Chapter Text
When the teleport ended they were in Fallinel.
Aelwyn had not been to the island country in almost ten years and yet could recognize it instantly. The cold sea air was replaced by a warm breeze, the courtyard they had arrived in was full of vegetation only indigenous to the island nation, the tower to the side was classic Fallinel architecture, and there were high elves everywhere Aelwyn looked.
A lot of high elves.
Aelwyn swore as the Command faded from her and tried to fire off a spell. It was instantly knocked out of the air by one of the elves. Not the ones that had taken them, but one of the others, standing on the top of a high wall that surrounded this court yard.
"Ma'am, I would suggest you calm dow- Ma'am!" Angwyn yelped as Aelwyn's second spell almost hit him before it was Counterspelled by another mage. Aelwyn so desperately wished her father hadn’t erased this man’s memories way back when she and Adaine had first been taken from the Abernants. She would have loved to rub in his face how better his children had turned out without him.
Out of the corner of her eye, Aelwyn saw Adaine kick and struggle and manage to twist itself out of the air elemental’s grasp. She stumbled to its feet and drew the attention of the weird young woman with the fake smile.
"Now, now, none of that," the short woman chided, magic Aelwyn recognized as a Dominate Monster coming from the girl's fingers and settling over Adaine’s head.
Aelwyn denied the mind control the moment it passed through her on its way to Adaine.
"Don't f*cking try it," Aelwyn snarled, reaching out to grasp Adaine's hand and squeeze it comfortingly. For Adaine’s comfort. Obviously. "Stuff like that doesn't work on her, you idiots. She’s mine."
"Are you going to stop trying to fling spells at us?” Angwyn asked with a huff, straightening his outfit, “Because I can assure you that will also not work.”
Aelwyn’s hand twitched as her gaze flicked around to just how thoroughly they were surrounded. Maybe attacking wouldn’t get them out of here past all these mages but if Aelwyn could just get one shot off on her birth father, oh, oh, it would be worth it.
But Adaine’s silent voice interrupted Aelwyn’s revenge fantasy. Aelwyn, stop, we can't fight our way out.
I don’t care. Aelwyn snapped back, not looking at her sister so as not to tip off their conversation. They are going to have to kill me if they want to take you.
Adaine changed her grip from Aelwyn’s hand to her wrist, forcing her back. No they won’t! Literally if they just defeat you in battle they can take me. Don’t start a fight!
That made Aelwyn pause.
Right. That was right. That was how Aelwyn had gotten Adaine in the first place. If they did kill Aelwyn, even just down her, they would be able to steal Adaine away.
f*ck, okay, new plan.
She couldn’t surrender- that would probably also count as defeating her- but she couldn’t win either.
So Aelwyn had to do the classic, uhg, high elf move. Be as prideful as possible and act like nothing emotionally affects you.
She pulled back her shoulders and smoothed out her face in the achingly way the man standing in front of her had drilled into her during her most formative years. Aelwyn could not look at him, not without trying desperately to burn his face off, so instead she turned her attention to the young woman that seemed to be calling most of the shots.
“I am willing…” Aelwyn spoke carefully, her jaw working as she actively tried not to scowl. “...to put our differences aside and talk. Like… sophisticated people.”
Aelwyn knew this was Fallinel talk for ‘actual’ people as opposed to every other person that didn’t live on this forsaken island.
Her manners, as well as her high elf blood and faint Fallinel accent she had never completely shaken, went over splendidly. The woman- and Angwyn- visibly relaxed, also adopting traditional and formal postures. Like they were all just here for a tea to discuss business and Aelwyn and Adaine had not been kidnapped.
The other mages surrounding them did not relax, though the man who had summoned the elemental dismissed it with a flick of his head.
“Wonderful, I am relieved you have seen reason,” the woman said, a fake serene smile on her face. The effect was half ruined by her desperately clutching the hand Adaine had bit. “My name is Kir. Welcome to Calethriel Tower. You are… Aelwyn Aguefort, is that correct?”
No last name. No reason why she was the one speaking for, apparently, all of the Court of Stars. Interesting.
The fact that this wasCalethriel Tower was unnerving but unsurprising. A famous prison and vault was the perfect place to bring Adaine.
“Yes,” Aelwyn replied, not bothering to keep the hate out of her voice. She could really only be polite to a point. “Heard of me, have you?”
That actually wasn’t too strange considering who her father was. And the Court of Stars had definitely heard of him. The previous Oracle hadn’t been that private with her life.
Kir gave nothing away. No grimace, no condensation or hate in her gaze. A perfect serene mask.
Aelwyn was so glad she had been saved before having to carve one like it.
“Of course,” Kir said, “we’ve been keeping careful track of where our stolen property has ended up.”
Still hanging on to Aelwyn’s wrist, Adaine pursed its lips in a half scowl. “I’m not Fallinel’s property.”
