A Court of Spies and Shadow

A World Of Darkness And Nightmares

It had been mere years since we had touched the sacred stone and been spirited to the awaiting camp meeting place, still being prepared for the survivors of the rite.
    Nearly the entire crowd had looked astonished at the turn of events. Only Rhys' mother and Devlon didn't look surprised, thought while the former turned to us with joy in her eyes, the latter managed to look completely unimpressed.
Rhys' mother gave us each a large hug before whispering into her son's ear and declaring, "Sorry darlings, but Rhys and I must go meet the High Lord in the capital."  A look passed her face that seemed to be both apology and shame,  "You know the rules."
    My heart dropped.  My brother would spirit himself and his mother to the court under the mountain, the terrifying seat of his father's throne, one that he would eventually inherit.
    I had nightmares of what Rhys would look like on a throne surrounded by corrupt, evil people.  I dreamed of them tearing the kindness from his soul, his scream cleaving the world, but I could do nothing, my wings were bolted to the wall near the throne, Cassian lying motionless on the dais.  I heard Rhys' cousin Mor cry out, only to be met by the eldest son of Autumn covering her mouth with a mischievous smile and incinerating her.
    Mor, who was all gold and so kind and funny when she wasn't being all shy.  Her shyness, I had learned, stemmed from her eighteen year old self being suppressed since childhood, she hated her court and their rules that her father controlled her until they sold her to her husband.  She hated that despite all of her power, she was no more free than any other female, not including the the far greater restrictions on her because of her high-ranking family name. 
    I shook my head, trying to shake the thought of the female I loved being taken and hurt by her betrothed. 
    The Lady of the Night Court looked at me with understanding in her eyes, "Come with us, Azriel." she said softly, "my boy needs a friend at court, I think."
   "Hey!  I'll do it!" Cassian said enthusiastically.  "Those pricks probably need a good beating!"
    "Another time," the Lady said, and seeing Cassian deflate, she added, "Morrigan is here for the week, and I think if anything, there will be more Illyrians to give a beating for the looks she'll get.  You know how Devlon's inner circle spread that horrible rumour that she was a witch," she said, a look promising violence in her eye, "there will be those interested in testing that statement."
    Cassian shared her look.  "They should get far more than a beating for those comments.  If they so much as look at her wrong in my presence, they won't walk or fly for days.  You have my word."
    "Keep it." Was all Rhys added about the subject before winnowing off with his mother and I, an unmistakable glean in his eye that promised no nonsense, unless someone wanted to brave the wrath of the most powerful High Lord's heir in history.
   I shuddered at the amount of power Rhys would carry once his father was gone.
••••••••
   The High Lord of Night paced his private residences within the Hewn City, finally stopping to speak.  "I've finished the meeting with my advisors and generals.  War has broken between Autumn and Spring during the Seasonal Courts meeting. 
    "It seems Beron involved us when Winter announced they wanted to free their slaves, but had no intention on letting them live among his people.  Spring accused Winter of being the reason their own slaves were rebelling.  Beron claimed that it was us who planted that thought in Winter's heads.  Hybern and Spring have declared war on all of those 'who want to take away the meaning of life from the grovelling scum.' 
    "I didn't agree to this but it seems our hands are tied.  If we tell the truth that we simply have no need for slavery, but aren't against it, we'll be seen as cowards, kneeling before the might of the Blacklands."
    He looked at his young daughter, arms wrapped around the neck of her mother, bouncing on her hip.  The High Lord sighed, "As of now, we are officially at war.  I hope Winter knew what they got us into."