1 || Chptr 1 || War takes everything ||

☽☼☾ War Chooses Fates ☽☼☾

☽☼☾ But My Fate is Mine Alone ☽☼☾

Standing above the crowd was the king. A cruel and harsh man. His people terrified of the growing enemy outside the kingdom walls. Amongst them all were his knights. Each brutal and treacherous as the last.

Amongst the people was young Lady (Your name) Nighver. The only daughter of Lord Nighver and the youngest child of the Nighver house. But most importantly, a witch. A fae. Seeking her father's protection from the impending enemy.

The Draggons.

Said to be warrior's drawn from the dragons. Sworn vows to destroy any woodland fae and their legacies. (Y/N) left her with her mother's letter and rode straight to the kingdom where her father and older brothers resided.

Her mother's voice was still insistent in her mind.

"You take this, and ride. Valleira will look after you- just as she always has done" The woman passed a ribboned scroll to the young child who sat upon a large horse. A dark bay mare.

(Your name)'s young eyes looked down to the distressed and panicked face that was her mother. Sweet and empathetic eyes that saw the good in everything. Horses hooves dug the earth and crying whinnies rung through the air.

The child's head turned to the sounds, hearing harsh screaming from warriors of both clans. The invaders and her own people. (Your name)'s hand was taken in her mothers, the child looking down. Seeing her stoic mother's boldness break. Tears rimming her eyes and slowly turning them red.

(Your name) let out a sharp gasp at the merciless clang of metal swords, edges that cut deep into the flesh. She remembered when she played with the baker's sword- she cut her hand. Gurgled cries were swiftly followed by whatever missed block.

"RIDE!" her mother screamed. Valleira taking no more time and bolting, the child hanging onto the saddle with every grip she could muster. The large hooved mammal moving swiftly through the chaos. (Your name) heard a scream from her mother before she and Valleira broke away. Riding into the forest. Some children weren't as lucky. Having to run on foot, but the fae children of her clan would find some animal to house them.

That was their gift. The fae of (Your name)'s clan had magic amongst the animal kingdom. The loyalty and friendship of every animal at their aid. And the magical ties between humanity and the gods to perform sorcery. (Your name) was one such special child. Her mother taught her how to connect to the god's magic. But (Your name)'s magic came from the one goddess. The goddess of femineity and strength. Courage and wisdom. But compassion and empathy.

(Your name)'s magic was fuelled by her power and as long as the goddess saw (Your name) worthy enough to continue her sorcery she'd have the goddess' power at her side. But she'd always hold her special connection to the animals of the world.

She could hear the cries echo in her mind as the beat of Valleira's hooves echoed against her heart.

"Look alive, sister, the King's Council are coming this way" Aardine, the eldest son of the Nighver household. Their father was amongst them. Aardine and Eliest were (Your name)'s half-brothers. They shared the same father, but that was it. They had heard stories of there being a young fae girl who shared their blood. It was the families only secret.

The King of their great kingdom, Incubudst, once housed fae from harm. But that was a long time ago. Before the Draggons. Lady Nighver bowed her head when the respected gentleman approached her. As she was taught by her father.

"You have fair maiden for a daughter, Arthuris. Do you plan to marry her?"

"I believe my daughter's wedded hand can become a discussion once the war is over"

The older man began their ramblings, something Lady Nighver ignored. Her eyes travelled elsewhere, to the knights transcending into battle. Her own brother Aardine would follow them. Their father would leave with the rest of the councilmen to seek shelter. And Eliest and Lady Nighver would be left on their own.

☽☼☾ I Follow My Destiny ☽☼☾

"Aardine will come back. Won't he?" Lady Nighver asked, her eyes turning. Her dark cloak draping her shoulders. Valleira remained steady, calm as a boulder upon a mountain.

"Of course, he will. Aardine's a knight of Incubudst for a reason" Eliest responded. The two siblings watching the soldiers. The knights riding and marching their way to battle, or an early grave. Amongst them was their beloved brother.

