Frozen Memories 1.8 Bridge
Hidden Past – Back Cover
Kiyori – Tears of Nothing
Chapter 0: Under One Sky
3 November 2057
Kingdom of Arendelle
Farmers District
Brutus' Pub
Ten am
The last two weeks were a nightmare for Brutus, but he had to live with it because his siblings were over, the last time he saw them all in one place was before his old place got blasted. His parents were even present, as evil a family as they were, they were still his family and there was nothing he could do to change that execept hope they asll died in some horrible manner before he did.
But to have the four siblings show up, the dad wannabe, the silly twins, and the runt all in one place, his place, it made him nervous. However they did bring his favorite wine. So he couldnt complain much if at all.
The main reason he didnt complain was because they mostly kept to them selves and regardless of how much he didnt want them around, Brutus found himself using his own network of informants and similar groups to try and find certain things as quickly as he was able.
Sadly the first thing the first hatched of Draco and Kethend found out was that even though Queen Elsa was entirely gone and never coming back, someone else equally important and twice as strong was coming back in her place, and was most likely already in the kingdom as it was.
Someone was freeing people seemingly at random with raw power from the models that the High Priest made and scattered in the kingdom. Brutus then had asked his spy who it was, the man had no idea at the time but promised to get back to him with further information on who was letting the prisoners free. The news Brutus got that morning however changed everything.
"You are sure it was her ?" Brutus asked once he had told the details of who was freeing the prisoners the last two weeks or more, "If my siblings find out, and I doubt they already have thanks to dads shadowlings." Brutus trailed off in thought.
"It is possible, sir, that the woman releasing the prisoners is the same woman who ruined several squads of the High Priests soldiers in the Galasia District, Tomb District lost most of its soldiers and so far almost half of its shops and businesses have been reopened. Someone is using the income from those reopened shops and banks to make money or open more." The informant replied over a glass of wine.
"My siblings most likely know this news too" Brutus said, he downed an ale in one shot. He needed to think things through, but he was too damn drunk enough to really give a fuck to begin with. "Tell my siblings what you told me word for word. They can do as they like with Her, if that is their choice. After you tell them, get yourself another drink" He finally said.
If his brother and sisters wanted to go after Xeir Zith that was their choice, all he had to do was hope she handed them their asses and he'd worry of the fallout from his father, but then if their mission was not to tangle with her, then by all means stay the fuck away from her for all he cared. He downed another ale.
The last thing he wanted was for his father to blame him for his siblings own failures. He wasnt responsible for what his brother and sisters did when it came to the family enemy. And for that, Brutus was thankful, dear old dad hadnt paid a visit yet, but he knew the Shadowlings were around.
Brutus then went back to his solitare game. Far as he could tell he was winning. The informant finished his wine and headed for the stairs leading up over the bar where Brutus made his home. It wasnt long before the man came out of the upstairs living space and headed for the bar to get his drink.
A few moments later and Draco Junior showed up looking pissed. Going right to his brothers table the younger man sat down heavily. Never looking up his game, Brutus asked him. "Anything from Dad ?" He didnt bother to ask about mom, he'd known she had been cast far away. But he was not in the know that his own brother got to hug her only scant years before. They hadnt seen her since before Elsa was born.
"No" Junior shook his head. "But there is news about what happened when we got here two weeks ago, some big fight in the Galasia District. According to the Shadowlings of Dads who were assigned to work with the Man, Prince Hans, they think it was Her."
"So you know then ?" Brutus asked, still never looking up from his card game. If his brother knew, then only his sisters had been told about Xeir Zith being back in town.
"Know what ?" Junior asked him, looking hard at his brother.
Sensing his eyes on him, Brutus looked up. Giving his brother a hard look he said simply. "Xeir Zith is in the Kingdom. The Shadowlings recognised her dead on, and she has been mobbed a few times by soldiers of various types. And then two weeks ago she had a rumble in the Galasia District's Souk. And now she runs the Tomb District once she ruined the soldiers stationed there."
Junior stared at his brother. "Consider yourself lucky that Father isnt here, he would have decked you for saying her name" He said to him.
Brutus didnt even smirk. "So ? Look around you, is dad here ? Mother killed her, but then Elsa showed up here, and now, Elsa is gone, Xeir is back. Something beyond even Dad happened when Xeir died and Elsa was born." He said
"Elsa is dead ?" Junior asked his brother, clearly confused as to what the drunken man was trying to tell him.
"I said she was gone, dunno if that means dead, but if Xeir is back, I think it might as well do for the word dead, yeah" Brutus replied with a slight slur, he could act stone sober though, when he wanted to.
"So the queen is gone, but Xeir is back, so in a way, the queen is back but not as the queen. Dads worst enemy is back, alive, breathing walking around." Draco Junior tried to think of a plan, any plan, for taking on Xeir Zith. But nothing came to his mind. So he asked "Do the the girls know ?"
"They should by now, yes." Brutus replied. He thought back on what he knew about Elsa and her younger sister Anna, the two women had been away for a year, with them went two Assassins, one of which was Elsas husband, Annas boyfriend, Kristoff, had disappeared on a journey into the mountains around the same time. Apparently to visit his family, but nobody had seen him since.
"And if they dont ?" Jr asked, quite truthfully, Jr would much rather Brutus tell the girls the bad news to begin with.
"You can tell them or they can find out on their own." Brutus replied, he downed his wine and stood up. "In the mean time, you got shit to do elsewhere, and I got shit to sell and cook downstairs. Please dont destroy anything in the place, took me a decade to reopen this place after the last one got blown to bits last time you and the runt visited with mom and dad." Brutus said in a somewhat sarcasic yet also scolding tone.
"Mom got so badly burnt from that too, silver weapons hurt." At Brutus confused expression, he hadnt seen Mom nor Dad since their last visit to his place together with Junior and the Runt just before it was blown to oblivion. Draco Junior explained what had happened in the attack and Mothers subsequent murdering of the Silver that did it.
"Of course about a month later dad went on a tanget and, well, you know the rest" Draco Jr said to his brother, he didnt have to detail the mention of the thousand year battle between their father and Xeir Zith. But it was their mother who had killed her, mostly.
"So where is Mother now ?" Brutus asked
"That is a good question, a cave somewhere outside of time, outside of reality ? Its hard to explain." Jr sighed, he remembered hearing his mothers voice, telling him where to go, hugging her. Taking her egg shell to Dad. So he tried his best to explain to his brother what he could of how he got to see Mother.
Brutus was quiet for a long moment. A sigh esacped his lips. "I take back my tone in what I said about damaging anything, little brother. My home is your home." He refilled his wine glass, and offered a newly filled one to his brother. "To Mom and Dad" He said in a toast.
Jr smiled and the two clicked their glasses together and downed their drinks. Just revealing what he knew of where Mother was, that he got to speak to her, hug her even, earned Jr more respect with his brother. Taris feared him because she was naturally the runt of the family, and was flat out scared to get too close to Brutus because of the alcohol the dragon drank during his lifetime, Sutri and Nasty barely tolorated him, but somehow, Brutus now respected him.
