Please Don’t Disown Me

Raine and Calla stand in the foyer of the Feylight Garden Theatre waiting for Tassel to pass them by. Raine paces back and forth almost wearing a hole into the carpet.

“It’s ok, it’s all going to be ok. It’s just a conversation. What’s the worst that can happen? Not like she can throw me out of the Theatre or ban me from ever going back to the Court Of Harmony.” She stops and turns to look at Calla, a crazed panic look in her eyes. “Oh no. What if she throws me out and bars me from the Court? I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.” She begins breathing rapidly, almost about to hyperventilate.

“Look, I’ve never met Queen Merla, and you know I don’t have the most respect for the courts, but I’ve literally never heard of anyone being exiled. Asked to do utterly ridiculous tasks, yes. Exiled, no.” Calla looks around, like she can’t believe she’s going to meet an Archfey in a magical, but still material theatre.

“Are you sure you want me here for this?” she continues. “I can secure an area and then… wait outside, I guess?” There’s a moment of eye contact and an in-drawn breath. “We really should agree terms before that though. I don’t have to tell you that if we leave it until afterwards it’s a favour.”
There is sheer panic in Raine’s eyes when Calla says the last word.

“Ok ok. How about if you can set up a quiet place for us to talk and you can hear my side of things because you have a right to know but maybe it is best that you wait outside after that? I don’t know if the Queen will be angry and I don’t want any of it directed at you.”

“Acceptable. Would you prefer to pay in gold or song?”

“Both? I can do both?” Raine says.

Calla looks down, wide eyed, and mutters a barely audible, “Oh boy,” under her breath.

“Raine, we don’t know each other very well, but I’m choosing to approach this as your friend. That’s new to me, so maybe I’m not doing it right.” She looks around before her speech softens and picks up pace, as if she’s afraid of being caught in a moment of weakness.

“I can see that you’re panicking, but I worry that you might not be very good at this, and you might need to be very quickly. So this is what’s happening: If a price isn’t stated, it’s always a favour. Favours are always defined by the holder within the maximal deliverable ability of the debtor. Which means they’re almost always a terrible deal. Because I’m fond of you, I’m offering to charge you a tangible price now or an intangible and poorly defined price, albeit tailored to your skills, later. But the gold price is always your better option. If you trust me both now and into a poorly defined future then ‘song’ is a bargain, but if there’s any hint you might not… then you ask me how much gold, I ask you how much it’s worth, you pay me that value now, and the deal’s over.”

Calla’s expression is pensive, expectant, waiting for the words that will keep her friend safe. Instead she sees tears begin to form in the corners of Raine’s eyes as the panic sets in further. However, Calla also recognises that Raine was listening and taking it on board.

Raine wipes at her eyes, sniffling as she does and stomps her leg in a half hearted attempt to stand her ground. “Very well then, gold it shall be. How much would you lik-…would you ask of me?” She has a determined look on her face. She might just be a better actress than she lets on.

Visible relief washes across Calla’s features. “Atta girl. How much is it worth to you?” As she asks the question, the other elf’s voice has a very familiar tone to it, almost sing-song, like she’s reciting a well-trod verse. It’s her off hand, making the universal sign for ‘a small amount’, that carries the warmth.

“How much does one’s hopes and dreams cost?” Rain says to herself in a very quiet tone. Then she coughs a couple of times. “Oh not that important, it’s only a spell and a little of your time that I need.”

Calla’s smile dips, and then widens, “Then let’s call it a hundred gold and be done with it?”

“Done then,” Raine agrees, letting out a forced but relieved smile.

“Raine, what a delightful surprise.”

The voice catches the two slightly off guard. Raine perks up a little, seeing Tassel come up the stairs from the lower part of the building, carrying what looks like sheet music in his hands. Calla is struck by a strange sense of déjà vu, of an elf with similar high cheekbones and long fingers holding a tome, taking thorough notes at a Temple in the Feywild… except this man is not a full elf. He is a half-elf, features slightly softer, gaze more kind and welcoming, and most differentiating, he has the shadow of a beard.

He comes over rolling up the sheet music and putting it away in a scroll case on his belt. There is an easy charm to him, almost a swagger mixed with the effortless walk of a cat.

“Are you bringing another potential student to our hallowed halls?” the half-elf asks Raine, a sideways smile spreading across his face as he glances towards Calla.

“Who, me? I… no, goodness no. I’m here as a factor for my employer, who seeks an audience with the Queen of Virtue.” Calla’s not exactly rapid to get over the surprise of recognition, but flicks a look over to Raine to confirm that she is, indeed, the petitioner.

Raine nods once and is actively avoiding eye contact with Tassel as she slowly starts to make her way to hide behind Calla.

