He'd been flying for days, weeks and maybe even months. He'd stopped counting, just going on, high above the ocean, the cold and his weakening powers making it hard to maintain thermals for his flight, but he hoped... that somewhere in this expanse of endless water there was some other island, some piece of land that would offer it's refuge. It was a fool's hope, no one had ever heard or seen of another island. But finally, when the ocean below him had begun to come up to meet him (or was it the other way around?) He'd seen ground... tall wall-like mountains, that with a last effort he surmounted, only to come crashing down, tumbling head over heels to lay finally breathing weak and fast. Land. Wherever he was, he was still alive. And it wasn't wet and cold.

Outside of Kinderheim, a black ixi with four long horns paused, watching a red missile fall from the sky--more like a stone than an arrow. A handful of children were gathered around him, quiet, their heads graced by black nubs that would later be horns in their own right. The ixi frowned, white eyes drawn to the spot where the figure had disappeared. "Come along..."

The missile, a dark grey, red and gold xweetok with impressive plumes for wings that had been bent and tangled in his fall, lay groaning on the ground. After days of being aloft in the clouds, muscles aching from the cold and tenseness that accompanied keeping long hours of restless flight, he could not move to even untangle himself, though try he did. Opening one yellow-green eye slightly, he looked around, wondering where he had come to fall.

A curving wall of painted wood met him, proof of civilization on the new island. The triangular peaks of buildings winked at him over the top of the wall. The sound of footsteps--a great deal of them--met him as well--a long black ixi and a throng of children were approaching. The horned adult turned, sending two of the children off before approaching, ebony hooves scarring the dirt where he stepped.

Lohho would normally have never let anyone come upon him in such an undignified position. But his attempts to sit up only resulted in him rolling onto one side, fully facing the ixi and children. Definitely not Surtur, he decided, which for now was enough for him, this truly was some alien island.

The children hung back at first, but the ixi forbade it, speaking inaudibly and they snuck up on Lohho like shy spirits crawling from the trees, staring at him flatly. The ixi peered down at him as well--one of his eyes was covered by what looked to be an actual diamond. The children were watching the horned ixi, waiting for some sort of indication of what to do. He gave no sign.

Lohho watched the kids for only a second before focusing what little attention he could muster on the ixi. He was leading the kids, so it was he who mattered. He opened his mouth, and tried speaking, but nothing came out. Frowning he tried again. "H..elp?" He croaked.

"Patience," the ixi replied, eying Lohho from tip to tail. No demon was he, it seemed. From over the mountains... well, perhaps... he glanced over the children. "Go home," he commanded, and they did, scattering like the tufts of a dandelion in the direction of the city. Then the ixi lay down and watched Lohho with both eyes, silent.

Lohho blinked. Patience? Well... he'd waited for two years to free himself of his binds, and it had taken him over a month to reach this land... he could wait some more. "Where... am I?" He asked, wary enough to keep from blacking out.

"A speck on a map," the ixi replied. He eyed the walls of the city thoughtfully. "Oh, but that's not the answer you were hoping for, was it? Where do /you/ think you are?" he smiled thinly, slightly crookedly on the left side. His heavy horns seemed to give him no bother at all, and the diamond shone as it caught the sunlight.

"Not...home." He answered, irritated by the half-answers of the ixi, but too tired and mind too numb to join in the game. But he'd be as cryptic as this other, if he could manage it.

Varlot's smile widened a little. "Very good. That's a very good start!" He rolled his head back and looked behind him--upside down, as it were. The sound of running was heard and several demons, some with red wings and one with feathers, came running from the city. "Ah, but it seems your requested help has arrived."

Loh looked over at the others. Demons. Lesser demons all of them. Where was he? This question followed him as his body overtook his need for information, and all went black.

Varlot walked alongside the medical team gracefully, following them back to the hospital of Kinderheim, where he waited with sublime patience--first in the hall and then in the healing room itself, folding his long legs beneath his body and watching.

Lohho came to slowly, and with subtility. With closed eyes he extended his senses, feeling out his surroundings first before finally opening his eyes. "Still here, huh?" He said, voice noticeably less strained now.

"Were you hoping you'd wake up elsewhere?" The ixi raised his eyebrows, noting the great difference with interest.

"I meant you." He said, turning from his view of the ceiling to the ixi. "I wasn't hoping to wake up anywhere in particular."

"Smart of you," Varlot observed.

"Of course." He muttered. "What is this island called?" He asked, taking a more precise method of asking this time.

"Ah, you learned from our last conversation. This island is what is known as a continent." Varlot smiled again, again slightly crookedly.

Lohho frowned, this guy was testing his patience... "I see... does this continent have a name, or do you call it Continent?"

"We call it Niflheim." Varlot was frank now. "Although it strikes me as most curious that you would not know that." He raised his eyebrows suggestively.

"Niflheim..." He smiled finally. Well this was new. "Interesting... is it all populated by Lesser Demons such as yourself?"

"Lesser demons?" Varlot leaned forward. Then he leaned back, oddly. "Some lesser than others."

Lohho mused this over. This was an interesting discovery. Maybe he'd have fun here... but that he would judge when he'd seen more of this... Niflheim. "My name is Lohho." He said finally, turning back to Varlot. "I am an emissary and explorer of the Surtur, from Muspelheim, across the Sea of Nothing." He smiled slightly.

"Well met, Lohho. My name is Matalik Varlot... my title may soon be changing, so we shan't worry about that." The diamond eye had a strange way of gathering the light and shining at opportune times, and it sparkled now. "Welcome to Niflheim, land of what you know as the lesser demons." The ixi smiled.

Lohho nodded, "You guys have any food? I haven't eaten in over a month..." He said, sitting up slightly, and wincing as his body protested.

