The Flames in the Horizon

6

Eris was irritated. His father knew he was busy and yet he calls upon him, summons him to the throne room. The young Vanserra can't seem to recall what he could have possibly done today to earn his father's wrath, but Beron needs no excuse to humiliate his family.

Upon entering the throne room, Eris's stomach clenches in a painful mock of anxiety. His father lounges on the throne, his lips pulled in a permanent scowl. But his eyes shine with glee and Eris almost stops, almost gives himself away. But no, he does not falter, he walks toward the steps of the dais with his chin held high and his shoulders square. He stops at the steps and bows, his eyes downcast as Beron likes.

"You summoned me, Father." Eris says, making sure to keep his voice even and un-afflicted by his slight annoyance.

"It's been months, years. What progress have you to show?" Beron speaks, his voice is accusatory, like Eris is to blame. He is, but his father shall never know of it.

"I understand your hast, Father, but this is a delicate matter. It will take me years for this to be done properly. Rhysand is a secretive male, his spymaster more so, but I shall figure their court and report to you immediately. I swear, it should not be much longer." Eris has chosen his words carefully, but it will not matter. Tonight he shall return to his room, or perhaps he will spend the night in the dungeons, but either way he will burnish new bruises when he leaves this room.

He's been feeding Beron information over the months, not enough to actually have a hold over the Night court, but enough to hold his father over until Eris can find a safe way to rid himself of the current High Lord of Autumn without the court breaking apart. It's been hard, more difficult than Eris had originally and naively thought it would be. He's always been exceptional at lying to his father, but he fears he is running out of time. If he wants the throne, something he's been working toward since he first understood what it meant to be High Lord, then he must move quicker than planned.

His task, one Beron had bestowed upon him many many years ago, is to gather information on the Night court. Beron, a vessel for the evils of the world, wishes to bring down Rhysand. Night has the most powerful High Lord, and of course Eris's father cannot stand for a single being being above his own status of power. So, Night must be destroyed. Eris would normally have no qualms about knocking Rhysand down a few notches, the arrogant prick, but there are innocents in his court. Yes, Eris knows of the city of stars, of dreamers and believers. He happened upon it by accident, well, his favored hound had. Eris, decades ago, was visiting Day in place of his father to discuss trade.

At the time, Eris had allowed one of his hounds to attend, a female named Ember. That was the last time any of the beasts were allowed to travel outside of Autumn with their master. Eris, with Helion's permission, had been exploring the court, walking through the lower cities and towns. Ember was at his side, as she remained up till that point, when the mutt had taken off. Eris had chased the damn beast, demanding that she stop, and yet she did not. In fact, once at the edge of the city, she had vanished, and Eris was forced to winnow after her, following the essence of the magical hound. He reappeared in Night, and cursed Ember a thousand times over until he realized where he was. On the edge of a mountain, overlooking a beautiful city. He didn't have the time to take it in, for Ember was winnowing again—into the city. Eris spat out vile words as he followed the stupid hound. On the edge of the city limits, Eris reached out with his magic and contained Ember so she could not stray from his side. The hound had snarled quietly, a noise the beasts often made when denied their prey. She was tracking something then, Eris realized, and when he looked up, he found her game. Azriel. At the way the shadowsinger stiffened, the male meters away, Eris knew he was aware of an unknown presence in the city. He left, returning to Day with Ember and never spoke of the city.