We attended the ceremony as a group of three. Eberon in his Spring court attire, Schula and I in our Autumn things. I was saving my new outfit for the picnic tomorrow, partly because the king would probably like to see it, partly because Caldon would be there. I hadn't taken off my necklace since I first laid eyes on it.

"Stars, there are so many fae here," Schula said, a somber expression creased her face.

"I would expect no less." Eberon shuffled down the hall in front of us, ensuring we weren't getting lost in the maze.

"You were getting a gift from the king this afternoon, right?" I asked Schula.

"Right." She nodded.

"What did you end up getting?" I prodded.

"You'll see. It's very...Baeleon. He will be pleased." She pushed me forward. "Let's try to get a seat high on the steps, shall we?"

"Here, this will work." Eberon pulled us though the doorway and into the setting light. The top platform that jutted out into the staircase like a balcony was roped off. On a slab lay a gorgeous male. He had been tall, silver hair, dark skin, and it must have been Galavan. He was surrounded by flowers, the entire alter was spilling over with them. His abdomen was covered in roses.

"A belly wound?" Schula whispered, then turned to me. "We don't usually conceal any of the body."

"What could have done that?" I asked.

"Not much." Eberon grimaced. "This is a discussion for our rooms, let's just watch the ceremony."

All kinds of people crowded the stairs to watch. The king himself was on the other side of the body from us, surrounded by guards and mourning fae. As the sun kissed the city walls in the distance, a female approached Galavan's body. She was as beautiful as he had been, tall and dark with silver hair. A sister perhaps or offspring. She carried a plain, unadorned staff, and when she tapped it on the steps a silence fell over all of Dwellonmar.

"My cousin will be missed." She said addressing the crowd. She stared across it for a long while, then stepped to the body and stroked his cheek with her free hand. The intimate motion of love, if not a lover.

"Galavan, we went on many hunts together. I wish we had many more. But the Stars put you here as they see fit, and they take us away just as quickly. You were a strong leader. You are loved. You are missed. Goodbye, Galavan."

She stood back from the body and produced two obsidian rings. She looked to the king's side and nodded two fae forward. Lean, muscled males. Warriors.

They stepped forward, somber, and the female placed the rings on their thumbs. She bowed her head to them, and whispered something. Then, she retreated to the crowd and sat down.

"That was it?" I whispered. Schula nodded, not letting her eyes drift from the body.

The two males spoke, just as quickly as the female. After them the king said a few words, and much of his court. All of them said words of goodbye to Galavan, not for each other. Once the king and court were done, they retreated inside, and a line formed quickly, to say their own goodbyes. There was still grey light in the sky and a few candles had been lit around Galavan for the mourners, but that was it. It couldn't have taken more than a few minutes.

"Come on, let's get inside." Eberon said.

"Don't we need to say words too?" I asked as he helped me stand.

"We will later, this line will take a while." Schula said. "But you hadn't even met Galavan, so you can stay at the table. Let's see what sort of food the Spring court provides on such an occasion. We'll step out when it's time."

Back to the great hall, it had been completely transformed. The ivy covered walls were now roses from floor to ceiling. Low tables and cushions lined the floors and attendants in white escorted guests to their seats in order of rank. It didn't take long for us to be seated close, but not too close, to the high table.

"Lord, Lady, Miss." Our attendant, a small red nymph bowed and left us to our seats. The table was already laden with bowls of Spring fruits and vegetables.

"Stars I'm hungry. It's been a long day since lunch." Schula took her seat and scooped a large helping of carrots onto her plate.

"Lavanah did a wonderful job." Eberon commented, taking his own seat.

"Was that his cousin?" I asked.

"Yes." Schula said around a mouth full of carrots. "Our tribute should be here soon. It will brighten her eyes, just a bit. Don't you think, Eb?"

"I hope so." He served himself and me some kind of egg dish, then reached for a bowl of plumbs. "I'm more curious about what Thain has found on the boarder."

"You miss him." Schula watched Eberon's hands as he moved. No, his ring.

"That, is irrelevant to this mission." Eberon huffed and took a bite of food.

"Your emotional stability and well-being is relevant to this mission." Schula stared at him.

"These plumbs are delicious," I mumbled into my plate.

"Right? They're my favorite." Across from me at the table an old willow sprite and the twin princes were being seated. One of them stared at me, pointing to the bowl of plumbs in front of me.

"Good evening Highness, Highness, and Master Draedon." Eberon bowed his head from the sitting position. The princes cordially stood and bowed, then plopped into their seats grabbing for every bit of food within reach.

"Their young highnesses are to be practicing dinner etiquette with foreign dignitaries." The sprite looked tired beyond his years, however many years that was. The twins looked at each other then at their tutor.

"Sorry Master Draedon."

"Sorry, we'll practice harder."

"It's quite alright boys, but you should introduce yourselves properly." The old sprite smiled and took a seat himself.

