Falk

"Would you accept a friendship?"

of all the things the Fall King expected, that was not a question he had been asked in centuries. Eras. None dared be so bold, so brazen with the ancient Fae. The Fae who was rumored to have walked from the Sea of Mists. The Lord that sat upon a throne of bones and pelts of other Fae. Who had never to Fae memory lost to another. He had been diverted, maneuvered about of course. But never had the Fall King out right lost when another went toe to toe against him.

Stormy eyes watched the Lord of Summer as he lifted his proud head. He was a young Fae, but there was a ancient nobility about him. One Falk had not seen in many years, something born of the Ancient Fae that the elder Lord still remembered. Their pearly robes of intangible form. Faces that were void of emotion, of rage or love. His eyes darkened with the memories of gleaming swords of Fae metals and make. Of the ring of battles and the silver of voices long lost. The fall of the water chased away the ancient thoughts after several long minutes, leaving the echo of the pounding of the sea. It had been a while since he had been to the sea, and it was not time to return there. Not yet. First the Fae Realm would be put into place. A neat little box for it, a peace, stability.

Then he would go to the Sea of Mists and walk along it's mysterious surf. He had nothing to fear from the waters, not unlike the youth of today. It was a comfort, a constant. And in a world that was eroding, the sea remained as it always did. Slowly wearing away the land and bringing it into the watery embrace.

"It would be beneficial for you." Falk gave a slight chuckle. The sound of water gurgling over rocks, the leaves dancing upon the wind. His voice dark and soft with the warmth and comfort darkness brought to those who wearied. "And I would not be opposed to it. Though you would be wise to remember, little Fae Lord." His eyes turned stormy, the green light gleaming in the twilight of his forest. "The walls of my Hall and my throne of bones. Betrayal is not allowed among my Court nor among my allies. But..." Leaning forward, Feroas was pinned by the deadly look in the Fae Lord's eyes. "You are of Noble heart, that is something I have not seen in many centuries amongst the rulers of the Fair Folk. It shall do you well, but I must warn you. Do not let it compel sense from that sun filled head of yours. Else your doom shall approach all the more swiftly than my Hunt rides. I shall accept your Friendship Lord of Summer." The shadows shivered as the Fall Lord smirked slightly.

"How, we shall be three." He noted with a slightly amused tone. "Shall I invite Spring over for tea? I fear I might poison it with iron on instinct."

@BlackPanther

@LadyRunic
Feoras listened and whales a breath he did not know he had been holding. He nodded. "I hear you and I give my word I will not betray you" binding words. He felt them, but even if he hadn't phrased them that way...he still would have meant them. He saw the shadows quiver at the smile, but did not let that sway him. He chuckled a bit at falks words of spring. [cokor=orange]"Perhaps not if that is your instinct"[/color] he tilted his head. "Perhaps I could speak to him?" his eyes flicked to yellow with the idea. "The ruler of spring may listen to me and hear my words"

He tapped his chin as he thought. this could be extremly beneficial to all courts. Having them come together in peace. A prevention of wars for times to come. This idea of peace hinged on what words he chose to say should falk agree. He could feel the idea clicking into place in his mind. The last piece hinged on spring accepting. He hoped falk now trusted him...he had no reason not to and Feoras had no intention of making falk loose trust. He briefly wondered if the queen of winter would accept peace as well or if she would try to kill him as soon as she found out....those were thoughts to dwell on at a later time. Now was time to focus on the plan for peace between at least three of the four courts.

{Collab with TemplarKnight07}

Arys looked up as the doors opened. She nodded to the Ogre. "Go," she said, not bothering with more than the simple command. She had better things to do than waste words on the ugly beast.

Her face composed into a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. They never did anymore. "My Winter Knight. It has been years, hasn't it?" Walking towards him, she let her eyes trail up and down his frame noting every bruise, every scar, every mark, every sign of his torture. She had to stifle the smile. Her dungeons were not a place many survived.

"Many years, your grace. Though I must confess I lost track of time eventually. Whether it was forty years or over four hundred, I cannot say."

Dagon held his gaze under her scrutiny, his breathing steady, and despite the cold temperatures, no mist came from his nostrils, as a Winterborn he was as cold as Winter itself. Good thing too, considering that it removed some of the tell-tale capacities of giving away one's emotions, such as nervousness. And although his heart could no longer react the same way as a human's could to nervousness, he still felt that sensation.

"I have decided to forgive you Dagon," she said, placing a hand on his arm lightly. He felt as cold as she always was. "You served me well before. I am giving you a chance to redeem yourself and earn your place at my side once again. No other has taken it," she added in a demure voice, giving him the full benefit of her soft glowing blue eyes.
Turning away she walked towards the sword suspended in ice, running a hand along the frozen surface. "Some things have happened," she said. "Things that made me realize how much I need someone such as you by my side. Even though you failed me before, I know I can trust you to help me now in my hour of greatest need."
Taking a breath, she began. "The pain from Feroas breaking my heart was too much for me to bear. So I invoked ancient magic and froze my heart. I cannot feel as I used to. It was the best way to protect myself. But now I am in danger," she looked at Dagon with an emotion he had likely never seen in her before : Fear.
"Lord Falk, the Ruler of the Fall Realm, has asked for my hand in marriage. I gave him a task to complete before I would consent. He must reverse the spell and unfreeze my heart."

Arys waved her hand gracefully until the sword lay in a mound of soft powdery snow. "I ask you, Dagon, Knight of the Winter Realm, to take up your sword and defend me should this come to pass. I... I fear what will happen once I can feel again."
Just her admitting such a thing, in an almost whispered tone, was astounding. She did not fear Falk, per say. No. She feared feeling. It was so easy now, disregarding everything and everyone. Nothing or no one could ever hurt her.
But once she could feel again, all of the pain and anguish from Feroas' betrayel would return in full force. How was she to survive such a thing?

