Chapter Five.

COUSIN ICARUS

Out rurally, tucked between forest and mountain, a soft snow falls persistently, evaporating before hitting the ground. Ares trudges through the puddles that have formed, completely lost and disoriented. By the looks of his clothes and hair, he’s been out in the elements for quite some time. Eventually, he trips and falls. Rather than get up, he just rolls over and stares at the sky.

ARES: Just kill me already, Lumos. Please.

Ares closes his eyes as though to accept fate. When a voice calls his name out a moment later, he startles awake suddenly. The sky has gone dark, and Ares is covered in a blanket of snow. The voice calls out again, and he forces himself upright.

ARES: Horus?

MOONIE: Ares! Fuck, there you are. I’ve been looking for ages, are you alright?

ARES: I…I don’t know.

MOONIE: I can’t believe you made it this far in such a short time. I was only turned around for a moment, and you were gone.

ARES: I thought I was getting better.

MOONIE: I did, too. I guess you were faking it. Come on…

ARES: What’s wrong with me, Moonie?

MOONIE: You’re frozen to the touch, Ares. We’ll talk about it when we’ve warmed you up.

ARES: It’s less dangerous if I’m out here…

MOONIE: Come on, Ares. We’re going home.

Moonie physically drags Ares onto her goat and hurries home. Once there, Moonie draws a bath and forces Ares in. She’s gone for no longer than a few seconds when she hears a loud splash, and, rushing back in, finds Ares submerged beneath the water. She rushes to pull him upright, but he fights against her, determined to drown. Instead of fighting him Moonie summons some of her powers and shocks Ares through the water. He goes limp, then forces himself upright to take a deep breath. Gasping heavily, he looks around dazed for a moment before registering Moonie is there. He looks considerably more coherent.

ARES: …Moonie. What are you doing in the bathroom with me? I’m naked.

MOONIE: Gods, Ares. You’re so much worse than I thought. We need to get you to a hospital. Immediately.

ARES: What? No. It’s almost Solstice. I need to attend that, at least.

MOONIE: You could’ve died twice today, Ares. I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but it’s obvious I can’t fix you. You need real help, right now.

ARES: It’s just a lack of sleep. I’m fine—

MOONIE: Shut-up, Ares! Stop acting like this isn’t a big deal. It is a big deal! Just acknowledge it, for gods sake! You just tried to drown yourself!

ARES: I’m naked, Moonie. We can talk about this—

MOONIE: Right now, Ares, we can talk about this right now. Why aren’t you taking this more seriously?

ARES: I am, Moonie. But there’s nothing we can do. We both know that hospital won’t save me in the end. Horus will have written the queen, no doubt, asking for my exclusion from this fight. She declined. She selected me specifically to fight. She wants me to die.

MOONIE: …Wait, so, you’re doing this on purpose?

ARES: Not at all, Moonie. I want to get better. I want to fight the spirit and live. But there’s no way out that doesn’t end in war. The capital is waiting for an opportunity to get Dad, Horus and anyone else Daegon-born away from Cragg. Even if I were to flee to Tijora, Queen Jade would use it as an excuse to slander our family. I have to do as she says, for the good of everyone. Even if I’m certain it will end in death.

MOONIE: Ares. You’re going to die before you even meet the spirit. The hospital can at least stabilise you—

ARES: Okay. I’ll go to hospital. But not until after Solstice.

Moonie. This might be the last Solstice I ever have. Let me spend it with my Primrose.

MOONIE: If you have a bout of arcane madness while you’re with Primrose, you’ll put her in danger. What then?

ARES: I’ll take magic blockers, supplements, whatever pills you want to throw at me to keep me subdued.

MOONIE: The answer is no, Ares. We’re leaving first thing in the morning for hospital. And you know, Solstice isn’t here yet. Maybe they’ll release you for the holiday.

ARES: I’m coherent now, aren’t I? Can you agree I seem okay presently?

MOONIE: …yes, I suppose so—

ARES: Then get out of here and let me get dressed.

MOONIE: I feel like it’s already too late for you to be coy about this.

ARES: Just get out, Moonie!

Moonie finally leaves. As she shuts the door behind her, she leans against it and sighs.

