Under the light of a full moon, a group of young men sat around a crackling fire, their laughter echoing in the night. They were perched on a rise overlooking the river, sharing stories and jokes. A figure emerged from the darkness, walking towards them.

“Look who it is!” Theron called out, rising. “The man who lost his virginity with our Father!” The others burst into laughter.

Eden grinned, reaching the group. “Curse you, brother,” he said, handing them a large bottle of liquor. He sat down among them.

Theron’s eyes lit up at the sight of the bottle. “Look what he brought! They must have paid you well.”

“Tell us everything,” Davos said eagerly. “What happened?”

Eden’s smile faded. “It was a nightmare. They made us do everything. Stripped us naked in front of the Close Sisters. One brother protested, and they beat him. You can’t even speak to the Sisters. They don’t respond. Just… obedience. They made us drink something… I have no idea what it was.”

“And then?” Davos pressed. “Our Father… what was he like?”

Eden shivered. “A monster. A giant sprawled on a huge bed. The drink… it helped us do what we had to do.” He gave a nervous laugh, and the others joined in, relieving the tension.

"Damn,” Theron said, slapping his knee. “Why didn’t they choose us? Easy coin.”

"Lysander scoffed. “Look at your face. Our Father prefers handsome youths. Only the finest for the Sacred Womb, you know.” The others roared with laughter..

“Don’t worry, Eden,” Davos said, clapping him on the back. “We’ll make it up to you. A visit to one of the Sisters… I know one with a magnificent pair of tits.” The laughter intensified..

Lysander remained silent, his expression disgusted. “I don’t understand how you can find this funny,” he said, shaking his head. “I traveled with a merchant to the Lands of the Three Queens. That is paradise. Diversity, beauty, nature everywhere. And their Sisters… like ours, but with long hair…” A wistful look crossed his face. “Their hospitality was exquisite. They treated me like a prince.”

Theron exploded with laughter, along with the others. "A prince?! A pauper prince!"

The King, a mountain of a man, sat alone at a massive table laden with delicacies. Behind him stood the Captain of the Royal Guard, a stern figure overseeing the sentries posted at the doors. A Close Sister placed a steaming bowl of greens before the King and poured him a drink.

"Will you require anything else, Father?" she asked respectfully.

"My blessings upon you, daughter," the King rumbled, his voice surprisingly gentle. "You may go."

She bowed and withdrew as the door opened and Prince Daeghir entered, a wide smile on his face. "Father!" he exclaimed, arms outstretched. "I've missed you, Your Majesty!"

The King continued eating, barely pausing. Daeghir approached and kissed his father’s right cheek. "Truly, I've missed you," he murmured, kissing the same cheek again. "Ooh, you smell divine!" He pressed a third kiss to the same spot.

The King chuckled. "Enough with the kisses, boy. Sit and eat with me."

Daeghir sat down. "What a feast!" he exclaimed.

"Indeed," the King replied. "I must keep my strength up to bring forth healthy sons."

Daeghir began to eat. "Delicious, Father," he commented between bites.

"Of course," the King said. "The finest cooks among your sisters prepare my meals." He took a small piece of bread, dipped it in a sauce, and held it out to Daeghir.

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Daeghir leaned forward, taking the bread from the King's fingers with his lips, barely brushing against the King’s skin. "Even more delectable from your hand, Father,".

The King signaled to the Captain, who dismissed the guards from the hall with a subtle gesture.

“Now, Daeghir,” the King began once they were alone, “tell me of your journey.”

Daeghir composed himself. "The results are promising. The Northmen have agreed to reroute their caravans through the Northern Pass. They requested a five percent tax reduction for five years."

“Finally, their pride breaks,” the King muttered. “They thought they could isolate me.” He paused. “Listen, son. If they want a five percent reduction, increase the bandit activity along the Northern Pass. We’ll make them pay in other ways. But ensure the bandits are skilled and controllable. Those merchants who pull the strings… they’re ruled by their purses. They’ll pay anything for smooth passage through our lands.”

