17th day of the sun season 2448

Argent leapt from the stone table, long sword in hand. She went down on her sister and swung. The interlocking iron echoed through the room lit by torches hung on the walls. Their flames seemed to be dancing with the two women. Her silver-haired younger sister struggled against the pressure. Argent's physical strength greatly exceeded her. She nearly lost her balance and took a few steps back. She held her sword high, but did not take any initiative. Argent's gray eyes met hers and the eldest's long face hardened.

- Again, you did not ready yourself properly. Hold your sword near you. Also, the placement of your feet is wrong. Keep them a good distance from each other. It's essential for your balance.

Azena grunted and darted to her sister. She tried to reach her on the shoulder. Argent parried the attack with such ease that she knew that was going to send her sister in a rage. With a powerful blow, she pushed her away and put an end to the next attack with a daunting look. She lowered her sword when Azena's breathing relaxed.

- You won't win by being impulsive. You must stay calm and focused, she advised.

Azena turned her eyes, pissed off.

- I know.

Argent smiled slightly. She knew her sister well enough to understand her hurry to the goal. She had always fought for what she wanted, unlike her brothers and sisters who had the advantage of being pure blooded. She was singled out and called a bastard because of her adoption status. The Kindirah subjects did not recognize her heritage.

- I'm not the best teacher, Argent said softly. I can recommend you to my master if you wish. He will teach you as he did for me.

- He would just accept because you would be the one to request it. He doesn't appreciate me and you know it.

Argent could not deny it, but she was worried about her little sister. She did not care that she was adopted. For her, she was simply her sister with a strange hair color, and she deserved as much respect as another Kindirah.

Azena placed her sword on the table and sat down.

- I don't have time to be a failure. Rumors about the war are becoming insistent. That if it has not already started. A sword is a basic weapon. I need to master it.

- Don't worry, comforted Argent. You'll get there. You already are an admirable archer. People often have a specialty in which they excel.

Someone rushed down the stairs and emerged panting in the room.

- Mother said I could find you here, said the little girl. She said you practiced your vile methods of killing.

- Did she really say that? Argent asked, a mischievous smile on her lips.

She knew that Tria liked to distort the words of others to put them to her advantage, so she wanted to make sure what she said was true.

- Yes, said Tria, shaking her head. You are ladies, not knights, not soldiers and not dragon riders! she finished, staring at Azena with big stern eyes.

At these words, Azena giggled with the intention of making fun of her younger sister. Knowing that they would probably start bickering, Argent caught Tria's attention:

- And how beautiful you are.

She approached the child, her eyes sparkling with playfulness. Like a predator hunting for prey, she made her movements with care.

- I'm no longer a child, Tria said, half laughing. You know I'm too old for these games.

Argent did not listen and kept going.

- Don't grow too fast, said Azena, who took a sip of her mug filled with beer that she had stolen from their father's storage.

- Argent prevents me to, laughed Tria.

She and Argent chased each other in a game of cat and mouse while Azena watched them with a sneer. Tria was small and elusive, but in the end, Argent slipped behind her and grabbed her in her arms to tickle her. She squirmed in vain. Her silk dress limited her movements. She finally slipped out of Argent's hold and ran behind Azena who pretended not to see her.

- Mother will growl you if you dirty your beautiful dress, teased the dragon rider. Who did you wear it for anyway?

- Nobody in particular, Tria answered. You never know what a beautiful lord or prince could see it.

Azena rolled her eyes.

- There are other things in life than men, you know.

- Oh, you and your strange mentality, said Tria. I have a good idea. Why do not we do like in the good old days tonight?

Argent and Azena turned to their little sister, surprised.

- It would be a nice change from the rumors of this war, continued Tria. That's all we hear lately.

Argent looked through the window. Outside, the moon, as golden as the heart of summer, shone brilliantly. It announced that tomorrow would be the time to love and procreate. The Festival of the Passion it would be, and the night would be animated by the heat of emotions. The tradition was for young couples to mate, allowing them to give birth to a child in the spring to celebrate the renewal of life.

