[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/v2rsukY.png[/img][/center] [h3][color=gray]Duchess Agustria's Estate, Grand Bank, Two Days Previous[/color][/h3] [sub][@Click This][/sub] [hr] ‘Asteria’ looked over the note, her lips pursing. It was worse than she thought. Her mind raced back to that fateful exchange with the Wizard Queen. The mention of having them checked out medically had just been a red herring - the Wizard Queen, she-... she had made to have them killed all along. And by them, she meant sweet little Asteria and her wayward brother. All to root out the spy the Wizard Queen only had an inkling of. ‘Asteria’ softly shook her head. [b]”I had no idea she would go this far…”[/b] A quirk to her lips, the real Nyx showing through the Asteria facade just a little. [b]”You'll have to forgive me. I had to play along - my ‘brother’ has no idea he's been fatally dismissed by the Queen, devoted as he is. He may-”[/b] There was crashing and distant yelling. ‘Asteria’ palmed her forehead. [b]”-...May be attempting to sabotage you.”[/b] [hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/Qv8ncAY.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/nxi4yjM.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/Xp4di1L.png[/img][/center] [color=gray][h3]Governer’s Domain, Athius, Present Day[/h3][/color] [sub][@Click This], [@Irradiant], [@The Otter][/sub] [hr] [quote=Duchess Agustria]“I am sure we will find a future in business that would benefit Athius, Caelin, and a greater Arrowfell as a whole.”[/quote] The blue-tailed merman seemed to beam at this. [b]”Of course. Our waters are rich in all matter of gold-scaled fish, and ribbon-tied lobsters. I'm certain there are materials you'll find fashionable for your clothing that we would be happy to trade with you. Likewise, I am sure there are many materials from the Surface that we could benefit from. “I hope, indeed, that we will become not just trade partners, but perhaps friends, as well.”[/b] [quote=Duchess Agustria]“But of course, it would be remiss of me to neglect the desires of my own companions. Countess Minuette already seems quite taken with the weapons you craft…”[/quote] The blue-tailed governor gave a knowing smile to the countess, his trident shifting in his grip. [b]”We can certainly arrange something.”[/b] Soon, gifts were brought out and presented by mermaid attendants to each of the guests. Countess Minuette was given a trident similar to the one the governor held, with a blue sheen. It was enchanted with the ability to generate water that could cut paper upon each strike. Duchess Agustria was given her first sample of what would hopefully be a fortuitous trade relationship. In her hands was placed a gift box that contained shimmering fabric. It had the softness of spidersilk, but the gleam of satin, and changed color depending on the way the light settled on it. The governor called it ‘knitfish’ fabric. Sir Hayworth, who had been quiet during the exchange, was given a small sack of Athius-minted coins - little seashells - that he could later exchange for any small thing at his choosing. The governor, seeing the faraway look in Callum's eyes, and the struggle he had with his sword, requested for a very specific gift to be brought out for him. An attendant swam over and presented Callum with a dedicated sheath made of pearl dust, with a pearlescent sheen. If Callum were to try and sheath his new sword in this sheath, the sheath would shrink or expand instantly to fit the size of the sword perfectly. And the Wizard Queen was given a blue glass key - the key to the kingdom, metaphorically speaking. The governor himself presented this, and bowed low. [b]”We are honoured, Your Majesty.”[/b] *** Back on the surface, Raiden and Jikoryss were still surrounded by boats. From a distance, one could figure the captain could be trying to figure out how to secure a huge dragon. And as Callum and everyone else came back on the deck of the Battle-Blood Minstrel, Lady Anabel Furino was staring anxiously. She pushed passed sailors clearing the deck of the dead before standing in front of Callum, huffing. [b]”You idiot, you took forever. I thought- I thought-...”[/b] The tears in her eyes offset the frantic sharpness of her tone. Meanwhile, Vulluin approached the Wizard Queen as she came aboard, bowing. [b]”Your Majesty, we have suffered damage on the Battle-Blood Minstrel and the Swiftsure, however both can still sail. Approximately twenty-three men have perished. The Ravenfellian cretins got away, but we are in the process of securing the Sparrow and his… pet. “We will be ready to return home within the hour, Your Majesty.”[/b] The Wizard Queen nodded, [b]”We will have Ingens following the ships as we travel home. Lock the Sparrow in the hold, and tie the dragon down with rope and netting.”[/b] Vulluin nodded, [B]”It will be done.”[/b] Soon, the Battle-Blood Minstrel and all her companions would be returning home, for better or worse. [hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/1tVQESW.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/F5UWRtd.png[/img][/center] [h3][color=gray]Lady Furino’s Estate, Castle Gardens, Present Day[/color][/h3] [sub][@AWildSquirtle], [@HereComesTheSnow][/sub] [hr] [quote=Aubri][color=cyan][b]"Children, children! What seems to be the trouble here? Surely there is better plunder than this to be found. I have seen good friendships ended for far more."[/b][/color][/quote] The angelite looked like she was on the verge of tears with how much frustration she was feeling. [b]”Stay back, will you! I'm gonna teach this cretin a few manners with my own hands!”[/b] The changeling was looking up in horror, seeing her spell smoldering in her hand. Before, suddenly, rough hands returned the necklace to her, snuffing the spell out. And, in his own hands, a bag of coins. [quote=Amerigo][color=50849f]"So do each other a favor, and consider it [i]bought[/i] regardless. We're about to have some rowdy company."[/color][/quote] The boy was only half listening, picking out one of the coins. [b]”Wait… these are discontinued Arrowfell currency. But… You both sound foreign.”[/b] The angelite settled a glare at the the changeling. How rude! Clearly these were nice people helping resolve a huge issue for her, [i]she[/i] would never be so impertinent as to poke at their origins. [quote=Amerigo][color=50849f]"Stick close to us and play nice, both of you. You do that, and we can guarantee your safety. Aubri, keep your eyes open. Tell me if we're being flanked."[/color][/quote] The air grew cool and ashy, and, instinctively, the angelite and changeling moved to stand behind Amerigo and Aubri as what sounded like a strange, otherworldly chorus of [i]breathing[/i] drew closer. Until, unsettling slow, a massive, [url=https://imgur.com/a/DaqeVF0]airy blob (content warning)[/url] of smoldering ash, hot, angry eyes and jagged, yellowed teeth appeared over the lip of the estate roof. It was massive, at least seventy-feet high. It's many eyes rattled around, before they all snapped to the group below. [b]”Fleeeesh. Succulent… Terrified… Flesh…”[/b] Indeed, the changeling and angelite were both staring up in palpable fear. An involuntary squeak escaped the girl's lips, white-knuckling the necklace in her grip. There was a cacophony of giggling from the many faces of the Shade as it loomed over the estate courtyard, its edges melding with the roof and walls so, eventually, the group was surrounded in eyes, teeth, and ashy substance on all sides and above in a perfect dome. Then, the many faces puckered their ashy lips, a rumbling echoing below their cheeks, before, from all directions, streams of acid shot forward at the group.