[center][h2][b][color=00F8FE]Callum[/color] [color=lightgray]&[/color] [color=DAF6C7]Riona[/color][/b][/h2][/center]
[color=00F8FE]Time:[/color] Evening
[color=DAF6C7]Location:[/color] Palace Grounds to the Camping Site
[color=00F8FE]Mention(s):[/color] [@princess][@ReusableSword][@CitrusArms][@SilverPaw][@Tae][@Tpartywithzombi]

[hr]
[hider=Coven & Secrets][color=lightgray]Callum paced outside the gardener's hut as he tried to work up the nerve to enter. 

[color=00F8FE]“You’ve been here tons of times. And it was only weird the once.”[/color] He whispered to himself. He looked at the door; dark patterns of wood grain leaked from the door. The whisps melded into twisting shadow serpents that lashed out, fangs bared and eyes locked on him. He immediately recoiled from the door. Again. He jumped in place and tried to shake the fear from his arms. 

[color=00F8FE]“It’s not real. You know it’s not real.”[/color] He whispered to himself. [color=00F8FE]“Suck it up, Cal, [i]suck it up.”[/i][/color] He felt it in the pit of his stomach. Dread at being caught out here, afraid of Riona’s home, knowing it would upset her if she saw him. He thought about that deeply unwelcoming feeling he’d had the last time he was here. Felt that same heat-bearing down his neck, felt the same chill deep in his bones. Something hadn’t wanted him here before, what if it was still in there? 

He closed his eyes, tired of seeing things that weren’t real. [color=00F8FE][i]At least it’s not Darryn.[/i][/color] He thought only to feel disgusted with himself for thinking it. He deserved to see the horrible ghost Darryn, he deserved to suffer for not helping Darryn. For getting him killed. 

Finally, Cal summoned enough courage to knock on the door, a bit too softly. Part of him hoped Riona wouldn’t answer and he could avoid going inside, wait a day until he wasn’t seeing things. Maybe even avoid finding out if she was just as angry with him as she’d been with Ana. But that would only be a delay. [color=00F8FE]"Riona?"[/color] He asked. [color=00F8FE]"Got time for a chat? If you still want to talk to me?"[/color] He asked softly through the door. 

A muffled rustling sound came from behind the door, followed by the scrape of wood on wood. The door creaked open, and Riona’s face peeked out, eyebrow raised. 

[color=DAF6C7]“What are you knocking for, Cal? You have a key, come in,”[/color] she said, puzzled. She left the door open and retreated back to the cluttered table.

He stared at the open door for a moment before slowly closing it. [color=00F8FE]"Seemed rude to just walk in unannounced?”[/color] The explanation came easily but didn’t sound convincing. 

Riona gathered an assortment of papers—a copy of the now previous Royal advisor’s journal, scribbled notes on castle gossip, and a few choice pieces of information that many of the servants knew but kept quiet about. With twine, she bound the pile together.

Even though she was going to take all this with her, Roman wouldn’t get everything at once. No, she’d learn the value of each piece of information. Parse it out individually, watch his reaction, gauge what really interests him. Adjust her focus, and payment, accordingly.

As she worked, Riona’s gaze flicked towards Callum. She noticed how he lingered by the threshold, tension visible in the set of his shoulders. Her hands stilled as his earlier words finally registered, and a flicker of worry crossed her face. [color=DAF6C7]“Why do you think I don’t want to talk to you?”[/color] she asked. [color=DAF6C7]“Is everything alright? Did... something happen?”[/color]

[color=00F8FE]"If you’re mad at Ana, about what happened, you should be mad at me too.”[/color] He said quietly, finding a spot on the floor and keeping his eyes locked there. It probably made him look guilty, or overly broody, but that spot on the floor just looked like floor and he didn’t want to risk seeing anything else. [color=00F8FE]"And you’re right to be mad, it might not have happened if we’d left him alone.”[/color] His eyes flickered to Riona for a second before returning to the same spot on the floor. 

[color=00F8FE]"How are you doing? I heard you were assisting Captain Durmand with her investigation.”[/color] He asked, imagining how much worse it had to be, focusing on everything that happened to Darryn, worse than just hearing about it. [color=00F8FE]"That can’t be easy.”[/color]

At first, she had no idea what Cal was talking about. But as he continued—mentioning Anastasia, Stratya, the investigation, “him”—understanding dawned. The tavern. That gods-damned argument… Darryn.

[color=DAF6C7]“It isn’t…”[/color] she answered, then sighed and turned back to her packing. Her hands moved mechanically, stuffing items into the bag without really paying any attention to what it was she shoved in.

After a stretch of silence, Riona said, [color=DAF6C7]“[i]Gods,[/i] I’m so f**king useless. Quack and I both sensed something was off, but we…did. [i]Nothing.[/i] About it.”[/color] She yanked on a stubborn buckle, nearly tearing it off.

[color=00F8FE]"You're the last person I’d call useless.”[/color] He said, a quick glance toward the sudden sound. He wondered what all was in that bag but didn’t care enough to ask about it. 

[color=DAF6C7]“I analyzed his remains and what did I learn? Jacksh*t. Narrowed the substance that melted his body down from ‘literally anything’ to ‘strong non-organic chemical or magic’ that aren’t accessible to the public. [i]Brilliant work, Riona.[/i] Really cracked the case there. Like it wasn’t bloody f**king obvious just looking at… what’s… left of him.”[/color]

Her movements slowed, then stopped altogether. She squeezed her eyes shut and took a shaky breath. When she spoke again, Riona whispered. [color=DAF6C7]“I want to know what happened to him.”[/color]

[color=00F8FE]"I think we can assume [i]magic[/i].”[/color] He whispered that word, afraid to speak it too loudly. [color=00F8FE]"Ana talked to him after the whole carriage ride thing. Argued with him, she saw his eyes glow red. Had a whole family meeting about it this morning. Alibeth, Wulfy, Ana, and oddly enough Captain Durmand was included.”[/color] He emphasized Stratya’s presence. [color=00F8FE]"The Captain must be very close with Alibeth to get hear what all was discussed.”[/color] He added making it clear that he didn’t trust anyone who shared that much trust with the Queen. 

