by Tamryn Tamer
Step one, always tell the seed its name, introduce yourself, and say how much you look forward to meeting them. This way even if the seed is lonely in the dirt it knows who it is, who you are, and they have a reason to grow.
Step two, always sing them happy birthday when they sprout. Birthdays are important and since many plants don’t live a year, they only get one. The least people should do is sing them happy birthday.
Step three, encouragement and positive reinforcement. They are working hard every day to grow big and strong and it was important to recognize that.
Step four, be their friend. Sometimes that meant different things. Like when the Whispering Lily wasn’t feeling well Ariel told her how amazing she was and she’d get through it! Being a good friend was important.
The final step, only harvest when they were ready. Her master didn’t care for this step but Ariel insisted. It was the most important step! If plants saw that growing fast meant they’d die sooner than they liked, they’d grow as slow as possible. So, Ariel only harvested them when they were ready.
“Where’s Terra?” Freya barged upstairs.
“Terra?” Mai asked stoically.
“What’s wrong?” Mirage asked the panicked wolf. “What happened?”
“Is the elf here or not?” Freya asked becoming more irritated. “I have to deliver a message.”
“She’s not here,” Ariel answered. She hadn’t known the silver-haired woman long but she normally seemed in control. At least more so than the other wild beasts that invaded her peaceful home. She wondered why the other animals weren’t with her, “Are you by yourself?”
“I need to find the elf,” Freya said, her panic increasing. “I don’t have time for this.”
“Freya!” Mirage said in a commanding tone. “Tell us what’s going on.”
“Stop,” Mai said dashing in front of the doorway to prevent Freya from running away. “Answer Mirage.”
“We were attacked,” Freya’s golden eyes shifted nervously. “Jinx told me to find Terra and tell her. Sirun was taken and Jinx went back for her. I don’t know what happened but they need help.”
“Attacked?” Ariel started trembling as her mind filled with horrible thoughts on what might have happened. “What?”
“Who attacked?” Mirage asked keeping her cool.
“I don’t know,” Freya said. “They were all wearing red cloaks with birds on them. There were a hundred of them.”
“Phoenix,” Mirage answered disdainfully. “What about Jericho?”
“He was still in the cave,” Freya answered. She looked like she might fall over any second. Ariel flew toward the trembling woman and gave her a hug. “What?”
“You did a good job,” Ariel said trying not to cry. “I’ll tell Cynthia, she’ll know what to do.”
“Cynthia?” Mirage scoffed. “We need to find Terra.”
“We don’t know where she is or when she’ll be back,” Ariel said assuredly despite the tremble in her voice. She couldn’t wait for Terra. Jinx was in trouble, so were the other beasts, and maybe even her master. Cynthia was smart, she’d know what to do. “Let’s talk to Cynthia.”
“Going to Cynthia seems like a logical choice,” Mai said emotionlessly.
“Okay,” Mirage said conceding to them. “It’s better than waiting around.”
Ariel led the other two downstairs. They stopped by Terra’s room to be sure she hadn’t come back then continued to the second floor. They arrived in front of Cynthia’s room which was the one nearest to the second-floor stairwell. Cynthia insisted on that room since it was the most conveniently located. Ariel knocked on the door.
“Come back later,” Cynthia said from the other side. “I’m busy.”
“Cynthia,” Ariel said. “It’s important.”
“Ariella,” Cynthia snapped angrily. “I’m sure whatever sick plants you found can wait an hour to be treated.”
“Cynthia!” Ariel stomped while trying not to cry. “It’s not about the plants! Can I just talk to you?”
“Fine,” Cynthia sighed. “But it better be really important.”
“Thank you,” Ariel said opening the door. As she walked into Cynthia’s dungeon, she saw Raven on her hands and knees, gagged with a pretend tail coming from her butt. Her back and ass were covered in red welts and her tiny nipples were clamped and weighted. Ariel forced herself to ignore the scene and looked at Cynthia, “I’m sorry for interrupting. But something bad has happened.”
“You’ve already said that,” Cynthia glanced down at Raven and swatted her ass with the riding crop. Raven started wiggling her tail excitedly. “What bad thing?”
