The Circle

“Relax.” Lunafreya spoke, she looked to Adrian as she sat up, her eyes wide. “You’re safe, Sylvia is safe as well.” She gave a gentle smile.

Adrian looked to her, her pulse pounding as she thought of the titan, of the mage. She looked to her arms, the cuts were gone, her skin didn’t even scar. She took in a slow breath. “Was that…real” She asked her brows tucked together.

Lunafreya nodded, “Yes. Unfortunately.” She had a set of clothes folded up that she set on the end of the bed. “The king seems to be very adamant in getting you and the princess in his grasp.” She crossed her arms. “We’ve gotten nowhere with Parvus.” She shook her head.

“Parvus.” Adrian spoke, her brows drew together. “What was he thinking? Siding with the king? Why would anyone…” She grit her teeth. She stood and placed her hand on the side table.

“You’re weak.” Lunafreya placed her hand on Adrian’s back, syphoning a bit of her magic into her. “Take it easy, Adrian. You had horrible injuries…you should be dead.”

Adrian looked to the mage a moment, her eyes swirled with magic as she felt it enter her body. “I remember her slicing into my arms…” She spoke softly. “But I couldn’t stop, I couldn’t give in…” She shook her head.

Lunafreya nodded and took in a breath, “Adrian, you know what you’ve become, don’t you?” She questioned and looked to her a moment. Adrian stared to her, her expression filled with confusion. Lunafreya set a book down on the side table. “You’re not really human anymore, if you were you would be dead, easily with just a few of those gashes.” The book was one of the few that held information on the Hellicht. Adrian looked to the cover, an intricate drawing of a Hellicht mage stared back at her. She traced her fingertip over it for a moment. Lunafreya placed her hand on her shoulder. “This isn’t a bad thing, don’t look at it that day, the term demon is used with such a negative tie. You are not evil because of this. Evil is what the soul chooses to be.” She gave a gentle smile. “I’ll be here when you finish.” She moved and sat down in a chair and opened up a journal that she began to scribe into.

Adrian lifted up the clothing that Lunafreya set on the bed. She walked from the room and down the hallway. She felt a few wandering eyes of young mages as she walked by. Her clothing bloodied and torn. She slipped into the bathhouse and pushed a door open into a private bathroom. She set the clothing down and looked into the mirror. Her goggles were splattered with blood upon her head. Adrian pulled them off and looked to the red and blue lenses. She took in a breath and washed them beneath the faucet before she turned the knobs of the shower. Soon steam filled the room as she washed the blood from her body. The hot water felt incredible against her skin, it relaxed her. Her mind was spinning in circles.

Adrian soon exited the shower and unfolded the clothing that Lunafreya stacked up for her. She chuckled slightly. She’d left most of her clothing at the tower when she left. She only took what she needed. She pulled on the black tights over the tights she wore a ruffled skirt that was short in the front and long in the back, reaching down to the floor. Then she slipped into the black corset that had a black blouse beneath it. She pulled on knee high boots that had buckles about the leather that she fastened before she adjusted the belts about her waist and attached her dagger and pistol to her thighs. She slipped her goggles onto her head and touched the jewel around her neck. It was a beautiful deep red color. She slipped from the room carrying her battered bloodied clothing and came back to her room just as Elias came.

“Adrian…” He spoke and then grinned as he looked to her. “You look much better than you did earlier, how are you feeling?” He asked.

Adrian set the clothing on her bed and looked to him. “Well.” She gave a soft smile. Lunafreya had fallen asleep in the recliner, she’d been awake all night watching over Adrian. Adrian carefully tucked a blanket around her, “What is it Elias? What is troubling you?” She asked and looked to him.

“I hate that you can do that.” Elias chuckled. “The Grand Master requests your assistance.” He led her from the room.

“What’s wrong with Sylvia?” She asked, she could get bits and pieces of his thoughts that bounced around in his mind, without focusing it was much like flipping channels rapidly on a television.

Elias looked to her and smirked before he shook his head. “Nothing is wrong with her, she just had a dream, and the Grand Master would like you to project it for us to see.”

Adrian stepped onto the teleporting elevator and nodded. “Alright.” She gave a gentle smile.

