On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

“So, let me be clear-clear?” Prince Shaetanao Gar Shae Dannan, ruler of the Beastkin Fae, declared, his deep blue eyes blazing with fury, his silver-furred hands digging into the metal armrest of his chair, effortlessly deforming the dwarven-forged steel. The aura of elemental energy he was unleashing as his emotions spiralled was shocking, and motes of various shades of green and dark indigo were dancing in the air of the small greeting room. “These… these vile betrayers tried to slay-slay my beloved daughter?”

The two maids of the princess who had survived the attack by the Night Parade cowered. One had fainted, her eyes rolled up in her head from the pressure, while the other was trembling so much one of her teeth had cracked as her jaw rattled. She tried to form words of denial, but all that came out were terrified stammers.

I cannot blame them. The Prince has a powerful presence indeed. The rulers of the Seelie Court, second only to the King and Queen, were not just Princes and Princesses because they were powerful, but they were powerful because they had the seats, the energy of the noble Territory of the Seelie Court focused on them, adding to their grandeur. Of course that is one reason Duke Vulpatrius eagerly seeks to usurp the seat from the Prince, leading to this current mess. A foolish errand. Now more than ever, the Seelie Court must pull together, united to face both the changing mortal realm and our common enemies. His thoughts went once again to the princess and her consort, the human Akio, as instead of trying to defeat their foes, such as Grulgor, they made them friends, and he found himself smiling, an unusual expression for the stern badgerkin.

“And just what-what do you find amusing, old friend? Surely not this treachery?” the Prince roared. At that the second maid fainted, her feeble resistance spent as a tornado of wind energy whipped through the room. “To think-think that Duke Vulpatrius would stoop so low. Sadly, even with these betrayers as proof, it would just be seen as politics.” He spat sourly, his fist slamming down, caving in the side of his throne. “The Aggressor faction is stuffed with fools-fools, eager to expend precious effort seizing power, rather than their stated goal of crushing the Unseelie. The Isolationists are even worse, and their voice is growing-growing, as the Wild Hunt grows ever bolder, and we lose more and more land.” At that the Prince paused, shaking his head. “Apologises, Ulfuric. I know-know the losses and failures to reclaim our stolen Territories burns you more than most. I spoke poorly.”

At that, Ulfuric shook his head, denying the apology from the Prince he had chosen to serve, to bury his past. “It is of little matter. And nowadays, I find that flame burns colder and less furiously.” I surprise myself. Perhaps Ixitt was right, and seeing the princess try to reclaim the Spring of Clear Reflections, one of our three great losses… perhaps it has moved my heart, if only a little. It still seems impossible, but perhaps I can still dream. “More importantly, I suggest you investigate all your other servants. One that got away seems to have been sworn to Duke Vulpatrius long before the disputes even began.”

“I shall. And to that end, these two treacherous maids shall suffer-suffer until they have divulged every morsel of information they hold. I may not-not be able to censure that troublesome fox, for he has more allies than I do, but it will still-still weaken his position. And I need that now more than ever-ever.” He scowled, showing his fangs, which were capped with jade and gold.

Well, some information you will not be able to extract. The princess had used her winds upon them to prevent them talking about her secrets, in the end. Perhaps they should have been used to rip out all the information they held, but the maids were fragile and tormented, so it might have shattered their minds. It will have to be enough. Prince Shaetanao will make sure the maids spit out every truth and secret before their end, of that I have no doubt. Attempting to murder the princess will leave his heart without mercy for them.

As guards dragged away the unconscious maids roughly, heedless of the injuries they were accruing as they were pulled along the ground, Ulfuric dismissed them from his mind. After all, now he had his own worries. And what his Prince said next fed into those. “So, Ulfuric, just how-how did you come across these traitors? I do not-not believe that I sent my daughter with any of her maids to her… her exile.” He spat the word, the other side of his chair now equally wrecked by his anger. “Besides, are you not-not fighting on our borders? Though I did have-have a visit from the High Marshall of the Way-Wardens, saying something about Shaeraggo’s guests defeating an incursion? Welcome news indeed, but do you know-know of this?”

