Chapter 5: Well, Excuse Me Princess

After an hour of searching, we had supposedly reached the Fae embassy for Hauptstadt. To me, it looked like just another run-down anemone wood building in the Fae quarter, but Mirana pointed to the symbol of an upside-down Magold flower hanging above the door and said, "Finally! This is it."

I gave her a look.

"Yeah, I know I've said that a few times."

Six times.

"But this one is it, really. Let's go and get this over with." Mirana flew up to the door and added, "And remember, let me lead."

I glared at her. I was tired, hungry, and growing more nervous by the minute. I really wasn't in the mood for a lecture.

"I mean it Marci," she said. "I don't want another Barrelhaven incident."

My already questionable mood soured even more. Barrelhaven reminded me of the Dragon Knight and he…was none of my concern.

I gave Mirana a sharp nod and opened the door for her, bracing myself for another unfortunate encounter with a disgruntled tailor or far too welcoming whore house. But we were faced with neither.

Instead of a dingy off-white interior and the smell of decay, the air in here was sweet and fresh. The walls were covered with polished shelves of herbs and animal parts. This was an apothecary.

I let out a breath.

We were in the right place.

A bored-looking Sun Fae girl sat behind the back counter of the store. She glanced up at me and said, "We're closed."

I frowned at the unfriendly girl. Even after seeing several Sun Fae, it was difficult for me to believe that they were related to Moon Fae. Mirana looked like a lotus flower brought to life with her antenna, bright petal hair, delicate wings, and pouch-sized body. Whereas Sun Fae were human-sized, had no wings, and no antenna which was creepy because they did not have eyebrows either. Their coloring tended to be all washed out with pale skin and eyes.

This girl looked better than our informant in Barrelhaven, the tailor, and the whores. She wasn't as skeletal and there were no shadows under her eyes, but she still sported that dull bedraggled Sun Fae hair that hung in large locks like liken.

In short, the only easy parallels between this disinterested Sun Fae and Mirana were their large eyes, pointed ears, and huge egos.

Speaking of which, Mirana somehow managed to swagger up to the Sun Fae girl while flying. Now the Moon Fae was saying, "I am sure that Kwerthias will make an exception for me."

The Sun Fae girl looked me up and down before saying, "Is that right?" Her skepticism was apparent.

I stepped forward. I tolerated this sort of stuff from Mirana and the other priestesses, but I did not want cheek from this receptionist girl.

Mirana was not amused either. "Yes, that is right," she said, her voice as sharp as my prayer knife, "Tell your precious Merchant King that a Moon Fae—"

"Moon Fae," the Sun Fae girl repeated, glowering at me. "Just because you wear that pretender's colors doesn't—hey!"

I had moved.

No one insults my goddess.

My hand was gripping the girl's arm. She tried to tug free and to my surprise, she almost succeeded.

Sun Fae.

I'd heard the older ones could be strong. I tightened my grip to something that might break a human's arm.

The Sun Fae girl gritted her teeth, but her haughty attitude didn't change. "You think I'm afraid of you, human," she growled.

No. I didn't think. I knew, but before I could continue, her mouth fell open revealing her sharp Fae teeth and she said in confusion and awe, "Princess Miraloo?"

Princess Miraloo? I wanted to look back at Mirana. I was guessing she revealed herself, but what was that name about?

I grabbed the Sun Fae girl's other arm so I was free to shoot Mirana a glance.

The Moon Fae ignored me and said in an imperious voice, "Enough prattle, girl. You best inform your master of my presence. Tell her that I am here to call upon her Sanguine Vow to me. And be quick about it. You have tried my patience nearly past endurance already." Mirana nodded at me to let the girl go.

I gave the girl's arms a squeeze that could fracture an oak tree. Then I let go.

The Sun Fae turned and almost ran into the back door in her rush to get away.

I returned my attention to Mirana, raising an eyebrow at her.

