Rennala clicked her tongue, "Do not look upon me with such fear, T'is irksome." She breathed through her anger, she needed to focus.

Sellen walked to one of Ranni's many desks, clearing a space for her pages of notes. "Well, I am afraid. When last we met you vaporized a primordial beast! You showed me…the abyss gazed back and I find its visage frightening."

The queen frowned, she actually did not remember much of any of the fight with the serpent. In her mind she had been arguing with Radagon over spell theory, "Then and now art different. I am-my mind is clearer."

"Have you clarity enough for this?" Sellen sighed, turning to lean against the broad desk. Her eyes were beginning to lose their fright.

Rennala rolled the long sleeves of her night robe, almost amused that she'd forgotten to even don proper attire. "Aye! And it must be I that dost the deed. I shall bringeth all mine children back from death, my sister, my hus-" she slapped a hand to her face. Blast! These small slips unsettled her. Though her careless tongue spoke a considered truth. "I shall steal him back as well, from the death of his cursed duty."

Rennala had come to that realization upon waking once more without him beside her. If she was now hale of mind, she'd not linger in this half death of broken heartedness. She had never once opened any of his thousands of letters, biding Moongrum toss them into flame before she could be tempted. The curiosity had waned as her madness waxed, but now she would hear the full truth of it all from his lips. What little she recalled of Ranni's questionings of Owain painted no picture of domestic bliss. Rather, her Radagon was little more than morose breeding stallion who shut himself away at nigh every opportunity.

She snapped herself from her thoughts at Sellen's angry groan, "I did not agree to aid you in… Rennala you would face the wrath of the eternal queen? For he who left you so coldly?" Rennala wondered if she would have crumbled so completely if Sellen had been at her side. The sorceress' sharp words seemed to keep her mind sharp as well even now. Wirra then that Sellen's imprisonment had begun but a few years afore Radagon left.

"There must be reason I canst not see and he wouldst not show. His love wast ever true, steady and constant as moonrise." her voice was not as strong as she'd wanted, "I have given this thought enough to go mad, Sellen. To lose mine mind and find it once more." She glanced out the windows at the full moon beyond, an auspicious sign, she hoped.

"And if he will not return?" her voice was softer than expected.

Rennala smiled, "He will."

"What if-"

She waved a hand dismissively with a frown, "He will. I wouldst see Marika suffer his loss just as I, but I fear she wouldst not even notice his absence."

"Do not expect my aid in open war, Nalla." Sellen turned her back only to peek at Rennala over her slim shoulder. She was trying to curry more favors, Rennala rolled her eyes.

"There wouldst be no war, only my victory. Shouldst I ever treat the path of conquest, I-" she stopped herself, "No, no, I mustn't mar these lands any further. Nor break little Wain's heart."

Unbeknownst to Wain or Ranni, it had actually been Owain's fearsome reputation during the war of the dragons that had stilled Rennala's hand. Before Marika had foolishly declared war upon her, Rennala herself had actively considered attempting to eliminate the golden queen. She had known Caria would be next in Marika's path of conquest and thought perhaps it would be more prudent to make the first move.

That is, until proper reports from her spies had told tale of the young new Lord Commander, Owain the Burnished, who had distinguished himself in repelling countless assaults from the dragons and their allies. His mighty, zealous host of Tree Sentinels trained to repel spellcraft that would guard the golden city to their last breath. Her spies had even said he had faced Granssax in single combat, though she now knew that to be rather far from the truth. When he had told she and Ranni the story over supper, Rennala had actually laughed so hard that tears had sprung from her eyes.

She had long drafted contingencies to face Lord Godfrey and his crucible knights, for the elden lord was the sword whilst the sentinels the shield. If those monstrous tales of the golden rampart were true, she and Iji had decided defense to be a more viable strategy. So she had waited, building up Caria's fortifications instead, empowering her knights, forging pacts with the trolls and Liurnians.

Rennala sneered at her own distractedness refocusing as Sellen replied confidently. "He would chose Caria."

Rennala nodded, "Aye, but it wouldst be a choice most punishing. I do not wish for him any more sufferin' than what mine reckless daughter has already wrought upon him."

Sellen snorted, "What a privilege it is to love a Carian princess."

"Oh, Sellen, dare not start." Rennala sighed. She had forgotten how lovesick the graven witch herself was for Rellana. A point of fierce contention since her younger sister had broken Sellen's heart in their youth. Rennala realized that Sellen would have likely heard those ridiculous rumors about Prince Messmer by now; she hoped she took no stock in them.

Her old friend sniffed daintily, turning aside, "A truth that is bitter is no less true."

