If there was a fae in Sidhe who didn't know Sinbad's name, Hakuryuu had yet to meet them. Every region had its own local legends, some unique to a place or court, others more widely known, but it was rare for stories to cross more than a few borders before dying out. Among the tales that were told, passed from one eager listener to the next, few were as prolific as Sinbad's.

It was said he was the offspring of the wind and sea, born when the earth and heavens crashed against one another in a passionate fury. No one could say where he had come from, or when he had appeared. He had simply materialized one day before the Seelie Queen with little more than his wits and the clothes on his back, and proposed a bet.

Seven trials of the Queen's design, he wagered. Four for a kingdom, land on which to build it, and her banner under which to rule it. Two for her favor, a chance to win her trust and loyalty, and prove himself worthy of being one of her closest advisers. And one for power and the knowledge needed to wield it. If he failed in even one of her trials, she was free to punish him however she saw fit, and if he won, then all the spoils were his to claim.

Not many fae would willingly wager such dangerous odds against a Queen and this intrigued Scheherazade. She accepted his bet.

As Sinbad bested each of his seven tests, word of his deeds spread through Seelie, then spilled out over its borders across all of Sidhe. His adventures became a spectacle, watched with bated breath, each victory celebrated across the lands. When his bet had been won, Sinbad rose to power on gilded stairs, already a legend.

Though Hakuryuu had never met him, both the king and his palace seemed familiar after decades listening to Alibaba speak of them. As he followed his friend across the grounds and through the sunlit halls it felt a great deal like he was revisiting somewhere he had been in his childhood and not returned to in some time. Many of the servants greeted them, then did a double take when they noticed him, like he was someone they knew but hadn't immediately recognized.

It was a very comfortable place. Whether it was the warm stone beneath their feet or the gentle current of magic that went dancing through the air, Hakuryuu felt at ease. For all his power and ambition, Sinbad had built a sanctuary meant for all and any willing to call him their king. His kingdom was a flourishing melting pot of fae from all walks of life, welcoming to anyone who passed through the gates without ill intentions.

Alibaba led them under a low archway and into a small courtyard paved with stone, in the middle of which sat a modest fountain. Standing beside the fountain was the king himself, conversing with a slender fae with the eyes of a snake. Hakuryuu knew him from the stories; Ja'far, Sinbad's left hand, who he had met during the second of his seven trials.

Sinbad noticed the two princes and his face split into a wide smile. As fae went, he was arguably one of the most beautiful, and his smile was a little dazzling up close.

"Welcome, and welcome home!" he greeted, throwing his arms wide as he strode towards them. "Alibaba my boy, come here, let your king have a look at you. You've been gone so long!"

Alibaba laughed and darted over to his king, allowing him to muss his hair and tug on his earrings. The affection between them was palpable, and Hakuryuu was reminded suddenly of a much younger version of his friend. No matter how much one matured, the love between a parent and child seemed to stay the same.

While Sinbad fussed over his prince, Ja'far approached Hakuryuu.

"It is an honor to have you here, Prince of UnSeelie." he said, bowing politely. "Alibaba speaks of you with such frequency, I feel a great deal as though we have already met."

Hakuryuu inclined his head.

"I could say I feel the same."

Ja'far stood straight and cast a critical eye over the prince.

There was nothing inherently malicious in his gaze, or his posture, or even the magic surrounding him. Yet Hakuryuu could feel himself being picked apart into strengths and weaknesses; the faults in his armor noted, the way he favored his right side catalogued, how he breathed memorized. The feeling was one he knew, for it was the feeling of being beneath the eyes of a predator.

As the story went; after his first trial, one of Scheherazade's kings had deemed Sinbad a threat. Wishing to ensure Sinbad's demise, the king proposed him as prey for the Wilde Hunt.

The Hunt was feared across Sidhe for a great many reasons, but among them the Erlking was first and his hunters second. The Erlking cared nothing for borders or treaties, courts or kingdoms. If one was prey to the Wilde Hunt, then there was nowhere in all the realms that they could run to find safe harbor.