“Freya?” Ariel said inviting the silver-haired woman into the room. “Can you tell Cynthia what happened?”
“Jericho and Theia were in the dark cave,” Freya said trying to remain calm. “We sensed a hundred enemies coming and wanted to lead them away but Sirun was caught. Then Jinx ordered me to find Terra. Jinx and the others went back for Sirun. I don’t know what happened after that.”
“What?” Raven asked. She was met with a slap of the riding crop. “Moonlight.”
“A shame,” Cynthia sighed dejectedly while putting away the crop. “We were having so much fun.”
“Another time,” Raven assured her as she rose to her feet and removed the various clamps and insertions. She quickly put on a black dress, “Who attacked?”
“Phoenix,” Mirage answered.
“Let’s see,” Raven started pulling out a slew of communication orbs and started looking through her messages. Almost immediately her face contorted in anger. “Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I’ll handle it.”
“Wait,” Ariel said. “What’s going on?”
“It’s better that none of you know,” Raven answered while swapping to combat gear.
Ariel knew Raven was right. It was probably better if she didn’t know because then she could pretend everything was going to be okay. But it’d be a lie, a happy lie, but a lie. The expression on Raven’s face wasn’t anger or even hatred, it was disgust. And Ariel couldn’t help but wonder what could possibly disgust an assassin.
“Tell me,” Ariel said shutting the door so Raven couldn’t leave. Mirage, Mai, and Freya stood behind her supportively. “Please. We need to know what’s happening.”
“There’s nothing you can do so telling you won’t accomplish anything,” Raven said. “Just let me handle it.”
“We must insist,” Mirage said coldly. “Jericho is our master.”
“Jericho is fine,” Raven sighed. “If you really need to know, Loki captured Jinx. Some people saw him parading her through the streets of Kar Mograth. Unfortunately, there’s not much anybody can do about it.”
“Parading?” Ariel tried to hold back tears as she envisioned it. Jinx was proud, stupidly proud sometimes because she was just a stupid beast. She was strong and brave and refused to ask for help. Hearing about her being humiliated like that was too much, “What do you mean paraded?”
“Ariel,” Raven was handling her. She knew Raven was handling her because everybody handled her. Her friend, her best friend, was taken and humiliated, it was normal to cry. She didn’t need to be handled. She needed to be told the truth. “Everything is going to be fine, we’ll figure out…”
“Cynthia!” Ariel said aggressively. All she could picture was Jinx in chains. Jinx being laughed at. Jinx trying to act all big and strong while all alone. The more she thought about it, the more powerless she felt. And then she was furious, furious at her own powerlessness. “I want Jinx back!”
“I understand but…” Raven started to say.
“I’m not talking to you!” Ariel snapped angrily at Raven causing everybody to take a step back.
“Ariel,” Mirage grabbed her shoulder only to have her hand swatted away. “Calm down.”
“No!” Ariel yelled as her eyes filled with tears. “I will not calm down! Cynthia! I want Jinx back! Now!”
“Ariella,”
Cynthia said calmly. “Jinx is in Kar Mograth, one of the great cities. We have no way to get her back.”
“We can’t fight in Kar Mograth,” Raven said calmly. “I understand you’re upset and we’ll...”
“Why?” Ariel interrupted. “Why can’t you fight in Kar Mograth? You’re strong! I’ve seen you fight!”
“What?” Raven seemed frustrated. “It’s a safe zone.”
“So is Dayrose,” Ariel said furiously. “The Grand Prince of Kar Mograth marched on us!”
“Let me explain,” Cynthia said placing her hand on Raven’s shoulder. “The blessing of peace protects cities but high-ranking nobility can pray for the protection to be removed if they or their family are greatly wronged. Mirage had wronged their family, our blessing was removed, and the trial ensued.”
“I am a queen,” Ariel said as anger bubbled inside of her. “Are you saying I cannot pray for it to be taken down?”
“This Loki has not killed or attacked a member of the royal family,” Cynthia said. “And even if we could attack, Kar Mograth is far too powerful an enemy. We have a hundred soldiers in our village.”
