Tales from Ettania

"We have to get out of here," Los said frantically as they all stood around the severed head.

Emilia peeled her eyes away from the lifeless ones that would forever haunt her and looked at her friends, worry and fear etched on their faces. Emilia could not blame them. A dead Faye often led to an Inquisition. Unless they were caught here. Then there would be no inquisition, they would just be found guilty with no trial and executed.

"Listen," Emilia said as she looked at each of them, "search the area for any sort of clue, quickly and without a sound."

Emilia turned from her friends, scanning the room, feeling the shock that had seized her to the core dissipating as she made sure no threat lurked in the darkness. Sure that they were alone, she headed towards the desk.

The room hadn't been ransacked and nothing seemed to be out of place, but she would leave the actual physical part of the investigation to Los and Frances. She wasn't sure if it was part of their magic or just that they were good at noticing the small clues, like who ate the last smittle puff when she most definitely had been careful to not leave any evidence behind.

Emilia searched through the neatly organized papers on the desk and found only information about Faye wine and finances. She was shocked at how wealthy the male was and it made her sick to think that he was just a low Faye. She could not imagine how much wealth Ilidyn had.

Emilia took a step back and analyzed the desk, taking a deep breath in and exhaling slowly. She knew if there was something of immense value it would not be in plain sight.

If I were something secret, where would I be? Emilia tapped her fingers on her thighs and looked the desk over. As she felt her frustrations grow she had another feeling, one that was unknown but familiar at the same time. Her eyes slid from the desk to the bookshelf that had been built inside a wall.

She walked slowly towards it and the feeling became a shout inside her. Her eyes stopped on a book on the third shelf. She pulled the book out and ran her hands over the black, leather. The book had no title, had no meaning to her, but she had to take it.

"Em.."

Emilia jumped at her whispered name.

"Sorry, we need to go. I hear movement downstairs." Frances said as he turned to leave the room with her friends.

She followed them out the door and down the hall, retracing their path in. The patrolling guards were as easy to slip past on their way out as they had been on their way in. Once safely outside the walls of the estate, they stopped.

"Go home. Do not speak a word to anyone but listen to the chatter around the manors. Do not worry, we will be okay. Nobody saw us and we did not kill that Faye. Try to get some sleep. We will discuss this further tomorrow at Kelia's as we decorate for the Winter Wonder party." Emilia touched her hand to her heart as she said the words to her friends. She did not wait for any response as she turned and headed back towards Illidyn's, her book in tow.

She thought about the book the whole way home, wondering why she wanted it so much and could not wait to open it. She loved reading books.

Emilia quietly entered the manor and grabbed her secret clothes stash she hid behind the dry goods in the kitchen storage. She quickly changed and headed to the reading room.

Illidyn had learned of her love for books when she was young and had made an entire room dedicated to reading. He made sure to put a big window that overlooked his gorgeous garden and plenty of bookshelves filled with books. He also made it so that all the humans that came into his house could enter without getting scolded by the guards or Faye guests.

She grabbed the candle on the entry stand in the reading room and went and plopped down on the couch next to the window.

Emilia stared at the book with no name and the strange feeling she had earlier came back to her. What is this book?

She opened to the first page and began reading.

He walked through fire to find her, he had to get to her. Not only had she created him and his brethren but she had been his best friend. He would be loyal to her and serve her for all of his days.

My Goddess, the great wolf Krovix asked, why do you set fires as if your soul burns hot?

The Goddess continued to sit, hunched over in a corner, crying.

Krovix walked over to her and laid his massive body next to her, rested his head on his paws, and patiently waited for his Goddess to answer.

It seemed as if an eternity passed before she finally did.

I am with child."

Emilia's inner love for lore began shouting. A story with Krovix? Eva and she loved hearing and reading stories about the famous wolf and had spent many nights begging her parents to tell them stories they had heard but were not in any books.

She tried to keep reading, but the lifeless eyes haunted her mind. She flipped through the pages finding only more lore and sighed. Whatever the feeling that had gripped her and led her to the book, she could not see how it would help them figure out who had killed that Faye or why.

She stopped flipping the pages in annoyance and held it up in the air, this book is nothing. Just another book full of stories.

As she shook the book in frustration a folded piece of parchment fell out and onto her chest. Emilia grabbed it and looked around, unable to shake the feeling that dangerous eyes watched her. She could not see or sense anyone but only after a good, solid scan of the library did she examine the letter.

On the bottom of one side the words, "When the Chosen awakens and sparks the Phoenix to burn anew," were written.

