Chapter Three: Part Seven
The bedroom at the top of the tallest tower was indeed massive. The chamber was round and homey, with a high ceiling to accommodate the cone-shaped roof, and windows facing all directions. Astraea could see for kilometers from the position. The furniture was also intact, with a large bed and bed bench, a carpet that covered the stone floor, a square-shaped table with four chairs, a desk alone the east wall, and a cozy couch along the west wall. It was perfect.
Though it was quite the climb up the staircase.
"What are your plans for today, Your Majesty?" Dawa asked, leaning against the desk.
"Figuring out breakfast," Astraea said around a laugh as she tied her boots. She looked at her assist. "I hope it wasn't difficult for you to abandon Potsfurt at this time."
"His Highness Prince Brendan is currently occupying the city so I believe they should be okay. Potsfurt got along just fine without me during my first stint as your assist."
Astraea stood up and brushed herself off. "I'm impressed you were able to cross Giant's Passage with that large gap. Musashi couldn't even cross it."
"Truthfully I didn't really think it through, Your Majesty," Dawa admitted. "I was approaching your siblings and the others when I heard that you were trapped on this side with werewolves. I ended up panicking and took off across the bridge. It wasn't so bad navigating broken sections when there was debris I could jump to, but…" her brow furrowed, and she rubbed at her temple with her fingers. "I—ah—overestimated my abilities when I reached that gap."
"Y-You almost died?! Astraea exclaimed, hurrying over to her.
Dawa looked towards the floor. "…I thought I could jump and use my whip to grab hold of the opposite rail. I was wrong."
"T-Then how did you make it?!"
"The big 'wolf," Dawa said, meeting her gaze. I fell into the water, but when Lord Mahihkan saw me fall in he jumped in after me and pulled me out. Well…he pulled me out by transforming into that giant wolf. Then we rushed here to give you aid."
Astraea nodded. "Then I owe him doubly; one for helping me and one for helping you."
"I will fulfill my debt to him on my own, Your Majesty," Dawa said. "I—" she glanced out the window beside her and paused. Her brow furrowed again. "Someone's approaching the castle."
"Someone?" Astraea moved to the window and looked out. She saw Viktor walking up the path to the castle, followed by a figure dressed in black. The figure didn't look like they were walking; they looked like they were floating. Astraea opened the window and leaned out. "Viktor!" she called out. "Who is that with you?"
"No clue, Your Majesty!" Viktor shouted up to her. "She just showed up out of nowhere and demanded to see you!"
"And you're bringing her here?!" Dawa shouted out the window beside Astraea.
The figure paused, and when Astraea blinked she was gone. Viktor stopped and spun around, yelling in confusion to see her gone.
"There you are."
The sudden voice came from behind Astraea and Dawa. Astraea turned to see a woman dressed in a black cloak standing behind her. Dawa immediately threw herself between Astraea and the unknown woman and drew her bullwhip. "Intruder!" she shouted, and started swinging her whip.
"Halt," the woman said sharply, raising her hand. In that moment Astraea saw an…aura surrounding the woman and her body trembled by the sudden surge of power that shook her. "Wait, Dawa!" she blurted out.
"Your Majesty?" Dawa looked over her shoulder at her in shock but she paused. But she didn't move her position.
The woman lowered her hand, her dark gaze piercing. "So," she said in a crisp tone. "Have you been heeding my warning?"
Warning? Astraea blinked in confusion as Dawa visibly bristled. For a moment she didn't know what the woman was talking about. But when she met that cold gaze, memories flooded her mind.
"If you are not respectful of the True Wind Rune's power…If you even think of doing a fraction of the things that he did…then I will kill you."
"You!" Astraea cried out, moving to stand beside Dawa. She pointed her finger at the woman. "I remember you! You visited me in my sleep after I got the True Rune!"
"I cannot enter dreams," the woman said bluntly. "That is beyond my powers. You were awake when we met."
"Excuse me," Dawa said sharply, gritting her teeth. "But you are in the presence of royalty. You will show Her Majesty respect!"
The woman glanced at Dawa. "Why?" she asked. It was not a condescending tone, but an indifferent tone.
"Why?!" Dawa snapped. "How dare—"
"This room is too small to have conversation," the woman interjected suddenly. "We will talk somewhere else." She suddenly turned and glided towards the door.
