ă€Š8 Chronicles: Edenă€‹


 Prologue

    The smoking, boiling ruins of Inari could be seen from the nearest Vulpen Island, Crescent, a jungle of ancient trees with two urban spaces: a marketplace on the harbor of the bay and the slope that led up to Castle Moondial.

    Built and carved into the stone at the highest point on the island, Castle Moondial towered over the rest of Crescent and cast a long shadow on the ocean below. Outside the castle, a crowd cheered wildly as Rafael Avalyn yelled a battle cry.

    Rafael was only fourteen, yet he had a strange magnetism. The audience held their breath as he attacked his opponent, feinted, parried, then danced around, spinning his staff beautifully.

    The sun was high and bright. The ocean breeze, cool and refreshing.

    Above the square and crowd, on a balcony built into the castle wall, sat Crescent''s stewarding family. They could see the entire island of Crescent from their seats.

    Steward Arthur Avalyn wanted to watch his son compete, but his attention was needed elsewhere. Captain Reynard was escorting an unfamiliar guest to the shaded balcony Arthur shared with his daughters Morgan and Lyn and his mother Henrietta. Only Arthur and Morgan stood to greet the man. Lyn was young enough, and Henrietta was old enough, to get away with remaining seated.

    "Welcome to Crescent, Good Brother. We''re honored by your presence," said Steward Avalyn. Captain Reynard stepped back to observe.

    Brother Timothy was short and gaunt, with strawberry blonde hair and black robes. A simple-looking man, except for the eye. His left eye was a vertical slit, like a cat''s eye. It had a soul-chilling effect, like looking into the eye of a killer.

    "The pleasure is all mine, Steward Avalyn," said Timothy with a grin, and Arthur believed it. Expectancy lit Brother Timothy''s face. The man was ecstatic, eerily so. They held hands in greeting, and a chill ran through Arthur''s body like ice down an empty stomach.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    "Yourˇ­ arrival takes me by surprise, Good Brother. Of course, accommodations will be prepared. Perhaps you wish to retire before we discuss this new change in policy?" Steward Avalyn offered, hoping the good brother would leave so Arthur could cheer for his son. Arthur heard the audience groan in unison but stayed focused.

    "No, not at all. I insist on watching the show," said Timothy.

    Morgan vacated her seat for the Good Brother and moved to sit beside her grandmother.

    Timothy dropped into Steward Avalyn''s right-hand seat with pomp, still grinning. "I''ve been looking forward to this conversation. I''m here to inform you that the Lord Father assigned me to be your new Holy Advisor and your children''s new governor."

    Arthur''s response was immediate and well-rehearsed. "Of course, I bow to the wisdom of the Holy Father. Might I ask, why now?" Steward Avalyn chose his words carefully. "I only ask that I might serve Him better."

    The good brother remained silent, staring into Avalyn''s eyes with a grin. Arthur glanced toward his son and saw Rafael was in the corner.

    "Dutiful of you," Timothy quipped finally, demanding Arthur''s attention again. "It''s the Lord Father''s wish that all five Islands of Vulpex be consolidated into a single domain with a single emissary. Rafael is being considered for that position. I''m here to determine if he is deserving and, if he is, advise him."

    "That''s-- wow! That''s wonderful. We''ll prepare your room for an extended stay, then?"

    "I suspect I''ll stay here for the rest of my life," Timothy grinned.

    Arthur turned again to watch his son nimbly spin in the air, with the tip of his staff barely striking his opponent''s hand, breaking several bones. The man''s staff fell to the floor, and Rafael knocked it out of the square.

    Captain Reynard''s voice magickt in Arthur''s ear, "He''s trying to provoke a reaction out of you. We need to find out what he knows. I''ll send Apple to spy on him."

    "Excellent," Arthur cheered, but his mind was preoccupied. Good Brother Timothy was a snake if ever there was one, and Arthur invited the snake into his home! Not that he had a choice in the matter. Refusing an emissary of the Holy Father was suicide. The only response available to him was gratitude and humility. He hated it. Timothy''s smug smile burned into Arthur''s mind like an ugly brand.

    Meanwhile, the crowd below was chanting Rafael''s name. He won.

 Chapter 1 - The Serpent

    The crowd surrounding the square erupted in cheers of jubilee. Crescent hadn''t won the Perigee Tournament since before Rafael was born, and to be victorious at only fourteen years old was a remarkable achievement.

    Everyone was ecstatic. Well, almost everyone.

    Gwendolyn Avalyn, Lyn to her family, was in many ways a typical 8-year-old. She had been sitting for several hours and grown restless as the tournament dragged on. Whenever her brother fought, Lyn got excited, but the final match was over, and Lyn was eager to leave.

    It was Apple''s duty to take care of, manage, and interpret for Lyn, and she was devoted, not that Apple had a choice in the matter. Apple was a capuchin monkey familiar, given a higher sentience by Godfather Adam Himself.

    Some creatures spent their lives wondering about their purpose in life, but not Apple. She was blessed and cursed to know precisely why: to serve the Avalyn family and interpret for Lyn.

    Apple was given to Lyn when the girl was just two years old. When Godfather Adam heard news that Lyn had been born deaf, He created Apple to be Lyn''s lifelong companion.

    Steward Avalyn graciously declined, but the Godfather insisted. Apple would be Lyn''s teacher and interpreter, and that was the end of discussion. Steward Avalyn could say nothing more but offer his gratitude for such a generous gift. After all, no one else on the island of Crescent could afford a familiar.

    Although today, a few wealthy visitors brought their familiars with them. By accessing the Aether, Apple could ''remember'' their memories. The Aether connected Apple to every familiar on Eden and to their memories, knowledge, and experiences, living or dead. When Apple first arrived on Crescent six years ago, Steward Avalyn forbade her from sharing her memories. But Apple could still access the public memories of other familiars.

    Presently, Apple was trying to distract her ward by describing the memory of a visiting lion familiar who witnessed a man falling face-first onto a pile of horse manure. Lyn chuckled at the story but kept glancing nervously at the Good Brother seated next to her father. Something about him clearly upset her.

    Apple told Lyn not to worry, but the stranger had a malevolent aura about him that made Apple''s fur rise. Something about the creepy smile that never left his face.

    ''The tournament is over,'' Lyn signed. ''Let''s go play in the garden.''

    Apple could think of no compelling reason to stay, so she told Lyn''s grandmother Henrietta their plan, then followed Lyn as she snuck quietly away. No one would question their sudden absence. It was Lyn''s prerogative to disappear for hours at a time. She was a wild, solitary child, prone to emotional outbursts. Most of the castle staff ignored her. And though her family loved her unreservedly, they were so busy with matters of state and duty that they rarely had time for Lyn.

    Consequently, Apple was more than simply Lyn''s servant and interpreter. She was Lyn''s best friend, her ever-present shadow, and even a surrogate mother. It was a responsibility Apple cherished dearly.

    They ran downstairs and crossed the castle courtyard to reach the garden. It was lush, beautifully maintained, and several acres wide, with tall trees and an array of native flowers. Bees and butterflies filled the air and flew out of reach of the island princess.

    Lyn was in high spirits again, far from the unnerving, smiling stranger. She spun in circles and laughed, basking in her sweet return to freedom and relative solitude. The bright sun made her short black hair shine like onyx. Lyn''s dress, a formal blue-green skirt, spun around her, aloft in the breeze, as if it might lift and carry her away, a flower petal on the wind.

    She stopped and looked at Apple; a pure, child-like grin lit her face. ''Let''s play Hide and Seek,'' she demanded. ''Close your eyes and count to 20, then come find me.''

    Hide and Seek was one of Apple''s favorite games. Despite her vast intelligence and magical sophistication, she was still an animal and loved to hunt and play. They played several rounds, taking turns, finding each other in trees, behind bushes, and under garden supplies. In time they grew hungry, and Lyn decided they should sneak into the kitchen for supplies.

    Stealing food from the kitchen was another game they often played. They knew every corner of Castle Moondial, every secret path and shortcut - or at least, they thought they did. One such hidden passage led to the kitchen.

    Lyn and Apple waited patiently until the guards had passed, then darted down the hallway, stopping abruptly to open a small grate before crawling into the small, dark opening in the wall. It was built to allow fresh air to flow to the deepest rooms of the castle, but they were small enough to fit. As she crawled on her hands and knees, Lyn calmly brushed a mouse aside and more than one spider out of her hair.

    They turned several times, having memorized the labyrinthine paths of this particular crawl space long ago. Finally, they saw the lights of the kitchen shining before them, like the sun at the end of a tunnel. They looked out into a spacious room lit by an enormous fire.

    The cooks and kitchen staff were hard at work preparing the feast Steward Avalyn had ordered for Rafael''s celebration. Delicious smells of cooked meats, vegetables, and sweet and savory desserts filled the air and made both Apple and Lyn''s mouths water. Apple had her eyes on a fruit torte, and Lyn pointed at a pecan pie with a greedy expression. But, of course, they couldn''t simply grab their spoils. They needed a proper diversion. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    Together they carefully removed the grate that separated them from their objectives. They were beneath a chopping table. The kitchen staff were all busy at their tasks. Now comes the challenging part. If they failed, Lyn''s father would be angry and send them to bed without dinner. It was all or nothing. Apple would provide the distraction while Lyn stole the food.

    Apple waited patiently and chose her moment carefully. When she was sure no one was looking, she dashed out from their hiding spot to slide under the center table where the chefs were preparing food. It was cramped, even for her, so she crawled on her belly to the other side of the room and waited once more for the perfect moment to strike.

    Several minutes passed, but her opportunity presented itself in the form of a young assistant. He entered the kitchen with his arms full of clean pots and pans. He couldn''t see the ground at his feet, so Apple jumped out from under the table and screeched in agony as if he had stepped on her tail. The young man jumped and hollered in surprise, dropping one of the pans in his arms, making a loud clamor, and surprising the entire kitchen.

    "Be careful!" Apple yelled at the poor boy, who turned bright red in the face and profusely apologized, looking confused and a little scared. Apple felt a stab of pity for the boy, who would no doubt be reprimanded, but not too severely. She ran out the door before anyone could say another word and sprinted down the hallway to where Lyn would surely be waiting with their spoils.

    She found Lyn next to the grate opening with a mouthful of pecan pie, two fruit tortes, and an enormous grin on her pecan-smeared face. Lyn even nabbed a fistful of caramel crickets, a favorite of Apple''s, and together they munched happily, laughing all the while.

    "Apple!" Someone shouted. Apple looked up to see Captain Reynard marching toward them with purpose. At first, Apple thought they would be reprimanded for stealing from the kitchens, but Reynard didn''t seem to care about their stash of desserts.

    "I have a task for you," he said. Apple began interpreting Captain Reynard''s words, but he told her to stop. This would be a secret mission, and Lyn didn''t need to know. Apple felt confused and uncomfortable but did as she was told, as always.

    But in all her life, Apple had never failed to interpret anyone''s speech for Lyn. Not doing so now felt like a terrible betrayal. Everyone ignored Lyn from time to time, but never Apple. The young girl reacted in anger, charging Captain Reynard and beating him with her tiny fists, but he hardly seemed to notice. The captain simply grabbed her arm and held her away from him, firmly, not with cruelty, but without question. Lyn tried to break away, but his grip was like steel. She jerked violently in vain, then, from the bottom of her lungs, she summoned an angry, frustrated shriek.

