AN: Welcome one and all to this tale of mine. It is set in a fantasy world that has been evolving over the last few years. If you have any questions about it, please do ask. I would love to answer them. The same goes for comments. I would love to hear what you think. Ad now I bid you happy reading. Enjoy!
Chapter 1
The harvest was almost in, but the farmers were still hard at work, the sound of rhythmic songs and blades swooshing through the air ringing faintly on the harsh whooping wind. The fields surrounding Tuin Éstti were left barred to the wind, sharp-edged stubble sticking up out of dried-out teal-blue soil. Alec drew a deep breath, leaning his elbows on the parapet running along the battlement. The air was sharp and thick on his tongue, and he got the feeling that getting in the harvest would be just in time. He could almost feel the brewing of a late-summer storm like a prickle to his skin. He rose his eyes to the sky. It was a clear sort of blue, dotted here and there with fluffy-white clouds, which made you feel like you could see for miles and miles. In the midst of it all three dots were turning into distinctive figures. The new riders were getting close.
Setting his shoulders with a deep sigh, Alec trotted down the three steps carved into the parapet, and stepped through the door hidden in the side of one of the three tear-shaped towers rising above the motte. Tuin Éstti was a fortress, build with the purpose of defense, and held little room for embellishment. The outer sides of the circular motte were steep and covered in thick dark-orange straw, that could cut through thick-woven fabric even in winter. The inside of the moat, a spears-throw across, had been hollowed out, and only the three towers rose above the structure. Concave walls, three men tall, rose above a ward with a retractable cover, beneath which a steep-sided cone bore down into the earth. The cover had been closed for the occasion, and the large emblem of the House of Lightwood seemed almost jarring with its sharp colours. By the time Alec stepped onto the narrow walkway running around the edge of the ward, the ominous beating of large wings was clearly audible. Not long after, three large creatures landed, one by one, on the cover. Alec watched from his place in the shadows, as three men clambered off of the backs of the dragons, stretching their limbs as they chatted with each other. The dragons, too, stretched and yawned with deep rumbles reverberating of the concave walls. The ward, normally large enough to house the entire population of Tuin Éstti and its catchment with ease, seemed dwarfed by the large creatures. The one in the middle, a deep-purple snake-like creature, was the biggest and most imposing, though the sun-yellow one to its left had it almost beat. By comparison, the one on the right seemed almost small and cuddly with its flat face and tight build. It yawned, showing of two rows of pointed teeth, and suddenly the image of a cuddly kitten left Alec's mind. He quickly turned his attention to the men, who were now shoving each other as they took in the towers and the sides of the motte. They were all of them dressed in the same uniform consisting of soft-looking tunics over baggy pants and a heavy, fur-lined cloak. Weapons were strapped to the belts wrapped around their waists. Sometimes, the duties as the eldest son of the Lord of Ashlon weighed heavier than others, Alec thought as he heaved yet another sigh. Squaring his shoulders he marched into the light. It took only a second for the riders to notice his approach, and they quickly formed a line, bowing in the greeting befitting their rank. Alec returned it with as much grace as he could muster.
"The house of Lightwood welcomes you," he said, straightening up and letting his arms fall down along his sides again.
"We, Rider Jem, Magnus and Ragnor, thank the house of Lightwood for their hospitality." The rider in the middle responded in the formal fashion, pointing first to his left, then to his right and lastly to himself. He was tall and stoic-looking with soft-brown hair and the green-tinted skin of the people of the Heinor'Fell. Judged by the rich midnight blue of his uniform, he was the leader of the group.
"The hospitality is openly offered," One of the dragons, the small and white creature that seemed to shimmer like gems in the sun, shook its broad shoulders, and Alec, to his horror, felt himself falter over the words. "And we only hope your stay will be peaceful." The rider to the right, Magnus, smirked, almost unnoticeably, signaling to the white dragon with a wave of slim fingers.
"Well, that's what we're here to make happen, isn't it, darling?" He said in a smooth, ice-melting kind-of-a-voice. Rider Ragnor tensed at the break with formality, though he visibly stopped himself from reproving Rider Magnus.
"This is a hope we share." Rider Ragnor ground out, a hint of exasperation sneaking in to his voice. The two other riders smirked at his words, Magnus practically rolling his eyes. He was the tallest of the three, his build lithe and lean. He held himself with an almost careless casualness, and the flashing of his green-gold eyes was all that betrayed the alertness to what was happening around him. The wink he send Alec, when he noticed the way Alec's eyes had lingered on him a second too long, made Alec once again stumble over his next words.
"The House of Lightwood are hosting a banquet this evening. We would be honoured if you would care to attend." The rider to the right's smirk widened, but he let his leader reply with the formal acceptance. With another round of bows Alec could finally withdraw, and he did so as hastily as was befitting the eldest son of the Lord of Ashlon. It wasn't until the door to the ward had closed behind him that he allowed his shoulders to slump, as the air left his lungs in a large whoosh.
(***)
"So what are they like?" Alec's eyes rose to meet Izzy's in the mirror. The room reflected back at him was minimalistic to match the functional exterior of the Fortress. Three of the tall walls were made of bare dark-blue stone, unadorned. The fourth was integrated into the crystal panes of the cone. With the cover withdrawn, the afternoon sun filtered through the crystal, creating a soft light in the room. Furniture was sparse, and the bed was the only thing of real luxury with its soft mattress and fluffy blankets. The doors to the wardrobe were thrown open, clothes draped haphazardly on hangers and on the floor in front of it where Izzy had left it in her search for Alec's outfit. The table in the corner by the crystal wall was covered in scrolls from the afternoon meetings. Izzy send him a cheeky smile from her seat in the middle of his bed, the black dress bunching up around her.
