Chapter 10Favor of the Seven
10
Favor of the Seven
Elowyn was startled awake as Ora barged into her room unannounced like a wayward windstorm. The headstrong handmaiden began ripping off the covers that enveloped the Fangwright princess and shooed her out of bed.
“Up, up, up! It’s well past the hour you should have risen,” Ora scolded, nudging Elowyn to get moving.
“Fine, fine. Moons, what a rude awakening. I’m getting up...” Elowyn grumbled as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
“If I let you sleep any longer, you’ll surely be late to the Iron Hollows for the Second Day. You mustn’t be late for the Favor of the Seven,” Ora lectured. “And don’t think I’m oblivious to your spontaneous encounter with the Darkmaw prince last night.”
“Oh, come on, admit it. He’s rather charming, isn’t he?” Elowyn teased, a mischievous grin playing on her lips.
The handmaiden waived away the comment, struggling to conceal the sideways smile on her lips. She hoisted Elowyn out of bed and draped her in a silk robe before seating her at a small table. With a flourish, Ora unveiled a tray containing fruits, sliced meats, and a bowl of warmed oats.
“Due to your tardiness, I’ve arranged for your breakfast to be brought to your room,” Ora said sternly. “Hurry and eat. I’ll be back in a few moments to help you get dressed for the Second Day.”
With that, Ora bustled off toward the exit of Elowyn’s chambers.
Elowyn scooped up a spoonful of brown sugar and dropped it into her oats, followed by a splash of cream. She stirred the mixture as her thoughts drifted to the upcoming Second Day. In the previous Ceremony, she had only participated in the rituals of the First and Seventh Day, confined to the Heart of the Temple. She suspected she had been too young. While her father, mother, and older sister participated in the week-long Ceremony, she remained under Ora’s vigilant watch in Eriden.
The Iron Hollows, situated to the southwest of Eriden, was a kingdom she had yet to visit before. Nestled within a cavernous region, their realm was literally built beneath a rocky canyon, hundreds of meters below the surface. Their subterranean kingdom resembled a labyrinth, with the royal castle positioned at its core, similar to a hive. King Wilden and Queen Irena Bloodweaver ruled over the Iron Hollows, along with their two sons, Thomys and Theoden Bloodweaver. The mere thought of the second Bloodweaver prince made Elowyn recoil; the image of the dark-haired prince filled her with disgust. She was far from thrilled to spend the entirety of the day in their lightless kingdom.
Finishing breakfast with a frown on her brow, Elowyn rose to refresh herself in her bath chamber. A soft knock on the doorframe interrupted her, and she turned to see not Ora, but Elyria floating into her room. Dressed in a magnificent dress of sage tulle, Elyria’s skirts flowed around her like the colors of spring.
Draping around her shoulders, Elyria wore a golden aureum , her dress’s train flowing behind her as she greeted Elowyn with a warm smile. Today, she wore a silver circlet upon her head, her wavy hair woven into a sleek braid that fell down her back, decorated with miniature wildflowers nestled within the twists. Her attire stood in stark contrast to the obsidian gown she wore the previous day.
“Hey, sleepyhead,” Elyria said in a soothing voice.
“Hi, I missed you last night,” Elowyn replied with a delighted smile, a sense of comfort enveloping her.
“I stopped by your room late yesterday evening, but it seemed you were elsewhere,” Elyria remarked, her gaze probing. “Anything you’d like to share?”
Elowyn blushed sheepishly. “I met someone. He’s interesting. We talked for hours, and it was... nice. It was a relief to unwind for a while, despite everything.”
Elyria smiled fondly. “Sounds promising, perhaps?”
Elowyn smirked at the question but swiftly changed the subject. “Where did you disappear to last night? What did mother have to say?”
Elyria’s expression faltered slightly, but she shook her head. “That’s a conversation for another time. Come, let’s get you dressed before we’re late for the Iron Hollows. I’ve managed to persuade Ora to let me handle your wardrobe, which was a feat within itself.”
