Ewen was confident that his changes would be well received by the king, a bit too confident for Praetor Ludwig’s liking but he didn’t have the heart to stop the boy. After all his changes did sound more heroic and fantastical, definitely would be a crowd pleaser. One thing he knew about Ewen is he had incredible luck on his side.

Sixteen years ago he found a small shivering child on the outskirts of Lir, it was winter and frost just kissed the thick overbrush, Ludwig could still hear the sounds of the wolves in the distance and just beyond the kingdom was the coiled decayed branches that were known to all of Lir-The Black Woods. Ludwig didn’t know who left this poor child or why, he’s come across abandoned babies before and tragically many were already too far gone to save but Ewen was different. Small, dirty, skinny and swaddled in a green cloth, who smiled brightly when he was lifted up. 

Ludwig couldn’t believe that sixteen years passed so quickly, Ewen was eighteen and was more beautiful than anyone in the palace. His concern was the boy was hopelessly in love with learning and not self defense and with his life was approaching its end. Ludwig was worried Ewen would at the mercy of predators that roamed the court.

He needed to make a choice. 

“Master, I’m going to speak to the performers…do you need me to transcribe anything today?” Ewen yawns and stretches, his imagination was full of ideas for tomorrow’s retelling.

“No, go and create wonders but please, try to restrain yourself.” Says the older man with an exasperated sigh, “My familiarity with His Grace can only extend so far.” 

“Trust me! I will be completely respectful, I can’t wait to surprise you!”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” And Ewen quickly hugged Ludwig before disappearing out of his study like a gust of summer wind. The fox and sparrow yawned under their scroll and kept to the darkened corners of the study, “Are you feeling better my friends?”

“Way better!” The sparrow chirps happily and flies in the shadows with renewed strength, “I could sing!”

“Could you fucking not?” The fox yawns and scratches his ear, “I never felt more…full.”

“Ewen has a talent, such a gifted child.” Ludwig huddles to his bed and lifts his mattress revealing six aged books, “Even as a boy, his imagination was brimming with beauty and light, he’s truly special.” the old man picks up one and riffles through the pages, running his hand down the faded paper and feeling the ink with a small smile. “D-do you think…I could see him?”

“I don’t know child,” The fox says, weaving through the setting sunlight poking through the blinds, he lifts his paw to touch on the ray and wiggles the pain away, still not strong enough for even sunset. “He doesn’t even speak to us.”

“A heart broken for centuries replaced with bitterness and revenge.” Ludwig whispers and closes his eyes, a memory of his younger days.

Only in his dreams could only see the figure cloaked in battered black feathers. Ludwig remembered the sorrow and anger, the grotesque beauty of the pitiable creature and desired to free him from his confinement. Soon, Ludwig could see the Fae and once he gained their trust that he learned how to communicate with them.

Every night in his dreams, Ludwig would feel the touch of the unknown feathered figure--reaching into his mind and heart. A monstrous longing but violent, cold and cruel, this force of nature took his body. The mouth hungered--and fear would take Ludwig over, resisting all the pleasure until eventually he was denied. Never again would Ludwig ever feel the figure's presence within his dreams. 

Only now, in his old age, with his youth all spent....that he understood.

It was cowardice.

The sparrow perches on Ludwig’s shoulder, looking at the ancient book with curiosity as his partner, the fox carefully trots over and faces the old man.

“Ludwig?” The fox asks with his ears flat, “You understand what this means.”

“These books were kept hidden for centuries,” Ludwig whispers with a small pain in his voice, “Countless weavers and spellcasters have died searching for them. So many.”

“You think the boy has what it takes?” Asks the sparrow with wonder, “He’s just a baby. A talented baby but still a baby.”

“I don’t know but…how many nights does the Black Woods have left? And Lir? It’s all connected…it..has to be.” The sparrow looks at the fox and flies over to his partner just as Ludwig returns the book underneath his bed. “Tomorrow, after the Blessings Festival…I’ll make my decision.”

“We understand…don’t we fox?” The sparrow chirps and the fox flicks his bushy tail, “Fox?”

“Ludwig. You were given those from ones that came before. If you’re wrong about this. The Veil is doomed.” Ludwig smiles with tears in his eyes.

"If I'm wrong about this, we're all doomed."