ShipTeaser

  Shaeu Tu Shae Dannan

  On leaving the small hotel room, Shaeu spotted a passing maid. Though those clothes are not cute at all. Hyath would be most disappointed. She let out a gentle snort of amusement, having learned enough about the mortal world in these st few months to uand that maids such as Hyath were relics of the wealthy, or ies such as in maid cafes in Japan. Raising one hand, she let the befuddling winds flow, and the woman stopped, eyes gzing over a little. “Give-give me the key to your supply cupboard.” Shaeu demanded. “Then cordon it off. You are not-not to use it until tomorrow.”

  The woman fumbled out her key slowly, nodding, and Shaeu watched her go for a moment, before opening the door to the room and tossing the key tor. “I shall be off. I will tact you with information when I have it, and then you - rey it to Akio and the others. Move them to the new location. It will be unfortable, but I fear-fear…”

  “Grulgets it, do not worry, little princess.” He said, lifting Shiro and Hyath gently over his shoulders. “Nobody knows we are here, but Grul thira caution is wise.” He carried the girls out into the corridor, and pced their sleeping bodies ihe cupboard, using spare bedding from the storeroom to make them fortable. Heading back for Akio and the ese girl, Na, he winked.

  “Yes, well, I am quite-quite sure that Duke Formor would be as shocked as I am about yrowth. To think-think you would sider matters other than battle. Well, I shall be going. Time-time is precious.” Grulgor is right. For now he guard them, but perhaps ter his strength will be herefore, take precautions. They are needless, but it is still a good habit. Scurrying through the halls, she gri the thought of a team of enemies breaking into the hotel, only to find their room empty. There is no issue. No, what is a problem is… her eyes shone amber as she eyed the Tower of London, a little over three miles distant. Pulling the white sunhat down over her face, her grin was wicked. “It seems that the truth is out-out.” She could see the streets thronged with panig people, watg overhead as helicopters flew towards the Tower and the Pace, all discussing the Queen’s fereh a mixture of excitement, trepidation, panid dread. “So it seems…” I have no reason to hold bay longer…

  Her legs flexing, she ran, moving at a speed an order of magnitude faster than the best marathon runner had ever achieved. Her speed was equivalent to a sportscar, and as she raced towards the Tower, her surroundings a blur, her hat held on with one hand, her dress fpping in the breeze her movement created, she could see people exg in panic, leaping out of her way, filming her with their phones and taking pictures.

  Silly mortals. I have great trol, I will not strike you. All her physical stats were closing in on a thousand, and she ughed to think of how feeble she truly was when Akio first battled her, weak, weighed down by the many kin her Kioration was shouldering. But not now… Under a minute had passed and she was closing in oower. I am just here to gather information, but if it es to battle… I will not lose. She ched her fist, slowing down to a halt in front of the polid military cordon of the Tower, smirking at the shocked faces of BBC journalists and also some reporters from iional news sites who had gathered amusihey were professionals though, and even with jae and eyes starting, they had her on camera, spreading her image to the world. I shall have to boast to Eri on my return. I believe this will cause Akio some trouble, but now is a good time to make ourselves known. That way, this Queen of the United Kingdom will be ue on her promises of reward…

  “Halt! You ot pass, this area is a crime se!” the lead soldier anded, and Shaeu found dozens of guns poi her, which she dismissed with a wry snort. With my stats and League now, they will merely hurt a little. Although… her keen eyes detected some danger as they shone powerfully, drawing gasps from everyone around. Several snipers. A direct hit from these would be problematic, though I have dealt with such before. And also… Her grin leased. So that is what she is doing. Most clever. Great minds think alike. Though Hyath would no doubt disagree, loathing the woman. Though if she showed Akio proper respect, Hyath would soon e around…

  As her thoughts raced, thinking through the situation in an instant, her Mystic Eyes could see her target, the aether he was giving off surprisingly impressive, and a little familiar. This one is not useless, though of course Akio stands superior. The soldiers shouted out more ands, raising their ons, and she sighed. “Do not-not point your ons at me, foolish male. I am in quite-quite the hurry. I am aid that your Queen has requested, to deal with this situation. Stand-stand aside.”

