~Serana⚜️

Stepping to the side I walk around the chair Treale was sitting in, making sure to give him a solid thwack upside the head as I passed. "That's for calling me a babbo's ass." I hissed playfully as he sputtered while rubbing the side of his skull.

"Wha-?!" He spins to glare at me as I follow Mira out of the room. "I wouldn't call you one if you didn't act like one!" He shouted after me with a note of huffiness to his voice.

I laughed loud enough for him to hear as I trotted to catch up with Mira's long strides. The woman could do to slow down every once in a while. I huffed internally as I finally caught up with the taller woman.

"Where are we headed?" I asked as we rounded a corner and headed straight for the door.

Mira glanced over her wing at me and slowed down just a touch so that I wasn't half sprinting to keep up. "To the Primus district. I need a word with the publication office." She answers.

Reaching out I manage to snag Mira's fingers and pull her to a stop. "Mira, it's the middle of the night. Everyone's asleep and you can't fly anyways. For now let's go to bed and you can have a guard escort them here. That way you don't have to waist so much time walking there and you can get other things done. Tomorrow." I reason, I put just enough strength in my voice to let her know I wasn't going to let this go lightly if she didn't listen.

Her shoulders and wings sagged with a sigh. "Right." She nods lethargically, the mention of sleep making her features scream exhaustion. "Bed first, posters tomorrow." She nodded again to herself as she allowed me to lead her towards the castle.

"Posters?" I questioned, curious as to what she was thinking.

"Aye. Mykala said the majority of the rebels don't know of Helton's true position so I figure the best way to get the word out and to diminish his power is by having it plastered on every flat surface in Skyris. Even if they don't believe it, it'll cause them to question and distrust him." She explains as we step into the warm corridors of the castle.

My brows twitched up as I followed her line of thinking. "Propaganda." I stated making sure I had understood the intent correctly.

The queen stifled a yawn before responding. "In a sense, yes." She confirmed as we made our way towards the eastern tower.

We both remained quiet as we made our way through the castle. I thought on the idea of getting the word out of Helton's involvement. The benefits would be outstanding if it worked and there weren't really any draw backs that I could think of. "Mira, that's genius! Why didn't you do this before when we first found out about Helton?" I questioned. My body was nearly vibrating from excitement as I flitted my wings anxiously, letting loose a few stray droplets of water that still cling to my feathers.

The other woman glanced sideways at me with a small smile pulling at her lips. "To be honest I hadn't thought of it. When we first discovered Helton's involvement we had to keep it quiet, after that it's been somewhat of an acrobat in a free fall." She admits.

I could see her point in that regard. It has been a hectic past few months. Going from my tiny barely two room house back in Lockren to a castle had made me forget everything except protecting my own hide. Neither of us bothered to break the quiet as we tiredly made our way to bed. My momentary excitement quickly being overpowered by my exhaustion.

Mid way up the tower, a cold gust found its way into the interior corridors. I shuddered as the water still clinging to my body made the air seem even colder than it was. Grimacing I stop walking for a second and shake my wings out almost violently to get rid of as much water as I could.

"Ahha!" Mira shouted as she leapt away from me, shaking her own wings, well wing, from where I'd sprayed her with the water. The queen leveled a glare at me, clearly displeased that I'd gotten her wet again.

Giving her a wide grin, I resume my walk and flippantly call out as I pass. "Serves you right for throwing me in the pool." I gloat.

I hear an angry clicking distinctly gryph like and look over my wing to see Ovah shaking himself out from where I'd sprayed him with water. Oops, I always forget he's there.

"Sorry." I apologize to the poor gryph as he resumes his trot with a noticeable look of annoyance.

Following his example, I turned back around to continue my journey to the confines of bedsheets.

I hear a huff that could only have come from Mira as she followed close behind me. I don't bother looking back to see her expression as we near the top of the tower.