With the Price of the Trial of Three binding us, what I can say is sorely limited. Even so, I would not betray the princess and her wishes. She has no intention of relenting until she is able to stand proudly in front of her father and the whole Court. So until then, I shall not speak of her. “Indeed, I do. Shaeraggo dotes on his sister, more than any except perhaps princess Shaeranna. I fear he broke his decree and went to visit her, taking the servants with him, as he felt that it was too cruel an exile without them.” I dislike lying greatly, but this is close enough to the truth. “It was then this treason was discovered.”

“I see-see. Quite the fortunate turn. Well, my precious Shaeula was born under a lucky starfall, though I oft did-did wonder…” he shook his head. “I had no wish to separate her from her maids, but … she needed to shed her selfish pride, to grow in the land of her mother. Ah, her mother…” his gaze went distant, reminiscing. Once he returned to the present, he looked at Ulfuric, downcast. “So, my Shaeula. You have seen her, right-right?” he asked. “Is… is she well? This must have wounded her greatly, I fear her fragile spirit is wounded beyond-beyond repair.”

At that, Ulfuric struggled to restrain another smile. Wounded? Yes, the princess was gravely hurt by the betrayal of those she trusted. Beyond repair? Hardly. Her spirit is no longer so fragile, for she has found her reason to fight, and those that would stand by her, becoming her strength. In fact, the aura of strength radiating from the princess was very reminiscent of her father, the Prince. Not in terms of sheer power, for of course he significantly outclassed her, but in terms of the strength of will. When you finally see the princess again, your shock will be immense. As was mine, when she fought me to the end in the Trial of Three. “Indeed. She is pained, though more so that one maid who has remained loyal seems to have been kidnapped. If you wish to heal her heart, perhaps retrieving her, if possible…” he trailed off, knowing the task was likely fiendishly difficult. “… well, the princess has grown up. Perhaps you owe those who pushed for her exile an apology, my Prince. For it has achieved the desired result.” Even saying such shocks me. Yet it is true, if not for the reasons they wished.

“So how is-is she?” The Prince asked, but before Ulfuric could formulate a safe answer the door crashed open, nearly falling from its hinges, as a tall, black-furred weaselkin burst in, her green eyes fierce. She lowered the foot she had used to kick open the door, before fixing Ulfuric with her hot gaze. “Master Ulfuric, well met, well met! I hear you have seen my little Ula. I simply must, simply must know how she fares! If she has been hurt, even a scratch, I’ll take my spear and ram it right up that shit-eating foxes arsehole until he craps metal, craps metal!”

“Mind your language, daughter!” the Prince warned, unsurprised by her sudden intrusion. “I did not-not summon you. Why are you here?”

“How could I not be here, father?” She shouted, stamping her foot angrily. “I tried making Raggy talk, but the coward will say nothing, say nothing! To think my brother would try and keep secrets from me!” She crossed her arms under her chest, and Ulfuric noticed her knuckles were still bloody and raw. “But you’ll tell me, right Master Ulfuric? You’d never keep secrets from your prized pupil, prized pupil!”

“All I can say is the princess remains well, if dismayed by the betrayal of her maids.” Ulfuric said, and at that princess Shaeranna flared up, enraged.

“Father, I told you, told you this was a foolish idea! Sending her away to the land of that bitch with barely any escort and no trappings of comfort she deserves, she deserves! It was as if you were accepting her death!” Shaeranna raged. “I’d rather accept the offer that fucking fox has thrust at us than allow my precious Ula to come to harm, to harm! Maybe if I do, I can cut his fucking throat and solve most of our problems. All it would cost is, cost is…” she trailed off.

