Chapter Four.

MAGIC MOONIE

ARES: …Horus?

Finally, Horus breaks his gaze away from Moonie and turns to face Ares.

HORUS: I feel like you could’ve given me more warning than this.

ARES: I tried! She rides really fast.

HORUS: I meant sending a letter.

ARES: That would give you too much warning. You’d have run off on “business” or something.

KUR: With good reason. Of all the magic users in all of Hituh, you’ve hired Moonie to train you?

ARES: She’s doing it for free.

Moonie finally pulls up, and after a quick address to the servants, strides up closer to the family.

MOONIE: Hi! Remember me?

Minerva gives her a big hug, and Moonie gives Set an enthusiastic wave on seeing him. Horus is suddenly interested in the ground.

ARES: How could any of us forget you? Here, come meet my girl. Primrose, this is Moonie.

MOONIE: Oh, finally! He wouldn’t stop bloody talking about you. Seriously, he was incessant. Nice to meet you.

PRIMROSE: Likewise! I assumed Ares was coming home with an old shaman, not someone so young as you.

MOONIE: I started practicing magic as a baby, much to my parents’ concern.

Lord and Baron Saber. Good morning. I hope you don’t mind me staying here while I train Lord Ares.

KUR: …I’ll leave that decision up to the Baron.

HORUS: …It’s not as though we don’t have room. Have Osprey set something up for you. Now if you’ll all excuse me, I’m very busy. Good morning.

Horus heads inside without another word, and after shooting some daggers at Moonie, Kur follows. Minerva lets loose a small giggle.

MINERVA: You flustered him.

MOONIE: Yes, a little easier than I’d have liked. I’m more worried about Lord Kur. Did you see the way he looked at me?

ARES: That’s just his face. Why don’t you take some time to get settled, so I can talk to Primrose.

SET: Just talking? Doesn’t sound like you.

MOONIE: Oh gods, Set, you’re even worse now.

SET: Thanks. I’m not sure if I’m happy or concerned you’re back, Moonie.

MOONIE: Me either, little dude. Me either.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

Not long later, Ares and Primrose are wrapped up together under the covers.

ARES: I missed you~

and I missed this~

and I’m so so so glad~

PRIMROSE: I’m glad you’re home, too. You don’t have to keep singing about it.

ARES: I know. I just hate the capital.

PRIMROSE: I’d love to see it — an entire city crafted by the gemstone elementals. Does it really sparkle at sunset?

ARES: Not just at sunset. The whole city is bedazzled. It’s sickening.

PRIMROSE: You’re just jaded, if you’ll pardon the pun.

ARES: Your underwater city is much more impressive than our slabs of stone, trust me. Maybe we should get out of here and go see the ice city next. Did you say you have friends there?

PRIMROSE: A few, but before we go off on our next adventure, do you want to tell me more about your visit to Capital? Why do you need a trainer? What does the queen want with you?

ARES: Moonie is sort of like… a buddy system. She’s going to make sure I’m alright. And the mission the queen wants me for is completely safe. They’re just being extra cautious, for whatever reason.

PRIMROSE: Hm… If you say so. You said you’re here till Solstice?

ARES: Unless there’s any changes, yes. If you want to go back to Tijora and wait for me there once I’m gone, I’ll understand.

PRIMROSE: Don’t be ridiculous. You won’t be gone for long, surely?

ARES: I suppose I don’t know.

A knock at the door interrupts them. Ares calls to enter, earning him a slap from a still-naked Primrose. Osprey comes in, oblivious.

OSPERY: Hello again. You missed lunch. I came to see if you want something to eat.

ARES: Yes! Always yes.

OSPREY: Very good. Incidentally, Ares, Moonie was asking for you. And Primrose, Horus wants to speak to you.

PRIMROSE: He does? What about?

OSPREY: He didn’t specify.

ARES: Tell both of them we aren’t interested. Primrose and I are going to stay here all day long.

OSPREY: I thought as much. I’ll send up some food…

PRIMROSE: No, don’t do that. Tell Horus I’ll see him soon.

ARES: What? Why?

PRIMROSE: We have three months until Solstice. We have time, Ares. Come on, let’s go see what they want, and I’ll meet you back here.

ARES: Yeah, but are you sure you want to go spend time with Horus? He seemed pretty moody before.

PRIMROSE: He wouldn’t ask me if it wasn’t important.

ARES: …I feel like this is some sort of setup, but alright. Hope he isn’t too mad. I thought for a moment he might split the earth open when he first saw her.