Argent wondered if she was going to spend the night alone once again. She wanted the feeling of a body against hers, of the powerful bond that forms between two souls. She thought of Demien, her best friend and a devoted soldier to her father. He was born of a commoner family which made a union impossible between them. Anyway, she did not know if he liked her that way.

- Don't be stupid, she said to herself. Forget all this once and for all.

These encouragements helped her, but her heart continued to tighten.

- Argent, Azena said. Is everything okay?

Argent blinked and turned to look at her adopted sister. She smiled as best she could to hide her turbulent emotions.

- Yes everything is fine.

Azena did not seem convinced but did not insist.

- Well, then, let's go to my room.

- No! exclaimed Tria.

She hurried to the stairs and held out her arms on either side of her body as if to prevent them from proceeding.

- Argent's room, as we did in the old times.

- Understood, said Argent. Wait for us at the top. We will put this room back in order.

- Good idea. Do it before a servant realizes what you've been doing and tells father.

Tria went up with a sneer as Argent and Azena stayed behind to put the tables and chairs back to their original placements. They made such a racket that a servant came to check and was relieved to see that it was only empty worries. She looked at the two swords lying on one of the tables with suspicion and went back up.

- I hope she'll keep her trap shut, Azena complained. What a magpie she is, and I could do without Bayrne's anger. It's a good thing he's not at the castle right now.

She put her sword on her shoulder and climbed up.

- You coming?

Argent nodded, hung her sword at her belt and followed her adopted sister to her room.

Inside, Tria was wrapped in a light blanket and was wearing her pajamas. She was waiting on the bed with two other blankets for her sisters. The large bed was surrounded by four bedside tables on which a candle illuminated the room. The night wind twirled his white and purple draperies, colors of the kingdom.

- You kept yourself busy, Argent said with a smile.

She put her sword on a separate table, Azena behind her.

- Do you want the window closed?

- No, answered Azena and Tria together.

- The breeze is refreshing, the younger sibling explained.

Her ebony braids would dance, then fall slowly on her shoulders.

- Alright, said Argent.

She and Azena sat down next to Tria, wrapping themselves in their own blanket.

- Then, my two warriors, teased Tria, with which story should we begin?

- The dragons? suggested Argent.

- Oh, it's not fun anymore since I'm a rider, Azena said. I know more about them than history tells us.

- And to say it was your favorite one, laughed Tria.

- You love to read, said Azena to Argent. Tell us something you recently discovered in the pages of the family library.

Argent did not have to think long. She remembered one day during which she was hanging out at the market with Demien in the heart of the Moon Season during which the moon is a magnificent blue hue and snow reigns. She was wearing a cloak of leather and wolf fur. Demien was distracted by a merchant who boasted his large shields on which he had engraved Daigorn's sigil to him. Argent was impressed by the blacksmith's work, but not enough to discourage her from going to see the hooded man who was waving at her to approach.

- I bet you are of high birth, he said hoarsely.

- You are right, replied Argent.

- Not surprising, he coughed. For such a pretty lady, I propose a treasure deserving of someone like you.

He leaned over and rummaged in his merchandise to finally pull out an old thick book with a dark leather cover. He handed it to Argent while smiling like a madman.

- Look well, my Lady. It's not a book like any other. It is unique; probably the last copy that exists.

- There is no title, said Argent examining the book. What is it?

- It's strange, is not it? It is only a book that speaks of the unknown, without a real name. Some say that these texts are true while others assure that it is a pile of lies written by wizards. One way or another, it's good information if it ends up being true. I'll part with it for a single golden sun. This is a friend's price not to be missed.

He smiled again, this time much more widely, revealing two golden canines far too sharp to be of a human dentition.

"A friend's prize," she thought. Should I? I have never seen this book in our library. It's a ridiculous price for an old book. "

She opened the book at a random page and saw images of a humanoid race with strange tails and with horned and saber-toothed lions at their side.

