the-heirs-magic

[the-heirs-magic]

Chapter One: Sawyer

     Sawyer Caliembra draped herself over the second-story railing, scanning her eyes across the dance hall. Women with thick, puffy dress skirts and frilly tops twirled around, covering the white marble tiles with drawings of babies holding arrows on them. Men stood around a long table covered in white and gold silk, talking loudly while gorging themselves on expensive wine and meats. All around the guests were grey stone walls, high enough to reach the heavens. Arched windows sprinkled around, mosaics of Sawyer's family implanted in them. Hanging from the ceiling was a large crystal chandelier with each candle lit aflame. Light danced around, casting shadows in hard to reach places while also lighting the Royals' pudgy red faces drenched in sweat despite the cold weather outside. 

     The hall was full of every rich, royal catastrophe in the Realm, each intent on completely ignoring their duties to enjoy this week-long mess created by Sawyer's dear mother. They were all celebrating Winter Collide; the change from hot, sticky weather to cold, nippy weather. Sawyer's mother thought it fit to create this party for Gods knows what reason. Empress Ahelissa never took orders, only gave them. In reality, it only gave these horrid creatures an excuse to forget all the major political uproars in the Realm. 

     During these uninterestingly extravagant get-togethers, Sawyer and her elder brother, Elye, would be giving the Royals' kids a tour of Sawyer's colossal sized castle. Instead of going off with the kids, however, Sawyer feigned sickness so she could spy on the Royals. Hell of a job she was doing, though.

     Earlier this quarter, a riot had erupted in the poor cites of Afearea after Ahelissa declared prices to be raised on all goods in the Regions. "Economic growth, darling," she had told Sawyer when the riots started. The people of Afearea were being arrested or hung for the outbursts. News spread fast and soon the other poor cities in other Regions began rioting. Sawyer was concerned that not enough was being done to fix it. The people of Afearea were the kindest Sawyer had ever met, so to hear that they were rioting broke her heart. Nevertheless, no one cared enough to try something better, and now they were here at this party, ignoring it like the people of Afearea are nothing. Except, of course, those who have money.

     Sawyer heaved a sigh and turned around, leaning her back against the railing and putting the party behind her. It was then she heard the hurried footsteps, stopping right by her. She turned her head, catching a glimpse of Priam Cephyros, her handsome fiance, darting between rooms down the servent halls. She simply watched him for a moment, then lifted herself from the railing and strode towards him. "Looking for something?" she asked him, crossing her arms as he halted in front of her.

     He stared at her, eyes wide like he was terrified of something. He was gasping for his breath, seemingly exhausted from running. "Alcaeus has been arrested for crimes against the Royals."

Sawyer didn't have a chance to respond, or even think of a response, as Priam snatched her hand and dragged her down the hall with him. He swerved into empty rooms, searched, then dashed out, keeping a tight grip on Sawyer's hand. "What," Sawyer managed to get out. "in the Realm are you looking for?"

     Priam stopped, eyes set forward. He released her hand. "Elye?" he called out. Sawyer peeked over Priam's shoulder and saw her brother talking to four other kids. Elye smiled, however, he quickly turned his expression to that of concern. "Prince Priam, what's the matter?" he asked with apprehension. Sawyer beat Priam to the news, her heart hammering in her chest. Elye turned to the other kids and Sawyer could only imagine his award-winning smile. "I believe we should go to my chambers."

     One of the kids nodded his head, his dark curls bouncing. "It is not safe out here." Maynard Mortor said. Sawyer's heart hammered harder, but this time not with terror.

      Elye's chambers were big, with five different rooms connected to his living room. The living room was full of books and papers scattered across desks. In the middle of the room were three different couched stitched with an expensive cloth. A small table sat to the side of one couch, a cup sitting on it next to a book. Elye took the couch closest to the door, Priam taking the seat next to him. On the second couch sat the twins of Emothae: Cedar and Laurel Alyssum. Next to them sat Lady Vivian Brenton of Arilun, Eclia. On the last couch sat Maynard Mokor, the prince of Pegroven and the man Sawyer has never seemed to contain herself around. With other couches occupied, however, Sawyer took a seat next to Mokor, hands clasped tightly together. "So," Elye sat back, stretching his legs out a bit. "Tell me what happened." 

