"The long history of Demitytes has often been plagued with eons of unrest and rebellion." ,read the book, A contemporary history of Demitytes. 

" In modern times, the rebellion has fought under the name of the order of the white lotus. Their insignia as shown below has many different variations, though most commonly, the white lotus is seen to be twisted around the tail of the serpent in a death grip. Many researchers believe that this serpent tail is in-fact a dragon tail, used to depict the anti-nobility stand of the Order of the white lotus."

Here Kashara traced the elaborate and somewhat grisly image, of the lotus stalk crushing a serpent tail to death, lightly with her finger. She was lost in thought, wondering if this image had any truth to back up this gruesome picture.

"Most recently, the known attack happened where the Royal Castle came under siege of the White Lotus, on the day known as the Black day, when the late King Decidus Nomber Eagus Draches Ryk and the Queen Seiler Werlyn Decidus Verna Bire were both brutally murdered by the rebellion leaders and General Eraiek Tisorne Verna Bire barely escaped with the crown prince Fallon Decidus Eagus Draches Ryk.

Most curiously, controversy speakers often say that General Tisorne was somehow seen to escape just as the rebellion broke in. It is indeed suspicious as to how he knew of the break in so accurately. Conspiracy theorists often say that General Tisorne was involved in the rebellion and broke away to save his life, but it all remains speculation.

After the black day that stains the history of Demitytes with its mass massacre, the rebellion lost a majority of its power due to the heavy losses it sustained. Many sympathisers were alienated by the gross violence and support also waned. Now the rebellion probably lives, as a small shadow of its former power."

Now, however Kashara knew the rebellion was gaining power. That much was clear by the fact that Fallon considered them a threat, and that they had sent in Fawier as a spy. Was it wise to ally with them? Trust them? Kashara sighed.

It was then that Kashara remembered that Fallon had once blamed Eraiek for his parents death. That day, in the baking place, he had said, " And whose fault is it that they are dead?" And Eraiek had fell silent suspiciously. Kashara furrowed her eyebrows. What in the world was going on...

Another thought hit her suddenly. Fawier had said all rebels had the insignia but told her he couldn't explain it and asked her to look it up in the library. But, if all rebels had the insignia marked on them, how come Fawier didn't have one to show her, or if he did have one, why did he not show her rather than ask her to check from her library?

"My goodness, " She thought, "all this espionage and intrigue was more annoying than it sounded."

She didn't know who to trust, the rebels or Fallon, or Eraiek.

Caught between the devil and the hard place indeed.

"The long history of Demitytes is often known to be strife with turbulent politics and violence. This has often been blamed on the mythology and pantheon of Demitytes which glorifies violence and gore. Styx the goddess of hatred, Nemesis the goddess of enmity, Perses the god of destruction and Uranus the dictator, often form the bulk of the pantheon with lesser gods such as Lapetus the god of death and mortality, Epimetheus - the god of hindsight and bitterness, Pallas the god of warcraft and Faun the god of deceit. Less darker gods and goddesses do exist, however most had faded with the flow of time, leaving behind only the most powerful and memorable gods. Some other gods are, Eos - dawn, Hyperion - light and Artemis - wilderness and Athena - wisdom. "

Kashara snapped the book shut. The god of deceit, Faun. Lord Faun De Ecius Sharsgak Decly. Who was the man? Did this mean anything? She resolved to ask Fawier about more on this later and grabbed the book as she left the Arcarage.

Was it wise to trust anything Fawier said though? She couldn't already trust him on the matter of the insignia. She pondered over the many puzzling issues in Demitytes. Dear Artemis! All this subterfuge and plot twists were too tiring really. All she wanted now was a nice soak in the tub and some good sleep.

Kashara yawned again, as she neared her room, practically moaning at the thought of warm bath and the pillow and bed. Another yawn, and suddenly her nose was getting painfully squashed by something. She stumbled backwards and opened her eyes finding herself being stared down by a really furious Fallon.

Deciding it was better when her eyes were closed, she promptly shut them again. "Where the hell have you been?" Fallon's unmistakably angry and dark voice asked.

"Um...Umm.. I was at the Arcarage. Yes! I was reading books! " She quickly held up the book she had. Her eyes were now open, as she felt keeping the enemy in sight was crucial.

"Interesting...," She could practically hear him purr with delight. " Strange how none of my guards could find you there an hour ago. I'm delighted that you must surely have mastered some higher form of invisibility that could fool even my guards."

She bristled at his mocking tone, very aware that he was alluding to the fact that he had found her invisibility in the dungeons when he was torturing Fawier. " My invisibility did fool your guards Fallon! Just because you are some inhuman freak doesn't mean I'm totally incapable." She suppressed the snarky retort, but it seemed like Fallon knew what she had thought.

"I'm sure your new found talent will go a long way in your lesson with Lord Lintenberg today."