Sure Brutus had hatched first, and Taris nearly died in her own egg had Dad not intervined. Draco Junior, however had hatched before Taris did, so he was seemingly closer to her in age. "So whats your plan ?" Jr asked
"Right now I got the bar to manage, if you need to, you're more then welcome to use the back room of the bar area for your contacts or general eating needs. But if you want to mingle with the guests, that's your choice. I wont stop you" Brutus replied, he was going to say something of trying not to instigate any fights, but thought better of it. He looked to his brother. "Whats your plan, little brother ?"
"Right now, easier then you think." Jr smirked, "The High Priests men are trying to track down a woman who caused a major fight in one of the districts in the city itself. Offering a huge reward for information of her current location. If she is even in the city to begin with." Jr went thoughtful then. It had been two weeks since they had arrived, and he had his shadows and kobolds carefully scouring guard free districts for the womans trail.
"Something on your mind, little brother ?" Brutus asked him, Jr nodded
"Could say that" He replied
"I just did, why would I say it again ?" Brutus had a smirk in his tone, which made Jr smile thinly.
"Just thinking, its been two weeks since we got here, and when we arrived something big happened a few districts over. But now, nothing is going on other then stores and the like reopening. Whatever that means I do not know." Jr then explained how he was having his Kobolds try and trtack down the fighters, but most of the dead were already buried or burned or just kept out of public view. "Witnesses are hard to come by"
"Let me guess" Brutus said, "Trying to look for witnesses and people are mum to whats going on, most likely due to fear of what your Kobolds look like, if they're anything like Dads or even Moms, then yeah, scared out of their minds enough to swear they saw nothing wrong or out of the ordinary." Brutus then smirked. "However, little brother, there is an alternative"
"An alternative ?" Jr asked him, Brutus simply nodded. "In what way ?"
"Walk with me, I'll open the bar late, we got some eavesdropping to do." Brutus said. He and Jr then left the house together, Brutus leaving the front door unlocked because Taris was asleep in her assigned room, and Sutri was brooding in her and Sutri's gifted room. Thinking of his sister Nasty, nobody knew where she went once she dropped her stuff off and wasnt telling anyone what was doing. Not even Sutri knew where she was.
-8-8-8-
An hour later and both brothers were on the street. The two brothers headed for a rather well kept house with a nice front yard, a waist high rock and wood fence surrounded the yard which had an open gate. "Why are we here ?" Jr asked
"Watch and learn dear brother. According to rumor, and your own men, the woman we seek was recently spotted here. Its possible she also once resided in this whorehouse for a time as well." Brutus said almost smugly, yet informatively. Jr thought a moment then nodded, his brother had a point
But rather then argue, Jr went to the door and knocked, there was no answer at first, he knocked a second time, still no answer. Finally he tried the door, it was locked. Jr growled. "Wonderful." He grumbled turning away, their only lead on the events when they arrived and they were at a dead end.
Brutus smirked, stepping forwards rapidly he kicked the door, hard, causing it to smash open. Jr stared at his older brother as he entered the whorehouse. "Brutus ?" Jr was aghast at what his brother just did, but was unsure of what to do with the drunken bum.
"Little Brother ?" Brutus replied, almost too calmly to be troublesome. Rather then reply Jr was oddly quiet but followed his brother into the lobby, it was a mess "Seems like we're not the only ones searching for the mystery woman" Brutus said seeing the mess and sorry state the lobby was in.
The curtains were torn, yet still draped on the windows, the desk was broken its contents scattered upon the floor. "Damnit, she could be anywhere" Jr said going through the trashed desk and looking briefly to the landing before heading up to the second level, the rooms were all trashed as well. "Nothing up here" Jr said before hopping back to the lower level as Brutus took a sip from a beer mug from seemingly nowhere. "What do we do ?"
Brutus smirked, on the wall was a single picture, it was a beautiful young woman, wearing a dark blue flowerprint bodyhugging dress that looked more like a swimsuit slip over a dress yet was presentible to wear at a house of ill repute. Brutus let his beer fade into shadowy alcoholic mist before going to the picture and removing it from the wall. "We find her" he said
Jr stepped closer to his brother and watched as Brutus formed a blade of golden steel, alcoholic power had its perks, it was similar to the shadow magic he was born with, but so overcome by raw alcohol poisoning that the magic Brutus had had become something else entirely. Pure raw alcoholic power. Brutus took the picture and with the blade cut out Xeirs face. He held the picture cut out to his brother. "Come with me, I'll show you how." Jr did not say anything, but nodded and followed his brother.
Walking into the streets the two men headed for a pair of people speaking nearby. Getting close, Brutus listened in to the initial bits of conversation. "Should we write to her family, do you think ?" the woman Brutus spotted asked to the fellow next to her
"No" said the other, "it is not our business to meddle in the affairs of others unless we're requested to. Even if we've the best of intentions, its best to stay out of it" the older man had more knowledge it looked
"But if you could have seen it then! They were surely drunk, carrying on like that, and during the day no less!" The woman replied
"Such scandalous behavior, even for a house such as that" Said the man simply before the two walked away, nothing more to be heard from the two.
Brutus from where he leaned on a wall half seated on the barrels he was next to turned to his brother. "Use that picture and start questioning those on the streets in this area, I will head for the nearest bar for a drink"
Jr rolled his eyes as Brutus headed off, blending into and quickly disappearing into the crowded streets of Arendelle in search of his favorite beers. After about twenty minutes Jr met up with his brother outside a tavern as the man had also gained some information. "Any luck ?" Brtutus asked him
"Some, a few people said they saw her but she was injured, holding her left arm as if to protect it, maybe having been hurt in a fight, though others said they had witnessed a cooking fire, its possible she got burnt in it. We never did see the kitchens of that whorehouse to begin with" Jr and Brutus never thought to check the kitchen, if they had, they'd have seen the fire remains thatXeir had caused that morning when she tried to cook breakfast.
"So it seems, the woman you're trying to find more information about is burned most likely and if my guessing is true, Xeir's sdcales would have covered the burns to both protect and heal the burns as best possible given that she is in Arendelle, and matches the painting exactly, I think you have a lead."
"What do you mean me ?" Jr asked
"Little Brother, I offered to help you find news of the latest whereabouts of that woman, if it is indeed Xeir Zith herself, then chances are good she is now hiding, but where in the kingdom would she hide without even the High Priest trying for our asses when searching for her, hmm ?" Brutus replied with a gulp of beer, he offered a mug to his brother, Jr set the cutout of Xeir on the table between them.
"So we're stuck ?" Jr said
"No, not stuck, delayed, Kiyori has Arendelle in his grip aside from seven districts. The Dust Distrct was destroyed a few weeks ago, about four days before you guys showed up actually now that I remember it" Brutus explained. It was the talk of the city for a good week or two, how suddenly from nowhere a earthquake hit the Dust District, destroy it and nearly destorying the train yard.
"What ?" Jr asked, the Dust District was set to become the next Arko, a residental district for the soldiers and their families. Brutus then explained what happened. Jr was thoughtful. "Alright, this makes sense, the day we showed up, shit went down in the Galasia District, then this morning, my target burnt herself somehow, and then now you tell me that four days before we showed up, the Dust Disatrict crumbled into the ground ?"