"Wait!" Dawa shouted, running after her. She did not catch up to the woman in time before she opened the door and left, closing it behind her. Dawa reached the door almost immediately after the woman closed it, so Astraea expected to see the woman's back as she descended the spiral staircase. But much to her shock, the stairwell was empty. "W-Where the hell did she go?!" Dawa demanded.
"We're going to find out," Astraea said.
They descended the spiral staircase, running past Dawa's room on the floor directly beneath Astraea's and to the ground floor. When they reached the ground floor there were two doors; one to Astraea's left and one to Astraea's right. But Astraea had checked the door to her right earlier, and it only led to an empty, dilapidated closet. The door to her left led to the main hall, which is where they entered. "Good morning, Your Majesty!" Viki called, waving from her position along the west wall. A giant mirror that stretched from floor to ceiling was beside her.
"Viki, did you see a woman in black come down this way?" Astraea asked.
Viki shook her head. "I've only seen the royal and their assists. They went to the kitchen—"
"I'm here!" Viktor shouted when he pushed open the main doors. "What did she want, Your Majesty?"
"She's disappeared!" Dawa snapped at him. "She's loose somewhere in the castle!"
"Aw, hell," Viktor groaned, rubbing at his nape.
"Why did you bring her here?!"
"Look, she was very demanding and it's too early for me to—"
"So you put Her Majesty in danger then?!"
"Why is there shouting?" Sigrun demanded as she entered the main hall, Ferdinand behind her.
Astraea quickly explained the situation to her sister, and Sigrun made a face. "Why did you bring her here?" she asked Viktor.
"Ugh, look, would I bring someone I thought was a threat here?!" Viktor demanded.
"If it meant making that woman OUR problem, then yes!" Dawa snapped.
"Good morning!" David called from the main doors. He waved his arm as he hurried inside. "Viktor, Dr. Tieling is looking for you!"
"Tell her I'm not here," Viktor said. He looked at Astraea. "I'll help you find that lady if you promise not to send me back to the hospital!"
"What lady?" David asked.
"Some unknown woman Vagabond Viktor escorted to the castle," Ferdinand sighed, rubbing his nose.
"Where did she come from?"
"I just ran into her when I left the hospital," Viktor said sheepishly. "Next thing I know she's gone—"
"She…appeared in my room," Astraea said. "Then she disappeared from my room."
"Hey guys, what's going on?" Denzel called as he approached with Musashi.
"Ah—Viktor was careless and brought a stranger to the castle," Sigrun told him. "Now she's loose somewhere in the castle."
"We'll find her!" Richard called cheerfully from the door. "Where do we start? This place is big!"
"Nin mel!" Brownie suddenly flew down to them and grew to bigger size. He floated in the air in front of Astraea. "Nin mel, a strange human woman suddenly appeared in the Quiet Room!"
"The…Quiet Room?" Astraea echoed.
"That must be her," David said amusedly.
"Follow me!" Brownie flew towards the grand staircase, but instead of flying up the stairs he flew towards the corner of where the left wall met the stairwell. Astraea and the others quickly followed, and the she realized that the wall's dark paneling created an optical illusion. For the wall didn't meet the stairwell and form a corner—it continued under the stairwell to form a short corridor.
Astraea hurried underneath the stairwell, and she was surprised to see two lit lanterns on opposite sides of dark double doors. "That's the Quiet Room, Brownie?"
"Why do you call it the "Quiet Room"?" Dawa asked, moving ahead of Astraea.
"Because it's a large and dark empty room," Brownie said, his tone uneasy. "No windows, no heat, nothing. I don't like that room."
"And the woman went in there?" Astraea asked.
"She did, nin mel."
"Let's go and see what she wants," Sigrun said.
"Right," Astraea said. She motioned for Dawa to move aside and she grabbed the double doors. She pushed it open, she was met by a large chamber that felt unnaturally cold. She saw dimly lit torches lining the walls of the room, and at the far back wall facing the door she saw the woman in black, as though she was expecting them.
"Oh, you lit up the room?" Brownie asked, flying into the room. "This is better, but still creepy."
"Why have you come here?" Dawa demanded as she stormed into the room.
The woman kept her eyes on Astraea. "You did not answer my question before. Have you heeded my warning?"
Astraea covered the back of her right hand with her left. "The warning was unnecessary."