MOONIE: Damnit, Ares. I didn’t want to have to ask Horus for help.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

It’s early the next morning when Ares arrives home to the castle, without Moonie. He stables his goat and goes straight around the side to the servant’s entrance. It’s closed, but he knocks loudly anyway. Augustus opens the door a second later.

AUGUSTUS: Oh! Lord Ares. I didn’t expect to see you back yet.

ARES: Me either.

OSPREY: Ares? Sir, what are you doing here?

ARES: Hm. Tell you later. Is Primrose okay?

OSPREY: Well, yes and no, sir—

ARES: Is she upstairs?

OSPREY: Still sleeping, I suspect.

ARES: Great. I want to go see her. Can you sneak me in without being seen?

OSPREY: …Why do you want to avoid being seen, if I may ask?

ARES: I just want some uninterrupted time with Primrose. Is that alright?

OSPREY: Of course. I have an approximate idea of where everyone is. Let’s see what we can do.

Osprey and Ares head out, looking carefully around corners as they weave their way upstairs and to his bedroom. Successfully uncaught, Ares gives Osprey a hug once they’re outside the door.

ARES: *Thank you, friend. I need to speak to Horus, soon. Do you know where he is?*

OSPREY: *Not exactly.*

ARES: *So long as he isn’t with dad, tell him I’m home and to come see me. And to keep it a secret.*

OSPREY: *He won’t be with your father. They haven’t exactly been on speaking terms of late.*

ARES: *What happened now?*

OSPREY: *An unfortunate breakfast. I’ll let Primrose tell you. You want him now?*

ARES: *Yes. Please.*

Ares gives Osprey a smile then goes into his room. Primrose is, as suggested, still asleep. He sits down quietly beside her and strokes her hair.

ARES: Morning, angel.

PRIMROSE: Wh… Ares! You’re—

ARES: Shh. Yes, I’m back. I couldn’t stand not being around you anymore.

PRIMROSE: Oh Ares!

ARES: …Mmf, wait, Primrose. I’ve been riding. Probably all gross and sweaty.

PRIMROSE: Then hurry up and go shower.

Ares goes. Primrose waits. Some time passes, and he doesn’t re-emerge. She goes over to the door.

PRIMROSE: Are you okay?

No answer. She goes in, finds him standing with the water pelting him senselessly in the face. Primrose gently turns off the shower and wraps him in a towel. He seems tired.

PRIMROSE: My poor lamb in wolf’s clothes. Come have a little sleep.

ARES: Primrose. You’ll stay with me.

PRIMROSE: Of course, I will.

They nestle into bed. He falls in and out of sleep, mumbling to Primrose about how much he loves her. He startles awake violently at the sound of a knock.

ARES: Horus?

HORUS: Good morning, Ares.

ARES: Did you and Dad get into a fight?

HORUS: That’s not why you asked for me.

ARES: One second. Prim, wait here for me?

Ares leads Horus back into the hallway and shuts the door.

HORUS: What’s wrong?

ARES: It’s bad. It’s like it was when…it’s getting bad, Horus.

HORUS: Then we need to get you help.

ARES: No. I can’t. That’s why I came here. I need you to tell Moonie—

HORUS: Stop. Take a breath. What, exactly, is your plan for getting through this?

ARES: …You.

HORUS: I can’t fix you. I couldn’t last time you got to this point.

ARES: You can’t fix me, but you’ve always been able to stop me.

HORUS: What am I supposed to do?

ARES: …are you going to tell Dad?

HORUS: Should I?

ARES: I don’t want him knowing I’m back. Not yet.

MINERVA: I thought I heard voices. When did you get home?

ARES: Few minutes ago. Minerva, I need magic blockers. Whatever is strongest. I need to last till Solstice.

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MINERVA: …’kay. I’ll go grab something.

ARES: …Horus. Please. Just get me through the Solstice. I can do the rest.

HORUS: Where is Moonie?

ARES: She…forget it. Oh, Minerva. Thankyou. What are all these?

MINERVA: Blockers and anti-anxiety meds. You seem like you need them.

ARES: Thanks. I should go back in with Primrose. Promise not to tell Dad or Set I’m home till tomorrow?

