I will be your reaper...

What an intricate plan: Part two

Latla's POV

"Dia was asleep on the jet. She seemed fine at first. When she woke up, she was in visible pain. Noros checked her back, where she was pointing, and I approached when I saw Noros' horrified look. Dia's back was covered in what looked like whip marks. Lily and I discussed it and Lily told me that the twins were once held captive in a dungeon with 6 other people. Those 6 people explained to the pack the happenings over the year that the twins were held captive. They were consistently abused and starved, fed wolfsbane in food. Whippings were included in the torture. Lily mentioned that one of the 6, Celeste, mentioned black magic in a conversation once so Lily asked me if it could be. Truthfully, it hadn't crossed my mind. I couldn't sense the black magic and I was sure that there was no way someone would be able to get close enough to cast it. Lily called her parents and they gave us some information. A man patting Dia's head in a bakery...But it's obvious that the shopping trip was on short notice and hadn't been announced. More than that, it was spontaneous to go to the bakery. So how did the man know?"

The group was deep in thought for a while. It was Jolunna that broke the silence "So, there's a few possible options. They were lured; easy for sorcerers. Luring children with sweets isn't difficult. There's a high-ranked traitor around them, or..." I raised a brow. I'd thought of the first two options, but there's a third? Her husband, Nakkel looked at her and nodded "The kids are being tracked. Maybe by a device, a spell...If it was placed on them in the dungeon, that would explain how no one noticed. But if not, it solidifies the traitor route either way." I stood to my feet quickly, hands gripping the table "Do you know what you're saying? If that were the case, they know we're here right now! The whole point of us meeting here because of secrecy, we all travelled discreetly too!" I went to open my mouth to speak but quickly closed it again when Cal grabbed my hand. I lowered myself back into my seat and Elyimil spoke up, tucking her hair behind her pointed ears. "I'll check for trackers when the kids get back. Until then..." She looked at Onelya "Right. I'll try and figure out what black magic is on them and you two" She nodded at Lily and Quinn "You two think of possible traitors. It won't be easy, but these are your children."

They nodded resolutely. I sighed, scrunching up my face. "How are they seemingly so far ahead of us?" Cal touched my back "I'd like to know too. It seems they're multiple steps ahead. However, we can't allow the children to see our anxiety. It's the twin's birthday, let's celebrate and have a good time." I nodded with a half smile. It was then that we all turned at the sound of Noros laughing. She was carrying a healthy-looking Aradia on her back happily while Erebus sat on Diagda's shoulders and making aeroplane sounds. Noros was twirling in circles and Dia was giggling, having the time of her life. What a peaceful-looking scene. Dia climbed down from Noros' back and ran over to us, the flower crown still sitting on her head "Mama, I'm hungry. Can we eat?" Lily grinned, relieved that Dia was okay. She nodded her thanks to Diagda who just smiled in return "Goodness, my Princess is hungry?! We can't have that, Daddy will raid all the cupboards and fridges to serve you the best of the best!" Quinn said dramatically, standing and bowing to Dia who playfully raised her head and nodded firmly "As you should, Sir Daddy! Your Princess forbids hunger in her Kingdom!" I burst out laughing as Quinn scooped her up and carried her on his shoulders. This little family was so cute, playful and dramatic. A vine came trailing over, crawling up Quinn's back and making him shiver. Dia cackled, the vine stroking her cheek "Daddy, she says she'll hang you from her tree if you don't feed me immediately" We all turned to Diagda who was full belly laughing, tears in the corner of his eyes "Indeed she did, Dia. Good job. Nature is very happy that you can communicate with each other." Dia smiled and kissed the vine, which in turn...Was a strange colour of pink-green. It was such a weird sight to see a tree getting embarrassed. Quinn pouted "I don't wanna hang from a tree...But I will certainly feed you. What's on the menu?" He smiled at Diagda who was wiping tears from his eyes "Follow me, I'll take you all to the grand hall. We all prepared a Royal feast, of course."