     Priam told the room about Alcaeus being arrested. How they found journals upon journals full of "treason" and "evidence to the riots." He wrote about the Realm, the Regions, the Royals, and their awful doings. "But he is a royal," Sawyer interjected. Priam slapped his hand against his knee. "I know," he said bitterly. Elye patted Priam's back gently. Priam took a deep breath, then continued. "I was in the dance hall and overheard his father talk about him, so I asked if Aclaeus was here. The man told me his son was arrested. Empress has made plans for a public hanging from the crimes he's committed against the Realm. "What crimes?" Laurel asked, her eyes flashing from grey to red, a sign of faries becoming angry. Priam shook his head. "I don't know." Ceder clicked his tongue. "Keeping journals about Royals isn't illegal," he said. "And neither is writing about this hell forsaken Realm," Mokor muttered, his skin steaming. Vivian snorted, gaining everyone's attention.

     "Are you serious? If he wrote derogatory things about us, why shouldn't he be hung?" 

     "Vivian, kindly shut up," Sawyer replied, earning a glare. "Mind your tongue, Lady Vivian," Mokor warned, his dark grey eye flicking from Vivian to Sawyer. Sawyer returned her attention to Priam. "How did she gather that his journals were the cause of the riot?" she asked him, releasing her hands from their hold. 

     Priam sat back and heaved a sigh. "I'm not sure. No one but her and her guards has read them." Priam looked at Elye. "What do we do?"

     Elye sat back, tilting his head to the ceiling. His eyes squinted and Sawyer knew that he was thinking. "We need those journals," he said, dropping his eyes back to the room of people that was now quiet. For a while, it stayed like that. Elye looked at everyone, waiting for an answer. When he got none he simply stood and clapped his hands, wringing them together. "Alright, we need Magnolia. And a plan."

     They found Magnolia wandering the snow-covered courtyard, her wings swishing delicately behind her. The sunlight glinted off her wings, glitter and color washing over them. "Hello, Magnolia," Elye said. Magnolia stopped and turned her head, glitter shining against her pale face. Her light pink hair fell over her shoulders and her face was painted with a design of her Region; a common tradition with faries. She smiled. "Why hello," She curtsied, tugging her white dress skirts out. Magnolia was almost goddess-like, beauty encompassing every part of her, from the inside to the out. Faries and Faes were beautiful, but Magnolia went beyond beauty and she truly knew. Her voice was soft when she spoke and she was poised with absolute elegance. Sawyer was slightly jealous. "Did you hear about Acleaus?" Elye asked. Magnolia's face didn't falter. She nodded her head. "A tragedy. Unfair if I dare say." She flattened out the wrinkles of her skirt. "We will have to do something. I won't be able to enjoy tea time here otherwise." She frowned, turning her attention to Sawyer. "And of course for you, dear." 

     Sawyer shifted, her hands grabbing each other again. "Thanks, Mags," she muttered. Aclaeus was Sawyer's best friend and comrade and every single Region knew it. They trained together, had free time together, taught lessons together. If it weren't for Priam, Sawyer was sure Aclaeus and her would-be married on the spot, although she didn't love him like that. She knew it would strain them, and that, she is thankful for Priam and their contract. Aclaeus was strong, but Sawyer was afraid he wouldn't last long.

      "A conspiracy against the Empress herself. That is quite dangerous of you all." Vivian broke in, her hands on her hips. "You could all be arrested for treason right here on the spot." 

      Mokor clenched his hands, his tail flicking and ears twitching with irritation. "Be quiet, Vivian," he muttered through clenched teeth. Vivian scoffed. "I don't think the demon should be talking to be like that. What would your mother say if she heard you getting into trouble?" 

