Saria and Solara arrived in Astria after traveling for a few hours. They were both tired and frustrated about everything that happened. Both of them had their regrets and reasons for feeling guilt. When Saria emerged from her ship, castle guards knelt down to welcome her safe return. She waved at the servants who passed by bowing their heads before continuing on their way. Solara leaned closer to Saria so she wouldn't be heard as she spoke.

 "How do you ever get used to all this attention?" Solara whispered as Saria rolled her eyes unhappily.

"I never have and it always made me uncomfortable. Now if you were asking my sister she'd tell you that she loves the attention." Saria whispered as they approached the large castle that was so grand it practically blocked the view of the sun setting. Two guards pushed open the large castle doors and waved for Saria to enter. Solara followed close behind her, noticing the strange glares she was getting from the guards. The duo entered the entry hall to see many people rushing about to different parts of the building. Saria noticed a woman clad in armor speaking to a man who was dressed in royal garments. It was her brother Orym and the paladin of the royal knights, Rosaniya Ulaven. She hadn't seen them for months since they were up in the northern region of Faeria. In the north some highborns and versipellins lived there. It was a small country where those highborns followed a different leader instead of Saria's mother. 

Rosaniya had received word that the country was under attack by monsters. The queen sent Rosaniya and a small fleet to aid them. Orym had volunteered to go with her to speak with their leader. Saria was surprised and relieved to see her brother as she approached him. When he noticed her he smiled joyfully as he marched over to her. He embraced her and squeezed tightly causing her to wince in pain. Orym laughed as he stepped back clasping his hands to gather. His golden eyes glistened with joy as he stared at his sister.

      "Konichita imo wata joh anat." He said using the Astrari language to say he missed her. Saria smiled as she pointed at him.

       "You know I prefer the common language, brother. I've missed you a great deal and I'm glad you returned safely." She said as she noticed Rosaniya stepping forward. She smiled and bowed her head until she held out her hand. She gently brushed her lips against Saria's hand before looking up at her. 

       "It's been a while, princess. I'm glad you are well." She said before bowing to Orym and then turning away leaving him alone with Saria. 

        "I heard mother sent your mate Vesryn with a small guild to retrieve the Reaper sword. How did that venture fare?" Orym said as Saria looked at him surprised. He frowned as he looked over at Solara who was looking around. It took her a moment to realize Orym was looking at her. When he noticed she immediately bowed her head causing him to wave with a smile. 

        "It went horribly disarray actually." Saria started but paused a moment unsure of what to say to him exactly. Despite Vesryn being a part of the reason everything went sideways she didn't want to blame him. Not only that he merely wanted to get rid of Ky and she was well aware of her mother's opinion of him. "Would you mind coming with me to speak with mother?" Saria questioned as Orym looked surprised but immediately nodded. She smiled as she stepped forward and he turned to follow her. They headed up the long flight of stairs passing by what she assumed were foreign nobles from another continent. Saria was unsure of what the occasion was but she knew it must have been serious. They made it to the third floor of the castle where they found themselves walking down a grand hallway. Saria saw more foreigners walking about. They were plebeians who were known to be citizens of the land of Heoria..Orym leaned closer to Saria to whisper in her ear.

       "I believe they're here because the tartarean army first appeared on their land and they have reason to believe some traveled here recently." Orym whispered which sent a chill down Saria's spine. Despite already being informed of this she didn't want to believe it since she hadn't actually seen any demons yet. The plebeians traveling across the sea about this was very concerning to her. They finally arrived to where their mother was to see her sitting with a plebeian nobleman. He was a messenger who traveled all the way from Heoria to deliver the information. Saria's mother was a queen that radiated strength and authority. She admired her mother but didn't wish to be like her. The queen appeared serious as she was talking to the messenger until she noticed Orym and Saria. She gently raised her hand toward the messenger to stop him from talking. She waved at Saria and Orym signaling for them to come inside. Saria looked back at Solara urging her to follow her in. The queen stood to her feet with a solemn look on her face.

      "My children, I'm grateful the two of you are safe. Saria, how did the quest for the sword go?" The queen immediately questioned which surprised Saria. She glanced over at Solara who remained by the door. Solara was aware of the queen’s reluctance to welcome outsiders. Having the plebeian messenger as a guest in her kingdom was unsettling for her. 

        "Everything went sideways. Tartareans ambushed us and killed Elec. Ky also came with us but ended up being injured...by Taegan whom is the reason the tartareans were there." Saria said uncomfortably as her mother looked at her with a blank look on her face. Orym looked surprised and confused.

