A/N: This story is set just after Destiny's Edge disbanded. Please be warned, especially in the next chapter, there is some salad-on-salad violence and cruelty, involving blood. Otherwise, enjoy! :D


A rock upon a rock upon a rock. Caithe carefully climbed, making sure to get her footing right before hoisting herself one step further up. She was nimble, and strong, but she had gotten high enough that a fall down would quite probably be lethal. The air was getting colder around her. She heaved, and grabbed on to a sharp ledge above her. The mountain was getting steeper, and there was little to no grip for her to climb further.

Caithe gritted her teeth and pulled. The protruding rock under her right foot cracked, then broke off, leaving her gasping in shock, on just one leg. She looked down, and saw the rock fall into the mist below her. The resounding thump came later than she would have hoped. She had gotten high up, much higher than she'd expected.

'Who would miss me if I fell?' Caithe mumbled to herself, trying to regain a spot for her right foot to support itself on. 'Logan? Perhaps if he's not too busy saving other Kingdoms.' She hoisted herself up another few centimeters. 'Zojja, when she's not arguing with Eir? Rytlock?' She was bitter, and she resented herself for it, but the way her friends had all abandoned each other had hurt her deeply. She reached up with her left hand and to her surprise, found a ledge that seemed bigger than the others. She stepped upwards, and found a small plateau. She pulled herself up and turned to sit on the edge. She sighed. 'Snaff would have missed me.'

She looked out over the cloudy skies, shielding the sun and the view from her. She knew there were dragons in that sky that needed to be fought. But how? They had been a band of six totally wayward individuals, set out to do the impossible. Why had she thought it would work? Because of the Dragon minions they had slain? Because of Glint?

It had all been for naught. As if losing Glint and Snaff had not been bad enough, the way the other members of Destiny's Edge had blamed each other had been even worse. None of them even tried, still. None of them ever mentioned dragons. None of them wanted to face what Destiny's Edge could have been. Caithe had desperately tried, fought for a way to get them back together. In the end, she had set out to explore ancient Dwarven cities to look for clues, but really, she just wanted to be alone. She wanted to set aside all these painful thoughts and memories of them together.

A soft clicking behind her made Caithe turn around in shock. She had not brought many weapons, just a small dagger on her leg, since she needed to travel light. She looked behind her, and to her surprise saw the entrance to a dark cave. Long legs came extending from the opening, sharp jaws clicking, multiple eyes stared at her. Caithe scrambled away from the edge, towards relative safety. The huge spider crawled closer, clicking its jaws in warning. Caithe raised her blade and crouched, ready to strike. The spider extended its legs towards her, sensing her body with its sensitive hair. Caithe closed her eyes and tried to breathe calmly. She could kill the thing, but she'd rather not, if it wasn't necessary. She had disturbed it, it had not been the spiders' fault.

As the creature sensed Caithe's calmness, it ceased the clicking and began to retreat into the cave. Caithe heard it scurrying back, the sounds echoing for a few seconds from deep within the mountain. When she was sure the spider had fully crawled back into its nest, Caithe walked towards the cave entrance. It was narrow, and just not high enough for her to stand in. She couldn't see very far, it was too dark for her to even make out how deep it would go. Near by her foot lay a pebble, that she picked up and threw into the cave. She heard it soaring, falling down, and then the echo of it landing on another rock bounced between the walls.

There's a giant cave in there. Caithe couldn't help but be a little excited, and more than a little curious. There might also be a spidernest. She hesitated for a second, then carefully threaded deeper into the cave.

After all, who would miss me?

.

The tunnel began narrow, but quickly widened out into a more accessible path. Caithe heard spiders scurrying around her everywhere, but they did not seem aggressive. Some even seemed curious, but shied back if she came too close. Caithe climbed down, trusting her eyes to get used to the darkness soon. She felt water at her feet, and decided to follow the stream leading further into the mountain. If there was water, perhaps there had been a Dwarven city nearby.

The tunnel seemed to go on forever. It was turning more and more into a steep slope, and with the water it was increasingly hard to get down safely. Caithe stopped for a moment to catch her breath. Without her noticing, the tunnel had gone into a curve, so she couldn't even see the exit anymore. There was absolutely no light apart from the glowing spider eyes in the darkness. They lit up like stars in the night, and like stars, there were more the longer you looked. Caithe swallowed thickly.

