"It is an honor for a citizen of Eden to be chosen to die for their country, so we can live!" there he paused, allowing us to cheer in unison. "We are working to establish a new patrol-" Governor Mason cut himself off as he let out a hacking cough. I cringed as I spotted something dark stain the side of his mouth. Blood.

"What the hell are you-" Taylor's angry bark was cut off by a loud gunshot. His face went deathly pale, and Liana's heart slammed against her ribcage. It took all her willpower not to bolt. The deer crumpled on its side, red blossoming from its neck. Liana shrank behind a rock, and her voice was barely a murmur as she whispered. "They're here."

Shadows cover everything. Things are often hidden in shadows, whether in an actual sense or a metaphoric one. You can never know what's hidden in the shadows. --------- Not everything is as it seems. Not everything is as clear as day. A lot is hidden in the world, right under people's eyes. A lot of people don't see it. This is true of a young boy named Patrick Harper. A naïve, kind-hearted boy that always believes in second chances, and maybe even third ones. Naïve to the cold-tempered world around him. The young boy doesn't know the secrets that befall him. The secrets that are all around him, hiding, waiting for the time to strike. He's oblivious. Patrick doesn't know what's there. On a fateful day, everything changes. Everything seems to go weird at once. From a mysterious boy that seems to be tracking Patrick, all the way to meeting a special group of people he never knew existed. His life went from near boring to as eventful as possible just through a simple pencil. This story is about this young boy's journey through a life that was given to him that he never thought could exist. **TRIGGER WARNINGS- Swearing, death, homophobia, child abuse/abandonment, minor mentions of rape, kidnapping

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information regarding ACOIAD by @girlpcwer and @luciddreqms, and this account.

media for A Court of Ink and Dreams, by @luciddreqms and @girlpcwer

Rithian is a kingdom known for it's strict ways. Rules and laws line the kingdom, making sure everything and everyone is always in check. No soul would dare go against the Rithian ways, not even the royal family. The kingdom only modernized enough to get the benefits, but doesn't bother to advance any further. Not many can afford to live there, yet thousands still do. The royal bloodline goes back as far as when Rithian was formed. No one had corrupted it, until Queen Sylvia thought it wise to have an affair. It was an innocent action, she thought, until Prince Patrick was born out of said affair. Princess Celia, the crown princess, is set to take the throne in a matter of months, right after her 20th birthday. After a twisted turn of events, the royal family is thrown into chaos, lies and secret surfacing right under Rithian's nose.