“Adrian.” The grand master spoke with a smile. “You look well.” He stepped to her and offered her a gentle hug. He stepped back and then looked to Sylvia. “Did Elias fill you in?” He asked as he stepped over to the princess and the mirror.

Adrian nodded she smiled to Sylvia. “A dream.” She spoke and searched her eyes. “I’m glad you’re okay.” She spoke and then looked to the mirror. Adrian’s eyes swirled with the silver magic, red bolts of electricity darted around within the pupil.

“I’ll help you transfer the dream to the mirror so we all may see.” The Grand Master spoke.

Adrian gave a nod, “Alright.” She then looked to Sylvia. “Ready?” She asked. She stepped to her and placed her hand on Sylvia’s cheek. She stared into her eyes, her breathing slowed. Memories flashed quickly before her eyes. Adrian’s eyes closed as she took in a sharp breath. She focused and found the dream. It was just a few seconds later that she turned to the grand master. She touched his cheek and they locked eyes for a moment. The Grand Master then touched the mirror. He spoke a few words to finish off the spell and then the dream appeared before them.

Adrian crossed her arms as she watched, her eyes curious. When the mage was lifted up into the air a look of fascination came over her expression. She looked to Sylvia when the dream finished. “That wasn’t a dream…Syliva…” She spoke. “Grand Master…” She looked to him, awaiting his response.

“Most mages that are lost in the void have lost all sympathy for pain and suffering…for anything really. What makes us human is lost when our soul is trapped in between the worlds.” The Grand Master spoke. “Most mages trapped in the void as long as Murdoc have gone mad, if you travel to the void realm and bump into a mage, sometimes the words that come from their mouth make no sense, the gibberish that is spat out is so incoherent…the form of the mage may become distorted even.” He took in a breath and sighed slightly, “Princess, there is no need for apologies. As Lunafreya has stated you were born to lead, you will be the Queen of this kingdom one day and with that these times will pass.” The Grand Master then offered a smile. “Do not tell me that you are not of the Circle young mage.” He chuckled, “Your mother was a part of the circle and I see her in you.” He stared to her for a moment. “Anything that you have that may help us, I want to hear. Together we can stop the king and get you into the throne to end these senseless attacks and slaughtering.”

Lunafreya grinned when the Grand Master spoke. She looked to the map and pointed to the mountains east of the castle. “Another good bet would be to reach out to the city of Azalais. These are the dwarves that have lived in the mountains for centuries. I know that the king attacked them at one point, but their mountain home is nearly impossible to get into. I’m certain that they would be more than happy to assist the circle and our princess here in ending the reign of our tyrant of a king.”

“Very good point.” The Grand Master spoke. “The king will be distraught, trying to figure out who it was who killed that mage. He will never suspect that it was you.” He looked to Sylvia. “He will believe it is someone within the castle, and this will buy us time before he places his next piece into motion. I only hope we have enough time to begin assembling our allies before he does something more drastic.” He lifted the Talisman from the desk and turned it in his fingers. “If he’d brought the Lich King back…” He shook his head.

“There are other evils in this world that can be much worse than Nekros.” Lunafreya spoke, her voice low. “Things that can be conjured by blood magic, so long as he fuels mages with rage and recruits them, we will have to be on our toes…the way that mage used Adrian to summon the titan, I’ve never quite seen that. But blood magic is something that should never be dabbled in, it distorts the mind.”

Adrian shifted her weight, her arms were crossed tightly over her chest, she was deep in thought. “Blood magic ruins the mind.” She spoke, “Parvus was a perfectly normal and quite enjoyable person before he began fooling around with blood magic. It twisted him and turned him into a monster, all he cares about is destruction, his greed is absolutely encompassing.”

Elias looked to Adrian for a moment, “The king will stop at nothing. They tortured me in the dungeons for a few weeks before they finally made me summon the demon…I refused to tell them anything that they wanted…” He shook his head.

“You are a strong soul.” Lunafreya placed her hand on his shoulder and gave a gentle smile. “A very honorable mage.” She nodded and then looked to Sylvia. “My future queen, your highness.” She bowed her head and grinned. “The closest of the cities you mentioned is that of the Nightborn Elves, we can’t stop now while we are ahead of the king. He will soon realize that the mage was not killed from within the castle.”

“We should set off then.” She spoke and looked to Sylvia. “The sooner the better.”