Pausing a good ten yards from the bedroom door, a thought hits me. I looked back over my wing to make sure I wasn't mistaken. When I didn't catch sight of green fur I turned to Mira with a frown. "Where's Etria? Did she stay in the garden?" I question, concerned about leaving the vyx to her own devices over night.

"She'll be fine." Mira assures as she ushers me to continue walking. "The guards will keep an eye on her and she's getting too big to stay in our room anyways." She reasons, stifling another yawn.

I relax and let myself be guided into the room. It really was late, and I was beyond tired.

Stepping away from Mira I don't waist a second stripping and slipping under the cold covers. Only the promise of warming up kept me under the chilly sheets.

Mira was quick to follow suit. Before I'd fully settled she was slipping in behind me, pulling me into her familiar embrace. "Goodnight." She mumbles, pressing a kiss to my temple.

"Night." I whisper back, not even bothering to open my eyes.

~💠~

The next day felt like a whirlwind had struck the castle. Nobles were running to and fro, the castle staff was in a frenzy, even the Lycans were abuzz with the news that we'd made a significant step in putting an end to the war.

Within hours after daylight broke, Mira had spoken with the head of Skyris' largest press company and issued a rather massive order for posters, fliers, even banners to be distributed all throughout Skyris. Every city, town, and village was to receive news, it was to be shouted by street stands. She sent the press off with the simple order that not a soul in Skyris was to be uninformed of Commander Helton's position of power and perceived intent.

I watched from the castle walls as the city slowly became aware of the enemy. A week passed and the number of recruits looking to join the guard doubled. Two weeks and we received word from several cities that rebel violence has decreased, and word from villages that it's become almost crippling. It wasn't until three weeks after the initial spread of news that every village was issued a regime of guards to protect them. Now that every region was poring people into the local troop numbers Mira had the power to spread out what she had.

At the beginning of four weeks way points and forts were being pressed into the Shattered Mountains from neighboring regions. At the end of the fourth week news of refugees poring out of the region came to Algrie.

It seemed that since the population now had a clear enemy they were more than eager to both attack and distance themselves from said enemy.

It was now a month later and I felt nearly giddy at the thought that we might actually win this war.

I continued trotting down the hall toward the infirmary, a letter clutched loosely in my hand and Ovah following a few paces behind me. The letter was made out to Nani in large swirly lettering, but the messenger had given it to me by mistake. I didn't bother correcting the man and opted to bring her the letter once I checked in on Mira.

I slowed my pace as the infirmary's open doors came into view. I could hear the tell-tell muttering of Selina and Mira bickering as usual when the queen had to get a check up and the doctor fussed over her.

Stepping into the room I see Mira fighting her way out of Selina's grip as the doctor tried to put the sling back on her. In truth Mira probably didn't need that sling past the first week or so, but Selina had been adamant that Mira wore it to make sure she didn't try to fly.

"Selina, I'm fine!" Mira growled as she fended off the woman's hands. "I'm not wearing that contraption and I swear by the Drace if you try to put it on me again, I will burn it." She snarls, finally ducking under the older woman's arm and slipping past her.

Selina huffs and goes to chase her down when Mira spots me standing at the end of a nearby cot where I'd stopped to watch the spectacle and literally leaps behind me, using me as barrier to stave off the doctor's advance.

Leaning in close, her breath hits my ear. "Please tell me I'm needed elsewhere." She whispers urgently. She was somehow managing to give me a pleading look while simultaneously giving Selina the evil eye.

Thinking fast I shove the letter in my hands toward her. "A messenger sent this for you. He found me first and I took it for you. It seemed urgent." I lied through my teeth, hoping Selina wouldn't catch on.

Selina paused at the news, prompting Mira to take the saving grace for what it was. The queen snatched the letter from my hand and spun around to face Selina. "It seems I'm needed elsewhere." She dismisses herself before all but dragging me toward the door.

"Don't forget to come back before nightfall! I still need to check the wounds on the arch of that wing!" She shouts after us.

