It was quite an odd thing to see a shadow standing in front of you. Or rather than a shadow, Ulgrin had to say it was a lack of light and color that bisected a portion of the world. Staring at the fey creature gave him a bit of a headache, so he tried to focus on the area around it instead. In their hands was a seemingly mundane cane that they leaned upon whilst ‘looking’ at the group from below.

“You may all call me Tenebrous. It is a pleasure to meet you all. I am what you might call a ‘courtier’ or perhaps a ‘jester’ when the time calls for it. I have been tasked with escorting you all to the palace so that you may receive the guest’s rights.” The shadow gestured to the staircase. “If you would all follow me.”

Ulgrin sent a glance between his teammates, undecided for the moment. Then he sighed and spoke up. “Captain Verona, if you could stay here for the time being? We’ll try and send word if the meeting progresses to a certain point, but for now just stay on watch. Don’t leave the ship no matter what. If anything attacks then make a retreat… we’ll figure out something on our own.”

“No complaints from me or my crew.” Verona replies, crossing her arms. “You won’t catch any of us down there that’s for sure. This whole situation just screams ‘bad luck’. We’ll hold our own. But if that Dragon Turtle shows up again we won’t be sticking around for long. That’s gonna be your problem.”

“Sounds fair enough.” The dwarf says with a smile before gesturing for his allies to follow. Moving over to the edge, they descend the mooring lines and down to the strange dock. It takes a bit of effort to swing over but they all manage to land on the platform surrounding the reverse stairs.

Defying gravity, the stair ascends beyond a hole in the dock until just above head height. Tenebrous gives them all a nod of his head before stepping up to the staircase. His body inverts the moment he steps forwards, ‘dropping’ upwards to land on the stairs. He turns around and gives them an expectant look as if to say ‘are you all coming?’

Ulgrin decides to take one for the team and steps forwards. His gut lurches as he flips end over end, windmilling his arms to avoid tripping over. Perspective changed, he looks down at his friends and tries not to hurl. That was awful. Seeing as he hasn’t spontaneously combusted the dwarf moves ‘downwards’ to leave room for the rest to follow.

[Worrying. I cannot see any magical auras or mechanisms that allow for this to occur. It is almost as if space itself is being twisted.]

“You’ve never seen anything like this?” Ulgrin asked, biting his lower lip. The fact that it wasn’t magical irked him quite a bit. Not being able to dispel or change such a thing had him quite anxious. If this was the least of the fey’s powers then that meant they were quite the dangerous opponents indeed.

[Gravity manipulation was a fairly standard avenue of magical research, but this is entirely mundane according to my sensors. I would advise caution heading further into this labyrinth. There is no doubt a myriad of ways it could become an issue.]

Nodding, he watched the others join him. Alyss fell flat on her face, groaning audibly as she smashed into the stone stairs. Raelza was right behind her to pick the lass up, quickly ushering her along. Saezz didn’t have much trouble at all and merely pulled the young Alder into the field of gravity, arms long enough to grab him by the scruff. Out of them all Wreath seemed the most perturbed, requiring quite a bit of persuasion by his partner to be bribed into the strange area.

Fleeting Wind and Maya quickly followed suit, with the changeling keeping her in his arms and appearing much more on edge. Ulgrin supposed he would be too if his charge was being brought into a place like this, but fey were known to be quite caring for children. Or, well, most of them at least. Some fey were just awful.

Moving downwards, Ulgrin found his armor briefly inundated with water as he passed into the cool lake, but then was surprised to see it just end a few moments later. Blinking, he held a hand up and swished it through the mirror-like surface. Only a few feet thick. He could see clearly that the pane of water extended outwards until the edge of the lake, creating a strange spherical effect.

He paused to wait for the others, taking the time to dump water out of his boots. They all marveled at the painting-like city, becoming lost in its many facets. He couldn’t even begin to trace a path to where they needed to go, vision swimming as he looked up and down.

Tenebrous raised a hand. “This way. Please do not stray from my path. I cannot be held responsible if you were to become lost. I wish you luck were that to happen, but please, do not make such a mistake.”

“Sure thing, boss.” Raelza replied. “Do people often get lost in this place?”

“Ephemerals like yourself do not have the instincts required to make their way through this Court. If you see any skeletal remains please ignore them.” With that haunting warning the shadow man led them forwards. The path at first glance appeared to be winding and chaotic, but after a while Ulgrin realized they were getting closer to the palace.