That far, hmmm? Varlot wondered how they'd known Lohho would make it to Niflheim... surely a ship would make a much better transport...  "What do you eat, Lohho?" The ixi tipped his head back to look at the Surtur from a different angle as he asked this.

Lohho blinked, "Uh... anything... edible.... I guess... I'm not picky and wouldn't mind trying whatever it is you... Niflheimers eat." He'd noticed the reaction to the term of lesser demons. If no Surtur were here, then it just might be perceived as insult. Well it was... but if you used the term referring to another Surtur of course.

Varlot smiled oddly. "One moment." He vanished out the door with one long sweep of his elegant legs.

Lohho nodded and watched him leave, closing his eyes as he sat up, and the temperature in the room began to rise rapidly. His crinkled wings stretched out, smoothing and forming back to their usual shape and elegance, and he cracked his neck to one side. Oh yeah, it was nice to actually be able to heat up a place like this...

Varlot paused upon returning, eyeing Lohho speculatively. The heat in the room was palpable--with his utterly black body its effect was deepened. He said nothing, though, setting the tray down before Lohho. It contained a portion each of bread and meat, as vegetables were hard to obtain and fruit even harder.

Lohho's face lit up considerably at the food, "Thank you." He said, before digging in quickly bread and meat engulfed rapidly. Oh yeah, that would definitely help him. He looked up after his third mouthful, "Can you tell me more of this place?"

"What would you like to know?" Varlot asked, crossing his legs and resting his hooves in his lap. (If you can imagine that you get a cookie.)

"You all... govern yourselves?" He asked tentatively, "How many cities are there? And types of Demon?" He took a long sip of water, noticing the earthy taste, then registered the lack of vegetables.

"We... do not govern ourselves." Varlot's eyes narrowed, both of them. "That is being addressed. As for the other questions, the answers are conditional." He leaned back, watching Lohho through mere slits. "How many types of demon still alive? Or how many types of demon known? How many cities still standing? Or how many cities built? It is all a bit complex, you see."

Lohho considered the implications of what Varlot had said. "...interesting..." He munched on some bread in silence, "If you do not govern yourselves who does govern you?" He asked.

"That is an interesting question... and one that will have to wait for another time."

Lohho's interest was piqued, to say the least. He ate some more and washed it down before his next question. "So I take it you Demons are dying out? Is that recent?"

Varlot regarded him. The diamond sparkled a little in the light. "Perhaps."

Lohho finished his food before addressing the ixi again, "How many demons left on this continent? And is there still a variety?"

"A fair amount." Varlot looked like he should have been sipping a drink. "I would estimate the population to be about five thousand, give or take." He was watching Lohho carefully.

Despite his attempt to take this number in stride, Lohho's eyes widened, as the temperature in the room went up again. He licked his lips, "And there are no Surtur..." It seemed more a statement than a question.

"Not as such, no..." Varlot was no idiot and he could see very clearly that something great importance was going on in Lohho's mind.

Lohho felt the excitement bubbling up within him. But he bottled it down, the room was now hot enough for a sauna, and Lohho looked to have recovered a great deal.

It was indeed hot enough for a sauna... and hot enough to practically bake Varlot, though he held his composure. Mind over matter. "And what exactly is on your mind, hm?"

"Much is on my mind, actually." Lohho said, grabbing the tray and getting to his feet. "Why don't you show me around your town?"

Varlot raised his eyebrows. "Guided tours are not exactly my area of expertise," he said tartly. "Come along." He spoke as though to a child.

Lohho shrugged, nodding and following Varlot. "What exactly would your area of expertise lay then?" He asked, as he looked around him with interest, wings floating out behind him as he walked with a dignified, courtly pace.

"... many things." The thin smile returned to Varlot's face. "However, most would say it is... education." He glanced behind him, at the clock tower, which began to toll, the sound of its massive bells rolling across the buildings like a wave. Varlot took in Lohho's pose as he turned to face front.

Lohho turned to look at the large tower with interest, looking at the buildings and any demons in view. He was taller than any xweetok, though not all species were of similar height. "How do you educate here?" He asked.

Varlot smiled at him but didn't answer. Of course his current batch of children was no longer an experimental one--he had taught this way before--but such a question was nearly impossible to answer. "There is nothing so interesting as a mind, Lohho." A completely irrelevant answer but invariably true nonetheless.

Lohho almost laughed. "I see... this seems to be a very interesting place, so different from Muspelheim." He said, fallowing Varlot at ease. While the heat had diminished considerably after leaving the room, Lohho maintained a thin veil of hot air around him.

"Mmhmm." Varlot looked around at the passing demons, many of whom turned to watch the two walk by. "Tell me, Lohho, what do you hope to gain from this trip to Niflheim?"

Lohho was silent for a while, thoughtful and wary. There was a lot he could say, but not much without giving himself and his less than pristine past up. And that was something he planned to avoid entirely if possible. "Knowledge, mostly. I am, after all, the first Surtur to leave Muspelheim and successfully make it to Niflheim." He smiled slightly, "Of course, with discovery comes great status."

Varlot raised an eyebrow. Discovery? Would they not have known Niflheim had existed before dispatching an emissary? Indeed, how would they know of Niflheim with no other Surtur leaving? Magic? Things began to slide out of place in Varlot's mind. A few other things began to slide INTO place. "I would have thought they would have chosen an emissary of repute to begin with," he drawled calmly.

Lohho laughed, "Oh of course, I'm the Prince, I'm not exactly a low noble."

And would a Prince need with status, then? Varlot's eye widened in surprise. "Why, you had not told me! It is quite the honour, I assure you." The director of education, one of the most important people in Kinderheim, slid into a low bow in the middle of the street.

Lohho took the bow in stride, nodding, "Of course, I was having fun without your knowing..." He laughed slightly, "But it's so hard not to mention it when it gets thrust in your face all day long."