She tried to make another step, get a little further down, but couldn't find a place to stand on. She gasped, and tried to climb back up. The water had made her soles slippery and she slid down, feeling the floor evaporate underneath her.

Caithe crashed down a few metres lower, crying out in pain and shock. Trembling, she stood up. Her knee hurt, but didn't seem to be too injured. She was wet and cold and slippery, and now also quite lost. She was sure she couldn't climb back up to where she had come from. There had to be another way out.

She had fallen into a cave that seemed to be level, and had a high ceiling, stalactites hanging from above. Strangely, she could hear the spiders, but their eyes were not quite as reflective as before. She waded through the ankle-high stream, until she spotted a speck of light in the corner of her eye. Stumbling, she began to ran towards it, running into rocks and crawling over other debris that was in the cave. Light!

She rounded a corner, and found the source. It was a torch, freshly lit, hung on the wall. The spiders seemed to enjoy the warmth and light, but she picked it up and carried it with her into the tunnel anyway. There were more torches there, increasingly frequent, increasingly fresh. Her steps began to quicken, as her heartbeat. Who lived here? What was going on?

Suddenly, Caithe stopped dead in her tracks. She heard something, like a jute bag being dragged across a stone floor. She stood frozen, listening to the sound, trying to pinpoint its location. It seemed to be coming towards her. There were quick footsteps, too, like from multiple people. As sudden as it had started, it stopped. After several excruciating drawn out seconds, she heard the clicks. Spiders. Slowly, Caithe turned around. She held up the torch to light the way, but it was blocked. A spider the size of an Oakheart stood in the tunnel, dangerously clicking its fangs, advancing on her.

Caithe didn't think for a moment. She dropped the torch and ran. She stumbled and fell, hurting her hand on a sharp rock. The spider chasing her stopped for a moment, smelling the bloodstain she had left, but then continued the hunt with renewed vigor.

The floor vanished again, but this time Caithe jumped, rolling onto her side to break the fall. It still hurt, coming down on the harsh, unforgiving rock bed. The spider screeched, but did not follow. Slowly, Caithe got up. She was dizzy from banging her head against the floor.

For a moment, Caithe only concentrated on breathing, and slowing down her frantic heartbeat. Yet the sound of footsteps kept her tense.

'Well, well, well, what's this?' A voice said, sneering and feminine. 'Vevina, you should really take a look at this.' Caithe's vision was still blurry, but she could make out the outline of a person holding a torch.

'What did your disgusting spider drag in this time, Fyonna-' The sentence was cut short by a gasp. The other woman, apparently called Fyonna, let out a sinister chuckle.

'Is this who I think it is?'

'Firstborn Caithe – the one the Grand Duchess always talks about!'

'It's definitely her, Vevina.'

Both women laughed. Caithe finally blinked the stars out of her vision and sat up to look at them. They wore dark armor, and both carried a whip on their hip.

'Nightmare Courtiers?' Caithe gasped out. 'Why are you here?' She tried to get up, but Vevina pulled out her whip and beat her back down to her knees. Fyonna immediately grabbed her arm and hissed, 'Don't! The Duchess wants her unharmed!'

'Who are you two?' Caithe demanded, gasping for air as she got back up. 'Are you friends of Faolain?'

'Friends?' Vevina asked, in utter disbelief.

'Us two?' Fyonna repeated, snickering. The sound of echoing footsteps filled the cave. Caithe turned around, trying to keep an eye on all angles around her. Dozens of Courtiers crawled out of the darkness, chuckling, and Caithe realized she was surrounded. Vevina approached slowly, holding her whip at the ready.

'I'm sorry, Firstborn. Any other questions you'll have to ask the Grand Duchess herself.'

.

The sharp crack of a whip urged Caithe to walk faster. Fyonna made sure to scare her, but never to touch her. Caithe had spent many futile hours trying to undo the roots, that bound her wrists behind her back. There was a root in her mouth as well, bound securely behind her head, that tasted bitter when she bit down, and kept her from speaking. Vevina was in front of her, elegantly striding, as if she owned the forest. They had exited the cave through a tunnel, that had opened up at the foot of the hill. From there, they followed a narrow path, lined with poison ivy and thistle that scratched their legs. Caithe coughed. Honestly, she was afraid. She was in no condition to fight, and if she had been, she was by far outnumbered. These Courtiers kept mentioning Faolain, but in a way Caithe had never heard before. 'Her Grace', 'The Duchess', these titles greatly exceeded the normal respect for Firstborn. Not to mention that they'd treated her as nothing more than a slave so far.