  “Nobody ehe Tower except authorised personnel!” the man barked, and Shaeu shrugged, her mood s. I am in a great hurry. I wish to infrulgor of the situation with haste, so that I may re-joihers.

  “You would bar-bar my way? Shaeu Tu Shae Dannan, princess of the Seelie, Duchess of the Spring of Clear Refles?” Winds gusted, the air shimmering green as though the aurora borealis had desded to earth. The press were filming and entating in a number of nguages, some she did not uand herself. Though one ent did annoy her a little.

  “That speech impediment, how cute…”

  What are they talking about? Suonsense. Her fists ched, and she was pting using the befuddling winds to enter, when a man in uniform ran out of one of the parked vehicles, and hahe leader a note. On reading it, his expression ged.

  “Miss Dannan, your name is on the list we have just received. By all meaer.” He stepped aside and the guns were lowered, so Shaeu strolled past imperiously, her gaze fixed on the figure iower.

  “Excuse me, I’m from the BBC!” One brave woman rao her. “You are obviously at the tre of today’s shog, unpreted events. we have an interview?”

  Shaeu turned, and even with her face hidden by the deep brim of her hat, her charm took the reporter’s breath away.

  Shaking her head, hair like shining gold drawing attention, she denied her. “I am clearly far-far too busy. But I think you will find, after today you will be seeing much-much more of us.” With that she spun on her heels and passed the barricades, entering the grounds of the Tower, immediately feeling the noticeably higher ether density. Behihe reporters and vast crowd of the public that had gathered could only watch as the army formed up again, blog their access. It is time to find out just what is going on. I do not know this Eleanor, only that Hyath does not have fondness for her. But betrayal… that I ot stand. Her thoughts drifted back to Risha aher traitorous maids. No, betrayers will be justly punished…

  ********

  Princess Eleanor Elizabeth Diana Windsor

  “How did this happen?” Eleanor shouted in frustration, only to curse herself as a fool for making noise and drawing attention to herself. While she ran like a coward, David, Sir Arthur and Raidre were fighting for their lives, and Aditi might have already joined Mary-Jane in suffering whatever grave injury or perhaps eveh that had led to her eje from Avalon. In my heart, I know that retreat was the right choice. I have to protect the Tower, no matter what. But… the sting of betrayal, which should have paralysed her, still burned, but because in her heart of hearts she had accepted the possibility after the warnings Akio had given, she was able to force herself to move.

  Sarah… you seem to believe in what you’re doing. You’ve broken poor David’s heart though, I think… After crossing the Thames near Bermondsey isle, passing by long enough to shout to the remaining selkie there to evacuate, she had reached the south shore aered the maze-like alleyways and s of this part of her Avalon. Trying to evade pursuit, buying time for a way to turn things around, she scurried like a mouse being pursued by a cat through a byrinth. Donovan though… She shuddered at the madness in his eyes. Just how could he ge so? Or did we simply not notice, his growing fidence masking other, more sinister ges?

  Bolts of energy fshed, hammering into the rippling barrier around her Avalon. The light was fading, and she could feel the defences faltering. “I hought I would have to defend from threats within.” She muttered, dissote. She had allowed all of her allies free access, and they to her, the Territories of Aditi, Sir Arthur, Sarah, David and Donovan f a star-shaped ring around her initial, fumbling Avalon, unparalleled safety. Just like the six of us. Sarah and I took the brunt of the attacks, while David, Sir Arthur and Aditi defeated the foes, and Mary-Jached us up, and occasionally offered support or a few attacks. “That’s all shattered now, just like…” With the sound of breaking gss, the barrier colpsed, and now bolts of energy from the numerous defences Sarah had beeing, an excessive number, really, were heading her way, exploding ireets around her. David had mentio in passing, but…

  In addition to that, the hosts of creatures that Sarah and Donovan trolled, a ret addition to their defences, were p out towards the river. Her eyesight was good, so from a vantage point on top of a small building, she saw the creatures attempt to swim, many swept away by the sluggish waters. White-cd followers of Mary soon took charge though, and structures nearby were demolished, crude rafts being structed. Does that mean Sir Arthur and the others are already…?

