Author's Note:

I am sorry this has been so long in the making, there is really no excuse as to why it took me so long to actually get this Chapter up. I just want to apologise. To all my readers I am really sorry, and I hope you haven't given up.

I just want to thank some of the lovely reviews that have been left for me. You have encouraged me to actually continue this and I am really grateful. Thank you to everyone who did leave the lovely reviews, I give you all big hugs for your kind words. Thank you just so much.

Johan = Netherlands

Marika = Belgium

I do hope it all doesn't seem like pointless filler for you here and I am sorry if it does, it has just been a little while since I have written anything and I am slightly rusty. Hope this doesn't put you guys off lol XD

MiscMasquerade

Chapter Three:

Three Weeks Ago:

The under croft of the palace was a dark place, dimly lit by pale glowing balls of blue light which hovered there in great basins of carved granite. Ornate in decoration, for their purpose, sitting pride of place in a beautifully grand hall that was in fact a tomb.

The under croft was the final resting place of the ancient Kings and Queens of Spades. History lay slumbering in eternal rest deep down beneath the castle, but it had been so long since any had come down here with the purpose of seeing or paying their respects for those lying silent in the tombs. Names had long since been forgotten by all but one, and whereas Matthias came to place wreaths of flowers on the tombs on the days of their deaths, no others came to mourn at the tombs. The Kings and Queens of old were forever silent, just remaining as standing monuments of a bygone era.

Statues of marble carved in the likeness of the Kings and Queens stood by their tombs, never moving but always watching forever with empty, expressionless eyes that seemed to follow as they stared out into the inky black of the crypt.

No recent royals were buried down here, over the course of the past four generations the royals had much preferred to be buried on the Monument Hill, which was located North-East of the Capital. This just left Matthias being the only one to come down here to regularly pay his respects, since he had known all of the royals down in the crypt at one point. The evidence of his recent visit was laid out before the statues of one of the Queens, a wreath of flowers was lying by her feet.

It was the lack of traffic down in the crypt that made it perfect for their intentions though. Gathered in the centre of the crypt four figures stood in a circle, hooded and cloaked, convened and facing one another. This was not a meeting suitable for the halls and corridors above, it had to be hidden out of the way.

The four lowered their hoods to reveal the faces of four advisors and courtiers from Alfred's council standing there, faces illuminated by the glowing balls of light, their presence seemed to gain disapproving looks from the statues of their King's ancestors.

Three men, Lord Alric Kalemoore, the Sun Elf lord who had spoken up the meeting, Duke Mordecai Todorov, another Sun Elf with blood ties to the royal family, but with a few generations removed. The final male there was a young Moon Elf Lord who desired more prestige for his family, the young Lord Arifel of the House Dubris.

The fourth member of the little gathering was the only woman there, the Duchess Maefel of Calcaria, she was the ruler of a very influential House that controlled vast amounts of land in the Southern parts of Spades, in fact her seat of power was responsible for most of the crops and farm land in the South of Spades and were the most fertile of lands, playing a huge hand in feeding the majority of Spades. Another Sun Elf, Maefel was beautiful with her dark auburn hair falling in long tresses elegantly over slender sloping shoulders. She held the trademark sun kissed skin and golden eyes shining out from under long, thick lashes. Maefel made no attempt to dissuade from her beauty, she used it greatly to her advantage as she had been taught to from a young age.

All four had power, seats on the council of the King and all four had become very unhappy with current events that were moving within the Kingdom, but it was obvious Maefel held the most power, and it was evident in the way she spoke.

"Gentlemen," Maefel spoke, voice ringing with authority as she cast her gaze over the three men she was in partner with. "I gathered us here tonight for one simple reason. It has come to my knowledge that his royal highness, King Alfred, received a letter from the Kirkland family. A raven arrived from Albion last night informing the King that Arthur and Owin Kirkland have set off on their journey. They have also accepted the courtship of our King and their son."