The Grand Master took in a breath, “Are you sure you’ve recovered, Adrian?” He asked, his eyes worried.

Adrian looked to him, “I’m fine, Grand Master. Just a little tired, but I can manage.”

“Can you manage to get ambushed again?” Julius spoke he looked to her, his eyes locked on hers. “Because the king wants you and the princess. Who’s to say he hasn’t put out a request for your capture?”

Adrian looked to him an then smiled, “If he thinks he can capture me, he has another thing coming. I’m not going to stop out of fear, Julius. We can’t stop, the king doesn’t stop.”

“She’s right.” The Grand Master spoke and nodded.

Adrian grinned and then looked to Sylvia. “Let’s get moving then” She spoke and turned. Adrian led her into the hallway and down to the base of the tower. “You’re going to make a wonderful queen, Sylvia.” She spoke and offered a smile. “You might doubt yourself, but you will be a fair and just ruler, I can tell.” Her eyes glowed slightly. She then looked ahead as they walked over the drawbridge. She whistled and a flurry of snow flakes appeared before them. Ullr groaned and pushed his snout playfully into Adrian’s chest. He did circles around the two before he lay down and allowed Adrian to pet his snout. “I missed you too my friend.” She spoke and then climbed on. She offered her hand to Sylvia and helped her up before she lowered her goggles. A few moments later they shot into the sky and flew with speed through the air. Adrian took in a deep breath. “Okay…let’s try this…” She gripped onto Ullr and shut her eyes. Her pulse rose quickly as red sparks rushed down her arms.

Suddenly they disappeared. As Adrian opened her eyes they appeared in a thick fog. Ullr dipped and chortled happily as he flew about. Adrian grinned and chuckled. “This is incredible.” She laughed, “I’ve never been able to do that.” She looked to Sylvia. “I was one of the few mages that couldn’t.” She shook her head as Ullr began to descend toward the forest. “So what do you know of the elves, Sylvia?”

Adrian slipped from the back of Ullr and stepped to a tree that was charred and black. She placed her hand on it, her eyes sad. “I can’t believe he did this.” She spoke and shook her head. “I know of these elves, I’ve never been into the forest, I’ve been warned of the dangers of getting lost because of the enchantment.” She looked to the blue orbs that floated about as they entered the forest. She too began to feel the effects of the forest, a smile curved up her lips. She felt light, happy, content. She was as calm as she’d been in the past few days, before everything happened.

Adrian glanced to the pathway that they came across. “I do hope we aren’t getting ourselves lost.” She chuckled and walked along, she glanced up to the beautiful trees. “Though, I’m not sure I would mind being lost here much.” She looked to the beautiful flowers. A few of the blue orbs floated around her swirling slightly. Adrian took in a breath, she could hear the whispers of voices. These orbs were spirits. She reached forward toward one and touched it.

Suddenly memories flashed before her eyes. She stumbled slightly and stopped where she was. It took a minute or so, her eyes swirled with blue magic, almost the same color as the orbs. When she came back to she shook her head and looked to Sylvia. “A downside to my abilities.” She let out a chuckle. “These are spirits.” She spoke and looked to the orbs that floated about peacefully. “I’ve read stories of mages that came to this forest in search of power…the mages were lost for weeks, months even. Some emerge from the forest and are never the same.”

Adrian heard a rustling and turned her eyes, she watched as a bunny hopped before her across the trail and disappeared into the wildflowers on the other side. She smiled, the feeling of being high became more intense as they continued deeper into the forest. “This is an incredible feeling, I’ve never felt this way before.” She giggled slightly. Her eyes swirled full of magic. “How far in are they do you think?” She glanced to Sylvia.

She paused a moment at a fork in the path and looked to the markings upon a sign. Elvish. She stepped forward and a spirit lowered down and landed on her hand. Right path to the city, left path is to the temples. A voice spoke in her head. Adrian took a step back, her breath caught in her chest slightly. “To the right then.” She spoke and looked to Sylvia. She glanced up to the beautiful canopy, the dark green of the forest leaves. “I’ve never been to an elven city before, my life up until about 5 years ago was nearly as sheltered as you, princess.” She glanced to her and chuckled. “The Grand Master kept me under lock and key so to speak. I trained endlessly. Though I asked much of the world outside of the tower, for curiosity sake as well as the want to avenge my parents and the city…” She paused a moment, she’d heard something.

