“They say our king has been around since the time of the First One’s attack, if that is the case then he is older then any other being within the northern sector of the Giroff Mountains. However, our laws state that we cannot ask these questions or how he could be so old… we cannot even see his face to know that he is of the same species and not something else. Only the Council of the Nobles and the king’s personal Mage Guard know the truth and they have refused to discuss it with me.”

- Entry 1 of the Private Dairies of Doctor Dimwult Varris

There was an unfamiliar and yet familiar feel to the room as Anouk looked about herself and found she was no longer in her bed chamber but standing in a small cell with two other beings. The inside of the room was a strange grey colour, not completely clear in its form as if the details could not be fully comprehended and yet the items within were echoes of something Anouk knew to be true. There was a small wooden cot upon the floor with thin scraps of clothing within and a small mat upon the floor with a blanket and cushion… the place she had slept for nearly two years.

Her ears woke to the sounds of crying and she looked ahead of her to a scene that her heart recognised and her tears bled to. She could see the tall pallid form of her father standing over a corner where a figure was rocking back and forth in a foetal position weeping. Her father was trying to say something nice, something reassuring perhaps but it was not reaching the ears of the figure who seemed content to ignore him and weep. Confusion gripped at Anouk’s form as she looked toward the cot and tried to step over and touch it, but the memory did not allow for such physicality and instead she was forced to walk toward the form of her father. Seeing him again in a manner that felt as if he were still alive caused Anouk’s throat to dry and choke as she tried to speak, but it would not have done anything within this dream state. Instead she noticed the bright red hair of the figure on the floor, it’s staring green eyes and the look of complete and utter hatred therein.

Then the voices reached her and Anouk’s mind screamed the words she heard as if her body were being ripped apart then and there.

“WHY DID YOU TAKE MY BABY?”

* * * * *

Karani woke up from her bed with a start, leaping into a sitting position and grabbing Damara’s arm in a tight pinch. Though her companion winced and made a sound of frustration for it, they both paused as the screams and crying ripped through the air again. Their hearts sank with realisation as they recognised no words within the sound but the pain of a tortured soul. Karani turned toward the large wooden screen that separated Damara’s room from Anouk’s with a hefty gulp before turning back toward her friend.

“Please Damara… she sounds like she’s being killed in there… can you go and comfort her?” Karani begged as she pulled the soft grey sheets up from the flat mattress of the floor and yanked them around herself. Even Damara was grimacing at the screams this time and it was obvious from the whimpering of the Dreggs that had been sleeping on her feet Anouk was not in a good place. With a soft grunt Damara pulled herself out of the bed and stepped about into the pale light of the dull fire toward the screen door. She grasped it nervously and pulled it aside with as little noise as possible before she slid into the room and looked at her sister.

Damara almost screamed in shock, her sister was clasping at the air, writhing and screaming as she fought something back; it was almost a classic image of a demon possession. Damara shook her head of the fear she felt however, recalling that she’d been told her sister had indeed been bothered by a demon in the past and that this was probably just one of her violent memories of the event. Damara had to grasp her strength and her courage to step over to the writhing body and gently grasp one of the clasping hands with a soft whisper of affection.

“It’s alright Anouk… I’m here…” There was a strange moment of cognition from Anouk as she snatched a hand about Damara’s wrist and her body relaxed. Damara went quiet for a few moments before she noticed tears streaming down her sister’s grey-blue cheeks; something she had not seen since their father’s death! Fear grasped at her chokingly, Anouk’s nightmares needed to be talked about with the Head Healer, their aunt. However Anouk stroked at her sister’s arm and practically whimpered her affection. “I love you too Anouk… and that’s why you should talk to Molwesa, she always has time for you.”

Anouk opened her eyes and sat herself up slowly, ignoring Damara’s words as she blinked to adjust to the light. Within the thin sheets Anouk felt trapped and swiftly cast them aside before grabbing at her body with her free hand. Damara remained patiently sitting beside her sister, letting reality sink in as Anouk woke herself from the confusion of it all. Even so, Anouk had heard the name of her aunt and hissed violently at the thought of dealing with such a closed mind; if these dreams were indeed linked to memories for a time when Anouk knew herself to be in Molwesa’s care, then she did not want to talk to her. Regaining a smidgen of sanity Anouk opened her arms out, releasing Damara before embracing her in a tight hug.

“No, it was just brought on by my fears about you today. I’ll be alright in the morning.” Anouk sighed gently as she rubbed her eyes to clean the tears and fought back the wish to tell her sister everything. Damara would never understand or accept what Anouk was seeing in her mind; it felt better to make up simple lies with easy causes so that she would not worry. But Anouk still clasped her sister to her body tightly, desperate for the contact and the reassurance therein. When she heard the Dreggs and Karani shuffling near the screen door she breathed a sigh. “It’s alright you lot, come to the bed and we can all rest together.”