It was disappointing for those gathered here, it had been too long in their aims to try and have King Alfred settle for a match that would suit their purposes. Maefel had offered each of her three daughters up to the King, the sister of Lord Arifel had been offered also. All of them had been rejected. They had even tried pushing forward young nobles from other houses they knew would suit the same means, however those had been dismissed also.

"Our hopes that Arthur would continue in his usual manner of refusal to potential suitors proved to be false also, clearly the Kirklands wish to garner some favour of their own at court and are playing off our King's interest for the Lythari runt they call a son." Maefel's voice was laced with spite at how her own plans had been foiled.

The men exchanged glances, this was harrowing news indeed, and it was potentially damaging to their own goals and ambitions if the Kirkland family got themselves involved now. Before they had been chased off for the crime of Black Magic, they had been extremely loyal to the Crown and it seemed even in exile that loyalty had not wavered.

"And the King, he reacted positively to the news the letter carried?" Lord Alric inquired, his expression one of great distaste on the matter that King Alfred had even selected Arthur in the first place. A Kirkland as a Queen? The very thought bought a sour crinkle to his nose.

"The King was delighted, according to my sources, he has already ordered the finest of the palace's guest rooms to be prepared for their arrival." Maefel replied, her once pretty features now marred by an ugly scowl at the very thought. The idea that two Kirklands would be back, in the court, with the full capability of spreading and gaining influence, it was enough to make her boil with fury.

"My family worked long and tirelessly all those years ago to eradicate the last of the Kirkland influence from this court and I will not see it triumphantly return once more." The Duchess' voice had not lost its icy edge as she spoke.

So far Arifel had been silent, unlike the other two men who had been nodding along in agreement with all that Maefel was saying to them. Instead he had been lost in contemplation over the matter at hand, well until now.

"What if he did not make it to the Capital?" Arifel's voice cut through the fury and the murmurings like a knife, the delivery devoid of any emotion like he was simply suggesting they all went on a picnic. However, it was enough to catch the attention of all in the room, eyes were now all on him.

"What I mean to say is, we could organise a little welcome committee to greet the pair before they even reach the Capital. After all accidents do happen, and we all know that the Ravens Wood is renowned for sheltering bandits and outlaws, and, lest we forget, the King's Road is the fastest way to the Capital and...Oh what luck, it runs right through the Ravens Wood." His speech was ended with a shrug, like the whole idea didn't matter to him in the slightest.

Though this suggestion was taken in by the whole group, settling on the air and sinking in. Eventually the scowl that had marred Maefel's features now morphed into a cruel smile, the idea had clearly been very well received in her mind.

"And you can arrange this Arifel?" Maefel posed the question, curious if he would go to such lengths for what they were aiming for.

"I can, my lady. I am sure there will be a few who will be willing to assist us." Arifel was honestly surprised that the opportunity to prove himself had come to him so easily, but any manner of showing this surprise had been suppressed, he knew better than that in front of these people. He was confident he could pull this off though, bandits and outlaws were always looking for a way to earn a pretty penny.

"Good," Maefel knew, even with all his hiding, Arifel would not fail her and was eager to prove himself. "Ensure there are no survivors." This command earned a nod from Arifel, he knew what it would mean to fail.

"Now go, all of you," Maefel's next order came. "We meet at the next full moon, may it be so that we do not fail."

And with that they were dismissed, all bowed to one another before going their separate ways.

Present Day:

In his dream he was running. Crashing through the undergrowth, the sunlight streaming in through the trees, dappling on his golden white coat. As a wolf he could smell the water of a nearby brook, hear the flap of a bird's wings as it flew from tree to tree ahead of him.

Arthur turned his gaze to the bird, it was a huge black raven. The raven gave a loud 'caw', hopping on a tree branch, its beady black eyes on Arthur. "Caw! Caw!" the raven cried, flapping its wings before taking off. It gave Arthur the feeling he needed to follow, so follow he did.