Varlot had swept back up easily, his leggy form allowing him to not only bow and from a flat walk, but to be able to resume walking afterwards with as little loss of motion as was probably possible in any demon. "I see." He ignored the stares of the demons around them, most of whom had stopped as though hoping to see him do it again. But he didn't perform for just anyone, and he smiled to himself. "You certainly caught me by surprise," he remarked lightly as they approached the windowless brick mass of the Kindergarten.

Lohho chuckled, then looked up at the large building. "What's that?" He asked, curious at the lack of windows.

"Education." Varlot turned, surveying Lohho with a small smile.

Lohho's brows twitched, as his gaze moved from the building to Varlot. "Education?"

"The minds of the young are rich in possibility," Varlot commented, "A ground ripe for growth... or stagnation. Of course, you can only grow what has already been planted." His diamond eye shone like a flare as he turned to regard Lohho, still smiling his strange, thin smile. "Education must begin where it will do the most good."

"...so you teach your young in that building?" He asked, turning to regard it again.

"Teach, yes, and nurture. Those without parents live there. Some of those with parents do as well." Varlot's tail flicked lightly. "Potential must be cultivated."

"In darkness?" Lohho asked, curious and intrigued.

"In darkness you look to see the light." Varlot smiled at him.

Lohho grunted, blinking slightly as he looked around. Sounded rather esoteric and boringly philosophical. Something his dad would love. Boring. "So is that where you educate whoever governs you?"

The black ixi suddenly sighed heavily. "If only," he murmured.

"Oh?" He smiled slightly, "What kind of governing system is at work on this continent?"

"A heavily flawed one," Varlot replied in what suddenly sounded like a cold, clipped tone. The next second it was gone, though, and he was trotting to the doors, gesturing for Lohho to follow. "Come. The library will tell you all you need...if you ask the right questions."

Lohho was intrigued by the ixi's tone, and he followed him towards the building. There was definitely something interesting going on here, and he was going to find out what it was.

The ixi led Lohho into a large, empty entryway, filled with staircases and a long hall. It was dark inside, as was to be expected, but Varlot seemed to pay it no mind, clacking his way to a set of unmarked metal double doors. "The library," he remarked smoothly, opening the door and stepping inside to hold it open for Lohho.

Lohho walked in after Varlot, some part of his mind flashing a warning, this might be a trap! But he ignored it as he entered through the metal doors.

Varlot wasn't so heavy-handed as all that, though, and the library proved to be quite safe. It was lined with shelves of books and had circular tables and racks of scrolls for quiet study. The entry contained mostly books and small things for young children, but beyond loomed rows of thick and often well-worn tomes.

Lohho looked appreciatively at the library as he entered, following Lohho. "I'd be most interested in reading the history of this continent." He said.

"Of course you would," Varlot nodded, diamond eye twinkling as it caught some of the torchlight. "That's on your left... follow me, if you would." The ixi clipped through, passing one group of children--they looked to be about ten or eleven--who looked up as he passed. They stared at Lohho in open awe.

Lohho nodded, following the ixi. As they passed the kids he flashed a grin at them, without breaking a stride.

The kids recoiled and whispered anxiously amongst themselves. Apparently being smiled at by dashing strangers was not a common event around here. Ahead, Varlot loitered by two tall shelves, removing the odd tome or two. When Lohho caught up, he turned and thrust six books at the Surtur with a wide smile. "This should be an excellent basis for your education."

Lohho caught the books, a sudden burst of hot air slowing the descent of the books as they landed neatly on his hands. "Excellent." He said, placing them on a table and sitting down, reading the titles.

Most of them had very generic titles, like "A History of Niflheim" or "The Rise and Fall of Niflheim's Cities" (the second was more recent.) Two, though, had slightly odd titles. "The Tragedy of Royalty" was the more notable one. Varlot had turned back to the shelves and was humming faintly.

Lohho took the oldest of the books, and opened the index, scanning it quietly before turning to the first chapter, and skimming through the pages fairly rapidly.

There was a fairly generic introduction with a lot of personal asides from the author... standard history book fare, really. After some back story, it started speaking of a demon named Azoth and the treachery of Valhalla. Varlot seemed to have lost interest in Lohho.

Lohho blinked, reading what he could of this Azoth character, then skimming a few years forward, and then again, looking for references of this demon.

Azoth appeared occasionally, largely in connection with the so-called "Royal" clan. (There were a few early references to a Leatherwing Clan, but they faded out as the term Royal replaced it historically.)

After flipping through enough time for normal demons, even long-lived lesser demons to die out, and confirming Azoth was still around, he flipped to the very end of the history book.

The end spoke of a growing economy and a bright future, something that had obviously not happened. Varlot leaned over, peering over the Surtur's shoulder. "Skimming? Are you in a hurry? Or do you dislike too much learning?" He was smiling indulgently.

Lohho looked sideways at Varlot and shook his head, "I know what I wish to learn, so I look for that first. Most history books have too much superfluous information." He put the book down, grabbing the "Tragedy of Royalty" and looking at the index. "Is this Azoth mentioned still alive?"

Varlot smiled oddly. "But of course. Do you really think he'd be dead?" The index contained plenty of Azoth, as well as mention of a Frathomas, a Dariliath, a Guran, and a Zincarlarios... to name a few.

Lohho smiled slightly, "Well, it's hard to believe in immortal demons, isn't it? How is it he's still alive?" He flipped to the first chapter and read slower as he waited for Varlot to answer.

Varlot's diamond eye winked. "No one knows."

"They... don't?" He asked, looking at Varlot. "Is he always around?"

Varlot raised his eyebrows. "Where would he go?"

Lohho coughed slightly, "Dunno." He said, looking back at the book, "So if he's cited and around always, why isn't *he* king?"

Varlot smiled. "No one knows. It's generally assumed that he simply can't be--but isn't it strange?" His right hoof tapped lightly on the floor at the end of that sentence.