The Erlking had only been mildly interested in Sinbad, which was likely the only reason he was still alive, and had sent a hunting party after him. The leader of this party was a particularly vicious fae, even among his fellow hunters. He was memorable not just for the carcasses he left in his wake, but for the fact that he was but a mere child.

This child hunter had been Ja'far, who had gone on to not just leave the Hunt unscathed, but to leave with an open invitation to return. Both things, unheard of.

Hakuryuu was wise enough to know he ought to fear the man in front of him, and smart enough not to show it.

"Alibaba is one of very few I call friend with sincerity." he said. "If you will pardon my boldness in saying so, he is… He is the closest thing remaining I have to a brother."

Ja'far looked startled before his expression softened. The subtle tension between them dissipated, as though it had never been there to begin with.

"I know he thinks of you the same, prince Hakuryuu."

The two fae shared a brief smile before they were distracted by Sinbad's booming laughter. Hakuryuu had to stamp down a sudden giddiness in his chest; everything Sinbad did was tinged with magic, and its effect was a little unnerving. He wondered if Alibaba was immune to this, or simply accustomed to it.

"You're scaring guests as usual, Ja'far!"

"I am doing no such thing! And for star's sake—please speak formally in front of newcomers, my king!"

"Please, there's no need for formality, is there Hakuryuu?" The prince was caught off guard, suddenly being addressed. He fumbled for words, but the king continued; "After all, it's as you say; both you and Alibaba regard each other as brothers."

He spread his arms again, pulling magic from the air and twining it around his next words.

"My home is yours, prince Hakuryuu. You're welcome here as a friend, not as a guest."

Hakuryuu was not accustomed to being welcomed into dwellings without having to first prove himself as trustworthy. His court held a reputation for being particularly cunning and deceitful where possibly, and this preceded him most places he went.

Sinbad's openness gave him pause. This man had not risen to power by blindly trusting everyone he met, quite the opposite. He had a long history of manipulating circumstance to his advantage using wiliness and trickery, some of which were as fabled as his heroics. Just because Hakuryuu could not see a trap in his words didn't mean there wasn't one.

Hakuryuu chose his reply hastily, but with care, neither accepting nor denying the invitation.

"That is kind of you to say, king Sinbad."

It may have been his imagination, but he swore the king's smile pulled a fraction wider, as if he had said something that pleased him.

"Sinbad," Alibaba piped up. "I brought Hakuryuu here for more than just a social visit; there's a matter of some importance he'd like to discuss with you."

"Is that so?" Sinbad hummed.

Hakuryuu drew himself up straighter. This would be the second time he stated his case and he was feeling far less nervous than the first. Sinbad may be impressive, but he was nothing compared to the Seelie Queen.

The king seemed to be considering things, looking thoughtfully at the pair of princes. After a moment, he waved his hand dismissively.

"Ah well, there will be time for discussion later. For now, I suggest you both rest."

Immediately, Hakuryuu was off balance. He blinked, astonished by the carefree dismissal, and stammered;

"W-with all respect, king Sinbad, this is—"

"Nothing that can't wait a single night," the king interrupted. "Or you wouldn't have just spent several traveling here."

Hakuryuu wasn't sure how to respond to that, because it was true. He wanted to protest, explain that he had not come all this way to luxuriate in Sinbad's palace, no matter how enticing that offer may be. Every moment his mother remained on the throne of UnSeelie court, Sidhe edged closer to some unfathomable destruction.

"You've come a long way, and came from a longer way before that." Sinbad continued. "It will do you more good than harm to relax for an evening. Eat, drink, enjoy yourself! You'll be better for it in the morning."

Some distant part of Hakuryuu agreed. He had been running on the last dregs of adrenaline ever since he left Scheherazade's presence. Even standing here was sapping him of the last of his energy. If he pushed himself, he was going to end up in worse shape than if he just took the time to rest.

Pride made him want to argue anyway, and in another circumstance he might have. But the last thing he needed was to risk losing Sinbad's favor. If he wanted even the remotest chance of besting his mother, he was going to need more support than the divided UnSeelie could offer.

Hakuryuu breathed in through his nose, then exhaled slowly.

"As you like it, king Sinbad." he said resignedly. The king chuckled.

"There now, was that so hard? Come, don't be so dour! Even you must know my kingdom is known for our festivities!"

