"My loyal forces... yes, the Pie-People are indeed ready for my command!"
The Duke's declaration was, at least, filled with confidence that he would be defended. It was at least a sentiment Fanilly shared, it didn't appear as if there were any direct traitors in the midst, and she suspected most people in Brennan would find it impossible to to cause the abrupt appearance of such madness. Besides, at the very least, Duke Thedric's immediate servants had assisted in contacting help.
On top of all that, the likelihood of fae interference was far more probable then anything else, at the moment. At the very least, that meant they could start there.
"For the moment," the Knight-Captain began, "We need to attempt to discern as much information as possible about what may have happened. Sir Gerard and Sir Rolan have left to serve as a scouting party, and I've dispatched some of the other knights alongside them. With any luck, we may be able to pinpoint likely places that this 'Moonlit Queen' may be lurking."
Fanilly's understanding the fae was mostly informed by stories from her childhood, and occasional mentions in historical or otherwise informative texts. There were many sorts of fae, and it was speculated that their origins lay with one of the elven gods. But nothing was entirely certain in that regard.
"I can only pray that you find something soon," Sir Aglan said with a heavy sigh, "Lord Dannic is bright and driven, but I don't believe he's ready to succeed his father."
Doubt rose in Fanilly's mind once more. She knew that Lord Dannic was young, younger than herself. What if they couldn't help with the seemingly fae-touched Duke's sanity?
What if there wasn't any way to fix it?
Would the Duke's son have to take his place?
Ahead of Sir Renar was a slender boy, perhaps thirteen or fourteen, his slim features pointed downwards, bright green eyes fixed on the pages of an open book and framed by wavy black hair.
It was only when he heard the knight speak that he looked up, with a slight jump.
"Ah, Sir Renar, I'd heard that the Iron Rose Knights had arrived. I... take it that you already spoke to father," he replied, his gaze downcast for a few moments, his voice taking a more sombre tone.
But when he spoke again, his energy had returned.
"Father's personal affects? Well... Not all of them, yet, but I did manage to find one of his old journals. That's why I'm here, it mentioned something strange that I thought I might be able to learn more about if I consulted the library tomes."
He took the book he'd been reading gently in one hand, lifting it to display its title.
Fae, and other Creatures of the Wilds.
It seemed that the Lord's son had come to a similar conclusion to the Knights.
"I'd only found it earlier today, so I wasn't certain, but... Supposedly Father spoke to someone before he went mad, at that party. He told me it was someone he knew, too, before his sanity abandoned him. Someone bathed in moonlight, and touched by stars."
Reaching into the bag sitting beside him, the boy took out a leatherbound journal.
"So I thought there might be some mention of them here, but there's only one person he describes that way."
It was clear, thankfully, that Dannic was willing to share anything he felt might be useful, as he opened the journal to a marked page.
"See? Isn't this strange?"
He pointed towards a specific passage.
"At times, I must confess I wish for simpler days. Days where I spent my time in the forest, playing with that star-touched girl and sharing with her secrets that have long since lost their importance. Alas, those days are long gone, and my duty to my people comes first."
"Father mentions the 'star-touched girl' in the forest more than once," he added, "But he never says anything else about her. So I thought, maybe..."
His gaze returned to the other book.
"It's not that I'm stumped, it's just..." Arken sighed heavily. He didn't appear particularly surprised by the summoning's success. It wasn't as if summoning was a particularly rare skill, especially when it came to more agreeable fae and other spirits.
"But I didn't ask if you needed it, I asked if you wanted it," Fiadh 'helpfully' pointed out, swaying to some unheard rhythm in the circle and nodding along as Gertrude kept talking. And looking scandalised, which was not an expression usually associated with the Niyar.
"A contract? That's very forward of you. To propose so forwardly on just our second meeting… you seem like a nice girl, but I'm afraid that will need to wait a little while~"
Arken was, right now, looking like he wanted to be anywhere but in this room. Even with Fiadh returning to the actual question and following up with one of her own, asking where they were.
"I see… no, no, I can't tell you who exactly the Moonlit Queen would be. It's quite a popular title with the more powerful faeries. She probably is a queen, but who could say? She might be nasty and out to kill everyone, or maybe she's going to be a nice girl unless you provoke her. Or one of those fairies that reaaaaaaaally likes word games. Just don't suggest there might be other moonlit queens around, they tend to get upset about usurpers. Which is silly, they're all lit up by the moon, aren't they? Well, maybe there's one underground, that would be impressive…"
Brennan Forest was lush, and green. It was the sort of place one could easily get lost in, if they didn't stick to more well-known areas or well-trodden paths.
The trees could easily become maze-like. Perhaps, this was a reason why it was rumored that many sorts of fae called certain areas of the forest their home.
The Knight-Captain hadn't stopped Sir Gerard and Sir Rolan, but instead she had insisted several of the other available knights accompanied them immediately, just in case.
Among them was Sir Caulder, a fairly burly and well-armored man who wielded a large axe, his very bright blue eyes piercing right through his visor. His armor wasn't particularly ornate, but it was finely-crafted and always shown brilliantly.
Another was Dame Yael, a knight who, in her armor, appeared to be a boy who could be described as beautiful rather than handsome, her purple eyes and short brown hair framed by smooth, well-proportioned features.
Without armor, it was impossible to mistake her for a boy, however.
It was her who spoke up, after a moment.
"I shouldn't need to remind you," she began, "But it's for the best if we don't split up."
Perhaps the fact she mentioned it at all indicated her feelings on Sir Gerard and Sir Rolan.
At first, the trek into the forest seemed to be rather fruitless. Particularly due to them sticking to the trail, as during such hours it was simply unlikely that any fae or other creatures would reveal themselves on their own without any motivation.
Unlikely, however, did not mean impossible.
"Help! Someone come and help!"
That frantic voice sounded like a young girl's, and it was definitely originating from the thick grove of trees to the right of the small party of knights.