    Captain Reynard waved his hand and cast a spell to silence the girl, then resumed addressing Apple, ignoring Lyn. Apple watched helplessly, knowing Lyn felt violated, ignored, and silenced.

    Rage and passion swelled in Lyn''s tiny body until it found a new form of release. All the candles and lights around them began to brighten. When Lyn realized she was releasing her fury, she doubled her efforts to punish Apple and Reynard. The lights became blinding. Reynard raised his arms to cover his eyes, but still, it shined through. Then, as quickly as it began, it stopped, and Lyn collapsed in exhaustion.

    A full minute passed as Apple and Reynard blinked the stars out of their eyes, having been briefly blinded by the light''s intensity. Once he could see again, Reynard removed the silence spell from Lyn and carried her up to her bed. Then he examined her as if seeing her for the first time. Finally, Reynard pulled a chair next to Lyn''s bed and began to sign directly to her, something he had rarely done before.

    ''I am impressed,'' Reynard signed. ''Not many humans can wield magic, let alone 8-year-olds.''

    Lyn managed a weak smile.

    ''You depleted your mana when you brightened the lights. Sleep is what you need now. When you wake up, maybe I''ll teach you how to do magic properly so you don''t exhaust yourself.''

    But Lyn was already asleep. As the captain left the little witch to rest, her familiar Apple snuck out the window, as she had been instructed.

    The perigee moon illuminated the outside wall. Apple leapt from branch to stone to branch along a complicated path. On the docks below, Apple saw bustling crowds of partiers celebrating the occasion. Apple shimmied along strategically placed foliage, then dropped behind the cliff wall into a secret tunnel.

    The entrance was cramped and riddled with dead-ends, but Apple knew the correct path. She had done this several times. She climbed until her tiny claws grabbed hold of a ledge and pulled herself up.

    A thin strand of light shined from behind a wall. A tiny pinhole revealed the inside of the room, elegantly decorated, with a crackling fireplace warming the air. Apple saw Brother Timothy standing in front of a large ornate mirror. But instead of a reflection shining back at him, it was the Father Almighty himself, Adam. Apple began to tremble.

    "The Avalyns are downstairs celebrating Rafael''s victory in the Perigee tournament. Presumably, they''ll be at it well into the night, so we aren''t likely to be interrupted." Apple was listening to the steely-smooth voice of Brother Timothy.

    Holy Father Adam didn''t respond. His ancient face betrayed nothing.

    Brother Timothy continued in a slow drawl. "I contacted you because when I landed on Crescent, I sensed Fae magic immediately. Spellworks permeate the island. I can''t determine the nature of the spells, but I can smell them in the air. This castle reeks of it."

    At this declaration, Adam took interest. "Remnants, perhaps, hiding out on an island at the farthest corner of the world." The Holy Father mused. "The loneliness must be unbearable. Miserable creatures. I should have been more thorough."

    "Well, you certainly tried your best," said Timothy derisively. The audacity! To speak so flippantly to the Holy Father! "But evidence of fae magic isn''t definitive proof that the Avalyns are conspiring against you."

    Adam paused for a moment. "There''s a familiar hiding in the wall, spying on our conversation. Seize it."

    Brother Timothy turned to face the wall where Apple was hiding. She dived for the tunnel, but inexplicably, her body lurched sideways and broke through the wall. She screamed and squirmed, but all the same, she landed in Timothy''s calm, outstretched hand. Timothy''s other hand grabbed her head to snap her neck.

    Instead, he turned her to face her maker. Holy Father Adam considered her with dispassion. The jewel in Father Adam''s crown grew bright like a beacon, and Apple relaxed. She could neither move nor speak.

    "That''s better," said Adam. "Now we know they''re afraid. Why else would they send a spy?"

    "More to the point, what do you intend to do about it? Shall I kill it?" Timothy asked. Adam was silent. The jewel in his crown glowed horribly.

    "No need," Godfather said, finally. "Fix the wall and send the familiar back, unharmed. Feign ignorance." Adam looked into Apple''s eyes. The jewel shined ever brightly, and Adam''s orders flowed into her mind like the foundation of truth.

 Chapter 2 - The Spy

    Apple found herself in the castle hall as if walking from one dream into another. Moonlight shined brightly through the windows but couldn''t illuminate how she got here. Report back to Avalyn, she thought, but there was something else, too; something she mustn''t tell him, something she mustn''t think about, and she didn''t try.

    The door to Steward Avalyn''s private quarters was rustic and unadorned. Apple rapped her tiny knuckles against the dense slab of wood, summoning the faintest of sounds, struggling to be heard against the cacophony in the great hall. A celebration in honor of Rafael''s victory would likely last through the night.

    The door swung open, and Apple looked up to see the imposing form of Captain Reynard. The captain was strikingly handsome, with chiseled features and a broad, muscular physique.

    Apple hopped into the formal dignity of Arthur Avalyn''s office. The walls were scarcely decorated with images of historical significance. One painting, titled ''Wrath of Godfather,'' hung on the wall behind Steward Avalyn''s desk. It depicted Adam, armored, floating midair, his golden locks flowing angelically in the wind. In tragic and gorgeous detail, the painting conveyed devastation and sorrow, as a massive landmass was being swallowed by the ocean. Eden''s molten blood erupted, and massive tidal waves advanced to engulf it all. The Godfather appeared grief-stricken as He massacred countless thousands, but also determined.

    Steward Arthur Avalyn sat beneath the painting, looking skeptical. Captain Reynard shut the door and moved to stand at Arthur''s side.

    "You''ve been watching Brother Timothy for hours." The steward spoke with gravity, considering each word carefully. Arthur made no secret of his disdain for the monkey. He had an unreserved distrust of all familiars. Still, Lyn needed a translator and companion, and Arthur loved his weird daughter dearly. "What did you observe?" His head tilted barely.

    Apple tried to remember the last few hours but couldn''t. Her memories were shrouded in a dense fog. Then suddenly, unbidden, words flew from her lips.

    "Shortly after his arrival, Brother Timothy spoke with the Godfather in the guest mirror. Then he spent several hours in the castle records examining historical accounts. He was particularly interested in the Colonial Era."

    Steward Avalyn leaned forward with a hungry look in his eyes. "What did Timothy and Adam discuss?"

    "Timothy had suspicions that a fae had somehow survived the Cleansing and was hiding somewhere at the tournament." Apple was confused. Why would she say all that? Arthur, meanwhile, gave the little monkey his most rapt attention.

    "Has Timothy surmised the identity of the fae?" Arthur''s voice was deadly calm.

    "No. He detected trace evidence of fae spellwork, but there were too many people at the tournament to pin down. Godfather tasked Timothy with finding the fae fugitive, exterminating it, and bringing to justice anyone sheltering it."

    Steward Avalyn sat back in his chair and silently contemplated the familiar with unnerving intensity.

    "Did they discuss Rafael or a Vulpen Stewardship?" Arthur finally asked.

    "Yes. Brother Timothy had great praise for the combat prowess and popularity of Rafael. Godfather was optimistic that the Vulpen Islands would be in good hands." Apple said mindlessly. Arthur sat back in his chair, contemplative but seemingly satisfied.

    "Apple." Captain Reynard addressed her now. "I''m told familiars can access the memories of other familiars around Eden. Has any familiar seen Timothy? Are there memories of him? Who is he?"Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    Apple closed her eyes and let her mind slip into the Aether. She held the image of Brother Timothy in her mind, then released it into streams of cosmic consciousness that connected all familiars. Memories came to Apple like sudden inspiration.

    "Timothy was born in the capital," she told them. "When he was 8, an accident left him a simpleton. After that, his mother gave him to the Church. Timothy joined the seminary as soon as he recovered. That was 30 years ago. It seems he spent most of his life in the same church his mother left him. Most archived memories of Timothy are of him scrubbing floors and cleaning stables."

    "That makes no sense," Arthur interjected. "How did a simple peon become an emissary for the Godfather?" He watched as Apple''s eyes darted behind her eyelids as if she were dreaming.

    "There are no memories explaining his elevated status. Before his arrival today, the last archived memory of Timothy was four months ago, performing janitorial duties."

    Arthur and Reynard shared a meaningful glance.

    "Thank you, Apple," said the steward. "You''re dismissed. Return to Lyn."

    The monkey familiar curtsied cutely and retreated the way she entered.

    Steward Arthur Avalyn reached into his desk drawer and retrieved a cigar. "You want one?" he offered Captain Reynard.

    "Are we celebrating?" Reynard asked with dry insolence as he secured the door. Joyous celebrations could still be heard echoing down the castle halls. Arthur clipped his cigar and lit it smoothly, his cool unshaken.

    "Why shouldn''t we celebrate? Rafael will be Steward of Vulpex, and Adam hasn''t a clue." Arthur sat back in his chair and puffed with satisfaction. "Timothy''s on to you, but we can figure that out. Worst case scenario, we kill him and make it look like an accident. I think this is a good day."

    "It doesn''t make sense," Reynard said. "The monkey said Timothy was some brain-damaged orphan who spent his life behind church walls. Now, mysteriously, he''s a good brother with a mirror window to Adam himself. Either Timothy isn''t who he seems to be, or the familiar is lying."

    "They''re probably different people. The monkey confused him for a look-alike." Arthur set his cigar down and rose to walk to his cabinet. He poured two drinks and handed one to Reynard, a stiff honey mead mulled with ginger. "I think our more pressing concern is keeping you a secret," Arthur continued. "We need you far away from Timothy where he can''t trace your magic. We''ll bring you back after Timothy has been dealt with. There''s no need to change the plan now."

    Reynard drank his mead and ruminated. "Maybe you''re right. It''s a lucky thing I wasn''t discovered at the tournament, but it doesn''t matter what happens to me. If Timothy figures out what Rafael is, what he''s capable of... Adam will kill him and trap his soul forever. We lose everything."

    Arthur returned to sit pensively on his desk, smoke elegantly rising from his cigar. "We''ve taken every precaution possible where Rafael is concerned. He''s not the one presently in danger of getting us all caught. We need to get you out of sight. Go to Sanctuary. Leave tonight. Inform your mistress once you arrive. Speaking of, have you dreamt of Lilith lately?"

    Reynard sighed. "Not for many nights. A dream of her would put my mind at ease. This business with Brother Timothy makes me uneasy. I''ll go to Sanctuary, but I won''t sit and wait. Let me bring Lyn. She used magic today. I can teach her to control and harness her abilities. It''s the perfect opportunity. No one would know."

    Arthur''s head was swirling, and he steadied himself on his desk. Reynard put his hand on Arthur''s hand and addressed him directly. "Original Sin is progressing exponentially. There aren''t many humans left who can wield mana." Reynard paused to look at the painting over Arthur''s desk, ''Wrath of Godfather,'' in glorious and terrifying detail.

    "That''s what we''re up against. Mages are rare enough. We need to know what Lyn is capable of. She could prove invaluable."

    Arthur''s mind was reeling. Emma died giving birth to Lyn. Their marriage was arranged under the conditions of Vulpex''s surrender. He resented Emma for years, but they learned to love each other. When Emma died, Arthur was devastated. As such, he loved Lyn with precious affection, being the last link to his beloved. Letting her go so soon into the harsh and wild world tore at him. But Arthur was accustomed to grief. He knew what they were up against.

