EVIL SPIRITS

The next morning crawls in slowly. A doctor from the village creeps into the servant’s quarters to heal Python. Set takes his dogs up and over the hills, away from the castle. The morning staff quietly clean the mess left in the lounge. Primrose wakes a little late, groaning as she does.

PRIMROSE: Gods, last night was so awful, wasn’t it?

Silence meets her. She drags herself upright to look around. The room is empty.

PRIMROSE: Ares?

She gets out of bed and checks the ensuite. Nothing. She calls for Danielle, then after a minute, calls for Osprey as well. Osprey arrives first.

OSPREY: Good morning, Lady Primrose. How can I help?

PRIMROSE: Oh, Osprey. Sorry to bother you. What time did you leave?

OSPREY: Just after dawn.

PRIMROSE: Right. Do you know where Ares went?

OSPREY: Ares?

Osprey looks around the room, only just noticing he’s gone.

OSPREY: …he was still here when I left. Maybe he went down to eat already. It is getting late.

PRIMROSE: He was so sick yesterday. I’m surprised he got out of bed at all.

OSPREY: I wouldn’t worry. I’ll go find him, so stay by the fire.

PRIMROSE: Thanks, I will. Have you seen Danielle?

OSPREY: …not yet, but I’ll send her to you when I do.

PRIMROSE: Thanks. Bye, Osprey.

OSPREY: Goodbye, my lady.

Osprey gives her a bow and heads for the servants’ lounge. Most people are still there, huddled under blankets and with steaming cups of tea.

OSPREY: Hey.

ELIZABETH: That was fast.

OSPREY: Yeah. Just came to get Danielle for Primrose.

Everyone looks around at each other.

AUGUSTUS: She didn’t come in last night. Did she?

ELIZABETH: I didn’t think so. I thought she stayed upstairs with you.

OSPREY: No, I didn’t see her at all after dinner. I assumed she went to bed early to avoid the drama.

FAIRFAX: She’s probably still in bed.

ELIZABETH: Oh, don’t take that tone. She’s—

FAIRFAX: Yeah, yeah. She’s Tijoran, this isn’t how they do things there. It’s been months already.

OSPREY: Shut-up, guys. If she’s awake, she can hear you.

FAIRFAX: If she’s awake, she should have seen that Primrose tried to call her.

OSPREY: …I better go check on her.

Osprey goes and knocks on Danielle’s door. There’s no answer, so he knocks again, loudly.

OSPREY: Danielle? I’m coming in.

He goes inside to find an empty bedroom, bed still made.

OSPREY: She isn’t there.

PYTHON: …maybe she hooked up with Stef or Rand last night?

AUGUSTUS: Or maybe Icarus.

OSPREY: Nah, she’s not like that. Can someone go look for her? I need to look for Ares.

Osprey leaves. Fairfax turns over, wincing at the pain in his face.

FAIRFAX: We don’t need to go right now, do we?

AUGUSTUS: No way. Danielle is smart enough; she’ll turn up eventually. Besides, it’s not long before the rest of us have our masters calling.

ELIZABETH: I dunno. Last night was scary. Are you sure we shouldn’t go looking?

FAIRFAX: I agree with Augustus. I’m too tired to go looking for her. She’ll be fine, she isn’t even on Lord Kur’s radar.

ELIZABETH: I guess so…

FAIRFAX: Good. Can someone buzz Tiger? I need some more tea.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

Osprey traverses the entire castle. He looks in the annex, the servants’ quarters, everywhere for Ares. He’s beginning to panic when he finally finds him wandering the gardens.

OSPREY: Lord Ares! What are you doing out here?

ARES: Huh? Oh, hi Osprey.

OSPREY: Gods, Ares. You don’t even have your coat. Let’s get you inside. Primrose is worried.

ARES: …It’s almost time to go.

OSPREY: I know, sir. We’re leaving in just a few days.

ARES: I’m running really late.

OSPREY: …what?

Ares, are you alright?

ARES: I’m fine, except… I can’t get this taste out of my mouth. Like I’ve been sucking on metal.

OSPREY: Want me to call for Python?

ARES: No. Where are we going?

OSPREY: Your room, sir.

ARES: Not yet. I want you to climb the tower with me.

OSPREY: …the tower?

ARES: Yeah. It’s closer than the mountain. Let’s go.

Ares starts dragging Osprey in the direction of the tower. When they get there, Ares begins climbing up. Osprey hesitates at the bottom.

OSPREY: Sir? I don’t think we should go up there.

Ares doesn’t answer, and the sound of footsteps gets quieter, so Osprey climbs up after him. It’s a long stairway to the top, and when Osprey finally makes it, he is met with blue skies and bitter winds. Ares is leaning against the ledge, smiling into the gale.

ARES: I get it now. Horus always talks about how he can feel the power of the mountains carried on these winds.

OSPREY: Sir, why are we up here?

ARES: …you’re my best friend, Osprey. I want to ensure your safety in case something happens to me.

