Lesser Bloom

In umbra, lux

Lirael followed the guards back to the castle. This time, through the main hallways. The hallways leading to Aerindel’s throne room form the Gallery of Whispering Stars, a long corridor of pale marble veined with silver. Floating star-lanterns drift overhead, bathing the polished obsidian floor in cool, ethereal blue light that mirrors a night sky underfoot. Ancient bas-reliefs of regal elven figures line the walls, their gazes seeming to follow every visitor. Lirael felt like their glances were judging her. Some high ranked maids and servants saw her on the way to Lord Aerindel, all of their eyes were filled with pity for Lirael. Meanwhile the Silent guards in mithril-scale cloaks stand motionless in shadowed alcoves, their hawk-helmed visors reflecting only starlight. The passage narrows and spirals gently upward, where smokeless blue candles burn in moon-shaped niches and silver runes pulse along the walls. It ends at grand doors of living oak bound in star-forged silver, carved with a majestic tree of crowns, flanked by two armored sentinels bearing glowing crystal spears. Lirael's hands were sweaty when she placed her palm on the leaf shaped door handle, which lighted up brightly and the huge engraved doors opened in front of her. Inside, pale marble pillars, etched with flowing Elvish runes, rise to support a domed ceiling painted like a perpetual twilight sky, where faint star-like motes drift and twinkle. Floating star-lanterns—larger cousins of those in the hallway—hover in slow orbits, casting cool silver-blue light that mingles with warmer golden beams from tall, arched windows of stained crystal depicting celestial myths.

The floor is the same deep obsidian as the approach corridor, polished to a mirror finish that reflects the lights above like an inverted night sky. Along the walls hang moonlight-silk banners embroidered with the tree-of-crowns sigil, rippling gently as though stirred by an unseen breeze. Flanking the dais stand honor guards in star-forged armor, motionless as statues, their crystal-tipped spears catching every glimmer. Right at the end of the throne room, there was her father's throne. A beautifully sculptured, moonstone throne, with their family crest above Lord Aerindel's head. The overall design of their crest was set against a deep midnight-blue bordered by fine silver filigree vines that echo the unicorn's mane. A gorgeous silver unicorn standing on its rare legs with it's horn touching a half moon. This crest evokes the castle's celestial, nature-infused elegance: regal yet serene, powerful yet harmonious. Around the crest the words engraved heavily into the stone, Ubi vita efflorescit, "Where life flourishes". Around Lord Aerindel, who was already sitting on his throne, her stepmother and step sister on father's left. While Thalorion and Vaelindor on his right. Lord Aerindel smiled and opened his arms welcoming when he saw Lirael. She carefully took a few hesitant steps towards him and bowed as she was taught.

- Lord Aerindel, Lady Amelia, Little Lords, Little Lady. You have called for me.

- Lirael, no need for such formalities, we are family! Come closer. - Lady Amelia said and a cold shiver ran down Lirael's spine. She took a glance back and Garrett and she could see in his eyes that he wished he could let her go. The doors closed behind her leaving her lone in the den of wolves. Lirael had been avoiding her family as much as she could, live like a mouse under a rock, not to disturb and anger them ever since what happened to Silhouette.

- Lirael, Eldrin had been singing praises about you, not to mention all the soldiers and guards around the training field. I've heard red you mastered your healing magic. - Lord Aerindel said and Lirael couldn't help but feel the lies behind his words.

- I'm far from mastering them Lord Aerindel, but I'm working hard daily by Old Eldrin's side. - Lord Aerindel nodded and Lady Amelia took the turn of words.

- That's exactly why your father had you in his mind for this task! You see, there has been a minor incident at Neverwinter Forest's Northern borders. Nothing too serious, but the troops there needs reinforcement. That's why we thought that this would be the best opportunity for you to show the world your powers as the member of Aerindel Household. - Lirael's eyes widened and her heart fillex with hope.

- You mean... - Lord Aerindel nodded.

- Yes, we want you to go and help the wounded as the representative of our family. Whom would be better for this position? - he asked and Lirael looked at her half-brothers.