Karani needed no further inducement as she leapt into the room and straight to the hugging sisters. An orphan since seven Karani had always been eager to join such embraces and the Benaga Household were the only one willing. She hooked her long arms about the two and gently they held each other in the shadows before Karani breathed a sigh and sat back onto the sheet. As Anouk released Damara, Karani suddenly put her hands together, muttered something to herself and then suddenly grasped the air in front of her before turning whatever she held. Suddenly a collection of soft pink orbs wheezed into life above the trio, filling the room with light and chasing the shadows aside as Karani beamed with pleasure at her magic ability.

Anouk gave a soft sound of pride at the sight and Karani grinned mysteriously as she stepped toward Damara’s room followed by an orb. Curiosity flared within the group and Damara suddenly began to look excited at the sound of rummaging whereas Anouk grimaced over it all. Before long Karani padded back in with a vivid grin and a book stuffed under her arms from the library, everything about her looking mischievous. The moment Anouk’s eyes glanced at the spine she groaned in displeasure as the two younger females clapped their hands and giggled in excitement. Wishing that yesterday had been part of the nightmares was now impossible as Anouk released her sister and slumped back against her pillow with a grunt.

“Here’s something to completely distract you from the nightmares… planning the first party of the season! I got this wonderful book all about it and I know if Karayan agrees it will be the envy of every other household! We can start the season with a bang and really get the nobles on Karayan’s side, after-all he needs to make allies!” Karani squeaked and Damara beamed in delight, she knew that Anouk would need to make it big or she’d have some hassle from the nobles. Some could say Karani was overstepping the mark but Anouk just groaned again and swatted her hand toward them, rolling onto her side to go back to sleep. She was glad to have someone else interested in such a job as she certainly did not want to have to associate with any of the pompous factions let alone lick their boots!

“Alright… jobs for you two tomorrow – go to your lecture on dealing with shadow magic then meet this new guy and make your choices. I’m content just to pay for whatever.”

* * * * *

It was dawn on the surface when Anouk woke and began to prepare for her busy new day. With her butler and assistant gone she was left to sort the house and swiftly went to the kennels with a batch of sloppy meat and mash for the Dreggs. She made sure too to give each of the thirteen beasts a little attention, giving a little more to her prize Wrestler, Garos. She then hurried back to the kitchen and put bread dough she’d left to rise into the oven and fed the Yellow Dreggs before scavenging through her clothes for something appropriate. With the council meeting at high noon Anouk would have little time to fuss over her appearance and little of her individuality would be permitted to show, but at the same time she had to show some point of wealth!

Selecting a long billowing dark blue dress with blue billowing trousers, she remained less obvious and still well to do. She then pulled on a white head scarf that she tucked her red hair into before pulling two soft flaps forward to cover her ears. With this done she applied a large beaded string veil to the top of the scarf and a soft white mask to her mouth. She appeared more like a healer then an executioner so Anouk ensured her blade and its chain were strapped in a large black bag that sat over her shoulder. She then pulled the baked bread from the oven, left a note with it for Damara before grabbing some dried meat and stuffing it in her mouth as she marched off.

Following the sandy stone steps down from the main household to the corridor passed the kennels Anouk fell to thinking of her dream. She could not recall anything that might indicate she had been pregnant at some point or it she’d even had sex before. Her mind was too patchy on the matter and yet, as she passed the great waterfall that flooded portions of the route, an image came to her mind. She was not sure if it was real of just her imagination but she could see a one-year-old boy dozing in her lap with a sprig of blue hair, dazzling green eyes and yet a tail, wings, claws and fangs! Though it should have hit her as unusual and unwelcome, Anouk’s mind was quick to trick her into recognition and love for the image.

Though Anouk had been told she’d been possessed by a violent demon in her youth and that had been the cause of her confinement, she could not have been able to produce such a child with one. In fact she tried to remove the devilish attributes from the picture in her mind but she could not. Sighing and resigning herself to having no clue what was really going on, Anouk reached the criss-crossing bridges in time to meet one of the units heading out on patrol. They paused in shock for a moment, possibly thinking her to be Damara until they noticed the glare in her eyes. Swiftly they sent her the proper greeting of hand to heart and a bow, which she mimicked as she passed them by.

“Strange… in a dress you might mistake her as attractive!”

“How can you find a wannabe male attractive?”

“Don’t look at her too long or she’ll have your balls for her breakfast!”

“Stop talking about her, that Shelvarka is not worth the effort.” Normally Anouk ignored the mutterings of the idiots but this time she froze. She could take the phrase ‘Gizfak’ or ‘shunned’ in reference to her beliefs but to be called Shelvarka… a demon’s slut… just made her wrathful. When the troops in the brown fleece garbs realised the pause, they nearly squealed; each one had only a moment to choose to dodge or duck as the wickedly sharp blade was sent whipping through the air about them. When Anouk pulled it back she remained frozen to the spot until the commanding officer rushed over to her and prostrated himself upon the floor.