Dagon was astounded and speechless for a moment, not only by the fact that his Queen was releasing him and returning him to his station, but because he couldn't believe all that transpired in his absence. His Queen, proposed to by Falk? Sure, the Fall King was perhaps the most likely candidate of the Seasonal Monarchs, barring a member of the Winter Court itself, and he was an Unseelie by definition, but even so, the King had made a name for himself for being a particularly devious trickster and schemer as much as a ruthless and iron-willed fae, he obviously had a game he was playing, and marriage of this sort was always a political game in Faerie, but what was his aim?

Whatever it was, it made no difference to Dagon, whether it was the Fall King, or even the Summer King himself he would stand by Arys. He nodded slightly and looked over at the accursed sword that had cost him so many years because of his weak will. He wouldn't make the same mistake twice. Though he was also curious as to whether or not Sioc had been through suffering of equal magnitude in his absence? Perhaps now the two of them would finally have something in common besides both being bound to the Winter Court. He looked back over at Arys, smiling slightly.

"You ask me to challenge and duel the Fall King, should he succeed in obtaining whatever means he seeks to complete his task? My Queen puts forth tasks of truly Arthurian calibre to both her Knight and her Suitor. None have bested the Fall King, nor has there been a King of the Fall Court other than Falk in living memory. I am to wonder even if I am a capable match for him with Sioc alone. For what is a Winterborn Knight, even one wielding an ancient and powerful Unseelie sword, against one perhaps even more ancient and powerful than you, your grace?"

Nonetheless, Dagon stepped forward and kneeled before Arys. Reaching over, he picked up Sioc out of the snow and felt the sword's spirit stirring lazily and sluggishly, its power radiating sleepily from the black and icily silver blade. Nothing like it had been before so long ago, not even thoughts were fully formed yet. Looks like Sioc had been frozen along with the blade itself and was only just waking up. He lay the hilt flat on his right hand, and laid the flat of the blade on his left hand and presented the blade before Arys as he looked up to speak again. His eyes determined despite his earlier comments.

"But if this is your wish, then like Lord Falk it shall be my task to accomplish the impossible, my Queen. Or die trying. Such is my duty. I am yours to command."

Falk

The Fall King growled deep in his throat. His eyes gleamed like a whirling storm, as the chair groaned under the grip of his claw like hands. "Spring will answer to nothing but a blade and fire. That Mara, that nightmare twisted Spring King..." His voice was crackling with ragged energy. The wind muttered with a angry forewarning. That mara, that nightmare King was a slap in his face. A smear upon his reputation as king. He stood, pacing along the misty domain of his falls. Spring was a dangerous enemy. For it was luck that bought Nyx his throne and chance that his little lover was Queen afore him. It had been a blessing that the two had not been so fully allied, else he would have unleashed his hell upon the two and all his plans would have been for naught. For while he held power before him, they had held something else.

The Fae of old had walked the world in assured peace and prosperity. It had been a fools hope and dream and one he was not keen to repeat. So his held his armies, held the Fae in the sway of his will and in a sway of mortality like living. Perhaps the mortality would save his Fair folk their lives when the time came, or perhaps it would spare them his fury. Tegvan was still unsure of his own lines upon the ancient debate that had first split the Fae when he was naught but a child. Those memories long lost and buried under the ancient mists that clouded his mind and the loss that harmed his heart.

Aisling

-WIP-

Lyra

Lyra giggled and clapped her hands along with the funny woman's song. "You're silly!" she annouced. She felt some water drops hit her and looked up fearfully. She hated rain storms. The lightning and thunder was scary.
But the sky was clear. There was no rain. Then where had the water come from?

She didn't have time to think about it long. The woman was singing again about a tea pot.
Lyra giggled. "You're not a tea pot silly!" she exclaimed. "I like you. You're a nice lady. The cour-teers are mean," she informed Laira, making a face. "They are stupid heads and they call me names. Stupid stupid-heads."
As the two laughed and played together the trees were carrying the message through the realm to inform the King.

"The beloved of the King bleeds..."
"She bleeds..."
"The beloved of the King is injured..."
"A stranger...
"Stranger..."
"A stranger with the beloved of the King..."

The whispers floated through the forest. The King would hear them the moment he returned to the Realm.
And heaven help them all when he did. But most of all, heaven help the stranger.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Arys

The winter queen chuckled lightly. "Oh my dear Dagon. I do not expect you to challenge Lord Falk. Indeed that would be sending you to death. No offense my Knight, but you would not last a breath against him. No. What I require of you is something safer, but none the less just as important and something I could only trust to you."

She gently and gracefully touched his face, raising him to his feet. "Lord Falk sent a little human female to me. For what I am still not sure. She is apparently his pet of sorts. I would request you to stay close to this human girl. Watch her. Get close to her. Get her to tell you what Lord Falk's intentions are, if in fact she knows them. If not, see what you can get her to reveal about Falk himself. I will not go into this farce of a marriage unprepared as far as how to handle my 'husband', if that is what he truly wishes to be."

The room grew colder along with her mood. "I do not look forward to this marriage. I do not trust Lord Falk in the slightest and I fear after my heart is returned I will be weak to his silver tongue. If I begin acting like a fool, I need you to remind me of who I am, protect me from myself."

@Belle@Ojo chan 42@LadyRunic
Feoras watched the fall Kong and tilted his head. He could tell that the spring rulers very existence bothered him. He then felt something. A disturbance in his court. He gave a nod and spoke. "I must go to my court. I have been absent too long. If you have need of me send word." with that flames enveloped him and he vanished.

