Far away from the peaceful lives of the Callaghan’s, in the heart of Cyneric stood a castle, much like the cottage where the sister’s lived - it too was overgrown but the plant life was dead. Only brittle decaying vines crawled the stone walls and hanging over the castle was a dark ominous cloud. There was no noise from animals and the vegetation that once grew within the 20 mile radius had spent its life many moons ago. 

The town that surrounded the castle was barren, the people struggled to survive but the Royal in charge refused to allow them leave. Whispers spread far and wide - the King may sit on the throne but all knew that his aunt ruled from the shadows and he was merely her puppet. 

The throne room that was one filled with noise was just a hollowed room covered in black vines - their thorns sharp. The once beautiful silver throne crumbling from the power being drained from it - the vines coiling around it, crushing it slowly. Sitting hunched over on the throne was the ‘Puppet King’ as he was dubbed by his subjects. The only male heir born to the Cyneric throne within many decades - his reign should have been bountiful and full of peace, only gossip tells of what happened. The vines had started coiling and constricting around him, leaving fresh scars over the old ones.

IN this empty castle his only companion was a tall man wearing a white bear hide - his face half covered, Nanuq was his name. He came from the king’s father’s homeland and swore to protect the young kin. His other companion came and went between the mirrors - only appearing to deliver messages from his aunt, orders he was to carry out otherwise he just sat on the throne. Like a puppet unmoving. 

She came - from the mirror his aunt placed within the throne room, just behind the throne. Many gold mirrors are placed throughout the castle all carved with roses and vines. The woman slowly walked from the glass, her hair long and trailing but never leaving the frame. Her tie to the mirror, she stood beside the young man but he made no motion of moving. Both of them are similar with their features and their autumn hair. 

“The Queen comes with new orders” she spoke softly with a slight echo. The effects of the mirror’s realm no doubt. He did not move, his eyes did not flutter open - he remained as if in deep sleep.

“It is time - find, collect and bring forth the Book of Morrigan. The Queen does not expect failure” the woman added. “Make haste, Grim - the Queen is not a patient person” and with that the woman bowed before returning to her mirror. 

Grim lifted his head, his body had become somewhat stiff sitting on the cold throne for so long. Standing was effort but nothing a little movement and magic couldn’t fix - so that is why she summoned the guards and captains back, she was planning on invading the other kingdoms no doubt to take their courts and books for herself. Grim stretched a little before acknowledging Nanuq - a small smirk spread across Grim’s lips.

“Don’t be all cold and stone like Nanuq” Grim half laughed, he stared at the stone man - frozen in time by the Queen herself. If Grim was on his best behaviour maybe she might even unfreeze him again but for now he was to act like a warning…… both Nanuq and his cousin. 

With each step Grim took towards the door - of course he could have teleported but he wanted to burn those dreadful looking vines the Queen spread throughout the castle. His little act of rebellion but it wouldn’t be long until they had come crawling back. Twisting and coiling around anything and everything they could climb. 

His footsteps echoed as he wandered the halls, his once warm and welcoming childhood home - fallen into disarray and crumbling before his eyes. The court's power slowly faded away and it showed without the walls crumbling and the floors warped. 

“I wonder where the book has been hidden?” Grim asked himself then thought deeply, he hated doing the hard work but soon clicked his fingers when he had an idea. “Why spend energy searching for myself….. When I can get someone else to do it for me” He half laughed, before finally teleporting away.