Jonen wasn’t awake when his brother stepped away. As the elf exaggeratedly plopped into the chair at his bedside, he felt that something wasn’t quite right either. Jaspen wasn’t even wearing the same outfit as before. How long had he been asleep?
“Lady Ravenna requested I meet her in her suite,” He cleared his throat, “To play the harp, of course. I chose to stay here with my dearest brother.”
Jonen narrowed his eyes. That definitely wasn’t something his brother would turn down.
“What? You don’t think I care about you enough to stay here? After what Bo did to you, I’m surprised you don’t want me around.”
“Go…” He croaked and rubbed his throat.
“No, no,” Jaspen crossed his arms, “Absolutely not. You sound dreadful. Mother would kill me.”
Jonen shook his head. Jaspen’s hair was straighter and softer than his own, and he had a sharper face, but the brothers could almost be twins otherwise. Their mother’s strong features carried over to all of her children, but Jonen and Jaspen were the closest in age and appearance. Their mother started having children young in terms of elves, as her parents wanted to contract her into a better life. Their eldest sister was nearly two hundred and the youngest of their older sisters being one hundred seventy-five. Both had full families with one having a grandchild before Jaspen was born. The last time Jonen saw his sisters was the day after he bonded with Shayleigh.
“Go…” Jonen shoved him.
“If I leave you here, I’ll come back to some homicidal orc with a pillow over your –” Jaspen hesitated when he felt a hand clamp down on his shoulder.
“I think I could manage just fine without a pillow,” Bobabano chuckled darkly, “But do continue.”
Jonen tensed and started to get up from the bed. The orc placed his hand against the man’s chest and pushed him back down.
“I asked you not to touch him,” Mira moved his arm, “Your bruising is almost gone. Can you speak yet?”
He nodded, “Hurts.”
Bo grimaced at the hoarseness of his voice. Jonen played with the fabric of her dress between his fingers. It reminded him of dark red wine. She touched his hand softly. He saw the large ring on her finger and traced the dark stone with his thumb.
“Pretty.”
“Thank you,” The orc chuckled, “It is the only jewelry I’ve gifted her she will actually wear.”
“Ah, Sky made that, didn’t she?” Jaspen looked over it, “Beautiful work.”
“High Sorceress is very talented,” She corrected him, “Isn’t she?”
“Ah yes, I should use her proper title, shouldn’t I?” He grinned mischievously.
She looked to Jonen, “It is just a gift.”
Jonen nodded. She looked at Jaspen curiously as the elf smirked mischievously. Mira sighed and rubbed her face at the exaggerated expressions. The elf, much like Amethyst, seemed to enjoy irritating her.
“I assume that Em has already spoken with you, then?”
“Oh yes. I appreciate the offer to play for Princess Ravenna, but I must make sure my brother is taken care of,” He winked.
Mira wondered if Jonen could not see the bright green eyes on his brother. Em’s impression of the elf was spot on from the few interactions she had with him. She hoped that the sleep aide that she slipped into his drink would have kept him asleep until he could be moved, but she also did not want to chance accidentally poisoning him.
“Sleep,” Mira placed a hand on the man’s arm, “Then I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Lo—” He stopped and eyed Bo suspiciously.
“Stop talking or you might damage yourself further. If I can return to check on you, I will,” She looked to Em Jaspen, “It may be possible to ask for Jonen to be moved to Ravenna’s suite. I’m sure she has enough sway to get the healers to allow him to be treated by Shaman Tiero.”
“They said he only needs one more round of spells,” He looked to the swarm of healers looking over other injured participants, “I will see if we can get him moved.”
“Thank you, Lord Jaspen,” She squeezed his shoulder.
Mira turned and Bo held out his arm. She wrapped her hands around it, and they walked from the infirmary together.
The trial was held in Zrud’s Grand Temple, on the other side of the bustling city. As the sun set on the day, the stadium cleared and all the people that watched the day’s performance wandered the streets. Mira accepted the constant eyes that watched as they walked together. She held her head high and proudly walked. She wanted to keep the act of a haughty former thrall that clung to the arm of an important man.
“You are magnificent, my queen,” He kissed her hand, “I can only imagine the jealousy your beauty causes across any nation you set foot on.”
“I am still angry with you.”
“I swear I will be on my best behavior.”
“I will be on mine as well.”