PRIMROSE: I’ll say. That man has so many different levels of terrifying, doesn’t he? What happened between them, anyway?

ARES: They dated and broke up. I guess they were pretty serious, but it was so long ago. I’d have thought he’d be over it by now.

OSPREY: Maybe you were too young to understand, but it was more than just serious. We thought for sure she was going to be the new Lady of Cragg. He was devastated when she left.

ARES: I thought he broke up with her?

OSPREY: He did. That doesn’t mean he wasn’t devastated. No-one could breathe a word about her for months, don’t you remember?

ARES: I guess I forgot. Well, they don’t need to interact. I’ll be sure to keep her out of his way.

OSPREY: I would like to suggest he’s called for Primrose now as punishment to you, if that’s not too bold.

ARES: I’d also suggest that. Alright, I’m ready. Not for magic, but to face my brother. Tell Moonie to entertain herself until a bit later. Ready, Primrose?

PRIMROSE: Ah… another minute would be nice, please.

ARES: Maybe another… thirty minutes?

PRIMROSE: Get off, you!

OSPREY: I’ll go give the message to Moonie, then…

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

The castle library is rather elaborate. There are armchairs and lounges, a fireplace, and several desks. Horus favours the desk by the window, spreading out maps and documents all the way to the edges. Sitting with his back against the window, he doesn’t so much look at the words as he does scribble in the margins. Eventually, he stops, frustrated.

HORUS: How long are you going to keep staring at me?

Moonie shrugs from the wall she’s leaning on. Horus looks back at his papers.

HORUS: Well, let me know when you think of something to say.

MOONIE: I was coming to look for a book. I wasn’t sure if it was safe to enter while you were assaulting those papers.

HORUS: I’m not assaulting anything. I’m working.

MOONIE: Oh?

Moonie walks over and looks at the pages. She smiles and points to the margins.

MOONIE: What’re these, then?

HORUS: None of these are any of your business.

Horus starts stacking his papers, intent on going somewhere else. Moonie gives a big smile at him.

MOONIE: Do I really make you so uncomfortable? Before you go, let me say one thing.

HORUS: What, Moonie?

MOONIE: …It’s nice to see you again.

HORUS: …yeah, it’s nice to see you too. I heard you’re with a nice girl from capital.

MOONIE: To know that you must’ve asked. We’re engaged, actually.

HORUS: Congratulations.

MOONIE: Thank you. She doesn’t think I’m too common for her.

HORUS: She wouldn’t, as a commoner, would she?

Stolen story; please report.

They stare each other down a moment before Horus backs away.

HORUS: Feel free to look around. If anyone asks, I’ll be in my room.

MOONIE: Please, don’t leave on my account. It’s your house, I should be the one who finds somewhere else to be.

HORUS: Last time I asked you to leave, you put a hex on me.

MOONIE: You earned that hex all on your own.

HORUS: You had no right to be as angry as you were. I—

Osprey walks in, interrupting them. He stops awkwardly.

OSPREY: Oh. Sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude…

HORUS: You didn’t. What is it?

OSPREY: Primrose is coming to meet you. And Ares is going to meet with you, Miss Moonie.

MOONIE: Thank you, Osprey. I’m sorry you walked into all this negativity. It was my fault. It’s nice to see you again, by the way.

OSPREY: You too, madam. It’s been a long time.

MOONIE: Seems like only yesterday the three of us were sneaking whiskey and playing with the telescope, huh?

OSPREY: I’m surprised you remember.

MOONIE: Of course, I remember. I could always hold my drink. Horus, do you remember drinking with Osprey?

HORUS: …vaguely.

MOONIE: You sure did drink a lot for someone who’s such a lightweight. Remember how silly he used to get?

OSPREY: Your words, madam.

HORUS: I remember when you turned twenty, Osprey, and suddenly weren’t willing to steal alcohol from the kitchens anymore.

OSPREY: Adult consequences quickly set me straight, sir. I certainly regret anything I took from your family now.

HORUS: Please, anything you may have taken you’ve paid back tenfold. Besides, I don’t regret drinking what you stole.

OSPREY: What a relief, sir. I hope you’ll both continue to keep the secret from Lord Kur.

Horus and Moonie nod in agreement. They’re a bit more relaxed, but still wary of each other, especially Horus.

HORUS: Thank you, Osprey. You can go.

MOONIE: Thanks, Osprey. Tell Ares to meet me at the annex when he’s ready.

OSPREY: Thank you, my lord.