Taking Elowyn’s hand, Elyria led her to the grand vanity in her bath chamber. Elowyn sat as Elyria picked up an ornate brass hairbrush and began to comb through her sister’s snow-white locks. Each stroke was a soothing rhythm, almost lulling Elowyn back to sleep. Soon, Elyria began separating locks of hair in sections, weaving in golden silk ribbons, entwining them to form tight braids.
Once Elyria had fashioned two braids near the temples of Elowyn’s head, she brought them together at a central point, weaving them into a crown. The remaining strands fell down Elowyn’s back, sleek and smooth like a blanket of snow. Stepping back, Elyria admired her handiwork, pleased with the result .
“I’ll just be a moment,” Elyria murmured, leaning down to embrace her sister in a fleeting half-hug. Her gaze lingered on the opal teardrop necklace around Elowyn’s neck, a soft smile gracing her lips before she vanished into the adjoining room.
While Elyria was off presumably finding a gown, Elowyn reached into the drawer beneath her vanity and retrieved a jewelry box. She began pinning golden flower hairpins into her braids, adding a touch of glint to her hair. Next, she retrieved a compact from the drawer and carefully applied kohl to line her upper eyelids, adding a rosy blush to her cheeks and staining her lips with a floral color to match. Tilting her head, she inspected her reflection just as Elyria returned to the room.
“Surprise!” Elyria announced, presenting the stunning periwinkle gown with silver accents from her own wardrobe that Elowyn adored.
“Wait, seriously?” Elowyn exclaimed, eyes widening in disbelief.
“It’s all yours,” Elyria confirmed, holding the gown out towards her sister.
Elowyn sprang from her seat, clutching the dress in one arm while enveloping her sister in a tight embrace with the other. “You’re the best.”
“I know,” Elyria shrugged her shoulders, both sisters giggling.
“All right, hurry and get changed before Ora orders for my head to be served on a platter,” Elyria chided. “I’ll be waiting in the antechamber.”
Still marveling at the gown in her arms, Elowyn ran her fingers over the shimmering fabric. Giving Elyria a serious look, she declared, “Just so you know, I’m not giving this back.”
Elyria shook her head with a resigned smile. “Oh, I’m well aware.”
Once Elyria left, Elowyn wasted no time in shedding her robe and slipping into the periwinkle gown. As she gazed into the mirror, she was nearly taken aback. The dress exceeded all her expectations—it was more beautiful than she ever imagined it could be.
The fabric hugged her figure, the back opening to highlight her curves. Purple-blue organza covered her form in luminous layers, lined with silver pearls arranged in patterns, resembling a stream of starlight. Delicate lilac embroidery decorated the gown, adding to its beauty. She twirled in front of the mirror and the train of her dress whirled with her, gathering in a glimmering spiral at her feet.
Elowyn couldn’t tear her eyes away from her reflection, feeling a sense of beauty she rarely experienced—one that rivaled her mother or sister. After a moment of admiration, she reached for her aureum , fastening it to each shoulder strap of her gown.
Satisfied with her appearance, Elowyn slipped on her heels and made her way to the antechamber of her bedroom, the periwinkle gown trailing behind her.
“You look amazing,” Elyria complimented.
“All thanks to you,” Elowyn replied, beaming.
“Always,” Elyria murmured, extending her arm with an open palm. “Ready?”
“Ready.” Elowyn nodded, taking her sister’s hand.
With a surge of Elyria’s magic, a shimmering moongate to the Iron Hollows materialized before them. Locking eyes with her sister, Elowyn stepped through the moonlit portal hand-in-hand with Elyria.
The Iron Hollows appeared far more inviting than Elowyn had initially imagined. She gazed at the inner gates of the kingdom, marveling at the natural crystalline formations protruding from the rock walls. Clusters of rich garnet stones ornamented the surface, casting a warm maroon gleam throughout the cave. Despite being deep below the surface, the kingdom was bathed in a luminous glow from floating feylight spheres suspended high above in the cavern’s vaulted ceilings, resembling twinkling stars in a midnight sky.