OSPREY: What do you…

ARES: Primrose is going to take you to Tijora, with or without me. I want you to go with her and start a new life. Take your family over slowly. They’ll be happier there.

OSPREY: …I don’t want to think about you dying, Ares. When it’s time for me to go to Tijora, you’ll be coming with me. With us.

ARES: Hm. Maybe.

OSPREY: Ares? We should get you back to Primrose.

ARES: I’m not going back to Primrose. I already said goodbye.

OSPREY: …what do you mean? We’re not leaving for another few days.

ARES: I’m going to die anyway, Osprey. I may as well die now.

Osprey grabs at Ares, who laughs.

ARES: I didn’t mean right now. I have no intention to die from a fall.

OSPREY: Then, what are you planning to do?

ARES: Remember Lumos? He didn’t come back to me for no reason, Osprey. Lumos is the answer. I have to destroy him.

OSPREY: How? By destroying yourself?

ARES: …precisely.

OSPREY: …okay. Well, before we do that, Ares…

ARES: Ah, Osprey. I know that voice. You want to turn me in.

OSPREY: I just think we should talk to your brother first. You trust Horus, don’t you?

ARES: Horus has done enough. And I’m tired of being a burden. I have to go. You’ll look after Primrose, won’t you?

OSPREY: Ares, wait—

ARES: Thanks for always looking after me.

As Ares turns abruptly to leave, Osprey reaches for him again, but Ares slaps his hand away and shoots a beam of magic into Osprey’s chest. By the time Osprey is on his feet, Ares is gone, and when Osprey finally makes it to the bottom of the tower he’s met by the locked door. He desperately messages an SOS to everyone from his watch and sits back to wait. Elizabeth arrives with a key soon after.

ELIZABETH: What happened?

OSPREY: I don’t have time to explain. Where’s Lord Horus?

ELIZABETH: I don’t know. Wait, where are you going?

Osprey runs off without her. Sprinting full force down the halls, he doesn’t stop until he reaches Horus’s room, where he skids to a stop. Horus isn’t there. Without pausing, he turns and rushes back to Primrose’s room instead. She’s missing, too. He turns to keep looking before finally bumping into Fairfax, who stops him.

FAIRFAX: Why are you running in the main halls? What’s—

OSPREY: Where’s Horus? Ares is gone. He’s going to kill himself.

FAIRFAX: What?! Where is he?

OSPREY: I don’t know. He locked me in the tower. He could be going any direction. We need to act fast…

FAIRFAX: Understood. I’ll get the message out. Horus is in the library. I’ll meet you out front.

Osprey nods and sprints off without another word. By the time Osprey gets to the library, Horus has already received the message. He meets Osprey at the doorway.

OSPREY: My lord! Please, help me. Ares is gone. It’s happening again.

HORUS: Do you know which way he went?

OSPREY: No. He locked me in the tower. I’m sorry—

HORUS: Breathe, Osprey. We’ll find him.

Horus and Osprey move quickly out the front, where horses are already waiting for them.

OSPREY: Horses?

HORUS: Faster than goats.

OSPREY: Where are we going? How do you know where to look?

HORUS: You’re not coming, Osprey. This horse is for Moonie. Be ready for us once we come back.

OSPREY: But I want to help!

HORUS: Stay here, Osprey. Look after Primrose. Oh, Moonie—!

MOONIE: I’m here. Do you know where to go?

HORUS: The voices of the mountains are carried on the wind. They’ll tell me where to go. Just follow me, and stay close.

Horus and Moonie depart in a hurry. Osprey watches helplessly after them as search teams are formed nearby. Completely transfixed, he doesn’t notice Kur standing beside him until he clears his throat.

OSPREY: Oh, I’m sorry, my lord…

KUR: What happened?

OSPREY: He locked me in the tower. I think he’s trying to sacrifice himself again.

KUR: You think, or you know?

OSPREY: I know.

KUR: Then, why didn’t you stop him?

OSPREY: …I couldn’t. He was too strong for me.

KUR: I see.

I hope you realise, that if my son dies, the blame lies on your shoulders.

OSPREY: Yes, my lord.

KUR: …and you will be charged with his murder.

OSPREY: …yes, my lord.

KUR: Go inside and tend to Primrose. And don’t tell her about this. She has a flair for the dramatic.

Osprey nods and heads inside. Augustus intercepts him in the servants’ corridors.

AUGUSTUS: There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Are you okay?

Osprey immediately breaks down crying. Inconsolable, he collapses to the ground as Augustus frantically tries to calm him down. After several minutes of hysteria, Osprey finally starts taking some deep breaths to calm himself.

OSPREY: Sorry, Augustus. I’m okay…

AUGUSTUS: Clearly not. What happened?

OSPREY: …Lord Kur is going to charge me with Ares’s murder if he dies.

AUGUSTUS: What!? That’s insane! He can’t fucking do that—

OSPREY: Shh, calm down, stop yelling. It’s okay. It’ll be okay. I need to go tend to Primrose. Has Danielle come out yet?

AUGUSTUS: No, she’s still missing… Primrose will be fine. Come sit for a bit and have something to drink.

