Narmun lunged at his father, a spell burning in his hands as he did, the lance he’d been given by the sun god forgotten for the moment. Rage filled the high king as his vile snake of a father dodged his attacks.

“You will pay for what you’ve done to us, to her!” He snarled, canines bared as he threw a writhing ball of shadow and void at the usurper. Where Narmun’s armor reflected the light of the stars, the moon, life, in its silver etchings, Sylvanus’ armor reflected no light, nothing. The dark one absorbed it all. The spell struck Sylvanus in the chest and dissipated instantly, seemingly doing little to slow the dark god.

A deep chuckle slipped out of the light-less figure’s mouth. His face, identical to Narmun’s aside from the light in the other’s eyes. Where Narmun’s eyes held a ring of gold in the darkness, Sylvanus’ were pure shadow. “Foolish boy. You think that you’ve won.” He pulled a clawed gauntlet back as Narmun rushed him with the golden lance now in his hands. Its energy swirling and angry, the wrath of the sun god and another raging soul fueling its magic in Narmun’s hands.

“But you will not see the results of all of your efforts to put me down.” The dark god finished as Narmun reached him with the spear. Narmun's vision went black. Pain filled the high king of the night court.

A pained gasp escaped Narmun as he jolted awake in his bed, warm furs covered him as he sat there panting, head drooped and being held by both of his hands as he recovered. His head was pounding, but his eyes and face were intact. A vision. Another one. He sighed quietly to himself in the large empty bed, light from the dancing aurora and the stars filtering into the large cold room. A his long dark hair fell down around him in a waterfall of curls that seemed to glitter slightly from specks of starlight in the strands.

A small quiet voice broke the silence of Narmun’s pain.

“Master?”

“Kieran…. They’re getting worse.” Narmun replied to the little shadow dragon that stayed at his side.

The creature peeked its head over his pillows and then climbed onto his shoulder and nuzzled his face comfortingly. “Is the bad man making you hurt more? Because if he is, Kieran will end hi-” it said and pounded its little fist into the other with a head nod before Narmun cut him off with a slight smile.

“I appreciate the sentiment, Kieran.”

The small dragon tilted its head. “Is not sentiment. Is threat. Promise.”

Before Narmun could tell the little dragon that he stood no chance against the usurper, a knock came at the stone doors of the room.

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“Enter.” Narmun called out and slipped his legs off of the side of the bed, grabbing a thick silk robe to cover himself. He was in the middle of pulling it on when the door opened.

The tall regal figure of Ascher Vaelerus would enter the room. The door softly shut with a thud and his confident footfalls would approach. The wolf lord was tall, even for one of the arch-fey. He towered over Narmun by a good head almost. Skin the color of a spring vine with hints of purple, freckles of starlight adorned his cheekbones. His long red curls were the same shade of crimson as Narmun’s late wife. His eyes the same silvery glimmer of starlight. For he was her twin. Though, where his dear sister was small, soft, and about imposing and intimidating as a recently bathed kitten. Ascher was the incarnation of natures fury and regality. He was as kind as he was fierce and furious. His mood shifting with the winds.

He wore his usual fine silk woven vests and trousers. A star-silver rapier hung from his belt. His gaze moved to the look of exhaustion on Narmun’s face.

“When did you last sleep Narmun?” he asked with the concern of a close friend.

“Yesterday…. Last Night… I don’t know.” was the response as Narmun rubbed his eyes with clawed fingers.

“You aren’t doing Bleddyn, Borealis, or our people any justice by letting yourself be run into the ground.” Ascher spoke as he went over to a cabinet in the bedroom and pulled out a few powder filled jars and a tea cup. Heating the water carafe next to it with his magic.

“It has not been for lack of trying, Ascher.” Narmun said, exasperated.

Ascher quietly worked on the concoction he was planning to give him. “Then what prevents you? Visions again?”

“Yes…. They are more and more invasive. And every single one has become more painful. More violent. Worse. I cannot tell if I live or die. If you live or die. He is going to wi-“ Narmun said in a rather hopeless tone before he was cut off by Ascher setting the cup down before him and leaning into his face. Their noses nearly touching.

“You will not begin to speak in that defeatist tone. You will free yourself, Mithriel, Allorian, everyone else. Borealis death will not be in vain. You will not make my sister’s death be in vain. She was your wife, Narmun. Your heart and mine!” He growled, his long canines showing as his ever shifting temper showed slightly.

Narmun narrowed his golden eyes and bared his own teeth at the wolf lord, reminding him of the dragon that was always below the surface. “She was stolen from me. My whole life was stolen from me.” He growled the sentence out but his fury died out as he spoke, he put his head in his hands and the tears he had fought back for weeks now came rushing forth. “He takes everything from me, I couldn’t even have that one happiness.”

Ascher gave a quiet sigh and then sat down on the edge of the bed, his face softened and he pushed a small cup of tea in front of Narmun. “She wouldn’t want this Narmun. Bleddyn would want you to be happy, not wallow in misery. Not let Sylvanus and Syraela win.” He was silent for a moment. “I miss her too. There is a hole so large in the center of my chest and soul that I don’t know if it will ever close. Thoriean is trying his hardest to close that gaping wound but it's up to me to heal it. Just as you need to heal yours. We will be here to help you. But you have to be willing to start to patch it.”

Narmun looked quietly down at the hot cup of tea and let out a breath, picking it up and pouring the brew down his throat. “Alright… Alright Ascher, I will try. That is all I can promise right now.”

The wolf lord gave one of those crooked wolfish smiles of his and clapped Narmun on the back lightly. “You are a dragon, don’t let anyone take you by the throat that easily.”