    "I suppose you''ll need mana for the road," Arthur relented.

    "If you want," Reynard replied, and Arthur nodded.

    "It would be nice... to see her again... before you go," he said softly.

    The air around Captain Reynard rippled like smoke over a fire, and in an instant, he was gone, and instead, Emma stood in front of Arthur once more. Tears filled his eyes, and a sad smile broke his lips as she leaned in to kiss him one last time.

 Chapter 3 - Crystal Caverns

    When Lyn woke up, Apple was missing. Lyn searched the usual places to no avail.

    All the workers were downstairs catering to visiting dignitaries. Captain Reynard couldn''t be found either, so Lyn was forced to ask her governess Dina, a mean older woman who knew only basic sign language.

    One might expect the governess of a deaf princess to sign (if not fluently, at least conversationally), but Apple had interpreted for Lyn since she was a baby, so Dina never bothered to improve her sign language.

    Moments such as these made Dina feel inadequate, and Dina was the type to resent others for her own negative emotions, lashing out from a place of resentment.

    Dina understood Lyn was asking for Apple, but she was signing so fast Dina couldn''t understand anything else.

    "Apple''s not here," Dina said while signing ''not here.''

    ''I know she''s not here! I don''t need you to tell me that. I need your help finding her.''

    Dina was getting irritated. The castle had countless interesting and foreign guests in attendance, and she was busy arguing with a child.

    "Go to your room," she ordered while pointing upstairs.

    Lyn became inconsolable. She started screaming, terrorizing the guests and staff until Dina carried her upstairs and locked her in her room.

    Lyn stormed across the carpeted floor like an angry tiger in a cage. She plotted her revenge with ruthless cunning, and when she wasn''t plotting, she howled like a wild wolf cut off from her pack.

    All that changed the instant Apple hopped cutely through the door. Lyn forgot her rage and tears in an instant and rushed to embrace her familiar. Trembling with emotion, Lyn explained how her governess would only sign that Apple was "not here."

    Apple groomed Lyn''s hair with her tiny fingers, nodding along to the story, but when Lyn asked where Apple had been, her familiar was slow to respond. The question confused Apple. She felt guilty but didn''t know why. She replied that Captain Reynard sent her on a mission, but she couldn''t say what it entailed. Being a child, Lyn was accustomed to that answer and didn''t press the issue.

    A pause hung over them as Apple removed a twig from Lyn''s hair. The girl was unwashed from their earlier adventures. Dirt and tree sap covered her hands, arms, and legs. Apple motioned for the girl to bathe, and her little princess marched obediently to the washroom. Apple helped her change in and out of the tub, all while telling Lyn stories. They spent more time laughing and goofing than bathing, but in a blink, they were finished. Party morsels were still being prepared and served downstairs, so Apple arranged for some to be brought up. As they waited, they built a pillow fort next to the window. Delicious foods brought from faraway places and made special for the Perigee Festival were brought to the door. Then together, they read from Captain Reynard''s list of required stories. Occasionally, Lyn would inquire about the text, and they would stop. Apple would explain patiently, utilizing the accumulated knowledge of the Aether to inform her answers, but the stories ended, and their fortress of linens and pillows offered no protection from the coming storm.

    Arthur announced himself and entered the room. Captain Reynard followed him like a shadow. The steward seemed uncharacteristically melancholy, though he wore a brave smile. His duties often kept him from his youngest daughter for days at a time. She ran toward him, with her short, messy hair bouncing wildly. Her face came alight, and she looked just like Emma. Arthur''s heart shattered, and not for the first time. All the moments he devoted to the revolution, he thought, moments wasted, not spent with Lyn. When would they see each other again? Anxiety gripped him, but Arthur was a man with a vision.

    Arthur knelt to face his daughter and brushed her cheek with singular affection. He signed that Lyn would leave tonight with Apple and Captain Reynard. They were to make a game out of it. No one could see them go. It was a secret.

    Lyn was perplexed. Why? she asked.

    Her father signed that Reynard would teach her to use magic, but it had to be done in secret. He told her, the ability to wield magic is a rare gift, and some might see her as a threat. So it would be best to keep her powers hidden until she had mastered them.

    Lyn asked to say goodbye to Morgan and Rafael before they left, but Arthur shook his head. He told her they were busy with matters of state, but she would see them again before long. It would only be for a short time. Lyn was about to press the issue, but Apple hopped forward and slipped her tiny hand into Lyn''s. The simple gesture of solidarity distracted Lyn from her sense of unease. She smiled and shrugged, and it was settled.

    Captain Reynard rushed forward to lift the little one off her feet and twirled her in the air. Lyn let out a goofy, artless laugh that raised everyone''s spirits. Reynard set her down, and together they quickly packed necessities. Lyn wasn''t a material child, so it was up to Apple to plan ahead. As Lyn and her familiar were getting ready to leave, Arthur and Reynard discreetly kissed and said their goodbyes.

    Arthur bid his daughter one final and loving goodbye. Then he turned and left to clear their path to the wine cellar. If they escaped undetected, no one would notice them gone for several hours, giving them ample time to get far away. They waited as Arthur directed the guards elsewhere. When enough time had passed, Reynard lifted Lyn''s travel bags with ease and motioned for the little witch to follow his lead.

    All the lights in the hall were put out, but silvery moonlight shined through the windows and bounced off dark, lacquered wooden walls and floors.

    Lyn felt the castle hum with activity. Her brother''s victory would be cause for celebration for many nights to come. Everyone would be in the great hall and intoxicated. It was an ideal night to make a secret getaway. Reynard stopped in front of a nondescript door, reached into his bag, and removed a key. He unlocked the door and opened it, motioning for Lyn to step through.

    She looked in and saw stairs descending into pitch blackness. Lyn''s heart quickened with excitement, and for the first time that night, fear. She pulled Apple down from her shoulder and held her close, taking comfort in her warmth and fur. Apple, in return, nuzzled her head against Lyn''s neck. She stepped slowly through the door, and Reynard followed and locked it behind them in a single graceful movement. Lyn didn''t see it because she was in complete darkness.

    A fearful noise rose in Lyn''s chest, not a scream so much as a whine, when suddenly, a spark of light swirled and coalesced into a ball of fire, illuminating the stairway. Reynard had summoned fire using magic! The fireball hovered elegantly over Reynard''s outstretched hand. Lyn was so impressed, she stifled her fears. She would learn this magic, she told herself, and she will not be afraid. Slowly, the fireball began to float downstairs, and they followed it.

    The stairs spiraled downward on and on. Lyn had no idea how far beneath the main floor they were. Her feet and shins were sore. She glanced behind to make sure Apple was close by. Eventually, the stairs bottomed out and opened into a large room without any windows. Reynard concentrated. The air around him radiated like air above a fire. The fireball grew brighter, like a little sun, illuminating a wine cellar. Fully stocked wine racks lined the walls alongside enormous wooden casks. The space was filled with barrels of wines and meads. Stewards of Castle Moondial must have been aging wine for generations.

    But Reynard wasn''t interested in the wine. He led them across the room with clear intention and stopped in front of the largest cask in the cellar, a massive oaken barrel. It touched the ceiling and was as wide as it was tall. Smaller barrels were stacked on shelves on either side of it. Reynard ran his hands along the side of the barrel until he found a groove, then pushed and pulled something until the barrel swung open like a door. The inside was empty, but on the floor was a small hole that opened to a narrow downward tunnel. It was large enough for Lyn to crawl through easily, but Reynard had to tie their luggage to his leg and squeeze through. Apple closed the barrel behind them and followed down the hole. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    As she crawled on her knees, Lyn wondered if it was morning yet. She had no idea how long they''d been descending. Dina would notice she was missing by morning. Lyn thought of her brother and sister, Raf and Morgan. Would they miss her? Would they hate her for not saying goodbye? The stone scraped her knees unforgivingly, and she felt tired and miserable. She looked up and saw the little sun float into a great empty room.

    Lyn squeezed through one last crevice and stumbled onto stone. Reynard and Apple followed, and together, they looked out into a darkness so vast it left them silent. The idea of disturbing anything slumbering in the dark filled Lyn with dread.

    Once more, the air around Reynard rippled, and his features seemed to blur and lose their detail. He fell to one knee and took several large breaths, but the ball of light grew brighter, and as it rose and floated forward, they looked out into an enormous cave system. It was larger than anything Lyn had seen before. Larger than Castle Moondial. Larger even than the cliff that Castle Moondial was built on. They had descended deeper than the shoreline of Crescent, under the ocean itself. The caves went on for days and days. The magnitude of the space settled on them as Reynard recovered his energy.

    The captain decided it would be best to rest before continuing. He dimmed the light to conserve energy and pulled out some water, nuts, and jerky from his pack. By the time they finished eating and making water, their eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and details of the cavern came into focus. Above them, thousands of glowworms twinkled like starlight in the dark. Giant crystal formations covered the cave walls, refracting light cast by the glowworms.

    They began their descent into the sparkling darkness, Reynard leading the way. Apple and Lyn walked side by side. It was the farthest Lyn had ever been from Castle Moondial. Her father loved her, but he treated her like a fragile thing like she was disabled. She resented it. Morgan was the only person who never made Lyn feel different or inadequate. By now, father would have told Morgan that she was gone. Would she miss her, Lyn wondered? She tried to put those thoughts aside. Lyn would learn to control magic, and no one would ever look at her with pity again. They would look at her with fear and awe. The thought made her brave.

    They hiked past towering crystal columns the size of ancient redwood trees. Even in the darkness, everything seemed to sparkle in rainbow colors. Buzzing insects flew by them at frantic intervals, drawn to Reynard''s firelight. More than once, Lyn screamed as a flying creature swooped down to devour a bug that flew too close. They passed a crystal column near enough to inspect it. Enormous green and purple phosphorescent mushrooms grew on the base and surface of the column. Lyn reached out to touch it, but Captain Reynard grabbed her arm forcefully and pulled her back from it.

    ''That would burn the flesh off your bones,'' Apple interpreted for the captain. ''The crystals were formed by acid. Mushrooms grow on the crystals. Bacteria feed on the mushrooms and secrete more acid, and insects eat the bacteria.'' Lyn leaned in and saw drops of dew-like liquid on the mushrooms fall to the cave floor and roll to flow into a small stream. They followed the acid stream for what felt like half a day. When they stopped to rest, the stream had become a river. More than once, Lyn saw translucent silvery crabs leap from the acid river to battle and devour cat-sized, roach-like insects.

    They stopped for a lunch of nuts and dried fruits, and when they were finished, Apple jumped into Reynard''s arms and interpreted his words for Lyn:

    ''It''s time to begin your lessons.''

    In a snap, Lyn was at silent, rapt attention. Reynard smiled and continued. ''Before you can use magic, you need to know what it is, where it comes from, and what it isn''t.

    ''The first thing to understand is that magic doesn''t come from nothing. It can''t create something out of nothing. The energy used to cast the spell has to come from somewhere. Witches and wiccans can either use their own quintessence, or they can use external mana. Both these options have risks, costs, and limitations.

