Naveen

Dancing had always been fun, bit dancing with someone else was even better. All the attention was a bit much, but once it was a dance, I only needed the focus on the steps, the music, and now Dorian. My wings longed to be free of the spell holding them out of view, to flutter along to the music. But they had to stay hidden, had go be a secret.

Dorian:

When the song changed again, I was reluctant to stop dancing with her, but I lead her off the dance floor all the same. She was drawing much attention at this point and it wasn't good for her. When Maleen was with her, she could deflect others gazes. Now all that protected here were the spells that worked at a distance.

I let him lead me along, glancing back only once to smile at the court who watched. "Are we going to the others?" Linking my arm in his I turned that smile up at him. I hoped that we would be heading to our rooms. I could let my wings free there.

Dorian:

"Yes we are," I answered as I lead her out of the ballroom. "Did you feel anything earlier? When Maleen collapsed? She and Talon felt some sort of magic," I explained, thinking about their conversation.

Wren:

I considered for a moment, "I felt...I dunno. I felt something. It was...strong but I was also really caught up with the excitement....I just figured it might have been tied to that..." Sheepishly I looked down.

Rina:

It had been three days since the Lady Alia had arrived. Maleen had been sick since in happened, so much so that I had to arrange to move her to a house outside of the castle. Wren went with her but Dorian stayed with me. I had to attend a parade in the village, so Dorian went as my guard, leaving Talon behind so that he wouldn't be sneered at by ignorant villagers. I would have felt better going with him, but I trusted Dorian enough.


Lady Alia often walked in the gardens by herself in the mornings for the fresh air. She wasn't quite alone, of course. She always had a few guards stationed around to watch her, but she made sure that they would not disturb her.

Talon:

It wasn't often that I ventured among the castle on my own. Today felt like an exception. I wanted to be outside, to feel cool air on my skin. And so I made a trip into the gardens. Since Maleen had been removed from the castle I'd made sure to always go in full armor and weaponry. It drew more looks, but it also kept most from coming up to me.

I found a stone bench within the garden, settling down and arranging my weapons to not impede my rest. Tilting my face up to the sky I closed my eyes to enjoy the warmth.

When the guards spotted Talon near lady Alia they started to move in, but with one motion of her hand, the backed off. She approached the dozing elf, with her back to the rising sun.

"Talon," She spoke softly, in a melodic tone. She did not resemble the goddess he was familiar with, but in that moment, she allowed her features to shift for his eyes only into the one he would recognize.

Talon:

I basked in the warmth, though my heart pined for the cool light of the moon. The two celestial bodies were close to the heart of my people. We worshipped the moon, but on our misty mountain we never had a chance to see the sun but on rare occasions where it barely pierced the heavy shroud that dominated the tall rocky expanse.

"Talon." A melodic tone called, stirring ancient memories held in my blood. A frown crossed my features, breaking the serenity that once dominated my form. I knew few people in this castle, fewer still knew my name, and of those that did none of them had such a voice.

Opening my eyes I turned my face to the voice. At first I sat there, gazing at the woman. Who was this fair maiden? Why was she so familiar? And then it came to me in a rush. The one before me was a spitting image of the goddess cloaked in flesh. Slowly my body found it's way to its feet as I stared in disbelief.

"Are you our Moon?" I asked, my tongue slipping into the language of my people. "The goddess who gave us the Moon."

Alia smiled with laughter chiming out like a bell. “It pleases me to be known by you. I did not expect to find a child of mine here among men. You have strayed far from the mountains elfling.” She spoke in his own language. She seemed to glow with a soft light closer to the shine of the moon than the rays of the sun.

Talon:

"We have lost much of our mountains my lady. My people are dying out, we have had to find allies to help us. Our once proud and strong nation has dwindled to our Citadel. Even now we are beset upon by monsters. Things are grim. Many have no managed to survive the transition either into becoming warriors." I gripped the pommel of one blade, staring at the ground before raising it up to her. "I am sorry My Lady. I shouldn't trouble you with the plight of my people."

“You and all of your kind are my children. It is not a trouble to hear your worries, neither is it news to me. But do not fear, I would never let my children slip into the darkness. I have been asleep for a time, but I am most assuredly awake now. You and your people are all a part of my plan for this world,” she said and touched his arm. With the contact, he would feel a rush of soothing warmth.

My eyes widened as she spoke. "My people would be honored to know that the one we most revere still cares for her children. Lady of the moon you have been sorely missed. I can only assume you have much to look after beyond the worries and troubles of a now small nation."

Drawing my great blade I slid the point down into the earth, sinking to one knee as I went. Keeping hold of the hilt with both hands I bowed my head before her. "I, Talon Mar'lerian, Lord of the Mist Mountain and ruler of the Moon's children do swear fealty towards you, Goddess of the Moon. My people as they have always been are yours to command and use as you see fit my lady. We are few in number now and our strength is not what it once was. But our hearts and strength are yours."

