Ascending Light

Banquet

The next day they were taken down to serve the banquet hall early. Crysen wore the plain gray dress he was given and Skye had on a gray tunic and pants. The warriors were rowdy and rough and Skye stuck close to Crysen's side, not even bothering to pretend he could tolerate the warriors' vulgar actions. His head barely reached Crysen's shoulder but he shoved and swatted as if he were no smaller than the warriors.

Zacesi and Laurel caught their attention and summoned them to the main table. The two girls that had been standing there to serve were sent down to the beasts. The rest of the night went rather smoothly and Skye grew comfortable enough to serve on the other side of the table from Crysen. The fae at the main table were Zacesi's personal council and they spent most of the time discussing the weaknesses of the different castles and fortresses. It was very educational for Crysen, who'd never seen those places. He tried to remember most of what was said so that he could tell someone later.

The warriors here cared little for anything other than war, it was clear. They ate heartily but absently and barely glanced Skye and Crysen's way. They didn't even take much drink as they conversed about the castles. Crysen was very much at ease up here where he wasn't accosted. Skye's hand at his elbow had him turning slightly. He bent down until Skye's lips were almost at his ear. "My sister wanted you to know she was sorry for telling Zacesi of the plan."

Crysen nodded and smiled at Laurel, going over to fill her drink. "You're forgiven," he whispered as softly as he could manage so that she could still hear. She smiled and he went back to where he stood with Skye.

In truth, he wasn't angry with her anymore. He understood how hard it must have been. He was angrier at their mother for keeping Skye from skills that could have saved them. And he was beginning to cool down about that matter as well. She was a high born and knew nothing of the pain and suffering they were made to endure. Crysen would rectify her mistake and then all would be well.

By the time they were returned to their room, Crysen was tired and ready to go home. It was already nearing dawn but Crysen wouldn't be able to stay awake. Skye had a little pout as he approached Crysen and held him from behind. "How many more days?"

"The dawn after next."

Skye sighed and wrapped his arms tighter around Crysen. "When we get out, what's going to happen? Will I go home with you or do I go back to Belanott?"

"Where do you want to go?"

"I want to see my mother and father but I don't want to leave you. I've thought about it for the past couple of days and I think I'd rather go wherever you do. I know I said I wanted to go home, but it'll really hurt and I can learn anything at your home that I could in mine, can't I? Do you think we could visit Belanott sometime soon?"

"Of course we can visit Belanott. I'll discuss it with my dad after the battle and we'll decide what's going to happen." He smiled and then added, as an afterthought, "And we have excellent tutors to teach you anything you could possibly want to know. I'm also willing to bet my father will want to oversee your training personally."

Skye's eyes widened and he grinned excitedly. "That would be so awesome," he crowed. "He's one of the best warriors to ever live!"

Crysen grinned. "Yes he is. And he's very strict, so you'll have to work hard."

"I will! I want to be as awesome as he is, Crysen! That way I can protect us both!"

Crysen's smiled softened and stroked a hand through Skye's hair. "You will be, Skye. You'll be one of the strongest fae to ever live, just like my father."

Skye yawned suddenly and then wrinkled his nose. "I'm tired," he grumbled. He crawled across the bed and laid with his back to the wall. Crysen laid down in front of him with a weary sigh. Skye held out his hand and Crysen gripped it loosely before drifting off.

The next night was more of the same and Crysen and Skye served the main table with ease. There wasn't much difference than the previous night. The council continued discussing the best ways of destroying various places of power. Sometimes it was less of a discussion and more of an argument. Then Crysen returned with Skye and they curled up in their bed just before dawn.

The last night that they were to go down, unbeknownst to Zacesi, was tenser. Crysen felt everything differently. He was more alert and jittery. He hid his excitement behind his annoyance. He and Skye were banished to go back to the rest of the hall because Zacesi had two of his warriors-in-training serve them. It was apparently supposed to be an honor. Skye had snorted but Crysen had shuffled him away before anything of consequence happened.

The warriors seemed relaxed and happy as they called for more drink and more food. Crysen was kept busy fetching trays of meat from the kitchen because Skye wanted him as far away from the vulgarity as possible. He became the carrier of the hall as more servers noticed his occupation. He let the demands of the servers take over his night and push away all thoughts of the escape.

Skye had him fetch more drink from the kitchen and another server begged for more meat for the far side of the table. Crysen flew down the dark and dismal staircase to the kitchen and fetched the drink first and then went for more meat, grabbing a waiting tray as the fae bustled around to make more. He fluttered up the stairs carefully and gave Skye the drink and then gave the tray to the waiting fairy. Another pitcher of drink was needed elsewhere and down he went again to fetch it and bring it up.

He didn't mind this job so much as it kept him busy and away from the drunken warriors. He watched everything from the sidelines for a few moments until someone needed him. It was nearing dawn, he realized with a jolt. He went down for another pitcher of drink so that he could have a moment to collect himself. Skye was waiting for him when he returned and took the pitcher as if he'd asked for it.

There was nothing left for them to do but continue their jobs. Every moment that passed became an eternity and Crysen was glad to be sent to do something. He couldn't stand just hovering there with dawn so close. He brought drink and cheese and more meat. Sometimes he'd be sent for bread and sauce but that was rare. And then, as dawn came, he felt the light gather in his chest.

A loud sizzling announced the taking down of the barrier and then a shudder went through the castle. Everyone froze for a long moment while the drunk warrior tried to understand what was happening. It happened fast, the flood of forces breaching the hall and then complete chaos erupted. The drunk fae were sloppy and met their end quickly against the overwhelming numbers. Crysen felt frozen in shock for a long moment as fae after fae faded in front of him, expressions of horror and anger etched on their faces as their bodies disappeared.

[Let me know what you think! I welcome comments and critiques.]