"Thats about right" Brutus said with a nod
"Did I leave anything out ?" Jr asked
"Only that the All-Mother is apparently missing, I just received that news inside this tavern, grilled a table for info about it, the old coots bragged about working for a woman, and then being told she was looking for the All-Mother, then they explained they once worked for her, they'd been without a job for almost two years now." Brutus said in reply while gulping down some food that was brought to their table.
"So what did you do ?" Jr asked
"Offered those guys to work at my place, the beer is good, and the pay is good as well, long as they do their jobs, they get free beer as long as they like." Brutus said
"No man, I meant about the All-mother, why'd you go and look up stuff about her ?" Jr asked, he'd only heard stories and rumors of the mythical All-Mother, but had never the chance to meet her. Brutus on the other hand had gotten many inviations from Light, Most of them directly from her in person, to come visit the Crystal Palace that she resided in, and Brutus took her up on several of those invitations because, damnit, Light liked him more then she did his father and siblings.
"It was a chance conversation, these folks, they never heard of Xeir, and when I discribed her, one man said I was trying to describe the All-mother, that is how she was brought up in the first place. Besides, its not like Dad will harm us for getting this information to take down his enemies" Brutus was mostly right, Draco was busy mind fucking with Xeir directly, but there was also the issue concerning recent events anyhow.
"So whats the plan, then ?" Jr asked, there had to be a means they could focus and bring Xeir in as a prisoner. But little did they know the womans picture was really the only means of finding her somewhere in Arendelle.
"What about the Kreen District ?" Brutus asked
"What about it ?" Jr replied, giving his brother a confused look, "What, let me guess, you want me to talk to Sutri and Taris' 'inside spiders' who're hoarding the food for them ?" Thankfully both men were speaking draconian and were both calm
"Bingo" Brutus replied while pointing at his brother with a finger as if shooting a gun at him.
"How do I know you're not taking me for some kind of fool ?" Jr asked his brother.
Brutus simply smiled at him. "Simple" He replied smugly, "You dont, and I am not. That woman is rumored to have ties to the Kreen District, if you want to take her down, or at least get her out of the fight, then we have to find who she is working with, and use them as bait." Brutus pointed out
Jr was quiet a moment as the two men ate their food. "You know, if you werent my brother, I'd have killed you by now for what happened to mom" He said
"You guys trashed my bar, and as a result it was destroyed in a bombing raid, from Xeir Ziths own Husband, trust me I know who bombed and then created the Pond District." Brutus growled. He still wasnt happy that his first bar was destroyed, but he couldnt blame his family for it, sure he resented them for the attack that destroyed his livilyhood at the time, but because he knew bars and bar keeping, as well as running a proper inn. It just made things so much easier to start a new bar to keep.
"Hey, that was not us!" Jr growled in reply, nearly choking on his chicken as he ate. "Mom got burnt, we went back home, but that damned silvers weapons got onto her, not even Dad could stop the burning." Jr remembered it, his mother, Kethend, had been so badly burnt, the sheer raw magic in the silver laced weapons scarred her, and in the pain made her pass out. Draco of course retaliated and fought with Xeir head on.
"I know, but you guys were there, so I blame you partly for it." Brutus replied simply, the two men soon finished their meal, Brutus left a tip, and the pair headed off. As they walked Brutus said "Keep talking to the folk around the kingdom and in some of the lesser patrolled districts, someone is bound to see a woman with scales on her arm, or at least favoring their left arm on its own." Jr nodded at the advice as the two then split up.
"I'll see you at your place then, I'll let you break the news to the twins," Taris was off doing her own thing, trying to track Kiyori and his mens movements so they could time their next strike correctly. Jr never saw that Nasty was nearby, watching both he and Brutus through a whorehouse window.
4 November
Yaeko District
Arendelle
Sunrise
"You never were good at cooking were you ?" Tiri asked seeing Xeirs left arm encased in prestine beautiful pinkish silver scales that went from her shoulder blades, to the edges of her fingernails.
"I am too used to servante doing it, making the food, food always set out. Never having to worry of cooking anything on my own. I've always wanted to learn how to cook though" Xeir admitted.
She knocked on her scaled arm. "Besides, my left hand weapon is not a sword anymore, it was broken in my battle with Draco ages ago, its been a dagger ever since. My scales can offer further protection for this arm then a dagger could ever hope to."
"You fight better with two swords" Tiri said simply, causing Xeir to nearly choke on her breakfast. "Not that I am complaining mind you, for most of our lives we were one body." Xeir had to smirk, for most if not all her life she fought with two identical longswords made for and designed by her by the best possible Dragon blacksmiths in Lights court
Xeir then smiled and patted at the table edge. "Tiri, sit down, or get on me, either one. I am happy that you survived, your deal as you called it is filled. You dont need to be so on edge anymore."
Tiri sat down, leaning on her best friend, and former soul. "So..." Tiri asked the unasked question without asking it.
"How did this happen ?" Xeir asked her, Tiri nodded. Xeir looked sheepish. "I uh... grease fire"
"We never were good at cooking" Tiri admitted, she only knew how to eat. And back when they weere one person, they never had to worry about making food for themselves.
"It was mostly eating at places where the Men were so focused on making sure we were eating good food and the place we were eating in was clean." Xeir agreed, "it was either that or going places with Kalda" There was a dreamy tone in Xeirs voice as she remembered her beloved husband.
"You're doing it again" Tiri smirked
"Doing what ?" Xeir asked
"Lets face it, Diamond was right, you still arent good at lying." Tiri said simply with a chortle of a laugh.
"What am I doing ?!" Xeir asked her clearly confused yet it was comical in the tone and how the two women were acting at that moment. "If I can rightly recall, you and I were the same person, so, you shouldnt be able to lie either. It wasnt our top skill if at all"
"Yeah, living like I did,I had to learn to lie" Tiri said simply, she gave her old self an impish look, the two women looked slightly to mostly different. I had to be a different person, it was weird, and I dont want to go through it again. Though I gotta admit, Charity was nice. Her daughter was nice too. I wonder where they are, I havent seen them in two or so years now"
"So, lying might not be my best skill, so what am I doing ?" Xeir asked her former body.
"Well, if I had to guess, I'd say you're longing for your husband, but he's dead, nobody's heard from him in generations. Diamond couldnt find him, and Mother never said when he was coming back or where he would be when he had come back. Only that he was coming back." Tiri sighed then "And now Mother is missing and nobody knows where she went."
"Mother is missing ? First Diamond and now Kalda" Xeir mumbled. This was just getting better and better. "Anything else you wanna tell me, sis ?"
"Sis ?" Tiri looked at Xeir with a confused look on her face, Tiris face seemed to shatter and shift around as the ice body of the woman was confused. Forming something akin to a helmet or a cows upper jaw bone before reforming a undamaged human looking face did Tiri finally smile "Alright, sisters we are" She said at long last. Xeir smirked.
"Lets see, what else can I remember to tell you, oh right, Kiyori is an asshole, he has a huge ass bodyguard, and there's a guy named Nara who wants to see you first thing after breakfast." Tiri rattled off a list of bits of info she knew, adding more fingers, thanks to her icewraith abilities as she did so. Normally the human looking Tiri had four fingers and a thumb, now she had twelve fingers and six thumbs, all on one hand as she rattled off the list. "Oh and Spyder said not to panic about the giant spiders we might see today and tomorrow on the street or the rooftops" Tiri concluded
That had Xeirs complete attention "Giant spiders ?" Even as a Dragon Xeir had issues with giant spiders. But if Spyder was helping them out, she should not need to worry, right ?