OSPREY: No. I have work to do. And so do you. Go look after Set.

AUGUSTUS: Osprey, you need to—

OSPREY: Set’s brother is about to die. Go look after him, Augustus. Now.

AUGUSTUS: What about my brother?

OSPREY: Which ones? If I die, do you want to leave the rest with nothing? We aren’t the only two people who matter, remember?

AUGUSTUS: …Lord Horus wouldn’t let you die. There’s no way.

OSPREY: Let’s fucking hope so. I’m not even worried about myself right now. Ares is out there, unstable and suicidal. I failed him.

AUGUSTUS: It wasn’t your fault…

OSPREY: I have to go, Augustus. I have work to do. If you’re not going to look after Set, go and look for Danielle. See you later.

Osprey hurries off. Augustus sighs, defeated, before going back to looking for Danielle.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

The offbeat tracks of the mountains lead to many a hidden sanctuary, where small settlements of people gather in communities of less than fifty people. Ares stands on a cliff looking down at a village of ten homes, his aura glowing around him. Beside him is Lumos.

LUMOS: You won’t win. You know you won’t.

ARES: …I will. I can. I’m already so much stronger. If I feast here…

LUMOS: You don’t have to do this, Ares. Do as I say, and you can live on with me…

ARES: No. I’m not listening to you anymore. You’ve caused us all enough grief.

LUMOS: I already died once for you. You’re really going to murder me again?

ARES: …Yes. Only this time, I’m going to finish the job.

LUMOS: Oh? And how are you going to do that?

ARES: If I consume enough soul, I’ll be strong enough to enter your world. And I’ll kill you.

LUMOS: You’ll never get home again if you do.

ARES: I don’t care. I won’t listen to your voice in my head any longer.

LUMOS: Fine… so be it. But you’ll have to fight me for them.

ARES: I guess the race is on, then.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

Horus and Moonie race through the mountains in short bursts, stopping frequently to look for Ares along the way. Eventually, they get to a path too steep for the horses.

MOONIE: Are you sure he’s up here?

HORUS: Shh…

Horus presses his hands firmly against the mountain wall, feeling for vibrations. Moonie cocks her head in wonderment. Eventually he steps back in frustration.

HORUS: I don’t know for sure. I think so. We’ll have to climb.

MOONIE: Will you be alright?

HORUS: It isn’t that steep. I’ll be fine — at least on the way up I will.

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MOONIE: Okay, well, let me go first…

Moonie begins to climb, quickly scaling the wall. Horus follows carefully after. At the top, they stand where Ares once stood. The town is shroud in blue fog.

HORUS: It’s happening again…

MOONIE: What is? What do we do?

HORUS: We have to stop him. Come on—

MOONIE: Wait! We can’t go in there. Gods only know what kind of monstrosities are being summoned. We need to call for help—

HORUS: By the time help arrives, everyone in the village will be dead, including Ares. Either come with me, or don’t.

Horus stars clambering down without another thought. Moonie hesitates for a few minutes before following. When she gets down, Horus is waiting for her.

HORUS: You followed.

MOONIE: …now what?

HORUS: We fight through this mist to find Ares and stop him.

MOONIE: What if—

HORUS: We’ll figure it out when we get there.

MOONIE: Wait, let me go first…

Moonie and Horus move forward towards the village, keeping their bodies low to the ground. The further into the mist they move, the more the scenery changes — plants are replaced by mushrooms, the houses are replaced by untouched stone, and all around them little creatures made from light slip around corners and scatter from beneath their boots. Moonie stops and grabs at Horus.

MOONIE: Horus, we shouldn’t keep going. This is—

HORUS: It’s fine, Moonie. Ares has done this before, remember? I survived that time.

MOONIE: What we are seeing is the spirit world. Horus, I think we’re in a limbo state. This is dangerous…

HORUS: Then, turn back. I’m going to find him.

MOONIE: Our soulless bodies will be left to wander earth without us. We won’t find our way back.

HORUS: Like I said, you’re free to turn back.

Horus keeps moving forward, and once again Moonie follows. They push deeper into the mist until they finally begin to hear commotion. Moonie begins to glow, and Horus draws his sword. They creep forward to a clearing, where they find Ares and Lumos.

Lumos hangs suspended in the air, as all around him, creatures from the spirit world emerge to attack. Ares, on the other hand, holds his ground as he sends magic attacks flying through the air back at them. Around his feet lie several bodies. The excess of soul consumed has led to a distortion of his features — only wisps of Ares remain. Horus goes to lunge forward, but Moonie grabs at him and pulls him back.

MOONIE: What are you thinking? Those spirits will attack you on sight — and Ares — he’s already eaten people, Horus. What’s to stop him from eating your soul, too?

HORUS: What are we supposed to do? We need to ground him back to earth, or he’ll slip to the other side entirely.

MOONIE: But if we interfere, those enemies he’s fighting will come for us. They could destroy everything. We… we have to destroy Lumos.

HORUS: I’ve never fought an evil spirit before. What do I do?

