Lost souls

6 ☾ Invitation

Taken from Secrets and Magic of the Fairy World

The Exiled Fairies are a faction that the Great Mother has renounced, forcing them to live in the Swamp of Deoraiocht.

The birth of a new Fairy Spirit, called Nightmare, caused a sharp division in the Little People: the Fairies of Talasioga collect the dreams of living beings and give them to the Great Mother.

The Fairies of Deoraiocht collect nightmares and bring them to their Great Father, who is said to be much kinder and more understanding.

───͙⊱••✩••̩̩͙⊰•───

Raor

───͙⊱••✩••̩̩͙⊰•───

Now I wield a different Asmeidur, which the Confessor blessed with evident reluctance, sprinkling sacred salt he jealously guarded in his pouch. The decisive step has been taken, I've left my mark on the road leading to the Unknown Continent, the abode of the Greater Demons.

"Raor, there are letters for you!" The Unseelie Fairies enter through the open window. Each of them holds a corner of the pair of yellowed letters like parchment paper.

With some effort, they flutter in coordination to the table, drop the envelopes there, and I, in the meantime, stand up. I sent a letter to Daven with a carrier pigeon, as I had promised. Could one of these be his reply? And the other?

"A royal messenger brought them," explains Corella, peeking into my steaming cup of hot milk.

I examine the first one. The emblem of a deer, belonging to the Royal Court of Ocleodathe, is hot-stamped onto the wax seal closing the envelope.

The animal's antlers resemble the branches of ancient trees, and a royal crown floats in the center above its head.

"Has Legend already healed the humans and revived Ocleodathe? It's been barely a week since the tragedy..."

"We're talking about a Spirit," retorts Manila, shrugging.

Legend is the Spirit revered by the Human Kingdom and widely known throughout the world.

He is called by the second title of Ancestral Deer, and his light heals the sick and is said to resurrect the dead. I hold almost no respect for him.

However, Manila is right: Legend has quickly restored the kingdom that worships him. Soon they will elect a new corps of royal knights, and the training camp will surely reopen in anticipation of new recruits. Everything will continue as if dark magic never existed.

"I hope it's not trouble." I tear open the envelope and unfold the carefully folded letter paper. It smells of rosemary.

Honorable Sir Raor,

The Royal Court is deeply grateful for your heroic services. As debtors, we wish to openly express our gratitude. You are invited to attend the celebrations that will be held at the palace in two days. It need not be said that everything will be organized in your honor, and thus, the kingdom certainly expects your sincere and enthusiastic participation.
May the light of Legend guide you,

The Royal Court

"...Is this a threatening letter or an invitation? These lunatics are clearly forcing me! Do they think I have nothing else to worry about?"

"You must read the other letter!" exclaims Lavinia.

I observe the envelope; it has no stamped seal, is battered, and dirty with stains of unknown origin. My hands move on their own, tearing open and unfolding the message.

Big brother Raor,

I threatened the messenger to deliver this letter to you, promising him death if he didn't obey. I'm fine, thanks for worrying. My Sect is safe. When the chaos erupted in Ocleodathe, I was on a mission in a town near the Lake of Moon. Lucky, huh?

I infiltrated the palace to gather information about you and find an intermediary to entrust the letter to. The guys rushed to Ocleodathe when the news spread that you made Zandeimath flee. Come to the celebrations so we can reunite there. The court invited all the knights. Remember? You said you would come back.

P.S. If you don't come to Ocleodathe right away, I'll cut off your dick.

See you soon.

D.

I refrain from commenting on the postscript. There's only one person capable of infiltrating a royal palace, making death threats, and leaving unnoticed.

A person used to calling his friends 'big brother' and 'big sister'. And it's Daven, thank the Dragons, who is safe.