queen wants me for is completely safe. They¡¯re just being extra cautious, for whatever reason.


    PRIMROSE: Hm¡­ If you say so. You said you¡¯re here till Solstice?


    ARES: Unless there¡¯s any changes, yes. If you want to go back to Tijora and wait for me there once I¡¯m gone, I¡¯ll understand.


    PRIMROSE: Don¡¯t be ridiculous. You won¡¯t be gone for long, surely?


    ARES: I suppose I don¡¯t know.


    A knock at the door interrupts them. Ares calls to enter, earning him a slap from a still-naked Primrose. Osprey comes in, oblivious.


    OSPERY: Hello again. You missed lunch. I came to see if you want something to eat.


    ARES: Yes! Always yes.


    OSPREY: Very good. Incidentally, Ares, Moonie was asking for you. And Primrose, Horus wants to speak to you.


    PRIMROSE: He does? What about?


    OSPREY: He didn¡¯t specify.


    ARES: Tell both of them we aren¡¯t interested. Primrose and I are going to stay here all day long.


    OSPREY: I thought as much. I¡¯ll send up some food¡­


    PRIMROSE: No, don¡¯t do that. Tell Horus I¡¯ll see him soon.


    ARES: What? Why?


    PRIMROSE: We have three months until Solstice. We have time, Ares. Come on, let¡¯s go see what they want, and I¡¯ll meet you back here.


    ARES: Yeah, but are you sure you want to go spend time with Horus? He seemed pretty moody before.


    PRIMROSE: He wouldn¡¯t ask me if it wasn¡¯t important.


    ARES: ¡­I feel like this is some sort of setup, but alright. Hope he isn¡¯t too mad. I thought for a moment he might split the earth open when he first saw her.


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯ll say. That man has so many different levels of terrifying, doesn¡¯t he? What happened between them, anyway?


    ARES: They dated and broke up. I guess they were pretty serious, but it was so long ago. I¡¯d have thought he¡¯d be over it by now.


    OSPREY: Maybe you were too young to understand, but it was more than just serious. We thought for sure she was going to be the new Lady of Cragg. He was devastated when she left.


    ARES: I thought he broke up with her?


    OSPREY: He did. That doesn¡¯t mean he wasn¡¯t devastated. No-one could breathe a word about her for months, don¡¯t you remember?


    ARES: I guess I forgot. Well, they don¡¯t need to interact. I¡¯ll be sure to keep her out of his way.


    OSPREY: I would like to suggest he¡¯s called for Primrose now as punishment to you, if that¡¯s not too bold.


    ARES: I¡¯d also suggest that. Alright, I¡¯m ready. Not for magic, but to face my brother. Tell Moonie to entertain herself until a bit later. Ready, Primrose?


    PRIMROSE: Ah¡­ another minute would be nice, please.


    ARES: Maybe another¡­ thirty minutes?


    PRIMROSE: Get off, you!


    OSPREY: I¡¯ll go give the message to Moonie, then¡­


    *?? ??*????*


    The castle library is rather elaborate. There are armchairs and lounges, a fireplace, and several desks. Horus favours the desk by the window, spreading out maps and documents all the way to the edges. Sitting with his back against the window, he doesn¡¯t so much look at the words as he does scribble in the margins. Eventually, he stops, frustrated.


    HORUS: How long are you going to keep staring at me?


    Moonie shrugs from the wall she¡¯s leaning on. Horus looks back at his papers.


    HORUS: Well, let me know when you think of something to say.


    MOONIE: I was coming to look for a book. I wasn¡¯t sure if it was safe to enter while you were assaulting those papers.


    HORUS: I¡¯m not assaulting anything. I¡¯m working.


    MOONIE: Oh?


    Moonie walks over and looks at the pages. She smiles and points to the margins.


    MOONIE: What¡¯re these, then?


    HORUS: None of these are any of your business.


    Horus starts stacking his papers, intent on going somewhere else. Moonie gives a big smile at him.


    MOONIE: Do I really make you so uncomfortable? Before you go, let me say one thing.


    HORUS: What, Moonie?


    MOONIE: ¡­It¡¯s nice to see you again.


    HORUS: ¡­yeah, it¡¯s nice to see you too. I heard you¡¯re with a nice girl from capital.


    MOONIE: To know that you must¡¯ve asked. We¡¯re engaged, actually.


    HORUS: Congratulations.


    MOONIE: Thank you. She doesn¡¯t think I¡¯m too common for her.


    HORUS: She wouldn¡¯t, as a commoner, would she?


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    They stare each other down a moment before Horus backs away.


    HORUS: Feel free to look around. If anyone asks, I¡¯ll be in my room.


    MOONIE: Please, don¡¯t leave on my account. It¡¯s your house, I should be the one who finds somewhere else to be.


    HORUS: Last time I asked you to leave, you put a hex on me.


    MOONIE: You earned that hex all on your own.


    HORUS: You had no right to be as angry as you were. I¡ª


    Osprey walks in, interrupting them. He stops awkwardly.


    OSPREY: Oh. Sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to intrude¡­


    HORUS: You didn¡¯t. What is it?


    OSPREY: Primrose is coming to meet you. And Ares is going to meet with you, Miss Moonie.


    MOONIE: Thank you, Osprey. I¡¯m sorry you walked into all this negativity. It was my fault. It¡¯s nice to see you again, by the way.


    OSPREY: You too, madam. It¡¯s been a long time.


    MOONIE: Seems like only yesterday the three of us were sneaking whiskey and playing with the telescope, huh?


    OSPREY: I¡¯m surprised you remember.


    MOONIE: Of course, I remember. I could always hold my drink. Horus, do you remember drinking with Osprey?


    HORUS: ¡­vaguely.


    MOONIE: You sure did drink a lot for someone who¡¯s such a lightweight. Remember how silly he used to get?


    OSPREY: Your words, madam.


    HORUS: I remember when you turned twenty, Osprey, and suddenly weren¡¯t willing to steal alcohol from the kitchens anymore.


    OSPREY: Adult consequences quickly set me straight, sir. I certainly regret anything I took from your family now.


    HORUS: Please, anything you may have taken you¡¯ve paid back tenfold. Besides, I don¡¯t regret drinking what you stole.


    OSPREY: What a relief, sir. I hope you¡¯ll both continue to keep the secret from Lord Kur.


    Horus and Moonie nod in agreement. They¡¯re a bit more relaxed, but still wary of each other, especially Horus.


    HORUS: Thank you, Osprey. You can go.


    MOONIE: Thanks, Osprey. Tell Ares to meet me at the annex when he¡¯s ready.


    OSPREY: Thank you, my lord.


    Osprey leaves. Moonie raises her eyebrows at Horus, but he looks away quickly.


    HORUS: My apologies. I shouldn¡¯t have lost my temper. Everything with us was a long time ago. Take your time in the library.


    MOONIE: If it was such a long time ago, why are you still leaving?


    HORUS: Because I know you, Moonie, and you¡¯re distracting. See you later.


    *?? ??*????*


    Primrose meets Horus upstairs in the small living area near the balcony. His papers are spread out all over the place again.


    PRIMROSE: Oh, hello.


    HORUS: Primrose. Please sit. One moment¡­


    Yes. Hello, sorry. I wanted to talk to you about Solstice.


    PRIMROSE: Sure! What¡¯s up?


    HORUS: Well, it¡¯s customary for the host of the Solstice to put on some sort of show or display for the gods. I¡¯d rather not participate, but father insists. I wondered if you¡¯d do something with me this year.


    PRIMROSE: Oh, um¡­ of course, I will. I¡¯m used to doing ceremonies back home. It¡¯s just¡­ I assume there¡¯ll be a lot of noble folks coming to this party. Will they want a Tijoran performing on a day so sacred?


    HORUS: Probably not, but they¡¯ll get over it. When mum was still alive, her and dad performed together. I think it¡¯d be nice, to show the merging of the two families.


    PRIMROSE: Well¡­ okay then. Sounds fun. What did you have in mind?


    HORUS: I¡¯ll talk to you about it more later, I¡¯m sure you¡¯re keen to get back to Ares.


    PRIMROSE: He¡¯s off with Moonie somewhere.


    HORUS: Poor guy.


    PRIMROSE: You¡¯re not a fan of Moonie, huh?


    HORUS: It¡¯s not that. It¡¯s that I think she¡¯s evil and shouldn¡¯t be here. I¡¯m a very big fan of her work, actually.


    PRIMROSE: Ares told me you two have a history. It must be weird to see her again.


    HORUS: You have no idea. Last I saw her she put a hex on me that made me hallucinate every time I drank water.


    PRIMROSE: Oh my. That is evil. How long until it wore off?


    HORUS: Almost a week. I was getting quite used to it, by the end.


    PRIMROSE: I wonder if I¡¯ll get used to Ares using war magic¡­


    HORUS: He¡¯ll have his work cut out for him the next few months. I hope you¡¯ll stick by him, even if things go a little awry.


    PRIMROSE: Yeah¡­


    HORUS: Everything okay?


    PRIMROSE: What happened? He tells me he lost control badly once, but not what the outcome was. I feel like he¡¯s avoiding telling me. Do you know?


    HORUS: I do. I was there to stop him. Don¡¯t worry, he¡¯s not like he was then. It¡¯s just a bad memory. A bit like me and Moonie, I suppose.


    PRIMROSE: You¡¯re going to avoid telling me, too?


    Was the breakup with Moonie really so awful? She seems alright.


    HORUS: Not just the breakup. Our entire relationship was awful. Enough of all that. Come with me to the training area. We¡¯ll workshop a couple of rituals.


    PRIMROSE: Oh¡­ sure, okay.


    HORUS: Great. You are a water elemental, right?


    PRIMROSE: Yes, but not a very impressive one. I only know basics.


    HORUS: Basics are good enough. Come show me what you can do.


    *?? ??*????*


    While Horus and Primrose go to the training area, Ares goes to the annex to meet Moonie. She isn¡¯t there yet, so he slumps against the wall to wait. Osprey comes and finds him.


    OSPREY: She still isn¡¯t here?


    ARES: Nope. So, no idea what she wants?


    OSPREY: Knowing her, something unpleasant.


    ARES: She never was a sit-around-peacefully kind of woman. What¡¯re you doing here?


    OSPREY: She asked me to join her.


    ARES: I see¡­ how¡¯s preparation for Solstice?


    OSPREY: Fine. Elizabeth has her hands busy trying to get everything clean in time. Some of the staff have been avoiding the annex since Danielle told them all it was haunted.


    ARES: It is haunted.


    OSPREY: I know. We haven¡¯t had anyone in to do a cleansing yet, and they¡¯re not willing to go there until we get it done.


    ARES: You don¡¯t mind going in?


    OSPREY: Not at all. The annex is a good reminder.


    ARES: Oh yeah, of what?


    OSPREY: ¡­what your family is really capable of. Here¡¯s Moonie.


    MOONIE: Gentlemen! Sorry to keep you waiting. I was collecting some books, lest I have to run into Horus in the library again. Ready to do some training?


    ARES: Seriously? We¡¯ve only been home a couple hours. I don¡¯t want to start right away.


    MOONIE: I know, which is why this is an easy task. We¡¯re not going to practice fighting.


    ARES: What¡¯re we practicing, then?


    MOONIE: Escaping.


    Basically, Osprey and I are going to chase you around the annex and through these adjoining gardens. If we catch you, I¡¯m going to put a hex on you.


    ARES: What kind of hex?


    MOONIE: One that will make Primrose unhappy.


    ARES: How is this fair? Two against one?


    MOONIE: Being chased is a pretty high-stress situation, and for magic users especially, can call for a lot of soul. We need to practice protecting your soul at all costs, and this is a good way to start.


    ARES: You¡¯re going to attack me with magic, aren¡¯t you?


    MOONIE: Probably. You know how to block though, right? I remember practicing that with you years ago. So, are you ready? You¡¯ve got one minute before Osprey and I come looking for you.


    ARES: Seriously?


    MOONIE: Clock¡¯s ticking.


    Ares, realising she¡¯s serious, takes off. Moonie gives a big smile.


    MOONIE: Try and herd him inside the annex as much as possible, alright?


    OSPREY: Yes, ma¡¯am.


    MOONIE: Good. I want to push him to the edge of his tether. Let¡¯s find out what we¡¯re really dealing with.


    *?? ??*????*


    The chase goes on for some time. Around the gardens, up and down the stairs. Ares runs in and out of bedrooms, dodging being seen. Just as he loses Osprey and makes it downstairs, he bumps into Moonie.


    MOONIE: Gotcha.


    Ares turns and starts running. Moonie shoots a beam of power towards him, causing him to stumble. The second beam knocks him over entirely.


    MOONIE: I¡¯m not going to go easy on you, Ares!


    She attacks again and again. Eventually, Ares constructs a shield to stop her. She waits, taunting, before starting to cast a spell. Ares takes off again in an instant, headed for the gardens. Moonie rushes out after him, firing sound waves forward to give the illusion she¡¯s closer than she is. Once they¡¯re outside Ares sprints ¡ª only to bounce back as he reaches the edge of the gardens. Bewildered, he takes some time to get back up. Moonie catches up behind him. Panting, Ares turns to face her.


    ARES: When did you have time to construct a forcefield?


    MOONIE: Earlier. Ready?


    ARES: I can¡¯t run anymore¡­


    MOONIE: Then, fight me. Or I¡¯ll put a spell on you.


    ARES: I don¡¯t want to fight¡­


    MOONIE: Why not?


    ARES: It¡¯s not safe.


    MOONIE: It is if you do it right.


    Moonie attacks. Ares blocks, then dodges, but he¡¯s too tired. Instead of bringing up magic, he withdraws his sword.


    MOONIE: As if I¡¯ll ever let you come near me with that. Drop it, coward. Fight me with your soul.


    ARES: Moonie, please.


    MOONIE: If you won¡¯t play, I will.


    As soon as Moonie starts casting her spell, Ares becomes distressed. He brings up a small energy blast and sends it in her direction. She blocks it easily, grinning, and starts casting again. Just as it looks like Ares is about to give up, an arrow whizzes through the air, narrowly missing Moonie¡¯s ear and stopping just short of Ares. Both of them freeze, immediately stopping what they¡¯re doing. When they look around, Primrose grins at them wickedly.


    PRIMROSE: I wondered what all the noise was about. Miss Moonie, want to explain what you were about to do with my husband?


    MOONIE: ¡­Just a little hex. Nothing permanent. Ah, I can¡¯t believe I was caught off guard! How embarrassing.


    ARES: We were both off-guard. How¡¯d you get here so fast?


    PRIMROSE: Because I¡¯m fast. What¡¯re you both doing, sprinting everywhere? And what¡¯s with the forcefield?


    MOONIE: We were playing games.


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯m surprised. I thought you¡¯d be off drinking somewhere.


    ARES: Both of those things sound like a better time than this was. How about you and I go for a drink? We¡¯ll get out of the castle for a change.


    PRIMROSE: Sounds perfect.


    MOONIE: Alright, fine. I suppose I¡¯ll dismiss you for the day, but you better be ready to spar with me tomorrow. I¡¯m attacking you, whether you like it or not.


    ARES: Maybe, we¡¯ll see how I¡¯m feeling.


    MOONIE: Hm. Well, have fun. And remember, ignoring a problem doesn¡¯t make it not a problem.


    ARES: Show¡¯s how much she knows.


    *?? ??*????*


    Meanwhile, upstairs in the annex, Osprey continues walking around, looking for signs of life. One room he peers into has Elizabeth inside, and he stops to watch her, a smile creeping across his face. She¡¯s approaching a closet well known to be haunted. She approaches carefully, then suddenly, flings the door open and jumps back in anticipation. When nothing comes out, Osprey starts cracking up to himself. Elizabeth spins, face turning red.


    ELIZABETH: How long have you been standing there?


    OSPREY: Only just long enough. I thought you said there were no ghosts.


    ELIZABETH: Ghosts, no. Curses? Absolutely. It feels like every time I open this cupboard, something springs out at me. Rats, dogs, employees, and residents¡­ once, a bloody goat was wedged in here. I still haven¡¯t figured out how that happened.


    OSPREY: If it¡¯s to do with animals, it¡¯s usually Master Set¡¯s fault.


    ELIZABETH: I don¡¯t miss cleaning up after the frogs he used to leave everywhere, but I preferred that to these attack dogs.


    OSPREY: Me too. Poor Augustus.


    ELIZABETH: What are you doing here, anyway?


    OSPREY: Moonie and Ares work. They¡¯re doing some practicing. I¡¯m a bit puffed to keep taking it too seriously, to be honest.


    ELIZABETH: In that case, come give me a hand.


    Elizabeth begins piling blankets into Osprey¡¯s arms, and as she goes to close the door, a ghost sweeps out suddenly, startling them both before disappearing completely.


    ELIZABETH: What¡­what was that?


    OSPREY: ¡­A ghost.


    ELIZABETH: What? No. It couldn¡¯t have been. Ghosts are really rare. It must have been a bird or bug or something.


    OSPREY: One that vanished into thin air?


    ELIZABETH: We don¡¯t know what kind of weird species exist. This is just part of whatever curse is on it.


    OSPREY: Sure, Elizabeth, whatever makes you feel better. I¡¯ll have someone from security come clean it out and do a cleansing before guests arrive.


    ELIZABETH: Don¡¯t bother. Anyone who opens this door deserves whatever jumps out and scares them.


    OSPREY: Good point. I really should get back to it.


    ELIZABETH: Oh, alright¡­


    OSPREY: What¡¯s wrong?


    ELIZABETH: I¡¯m just worried about you working with Ares and his magic, especially knowing how Lord Kur can be.


    Why are you smiling?


    OSPREY: You¡¯re worried about me.


    ELIZABETH: Oh, stop it.


    OSPREY: No, really. I¡¯ll be fine.


    Thanks for the company. It was a good distraction.


    ELIZABETH: I¡¯m always a good distraction.


    *?? ??*????*


    A few days later, Augustus meets Tiger in the kitchens as he¡¯s coming in from working with the dogs. Exhausted, he slumps into one of the dining chairs.


    AUGUSTUS: Coffee.


    TIGER: Sure. With breakfast, today. Are you sure you should be back at work already? You don¡¯t look fully recovered.


    AUGUSTUS: This is all Python approved me for.


    TIGER: If you talk to her, she¡¯ll give you more.


    AUGUSTUS: No, really. The work starts to pile up when I take time off. It¡¯s easier to go back and do a half-ass job than take another day to rest.


    TIGER: Take an extra-long breakfast, then. Here. Have you given anymore thought into what Osprey said about study?


    AUGUSTUS: A little. Yes. I just feel terrible about taking his money.


    TIGER: You¡¯ll pay him back when you have it. So, you¡¯re leaving us, huh? Moving to capital?


    AUGUSTUS: I suppose so. That is, assuming I get into university.


    TIGER: You will. Any ideas what you¡¯ll do once you get there?


    AUGUSTUS: Not yet¡­ maybe politics. Is that crazy?


    TIGER: Oh, yes. You want to get further away from this world, Augustus. Not closer to it.


    AUGUSTUS: I¡¯m just not sure what I can do that pays well. No matter what, I¡¯ll be taking a pay cut, but I need to keep it minimal. Mum and dad still need a lot of support.


    TIGER: I still can¡¯t believe you have eleven brothers and sisters. Can¡¯t some more of them help out?


    AUGUSTUS: They could, but I don¡¯t think the kids know how much money Osprey and I give to mum and dad to keep them afloat. I don¡¯t want them to know how badly we¡¯re struggling. The kids won¡¯t get kicked out of the school as long as Osprey works here, but¡­ money will definitely be tight if I can¡¯t send anything home anymore.


    TIGER: So, don¡¯t leave. Elizabeth will hire you if you want.


    AUGUSTUS: I don¡¯t want to live my life this way anymore. I need to get the fuck out of here.


    TIGER: Life here wasn¡¯t all bad, was it?


    AUGUSTUS: Most of it, yeah.


    TIGER: ¡­even the parts containing me?


    AUGUSTUS: You¡¯re certainly one of the few highlights. Don¡¯t get all soppy, we¡¯ll still be friends. I¡¯ll be back all the time to visit the family.


    TIGER: Well, you better come up with a plan fast. You¡¯ll need to apply for courses¡­soon.


    AUGUSTUS: I will, I will. So, what happens if I leave? I mean¡­ will you continue to push for better conditions for the others?


    TIGER: It¡¯s not just about them. Kur is dangerous, and a threat to our entire nation. So yes, I will continue working on it. I promise. I know you don¡¯t like it, but the next step is getting Osprey to talk to Ares. If Minerva and Ares work together, they can get Horus on side.


    AUGUSTUS: That¡¯ll never happen. Ares loves his daddy too much to ever stand up to him.


    TIGER: ¡­You can¡¯t hate on them for loving their father. It¡¯s natural.


    AUGUSTUS: There¡¯s nothing natural about the way they stand idly by while we¡¯re whipped and tortured. If they love a man who treats us like this, then they should drown alongside him.

 Finding Soul

    <h2>Finding soul</h2>


    Minerva is climbing cliffsides with Python. Python sticks to the safer slopes, while Minerva climbs all over to gather minerals. Once Minerva¡¯s backpack is full, they settle near a ledge and stare out at the ever-stretching mountain ranges.


    MINERVA: I forgot how much I love scavenging for my own ingredients. I¡¯ve been locked up for too long.


    PYTHON: Agreed, my lady. I¡¯ve been trying to tell you.


    MINERVA: I know you said it¡¯s easier to just stick to the one name, but please call me Minerva when we¡¯re alone. Or ¡®sire¡¯, at least. You¡¯re my squire, not my servant.


    PYTHON: If you order it, sire, I will obey.


    Sorry. I¡¯ll try and do it less. Are you sure you can climb back down? That bag must weigh a ton.


    MINERVA: It¡¯s fine. Climbing really does feel invigorating, doesn¡¯t it?


    PYTHON: It does, but I wish you¡¯d be a little safer. We can bring more harnesses; you could wear more padding¡­


    MINERVA: We do that, and my dad finds out what we¡¯re up to.


    PYTHON: He¡¯s going to find out, Minerva.


    MINERVA: I know he will. I plan on it. Just not yet.


    PYTHON: What is your plan, exactly?


    MINERVA: I¡¯m not sure, yet. Sometimes the ingredients tell me what I should make. Recently I¡¯ve come into ogre¡¯s guts, magnetite, daring dandies and more mushrooms than I can accurately identify¡­


    PYTHON: I don¡¯t see how any potion could fix our problem. If you spike your father¡¯s drinks, he¡¯ll notice.


    MINERVA: I know. I don¡¯t know what I¡¯d make, anyway.


    I do love my dad, Python.


    PYTHON: I know you do.


    MINERVA: I don¡¯t want bad things to happen to him.


    PYTHON: I understand.


    MINERVA: I think they will.


    I think bad things are coming for my father. And you know, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s just him. I think if we don¡¯t do something soon, bad things will come for all of us. We have to stop him before someone else stops us.


    PYTHON: Where¡¯s this coming from?


    MINERVA: Primrose and Ares getting married doesn¡¯t make sense. The queen sent a bare minimum number of troops to help us, even though the war was on her borders. Instead, she lets our soldiers fight for years, then decides to fix things by marrying a son of Saber off to Tijora? And not even the part of Tijora we were warring with? Why?


    PYTHON: She wanted to resolve things peacefully.


    MINERVA: Well, she didn¡¯t. Tensions aren¡¯t eased. They¡¯re just banned from being expressed. Now, she¡¯s called for him to go away for some magic thing, even though he¡¯s barely trained. It doesn¡¯t add up, at all. He¡¯ll die, and then¡­ what of Primrose?


    Anyway¡­we should go home. Ready?


    PYTHON: Okay, but please, be careful.


    They start climbing down and are nearly halfway when Minerva sees something ¡ª a white flower similar to an edelweiss growing from a tiny little ledge.


    MINERVA: Do you see that?


    PYTHON: Yes. I saw it on the way up. It¡¯s too far for us to reach.


    MINERVA: That¡¯s a quartz flower! I have to get it.


    PYTHON: Don¡¯t, Minerva. Look where it is. You can¡¯t get to it.


    Minerva ponders for a moment before scooting sideways, aiming for the flower. Python tries to call her back, but she won¡¯t listen. Minerva gets as far as her harness will let her and stretches her arm out, but it¡¯s out of reach. She grips at the wall, defeated.


    PYTHON: I told you. Now please, come back. It¡¯ll be dark soon¡­


    Minerva doesn¡¯t go back. Instead, she unclips, and creeps further forward, ignoring the cries from Python. Slowly and so carefully she goes forward, further forward towards the flower, and this time when she reaches for it, she grasps hold of it before carefully pulling it out by the root. Once it¡¯s safely in her pocket she shuffles back towards Python and clips back on.


    PYTHON: Minerva! Don¡¯t you ever do that again!


    MINERVA: Everything worked out alright, didn¡¯t it? Come on, down we go.


    They continue down and aren¡¯t far from the bottom when Minerva finally loses her footing. She slips out, the harness catching her, and swings into the wall, scratching her arm and bumping her head slightly. Python cries out, and the two of them scurry down to the ground.


    PYTHON: Are you alright?!


    MINERVA: Yes, it wasn¡¯t a big fall. Ouch.


    PYTHON: Let¡¯s get you to the infirmary. Just to be safe.


    MINERVA: Yeah, okay.


    PYTHON: See now why you can¡¯t just unclip when you feel like it?


    MINERVA: Yeah, yeah¡­


    Minerva and Python ride back home and enter the castle through one of the back entrances, trying to get upstairs to the infirmary discreetly. On the way, they¡¯re caught by Marsden.


    PYTHON: Oops, sorry boss.


    MINERVA: Not used to seeing you out by yourself, Marsden.


    MARSDEN: ¡­Young lady, is that a scratch on your arm?


    MINERVA: Yes. I fell over. Excuse us, will you?


    Minerva and Python hurry off, and Marsden eyes them suspiciously. Once they¡¯re out of earshot, Minerva grabs at Python¡¯s arm.


    MINERVA: He suspects. Does he know?


    PYTHON: ¡­he knows.


    MINERVA: Shit! Will he tell?


    PYTHON: ¡­I¡¯ll ask him not to.


    Python continues to lead Minerva up to the infirmary, Minerva fretting all the way.


    *?? ??*????*


    Somewhere up a hill, not far from the main gardens, Moonie sits with Ares beneath an evergreen, sipping tea. Ares has left his tea untouched.


    ARES: Ready to talk yet?


    MOONIE: No~<sup>Y</sup>


    ARES: We¡¯re wasting time. What¡¯re we doing up here, Moonie?


    MOONIE: I told you. I want to talk to you.


    ARES: About¡­?


    MOONIE: In a minute.


    Ares groans and fidgets dramatically until Moonie slurps up the last of her tea.


    MOONIE: Mm. Good tea.


    It¡¯s nice to just sit for a bit, isn¡¯t it? Sit quietly and do nothing but look into the distance, listen to the leaves, and drink a nice big cup of herbal tea. Doing nothing. It¡¯s nice, right?


    ARES: ¡­no. Doing nothing is never doing nothing. You can say you¡¯re looking at the hills or listening to the birds but what you¡¯re really doing is taking time to think. What¡¯s next, what was then? Sitting still isn¡¯t peaceful.


    MOONIE: ¡­I see. Interesting. So, how do you find peace?


    ARES: Via exhaustion. It¡¯s hard to think when you¡¯re pushing your body to the limits.


    MOONIE: Do you fret, Ares?


    ARES: Fret?


    MOONIE: You know, like worry. Stress over the little things, make problems that have nothing to do with you occupy your brain space?


    ARES: ¡­I suppose I do.


    MOONIE: Fretting uses a lot of nervous energy. You must be mentally exhausted by the end of each day.


    ARES: I¡¯m mentally fine at the end of each day. Can we get to what we¡¯re here to discuss?


    MOONIE: This is what we¡¯re here to discuss.


    Look, Human Magic is powered entirely through our souls, right?


    Well, a human soul is powered by a lot of things. Our Body is powered by physical strength, our Mind by emotional strength, and our Spirit by mental strength. We need Mind, Body and Spirit to connect to access our Soul. Everything is connected.


    At least, those were the original theories. But strong magic users ¡ª those who were born with some innate abilities ¡ª can access Human Magic without having their mind, body and spirit connected. They can disconnect their minds or spirit or body altogether to create soul power. People like us, Ares. People like us are what make using magic dangerous. If you don¡¯t have control of yourself, in any regard, you can do hurt. If your soul is vulnerable, you become dangerous.


    ARES: I know all this, Moonie. Just because I can¡¯t sit still for a cup of tea, doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m mentally broken.


    MOONIE: I didn¡¯t accuse you of being broken. I¡¯m trying to understand why you don¡¯t have control of yourself when you perform magic.


    ARES: Why do you need to understand? Just skip that and cut straight to teaching me what I need to know.


    MOONIE: Okay. Don¡¯t go insane while you¡¯re doing magic. Lesson complete. Ready to fight now?


    Come on, Ares. Give me something to work with. Why don¡¯t you tell me what happens when you ¡®lose control¡¯?


    ARES: ¡­when I lose control¡­ like, properly¡­ I can¡¯t stop myself from becoming a beacon of destruction. If I¡¯m not attacking violently, I¡¯m oozing soul. Not to mention, when I¡¯m practicing, even when I¡¯m being careful, I get side effects. Hallucinations, paranoia, insomnia¡­ I don¡¯t want Primrose to have to deal with me if I turn into a wreck.


    MOONIE: That¡¯s really bad, Ares. If you hallucinate after using magic, it means you aren¡¯t disassociating enough from the soul. You¡¯re leaving yourself exposed at all times.


    ARES: Think you can help? I don¡¯t want to explode out on the field and hurt people.


    MOONIE: I mean, it¡¯s not that easy to fix. It¡¯s supposed to take years, decades of practice, to protect yourself from harm. I¡¯m still not sure which part of you needs addressing. Is this a problem in the mind, or a problem in the spirit?


    ARES: How should I know?


    MOONIE: Well, let¡¯s figure it out, shall we? Answer my questions and stop complaining. Physically you seem to be alright ¡ª is there anything bothering you with your body?


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    ARES: ¡­No. It¡¯s fine.


    MOONIE: Alright, alright, I had to ask. Emotionally¡­ there¡¯s a lot going on for you emotionally, isn¡¯t there? You were in the middle of fighting atop waterfalls against a horde of barbaric Tijorans, and the next thing you know, you¡¯re being withdrawn because you¡¯re supposed to marry one of them to end the whole thing? You must look at her and be reminded¡­


    ARES: Nope. Stop right there. Whatever problems I might have, Primrose isn¡¯t one of them. She¡¯s the best thing I have in my life.


    MOONIE: She can be a good thing in your life and still cause unbalanced emotions. Should we talk mental health, then? Goals, willpower, values, religion¡­ anything we should discuss?


    ARES: I don¡¯t know, Moonie¡­


    MOONIE: Well, we need to figure it out. It¡¯s going to suck, but the best chance we have to keep you safe is pinpoint whatever¡¯s out of balance and put it back into place. If everything¡¯s balanced, your soul will be protected.


    ARES: ¡­so, what do we do?


    MOONIE: Look, I¡¯m no therapist. I don¡¯t need to know what it is that¡¯s bothering you. But, if we¡¯re not practicing sparring, then there¡¯s no¡ª


    ARES: Let¡¯s practice, then.