"Wouldn't dare." Mira calls over her wing as we slip out of the room.

Once we're a good distance away from the infirmary Mira sighs in relief and lets her shoulders and wings sag. "Thank the Drace you showed up when you did. I don't think I could have stood another minute in that retched sling." She breathes gratefully. Her brows furrow in curiosity as she lifts the letter still gripped firmly between her fingers. "What's this?" She asks, looking over at me.

I gently reach out and tug the envelope from her hand. "Not sure. It's made out to Nani but the messenger must have given it to me by mistake." I explain. "I was actually going to take it to her once I was sure Selina wasn't trying to poison you for being belligerent." I teased.

A look of offense and surprise flickered across Mira's face. "Where in the skies did you learn that word?" She teased back, with a playful glare.

I dropped my jaw and gasped dramatically. "I'll have you know that I do actually pay attention to, and understand, what people say around me." I mock offense, sticking my nose up in the air and refusing to look at her.

"You asked your nani what it meant didn't you?" She prodded with a teasing smirk.

My face fell into a blank scowl as I threw a glare at her. "And if I did?" I challenged, with just the hint of a playful growl coloring my voice.

This seemed to amuse Mira even more as she fought and failed to hold back a snicker.

Rolling my eyes we lapsed into a comfortable silence as Mira slid her hand under my wings and around my waist. The sound of the castle's inhabitants bustling about and the steady clicking of Ovah's talons on the floor, droning in a wave of comfortable background noise.

It was still early enough that Nani was likely to be in her room just finishing up breakfast. So that was where we headed.

When we reached her door I stepped forward and knocked to signal my presence before opening the door and stepping in.

"You know most people consider it rude to walk into a person's room without first being permitted." Mira scolds lightly as she follows me through the door.

I rolled my eyes at her. "She's my Nani." I defend. Glancing around the room, I spot said woman sitting on the edge of her bed with an almost empty tray of food.

She had one brow raised but didn't comment on the matter. "To what do I owe the pleasure this early in the morning?" She teases lightly, knowing full well that neither Mira nor I were morning people. Mira even less so than me.

Holding up the letter I make my way over to Nani's side. "It's made out to you, but the messenger gave it to me by mistake." I explain, handing the letter over.

Nani practically snatched the envelope out of my hand and tore it open with her talons. Mira and I both stood there in mild shock as Nani's eyes skimmed over the prettily written message on the inside.

When it seemed that Nani had finished reading it and was going back for a second read is when Mira spoke up. "Care to share with the rest of the class?" The queen prods, with a look of curiosity and caution directed at the older woman.

I mirrored the look and waited for an explanation to why Nani had been so excited by the letter.

At first it didn't seem like she would answer, but after her eyes made it halfway down the page again she started speaking. "I called in a favor about two months ago. A merchant that owed me from a few centuries back. I asked her to take a letter to my relatives in Kenysiz. When I never got a letter back I assumed the blockade had stopped her. I never thought to mention it since it didn't seem to work." She explains finishing out her second skim of the letter.

"A merchant managed to slip letters through the blockade?" Mira's excitement at the news was audible as she stepped closer to Nani with an excited pitch to her voice. "What does the letter say of Kenysiz?" She demands more than questions, but at least she hadn't outright snatched the letter.

Nani handed over the letter without a second thought, letting the queen read it.

Stepping up behind the queen, I read over her shoulder.

'Dear Evyo,

It is good to hear from you after all these centuries, and even better to hear that you and your daughter are safe. I am afraid I cannot say the same for us.

The tensions between the highrise and lowrise have been unpleasant at best, and lethal at worst. Since the rebels have taken over the city guards have ceased to keep order and have committed themselves to the blockade along side the rebel forces. There are still a few bodies scattered about the streets from the initial battle. Though it would be more astute to call it a bloodbath. It were as if half the rebels had slipped into the city before the wall was ever attacked, leaving the guard in an indefensible position.