Again.

Princess Miraloo?

I knew Fae names and titles were weird. I still couldn't recall the name of our informant, but seriously what?

Mirana glanced over at me. "I don't know either," she said, huffily, "That's just a name some Sun Fae call me."

Yeah, I wasn't buying it. That Sun Fae receptionist girl hadn't treated the word princess like a nickname or insult. She had acted like it meant something important, royally important, and it matched how our informant had changed when Mirana had started making allusions to herself.

I hadn't questioned it too much then. Mirana was a seasoned and powerful magic user after all, but now I had several questions and wanted answers.

I crossed my arms and lifted up both eyebrows this time.

Mirana held up her chin and refused to acknowledge my order.

Oh…so it was going to be like that. Fine then.

I reached for her.

"Marci…" she said, hovering up and away from me.

I ignored the warning in her tone.

"Marci!" Mirana squeaked when I jumped up to try to pluck her from the air.

I missed but it was only a matter of time. This entire mission depended on her connections to the Fae. I needed the truth.

I got into a threatening squat and was about to leap again when the Sun Fae girl returned.

I stood up but it was too late. The girl and two lanky Sun Fae guardsmen stared at me for a few seconds past awkward before she turned to Mirana and asked, "Is this human bothering you, princess?"

Mirana gave me a victorious smirk.

Mirana…

She crossed her arms and straightened her antenna.

I narrowed my eyes at her. She was copying me.

"Princess?" the Sun Fae girl repeated.

Mirana said, "Pray don't concern yourself. My companion was merely attempting to fly."

I scowled at her.

The two guards snickered while the Fae girl nodded slowly, "Of course, humans can be so foolish."

The girl threw me a look that was asking for a repeat of earlier. "If this one is your servant—" she continued.

"She is," Mirana lied smugly.

"—then perhaps you would like it to wait here as you enjoy dinner?" the girl asked.

"No," Mirana said floating down to shoulder level and onto thin ice. "Don't be ridiculous. My handmaiden is indispensable," 'Princess Miraloo' declared.

The Sun Fae girl couldn't quite hide her disappointment.

So, alright. Mirana had escaped my tickling wrath.

For now.

The Sun Fae girl gave me one last look and then said, "Very well, please follow me downstairs, princess. Kwerthias desires to honor your company with a small feast."

It was about an hour later and I had to admit maybe the Sun Fae weren't all bad. Here we were in this beautiful dining room with glowing mushroom lights, shelves and tables filled with fancy-looking breakable objects, an ornately carved ceiling with a picturesque scene of Candoness farmland that I had gotten lost in for a solid ten minutes, and of course, a polished white anemone wood table and chairs.

I was seated next to Mirana who sat on a stack of pillows so that she reached the thick dining room table that was large enough to sit all of the Moon Priestesses and had enough food to feed them and their companions.

The little I knew about Sun Fae culture said that they had a strange diet of nearly all meat, mushrooms, and anemones. The meat was fine of course, but I'd always wondered about the mushrooms and anemone. Neither sounded that appetizing.

Today I could happily admit mushrooms were amazing. They were the main ingredient in this steaming cream soup and were so tender and meaty that they almost outclassed the actual meat on the table.

Almost.

Did I mention that they were serving 6 different types of meat!

Pork, pheasant, and other kinds I couldn't identify had been prepared with different dragon spices and each was braised to perfection.

For drinks, they had mugs of mead, surprisingly good fungus wine, and purified water. And for dessert, Kwerthias had promised some sort of anemone pudding.

Kwerthias was on the other side of Mirana. She wasn't what I expected. Despite sitting at the head of the table with the 5 other Sun Fae here, Mirana and myself, the supposed Merchant King of Candoness wasn't regal-looking in the least. Her face was too soft and friendly. The woman was also curvier than the average stick-figure Fae. Her hair was more orange rather than just mud brown and she looked way too young for how old she was supposed to be. She was tall too. I'd guess that she was close to 6 feet standing.