"Hakuryuu's never been much for parties." Alibaba sniggered, bursting into laughter when his friend shot him a reproachful look.

Sinbad feigned horror.

"Not one for parties? Why a fae who does not indulge in revelry is a sorry soul indeed! We must endeavor to fix this at once—"

"That really is not necessary—"

"Prince Hakuryuu," Ja'far interjected. "May I show you to your rooms?"

Hakuryuu must have looked relieved as he accepted the former hunter's invitation for he was quick to whisk him away. They made a hasty retreat through one of the many archways leading off of the courtyard, the sound of raucous laughter chasing them down the hall.

Ja'far kept a brisk, but manageable pace, and once they had left the prince and king behind them he offered Hakuryuu an apologetic smile.

"I must apologize for them." he said. "They are a handful apart, but together they become entirely unreasonable."

Hakuryuu shook his head.

"I adore Alibaba, but I wonder at times how one could manage to live with him at length. Now, I imagine how one can stand to live with two of him."

"At least Alibaba has his boyish charm; Sinbad is just a nuisance."

They remained mostly on outdoor walkways and halls with gaping windows, displaying panoramic views of the sprawling palace. Ja'far pointed to structures and lawns, explaining their names and purposes as they passed, and remarking on the occasional courtier or servant who passed them by. He seemed pleased by the prince's interest in the palace, and more than happy to expound at length about the inner workings of the kingdom.

Ja'far was far better company than Hakuryuu had anticipated, and he longed to carry their conversation on to more entertaining topics like astronomy and philosophy. However, they had reached the wing of the palace where a set of rooms had been sequestered for his use, and sleep beckoned him like a needy lover. He bid the adviser farewell, offering to continue their talk at another time, to which Ja'far readily agreed.

Though not as grandiose as his chambers back home, his lodgings were far from uncomfortable. He had been given a room decked out in lush greens and soft, sky blue, the furniture made from sandalwood and marble. The few belongings he had brought had been delivered and left for him to unpack, and a crystal jug of dandelion wine was sitting at his bedside.

Hakuryuu shed his clothes and sought out the bath, which had been drawn and filled with salts and herbs. The water was cool, and the tub was rimmed in sweet smelling candles that nearly lulled him to sleep as he soaked. By the time he left the bath, dinner had been set out on a table by the window facing the setting sun.

Foregoing manners in the face of hunger, the prince used his hands to pick apart the grilled fish, popping roasted fruits into his mouth between bites. The bread was fresh, steaming hot at the center, and was perfect for mopping up the blood and juice left on the plate. Hakuryuu ate his fill, then lounged in his chair and watched the sky, sipping dandelion wine and sucking on candied robin eggs.

Once the sun had set and darkness had enveloped the sky, the prince allowed himself to shuffle over to the bed. He brushed the canopy aside, and once more foregoing manners, collapsed face first into the comforter. No sooner had he rolled himself over and squirmed under the blankets than he was asleep.

The king did not meet with him alone the next day. A servant fetched him from his rooms around midday and led him through the halls to a dining room overlooking the water, leaving him at the doors. Inside, there were more people than he had anticipated already settled about the table.

On one side was Alibaba, cracking nutshells open with his fingers and digging out the insides. A few seats down was Ja'far, pouring over waif thin sheets of paper between sips of some dark, steaming liquid. Across from him, an elegant man with cropped hair, who almost shimmered in the light. A darker skinned man was leaned against him, gnawing on a few flower petals as his companion recited a prayer over their meal.

In the seats nearest the door, a pair of women were sharing a plate of candied meat. One was small, birdlike in her thinness and had hair of dandelion yellow. The other was voluptuous and enchanting, though when her hair shifted it revealed a set of closed gills behind her ears. As he glanced around, Hakuryuu noted at least three other presences, all tucked quietly into the shadows, observing the meal.

In the middle of it all sat Sinbad, his head leaned against the knuckles of one hand, a goblet of wine in the other. A man was lounging in his lap, polishing a golden knife with idle boredom.

"Oh, hey Hakuryuu, you made it!" Alibaba called cheerily.