It was Captain Neugurt, a half-blood who was lucky to have been born to a daughter of the noble Galidorg family; otherwise he would never have gained a position. Respect was something his troops lacked, even for him and Anouk was loathed to punish him on their behalf. So instead she put her booted foot to his bent head in a display of mercy before grunting about being late. Neugurt stood up and watched her go in shock alongside his troops; they could not believe she’d missed the opportunity to use her magic and give them all a painful poisoning! The men would have dared to holler after her as if they’d won, but the unpredictability of the volatile figure kept them moving on.

Insults, whisperings, comments and rumours were common and ordinarily Anouk did not care unless they insulted her bloodline. As a Lord she was needed to maintain strong magic abilities brought to them alone by the Sacred Stones and represent the honour of the king. Had she been a man then she would have been a reflection of her dearest grandfather, still gruff and harsh but loved for his loyalty and humility. Even if gender was the only thing that stopped Anouk from being him, it was enough and amongst the ‘norm’ chosen by the king, Anouk was neither humble nor delicate enough to be a woman… yet she could not be a man either. These problems were not solitary, in fact she was on her way to visit the prison and the Death Cell where her other problem was being left to rot. Though the black stone walls, natural cave formations and magic made bars over each cell was unpleasant by most standards, the guards there were the roughest members of the Royal Core and it was the home of the Torture Division.

The Torture Division was now barely used save for instances where there was a possibility of demon possession and it had been here Loteg and Anouk had endured severe training regimes and ritualistic poisonings to allow them to ‘see beyond sight!’ It had been a horrendous time and she had been barely thirteen when the training had begun and all because her magic was not elemental although it appeared like a flame… her power was in blood and poison. Loteg had a similar ability as did all others in the Torture Division and from that fact alone Anouk had been feared before she’d even shown the first inkling of her aggression!

Walking down the hidden passage at the end of a seemingly pointless bridge, Anouk remained silent and calm as illusions of the walls and floor being coated in a living, heaving, squirming mass of insects swarmed about her. She paid no attention to the groans and sudden snapping squeaks and clicks of the creatures or the grumbles of a seemingly half-eaten figure melting away in a corner, begging her to turn back. The illusions barely changed but were more then effective enough to deter visitors to the prison or thoughts on escape! When she reached the great glittering black cavern with its stifling mud pools that bubbled away as she strolled over them, the red hooded figures of the Royal Core tensed at her arrival. They locked their great spears before the entrance as she approached before holding a hand to their heart, bowing their heads and stretching the spare limb to Anouk to be shaken in a full greeting. These two were new recruits to the gate and it was their first time meeting her so they appeared frightened over what they needed to do or what the protocol was. Either way they were too afraid of their new master to just let her in.

“Lord Benaga, we didn’t know an execution or torture was planned… is the Chief expecting to see you so early?” They stated, referring to Anouk’s old tutor Skabrat, the only other woman to hold command and a rank thanks to being the eldest daughter of her bloodline and the only one to have significant poison ability. But though these new figures tapped their chins and ears in confusion, Anouk just smiled a little at them and gave a chuckle.

“Not today, I’m here to visit Loteg now his isolation period is fulfilled. I will attempt to do so once a week in the early morning as permitted. I also came to see Talon.” Her words caused a wheeze of understanding and the guards nodded their heads and pulled their spears away. As they pulled a small door open to the side of the gate, Anouk stepped inside the little closest and waited for it to click shut and then whir downwards as she was taken to the main floor of the prison. Here there was a sudden cry and moaning of terror as the mentally ill, demonically incapacitated and the regular criminals felt her presence. Even if she were to walk through naked they would all still cringe in fear of the pain she could produce and her stoic, uncaring manner whilst doing so.

Upon stepping to the fat and pompous looking warden in his red cap and black cloak, Anouk signed herself in as a visitor and permitted herself to wear a magic impeding manacle. It was a standard precaution as the guard led her out to a narrow passage that just fell down into darkness; he then tied a lasso of rope about her waist, anchored it with his own body and held her steady as she scrabbled down the sheer slope into the chamber. The Death Cells were well named, for though given the ability to roam their cell and live in comfort, the person within could never get out and never see a lick of proper light. Most went mad from loneliness and ripped their eyes out to take to the surface, but Loteg was sitting comfortably in the light of the Gigi Crystals natural to Virenheim, reading his father’s journal.

“You haven’t changed in the time since I last saw you, just perhaps a little more tired.” Loteg stated, barely turning from his desk as he continued to study his various transcripts and letters. Now permitted letters and visitations, the mountain built up over his imprisonment needed to be sorted and he was busy with it. Some were snippets of news around Organthra, others on the natural subject of anatomy and a surprising majority were letters addressed to the king for his freedom that were cruelly given to Loteg to answer and explain why he was a heretic.

