[hr][hr][center][img]https://s2.postimg.cc/9u4ekd45l/darke.png[/img][hr][img]https://78.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_loe0ubGCxs1qg2p2zo1_r1_500.gif[/img][hr][@Nallore][@BlueSky44][@FantasyChic][@mnkee][@LadyRunic][@Dragoknighte][@KazAlkemi][/center][hr][hr][center][h3][color=10A133][b]Present Day - The Castle: December 21st, 12,507 - 2:00 PM [/b][/color][/h3][/center][hr]	"Atkin!" Rowland called out, chasing after the young lad as quickly as his old and wizened knees would take him. He wasn't his own apprentice but he was his former apprentice's apprentice and in that way, Rowland felt like he was something of an intellectual grandfather to the boy. He let out a breath as well when the [b]Tyme[/b] Dragon and her herald did not appear to hold any offense to Atkin's words. "Atkin, m'boy, perhaps you should mind your etiquette more...especially around beings of immense power and rarity," he whispered to him. 

	[url=https://assets3.thrillist.com/v1/image/2754967/size/tmg-article_tall;jpeg_quality=20.jpg]A small puppy[/url] had run across the lawn, yipping at Thalia excitedly. Just like most of the humans in attendance, the puppy also had never seen a real dragon before. A dark haired young woman raced after the dog. "Bard! Silly boy!" the woman called out, narrowly catching the puppy before they got too near to the crowd. The puppy licked her face almost apologetically and the woman laughed. "Alright, alright, all is forgiven...Now let's go home, before the rush hits the Ramblings..."

	Arya relaxed as well once she saw that no harm had come to Atkin. She found her attention split between him and Cuyler. But thankfully, Rowland seemed to have her apprentice protected from harm, allowing her to return her attention to the man from the Land of Long Nights. [color=#9B30FF]"...I regret saying this already, but it seems the Young Army has that handled,"[/color] Arya murmured. Under Puck's orders, the Young Army was directing the crowd out of the Palace Lawn and ushering them back into the streets. They were all being encouraged to head straight home, with some officers - falsely - claiming that Queen Valda had ordered a curfew for their protection. 

	Myrus slowly began to move again, until he was standing next to his sister. His eyes still had a glazed quality to them and he kept trying to voice his thoughts, to warn Valda of the great danger that was to come. He managed to open his mouth but only a strangled cry came out. [color=ff0000]"...I-I...have to...warn you...but she says I mustn't tell....I-I mustn't tell you..."[/color] Myrus whispered, quietly enough that only Valda could hear. He was as pale as a ghost and shaking. 

	[color=#9B30FF]"Cuyler, I would very much like to discuss this with you further - though I must confess, I am a bit confused...If Halley is this Mistress of Chaos as you say, why would she be a friend to us?"[/color] Arya mused. But her duties as ExtraOrdinary Wizard called and she politely excused herself, moving over towards the silvery woman and her herald. [color=#9B30FF]"Thank you, Miss Lauerk,"[/color] Arya said kindly. Greeting these strangers was a task either she or Valda had undertaken, but their sloth had prevented them from doing so. Lyra had saved them from civil embarrassment. 

	A thought then occurred to her and her eyes flickered towards Valda. [color=#9B30FF]"Miss Laurek, once you have escorted our guests and reunited them with their child, please return for a word...concerning the protection of our Queen in these [b]Darke[/b] times."[/color] She didn't even want to begin to think about the [b]Magykal[/b] grudge match likely to transpire at the Port. [hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=7bcdc8]Nera Hawthorn[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://s22.postimg.cc/4odbz9ddd/giphy.gif[/img][hr][color=7bcdc8][b]Location:[/b][/color] Port Witch Coven House[/center][hr]	The twins had no trouble evacuating the children to the safehouse, once Bernice gave them the location. In fact, the speedsters hardly broke a sweat. But given that they spotted the arrival of the Wendron Witches on the doorstep of the Port Witch Coven House, the two debated whether or not they should go in and defend their home. "Малекит је већ умро данас..." Marya pointed out. "Да ли си уплашен?" Medea scoffed. "Можда мало... Изгледа да ће коначно бити магични грађански рат..." Marya murmured. Her twin sighed before nodding and the twins took off, heading back into the Castle and going to the Ramblings. There was a board game pub there that they enjoyed visiting. 

	She nodded at Fleur, abandoning her use of [b]Concilium[/b] on Luna once she saw that Fleur had begun the [b]CradleSnatching[/b] process. [color=7bcdc8]"Of course,"[/color] she said, turning to look at the intruder. She held out her hand and began to attempt to use [b]Concilium[/b] to keep her still and complacent, but there was an unorthodoxy in her - one that Nera had witnessed only a few times before. Her efforts proved fruitless and blood trickled from Nera's nose, which she quickly wiped away. 

	[color=7bcdc8]"Witch Mother, this one is like the twins...and the Prince,"[/color] Nera said calmly. She wouldn't have interrupted Fleur in the middle of a [b]CradleSnatching[/b] for anyone else. [color=7bcdc8]"You're a мутант...A strong one too, to have broken through our warding...Dedicated as well...But your potential is wasted. You are held back...Witch Mother, I believe we should let this one go...She has a strength to her that may prove valuable."[/color] [i]Perhaps as a member of our Coven...[/i]

	Outside the house, the Wendron Witches regarded the building with amusement. It was a symbol of their greatest foe and Jadis was quivering with expectation. On the day that they had gained control of the Castle, the Port Witch Coven would fall! And all on MidWinter Feast Day! She could not help but have a bright grin on her face, her witch blue eyes sparkling. Everything she had strove for would soon come to pass. 

	Jadis extended her arm, staring at the building. "Flash and flicker, the fire rages - burn this building like fresh pressed pages!" Jadis commanded. A great streak of fire burst from the sky and crashed into an invisible barrier of sorts on the outside of the Port Witch Coven House. She was not too surprised that the wards were still in place. It would have been too easy otherwise. "Come on, sisters - let us dismantle these pathetic wards together," she beckoned. The Wendron Witches all joined hands and began to chant.