Osprey leaves. Moonie raises her eyebrows at Horus, but he looks away quickly.

HORUS: My apologies. I shouldn’t have lost my temper. Everything with us was a long time ago. Take your time in the library.

MOONIE: If it was such a long time ago, why are you still leaving?

HORUS: Because I know you, Moonie, and you’re distracting. See you later.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

Primrose meets Horus upstairs in the small living area near the balcony. His papers are spread out all over the place again.

PRIMROSE: Oh, hello.

HORUS: Primrose. Please sit. One moment…

Yes. Hello, sorry. I wanted to talk to you about Solstice.

PRIMROSE: Sure! What’s up?

HORUS: Well, it’s customary for the host of the Solstice to put on some sort of show or display for the gods. I’d rather not participate, but father insists. I wondered if you’d do something with me this year.

PRIMROSE: Oh, um… of course, I will. I’m used to doing ceremonies back home. It’s just… I assume there’ll be a lot of noble folks coming to this party. Will they want a Tijoran performing on a day so sacred?

HORUS: Probably not, but they’ll get over it. When mum was still alive, her and dad performed together. I think it’d be nice, to show the merging of the two families.

PRIMROSE: Well… okay then. Sounds fun. What did you have in mind?

HORUS: I’ll talk to you about it more later, I’m sure you’re keen to get back to Ares.

PRIMROSE: He’s off with Moonie somewhere.

HORUS: Poor guy.

PRIMROSE: You’re not a fan of Moonie, huh?

HORUS: It’s not that. It’s that I think she’s evil and shouldn’t be here. I’m a very big fan of her work, actually.

PRIMROSE: Ares told me you two have a history. It must be weird to see her again.

HORUS: You have no idea. Last I saw her she put a hex on me that made me hallucinate every time I drank water.

PRIMROSE: Oh my. That is evil. How long until it wore off?

HORUS: Almost a week. I was getting quite used to it, by the end.

PRIMROSE: I wonder if I’ll get used to Ares using war magic…

HORUS: He’ll have his work cut out for him the next few months. I hope you’ll stick by him, even if things go a little awry.

PRIMROSE: Yeah…

HORUS: Everything okay?

PRIMROSE: What happened? He tells me he lost control badly once, but not what the outcome was. I feel like he’s avoiding telling me. Do you know?

HORUS: I do. I was there to stop him. Don’t worry, he’s not like he was then. It’s just a bad memory. A bit like me and Moonie, I suppose.

PRIMROSE: You’re going to avoid telling me, too?

Was the breakup with Moonie really so awful? She seems alright.

HORUS: Not just the breakup. Our entire relationship was awful. Enough of all that. Come with me to the training area. We’ll workshop a couple of rituals.

PRIMROSE: Oh… sure, okay.

HORUS: Great. You are a water elemental, right?

PRIMROSE: Yes, but not a very impressive one. I only know basics.

HORUS: Basics are good enough. Come show me what you can do.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

While Horus and Primrose go to the training area, Ares goes to the annex to meet Moonie. She isn’t there yet, so he slumps against the wall to wait. Osprey comes and finds him.

OSPREY: She still isn’t here?

ARES: Nope. So, no idea what she wants?

OSPREY: Knowing her, something unpleasant.

ARES: She never was a sit-around-peacefully kind of woman. What’re you doing here?

OSPREY: She asked me to join her.

ARES: I see… how’s preparation for Solstice?

OSPREY: Fine. Elizabeth has her hands busy trying to get everything clean in time. Some of the staff have been avoiding the annex since Danielle told them all it was haunted.

ARES: It is haunted.

OSPREY: I know. We haven’t had anyone in to do a cleansing yet, and they’re not willing to go there until we get it done.

ARES: You don’t mind going in?

OSPREY: Not at all. The annex is a good reminder.

ARES: Oh yeah, of what?

OSPREY: …what your family is really capable of. Here’s Moonie.

MOONIE: Gentlemen! Sorry to keep you waiting. I was collecting some books, lest I have to run into Horus in the library again. Ready to do some training?

ARES: Seriously? We’ve only been home a couple hours. I don’t want to start right away.

MOONIE: I know, which is why this is an easy task. We’re not going to practice fighting.

ARES: What’re we practicing, then?

MOONIE: Escaping.

Basically, Osprey and I are going to chase you around the annex and through these adjoining gardens. If we catch you, I’m going to put a hex on you.

ARES: What kind of hex?

