Chapter Text
Between Solaria and Eraklyon, two realms who have been at war for so long no one can remember why they were fighting in the first place, lies Alfea. The last neutral ground since the destruction of Aster Dell 16 years ago. It’s nothing more than a centuries old castle surrounded by a small forest that can be passed through in half a day on foot. But for the realms, Alfea is of unmatched significance. One can only imagine what would happen without the constant presence of that small place of neutrality.
Hopefully no one will ever have to find out.
The castle of Alfea is illuminated by thousands of lights, decorated for the most important evening in its history. This will be the day Solaria and Eraklyon take the first step towards peace after centuries. It is the promise of an alliance between the most powerful realms, finally ending the war for good.
Today, Luna, the queen of Solaria, and Anna, queen of Eraklyon, will celebrate the first day of the official truce.
FARAH
“Musa, for the last time, try to look as if you wouldn’t like to murder everyone in this room! Bloom? Where is Bloom? I turned around for one second! That girl really needs a bell“ Farah sighed while her student showed her a smile that was only marginally better than the murder look. Progress was all about baby steps. She turned around, looking for her other student. Farah could feel the beginning of a headache behind her eyes. She longed for her quiet library. But instead of reading a book with a glass of wine she had to babysit two uncontrollable fairies. No thanks to Ben and his sneaky excuses to get out of attending events. She really shouldn’t have taken the girls with her.
“I’m here, Miss Dowling.“ Suddenly Bloom appeared next to Musa, smiling innocently as if she wasn’t the worst troublemaker in Solarian history. Farah massaged her temple. Leading a battalion was definitely easier than mentoring these young women.
“Here’s the deal: You will behave, okay? Because if you start a fight I will deny I know you and the two of you will probably end up in Alfea’s dungeon.“ She stared at the young women in front of her who only looked mildly impressed. Unbelievable! Today’s youth really wasn’t what it used to be.
“A little fight won’t get you into the dungeon,“ Bloom mumbled. Someone paid attention in class.
“What?“ Farah asked, her voice indicating trouble.
“Nothing.“ The fairy took a step back. Farah sighed again. One could count the minutes until the redhead gets into some sort of trouble on one hand. The girl really had a habit of doing the exact opposite of what she was told to do. And patience didn’t seem to be part of her vocabulary either. Farah could swear she aged at least twenty years since meeting the young woman for the first time. Being the queen’s strategic advisor was easy compared to mentoring Bloom. Reason enough for one final lecture.
“One last thing.“ She gave her girls a stern glance. Hoping to make them understand how important her next words would be. “You will do exactly as I say, when I say it. No matter what happens, no matter what you think you should do, if I say get out of here you will get. Out. Of. Here. Got it?“ Bloom and Musa looked up at her, unsure how to react. “You will promise me.“
Both nodded slowly. They were clearly less hyped than they had been just a few minutes prior. Her beration must seem harsh to them. Farah sighed for the tenth time in the last hour. That wasn’t her intention. She knew what it was like being a teenager and she didn’t want to crush the girl’s spirits. But times were dangerous and the wrong word to the wrong person could get you in serious trouble. All of them had to be very careful not to endanger the upcoming alliance.
Farah forced herself to smile. Nevertheless, the young women deserved to enjoy the evening. She brushed a strand of Bloom’s hair from her face and swiped a speck of dust from Musa’s sleeve. The two fairies looked surprisingly serious today, who could have imagined that? And she really was proud of her girls after all. Even though mentoring them could be exhausting at times. Especially when her students decided the rules didn’t apply to them.
And just because they knew how to get out of trouble didn’t mean they should get into trouble. But that was something that just didn’t seem to stick in their minds.
“You’re allowed to have fun tonight but be careful.“ This time her smile was genuine.The girls beamed at her, nodding eagerly this time. Those girls. She didn’t need any mind magic to know how relieved both of them were to be spared of any further lecture.
“Now off you go! I’ll join you in a minute,“ Farah gently dismissed her students.
The girls turned around immediately and practically ran towards the big hall. Just in front of the door they seemed to remember this was a serious event, stopping in their tracks and walking at a more appropriate speed. Someone must have taught them about manners.
The fairy scoffed with a smile and threw a glance at her reflection in the mirror, adjusting her hairstyle one last time. Tonight was very important for the upcoming alliance between Solaria and Eraklyon. The first after centuries of war between the two realms. A war that would fortunately end for good in a few days, finally making way for the peace everyone’s been longing for.
There might have been no literal battle fields since the destruction of Aster Dell but without an official treaty, peace was nothing more than a nice word. And with every day, that word turned more and more into something they could actually reach together.
As long as this night goes as planned.
“A solarian in front of a mirror, what an unusual view,“ said a mocking voice right next to her left ear. Of course, making peace with your enemy would be a lot easier if said enemy wasn’t an Eraklian. Even better, he was a Specialist. A fitting word for people being especially annoying.