He waved him over, gesturing to the chair next to him like it wasn't a given this was where Hakuryuu would sit. The atmosphere in the room shifted faintly, but after the open hostility that blanketed most shared meals in the UnSeelie palace, it didn't bother him.

Sinbad did not address him as he took his seat and though he was anxious to begin their conversation, he held his tongue. Alibaba filled his plate with odds and ends from across the table, nudging bowls and platters at him when he waved him off. They squabbled quietly until he allowed the golden prince to pour him a goblet of something that smelled of licorice and took a sip.

Hakuryuu devoted half of his attention to Alibaba, who had begun drawing several of the table's occupants into conversation, and the other half to the king and his companion. Curiosity and fascination kept his attention divided. It had taken only moments to identify the man in the king's lap, and Hakuryuu couldn't find the willpower to keep his eyes off him. Truth be told, this was his favorite of all of Sinbad's fabled companions. The very first.

Scheherazade had made Sinbad's first trial nigh impossible. He was to best a dragon and bring her proof of his victory, something undeniable and unattainable through other means.

Dragons were some of the oldest creatures in all of Sidhe, they had existed since before the courts, before the Wilde Hunt, before anything at all. A pureblooded dragon may be as young as a child, or as old as the sun and moon, and appear anywhere in between. They were revered, worshipped, and ultimately left to their own devices by anyone who knew what was good for them.

Sinbad, young and bullheaded, blinded by his ambition, had gone in search of a dragon with every intention of taking its life. A dragon's hoard could be stolen, its scales plucked from where it shed, a horn lopped off, a fang pulled. Some would give blood or skin for the right price. The only undeniable proof seemed to be a dragon's head.

So he sought out a dragon, scoured the mountains where several were rumored to live, and stole inside the first lair he came across. No one said the fight had to be fair, to best an opponent was simply to be victorious. He would take the dragon's head in its sleep and have done with.

As the story went, Sinbad had crept into the dragon's chambers, blade at the ready, only to be frozen in place by the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Dragons had long ago gained a talent for changing their shape so they could mingle more easily with the fae, and this one happened to be in such a form when Sinbad found him. When their eyes met, Sinbad fell madly in love.

( Or at least, that was how the story went. Sinbad loves to tell it, with much passion and vigor, but moreso for the picture it paints than any truth it holds. His dragon had been the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, oh yes, but it didn't stop him going after his head. He simply omitted their fight, the blood that had been spilled and the scars gained, and skipped to the bit where he had held a blade to his dragon's throat, looked into his eyes, and known he had to have him.

Love, devotion, and loyalty had come much later. )

When he had returned to Scheherazade, he had brought three things with him to prove he had bested a dragon. The first was the dragon himself, who took his true form before all assembled in the court that day and bowed his head to their Queen. The second was a name. Dragons were powerful creatures, ancient, tied to Sidhe itself, and their names were overwhelming for those who tried to speak them.

Sinbad had earned the dragon's name, and spoke it to the awed court; Dragul. He coined him Drakon for those unworthy of his true name's power, and then presented his third proof. Dragul, before the Seelie Queen and her court, swore his loyalty to Sinbad, until the sun left the sky, and into the eternal night that would follow at the end of time.

It was a romantic story, but Hakuryuu had always liked the parts about the dragons best. Up until now, he had never had a chance to meet one outside of his own imagination. A boyish part of him was far too excited to be sitting across the table from Dragul.

"A question." the dragon said suddenly, as if he could sense himself being thought about. He twirled the dagger in his hand until the blade was pointed at Hakuryuu. "Are you perhaps named after Haku-ryuu, the dragon of olde who was a companion of Queen Mab?"

"Yes." Hakuryuu answered, startled. "It was my father's choice."

Dragul spun the blade around so it was resting against his lover's chin, a smug smile curling his lips.

"Told you so."

"Damn." Sinbad huffed. "I was sure it was just a coincidence."

Hakuryuu couldn't help giving the king an incredulous look.

"You thought it was a coincidence that I, Prince of UnSeelie court, was named after our first Queen's closest friend?"

"He pretends to be very wise," Ja'far drawled from down the table. "But in reality he is an idiot."