Elowyn attempted to locate the Bloodweaver castle, but her view was obstructed by iron gates. Glancing around, she found the area deserted. While the situation might have seemed eerie, she found it oddly tranquil.
“Are we running late?” Elowyn inquired, turning to her sister.
Elyria shook her head. “If memory serves, we’re not actually at the castle gates. The Bloodweavers don’t permit guests to moongate so close to their walls. We’ll need an escort.”
As if in response to their conversation, the iron gates before them began to move silently, revealing a figure stepping forward. This season’s Bloodweaver candidate emerged, offering a respectful bow. His mahogany hair partially obscured his face as he addressed them.
“Welcome to the Iron Hollows,” Sylas greeted, his sea-green eyes piercing through the amber glow of the cave.
Both Elowyn and Elyria curtsied in acknowledgment of the Bloodweaver candidate, relieved that Prince Theo wasn’t accompanying him this time.
“I apologize if you’ve been waiting long. The path to the royal castle isn’t far, but our larger vessels are currently occupied with other guests. I can only escort one of you for now, but worry not, another escort will arrive shortly,” Sylas explained.
“No need for apologies, we’ve only just arrived,” Elyria reassured.
“It would be my honor to accompany you through the Iron Hollows, Princess Elyria,” Sylas offered, extending his hand towards her. “May I?”
Elyria glanced at Elowyn, offering a reassuring smile before stepping forward and gently brushing her hand against Elowyn’s arm. “See you there,” she murmured.
Elowyn nodded, watching as they disappeared behind the iron gates. As the gates slowly closed and locked into place, she found herself alone once more.
Waiting for what felt like an eternity, Elowyn’s patience waned as the minutes passed in silence. She wandered to the cavern’s jagged walls, running her hands over the crystal and mineral formations that grew along them. Recalling her studies, she remembered the wealth of the Iron Hollows, derived primarily from mining the surrounding caves for export. These resources, including gems, ores, minerals, and natural stones, were sought after throughout Neramyr for various purposes—many being magical in nature.
Absently cradling her necklace, Elowyn wondered if the opal gemstone set in her chain originated from these very mines.
After what felt like a quarter of an hour, the iron gates began to creak open slowly, relieving Elowyn’s growing sense of boredom. Emerging from behind the gates, a tall figure sauntered into view. Elowyn sensed his presence before laying eyes on him.
Theo Bloodweaver appeared in a sleek black tunic and trousers, his aureum clasped at one shoulder, its golden folds flowing down his right side. A haunting smile played upon his lips as he dipped into a low bow before Elowyn.
“Welcome to the Iron Hollows, Princess Elowyn.” His mischievous smile became unnerving. His ruby-colored irises glowed in the darkness. Elowyn couldn’t help but compare his affect to a predator gazing at its prey through sunless shadows. “Sylas informed me that the second Fangwright princess awaited an escort at the gates. Considering this such a notable task, I came here as swiftly as I could.”
Elowyn’s irritation simmered. She opened her mouth to strike back, but considered the action carefully and closed it. Meeting the Bloodweaver prince’s gaze with a glare, she replied, “Thank you, Prince Theo.”
“Now, shall I escort you to the Iron Kingdom?” Theo offered, his gaze equally sinister as he extended a hand towards Elowyn.
“Lead the way,” Elowyn grated, striding towards the iron gates and pointedly refusing his hand.
With a nonchalant shrug, the Bloodweaver prince tucked his hands into his pockets and strolled after her.
As Elowyn strode through the now-open gates, she felt a pulse of magic course through her. It was jarring, as she passed the gate, it felt like a tremor rippled through her body when she crossed the threshold. The feeling lingered as she couldn’t shake or get rid of it, causing her body to stiffen in discomfort and unease.
Theo noticed her tense disposition. “These outer gates are heavily warded. The magic imbued in these barriers were constructed by the first Bloodweaver queen millennia ago. Their purpose is to safeguard this kingdom and protect its folk from creatures intending harm, wild beast or fey. You never know what lurks in the shadows,” he said with a tsk. “Only a faithful member of the royal court can escort an outsider into the innermost walls of the kingdom.”
