Chapter 01: The Ball 

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The Guild of Gamers: The Planeswalker

Chapter 01: The Ball

— Noire Virvaris —

Sitting in my bedroom, I look out of the window with a mental sigh as I finish combing my hair.

Today should be a joyous occasion, the day I become a true adult by Eldraine standards, but I honestly just want it to be over already.

It doesn't surprise me that my birthday has become such a political event—such was the life of a Princess—but it didn't mean I had to be happy about it, or look forward to dealing with the simpering retainers and scheming nobles from the various kingdoms that had travelled to Castle Locthwain for the gala to celebrate my eighteenth birthday.

They all either want something from me, something from her mother, or they just want me. I know my hand was sought after, by knights, commoners, and princes alike.

Not because of any personal quality I possess, most of the people hoping to wed me have never even seen me before, it's not like I leave the castle that often after all.

No, they want to marry me because my mother is no longer accepting suitors and I'm now a more accessible target

In times past, my mother, Queen Ayara, would marry anyone willing to quest for the Cauldron of Eternity.

After the wedding, the suitor would set out into the wilds to find the legendary artefact, and a year and a day later, they would be declared dead and her mother would marry again, the wedding doubling up as the funeral for her last husband.

Knights and nobles would come in the hopes of being the one to return the Cauldron to its rightful place in Locthwain, and become the King ruling beside her.

But then one day, just under a year before I was born, Ayara suddenly changed that policy, claiming that she had married in secret.

Nobody has ever seen my mother's husband, but nine months later I was born, proof that the mysterious husband existed.

Some argued about this new policy, but my mother's word is law and they had no grounds to complain.

Just because Ayara was now 'off the market', so to speak, that didn't mean those ambitious nobles and knights had given up. Persistence was honoured above all else in Locthwain, and with my birth, they found a new path.

So now I have to go and mingle with a horde of men (and some women), many of whom hope to woo me and become my betrothed.

Joy.

It'd become such a busy event that my mother had been too busy to spend any time with me, aside from at dinner and that had been a formal affair. I don't blame her, the royal life has its benefits, but it also comes with a great deal of responsibilities.

A ruler who neglects her duties for personal pleasures doesn't deserve their throne.

My mother has told me that I have some presents beyond the ones I opened this morning, mostly from the aforementioned suitors who all demonstrated their lack of knowledge about me, showering me in pretty dresses and jewellery.

As if my affection could be so easily won. It isn't that I don't like jewellery or nice clothes, but I already own enough to fill my walk-in closet several times over.

They don't know me, or my tastes so they were going with generic but expensive gifts to try and win my favour.

Choosing one of my own dresses, a silky black and purple piece, I calmly get dressed and head to the window, looking out at the sight.

My bedroom is in one of the highest towers in the castle because my mother realised I enjoyed the sights I could see and often headed to the top of the larger towers, so she just moved my bedroom to the tallest tower. Castle Locthwain is special indeed.

This entire castle is proof of my mother's power and talent with magic; flying through the air on the back of a stone ship-like structure, held aloft by vast billowing clouds and as it constantly moves through the kingdom, the sights are different every time. The clouds beneath the castle range from light rain clouds to devastating storms depending on my mother's mood.

Aside from the fact that the massive castle flies through the skies, it's also highly enchanted, making it almost impossible to invade. Its corridors seem almost maze-like to intruders, and if you go missing here you'll never show up again.

Of course, to me, it's just home; I've never gotten lost, not even once. The castle itself guides me to where I want to go; if I get lost, doors open to help me find my way, hovering orbs of dancing light guide me on my way or the gargoyles and statues come to life, gesturing or leading me to safety.

It knows I'm it's next Queen, and while I can't control it like my mother can- not yet anyway- it still helps me when I need it.

Whistling, I look up and smile as a raven, nearly invisible as it hides cloaked in the shadows, caws back at me from its spot atop my bed frame, before it flies down and lands on my shoulder, nudging my cheek with his head.

Nótt is my familiar- a raven naturally, as they are the symbol of Locthwain, and even our knights ride atop giant ravens instead of mere horses- he's been with me a very long time.

"Go and head to the ballroom, find a good spot to watch from," I say calmly, stroking his feathers with my finger as he coos briefly as I carry him to the door, opening it and watching him fly off to fulfil my orders. I can see through his eyes, and he can turn nearly invisible in dark places, and while the ballroom will be well lit, there are always dark places.

Castle Locthwain might seem dreary for any outsiders, but we like things dark here. The darkness is our ally and the end of anyone who invades our home.

As I finish getting ready, I briefly swap my sight with Nótt's and roll my currently blind eyes as I spot just how many people are already at the party.

I decided to be fashionably late, but as I spot my mother looking up at where Nótt is perched, I sigh and get him to nod in response to her reproachful look.

'I know you don't like this, but please bear with it for a few hours at least.'

As my mother reminds me that she's a very talented spellcaster, I pick a silver necklace with an amethyst embedded in it and take a deep breath before I head out of my room.

Gold doesn't match my complexion, and amethysts compliment my eyes well. My dress is somewhat low-cut, leaving the gem hanging just above my breasts, but I don't have the body for displaying cleavage. I blame my Elven heritage, most elves have slim figures, and as a half-elf, I'm no exception.

It's not that I'm flat, but compared to some of the human women I've seen, my small breasts do seem rather tiny. Still, I have a better ass than any of them, and I'll Magic Missile anyone who disagrees.

