[hr][hr][center][img]https://s2.postimg.cc/9u4ekd45l/darke.png[/img][hr][img]https://s13.postimg.cc/bqokv8vef/ezgif-2-aec9dbc0b0.gif[/img][hr][@Nallore][@BlueSky44][@FantasyChic][@mnkee][@LadyRunic][@Dragoknighte][@KazAlkemi][@jdh97][/center][hr][hr][center][h3][color=10A133][b]Present Day - The Castle: December 21st, 12,507 - 9:15 AM [/b][/color][/h3][/center][hr][@jdh97]: Jadis' eyes flashed with a bit of amusement at Bell's excitement. There was a range of emotion amongst the Wendron Witches - yet above all, there was a spark of excitement and adventure. This was not just an important day for Valda - it was the dawn of a new age for their coven - for witches in the Small Wet Country Across the Sea. While wizards were revered and respected, witches were regarded as mere filth by most of the big movers and shakers in society. Maybe it was simply due to fear of something they could not understand - or perhaps the practices that witches kept that distinguished them from wizards. Whatever the reason, it was their reality - and now, they had a chance to change that. 

In total, all but four members of the coven were going to attend Valda's coronation. Someone had to stay behind to protect camp, just in case anyone attempted to take advantage of the witches' many supplies that made life in the Forest easier than it would be otherwise. "Are we gonna snatch any little Castle children, Jadis?" one of the witches asked gleefully. They had made it to the North Gate. Jadis merely nodded in reply, before turning her attention to the two guards posted on the bridge. There was a hint of resentment in the guards' faces, but they allowed the witch coven to pass nonetheless.

[@LadyRunic]: Now, this map is incredibly detailed and valuable, having notes in the margins that detail Palace schedules and traditions. It's as if someone made it with Rhys in mind, knowing how useful a tool it could be to him. As he studies the map, he will notice a label called [i]the Queen's Room[/i] in the easternmost turret of the Palace. Next to it is another explanation, underlined twice - [i]Main entry is [b]Concealed[/b][/i]. The map also shows the expansive corridor that leads from the grand entrance of the Palace directly to the Throne Room called the Long Walk. Off the Long Walk are two other features of note - the bedrooms of Myrus and Princess Luna. 

[@KazAlkemi]: Cuyler makes his way into the Castle with no trouble, with the guards at the South Gate waving at him cheerfully. They recognize most of the Northern Traders at this point, having to let them in and out of the Castle constantly. And whenever a Northern Trader stays out of the Castle walls past dark, they get to collect a small fee from them in order to open the gates for them. It's caused some of the guards that work evenings to have a healthy supply of silver guthrums lining their pockets. At the Traders Market itself, the place is bustling with activity. Some of the stalls have already sold out, with people scrambling to buy a coronation present for Crown Princess Valda. 

There's no sign of Arya unfortunately, but two individuals will catch his attention. The first is an Ordinary Wizard by his robes - [url=https://postimg.cc/image/nkh91bm17/]Jarvis Yule[/url]. The second has a traveled aura to him, with a wizened and slightly unkempt beard - [url=https://78.media.tumblr.com/c6ee95e2e392d2f17023fb23f24131fc/tumblr_nbqdojxwtW1r5s47zo1_500.gif]Blaise Rowland[/url]. Cuyler can just barely make out their conversation - "It's a shame they're all so picked over...I wanted to get a surprise for my daughter," Rowland said to his friend. His friend then promptly replied, "I believe your presence will be a surprise enough for Arya."

[@Nallore]: The rat stood up on its hind legs, shaking out its limbs for a moment. "Are you Princess Luna of the Castle?" the rat then paused, waiting for Luna to confirm her identity. "Message from Golds for Princess Luna of the Castle. Message reads: [i]Princess, wizards don't know everything. Sometimes you need to look at things from a different perspective. I can help you find what really happened to your mother. Meet me at Sally Mullin's tonight at dusk. Come alone.[/i]" The rat then paused for a moment, looking at the princess with apprehension. "Would you like to send a reply, your highness?" As Luna would know, message rat communications are strictly confidential. Yet there is still just one problem - she won't have any idea who Golds could possibly be. 

