“What is she thinking?” Phoenix had said, “I did not bring a single garment that is worthy of wearing in front of royalty!”
	I did my best not to laugh at her. She was adamant about going and buying a gown, even then she stated she had to settle. Zyra was shocked that the satyr didn’t have a tabard or similar piece of clothing with her family crest on it. I was surprised that Zyra had a crest herself, though it seemed to be a personal one rather than a familial one. It was a rather simple lion’s head depicted roaring on her brigandine. It was well made, and she seemed proud of it, saying it was given to her by the queen herself when she was deemed a hero. Red Hawk is incredulous about this meeting, I admit I am too, the last thing I want to do is waste a monarch’s time. I’ve met with powerful people– dwarves of course, but I was specifically trained for that. Even the gnomish wine-lord had been less foreign to me. While I couldn’t say I had no prior talk with avalonians, Phoenix was a long-time friend after all, I could say I had not met many pureblooded ones let alone a monarch. I hoped this one would not be as clingy as Zyra tended to be. 
	Speaking of, Zyra has made some progress with writing letters, mostly vowels, and has been learning to sound them out, and even relate them to her own language. Even though I've learned other languages before, it's fascinating to see someone else discover similarities that cross over our two worlds. Her language, which I am told is called Roilean, seems similar to the Old World's Vaelish language, which is somehow derivative of Vulgar Latin like the Romance languages of our own world. Apparently there are multiple dialects, she says the nobility in Avalon speak a similar but more fanciful version of the language called Rouean. I'd more or less equate it to a Myridean French similar to how the Lowlands Franco-Elves accents sound to the average human. It really does feel like a world plucked out of time here above the clouds. 

	Phoenix did a twirl in front of a mirror. Her dress was yellow at the shoulders and faded into a deep crimson at the hem. The dress flowed majestically as she moved, and looked like she was a painting springing to life that was colored like a brilliant sunset, “How does that look?” She asked as she adjusted her dress and tightened it in the back. The hem of the dress was layered like the petals of a flower wall the way up to her waist, where the bodice was tightly laced together in front with gold trimmed white laces. The dress was topped off around her nape with a floral embroidery in the shape of vibrant red carnations that acted as her collar.
	Zyra was sitting on a wooden chair with her hair done up in magenta curlers. Red blush had been applied to her cheeks and black liner on her eyes, all of it having been applied by Phoenix's, “Uh, I’m not an expert on this, Phoenix,” she shrugged dismissively, which seemed to take the wind out of the satyr's sails for only a moment. The two shared an inn room together while the others prepared in their own.
	Exhaling sharply with a smile, Phoenix chuckled, “Right, my apologies. Your hair should be ready soon.”
	“Do I gotta do this?”
	“Heavens, yes! You have so much beautiful hair! You just need to put some effort into it,” She began to help take the curlers out. The Lion’s locks fell down her back in large curls layered on top of each other in a way– which she had to admit did feel quite nice, “Now. What dress are you going to wear?”
	Zyra cocked her head, “Dress? I’ll be wearing my armor, as expected of me.”
	The satyr huffed, “If you say so. But I feel you would stun in a dress. Reece might be floored, too.”
	“Floored?” Zyra cocked her head in the other direction, “I can put him on the floor already,” She flexed her arms with a grin.
	Phoenix chuckled, “That is not what I mean. You two seem to be getting close, I figured that you may want to impress him.”
	Zyra paused and her face turned red after the gears in her head turned, “Ya two ain’t together?”
	Phoenix found herself laughing again and shaking her head at what she thought was a ridiculous notion, “The boy means well. There is an eight year gap between us, which I admit doesn’t matter much, but father would never approve. Reece has raised hell for the old man quite a few times, you see, and Mother wants me to marry a spell caster to continue the lineage,” She scowled at the mention of her mother.
	Zyra frowned, “Gotta wonder if he’s so fine being close to me since he’s so familiar with ya. Ya’re a half avalonian, yeah?”
	“Yes, what gave it away?”
	“No tail. Thin fur. Yar horns are big, admittedly. The ears are in a human-ish spot, too,” Zyra quickly prattled off, “The smell is a bit off. Ya smell more human, I mean.”
	“I– Is it that easy? Truly?” 
	Zyra shrugged, “It is for me,” She started to put her armor on. First came the chainmail hauberk, the metal ringed shirt slipping over her head with some effort. It fell heavily beyond her breast, the rings clinking loudly as they stopped at her thighs. The brigandine was next, white and black in a checkerboard pattern with the golden, roaring lion on the chest. She took a moment to adjust the straps, and put a belt on to complete the two items, her chainmail acting as a skirt. When she finished she looked rather dashing. She looked at Phoenix, “Don’t ya get all bashful and self-conscious about it, no one's gonna care. There are plenty of half avalonians, even in the Queen's court.”
	“Okay, okay,” Phoenix finished putting makeup on, “When is our meeting scheduled for, Zyra?”
	“Scheduled? She knows we’re coming, that’s enough,” The Lion stood to her full height and let her long hair flow, “We should go,” She stated after looking where the sun was, guessing it was nearing the middle of the day.
	Phoenix didn’t have time to complain about her own hair as Zyra left the room in a hurry. She barged into the men’s inn room and scanned them with her hands on her hips. Red Hawk was in a black, three piece suit with a red tie, as expected. Rael was in his armor which he had just finished polishing. Lastly was Reece who sat in the corner in a blue button up and khakis, “Morning, Zyra,” Reece greeted her with a smile, “Did you… do something with your hair?”
	The Lion suddenly blushed, “Uh, Phoenix was insistent about it.”
	“It looks good. I imagine I shouldn’t wear a cloak?” He guessed, quickly passing over his compliment, “I don’t have any furs like I would wear to meet with the dwarven aristocrats. Nothing as colorful as the gnomes would appreciate either.”
	“You met with gnomish leaders?” Rael raised a brow.
