Hands

The Mer-Matron swam along the stream beside the column circle. Fairy court now had the majority of the races, but no one worried about the missing beings; no one cared for them anyways. What everyone cared about now was the reason for a cross gathering. While most everyone whispered among themselves, Lilith bit her nail in wait of Lady Meredith and her pod's approach. Everything became quiet when the winged woman called out a single question for the mermaids. "Lady Meredith, pray tell me, how was the fairy glitter you asked for? I do hope that you won't keep its use from me know?" the Fae Queen greeted. The Mer-Matron propped herself onto the cold rock and removed the veil from her face. Tear stains lingered on her cheeks along with purple eye-rings from a lack of sleep. Hands went over mouths and eyes stared unwavering. The beautiful merwoman kept her face in a thin line and stared at Vivian.

The werewolf woman clasped her husband's hand and inhaled through her nose at the face-to-face encounter. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife, and Scarrden decided he would be just the right being to do so. "Lady Meridith," he began, "your face is filled with bitterness. What's happened?" The merwoman glared at the man and turned her head to the rest of the audience. "My child has been slaughtered. He has been cut in two by some ravenous beast. I have reason to believe it was one of your wolves who did this! First, you taunted us with wounds, and then you went for a kill," she spat. Lilith looked towards her daughter and then turned back to Lady Meredith. "I assume the glitter wash was for your pod, then?" the winged woman pondered. The merwoman nodded and turned back to the werewolves. "I've come to declare war on bloodied hands," she announced. The whole court burst into murmurs.

Vivian stood from her seat, "I beg your pardon, but there is no possibility that our wolves could be the culprits of such mutilation! Have you inquired about the children of Lycaon?" the mutterings of the other beings became louder at the suggestion while Lucifer walked to the circle's center. "I apologize for the interruption, but I'm afraid my daughter has nothing to do with the death of a merchild. You see, Prince Arlot is in a coma at the moment. This meeting was called to discuss the matters of harm to both the vampire and werewolf regions. It seems to me that the only unaffected party here is the fae," the King of Darkness suggested. Lilith stomped her feet when she approached, "I do- not- harm children. Will you put away your petty feelings for one second? Who is to say that you aren't the guilty man?"

The waters began to slosh around in little waves as Lady Meredith's patience was being tested. The outburst between the ex-lovers was beginning to annoy the other beings who were filled with concern. Just as the waters were about to sweep over the column surrounded circle's base, a sound of hoof beats thumped near-by. On the front standing horse was a man cloaked in a hood. "It seems a storm is brewing!" he called out to the court. The horse whinnied when it's master signaled for the group of beings to calm themselves. "Still as hostile as ever, I see. By the gods, you sinners still have no discipline to work together. Can you not focus for even peace?" the man laughed before removing his hood. The onlookers in the crowd gave a loud shout- some were in anger and others were not- but all cried out the same word: "wizard".

Ignoring the pervious comments of the man, Lilith clenched her fist and spread her wings to assert her dominance. "What brings your kind here? I do hope that your arrival to my land is not appreciated. Leave," the Fae Queen demanded. The wizard just chuckled to himself and walked closer to the circle. "I believe that this structure belongs to the gods of Mesopotamia, and that the chair to the left is for myself. Ah! I see that while you seem to have no care as to why I'm here, everyone else does," the wizard said while looking around. "I've descended Ivory Tower for one reason alone. The Supreme Deity has announced that in his earthly visit, he has found displeasure with the gods. The magicians his recent works are a sign of the undoing of the era as we know it. It seems that some of you may not know, but the Beast of Cursed Blood has returned. I ask that you put aside your quarrels until this matter has been handled. Upsettingly, the wizards will not be able to combat this threat alone," the old man finished.

Lilith had her emotions sitting in the fire now, and there was no way for her to contain them. "You seem to be speaking to us like dogs rather than allies. What do you even have to protect? You have no children- let alone a wife- and yet you speak about children?" the winged woman gritted. Lady Meredith shook her head in approval; a man without children couldn't possibly understand. The old man just sighed and touched the tree leaves in far thought. "A child has found leeway into the walls of Argatha," he began, "All the way from Avalon to the Ivory Tower, my people have grown to love this child, and we will stand alone against this enemy for her if we must. We wish for a treaty with you all, but if you all distrust magic so deeply, we wish you luck as you fend for yourselves."

Xuario looked to his sister and her husband while the werewolf woman looked to her father. "I support a treaty with the Argathians!" Vivain yelled with a raised hand. Every eye landed it gaze on her before migrating to her husband. Scarrden nodded unassured. "Joyous, your highnesses," bowed the wizard before being interrupted. "The vampires also agree!" exclaimed Xuario. Lucifer's eyes widened in shock. "Your trust is not misplaced," the old man bowed again.