The other side was a list of names with a single coordinate at the bottom. She examined the names and only one made her eyes stop. There written in dark, black ink was the name of the lifeless eyes that would forever haunt her.

-

"Emilia, watch out!" Her mother yelled at her as she grabbed her arm violently and pulled her back.

Emilia let out a tiny scream as her mother used her walking stick and struck the head of one of the venomous golden serpents that were found in Silver Forest. Damn, snakes.

"What is going on with you, you have been distant all morning?" Her mother asked her with slight irritation in her voice.

Oh nothing, just went to rob a Faye, and turns out, he's dead! She wished she could be honest but her parents would flip if they knew anything about what she and the cadre did. If they knew about the dead Faye they found, they'd probably kill her or ground her for eternity.

"I'm sorry, I did not get much rest. I must be having some angst about the upcoming Winter Wonder." Emilia forced the lie out of her mouth.

The Faye loved extravagant parties. In the nights leading up to the grand Winter Solstice party at the palace, they hosted many smaller parties at different Faye noble estates. Of course, the humans were only allowed to attend to work and wait on the Faye. It was another way in which the Faye flaunted their wealth and privilege while keeping the human slaves in their place. A constant reminder of how little the humans had.

The worst were the parties where the Faye hosted slave auctions or pitted humans against each other in bloody fights. Too many Faye enjoyed nothing better than seeing humans bleed at their command.

This week's Winter Wonder party was at Kelia's estate, which is where Los and his parents served. They always talked fondly of Kelia, said that she was kind and generous to them. Emilia was thankful Los's family had a good Faye.

Illidyn had released her and her parents from their daily chores, tasking them with gathering Blaze Lillies from Silver Forest that they would bring to Kelia. The best part was he said they could remain at her estate and help decorate. Emilia didn't care about decorating much, but she knew she and Los could find time to sneak away.

"There is no reason to have any angst for tonight's party. Kelia has never allowed the human fighting to occur at her parties and she limits her mother's auctions to the ones that have freshly arrived from Drakarst." Her father said as he handed her a handful of Blaze Lilies to put in the bag she carried.

Her mother wrapped her arm around Emilia, pulling her close and letting her sink into her warmth and peace.

"I think we have enough, if Kelia doesn't approve of the quantity then she can come out here and forest her own." She said as she kissed the top of Emilia's head.

They back to the city that way, Emilia resting safely against her mother who never weakened her hold.

-

Emilia and her parents arrived at Kelia's estate. Kelia and her family line had been high nobles for most of Kelia's young Faye life but that privilege had been taken from them. Emilia had never learned why and she honestly did not care.

You wouldn't know that they had been demoted though, with their marble manor and rambling estate that was already bustling. Humans scattered all over the grounds readying the estate for the big night.

"Go find your friends," her father said before he kissed her forehead and walked away hand in hand with her mother. She smiled as she watched them turn and head into a side door of the manor.

Emilia waited until they were inside the manor before weaving her way through the gardens to where she knew her friends would be.

She was anxious to tell them about the list and how the dead Faye's name was on there and see if they had heard anything of interest that might tell them who had killed that Faye and why.

She walked into the small stables at the back edge of the grounds,, patting the nose of a black mare who thrust her head over a stall door. She could hear whispers coming from the back as she made her way to the last stall. The whispers stopped as she came closer and she let out a short whistle to let her friends know it was her.

The stall door opened and she sat down on a small stool, catching the apple Frances tossed to her.

"Have any of you heard anything?" She asked as she bit down on the apple.

Everyone shook their heads and Emilia chewed her apple piece 8n disbelief, "I haven't heard anything either. Nothing. It doesn't feel right. Why would no one be talking about a dead Faye? Usually humans would have already been rounded up and questioned."

"It could be that he is not due back until tomorrow. Maybe no one but us and the murderer know yet. It's the only thing that makes sense as to why not a single word has been spoken about Goldenbrow or about a break-in," Los said.

"So, we have nothing," Eva said as she tucked her hair behind her ears.

"Well, maybe not nothing. But also not much of a something either. I took a book last night from Goldenbrow's room. It's mostly useless, but inside was this list," Emilia said as she pulled out the parchment and showed them the odd saying on the front and the names on the back. Her finger rested on Goldenbrow's name.

"That has to mean something. Does anyone know what the saying on the front means?" Los asked as he motioned for Emilia to hand him the note.

"It sounds...familiar." Eva was the first to answer. "I cannot recall the where or why but it means something."

"What about the other names?" Frances spoke up.