	“Wine barons, yeah. Graxon was working as a liaison. I was sixteen. I wore a floral print, salmon colored suit. I never wore it again,” He chuckled to himself, “Not that I never tried.”
	Now it was Red Hawk’s turn to knit his brow, “Gnomes are an odd bunch, I once had a gnomish woman try to… impress herself upon me, and after I declined her advances I apparently started a blood feud with her entire family,” he shook his head, as if experiencing it all over again for the first time in years. After a moment he realized the others were staring at him awkwardly and he cleared his throat, “Are we prepared, friends?”

	The walk from the ritzy Estron Hostelry to the castle was rather short. The crowds almost completely dispersed as they neared the iron fencing surrounding the colorful gardens that covered the castle grounds. The fence was about seven feet high and curved outward with long, difficult to climb poles that were close together to keep smaller races from slipping through. The main gate was wide with a guard on either side of it, but the gate had already been pulled open for the day. The guards did not stop the five as they stepped through and onto the polished cobblestone path that glistened in the late morning sunlight, “Is there anything we need to know before meeting with the Queen?” Red Hawk asked cautiously.
	Zyra shrugged, “I dunno. I’ve never really had to do anything specific. She’s kind enough.”
	“Is there no king?” Phoenix wondered aloud, holding the hem of her dress up so as to not get it dirty.
	“He passed, uh, ten years ago?” Zyra guessed with a dismissive shrug, “I never got to meet him. People don’t say a lotta good stuff about ‘im,” The Lion was the only one who didn’t seem to think there was a chance of the group embarrassing themselves. Rael was rather calm, Zyra noted, but then again he had done this before, “But they had a few kids. I was sayin’ that ya remind me of one of ‘em, Phoenix.”
	“Oh? Is that the friend you were talking about?” Phoenix didn’t get her answer before the guards hailed them.
	“Head inside, Zyra of Rivaan,” The guards told her. These ones were in full plate armor with the Avalonian tabard draped over it, “These are the Lowlanders you mentioned, I assume?” He eyed the four for a few moments behind his helmet, “Go inside and stop at the desk to check in and drop off your belongings. You may enter with yours, Zyra.”
	The five stepped inside. The foyer was large and wide with very few beams supporting a second floor. Stairs led up from the back center of the room to the balcony on the second floor. The castle seemed more like a palace the more of the inside Reece saw. Tall wooden doors to the left and right led deeper into the castle with a door straight ahead left agape to let visitors into the throne room. A desk had been set up to the side of the entrance where a few guards in plate stood to bar visitors entry without checking in first. Zyra grabbed Reece by the shoulder as the other three approached it, “Give me yar shoulder bag,” Zyra ordered quietly.
	Reece paused and saw his allies giving over their backpacks, weapons, and casting implements. He slid it off his shoulder and gave it over, watching as Zyra put it on.
	“Names?” The goblin at the counter, a small, young woman with dark yellow skin in a cute pink dress, put everyone’s things into baskets.
	“Zyra of Rivaan. Daughter of Yael,” The Lion went first.
	“Red Hawk, son of Crimson Horn.”
	“Phoenix Maxamillion, daughter of Arthur.”
	“Rael Summerfield, son of God.”
	“Reece M. Gawain.”
	Each of the group gave over their bags and weapons, except for Zyra. Better that she carry it than some desk clerk hold onto it. The guards gestured for them to pass where Zyra led them all into the courtroom. The group could hear two people arguing within, a human woman and a male goblin.
 Two tall thrones with crimson fabric covering thick cushions stood at the far end in front of colorful stained glass depicting a majestic pegasus taking flight. Four smaller chairs, two on each side of the pair of thrones, also sat on the raised dais that a long yellow rug led up to. The left throne was occupied by an avalonian woman, her steward standing at her side. She wore a puffy yellow and white outfit adorned with little sewn on fruit trees and leaned on one of the arm rests of her throne. A crown sat upon her brow made of gold with red and yellow gemstones and a red velvet cap. The top of the crown was shaped into several intertwining trees, each bearing a singular gemstone at the heart of their trunks. She had two long rabbit ears from the top of her head that stood straight up as the five entered. Her white hair was immaculately set, falling gracefully on her shoulders as she held up a hand. 
	The mostly incoherent arguing and name calling stopped immediately. A much younger avalonian woman in a flowing yellow gown and long brown hair appeared from a door and hurried to one of the smaller seats. She grinned and waved at Zyra who gave a wave back.
	“Zyra of Rivaan,” The Queen greeted with a smile, “And you have brought guests!”
	Rael removed his helmet and bowed his head, Reece knelt down on one knee, Red Hawk bowed in an eastern style, leaning forward with his torso and looking down, and Phoenix gave a deep curtsey. The young princess giggled and the Queen looked amused. The two people who were arguing looked pale as they stared up at Zyra.
	The queen cleared her throat, “Rise, Lowlanders. We are the Queen of Avalon, Elise Luna-Liebre the third. Zyra, the people see you as just. Can you aid Us with a little deliberation?”
	“If that is yar wish,” She nodded, looking a bit disinterested and impatient.
	Queen Elise nodded at the two, “Mister Frogge, please start over for Our friend here.”
	The goblin was gripping his long ears, almost tearing the soft flesh in his anxiety, “Uh, I found the island first! A nice, big one. I chartered its location and then went back to Avalon to claim it. Then this… human brings it back here. I tell her I claimed that island, showed the human I did and she has the gall to demand payment! She’s the one who didn’t do the proper paperwork!”
	“He was gonna need someone to bring this island back anyway, I just saved him the hassle of finding someone!” The woman scoffed.
	“But I didn’t ask you!” He jeered back, “I had someone lined up!”
	“I did the work and ya gotta pay for it!”
	The Queen raised her hand again and rubbed her temples, “This is what We have been putting up with since We started Our expansion project. No matter what We do, We still must deal with petty squabbles of the common peoples. Mister Frogge is, of course, correct, Missus Alwyn had not done the paperwork while he had. He does not deserve to be mistreated and have his island held ransom when he took the proper steps to obtain it.”