He appeared inside the room with his wooden throne. A hearth taking up one wall and he carefully stepped over the piled up messenger salamanders. Waiting for him was his favored unicorn guard. "Report Bahji" the unicorn bowed in his human form and stood. "The small one is in the forest with a stranger. She was upset last I saw her" Fepras' eyes turned red. "Where" the unicorn showed his king through a mental projection. Fepras left with haste and the dryads in the trees fully guided him whispering their tune making him more angry.

He found them. He went to the strange female and grabbed her hoisting her up. "What have you done to my small one. Proceed carefully with your words for I am of little patience"

@BlackPanther@Belle

Laira was still bussy with entertaining the little girl when all of the sudden a handsome man appeared. His eye's seemed to shoot fire at her as he shot towards her and pulled her up. His grip was strong and painfull, and honestly.. the man scared her a bit.

Slightly trembling Laira gazed into his red eye's with her own green orbs. She tried to break free of his grip, but found her struggle futile. He must be the caretaker of Lyra. Gathering her courage Laira spoke, she was tired of being scared of men.

''First of all Sir..unhand me. Second, are you her caretaker? if so how can you let her out of your sight, girls at her age like to wander around and explore, leaving them alone is a bad idea'' Laira spoke, trying to hide the fear in her voice, but she really wanted to give the man a piece of her mind. ''and nothing happend, I found her when she was crying and cleaned her wounds for a bit, we sang some songs as well'' Finnaly Laira was able to slip out of his grip and took a few steps back, gaining some welcomed distance between herself and the man.

''So, who are you exactly? The one she calls Ba-ba? Don't mind me Sir, if I am a bother I will leave as soon as I can. I am just searching for someone and I will be on my merry way and you will never hear of me again''

''Geezs, humans really aren't welcomed here after all''

Shadows moved. The air shifted. It was no longer clean, no longer whole. A nymph lad perched on the shore of the Sea of Mist, tossed pebbles into the water. It was a average day by the twisted Sea. The young Fae did not expect a large black shadow to appear, dragging itself over the lip of the cliff. He didn't expect more to follow, or the rotting smell of meat. His eyes widened as he scrambled to he feet and bolted away. And it was well he did. Pulling themselves up the cliff were thousands more of their beings. A ancient evil, their bodies a dark and rotting void. Their eyes maddening gleams of life. Maws were rough shadows, and their figures were globs of shadows and voids. Masses forming tall spines and claws. Moving from the Sea-side cliffs they moved into the depths of Spring. The Fae before them ran, leaving behind goods and homes and lands.

But some were not so lucky. The trees and pools of nymphs and dryads were rotten and twisted, their residents screams echoed for miles. Warning more to run. To flee. Those who fought were overwhelmed, their magic effective, but not against this number. Not against this relentless horde. The Spring ruler would not hear these screams as a small group of the creatures, taller and made of opal gems devoured him. Their numbers had been heavily depleted in the swift fight, but they had been something the Fae had not seen. For they had not walked the lands of the Fae since their own time of legend. In a distant kingdom, the most ancient of the Fae, stiffened and paled. Wardens of Summer and Winter, even those of Spring would hear the cracking and snapping as a barrier of shadow wrapped about the Kingdom of Fall. Falk was gathering his power, shielding his kingdom. The great sphere crackled and gleamed with dark light and a sickly green glow.

The protections had failed at last.

@Belle @Ojo chan 42 @BlackPanther @shylarah @TemplarKnight07 @SunsetRoses

@Belle
Dagon did not feel the change in temperature in the room, Winter was in his veins, and he'd suffered colder punishments. Though that did not mean he didn't notice the changes in his Queen's demeanour. She was not pleased with this state of affairs, and hated that she could do little about it despite all her power. Dagon felt all the more helpless that he knew he couldn't be of much more help to change the situation either that his beloved Queen was in.

Bemoaning fate shall bring us little good, especially not for her majesty whom hast given us a task. We'd best have learned that if we desire to not be locked away again.

Dagon's eyes flicked at the blade now set against his side, Sioc was truly awakening now. He could feel its power and the entity within it regaining its sense of awareness and now fully its sense of self. It wouldn't be long before it was fully restored.

It was right, of course. Better to focus on the now and not what might be or might have been. He returned his focus to Arys.

"As you command, my Queen. I shall court this pet of the Fall King, learn what she knows of him and his machinations, and protect you from yourself, from now til whatever end awaits me."

No sooner had Dagon finished his promise than his ears caught the distant and faint sounds of crackling that echoed over the vast silence of Winter and penetrated its way even into the depths of the Winter Court. It reminded him of the sounds of vast, titanic chunks of ice shifting and crunching. He looked back in the general direction towards the door. Even in his state, he could sense something was amiss.

He looked back at Arys, his body already half turned to begin leaving to investigate the source of the unfamiliar noise, even in his still mostly naked, though not necessarily inadequately equipped, state.

"My Queen?"