I don't meet anyone on my way there, but that's not surprising, my bedroom is deliberately as far away from the 'public' section of the castle as possible. I'm not anti-social, but my room is mine, and I don't want to open my door only to find some visiting noble or knight lingering outside it.

After the first misunderstanding with a visiting Prince from some tiny irrelevant kingdom, mother declared that nobody but the servants were permitted in my tower. He claimed he'd gotten lost, which would be believable if he hadn't been crouched at the keyhole of my bedroom.

I still think I was entirely in the right to turn the peeping prince into an ice sculpture, but perhaps I should have put more on than my admittedly revealing sleepwear before I headed out of my room for breakfast. Besides, I didn't even let Nótt eat him. Truly, I am merciful. I was younger and less reserved then, my teenage years were temperamental, to say the least.

Servants are still allowed in my tower but even then they don't enter my room, I have my Unseen Servant to handle the chores in my room so they aren't needed. There's no real reason for them to enter my room.

This is why I have an Alarm spell cast on my room. I really don't like it when people mess with my stuff.

Heading down towards the final corridor that will lead me to the fun, I pause as a voice calls out.

"Princess Noire?" a delicate but firm voice says, drawing my attention as I turn to the source, an attractive woman with long black hair, obviously a few years older than me. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, I'm Syr Carah," She says, offering me her hand.

She's considerably taller than me, and her exposed arms reveal that she's also undoubtedly much stronger than me, physically at least as I look at her firm, muscled arms. A true warrior.

As I take it, she bows slightly, raising my hand and kissing my knuckles as she acknowledges the social differences between us. As a Syr, she's above the commoners and the lesser knights but below the nobles (unless she was already a noble, but her lack of a last name suggests she isn't), and definitely below me.

The Syrs are knights who have passed one of the five trials, and as my eyes my flicker to her bright red armour, three symbols emblazoned on its crest.

A red emblem with a triplet of spear points, all aimed inwards symbolising Embereth, a white emblem with a circlet bound in flame symbolising Ardenvale, and a pair of great hammers on a green emblem, symbolising Garenbrig.

She's passed three of the trials, which is probably why she's here. That is rather impressive.

Ardenvale has the circle of loyalty, a circle of white flames that knights must pass through to prove their worth, burning those it deems unworthy. A simple task that often proves entirely too difficult.

Garenbrig's trial is equally simple and yet challenging, you must perform a show of strength that impresses the knights of Garenbrig or their leader, the giant King Yorvo.

Emberth's trial is somewhat more complicated, aspiring knights having to head into a volcano and plunge their swords into the sentient boulder in the centre, Irencrag. Then they must pull it back out, while the flames roar around them, Irencrag mocks them and reveals their greatest fears, and if they falter even for a second, if Irencrag senses a hint of fear, they won't be able to retrieve their sword and they will fail.

That she has all three is impressive, she's only two trials away from being able to request a boon from the Questing Beast, a legendary creature as old as Eldraine itself.

She needs to get the symbol of Locthwain, from my mother, and then get the symbol of Vantress from the Magic Mirror.

Locthwain is the simplest, and often hardest of all. You simply have to impress my mother, traditionally with a gift she deems worthy.

I've seen knights spend years heading out to get better and better gifts as she refuses them, but then persistence is the virtue of Locthwain.

Those who give up are unworthy of the title.

Each of the five major kingdoms follows a virtue, Ardenvale stands for loyalty, Vantress for knowledge, Locthwain for persistence, Embereth is courage and Garenbrig is strength.

Prove yourself worthy of all five and you could ask the Questing Beast anything, even to become the High Queen of Eldraine.

We have a High King, Algenus Kenrith, who rules over all of Eldraine, as well as being the King of Ardenvale, but his Queen, Linden, failed in her trials and lost the right to be High Queen as a result. She's simply the Queen of Ardenvale now, the same rank as my mother.

"A pleasure, Syr. I take it you are here to try for your fourth Emblem?" I ask, gesturing to her breastplate, making her smile.

"That was the plan, I arrived here with my gift for your mother only to find it was your birthday, so I decided to stay for the party." Carah says with an easy smile.

"Wait, I do know your name. You sent me one of the presents, the magical snakeskin whip, right?" I ask, making her smile.

"That's right, I couldn't show up to a princess's party without a gift," Syr Carah agreed.

It was one of the more impressive presents because it wasn't just another dress or jewellery. It stood out because there was clearly a lot of magic within it, I planned to try and play around with it later to work out just what kind of magic.

"Even if it meant giving up your gift for my mother?" I ask, making her chuckle.

"This is my third time attempting to impress Queen Ayara, I can try as many times as I wish, but you only become an adult once," Carah replies with a carefree tone, making me smile in return. "Besides, I can head back to the Wilds to find another treasure to present to the Queen."

It's a genuine smile, not that I don't think she wants something from me for her gift, but she's nice enough, and far less slimy than many of the people I'll be forced to deal with tonight.

That she mentions the Wilds so easily speaks of her skill, the Wilds are the untamed, uncontrollable wilderness and forests that surrounds the Kingdoms, and pushes ever more into our lands. They are not a place just anyone can go into, especially since they are unplottable, constantly shifting to spite any attempt to map them out.

"Then you have my thanks, Syr Carah, and I wish you luck on the rest of your trials," I say, making her grin slightly.

"Thank you, your highness, but it's your big night after all, and they're all waiting for you," Carah says, gesturing towards the open door, from which I can hear the sounds of celebrations. "I won't keep you any longer."