Each name that rolled off his tongue tightened Riona’s muscles. The Queen. The First Prince. The Princess. Her jaw clenched, but she held her own tongue, letting him continue his revelations.

[color=00F8FE]"Alibeth mentioned she’d caught spies in the palace before. Spies with glowing eyes who seemed on the ‘brink of insanity’. She asked if we all knew of the existence of [i]magic[/i].”[/color] He continued, moving closer to Riona, keeping his eyes down, not daring to look around the room. There wasn’t anything he could do to make this any easier, but he could give her all the information he had and hope it shifted some pieces of the puzzle into place. 

That checked out. She also saw Darryn’s eyes and how unstable he was.

Riona turned back to Cal, who still refused to meet her eyes. [color=DAF6C7]“He warned me, you know? Darryn said there were people other than the Danroses I needed to watch out for. He was terrified, Cal. And it sounded like he had no choice but to do as they ordered. Whoever they are, they’ve got serious pull…  and access to things most people don’t.”[/color]

Closing the gap between them, she stared at Cal’s downturned face. [color=DAF6C7]“That’s why I need you to introduce me to your secret party host.”[/color]

Before he had a chance to say anything, Riona pressed on. [color=DAF6C7]“I know your first instinct is to defend your friend. I get it. But Darryn’s death is linked to that party in some capacity. Your friend might have nothing to do with the murder, but they provided the space where anyone of any background could meet and magic was used. What if Darryn’s killer is one of the partygoers?”[/color]

He said nothing, only nodded his head. Everything she said made sense, and even if their murderer wasn’t a partygoer, Marek had connections. Callum was sure Marek would want to help, that was just the kind of guy he was. 

[color=DAF6C7]“This is your chance to get your friend off the suspect list and zero in on who actually did this.”[/color] She took his hands in hers. [color=DAF6C7]“Please, Cal. Help me find out what happened to Darryn.”[/color]

[color=00F8FE]"Ana and I will be meeting with Marek soon. Of course, you’re invited, and whatever you need, I got you. Maybe try not to fight with Ana, she might not show it, but I know how terrible she feels about this.”[/color] Cal met Riona’s eyes. He had to make sure she knew he meant what he said. He knew it now, he could trust Ana, she was different from the rest of his family. He had real proof of that, but he’d get that later.

Riona’s face lit up, a warm glow spreading through her. His unwavering support meant everything. But as quickly as it came, the feeling soured, her expression darkening at the mention of his sister. Callum wondered why Riona suddenly looked disappointed in him. 

Her hands slipped away from Cal. Spinning around, she busied herself with cleaning up the table, shoulders tense. [color=DAF6C7]“Then maybe she should try harder showing it,”[/color] she muttered, voice edged with bitterness. [color=DAF6C7]“Because she’s not convincing me.”[/color]

He wanted to challenge that comment, wasn’t it enough that he’d seen it, that he believed Ana? [color=00F8FE][i]She doesn’t trust you. Your word means nothing.[/i][/color] Whispered a voice in the back of his mind. Instead, he said nothing and only watched her turn away from him.

[color=00F8FE]"Darryn also gave Ana drugs, [i]good drugs[/i], when they had their argument. Weird thing to do right? Fight with someone and then give them a gift. Might be more to that than just a goodbye gift. The Captain mentioned an executioner’s blade nearby. Whoever did this, hounds tracked them right through the main part of town, they weren’t afraid of getting caught.”[/color] He offered more, tried to think of any other details regarding Darryn that might help, he owed Riona any information he had on the murder.  

Riona huffed lightly, a weary smirk playing at the corners of her mouth as memories surfaced. [color=DAF6C7]“You have no idea the size of torch Darryn was carrying for Anastasia do you? Even laid up in the infirmary, he jumped to her defense. I swear, she could’ve gutted him with a rusty spoon and he’d have thanked her for the attention.”[/color]

Cal did have a point about the “good drugs” being more than “just a goodbye gift,” though. [color=DAF6C7]“Do you know what those drugs actually were?”[/color]

[color=00F8FE]"She said they were tablets that make you feel happy, ecstasy I’m guessing.”[/color] He answered, pausing before asking, [color=00F8FE]"Are you mad at Ana because she asked Darryn to drive that carriage, or because she didn’t love him the way he probably loved her?”[/color] 

Riona shook her head, [color=DAF6C7]“I’m mad that she used his feelings against him.”[/color] She pinched the bridge of her nose, struggling to articulate her thoughts. [color=DAF6C7]“And for all that talk about how much she cares about him…”[/color] She trailed off, exhaled sharply, and tried again. [color=DAF6C7]“I wish she’d put as much effort into supporting him as she does with Lady Thea.”[/color]

Her eyes met Cal’s. [color=DAF6C7]“This whole mess with the afterparty lit something in you, didn’t it? It got those gears turning about making changes. Real ones. For yourself and others. And that was before they found the body. I guess… I thought, hoped, Darryn meant enough to spark something in her too.”[/color]

[color=00F8FE]“Maybe she just needs a nudge.”[/color] He insisted, and it almost felt wrong to defend Ana. Almost. 

[color=DAF6C7]“But no… it was just another day for Princess Anastasia Danrose.”[/color] Brows furrowed, her gaze intensified. [color=DAF6C7]“What does it mean that it took Darryn getting murdered for you to trust Anastasia again?”[/color]

Her gaze wandered back to the table in search of something to do, but there wasn’t anything else to clean or pack in the bag. [color=DAF6C7]“She’ll continue schmoozing, boozing, and whatever else it takes to fill that hole inside her… the loneliness… And that means there’s gonna be another Darryn soon enough.”[/color] There always was.