“I must say I am surprised you know what a mirror is.“ Slowly, Farah turned around just to find herself staring into Saul Silva’s storm grey eyes. “What comes next? A book? Careful, you might accidentally become educated,“ she shot back, unable to hide the smile that formed at his annoyed expression. It was almost impressive how far the man was able to roll his eyes. He obviously wasn’t used to people talking back at him but as always, she was willing to take on for the team in the name of education. But in her experience she probably wouldn’t have to wait long for a clever response.
Then, with a slight smile, he leaned forward until their faces were mere inches apart. Farah tried her best not to pull a wry face. That would be beneath her level. She wasn’t from Eraklyon. But why did he always have to do this thing where he leaned forward with such a smug smile? Maybe it was a cultural thing. A culture of idiots, probably.
“No, I really wouldn’t want to give you a false impression, your pretentiousness. Although I can understand why reading is your favourite activity. Anything else seems impossible with a stick up your ass.“ His voice was sweet, his smile had the perfect amount of arrogance to weaken the knees of every person in his perimeter. She could throw up.
“If I had to decide between a stick up my ass and being dumber than a box of hair, I’d rather take the stick. Thank you very much.” Farah gave him a fake smile. “Quick question, did all of you eraklians fall out of the stupid tree, hitting every branch on the way down or is that just how you are?“ She shot back, getting more annoyed every second she had to spend with that insufferable man. How was she always the one ending up with him? He was so incredibly annoying and definitely the last person she wanted here.
Despite usually being in control of her emotions, somehow Saul – with his irritating personality and habit of being just very annoying- managed to bother her more than anyone else in the seven realms. Today wasn’t any different. Hopefully the epitome of idiocy hadn’t noticed the deep breath she had to take in order to slow down her heartbeat. Because every time they met, his face with the smug smile basically begged her to be punched. It was only due to her infinite patience that Saul Silva hadn’t made casual acquaintance with the floor. Yet.
But enduring the Specialist seemed so much harder right now, this evening being difficult enough to navigate. She really didn’t need that antonym of intelligence getting on her nerves.
Her magic flickered and for just one second her eyes shone in a bright lilac before she regained control. Doing her best not to show any surprise on her face, Farah couldn’t help but feel mortified at the sheer lack of control she had displayed a moment ago. When did she start behaving like a teenager? Her students must have rubbed off on her.
The Specialist in front of her had a knowing look on his face. Why did he have to be here? This unnerving man really was the last thing Farah needed to see now. Even first year fairies knew that runaway emotions lead to runaway magic. And still here she was, losing control like a teenager thanks to a Specialist.
Saul’s eyes sparkled as he gave her an amused smile. One hand rested on the fancy sword on his hip. The change in posture being the only indicator of his wariness. Just like the perfect soldier he was.
“Careful, fairy. People might think you’re attacking me with these flashy eyes of yours.“ His voice was the whisper of a commander used to frightening people with nothing more than a few mean words. Pathetic. She never had to use words.
“Right back at you, little soldier. Is that a knife in your pants or are you just happy to see me?“ Farah asked with raised eyebrows and a challenging smile. What was wrong with her? This was a formal event and somehow she still ended up getting pulled into another childish discussion with Saul Silva. How ironic.
Farah Dowling, the queen’s most trusted advisor with not only a brilliant mind but also great magic, had to spend her evening enduring the presence of the person that gave ‘tedious’ a whole new meaning. She didn’t get paid enough for this.
Fortunately, the girls weren’t here to witness how low she had sunk. She could never recover from the embarrassment that situation would bring. They would tease her about it for the rest of her life. She would never hear the end of it.
At least Saul seemed to be enjoying himself very much. What a great pleasure, one does what one can. But she saw the way his jaw clenched just the tiniest bit a moment ago. The sight of her success filling her with pride. Someone had to work on his poker face.
Getting on his nerves turned out to be rather entertaining. A small reward was better than nothing in the end.
Before he got the chance to reply, they were interrupted by a small man and a very tall woman with muscly arms and beautiful brown eyes. Farah remembered them distinctly from earlier that day. They seemed to be the ones responsible for getting the guests to the right location at the right time. A Solarian and an Eraklian, today was all about unions.
“The speech will start any minute,“ the small man informed them. Farah had totally forgotten about the speech. If she remembered correctly, the two queens wanted to hold it together. How long has she been standing here?
Next to her Saul bowed mockingly, extending his arm like a butler.
“After you, your eminence.“ Farah rolled her eyes at the nickname. The concept of a union would definitely seem more tempting if it didn’t include Saul Silva. Spending more than five minutes with him was already more than bearable. She didn’t need any extra time with him. Ever! But since today was all about friendship, Farah decided to be the bigger person. She fought down the urge to show her gratitude at being relieved from Saul’s presence and gave the man a polite smile.
“Lick rust, Silva.“
SAUL
The speech by the two queens, done in some weird wannabe united way, was beyond boring. Sky was doing his best to keep him awake, elbowing him in the side whenever Saul was supposed to applaud or give an approving nod. He spent the rest of the time mindlessly staring at a stain on an old man’s suit. What a waste of time.