This made the goblin smile ear to ear, nearly gloating to the human woman beside him, but his smile quickly faded as the Queen continued.
“However, Miss Alwyn took initiative and has brought the island to Estron in a timely manner, and has even saved Us the trouble on numerous occasions of sourcing more islands, and We do want Our people to be as industrious as can be. We simply cannot bring Ourselves to punish her for her hard work,” Now it was the woman's turn to smile until the Queen looked to Zyra with a look that practically screamed that she was fed up with this argument.
“What would you do with such a case, O’ Hero of Ours?”
	Zyra tilted her head and leaned to one side, “Well, Frogge followed the law. He did what he was supposed to,” She looked at Rael for help.
	“You know these laws better than me, Zyra,” Rael smiled, “What does your heart tell you, my child? Let the Lord inform you, if anything.”
	“That he’s in the right, but that still doesn’t really feel… right,” The Lion frowned.
“Nothing is ever as black and white as you would hope, unfortunately. Even the men in the Bible had to make tough decisions amongst men with only God to guide them. Do not think of these things as below you, dear.”
	“You did not ask me,” Red Hawk began, “But to me it sounds like this woman went outside of the law and I think that the goblin should get it without charge.”
	Phoenix huffed, “If I am to assume, which I feel I must, this initiative must include a part that requires these islands to be reigned in and brought here. She did it and should be paid.”
	Reece frowned, “You said you had someone else you meant to hire, Frogge?”
	“Of course!” The goblin cried, “My cousin’s friend’s brother’s wife!”
	“And you were going to pay her less than what this woman is demanding?” He continued.
	“Oh, much less.”
	“Then pay her that much,” Reece shook his head dismissively, also thinking this debate was beneath him and was eager to get to why he was here, “I really do think she is wrong, but she did a job and should be paid.”
	All eyes turned to The Lion for the final say. She shrugged, “That sounds fair to me.”
	Queen Elise raised her hands, glad to finally be done with it, “There you have it. Mister Frogge? The payment?”
	“A barrel of aged ale and fifty pieces. I’ll even throw in a dinner down at the Flame’s Bane if ya wanna go on a date!” He laughed.
	Miss Alwyn rolled her eyes, “Not in this lifetime, nor the next, goblin.”
	The two left, leaving the group of five with the Queen. Zyra could feel how anxious her human friend was. As the Queen waved her hand, a man servant came from one of the side doors and brought her a cup of tea. Each of the servants wore the same garments, a black and gold-trimmed coat with floral designs etched into their upward turned lapels.  Pure white cravats covered their necks and poofed out from below their fanciful knots. The men wore black slacks with white tights that were shown from their knees down into their black, buckled shoes, while the women wore modest white skirts that only slightly bloomed out and kept their shoes hidden.  Zyra put her hand on Reece’s shoulder and gave him a small shake and a little smile as he glanced up at her. As Queen Elise finished whetting her thirst, she sighed, “Speaking candidly, Zyra, I wish you spent more time here and by my side. It is a bit dull without my sons here. First thing is first, Miss Gould, who am I speaking to at the moment?”
	The goblin receptionist ran up the Queen’s stairs and cleared her throat, “Before you, the honorable Queen Elise the third, is the elf, Red Hawk, the avalonian named Phoenix, the avalonian Zyra of Rivaan, and the humans, Reece and Rael. Please keep in mind that you are talking to royalty, and infractions against our lovely queen and nation will not be tolerated. Furthermore, speaking casually will not be tolerated. Be on your best behavior and do not–” 
	Zyra held up a hand, silencing the goblin. She had heard this many many times before.
	“You are dismissed,” The Queen chuckled, “For what do you have the honor of addressing Us today, Zyra? Surely it is not just to introduce your new Lowland friends?”
	Reece stepped forward timidly, “If I may, Queen Elise–”
	She held up a hand, “We were addressing The Lion, Reece, was it? We shall have Our trusted hero tell Us.”
	Reece took a large step back, getting behind Zyra in the line they were in. He remained stoic, but Zyra could tell he was a bit upset. The Lion heaved a sigh and stepped forward, “We are in pursuit of justice, my Queen,” The rabbit-avolian raised a brow and relaxed in her throne. The Princess was listening intently, “A Lowlander dwarf was murdered in his home after comin’ to Avalon and the only clue was given to Reece here,” She brought the boy forward and brought the box from his bag, “He was pointed to Oberon where we then looked for clues. These ones helped me slay a trio of wyverns and we headed here after the box pointed here.”
	Reece took the box and activated the wyvern, using it like a compass. It pointed North-East in a short demonstration.
	“We’re lookin’ for any kind of information on this. Either Graxon or this mysterious box. Yesterday, the humans here were attacked by a group,” She quickly added.
	“Yes, We were told of this random attack,” The Queen sighed, “Our apologies, but there is not much more to it, as far as We know. Three of the attackers wound up dead in their cells, seemingly self-inflicted. We have come to learn it was rather horrible with an odd foam coming from their mouths– a poison, We are told. The other two were simple mercenaries told they would be roughing up some people for coin. For all they knew, all five of them were mercenaries,” The Queen rose from her throne, “Furthermore, We do not think We will be much help to you. We have Our hands full with this expansion project. As you have seen, We are annoyed but not above this judging business, presiding over these petty squabbles, but who will the people listen to other than Us?” She sighed as she paced. Reece tried not to make it noticeable in how disappointed he felt, “We do have an offer for you. All of you. Tonight We are holding a ball for Our daughter. A place for suitors to meet with her, as distasteful as she finds them,” The Queen shot her daughter a sideways glance, clearly tired of the no doubt many exchanges they had about such things, “Why not attend and try to collect information there? Many of Our advisors and trusted individuals will be there as well as foreign suitors from around the islands. It should hopefully provide a wealth of information.”