Tassel raises an eyebrow. “I see,” he says, looking back and forth between the two. It’s hard to read his thoughts, but his eyes eventually settle on Calla.

“Tasselhoff Bitterberry the Bold,” he says with a flourish of his hand and a bend at the waist. “I am the manager of this fine theatre, in case my protégé has not informed you. Pleasure to make your acquaintance…?”

“Calla. Prim. Arcanist.”

“Cala Prim,” Tassel repeats bowing again. “And you are here because you wish to speak to Queen Merla. You’re in luck. She is in house.” He smiles and gestures towards the stars that lead up towards the concert hall.

“Excellent.” Calla looks back at Raine, gesturing for her to follow as she takes the stairs in stride.
Raine follows, her head low not wanting to make eye contact with anyone. Having walked through this theatre thousands of times she doesn’t need to look where she is going, she has it all memorised.
Tassel follows behind, not as a way of escorting but rather because he was intending to go in this direction anyway before spotting the two. The stairs curve up and around the lobby, giving a perfect view of the whole area as they ascend. Passing a half bust of an elderly tiefling man covered in forget-me-not flowers, gesturing up to the skylight-like area in the centre of the ceiling, there’s a shift in the swirling clouds that depict the outside skies. A message forms in the shape of the clouds:


“Have you ever met our fair Queen before, Miss Prim?” Tassel asks.

Calla’s response is quick, but her tone is odd, “I’ve not met any of the Archfey up close.”

Tassel glances at Raine who is still avoiding eye contact. “Are you nervous?”

“Like never before,” Raine replies, her eyes fixed to the ground. Calla remains silent.

That clearly surprises Tassel. His steps slow and a hand reaches out towards Raine. “If there is anything you need, you know you can come to me. I am never so busy as to not be there for you.” There’s a pause, then he adds. “You can still speak with Queen Merla, if whatever it is indeed is that important, but I want you to know that I’m here for you.”

Raine finally looks up at Tassel. “I know that and I’m so unbelievably grateful that I have you for whatever I might need… but not this I’m afraid. This is something only the Queen can help me with. I’m very sorry Mr Bitterberry, I promise to explain everything once it is all over.”

She looks nervous to say any more. Her eyes linger on Tassel asking, pleading with him not to inquire any further.

Tassel nods, resting a reassuring hand on Raine’s shoulder. “I’ll be ready and waiting, Little Ray,” he says, smiling kindly at her. She can’t say anything more so her eyes travel back down to the ground. The two stand there a moment longer before Tassel encourages Raine to continue up the stairs.

The transition to the concert hall is like going from ground to the upper boughs of a forest and into the open endless air of the skies. Tassel doesn’t pause though, continuing on into the concert all. To Raine, this space is as familiar as home with its high vaulted ceilings built up by sculptures, mosaic covered pillars, coloured glass, and the fine woodwork that are the trees, which have been grown and shaped into the space. For Calla, the passing thought of a music box made to scale is what she thinks of upon initially seeing the space. Blazing overhead is a sun – big, bright and beautiful – depicted by thousands upon thousands of pieces of stained glass that sees its rays subtly shift and move as they pause to look at it. The air is warm, comfortably so, but there’s a hint of winter mint in the air.

“Apologies for keeping you waiting, Your Highness. After my search and upon my return, I ran into my student and her acquaintance.” There was only the slightest hesitation in Tassel’s voice as he called attention to Calla. Looking back he gestures to them both to come forward. “You remember, of course, my telling you of young Raine Carroway. This is she,” Tassel says, gesturing in a way that only a proud teacher would towards Raine.

The fey Tassel addresses as Queen Merla turns, a fan of gold and pink hair shimmering around her shoulders.

Calla takes in the architectural use of trees before tucking an arm into the small of her back and delivering a prolonged nod. It’s something between a bow and a curtsey, but not quite formal enough for either. Not disrespectful, but less ‘loyal subject’, more ‘visiting academic’.

Raine looks up at Merla but not so high as to actually make contact. She gives a low and proper curtsy seemingly almost to prostrate herself before Merla.

“It is an honour to be blessed by your presence my Queen.” She says in Sylvan, her voice low and quiet filled with her nervousness. She then slowly backs away a little trying to hide but her eyes stay fixed to just below Merla’s.

The first impression the Queen gives is that of the embodiment of music contained in the shape of an average sized eladrin. Between steps, eyes ringed in gold and blue alight on Raine then on Calla in quick succession, like grace notes between the fuller phrases of her skirts swishing. The light dances across her sun-kissed skin, accentuating its alluring glow and when she passes underneath the sun it’s like the whole room gets a fraction brighter. But it is her smile that catches their breath in their throats as each of their heart’s skip a beat, just once.

