Eri was still crying, her arms tight around Shaeula. As they were still wrapped within my own embrace, I gestured to Selensha, who had finished restoring Ulfuric to good health. She quickly strode over, and wielding her crystal-topped staff she began to channel elemental energies, the orange of water shimmering around us, a throng of bubbles that reflected the dark un-light of the Boundary into a series of shimmering rainbows, with colours unseen by mortal eyes.

That really is an impressive working. It makes my uses of elemental abilities for attack purposes look crude… and it works way better than my Ether Healing skill… I wonder… as I watched, the bubbles sank into the remaining wounds, rapidly growing new flesh and fur to replace her damaged body. Shaeula shivered at the touch, but her eyes were gleaming, watching as intently as I, hungry to learn.

Releasing Eri and Shaeula, I turned, as I felt a burning gaze upon us, my senses tingling. It was as I suspected, and Shaeraggo was glaring at me, his face twisted into an expression of annoyance and shock. As I met his eyes he looked away, before striding towards us, his sight on Shaeula. Seeing that, Selensha looked tense, while Shaeula herself passed Eri to me, standing tall and waiting for her brother impassively.

“Little sister, your victory was unexpected indeed-indeed!” he declared. “Your skills, while still immature, they have definitely blossomed. Please, I will-will ask again. Return with me to the mansion I have prepared, and I shall go to my father. Together we can overturn your cruel exile! It will be better for you-you. Kinder too.”

Shaeula shook her head, declining once more. “We have been through this, brother Shaeraggo. Once the Trials have been declared, they shall not-not be halted. Besides…” she cocked her head adorably, looking like a small animal (which I guessed right now she was), and even Eri giggled a little through her dwindling tears. “… I still fail to see why you have-have such an issue with my choice. Have I not proved that I have grown, in both will, pride-pride and strength? Have I not-not achieved all my father sent me out to do?” she looked at Ulfuric, who was watching silently, the neat, armoured ranks of the weaselkin knights now formed up behind him, giving off an intimidating air. “I can hardly claim to be at Master Ulfuric’s level, not-not now anyway, but give me the three moons you have promised as price, and when-when you return, I shall have grown once-once more.”

At her words Ulfuric nodded. “Indeed, princess. I know your tricks now, so you will need to have greatly improved. I look forward to seeing it.”

Selensha was opening and closing her mouth, no sound coming out, looking as if she wished to say something, but the tense atmosphere seemed to be stifling her. Indeed, the shrine grounds were awash with the forces of both sides, and a mistake could easily lead to conflict. Maybe I had better do something about this. He is her brother, and we don’t want to ruin their relationship, family is important after all.

“Prince Shaeraggo…” I tried to make things as formal as possible. After all, he seemed to be the sort that relished his nobility. “… Shaeula has been trying exceptionally hard to master new powers and strengthen those she has. We have pooled our Territory and are working on strengthening it, and should any political enemies try to harm her, well, you have my word we will deal with then like we did with…” Oh yeah, mentioning Grulgor here will probably set him off again. He was pissed about it before, not that I blame him… “… suffice it to say, we accepted this Trial of Three to prove ourselves to you, and reach common ground. I am sure Shaeula would love you to support her, as a brother should for his adorable sister.”

Shaeula was nodding agreement, but this only seemed to make him angrier. “You dare speak to me, usurper!” he spat, his tone arctic. “My beautiful sister, she truly was a miracle, with her fur as bright as the sun, her eyes as gold…”

Oh god, this is going beyond siscon and into… gods, I don’t want to know what it is getting into… I gently gave Eri a push behind my back and she understood, scuttling away and hiding with our forces, surprisingly close to Grulgor, who had terrified her before. Maybe she had improved her opinion of him after the first Trial…

“… too many crawling insects surrounding her like flies-flies on an apple. But we siblings decided that only the most-most worthy could ever be her match. And you… mortal…” the word seemed to taste vile to him, his mouth twitching as he said it. “… you dared reach for the moon.”

Okay, maybe I see how to get through to him. “I can understand how you feel…” Well, perhaps a little, not to the crazy extent here… “… I have a sister too, and she is very important to me. I have to say though, she also has very pretty eyes, but if I was to go on like she has eyes as blue as the sky, or a figure lithe and sporty I think she’d be pretty mad, and really creeped out. So maybe cut back on that a little? Just some advice from one brother to another. Anyway, why not praise your sister for what she’s achieved, she’ll be far happier…”

“You wretched crawling filth! How dare you compare our perfect Shaeula with your mortal wench of a sister… if it wasn’t for the Trials I would put an arrow through your worthless heart now and…”

“Enough, brother.” Shaeula snapped, and behind her Selensha was nodding rapidly for emphasis. “I can forgive you treating me as a child, though it pains-pains me. But enough of this witless foolishness. Should you continue to be so abusive towards Akio, or insult Aiko, I shall-shall say this, and I shall swear it on the Throne of the Seelie. Even should you defeat us here-here and take me back to this mansion of yours, I shall never-never consider you or my other siblings kin again. And no price you have demanded can force my hand. So show me the brother I used to respect.”