"Yeah, Spyder said some of the Kreen District are working on repairs thanks to you making a deal with their leader Lady Kreena, the Galasia District needs their skills and I am pretty sure it will work out just fine." Tiri explained
"I see, as long as it is not like those giant snakes and spiders on Barbel" Xeir said, that was a trip, Tiri had entirely forgotten about it. After a rather akward silence, Xeir cleared her throat. "You said something about Nara wanting to see me ?"
"Yeah, but with your arm like that, you think you should go out in public right now ?" Tiri said, "I mean I could make your scales look like normal skin if you wore me like a trenchcoat..." Tiri then went quiet as Xeir was shaking her head. "What do you mean no ?"
"Exactly what I mean by no, I'll be fine, sis. Its just Nara we're seeing. If you're that worried, tell me where he is and I could teleport to him" Xeir said to her. But then she saw the look on Tiris face, it was one of worry. "What is it ?"
"People are looking for you, me, us. Word on the street was that the place you were cooking was raided and two guys who didnt look exactly nice, were seen asking around near the Brothel you had that breakfast firepit party at" Tiri said in reply, she detailed what Brutus and Jr both looked like. Xeir smirked, remembering the town drunk, Brutus was easy, but Jr, she could barely recall the young man.
Xeir was quiet for a long moment, then she said, "Alright, if I am just seeing Nara, I will be Ok, at least I should be, dont worry, Nara is possibly the safest guy in the universe right now. I'll be fine, I promise, if a fight happens, Nara will be right there with me" Xeir had a smile on her face, she and Nara had already sparred a bit a few weeks ago when she first woke up
"That's what I am afraid of" Tiri replied, which made Xeir start laughing, "What ?"
"Oh nothing, just dont let Nara hear you say that. If you see Zen, let her know I need breakfast" Xeir said, that made Tiri sigh, at least Xeir was still her impish self, just like they were when they were one body.
"I'll go get her then, you stay here" Tiri said, she started to turn on her heel, then stopped, "Why the hell did I tell myself to sit still ?"
"I dont know sis, why ?" Xeir replied, apparently someone spiked her coffee that morning. Tiri wanted to retort with some form of witty remark, but nothing came to the icewraiths head. Instead she shifted apart into a serpentine ice critter and flittered off on her own and left Xeir seated at the table struggling to breathe she was laughing so hard.
Arendelle
Marketplace Assassin Den
Just after breakfast
It had been an eventful two weeks, Several excursions into the High Priests contro9lled districts while searching for more of the star shards as what little Mark was able to find out about them from his cousin made Blackmane look deeper into things, only to come up empty.
Which meant that new measures had to be taken on such a level that Blackmane was infact rather nervous and continued instead to find ways to get information. Aunt Shadowmane was around, Mark knew it for sure. But didnt say a word as only Shadowmane could scare Blackmane good and proper. Infact that morning alone Mark found his aunt Blackmane freaked out and tail bristled at a prank Shadowmane had set some time ago.
The end result was not the best thing, but Mark however kept his wits about him and instead of saying anything snarky or insultive, he instead offered a hand to his aunt to help her to her feet and said that breakfast was ready.
It did very little during breakfast, Marks somehow getting new manners put Blackmane on edge. So when breakfast was done and the dishes were cleared away. Blackmane spoke. "Alright, the two of you are on Ammo Watch this evening" Blackmane said after the dishes had been cleaned up. Mark smirked, he had done it before but Irie was confused of what the term meant.
"Ammo Watch ?" Irie asked, looking to their aunt. "Whats it gonna do ? Dance while we're watching it ?" It was clear that Irie had no idea what the term 'Ammo Watch' really meant
"Nothing, you have to just make sure that the High Priests men do not go near it." Blackmane said to her in reply. "Tonight at seven thirty you two go on Ammo Watch, remebmer that, if the High Priest or his men find our stash of weapons, this wont end well for the kingdom" Mark sighed, but Blackmane was not doing this as a means to put them together intentionally. The last thing Mark wanted right then was to be close to his cousin.
"So why do we have to watch it ?" Irie was indeed confused "If its not gonna do anything, why bother watching it ?" To her it just did not make sense. Mark however went to the front door and broke it frame with his forehead with a heavy thunk as he struggled to hold in his laughter. This was going to be a very long night when their ammo watch began.
But Blackmane had a point. If the High Priest had been able to find their weapons, stockpiles and gear depots, Blackmane's magic on its own wouldnt be enough to fight the man and his men off. "Have you heard from Sapphire or anyone else ? Anna perhaps ?"
Mark shook his head, "Nothing from the Princess, but Sapphire was having personal issues last night and wanted to be alone so I did not think it wise to pry" Mark said to his aunt as Irie chowed down on pancakes. "On top of that, nobody has seen Diana in a week now, I'm starting to worry"
"Wise thinking, I will speak to her then" Blackmane said, then a thought crossed her mind, "Have you spoken to Kiyomori however ?" Blackmane for the moment ignored the comment about Diana, she had briefly spoken to Nara, but Mark hadnt met up with him yet.
"I actually did yes, she said something about knowing where to find more information about the Shards and where they came from, and how to use them for that matter." Mark replied, the sound of Irie murdering pancakes was heard as Blackmane was oddly quiet by that point.
The older woman was thoughtful, she had some input from her own mother. "You both know that your grandmother was here a few weeks ago ?"
"Grandma Snowblood still looks good." Irie replied, it was true, Snowblood hadnt aged a day past her third life, she still had six to go if the legends of cats having nine lives was indeed true
"Yes, she does look good, in a way I am glad she came here, I needed her help. I guess the old adage is true, the best advice is from a mother." Blackmane said, she herself was a mother, but she was clueless on a certain issue. She looked to her niece and nephew. "Vaeyuko is still asleep last I knew, and Shadow must be around here somewhere, Before you two go on Ammo watch this evening, try and find your Aunt Shadowmane, Mom said she might be of help where nobody expects it. She's somewhere in the district, so you have until this evening to find her and send her back here to help us out."
Mark nodded, they could do that. "Anything we should tell her when we find her other then sending her back here ?" He asked around a cup of coffee. As Irie was murdering the breakfast she was given.
"Nothing comes to mind, if you want, I will let you figure that out on your own." Blackmane replied, since she had eaten before they had awoken, it allowed her to focus more on other duties, like keeping one step ahead of Kiyori and his men.
"So we find Aunt Shadow, have a chat with Aunt Shadow, then send her back here. OK, easy mission" Mark mused. But it was easier said then done. Shadowmane was not going to be easy to find if that. For all they knew she was asleep on the rooftop as it was. Blackmane started snickering before barking out in laughter before she could get hold of herself. "What ? Was it something I said ?"
"My dear nephew, you really have your work cut out for you today. Find your aunt, but remebmer, tonight, you and Irie have Ammo Watch from sunset to midnight." Blackmane smirked, then "Do try to find her before dinner. There might be a bonus in it for you if you can" That meant they had eight hours to search the Marketplace District for Shadowmane.