	Zyra glanced at Reece who nodded and held back his disappointment. The Lion smiled, “Who are we to deny yar offer? Ya know I’m not much of a dancer, but when I talk, others like to listen.”
	The Queen smiled, “Good. We are glad to hear it. Pumpkin,” She turned to the princess who was instantly attentive and stood before the sovereign, “Take Zyra and her friends to the dining room. The chefs should be preparing to practice their food for tonight. Mamma has a few more groups to speak to,” The royal woman smiled, sat back down, and dismissed the group with a handwave.

	The five were brought into a dining hall by the excitable young princess and followed by a rather large human in plate armor, “Zyra!” the princess didn’t wait for them all to be seated, giving the tall avalonian a hug, “How have your adventures been!? Have you fought anything large!? And these Lowlanders, can they all speak our language? And did you bring me a gift this time? You said you would!”
	Phoenix figured she couldn’t be more than fourteen years of age. Fifteen at most. The rabbit girl’s ears stood straight up as she awaited Zyra’s answers, but the hero seemed a bit distracted as the group sat at the table with the princess at the head and Zyra to her right and Reece to the Hero’s right, “Huh?” Zyra looked at the princess, “Oh, we fought some wyverns like I told ya mom!” She put on a big smile as she started to recount the tale. The other three sat on the princess’s left: Phoenix, Red Hawk, and then Rael, “There were three of ‘em! We lured ‘em out early while they were huntin’.”
	“With the pee?”
	“Yeah, with the pee!”
	Phoenix found herself chuckling, “Zyra, you have not introduced us to the young lady.”
	“Ooooh, they do speak Rouean!” The Princess giggled, “My brothers were sure that none of you could. You may call me Diane, named after the legendary, noble Vaelysh goblin knight,” She looked at a door off to the side then back to the others, “What were you saying Zyra? We should have the chefs bringing out some food soon. They are doing some practice before the ball.”
	“Oh, I have not been to a ball in some time,” Phoenix smiled, “Zyra, you were telling her about our fight with the wyvern?”
	“Right!” The Lion puffed out her chest and continued the story, making sure to introduce everyone as she explained their part in the fight. 
	Food was brought out during the story. There were a lot of sweets, cakes, pastries, and some hard, glistening candy. Cheeses and cooked meats on tiny skewers, small slices of bread dipped in a vinegar and tomato-y jam, and some other finger foods. The main course was a large, roasted fowl; roughly the size of a dwarf, “Oh, I so love pygmy roc,” The Princess grinned with glee as one of the chefs sliced some white meat for her. 
	“R-Roc?” Red Hawk rubbed his forehead, “They live as well?”
	Zyra grinned at the elf’s sudden paleness, “What, ya don’t like big birds? These pygmies are harmless. We raise ‘em like any other farm animal.”
	Phoenix found herself chuckling. To see the other terror of the air reduced to massive chickens was nothing but silly to her. Her grin widened as steaks made of ground meat were brought out. She realized this was much too much to eat, but she pushed the thought from her mind, this was a time for her to relax. She was surprised to see the servants cutting poultry and cake and serving them to each member of the group along with a small platter of various finger foods. The young Princess sat proudly as her guests ogled the food.
	The servants brought out a few bottles of a dark liquid and poured a glass for each of them. It was a very sweet smelling liquid and Phoenix did not get a hint of alcohol in it. Simple juice, sparkling perhaps based on the bubbles. Zyra snuck a bit of meat but sat patiently as the others waited to dine. 
	Zyra was first to speak, “Rael! Can ya bless this food?”
	Diane nodded approvingly, “Oh, I would like to see a modern holy man at work.”
	The old cleric nodded slowly and cracked a smile, “I will keep this short with such a wonderful spread of food before us. Bow your heads,” Everyone did so and brought their hands together– except for Red Hawk, “Heavenly father, we thank you for delivering our friends safely from the Lowlands to here in Avalon. Lord, we pray for the health of the young Princess and for the success of the Queen’s expansion of Avalon. Lastly, Father, we ask you to bless this food to our body. Amen.”
Everyone, besides Red Hawk, repeated the Amen. 
	Phoenix was quick to fill her cheeks with delicious foods. The ground beef steak was a bit undercooked for her taste (she liked it burnt) but she had no complaints about the flavor. It was salty and had a sauce drizzled across, a gray and creamy mushroom sauce that brought out the richness of the dish. The roc meat was thinly sliced but full of flavor and served with steamed vegetables that had been basted in roc broth and drizzled with a gravy sauce. Phoenix didn’t think she would have room for the finger food, but knew she needed to try the little skewers. She made a gleeful noise as the spiced and glazed meat and peppery white cheese covered her tongue. Reece gave her a small smile and went back to staring at his food.
	She could feel his dour emotions despite the stoic look he tended to keep, “Is aught amiss?” She asked him quietly.
	He shrugged, “I’m trying not to feel like I’m wasting everyone’s time. I’m worried the box will keep pointing us further and further with no real end.”
	“Nothin’ to worry about!” The Lion grinned and put a sauce-covered hand on his shoulder, “We’ve only just started! We’ll be guided to where we need to be soon, just you wait.”
	Phoenix sampled the drink. Like she assumed, it was fizzy and tasted of grapes and strawberries with an acidic hit like pineapple. It was almost too much, but it helped cut through the savory meal, “Zyra is right. I have a good feeling about this going forward, even if this ball turns out to provide no information, we will march on.”
	The Princess leaned forward, “Reece, was it? Do you have something else to wear tonight?”
	He looked down at his button up, now stained with a red sauce on the shoulder. He frowned, “This is the best clothing I’ve brought,” He glanced at Red Hawk and seeing his fanciful suit with Hamilton embroidery he began to feel a bit under dressed.
