Senna

“Mother, you need to relax. Luna is not here to talk Nil down. Riding him like you have been is a recipe for disaster.” I lectured. He might have been in the wrong but nagging him constantly is only motivating him to do something stupid.

“It was wildly improper for him.” Mother retorted. Mother, stop. He’s been in the library every night. He’s either studying or preparing, and I doubt he’s taking a loss sitting down.

“What part of Luna the Nil Whisperer is not here, is not clear?” I pressed, trying to contain my irritation.

“Aren’t you his mother, Senna?” Mother snapped, not getting my point.

“I am. I also know that for whatever reason, Luna is excellent at keeping him in line. You are needlessly antagonizing him. He was punished, we lectured him on proper behavior, and they’ve behaved well since. You need to drop it.” I spat at her as she clearly dismissed me. Why is she like this?

“Is she with him?” Mother probed. I took a deep, composing breath.

“While the answer may be yes, we are not arranging a marriage between them.” I informed her. She really doesn’t listen. Why am I smashing my head against this wall?

“If they get along and are why not?” Mother checked, either not caring or not catching my tone.

“We are not arranging a marriage for Nil. You need to relax. Luna is not here to stop whatever scheme he is cooking. You are only motivating him to do something impulsive.” I sighed. Nil when he fixates tends to not care about the consequences, and according to Nox he’s been going ten to twelve books deep.

“He’s a kid. What do I have to worry about?” Mother checked, looking nonplussed. I don’t know. I just imagine Nil is going to try something knowing how much you’ve been lecturing him.

“Just take a breather. Relax Mom before we figure how devious my son is. He has never been one to take defeat well.” I lectured her. I could feel her blow me off.

“I’ll be fine.” Mother retorted. I’ve seen that face Nil is making, he will find a way to get revenge. She was warned.

*

Nil

My birthday itself was uneventful, and when I was not playing with Ekard, Ein, or Lux, I read books on guerilla tactics and warfare. I hate losing. I also studied my grandmother’s habits and what she did each day in her free time. Revenge shall be mine; know thine enemy. I prepared for this gambit, researching everything I could. Even that peculiar she used. I think I figured out how to deal with it. Part of me debated if my plan was a bit nasty, but the rest of me was quite annoyed by her. Grisbane lectured and was passive aggressive nearly every second she was around us. It was only fuel to me. Luna definitely wouldn’t approve of what I’m thinking. Trying to shame us every chance she got and ruining our innocent fun. We won’t win in a fair fight. We also lost pretty badly and had to retreat behind my uncles. I am not letting it end like this. Our fireworks plan was ruined, and the entire time she kept grumbling about our behavior and us hiding behind my uncles after we tried escaping. Today was our last day together, so we needed to strike. I have an idea on how to level the playing field though. She greatly irked me, and I was not going to take losing that badly in stride, especially when she kept being passive aggressive about it. We are going to be in so much trouble for this. It will be worth it. I hope. Luna should understand. This took a lot of prep work. I hope it pays off.

“Nil, why are we sitting around a covered object?” Ekard asked, looking excited.

“It is our target for today.” I announced as I unveiled a portrait of my grandmother that I borrowed from one of the galleries. You shall be defeated today Grisbane.

“That’s grandma!” Ein chimed. No. This is our enemy.

“This is grandmother, not grandma. She ruined the fireworks plan. Are we going to take this loss sitting down?” I replied, trying to rally my crew.

“No!” Ekard and Lux snapped with fervor. Good team. Our victory shall be glorious.

“It is up to the righteous to break the shackles of tyranny. We were struck down in our moment of glorious victory, and today, we shall return the favor.” I declared. You want to be passive aggressive with us, we shall avenge ourselves.

“What?” Lux asked, not following.

“No idea. Heard that was part of a speech one of the generals gave. I think it is relevant.” I lied. I’m trying to set the mood.

“But we lost pretty bad last time. How are we going to overcome the fact she’s much stronger than us?” Ekard inquired. By being underhanded and not fighting directly.

“By not fighting head on. We will use guerilla tactics to win!” I explained. I had to look some up to come up with a game plan.

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“That sounds cowardly.” Ekard replied, sounding apprehensive. Just wait, this is the least morally gray part of the plan.

“If we charge head on, we will lose; so, we are going to use a hit and run strategy. As well as what may be considered underhanded tactics. Take these rings, they are loaded with protection.” I explained, giving everyone part one of how to defeat Grisbane.

“So what’s the plan?” Lux checked, catching on I had a way to overcome the difference in strength.

“That’s a great question.” I answered, looking at my team with glee. She’s lectured us enough, time to earn it.

“First, take these pocket watches. Timing will be everything. We all know how to read these, correct?” I asked as I handed out the pocket watches and rings.

“Yes!” they all answered in unison.

“Did you practice that Ein?” I asked. We need that to win.

“Of course!” Ein said excitedly. You’re the best brother.

“Good. Now, here is how we are going to win today…” I began.

*

Azzeck

I was slightly disappointed how Nil handled his grandmother. I understood why he hid behind his uncles and didn’t blame him for that. I was sad he and his brother took losing that bad apparently in stride. Grisbane has been an utter cindelrock too, but he hasn’t acted out at all. They continued to play and spar each day and were on their best behavior for the last several days. Even on his birthday Nil was behaving extremely well. I let out a sigh.

