Visions

(Suggested Audio: Court of the Count)

Shadows dance and twist vehemently across stone and tapestry, far within the bowels of the castle. A pale and corpulent seer meditates amid the gloom, one attendant casting herbs onto the embers flickering in the heart of this chamber while another drums across from him. A foul and dizzying smoke drowns the chamber yet Ghislaine inhales deeply, allowing his consciousness to swim. Pallid eyes squeezed shut, they repeat their ritual until he goes eerily still.

At his reaction, the first attendant smothers the embers with a black cloth and an intricate web of glyphs woven into the fabric produce a dull, indigo luminescence. The tempo flutters like an anxious heart under the drummer's hand and in the darkness, Ghislaine's eyes flash open. Even in this dim chamber, one can make out deep blue-black ink staining its way across his face and he weeps a viscous, tarry fluid, wriggling over his eyelids like maggots. His lips wisp inaudibly and his eyes flit about as visions flash through his mind. When his whispering ceases and his eyes close again, the drummer slows the beat before ceasing altogether.

Once all is silent, both attendants relight candles along the periphery of the room. King Ambrose steps inside as they finish and the attendants bow and slip away. Ambrose perches across from Ghislaine, waiting in silence for his advisor to collect himself, watching the blue-black fade from his face.

"His majesty will be pleased!"

Ghislaine finally speaks, his reedy voice piercing the hushed atmosphere. 

"This session has been... fruitful," Ghislaine indicates. 

When he opens his eyes they appear pallid but ordinary. He watches satisfaction light Ambrose's eyes.

"Long overdue."

Ambrose admonishes yet his tone holds relief

"Yes, Irkath had not been forthcoming for quite some time now. But he's given me a bounty to decipher today!"

Ghislaine pops up a finger as Ambrose frowns

"However, one vision was... very clear."

"Oh?"

Ambrose hums, leaning forward.

Ghislaine clears his throat before continuing. His hands waft before the king, conjuring illusions from his fingertips which bring his words to life!

"A dark dragon slumbers atop a southern peak and a maiden, draped in moonlit hair, plummets before him," the luminous silhouette of a young woman, nearly swallowed by her wild snowy hair, falls helplessly before the dragon, "The beast awakens, imbuing her with darkness!" it reaches out and catches her dainty form, his fingers like a birdcage. Her body is tainted black upon contact and shadows pierce her body violently. "She descends into the kingdom and hides among your soldiers. She marches with your armies." As Ghislaine finishes his prophecy, the girl fades into rows of marching soldiers. The emblem of his kingdom glints on her armor.

"And what does any of this mean, Ghislaine?"

Ambrose drones

"You speak in riddles, as always."

"My apologies, sire,"

Ghislaine answers but knows well Ambrose enjoys his cryptic theatrics. He conjures the images again as he continues.

"What Irkath shares is often incoherent but this is far more direct. The dragon... I believe represents the dark one's familiar, his herald."

Ambrose sucks in a sharp breath and Ghislaine watches the eagerness enter his usually stoic expression.

"And the girl?"

Ambrose questions, folding his fingers together as though to restrain himself.

"His servant has been hiding away from the world for some time."

Ghislaine continues and conjures the image of the girl. With shadows spinning around her, she is a wavering star amid the starving void.

"The girl will draw him out, force his hand in some way. I believe... he will choose her."

Ambrose's face darkens, trembling as his rage bubbles.

"That ruins everything!"

Ambrose booms, rising from his seat and pacing

"She's going to steal it..!"

He glowers at Ghislaine, furious, but restrains himself seeing his advisor's unfazed demeanor

"You believe we can salvage this?"

"Her change... will complicate matters. But I believe this is an opportunity!"

Ghislaine admits but continues in a confident tone. Ambrose deflates, letting out a sigh and returning to his seat.

"We've never been able to capture him... we've never even lain eyes on him! Yet she may be the key to fulfilling your desire. Once he tethers himself to her, the girl will leave him exposed!"

Ghislaine alters his illusion again, repeating the image of her fading into rows of soldiers.

"She will be recruited?"

Ambrose questions

"This rotation?"

"The vision certainly suggests that, yes."

Ghislaine answers with a satisfied nod

"She must be of age, trapped already by policy and will be forced to blend in. If we can identify her..."

"Then we have our first, tangible opportunity!"

Ambrose breathes. He falls silent, machinations whirring away in his mind, before returning his attention to Ghislaine and offering him a satisfied smile as if it were a gift.