[color=00F8FE]“It isn’t how she reacted to Darryn that makes me trust her,”[/color] Callum admitted. [color=00F8FE]“At the meeting, Ana said she’d seen magic used before. That as a child another girl had threatened both her and Edin. She saw this other child’s eyes glow, saw a dark energy.”[/color] Callum took a few steps closer and placed his hand on her shoulder. 

[color=00F8FE]“But even as a frightened child, she wouldn’t send another child to a pyre. Even now, thinking magic and its users are evil, she protects that secret. It’s a very un-Danrose thing to do. I see something good in her. I am asking you to trust me enough to look for yourself.”[/color] He added gently, patted her shoulder, and pulled his hand away. He couldn’t see Ana’s flaws as any worse than his own. Callum leaned against the table, fingers tracing familiar grooves in the table, finally feeling comfortable in the hut again. 

[color=00F8FE]“And you’re right, she [i]might[/i] become someone who uses people, like Darryn, for what they have to offer and then tosses them away. Finding ways to cope until people aren’t even people to her. A lot of nobles become that, I could’ve been that. But I had you. You helped me understand that I can’t focus solely on my own suffering, but no one helped Ana. I want to try, see what chooses to be.”[/color] He looked over at Riona, hoping the next thing he said didn’t kill the conversation. 

[color=00F8FE]“So that’s why I told her, about me. Just the witch stuff.”[/color] He smiled as he said it, Ana’s reaction had been so much warmer than he’d expected. [color=00F8FE]“And then she told me it was Charlotte Vikena she’d once seen using magic.”[/color] He whispered, he had no secrets to keep from Riona. [color=00F8FE]“Not who I was expecting at all.”[/color]

There was so much to unpack—Cal’s confession to Anastasia, Lady Charlotte’s hidden magical abilities, the ominous dark energy Ana had witnessed. But one detail snagged in her mind like a loose thread. [color=DAF6C7]“What a very un-Danrose thing for Edin to do too… you’re telling me he didn’t send Lady Charlotte to the pyre?”[/color] It felt like there was more to the story.

[color=00F8FE]“I don’t think Edin was there, and I assumed the threat was verbal. But whatever happened, Ana said Charlotte had threatened her and Edin. It was enough to scare her, and I’m the only person she’s told who her magical threat-maker was. Guess I should’ve asked for more details.”[/color] He said and Callum doubted there was anything human enough lurking inside Edin that would compel him to show mercy to even a child. 

[color=4E0E04][i]Too bad she didn’t follow through on her threat.[/i][/color]
[color=DAF6C7]“Yeah… you might need to.”[/color] 

Callum nodded his agreement. He’d ask Ana about it again sometime soon, and try to get a better vibe of who Charlotte really was as well. That’s what he needed, a long to-do list to keep himself out of trouble. 

After a few heartbeats of silence she circled back to what Cal said earlier. [color=DAF6C7]“It’s not that I don’t see some good in her. Hells, I even feel sorry for her sometimes. That’s exactly why she pisses me off so much—...”[/color] She took a moment to calm her rising hackles. [color=DAF6C7]“... I’ll see what she chooses to be, with you. I want to believe in her as much as you do. But it’s gonna come down to what she actually does—or doesn’t do.”[/color]

Reaching out, Riona patted his arm. [color=DAF6C7]“You continue to be the supportive brother she needs. I’ll be the bitch who’s being too hard on everyone’s favorite princess. Maybe between the two of us, we’ll strike the right balance. And you’ll never have to be the bad guy.”[/color]

[color=DAF6C7]“Hey, when she proves me wrong—and I hope she does—I’ll gladly hang up my villain hat.”[/color] Worry creeped into her as she looked up at Cal. [color=DAF6C7]“I know it’s not exactly what you wanted, but...  it’s the best I’ve got right now.”[/color]

He wondered if her answer would be the same if he were defending someone else. Someone who wasn’t part of his family. He gave a half-hearted shrug, muttered an [color=00F8FE]“okay”[/color], and let it go. After everything his family had done to her, maybe asking her to believe in another Danrose was too much. He waved a hand above her head, swatting at the empty space.

[color=00F8FE]“Weird, I don’t see or feel a villain hat up there.”[/color] He teased. [color=00F8FE]“You’re not a bitch either. You are a good person with strong opinions.”[/color] There was enough going on, he didn’t want to make things worse for her. [color=00F8FE]“And if you keep insulting my best friend, I’ll fight you. And we both know I’ll lose.”[/color] He lightly tapped her shoulder with a fist. 

To have similar words she said to him the other day being flung back at her made Riona laugh. [color=DAF6C7]“True. And after our last glorious face-plant with Mr. Window Weirdo, I don't think you can handle another loss right now,”[/color] she said, returning the gesture.

The sound of laughter cut away some of the tension and Cal smiled back. [color=00F8FE]“I’m not going to forget about Darryn, we will find who did this. They will wish for the crown’s mercy because they’ll get none from me. Doesn’t matter who it is.”[/color] He added; and whatever pain had been inflicted on Darryn, he’d make sure the culprit got the same or worse. He paused to see if she had anything more to add about Darryn. Callum wasn’t finished sharing bad news just yet.

[color=DAF6C7]“Good to hear.”[/color] After a long pause she added, [color=DAF6C7]“And… thanks.”[/color] 

Riona caught Cal staring at her intently, and for a moment, she wondered if he was going to continue to press her about the tension with Anastasia. Part of her knew that wasn’t his style—Cal had never been one to pry. But then again, until recently, he hadn’t been one for violence either. Things were changing. She hesitated, unsure if she really wanted to launch into a rant about his sister, especially now that it seemed the siblings had patched things up.

The memory of [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5479068]Cal’s conversation with Quack[/url] and the potential fate of his royal siblings should the rebels win the revolution flashed through her mind. … Has his position on all that changed too?