    MOONIE: ¡­oh?


    ARES: Yes. Sorry I¡¯ve been avoiding it. We can practice. Not now. Tomorrow, first thing.


    MOONIE: ¡­alright. Deal. We¡¯ll duel in the morning and see how we go.


    ARES: Great. Can I go now? It¡¯s boring here.


    MOONIE: ¡­yes, Ares. See you tomorrow.


    Ares scurries off, back towards his room to look for Primrose. When she isn¡¯t there, he wanders back into the hallway to find Kur waiting for him. He jumps in alarm.


    ARES: Sorry, dad. Didn¡¯t see you there.


    KUR: I finally caught you. I¡¯ve barely seen you since you came back.


    ARES: I¡¯ve been busy. Sorry to spring Moonie on you, but Len ordered it directly.


    KUR: Ah, Len ordered it. That makes more sense.


    ARES: What¡¯s that?


    KUR: I was confused why you¡¯d think you need a new magic teacher. If you like, I can write to Len and explain Moonie isn¡¯t necessary here.


    Ares stares and thinks for a moment. Thinks back to the buckets of cold water thrown in his face.


    ARES: I¡¯m¡­ No. No thank you, Father.


    KUR: ¡­you want her here?


    ARES: Not her, specifically, but someone trained in human magic. I know you say your magic skills work the same, but they don¡¯t. Your magic is as normal to you as breathing is, and mine¡­ is different.


    KUR: ¡­so you¡¯re saying I¡¯m inadequate?


    ARES: Don¡¯t take offence, but it¡¯s not like things have ever gone great for me with magic. You saw how I was before I left. I shouldn¡¯t need to be drugged to be controlled.


    KUR: How is Moonie supposed to help?


    ARES: I dunno, dad, but I¡¯m going to give her a go. She can¡¯t do me any harm.


    KUR: Hmm¡­ I suppose not. The harm she can do to your brother, however¡ª


    ARES: Yeah, I¡¯m sorry about that. What was he like at dinner yesterday?


    KUR: He, same as all of you, chose to take dinner in his room last night.


    ARES: Well, you must have seen him since then.


    KUR: ¡­No. I haven¡¯t. I haven¡¯t seen you, or Minerva. It reminds me of when you were teenagers and getting up to mischief, avoiding me so I wouldn¡¯t catch you in your lies.


    ARES: No mischief here. I promise.


    KUR: Good. And Ares¡­


    ARES: Yeah?


    KUR: Nice work killing the ogres. People are calling you ¡®heroic¡¯. It seems you spread good word about our family while you were in the capital.


    ARES: I mean, someone has to clean up the family reputation.


    *?? ??*????*


    Late that night, Python is in the infirmary remaking the beds when Marsden comes in behind her and stands quietly in the doorway, waiting patiently for her to finish. When she turns around and sees him waiting, she jumps.


    PYTHON: Oh, Marsden! I didn¡¯t hear you come in. Is everything alright?


    MARSDEN: ¡­remaking all the beds?


    PYTHON: Yes, well, I hear Ares and Moonie are training tomorrow. I want to be ready, just in case.


    MARSDEN: I see¡­


    The other day when I bumped into you and Minerva on the stairs, she had a scratch along her arm.


    PYTHON: Like she said, she fell¡­


    MARSDEN: She climbed.


    Python, you gave me your word she was being safe.


    PYTHON: She was¡­ she was already very low to the ground, the harness caught her so instead of landing on her feet, she swung and hit the wall. It was an honest accident.


    MARSDEN: Yes, problem is, I¡¯d been at the climbing gym earlier that day. No-one who frequents there has seen either of you for weeks.


    Python, are you climbing around on the mountains?


    PYTHON: Yes. We are. Please, don¡¯t tell Lord Kur. It won¡¯t happen again.


    MARSDEN: You can¡¯t promise another accident won¡¯t happen, Python. You can promise not to climb outside again.


    PYTHON: ¡­I can¡¯t.


    MARSDEN: Then, I¡¯m bound to tell Lord Kur.


    PYTHON: Marsden, don¡¯t¡ª


    MARSDEN: If something bad happens to Minerva¡ª you¡¯d never forgive yourself.


    PYTHON: Something bad will happen to her if you tell Lord Kur what she¡¯s doing. She¡¯s an adult, she works with explosives, she goes to war¡­ she should be allowed to climb. Please, don¡¯t say anything. Not yet. I¡¯ll tell you if it gets too dangerous, I promise.


    MARSDEN: ¡­I¡¯m getting worried, Python. First, you start talking about manipulating Kur into stepping down as Baron, and now, you permit his only remaining daughter to climb?


    It¡¯s not like it is with the boys. Freyja died climbing. Phoebe was a stillbirth. He can¡¯t lose Minerva, too.


    PYTHON: Minerva is struggling. For years we watched the way he treated his children and stood idly by. Minerva is sick of it. Horus becomes angrier and angrier every day. Now, he¡¯s pushing Ares, who¡¯s already dangerous. What if¡­


    MARSDEN: We¡¯ve known the children since they were born. We helped nanny them and raise them. But make no mistake, Python, we are not their parents. Lord Kur knows what¡¯s best for his children. He understands the world better than we do. And until Lord Horus becomes sole Baron, our loyalties are first with Lord Kur. Do you understand?


    PYTHON: Yes, Marsden, but please, don¡¯t talk to Lord Kur yet. Let me talk to Minerva first, see if she¡¯ll listen to reason.


    MARSDEN: ¡­very well.


    While I¡¯m here, seeing as we¡¯re on the subject¡­ I suppose I could use some medical assistance.


    PYTHON: Why didn¡¯t you say something when you first came in?


    MARSDEN: You¡¯ve been avoiding me for days, and this was more pressing.


    PYTHON: What happened?


    Python pulls back his sleeves to reveal whip marks. She frowns at them quietly before raising her hand above them to heal.


    MARSDEN: I¡¯m just not as young as I once was, is all. Reaction time is slowing down. Thank you, I know it¡¯s tiresome. Go to sleep as soon as we¡¯re finished here.


    PYTHON: It¡¯s fine¡­


    MARSDEN: ¡­You alright?


    PYTHON: ¡­Are you?


    MARSDEN: Yes. I injured myself because I was careless. Let¡¯s not make this about politics.


    PYTHON: You didn¡¯t injure yourself, Marsden. Lord Kur injured you.


    MARSDEN: Yes, he did. With good reason. He understands the world better than we do. Need I remind you of his generosity?


    PYTHON: Marsden, legally, you and I are slaves. Should I remind you¡­


    MARSDEN: Lord Kur saved us from a life of misery, educated us and gave us opportunities to grow and develop our skills. All he asks in return is undying loyalty to him and his children. I don¡¯t understand how you can be so ungrateful to him.


    PYTHON: Yeah¡­ I know. Is that alright?


    MARSDEN: Much better, thank you.


    PYTHON: Augustus says we shouldn¡¯t be so protective of people who think of us as servants, and nothing more.


    MARSDEN: Do you really think you¡¯re nothing more than just a servant to Lady Minerva?


    PYTHON: No, I don¡¯t. To Lord Kur, after thirty-two years? I¡¯m not so sure.


    MARSDEN: Lord Kur shows his kindness in peculiar ways. Augustus will start respecting our acting Baron if he knows what¡¯s good for him.


    PYTHON: Osprey said Augustus is leaving. Going to study in the capital.


    MARSDEN: It¡¯s not up to him though, is it?


    PYTHON: It isn¡¯t?


    MARSDEN: Without Lord Kur¡¯s permission, Augustus can¡¯t go anywhere. Legally, he¡¯s a servant, but as long as we¡¯re being honest, every single one of us is a slave to Kur¡¯s word.


    *?? ??*????*


    Thanks to all the mountains, it takes quite a lot of time after sunrise before any sun actually reaches the castle, so mornings are long and cold. Sometime in that early morning, sitting alongside the frost, Moonie meets Ares near the training yard.


    MOONIE: How are you feeling?


    ARES: I¡¯m¡­ fine. Prepared. Ready.


    MOONIE: Good. Because it¡¯s me you¡¯re fighting, so you¡¯re not in real danger.


    ARES: I¡¯m not in real danger.


    MOONIE: And your father¡¯s opinion of me doesn¡¯t matter.


    ARES: Father¡¯s opinion doesn¡¯t matter.


    MOONIE: Because our combat is more like a dance.


    ARES: Dance¡­ Moonie, this is nonsense. I can¡¯t¡­


    MOONIE: Shh, Ares. You¡¯ve been holding back. The only way you¡¯ll let yourself be pushed is if you feel safe. Which leads me to my next point. And even if something goes wrong, your brother will be there to protect you.


    ARES: Horus will be there to save me.


    MOONIE: ¡­maybe you and him should have a talk beforehand.


    ARES: About what?


    MOONIE: About¡­ all of this. Everything your magic is doing to you.


    ARES: No. We¡¯re not the talking type.


    MOONIE: Hmm¡­ maybe you could talk to him about the pressure your father puts on you.


    ARES: You¡¯re not listening to me. We¡¯re not the talking type.


    MOONIE: No, you¡¯re not listening. Horus isn¡¯t the talking type, but you are. You don¡¯t want to open up to me or Primrose, and that¡¯s fine. How about Horus?


    ARES: Is this part of my preparation for our fight?


    MOONIE: You¡¯re right. I¡¯m sorry. How are you feeling?


    ARES: ¡­slightly worse. It¡¯s weird going into a fight knowing I¡¯m going to lose. I wouldn¡¯t normally enter a fight without a sliver of hope¡­


    MOONIE: Yeah, it¡¯s going to hurt a little. But remember, you¡¯re in no real danger.


    ARES: No real danger.


    MOONIE: Well¡­ let¡¯s get going, then.


    Ares and Moonie reluctantly get up and walk to the training grounds. As they approach, they see Horus standing at the edge of the ring, smoking. Moonie stops short at the far edge.


    MOONIE: I¡¯ll wait here till you¡¯re ready. Go tell him we¡¯re here.


    Ares looks wary of her for a moment but goes the length of the ground to where Horus is standing. It¡¯s eerily quiet ¡ªthe crunching of Ares¡¯s shoes draws Horus¡¯s attention before he arrives.


    HORUS: You¡¯re finally here. It¡¯s getting too cold to be training outside this early.


    ARES: Sorry. We¡¯ll try and make it quick.


    HORUS: Don¡¯t worry about that. Just get started already.


    ARES: ¡­


    HORUS: Are you alright?


    ARES: I¡¯m scared, Horus. What if¡­


    HORUS: There¡¯s no ¡®if¡¯. I¡¯m here, alright?


    ARES: You won¡¯t be if I¡¯m fighting a spirit.


    HORUS: I won¡¯t need to be. You¡¯ll have something evil to unleash all your powers on. Go on, go fight so we can go inside.


    Ares still doesn¡¯t move. He looks at Moonie stretching down the other end. Horus sighs and puts a hand on his shoulder.


    HORUS: I¡¯m behind you. Go.


    Ares nods and sheds his jacket. All around the training yard, people stop to look. Ares and Moonie start the fight. It¡¯s harmless at first, but once they warm up it becomes more explosive, colours of light dancing into the sky. When he can¡¯t seem to inflict damage back, Ares¡¯s frustration rises. His attacks begin to slip, he¡¯s hit more and more, and suddenly all the light from the attacks are causing him to squint. Sounds that aren¡¯t there are distracting to him, and Moonie can tell. She does an all-out attack, sending a wave of faces towards him, that knocks him flat. When he gets up, she has swirling lights and magic circles everywhere. He can barely make sense of her through them. She launches some small attacks, teasing ones that keep him upright and frightened. The glow previously channelled into his attacks begins to leech out of his skin, and his retching quickly grows loud enough for all to hear.


    HORUS: Enough, Moonie!


    Moonie ignores the voice through the chaos. Ares, starting to shake and froth like a rabid animal, is watched carefully by Moonie, who lessens her attacks. She¡¯s not so much attacking him anymore as she¡¯s testing to see what he does in that state. Not visible to an untrained eye, little wisps are entering the human world from his aura. Moonie watches a moment longer before glancing at Horus. He¡¯s scared and looks ready to run in, but he can¡¯t see what she can.


    MOONIE: Incredible¡­


    With that, she twists all her magic together and wraps Ares in a tight bind, where she squeezes the breath out of him. The spirits go away, but his chi keeps dancing dangerously.


    MOONIE: Alright, Ares. Calm down. It¡¯s over.


    Ares doesn¡¯t calm down. Horus begins to run forward, but she yells to stay back. Instead, she keeps trying to get through to Ares. He can¡¯t hear. He can¡¯t see. He¡¯s starting to convulse. Moonie moves forward hesitantly, and using long and slender fingers, draws a dark lump up out of his throat and into her hand, where it vanishes, and he suddenly goes limp. She¡¯s there to catch him and lower him steadily to the ground. He¡¯s still glowing, kind of fading in and out, but he¡¯s stable again and back with the conscious world. Horus runs over.


    HORUS: Are you out of your mind?


    MOONIE: He¡¯s fine. He¡¯s a lot more powerful than I¡¯d initially realised.


    HORUS: Ares, are you okay?


    ARES: Y-yeah¡­


    Horus bends down to check on him.


    MOONIE: That was amazing. I certainly never saw anything like that when we were younger.


    HORUS: I could say the same about you. Where¡¯d you learn all that?


    MOONIE: The castle mages.


    HORUS: ¡­you¡­went to the castle¡­ after years of swearing¡ª


    MOONIE: Kidding! I¡¯m self-taught. After ¡®us¡¯ I travelled around in search of libraries that had different books on magic. This is what I learned.


    HORUS: Well, it¡¯s impressive. But please, don¡¯t push my brother so hard next time you do this. When he starts to froth like that¡­


    MOONIE: Yes, it was alarming. But there was more to it you couldn¡¯t see.


    HORUS: Oh?


    MOONIE: Mm. He feels very cold.


    HORUS: Osprey! Get the bath ready. I¡¯ll help him upstairs.


    Osprey nods and runs off. As Horus takes Ares¡¯s arm, Ares slumps into him.


    ARES: Am I¡­ okay?


    HORUS: Yes. You¡¯re okay. Actually, you¡¯re still glowing a bit. Here¡ª


    Horus pulls him into a tight hug. In doing so, he pours some of his soul into Ares to stabilise him, kind of like a blood transfer. Moonie, who watches on in silence, looks furious at the action. When Horus releases him, Ares¡¯s glowing has stopped. Moonie follows behind as Horus takes Ares upstairs. He doesn¡¯t seem to notice she¡¯s followed him until he¡¯s shutting the door to Ares¡¯s bedroom.


    HORUS: You¡¯re still here? Was there something you wanted to discuss?


    MOONIE: Yes, actually. You were soul-lending. Don¡¯t you know how dangerous that is?


    HORUS: I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re¡­


    MOONIE: Didn¡¯t we have this conversation like ten years ago? You know you can catch arcane madness that way. You¡¯re opening your own soul up to¡ª


    HORUS: It¡¯s fine, Moonie. I don¡¯t need you lecturing me¡­


    MOONIE: Clearly, you do. How are you going to help him if something happens to you?


    HORUS: ¡­good day, Moonie. If you have anything you need, tell Fairfax.


    MOONIE: Please, Horus. Stop talking to me like I¡¯m¡ª


    HORUS: That¡¯s ¡®Lord Horus¡¯ to you. See you next time.


    MOONIE: ¡­Fine. Don¡¯t take care of yourself. What should I care, anyway?


    She turns and leaves. Horus waits till she¡¯s out of sight before slumping against the wall. He¡¯s exhausted. His watch buzzes to let him know he¡¯s wanted in the study. He has to drag himself there.


    KUR: Well¡­?


    HORUS: Ares is alright.


    KUR: So¡­ you stand by your decision, then?


    HORUS: Ares said he was benefitting from her. I just saw the truth in their battle. She can stay as long as he wants.


    KUR: So long as it isn¡¯t as long as you want¡­


    HORUS: It isn¡¯t. Trust me. Every time I see her, I remember how awful we were together.


    KUR: ¡­I¡¯ve heard that before, son.


    HORUS: What, ten years ago?


    KUR: You always seemed to find your way back to her. Now, she¡¯s found a way back¡­


    HORUS: Oh, shut up and retire already, will you?


    Horus leaves with a huff. When he gets to his room, he stops to see Set¡¯s door open. When he looks in, he sees him, head in hands, leaning over a textbook. Horus invites himself in and places a hand on Set¡¯s shoulder.


    HORUS: Set¡­


    SET: There¡¯s no way in hell I¡¯m passing these exams, Horus. There¡¯s just no way¡­


    HORUS: How? You¡¯ve been studying¡­


    SET: I just can¡¯t focus. I read the same sentence twelve times, and it won¡¯t¡­ connect¡­


    Set slumps his head on the desk and cries. Horus rubs his back comfortingly.


    HORUS: So, we¡¯ll try it a different way. Maybe you should go into the school¡­


    SET: I hate it there. It¡¯s no use. I can¡¯t listen¡­


    HORUS: Okay, well, let me give you a hand now.


    SET: I can¡¯t keep relying on you for help.


    HORUS: Of course, you can. Always. What¡¯re we learning about?

 Dont Fight

    <h2>Don¡¯t Fight.</h2>


    Time passes. Minerva and Python continue climbing in secret, while Minerva reads up on spells and potions in the evenings. Set tries to study but gives a lot of energy to the dogs, most of which are ready to go off to the castle. Moonie and Ares train, but never as intensely as the first time. No matter how gently they go, whenever Ares has to put any real work into fighting with magic, he becomes noticeably twitchy and disconnected.


    A month passes without any more hiccups. Solstice is just a few weeks away, and then Ares and Moonie are due to return to the capital to fight the evil spirit.


    Late one morning, in the quiet of the breakfast room, Ares sits alone, staring out the window. With sullen eyes and pale lips, he looks like some sort of zombie. Without any warning, he suddenly perks upright. Lumos sits across from him.


    ARES: You¡¯re here. I thought I¡¯d lost you.


    What time do you need me to come?


    I¡¯m not sure I can get away without being noticed. They¡¯re¡­coming for me.


    How can you be so sure? How can you promise me that?


    Ares talks to empty air, all the while Lumos sits silently and says nothing, completely expressionless. Ares begins to become distressed.


    ARES: I remember you now, Lumos. I did everything you asked of me. I did all of it and more. I tried to help you¡­


    Ares is startled suddenly by a plate being put down in front of him. The steamed fruit being served to him is dark and rotten, covered with sickly wriggling worms. The figure serving him floats and pulsates with big, dark bubbles. Ares frowns at it worriedly.


    ARES: Lumos¡­ please leave me alone¡­


    Lumos finally looks at Ares. When he opens his mouth to speak, blood gushes out, splashing into his teacup.


    LUMOS: You should pay for what you¡¯ve done.


    Lumos rises and starts to crawl across the table at Ares before an arm reaches out and grabs him, wrenching him back to reality. Lumos and the spirit are gone and in their place is the whole family, all preoccupied with their own things. Primrose was the one to grab him, and she shakes him a little.


    PRIMROSE: Eat something, Ares. You¡¯ve been groggy all morning.


    Ares looks around, blinking as he adjusts to the new light.


    ARES: How¡­ how long have I been sitting here?


    Everyone immediately stops what they¡¯re doing to exchange concerned glances.


    ARES: Seems like a simple question, I thought.


    HORUS: You walked in with Primrose a couple of minutes ago.


    ARES: Was I¡­ here?


    PRIMROSE: Oh, no. What¡¯s wrong with him?


    HORUS: Don¡¯t panic. He might¡¯ve been sleepwalking. Someone call for Moonie. Ares, look at me. Do you know where you are now?


    ARES: I guess so.


    Horus moves over to Ares and grabs at his hand, yanking him closer. Ares blinks suddenly, the physical movement helping to ground him.


    ARES: I¡¯m in the breakfast room. I know I¡¯m here. But before, I was¡­


    HORUS: Focus, Ares. Where were you?


    Horus gives him another little shake. Ares blinks suddenly, and finally seems to snap out of his daze. He forces a smile.


    ARES: Oh. Oh, sorry, everyone. I think I was still sleeping, didn¡¯t sleep very well last night is all. I should go back to sleep. I just need some sleep.


    HORUS: Sit down. Eat something. You¡¯re not doing magic anymore.


    ARES: I¡¯m fine, Horus. There¡¯s no need¡ª


    HORUS: I¡¯m not going to argue with you about this.


    KUR: Calm down, Horus.


    HORUS: What were you dreaming about?


    ARES: I don¡¯t remember. I was here, but you guys weren¡¯t. That¡¯s all. Like you said, probably sleepwalking.


    PRIMROSE: What¡¯s happening?


    ARES: Nothing, Primrose. Nothing. I¡¯m fine, really. See? Just sleepwalking.


    MINERVA: Isn¡¯t sleepwalking also a symptom of arcane madness?


    ARES: I¡¯m not going mad! I¡¯m just exhausted from all the¡ª


    MOONIE: Excuse me, my lords, but I was summoned.


    HORUS: Yes. Ares was just acting peculiar. He claims it to be sleepwalking.


    MOONIE: I see. Sleepwalking is a common side effect of someone who¡¯s exaggerating magic. It¡¯s possible I overworked him. May I examine him further?


    HORUS: Please.


    Moonie goes over to run some sight and sound tests with Ares. Horus glances at Kur, who is furrowing his brow at the mere sight of Moonie.


    MOONIE: Well¡­ he seems to be passing all the tests. Are you sure you¡¯re alright, Lord Ares?


    ARES: Yes. I¡¯m certain. Just a rough night.


    MOONIE: Ares is sensitive to magic. It¡¯s not unreasonable to think¡ª


    OSPREY: He¡¯s faking it.


    Osprey clamps his hands over his mouth at the outburst, drawing the ire of Kur onto him.


    MOONIE: He is? How do you mean?


    Osprey is too afraid to say anymore.


    HORUS: Speak, Osprey.


    OSPREY: ¡­I¡¯m so sorry for speaking out of turn, my lords. During the wars, Lord Ares would always push himself past his limits and lie about it until he got hurt. I believe he¡¯s doing it again.


    ARES: I¡¯m not lying, Osprey. I kind of remember walking downstairs and everything, but I guess I wasn¡¯t really ¡®with¡¯ it. I¡¯m just overtired. I promise. Can we all just finish eating?


    MOONIE: Hm. Just to be safe, I¡¯m going to ask you to prove it. Meet me in the library after breakfast, alright?


    Moonie exits, leaving the awkward tension in the air behind her. Ares finishes eating quickly and hurries out, taking Osprey with him.


    ARES: Way to throw me to the dogs, Osprey.


    OSPREY: I¡¯m sorry, sir. But you shouldn¡¯t lie about this stuff. You know what can happen if you get arcane madness.


    ARES: Sure, but you didn¡¯t have to blurt it out in front of everyone. Now they¡¯ll all be on my case.


    OSPREY: Well, sir, with all due respect¡­ maybe that¡¯s a good thing. Have you bothered to tell Moonie about Lumos yet?


    ARES: ¡­No. I¡¯m not sure how that¡¯s relevant. She knows I hallucinate, that should be enough.


    OSPREY: Please, sir. Take this seriously. If not for me or your family, then for your wife.


    ARES: Give it a rest, will you?


    Ares, pissed, goes to walk away. Osprey looks distressed.


    OSPREY: Ares¡­!


    Ares stops in his track and looks guiltily to Osprey.


    ARES: Sorry. I know you¡¯re just looking out. I¡¯m just getting tired of it. All of it.


    OSPREY: All the more reason to speak up, sir.


    ARES: Yeah¡­ I just don¡¯t want word getting back to¡­ (gestures)


    OSPREY: Moonie will keep your secrets if you ask, surely?


    ARES: Hard to know, honestly. I guess so.


    OSPREY: Then¡­maybe you could¡­?


    ARES: Okay. I¡¯ll tell her the truth. Fuck, I bet Primrose is freaking out.


    OSPREY: Don¡¯t feel guilty. She¡¯s strong and raised to survive a whole lot more than this. The best thing you can do for her is take care of yourself, right?


    ARES: ¡­yeah, you¡¯re right. As usual. Okay, I¡¯d better go. Sorry we haven¡¯t had much time together since I¡¯ve been back.


    OSPREY: Not at all, my lord. I understand you¡¯ve been busy.


    ARES: As usual¡­ Did you like Tijora when we went for the wedding?


    OSPREY: Oh yes, my lord. Very much. It¡¯s exciting to think you¡¯ll get to live on those beaches someday.


    ARES: Good. I hope your family won¡¯t be too disappointed when I bring you with me.


    Ares and Osprey pause to smile at one another before Ares leaves Osprey behind to go into the library.


    *?? ??*????*


    Tucked away behind some bookshelves is a trio of armchairs. Moonie lazes in one, while Ares sits bolt upright in the other, rubbing his palms against his pants.


    MOONIE: So, you¡¯re not okay?


    ARES: I don¡¯t know, Moonie. But these hallucinations are getting stronger. I see a man named Lumos dying and telling me I somehow killed him. I can¡¯t sleep thinking about it.


    MOONIE: No wonder. So, you weren¡¯t sleepwalking? You were hallucinating?


    ARES: Yes.


    MOONIE: And no-one noticed?


    ARES: I suppose not.


    MOONIE: I see.


    You need you to stop doing magic immediately. You¡¯re dangerous in this state.


    ARES: I can¡¯t. I have train to fight this spirit. The queen didn¡¯t say it was optional.


    MOONIE: You¡¯ve mentioned you lost control before. Tell me what happened.


    ARES: ¡­bad things.


    MOONIE: Did people die?


    ARES: ¡­yes.


    MOONIE: Ares, everyone is in danger of you right now. We¡¯re done with training.


    ARES: Moonie, if I don¡¯t learn to control myself then I don¡¯t stand a chance against the spirit in the capital. It¡¯ll eat me alive.


    MOONIE: You¡¯re not listening. Right now, at this exact moment, everyone, including Primrose, is in danger. You are unstable. People have lapses at any moment. One moment, you¡¯re completely conscious and aware, and the next moment your soul is hunting for others just to keep itself alive.


    ARES: What else am I supposed to do, Moonie?


    MOONIE: Well, you can¡¯t stay here. It isn¡¯t safe. We¡¯re taking you to my cabin for a few days. And we¡¯re definitely sending for the doctor.


    ARES: What will Primrose think?


    MOONIE: She¡¯ll worry, but she should. This isn¡¯t debatable. We¡¯re leaving, now.


    Moonie stands and waits for Ares to follow suit. He stands up shakily.


    ARES: If I¡¯m really that dangerous, are you sure you want to be alone with me?


    MOONIE: I can handle myself. Go get your things. I¡¯ll meet you outside.


    Moonie leaves in a huff. Ares looks to the sky and groans softly.


    ARES: Fuck, Lumos. What do we do now?


    *?? ??*????*


    Ares and Moonie prepare to leave, quickly. In no time, they¡¯re outside ready to leave.


    HORUS: You should take a few soldiers with you, just in case there¡¯s more ogres.


    This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    MOONIE: Ogres won¡¯t be a problem. We don¡¯t need protection.


    SET: You¡¯re coming back for Solstice, right, Ares?


    ARES: Yes. I keep telling you, this is just precautionary. I¡¯ll be home in a few days.


    MOONIE: We¡¯ll see. Come on, Ares.


    Moonie jumps on her goat while Ares gives Primrose an apologetic shrug. They go in for a long hug goodbye.


    PRIMROSE: Don¡¯t worry about me. I¡¯ll be safe here.


    ARES: I¡¯m so sorry, Primrose. I¡¯m so sorry.


    PRIMROSE: I blame the queen, not you. Go rest, and I¡¯ll see you soon.


    Ares smiles, gives her a kiss and together he and Moonie mount their goats and depart for her cabin.


    MINERVA: Well, good to see things never change. I¡¯m going upstairs to brew explosives. Don¡¯t come in.


    As Minerva heads off, Primrose eyes Horus. He deliberately avoids the contact.


    HORUS: Set? Shall we go back to studying?


    PRIMROSE: Actually, Horus, can I have a word with you? In private, if you don¡¯t mind.


    HORUS: ¡­alright. Set, upstairs. I¡¯ll see you there later.


    Set scurries off, while Primrose goes towards the library. The servants all start to go, but Kur grabs Osprey by the shoulder before he leaves.


    KUR: One moment, Osprey.


    Osprey immediately starts sweating, but Kur doesn¡¯t speak until everyone else is safely inside. Eventually, Osprey can¡¯t take the silence.


    OSPREY: ¡­My lord. I¡¯m so sorry¡ª


    KUR: Shut up, servant. First, I find you hugging my son, then you speak out of turn. It seems you have forgotten your place.


    I¡¯ll meet you tonight. Come to me once Primrose is down for the evening.


    OSPREY: Yes, my lord.


    Kur leaves without another word. As Osprey hurries to the back entrance, he bumps into Augustus.


    AUGUSTUS: Hey! What was that about?


    OSPREY: Hm? Nothing, I¡­


    AUGUSTUS: Are you in trouble?


    OSPREY: ¡­it¡¯s safe to say I am.


    AUGUSTUS: You didn¡¯t even do anything! If it weren¡¯t for you¡ª


    OSPREY: Don¡¯t yell, Augustus. I¡¯m getting what I deserve. I shouldn¡¯t have spoken out of turn like that.


    AUGUSTUS: How can you say that? Do you hear yourself?


    OSPREY: ¡­right. Sorry. I need to go find Danielle. Excuse me.


    *?? ??*????*


    Over in the library, Primrose and Horus have settled into the same chairs Ares and Moonie were sitting only moments before.


    HORUS: What can I help you with, Primrose?


    PRIMROSE: ¡­it¡¯s about Ares.


    HORUS: I¡¯d assumed as much.


    PRIMROSE: I want some answers.


    HORUS: I¡¯m not stopping you from asking questions.


    PRIMROSE: He¡¯s so very unwell that he can¡¯t risk being around us, Horus. What exactly happened in the past that removing him altogether is the safest option?


    HORUS: ¡­that¡¯s the kind of thing you should have asked him. It¡¯s not my place to tell.


    PRIMROSE: Ares is riddled with self-inflicted scars. Was that part of the result?


    HORUS: He got into some ritual sacrificial stuff in the past, but that was a long time ago. He was a teenager. He¡¯s hardly likely to do that now.


    PRIMROSE: I feel like¡­ it¡¯s unusual, how quickly he¡¯s deteriorated. It¡¯s only been a little over a month, and he¡¯s already starting to hallucinate?


    HORUS: I don¡¯t know, Primrose. I don¡¯t know why this is happening so fast.


    PRIMROSE: I think you do. I think it has something to do with why Moonie took him away from here.


    You¡¯re a kind man, Horus. I really think so. But I don¡¯t think this is a safe environment for Ares. After Solstice, and after he¡¯s finished doing what the queen asks of him, I¡¯m going to take him away, back to Tijora.


    HORUS: ¡­I see.


    You think we¡¯re the reason he¡¯s so unwell.


    PRIMROSE: The truth is that Ares never wanted to come back here in the first place. I saw a different side to Ares almost as soon as we arrived at the castle. Ares loves you; I know he does¡­ but I¡¯m not convinced he¡¯s safe. I¡¯m¡­ not convinced he¡¯s safe with Kur.


