Gareth and Ellisandra sat across from each other on the garden stoop of Guanji's house. They were both bundled up in comfy, fluffy wool blankets with warm cups of tea in their hands, as they talked about anything and everything.

  “Why do you smoke spirit leaves? If you don't mind me asking. You didn't always smoke, or did you smoke previously?” She asked after a lull in the conversation. Her legs were tucked against her chest while she rested her head on her knees.

  Gareth took a sip of his glorious dark tea, accented by a splash of milk and honey, South African style, “I used to smoke in the past, though that stuff was way~ more toxic than these spirit herbs. It firstly helps me calm down a bit, like an old habit that slightly eases homesickness. It secondly nourishes the flame aspect of my right lung...Do you smoke?” The soft pitter-patter of a late Twilight rain briefly filled the silence.

  She nodded. A cool breeze ruffled their hair, unable to penetrate through the thick wool to their cosy warm bodies beneath, “Mother does not look fondly on the practice, but my father smokes, and would not mind the occasional splif."

  “Whoa! Hahaha.” Gareth chuckled softly, “I haven't heard it called a splif in forever, we called them J’s after a choom of mine. So, who did you listen to, your mom or dad?”

  “Mother, naturally. I am next in line to inherit two realms: Volun and the Ellis lands. Considering that the Ellis lands are much more vast, my mother's methods of ruling should hold more sway, and I should therefore emulate her more thoroughly. So, no smoking.” She finished dryly, and they both shared a chuckle as the conversation lapsed into another reminiscent silence.

  The occasional crackle of thunder rolled across the dark sky - the calling of frogs and crickets harmonising with the trickle of water and streams. Dawn was approaching, though the cliff would still cast its shadow over them for a few months yet. The wonder of moments like these, Gareth found, was in how slow the solar rotation could be - beautiful sunsets that don't just last a scant eight minutes, but hours. The cool, crisp morning air as the sun slowly rose could be extended into days of warm tea, foggy breaths, and cold noses.

  “Do you ever get scared to go out in the dark?” Gareth asked, referencing her own ranger expeditions.

  She tilted her head in consideration, “I used to be more scared of it, before I reached Tier 3, but my competence has ameliorated that fear somewhat.” She sat back and folded her legs. “Do you fear the dark?”

  Gareth laughed slightly and scoffed, "I used to be, especially before I infused my eyes. Though superpowers really have a way of helping you sleep more easily at night. I can see through almost any mundane shadow, though there's a caveat in that as well. You remember the drama a few months back, when a shade spawned in my room because I let the lantern go out? Well, I just about shat myself when I woke up, expecting to see nothing, and seeing that thing standing in the corner of my room!" They shared a chuckle, as Guanji's scolding had been heard all the way from the manor. "Hahaha! I don't think it made me fear the dark, but it did teach me to be scared of my master."

  "As you should be!" A distinct voice called from inside. Gareth rolled his eyes with a smile, even though he realised Guanji was listening in, as he should be. Ellisandra needed a qualified protector near her at all times, and that wasn't Gareth. Hence, Guanji also acted as a chaperone for the two of them. Gareth was just a prospective protector...for now.

  “It is a necessity." Ellisandra returned to the topic of conversation, ever focused, ever diligent. "Regardless of its tier, unless a city tree’s tier is higher than the ambient mana of the region, there is always the danger that a shade will spawn from the shadows… It is a risk. While our very own Volun tree is now tier 3, it is only barely equal to the mana level of the surrounding areas. Luckily, the ambient mana level is rising significantly slower than the tree is growing, so we should stay ahead of the curve. It is nevertheless safer not to stand too close to a shadow out there.”

  Gareth chuckled with a quick little nod of acknowledgement, "Don't I know it." He leaned over to the low coffee table and picked up his trusty single-chamber oak pipe. “Do you ever want to have kids?” He broached a somewhat testy subject, though he did it with a lighthearted tone so that she could deflect if she wanted. He activated the small ember in his right lung and, with a small exhalation, lit his pipe.