It all happened so quickly. Grexx had been taken to a room and, once rested, had ventured out into the Spring Court to wander and inspect the land that was so different from his own.
Suddenly blackness filled the air as screams of the dying echoed through the land. Grexx had to dart right and left to avoid being trampled by the creatures of Spring who came to the court to seek the protection of their king. The little goblin was terrified. Black creatures appeared, twisting and killing everything in their path. He fumbled with his bag, searching for the crystal within. He nearly wept in relief as his tiny hand closed around it. He held it up in triumph and then screamed in terror moments later when one of the black creatures headed right for him. In his panic he dropped the crystal, which shattered. A gust of winter wind and snow blasted from the shattered pieces and enveloped the goblin, whisking him away just as the creature pounced...

~~~~~~~~~

Grexx reappeared in a whirlwind of icy air at the entrance of the Winter Court. It took several moments for him to move from the huddled trembling ball he had curled himself into. Once he realized he was safe, for the moment, he took off like a shot.
"My Queen! My Queen! My Queeeeeeeeeeeen!!" his panicked screams echoed along the corridors.



Arys felt it. Something was wrong. Horribly wrong. The faint crackles and snaps in the distance raised her hackles even more.
"My Queeeeeeeeeen!!" the echoed panicked voice got louder as a small figure suddenly burst into the chamber.
"Grexx, I thought I sent you to Spring," Arys snapped, her irritation at the tiny incompetent creature plain to see.
"Spring is destroyed!" Grexx gasped out, wringing his hands as his eye bugged in terror. "Black creatures of twisted smoke and shadows descended like a swarm of locusts! They devoured and destroyed everything! The Lord Nyx of Spring is dead! Spring is dead! It is dead!"
"Calm yourself Grexx and slow down," Arys said sharply. "What are you talking about?"
"Horrible creatures milady! Pure evil! So many... Spring was overrun before anything could be done! I don't know if anyone could have escaped other than myself!"
"And you say Nyx is dead?"
Grexx nodded vigorously. "Devoured before my eyes! They had no chance! My Queen something must be done! What if they come here! What if Winter is next?! Please milady you must-!"
"Silence Grexx!" Arys ordered harshly before turning away from both the sniveling goblin and the knight.

Creatures of darkness? Spring destroyed so quickly? Nyx dead? It had to be the work of Falk. There was no other explanation. If he had conjured these creatures than he must be far more powerful than any of them had ever known...
Would he turn them on her next? After he had offered marriage to her? But she had not accepted. She had issued a challenge. Was this his response to the challenge?
But then why had he sent his human pet here? Surely he would not have sent her to die.
Of course that was practically what she had done to Grexx...

Something was not adding up. Yes Fall hated Spring, but what advantage could he have to completely destroy the land of Spring? Rather kill Nyx and take the land than destroy it.
No. It was not logical. And Falk was anything if not logical.

"M-my Queen," Grexx ventured, more calm but still clearly terrified. "Should we perhaps contact Lord Falk. The Lord of Fall sent you the human girl as an offer of friendship yes? Then perhaps he can be called upon to-"
"Are you saying I am incapable of defending my realm Grexx?" Arys asked in a dangerous tone.
N-n-no milady! Of course n-n-not milady! Grexx stammered. "B-b-but the creatures! There are too many to face alone! Spring was wiped out in such a short time and-"
"I said silence!" Arys snapped and waved a hand, sending a gust of icy wind that sent Grexx sailing backwards and into the wall. He crumpled to the floor and whimpered.

She could not run to Falk now. She had given him a challenge and he had to complete it before she could marry him. Marriage to Falk was her only hope in the long run, but presently something had to be done.
"One of you go to the human girl. Find out what she might know about this, then bring her here to my chambers," she ordered to both Grexx and Dagon, whoever would do it first didn't matter to her. "The other will go to the mines and bring back any Blood Pearls that have been found. Do it quickly."

When both were gone Arys waved a hand to created an icy stand with a deep bowl in the center. Once the handful of Blood Pearls were brought to her she placed them in the bowl. A dagger made from the scale of the last Ice Dragon appeared in her hand. Closing her eyes, Arys began to chant in an ancient Fae tongue. It was a spell that was risky and would only work if one had the blood of the Ancient Ice Fae Royalty in their veins. Once the chanting was finished her eyes opened to reveal they had turned completely white. Dragging the dagger across her wrist, Arys' blood poured into the bowl over the Blood Pearls. The gems glowed with an eerie light and seemed to drink in her blood. A light so bright it nearly blinded anyone in the room streamed from the bowl. Outside of the Court a large protective shield of ice began to form. Any who touched it would be instantly frozen solid.

Arys eyes returned to normal as the glow from the bowl faded. The Blood Pearls had joined together to form a rather large pool of red pearl-ized liquid that glowed. As long as she fed her blood to it regularly, the protecting spell would hold. But it was not perfect. The longer the spell lasted the more blood it required. They would have to find another solution before she bled herself dry.
And that was not the only problem : anyone outside of the barrier, which was the rest of her realm, was open to attack and there was nothing she could do to save any who happened to be outside. Most of her subjects were inside the icy caves that made up the court but not all.

Gritting her teeth, Arys placed a hand over the wound on her wrist to freeze it shut. Falk would either have to hurry and finish her challenge or both her kingdom and his pet would be lost should the dark creatures move to attack Winter.

@Ojo chan 42@Belle@LadyRunic
Feoras watched the woman slip from his grip and straightened. "I am the ruler of this court." a brow raised and he shook his head before going to his small one. "Small on is this one speaking true" but then he froze. Sounds of screaming echoed from spring he shot upright and motioned to the trees. "Get everyone in the castle spread the message I will get there as fast as I can. he looked at the human. "I would not recommend leaving. Nor will I let you leave when something is amiss." he gently picked up the small one he cared for and with his free arm picked up the human. Suddenly a black stallion good there with the two on his back.