“The nightmares are back and on this occasion the dream of a child being taken from me. I couldn’t help but recall something your father had mentioned regarding my demon encounter.” Anouk sighed as she stepped over to the hunched figure with his blue hair now grown past his shoulders and his long yellowed nails tapping at the papers. He made a slight sound of interest before Anouk wrapped her arms about his neck and pulled his head back into her chest before kissing his nose, causing him to blush severely. “I’m glad you went quietly… Gahlvrod would have loved to beat you into pulp purely for Valina’s fate.”

“My mother chose to take her life in pride then die in shame, I have no hatred or regret over the matter; she did what she did. But I do envy the trouble it has brought upon you, Anouk.” Loteg stated with a soft sigh as he held his arms about her in return in a warm embrace. Had they not declared themselves Blood Bound under the ancient rituals of Nabuto when they’d finished their training, such interaction would be considered sexual and both would have been beaten under decency laws! However, Blood Bound beings were always seen as one half of the same being and if not for interventions on the part of her mother, Anouk and Loteg would have been expected to produce a child together to enter the temple or became a reserve heir to the Benaga Household. “My actions that day caused great suffering; I forgot our stance and made you appear honourless. For that single thing I thank your mother our marriage and love is forbidden… not that I would wish to sire a child to live in the shadows whilst the world above flourishes.”

“I would not thank my mother for anything. But I do not regret our friendship or bond. You are brother to me and husband should I never marry by the time I’m one hundred!” Anouk mused as she shook him playfully in a tight grip and kissed his cheek. But Loteg grasped her hand tightly, kissed it affectionately and then sighed piteously.

“Were you not Benaga… all your secrets could be revealed from the medical practices in Amber City. Your scar alone permits intrusions and prevents probing questions. My father did say something of forbidden techniques with memory and that he was present to see something done to you by your dear aunt. But his book is still filled with cryptic messages and I don’t want to break those codes in fear of what is there.”

“I understand – I must got visit Talon now, but if you have a plea for the council or requests for next week, please tell me now.”

* * * * *

The Karayan sat in the steam room of the lavish mansion with a scowl upon his face. He had remained comfortable all night thanks to a luxuriously soft bed, but upon waking had felt somewhat ashamed of the ridiculous extravagance of the dead general’s house. Though he now owned everything here and the titles of the general’s family, Higatso had been of no value to his family as a fifth son and so had lived a lonely life of womanising. Disgusted by many of the erotic artwork and other unpleasant features within this home, not to mention the amount of rooms, the Karayan had already decided to do something about it and move in his two new assistants, Droy and Martum.

Already the pair had helped him navigate the maze of corridors and rooms in search of a bed chamber not filled with waiting whores. The women in other rooms had been terrified of course but Karayan had ignored them and requested only that they take whatever they wanted from the property with them. This had startled a few into being coy, but when he revealed the reptilian talons of his hands they had fallen silent. Karayan did not want their attention anyway, he was more eager to meet the Klangschwert again and judge their skills and powers. To his great relief that morning the young Damara had arrived to greet him and her friends, as well as to discuss party matters.

Karayan had made sure nothing of his body was visible as he bathed in the steam room, but now he rushed to get clean fast. Once washed he grasped the fetid black cloth he had been wearing and ripped a piece off, letting it sit lonely within his great tanned claws for a moment as he whispered to it. As the rest of the garb fell onto the fire and burnt away in a flash, this lone piece suddenly wriggled and lunged forward, hooking its form about his human-like torso to cover him in a new dark shroud. It settled about him like a finely tailored suit, mimicking the robe shapes of the households here. He then pulled on his gloves and a gruesome muzzle to mask his mouth before stepping out dressed as ‘normal’ as was possible for a creature like himself. The only thing he had forgotten to cover was the soft dark brown hair that sat perfectly on just one side of his entire head. He was not sure what to do with that as he stepped into the light of the hallway and his new servants from Higatso’s house starred up at him in shock.

“Wow… now he’s washed he really looks like an Aeron!” Karani blurted in her white and black dress as she looked up the corridor. Droy and Martum were both quick to grasp her mouth shut as if she might have offended him, but the strange being just strolled down the hall to stand in one of the many Meeting Rooms with them. He was a little startled to see all of them present but happy nonetheless; to his greatest surprise however they were not at all bothered or staring at his black and red muzzle with its ogre-like teeth. Their eyes instead were locked upon the hair of his head and it made him unnaturally bashful about it.

The two males figured out that there was some kind of confusion there and swiftly beckoned him to sit down around a flat wooden table as fresh water and flat bread was brought out for them all. To this stark little set up, the Karayan’s thin eyebrows knotted and he gave a soft cough for attention, alerting Droy to his need for help. The gorgeous, almost feminine, elf stood up proudly and stepped to his new master’s side, bending down to listen to the low grumbles of his new general with a slight smirk. Only as he listened did he realise the situation and then turn towards the servants with a soft sigh. He stated calmly that the master had a different kind of setup in his home and therefore, for honour’s sake, he could not be seen to present guests with the food of the poor.