  She winced, “Not currently, and it is not a topic that has come up between Ivan’Tzar and I...Luckily.”

  “So he's the guy then? You've decided?” He asked not out of romantic interest but out of genuine friendly curiosity.

  “Perhaps... My parents and the emperor seem to think so. His son, Prince Richard, all but commanded me to marry him.”

  Gareth raised an eyebrow, “Is he allowed to do that?”

  “Prince Richard is an elite tier 8 royal prince; he didn't so much 'command' me as give me an early wedding gift, which says something in and of itself. He wants me to marry Ivan’Tzar, likely to stabilise our regions. His focus is on the health of the empire as a whole.” She shrugged and unfolded her legs, sat forward to pour herself some more tea, and shook her head. “He just fails to take my will into account. I thought that we were past the era of arranged marriages, and yet here we are. Ivan’Tzar himself is an adequate suitor; I might even like him. Yet, it is the principle of the demand that I struggle to tolerate. I will do my duty, but they must not think me a weak waif that will bow to his whims.”

  Gareth saw her anger and could have been a friend by riling her up, getting on her side, stoking that fire towards Ivan'Tzar. A best friend would seek clarification and a solution to the problem. She was going to marry the guy regardless of everything she just said. They both knew it. What he could do was to humanise Ivan'Tzar to her. She viewed him as this ultimate violation of her freedom. Gareth could help her like Ivan'Tzar more and make the transition easier for her.

  “Have you spoken to Ivan’Tzar about this?” He asked neutrally.

  She stared icily into the falling rain...“I have not.”

  “Do you think he might feel the same? The way I see it, this bachelor in his prime is being told by his daddy to marry a city girl.” He saw the fire in her eyes as she viciously turned on him, then hurriedly added, "From his perspective! The pig that he is!" He couldn't keep the impish smile from his face, letting her know that he was lightly teasing her to lighten the mood.

  She rolled her eyes, but because she was so diligent in following a conversation, she actually thought about what he had said, “I have not…considered…that.” She pointed her nose to the sky while avoiding eye contact.

  “Becau~se?”

  When she failed to reply, he decided to back off.

  He removed his pipe from the side of his mouth and raised his hands in surrender.

  “Listen, I can't judge. I've avoided plenty of things in my life. But he might be feeling the same. How old is he even?”

  “A few decades younger than I.” She replied neutrally, wanting to see where he went with this line of thought.

  Gareth replaced the pipe in the left corner of his mouth and puffed away, “Then it might be possible that he feels just as forced or trapped as you.”

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  “Then why did he not propose to me first?! Why did he go to my mother directly, in such a lazy, cold, businesslike manner? Why did he not at least try to court me?! As if I am some breeding cow to be summoned at will!” She snarled with sudden vehemence.

  Gareth, not phased by her sudden fury, shrugged, “In my culture, if you're gonna ask a girl to marry you, you ask her dad first. It's how it's done. But I'm guessing in his culture, they might also skip the dating step?” He shrugged and chuckled.

  "You are really not helping." She deadpanned, her ice-grey eyes mirroring their colour in their coldness. He'd stepped over a line.

  A sudden guilt punched him, and he realised he'd been a bit too blasé with that last statement. He sighed heavily, "I know...It's...just a difficult situation. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."

  The ice in her gaze gradually melted, and she nodded acknowledgement of his apology, "I do not think you are wrong, but...I do not feel that I can let go of this anger just yet. It is keeping me strong in my weaker moments. Your perspective does hold weight, and I will discuss this with Ivan'Tzar. If I am to be his intended bride, then it is time that I do my due diligence and get my betrothed in line..."

  In that moment, in the crossing of her arms and in the set of her jaw, he saw the Ellis heir apparent. He saw an ancient heritage of privilege, and while that would normally grate on him, he recognised that this family had worked for their position. They had earned it. That was something that he could respect, as that was what he was working towards himself.

  “Are you ready for the wedding in a few weeks?” Gareth asked neutrally.