“And that withered old woman… Hiran… she’s the one who swayed them. She fills their heads with notions of queens on every throne. She fears change. She calls me a heretic, twisting our faith for my own gain. Me? Who loved his siblings before he even became King? But this is the price of ruling those of the same blood and creed. They believe they own a piece of you. That woman… she haunts my dreams.”

“Don’t concern yourself with her, Father. She’s nearing death. The Seven Princes will come crawling, begging you to settle their disputes. They’ll be yours to command.”

The King smiled. “That’s why you’re one of my favorites, Daeghir.” He started to rise.

“Father, before you go,” Daeghir said, “there’s something I need to discuss.”

“Speak, son.”

“The Sacred Stones. People are talking about them again.”

The King frowned. “Another hoax like the Sacred Crystal? Worthless by the time they reached market.”

“This is different, Father. High demand. I’ve been approached about their availability.”

“By whom?”

“The Valdrin.”

The King’s eyes narrowed. “The Valdrin… When they want something, it’s never for the good of others. Find out what they’re planning, Daeghir. Keep me informed.”

“Of course, Father.”

Daeghir rose as the King stood, bowing his head respectfully. As the King reached the door, he paused. “Daeghir,” he said, “find darkwood forests we can lease. Clytos needs them for his research.”

“Ever thoughtful of your sons, Father,” Daeghir said, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.

Aelius pushed open the tavern doors to find utter chaos. Ale sloshed, tables overturned, chairs splintered, and patrons brawled amidst a cacophony of shouts and curses. He carefully navigated the mayhem, dodging flailing fists and flying tankards, searching for his brother, Gavril. He finally spotted him in the thick of the fight, trading blows with a burly, red-faced man. Aelius plunged into the fray, coming to Gavril's aid.

Gavril glanced over, his eyes widening in recognition. A grin split his bruised face. "Aelius!" he roared, pulling his brother into a fierce embrace. "Brother! I've missed you!"

Together, they fought their way out of the tavern, laughing breathlessly at the absurdity of it all. They found their way to a secluded spot they had frequented as children, a quiet alcove overlooking the river. The familiar scent of river reeds and damp earth brought a wave of nostalgia.

"Remember that time Kaya caught us trying to fish with our tunics?" Gavril chuckled, a wistful smile on his face. "We were soaked to the bone, and she just laughed and said, 'At least you’ll be clean for once!'"

"We were little terrors," Gavril admitted. "No one wanted us. Too wild, too much trouble. We were passed over time and time again." His smile faded. "Left to fend for ourselves, practically feral. Until Kaya… she saw something in us, something worth saving."

"She gave us everything," Aelius said softly, gazing out at the moonlit river. "A home, a name, a family… a future. We owed her everything."

"She wasn't just our sister, Aelius," Gavril said, his voice thick with emotion. "She was our mother, our father… everything."

"I always hoped you’d join me as a legionary," Aelius said, breaking the silence. "You're a skilled fighter, Gavril."

Gavril shook his head. "I'll not be a pawn for that tyrant. Our Father is a cruel man, Aelius, twisting our faith to serve his own ends.”

Aelius’s face grew serious. "Why did Kaya disappear, Gavril? Do you know anything?"

Gavril’s eyes filled with pain. “I… I knew what she was doing was dangerous. Speaking out against our Father, criticizing his laws, calling him a usurper in private gatherings… It was only a matter of time.”

“But it wasn’t the King who ordered her arrest, was it?” Aelius asked, his voice low.

“No,” Gavril said, tears welling up. “It was Brother Regulus, one of the Ruling Brothers. He had someone watching her, spying on her every move. They took her from her home, imprisoned her in the King’s Prison. No trial, no word to our Father. The King doesn’t even know.” He broke down, sobbing. “I couldn’t… I couldn’t do anything… I couldn't save her…”

Aelius pulled his brother close, his voice firm and resolute. “I swear to you, Gavril. I will find her. I will bring her back.”