    HORUS: I understand. Thank you for voicing your concerns. However, the agreement made stipulated¡ª


    PRIMROSE: Irrelevant. He¡¯s my husband, and if I want him to heal in Tijora, then he will.


    HORUS: ¡­is there anything I can do to change your mind?


    PRIMROSE: I want Ares to be well. Nothing else. If he returns and there are no problems, then, I suppose we can stay.


    HORUS: My father is a good man, Primrose. Misguided, but a good man. He cares for his children very much.


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯m sure he loves all of you. But love isn¡¯t enough. It never is. I suspect that¡¯s what you learned with Moonie. It¡¯s not enough to love someone.


    HORUS: ¡­you¡¯re right. Love isn¡¯t enough, but family is everything. My father knows this. Let me speak with him. Please, don¡¯t rush into taking Ares away. It has potential to cause tension.


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯ll think about it, Horus. But explain to me, why Ares was against coming home? Why doesn¡¯t he want to be here?


    HORUS: Ah¡­ alright, look, he and my father have a complicated relationship. I¡¯m not denying it. But Ares needs to be here. He needs me.


    PRIMROSE: He needs to be safe. I¡¯ll do what it takes to make that happen.


    See you later, Horus.


    *?? ??*????*


    The following morning is pleasant. Delicate ice crystals cling to the blades of grass in shadows while patches of sun gives a comforting warmth as it beams between the mountains. The night staff are all gathered together in the kitchens.


    TIGER: Okay, everything¡¯s ready to go upstairs. Oh! Look who¡¯s joining us. Good morning, Danielle.


    DANIELLE: Morning.


    TIGER: Ah. Still not quite awake, I see.


    DANIELLE: No, I¡ª gods, Osprey! What happened to you?!


    Osprey is beaten black and blue.


    OSPREY: It was a misunderstanding. Don¡¯t worry. Shall we take the plates up?


    MARSDEN: You¡¯re not taking anything anywhere with a face like that. We¡¯ll put you back on normal rotation once Python is finished healing you. Wait a minute, Python, they won¡¯t be ready quite yet.


    Marsden goes back to reading the paper. Augustus looks fit to explode at the sight of his brother¡¯s face.


    MARSDEN: Oh dear. Those poor people in the southern hills are still being persecuted.


    FAIRFAX: The slaves in the mines? Weren¡¯t there children in the mix?


    AUGUSTUS: Yes, there are. It¡¯s disgusting to think we even still have slaves. Someone should help them.


    OSPREY: Slavery wields results. It¡¯ll never stop.


    AUGUSTUS: The results are never worth it if people are used as tools. It dehumanises not only them, but all humans. How much can a human life be worth if there are humans who are treated as property? It¡¯s sickening.


    FAIRFAX: Calm down, Augustus. The fact it¡¯s in the paper is promising. Things are changing.


    MARSDEN: Right you are, Fairfax. We should all take stories like these as reminders to be grateful for what we have.


    AUGUSTUS: Marsden, you are so brainwashed. My brothers face makes him look like he was victim of a mugging and we¡¯re supposed to be grateful just because we could have it worse?


    MARSDEN: Watch your mouth, Augustus. Might I remind you of Lord Kur¡¯s generosity in giving you a second chance?


    AUGUSTUS: I¡¯m still not convinced that was Kur. Seems more like a Lord Horus thing to do.


    TIGER: Wait, wait. This sounds like a story I don¡¯t know. What second chance?


    AUGUSTUS: Nothing. Forget it.


    TIGER: Nope. Not forgetting. What happened?


    ELIZABETH: I¡¯m surprised you don¡¯t know, Tiger. The whole reason Augustus is working here.


    TIGER: What, money?


    ELIZABETH: No, Augustus was kicked out of school.


    TIGER: Wait, what?!


    AUGUSTUS: Do we have to?


    OSPREY: Still can¡¯t believe¡­


    AUGUSTUS: It was years ago.


    FAIRFAX: Augustus got into numerous fights at school and was eventually going to be expelled. It was kind of a big deal considering Lady Eleanor and Lord Kur were paying for the entire Bird family to attend private school in exchange for Osprey and Crow¡¯s service. Instead of flipping out, Lord Kur made a deal with the school that Augustus could continue attending, so long as he started work here, too.


    TIGER: That¡¯s why you did school part time? They kicked you out!?


    AUGUSTUS: It isn¡¯t funny.


    OSPREY: No, it wasn¡¯t.


    PYTHON: Still, to give credit where it¡¯s due, Augustus completed the full school load even while attending only part time.


    AUGUSTUS: Exactly. So, there¡¯s no reason to still be angry.


    MARSDEN: I¡¯m certainly glad for your reckless youth. You¡¯ve been a fine worker.


    PYTHON: And a better friend.


    ELIZABETH: For sure.


    DANIELLE: Wow. There¡¯s sure a lot of history here, huh?


    MARSDEN: There certainly is. Alright, that¡¯s enough chat. Take the food upstairs, please.


    Python, Fairfax and Augustus get up and take the plates for upstairs. Osprey goes to get up, too.


    MARSDEN: Not you.


    OSPREY: Someone needs to carry the drinks.


    MARSDEN: I¡¯ll go. I expect I¡¯ll be needed, anyway.


    Marsden goes with them upstairs. In the breakfast room, everyone is sitting quietly, doing their own thing. The silence goes on until Marsden goes and comes back with the mail.


    PRIMROSE: Anything from Ares?


    KUR: He won¡¯t have written us already. Give it till tomorrow.


    MINERVA: Is that why you invited us all to breakfast this morning?


    HORUS: I¡¯m surprised you were awake to hear the invitation. Your sleep schedule seems a lot better these days. Any reason for that?


    MINERVA: My sleep schedule is none of your business.


    KUR: It¡¯s another letter from Set¡¯s tutor. Why is he writing, Set?


    SET: I¡ª I don¡¯t know. I¡¯ve been studying, I swear.


    KUR: You don¡¯t sound confident about the contents of this letter.


    SET: We had some practice tests. But I hadn¡¯t finished covering everything yet. So¡­


    KUR: ¡­It says here you¡¯re failing.


    HORUS: What? That can¡¯t be right. Show me.


    Horus takes the letter while Kur glowers at Set.


    KUR: You swore you¡¯d do better.


    HORUS: He did. Look, the tutor included the comparison¡­


    KUR: Still not good enough.


    SET: I still have time. I¡¯ll work harder¡­


    KUR: Augustus.


    The tension is stiff as Augustus steps forward. He¡¯s still fuming, thinking about Osprey.


    AUGUSTUS: Yes, my lord?


    KUR: Bring me Kahmen.


    SET: Wh¡­what are you going to do with my dog?


    HORUS: Father¡­


    KUR: Enough chances, Set.


    Horus exchanges an uncomfortable look with Primrose, who is watching the scene unfold with deep concern. Set, with wobbly legs, stands up and goes to Kur.


    SET: I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ll¡ª


    KUR: Work harder? That¡¯s what you said about being stronger, too. And look at you.


    Kur puts his hand on Set¡¯s shoulder and shoves him so hard he staggers.


    MINERVA: Dad, stop.


    KUR: Stay out of this.


    HORUS: Dad, you¡¯re being unreasonable. Cut the scare tactics.


    KUR: Unreasonable? Scare tactics?


    HORUS: You¡¯re not doing anything with Kahmen.


    KUR: Oh?


    SET: Don¡¯t fight, please. Dad, listen. I¡¯m improving, right? I¡¯ll keep working, even harder, and by my exams¡­


    KUR: You¡¯ll only change if I remove your distractions. You¡¯re always messing about with that dog. Ah¡­


    Augustus comes in with Kahmen off leash. Kur pulls out his dagger.


    SET: You can¡¯t.


    HORUS: I¡¯m warning you, Dad.


    KUR: You think the academy will show you mercy? You think your enemies will let your dog live? This is what happens when you don¡¯t give your all to something, Set. Innocents die. Servant, hold the dog still.


    Augustus doesn¡¯t move. In the few seconds Augustus stands defiantly still, a new tension enters. Kur has just enough time to send a death glare in Augustus¡¯s direction before Marsden intervenes and takes a firm hold of Kahmen. Kur moves swiftly towards them but Set jumps in front and bumps aggressively into Kur. Kur barely budges and pushes forward, which is when Set wraps his hand around Kur¡¯s blade. Kur falters for a moment.


    KUR: Let go.


    SET: No. I¡¯m not going to let you kill my dog.


    Set¡¯s hand starts bleeding. Kur is slowly but surely pulling the blade against Set¡¯s skin.


    KUR: How much will you endure for just a dog, hm?


    Set still doesn¡¯t let go, and more blood is falling. Minerva, noticing Horus is frozen, picks up a glass and hurls it full force at Marsden, who, in shock, drops Kahmen. Set calls for Kahmen to flee and she sprints from the room immediately. Set finally releases the dagger and staggers back, leaving room for Horus to lunge forward and swing his fist at Kur¡¯s jaw. Kur slashes forward at Horus with the knife, which Horus dodges, and lunges for Kur again. Set and Minerva both yell for them to stop while the servants scurry to get anything they can out of harm¡¯s way. The scuffle goes on, getting bigger and more violent, until finally it¡¯s broken up by Set and Minerva who physically get in between Kur and Horus, injuring themselves in the process.


    HORUS: You claim to want what¡¯s best for us, but then you slash your youngest son¡¯s hand!?


    KUR: You have no right to tell me how¡ª


    HORUS: This is my house!


    KUR: He is my son!


    HORUS: Fuck you, old man! You have no right to treat Set this way!


    KUR: He took that knife to his own hand!


    HORUS: You¡¯re not killing his dog. You¡¯ll have to fucking fight me to do it.


    KUR: If you keep letting him get away with everything¡ª


    HORUS: His dogs are legally my property. You¡¯re not killing Kahmen.


    KUR: Fine. His dogs might legally belong to you, but he doesn¡¯t.


    Kur grabs for Set, but Minerva sees it coming and drags him out of grasp. Another stare down stalemate.


    KUR: Set. Come here.


    MINERVA: Leave him alone! You already¡ª


    KUR: Now.


    SET: It¡¯s okay, I¡¯m¡ª


    HORUS: You¡¯re not laying another finger on Set. You need to drop this, father.


    SET: Horus, stop fighting. I don¡¯t care what he does to me. I just don¡¯t want to lose Kahmen.


    HORUS: Shut-up, Set. You¡¯re not going anywhere.


    KUR: Isn¡¯t he? Set, come.


    Set violently breaks free of Minerva and runs to Kur. Horus goes to follow as Kur shoves Set out of the room, but both Minerva and Marsden get in his way.


    MINERVA: Please, Horus. No more.


    MARSDEN: My lord. I think that¡¯s enough dramatics for breakfast, don¡¯t you?


    Horus stares at both of them angrily before relinquishing defeat. As he slumps to the wall, he checks himself where he was slashed during the scuffle. Python hurries forward to look him over.


    PYTHON: Were any other lords or ladies cut in the scuffle?


    MINERVA: Me, but it¡¯s only small. I¡¯ll do it myself later. Are any servants harmed?


    Miraculously, they aren¡¯t. But they¡¯re damned surprised that she asked. Horus waves away Python¡¯s hands.


    HORUS: Don¡¯t bother. Save your energy for Set.


    PYTHON: This is deep¡ª


    HORUS: It¡¯s fine, Python. Go tend to my brother.


    Python looks a little wary, so Horus waves to Marsden.


    HORUS: Go with her.


    Marsden and Python nod and go out. Minerva is staring Horus down angrily. He¡¯s ignoring her.


    HORUS: Primrose. I¡¯m very sorry about this. Please go about your day, and I¡¯ll come discuss this with you later.


    PRIMROSE: There¡¯s nothing to discuss, Horus. Nothing.


    Primrose runs from the room.


    HORUS: Augustus. Go get the dog and put her somewhere safe, where Marsden or anyone else can¡¯t find her. If anyone asks for her, tell them she¡¯s with me.


    AUGUSTUS: Yes, my lord.


    Augustus hurries out. That leaves Minerva, Horus and Fairfax. Quietly, Fairfax starts tidying up around them.


    MINERVA: ¡­are you okay?


    HORUS: I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m not the one we should be worried about. Look at these grades.


    MINERVA: ¡­he¡¯s almost passing. C¡®s everywhere except Mathematics and¡­ what¡¯s¡ª?


    HORUS: He failed his history essay. Father was right, technically, he is failing.


    MINERVA: Shit. He¡¯s been working hard, too.


    HORUS: I know. Still doesn¡¯t warrant such a fucking psychotic response¡ª


    MINERVA: Hey! Calm down. Stop yelling.


    HORUS: I¡¯m not¡ª


    MINERVA: You are. Breathe. Count.


    HORUS: Okay¡­ Still, he¡ª


    MINERVA: No, Horus. Stop it.


    You promised you wouldn¡¯t get into fights with him anymore.


    HORUS: I know. Sorry.


    MINERVA: It didn¡¯t help anything.


    HORUS: I know.


    MINERVA: He¡¯s not going to change¡ª


    HORUS: Should I have let Set¡¯s only friend die?


    MINERVA: He was wielding a dagger, Horus! You¡¯re not fucking invincible!


    HORUS: I¡¯m not far off.


    MINERVA: I¡¯m not going to argue. You¡¯re not allowed to fight with Dad.


    HORUS: You¡¯re not allowed to climb, but that doesn¡¯t stop you. I know you¡¯ve been climbing around outside.


    MINERVA: Don¡¯t act like it¡¯s the same thing.


    HORUS: What was I supposed to do, Minerva?


    MINERVA: I don¡¯t know, Horus. But I bet I know where Set is.


    HORUS: You think Dad¡¯s taken him to the tower?


    MINERVA: Yes. I daresay Set will be staying there until his exams are over. Or at least until Solstice.


    HORUS: Shit. Set hates it up there.


    MINERVA: As do I. Poor Python is going to be so overworked hiding all your bruises before the party¡­


    HORUS: Like we don¡¯t owe these servants enough. Augustus better find a way to make himself scarce. Father will use up any leftover rage he has on him for not holding Kahmen still.


    MINERVA: That was a bold move, wasn¡¯t it?


    HORUS: Hm.


    MINERVA: ¡­Please, Horus. No more fighting with dad. Last time¡ª


    HORUS: He deserved it. He¡¯s lucky I didn¡¯t dislocate his jaw today. I could kill¡ª


    MINERVA: Calm down. Please. Let¡¯s talk about dad calmly¡­


    HORUS: Fucking hell, Minerva. You always want to talk about dad like it¡¯s something that has a solution. Grow up and live with who he¡¯s become.


    Horus leaves. Minerva sighs and closes her eyes for a moment before looking at Fairfax.


    MINERVA: Well? Aren¡¯t you going after him?


    FAIRFAX: I find it¡¯s best to leave him be when he¡¯s like this. May I escort you to the infirmary? You sustained quite a bump when you wedged yourself in there.


    MINERVA: No, I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m going to my room to wait for Father to come yell at me for interfering.


    FAIRFAX: Understandable. Shall I bring you¡ª?


    MINERVA: No. And tell Python to take the day off once she¡¯s done healing people. I¡¯m going to bed.


    Minerva leaves, and Fairfax rings for Elizabeth. He cleans till she arrives then heads off, towards the tower. When he gets there, Python and Marsden are waiting at the bottom. Howls of pain echo down to them.


    FAIRFAX: He¡¯s still going?


    MARSDEN: Yes. Poor Master Set could have used his time in the tower to study, but I don¡¯t think he¡¯ll have the energy now.


    PYTHON: Poor Set¡­


    FAIRFAX: Didn¡¯t he used to be quite smart?


    PYTHON: Yes, he was.


    FAIRFAX: Knocked in the head too many times, I guess.


    MARSDEN: Hush. We know voices carry here.


    They look up to the sounds again before stepping away from the door.


    MARSDEN: Has she told you what she¡¯s been thinking?


    FAIRFAX: No, but it¡¯s not hard to figure out. Python¡­


    PYTHON: You can both forget it. I just want things to stay calm.


    FAIRFAX: Good. It¡¯s not safe to rock the boat ¡ª for anyone.


    MARSDEN: Exactly. Lord Kur¡­ it would take an army to stop him.


    *?? ??*????*


    In the tower, leaning against the wall by the window, Kur has finally finished beating Set. Set, passed out, slumps onto him, as Kur catches his breath. Quietly, Kur sings to himself.


    KUR: ? Riding on wings of glory


    We will ride into the night


    And if our souls perish in dark times


    We will carry on toward the light


    Our hearts may grow tired,


    And our hopes jaded¡­


    Set stirs awake. Immediately, he starts groaning in pain. Kur strokes his face.


    KUR: Shh. It¡¯s alright, son.


    SET: I¡¯m sorry¡­ I¡¯m sorry¡­


    KUR: Shh. It¡¯s alright. It¡¯s over.


    Kur pulls Set closer for warmth and keeps singing.


    KUR: Our hearts may grow tired,


    And our hopes jaded


    But the fire that lies within us¡­


    Can never be evaded. ?

 Cousin Icarus

    Chapter Five.


    <h2>Cousin Icarus</h2>


    Out rurally, tucked between forest and mountain, a soft snow falls persistently, evaporating before hitting the ground. Ares trudges through the puddles that have formed, completely lost and disoriented. By the looks of his clothes and hair, he¡¯s been out in the elements for quite some time. Eventually, he trips and falls. Rather than get up, he just rolls over and stares at the sky.


    ARES: Just kill me already, Lumos. Please.


    Ares closes his eyes as though to accept fate. When a voice calls his name out a moment later, he startles awake suddenly. The sky has gone dark, and Ares is covered in a blanket of snow. The voice calls out again, and he forces himself upright.


    ARES: Horus?


    MOONIE: Ares! Fuck, there you are. I¡¯ve been looking for ages, are you alright?


    ARES: I¡­I don¡¯t know.


    MOONIE: I can¡¯t believe you made it this far in such a short time. I was only turned around for a moment, and you were gone.


    ARES: I thought I was getting better.


    MOONIE: I did, too. I guess you were faking it. Come on¡­


    ARES: What¡¯s wrong with me, Moonie?


    MOONIE: You¡¯re frozen to the touch, Ares. We¡¯ll talk about it when we¡¯ve warmed you up.


    ARES: It¡¯s less dangerous if I¡¯m out here¡­


    MOONIE: Come on, Ares. We¡¯re going home.


    Moonie physically drags Ares onto her goat and hurries home. Once there, Moonie draws a bath and forces Ares in. She¡¯s gone for no longer than a few seconds when she hears a loud splash, and, rushing back in, finds Ares submerged beneath the water. She rushes to pull him upright, but he fights against her, determined to drown. Instead of fighting him Moonie summons some of her powers and shocks Ares through the water. He goes limp, then forces himself upright to take a deep breath. Gasping heavily, he looks around dazed for a moment before registering Moonie is there. He looks considerably more coherent.


    ARES: ¡­Moonie. What are you doing in the bathroom with me? I¡¯m naked.


    MOONIE: Gods, Ares. You¡¯re so much worse than I thought. We need to get you to a hospital. Immediately.


    ARES: What? No. It¡¯s almost Solstice. I need to attend that, at least.


    MOONIE: You could¡¯ve died twice today, Ares. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong with you, but it¡¯s obvious I can¡¯t fix you. You need real help, right now.


    ARES: It¡¯s just a lack of sleep. I¡¯m fine¡ª


    MOONIE: Shut-up, Ares! Stop acting like this isn¡¯t a big deal. It is a big deal! Just acknowledge it, for gods sake! You just tried to drown yourself!


    ARES: I¡¯m naked, Moonie. We can talk about this¡ª


    MOONIE: Right now, Ares, we can talk about this right now. Why aren¡¯t you taking this more seriously?


    ARES: I am, Moonie. But there¡¯s nothing we can do. We both know that hospital won¡¯t save me in the end. Horus will have written the queen, no doubt, asking for my exclusion from this fight. She declined. She selected me specifically to fight. She wants me to die.


    MOONIE: ¡­Wait, so, you¡¯re doing this on purpose?


    ARES: Not at all, Moonie. I want to get better. I want to fight the spirit and live. But there¡¯s no way out that doesn¡¯t end in war. The capital is waiting for an opportunity to get Dad, Horus and anyone else Daegon-born away from Cragg. Even if I were to flee to Tijora, Queen Jade would use it as an excuse to slander our family. I have to do as she says, for the good of everyone. Even if I¡¯m certain it will end in death.


    MOONIE: Ares. You¡¯re going to die before you even meet the spirit. The hospital can at least stabilise you¡ª


    ARES: Okay. I¡¯ll go to hospital. But not until after Solstice.


    Moonie. This might be the last Solstice I ever have. Let me spend it with my Primrose.


    MOONIE: If you have a bout of arcane madness while you¡¯re with Primrose, you¡¯ll put her in danger. What then?


    ARES: I¡¯ll take magic blockers, supplements, whatever pills you want to throw at me to keep me subdued.


    MOONIE: The answer is no, Ares. We¡¯re leaving first thing in the morning for hospital. And you know, Solstice isn¡¯t here yet. Maybe they¡¯ll release you for the holiday.


    ARES: I¡¯m coherent now, aren¡¯t I? Can you agree I seem okay presently?


    MOONIE: ¡­yes, I suppose so¡ª


    ARES: Then get out of here and let me get dressed.


    MOONIE: I feel like it¡¯s already too late for you to be coy about this.


    ARES: Just get out, Moonie!


    Moonie finally leaves. As she shuts the door behind her, she leans against it and sighs.


    MOONIE: Damnit, Ares. I didn¡¯t want to have to ask Horus for help.


    *?? ??*????*


    It¡¯s early the next morning when Ares arrives home to the castle, without Moonie. He stables his goat and goes straight around the side to the servant¡¯s entrance. It¡¯s closed, but he knocks loudly anyway. Augustus opens the door a second later.


    AUGUSTUS: Oh! Lord Ares. I didn¡¯t expect to see you back yet.


    ARES: Me either.


    OSPREY: Ares? Sir, what are you doing here?


    ARES: Hm. Tell you later. Is Primrose okay?


    OSPREY: Well, yes and no, sir¡ª


    ARES: Is she upstairs?


    OSPREY: Still sleeping, I suspect.


    ARES: Great. I want to go see her. Can you sneak me in without being seen?


    OSPREY: ¡­Why do you want to avoid being seen, if I may ask?


    ARES: I just want some uninterrupted time with Primrose. Is that alright?


    OSPREY: Of course. I have an approximate idea of where everyone is. Let¡¯s see what we can do.


    Osprey and Ares head out, looking carefully around corners as they weave their way upstairs and to his bedroom. Successfully uncaught, Ares gives Osprey a hug once they¡¯re outside the door.


    ARES: *Thank you, friend. I need to speak to Horus, soon. Do you know where he is?*


    OSPREY: *Not exactly.*


    ARES: *So long as he isn¡¯t with dad, tell him I¡¯m home and to come see me. And to keep it a secret.*


    OSPREY: *He won¡¯t be with your father. They haven¡¯t exactly been on speaking terms of late.*


    ARES: *What happened now?*


    OSPREY: *An unfortunate breakfast. I¡¯ll let Primrose tell you. You want him now?*


    ARES: *Yes. Please.*


    Ares gives Osprey a smile then goes into his room. Primrose is, as suggested, still asleep. He sits down quietly beside her and strokes her hair.


    ARES: Morning, angel.


    PRIMROSE: Wh¡­ Ares! You¡¯re¡ª


    ARES: Shh. Yes, I¡¯m back. I couldn¡¯t stand not being around you anymore.


    PRIMROSE: Oh Ares!


    ARES: ¡­Mmf, wait, Primrose. I¡¯ve been riding. Probably all gross and sweaty.


    PRIMROSE: Then hurry up and go shower.


    Ares goes. Primrose waits. Some time passes, and he doesn¡¯t re-emerge. She goes over to the door.


    PRIMROSE: Are you okay?


    No answer. She goes in, finds him standing with the water pelting him senselessly in the face. Primrose gently turns off the shower and wraps him in a towel. He seems tired.


    PRIMROSE: My poor lamb in wolf¡¯s clothes. Come have a little sleep.


    ARES: Primrose. You¡¯ll stay with me.


    PRIMROSE: Of course, I will.


    They nestle into bed. He falls in and out of sleep, mumbling to Primrose about how much he loves her. He startles awake violently at the sound of a knock.


    ARES: Horus?


    HORUS: Good morning, Ares.


    ARES: Did you and Dad get into a fight?


    HORUS: That¡¯s not why you asked for me.


    ARES: One second. Prim, wait here for me?


    Ares leads Horus back into the hallway and shuts the door.


    HORUS: What¡¯s wrong?


    ARES: It¡¯s bad. It¡¯s like it was when¡­it¡¯s getting bad, Horus.


    HORUS: Then we need to get you help.


    ARES: No. I can¡¯t. That¡¯s why I came here. I need you to tell Moonie¡ª


    HORUS: Stop. Take a breath. What, exactly, is your plan for getting through this?


    ARES: ¡­You.


    HORUS: I can¡¯t fix you. I couldn¡¯t last time you got to this point.


    ARES: You can¡¯t fix me, but you¡¯ve always been able to stop me.


    HORUS: What am I supposed to do?


    ARES: ¡­are you going to tell Dad?


    HORUS: Should I?


    ARES: I don¡¯t want him knowing I¡¯m back. Not yet.


    MINERVA: I thought I heard voices. When did you get home?


    ARES: Few minutes ago. Minerva, I need magic blockers. Whatever is strongest. I need to last till Solstice.


    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    MINERVA: ¡­¡¯kay. I¡¯ll go grab something.


    ARES: ¡­Horus. Please. Just get me through the Solstice. I can do the rest.


    HORUS: Where is Moonie?


    ARES: She¡­forget it. Oh, Minerva. Thankyou. What are all these?


    MINERVA: Blockers and anti-anxiety meds. You seem like you need them.


    ARES: Thanks. I should go back in with Primrose. Promise not to tell Dad or Set I¡¯m home till tomorrow?


    MINERVA: Set¡¯s locked in the tower.


    ARES: What? Why?


    HORUS: Don¡¯t ask.


    ARES: Is this what the fight with you and Dad was about?


    HORUS: ¡­He deserved it.


    MINERVA: Horus, no.


    ARES: Horus. You¡¯re not allowed to fight him. You know that.


    HORUS: Fighting is his language, it¡¯s all he understands. And someone has to stand up to him.


    ARES: It¡¯s not fair on any of us when you fight. It¡¯s not fucking safe.


    HORUS: I didn¡¯t antagonise. He did.


    MINERVA: It doesn¡¯t matter. Don¡¯t fight, Horus. Ever.


    HORUS: Go back to bed, Minerva. Let me talk to Ares.


    ¡­Let¡¯s forget Dad for a minute. What am I supposed to do to help?


    ARES: I don¡¯t know. But I¡¯m really scared. I don¡¯t know if I¡¯ll be okay this time.


    HORUS: You look pretty frazzled. Primrose will be worrying. Just stay calm and let me handle it. I¡¯ll think of something.


    ARES: I wish I didn¡¯t have to fight, Horus.


    HORUS: ¡­Me too. I¡¯ve wished that for every war we¡¯ve lived. May I ask when you plan to tell father that you¡¯re home?


    ARES: I just want a day. Just give me today.


    HORUS: I¡¯ll try, Ares. Now, go to sleep. We¡¯ll talk more tomorrow.


    Ares nods and goes back in. Horus watches the door for a bit before swivelling on his heel and walking into Minerva¡¯s room. She¡¯s sitting on the bed, waiting.


    MINERVA: Thought you¡¯d come in.


    HORUS: He looks completely fucked up. His eyes weren¡¯t focussing.


    MINERVA: I saw. What I gave him was plenty strong, but I¡¯m worried¡ª


    HORUS: I¡¯m worried, too. He¡¯s coherent, at least. You shouldn¡¯t have mentioned Set being locked up. He can¡¯t process negativity right now.


    MINERVA: Better he knows about it before being forced to intervene. Not to mention, Set has been locked in that tower for days. It¡¯s fucking terrible up there, Horus. You need to get him out.


    HORUS: I know, I know¡­


    Alright. I need to leave. Let me ask you something.


    MINERVA: Horus. There¡¯s too much for us to worry about right now. You can¡¯t be looking for more trouble.


    HORUS: I know you¡¯re climbing around outside. Just promise you¡¯re still being safe.


    MINERVA: ¡­Look at me. I¡¯m unharmed.


    HORUS: Alright. Fine. See you later.


    Horus leaves. Minerva touches the graze on her arm gently. Not completely unharmed.


    *?? ??*????*


    When Moonie arrives following Ares, Marsden is the first out to meet her. She jumps off her goat quickly, stopping suddenly at his feet.


    MOONIE: Is he here?


    MARSDEN: Is who here, miss?


    MOONIE: Ares. Is he here?


    MARSDEN: Should he be here?


    MOONIE: According to the note he left¡­ You¡¯re telling me he didn¡¯t arrive?


    MARSDEN: Not to my¡ª


    OSPREY: Moonie! Good morning. Marsden, I can take it from here.


    MARSDEN: Can you?


    OSPREY: Uh¡­


    MOONIE: So, Ares is here?


    OSPREY: Yes and no. He won¡¯t be available until tomorrow.


    MARSDEN: I see.


    MOONIE: That¡¯s fine. I¡¯d like to speak to Lord Horus. Urgently.


    OSPREY: Of course, Miss. Marsden, would you mind getting him? And keep it subtle.


    Marsden eyes the pair suspiciously but wanders off. Moonie taps Osprey.


    MOONIE: How is he?


    OSPREY: Pretty bad. What happened out there?


    MOONIE: I thought he was getting better. Then one night he went to bed really early, slept for nearly thirteen hours¡­ when he got up, he was weird, disoriented. And then he wandered off. I found him covered in snow.


    OSPREY: Shit. He can¡¯t be away from loved ones anymore. He¡¯s not good with being alone.


    MOONIE: What the hell is going on, Osprey? It isn¡¯t normal for someone to deteriorate this quickly.


    OSPREY: ¡­Lord Ares is unwell. He has been ever since the incident that happened when he was in school. Doing magic is traumatic for him.


    MOONIE: Then, he shouldn¡¯t do it. At all.


    OSPREY: He doesn¡¯t. Save for at the insistence of his father¡­


    MOONIE: Here¡¯s Horus. Sounds like things haven¡¯t changed around here.


    OSPREY: Not yet...


    Osprey leaves, allowing Horus to approach Moonie privately.


    HORUS: I suppose I should have expected you¡¯d follow.


    MOONIE: Horus. Things are really bad.


    HORUS: I know, Moonie. I saw him just before. He looks terrible.


    MOONIE: What you don¡¯t know about, is the conversation I had with Len. He told me that if Ares wasn¡¯t under control by the time we¡¯re due to go fight the spirit, he¡¯s effectively going to be sacrificed on the front lines.


    HORUS: Yeah... I¡¯d feared as much.


    MOONIE: I want him to go to hospital. Maybe they can hold him¡ª


    HORUS: They won¡¯t. Not if Queen Jade demands it.


    MOONIE: Then they can at least help him until then, professionally. Don¡¯t do soul lending with him, Horus. It¡¯s really dangerous with the state he¡¯s in. He needs a hospital, not his loved ones.


    HORUS: Hmm. We¡¯ll see.