They walked until nightfall, and in the end, reached a high arch. It was the entrance to what seemed to be a huge Sylvari-made building.

'We're here,' Vevina said, positively glowing with pride. Fyonna was giggling, her voice cracking from nerves, making her sound as if she were on the verge of hysteria.

Vevina made a wide gesture with her arms, making the Courtiers step aside for her. Fyonna whipped Caithe forward once more, so they walked closely together. Caithe looked around , wide eyed. While she had been on her travels, Faolain had built her Court to a size that rivaled the Grove. Long green pillars, encased by twirling vines supported the high, arched ceiling. It was an enormous network of hallways and chambers. Every hallway they passed crossed at least two others, which also led into two different directions each. Caithe could not believe what she was seeing. Dozens upon dozens of black-garbed Sylvari passed them, or stopped dead in their tracks, heatedly whispering upon seeing her.

'If anyone asks,' Vevina suddenly hissed over her shoulder, 'Fyonna hit you with that whip, not me.'

'You better not open your trap at all, Firstborn.' Fyonna hissed back, visibly offended. Caithe still had the root in her mouth, so she just gave a weak moan. She heard Fyonna laugh behind her.

'That's the spirit.'

They turned another corner, which was remarkably empty compared to the others. The floor was gradually raised, and led to a door much higher than where they stood now. A lone figure walked down into their direction, slow-footed, staring into the distance. As they approached him, Caithe suddenly recognized his face.

'Cadeyrn!' she tried to call out, but what was audible was just a desperate wail. The boy turned his head, looked at her for a second, but then blankly turned his head and resumed his walking. Caithe heard him mutter as she passed him, '..the Mistress' property, must not touch the Mistress' property..'

'Don't mind him,' Fyonna laughed. 'He's been like that ever since Faolain had a, what shall I call it, serious discussion with him.' Caithe just stared in shock.

'About the Nightmare Court, and who should lead it,' Vevina added, chuckling cruelly.

'She made short work of him,' Fyonna said, as if it was a nice memory of a day at the beach.

'Anyhow, he's a lot less annoying. The Grand Duchess is amazing, isn't she?' Vevina smiled. Then, as if she just realized something, she turned around and looked Caithe in the eye.

'Say, is it true that you were, you know, together?' she asked, trying to hide the eagerness in her voice. Fyonna bent forward, making sure not to miss a single detail. Caithe shrugged, and tried to say, 'I guess,' earning impressed gasps from both Courtiers.

'What is she like when she's alone?' Fyonna chirped. 'Is she just as cruel and- oh, you must be into that!'

'Who knew, those pious Firstborn!' Vevina burst out laughing. 'They certainly do have their share of secrets!' Caithe looked wide-eyed from one to the other, sputtering indignant responses no one could understand. Fyonna pressed against her shoulder, pushing her up the slope.

'Come on, the Duchess will be very happy to see you. And we mustn't make her wait, should we?'

.

After what seemed an eternity of hallways and stairs, they stopped in front of large double doors. Vevina lifted her hands to push them open, but then pulled them back and turned to Fyonna.

'Fyonna, do I look okay?' she hissed, obviously nervous. She seemed slightly paler than before, too.

'You are vain and ugly, Vevina. You'll be fine.' Fyonna retorted, rolling her eyes. She stepped past her partner and opened the doors. 'Come in, Firstborn.'

Caithe would have made a run for it, had she still remembered the way out. But now the doors opened to reveal a massive hall, blue and purple mosaic covering the floor all the way to the other end, long tearshaped windows lining the walls and letting in the streams of starlight. An ivory orchid throne stood at the other end, elevated above the rest, surrounded by marble steps. Lines of guards in black vine armor stood like statues alongside it. Caithe stepped inside, her eyes wide in disbelief. She had always been proud of her work, slaying Dragon Minions, but she had not realized Faolain would not have wasted her time either. She had built an empire while Caithe was away, and now it struck Caithe hard.