    ''When you turned the lights up yesterday in the hall, you were using your quintessence; and as you experienced, eventually you run out, and you''re left exhausted. If you blunder a too-costly spell in battle, it''ll be your last mistake. That''s why it''s vital to know your limits.

    ''We''re going to use the other method: harvesting and harnessing the mana from our surroundings. This cave is teeming with life and potential, but even that has limits. Different environments have different properties, which determine what kinds of spells you can cast. If you draw too much mana from your environment, you can leave it barren and lifeless. Stones and minerals are among the safest mana sources, but natural objects have a slow yield. It can be decades or even centuries until a mineral vein refreshes its mana potential, which brings us to the next law of magic: everything has potential. Some things have more potential than others, but everything can be subject to change. How much potential a thing has depends on its environment and its position in that environment. For example, the glowworms hanging above us have great potential. At any given moment, any one of them could catch a fly or a bird in their traps. Or their grip could slip, and they could fall to the ground or into the acid. Or they could mate. Possibilities increase potential. The more possibilities, the more mana it can yield; in turn, the more powerful spells you can cast.

    ''But as I said before, there are limits and risks. You''re constrained by the potential in your immediate vicinity, and if you extract all the potential from something living, you''ll kill it. That should be avoided for several reasons that you will come to understand.

    ''For now, I want to close your eyes and imagine your mind opening and expanding. I want you to reach out and feel for the energy around you. Don''t worry if you don''t find it at first; it takes time and meditation. Clear your mind and surrender to a single thought. Concentrate on my firelight, and replicate it if you can. Do it now.''

    Lyn closed her eyes and reached out with her mind for Reynard''s firelight, but she wasn''t sure. She opened her eyes a couple times to see if anything happened, but Apple translated that Lyn needed to be calm and surrender to the cave. Feel the cave. She looked around for things to feel and saw a giant phosphorescent mushroom not far away. Lyn reached out for it, and she thought she felt something tangible. Her mind floated up to the glowworms suspended like twinkling, deadly pearls, and she sensed them, too. Then she concentrated on Captain Reynard''s firelight. She imagined pulling them to her and spinning a light of her own. A strange sensation took over Lyn, like warm water going down, but she didn''t stop or open her eyes. She felt depleted, but something else, too: terrible fear and pain. Glowworms fell dead from the ceiling to land on her arms and in her hair. She opened her eyes to cry out and saw that the mushroom she had sensed earlier was shriveled and dark. Bugs were dead on the ground beneath it and all around. Lyn even saw a dead bird. Its skin was pale and transparent. Its feathers were few, and it had no eyes. Instead, it had large ear-like horns where eyes would typically be. Lyn started to cry because she felt them die. She felt their fear and confusion, and it hurt. But shining above her, an orb swirled with colors of the lives she put out: a small sphere of purple, fire red, silver, and white. Lyn felt tired.

    Captain Reynard spoke again, and Apple interpreted:

    ''That was an excellent first effort. You took a lot of mana from living sources, but now you know why it''s better to avoid those sources. To harvest mana from living things, you have to feel them and feel what they feel. Regularly experiencing that kind of fear and pain does harm to a person''s mind. That''s why, if one does harvest mana from the living, it''s best to use restraint and moderation. Trust and consent make all the difference. Now I want you to concentrate on the nonliving sources. It''s harder, but there are ways to make it easier.

    ''Objects in motion have more energy than objects at rest. Try to concentrate on the river. It''s constantly moving. Imagine yourself grabbing hold of the river and threading it into your magelight. The river will make it brighter.''

    Lyn did as she was instructed and felt for the river. Concentrating on her light, she reached out and pulled. This time, she didn''t pull so hard all at once. Again, she felt something move through her, but it didn''t hurt this time. She opened her eyes and saw that her light was now a swirling orb of turquoise, fire red, purple, silver, and white, and larger than the captain''s formidable head. It shined beautifully in the dark, sparkling cavern. Captain Reynard smiled and dropped Apple. He turned, walked to a nearby crystal stalagmite, and broke off a crystal the size of his finger. Reynard returned and held up his hand toward Lyn''s magelight. He pulled the light into the crystal and handed it to Lyn. It shined brightly.

    Apple translated:

    ''Some objects can store mana, and crystals make excellent vessels. Even though you used mana from outside yourself, harnessing that mana still exacts a toll. It gets easier. With practice, your stamina will increase. Let''s rest for a while, and we''ll continue moving after you nap. All the energy you harvested today is stored in this crystal, and if you conserve it wisely, you can use this mana for a long time.''

    Lyn accepted the gift with a wide smile, grateful to take a nap. She put the crystal in her pocket, laid down, closed her eyes, and was out like a light.

 Chapter 4 - Morgan

    At only 16, Morgan towered over most people. Sometimes her height made her feel freakish, and it intimidated most men. They eyed her from around the great hall, sizing her up, judging her prospective value to them and their lineage. She hated them but wore a smile all the same. Morgan knew her duties to her family and her island, and she wasn''t the type to run or hide from responsibility.

    At the moment, that meant politely tolerating Baird Liath. The thirty-year-old son of Sapho''s steward, Baird, was nursing a broken rib acquired in an earlier match against Rafael. Baird was drinking heavily to dull the pain and humiliation, having lost to a teenager. But he was a good sport about it, congratulating Rafael, and never once making an excuse for himself. He seemed a decent man. Morgan simply wasn''t attracted to him. He was far from her worst option, though. She glanced across the room, wondering if Baird was the best of a bad situation, fearing he was. If she waited much longer, Godfather Adam would assign her a husband, probably somewhere far away on the continent of Garden. Morgan sipped her honey drink, smiling away the sinking feeling in her chest, wishing she could escape her fate.

    Mercifully, Milo Meiori appeared. Milo was a friend of the family, almost sixty and well-preserved, though his face was drawn with lines of frustration and fury. He had a distinguished black beard, gone grey in recent years, smiling warmly upon seeing her and interrupting Baird Liath.

    "Morgan, my dear girl, you''re a vision. A more radiant sight I''ve never seen." She smiled at the compliment and marveled at her gown. It was layered purple silk with gold trim, wrapped around her neck to leave her arms and shoulders bare. It hung down to nearly touch the floor. Her shining black hair had been braided up and secured with flowers. Indeed, she felt beautiful.

    Milo beamed and leaned to whisper something in Baird''s ear. The younger man appeared insulted, but Milo Meiori was once the Steward of Lona, the largest Vulpen Island after Crescent, and his voice was steeled with authority. Baird Liath bowed his head, said goodnight and walked away. Milo and Morgan shared a knowing smile. She trusted Milo but still felt uneasy.

    "I was looking for your father when I saw you in need of rescuing," Milo told her with a wink. "Have you seen him?

    "Not since the tournament," she said quietly. "Father met with someone during the final match. I''d never seen him before, but he wore good brothers'' robes. They stayed for a bit after Rafael''s victory, but I turned for a moment, and they were both gone. I don''t know where either of them are now."

    Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.

    Morgan looked up and saw the good brother from earlier. He was alone, walking down the stairs and dressed in black, maintaining an intense, unblinking stare. Morgan followed his gaze and found her brother Raf, flirting with Sparrow Nwin, the daughter of Steward Nwin of Minao.

    All the Vulpen stewarding families were in attendance. Sparrow was the only girl near Raf''s age, and tonight was their first meeting. He was 14. She was 15. They were laughing.

    Morgan excused herself and rushed across the room. Something about the good brother scared her, and for whatever reason, he was heading toward her little brother.

    She had to protect him.

    Morgan stepped beside Raf just as the stranger broke through the crowd and introduced himself.

    "Rafael Avalyn, son of Steward Avalyn, it''s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Good Brother Timothy. The Holy Father sent me to be your spiritual guide, effective immediately." Everyone froze in shock except Timothy, who seemed to be enjoying himself.

    It was Morgan who finally spoke. "You''re Brother Mizzet''s replacement? I had no idea he was so near retirement." Brother Timothy turned to Morgan and tilted his head.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    "Not at all," he said. "Good Brother Mizzet was summoned to Garden to be rewarded for his loyal devotion to the Holy Father," he answered with a beneficent smile that somehow felt threatening.

    "Well then, we look forward to cooperating with you," Morgan smiled in return.

    Brother Timothy turned to address Raf. "Your sister speaks for you? Because we''ll be cooperating immediately. I''ve acquainted myself with Castle Moondial''s records and discovered something alarming. Over the past few months, several human bodies have washed ashore. I believe you have a killer on the island."

    The atmosphere in the room chilled.

    "What evidence do you have that they''re all related?" Raf broke the silence.

    "Nice to see you participating. No proof, just patterns. The bodies were similarly mutilated. It''s all in the reports if anyone bothered to look."

    Steward Arthur Avalyn rushed into the room. "I have my best man on the case already," Arthur said as he strolled toward his children. "My apologies, everyone, I became aware of the killings earlier today, and I''ve sent Captain Reynard to bring swift justice to the guilty party. Rest assured, we are all safe here. The killer will soon be apprehended. Now, I need to speak to my children about these new developments. Everyone should continue celebrating. Music, please. Rafael, Morgan, come with me."

    As they rose to leave, Good Brother Timothy addressed Raf, "Your education begins tomorrow morning. Be ready."

    Steward Avalyn turned to leave, and his children followed, sensing they just narrowly dodged a surprise attack. They kept silent, travelling upstairs and into Arthur''s office. Morgan''s grandmother Henrietta was already seated with a glass of lemonade. She was in her 80s. No one expected her to be celebrating this late into the night. In the candlelight, Gramma Henri looked frail and thin, but her mind was sharp as ever.

    Once Morgan closed the door behind them, Arthur addressed his family. "We''re all here. Let''s get to it. Timothy says he found evidence of a serial killer on the island. I lied. Reynard isn''t on the case, but that should explain his disappearance for the time being. In the morning, we''ll tell the staff that Lyn was sent to live with the Meioris on Lona. Indivar and Lyn are the same age. It''s a plausible story. I''ll get Milo to go along with it before he leaves."

    "What''s going on?" Raf asked his father with panic in his eyes. "What''s this about bodies washing ashore?

    "I don''t know. We''ll deal with that later. Our more pressing concern is investigating the source of this information: Good Brother Timothy," Arthur said with gravity. "He says he''s here to determine if you''re equipped to be the Steward of Vulpex."

    Henrietta interrupted, "I think he was sent here to investigate our rebellion. Apple spied on Timothy speaking with none other than Adam, Himself. Rowan was nearly exposed. They had to be sent away."

    "You said Lyn was sent, too," Morgan spoke up. "How is she involved?"

    "Lyn is a witch. The captain brought her along to train her in secret," Arthur answered.

    Morgan was devastated. In one night, without warning or goodbyes, she lost both her teacher and her sister. Morgan fought back tears. "Where did they go?" she asked.

    "They went into the caverns," Arthur answered. "They''re safe. Safer than any of us. If your grandmother is right and Timothy is here to investigate, then Adam knows, or at least suspects, something, and we''re all in danger. I don''t think Timothy has any evidence seeing as we''re all still alive."

    A grave silence fell over the room. Henri sighed long and heavily. Down the halls, distant music rang through the castle.

    Raf spoke first. "We all know Adam should die for his crimes, but he''s immortal. He''s invincible. No one can even touch Adam unless He wants them to. It''s not too late to stop before we all get killed."