"It is..." Lohho agreed, flipping through the book. "He seems to be a very mysterious character."

"He is," Varlot strolled around the side of the table to lean over Lohho's shoulder. "But he's not the only one."

Lohho looked sideways at Varlot. "Oh really?"

Varlot smiled at him but didn't say anything, just smiled.

Lohho frowned slightly, then laughed, shaking his head, "I suppose so."

Varlot glanced at the shelves and seemed to become distracted by them, moving his head back and forth as he perused the titles for what must have been the most thousandth time.

Lohho didn't mind, having gone back to reading, flipping through the pages quickly, as he took in years of Niflheim history.

Finally Varlot turned back to Lohho. "What do you think, Mr. Ambassador?" His voice was slightly arrogant, but that wasn't totally abnormal. "If you'd like, you may stay the night and take the books to your room."

Lohho's ear-tip feathers flicked, and he blinked, looking over at Varlot. "Please, Lohho is fine." He said, nodding, "I'd appreciate that. The trip here was quite tiring."

Varlot nodded. "Let me know when you are ready, and I will take you there."

Lohho nodded, looking through the book he was reading further, finally noticing a few trends. "They're all xweetoks..."

Varlot didn't respond, just continued searching the book shelves thoughtfully.

Finally, Lohho put down the book, "Do you have any books on Azoth's origins?"

Varlot didn't turn around. "No."

Lohho had almost expected that, "Any chance I can meet him in person?"

Varlot laughed at him.

Lohho blinked, "What?"

"He's not here," Varlot replied, impatient. "Therefore you cannot see him."

"I gathered that." Lohho looked slightly annoyed, "I didn't mean now, I meant at some point in..." He sighed, shaking his head, "Never mind." He stood, gathering the books. "I'm ready."

Varlot nodded. "Come along after me, then, and I'll take you where you want to be." He peeled away from the bookshelf and trotted past Lohho, the light catching his diamond eye as he headed for the doors.

Lohho gathered the books and had them float along beside him as he followed Lohho, a thoughtful frown on his face.

Varlot led him out--the children had gone--and down a narrow hallway to a set of stairs. "I'm afraid it's not in the most glamorous of places, but it is quite secure." Varlot told Lohho as they walked. "It can even," and here he gave a smile, "survive a fire."

Lohho almost laughed, "I'm not particularly worried about secure or not, and I doubt there will be any fires, not on my account at least." He smiled indulgently, "And believe me, anything is better than my last abode."

Varlot raised his eyebrows. "I see." The stairs led down into a small storage-like basement with blackened walls and two doors. The Blackhorn stopped in front of one of them and paused, murmuring something.

Lohho waited behind Varlot, ears twitching as he tried hearing whatever the other said, heat growing perceptively.

The door swung open and revealed a surprisingly nice room with a large red bed and a thick furry rug (or was it a skin?). There was also a chair and desk, though these were much more utilitarian. Varlot seemed pleased for some reason. "The command word for the door is Unforgiven," he informed Lohho. "It will ensure your privacy should you wish to be undisturbed."

Lohho nodded, taking in the room. "Quite a random room to find in the underground of the facility." He commented, walking into it and letting the books drift onto the desk.

"Oh no, not random at all." Varlot smiled. "This was not originally underground, you see." Then he switched topics abruptly. "I should give you a way to reach me..." he produced a coin, which he handed to Lohho. "Heat this up if you need me for anything... I'm sure that won't be a problem for you." He smiled.

Lohho took the coin, looking it over with his greenish yellow eyes. "Interesting. Indeed, heat is one of my specialties. I hope it hasn't bothered you too much..." He said suddenly, looking up at Varlot with an apologetic smile.

"Not at all." Varlot smiled back, widely, perhaps eerily. "Though I'd be careful not to advertise your powers too broadly..." the Blackhorn turned to leave, heading for the stairs.

Lohho clutched the coin in his hand, watching the ixi depart. "Oh don't worry about that..." He said more to himself. He closed the doors, turning back to the books.

Varlot ascended the stairs, his hoof steps echoing off the thick walls as he disappeared.






Tresa had finished her work for the day, carefully placing everything back in it's place, and changing out of her maids clothes. She sat on her bed, facing the wall, closing her eyes as she let her mind wander to that familiar room in Kinderheim. A few seconds later, a smaller ghostly version of herself materialized in said room. She opened her eyes, looking around.

Varlot was seated casually, a long ink pen held in his hoof and his horns sweeping gracefully over the back of the large chair. His long distinctive scrawl decorated the page he'd written on, and he raised his head, smiling cheerfully at the sight of the yellow apparition. "Why, good evening, Tresa." Even his diamond eye seemed to sparkle with his greeting.

Tresa smiled with a lot more emotion than she'd shown Llamiis earlier. "Good evening Varlot, how has things been for you?"

"Things are beautiful in this part of Niflheim," Varlot replied. His smile seemed quite genuine too, though of course it was hard to tell. He set the pen down on the desk, setting the papers away so he could fold his hands in his lap to speak to her more directly. "How are things at the castle? As graceless as you are not, I suppose?"

She smiled wider for a second, "With Llamiis doing his gruesome business, it could never be." She said, "Shev is dead, he used your name to end his suffering."

Varlot gave a slightly exaggerated sigh of resignation. "Ah, of course. Two can keep a secret if one of them is dead, as they say." Then he smiled. "I suppose it was inevitable--though it came a bit sooner than I expected. No matter. Llamiis was a good pupil, but he was never as acute as some of us."

Tresa looked saddened at this, but went on, she had warned him already that Shev would say his name, and it had happened. "I found two interesting things when cleaning his room today, one, the profile of Tookei, the Redwing kid he seems to be fond of, and his own, hidden."