This whole royal protocol was pretentious and he’d rather be sparring with the guards instead of attending the dullest event of dull events. Hell, he’d even talk to one of those absurd solarians. That’s how desperate this evening made him.
The alliance between Eraklyon and Solaria was the best thing that could happen to the realms but why did they have to make such a huge celebration out of it? Why not just sign the treaty and go home? Way less effort and definitely safer for everyone involved.
And he didn’t even have his sword with him after being forced to leave it at the entrance to the big hall. Stupid rule of a „room without weapons or magic“. They were scared of fights or assassinations or whatever. Saul scoffed. As if one of those skinny old men and women could ever lift anything heavier than a glass of wine. The space on his hip, where his sword used to be, felt terribly empty.
The only thing to lighten his mood were the Solarian fairies who had to rely on themselves for the first time in their life. Saul snickered quietly. Poor fairies. They probably didn’t even know how to tie their own shoelaces. The evening would be a completely new experience for them.
Still, they should have at least left him his sword. How was he supposed to fight off enemies with nothing but five knives?
Fucking hell, the most important people from not only Eraklyon and Solaria but the other realms as well were assembled in this castle. Free for any devious Solarian to attack from outside.
Of course, he had been against all of this but who would ever listen to him? And when all would inevitably fall down it would be up to Saul Silva to save the day. With five fucking knives.
He should really demand a raise.
“The fall of Aster Dell 16 years ago is the darkest chapter in the history of this war,“ the Solarian queen began the next part of her speech and Saul fought against a yawn.
The queen of Eraklyon continued: “and today – on the anniversary of Aster Dell’s destruction – we will finally take the first step towards a peaceful future for our realms.“ The two queens smiled very majestically at each other. Saul turned to Sky who was not only his best student and like a son to him but also the queen’s nephew. Therefore he was the only part of royalty Saul actually liked spending time with.
“Your royal majestyness prince Sky,“ he whispered. “One day you will stand there together with her majestic royalness, princess Stella and celebrate the anniversary of our alliance. You should probably start to practise your speech.“ Saul grinned at the young man next to him who suddenly had a very grumpy look on his face. Then Sky’s gaze wandered to something behind Saul and a malicious smile appeared on his face. Saul watched the boy through squinted eyes.
„You know what is a nice side effect of our alliance? You have to spend more time with the famous Farah Dowling. Aren’t you both the highest strategic advisors? I can imagine they will have you two attend a lot of meetings together.“ The young man had a shit-eating grin on his face while Saul screamed internally. He hadn’t considered that horrible side effect of this evening. And Sky’s definition of ‘famous’ was in dire need of an update.
“You think it’s too late to change jobs?“ he asked hopefully. The smirking Sky shaked his head. That boy really had no mercy with a man who would have to endure the prim, proper and posh Farah Dowling. On the contrary, he even seemed to enjoy his suffering.
Saul scoffed and turned around to focus on the speech, ignoring his godson.
“For what it’s worth, I think you’d make a great couple,“ Sky snickered and vanished before Saul had the chance to become violent. He shook his head in defeat. Who taught that boy to become such a pain in the ass? Today’s youth really had no respect for the ones that raised them. What a shame.
As Saul contemplated his parenting he spotted the absurdly extravagant hairstyle of Farah Dowling, the queen’s strategic advisor and Saul’s personal pain in the ass. The woman of his nightmares was standing so straight, she might actually have a stick in her back. Listening oh so attentively in her fancy blue jumpsuit that matched just so perfectly with her hazel eyes. Saul scoffed. Sky must have hit his head lately. How could he even get the idea that he and Farah Dowling of all people…
He shuddered. No, he would never catch any other feeling than anger for this insufferable fairy.
Suddenly, said insufferable fairy looked up and their gazes met as if she read his thoughts. Which was probably what she did, given her special magic and the fact that those solarians loved snooping around. A chill ran down his spine at the thought of that devious solarian’s magic. He couldn’t possibly imagine spending time with the woman by choice.
Farah frowned. Was she irritated by his staring or could she actually read minds? He was aware of the rumours concerning Farah Dowling. She was said to be one of the most powerful fairies of her generation, being a mind fairy by birth and experienced in every other element. Saul squinted, trying to figure out whether she was reading his thoughts or not. Her eyes looked dark in the dim light. Then Saul remembered about the magic ban on this room. How could he forget about the best part of this evening? Even if that evil fairy had the power to read his minds she couldn’t perform any devious magic on him. Saul relaxed instantly. His mind was safe from Farah Dowling.
After locking gazes for a few moments more, the woman shook her head. With one last aggravated glance she turned around . Saul couldn’t help but feel disappointed, he would have loved to continue annoying Farah Dowling for a little while.
That showed how desperate this evening made him. He’d rather talk to a Solarian.