"I'm Prince Arran." The one on the left bowed his head.

"I'm Prince Alban." The one on the right bowed as well.

"Prince Arran, Prince Alban, allow me to introduce our party. I am Lord Eberon of the Autumn court, and this is Lady Schula of the same." Eberon bowed his head, Schula followed suit. "This is the recently found youth, Miss Wren of the Southern Mountains."

"A pleasure." The twins said.

"So Miss Wren, I'm sure you've had a number of us who want to talk to you, but can an old scholar ask a few questions about the current state of humans?" The sprite was across from me, between the twins.

I was a surprised that any of the fae would take an interest in the humans at all, but the charming old willow was very earnest, and I was more than glad to give him what answers I knew. It didn't take long at all for me to fall deeply into the conversation. It was almost like talking to Mila again, someone of learning with a teacher's nature. The hall filled and the food emptied, came, and emptied again. The princes did their very best to behave and entertain the guests around them. Alban seemed to be having a better time with Shula than Arran was with Eberon, but otherwise they both did splendidly.

"Ah, here we go." Eberon drew me from my discussion of the current state of Sulls's military when the doorway was cleared to make room for a large troupe of fae in colorful green costumes.

"You had better introduce them, King Diamid is already looking your way." Schula smiled, the twins were wide-eyed at the players pouring through the door.

"Right." Eberon stood.

"Sire?" Eberon said over the crowd, and the king nodded to him with a smile. "Galavan's passing is felt, even as far as the Autumn lands. At my king's request, a tribute to the fallen warrior has been prepared. In true Autumn court fashion, as you all know of King Baeleon, my only requirements were something fitting, and something dazzling."

A small round of laughter and clapping echoed the room. The king smiled and nodded once more. The princes were about the bounce out of their seats.

"Galavan was knows by the Autumn court for two things, his love of the hunt, and his love of a party. I could think of no more fitting tribute than a show of acrobats, depicting one of his most famous hunts. Today is a solemn day, but let us not forget who we mourn." Eberon bowed to another round of applause, and the king clapped for his musicians to begin playing.

The players quickly took up positions between the tables, and played out the hunt of some great stag, a player in an elaborate mask. Some in the room teared up, I searched for Lavanah at the high table. A single tear rolled down her cheek, but a small turn at the corner of her lips told me it was the perfect gift. Of course it was, Eberon had a hand in it.

"Marvelous." Master Draedon clapped softly and smiled at our party. "And none here will soon forget it is most definitely from King Baeleon."

"Naturally." Eberon smiled and bowed his head.

The princes were thoroughly distracted by the players and I was plenty eager to continue my discussion with Master Draedon. Schula and Eberon took the opportunity to slip out of the hall and pay their respects to the body. The candles grew low, and one by one fae either left for their rooms, or fell asleep right at the tables. Master Draedon had to excuse himself and lead his young charges to bed. Schula and Eberon weren't back by the time our company had left us, and I found myself drifting off over my glass of wine.

"Wren?" Caldon's soft voice tickled in my ear. "I can't have the found youth sleeping on a table. Let me escort you to your rooms."

"Caldon," I sat up straight, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "I was just waiting for Schula and Eberon to return."

"I would be happy to let them know where you went if you like." He offered a hand, and I took it.

"Well, I don't want to fall asleep right on my plate at my first visit to the Spring court." Either the wine, the heat from Caldon, or my own shyness around the opposite sex brought a flare of red to my cheeks. Caldon didn't mention it however, he simply took my hand and lead me from the hall.

"That Eberon is a clever one, Galavan would have loved the players." He offered gentle conversation while we walked.

"He is very good with these important court situations. That's probably why King Baeleon sent him here." I repressed a yawn.

"You don't become a king without having your wits about you. And Baeleon has been king for a long time." Caldon's warmth was about to smother me. That is if my own heart didn't crush my ribs first. He had laid a hand on my arm as he walked with me, keeping me steady from the treacherous wine tripping my feet from under me.

"King Diamid seems very fit to his crown as well." I said. Caldon beamed at the compliment to his own king.

"And how have you found life among the fae so far?" he asked. I heard it for what it was. 'How have you found life in the Spring lands so far.'

"I am learning every day. It's certainly different than my life with the humans. My quality of living has improved immensely." We reached the lion fountain and turned towards my room.

"I'm glad to hear it." Caldon stopped me at the door. "Rest well, Wren. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Thank you, Caldon." I opened my door and steadied myself on the frame.

He leaned forward, his face inches from mine. It sobered me up as his eyes crinkled in amusement at my face. He reached forward and lifted the smoky quartz from my neck, kissing it gently before letting it fall back onto my skin.

"Good night, Wren." He nodded and turned back down the hall. "You know, I think grey is becoming my new favorite color."

He rounded the corner and I grabbed the smoky quartz at my neck.

Oh no.

Oh no no no. 

I was not ready for this.