𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝒔𝒉

𝑰𝑰. 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒔

Emstad village was quiet in the early morning. Most of its inhabitants were still tucked away in their wooden homes. Here and there a scattered craftsman preparing their shop.

The castle looked larger in the ever creeping dawn, more daunting. As she grew closer and began her ascent up the stairs, Hamlin was stood in front of the door; a guard stood to his right. Hamlin watched her, hands clasped behind his back and looking incredibly apprehensive.

"I hope you've prepared yourself," Hamlin muttered as he opened the door for her.

They walked up an impossibly long staircase, Nyx in awe of the dawning sunlight seeping through the stained-glass windows. A long hallway lined with floor to ceiling windows and archways, a single door at the end. Their footsteps echoed all around them, the sound trapped within the stone and marble material.

"When we go in you will bow first towards Hesis and then towards the court."

"How will I know which one is Hesis?" Nyx asked.

"You will know."

Nyx wanted to stop breathing.

"The court will ask you to present yourself and you will do so. They will then ask you to present your request. Do not speak until spoken to and for Hesis sake don't cut them off as you have a tendency to do." Nyx scowled but nodded nonetheless.

"Alright then, here goes nothing." Hamlin muttered as he pushed open the heavy doors with one giant heave.

An inexplicable light filled everything, light far brighter than that of the dawn outside. Nyx's eyes adjusted in just enough time to see Hamlin rising from a deep bow. He stepped to the side as she took a deep breath, taking even and balanced steps as she walked into the room.

Hamlin had told her that she would know which one was the God Hesis, and he was right.

Sat atop an intricately carved steel throne, Hesis glowed. Sitting taller than anyone she had ever seen, Hesis looked like the embodiment of the Earrachian forest. His hair and beard an unruly mess of brown curls, deeply set eyes as green as spring, skin darkened from the sun.

Nyx bowed deeply, her heart racing and her head pounding. She rose and turned to her right. Sat atop a platform in similar steel thrones sat six creatures, representatives of the forest.

"Present thyself," bellowed an old faun, large curled horns protruding from his head, his shoulders decorated with an intricate gold and green shawl.

"I am Nyx Ophirel, daughter of Connell Ophirel. I am secret command of the Assassins Division." Her voice was clear and loud, her shoulders set and chest proud.

The court nodded in approval, however Hesis stayed still, his eyebrows set in a shallow crease.

"You are charged with searching the forests, are you not?" asked the Nymph. Nyx froze, catching the sadness in her pale blue eyes. The nymphs skin was impossibly pale, free of any imperfections. Her red hair braided in a crown around her head.

"I am."

The nymph nodded. "And you have seen these victims firsthand?"

"Yes, I have." Her voice wavered, she gripped the hilt of her sword to compose herself.

"Your division is confident that these attacks all have a common enemy in the kingdom of Fánas. A kingdom–I remind you–that we have had peace with for half a century." Spoke another creature, a fairy dragon. Holographic wings tucked behind herself, angular face and sharp black eyes staring. Her voice thin and high, "What led you to this assumption?"