“Do you experience this every time you pass through the outer gates?” Elowyn winced.
“Of course not. I’m not an outsider,” the Bloodweaver prince answered, his tone condescending.
Choosing to ignore his attitude, Elowyn pressed on. “And what happens if a not-so-faithful member of the royal court passes through without an escort?” she inquired.
“The protective ward can discern one’s essence and character to some extent. If it detects nefarious intentions, the consequences are grave,” Theo explained plainly. “The pressure from the surrounding magic would crush them.”
“Great,” she muttered.
“Isadora Bloodweaver took the welfare of her kingdom seriously,” Theo remarked, referencing the first Iron Queen.
“You don’t say,” Elowyn replied sarcastically, her face a mask of indifference.
Shortly after they began walking, they approached a clearing in the cavern where the ground ebbed into a body of water that was split into two tunneled paths. Theo flicked his wrist and beckoned a beautiful watercraft awaiting in the shallows towards them. It floated gently to them, eager to be put to use. The vessel was modest in size, with cushioned seats large enough for two occupants to sit comfortably.
“Ladies first,” Theo drawled, gesturing grandly toward the boat.
Suppressing the urge to roll her eyes, Elowyn shot him a disdainful glance before picking up the skirts of her dress and carefully making her way to the edge of the watercraft. She calculated where she should step on the swaying vessel since she would rather moongate to another realm mistakenly than embarrass herself in front of Theoden Bloodweaver due to a misstep.
A second ticked by and she still hadn’t moved. Theo tutted impatiently and extended his hand, offering support. “It seems you’re in need of my assistance,” he goaded.
Elowyn’s irritation flared as she reluctantly accepted his hand. Settling herself onto one of the cushioned seats, she shot him a glare. “Are you always this unpleasant?”
“I’m perfectly pleasant. Although, you seem to be otherwise,” Theo remarked as he gracefully stepped onto the watercraft, sinking into a cushioned seat across from Elowyn. With a casual wave of his hand, the vessel began to glide forward at a gentle pace, veering toward the rightmost tunnel.
“What is your problem with me?” Elowyn asked straightforwardly.
“I don’t have any problem with you, specifically,” Theo droned. “It’s more that I find your family a disgrace to all of Neramyr. It’s shameful to see the esteemed Fangwright bloodline devolve into something so reprehensible.”
Elowyn’s grip tightened on the sides of the watercraft, marring the wood with her fingertips.
“Careful now, the primordial Iron Queen’s magic is watching you,” Theo cautioned.
“You best watch your tongue,” Elowyn threatened.
“It’s a shame your sister is the way she is. She’s stunning, that one,” he commented casually. “A damn shame that the blood running through her veins is tainted. So tainted, in fact, that she was stripped of her birthright. The Fanged King made sure of that.” Theo frowned pensively. “She’s good for nothing now... Not even as a broodmare. However, I suppose she’d make a fine coin in the Iron Hollow’s Pleasure District… I’d even be her first patron.”
As the last word fell from his mouth, Elowyn snapped. She lunged for Theo so fast that he didn’t see the fist that contacted the side of his angled jaw. Elowyn’s fist collided into his porcelain chin so violently he recoiled back forcefully enough that he needed to grasp the sides of the vessel to support himself.
Elowyn reeled back her fist again to strike him once more, but before she could throw another punch, she doubled over in shock.
She clutched her throat, feeling it narrow. The magic in the cavern surged around her, crushing her with a relentless force. A thunderous headache blinded her as her skull felt like it was splintering from an unyielding grip. Her heart turned frenzied as it pumped against its own walls being compressed, mustering every effort to remain perfusing her body. Her lungs screamed for oxygen to feed her muscles while she clutched her chest. Elowyn began to panic, and her eyes widened as she realized she couldn’t break free of the magical assault.