“The honour is mine, Raine,” Merla says, kindly in Sylvan. “Tassel has said much about you, as has Kruxeral. I am delighted we finally have this chance to meet.”

When she speaks, there is a certain euphony to her voice. It gives them all a feeling of comfort that resonates within each of them differently. Before she can begin to identify what that is for her, Calla finds herself being spoken to directly.

“The Arcanist Calla Prim, yes? Artolos has spoken very highly of you. Your shared interest in the Temple is something he always brings up each time we speak.”

“Queen Merla.” Calla’s Sylvan is heavily accented but no less fluent. As she dips again, a small but warm voice echoes inside her: this beauty is still possible.

She opens her mouth to speak but stumbles on a second, deeper, echo: …and should have always been.

Desperately scrabbling for composure, likely an effect the Queen is used to, Calla stutters, but recovers.

“Ar… Artolos, yes. Please send my regards to your dutiful servant. The Temple and I do have unfinished business… but today I’m here in a… professional capacity.” A quick nod is delivered to Raine, “My associate, your… subject, would have a moment of your time, but also privacy, which I am here to furnish.”

The Queen glances over to Raine curiously but returns her gaze to Calla, one eyebrow raising slightly. “Artolos is a valued member of my council, not a servant. But I shall pass on your message to him. I am sure he would be delighted to see you when we are finally able to open the Temple properly to the Folk.

“As for this request for my time, I will give it,” Merla continues, turning to Raine and giving her a searching look. “Hmm… Tassel,” her head turns a little to the theatre manager but her eyes stay trained on Raine, “please lead the rehearsal for me. We will discuss what you found when I am back.”

She steps forward, resting a hand on Raine’s back lightly. “Come,” she says softly, gently guiding Raine to keep pace with her.

Raine remains quiet even with Queen Merla’s gentle guiding hand, whilst Calla follows reticent and silent, blending into the background as much as she can. They are led out of the concert hall and back down the stairs they came up. Curiously, Merla stops in front of the half bust of the elderly tiefling, gesturing for the two to stand back a little. She takes a breath, and then sings.

“Maybe I’ll see you in another life, if this one wasn’t enough…”

Hearing the Queen of Virtue and Virtuosity sing really throws Calla out of her silent and controlled reverie. It shakes her, pulls at her heartstrings in a way that few people have been able to make her feel or have ever been able to do to her. Riane feels the same pull to her heart, but for the young bard, it carries the feeling of home more than even hearing Queen Merla speak. It raises her spirits, letting her stand a little taller, holding her head a little higher even though her worry is still very present.

That is why she is the one to see it. Raine notices that when the Queen sings, the statue’s expression, almost serene in its gaze, seems to soften a little in gratitude for the song sung to it in ancient Sylvan. If stone could weep, this one would. Instead the forget-me-nots part, revealing a doorway hidden behind the statue and as it does, the Queen begins to shrink.

“By the root and the branch, you are welcome here; by the rose and the thorn, no harm will be offered to you while you stand beneath my roof,” she says, speaking in high Sylvan even as she continues to shrink down to more of a halfling size. When she’s about four feet tall she slows down. “My weapons are bound, my hands are spread, and my hospitality is open to you. By oak and ash and rowan, I swear.” Then she gestures towards the door for the two to enter.

There are two gasps that come from Raine, the first when she is blessed to hear Merla sing and the second when the doorway reveals itself. The many times she has walked passed this point and she never suspected this.

Raine finally makes eye contact with Merla, her admiration of the Queen is clear but so is her fear of what comes next.

“This is a mighty gesture my Queen and I thank you for offering such a place for us to talk, but I must ask a question. Though this place is a secret to those in this theatre, is it protected from eyes that might try to view us from elsewhere? For this is the reason I bring my associate, well that and she also deserves to hear what I have to say.”

“Hmm,” Merla intones, tilting her head and looking up, thinking. “It could be…” she glances at Calla and winks. “But if it will help ease your mind, Raine, I will allow Calla to cast a spell that would help with such protections. But come! We should not linger out here too long — the door won’t stay open forever.” She steps up to the door and once again gestures for them to enter.

Raine hurriedly heads inside, Calla trailing in after. Likely no one notices her wiping away tears.

“Watch your step,” Merla says as she follows, the door closing on its own behind her.

There is a moment after Raine and Calla have stepped inside where both feel their stomachs do a little flip, as if they did, in fact, miss a step despite the Queen’s warning. But the moment passes. As it does, both realised why it felt so familiar.
It was like crossing into the Feywild.

“This way.”

The Queen walks over to a staircase that curves downwards in a lazy spiral. She didn’t seem to wait for them, already lightly stepping down to wherever she was going so it was either follow or stay standing in the cosy foyer with a hall leading straight ahead to areas unknown.