"Very good, Ghislaine. I have much to consider. I'll leave you to interpret the rest of your visions in peace."

"Of course, your majesty."

Ghislaine answers, rising with Ambrose and bowing

"I will notify you of anything useful."

Ambrose hums in agreement before slipping out of the dreary chamber.

Arrival

(Suggested Audio: Trireme)

The sea is restless, a steely slate pricked with frothy white caps. Despite stark winds the sky is clear, crisp air filling the lungs of a teenage girl as she watches the horizon and uncertainty hangs in her eyes. Tia feels mirrored by the tumultuous sea, leaning against the railing at the bow of the ship and brooding more the further they sail. When letting out a sigh one might mistake she had grown weary of being at sea, hair thrashing past stormy eyes. Instead, Tia counted each day, tallying how far they sail from the life she knew.

A man approaches her with a bright greeting prepared. Slate hair streaked by grey and the worn lines of his face express his middle age and he appears very average and unassuming. Tia severs his amiable attempt with a barbarous glare, pressing her lips into a uncompromising frown. The expression comes easily to her, far more dour than one might expect from such a gracile girl. Tia maintains this only briefly before dismissing him entirely, turning back to the sea.

‌"Still punishing you?"

a lilting voice welcomes Allen back as he retreats

"I doubt she plans to speak to me again!"

Allen jests with a wry smile, his response comically dramatic

"She will,in time."

Mina reassures him as laughter slips from her lips, a knowing expression settling into place

As the ship cuts into a large wave, briney mist is splattered by the wind and washes over Tia. Mina catches the hint of a smile play on her daughter's lips despite her sour performance. Tia sneaks in a deep breath, enjoying the fresh scent, and her eyes close as another bout of mist and wind whip about her.

"I think, despite the changes,"

Mina insists, turning back to her husband

"This will be good for her!"

She gives Allen's hand a squeeze before striding Tia's side. 

Tia is silent, her eyes flitting to Mina only briefly. She has always struggled to remain cross with her mother for very long. Mina had a way of soothing those around her and could be surprisingly disarming. Tia believes it is her lissome beauty and adroit elegance, the girl possessing the utmost admiration for her mother. With almost idyllic beauty, Mina's porcelain complexion is pierced only by her cerulean eyes.

While Tia inherited Mina's dainty features, framed by billowing snow-white hair and cut by eyes swirling with indigo and violet clouds, Tia feels these are awkward and gawky on her by comparison. She is also far more petite than her long-limbed mother but has never treated herself as delicately as she appears. Tia had tried to match her mother's feminine mannerisms for some time but never succeeded. She is far more wild, brash and straightforward than Mina and possesses a contrary, almost forlorn quality unusual for her age. Tia sighs as Mina glides to the railing, musing about their unfortunate differences.

"It's quite a beautiful day, isn't it?"

Mina questions, watching her daughter's face tighten with another frown

"Our home was beautiful."

Tia gripes stubbornly

"You might be surprised."

Mina replies breathily

"Accia is diverse and cultural. Every day is going to bring you something new!"

Mina brushes matted alabaster locks out of her daughter's face but Tia swats her mother's fingers away, attempting to gather the brine-caked hair herself.

"You were so bored and frustrated, lonely even. Always sneaking off."

Mina chuckles but Tia keeps her gaze planted firmly forward

"Coming home painted with mud—your father horrified you ruined the silks!"

Tia peeks at Mina's horrified expression and finds herself snickering at the memory. Her joy falls away quickly, fading like the shadow of a passing cloud.

"I just..."

Tia begins, her breath carrying aggravation

"I don't understand how we could leave now. At the worst possible time! I keep thinking about him..."

her voice begins to quiver

"I-I don't even know if he got out! He could've... h-he could be..."

Tia trails off, staring in the direction of her old home, her lungs expanded with a held breath as she struggles to acknowledge the worst possibility.

"Your secret friend?"

Mina questions carefully

Neither Mina or Allen had met the mysterious figure but they avoided prying, happy she had finally acquired a companion. Tia's nod is barely perceptible but tears spill down her face.

"I'll never even know if he's okay...!"

Tia croaks. Mina slides an arm around her and Tia leans into the gesture despite her obstinance.

"I know, snowdrop"

Mina croons, rubbing Tia's shoulder, and a frown overtakes her face as she continues

"We all wish we could've stayed but with the state of things..."

she looses a sharp sigh

"A diplomat has no place in war. Your father has to return to his country—our country."

"'Our country'"

Tia mocks, growing disdainful as she shrugs off Mina's grip

"You barely talk about it most of my life and now, suddenly, it's 'our country'?"