Muttering something under his breath, Theo wiped his face on his sleeve. Another pulse of magic—Theo’s magic—coursed through the air.
At once, the magical onslaught ceased, and Elowyn collapsed on her knees and forearms. She gasped for air in uneven breaths, greedily filling her lungs. On her exterior, not a single hair was out of place, but on the inside, Elowyn felt a fear so heinous it frightened her to the very core. She turned her glowering gaze to the dark-haired prince again.
“You’re a hateful beast,” she hissed at him.
“Everyone has their vices,” he countered as he ran a hand over his jaw, attempting to soothe the bruises that were rapidly blossoming on the left side of his face in angry crimson blotches .
“If you ever utter another word about Elyria again, you’ll regret it,” Elowyn whispered.
She hardened her eyes and braced herself as she waited for another volley of suffering to strike her, but it never came. With a disgruntled look upon his face, Theo turned his head, leaning over the edge of the watercraft and spat a crimson-colored spittle from his mouth into the clear waters surrounding them. His blood billowed through the deep blue waters, spreading until it faded into the depths.
“We’re nearly there,” was all Theo said in response.
The two royals sat in silence as the watercraft navigated them through the labyrinth of tunnels ahead of them. The vessel took them in winding paths and bending lanes to their destination, the inner walls of the kingdom. The water lapped the sides of the vessel in a rhythmic tempo as the seconds passed.
Elowyn closed her eyes and used the water’s steady cadence to regain her composure before she entered the Bloodweaver castle. Every ounce of her body was filled with detestation for the male sitting across from her. Elowyn knew she had the temperament of an unbroken boar, and it had gotten her in trouble more times than she could count. She breathed in through her nose and exhaled from her mouth, finally opening her eyes once more to find Theo staring at her with an indecipherable expression.
She looked at the prince and examined the aggravated mark on his chin, the maroon blemish already starting to fade and heal.
“I shouldn’t have done that.” She looked at his bruise, conscience-stricken.
“You didn’t take the first shot,” he answered apathetically. “Maiming can be done without fists.”
She nodded once in acknowledgment as they continued to float down the cavern’s tunneled river. For now, both of them seemed to offer neutrality with fluttering white flags. Elowyn had been too preoccupied with annoyance towards him to notice the floating feylight spheres bobbing gently on the water’s surface like lanterns, illuminating the tunnel in a soft glow. The feylight reflected off the tiny minerals embedded in the stone walls, twinkling at her with winking flickers, offering a sensation of wanderlust and awe.
Elowyn sat back in her cushioned seat and gazed at the walls, forgetting everything except this moment. There were times like these where she felt so attuned with the feylands of Neramyr—it felt so right, so idyllic, when she took in the world around her, appreciating the sheer marvel that Neramyr was.
She had always felt a strong connection to nature, suspecting it was the reason elemental magic came easier to her than other forms. Closing her eyes again, she focused her senses, drowning out the world. She listened to the rhythmic ripple of the river, inhaled the loamy scent of the natural cavern, and felt the aura of this magical place envelop her in a welcoming embrace. No longer burdened by the unpleasant heaviness of the cave’s magic, she found herself in a blissful solitude.
“You’re glowing.” Theo tilted his head in curiosity.
“What?” Elowyn said, confused.
“Your palms.” He pointed his chin towards her palms resting in her lap.
She looked down, and indeed, her palms were faintly glowing. She stared at them, puzzled.
“Isadora has acknowledged your presence,” he stated plainly, his eyebrows scrunching unexpectedly.
“Oh,” Elowyn said, turning her hands to inspect the illuminated crescent moons, her Mark, on her palms. “So that’s what I was feeling?”
“Interesting,” was all Theo said as he stared at her incredulously.
Before Elowyn could inquire further, a clearing appeared before them, and the vessel neared the shore’s edge, concluding their journey.