MOONIE: One that will make Primrose unhappy.

ARES: How is this fair? Two against one?

MOONIE: Being chased is a pretty high-stress situation, and for magic users especially, can call for a lot of soul. We need to practice protecting your soul at all costs, and this is a good way to start.

ARES: You’re going to attack me with magic, aren’t you?

MOONIE: Probably. You know how to block though, right? I remember practicing that with you years ago. So, are you ready? You’ve got one minute before Osprey and I come looking for you.

ARES: Seriously?

MOONIE: Clock’s ticking.

Ares, realising she’s serious, takes off. Moonie gives a big smile.

MOONIE: Try and herd him inside the annex as much as possible, alright?

OSPREY: Yes, ma’am.

MOONIE: Good. I want to push him to the edge of his tether. Let’s find out what we’re really dealing with.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

The chase goes on for some time. Around the gardens, up and down the stairs. Ares runs in and out of bedrooms, dodging being seen. Just as he loses Osprey and makes it downstairs, he bumps into Moonie.

MOONIE: Gotcha.

Ares turns and starts running. Moonie shoots a beam of power towards him, causing him to stumble. The second beam knocks him over entirely.

MOONIE: I’m not going to go easy on you, Ares!

She attacks again and again. Eventually, Ares constructs a shield to stop her. She waits, taunting, before starting to cast a spell. Ares takes off again in an instant, headed for the gardens. Moonie rushes out after him, firing sound waves forward to give the illusion she’s closer than she is. Once they’re outside Ares sprints — only to bounce back as he reaches the edge of the gardens. Bewildered, he takes some time to get back up. Moonie catches up behind him. Panting, Ares turns to face her.

ARES: When did you have time to construct a forcefield?

MOONIE: Earlier. Ready?

ARES: I can’t run anymore…

MOONIE: Then, fight me. Or I’ll put a spell on you.

ARES: I don’t want to fight…

MOONIE: Why not?

ARES: It’s not safe.

MOONIE: It is if you do it right.

Moonie attacks. Ares blocks, then dodges, but he’s too tired. Instead of bringing up magic, he withdraws his sword.

MOONIE: As if I’ll ever let you come near me with that. Drop it, coward. Fight me with your soul.

ARES: Moonie, please.

MOONIE: If you won’t play, I will.

As soon as Moonie starts casting her spell, Ares becomes distressed. He brings up a small energy blast and sends it in her direction. She blocks it easily, grinning, and starts casting again. Just as it looks like Ares is about to give up, an arrow whizzes through the air, narrowly missing Moonie’s ear and stopping just short of Ares. Both of them freeze, immediately stopping what they’re doing. When they look around, Primrose grins at them wickedly.

PRIMROSE: I wondered what all the noise was about. Miss Moonie, want to explain what you were about to do with my husband?

MOONIE: …Just a little hex. Nothing permanent. Ah, I can’t believe I was caught off guard! How embarrassing.

ARES: We were both off-guard. How’d you get here so fast?

PRIMROSE: Because I’m fast. What’re you both doing, sprinting everywhere? And what’s with the forcefield?

MOONIE: We were playing games.

PRIMROSE: I’m surprised. I thought you’d be off drinking somewhere.

ARES: Both of those things sound like a better time than this was. How about you and I go for a drink? We’ll get out of the castle for a change.

PRIMROSE: Sounds perfect.

MOONIE: Alright, fine. I suppose I’ll dismiss you for the day, but you better be ready to spar with me tomorrow. I’m attacking you, whether you like it or not.

ARES: Maybe, we’ll see how I’m feeling.

MOONIE: Hm. Well, have fun. And remember, ignoring a problem doesn’t make it not a problem.

ARES: Show’s how much she knows.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

Meanwhile, upstairs in the annex, Osprey continues walking around, looking for signs of life. One room he peers into has Elizabeth inside, and he stops to watch her, a smile creeping across his face. She’s approaching a closet well known to be haunted. She approaches carefully, then suddenly, flings the door open and jumps back in anticipation. When nothing comes out, Osprey starts cracking up to himself. Elizabeth spins, face turning red.

ELIZABETH: How long have you been standing there?

OSPREY: Only just long enough. I thought you said there were no ghosts.

ELIZABETH: Ghosts, no. Curses? Absolutely. It feels like every time I open this cupboard, something springs out at me. Rats, dogs, employees, and residents… once, a bloody goat was wedged in here. I still haven’t figured out how that happened.

OSPREY: If it’s to do with animals, it’s usually Master Set’s fault.