“Did either of you want any tea? Cakes or pies too? Lumina shouldn’t have eaten them all yet.”

“No thank you.” Calla’s winter demeanour is naturally a little frosty, but the planar shift has put her even further on the back foot. As she finds a handkerchief to wipe the rime from her cheeks she can’t help but default to a polite defensiveness. If they’ve crossed to a demiplane, which seems likely, she doesn’t know the rules yet. Not eating or drinking anything local is a fairly standard interim measure.

Raine on the other hand says, “Oh yes please I would love a cup of tea and I suppose if there is a cake free I wouldn’t say no, thank you my Queen.” She is quiet and quick with her words as if she didn’t want to appear rude and dismiss Merla’s hospitality.

Merla waves a hand, barely glancing over her shoulder. “No need to thank me. I told you, my hospitality is open to you. And besides, I could do with some tea myself. Make yourselves comfortable!”

The stairs lead to a beautiful open space, the light warm and golden. It appears as if the space is made in the hollow between the trees, cradled in its bows. There were nooks and areas that seemed entirely private and small, perfect for a halfling to curl up and read, whilst others were a bit more open, allowing for medium sized creatures to have space enough to lounge. The Queen’s voice drifted through the space, “…have you eaten all of Nerry’s Pies again?” Followed by the sound of clinking plates.

Calla and Raine did not have to wait long for her return. The two hear the soft sound of fluttering wings, preceded by the purring cry of a faerie dragon, then the Queen joining them.

“I have two types, you can choose what you’d like,” she says, pointing with her nose at the two tea pots that are on the massive tray he holds. There are also two pies, with three plates, and three cups with accompanying saucers. Queen Merla beams at them, then looks to her right. “Let’s go over to the solarium for our chat.” Then she heads over to one of the nooks that is able to accommodate Calla and Raine’s sizes comfortably.

The academic continues to politely decline pies or tea, but once they’re in the solarium, she looks it over, and pulls a sizable book from her satchel. It’s weatherbeaten, but sturdy.

“Do you mind if I begin?”

“Of course,” Merla says with a gesture. She serves Raine her choice of tea, then herself, leaving Calla’s empty cup untouched.

With a wry nod to her location and audience, Calla conjures a small tablet from thin air with a turn of her wrist. Three inches long by one wide and intricately layered, it looks like confectionary made of mineral and metal. It is held upright, one end folded between thumb and ring finger, index and second stretched along its length. The Arcanist starts to whisper, an unintelligible mix of old Sylvan and Primordial, and it too layers, and layers and layers — until it approaches white noise.

Hoarfrost takes to the walls, becomes mineral, retreats, starts again.

Calla frowns and tilts her head to the side. Adjusts her posture, alters her speech, adapts to her surroundings. Not white noise now, but counter rhythm, anti-melody. A song of nothing, for no-one.

The crystal she had started to summon tightens, snakes, and steadily weaves a gemstone cage of vine and thorn. Not unlike the stained glass of the theatre. It takes up the song and tunes it in as Calla finishes.

Within, all background noise has stopped.

“Mal,” Calla says to an unseen other, “be a dear and sniff out any interlopers for me.”

Not long after, the armadillo-like form of Tourmaline awkwardly claws his way out from under a foot stool. He shakes his long face side to side before burrowing back under a different item of furniture.

“All safe. Raine, whenever you’re ready.”

Merla turns her attention from Calla to Raine, expectantly. The faerie dragon, Lumina, has settled on the cushions behind her, eyes transfixed on the pies that sit so far untouched.

Raine shifts in her seat a few times as she mentally prepares herself to speak.

“Well, I’ve asked for you both here because of some recent events. To give you context my Queen, I was recently involved in a mission commissioned by Menace of Port Ffirst, who I believe you are well acquainted with. This mission involved myself and others covertly accessing the vault within the Court Of Capital Accumulation and placing within a miniature portable hole of sorts that would allow Menace to ‘skim’, as he put it, some of the diamond dust into his own possession.

“I do want to state that I was incredibly apprehensive of going forward with this mission but we were all unaware of what would be involved prior to arriving at the Emporium and it was stated that time was of the essence to get to the vault and I didn’t- No… I couldn’t have walked away in good conscience leaving my fellow adventurers to undergo this mission knowing that I could have helped. The mission on the whole was successful, the portable hole was dropped in the vault and we managed to leave seemingly unnoticed.

“Well, everyone else seemed to manage to go unnoticed but me. The night we returned I was visited by the Lady Of Silence and she has forcibly made me agree to a fey deal, stating that I must help them with whatever they ask of me at a time of their choosing. And as an ongoing part of the deal, until then, I must report any news I learn about the Summer Court. I haven’t had to do this just yet so I’m not sure how it will work if they visit me again or the information is retrieved in some other way.” Raine pauses for a moment to allow this to be processed by both Merla and Calla.