[color=00F8FE]“If you need to call Ana out for how she is, you should do it privately.”[/color] He added, realizing she hadn’t agreed to his request. [color=00F8FE]“In a tavern, Riona? After what you said to Wulfric? I am worried about [i]you[/i]. That you are going to get hurt, or worse, for saying the wrong thing to the wrong person in front of the wrong people.”[/color] Callum continued, fear etching its way into his voice. He scratched at his neck but his gnawed-off fingernails offered no relief from dread. 

[color=00F8FE]“If I can’t do stupid self-destructive things, you can’t either. It’s only fair. I can’t handle losing you.”[/color] His focus stayed on her, wondering how she couldn’t see the added danger she was putting herself in. 

Riona’s hard expression melted away, her eyes softening as she looked at Callum. [color=DAF6C7]“It’s only fair,”[/color] she repeated. She couldn’t promise to stop being self-destructive, but she would try to be less stupid about it. [color=DAF6C7]“For what it’s worth, I can’t handle losing you either.”[/color]

Her fingers raked through her hair. A long breath escaped her, carrying with it some of the tension coiled in her shoulders. [color=DAF6C7]“Honestly, I don’t know what’s gotten into me lately.”[/color] she muttered, more to herself than to Callum. [color=DAF6C7]“I used to be better at keeping it together.”[/color]

[color=DAF6C7]“It’s like… Like everything I’ve bottled up for years is suddenly bursting out. Maybe…”[/color] Riona paused, searching for words. [color=DAF6C7]“Maybe I’m just tired of it all, you know?”[/color]

[color=DAF6C7]“And part of me wonders if I should just... end it.”[/color]

Realizing words that weren’t meant to be said out loud slipped out, Riona forced a smile. [color=DAF6C7]“But,”[/color] she said, her tone lightening in an obvious attempt at deflection, [color=DAF6C7]“if I do end up royally messing things up... will you avenge me?”[/color]

Callum pulled Riona into a hug. [color=00F8FE]“Abso-[i]fucking[/i]-lutely.”[/color] He said before something dark crept into his voice. [color=00F8FE]“Anything ever happens to you, I’ll find all the spookiest curses and ensure all your enemies receive eternal torment. They won’t know a moment of peace in this world or the next.”[/color] His arms tightened around her. 

Riona’s eyes widened as Callum suddenly pulled her into a hug. Heat spread to her face and pooled behind her eyes. Letting out a shaky breath, Riona leaned into the hug. [color=DAF6C7]“Damn it, Cal. You’re going to make me cry.”[/color] Even though it was already too late.

There was a twisted joy in knowing someone cared enough to promise vengeance on her behalf, mixed with guilt for feeling that way. Gods, how messed up was she to want anyone to carry that kind of burden? She thought of her family, of the townsfolk, and wondered if they had felt a similar bitter comfort when she had sworn revenge over their lifeless bodies.

She tightened her grip on him.

[color=00F8FE]“And if you're tired, too exhausted to keep trying, lean on me. I understand how that feels, we’ll get through it together.”[/color] He let her go and pulled a small glass vial from his pocket, setting it on the table. 

[color=00F8FE]“I made calming potions today. For the next family meeting. Can’t be storming out any time they say something awful if I want to learn all their secrets. You should keep one, for when you need it, and we can keep making more.”[/color] He whispered as he let her go. There was no reason not to use magic, their biggest advantage, to its fullest potential. 

 [color=DAF6C7]“Are the meetings always that bad?”[/color]

He thought about how cold Alibeth had been, how she’d looked right at him and admitted she wanted Darryn to die. He wondered how she could call herself a mother and tell two of her children she wanted their friend dead. How excited his older brother had been to paint another friend as some evil mastermind. They both got some twisted enjoyment out of hurting him. [color=00F8FE]“Usually.”[/color] He didn’t need to tell her how little the rest of his family cared about Darryn. Wulfy only seemed disappointed that he’d failed to keep a promise, that loss of life didn’t seem to matter. [color=00F8FE]“When I’m even invited.”[/color] He shrugged. 

Although she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to use the potion without it affecting the spell she carried, Riona accepted it. Might be helpful in a pinch. [color=DAF6C7]“Thanks.”[/color]

The clock chimed and Riona checked the time. [color=DAF6C7]“I better start heading out.”[/color] She said as she shouldered the bag. [color=DAF6C7]“I promised I’d meet Roman at the camping event tonight.”[/color]

[color=00F8FE][i]Roman?[/i][/color] His head tilted at the mention of his friend, wondering what the two were meeting about. [color=00F8FE]“I’ve got one more thing,”[/color] and he needed to bring it up here, where he could be sure no one was listening in. 

Callum cleared his throat, [color=00F8FE]“I can’t stop thinking about what you said the other night. About Roman. And Mina. You’re right, they’re probably in danger after that ritual. We’re all probably in a lot of danger and things are going to get worse. If Alibeth’s bringing up magic it’s only a matter of time before they start looking for it. [i]Start hunting.[/i] No one’s safe from that. Not us, not Roman, Mina, Marek…Ari.”[/color] His voice dropped to a barely audible level as he named people, but his words continued to spill out at a frantic pace.

[color=00F8FE]“And if they’re looking for it, they’re going to find it, [i]any way they can[/i]. Accuse whoever suits them.”[/color] His eyes shifted, no longer looking at Riona but past her, staring off at things only he could see. Thick smoke and shadows rose up from beneath the floorboards. It coalesced into dark pillars around the room. 

[color=00F8FE]“We have to protect each other. Have to keep those like us, other witches, safe. Strike first before people start burning.”[/color] Smoke became flame. Flames engulfed the shadowy pillars. Everything in the hut was blindingly bright. Twisted, pained expressions of those he cared about screamed without sound from within the flames. Bruning. Suffering. Unheard. The illusion only fueled his panic. The memory of the flame spell he’d cast in Wystan’s room reminded him what that felt like, how awful a fate it was. He stared wide-eyed at the illusion as his skin grew paler. 

