Felia’s coronation was an event that caused celebration throughout much of the Dream.  The Illuminate Imprisoning house had grown by leaps and bounds once the kind and friendly Felia became Guardian, so it had come as no surprise to anyone when the beloved Guardian was promoted to rulership.

 

Many Illuminates came to wish their blessings, and even a few small groups of Freesouls came to congratulate her, as well.  However, at least one spot in the Dream was not filled with merrymaking on this joyous occasion.

 

In a quiet chamber of Threshold, two figures stood speaking.  Mefis’ gaunt figure, with his billowing cape held aloft by the floating, glowing clasps, was a sharp contrast to the figure standing next to him.

 

Talon held his head faced downward as he listened to Mefis, pretending to study his claws intently, but in truth he was studying Mefis.  Talon’s gloves were made of strong, firm leather.  Bound to each glove was a katar, a fearsome hand-to-hand combat weapon.  Three metal claws, joined together at the base, spreading from his fists like the claws of a tiger.  His feet were covered with strong, brown leather boots, tied with black leather straps.  Along his legs, chest, and arms he wore several wooden pieces of armor, with a black suit of chainmail barely visible beneath.  His head was covered by a metal helmet, with three spikes trailing off behind it – one around each side of his head, and one straight off the back of his head.  Talon’s fists clenched and released as he listened to Mefis speak, barely listening.

 

 “Only one thing matters to me, Mefis.” Talon broke in, interrupting Mefis in the middle of describing Felia’s daily routine.  “How many arts will you teach me to improve in, and how many of her essences do you require?”

 

Mefis stopped abruptly, taken aback at Talon’s forward attitude.  He cleared his throat, then swung his hand in a sweeping gesture.

 

 “But of course, friend Talon, I tire you with my inane babble.  I rest assured that you are quite competent and able to handle the task I assign to you.  You know that I have never been ordained as a Teacher, so my skills at teaching others are somewhat limited.  I can, however, assist you with some minor improvements.  I am quite gifted at arts of Insight.  For each essence you provide me with, I shall seek to advance your skills in any one art, as far as I am able to do so.”

 

 “However,” Mefis said, pausing, “I do not wish to harm her greatly, so… why don’t we set a limit at four.  I only seek four of her essences.  That should be more than enough to show her that her precious house cannot protect her.”  Mefis finished, with a smile.

 

Talon nodded simply.  “I accept.  Four essences and you will train me in four skills.  I depart now.”

 

Talon thumped his heels together, placed his hands together, and bowed formally to Mefis.  Then, without speaking a word, he turned abruptly, and strode out of the room.

 

Mefis stood staring at the space where Talon once stood, a bit taken aback at the speed with which things had progressed.  Then, he smiled.

 

The faster that Felia learned her lesson, the faster she would come crawling back to him.

Less than an hour later, a panicked Initiate of the Gathering burst into the room where Baila, Felia, and a few other members of the gathering were speaking.  The Initiate, named Gavin, was breathless.  His avatar has been damaged, and was nearly unable to maintain its focus.  As he stopped, panting, Baila raised her hands, and closed her eyes.

 

As Felia watched, Baila wove her hands in a circle, slowly gathering to them an orb of brightly glowing green mist.  She spoke a word, and the mist erupted, flying toward Gavin. The mist encircled his avatar, and it grew more opaque, more focused.  Gavin raised his head, and nodded thankfully to Baila.

 

 “Greetings, Gavin.  What brings you to us in such distress?” Felia asked curiously, waiting patiently for Gavin to respond.

 

 “All honor to you, Lady Felia.” Gavin greeted, after a moment.  “I regret disturbing you in your repose, but we have a rather … unwelcome guest.  Have you heard of the mercenary Talon?”

 

Felia nodded.  Behind her, Baila’s brow darkened.

 

 “Sir Talon has entered our house, Lady Baila,” Gavin continued, his voice faltering slightly,  “He dispatched several of our members, before stopping and demanding your presence.  We continued to try to fight him off, but he is quite powerful.  None of our adept warriors are dreaming right now.”

 

Gavin paused, before continuing,  “He demands four of your essences, Lady Felia.”

 

Felia gasped.  She turned and looked over the small group in the room.  It had originally been a meeting of the house’s diplomatic section, with Baila attending as an honored guest.  None of the attending Dreamers were warriors.  She closed her mind, and searched throughout the dream to try to sense other members of her house.  Opening her eyes, she frowned.  None of the currently Dreaming members of her house could combat Talon.

 

 “Even if we could fight him,” she surmised, “it wouldn’t stop him.  I know of this man.  He is one of the most powerful warriors in the City, and determined.  If we managed to fight him off today, he would be back tomorrow. There is no stopping him.  Do we know who sent him, and what they want?”