“Now I have asked for this meeting for a couple of reasons, my Queen. Firstly, to confirm to you that should I be forced to act against the Court of Harmony or the Court of Summer as a whole that I do so against my will and I will regret my actions until my end.

“I know that the consequences of this are mine to bear and I will accept whatever it is you see fit as a punishment, whether that be I am no longer a member of the Theatre, or I am no longer permitted to enter the Court Of Harmony, or both. I just wish to know… how bad-… how badly I have messed everything up.”

Raine remains surprisingly composed during most of this, she seems to treat it more of a performance then anything but it is clear that by the end she is unable to hide her true feelings as her voice cracks and tears run down her cheeks.

Lumina has turned her attention from the pies to Raine the moment her voice started to waver. She looks at Merla, who is herself looking so intently at Raine that her blue and gold eyes are almost piercing in their intensity.

“Oh dear sweet, Raine…” she says. Merla gets up so quickly, coming over and sitting beside her. Lumina flutters her butterfly-like wings and lands on her otherwise. The Queen leans in, catching Raine’s eye whilst she wipes away the tears on her cheek.

“I appreciate you telling me all of this,” the Queen says gently. “But I want you to know something.” She takes one of Raine’s hands and there’s a moment where Raine doesn’t hear the Queen’s words. Instead, she hears music all around them. It sounds so familiar too, but it’s suddenness and the way it overwhelms her, combined with her own roiling emotions means Raine can’t quite figure out why it seems so familiar.

“…understand? You have done nothing that deserves punishment.”

There is definitely a confused look on Raine’s face but also the fact that she doesn’t want to ask a Queen to repeat herself and then the last words Merla spoke truly sink in.

“Thank you, my Queen. That means so much to me to hear you say that. But what… what do I do now?”

“Well, first off,” Merla starts, letting go of Raine’s hand to stand. She begins to softly pace. “Do you remember exactly what the Lady of Silence said to you? And what you said in return?”

“I’ll try to remember… As far as I can recall, The Lady of Silence started by saying she could have killed me for my crime then and there, but the spy master does not destroy what can yet be of use. She then said that at some point, ‘and that day will come as sure as winter,’ I will be called upon to do an as of yet undisclosed service, as instructed by Lady Silence or one of her Advent. That I will know when that moment comes. In addition, I will have to report on anything I learn about the Summer Court as an ongoing requirement.

“I am somewhat hopeful,” Raine continues, “that I can twist that last part by never going to Summer Court for a while. Then, technically, if I return to the Court of Harmony I shouldn’t have to tell them anything. Though I’m not as good at the linguistic dexterity of such fey deals, unlike yourself, my Queen, or Calla.”

Merla has stopped her pacing. She is facing slightly away from both, her profile striking as she thinks. She rubs a ring on her finger absently as she asks, “What were your words in response to the Lady of Silence’s bargain, Raine? Did you agree and say nothing more?”

“I must admit I don’t quite remember what I said as it was all quite a blur… But I know it was short and concise, I think it was simply ‘I accept’ or something to that effect.”

The Queen nods, eyes closing for a moment. “Probably for the best. The Lady of Silence is not the easiest to outwit and for your safety, it was best you concluded things as quickly as possible.” With a small sigh, Merla sits back down and starts adding cube after cube after cube of sugar to her tea. “She was why you asked Calla to help facilitate this discussion, yes?”

“Yes, my Queen. I don’t know if they are keeping track of me via scrying or some other magics and I know they will not be happy with me coming to you but I thought that if they can’t see into this place then at least I can try and keep some secrets from them. Calla is one of the best I know at this sort of protective enchantment.”

Merla nods once, picking up her ten-times over sugared tea and stirring it with a spoon that has a blue-winged butterfly handle. “And why are you helping Raine, Calla? What do you get out of this little arrangement?”

The question is asked innocently but Calla, oh so deft in the ways of the fey, knows why the Queen is asking.

She smiles, polite but complicit, “I’ve ensured that Raine hasn’t deepened her position. I’ve charged a nominal price. In gold. Up front”.

“And there is no other reason for you to be helping her?”

“Ah, I see why you’d ask. I’ve accrued no further favour. There’s no unspoken debt. I’m… honouring… a…” she looks over at Raine, “friendship?”

Calla’s awkwardness would divert follow up from almost anyone else, but Merla probably clocks it: she hasn’t fully answered the question.

There is a quiet moment as Merla sips her tea. “The burden of friendship can be quite hard to bear at times…”

“It’s better than the alternative.”

For a flash, just one true second, a stone cold emissary of the Feydark stands before a Queen of the Summer Court. A blink and it’s gone, replaced by an upturned hand and a cynical smile.

