♦Four years later, In the remote ancient forest ♦

In the heart of the colony of Icy mountains In Xascon

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A Distant cicada whispered in the evening heat, the creaking sound growing until it broke, leaving behind only a dull whiff, of breeze.  Eva, the first daughter of the house of Windweaver, lay on a carpet of light, soft green, staring up at the trees above.

As far as anyone could tell, Xascon was by far larger than Xuclistan as it's  expanded to the north and unexplored. Savage. Anonymous. The small colony of Icy mountain clasped to its corner.

Windweaver lay at the very end of that land, as it wasn't safe, and not civilized as well.

The day's radiance and warmth called for a nap. Everything looked the same yet; there were some tiny sparks of faerie dust moving more than usual as Eva rushed from rock to another.

"There is a secret that I know."

Eva turned her head slowly and gazed back at her friend.  He's her brother and friend. Chester Bernard, lean and well built and he is three years her senior. Eva could never forget what he did four years ago. Chester is the only reason she survived in Astax four years ago.  Eva would always remember what he did for her, and that's why she pulled him out of the deadly swamp of Astax's when she became the warden's advisor.

Eva was aware that all her dreams were crushed. What happened four years ago forced her to return home not as the first general, but as an advisor. As if it wasn't enough how humiliated she felt, but her mother made sure to rub it in her face.

"Of course you know one. Today is my twenty-seventh birthday, and my dear mother tasked you to keep me away from home. Not to surprise me or anything, but to lick her wounds for all she knows that her first daughter of this house is corrupting her image. I'm still unmarried..." Eva spoked her words bitterly.

"Eva, life is not that bad, and besides, I heard that your mother got a gift for you this time."

"What?"

He didn't answer.

Eva sat up. "Tell me! You can not say such a thing then decide to remain silent, Chester."

"I'm not sure I should say anything, and besides I like tormenting you."

"Chester!" She said as she pounced on him.

"I heard your mother saying that you're getting a visitors on your birthday. He brings you a surprise."

"Who? Who are you talking about?" Eva whispered, demanding an answer. There was a bad feeling dancing in the bit of her stomach.

Chester sat up abruptly, staring carefully at Eva.

"Spill, who is this stranger?"

"I don't know."

"Where is he from? Who sent him?"

Chester's voice became so low as of he was telling Eva something forbidden, "The Ivory Crevice."

The Ivory Crevice.

The name muttered in her spirit like a sinister incarnation, thick with a threat. The sun sneaked behind a cloud, and just then a shiver ran through her body. Or was it the name of that forsaken cliff? That cliff was wrapped with mystery and death.

What little she knew of The Ivory Crevice, was a stollen knowledge. She heard tiny bits over the years, but nothing was certain. The name of that place filled her father with anger and rage, but her mother eyes were filled with regret and longing as soon as they spoke about it.

What was so special about The Ivory Crevice.

Ever since Eva was a little girl, she snaked into her family secret library in hopes to find more about that place. She even wished that with her new title she would have access to these secrets, but it was all in vain. It didn't matter how many time she felt that she might have been close to the truth, but before she knows it, everything would disappear. There was no city, village or a castle, not even a keep. Eva tried to ask her younger sister Mia about it, and Mia never answered, and when Eva confronted her mother, Eva's mother slapped her and left her with a heavy warning.

What made Eva restless was the fact that her present was from that place. Eva eyed Chester warningly. "How long are you supposed to keep me here?"

"Eva-"

"Chester I'm not a fool. I've seen things no one would understand nor believe so I can read you like an open book. I will ask again how long are you supposed to keep me here away from my job?"

He gazed up at the sky, "At least until the sun is in the middle of the sky." Then he fixed his eyes back on Eva. "What happened four years ago at the throne room-"

"The King of Xuclistan will pay for what he did, and his daughter will understand the true meaning of fear. King Theodore made a huge mistake when he gave me the Enchanted golden sword."

Chester took a step closer to his friend, "I know that look," he said taking a deep breath. "I know that you are devastated that the old warden got the position again, but do not start a war with your King."

Eva laughed bitterly, "Times change. People change, and that filthy man is not my King! He is nothing but an imposter who stole the throne and the old magic," She hissed. "How? I still don't know. But I promise you one thing I will do everything in my power to bring him and his kingdom to their knees. I've lost my way, all these filthy riches and disgusting wealth made me forget why I became a very first female officer. I had to get away from this house, yet I was forced back as an advisor here in Xascon."

"With that mouth of yours my dear, I suggest you keep that sword sharp. You never know when a keen blade will save your life."

"Why do you sound like my father?"Eva mocked.

"Your father is a fine swordsman, and he knows what he speaks of."

"That is true."

Chester's face went closed. Grave. "Promise me you'll never change."