	The Princess held up a hand and gestured for a servant to approach, “Have Wendy prepare to receive a male human of average build and miss Zyra. Something nice for tonight. After lunch, of course,” Diane was very polite when speaking, even to her servants. Phoenix would call her demure– and quite adorable as she slowly ate with excellent table manners. Perfect form when cutting meat into small bits to eat, though she tended to drag it through the sauce which Phoenix thought her own mother would rebuke her for. Red Hawk ate similarly, as expected of a proper elf under the employ of the Hamiltons. Rael tended to hold his fork more like a skewer and Reece’s like a pen. Zyra mostly was forgoing cutlery, picking up meat with her fork and taking massive bites from them. Phoenix was right, Zyra could eat the entire roc herself if she tried. The servants were prepared for this, as if she had dined here numerous times, and were working to cut and season the meat for her almost as quickly as she was eating them.
	Red Hawk set his cutlery down, “Lady Diane,” He began, “May I be excused? I wish to have words with the men who accosted my friends last night.”
	“They should be down in the dungeon. Hanken,” She looked at the large human, “Please escort our elven guest there.”
	“As you wish,” Hanken spoke slowly and nodded at the young lady.
	Rael stood as well, “Allow me to accompany you. I was there, afterall. If I may?”
	“So be it,” Diane was eager to pick up a slice of cake. Without the two men in attendance, she was gleeful that she could have more. She was still a child at heart, Phoenix knew.
	The satyr did the same as the two left, curious to try it for herself. It was a dense and cold cake made of three layers of yellow cake, the two in between layers were full of red preserves and cream. The entire cake was drizzled in very liquidy frosting that was almost too sweet, but eating it with the tart berry filling balanced it out very well. She tried the thin tart, a simple layer of cooked custard full of various berries and sprinkled with powdered sugar.
	“You seem to be enjoying the clafoutis!” Diane was delighted, “Not many enjoy the rather simple treat, but I tend to sneak it for breakfast.”
	“Oh, it is marvellous,” Phoenix grinned.
	“See? They’re so much alike,” Zyra nudged Reece. The boy shrugged and tried some of the small candies.
	Phoenix needed time for her stomach to settle before she ate even more sweets, “Princess Diane, may I ask about your family? There were quite a few chairs in the throne room.”
	Diane nodded, “My mother, the Queen, was King Francisco Luna-Liebre the fourth’s third wife. She was rather young and gave the late King, my father, four children. The triplet princes: Carlos, Julian, and Miguel, named after a trio of heroes of yesteryear– and I myself was the fourth.”
	“Those are rather spanish names,” Reece noted, “Was that a New World occurrence?”
	“No. As I understand it, this kind of naming has been in the royal family for many generations. But you say this is similar to names from the Lowlands?” She cocked her head.
	Reece nodded, “I know Arthurian myth made its way to the Old World. It wouldn’t be that difficult to imagine some Spanish culture did. It could have been a book that was translated, or even a person could have crossed the barrier between worlds by accident– It's happened a few times in both directions. Then they somehow married into the royal family or made some kind of impact,” He made a motion like he was going for his journal, but then remembered he had left it behind, “Anyway, I imagine your brothers are not here?”
	“Of course,” Diane shook her head, “They are out proving themselves to mamma that they are fit to rule. It's a miracle that none of them have fallen off of Avalon. They are helping push the Queen’s project of expansion forward, speaking to other nations, bringing small villages into the fold, and so on.”
	“There are other nations besides Avalon in the Highlands?”
	“But of course! There are the remains of Vaelyn to the West, small as their nation has become they are still our strongest ally in these days! Then there are the Northern Crestalts, they are larger than Avalon but very cold with more creatures to watch out for. We do a bit of trading but we are working on doing more in the future. There are the sister nations to the East, Marylls and Trendal, and a few others past them. We are eager to trade with all of them. We feel the need to strengthen our ties as we slowly expand Avalon and Estron.”
	“I see,” Reece finished off his roc and drink with a contented sigh. He watched as Phoenix and Diane went for thirds or fourths on the deserts before Zyra did the same, a miracle considering she had been eating so much meat. He wondered if all avalonians had a second stomach for sweets.
	“Good Lady Diane,” One of the servants approached quietly, “The guest rooms are ready. Miss Wendy is going rabid with excitement.”
	“Splendid,” She looked at the sweets with as much hunger in her eyes as when the meal began, “Cover these up for us and bring them to the common room, please. I am sure my guests are rather weary.”

	“Oh, I think you will look absolutely dashing in crimson!” Wendy the gremylkin grinned as she held the fabric up on Reece’s bare torso. Her long, prehensile tail flicked back and forth as it clutched a pair of scissors. She played with her curly purple hair for a moment with similarly colored, furred hands, “Plum?” She asked, looking back at the three onlookers. Her cat-like ears were twitching with excitement.
	Diane smirked, “I think either works.”
	Phoenix tilted her head, “Maybe something else.”
	The Lion was unconcerned with the proceedings and was picking at her claws with a knife.
	“How about we do more than one color?” Wendy decided, picking out a dark, ochre yellow and a burgundy, “This?”
	Phoenix and Diane both nodded eagerly, easily picturing the boy wearing those colors. Reece stared silently, quickly relenting to the others. 
	“So dashing and gallant!” Wendy swooned. The older goblinoid pulled a measuring tape out of her apron and started to commit the numbers to memory. Reece only got a glance at the tape, the numbers obviously weren't in inches or centimeters. Their measurement units were about half an inch, maybe closer to three fifths. Wendy quickly scampered away to her workbench and began to furiously cut, snip, and sew. Reece sat on the stool Wendy had been using and rubbed his face. The tailor’s workspace was very cluttered with rolls of fabric, boxes of buttons and string just about on every surface, and tools scattered everywhere. A huge yellow dress was sitting on a big mannequin and was being repaired by a helper. Both of them wore outfits like the other maids but in purple and with dark leather aprons. Despite how messy it seemed both knew exactly where everything they needed was. 
	Diane cleared her throat, “Reece. I know Zyra already explained what you are all doing here, but I would like to hear about it from you. My friend’s description lacked the details. I am sure a man like you has committed them to memory.”
	“My Lady…” Reece trailed off and frowned at the young lady, “I am unsure you wish to hear the… more gruesome details of my plight.”
