CHAPTER III #2
Alba purrs in my hand as the second magical beast, Prince McQuoid’s tiger, also takes a few steps from his Prince’s side. His face and body is much larger than his counterpart’s, nearly reaching the middle of my waist as he tips his head up to me with eyes the same unnatural blue as McQuoid’s.
“Skiba,” Prince McQuoid notes as I move my hand in front of the tiger’s nose. Skiba sniffs my fingers for a few moments before pushing into my hand, prompting me to laugh in wonder.
“He’s beautiful,” I smile, rubbing the side of his face. “Great to meet you officially, Skiba.”
The snow tiger purrs just like Alba, his eyes roaming away from mine to land on Storm’s. I bring up my hand, letting the Bird of Ash jump onto my wrist before I bring him down to greet the tigers.
The three creatures look back at eachother with their own hellos. Skiba gives what I can only assume is a playful yowl, his head pressing into Stormfall’s chest before he looks back at McQuoid.
“Skiba wants to join Stormfall on his next hunt,” the Prince states to the group.
I smile and bring Stormfall back to my shoulder.
“We can make that happen,” I beam, “let them roam the Bell Grove for a bit.”
“Just tell us when,” McQuoid nods with a small smile, his hand moving against Clair’s back in affection.
I grin and look over to Lord Alexander, not having greeted him yet.
“It’s good to see you again, Lord Alexander.”
“Likewise, Lady Alexis,” he smiles quietly.
“Alexis,” Clair turns to me, “let me introduce you to our good friends, Lord Dacre of the Family Nolan, Commander of the Seas, and his wife Tamee, a personal friend of mine who taught me everything I needed to know of court in Breccia.”
I extend my hand to the two Pyrenese standing next to the Prince and Princess, silently noting that they both have no flames under their skin, a small indication that they’re human.
“Glad to finally meet you, Lady Alexis,” Tamee grins. “Clair has been telling me so much that I feel like I already know you.”
The Princess chuckles.
“Well any friend of Clair’s is someone I can’t wait to know as well. Thank you both for taking the trip.”
“Of course,” Tamee smiles. “We got to know the Prince and his brother on their last travel to Pyre. It is an honor to have been invited.”
“Were you in Red Falls just recently?” I ask curiously, not recognizing her face.
“Unfortunately, not,” the woman shakes her head, “we were back home in Haven during that time. Though we often find ourselves in Breccia should you ever visit our capitol.”
The crowd behind us begins to whisper heatedly just as I’m about to reply.
I peer over my shoulder as the rest of the group does the same, all of us turning towards the far end of the walkway as we watch it turn into a controlled commotion.
People are swearing and standing on their toes, their hands coming to their mouths as they mutter in disbelief.
They all look towards the middle of the emerald green carpet, where a man stands without a care as he nods to the soldier in front of him.
“You heard correctly,” he grins wildly just as Stormfall grips my shoulder. “My name is Heysan.”
My heart nearly stops.
No, it does stop.
Heysan…
One of the Ancient Ten.
Hirovale’s friend and brother, the one he noted would make the first open appearance in the Old World at today’s celebration.
“Did he say Heysan?” someone asks out loud, “as in the Ancient, Heysan?”
“The Ancient is awake?”
“That can’t be…”
“He’s supposed to be sleeping…”
“Surely this is a jest…”
“What in the Old World is going on?”
“It’s not possible.”
“It’s him,” a Discerni close to us shakes his head, “you can feel the power coming off him.”
And you could.
I could.
I don’t know how, but I could recognize that this man was somehow from the old Old World.
My eyes widen as I look at the Ancient of Good Fortune and Celebration.
He has a full head of brown hair that is tinted with a vibrant red, the locks flowing over the top before they dip down to one side.
His hair is unkempt and yet still has a perfect sway to it, falling to his face and his fully grinning features.
His eyes are a perfect blue, crinkled at the sides in open joy and amusement as he looks back at the Discerni soldier, Canon, still standing in front of him.
His face is inviting, with round and full cheeks that accompany his grin perfectly.
His lips are framed by an auburn goatee and his skin is light with just a hint of the sun.
He wears a casual grey shirt that looks soft in its linen with a small collar around his neck, that top accompanied by two full long sleeves that he’s rolled up to his elbows.
I watch as one of his hands move up from his side to run through his hair, his wrist adorned by a number of silver and red bangles.