“What did you say?” Ariel felt a combination of wrath and pain boiling inside of her as she stared at Cynthia. It felt like she was drowning and couldn’t breathe but also like she could explode. But she couldn’t stop it, she couldn’t believe what Cynthia had just said.
“Ariel,” Mirage stepped back nervously. Ariel didn’t like the way she was looking at her like there was something wrong with her for caring about Jinx. Cynthia’s words echoed in her head again, that Loki hadn’t killed or attacked a member of the royal family. “I think you need to take a deep breath and calm down.”
“Don’t tell me to calm down!” Ariel yelled as a series of golden vines shot from the wall wrapping up Mirage and binding her mouth.
“Ariella,” Cynthia said as Ariel’s attention turned back to Cynthia. She’d dropped to one knee and bowed her head. “This is not an appropriate way to use the Warden’s Wrath.”
“Warden’s Wrath?” Ariel glanced around and caught her reflection in Cynthia’s mirror, she’d turned entirely gold. “Right,” Ariel said to herself as the rage inside of her continued to grow. “Like mother.”
“Yes,” Cynthia said while glancing at Raven who appeared to be getting ready to strike.
“Stay out of this!” Ariel pointed at Raven and instantly bound her. She sensed danger from behind and without even looking wrapped up Freya and Mai. “This is between me and Cynthia.”
“Ariella…” Cynthia said avoiding eye contact.
“You said that Loki has not killed or attacked a member of the royal family,” Ariel said stepping toward the kneeling Cynthia. “Get up.”
“Ariella,” Cynthia said with a trembling voice. “Please calm down.”
“Get up,” Ariel screamed unable to control her anger. Cynthia slowly rose to her feet while continuing to look down. Ariel reached back and smacked Cynthia in the face as hard as she could knocking her back to the floor, “Get up.”
“Ariella,” Cynthia looked up at Ariel terrified. “I’m sorry.”
“Get up,” Ariel said authoritatively. “Don’t make me ask again.”
“Yes, my queen,” Cynthia said rising back to her feet. A red welt had already appeared on the side of her face.
“Now tell me,” Ariel said daring Cynthia to challenge her. “Tell me again that Loki has not harmed a member of the royal family.”
“Ariella?” Cynthia looked around the room at the others squirming in their golden bindings. Her face changed as she reached Mirage. She looked at Ariel apologetically, “I realize my error, my queen. Jinx is an heir to the crown and member of the royal family.”
“Cynthia,” Ariel said still boiling in wrath. She caressed Cynthia’s welted cheek and stared at her confidently. Her voice seethed with rage, “I want Jinx back.”
“Yes, my queen,” Cynthia said obediently. “I will assemble the army.”
“Good,” Ariel said releasing the bindings on the other. She looked at Raven, “Assemble our allies.”
“Can you really do that?” Raven said rising to her feet. “Attack a city?”
“Yes,” Cynthia answered coldly. “Ariella is a queen and all of Jericho’s familiars are potential heirs to the crown. The conditions of removing the blessing of peace are met. But we will likely be decimated by the forces of Kar Mograth.”
“We won’t lose!” Ariel said while trembling. She didn’t like how she was feeling, she didn’t like hitting Cynthia, she didn’t like feeling like she wanted to hurt people. But she couldn’t make the feelings stop. She kept picturing Jinx all lone and she wanted somebody to suffer and she hated it. She felt like she could explode any moment, “Cynthia. How do I make it stop?”
“Ariella,” Cynthia said walking toward the golden fairy queen and wrapped her arms around her. “You have to just let it out.”
“But we need to get her back,” Ariel said trying to let go of her rage. Her mind jumped between Jinx being humiliated and fairies dying trying to rescue Jinx. She knew that their army was small and they’d be crushed, “Maybe I should go alone. I’ll hold the banner. That way no fairy’s need to die. But Jinx, she’s hurting, I need to…”
“Shh,” Cynthia said stroking her hair and rocking her back and forth. “We’re going to march. We’re going to win. And when we get back you can play with Jinx in the garden.”
