Greetings All! It's been a little bit (new job has kept me crazy busy), but I've got another chapter ready to go. This one is a little longer than usual, but breaking it up I think would have messed with the action a little bit, so I'm putting it all in one piece. Hope you enjoy, and thanks for reading as always! Stay safe out there.


Ardyn remembered Loqi now—Loqi Tummelt. The young, arrogant general of the Imperial Army. The boy, masquerading as a man so aware of his consequence and capabilities that he refused to admit he could be outclassed in battle. And he had been, far too often. His only real skill seemed to be that managed to survive his defeats. No doubt because he had hidden in his magitek armor.

Loqi didn't have that armor now, but Ardyn didn't want to write him off just yet. The boy had aged in the past ten years, to become the man he should have been all those years ago in Gralea. His baby face had matured, becoming more angular, with defined cheekbones that gave him a battle-hardened appearance. His once, what Eostre would probably think, adorably mussed sandy hair was now clipped into a Caesar style similar to Cor's. And he held himself as someone who was ready for anything.

This battle-hardened warrior was glaring at Eostre with a mix of anger and hatred.

"I, we, don't want any trouble, Loqi," she said, subdued. Her fire during her dance with Ardyn had died out, leaving her drained, ashen.

"Then get the hell out of her now, then," Loqi snapped back.

Eostre gave a stricken look to both Ardyn and Loqi, evidently torn. Normally, Ardyn would have taken the man's side—Eostre should not be here. However, he didn't like Loqi's tone. Or the look he was giving her.

"My, my. Is this how you treat lovers of roses," Ardyn cut in, snidely.

Loqi sniffed in displeasure. "Weskham's mind must be going like Claustra's if he gave that password to you, Ardyn."

Ardyn's eyes narrowed. Weskham had said that Claustra's condition was known to just a few. "That is quite a harsh thing to say about Camelia," he said, playing dumb. "I mean, she did make some questionable decisions about Altissian independence, but…"

"Oh come off it, Ardyn," Loqi snapped. "I have no doubt you know everything that is wrong in this city,"

"Not everything apparently," Ardyn returned. "You are here."

Eostre cut into what was becoming a rapidly hostile scene. "I know words are cheap, Loqi," she said softly. "But, for what it's worth. I, am, sorry."

Loqi gave her a contemptuous glance that caused her to back away sharply as though the gaze were a weapon that had just stabbed her.

"I have nothing else to say to you," he sneered. "I have some manners to teach."

Ardyn laughed derisively. "I would be careful there, if I were you, Loqi. I do believe you are no match for me."

The old Loqi would have snapped, lunged right there. However, to the man's credit, he stayed, if not calm, but coldly hostile. He merely nodded, gaze fixed on something behind them.

Not something, somebody. Ardyn turned sharply as he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. Two guards approached, evidently ready, willing, and able to handle any threats.

"Is there a problem, Captain," one of them called out sharply.

Ardyn now had an explanation for Loqi's presence. And Ardyn realized he had misplayed his hand. He had evidently just met Altissia's new Captain of the Guards, and had just antagonized him. He began thinking rapidly about how he could backpedal without being too obvious.

Loqi saw his conundrum, and smirked. "I think we are ok here for now," he said, cold arrogance back now that he had the upper hand.

The guards retreated, warily. Ardyn knew he and Eostre would have eyes on them the rest of the night. As to what it would do to his, assignation with Corneo, he couldn't think about right now.

"Please, Loqi," Eostre begged. "I, know your feelings for me. And I know you don't want us here. But, we wouldn't be here without reasons. Please let us explain."

Ardyn didn't like her tone—she was swallowing her pride, being too passive. And, from his reading of Loqi's character, he would eat someone like that for lunch. Eostre didn't have to meekly take this, brat's arrogance.

True to form, Loqi chuckled derisively. "What, are you going to kneel before me and beg next," he demanded mockingly. "Maybe then you'd at least be my height," he taunted, pure acid in his tone.

Eostre gasped at the insult regarding her height. Ardyn could see the indignation brewing, and knew she was about to finally speak her mind, and make the situation worse. He thought quickly, grabbing a glass of wine from the bar and "accidentally" spilling it down the bodice of her dress.

Eostre sputtered as she felt the cold liquid drip inside her bodice. "You," she began in shocked fury.

"Oh, my apologies," Ardyn oozed. "I do believe the restroom is down the hall, should you care to clean up."