    Morgan answered angrily, "Adam slaughtered the fae folk! Every firefox except Rowan, and now he''s sent an assassin to finish the job. He needs to be stopped."

    "We can''t avenge the firefox if we''re dead!"

    "Enough!" Henrietta''s voice was soft but unyielding. "Rafael, you said it yourself: no one can touch Adam unless He wants them to. He lets his guard down at times. We just need you in position when he does."

    Arthur took command of the conversation again, "If Timothy is telling the truth, then this is our best chance, Rafael."

    Raf looked so young and scared. "What makes you think we can win?" He begged. "When so many people tried and failed?"

    "It''s time to tell him, son," Gramma Henri said. Morgan grasped Raf''s hand.

    "Yes," Arthur conceded. "It''s time you knew the truth. Rafael... son, you are the Holy Ghost."

 Chapter 5 - Rowan

    Captain Reynard was much more than he seemed. Firefox, 2288 years old, freedom fighter, terrorist, refugee, leader of the resistance, and a woman. Well, not exactly. Firefox were shifters. Their genders could change on a whim, but Captain Reynard preferred the feminine, and her given name was Rowan.

    Lyn slept while the monkey nestled in her arms. Reynard was exhausted. He''d been on guard since Timothy arrived on Crescent. Something about Timothy left him uneasy. In truth, Reynard was relieved when Arthur sent them away. Rowan needed to speak with Lilith and couldn''t risk Timothy overhearing somehow.

    The Crystal Caverns under Moondial stretched under the island for miles, carved out over millennia, long after the fires beneath Crescent died, back when Inari first rose out of the sea. Rowan was just a child back then, scared to leave her home and start all over.

    Reynard had extinguished his firelight while Lyn slept to conserve energy. The light drew unnecessary attention to themselves. Strange things live in dark places. Already, they had seen acid lizards, cave birds, and insects the size of Lyn''s head. Still stranger things lurk in the blackest pits. They wouldn''t be safe until they reached Sanctuary. At the speed of an 8-year-old, the gate was several hours away. Time to wake Lyn.

    Once she was roused and nourished (with Apple''s assistance), Reynard told Lyn to take out the crystal gem she was given earlier and summon an orb of light, like she did before. It took her several attempts, and much of the stored mana was lost into the air, but eventually, Lyn succeeded in channeling the mana into magelight.

    "For now," Apple interpreted Reynard''s instructions, "focus on keeping the orb aloft and steady while we climb the caverns. I will lead the way and guard everyone."

    And so it was. They were deep below sea level. The rest of their trek would be a steep climb. Reynard led the way and kept a steady pace while Lyn followed close behind, lighting the way. Meanwhile, all around them, crystal formations sparkled in the darkness, hues of green, blue, purple, and silver, twinkling reflections of Lyn''s magelight.

    They continued like that for a long time: Reynard led them along the safest route while Lyn silently focused. Apple hung from Lyn''s back, arms around her shoulders. But Lyn''s young mind often drifted, with her magelight drifting or dissipating. More than once, Lyn lost grip of the thought, and the light almost scattered.

    "Captain Reynard," the monkey shouted as she jumped onto Reynard''s back. "Lyn has a question," she said quieter now, close to Reynard''s ear. "She wants to know why she can cast magic, and if Morgan and Rafael can, too?"

    Apple interpreted from Reynard''s shoulder. He didn''t stop or turn around as he spoke.

    "When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, it cursed them. Original Sin had several consequences. One was random genetic mutations. You see, Adam and Eve were perfect, but they failed God''s test; so evidently, perfection was overrated. With mutations came flaws, and as flaws built up over generations, fewer and fewer humans were born with magical abilities.

    "When Adam figured this out, he gathered all the known magic users to the capital, declared them his ''purest'' children, and gave them land to steward. Now Adam manages their bloodlines like pure breed hounds.

    "Your mother came from a family Adam had ''cultivated'' for centuries to maximize magical potential. So you probably inherited your powers from her. As to your second question, I don''t know if Morgan or Rafael inherited any abilities. I''ve never witnessed them demonstrating magical affinity."

    By now, Lyn''s magelight was greatly diminished. Much of the mana had dissipated into the surrounding environment in the form of heat. Still, for her age and experience, that any collected mana remained was remarkable. But the effort was clearly exacting a toll. Lyn was shuffling her feet and stumbling. Her determination was impressive and earned a smile from Reynard, but the girl needed a rest.

    Reynard summoned a light of his own, a fiery orange sphere, and instructed Lyn to put her light away.

    "The gate isn''t far now," he said, and Apple translated. "Let''s take a break to eat and drink."

    They all crouched around Reynard''s firelight like a campfire. Reynard gave Lyn extra rations. While she ate, Reynard continued her education.

    "It''s time you learned... the truth about me and where we''re going," he said, to Lyn''s alert reaction. She directed Apple to sit on Reynard''s knee to better interpret.

    "When Adam first claimed the islands, we didn''t know what he was capable of. We didn''t know he''d waged a genocidal war on magical creatures for centuries. These islands are so far from the mainlands. No one here knew he could blow up a volcano. Reduce an entire island to a boiling vortex of steam and magma.

    "I survived because I was here on a mission to meet our ancient friends, the cthulians. Adam had been waging war on them for centuries. We hadn''t seen or heard from them in many years.

    "But this was a sacred place. I knew they would come. As they were telling me what Adam had done to them, what he was capable of, he destroyed my home and killed everyone on it. The cave shuddered from the force of it."

    Lyn had stopped eating and looked close to tears, wide-eyed. ''You''re firefox!'' she signed, and as Apple said it, the air around Reynard blurred, and his features changed. His ears disappeared beneath copper-red fur, and two pointed ears grew atop a feminine head. His armor evaporated, revealing a beautiful creature covered in copper fur. Their tail was alive and luxurious, with a white tip. At the tip of each delicate finger was an orange claw. Their eyes were green, pupils diamond-shaped by firelight. Their clothes were emerald-green, mere silken figments of modesty for Lyn''s sake.

    "That''s right," they said. "I''m the last firefox. My name is Rowan." Lyn was dumbstruck, mouth agape. Rowan chuckled.

    It took Lyn a few seconds to process everything Apple was interpreting. Then Lyn shook her head violently, stood up, and shouted for herself. "You lied from the start! Does Papa know?" Lyn had never heard anyone''s voice before, but she knew the principles, and sometimes Apple helped her practice. Her voice was earnest and upset, her pitch wild and erratic.

    Rowan merely blinked. "Of course, your father knows. He''s the one who sent us here, remember? I''m sorry I lied to you, but I had no choice. If anyone else knew, Adam would send assassins to kill me. I''m telling you the truth now."

    That calmed her down. She sat apologetically.

    "Finish your meal. There''s more," Rowan remained unmoved. Lyn reluctantly ate her rations of smoked meats, nuts, dried cherries, and a bread roll.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    "Morgan and Rafael know as well. I''ve been training them since they were your age. Now, I''m going to train you," Rowan said with the loving voice of a stern and powerful mother. Lyn couldn''t hear the tone in Rowan''s voice, but she felt it in Apple''s translated delivery. In that moment, Lyn devoted herself to Rowan for life.

    "Let''s continue your training," Rowan said. "Summon the light from your crystal, and hold it steady in front of you."

    Lyn did as she was told. Overeager, she accidentally poured some of her quintessence into the orb. Silver. The orb grew in size, and the color silver increased in proportion. Lyn felt suddenly tired and dizzy.

    "Careful," said Rowan. "Imagine the ball is a feather, light in your mind''s grasp. Delicate. Don''t hold on too tight, or you''ll tire. Here," Rowan poured some of their quintessence into Lyn''s orb. For a brief moment, Rowan''s fire and Lyn''s light intermingled like two collapsing stars. Fiery gold appeared in Lyn''s light, and the girl''s eyes widened with sensation. Her magelight was now a glorious sphere, swirling with silver and fiery colors, greens, blues, purples, and brown. The crystals around them scattered the lights in a million directions, like living galaxies. Rowan reabsorbed their firelight.

    "Mana is a precious resource, soul mana especially so. Quintessence. The spark that makes you human. Deplete that, and you''ll be depressed, exhausted, and vulnerable to all sorts of ailments. Be careful when using quintessence, and be even more careful when absorbing foreign mana.

    "Not all mana is the same, just as no two witches are the same. Everyone has different limitations and can access different mana. So far, you''ve demonstrated an affinity for lights. Whether that''s the extent of your powers, we''ll discover in time. For now, let''s practice what we know.

    "Try to shape the orb. Separate the colors. Construct an illusion. Get creative with it. This is your spell. It can be whatever you want it to be."

    Lyn closed her eyes and concentrated, and the orb began to take shape. Arms, legs, a head, and a tail sprouted out, and when Lyn opened her eyes, it was a near-perfect-sized replica of her Apple. But colors swirled brightly and erratically along fake Apple''s body like a glowworm of many colors.

    "That''s excellent," Rowan encouraged. "In time and with practice, you should be able to cast convincing illusions. Let''s get going. We''re almost at the gate. While we''re climbing, let your monkeylight run around. Practice duplicating natural movements. It''s harder than it seems. Send the monkey running and jumping, but make it look natural."

    The trio continued their ascent. Apple jumped to the ground and chased the illusion of her, giving Lyn a living example to copy. It helped, but the illusion''s jumps were unrealistic.

    "Apple doesn''t jump that high," Rowan pointed out. Lyn smirked and concentrated, and her illusion grew wings.

    ''Now it''s realistic,'' Lyn laughed, and Apple translated, struggling to keep up with her likeness. Finally, Apple gave up and jumped back on Lyn''s shoulders while the magnificent glowing monkey flew overhead, lighting their path. Lyn stumbled a few times, struggling to command the illusion while watching her steps, but never dropped the illusion. Rowan was impressed.

    They reached the entrance to the gate in short order. It looked like a nondescript crack in the wall, easily overlooked in the labyrinthine crystal caverns, but if you knew where to look...

    Rowan told Lyn to stand far back against the wall. Rowan peeked into the crack, but it was too dark to see anything. They summoned a ball of fire and crafted it into a tiny fox, sending the toy scout into the cave.

    Damn. Eight pale bears were sleeping in the cave, and the light woke them up. They started swiping at the fox, but Rowan couldn''t waste the mana burning wild animals. The fox ran around the cave to distract the pale bears.

    Rowan turned to look at Lyn. The glowing monkey would draw attention, they thought, and then had an idea.

    ''Lyn,'' Rowan signed directly, so the pale bears wouldn''t hear them. ''Your illusion can change size. Imagine stretching the mana. Make the monkey giant size, big enough to scare some cave monsters. I''ll draw them out. You send the illusion to the cave entrance so they don''t run back in.''

    Lyn gave a swift and determined nod and closed her eyes. The illusion grew tenfold. She made it terrifying with gorilla arms and large, protruding fangs, but even so, it was beautiful. And it was perfect for their needs at hand. Rowan grabbed Lyn''s hand and then hurried to hide behind a crystal column, thick and tall like a redwood. Rowan called her firefox out of the cage, and the six pale bears chased it outside. Lyn timed her illusion appearance perfectly, commanding the bears'' attention.