Try as he might to count the minutes he kept getting distracted by the environment and losing track of his numbers. Around every corner seemed to be some kind of colorful display. Either new and even stranger fey or odd buildings that had no right being there. Oddest of them all seemed to be some kind of noodle shop, through which they could see humanoids slurping at porcelain bowls.

Tenebrous didn’t stop, keeping up his brisk pace through the labyrinthine city. Up stairs, around bends, and through holes they went. Eventually they arrived at the gates to the palace. A looming fortress rose out of the chaos, its walls just as twisted and strangely designed. The castle itself resembled two squares intersecting one another to form an eight-sided star. It seemed to be constructed from a dark purple marble with lines of quicksilver running through the building like the roots of a tree.

A single flower of pure glass blossomed from the central roof, massive petals casting long shadows over the whole complex. Towers rose from each of the eight corners and seemed to physically twist to avoid touching the plant. He paused for a moment, unsure exactly what flower it might be. Was it a camellia or orchid of some kind?

The gatehouse seemed to be manned by caricatures of what guards might have looked like if they were in a play. Comically large shoulder pads, ringmail wider than a doorknob, colorful banners and curled mustaches. Each one appeared to be human at first glance, but Ulgrin could tell there was a glamor surrounding them. However, his practiced eye couldn’t pierce the illusion, only granting him vague outlines of their true forms.

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“Hark!” Tenebrous called, bowing deeply and raising an arm to present them. “The Murky Court has visitors! They demand an audience with our glorious Queen. Open the gates and allow them passage, for they seek the right of guests!”

“Oh-ho,” one of the guards visible in the gatehouse spoke. “But to pass you must answer these riddles thre-” The man was promptly stabbed in the back by his comrade wielding a bronze spear, going down in a spray of crimson that painted the walls. “Urk!” They all watched as he slumped against the railing, choking on his own blood.

“You may pass,” the guard who murdered him said. “The Queen is not very patient today.”

“Excellent.” Their guide replied, sweeping his hands together. “Follow me, please.” He stepped past, taking care not to be rained up by dripping blood. They all stared for a moment, unsure of what to do. Ulgrin sighed, leading the way. It wouldn’t do to get caught up on the strange intricacies of this land. Besides, the fey was still moving, if faintly. He wasn’t dead. It was all an act. Probably

Tenebrous led them down finely carved masonry halls. There were rich displays of wealth and power in the form of intricate tapestries, well-made paintings, and stands of exotic armor. Ulgrin’s eyes glanced over a set of silver armor sized for a giant as they walked, wondering where it might have come from. Many of the giant kin were dead, having suffered greatly during the Shattering. Only their smaller brethren and cousins remained to take their place.

After a convoluted path through twisting halls they were stopped in front of a pair of double doors. More guards awaited, this time lacking the story like uniforms. These were far more serious, wearing dark and sleek black plate armor. He did a double take, realizing it wasn’t steel. It was gold. Black gold, likely alchemically treated. Or manipulated by fey magic.

Two spears made of coiled metal crossed, barring their path. Tenebrous raised a hand. “Guests, here to visit the Queen. She’s expecting us.” The twin fey remained silent, staring at each other, before removing their spears. The double doors were pulled open to reveal the main hall.

Braziers burning with silver light lit a wide room. Black and white tiles upon the floor made a checkerboard pattern. Pillars of marble rose into the ceiling, coiled by the glass roots of the ceiling’s flower. Shadowy shapes filled the room. Some were entirely transparent while others only were wreathed in the stuff. Courtiers filled the room, but quickly turned at their arrival.

At the far end of the hall sat a large throne made of the same glass-like material the roof flower had. Seated at it was a woman. An incredibly beautiful, if alien woman who leaned on one arm to stare down at them from her raised platform. She was large, easily a few heads taller than Saezz. An angular face with sharp cheekbones was crowned by a long mane of flowing dark hair. Piercing gray eyes stared them down, almost chillingly peering into their very souls. A laurel of black flowers rested upon her head and elven ears.

The hall was silent before Tenebrous cleared his throat. “Introducing the Scion of the Three Houses and her attendants.” He bowed deeply towards the royal archfey. “You stand in the presence of Her Highness, The Queen of Dark Corners and Murky Shadows. Erenaya.” The words seemed to have a presence that weighed upon the room, almost physical in nature. Just hearing it forced Ulgrin to his knees, incapable of not showing deference towards the woman.

His companions followed suit, their legs buckling. Not a single one of them managed to remain standing, even Wreath. The beast seemed to be the worst affected, pressing his skull into the floor hard. A supernatural silence filled the room. He couldn’t even hear the beat of his own heart.