 

 “If you knew that much about him,” Baila replied testily, “you’d know he also doesn’t release his contract information.  You’ll get nothing out of him.”

 

Felia turned toward Baila, “What else can we do?  I’m not going to allow my Initaties to continue to be harmed to protect me.  Nor am I going to offer up my essence freely,” She replied, frowning.

 

 “Think about it, Dearie,”  Baila said, rubbing her chin,  “This mercenary won’t tell us who he’s working for, but we don’t need to ask him.  We’ve got the smartest people in the house all gathered right here.  So, let’s think about this.  Who would stand the most to gain from Felia being weakened?”

 

 “We are in no wars right now,” One of the diplomatic members commented, “As well, there are no guilds right now seeking to take our house from us.”  His formal suit was ruffled from the excitement, his normally calm demeanor broken.  A monocle dangled from his shirt pocket, having fallen from his cheek.

 

 “Indeed, Drake,” Baila said, “Also, Gavin, did Talon simply state that he wishes a Ruler’s essence, or did he specifically state Felia?”

 

 “He stated Lady Felia,” Gavin replied,  “No other names were mentioned.”

 

 “So, this is not an attack on the house itself, but on Felia alone,” Baila concluded,  “Therefore, we’ve concluded it’s not an external attack on the house.  That leaves only an internal threat.”

 

The diplomats gasped, and glanced at each other.  A shadow crossed Felia’s face.

 

 “Felia was just recently ascended.  There is the possibility that upset someone.”

 

 “I don’t believe it!” Felia declared, scowling.

 

 “You must, lass,” Baila said, consolingly,  “There’s only one possible suspect.  The other Guardians might have been upset that they were passed over because of you, but I don’t think that’s very likely.  No.  I’ve spoken with Laila and Mikael.  In the vote of your ascension, they both voted for you.  Justaius voted against you.”

 

 “Justaius would never do anything like that!” Felia replied.

 

 “Look at the facts, Dearie,” Baila said, sternly.  “You have a Ruler who voted against you being ascended.  He clearly felt threatened by you.  You have someone hiring the one mercenary in the city that would never mention his sources, under any circumstances.  You have them sending this mercenary on an attack against this house, targeting ONLY you.  Who else in the city would dislike you, Dearie?  You’re one of the sweetest dreamers I know.  Everyone likes you.  No.  I hate to say it, but it has to be Justaius,”  Baila finished, placing her hands on her hips.

 

 “He’ll be demoted for this!” Drake cried, leaping to his feet, “This is not the type of internal conflict that we’ll stand for!”

 

 “Hear hear!” cried one of the others, standing up,  “Felia, we petition the rulership to demote Justaius!” she demanded.

 

The room erupted into shouting as all the diplomats began clamoring about Justaius and what wrongs he’d done to them.  Cries for demotion rung through the halls.

 

 “Now, now,” Baila said, waving her hands to calm people down,  “We know the main problem is Justaius.  But first, we have to deal with the immediate problem: Talon.  I propose a solution – let’s sic the dog back on his master!”

 

Cheers erupted from everyone, except for Felia.

 

 “What do you say, Dearie?” Baila said, then, after a pause, “I mean, Ruler,” She added, with a wink.

 

Felia sighed tiredly,  “I can’t imagine Justaius doing something like this, but I suppose the facts are rather stacked against him.  Yes.  I will explain what has happened to my other co-Rulers, and he will be demoted.  In the meantime, feel free to exact whatever revenge you feel justified.”

 

 “Good, good,”  Baila said, smiling,  “Gavin, dear; I want you to take this note I’ve written.  I’ve placed a seal on it, so do not open it.  I want you to go out, and say these words exactly to Talon.  Listen carefully.  ‘You have performed your duty well, Talon.  We offer you a counter-proposal.  As long as Justaius bears the crest of the Gathering, each essence of his that you bring us, we will train you.  In addition, we will provide you with no less than 40 chakrams with which to pursue the job.  We will place no limits on this.  Give this missive to your contract, and tell him that we will not condone such idiocy.  If he tries it again, we will make him wish he’d never dreamed.’  Do you have all that?”

 

Gavin nodded,  “I do, Lady Baila.”  Gavin replied.  Bowing formally to the assembled Dreamers, he turned and hastened out the portal.

 

“There, there, Dearie,” Baila said, patting Felia’s shoulder,  “There’s nothing to worry about.  We’ve taken care of the problem.”

 

 “The rest of you,” she said, turning to Drake, and the rest of the diplomats, “now that we have the Bhegwir by the collar, we have to feed him.  Go out and find me those chakrams.”