    Unlike the copy of Apple, which was bright and solid, this monstrous hulk was transparent, still shining, but not as brightly. The pale bears weren''t sure whether to fight or flee. Lyn''s illusion slammed the ground pointlessly and roared soundlessly, scaring six of the smallest pale bears away, but two stubborn bears stayed. They wouldn''t concede the home where they had nursed their cubs. Stupid bears.

    Rowan didn''t want to kill them. They had no enmity toward pale bears, but they needed to get into that cave.

    "Run to the entrance," Rowan shouted as they stepped out from behind the crystal column. Their entire body spontaneously caught fire, and two fireballs appeared from either palm. This would be over quickly. Rowan charged the pale bears, and Lyn''s winged-gorilla illusion followed behind. Apple pulled Lyn toward the entrance. But the sight of a flaming Rowan terrified the last bears. They caught wise and chased after their young before anyone was hurt. Relieved, Rowan put their fire out and went to the gate.

    Lyn pulled her light into the dark cave and compressed it even smaller than before until it was the size of Apple''s head, shining brighter than ever, flitting around like a hummingbird. Rowan walked to the back of the cave, grasped a heavy slab of stone, and pushed. The stone door spun on its ancient hinge, and they all squeezed through. Rowan pushed the door shut behind them. Lyn gasped in awe. Apple was dumbstruck.

    The Cthulian Mausoleum, an enormous underground forest. Resting place of the greatest cthulian minds and warriors. A single beam of light shined from a crack in the cave ceiling. The cave itself was massive and exquisitely carved over centuries. Towering rows of coffins on top of coffins lined the walls of the mausoleum. In the center of the cavern was a giant, ancient tree with bright pink and purple flowers whose petals covered the cavern floor like thick snow. Strange birds and animals neither Lyn nor Apple had ever seen before watched cautiously but without fear. A creature that resembled a stag with green and black spots came close enough to sniff Lyn''s hand before backing away, having determined they were no threat.

    Lyn laughed aloud with joy and wonder at the beauty hidden beneath her island home. But her laugh woke something.

    "Who dares enter this hallowed space?!" A voice rang out. Apple jumped, and Rowan tensed. Lyn froze when she saw their reactions, looking around for the source of their distress. Then they all saw it. Out of the giant tree in the center of the mausoleum stepped a forest sprite.

    It was dark purple with green veins, feminine curves, and horns like a stag. The sound of angry, buzzing bees filled the air. Beautiful and terrifying, the sprite lifted both hands, and vines sprouted violently out of the ground and surrounded the three travelers, binding them in place. Lyn began to cry in fear, but Rowan made the sign for ''calm,'' and it somewhat worked to pacify her.

    "Sprigga!" Rowan shouted. "Is this any way to greet old friends?" The tree nymph gasped in surprise, and immediately the vines returned to the ground.

    "Rowan! You''re back!" Sprigga ran to greet them, cloven feet giving nimble traction while bounding downhill. Sprigga and Rowan embraced tightly. The sound of buzzing bees changed to a gentle hum that seemed to radiate from Sprigga''s chest. "It''s been so long, I wasn''t sure if you were alive! What are you doing here?"

    "I''m sorry I''ve been gone so long, my dear. I''ve been preparing for war. Here, I''d like you to meet two of our newest recruits. This is Lyn and Apple," Rowan gestured toward their two small compatriots.

    Sprigga knelt, crossing both clawed hands across their chest to appear less threatening. Sprigga''s anthropomorphized face, with skin like tree bark, rearranged itself into something resembling a smile. Sprigga''s massive horns suddenly burst into life. Bright green leaves and blue flowers with flecks of pink blossomed above her. Lyn was instantly captivated and charmed. Delicately, she reached out to touch one of the flowers, as if a creature this magical could only be an illusion. Sprigga''s laugh sounded like a horse''s whinny, with a voice resembling the sound of wind bristling through leaves.

    "Welcome little ones," Sprigga said, "to Sanctuary."

 Chapter 6 - Holy Ghost Detective

    Judging by the purple bruises under Raf''s eyes, Morgan surmised he''d been awake all night. She had hardly slept, either.

    In her quiet moments, Morgan used to wonder why people were so quick to admire and follow Raf. In her darkest moments, when she was all alone, she resented him for it. He was two years younger than her, but still, she always trusted and believed in him, even as a baby. Now that the truth was out, suddenly, it made sense. The faith everyone had in him, the admiration she held for her baby brother: it was all magic, an innocent consequence of his very existence.

    They ate breakfast in silence, and she glanced over at him, wondering, did he ever doubt himself before last night? Did he never question why everyone treated him special? Does he doubt himself now, now that he knows the truth, that they were magically compelled to trust him and follow him? By the weight of his shoulders and the silence that followed him, he seemed wracked with doubt.

    Now that Morgan knew the truth, she doubted him, too, and wondered if it was her doubt or his. The guards and servants surrounding Raf, too, seemed unsure and sluggish. Were they grappling with their own insecurities, she wondered, or Raf''s?

    To complicate things further, Brother Timothy walked into the dining hall, looking smug. He eyed Raf hungrily, and waves of dread swept over Morgan; even the guards shuddered, but Morgan and Raf concealed it expertly. Rowan taught them the art of deception at an early age. The uprising, and their lives, relied on the ability to lie convincingly.

    Timothy''s smile was unnerving and unrelenting. "You ate. Gross. Let''s go."

    The siblings shared a confused glance but followed dutifully. The smile never left Timothy''s face, like the face of a mannequin. He led them out of the castle and to the stone benches carved into the cliffside. The wind whistled like a ceiling overhead. The view of the island was breathtaking. But far across the ocean, a pillar of smoke rose off the smoldering island of Inari, the ruined home of the firefox, an ever-present reminder of Adam''s terrible crimes and power.

    Timothy smiled at them as they hurried to sit, and Morgan wondered if it would be possible to shove him over the cliff. Is that why he brought them to the cliff room? It was a bold move for their first day of instruction. Was he threatening them or taunting them? Both or neither? After a long and uncomfortable silence, Timothy finally began speaking.

    "Brother Mizzet left records of the subjects you''ve already covered, but before I can teach you, I need to test your knowledge myself. You will each take turns reciting the history of Eden to me, starting with Morgan."

    He looked at Morgan, and her heart started pounding. She cleared her head and got her story straight, concentrating on the sanctioned version, and began:

    "Almost 6000 years ago, God made Adam out of land and water to rule and protect Eden. God took a rib from Adam while he slept and made Eve to be mother of humanity. When their first son Cain murdered their second son Abel, God cursed Cain and banished him to Nod."

    "Good," Timothy interrupted. "Rafael." Raf cleared his throat and continued.

    "Manipulated by Lucifer and grief Eve ate the forbidden fruit, and acquired knowledge, but the fruit was cursed. From then on, her children would age and die. God appeared and spoke that humans had free will; for better or worse, they chose their destiny. God would not interfere again. Before leaving, God rewarded Adam for his obedience with godly powers, with which to guide his children."

    "Uh-huh." Something inscrutable flashed across his face as Brother Timothy turned to appreciate the view. He walked nearer the edge and directed, "Morgan."

    She was ready this time. "Over the centuries, children of Adam and Eve covered the land of Garden. In the year 2288, Adam discovered a narrow land bridge that led to a new continent. The new land became known as Exile because Adam exiled criminals across the land bridge."

    "It is beautiful here," Timothy mused aloud, in wonder and hate. He seemed to have forgotten himself completely, breathing deep and gazing out over the lush island canopy, teeming with life and dancing on the wind. Far below, the Cove Market was bustling with people. The rising sun set the horizon aflame with reds and golds rippling off blue waves. Morgan saw an opportunity.

    "Is it beautiful where you''re from?" She coyly inquired.

    When Timothy turned to look at her, his smile was gone. His face was void of emotion. "Where I''m from, the climates are more... unforgiving."

    Morgan gulped.

    Timothy turned back to the view. "Rafael, what happened next?" Raf hesitated a moment but continued.

    "Two millennia passed. Exile became densely populated. Societies began to develop around areas rich in rare minerals and produce. Adam permitted them a level of independence for a time, even allowing a few Exile cities to trade with cities in Garden. Before long, nations formed and amassed influence and power. Until the newly-crowned King of Atlantis declared war on Adam, believing free will meant nothing if a God like Adam ruled everyone. Adam crushed the rebellion and sank a quarter of the continent of Exile into the ocean. After that, Adam took control over Exile. He forgave the survivors, the criminals, and their children and established a Church in every city to keep the peace."

    Timothy kept his eyes on the sunrise but addressed Morgan, "Tell me the history of your island."

    "Crescent''s history goes back over three millennia, when sailors were lost in a storm and crashed ashore. Each of the Vulpen islands developed their own cultures and systems of leadership. But everyone in Vulpex venerated the firefox who lived on the Island of Inari. When Adamˇ­ discovered the Vulpen Islands thirty years ago, Inari led the other islands in a rebellion. That rebellion ended when Adam destroyed Inari and killed everyone living there. Crescent and the other three islands surrendered. As terms of surrender, Vulpen leadership married Gardeners, and Adam established a Church on every island."

    "And why did Adam kill the firefox, Rafael?" Timothy asked.

    "Because mankind has been at war with the fae folk since the winged serpent deceived Eve long ago. Immortals are insidious. They say they want to help, but they sow insurrection. The firefox were heretics and deceivers. We''re safer now they''re gone." Raf''s answer seemed unconvincing to Morgan. They would need to practice that line more.

    "Hm. That will do," Timothy reluctantly turned to address them. His mannequin smile returned. "That brings us to your first assignment: I believe a fae survivor is hiding somewhere on this island. I suspect they are killing people, and I task you to find them and capture them, preferably alive.

    "Rafael, to be Steward of Vulpex, you must prove your loyalty and your usefulness to the Godfather. Bring me the fae, dead or alive, and you will have done both."

    Raf''s mouth opened and closed soundlessly. Finally, he said, "Of course, I avail myself to Godfather Adam in every way. Where should we begin our investigation?"

    "We? You''re including Morgan?" Timothy referred to her as if she weren''t standing in front of him. She bristled, but she was used to it from the clergy.

    "Morgan is my right hand. She goes where I go," Raf responded.

    Timothy took an aggressive step forward. "A day will come when your big sister isn''t around to carry you. You need to stand on your own two feet."

    "Morgan and I stand together," Raf said, firmly closing the discussion.

    Morgan''s chest swelled with pride. She believed in her little brother. It wasn''t magic. It wasn''t the Holy Ghost. Raf believed in her. He helped her believe in herself. What Morgan wanted most in life was to live up to the person he saw her to be.

    Brother Timothy didn''t react for a few seconds, then said, "Very well," unblinkingly. "I compiled a report of my conclusions." Timothy pulled out a scroll from a mystery pocket in his black robes and handed it to Raf. "I suggest you study this on your way to the Church mortuary to inspect the victim''s bodies. They may provide some clue as to what species of fae we''re dealing with."

    Brother Timothy turned again to face the sunrise, dismissing them.

    Without delay, Raf and Morgan collected equipment and readied two horses for a day trip. They remained silent, barely acknowledging each other as they rode away from their castle home.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    Castle Moondial was built on top of a stone peak that islanders called the Gnomon. Going to Church meant descending the Gnomon, traversing the woods, and riding through Harbor.

