Felecia had always seethed with anger as she thought about the Kin who had been manipulating her family's dynasty for years. She refused to believe that her family was simply a slave to fate, and was determined to take control of their own destiny.

However, she was convinced that the elves had nefarious plans for the fleet and the island. She could sense that they were not content with simply pulling the strings behind the scenes, and had something more sinister in mind.

Felecia was not one to sit idly by and let herself fall victim to these conniving creatures. She was determined to uncover their plans and put a stop to them, no matter the cost. She knew that the elves may think they held all the power, but they had underestimated the strength and determination of a woman who had had enough of their games.

She knew that they were behind every decision and move that her family made, and she was convinced that they had something far more sinister in mind for the fleet and traveling island.

She decided that she would not sit idly by and let the elves destroy everything that her family had worked so hard to build. She needed a plan, a way to uncover their true intentions and put a stop to their machinations.

Felecia began her investigation by gathering as much information as possible about the elves. She had once collected information from her family's spies who had interacted with the elves and sought out any other sources of information that might shed light on their plans. She even sent spies to infiltrate the elves' organization and gather intelligence, but they were far too clever.

Felecia quickly realized that the elves were a secretive and tight-knit group, and her attempts to gain information from them were largely unsuccessful. She needed another approach and the voyage was the best way to approach them.

Felecia decided to try to gain the elves' trust. She knew that it would be difficult, but she believed that with enough persistence and cunning, she could find a way in. She spent years cultivating relationships with elves, attending their meetings and participating in their rituals in order to help the fleet.

As she spent more time with the elves, Felecia began to learn more about their plans. She discovered that whatever they hope to accomplish, it will begin when they arrive at Thousand Islands. Felecia was horrified by the elves' seemingly disregard for the well-being of the island and its people. And the way they acted when it comes to the people now… made her realize they simply got better in acting that role.

Felecia knew better than to trust the Elven-kin. And although the years may prove her wrong, that belief was like a poisonous thought she can never remove from her head. The Kin had practically erased their wrongdoings and had been sure that no one would be able to to understand their true faces.

There were only a few who could afford to resist the temptation and even though they have been blessed by the world. She has no reason not to try her best.

She took a look around and then entered the most hidden place. You could say that it’s part of the fleet that has somewhat remained hidden with the Inquisitors using it to hide from the Elven-kin.

Voidwood is a rare and mysterious wood that is pitch black and has a subtle but unsettling aura around it. It is said to have been created in the heart of a dark forest, where it absorbed the ambient magic of the area and became imbued with powerful anti-artes properties. Any kind of artes, whether it be benign or malevolent, is unable to penetrate the wood's surface, and even beings such as Sprites are unable to approach it. The wood is highly sought after by those who wish to keep their valuables or secrets safe from prying eyes and magical interference. However, the wood is difficult to work with and shape, as it is incredibly hard and dense. It is also very rare, as only a handful of trees are known to exist in the world.

It was a supply of wood that the Inquisitors carried with them. You could say that the linen that they wore on their clothes has the bark of the Voidwood to keep the eyes of the Kin from them.

Edmund Winterbourne, the head of the Inquisitors, looked at Felecia. He carried a blackened blade covered in voidwood. His eyes are silvery and skin so pale that it might as well be chalk.

“Lady Felecia, you have visited again. My birds told me that you were talking to the Doctor.”

“The usual. The Doctor remains the same.”

“Hmm, you do understand that he knows more than some. He knows we exist through his own guessing, and I’m sure Cooper Ackie had given him an inquisitorial name to him before death.”

“He does?”

“Inquisitor Kaius Woodheart. A fitting name for a man who has a wooden heart. He may not be worthy enough to join our ranks, but he has been given the pleasure of having a name among us. He is called the Mime by the Kin.”

“Can we really trust someone who was given a name?”

“We already did. And you of all people should know that the Doctor does not discriminate on who should be healed. He is a kind man dedicated to the healing role that he refuses to see pass the bigger wounds. He heals, but he does not prevent wounds. Nonetheless, our people have benefitted from his healing… and unlike Ms. Zyra who is vehemently loyal to the cause of Lady Rosalve… he is neutral.”

“Then why ask?”

“Nothing more than a courtesy, Milady. You can feel the thicker air, no?”

“With the Blinder around… it’s hard, but the Sprites have started to become irrational… they are lulled by the Elven-kin and I could barely feel them as they gather around the Spring. I assume that is why you call me here?” She looks around. “Where are the others?”