Not exactly my type but…

BUT I was being a good and loyal priestess, so I directed my hunger back to food and focused on the conversation despite how irritating it was.

Kwerthias was either a good conversationalist or she knew Mirana better than I thought she should. The woman had figured out just what Mirana liked to talk about within the first quarter-hour. They discussed food and water purification methods before moving on to the weather. All Moon Fae loved discussing and complaining about the weather.

Those topics were all fine, but I hated that Kwerthias kept referring to things I had no context for. Since both she and Mirana were centuries old, it was hard to tell what events had happened two weeks ago versus what had occurred two decades ago. Plus, there was the Princess Miraloo nonsense. Neither of them clarified what that title was about, no matter how hard I looked at Mirana each time Kwerthias used the name.

Luckily, just as I was finishing my fourth helping of sweet steak in nutty brown sauce, Mirana ended the annoying casual conversation, by saying, "Enough small talk, Kwerthias."

"I hardly think the increase in void dragon activity qualifies as small talk, princess," Kwerthias responded smoothly. "You must admit it is unusual. The world has been cooling. Normally that marks a decrease in—"

"Kwerthias," Mirana snapped, "My goddess doesn't care about dragons."

Kwerthias's smile slipped. "You still believe in Selemene?" The Sun Fae's voice lost its honeyed quality, and her impossibly large eyes got even larger.

I did not like what she was implying. I had a mission, but still. Kwerthias had best watch herself.

Beside me, Mirana glared at Kwerthias and said, "Of course I believe in Selemene. She is the one true goddess of this land."

Praise be to her everlasting love and light.

Kwerthias was unmoved. "Then why are you here?" she asked. "I thought you wished to meet me because you were finally ready to come home."

"And I thought saving your life was a great enough boon for you to stop playing dumb with me," Mirana countered. "Where are my sisters, Kwerthias?"

"Your sisters?" Kwerthias repeated thoughtfully. "Ah…the lotus-kin you mean, are they not with your precious Selemene?"

I narrowed my eyes at the Sun Fae. I really did not like her tone. She made it sound like this had nothing to do with her.

Mirana responded menacingly, "Do not act so innocent. The Sun Fae tried to steal me and my sisters once before. You are fortunate I spared your life back then."

Kwerthias remained unaffected. She said, "I am aware Princess, a price was paid that day, but even you must agree that was all a long time ago. Times have changed."

"Not that much," Mirana said. "A vow is a vow."

Kwerthias was silent.

I expected Mirana to push, but she let the silence stretch.

I looked between her and Kwerthias.

They were both very still and very quiet.

There had been a moment like this at the tavern too. I got the impression that much was said during these Fae silences though I couldn't guess what.

At last, Kwerthias spoke again. She said, "Princess, an envoy from Revtel is coming here tomorrow morning. Perhaps they—"

It was the wrong thing to say. Mirana shot up to stand on her pillows and cried, "You think you can capture me so easily? Have you forgotten who I am?" Mirana's wings began to glow. "I am Mirana, First Priestess to Selemene, Goddess of the Moon, Sky, and Stars. I see through your illusions, Kwerthias, though you try to blanket the truth in sweet nothings. No more!" Light swirled around Mirana now like mist off a lake.

I reluctantly put my utensils down and stood, letting my own holy light shine through my clothes. Apparently, the friendly negotiation period was over. I couldn't say I was sad about that, though I could have easily eaten a few more helpings.

Mirana's voice rang out, "Fae Kwerthias, I call upon Thy Sanguine Vow to me. Tell me where the Moon Fae are."

Kwerthias gazed upon us, Mirana with her brilliant outline looming about her like a shadow, and me with the glowing lines of my prayer scars showing through the layers of my heavy clothing. And the cursed Sun Fae smiled at us. Her sharp teeth gleamed from Mirana's light show. Then the Sun Fae replied almost cheerfully, "Would you believe me if I told you I did not know?"