MOONIE: Just… protect yourself, and protect Ares. I’ll go after the spirit.

HORUS: You might die if you do.

MOONIE: I’m gonna die anyway, I’d rather it be for you instead of the queen. Keep low and use your sword to scare them off.

Moonie gives him a light tap on the shoulder before she begins summoning magic circles. When they’re big enough, she charges forward, throwing the circles like a discus and sending weaving patterns after them. Lumos rears in surprise before warping his attack — rather than summoning, he’s now altering the way reality is perceived. No steps taken are certain, and Moonie loses her footing. Meanwhile, Horus moves towards Ares. At first, Ares turns his attacks towards Horus. Horus deflects them quickly.

HORUS: Ares! Stop, it’s Horus!

Ares flickers back to his normal self for a moment, before warping back to the amalgamation. He shoots a weak magic attack Horus’s way, but Horus deflects it easily.

ARES: Get away.

HORUS: No, Ares. Come home.

ARES: You don’t…understand…Lumos…he’s been eating me… I have to stop him…

Ares flickers back to himself for a moment, before becoming enraged and directing all attacks at Horus, leaving Lumos time to direct his focus on Moonie. With all focus on her, Lumos’s attacks become quickly overwhelming, and she gets knocked off her feet. Before she can get up, the evil spirits summoned by Lumos smother her, gnawing at her soul, and begin to suffocate her.

Meanwhile, Horus fights against Ares’s attacks. He bashes them away as best he can, and when he is hit, he remains steadfast as stone. Once he is close enough, he lunges for Ares and wraps his arms around him, pinning Ares’s arms to his side. Without the use of his arms, Ares’s summoning ability is greatly diminished, and the attacks decrease significantly.

ARES: S…Stop…

HORUS: Come back to earth, Ares! Everything is okay—

ARES: Moonie!

Horus turns to look. The spirits smothering her disappear, leaving emptiness in her wake. Horus’s eyes widen and he looks back to Ares, who is morphing further into his spirit form. He squeezes tighter.

HORUS: Come back. I need you.

Ares comes back to himself all in one snap. Coldly, he looks at Horus.

ARES: If we have any chance of saving Moonie and stopping Lumos, I have to go into the spirit world to do it. Let me go.

HORUS: No. You’re not—

Ares doesn’t give Horus a chance to finish. Stealing soul from Horus, Ares morphs back into his spirit form just in time to block an attack from Lumos. Horus lets go and staggers backwards, and in the next instant Ares and Lumos snap, disappearing into the spirit world. Horus groggily fights off the remaining spirits left by Ares and Lumos, then stops to look around. As the blue mist steadily starts to disappear, so too do the mushrooms and creatures of light. The space where Moonie was attacked is empty, as is the place where Lumos was standing. Still standing in the clearing is Ares’s body, mouth hanging open and staring upwards. Horus’s eyes immediately well with tears as he watches his brothers body sway.

Shouts and cries begin to emerge from behind him. The surviving citizens of the destroyed town emerge from their hiding places to grieve the bodies consumed by Ares. Horus looks around at all the mess and gives a heavy sigh. Ares’s body falls into him. He places an arm around its shoulder.

HORUS: You’ve got about three days to get home, Ares. And then your body will die.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

The spirit world is a reflection of the human world — and while certain things such as mountains and rivers are in the same location — most things are out of place. No sun or moon, talking animals, and giant mushrooms, are just some of the things Moonie notices after finally fighting off the last of the spirits that attacked her. A crow and deer standing under a tree, watching her, finish their conversation and go their separate ways before Moonie finally begins to panic. Once she’s finally calmed down, she hears commotion somewhere nearby, and hesitantly, she drags herself up to go investigate. Ignoring the fire mice that follow on her trail curiously, she heads deeper into the thick of the trees in front of her, and in a small clearing, she finds Ares and Lumos fighting fiercely.

While Lumos looks much the same, Ares’s form has changed completely. A black jackal fights in his stead, gnashing at Lumos, and shooting magic from its mouth. Moonie gulps and tests her magic. To her surprise, it feels stronger than it ever has. She rushes in and shoots her magic at Lumos, who shrieks and attempts to fight back before retreating. Moonie continues to shoot her attacks and Ares knocks him to the ground. Lumos summons a final attack to blast Ares away, but Moonie swoops in immediately after with a counter that knocks Lumos unconscious. Ares is back on him a second later, gnawing at his face.

Moonie stands back, panting, as she tries to maintain composure. When Ares is certain Lumos is dead, he looks briefly at Moonie, before turning to walk away.

MOONIE: Hey, wait! Ares? You are Ares, right?

JACKAL: Well... yes, and no. I’m Ares’s spirit.

MOONIE: You… You’re just the spirit of Ares? Then, where is Ares?

JACKAL: Inside my head, but he’ll be dead soon. Ares is as good as gone.

MOONIE: Wait! If we go back to the human world, can’t you reconnect with the body?

JACKAL: Why should I?

MOONIE: …wait, don’t go. If you’re Ares’s spirit, then, what am I? Why didn’t I turn into my spirit?