      Elye clapped his hands together. "My Lady, I don't believe you should be speaking to any of us the way you are at the moment." he made sure to emphasize Lady, which made Vivian shudder. "But, dear..." She tried, but Elye simply shook his head, a grimace appearing at the word dear. "If you don't want to be here, no one is forcing you to be here. So do us all a favor and be quiet." Vivian gaped at him, appalled. Elye turned to Magnolia and smiled at her. "Maybe they'll let us speak to Aclaeus?" Elye asked. Magnolia returned the smile with her own, gentle and reassuring. "Possibly. Let us go ask." Magnolia turned and began walking through the courtyard, hiking her dress skirts up to keep them from dragging through the snow. Elye and Priam followed, Vivian hurrying behind Elye. "That girl is unbelievable," Laurell muttered. "Honestly," Cedar agreed. The twins begin following the group, leaving Sawyer and Mokor alone. "You're not going, are you, princess." Mokor's voice was smooth and deep. He always spoke low but this time, his voice bounced against the open courtyard. "No," Sawyer muttered, watching the group disappear into the commons. "I'm going to go find my mother." She turned and retreated inside from where they had come. Mokor followed but said nothing. They walked in comfortable silence together, Sawyer leading him through the maze of chambers back to the dance hall. "You know," Mokor began, breaking the silence. "Priam has a thing for your brother." 

     The comment startled Sawyer and she snorted. "Where in the Realm did that come from?" She glanced at him, his face staring ahead of them, a seriousness to his lips. Then, he smiled. "Demon intellect. I can just tell," he said, not looking at her. She rolled her eyes, glancing back in front of her. "It's not hard to tell," she replied. "They've been going behind mother's back for years now." 

     Mokor laughed. "And yet you continue your contract with him," he said. Sawyer shrugged. "It allows him to be close to Elye without raising suspicion," she replied quietly, clenching her skirts slightly. 

     Sawyer remembered the first day she found out about them. It made her feel completely stupid. She had wandered to Elye's rooms late at night, wanting some help with studies. She entered without knocking, as she always had, and there they were, on his couch, kissing and holding each other. Sawyer cried, Priam apologized, Elye begged her not to say anything. 

     "Listen, Sawyer," Mokor stopped, grabbing Sawyer's hand and turning her to him. "Whatever happens with her, ou mother, we'll get Aclaeus out. I don't believe his treason. I don't believe he didn't write anything that isn't true." Sawyer studied the hopefulness in Mokor's red-tinted face. She nodded her head. "I hope you're right," she said, removing her hand from his hold and continuing to the dance hall. 

     The dance hall was still full and alive when Mokor and Sawyer arrived, pushing themselves through swishing lords and ladies. They pulled themselves to the dining table and while Mokor grabbed a drink and some food, Swyer scanned the hall, looking for her parents. She spotted the two in their thrones, her father looking at her mother lovingly as she spoke. Sawyer quickly pushed herself through the crowd once more, climbing the stairs to the thrones. Her father spotted her and Mokor, beaming at them. "Sawyer! Prince Maynard!" he exclaimed. Mokor bowed. "Emperor Sargarus, Empress Ahelissa, thank you for having my family and I. This party is wonderful as always," he said, the pitch of his voice rising slightly. Sawyer's father sat back in his throne, a grin on his face. His cheeks were red and Sawyer wondered if he had a lot of ale. She turned her attention to her mother, who sat elegantly in her throne, her legs crossed with her arm propped on them, her chin resting in her hand. She smiled slightly, her eyes glaring at Mokor. "Thank you for your kind words, Prince," she replied softly. "Mother," Sawyer said. Her mother turned her attention to Sawyer, her eyes going soft. "My beautiful daughter. What brings you both here? You children are usually about exploring the castle. What is this special occasion?" She shifted her self, sitting up and fixing her posture. "It's about Alcaeus," Sawyer responded, clenching her hands again. Ahelissa set her face, glowering at the name. "What about him, dear?" Though her words were soft, there was poison in them, a warning not to press the issue too much. Sawyer knew this tone all too well. 

     "Mother, I heard an awful rumor that he was arrested." Sawyer feigned stupidity, forcing her eyes to well up with tears. "That can't be true, can it?" Ahelissa's face softened slightly, buying into Sawyer's act. "Oh, dear, maybe we should talk about this somewhere else?" Sawyer's lip trembled. "Mother!" She cried. 

       Ahelissa and Sargarus both rose from their throne. "Come with us. You too, young Prince." The Empress and Emperor hurried the two off, ignoring the stares from the others. Sawyer glanced at Mokor who gave her a dumbfounded look. She grinned at him only slightly, immediately returning to her sadness. She caught Mokor shaking his head from the corner of her eye.