Chapter 2.


    Tonight is the Night of the Amethyst Comet shower, a night sacred to us faeries. Faerie Clans across the land will all be celebrating. It’s also the night where the gnomes come to the surface to trade their gems with us. Like I mentioned before, we trade food for their gems. It’s how it’s been for generations. In fact, that’s why Mother chose this forest to make our home; she sensed the Gnome Tunnels below. Gnomes are Earth elemental Fae who take the forms of moles. The only difference is that Gnomes always walk on two legs, and they come in two colors: red and blue. The female Gnomes are blue while the males are red. Another thing about the Gnomes is that all Gnomes carry a pickaxe, similar to a Faerie Sovereign’s parasol. A Gnome''s pickaxe is their most valued treasure.


    It’s used for both mining and a way to channel their magic. We Faeries have always had a good relationship with the Gnomes. In times of hardship, the Gnomes have sheltered us Faeries from harm.


    But back to the main subject at hand, the comet shower on this night, I will perform the rite of Orchidaceae umbra Flosculus. It is a vital ritual that needs to be performed in just the right way in order to produce Mana Blossoms. These flowers do not grow naturally and as such are incredibly rare.


    Mana Blossoms can be used for a variety of things, but they are heavily valued by the Gnomes. The Gnomes use them to create medicine and lighting for their tunnels. I should also mention that the Gnomes are gifted with Earth Magic, but they don’t have much talent with other types of magic, hence why they value Mana Blossoms. Mana Blossoms, when made into potions, boost a creature’s magical abilities, but the effects will wear off within 20 days.


    So they use Mana Blossom Positions sparingly; even still, their supplies do run low, hence why we Faeries perform these rituals, and in return the Gnomes trade their finest gems with us, and that is another thing about the Gnomes: they can also unlock the dormant Powers within Gems, and frankly, that is something we’ll need in order to create the Detoxing Shrines, so everyone will be counting on me.


    Since tonight is the comet shower, all my tasks that I would be doing are going to be pushed to the next day. Right now I need to relax and save my energy because the rite needs to be my main concern right now. I am in the ballroom auditioning a series of musicians. The goal of this is to find one I vibe with. To do this, I am blindfolded, and I listen to them play. This is to make sure that my choice isn’t compromised by appearances. Soon I hear the sound of a beautiful flutist. They are playing an interesting yet somber song. It reminds me of the day Sir Densna died. Desna was my mother’s protector and a surrogate father to me. One day, Desna and my mother were traveling alone in a storm, and they ran into a goblin scout. Desna single-handedly fought him off while my mother fled to safety. She was able to return to the settlement, and she quickly sent knights to go aid Desna, but sadly it was too late. Desna was brought back to us with his wings plucked; he died an hour later.


    Desna was then Buried with a primrose seed and a Mors Lumina, it quickly sprouted. That was the worst event of my life. I then stood up and said, “I choose you to be my lead musician for the rite. I then heard the flutist''s voice for the first time: “Thank you, my sovereign. I swear I won''t let you down.”


    Next was the accompanying musician. Soon I hear a variety of instruments, and they are all wonderful; however, none of them sing to me. Then I hear the strings of a harp; each strum is like someone pulling at my soul. I start to feel a wave of joy, and I’m reminded of the feelings I felt when I held my first child, and it brings a tear to my eyes. I then stood up and said, “Harpist, what is your name? Please, I must know it.”


    The Harpest Squeaked and said, “Oh my, I am ever so pleased you enjoyed my song, My Sovereign. My name is Wensk, and thank you for allowing me to perform for you.” I then removed my blindfold and saw the faces of my two performers. Res had soft pink hair and was dressed like an artist. Res told me that he was a member of the Fables; they are a beloved acting troupe that provides entertainment for the local children of the settlement Wensk. However, he was just a teen. He told me that he was an apprentice musician and that his master encouraged him to try out today.