Damara was surprised and Martum too, for such an idea was important to the Viren elves as they expected to remain humble in all things and eat only what was deemed suitable. Martum had become confused as he had spent all morning discussing how much stuff the Karayan wanted to get rid of in some kind of humble display to the other lords, which would piss quite a few of them off. Yet they could understand the concern of the creature as he insisted on tea at least. His servants complied and in a rush they found something suitable and were startled as he thanked them and asked to be forgiven for his rude manners. They were a little surprised and even more so when he drank a cup in a single drain and then bowed very low to them and followed this bow with a gesture none present had ever seen before. It was almost a fist motion as if he were restraining the urge to hurt them and Droy almost wailed at the thought of earning his first beating from his new master over something to simple. However Karayan noted the manner and gave a grunt of frustration as he realised the confusion.

“Don’t be stupid… it’s just a motion to say I’m ready for the day. I said you did a good job and you did. I wouldn’t lie about my tea, I need to drink a cup every morning and evening to cleanse my body and your tea is different to me and better for it.” He grunted but they still seemed afraid and he gave a soft groan of annoyance. “Forget it, how about we go visit the council so I can make my damn proposal to shift this garbage.”

* * * * *

Anouk had received a happy surprise on arriving at the small grey-brown bunker structure where the council met. There was generally only one meeting every fortnight and petty local matters or religious matters were dealt with by the Council of Elders, those beings that had been living and working in their jobs so long that they were masters of their craft and used to figuring out such problems! Anouk knew that even as she marched to the true Council’s meeting, there were only three women present amongst the twenty noble households, her aunt as the Head Healer, herself as head of the Benaga Household and her old master Cania Skabrat. For Cania her time in this position would be brief as in five years time she would be succeeded by her currently underage brother and then Anouk would rarely see her old ally. But it was what Skabrat had already brought up from the prison that had come as a shock….

Anouk’s concerns for being unable to speak to Talon before the meeting were waved aside as she stepped into the narrow hall with its single burning fire and spotted the individual standing beside her old friend. Talon, the son of the Benaga household’s butler Hunjo who was now retired, was standing beside a trio of lords talking towards the King who was hidden behind his collection of robed Watchers. A tall and handsome young male, Talon was standing beside them with a look of relief upon his features and Anouk almost chuckled as she strolled over, her ears straining beneath the hood to try and listen in. But as she looked at the group and noted Lord Yeruell nodding his head to the Watchers, she froze to listen to his words but was startled by the lord he addressed.

“Lord Lutas, after careful consideration the King has chosen to agree with your thoughts on the matter. He has agreed that in times of severe stress and grief, respect for the gods and the rules can often be forgotten and risks taken that prove terrible. We agree that Talon’s actions were to save his wife and child in intention, that there was no malice or wish to slaughter either being. He will be relinquished into the command of his household but any form of blasphemy noted to his person… with proof… will lead to his parole being revoked and an immediate death sentence. This is the will of King Otzell, may he be praised.” Lord Yeruell stated with a soft grunt of frustration before turning towards the shadowy forms of the Watchers and especially Lord Numart the head of the Watchers, for any objection from the king. When his words to praise the king were repeated by all present in the bunker alongside a bow that even Anouk copied, Yeruell then gave a surprisingly soft smile on his now visible and handsome face. “Then Talon, thank your assistants here, greet your master and then wait outside for her. I’ll make the arrangements with Lord Gahlvrod and Lord Togoll to sort the records and you will need to report to Lord Floryas each evening with a list of everything you have been doing each day signed by as many witnesses as you can get. Is that understood?”

“Yes my Lord, I thank all my friends, all the wisdom of the council, the watchers and the king but mostly I give thanks to Nabuto for this test.” Talon stated, dropping onto the floor in front of the raised platform where the king was sitting behind the cloud of his highly trained mages, kissing the pallid white stone of the floor in thanks and humility. He then stood up and turned to grasp the arms of Lutas and Skabrat in a show of gratitude before turning on his heel to face Anouk. The moment the pair made contact with their eyes their faces lit up into massive smiles before Talon rushed to his master’s side and grasped her in a swift, sudden hug before bowing low to kiss her feet and then rushing off outside.

Anouk was left standing and looking foolish as she realised that her dear friend and assistant had just been released from what was practically a life-long sentence. She agreed with the release of course, he was someone that she had sometimes looked to as a son and his incarceration had been unnecessary as his actions had removed the drowned child from his wife’s belly when she had already passed into death from the blood loss. He had not killed his wife or his child, it had been the ineptitude of the healers and the fact that surgery was forbidden under the ancient laws of Nabuto. Her poor friend would need absolute attention now and Anouk would make sure he and Damara were kept close together so both would still have their freedoms. However, her eyes locked onto the smug yet gentle expression of Lord Alvonse Lutas… Anouk’s greatest enemy and the one to have spread the rumours of her demonic possession involving sexual acts that Anouk knew had not occurred.