She grimaced at him, "Why do you say that?"

"Just promise." He added sincerely, "Please."

"I promise." A sudden fear coursed through Eva. "What do you think the visitor is bringing for my birthday?"

"A bucket of the old magic." He taunted.

Eva punched his upper arm. "How I wish..."

He snorted. "Of course you do! And by the way, you hit like a girl, first officer."

A new, high voice interrupted from nearby.  "She's just an advisor now. it isn't ladylike to hit at all."

Mia.

Eva rolled her eyes at Chester. As usual, her younger sister was perfectly turned out, every lock of her crimson hair in place, her gown flawless, her manicure perfect. Eva became aware of the dirt under her broken fingernails from practicing earlier. Her leather pant was covered with mud. Wisps of her ashy hair strayed in her face.  Eva pushed her locks away from her face.

"At least I'm doing something useful around here, not looking like a porcelain doll."

Mia drew herself up and spoke, "at least I shall be the bride of-" She broke off. 

"The bride of whom?" Eva challenged her sister. "Who is crazy enough to marry you?" To Eva's knowledge, there wasn't anyone interested in her sister. It was well known in the family that the older sister was to marry first, but since Eva chose a different path her mother would never allow the future of her younger sister to be stolen.

"Don't rush it, dear sister; soon you will find out." Her sister answered smugly.

Eva did have the smallest idea what her sister was going on about, and honestly, she didn't care. Eva shrugged it once again and made her way back into the keep.

"Who is that? Do you know?" Chester asked suddenly, gazing back at Eva.

Eva gazed toward the keep where the Windweavers road stopped. A group of robed men walked into the keep slowly. "Who knows? Maybe they are one of my mother guests."

"I don't know any of them, Eva. Not even the symbols on their rob and we spent a long time at the royal court."

Eva frowned, Chester was right. The only strangers who came this far were King Theodore tax collectors. But it was too early to assume anything at this point. But Chester was right these men were unknown to her their Red cloaks were not the colors of King Theodore. That color was unknown and unclaimed for a reason no one understood.

"Let's go greet them," Eva whispered as she tried to move forward, but Chester pulled her back gently.

"Wait, you foolish girl. What do we know about this? Could this be one of your mothers game? Eva, you know better than to rush into things."

"I can not do all the hard work for the old warden and remain in the shadows!"

The travelers stopped sharply, startled at the sight of Eva and Cheste.

"Greetings gentlemen," Chester said formally. "Welcome to Windweaver keep."

One of the travelers was of her father's age, while the others behind were the servants for sure.

Eva eyes them carefully, yet she couldn't remember who the old man reminded her off. They wore heavy cloaks made of wool while the old man wore a deep-red cloak made of fur with golden serpent symbols on it.

"Well met, sir. And who might you be?" The older one asked.

"I'm Chester Bernard, the First officer of the colony of Icy mountains. And this is The first advisor, lady Eva the first daughter of the house."

Both travelers eyes were fixed on Eva with pure interest and something else. Something that sent an uneasy feeling within Eva's spine. It was as if the older traveler was studying carefully. But why was he doing that? What was he planning? The younger traveler curved up into a satisfied smile.

Then the older one spoke, "Is Lady Olivia in the keep?"

Eva became so worried when the stranger addressed her mother so formally.

"Aye," Answered Mia as she strolled toward them. "Welcome and well met. I am Mia of Windweaver. To whom I have the honor of speaking?"

"My Lady, it's an honor," murmured the young one as he bowed deeply. He spoke another word, but in a language, Eva could never understand. Eva was sure that he had spoken the dead language of Xascon. Only a few people knew it.

But what they didn't know, that the faint whispered she heard Eva could understand for a reason she didn't know. He whispered The Queen of the light who waits.

However, that left Eva restless. How did these men have access to the dead language? But more importantly, why did they call her sister that?

The older traveler since Eva uneasiness and her keen eye and spoke, changing the subject. "Our journey has been long and the road dusty. A drink of water to wet our throats."

Mia went into full hostess mode, bring loads of water and wine right away. She was opening the keep to total strangers, and that made Eva feel uneasy.

Eva followed the strangers silently, Chester was at her side. "Where do you come from?" She asked boldly.

One of the young men turned to face her and murmured, "Us two are their companions we are from Exolia, but the older one and the other they say they are from The Ivory Crevice."

Eva's eyes narrowed as she heard his words. That man had every right to drop his voice when he spoke those two men held a secret and Eva had to know it.

"Enough with all this," Chester whispered. "Go and get ready for your party, I want this day to be over, no offense deary."

"You are going to be there?" She hissed back. "You can't leave me alone with those freaks."

"I won't miss this party; it might turn good."

Eva playfully pushed Chester away then whirled around and rushed toward the keep.

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