The sound of the waves crashing against the rocks below became a welcome and comforting sound to her over the years. She slept with the window open just a crack to let the sound come through a bit more, it seemed like the only time she closed that window was when there was a storm, which didn’t happen too often thanks to the mostly tropical climate of the kingdom.

She opened her eyes slowly to get used to the bright and almost blinding rays of sunlight shining through the lace curtains. Her gorgeous silver blue hair was strewn about the pillow and her face, even though it was a chaotic display from her typical appearance it did little to detract from her beauty. Sitting up carefully, she rubbed her eyes to clear away the grogginess with one hand and lifting a strap back onto her shoulder from her sleeping negligee with the other.

Turning towards the window to get a view of the ocean she placed her hand to her side and it touched something soft, but it wasn’t a bundle of cloth and it was warm. Confused, she looked down and noticed she had started to mash the cheek of a small body next to her. Gasping and flinching back to keep from hurting it she started to giggle. During the middle of the night, there was a visitor to her chambers.

The small figure started to stir, so taking her finger she began to poke the cheek and place her head right next to the sleeping face. The poking continued until the tiny eyes started to blink open, realizing what was going on, the small face smiled big and laughed. It wasn’t long until the room was filled with the laughter and playful sounds of the two.

The guards just outside of the doors in the hall smiled, looking at each other from either side of the doorway, it was a common occurrence and one they took pride in hearing each morning the two spent the night together. The door between the guards clicked open and a small face poked out to greet them. The little face smiled wide, visibly showing two long sharp fangs along her upper teeth.

Normally this would elicit fear or disgust with people, but the guards returned the large smile with their own, two large fangs showing along their upper teeth as well. What would be seen as facial hair, a mustache or beard, to humans, dwarves or even among the Elven races, they were slightly different. Theirs wasn’t stubble, but instead soft fur.

The kingdom she awoke in, and took pride in helping, nurturing and guiding, was the Tranquil Refuge. The only place among any of the kingdoms where persecution, harassment, disdain and outright violent repercussion for being what they were born, was not an issue.

Demi-humans. Every citizen of the Refuge was a demi-human of some description, but unlike the more commonly accepted Dwarves or High Elves, they were a mixture of more animalistic races, wolves, foxes, bears, horses and lizards. Anyone that had never seen these races before would think they were going mad. And it was thanks to the efforts of the Tranquil Refuge, that those with more obvious differences than the majority human race, they were able to stay within the safety of its borders.

Depending on the sub species, the appearance of the person was drastically different. Any of those from the mammal sub types were typically covered in soft fur in most parts of their body, they were not by any means covered fully in fur, although it wasn’t unheard of, but there were still portions of bare skin from their human genes that were evident as well. Males, as with any species, usually had a larger propensity for being more covered with hair or fur, while the females were not.

There were also some sub species that were of reptilian origin and they were the same but with scales instead of fur. So it is due in large part by their vast difference in physical appearance that cause their undue animosity from the “greater races”. It is also why Dwarves and Elves are more accepted due to their similar and usually more pleasing appearance.

“What can we do for you this wonderful morning Young Miss?” one of the guards said in a cheerful voice.

“What? You don’t know? The ladies always have the same thing this time of day!” the other guard spoke up. He looked down at the small happy face poking through the door and they both said in unison.

“Breakfast!” they shouted.

It was the hallway that was filled with laughter this time.

“Now, now Eliza. Don’t bother the soldiers when they’re doing their job.” The voice was delicate and comforting. Eliza swung the door open for her and she stood in the doorway. She had thankfully put a simple dress on before the door had been thrown open for the guards to see. “Ooh, you little…” she narrowed her eyes and pointed at Eliza.

“Good morning Lady Sarya.” Both soldiers stood at attention and brought their right fist to their chest, making a slight thud sound as it hit.

“Good morning. I appreciate your hard work. And I apologize you had to stay up all night standing guard. I do wish the King would listen to reason.” She said apologetically.

“Not at all ma’am!” a guard yelled.

“It is a pleasure and honor to guard one such as yourself.” The other continued. “If not for your efforts and words of guidance, I fear this kingdom would still be struggling to survive. We would not hesitate to lay down our lives for you!”

The two soldiers immediately dropped to one knee and bowed their head in deference. Sarya couldn’t help but feel guilty and slightly saddened at them declaring their lives so casually.