Her face took on something resembling appreciation and gratitude, but her jaw clenched and her lips twitched constantly with the snarl she was trying to force down. However with the rest of the twenty lords stepping in to sit around the platform she dutifully stepped to her position, a black cushion to the right hand side of the king as he sat on his throne. Sitting in cross-legged contemplation with her head downward in thought as the king whispered to Yeruell and he greeted everyone present, she prepared for the boring business of the season and the start to the ‘good times’ for Virenheim society. The boring conversations began with the various nobles talking about their duties and any complaints they had over the situation. When the usual matters were dealt with, the Karayan was brought up as a subject and followed by a cacophony of problems.

“This whole matter is unacceptable.” The booming almost scoffing voice of Lord Caphoni, Head of the Surface Army, was the first to speak above the crowd. Anouk remained looking at the ground opposite her aunt, the Head Healer, listening in fascination at the fusses with her smirk hidden beneath her mask. For a green skinned being like Caphoni, the Karayan was an obvious insult as he was in charge of the recruitment of foreigners into the citadel and the win had smacked his ego right down. Considering he alone was the one to decide what foreigners were allowed into the ranks and how much power they were permitted, Karayan was an uncontrolled possibly homicidal unpredictability that he had no power over. “He has not been checked out fully or even been through the quarantine procedures… we don’t know his capabilities, he could be a demon!”

“He has no understanding of our culture or religion… how can he just be accepted into the rank Higatso claimed?” Lord Alagpo, the Head of the Religious Ordinance, was another being that had lost a deal of power in the acceptance of the battle’s result. In his case he had not baptised the stranger and therefore could not state that the blessing of Nabuto had been upon Karayan. Although he had been quick to point out Higatso’s reluctance to be humble and had often been at odds with the figure, he should have been able to predict the change was coming thanks to his own communing with the gods. He was quick to agree with Caphoni and fuss over the risk of a demon and Anouk rolled her eyes at the ridiculous manner of it all.

“We all agreed to the fight as our King decided the rules and the results. If you had a problem you should have voiced it then.” Lord Chroniison, Head of the Gates, sighed gently from his position in the centre of the group. Everyone went quiet to look at him, knowing him to be a favoured pupil of the King and a friend to everyone. But his choice of words came as a shock to them all. No one could expect such a thing from him considering three of his men had been killed in the process of the stranger entering through a Dregg Tunnel and reaching the market place. He should have been just as livid as the others but his words were correct and the majority of the group nodded their head in acceptance.

“It is true… no protest was made at any point during the battle and the King accepted the Karayan being without hesitation. If our King could see no malice within this stranger then we should not expect him to be trouble.” Lord Numart stated slowly with his soft almost whispering voice from beneath his pitch cowl as he sat on the floor directly beside the king’s throne where the shroud swallowed figure of the monarch remained protected. A great grey veil was held by the other members of the Watchers to ensure that none of the lords could see details that were unwanted as the king itched in thought. His words encouraged the calm and Numart turned his shadowed face toward the Head of Mages, nervous Lord Zehna and the Head of the Sacred Stones, scowling Lord Sheran, with a soft sigh. “You said there was no fluctuation in the attitude of the stones and the Karayan would not have been able to pass through the tunnels without being revealed as a demon. Plus the Dreggs in the tunnels made no attempt to stop him or even get close to him… therefore we can all agree he is not troublesome.”

“Well with that sorted let’s discuss the party… when is it set for Lord Benaga?” The jovial turn of the King’s other favourite pupil, Lord Vasagar mused in delight. Anouk jumped in surprise and turned her head toward the handsome elder man with a snort of irritation. Vasagar was the biggest ladies man and one of the most eligible bachelors within Virenheim and he knew it! With a ceremonial position of Head Butler and known as the best sword master in the Kingdom, everyone looked to Vasagar as the lighter side of life and the one person who could make the king laugh. His words made Anouk’s eyes roll as she breathed a sigh and lifted a hand up in acknowledgement.

“I’ve given the task up to Damara to decide… she said that Nabuto guided her thoughts yesterday and I felt she deserved the honour of arranging the first party of the season. I hope you all agree with me on this thought, my sister has been in need of something to distract her and such experience only bodes well for any potential marriage.” Anouk stated with a sigh and nodded her head. She was lying of course about what her sister had said, but it would please everyone to hear such a thing and calm them all down. It also irked a slightly irritated look from the aged Lord Delmar Kelvis who understood that Anouk was also throwing an insult towards him for his poor teaching of Jarl. The words seemed to appease everyone and there was suddenly a beckoning gesture from the king aimed directly at Anouk.