Eva got up from her stool and walked to look over Los's shoulder and studied the names. "This one here," Eva said as she pointed at a name.

Emilia and Frances moved in for a closer look as Eva continued speaking, "Cren Goldenstathe. Malahak is always complaining about him and how he gets some of the best human slaves but is always too nice to them. I think he is a Faye similar to Kelia and Illidyn."

"Do you know where his estate is?" Emilia asked.

"No, but I can go into Malahak's office when I return and find it."

"Do you all think you can sneak away and meet at the safe house tonight?" Emilia looked at each of her friends.

She knew they should leave the dead Faye alone and move on with their lives but she couldn't. She had to find the answers. She wanted to go to this Goldenstathe's manor and see if there was anything there that would shed light on why his name was on this list. Maybe that would help her figure out why the Faye was murdered.

The cadre nodded their heads and she smiled tightly, "good, meet there as soon as you can tonight. Nobody leaves the safehouse until all of us are there."

"We should get back to decorating, make our faces seen around the manor as if nothing is wrong in case someone finds Goldenbrow." Los said opening the stall door.

The cadre walked out of the stables and headed toward the house, nodding to the humans they passed along the way. Frances, the most outgoing of the group, stopped to talk to a few. Emilia envied how easily he made friends. Eva liked to tease him about it, saying that it was because he was a massive, impressive-looking human. All the women swooned for those biceps and the men didn't want to be on his bad side. Those comments never stopped making him blush. Many of Eva's comments made him blush, at least the ones she made when only the cadre could hear.

She and Frances had developed a romantic relationship throughout the years, but they had to keep it quiet so they would not be punished. It was forbidden for humans to choose who to be in relationships with. They were to remain chaste until their master's arranged marriages for them. Los and Emilia were the only ones who knew about the love growing stronger every day between Eva and Frances.

They reached the kitchen door to the manor as Kelia was walking out. She smiled at Los and then the rest of the cadre as they walked up to her.

"Nice to see you, little humans." She said as she nudged Los with her shoulder.

Before Los could get out his retort he was interrupted by a tall Faye with honey hued skin.

"Do you always touch the nasty slaves or are you just being overly nice due to the excitement from the Winter Wonder at your estate?" He ignored the cadre and gave Kelia a devilishly handsome smile.

A look of vexation came across Kelia's face but she quickly hid it with a smile. "Perry, lovely to see you as always."

Emilia looked at the male and realization hit her. Perry Goldenhearth, a high noble Faye that was heavily favored by the Queen. Illidyn always mentioned having to do most of his business with him because Perry is the head of the city trade council. Illidyn never mentioned anything good about the male, but his voice always dripped with disdain.

"My dear Kelia," he said as he slightly bowed his head and put his arm across his chest, "looking brilliant as always." His eyes slowly looked her up and down and Emilia held back the vomit that rose in her throat. She did not like this Perry Goldenhearth.

Perry walked closer to Kelia and ran his fingers down her arm and whispered in her ear before continuing into the manor "your invitation still stands."

Emilia felt her anger rise as she heard him berating a human inside about where they had placed a decoration.

Kelia still held her smile, "I will see you little humans later. Los make sure the manor is secured when everyone has gone."

She walked away after a last look at Los, Emilia could have sworn she saw sympathy in her eyes.

"Did not like that male," Frances said.

"Kelia always told me to stay away from him if I were to ever see him. I had not until today. I can see why he isn't invited over often." Los replied.

"What is the difference between him and the rest of the Faye that continue to press down on our souls?" Eva asked with a distant look on her face.

Emilia frowned and Frances went over and wrapped one of his arms over Eva's shoulders.

"Come on, let's go put some pretty flowers somewhere." He said as he pulled her close to him and walked inside the manor.

~

The cadre made their way to Cren's estate a few hours after sunset, Eva having found its location from a marked map that her master, Malahk, has up in his office. Marked maps were forbidden to be taken from the Hall of Records and Faye had to receive special permission just to view them. Malahk was a head record keeper, though, so he needed no permission and he used his status to sneak out whatever he wanted. Emilia hoped the queen caught him one day and punished him. Malahk was an awful master and for what he did to her friend, he deserved a public lashing.

The streets were crowded from the decorating taking place around the city, which made it easier than usual to move about. The guards didn't bother to stop and check all the humans with so many milling around. This was one of the few times a year they were so lax.

Once they were closer to the estate, they moved with more stealth. Blending into the shadows and climbing their way up to the rooftops of a small row of shops across the street from Cren's manor. They could not see the full estate from there, but hoped to be able assess a way inside.