"Oh, he hid it, did he?" Varlot looked intrigued, leaning forward slightly. The diamond in his eye caught the torchlight and twinkled merrily. "Making up for lost time, I suppose. Was there anything interesting in the child's profile?"

Tresa thought for a moment, "He was quite honest in his tale, and detailed Redwing education, quite barbaric... and his father seems to have been one of those in the front of the Redwing movement." She blinked, looking at Varlot, "He also led Prince Raijato to them, when they tried using him to enter the castle."

Varlot raised an eyebrow at her as though sharing a private joke. "Leave it to the redwings to find the ugliest forms of deceit, hm? I'm surprised Llamiis was so tactless that he left them for you to find so easily--all the better for us, then." The blackhorn tapped his hoof thoughtfully on the arm of the chair. Then he sat upright again, as though remembering something. "He doesn't know of you, does he?" Varlot looked truly concerned.

Tresa paused, "He was very interested in meeting me when he realized I'd seen Tookei's profile, he waited for me to pick up his lunch tray." She said. "It was a short meeting, and I was very formal and polite, and he responded in the same way. I foresee no problems for myself for now." She knew her own future was always rather blurred but she would have some warning, she hoped, if something were to turn out dreadfully wrong.

Varlot nodded. "Be circumspect, my dear, I'd hate to have anything happen to you." He gave her an endearing smile,  then turned to make a note to himself with the pen and paper. "Two deaths in so few days... such a tragedy should not be forgiven, I think."

Tresa nodded as she blushed faintly, "Azoth will be arriving at the castle with his family in two days, no one knows of this, he'll come unannounced, and with his Twintail family." She said, reporting her 'future' observations after what had happened already.

The black ixi looked resigned--his face really was a kaleidoscope tonight. "How unfortunate... it would be better for all involved if he simply left for good."

Tresa blinked, looking at him, "You really think so?" She asked.

"Mmm," Varlot seemed to reconsider a little. "Well, perhaps not, but all the same, the sentiment is there. His business does not seem to be in the best interests of Niflheim much of the time, I've noticed." The ixi shook his head slowly, as though disappointed, and his great and polished horns reflected back some of the torchlight.

Tresa nodded slightly, "I suppose that is true." She said, believing Varlot for lack of memory on Azoth's actions. She paused, looking slightly troubled. "I had a dream... of you with a stranger. A xweetok of reds and golds on charcoal fur."

Varlot's eyebrows could have flown right off his face. He leaned forward, real eye sparkling almost as much as the diamond. "Tell me more," he said, knowing she'd forget he'd been so forward soon. He leaned back anyway, though. "Did anything happen?"

Tresa noticed the interest. "You've already met him then?" She asked, but continued anyways, "He's influential, yet hides... something..." She blinked, "It was an odd dream, it was raining... and the rivers were flooded with water."

"Water?" Varlot looked perplexed. "He's hiding quite a lot, from what I can see... of course, much of that will be revealed in time." The blackhorn seemed fairly confident about that.

Tresa nodded, "Make him trust you, and he'll open up. I sensed he likes showing off quite a bit, but is scared of failure." She smiled, "Something about this person feels... right..."

Varlot looked thoughtful, then smiled. "Tresa, whatever would I do without you?"

Tresa blushed deeper and smiled happily. "Things should get calmer so I'll probably report in a week. I'll let you know if anything new happens."

"All right. Keep yourself safe, Tresa--I don't think I could stand to lose you." Varlot gave her a parting smile.

Tresa nodded, as she faded away. A few seconds later Tresa opened her eyes back in the castle, tired. Shifting over, she smothered the torch and got into bed, a smile lingering on her face as she thought of Varlot.

Varlot rose, stretching slightly after the conversation. So it was down to Tresa... he shook his head as his muscles relaxed and he turned to get some fresh paper. He knew she would be circumspect, though, and respected her abilities enough to leave her on her own... for now.









The white kougra with fading blue markings and aqua green eyes had just finished her four hour shift at the castle gates. She felt stiff from standing in alert for so long as she cracked her neck to either side, heading to the barracks. "Oh maan, that was so boring." She said to herself, yawning to show sharp white teeth.

Vii was at the barracks, and seemed almost half asleep. The krawks eyes where closed and he was leaning quite a bit back on his chair to make it seem like it would fall over at any minute. He had finished his shift a little while back and was now just trying to relax.

The kougra walked into the barracks and spotted the sleeping krawk and his odd position. She grinned slightly, her polearm moving from where it rested against her shoulder to poke the chair past the point of balance.

The chair, and its unsuspecting user quickly lost balance. Vii's eyes shot open as he tried to balance himself but since he hadn't expected that he just ended up with his back on the ground and giving a 'Oof' as he did so.

The female kougra grinned, "You know, chairs aren't meant for naps, you'll end up breaking it like that!"

Vii blinked, not getting up and looking over at the kougra through the hair that covered his eyes "You aren't exactly helping the chair not get broken now are you?" He asked with a smirk then sitting up. "Besides, if I broke it I would fix it."

She shrugged, "It was too much temptation to resist it!" She said, sitting on the table, her tail flicking as she rested her weapon on her knees."I swear guard duty should be left to those golems, it's so BORING standing in the same spot for hours at a time."

Vii grinned "Yes, that's very true." He said lifting the fallen chair back up before standing himself. "Just finished I assume?"

She nodded, "Yeah, just got back. Haven't really seen you around much, I'm Alex, what's your name?"

Vii chuckled a little offering his clawed hand to Alex "Names Viikan. Nice to meet you." He said smiling a little.

She took his hand, shaking it once. "You been here for long?" She asked, swinging her feet slightly.

Vii shook his head a little "Na, not really. I'm pretty new here" He said with a grin and sat down back on the chair "How about you?"

"Hum..." She looked up as she thought, tail wrapping around her weapon. "Bout two months now." She said finally with a grin. "Lots of excitement around here!"

