Slaying the Blood King

♤•Chapter 7•♤

My bare feet pad against the dirt and grass. The grass that shimmers in the moonlight tickles the padding, sending tingly sensations up through my calves. If I had walked to a ceremony in the human realm with bare feet, my father would have tortured me. Here though, it is normal. Everyone is without footwear of any kind.

We walk through the glowing trees in silence. When I look up, I notice that there are creatures with big eyes staring down at us. Nudging Embrance, I ask "What are they?" She looks up and smiles. "Oh, those? they are manikees. The resemble monkeys in your original world, except down here, their fur has a glowing twinge. Well... everything does. Even us." she finishes, her wide eyes lighting up in thought.

"It is said," Liona starts. "-that everything glows down here because Mother Moon had graced us with her light. The energy that pulsates through us is a direct link to her. Our home tree," she guestures back where we had come from. "is one of only a hundred of it's kind. There are over a hundred tribes. Some are Fey-folk. Some are witches and warlocks. Some are even shapeshifters. All of us are connected to Mother Moon."

I stare at her in wonder, taking in the knowledge she has gifted to me. Wrapping my head around the thought, I smile. This world has so much good. I almost couldn't believe that I had been away from it for so long.

Too long.

We continue to walk along, the warm breeze caressing my long hair. I start wondering how long this walk is going to take when the thrum of music hits my ears. As we walk further, it gets louder, and when we finally reach a clearing, my jaw drops.

There are dancers everywhere. All of them, men, women, and children, dances in brightly colored tunics and dresses. They dance to drums and wooden flute-like instruments that create a soothing, upbeat melody. Along the outskirts, there are tents with lanterns emnating white fire. Some tents offer food and drinks, while others offer knowledge and wares. Embrance nudges me. "During any other time, this is our marketplace. Tonight, like every night after the night of the full moon, the grounds serve as a gathering to honor Mother Moon," she says. I look at her thoughtfully. "So you dance for Mother Moon?" I repeat to her in question. She nods.

"We also dance to the things that we can celebrate. Sometimes it's birthdays. Other times it's a successful hunt." Liona says.

"So what are we celebrating tonight?" I wonder. Liona smiles before looking at me.

"You."

Just then, a low, horn sounds throughout the camp. I watch as Lord Antonious stands in the center of the dancing grounds. When he sees me, his eyes light up.

"Fey Lords and Ladies, tonight is a grand night, for we have Mother Moon on our sides. Another month has passed, the moon blessing us with many successful hunts. One hunt in particular has been made possible. Allow me to introduce and welcome Lunar!"

Antonius directs everyones eyes to me. Many people gasp. I almost gasp, not used to the direct attention, but instead, I give a small cursty, before walking to Antonius. As I make my way, many of the fey touch my arms... my hands... whatever they can touch, as if my existence is hard to believe. Many give me adoring looks. Others have tears in their eyes. Only one fey man looks at me with disgust, but I choose to ignore him.

I stand by Lord Antonius. He gives me a small smile, before looking among the crowd. "Let's give her a warm welcome, and pray that Mother Moon will bless her as a Lady of the Fey!"

Many of the fey cheer for me, giving me smiles and expressing their gratitude. It is almost too overwhelming to receive so much love. It is the amount of love I thought I'd never receive.

Antonious bows his head, acknowledging that the festivites may continue, before taking my hand and leading me toward the tents on the grounds that surround us. "Where are you taking me?" I ask as we stroll through the veil of dancers. He gives me a small smile. "As one of us, and an addition to our Fey ways, there are others you have to meet."

We finally break from the throng of dancers, toward a rather large tent. The tent, like others, is black, but while others have some green and some red, this one has glowing blue stripes, and when I enter it, I see that there are a great deal of classier-looking fey in here. These fey are dressed in darker colors, with gold and silver decorating their outfits.

When they see me, they don't sneer at me like a rich person would a newcomer in my former realm. Instead, they give me humble smiles. As I look closer at them, I realize something: not everyone here is fey. In fact, I notice that while the fey have pointed ears, some of the people here don't. Some have curved ears like a human. When I look at Antonius, he gives me a reassuring smile.

"Lunar, I wanted to introduce you to the elders. Vissa and Ambrosia over to your left are from our territory," he says, pointing to the dark-haired fey women to the left of me. They give me a small nod. "Welcome," they say. I smile in response.

"Ahead of you, is Angelique, an elder of the witch clan."

I turn my eyes toward her and nod at her, taking in her unusual dark blue eyes. When she smiles at me, she reveals extended canines, but based off of their metalic sheen, it looks as though it's just a prop. "Nice to meet you, sister Lunar," she says, her small voice velvety. I smile in return. "You as well, sister Angelique." She claps and a velvety laugh escapes her as she gets up and saunters over to me. "You my dear, are a fine addition. You learn so quickly," she says, patting me on the shoulder. I notice then how young she looks. She couldn't be much older than twenty, and she's am elder?