	“I am not the young woman you perceive me to be,” She firmly stated, crossing one leg over the other, “I was there when my father, the King, passed. He succumbed to a terrible poison when I was young, and I could only watch as he suffered, unable to breathe. He is in a better place now and the kingdom is at peace and prosperous. There have been attempts on my life ever since. I have been preparing to take the throne should my idiot brothers succumb to their folly or another's.”
	Reece nodded. The young woman had read him like an open book, “I found my mentor murdered. A single dagger shoved in his back and left behind. No object out of place and no struggle. The only things I had to go on were the murder weapon: an anti-magic blade, and the box, The Avalonian Box, I’ve called it,” He brought it out of his bag. As expected, Diane outstretched her arm to ask for it wordlessly. Reece handed it over and watched intently as the Princess turned it over in her hands and poked and prodded at the construction. She was able to pop out the wyvern compass like Reece had done so many times, “It points North. I was hoping my quarry would be in this town, whatever my quarry will be. I will have to collect the blood of these other creatures to activate the other three.”
“To what end? What do you hope to find?”
Her question was genuine, a desire to know what would drive a boy on such a mad sounding quest, “Answers. I have to know why. I have to know why someone would do this to such a kind and well-liked man, I have to know what he found, I have to know why he sent me the box,” Reece slumped, barely acknowledging the gremylkin who returned to take a few more measurements, “And now I’ve been attacked. I don’t know if it's because of my connection or because of the box. I fear I’ve put my friends in danger now, including The Lion. A part of me says that I’ll never learn, or worse that I’ll get someone killed. We could all be in danger at this very moment.”
	Diane remained stoic as the boy’s despair was laid before her. Zyra watched her. It was the first time Phoenix had seen The Lion wait to reply or act, “Did you come here thinking this would be easy?” Reece was taken aback by her sudden harshness, “That Avalon would give its secrets as easily and without pushback as a whore might open her legs? No. Everyone has secrets to keep close to their chest. Everyone has skeletons. If a king of the land, who was previously well liked, suddenly grew ill in the head and began to lose his grip on things was in power, what would you do? He has a firm grip, people are starving, trouble is brewing, crime is high. He will not step down despite himself and his madness. He was no longer the father I loved,” She stared at the human, “Faced with the hardships you have now, what would you do to save people? Especially if this is someone you love.”
	“I don’t see how this is applicable,” Reece tilted his head.
	Diane nodded, “I am trying to help you understand that there is difficulty in seeking what you want or what is right. What you are looking for is justice, no? All of your friends seem to understand this. But you need to. You need to realize you must walk over coals to find what you want. You must hurt. You may have to kill. Take heart, Reece. You have wonderful allies. Make their perseverance and resolve yours.”
	Reece nodded slowly, “I understand.”
	“You should relax, Reece,” Phoenix gently told him, “With how wound up you are, you are going to shatter your teeth with how much you are grinding. I can feel how tense you are from here.”
	Zyra struggled to come up with a response, “Uhm,” She felt the need to speak, feeling his despair as well.
	Diane smiled at her friend, “You have The Lion with you, Reece. She was the best royal guard and personal guard I ever had– but Hanken is catching up. You have nothing to fear with her and Phoenix by your side.”
	Reece nodded, finally raising his head, “Thank you,” He mewled and sighed wearily, “Wendy, are we done? I need a nap.”
	The gremylkin scurried over with a shirt and pants in hand with her assistant bringing black leather boots, “Try these on and you can go. I’ll fetch you when we are ready for final fitting.”

	“Any luck?”
	“No. Just like with those mercenaries, no one knows anything or they’re good at withholding it. If Graxon was here, he was not here long enough or did not cause enough of a splash to be remembered,” Red Hawk replied. He held a glass of wine in hand.
	Reece tried not to slouch, it would not be becoming of the Princess’s guest to start acting up. The ballroom was long but not very wide. The center of the room was clear, no one was dancing yet. The guests were all wearing fancy clothes in vibrant colors as they ate sweets and horderves. The Princess sat off to one side with most of the Lowlanders and her personal guard, Hanken. Rael was in his armor and stood at attention like another guard, Red Hawk wore a suit and tie, and Phoenix was in the same wondrous gown. Zyra caught glances from everyone as they stayed out of her way, she was in a bright yellow and flowing gown that she was obviously uncomfortable in as she held the long skirt tightly.  It felt much too airy, and yet somehow restricting. She was trying not to tear at the fabric, but definitely was damaging her clothes in one fashion or another.
	Sitting up, Reece took another bite of the delicious cake. He was in black leather boots, burgundy pants, and a long sleeved shirt in the same color with a wide stripe of ochre down the center and along the sleeves with short white frills bordering it and ochre puffy shoulders. Small designs of trees were embroidered in a brighter yellow next to brass buttons and a white collar. It was well fitting and the comments of how dashing he was were falling on deaf ears. He struggled to focus, his mind was wandering and weak. Finally parted from the box and knowing he, Red Hawk, and Phoenix had all turned up empty handed, he suddenly found himself with a goal, but no lead or aim on how to achieve it. 
	Phoenix, sensing his current emotional state, offered Reece her hand, “Care to dance?”
	His face was a mix of emotions as the satyr fluttered her eyelashes at him. The boy relented and stood, “Anything for you.”
	“Such a gentleman,” She cooed as the two made their way onto the dance floor, eyes turning their way. Without a King to kick things off with the Queen, it was left up to the guests to break the ice. 
	Zyra felt a mixture of conflicting emotions as he saw the two standing hand-in-hand. One hand on Phoenix’s hip from Reece, and her hand on his shoulder as they waited for the bards to pick up their song. The Lion watched intently, much to Diane’s amusement. The two could tell the Lowlander pair were well practiced. Slow, elegant steps in one another’s arms, spinning and twirling around each other, pulling away and holding their bodies close before finishing on the bards’ crescendoing music with Reece gracefully holding Phoenix over his head for a few moments. The crowd politely clapped for the two who gave a bow and waves. Other dancers began to take to the floor.