“We all need friends.”

“We do.”

Merla’s eyes, so blue and bright with their ring of spinning gold, hold such discerning melancholy for a child of the dark and lost things that Calla wonders if somehow the Queen knows. Then her expression shifts and a sanguine smile lifts her lips.

“They are worth more than gold or fey promises.” She takes a sip of tea. There’s a beat. Then, “So, Raine,” Merla sits back and tucks her feet under her in a very un-Queen-like manner, “What do you think the next steps should be?”

Raine looks a little startled that the conversation has come back to her but she overcomes it pretty quickly. “Oh- erm, well- erm, I guess, for me, my plan was to kinda stay away from the Summer Court. If I don’t get involved then I would have nothing to report on to the Lady of Silence. But if I’m honest, if there was a way to somehow break this deal, or cause the Lady of Silence to call it in early to have it over and done with, I guess that would be a good option. But I have no idea if that is even possible.”

“It would be best to not seem overeager to get her to ‘cash her chip in’ as the saying goes. If you wish to not come home, then that is your decision. But do not feel like you need to stay away. There is more than one Season in the Court of Harmony.” Merla takes a sip of tea. “Is there anything else?” She asks nonchalantly.

“Erm, well, there might be something but I think it might be something a little bit more private.” Raine turns to Calla, “I really really appreciate you being here and for everything you’ve done on such short notice and for someone you don’t really know all that well. You are a good friend and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. But I think this next part of the conversation is better just between myself and Queen Merla.” She smiles. “Oh and if anything ever comes up and you need a bard to get you out of it you can call me up, I owe you a favour after this.” Raine gives Calla a knowing wink.

Calla stares at Raine — absolutely bewildered, utterly exasperated.

“Why would you say that?? Now? After I already-?” She scoffs, throws up her hands, looking to Merla for some sign of agreement. All Calla sees is a slight twinkle in Merla’s eyes, whatever that could mean, as she sips her tea.

“Okay, you know what? Fine. You need to get better at this.” She points at Raine. “Favour accepted.”

Calla packs up her things and marches out.

Merla chuckles. “I enjoy her company. Calla is a good friend to have around, wouldn’t you say, Raine?”

“She sure is, though I must be honest, I don’t know her all that well but hopefully that will change one day.” Raine says with a slight reflective smile.

“I’m glad to hear it.”

Merla sets her cup down, stands up and goes over to the loveseat Raine is on. She crouches down reaching for something underneath. When she stands, the Queen has the rather large and chonky form of Tourmaline in her arms.

“Perhaps you can pass on these sentiments to Calla, hmm?” she says, lifting the familiar up.

Mal’s stoney face looks unimpressed but that doesn’t deter Merla. She scrunches her nose, pulling a funny face as she walks over to the wall where Calla had walked out of. Raine hears her murmur something quietly in Sylvan then places him on the ground. Mal then toddles out of the Sanctum.

“There. Now we are alone.”

“I had-… when did-… wow she is good. But I suppose it’s time to talk about this then.” Raine reaches up onto her back and pulls out the Viol of the Seasons and gently places it on the table in front of her, sliding it slightly away from her and more towards where Merla sits.

“I think it might be for the best if I return this to you,” Raine says. “After recent events, I don’t know… I just feel like I’m not as deserving of a gift such as this. This is an incredibly precious item and I suppose more importantly a very powerful symbol that represents unity and harmony between the Courts of the Feywild. I feel that some simple half-elf farm girl who has lofty ambitions to perform on stage does not deserve to be the wielder of such a symbol. But a Queen such as yourself who is a true representation of Harmony should be the one to have this, or at least someone who represents you. I think this could do wonders in Yinmaris’ hands. He would do so well with such an item.” She pauses, then adds, “And I… I can accept going back to a regular old viol. That’s fine I will make do and not complain.”

Merla silently raises an eyebrow.

“So, yes. Here. I return this to you, my Queen, the rightful owner of this, the Viol of the Seasons.” Raine pushes the instrument still closer to Merla, but her hands seem to linger on it. She clearly has grown fond of it and whilst she thinks she believes what she is doing is right, it is clear part of Raine doesn’t want to let the viol go just yet.

The Queen looks down at the viol. “That is a shame,” she says, genuine remorse colouring her voice. Her eyes lift up to the young half-elf’s. “Before I take this back, answer me this: What does Harmony mean to you, Raine?”

This question does hit Raine a little unprepared and she takes her time to properly ponder the question.

“Well… For me, Harmony is true perfection. It is the heart of all creation and the axis of which all reality revolves around.”

Merla tilts her head. “And how do you create perfection, Raine? How do you strive to achieve the unattainable?”