MINERVA: Set’s locked in the tower.

ARES: What? Why?

HORUS: Don’t ask.

ARES: Is this what the fight with you and Dad was about?

HORUS: …He deserved it.

MINERVA: Horus, no.

ARES: Horus. You’re not allowed to fight him. You know that.

HORUS: Fighting is his language, it’s all he understands. And someone has to stand up to him.

ARES: It’s not fair on any of us when you fight. It’s not fucking safe.

HORUS: I didn’t antagonise. He did.

MINERVA: It doesn’t matter. Don’t fight, Horus. Ever.

HORUS: Go back to bed, Minerva. Let me talk to Ares.

…Let’s forget Dad for a minute. What am I supposed to do to help?

ARES: I don’t know. But I’m really scared. I don’t know if I’ll be okay this time.

HORUS: You look pretty frazzled. Primrose will be worrying. Just stay calm and let me handle it. I’ll think of something.

ARES: I wish I didn’t have to fight, Horus.

HORUS: …Me too. I’ve wished that for every war we’ve lived. May I ask when you plan to tell father that you’re home?

ARES: I just want a day. Just give me today.

HORUS: I’ll try, Ares. Now, go to sleep. We’ll talk more tomorrow.

Ares nods and goes back in. Horus watches the door for a bit before swivelling on his heel and walking into Minerva’s room. She’s sitting on the bed, waiting.

MINERVA: Thought you’d come in.

HORUS: He looks completely fucked up. His eyes weren’t focussing.

MINERVA: I saw. What I gave him was plenty strong, but I’m worried—

HORUS: I’m worried, too. He’s coherent, at least. You shouldn’t have mentioned Set being locked up. He can’t process negativity right now.

MINERVA: Better he knows about it before being forced to intervene. Not to mention, Set has been locked in that tower for days. It’s fucking terrible up there, Horus. You need to get him out.

HORUS: I know, I know…

Alright. I need to leave. Let me ask you something.

MINERVA: Horus. There’s too much for us to worry about right now. You can’t be looking for more trouble.

HORUS: I know you’re climbing around outside. Just promise you’re still being safe.

MINERVA: …Look at me. I’m unharmed.

HORUS: Alright. Fine. See you later.

Horus leaves. Minerva touches the graze on her arm gently. Not completely unharmed.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

When Moonie arrives following Ares, Marsden is the first out to meet her. She jumps off her goat quickly, stopping suddenly at his feet.

MOONIE: Is he here?

MARSDEN: Is who here, miss?

MOONIE: Ares. Is he here?

MARSDEN: Should he be here?

MOONIE: According to the note he left… You’re telling me he didn’t arrive?

MARSDEN: Not to my—

OSPREY: Moonie! Good morning. Marsden, I can take it from here.

MARSDEN: Can you?

OSPREY: Uh…

MOONIE: So, Ares is here?

OSPREY: Yes and no. He won’t be available until tomorrow.

MARSDEN: I see.

MOONIE: That’s fine. I’d like to speak to Lord Horus. Urgently.

OSPREY: Of course, Miss. Marsden, would you mind getting him? And keep it subtle.

Marsden eyes the pair suspiciously but wanders off. Moonie taps Osprey.

MOONIE: How is he?

OSPREY: Pretty bad. What happened out there?

MOONIE: I thought he was getting better. Then one night he went to bed really early, slept for nearly thirteen hours… when he got up, he was weird, disoriented. And then he wandered off. I found him covered in snow.

OSPREY: Shit. He can’t be away from loved ones anymore. He’s not good with being alone.

MOONIE: What the hell is going on, Osprey? It isn’t normal for someone to deteriorate this quickly.

OSPREY: …Lord Ares is unwell. He has been ever since the incident that happened when he was in school. Doing magic is traumatic for him.

MOONIE: Then, he shouldn’t do it. At all.

OSPREY: He doesn’t. Save for at the insistence of his father…

MOONIE: Here’s Horus. Sounds like things haven’t changed around here.

OSPREY: Not yet...

Osprey leaves, allowing Horus to approach Moonie privately.

HORUS: I suppose I should have expected you’d follow.

MOONIE: Horus. Things are really bad.

