Selescia

They want better for Fia and I.

To do that, I’d probably have to put down my knives. Which shouldn’t be as hard as I make it out to be.

What is a blade to someone who can appear within any mirror and inflict frostbite with a touch?

That last little reveal has the Seers leaping to their aid while the rest of us can do little more than address emotional concerns.

I am no healer. Seer Cerya is quick to fuss over the details and describe stones that Snapdragon must fetch while Seer Theriya addresses the emotional wounds.

“I never got to warn you that scrying was a common method of communication or that you might wish to continue to embody whatever it is the Castellan or Grove Tender sees in you. But you handled that better than Astraea feared you might.” Theriya’s words provoke a reaction in them. It is something she immediately softens with praise. “I’m proud of you, Aelinore. I am willing to embrace you, if you can stand being touched.”

There is a long pause as Aelinore writhes and shivers before welcoming Theriya’s embrace. “Yeah. I think I’m reaching the limit of what I can handle. All of this is too big and sudden for me to even begin to consider how to subvert or survive us going along with this.”

Four hands cradle Aelinore at the head, neck, shoulder, and side. “For now, we just need you to rest and recover. But first, there are things that can be done to prevent further scrying. We’ll talk after, okay?”

I watch.

I listen.

I apply pressure or a knife where it is needed.

And I am… Not needed.

Not currently, and maybe not anytime soon.

What good were any weapons raised by Ayre and Lenore against the Twelfth of the Castellan’s ascended nobles? There has always been a lingering hope that there would be room for revenge and some closure leveled at the Twelve.

But I have Lenore back in some form. Is that not enough?

My Princess may not even be a princess anymore. Although I feel obligated to warn them that claiming to be a wyrm certainly puts their strained relationship with Lady Wyrmsbane into question. Mayhaps I can make that a priority?

Still feels too… servile.

I have already been freed from the role assigned to me and the Castellan claims to be leaving the door wide open for our departure.

In lieu of what is needed to maintain that nothing has changed, what is my purpose?

Need to break out of this, what had been Theriya’s words? Conditioning.

Looking back through the lens of reinforcing behaviors and turning obligatory relationships into things of necessity turns my discomfort with being a doll into bitter cold ire.

Aelinore is right. It is worth examining our relationships and rebuilding only what makes sense. Maybe my skills and experience can merely be applied to a purpose of my choosing. I will not waste this opportunity to change. Even if today is to be a day of Fia and I dressing up as if it were any other day at court.

We are no longer the laced up objects intended to look pretty until the need for blood or a carefully trained purpose arises. We’re a part of Aelinore’s extended support network. Even if it no longer feels enough to serve in this capacity now that we are surrounded by well meaning allies and sources of more dramatic changes that suit Aelinore’s constantly evolving tastes.

Speaking of changes, it is good to see Aelinore so readily accept physical comforts. I had been a touch worried about them when I learned others were drawing them into sharing a bath.

As Cerya walks Aelinore back into Theriya’s comparatively warmer chambers to lay down, Theriya turns to the rest of us. “There is a lot to do, and Aelinore is still very much in need of rest. For all intents and purposes, nothing has changed. The three of us are still expected to be little more than ceremonial trophies. All of you, finish preparing as if we’ve overhead nothing.” She turns to Snapdragon the moment she arrives with an armful of stones. “Can you give us some privacy?”

A very pointed look passes between them.

Snapdragon “Anything my Fell Wyrm and her Seers desire. Fia, Selescia, would you both be a dear and help me with something?”

It is a surprise pleasure to be asked if we wish to help, even if the answer is the same. There is reassurance in knowing Aelinore will be taken care of while Fia and I explore our newfound agency.

Upon both agreeing, we are quickly mustered toward the stairs where our purpose in all of this becomes clear.

“There is no telling how late the ceremony will run. Just in case, I would like to ensure every window is closed and secured so that no light is allowed through. This is how the latches operate. Come find me if any hinges respond with anything but ease, alright?”

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“Of course.” Fia meekly exclaims.

“Sure.” I can go along with this. It will give me time to think.

I make it a point to watch as Snapdragon moves from room to room as we work our way down the spire. She covers every mirror with secured lengths of fabric to fulfill much the same purpose.

It is only when we are done that I think it worth asking her about them.

“Anti-scrying measures are typically a last resort. The Seers tend to prefer making themselves available. Better to give off the impression that we have nothing to hide.”

I clear my throat. “In that case, would it make sense to uncover the mirrors at least when we are done here?”

“It’s a well reasoned conclusion.” Snapdragon confirms. “More than I think is necessary, but I don’t know the Vylian nobility all that well.”

“The Castellan scares us too.” I assure her.

“And the rest of her brood are miserable wretches.” Fia growls. “The whole lot of them.”

Not inaccurate, but if I could just clarify a bit…. “We don’t actually know Prince Threnodias or the upper ten all that well. The eldest tend to be away much of the time ruling their territories. Leaving the rest to scheme, compete, and learn.”

“Sure.” Snapdragon acknowledges my words, looking uncomfortable all of a sudden.

My next question is a pointed one. “How feasible is it that all the Seers are even going to be available to be killed during today’s Binding Ceremony?”

Snapdragon comes to a halt, her ears perking up as her frown only grows. “Well, I can share with you what Cerya is attempting to convince Aelinore. It should be impossible to reach through a scrying surface of any kind in order to affect what is on the other side. How the Castellan explained things isn’t inaccurate. She’s just disregarded what is possible.”