Theo skillfully stepped out of the vessel and extended a hand to help Elowyn out. She took his hand with skepticism, attempting to decipher his aura but finding nothing. Giving up quickly, she grabbed the skirt of her dress and stepped onto the clearing. Once steady, Theo promptly dropped her hand and placed his in his pockets. He strode towards an arched entryway, similar to the entrance to the Heart of the Temple. Raising an open palm towards the archway, he extended a drop of his magic, placing his hand on the stone. The archway glowed faintly where his hand made contact, accepting his offering.
“Come,” Theo directed to Elowyn as he disappeared through the stone archway, his gold aureum floating behind him until he was out of sight.
Elowyn took a deep breath to prepare herself and followed his footsteps to the Iron Kingdom.
For a moment, there was only darkness, then an incredible scene unfolded before her. The Bloodweaver castle loomed ahead, its exterior comprised of soaring columns of mighty stalagmites. It was a breathtaking vision of palatial formations that evoked feelings that Elowyn couldn’t quite place. The castle was fortified with a sleek iron skeleton that shaped the palace. Curved archways, doors, and windows were crafted from iron beams, a remarkable tribute to cast-iron architecture. Elowyn couldn’t help but feel that the Bloodweaver castle looked every bit as formidable as it was impregnable.
Elowyn spotted Theo marching to the top of the castle’s iron stairs without waiting for her. She rolled her eyes this time and made her way up the series of steps. Upon reaching the top, she followed Theo’s path through the castle’s entrance, guided by the bustling noise of hundreds of courtiers. Stepping into the iron castle, they were greeted by sentries lining both sides of the marbled foyer.
One of the sentries announced their arrival, prompting a few heads to turn, but it was Queen Irena who noticed them first. She approached with graceful poise, wearing a silken smile.
“Welcome, Princess Elowyn. It’s a pleasure to host you within our castle walls for the first time.” The Iron Queen’s voice was smooth as velvet.
“It’s an honor, Your Majesty,” Elowyn replied with a small curtsy.
“I hope you’ve had a chance to become acquainted with my son during your journey here,” the Bloodweaver queen said, her eyes inquisitive as she glanced at Elowyn.
“Yes, Theo and I had an enlightening conversation,” Elowyn said with a smile, turning to Theo. “Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Enlightening, indeed,” Theo replied, his smile polished as he turned to his mother.
The Iron Queen’s posture stiffened, but regained her composure. Her narrowed gaze scrutinized her son’s face.
“Darling, you appear to have bruised your chin,” Queen Irena remarked, her tone concerned. “Are you all right?”
Elowyn’s heart sank as she turned to Theo, searching his face, but found no trace of the earlier blemish. His visage was flawless. She trembled inwardly at the Iron Queen’s uncanny ability to uncover what she thought was concealed.
“Ah, I feared we’d be late for the start of the Ceremony. In an attempt to rush here, I slipped as I stepped off the watercraft. A rather memorable experience for Princess Elowyn, I’m sure,” Theo explained, dismissing the concern.
“You’ve always been rather reckless, my love. Please be more careful next time,” the queen cautioned, her flawless porcelain hand brushing across his cheek. “For your mother’s sake.”
“I’m well, mother,” Theo assured.
“Good,” Queen Irena said tenderly. “I cannot express the pride that overwhelms me at the thought of you soon joining your brother in receiving the final Mark.”
Elowyn felt a lingering gaze as the Iron Queen glanced at her before smiling and addressing them both .
“This might be presumptuous, but if I may impart a piece of wisdom: the bonds you form with your peers will determine your success in the Trial of Caena,” Queen Irena said, marked with nostalgia. “Even to this day, I cherish and honor the companions who shared the burden of those seven years with me.”
Elowyn could only nod in agreement, unsure how to respond.
“Now, I must return to the Iron King before he worries about my absence,” the queen said, turning to Elowyn with a chilling gaze. “Once again, welcome to the Iron Kingdom, Princess Elowyn.”
With that, Queen Irena gracefully navigated through the crowd, the courtiers parting to allow her passage.
Elowyn released a tensed breath and slackened her shoulders. She turned to speak to Theo, but he had already vanished, leaving her alone in his foreign kingdom.