“What’s wrong Azzeck?” Azkar asked, also sounding a bit morose.

“Slightly disappointed in how my sons handled the incident with their grandmother. Kind of wish they rebelled a little, you know?” I replied. Azkar nodded in agreement.

“I understand that feeling. Ekard is usually much more rebellious than this. Then again, he’s been amazingly humble since Nil beat him; I think his ego took a hit.” Azkar lamented, letting out a bit of a sigh.

“There’s also been a thief in the castle, pilfering a bunch of assorted items. Some hold value, but we’ve put out alerts on all the items, and none have come up.” I explained. It’s not like you’d ever be able to sell some of what was taken without being arrested.

“Amazingly bold with us here.” Azkar chimed with a bit of a chuckle.

“You leave in the morning, correct?” I inquired. I am glad Nil and Ekard get along; Nil needs more friends other than Ein, Lux, Julius, and Luna.

“At sunrise. Do you ever have a sense of dread for no apparent reason?” Azkar checked with an amused smirk.

“Sometimes, why?” I asked. What’s he getting at?

“Our children have been amazingly quiet today, and I just want to believe they are up to some mischief.” Azkar answered. I sympathize. I wish they at least tried something to avenge themselves. Even something petty like hiding her teacup.

“Nil can be a troublemaker, but I don’t think they are going to go for anything big.” I replied with a sigh right before a loud, shrill shriek could be heard through the castle.

I grabbed Azkar and used to bring us to the rough location of the yell. We saw Grisbane covered in what looked like tar and feathers, and Nil sticking his tongue out at her as she processed what he just did. I am so torn as a parent right now. On one hand, Nil was standing up for himself and avenging his defeat; on the other, he was terrorizing his grandmother. Azkar glanced at me, and we both nodded as we hid our presences. We wanted to see what was about to unfold. Go Nil!

“You brat!” Grisbane snarled at Nil. Nil’s face made it clear he was determined to see this to the end.

“Correction, Crown Prince Brat. I thought you knew proper titles.” Nil mocked. That’s my son! I’m so proud of you right now.

As Grisbane went to probably apprehend my problem child, Lux appeared from nowhere, charging full speed into her legs from behind. Of course Nil wouldn’t strike solo. Grisbane almost fell down, until Nil used to have Ekard appear and drop kick her to the ground. Azkar was doing a little victory fist pump next to me. I then noticed a pocket watch around Lux’s neck. Nil is the thief? Why?

“Catch us if you can grandmother!” Nil taunted as the three of them began running away.

Grisbane quickly gained her bearings and was clearly pissed. She began using her to try and imprison them. The three of them seemed to run completely unimpeded, to her immense surprise. Nil was smiling like a maniac when her bounced off. That’s why he appeared to take it in stride. He was studying and preparing for his attempt. She immediately gave chase, using to enhance her body and sprint after them. Grisbane closed the gap quickly, as the kids were being conservative with their . They are playing a long game. She launched a hand to grab Nil, who whipped around and one of the more expensive paintings that had vanished appeared in his hand. Grisbane almost stabbed her hand right through it as pure shock spread across her face. When she went to catch herself, Ekard struck, knocking her off balance, and Nil used to bring Ekard back to him. Their coordination was impressive.

Do we intervene? Azkar asked, barely hiding the glee in his voice.

Why? Clearly effort was put into whatever plan they are executing. I think we should see how it plays out. I answered excitedly.

But aren’t they seriously misbehaving at the moment? I am so conflicted. Azkar replied, with what he wanted to being obvious from his tone.

Oh, they are going to be in some trouble after this, but I am also proud that they are standing up for themselves. I explained with a smile.

I am honestly waiting to see the plan before I decide how much trouble Ekard is in. Azkar confessed. And the fact our sons were actually avenging themselves.

Grisbane pursued the fleeing children, who were leading her to a large courtyard. As she charged in, Ein dropped down from above, throwing a sac over her head. Nil and Ekard did a coordinated attack, bringing her to the ground. Grisbane let out an immense amount of . She was truly enraged now. The four got in trouble together, so they are avenging themselves together.

“NIL! EKARD! LUX! EIN! CUT THIS OUT THIS INSTANT!” Grisbane roared. At this point, I could sense Senna, Vauzu, Nez, and Nox nearby as well.

“We must avenge our defeat!” Ekard yelled back, defiantly sticking his tongue out at her.

“Down with the witch! She isn’t using our titles properly!” Nil added on, just rubbing salt in the wound.

The four of them were looking at Grisbane, smiling. They clearly had a well thought out plan. Grisbane went to use a to attack them, and all of them produced a valuable painting like a shield, which forced Grisbane to cancel it. Nil was procuring items these last few days to use as shields. She was glaring daggers at them, as her eyes began twitching violently. The castle protections forced her to move at a speed they could follow. This is such an underhanded tactic.

This was Nil’s plan. Azkar told me with absolute conviction.

What makes you think it was my son? I asked, knowing full well he was the only one of the four who would think of this.

Ekard is not this devious, nor would he think of such a tactic. Also, the hit and run style; I think he is too stubborn to try it despite it being their currently best method of winning. Azkar explained. Fair points. Now, what scheme did you cook up Nil?