Lady Nighver's eyes found the horizon, the sun still high. They'd reach the battle in two days time. Then it'd be known, if the mighty Incubudst kingdom would fall. Just as so many had before it. Eliest turned his snow-white horse back to the kingdom.

"Father will want us inside the city walls before dark. We can take one last detour through the forest before our freedom is taken away"

"Possibly forever" Lady Nighver added, following her older brother's trail.

As Valleira and (Your name) entered the forest, all became apparent to her mind. As Valleria's gait fastened and fastened, the two flying through the trees. Her child memories only grew in clarity.

"Name?"

"(Your name) Nighver, sir…"

"You claim to be of the Nighver household?"

"Yes, my lord"

"You don't dress like it"

"Please, sir, my home was overrun with invaders, my mother told me to come here and seek my father-"

"I've heard enough. Leave, before we have to take action"

"Please! If you just asked him to come see me, he would tell you-"

"Lord Nighver is an extremely busy man, we would not ask him to leave his duties because a peasant girl wished for his audience"

"But-"

"Is there a problem here, gentleman?" a man with hair like coal approached them.

"Lord Aardine Nighver,"

☽☼☾ I Follow My Destiny ☽☼☾

"Tell me, wise one. Do you fear the dragon's breath?"

"Why would I fear an insecure and scared witch?"

"Silence your tongue when your speaking to the Queen!"

"It's alright Xavier, let him quarrel. His suffering will end soon enough"

"King Sabbone will have your head, witch!"

The man was silenced. The Queen's sword decorated in ruby blood. A dark purple suited dress upon her frame, a dark crown framing her face. Nails long as claws and skin paler than the moon. Dark grey hair like the water that filled the nearby lagoon. An enchanting beauty, or what some believe her to be.

The Queen looked up, hearing the clattering of hoof falls. She turned to her most trusted allies, Xavier and Archer, the men wasting no time in removing the body. The Queen evading into the bushes, followed swiftly by her knights.

The three Draggonians watched through the bushes, two Incubudstans appeared on horseback. Seemingly, of noble blood. Xaiver began to unsheathe his sword, before the Queen motioned for him to halt his actions.

"Wait, they're no threat. It'd be best to continue to leave no suspicion- they're nobility. I'm sure if they go missing the kingdom will go into lockdown"

"I'm really going to miss these rides" a young woman, hair a beautiful hue the Queen had not seen before. Eyes that shone brighter than the sun reflecting against the tide of the lagoon. The woman dismounted from her tall steed and approached the waters.

The man also dismounting coming to her side. "Now, now. Sister. It's all in our safety. Your safety"

"Indeed,"

The woman reached a hand to the water, her head shooting up and searching the surrounding areas. Her eyes flying straight past the Queen and her two men. Before returning to the water, she spoke an ancient incantation and the water around her hand began to glow. Bright golden streaks of light bending and warping around her hand. Her veins glowing a matching hue, travelling up her arm and to her neck. Raising to her cheek. Her eyes finding the same colour soon after.

She turned to her brother and reached for his hand, a cut still resting upon his palm from his dagger. The man allowed the young fae to move her brothers hand into the water. The fae girl soon lost the glow of her magic and any trace only remained in the water. The Queen was puzzled at what the two were doing. She could not see properly; she despised her abstracted gaze of the pair.

The lady stood up from the water, a leathered corset sitting tightly on her waist. Hugging her hips and providing support for her posture. What looked almost like silk draped from her corset, grey pants and dark brown boots.

"Silk…"

"Or perhaps fake silk ma'am. I've heard of some women using fake silks for garments, more versatile and cheaper to buy and use" Archer explained softly. The Queen nodded. The two nobles returning to their horses.

The young woman's hand slid across her steed's face, travelling down her neck. The young noble mounted, gathering her reins before riding after her brother. The Queen emerging from her place of hiding. Watching the two retreating horses and their riders.