"Your father didn't think we'd ever return to Accia"

Mina reassures her

She seems intent to keep speaking until her expression drops, her eyes drifting past Tia. Tia turns and sees for herself. The outline of land pierces the horizon in one long streak. Mina releases a drawn out sigh before meeting Tia's gaze, her lips pressed together.

"Allen!"

Mina calls without turning to look. Tia's father pops his head up from behind a mess of crates and barrels.

"Dad!" Tia exclaims, accusatory.

Mina gives them a fluttering laugh and gestures to the growing coastland. Allen steps forward, clapping a hand on each of their shoulders and staring out. Tia observes his mixed reaction, his home on the horizon after decades. It falls into a grimace in the end.

"Well..."

Allen breathes, bracing himself with a chest full of air

"We'd best get ready!"

The ship slides along the coast and Tia watches as they sail parallel to sheer cliffs, depriving the land of sandy beaches for miles. Gulls dive into the sea, the jagged heights marked with their nests, and the ship maintains a cautious distance as the waves crash violently into this natural barrier. This continues on for some time until the coast finally breaks open. Atop the cliff's end is a stony, sun-bleached fort populated by soldiers in gleaming armor. It flies a flag unfamiliar to Tia—the flag of her homeland. Another fort on a mirrored cliff forms a pincer at the mouth of a vast bay. The two cliffs drop back until meeting sandy shores and a maze of docks, bridges and islands lay inside. The largest and closest island is cluttered by a sprawling city, taking up every available inch with different layers of architecture from various eras. The bay continues behind it, embracing a few smaller islands before the true coast hugs the water. Two massive bridges stretch between the first island and the mainland, north and south. The boat slows to a halt between the two forts.

Shadows flutter overhead and, at first, Tia believes gulls to be passing overhead until the shadows expand, rapidly swallowing up sunlight. Tia loses all breath as she turns her attention upward, backing away from the railing with faltering steps. People glide overhead, leathery wings the length of their bodies supporting them. They linger briefly before swooping onto the boat. Two men land in the ropes of the main mast while one woman steps onto the tip of the bow, her wingbeats causing Tia stumble further back. The woman searches their faces as she steps down and the captain is quick to rush forward, brushing past Tia to greet her while Tia continues to gawk, dumbfounded. The captain produces a handful of parchments and the soldier shuffles through them quickly. Tia glances to the men above, scanning the boat with their hands lingering on the hilts of their weapons. Their armor is strange to Tia, very unlike the ornate plates she was accustomed to. They eye Tia and her mother in their Yaxiyan  silks with suspicious unfamiliarity. Allen, the only one of them in Eluzian  clothing, steps just behind Tia and places a hand on her shoulder which she hadn't realized was gripped with tension.

     "Ah!" the woman exclaims, resting her eyes on Allen, "We were expecting you much sooner!"

She bows her head to him, her smile oddly proud, before waving to one of the men above. He swoops down to meet her and, as she points to something in the paperwork, astonishment washes over his face.

     "See that they are ready for his arrival!" she instructs. He salutes to her, a fist to his chest, and leaps off the railing to fly into town. "We'll escort you ourselves!" the woman proclaims.

The captain calls out orders and the ship comes to life again. Tia squints at her father, confused but suspicious.

"I might've told you more if we were speaking!"

Allen teases, unable to keep the laughter from his voice

"But I guess now it'll be a surprise."

"What-"

Tia begins but he holds up a hand to her.

"You wont have to wait long!"

Allen assures her playfully before stepping to the bow

Allen gives Tia another smile before approaching the winged woman. She gives him a small bow again and they begin to converse, her wings shrinking until they fade entirely.

"Mom?"

Mina remains in the background, keeping to herself. She stares at the soldier remaining above, her eyes fixed just past him, dazed.

"Ka-san? (Mom?) Do you know what dad's up to this time?"

"Up to...?"

Mina mutters

"Daijoubu ka? (Are you okay?)"

Tia questions, a bit concerned, but Mina musters a smile.

"Hai, daijoubu (Yes, I'm okay). I'm fine..."

Mina breathes, seeming dizzy

"I... I think I'll go get our things together!"

Mina splutters uncharacteristically before disappearing into the cabin.

"Tia!"

Allen calls her over

"Come take a look at this!" 