The stallion took off hooves pounding as he moved. The forest was in choas the wild water salamanders running on either side along with other creatures. As Feoras ran he thought. He needed to protect his people...then he heard the crack...the sound of protection for fall. Another sound...protection for winter. He sped into the place he called home and dropped the two females off...becoming far fully once more.

He went and gathered supplied and clumped to the top of the place. He then started saying a fae ritual making various motions with his hands. A barrier of his own. A ring formed around the summer court it seemed harmless until Feoras snapped. Fire sprang up and he felt his own power weaken as the barrier began its work on feeding from his internal fire. The fire was of various hues heat imenating from it in waves.

He then made his way back inside and summoned a salamander. He quickly wrote on paper:

Falk,

I feel and hear things amiss. What is happening I ask....shall we come together against this foe?

He rolled the paper and the salamander took it before waddling to a hearth. It teleported to the fall court and waddled its way to falk. It stood there patiently.

Feoras then formed another letter knowing full well it would most likely be ignored. He hesitated but did it. This was not a time for hatred.

Letter:
Queen of winter,

I trust you as well feel something is amiss. I know you still have hatred for me...but for the sake of the releams...I ask to face this foe...whatever it is together.

He handed it to a salamander and it waddled and teleported to winter. Where it stood patiently...it slightly expected death.

Feoras then made his way to his people knowing his created barrier would last as long as he can feed it.

Dagon briskly left Queen Arys' chambers along with the goblin Grexx, informing the goblin he would see to Falk's pet human, he made a quick detour to his former chambers on the way to the Guest Quarters of the Court. Spartan, but still a few steps above in comfort that were luxurious compared to his cell, he formally prepared himself, laying Sioc aside as he changed.

He opened his wardrobe to find his armour arrayed there, still kept in as prime condition as when he was stripped of it. Black as the winter night and shining with an icy blue-white sheen, with a clasped cape bearing the colours of the Winter Court upon them, it had been worn by The Winter Knight for centuries, and was as much a symbol of his office as Sioc was.

What with the goblins all in a scurry throughout the court, Dagon deigned to put on his armour himself, taking several minutes to do so and strapping Sioc to his belt when he was finished.

Finally, our Queen can hardly be served by a mostly naked Winterborn Knight.

"And here I had grown used to all of the time you were not constantly whispering into my head, Sioc. I see being bound in ice hasn't squelched your tongue."

I am Winter far more than you will ever be, Knight. You would do well to remember that.

"And you would do well remembering that that our lady gave us a task. Bickering will hardly be becoming towards wooing Falk's pet."

At this, the spirit within Sioc let out an indignant huff, the blade dropping several degrees in temperature, but spoke no further for now.

Now fully armoured and formally dressed, Dagon marched off through the halls, his steps now clinking through the halls as he walked past various goblin and ogre attendants, some of the respectfully bowing their heads and uttering quiet welcomes back to the forlorn Knight, though most just set about their tasks as whatever was happening outside set Winter into a fit.

Was Spring truly destroyed as Grexx said? The Goblin had claimed to have seen the Lord of Spring devoured with his own eyes, and the Goblin was trusted by his Queen, evidently, the penalty for lying would have been grave indeed. It sent Dagon's mind spinning as to what types of creatures could have pulled off such a feat with such swiftness. He instead focused on what he would ask of the Fall King's pet. Probably a name first, he didn't even know hers.

As he passed through the main hall on the path to the Guest Quarters, he spotted a Salamander teleport in via an old hearth and wait by the entrance of the Court. They had traditionally been the messengers of Lord Feoras, the Summer King, if he remembered correctly. He gripped Sioc icily as he stopped and stared at the thing. It held a small message, presumably addressed to Arys, she likely would not be pleased to have to read it.

Either way, if Spring was truly dead then this was likely in regards to it. Without saying a word, Dagon took a few steps towards the Salamander and took the rolled up letter from it.

"Your duty is done, her grace will receive the message, though whether she'll read it or respond to it is up to her."

He carefully put the sealed message up his armlet for when he next saw his Queen, and left the Salamander to its own devices as he resumed his walk.

Finally Dagon reached the Guest Quarters, which he knocked on the door before entering in search of the human girl within.

@LadyRunic@Belle@BlackPanther

Sini had spoken to her Archon, and departed to Winter. But the disturbances reached her even beyond the border, nearly to the Winter Court, as did a messenger wind, sent with the final breath of one of Spring’s border guards, and the tinny keen of of a frightened light flyer, another messenger. Spring’s defenses might be breached, but the message network was intact, and the kingdom itself stirred. The young knight frowned at the words whispered in her ear. They were confused, labored, panicked, and from various places. Whatever was going on, Spring was in danger. Her place was at the side of her ruler. She turned to the escort beside her. “I regret the inconvenience, but I must go. Please, convey my apologies for the discourtesy to her majesty of Winter; I or another from Spring shall be in touch as soon as we might be spared.” She bowed deeply, wings spreading as the sylph leaped skyward. Another breeze ruffled her hair. The invaders had passed the first defenses. Gathering a wind of her own, she sent a reply, brief instructions. She pushed herself to go faster, but she couldn’t risk arriving unable to fight. The guards were well-trained, and knew their tasks. The other defenses would hold.

Yet one by one, they fell, and she was only to the border. Sini’s heart beat fast. Who dared attack Spring, risking the fragile balance of the Courts and endangering them all by tipping them into open war? For the moment it did not matter. She had one duty above all others: protect Spring and its Archon. And she could not do it from where she was. She summoned her sword, and drew upon her reserves of magic. Desperate times called for desperate measures. It had been a scant few minutes since the appearance of the first invader, and already her beloved Spring reeled from the destruction wreaked upon it. Better weakened than too late; Sini dove into the current of the wind, her form fading until she was nothing more than wind herself. In this manner she rushed to the inner court where Nyx fought among members of the elite guard. She could feel Yggdrasil stirring, and the Archon sought to fall back to the tree. The beasts attacking were tall, gleaming with hard facets and many colors, reeking of rot, and they were strong. Bodies of Spring’s defenders lay scattered about the courtyard, mixed with the bodies of the invaders. They gave as good as they got, but these were not foes they had ever encountered before, and they were strong in ways the knights had never had to handle. One by one the dark attackers fell, but not fast enough.