Vii chuckled "Really like what? Do you have anything to tell a newbie?" He asked as his tail twitched back and forth behind him.

Alex nodded, "Yeah, the war with Valhalla was amazing, though the way it ended was rather confusing... and then the Redwing attack on the castle.. and the spies infiltrated from everywhere! Did you hear Shev was actually a spy?"

Vii blinked in surprise "Wow...That is a lot...Guess I have a lot to figure out around here huh? And...Shev?" He asked thinking for a minute. "He...Was one of the other guards right? He was a spy really?!"

She nodded, "Yeah! I actually had worked with him before, kinda quiet guy, joined after the Redwing attack actually. He helped me take that maid's body out of the interrogation room... poor girl... and then we heard HE'D been interrogated too!"

Vii seemed pretty surprise "Man....That's really surprising... Do you know about anyone who should be avoided and stuff?" He asked soaking up the information

"Well... Carroncio was the one behind those two spies and he was a blackhorn, but I haven't heard of any others being suspected as spies so far." She said, thoughtful. "I guess anyone could be a spy, it's best to be on the lookout and report any suspicious behaviour to Crizoia or Penja."

Vii nodded a little "Ok..." He muttered knowing who both of them where. "This castle sure has a lot of others here doesn't it? Though I was a little surprise to learn about the redwing and twintail..."

Alex laughed slightly, "I was kinda wary of the Redwing at first, he got really beat up when the guards found him. I wasn't on duty that night." She said, "And the Queen is friends with the Twintails now, so get used to seeing them around."

Vii nodded a little "Well...I don't think beating the kid up was really right. He doesn't seem to be much of a fighter." He said then nodding a little "I guess that's true...still a surprise after all I've heard about the twintails..."

"Yeah, I know... well, he's a Redwing and was sneaking about outside the castle, most of us who were here for the Redwing attack were pretty badly hurt so there's a lot of Redwing resentment." She said, "Twintails... eh... I thought they had died out, but apparently the ones left are all pretty harmless and weak."

Vii nodded as he listened then chuckled "Well it makes sense. Most likely isn't a full demon one left. With neopian blood they would have become quite weak."

"Yeah, I guess..." She scrunched her nose at the thought, "Then again, even the Royal clan's main family has Neopian blood in it... even the Queen is said to be half Valhallan!"

Vii sighed a little shaking his head "Now that I really don't understand...Why would the Queen be half Valhallan...It...Its strange..."

Alex shrugged, "Beats me, I grew up in Jotunheim, so yeah..." She jumped off the table, stretching a she leaned over to touch her toes. "Oh maaan, I need some workout to get rid of this stiffness..."

Vii watched Alex chuckling a little "Come on now its not that bad is it?" He asked grinning.

She grinned, "Hey, workout is good, keeps reflexes and crap refined." She grabbed her polearm, swiveling it with surprising speed and dexterity to point under Vii's chin. "Wanna spar?"

Vii watched her blinking a little surprised but didn't flinch as the polearm came close to him. He grinned "Sounds good to me, everyone needs practice right?"

She laughed, "Yup!" She retreated the weapon and leaned it against her shoulder as she walked to the door, heading to the training grounds.

Vii laughed a little as he stood following her. His eyes went to her weapon for a moment curiously, but kept silent now.

The weapon was made of a dark blue material, capped on both ends by silver decorations ending in a sharp spike. On the top end there was a thread with two beads of different hues of blue and a white feather tied to the tip. It was almost as long as Alex was tall on her two feet. They didn't take too long to reach one of the training grounds that was empty, and the kougra walked out into the field.

Vii followed her but slowed down now a little to gain some distance from her as he tried to figure out how he would do this, though already knowing he would keep his spikes in till they where needed.

Alex turned as she reached the approximate center and faced Vii, polearm moving as she dropped into position. Grinning slightly she flicked her tail. "Ready?"

Vii stood where he was as his tail flicked back and forth behind him and he moved his back foot a little and brought up his arms in front of him. "Ready" He said then waiting for Alex to make the first move.

She gave the briefest of nods before kicking off as she launched herself towards Vii, polearm set firmly in her grasp, aimed towards his middle. As she got closer she shifted suddenly, dropping low and swiftly sweeping the polearm to knock Vii off his feet.
er by quickly jumping into the air to get above and behind her and right as she landed, turned and set a kick towards the back of her head.

Alex rolled forward over her head as Vii jumped, turning quickly as he kicked, pole thrust forward, sharp tip aimed at his kicking foot.

Vii was able to move his leg out of the way as he turned a little and brought his tail around to wrap around the pole tightly. As he did he tried to pull it forward and get it out of Alex's hands.

Alex grinned, the pole became slippery as ice, making Vii's tail slip off it and she moved in, sending a roundhouse kick at his side.

Vii ducked as she got closer, so the kick would come towards his upper arm instead. And right before she touched him, he brought out four large spikes on that arm to take the attack.

The attack was too quick and she wasn't able to stop in time, slamming her foot into the spikes. She yelped, pulling it back as blood flowed from the punctures, rolling away and coming up in a crouch a few feet away, holding her pole out in front of her, leaning on her uninjured foot. She didn't look at her bleeding one, instead growling at Vii.

Vii stood back up looking at Alex's foot and sighing a little, the blood covered spikes folding back down to his arm as the blood from them ran down his arm a little. "Sorry about that...Its just my reaction. Do you want to continue or no?" He asked not moving towards her yet.

She snarled in response, jumping forward again swinging her pole forward and up, then changed direction, strafing to one side as her pole suddenly elongated almost too fast to see as the sharp tip aimed at Vii's thigh.

Vii tried to dodge but was rather surprised to see it gain length like that and bit back a cry as the tip went right into his thigh. But again he grabbed onto the pole, this time with his hands, claws trying to dig into it deeply to resist the slipperiness he had gotten last time with his tail and pull Alex in closer, or at least move her enough to force weight on her wounded foot.