“I guess I strive to be the best bard that I can be. I may not be perfect to others, but if I know that I tried my hardest and could not have done any better, then that would be pretty perfect to me.” Raine can’t help but let out a slight smile at her answer.

Merla nods, smiling slightly. “Striving to always be better than you were yesterday. It is a noble goal.” The smile begins to fade and she arcs an eyebrow. “But what is a bard without her tools, her instrument to show the world the power of her convictions?” One side of her mouth curls up. “Can you convince me of your passions, your beliefs, your drive – your Heart, Raine Carroway?”

Raine thinks for a second and goes to reply but stops herself. Instead, she adjusts herself in her chair preparing to do something.

She begins to sing but the song that comes from her is ancient and filled with power. The Private Sanctum begins to vibrate until a point where it reverberates in harmony with the song. On the table in front of Merla dust begins to swirl around in a small column. As more and more dust gathers, it dances in unison with the song that comes from Raine. Beautiful patterns form in the dust just long enough for Merla to see them before they are replaced by new patterns. As the song progresses the dust begins to contract and bind together. Then, slowly, guided by Raine’s song, the dust forms itself into a simple but elegant clear glass vase. Resting within is a beautiful glass Feylac Flower. It shines and glitters like stained glass being hit directly by the sun. Hues of pink, purple and green dance across the table, a byproduct of the magic Raine just used.

After she has finished, Raine gently clears her throat. “I suppose that is my Heart, my Queen. It was a song I heard in an incident a few years ago. Well, not a song. The song. The Song of Creation that can be heard in all corners of reality. It is the source of my magic and it is the reason that I am here today. Without it, I would still be just a farm girl wanting to perform but not having the ambition to do so.” Her eyes come to rest on the Feylac flower.. “Yes, this truly is my Heart.”

The Queen’s eyes are wide with wonder at the beautiful depiction of the Feylac Flower, her smile bright. She closes her eyes and a single tear falls from her left eye, the glittering light that had gathered from Raine’s singing making it glow like falling starlight. Merla stands, coming over to Raine, taking her hand and pulling her up to standing. Somehow, in that movement, the Queen has become the same height as her, but that’s not what makes Raine gasp. As she lifts Raine’s hand to her lips, breathing a kiss on her knuckles, Raine thinks she hears music again. Her eyes are drawn to the Viol behind the Queen. Is the music coming from there? It fades quicker this time. Raine blinks, to find the Queen has her head bowed over her held hand, resting just underneath the shimmering gem of her circlet.

“Thank you, Riane,” Merla says softly, heartfelt and full of emotion. “Your Song is beautiful, a true wonder to behold.” She lifts her head, and smiles. “I can think of none other than you who are worthy of the Viol of the Seasons.”

As she finishes speaking, Raine sees something in the Queen’s eyes, a question that is perhaps reflected in her own. She wipes away tears from her face.

“Thank you, my Queen. That means a great deal to hear you say that. I hope I can maintain your trust in me with this Viol.” Raine does then seem like she is going to ask a further question but stops herself. But after a small internal debate seems to think it for the better.

“My Queen, I do have a question. Just now, when you put your hand on me, I heard a song that I do not recognise. I heard it earlier as well… and I was wondering… if you know what it is?”

Merla studies Raine intently, an inscrutable expression on her face. Then she smiles, knowingly but kindly.

“It can mean many things to many people. For you, Raine… let us say it is a Song of Opportunity, should you wish to pursue it.”

“Yes,” Raine says a little too quickly. She has to rein herself back in to try and seem like she’s not too eager. “Yes, I very much would like to find out about this opportunity. How would I go about doing that?”

“It is not as simple as learning a minuet, or telling a story.” Some of Raine’s excitement dims from her eyes. “But,” the Queen continues holding up a finger, “…if you are as ready as you seem, and willing to try, perhaps a part of me could help guide you on your journey.”

Her words weren’t framed as a question but the way Merla’s voice rose a little at the end made Raine feel like she was being asked for a third time that this was truly what she wanted.

“What do you mean by a part of you? I’m sorry I don’t think I understand and if I’ve learnt anything from Calla is ask for more details before running into something.”

There’s a slight smile on the Queen’s lips as she answers. “I would gift to you my patronage. I do so love the arts. They can be the truest expression of the nature of things, and yours is… it is special. For so long as you have my patronage and use its gifts, you, Raine Carroway, can continue on your journey, discovering what that Song might mean.” She spreads her hands, the offer laid out between them. “The choice is yours.”

“You mean… you mean like Yinmaris, right? I… I don’t know what to say, my Queen. I… I…” Raine stands and walks over to Merla and takes a knee before her. “I would be honoured to accept your patronage. My Queen. My Harmony.”