“Jinx thinks the garden is stupid,” Ariel said as tears welled up in her eyes. “She says I like plants because I’m a stupid bug.”
“What’s happening,” Freya whispered to Mirage.
“I have no idea,” Mirage responded. “But it seems to be working.”
“Well,” Cynthia said. “She’s going to be so happy that you rescued her she’s going to sit and let you introduce to her to all of your plant friends. Won’t that be nice?”
“You think she will?” Ariel asked as tears flowed uncontrollably from her eyes and her color started to return to normal. Her thoughts of Jinx being humiliated were replaced with Jinx meeting all of her plant friends, “She’ll let me tell her about all of them?”
“Of course,” Cynthia answered. “And if she doesn’t want to, I’ll make her.”
“You can’t make Jinx do anything,” Ariel laughed and wiped away her tears. “Thank you. I feel a little better. Do you think I’m being stupid?”
“I think a member of the royal family has been kidnapped,” Cynthia said coldly. “That is something we cannot abide.”
“You really intend on doing this?” Raven asked while operating several communication orbs. “How many soldiers do you have?”
“One hundred,” Cynthia answered. “And I’ll be coming as well.”
“But you hate…”
“I am coming,” Cynthia said sternly.
“That’s not enough,” Raven said. “I’ll only be able to assemble a hundred at best and half of Tiamat has homes in Kar Mograth. They’re not going to be happy with us invading their city. Not to mention Phoenix has just as many players and Grim and Ambrosia could show up. You’re not talking about a village or a town. This is a major city full of elite guards.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Ariel said reassuring herself of her decision. She knew she was being stupid and emotional, but Jinx was her friend. Even if it was impossible, she needed to try, it’s what her master would do. He always did the right thing, even when it was impossible, “We’re going.”
“Raven,” Cynthia smiled seductively while stroking Raven’s long dark hair. “Do this for me and I’ll really appreciate it.”
“How much appreciation are we talking?” Raven responded.
“How much would you like?” Cynthia asked.
“Every Friday night,” Raven answered.
“I can set aside time for that,” Cynthia said walking toward the door. With a snap of her fingers her black leather corset formed into a black leather bodysuit. Green leather straps full of sma
ll daggers appeared on her thighs, waist, and arms. “I’ll assemble the army. Be ready to leave shortly.”
“You’re an assassin?” Raven asked curiously as a black venetian masquerade mask appeared, highlighting Cynthia’s emerald green eyes.
“Assassin?” Cynthia laughed as large war scythe appeared on her back. “No. I’m a Battle Dancer.”
“That isn’t a class,” Raven insisted as Cynthia walked out of the room. She looked at Ariel and the others who all shrugged before quickly chasing after her. “Wait! Is that a class! How did you become a Battle Dancer?”
“Are you okay?” Mirage asked Ariel.
“Mmhm,” Ariel nodded despite the fact she wasn’t okay. Jinx was a stupid beast who made her angry all of the time but she was also her best friend. They paraded her best friend through the streets and she was going to make them pay for that.
“You little liar,” Mirage said hugging Ariel. “But don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything.”
As soon as they’d gotten changed and assembled their army, they took the portal to an area outside of Kar Mograth and moved to the meeting point Raven designated.
Soldiers from Endgame and Tiamat flooded the area exchanging equipment and items while forming small groups. Ariel was shocked at how quickly everybody seemed to be adapting and falling in line. Raven was an amazing leader.
Before long Terra and several members of Sin arrived. It was a motley assortment consisting of midlevel players, the only ones her master was able to acquire, but they were eager. Ariel recognized them from their visits to the house but for the most part, they only came around when Jericho had something for them.
“Better late than never,” Mirage eyed Terra judgmentally as her and the other five passed. Redwing, Cash, Viola, Akimbo, and Des. The guild recruits weren’t nearly as powerful as most of the people there, but they showed up which said a lot about their character.
“Did I read that message right?” Terra ignored Mirage and went straight for Raven. “That asshole captured Jinx and paraded her through the streets like some trophy.”