"Elaides, Judge Him Harshly"
Starshadow
Sonja stood at the window of her room, sipping tea in the early morning. She was up early because she didn't sleep much the night before. When she told her daughters about their father, they broke down and were in tears. She stayed with them in their room until they finally fell asleep.
She told them, and Roark, her plans to wait until after Chrystianna introduced her children before announcing Ludvig's death to the public and having his funeral. It wasn't fair to them for his death to overshadow their happy moment. He didn't deserve it. They understood.
They, like their mother, were levelheaded. They understood that their father was a traitor, but he was still their father. They were allowed to grieve for him. She would never not allow them that.
It was best that she was awake. She had a busy day today. A Spirit Seer was coming soon. New spirits, if they remained earth-bound, were strongest after the moons went down, but before the sun came up. She also planned to hire Dahlia for a job. She sent a message to Dahlia via a call stone.
But for the moment, she was watching the twinkling stars fading. "Elaides, judge him harshly," she said grimly. Elaides was the name of the Onyx Dragon patron goddess. She was known as the Lady of Night, Mother of the Stars, and Goddess of Death and Judgement. She was in charge of what happens to people after death. Souls deemed worthy were said to be reborn in the world when it was time and until then, resided in the realm of Utraeus, Father of All and Lord of Time. Souls deemed unworthy were cast into the Abyss and ceased to exist.
Elaides, having dominion over death, was also believed to be the reason some Onyx Dragon had the ability of Spirit Sight. They can see spirits from a young age, eventually gain the ability to hear them, and the strongest can actually guide them to Elaides. There were other abilities Spirit Seers developed in between. Most of them joined the Order of Seers within the Temple of Elaides.
Dahlia was actually a Spirit Seer, but she never formally trained her ability, not being altruistic enough in nature to dedicate her life to helping dead people. She wouldn't be strong enough to see a new or weak spirit, much less communicate with it.
After finishing her tea, Sonja went to wash-up and dress. She checked the time and left her room. She was surprised to see that Roark was in the family room eating a hand pie and drinking coffee. "You are up already? You could have rested longer," she said.
Roark shook his head. "I couldn't sleep much. I'm worried about the girls," he said. "I'll stay here in case they wake up alone," he answered. He wanted to go with his mother, but he also wanted to be there for his sisters. It wasn't that they weren't strong, but they were only fifteen years old and their father who spoiled them just became a traitor and died.
Sonja smiled. She leaned over him and kissed his head. "Thank you," she said. He wrapped an arm around her waist and hugged her. They stayed like that for a few minutes before Sonja broke away. Her son was a good man. She took a few steps, stopped to look back at him before stepping into the shadows.
--
Zane and Dahlia were waiting for her in the square in front of the dungeon. She wasn't surprised to see Zane. She wasn't sure if he ever slept. "You didn't need to get up so early," she said to Dahlia.
Dahlia was taller and more masculine than usual today. She shook her head. "You know me, I don't like to be idle. You said you had a simple job for me. I'll putter around until you guys need me again," she drawled in a voice that was even deeper than usual.
Sonja nodded. "I met a girl outside of the Academy yesterday. She's from the Darkbane Clan in Ebondale. Her name is Melaina. I want to know everything about her and her family," she instructed.
"The Darkbane Clan who last had the Shadow Blade?" Zane asked.
Sonja shrugged. "I assume. My great-grandmother was friends with their matriarch before the Plague, but I don't remember any descendants under the Changing Age," she answered.
"What's so special about the girl?" Zane asked sharply.
Sonja gathered her thoughts. "It's hard to put into words. She seems to be mistreated by her family. She seems meek and worn down, but sometimes, I see draconite in her backbone. I just feel something for her," she explained.
Dahlia frowned, her form changing to her usual feminine look. "They're mistreating a Dragon girl? If it's really bad, can I educate them properly?" she asked.
"I'll leave that to your discretion," Sonja said. If that child was any indication, the rest of the family tree was probably even more crooked.
Dahlia nodded. "I'll start now. Keep me updated if you need my help with this," she said and took a few running steps, transforming into an Onyx Dragon and taking flight, disappearing into the purple night.
Zan clenched his jaw for a moment. "You're not going to do the same to Roark that your mother did to you, are you?" he asked. "After living how it turned out," he added.
Sonja stiffened. "No. Never. I'd never demand him marry if he didn't wish to," she answered.
"But you do plan to ask? How is that any different? Do you think he'll say no to you?" Zane almost growled, glowering at her.
Sonja flared her nose and turned to glare at him. "I don't have to explain what happens to me and my son to you. You are the High Guard of Myrkir. You protect my family, you don't interfere in it," she stated.
Zane clenched his jaw so hard he almost broke his jaw. "Right," he scoffed and turned his head away. His glare at the outer castle walls was fierce enough to bore a hole, but he didn't continue the conversation. It may not technically be his place, but he'd still make a point to speak to Roark.