- Excuse me Lord Aerindel, but Lord Thalorion is the oldest son of our household. If the danger is insignificant, wouldn't this task favor his succession even more? - Lady Amelia spoke before Lord Aerindel could've said a word.

-Thalorion, Vaelindor and Sylvara all have proven their values as children of Aerindel. You are the only one left, if you want to show us an the world that you are worthy of the name Aerindel, you have to go and give aid to the ones in need.

- This is not a matter of discussion Lirael, I've already decided. You are setting out with the troops tomorrow dawn. Go, pack whatever you might need and say your farewells.

- You'll be back soon anyway, so don't waste too much time. - Lady Amelia said and Lirael bowed. She left the throne room and despite the vague feeling in the back of her mind, she was looking forward to this new challenge. She quickly said her goodbye to everyone, leaving Eldrin for last. At the stables, Torvald and Kragga hugged her so hard that they almost snapped Lirael's bones. Torvald gave her a small box with a wink. Lirael opened it and her eyes filled with tears.

- I can't accept this. - she mumbled and Torvald pat her head.

- Silhouette was yours Lirael, even if your time with him was short. Take this as a memory of that bond. - he said and Lirael looked down the unicorn horn and the small bracelet made out of Silhouette's mane.

- Thank you! - she cried a little and headed towards the training grounds. The old elf was already waiting for her at the bench in front of his clinic with a small box in his hands.

- Eldrin. - Lirael waved approaching the old man. He lifted his glance at her and smiled sadly.

- Poor child. - he said as she stopped in front of him.

- Cheer up Eldrin! They said that if I'll do well, they will acknowledge me fully. I will finally get my family, and finally be useful for them. Also, father mentioned that the situation is not too dire, so I'll be back soon. Look what I got from Torvald! - she said showing the horn for Eldrin, he smiled softly.

- Use it wisely and hide it well. I also have a gift for you. - he said and opened the box. It contained a small, polished crescent-shaped amulet engraved with faint Elvish runes and a subtle floral motif echoing the crest's lilies and roses.

- What is this Eldrin? - Lirael asked while Eldrin took the amulet out of the box and gently out the necklace of it around Lirael's neck.

- This is a Whispering Moon. - Eldrin showed the same amulet reaching for it from under his tunic.

- Each stone is attuned to the other, allowing the bearers to send short spoken messages, 25 words or less, across any distance on the same plane, with the recipient hearing the words as a soft, clear whisper in their mind or emanating faintly from the stone. You can activate with a gentle touch and a whispered keywords. For these amulets, I choose the key words "In Umbra, Lux". Unfortunately, it can be used only once, so if you are in deep danger, don't hesitate to call for this old man. - Lirael's eyes filled with tears once again and she hugged Eldrin.

- Thank you! - she said and the old Elf wiped off the tears from her face gently. His hands smelled like a mixture of medical herds he worked with during the time he waited for Lirael's return.

- Nonsense, I've invested lots of time into your training! I won't let you escape! - Lirael laughed and examined the amulet a bit better.

- I like the key words, but why haven't you choose the ones that are Aerindel's motto, Ubi vita efflorescit? - Eldrin gently flicked Lirael's forehead.

- Silly girl. Listen to this old man, I know you want those idiots to accept you. But if you look around you, you already have a family within these walls that believe in you and cheer for you. Forget that stupid motto, they can keep their flowers and stuck them up in their asses! You, my dear, are so much more special than them. Special enough to have your own motto, and that is what you are Lirael, In Umbra, Lux. The light in the darkness, so never let them dim your light. - Lirael nodded and stood up hiding the amulet under her dress.

- I have to get ready, we depart at dawn. I'll see you soon Eldrin! - she gave a small peck on the elder's cheek and ran back to the castle to pack the few items she could've called her own.

Dawn arrived sooner than usual, and the troops headed out, with Lirael in one of the cargo carriages. She didn't know, but her family was waving her goodbye at the gates wishing for her safe return. They were all there, Mara, Kragga, Linett, Torvald and Eldrin, the forever cheerful Pip rode next to her carriage ready for the adventure.