Bobabano’s maroon tailcoat with golden trim and decorative threads matched her dress perfectly. He changed his regular captain’s hat with a low hair tie for an updo that Mira thought framed his face better. He enjoyed how the large straps of her dress drooped from her shoulders and framed her tiny form. She looked back and squeezed his hand.
“You should wear your hair like that more often. It compliments your face.”
“I think that’s the first time you’ve called me handsome,” He grinned mischievously, “Besides, I can’t wear my hat if I do that. How else will people know I’m a captain?”
“You will not be a captain, anymore. You are my Obsidian,” She tapped her chin thoughtfully, “Though, I do not know if there is a hat for that. I can have one made if you’d like.”
Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.
“I would like that.”
“Perhaps a tiny one so you can keep your hair up,” She teased.
“Oh ho, my queen makes jokes!” He laughed loudly.
The polished pair strode down the streets and he wrapped his arm around her waist. She stiffened at his touch until he eased his grip on her. He hated that she braced, but she didn’t pull away as she had before. It was an improvement.
“We are almost there. What do you imagine the trial will be?”
“Nothing we can’t handle,” He chuckled.
Mira remained silent until they walked into the courtyard she had appeared in the night before. The priestesses whispered as they entered the temple and Bo looked around.
“I appeared here last night. They recognize me,” She looked at a large number of dwarves entering praying at the pews in the main perish, “I am… different than their usual attendants.”
“Mira!” A girlish giggle approached them, “You came back! I had fun at our sleepover.”
“I did too,” She lowered herself as the prophetess jumped to hug her.
“Reggie is awake, too! He went home earlier today,” The bright flash from under her bandages shined, “You have even less voices today. That’s odd.”
Mira guided the girl’s hand to her new ring, “I was gifted something that will help me remain calm.”
“Sad,” Prophetess Talia turned and grabbed Bo’s hand, “Your voices are loud. That’s much better.”
The young girl squeezed his hand as another priestess appeared. Mira recognized the dwarf from the night before.
“Ah, you returned?” The old woman chuckled, “For the trials?”
“Yes, High Priestess Dravicka,” Mira curtsied, “I apologize for last night. I was under a lot of stress from the tournament.”
“Don’t worry, Lady Mira,” She gripped her shoulders, “You weren’t the first to come to the temple in such a state. I’m sure you won’t be the last. Now, let’s get you prepared. Follow me.”
Talia grabbed the older woman’s hand, “She goes to the separate room.”
“May I ask why?”
“Because I said so,” The girl said with an unnatural amount of sass, “I’m in charge, aren’t I?”
“Very well. Where should I take her for now?” The dwarf’s chuckle turned into a cough.
“I’ll go with!” Talia grinned, “Then we can take her where I want her before the first person begins.”
“It will seem unfair if her trial is different,” Bo looked to the girl.
“It is unfair, Obsidian,” The prophetess nodded, “But that is how it is.”
His jaw dropped at her saying his name from the Order so casually. The girl grabbed Mira’s hand and led them down past the infirmary. This temple was much larger than the one at Vimgraunt. Mira was fascinated as they ascended the stairs into a large room with a line filled with doors.
Four other people waited patiently in the center. She felt Bo’s hand squeeze her shoulder as she stared at Vernent Reiner. The man smiled coyly.
“It is about time you both showed up. Couldn’t leave the room, hmm?”
Bo clinched his fist, “I suggest you behave yourself. I do not want to spill blood in this holy place.”
“Captain Bobabano took me out for a lovely date to celebrate our victories today,” Mira sensually rubbed a hand down his chest, “I have not rewarded him, yet. There simply wasn’t enough time.”
“It seems you two made up,” Aisling snickered and jumped to her feet, “Care to go first, then? I’d hate to keep the lovebirds waiting.”
Two other dwarves sat at the nearby table and ignored the other contestants. Neither of them acknowledged her. She appreciated that. One had the typical tunic of a Travel Knight, the other had the tunic of Zrud’s armed forces. It had been a while since Mira had seen the dark green and dull grey high collared shirt with grey pants. She imagined she would rather have that instead of the bright teal of the knights. The two dwarves did not stand out in any way from the typical citizens she saw in Hangral. Both had yellow grey skin, dark brown hair, and well-kept beards. The Travel Knight had a larger and crooked nose compared to the others, but otherwise they could have been related.