"Oh, I almost wish you would," I reply, a somewhat flirtatious edge to my tone as her somewhat narrow eyes widen slightly, the slightest hint of a blush appearing and fading just as quickly. "I can think of more pleasant ways to spend the evening, after all."

"I'm sure you can, Princess," Carah says, smiling slightly as she recovers. "I'm just a block headed warrior, I'm afraid, I don't know what a Princess like you would find entertaining. Perhaps one day you can teach me?"

"Oh, I'd be more than happy to instruct you, right now even. But then my mother would come looking for me, which could be a bit awkward. For now, I'll simply save you a dance," I reply, giving her an alluring smile, watching as she gulps ever so slightly, her eyes flickering over my body.

As I said, my breasts aren't as big as most womens', but that doesn't mean I'm not beautiful, and I've gotten very good at noticing when someone is attracted to me.

It comes with being an Enchantment specialist, we deal in emotions and the mind very often after all.

"Then I'll see you on the dance floor, your highness," Carah says, taking my hand and giving it another kiss, her lips lingering on it for perhaps a moment or two longer than would be proper.

I've always been a bit of a flirt, mostly because I like teasing people, but that doesn't mean I don't follow through occasionally. I do have standards, after all.

Carah is an attractive woman and a talented one to have passed three trials, and talent is a turn on for me.

Also I want an excuse to escape people later on, and having already promised a dance to a Syr should work as a decent reason to escape unpleasant conversations.

Heading into the room, I can almost feel the conversations die out as the butler at the door announces my entrance, countless eyes on me as my mother excuses herself from whatever backwater noble was trying to keep her attention.

"Ahh, I see our guest of honour has finally decided to join us, I almost thought I was going to have to start a search party to find you, my dear," My mother says, a light smirk on her lips and an uncharacteristically teasing hint to her tone. She isn't shouting, but everyone in the large ballroom can easily hear her.

My mother is the picture of elvish beauty, and as a full-blood elf her ears are larger than mine which can almost pass for human ears if you didn't notice the pointed tips. Dressed in an exquisite black dress with golden and purple accents as she walks towards me.

If it was anyone else keeping her waiting, she'd be far less amused and teasing. She's a cold woman, to most people, but I have a good relationship with her.

"My apologies, Mother. I found myself caught up in reading the books I received," I reply calmly, making her lips twitch in amusement.

I'm not even lying, I've spent the last few hours practising a new spell called Psychic Lance. I really did lose track of time.

"Indeed, I should have known better than to give you them before the party," Ayara says, lifting her wine glass in a toast. "But nevermind that, you're here now,"

"Indeed I am, but please everyone, don't stop your merrymaking on my account," I say, seeing everyone waiting on permission, giving the crowds a smile. "This is a party after all."

I don't particularly like this kind of event, but that doesn't mean I can't handle myself. As a princess, and future queen, I've been trained on courtly manners, public speaking and how to act in a diplomatic way since I was old enough to talk. I know how to keep my composure, no matter what I might be feeling inside, and how to make my presence stand out among the crowd.

And that was just one part of my lessons, I also learnt how to act with elegance in all situations, how to dance, sing and even paint because a princess should be cultured. I was also learning how to play the violin, until mother caught me and the minstrel she hired practicing my flexibility instead.

It's not that she minds me having a sex life as long as I keep it somewhat subtle, but she took offence to the fact that she was paying the older man quite a bit to fuck her daughter several times a week. I did keep up my violin practice though.

My mother also made sure to keep me informed of the state of the realm, both Locthwain's internal affairs, our economic situation and the state of our military, and for Eldraine as a whole, which Kingdoms are allied, which have grudges, the benefits and issues each kingdom has.

Sometimes my lessons were sitting at my mothers desk as she explained the military force of each kingdom and quizzed me on who I think would win should they come to blows, and other times I would take her place judging criminals and traitors. Occasionally it'd be as simple as a game of chess between me and my mother, and then of course there are my favourite lessons of all; Magic.

I adore magic, I've done so since I first saw my mother cast a spell, and once she saw my interest in the arcane she started tutoring me herself, taking the time from her busy schedule to patiently mentor me. Those are my fondest memories.

Just because I don't like this doesn't mean any of the visitors will realise how much of a chore I find dealing with them.

Getting a drink for myself, I give my mother a smile as she immediately gets grabbed by another noble, anyone who doesn't know her wouldn't be able to tell how annoyed she is by the simpering noble, but it's clear to me. Glad to see I'm not the only one who sees this as a chore.

It doesn't take long before I'm inundated with well wishers, some genuine and others less so, making me long to be back in my room playing with my magic, or in some alcove with Syr Carah.

"Princess Noire, it's a pleasure to meet you again," a somewhat cute redhead in a white and blue dress says as she approaches me, while I am taking a sip to buy me time to remember who she is.

Ah, yes Princess Seraphina from one of the lesser- sorry, the 'minor' Kingdoms. I think I met her at an event mother took me to.

"And you as well, Princess Seraphina," I say calmly, giving her a kind smile. We are both princesses and technically the same rank, but as a princess of a major kingdom, the difference in social standing between us is clear, even if nobody would be rude enough to comment on it. "How have you been? I heard your brother was wounded recently, has he recovered?"

Falling into small talk, I handle the crowd gathering around me easily enough. I'm sure some of the more insightful will have caught onto my lack of interest in gossiping, but if they do they don't comment on it.