	The Lion rashly decided it was her turn stomped up to Reece and Phoenix as they were about to return to their seats. Diane thought to stop her, but imagined the proceedings would be rather amusing. The large avalonian wordlessly put her hand out, asking for Reece’s as her face turned flush. He gave her an incredulous look, but Phoenix urged him with a glance as she returned to her seat. He took it and the crowd began to murmur, some dancers clearing room for the two. Her large paw-hand easily covered his, “I didn’t take you for a dancer.”
	“Me neither,” Zyra’s face was a mixture of frustration, anger, and confusion as she tried to dance. Her hefty, large hand weighed down on his shoulder, “Ya and Phoenix? Ya dance a lot?”
	“Not really,” Reece did his best to lead the two in their dance to help guide Zyra’s steps. She was surprisingly uncoordinated, definitely barely trained, but her strong, wide steps dragged Reece along despite his best efforts.
	The other dancers who weren’t watching the two did a gentle spin with one another, so of course Zyra spun Reece rather violently as she began to scowl more, “Then whataya call that dance with her?”
	“I’m traditionally trained, Zyra. Even before I met her I knew how to dance. We’ve been to a few parties together over the years is all.”
	“Just a few? Ya dance like that and it's just a few?”
	“I really don’t understand what you’re getting at, Zyra,” Reece frowned.
	Zyra was getting angrier and redder in the face, “Ya’re real close, ain’t ya? Ya sure ya ain’t together?”
	“Phoenix? Me?” Reece had to hold back a laugh at such an absurd accusation. He let out a soft scoff, “Not in my wildest dreams.”
	“Oh, so ya do like her?”
	The twos’ pace had slowed. They were off tempo, Reece was sweating looking up at Zyra’s hurt expression. Her muscles were tensing, her eyes were wet, and The Lion wasn’t thinking straight. The boy struggled to maintain composure now, “Z-Zyra, we’re just friends.”
	“Ya just messin’ with me now, huh?”
	“What?”
	“When I see the two of ya, I get this feelin’ in my chest. I hate it!” She had stopped putting up the pretense of a dance, now just staring down at the boy, “I have all these feelin’s that I can’t make heads or tails of and now I gotta watch ya dance with some half avalonian princess!”
	The Lion’s hands were clamping down on him and there was nowhere to go, “What do you want me to say? That I don’t love her?”
	“I don’t know!” The force was getting stronger, she was tightening her grip.
	The boy grunted in pain, “Did I do something wrong?”
	“Yes– No–” The Lion had completely lost her composure now, people were staring at the two.
	“What is it? Just tell me!” 
	“I DON’T KNOW!” Zyra screamed.
	Horror crossed her face as Reece cried in pain, her claws having punctured the clothing and skin of his shoulder while her other hand crushed his hand and wrist. Sanguine liquid stained her white fur that she stared at in fear, the fear of what she had done. Reece fell to his knees holding his injured hand as The Lion slowly looked around the room. 
	Zyra ran.
	The massive avalonian burst through the balcony door, breaking it off its hinges as the full might of her weight and strength hit the wooden construction before tumbling off the balcony and landing in the flower garden and bushes. The branches tore at the dress she so despised, rending once beautiful yellow fabric in twain as dirt and leaves clung to her heaving, sobbing form. The Lion disappeared into the darkness, the onlookers unable to figure out where she went. 
	Most of the crowd was in shock as they watched her leave. When their senses returned, Reece had already been vacated from the room to somewhere private, first out of the ballroom and then into Princess Diane’s secluded wing of the castle. The festivities seemingly had ended abruptly with that. 
	Rael was quick to act, there had been a quick and large initial spurt of blood from the first puncture due to the pressure placed on it, but it was not as deadly as it could have been. The muscles had been punctured, but the main artery had been missed. Reece’s once ochre clothes had been stained a crimson that matched the burgundy. The cleric diligently did his work as Red Hawk, Phoenix, and Diane stood anxiously in the common room connecting five rooms arranged in a U shape. The largest at the head was Diane’s room. The others were simple with a desk, chair, bed, and nightstand. Their belongings had been brought here and distributed to each room. Cakes sat untouched in the mainroom on a coffee table surrounded by plush chairs. Reece’s bloodied clothes and the now bloodied sheets had been removed once the shoulder wound was mended. The clothing was handed to Wendy who returned to her workspace while the sheets were replaced with fresh ones. The bruised hand continued to hurt, but it was bearable. 
	“What happened out there, my boy?” Rael asked.
	Reece’s eyes were downcast, “She was acting so confused and pained. I don’t know what it was about. She mentioned Phoenix a few times, but… There had to be more to it than that.”
	The satyr put her head in her hands, “I… I am going to retire for the night.”
	“Tonight’s festivities turned rather… sour,” Diane agreed, “Hanken?”
	“No sign of her,” The guard replied.
	“Send her to me if she is found. I am worried about her, I pray she has not thrown herself from Estron,” The Princess looked like she was going to cry.
	Rael shook his head, “She is rash, but not that rash.”
	“O wise holy man,” The princess turned to him, “What do you think this was about? Impart your wisdom onto us.”
	“I cannot say. She has never been the most mature, but this is driven by something,” He replied, doffing his chest plate, “She was already emotional, and doing something she would find so unspeakable– at least to her, to someone she obviously cares about could have pushed her over the edge. Once she gets a grip of herself, she will return, I am sure.”
	Red Hawk leaned against the wall, “We should rest. We have nothing to gain from sitting here and lamenting about it. Let her cool down,” He turned to the few guards in attendance, “Wake me should you require a spell caster. I am adept at rendering a person incapacitated without harm.”
	They looked at each other nervously but nodded before being dismissed.