Which was not going to be easy at all. But the idea of a bonus made Mark nervous.
Arendelle
Greensky District
11 am
"Was it wise to come here when people are actively searching for a woman with an arm covered in silver scales like yours ?" Came a calm voice of a unseemingly normal looking human man dressed in a dark robelike coat. Playing, of all things, solitaire with a deck of cards upon a table, he was seated at an outdoor eatery, and yet he remained calm throughout.
"Never the one to be subtle are we Naratas Aigatis ? Have you seen Diamond ?" Came the calm, yet impish voice of Xeir, it was fun getting weird looks from the guards, and townspeople about her scaled left arm.
"You and I both know I was never one for subtle entertances." Nara replied with a smirk in his voice.
"You're right, we always knew you to be the life of the party" Xeir replied as she sat next to Nara.
The Force Dragon started snickering, never looking from his game he said simply "You heard the news yes ? The current head of the council your Nothing put in charge is considering marking an heir, but he does not know who to choose, the kingdom wants their Queen back but they feel she is gone forever. Some wonder if Anna will ever return." Nara had a rather thoughtful tone to his voice by then, he rarely was this serious.
"Elsa was my Nothing, she is now within me. So now we need someone to take her place," Xeir started to say before Nara raised a hand
"Your Nothing was just that, DiT was right, to give a name to something makes it important, yes Elsa ruled here, but she returned your soul back to you. Your Nothing is no more, all is that is left, is you. There is no we when you mention your plans" Nara then looked at her, his calm green eyes had a impish light to them. "Besides, if Kiyori found out your Nothing was alive and returning, the kingdom would be ready for war by now, it was really this calm when the Nothing, her sister, Princess Anna, the Nothings own husband, and a bodyguard to princess Anna left over a year ago for a long travel time of a year away."
"And yet here we are, we never left. They never left" Xeir said, meaning herself, Mark, Anna and Diana. Nara nodded. "Have you seen Diamond ?" She asked again.
"I have, she was waiting for you here with me, but stuff came up and she had to take care of it. Is there anything you want me to do ?" Nara asked her, his wife was busy, so there he was playing cards while the kingdom seethed below the surface.
It was a powder keg just waiting to be lit.
And Xeir was the one to light that powder keg. But how and when was anyones guess. "Yes, walk with me . Naratas. We need to talk while walking, it will help my mood." Xeir replied, Tiri had left her at breakfast, it was now nearly noon. So Xeir was on edge.
"Fair enough." Nara tossed the cards he was using into nothing and they disappeared as he stood up. "Whats on your mind ?" The two headed for a walk through the kingdom, dark coated man, and a woman with a silver scaled arm and hand seemingly wandering amid the populace. And yet there was something off about both of them.
-8-8-8-
A pair of eyes watched the two from a covered walkway. Carefully observing everything said between the two and watching their movements carefully. The dark haired purple dressed woman raised her cloaks hood over head black hair and shadowed her face as she followed a dozen paces behind the pair of chatters. Nara and Xeir had no idea someone from Xeirs mothers Court was watching them.
Waterlight had her mission. She was to wait until Xeir had awoken properly before going to the Mortal Realm to both aid the woman, and provide cryptic clues for the woman to follow under orders of Light herself. The other reason was mostly her own as Light was also missing. Waterlight had never been informed of Light's plan. And she was unable to inform her own daughter, Asaca of her plan before she too disappeared from the Mythic Realm into the realm of Mortals.
Tracking Dragons was easier said then done, as most Dragons could take a human likeness, and even then it was not easy to fully blend in, unless they used their magic in a certain manner to do so. Asaca was an example of that fact, whereas her mother, Waterlight, could appear as a normal human woman around six feet tall at shortest before her magic started messing up her weight to size ratio, Asaca couldnt get any smaller then eight feet tall for the same reason.
Waterlight herself was looking for Xeir, to work with the reborn Princess of Light's Court, and also find Diamond. However, since Xeir was with Nara, and Xeir also showed off scales upon her left arm, it only made the ancient woman smile. Xeir never was one to hide the fact she was a dragon even as a human, the Mythic Realm everyone knew a dragon from an Eagle or Man. But the Mortal Realm, one had to hide better.
As Waterlight followed her two charges through a crowded street. Her mind wandered to a few hundred years...
"Mother, I had a dream last night." a girl said, her name was Asaca
"What kind of dream ?" Weaterlight asked her.
"When I woke up, I had already forgotten what it was about." Asaca admitted, "However, there were tearstains upon my pillow."
"Was it a sad dream ?" Waterlight looked to her daughter, Asaca was just beginning to grow into a young woman, and for a Light Dragon, Asaca, like her mother, was already quite beautiful.
"Perhaps. But I do not know if the tears are tears of sadness or tears of joy" the girl admitted to her mother. She felt shy of doing such a thing.
Waterlight smiled, it had only been a scant few months before when she herself had been freed from Kanwars healers. They had done what they could. But Waterlight bore her scars, and missing eye, with pride. Battlescars healed over time, but the loss of an eye, even for a Dragon, would never heal. But Waterlight didnt care. "You are learning well."
"What is more. I find that I am having the same dream almost each night." Asaca said, a ring of confusion in her tone.
"If you had forgotten the contents of the dream, why would you believe it comes to you repeatedly ?" Waterlight asked her
"Because in the dream there is a song that lingers in my mind" Asaca replied simply
"What kind of song ?" Waterlight gave her daughter a sharp look.
"It has an indescribable beauty, and incomparable sadness. It is distant, and yet, incredibly familiar." Asaca said in reply
Waterlight nodded, "What else did you feel ?"
"When I listened to that song, my heart became clear, and my mind became focused." Asaca replied simply, it was true, she felt focused, stronger, with more a clear heart and sharper mind.
"What is bothering you daughter ?" Waterlightg asked her
"I think I need to see the All-Mother. Its..." Asaca trailed off, she saw her mothers smile, the light shining in her mothers remaining eye.
"So that is why you came to me today, to bid farewell ?" There was no sadness in Waterlights voice or tone. Only sheer joy. "You are in luck, the All-Mother seeks to speak to you. I was about to send a White to find you."
"I felt a calling Mother. I will speak to the All-Mother, and then, do as she asks." Asaca said. Waterlight smiled and hugged her daughter, that was what she wanted to hear.
"Go see what Light wants,be sure to visit often as you can." Waterlight said to her. She then watched Asaca all but run for the throneroom of the massive crystal palace.
The memory faded. Waterlight, hundreds of thousands of years later, was now trailing behind Xeir, Lights daughter by blood, and Naratas, Lights... son, by fart. As embarassing as it was told to her by both Light and Nara when Nara was first met. Waterlight, as well as Light herself, had pretty much nearly wet themselves laughing at how Nara was, for all meaning of the word, born.
A man tried to stop Waterlight, another tried to lure her. And more tried to get into her path, she easily brushed first one, then shouldered past, another. Before heading up a flight of stairs to the second level of the district. Moving fast she shouldered past one man, muscled her way around another two. Before stopping as a burly fellow blocked her path. The hooded woman smiled behind the hood. "You are in my way." Waterlight said, her voice hard.