    Riding horseback on a bright, beautiful morning lifted their spirits, and for a short slice of time, they were free. The ocean wind whistled over the cliff, and a buzzing insect danced in the breeze. Morgan was loath to break the spell of the moment, but it was the perfect opportunity to speak without risk of being overheard.

    "You''ve hardly spoken since Father said you''re the Holy Ghost," she confronted the issue directly. "Talk to me. What''s our plan here?"

    For a moment, Raf only stared forward resolutely. She was afraid he might not even answer.

    "Did you know?" he finally demanded, turning to meet her gaze. She winced, but she didn''t look away.

    "Of course not. I suspected you were the reason Rowan stayed with us, but I never guessed you were the Holy Ghost."

    He clenched his fists and then released. "Hm."

    The whistling wind sang on leaves in the trees not far ahead. Morgan couldn''t stand the awkward silence any longer. She said, "Look, this is crazy. You didn''t choose any of this, and I know you don''t want war. Talk to me. What are you thinking?"

    Raf''s eyes watered, but he didn''t cry. "Rowan must have planned this before I was born," he shook his head. "Summoning my spirit into this body, uniquely positioned to get close to Adam one day. I suppose it''s all going according to plan. If Adam makes me Steward of the Vulpen Islands, he''ll summon me to the Garden of Eden, and that''s when Rowan strikes... It''s simple. It could work. If we fail, Adam will kill us all... But I already knew those things. Nothing has changed, except now I know why.

    "The most important thing now is Brother Timothy. He weirds me out, and something about this assignment sets me off. It''s like he wants us out of the castle. Even the mission makes no sense. Rowan is the only fae on the island, and they aren''t killing anyone, right?"

    "As far as I know. So either the fae and the killings are unrelated, or there''s another fae we don''t know about. What makes Timothy think the killer is fae, anyway?"

    "The files don''t offer much evidence. Just the coroner''s reports and records of tidal waves." Raf reached into his satchel and pulled out the scroll. "How about you give it a look," he said and handed it to her. "Steady your stomach. The details are gruesome."

    They entered the forest and fell silent as Morgan read the reports.

    On their left, mountainous peaks formed the Spine of Crescent. A lush forest sprawled over the interior valley. Most islanders lived near the waterfront, but several tribes dotted the woods and peaks, preferring to live in sheltered isolation. Anyone could appear from behind a tree. Even the wildlife could be familiar spies. They couldn''t speak candidly anymore for fear of being overheard, so they kept a brisk pace in the woods, silent and alert.

    The sun was high in the sky by the time they reached Harbor. The largest city on the island, Harbor was crafted on a platform of lumber, with houses built in the trees. Vibrantly tended gardens grew down and around the platforms. Flower petals fell like colorful snow from the canopy gardens above, carried away on the ocean breeze. On the wooden streets, people bustled along with places to go. Twice, someone recognized them and shouted congratulations on Rafael''s victory in the Perigee festival. They waved and carried on. The sunlight was intense by the time they arrived at Church.

    Church was the only stone building in Harbor, a cathedral slab of marble overlooking the city waterfront, like a headstone in a forest. It was constructed with classic Garden overtures, towering archways, and stained glass portraits of the Holy Mother and Father. Adam had all the materials shipped in from Garden thirty years ago when the islands surrendered. Upon His ''discovery'' of Vulpex, most functions of state, news, education, and medicine were consolidated at Church.

    Churchyard was built like an oversize theater. The steps leading to the stage were massive and many, intended to double as rafters, so that when Adam visited the island, everyone could come to witness. Morgan abhorred the church but smiled in case anyone was watching.

    They secured their horses and began the hike up and down the steps to Churchyard.

    When they were younger, Captain Reynard encouraged Morgan and Raf to tag along on assignments so they were familiar with the area. Churchyard was grand and crowded with petitioners and faithful brothers, bustling back and forth with somewhere to go. Exotic flowering trees decorated the paths and gaps between buildings. Churchyard''s loveliness only antagonized Morgan''s fury.

    The mortuary was in the basement of a white marble building with gorgeous stained-glass windows; images of God ''blessing'' Adam were ubiquitous in Church.

    They checked in with a reception and requested entry to where the bodies were kept. Cold and dimly lit were the halls. The stench of death was overpowering. White flame sconces decorated the walls. On one side of the room were two stone slabs. On the other side was a single desk. The desk was made of marble, like the bookshelf behind it, like everything else in the building. The room was otherwise sterile, without decoration or evidence of human activity.

    "Hello?" Raf shouted down the hall. "Is anyone on staff?"

    From around a corner, they heard feet brushing against stone. Soon an unusually tall man appeared in black robes. His hair was black, and his jaw was sharp. There was a coldness behind his green eyes, but his voice was a warm and comforting hum, like a song that sticks with you.

    "Welcome to Crescent Mortuary. Call me Shaman Kroeser. How can I help you?" Everyone in the Church had familiars. Kroeser''s blackbird familiar was perched on his shoulder. It cawed a greeting to them both.

    "I am Rafael Avalyn. This is my sister, Morgan. We have orders from on high. Brother Timothy believes a fae murderer may be on the island. I''d like to see where the bodies are kept. If any unusual bodies have come in lately, please show me those first."

    Kroeser responded slowly as if he were considering their inquiry while preoccupied with something else. "A fae serial killer? Wow! You know, there is one body you might want to see. It came in only yesterday. Unusual... is one word for it. I finished the autopsy and put him on ice this morning. Follow me. I''ll show you." With that, Kroeser turned and went back the way he came. Morgan and Raf exchanged glances and followed him down another flight of stairs and through a door. The air froze as they walked into an icy, rectangular room. Morgan started shivering immediately.

    It was a freezer with bodies on waist-high marble slabs like the room upstairs. Some of the bodies looked as if they had been frozen for a long time. Shaman Kroeser stopped in front of one corpse with dozens of circular purple welts along its waist and arms. Massive chunks were cleanly carved out of the neck and shoulder. The collar bone was gone, exposing the spine, ribs, and lungs. Ink covered the body, staining the muscle and marrow jet black. Morgan and Raf exchanged breathless, knowing glances.

    "Where was the body found?" Raf asked Shaman Kroeser.

    "His mother found him on a riverbank downstream from a cave. It seems he was spelunking when he encountered something that leaves purple suction marks and cleaves through solid bone."

    The implication was obvious: Cthulians. The oceanfolk were rarely seen off the island coast. The Land and Sea Treaty forbade them from ever touching land again or else war. Adam let them live because hunting them all down underwater would be almost impossible. Or at least time-consuming. But if a cthulian broke the treaty to kill a human, Adam might change his mind.

    Morgan spoke first. "It could have been staged. Tools could have been used to imitate the carving wounds. Even if the ink is genuine, someone could have captured a cthulian and extracted it from them."

    "This needs to be handled discreetly," Raf said with quiet authority. Rafael Avalyn was young, but his name, training, and unique magnetism somehow elevated him from an impetuous princeling to a formidable, imposing commander. "Morgan and I will go to the cave he was exploring to look for tangible evidence. No sense involving the Holy Father without something concrete. In the meantime, keep the body on ice."

    "Have more bodies been found like this one?" Morgan asked. Shaman Kroeser looked at her and paused like he considered ignoring her question, but instead curtly responded, "No."

    Morgan took a step toward the shaman and spoke directly. "We''re investigating a series of possible homicides. Your records describe six bodies that washed ashore over the last 3 years. Each with similar wounds, death by exsanguination, is that right? My brother and I would like you to show us those bodies, please."

    Shaman Kroeser''s face contorted into a surprised snarl. His response was quick and breathless. "I can''t show them to you. They couldn''t be identified, so they were buried in unmarked graves behind the church."

    Morgan was stunned and confused. Kroeser''s reaction was oddly suspicious. Did he have something to hide or was withholding information just to spite her? She feared anything she said might be met with derision by the shaman.

    Raf jumped in, "I''m sure you know the church shares public records with the stewarding family. Was any investigation conducted as to the victims'' identities or whereabouts when they went missing?"

    Shaman Kroeser shifted his weight uncomfortably. Then he walked to a cabinet, opened a drawer, and fingered through scrolls until he found the one he wanted.

    He opened the scroll and seemed to skim its contents, saying, "One of the forensic brothers asked around. It seems one victim was known as Pika, a vagabond who slept under the docks and was known for thieving. No known origin or next of kin could be found, so the investigation was closed, quick and tidy. The brother concluded Pika was likely killed in retaliation for some theft or offense." Kroeser looked up at them with a charmed expression.

    "Would it be possible to exhume the body?" Raf asked.

    "As I said, the graves were unmarked, so you''re welcome to dig out back, but there''s no guarantee you''ll unearth the right body." Kroeser tilted his head and blinked several times. "I fear there''s nothing more I can do for you."

    Morgan felt rage erupting in her. She wanted to smash in Kroeser''s smug face. Morgan wondered if it was Raf''s rage or her own. He was about to react in anger, but Morgan had another idea.

    "Thank you for your time, Shaman Kroeser. If another exsanguinated body washes ashore, keep it on ice and alert us. We''ll see ourselves out."

    Raf hesitated. His jaw clenched, but he kept his composure, nodded a farewell, and turned to leave. Morgan wanted to scream and punch something, but they kept calm, walking back to their horses. Once safely out of earshot, Raf said plainly, "Kroeser is hiding something. I assume you have an idea."

    "Either he''s hiding something, or he''s just an asshole, but yeah, I got a plan. Kroeser gave us a name and location. Let''s ask around the docks if anybody knew Pika. Maybe it won''t lead anywhere, but there''s still a trail. Let''s see where it leads."

 Chapter 7 - The Wasp

    Arthur Avalyn poured two more drinks, purple wine with honey and ginger. Burning wood sparked and crackled in the stone fireplace, filling Arthur''s office with hypnotic warmth and the illusion of safety.

    Arthur gave Milo Meiori a glass and sank into his armchair with satisfaction.

    "To your son," Milo toasted, "and his unforgettable victory."

    He raised his glass and rejoined, "To both our children! May their futures be bright!" They drank as one. Arthur lifted the cover of a wooden box on a table between their chairs, retrieving two cigars. A citrus aroma permeated the space. Arthur clipped each cigar and gave one to Milo.

    The retired Steward of Lona was older than Arthur by a decade. Milo''s wife Talia had died in childbirth a few months before Emma. When Arthur lost Emma, it was Milo that understood him best.

    Milo was glancing sideways at Arthur like a man afraid to ask.

    "Out with it, man," Arthur prodded with a grin.

    "About our children''s futures..." Milo said sheepishly. "I heard a rumor Adam wants new leadership for Vulpex. A single steward with four islands. And I heard he''s looking at Rafael."

    "Where did you hear this rumor?" Arthur leaned back in his chair and flicked his cigar.

    "Don''t fence with me. I saw that Good Brother with you at the tourney, and again last night, he set your son to task after a murderer... Is it true?"

    Billowing grey smoke was Arthur''s answer, "So he says."

    Milo appeared at once annoyed and strangely triumphant. He leaned back in his seat and stared into the fire, finally, tragically resigned. A mess of emotions flashed across Milo''s entire being, but Arthur interpreted only a few. It left him unsettled.