Nor had Sini herself been fast enough, for even as she returned from the wind, Nyx was overcome. She felt his magic fade as his broken body crumpled to the ground, as his killer bent to consume the corpse. In that moment, rage beyond any she had ever felt flooded her, driving out the weariness of her desperate flight. The knight howled in fury, lunging to sink her swords deep into its middle, the iron-edged blade of her longsword biting deep into magic in addition to flesh, even as Sini sent lightning through her saber and fried the beast from the inside. Already weakened some by previous injuries, the sylph’s attack finished the job, and she yanked her blades free, turning to take in the rest of the battlegrounds. The captain of the guard was hurt but still on his feet, coordinating his remaining forces and attacking with magic, as his injury prevented him from effectively wielding a weapon. Lightning crackled in her wake as Sini ported to that part of the courtyard, a burst of force dragging the dark creature coming up behind the guard captain away from its intended victim, and within range of the furious knight’s own attacks.

There was no time to spare for thanks, nor even for a grateful look. The captain did not regard Sini beyond what it took to determine her position, instead laying into his erstwhile attacker now that it was turning its focus to the sylph. “There are only a handful remaining of this force, but others lay waste to other parts of Spring,” he told her as he threw a handful of seeds at the beast of opal and shadow. They sprouted moments after making contact, vines bursting out to wrap around limbs as roots penetrated deep into its body, ripping the creature apart from inside and out. “And more come by the minute.”

“The shield ward must be raised,” Sini replied, glancing at the gargantuan tree behind her. “Yggdrasil holds the focus, and I do not know precisely where -- but someone must make the attempt. You can handle the offensive against those already in Spring lands?”

“Even if I could not, what choice do I have? Go. The Archon has fallen, but Spring must not.”

She nodded curtly and leaped into the air, arrowing for the nearest entrance to the depths of the World Tree, but she did not step inside yet. The air beyond was cool, heavy with darkness, moisture, and the hint of ancient power. Sini had always wanted to explore its depths, but sense told her that it was a risky undertaking, and she had no desire to antagonize the ancient giant. It tolerated her, when she walked the outer ways, but she had never sensed any particular fondness, certainly nothing of the apparent friendship Nyx enjoyed. Thus it was with some trepidation that she addressed it. All the court respected Yggdrasil; many feared it, but for her, it was something closer to awe. “Spring is threatened,” she said softly, placing a hesitant hand on the rough side of the tree. “Our ruler has fallen, and our defenses fail. I know you have the power to keep more from entering Spring’s lands, but I do not know what, if anything, you require to cast such protections, or in exchange. I humbly beseech your aid, Great One. Shelter Spring as you have in ages past. And guide me, so that whatever else is required to keep Spring safe might be--”

The knight did not get a chance to finish. One of the darklings slammed her aside, and it was only because she’d noticed it coming at the last moment that she didn’t suffer far worse injury. Her wings caught her and kept her from slamming into something, but she could not speak with Yggdrasil further. Another wave of beastly shadows had made it to the courtyard, and the defenders were hard pressed. Nor did the tree seem to respond. Might it be ignoring her? Who was she, after all, to address it, no matter how respectfully? She was not even a thousand yet, an insignificant drop of time compared to the eternity the tree had witnessed, and her strength and magic equally minuscule.

But all at once a new player entered the field of battle, tall, androgynous, clad in robes of green and gold, with eyes and hair to match. Sini did not entirely understand where they had come from, but she sensed that this was Yggdrasil’s answer to her plea. A grim smile spread across her face as the newcomer blasted one of the attackers as if it was nothing. She had done all she could here. Either the tree’s messenger would have things in hand, or they would not, and she would be of limited help against what seemed to be the very strongest of invaders, with so great a defender present. Better to go somewhere her strength and cunning might be of use.

Fighting raged throughout the palace, now, and she dove into it with a will. The sylph always tried to keep her judgment separate from her feelings, and she had managed long enough to find their best defense. But her fury still burned, and even as she rallied the remaining elites and helped coordinate the defense of the palace, her own caution was slipping. She took chances she wouldn’t ordinarily, and sacrificed defense for a powerful offense. Her Archon was dead. She had failed him, and her court as well, and this knowledge affected her. They had no clear choice to replace Nyx, and with things as they stood, they could not afford the posturing and infighting that would result.

She should have been more careful. Should have fallen back, when accumulated injuries took their toll and slowed her. But instead Sini pushed herself, moving to rally the defenders here, breaking a stalemate there, until at last one of the shades bested her. Even as its claws tore through her armor, she channeled all her remaining energy into a strike of lightning she sent burning through its flesh until it smoked. There would be no recovering from her injury, for the creature had cut far too deep, but she would take her attacker into death at her side. The ground came up to meet her, and one wing was smashed as the spell protecting it failed. The last thing the knight saw before oblivion claimed her was the shifting patterns of sunlight dancing through the leaves of the World Tree.

@Belle @FallenTrinity @TemplarKnight07 @BlackPanther @shylarah

