“So let me see if I get this right, you’re King Minos… lover?” Shaluna turned around with a wry grin. “Indeed. We have been together for, better part of a decade by now, give or take.” That felt somewhat surreal. “I would have expected you’d have bodyguards or something when you’re out walking.” Shaluna blinked for a second, before breaking into a chuckle.
“That is understandable, however, who would harm me here? Even is someone would want to, you think they’d dare with Minos around?” Shaluna was right. No way anyone would dare challenge him in such a fashion, not unless they wished for death, or worse.
“That aside, I haven’t been very outgoing for some personal reasons. Though thanks to recent happenings I feel more secure to go out now.” I looked at Amber, who shrugged. Guess it was a personal problem. Amber sped up and began walking backwards ahead of us. “So how’s it like, being a Minotaur royal?” Shaluna paused for a moment and just looked at Amber.
“I, honestly have never thought about that, I guess it’s because it's just daily life for me now. I didn’t know who Minos was when I first got together with him, and by the time I did, I was already involved with him, so...” She shrugged and began walking again. “That aside, aren’t you a princess as well Keari?” Her words gave me pause for a few moments. “That’s... technically true, huh, never really thought about it that way.” Shaluna’s knowing smile said everything about her thoughts on my response.
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The news that Yun-Yun was pregnant spread through the hold like wildfire. It didn’t take more than an hour before she was swamped with well-wishers and congratulators. However, I was adamant about Yun-Yun getting some rest. The news was a severe emotional shock, and Gneiss was adamant she needed rest and quiet. That was fine.
I was now alone with my beloved wife, and we could finally discuss the news with no one else butting in or overhearing. Yun-Yun was frazzled. Her usual fiery and confident self blown away with the news. When she first recovered, she asked Gneiss if her fainting earlier caused any harm to the child. However, Gneiss claimed it was over exertion combined with the extra stress the unborn child was placing on her body that caused it and that the child itself was fine.
“So I guess I’m sitting this one out.” Her voice was quivering. I sat beside her on the bedside, hugging her gently. “Aye, that you are, and don’t even think arguing about it. Even Keari and Amber would say no if they knew. And Moor would likely just bind you with magic.” Yun-Yun gave a nervous laugh. “Do you remember that time when he bound Keari with magic, so she wouldn’t try to run away from her reading lessons?”
I did, vividly so. Keari always hated her reading lessons as a kid. She always wanted to run around and be more active, as if she contained a mountain’s worth of energy to burn. Then again, she probably did. “First Lady Labyrinthia blesses us with a child, then we all but outright adopt another. And now, we will finally have our own.”
Yun-Yun nuzzled into my shoulder, her voice low. Before long she was sleeping in my arms. “After over a century, ye finally got yer wish, ma dear. I don’t know which god blessed ye for this. But whomever ye are, thank ye.” My voice was barely a whisper, but I got the feeling that my words of gratitude had been heard.
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“There, that takes care of that, no more void energies messing with your emotions.” Nicomphus looked up at me from where he was sitting. “Thanks, Bird-Girl.” He hopped to his feet, stretched and left without another word. With him gone I could focus on other things, like how the date between Mordred and Sarirrva was going, or wait, better not. I was tempted to spy on them with magic, but knowing Mordred, he’d notice immediately.
Hmm, maybe I could…
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“Do you think the Duergar will aid us, brother?” I looked over at Narja. “I do. They have been reliable trading partners for as long as I remember and since they attacked their princess, I can’t imagine them not sending at least a small force. Sure they aren’t that many of them living in Therinos, since their clan is relatively young. However, they could send a call for backup from any other allies they might have.”
Narja tilted her head, then realization dawned on her. “They came from the south, there are only one known source of Duergar to the south.” I nodded grimly as looked up at the cloudy sky. “With some luck, either the Duergar, or Mordred will inform Lady Labyrinthia about those Void cultists. If tales are to be believed, she has ways to handle the Void that can’t be compared to anyone else.” I couldn’t hide the trembling in my voice.
Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
The entire festival grounds was teetering on the edge of complete anarchy after the news had spread. It didn’t help that the tribal council was as useless as always. “We need to get everyone about this as soon as possible.” Narja looked up at me from where she was sharpening her spear. Then with a grimace she scoffed. “Easier said than done. One of us should have stayed behind to ensure the other tribes didn’t get ideas.”