"Oh dear, yes, I am much older than I look, but Mother Moon blessed us with eternal beauty. It allows us to keep the vitality to perform our spells and create potions," she says, having read my thoughts. I gape at her. "Did you read my mind?" I ask her in bewilderment. She lets out another throaty laugh. "Heavens child, I wouldn't want the weight of everyone's thoughts. I just recognize your expression. Us witches get that a lot from newcomers," she says in amusement. I nod in understanding.

"Anyhow my dear," she starts. "-it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, but I must step back for the moment. Talk with me again soon, will you?" she asks. I smile. "Of course. Thank you for your time."

Lord Antonious clears his throat beside me. "Last but not least," he says, gesturing to a man dressed in black to our right. "This is Alezander, the elder of the Fox-shifting pack."

The man is barely recognizable beneath his hood, but when he takes his hood off, he reveals himself. Blonde hair with a fiery sheen decorate his long locks that travel to below his shoulder. His green eyes regard me with mild interest. Like Angelique, he looks younger, with a slender build and perfect skin complexion.

"Greetings," he says, his voice low. I almost didn't quite hear him but my sensitive ears caught it. I nod in response. "So," I start. "-you shift into a fox?" I ask curiously. He nods, and when he smiles, I notice that his canines are extended too, but unlike Angelique, his are real. His smile seems off, I quickly realize. It seems forced, and the energy he projects seems dark.

"Well," Lord Antonious breaks in. "We best get you in with the other guests. Everyone is dying to meet you. Thank you for your time, elders," he says. They all nod. Angelique waves and smiles good-bye. As we exit the tent, I can't help but feel unease, as I sense Alezander's gaze follow me.

When we step out, I take a deep breath. Lord Antonious fastens an amused gaze on me. "What? Did that take your energy out already?" he asks, a smile tugging at his lips. I roll my eyes, but give him a playful smile. "Yeah, I guess older people have that affect on the young," I say. Antonious laughs. "Yeah, I suppose they do, but feel free to join me. I'd like your company tonight." I only give him a nod, before his cool, slender hand slips into mine.

We stroll through the lush grounds of the clearing. Cool blades of grass caress my feet. As we walk into the crowd of Fey-folk I talk to all kinds along the way, all eager to meet me. Antonious casts an almost proud gaze on me as I smile, talk, and even dance with his surveyors. Each one makes me feel more at home.

"M'lady," a familiar voice calls from behind, and when I turn to face the fey, I am greeted with Albesk's piercing blue gaze. Smiling he gives a curt nod to Lord Antonious. "I have a decision in regards to training Miss Lunar. My findings have made me believe she will be acceptable for combat," he says, giving me a wink. I roll my eyes in response. Lord Antonious gives him a nod of understanding. "Very well," Antonious says. Albesk returns his gaze to mine. "You will train tomorrow at dusk. Be ready," he says, before turning on his heel. I watch as he strolls back into the veil of bodies. Shaking my head, I turn my gaze to Antonius.

"Ready to continue?" he asks, his voice carrying a hint of something misplaced. I nod, re-looping my arm through his. We start walking toward a tent selling wares when shouts sound behind us.

Turning, I did not expect to see the crowd in terror, running away from the man who had glared at me earlier. In his hands, is a bow. He pulls the string taught, an arrow ready to fire.

"Stand down!" Lord Antonious orders to the Fey man. He doesn't respond. Instead, his black eyes contort with anger as he stares at me. Most creatures have a glint of light in their eyes, but not him. It's almost as if he is possessed. Antonious shouts again. "Stand down or you will be killed!" The man shakes his head. On the outter edge of the clearing, I can see the Fey Guard closing in on the man. He barely gives them a glance.

The tension in the air increases, and I know that if I don't do something soon, he will end me.

"Sir," I say, taking a step closer. In the corner if my eye, I can see the guards pushing their way through the crowd. If I can talk and keep his focus on me, they will be able to get to him. "-you don't have to do this," I say. His pale face contorts with anger. He growls as I take a step closer. "Lunar, get back here," Antonious says. I ignore him. Instead, I focus on the man in front of me. My heart thunders in my chest. "You don't have to do this," I say to him. I watch as the darkness in his eyes waver. "I-I have to," he growls at me as he fights the possession. "I-If I don't, he'll kill me," he says, letting out a frustrated shout. His body starts shaking, his hold on the bow coming loose. I watch his movements closely before continuing. "Who will kill you?" I ask with concern. I take another step closer. "Get back! I-I don't want to do this!" he shouts urgently.

Just then, the guards push through the throng of people. One leaps toward the man, grabbing ahold of his arm. Stupid move, for the assailant releases his grip on the string, allowing the arrow to fly. Behind me, Antonious shouts, and before I can stop it, the arrow finds it's home in my chest.