No one was safe. No one who practiced magic. No one who the crown saw as expendable, undesirable, or dangerous. It had happened before, worked for past monarchs, and the crown would do it again. Unless he made sure they were stopped. 

[color=00F8FE]“I can see it, Riona. Right now, like it’s happening. Been seeing things, illusions, all day. But I won’t see this again. [i]Won’t let it be real[/i].”[/color] Words hissed out through a clenched jaw. He couldn’t look away from the illusion, couldn’t let himself forget the too-real possibility that it could happen. 

For a heartbeat, she wondered if he was speaking metaphorically, but the haunted look etched across his face told a different story. Whatever Callum was seeing, it was all too real to him.
[color=DAF6C7]“Cal?”[/color] Riona reached out, grasping his hand in hers. His skin felt clammy and cold. When he didn’t respond, his gaze still locked on some unseen horror, she squeezed his fingers and tried again. [color=DAF6C7]“Cal… These... things you’re seeing. When did they start?”[/color] A sinking feeling settled in her chest as she hazarded a guess. [color=DAF6C7]“Has it been happening since we found that hidden room?”[/color] She held her breath, waiting for his answer.

[color=00F8FE]“Today. After I showed Ana an illusion spell. Had to prove to her magic isn’t evil. It doesn’t have to be feared.” [i]And she listened, Ana believed me.[/i][/color] He relaxed a little, thinking about that. Flames flared and burned out. The smoke remained, stretching out, filling the space. Until it was only shadows, coating the walls, acting out nightmarish scenes with their ever-shifting forms. Shadow puppets performing every terrible thing he’d read about witch hunts.

[color=00F8FE]“But this is payment for that spell. Probably compounded from using that curse scroll.”[/color] And probably made worse by making potions and dabbling in other spells following Drake’s party. 

Riona visibly relaxed. If it was one thing if the illusions were from the side effects of using a spell from the book. It would’ve been another thing if it was the result of touching an ancient cursed object.

[color=00F8FE]“But I did see things after we found that room. That felt, different from this. I don’t know what that was, maybe something to do with that tea I drank.”[/color] He added; today’s illusions felt more real, easier to pin down. 

And just like that, the tension returned. [color=DAF6C7]“If it’s from the tea, we should ask Roman or Mina about it. But if it’s not… we should consider the possibility it’s from the objects from that room.”[/color]

He hesitated, he didn’t want to keep secrets from Riona but he wasn’t sure how to explain what happened last night without bringing up the unwelcoming presence in her home. [color=00F8FE]“It wasn’t from the room, I felt it before we went in there.”[/color] He said cautiously and before she could ask where he added, [color=00F8FE]“and if you’re worried about that crown I tried to put on, don’t be. Pretty sure I’m clear but if the illusions aren’t gone tomorrow I’ll let you know. We can practice a de-hexing on me. It’ll be fun.”[/color] He offered. 

Riona narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms slowly. [color=DAF6C7]“Callum? … Do you want me to pretend I didn’t notice or do you have something you’d like to share with me?”[/color]

[color=00F8FE]“I should tell you. I will tell you. Just not now, But what I saw after we went in that room, I felt it here first. And I don’t feel it right now but I don’t want to risk seeing it again.”[/color] He spoke as calmly as he could manage as a look of pure terror flashed across his eyes. [color=00F8FE]“Please, just give me a day or two.”[/color] He asked. 

What else could she say but sigh and whisper [color=DAF6C7]“Okay”[/color]?

He took a breath and returned to an easier topic. [color=00F8FE]“In the past, witches formed covens for protection. They worked as one. Were more powerful that way.”[/color] Callum paused and smiled.  

[color=00F8FE]“I think it’s time we bring the old ways back, form a coven. And I’d hate to do that without you, but I will understand if don’t want to be involved. Roman and Ari should both be at Pinebrook tonight, I plan to start with them. A coven where we’re all equals. Watching out for each other. Keeping each other safe. Fighting back when we need to.”[/color] He offered, laying out the general idea of his plan for tonight. 

[color=00F8FE]“What do you think? It is my least self-destructive plan yet.”[/color]

[color=DAF6C7]“Well, well. Look who’s become a social butterfly. A few months ago you were trying your damnedest to keep everyone at arm’s length, and now you’re joining groups left and right.”[/color] Riona teased. 

Her tone sobered as she continued, [color=DAF6C7]“But you’re right, it’s not a terrible idea. Especially if this witch-hunting thing is going to ramp up.”[/color] She met his gaze, her decision already made. [color=DAF6C7]“Count me in.”[/color]

[color=00F8FE]“I’m so glad to hear you say that,”[/color] He gestured to the door. [color=00F8FE]“Time to grab a carriage.”[/color] He added only to be hit with a puzzling question.

[color=DAF6C7]“What about your commitment with the Thornbreakers? Not worried if there might be a conflict of interest?”[/color]

He shook his head. [color=00F8FE]“No, they’re after the crown and those that serve it, those who act to keep power in only a few hands. They’re not after witches. Not that I know, at least. If anything we share an enemy. And any witches who serve the crown, they’re on their own.”[/color] He might even be able to help Quack out more. 

That was true. [color=DAF6C7]“Let me change the question… Say things get messy and you have to choose one or the other. Then what?”[/color]

Callum wasn’t sure how to answer that, he only shrugged. [color=00F8FE]“I don’t know. Depends on why things are messy.”[/color] He answered honestly. [color=00F8FE]“But nothing, no one, is getting in the way of goal number one. Rip that crown away from Danrose hands, expose every fucked up secret my family hides, and make sure Edin, Alibeth, and anyone else who’s earned it, finds [i]retribution[/i].”[/color] He repeated his promise, put an arm around her shoulders at that final word. [i]Retribution[/i], he liked the way that word sounded as it rolled from his tongue. If he couldn’t rid himself of a need to destroy something, then let his destruction be for something good. Let it be justice and vengeance tied up together. 