It's tiresome, but while I occasionally have to fend off a noble who can barely hide their desire to get me out of my dress, it isn't until an unfortunately familiar and highly annoying voice reaches my ear that I feel any anger.

"Ahh, Princess Noire, as fetching as ever my dear," he says as I turn to him, as Seraphina quickly finds an excuse to be elsewhere, not wanting to be around the approaching man.

I don't blame her as Prince Charles approaches, nicknamed Prince Charming for all the wrong reasons. He's the fourth or fifth son of a tiny pissant kingdom, and he very much wants to be king, so any crown princess has dealt with the ambitious prat more than once.

In truth, he isn't exactly malicious about it, he's just a trial in patience to deal with. He heard people calling him 'Prince Charming' and actually believed them, giving him a very inflated view of himself and how much the girls of the court like him.

"Prince Charles, what an unexpected surprise. It must have been a rather long journey just for one event," I say, not showing any of my annoyance at his continued existence.

"Ah, but it is worth travelling any distance to see you again," Charles says as he moves right into my personal space, his face entirely too close to mine.

We have a fairly profitable trade agreement with his fathers kingdom, they have surprisingly good resources for such a tiny land, so I can't just blast him.

"You flatter me, and thank you for the necklace, I would have worn it but it clashed with my dress," I say, referencing the gaudy golden… thing he called a gift.

Gold clashes with my complexion, and if someone who has seen me in person buys it for me, they're a tasteless imbecile.

"Ahh, a shame. I'd so love to see you wearing a piece of jewellery from my family, perhaps a ring would better suit you?" Charles says, making me mentally groan. How unsubtle.

"Perhaps, but I already have too much jewellery, one girl can only wear so many things at a time you know," I say calmly, making him smile.

"As if any amount of jewels could be enough for a woman of your stature, you deserve a collection to match any dragon's hoard," Charles continues as I mentally roll my eyes.

I already have a collection to match a dragon's hoard. Seriously, I've received a lot of gifts over the years. If people want their gifts to mean anything, at least make them interesting like Carah did.

I absolutely won't remember who sent me what otherwise.

Taking another sip of my drink, I don't respond to his cheesy attempts to flatter me, hoping he takes the hint, but my fortune abandons me as I put my glass down.

"But enough talking, this is a party is it not? Shall we dance, your highness? I've heard whispers about your talent upon the floor, I'd be honoured to experience them firsthand," Charles says, already taking my hand before I can respond.

"I suppose one dance won't hurt." Much.

Sometimes I wish I wasn't a princess, then I could just kill this idiot and call it a day.

Immediately it becomes apparent which of us is the better dancer, my graceful movements outshining his clumsy swaying as I step my foot back to avoid injury from his clunky feet stomping around.

With one hand around my waist, he struggles to keep up with me, and rolling my eyes I visibly slow down and simplify my dancing, obviously the better dancer by far. I've made my point clear, now I appear gracious for going easy on a clearly inferior dance partner.

His hand slips on occasion, wandering a little too low, but I ignore it until he goes a step too far, his hand landing on my backside as he enjoys a quick squeeze of my behind, and I once again curse the necessity for politics.

I'm incredibly tempted to unleash one of my new spells on the fool as I grab his hand and place it on my upper waist again, but I can see the looks and whispers. He looks like a perverted fool, while I appear the picture of grace and calm.

"Charles, your hand should always be on your partner's waist during a dance like this, certainly not any lower." I say, projecting my voice slightly as he turns red at my scolding tone. I can hear giggling coming from somewhere behind me, mutters from my side as I spot a pair of older nobles shaking their heads in disapproval.

I could probably get away with throwing a spell or two at him for his decision to molest my ass on my birthday, but I'd look like a temperamental child, which isn't the image I want to project.

Damaging his reputation even further than he has himself will suffice, I hope he enjoyed that brief grope of my admittedly magnificent behind, because I'm going to make sure it costs him.

It's clear I won't allow him to get away with his nonsense, but I'm also not making a scene like a child. Plus, I can see his mother speaking with mine, obviously embarrassed.

"I think that's enough dancing for now, why don't you get us something to drink?" I ask, unable to stop myself as I weave magic into my words, casting Suggestion on him as he smiles.

Suggestion is a fun one, because even if they resist the spell they don't realise I cast it unless they're very talented mages themselves.

"Of course, my little flower. We wouldn't want you to wilt," Charles replies, having no idea how close he is to being turned into an ice sculpture.

Little flower? I could kill him in seventeen different ways before he could even finish reaching for the tacky sword he has at his waist.

Getting an idea, I subtly point my finger off towards the side, whispering something under my breath as I see the recipient perk up slightly, glancing my way as my message reaches them.

As he returns with two glasses of wine, I take one and take a sip from it before he goes to approach me again.

"I'm sorry, your highness, but the princess promised me a dance," Carah says, stepping between us, making Charles's eyes narrow in annoyance before he takes in the person stopping him.

Charles is not a large man, only slightly taller than me, and he's far skinnier than the knight standing before him, making him pale slightly as his words get caught in his mouth. I can tell he already had a scathing remark for whichever knight had barged into a conversation between two royals, but faced with Carah he seems reluctant to actually say them.

Seeing me move forwards, he perks up, perhaps actually expecting me to return to his side, until I take Carah's arm with mine, giving him an apologetic smile.

"I did, and a future queen shouldn't break her promises," I say calmly, making him smile awkwardly as he fails to find the right words.

