Over time I've grown fond of these mornings. I can never resist biting my lip as I soak in the sight of the morning rays while they kiss the sculpted bronze that is the body of Khopesh. My confidant, my concubine, my companion. Over the years she had grown on me as a reliable servant, and a somewhat challenging partner in terms of intimacy. Somewhat. After admiring her for a few more moments, I get out of bed and stretch for a while. I've no expectations in regards of splendor for how today is going to go. I should be elated, my father called off the searches and surveys for the poor young slag who might be the Maiden's vessel. It was an excuse for me to travel, but not without being bothered with having to report to my tiresome brethren now and again. He's probably made some sort of breakthrough, or so he believes, and now I'd have to spend most of my day listening to him and my sycophant siblings prattle on with him.

I don my regalia and give Khopesh a kiss followed by a cheeky grope. "You're on call today love. Get some rest, have some fun, practice your casting. Whatever you decide, make sure you're ready to leave at a moment's notice. She raised her left arm, sporting the shackle I gave her the day after we met. The four chain links adorning her wrist danced toward me. She smiled before rolling over to fall back asleep. Perhaps she's a little spoiled now.

I exit my chambers and begin to take my time walking my way down the spire in my wing of the palace. Looking out over the railings of the stairs, I can see that some of my brothers are already active this morning. Obsen, soars through the air, letting out an obnoxious screech. Mercellus comes into view as I continue my descent, he's half-necked and lying on a bed of nails. What's more he has a magnifying glyph on standby over his body, perverting the suns warmth into an entropic endeavor. Regrettably, I walk within earshot of his self-imposed anguish.

"Yes, yes I know! With the Maiden's love I can weather any storm! Through her grace I can persevere with the faith that all of my woes will be rewarded with the weal and clarity to succeed and do what must be done for our father! I will not falter, my heart is unwavering, and my soul is ablaze with the fervor to serve the one who gave me life. The king! Who is preordained to remain, as the one above all!"

I speed up my pace to try and get to my father's gathering hall and put my hand over my face with secondhand embarrassment. There's being a devoted daddy's boy, and then there's Mercellus. The fact that his focus on his dedication to our father alone had shaped his affinity, as well as his world view. It is enough to sincerely make my skin crawl. He notices me as I pass and sits up to greet me.

"Almira! My beloved sister! May the maiden smile upon you on this ever-so splendid day!"

I could feel him beaming at me, but decided not to turn around as I was just a few more paces away from the site of our rendezvous, and I was not about to be stopped in this sun for a damned sermon about my own father.

"Yes, yes, good morning Mercellus. You should clean all of that up it's almost time for us to gather."

I can almost feel the lightbulb spark to life over his ink riddled skull, "Oh yes you're correct sister! Ever the diligent one. I'll be joining you all shortly! I must prostrate myself towards our father's chamber, 88 times before this morning's service is complete!"

"Yes brother, you do that." I slam the door behind me, relieved to be finished with that oaf.

The hall to my father's throne room was droll as it ever had been. I do my best not to visibly scoff at the archaic stonework that composed the bulk of the interior, with these large bulky support beams that are dressed with tabards bearing our house insignia, the palmed planet. It was also embroidered within the deep wine-like red carpet. The windows of the hall were perfectly designed to fill every corner of the hall with natural lighting during most of the day, but they're made of the most tasteless painted glass I had ever laid my eyes on. There are just too many clashing factors in this building to find anything worthy of praise. Once my father either finally keels over or meets his goals and moves on to a larger dwelling, I will certainly be giving this place a well-deserved overhaul.

I'm pulled away from the mental construction of my fantasy home when I feel a hand on my shoulder. I whip around, knowing full well that my siblings knows better than to ever touch me without an open invitation. My regalia grows in tension immediately, but just as soon rattles to the floor resuming its cloth-like form when I meet the face of the person who would dare be so overly-familiar with me.

"Junior! My light and stars! Oh darling come here!" I jump up into the arms of my beloved Junior for a long-awaited embrace. He indulges me with a smile as he picks me up and spins me around. " How have the years been treating my darling baby brother?"

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He puts me down and lets out a hearty chuckle. " Oh you know, a little of this and that. I haven't come up with a terrible amount of success with my searches. To be honest I'm quite relieved father called us together, he may have made a breakthrough in his endeavor. If that's the case, we may be rid of all of this 'Maiden' business and our lives can finally start."

"Bold of you to be so dismissive of our father's directive whilst in his chambers, or even within shouting distance of Mercellus." I tease him as we walked alongside each other towards the throne room.

"Don't get me started on that pervert." Junior forced through his teeth. "The only thing we've ever had in common was the moment of our birth. With all of his antics over the years he doesn't even resemble me anymore."