A small cough came from the shadows. They both turned toward the sound. A figure in a warm cloak stepped into the lights of the square. The priest was young and wore black dark blue junior priest robes, with a purple stole embroidered with a symbol denoting he was a member of the Order of the Seers. He had a pale face with warm undertones, silver eyes, and slightly shaggy hair with a silver streak on one side.
He bowed slightly. "Your Grace, Lord High Guard," he greeted gently. "I am Wray Darkdream, of the Order of the Seers," he said, showing his identity token.
Zane raised his eyebrows. Sonja frowned slightly. "A junior priest?" she asked.
Wray nodded. "I'm the strongest Seer in the Order," he said. He was not bragging, it's just that Seers weren't too common, and their strength varied a lot. With the Plague, all their strongest Seers died. There weren't any Guides alive at this time. It was a distressing predicament for the Order. "I can also Resonate," he said, referring to the ability of some Seers to sense the presence of spirits and spiritual disturbances and manifest it physically. His eyes glowed when in their presence.
Sonja nodded. She gave him a temporary permission token, and the three headed into the dungeon.
"Are you related to Cordelia Darkdream?" Zane asked.
Wray inclined his head. "She's my older sister," he answered. "Do you know my sister?" he asked.
"We met yesterday. Where does your family come from?" he asked conversationally. This pair of siblings was unique. Onyx-Silver Hybrids, one with Healing, the other with strong Spirit Sight. Zane always appreciated talents.
So did Sonja, but she hadn't had a chance to be briefed on the trip to the Healer's Corps the day before. She was busy comforting her children.
"We were born here in Starshadow, but our parents were members of Bastian Silvermoon's vanguard soldiers. Shortly after I was born, they went off world with them. Cordy came back to Myrkir, and raised me in our grandmother's hometown in Shadyside, working as a Healer there, until I was old enough to join the Order, so we moved here," Wray didn't mind answering his questions.
Sonja was already impressed by the girl she hadn't met yet. She glanced at Zane. If she didn't know he abhorred such arrangements, she would almost believe he'd picked out a daughter-in-law for her himself. "Why wouldn't she come directly to Starshadow?" she asked.
"Too many wandering spirits," Wray answered plainly.
Sonja and Zane both paused and looked at the young man. A newly mature Dragon could already see spirits when it had to have been less than five years old? No wonder the Order sent him. They shared a look with each other and finally believed he probably was the strongest Seer alive.
They led him to the cell and opened it. They stepped into the outer cell. Wray looked around. There was no resonance reaction. "Where did it happen?" he asked.
Zane opened the barred inner cell door. Wray walked in and glanced around. Still no resonance reaction. "I'll try the summoning ritual," he said.
Zane and Sonja stood outside the cell out of his way. He began pulling items out of a pouch at his waist. He laid down a black cloth that seemed to sparkle with stars. There were also candles, crystals, a Draconite bowl, a glowing glass vial, and finally a sparkling crystal skull.
He sat on his knees and set everything up carefully. The candle lit up with a purple glow. He poured the glowing liquid into the Draconite bowl. "Elaides, Mother of Stars, Goddess of Death and Judgement. Your servant is searching for the soul of Ludvig Shadowclaw. If he is bound to this mortal land, allow this servant to see his figure and hear his words. If he is no longer here, help this know his last breath," he intoned and drank the liquid.
He took a small metal stick and tapped the skull. A haunting sound emanated from it. He tapped the skull three times and put his hand on it. The sound resonated through his body. His eyes began to glow, and he looked into the distance but was no longer seeing the inner cell.
Instead in his vision he saw white mist all around him. He saw no figure of a person, but a feeling of peace settled around him. Acceptance flowed through him.
When his eyes stopped glowing, he slumped back. Zane stepped in to support him, but Wray shook his head and rubbed his eyes. "I'm okay, just a little disoriented. Peeking into Elaides' realm isn't easy," he said. "I'm sorry. He died in peace and accepted his death. He already moved on," he told them as he packed up his ritual supplies.
Sonja sighed but wasn't surprised. Asking for a Seer was a long shot anyway. They regularly have the dungeon cleansed of spirits because prisoners sometimes kill themselves and hold resentment and tend to linger. So, they couldn't ask a different spirit if they saw anything. "Thank you," she told him sincerely.
Wray bowed slightly. "It's my duty to serve," he replied. "I'm just sorry I couldn't help more," he added sincerely.
"We'll escort you out," Zane said. Sonja nodded in agreement. They closed the inner cell door. The three walked out and closed the outer cell door. They escorted him back to the square in front of the dungeon. Wray handed back the permission token.
"Go with peace," Sonja said.
Wray bowed to them and left via the shadows. They didn't worry about him telling anyone. The Order took vows of privacy. Binding vowed in Elaides name. Breaking a vow to Elaides is a definite way to be sent to the Abyss, as well as premature death. Not technically the goddess of revenge, but people do often associate her with vengeance, because unlike breaking vows to other gods, they get punished after the end of their natural lives. Elaides cuts them off prematurely and dumps them into the Abyss. Vowing to Elaides may not be binding in the same way as Ersiore, where Ersiore makes the oath giver unable to break the vow. Elaides gives the vow taker enough rope to hang themselves. Therefore, vowing to Elaides was one of the most serious vows anyone could take, no matter the race.