Eostre gave him a look of white hot fury for a moment, before turning on her heel and striding away. He knew he was in for it later. However, he had to admit that her fury was much, better, than that meek little submissive she had been a minute or so ago. What exactly was her relationship with Loqi, he wondered, a stab of jealou—no—annoyance surged through him. She should have had better taste than that.

Now was not the time to get that answer though. He had to play ball with Loqi, even as he felt a strong urge to kick the man in the stomach.

"I can be so clumsy sometimes," Ardyn stated disarmingly to the Captain of the Guards. "Before you throw us out, could I at least obtain a few minutes of your time to talk? If you are who I think you are, you may benefit from what I have to say."

Loqi tossed his head in annoyance. "Hmph. Give me a summary in four words or less."

"Altissia is in danger. Not from me," Ardyn replied as Loqi mockingly counted Ardyn's words on his fingers.

Loqi sneered after Ardyn had finished. "Seven words," he mocked. "However, I suppose I can give you a few minutes of my time."

"Fair enough," Ardyn said. "And I do apologize for using seven words instead of four. You know how I dislike doing what I'm told," he said as he followed Loqi from the ballroom.


Loqi had commandeered Claustra's office, Ardyn noticed, recalling the paneled walls and rich rugs. They had seen better days though. The paint on the walls was peeling, and the rugs were faded. Much like the rest of Altissia, the grand veneer was slipping, showing its old, decayed heart.

Currently, Loqi was seated at the executive desk amid a mountain of papers, digesting everything Ardyn had just told him.

"You might as well sit down, old man," Loqi ventured, gesturing negligently to a faded leather chair across from him.

"Is the fact you are inviting me to sit now indicating you believe me," Ardyn asked cordially.

Loqi snickered. "I'm simply tired of looking up to speak to you," he snarked.

"It's so difficult being short, isn't it," Ardyn taunted comiseratingly—as Loqi had insulted Eostre's height, it was only fair Ardyn return the favor.

Loqi ignored it though. "I, suppose what you say has merit. I had wondered why Lucis had forsaken us. To be fair, Claustra didn't do much to help them though. But, Noctis and his ilk are such paragons, I hadn't thought they would stoop to our level."

Ardyn's eyebrows rose at Loqi's admission to Altissia's faults. "You have become self-aware, Captain Tummelt," Ardyn returned, a twinge of respect in his tones. "I never would have thought it given how you were in your youth."

"We are all forced to grow up sometime," Loqi returned with a subtle note of pain that made Ardyn wonder what had happened to him since he saw the young man last.

"I suppose I am to blame for that," Ardyn replied calmly. "The ten years of darkness were not easy for anyone I imagine."

Loqi looked at him scathingly. "Don't even bother apologizing for that madness. And you are not the one who forced me to grow up. It's that companion of yours. Tell me, is she really your wife now? If so, you two deserve each other."

Loqi really hated Eostre, Ardyn realized in surprise. He wasn't about to ask the man why though. It was Eostre who would give him that answer.

"Your guards heard that but did not intervene when the lady was being harassed in the first place? Your security priorities are certainly in order," Ardyn replied sarcastically.

"She picked the wrong man to interact with. With anyone else we would have intervened. He and us have an, understanding."

"Is he Reynardo or Corneo," Ardyn replied sharply.

Loqi merely smirked. "Let's just say he is not someone to mess with. He leaves us alone, and we leave him alone."

"That doesn't answer my question," Ardyn returned tightly.

"I know," Loqi replied smugly. "I suppose since you provided me with valuable information, and even an apology, it must mean you want something other than the identity of the man in the alcove. What is it? I haven't got all night."

"I would like you and your allies to provide protection for Eostre and Lux. I have no doubt Lucis, if not Cosmos herself, will come for them eventually."

"And you expect me to be able to defend them against a Goddess? Do you really think a man who is forced to hide his identity as Captain of the Guards due to fear of an assassin's dagger has the power base to be able to protect anyone," Loqi returned bitterly.

"It is really that dangerous for you," Ardyn asked in genuine curiosity.

"I, don't know," Loqi replied. "The previous Captain was, not the most honest of men. He was in fact found dead in, ignominious circumstances. In a bedroom of a woman who was not his wife if you catch my drift. He was wide open for someone to get to him. I like to think I'm not like him, but then, assassins are everywhere. It is prudent that no one know my identity." Loqi glared at Ardyn sharply. "And if you think you can threaten to expose me for who I am in exchange for my services, it won't do you any good. I alone cannot assist you regardless of what you do."