Rennala groaned, they could not start this talk or they would be circling all night and she must see to Rykard. The queen sought to distract, "I would offer thee mine thanks, by the by. For thy assistance so far and for thy…for treatin' me as a friend, despite thine fear."

Sellen blinked at her owlishly for a few long breaths before a tentative smile graced her lips, "I am still angry, mind you. Furious!" she sighed, "But…I can admit my research perhaps could have been better pursued. It irritates me that I can not even blame my overlong imprisonment on you. You were quite busy looning."

Few would ever speak to her like this, such casual insult was precious to her. Queenship was so very lonely. "This new world, new beginning, let us not bringeth our old grudges with us."

The sorceress glared at her for a moment before walking to embrace her, head to Rennala's chest. "To new beginnings, Nala." Her arms tightened about the queen, "Let us save your son, old friend."

Moongrum was silent as he tossed the two bound, squirming tarnished at Renalla's feet. Ranni lingered by the entryway, an ecstatic Tanith at her side. Rennala regarded the intruders with disdain, at least they would be put to good use. She ripped their souls from their flesh with a swift hand, passing them to Sellen through spell. Their bodies, she infused with her great rune, crafting a perfect replacement for her beloved son. Just as his brother, Rykard's form would be free from all influence, Rennala would ensure it.

A suffocating numbness overtook her as she worked. She had noticed it earlier, but had hoped her anger would burn through the haze. The queen frowned at her steady hands, at the excited eyes of her daughters. They did not expect her to fail, nor should they; not after such practice and diligent work. Rennala could not eschew this feeling, that she worked in vain, that she worked only to fail at the last moment.

All her steps forward were hindered by grief, her agonizing march towards a bright future, weighed down by repeated theft most vile. Her joy, her hope, they slipped from her even as she now looked upon her long lost son. Ranni brought forth the simulacrum, Sellen finished her rite, Rykard's soul was prepared. All in a moment, all so swiftly, with such ease. Rennala knew it could never be so easy, not for her.

She watched her fingers as they pressed her son's soul unto his chest. Why did they not tremble? Why did no anxious tears cloud her vision, nor memories overwhelm her? Why was she so composed? Her daughters, little sweetings, waited so eagerly for her word that all was done. Tannith could not stop her frantic tears, Ranni wiped at her own eyes, yet Rennala's sight was damnably clear.

She knelt, inspecting her son. All seemed well, his repaired soul settled remarkably well in his newly crafted body. All seemed well. Rennala knew she should wait a moon at least before expecting him to wake, but she could help herself. She needed her mind to know what her body already did. She sparked her boy awake with gentle magic.

His eyes opened slowly, the same blue as her own, as his siblings, uncovered by gold. He yawned, stretching peacefully. "Mother?" he looked around the room before laughing. "Why dost mine family look upon me so dourly? What did I-"

Tanith flung herself bodily into his surprised arms, "Rykard! Rykard, my lord!" she cried, bombarding him with frantic kisses.

The boy sputtered with more laughter, "Tanith? What is-"

Ranni came forward as well, striking him in the arm, "Thou'rt a reckless idiot, Rykard! Mother, we worried for naught! Look, he is safe!" Rennala felt distant sanguinity rousing in her chest, a fluttering hope that flew slowly nearer.

"Rykard." she said softly, arms around her children, "Rykard, how dost thee feel?" she brushed his hair from his smiling face.

His hand came to rest upon her own, his gaze warm and vibrant. "Worry not, Mother, I know not what has happened but I feel well, amazin' actually." the hand that rested upon hers brushed his cheek and his eyes widened, "Aha, a beard? Do not tell me I slept so long I grew a beard!"

The tentative dream in her chest seized and died as her hands at last began to shake, "What?" she breathed.

Rykard scowled fondly at his wife, who was frozen in slow comprehension. "Tanith, this was thine doing, aye? Thou'rt such a sneak!"

Ranni found her voice, "Rykard…"

Rennala cut through the terror that screamed within her, she knew already, what had been lost, "H-how old art thou my son."

He scrunched his face at her in amusement, "How- ah did I ruin thy surprise? Didst thee all plan this prank for my reaching mine third century?"

Ah.

There it was.

Despair tore a heartbroken gasp from her throat. Rennala brought violently shaking hands to her head, clasping her face as she moaned in true agony. Could she not have a single easy day? Rykard was here in body, she could see his form through the haze of fresh tears, but most all his soul was gone. Her eldest child. The son she'd borne millennia ago, thought himself only three centuries old.

