A Court of Heritance and Destiny

Chapter 14 Etera

She sat still on a branch, looking out over the still growing castle. One month and the walls grew taller for each day. It was not an ugly building, but in the lush green landscape the clean white facade stood out like a sore thumb. The High Lord spent most of his time here, overseeing the construction and Etera followed him around. She had tried but failed to find any more information about this move. The few letters she had found only gave the instructions on how to move, and when it was meant do be done.

She jumped off the branch, flying high over the castle she spotted the blond High Lord, the crown on his head caught the sunlight, blinding her for a moment.

Who carries their crown out mid day? She asked, circling above them. Well well. She started to go down further. She had been surprised when she had seen Tamlin for the first time. The way he had been described had made her paint a picture of a cruel monster. One whose eyes would haunt you for the rest of your life. But the male below her looked so... Sad, almost pathetic. While he did hold his head high with the crown, his shoulders were hanging forward, and his movements looked heavy.

Almost like I can take him down... Time changes people. Etera was all too aware of how she had changed since she came to the night court.

How she had gone from being scared to talk, scared to do anything on her own. To be confident and independent. How she had survived her first training session with Ikarad and Gwyn, only to almost be bedridden for two days after as her body screamed for rest. She had seen how Ikarad had gone from a strict soldier, following orders and doing what was needed, to be a leader, a future general.

Anything to report? It was Nyx who talked to her this time.

No, nothing new. One month, with nothing. How is it going back home?

It is working, mom has warmed up for a meeting.

Good. Etera started to fly over towards the forest. I think we will need more help inorder to get somewhere. She and Azriel could do a lot, even more when Gwyn and Orion together with the rest of the Spynet were active. But without a solid lead they fumbled in darkness. Her theory about the lines felt more and more like a coincidence.

I am doing my best with dad.

I know Nyx. She turned and flew out over the forest, Keep me updated. She landed in the small camp Azriel had prepared.

Always.

"Nothing?" The Shadowsinger asked her as she shifted back to fae.

"Nothing." She sat down, "This whole move and build thing feels strange..."

"I feel it too, But I can't tell if it is connected." Etera only agreed and started to get some food ready. "Nyx told me that they are working for a meeting."

"I heard." She sat down, "Rhys should have done that from the start, asking for help. We need all eyes and ears."

"I agree, but I know my brother." Az sighed and joined her. "I still can't figure out how they could get inside, no scents, nothing."

"That is bothering me too."

"Gwyn has worked through most of the library, but is yet to find anything that can give us an understanding of what had happened."

"I know that she is doing her best. We all are." But it didn't feel like it, it didn't feel like she was doing her best. That first night... Maybe she had missed something, maybe a crucial clue had been missen by her as she dealt with her own loss and pain. "Do we have any next steps?" She asked him.