[color=00F8FE][i]Retribution.[/i][/color] The fire in her blazed with excitement at his words. [i][color=#DAF6C7]Y[/color][color=#D0E5B9]e[/color][color=#C6D4AB]s[/color][color=#BCC49D].[/color] [color=#A8A381]Y[/color][color=#9E9273]e[/color][color=#948165]s[/color][color=#8A7157]![/color] [color=#76503B]Y[/color][color=#6C3F2D]E[/color][color=#622F1F]S[/color][color=#581E11]![/color][/i]

[color=00F8FE]“You tell me whose names belong on that list, and I’ll work with whoever I can to make that happen. It’s more than a goal, it’s a reason to keep going, a purpose. And if I can do more than that, it will be tearing down the rest of this rotten system, the other houses in Caesonia, until titles mean nothing here. No one should be dying from a lack of coin.”[/color] He continued, and that was why he trusted Quack, why he believed in his vision. This kingdom didn’t need a chosen corrupted few living in excess while the rest suffered and starved. 

[color=00F8FE]“[i]Magic[/i] is how that happens. It was part of the old ways. Witches used their power to lift others up. Not to control them, not to feed off them, but to help them. It was an act of mercy from the gods, their sacred gift to humanity. My ancestors tried to burn that out of the kingdom. I will restore it, but I can’t do any of that alone. Restoring magic, the way it was meant to be, is how we make this kingdom better for all its people.”[/color] Callum couldn’t see a conflict of interest between magic and the Thornbreakers, everything was linked together. His hand gripped her shoulder. 

Partly overwhelmed by Cal’s passionate speech, Riona’s lips parted and closed without saying a word. It was more than obvious that, to him, the Thornbreakers and his new coven were just different hands reaching for the same prize: freedom and equality. In the world he dreamed of forging, neither could exist without the other.

[color=00F8FE]“Witches, Thornbreakers, and anyone who suffers under the crown, our enemy is the same. The world’s not in our favor, our shared enemy is overwhelmingly powerful, and that unifies us. It’s going to take a lot of different people working together to overcome that, but [i]we can. We must.[/i] Or nothing gets better for any of us.”[/color] 

[color=DAF6C7]“Then I’ll leave it up to you to decide if you’re going to tell Quack about the coven.”[/color]

[color=00F8FE]“Wasn’t planning to, unless it becomes necessary. I don’t plan to give him, anyone, any names, they don’t need to know who’s in the coven. And the coven doesn’t need to know who’s in Quack’s group. Less risk of information getting out, at least for now.”[/color] 

She nodded in agreement, relieved that he decided to keep those two groups apart.

[color=DAF6C7]“As a co-founder though, I think we need to be careful about who you invite and who actually joins. Aside from Roman, Ariella, and Mina, who else do you plan to invite?”[/color]

[color=00F8FE]“We’ll vote on new additions. Come to decisions as a group. It can’t be another monarchy, none of us should hold power over the others.”[/color]

[color=DAF6C7]“I like that.”[/color] 

As she started for the door, the weight of the bag reminded her of its contents and Riona slowed to a stop. [color=DAF6C7]“Hey, speaking of Roman... has he asked you to do anything for him lately? Anything... unusual?”[/color]

[color=00F8FE]“What?”[/color] That question caught him off guard. [color=00F8FE]“Why? What has Roman asked you to do? I haven’t seen him much lately.”[/color] He glanced at the bag she carried. [color=00F8FE]“What are you meeting with Roman about?”[/color] He asked since she’d brought him up again. 

[color=DAF6C7]“I met him in the woods this morning. He’s actually been wanting to talk to you about something. I don’t know if it’s gonna be the same thing he told me, but since we’re all going to be at Pinebrooks tonight, it’s probably best to get the details directly from him.”[/color] Riona patted the bag. [color=DAF6C7]“He asked me to pass him any information and rumors that are going around in the castle.”[/color]

Cal could wonder what Roman was up to, but it sounded like he’d find out soon enough. [color=00F8FE]“You’ll be careful, right? I know you’re the best spy in the city and all but-”[/color] He didn’t finish the thought, but no one made a good spy hanging from a noose. 

[color=DAF6C7]“Don’t worry, he didn’t ask me to go dig up classified information or national secrets. He only wanted me to tell him about things that any servant working at the castle would’ve heard or seen.”[/color] She reached for the door handle, then let her head thunk against the wood with a groan. [color=DAF6C7]“Shoot. With all the things that happened I never got the chance to tell you about what I found in Alden’s room the other night.”[/color]

Callum made a face at the mention of Alden’s name. [color=00F8FE]“Was it a list of what that guy’s been up to?”[/color] He asked. He glanced at the clock, they probably had enough time and he was too curious to hear what Edin’s advisor might be hiding. 

Riona turned to face Cal. The scene in Alden’s quarters flashed through her mind—upended furniture, scattered papers, and the blood. [color=DAF6C7]“Alden’s room was ransacked. There was blood leading to the window and… no one’s seen or heard him. And now we suddenly have a new Royal Advisor who appeared out of nowhere.”[/color] Subconsciously, Riona reached over to cover the tear of a dress she changed out of hours ago. [color=DAF6C7]“Mister Alexander Deacon.”[/color]

[color=00F8FE]“Deacon?!”[/color] Callum repeated the name with a mix of surprise and enthusiasm. [color=00F8FE]“We’re planning a charity event together, Mina too. Isn’t he great? Wouldn’t have guessed he’d end up as advisor though.”[/color] He could only wonder why Alexander would want to work directly for Edin, but it was probably best to just ask the man himself. 

