On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

One Hundred And Thirty-Five

“My Selensha is truly a talented wielder of the water element, as well-well as being well-versed in many unique Fae magics.” Shaeraggo bragged. “She is also one of the finest healers in the Court. She was even called to see the King once, though she cannot talk about it-it.”

“That is very impressive, sister-in-law.” Shaeula agreed. “I daresay that Akio would be fascinated to learn of your-your insights into water. He is quite the wielder of the elements himself.” Not to be outdone, she bragged back about her own partner, even if I wasn’t her romantic match, despite her words.

“Never. I will not have Selensha tainted by this disgusting beast who has stolen your good sense-sense.” Shaeraggo spat, before forcing himself to calm down, a predatory glint in his eyes. “No, that does not matter right now. The reason I mention this-this, is that one art she knows is a water barrier, Moonlight Mist Realm. It is… quite specialised, more a work of-of wonder, rather than being practical. Perhaps you have heard of it, my little sister?”

“I can not-not say I have. What is your point, my brother? Surely you have one?”

He does. Selensha looks uncomfortable, as does Ulfuric. I’m hardly the expert on Fae facial expressions, but I’m sure I can see resignation in his gaze.

“Moonlight Mist Realm creates a space where those Fae who agree a pledge to the spirits of mist and water Selensha calls upon-upon will become as a fog, real, yet not. While what happens within feels as one would expect, sensations and feelings reproduced, that is not the case. When the veil of mist lifts, much harm is undone, that which happened under the fog vanishing as mist under a gentle breeze. Though not all-all, of course…”

Wow, that sounds a really powerful skill, but with the drawback being you have to agree it, it can’t be used in battle to defeat an opponent. At least I think it couldn’t.

“That sounds far-far too mighty, how-how could we ever lose to the Unseelie with such magic?” Shaeula was also sceptical.

“Well, the Moonlight Mist Realm only works if everyone within pledges, else the spirits will not manifest their arts.” Selensha explained. “So it is mostly used for training, or…”

“… or Trials of Three.” Shaeraggo finished, pleased. “Anyone should be able to use the barrier, though those who are not Fae would not benefit from its protection. Still, I am sure that any male you chose would not be so cowardly as to abandon you because of the risk of death.”

Bastard. No, I wouldn’t.

“So, trial by combat then it seems. Well, I guess I’m no good at riddles, so…”

“Wait, why would you go so far, brother? You know I will not-not allow you to kill Akio, for…”

“Enough my sister. I have no intention of killing him… though accidents do happen.”

“The Mist isn’t infallible.” Selensha said worriedly. “Even those Fae under protection, never mind still feeling the pain and damage until the barrier is dispelled, if they take critical damage or too much at once, then the spirits can fail to prevent it. If injured repeatedly and excessively, the barrier can also be bypassed. I can heal those who survive, but…”

“So, everyone shoulders fair risk.” Shaeraggo finished for her. Selensha shook her head, aqua eyes downcast.

“Some more than others perhaps, but you challenged me. If I had my way-way, little sister, I would have crushed this feeble Territory and all your worthless followers, killed this mortal and took you home by force. When a child errs, one must correct them-them after all. Instead, you brought us to this. So it is only right that the challenger, your… Akio…” he spat, as if the name itself was filth. “… shoulders the greater challenge.”

I pulled Shaeula into a hug, not caring that it would make him angrier. “He’s right you know. It may be a way of the Fae, but we have a chance to win, whereas if we faced all of his forces head on…” we looked out across the ranks of his forces. “… well, I wasn’t confident.”

“If you accept it, I shall too. So, speak, my brother. What battles will you have us fight?”

“My poor misguided sister, beguiled by this wretch. You were born without the great power we royal Seelie bear-bear within us. Perhaps it is the mingling of bloodlines. I do not blame you for this, after all, who can control their birth? But you still-still have magnificent gifts, and perhaps in the future your talents will truly bloom. But-but for now you are but a petulant child, disobeying her wiser brother. And such children need discipline. Though it wounds my heart…”

“Enough with the complaints, you have repeated them until I am sick-sick of hearing it.” Shaeula sighed. “So I am to battle then? I have no fear, you shall see I have not-not been idle in my time here.”