Although she was not normally permitted to step to the king’s side at all, Yeruell stepped out to grasp her hand gently, smiling warmly as he led her towards the king’s seat and she dropped completely onto the floor in front of Numart. Numart stepped aside and every one of the noblemen present muttered softly in fascination as the king stepped from the stone throne and waved a hand for the veil to move. The nobles blanched and put their eyes to the ground to avoid looking at the clay death mask where the king’s face was hidden, before his slightly aged hand stretched out to touch Anouk’s head. The moment it happened Molwesa jumped in her seat and nearly darted over to throw her niece out of the way, but Yeruell stood firmly to Anouk’s back, guessing the frustration and making sure the king was not interrupted.

“Favoured child of the Klangschwert… you prove time and time again the value of your warrior’s heart and bloodline. Let the new season begin a new time where none may ever title you as anything but Klangschwert… Lord Benaga.” At such deep and yet gentle words the king’s hand seemed to stroke the top of Anouk’s head scarf tenderly before pulling his hand back and stepping back. Such favour and kindness caused all of the nobles to growl in frustration but for those who had known Anouk for so long, it was relieving to hear the king finally give her the proper title and accept her position amongst the council fully.

For Anouk it was a hopeful moment of clemency and for her sister a chance for Damara to be given the full praise she deserved.

* * * * *

Damara however was in a curious situation as she strolled around the deep platform waiting for the Karayan to finish his discussion with Droy and Martum and Lord Selvak’s grandson Terrig. As a member of the Money Collectors, Terrig was expected to be tight with all monetary situations going on within the kingdom and charity events, but he was looking petrified over the introduction to the new general. He was supposed to be discussing where the proceeds of the event were to go to but his questioning had irritated the new general so much that one growl had made him hide under the desk. Even though Droy was trying to fill out the forms himself and Martum was trying to inform Terrig there would be no transactions, the skinny and short little elf remained trembling under his desk.

“Hey Karayan why don’t you go with Damara to the bench over there? It looks out at the crystal caves. You and Damara can talk about the party ideas more whilst I help out with Terrig!” Karani beamed from beside her companion, suddenly leaving Damara to tremble in terror as she launched over to the booth and the Karayan turned on his heels. Strolling towards the low stone bench with Damara swiftly at his side, the pair remained silent as Karani grabbed Terrig and tried to pull him up to talk. Before their arrival to the little booth, Karayan had been talking about the party and then about the council. Learning about the twenty noble families and the two honourable members, that was himself and the Head Healer, Karayan had discussed more about his concerns for the two non-male members of the council. Although he was informed the Head Healer was traditionally the highest position for a female and strictly a female’s position, Skabrat’s situation was explained away easily as a temporary matter but Anouk had been different. Karayan seemed quite astounded by the thoughts around Anouk and he decided to continue the conversation as his assistants tried to solve his situation.

“You said that your sister has always been an object of… fascination… for the council? What is it they find so offensive; I hope to Amusa it’s not her gender!” Karayan stated as he settled down on one of the many benches that overlooked the beautiful crystal cave. At his mention of the moon goddess Damara could not help herself but smile, she had never heard anyone speak the name of the moon in a good reference to her sister before and Karayan’s curious thoughts fascinated her. Virenheim law stated that only in the direst of situations could a woman inherit her father’s mantle and with even their uncles and all other blood relatives dead, Anouk had taken the position. That would have been accepted at least a little more, had Anouk not been promised this position upon her grandfather’s death rather then given when her father had died. Not to mention the fact she had never been paired up with a noble son to marry and take the position from her.

“Women in this society have a very important purpose to fight to protect the inner city when no one else can. We guard the future of our people and hold the legends and truths. We tell the stories and teach the language, we go on scout duty and we cook, but our greatest gift is our knowledge of tradition.” Damara stated with a massive grin, beaming at the thought that she had memorised her teachings wonderfully and that she felt proud to say it. In her mind there was no better place for a woman to be then right here where she could be happy and never have to worry about the matters that put Anouk at such odds with the council. Damara knew she wanted nothing more then love and family in life… she did not need to care about anything else and that was the way it should be.

But as she looked at the expression upon Karayan’s face she almost blanched at his seeming disgust. Sure he had figured out that something had been up he found it unhappy to think that Virenheim was actually more backward then the surface dwellings for the foreigners made it appear. He found himself looking over his shoulder to where Martum and Droy were busy chatting with Karani, protecting them both and keeping anyone from making ridiculous slanders from Terrig whilst the Karayan spoke with his new and first friend. But in looking at them both and knowing what he did from his brief time with them chaperoning him around his new villa and the kingdom, Karayan felt bad.

He had the suggestion that Virenheim was probably the kind to disallow any form of love outside of the union for the purpose of reproduction… meaning it probably did not even understand love. With a grunt he turned toward Damara and noticed her unhappy expression before he nodded his head for her to continue explaining about her sister, rather then discussing the politics of the situation. When Damara knew she had the cue to continue she suddenly found herself pinching her hands together and looking downward at the ground with an uncomfortable grimace upon her face. She had heard before the kind of things Anouk and Ling had said about the treatment of women elsewhere and she assumed that Karayan probably also thought that Damara should look for more in her life then simply children.