Tia follows after her father and he directs her attention into the water below. Deep down, far below the boat, an underwater city wavers below the surface. Tia squints, the wind-tossed water obscuring a clear view, but can make out the outlines of stone buildings assembled along the sandy floor and colorful aquatic plants hugging flagstone streets. She is even able to spot the silhouettes of people moving along and pointing up at their boat. Tia nearly leans over the railing at the sight of them and Allen has to pull her back.

"How...?"

Tia questions breathily, garnering a barking laugh from Allen. The winged woman seems befuddled and maybe even suspicious of her awe.

"The people of the archipelago are secretive with their magic,"

Allen offers a quick explanation to the woman before turning back to his daughter

"You'll find Accians to be the polar opposite!"

Tia finds herself oggling the underwater inhabitants again. She had read stories about underwater cities and was aware of the kaithur, two inherited magic abilities,  which makes it possible. She has her own kaithur after all but seeing the shadows of people actually hover below the surface in person was another experience entirely. As her father said, the people of Nippon  consider their magic forms to be private—particularly among the elite. It was poor etiquette to show your form in public, vulgar even. Those of high rank or wealth rarely ever expose themselves in that way to anyone outside their own family. Tia can't help but marvel watching this underwater world flourish below her and feels a tinge of jealousy. They had a whole world of their own to experience! She wonders just how different their lives must be from hers. Tia notices her father watching her with a grin and forces a frown.

"No, I caught that smile, you are enjoying yourself!"

Allen teases in a drawn out tone broken up by laughter. Tia grumbles and retreats to the cabin to help her mother pack up but not before Allen gets in another laugh. He looks to the soldier and sighs before throwing up his hands

"Teenagers!"

(Suggested Audio: Fishing Village)

They arrive at the pier, bustling more than Tia had ever witnessed before. She had been to market with her mother but it was nothing like this. The pier is so crowded there is hardly space between each person to move about. Her senses are assaulted by the smell of brine, fish and spices but also by the clamor of vendors hawking their wares or the shouts of sailors calling out to each other. As they board the pier, strangers rush forward and begin taking up their few belongings. Tia jumps forward to stop them in a panic but Mina impedes her. Tia watches, alarmed, as they carry everything away to pack animals and begin loading them up without a word.

Allen descends to the pier below ahead of his family where he is met by a stout but brawny man and a tall portly one, both seemingly Allen's age. They are dressed in clothes unfamiliar to Tia but noticeably rich in color and quality. Rings line the fingers of the taller man with excessively large gems and his dark hair is oiled back carefully. The shorter man is strapped with leather armor and scars litter his body including old burns mottling his arms. He keeps his graying ginger hair long and mostly braided, though he's begun balding at his temples.

"Lord Minx!"

the tall man calls, hands held out as if to embrace him

"Edwin,"

Allen half gasps, clearly surprised, and holds out a hand to shake

"The years have treated you well I see!"

"Yes"

Edwin chortles, grasping Allen's offered hand and shaking vigorously

"I have the privilege of being Governor of this lovely island now. You look well too, old friend!"

Allen's eyes slide to the ornery looking man, recognition and surprise lighting up his face and his mouth hangs open in speechlessness. Before Allen can muster a greeting, Edwin looses a raucous gasp, his eyes catching on Tia and Mina as they make their way down and he appears stricken. Surprise touches the face of the second man too despite his dour frown.

"My word"

Edwin gapes

"Allen Minx, a father and husband? I never thought I'd see the day!"

"Lord Minx...?"

Tia whispers, leaning to her mother.

"You know your father,"

Mina whispers back and gives a breath of a laugh

"He loves his surprises!"

"Yes, I know..."

Allen answers Edwin with a curt sigh and some embarrassment, fading as he spots his wife. He eyes Mina with an expression of unabashed affection.

"But Mina has a way of bringing out the best in me!" 

Mina descends, her movements flowing as gently as the silk she dons, and bows her head at the two men. She offers a modest but polished smile. By contrast, Tia shadows behind her mother vacantly, gawking wildly at the colorful pier. About halfway, she slips on the damp wooden planks, skidding the rest of the way before catching herself on Mina's kimono. She masks her embarrassment with a contrary pout.

"And this is my daughter, Tia, the light of my life!"

Allen pulls Tia forward with an arm around her shoulder and Tia's eyes jump between her father and the two men, her face pinched with uncertainty.

"She looks absolutely plucked!"

Edwin guffaws. Allen shrugs in response, squeezing Tia's shoulder as a strained smile drags across his lips.

"Yes, well. There have been a lot of... changes for us recently."

Allen states solemnly. Edwin's smile drops into a somber expression, nodding into Allen's words all too quickly