“Ulfuric.” Shaeraggo called, and he answered, his powerful voice tinged with sadness.

“Yes, my prince.”

“You shall take on my little sister in the first Trial. Do make sure she learns that she still-still needs my protection, and should be safe under my tender care.”

No way, she’s going up against him? He’s fast, strong, skilled…

“I can see-see you worry for me.” Shaeula reassured me. “I admit to some feeling some little fear myself. But I have grown strong, have I not-not? You have praised me, and I believe though the fight will be a grave one, I can win.”

“I cannot go easy on you, princess.” Ulfuric sadly answered. “I have my orders. Though I shall defeat you swiftly, with as little pain as possible. Your brother would grieve if you were accidentally slain here.”

“Oh Master Ulfuric, I remember watching you and my sister train when I was a child. You were so big, so strong, yet so kind-kind. Even now this has not-not changed. I appreciate your care. Yet you do me a disservice. I have stated it again-again and again. I am not the child I was. I shall face you, and I shall give it my all.”

“Well said, little princess.” He approved. “If nothing else, your spirit now matches your pride.”

Eri had crept over to me, her face pale as snow. “She… will she be all right? Shaeula’s so small, and he… he’s … I don’t want to see her get hurt or worse.”

I stroked her head while Shaeula and Ulfuric were attracting all attention. Whispering softly into her ear, I tried to reassure her, although I wasn’t sure myself. How did it come to this? “Ulfuric is dangerous, true, and skilled, but at least that means he won’t accidentally overpower the spell. I think we can trust him that much. Shaeraggo doesn’t want his sister to die, any more than we do. Though he thinks a harsh lesson is what she needs, even if she resents him for it.”

He was in the wrong, not listening to her, but he’s decided it is best for her. Could I put my sis through the same, if it was for her own good? I’m not sure I can. It wasn’t praise in my mind for him, most certainly not, but there was certainly a tiny modicum of respect at his single-minded dedication…

“If you can’t face this, just expel your aether and wait for us in the Material. We’ll handle it.”

“I can’t.” Eri whimpered. “I was listening, I may not know much about what you do, but I’m not a fool. If you lose… I’ll get you back, but I’ll never see Shaeula again. She.. she asked me to… no, never mind. I… I have to see it through, so that if the worst happens… I can say a proper goodbye.”

“So strong.” I put more strength in my hand, mussing her hair. “You really have matured. Anyway, trust in us. We won’t go down easy, I promise you that.”

Ulfuric and Shaeula had finished reminiscing, so Shaeraggo outlined the second Trial. “Once the battle is decided, after my Selensha restores everyone, we shall have a mock-war. My forces versus yours.” He grinned. “Such as they are…”

“That hardly seems fair, now does it, brother? I know you have the right to propose Trials, but we must have some agreement.” Shaeula was unimpressed. “Besides, many of our followers are not Fae, so can not-not share the blessings of this Moonlight Mist Realm.”

“We shall fight, princess!” one Kamaitachi said, and the other chimed in as well.

“Yes-yes, we do not fear death, for as your kin, our souls shall remain safe until we return!”

“Such loyal followers. You see, you have nothing to fear.” Shaeraggo was delighted. “I shall give them a chance to redeem themselves for their failures in your care-care. I and this mortal shall not compete, and obviously Selensha is needed to wield the barrier and heal afterwards… I am also not without mercy, so I shall limit the forces I send against you. I would not wish to tire you, my love. Such barrier magic is harsh indeed.”

As he flirted with his wife, Shaeula and I discussed our options. “We have Grulgor, and his armour is quite powerful. A Fae of old bloodline would never-never be able to wear such a suit, for weakness to iron is in the blood. Newcomers inducted to the Seelie Court over time have less of the old vulnerabilities. With him we have a chance, for he can match Ulfuric, and we have his trolls too…”

“Still, you’ll be massively outnumbered…” I warned. “And you’ll be tired from your previous battle.” Assuming you aren’t even too hurt to fight. No, I won’t dwell on the worst-case scenarios. I’ll have faith in you, just like you do in me.