JACKAL: Because the spirits Lumos summoned brought you here to eat you. What they didn’t realise, is that human magic is very powerful here. That’s why you were able to fight them off after going through the portal.

MOONIE: So… does that mean I can go home?

JACKAL: Theoretically.

MOONIE: You can’t come with me?

JACKAL: Theoretically, I could. I don’t know if I want to. Ares lured me into Lumos’s trap. Lumos has been haunting us for years because of it.

MOONIE: Years?

JACKAL: Yes. Remember that awful thing that happened? Ares consumed people, just like he did today, so that he could bridge the gap between the human and spirit world so that Lumos could use him as a vessel to do wicked things. He nearly killed us then, and then today he put us in danger a second time. If I go back to him, he’ll be sent off to fight another evil spirit… I’d be better off letting him die so I can find a new human host.

MOONIE: …you’d really do that? Don’t you care for him, at all?

JACKAL: I am him, remember?

MOONIE: Please. You have to come home. What about Primrose, and Horus, and Minerva and Set? You’ll really leave all of them behind?

The jackal stops in its steps then and looks upwards at the sky. Moonie follows its gaze but can’t see anything. For a moment, then jackal flickers to the image of Ares.

JACKAL: I’m devastated to leave them behind.

MOONIE: But…you don’t have to.

JACKAL: Maybe not today. But what about the spirit the queen wants me to fight?

MOONIE: …We have a chance to kill it. It isn’t hopeless. You’ve lived through an awful lot so far. Besides, I thought an honourable death was supposed to be good for the spirit. Doesn’t it make you stronger in the next life, or something?

JACKAL: Who told you that?

MOONIE: I… I don’t know…

JACKAL: Humans are funny, always thinking they know everything.

The jackal begins to walk away again. Moonie blocks its path.

MOONIE: Please. Help me. Help us get home.

The jackal hesitates, then lets out a yowl.

JACKAL: Fine. I suppose I don’t want to give up yet.

MOONIE: Thank gods. Okay, so what do we do?

JACKAL: Ares and I practiced the art of blending the worlds. I know the magic, but… Ares is in disarray. I can’t pass through a portal in the state I’m in.

MOONIE: So, how do we fix that?

JACKAL: …you’ll have to be the one to pass through, and then you’ll have to get to my body and connect to the spirit world so I can travel through you.

MOONIE: Okay… except, I don’t know the magic to connect to the spirit world.

JACKAL: And I don’t know where to find a portal, but wherever it is, it’s not here. Come on, follow me, and try to keep up. Use your magic to propel you forward. We have to move fast if we’re going to make it in time.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

A day passes in the human world. Back at the castle, everything is high stress. While Minerva and Kur pour over maps in the strategy room, Set, Primrose and servants work on finding Danielle. Icarus bumps into Primrose as she heads outside for fresh air.

ICARUS: Ah, Princess. Haven’t seen you all day.

PRIMROSE: Any word?

ICARUS: No-one’s seen them. Horus, Moonie and Ares all still missing. Minerva and Kur have sent out one lot of troops, the rest will be out looking before nightfall. No more word on Danielle?

PRIMROSE: Nothing. It’s like she vanished. She can’t have gone far—

ICARUS: It’s alright, calm down. Everyone is out looking for them. Someone will show up, soon. I’m going to go have a steam to calm down. Want to come?

PRIMROSE: No, I should keep looking. Thanks anyway.

ICARUS: Alright, well… just be careful. I know you’re worried about Danielle and Ares, but you have a tribe of people back home who are relying on you to return one day. Gods know that if you don’t look after yourself out here, no-one else will. Alright?

PRIMROSE: …sure.

Icarus nods and goes back inside. Primrose sighs and slumps against the wall. Minerva comes out a moment later.

MINERVA: Oh, hi, Primrose.

PRIMROSE: Minerva… what—

MINERVA: I don’t have anything comforting to say, if that’s what you’re looking for.

PRIMROSE: Right. Of course not.

The two women stand in silence for a moment before Primrose looks over at the bruise on Minerva’s neck.

PRIMROSE: How’s your neck?

MINERVA: Hm? Oh. It’s fine.

PRIMROSE: Right. A father beating his children is totally fine.

MINERVA: You’re awfully brave to say that out loud without at least looking around first.

PRIMROSE: Your father doesn’t scare me.

MINERVA: He should.

…it’s my own fault. I knew he’d react like this if he ever found out.

PRIMROSE: I’m sorry. I couldn’t imagine someone telling me I couldn’t swim again.

MINERVA: If someone did banish you from swimming, would it stop you?

PRIMROSE: …no?

MINERVA: Exactly. He’s too late to stop me now, anyway. I’m almost ready to leave.

PRIMROSE: Leave? Where are you going?

MINERVA: …keep a secret?

PRIMROSE: Of course.

MINERVA: I’m going up Dragon’s Peak.

PRIMROSE: …you what? Isn’t that like, extremely dangerous? One of the most treacherous mountains in all of Cragg?