Ardyn had in fact been thinking he could play that card. Loqi's perception really was impressive. "You've made your point," he said instead. "However, as it happens, I'm not asking you to defend anyone. If you are worthy of Claustra's footsteps at all, I'm sure you can play a double game of appeasement and passive rebellion. If nothing else, you should be able to keep Eostre and Lux hidden."

Loqi cocked his head as he pondered that. "If combat is off the table, there may be more options," he said half to himself. "I can see your interest in keeping the boy safe, but why her," he continued with a sharp query. "Don't tell me that murderess really is your wife?"

It was only his years of skill that kept Ardyn's face blank at that. It appeared that there was still quite a bit about Eostre that he didn't know. "If I say no, will you be more or less likely to help her," Ardyn replied.

Loqi strode to the window overlooking the canal, his arms behind his back, gazing at the night. Evidently with a decision made, he turned.

"Let's get one thing clear: I hate Eostre. But, I hate the games of deities too. If keeping those two safe will mean sticking it to that bitch of a so-called goddess, I can play along to a point. However, I do hold some sort of respect for this city—they took me in after—certain events. I do not want to see it harmed. If your request should cause outright warfare in this city that will affect the populace, I will not sacrifice my life or the lives of the citizens to protect those two. I'd rather secretly kick them out at that point than give them over to the enemy, but if that option is denied me, I will do the latter."

At least he was being honest, Ardyn thought. Loqi wasn't giving him much reassurance, but given their limited support, it was better than nothing. And there was one thing he could assure him on. "If it becomes a fight, I shall take care of that part," he promised with conviction.

Loqi raised an eyebrow. "Unless you've got those powers you had, I'm afraid you're out of luck, old man."

Ardyn smirked at having some of his own turns of phrase turned back at him. "Never underestimate the powers of a desperate man," he said instead. "Speaking of desperation, I should like to pay a visit to the Altar of the Tidemother while I am here. I have no wish to disturb the Hydrean, yet needs must."

Loqi's fists clenched. "Another one of my faves," he replied tightly. "It has been quiet over there lately. Rumors say the Hydrean is in the cycle of rebirth at the moment, for which I am grateful. I can't stop you from going over there, but so help me, if you rile up the Hydrean, any deals we make are null and void."

Ardyn nodded in agreement again—this negotiation was a bit one-sided, but if it gave Lux and Eostre even a chance at safety, he would swallow his pride and take it. Trickery would not win the day here.

"So, if I agree to your stipulations, you will do your best to keep Lux and Eostre hidden from those pursuing them," Ardyn pressed.

"Yes. However, to keep them well hidden, I think we will need the resources of Corneo. He hides loot so well even our customs officials can't find it. If you could somehow get him on your side, he would be your best bet. If you could get his help, I will render whatever 'unofficial' official assistance I can provide to him to make it happen."

"You trust Corneo then? I would have thought he would be behind the assassination of your predecessor," Ardyn asked leadingly.

"For all of Corneo's faults, he's savvy. He knows usurping power would bring too much heat upon him. He knows he needs me to lend legitimacy to Altissia. Doing business in a leaderless land is not profitable for him. No, it's in his interest to keep me alive. I know who did it, but I can't prove it. Between you and me," Loqi leaned closer. "Stay away from Reynardo."

It seemed Loqi liked to say things without really saying them. However, in this case, the message was clear. If Reynardo was willing to have government officials assassinated, there was no telling what he would do to Lux and Eostre.

"I thank you for your support," Ardyn replied dryly. "I shall return here once I have procured Corneo's assistance."

"Hah! Good luck with that," Loqi replied sarcastically. "If you do manage to do it, don't come back here. Corneo will handle the rest. Hope you and that giantess enjoy the party tonight."

"Of course! Me and the Amazonian Beauty will enjoy every minute of it," Ardyn returned, sauntering out.

Speaking of Amazonian Beauty, it was time to track down Eostre. She owed him some answers.


Eostre owned the veranda outside the ballroom—she knew it was because rain was imminent. She could smell it in the air and feel its heaviness in the cold misty Altissian darkness. For now, she was glad of it. She needed the wet chill to cool her temper. Or else she would be tempted to grab a glass of wine and toss it in Ardyn's smug face. And she was damned if she would stoop to Ardyn's level.