"Who?" Alec asked, confused, returning his attention to the far too many buttons on the tight-fitted black coat his sister had picked out for him. It was richly adorned with silver threads and black beads shaping out leaves and flowers. It was also heavy and thick, with long sleeves that covered the tops of his hands.
"The new riders, obviously." Izzy drawled from the bed, pulling out a bead necklace from the jewelry box in her lap. She was mostly done getting ready for the banquet, lacking only the last finishing touches, as she had proclaimed when she had come into his room. Her long dark hair was braided into an intricate up-do, beads and gems making it shimmer in the changing light. The dress she had picked for herself was black as the night, with a beaded bodice that left nothing to the imagination, and a poofy skirt that seemed lighter than air whenever she moved. She had framed her dark eyes with black and silver powders fanning out in a leaf-like pattern. Her lips she had painted a dark silver.
"The new riders? I don't know." Alec smoothed out the fabric of the form-fitted coat and turned on his heel to face his sister. "I only spoke to them for a minute, and only about formal matters." Izzy rolled her eyes, fighting her way of the bed. The many thin layers of her dress swooshed softly into position, as she held out the necklace she had chosen for him to take. He did so with a soft smile, stepping around her to fasten it at her neck.
"One day I will have to teach you just how much you can learn about someone without ever speaking a word with them." Izzy turned around to inspect Alec's appearance. "But for tonight I guess I'll have to rely on my own observations." she straightened out Alec's coat, smiled in satisfaction and turned for the door. "Shall we?" she turned to send him one of her wicked smiles, offering up her arm. Shaking his head, Alec followed her out the door.
(***)
At the lowest level of the fortress, underneath the crystal cone, lay the Hall - market place, city square and heart of the fortress. It was a large open-plan space. The edges of the circular room was lined with small shops and market stalls. Five large pillars supported the crystal ceiling, and the blackstone-floored space between them was kept clear. On most days the place was bustling with the everyday life of the inhabitants of Tuin Éstti with people shopping in the marketplaces, or enjoying meals or hot drinks at the little eateries which tables lined the pentagon city-square. This was also where the people of Tuin Éstti met up for special occasions.
The pale blue light of the moon, shining down through the crystal ceiling, was magically amplified, and traveled down the pillars in swooping spirals. The lively music was underscored with lively chatter and laughter. The swirling silvery pattern carved into the blackstone floor shone brightly under dancing feet. When new riders arrived at the fortress everyone was invited to celebrate, and the Hall was filled with happy people. The specially invited guest to a private dinner hosted by the lord's wife arrived to the Hall to find the party already in full swing. It didn't take long for Alec's siblings to disappear into the crowds, and he looked after them with a fond smile. He got a glass of sweet wine from one of the stalls lining the square, and found a nice secluded spot next to one of the pillars to watch the party from. He could see Izzy's black skirt swirl in a sea of colours, as her dance partner swirled her across the floor. Jace's blond head bobbed as he nodded along to whatever the low-level mage next to him was saying. Max's laughter rang above the noise of the Hall. The fond smile froze on his face when he spotted someone making their way towards him.
"I have been advised to apologise for my insolence this afternoon," The tall rider came to stand next to Alec. He was dressed in the flashy ceremonial uniform of the riders, silver embroidery standing out against the soft blue of the morning dusk. It fit him well, lending him a regality to match his elusive persona. He had arranged his dark hair into soft waves, the golden streaks running through it catching the soft light in flashes.
"Is that so?" Alec turned to send Rider Magnus a look. Warm green-gold eyes, framed with black, were already on him, playful light dancing in them. "And are you?" his question brought at smirk to the riders face.
"I was taught not to apologise unless I really meant it." he said, casually, winking at Alec. Quickly, Alec snapped his head forward to face the party again, hoping that it would stop the blush from rising any further in his cheeks.
"If you are not here to apologise, then why are you here?" he asked without looking at the rider.
"Well, master Lightwood. I am here to ask you for a dance." The words were spoken with the same certainty and aloofness as was found in the way he lent against the pillar, in the elegant rise to his eyebrow. As he spoke he stepped forward swinging around to offer his hand. Alec found himself blinking at him, dumbfoundedly.
"You want to dance with me?" he repeated to test the words on his own tongue. the rider rose an eyebrow. "I'm sorry, I don't dance." The words had tumbled out of his mouth before he managed to check them over for excessive rudeness. Rider Magnus's other eyebrow moved up to join the first.
"A son of a lord who doesn't dance? I find that hard to believe, somehow." Alec's cheeks were burning, and he wished there was a way to escape that wouldn't look too much like running away. The eyes of the rider felt heavy on his face. "Shame." the rider sighed dramatically. "I will have to imagine, then, the wonders a physique such as yours could produce on a dance floor." Alec was spluttering; He knew he was. Still, he was helpless to stop himself from doing so for a painfully long few seconds. "Well, I suppose it cannot be helped. But I see the young lord doesn't deny himself all small pleasures in life." The rider nodded towards the crystal glass in Alec's hand. Alec looked to the golden liquid, and then back up to the rider.
"Dancing is not a pleasure," His words startled a laugh out of the rider, and a now more sincere and real smile replaced the confident smirk.
"Is that so? Well, I respectfully disagree." Alec nodded his acceptance of the statement, then turned his eyes, awkwardly, to the glass once more.
"Have a glass with me?" the words and the conviction of them surprised Alec. The genuine smile on Rider Magnus' face perked up into a half smirk.
"With pleasure." Not knowing what to say, Alec led the way to one of the stands, picking up a glass and passing it to the rider, who accepted it with a shallow bow.