"We'll see about that." Her gaze suddenly shifted to David. "And you?"
What? Astraea looked at David, but the young man had his eyes on the woman. "What do you mean?" he asked.
The woman looked at him for a long moment before her gaze back to Astraea. "Perhaps it does not matter," she conceded. "After all, you have the True Wind Rune. You are the Tenkai Star."
"EH?!" everyone exclaimed.
"H-How do you know that?!" Astraea demanded.
"She told me, how else?" the woman responded.
She? But Astraea knew exactly who the woman was talking about. "Lady Leknaat!"
The woman nodded stiffly. "She called upon me once more to give aid and restore balance. You do not appear to be causing chaos, but the True Rune affixed to your hand has a sordid history of doing it. I must ensure that it doesn't happen again."
"Wait!" Richard shouted, pushing forward. His eyes were wide and he pointed a finger at the woman. "You! I remember you! You were that rude woman who ordered Prince Freyjadour around during the Falenan Civil War!"
The woman's brow rose at his proclamation. "Wait, SHE participated in the Falenan Civil War?!" Viktor demanded, jabbing a thumb at the woman.
"Yeah, and she looks the same as she did back then," Richard said.
Viktor glanced at her and whistled. "Despite your bad attitude, you look good for your age Lady!"
The woman frowned deeply. "Oh, but I can't remember your name," Richard said absently, snapping his fingers as he glanced towards the ceiling. "Was it…Kisara? Linfa? Meroon?"
"Zerase," the woman hissed at him. "I am called Zerase."
"Oh, right!"
"Lady Leknaat sent you here, Zerase?" Astraea asked, stepping forward.
"She did," Zerase said. "I owe her many favors and will never deny her request. But know that I care not what your goal is. Only that I am here to observe the balances, and to yield to my destiny."
"What makes you think we want you here?" Dawa snapped.
"If you have no loyalty towards Astraea, then we cannot trust you," Sigrun said. "We have no need of you."
"Oh no, you definitely want her Princess!" Richard interjected. "This woman is extremely powerful! Put a Flowing Rune on her left hand and a Magic Absorb Rune on her right, and she becomes a one-person army!"
Astraea's brow rose from his assessment. She looked at Zerase. "Is this true?"
"Prince Freyjadour assigned such runes to me," Zerase said.
"A-And your forehead?"
Zerase gestured to her forehead, but did not push back her hood or her bangs. "I carry a unique rune on my forehead."
"'Unique'?"
"The Star Rune," she clarified. "One of its kind. The only rune to have been birthed from the Night Rune."
Viktor choked, and his eyes went wide. "T-The Night Rune?"
"I will make this room my chambers," Zerase told Astraea. "I do not wished to be bothered so please keep people away from here."
"Excuse you," Denzel said, stepping forward. "But if you intend to stay here, then you will serve a subordinate role to Astraea. You will show my sister respect!"
Zerase looked at Astraea again. "Then how shall I call you?"
Astraea hesitated for a moment. She knew she could tell Zerase to call her "Your Majesty", her given name, or whatever she wanted. Ultimately she decided on, "Please call me Your Majesty. Everyone except my siblings do that."
Zerase nodded. "Fine, Your Majesty. And here—this is for you."
She gestured to her left, and a large glowing light formed at her side. When the light dissipated there was a large stone tablet that stood floor to ceiling.
"Oh, I know that!" Viktor exclaimed. "Do I have the same Star?!" He rushed over to stand in front of it.
"T-That's the Tablet of Stars!" David breathed, his eyes wide. "I've heard of it!"
"This is a gift from Leknaat," Zerase said. "You are being guided by the Stars, the Tablet of Stars will mark the 108 Stars of Destiny as you recruit them. If there is anyone in your party who is a Star, their name will be listed here now."
"There I am!" Viktor shouted, pointing to a spot on the Tablet. "Number 13! I'm the Tenko Star again!"
"I am number 4, the Tenkan Star," Zerase said. "Which makes sense, as this Star generally maintains the Tablet."
"Am I on it?!" David exclaimed, rushing forward. Astraea quickly moved forward, as did everyone else, to see if they were listed on the Tablet. She was stunned by what she read.