Kir completely ignored her. “Not that we are accusing you of theft, of course. You seem like a very nice young woman and the Court of Stars thanks you for taking such good care of the Oracle.” She lifted her hand, as if to try and touch Adaine again, and her mask cracked for a moment as a little bit of blood ran down her fingers. She put her hand back down. “We can take it from here now, thank you. You’ll even be sufficiently rewarded.”
It was honestly funny how they were all just pretending that the fight in Leviathan hadn’t happened. That they hadn’t tried to steal Adaine immediately, no talk of a ‘reward’ or anything of the like, or that Angwyn Abernant hadn’t been shoving his way into Aelwyn’s brain like he owned the place.
They had been pirates on Leviathan. In Fallinel they were politicians.
Aelwyn preferred the pirates.
“No,” she said bluntly, crossing her arms and shifting so she was just slightly standing in front of Adaine, “sorry, Adaine was my sister before it was your Oracle so I’m afraid I don’t have to return sh*t.” She placed a hand on Adaine’s shoulder and flashed a sharp grin toward Angwyn. “Besides, she likes me a lot better.”
Adaine snorted but didn’t do anything else besides squeeze Aelwyn’s wrist tighter. Which felt… weird- for a reason Aelwyn couldn’t place her finger on at the moment- that Adaine wasn’t protesting more or doing anything. Maybe that was normal, though, this was a very weird situation.
Adaine’s voice whispered in her mind. I don’t think they’re just going to let us walk out of here even if you do win this debate.
Indeed, Angwyn apparently took Aelwyn’s look as a sign to enter the conversation- that f*cker- and cleared his throat. “Regardless of any of… that, The Elven Oracle is an important part of Fallinel culture- has been for thousands of years- we will be taking it back. One way or another.”
Aelwyn raised an unimpressed brow. “If you’re going to threaten me just come out and say it. ‘Your sister or your life’ would make you sound much more like the bandits you are."
The tension was regrowing rapidly as Aelwyn neglected to perform their silly little game that masqueraded as a conversation.
“Careful, child,” Angwyn hissed, almost as bad as feigning pleasantries as Adaine. And Aelwyn, if she was actually being honest with herself. That skill had corroded a lot since childhood. “We are extending a courtesy to you but threats to Fallinel will be thoroughly dealt with.”
Aelwyn maintained her flippant air but her mind raced, trying to find a plan in the limited time they had left. Pure magical force wouldn’t work, not with all those mages with counterspells at the ready. Perhaps Aelwyn could use the trick of her arcane focus again and pause time long enough to teleport away? That would work. Unless someone else could pause time, or was in the ethereal plane, or could negate magic items, or if there were baked in anti teleport runes in the ground since this was a prison, or-
Adaine stepped in front of her before Aelwyn could land on a course of action that was the least likely to blow up immediately. (Aelwyn would be fine with a little bit of blowing up, of course, but Adaine was a tad more fragile in that sense).
“If you want to make a deal with my sister you have absolutely horrendous form on how you’re going about it,” Adaine said with the confident authority of someone who knew they were right and also knew a lot of words about why they were right, “no contracts? Written documents? Identification? Appraisal? You claim you’re going to compensate her but I don’t see that written down anywhere. How does she know you won’t just take me and kill her even if she agrees?”
Kir and Angwyn both stared at Adaine, looking as if they were strongly debating continuing to pretend Adaine couldn’t speak. Adaine didn’t flinch, just put its hands on its hips and glared back.
Eventually, Kir very delicately cleared her throat. “We do not have… documents written up since this is less of an exchange and more a case of returning stolen property. Miss Aguefort here should feel lucky-”
“This is a case of disputed property,” Adaine interrupted, “Aelwyn has just as much as a claim as you do- do not argue. I’m literally the thing you’re arguing about, I know what the claims are and right now the claims are only simple words. I’m sure Aelwyn would be happy to discuss terms of a trade if there was actual paperwork about said terms.”
What are you doing? Aelwyn mentally hissed at her sister. She wasn’t going to be happy discussing anything with these people she knew that much.
Adaine titled its head just enough to catch Aelwyn’s gaze with one eye. Buying you time.
Angwyn was sputtering. “We do not have time to jump through bureaucratic hoops. We are the Court of-”
“We’ll wait,” Adaine cut him off, folding its arms and rocking back on her heels. Aelwyn suddenly realized why it was acting so brash: while these people were just itching for a chance to put Aelwyn’s head on a block there was no way in the realms they were going to kill Adaine. Sure, they’d get a new Oracle if they did but that one would be a person again, not a tool. “We’re elves as well, you know, we all have all the time in the world.”