Alia smiled and placed her hand on his bowed head. “Your devotion honors me, elfling. If the time comes I may call on you. Now rise and go forth heartened that I am here to make all right,” She spoke softly. There was a quiet chirp from an unnaturally red swallow that flew over them and up to the hallways of the castle.

Standing I pulled my blade free of the earth and flicked it clean of grime before returning it back into the sheath on my back.  "Yes my Lady."  I bowed to her then turned, a slight curve lighting upon my lips. I took no more than a single step before turning back around. "My lady? If I may ask a request? I have traveled to this kingdom with companions. There is one, Rina, she is half sister to your fiance..." I paused a moment, lips twitching as I pondered for the briefest of moments. Casting it aside I continued, "He seems set on seeking her death. I beg of you to get him to reconsider. She is valuable to the kingdom, if given the chance. And is my friend, ally, and someone dear to me."

“Yes. I am aware. I will not alter his mind, but I will protect her from an untimely death by him or any other,” she told him then nodded her head. Her appearance returned to that of Lady Alia.


Rina:

My blood ran cold at the sight of him with her. Not a minute ago he had knelt before her. It made me sick in my stomach to think of what had passed between the two of them. Aero chirped and fluttered down to my shoulder. When they parted ways, I stepped back into the shadows of the hallway. I wanted to confront him, but I couldn’t dare do it out in the open where others might see.

Bowing again and giving her my thanks I strolled away from her, pleased by the entire exchange. Rina was going to be safe for now. And to top it all off I had news of great importance to share with my people.

Rina:

I ducked into the stairwell to go back to my room where he would probably find me at some point. I lifted my skirts so I could hurry up the stairs but I only made it up a few steps before the door at the bottom opened.

I knew it was him before I turned. I let my green skirt fall as I faced him. It was my intention to act like I had seen nothing but upon setting my eyes on him I couldn’t help the feeling of betrayal that showed in them. Words escaped me. The only thing that played in my mind was the image of him bowing before Lady Alia.

I almost didn't notice her, preoccupied as I was with how I was going to get a message out to my people. But I stopped a few steps below her, tilting my head back to gaze up at Rina. A smile grew on my lips before I ever noticed the betrayed look in her eyes. "Rina? What's wrong?" That smile quickly turned into a frown.

Rina:

I was taken aback by his response. “What’s wrong?” I echoed. I had expected him to act guilty. Perhaps he didn’t realize what I had seen. “I saw you. In the garden. With Lady Alia,” I spoke with a strained tone. My heart was thumping painfully in my chest. Why did it hurt to think about it?

Talon:

I could only look at her in confusion for a moment then understanding dawned on me. "Lady Alia is not what she appears." I set a hand on the pommel of my sword and looked down. "My people revere a goddess, but ours visited us once upon a time. She came from the moon and gave us the ability to forge the lines on our skin. She is what made my people strong. But she entered into a sleep. Lady Alia is that goddess."

Rina:

I stared at him in astonishment while my mind whirled around the information he gave me. “Talon, that’s insane. She can’t be. And if she was, why would she be here? The only elf here is you and she hasn’t spoken to you until now. Why would she be marrying the prince if she were a goddess? It’s ridicules that you would believe that.” I shook my head. I thought back to what I had seen. It was less of a bow and more in a pose of service. “What did you, Talon?” It was worse than I first thought.

I spread my hands, "I know what I saw. But I also know it's not my place to question what powers above me do." I frowned and glanced back the way I had come. "I don't understand why she'd be marrying the prince anymore than you do. But she called us the same as she called us back then. My people kept careful record." I turned to look up at Rina.

"I asked for her to keep you safe Rina."

Rina:

“Oh! Thank goodness!” My voice raised then lowered when I remembered where we were. “Thank goodness you asked someone who is likely impersonation a goddess for who knows why.” My anger was boiling over. I took a step down so I could lower my voice and still be heard. “Someone who has the ability to pull off such magic. Someone who came here to marry a bloodthirsty prince. You really think your goddess would do that?”

I took another step so I was only standing one above him. “You know Maleen felt something awful when she came here? We thought it was someone with her, but now it looks like it’s her. She’s powerful Talon, and what did you do?” I looked him in the eyes. “What did you do Talon? Did you swear an oath to her?”

My gaze hardened the more she spoke. "I did what was necessary for my people." Steel laced my tone as Rina gazed into my eyes. "I swore fealty. How long have we been here Rina? What have you and Brian worked on in that time? Are my people any closer to finding peace and safety? Are those you speak for?"