The material of the pole made it impossible to dig the claws in, as once again the pole retracted out of his grip, shortening as Alex dug the back into the ground to flip over into the sky, aiming to fall on Vii's head with her uninjured foot.

Vii quickly rolled away, his one hand over his bleeding thigh. As She got closer he brought his tail out to try and wrap around her leg and pull her harder and onto her back when she would land.

Seeing his tail she bent her foot up and slammed down with her pole at his upcoming tail, landing in a crouch, most of her weight on her good foot, her other bleeding badly, her white fur stained in blood. Still she swept her pole again at Vii, elongating it as she did.

Vii was able to dodge her pole this time as he turned a little to the side. His tail, which was still close to her suddenly brought out its five spikes and aimed to wrap around her good foot and dig in. At the same time he brought out the spikes in his one arm and attempted to ram right into Alex.

"Shit.." She moved her hand, palm out at the tail, forming a shield of ice that managed to stop the tail as she rolled away from the incoming krawk. She winced as she put pressure on her injured right foot, letting off a blast of ice spikes at Vii.

Vii bit his lip a little, well...that wasn't good. His tail spikes retracted though that was mainly because they had been stuck in the ice. As he did he tried to move sideways and away from the attack, but ended up getting a few in one arm and another in his tail. He yelped out in pain from that and turned to look towards Alex and getting ready for the next attack while deciding his own.

She could see he wasn't done, but the lack of magical response made her grin slightly. Sharptails were rather poor magic-users. She used her pole to get to her feet, sending another blast of ice as she held on to her pole, extending it upwards after planting it into the ground, flying up into the sky.

Vii was able to jump away from the ice this time as he pulled out one of the spikes from his arm watching Alex then looking at the pole as he ran for it and rammed the ice spike he had into it before his own tail trying to make it fall over and make her fall.

The ice shattered on contact with the pole as Alex made it retract upwards, sending another shower of ice shards down from her higher position at Vii, falling downwards to slam into him from above.

Vii glanced up to see the shards come towards him, not good...He quickly jumped back to try and get away from them, yelping as a couple hit his legs.

As her target moved away from her falling form, she swerved the pole towards him, trying to make a sweeping blow at his head with the side of the pole.

Vii glared at the pole a little but just jumped away from it again. He needed to buy time until Alex came back to the ground. He couldn't really fly up towards her.

As he dodged the pole Alex finally landed, bending her knees into a crouch to absorb the fall, more blood scattering on the ground from her injured foot.  Biting her lip to keep the pain in check, she dashed forward at Vii, pole once more sweeping towards him.

Vii again turned to the side away from the pole and quickly ran head on towards Alex, aiming a kick to her side as his tail tried to wrap around her injured foot, spikes coming out of the tip again. His legs, side and arms where blooding from the spikes of ice but he forced himself to ignore it.

She blocked the kick with a second ice shield that she used to ram into him, but his tail wrapped around her injured foot, spikes digging in. She cried out in pain, falling towards Vii.

Vii bit his lip as he rammed into the ice but kept a tight grip on her foot with his tail. When she fell towards him he tried to grab onto her arm and pull her around to try and pin her down to the ground below him.

She tried to swerve away but gasped from the pain as he managed to grab her arm, slamming into the ground.

Vii quickly pulled the arm he had a grip on behind her back, as he went on top of Alex, knee digging into her back as he kept weight on her to keep her on the ground. At the same time his tail still had a grip on her foot to keep her from struggling to much.

Alex cried out, gritting her teeth in pain, not moving as she went down, tears at her eyes as he pulled her hand back and dug his knee into her back. "Stop!" She cried.

Vii blinked in surprise quickly getting off her as his spikes disappeared and backing up a little "Are...you ok Alex?" He asked worried.

Alex immediately curled up as he got off her, hugging herself as she lay on the ground, eyes squeezed shut, foot badly mauled by his spikes and bleeding heavily.

Vii looked at her worried quickly moving over to where her foot was "Hold still..." He said as he brought his hand above her foot and strings appeared around all four of his claws.

She opened her eyes as she looked at him warily, but didn't move, not speaking. Her polearm lay discarded a few feet away.

Rather quickly, but surprisingly gently the strings moved and started to go around the wounds in Alex's foot. As this happened Vii was moving his fingers back and forth controlling the strings as they began to stitch up the wounds from his spikes and stop the bleeding.

Alex bit her lip, watching with surprise as he patched up her foot, though the pain was quite strong still.

As the strings finished off with the foot they also started to numb the foot a little to help ease the pain. "There we go..." Vii said as the left over strings around his claws vanished.

Alex slowly sat up, looking at her bloodstained but patched foot as the pain receded. "How... did you do that??" She asked, amazed.

Vii looked at Alex chuckling a little "By using the only magic ability I have. How does it feel?"

"...better, thanks..." She said slowly, looking up at him and the wounds she'd inflicted. "S..sorry bout that..." She said, "I get a bit carried away when hurt..."

Vii chuckled a little and shook his head "There is nothing to apologize about. I can stitch myself up easy enough." He said with a grin. "Come on, we should at least get that foot cleaned up."

She nodded, grabbing her pole to help her to her feet, not wanting to lean on her injured foot just yet. "That's a pretty useful magic for a soldier." She commented.

Vii smiled as he stood "I guess, but as you saw it didn't really do any help till after the fighting was over. Yours seems more useful to me." He said keeping beside her.

She laughed slightly, "You still won." She said grudgingly, limping toward the barracks.

Vii grinned at her "I guess that is true, but it seemed pretty close."

She sighed, "I need to practice my speed I guess... I didn't expect your spikes really, careless of me..."