Adrian glanced around, her breaths were even. Her eyes scanned the environment. She continued on then, “I’ve met a few elves that have ventured outside of the cities. Each one I’ve met is a kind soul. They do not deserve what the king did..” She shook her head. “Most don’t…”

Adrian stumbled back then as something rushed in front of her. She was slammed harshly against the trunk of a tree. She found herself staring into the eyes of an elf. He had beautiful markings on his face that swirled about. He held her there, his brows tucked together. He glanced over his shoulder and spoke in the elvish tongue. She choked slightly as he pressed the beautifully carved wood of his bow against her neck. The elf glanced over his shoulder. There were several elves. He spoke in elvish to a man that looked to be the leader whom only returned a nod. Just as the man nodded the elf looked back to her and in one swift motion he brought his bow against the side of her head.

Darkness followed.

Adrian woke several hours later, her head was pounding. She looked around the dimly lit room. She moved slightly to find that her hands were bound to a pole behind her. She shifted uncomfortably. Her feet were bound as well. She looked down to find that her pistol and dagger had been taken. Her mouth had a thick cloth wrapped around it. She couldn’t even scream. She shook her head and moved her arms a bit. The ties around her wrists were exceptionally tight. She shut her eyes then an let out a slow breath. Sylvia… She focused, her eyes still closed. I’m okay…I’m in a cellar of some kind…are you alright?

Adrian opened her eyes to look around the cellar, she saw bottles of wine pushed into wooden shelving. She wiggled her wrists trying to slip free. She glanced around the room trying to spot Sylvia. Her eyes caught the glint of her dagger hilt on a table about four feet away. She grumbled slightly through the cloth that was tied tightly around her mouth. She didn’t have anything to break her free.

Adrian screamed against the cloth, though her cries didn’t carry more than a few feet from where she was bound. She pulled against the bonds her brows tucked together. She could feel the rope cutting into her skin. She heard a door open then and bright lights cast down a set of wooden stairs. She watched as someone walked down the stairs, her eyes followed their movements. The man walked up to her and knelt before her, his eyes looked into hers, his expression was angry. He held a blade in his hand. Adrian looked to it, her breathing quickened. She stared back into his eyes, her own eyes glowing white then. The elf grit his teeth and held his hand to his head, he began to curse at her in the elvish tongue. He gripped her around her throat. Adrian let out a muffled cry. She felt the blade against her neck. “Stop.” He spoke through grit teeth. He then moved behind her and sliced through the rope that was tied to bind her to the pole. He roughly checked the ties around her hands and lifted her up harshly. “Let’s go, demon.” He sliced through the ropes around her ankles and shoved her forward. “Don’t try anything, I’ll gut you.” The blade rest on her shoulder, ready to slice into her jugular at any moment.

Adrian took in shaken breaths, it was hard to breathe through the cloth around her mouth. She whimpered slightly as he shoved her up the stairs. He pushed her harshly, causing her to fall at one point. “Get up.” He snapped and lifted her back to her feet. He kept close to her as they walked down a dimly lit path. Two other elves were with him they held lanterns to guide the way. Adrian glanced around as they walked into the city. She looked to the intricate homes, the gentle blue glow from the city. A river cut through the middle of the town, bridges were built to cross the river on either side.

Adrian was shoved harshly into a building she felt the blade slice slightly into her shoulder and she winced as she was forced to her knees. The tip of the blade then pushed against her spine. She took in shaken breaths. The tall elf walked up to her, his robes were unlike anything she’d ever seen. He leaned down and pulled the gag away from her mouth. “Tell me why you were in our forest.” He spoke.

Adrian’s eyes caught a glimpse of Sylvia behind him. “Sylvia…” She breathed.

He reached forward, “Tell me why you’re here, pay no attention to her.” His eyes bore into hers.

Adrian grit her teeth as she felt the blade push more against her spine. “The Grand Master has given me permission to seek aid to assist the princess in bringing down the king so that peace may be restored to the kingdom.” She stared into his eyes.

The elf watched her for a moment, “And who might you be demon?”

Adrian winced slightly at the term, her eyes flashed with static. “My name is Adrian, and I am not a demon, I am a Hellicht…”

The elf searched her eyes and stood. He looked back to the princess. His expression was cold. He looked back to Adrian then. “Tell me, mage, how did you come across the princess?”