“They are busy contacting our peers. They carry the Voidwood around and the Kin is far too occupied in their own schemes to think about us.”

She sits across the table while Edmund remains on his chair. Felecia's heart skipped a beat as she caught sight of the figure standing at the end of the dimly lit alley. The stranger was cloaked in shadows, but even from a distance, she could sense the malevolence emanating from them. As she drew closer, Felecia could make out a tall, imposing figure, dressed in a dark cloak that seemed to blend seamlessly with the night around them.

Edmund’s face was suddenly obscured. Felecia felt a cold shiver run down her spine as she met his gaze. The eyes that peered out from the darkness were like two black pits, devoid of any warmth or humanity. They seemed to bore into Felecia's soul, and she felt as though Edmund could see right through her.

Felecia's mind raced as she tried to think of a way to escape, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot. She was powerful. She can speak the words of power and yet she felt like she was no match for the ominous aura around Edmund, and the dread that had taken hold of her only intensified as he continued to stare, each second like a death knell in the silence.

Felecia always felt as though Edmund was a harbinger of doom, a dark omen that filled her with a deep sense of unease and foreboding.

He had been staring at her from across the cabin, his eyes fixed on her with an intense gaze that made her feel uncomfortable. Felicia couldn't shake the feeling that there was something sinister about him, something that made her skin crawl.

As she sat there, lost in thought, she couldn't help but wonder what it was about Edmund that had caused her to feel such a sense of foreboding. Was it the way he looked at her, or was it something deeper, something she couldn't quite put her finger on?

Felicia shook her head, trying to clear her mind. She knew she couldn't let her imagination run wild, but the feeling of unease persisted. She couldn't help but feel that there was something dark lurking beneath the surface of Edmund Winterbourne.

The two started talking about their plans. How they would approach the Elven-kin and how to react the moment the fleet touches the shores of the thousand islands they dreamed off for years.

Felicia sat across from Edmund, the room bathed in the warm glow of the light coming from the glowstones. They had been discussing their plans for the Elven-kin for the past hour, going over every detail of their strategy.

"So, we've decided to take the fight to them?" Felicia asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Edmund nodded, his expression dull. "Yes. They've been able to act free for too long, and it's time we put a stop to it. But we have to be careful. The Elven-kin are powerful, and we don't want to underestimate them."

Felicia frowned. "And what about the Thousand Islands? What do we do about them?"

Edmund leaned forward, his eyes glinting with determination. "We take them, of course. The Elven-kin have been using them as a staging ground for whatever plan they have for us and the Blinder. If we wrestle the islands, we'll be able to strike back at them with greater force if they do decide to do something that will not benefit the fleet.."

Felicia shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She wasn't sure about this plan. The Thousand Islands were a legend to her. A destination that she has been thinking about for years.

"But what about the people who live there? What about the rest of the fleet? They have an allegiance and so far the Kin has not failed them," she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Edmund sighed, his expression remained. "I know it's not ideal, Felicia. But sacrifices must be made if we're going to win this game they play. We'll try to minimize the impact on the kin, but ultimately, their safety can't be our top priority. Not when we have known what the extent of their powers are. We’ve played the long game, allowing them to feel like they are in control and perhaps we would have forgotten if we didn’t think to do so."

Felicia looked down at her hands, feeling a deep sense of unease. She knew Edmund was right, but it didn't make the decision any easier.

"I just don't want to lose sight of why we're doing this," she said quietly.

Edmund leaned forward, showing his dulled eyes to Felecia. "I know, Milady. And I promise you, we won't forget. But sometimes, in order to protect what we love, we have to make difficult choices."

“That would make sense if Aon is still around. The world’s broken. Dom was right that it’s flooded and maybe… just maybe we are wrong about them.”

“And yet you refuse to believe that we are wrong about them. That they are still slaves fulfilling a purpose. Maybe… they will prove us wrong that they truly believe that they are helping the Blinder on his mission and that this will take them to their rest… but the words of the Elven-kin has venom laced on it.”

Felicia nodded, still uncertain but feeling a sense of comfort in Edmund's words. She knew that the road ahead would be long and fraught with danger, but she also knew that she had to trust in their plan and in each other if they were going to emerge victorious.

She sinks into her chair and then for a moment thinks of how beautiful it would be if they were wrong, but if the Elven-kin does whatever they want the moment they take a step into the thousand islands.

Then they cannot stay silent.