[@BlueSky44]: As the herald led Valda to the Throne Room, Puck was already awaiting her. He was of rather short stature, yet underestimating him was a mistake that many had done before. He lacked his sister's witchy blue eyes, his eyes instead hardened like stone. His face was marred by a lengthy scar, yet it only served to make him appear ever the more intimidating. As Valda entered the room, Puck bowed cleanly before rising to his full height. "Valda, my dear, you've grown since I saw you last!" Puck exclaimed. He knew the proper rules of etiquette, but he had known Valda since she was but a babe. 

"Thank you, your majesty, for agreeing to meet with me under such urgent circumstances. I have two subjects of which I am afraid we must discuss before you are crowned," Puck began, not waiting for an invitation to begin. He wanted this to be dealt with quickly. "Before your mother died, we spoke of reinstating the Young Army in the Castle. Queen Meliscente and I did not always agree - but this was something on which we were in an accord. She had meant to make the declaration the day she died - and while I wish it could wait, you are in dire need of forces, princess. Half of your guards believe that you have the Queen's blood on your hands and the other half will not respect you because of your [b]Magyk[/b]."

"My troops lack bias - they do not see you as a murderer or a pretender to the throne, princess. I am offering you the support of the Young Army, in exchange for the permission to create a base here in the Castle," Puck said. He then paused for a moment, before pulling [url=https://cdn1.thehunt.com/app/public/system/note_images/9697798/note_view/8669d3ec9bc80e5c201e35d86d583bae.jpeg]a dragon ring[/url] from his pocket. "I then offer you myself, Princess Valda, and all of my expertise," Puck said, before bending down onto one knee. "I do not imagine that you care for me - but you will need help, Princess Valda. We have been friends for many years, have we not? Allow me to help you rule the Castle by your side - as your husband." [hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=#9B30FF]Arya Rincewind[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://s9.postimg.cc/6tuc8047j/tumblr_inline_mh9g18863_U1qz4rgp.gif[/img][hr][color=#9B30FF][b]Location:[/b][/color] Wizard Tower - 21st Floor[/center][hr]	Breakfast was rapidly assembling itself, while Arya was fetching the formal robes she and Atkin would require for the ceremony. Botts' Cloak Emporium was the gold standard in her opinion - as well as almost every other person in the Castle's opinion. She had placed the order as soon as possible, hoping that Atkin's measurements would not change too drastically by the time the robes were prepared. She hated having to use [b]Charms[/b] on clothing - there always seemed to be such a large potential for it to be not just quite right - and she expected perfection. With practice Arya knew that she would be able to master clothing alteration spells herself but she didn't see much of a point in it - she'd rather practice [b]Magyk[/b] that boggled the mind and the senses. 

	[color=#9B30FF]"Who the bloody hell could that be?"[/color] Arya muttered, hearing a sharp knock on the door just as she was about to sit down. Tea had been poured for both of them - two scoops of sugar and a spot of cream in Arya's, with Atkin's prepared identically. The tea kettle had been attempting to figure out Atkin's favorite way to have tea, trying a different combination each day. Arya had only had to intervene when the kettle attempted to add ale to the cup. There was decently sized pile of biscuits, the heat rising and just able to be seen in the air, with two types of jam available - raspberry and heather-berry. 

	Arya rose from the table and headed quickly over to the door, opening it to find a messenger from the Palace. The conversation was quick and brief - with the highlight being another request from the Palace. [color=#9B30FF]"I'll be over within the hour,"[/color] Arya told the messenger, before closing the door and returning to the breakfast table. [color=#9B30FF]"They want me there early to ensure the Palace is secure - of course I did mention that this would be necessary last week but they didn't listen...Atkin, you'll have the morning off. The spells will be a bit too advanced for you. You'll be needed at the Palace at 11:30 for final preparations,"[/color] Arya continued, picking up her cup and taking a sip of her tea. She wished she had the time to properly enjoy it. 

	[color=#9B30FF]"And while you are very much aware you are not to go into the Pyramid Library alone, if you do find yourself in there, make sure to replace everything exactly where you found it,"[/color] Arya added. She quickly finished her cup of tea before smiling slightly at her apprentice. She knew that anything she declared off limits would only increase his desire to go there. [color=#9B30FF]"Your dress robes will be at your desk - if you need help with them, ask Jarvis. He's got a knack for these sort of things,"[/color] Arya finished, before picking up her own dress robes and heading up the staircase to her room. [hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=7bcdc8]Nera Hawthorn[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://s9.postimg.cc/9cg18nv2n/giphy-30.gif[/img][hr][color=7bcdc8][b]Location:[/b][/color] Port Witch Coven House[/center][hr]	[color=7bcdc8]"Of course, Fleur,"[/color] Nera said with a soft smile. It was true that she tended to be a bit old fashioned in her own customs and mannerisms. She grew up as the servant's daughter, before leaving for the Badlands to become an apprentice - a pupil. Her life had been filled with titles and various rules of etiquette - it was a hard habit to break, even if Fleur had insisted before not to refer to her as Witch Mother. She reached up for a moment, adjusting the hairpin she had chosen to wear that day. She only took it out for special occasions - and certainly, this qualified as one. 