Vii nodded a little "One of the reasons I keep them hidden is to make them more useful in a fight. That and I don't want to hurt someone by accident. Your magic is what surprised me."

She smiled, "It's not much, my ice is rather brittle, but it helps." She patted her polearm, "This thing here though, is my baby." She walked into the barracks, sitting on a chair tiredly.

Vii nodded a little as he looked at her and chuckled "Just so you know your foot will be fine in a while. Also the stitches dissolve when their use is done." He said then looking around for something to help clean her foot off with.

She nodded, "Thanks... I think I'm taking a bath and going to bed." She said, stifling a yawn. She got up again, almost toppling over before using her weapon to keep her on her feet. "Eheh..."

Vii sighed a little looking at her "The stitches numb the effected area but don't try doing anything huge until morning at least. He said stretching a little before wincing from his wounds.

She nodded, "Yeah, ok. You should patch yourself up too." She said, limping to the bathrooms.

Vii chuckled a little "I will...then I think I'm going to get something to eat. I'm sorry again about you foot." He said before forming some strings and began stitching up his thigh then tail.

She nodded, "S'ok." She said, closing the bathroom door behind her. Soon afterwards the sound of running water was heard.

Vii smiled as he finished stitching himself up. He didn't really care much about the blood and yawned a little wondering if there would be anyone in the kitchen still.

It didn't take too long for Alex to finish washing, and she came out without her armor, and still limping so as not to reopen her wounded foot. She smiled at Vii, "G'night Vii, nice getting to know you." She said, walking off towards the rooms.

Vii smiled a little nodding at Alex "Same to you Alex" He said. He then quickly cleaned up the blood on him before heading to the kitchen. When he got there he walked in looking around a little to see if anyone was there.

Most of the cooks and maids had already retired, Tresa was seated at the table, finishing off a sandwich on her own. She looked up as Vii entered, blinking once as she swallowed. "May I help you?" She asked.

Vii looked at Tresa and smiled a little "Um...Ya..." He said chuckling nervously. "Came here to get something to eat actually..."

She nodded, "I can make you a sandwich, if you'd like." She said, getting up as she spoke.

Vii smiled a little "That would be helpful. If you don't mind?"

She shook her head, a faint smile, "Not at all." She said, turning, she began taking out the things to prepare a sandwich, getting to work efficiently. She set out the objects in order, each placed symmetrically around the cutting board, then carefully retrieved a knife, as she began cutting some vegetables and a few slices of meat.

Vii watched her silently before smiling more "Thank you, I wasn't sure if anyone would be in the kitchen so late."

She nodded, "I tend to take longer in some chores, so I'm usually the last here." She said as she sliced through the meat. Putting the knife to one side she blinked, frowning in disapproval. She'd cut herself... Staring at the long gash in her finger she moved to the sink.

Vii looked at her noticing the gash in her finger "Oh...That's not good. Sorry I distracted you didn't I?" He asked going over beside her. "Here, let me look at that."

"No!" She pulled back, holding her injured hand closer to her as she looked at him, "I'll be fine, just let me wash the blood off." She said calmly.

Vii blinked surprised looking at her "I can fix that for you..." He said backing a little off though. "It doesn't hurt or anything..."

"It doesn't hurt." She said, moving to the sink and turning the water on, she quickly washed her hands, and by the time she dried them, there was no sign of blood or cut. She moved back to what she had been ding, stacking up the sliced items perfectly on the bread.

Vii watched in surprise "W...Wow...Your quite the healer...Miss...?" He asked wondering about her name now.

She looked up as she paused, "Tresa. I just have fast self-healing, I'm not a healer." She said, as she finished the sandwich and carefully cut it in half, putting it in the center of a plate and taking it to the table.

Vii smiled a little "Names Vii, its nice to meet you Tresa." He said walking over to the table "Healer or not that was very impressive"

"It's nothing really." She said quietly, going about to put the rests back in place and cleaning the utensils and her own finished plate. "It can be dangerous too."

"How so?" Vii asked sitting down and taking a bite of the sandwich, man was that good. He swallowed then continued "I mean, it seems to be extremely useful..."

She kept working, as she sighed, "Imagine you break a bone, and it heals over before you can get it placed properly." She said, looking back at him. "You'd have to re-fracture the bone and set it right. And if something were to be embedded in a wound, you'd have to reopen it to retrieve it."

Vii thought for a minute and nodded "Yes...I guess that's true. Do you know why you heal so fast? Or is it just something you where born with?"

She paused, holding the clean plate over the drying rack. "...I was born with it." She said at length. "They thought I would have healing magic because of it, but I never did show any such magic." She said.

Vii watched her in silence and nodded. He was confused as to why she paused like that but decided not to push things. "You never know, it might show itself when the time is right." He said with a grin taking another bite of his food.

She looked at him sharply. "No it won't. My clan has very precise ways of finding out what kinds of magic a child has. I do not have healing magic." she was very firm in what she said.

Vii blinked in surprise sitting there for a minute before swallowing his food and in turned coughing a little. "S...Sorry. I didn't mean to offend you." He said looking at her confused by her firm reaction.

Tresa had a neutral expression on her face, as she wiped the counter clean of dirt and turned back to him. "That's fine, you didn't know." She said quietly.

Vii looked at her unmoving for a moment before finishing his sandwich and standing "Well...Thanks. It was really good."

She nodded, not speaking as she waited for him to move away from the plate to take it and wash it too, back towards him.

Vii smiled walking over to her "It really was good, so thank you. And I am also sorry for offending you. Have a good night." He said then turning and walking out of the kitchen.

She nodded, turning to smile slightly at him, "It's fine." She said, as she finished washing the last plate, and cleaned out the sink of crumbs as he left. She sighed slightly to herself.

Vii walked back over to the barracks and over to where his bed was sighing quietly. Ok...Now he was tired... He got into bed and rather quickly ended up falling asleep.