I hated to admit it, but she was right, In our absence, the unity the two of us forced through seeped away like water through a leaking bucket, and now the tribes were back at bickering. Yet, this time even the threat of a potential imminent void-based invasion just wasn’t enough to stop them. Tarsja finally made her presence known.
“I finally found out why the tribes are so difficult to deal with.” Narja and I gave her our full attention. “One elder remembered seeing Mordred as a kid and recognized his appearance. Considering his age, it wasn’t a difficult leap to jump to the prophecy from there.”
Just great. “That explains why the tribes suddenly got so stuffy about the whole deal earlier, and why they are all suddenly so keen on being in charge. I just wish they would see the bigger picture here. Do any of them have enough combat experience and tactical know-how to lead a united tribal army? No. Does that mean we're screwed if they are put in charge? Yes.” It was a simple deduction that even a cub could see, yet those power-hungry old farts were too busy thinking about themselves.
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“Good, you’re here.” Indella jumped onto the table and sat down, a habit she had taken too long ago. “So what’s the issue?” To gather my thoughts, I took a deep breath. “I need you to get word to Eliandar and Arana about the potential of another void-based war, preferably on the down-low, so we don’t have to deal with panicked civilians.” I could feel the reluctance radiating from Indella.
“Look, that date you have forced on Mordred will last longer than you will be away, even more so if you don’t screw up, so you can go back to playing cupid afterwards. Indella blushed. “That obvious, huh?” Indella, we both want Mordred to be happy, since we consider him our friend. And we both want that date to go well, but trust me, spying would be a bad idea. So do the job and use it to distract you, join Eliandar and Arana for dinner or something, anything to not let your curiosity get the better of you.”
Indella hesitated, then finally relented. “As much as I hate saying it, when you get like this, it’s a good idea to listen. Besides, I haven’t seen Mordred smile since Erem passed away, so if I have to get out of his hair for him to regain his smile, then so be it.” Indella walked towards the door. “It’s hard to see one of your old role models turned friend suffer, but bear with it, you have done what’s needed, the rest will sort itself out.” Indella paused for a second, then with a single nod, vanished.
Well, it would be almost smooth sailing from here, there was still… that to sort through, which would be a rather amusing conversation, no doubt. Well, I’d cross that bridge when I got to it. For now, another meeting in the hall of the gods awaited. Grandfather wanted me to explain what was going on after several of the other gods received reports via prayers or mortal agents. This was going to give me a headache… The only upside was that the refreshments in that meeting would be delivered courtesy of everyone’s favorite demigoddess master chef.
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Things were going awry, and fast. I didn’t even need my foresight to know that. I could see it in the way the visitors from my sister’s domain were tense and distracted during their bargaining. Something was happening, something bad. If this were a century ago, I’d just visit her, but after her ascension there was always something or another eating away at her free-time.
It would be so much easier if I could see into her future, but because of her circumstances, such a thing was impossible. Well, there was one person I could ask. I popped my head into the living room, where Rael was playing with the kids. “My love, you wouldn’t know why everyone in Pearls domain are behaving as if the world is ending, would you?”
He hesitated for a moment, then he put Millian and Millina back down and walked over. “I do, but let’s not discuss it in front of the kids.” His voice was hushed, and his gentle smile and relaxed posture was replaced by a tense agitation. This couldn’t mean anything but trouble.
He walked into the kitchen, and as I followed he dropped a ward to prevent eavesdropping. “This is straight from Pearl, she knew you’d notice, so she told me to tell you when you asked.” He paused and took a deep breath. A few days ago, the beast-kin tribes to the north were attacked by an unknown force wielding void-based skills and magic. And just yesterday, the potential of a worst-case scenario was all but confirmed. The wood elves were likewise assaulted by an agent wielding void powers.”
I slowly took a step back, then sank onto the floor. “Is it-?” Rael shook his head. “We can’t say for sure, so only Minos’ army will act for now. However, everyone is on edge because of it, but to avoid a panic in case of false alarm, she’s keeping a lid on it.” He took a deep breath and flexed his sword-arm. Even after all these years, he hadn’t forgotten about the wounds he suffered back then.
I could understand sister’s thought process. If it was a false alarm, she just caused a ruckus over nothing. However, if this was a splinter of void entities that somehow survived Pearl’s alteration to the Void itself… But, that made no sense at all. There was no way any void entities should still be around, even void-based magic and skills were losing power, if my sister was to be believed. There had to be something else behind this, which was why she was keeping quiet. In fact, I could only think of one thing, and the very thought of that possibility, terrified me to no end.