- Do these creatures really exist? she asked.

- Oh, I knew the gray folks would interest you, the old man sneered, rubbing his hands to warm up. Knowledge should not be hidden from the people. And then, a golden sun would feed me for a year at least. That would be appreciated, my Lady.

Argent handed him the golden coin. The strange merchant made a deep bow and let her return to Demien.

At that moment, Argent came back to reality and smiled at his sisters.

- I found the perfect legend to tell you.

She waited for Azena and Tria to turn their attention to her.

- So, there is talk of the gray folks nicknamed so by our people because of where they live.

- The gray lands? Tria asked, eyes wide.

Argent nodded.

- They are also called soul eaters, because after they have eaten, the victim returns from a coma with a reduced intelligence and an alternated personality. They are no longer the same as if their soul had been stolen. They are reduced to chaotic beings without logic. Apparently, the gray folks roam our kingdoms with so much subtlety that we never realize they are among us. Without a name, without a real goal, they simply wander. It is believed that they do not fully have their humanity which would explain why they feed on our soul. They are tall, lean and have a long, black, thin tail. At their side is a dark lion the size of a horse, often of the opposite sex of their master. Males have horns while females have long canines. They say they go out at night to hunt for their master.

Argent noticed that Tria had curled up in her blanket. She took the opportunity to add even more.

- You never heard their roar when the moon is high?

- Simple Myths, Azena concluded.

- What do you know about that? Tria asked. You thought elves and dragons did not exist until last summer.

She turned to Argent with frightened eyes.

- Where does the knowledge of the victims go?

- Good question, replied Argent. It is said that the soul eater absorbs all the knowledge and memories of their victim and becomes even more powerful.

She was aware that this last piece of information was just the product of her invention, but it was too much fun to terrorize Tria.

- They sound scary, said Tria.

She turned to Azena.

- Do the gray elves you mentionned come from the gray lands too?

- No, replied Azena. They are from a kingdom called Gosform. It is because of their skin tone that they call themselves that.

- I'd like to meet an elf, especially if they're as beautiful as Fayne claims.

- They are the weirdest people in Aerinda, Azena replied with a touch of dryness. They eat bark.

- Their culture is interesting, replied Argent. Father told me that moon elves are part of the High King's Empire, but that that information should not be revealed.

The High King was the supreme overlord of several territories in Aerinda, including the three human kingdoms and the lunar elves'. His duty was to protect his subjects from the shadows and to come out of hiding when the balance of the empire was in danger. Directly under the High King was the Brown King, in charge of Daigorn and Elthen, the Blue King, in charge of Nëowalds and the Red King, in charge of Dètmor. Very few people knew anything about the High King. It was almost like a myth and often even kings forgot that they were part of the same empire and quarreled. Argent had always wondered why the High King had allowed Elthen to conquer Daigorn. He had always sounded like a fraud in her eyes.

- Do you think father will let me marry a moon elf? questioned Trya, her eyes bright with hope.

- I doubt. Father is too proud. He would not accept half-elven children in our family.

- It would be better to do it, said Azena. Such an alliance would give Daigorn great power. Elves are beings with a natural affinity to magic and elements. It is very rare that they cannot control mana.

She changed her tone of voice to haughty to mimic her father sarcastically.

- But, of course, it is impossible to reason with me unless one is called Serus Kindirah or one is lord or king. I have too much a pig's head for that.

Tria and Argent giggled. Azena smiled, proud of herself; she loved making fun of her father.

Someone knocked on the door. The unexpected sound made Azena jump.

- Lady Argent, said a feminine voice full of uncertainty. Sorry to bother you at such a late hour, but Lady Rivatha is summoning you to her room.

Azena relaxed and sighed with relief.

- You're paranoid, laughed Tria. Nothing bad could happen to us here.

- I'll be there, said Argent. Thank you, Ryah.

She waited for the servant to leave and turned her attention to her sisters.