"I- of course, your grace knows no bounds, if you're even willing to have a knight as a partner. Perhaps we can talk more later on, my flower?" Charles says after a moment, making me smile slightly.

"Perhaps, but a lot of people have come to see me, I believe my time here is going to be occupied." I reply easily.

As he says his goodbyes, turning away to leave, I quickly cast another small spell as I watch a reddish mark appear on his bright white trousers. To anyone who doesn't realise it's magically made it should appear as a wine stain, further ruining his image, it's a small thing but it makes me smile. I do love Prestidigitation, it's such a useful little spell.

"Now then, shall we Syr Carah?" I ask, taking her arm with a genuine smile.

"If that is what my princess desires," Carah laughs in response, watching the annoying prince slink away.

As we move to the dance floor, I set a more sedate and intimate pace this time, Carah isn't a dancer but she does know how to move her body, her situational awareness helping her avoid crushing my feet as I rest my head on her shoulder, the musicians taking my lead and slowing the music.

"Thanks for the save, my heroic knight," I say teasingly as she laughs.

"I've saved princesses from bandits and dragons, but don't think I've ever had to save one from a prince," Carah laughs as we dance slowly.

"I can handle brigands, though I'm not too prideful to admit I couldn't do much against a dragon. Unfortunately, my preferred methods don't work on battlefields of this sort," I admit, making her laugh again.

"Indeed, I like to let my sword do the talking, I'm afraid I'm entirely too easily out-manoeuvred in this type of battle, but I suppose it's not so bad with a commander such as you telling me what to do," Carah says, unconcerned by how I used her.

"Oh, I wouldn't say you're entirely outmatched, letting your body do the talking can be very effective, especially when it's such a nice one," I reply, squeezing her bicep as she smiles.

"Your highness, if you keep talking like that I might take it as an invitation," Carah replies, pulling me closer. Embereth knights are known for their boldness after all.

"Oh? If it was an invitation, I'd be much clearer," I say, making her hesitate, wondering if she's overstepped as I smirk.

'Once I retire for the night, follow the raven.'

Her eyes widen as my voice echoes through her head, before her smile returns.

"Is that so? How fortunate, I might miss anything more subtle," Carah responds, pulling my slim frame against her body.

"Oh, I don't think you need to worry about that," I reply, smiling impishly up at her.

I'm not easy, but when I see something I want I don't hesitate to reach out and take it.

— Syr Carah the Bold —

Princess Noire was entirely not how she imagined the reclusive royal. She'd been to Locthwain several times in the past, and had never met the mysterious princess because she was always locked away in her tower; she apparently preferred her books to the company of others.

Having failed to get Ayara's approval several times, she had hoped to get some advice from her daughter: a girl rumoured to be a prodigious spellcaster, and probably the only person who Queen Ayara—known for her cold demeanour—truly adored.

It's why she positioned herself between the ballroom and the corridor that she'd found out led to the princess's tower.

She had expected an introverted child, not a flirtatious young woman, and what a woman she was.

Elves were incredibly rare, most of them retreating to the Wilds long ago, and seeing both the Queen and Princess had confirmed the rumours of Elven beauty and grace.

If it was anyone else, she'd have been more upfront about her interest, that was how things were done in Embereth after all, there was no place for cowardice of any form in the kingdom of Courage, but as bold as her title declared her, making a pass at the princess of a major kingdom, who also happened to be the daughter of the woman she'd come here to impress, certainly wasn't the best idea.

Or so she thought. But Noire had thrown down the gauntlet, and no knight of Embereth would shy away from such a challenge. She watched as Noire said her good nights to her mother and the crowd, then retired for the night. She waited a few minutes, then finished her drink and handed her glass to a nearby server.

It'd been a couple of hours since Noire and her had danced, Noire playing her role as she danced with more people and mingled with the guests, spending enough time at the party to be polite before she excused herself.

Follow the raven, huh?

Excusing herself, she headed back to the entryway, and paused as she spotted an unusually large raven perched on the rafter. She only noticed it because it cawed, its beady eyes reflected the flickering torch light, and without warning it set off down the corridor Noire had first appeared from.

Well, she wasn't that dense, and despite having repeatedly heard rumours of what happened to people who got lost in Castle Locthwain, she did as the princess said and headed down the maze-like corridors after the bird..

The raven took dozens of turns, twists and even opened a secret passageway at one point, and she almost had to run to keep up with the bird, but as it led her up a long spiral staircase, it finally stopped, landing on the frame of a door.

Cawing once again, it flew down the corridor again towards a large open archway that led to a balcony, flying into the night.

Getting the message, she moved towards the door and gently knocked.

Hearing a giggle in her head again, she straightened up slightly.

'How polite, but I thought Embereth knights were more direct.'

Smiling slightly, she opened the door and stepped inside, spotting the smirking princess lounging on her opulent bed, clearly big enough for two people and then some.

Closing the door behind her, she turned and took in the sight before her.

Only luminated by the moonlight from her open window, the Elven princess had clearly changed after leaving the ball, now dressed in nothing but a pair of lacy black undergarments that hid nothing, her small breasts on display as Noire smiled up at her.

"Nótt thought you were going to fall behind and get lost," Noire said calmly, making her pause before she smiled. Ahh, it was a wizards familiar, that explained a lot. "I knew better, how could you fail with such a prize waiting for you?"

