Luna tossed and turned in the luxurious elven bed. What’s wrong with me? This is by far the nicest bed I’ve ever slept in and yet I can’t stay asleep for the life of me. She climbed out of the fine silk sheets and walked over to an obsidian fountain.

The room was incredible, much like the rest of Nylaena Malthir. Decorated with beautiful tapestries, elegant furniture, and breathtaking views, Luna tried to enjoy it but she couldn’t help but feel incredibly out of place. She filled a sapphire encrusted goblet with water from the fountain and stepped out onto the balcony.

Her room was high up in the central tree with the cherry blossom colored leaves, so high in fact that the leaves draped down over the balcony like an awning. Luna yawned, walking to the edge of the balcony and leaning against the sweeping iron railing.

From her vantage point she looked down on the elven city which was full of life. People roamed the streets, boats came and went in the waterways, and smoke spewed from the chimneys. I guess it’s true what they say, elves never sleep. I’m going to be bloody exhausted on my trip home if I don’t manage to get some though.

She took a drink of water and looked down one last time at the bustling city before turning and climbing back into the oversized bed with the transparent cloth canopy. Luna sank into the cloudlike pillow and closed her eyes in search of the land of dreams.

Her eyes blinked open when she heard a door slam from down the hall. It’s none of my business. I should ignore it and just try to get some shut eye. When the clamor of distant and agitated voices from down the hall rang out, Luna sat up in bed and sighed. Sometimes my curiosity is such a damn burden. It’s clearly none of my business whatever is going on out there. Luna nodded her head from side to side as she weighed out her options. Why is this even a question in my mind? It’s obvious, go to sleep, wake up in the morning, collect my fortune, and head home a winner.

Luna covered her face with her palms and made a sound of frustration. A moment later she jumped out of bed and ran over to the door. Doing her best assassin impression, she opened the door just a crack and peeked out into the hallway. The hallway was empty but the sound of a heated discussion rang out from one end. Luna squinted her eyes and exhaled before tiptoeing down the hallway towards the commotion. It was a long hallway lined with doors. A skinny silver rug ran the length of the hallway embroidered with lemon colored stars. Luna walked on the tapestry and it muffled her footsteps.

When she got to the end of the hallway she came to a door that was much larger and more grand than all of the others. It was a double door with a keyhole shaped frame and a giant crescent moon symbol painted upon it. Luna could hear the argument raging behind the door but couldn’t make out what was being said. Okay you did it, you located the source, curiosity piqued. Now time to go back to your room and go to sleep. Tyriel has been nice so far, no need to test his patience by sneaking around his palace without permission.

Without another thought she cracked open the door as quietly as she could and put her right eye to the narrow opening. It appeared to be a study of some type. The walls were lined with shelves overflowing with books that spanned from floor to ceiling. Vaulted ceilings arched to a point in the center of the chamber.

The far wall was open revealing an incredible view of the city and the twinkling stars through the opening in the cavern high above. On the balcony two soldiers propped up a malnourished elf. Tyriel was standing on the balcony pacing back and forth arguing with the soldiers passionately.

Luna watched intently but she still couldn’t make out what they were saying, there was a slight breeze rustling the leaves that made it difficult to hear. Go back to bed you idiot. Spying on the king is not going to be looked at kindly when you inevitably get caught. Gritting her teeth and brushing her dark hair from her face she hunched down then slowly opened the door and snuck inside crouching behind a wooden column. Her heart was beating like a drum now, but she still couldn’t hear what they were talking about.

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Luna’s palms were sweating now. Do I turn back while I can, or move closer to hear what’s got them so worked up? I guess I’ve come this far, might as well see what’s going on. She looked left then right before dropping flat on the shiny checkered floor and crawling up to a closer column. When she got to the column her heart felt like it might explode out of her chest like an alchemical bomb. She breathed deeply and counted to ten, attempting to steel her nerves before she worked up the courage to peek out from her hiding place. Fortunately the argument was still raging and they hadn’t noticed her. From this spot she could finally hear the conversation.

“But my lord, his condition is worsening by the minute. If you don’t act now I fear we will lose him,” one of the soldiers pleaded.

Tyriel stopped pacing and stared out at his city. A moment passed before he spun around with a gaunt face, massaging the bridge of his nose. “I wish on the stars above that I was never given this god forsaken amulet…”

“I hate to see you like this, my king. But it is the only way. You know this to be true.”

Taking the amulet from beneath his tunic and gripping it in the palm of his hand, Tyriel closed his eyes and gulped. His hand began trembling. “Turn him to face me then do your very best to hold him still, if he moves the ritual will undoubtedly fail.” The slim elven soldiers did as their king commanded.

Luna gasped then quickly covered her mouth with her hand to stay silent. When they turned the sickly elf, Luna noticed that his eyes were black as the darkest tunnels beneath the deepest mountain. Bloody stars! His eyes are just like Cassian’s…

Seeing the similarities, she watched Tyriel like a hawk. Tyriel began chanting in ancient elvish slowly at first but it soon grew faster and more intense. His hand holding the tigers eye amulet shook violently then it began glowing like the sun. The breeze transformed into a storm that blew his hair wildly. Pink leaves came loose from the tree and swirled around the elven king.

The black eyed elf started flailing and trying to free himself from the two soldiers who struggled to hold him still. Screaming at Tyriel, the sick elf began grunting in a crude and guttural sounding language Luna had never heard. Tyriel suddenly levitated up off the balcony and his eyes glowed the same color as the amulet.

Convulsing violently now, the black eyed elf screamed in an ear piercing pitch while the soldiers did their best to hold him steady exactly as their lord had instructed. With a deafening boom like thunder, a bolt shot out from the amulet and struck the shaking elf.

Luna’s blood ran cold and she watched the ritual frozen in place like a statue. All of the torches and candles in the chamber went out at once. The black eyed elf collapsed to the ground and Tyriel fell from the sky landing with one fist on the balcony hunched over. The strange storm dissipated and pink petals floated to the floor. The room became eerily quiet, the only sound that remained was Tyriel’s labored breathing. He crawled over to the black eyed elf who laid perfectly still on the balcony and pressed his ear to his chest. For a moment Tyriel remained in this position as the two soldiers looked on nervously.

After a time, Tyriel stared hollowly out at his city, letting out a tortured scream that reverberated through the treetops. Tears welled up and lingered in his blue eyes. The two soldiers rushed to his side attempting to pull him to his feet. Tyriel pushed their outstretched hands aside and pulled himself up. Raining words of reassurance and praise on their king did little to alter his emotional state. Eventually Tyriel clenched his fists and stormed out of the chamber without speaking a word.

Luna huddled behind the pillar, shaking and paralyzed by fear. What did I just witness? Her heart beat like galloping hooves and she thought she might suffer a heart attack at any moment. When Luna felt the coast might be clear she ran back to her room. Jumping into the bed, then pulling the blanket over her head, her mind raced as she struggled to understand what just happened. It was something she hadn’t done since she was a child, and yet, it felt like the only thing to do.