Varian wandered around the old castle in a daze. If it could even be called a castle; it was mostly ruins at this point. Like my life, he bitterly thought. He sat down on the stone steps that led to...somewhere. He didn't really think about where he was going and conveniently forgot about the fact that he had no clue about the layout of the castle when he woke up from his cold guest room that morning. He sighed and put his head into his hands as he recalled the events of yesterday.

"Your father was a member of the brotherhood, a name I still find odd considering one of their best members is a woman," Adira started as the two of them sat down on two dusty wooden chairs next to an equally dusty stone table.

She showed him an odd tattoo which was comprised of a circle with three slashes on her left hand.

"The brotherhood was created centuries ago, in the time where the Dark Kingdom was just as well-known and populated as Corona. Its sole purpose was to protect the Moonstone. I believe you are familiar with the Sundrop Princess, you tried to steal her power after all, didn't you?" she stared at him blankly.

"Yes, what's your point?" Varian impatiently asked.

"The Moonstone does not have the same powers as the Sundrop, and approaching it will harm you. I don't even mean that as a threat. The Moonstone repels anyone who comes near it. King Edmund was injured when he tried to destroy it," She added sternly.

"I'm not that stupid and insane, you know," Varian commented.

She nodded after a long silence and got up to walk out but he asked, "Aunt Adira, I know you're still hiding something."

She froze but quickly covered it up with a chuckle, "Aunt Adira? Well aren't you getting attached?"

Varian just calmly shook his head and replied with a smile, "You gave me a nickname didn't you? I prefer Aunt Adira over Weird Shadow Lady, personally. I still commend the person who gave you that nickname, though. A high score on both creativity and accuracy, and a perfect one on had the guts to actually call you that."

Adira shook her head again and waved as she walked out the door, "I'll be sure to tell Cassandra."

A noise snapped Varian out of his thoughts. He looked up and his eyes searched for the source of the sound, he was relieved when he confirmed that it was only a crow. It looked at him oddly and let out what seemed like an indignant "Sqwuak!"

"What are you doing here?" he asked with amusement evident in his voice.

It ruffled up its feathers and soared down to the floor. It hopped towards him cautiously, and when it was close enough Varian found that he was extending his hand towards it. However, it flew away before he could touch it.

Varian shook his head as he stood up. He started walking back up the and trying to retrace his steps but he was only halfway up when the crow suddenly perched on his shoulder. He was surprised by three things, mainly. One, he hadn't seen the crow fly back. Two, the crow was carrying a vial with a luminous liquid inside. And three, the vial had a piece of paper with his name on it stuck to its side.

He tried to think as little of it as he could as he slipped the vial into his pocket and watched the crow fly off, he already had enough intrusive thoughts on his mind when he tried to sleep.

Later...

"He can never know, Adira. It would be dangerous for everyone, including himself. He will be hunted if word gets out," the King told the warrior sternly.

Adira rolled her eyes, mentally, of course. It was like the King thought she was as immature as the kid himself.

"Of course, your majesty," she said.

Varian smirked to himself as he got up from his crouch by the door. He heard everything he needed to know.

A/N
It's so nice being on vacation! I have so much more time to write, I wish it was less hot, though.