We all followed Diagda who still had Erebus on his shoulders. Only a few children followed, the rest remained outside, as did Relfyrsin. Noros was hungry too so she followed. Moriel, the Fae Princess, decided to stay behind and play. She smiled at Erebus and waved him over to play too. Diagda put him down and he went running off, hoping to make new friends. We all entered the hall and gasped in awe. A long, sturdy, wooden table sat in the middle of the room, beautifully decorated in green cloth. There were fairy lights all over the room and at the very back, a large, old oak tree stood tall. Dia wriggled from her father's arms and ran to the oak tree, cuddling it. "Grandpa Oak! You're so big and strong!" The tree vibrated happily, wrapping her in its branches as we all sat and began to eat. Dia giggled and after a few minutes, said 'See you soon' and joined us to eat. Diagda acted as though Dia talking to the tree was the most normal thing and as we looked at him with raised eyebrows he gave us a confused expression before clicking "Oh! Yes, this is nothing to fret over. It's the most normal thing you'll find here. Amara is the creator, the Goddess. All the trees, blades of grass, all plant life you will find here are creations of Amara. She gave each one life, nurtured them and made this ground sacred. They are as much her children as we all, the Royals, are. It's a passive ability ingrained into her soul to be able to communicate with nature. Especially here, on her sacred grounds. This place is imbued with her divinity, abilities and even a small portion of her soul. It's probably why Dia is so relaxed here. Her children feel all that she feels." He began to eat, leaving us all in a mixture of shock and awe while Dia just ate happily, swinging her legs.

We all chatted happily and enjoyed the fresh food. Time passed quickly and most were laughing joyfully, enjoying all of this company. It was then that loud creaking and vicious wind overtook our conversation. We looked at the tree, which was obviously angry. We looked at Diagda, but his eyes were glued to Dia in shock. Our eyes slowly swayed to Dia who was sitting holding her left cheek in anger and confusion, her blue eyes flickering a silver-white. Diagda was about to open his mouth but the creaking sounded again, the big oak tree stretching out its branches. Dia stood and walked over, collecting something from the branches. It was a bow. Her eyes were now silver-white entirely, looking as though they held the moon in them. Gulvdan stood to his feet quicker than lightning as he hunched forward in a respectful bow, his wife doing the same. We all looked confused, but Dia just walked out of the hall with the bow in hand. Gulvdan and his wife were the first to follow, the rest of us quick behind them. Dia was walking across the field where onlookers had gathered and blocked our view. Dia was probably about six hundred feet away when she stopped in her tracks. "Part them for me". The trees quickly sent their vines slithering through the crowd, parting the people who looked across the field at Dia. Even the kids were looking. We all gasped in horror, Relfyrsin was straddling Erebus' small body, wailing into him with his fists. Ere was trying his best to protect himself. Quinn went to rush for the boys but Kavasin, the attacker's own father stopped him and nodded to Dia "Trust in your own daughter, wolf" Quinn snarled at him but looked at Dia when she raised her bow, her other hand manifesting what looked to be moonlight as the sky began to darken. She used the moonlight and shaped it into an arrow. Lily gasped "She's going to shoot the boy! Kavasin, what is wrong with you?! That's your son!" Kavasin sneered at her and Gulvdan touched her shoulder, "I told you before. Angluna can master any weapon she touches even without prior training. She won't kill the boy, but she is enraged. Listen to Nature..." We all listened, the trees indeed thrashing and vibrating with pure rage. Even the flowers were angry. Dia pulled back the arrow and let it fly, just before she did, she tilted the bow by less than half an inch. The arrow flew through the air as she walked toward them again at a faster pace. We watched in horror as the arrow grazed Relfyrsin's face, the tip leaving a mark across his cheek. She stopped punching Erebus to touch his cheek in confusion, pulling his hand away and seeing blood. He was so confused. By the time he looked behind him and saw the arrow of moonlight lodged into the ground, looked at the direction it came from and clicked...Dia was already upon them. We all stood in shock, now joining the crowd. Dia's eyes returned to their turquoise and she dropped the bow, looking at the scene before her and reaching out, her fingers intertwined in Relfyrsin's hair. Within seconds she pulled him off of Erebus and gave him a taste of his own medicine, sitting on his chest, her knees pinning his arms as she wailed on his face over and over and over, relentlessly. Kavasin snorted "He will never learn. I suppose we should break it up now." We were all horrified by his reaction. His son could have died. The only one who was filled with confidence and ease from the beginning was Gulvdan.