“Well…she doesn’t like the traditional roles we play in society… she wants us to be able to make decisions along with the rest of the council about things like building work and monuments. She wants there to be statues of more then just the kings and lords of the past but the great female teachers and mothers. She gets annoyed too that every woman who writes a book must have it censored if it is a factual piece as it is believed that we are always biased in our writing to motherhood and lust. In fact, we only really get to write romance works freely as we’re told from the beginning that we should understand the ins and outs of romance because then we can get what we need from reading without dalliances… uh… that sounds a little confusing doesn’t it, maybe I’m not explaining anything right.” In fact Damara found herself focusing too much on that element in her mind and grimacing as she thought over some of the traditional roles within an engagement and wondered whatever had happened to the cloth with her first cycle on it that, by tradition, had been given to Jarl the moment it had happened!

“How about I answer that question… or would you rather I tell Anouk what you’ve been talking about and get you into more trouble then you’re already in, Lady Benaga.” The familiar voice made Damara grimace in displeasure and the Karayan turn about in surprise. He appeared shocked to see a young Deep elf with jet black hair on only one side of his head, massive flickering red eyes and an expression of smugness about him. But though he would have felt enraged to be interrupted so impolitely by a stranger, he noted the look of shock and joy on Damara’s face as she turned about in realisation and did not wish to say anything more into the matter, simply to allow what was to happen to happen.

“TALON! OH TALON YOU’RE FREE!” Leaping onto her feet and almost rushing over to embrace him before she noticed the guards that had just released him, Damara strolled to his side. She pressed her hand to her heart and bowed as he mimicked and then they held each other at the shoulder in a gesture of trust and affection. For Damara, Talon’s release was like having a big brother back from the wars and she could not stop herself from smiling, ignoring the progress Karani had made and the form she was carrying over to Karayan.

“By the luck of Nabuto and a curious plea from Lord Lutas… yes dear Damara I am free!” Talon chuckled gently and yet his words made Damara’s eyebrows knot. She was startled that an enemy to Anouk, who was very unhappy with Talon because it had been one of his own servants the gentleman had married, would have assisted him in the matter. However she knew that Lutas was, to everyone else, a loving and endearing figure with a sweet smile and a gentle personality. Always willing to look after the students and reduce Tyfuga’s wrath on the poor youngsters, Lutas was a beloved figure and just as Damara had been about to praise him, Talon pinched her shoulders. His eyes were looking passed her towards Karayan as the figure took the papers with a thanks from Karani before stepping over to Talon’s side. “Ah… you would be the Karayan… I’m pleased you’ve been so kind to my charge and kept her safe; I am butler to the Benaga, son of Hunjo Yagurn, Talon Yagurn… I am nicknamed Little Brother by Lord Benaga and wish to be referred to as Talon.”

“Your introductions seem far too long… you tell me your relation to a noble family, your father’s name and then your name before a nickname and preferred name… it’s difficult for me to grasp completely.” Karayan groaned, smashing his clawed hands to his face and causing Talon’s eyes to boggle in surprise. He watched the strange talons click against the muzzle the figure had placed upon his face and then he gulped when he looked into the vicious citron eyes. “I have only one name… Karayan… I have no house I am related to, no father I have known of or anything that would make me greet someone so ridiculously!”

“Oh Karayan… I did not know you were an orphan… Karani, Martum and Droy are all orphans too… their mothers all died from a womb sickness after birth and their fathers on patrol…. Poor Karayan…” Damara stated gently and the words made Karani, Martum and Droy all start and hurry over in excitement. They were curious to know his cause as such things were openly spoken of within the society to prove that orphans were not objects of neglect or shame. Karayan though just rubbed his hands upon his temple with a growl of frustration, his whole hope of learning more about Damara’s sister lost in a wave of questions he did not want to answer.

The little collection attempted to learn whatever they could of the figure but Karayan decided firmly that he did not want to answer any such things. When he turned silent and faced towards the crystals to focus on something else and not loose his patience, the council began to shuffle out of the lonely door in the stone attached to Tirrog’s booth. The moment the lords began to depart everyone present dropped down onto their knees and put their heads to the floor in a proper sign of respect as a section of the lords surrounded the Watchers as they too exited the building, the king somewhere amongst them. It was only then that Anouk revealed herself to be waiting at the end to leave and her eyes locked on to the form of the Karayan.

For a moment their eyes locked onto one another and their expressions shifted to something of shock, but the moment Lord Yeruell’s hand tapped Anouk’s shoulder the lock was broken and Anouk turned. Feeling something strange within her that could not be recognised but wished to be, Anouk held her hand to the lord for a moment as she turned back around to look at the Karayan again. But to the surprise of everyone present he was already marching as far away and as quickly as possible; Martum and Droy galloped after him swiftly before Talon shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.

“I think we asked too much.”

Next Chapter: Four