Arthur ran after the raven, which never strayed far ahead, always coaxing him to follow. It seemed like was running for an eternity before the forest started to break, becoming sparse and more open. Arthur could see the sky now. It was dark, clouds swirling above him, dark purples and blues, crackling with lightning and roaring with thunder. Thick, heavy rain drops started to fall, soaking him through. From the sky a bellowing roar sounded, pain, agony came before the rain turned from water to blood.

Arthur felt terror grip him as blood dripped from the sky, soaking him through. He kept running blindly after the raven's caws, relying on the sound to guide him. He ran until he felt the grass give way to ash and finally he could see once more.

All around him was a charred wasteland, a wasteland of nothing but ash and graves. Arthur could still feel the blood dripping down from the sky onto his coat.

"I don't understand!" He called to the raven.

The raven just cawed in response, perching on top of one of the grave stones. Arthur just growled, hackles going up in retaliation. "Tell me what this means!" He demanded from the raven, snarling thinking about attacking the raven.

But it was the raven that made the first move, flying straight at him. Arthur tried to reel back as the raven's wings battered his face and the beak pecked at him. He tried snapping at the raven, snarling and growling to get it away, but it wouldn't stop. "Stop! No! Stop it!" Arthur screamed as he tried to shake away, but the raven wouldn't stop.

Now it seemed to be trying to smother him, heavy on his chest, shaking him.

From behind the caws of the raven though, he could hear a voice, it was heavily laced with an accent, but comforting. "Wake up Lordling, wake up." The voice called out to him, like a ray of light breaking through the blood soaked clouds.

The voice repeated the command for him to wake, the shaking became a little harder, but it broke through the dream and shattered the world around him, causing Arthur to wake with a start.

Arthur was breathless, staring up at the green painted ceiling of the traveller's wagon, panting slightly with a woman sitting beside him. The woman had beautiful, her skin the colour of silver and her hair a cascade of blonde hair, braided back. She was wearing simple clothing and had a pleasant smile.

Currently she was wringing out a cloth, which she now placed on Arthur's forehead. "You need to lie back Lordling." Her voice was heavy with that foreign accent, Arthur couldn't place it, but it sounded vaguely Diamond.

"What happened?" Arthur's voice was hoarse and dry, so much so he cleared his throat to try and make it a little better.

The woman just smiled sympathetically. "Do you not remember?" She asked him, still dabbing at his forehead with the cool cloth. To this question though Arthur just shook his head, he was having a hard time remembering much, his head was pounding right now.

The woman sighed softly. "You were attacked. We think they were bandits, we found your entourage and horses, I am sorry to say but they were slaughtered. By the looks of things you and your brother only made it thanks to the swift feet of your wolf forms. Don't worry though, we managed to recover your belongings and get your brother the medical attention he needed."

That made Arthur's eyes widen. "Owin was hurt?" He looked scared at that prospect.

"No more than you really, you received an arrow wound and a nasty bump on the head," she told him in a soothing voice. "Your brother got a couple more arrow wounds though, nowhere majorly vital. My brother, Johan, is caring for him."

Arthur relaxed back and nodded a little. "Thank you, you didn't have to go through all this trouble." He was grateful despite saying this. He could vaguely remember what had happened now, they had been travelling through the forest when suddenly the shout had gone up to stand and deliver. It had been a bit of a trap, and from behind the soldiers with them had their throats slit. Owin had tried to get him out of there, but the bandits had been on them before they could make it out of there.

"Nonsense." The woman's voice broke through his contemplation. "My name is Marika," she continued.

"Arthur, nice to meet you." Arthur replied, though it felt a little bit empty, maybe it was because he was so tired.

"Nice to meet you too Arthur." Marika had her smile back. "I am guessing you are heading to the Capital. Don't worry that is where we are going also. You meeting anyone nice there?" She asked, now just leaving the cloth to rest on Arthur's head.

