Blade of Dawn

The moonlight sprawled across the floors of the Prince's chambers. She'd been here on several occasions, and several times over the last summer. She was the most trustworthy member of the Prince's intelligence network. When they met at their office clustered behind a hidden cabinet on the topmost floors of the Farmer's Inn—when they met there it was purely business. And when they met here, it was business of other sorts. 

She felt their clothes somewhere near their tangled legs. His large white comfortable sheets were enough to cover them both, and some more. But even that was lazily thrown across their bodies. She twisted in his strong arms to face him. She had to look up from his chest to look into the eyes that were already gazing into hers.

She was slightly startled.

"Saher." He said, brushing strands of her hair from her face. "Is something bothering you? You have been restless." As his spy, she had always scouted for his safety. She always was caught up on what he was up to, what ridiculous quests he was embarking. Now, he had told her that he was leaving tomorrow. He would not tell her where he was going, when he would return or why he was even leaving when the Empire needed him the most now. 

She could only promise him secrecy. 

She shook her head instead. The fingers of his wounded hand grazed her cheeks. It was well wrapped with the paste of some sort of medicinal creeper.

But she was still startled. Such intense emotions had never followed their intercourse. Today, it was different. He held her hand into his, and slipped something onto her palm. She knew what it was before she saw it. Her heart sank as she beheld a golden ring with a small rare dragon pearl embedded into the center. A Ravenswood heirloom. 

She wanted to shake him and ask him what the meaning of this was. But he only closed her palm with his hand, and held it close to her breast.

"It is night again, Saher. My people are falling." He said in a low voice, "The Empire is beginning to crumble. I will not ascend until I am worthy of the Throne. Perhaps, when I return everything will be fixed. Perhaps this quest that I embark on will save everyone." She could feel the warmth of his body as he lowered his head, "Hold onto this for me Saher, and when I fix everything, I'll come back for you." She kissed him gently, embracing him. 

The ring dug deeper into her palm, a great promise making it heavier.

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Faith was still having a hard time wrapping her head around everything Arechin had told her about yesterday. Every time she thought of the Realms Sword, her mind was redirected to the painting on the walls of the madman doctor's catacombs. You're looking at the last Queen of Arlin. His voice still sent shivers down her spine. It was pure disgust.

The sun was rising, and the early morning's cold air hit them both. But she was still drowsy, she had spent the entire last night thinking. Thinking, picking out weapons and supplies and then thinking some more.

Their conquest was confidential. She could only imagine what havoc would break if the existence of such devices came to the public light. According to Arechin, Prince Sloth probably already has his eyes on the Realms Sword. If Prince Sloth came into the possession of the Realms Sword, then hell would quite literally break loose.

"Faith," Arechin gritted out, already mounting his horse. They were outside the stables, making sure that all was in place. "Saddle up. We're leaving." 

All was set.

Faith took in a deep breath. She had told no one—Abraham, Tana, Prince Kaien. 

This was their chance to make everything right.

She soon mounted her own beautiful black stallion—Idalia—Beholder of the Sun.

You are the Daughter of Death, do not deny me. 

They rode into the rising sun himself.