Her words caught him off guard. His deep green eyes went wide, and for a second he blinked stupidly, before gnawing at his lip in frustration. Ouch. Checkmate. Even thinking of Aiko talking to me that way and saying such things…

“Very well then.” After a long moment of thought, he agreed. “I shall… moderate… my dislike of this wort… this wretche… this mortal. I have been foolish.”

“Yes, but I do not-not hold it against you, should you mend your ways, for I too have made mistakes…” Shaeula began, relieved, giving her brother a smile for once, but he was not done.

“Indeed, I have misunderstood that it is indeed a good-good thing that you defeated Ulfuric. If you had lost there, I would never have had a chance to face this thei… usur… mortal in battle.” He was peering at me intently, as if he was truly seeing me for the first time. “I hope you can put up a fight worthy of my sister, lest you shame-shame her further.”

“I shall never allow Akio to battle you, brother Shaeraggo. I still retain great respect for your strength and skill with the bow-bow. No, I shall lead our forces to victory, and then brother, we should talk, all of us together. It pains me to be at odds with you-you. I wish you to go back to the caring yet overbearing brother you used to be-be.” Shaeula broke in.

“I see.” He turned away, so I couldn’t see his expression. “Alas, sister you are too far gone. In deference to your threats, the foul trick I would expect from an Unseelie, I will say no more-more. Only that I pray it is not too late to return to how things were. As the moon in the lands of the Fae is unchanging, so too should you be, my sweet little sister, so charming, so vulnerable, needing our constant care and protection. I fear Ulfuric was unable to discipline you, though now he shall have another chance. Enough talk. The second Trial awaits. Everyone, come. We shall show no mercy!”

Hang on, that isn’t quite right. Didn’t he agree… I wasn’t the only one to notice, as Selensha spoke quietly. “Didn’t you promise them that you would limit the forces you employed? You can’t go against the Trials or else you’ll face grave consequences.”

“That’s right.” Eri whispered, nodding as she listened in to the arguing, still safe by Grulgor and his trolls. I was pleased she was paying attention. Eri was smart, having her looking at a problem could give us fresh insights. Though what isn’t good is… ever since Shaeula had interrupted, that niggling feeling of some approaching trouble was returning. I had felt it before the first Trial, and we had won, so… what good is some sort of danger sense or premonition if it’s this vague?

As the massed forces of the Fae gathered, Shaeraggo looked over them, before turning to us, his previous angry expression now eerily calm, a slight, mocking smile on his face. “Yes, well remembered. I did promise, my love, and Shaeraggo would not lie, not to his sister, not-not even when she is rebellious and needs correction. I had intended to leave out a decent-decent number of our more elite troops, for the Trials should not be a mockery. However…” His smile widened, showing his jagged teeth. “… my sister is an adult, capable of making her own decisions, no matter how foolish or wrong.”

His gaze went to the smallest group of weaselkin he had brought, a half-dozen led by… wait, is that some sort of ratkin? … a smaller rodent-like humanoid, white-furred with pink eyes. The fur wasn’t the pure white of Selensha though, it was dirty and criss-crossed with scars. One ear was missing and a lot of skin was exposed and burned. It was wearing the most unusual attire as well, a series of leather plates, bound with loops of chain and rings of silver and bronze, as well as many winding belts, on what hung lanterns, clockwork devices and… that looks strangely like some weird sort of steampunk rifle…

“Ixitt, you and your mortal engineers shall sit this one out. Your powders and weapons are too-too volatile for such a fight. I have no wish to return her mind to clarity only to have her body ruined-ruined.”

“Keh-keh-keh.” Ixitt laughed, a half cough-half chortle. “Such a shame, my patron. So far it has been, keh-keh, quite the wondrous visitation. I feel my creativity rising. But there is still much to be gained, Keh-keh-keh, by watching.”

“Everyone else, form ranks.” Shaeraggo ordered, having made his choice. “There is not enough room for a full-scale battle here. We shall occupy the hills.” And with that he led his troops away. They followed him in good order, archers, spearmen, armoured swordsmen, musicians, mages… Well damn, this isn’t going to be good. We are outnumbered well over ten to one…

Ulfuric nodded to Shaeula with respect before following them, leaving only my forces, Selensha and these… mortal engineers, led by Ixitt.

“Females do not like petty males, brother! Do remember that!” Shaeula called after him, but got no response.

