Long ago, in the Desert Province of Siré, the Goddess of the Forbidden, Sacrifice, and Profane named Nirea ruled immorally and wickedly. The black eyed, cursing goddess had three monstrous children of her own: the Snow Spider, the Red Spider, and Junipe. Unfortunately, years after the Goddess left, her children and House of Nirea fell victim to House of Sfin. Queen Andelusia, the first Ascended Incarnate of Sfin, defeated the Red Spider easily and damned it to the Abyss Realm. Many years later, Queen Sewí of House of Sfin defeated Queen Palom, ruler of House of Nirea, in the Abyssinian War. Palom surrendered after Sewí slaughtered the venomous Snow Spider.

Junipe is Nirea’s last surviving child. And while she remains hidden from everyone…..

but her cursing power is still very much felt in the House of Sfin.

***

Princess Jannar and Prince Jaho slowly approached the throne room to confront their father.

Jaho was leading the way as Jannar followed closely behind. When Jaho went to grab the door knob, he was not expecting his sister to grab his arm.

“What?”

“Do you not hear?” She whispered angrily. “Someone else is in there.”

Jaho brushed her arm off then carefully placed his ear against the door.

“Do you hear?” She asked again.

Jaho raised a finger.

After a long minute, he nodded.

“It was the sound of a woman.” He confirmed. “But I could barely understand.”

“Let me try then.” Jannar responded, then pushed Jaho to the side.

But when she went to place her ear against the red painted door, it suddenly opened.

Jaho immediately went to grab Jannar, but they both fell anyway.

When they looked up, they saw their father was smiling down at them.

“Daughter. Son.” The king announced loudly. “Come in.”

The king stepped to the side to allow his children inside.

Jaho and Jannar rushed to their feet and quickly stepped inside.

Once they were in, the king slowly closed the door and walked back to his throne seat.

As he bypassed them, he saw they were holding hands.

Jannar was squeezing Jaho’s hand very tightly.

“Now tell me…” The king said as he sat down. “Why are my children here instead of packing?”

Jaho and Jannar let go of each other’s hands.

The two looked at each other, wanting the other to speak.

“Well.” The king said. “Someone should speak.”

Jannar, visibly nervous, elbowed her brother in his side.

Jaho cleared his throat then lowered his face.

“Father, there is something wrong. I have seen visions of the deposed Queen.” Jaho said, voice shaky.

The king shifted in his seat.

“Your mother?” He asked, eyebrows raised.

Jaho shook his head.

“Queen Luxi.” He clarified. “Luxi warned of a future that I wished not to meet.”

The room went silent.

The king glanced back and forth between his children before releasing a huge sigh.

“Jannar, leave us be.” He said as he stood from his seat.

“Father! I should stay. This concerns my mother.” Jannar objected.

“LEAVE US!” He yelled instead.

Jannar visibly flinched then stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

When they were alone, the king slowly walked over to his son.

He grabbed him by the shoulders then pulled him into a hug.

“I’m sorry.” He mumbled.

Jaho slowly pulled back, a frown visible on his face.

“I have failed you.” The king continued. “I have not prepared you for what you are ready to endure….I thought I had more time.”

Jaho completely pulled away from his father. “What are you saying?”

The king turned away from his son and began roaming the room.

“If Luxi has arrived…” The king started. “That means fate has finally come for you. Before I became king, I saw your grandmother….Queen Marla.”

Jaho shook his head. “I’m not following.”

“If Jannar wasn’t born….” The king choked, eyes closed. “You would have seen your mother again instead.”

Jaho aggressively rubbed his temples. “I’m confused, father.”

After a long minute of silence, the king raised a hand and pointed towards the seat.

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“Take a seat.” He said.

But Jaho didn’t move.

“That is a command.” The king said, jaw clenched.

Jaho lowered his head before walking towards the throne.

He slowly turned around then carefully placed his bottom against the slippery seat.

His father crossed his arms across his chest and stared down his son.

“How does it feel?” The king asked.

Jaho shrugged his shoulders.

The king chuckled then began walking towards his son.

As he did, he said,

“I’m well aware that you are the ideal person to be my envoy in the mountains. But I’m also aware that you are soon to inherit the seat you are sitting on.”

Jaho sat forward in his seat.

“What are you saying?” Jaho stuttered.

“My time is coming to an end.” The king revealed. “A month from now, in fact.”

“Are you serious?”

The king nodded.

“Inside of me, Sfin already chants your name. You’ve seen the spiders. You’ve seen Luxi, the last one to endure the pain our ancestors caused.” He explained. “And soon you’ll see Junipe.”

Jaho quickly stood from his seat.

“Junipe? Daughter of Nirea?” He yelled. “The cursing witch?”

The king turned on his heels and began making his way towards the window. His son continued to shout after him.

“What are you talking about?” He yelled. “Why is Junipe coming for me?”

The king wouldn’t make eye contact with his son.

“In time, you’ll understand.” He responded. “And in order to prepare for it all, you must visit the remaining houses.”

Jaho stepped down from the platform, confused and frustrated. He stomped towards his father.

“Am I cursed?” He asked angrily.

