The White Dress ✅

Erethei's Greatest Treasure

Smackdown round 1: picture 2 (cloud balloon), picture 3 (single robot), picture 6 (moon palace) and picture 8 (man of fire)

Erethei's Greatest Treasure

Amaris wasn't supposed to be out in the mountains that night.

In fact, she'd promised each and every one of family member at least three times that she wouldn't leave the palace for any given reason, even if she was in mortal danger. Even if the walls crumbled down around her, they'd enunciated that she'd only be allowed out when they dug her body from the rubble.

So, when Hella came to check up on her mother, she was surprised to find the bed empty. A quick scan of the room and the surrounding area assured her that, bar from newborn baby Cian, she was alone in her mother's chambers. Since the labour had been long for a boy, the healers had urged the wilful queen to rest while her body recovered: advice that had once again gone unheeded.

"Come, Cian," she scooped her brother into her arms, "let us find our siblings, they'll help us."

The baby gurgled, small hands grabbing at her hair.

Hella thought he was an adorable baby, for a boy, and had taken a shine to him as soon as he'd been placed in her care. In Erethei, it was the women who were stronger, having a natural affinity to the land and sorcery and they were prized more than men, a rare role reversal if the visiting dignitaries were to be believed. It didn't matter, though, because Cian was a prince and Erethei took care of its own.

"Jerriel, your help is required," she arrived in the main room, interrupting the current conversation and settling down around the table.

Her older brother, the only one of male royalty to have been blessed with magic, tilted his head at her, "What is it?"

"Mother has taken it upon herself to go wandering. I wish to know her whereabouts."

He smiled then, relieved it wasn't a serious request, "She's in the mountains harvesting the moon fruits. I couldn't stop her from going but I made sure she took Sora with her to help and control the clouds where they're headed. They'll be back before first light."

"How long have they been gone?"

"A while, some hours at least. You know how mother is, my magic is too weak to hold her against her will."

Their father, the other occupant in the room, smiled at her concern, "Hella, she'll be fine. When has your mother not had the goddess to guide her actions?"

It was true.

Names were important in Erethei with the people going to the oracle to find out what their child would be called and, when Amaris with the meaning of 'the goddess has said' was called, it had been clear who would become the new queen and share a unique bond with the moon goddess, Artemis. Under her reign, the land had prospered, the people were happy and alliances had been signed and honoured. They ruled as one.

"I dislike this," Hella said nonetheless, "it doesn't feel right."

"Sister, you worry too much, put the baby to sleep and we shall discuss the conditions of the gold mines."

"But Jerriel-"

"You will not complain when we eat moon pie tomorrow and laugh about this."

She hesitated but then nodded and made her way back to her mother's chambers, placing the baby back in his cot and setting the cloud mobile to spin, hearing him giggle at the simple magic. Only a day old and already laughing, he was going to be a wonderful addition to the family.