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M oving through the portal felt like she was free falling, until she came to a sudden stop and landed on gravel. Everything was spinning. She looked around her and realized they were standing in a huge garden. Lilith walked over to a hedge to vomit. She felt the prince’s hand rubbing her back.

“Is it a bad time to tell you that you’re puking in my mother’s favourite garden?

” he jested with her, trying to distract her.

She swatted his hand away. The prince went over to his sister and Lady Ashmore.

Mistress Rhodes was helping Felicia, who was also looking green.

Lilith wiped her mouth and went to her friend.

“Are you okay?” she asked. The bruising was a deep purple. “What happened?”

Mistress Rhodes excused herself, giving them some privacy.

“Just the same things that happen when I’m home with them. I hate her.”

Lilith rubbed her back. “Yeah, she’s not the friendliest. I’m fairly sure we would have been detained, had it not been for Lord Helmer. That, and her tune changed once she saw the prince.” Looking around the garden, the prince had disappeared. They joined the remaining people .

“I will remain here for a while. I’d like to check on something. Mistress Rhodes will help me with this young one.” Lady Ashmore nodded towards Silver. Mistress Rhodes hauled Silver over her shoulder and said her goodbyes before departing with Lady Ashmore. Lady Thalassa went over to Lilith.

“Why don’t I show you to some rooms?” Lady Thalassa asked Felicia and Lilith.

“We wouldn’t want to impose. My parents have a home not far from here,” Felicia replied with cool politeness.

“Right. Well at least let me show you the way out.” Lady Thalassa motioned for them to follow.

“Where did the prince go?” Lilith asked his half-sister.

“Probably to see the king and his mother, Queen Isolde. Come, let's get you out of here.”

Lilith and Felicia looked around. They walked down a hallway made of an ivory stone.

Hundreds of pillars were beautifully carved to mimic trees.

The branches of the pillars melted into the high ceilings that held windows of shimmering glass.

They passed a large courtyard that was overflowing with plants: plumes of white flowers mixed in with tidy bushes.

At the centre of the courtyard was an enormous scraggly looking tree with a light grey brown trunk and spindles of branches that awkwardly grew out in unusual ways.

It was scarcely peppered with thin, deep green leaves.

Its presence was a stark contrast to its surrounding beauty.

“Where are all the guards?” Felicia asked Lady Thalassa. The dark blue haired girl looked nervously down.

She looked around and pulled them off to the side. “We must be careful here. As you have noticed, Felicia, there is an absence of guards patrolling the palace. You see, since the Apostles of the Reckoning have taken over the court, they have instilled their own members as guardians of the palace.”

“Is that why you left?” Felicia asked her.

Lady Thalassa smiled, “Yes, my mother, one of the king's consorts, encouraged me to leave. The Apostles have introduced many new rules and punishments too. The king’s consorts have complained that some of their ladies in waiting have vanished. The grand master, the palace manager, gave us the excuse that some officials willingly left with the fall of the council. I don’t buy it though.

” Lady Thalassa continued down the hall and led them up a set of stairs.

The landing separated into two wings. Lady Thalassa pointed to the left.

“Through there is the queen’s wing. Only the king and the queen’s children may enter.

The right leads to the consorts' annexe. It houses the consorts, honoured guests and children of the consorts. There is a lesser used exit this way.”

“Lady Thalassa!” shouted a guard wearing a gold chest plate and a long red cloak. “You need to follow protocol.”

“Come now, Sir Erikson, we have been here for a while without anyone approaching us. It is a shame to see that the Apostles have slackened security of the palace.” Lady Thalassa walked past the guard.

“Please, my lady, you cannot say those things out loud. If one of their spies had heard you, you would have been punished severely. Thankfully, the right people notified me of your arrival. You must follow me.”

Sir Erikson led them to the right and across a walkway.

Here they noticed the presence of guards, dressed similar to Sir Erikson.

They saluted as he walked by. This building was constructed differently than where they arrived.

Gone were the beautiful carved pillars and ivory stone.

The walls were covered in a dark red texture and the structural pillars were made of a polished dark wood.

They entered a large suite with a sunken lounging area.

Ornate wood and screened doors made the room private.

Lady Thalassa sat in the lounge and casually picked up a book that was laying on a small round table.

“Please, make yourselves comfortable.” Sir Erikson waved his hand to the room and then nodded at Lady Thalassa. She rolled her eyes and nonchalantly flipped through some pages.

“You may as well have a seat,” she said to Felicia and Lilith.

They stepped down into the sunken area and took a seat.

Lady Thalassa huffed and returned the book to the table then stared at Lilith.

“You're Councilman Hennan’s daughter,” she stated, without waiting for a reply.

“Keep that to yourself. Instead, if anyone asks, say you’re one of Lord Helmer’s relatives.

You’ll be treated better by the ladies, and the Apostles will hopefully leave you alone.

I would also hide your abilities. Make yourself appear weaker than you are.

” She turned to Felicia. “You, on the other hand, will have no issues, as progeny of a Flavian. When was the last time you were here?” Felicia started to speak, but the doors opened and in came an older looking woman with long black hair and white, almost translucent skin.

She wore a flowing pale green gown and looked positively stunning.

Beside her was Sir Erikson and a few other ladies wearing long flowing pale white gowns.

The older lady frowned at Lady Thalassa.

“Why are you here, Thalassa?” The lady let out a sigh. “Where is he? ”

“Who do you mean, mother?” Lady Thalassa innocently blinked.

“Please, we have reports that you arrived with Prince Demetrius. There’s no point in lying. Why are you all here?”

Lady Thalassa rolled her eyes and spoke quietly. “We had an unfortunate incident at the encampment and had to return here.”