"And what a prize it is," Carah said, walking to the edge of the bed as she looked down at the lounging beauty. "Now all that's left is to claim it."

"Then hurry up and lose the armour," Noire ordered, making her smile as she reached down and unclasped her armour, removing it piece by piece as she exposed her own body for Noire's pleasure.

She had lived a warrior's life, and it showed as she removed her breastplate, her own larger chest not quite as pristine as Noire's flawless body, several scars littering her body.

Unlike Noire's softer and almost doll-like physique, she was heavily muscled from her life of adventure and battle, her abs chiselled from years of combat and training.

In Embereth and Garenbrig, her build would be an attraction—they liked strong women, and she'd occasionally been with fellow knights of both sexes from those kingdoms—but she knew some would see her as unattractive. Her worry that Noire might be one of them quickly faded when the minx's smile only widened.

As she removed the rest of her armour, but as she went to push her cotton small clothes—far less appealing than Noire's tiny lacy undergarments—Noire lifted a hand

"No, I'm taking those off," the princess purred, sitting up and taking her hand before she pulled her onto the bed.

"As you wish, my princess," Carah replied, smiling as Noire manoeuvred her onto her back, kneeling over her. As Noire looked over her almost naked body, she felt herself hesitate as Noire's gaze landed on one of her bigger scars, the jagged scar going horizontally over her left breast. "Ah- I'm sorry I'm not as-"

Placing a finger on her lips, Noire silenced her before she leaned forwards and gently kissed her on the lips.

"Do you know what a scar is?" Noire asked, moving lower and kissing her neck. "It's a time you looked death in the face and survived, living to fight another day. How could they be anything but sexy?" Noire said as she kissed lower, before she kissed her directly on her scar, her lips almost touching her nipple as she tried to force down a moan.

Moving again, Noire took her nipple into her mouth, her tongue swirling around it as her hand moved to the other breast, drawing a moan from her even before a Noire's free hand worked its way down her abs and slipped into her undergarments, small skilful fingers teasing her rapidly dampening slit.

As her finger pushed its way past her folds, she gave up on staying quiet and moaned out loud, making Noire giggle into her breast before she pulled back and continued her southward quest, kissing her way down her abs (making note to stop and kiss each scar) before she reached her undergarments, grasping them on both sides and slowly pulling them down.

As Noire pulled them off her legs, she tossed them over her shoulder and smiled at her as she went to lower her headbetween her legs again.

"S-should I not be pleasuring you, your highness?" Carah asked, making Noire grin at her playfully.

"Your princess wants to reward you for helping her against the terrible… fucking moron, now be a good girl and spread those legs for me," Noire said, making her bite her lip as she obeyed.

As Noire's tongue immediately found its way to her sopping womanhood, she let out a moan and reached down, grasping Noire's hair and pushing her head further down as one leg locked around her head.

'Tut, tut. You're lucky I like you.'

— Next Morning —

Waking up in a pile of flesh and sweat, she smiled as she sat up and stretched, her body feeling lighter than ever as she looked over the naked minx who'd utterly dominated her dreams, and her body the night before. She could still taste Noire's body on her tongue.

"Ahh, so that's why my daughter never showed up," a stern voice said calmly, making her freeze as she turned to the doorway, her face burning as she spotted Queen Ayara calmly watching her.

"Y-your majesty- I-" Carah started, watching her eyebrow raise.

"Oh stop panicking, she knew you were heading to my room before you even arrived. She knows where everyone in the castle is," Noire's sleepy voice said as she sat up as well, unconcerned that they were both flashing her mother.

Grabbing her, Noire pulled her in for a deep kiss, Noire's tongue taking advantage of her shocked stillness to dominate her own as it slipped into her mouth.

"Really, Noire?" Ayara asked as Noire broke the kiss, hopping out of the bed entirely nude. "Should I take it to mean you don't want the presents I was going to give you last night, since you found Syr Carah's company more pleasant?"

"Well, you didn't mind keeping me waiting all day, I thought I'd return the favour," Noire replied, opening a side door and walking in, the sound of running water following quickly afterwards "and stop panicking, Carah, you aren't the first she's caught in my bed, you won't be the last."

"Meet me in my room when you are done, and Noire, I expect you to actually show up this time," Ayara scolded, even as her lips twitched. "Syr Carah, I'm glad you've… enjoyed the hospitality of Locthwain," Ayara deadpanned as she walked back out, making her pale.

Had she fucked up her chances of getting Ayara's approval? Doomed her quest?

"I said stop worrying, and look at your armour already," Noire shouted from the en suite, making her pause as she turned and looked at where her breastplate had fallen.

Next to her three emblems stood one more, a purple emblem with a golden goblet on it.

"Wha-"

"Your gift impressed mother, luckily for you it still counts even if you give it to me. Now stop worrying and get in here, you stink of sweat and you have morning breath," Noire ordered, making her grin as she got out of the bed as well, heading to the door and smirking at the sight of Noire lounging in a very large bathtub, her wet, soapy breasts on display as she sat half submerged in the hot water. "Well? Get in so we can get you clean, and then we can get dirty again."

Well, what the princess wanted, she got.

— Noire Virvaris —

As I finish getting dressed, I give Carah a satisfied smile and reach up, pulling her down to my height so I can give her one final, lingering kiss.

"I take it you'll be heading to Vantress now?" I ask, making her nod as she looks down at her breastplate happily.

"That's the plan," Carah agrees, hesitating for a moment as she thinks.