That was smart. Very smart. Aelwyn knew the only reason the Court hadn’t turned her into a smoking crater already was because their racist pretentiousness wouldn’t allow them to just murder a fellow high elf without proper cause. Reminding them of that particular social faux pas was solid leverage.
Angwyn continued to huff and sputter and make a big show about how offended he was by the idea. But Kir held up a hand to him and regarded Adaine and Aelwyn thoughtfully. “We would need some proof- a show of good will- that you do, actually, want to discuss terms of a trade and are not just trying to get us to lower our guard.”
“Of course that’s what they’re doing,” Angwyn demanded, “please, you can’t seriously believe they actually want to do paperwork about this.”
“I will believe,” said Kir calmly, “what they show. The Oracle is right, words mean nothing.” She turned and stared Aelwyn in the eye. “What can you show us then, hmm? What proof do you have that you are not enemies to Fallinel?”
Offer them a Thread.
Aelwyn didn’t even hide the wide eyed gape she shot her sister. But Adaine was not looking at her, was still standing between her and Angwyn.
Like Adaine was trying to protect her.
What? Adaine I’m not doing that!
They’re going to kill you if you don’t! The mental voice snapped before Adaine’s tone grew much softer. You said… you said you would do it. If I asked to give out a Thread. You said you would.
Aelwyn continued to stare at the back of Adaine’s head, not caring that Kir and Angwyn’s faces were growing increasingly confused. This isn’t what I meant and you know it.
Please, Aelwyn. They won’t hurt me but I can’t lose you too.
Aelwyn cursed, loudly, and kicked at the perfectly carved stone beneath. She yelled nonsense and profanity in every language she knew and jumped up and down like she could stomp out her problems.
When she was done with her incredibly deserved tantrum she tossed her hair over her shoulder and fixed the old fake smile back on her face- ignoring that everyone was looking at her like she had just sprouted multiple heads. “I could give you a piece of Adaine, if that would do?”
Angwyn gaped like a fish, Adaine looked somewhere between embarrassed and concerned, but Kir recovered quickly enough and gave a tittering little laugh. “Really? That’s your proof? I was there at the fight, Miss Aguefort, I saw how easily you took the piece that Angwyn had away.”
“That’s because he stole it while I was mind controlled,” Aelwyn lied. She was good at lying and it was much easier than hiding her feelings, “if I give it freely it will be his to keep.”
That caught Angwyn’s attention to snap him out of his horrified confusion. Yes, greed and power and control had always seemed to catch his attention. He pushed back his hair and straightened his clothes once more, regarding Aelwyn like he was thinking hard about it. “Well… if you can’t take it away then… I suppose having joint custody of the Oracle wouldn’t be the worst situation.”
“And then you can actually look like you know how to do your jobs,” Adaine said dryly, “much better for the Court’s image than murdering someone not even two decades old because you can’t keep track of your own Oracle.”
“This would of course only be temporary,” Kir mused, “just until we can get the proper channels set up.” Her eyes, also hungry with greed, swept over Adaine like it was a fresh stake she was deciding how to carve up. “And dragons work on contracts and the like, don’t they? Such interesting things we might be able to do with the proper wording.”
Adaine, for her part, did not flinch, but Aelwyn had to grit her teeth to stop herself from throwing this whole plan out the window and going at the young woman with nothing but her fists.
“We agree to this deal,” Angwyn said, holding out a hand just the same as he had when Aelwyn had been mind controlled, “give me the piece.”
Aelwyn hesitated. Not him, not f*cking Angwyn Abernant. Sure, Aelwyn didn’t like the Kir girl either but certainly anything would be better for Adaine than their horrible excuse for a birth father.
Aelwyn, Adaine’s pleading voice came, as if Aelwyn had been projecting her thoughts, just give it to him. Please.
Aelwyn bit her tongue to stop herself from swearing again and clasped hands with Angwyn Abernant.
It was only temporary. She’d get Adaine out of this soon.
***
Adaine was with her sister and father outside Calethriel tower.
The thought made its skin itch and its hands get jittery but Adaine purposefully ignored those sensations. It was true, after all, wasn’t it?
Ownership was family and now Angwyn owned her again so he was its father again- even if he didn’t remember the first time around- and that’s just how it worked. And it would be better, this time around, because he actually wanted her and not…
Adaine did not know why these very logical facts were so hard to swallow.
As soon as Aelwyn had made the deal the dozens of elves that had been surrounding them filed off through portals. Leaving only the sisters and the people that had come to Leviathan still at the tower at all.
Which showed that at least part of the plan was working. Chances of escape were climbing but the portals stayed powered and runes in the garden around them glowed with energy. Something was keeping magical defenses powered and they would probably need to find out what before they could actually make any move.
“How does this work?” Father asked and Adaine felt the familiar pulse of someone examining a Thread. It was the only one she had now. “There’s a connection but what benefits does that bring me?”