The Stars of Heaven
1. Tenkai Star
Astraea
2. Tengou Star
—
3. Tenki Star
David
4. Tenkan Star
Zerase
5. Tenyu Star
—
6. Tenyu Star
—
7. Tenmou Star
—
8. Teni Star
Pesmerga
9. Tenei Star
Dawa
10. Tenki Star
—
11. Tenfu Star
—
12. Tenman Star
—
13. Tenko Star
Viktor
14. Tensyo Star
—
15. Tenritsu Star
—
16. Tensyo Star
—
17. Tenan Star
—
18. Tenyu Star
—
19. Tenku Star
—
20. Tensoku Star
—
21. Teni Star
—
22. Tensatsu Star
—
23. Tenbi Star
—
24. Tenkyu Star
—
25. Tentai Star
—
26. Tenjyu Star
—
27. Tenken Star
—
28. Tenhei Star
—
29. Tenzai Star
—
30. Tenson Star
—
31. Tenpai Star
—
32. Tenrou Star
—
33. Tensui Star
—
34. Tenbou Star
—
35. Tenkoku Star
—
36. Tenkou Star
—
The Stars of Earth
37. Chikai Star
—
38. Chisatsu Star
—
39. Chiyu Star
—
40. Chiketsu Star
—
41. Chiyu Star
—
42. Chii Star
—
43. Chiei Star
—
44. Chiki Star
—
45. Chimou Star
—
46. Chibun Star
—
47. Chisei Star
—
48. Chikatsu Star
—
49. Chitou Star
—
50. Chikyou Star
—
51. Chian Star
Richard
52. Chiziku Star
—
53. Chikai Star
—
54. Chisa Star
—
55. Chiyu Star
—
56. Chirei Star
—
57. Chijyu Star
Tieling
58. Chibi Star
—
59. Chikyu Star
Sigrun
60. Chibaku Star
—
61. Chizen Star
—
62. Chikou Star
Musashi
63. Chikyou Star
—
64. Chihi Star
—
65. Chisou Star
—
66. Chikou Star
—
67. Chimei Star
—
68. Chisin Star
—
69. Chitai Star
—
70. Chiman Star
—
71. Chisui Star
—
72. Chisyu Star
Ferdinand
73. Chiin Star
—
74. Chii Star
—
75. Chiri Star
—
76. Chisyun Star
—
77. Chiraku Star
—
78. Chitatsu Star
Viki
79. Chisoku Star
—
80. Chichin Star
—
81. Chikei Star
—
82. Chima Star
Brownie
83. Chiyou Star
—
84. Chiyu Star
—
85. Chifuku Star
—
86. Chihi Star
—
87. Chiku Star
—
88. Chiko Star
—
89. Chizen Star
—
90. Chitan Star
—
91. Chikaku Star
—
92. Chisyu Star
—
93. Chizou Star
—
94. Chihei Star
—
95. Chison Star
—
96. Chido Star
—
97. Chisatsu Star
—
98. Chiaku Star
—
99. Chisyu Star
—
100. Chisu Star
—
101. Chiin Star
—
102. Chikei Star
Denzel
103. Chisou Star
—
104. Chiretsu Star
—
105. Chiken Star
—
106. Chimou Star
—
107. Chizoku Star
—
108. Chikou Star
—
"Oh wow, I'm number 51 again!" Richard laughed.
"Number 3!" David shouted, pointing to the spot. "Cousin Caesar had that Star! Mathiu had that Star!"
"What is the significance of number 9, the Tenei Star?" Dawa asked.
"Ah—Gremio and Sierra had them in the two wars I fought in," Viktor said.
"Who were they?"
"Well, Gremio was Master Tir's bodyguard and Sierra was a vampire so…" Viktor shrugged. "I guess you're in good company?"
Dawa gave him a look. "I'm so far down the list!" Denzel laughed, pointing to number 102. "Hey, who had this spot in the past?"
"Ah—um—oh, Subala," Richard said. "Lyon was in your spot for the Falenan Civil War," he told Dawa.
Viktor scratched his head as he peered at Denzel's number. "Um…I-I think you share a Star with a gardener and a werewolf."
"Eh?"
"Number 59, the Chikyu Star," Sigrun read. She glanced at Viktor. "Do you remember who I share a Star with?"
"Kasumi, a ninja girl," Viktor told her.
"I can't remember her name, but a strong swordswoman had this Star during the Falenan Civil War," Richard said. Sigrun brightened when she heard that.