As if being summoned, Lintenberg mysteriously loomed forward from the back recesses of the antechamber that led to the bedroom and the study. Kashara dropped her mouth in shock.

"One of the conditions for regaining your magic was resuming lessons with Lord Lintenberg, as I'm sure you remember."

Kashara was speechless, however she was not the type of person to be struck dumb for long, and soon found her vocal cords and larynx. "Hold on A MINUTE! Since when was this?!!"

"A pity. I was just going to say, it seems the princess has grasped the art of holding her tongue."

"YOU hold your tongue, Lintenberg!" Kashara cried, outraged. She turned on Fallon, " And when was this a thing?".

Fallon cooly surveyed her mounting anger with indifference. "Hmm, I suppose I could take a long time to try and revive your memory, but I think that practically useless. What matters is that you have to take classes with Lintenberg if you want anymore sessions reviving your magic."

Kashara was speechless. Really! How underhanded and manipulative. She was now more convinced than ever that he had never said anything about the lessons before. However, Fallon had judged her rising state of ire, and made a swift and smooth escape out of the antechamber.

She swivelled to face Lintenberg who was staring at the book in her hand. " I'm surprised you have discovered the existence of the library. How shocking. Well, lets start our lesson on the book you've brought out anyway, since you took so much effort in your academics." He sneered.

Kashara opened her mouth to protest, but quickly shut it. Lintenberg might have some interesting facts or points to help her along in her research. Lintenberg sank into a chair and she moved to sit on a seat facing him.

He surveyed through the book shortly and set it aside. " Well, since I can see you have read the book, I'm sure you must be practically bursting with curiosity. What questions do you have?"

Kashara stuttered and then quickly collected herself. This was an unexpected free pass to ask questions. "What happened on the black day? The book was very vague." She asked.

Lintenberg surveyed her closely, and then leant back on his chair. "It was a festival that day. The palace was open and the people were enjoying the fairs and festivities held in the honour of the king. It was a sight to behold, the biggest carnivale with games, food and exhibitions. Then there was sudden alarm. The General left with the lecheetah troops- the swiftest- to capture a group of men who were threatening civilians with Napolean fire flower,"

At Kashara's quizzical expression, he elaborated, "It's an explosive plant that existing only in the seclured private gardens of the nation. The growth and distribution of it is strictly regulated. Therefore, there was a huge uproar speculating a traitor had passed the fire flower to enemy hands. It was then the rebellion came in. Nearly five battalions. It was a massacre. The mlion and apanther troops were un orderly without a General.  General Eraiek rushed back saying the threat had been a fake, but it was too late. The king and queen where dead. He only just managed to get the Prince to safety, and only so because His Highness had climbed out of his room to see the festival. The rebels couldn't find him, but Eraiek knew. They escaped, and the rest is history."

Kashara contemplated on what Fallon had said to Eraiek that day in the bakery. Was this why Fallon blamed Eraiek for his parent's death? She came to the conclusion that Fallon was a drama queen.

Then a sudden thought occurred to her.

"Err... Lintenberg, how did you escape when the rebellion came, or were you playing flookie like Fallon too?"

Lintenberg levelled a glare at her, not knowing what flookie meant, but could guess very well. "That is none of your business, but if you must know, I was...preoccupied with an... assignation in the gardens."

"What kind of assignation takes place in gardens?" She paused, " Oh artemis! It was a romantic assignation wasn't it!!"

Lintenberg didn't reply but he didn't need to.

Kashara jaw dropped in shock, but soon she couldn't help but laugh. " Oh my god! You were playing flookie. Was it a maid or cook...or someone else?!"

"She's dead. She died that day."

Kashara abruptly stopped laughing. Her eyes widened in shock and regret. "I'm...I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"No matter. It has been a long time. Let's get back to your lesson." He said brusquely.

He continued on about the black day, but Kashara couldn't completely concentrate on it. She kept stealing glances at the impassive face of Lintenberg. He had implied it was only a casual fling. But she could tell it was more. He would have lied to her about where he had been, if that woman had meant nothing. It was obvious.

Kashara was very disturbed thoughout the lesson, regretting her words badly. She sighed, maybe she should be nicer to Lintenberg. It was when Lintenberg was mentioning a bit on the mythology on Demitytes, her attention was snagged.

"The auxiliary gods are mainly Lapetus the god of death and mortality, Faun the god of deceit Epimetheus, the god of hindsight and bitterness, and Pallas the god of warcraft."

"Hang on, could you elaborate a bit more on Faun?"

Lintenberg gave her a funny look, but acquiesced. "The mythology on Faun is very old. Actually he can be considered one of the primary gods of the Demitytan pantheon. He was birthed when the River of Azula fell from the sky onto the head of Athena. Athena was struck with pain but she soon realised it was merely an illusion. Faun ,of tricks and lies, was born from the water that fell from her head then.