Reece lied in his bed listening to the others converse outside his door. He was exhausted after such a lengthy mending being cast on him. He felt restless anyway, unsure if sleep would come to him in time. Even then, would it be restful or would the pain of failing with Zyra keep him awake for hours. He held the box close, seeking some form of comfort.	

	Darkness was cast over the small bed chamber. Reece awoke with a start. He was panting and covered in a cold sweat. The visions of the box in his head were getting maddening. Now the box was humming. This wasn’t a dream, he rapidly realized. It was buzzing in reality. Now he knew he was going mad, but couldn’t keep his hands off the box. Reece paused and brought it to his ear and listened to the soft and erratic buzzing. Putting his finger into the mechanism, he popped the compass out. Faster than it ever had before, the wyvern pointed quickly in one direction. Throwing on a shirt and pants, Reece left his room. He was rather noisy as he threw his shoes on and darted from the Princess’s wing of the castle, a guard calling out as he hurried away. Taking the spiraling stairs down to the ground floor, Reece exited through a door that led into the garden. He hurried to the gate where the guards turned to him with confused expressions, “Reece, was it? What are you doing up this late?” They asked as he walked into the light of the lantern, “What is that?” They gestured to the box.
	“Just, uh, out for a run,” He panted, rapidly thinking of a lie to get past them.
	The guards looked at one another with more confusion, “You’re going to freeze to death dressed like that.”
	“Let us pass,” A gruff voice ordered, the guards instantly opening the gate. Hanken had somehow silently appeared behind Reece, “Lead on,” He told the boy.
	Reece nodded and panted, “Thank you.”
	The two entered the town, following the box’s directions.

	The damp cellar echoed with the sounds of the bar overhead. It was late and only the worst of drunkards still howled in revelry and laughter. That wasn’t what bothered Zyra. Barrels and boxes were stacked up around her, giving her a tiny cordoned off area that she had to squeeze into by clambering over some boxes. It was one of her safehouses, the bar owner owed her and allowed her to keep a stash here. She lay on her back wearing a simple tunic and pants as she stared up at the creaky wooden floor above her. Instead of feeling a complicated mix of upsetting emotions, The Lion now was full of apathy and emptiness. Most of the blood had been washed from her hand, but she still stared at it, seeing the image of blood in her mind, it was seared in. 
	The night crept on and on while rest did not come. The meditative sleep method wasn’t working either. Each time she cleared her mind and closed her eyes, she would see a more twisted version of the events in her head. Accusatory fingers, jeers, scowls, and angry glances. The Princess and the others all blaming her for killing the boy as blood covered the otherwise white floor. The visions made her heart race. She hadn’t done it on purpose, of course. She didn’t want to hurt him. She couldn’t process all of it as she tossed and turned. The burning sensation remained, now with an added pain. The thought of returning crossed her mind, but the fear of what Reece might say made her think again. Zyra continued to toss and turn, fighting with her own thoughts for the rest of the night.

	In the North West part of town, a vessel brought an island toward the main island of Estron. Ropes, hooks, and nets all clung to this chunk of rock, dirt, and grass. Once it was in position, the captain nodded with satisfaction. It wasn’t a particularly large chunk of rock, but it would fetch a pretty penny. She was the only one working this early, so she would be first to be served in the morning. This time, she knew this island was not claimed. She pulled into the dock and began to prepare her paperwork. A low droning alerted her to another ship starting up near her. It was a royal vessel, a small ship, and it was approaching her, “Hail!” She called.
	“Hail,” One of the passengers replied. There were three on it. A person wrapped in a cloak or blanket, the driver of the boat, and a royal guard. Miss Alwyn raised a brow, “Working early?” The driver asked.
	“Aye, some heroes let a goblin short me. Gotta make some money to pay for my room and board, so here I am,” Alwyn replied.
	The cloaked boy turned to her. It was the same one that had been in the throne room that day, “Ah,” He sheepishly avoided eye contact. Reece was freezing, thankfully the driver had an extra cloak for him to wear.
	“What can I do for you, boys?” Alwyn was now suspicious.
	Reece looked at the box. It was glowing brightly now, red light was being spilled over all of them. It was pointing right at the island, “This is it,” He declared, “It has to be.”
	“By Diane’s might, what is that!?” Alwyn felt terror grip her heart as she gazed upon the magical doodad and watched it glow, twitch, and buzz. 
	The royal guard, Hanken, looked at the tug boat driver, “By order of the royal family, we will be commandeering this island.”
	Fury replaced fear, “Are you kidding me!? I do all this work just to be shorted again!? By the Queen this time!?”
	“You can speak to Princess Diane about compensation when she arrives. This is a matter of Avalon’s security,” Hanken’s deep voice was firm, and full of authority, “I will personally make sure the princess speaks with you.”
	“Put the island over there,” The driver pointed to a spot where they would usually process these large floating land masses. A few others were ready with rope to reign it in.
	“Aye aye…” Arwyn groaned and did as she was told.
	More guards arrived once the island was put in place. Princess Diane and Rael had come as well, “Is this what you were looking for, Reece?” The Princess asked, her small form covered in a cute yellow cape with a hood that barely contained her rabbit-like ears.
	He showed her the box, “It started acting up something fierce,” He said as he disembarked from the dingy, “But I don’t know exactly what I need here. What am I looking for?” It was as if he was asking the box.
	“Climb up top,” Rael urged. He was dressed in a simple tunic. He must have sensed something was off and come running like Diane and Hanken, Reece figured. Using a ladder, he went up the stoney surface.
The boy kept his footing rather easily, he was surprised by how stable these islands were. This one was about the size of a bigger two story home. Reece looked at the long grass for anything out of place and in the darkness he found a gray stone, thin and tall like a gravestone. The box hummed more as he approached. He knelt down and took a closer look. It was smooth, a rectangle with a curved top and chipped sides. The stone chipped as the box was brought closer. Words in an unfamiliar language appeared in a similar bright red. Reece’s heart pound and curiosity took hold. He brought the box in contact with the stone. There was a zap from the box, a loud bang, and Reece’s world went dark.