    MOONIE: What, seriously? Maybe you don¡¯t understand¡ª


    HORUS: Whatever it is, we¡¯ll treat it here. Ares doesn¡¯t do well in hospitals. We¡¯ll keep him on the magic blockers till after the Solstice party, then¡­ see how he is.


    MOONIE: Solstice could be a huge disaster if you aren¡¯t careful. He could explode and hurt everyone.


    HORUS: Wouldn¡¯t be our worst party.


    Fuck. What should I do?


    MOONIE: Breathe, and admit you need help.


    HORUS: No, I¡ª


    MOONIE: You act strong, Horus, but I know you¡¯re not when it comes to them. Please, let me take him to hospital as soon as Solstice is over, if not before.


    HORUS: We¡¯ll evaluate how he is after Solstice. I¡¯ll do what¡¯s best for him.


    MOONIE: After Solstice, you¡¯ll do what¡¯s best.


    HORUS: Yes. Welcome back, Moonie.


    MOONIE: Wait.


    HORUS: Yes?


    MOONIE: Tell me what happened. The incident that made him like this.


    HORUS: ¡­he was hallucinating. His apparition told him to murder people, and he did.


    MOONIE: I see. More hallucinations. They told him to murder people?


    HORUS: Yes.


    MOONIE: What about those marks on his arm?


    HORUS: Sacrificial magic. You knew about that already.


    MOONIE: Hm¡­ Can you look after him, just for a few days? I need to ride to the hospital for information and advice.


    HORUS: I suppose. You will be back in time for Solstice?


    MOONIE: Yes. I promise. Look after him till then and be vigilant. He¡¯s completely unstable. And look after yourself, too.


    HORUS: It¡¯s hard to do both of those things at once.


    *?? ??*????*


    Solstice draws nearer. Large blankets of snow cover the mountains in a quiet stillness, and the usually gloomy castle is suddenly a place of cosy refuge. While relaxing in front of the fire one afternoon, the family are interrupted by the sound of a visitor arriving.


    PRIMROSE: Is someone early?


    ARES: I¡¯m not getting up. Someone tell them to go away and come back on time.


    SET: I¡¯ll go see who it is.


    Set wanders out towards the front door. At the sound of his excited cries, they drag themselves away from the lounge to follow. Icarus Savor, cousin to Horus and the others, has arrived with his two trusted squires, Stefan and Rand, plus his entourage of soldiers. He offers a broad smile at the sight of his family.


    ICARUS: Horus! Ares! Uncle Kur! So glad to see you all.


    HORUS: Cousin Icarus. We haven¡¯t heard from you in months. I assumed you weren¡¯t coming.


    ICARUS: The days were getting dark, so I figured I¡¯d come out here and visit the darkest people I know. How¡¯re the mountains, Baron?


    HORUS: Very well, thanks to your efforts fighting monsters. Would you like to come in for some wine?


    ICARUS: After drinking mostly whiskey for the past five months, wine would be to die for. Who¡¯s this?


    PRIMROSE: Hello! I¡¯m Primrose. Nice to meet you.


    ICARUS: Ooh, that accent. Who picked you up?


    ARES: This is my wife. You didn¡¯t get my letter?


    ICARUS: I probably didn¡¯t take you getting married seriously. So, you married Ares. Well done.


    PRIMROSE: Um¡­ thank you?


    ICARUS: I know I¡¯m here uninvited, but I was hoping to stay for a while.


    KUR: Certainly, Icarus. Stay as long as you like. You¡¯ve come at a good time. We¡¯re hosting a party for Solstice.


    ICARUS: You are? Why?


    KUR: Don¡¯t worry about that. Come along out of the cold.


    ICARUS: My favourite uncle. Always thinking of others. What are your thoughts on the slave trade going on in the south?


    KUR: Slaves have helped humans achieve great things, before.


    ICARUS: Ha ha! I love it.


    Icarus and the Sabers go inside, leaving the squires and servant staff where they are. Quietly and professionally, Osprey leads Stefan and Rand around the side of the house to the kitchen entrance. Once they¡¯re out of sight and sound of the main entrance, they all break into big smiles.


    OSPREY: Long time no see!


    STEFAN: Oh, you have no idea how good it is to be here!


    Stefan and Rand fall about, telling tales about their conquests. The dining hall in the kitchens is usually entirely empty, but thanks to Icarus¡¯s soldiers it becomes full very quickly. Tiger hurries to make enough food for everyone, and eventually falls back to wait with Augustus and Elizabeth. When Rand is finished telling a particularly gruesome story, the trio¡¯s faces all scrunch in horror.


    AUGUSTUS: And people wanted me to study to be a squire.


    TIGER: I¡¯m so glad you¡¯re going to university instead. These people are barbaric. Do they even hear themselves?


    They stop to listen to a tale about the beheading of an orc which results in the majority of the room bursting into laughter. Danielle enters a moment later.


    DANIELLE: Sorry! I thought my break lasted longer. What¡¯s this all about?


    TIGER: It¡¯s a stupid show lacking brevity. Would the three of you set up the tables outside for these blood mongers? I remember why we separate ourselves from them now.


    AUGUSTUS: You¡¯re starting to sound like our enemies, Tiger. They have just as much right to eat inside as we do. Sometimes when you have to do fucked up stuff, all you can do is laugh about it. We¡¯ve all seen it. Right?


    They stop to listen as another unpleasant story is exchanged and the listeners go wild. Augustus scrunches his nose.


    AUGUSTUS: That being said, they¡¯re used to being outside, and I think they prefer it. I¡¯ll go bring out the tables.


    As Augustus leaves, Tiger watches after him.


    TIGER: I¡¯m glad he¡¯s leaving.


    ELIZABETH: He¡¯s only leaving if Kur and Set let him leave. Augustus could very easily be forced into the academy alongside Set. He knows it, too. That¡¯s why he pretends to be so useless with a sword. Anyway, I¡¯d better go help out.


    Elizabeth follows Augustus out. Tiger waits to see if Danielle is going to go help, but she¡¯s listening to the chatter. Tiger rolls his eyes and forcibly puts a tray in her arms to take over to the soldiers.


    STEFAN: Anyway, enough about our adventures. What demons have all you been fighting lately?


    OSPREY: Honestly? Things have been quiet for a while. None of our master¡¯s have been going on adventures as of late.


    RAND: Well, I¡¯m looking forward to a week of rest. An actual bed¡­


    OSPREY: Unfortunately, the days leading up to Solstice are never restful.


    STEFAN: We do get to sleep inside though, right?


    OSPREY: Of course.


    Stefan and Rand cheers to that. Back in the lounge, Icarus has taken an entire couch to himself.


    ICARUS: So, anyway, I hope you don¡¯t mind if I hang here before going back to the mountains. I think I¡¯ve earned myself a decent rest.


    HORUS: You¡¯re welcome here as often as you like, Icarus. You know that.


    ICARUS: My father would be offended if I stayed too long. Oh, before I forget, you should know I ran into some of your soldiers from Ami district. They were on their way to Angel¡¯s Peak.


    HORUS: Oh, yes. There were rumours of giants lurking in the area. They never turned up any results.


    ICARUS: Yes, they told me, that, too. But I went exploring nearby with my men, out of curiosity more than anything, and there were certainly traces of destruction that could easily be explained by a giant.


    HORUS: Oh? I was planning to investigate the inhumane practices on the slaves in the south after Solstice, but perhaps I¡¯d better look into that, instead.


    PRIMROSE: What would a bunch of giants want lurking in the mountains?


    ICARUS: Flesh, usually. A giant¡¯s appetite is hard to fulfil. There¡¯s not a lot of animals to eat in the mountains, though, save for the odd goat. And they¡¯re not too hungry for monsters.


    PRIMROSE: Do they like human flesh?


    ICARUS: They¡¯ve been known to eat it, but they wouldn¡¯t normally. If you leave them alone, they¡¯ll leave you alone. But Horus and I can discuss the giants later. What else is news?


    MINERVA: Ares is going slowly insane practicing magic.


    ICARUS: ¡­it¡¯s like I¡¯ve stepped into the past. Are you really?


    ARES: Yes and no. Not exactly. It¡¯s complicated. Mostly, yes.


    ICARUS: Well, at least you¡¯re admitting it this time. So, why are you practising, then?


    ARES: Request from the queen.


    MINERVA: Moonie¡¯s been training him.


    ICARUS: Horus¡¯s Moonie? Gods, that¡¯s a terrible idea. Why on earth are you learning from her?


    KUR: Good question. Perhaps you can take over for a while.


    ICARUS: Yeah, yeah, totally¡­ what about you, dark little witch? Moved into alchemy yet?


    HORUS: She better not have.


    MINERVA: Chemistry and alchemy draw a fine line, but I¡¯m still mostly in the realm of chemistry.


    ICARUS: ¡®Mostly¡¯? You should just team up with Ares, that¡¯ll push you over the line. What about you, Baron of Cragg? Anything noteworthy happening in your life?


    HORUS: Nothing noteworthy, no.


    ICARUS: You sure?


    HORUS: ¡­why do you ask like that?


    ICARUS: Moonie¡¯s been training your brother. Does that mean you two are back together?


    HORUS: I can assure you, we¡¯re not.


    ARES: I¡¯m the one who invited her here.


    ICARUS: I see. Is she attending the party in a couple days?


    KUR: Certainly not.


    HORUS: ¡­actually, she will be. She needs to be here to help watch over Ares. She¡¯s not here now, but she should be back in a few days.


    ICARUS: Oh, I¡¯m so glad I came to visit. Are my parents coming to this party?


    KUR: Indeed. They¡¯ll be delighted to see you.


    ICARUS: I should hope so. I¡¯m the only child they have left.


    *?? ??*????*


    Later that night, Icarus goes to find Ares.


    ICARUS: So, I¡¯m supposed to help you with some insanity, apparently. How bad are we talking, here?


    ARES: I¡¯m not well, Icarus. I doubt you can help me.


    ICARUS: Well, maybe I can¡¯t, but¡­ I have something that might.


    ARES: The fuck is this? Don¡¯t tell me¡­


    ICARUS: Soul blood. It¡¯s good to have some from time to time if you¡¯re practising the arts.


    ARES: Isn¡¯t this illegal?


    ICARUS: Only if you obtain it illegally. They¡¯ll literally hook you up to some in hospital if you get hurt in a magic battle. It¡¯s perfectly safe.


    ARES: Okay, but did you obtain this legally?


    ICARUS: ¡­not entirely. But our sources are totally legitimate. It¡¯s all consensual.


    ARES: The smell is vile¡­ am I supposed to ingest it?


    ICARUS: What? Ew. No. Even in dire situations doing that should be avoided. Totally wrecks your gut biome. I¡¯ve got a syringe.


    ARES: What¡­ what does it do?


    ICARUS: It¡¯s soul lending. You¡¯re topping your own soul up with someone else¡¯s. Basically, your magic eats into a reserve that isn¡¯t necessary for your own survival.


    ARES: Aren¡¯t there side effects?


    ICARUS: Only sometimes. Death isn¡¯t usually one of them, though, which is where arcane madness will get you.


    ARES: I dunno, Icarus¡­


    ICARUS: No offence, but you¡¯ve spent your life learning from people who don¡¯t know what they¡¯re on about. I studied magic with the castle mages. I know what it is to fight evil spirits and catastrophically dangerous monsters. Trust me on this, Ares. In the state you¡¯re in, this is the best thing you can take.


    ARES: If Primrose found out, she¡¯d lose her mind.


    ICARUS: So, don¡¯t tell her.


    ARES: I won¡¯t. Moonie keeps telling me I should.


    ICARUS: I¡¯ll talk to Moonie when she gets back. She and I can debate about who knows best ¡ª her, or someone trained by a castle mage.


    ARES: ¡­You were trained by castle mages. Why weren¡¯t you summoned for this fight?


    ICARUS: I¡¯m too busy and important fighting in the mountains, remember? Are you ready?


    ARES: I suppose.


    ICARUS: Deep breath in.


    Icarus administers a large syringe of blood into Ares. Ares winces at the sensation.


    ARES: It¡¯s cold.


    ICARUS: Well, yes. It¡¯s been sitting in the snow. You¡¯ll adapt, don¡¯t worry. There, all done. Go to sleep, and you should be feeling a lot better by morning. Call for me in the night if you feel unwell. Try not to do any heavy lifting.


    ARES: You should really come visit more often, Icarus. I¡¯ve missed you.


    ICARUS: Why bother visiting? It¡¯s rare all of you are home. I have better luck finding you in the mountains. Goodnight, Ares.


    Icarus leaves Ares alone, who goes into his room ready for bed. As he tucks in, the chorus of voices inside his head grow louder.


    VOICES: We¡¯re not who you think we are. Please, leave us be!


    <sub>my name is Gracie. Not Pen.</sub>


    Just kill me. Put us out of this misery.


    Ares falls asleep to the sounds.

 Winter Solstice

    <h2>Winter Solstice</h2>


    The Solstice finally arrives. With the exception of a few guests who arrive a day or two early, the majority arrive the afternoon prior to the event, causing the usually empty castle to suddenly be bustling with life. Meeting in the lounge off the balcony, Kur waits for his children. Horus comes in first.


    KUR: You¡¯re not wearing that, son.


    HORUS: Why not?


    KUR: It¡¯s all you ever wear. Go find something more formal.


    HORUS: No-one is going to notice or care.


    KUR: Not asking, Horus. Go change.


    Horus turns to leave in a huff. Minerva comes in a moment later.


    KUR: You¡¯re as bad as your brother. This is what you¡¯re wearing to Solstice? All black?


    MINERVA: People would be confused if I wore something that wasn¡¯t all black. Here, help me pick out some jewels.


    KUR: Hm¡­ at least these have a little colour. Let¡¯s see¡­


    HORUS: Okay, look, is this better?


    KUR: ¡­I suppose it¡¯ll do. Is wearing something different really so terrible?


    HORUS: I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m over thirty and you¡¯re still telling me what to do. Nice necklace, Minerva.


    MINERVA: Thank you¡­ it¡¯s yours.


    HORUS: It is?


    MINERVA: You never wore it.


    HORUS: I don¡¯t even have the option now, apparently.


    Set, finally free from the tower now guests have arrived, comes into the room wearing a glorious cloak with golden lining.


    SET: Well? What do you think?


    MINERVA: Wow. That¡¯s certainly put Horus and I to shame.


    HORUS: I¡¯ll say. When did you even get this?


    SET: I grew out of my old one, so I had this made. I wanted something different. Dad?


    KUR: ¡­It¡¯s lovely. It reminds me of something your mother used to wear.


    SET: The dress she wore to the queen¡¯s coronation, right? I remembered it from the photos. It¡¯s what I was trying to recreate. You really like it?


    KUR: Yes, son. Very much.


    Ares and Primrose enter a moment later. Kur murmurs to Marsden before standing up to address them. He examines Primrose head to toe, looking at her outfit in detail before nodding in short approval. He doesn¡¯t take long to look over Ares.


    KUR: Nice suit, son. What is it with you and your brother always exposing your chests?


    ARES: It¡¯s called fashion, dad. Not that you¡¯d understand. Set, that¡¯s a beautiful coat.


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯ll say! What lovely colours.


    KUR: It is lovely. But those earrings don¡¯t go with it.


    MINERVA: He can wear mine¡ª


    KUR: No. I have something else in mind. Ah, here¡¯s Marsden.


    MARSDEN: Are these the ones, my lord?


    KUR: Yes, thank you.


    MINERVA: Are those Mama¡¯s earrings?


    KUR: Yes. Her party earrings. She wore them to almost every event. She said that even on her ugly days, they made her beautiful. Which is ridiculous because she was beautiful every day she ever lived, but I¡¯ll admit, they did highlight something special about her. They really brought out her eyes¡­ they look even better on you, Set.


    Look at all my children dressed up. My Eleanor would have been proud. Is everyone ready?


    HORUS: Yes, father. You don¡¯t have to prep us before every party.


    KUR: Don¡¯t I? Baron of Cragg, last time we invited guests over I had to drag you from your room to socialise. Let¡¯s not forget our mission this evening. There are many eligible candidates, and ample opportunity to strengthen bonds. I expect everyone on best behaviour. Are we ready?


    The children all nod, and Kur finally leads them downstairs to join the guests in the afternoon celebrations. Meanwhile, the servants are in full swing, barely taking the time to breathe. Danielle finally catches Osprey, completely bewildered.


    DANIELLE: Osprey, there¡¯s so many people! Who are they all?


    OSPREY: A lot of very, very important people. People whose bad sides you don¡¯t want to be on. Most people are nobles from Cragg, but¡­ See that guy? That¡¯s Lord Carver, Baron of Quarr. He¡¯ll dunk your head in a punch bowl when you¡¯re only fourteen years old if you mess up. He won¡¯t even care if you pass out from it. See him? That¡¯s Lord Gwese, Baron of Dunes. He¡¯s friendly, don¡¯t get me wrong, but he¡¯s also one of Lord Kur¡¯s oldest friends. He¡¯ll show a cruel streak if you aren¡¯t careful. Those triplets, headed for the library? Queen Jade¡¯s nieces and nephew. Stay away from them altogether, yeah?


    DANIELLE: Right, okay¡­ by the way, I keep meeting people who say they¡¯re related to you. Just how big is your family?


    OSPREY: I¡¯m one of twelve children. Most of us are here helping out, plus a few cousins. Have you seen Moonie yet?


    DANIELLE: No, I haven¡¯t.


    OSPREY: Fuck. Look, I gotta go. Stay out of trouble, Danielle. There¡¯s a lot of evil people here today.


    Osprey hurries off, disappearing around a corner almost immediately. Before Danielle can move, a body bumps aggressively into her. Icarus barely looks her direction and makes his way to the staircase where he meets the family.


    ICARUS: There you all are, looking mighty elegant. I¡¯ll be with you all shortly, but may I borrow Minerva a moment?


    Minerva stops dead on the stairs while the rest of the family continue downwards. She raises an eye at him.


    MINERVA: What do you want?


    ICARUS: You¡¯re always so hostile. Can¡¯t I just want to stop and chat?


    MINERVA: You want drugs, don¡¯t you?


    ICARUS: ¡­depends on if you have anything to sell.


    MINERVA: I¡¯ve already sold almost two dozen opiates, if you want to be on the same level as everyone else.


    ICARUS: Perfect. I¡¯ll take some later on, keep a couple tabs aside for me. By the way, that Gurnip dickhead is talking shit about you again.


    MINERVA: He¡¯s been testing the waters for years. I suppose he¡¯s finally going to learn what drowning feels like. He¡¯s a Horus problem, though. I have other people for you to knock into line.


    ICARUS: Oh?


    MINERVA: Yes. I don¡¯t know why it¡¯s so hard for visitors to remember not to slander our name inside our walls.


    ICARUS: Laziness, pig-headedness, invincibility syndrome. Lots of factors can play on someone¡¯s memory. So, you have some names in mind?


    MINERVA: Those damned triplets keep making snide comments. And that woman, the new girl who lives with Gwese? She¡¯s a proper bitch.


    ICARUS: What¡¯d she say?


    MINERVA: Nothing about us, but she¡¯s being incredibly rude to any child present. Also, apparently some servants are spreading gossip. Remind me to warn Marsden about it.


    ICARUS: Will do ¡ª servant gossip has potential to be life threatening. You know what they say. There¡¯s nothing more impressive than a servant¡¯s grapevine¡­


    MINERVA: Or the memory of a slave.


    *?? ??*????*


    Late that afternoon, close to the sunset, all guests gather in the gardens. Many on horses or on a carriage, everyone is ready to go hiking up the mountain. It¡¯s not too steep to the main lookout which is where most people stop to view the sunset, but those who are willing and able continue up the higher rocky terrain where ¡®Ston¡¯s temple is. Many of ¡®Ston¡¯s temples are displays of how the stone elementals manipulated a suspension beneath the earth¡¯s crust to protect their cities from earthquakes. Within the shrine lies a large stone monument of a mountain dragon, where people can toss their jewels in tribute. When everyone has paid their tribute, they wander back outside and find a spot to watch the sunset. Just as the Saber family find a place to settle in, Icarus comes to whisk Ares away suddenly.


    ARES: Hey! What¡¯re you doing?


    ICARUS: Shush. Follow me.


    Icarus leads Ares around the back of the shrine, where they¡¯re out of sight. He pulls a syringe from his pocket.


    ICARUS: Put this around your arm.


    ARES: We¡¯re doing this here, now?


    ICARUS: Religious holidays can be a dangerous time. It¡¯s been working, hasn¡¯t it?


    ARES: ¡­I¡¯ll admit, I¡¯ve been feeling a lot better. Alright, hurry up before Primrose comes looking.


    ICARUS: You right?


    ARES: Yeah, yeah.


    ICARUS: Good. Come find me when you¡¯re peaking. I want to show you how amazing magic can feel.


    Icarus and Ares straighten up and go to head back out, drinking whiskey on the way. Finally, the sun begins to dip. People kneel and put their fists to the ground until it¡¯s gone. Darkness creeps in, and everyone watches the pink sky until it fades.


    As soon as the lanterns turn on, everyone stands to hug and reminisce about their loved ones who have joined the stars and give thanks to the loved ones who remain. After Primrose and Icarus have all hugged one another, he quietly pulls her away, giving the family some space.


    ICARUS: Give them a moment to grieve their dead mother, oldest sister, and stillborn sister. There¡¯s a lot of dead women in this family.


    PRIMROSE: How awful. These occasions are always hard when you¡¯ve lost someone who you loved with all your heart.


    ICARUS: Indeed. They¡¯re also difficult when you¡¯re separated from your homeland and locked in a castle with a family of people who treat revenge like some sort of sport. How are you holding up?


    PRIMROSE: Ares is home, and miraculously, maybe thanks to you, seems to be doing better. That¡¯s what I¡¯m trying to focus on.


    ICARUS: Good for you¡­ by the way, I heard you¡¯re performing a little water magic later.


    PRIMROSE: Yes, I am.


    ICARUS: Brave. Who talked you into that?


    PRIMROSE: Horus¡­ why do you say it¡¯s brave?


    ICARUS: Well, because of the recent war where water elementals killed hundreds of Cragg people, and because Lord Kur isn¡¯t permitted to use his fire magic ever again and might take it as an insult.


    PRIMROSE: ¡­his fire magic isn¡¯t permitted? How?


    ICARUS: His magic was banned for improper use. If he ever practices fire again, he can be executed on the spot. It was the queen¡¯s greatest achievement to date. She really seemed proud of herself for that one.


    PRIMROSE: But¡­ what happened, exactly?


    ICARUS: It was during a war against Kindling, I was still just a kid when it happened. Kur was fighting against another fire elemental in the east, and they managed to lose control and set the Forest on fire.


    PRIMROSE: ¡­the forest? As in, the Forest?


    ICARUS: Yes¡­ some air elementals came out and sucked all the oxygen from the air for like two minutes. A whole bunch of soldiers died, and the war ended immediately. After that, he was banished from ever practicing fire on Hituh¡¯n soil, ever again. Come on, let¡¯s go back home. I¡¯m fucking freezing.


    Icarus drags Primrose away. Remaining huddled on the mountain, Kur wraps his arms around his children.


    KUR: Another year of darkness. The enemies continue to try and take from us, but we will not let them break us. She will never extinguish the fire in our bellies. Ready for Dae¡¯s prayer?


    Dae, protector of fire,


    Let us lead our enemies into light,


    so we may scorch them into ashes.


    Deliver us from darkness,


    and turn us into stars,


    Please, turn us into stars.


    The prayer is finished with a large exhale. From Kur¡¯s mouth, a small puff of smoke escapes.


    *?? ??*????*


    When everyone returns from the mountain, they move into the ballroom for dinner. Tables have been set up, forming a U-shape around the room, with the extended family sitting at the head. Eleanor¡¯s younger brother and his wife are in attendance, with Icarus as their only remaining son. Eleanor also had three cousins, all of whom have children, and they circle the table as well. A band plays softly in the corner, and most guests are dining and chatting amicably. All the servants are working, and many members of security are stationed around the room. Though most of the family are having a nice time, Ares is breaking out in a sweat. Primrose touches his arm gently.


    PRIMROSE: Holding up alright?


    ARES: Yeah. I¡¯m just surprised. I can¡¯t believe so many people showed up.


    HORUS: Me either. I guess we hold more favour than we thought.


    KUR: Not favour, power.


    MINERVA: It¡¯s strange, isn¡¯t it? They¡¯re all pretending to want to be our friends while secretly hating or fearing us.


    HORUS: Well, we do earn ourselves a reputation, I suppose.


    ARES: Speak for yourselves. Set, you better be a peacekeeper when you get to the academy. It¡¯s a lot easier, trust me.


    SET: Whatever you say. Primrose, what do you think of our celebrations so far?


    PRIMROSE: All these people and the music¡­ honestly, I¡¯m loving it. It feels like a taste of home.


    MINERVA: That¡¯s stupid.


    ARES: Shut-up, Minerva. Incidentally, how¡¯s the crowd looking for potential candidates?


    HORUS: Oh, go away.


    ICARUS¡¯S MUM: Oh, you children still aren¡¯t betrothed to anyone?


    KUR: No, they¡¯re not. Have you had any luck with Icarus?


    ICARUS¡¯S DAD: Rather difficult when he¡¯s always away from home. People aren¡¯t keen to marry someone they¡¯ve never met, who risks their life for months at a time.


    KUR: It can be difficult to maintain love while in combat. Still, the room is full of eligible singles. Perhaps he should watch his drink long enough that he can take to the dance floor.


    ICARUS: I can¡¯t remember how to dance.


    ARES: Seriously? They didn¡¯t drill it into you at the academy?


    ICARUS: I¡¯ve been slaughtering monsters for years. We don¡¯t do a lot of dancing up in those snowfields.


    SET: You should, it¡¯d keep you warm. Look, people are getting up already.


    KUR: Might be a sign the liquor is flowing too freely.


    PRIMROSE: Ares, you should finish eating so we can go join them!


    ARES: I¡¯m not very hungry. Think I¡¯m one of those people who drank too much. I¡¯ll come back for it after.


    ICARUS: We did have that snack earlier, too. Go dance it off, king. I definitely won¡¯t eat all your food.


    ARES: Fucking liar. But there¡¯s heaps of food left on people¡¯s plates. I¡¯ll just take that when no-one¡¯s looking.


    Ares takes Primrose¡¯s hand and takes her to the dancefloor. They look good together, and despite the initial disapproving murmurs from the crowd, eventually more people get up to join in. The Sabers sit and watch. Icarus¡¯s parents go join them, and Icarus leans back.


    ICARUS: So, who wants a dance? Minerva? Set?


    KUR: I thought you said you didn¡¯t remember how.


    ICARUS: I do and don¡¯t. I know enough to make someone butt in out of pity.


    HORUS: Can we stop focusing on it so much? It¡¯s weird enough already. I feel like a predator.


    ICARUS: You shouldn¡¯t. You¡¯re the hunted. All you¡¯re doing is choosing which beast gets to devour you.


    MINERVA: Ew, don¡¯t make it sound so gross.


    SET: I¡¯d like to dance. I¡¯ll go with you, Icarus.


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ICARUS: There we go. You know any moves?


    SET: Some, but not really. We can fumble together out there.


    Icarus and Set get up to go dance. It doesn¡¯t take long for a handsome young gentleman to butt in and take Icarus¡¯s place with Set. Icarus does a little solo dance for his table in victory before wandering off to harass someone else.


    HORUS: Right, well, in the interest of escaping this conversation, I¡¯d best go mingle.


    KUR: ¡­Well, Minerva?


    MINERVA: People don¡¯t like us, Papa, but they do want to marry us. If someone is brave enough, they¡¯ll come ask for me themselves.


    KUR: The brave will also come ask if you¡¯re out there socialising. Come along, you and I can dance.


    MINERVA: No, dad.


    KUR: Then, come share my cigar.


    MINERVA: You¡¯re just looking for an excuse to get away from the table.


    KUR: Stop being difficult. I never see you unless I demand it.


    MINERVA: Okay, okay, we¡¯ll go outside.


    The outdoor patio overlooks the gardens, and Kur and Minerva go forward to lean against the railings. A few people are laid in the snow, stargazing, while some of the kids throw snowballs. Kur hands Minerva a cigar.


    KUR: I wish you¡¯d make more of an effort with people, Minerva. We have a legacy to uphold.


    MINERVA: I don¡¯t think they deserve it. They treat us like dirt just because we¡¯re of Daegon heritage.


    KUR: You can¡¯t reinforce their negative stereotypes, Minerva. You¡¯ll eventually meet people who come to know you as you are.


    MINERVA: You speak like you have friends.


    KUR: I¡¯m on good terms with many Barons, now. And I had your mother.


    MINERVA: ¡­do I have to get married?


    KUR: Yes. You need to have children. It¡¯s important to Eleanor¡¯s legacy.


    MINERVA: I would be such a terrible mother, though.


    KUR: You wouldn¡¯t¡­ or maybe you would. Either way, the servants do all the early years things, so it¡¯s not so much your problem. Not that your mother felt that way. She was always spending time with all of you.


    MINERVA: I remember. Tell me again why she gave you the time of day?


    KUR: Oh, I don¡¯t know. I was different to all the other suitors who came her way. She was certainly always interested in my fire. But mostly, I think, she liked that I treated her just like I would have treated anyone else. Even though she was so much more noble than I was, I just treated her like a person. And I think that¡¯s what she fell in love with. It still makes me smile thinking about how angry everyone was when she proposed to me.


    MINERVA: ¡­I miss her.


    KUR: You were only so little when she died.


    MINERVA: I was ten. That¡¯s not so little. Look, that kid must have only just gone ten.


    KUR: Tiny. A simple kick would send that child flying.


    MINERVA: ¡­you say you¡¯re stereotyped as being violent?


    KUR: If people expect you to do something, sometimes it¡¯s nice to exceed those expectations. You understand.


    MINERVA: I suppose I do. One more question.


    KUR: Yes?


    MINERVA: You weren¡¯t so upper-class, but Mama gave you a chance. Why are you so strict about us marrying another noble?


    KUR: Because I¡¯ve come to see the truth since then. Eleanor and I loved each other, but she would have had an easier life if I hadn¡¯t married her. So would all of her children. So¡­ I won¡¯t let you all make the same mistake she made.


    The pair stand and watch those dancing inside for a while longer until they¡¯re called in for dessert.


    Everyone is sitting down and chattering amongst themselves, and as Fairfax passes Gurnip, he overhears some vaguely disrespectful talk directed at Kur. Most listeners look very uncomfortable, others nod quietly in agreement. Fairfax alerts Horus as he arrives to his table. Horus stops to listen in silently.


    GURNIP: ¡­I mean, it doesn¡¯t take much to look around and see something is seriously wrong here. Just look at how they stick out at their own table. Surely, I¡¯m not the only one who sees a disconnect. The Daegon¡¯s waged war on our people for years, and now they¡¯re in charge of Hituh¡¯s largest piece of land?


    GUEST: You¡¯re purposefully ignoring how well they¡¯ve looked after this land all this time. Monster attacks¡ª


    GURNIP: It¡¯s not impressive to kill a bunch of monsters, especially if warfare runs in your blood.


    The whole Saber family are listening now, as are most people sitting in the vicinity. Gurnip doesn¡¯t seem to notice. Horus beckons for Fairfax to bring him his gloves and starts getting ready to go over there.


    GURNIP: Now, now, they¡¯ve gone and married a shark into the family. What kind of sick elemental blood mixing¡ª


    PRIMROSE: Excuse me?!