  She sighed and took a long sip from her tea, “I am. If it is what the realm requires of me, then I shall do my duty and marry Ivan’tzar. As a child, my father read bedtime stories to me, where the princess was swept off her feet and saw love at first sight, and then they lived happily, ever…after.” She trailed off with a soft sigh, “My mother read the accounts of successful arranged marriages. While I was prepared for the inevitable with the latter, I always hoped for the former.” She took another sip, “I am prepared for this marriage. I am ready to be a good wife to Ivan’tzar, and in many centuries, I will be ready to be a mother. I just wish my marriage were not to be such a massive spectacle.”

  “Haha! When famous people get married, each important person expects an invite. It was the same in my world. All you can do, I think, is focus on the present. It might not be the future you wanted, but this is a chance to make really good memories you can look back on and smile about. I’ll be there every step of the way, watching your back.”

  She chuckled softly, “Thank you, my friend. You have made all this madness more bearable.”

  She sighed and stared at the rain for a few seconds before saying “Ack!” and waving away that topic of conversation.

  “Enough about my love life. Have you met anyone while you have been here?” She smirked because they both knew he couldn't use the excuse of training to avoid chicks.

  “Ha! Oh, you know how it is. Ladies can’t get enough of me!” He said boastfully, but when she merely smiled at his joke instead of moving on, he sighed. “It's been quiet, but I’m not ready for that stuff yet. I have wa~y too many monsters in my closet to consider romance.” He laughed mirthlessly. He picked at a lint on the wool blanket and faded into vulnerable silence.

  “Do not fret, Gareth. Your road is still long in coming, and there might one day come a lady who is willing to face those ‘monsters in your closet’. Be patient.” Ellisandra smiled softly and took another sip of her tea. They both looked off into the wet, shadowy woods of Guanji’s backyard, each lost in their own worlds.

  Ellisandra married that 1st of Dawn to much pomp and fanfare. The entire house of Ellis and Margrave made sure that nothing went wrong. No one from Marryvale was invited to the wedding, a massive slap in the face, but it was expected. Guanji found not one, not two, but three people who attempted to poison the cake; one person who poisoned the cutlery; and six people trying to plant bombs near the venue. They didn't tell Ellisandra of these developments as she was stressed enough, but Gareth could only let out a breath of relief after the ceremony was over.

  Hundreds of nobles from all across the empire flocked to Volun to witness the wedding, though no one was close with the family. Ivan’tzar’s family likewise made the long journey to attend, and if Gareth thought that Ivan’tzar was big… Ishka’tzar Blodovich was a mountain of muscle, muscle, and more muscle. ten feet tall. No jokes, the man was ten feet tall, and wider than Gareth’s own height.

  Ivan’tzar’s mother, Lilia’volkov Blodovich, was still taller than Gareth by more than two feet, but fit perfectly under the arm of her giant husband. Blonde hair and ice blue eyes, Ivan’tzar was his mother’s son in looks and temperament. They were both loud, boisterous, loving, and kind. Strange for imperial sensibilities, they received many veiled looks of disgust from Avrrestian socialites, but couldn't be fucken bothered. Gareth liked the family.

  Poluski was more than ten thousand miles away of monster, bandit, and horror infested wildlands, and the fact that they had made the journey at all, showed just how serious they were about the union.

  “So, ven is my new daughter coming to meet the babushkas?” Lilia’volkov asked as the two families sat at the head table. It caused an immediate silence as Ellismera smiled at her new counterpart. It was the reality that most brides went to live with their husbands, but Ellisandra had responsibilities to Volun and the Ellis lands. She could not abandon those responsibilities all willy-nilly.

  “Soon, Lillia’volkov, but it would be ideal if she were at least tier 4 before making such a journey,” Ellismera said.

  “You doubt our ability to protect her?” Lillia’volkov asked provocatively.