“Do not speak of her mother that way-way!” Prince Shaetanao was cold, and his daughter realised she had overstepped, hastily backing off. “I know you liked her little-little, and your mother still hates her, but… when I saw her, I knew-knew I had to have her. She was so-so beautiful, fur like gold, eyes like jade, her form so like ours, yet different. Alas, she is gone from me now-now, and my heart weeps.”

“Well, I agree little Ula is a wonder. That is the only good that female ever brought us. It cost you too much influence, father!” She complained, and Ulfuric found himself nodding. The Seelie Court is in a mess, with the King moribund, the Queen locked away with her lovers and barely deigning to show herself more than once in a handful of moons, and the factions pulling the Court in three sperate directions. To say nothing of the growing threat of the Wild Hunt penetrating our borders seemingly at will, and the Unseelie always waiting for our weakest times to strike. Involving outsiders who have more in common with the Unseelie merely empowered the Aggressors, reinvigorating Duke Vulpatrius, and now…

Shaeranna must have been thinking the same, as she continued. “If this keeps up, keeps up, we will lose the seat of Prince of the Beastkin Fae! I doubt that the crap-furred shit-breathed excuse for a Fae would do anything so foolish as start a purge when he usurps your seat, but tragedies like the exile, the exile of our little Ula would be all too commonplace. At the least, we would have to fight at the front of every battle, every battle! My spear does hunger for blood, but not as an expendable pawn!”

“All is not so dire.” Ulfuric decided to calm things. “With the recovered Lantern of the Red Caps that we seized and passed to the Way-Wardens, as well as knowledge of how to bypass their cruel defences, we have gained much praise.”

“Yes, I heard about that. Some Way-Warden acquaintances of mine were saying, were saying some guests of Raggy defeated a Barghest as well?” Shaeranna was excited by that. “Do I know them? I didn’t know my little brother had such warrior friends!”

“I do not believe you know the one that killed the Barghest. I was not there myself at the time, but even so, I was impressed by the tale of valour. And to find a weakness in these new Lanterns… and more. I have other information we can use.” Yes, Akio suspects that they are using spatial element to bypass the Fae Stones and Territory barrier, perhaps via the Lanterns, or some similar method. If such is true, then we can take precautions and minimise future incursions.

“I see-see. I would welcome some good-good news.” The Prince said, looking down and realising he had mangled his chair. “Oh, I’ve been careless again. Your mother will surely scold me.” He said sheepishly, and his daughter laughed harshly.

“Yes, she will be most angry, most angry.” Her expression changed again, her emerald eyes burning. “No, this does not matter, not at all, at all! Ula is what matters! Raggy knew nothing about the maids who betrayed her, I know it, know it! So how did this whole mess come to light? Was it you, Master Ulfuric?” she asked and at that he winced inwardly. Explaining this will be quite challenging indeed…

********

“I still cannot believe this, believe this.” Princess Shaeranna declared, blood and sweat streaking her body as she rested on the shaft of her long ash-wood spear. “A Trial of Three, so he can not talk? Pathetic.” She shook her head, irritated. “And you are bound by his loss too, loss too?”

“All I can tell you is, the princess, your little sister, is quite well. Better than well, in fact. Even though she has suffered a harsh blow, she will not yield, and were you to see her now, you would doubtless weep with joy.”

“I would not weep, fool. Not me, not me.” She looked down, embarrassed. “Though I would dearly like to see little Ula again… wait, you no longer call her little princess.” She noticed. “For you, Master Ulfuric, to drop such endearments…” she paused, frowning. “Has Ula truly grown up? If so, can she not return, not return? After all, whatever the intent of the exile, the stated purpose was to reform her character and grow her strength.” She spat onto the muddy floor of the arena they were in. “At least that bitch lent her some followers, else I would have tracked her down, her down, and rammed my spear up her…”

“Enough. Do not speak ill of her mother like that.” Ulfuric rumbled. “I know you dislike her, and that your father lost much wooing her. But she loved him in her own way, never doubt it, and she loves her daughter well. She has many enemies of her own within the Night Parade, of that I am certain. Besides, if you love her daughter, your precious sister, can you not spare her some of your affection?”