    I was happy with my selection. Rays took the two to get ready for the rite, and I was allowed some freedom. A knight notified me that a gnome merchant had arrived with two of his companions. I then went to see them. The Gnomes have a series of tunnels running below the Forest with a series of entrances hidden around. I feel that since the Basilisk Matriarch had made her home in our forest, they may not use the entrances on the northeastern side of our forest soon. I followed the commotion to the Wanderer’s Respite; this was where traders set up their stands, and soon I met with the merchant. He was busy talking with one of his companions. I approached him and said,


    “Greetings, sir merchant, I am Sovereign Esteria.” The gnome turned around and looked surprised. I then noticed the sash around his chest. It had a series of golden medals on it. The medals all had the same symbols on them. I then noticed that this Gnome was wearing a bright green bracelet on his left arm.


    But the Gnome Merchant quickly regained his composure and said, “Ah, your radiance, I am honored to make your acquaintance, but pardon my confusion, but our archives say that the current Sovereign of the Arcus Stella Clan is Mai Prisma.” Upon hearing this, I felt a pit in my stomach.


    I then said, “Mai is my mother. I inherited her title. My mother passed away not too long ago.” The gnome merchant then began to apologize and said, “Forgive me, your grace. Let me introduce myself. My name is Giovanti. I am a high-ranking member of the Gold Merchant’s Guild. This year we are handling the trade for Mana Blossoms. My craftsmen have prepared the finest gems available.”Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Giovanti then introduced me to his companions. First was his lovely wife, Anitoli, a blue gnome dressed in a white gown. She was obviously a gnome of high society. She also had a beautiful pink ponytail.


    She also wore the same green band around her arm that Giovanti wore. Next was Giovanti’s brother; he was a Gnome Knight. His pickaxe was made from lapis lazuli, and the handle was made from perfect silver. His name was Roti.


    I took a moment to talk to Anitoli. I noticed that she didn’t have a pickaxe. When I asked her about it, she simply said, “A lady of high society only needs two things to succeed: her elegance and virtue. Magic has no place in a lady’s repertoire.”


    Roti then told me that his sister-in-law is a traditionalist. He told me that back in the day, gnome women were not allowed to use magic, but in recent years those laws were overturned. Giovanti then showed me his coffers; they were filled with a variety of gems, all of them giving off a slight magical aura that would be enhanced in time. I then told Giovanti that I was mainly interested in gems with purifying capabilities. Giovanti promised that if the rite was successful, he would send twenty extra coffers of gems with purifying capabilities to my clan. I smiled. I then offered to show Giovanti and Anitoli around the settlement. The two happily agreed. The first place I took the couple to was our bakery in the residential sector. I bought the couple a bunch of pastries, and the two Gnomes swooned and gleefully squealed at the taste of every pastry. Giovanti told me that all Gnomes have a weakness for sweets of any kind; it’s almost crippling.


    They then went on to tell me that a Gnome’s diet consists of worms, roots, and an incredibly fragile stone called Moldavite. I then asked the couple if Gnomes cook their food; the two tilted their heads and asked, What is cooking?" Giovanti then said, “It is vital for a Gnome’s health that worms be eaten as fresh as possible; eating a dead or fried worm could cause sickness. This is why we have dedicated worm breeders.”


    I was fascinated by Gnome culture. Anitoli then mentioned that the Gnomes share an ancestry with the Dwarves. Most Dwarven kingdoms are built inside of mountains, and I hear that Dwarven craftsmanship is unmatched. I hear they can even withstand an attack from a dragon army. The next place I took Giovanti was the stables, where we raise our mounts and companions. Giovanti was impressed by all the animals we had been raising.


    Anitoli wanted to purchase one as a pet, but Giovanti quickly told his wife that they couldn’t keep a pet due to their confined home. Anitoli was saddened by this. The last place I took the couple was our plaza. I told them that this is where I come to people-watch and socialize with my subjects.


    Anitoli loved this place because of all the beauty around us. We stayed at the plaza until 5 pm, and then I escorted them back to the Wanderer’s Respite. I then made my way back to the palace and began to get dressed in my gown for the ritual. It was a beautiful white gown decorated with a wave and lotus pattern. I then wore a white scarf around my arms, and I waited for nightfall. At around 7 pm, the sun had set, and the stars filled the night sky. Then Wensk and Res began to play their instruments, and they flew behind me to the plaza as Maia sang a hymn. Soon I flew towards the gazebo.