His fingers are all nearly graced with black and silver rings, too, the amount of jewelry on him simply astonishing.
Overall, the Ancient has a very casual and fun appearance, but the power of the Old World pressing out of him does not let anyone in the room question who he says he is.
“I am looking for a woman named Alexis Deveren,” the Ancient says to the room around him as the full of the crowd goes completely quiet. “She is expecting me.”
My heart really does stop in my chest. Stormfall spreads his wings proudly behind my back, the gesture catching the attention of the deathly quiet crowd and the amused Ancient from afar.
Heysan’s blue gaze immediately captures mine, his grin only growing as he assesses me from the edge of the room.
His whole demeanor continues to scream casual and friendly as he takes a step around Canon, yet for the life of me I’m stuck in a stand-still just like the others, my mind unable to comprehend that there’s another Ancient walking amongst us.
“He’s lying…”
“He’s not. That’s an Ancient.”
“There were rumors coming out of Pyre… rumors of a dark and ominous sky. An omen.”
“You think all the Ancients are now awake?”
“What is going on…”
I stay routed in my stance and watch the Ancient walk towards me. He’s grinning from head to toe and ignoring the hushed whispers, his smile so infectious that it pulls me out of my shock.
Can you hear me? I test.
I can, Queen, he nods in his walk, eyes twinkling in amusement.
I shake my head just slightly, now amused as well.
Why do I get the distinct feeling that you like to make an entrance?
“Because I do,” Heysan chuckles and stops before me, reaching for my hand, “immensely.”
I can feel the cool press of his rings before he brings my fingers up to his lips.
“It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Alexis,” he grins, blue eyes dancing across my face. “I understand now why my brother is so fascinated.”
I dip into a low curtsey and bow my head to the Ancient, my voice replying just loudly enough for the room to hear. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Ancient. You honor us with your presence today.”
“A testament to the good fortune that will surely befall your King and the lands of Disce,” he replies as the crowd gives a small gasp. “Rise, Lady Alexis, and let us greet the day in open celebration.”
I lift my head to his sparkling blue gaze and stand tall at his front. Heysan releases my hand and averts his glance to Stormfall, nodding to him in greeting. “Ancestor.”
The full of the room remains silent, all looking upon him in awe.
“Might I introduce you to the Queen and the royal family?” I offer, feeling her and her son’s cool blue eyes piercing me from up front.
Heysan grins and holds out his arm. “That would be welcomed.”
I give a genuine smile to the new Ancient, reminding myself that he’s an ally and good friend of Hirovale’s.
Heysan walks the two of us to the Queen who is now standing in front of the dais, her Discerni features cool and giving nothing away.
She looks absolutely stunning with her long, pale blonde hair that falls gracefully behind her leaf-shaped ears, the color complimenting beautifully against the gold and silver satin gown she’s wearing.
I release my arm from Heysan’s and give her a deep curtsey, standing only to see her do the same towards the Ancient.
Heysan beams at the Queen and reaches out a hand to pull her back up. His features are inviting and happy, and it doesn’t surprise me when I see one of Renate’s rare smiles pull at her lips in return.
“Heysan,” I offer in greeting, “I’d like to introduce you to Queen Renate of Disce, wife of the late King Zander and mother to Princes Keane, Troy and Desmond, and Princess Elena. The Queen Mother has also been named the Leading Lady of the Court of Knowledge.”
“A pure pleasure, Queen,” Heysan smiles and brings her hand up to his lips. “Your beauty is unmatched.”
Renate gives him another small smile and lets her voice carry over the room.
“I mimic our Lady Alexis’ sentiment, Ancient Heysan. You honor us today with your presence at my son’s coronation. This is a welcomed surprise, yet a surprise, still.”
Heysan releases the Queen’s hand with a flourish of his own. “One that your son is exceedingly worthy of, Queen Renate.”
She smiles and stands tall in front of him, a look of curiousness now settling across her features.
“Might I ask, Ancient, how this came to be?”
“You mean, how one of the Ancient Ten is now walking this Old World?” he chuckles. “It is an epic tale, Queen Renate, and one I would love to share with you sometime tonight if you’d save me the time.”
“You will have a seat at the head of the table,” she affirms.
“You honor me, Your Grace,” he bows his head, “thank you.”
I shift from the two and look at Troy standing next to his mother. He’s watching the Ancient with his own curious and cool glance, though in perfect Emissary character, he gives Heysan a friendly smile that could rival the Ancient’s.