There was a great crash throughout the Realm as thrice a portal ripped open to deposit various Fae of Spring in each of the other Seasons. All of them babbling of a man with golden hair, or was it a woman?- their fear and the tales of the creatures that devoured their king and leaders. Each pleading for sanctuary, saying that Yggdrasil would see the Ruler paid in truth. Speaking tails of Yggdrasil's dyrad, or so the elder of the Spring Fae said. But it was in Winter where the gate opened a forth time, depositing the body of the Guard Sini and the arms that held the young Fae. Her eyes closed as she looked in the bliss of death. Nestled in her hands the sapling from Yggdrasil's own branches. Approaching the throne of winter was a woman or a man, depending on how you looked. Their eyes a green-gold, their skin fair and brown at the same time, mimicking the bark of the great tree. Robes of green and gold flowed about them, accenting the slim neck that was tilted up to face the Queen of Ice and Snow.

Elsewhere, Aisling looked to Dagon with annoyance. "What do you want?" Her hands plucked a tuneless series of notes on her beloved harp. Her hair mussed and looking like she had recently risen from sleep, her clothing also rumpled as if such was true. Though the human's face was open enough to show the fear and worry there. She had heard something, the whispers of the Fae from the other side of the door, the great cracking noises. The feel of frightful Fae in the air. It was something one in Falk's Court learned, it kept the human from the radar when the Fae Lord was in a wrath. And only once had Aisling seen him so, it had been over a group of ents and their seedlings. The Surrendering of the Names was being refused and Falk had been quick to break down the wall of their homes and wrest their children and names from them. Though he had been quick to give them pardon once things were set as they should have been.

Falk, however, was sitting in his throne. His many Fae had come with all their speed. Aiding the slower of their kin to reach their Ancient Lord. Now his Hall was a commander's, and outside of it was a sea of Fae tents and homes. Each waiting for the orders to be given. His Hunt swarmed withing themselves, eager to set against whatever caused the barrier to be raised. Fear and anticipation was tangiable. Slim hands folded before his face as he thought. There should have been more time. They should have been one nation to face this threat not three. His plans had taken too long and Yggdrasil... He spared a thought to the Spring Fae now surrounded by guards and kept to their own little section of the city that had sprung up, and continued to grow, about him.

Gesturing to the relieved of his message, the salamander he tossed it a piece of parchment before it disappeared in black wind to speed it to it's 'King'.

"This foe... Is the Ancient Enemy that caused our current problems. I, hence forth, call a Moot to meet within my own Halls. Upon my word as " The name written there, for it was a name, was in lettering so swirled and ancient, reading would be nearly impossible. "... that you or the queen of Winter shall be harmed and this is a meeting of peace. Join thy Walls with my own and We shall buy ourselves more time." A second wind blew a duplicate to the Winter Queen. Unaware of her current guest.

@LadyRunic

The moon was raised high into the sky, illuminating the tents with faint shadows of light. Within these shadows of tents, a figure moved through them swiftly and with slight haste. The tapetum lucidum in his eyes made it seem that his sclera's shined with the deepest of pure gold. The ruby like gem in the center of his chest plate dimly glowed red as he made his way towards Falk's Hall. His eyes shot around the encampment, glancing to see how his brethren were doing. As he passed, many of the fae bowed deep in respect. He held power, he held grace, he held the authority and leadership of many of those under Falk's rule. This was General Sorin Savant, the Wraith of War and the Fury of Fall. His stories and legends held true throughout the fey when it came to battle and fighting. But currently he had been called to Falk side. A matter of militaristic concerns more than likely but Falk never really had too much to worry about with Sorin. Sorin had been mistaken many a time for being that of Winter born and raised. Of course this was not the case. What made him seem as such was his experience in battle and the hardening of his heart.

"General Sorin...We have some security measures to discus-" One of the captains of the guard rushed to his side only to be interrupted by the General.

"In a bit Altair, I have been summoned. We will discuss this later." He briskly walked passed him and towards the falls. Things had grown excessively out of hand in his opinion but an opinion he currently held to himself. Not much longer did it take for him to reach the falls and enter, his presence made very much aware to Falk. With a brisk pace, he made it up to The Fall King's throne, roughly 7 feet before it, kneeling down low with his head bent to match.

"You summoned me, m'lord?" His eyes remained low towards the ground until Falk spoke up.

@LadyRunic@FallenTrinity
Feoras winced as the fire barrier fed again. He looked at his people and inhaled making sure to mask anything he was feeling. Anything even pain. He spotted the messenger salamander and made his way to it concern flickering through his features as he gently took the scroll.

He read it. Then reread it and paced. He had to think. He needed to get there now. He made his way to a hearth and erupted in flames. He reformed in the hearth of fall and collapsed. He stayed there a moment collecting himself. His previously bright orange eyes were more dull as the barrier he had set up slowly ate him in his attempt to protect his land. He slowly stood and made his way to falk the scroll in one hand. If he was to be honest....he best hope at both himself and his land surviving.

He made his way to falk and barely noticed the hound. He swallowed and looked up at his ally. "What can be done?" his previously fiery voice seemed more burned out. It was clear he was here for help and he was holding himself together purely for the sake of his land.

The Fall Lord looked to the moonlight that spilled about his shoulders from the gap of leafy canopy about the edge of the great falls that stood behind him. Sentinels in their own right. Tapping his fingers together he regarded the youth who knelt before him, his eyes a deep and dangerous black. Void of the haughty green that so often seem to be the warning of a coming storm. Tegvan O'Aengas=Mor wondered and not for the first time, if the boy had any inkling of the power that lied within his veins. Royal houses ran in his blood and more than one would think. It was why he kept the pup so near, why he had nearly ordered him via his name to never set foot upon the field if things turned sour. Some would think him over protective, but rather, to Tegvan this was careful planning and accidental luck at it's finest. Just to tease the queen from her frozen heart, bid the two to marry. Sorin in his stead, a proxy husband. His eyes and ears, his hand in the Realm of Winter. The Queen could woe him or Fearos so long as Sorin held the Throne and Tegvan would tutor the boy in the way of Names. Then the grip would be secured on the Unseelie Fae.