Aelwyn shrugged. “I didn’t make the curse. I don’t know all the secrets.” She looked absolutely pissed but wasn’t doing anything stupid like trying to kill anyone anymore so that was good. Adaine did not know how it would function if Aelwyn left her too.
”But certainly you-“ Father paused and let out a frustrated sigh before smoothing his hair back, “that is fine. I am a researcher. We can thoroughly study the Oracle as this processing situation is being dealt with.”
It was fine it was fine it was fine. Adaine didn’t like how he said that, how he was looking at her, but he was its father now so it should be fine.
“Since we are now all working together,” Kir said, a bit more sweetness in her voice than earlier. Her hand was still bleeding and Adaine couldn’t feel bad about that. “Why don’t we all go get cleaned up? I’m sure we do not want to reveal we’ve acquired the Oracle while being roughed up from our scuffle.”
She turned without waiting for an answer and Father followed after. Though the guy who had summoned the elemental did not move until the sisters did. A silent reminder that they were still, essentially prisoners.
Adaine shared a look with Aelwyn and its sister’s concerned voice reached out as they walked. Are you sure you’re alright? This is a stupid plan.
Didn’t see you coming up with anything better, Adaine retorted, trying very hard to not let the queasiness she was feeling show, I know you’re powerful but you can’t take on the entire Fallinel government alone.
Watch me, was the immediate reply but a more thoughtful one came a few moments later, I guess this does give more time for your friends to find us. I’m sure they’d love to pull off a jailbreak.
Adaine’s breath hitched and it bit its lip hard to muffle the reaction.
Her friends had thrown her away. No help was coming from them.
But Aelwyn still had people who cared for her, and she still cared for Adaine, not all hope was lost.
The inside of the tower felt larger than it should have from outside. A spiral staircase snaked its way up and up, so high Adaine could barely see the top. On each floor was a landing with multiple doors that led who knew where and right in front of them was a giant vault, glimmering with protective magic.
Adaine shivered just looking at it. Being in a vault- tucked away out of sight, left to collect dust- sounded like a terrible fate.
Kir paused in the middle of the room and turned to Father still with that sickly sweet smile. “I will head off with Miss Aguefort to get a bit of healing and start on these negotiations. Why don’t you take the Oracle to be fixed up?”
Aelwyn’s gaze instantly hardened. “Absolutely not, I won’t be separated from Adaine.”
Kir turned to her with blatantly fake surprise. “Miss Aguefort, we are allies now, are we not? Joint custody. Surely you trust us.”
Adaine squeezed Aelwyn’s hand once before drawing away to stand closer to its father. “I would very much like to get this gunshot healed.” And then, just to Aelwyn, she said, it’s okay. We can’t really be separated in a way that matters, right?
Aelwyn still didn’t look happy but she began to follow Kir up the stairs. The elemental summoning guy going with them. “Fine. But I want to see her again the moment we’re done.”
As soon as they were out of earshot Father let out a long annoyed sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. “That girl…” he muttered and Adaine honestly could not tell which he was talking about. He glanced briefly at Adaine before turning with a flick of his hand. “Follow.”
Adaine did, carefully peeling off its jacket and- holding it away from her body- cast mending on the bullet hole in the sleeve. She did not want to accidentally mend itself.
They headed through a side door on the ground floor, back outside, and entered a fenced off area containing large steaming hot springs. It looked like a bonafide spa with carts filled with bottles of ointments and powders and such scattered throughout. Adaine had no idea this was even here. The Court really couldn’t go anywhere without a host of luxury, could they?
The place was empty besides for one woman in shining white Galicaea cleric robes who approached when she caught sight of them. “Ah, you need healing.”
“Oh! Um, yes please.” Adaine said, allowing the woman to grasp her hand and start muttering a spell.
Father ignored the woman, seeming annoyed and bored with being there. Though that honestly might have just been what his face looked like. Adaine couldn’t remember. He began casting his own spell, speaking in Adaine’s general direction as he worked.
“The unseen servants will tend to you, with Norandral here supervising. Once they are finished, wait until I or Kir returns to do the finishing touches.”
“Unseen servan- hey!” Adaine yelped as the woman moved away- wound now healed- and invisible hands began grasping at it. Yanking the jacket from her hands, tugging her boots off, and even beginning to unbuckle her belt. “Stop that! Stop, I can do that myself.”
Father watched her struggle impassively. “Consider this a trial run to see if you actually obey your masters. I am certainly not convinced you and Miss Aguefort aren’t planning something.”
Adaine grit its teeth and forced itself to relax to the invisible man handling. They were not gentle but it wasn’t a painful experience. Just… she didn’t like unseen servants.
Father hummed once- maybe in satisfaction, maybe disbelief- before turning around and leaving Adaine.
This was fine this was fine this was fine.