Owain watched Radahn pace with unease. He'd been too out of sorts to protest when mother Rennala had bade them leave, but he wished he could have stayed. With his luck, something catastrophic would happen as soon as his wife was out of sight. Radahn's silent pacing was making him nervous as well. They'd hardly been waiting long but already it was nigh untenable.

Perhaps he could find some words of comfort for his little brother, "Radahn, I am sure all will be well. The three most skilled sorcerers alive work together, is victory not assured?"

Radahn pinched his brow in a perfect mimic of mother Rennala. "I cannot shaketh this unease, brother. Mother is-"

Both men turned in rising panic towards Ranni's nearby tower as a wave of mana flooded the air. They needed no words, sprinting through the rear gardens in a deadlock. As the unmistakable scream of Queen Rennala tore raggedly out the tower windows, their speed only quickened. Radahn outpaced Owain, who stumbled through the tower doors in a pant.

Ranni flew to his side, eyes wide and lips trembling. "Ranni? What has…." The words died in his mouth. Mother Rennala was nowhere to be found, but Rykard lay before him, head in Tanith's lap. Radahn rushed to their side.

Ranni brought her brow to Owain's and quick images flashed through his mind. Rykard's confusion, the queen's loss of composure, her disappearance in a flash of silver. Ranni had placed her brother to sleep even as Sellen too had disappeared and Tanith had secured her husband in safe rest. Owain scowled.

He brought his wife into his embrace, hands running down the waterfall of curls at her back. She was shivering. "I am here, Starlight." He rumbled, gaze locked to the sleeping form of Rykard. Could nothing ever be easy? The next few days were restless. Ranni had tracked down her mother and Sellen at the church of vows of all places, and had brought the queen home, dazed but safe. Radahn set forth for Stormveil to enact their trick against the reed emissaries, who had been waiting impatiently. Owain left an ever bickering Blaidd and Wolfram in charge of Caria as he and Ranni went once more unto Altus.

Radahn looked down at the blathering emissary in disinterest. He did not wish to be here, did not wish to wear this stifling veil, desperately wished the man would close his flapping mouth. His eyes flicked to Tanya, who was veiled in the form of a sentinel captain. Radahn could read her annoyance in the tenseness of her hands behind her back. His ears refocused on the reed emissary at the mention of aid.

"All that to say that the land of Reeds could offer The Golden Order greatly needed aid. Should you do as our emperor requests." So the prince had finally won his civil war then? Or more likely he was simply the only imperial left.

Radahn took a breath, trying to best channel Owain's voice, a forceful rasp. "Your offer is most generous, I would only ask what it is you have me do, emissary."

"A written apology from you and your father, and you must secure the eternal queen's hand in marriage to my emperor. These two things are what must be done, then Reeds will lift up this shattered land and offer it salvation through plentiful aid and…protection." The emissary's smile was sickly and irritating.

Radahn already knew Owain's response. He would happily write such a letter if it meant aiding his people. To try and curry the queen's favor as an intermediary…Owain would rather rip off his own arm.

"I ask for a few weeks to consider this proposal. I will allow you to source fresh water for your fleet in the interim." This ordeal would be most tedious, Radahn could already tell.

He'd thought about it nigh every day since his resurrection, his city of splendid gold. Leyndell lay only a day's travel north, his host of sentinels were abuzz with excitement. The camp was lively, too lively for his heavy thoughts, so Owain sought some measure of solitude on a small rise a stone's throw from the encampment. Even as he could keep a watchful eye on his men, he could stargaze without fear.

"Thou once told me that I am the reason thou contemplate the stars. That thou seeketh the shine of mine eyes even when we are apart." Came a breathy voice at his back. Owain smiled, removing his cloak to make a comfortable space on the stone beside him, smiling further when she chose to straddle his lap instead. "There, my heart. The shine thou seeketh." Ranni draped her arms about his shoulders with an easy grin.

Lo, did her gaze gleam with supreme resplendence. He threw his cloak over her, settling his hands on her hips. "Ever do I seek you, my brightest shining star." her lips tasted like sweet wine, she must have badgered the camp cook.

"Ever shall thee have me, mine guiding light." she peppered his face with sloppy kisses, carding her fingers through his hair, "Joy shouldst I see upon thy face, we return to thine city." Her frown at the mention of Leyndell was brief but it brought Owain's brooding back to the forefront.

He sighed, laying his brow to her chest, "We return to another mess I must sort." she worked at his neck with kneading hands and it made him smile tiredly.

"Thou shalt not face the work of it alone, my fair consort." warm fingers moved to tilt his face once more to her's as she kissed him sweetly, "This Starlight shall stay aside thee." Ranni nodded to herself. Owain caught her as she began to wobble.