Caithe's eyes landed on the throne. Skillfully grown out of massive orchids, it was delicate and elegant, but imposing as it stood on the pedestal. The woman sitting in it would have been dwarfed by it had it not been for her voluminous dress and upstanding collar. Caithe had never even seen her like this, dressed like this, poised like this. For a moment, she did not believe this was her sister, her soulmate.

The two Nightmare Courtiers kneeled in front of the throne.

'Grand Duchess Faolain, we brought you the Firstborn Caithe, as per your general request.' Fyonna announced, her face still turned down. Caithe stood behind them, staring at the Duchess.

'Faolain?' she tried to say, but whatever sound she had made was lost. The other however stood slowly, but then rushed down the stairs, completely ignoring her two Knights.

'Caithe, my love, how good of you to come here!' Faolain said affectionally, removing the gag from her lover's face. 'I knew you would come around sooner rather than later.' Caithe coughed as she finally could breathe freely again.

'Faolain, what is this madness? This building? Who are all these people?' She tugged the restraints on her wrists, demanding an answer. Faolain just hushed her and walked around her to undo the restraints. There was a large gash on Caithe's back where the whip had hit her. Faolain pulled her hands from the roots and carefully let her fingers slide over the wound. Caithe flinched from the pain.

'Who did this to you?' Faolain whispered darkly. Caithe turned around, more and more frantic.

'Does it matter?' she asked, exhausted, but when Faolain gave her a look that was as dark as her voice had been, she rolled her eyes and pointed her head at the two shivering Knights.

'One of them, but please, Faolain, answer me-'

'Which one of them?' Faolain cut her off.

'I don't know!' Caithe exclaimed. She was tired and in pain and Faolain was just not listening.

'Both of them, then. Take them away.' Faolain ordered, before turning back to Caithe. Behind her, Fyonna sprung up, calling out to her leader.

'No! Please, your Grace, I kept her safe, I didn't do it! Tell her, Caithe!' Her voice died away as she was dragged by her shoulders towards a side exit of the hall. Faolain stroked Caithe's cheek lovingly.

'You don't have to be afraid anymore, my love. You are safe now.' She pulled the small knife from its holder on Caithe's leg and cut Caithe's wrist restraints. Caithe shook out her hands, regaining the feeling in them. Then she grabbed Faolain's hands, and forced her to look her in the eye.

'Faolain, what are you thinking? I'm being dragged in here and you're telling me I am safe?' Caithe was in utter disbelief. 'Have you lost your mind, as well as your Dream?'

Faolain smiled at her. 'I lost neither, my love. You are my Dream, my only purpose. I built this all for you, Caithe.' She made a sweeping armgesture. 'The only thing missing in my paradise of Night was you. And here you are. As I knew you would be. '

'I'm not staying, Faolain. I belong in the Grove.' Caithe retorted. She pushed Faolain's hand off of her, trying not to look at her disappointed face. Faolain laughed, confusedly, then shook her head.

'I don't think so, Caithe.' She smiled sweetly again. Too sweet. Her eyes were burning with a completely different feeling. 'You're not going anywhere.'

'Faolain-' Caithe tried again, really rather tired of this. She stepped back, trying to pry her hands loose. Behind her, an ambitious Courtier cracked his whip to stop her from pulling away further. The whip slashed by Caithe's shoulders, just barely missing them. Immediately Faolain shot forward, making the Courtier sink to his knees with her magic. He was holding his head, wailing in pain.

'Nobody touch her!' Faolain cried, 'Absolutely no one of you is to hurt her, under any circumstance.' She pulled Caithe close, stroking her head. 'Caithe belongs to me.'

It was silent for a moment as Faolain's words echoed. Her embrace was warm and familiar and Caithe was tired. Shaking her head, she pulled Faolain close, forfeiting just this once.

The Duchess stroked Caithe's hair, a very contented smile on her face. She waved one of her Courtiers closer.

'Make sure Vevina and Fyonna are pampered. They did very, very well.'

.

'For a moment there, I thought we were gone.' Vevina sighed, relaxing on a long bench. Fyonna had found her spot curled up against her, idly playing with Vevina's hair.

'You deserved it, for not owning up to her.' She sneered. Vevina kicked her mockingly.

'I'd never let you get hurt, you know that.'

'You just let them drag me away.'

'You called me ugly.'

'And vain.' Fyonna smiled.

'Yes.' Vevina seemed a little hurt.

'You're beautiful. And vain.' Fyonna stroked her love's cheek.

'Damn you.'