"Of course you know. Do not lie to me!" Mirana snapped.

"Lie?" Kwerthias said. The Sun Fae lost a bit more of her indifferent attitude. Her expression turned dark and her smile shifted into something even more predatory. "I am Fae, Princess Miraloo. I do not—"

"You do!" Mirana shouted over the Sun Fae, "But by Her Holy Light, let the truth shine through your lies." The aura of light around Mirana grew into a giant writhing mass and then burst into thousands of bright stars.

I went blind for a few seconds and I wasn't the only one. There were multiple cries of pain before I could see again.

When I did, I immediately noticed the room had changed. All of the decorations and ornamentation were gone. The room was dirty and the sweet smell was overwhelming. The guards which had looked like Sun Fae were now a few humans and one large rock creature. The food…thank Selemene, the food was the same, but Kwerthias was nothing but a dark melon-sized orb on a golden plate.

Uh-oh…

Had Mirana transformed her somehow? But the humans at the table did not look surprised. In fact, a few of them actually went back to eating.

Meanwhile, a shrill and youthful voice came out of the orb, "I can't believe you undid my décor and you're still awake. You're even more powerful than I was led to believe."

Silence.

I glanced at Mirana. She was slumped in on her pillows looking very tired.

Despite the Moon Fae not saying anything, the orb responded. "It is true. I am not the Kwerthias you saved all those years ago," the orb voice admitted. "I never said I was, of course. As I tried to tell you, Fae do not lie."

"That is the greatest lie of them all," Mirana grumbled softly.

The voice tittered but it was not a happy sound. "You can keep believing in moonbeams if you like, Princess Miraloo," it said, "It does not change the facts. My dear mother is not here. The lotus-kin are not here. Times have changed. As it stands, no self-respecting Fae would want anything to do with those abominations."

I took a step towards the crushable bit of glass.

"Marci…" Mirana hissed in warning.

I glared at Mirana. This imposter ball had lied to us and it had just insulted the Moon Fae!

Mirana glared right back. There was actual scorn in her expression.

I forced myself to relax my posture. I had to remember Selemene and the bigger picture. I knew that, in theory.

Mirana nodded. Then she slowly sat up and spoke. Her voice, though low, was surprisingly strong. "Tell me the truth if lies are beneath you, Fae. Is your name and title Kwerthias, the Merchant King of Candoness?"

"Yeah, that's right," the voice confirmed, sounding as if she were staring at her nails. "I'm Kwerthias, the lorded and legendary Merchant King of Candoness."

"Then let us forget the old vows," Mirana declared.

Forget the old vows? And do what?

"Now that the truth is—"

CRACK!

A jagged white line appeared on the orb. It looked like the glass ball was going to break even without my help.

"Ah…" the orb said, unconcerned. Its voice had become distorted with an odd tinny echo, "You must excuse me, princess. My time and—"

Mirana did not excuse her. Instead, the Moon Fae cut in with, "I offer you a new vow, Fae Kwerthias, Merchant King of Candoness."

"Oh?" the orb said, "Let's hear it then."

Yeah, let's hear it. I had no idea what Mirana was thinking. This wasn't in the plan.

Mirana spoke with confidence as she proclaimed, "If you ensure the safe return of my sisters, then my life is yours."

What?

What!

I stared at Mirana incredulous, but she was focused on the orb. They were talking. I was sure they must be talking, but I didn't hear a word of their negotiation. I couldn't process it.

Mirana had to be bluffing. I knew she was hot-headed and could be rash but she wouldn't offer herself to these sun heathens. I'd heard what they did with the Moon Fae they managed to get to Revtel the last time.

The Moon Fae's bodies had been obliterated and their souls were sent straight to hell.

The cursed orb hadn't even claimed to know where the Moon Fae were!