"Come, we take the kingdom tonight"

☽☼☾ I Follow My Destiny ☽☼☾

Valleira's hooves were hard against the dirt path of the forest. The young noble, (Your name) Nighver barely clinging onto her life. Arrow sticking out of her back and breath leaving her lungs. Valleira snorted harshly, ears flying in every direction possibly. The crashing of their pursuers was closing in, she could hear them.

Horses blacker than coal and angry. She could sense the danger they brought without even seeing them. Valleira turned down a small trail, her fae friend- daughter even- choking on the air that passed through her airways. The arrow wasn't deep, luckily. Though Valleira doubted how long the fae would last before her time ran short.

The large cave overhang was the sign she was looking for. Trotting forward, a steady rhythm that kept the young faes eyes awake. The water that filled the air was musty and filled with magic. The sensation that was so familiar to her. The noble slid off the equine's back. Barely landing on her feet.

Her stance wobbled, as if she was a drunkard. She hobbled forward, nails grinding into the cave walls. Her eyes fluttered and she gasped for her breath. The pain in her back only growing. Every step the fae took, Valleira followed. Continually looking back to the opening, waiting for them to fire through and finish her off.

"Bastards…"

The noble mumbled under her breath. Clutching her side, as if it would help. She looked to the water and there was the Vilia. They hushed her cries, the fae child falling into the small pool. The Vilia were water spirits who inhabited the nature, their water could heal any wound. They were calm and neutral spirits; they did not hold grudges like most fae did.

"Hush fair Beastfolk, we'll look after you. Close your eyes and survive them. Now. Hurry"

A pot crashed. (Your name) rose from her bed, pursing her lips for a moment before she stood. Gathering her clothes and tying her boots. She grabbed the sword her father had given, pulling the blade from its scabbard.

The blade shone against the moon, a warning shine to any intruder. The young noble edged out of her room; sword raised. She would have no problems in cutting a man down where he stood. The young fae Noble inched further down the hall.

Her grip on her sword tightening with each step she dared to take. Her lips were drying out, eyes barely closing an inch. She heard something creak behind her, the floor, something's weight. A shadow. Strike! Swinging around her sword clashed with another. Her fiery eyes met the annoyed hues of her older brother. Eliest shook his head.

"You have quick reactions, but poor judgement"

"I haven't had a sword sever me yet, brother dearest"

"I supposed that was you making the insistent noise?"

"I'm afraid not"

"…Follow me" Eliest took the lead, (Your name) following. The siblings broke from the hall and stumbled into the main area. The kitchen window was wide open, pots that had been left to dry sprawled against the floor.

"Someone's in here" (Your name) said quickly. Eliest rolled his eyes.

"Or the window opened and knocked the pots everywhere"

"Aardine would say to remain vigilant and think of the worse"

"Aardine's over sensitive"

"Best to be oversensitive than a fool and be killed in your sleep!" Lady Nighver snapped. Her tone harsh and blunt. Eliest sighed.

"Sister, do you see any sign of forced entry?"

"Scratches on the window frame. Dirt's covering the bench and floor"

Eliest furrowed his brow and turned around. His eyes indeed finding his sister's claims. Eliest turned, his sister already stalking around the wooden table. Her sword raised and a defensive stance taking hold. Her eyes wandered the room, and once her head turned, she saw it. The blade coming down to take hold of her.

Lady Nighver flung her sword forward and the blades clashed against one another, grinding metal upon metal. The attacker pursed their attacks, blow after blow. Lady Nighver continuing to block, parry, block. Keep her footing, stay steady, be ready.

So many thoughts swarmed her mind. Each a voice trying to overpower the next. Her brain swarmed, her ears only hearing the cacophony of her own thoughts. A hand grasped her shoulder and dragged her away. Her attacker swiftly following. Lady Nighver turned her head. Three. There were three of them. A tall woman and two muscular men. All as intimidating as the last. Eliest held out his sword, eyes starring intensely at the attackers.