    Finally, Gurnip notices the audience he¡¯s attracted. The Sabers watch him patiently.


    ARES: ¡­The Lady asked you a question, Gurnip. What were you saying about Tijorans and blood mixing?


    GURNIP: I¡­simply stated that I hoped the traditional Hituh¡¯n values were being upheld in your household, is all.


    HORUS: No, no. Please. What you¡¯re saying is clearly important to you. Tell us more about your problems with our family.


    GURNIP: I meant no disrespect.


    MINERVA: Stop acting like a coward. Your grave is already dug, may as well say your piece on your way out.


    GURNIP: What, you¡¯d execute a man for having an opinion?


    HORUS: On a normal day, yes. But the Solstice isn¡¯t a day for us. Why don¡¯t you follow me into the gardens, and we can talk this out? I¡¯m sure we can come to some sort of understanding.


    GURNIP: ¡­if I refuse?


    HORUS: There¡¯s a lot of nice and gentle noble folk here. Let¡¯s not disrespect their evenings by putting your blood on display. Come along. It¡¯s really quite nice in the gardens while it snows.


    When Gurnip still doesn¡¯t move, Fairfax gives him a little nudge. Reluctantly, Gurnip stands up and follows Horus out, Horus leading him with hand on shoulder. Once the doors are closed behind them, quiet chatter comes back to the room. Kur stands up.


    KUR: Apologies for the interruption. I understand the marriage between Ares and a water elemental was controversial, but the was has ended because of it. As such, we shall not tolerate any disrespect against our new family member.


    GWESE: Hear, hear. Gurnip deserves whatever Horus gives to him.


    CARVER: The man¡¯s a fool. I certainly wouldn¡¯t want to enter any sort of battle with a Saber, Daegon-blood or not.


    GWESE: Most wouldn¡¯t. That being said, the acting Baron is finally getting on in his years. Perhaps it¡¯s nearing time for a rematch. What do you say, Kur Saber, to a friendly spar? Now that we¡¯ve darkened the evening already.


    KUR: ¡­if my age is what depends on your victory, do you think it will change people¡¯s opinions of who is better with their sword?


    GWESE: Certainly not. But I¡¯d like to strike you down just once before you die.


    KUR: Well, I¡¯ve never been one to say no to a sword fight. Let¡¯s clear the floor.


    *?? ??*????*


    The dancefloor is cleared of people and Kur and Gwese stand in the centre, their respective squires preparing them for combat.


    GWESE: I want to emphasise, again, that this is a friendly match.


    KUR: You sound so unconfident in yourself.


    GWESE: I¡¯m just thinking of the guests. And your floors. Are you ready?


    The squires¡¯ hand over the swords used in training.


    KUR: Always.


    They fight. Kur wins by several points. Gwese smiles at his defeat.


    GWESE: You may have won, but I scored more than I normally do. You¡¯re starting to slow down.


    KUR: It was bound to happen eventually. Anyone else care for a friendly match?


    People hype up their friends for a battle, but absolutely no-one is willing to follow. Ares springs forward.


    ARES: What about against me?


    ICARUS: You¡¯re not allowed to fight right now, remember? How about me?


    This goes on. Icarus wins four fights before getting too tired, and Minerva wins two before claiming boredom. No-one even mentions the possibility of fighting Horus as he returns with flecks of red on his cheeks. The guests, most firm believers in the gods of steel, go wild watching the combat. The Saber family has always been known for their connection to steel and swords, and tonight they live up to the Saber family name. George, the young boy who danced with Set earlier, is being egged on to fight.


    GEORGE: I¡¯m not fighting a fucking Saber!


    ¡­Unless it¡¯s him. I¡¯ll fight the young master.


    Set immediately steps forward, but Kur stops him.


    KUR: My son is still a minor.


    GEORGE: He¡¯s almost old enough, isn¡¯t he?


    KUR: You¡¯ve been to the academy. Set hasn¡¯t.


    SET: That¡¯s perfect, then.


    The way I see it, he¡¯s been to the academy, and I¡¯ve spent my life being trained by you. We should be pretty even.


    Kur smiles and lets him go ahead. Set scowls at Augustus, who hands him the sword.


    SET: Had to give me the heavy one.


    AUGUSTUS: Would you like me to ask if you can switch?


    SET: Get out of here.


    Set shrugs off Augustus and gets ready to fight George. Keen to show off, George attacks relentlessly, but Set deflects it all. When he finally retaliates, he wins the battle almost immediately, knocking him to the ground. George¡¯s friends all laugh.


    SET: Not bad for a minor, huh?


    GEORGE: Hmph.


    GWESE: Alright, enough combat. We have a long time to go until the sunrise. Let¡¯s have another drink.


    *?? ??*????*


    The night drags on. Most dancers exhaust themselves early and head to their rooms to rest until closer to sunrise. Others move to the lounge and library to rest or tour the gardens which are lit by jewelled lanterns. Minerva and Icarus work together to spike people¡¯s drinks and Set dances with dozens of young suitors. Ares and Primrose spend most of the time tangled in one another, oblivious to everyone else, focussed only on Ares¡¯s good health. Horus waits until no-one is looking, then goes to find Osprey.


    OSPREY: Good evening, sir.


    HORUS: How is he?


    OSPREY: He seems fine. I don¡¯t understand how he seems so recovered. Moonie¡¯s worried about it, too.


    HORUS: So am I. But he seems stable for now. He just needs to make it till sunrise, then we can handle him.


    OSPREY: Yes, my lord.


    HORUS: Where is Moonie, incidentally?


    OSPREY: Around. Trying to keep a low profile so as not to antagonise your father.


    HORUS: I should speak to her.


    Horus moves off quickly and finds Moonie in the ballroom, watching Ares and Primrose slow dance. He goes and takes a seat next to her.


    HORUS: You sure cut it close, making it back in time.


    MOONIE: I had a lot to learn. I enjoyed watching Gurnip being put in his place.


    HORUS: Well, thank you for coming back. I¡¯m sorry, if I¡¯d known Icarus would be of such big help, I wouldn¡¯t have asked you away from your fianc¨¦e.


    MOONIE: I don¡¯t want to abandon Ares. He¡¯s vulnerable. And I¡¯m not sure I trust Icarus. How did Ares make such a quick recovery?


    HORUS: Osprey was just asking the same thing, but Icarus swears he¡¯s done nothing untoward. He knows how dangerous this situation is.


    MOONIE: I¡¯m sure he¡¯s not ill-intentioned, Horus. But that doesn¡¯t mean ill things won¡¯t happen. We¡¯re leaving in a week. How much can he really recover in that time?


    HORUS: There must be some way to keep him safe.


    MOONIE: I¡¯ll do everything I can. Really, I will.


    HORUS: I know you will. But there¡¯ll be nothing you can do.


    MOONIE: I¡¯ll try anyway. Now, get out of here before people see us together.


    Horus nods and stands to leave. As he reaches the door, he finds Kur and Minerva waiting for him.


    HORUS: How much longer till Sunrise?


    KUR: Why is Moonie here, Horus?


    HORUS: She¡¯s here for Ares, Dad. She¡¯s fine.


    KUR: If she¡¯s here for Ares, why is she talking to you?


    HORUS: Because of none of your business. Minerva, come with me to the library. It¡¯s too bright in here.


    KUR: You slept with Moonie, didn¡¯t you?


    HORUS: I beg your pardon?


    KUR: Many years ago. You gave away your chastity to a woman who didn¡¯t deserve it, and now you¡¯re incapable of finding love. I¡¯m right, aren¡¯t I?


    HORUS: I¡¯m not discussing this with you.


    KUR: Because I am right. You¡¯re tainted.


    HORUS: Fuck off, Dad. People aren¡¯t tainted for having multiple partners. Look how happy Ares is with Primrose, for gods¡¯ sake. I¡¯m not going to let you shame me like you shamed him for what happened when he was at the academy. Did you tell him that shame is why you married him off to Primrose?


    KUR: It wasn¡¯t about that. The queen wrote me a letter asking to ease tensions across the border¡ª


    HORUS: And you were eager to respond.


    MINERVA: Now isn¡¯t the time for this discussion. Dad, go rest for a bit, I¡¯ll come get you later.


    KUR: Fine. But someone should send Set on his way, too.


    Horus and Minerva follow Kur¡¯s gaze back to the dancefloor where Set is dancing with George and getting much too close. Horus calls him over.


    HORUS: What¡¯re you doing, dancing with that degenerate?


    SET: What? He¡¯s not¡ª


    HORUS: You look exhausted. Go to bed for a couple hours. You have to study tomorrow.


    SET: But it¡¯s Solstice!


    MINERVA: He¡¯s right, Set. Go to sleep for a bit. Have you been drinking?


    SET: No. I¡¯ll go to bed. Goodnight.


    Set hurries off, beckoning for George to follow secretly.


    *?? ??*????*


    In Set¡¯s bedroom, he and George are on the couch. George breaks away to gesture at the portrait on the wall.


    GEORGE: That lady is really creepy.


    SET: Great, great, great Aunt Saber. She fought in a war in Daegon where she sold her teeth to some peasant in exchange for clean water. They were using them to play some game.


    GEORGE: Wow. Creepy. I feel like you hear so many stories about people from Daegon being violent, there has to be some good stories out there, too.


    SET: Plenty. We had the library stocked with several volumes.


    GEORGE: Thought so. How else would we explain you? Although I didn¡¯t appreciate being toyed with in our match¡­


    SET: Sorry. You seemed overconfident, and way too excited to fight me.


    GEORGE: You¡¯re right. Let me make it up to you.


    They kiss. A moment later, Augustus comes in. He rolls his eyes.


    AUGUSTUS: Pardon the intrusion. I thought young master Set was sent to bed alone.


    GEORGE: Well, he wasn¡¯t, so¡­


    Augustus doesn¡¯t listen. He goes over to build the fire instead. George gestures wildly.


    GEORGE: What the fuck is he doing?


    SET: I¡¯m underage. He¡¯ll be here till you leave to make sure we don¡¯t do anything¡­ inappropriate.


    GEORGE: Are you serious?


    SET: Yeah, but you can ignore him. He¡¯ll just work around us.


    Augustus, unimpressed with his current situation, begins to do as many menial tasks as he can to keep himself occupied. Daydreaming about the future, he barely looks in their direction until he hears¡ª


    SET: Wait, stop it.


    GEORGE: What? It¡¯s just a shirt.


    SET: I can¡¯t take it off. You know that.


    GEORGE: So, don¡¯t. Just undo the buttons. You¡¯re wearing a singlet, right¡­?


    SET: You¡¯re getting too ahead of yourself. You¡¯re not allowed to touch me.


    GEORGE: What, at all?


    SET: No.


    GEORGE: Then what am I doing here?


    SET: You can¡¯t touch me. I can still touch you.


    They go back to fondling, with Augustus keeping a closer eye. This time, when Set pushes George away, George pushes back. Augustus clears his throat behind them.


    GEORGE: Tell your servant to fuck off.


    AUGUSTUS: If you want to continue touching my master without his consent, you¡¯ll need his father¡¯s permission. Would you like to go ask?


    GEORGE: Fuck off, cunt. Set, order him to go away.


    SET: He¡¯s just doing his job. Maybe we should stop.


    GEORGE: Fuck that. I¡¯ll probably never get this chance again. I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯ll stop, okay? You can both go back to work.


    Set looks to Augustus, as though for confirmation. Augustus shrugs like ¡®why the fuck are you asking me?¡¯ Set looks uncomfortable but starts kissing George again anyway, which makes Augustus frown. He watches, waiting for the inevitable. When George pushes past the boundaries again, Augustus goes over and physically pulls him off.


    GEORGE: What the fuck?!


    George takes a swing at Augustus. Augustus catches it and shoves him down.


    AUGUSTUS: Sir George, you seem incapable of learning. It¡¯s time for you to go.


    GEORGE: Are you going to let him speak to me like that? I¡¯ll have your head, servant.


    Set, I got caught up in the moment. It¡¯s not my fault your religion makes no sense. Besides, you¡¯re being such a tease. You keep giving me signals you want more. Am I supposed to ignore them?


    SET: I¡¯m sorry, I¡ª


    GEORGE: It¡¯s fine, it¡¯s fine. I¡¯m just getting frustrated because I want more, you know.


    Tell you what. You could always use your mouth.


    SET: Excuse me?


    GEORGE: Come on. We¡¯ve been kissing all night, and you¡¯ve been touching me for ages now. It¡¯s not like it would be breaking your precious ¡°chastity¡±, would it? Even the servant would agree with me.


    SET: ¡­I don¡¯t think I can give you what you¡¯re looking for. You should go.


    GEORGE: Fine, fine. I¡¯ll settle for your hand.


    AUGUSTUS: He said it¡¯s time to leave.


    Augustus grabs him by the arms and wrenches him away, pushing him for the door, stopping only to collect the shirt he¡¯d taken off earlier. George starts to protest, but Augustus puts a hand over his mouth.


    AUGUSTUS: Lord Horus¡¯s room is next to this one. Think carefully about how much noise you want to make on your exit.


    GEORGE: I won¡¯t forget you, servant. Your treatment is unacceptable.


    AUGUSTUS: I¡¯ll see you at sunrise. We can explain the whole thing to Lord Kur then. Goodbye.


    Augustus pushes George out of the room and locks the door behind him.


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­Sorry, Master Set, if I overstepped my boundaries.


    SET: Don¡¯t be. He was being gross.


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­are you okay?


    SET: I¡¯ll be fine.


    I guess I should study.


    AUGUSTUS: What, now?


    SET: No point sleeping. It¡¯s not that long until sunrise.


    AUGUSTUS: You¡¯re not going to learn anything at this hour. Come on, get into bed for a couple hours. You¡¯ll be more refreshed to study tomorrow.


    SET: Maybe you¡¯re right.


    ¡­you¡¯re a good page, Augustus. Thanks for coming to check on me. I know you¡¯d rather be doing anything else.


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­may I say something, Master Set?


    SET: Sure.


    AUGUSTUS: You put up with his bullshit for way too long.


    SET: Um¡­


    AUGUSTUS: Think about what he was willing to do while I was in the room. Imagine how he¡¯d have been if I wasn¡¯t here. You can do a lot better than scum like him.


    SET: He¡­ wasn¡¯t wrong, though. I did want to go further. I was leading him on.


    AUGUSTUS: ¡®No¡¯ is a simple concept. You don¡¯t have to justify your reasons or your body¡¯s response to stimuli. If he had any class, he would have respected your boundaries.


    SET: ¡­Okay. Thank you.


    AUGUSTUS: You¡¯re a Saber, Set. Don¡¯t let them treat you like that.


    ¡­I guess I¡¯ll be off, then. Unless you want me to wait here until sunrise.


    SET: You don¡¯t have to.


    AUGUSTUS: I don¡¯t mind, Master. But I doubt he¡¯ll come back. Do you want me to stay?


    ¡­I¡¯ll stay. Mind if I lie on the couch till it¡¯s time to get up?


    SET: Sure.


    I¡¯m sorry, by the way. I forgot to buy you something for your birthday.


    AUGUSTUS: I wasn¡¯t expecting anything.


    SET: Still, twenty is a big milestone. Want anything?


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­


    SET: What now?


    AUGUSTUS: Why are you being so nice to me lately?


    SET: Am I?


    AUGUSTUS: Yes. It¡¯s weird.


    SET: ¡­people ask me why I never complain about you, even though you¡¯re objectively not good at what you do. But¡­ they don¡¯t see stuff like tonight. You had no obligation to be here, and much less obligation to stay.


    AUGUSTUS: Well, I could hardly leave you to yourself.


    SET: Well, I can¡¯t be good at everything.


    Like studying, for example.


    AUGUSTUS: You¡¯re capable of learning, Set.


    SET: Just face it. I¡¯m doomed. My dog is doomed. It doesn¡¯t matter how many more hours I put in. I can¡¯t do it by myself, and I can¡¯t keep asking people for help. Horus is busy, Ares is crazy, Minerva hates me¡­


    Anyway. Thanks for staying. See you in a couple hours.


    Augustus dilemmas on what to do. Eventually, he sighs.


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­I could help tutor you, Master Set.


    If you like.


    SET: ¡­thank you, Augustus. And I mean this in the nicest way possible, but¡­ you¡¯re not smart enough to teach me. What I¡¯m doing is the qualifying exams. You only did the basic exams.


    AUGUSTUS: I did the qualifying exams, Set. I got straight A¡¯s.


    SET: How did you do the qualifying exams? You were working here.


    AUGUSTUS: I studied in my spare time.


    SET: You had like three spare hours a day. You¡¯re telling me you spent them all studying and aced the qualifiers?


    AUGUSTUS: I was kind of slack with study, actually. Not sure how I managed to do so well.


    SET: ¡­you¡¯re seriously telling me you aced the exams.


    AUGUSTUS: Yes.


    SET: ¡­and you¡¯ll tutor me?


    AUGUSTUS: If you want. You have to take it seriously, though.


    SET: ¡­Why are you offering this for me?


    AUGUSTUS: I don¡¯t want the only dog I like to die. Besides¡­ I want to prevent your brother and father from fighting.


    SET: Me too.


    Okay, so I¡¯m going to be tutored by my servant. That¡¯s cool.


    Do you know what you¡¯re going to do when I go to the academy yet?


    AUGUSTUS: Not precisely. University, maybe.


    Go to sleep.


    SET: Tell you what, Augustus. If I can pass all my exams, I¡¯ll pay your university fees.


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­are you serious? All of them?


    SET: Yeah. You have to pay your own rent and all that, but¡­ anyone who can help me pass deserves a significant bonus. Do we have a deal?


    AUGUSTUS: Deal, Master Set. Now go to sleep.


    SET: Goodnight, Augustus. Thanks again for staying.


    AUGUSTUS: Goodnight, Master Set. And don¡¯t give that piece of shit George the time of day tomorrow. Men like that are never as nice as they pretend to be.


    SET: He really hates you. Aren¡¯t you worried?


    AUGUSTUS: Not really. I¡¯ll tell Marsden what happened here. He¡¯ll deal with it.


    SET: Marsden? But he¡¯ll¡ª


    AUGUSTUS: He won¡¯t tell Lord Kur. He only does if it¡¯s really important.


    SET: What will he do?


    AUGUSTUS: You grew up with Marsden. You know what he¡¯ll do. He¡¯ll make Sir George wish he¡¯d never been born.


    *?? ??*????*


    Sunrise draws near. People who went to sleep gradually start to rouse themselves, others declare they won¡¯t make it and abandon final festivities. Horus, on the search for Ares, bumps into Primrose.


    HORUS: Oh. Hello. Have you seen Ares?


    PRIMROSE: Not for a couple hours, I¡¯ve been sleeping.


    HORUS: Ready for our performance?


    PRIMROSE: Yes, of course. You don¡¯t know where Ares is?


    HORUS: You look around here. I¡¯ll head outdoors.


    Horus and Primrose part to look for Ares. Outside, Horus finds Icarus splayed out on the ground, smiling goofily at the sky.


    HORUS: Have you seen Ares?


    ICARUS: Oh yes. He¡¯s having a wonderful time. Really high on his magic right now.


    HORUS: He¡¯s¡­what?


    ICARUS: Don¡¯t worry, he¡¯s safe. Go and see him if you want.


    HORUS: Where is he?


    ICARUS: He wandered into the gardens to look for flowers. I told him, it¡¯s winter. There¡¯s no flowers right now. But he said it didn¡¯t matter. Now, there¡¯s flowers there. Go see.


    Horus hesitates a moment before hurrying into the gardens. Eventually, he finds a blue haze that hangs thick in front of the area by the flower garden. He calls for Fairfax, who arrives a moment later.


    FAIRFAX: What is this?


    HORUS: I don¡¯t know, but find Moonie and bring her here immediately.


    FAIRFAX: What are you doing?


    HORUS: ¡­Going inside.


    FAIRFAX: This looks unsafe, sir.


    HORUS: Ares is in there. I¡¯ll see you later.


    Softly, Horus steps into the mist and progresses forward until he finds Ares sitting on a small bench. All around him little flower apparitions waft softly in the wind. Horus moves closer.


    HORUS: Ares?


    ARES: Horus? Is that you?


    HORUS: Yes¡­ are you alright?


    ARES: Yes. I feel kind of peaceful. I remember how to do things now.


    HORUS: What things?


    ARES: Find flowers, for one.


    HORUS: You aren¡¯t yourself. What have you taken? Did you take hallucinogens?


    ARES: I¡¯ve taken what I¡¯ll need to survive.


    The sound of heavy footsteps grabs both their attention. Moonie appears suddenly through the mist.


    MOONIE: There you are. Horus, get out of here.


    HORUS: No.


    Horus and Ares watch as Moonie goes to the flowerbed and touches one of the tulips gently. Her fingers pass right through it as though it¡¯s a ghost.


    HORUS: What are you doing?


    MOONIE: Ares, did you summon these flowers?


    ARES: Yes, I did. Aren¡¯t they beautiful?


    MOONIE: Can you hand one to me?


    Ares picks up a flower, as requested, and hands it to Moonie. She takes it from him confidently, stares at it a second, then hands it to Horus.


    MOONIE: This is solid. It¡¯s real.


    HORUS: So?


    MOONIE: So, this isn¡¯t a magic trick. This is a flower he¡¯s taken from the spirit world.


    Horus, Ares is dimension hopping.


    HORUS: ¡­What? You can¡¯t be serious.


    MOONIE: I hope I¡¯m wrong, but if I¡¯m not, he¡¯s at serious risk. Evil spirits could get in, or he could get trapped inside the spirit world forever, or catch an irreversible curse¡­


    ARES: You know, I can hear you.


    MOONIE: We need to keep a close eye on him until we can get him professional help.


    HORUS: Calm down, Moonie.


    MOONIE: Why should I calm down?! He needs¡ª


    HORUS: The flowers are wilting. Ares is peaceful right now. Let¡¯s not upset that.


    Moonie stops to look and indeed, the flowers are beginning to wilt. Ares¡¯s expression hasn¡¯t changed, but the colour of the mist around them turns a darker shade of blue.


    HORUS: Let¡¯s deal with this situation now, and then we can figure something out tomorrow. It¡¯s almost sunrise.


    MOONIE: Fine, fine. But Ares can¡¯t go to the ceremony. Let me watch him here.


    HORUS: What about Primrose?


    MOONIE: Tell her the truth. She¡¯ll understand.


    Moonie approaches Ares and begins to perform a spell on him. Trails of her purple chi dance along with her hands. Her spell knocks him unconscious, and the blue mist and flowers disappear immediately.


    HORUS: That¡¯s a clever trick.


    MOONIE: Yes, it is. I¡¯m putting him to bed. See you after sunrise.


    Horus nods and leaves her with Ares to make it to the ceremony. Back at the lookout, everyone gathers as they wait for light. Horus joins Primrose at the top.


    PRIMROSE: You made it. Everyone¡¯s been staring. Did you find Ares?


    HORUS: He¡¯s passed out cold. We had to put him to bed.


    PRIMROSE: Oh, poor love.


    HORUS: Ready?


    PRIMROSE: When you are.


    Horus and Primrose begin their magic.


    There are many different ways elemental magic can manifest. Most are born with some sort of ¡®natural¡¯ ability and are capable of learning others if they choose. Primrose is a water elemental who can control any water in her presence. Horus is an earth elemental who can muster earthquakes and bend steel. He can also create statues. As he builds up stone, Primrose calls on the water from the snow. In less than five minutes, Horus has created a moon-shaped fountain, complete with tiny, ever-drizzling rainclouds. People stare in awe, most too tired to comment.


    HORUS: Thank you all for coming. I wanted to create something today to represent our new bond with Primrose and her tribe. This alliance can only make us stronger.


    The sun is here.


    The sunrise comes, thus ending the solstice. People watch for a short a time as possible before making their way to bed, desperate to get out of the cold.

 Birthday Letters

    Chapter Six


    <h2>Birthday Letters</h2>


    While most guests hurry to leave following Solstice, a few of the more hungover guests stay a couple extra days, but none longer than three. A sigh of relief falls over the house as the final guest leaves, especially in the servants¡¯ quarters.


    TIGER: Thank the gods we don¡¯t host parties very often. My feet hurt. I feel like my face is burnt from being in the oven so much. I don¡¯t care what people say, it¡¯s sandwiches and leftovers for dinner for the rest of the week.


    FAIRFAX: Don¡¯t get too comfortable. Lady Eleanor¡¯s birthday, remember? By the way, has Ares recovered from his flu?


    OSPREY: Not yet. I don¡¯t know what he was on at Solstice, but it¡¯s really rocked him. The fever hasn¡¯t come down at all.


    AUGUSTUS: He¡¯ll be fine. Being sick is forcing him to rest, and it should force you to do the same. We all need rest before Lady Eleanor¡¯s birthday. Fairfax, any word on the window situation?


    FAIRFAX: ¡­I¡¯ll go check.


    Fairfax gets up and heads for Marsden¡¯s office, where he catches him pacing.


    FAIRFAX: ¡­I came to see if you¡¯ve spoken to Lord Kur about the celebrations.


    MARSDEN: Not yet, Fairfax.


    FAIRFAX: It¡¯s only one sleep away.


    MARSDEN: ¡­Alright. I¡¯ll go now.


    How do I look?


    FAIRFAX: Perfect as always. I¡¯ll be here when you get back.


    MARSDEN: No need. Go rest. I¡¯ll return to you.


    Marsden leaves his study and heads up to find Kur. He knocks on the door gently before entering.


    MARSDEN: My lord.


    KUR: Hello, Marsden. Nice to have the house back.


    MARSDEN: Indeed, sir.


    I wondered if we might discuss Lady Eleanor¡¯s birthday celebration.


    KUR: ¡­I suppose so.


    MARSDEN: I thought we might go for something a little more low-key this year, given that we just hosted the Solstice.


    KUR: I see.


    MARSDEN: She loved being on the water, so perhaps a vigil up at Lover¡¯s Lake? Followed by a dinner and the album.


    KUR: She loved listening to readings of My Mother, too.


    MARSDEN: Yes, sir, we can¡­


    KUR: And the windows need to be open all day.


    MARSDEN: We¡­ if it¡¯s not too bold to say, sir, last year the staff became ill¡­


    KUR: Do you mean to tell me that your comfort is more important than honouring her memory?


    MARSDEN: No, my lord¡­


    KUR: Perhaps you¡¯d prefer not to do anything at all.


    MARSDEN: Forgive me, lord. I didn¡¯t mean that at all.


    Kur stares Marsden down a while before turning back to the fire.


    KUR: So then, the windows will be open?


    MARSDEN: Yes, my lord.


    KUR: Including in the servant¡¯s rooms?


    MARSDEN: ¡­yes, my lord.


    Was there anything else you wanted for her day?


    KUR: Yes. I want a bonfire. A large one.


    MARSDEN: I¡¯m not sure we have the coal¡­


    KUR: Find wood. Or oil. Make it happen.


    MARSDEN: Yes, sir.


    ¡­will there be anything else?


    KUR: No, Marsden. You can go.


    Marsden bows and heads out quickly, back to find Fairfax.


    FAIRFAX: How did it go?


    MARSDEN: Not as we¡¯d hoped.


    FAIRFAX: ¡­that leaves us with two options. Either accept the fact we¡¯ll be frozen and whipped to shreds, or¡­


    MARSDEN: I don¡¯t think you should talk to Lord Horus. He¡¯s had a rough few months. It¡¯s better to avoid the conflict. It wouldn¡¯t do to have them fighting.


    FAIRFAX: ¡­maybe Master Icarus will talk sense into Kur. He¡¯ll still be here, and he gets cold, too.


    MARSDEN: Be sure to include it in your prayers tonight, but don¡¯t get your hopes up.


    FAIRFAX: Are you sure I shouldn¡¯t talk to Horus?


    MARSDEN: I¡¯d really rather not risk Kur knowing I complained, if you don¡¯t mind.


    FAIRFAX: Well, we still have time. Maybe he¡¯ll change his mind before then.


    MARSDEN: Sometimes, Fairfax, your optimism is exhausting.


    *?? ??*????*


    Upstairs in bed, Ares continues to sweat from a fever. Awake, he tosses and turns, every muscle aching. Icarus stands at the bed end, watching. Primrose is in the chair opposite.


    ICARUS: No changes?


    PRIMROSE: None. He¡¯s not any worse, but he isn¡¯t any better, either.


    ICARUS: Is he aware that we¡¯re here?


    PRIMROSE: Hard to know. I think so, but his ears are blocked, and his eyes don¡¯t focus. It seems to take a lot of energy for him to concentrate.


    ICARUS: What did Python say?


    PRIMROSE: The doctor is coming this evening. She said if this was a normal flu, it would be easing by now, so it¡¯s almost definitely magic induced.


    ICARUS: Hmm. You look exhausted yourself. Feeling alright?


    PRIMROSE: It¡¯s been a little stressful, to say the least.


    ICARUS: Indeed. Why don¡¯t you go take a bath? I¡¯ll sit with him until you¡¯re out. Maybe I can perform some healing magic on him.


    PRIMROSE: I don¡¯t think¡­


    ICARUS: Then, go for a walk in the gardens. I insist.


    Primrose hesitates, but when Osprey appears in the doorway to accompany her, she reluctantly follows him outside. Icarus doesn¡¯t move from his spot until Moonie appears beside him.


    MOONIE: Finally. She¡¯s been a wreck.


    ICARUS: Imagine marrying into this family, and then your husband goes insane. I¡¯d feel sorry for her if she wasn¡¯t Tijoran.


    MOONIE: I¡¯ve never seen a magic-induced fever before. It¡¯s not normal, right?


    ICARUS: ¡­I¡¯d say not abnormal. If you¡¯re run down, from magic or anything else, you¡¯re not going to have the immune system to fight a flu.


    MOONIE: Right¡­


    So, what do we do now?


    ICARUS: We¡¯re going to do some soul lending.


    MOONIE: We can¡¯t, Icarus. It isn¡¯t safe. If his soul is too unstable, ours will become unsteadied and we could all hurt each other or worse, lose our souls altogether. There has to be another way.


    ICARUS: Moonie, you and I both know Ares is due to explode. He can either explode here, or on the battlefield. We need to focus on getting him there.


    MOONIE: ¡­you¡¯ve given up on him.


    ICARUS: I haven¡¯t given up on hope, Moonie. I¡¯m just being realistic. I hope that he directs his magic in the right direction come time for explosion, and I pray that after it happens, the medics can do enough to fix him. But realistically, I know we¡¯re playing a waiting game. And he knows it, too. Don¡¯t you, Ares?


    MOONIE: Stop it, Icarus. First you give him dirty blood, and now you¡¯re mocking him?


    ICARUS: We¡¯re running out of time. Primrose won¡¯t let Ares out of her sight for long, and we don¡¯t want her trying this. Now, save me if things go wrong.


    MOONIE: No. We need to do something else.


    Icarus doesn¡¯t listen. He presses his hands hard onto Ares¡¯s chest and lets some of his soul energy drain from his fingertips. The longer it goes, the more irritated he starts to get. Eventually he jerks his hands away.


    ICARUS: Fuck! That sucked. I feel unwell.


    MOONIE: I told you not to.


    ICARUS: Shut-up, witch. At least I¡¯m doing something to help my cousin.


    MOONIE: And did giving him blood help?


    ICARUS: At first, but¡­ something went wrong. He started talking about some Lumos person at the party who upset him.