As the small group stood about the room, High Priestess Dravicka cleared her throat, “I know many of you are not from Hangral. So, I would like to formally welcome you to our temple. We are having a celebratory service in three days for our Prophetess Talia’s ninth birthday. You are more than welcomed to attend.”
“You don’t even have to bring me a present!” She giggled.
“A party for a prophetess? That sounds spectacular,” Aisling bent over and held a finger out towards the girl, “Is anyone allowed to come?”
“We would prefer if–” Dravicka started to speak.
“Of course!” Talia touched the woman’s finger and the golden light flashed beneath her bandages, “You all just have to play nice, okay?”
“Deal,” Aisling grinned.
A young dwarven priestess with bright green eyes scurried up the stairs. High Priestess Dravicka stared at the woman awkwardly. Talia ran up to the dwarf and smiled.
“Are we ready to begin?” Vernant said, “We’ve been waiting here for an over an hour.”
Bo stepped towards the man and Mira put her hand on his chest. He grunted and yielded at her touch. The young prophetess ran up to the priestess and whispered something in her ear.
“Mira will go first!” Talia grinned, “Please go into the first room. Your trial will be in there.”
Mira followed the priestess to the first door on the long wall. She stepped inside the small room without hesitation. There were only four things in front of her: a table, a chair, a pillow, and a crown. She recognized it immediately and looked back at the priestess. Em transformed back into their elven form after they closed the door.
“This is the prince’s crown,” She lifted it, “Where did you get it?”
“Prince Krission is downstairs in a confessional room. He takes the crown off and keeps it with Prophetess Talia while he prays,” They lifted the crown and looked at it, “That is why the trials are at this time. She wanted to try something with you.”
Mira narrowed her eyes, “What are the others doing for their trials?”
“I am conjuring their greatest fears and seeing how they face them. Prophetess Talia will likely take out the two that cannot confront their fears efficiently or are not good for order.”
Em motioned to the chair. The emerald eyes stared back at her curiously when she did not comply.
“I do not want the crown.”
“It’s not about the crown, Lady Mira. It is about the weight of responsibility that this crown holds for the people it serves,” Em held it above her head, “It is about the Guardian in the crown. It is about binding yourself with Zrud.”
“No.”
“In here, I can ensure that you become Zrud’s Vessel properly,” Their fingers tapped against the crown impatiently, “This is how the royals of this world learn of the order.”
She watched them with cold, suspicious eyes.
“If he does not speak to you, then the prophecy is wrong. You can leave this place with whoever you want. I’ll even ensure that we never bother you again,” They nodded, “Once you have passed from this life, we will take Encante and his next Vessel to determine if they are the next god.”
Mira cautiously watched them. If they were telling the truth, then she could fight whatever happened and be free of the prophecy. She was determined.
She plopped down in the chair, “Fine.”
Mira closed her eyes as Em placed the crown on her head and prepared herself to cast off whatever spell they placed on her. The radioactive energy flowed into her mind. It was fair worse than anything she ever felt before.
Her nails dug into the wood table as it spread from her head. Her brain rattled inside of her skull at the unknown attack. Her composure melted away and she gritted her teeth.
“Remove the ring,” Encante growled, “It is hurting you.”
She reluctantly slid the ring off and placed in on the table. As the chill evaporated from her body, sweat dripped down her face. She wanted to continue the fight. Luckily, it seemed this was a normal reaction as the elf did not react to her struggle.
The crown burned against her scalp. Her nails peeled the wood from the table as the crown sunk its teeth into her mind. Em removed their hands from the crown once her knuckles turned white.
The elf letting go of the crown only made things worse.
Mira grunted beneath the searing pain. Nothing had ever hurt like this before. It became too intense and a guttural howl involuntarily left her. Her hands found the crown and she tried to rip it off.
“You have to keep it on,” Em grabbed her hands, “It will only get worse if you keep fighting it”
“Get it off!” Her voice echoed with the wraith’s.
Mira felt the crown’s magical attack sink further into her skin. Black sludge ran from her nose and her eyes as she fought against the pain. She let out a horrendous scream.
“Just a bit longer,” Encante whispered in her mind, “You are strong enough.”
A fist pounded against the door, and she heard Bo’s voice, “What is happening?”
The table cracked beneath her grip, and she crumbled the large splitters in her hand. As she tried to rip the crown from her head again, a whiplash of power threw her back in her chair. She crashed to the floor as Em stood over her.