    I then rested my feet on the cold wooden floor, and I opened my parasol, which soon started to give off a soft prismatic light, and then the music stopped. I began to concentrate, and soon I felt it: the first amethyst comet raced across the night sky, and then the music started up again.


    I then began to dance using my parasol as an extension of my arm. The music was a mixture of both joy and sorrow. The music filled me with a mix of emotions, and I channeled all my emotions into the rite. Soon I began to feel a mystical energy well up inside me, and that energy began to radiate off my body, and then I pointed my parasol towards the north, and in that direction a large field of Mana Blossoms began to instantly grow from the ground.


    I then pointed to the other three cardinal directions, and in each one, a field of Mana Blossoms grew instantly. Then I pointed my Pparasol up towards the heavens, and soon a stalk grew from the top of the gazebo, and from it a large bush of Mana Blossoms erupted in a beautiful display. I then fell to my knees exhausted. Rays soon came to my side and held me close, then the entire audience cheered.


    “My Sovereign, you did so well; the sheer number of blossoms you produced is almost unprecedented.” Rays said, Rays then helped me to a bench, and soon Giovanti came over. He looked so impressed. “Lady Esteria, I am dumbfounded. The sheer number of Mana Blossoms you created is far more valuable than anything I can offer. I can only imagine their potency. Please, I must offer you at least 60 coffers of gems to properly compensate you.


    I then looked to Giovanti and said, “My friend, I would happily give up all the Mana Blossoms, but I must think of the good of my clan. We can also use the Mana Blossoms to full effect, so I offer you this deal: we split the turkey hand in hand; you take 60%, and I take the remaining 40%.”


    Giovanti thought for a second and said, “You are a wise woman. Lady Esteria, I agree to your terms, but my payment shall remain as is. We both shook on it, and Rays brought me a flask of water. It was soothing.


    My clan celebrated for a very long time before things died down. I then returned to my palace and began to rest. I then had a dream of an army of bats that attacked my entire clan. By morning I awoke in a cold sweat. I was worried; bats usually symbolize death and rebirth, but to a faerie, bats can also symbolize the wings of a Lich Faerie.


    Lich Faeries are faeries imbued with Death Magic. Usually, a Lich Faery is usually a Sovereign, and the reason they become Lichs in the first place is to preserve their lives. Faerie Sovereigns can only live for so long, and some can slowly become infertile with time, or sometimes the heir dies. Either way, no matter the reason, a Lich Faerie will always be Sovereign, and in time that sovereign will slowly go insane from the death magic that flows through her veins.


    Lich Faeries will rarely produce an heir, and if they do, they will usually kill it to preserve their reign. Lich Faeries also gain a plethora of abilities. The first and most obvious is the ability to raise and control the dead; another ability is unparalleled. Shadow magic that could rival even the eldest dark witch next is the ability to steal life from any living thing. A Lich Faery will often use this power on her own subjects to regain some vitality or to show dominance.


    I swear that dream was a warning for things to come. I quickly met with Tantalo and the Ranger Warden Erical, and I told them about my dream. The two promised to do some patrols. I felt so scared.


    I then met with Rays, who escorted me to all of my tasks. When it came time to meet with the Elders, I told them about my dream, and they simply laughed at me, saying, “Esteria, please be real; the odds of a Lich Faery in this lifetime are just utter hogwash. Don’t bother us with such fantasies.”


    I growled. The Elders were all such conceited old fools. I knew this peace would not last; something kept nagging at me that something dark was coming, but the Council wouldn’t let me alert the clan. They told me that if I did, they would seize control of the Clan from me, and I knew for a fact that their true goal was to make me into a figurehead while they controlled the Clan. I wouldn’t let that happen, so I bit my tongue and simply bided my time.


    Two weeks later, Giovanti’s delivery of gem coffers arrived. I was greatly impressed with the quality of the gems. The architects went to work on the detoxing shrines almost instantly. I was happy that they could get started so soon.


    But then the architects didn’t return. Later that day, I sent scouts out to investigate them, and when they returned, they had a look of pure terror on their faces. That was when I knew that my clan was in jeopardy.