"Say that again little missy" The man, easily the same size, if not larger then Mark Wolfe. Glared at the woman, a half giant to be sure. Whereas Waterlight, only six feet tall at that moment, sighed.
"If I say it again, I will be saying it, to a dead body." Waterlight said simply. More eyes were drawn her way.
"Is that so ?" Asked the burly man. Manny wasnt one to step aside under a threat. But this woman appeared to mean business. Waterlight had muscled her way past his own men, and Kiyori was enjoying a drink nearby in safety of Manny's care.
"You appear to be guarding another. I will leave you to your task. As long as you step aside and let me through the space in which I wish to tresspass" Waterlight said. Sadly her lingering there had infact gained the attention of Kiyori. Oh holy Light this was going sideways.
"Is this woman bothering you, Mannfredd ?" Came the calm voice of Kiyori, Dice had soon to arrive and meet with Kiyori concerning recent events the weeks past.
"This woman attempted to get close to you. She wishes now to leave us be. What should we do ?" Manny normally simply followed his orders, but he never roughed up a woman, he was too gentlemanly for that, and Kiyori knew it.
"Well, your job is to keep me safe, and she seems to be in a hurry. Let her be. Get yourself a drink. And watch for Deacon Dice. Which is also your job." Kiyori said, giving the cloaked woman a careful glance. Maybe he could speak to her later. "As for you" He said to Waterlight, "I would personally like to extend to you an invitation to the Palace of Arendelle. This evening, for dinner." He extended a hand in friendship. "You may come as you are." Waterlight nerver reacted to his hand, which briefly made Kiyori look like a fool but nobody noticed.
"Thank you. I will see you then." Waterlight said as Manny stepped to the side and let her pass freely, disappearing quickly into the crowd. Thanks to Waterlight distracting both Manny and Kiyori, niether man nor Tigris saw Xeir and Nara outside the multilevel tavern.
A good ten minutes later, and Nara came to a halt in their walking. Speaking up simply he said, "I was not exactly expecting the Lady-in-Waiting herself to join us. But you are easy to miss in a crowd with your dress. But in Arendelle, its easier to spot then you think."
Xeir had no idea what her brother in law meant turned to face who he was speaking to. But Nara never turned around to speak to Waterlight.
"It is not easy to get past you in secret, is it, Naratas ?" Waterlight's melodic voice sang out softly.
"Nope," Nara replied finally turning around to see Waterlight, He smiled, with his hood lowered it was clear he was humanlike, long silvery hair, deep green eyes. The works. 'Though I must admit, the hood is a nice touch."
"But needed, otherwise my scars would scare people, these Mortals, they... they are a easy to scare thing. Unlike those at home." Waterlight replied. Xeir stared at her.
"Waterlight ?" She asked.
"Hello Xeir. You may not remember me, but I was there when you were born, I helped raise you when Kanwar and Light were busy." In a way, Waterlight raised both Xeir and Asaca, but the former was raised more like a baby sitter.
"I remember you, barely." Xeir replied, her memories were taking some getting used to. Some fo them were indeed returning, others were taking longer.
"That is good, because I remember you." Waterlight said
"The one thing I do not remember is Waterlight keeping her face covered." Xeir said. She had been born well after Waterlight had lost her eye and gained her scars. Her beauty forever destroyed thanks t othe loss of her eye, and the damage dealt by the other dragons in battle
"Like I said," There was a hint of humor in her tone. "Mortals on this planet are quick to fear. One look at me, and they might try to kill me, or worse" it was clear Waterlight was more worried for her own safety by keeping her face covered, the damage taken as a Dragon was minimal on her face, lost eye, plus some cuts and claw marks on her face. But in her human form, Waterlights pale skin was torn and ripped apart, and her right eye showed a gaping hole with burnt skin. "Would you rather I wear a mask of some form ?"
"No, but, why are you here ?" Xeir asked, Nara stayed quiet, he had let Xeir pummel him with thoughts and questions, most of them hypothetical in natature. And occasionally he answered her. But it was clear he was distracted.
"Doing my job" Waterlight said, "Do you have a place ?"
"We do, while there we can inform the guys with us that you're to be trusted, and not feared because of your injuries" Xeir told her, they headed in that direction and soon arrived at the Galasia District Den. Once inside, Waterlight removed her hood. Allowing Xeir to see the extent, at least in the Mortal Realm, of the damage the woman had upon her face from the ancient battle.
Of course it was Nara who spoke up, both blunt, and stupidly. "Still as beautiful as ever, did you do something new with your hair ?" Before he could react, Xeir decked him, he collapsed in a heap. "... Ow" of course it only made Waterlight smile at Naras antics.
"Still as childish as ever, Naratas ?" Waterlight mused
"Not as much since nailing down the knot" Nara replied, he flinched as if about to be struck, but Waterlight stared at him.
"You managed to marry another ?" She asked him, he nodded. "Who ?"
"That is for me to know, and you to find out" Nara replied, which earned him another whack, this time from Waterlight herself, out of nowhere her fist smashed into him. Sending him in a heap to the floor. For a good moment he was silent, finally when he came to, he said simply "...Ow"
Xeir merely raised an eyebrow, a brief snort, and then she asked. "What brings you to us ?"
"My job" Waterlight replied
"Job ?" Nara asked from the floor "DONT KICK ME!" He then shrieked briefly as he got a dirty look from Waterlight.
"Oh go find a snowman" Waterlight mumbled. Nara snickered, he knew her to look for, then got to his feet and dusted himself off. "To answer your question, Lady Xeir, my job is to help you where needed. You see, my job is to help you in the event your mother, Light, goes missing. Do not worry, the Palace is safely led by your own friends in thje Eagle Empire. Until your mother is found, I am to work with you."
"I see" Xeir had no real idea how to work with Waterlight, but she trusted the ancient Light Dragon lady-in-waiting with her life. "I am not really sure of what you can do though."
"Let me put it this way, I can work in the shadows to help you unseen by others. But I need to tell you this now, the man named Kiyori, known as the High Priest, has invited me, personally, to the castle tonight for dinner. And possibly a tour." Waterlight explained the incident in the tavern
"He has not seen your scars ?" Xeir asked
"No, but he does feel he can trust me, he told his bodyguard alone to allow me to pass him by without so much as a second glance." Waterlight said.
Xeir smirked. "Perfect, that fits in to the plan perfectly." She said, the two then headed for the planning room. Xeir activated the table in the center of the room, a full 3d model of the Castle District formed of wires before becoming full color. Seeing the confused look on Waterlights face, Xeir explained. "I need to see what is inside the Palace, the castle itself, its courtyard, total soldiers, the works. If you can get me a headcount of everyone present as well as their movements, maybe even tag them with some magic. I can then track them, and plan my assault on the Castle itself."
"You plan to retake the castle, when all you have is one district ?" Waterlight asked.
"Three districts" Xeir corrected
"Three ?" The Light Dragon was confused. "you have this one, but what is the other two ?"
"The Kreen District is one of them, Lady Kreena and I have been working out the finer details but so far things are working in our favor, the high priest is scared of that district and leaves it alone, but there is still the issue of getting food to the kingdom as a whole. Kiyori has a tight grip on that." Xeir said nothing of her recent incident in the other part of the Galasia District that happened two weeks before.