The falling of the River Azula also created a rainbow in the sky, which is know to be the symbol of Faun. It is said that Faun was a benign god at first, who engaged in tricks and mischief that brought laughs.

However when the underworld River Styx, also the Goddess of hatred, grew unruly and burst forth from the ground killing mortals and gods alike, the gods begged Faun to help. Faun called forth River Azula to create an illusion of a great sea that called to Styx. Styx was fooled but she merged into the sea which was also River Azula.

It was then that Faun was corrupted by the hatred that ran in the waters of Styx and also now, River Azula. His pranks and mischief grew steadily darker and crueler. The gods were worried and they decided to ask Azula to control his power. Azula promised she would, and she began to flow to the underworld, in the hopes of containing Faun's power.

It worked, and Faun's power and influence waned and he soon became a lesser god. It is said that Azula merged with Styx overtime in the underworld, unable to resist the call of the immortal river and its water that ran in her."

Kashara was kind of disappointed. She had hoped this would have helped her identify who Lord Faun was. A flashing sign over that person's head wouldn't have been remiss also. All this history lesson had done was make her more careful of stepping into any river in Demitytes. She was definitely stuck. A dead end on this line then.

Lintenberg soon dismissed her for lunch. And she settled down with her book, her tray of lunch, brought up by her maid, besides her. She prowled the pages hoping to find a clue in the pages, however she could feel herself dozing off after a full stomach.

She was facing a very tall and cloaked Fallon. He was wearing a very high collared cloak that made him resemble a vampire, pale and sinister. "Hello Kashara. Had good lesson?" He asked, leaning over her in a predatory way.

She was in a very dark kind of room, with an incredibly huge ceiling, that she couldn't even she it. The only light came from a long arched window that was behind Fallon. His face was in a general shadow and it made him more sinister.

"Soooo, did you find anything useful? Did you find your trickster Lord?" He asked near her ear. The voice low and raspy, causing goosebumps to bloom across her neck.

"Do you know who it is?" She tried to ask bravely. Fallon gave her a bone chilling smile.

"I might."

"Tell me" She prodded.

"Why should I? What will you give me?" He asked leaning closer and closer over her.

"What do you want?" She asked with trepidation, even though she knew this was a horrible question to ask.

Fallon gave her a triumphant smirk and loomed even closer. "Your blood. Give me your blood!" He rasped over her ear, his mouth parted and fangs revealed, ready to pierce a side of her neck. She could feel his cool breath there, and her panic rose higher, higher and higher!!

It was like she could barely breath. An arresting sensation of falling from the cliff seized her and she couldn't feel her heart beat for a second. Before she could open her mouth to cry a soundless scream she was awake.

She got up gingerly, still partly puzzled over the surreal dream. Her forehead was stuck to the page of the book and she peeled it off. She froze.

On the page a sentence gleamed at her. Fallon Decidus Eagus Draches Ryk. A sudden thought gripped her. She hastily grabbed a pen, Demitytes had ones that needed no ink pot, and scribbled his name on a spare parchment. It couldn't be. No. This was disastrous. Dear Artemis! Please no! No! No! No! She rearranged the letter in his name taking a F, a, u ,n first then followed with the letters De Ecius Sharsgak Decly. The letters left over ,l,o,d,r formed Lord. Lord Faun De Ecius Sharsgak Decly. The master of deceit.

Fallon Decidus Eagus Draches Ryk

Lord Faun de Ecius Sharsgak Decly

She was doomed. It was Fallon in the library pretending to be Fawier. He used a pseudonym and impersonated him. He had also sent that letter to Fawier with the seal of the Order of the White Lotus and arrested Fawier. The rebellion was doomed. If Fallon was so accurately informed about their spies and even had their seal, she was sure they only existed as an amusement for him.

Her only hope of getting out of Demitytes was lost. Fallon was unopposable. How could she go against him now? She felt like breaking down in her desperation but she steeled herself to be strong. Her first action now should be to inform Fawier of this discovery. They could plan what to do next and try find out how Fallon got the seal and stop it.

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First of all, I'm really really sorry about this long hiatus. Please forgive me for not updating so long. I know you probably hate me right now :(. I don't want to make excuses but what happened was I got a puppy, and she became very sick so I had barely enough time to shuttle her from the vet and back and taking care of her. She recently died and it's been very depressing. I couldn't do anything for the longest time, I couldn't even eat well for a few days. It's been two weeks or so since she died and I can finally pick up my computer to write something instead of stoning all day. I didn't mean to depress all of you or anything but I wanted to let all my readers know, I really would have written if I could.

In memory of Jupiter,

Love, Ink on parchment.

P.s Loki has gone to Helheim to play with Jupiter and Tom is currently researching on the possibilty of making horcruxes for dead puppies. They'll be back in the next update : )