       "What of Vesryn? Where is he currently?" The queen asked in a serious tone. Saria sighed unhappily.

      "Well you know he can be quite prideful so he went after Taegan with Ava." Saria said, struggling to hide her dissatisfaction of lying to her mother. The queen frowned as she nodded before turning away.

      "Well I'm more relieved that my beloved daughter is well but my condolences about your charity tool." She replied as she returned to her seat across from the messenger. Saria looked partially offended by her mother's response about Ky.

     "Ky was... is my friend, mother." Saria said in a serious tone, causing her mother to let out an exasperated sigh. 

     "A peasant and a princess, friends? How absurd can you be, my child?" The queen said as she tapped her fingers on the table. "You took pity on that boy for what your father did, don't confuse that as a genuine friendship." She continued causing Saria to be taken aback. She hated that her

mother never seemed to feel any guilt or remorse. Not only that, this was the first time she ever mentioned Saria's father since he was executed. 

     "I didn't show Ky kindness in an effort to atone for my father's crimes. Besides, I had formed a friendship with Ky before I was unaware of my father's plot for treason!" Saria said loudly, causing Orym to nudge her in the arm with his elbow. The queen looked at Saria in silence as she stopped tapping her feelings. 

       "Yet, when you learned of this did you ever inform him of the truth?" The queen questioned as she leaned forward resting her chin in the palm of her hand. Saria stood frozen, unable to utter a word for she never did tell him. She was always afraid that he'd hate her and possibly try to do something foolish. 

       "Pardon me queen Shalana, but thy daughter mentioned demons attacked her and her comrades." The plebeian messenger nervously said, breaking the tension in the room. The queen sighed unhappily as she returned her attention to the messenger.

       "It would seem that is the case but do you have any clue as to how they're becoming so powerful?" The queen questioned as the messenger nodded slowly.

        "King Asha believes that they have been drinking the blood of the black dragon, Tursem."The messenger said as queen Shalana slowly rose to her feet. 

        "Saria, do you know where Vesryn went exactly?" Queen Shalana asked as Saria glanced over at Solara who still stood silently by the door.

        "He believes that Taegan went to Cruuxford which is the village he's from.''Saria said nervously as queen Shalana had a serious look on her face. She monitored the guard that stood in the corner as a guard. 

         "Report to Rosaniya and tell her to gather six of her best knights. She'll be sending them to Cruuxford." Queen Shalana ordered, causing the guard to nod and head toward the door.

       "Mother, Rosaniya just returned from a mission, is it wise to send her back out there again?" Orym spoke up, causing the queen to look at him surprised.

       "I'm not sending her out there, instead find the Palatine since she’s the second in charge of the army. Have her take the Arc knights with her." The queen ordered as Orym sighed as he looked to see the guard leaving. 

        "Have your people captured a tartarean? If so, questioning them might give us some answers." Orym said glaring at the messenger who leaned back nervously. He shook his head slowly causing Orym to appear disappointed. If they were able to capture a tartarean alive it would be possible to get answers. He felt that should be the current goal but he knew his mother wouldn't care for that. She'd want every single tartarean wiped off the land. Faeria was her home and she would do anything to protect her people. She may come off as a cruel person at times but she meant well when she could help it. 

        "Tartareans are wicked beings who are products of despair and chaos. Through the ages they've always proven to be more diabolical than the dragons." Queen Shalana said in a tone where it was clear she was trying to suppress her emotions.

       "There has never been any records of tartarean activity of this scale before mother. We've only ever had to deal with monsters in our land but are we really prepared to take on tartareans that have consumed the blood of Tursem?" Orym questioned as he took a seat in a chair at the table. Queen Shalana was silent and unsure of what to say. 

     "Without the support of the gods it will be quite difficult. However, this world is filled with magical artifacts and powerful spells that we can use at our disposal." The queen said as she looked to be pondering something. Saria let out a sigh as she felt ashamed that she failed to get the reaper sword. No matter the artifact they'd still be at a disadvantage. As they stood in silence for a moment they began to hear someone running. A guard appeared in the doorway with a frantic look on her face.

       "My queen, Ava of the Silver cloaks guild has arrived with a Rithian who was with a group of tartareans in Cruuxford." The guard said, sounding out of breath. Queen Shalana's eyes widened as she pushed past Saria and walked over to the guard.

        "Take me to where they are at once!" Queen Shalana said, causing the guard to nod as she turned and left the room. Saria followed her mother, motivating everyone else in the room to follow.