Adrian looked up to him, “I was on my way home…I saw a flash of blew from an abandoned warehouse in Tallmek. I didn’t know who the princess was…I was raised in the circle…but the scientist was infusing her with Azeralite…and…I had to stop it, Azeralite is dangerous…you know what happened to Murdoc…” She rambled on quickly. “And speaking of Murdoc that is her blood father…not the king…but that is a story for another time I see.” She said this last bit when she felt the grip of the elf behind her tighten.

The high elf stared to her for a long moment and then he spoke a few words in elvish as he slipped the cloth up back around her mouth. She was pulled back, her feet dragging against the ground. Her back was pinned against a pole and she was tied once again. The elf then stepped over to the princess. “Your stories line up it seems.” He spoke, “Now for the blood promise.”

Adrian pulled against the ties. She’d loosened the ropes around her wrists significantly. She hated dealing with elves inside of their coven, she’d heard stories about how strange they were with outsiders. This case was even worse because Sylvia was the princess of the king that just so happened to attack them recently.

Adrian watched as the elf performed the spell and as Sylvia gripped onto his hand. She struggled against the ropes until the tall mage called for her release. The gag was cut first. “I’m not here to hurt anyone.” She spoke just as the bonds around her wrists were cut. She rubbed her wrists which were red, a bit of blood came from a few cuts from her struggling. “I’m not a demon…” She muttered and crossed her arms. She hated the word. One of the elves handed her, her dagger and pistol which she slipped into their holsters and nodded her head to the elf. She then followed the two outside. Adrian stared into the well a long moment, looking into the water that seemed to swirl with magic.

“This is true.” She spoke and looked to Sylvia. “We are approaching known enemies of the king, and most know who you are and will immediately retaliate against us as if you were on the king’s side.” She then looked to Felendril a moment. “Let’s go with the Kingdom of Brevard.” She spoke.

“Very well.” Felendril looked to the princess. “Do not forget our promise.” He spoke and then he pushed both of them into the well.

Adrian let out a scream and they were then thrust into darkness. She landed in a dark room. “Sylvia?” She asked and blinked a few times. The world around her slowly began to lighten and come into view. They were in an alley, in the middle of a city. She looked around and sighed slightly. “Of course it wouldn’t be that easy.” She muttered. She walked out of the alley and into what looked to be the center of town. It was busy and full of life. Banners of the Brevard king hung upon street poles. Merchants called out about their wears and goods.

Where are you…? Adrian thought as she looked around.

Adrian heard Sylvia and looked around. She furrowed her brows. “Excuse me.” She tapped an old man on his shoulder.

He spun and looked to her. “Yes dear?” He asked. “How can I help you? You look lost.”

“Yes, I’m very lost, I’ve never been to Brevard before and I’m looking for a library, is there one here?” Adrian asked quickly.

The old man chuckled and grinned. “Yes, yes only one though.” He turned and pointed. “Go down that road there, about 5 blocks.”

“Thank you!” Adrian took off in a sprint. It was then that she heard Sylvia scream in her mind. She stumbled slightly. She’d opened a connection between them and hadn’t closed it quite yet. I’m coming. She thought back. She rushed through the city streets and wove in and out of the people that walked about.

She rounded a corner and saw the guard then, he gripped onto Sylvia. She rushed forward. “Um…excuse me.” She spoke.

The knight turned around, he still gripped the princess tightly. “Can’t you see I’m busy and I….” He looked her up and down.

“I’m terribly sorry, could you check something for me?” She asked, her eyes glowed. “I just saw a burglar in the town square…he ran out of the bakery with a huge bag…he knocked me over and stole my purse…he looked terribly dangerous…what has this poor woman done for you to be treating her so poorly?” She asked as she reached up and touched his cheek.

The guard stared down to Adrian. “I can stop him for you miss.” His grip on Sylvia loosened slightly then tightened back up. “This is the princess of the king that tried to have our prince assassinated.”

Adrian shook her head. “Don’t be silly, this isn’t the princess, I can assure you of that. And besides, the princess doesn’t agree with her father, did you know that?”