Sinbad scowled and handed his smirking lover his goblet, pretending not to watch as he downed its contents. When the goblet was empty, the dragon tilted his head back further and held his mouth open, allowing the last few drops to drip onto his tongue. The king's hand clenched on the arm of his chair, eyes burning with unrepentant want.

"It is a good name." Dragul said, addressing Hakuryuu. "Have you earned it though, I wonder?"

"If I have not yet, I would like to think I will."

"By killing the Queen?"

The atmosphere around the table shifted a fraction, like everything had just been tilted at a slight angle. No one seemed particularly hostile, but Hakuryuu couldn't ignore how every set of eyes was suddenly directed at him.

Hakuryuu drew himself up straighter, adopting the stiff posture he kept in court. The air around him chilled, so his next breath came out in a faint waft of steam.

"Yes." he said unflinchingly.

Dragul set the empty goblet down and twisted himself out of the king's lap, settling on the arm of his chair instead. He crossed his arms loosely, the golden dagger he had been toying with mysteriously missing from his hands.

"And here I thought you may deny it in some way."

"I did not come here to play games."

"Life is a game." Sinbad spoke. "Each move you make effects the ones made against you, and so forth. For example; you being here. You've come to ask for my support, but then what?"

His eyes, unreadable pools of molten metal, bore into the prince. Hakuryuu kept his expression schooled to blankness, unwilling to allow any to see him unnerved. Every fae in this room was more dangerous than they appeared, and the two across from him had an excellent chance at actually being able to kill him, if they wanted. He had to tread cautiously.

"That depends on your answer." he replied. "Whether you agree or decline, the outcome will change."

Sinbad nodded, sitting forward so his elbows rested on the table.

"Suppose I say yes, that I will support you in this endeavor. Let's forget for a moment why I might agree and just say I do; what do you do next?"

An answer squirmed up from his chest, but Hakuryuu did not open his mouth to let it free. His confidence faltered as he assessed the words resting on the tip of his tongue and realized that they were painfully flawed. Faults in his logic began manifesting themselves with alarming speed as the silence stretched on.

The Seelie fae continued staring at him unblinkingly, waiting for his reply, but he couldn't find the words. Silence seemed to smother the room, though in reality the pause between words had likely been very brief.

"As far as I can tell, there's one of two reasons you've come to me for help." Sinbad continued. "The first is that you know you can't defeat the Queen on your own, and you want aid in battle. The second if that you know that the fallout of her death will be too much for you to weather on your own. I would wager it was the first."

Hakuryuu kept his mouth shut. If Sinbad's history taught those who dealt with him anything, it was that one should never bet against him. So the king went on.

"However, if Seelie fae help you to kill the Queen, then that will only result in promoting the dissent between courts and likely lead to war. If you were to somehow be able to kill her on your own and Seelie backed you after the fact, the result would be the same. Either way; the rift grows, and war looms on the horizon."

"And if nothing is done, then whatever she has planned will come to pass and it will mean death for us all, no doubt." Hakuryuu interjected sharply. "So long as the Queen breathes, she will find a way to carry out her plans. Thwart one and she will find another way to accomplish her goal in another hundred seasons. It will not end!"

"I don't disagree. But I fear an UnSeelie in chaos as much as I fear your Queen's plans."

"She is not my Queen."

The words came hissed icily from between Hakuryuu's bared teeth. The table drew a collective breath, only the king and his lover seemingly unmoved by the UnSeelie prince's sudden rage. Dragul tilted his head, as if to observe Hakuryuu from a new angle.

Sinbad sighed.

"I don't blame you for being blinded by your hatred." he said. "You finally have a chance for revenge. Whether you really care about the wellbeing of Seelie court or not; your opportunity for vengeance is a factor. You can't deny that."

"Of course it is!"

"Then that's all the more reason to think this out rather than rushing in without a plan. If she gets what she wants, even in death, how are you going to feel?"

Hakuryuu grit his teeth and forced himself to close his eyes. There was no comforting cold in Seelie's magic, no gentle brush of winter on the nape of his neck, so he reached down into the earth until he found the labyrinth of life pulsing beneath the dirt. He wound himself into it, leaving his senses with his body and focusing on the feeling of life.