ELIZABETH: I don’t miss cleaning up after the frogs he used to leave everywhere, but I preferred that to these attack dogs.

OSPREY: Me too. Poor Augustus.

ELIZABETH: What are you doing here, anyway?

OSPREY: Moonie and Ares work. They’re doing some practicing. I’m a bit puffed to keep taking it too seriously, to be honest.

ELIZABETH: In that case, come give me a hand.

Elizabeth begins piling blankets into Osprey’s arms, and as she goes to close the door, a ghost sweeps out suddenly, startling them both before disappearing completely.

ELIZABETH: What…what was that?

OSPREY: …A ghost.

ELIZABETH: What? No. It couldn’t have been. Ghosts are really rare. It must have been a bird or bug or something.

OSPREY: One that vanished into thin air?

ELIZABETH: We don’t know what kind of weird species exist. This is just part of whatever curse is on it.

OSPREY: Sure, Elizabeth, whatever makes you feel better. I’ll have someone from security come clean it out and do a cleansing before guests arrive.

ELIZABETH: Don’t bother. Anyone who opens this door deserves whatever jumps out and scares them.

OSPREY: Good point. I really should get back to it.

ELIZABETH: Oh, alright…

OSPREY: What’s wrong?

ELIZABETH: I’m just worried about you working with Ares and his magic, especially knowing how Lord Kur can be.

Why are you smiling?

OSPREY: You’re worried about me.

ELIZABETH: Oh, stop it.

OSPREY: No, really. I’ll be fine.

Thanks for the company. It was a good distraction.

ELIZABETH: I’m always a good distraction.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧*

A few days later, Augustus meets Tiger in the kitchens as he’s coming in from working with the dogs. Exhausted, he slumps into one of the dining chairs.

AUGUSTUS: Coffee.

TIGER: Sure. With breakfast, today. Are you sure you should be back at work already? You don’t look fully recovered.

AUGUSTUS: This is all Python approved me for.

TIGER: If you talk to her, she’ll give you more.

AUGUSTUS: No, really. The work starts to pile up when I take time off. It’s easier to go back and do a half-ass job than take another day to rest.

TIGER: Take an extra-long breakfast, then. Here. Have you given anymore thought into what Osprey said about study?

AUGUSTUS: A little. Yes. I just feel terrible about taking his money.

TIGER: You’ll pay him back when you have it. So, you’re leaving us, huh? Moving to capital?

AUGUSTUS: I suppose so. That is, assuming I get into university.

TIGER: You will. Any ideas what you’ll do once you get there?

AUGUSTUS: Not yet… maybe politics. Is that crazy?

TIGER: Oh, yes. You want to get further away from this world, Augustus. Not closer to it.

AUGUSTUS: I’m just not sure what I can do that pays well. No matter what, I’ll be taking a pay cut, but I need to keep it minimal. Mum and dad still need a lot of support.

TIGER: I still can’t believe you have eleven brothers and sisters. Can’t some more of them help out?

AUGUSTUS: They could, but I don’t think the kids know how much money Osprey and I give to mum and dad to keep them afloat. I don’t want them to know how badly we’re struggling. The kids won’t get kicked out of the school as long as Osprey works here, but… money will definitely be tight if I can’t send anything home anymore.

TIGER: So, don’t leave. Elizabeth will hire you if you want.

AUGUSTUS: I don’t want to live my life this way anymore. I need to get the fuck out of here.

TIGER: Life here wasn’t all bad, was it?

AUGUSTUS: Most of it, yeah.

TIGER: …even the parts containing me?

AUGUSTUS: You’re certainly one of the few highlights. Don’t get all soppy, we’ll still be friends. I’ll be back all the time to visit the family.

TIGER: Well, you better come up with a plan fast. You’ll need to apply for courses…soon.

AUGUSTUS: I will, I will. So, what happens if I leave? I mean… will you continue to push for better conditions for the others?

TIGER: It’s not just about them. Kur is dangerous, and a threat to our entire nation. So yes, I will continue working on it. I promise. I know you don’t like it, but the next step is getting Osprey to talk to Ares. If Minerva and Ares work together, they can get Horus on side.

AUGUSTUS: That’ll never happen. Ares loves his daddy too much to ever stand up to him.

TIGER: …You can’t hate on them for loving their father. It’s natural.

AUGUSTUS: There’s nothing natural about the way they stand idly by while we’re whipped and tortured. If they love a man who treats us like this, then they should drown alongside him.