There’s a sound of fabric falling to pool in front of her, and then a gentle, warm hand lifting her face up by the chin. “Then stand with me to accept this gift.”

One moment Raine was kneeling, the next she was standing, still looking up at the Queen who had begun to sing. Her voice was everything Raine thought it would sound like, yet it was unlike anything she had heard before. Even the small snippet of a song Queen Merla had sung before to get into these rooms was barely a tune compared to this. The song she was creating was a melody woven together with exquisite and expert care. It emerged from a place Riane did not know existed, yet felt so much like home, like it was her Song but expanded upon and made to be more.

As Merla sang, iridescent wings emerged from her back, lifting her up. The magic grew, building up, wave after wave. It surrounds Raine, caressing her, and lifting her up as well, its radiance vibrating with a resonant harmony so much like the song she had sung earlier. It was as she thought this that Raine became aware that she was singing too. They are creating this magic together, somehow, though her lips were closed. It was like the Queen was able to draw forth the Song of her Heart. The thought nearly drops her from the moment. But instead of falling, the Queen’s music cradles her — a baseline which Raine catches herself on and propels back up with.

It is as she looks down from that brief moment of falling that the young half-elf’s eyes widen in wonder at what is manifesting between them.

A swirl of magic flaps its wings taking on the form of a blue mockingbird. It trills, the song Queen Merla is singing coming from its magical beak as it cartwheels through the air and around a cluster of radiant oats. It seems to give the spikelets the music it sings, making the bulbs heavier with each circle of its passing.

Then, just as Raine thought the seeds could hold no more, the mockingbird grasps the end of the stalk in its beak and tosses it into the air. Just as it reaches the peak, the bird darts upward and in a burst of light, the oat flowers shatter into thousands of sparkling iridescent stars. As they fall, Merla, sometimes called the Singing Sovereign, She Whose Voice Calls the Heart, speaks in High Sylvan.

“I bestow upon you, Raine Carroway, child of the Court of Harmony, bearer of the Viol of Seasons, this gift. So long as you carry this Song, Harmony will be with you on your journey to discover the Songs of Creation.”

The stars fall perfectly into Raine’s waiting hands, layering on top of each other. As each star falls on top of the other, they change, becoming large petals of phlox flowers in colours of white, violet, magenta, and blue. When the Queen has finished speaking, the last of that iridescent glow settles into lines that form bars of ever shifting, shimmering music, notes half formed and half hidden. Raine flips back and forth through this strange sheet music, trying to work out the parts of the melody she can see. There is one part that, as she reads it, Raine feels a thrum of harmonious music ring through her mind as if the mockingbird from before were singing into her mind. The possibility of this new knowledge thrills her and the song fades from her mind. This is a new kind of magic that waits for her to unleash it, should she choose to play it one day.

Raine is overcome with emotion as tears of pure happiness fall from her eyes. She was glued to every aspect of this performance. Never has she seen something so beautiful and never will she forget this moment.

“My… My Queen, this is a beautiful gift. I-… I-… I don’t have the words to express my gratitude and appreciation for this. I promise to make you proud and represent the Court of Harmony with your Virtue.” Raine gives a deep bow, gripping the songbook to her chest as if she is worried that her new Patron is going to take it from her immediately.

“I know you will, Raine,” Merla says as she holds her new recipient’s hands, helping her to rise back up. “The path is laid before you. Opportunity awaits. Seek out what you long to understand.” She gestures at the sheet music held close to the half-elf’s heart. “It is there at your fingertips, ready to answer your call.”

Raine stands staring at Merla, a look of pure joy and excitement on her face. It is only a few moments later when the silence between the two starts to shift to the more awkward end that Raine finally realises that she should probably leave now.

She begins to back away, heading out of the Private Sanctum, bowing as she goes, resighting any and all pleasantries she can call to mind that she thinks Merla would appreciate. The Queen follows her sedately, smiling and waving her tributes away in a genial manner. Calla sees the two emerge from the Sanctum with discussions having concluded, but unsure why Raine seems to be departing so distracted. The arcanist takes the lead in guiding the two of them up the stairs with one last glance back to the Queen.

Once at the top of the stairs, the door they entered through once again moves of its own accord, opening to reveal the landing on the stairs in the Feylight Garden Theatre. This does not seem to phase Raine, but it does make Calla frown, muttering something under her breath.

As she exits, Raine takes a moment to stop and lean up against the wall next to the bust of the elderly tiefling, where she lets out a silent celebratory squeal, holding up the songbook and doing a little dance. Calla raises an eyebrow at this behaviour but makes no comment. After Raine has gotten it all out of her system, she takes a breath, relaxes, thanks Calla for her help, and promptly turns to head down the stairs of the theatre, her steps considerably lighter than when she arrived earlier.