    MOONIE: Lumos was at the party?


    ICARUS: You know him?


    MOONIE: No, but Ares has mentioned that name before¡­ do you think Ares is dimension hopping?


    ICARUS: What?


    MOONIE: I went to the magic hospital to ask questions. They said his symptoms could be characteristic of interactions with something from the spirit world. What if he¡¯s being poisoned? Wouldn¡¯t that explain the rapid deterioration?


    ICARUS: Look, Ares is complicated. He¡¯s been depressed from birth. Remember how he always used to run away from home? He¡¯s a crazy person who can do magic. That¡¯s all this is.


    MOONIE: I¡¯m not so sure¡­ I¡¯d better get out of here. If Kur finds me, I¡¯ll be whipped.


    ICARUS: Go. I¡¯ll stay until Primrose is back. And yes, I know, ¡°No more soul lending.¡±


    Moonie leaves. Icarus waits a moment before pulling out a syringe.


    ICARUS: But maybe just a little more blood¡­


    *?? ??*????*


    Minerva leans against her window, face pressed up against the glass. Python is lying down on the couch behind her.


    MINERVA: I hate parties.


    Dad always acts so different. So calm and normal. It¡¯s proof he knows how to do the right thing and chooses not to when he¡¯s with us.


    PYTHON: Huh?


    MINERVA: It¡¯s almost Mama¡¯s birthday. My least favourite day of the year.


    PYTHON: Yes¡­ I think everyone agrees with you on that note.


    MINERVA: How can we stop it?


    PYTHON: My lady¡­ forgive me for saying this. But you need to let this go. I wish I hadn¡¯t said anything. There¡¯s nothing you can do. Lord Kur will continue to rule with an iron fist until his dying day. We just have to live with it.


    MINERVA: It isn¡¯t fair. Every year Set gets hurt and dad and Horus fight and it¡¯s awful. It¡¯s not what remembering Mama is supposed to be. We have to do something.


    PYTHON: Like what?


    MINERVA: ¡­I need to talk to Set. Go to sleep. I¡¯ll be back soon.


    Minerva gets up and goes down the hall to Set¡¯s room, where he¡¯s staring at his books.


    SET: Oh. Hi. Now¡¯s not a good time¡ª


    MINERVA: I won¡¯t be long. I wanted to ask you something.


    It¡¯s about Dad¡ª


    SET: Don¡¯t.


    MINERVA: What?


    SET: Don¡¯t do this again. It never works out well for you.


    MINERVA: What are you even talking about?


    SET: You trying to stand up to Dad and the way he treats people. Just leave him alone.


    MINERVA: Why do you always side with him?


    SET: ¡­he isn¡¯t going to change. Starting fights isn¡¯t going to change anything. He¡¯ll just hurt you. It¡¯s better to try not to be noticed by him.


    MINERVA: Well, then let me ask this. If we were all going to stand up to him, together¡­ would you do it with us?


    SET: And risk death? You¡¯re crazy.


    MINERVA: You think he¡¯d kill us?


    SET: When I was ten, he wrapped his hands around my throat and pressed down. Yes, I think he¡¯d kill us.


    MINERVA: ¡­do you think he killed Freyja?


    SET: Minerva¡­


    MINERVA: Just tell me.


    SET: ¡­Probably not on purpose, or I don¡¯t think he¡¯d bother trying to hide it. Now please, let it go. It really hurts Horus when you talk about Freyja.


    MINERVA: Do you love our dad?


    SET: Yes. You do too, right?


    MINERVA: ¡­Sorry for bothering you. Good luck with the study.


    Minerva leaves. Set slumps his head on the desk, and Augustus goes in a moment later.


    AUGUSTUS: Good afternoon, Master Set. Ready to study?


    SET: I guess so. This still seems weird.


    AUGUSTUS: Come on. History and Mathematics, right?


    SET: I¡¯ve been doings maths all day.


    AUGUSTUS: History, then. What¡¯re we learning about?


    SET: The Pilgrim Wars.


    AUGUSTUS: Oh, I love those. Have you learned about Savon yet?


    Or Brooke?


    Duxford?


    ¡­we have our work cut out for us.


    SET: Ugh, why is history always so boring?


    AUGUSTUS: It isn¡¯t. It¡¯s fascinating.


    SET: Why do I even have to remember the exact days people died? Why is that relevant to today?


    AUGUSTUS: The days they died aren¡¯t as relevant as the ways in which they lived. Savon carried and assisted nearly seven hundred¡­


    SET: I don¡¯t know how to learn history. I don¡¯t know how people remember anything¡­


    AUGUSTUS: Don¡¯t give up before we¡¯ve even started. Let¡¯s take a few steps back. To really know the Pilgrim Wars, we need to know about the king of dragons. How much do you know about him?


    SET: I mean, I know he was a god, and stuff.


    AUGUSTUS: Yeah¡­


    SET: And about how he and his siblings¡ª


    AUGUSTUS: After that. The non-god things he did. The children he had. What do you know about those?


    SET: Dae, Jora and ¡®Ston were the first elementals¡­


    AUGUSTUS: What do you know outside of the religion we practice?


    SET: Why does that matter?


    AUGUSTUS: Because we¡¯re all part of the history. The entire way in which we live was formed by these events, and for most of them, they can be traced back to the actions of a few individuals. Often ordinary individuals. It¡¯s inspiring in a way art can never be. History is the greatest story ever told.


    SET: What? No, it isn¡¯t. Haven¡¯t you read Catching the Rain?


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­You¡¯re telling me you think a romance novel is a better story than the Dragon King, who brought life back to humankind?


    SET: Yes.


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­maybe I¡¯m going about this the wrong way. Let¡¯s talk about the Dragon King¡¯s life. Do you know old he lived?


    SET: I dunno, like a billion.


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­five hundred or so. Know how many wives he had in that time?


    SET: One?


    AUGUSTUS: Did¡­did you say one?


    SET: Yes. Why, is that wrong?


    AUGUSTUS: Incredibly. While Dae was a serial monogamist, her father certainly was not. The Dragon King married eighty-four different women.


    SET: Eighty-four!? That¡¯s a lot, even for a five-hundred-year-old.


    AUGUSTUS: Yes. When people talk of the baby boom, they literally meant the gigantic family units that were created thanks to him alone. Want to know how many husbands he had?


    SET: ¡­he liked men?


    AUGUSTUS: Oh yes. Very much. A small civil war broke out because of his love for a man.


    SET: Hmm. Maybe history isn¡¯t so boring.


    *?? ??*????*


    Marsden is sorting through a photo album. He cross-references photographs by placing numbers onto a separate page. Fairfax is pulling their copies from a directory.


    FAIRFAX: It¡¯s a good thing we didn¡¯t pack away the blankets from Solstice. You really want servants¡¯ windows open?


    MARSDEN: Yes. I don¡¯t wish to challenge Kur any further. I may already have pinned myself as his victim for tomorrow.


    FAIRFAX: How would he even find out?


    MARSDEN: Nail is on duty, and Nail has a tongue of honesty. If Kur asks him to check, he will.


    FAIRFAX: How¡¯s the album coming along?


    MARSDEN: Steadily. I think he¡¯ll like revisiting some of these memories.


    Even after all these years, I still don¡¯t know what exactly sets him off.


    FAIRFAX: I don¡¯t think it¡¯s any one thing. I think it¡¯s just something that has to happen.


    MARSDEN: If only Eleanor¡­


    Never mind. How are the children?


    FAIRFAX: They aren¡¯t children anymore, for one. Ares is starting to come a little better, the doctor gave him some medicine and he¡¯s starting to bounce back. Set has his nose in his books and Minerva is supposedly staying safe while climbing about outdoors.


    MARSDEN: What¡¯s her plan, with all this climbing?


    FAIRFAX: No idea. Python isn¡¯t talking, and Horus barely knows anything.


    MARSDEN: ¡­how is our young Baron?


    FAIRFAX: He asked me specifically not to tell you.


    MARSDEN: That badly?


    FAIRFAX: He¡¯s good with a crisis, just not with several at once.


    MARSDEN: I suppose we should expect him to either breakdown or run off, then?


    FAIRFAX: Guess so. It¡¯ll probably depend on the man who owns us.


    MARSDEN: ¡°Man who owns us?¡± You¡¯re not on that now, too, are you?


    FAIRFAX: They pretend we¡¯re servants only until the anger cracks.


    MARSDEN: And just what do you suggest is done about it?


    FAIRFAX: I wish I knew. If only so we can honour Eleanor, the way she would want to be honoured.


    MARSDEN: How well do you remember her?


    FAIRFAX: You ask me every year. I worked here for three years before she passed. I remember her well, Marsden.


    MARSDEN: Oh, Eleanor. If only¡­


    FAIRFAX: ¡­are you okay, sir?


    MARSDEN: Hmm? Oh, yes. If you see Python, ask her to come see me.


    FAIRFAX: Sure.


    MARSDEN: ¡­you are taking care of Lord Horus?


    FAIRFAX: Of course. He¡¯s our only hope for survival.


    MARSDEN: He won¡¯t survive if he keeps drinking the way he is.


    FAIRFAX: You think making Lord Kur kinder is impossible? Try keeping alcohol from Horus.


    MARSDEN: We always put so much effort into making sure Lord Kur stays calm, we forget to think about Lord Kur¡¯s children.


    FAIRFAX: No, we don¡¯t. We¡¯re good at our jobs, Marsden. You think I don¡¯t know how hard it was on Horus? Having baron thrust on him when he was just thirteen? That this day is a reminder not just of losing his mother, but losing his childhood?


    MARSDEN: I¡¯m sorry. You¡¯re right, I¡¯m micromanaging.


    FAIRFAX: Everyone¡¯s stressed right now. The best thing for all of us ¡ª including Horus and the children ¡ª is to keep Kur from exploding.


    MARSDEN: And keep the night staff out of his way if he does.


    *?? ??*????*


    Minutes drag by slowly. The night staff wait at the top of the stairs in front of the great grandfather clock, many with misty eyes and anxious faces. Others, such as Augustus and Osprey, look like they can barely keep themselves composed.


    When the clock finally clicks to midnight, the staff separate from each other and head to the nearby windows and fling them open.


    MARSDEN: Remember to move as quickly as you can and get straight into bed as soon as you¡¯re finished. The longer we stay in this, the worse tomorrow will be.


    The staff continue to fling windows open, and the sound travels to the family. While Minerva and Set open their windows quietly, Ares groans from his bedside.


    PRIMROSE: Ares? Are you alright?


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ARES: The window. You need to open it.


    PRIMROSE: Are you mad? It¡¯s freezing out there.


    ARES: Please. Mama loved cold air. She said it made her feel like she was at the top of the mountain. Like she was part of the mountain.


    Primrose opens the window then runs back to bed.


    PRIMROSE: You seem a little better. This better not ruin that.


    ARES: Trust me. I feel a lot better already. That medicine Icarus got me really helped.


    PRIMROSE: Icarus¡­?


    But Ares is already back asleep.


    Horus is the only one who misses midnight. Working quietly in the library, he doesn¡¯t notice the time until closer to 2am. Wiping his face, he reaches over to push the window open. His journey upstairs is quiet, with everyone else sound asleep. He continues up until he reaches Kur¡¯s room, who stands in front of the fire.


    HORUS: Go to sleep. We¡¯ll honour her tomorrow.


    KUR: I still see her¡­ dancing in the flames.


    HORUS: She¡¯ll still be dancing in the morning. C¡¯mon, dad. You need to sleep.


    ¡­It¡¯ll be a good day tomorrow. Please try and sleep.


    KUR: It will be a good day. It¡¯s the only day you let me feel what I want to feel every day.


    Horus leaves without saying anything else. When he gets to his room, Fairfax is there waiting for him.


    HORUS: What are you doing up? You should be in bed.


    FAIRFAX: Sir, Lord Kur is forcing us to keep our bedroom windows open this evening. Please, can¡¯t you override that rule? We¡¯ll freeze.


    HORUS: Just be grateful you don¡¯t have to keep your windows open every day of the year. Go to sleep, Fairfax.


    FAIRFAX: ¡­yes, my lord. Goodnight.


    HORUS: And Fairfax? Don¡¯t look so worried. In twenty-two hours, her birthday is over. The countdown has already started. Goodnight.


    *?? ??*????*


    The next morning, the night staff shiver at the dining table while Tiger rushes around the kitchen cooking up a breakfast feast.


    TIGER: You¡¯ll need your strength, so eat up, and no complaining about me spending too much. I paid from my own pocket for these eggs. There¡¯ll be soup, tea and coffee hot and ready all day. I expect to see everyone multiple times.


    DANIELLE: This cold is ridiculous. How is this allowed?


    OSPREY: It¡¯s a special occasion. We always suffer on Lady Eleanor¡¯s birthday.


    TIGER: Why do we have to suffer for someone who died almost twenty years ago?


    AUGUSTUS: Because if we don¡¯t, Lord Kur will beat us bluer than the cold could ever make us.


    OSPREY: I have to admit, though, this breakfast almost makes it worth it. I haven¡¯t eaten like this in years. It¡¯s time to go now, though. Let¡¯s get it over with.


    ELIZABETH: Everyone, keep your heads down, and I won¡¯t be far off with first aid no matter where you end up.


    AUGUSTUS: Don¡¯t forget the mop for the blood.


    The staff make their way out, leaving Tiger and Danielle to the kitchens. The family is already seated in the breakfast room. Everyone is watching Ares, who is barely conscious, but upright at least.


    MINERVA: Python said he was getting better.


    HORUS: This is better compared to how he was yesterday.


    PRIMROSE: I don¡¯t think this cold is doing him any favours. He should go back to bed.


    KUR: No. He¡¯s been resting long enough. Ares! Wake up. Eat something.


    Ares eats, but like a zombie.


    SET: Um¡­ what are we doing after breakfast?


    KUR: We¡¯ll go to the graveyard, then a vigil at Lover¡¯s Lake. If Ares is still poorly then, he can rest while the rest of us do readings. Then the album after dinner.


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯m sorry, father, but I¡¯m going to take Ares back upstairs after breakfast. He needs rest today.


    KUR: ¡­excuse me?


    PRIMROSE: Ares can honour his mother¡ª


    KUR: This might be the last time Ares can celebrate his mother¡¯s life. You¡¯re going to take that away from him?


    HORUS: Dad¡­


    PRIMROSE: He isn¡¯t in a state to celebrate or honour anyone today. Maybe he¡¯ll be a bit better this evening. Look, he¡¯s barely eating.


    KUR: My son will attend his mother¡¯s birthday celebrations.


    HORUS: Stop arguing. Primrose, I understand your concerns, but Ares is sick from magic. He needs to do what¡¯s good for his soul.


    PRIMROSE: Even more reason for him to not to go.


    Horus, Kur and Primrose enter a stare-off until Ares gestures wildly, smacking his hand on the table and disrupting the cutlery.


    ARES: I¡¯m go. Good. I can. I go today. I am good and today I¡­go. Wait,


    ICARUS: You know what? I¡¯ve decided I¡¯m with Primrose. Ares needs rest. Let¡¯s compromise and after the graveyard, I¡¯ll bring him back here while you all go onto Lover¡¯s Lake. Deal? Good. Let¡¯s finish breakfast.


    Icarus goes back to eating while everyone else in the room looks at each other warily.


    OSPREY: *We¡¯re not starting the day off well at all, are we?*


    AUGUSTUS: *Count yourself lucky. You might get out of this whole thing.*


    OSPREY: *Out of the frypan and into the fire. Last time Ares was this bad, he murdered an entire village.*


    AUGUSTUS: *What are you going to do?*


    OSPREY: *Whatever Moonie suggests. Even if it¡¯s at the cost of my own safety.*


    *?? ??*????*


    The sacred burial site for the Saber family is between two mountain peaks with a view that overlooks the town. Those descended from ¡®Ston receive a sacred burial, which involves being buried beneath stones instead of beneath earth. Those who are descended from ¡®Ston are said to have unbreakable bones, so their skeletons remain intact. After earthquakes, some of these skeletons can be found on the surface, scattered around the gravesite. If a body is fully decomposed, leaving only the skeleton behind, it will not receive a reburial. The family stand before the large spread of stones, rubble, and bones at the most recent burial site: Eleanor¡¯s. The servants place their offerings quickly before retreating back behind the family. The remaining Saber family stare at the grave.


    MINERVA: I¡¯ll go first.


    Mama. I miss you again this year. Nothing¡¯s changed since I visited last week, but you might like to know Solstice was fun, and because I know you¡¯d ask, no, no-one asked me to dance¡­ If you could talk to dad, tell him to stop being so hard on us, we¡¯d sure appreciate it. Anyway, I love you, Mama. And I miss you every day.


    Minerva tears up, ignoring the look Kur gives her.


    ARES: Mama¡­ I¡¯m married. Primrose¡­


    PRIMROSE: ¡­Hello, Lady Eleanor. I¡¯m Primrose, and I married your son. I love him very much, and I hope you don¡¯t mind that he¡¯ll miss some of your celebrations today, but he needs to rest. I know you¡¯ll understand. I promise to look after him, my lady. I swear to you that I will do what¡¯s in my power to protect your son.


    ARES: Mama¡­ Don¡¯t cry. I¡¯m death spirit. Spirit dies. I¡¯ll save you.


    Ares wobbles on his feet a moment, and Icarus helps catch him. He gives him a little shake.


    ICARUS: Woah, man, chill. Hey Auntie Eleanor. I love you and miss you, but don¡¯t worry. Baron Horus Saber is the best baron Cragg has ever seen.


    Ares, here, drink this. It¡¯ll settle your stomach.


    Ares drinks the vial passed to him by Icarus and immediately starts spluttering afterwards. Primrose eyes him suspiciously.


    PRIMROSE: What medicine are you giving him?


    ICARUS: Nothing that isn¡¯t approved in major hospitals.


    SET: Okay, um, Mama? I wanted to say thanks for giving me your life. I¡¯m going to the academy next year¡­ I hope I¡¯ll be good enough to make you proud. Probably I won¡¯t be, I¡¯m not so good at most things, but¡­ I am good with a sword. I¡¯m going to be the best swordsman anyone¡¯s ever seen, Mama. I¡¯ll do it for you.


    Everyone at Solstice kept saying I look just like you, and that it¡¯s such a shame I never got to meet you¡­ I¡¯m sorry, Mama. I¡¯m sorry you had to die for me. I¡¯m sorry I tore you away from all of us.


    Set breaks into tears. Horus pulls him into a hug.


    HORUS: Hello again, mother. I¡¯m sorry I haven¡¯t visited in a while, but I¡¯ve been working a lot. Our borders held strong during the recent wars and our numbers are even stronger. You believed in ruthlessness and fair judgement and I¡¯m doing my best to uphold that ideology as Baron. I only wish you were still here so I might learn from you.


    ¡­Dad? Do you want to say anything?


    Kur moves closer to the grave and kneels down in front of it. He mumbles quietly in native Hituh¡¯n. Horus watches, remembering the day she died.


    Eleanor¡¯s screams carry throughout the castle. Horus (13), Minerva (10) and Ares (7) are waiting impatiently outside the bedroom door, anxious to meet the new baby. Eventually, Eleanor stops screaming, and soon after the voices in the room become hysterical. Horus, Minerva and Ares wait silently, pinned against the wall. Marsden tries to keep them preoccupied, but is ultimately called inside. Eventually, Marsden re-emerges, tears streaming silently down his face.


    MARSDEN: Master Horus, will you please come inside?


    Horus goes in quietly, leaving Minerva, Ares and Marsden behind. Smeared across the floors and bedsheets, the smell of Eleanor¡¯s blood is almost overpowering. The doctor and nurse have passed out from exhaustion, and Python shudders uncontrollably in the corner. Eleanor¡¯s squire kneels by the bed, praying. Kur is curled up in the bed beside Eleanor, sobbing into the nape of her neck, seemingly oblivious to the baby lying silently on her chest.


    HORUS: ¡­mama?


    KUR: You¡¯re the Baron of Cragg now, son. Her legacy lies with you.


    Kur goes back to crying. Horus stands quietly, completely stunned.


    HORUS: ¡­no. No, mama, please. Wake up¡­


    Horus cries for a moment, until baby Set finally starts whining. Horus jumps back in alarm.


    HORUS: The baby lived?!


    Horus grabs at Set immediately, forcing Eleanor¡¯s squire to intervene.


    SQUIRE: Gentle, young master. He¡¯s fragile.


    HORUS: He? A brother?


    PYTHON: Let me wrap him for you¡­


    Careful. Mind the head.


    HORUS: Dad¡­ Dad, the baby lived. You have another son. Dad?


    PYTHON: Shh, Horus. Your father is exhausted.


    Sure enough, Kur has stopped sobbing, and is seemingly falling asleep.


    HORUS: ¡­Does he have a name?


    PYTHON: Step outside for now, young master. I¡¯ll be out in a moment to help take care of him. Give us some time to clean up in here.


    HORUS: ¡­Okay.


    I¡¯ll look after him dad. I¡¯ll look after everything from now on. Dad? Dad, come out with us.


    SQUIRE: Just leave him to rest, young master. We¡¯ll come out when we¡¯re ready.


    HORUS: ¡­I¡¯ll make sure everything is okay, dad. Don¡¯t worry about anything else. I¡¯ve got this.


    Horus walks quietly back outside to where Marsden, Ares, Minerva, Osprey and Fairfax are all waiting, each of them crying. Horus offers them a weak smile.


    HORUS: We have a baby brother.


    Horus goes over to them, and together they sit in the hallway outside the infirmary, cradling Set and crying for the lost Eleanor.


    On the mountaintop, Horus gives Set another big squeeze. Kur continues to mumble to Eleanor¡¯s grave.


    PRIMROSE: ¡­what is he saying?


    HORUS: He¡¯s saying¡­ that he still loves her as much today as he did on every happy day they spent together. That if he could, he would kiss each of her bones every sunset before laying them back to rest. That he¡¯s happy to give up his burial by fire and have his bones crushed beneath stone if it means lying beside her again for even a moment¡­


    Horus chokes up and stops translating. The family wait patiently for Kur to finish. When he turns around, his eyes are red with tears.


    KUR: I won¡¯t disappoint you, Eleanor. I won¡¯t leave them until I know they¡¯re safe.


    *?? ??*????*


    After nightfall, when the snow has started falling and the wind begins to pick up, the night staff gather around the kitchen table, each of them visibly shaking.


    ELIZABETH: Fairfax, your lips are blue! You should be wearing another layer.


    FAIRFAX: It¡¯s nearly over. I can hold out.


    AUGUSTUS: Yeah, the colder we are, the less the beatings hurt.


    TIGER: Come on, everyone, eat more, drink more. Here, Fairfax, take this heat pack for a while.


    OSPREY: Dinner is almost over. We need to go back soon.


    ELIZABETH: Then hurry up and eat.


    AUGUSTUS: How many more hours until Kur explodes, do you think?


    OSPREY: Stop it, Augustus. You¡¯re making it worse.


    MARSDEN: You sound like you¡¯re planning to step in his path again.


    OSPREY: You¡¯d better fucking not. After last year?


    AUGUSTUS: Calm down. I said I wouldn¡¯t, didn¡¯t I?


    PYTHON: It¡¯s not that I didn¡¯t appreciate you trying to help¡­


    AUGUSTUS: I can¡¯t have this conversation again. I said I wouldn¡¯t intervene, and I won¡¯t. Drop it.


    ELIZABETH: Yikes. What¡¯s got your goat?


    AUGUSTUS: Nothing. Set said a whole bunch of stuff at the grave. More than he ever has.


    PYTHON: I thought what he said was quite moving, actually.


    OSPREY: As did I. I actually felt sorry for him, for once.


    FAIRFAX: You didn¡¯t feel sorry for him when Lord Kur tried to kill his dog?


    OSPREY: After my brother has been bitten how many times?


    PYTHON: How about the time he was strangled as a baby?


    DANIELLE: Excuse me?


    MARSDEN: Don¡¯t bring that up, please. Lord Kur wasn¡¯t himself. He suffered a mental breakdown when Eleanor died. We can¡¯t hold that against him.


    DANIELLE: Lord Kur strangled Set when he was just a baby?


    FAIRFAX: Things have a way of getting out of control on Lady Eleanor¡¯s birthday.


    DANIELLE: Why on earth do you keep working here if this is what it¡¯s like every year? Surely no money is worth this.


    ELIZABETH: Not everyone has a choice. You¡¯d better get upstairs, squires. I imagine they¡¯re finished with dinner by now.


    The squires leave and just Tiger, Elizabeth and Danielle remain.


    DANIELLE: What do you mean, you don¡¯t have a choice?


    ELIZABETH: Well, my father is in debt. If he doesn¡¯t make his repayments, he goes to jail, maybe forever. But he can¡¯t make his repayments without me working here. Every servant has a similar story. And the slaves¡­ they¡¯ve never known anything else.


    DANIELLE: Slaves? Who¡¯s a slave?


    ELIZABETH: Marsden, Python, Fairfax. They¡¯ve been owned since their childhood. You didn¡¯t know?


    DANIELLE: I didn¡¯t realise¡­ slavery is outlawed everywhere in Tijora.


    TIGER: Tijora isn¡¯t a monarchy. Hituh is. And a monarchy survives best when slavery is legal. Let¡¯s hurry and get this cleaned up. We need to be on standby to help with first aid.


    *?? ??*????*


    Upstairs, the family have left the dining room and entered the lounge to sit near the fire. The servants filter in slowly.


    KUR: There you are. Marsden, where¡¯s the album?


    MARSDEN: Apologies, sir. We have it ready, but we also prepared a slide show, in case you prefer.


    HORUS: I think that¡¯s probably wiser than all of us huddling together on the one couch. Thank you, Marsden. Augustus, get more wine. And Osprey, go get something for Ares.


    ARES: I¡¯m okay¡­ feeling a little better.


    PRIMROSE: Even so, I want you going to bed soon. It¡¯s getting late, anyway.


    ICARUS: Yes, I¡¯ll be turning in soon, too. Sleeping early is wise on nights like tonight.


    HORUS: Icarus¡­


    MINERVA: Let¡¯s just get started. I want to see which pictures Marsden picked this year.


    KUR: Yes. Tell us, Marsden, how have you chosen to honour my Eleanor?


    MARSDEN: I was feeling sentimental with all the children home, sir. I¡¯ve tried to include pictures of everyone this year.


    HORUS: That¡¯s nice. Isn¡¯t that nice, dad? Thanks Marsden. Let¡¯s get it over with.


    Marsden starts the slideshow. Meanwhile, Python and Osprey give Ares some medicine before Minerva dismisses Python for the evening. Fairfax is also dismissed, leaving Osprey, Augustus, and Marsden with the family. Marsden begins with photos of Eleanor as a child before moving into photos of her with Kur.


    PRIMROSE: Wow! Set, she looks so much like you in that photo.


    ARES: Don¡¯t¡­


    PRIMROSE: She¡¯s beautiful. Oh, that one¡¯s nice. Set, is that the dress your cloak was inspired by?


    SET: Yeah¡­ I thought it was a good imitation.


    PRIMROSE: It was. You both have good taste.


    HORUS: We still have all mum¡¯s outfits. I suppose they should have been passed onto someone by now. Even Minerva¡¯s probably too big for them.


    PRIMROSE: Your mother was a tiny woman, wasn¡¯t she?


    KUR: Pure blooded Hituh¡¯n people are. Though small, they¡¯re durable and steadfast. Not that it mattered with Eleanor. She had a certain way about her that allowed her to command a room and still be loved. A way her successor lacks.


    HORUS: I don¡¯t need to be loved.


    MINERVA: Shut-up and look at the picture of baby Horus.


    PRIMROSE: That is a big baby.


    KUR: She had some difficult pregnancies.


    PRIMROSE: Wait, is that you, Minerva?


    MINERVA: No. That¡¯s Freyja.


    PRIMROSE: She looks just like Horus.


    ICARUS: Horus and Freyja may as well have been twins with how close they were. Both of them were giant bullies.


    HORUS: Maybe we shouldn¡¯t talk about Freyja.


    ICARUS: Yeah. We wouldn¡¯t want to bring up the whole ¡®murder¡¯ thing again, would we?


    HORUS: Icarus, I¡¯m warning you.


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯m sorry¡­?


    ICARUS: I¡¯m surprised your maid hasn¡¯t told you already, Primrose. According to my squires, she loves a good gossip. She was telling them all about how Minerva here has been learning to climb.


    KUR: You what?


    ICARUS: See, Minnie¡¯s always blamed uncle Kur for what happened to Freyja. Now she¡¯s climbing, it¡¯s only fair to assume she¡¯s hung up on Freyja¡¯s death yet again. I can only assume that¡¯s why Horus wanted to avoid her name.


    KUR: Minerva. Is this true?


    MINERVA: ¡­I¡¯m climbing to honour the culture of our people. Freyja wasn¡¯t the only one who loved climbing, mama used to love it, too. I¡¯m climbing because¡ª


    KUR: You are forbidden from climbing.


    MINERVA: I¡¯m an adult, and a daughter of ¡®Ston, and I have the right to climb.


    KUR: You and I both know this isn¡¯t about culture or honour. You¡¯re climbing to make a statement.


    MINERVA: Not everything is about you! I feel a connection to climbing! It helps me think, and ¡ª


    KUR: Minerva, we are not going to discuss this. You are forbidden, do you understand?


    MINERVA: You can¡¯t stop me.


    KUR: I can if I break your fucking wrists.


    Kur lunges from his spot, and Minerva rushes out of the room ahead of him. He catches her not far from the door and knocks her to the ground before wrenching her back into the loungeroom.


    KUR: Listen to me fucking well, daughter. You will not climb again. If I find out you have, I will break as many bones as necessary to stop you.


    MINERVA: Do you hear yourself? You¡¯re insane¡­


    Kur slaps her hard enough to knock her to the floor. A heavy boot rests on her neck.


    KUR: No more climbing. Let me hear you say you understand.


    MINERVA: ¡­but¡­


    HORUS: Dad, she can¡¯t breathe. Get off her.


    SET: Can we not do this? It¡¯s mama¡¯s¡ª


    KUR: No more climbing, Minerva. Ever. Swear to me.


    MINERVA: ¡­okay.


    KUR: What¡¯s that?


    MINERVA: I won¡¯t climb anymore.


    KUR: Good. We¡¯ll talk more tomorrow. Now get back to the couch and honour your mother properly.


    Kur drags her over to the couch and sits her next to him with a firm grip on her shoulder. Minerva struggles not to cry and sits quietly on the couch, rubbing at her neck.


    ICARUS: Ah, just like old times.


    HORUS: You¡¯ve got to be kidding me, Icarus.


    ICARUS: What! I care about this family. I hate to see so many secrets. Did you hear about what Set¡¯s getting up to after curfew?


    HORUS: ¡­excuse me?


    SET: ¡­can we focus on Mama?


    HORUS: Icarus?


    ICARUS: Now you want me meddling. I don¡¯t think I know the details on that one, and I¡¯m too cold to give a shit anymore. I¡¯m going to bed.


    PRIMROSE: ¡­I think we¡¯ll go, too. Come on, Ares.


    KUR: We haven¡¯t finished yet.


    PRIMROSE: Ares needs sleep. Goodnight, everyone.


    Icarus and Primrose leave, with Osprey helping Ares. Icarus laughs once they¡¯re out the door.


    ICARUS: Fuckin¡¯ hell. That Kur, huh?