“Did you forget?” She pulled out her pinwheels. “Numbers mean nothing to us. I shall-shall mow them down until we are victorious. And I must, because…” her amber eyes were wavering, and I could see that her bravado was a front to push down her fears. “… if the final Trial is as I fear, I need to win-win, before you face him…”

As if waiting for her words, Shaeraggo spoke. “And so, the final Trial. A fitting clash between the mortal snake who has deceived, despoiled and deluded my precious little sister, and her noble big brother, who will crush-crush him underfoot and retrieve her.”

“I must win our first two Trials, for my brother may be arrogant indeed, but-but he is a mighty hunter, that is no lie. He is blessed with mystic eyes, those that can-can see and control the wind, and his skills with the bow are great. I know you are powerful, I have seen-seen your growth, but still you fall short of my brother in skill at arms. Should you face him, especially without the grace of this Mist barrier…. I fear my brother will…”

“Your big brother will fight fairly, as a true noble prince of the Seelie.” Shaeraggo spoke. “As I told-told you, my dear sister, I shall not set out to kill this mortal, much as I would wish to-to. However, if he proves a weakling, and my arrows take his life… well, blame his misfortune for daring to defile you.” he turned to me then, and as if daring me to back down, he strode forwards, until we were almost touching, his green eyes boring into mine.

“My sister insists you are her male, and a good, strong, brave one at that…” his face twisted sourly at the words he was speaking. “… so surely you will not disgrace her and you-you, by backing down. Should you do so, all agreements are void, and I will take back my sister here and now-now. Make your choice, mortal.”

“Choice? There isn’t a choice.” No, not if I’m to stay true to myself. I could feel a phantom ache in the faint scars the dog had left on me that day, long ago. Now it was Shaeula that was being menaced, her brother scheming to snatch away her freedom, through well-intentioned but ruinous foolishness. And just as I stood up to protect Aiko and Eri then, those precious to me, I would stand in front of the arrows of her brother to protect Shaeula, even if my body was pierced, my blood spilled, I would never give in!

“We accept your Trials. Though let me make one further proposal, in the way of mortals, not the Fae.”

“Oh, I shall humour you, since you have so-so bravely pledged to face my arrows, assuming of course that my little sister can even manage to win one Trial beforehand.”

Arrogant shit. We’ll see who laughs last. “Well in the human way, how about a wager? If I can defeat you, then you have to accept that I am worthy to stand by Shaeula’s side.”

“Laughable. To think you were that foolish. So if I defeat you, then what?”

“Well, if I lose, I’ll never see Shaeula again, which is punishment enough. But… let me see… before you cripple my Astral body, whatever that entails, I’ll get down and grovel before you, making myself the wretched vile mortal you claim me to be.”

“Akio, I can not-not let you lose your dignity…” Shaeula began, as Eri also shouted her denials, but I silenced them both with a raised hand.

“Sorry girls. This is a wager between men. So, what do you say?”

“Bah, for a second there-there I almost found myself respecting you. Very well. I shall enjoy seeing you kiss my feet. It is decided then. I also accept the Trials.”

“I accept the Trials.” Shaeula said in a small voice, angered by my wager.

She doesn’t understand. If I lose, my pride is worthless anyway. It’ll hurt, Eri seeing me that way, and she may even lose all respect for me, may even stop loving me, but if I fail Shaeula, maybe I deserve such a fate. No, who am I kidding, Eri will still stand by me, she’s too good for me… but pride cuts both ways. If I win, and we can get Shaeraggo to at least accept me as her ally…

“Very well then. Selensha, my dear wife, please prepare the Moonlight Mist Realm. Ulfuric, my little sister. Prepare yourselves. Under the old ways of the Fae, we shall compete to see which of us is right and worthy of the price paid…”