[...Ulgrin! Ulgrin! Ulgrin! Can you hear me?] Lorekeeper’s voice suddenly cut in after several long moments had passed. [Your mind had become unresponsive. Are you alright?]

Erenaya narrowed her eyes and made a gesture. Suddenly the orb in his satchel floated free, rising into the air. The queen spoke in a hauntingly beautiful voice that reminded him of a distant orchestra. “You bring a speck of the Ancients here?” She demanded, sounding somewhat upset. “A cursed existence. I should destroy this terrible creation, but I shall honor the rights of my guests. Ensure that this MIND does not interrupt again.”

Lorekeeper’s vessel dropped out of the air and Ulgrin scrambled to catch it, his heart thumping in his chest. Her light was dimmed and for a moment he thought the construct dead. A moment later she pulsed and he breathed a sigh of relief. In shaky breaths, “Of course, Queen Erenaya.” He paused. What had she called Lorekeeper? The word escaped him.

Crossing her legs over one another and leaning back, Queen Erenaya continued. “So a Scion arrives.” Her gaze stares deeply towards Alyss. “I know your goals. You wish to enact casus belli against this ‘Fallen Court’.” Around her the shadows begin to dance, performing to an unknown tune. “Why?” She asks simply.

Alyss swallows, unable to find her voice. Eventually she manages to eke out the words. “Because they’re hurting people. Because they’re a threat to the nation. Because…” She digs deep into some inner wellspring of willpower. “Because they’re disrespecting you and your Court, my Queen.”

Erenaya’s lips curl just slightly. “Three perfectly valid reasons. But that does not answer my question. Why do you wish to ask for our assistance?”

The alchemist bites her lower lip. “Because I have to. Nobody else is willing to step up to the challenge. Because I - We - are trying to stop the end of the world. It’s coming, and every barrier to a proper defense is something that needs to be dealt with. A civil war would cripple Andire and I need them to stop being fools.”

“Hmm.” Erenaya leans on her arm, staring deeply. Her eyes hold untold depths, almost as if they are made of smoke. “You speak of the ‘end of the world’ as if it is certain. Foolish child, there is no ‘ending’ to this cosmic play. Only new stages. But I would not expect you all to understand. Such things are beyond your ken.”

Her silence fills the room once again and Tenebrous takes a step forward. “My lady, what do you wish to be done about them? Have they earned the Right of Guests?”

“They have.” The queen states. “We will speak more later. Bring them to appropriate chambers and allow them to rest. Dinner shall be served in twelve heartbeats. Do make sure to guide them. It wouldn’t do to have my guests become lost.” She makes a dismissive gesture. “Now leave. I must consider things.”

Tenebrous nods deeply before gathering them all up. The party is promptly ejected from the hall and the doors slam shut behind them. He sounds almost cheerful as he begins walking. “That went well. She is in a poor mood, but the young Scion’s words were spoken true. I believe you will have your goals met.”

Ulgrin’s throat was parched. He kept holding onto Lorekeeper’s vessel, genuinely afraid to lose her. Occasionally he could feel distant thoughts and feelings, but she remained unresponsive. He tried to think of something comforting to say, but found himself unable. He didn’t feel like being a leader right now.

Eventually Saezz spoke up. “Did she sound… Strange to anyone else?” The lizard asked, frowning. “Almost as if she was speaking an entirely different language. He finds that to be the most confusing occurrence of this encounter. He feels a headache forming.”

“I wouldn’t question it,” Raelza replied, soothing Wreath by scratching his frills. “This whole place is unnatural by definition.”

Ulgrin found his voice. “I noticed it too. But there isn’t much that can be done about it. Right now we’re stuck.” He felt like a rat trapped in a maze with no hope of escape. “It’s best we keep rolling with the punches as best as we can. Alyss, you did well.” He patted her on the back, eliciting a groan from the human.

“Ugh. That sucked. I wanna die. I’m gonna throw up.” She clutched her stomach. “Why did we come here again?”

“Because as you said, the fate of the world is at stake. Even if the feyfolk don’t think so.” He sighed. “But the hard part isn’t over just yet. Let’s get some rest and prepare for this ‘Dinner’.”

The party meets the Queen of the Murky Court. Yes, she does speak in an entirely different font. Why? Fey stuff. Tomorrow's chapter will be the end of the Writathon and I'll likely be taking a break afterwards. Not for long, I hope. Either way, thanks for reading! See you next chapter.