"Yes, I suppose." Arthur murmured. "We are going to meet the King." The idea still left a bitter taste in his mouth, but over the past three weeks he had steadily grown more used to the idea.

Marika looked rather surprised. "An audience with the King? How wonderful." She giggled then. "Well once we reach the Capital, we will have a messenger sent to the palace to let them know of what happened and where you are. We should be there in a few days, but you should get some more rest until then. The worst of it as passed, I assure you."

Marika moved to her feet now and granted Arthur another sweet smile before she left him lying on the bed, exiting the caravan.

Arthur watched her go, though when he was left alone, he gazed up at the ceiling once more and mused over the dream he had been woken from. The raven, the blood, the ash covered grave yard. He was trying to piece together in his mind what it all meant. Seeing such vivid things in his dreams were not all that common for him, but he had heard it happened to some people who were magically inclined.

Arthur tried to suppress the slight hint of fear he had for the dream, and tried to get some more sleep, but it seemed to be eluding him. Worries of the dream and his brother weighed heavy on him, enough that Arthur just curled up like he had done when he was pup and had been scared. Despite the ache that came when he moved into this position from the arrow injury, Arthur curled up in his blankets and closed his eyes. Now more than ever he was wishing he was at home and away from this land.

It was a couple of days before Arthur was finally deemed fit to get out of bed. He had been seen by Marika's stern faced and silent brother, Johan, who had checked how his injuries were healing before finally declaring he was fine and that there was no point him having constant bed rest any more.

It seemed that Owin was another matter though. Arthur had been to visit him, his older brother was grumpy and stuck in bed. The arrows had not hit anywhere vital, but it had come very close with one that had lodged itself in between his ribs. It was for that reason alone he was bed bound, but he had been happy to see Arthur. Owin was the only one of his brothers Arthur really got on with, and as such he had spent the afternoon with Owin until the caravans had stopped for the night.

Owin would be having his supper in bed, but Arthur was expected to go outside and sup with the rest of the travellers. Not that he minded so much, even if Arthur did normally prefer to eat alone, he was interested to know more about these Silver Elves, they were a rare sight in Albion. The only time he had ever seen them was at the ports and docks, when they were dropping off shipments from the main land, normally silk, wine, spices, jewellery and other fancy commodities that some of the high lords of Albion enjoyed.

Arthur stepped out to see a blazing fire already lit in the middle of the camp. Children were running around, shouting and laughing as they played. This group of traders was made up of about twenty families, making the number over two hundred strong. Silver Elves were commonly known for having massive families, and having much longer lives than most of the other Elves, it gave them more than enough time to bolster their numbers.

The travellers had long broken out of the forest and were now set up in a large field, all the caravans set in a circle around the central fire. Somewhere music had started to play, joyful music that set the tone for the travellers perfectly.

Arthur wandered over to the fire and sat himself down on one of the stools provided, making himself comfortable. Soon enough supper would be served, and he was glad of that, he was particularly hungry tonight.

As he watched the flames dance in the fire, Marika wandered over to Arthur. She greeted him with a smile, sitting down beside him. "Not wanting to join in with the dancing then?" She asked in a sing song tone.

Arthur glanced over to where she was referring to see that some were, in fact, dancing to the music. "I will dance when your brother does." Arthur joked, causing Marika to laugh.

"I guess I will be waiting until the end of time then." She replied, the laughter still evident in her voice. "More's the pity. Well if I cannot get you dancing, you want to come and help us girls with the cooking? The scouts ahead came back with deer and several rabbits, we are going to be making it up into a stew." Marika jumped back up to her feet with that same smile.

Arthur thought about it and then nodded. "I would love to help." He moved up also, actually managing to smile, the first one he had gained since reaching the mainland.

Marika took Arthur's hand and now dragged him along. "Excellent! Come on then, let's get cooking!" She laughed as she dragged Arthur over to where the women were cooking, not realising just what kind of walking disaster she was inviting to help them cook or the amusing results that would be parted on her and the rest of the travellers.