“I guess I am all out, all out of affection right now.” She sighed, looking worn down. On seeing that, Ulfuric tried to comfort her, his big paw resting on her shoulder. Shaeula seems to enjoy it when Akio touches her on her head, but I could never be so informal with one of my pupils. The princess looked at him in surprise, jade eyes going wide. He then spoke, his tone strangely gentle. “Is the matter settled? It is in some ways as cruel as the exile of your sister.”

“Do not be foolish, Master.” She shook her head. “Ula… well, I should rejoice you say she is safe. To think that my little brother Raggy had the nerve to risk our honour, our honour. Still, I do understand. I too longed to go see Ula, see Ula and mop up her tears. She always was a coward, relying on her maids. I hope she does not cry too much now, much now.”

I fear someone else has taken her tears now, princess. Perhaps you would even be jealous. Though envious too, no doubt. Your sister, she does not know. Her grasp on the politics of the Court is shallow. Perhaps it is best that way. I would not wish her to try something foolish, not now, when she is so close to her goal of being able to return in triumph. “No changing the subject, princess. I wish to know your honest thoughts. Perhaps… perhaps just as your sister surpassed expectations, you could do the same?” I am skirting the Prices with some of the things I say, but if she knew what princess Shaeranna felt, she would forgive me, I am sure.

“It would take more, take more than even a barghest or two right now.” She snorted, her face a false mask of brittle good humour, as she tried to cover her feelings. “I suppose there is but one upside. I do rather like Talaisha. She is the only decent foxkin I have ever met, ever met. Fighting beside her against the Unseelie and Wild Hunt is quite the thrill, so at least… well. You understand. Besides, now that I know Ula is well, I can harden my resolve, my resolve.”

“As your master and instructor in the spear and combat arts, I approve of your resolve indeed.” Ulfuric rumbled. But having seen her sister and how she has changed, as someone who has watched you grow up, I cannot say I wish to accept this. “However… do you think anyone else wishes this? Would Shaeula, your precious sister?”

“Well, when I wished, I wished that she be spared her exile, were my wishes answered?” She shook her head. “By the moon, wishes are for children and the weak. I am strong enough to bear this, bear this. Even so, it is not like I am going to die, is it?” This time her smile was more genuine. “Besides, Ula is such an innocent child, she likely does not understand, not understand these things.”

At that Ulfuric nearly choked. Oh princess, if only you knew. I believe your sister has gone ahead of you in these matters. Far, far ahead! “Well, it is not my place to tell you what you must do. All I would say is, perhaps another way will present itself?”

“That would be quite lovely, quite lovely.” Shaeranna agreed, taking up her spear once more, ready for more sparring. “If I could re-join the Way-Wardens and battle alongside Talaisha once more, once more, politics forgotten, I would be most pleased. Even better if sweet little Ula was back at my side.” Her expression turned dark. “And I would just love to present her with the heads of her treacherous maids, their faces frozen in expressions of the merest fraction, merest fraction of grief they have caused her!”

That would hardly please her. The princess is rather forgiving, even more so now that his influence has rubbed off on her. Still, mercy in victory can be a good thing, unless carried to dangerous extremes. As Ulfuric parried a blow from her spear, he found himself grinning. Tomorrow I shall return to the princess and Akio as promised, and then… onwards to the Spring of Clear Reflections. If that could be retaken, then… his gaze softened, and he was almost taken unawares by the spear flying at his face. As princess Shaeranna laughed at his clumsy parry, saying he was becoming slow in his old age, Ulfuric stepped up his pace, driving her back. If one of the three great defeats could be avenged, that could change everything. Even the Aggressors would have to laud such a feat… he put aside such extraneous thoughts and lost himself in the joy of combat, spears clashing, his worries temporarily forgotten…