    PRIMROSE: I don¡¯t think you should be laughing. That was horribly cruel.


    ICAURS: Yeah, yeah. I want to talk to you. Osprey, get Ares to bed. Primrose¡­ come with me for a bit.


    PRIMROSE: Why?


    ICARUS: I want to talk to you more about what your maid has been saying. Come on.


    Icarus leads Primrose down the hallway to talk quietly.


    ICARUS: Fuck. I was hoping we¡¯d be shielded from the wind here.


    PRIMROSE: I don¡¯t know how anyone is standing this¡­


    ICARUS: They¡¯re descendants of Dae. Daes don¡¯t freeze or burn with ease.


    PRIMROSE: Icarus. Do you think Lord Kur murdered his daughter?


    ICARUS: Of course not. Minerva is insane. But then, so is Uncle Kur. They¡¯re all deranged really. So, listen. Your maid told my squires something interesting. Apparently, if Ares survives this suicide mission the queen put him on, you¡¯re planning to take him away from Cragg forever.


    PRIMROSE: I never said forever.


    ICARUS: Hmm. Look, it¡¯s none of my business, but you should really be careful when it comes to making enemies in this family. They might not react so well to you taking him away.


    PRIMROSE: Lord Kur doesn¡¯t scare me. I¡¯m water, he¡¯s fire.


    ICARUS: Yes, but Lord Horus is earth. Can you stand up to him?


    PRIMROSE: ¡­I won¡¯t need to. Horus wants what¡¯s best for Ares. He¡¯s on my side.


    ICARUS: He will always be on the side that keeps his family as close to him as possible. Don¡¯t dare think for a moment he¡¯ll let Ares go without a fight. Now, let¡¯s go to bed. It¡¯s fucking freezing down here.


    *?? ??*????*


    Back in the loungeroom, the demeanour is still cold as Horus directs some anger towards Set.


    HORUS: You¡¯ve been sneaking out to sleep with a bunch of dogs?!


    SET: It¡¯s part of their training! They need to learn to¡ª


    HORUS: Bullshit. You¡¯re sleeping out there because you love them. It isn¡¯t safe¡ª


    SET: It¡¯s fine! I¡¯m not a little kid.


    KUR: Is this because we told you not to bring the dogs inside anymore?


    SET: ¡­I just like sleeping with them, alright?


    HORUS: For gods sakes¡­


    KUR: Alright, Horus. No need for such rage. It¡¯s not like he¡¯s risking his life for no reason, unlike some of my children. Actually, sneaking out to sleep with the dogs seems like something your mother would have done.


    HORUS: Mother didn¡¯t care for dogs.


    KUR: No, but she did care for others. She slept alongside townspeople during many times of war and evacuation. Marsden, continue the slideshow. And Augustus, bring more wine. And bring Set a glass.


    HORUS: Dad, don¡¯t give Set alcohol.


    KUR: Why not? You were drinking at a much younger age than this.


    HORUS: ¡­probably shouldn¡¯t have been. Besides, you¡¯re rewarding his bad behaviour.


    KUR: Enough about Set. Look at that photo of Eleanor and Ares.


    HORUS: Fine. You and I will discuss this later, Set.


    Ugh, the wooden sword. Gods, I hated that fucking sword.


    MINERVA: Me too. Ares used to whack us all the time with it.


    KUR: He was a busy child. Always had an unsettled mind. He and his mother had that in common. Oh, look there¡­


    HORUS: Is that her when she was pregnant with Set, or¡­?


    KUR: That was Phoebe. I don¡¯t understand why¡­


    HORUS: Miscarriages happen. It was no-one¡¯s fault.


    MINERVA: Can I go to bed now?


    KUR: No.


    HORUS: Cut Minerva some slack, Dad. It can¡¯t be easy being the only girl in the family. Besides, it¡¯s getting late. Let¡¯s call it for tonight.


    KUR: Not yet. Let¡¯s look at some more photos. Oh, look at that one. Servant, pour more wine.


    HORUS: Dad, don¡¯t.


    KUR: Don¡¯t what?


    MINERVA: Horus, just leave it.


    KUR: Am I not allowed to enjoy the presence of my children while I look at photos of my dead wife?


    SET: Guys, it¡¯s fine. Let¡¯s look at a few more.


    KUR: See, Horus? Even the mutant agrees with me.


    HORUS: What did you call him?


    MINERVA: Stop! Horus, stop it. You¡¯re making things worse.


    HORUS: Every fucking year you do this. Mother¡¯s death wasn¡¯t Set¡¯s fault.


    KUR: No? Whose, then? Should we blame her squire? The nurse? Perhaps it¡¯s time we addressed the undue stress Minerva placed on her mother after Freyja¡¯s death. Or perhaps you¡¯d like to blame me, son. Is that it? Do you want to blame me for killing my fucking wife?!


    HORUS: I don¡¯t blame any of those people. I blame the idiot mother who bled for a week before telling anyone about it.


    KUR: Don¡¯t you dare speak of her that way!


    SET: Please, don¡¯t¡­


    HORUS: So, it¡¯s alright for you to blame a baby, but I¡¯m not allowed to blame the woman who almost cost him his life? Face it, dad, she fucking abandoned you. She abandoned¡ª


    Kur lunges for Horus. They enter a bloody brawl, with both men sustaining punches to the faces and stomach. Marsden instinctively grabs for Minerva and Augustus for Set, and they drag them out of harm¡¯s way. With Augustus and Marsden¡¯s firm grips, Minerva and Set can only scream at them to stop. The fight only ceases when smoke begins to escape from Kur¡¯s mouth and nostrils.


    HORUS: Dad, dad! You¡¯re catching fire!


    Horus stops to catch his breath while Kur takes a moment to acknowledge the smoke leaking from his fingers. With a deep exhale, a plume of smoke escapes his lips, filling the room with the smell. Horus and Kur continue to stare each other down until Set breaks free of Augustus and runs forward.


    SET: Please, stop! No more fighting! You¡¯re going to kill each other!


    HORUS: Set, go to bed.


    KUR: You aren¡¯t his father. Set, follow me.


    HORUS: Like hell¡ª


    SET: It¡¯s okay, Horus. I¡¯ll try getting dad to bed.


    HORUS: No-one is going anywhere until dad¡¯s cooled down. Last thing we need is a fire.


    Everyone stares at Kur. He isn¡¯t smoking anymore, but when Marsden hands him a block of firewood, it incinerates instantly.


    KUR: What are you trying to prove? That I¡¯m uncontrollable?


    MINERVA: Please, dad. Calm down. You know what will happen if the queen finds out about it. Anything you have to say to each other can wait until morning. Please?


    KUR: Marsden, hand me that wood.


    Marsden hands Kur another piece of firewood. This time it doesn¡¯t incinerate, but a small amount of smoke rises from where his hand rests.


    KUR: See? Getting better already.


    HORUS: Are you challenging me to round two?


    KUR: You¡¯re lucky you inherited stone instead of flame. See, unlike you, I am capable of cooling off. I¡¯m going upstairs. Set, come with me. We¡¯ll look at the rest of the album together.


    SET: It¡¯s fine, Horus. Let¡¯s go, dad.


    Set and Kur take the album from Marsden and leave.


    HORUS: Set better not have a single fucking bruise¡ª!


    MINERVA: Horus, stop! Just let them go. Look at you. You¡¯re covered in blood.


    HORUS: As was he. I could have fucking destroyed him¡ª


    MINERVA: Yes! You can win against him, Horus, and that¡¯s the problem. He catches fire when you do that. If Dad ever catches fire again, our whole family is in danger. You¡¯re not allowed to fight him, Horus. Why do you keep doing this?


    HORUS: Because when I don¡¯t, you, Set and Ares end up getting hurt.


    MINERVA: But when you fight him, you put all of us in danger. You have to stop.


    HORUS: ¡­your face is swollen from when he slapped you. He called Set a mutant. And may I remind you, he attacked me first.


    MINERVA: You antagonised him.


    ¡­we have to stop celebrating Mama¡¯s birthday.


    HORUS: We tried that, remember? It was even worse.


    I should go get Set.


    MINERVA: You need medical attention. I already called for Python. I¡¯ll go get Set.


    HORUS: You? The fuck are you going to do to help Set?


    MINERVA: I won¡¯t set the house on fire, for one. Here¡¯s Python. Bye.


    Minerva hurries from the room, leaving Horus, Python, Marsden and Augustus. Horus goes to follow her, but Marsden stops him.


    MARSDEN: She¡¯s right, my lord. Right now, we need to deescalate, which I¡¯m afraid to say isn¡¯t your strong point.


    HORUS: ¡­He¡¯s such a nightmare, Marsden. What else am I supposed to do, other than fight?


    MARSDEN: I¡¯m not sure, my lord. But a good leader always knows what to do, and you¡¯re a great leader, sir. I trust you¡¯ll make the right decisions.


    Horus spits a mouthful of blood on the floor and wipes his mouth.


    HORUS: You shouldn¡¯t.


    *?? ??*????*


    Minerva hurries up to Kur¡¯s room and peers inside quietly to see Kur with his hands on Set¡¯s face, and Set¡¯s feet off the ground. She pushes the door wide open.


    MINERVA: Dad?


    KUR: What are you doing here?


    MINERVA: ¡­I came to apologise and take Set to bed.


    KUR: It¡¯s too late for apologies. You¡¯re going to the tower.


    MINERVA: ¡­okay. Let me take Set to bed first.


    KUR: Did Horus send you?


    MINERVA: No. I promise. I just want this evening to be over.


    KUR: ¡­why? Do you blame me for her dying, too?


    MINERVA: I don¡¯t blame you for anyone dying, okay dad? Can I have Set now, please?


    KUR: ¡­Fine.


    Kur tosses Set her way. She helps him up quickly and ushers him to the door.


    KUR: And Minerva? You¡¯d better be in the tower by the time I get there.


    Minerva pulls the door closed behind her quickly. Her and Set take a moment to catch their breath and she glances his way.


    MINERVA: Are you alright?


    SET: I don¡¯t want to talk about it!


    Set takes off, fleeing for his bedroom. Minerva catches the sob in her throat then continues down to her own room and crawls into bed. Horus appears soon after.


    HORUS: Where¡¯s Set?


    MINERVA: His room. Dad sent me to the tower.


    HORUS: He did?


    MINERVA: Yes, and I¡¯ll go, but not yet. I¡¯ll go in the morning.


    HORUS: Forget it. He can¡¯t send an adult to the tower, that¡¯s ridiculous.


    MINERVA: Don¡¯t you dare go start something with him again.


    HORUS: I won¡¯t¡­


    Are you okay?


    MINERVA: I hate Icarus.


    HORUS: Mm. I might have to sharpen my fists on his face tomorrow. I should go check on Set.


    MINERVA: Give him a bit. He¡¯s embarrassed. He thinks this is all his fault.


    HORUS: It¡¯s mine. You were right. I shouldn¡¯t have escalated the situation.


    MINERVA: Was that an apology?


    HORUS: No. I¡¯m not apologising for it. I¡¯m just acknowledging it.


    MINERVA: Right.


    HORUS: Reminder that before I escalated, he stepped on your neck. He¡¯s lucky I didn¡¯t go for him then.


    MINERVA: ¡­what are we going to do, Horus?


    HORUS: Right now? You should get some rest. Move over. I¡¯ll lie with you until you fall asleep.


    MINERVA: Then what?


    HORUS: Then, I¡¯ll check on Set. And I¡¯ll finish by checking on dad.


    MINERVA: Will you fight?


    HORUS: No. I promise.


    MINERVA: ¡­I¡¯m scared, Horus.


    I¡¯m scared of Dad. I¡¯m scared of the queen. I¡¯m scared of what¡¯s going to happen to Ares. Is there anyone out there who isn¡¯t trying to kill us?


    Horus?


    HORUS: I¡¯m listening. And I¡¯m scared, too. But we¡¯re in it together, right?


    MINERVA: Are we?


    HORUS: ¡­Just go to sleep. We can talk about it tomorrow.


    Minerva closes her eyes and starts crying softly. Horus holds her hand quietly, not knowing what else to say.


    *?? ??*????*


    In Set¡¯s room, Set sits at his desk and stares lifelessly ahead. He startles when Augustus comes in behind him.


    SET: Fuck, Augustus! You scared the shit out of me.


    AUGUSTUS: S-sorry, Master Set. J-just came to s-see what you n-need?


    SET: Oh, right, I never dismissed you. Sorry. I was just studying, but you can go now.


    AUGUSTUS: Studying? W-why are you studying n-now?


    SET: I dunno. Can¡¯t sleep.


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­then I g-guess I¡¯ll try a-and help.


    SET: Why do you keep talking like tha¡ª oh, gods. You¡¯re blue.


    AUGUSTUS: It¡¯s been a b-bit c-cold.


    SET: Come here. Sit by the fire.


    Set leads Augustus to the fire and drags his blanket off the bed, which he wraps around both of them. He grabs for Augustus¡¯s hands and rubs his hands over them.


    SET: Better?


    AUGUSTUS: Mmhmm. Thankyou. You¡¯re really warm.


    SET: Yeah. Did you see if Horus was okay?


    AUGUSTUS: He¡¯s fine. Python¡¯s been tending to him.


    SET: That¡¯s good.


    AUGUSTUS: What about you? Did Lord Kur¡­?


    SET: I¡¯m fine.


    Sorry you¡¯ve been freezing for this stupid day.


    AUGUSTUS: I don¡¯t know how you can stand it.


    SET: Dae blood. I¡¯m still affected by heat and cold, just not to the same extent as you are. Here, I¡¯ll close the window for you.


    AUGUSTUS: Won¡¯t you get in trouble?


    SET: Yeah, but, what else is new?


    ¡­can you tell me some more stuff about history?


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­are you sure you want to study right now? You should be asleep.


    SET: I told you, I can¡¯t. Just¡­ tell me more about the Pilgrim wars?


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­okay. Well, where did we leave off¡ª


    A knock at the door startles them both. Set hesitates.


    SET: Horus?


    HORUS: Yeah.


    SET: It¡¯s open.


    Horus comes in, frowning.


    HORUS: You shouldn¡¯t have left it unlocked.


    SET: Dad was slurring his words when I left, I figured I¡¯d be okay. Are you alright?


    HORUS: I¡¯m fine. See? Python fixed me.


    ¡­Never seen you and Augustus so cosy before.


    SET: He looked about ready to freeze to death. You¡¯ve got to stop this stupid tradition before one of them actually dies.


    HORUS: What? Oh, the windows. I forgot about that.


    Are you going to look at me?


    SET: No.


    HORUS: Come on. Show me what he did.


    Set turns to reveal the marks on his face. Horus takes his chin to look closer.


    HORUS: ¡­your eyes are all red. What did he¡ª


    SET: I¡¯m fine, and I don¡¯t want to talk about it.


    HORUS: Come on, Set. Tell me what happened.


    SET: We were looking at photos. And he kept talking about her eyes and how I stole them from her. And that he could never love me as much as he loves the rest of you because every time he¡¯s ever looked at me he sees her dying.


    HORUS: ¡­then what?


    SET: ¡­he dug his thumbs into my face.


    HORUS: You mean into your eyes?


    SET: Not really. Only a little.


    HORUS: He tried to blind you?!


    SET: Please calm down! It wasn¡¯t like that.


    HORUS: Fucking monster. I¡¯m sorry, Set. Come here. Don¡¯t cry.


    SET: I¡¯m not crying because of that. I just don¡¯t want you fighting anymore.


    HORUS: He tries to blind you, and you still don¡¯t want me fighting him?


    SET: Please, Horus. You¡¯re not allowed to fight him.


    HORUS: Then what am I supposed to do?


    SET: ¡­I¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­


    HORUS: I¡¯m sorry. Come here. I won¡¯t fight him, okay?


    Augustus, you¡¯re still here? Go to bed. Tell everyone to close the windows. Mother¡¯s birthday is over.


    AUGUSTUS: Yes, my lord. Anything else?


    HORUS: No. Just make sure Marsden knows he¡¯s dismissed, as well.


    AUGUSTUS: Master Set?


    SET: No. Don¡¯t worry about the dogs in the morning. I¡¯ll do it.


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­yes, my lord. Goodnight.


    Augustus exits quietly, and heads for the servants¡¯ quarters. When he gets there, everyone is huddled in the lounge by the heater, dozing. Elizabeth rouses at his entry.


    ELIZABETH: *You¡¯re finally back.*


    AUGUSTUS: *Yes, I am. Has Kur been up yet?*


    ELIZABETH: *No. Marsden, Danielle and Osprey are still out as well.*


    AUGUSTUS: *Danielle and Osprey are probably sleeping in Ares¡¯s room by the fire.*


    ELIZABETH: *And where were you?*


    AUGUSTUS: *¡­learning things. I¡¯ll tell you about it tomorrow.*


    Augustus settles in beside her and closes his eyes. Soon after, Marsden comes in and falls asleep in the chair. It¡¯s close to dawn when a loud knock comes from the door, waking everyone up.


    MARSDEN: Ready?


    Marsden walks down the hall and everyone else stands timidly to wait. This time, when they shake, it isn¡¯t from the cold. Marsden opens the door a fraction.


    MARSDEN: Good morning, Lord Kur, may I help you?


    KUR: I came to ask you all something.


    Kur barges the door open. It¡¯s clear that after he woke up, he continued drinking.


    MARSDEN: Lord Kur, I¡¯m afraid you cannot¡ª


    KUR: Did I not do enough for all of you? Have you not been clothed, fed, sheltered, and protected? Are your wages, which are twice as high as the average servant, insufficient?


    MARSDEN: My lord, we¡¯re so grateful¡ª


    KUR: Are you? Then why the fuck can¡¯t any of you do your jobs properly? I think I¡¯ve been too easy on all of you.


    MARSDEN: Was our service insufficient, my lord?


    KUR: Shut-up, Marsden. I know you were in love with Eleanor. You would have given your life for her if you could. Her nurse, though?


    MARSDEN: My lord, no, please. Python didn¡¯t do anything.


    KUR: You were supposed to protect her.


    PYTHON: I¡ª I tried, my lord¡ª


    KUR: If you really tried, she¡¯d be alive right now.


    Kur slaps Python down to the ground. Everyone flinches, and as the beating continues, Augustus moves to step forward, but Elizabeth stops him. Kur continues until Python¡¯s lip starts to bleed, where he turns his attention randomly on Fairfax, and knocks him to the ground as well before straightening up and wiping his brow. He turns to face his audience.


    KUR: I expect much, much better¡ª


    MARSDEN: My lord, please, let me take you to your room. We can discuss things there.


    KUR: Trying to be a hero, are you, Marsden?


    Kur laughs but allows Marsden to lead him out all the same. As soon as the door closes Elizabeth and Tiger rush for Python. Augustus stands stiff in his place.


    AUGUSTUS: I¡¯ve changed my mind. Death is too good for him. I need him to suffer.

 Evil Spirits

    <h2>Evil Spirits</h2>


    The next morning crawls in slowly. A doctor from the village creeps into the servant¡¯s quarters to heal Python. Set takes his dogs up and over the hills, away from the castle. The morning staff quietly clean the mess left in the lounge. Primrose wakes a little late, groaning as she does.


    PRIMROSE: Gods, last night was so awful, wasn¡¯t it?


    Silence meets her. She drags herself upright to look around. The room is empty.


    PRIMROSE: Ares?


    She gets out of bed and checks the ensuite. Nothing. She calls for Danielle, then after a minute, calls for Osprey as well. Osprey arrives first.


    OSPREY: Good morning, Lady Primrose. How can I help?


    PRIMROSE: Oh, Osprey. Sorry to bother you. What time did you leave?


    OSPREY: Just after dawn.


    PRIMROSE: Right. Do you know where Ares went?


    OSPREY: Ares?


    Osprey looks around the room, only just noticing he¡¯s gone.


    OSPREY: ¡­he was still here when I left. Maybe he went down to eat already. It is getting late.


    PRIMROSE: He was so sick yesterday. I¡¯m surprised he got out of bed at all.


    OSPREY: I wouldn¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll go find him, so stay by the fire.


    PRIMROSE: Thanks, I will. Have you seen Danielle?


    OSPREY: ¡­not yet, but I¡¯ll send her to you when I do.


    PRIMROSE: Thanks. Bye, Osprey.


    OSPREY: Goodbye, my lady.


    Osprey gives her a bow and heads for the servants¡¯ lounge. Most people are still there, huddled under blankets and with steaming cups of tea.


    OSPREY: Hey.


    ELIZABETH: That was fast.


    OSPREY: Yeah. Just came to get Danielle for Primrose.


    Everyone looks around at each other.


    AUGUSTUS: She didn¡¯t come in last night. Did she?


    ELIZABETH: I didn¡¯t think so. I thought she stayed upstairs with you.


    OSPREY: No, I didn¡¯t see her at all after dinner. I assumed she went to bed early to avoid the drama.


    FAIRFAX: She¡¯s probably still in bed.


    ELIZABETH: Oh, don¡¯t take that tone. She¡¯s¡ª


    FAIRFAX: Yeah, yeah. She¡¯s Tijoran, this isn¡¯t how they do things there. It¡¯s been months already.


    OSPREY: Shut-up, guys. If she¡¯s awake, she can hear you.


    FAIRFAX: If she¡¯s awake, she should have seen that Primrose tried to call her.


    OSPREY: ¡­I better go check on her.


    Osprey goes and knocks on Danielle¡¯s door. There¡¯s no answer, so he knocks again, loudly.


    OSPREY: Danielle? I¡¯m coming in.


    He goes inside to find an empty bedroom, bed still made.


    OSPREY: She isn¡¯t there.


    PYTHON: ¡­maybe she hooked up with Stef or Rand last night?


    AUGUSTUS: Or maybe Icarus.


    OSPREY: Nah, she¡¯s not like that. Can someone go look for her? I need to look for Ares.


    Osprey leaves. Fairfax turns over, wincing at the pain in his face.


    FAIRFAX: We don¡¯t need to go right now, do we?


    AUGUSTUS: No way. Danielle is smart enough; she¡¯ll turn up eventually. Besides, it¡¯s not long before the rest of us have our masters calling.


    ELIZABETH: I dunno. Last night was scary. Are you sure we shouldn¡¯t go looking?


    FAIRFAX: I agree with Augustus. I¡¯m too tired to go looking for her. She¡¯ll be fine, she isn¡¯t even on Lord Kur¡¯s radar.


    ELIZABETH: I guess so¡­


    FAIRFAX: Good. Can someone buzz Tiger? I need some more tea.


    *?? ??*????*


    Osprey traverses the entire castle. He looks in the annex, the servants¡¯ quarters, everywhere for Ares. He¡¯s beginning to panic when he finally finds him wandering the gardens.


    OSPREY: Lord Ares! What are you doing out here?


    ARES: Huh? Oh, hi Osprey.


    OSPREY: Gods, Ares. You don¡¯t even have your coat. Let¡¯s get you inside. Primrose is worried.


    ARES: ¡­It¡¯s almost time to go.


    OSPREY: I know, sir. We¡¯re leaving in just a few days.


    ARES: I¡¯m running really late.


    OSPREY: ¡­what?


    Ares, are you alright?


    ARES: I¡¯m fine, except¡­ I can¡¯t get this taste out of my mouth. Like I¡¯ve been sucking on metal.


    OSPREY: Want me to call for Python?


    ARES: No. Where are we going?


    OSPREY: Your room, sir.


    ARES: Not yet. I want you to climb the tower with me.


    OSPREY: ¡­the tower?


    ARES: Yeah. It¡¯s closer than the mountain. Let¡¯s go.


    Ares starts dragging Osprey in the direction of the tower. When they get there, Ares begins climbing up. Osprey hesitates at the bottom.


    OSPREY: Sir? I don¡¯t think we should go up there.


    Ares doesn¡¯t answer, and the sound of footsteps gets quieter, so Osprey climbs up after him. It¡¯s a long stairway to the top, and when Osprey finally makes it, he is met with blue skies and bitter winds. Ares is leaning against the ledge, smiling into the gale.


    ARES: I get it now. Horus always talks about how he can feel the power of the mountains carried on these winds.


    OSPREY: Sir, why are we up here?


    ARES: ¡­you¡¯re my best friend, Osprey. I want to ensure your safety in case something happens to me.


    OSPREY: What do you¡­


    ARES: Primrose is going to take you to Tijora, with or without me. I want you to go with her and start a new life. Take your family over slowly. They¡¯ll be happier there.


    OSPREY: ¡­I don¡¯t want to think about you dying, Ares. When it¡¯s time for me to go to Tijora, you¡¯ll be coming with me. With us.


    ARES: Hm. Maybe.


    OSPREY: Ares? We should get you back to Primrose.


    ARES: I¡¯m not going back to Primrose. I already said goodbye.


    OSPREY: ¡­what do you mean? We¡¯re not leaving for another few days.


    ARES: I¡¯m going to die anyway, Osprey. I may as well die now.


    Osprey grabs at Ares, who laughs.


    ARES: I didn¡¯t mean right now. I have no intention to die from a fall.


    OSPREY: Then, what are you planning to do?


    ARES: Remember Lumos? He didn¡¯t come back to me for no reason, Osprey. Lumos is the answer. I have to destroy him.


    OSPREY: How? By destroying yourself?


    ARES: ¡­precisely.


    OSPREY: ¡­okay. Well, before we do that, Ares¡­


    ARES: Ah, Osprey. I know that voice. You want to turn me in.


    OSPREY: I just think we should talk to your brother first. You trust Horus, don¡¯t you?


    ARES: Horus has done enough. And I¡¯m tired of being a burden. I have to go. You¡¯ll look after Primrose, won¡¯t you?


    OSPREY: Ares, wait¡ª


    ARES: Thanks for always looking after me.


    As Ares turns abruptly to leave, Osprey reaches for him again, but Ares slaps his hand away and shoots a beam of magic into Osprey¡¯s chest. By the time Osprey is on his feet, Ares is gone, and when Osprey finally makes it to the bottom of the tower he¡¯s met by the locked door. He desperately messages an SOS to everyone from his watch and sits back to wait. Elizabeth arrives with a key soon after.


    ELIZABETH: What happened?


    OSPREY: I don¡¯t have time to explain. Where¡¯s Lord Horus?


    ELIZABETH: I don¡¯t know. Wait, where are you going?


    Osprey runs off without her. Sprinting full force down the halls, he doesn¡¯t stop until he reaches Horus¡¯s room, where he skids to a stop. Horus isn¡¯t there. Without pausing, he turns and rushes back to Primrose¡¯s room instead. She¡¯s missing, too. He turns to keep looking before finally bumping into Fairfax, who stops him.


    FAIRFAX: Why are you running in the main halls? What¡¯s¡ª


    OSPREY: Where¡¯s Horus? Ares is gone. He¡¯s going to kill himself.


    FAIRFAX: What?! Where is he?


    OSPREY: I don¡¯t know. He locked me in the tower. He could be going any direction. We need to act fast¡­


    FAIRFAX: Understood. I¡¯ll get the message out. Horus is in the library. I¡¯ll meet you out front.


    Osprey nods and sprints off without another word. By the time Osprey gets to the library, Horus has already received the message. He meets Osprey at the doorway.


    OSPREY: My lord! Please, help me. Ares is gone. It¡¯s happening again.


    HORUS: Do you know which way he went?


    OSPREY: No. He locked me in the tower. I¡¯m sorry¡ª


    HORUS: Breathe, Osprey. We¡¯ll find him.


    Horus and Osprey move quickly out the front, where horses are already waiting for them.


    OSPREY: Horses?


    HORUS: Faster than goats.


    OSPREY: Where are we going? How do you know where to look?


    HORUS: You¡¯re not coming, Osprey. This horse is for Moonie. Be ready for us once we come back.


    OSPREY: But I want to help!


    HORUS: Stay here, Osprey. Look after Primrose. Oh, Moonie¡ª!


    MOONIE: I¡¯m here. Do you know where to go?


    HORUS: The voices of the mountains are carried on the wind. They¡¯ll tell me where to go. Just follow me, and stay close.


    Horus and Moonie depart in a hurry. Osprey watches helplessly after them as search teams are formed nearby. Completely transfixed, he doesn¡¯t notice Kur standing beside him until he clears his throat.


    OSPREY: Oh, I¡¯m sorry, my lord¡­


    KUR: What happened?


    OSPREY: He locked me in the tower. I think he¡¯s trying to sacrifice himself again.


    KUR: You think, or you know?


    OSPREY: I know.


    KUR: Then, why didn¡¯t you stop him?


    OSPREY: ¡­I couldn¡¯t. He was too strong for me.


    KUR: I see.


    I hope you realise, that if my son dies, the blame lies on your shoulders.


    OSPREY: Yes, my lord.


    KUR: ¡­and you will be charged with his murder.


    OSPREY: ¡­yes, my lord.


    KUR: Go inside and tend to Primrose. And don¡¯t tell her about this. She has a flair for the dramatic.


    Osprey nods and heads inside. Augustus intercepts him in the servants¡¯ corridors.


    AUGUSTUS: There you are! I¡¯ve been looking everywhere for you. Are you okay?


    Osprey immediately breaks down crying. Inconsolable, he collapses to the ground as Augustus frantically tries to calm him down. After several minutes of hysteria, Osprey finally starts taking some deep breaths to calm himself.


    OSPREY: Sorry, Augustus. I¡¯m okay¡­


    AUGUSTUS: Clearly not. What happened?


    OSPREY: ¡­Lord Kur is going to charge me with Ares¡¯s murder if he dies.


    AUGUSTUS: What!? That¡¯s insane! He can¡¯t fucking do that¡ª


    OSPREY: Shh, calm down, stop yelling. It¡¯s okay. It¡¯ll be okay. I need to go tend to Primrose. Has Danielle come out yet?


    AUGUSTUS: No, she¡¯s still missing¡­ Primrose will be fine. Come sit for a bit and have something to drink.


    OSPREY: No. I have work to do. And so do you. Go look after Set.


    AUGUSTUS: Osprey, you need to¡ª


    OSPREY: Set¡¯s brother is about to die. Go look after him, Augustus. Now.


    AUGUSTUS: What about my brother?


    OSPREY: Which ones? If I die, do you want to leave the rest with nothing? We aren¡¯t the only two people who matter, remember?


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­Lord Horus wouldn¡¯t let you die. There¡¯s no way.


    OSPREY: Let¡¯s fucking hope so. I¡¯m not even worried about myself right now. Ares is out there, unstable and suicidal. I failed him.


    AUGUSTUS: It wasn¡¯t your fault¡­


    OSPREY: I have to go, Augustus. I have work to do. If you¡¯re not going to look after Set, go and look for Danielle. See you later.


    Osprey hurries off. Augustus sighs, defeated, before going back to looking for Danielle.


    *?? ??*????*


    The offbeat tracks of the mountains lead to many a hidden sanctuary, where small settlements of people gather in communities of less than fifty people. Ares stands on a cliff looking down at a village of ten homes, his aura glowing around him. Beside him is Lumos.


    LUMOS: You won¡¯t win. You know you won¡¯t.


    ARES: ¡­I will. I can. I¡¯m already so much stronger. If I feast here¡­


    LUMOS: You don¡¯t have to do this, Ares. Do as I say, and you can live on with me¡­


    ARES: No. I¡¯m not listening to you anymore. You¡¯ve caused us all enough grief.


    LUMOS: I already died once for you. You¡¯re really going to murder me again?