The men ran forward, and the woman remained. Eliest running forward, the flashing of iron blinded her eyes and Lady Nighver heard her brother's voice.

"(Your name), go! Ride to the woods, get the help of the fae!"

The woman's head turned and stared directly at (Your name). Lady Nighver spun and ran. Bolting out of the door, she turned her head and only watched as her brother was swarmed. When her feet came to the streets of her kingdom, discord erupted. Fire's grew and screams sprouted the air. (Your name) screamed as an axe fell beyond her head. The young fae leaping away from the attacking strike, as the woman left her house.

Lady Nighver's boots tapped against the cobblestone with a harshness that could be sense from kingdoms away. (Your name) could sense the animal's uneasiness, their silent cries filling her mind.

'Stay away!'

'HELP'

'Not my baby, please!'

'(Your name)!'

"Valleira" (Your name) mumbled to herself. The young noble slashed her sword downwards, cutting the arm of a Draggon. She butted the pommel of her sword on the nose of another enemy knight, her blade decorated in the ruby essence that swarmed the corpses bodies.

'Valleira I'm coming!'

'Hurry (Your name), we don't have much time!'

"Ah!" Lady Nighver dove for the fence, barely avoiding a large barbaric sword from slicing her down where she stood. Lady Nighver quickly gathered herself and began sprinting for the stables. Sword, still barely clung by her fingers, dragging behind her as she ran.

As (Your name) approached the stable the building lit alight. Her mind was swarmed with the cries of the animals inside. She bolted through the door. The wood was scorching and flames licking their way through everything. The young noble unlocking every animal door or gate, watching the menagerie run for the exit. Bolting to freedom and safety. The fae wasted little time in searching for her beloved Valleira.

"Valleira!?"

'I'm here!'

Running around a corner the fae girl stopped, there stood the large mare. Dark bay and soft eyes. The flames were smoking now, eating everything in its path and if Lady Nighver did not hurry, it very well would be eating her corpse.

Running to her steeds' side, (Your name)'s hands trembled as she inside the ropes that attached her to the wall. The noble hurried as she slid the ropes over her mare's face, her new bridle barely useable, but it would have to do. No one must know of her secret. That the animals heard her, and she heard them. That she could ride any creature without any assistance, just her voice. They mustn't know she's Beastfolk.

The young noble mounted her steed, the bay already bolting for their lives. Running out of the falling stables and just in time. Standing amongst the cobblestoned battle ground, the noble's eyes were constantly swinging to every sound, every scream, every raised weapon. The fire crackling in every house, pots smashing and children crying.

She had seen the chaos before, and now she was going to do the same thing. She was going to ride. The fae and her equine began bolting across the streets. (Your name) covering her head as they went, she was waiting for the sharp sting of a sword or arrow to penetrate her body.

She turned a sharp corner and saw her house, engulfed in flames. The dastardly woman walking out, her brother being dragged out by the two men. The woman's eyes turned to the approaching horse. Lady Nighver raising her sword. As Valleira galloped past, Lady Nighver swung. The woman barely dodging and barely missing the blades blow.

As angered as Lady Nighver was, she knew better than to turn back for a second attack. She only prayed her brother was dead- to escape the woman's wrath and torturous punishment.

Multiple horses sped into the night, the flames of the kingdom following them briefly. She saw no riders past them. She and Valleira were alone now. Following the road into the woods. Large gentle bushes covering their tracks, but only increasing their sound.

They remained at a fast trot, the young fae girl constantly staring over her shoulder. Waiting, watching. Paranoia or the will to live. Both would ensue she would survive the ordeal, but she could only hope the rest of her people were alive. Unlike the one's she lost so long ago.

Credits for Inspiration (will be updated as needed)

Merlin- Julian Jones, Jake Michie, Johnny Capps, Julian Murphy

Cursed- Frank Miller, Tom Wheeler

Obscured- min 민

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