HORUS: I know, Moonie. I saw him just before. He looks terrible.

MOONIE: What you don’t know about, is the conversation I had with Len. He told me that if Ares wasn’t under control by the time we’re due to go fight the spirit, he’s effectively going to be sacrificed on the front lines.

HORUS: Yeah... I’d feared as much.

MOONIE: I want him to go to hospital. Maybe they can hold him—

HORUS: They won’t. Not if Queen Jade demands it.

MOONIE: Then they can at least help him until then, professionally. Don’t do soul lending with him, Horus. It’s really dangerous with the state he’s in. He needs a hospital, not his loved ones.

HORUS: Hmm. We’ll see.

MOONIE: What, seriously? Maybe you don’t understand—

HORUS: Whatever it is, we’ll treat it here. Ares doesn’t do well in hospitals. We’ll keep him on the magic blockers till after the Solstice party, then… see how he is.

MOONIE: Solstice could be a huge disaster if you aren’t careful. He could explode and hurt everyone.

HORUS: Wouldn’t be our worst party.

Fuck. What should I do?

MOONIE: Breathe, and admit you need help.

HORUS: No, I—

MOONIE: You act strong, Horus, but I know you’re not when it comes to them. Please, let me take him to hospital as soon as Solstice is over, if not before.

HORUS: We’ll evaluate how he is after Solstice. I’ll do what’s best for him.

MOONIE: After Solstice, you’ll do what’s best.

HORUS: Yes. Welcome back, Moonie.

MOONIE: Wait.

HORUS: Yes?

MOONIE: Tell me what happened. The incident that made him like this.

HORUS: …he was hallucinating. His apparition told him to murder people, and he did.

MOONIE: I see. More hallucinations. They told him to murder people?

HORUS: Yes.

MOONIE: What about those marks on his arm?

HORUS: Sacrificial magic. You knew about that already.

MOONIE: Hm… Can you look after him, just for a few days? I need to ride to the hospital for information and advice.

HORUS: I suppose. You will be back in time for Solstice?

MOONIE: Yes. I promise. Look after him till then and be vigilant. He’s completely unstable. And look after yourself, too.

HORUS: It’s hard to do both of those things at once.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

Solstice draws nearer. Large blankets of snow cover the mountains in a quiet stillness, and the usually gloomy castle is suddenly a place of cosy refuge. While relaxing in front of the fire one afternoon, the family are interrupted by the sound of a visitor arriving.

PRIMROSE: Is someone early?

ARES: I’m not getting up. Someone tell them to go away and come back on time.

SET: I’ll go see who it is.

Set wanders out towards the front door. At the sound of his excited cries, they drag themselves away from the lounge to follow. Icarus Savor, cousin to Horus and the others, has arrived with his two trusted squires, Stefan and Rand, plus his entourage of soldiers. He offers a broad smile at the sight of his family.

ICARUS: Horus! Ares! Uncle Kur! So glad to see you all.

HORUS: Cousin Icarus. We haven’t heard from you in months. I assumed you weren’t coming.

ICARUS: The days were getting dark, so I figured I’d come out here and visit the darkest people I know. How’re the mountains, Baron?

HORUS: Very well, thanks to your efforts fighting monsters. Would you like to come in for some wine?

ICARUS: After drinking mostly whiskey for the past five months, wine would be to die for. Who’s this?

PRIMROSE: Hello! I’m Primrose. Nice to meet you.

ICARUS: Ooh, that accent. Who picked you up?

ARES: This is my wife. You didn’t get my letter?

ICARUS: I probably didn’t take you getting married seriously. So, you married Ares. Well done.

PRIMROSE: Um… thank you?

ICARUS: I know I’m here uninvited, but I was hoping to stay for a while.

KUR: Certainly, Icarus. Stay as long as you like. You’ve come at a good time. We’re hosting a party for Solstice.

ICARUS: You are? Why?

KUR: Don’t worry about that. Come along out of the cold.

ICARUS: My favourite uncle. Always thinking of others. What are your thoughts on the slave trade going on in the south?

KUR: Slaves have helped humans achieve great things, before.

ICARUS: Ha ha! I love it.