“It’s also because you’re so pretty Sary!” the child said innocently using a pet name she had, even though it was only one letter short of her full name. But the two guards immediately went wide eyed and blushed, but their cheeks didn’t change shades, instead their tails began to wriggle uncontrollably. The two guards were of the feline sub race. They were incredibly capable soldiers, but their emotions could easily be discerned by the movement of their tails. Sarya giggled and reprimanded the child lightly.

“Oh, don’t tease the poor men, Eliza.” She reached down and grabbed her hand. “Now, let us head to the kitchen and see if we can help the chef with breakfast. Hm?”

“Yeah! Breakfast!” Eliza raised her free hand into the air and began to charge down the hallway towards the kitchen with Sarya in tow.

The two came to a stairwell at the end of the hallway and could already smell the food being prepared, they began taking the stairs down to the kitchen with excitement being evident in Eliza’s face and the pace she was going down the stairs.

“Be careful going down the stairs Eliza. I wouldn’t want to have to explain to your father how you got hurt while trying to raid the kitchen, again.” She said teasingly.

“I will!” she said all too quickly, making Sarya know that her warning had gone unheeded.

It wasn’t long before Sarya caught up with Eliza after she had disappeared through the stone entryway leading into the kitchen. She was greeted by a few of the maids preparing for the morning meals for the various guests in the castle, she bowed to return their greetings.

No one expected her to show such manners to those that were only servants to the royal house, but she had made it a point to tell everyone that it would be rude not to show the same level of manners and gratitude to those that offer it to her.

“Ah! Good morning Lady Sarya. I see it didn’t take long for our little princess to come looking for something to munch on this morning.” The chef said cheerfully.

“My apologies Chef Prantis.” She gently lowered her head to the head chef of the castle, an elderly demi human of canine sub species.

“Oh, there’s no need for such formalities with me dear!” she quickly waved her hand as if she was attempting to remove the formality from the room. “I have just the thing you two need. For the young missus, we have some dried meats, cheese and fruits! And for you, my Lady, we have a variety of fresh fruits and my homemade granola!”

“You never cease to amaze Prantis. What do we say Eliza?” she looked to the child.

“Thank you Chef!” she smiled so big her eyes closed from the act, she clutched the bowl she was handed tightly.

“Very good, now, let us eat this wonderful breakfast on the terrace shall we?”

“Mm!”

Leaving through an exit on the opposite side of the one they entered from they held hands and slowly walked through the halls, soldiers and maids hurrying to complete morning errands before the rest of the castle woke for the day. Each person that passed by the two graciously bowed, to which they returned in kind.

They casually strolled through the rest of the hallway and up some stairs until they reached a large atrium that was nestled in the back of the castle. On the opposite side of the entrance to the atrium was a large open terrace that looked out over the ocean.

The two of them were surprised to see a figure already seated at the large table stationed in the middle of the terrace, the figure didn’t seem to notice them, most likely due to the fact that they seemed to be reading a document of some kind and it was covering their view.

“Good Morning, your majesty.” Sarya said gently. When the document fell below his eyesight, she performed an elegant curtsy.

“Ah! Good morning, my dear! And I see Eliza is with you…again.” He frowned. “Eliza, I hope you aren’t bothering Lady Sarya again!”

“But I’m not!” she shouted and placed her breakfast bowl on the table and crawled into the chair.

“Mm hmm…” he glanced from Eliza to Sarya, who had also placed her breakfast on the table and sat down.

“It is quite alright, Your Majesty. I enjoy having her keep me company.” She smiled and reached over to Eliza and tickled her on the side gently.

“I see. Very well then…”

“Is everything going well with you, Majesty?” Sarya asked as she took a bite of the granola Prantis had made, it was still warm and surprisingly soft.

“Oh, yes. I’m just looking through some of the requests sent by the Guild. It’s rather bothersome if I’m to be honest.” He said tossing the forms onto the table.

“Well, it is still quite early in the day, after breakfast what say I assist you with them?”

“As usual, your assistance will be invaluable Sarya. You have my thanks.”

“It is my pleasure Your Majesty.”

“I still have no idea how it is I came to enjoy the assistance of one such as yourself.” He said as he sighed and leaned back in the chair.