"Number 82, the Chima Star," Brownie said, flying around the Tablet. Some of his dust flew towards Zerase and she quickly swatted at the air. "That must be the greatest Star of all!"
"You share it with a squirrel," Viktor said, choking on a laugh.
Brownie turned to glower at him but Richard added, "Oh, and a Beaver!"
"Do I share a Star with any Kobold warriors?" Ferdinand asked.
"Well, one of them was a Dwarf," Richard said.
"Er, no," Viktor said. "The Gate Rune War I think it was that old lady. Er…um—"
"Hellion," Zerase said.
"Yeah, her! And the Dunan Unification War it was some pompous asshole named Zamza—"
"If you are all quite finished, I would like you to leave," Zerase said suddenly.
The group bristled at her abrasive behavior, but Astraea raised a hand for calm. "Thank you for bringing this to us, Zerase. The Quiet Room is yours to do with as you see fit."
Zerase did not soften at her sincerity. "I will be keeping an eye on you, Your Majesty. I have sensed many True Runes affixed upon unworthy people in this country. I will stay close and monitor them all. And monitor you."
Astraea chose not to be insulted by her tone. "Whatever your reasons for being here, I appreciate it nonetheless."
"Good. Now be gone."
Astraea felt the sting of a mild headache. "Please show me some respect to my station," she said. "And don't insult me in front of other people."
"Fair enough," Zerase responded.
"Let's go and get something to eat," Denzel said. "I'm starving. Hey, since we have to fill that Tablet let's look for a cook!"
"We have a long way to go," Sigrun said.
"Hey you," Viktor said to Musashi. "You didn't ask about your place on the Tablet."
"I don't care," Musashi said bluntly.
They filed out of the Quiet Room, Astraea and Dawa leaving last. As Dawa closed the doors shut, Astraea heard one last word from Zerase.
"Do not disappoint me."
After breakfast it felt like there was a million things to do. Astraea wanted to explore the castle and the city, but after they finished eating Sigrun and David approached her. "When you are ready, come and see me," Sigrun said. "I will help you draft your challenge for Royal Combat."
"As will I," David said.
Astraea nodded. "In a little bit. I want to walk around the Old Capital for a little bit."
"Good idea, but forward warning Your Majesty," Richard told her. "The city is very empty, and most of the houses have locks on their doors. I had to hail the Pixie to unlock the house I chose for myself."
"Me, too," David said.
"I will," Astraea said. "I won't go far. I want to look around the market district and brainstorm potential commerce."
"'Commerce'?"
"Excellent idea, Your Majesty," David said. "Since you are making this place your home until challenge the King, having businesses established here will help with building your supporters."
Astraea nodded. "I'll be right back."
"I'll come with you," Dawa said.
The two departed the castle. As they walked along the path to head into town, they saw Dr. Tieling storming towards the castle. "Is he in there, Your Majesty?" she asked, jabbing her finger towards the castle.
Astraea debated if she should be honest or cover for Viktor, but she knew the doctor meant well. "Yes, Dr. Tieling."
Dr. Tieling scoffed but nodded. "Thank you, Your Majesty." She hurried up the path.
With the castle claimed, the walk-around of the Old Capital somehow felt more…proper. Like she was claiming the place for her own. The first district they entered from the castle was a residential district that Astraea knew to be elitist. She knew the nobles and wealthy would stay in residences so close to the castle. She walked past a cream-colored two-story house with red-brown tiled roof, and somehow she knew it to be David's house. "He chose a nice place," she observed.
"He did," Dawa agreed, though there was an edge to her tone.
"What's wrong, Dawa?"
Dawa shook her head and looked away. "…I don't like that you were bitten by a werewolf trying to save him," she murmured. "You should not have been put in that position, Your Majesty."
"It's all right, really," Astraea reassured her, resting a hand on her arm. "I'm glad to have done it. If I didn't do it, then David would have been bitten and we would have been forced to kill him. I suspected, because of the True Rune, that the werewolf's curse wouldn't affect me the same way. And it didn't, so it worked out."
Dawa still looked tense. "I don't blame him," Astraea said. "So I don't want you to blame him, either."
Dawa was silent for a long moment. Finally she exhaled and nodded. "All right, Your Majesty. I will make an effort with him. It sounds like his Star position is important."
"He certainly sounded proud of it," she laughed.