Icarus and the Sabers go inside, leaving the squires and servant staff where they are. Quietly and professionally, Osprey leads Stefan and Rand around the side of the house to the kitchen entrance. Once they’re out of sight and sound of the main entrance, they all break into big smiles.

OSPREY: Long time no see!

STEFAN: Oh, you have no idea how good it is to be here!

Stefan and Rand fall about, telling tales about their conquests. The dining hall in the kitchens is usually entirely empty, but thanks to Icarus’s soldiers it becomes full very quickly. Tiger hurries to make enough food for everyone, and eventually falls back to wait with Augustus and Elizabeth. When Rand is finished telling a particularly gruesome story, the trio’s faces all scrunch in horror.

AUGUSTUS: And people wanted me to study to be a squire.

TIGER: I’m so glad you’re going to university instead. These people are barbaric. Do they even hear themselves?

They stop to listen to a tale about the beheading of an orc which results in the majority of the room bursting into laughter. Danielle enters a moment later.

DANIELLE: Sorry! I thought my break lasted longer. What’s this all about?

TIGER: It’s a stupid show lacking brevity. Would the three of you set up the tables outside for these blood mongers? I remember why we separate ourselves from them now.

AUGUSTUS: You’re starting to sound like our enemies, Tiger. They have just as much right to eat inside as we do. Sometimes when you have to do fucked up stuff, all you can do is laugh about it. We’ve all seen it. Right?

They stop to listen as another unpleasant story is exchanged and the listeners go wild. Augustus scrunches his nose.

AUGUSTUS: That being said, they’re used to being outside, and I think they prefer it. I’ll go bring out the tables.

As Augustus leaves, Tiger watches after him.

TIGER: I’m glad he’s leaving.

ELIZABETH: He’s only leaving if Kur and Set let him leave. Augustus could very easily be forced into the academy alongside Set. He knows it, too. That’s why he pretends to be so useless with a sword. Anyway, I’d better go help out.

Elizabeth follows Augustus out. Tiger waits to see if Danielle is going to go help, but she’s listening to the chatter. Tiger rolls his eyes and forcibly puts a tray in her arms to take over to the soldiers.

STEFAN: Anyway, enough about our adventures. What demons have all you been fighting lately?

OSPREY: Honestly? Things have been quiet for a while. None of our master’s have been going on adventures as of late.

RAND: Well, I’m looking forward to a week of rest. An actual bed…

OSPREY: Unfortunately, the days leading up to Solstice are never restful.

STEFAN: We do get to sleep inside though, right?

OSPREY: Of course.

Stefan and Rand cheers to that. Back in the lounge, Icarus has taken an entire couch to himself.

ICARUS: So, anyway, I hope you don’t mind if I hang here before going back to the mountains. I think I’ve earned myself a decent rest.

HORUS: You’re welcome here as often as you like, Icarus. You know that.

ICARUS: My father would be offended if I stayed too long. Oh, before I forget, you should know I ran into some of your soldiers from Ami district. They were on their way to Angel’s Peak.

HORUS: Oh, yes. There were rumours of giants lurking in the area. They never turned up any results.

ICARUS: Yes, they told me, that, too. But I went exploring nearby with my men, out of curiosity more than anything, and there were certainly traces of destruction that could easily be explained by a giant.

HORUS: Oh? I was planning to investigate the inhumane practices on the slaves in the south after Solstice, but perhaps I’d better look into that, instead.

PRIMROSE: What would a bunch of giants want lurking in the mountains?

ICARUS: Flesh, usually. A giant’s appetite is hard to fulfil. There’s not a lot of animals to eat in the mountains, though, save for the odd goat. And they’re not too hungry for monsters.

PRIMROSE: Do they like human flesh?

ICARUS: They’ve been known to eat it, but they wouldn’t normally. If you leave them alone, they’ll leave you alone. But Horus and I can discuss the giants later. What else is news?

MINERVA: Ares is going slowly insane practicing magic.

ICARUS: …it’s like I’ve stepped into the past. Are you really?

ARES: Yes and no. Not exactly. It’s complicated. Mostly, yes.

ICARUS: Well, at least you’re admitting it this time. So, why are you practising, then?