Maybe there could be loopholes and you can dance on the edge of danger, but even then, if you survive, the afterlife isn't guaranteed.
Sonja and Zane were left alone again. "When will the mage come?" she asked. That Ludvig died in peace and accepted his death was strange in and of itself. He never struck her as the peaceful and accepting type.
"Around ten morning," he answered.
Sonja nodded. "I'll go back home for now," she said and stepped into the shadows.
Zane frowned. He sighed and walked into the shadows himself.
--
Silvermoon
The Keep woke up relatively early. Most were too excited to sleep in. Chrystianna woke near dawn, and made the lazy Elias get up. They didn't wake the others. She gathered Ysandar and another clerk that was just getting to work to sign their marriage certificate as witnesses. Ysandar was near tears as he congratulated them.
Ysandar served along a Morningstar for millennia until the Plague, so he was so happy to see Elias and hear that his son was also back home. Chrystianna invited him for breakfast, but he declined. He wanted to have breakfast with his wife. He was old and looking forward to retirement, but he knew he was the only one qualified to oversee Silubra's military.
Chrystianna and Elias returned to the Residence and found the children and their friends stirring. They had breakfast and announced they'd signed the marriage certificate. Everyone congratulated them.
"Before we start going about our days, I want to get everyone's measurements for the banquet," Chrystianna said.
Sariya and Delaney looked at each other? "Us, to?" Sariya asked.
Chrystianna nodded. "I'd like it if you were there," she said.
Sariya immediately shook her head. "No thank you. I appreciate the invitation, but please, I'd prefer not to," she said.
"Oh. Okay," Chrystianna said. She wouldn't force it. She just appreciated everything Sariya had done and wanted to include her. But she would respect her wishes.
She looked at Delaney. "You're free to refuse, but it would be best to appear," she started to explain.
Delaney nodded. "Yes. I understand. We're about to bring refugees to your world. Other world leaders would surely have concerns," she agreed. She had no intention of refusing. In fact, she was glad Chrystianna invited her. She wondered if her family would be able to be brought over by then. Would they have enough time? She hoped.
They took the time for an attendant to take their measurements, then they headed to the Healing Hall for check-ups. Healers were excited to check them. Britiana and Darius were checked and their files updated, but they had no major issues. A bit malnourished in comparison to native Emphyralians growing up eating draconite enriched food, but time would help that.
Sariya's results were basically the same. Her daughter was also healthy and would only become more so. It was the first time she learned she was having a daughter. They gave her some basic instructions, but since nobody was familiar with the biology of a Shadow Demon, they weren't experts, but for an Eoduun child, she was developing well.
She met Britiana and Darius in the waiting area and informed them of her news.
Britiana grinned. "It's a girl? Congratulations!" she said and glomped Sariya, giving her a hug.
Darius chuckled at his sister's antics. "Congratulations," he agreed.
Sariya laughed and hugged Britiana back. "Thank you," she said. She hesitated. "I want to ask...will you two be the godparents of my daughter?" she asked.
Darius was surprised. "Us? Really?" Britiana blinked her eyes, also surprised.
Sariya nodded. "I can't think of anyone better. Even if I find family members in Undirheim, I'd still feel better if it were the two of you," she said. She couldn't imagine trusting two people more than the two siblings.
"I accept!" Britiana declared. "He accepts, too. Even if he doesn't, he does," she added.
Darius reached out and pulled a strand of hair. "Don't listen to her. I do accept it. Thank you, I'm honored," he assured her.
Britiana swatted his hand away.
Delaney was also healthy, but since she wasn't fully human, again being half Shadow Demon, and a quarter cat god, but all indications looked good. From what they could tell, she and her family would thrive on Emphyralis.
The woman speaking to her was an experienced Elf healer. "Judging by our tests, the witchborn would also thrive here, but we'd need to study the physiology of a pure witchborn," she explained.
Delaney nodded. "Undergoing medical check-ups will be necessary for coming here," she said.
The woman was a high-ranking Healer and was passionate about it. "Yes. Health is very important," she agreed. Strangely enough, she was wearing glasses. Perhaps being a seeing impaired Elf was part of her passion.
Delaney smiled. She thanked the Healer and met the others.
Britiana smiled when Delaney joined them. "Okay. Delaney and I are headed to the Tower. What are you guys going to do?" she asked.
"I'm going to find blueprints of the inn and devise the process of safeguarding the witchborn, registering them, and guarding against them," he answered.
"I'll tag along," Sariya answered. She didn't have specific plans. She wanted to stay around for a while. There was too much going on, and she didn't want to be too far away from them. She didn't do the magic thing, but she could help Darius with logistics.
"Right then. See you later then," Britiana said.
Darius and Sariya bid them farewell and went their own way, going to the library to find the blueprints.