“I’m sorry about this.” Selensha was saying to me. “Shaeraggo… he, well… he has been extremely worried for Shaeula ever since she was effectively banished. What is worse is that despite the Prince claiming it was a journey of self-discovery, Duke Vulpatrius and Duke Formor have been spreading rumours that it was an exile, and everyone is talking about it. He… finds it hard to ignore such provocations, so he made this plan to come here and smuggle her to safety.” She turned back to Shaeula. “I’m sorry. But unfortunately, he is within his rights to take all those troops under the terms of the Trial. Now I need to go set up the ritual, it will take a while, this one is big.” She cast her eyes over our own troops. “Bring your allies, but remember, I don’t believe your mother’s servants, nor these snakes, will be able to benefit from the Moonlight Mist Realm. I will do what I can with my water healing, but…” she trailed off, obviously aware that death was likely.

“I understand, sister-in-law.” Shaeula sighed. “We will choose accordingly. You do have many troubles-troubles. Perhaps when this is over… no, never mind-mind. When we have triumphed, then we shall see.”

Unable to wish her husband to lose, Selensha merely looked sad, before retreating after Shaeraggo’s vast host.

“Very well then-then. We shall choose our forces.”

“Right.” I agreed, “The white snakes are out. We can’t risk them, and we still need to guard the Anchor. As for the kobolds… no way, they can stay hidden where they are. They aren’t fighters.”

“We shall fight, we do not-not fear the risk.” One Kamaitachi said, and the other agreed. I made to decline, but Shaeula stopped me, raising one hand.

“If we win here, we shall be triumphant, and while they recover, we shall have our new troops to help us defend. If we lose here, and … and you face my brother and are defeated… then it will matter not-not either way.”

“Oh Shaeula…” Eri said, leaving safety now that the enemy was gone and hugging her. “… I believe in you, and in Akio. We’ll win!”

“Kek-keh-keh. So will this mortal be fighting too? Most interesting…” Ixitt chortled, eyeing her while he was behind Shaeula, touching her pinwheels curiously. Shaeula let out a gasp of annoyance and leapt back, carrying Eri with her.

“Hands off, ratkin. Just wherever did my brother dredge you up from-from?”

“Are ratkin unusual?” her tone was strange, so I had to ask.

“There are very few in the Seelie Court. Most of them, like the Trolls and Giants, they joined the Unseelie long-long ago. So they are somewhat rare, yes.”

“Keh-keh. I like rare. Rare things and mortal things. These use kobold bluesteel though, am I right? Keh-keh-keh.” Ixitt continued. “I have never seen the like, but it gives me such ideas. If only your brother… sorry, keh-keh, Prince Shaeraggo, was more understanding of his sister, I would have loved to remain and discuss mortal secrets. After all, their guns and explosives are so wonderful, keh-keh-keh. So unlike the Fae.”

Eri was a bit unnerved by this burned mad-scientist rat, so I stepped in front of her. “Careful, you are scaring Eri. And to answer your question, no she’ll not fight. She’s only observing.”

“Eri, is it? Many apologies, keh-keh. I have a bad habit of getting excited and losing… keh… myself.”

“It’s fine.” She said, gathering her courage. “I’ve just… never met someone like you before.”

“Well, guns are a wonderful thing. So very flashy.” Shaeula agreed, drawing his interest. “We had a grand time in Las Vegas firing many different types, did we not-not Eri? Aiko especially loved them-them.”

Ixitt and his weaselkin perked up at that. He gazed at Shaeula manically, and I reflexively sheltered her behind me as well, but Ixitt wove a hand to signal he meant no harm. “You have seen guns? Used them? On the Material Plane? Keh-keh-keh! Such impossible wonder! How could it be true? I am so keh-keh envious!”

Shaeula suddenly transformed, returning to her human guise. “My Akio, he has allowed me to walk the mortal world freely. It is quite-quite marvellous indeed, with many delights and strange fancies. You would no-no doubt find much to interest you. But alas, until I defeat my brother and end this farce, such wishes are futile.”

“Right.” I agreed, putting aside the crazed enthusiasm of the ratkin. “So, you, Grulgor, his trolls, your weaselkin and two Kamaitachi. It doesn’t look good. Can you handle it?”

Beside me, Eri echoed my sentiment. “Please… don’t get hurt again. If you can’t win then…”

“No, Eri.” She shook her head. “I will win, I must win! I was not-not embellishing the truth when I said my brother is a great hunter and warrior. You are strong indeed, my Akio, yet should it come down to you against my brother, well-well, I fear for your safety, never mind-mind our victory. Brother Shaeraggo is coldly furious now-now, I have never seen him so wroth. No-no, it is on me, and I shall deliver the victory I have promised, Akio, Eri.” She finished her long speech.

“Now, time Is short!” she then called to our forces. “If we are to stand any chance of victory, then-then we must…”

As I listened to her plans I was impressed by their cunning and ingenuity. She’s really been learning. You know, I think we might just have a chance… I clasped Eri by the hand once more, and together we watched warmly as Shaeula, imperious and gorgeous, rallied her troops, a true princess on the battlefield…