He's not wrong, Mercellus and Junior are still roughly the same height, but Junior had filled out rather nicely over the years and become a strapping young man with a healthy head of gorgeous black hair. He looks the spitting image of what I would imagine father to have looked like in his prime. Juxtaposed Mercellus, whose skin was soaked with ink of father's design from head to toe. He wore the marks so proudly that he maintained a shaved head and body ever since they were bestowed upon him, and always opts to wear loose drape-like robes of a sanguine hue that show off his chest and arms. While he is like most of my brothers, with some level of muscularity to boast, his constant acts of asceticism and sun soaking his skin has left him to look more like a swollen bag of tarnished leather. I suppose if I were in Junior's place I'd be mortified at the comparison to his twin, or really any of the other members of our litter. I would say he's the most well-adjusted, outside of myself of course.

We arrive at the throne room, each taking a hand to run a current of magis through the double doors. The doors swing open, and we lay our eyes on our father in all of his "glory", Rohan Strauss rests his head on his left fist, while swirling his wine carried by the chalice in his right hand. Without a word, he lazily waves us over to our seats. I shrug in resignation and give Junior a look of assurance, "We'll dish about our travels later dear, after discussing the state of affairs." He nods to me and takes his seat to the center left.

Several minutes later, Obsen and Mercellus arrive. Obsen taking the far-right seat, opposite of myself, and Mercellus taking the seat to the center right. Obsen looks somewhat normal without the use of his inclination. His constant use of it has started to change his appearance, his nose looking sharper and his eyes are now like that of an osprey. His shoulder blades are pronounced as well, protruding through openings in his leather armor.

"Obsen, I know you do love flying, but if you're not too careful with the use of your inclination, you'll become completely avian before you know it."

His head twitched about for a moment before his eyes focus on me and he twitches again in an attempted nod. At least that's what I assume the spasm was. " I don't see anything wrong with that, Almira. As the future watcher of the skies for the master of this realm, I believe it would be a fitting visage."

I scoff at the notion audibly, "Yes of course little brother, perhaps you'll find a nice dove for a bride."

Junior grits his teeth to hold in his laughter, and Mercelllus slams his hand on the table in front of him. " Fear not, young Obsen! Whatever form you may take, as long as it is in the service to the long-awaited heir of this world. There is no error in your path."

Obsen looks uneasy as his eyes meet Mercellus, "Uh, yes... thank you brother. I'm glad someone appreciates me in this family."

"Obsen do whatever you like as long as you're having fun. If you're being productive while you're at it that's all the more reason to continue. I think our sister is just worried about you becoming like... like Chitis." Junior exchanged a mournful look with a wide-eyed Obsen, who examined his skin after the words had set in.

"Enough prattle, children. It's time we discussed the reason for our reunion. The search for your true mother's soul is finally at an end."

We all looked at each other as our father's lips stretched out to his ears. "Thanks to the efforts and sacrifices of your brother Avarik and his followers, I have finally been presented with an opportunity for our union. He will be revered throughout history for his nobility and sacrifice."

Junior jumped out of his seat leaning over the table. "What do you mean his sacrifice?! What happened to Avarik? Commoners don't even know about inclinations outside of the four houses. Our family made sure of that in order to maintain control over the low bloods who are incapable of using them responsibly. For their own protection! So, who in the world would have been able to even challenge our brother? Let alone bring his life to an end?"

A blend of magis swirled into our father's fist as he hammered down into the arm of his chair as if he were a judge with a gavel. The wine that filled his chalice splashed forth and sprang to life in front of us. In the center of our table, an avatar made of magis and swill, transformed into the vision of a young man. The fluid changed colors and and texture through father's manipulation, detailing the features of a white haired boy, who was somewhat muscular with eyes of a dead gray.

"The scourge that has barred us from our fate for longer than I can recount, the Objection. The man whose very inclination causes the death of magis itself. I'd curse him so, if it weren't for your brother's final act of courage. He single handedly rid us of our one and only threat. As affairs stand at this very moment, we can go forth and claim the missing member of our family thanks to him."

The wine doll disintegrated and soon after reformed into a dark red crystalline orb. "You will all gather your forces, and on my mark we will take siege of the dwelling that is holding her. Ironic that it is the origin of our struggle, and the place our kin used to call its home. In due time we will make way towards Arcton. I will contact Chitis and make arrangements for his horde. You are all dismissed until I beckon you once more."

Junior didn't waste any time and made an about face before storming forth back towards the hall.

Obsen stares blankly at the table, still processing the news I assume.

Mercellus spreads his arms "Avarik! My beloved brother, I will mourn your martyrdom, neigh... I shall pay tribute to it with the rage of the righteous gift bestowed upon me. Any heathen who would stand in our way as we approach the climax of this pining that has endured longer than history can know, will know the pain you must have suffered. They will feel it tenfold! I swear to you, and to my father!"

I can only take so much of this zealotry. I begin to take my leave and make my way back to Khopesh. I've had enough of these men and their delusions for one day.

"IN...CON...CEIVABLE!!!!"

My father bellows, his protest booming throughout the throne room giving Junior pause to turn around and witness the diviner's feed from father's wine orb. The still image of a hollowed-out mountain, the mound as my eldest brother would call his home. Throughout every orifice of the landmark protruded spikes of frost.

I felt a fool for thinking that the family meeting would be lackluster.