"I see, so this district is under your control, but the other district, Kreen, it is isolated from this one." Waterlight moved the holographic map as if she were a seasoned professional with the technology. "You will need to retake the Tael, Tomb and the Yaeko Districts. If you like I can aid in this task even now while on my way to dinner this evening"
Xeir remained silent for a moment longer, then she nodded. "Alright, go for it. In order to unlock the district as ours you need to destroy who ever Kiyori put in command of that district, then set the main signal tower in that district on fire. That will unlock it for us and allow us to take control. Though I have to warn you, I am not sure of who has what in terms of weaponry or skills" Xeir said she pointed out the command houses and their signal towers on the holo map of the two districts. She pointed at the Tomb District. "I mostly have this one, I just need to light the signal fire now"
"Good luck" She then said, Waterlight smiled and took her leave as Xeir watched her. The Silver Dragon was not sure how to take the fact that Waterlight was working under her, when she was the lady in wating to her own mother. Which also meant on certain levels she could serve as a maid when needed for Xeir, or even a compatroit where required as well for that matter. But Xeir did not question it, it did not make too much if any sense, but in the short term, at least to taking down Kiyori, she needed all the help she could get, and if that meant her own mothers Lady-in-Waiting was to help her in the venture of taking down the High Priest, then so be it.
Waterlight covered her face in shadows once more and headed off from the den, her mission was clear, she planned to first scout the Tael district before worrying about taking on the leader of the gang that Kiyori had set up. There was also the issue of ShadowMistSect being around as well. Which Waterlight knew their sigel, and other elements. "Couldnt bear to stay away could you, Naratas ?" Waterlight spoke up as she halted at a corner.
"I figured you would head this way, but helping Xeir, isnt that a bit low for you ?" Nara asked, his tone serious.
"Not at all, in all things, it feels most normal." Waterlight replied, she looked to him. "Why ?"
"No real matter, have you heard from Light ?" Nara asked her
"I have not, but I do have my orders, when Xeir awakened, I was to make my way to her, and help her where needed, now if you dont mind explaining, I can get moving onto my task she'd like done." Waterlight gave Nara a steeled look. He smirked.
Raising his hands in surrender "Alright alright, relax. What do you need me to do ?" He had worked with the being known only as DiT, having no idea what her name even was. But he suspected.
"For now, help Xeir where needed. And from look of things, find your wife" Waterlight said, Nara had to smile at that thought, he had a dreamy look on his face as he remembered his wife, Diamond. Waterlight soon lost in the crowd. Nara himself soon disappeared to find his wife, his own task, helping Xeir was completed. Unless Xeir needed him for something he had to find out what Wolfe was up to. If he was even up for that matter.
Arendelle
Marketplace District
Six PM
A long ass day. Mark was bushed for sure. Tired and his feet hurt. But normally he was not one to complain. But then he had Irie with him, and he was ready to conk out. They hadnt found Aunt Shadowmane anywhere. But they did find out a few things judging by the weird looks Irie got at least until she put on her eyepatch. By which point people really just stayed away from them. But that meant finding Aunt Shadowmane was a pain in the butt.
All but collapsing onto a table to rest his feet, Mark found himself suddenly on the grass. "The hell ? GET OFF ME!" a female voice said
Trust Shadowmane to use light and make herself invisible to sleep on a table. The same table that Mark had collapsed onto. Only to get flung off it. "What the hell ? Aunt Shadowmane ?" Mark asked after spitting out some grass.
"We were looking all over the Marketplace District for you, Aunt Blackie said she wanted your help with something." Irie spoke up.
Shadowmane smiled at the mention of Blackmane, she also nodded. "I know, its why I had her have you guys search for me. You dont have to worry about Ammo Watch tonight, consideringh you both scoured the Marketplace District just to find me, I am also going to assume that you have information concerning the Districts' Commander that was put into power by the High Priest ?"
"Yeah, the scum sucking fucker" Irie grumbled. The guy tried to cop a feel, only to get thrown aisde before calling on his comrades. But rather get into a huge fight, Irie and Mark barely managed to smokebomb their way out.
"Does that mean I can go back to bed ?" Mark asked, no Amm Watch ? Perfect!
"For the moment not just yet. But soon yes." Shadowmane replied, she held out something for him and Irie to see, it was a wanted poster, with Marks face on it. "It seems you made some enemies." She also held up another poster, this time with Xeirs face on it, with what looked like a scaled dragon arm in the poster too. "Do you know this woman ?" Shadowmane asked her neiece and nephew. Both of whom shook their heads as Mark took the wanted poster
"I cant shake a feeling that this woman looks, and feels familiar somehow" He said. It was true, Xeirs expression wasnt the best, but the eyes were dead on familiar, if Kalda werent out of the action like he had been the last month, then maybe he could recognise Xeir Zith herself.
The poster read simply as Mark read it aloud "WANTED for crimes against the kingdom of Arendelle, reward for information leading to the capture of this woman for destroying soldier units in the Galasia District Souk Mall." He smirked, "Funny, the guy even says to speak to the captain of the Guard as well for further information. But it does not mention Sapphire on here at all"
"That is because she had been removed from the post by the High Priest. Now he's after you, and this woman, but he is leaving Sapphire out of this whole mess." Shadowmane replied.
"Great, the fucker trapped her, and now he fires her ? Where is she now ?" Mark asked, if he could find his cousin he could get more information from her.
"Last I knew, the Kingdoms jail. But she is treated with care apparently from what the soldiers say." Shadowmane said as she sat on the table. She stretched. "Is that all Blackie wanted from me ?" Of course it was, she had told them that much.
That made Mark snicker, but it was Irie that spoke up. "Guess we're gonna do a jailbreak, did you take one of the models yet ? Mother was trapped in one for a year trying to figure out the puzzle." She said, a slight shiver went through her body, Mark was thoughtful.
"We can use portals to get Sapphire out, its getting to her that is gonna be the problem." Mark said.
"Sapphire is reportedly in the most secure part of the jail itself, its a three level structure, unlike what the models denote it to be. Its rather filled, but not as a full as one might fear." Shadowmane said, she then smiled at her niece and nephew. "Good luck you two. Have fun storming the jail"
It made Mark snicker, the tone his aunt used, the words too. The original quote was from one of his favorite holomovies. But that was beside the point, they had a new job ahead of them. So as the two headed off, it left Shadowmane watching them briefly before Vaeyuko stepped into her field of view.
"How did they take it ?" Vaeyuko asked her older sister
"I think they took it pretty well, they're planning a jail break" Shadowmane replied as she laid back onto the table, using light and shadow both to make a blanket of sorts. Making her body seemingly turn invisible to the naked eye. "Though I think they're gonna go to the wrong jail structure"
"You didnt..." Vaeyuko started
"Nah, I just told them it was a three floored structur and mostly full." Shadowmane said, Vaeyuko heaved a sigh of relief, that was good news. "I just, well, I didnt tell them where it was located, for all we know its in the castle itself, or in the other districts somewhere." There was only one known place that had a three floored jail, the Wolfe District.