She had wasted her time coming here. She had allowed Ardyn to distract her—to remove her from the scene with nothing more than a casual flick of his wrist. At least he had used white wine, she supposed. It wouldn't stain like red would. She scoffed at her own attempt to find a silver lining. There was none. Ardyn had outmaneuvered her, and gone off with Loqi to either face danger or commit some shady backroom deal.

She was unsure why she kept having to face ghosts from her past. First Ardyn and now Loqi. She had never expected to see Loqi again. No doubt Ardyn thought there had been something between them. She could see his speculative look, and had wanted to slap it off. He probably thought she and Loqi had had an aborted affair or something during the ten years of darkness. How wrong he was.

She gazed down at the canal three stories below, reflecting the fairy lights of the festive lanterns, thinking not of the prettiness of the scene, but of the ugliness of four years ago…


The frantic knocking on the door in the middle of the night had awoken her. Well, Eostre supposed night was relative in 24 hours of darkness. To her, it meant the eight hours of the day she was sleeping rather than running her clinic in Tenebrae.

It had been a grueling day—the hunters had arranged a war party to mass exterminate a growing horde of daemons near the city. Only half of the group had come back, and of those, a quarter had been bitten. Eostre had had to give her brand of peaceful death to every single one of them.

The exhaustion of sleep was the only thing that kept her guilt, regrets, and questioning of her calling at bay. And now it had been interrupted by another emergency. She found herself hoping it was an expectant mother in labor or even an industrial accident. Anything other than the usual daemon attack.

There were two people at the door, and Eostre realized she recognized one of them. She had bumped into Loqi Tummelt a couple of times in Gralea—one of her lab assistants had dated him, so she had had to make awkward small talk with him in the lab while her assistant finished her shift. Eostre had secretly found him snooty and arrogant, but had done her best to be polite.

That arrogance was gone. Loqi's face was drawn, pale, as he stared intently at the elderly woman he was supporting. "We're here now, Ma, just hold on, ok?"

Eostre heard the desperation of concern in his tone, and studied the woman, evidently his mother. Her face was pale, bloodless. Her rheumy eyes were glazed with pain. She looked very ill indeed.

"I'll take your other arm and help you in," Eostre reassured, stepping forward.

"No, don't," Loqi said sharply the instant Eostre took her arm. A split second later, the woman gasped in pain and her knees buckled. It was only Loqi's strength that kept his mother from tumbling to the floor.

"I'm so sorry," Eostre said. "Let's get you to the cot over here so I can take a look. I assume your right arm is injured? Any other symptoms? When did it start?"

The woman looked blankly, evidently dazed with pain, so Loqi took charge.

"I found her collapsed in the garden two hours ago. I thought it was a fainting spell at first, but then I saw her arm. Ma, I've gotta roll up your sleeve," he said apologetically before rolling up her sleeve with a gentleness Eostre had never seen from a Gralean warrior.

His mother gave a wan smile. "I'm, used to it now. It's not that bad. Sorry for overreacting just now, Doctor," she said.

Eostre nodded and smiled in understanding, then saw the woman's injured arm. She stiffened as she noted the blackened flesh on the woman's wrist, radiating up her swollen arm. One glance at the woman's blackened forearm told Eostre all she needed to know. If you had seen one daemon bite, you had seen them all. Loqi knew too, in his heart of hearts, even if he didn't want to admit it. His anguished gaze expressed it, even if he didn't want it to.

"I'm dying, aren't I," his mother said in a surprisingly strong voice, resignation in her tone. There was no evidence of fear or sadness, just a wistful resignation combined with the knowledge that the jig was up.

"I, can make it easier for you," Eostre said. "I can make it so you feel no pain."

"I, would like that," Loqi's mother said. "How soon can we do it?"

Based on the wound, they didn't have long until she turned. It had to be right then and there.

She still had to give Loqi the logistics before that to prepare him—remind him that there would be no body to bury. Once people were infected with the daemon blight, they would fade away and disappear when they died—there would be nothing left.

Loqi may have been a warrior—a touch arrogant perhaps, but he was still at heart a boy who loved his mother. Eostre could see his heart break in every corner of his expression—the defeat in the slump of his shoulders as she told him what she would be doing and the harsh realities.

There was no choice, none for any of them. Eostre stepped away to mix the deadly array of ingredients, and to give the breaking family time to say goodbye. She wished it could have been more private, but the clinic was small. She could still overhear it all. She tried to tune it out, but she couldn't.