They studied in silence but Emilia's patience was low. She made a quick assessment and decided, screw it.

"There has to be a kitchen door near that chimney," she said as she pointed to the right side of the manor. It was the only chimney that no longer had smoke billowing out of it.

"Just two of us, go through there. If we see anyone, we just apologize and say we are tired from all the decorating and went to the wrong estate."

"That is not a good plan, Emilia," Los said. "We should watch for a while and come up with a better strategy."

Emilia sighed heavily, "Well I'm going to go in. Who is with me?"

Before Los could argue Eva spoke up, "let's go."

They both got up to descend the roof, moving quickly before Los or Frances could stop them.

They relaxed their shoulders and pulled their hoods back, slowing their steps to appear tired from a long day's work. They walked through the side gate and no guard stopped them. They made their way along a pathway by a small pond that led right to the kitchen door.

Emilia took a deep breath and felt Eva's hand on her back as reassurance. They continued on and walked through the kitchen door without a word from anyone. They took a quick glance at each other and sped their steps as they made their way through the kitchen. Once they made it to the main parlor, Eva pulled Emilia's arm toward the only shut door in the room.

They took a quick look around and made sure no eyes were upon them as they swiftly opened the door and stepped inside. To their luck, the room was completely dark and she could not hear the sound of another being inside the room.

Emilia pulled a match from the inside of her cloak and struck it, lighting their way. The room was rather small and contained a single desk. She walked to it and lit the candle that sat upon it, all the while keeping her eyes on the chair that faced the wall.

As the candle better lit the room Emilia did not have to guess what caused Eva to gasp. Lying on the other side of the chair was the body of Faye, blood congealed in a pool around him. Emilia cursed silently as they walked over to the body.

"He is cold," Eva said as she touched to see if the male was breathing.

Emilia struggled to keep her shock at bay. Two dead Faye? Faye were not easily killed. Along with their strength and speed abilities, they could rapidly heal. It had to be another Faye that was killing them. Humans might get lucky and kill one without going noticed but two?

"Emilia look," Eva said, pulling Emilia's eyes to the Faye's curled-up hand. Inside it was a simple bracelet made of leather with a small charm on it.

Emilia gently took it, despite Eva's protests, "possibly a clue. We should get out of here."

They stood to leave, Eva halted, bending down to reach under the desk. When she stood, she held a bloody piece of parchment that she shoved inside her cloak. She blew out the candle and they slunk back out of the room.

They left the estate, passing again without notice, and motioned to the boys on the roof to meet them at the safehouse. Along with training physically, they had also trained to be communicate without talking.

The trip to the safe house was swift and they all made it with no trouble, the boys arriving just a little after Emilia and Eva.

"What did you find?" Frances asked as he closed the door behind him.

Emilia paced without saying a word and Eva slumped down on the couch.

"What is it?" Los asked with worry.

"Another dead Faye. I'm guessing Cren. We did not want to linger and just grabbed this from his hand," Emilia said as she pulled out the bracelet and threw it on the table in front of the couch, "oh, and Eva found a letter that we have not read."

Frances moved to grab the bracelet but Los just stood deathly still, frozen in place.

"What?" Emilia asked, "do you recognize it?"

"No, no. I just am taken aback by the dead Faye comment." Los replied.

"I don't recognize it either," Frances said, "this is not good, guys."

"The letter is between him and a Tevon Goldenice. It has the same weird saying as the list on one side and it talks about humans being sent to dig sites."

Eva fell silent and Emilia tapped her foot impatiently, "is that all?"

"No," Eva said a bit breathlessly, tears gathering in her eyes, "it says the treatment is unfathomably cruel and they need to meet with the others so they can figure out what they are digging for and derive a plan to help the humans."

All of Ettania knew of the dig sites but it seemed few knew what went on there. Though, Emilia wasn't surprised the humans sent there were not treated well. She was surprised though that there were Faye who actually wanted to help humans. Is this why they were being killed? Emilia thought to herself as they all remained silent.

Los let out a sigh and put his hands in his pockets, "we should go back to our homes. There is a lot to consider and it is getting late. The streets will be emptier and the guards on more alert."

"You all can go ahead, I want to stay for a bit," Emilia said as she went and sat on the couch.

"I'll stay too," Eva answered as she leaned back.

Los just shook his head and left, Frances came over and gave Eva a kiss on the forehead.

"I'll see you tomorrow. Be safe," Frances whispered into his kiss and then left without another word.