“Well, I believe we have gone over this a few times, my lord. It was rather simple, we share the same ideals. You wish to unite all of the demi-humans under one rule. A just and fair, rule free from oppression and hate. And I wish to see that end as well. So once I heard of a rather new and upcoming leader of the demi-humans, the Beast King Cassus Mardax, I had to meet him.” She chuckled.

“Ugh. I do wish that name never existed…” he said rolling his eyes.

Beast King Cassus Mardax earned his name for not only his ability to rally those to fight alongside him, but mainly for his prowess on the battlefield as it was nothing short of a beast. He also had a rare blood condition as well as sub species, Pantheran, which caused an evolutionary abnormality which allowed more prominence in his physical features. Other than his physical statue towering over and wider than many others in his kingdom, his features were also more animalistic giving him a lion-like appearance. Beast King was a truly apt title.

“Daddy, want a bite?” Eliza peeped and held up a piece of dried meat for him.

“Ah, why thank you my dear. Wow, this looks yummy!” he opened his mouth, his fangs were massive compared to Eliza’s, and even the knights from earlier. He chomped down on the meat making a sound effect as if he was taking a bite out of a larger chunk. Eliza began to giggle uncontrollably, causing Sarya to smile at the scene.

The three ate in peace, speaking occasionally and of nothing of importance until a maid came to the terrace and bowed.

“Oh, it looks like it’s that time already?” Cassus said.

“Awww…but I wanna spend the day with daddy and Sary!” Eliza pouted, puffing her cheeks out.

“Now now, Eliza. We can play later tonight, I promise. Now be a good girl and go to your studies? Hmm?” Sarya entreated her.

“Mmm….alright. Promise?!”

“I promise.” She replied with a smile.

Eliza pushed herself out of the chair and jogged to the maid who was waiting, she smiled at Eliza and held her hand out. The two both bowed to Cassus and Sarya before turning to leave.

“Now, what is it the Guild is asking of us this time?” Sarya questioned, now that Eliza had left.

Cassus sighed and picked up the document he was reading earlier and handed it to her. She took it from him and began to read through its contents. The further she progressed through the document the more her brows furrowed in displeasure. Once she had read the entirety of the document she placed it on the table and sighed.

“They do ask for a lot don’t they?”

“Well, if we wish to expand our influence and show the rest of the Kingdoms that we are serious we must have a Guild of Chanters chapter within the city. But what they ask will be hard to accommodate.”

“It’s not out of the question, by any means, but…” she hesitated.

“Where are we going to find anyone with those qualifications willing to work here, let alone live here?”

Due to the Tranquil Refuge being a first of its kind, there was a stipulation put forth by the Guild of Chanters that require the chapter within the city be regulated and overseen by a leading member of the Guild or by a chanter with Mid-Chant rank or higher. The Refuge had their fair share of capable chanters, but due to their circumstances, no one had registered officially with the Guild in any other cities, therefore none of their own would be qualified or capable of overseeing the chapter.

“And I suppose asking you once again is…” he said hopeful.

Sarya shook her head in regret.

“I’m afraid not. I have not registered with the guild, let alone attained the rank they desire.”

“But surely you would be able to in no time, based on your aura.”

Cassus was able to sense latent power and energy within people. While it wasn’t as accurate or capable as an Aptitude Array or Registration Crystal, he could still tell. It was assumed that due to his rare blood he could ‘smell’ the powers. And what he sensed in Sarya was second to none.

“I appreciate the confidence, Majesty. But you know I have vowed…”

“Say no more." He interrupted, raising a giant hand to stop her. "My apologies. I should not force you to, it’s all just so frustrating.” He sighed.

“I wish I could ask one of my own. But I’m afraid that it will not go so well either.”

“Mm. The thought is appreciated. You are truly one of a kind though Lady Sarya, High Elves are demi-human by right, but viewed as a pinnacle of the greater races, so it is no surprise that they would be unwilling to assist us in this matter.”

Sarya furrowed her brow at this, he wasn’t wrong, but she wished he was.

“There really is only one option I believe.”

“Oh? Do tell?” he said curiously and leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table and clasping his massive hands together.

“With your blessing, I shall depart to The Dominion and the Kingdom of Arestoth in search of one that will aid in our plight.”

Cassus flinched backwards while shaking his head. He couldn’t believe what he had just heard. It wasn’t something he would ever ask of her.

“You cannot!” he said louder than he intended.