- You should both go to bed.

Tria nodded and ran to her room. Azena hesitated before following her little sister. She watched Argent's eyes as subtly as she could. Uncomfortable, Argent went to her balcony, but did not open the window. She avoided Azena's searching eyes. For a long time, she stood there in silence, hoping that the dragon rider would get fed up, but Azena's astonishing patience ends up irritating her. She wanted to be alone.

- Go to bed, Azena, she said with the authority of a lord.

Her voice softened, but his expression remained as cold as ice.

- Please. I will be fine. Don't worry about me.

Azena let a "hmph" out. She grabbed her sword and exited the room.

- I'm going to venture outside, she announced nonchalantly.

"Oh Azena, she thought. She knows about Demien. I'm upset every year during the Passion Festival. She isn't stupid. I also know what mother wants. Still... She will not win. I won't do it. "

She stared at the moon one last time and lost herself in the golden halo before being interrupted by the sound of rock that striking against the stone wall of the castle. Outside, a young man was preparing to throw a second rock. He stopped when Argent opened the window.

- Demien, said Argent. Still here for a fun party to get yourself beaten by a girl?

Demien often came to visit her during the festival of the Passion. He said they both had no lovers, so they should entertain themselves by practicing their fighting skills. Once again, he smiled and revived the tradition.

- By a woman, you mean. Come on, come on. My bruises of yesterday are waiting for you for a second round.

- Unfortunately, not tonight. I have duties awaiting me.

Demien raised his arms in resignation.

- All right... you nobles.

He laughed and bowed to Argent like a soldier making an idiot of himself.

- See you tomorrow, my Lady Kindirah.

He bowed and turned around.

- Not tomorrow, yelled Argent.

- Why not?

- Father arrives from Elthen. I must be present when he returns.

- Well, I'll see you later.

He smiled, a smile that had always managed to slip past Argent's protective walls, then he ran off.

"He's just a soldier, thought Argent. A soldier of the white woodruff under the orders of Father. Control your emotions and honor your home. Really, I envy him and Azena. I would like to have their freedom... "

She smiled despite herself and stopped in front of her sword. She slid the weapon under her bed and set out for her parents' bedroom. She knocked:

- Mother?

- Argent, said Rivatha. Come in, my daughter.

The guard on the right opened the door. Argent entered and sat on the edge of his mother's bed. She finished reading a parchment with a broken golden seal and a smile appeared on her lips.

- You know the war is coming and we have little military resources.

- You have found me a powerful lord who has an immense army at his disposal, Argent guessed disinterestedly.

Within a year, a dozen lords had appeared before her and offered her their hand. She had refused them all.

- That's right, but even better.

- What do you mean? asked the suspicious warrior.

- The Brown King is granting us a union between you and his heir. He also wants to strengthen our bond. It is a great honor. You will be the queen of Daigorn and Elthen.

- Father will never stop trying to marry me, will he?

Rivatha looked down.

- I thought he had finally understood that I wasn't ready, continued Argent.

- You reached adulthood last year, said her mother. Moreover, it is an honor that we cannot afford to refuse.

- I know what the Brown King wants.

She looked into her mother's eyes and frowned.

- He wants to make sure that we do not join the rebels in our cause. He needs our resources. Elthen is a dry desert and Daigorn is a flourishing buffet. What he really wants is as clear as the wind.

- It's a two-way street, girl. We need the support of his troops. In return, we help him with the resources. I know this is difficult for you, but try to understand.

- And if I refuse?

- The High King ordered it.

- Ah.... He finally shows the tip of his nose, replied the young woman with irritation.

She clenched her fists and crossed the threshold of the door.

- Can you go get Azena? Rivatha asked.

- I don't know where she is, Argent replied. She went out running the streets.

Despite her frustration, she managed to give her mother a weak smile.

- You know her, she's where trouble calls her.

- Of course, laughed Rivatha. If you see her...

- I'll tell her she'll come and see you.