MINERVA: Yup. It’ll be hard work, but if I can find even one dragon scale, I’ll be able to make any potion imaginable.

PRIMROSE: …it’s your turn to keep a secret.

MINERVA: Okay?

PRIMROSE: Remember what Icarus said about Danielle being a gossip? Well… she’s overheard some interesting things. One of them being that the servants are starting to lose their patience with Kur. Now, it isn’t my place to go around undermining your father whatsoever, but if you needed help standing up to him… I daresay they’d be willing to help. And silently, too.

MINERVA: Stand up to him? How, exactly?

PRIMROSE: I imagine there are already some ideas floating around.

MINERVA: Wow. You’ve got more backbone than I originally thought.

PRIMROSE: I’m an empress, remember?

MINERVA: Mm… you said some of the servants are losing their patience? Who were they?

PRIMROSE: I shouldn’t say. But I’ll bet you could guess.

MINERVA: …interesting.

PRIMROSE: Well, I should go keep looking. Danielle is still missing.

MINERVA: Oh, yeah, I forgot about her.

PRIMROSE: Look after yourself, Minerva. Because apparently, around here, if you don’t look after yourself, no-one else will. Bye.

Primrose walks off. Minerva watches her go then returns her gaze to the mountains. After a while, she pulls herself off the wall and heads around the side of the castle towards the kitchens. The door is open, and she stands outside to listen for a moment. All she can hear is chatter about food or Danielle. Eventually, she moves away and heads towards the annex. Once she’s there, she pages Osprey, and wanders the entryway looking at artwork while she waits for him. She’s just examining a portrait of ‘Ston when Osprey finally comes in.

OSPREY: Yes, my lady?

MINERVA: It’s been over twenty-four hours since Ares left. You must be really worried.

OSPREY: …yes, my lady.

MINERVA: How old was Ares when we hired you? Like, seven?

OSPREY: Yes, my lady.

MINERVA: And now he’s twenty-five. That’s a long time to know and care for someone.

OSPREY: …

MINERVA: And you’ve known Horus even longer than that. You were his first friend. Thanks to that, you also had a major hand in raising Set, right? And you and I… we’ve… been around, I guess…

OSPREY: Forgive me, Minerva, but where are you going with this?

MINERVA: We don’t know where Ares or Horus are. The only two people capable of fighting back against my father are missing. I…can’t cope with that idea, Osprey.

…I know you’ve been plotting against my father.

OSPREY: I— what?!

MINERVA: It’s alright. I’ve been plotting against him, too.

OSPREY: My lady, I swear, I haven’t—

MINERVA: Shush. You’re a wonderful employee, and I have no intention of punishing you in the slightest. And don’t worry, I know you wouldn’t have started all this talk… your brother, though?

OSPREY: My lady, please…

MINERVA: Stop panicking. You aren’t in any trouble. I just want to talk. If, by a sick twist of fate, being Baron ends up my responsibility… well, I want to be prepared. And I need to have allies on my side.

Come on, let’s go for a walk. We can look for Ares and discuss some things at the same time.

OSPREY: What…what is there to discuss? Your father—

MINERVA: Isn’t as indestructible as people say. I know he murdered Freyja. I can’t prove it, but I know he did. Who knows what else he’s capable of? Come on, walk with me. I’m leaving soon, and I have a task for you while I’m away.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

Another day passes. Horus uses his elemental powers to bury the bodies, and pays those who remain to stay quiet about what they saw. Moving Ares into one of the houses, Horus tends to the body as best he can, keeping it hydrated as it groans and stares aimlessly at nothing.

Somewhere not too far away, hidden in a valley, Moonie appears suddenly through a portal. Gasping and wheezing, she clutches at her chest for a moment as she gazes around, readjusting back to reality. Once she’s caught her breath, she immediately heads for high ground to get her bearings. It’s well past midday before she finds somewhere familiar, and close to sunset by the time she makes it back to the town with Horus. She sprints, sweat pouring from her forehead, and doesn’t stop until she’s in the middle of town, where she begins screaming for Horus. He rushes outside.

HORUS: Moonie! You’re—

MOONIE: Where’s the body? Is it still alive?

HORUS: Yes. But—

MOONIE: Take me to him.

Horus leads Moonie immediately to Ares. Moonie stands over the bed, puffing.

MOONIE: How is he?

HORUS: Not good. I’d say twelve more hours until his organs give up.

MOONIE: Yeah. His spirit was really starting to feel unwell on the other side.

Moonie kneels down beside the bed and grabs at Ares’s hand. Horus kneels beside her.

HORUS: You… you were with him on the other side?

MOONIE: Yes. We killed Lumos. Turns out, Lumos was an evil spirit who has been haunting Ares since he was a teenager. He was almost possessed, but…sounds like you saved him.

HORUS: Not this time, though.

MOONIE: Don’t beat yourself up. If we hadn’t arrived when we did, he would have died in combat with Lumos. Now, we have a chance.

HORUS: He hasn’t found his way home yet.

MOONIE: That’s because he’s waiting for me to open a portal.