The guard loosened his grip again. “My apologies…” He gasped. “I thought…”

“Could you go after that burglar now? That’s all the coin I have in that purse…” Adrian cupped his cheek again.

The guard looked to her, her got a goofy smile on his face. “Of course, I’ll be your knight in shining armor.” He spoke before he rushed off.

Adrian pulled Sylvia into a back alleyway. “Are you alright?” She touched the bruising on her neck. Her hand glowed slightly, repairing the bruising. “We need to be careful.” She bit her lip. “This kingdom really doesn’t agree with the king, and I can’t blame them….” She sighed softly. “How do you plan to approach this king? I’ll follow your lead, I’m not much for a smooth and steady approach, I’ve always fought with my magic or my hands.” She chuckled slightly and looked to the princess.

Adrian looked to the princess as she spoke of the king’s advisor. “That could possibly work, if we are lucky that the advisor doesn’t have wards.” She then turned her attention to the commotion of the man yelling about a shipment. Her eyes turned back to Sylvia when she spoke of the ball. “Dresses…like…” She looked at a noble lady that was walking by, all done up in a beautiful dress with a tiny umbrella to block out the sun. “Oh…no you’ve the wrong girl for that, princess.” Adrian looked to her. She then took in a breath as she thought about the blood promise that Sylvia made.

Adrian bit her lip slightly. “You could have just stayed home…next to the cozy fireplace…without a care…” She muttered to herself. “You know every single time I am at all involved with the Circle it involves me almost getting killed, followed by something crazy that I have to do.” She then smirked and let out a laugh. “Lunafreya says that the best mages are always troubled with tasks, as you will always be troubled with a task.” She then shook her head. “Alright, dresses…” She crossed her arms. “I don’t have money to pay for a dress, Sylvia.” She looked to her a moment. “But, lucky for us, I know how to acquire a dress for each of us.” She sighed. “I feel like you’re using me, your highness.” She smiled to her, “I expect a raise when you become queen.” She winked as they walked off down the street. She looked to the signs. “What style of ball is this? Are there styles? Are some more fancy than others? I’ve never even been to a ball.” Adrian then paused. “Wait….do I have to dance?” She looked to Sylvia, her expression serious. “You can’t expect me to dance, that will not end well.”

“A beautiful lady such as yourself and you can’t dance?” A shop keep asked, he was leaning against the frame of an open door. “That comes as a surprise.” He chuckled, “Are you two going to the ball?”

Adrian turned her attention to him, she blushed slightly. She was out of her element. She didn’t know anything about the affairs of nobles. “Yes, perhaps.” She looked to his sign. “I’m not sure what to wear. We are from out of town.” She stepped to him and smiled. “Could you help us?” Her eyes glowed as she influenced him.

He smiled and nodded, “I know just the right dress for both of you…or maybe a few different choices.” He spoke as he led them inside. He moved about and began pulling dresses down and laying them on the counter.

Adrian smiled to him as he brought a dress to her and held it up. It was a beautiful black and green dress, it really brought her eyes to life. She glanced to Sylvia a moment, she looked nervous. She’d never worn a dress. At least, not something like this, not a proper dress. He then moved around her and held up another dress. This one was black with silver accents. It was beautiful but it didn’t quite cause her eyes to pop like the other. He shook his head. “What?” Adrian asked, her expression worried.

The shop keep looked up to her. “Just going through lists in my head.” He grinned and set the dress aside. “One more here.” He held up a black dress. It was frilly with a silver band that would sit around her waist. “Ahhh yes.” He spoke. “This one. Come.” He took her to the back into the dressing rooms.

Adrian undressed into her undergarments and pulled the dress on with his help he cinched down the corset and placed the belt around her waist. Adrian looked to herself. The dress was hiked up in the front slightly to give it appeal, ease of movement even. The bottom of the dress ruffled down to the bottom. It was also strapless.

“What do you think?” The shop keep asked. “Um…” Adrian looked it over, it was incredibly fancy. “This is nice.” She nodded. “Really nice….” She ran her fingertips over the silver waist band. She stepped from the dressing room, the heels he’d given her matched the dress perfectly. “Um…is this ball attire?” She asked and looked to Syliva for approval.

The shop keep began moving about gathering dresses that he felt would fit Sylvia. “Of course that is ball attire, would I send you in anything less?” He asked with a grin.