"A steadying force indeed, Ranni." he chuckled. He knew why she'd been drinking, she worried for him. More likely, she worried that he might slip back into his old ways. He wrapped his arms tight around his wife, face to her chest. Her scent of lilacs was calming. "This second life of mine, I promised to you, Ranni."

She rest her chin atop his head, "To the core of me, dost thee ever see." she murmured.

They sat in silence for a few moments. "When I've seen to the children, when we've sorted out the throne, Oswald shall take up my title."

"They art not children, Wain. Not anymore. Bringers of great death and mayhem art they." her voice was gentle, but the truth it bore was anything but.

He frowned into the soft skin of her sternum, "Is it strange that I can not see them as you do?"

"Nay." came her reply and a hand upon his chest as she pushed him back to regard him fully anew, "An' I dare not blame thee. This gentle heart shall raise our children all the better."

"You forgive my stubbornness too easily, wife." She forgave too many of his failings, really.

"Is it strange my husband shall not be so easily swayed? That I, Ranni of Caria, wouldst wish for one who is steadfast in his convictions an' his surety of choice?" he caught her once more as she swayed.

"Nay." he admitted.

Ranni looked away with a scowl, "The skin of our family should be stained deep crimson, with all the blood we hath spilled. A measure of forgiveness is needed to navigate such muddied waters, Wain." Ah, he understood.

She feared that if he were to see the demigods as the dangers they were, so too would he look upon her in a different light, his wife of nigh unimaginable threat. Owain rumbled a sigh, he was a hypocrite. Espousing righteousness even as his hands had ended the lives of thousands, even as the children he'd watched over had devolved into brutal war. His wife too, was a being of great death, he'd seen her kill a man with nought but a word, seen her wipe away entire companies of soldiers with a wave of her dainty hand.

Owain had long known that, at his heart, he was not so burnished as his title. That he was not so noble as he ever strived to be. There was a violence in him, a malevolent hate that churned and stymied in his gut. Even before the runes, before their whispers. There was shadow deep in his bones. Perhaps that's why he was so wont to forgive the sins of those he loved, that they might forgive his own.

He pressed ponderous kisses to her jaw, "Stray not from my unworthy side, beloved. Forgive me always, for it is in you I find strength."

Her eyes flashed in anger and it was storm, not starlight, he found. "Name thyself unworthy once more, and such forgiveness shall be hard to find, righteous husband." This time her kiss was not so sweet, but it made him smile.

"Aye, Ranni." They would simply keep doing their best. This second life was a chance at atonement after all.

They lined the roadway, miles and miles of his people. They threw flowers, calling out their praise, their fervent thanks. He faintly heard many of his sentinels sobbing, tears hidden behind shining visors. All the while the people cheered his name. With every wave of his hand, he heard louder cries, watched as they reached out to lay hands upon the steeds of his host. Owain could not speak, sobs stole his voice as well as his men's. The capital, inner walls marred, loomed ever nearer.

Owain would need to greet his king first, and station his sentinels properly. He would need to do a thousand other things before he could ride home to his mother who he knew waited impatiently at her farm just miles away. He pushed his company forward to the gilded gates, he would be within Leyndell's walls this night.

Rows of his sentinels held halberds aloft as his host made its way down the main causeway. Goddess, the roar of the crowds was exhilarating! Ranni rode beside him, fully armed and armored atop Torrent. He'd asked her to keep him astride Osgalath if it seemed memories might see him off the saddle. It would be beyond embarrassing to be unseated as he entered Leyndell proper.

He had feared that the capital would be naught but lingering remnants but it seemed Morgott had been hard at work restoring the city even as Owain restored Caria. No vestiges of battle had he seen before the walls, only fresh farmland in orderly rows. As he came under the great gateway, citizenry truly began clogging their path, a nigh endless sea of hopeful faces and eager shouts. It unsettled him that they called to him so fervently.

Many of the structures were ruined, but many more were covered in scaffolding. Above it all, the Erd Tree and its shimmering boughs cast the golden light of searing duty. Owain's sight was almost useless so heavy were his tears, it was fortunate Osgalath knew the path to the palace. He would have to trust the route to his steed.

If the noise outside the gate had been loud, the noise within was deafening. The din reverberated off the walls, it rattled his head and heart in equal measure. His people screamed out for him, his name a rabid prayer. All the while, he fought memories with every step Osgalath took forward. Ranni's winds were all that sat him upright as moment after moment after moment stole his sight.

The choke of the masses, the bombardment of his past, it was enough to steal his breath; but it was a most potent memory that stole his senses in full.