[color=00F8FE]“Deacon works with Black Rose and Marek, they’re all about doing more charity work around here.”[/color] He added catching her up on anything she might not already know.

Alexander Deacon. Working for Marek. The pieces clicked together with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer to the chest. Riona’s fingers went death-white around her bag strap. The party, Darryn’s warning, his murder—had she just helped them? Helped the people who might have—

No. Focus. Breathe.

[color=DAF6C7]“Black Rose, huh?”[/color] she echoed. [color=DAF6C7]“...Actually, Deacon invited me to participate in the auction.”[/color] Her voice stayed steady as bought time to get her racing thoughts in order.

[color=00F8FE]“You seem less happy about this than me.”[/color] He pointed out, noticing the sudden change in her demeanor.  [color=00F8FE]“Did you agree to participate? It’s not a bad idea right, do some good? And looks like I’m taking my prince duties seriously, which could help me get closer to Wulfy. Be a better spy.”[/color] He asked. 

[color=DAF6C7]“The charity is a great idea. I agreed to participate because he told me you’d be handling the donations. And I know you’ll make sure they reach actual people in need.”[/color] She added. [color=DAF6C7]“If joining can help raise more money, then I’m happy to help. Even if it might not be much.”[/color] Riona’s gaze drifted downward as her fingers twisted the fabric of her dress. [color=DAF6C7]“I’m… just not comfortable with Alexander Deacon.”[/color]

[color=00F8FE]“What about Alexander makes you uncomfortable?”[/color] He asked with concern, noting the anxious movement of her fingers. 

[color=DAF6C7]“It’s… hard to explain, but he comes off… disingenuous.”[/color] Greasy.

[color=00F8FE]“I’ll pay closer attention to him next time.”[/color] He said, not knowing what she meant by that. When he’d talked to Alexander, the man seemed enthusiastic about everything. 

Seeing how much Cal liked Marek, Riona thought he might get upset calling Alexander disingenuous on nothing more than a gut feeling. So his answer came as a relief. Her fingers relaxed and she nodded before asking something else she noticed.

[color=DAF6C7]“You don’t sound surprised about Alden’s disappearance. Was it brought up during the family meeting?”[/color] 

[color=00F8FE]“No, at least not while I was there. Can’t say I’m sad to see him gone.”[/color] He said with a shrug. He didn’t like Alden, he did like Alexander, and he could only assume that it would help Marek to have one of his top guys whispering in Edin’s ear. Maybe he didn’t have to worry so much about Marek being in danger, it sounded like he was already on top of the situation. 

[color=DAF6C7]“So… you guys talked about Darryn’s murder, but nothing about the [i]Royal Advisor[/i]? Doesn’t that sound kind of weird? How has no one noticed him missing? I mean, someone had to report his room being torn apart. The blood alone…”[/color] 

[color=00F8FE]“I left early, and so did Ana, I’m not sure what else they talked about. I could ask Captain Durmand, she might tell me.”[/color] He said, wishing he had stayed for the full meeting. He could’ve missed important information. [color=00F8FE]“No, I will ask the Captain what I missed.”[/color] 
 
Then it wouldn’t hurt to give him a head start. [color=DAF6C7]“You might want to read this. I haven’t told the Captain about it.”[/color] Riona reached into her bag, pulled out a single sheet—a copy of Alden’s journal entry—from the bundle of papers, and handed it to Cal. [color=DAF6C7]“I found his journal.”[/color]

Cal read the copy of a passage from Alden’s journal. [color=00F8FE]“[color=CE4A4E]’My dear Calbert is dealing with his own struggles now, with Violet now in her own state of rest. He will be dying to know what happened exactly, and is desperately looking for answers. He will be easy to influence.’[/color] What do you think he means by that?”[/color] He asked, reading part of it allowed. [color=00F8FE][i]What happened to Violet?[/i][/color]

[color=DAF6C7]“Your guess is as good as mine… but…”[/color] Riona thought back on the last few days, trying to remember when she saw Lady Violet. [color=DAF6C7]“When’s the last time you saw her?”[/color]

Callum thought about it for a moment. [color=00F8FE]“She was at the tea party, same one I met Deacon at actually, talking to Wulfy.”[/color]

Having Lady Violet and Alexander mentioned in the same sentence didn’t sit well with Riona. [color=DAF6C7]“Did they come together?”[/color]

[color=00F8FE]“Not sure, I didn’t see them together, but I was also late.”[/color] He said confused about the question. [color=00F8FE]“You don’t think Deacon and Violet are [i]conspiring[/i] together, do you?”[/color] He asked, his inflection on the word conspiring paired with a grin and raised eyebrows made it clear he didn’t mean plotting some grand conspiracy. [color=00F8FE]“Ooohh, Calbert would lose his mind.”[/color]

Riona smirked wryly. If only what Alden was referring to in his journal was just that level of scandal. [color=DAF6C7]“How did Lady Violet seem to you?”[/color]

Cal shrugged, [color=00F8FE]“I didn’t talk with her. Last time I talked to her was at the first ball of the summer. She seemed fine then, maybe a little annoyed about the “randomly paired dances” but nothing out of the ordinary. At the tea party though, she was dressed like she was in mourning.”[/color] 

[color=DAF6C7]“Huh… I haven’t heard there being a death in the family.”[/color] Riona would have to double check on that, but she was pretty sure word would have gotten around if there was one. [color=DAF6C7]“But aside from that she looked fine?”[/color]

Again, all he could do was shrug. [color=00F8FE]“I guess so?”[/color] He’d barely glanced at her but he hadn’t noticed anything too unusual. 

A contemplative [i]hmm[/i] escaped Riona as she chewed over Alden’s cryptic comments about  Lady Violet’s “own state of rest.”

