Page 101 of The Dragonrider and the Void
Lark sensed there was much history behind his carefully chosen words. “Because this isn’t just Sataran’s problem,” she replied. “The Void Drinker feeds on pure essence, the raw magic that flows through magical beings. It has already corrupted fae left behind after the first Flashover, turning them into servants called rimeshade.”
This provoked a stronger reaction from the assembled nobles. Several rose to their feet in alarm. Lord Noctis raised a hand, and silence fell instantly.
“Continue,” he commanded.
“The Entity has obtained the Realmstone and plans to use the approaching Flashover to permanently tear down the barriers between all realms,” Lark explained. “If it succeeds, nowhere will be safe from its hunger. Sataran, the fae realm, even the Night Court’s domain will not escape its corruption.”
Lord Noctis studied her for a long moment. “And what evidence do you bring of these claims?”
Lark had anticipated this question. “I bring two forms of proof. First, my own dual nature.” She summoned the combined energies of dragon and fae magic, letting the purple light illuminate the throne room. “This balance is only possible because both realms face the same threat.”
The Night Court nobles murmured among themselves, clearly moved despite their reluctance to show their emotions.Lord Noctis’s expression shifted slightly, the stars of his eyes brightening.
“Interesting,” he allowed. “And your second proof?”
“The Summer Court has already acknowledged the threat and provided their contribution to the Vaerdium alloy needed for the binding ritual.” Lark carefully withdrew the Solarium ingot, its golden glow stark against the darkness of the throne room.
The reaction was immediate. Several nobles hissed in displeasure at the sight of Summer Court essence. Lord Noctis himself tensed visibly, the darkness around his throne roiling like storm clouds.
“You bring Summer magic into our court,” he said, his gentle voice now edged with steel. “A provocation.”
“Not provocation,” Lark countered. “The original binding required contributions from all four courts. The Void Drinker cannot be contained without complete Vaerdium, and Vaerdium cannot be forged without Night Court essence.”
Lord Noctis rose from his throne, his wings extending to their full, impressive span. The temperature in the throne room dropped precipitously. When he spoke again, his voice resonated through the chamber like distant thunder.
“The original binding was a mistake,” he declared. “It required sacrifices from our court that were never acknowledged. Sentinels abandoned between realms, left to the Void Drinker’s corruption. Promises broken by the dragons who fled their responsibilities.”
At last, Lark began to understand the tension between the courts, the ancient grudges Nix had mentioned. “The dragons left,” she said carefully. “And the fae sentinels were abandoned to guard the binding alone.”
“Precisely,” Lord Noctis confirmed, his star-eyes now blazing. “Our kin transformed into these rimeshade you speakof. And now you come asking us to sacrifice again? To save realms that have never acknowledged our loss?”
Lark felt the weight of centuries of resentment pressing against her. But in that weight, she also recognized opportunity.
“I’m not asking you to repeat past mistakes,” she said. “I’m offering a chance to correct them. With a new binding, one that acknowledges the sacrifices made and ensures they won’t be repeated.”
Lord Noctis tilted his head slightly, curiosity tempering his anger. “Explain.”
“Queen Aurelia has agreed that, in exchange for Summer Court assistance, a permanent gateway will be established between our realms. No more isolation. No more abandoned sentinels.” Lark took a deep breath. “I propose the same arrangement with the Night Court. A gateway maintained by representatives from both worlds, ensuring neither bears the burden alone.”
Murmurs spread among the nobles again, this time with a different tone. Lord Noctis returned to his throne, considering her words carefully.
“Bold promises from one who may not survive to fulfill them,” he observed.
“Which is why I offer something more immediate,” Lark continued. “Recognition and reparation. In the new binding ritual, the contribution of the Night Court will be acknowledged. The lost sentinels will be found. And steps will be taken to restore those corrupted by the Void Drinker’s influence, if possible.”
Nix drifted forward slightly, her flame brightening with surprise. “Restoration? Is that possible?”
“I don’t know,” Lark admitted honestly. “But if the dual magic can bind the Void Drinker, perhaps it can also heal what it corrupted. It’s worth an attempt, at the very least.”
Lord Noctis’s expression remained unreadable, but the darkness surrounding his throne settled somewhat. He gestured, and a tall, severe-looking fae woman stepped forward from among the nobles.
“Lady Umbral, my senior counselor,” he introduced. “What say you to these proposals?”
The woman studied Lark with cold calculation. “The mortal speaks well, and her dual magic is impressive. But words are wind, especially from those with limited lifespans. What guarantee do we have that these promises will be honored once the crisis has passed?”
It was a fair question, and one Lark had anticipated also. “I offer a binding oath,” she replied. “Not just my word, but a magical contract that will hold regardless of whether I personally survive to see it fulfilled.”
This caused a stir among the nobles. Binding oaths were serious matters in the fae realm, capable of transcending death itself.