"The garden. Who will take care of it when I'm gone," Loqi's mother asked her son.

"I will take care of it," Loqi stated firmly.

His mother made a rusty chuckle. "I know the intent is there, but I know that's not your thing. You need a wife who's a good gardener, eh?"

"Ma," he stated, flustered despite his grief.

"I worry about you. That you will end up alone. I promise that when I get to the Beyond, I will find somebody for you."

"I'll keep an eye out for who you send, Ma," Loqi replied, voice finally breaking. Eostre could hear the tears in his voice, and again regretted the lack of privacy she could give them.

It was again, another choice they did not have. Just as Eostre couldn't back down from what she had to do. She did the deed, as she had countless times before, watching as the dignified elderly woman's grip slackened in her son's hand. Listening as the woman's breathing slowed, became agonized, and stopped.

Eostre knew something was wrong when the woman's body did not fade away. It lay there on the cot, passive, blank, an empty shell of a human being. Yet it was still human.

"You said, she would fade away," Loqi said tightly.

"I, know," Eostre replied, floundering as a sinking feeling came over her. The feeling that she had made some kind of mistake.

She felt the woman's still warm but lifeless arm, noting the swelling that was quite unusual in a daemon attack. In the center of the swelling, she found a thorn.

"You said you found her two hours ago," Eostre asked Loqi warily.

"Yeah. She had been out tending the Sylleblossoms—I thought something bit her out there," Loqi confirmed.

Eostre gasped, realizing what was really wrong with Loqi's mother. The thorn in her arm came from the weeds that grew alongside the Sylleblossms. What Eostre thought was a daemon bite had in fact been skin necrosis from a severe infection, likely caused by the thorn. Antibiotics, or worst case an amputation, would have saved her. Instead she was dead. And Eostre had killed her.

Eostre had become so used to daemonification that she was seeing it everywhere—even where it did not exist. She had been so eager to take people out of their misery that she was willing to kill, without even gathering all of the facts. She was a murderer, not a savior. And Loqi's mother's blood was on her hands.


There was nothing she could do to undo it, Eostre thought for the thousandth time as she stared into the unfathomable waters of the Altissian canal below. There were no words or apologies she could ever give Loqi to make it right.

The only thing she had been able to do was admit her failings and walk away—become a teacher instead of even try to be a healer. Even that had given little relief—she had agonized over the ones who were not given the chance to die as humans. Had her stepping away caused more harm than good? She had consoled herself that the untainted would never again die thanks to her mistakes. That was all she could do.

Seeing Loqi tonight had brought it all back. And he would never forgive her. If diplomatic relations were indeed in play here, she had ruined it by her very presence. If Ardyn had hoped the Altissian guards would protect her and Lux, he was gravely mistaken. Loqi would no doubt hand her to the enemy the first chance he got.

She was a liability at this point, to Lux's safety. She could not protect him anymore. It was time to give up, to surrender to Loqi's justice. If she had to turn herself in, at least Loqi should get the reward. Blood for blood. She squared her shoulders, preparing to return to the ballroom to track him down.

"You've been holding out on me," Ardyn drawled from behind her. "You never told me you had such, illustrious, friends."


Lux yawned. So much for his late night. He almost wished he hadn't ordered that pizza. Now he had to stay awake waiting for it. He wondered how Ardyn and Miss Eostre were doing. What went on at a masquerade ball? He felt a surge of curiosity. If only he were better at shapeshifting—then he could disguise himself as a grown up and check it out too. He even had the password. He shrugged, resigned. Given how tired he was now, he wouldn't have been able to do it justice anyway.

He imagined what he found on TV was much better anyway. His finger poised on the remote once more, ready to find something else to watch that would maybe help keep him awake until his pizza showed up.

On the heels of that, he heard the knock at the door.

"Finally," he exclaimed, rushing to open the door, visions of his late-night pizza dinner making him forget to check the peephole, or remember that room service usually announced themselves.

The person at the door was definitely not room service. There, standing before him was Luna Nox Fleruret Lucis Caelum, erstwhile Queen of Insomnia.

"Lux! I'm so glad you're ok," she said, voice as calm and kind as ever.

Lux felt his guts plummet somewhere to the vicinity of his feet. Danger had arrived, and he had literally opened the door to it thanks to his own idiocy.