[color=00F8FE]“[color=CE4A4E]‘Your majesty is still as dimwitted and unclever as ever’,[/color]”[/color] He laughed reading that out loud. [color=00F8FE]“Any idea what he was planning? Guess he wasn’t as bad as I thought he was. [color=CE4A4E]‘THEY will be necessary for the kingdom’s downfall…but they do not need to suffer. That will be reserved for “your majesty” solely.’[/color] Guess it’s almost impossible to spend that much time around Edin and not hate him.”[/color] Cal smirked and handed the paper back to her. 

She took the paper and put it back into the bundle. [color=DAF6C7]“I don’t know. Whatever it was, it’s possible that he was discovered.”[/color]

[color=DAF6C7]“Did you notice Alibeth isn’t mentioned anywhere?”[/color] Riona frowned slightly, [color=DAF6C7]“And the bit about the ‘sons’ being necessary for the kingdom’s downfall… what’s that supposed to mean?”[/color] Did Alden know about Cal joining the Thronbreakers?

[color=00F8FE]“I didn’t…maybe Alden is… or was, working for Alibeth, kept her name out of it as a precaution?”[/color] He suggested. 

[color=DAF6C7]“Maybe… but then why write any names at all? This could’ve been used as evidence against him.”[/color]

[color=00F8FE]“Hubris?”[/color] He suggested.  [color=00F8FE]“Read anything else good in his journal? Maybe the answer to that question is in there, or at least a few more clues.”[/color]

[color=DAF6C7]“Bits and pieces, but I haven’t exactly had the chance to read the entire journal yet and—...”[/color] Riona looked at the time. [color=DAF6C7]“We should get going. If you want, we can read the journal together later. You might catch something I didn’t.”[/color]

Callum straightened his posture and offered his arm, which she took without missing a beat. [color=00F8FE]“Would you escort me to Pinebrook, it’s dark out and the woods are very creepy.”[/color] He asked, only half joking. 

[color=00F8FE]“And if anyone asks, I was here tonight to get your advice on allocating funds from the charity event.”[/color] Callum said, crafting his story. If anyone saw him outside, he was nervous because the last time he’d asked palace staff for help, a carriage ride to a party, it had not ended well. He was here, for an extended time, discussing a charity project, they continued that conversation in a carriage to Pinebrook. 

As they waited near the front gates of the palace for the carriage to pull around he shared another idea. [color=00F8FE]“I would like to dedicate the charity auction to Darryn, if that’s alright with you.”[/color] He asked as the sound of hooves and wheels heralded the carriage’s arrival.  

[color=DAF6C7]“Of course it is, you don’t need to ask me.”[/color] Riona turned her head towards the direction of the approaching carriage. [color=DAF6C7]“But if you are, can you send some of the money to his family? … If they’re around.”[/color]

[color=00F8FE]“I could, if my plan to guilt my brother into making sure they’re taken care of doesn’t work. He did give me his word that Darryn would be safe, the least he can do now is make sure Darryn’s family is safe and cared for.”[/color] Cal said, it was better that the crown paid for that, and as far as Callum was concerned, Wulfric owed him that. 

Riona scoffed. They both knew what a [i]good job[/i] Wulfric did keeping Darryn safe. [color=DAF6C7]“Guess we’ll see how well that goes.”[/color]

[color=00F8FE]“Either way, I’ll make sure it happens.”[/color] He assured.[/color][/hider]
[center]__________________________________________________________________________[/center]

[color=lightgray]The carriage wheels clattered against the cobblestones as they made their way through the capital’s outer gates. Riona sat across from Cal, keeping her gaze fixed on the window.

With each turn of the wheels, each hoofbeat carrying them further from the city walls, something inside her began to unravel. The crushing weight of the Capital’s invisible miasma of spite and fury that had been her constant companion—began to thin.

She should have felt relieved. Should have welcomed the lifting of that burden.

Instead, its absence left her feeling hollow and scared.

The cursed fire within her, fed for so long on the city’s malice, flickered uncertainly. Riona pressed her palm against her sternum.

It was still there, quieter, but still there. And she knew it would remain as long as she had breath in her body and will in her heart.

It was a quiet carriage ride, and Cal could only attribute the somber atmosphere to the weight of Darryn’s murder. After a while, he moved from his seat and sat beside Riona. Still quiet, he didn't want to interrupt her thoughts, and there weren’t words that would make anything easier. He offered proximity until the silence became comfortable. 

Sensing movement, Riona turned her head toward Cal. In the carriage’s dim interior, Riona’s eyes looked like bottomless pits and her skin had paled a bit from sudden weariness.

She gave Cal an appreciative smile before looking back out the window. [color=DAF6C7]“It’s been awhile since I’ve left the capital. Feels… strange.”[/color]

[color=00F8FE]“Sorian, and all her problems, will still be there tomorrow. You deserve a break from it.”[/color] But Riona looked far from relaxed, so he pulled a flask from the inner breast pocket of his jacket. [color=00F8FE]“Got a potion for that too.”[/color] He joked, shaking the flask. 

Riona let out a small, amused sound—something between a sigh and a laugh. Her mouth twisted into a half-grin. [color=DAF6C7]“Really?”[/color] She shifted in her seat to face Cal fully. [color=DAF6C7]“You’d better be sharing that,”[/color] she said, reaching for the flask.

[center]__________________________________________________________________________[/center]

The air became different; crisp and clean and infused with hints of campfire and roasted food. The clomping of hooves slowed to a stop and the carriage door opened, allowing them to step out into the carefully tamed wilderness. Everything at the campsite was lit by soft lanterns and moonlight, even the nearby lake seemed to shimmer. Friendly staff was quick to greet them, a handful of strange faces with familiar, mandatory, smiles. 

And one all too familiar face. Callum froze for a moment, almost grateful for how lifelike the haunting image of Darryn now looked. [color=00F8FE][i]Side effects must be getting weaker.[/i][/color] He felt relief at the thought. 

[color=DAF6C7]“Darryn?”[/color] The name fell from Riona’s lips in a breathless whisper that said she saw the impossible too.[/color]