    ARES: ¡­Yes. Only this time, I¡¯m going to finish the job.


    LUMOS: Oh? And how are you going to do that?


    ARES: If I consume enough soul, I¡¯ll be strong enough to enter your world. And I¡¯ll kill you.


    LUMOS: You¡¯ll never get home again if you do.


    ARES: I don¡¯t care. I won¡¯t listen to your voice in my head any longer.


    LUMOS: Fine¡­ so be it. But you¡¯ll have to fight me for them.


    ARES: I guess the race is on, then.


    *?? ??*????*


    Horus and Moonie race through the mountains in short bursts, stopping frequently to look for Ares along the way. Eventually, they get to a path too steep for the horses.


    MOONIE: Are you sure he¡¯s up here?


    HORUS: Shh¡­


    Horus presses his hands firmly against the mountain wall, feeling for vibrations. Moonie cocks her head in wonderment. Eventually he steps back in frustration.


    HORUS: I don¡¯t know for sure. I think so. We¡¯ll have to climb.


    MOONIE: Will you be alright?


    HORUS: It isn¡¯t that steep. I¡¯ll be fine ¡ª at least on the way up I will.


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    MOONIE: Okay, well, let me go first¡­


    Moonie begins to climb, quickly scaling the wall. Horus follows carefully after. At the top, they stand where Ares once stood. The town is shroud in blue fog.


    HORUS: It¡¯s happening again¡­


    MOONIE: What is? What do we do?


    HORUS: We have to stop him. Come on¡ª


    MOONIE: Wait! We can¡¯t go in there. Gods only know what kind of monstrosities are being summoned. We need to call for help¡ª


    HORUS: By the time help arrives, everyone in the village will be dead, including Ares. Either come with me, or don¡¯t.


    Horus stars clambering down without another thought. Moonie hesitates for a few minutes before following. When she gets down, Horus is waiting for her.


    HORUS: You followed.


    MOONIE: ¡­now what?


    HORUS: We fight through this mist to find Ares and stop him.


    MOONIE: What if¡ª


    HORUS: We¡¯ll figure it out when we get there.


    MOONIE: Wait, let me go first¡­


    Moonie and Horus move forward towards the village, keeping their bodies low to the ground. The further into the mist they move, the more the scenery changes ¡ª plants are replaced by mushrooms, the houses are replaced by untouched stone, and all around them little creatures made from light slip around corners and scatter from beneath their boots. Moonie stops and grabs at Horus.


    MOONIE: Horus, we shouldn¡¯t keep going. This is¡ª


    HORUS: It¡¯s fine, Moonie. Ares has done this before, remember? I survived that time.


    MOONIE: What we are seeing is the spirit world. Horus, I think we¡¯re in a limbo state. This is dangerous¡­


    HORUS: Then, turn back. I¡¯m going to find him.


    MOONIE: Our soulless bodies will be left to wander earth without us. We won¡¯t find our way back.


    HORUS: Like I said, you¡¯re free to turn back.


    Horus keeps moving forward, and once again Moonie follows. They push deeper into the mist until they finally begin to hear commotion. Moonie begins to glow, and Horus draws his sword. They creep forward to a clearing, where they find Ares and Lumos.


    Lumos hangs suspended in the air, as all around him, creatures from the spirit world emerge to attack. Ares, on the other hand, holds his ground as he sends magic attacks flying through the air back at them. Around his feet lie several bodies. The excess of soul consumed has led to a distortion of his features ¡ª only wisps of Ares remain. Horus goes to lunge forward, but Moonie grabs at him and pulls him back.


    MOONIE: What are you thinking? Those spirits will attack you on sight ¡ª and Ares ¡ª he¡¯s already eaten people, Horus. What¡¯s to stop him from eating your soul, too?


    HORUS: What are we supposed to do? We need to ground him back to earth, or he¡¯ll slip to the other side entirely.


    MOONIE: But if we interfere, those enemies he¡¯s fighting will come for us. They could destroy everything. We¡­ we have to destroy Lumos.


    HORUS: I¡¯ve never fought an evil spirit before. What do I do?


    MOONIE: Just¡­ protect yourself, and protect Ares. I¡¯ll go after the spirit.


    HORUS: You might die if you do.


    MOONIE: I¡¯m gonna die anyway, I¡¯d rather it be for you instead of the queen. Keep low and use your sword to scare them off.


    Moonie gives him a light tap on the shoulder before she begins summoning magic circles. When they¡¯re big enough, she charges forward, throwing the circles like a discus and sending weaving patterns after them. Lumos rears in surprise before warping his attack ¡ª rather than summoning, he¡¯s now altering the way reality is perceived. No steps taken are certain, and Moonie loses her footing. Meanwhile, Horus moves towards Ares. At first, Ares turns his attacks towards Horus. Horus deflects them quickly.


    HORUS: Ares! Stop, it¡¯s Horus!


    Ares flickers back to his normal self for a moment, before warping back to the amalgamation. He shoots a weak magic attack Horus¡¯s way, but Horus deflects it easily.


    ARES: Get away.


    HORUS: No, Ares. Come home.


    ARES: You don¡¯t¡­understand¡­Lumos¡­he¡¯s been eating me¡­ I have to stop him¡­


    Ares flickers back to himself for a moment, before becoming enraged and directing all attacks at Horus, leaving Lumos time to direct his focus on Moonie. With all focus on her, Lumos¡¯s attacks become quickly overwhelming, and she gets knocked off her feet. Before she can get up, the evil spirits summoned by Lumos smother her, gnawing at her soul, and begin to suffocate her.


    Meanwhile, Horus fights against Ares¡¯s attacks. He bashes them away as best he can, and when he is hit, he remains steadfast as stone. Once he is close enough, he lunges for Ares and wraps his arms around him, pinning Ares¡¯s arms to his side. Without the use of his arms, Ares¡¯s summoning ability is greatly diminished, and the attacks decrease significantly.


    ARES: S¡­Stop¡­


    HORUS: Come back to earth, Ares! Everything is okay¡ª


    ARES: Moonie!


    Horus turns to look. The spirits smothering her disappear, leaving emptiness in her wake. Horus¡¯s eyes widen and he looks back to Ares, who is morphing further into his spirit form. He squeezes tighter.


    HORUS: Come back. I need you.


    Ares comes back to himself all in one snap. Coldly, he looks at Horus.


    ARES: If we have any chance of saving Moonie and stopping Lumos, I have to go into the spirit world to do it. Let me go.


    HORUS: No. You¡¯re not¡ª


    Ares doesn¡¯t give Horus a chance to finish. Stealing soul from Horus, Ares morphs back into his spirit form just in time to block an attack from Lumos. Horus lets go and staggers backwards, and in the next instant Ares and Lumos snap, disappearing into the spirit world. Horus groggily fights off the remaining spirits left by Ares and Lumos, then stops to look around. As the blue mist steadily starts to disappear, so too do the mushrooms and creatures of light. The space where Moonie was attacked is empty, as is the place where Lumos was standing. Still standing in the clearing is Ares¡¯s body, mouth hanging open and staring upwards. Horus¡¯s eyes immediately well with tears as he watches his brothers body sway.


    Shouts and cries begin to emerge from behind him. The surviving citizens of the destroyed town emerge from their hiding places to grieve the bodies consumed by Ares. Horus looks around at all the mess and gives a heavy sigh. Ares¡¯s body falls into him. He places an arm around its shoulder.


    HORUS: You¡¯ve got about three days to get home, Ares. And then your body will die.


    *?? ??*????*


    The spirit world is a reflection of the human world ¡ª and while certain things such as mountains and rivers are in the same location ¡ª most things are out of place. No sun or moon, talking animals, and giant mushrooms, are just some of the things Moonie notices after finally fighting off the last of the spirits that attacked her. A crow and deer standing under a tree, watching her, finish their conversation and go their separate ways before Moonie finally begins to panic. Once she¡¯s finally calmed down, she hears commotion somewhere nearby, and hesitantly, she drags herself up to go investigate. Ignoring the fire mice that follow on her trail curiously, she heads deeper into the thick of the trees in front of her, and in a small clearing, she finds Ares and Lumos fighting fiercely.


    While Lumos looks much the same, Ares¡¯s form has changed completely. A black jackal fights in his stead, gnashing at Lumos, and shooting magic from its mouth. Moonie gulps and tests her magic. To her surprise, it feels stronger than it ever has. She rushes in and shoots her magic at Lumos, who shrieks and attempts to fight back before retreating. Moonie continues to shoot her attacks and Ares knocks him to the ground. Lumos summons a final attack to blast Ares away, but Moonie swoops in immediately after with a counter that knocks Lumos unconscious. Ares is back on him a second later, gnawing at his face.


    Moonie stands back, panting, as she tries to maintain composure. When Ares is certain Lumos is dead, he looks briefly at Moonie, before turning to walk away.


    MOONIE: Hey, wait! Ares? You are Ares, right?


    JACKAL: Well... yes, and no. I¡¯m Ares¡¯s spirit.


    MOONIE: You¡­ You¡¯re just the spirit of Ares? Then, where is Ares?


    JACKAL: Inside my head, but he¡¯ll be dead soon. Ares is as good as gone.


    MOONIE: Wait! If we go back to the human world, can¡¯t you reconnect with the body?


    JACKAL: Why should I?


    MOONIE: ¡­wait, don¡¯t go. If you¡¯re Ares¡¯s spirit, then, what am I? Why didn¡¯t I turn into my spirit?


    JACKAL: Because the spirits Lumos summoned brought you here to eat you. What they didn¡¯t realise, is that human magic is very powerful here. That¡¯s why you were able to fight them off after going through the portal.


    MOONIE: So¡­ does that mean I can go home?


    JACKAL: Theoretically.


    MOONIE: You can¡¯t come with me?


    JACKAL: Theoretically, I could. I don¡¯t know if I want to. Ares lured me into Lumos¡¯s trap. Lumos has been haunting us for years because of it.


    MOONIE: Years?


    JACKAL: Yes. Remember that awful thing that happened? Ares consumed people, just like he did today, so that he could bridge the gap between the human and spirit world so that Lumos could use him as a vessel to do wicked things. He nearly killed us then, and then today he put us in danger a second time. If I go back to him, he¡¯ll be sent off to fight another evil spirit¡­ I¡¯d be better off letting him die so I can find a new human host.


    MOONIE: ¡­you¡¯d really do that? Don¡¯t you care for him, at all?


    JACKAL: I am him, remember?


    MOONIE: Please. You have to come home. What about Primrose, and Horus, and Minerva and Set? You¡¯ll really leave all of them behind?


    The jackal stops in its steps then and looks upwards at the sky. Moonie follows its gaze but can¡¯t see anything. For a moment, then jackal flickers to the image of Ares.


    JACKAL: I¡¯m devastated to leave them behind.


    MOONIE: But¡­you don¡¯t have to.


    JACKAL: Maybe not today. But what about the spirit the queen wants me to fight?


    MOONIE: ¡­We have a chance to kill it. It isn¡¯t hopeless. You¡¯ve lived through an awful lot so far. Besides, I thought an honourable death was supposed to be good for the spirit. Doesn¡¯t it make you stronger in the next life, or something?


    JACKAL: Who told you that?


    MOONIE: I¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­


    JACKAL: Humans are funny, always thinking they know everything.


    The jackal begins to walk away again. Moonie blocks its path.


    MOONIE: Please. Help me. Help us get home.


    The jackal hesitates, then lets out a yowl.


    JACKAL: Fine. I suppose I don¡¯t want to give up yet.


    MOONIE: Thank gods. Okay, so what do we do?


    JACKAL: Ares and I practiced the art of blending the worlds. I know the magic, but¡­ Ares is in disarray. I can¡¯t pass through a portal in the state I¡¯m in.


    MOONIE: So, how do we fix that?


    JACKAL: ¡­you¡¯ll have to be the one to pass through, and then you¡¯ll have to get to my body and connect to the spirit world so I can travel through you.


    MOONIE: Okay¡­ except, I don¡¯t know the magic to connect to the spirit world.


    JACKAL: And I don¡¯t know where to find a portal, but wherever it is, it¡¯s not here. Come on, follow me, and try to keep up. Use your magic to propel you forward. We have to move fast if we¡¯re going to make it in time.


    *?? ??*????*


    A day passes in the human world. Back at the castle, everything is high stress. While Minerva and Kur pour over maps in the strategy room, Set, Primrose and servants work on finding Danielle. Icarus bumps into Primrose as she heads outside for fresh air.


    ICARUS: Ah, Princess. Haven¡¯t seen you all day.


    PRIMROSE: Any word?


    ICARUS: No-one¡¯s seen them. Horus, Moonie and Ares all still missing. Minerva and Kur have sent out one lot of troops, the rest will be out looking before nightfall. No more word on Danielle?


    PRIMROSE: Nothing. It¡¯s like she vanished. She can¡¯t have gone far¡ª


    ICARUS: It¡¯s alright, calm down. Everyone is out looking for them. Someone will show up, soon. I¡¯m going to go have a steam to calm down. Want to come?


    PRIMROSE: No, I should keep looking. Thanks anyway.


    ICARUS: Alright, well¡­ just be careful. I know you¡¯re worried about Danielle and Ares, but you have a tribe of people back home who are relying on you to return one day. Gods know that if you don¡¯t look after yourself out here, no-one else will. Alright?


    PRIMROSE: ¡­sure.


    Icarus nods and goes back inside. Primrose sighs and slumps against the wall. Minerva comes out a moment later.


    MINERVA: Oh, hi, Primrose.


    PRIMROSE: Minerva¡­ what¡ª


    MINERVA: I don¡¯t have anything comforting to say, if that¡¯s what you¡¯re looking for.


    PRIMROSE: Right. Of course not.


    The two women stand in silence for a moment before Primrose looks over at the bruise on Minerva¡¯s neck.


    PRIMROSE: How¡¯s your neck?


    MINERVA: Hm? Oh. It¡¯s fine.


    PRIMROSE: Right. A father beating his children is totally fine.


    MINERVA: You¡¯re awfully brave to say that out loud without at least looking around first.


    PRIMROSE: Your father doesn¡¯t scare me.


    MINERVA: He should.


    ¡­it¡¯s my own fault. I knew he¡¯d react like this if he ever found out.


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯m sorry. I couldn¡¯t imagine someone telling me I couldn¡¯t swim again.


    MINERVA: If someone did banish you from swimming, would it stop you?


    PRIMROSE: ¡­no?


    MINERVA: Exactly. He¡¯s too late to stop me now, anyway. I¡¯m almost ready to leave.


    PRIMROSE: Leave? Where are you going?


    MINERVA: ¡­keep a secret?


    PRIMROSE: Of course.


    MINERVA: I¡¯m going up Dragon¡¯s Peak.


    PRIMROSE: ¡­you what? Isn¡¯t that like, extremely dangerous? One of the most treacherous mountains in all of Cragg?


    MINERVA: Yup. It¡¯ll be hard work, but if I can find even one dragon scale, I¡¯ll be able to make any potion imaginable.


    PRIMROSE: ¡­it¡¯s your turn to keep a secret.


    MINERVA: Okay?


    PRIMROSE: Remember what Icarus said about Danielle being a gossip? Well¡­ she¡¯s overheard some interesting things. One of them being that the servants are starting to lose their patience with Kur. Now, it isn¡¯t my place to go around undermining your father whatsoever, but if you needed help standing up to him¡­ I daresay they¡¯d be willing to help. And silently, too.


    MINERVA: Stand up to him? How, exactly?


    PRIMROSE: I imagine there are already some ideas floating around.


    MINERVA: Wow. You¡¯ve got more backbone than I originally thought.


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯m an empress, remember?


    MINERVA: Mm¡­ you said some of the servants are losing their patience? Who were they?


    PRIMROSE: I shouldn¡¯t say. But I¡¯ll bet you could guess.


    MINERVA: ¡­interesting.


    PRIMROSE: Well, I should go keep looking. Danielle is still missing.


    MINERVA: Oh, yeah, I forgot about her.


    PRIMROSE: Look after yourself, Minerva. Because apparently, around here, if you don¡¯t look after yourself, no-one else will. Bye.


    Primrose walks off. Minerva watches her go then returns her gaze to the mountains. After a while, she pulls herself off the wall and heads around the side of the castle towards the kitchens. The door is open, and she stands outside to listen for a moment. All she can hear is chatter about food or Danielle. Eventually, she moves away and heads towards the annex. Once she¡¯s there, she pages Osprey, and wanders the entryway looking at artwork while she waits for him. She¡¯s just examining a portrait of ¡®Ston when Osprey finally comes in.


    OSPREY: Yes, my lady?


    MINERVA: It¡¯s been over twenty-four hours since Ares left. You must be really worried.


    OSPREY: ¡­yes, my lady.


    MINERVA: How old was Ares when we hired you? Like, seven?


    OSPREY: Yes, my lady.


    MINERVA: And now he¡¯s twenty-five. That¡¯s a long time to know and care for someone.


    OSPREY: ¡­


    MINERVA: And you¡¯ve known Horus even longer than that. You were his first friend. Thanks to that, you also had a major hand in raising Set, right? And you and I¡­ we¡¯ve¡­ been around, I guess¡­


    OSPREY: Forgive me, Minerva, but where are you going with this?


    MINERVA: We don¡¯t know where Ares or Horus are. The only two people capable of fighting back against my father are missing. I¡­can¡¯t cope with that idea, Osprey.


    ¡­I know you¡¯ve been plotting against my father.


    OSPREY: I¡ª what?!


    MINERVA: It¡¯s alright. I¡¯ve been plotting against him, too.


    OSPREY: My lady, I swear, I haven¡¯t¡ª


    MINERVA: Shush. You¡¯re a wonderful employee, and I have no intention of punishing you in the slightest. And don¡¯t worry, I know you wouldn¡¯t have started all this talk¡­ your brother, though?


    OSPREY: My lady, please¡­


    MINERVA: Stop panicking. You aren¡¯t in any trouble. I just want to talk. If, by a sick twist of fate, being Baron ends up my responsibility¡­ well, I want to be prepared. And I need to have allies on my side.


    Come on, let¡¯s go for a walk. We can look for Ares and discuss some things at the same time.


    OSPREY: What¡­what is there to discuss? Your father¡ª


    MINERVA: Isn¡¯t as indestructible as people say. I know he murdered Freyja. I can¡¯t prove it, but I know he did. Who knows what else he¡¯s capable of? Come on, walk with me. I¡¯m leaving soon, and I have a task for you while I¡¯m away.


    *?? ??*????*


    Another day passes. Horus uses his elemental powers to bury the bodies, and pays those who remain to stay quiet about what they saw. Moving Ares into one of the houses, Horus tends to the body as best he can, keeping it hydrated as it groans and stares aimlessly at nothing.


    Somewhere not too far away, hidden in a valley, Moonie appears suddenly through a portal. Gasping and wheezing, she clutches at her chest for a moment as she gazes around, readjusting back to reality. Once she¡¯s caught her breath, she immediately heads for high ground to get her bearings. It¡¯s well past midday before she finds somewhere familiar, and close to sunset by the time she makes it back to the town with Horus. She sprints, sweat pouring from her forehead, and doesn¡¯t stop until she¡¯s in the middle of town, where she begins screaming for Horus. He rushes outside.


    HORUS: Moonie! You¡¯re¡ª


    MOONIE: Where¡¯s the body? Is it still alive?


    HORUS: Yes. But¡ª


    MOONIE: Take me to him.


    Horus leads Moonie immediately to Ares. Moonie stands over the bed, puffing.


    MOONIE: How is he?


    HORUS: Not good. I¡¯d say twelve more hours until his organs give up.


    MOONIE: Yeah. His spirit was really starting to feel unwell on the other side.


    Moonie kneels down beside the bed and grabs at Ares¡¯s hand. Horus kneels beside her.


    HORUS: You¡­ you were with him on the other side?


    MOONIE: Yes. We killed Lumos. Turns out, Lumos was an evil spirit who has been haunting Ares since he was a teenager. He was almost possessed, but¡­sounds like you saved him.


    HORUS: Not this time, though.


    MOONIE: Don¡¯t beat yourself up. If we hadn¡¯t arrived when we did, he would have died in combat with Lumos. Now, we have a chance.


    HORUS: He hasn¡¯t found his way home yet.


    MOONIE: That¡¯s because he¡¯s waiting for me to open a portal.


    HORUS: You know how to do that?


    MOONIE: Not exactly¡­ even if I could figure it out, it¡¯s not something I can do in this state. I¡¯m¡­going to need to borrow some of your soul.


    HORUS: What about the dangers of soul lending?


    MOONIE: They¡¯re still dangerous. But this is our only hope of saving him.


    HORUS: Then, let¡¯s not waste more time. Come here.


    Horus pulls Moonie into an embrace. She clutches him tightly. Slowly, their souls begin to glow. As their breath and hearts begin to sync, the colour from Horus slowly drains into Moonie. As the power reaches her, she removes her hands from his back and begins to conjure behind him. Horus keeps himself pressed firmly against her. It takes a long time, with spirits leaking in and out of the human world as she works, before Moonie is able to reach Ares on the other side. Linking souls together, Moonie rips him from the spirit world, dragging the spirit of Ares back to earth where it settles back into the body. When Ares blinks back into consciousness, Moonie and Horus are still embracing and in a trance.


    ARES: ¡­Horus?


    Horus lets go of Moonie immediately. The colours drain away much more suddenly than they appeared, leaving Moonie shocked. Horus wraps his arms tight around Ares.


    HORUS: Ares. Are you okay? Are you all here?


    ARES: Y¡­yeah. I¡¯m all here. I¡¯m so sorry¡ª


    HORUS: Shh. Don¡¯t apologise. It¡¯s okay.


    MOONIE: I feel lightheaded. Did I really just do that?


    ARES: That was¡­weird. I remember what happened, but it doesn¡¯t feel real¡­ Horus! Are you okay?


    The colour has drained from Horus¡¯s face. He tries to stand but can¡¯t bring himself upright.


    HORUS: I think I¡¯m going to be sick.


    MOONIE: That¡¯s a side effect from soul lending. We should get you home.


    HORUS: No.


    ¡­I¡¯m not climbing down that mountain. It¡¯s too steep.


    ARES: ¡­We¡¯ll help you. It¡¯ll be okay. I¡­I can¡¯t stay here. Not after what I¡ª


    HORUS: I cleared it up with the townspeople.


    ARES: Paying them won¡¯t make them forget what I did to their families.


    MOONIE: Now isn¡¯t the time for fear or morals. All three of us need medical attention, the sooner the better. Come on.


    *?? ??*????*


    The return of Ares, Moonie and Horus is emotional. After hugs and tears, all three are admitted to the infirmary. Moonie bounces back quickly, whereas Ares and Horus take a bit longer. After Horus returns to his room to rest, Icarus comes to find him.


    ICARUS: You saved the day. Again.


    HORUS: It wasn¡¯t me. It was Moonie.


    ICARUS: Whatever. I need to talk to you about something. I know this isn¡¯t a good time, but I wasn¡¯t sure who else to tell.


    HORUS: What is it?


    ICARUS: Can you walk? I¡¯d sooner show you.


    Icarus leads Horus out. They head downstairs and towards the dungeon. Horus glares at Icarus.


    HORUS: How did you get access to down here?


    ICARUS: A knight has his ways. Come on.


    As they pass through the tunnels, Horus becomes more agitated.


    HORUS: What have you been doing down here?


    ICARUS: Well¡­ we needed blood. To give to Ares, you know, to help heal from the arcane madness. Only¡­


    HORUS: It wasn¡¯t arcane madness. It was a possession.


    ICARUS: Yeah. Well, anyway, I came down here to harvest some for myself, and as I was wandering, I found¡­


    Icarus stops and gestures. Danielle¡¯s body lies decaying and mangled, tucked away in one of the abandoned cells.


    HORUS: Fuck. What happened?


    ICARUS: ¡­I can guess.


    HORUS: You fed Ares soul blood, he got a taste for it, and murdered his wife¡¯s best friend to get some?


    ICARUS: Yeah¡­ sorry.


    HORUS: Not yet you aren¡¯t. What are we supposed to do?


    ICARUS: Isn¡¯t dealing with bodies, like, your specialty?


    HORUS: We cannot let Primrose find out Ares did this.


    ICARUS: I figured. That¡¯s why I came to speak to you instead of just announcing it.


    HORUS: ¡­We¡¯ll wait until everyone¡¯s gone to bed. You up for helping me move her?


    ICARUS: Of course. What¡¯s family for?


    *?? ??*????*


    A couple more days pass. Despite still not being completely better, it¡¯s finally time for Ares and Moonie to depart for Capital. The family gather outside to say goodbye.


    HORUS: Write to us. As often as you can.


    ARES: I don¡¯t know how often I¡¯ll get a chance, but¡­ I will.


    SET: It wasn¡¯t arcane madness. That means you¡¯ll be okay, right?


    ARES: I hope so, little guy. If I¡¯m not back before you leave for the academy¡­ well, good luck. You¡¯ll do great.


    SET: That¡¯s if I can pass my exams.


    ARES: You will. If I can, you can. Come here.


    Ares gives Set and Horus a big hug before turning to Minerva.


    ARES: I heard a secret about you. Be careful, whatever you end up doing, yeah?


    MINERVA: I will. You be careful, too. I¡¯ll be thinking of you every day.


    ARES: Thanks. And thanks for all the protective charms and potions. Look after yourself.


    Ares hugs Minerva before finally turning his attention to Primrose. He wraps her in a tight hug for a long time. Meanwhile, Horus approaches Moonie, who is standing to the side.


    HORUS: Thank you, again. For saving him.


    MOONIE: Of course. I love Ares. I love all of you. I¡¯ll do my best to look after him while we¡¯re gone.


    HORUS: ¡­please look after yourself, too. You¡¯re a nightmare, but¡­you¡¯ll always be family.


    Horus gives her an awkward pat on the back and moves away. Ares finally pulls away from Primrose.


    ARES: I¡¯m so, so sorry again this is all happening.


    PRIMROSE: It isn¡¯t your fault.


    ARES: You know, no-one would blame you if you wanted to go back to Tijora. If I live, I can write to you once I¡¯m home¡­


    PRIMROSE: I¡¯ll be here waiting, Ares. Don¡¯t you worry about me. I love you.


    ARES: I love you, too. Are you sure you¡¯ll be okay without Osprey? I can make do without him.


    PRIMROSE: No, you¡¯re still not well. You need someone to make sure you get to the capital in one piece. I¡¯ll be fine.


    ARES: ¡­I¡¯m sorry about Danielle.


    PRIMROSE: Yeah¡­ I just don¡¯t understand it. Why did she go exploring the mountains by herself?


    ARES: ¡­I guess we¡¯ll never know.


    MOONIE: Hey, Ares, we¡¯d better get going if we want somewhere safe to camp.


    ARES: Yeah, okay.


    Ares gives Primrose another hug and a long kiss before finally turning his attention to Kur.


    ARES: Bye, dad. I¡¯ll do my best to make you proud.


    KUR: The queen wants to break us down. Prove it can¡¯t be done.


    ARES: I will.


    Ares gives him a nod, then finally mounts his goat. With a long look at everyone he¡¯s leaving behind, finally he, Moonie and Osprey kick their goats into gear and head towards the capital. The family watch after him until he¡¯s out of sight. A small sob escapes Set¡¯s throat. Kur grunts.


    KUR: Get used to it, Set. Once you¡¯re a knight, there will be many people you say goodbye to knowing full well they¡¯re on their way to die. I¡¯m going back to work. Horus, are you coming?


    HORUS: ¡­yes, father.


    Horus and Kur head back inside. Primrose wipes away her tears and sighs heavily.


    PRIMROSE: Well¡­ I should go write to my father. It¡¯s been a while, and a lot has happened. Bye.


    Primrose leaves too. Minerva eyes Set.


    MINERVA: Hey¡­are you okay?


    SET: Yeah. Whatever.


    MINERVA: ¡­let me ask you something. On mama¡¯s birthday, when dad attacked you¡­ do you think he really would have blinded you? Like, if I hadn¡¯t come in?


    SET: ¡­why are you asking me this?


    MINERVA: Just tell me.


    SET: ¡­yes. I¡¯m scared he might have.


    Minerva shoots a glance at Augustus who is waiting to the side. Though staring straight ahead, she can tell he¡¯s listening to every word.


    MINERVA: Hmm. Sorry. Why don¡¯t you go tend to the dogs for a while?


    SET: Why do I get the feeling you¡¯re going to leave?


    MINERVA: Because I am. Don¡¯t tell dad or Horus. Can I borrow your page for a minute?


    SET: ¡­why?


    MINERVA: Mind your own business. Go on, get out of here.


    Set eyes her warily but wanders off. Minerva waves Python away, leaving just her and a suddenly very concerned looking Augustus.


    AUGUSTUS: Can¡­can I help you, my lady?


    MINERVA: Yes. Did Osprey talk to you?


    ¡­you don¡¯t have to go mute on me. You¡¯re not in trouble¡­at least, not yet.


    AUGUSTUS: I don¡¯t know how to access Marsden¡¯s files. And I wouldn¡¯t even know what to look for if I did.


    MINERVA: You¡¯ll find a way. Think of it as your life depending on it. And regarding what to look for¡­ well. I need some copies of some private documents. The kind my father might not want people having access to.


    AUGUSTUS: What for?


    MINERVA: Insurance. Just do your job, servant. And watch where you talk from now on. If Horus knew what you¡¯ve been saying, you¡¯d be dead on the rocks already.


    Minerva walks off. Augustus reels for a moment before wandering into the kitchens, where Tiger is working.


    TIGER: They left, then?


    AUGUSTUS: ¡­yeah. Ares is gone. And we¡­ we have a new problem.


    *?? ??*????*


    Upstairs, Horus and Kur stand by the window in his study.


    KUR: ¡­you¡¯re unusually quiet.


    HORUS: My brother just left to die. Why shouldn¡¯t I be quiet?


    KUR: I was expecting another speech about wanting to kill the queen.


    HORUS: ¡­it wasn¡¯t enough to send him to Tijora. She had to send him to death, too. She won¡¯t stop, father. Not until we¡¯re all dead and Icarus ¡ª or maybe one of her nieces ¡ª can take over Cragg.


    KUR: We can¡¯t fight her, Horus. We¡¯ll never be able to. The power of stone is eternal.


    HORUS: Right.


    ¡­It was Freyja¡¯s birthday yesterday. No-one mentioned it.


    KUR: Was it? Well, there¡¯s been a lot going on. We can acknowledge her next year.


    HORUS: ¡­I hate you, dad. I really do.


    KUR: Is this about her death?


    HORUS: Yes. You killed her. You threw her so hard that she died.


    KUR: I thought she was a true daughter of ¡®Ston, with bones that are unbreakable, like you. I didn¡¯t know she¡¯d be so fragile. I apologised then, and I¡¯m still sorry now. Her death was a tragedy. I¡¯m sorry we missed her birthday. Next year, Horus, I promise, we¡¯ll acknowledge her.


    ¡­go lie down for a while. I suppose you¡¯ve earned a break. When you¡¯re ready, come back to work. And leave your emotions behind.


    Horus glares at him but walks off all the same. Kur sighs and turns to face the room. The fireplace sits quiet and empty. With a simple flick of the wrist, Kur sends a ball of fire at it, setting it ablaze in an instant. Kur stares, transfixed, as the image of Eleanor dances among the flames.


    END OF BOOK 1.