Mirana wouldn't just abandon me, or Selemene for the slim chance of recovering the others…

She wouldn't.

She couldn't.

Without Mirana, I—

"Marci!" Mirana snapped.

I blinked. While I was busy panicking, the evil orb had shattered.

Instead of being relieved, I looked over at Mirana in horror. What had I missed? Had that cursed orb lady taken Mirana's deal? Was I about to lose—

My instincts took over. I grabbed Mirana and leapt away from the table just in time. All the delicious food flew up in the air thanks to a crashing blow from the rock creature's fist.

Before I could congratulate myself on avoiding the attack, I was forced to roll under the now cracked table to take cover as knives flew at us from the fake-Sun Fae human guards.

What was going on? Why were we fighting?

I look down at Mirana for clarification.

As Mirana often did, she read my mind, "By the Mad Moon, Marci, you are such a nit. Talk later. Fight now!"

As if in response to Mirana's command, a grinding roar came from the rock creature. It was going to smash the table again. I wanted to shake Mirana and tickle her for every last morsel of information she was withholding. I wanted to know if she had done the unthinkable and pledged herself to that orb, but…

The table groaned ominously from the rock creature striking it again. People were shouting. My best friend was looking frail, dull, and felt far too light in my hand. And I knew Mirana was right.

I carefully put the exhausted Moon Fae into my largest side pouch. Then I place my hands underneath the table and lifted it up a few inches. Before the rock creature got in its third blow, I threw the table towards the cursed human knife throwers.

As Mirana said:

Talk later.

Fight now.

A/N: First off:

A very special thanks to ErrantTalisman. I do not think you would be getting this chapter today without his help. He's been a great support and inspiration. Guys…while I've been off in la-la land, he's already finished his equivalent to Book 1! If you read these author's notes then you already know I like his work. Well-written fights, has Marci, in the spirit of DOTA (but better), has Marci, lots of cool concepts and twists, and did I mention it has Marci? Seriously, if you're like me and have been sleeping on his fic recently, give it another look. You won't regret it!

Also, one more shout-out. Has anyone read Apprentice of the Eccentric Dragon Knight by ShinigamiNoKitsune209? It's lots of fun. Marci has orange hair among other changes. I want more. Please give it some love.

Now, onto the second part of this long author's note:

Today is 5.17.2022 and my 5-year anniversary of being on this site is coming up this month, so please allow me to get sentimental for a bit. High Priestess Marci is my 7th ever fic and my 4th long-form fic. It didn't start that way. This was supposed to be an easy one, but as you know everything changed when book 2 attacked. And although my original idea was pretty great, I had a lot to change before I could save Marci. But I believe someday I will write something worthy of her.

I simply have never fallen in love with a character the way I have with Marci. Of course, I've had favorites before but never have I liked a character so much more than anything else a show has to offer. It was love at first scene (her picking up Davion…so good!). I feel I finally understand the concept of waifus and best girls.

I know fanfiction is supposed to be about established characters. Plots and worlds are recycled all the time, but the concept of reusing characters makes fanfics special. What makes me excited about this fic is that finally I seem to be on the same page with people and want to write the main character in character as it were. Maybe that's why you guys are reading this. Or maybe I just got lucky with my publish date. I really don't know.

I am still in awe of how many reviews I got on my first chapter. I've cracked open my world-building skills. You people think I'm funny? And I have made a new friend because of this fic. Already, I'm sure I'm going to learn a ton from writing for you all.

I do admit I…am nervous about having so many active eyes on me but I am very excited too! I can't wait to show you what I have in store and for us all to experience something new.

Thank you so much for your support!

I hope it will continue. ;)

Also, thank you for listening to this self-indulgent prattle. If for some reason you're curious about my other thoughts on my other fics or what I'm building up to this month, keep an eye out for uploads from me this May as I celebrate my 5-year anniversary of being on this site.

Otherwise:

Until we meet again!