Thalassa’s mother did a double take after spotting Felicia. “Miss Flavian?”

“Hello, Lady Tessa. I wish we had come under better circumstances.” Felicia smiled warmly to Thalassa’s mother. Lady Tessa gave Felicia a small smile. Her gaze fell to Lilith.

“And this is?”

“I am Lilith Helm. One of Lord Helmer’s relatives,” Lilith introduced herself.

Lady Tessa squinted and eyed Lilith suspiciously. “Lord Helmer’s relative?” She looked to her daughter, who was looking away. “Hmm. You’ll have to come up with a better cover story. I would say…”

The door opened once more and in strode Prince Demetrius. “Ah, I found you.” He was looking at Lilith. “A pleasure, Lady Tessa.” He nodded at her. “I see you’ve met my special guests.” Lady Tessa took a second appraisal of Lilith and looked to Sir Erikson.

“Your sister was just telling me that you had run into issues. Was it the rebels?”

The prince scoffed, “If only. No. We had a little peek into the Void and then had some issues at the encampment. Nothing to worry about. Our end result was to make it to the capital and now we’re here.

” He took a seat next to Lilith and sat back, crossing his feet in a relaxed manner.

“I said 'hello' to my mother and to Father. He’s looking a little under the weather, wouldn't you say, Lady Tessa?”

Lady Tessa just stared at him. Sir Erikson fidgeted next to her. He asked, “Can we expect your permanent presence here, Your Highness?” Translation: will you be taking care of the Apostles of the Reckoning? Lilith thought.

Prince Demetrius tilted his head to gaze at Lilith. He responded to his half-sister by saying, “Indeed. Sir Erikson, tell me what you know of our current situation.”

Sir Erikson walked to stand in front of the prince.

“They came shortly after you left for Skilheim. At first they made introductions to the king. But he showed them only minor interest. The queen, however, permitted them to stay as her guests. Shortly after, the king began making changes to the court and council. He was acting different from his usual self, posing ideas that he had previously avoided.”

“Ideas?” the prince interrupted.

“He suggested appeasing the Void by sending sacrifices. Spouting notions that if they could appease the gods, the Void would disappear.”

“That is why I sent Thalassa to the encampment with Lady Ashmore,” added Lady Tessa.

“At first, they would rally crowds in the city. They worked in groups and spread themselves sharing the same message, teaching the lowest members of our society their doctrine. They gained popularity and were viewed as caring for the people’s wellbeing.

Higher society started integrating with them- they started using their belief in the Apostles as a way to elevate their own status.

Eventually the Apostles pushed for more authority.

They wanted to be recognized as the primary religion that was endorsed by the monarchy.

They denounced all other forms of religion and started using public punishments to gain control of the masses.

Traders and merchants had to give tithe to them before their goods were allowed to be sold at the market. ”

“And what is their resolve? Who is their leader?” Felicia questioned.

“They believe that they are messengers from the gods sent to restore faith. They believe that by giving into the Void, there will be salvation and a rebirth of civilization.”

The prince rubbed the bridge of his nose. “There’s more isn’t there?” he asked Sir Erikson, who gave him a forlorn nod.

“We have reason to believe they are behind the rebel forces. A few days ago, some of our spies followed the Apostles to an area just outside of the capital and they spotted them chatting with a known rebel leader: Sir Inkwood Prichard.”

“Just so I’m clear, we have rebels and these Apostles working to dismantle our monarchy and we also still have the issue of the expansion of the Void, that has no known solution. Am I right?” Lilith asked Sir Erikson.

Sir Erikson turned a deep red and stated, “Yes, that is correct.”

Prince Demetrius didn’t respond. Instead, he hunched forward and rested his head in his hands. He was a world away, planning and strategizing.

Lilith looked to Sir Erikson and asked him, “Are we aware of any rumours in regards to their next move? By the sounds of it, they have already overthrown our government. ”

“My theory is circumstantial at best, but the Apostles will likely integrate more of the rebel leaders as their members. They will unite, and with our focus placed on moving soldiers from the encampment to the borders of the Void, they will look to push remaining lords and royals out of the palace.”

Lilith thought of something Andishmand once said. “I heard there was a report that something was found in the Void. Do you know what it was?” Sir Erikson exchanged looks with Lady Tessa.

“I’m afraid that knowledge is restricted. Only those that were there and King Amadeus know.” Lady Tessa paled and looked at the prince. Felicia nudged Lilith with her elbow and nodded to the consort. She must know more than what was said.

They sat in silence, processing this new information. Taking down this religious sect will be challenging.

Felicia looked to Lady Tessa before speaking, “It is not my place to make suggestions, but may I speak freely?”

“Let’s hear what you have to say,” Lady Tessa nodded.

“What if you gave them what they wanted? At face value, you align yourselves with them.” She faced the others and stood up.

“Once they find out the prince is here, which they probably already have, their biggest worry is repressing the heir to the throne. What if he plays along with their demands and gives them a false sense of confidence? Right now, there’s too many unknowns.

You need to learn more about them and find their weaknesses. ”

Lilith started to feel the first pang of regret.

Her goal was to take care of her personal problems, that of removing the rune curse.

She was getting too involved with these political matters.

She had agreed to help Prince Demetrius as his spy, but her involvement was now becoming too complicated.

However, she couldn’t just be a bystander in this mess.

She saw first hand the toxic destruction of the darkness, the spread of the Void and its creatures.

Without fighting, her family and her way of life would be lost.

“Miss Flavian is right, we cannot hide here forever. Making a move without proper preparations will lead to failure. I need to root out the pests. It’s time we met these Apostles.” The prince stood up and headed to the door. “Come, let us go to the throne room.”