Eva and Emilia sat in silence holding each other's hands.

"I don't even know where to begin or what to think. I can look through more of Malahk's things and see if I can find anything out on this Goldenice." Eva finally said.

Emilia was tired. She did not want to think about what all this meant and she was not sure that they should even try.

"Let's not think about it. That book that I took from Goldenbrow's seems like a fun read, it has a lot of stories about Krovix." Emilia said as she looked over at her friend and smiled.

Eva sat up with excitement, "do you have it?"

"Yes!" Emilia answered as she shot up and went to her bag by the door. She grabbed the book and ran back to the couch.

"Let me read. Your voice is annoying." Eva said as she laughed. Emilia laughed at her friend's joke and handed the book to Eva.

"Yea, yea. You just like the sound of your own voice." Emilia winked and laid her head on Eva's lap.

Eva flipped to a story and began reading,

"Krovix loved his clan almost as much as he loved his Goddess. He made sure to hunt with all of them every evening and was around for most of their training.

It had been months since his Goddess had given him the news of her pregnancy. She had been in solitude with her lover since. He hated being away from her mainly because he was worried for her safety. There had been a different smell in the air of Ettania as of late that chilled Krovix to his bones.

He and his clan had been having more encounters with the bears of the kingdom and even found Faye tracks near the last one they had fought. He knew he should report this to his Goddess but he did not want to worry her further.

They were now on their way to a camp of bears a few leagues away from Slumber Forest. It was unusual for bears to be together unless they were with the Faye that had captured them and used them as pets.

Krovix caught the scent first and hunkered down into a slow but steady crouch, his clan following. Once they reached the outskirts of the camp, Krovix laid flat in the tall grass and looked on.

Five bears were gathered with a single Faye male in the middle that wore a long hooded cloak. The male was staring down at the fire and suddenly looked up and straight at Krovix.

How did he know they were there? Krovix did not have time to think more on it as the bears turned toward him and his clan.

Krovix leaped out of the grass and right into the middle of the bears, hoping to catch the Faye under his paws but the male was too fast. He was gone by the time Krovix's paws hit the dirt.

In an instant, the bears lunged and Krovix jumped again but this time on the back of one of the giant bears.

His clan did not hesitate, attacking the bears with fury. Krovix bit the spine of the bear he was on top of and jumped as it collapsed to the ground. As Krovix landed a gigantic paw was swinging towards him and connected with his snout forcing his head sideways.

The bear continued its attack and headbutted Krovix's shoulder, sending him flying.

Krovix slowly stood up and locked eyes with the bear, his lip curling up and revealing his teeth as he let out a deep, frightening growl

The bear huffed as he began his charge toward Krovix.

Krovix stood tall and began his own charge. This bear would not touch him again. As the bear lunged, Krovix planted his back feet hard into the ground and jumped to meet the onslaught. Krovix's paws went into the chest of the bear and halted his forward movement. When the bear stuck out his neck to reach his snarling mouth towards Krovix's face, Krovix removed his paws and jumped with his powerful back legs, landing on top of the bear.

Krovix dug his claws into the bear's back as he continued his jump, using his agility to his advantage. As soon as he landed on the ground, he quickly turned around and lunged for the bear's throat.

The bear was not fast enough and blood gushed from his neck around Krovix's mouth. Krovix flipped the bear into thr air and dug his bite deeper. When the bear landed on the ground Krovix jerked his head up, taking the bear's throat with him.

He turned to ready himself against another attack and saw that his clan had taken down the rest. None seemed injured."

"Wow," Emilia interrupted as Eva read, "Krovix is one bad wolf. He took down two Faye bears like it was nothing."

Eva laughed, "he was quite the amazing creature."

"Don't stop! Keep reading!" Emilia exclaimed to her friend. Eva just laughed again before she continued with the story of their favorite legend.

~

Kelia entered her dimly lit study and went straight to her desk with a look of fright upon her face. She began searching and throwing papers from her desk.

"What is going on?" She exclaimed to herself and then went completely still and quiet. She sharply looked up from her desk to the chair that was in the corner of the room.

"What are you doing in here?" Kelia said in a low, angry voice.

Los shot up from the chair and using his air magic, moved with swiftness to her and slammed his hand down on her desk.

"Did you kill him," He yelled at her as he removed his hand, revealing the small, leather bracelet Emilia had found, "I know this is yours, I made it and gave it to you."

All Kelia could do was look at him in shock.

**Stay tuned next week for the continuation in Tales from Ettania**