The king turned his face away from Jaho, but Jaho wasn’t done.

“What did our family do?” Jaho whispered. “Tell me.”

The king didn’t respond.

“TELL ME!” Jaho shouted.

The king slowly turned his face towards his son then took a deep breath. “When you enter Siré, you’ll find your answers.”

Jaho aggressively shook his head. “But I’ve been to Siré. I didn’t find anything.”

The king slowly smiled. “That’s because you didn’t know where to go….nor where to look.”

Jaho’s eyes narrowed.

“But….” The king said slowly. “Before you travel to Siré, you must do your royal duties and head to Itra and Aridisa.”

Jaho threw his arms in the air.

“And what am I supposed to do in Itra? Why does it matter?”

“Talk to Lady Ewer of House of Itra and ensure she is no betrayer.” The king responded.

“But Lady Ewer and her family have never pushed back on the crown.”

The king sighed. “Just check and look around.”

Jaho slowly nodded. “Then what?”

“While you are there, ask for the white dagger.” He added.

Jaho frowned.

“Why? Isn’t it useless without the living Incarnate of Yuitra?”

The king shook his head. “The white dagger is not as powerful as the others. Its power is rather tame than the gray dagger.”

Jaho titled his head. “And then what?”

“Head to Aridisa and ensure that the House of Hunu are not colluding with the Reclaimants. Their hostility remains even though we have welcomed Lady Larella with open arms.” He answered angrily. “And if necessary….use the commander.”

“And when the moon bleeds and I’m stuck in Aridisa?”

“Take shelter. Wear your rings. Do as you would here.”

“What do you even want me to ask Sera?” Jaho asked. “She does not like when the crown visits her house.”

The king began to laugh.

“I don’t want you to ask her anything.” He revealed.

“What?” Jaho choked.

The king suddenly placed a hand into his pocket. When he pulled it out, a small black soft container was in his hand.

“When you enter the Weran Palace, Sera will invite you for dinner. You’ll say yes. Before the food is served, you’ll excuse yourself. You’ll head to the kitchen. And when you are there, you’ll sprinkle this on the food.” He explained, while waving the container in the air. “When the food is served, you’ll let her eat first. When it is consumed, you make an excuse and leave.”

The king then placed the container in his son’s left hand.

“Do not consume what’s inside.” He warned as he did. “Unless you want me inside of you.”

Jaho nodded then placed the box in one of his pockets. “And then?”

“You’ll head to Siré.” The king smirked. “The old palace.”

“But its in ruins.” Jaho responded, confused. “It was destroyed in the old War of Kings.”

“Just because it has been destroyed does not mean it is useless. Great secrets are buried in the black sands where Nirea walked.”

“And what do I do there?”

The king grabbed both of his hands. “You’ll know when you enter.”

The king then pulled his son into an embrace.

“You’ll be fine.” He whispered close to his son’s ear. “When the moon bleeds, take shelter.

When you enter Siré, stay clear of the waters.”

After a long moment, the two let go of each other.

“And what about my sister?”

“Jannar? What about her?”

“I don’t understand why you are sending her off to marry a lord in the mountains.”

The king smiled. “When you are king, you will understand.”

Jaho, visibly frustrated, walked away.

“Help me understand now.” He shouted. “It should be me. I want to marry her.”

The king watched as his son began pacing the room. He couldn’t lie to himself. Sometimes, he was worried his son wouldn’t be able to handle the throne. He was too in love with someone he shouldn’t be.

“We need to strengthen our alliances, son.” He finally said after a long minute.

Jaho suddenly stopped pacing.

“Is there something wrong? Are you hearing things?” He rushed out.

The king then walked towards the wooden table that was placed against the east wall and took a seat.

“This crown has done a lot of bad, my child. You know this.” The king responded slowly. “And in Gardenia, whispers say the Eternal Gardens are dying. Followers of the Goddess Fer, and others in the Meadows, they say it’s an omen. A sign of destruction and death to come to Arla. We must be prepared for everything.”

“The Gardens are dying?” He stuttered.

The king nodded.

The Eternal Gardens have existed since the beginning of time. A symbol of Arla’s fertility and prosperity.

“And then there are the accusations brought upon our crown.” The king continued.

“False accusations.” Jaho interrupted.

The king quickly turned his head away.

“Your marriage to House of Hunu is important to solidify an alliance between two houses that have been at war for ages. Jannar’s marriage to Mesyla’s cousin will formally solidify an alliance between the Mountains and Desert. Your sister….”

“And why couldn’t I marry Mesyla?” Jaho interrupted, voice low. “Why must I be king? Why can’t Jannar inherit this instead?

The king’s face dropped.

“Your fate was chosen the day you were conceived, my son.” He said remorsefully. “We can’t choose destiny.”

Jaho took a seat next to his father.

The two sat in silence for a very long time. The only sounds that filled the room were the two birds chirping at the window.

It was Jaho who finally broke the silence.

“Can I take my friends with me?” He asked.

“Sure.” The king agreed.

Jaho then stood from his seat.

“I’ll do you proud, Your Majesty.” Jaho spoke, then bowed.