HORUS: You know how to do that?

MOONIE: Not exactly… even if I could figure it out, it’s not something I can do in this state. I’m…going to need to borrow some of your soul.

HORUS: What about the dangers of soul lending?

MOONIE: They’re still dangerous. But this is our only hope of saving him.

HORUS: Then, let’s not waste more time. Come here.

Horus pulls Moonie into an embrace. She clutches him tightly. Slowly, their souls begin to glow. As their breath and hearts begin to sync, the colour from Horus slowly drains into Moonie. As the power reaches her, she removes her hands from his back and begins to conjure behind him. Horus keeps himself pressed firmly against her. It takes a long time, with spirits leaking in and out of the human world as she works, before Moonie is able to reach Ares on the other side. Linking souls together, Moonie rips him from the spirit world, dragging the spirit of Ares back to earth where it settles back into the body. When Ares blinks back into consciousness, Moonie and Horus are still embracing and in a trance.

ARES: …Horus?

Horus lets go of Moonie immediately. The colours drain away much more suddenly than they appeared, leaving Moonie shocked. Horus wraps his arms tight around Ares.

HORUS: Ares. Are you okay? Are you all here?

ARES: Y…yeah. I’m all here. I’m so sorry—

HORUS: Shh. Don’t apologise. It’s okay.

MOONIE: I feel lightheaded. Did I really just do that?

ARES: That was…weird. I remember what happened, but it doesn’t feel real… Horus! Are you okay?

The colour has drained from Horus’s face. He tries to stand but can’t bring himself upright.

HORUS: I think I’m going to be sick.

MOONIE: That’s a side effect from soul lending. We should get you home.

HORUS: No.

…I’m not climbing down that mountain. It’s too steep.

ARES: …We’ll help you. It’ll be okay. I…I can’t stay here. Not after what I—

HORUS: I cleared it up with the townspeople.

ARES: Paying them won’t make them forget what I did to their families.

MOONIE: Now isn’t the time for fear or morals. All three of us need medical attention, the sooner the better. Come on.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

The return of Ares, Moonie and Horus is emotional. After hugs and tears, all three are admitted to the infirmary. Moonie bounces back quickly, whereas Ares and Horus take a bit longer. After Horus returns to his room to rest, Icarus comes to find him.

ICARUS: You saved the day. Again.

HORUS: It wasn’t me. It was Moonie.

ICARUS: Whatever. I need to talk to you about something. I know this isn’t a good time, but I wasn’t sure who else to tell.

HORUS: What is it?

ICARUS: Can you walk? I’d sooner show you.

Icarus leads Horus out. They head downstairs and towards the dungeon. Horus glares at Icarus.

HORUS: How did you get access to down here?

ICARUS: A knight has his ways. Come on.

As they pass through the tunnels, Horus becomes more agitated.

HORUS: What have you been doing down here?

ICARUS: Well… we needed blood. To give to Ares, you know, to help heal from the arcane madness. Only…

HORUS: It wasn’t arcane madness. It was a possession.

ICARUS: Yeah. Well, anyway, I came down here to harvest some for myself, and as I was wandering, I found…

Icarus stops and gestures. Danielle’s body lies decaying and mangled, tucked away in one of the abandoned cells.

HORUS: Fuck. What happened?

ICARUS: …I can guess.

HORUS: You fed Ares soul blood, he got a taste for it, and murdered his wife’s best friend to get some?

ICARUS: Yeah… sorry.

HORUS: Not yet you aren’t. What are we supposed to do?

ICARUS: Isn’t dealing with bodies, like, your specialty?

HORUS: We cannot let Primrose find out Ares did this.

ICARUS: I figured. That’s why I came to speak to you instead of just announcing it.

HORUS: …We’ll wait until everyone’s gone to bed. You up for helping me move her?

ICARUS: Of course. What’s family for?

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

A couple more days pass. Despite still not being completely better, it’s finally time for Ares and Moonie to depart for Capital. The family gather outside to say goodbye.

HORUS: Write to us. As often as you can.

ARES: I don’t know how often I’ll get a chance, but… I will.

SET: It wasn’t arcane madness. That means you’ll be okay, right?

ARES: I hope so, little guy. If I’m not back before you leave for the academy… well, good luck. You’ll do great.

SET: That’s if I can pass my exams.

ARES: You will. If I can, you can. Come here.

Ares gives Set and Horus a big hug before turning to Minerva.

ARES: I heard a secret about you. Be careful, whatever you end up doing, yeah?

MINERVA: I will. You be careful, too. I’ll be thinking of you every day.

ARES: Thanks. And thanks for all the protective charms and potions. Look after yourself.

Ares hugs Minerva before finally turning his attention to Primrose. He wraps her in a tight hug for a long time. Meanwhile, Horus approaches Moonie, who is standing to the side.

HORUS: Thank you, again. For saving him.

MOONIE: Of course. I love Ares. I love all of you. I’ll do my best to look after him while we’re gone.

HORUS: …please look after yourself, too. You’re a nightmare, but…you’ll always be family.