In its heyday, the Wolfe District oversaw a massive jail complex, over time the same complex had been remade into a unique structure to be partly a house complex, as well as a jail, before being returned entirely to a jail under the leadership of Kiyori and Xercine.
The jail itself was split into three levels, and built into a hill within the Wolfe District. So instead of the structure being a solid three floors, it was more going up the grade to the Wolfe Manor directly, each successive floor being a level of the jail itself with the main entery for it being on the lower most level. Out of view from the Wolfe Manor.
But Mark and Irie thought that Shadowmane meant the castle jail, which itself was six levels, and was stacked into two towers of three levels each. Of course they'd end up in the wrong jail to begin with, Sapphire wasnt being kept in the castles jail at all, she was in the Wolfe District jail. And Shadowmane only said it was a three floored jail mostly full but not too full. Which was not the best of hints but it was a okish hint nevertheless.
Which meant Kiyori was going to have visitors soon, very soon.
"I really hope they do not come across Kiyori or any of his goons" Vaeyuko said softly watching her daughter and her nephew head off on their next task.
"Relax, the worst that can happen is they get caught, get in a fight, and get arrested for it, they know the portal spells. And from what Kiyomori told me, they also know at least one Essence Flame each. So even if Kiyori were to get close enough, his spells wouldnt work against either of them" Shadowmane said to her sister.
"You are right, but you are also horrible at giving riddles. I just hope shit doesnt go sideways too quickly." Vaeyuko replied
"Relax Vae, they're good at what they do, though they suck when trying to find me quickly" Shadowmane said, which made Vaeyuko chirp out in a brief crack of laughter before shoving her sister off the table. "Hey! I wanted to nap!"
"Yeah well, Blackie actually does need you. She said it was important. So come on" Vaeyuko replied, the two women headed for the Marketplace Den. Shadowmane didnt seem to happy of being rudely taken from her preferred napsite, but it didnt matter at that point, Blackie needed her help. And to send Vaeyuko to get her meant that it was indeed important.
Arendelle
Castle District
Xercine's Chambers
At that same moment
"So, he has you cooped up in here" came a calm very female voice. Xiaoden was seated upon a chair in the office like space, which also had a bed. But Xercine did not have need of the bed, so it was never slept in.
"That he does" Replied the calm man from where he stood by the massive window. "Not that it will do him any good." The dark coated man said from where he stood at the window. "The High Priest merely wishes to keep an eye on me. Not that it will help"
Xiaoden snickered. "Keeping you locked up in here makes the High Priest think you arent fit to lead the kingdom, and if you ask me the fucker is just asking to get his ass whooped!" To hear Number 6 on the Star Council talking like a Mortal like she used to be made Xercine slightly nervous. But it wasnt too bad. "And I think I know who will do it too. Haversham and I have been training Wolfe more and more lately, things are going slow but worth it at the same time." Xiaoden reported
"And I should know this, why ?" Xercine asked
"Because Xeirn said that anything that happens in the kingdom should be reported to you first" Xiaoden told him, "Besides, you are the Councilman King, its your title after all"
"Xeirn gave me the title yes, but it is still quite low on the totem pole." Xercine did notr resent being the twentieth member. Far from it. Instead he had the strength and mental fortitude to worry less about postitioning and more about enemies wanting him dead. Or worse, as a puppet king.
Turning from the window he regarded Xiaoden, "I take it your visit is anything but cordial ?" He said to her.
"Exactly, I got good news and I got bad news" Xiaoden replied, "though I have already told you the good news, the training of Wolfe progresses slowly but surely, and the bad news is, well, Sapphire Wolfe has been removed from her duties by the High Priest, the idiot thinks that by removing the Last Wolfe as he called her, from a post of power, he could have total control." Xiaoden sighed, she didnt like how things were progressing politically, but politics were not her strongest suit to begin with.
"Hm" Xercine simply said
"Whats your plan ?" Xiaoden asked him
"Kiyori controls the council that Elsa had set up, with me as a puppet, a defacto leader, but he has the real control." Xercine said
"Your plan ?" Xiaoden aske,d she hated most details.
"My plan is simple right now, I want to name an heir. It does not matter who I name so long as the person is female, but I have an idea of who to name as my heir, and Kiyori only proved to me that Sapphire Wolfe is a strong canidate." Xercine was planning on stepping down ?
"You plan to step down ?" Xiaoden asked, after a year, when put into command by Elsa herself, it was insane to step down, but he did say he wanted to name a female heir. Which meant keeping the Kingdom in its tradition of having a Queen as their leader over a King.
"For the most part, yes, but not just yet. I want Kiyori to assume I am weak, and able to be directed like a puppet, but it wont last much longer." Xercine knew that Kiyori was walking on thin ice. What with th erecent wanted posters sent across the kingdom on its own ?
"So Sapphire Wolfe is a possible canidate ?" Xiaoden mused
"Not just her, but Princess Anna, I have met with her, she is a nice young lady." Xercine said, he recounted the meeting he had with the young woman. "I will name Anna, and also Sapphire, as my two canidates for a possible Heir, then I want the kingdom as a whole to take their pick of the two. In full public view."
"So you plan to set Kiyori on the defensive ?" Xiaoden liked that plan, it got her attention as she sat up straighter in her chairt and leaned towards her younger Council member.
"Oh who am I kidding, Kiyori will not let me so much as take a shit without him aware of it" Xercine said, it made Xiaden bark out in laughter briefly. "What ?"
"Let Xendras keep the High Priest busy, him and Xice both actually. You can come and go from this room as you please" Xiaoden then stood from her chair. "Oh and Xinxin sends his regards"
"Wonderful, let him know I need that book still, trying to finish reading the background of Wolfe's family tree is not easy when the key book is missing." Xercine grumbled as darkness corridor opened around Xiaoden
"Will do, take care" She then disappeared in a swirl of raw magic. Leaving Xercine alone. The coated man stood from the desk and went to the window again, looking out over the kingdom, where out there was his two possible canidates for an Heir ?
Xerciene was planning to put Kiyori on the defensive but he was also planning on several backup plans and contigency spaces he had set up over time. He was more then the Master of Fated Kingdoms, as well as the Councilman King, Xercine was a heavy duty planner, and his plans also included a bright young lady from a place called Napoli, a place weren Xiuen was from originally.
Infact, Xercine was tempted to announce Xiuen as a popssible canidate, but the Tigris was dangerous, and to put her in charge, as beautiful and smart and as good as she was at hiding in plain sight alone. It just was not the best idea to begin with. Which meant that Xercine had his work set up for him, and it was not going to be an easy task.
Not an easy task, at all. And he knew it.
But he was not complaining, he had no room to complain, infact, if Xercine had it his way, he'd hand over the kingdom enturely to a woman who could oust Kiyori and the corrupted councilmembers.
Kiyori himself was a corrupt man, evil and Xercine knew it, the model making High Priest made so many models. And the stories the man told about his models made everyone nervous and scared. To the point where it made people scared to go near them.
Even Prince Hans, who knew the truth of the models, was wise to keep his distance, but out of knowledge that the models were important, not that they were magical people magnets. But Xercine had never met the man, only knew of him from what Xiuen had reported about him in Napoli.
Xercine opened a bottle of Sake and poured it into a glass. He had things to plan.