	[color=7bcdc8]"I believe the warlock is in his cave,"[/color] Nera quipped, referring to the dreary cell that Malekith insisted was a room. She didn't bother to hide her distaste for him in front of Fleur. While he was a member of the Port Witch Coven, he posed a threat and a danger to them. He was not someone that could be reasoned with. Some men wanted for money - others power, love, attention. Malekith wanted only for bloodshed and suffering. Those were two demands that Nera did not wish the Port Witch Coven to fulfill for him. And should she ever suspect a member of plotting to overthrow Fleur, it would be him. 

	It wasn't long before Nera spotted Malekith in the hallways. She disliked the idea of leaving this to chance - and she was also confident that she would be able to sneak them into the ceremony if needed. But Fleur was her Witch Mother and she would respect her requests. [color=7bcdc8]"Perhaps after we deal with the new Queen, we make a witch out of her sister,"[/color] Nera suggested. If they were to [b]CradleSnatch[/b] Luna - even if she was a bit old for it - then the Port Witch Coven would sit on the throne. They would only have the Wendron Witches to oppose them. 

	Of course, the relative silence of the house was broken as there was a large racket at the door, with someone banging their fist against it repeatedly. "YOU STINKIN' WITCHES CURSED ME BOAT! YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS! DEMON SCUM THE LOT OF YOU!"[hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=ff0000]Myrus Silvers[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://s9.postimg.cc/42b2h1xvj/tumblr_inline_naz1rpis_Mx1qce4fj.gif[/img][hr][color=ff0000][b]Location:[/b][/color] Servants Quarters - The Palace[/center][hr]	Myrus hesitated for a moment as Lyra opened her door for him, in order to allow him entrance. He had never been in a girl's room before - well, he had been in his sister's, but that didn't count. His cheeks turned a light shade of red before he nodded slightly and entered, trying as ever to be the diplomatic prince his mother had hoped he would become. Once he was inside the room, he realized that it wasn't too terribly frightening. It seemed to have just about all the same things any room did - wardrobe, desk, bed...	

	He then cleared his throat and nodded. [color=ff0000]"I'm well, thanks. I mean - today is a bit hard,"[/color] he admitted, his smile fading for a moment. As much as he wanted to be happy for Valda, the coronation was only happening because his mother was dead. Once Valda was crowned, the reign of Queen Meliscente would officially come to a close. It was as if his mother was about to truly die a lasting death - the death of becoming irrelevant and forgotten. He then held the book out in front of him, its title in gleaming gold letters. 

	[color=ff0000]"If you wouldn't mind...Could you deliver this? I have a friend - Mavis Moll - she lives on Alchemie Way in the Pye House, room 106,"[/color] Myrus requested. He turned the book slightly, about to open it up to show it to Lyra, when a piece of paper fell out from in between the pages and hit the floor. Myrus bit his lip before bending down to pick it up, before looking at it in confusion. It appeared to be some sort of portrait - yet he had never seen one like it before. He knew that there were talented painters who could achieve realism - but this looked as if someone had actually captured life to its each and every detail, as if they had made an imprint of reality on paper. 

	[color=ff0000]"This...this is weird. Take a look,"[/color] Myrus said, before passing the paper to Lyra. The scene had a bunch of weirdly dressed people, in strange and constraining garb. They were fighting on a land that appeared to be covered in hardened tar, with imposing structures on either side of them and odd contraptions made of metal. In the upper righthand corner, there is the barest hint of a word - perhaps a scribe could enhance the photograph. [color=ff0000]"Does that look like the Lagoon to you, maybe?"[/color] Myrus asked. He had never heard of any land that looked like that and he didn't understand why it would be in an [b]Alchemie[/b] text from the Land of Long Nights either.