"Then I wish you luck with the Magic Mirror, I've heard it might be harder to please than my mother, and you only get one chance with it," I say, stroking her cheek.

"Thank you, Noire," Carah says, calling me by just my first name for the first time as I smile up at her.

"Then I hope the next time we meet, you'll have another emblem on that beautiful chest of yours," I tease, making her grin. "But I've kept my mother waiting long enough, and even I shouldn't push my luck this much," I laugh.

"Then I should prepare for my journey to Vantress, it was a pleasure to meet you, Noire." Carah says, taking the initiative and kissing me, quite roughly as she pushes me back against the bedroom wall, dominating the kiss for the first time.

She basically let me have my way with her last night, it's nice to see she's not completely cowed.

"I'm sure it was, and when you succeed in your final trial, remember that I'd be happy to show you the hospitality of Locthwain again," I say with a smirk as she breaks the kiss.

"Heh, I'll take you up on that, your highness," Carah says, and I'm glad she seems to understand our relationship.

Last night was fun, but it was just fun. More than one person has mistaken a night of pleasure for a promise for much more. There's still one of the castle guards who looks at me like I killed his puppy and kicked it's head at him every time he sees me, but I was clear it was just harmless fun and if he misunderstood despite my very clear warnings then that's on him.

"Nótt will guide you back to the guest rooms, I'd rather not stumble over your skeleton in a few years," I say, my familiar cawing again as she blinks.

"Have you actually found skeletons in the castle?" Carah asks after a moment.

"Oh, I find a new one every few months. Mostly thieves and assassins, not realising just how well-protected this castle truly is. They find themselves lost, starving long before they find the way out," I say easily, making her frown slightly before she shrugs.

The castle knows who belongs here and who doesn't, if you have a right to be here you won't go missing. Still, I'm somewhat fond of Carah so I'll not take any chances.

"Then I'll happily accept Nótt's guidance, even if he's leading away from the treasure this time," Carah flirts, making me smile. "Farewell, princess."

"Farewell, Syr Carah. Consider it my royal demand that you don't die out there. Worthy dance partners are rather rare," I say, making her grin as she gives me a bow.

"As my princess demands," Carah says as Nótt caws impatiently, flying through the doorway as Carah follows behind.

Heading out myself, I navigate my way to my mother's room, not even knocking as I enter the room, spotting my mother calmly reading through a grimoire as she raises an eyebrow.

"Finally. Clearly you've grown up if the concept of presents isn't enough to lure you," Ayara says calmly, smirking as she gestures at the chair beside her.

"They weren't going anywhere, Carah was," I respond easily, taking a seat and watching as several wrapped presents float out of a wardrobe.

"Indeed, now open them already, I have something I need to discuss with you," Ayara commands, putting her grimoire down.

Giggling slightly, I open the first present calmly, not damaging the fancy wrapping paper as I open up the box within, pausing as I pull out a pair of silver elaborate bracers, feeling the magic inside them.

Recognising what they are, I give my mother a questioning look, seeing her smirk slightly as she gestures at the rest of the gifts.

Opening a smaller box, my suspicion grows as I pull out a ring with a shield design, the symbol of Locthwain standing proudly in the centre.

The next box only confirms my suspicions as I feel the magic inside the black and silver cloak, royal purple on the inside.

Bracers of Defence, a Ring of Protection and now a Cloak of Protection? They're all powerful magical artifacts practically made for spellcasters who think they're going to be in danger?

"Thank you, Mother, they're wonderful. Now explain why you think I'm going to need them," I say bluntly, making her smile slightly. These would be perfect for a spellcaster who was about to set out on an adventure, but she barely lets me leave the castle without her.

"Because now that you are an adult, my agreement with your father has come into effect," Ayara says, my eyes widening. "Which means it's time for me to tell you about him."

"After all these years?" I ask, making her nod seriously.

"I know, and remain quiet for a moment while I explain. Your father is not from Eldraine, or the Wilds. He's from outside our plane, and it was random chance that he showed up her at all. Our home was endangered by an… extra-planar threat, one that we couldn't come close to stopping. Your father was curious and followed the threat to our doorstep, then decided to slay it for us," Ayara explains, laughing slightly. "The best knights and mages of Eldraine couldn't even slow it down, and he killed it in seconds."

"You mentioned he was a powerful spellcaster before, it's one of the only things you would tell me," I say, almost accusingly.

I'm aware other planes exist, high level magic deals with them quite often after all, but my knowledge is vague at best, and I've never considered that there could be beings who could seriously threaten Eldraine. She knew there was dangers of course, but my home always seemed untouchable, even with the Wilds constantly challenging us.

"I know, and that was a grievous understatement," Ayara admits, before sighing. "I fell for him, his power and charm, and before long I was married and pregnant. But it didn't take long before I saw his flaws. Kuro is extremely lazy, a complete hedonist, and he massively spoils his daughters. I didn't want him influencing the next Queen of Lotchwain with his ways, so I asked him to not interact with you until you were an adult, letting me raise you myself. It was selfish of me, but I don't regret it," Ayara admitted as I narrowed my eyes.

I assumed he left because he didn't want me, didn't want to be a father, to hear that my mother sent him away causes some complex feelings, to put it simply. I can't hate my mother, and I didn't even hate my father despite his lack of presence in my life. I was just indifferent to him, so to hear he only stayed away on my mothers request changes things.

Kuro, that's his name.

"I am a hedonist," I admit, making her laugh slightly.