Though our guard was never the kindest and certainly not the gentlest, they at least kept people in line and gave some semblance of protection. Now that they are gone, people are frightened and fighting amongst themselves. We have to fend off thieves daily, being a noble house we had more food in our stores and now we are one of few who have food at all.

The blockade prevents all trade and no one is allowed to leave the city. I am amazed at the skill and courage of the few merchants who dare slip by and give us aid.

If you are truly in the Queen's court, please tell her that the people of Kenysiz need aid immediately. I am not sure the people here can last much longer before the total anarchy drives them into chaos and revolt. Too many lives have already been lost.

Love, your baby brother

Girvie

~Speak to the merchants, the ones of the lowrise areas.'

I wasn't sure what to think as I stared at the piece of parchment still clutched tightly in Mira's hands. To be honest I was a bit taken aback by the desperation in the letter. Even the handwriting was quick and rushed with a heavy hand, like someone was afraid to spend too long writing it.

My mind was reeling at the image of what must be happening in Kenysiz.

I startled when Mira whirled around to face me. "Do you know which messenger gave this to you?" She questions, the urgency coloring her voice made my heart beat quicken and my mind went blank for a moment as I struggled to back track through my memory.

"Uh-" I start before realizing I wasn't going to be able to recall who had given me the damned letter. "I'd know him if I saw him. I think he had brown and yellow wings." I admit.

A quiet growl escaped from the queen's throat as she spun around and marched to the door. Yanking it open she sticks her head out. "Guards!" She shouts, clipping the word short in her urgency.

There was a clamor in the hall as three different sets of feet came bounding towards the door. Before the sounds of armored feet can even come to a halt Mira is barking orders. "A messenger was just in the castle, male, brown and yellow wings or somewhere around those colors, find him immediately."

The guards are off again before they even stop, rushing down the hallways to search for the man. I heard yelling as they relayed the orders to the rest of the guards as they passed.

I turned away from Mira as she stepped back into the room. Facing Nani again I step forward and sink onto the bed next to her. She didn't seem too distraught by the news but there was an air about her that clearly screamed that she wasn't okay. Without thinking much about it I laid myself across the gap between us and burrowed my way into her side, wrapping my arms firmly around her waist.

Without hesitation Nani's wing is draping over me and her hands are running through my hair. I felt as her body shook with a ragged breath, the sharp sent of salt coupled with the thickness of tears makes me tighten my hold.

Someone cleared there throat gently prompting me to lift my head and look toward the other occupant of the room.

Mira gives the both of us a kind look that I couldn't quite place an emotion with as she steps back toward the door. "I'm heading to my study. If this letter is anything to go by, then Kenysiz doesn't have much more time for us to try and figure out a way into the city. Evyo," She turns her attention to Nani. "If you have any questions or suggestions on how to proceed I'd be more than willing to hear them out." She offers before turning and slipping out into the hallway before either of us can respond.

Burying my head back into Nani's stomach I shuffle closer so that I was in a more comfortable position. I laid there cuddling with my nani when all of a sudden I felt her whole body begin to quake with half muffled chuckling.

Frowning I pull back and sit up to give her a bemused look. "What's so funny?" I ask curiously.

"She's much better than Satir, rest his soul." She chuckles.

I snorted and dropped my head back onto her lap, chuckling with her. "That she is." I agree. My voice drops to a whisper as I press my cheek into Nani's thigh. "She's much better than anyone I've ever met." I add softly.

Nani hums quietly in agreement as her fingers run through my hair. We stayed there in silence for a long time before I feel Nani take a deep breath to speak. "I'm sorry by the way." She breathes out with a ragged breath.

Sitting up again I furrow my brow and give her a confused look. "About what?" I ask, genuinely confused about what she had to be sorry for. All these years it had been me who had shut her out with hatful words and cold indifference.

Her lips twitch up in a weak humorless smile. "For not believe you were better than I thought you were. For not trying to understand." She shrugs as if she's not even sure what all she was sorry for, just that she was sorry.