ARES: Request from the queen.

MINERVA: Moonie’s been training him.

ICARUS: Horus’s Moonie? Gods, that’s a terrible idea. Why on earth are you learning from her?

KUR: Good question. Perhaps you can take over for a while.

ICARUS: Yeah, yeah, totally… what about you, dark little witch? Moved into alchemy yet?

HORUS: She better not have.

MINERVA: Chemistry and alchemy draw a fine line, but I’m still mostly in the realm of chemistry.

ICARUS: ‘Mostly’? You should just team up with Ares, that’ll push you over the line. What about you, Baron of Cragg? Anything noteworthy happening in your life?

HORUS: Nothing noteworthy, no.

ICARUS: You sure?

HORUS: …why do you ask like that?

ICARUS: Moonie’s been training your brother. Does that mean you two are back together?

HORUS: I can assure you, we’re not.

ARES: I’m the one who invited her here.

ICARUS: I see. Is she attending the party in a couple days?

KUR: Certainly not.

HORUS: …actually, she will be. She needs to be here to help watch over Ares. She’s not here now, but she should be back in a few days.

ICARUS: Oh, I’m so glad I came to visit. Are my parents coming to this party?

KUR: Indeed. They’ll be delighted to see you.

ICARUS: I should hope so. I’m the only child they have left.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

Later that night, Icarus goes to find Ares.

ICARUS: So, I’m supposed to help you with some insanity, apparently. How bad are we talking, here?

ARES: I’m not well, Icarus. I doubt you can help me.

ICARUS: Well, maybe I can’t, but… I have something that might.

ARES: The fuck is this? Don’t tell me…

ICARUS: Soul blood. It’s good to have some from time to time if you’re practising the arts.

ARES: Isn’t this illegal?

ICARUS: Only if you obtain it illegally. They’ll literally hook you up to some in hospital if you get hurt in a magic battle. It’s perfectly safe.

ARES: Okay, but did you obtain this legally?

ICARUS: …not entirely. But our sources are totally legitimate. It’s all consensual.

ARES: The smell is vile… am I supposed to ingest it?

ICARUS: What? Ew. No. Even in dire situations doing that should be avoided. Totally wrecks your gut biome. I’ve got a syringe.

ARES: What… what does it do?

ICARUS: It’s soul lending. You’re topping your own soul up with someone else’s. Basically, your magic eats into a reserve that isn’t necessary for your own survival.

ARES: Aren’t there side effects?

ICARUS: Only sometimes. Death isn’t usually one of them, though, which is where arcane madness will get you.

ARES: I dunno, Icarus…

ICARUS: No offence, but you’ve spent your life learning from people who don’t know what they’re on about. I studied magic with the castle mages. I know what it is to fight evil spirits and catastrophically dangerous monsters. Trust me on this, Ares. In the state you’re in, this is the best thing you can take.

ARES: If Primrose found out, she’d lose her mind.

ICARUS: So, don’t tell her.

ARES: I won’t. Moonie keeps telling me I should.

ICARUS: I’ll talk to Moonie when she gets back. She and I can debate about who knows best — her, or someone trained by a castle mage.

ARES: …You were trained by castle mages. Why weren’t you summoned for this fight?

ICARUS: I’m too busy and important fighting in the mountains, remember? Are you ready?

ARES: I suppose.

ICARUS: Deep breath in.

Icarus administers a large syringe of blood into Ares. Ares winces at the sensation.

ARES: It’s cold.

ICARUS: Well, yes. It’s been sitting in the snow. You’ll adapt, don’t worry. There, all done. Go to sleep, and you should be feeling a lot better by morning. Call for me in the night if you feel unwell. Try not to do any heavy lifting.

ARES: You should really come visit more often, Icarus. I’ve missed you.

ICARUS: Why bother visiting? It’s rare all of you are home. I have better luck finding you in the mountains. Goodnight, Ares.

Icarus leaves Ares alone, who goes into his room ready for bed. As he tucks in, the chorus of voices inside his head grow louder.

VOICES: We’re not who you think we are. Please, leave us be!

my name is Gracie. Not Pen.

Just kill me. Put us out of this misery.

Ares falls asleep to the sounds.