The four exchanged no words while the lantern rose toward the starlit skies. A couple sparse clouds on an otherwise clear night. The air had a crisp chill to it, but the group had covered themselves in hand-knit blankets to keep warm. Dragonfly drones were perched in various positions around them—in the trees, on the reeds by the stream—and they kept a close eye on the “accused.” Crimes did not occur frequently in the Summer Court. Most were political maneuvers that resulted in the deaths of people in positions of power, but they usually did not involve common folks.
The chirping of crickets, the cries of nocturnal creatures, and the gentle bubbling of the trickling stream provided an ambience to the solemn ritual that was prepared in remembrance of the young maid. They were situated at the edge of Lucinia, at a small bend of the creek that led to the further part of the woods.
Tonight was the night before the trial, and they had collectively decided to spend it honoring the maid’s life. They didn’t even know her name—but they had made sure to return her remains to the earth so that her energies could intermingle with the leylines below.
While elves turned to stone when they died, a fae’s body would leak magical energy into the surroundings for quite some time afterward. This fact led to cremation rituals that harnessed the vast magical output as a sort of clean energy source that could power entire structures for days. The group had decided against that, because they did not want her killers to benefit from her death in that way. So, a small, private burial was arranged. Her body’s energies would go downward, and her soul would climb upward, guided by the paper lantern that was swept away by the wind. A separation, yes, but a hopeful one, for souls had a habit of returning from the Otherworld after some time, albeit in the body of a newborn child.
“May I offer a theory as to the maid’s situation?” Jolan began.
“No,” was all Lumi said.
“Understood.” Jolan gazed at the sky that was filled with trillions of stars. “Beautiful night for her to ascend.”
“It is,” Dev replied, twirling a blade of grass between his fingers. “We should try getting some rest.”
“I don’t know if I’ll be able to, with everything that’s been happening.” Yara shifted in her blanket. “But at the same time, I’m exhausted. I could fall asleep right here.”
“This is a decent place to rest. I say we camp out here for the night before we head into the city at first light.”
“I’ll keep watch for the initial few shifts. There is much to contemplate tonight.” Jolan stood, then floated up to a long tree branch. “Sleep well, my dear compatriots.”
Dev leaned against a tree, resting his hands behind his head. He whistled a quiet tune. After a few minutes, he closed his eyes. Lumi seemed to be deep in thought. She had gone quiet again, as was usual for her.
Yara scooted closer to Lumi, who jumped a bit in surprise.
“How are you feeling?” she asked the Winter fae.
“Fine, I suppose.” Lumi conjured a small ice crystal and let it roll down her finger absentmindedly.
“Are you worried about the duel? Or trial by combat, or whatever it’s called.”
“No. Is there a reason to be?”
“You must be really confident that you will be the victor.” Yara smiled.
“No one can predict the future. That is why I’m not nervous. If I win, if I lose—it is not up to me. I can only put in my best efforts while fate decides my lot,” Lumi said.
“Dev does not seem to doubt your skills, either.”
“He has known me for a very long time. I’d like to think that I’m one of the few he puts his faith in.”
“Does he not do that usually? He seems very open and friendly with most people.”
The snow crystal rolled down and melted on Lumi’s knuckle. “Cordial, yes. He puts on a good show, but he has few friends, and even fewer that he trusts.”
“Ah, I see.” So Dev was like her in more ways than she had initially thought. She also found it hard to place trust in individuals. Even those who had supported her journey to becoming a warrior had given up on her after discovering her lack of magical talent. It was times like those that had shattered her perceptions of others. The prince likely had similar experiences in the past, where people that were close to him ended up betraying his trust in a way.
“Queen Titania entrusted me with his care before her disappearance. I will not fail her,” Lumi said. “If Prince Devesh wishes me to fight, I will fight. If he wishes me to die, I will die.”
Such dedication. What had happened in Lumi’s life that had made her that way? She was not from the same court as the prince, yet she treated him with almost a sense of reverence. Yara was reminded of Priscilla for a moment—she was like Lumi in a way. So devoted that you could mistake her for a follower or worshiper than an assistant. She hoped that Priscilla was doing alright and that she remembered to eat—she used to forget to do that quite frequently when occupied with other tasks. Yara was here, in the wilds of the lands of the Summer Court, while Priscilla was probably tucked away beneath a warm blanket by the hearth. Though, it wasn’t exactly fair to call this area the “wilds,” as they were only dozens of paces from the main city of Lucinia. But it felt nice to call it that, because she felt the same sort of peaceful energy from her surroundings as she did in undeveloped areas of the forest. The natural flora and fauna felt so genuine in these parts, almost undisguised from their normal patterns.
Even though their conversation had been a short one, Yara appreciated being able to get a couple of extra words from Lumi.
The morning came without much hassle, and the rest of the night had been uneventful, apart from Jolan falling out of the tree at one point when he finally passed out from lack of sleep. And just like that, everyone found themselves in the hall of the Summer Court.
This was the place where judicial proceedings would occur. The judges would sit atop a raised platform about twenty feet tall, while the defendants would be in the recessed area beneath the pulpit. The lighting was scant, aside from the glowing blue lotuses scattered about the court that stayed suspended in the air. While the rest of the council was not present at the moment, High King Oberon was. As the main overseer and representative of the Summer Court, he would be making the decisions in regards to their upcoming trial.
Yara looked up at the king, whose blond hair was draped neatly. He wore a crown of rare flowers, and he was inspecting his gold-painted nails. He seemed to have other things on his mind at the moment, but he finally stopped what he was doing and made eye contact with the group.
“Will you submit to the Summer Court or will you—” Oberon began.
“Trial by combat,” Dev said, not mincing any words with the High King.
Oberon’s eyebrow twitched in a show of annoyance. “Are you certain?”
“I’d rather take my chances in a fight than to stand before the old men of the Summer Court that see no reason.”
“I see. First, we must agree to the terms of the duel.” Oberon looked down at Dev, a glint in his eyes. “What do you forfeit in case of your defeat?”
Dev stared at the floating blue lotus before him, which spun slowly. The accused must submit something that is of extreme value—their lands, their servitude, or something that cannot be replaced. The prince took his time before delivering his answer.
“I forfeit my title as prince of House Eglantine. I will become an unassigned member of the Summer Court. Do you agree to this forfeiture, Lord Oberon?” Dev said solemnly.
Yara gasped quietly. Jolan and Lumi glanced at each other without saying a word. They both held expressions of concern.
Oberon looked at him for a moment, before chuckling in glee. “Perfect. Simply perfect. The best forfeiture I could have asked for. For once, you did not disappoint me, Devesh. Good work.”
Dev remained silent.
“I agree, and I gladly accept the terms of this trial by combat.” Oberon hummed. “As a small mercy, with respect to your soon-to-be-gone title, the duel will not be to the death.”
Good news, at least.
Giving a once-over of the party, Oberon continued, “Choose your vassal, Devesh, after which I will choose mine.”
“I select Lumi as my vassal. She will fight in my name and my honor.”
Lumi nodded.
“An outsider to represent you—fitting.”
Dev sighed quietly, not mustering a response this time.
“As for my vassal, I choose…” Oberon enunciated each of his words before revealing his choice. “The High Queen Titania.”
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