They continued walking past several more lovely houses. "Should I name the districts?" she wondered aloud.
"It would certainly make the city yours, Your Majesty," Dawa said.
Astraea laughed. "Oh, this feels like old times doesn't it?"
Dawa managed a smile. "Indeed. And I will not leave your side again."
They walked into a more modest housing district with many more houses. Astraea's heart started to pound as they walked along the cobblestones. She could almost imagine the streets filled with people. I have a lot of people to recruit. I need to start early.
Dawa suddenly grabbed her arm, forcing her to stop. "What's wrong?" Astraea asked her.
"I hear a voice," Dawa said, raising her hand for Astraea to be silent. "Listen, Your Majesty."
Astraea held her breath. The air itself seemed still, but…very faintly, she did hear a voice! She turned her head towards the sound. "It's far, but not too far. Possibly within the city. The werewolves?"
"Shall we go and deal with it or hail the castle for aid?" Dawa asked.
Astraea thought about it before she shook her head. "Let's deal with it ourselves. If I'm supposed to be the leader, then I need to do it."
Dawa nodded. "Be careful."
They followed the sound of the voice carried by the wind. As they drew nearer, Astraea recognized it as a male voice. But not one she knew. She let her hand rest on her knout at her belt as they got closer and closer to the speaker. How many were there?
But they soon got their answer. On the left bridge heading towards the market district. They saw one long man in his twenties standing there, facing south. His hair was red and in a long ponytail, and he wore a long fur-lined blue coat. His hands were clasped in front of him, and he appeared to be…speaking to the wind? Astraea saw his mouth moving, but she couldn't distinguish words.
Dawa moved ahead of Astraea, her hand on her bullwhip. "Who are you?" she called out.
The man turned towards them. Astraea saw his blue eyes first, but then she took in the rest of his features. She cried out and surged forward. "Conall!"
Conall's eyes went wide and his brow rose as Astraea raced towards him. "P-Princess Astraea!" he exclaimed. "You know me?!"
Dawa quickly followed behind her, smiling softly. "Her Majesty knows all her siblings, Conall."
"O-Oh, and Dawa! Lady Dawa," Conall quickly corrected himself. He smiled brightly at Astraea. "This is the first time we're meeting, but you know me! That makes me so happy!"
"What brings you here, Conall?" Astraea asked him.
"Oh, I'm looking for things to make sense in the world again," Conall said sheepishly, rubbing at his forehead. "Everything that's been coming from Blutkrieger makes no sense! The accusations against you, and everything going on with the Alliance! I mean we're built for war, but this has been all too much!"
"Do you believe Her Majesty is a traitor?" Dawa asked.
"No, of course not! Anyone who knows her reputation would know that it's rubbish!" but his eyes widened again as he looked at Astraea. "Wait. Your Majesty?"
"I'm planning on challenging the King to Royal Combat," Astraea said. "I want order and stability restored, and I feel that this is the only way."
"You don't need to tell me your reasons," Conall said, shaking his head. "You're a Reiser heir. Heirs can declare Royal Combat for any reason." He smiled. "Then I'm glad I came."
"What do you mean?"
"Like I said, nothing makes sense anymore," Conall said. "I don't believe in the King anymore. Truthfully…I haven't for a long time. Not since Mom—" his voice broke off and he looked away briefly. Then he looked at Astraea again. "I can't do much. I'm not good with combat, but I would like to give you my support. I can help you in a different way than fighting."
Astraea gasped, and tears prickled at her eyes. "Just like that?" Dawa asked. "You would help Her Majesty so easily?"
Conall shrugged. "I don't like what's going on. But I'm compelled to fight for the King regardless as a Zelantan. If I have to serve in an Army, I would rather serve someone I respect. Someone I can trust. I know I can trust you, Princess Astraea. Or…Your Majesty."
Astraea laughed and shook his hand. Then she gave him a hug. "I'm glad to have you, Conall! And I know your rune will serve us well!"
"Rune?" Dawa looked puzzled for a moment before realization filled her eyes. "Oh, right—!"
"Yes…my rune." Conall showed them both the back of his hand. "The Sound Rune. There aren't many in the world so I'm blessed to have one. If you have any Sound Sets, feel free to turn them in to me and I will add them to my rune."