Noros ran over and cautiously covered Dia's eyes with her hand "Button~ Big sister is here, let's stop now, okay?" Surprisingly, it worked. Dia slowly stopped and stood to her feet, walking over to Erebus with Noros while Kavasin stared down at his son who was lying on the floor bloodied, bruised and shocked. He for sure looked worse off than Erebus. Dia kneeled beside her twin who was crying. She touched their foreheads together and the boy was enveloped in a light blue glow, his injuries healing one by one. It was like nothing had happened. "There, there, little brother. You're okay now. Did you see it? Big sister got revenge for you" Erebus nodded, sniffling. Lily came to kneel next to the three, cradling her son. "What happened, baby? Tell Mummy". Erebus looked at his mother with teary eyes and his face twisted in grief yet again as he sobbed "H-He said...I don't deserve...Dia...I don't...Deserve to be by her sideee" he dragged out the last word as he sobbed.

Silence. Absolute silence. Kavasin burst out laughing at his son, tears streaming down his face "You beat him up because of that, Relf?" His son's face flushed red as he sat up, Dia approaching him. She stood over him with her arms folded "Is it true?" She asked and he looked away. "He's a crybaby and...Too weak to protect you...He doesn't deserve to be next to you..." Relfyrsin muttered, but we all heard. This entire one-sided beating was because he was jealous of Dia's twin brother? Dear Creators...I sighed and Dia scowled at the boy "Why is that your business? I don't need anyone to protect me. Especially not a male and especially..." She looked him up and down, the boy still bloody and bruised with a flushed face as he looked at Dia with a sad face, like he had been rejected after confessing "A boy that is weaker than me and can be beaten down easily. I'm not a damsel. I am the knight. The protector. The warrior. If you ever touch my brother again, I'll hit my target next time." Her eyes motioned to the moonlight arrow lodged in the ground. Relfyrsin looked at it, dejected as it vanished and the sky cleared. Dia turned away, helping her brother to his feet and kneeling in front of him so he could climb on her back. He hesitated but was nudged by Noros with a smile. He happily climbed on Dia's back and the three walked away. The other kids looked at Relfyrsin - Some with sympathy and pity, others with disgust and anger. The kids followed Dia, Ere and Noros as they made their way to where the trees were large in number. We watched as the trees welcomed them and then used their vines as a barrier to keep everyone else away. Diagda sighed "Nature is angry...They said to stay away until Dia and the children decide to come back by themselves."

Gulvdan sighed "I told you she wouldn't shoot him. Angluna has always been one to do the job herself unless on the battlefield. It's stated in one of our history books that she would shoot a moonlight arrow as a warning before finishing the job with fists. She missed on purpose and if it wasn't for Princess Noros, Relf would have died today under her fists." Lily sighed, standing and sitting in front of Relf. He stiffened, knowing Lily was Dia's mother. She reached out and gently patted his head "You like my daughter, huh?" The boy reddened as we all watched the scene, even his ears a bright red, the tips wriggling in embarrassment. Lily smiled gently "I would like you to apologise to my son. He's a weak boy, timid. He's suffered a lot in his short life, they both have. But from that suffering, Erebus crawled into a shell while Aradia became his shield. You must understand, that Dia is a fierce protector. Especially for Ere. You won't gain her favour by hurting the person she loves the most. If you truly wish to gain her favour, apologise to Ere and then to Dia and try to make up for your actions." Lily stood, offering her hand to the boy. He nodded and took it, being pulled to his feet. She ushered him in Diagda's direction and the man raised his hands, tenderly healing his face.