"So am I, but believe me, compared to him we look like blushing maids. He is ancient, even compared to me, and utterly immortal. He lives for pleasure and entertainment," Ayara says calmly. "But my request doesn't mean he hasn't been involved in your life at all…" Ayara trails off as Nótt flies into the room, landing on my shoulder. "Nótt was a gift from him, he is a master of crafting life, and Nótt is a scion formed from his own familiar, Nyx."

Looking at my familiar, he caws before he flies off my shoulder and rapidly grows, from simply looking like a large raven to the size of a large horse, with four legs he struts up to me, jet black wings and a massive tail swaying as he butts his beak against my head gently.

Nótt first showed this form after an assassin managed to catch me by surprise while I was exploring one of the villages in Locthwain, travelling with my mother. Before then, I thought he was a normal raven.

"So, I can finally meet him?" I ask, making her smile.

"Not quite yet, your father isn't on this plane. He visits occasionally, we are still lovers after all spends most of his time elsewhere," Mother admits, making me scowl briefly. "But I have two more presents, from him."

As she says that, she puts two things on the table between us: thick book bound in red, embossed with a mesmerising pattern of gold filigree; and a small potion bottle filled with a purple liquid, with shimmering silver shards swirling around inside it.

"The tome is so you can continue learning magic, even if you find yourself in a place where the arcane is not prevalent," Mother explains, making me look up. "It's called the Grimoire Infinitus, and it encompasses the sum total of all your father's magical knowledge, gathered over the countless aeons he has lived. Even now it has tens of thousands of spells within, probably more, and it will grow with you, updating it's contents to match your progression."

"And the potion?" I ask, my eyes lingering on the spellbook with a ravenous hunger. It was something any mage living or dead would trade their right arm for. And their left arm. And both legs. Anything that wasn't essential to reading it really.

"The elixir will awaken your Spark, the fragment of your father's power you hold within you, enabling you to traverse the Blind Eternities, and Walk the countless planes, as he does. You're right, your gifts are made for someone about to go on an adventure. You want to meet your father? He's out there, waiting for you to find him," Ayara says calmly, making my eyes widen as I pick up the potion, looking at her for a moment before I pull the stopper off and down it, my entire body tingling as an indescribable sensation floods my awareness.

Gasping, the potion bottle slips from my hands and is easily caught by my mother's magic, levitating back onto the table as I try to gather myself. Power courses through my body and information is flooding my mind, not explicit knowledge or a set of instructions, more inintrinsic instinct. Instinct on how to shatter reality with the ease of taking a breath, of how to begin a step in one world, and finish it in another. How to Planeswalk..

"And finally, I have one last thing for you," My mother says, passing me a sealed letter.

Opening it slowly, I start to read.

'Dear Noire,

If you're reading this, you're finally an adult, go you! Ayara has probably explained most things by now, but if she hasn't then just bug her until she does, it's the least she can do after making me go get milk for eighteen years. Know that I've kept a close eye on you, even if I accepted your mother's wishes regarding raising you. A very close eye indeed.

Carah is pretty sexy, you have good taste. And don't worry I cursed Charles for groping you, little Charlie isn't going to be working for him anymore

Ha, she could almost forgive her absentee father for his not being in her life if he was telling the truth- Wait, this had to be written literally last 'ight.

Was he at the party?

'Anyway, allow me to be blunt, Eldraine isn't safe. The creature I killed (that got your mothers panties so wet) wasn't the only one of its kind, and we aren't the only ones capable of travelling the planes. Eldraine needs a defender, and as an outsider I kinda attract more threats than I deal with, so who better to defend your home than you? Don't worry, there's no imminent danger, you have time to get strong enough to crush any and all fools who threaten your home.'

The weight of her whole world was just dropped on her shoulders. Thanks father. Still, she'd rise to the occasion. She has always idolised her mother for defending Locthwain and planned on taking her place,she just needed to expand her goals slightly.

It was the duty of a royal to defend and lead her people, after all.

'You're welcome, anyway- heh, that always gets them. My advice? Jump planes, normally time would progress while you were gone, but I'm very powerful. Time in Eldraine won't move while you aren't there, and the multiverse is a big place. There's lots of ways to gather power, types of magic to learn, artefacts to discover, secrets to learn. Or you could start your adventure in Eldraine itself, it's a big place itself, and you've seen so very little of it.

If you do jump planes, I'll be waiting for you. There's technically an infinite amount of planes, making it borderline impossible to find me by jumping blindly, but let's just say the impossible happens more often than you think while I'm around.

See you soon,

your father,

Kuro Tepes'

This changed everything. It wasn't just Locthwain that had opened up to her, or just Eldraine, but countless worlds are now open to her, waiting for her to start her adventure.

And she had every intention of rising to the occasion.

— Kuro Tepes —

Not many people have the balls to ask me to leave a plane and not play a part in my daughter's life, but Ayara isn't just anyone, and I respected her boldness enough to agree.

I've kept a very close eye on Noire of course, even met her in disguise a few times.

Then I took Eldraine and a bunch of other worlds and grouped them up into their own mini-multiverse, the worlds carefully curated for my daughter's eventual adventure.

Not to make things too easy, I've seen enough about Noire to know she's much more of a tryhard than me, she wouldn't appreciate the hand holding and I respect that.

Still, I'm going to fuck Ayara's brains out and knock her up again as revenge for making me wait so long to meet Noire.

And I'm definitely playing a part in our second child's life.