I note that she so readily embraces their new name. “And yet we all saw Aelinore emerge with a frostbitten hand.”

“I’m afraid only Cerya and Aelinore can elaborate on that. But back to the topic at hand. Most, if not all the Eldest Lunarian Seers should be in attendance in some capacity. Even if they’re not expecting anyone to turn on them, the whole lot of them are powerful and wary sorts. Not to be challenged lightly.”

Fia’s pace slows, her voice growing disheartened. “Today is going to be a bloodbath, isn’t it?”

Snapdragon doesn’t miss even the subtlest of details, but her smile only widens. “Let’s get the two of you something to drink.”

Fia is soon seated at the table while I offer to help. Only then do I press Snapdragon further. “You still think it’s possible.”

“I hear everything the three of them are piecing together up there.” Snapdragon closes her eyes and takes a deep breath before elaborating. “Not only is it possible, but likely.”

This isn’t easy for her, I realize.

“The Seers are asking questions. Like why Aelinore seemed so certain they needed three whole doses of antivenom. What was it like to fight under a Full Moon’s compulsion? And, most topically, there are careful requests that Aelinore be specific about how the Castellan seems to remind them of Astraea’s Goddess.”

“Goddess?” I interrupt her.

“Yeah. She tried to spirit them away from us last night, if you can believe it.” She pinches the bridge of her nose. “I almost regret making the Princess promise to come back to us alive.”

That feels like it demands some amount of reassurance. “That’s a good thing though, right?”

”Sure. But I just assumed their mother was the same kind of cunt as Mel’Viora. The Castellan… Is something else entirely, it seems.”

I shake my head. “More than that, I think Aelinore really needed someone to tell them that their life has value. Someone not obligated to serve them, that is.”

“Give yourself at least a little credit.” Snapdragon says with a soft laugh. “The Seers were not the first obligation in the Princess’s life.”

“Oh I do.” And I take great pride in picking out the sweetest fruits for Fia to enjoy by way of apology for bending Snapdragon’s ear in private. I have Theriya to thank for those insights, although I regret not getting the names of any of them.

Seeing Fia’s face light up upon tasting them is its own reward.

“Consider these sweet treats an apology from my Seers and your Princess.” Snapdragon offers us a sad smile. “Or I guess it is Fell Dragon, now.”

“All these names and titles are getting exhausting to keep track of.” Fia pouts.

“If Snapdragon has settled on that one, I think we should join her in respecting what Aelinore chooses for themselves.” I say before sinking my teeth into the flesh of a succulent red fruit with a curiously skeletal spine running down the length of one side. “Do you… Know the name of this? I’d like to request more of them.”

Snapdragon eyes me with what I can only describe as her sad smile turns sheepish and her cheeks redden. “You could say that I do.”

Fia looks between the two of us, her eyes wide as if to say she knows this one. “Snapdragon fruit is something of a favorite in this spire.”

Making no attempts to hide her blush, Snapdragon passes out three freshly poured beverages. “Vylians understand the concept of dead names, correct?”

“They do.” I confirm.

“Are either of you familiar with their origin?” Snapdragon almost looks hopeful.

Both of us shake our heads.

“They’re just names you’re not supposed to say anymore.” Fia offers a usable explanation, if little else.

“I actually expect the conversation Aelinore just had with the Castellan will be enough to establish two more dead names for Vylians to adhere to.” I say, voicing my suspicions.

“Uproot it.” Snapdragon says under her breath. “I was hoping you’d know more. Theriya alluded to them being a kind of people or creed that I should consider seeking out, if I chose to flee Lunaria.”

“You were planning on running away?” I ask, almost instinctively searching the room for anyone that might have overheard that.

“Don’t worry.” Snapdragon assures me. “I checked out the front to make sure no one was monitoring our spire. Just distant lights to show that guests are starting to arrive.”

“Are you… Still planning to?” Fia asks.

Snapdragon only looks up, a hopeful look on her face, before shaking her head. “I might not have to.”

Said with the same intonation that convinced me to press her earlier.

I very carefully avoid meeting her eyes while trying not to look or feel guilty. I feel like I’ve pushed her enough already.

Snapdragon sighs before changing the topic, much to my relief. “Dearest Fia and Selescia. Aelinore bids me to apologize on their behalf and thank you for trusting them. But your survival may depend on neither of you knowing what the Fell Wyrm and Seers intend.”

“Another reckless plan, I take it?” I say, not really intending to prod so much as acknowledge that this is far from unexpected.

“Please don’t worry about this one.” Fia chides. “Vylia demands only the most fitting and adaptable will survive.”

“All of us are in capable company.” I confirm. “But if we are going against the Castellan’s wishes, I would like to request that the Twelfth Prince not survive this whole affair.”

Snapdragon’s gaze falls to her drink. “Right. You all are used to being surrounded by monsters. Sorry for treating you all so delicately.”

“It’s alright.” I assure her, before reaching underneath some lacing in my dress to hand Fia pair of knives and straps. “The Castellan has the right of it. Why settle for anything less than ensuring our own desired ends?”

Fia is all too giddy to once again be entrusted with a pair of my knives.

Snapdragon concludes our quaint diversion on such ominous words imparted to them by Cerya, of all people. “The Castellan might be the only one who is happy with the means and ends of what we intend. It is the kind of senseless violence that only Vylians thrive in.”

“Definitely a reckless plan then.” Fia says to me in agreement.