But the attack had disrupted things. Sped them up, and he was not ready. Tegvan was no one to like being taken by surprise, so this was doubly unwelcome when Spring Fae dropped in his lap with a sapling of Yggdrasil's own branches. His head was cradled in one black gloved hand, as he stared moodily into the darkness. Then the Summer Lord came waltzing in. To be far the youngling was about ready to faint. Looking over the Summer Fae, he stood and swept down the steps, gripping the fellow Ruler's arm. "Share thy might with me, Ally. Accept mine shield." If the Season-born was to accept he would feel a darkness that had no light. A Unseelie Fae and yet more. Falk's eyes gleamed with power as he gathered himself to weave his spell. "Boy, fetch a chair for our guest and another for thyself." He bid Sorin, if the Summer Fae dared to look past the surface of his might his standing would be questionable. Falk was filled with the darkness and the horrid sport of the Unseelie.

"And if a man or woman shows up shouting flowering word- literally- with pretty speeches. Kill them. Immediately."

@BlackPanther @FallenTrinity

@LadyRunic
Ser Dagon walked into the room and confronted the Consort of the Fall King, his black armour clinking lightly as he stepped over the threshold. He could not deny, her beauty was certainly enough to stun a man momentarily, her time spent in the Fae Realms had obviously effected her better than he had. How ravishing she would be, now I see why the Lord Falk took a fancy to her. Such a deliciously sweet mortal. Oh the things I could do to her-. Dagon blinked intentionally and his grip on Sioc audibly tightened. He would not disappoint his Queen in this, nor smear his own honour.

"Lady of Fall, the Queen of Winter requests your imminent audience. I am to be your escort."

He extended his left hand, his icy blue flesh wreathed in armour as black as an arctic night. He did not anticipate Aisling putting up any resistance, she was a guest after all. But he was mentally prepared to by drag her before Arys if necessary, albeit gently so as not to harm Falk's pet. He clenched his jaw slightly, he mustn't, no he wouldn't let Sioc dominate his mind again, not here.

Everything happened so fast. Before she knew it Ba-Ba had come and whisked her back to the court. He left her in her room, but didn't really say much except to stay. Lyra cried for him but he left and one of the guards left by her door said that he had left the Summer Realm.

Lyra laid down on her little bed and cried. Why was Ba-Ba gone? He always left her. Was she so bad? So naughty that he didn't want to be around her anymore?

Her tears slowly dried and she laid in silence. But the silence meant she could hear the guards and servants talking outside her door. And what they said scared her.
Black monsters had destroyed Spring. It sounded very scary. Everyone was afraid they would come to Summer and kill everything. Lyra huddled under her blankets, curled in a little ball shaking in fear. In her hands she grasped a small pink colored crystal that Ba-Ba had given her.

Not wanting to listen to them talk anymore, the little girl opened her window that led into a small flower garden. There, among the pretty flowers, she began to sing to make herself feel better.

"Come by the hills to the land where life is a song,
And stand where the birds fill the air with their joy all day long,
Where the trees sway in time and even the wind sings in tune,
Where the rivers run clear and the stones all shine in the sun,
And the cares of tomorrow can wait til this day is done,"
She didn't remember all of it, but it was part of a song that Ba-Ba sang to her sometimes to get her to go to sleep. There were a lot of words in another language. Lyra tried to sing them, struggled with the words and butchered them terribly, but at least she was trying.
"Brucha-loinha na... namain, espray un colleen geeun... ch-char... sharoil fru... fru... freel coin..." Lyra struggled to remember the words but couldn't, which made her want to cry again. She ended up just putting a lot of la's in different places.

@Belle@LadyRunic. ((Beending the timing and placement of the portals a little bit. Hope you don't mind. Also merry Christmas, if you celebrate.))

When the portal opened near the little summer garden, Maxwell all but tumbled through. Perhaps the sprite harrying him was not permitted to do him lasting harm, but that made the little shocks and the stabs of her needle-thin sword no less painful. "Ow! Lei, quit it!" he cried, trying in vain to fend her off. "There's people who are hurt, they'll die without help!"

"You'll die, if you don't get your weak mortal behind away from those things! And you'll get me killed with you!" the tiny fey shrilled back, her wings buzzing. "Or did you not notice them just KILLING EVERYONE?!" She stopped her assault as the portal they'd come through closed. With the possibility of going back safely eliminated, Lei saw no reason to continue her harassment of the distressed med student, at least for the moment. She landed on his shoulder, grabbing his ear for balance. The sprite was trembling in fear. Trouble was fun, sure, and like most sprites she had a certain blindness to danger, but those /things/ were unquestionably awful.

Maxwell looked for the vanished portal, and felt guilty when relief flooded him at it being gone. For all that his first instinct was to help others, he'd been terrified as well. Indeed, with the adrenaline now wearing off, he was starting to shake, as the reality of his close call sank in. Nor did it help that he had no clue where he was. The last time he'd found himself in entirely unfamiliar surroundings, he'd been informed his career as a pediatrician was over before it had even started. He wasn't keen on having to adjust to a second dramatically different set of rules.

"Where are we?" he asked Lei, looking around in an attempt to distract himself.

"Summer, most likely. Not sure quite where. Don't worry, Max, I'll keep you from getting eaten~"

The young man wasn't sure if her words were reassuring or a cause for further concern. He ran an unsteady hand through his hair and adjusted his grip on his med kit, but was saved the trouble of dwelling on it by a thin voice singing a tune. It sounded like a child, and not a very happy one. Max headed cautiously towards the sound.

What he found was a little girl, preschool age, singing in a small garden. Her eyes were rimmed in red, though her cheeks were mostly dry. "Ooh, another mortal," Lei commented in his ear.

"Behave yourself, Lei," he murmured venturing a few steps closer, though not entering the garden. Then he lifted his voice to address the child. "That's a very nice song," he said, a genuine smile turning the corners of his mouth upwards despite the pounding of his heart from his recent fright. "I wondered who was singing such a lovely tune. Was it you?"