Tears stung at Relf's eyes and Kavasin sighed, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I've told you...Being the Lord's son and heir doesn't give you the right to be weighty. You must be better than those that came before you, namely me. Your views are outdated, fueled by your grandfather. You know how powerful women can be, your mother was the best warrior we had. I apologise for standing and watching, but I believe this was the best way to make you see your wrongs. Dia is a tough warrior and as her mother said, a fierce protector. You don't try to force protection upon her...Instead, get stronger and request to stand together, shoulder to shoulder. Do you understand, son?" Relf nodded. Kavasin gave a half smile and walked away, back to the hall. Relf looked at the vines and made his way over. He sat outside of the barrier patiently, waiting for them to come out or let him in. It was a sad sight. We all followed Kavasin back to the hall and took our seats. I spoke up, looking at Kavasin "That was some fantastic advice. I didn't know you had that kind of wisdom." The man lifted a fork and began to eat, chewing and swallowing before looking at me "Some of us, in our positions, have a facade in place. A fake personality and face created specifically to lead. I didn't always have this facade. It was created when my wife died. I wanted my son to be stronger and better than me because, without my facade, I would have crumbled and allowed the Dark Elves to perish. However, my father often whispers in my son's ear. 'Women are weak', 'They're only good for raising children', 'Your mother was an abomination to women' and so on...God forbid I had a daughter, as much as I'd like one. I suppose I will have to settle for a grandaughter seeing as I don't plan to remarry even if I find my second-chance love." Kavasin began to eat again and I sighed "Your father sounds like a real peace of work. I'm sorry you suffered such a man." He gave a half smile and we began to eat while the High-Elf, Talane, reached out to touch Kavasin's hand. "Though, I do have a question...What if the creator gave you a second-chance love for a reason? For example, to have another child that would be tied to the fate of the twins.." Kavasin flinched, obviously having never thought about it. "I...Don't know, truthfully. As much as I hope it is not true, it's a possibility. I would have no choice but to follow his plans..." He looked sad.

Ovion smiled at him "Worry not. Your wife would feel no malice. I am sure she, in the blessed realm, already knows all. My wife and I have been trying for a child for many years. But during the conference, Erebus enlightened us about my wife's pregnancy. We immediately went to confirm after the meeting and indeed, my wife was three months pregnant with no idea. We found out two weeks ago that we're having a little girl who will be called Angradal. In honour of our creator's sister and your wife who treated us with respect and saved my own wife. We were going to speak to you about this closer to, but we would love for you to be the Godfather of our daughter, 'Vasin." Kavasin's face scrunched up as though he were filled with emotion but didn't want to cry. He nodded in acceptance with a smile. Lysia reached out her hand and Kavasin gave his to her. "You will get that daughter after all, even if she is not your blood." Kavasin nodded, clearly overwhelmed with emotion by the situation. Islra wiped a tear from her eye "Goodness, what a beautiful thing. You're all such wonderful people and company."

Tatoniel cleared his throat "Speaking of children...I wish I could thank Arafinel. She was right, I have a beautiful daughter who takes after her mother - Who I intend to marry in August. We'd be delighted if you could all attend with your children. My daughter is quite shy and would like some friends but I didn't want to overwhelm her, hence why she isn't here." I smiled, placing a hand on his shoulder "Congratulations! I was wondering why you looked so glowy! Turns out it's that father glow, overwhelming you! You look great and I know you have pictures of that precious little girl so come on, get them out and let's see!" Tatoniel blushed, scratching his head in embarrassment. That was definitely a happy father whose camera roll was nothing but his daughter. He pulled out his phone and showed us the most recent picture. A little girl with cherry red hair, silver eyes and hazelnut skin was laughing happily with her mother as they attempted to bake cookies without being covered in flour. My heart melted "Dear Creators...Your wife and daughter are absolutely beautiful. I can see why you're so proud. Look at her hair and she has your eyes! Even so, she is definitely her mother's twin! I'll have to ask her to bake me some cookies when we meet." Tatoniel's eyes shone "Thank you and please do! Aziel loves to bake and would really appreciate an excuse to rope her mother and me back into the kitchen!" It was so beautiful to feel the happiness at the table. It made a difference from our usual lives, I'm sure. Sat like family at this large table, enjoying good food.

It was unfortunate that we'd have to slip into 'business' when our children were asleep...