“There is no other choice your majesty. We are unable to recruit within your kingdom and the only other options are as such. Unless you wish to attempt to request aid from Valdiss?”

“Absolutely not!”

“Then, it is so…” she always did have a way of making her point by showcasing the alternative, which in most cases was never better.

He released a loud and drawn out sigh, he was beaten.

“I never was a match for you in even the simplest of diplomatic matters…”

“And it is such that I am an invaluable asset, and I get what I want.” She said teasingly, with the most innocent of smiles.

All he could do was shake his head in surrender.

The remainder of the morning was spent organizing and readying her departure from the Refuge. Not knowing the length of time the trip would take, they took precautions for provisions and the necessary change of clothing for any time spent outside of a city. Cassus also took the liberty of assigning his best soldiers to act as guards for the expedition.

A coach carriage, two horses to draw it, a driver, a lady in waiting and two guards were the force that would depart from the Tranquil Refuge to attempt to secure an overseer for their very own chapter of the Guild of Chanters.

*****

“But I want to go with you!” Eliza shouted, throwing a tantrum that was quite uncommon for her.

“I’m sorry, sweetie, but it’ll be too long of a trip and I don’t know if it’ll be safe for you.” Sarya tried to console her the best she could. Since she began working alongside Cassus to try and build up the Refuge’s influence and standing as a legitimate nation, she had practically raised and been with Eliza, like a mother figure. Which made the bond even stronger since Eliza never knew her mother, the reason she has not been told yet due to her young age.

“B-but…” the tears were starting to flow down her cheeks. Her little tail erratically shaking side to side. It broke Sarya’s heart, but it was something that needed to be done, and it was only temporary.

“I promise I’ll be back before you know it. And I’ll bring gifts. How’s that sound? Hm?” she was kneeling in front of her, holding her little shoulders in her hands while talking quietly and calmingly to Eliza.

“Promise?” her sobbing began to subside at the prospect of gifts.

“Promise.” Sarya replied with a smile. “Now, dry those tears, I’ll be heading out tomorrow. So let’s go play something, what do you say?” she said as she gently tickled Eliza’s stomach.

“Yeah!” the familiar large smile, showing her fangs, covered her face. It was a smile that Sarya liked the best.

“Ok, you head up to your room and bring whatever you want to play with to mine and I’ll be there shortly.”

“Ok!” she screamed and she ran towards the stairway leading up their quarters.

Sarya watched as the small figure bounced along the hallway, her tail now wagging playfully in all directions as she disappeared into the stairwell.

“You’re certain there is no other way?” Cassus came from behind and asked gently. His figure all the more imposing now that he was standing, he towered over Sarya.

“I’m afraid not. There isn’t anyone here that wouldn’t be putting their life at risk with such an endeavor.”

Sarya was willing to travel alone, but Cassus was adamant that she take the men that he assigned and he wouldn't hear no for an answer.

“Mm…too true. Damn it all…”

“It will be fine, Majesty. This is just a small stepping stone in the path to establishing the great Tranquil Refuge where all are welcome and all will be treated as equal.” She said to calm and reason his frustration away.

He sighed heavily and shrugged his shoulders.

“Where do you plan to head to first? The Dominion or Arestoth?”

“Well, I believe the best bet would be to head for Arestoth, not only is it slightly closer, but they also have the Academy of Highleaf. I hear the Headmistress is quite the capable chanter, she may be able to assist with our endeavors, or perhaps even suggest someone to fill the role for overseer of the chapter?”

“Yes, that would be wonderful indeed. Are you acquainted with the Headmistress at all? Do you believe she will be willing to assist us?” he asked, hopeful.

“Unfortunately not, Majesty. I only know of her from rumors and announcements made by the Academy and the Guild itself.”

“I see. Very well. I have taken the liberty to write a letter of introduction, should the need arise. I doubt it will have as much leverage as one written by a real king, but it should have some influence due to my time in the Scourge Wars.” He handed a rolled parchment that was wrapped with a blue silk ribbon and sealed with red wax containing the seal for the Tranquil Refuge.

“You have my thanks, Majesty. I will not fail you. I promise that I shall find someone to oversee the Guild in Tranquil Refuge and we will see this kingdom grow prosperous.” She bowed her head, her voice filled with determination and confidence.

Cassus nodded in approval and admiration of her loyalty, dedication and unending resolve.