    "Are you angry? You gave the stewardship to Haven years ago. Surely you don''t miss it? Or are you upset that Haven wasn''t considered first?"

    "No, nothing like that," Milo said quickly. "I''m worried for you. I know you have secrets--don''t worry--they''re still yours... We''ve been friends all your life, Arthur. Don''t think I haven''t seen things, heard things. I noticed your captain disappeared. With greater authority comes greater scrutiny." Milo had moved to stand close to the fire. He turned and gestured toward the painting over Arthur''s desk, ''Wrath of Godfather.''

    "I''ve always hated that painting," he said. "It''s morbid. I was at sea when he destroyed Inari. It haunts me to this day. And you''ve got the Flood of Exile hanging in your office. Inari was an island... How many died when Adam sank half a continent? Thousands? Hundreds of thousands? Millions? There were five Vulpen Islands. Have you considered you might be risking the four that remain?"

    Arthur was still. "What do you think you know?"

    "I know nothing! I''ve always known nothing, like this conversation never happened..." He turned from Arthur to look out the window. "But we both know how this plays out. Rafael will be forced to marry some Garden girl. Meanwhile, the Church will expand their influence with a unified legal system. How long do you think you can smuggle fae under the nose of scrutiny?"

    Arthur was confused. "What are you talking about?" Milo turned to face him, silhouetted by the setting sun, with clouds of pink and gold and blue and fiery red.

    "The Fae Remnants. Whispers, mostly heard on the wind. They''re smuggling aboard ships to Vulpex. Someone got clumsy, and now everybody knows. No doubt, that''s why Adam took such a sudden interest."Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    Arthur had no idea. "I''ve never heard of any Fae Remnants. You and your rumors. Where do you hear such things?"

    "Familiars, Arthur, they''re good for more than finger-speaking. Mine tells me the news and wakes me in the morning with tea. They know everything any familiar ever learned. Get with the times, man... If you''re not smuggling the fae, what''s really going on?"

    Not for the first time, Arthur wanted to tell Milo everything. He would have confessed years ago, but Reynard objected. But they needed allies. They would need all the help they could muster. Arthur finished his drink and walked to lean on his desk, his cigar still on the arm table. He poured himself another glass for courage.

    "Captain Reynard is secretly training Lyn to harness magic," he said with pride. "I never heard of these Remnants before tonight, but I assure you, finding them is now my highest priority."

    Milo seemed deflated and somehow relieved, responding, "That''s great news. Adam will give her a good life-"

    "Adam will never find out. If he finds out she''s got power, he''ll take her to Garden. He''ll give her away, like some thing, like he did to her mother. She''ll be alone. I will not let that happen to her."

    "It''s not so bad. I hear from Nat once a month. She likes it there. It''s beautiful. She''s free to roam."

    "She''s not free. She''s a gestation pod for more of Adam''s magic babies."

    "No one is entirely free to do as they wish. You''re free to live because you knelt. You''re free to rule Crescent because you serve Adam. Even if Adam never found Vulpex, you''d still be constrained by the laws of this land. You romanticize freedom. It doesn''t exist. You want to ''liberate'' people? From what? Since Adam took control, the church eradicated every major disease. The hungry are fed. Don''t pretend you haven''t loved all these fat tourists dropping gems all over your island."

    "Yes, there''s order and plenty. At what cost? He slaughtered our families, Milo. He killed the firefox. Haven''t you dreamt of justice?"

    There it was. An opening. A secret desire flashed in Milo''s eyes, and also anger.

    "Of course, I dream of it! For thirty years, I''ve dreamt of it, alongside nightmares of that!" Milo pointed at the ''Wrath of Godfather.'' "He''s too powerful! He can''t be stopped!"

    "That''s not true."

    Neither of them moved or breathed. Milo stared at him intensely.

    "Don''t be daft. He''s a god. The entire planet worships Him."

    "Adam is only a man. The power he wields, he stole from five ikons! He killed them and bound their souls to his regalia! Look at the picture. You can see them in detail: the crown, the gauntlets, the sword, and the belt. You remember them. Those are the source of his power! Separate him from those, and he can be killed. He''s not God."

    Milo''s eyes opened in shock. His face displayed comprehension at first, then dread, as another voice, barely a whisper, chittering and hissing, said, "I''ve heard enough."

    The door to Arthur''s office opened with a bang. Brother Timothy stood in the frame, still smiling. He stepped into the room and the door shut behind him. A mean-looking wasp flew out from under Milo''s chair to land on Timothy''s shoulder. His familiar. A moan escaped Arthur. Milo was a tapestry of guilt and sorrow. Timothy drank it all in with a grin.

    The wasp spoke first. "Arthur Avalyn, Steward of Crescent, for the crimes of heresy and attempted treason, I sentence you and your line to death."

    Arthur didn''t think. He didn''t hesitate. His arms reached for the lamp on his desk and threw himself at Timothy. He needed to die. Arthur had to warn his children. Fear and adrenaline made him quick. Timothy stood calmly. But the fear driving Arthur was snuffed out by dread when Arthur saw Timothy''s smile. As the base of the lamp collided with Timothy''s temple, his smile became genuine and sinister, not the mechanical one worn earlier; this was the grin of a winner. Timothy''s eyes were wide with excitement, and was that relief? As his body fell to the ground, a worried pause overtook Arthur. Hesitantly, he moved toward the door. But he wouldn''t get far.

    A dark grey smoking form rose out of Timothy''s twitching body. It looked at Arthur. He ran like a mouse from a cat, the most fearsome, the image of death, with eyes that glow like rings in the dark, bearing swiftly upon its morsel.

    It disappeared into Arthur''s body, who stood limply for a moment, lurched and seized, and finally collapsed upon the floor.

    Milo watched it all grimly. At last, his shoulders fell, and he hunched over Arthur''s desk.

    The wasp flew from Timothy''s body to land gently upon Arthur''s face, locked in horror and despair, staring out at nothing as Timothy''s blood spread across the floor.

 Chapter 8 - Lilith

    Rowan dreamt of home. Not the Moondial on Crescent, but the place they were born. Inari. Rowan dreamt of obsidian walls and rivers of lava. The home Rowan''s parents built. They taught Rowan how to dream before Rowan could speak. They taught Rowan to master the dream landscape.

    Rowan returned home every night in their dreams. Painstakingly, they remembered every crack and cranny, never permitting themself to forget a single detail. Inside, in the human tradition, portraits of their family covered the walls, preserving every feature, every strand of hair, every signature expression. Days and days spent on each member, mourning and painting, before Lilith came.

    It was in the Crystal Cavern that Lilith first entered Rowan''s dreams. How many days and nights had they spent; starving, exhausted, dreaming of their dead family, wishing to join them, too ashamed to act?

    One night Lilith came to them and offered Rowan a new purpose: revenge. She had a plan to use the Avalyns to get close to Adam. Lilith had been watching Adam for millennia. She knew his weakness, but she was trapped in Nod, unable to strike. Lilith needed a champion, and Rowan needed revenge for their people. That night, Rowan swore their life to Lilith''s cause.

    Since then, Rowan redecorated their astral home. It''s cozier than it was before Adam destroyed the real thing. Rowan added splashes of color and flowers that didn''t exist. There was the bedroom where Rowan and Lilith first made love. So many nights spent dreaming together, talking, plotting, laughing. Lilith had a wicked sense of humor. She could enter anyone''s dreams. Most of the time, she only spied, maybe adding a scary monster for the fun of it. Most humans forget their dreams, making them unsuitable to be her champion. Sometimes Lilith would tell Rowan stories of embarrassed, compromised, or frightened dreamers, cackling madly all the while.

    Rowan could sense Lilith on the edge of their dream. Reaching out with their mind, Rowan found themself in a long hall with a single door.

    Along the walls were engraved stone images; Of a great war between humans and humanoid creatures with bat-like wings and fangs; Above, a dragon, raining destruction; Farther on, a violent scene of Adam and Lilith; Of Lilith falling from a high place; And a shadowy winged creature, come to Lilith, wrapping itself around her legs and body.

    The door, too, was carved, depicting a scene of Lilith and the dark-winged creature, her belly swollen with his child. He entered her from behind, their arms intertwined, shadows encircling them.

    Rowan opened the door, as they had done countless times before, and stepped into a black stone room lit with a dozen blue fire scones. No windows and only one door.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Lilith stood in the center of the room like a queen, proud and unyielding. A soft smile broke her immortal face. Her waves of black hair shimmered in the flickering blue firelight. Her skin was the color of a foggy sky. Dark wings wrapped around her body like a sleeping bat, or a living, leathery dress. The rest of Lilith was bare except for an elegant gold band she wore on her head. It resembled a crown, but Rowan understood it was more like a wedding ring.

    Lilith beckoned Rowan, her arms outstretched. "My darling," she said.

    Rowan ran to her. They embraced and kissed.

    Lilith became deathly serious. "I''ve been trying to reach you. Arthur is dead. Adam sent Timothy to find evidence or prove innocence. Evidence was found, and Arthur was executed. Soon the children will be as well. I''m sorry, Rowan. We have to move forward with plan B."

    The news hit Rowan like a mace. Before Adam found the islands, humans living on Crescent worshiped the firefox of neighboring Inari. As island leaders, the Avalyn family had been known and trusted for generations. The Avalyns had been Rowan''s surrogate human family for centuries. They felt this loss as they felt the loss of their Inarin family, ripping old wounds wide open.

    "Wait," they pleaded. "Let me go back. You said Rafael and Morgan are still alive. Let me save them. I can do it. I can make it in time. I know it."

    Lilith looked at Rowan with conflicted sympathy. "You can''t go back," she said. "Moondial is lost to us. Your cover was blown. They''ll be looking for you now."

    "I can make myself invisible. Please. I''m not being sentimental. Rafael and Morgan are both skilled warriors. Rafael is the Holy Spirit! If Adam realizes it and captures him, we lose our strongest weapon-"

    "Rafael is not our strongest weapon," Lilith interrupted. She turned from Rowan and walked to a table where chess pieces were spread across a checkerboard. She lifted the black bishop and considered it. Blue sconces lit the room. Her hair shimmered in the light.

    Lilith reached a decision, putting the rook back in place, and saying, "The Holy Spirit cannot fall into Adam''s hands. You might make it in time to rescue them, but if you fail, if the enemy captures Rafael, take him off the board. Adam cannot get hold of another ikon. He''s already too powerful."

    Rowan nodded grimly. Lilith continued.

    "The only option left to us is a direct assassination. For that, we need our strongest weapon on the board. We need Samaal. Save the Avalyn children, then prepare a gateway. When the moon reaches its Perigee, we move Samaal to Eden."

    Rowan almost woke up; they were so scared. Rowan had never met or seen Samaal before, but they knew he was Lilith''s son. They knew enough to worry and wonder what it meant to bring him to Eden. A sacrifice would be needed. Did Lilith intend for Rowan to sacrifice Lyn to open the door?

    Lilith put her hand on Rowan''s face lovingly. "Remember your promise. To avenge your people. We can kill Adam. I need your strength, and we need Samaal on Eden. Are you ready?"

    Rowan nodded resolutely.

    "Good. Wake up, my love. Hurry. Save Rafael, or kill him.