"The Sound Rune changes voices, doesn't it?" Astraea asked. She fumbled for her satchel and pulled out Sound Set 04 and Sound Set 06 and gave them to Conall. "Here, have these!"
"Oh, thank you!" Conall happily took the Sound Sets. "I'll apply them to my rune now!" He turned his back to the two. Astraea couldn't see what he was doing, but she heard several clicking noises. Then two bursts of light, one right after the other, like a flashbulb on a camera. Then he turned around to face them with a smile. "I applied them!"
"What do they sound like?" Astraea asked.
Conall pressed his hand to his throat. His hand briefly glowed and then he lowered. "I can finally use my rune properly," Conall said, but a youthful woman's voice came from his mouth.
Astraea laughed reflexively but Dawa made a face. "What about the other one?"
Conall repeated the gesture of his hand against his throat, and lowered it again. "How does this sound?" His voice had a very deep bass to it.
"Ah, turn it back to your regular for now," Astraea said.
Conall did so. "Please let your allies know to come and see me if they want to change their voices."
"I will, thank you." Astraea spread her arm out. "Feel free to set up your space wherever you like. We've just moved in ourselves."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Conall bowed and happily hurried off to the market district.
"I wonder if he's a Star," Dawa said.
"Even if he isn't, I'm glad he's here," Astraea said.
"It's very endearing that you know your bastard siblings, Your Majesty."
Astraea shrugged. "They share my blood. I want to know them."
Dawa smiled. "It will mean a lot to them all to hear that."
They looked around a little while longer, but as the Old Capital was still very empty there wasn't much to see. They headed back to the castle, and Astraea decided to look around the second floor. Though it was an open space she saw four doors on each side leading to rooms. She checked the room and saw that they were empty. At the of the hall she saw another grand stairwell to her right. She descended it to the third floor, where she knew that Sigrun and Ferdinand had chosen rooms. This hallway had two doors along each wall.
On the third floor Denzel and Musashi had chosen their room, and this hallways also had two doors along each side. But on the fourth floor there was no hallway or multiple rooms. The fourth floor was a wide space room, fully carpeted, alit with torches, and a massive table in the center of the room roughly four meters in length. She knew that this floor—this room—would be her war room.
Sigrun stood at the end of the table with Ferdinand, and David stood along the side. "Hello again, Your Majesty," he greeted her.
"It's time, Astraea," Sigrun said, motioning her to come closer. "Are you ready to issue the challenge your father?"
Astraea knew she could answer yes, no, or to ask for more information. She decided to ask for more information. "How do I issue the challenge?"
"Any challenged is issued by throwing your glove at the feet of your potential opponent," Sigrun said. "But since we are not in the presence of that man, we're going to send your glove to the capital."
Astraea nodded. "And the actual challenge?"
"You cut your palm and spill your blood," Sigrun said. She pulled out a piece of parchment and rested it on the table before Astraea. "David has handwritten your challenge, and you will make a handprint on the paper with your blood. Then you will sign your name with your blood. It will prove your dedication. Spilling your blood to challenge the monarch proves that you are willing to spill your blood for this country."
"Will a written challenge be accepted?" Astraea asked her. "Didn't you give your challenge in person, Sigrun?"
"I did," Sigrun said. "But a written challenge is an accepted form of challenge. Our Big Brother did it, after all."
Astraea was shocked that Brendan had issued a written challenge to their father. He definitely seemed more the type to publicly challenge him as Sigrun did. She nodded. "Okay."
"Please read the document carefully before signing it, Your Majesty," Dawa said.
Astraea picked it up and read it. David had impeccable handwriting, and he used professional verbiage for the challenge. There was nothing accusatory in the language that was used; only a statement of intention. Astraea's intention for Royal Combat. She nodded and looked at David. "This looks goods."
"This is it, Your Majesty," David said, moving closer. "The point of no return. The moment you spill your blood and sign this document, and the moment you send this document and your glove to Blutkrieger, there will be no turning back. You will have made a challenge for the crown, and the country will be further divided. But it is what you need to do. Are you ready?"
Astraea looked at the document for a long moment. She looked at Sigrun, then looked at Dawa, and then at David. She looked at the document one last time, and then set it down. "I'm ready."
I borrowed Richard's assessment of Zerase from the website TV Tropes, lol.
The Tablet of Stars will have its own chapter, and will update the Stars of Destiny are recruited.