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Star had seen fae of the sort before—the types that dwelled in the deepest nights and feasted only on the fears of humans—but Lancelot was a different breed. Perhaps a type of fae, perhaps something entirely different and without the wizened knowledge that guided most of his kind, Star had no concrete guesses. He only listened as the shadow knight addressed the congregation then vanished as quickly as he had arrived.

The man renowned for the fall of Camelot. Aldebaran was far enough away from the castle to have considered the news shocking, but not threatening at the time, and from the political details he gleaned wandering the castle halls and eavesdropping on the nobles, Camelot’s fall had actually driven more refugees to Aldebaran, raising the desirability of the city at the cost of a larger outcropping of the impoverished.

But that was half a century ago.

Now the province flourished on its trading routes and ports, bolstered by a burgeoning population and spreading quickly.

All roads led to Aldebaran, the merchants would say, but the city had a life and soul of its own. Valen hadn’t been worried about leaving it in the hands of the royal scribes. They were authorized to sign on Valen’s behalf in the meanwhile anyway, and treason was the last thing on most minds—being royalty in Aldebaran was not the most desirable position, after all, since the power that ruled the trade city was the gift of business. A wealthy, well-connected merchant, under the right circumstances, held more sway than a lord. 

Regardless, it all amounted to a relative autonomy. The city did not desperately need its lord to run smoothly, but Valen also could not be absent for too long. Certain matters still demanded the authority and decision of the ruler, even if the majority of people would not even realize their lord was absent. And the power-hungry head of the merchants guild would not hold his tongue for long if Valen remained missing.

The pretense of Star acting as Lord Valen served two purposes: it allowed Valen free rein as the servant to travel back and forth while directing any potential hostilities to Star. From an outsider perspective, it would seem a cruel thing to do.

From Star’s perspective, it was the right thing to do.

As Lancelot disappeared, the fae curled his fingers around Valen’s hand, bringing the gauntleted fist towards his mouth in a light, casual kiss, the act automatic and habitual. Unusual for a lord, but Star had by now drawn his legs up on the chair, canting his body to the side and resting on his elbow—the picture of lazy decadence.

[color DCDAFF]“Sky, I’m tired. Go ask the attendant where our rooms are. I want to do something more…interesting,”[/color] he said, a slow slide of his tongue over his lips a hint of the fae’s future plans.

Valen stood quietly behind his lord, back straight and eyes focused ahead, perfectly mimicking the knightly posture of his court. Yet, he couldn’t help a slight frown as the room filled up, appointed knights of Lancelot flooding in. He should have expected this from the man who razed Camelot, after all. Alliance with darker forces should be a given. That, however, did not mean he would be delighted to work alongside beastmen, goblins and revenants, abominations who stank so deeply of magic he thought it had been worked into their bones.
 
And worse, he didn’t even know what they would be working on, since Lancelot himself didn’t offer much in ways of explanation. Mysterious to the end, apparently.
 
So once the smoke cleared and the servant stepped forth, Valen turned to Star, awaiting instructions. Only for the fae to kiss his hand and make another one of those suggestive gestures.
 
Stupid faes and their innate charms.
 
“[color royalblue]At once, my lord.[/color]”- Valen nodded, stepping forward quickly to get out of Star’s reach.
 
“[color royalblue]Lord Valen would like to inquire about his accommodation.[/color]” -He announced to the old servant, fighting the urge to quirk his nose at the stench of magic –“[color royalblue]…as well as the arrangement for his mission.[/color]”

[color DCDAFF]“Hurry, Sky, I’m getting antsy.”[/color]

Valen half-turned, careful so that most of the occupants in the room wouldn’t catch the withering look he sent Star -”[color royalblue]Of course, my lord.[/color]”

Star smirked at the look and blew a kiss Valen’s way before settling skewed into his chair, head propped on the back of his left hand.