When he breathed in, his anger had dissipated and he felt focused again. He drew back from the earth, up through the stone and back into his own body, opening his eyes once more.

"What do you propose?" he asked.

The king's eyes flared with a mischievous light and when he smiled there was a playful curve to it. Dragul regarded him with a casual fondness, for he had seen this look on his lover's face a thousand times, just before they got themselves into terrible trouble.

"First, we must discover what it is she has planned for Seelie. It serves none of us if her plans come to fruition, so that is the priority for now. Our movements after that will be determined mainly by whatever timeline we find ourselves working on."

"Agreed." Hakuryuu nodded. "Presuming we have the time to go about things methodically?"

"The court must be disrupted from within. It's true that as Queen she has a certain amount of leverage we can't eliminate, but the more UnSeelie begins to question her, the more likely they are to accept her death."

"Impossible. Her supporters cannot be swayed, she has had their loyalty since the beginning and they will not change that now."

"Please!" Sinbad scoffed. "If loyalty is a commodity here in Seelie, I can't imagine it's different in your court. No, she has their loyalty because her decisions have most often benefited them. Make them question her, remove the ones who won't, so that when she says "go to war" those who are left will look to you for approval."

This plan, if it was to be considered such a thing, was sounding more and more dangerous by the moment. Hakuryuu could already see it forming in his mind, the pathways between the different outcomes of these various actions, and a great many ended with his heart on a platter. Killing the Queen was reckless? This was insane.

( But, as those of you who know of the fae are aware, faeriekind has long been prone to madness. )

"It is all fine and good if you want me to become an opposing faction," Hakuryuu said. "But I am only a Prince, I cannot take the throne when she is gone."

"Of course not." the king agreed. "Which is why a suitable replacement must be found and presented to the court. She has never claimed an heir, so even if they are not officially declared, as long as you're the center of attention your choice will be the one supported."

"And somewhere amidst all this, we craft a manner in which to kill her."

"Naturally."

Hakuryuu exhaled slowly.

"This plan," he said. "It hinges on a lot of things we cannot foresee. And even if we can follow it to the letter, it will not go unnoticed by the Queen."

"That's true. But from what I understand, she's already come for you once, Hakuryuu. I'm sure you'll find a way to survive her again."

Alibaba sucked in a sharp breath from beside him, but for some reason, Hakuryuu couldn't be bothered to feel the rage from before. He was too focused on other things, on plans and decisions and a political battlefield he was suddenly going to have to conquer. The road ahead was longer and more treacherous than he had anticipated, but it would be worth it in the end.

His decision had been made long before he spoke, still he leaned forward and matched the king's posture.

"Your interest lies about as far as ensuring Seelie's safety, how can I be sure of your support until the end?"

"I give you my word." Sinbad said. His voice carried about the room in a booming echo, magic spilling from his lips in sparks of gold. "I, king Sinbad of Seelie court, will see this through until the very end. Until the UnSeelie Queen is dead, her throne reclaimed, Seelie safe and your vengeance had, Prince Hakuryuu."

Gold danced before Hakuryuu's eyes, skimming through the air and tickling against his mouth. He parted his lips and allowed the promise to slip inside him, tumbling down his throat and into his chest, where it bounced around his ribs like sparks in a hearth.

"Then I accept." he replied, his own magic barely visible as it passed his lips.

The atmosphere shifted once again, lopsided but no longer possessing an underlying tension. The table's occupants now glanced between themselves, conveying thoughts silently to one another, their minds already turning. Rather than being nervous, each and every one felt the restless excitement that came before a battle. How long had it been since their king had led them into the fray?

Alibaba whooped excitedly and threw an arm around Hakuryuu, pressing a sticky kiss against his cheek. Hakuryuu shoved at him playfully and allowed his mouth to pull into a vicious smile.

"Just one more thing." he said, rubbing at the honey his friend had left on his skin. "How exactly do you intend to make all of this happen?"

Sinbad's grin split his face, and from down the table Ja'far groaned.

"That is simple, Hakuryuu; we will start a rebellion."

Dragul echoed Ja'far's groan, lolling his head back to roll his eyes at the ceiling.

"Oh for star's sake!" he groused. "This idiot has always wanted to start a rebellion."