  “Never. The only reason we agreed to this proposal in the first place is that we are sure of your strength in arms. Yet...a mother worries regardless. I would give my daughter all the tools and tiers necessary to ensure her continued survival. It will likewise afford us more time to secure an adequate Protector to accompany her on her journey.”

  Lillia’volkov thought over her words. While she was thinking, Ivan’tzar’s younger brother, Alik’tzar, spoke. “Ve vill be more than happy to provide a protector-”

  He was cut off by a smack on the back of his head. “Oi! Vat was dat for?” he asked his mother.

  “Do not speak on matters of which you are ignorant, Alik. No protector ve select will be worthy, because no moder would trust dat person unless dey selected dem demselves.” She looked back down the line to Ellismera, five places away but within earshot of the high-ranking individuals. She gave a nod of respect, “Ve understand, Ellismera. Dough I had vished for grandchildren sooner.” She laughed, and the table followed as the olive branch extended between the two mothers-in-law.

  Other notable figures present were the imperial queen, Sonella, her daughter, Princess Aulette, and their youngest, Prince Valdimar. Valdimar was a little hurricane of mischief and destruction, and in the days leading up to the ceremony, Valdimar caused no less than five incidents. But he was lovable and contrite - and the emperor’s son - so he was never punished too harshly. His mother did, however, drag him to his room by the ear after he chased a flock of geese into the once pristinely white wedding venue.

  The wedding went off without a hitch. Ellisandra looked stunning in her jade marbled white wedding dress, with silver floral designs over her modest bust. Actual emeralds sprinkled tastefully across the flowers gave them a sense of realism, to the point that Gareth saw one or two bees lured in to land on them. Her silver hair and ice grey eyes matched beautifully with the dress, and Gareth couldn't stop a tear when she bound her hands with Ivan’Tzar.

  The rest of the ceremony went off without a hitch, even as Prince Richard stepped in to officiate the wedding in lieu of all the priests being missing. Gareth acted as one of the serving staff because he didn't need, nor want, the attention being a guest would warrant. It also allowed him to hear the idle gossip of the nobility.

  The wedding also highlighted the importance of ceremonies, as it seemed to strengthen the wants and desires of all present. From the humblest servant to the queen herself, Gareth heard their whispers grow into powerful singing. Gareth's [whispers of the Will] went wild. Dreams were inflamed by passion, longing, for a future like this, seemingly idyllic occasion. It breathed hope into the hopeful and steadiness to those who had already reached this milestone. Yet, where the flame of positivity bloomed, so too did the shadow of evil. He also heard the mean, degrading whispers that told of an ugly jealousy, an insidious whisper that promised harm, and each time that arrow of intent pointed at his charge, he let Guanji know.

  Nothing would disturb this day.

  Like all noble parties, this one turned out to be a banger. Exotic ballerinas from lands beyond the Everwinter Pillar performed beautifully as they glided among the guests, seeming to float through the throngs of people without brushing against a single one. Beautiful musicians, vocalists, and acrobats entertained the guests visually, while decadent food was served to the delight of all. Each dish was custom-made for each guest, and when Gareth had his lunch break, he delighted in the juicy, thick steak, green beans, and mash he'd ordered. Desert was a delightfully light, creamy lemon ice cream, quenelled over a slice of the most delicious baked cheesecake Gareth had ever eaten. Hell, it was the first baked cheesecake he'd ever eaten!

  Like all great things, this too had to end. The party died down, and people retired to their rooms, full from the feast. Ellisandra was spending the night in Ivan'Tzar's room, though Gareth stayed awake the entire time. If he sensed so much as a twinge of discomfort, he was ready to storm in there and do...something.

  His weakness plagued him, a constant reminder that he was not where he wanted to be in life. He needed to push, to work harder. He needed to amass more power so that he could defend the people he cared about. It was at that point that he realised that he truly cared about Ellisandra, her mother, her father, Guanji, and Oliver. They would help him on his path, but it was still one that he craved to walk alone. He needed independence.

  If Gareth had known of the events to follow, then he might not have taken that quiet morning air for granted.