Horus gives her an awkward pat on the back and moves away. Ares finally pulls away from Primrose.

ARES: I’m so, so sorry again this is all happening.

PRIMROSE: It isn’t your fault.

ARES: You know, no-one would blame you if you wanted to go back to Tijora. If I live, I can write to you once I’m home…

PRIMROSE: I’ll be here waiting, Ares. Don’t you worry about me. I love you.

ARES: I love you, too. Are you sure you’ll be okay without Osprey? I can make do without him.

PRIMROSE: No, you’re still not well. You need someone to make sure you get to the capital in one piece. I’ll be fine.

ARES: …I’m sorry about Danielle.

PRIMROSE: Yeah… I just don’t understand it. Why did she go exploring the mountains by herself?

ARES: …I guess we’ll never know.

MOONIE: Hey, Ares, we’d better get going if we want somewhere safe to camp.

ARES: Yeah, okay.

Ares gives Primrose another hug and a long kiss before finally turning his attention to Kur.

ARES: Bye, dad. I’ll do my best to make you proud.

KUR: The queen wants to break us down. Prove it can’t be done.

ARES: I will.

Ares gives him a nod, then finally mounts his goat. With a long look at everyone he’s leaving behind, finally he, Moonie and Osprey kick their goats into gear and head towards the capital. The family watch after him until he’s out of sight. A small sob escapes Set’s throat. Kur grunts.

KUR: Get used to it, Set. Once you’re a knight, there will be many people you say goodbye to knowing full well they’re on their way to die. I’m going back to work. Horus, are you coming?

HORUS: …yes, father.

Horus and Kur head back inside. Primrose wipes away her tears and sighs heavily.

PRIMROSE: Well… I should go write to my father. It’s been a while, and a lot has happened. Bye.

Primrose leaves too. Minerva eyes Set.

MINERVA: Hey…are you okay?

SET: Yeah. Whatever.

MINERVA: …let me ask you something. On mama’s birthday, when dad attacked you… do you think he really would have blinded you? Like, if I hadn’t come in?

SET: …why are you asking me this?

MINERVA: Just tell me.

SET: …yes. I’m scared he might have.

Minerva shoots a glance at Augustus who is waiting to the side. Though staring straight ahead, she can tell he’s listening to every word.

MINERVA: Hmm. Sorry. Why don’t you go tend to the dogs for a while?

SET: Why do I get the feeling you’re going to leave?

MINERVA: Because I am. Don’t tell dad or Horus. Can I borrow your page for a minute?

SET: …why?

MINERVA: Mind your own business. Go on, get out of here.

Set eyes her warily but wanders off. Minerva waves Python away, leaving just her and a suddenly very concerned looking Augustus.

AUGUSTUS: Can…can I help you, my lady?

MINERVA: Yes. Did Osprey talk to you?

…you don’t have to go mute on me. You’re not in trouble…at least, not yet.

AUGUSTUS: I don’t know how to access Marsden’s files. And I wouldn’t even know what to look for if I did.

MINERVA: You’ll find a way. Think of it as your life depending on it. And regarding what to look for… well. I need some copies of some private documents. The kind my father might not want people having access to.

AUGUSTUS: What for?

MINERVA: Insurance. Just do your job, servant. And watch where you talk from now on. If Horus knew what you’ve been saying, you’d be dead on the rocks already.

Minerva walks off. Augustus reels for a moment before wandering into the kitchens, where Tiger is working.

TIGER: They left, then?

AUGUSTUS: …yeah. Ares is gone. And we… we have a new problem.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

Upstairs, Horus and Kur stand by the window in his study.

KUR: …you’re unusually quiet.

HORUS: My brother just left to die. Why shouldn’t I be quiet?

KUR: I was expecting another speech about wanting to kill the queen.

HORUS: …it wasn’t enough to send him to Tijora. She had to send him to death, too. She won’t stop, father. Not until we’re all dead and Icarus — or maybe one of her nieces — can take over Cragg.

KUR: We can’t fight her, Horus. We’ll never be able to. The power of stone is eternal.

HORUS: Right.

…It was Freyja’s birthday yesterday. No-one mentioned it.

KUR: Was it? Well, there’s been a lot going on. We can acknowledge her next year.

HORUS: …I hate you, dad. I really do.

KUR: Is this about her death?

HORUS: Yes. You killed her. You threw her so hard that she died.

KUR: I thought she was a true daughter of ‘Ston, with bones that are unbreakable, like you. I didn’t know she’d be so fragile. I apologised then, and I’m still sorry now. Her death was a tragedy. I’m sorry we missed her birthday. Next year, Horus, I promise, we’ll acknowledge her.

…go lie down for a while. I suppose you’ve earned a break. When you’re ready, come back to work. And leave your emotions behind.

Horus glares at him but walks off all the same. Kur sighs and turns to face the room. The fireplace sits quiet and empty. With a simple flick of the wrist, Kur sends a ball of fire at it, setting it ablaze in an instant. Kur stares, transfixed, as the image of Eleanor dances among the flames.

END OF BOOK 1.