  Jumping down, she refused to sider that they were dead. For now she o think, sider her options. Not that thinking was ever the strong suit of our family. Henry, you idiot. Don’t go dying on me now… her only soce was that if he lived, grandmother would spare no expense in hiring the best healers for him, and one name came to mind. But getting Henry healed wouldn’t help her now.

  She could hear the sounds of pursuit and explosions, her lead eroding as she had to stantly ge dires and ambush her pursuers. Most of the enemies were soulless copies of foes they had sin, fishmen, goblins and hounds, but there were some with intelligence mixed in that she did nnise, figures white armour and red surcoats or tabards, moving unnaturally. Mary must have supplied them…

  Eleanor knew she was trapped, but had to fight back. As a group of dull-witted goblins passed oerse, she leapt out of the shadows, sword cleaving the head from one, before she kicked out, shattering the ribs of a sed. Rusty knives were swung at her, but they struck sparks off her armour, and her bde fshed, carving down her assaints, turning them to a little ether to absiving her a tiny burst of energy. Too slow. Akio was right, I ck offensive power… even as she fihem, a dozen hounds rushed at her, their eyes dead.

  I’ll not fall here! Mary won’t get what she wants! I’ll not be the oo fail when for fifteen hundred years and more we’ve guarded this secret! Bone ched under her fist as she smmed into the head of one hound, her knee killing a sed. Her sword fshed, hewing them apart, and ign the scraping of fangs and etal, she struck, punched, kicked and sshed until the hounds were dead, only taking a dozen seds. Still too slow… David, Raidre or Donovan would have dispatched a group of sluggish, soulless copies like that in a sed. I’m losing time…

  Thinking of Donovan, she remembered the good times, his shy smile, the gnces he stole at her whehought she wasn’t looking. At first he had been terrified of battle, like her, or so she had thought, but his skills with a spear were surprising, and when he mao master the power of his relic, wreathing it in lightning to both damage and subdue, he was a terror. His fidence had growing important people… and their daughters… her thoughts raced bitterly. Two of the white figures had ered her, and she ehem, their blows powerful, and as she struck back, they used shields to block her blows, swing from metal. Her greater strength staggered them, but they righted themselves with strange, jerky movements, swinging their own swords.

  Should I use the water element? It might have enough power to defeat them? She sidered it briefly, but decided against it quickly, as that was her secret trump card. Letting out a cry, she rammed into one of the warriors, knog it off bance. A sword smmed into her armour, but she barely felt it, and as she rose to her feet, she could see a white helm had e loose, revealing a skeletal skull underh, teeth clig, eye sockets gleaming with eerily flickering light. Disgusting… her fists smmed it again and again, until the skull ulverised and her fists were striking the ground, bruising her flesh, though such small wounds healed almost instantaneously. She felt a pain in her back, a number of strands of hair cut free from her ponytail as the sed foe had stabbed her, but she rose to her feet, eyes cold, and her sword danced, shattering her oppo. Bones and armour hit the ground, and for a moment she was eted, until a volley of energy bsts from Sarah’s Avalon streaked over, exploding all around her, oriking her leg. She groaned, shrugging it off, and several more rained down, f her deeper into the te maze.

  Donovan’s love life was the butt of David’s jokes, but I think he was just jealous. pared to Akio, he’s just a little puppy. Or is he…? She was finding it hard to keep focused, running into yet anroup of soulless assaints, bde hewing them down until there were none remaining, heedless of the blows she was suffering iurn. Now that I think about it, at least Akio is taking responsibility, even going so far as to pressure the Japanese Gover. Whereas Donovan ged girls like ging a pair of shoes… Her hands were sweaty in her gaus, her breath ing fast. Another pair of skeletons attacked, and this time she could barely remember how she defeated them, only leaving behind their disiing bodies.

  “How could he ge like that?” Her words were drowned out by a series of explosions, more bsts flying in, though luckily these hit the dwellings further away from her. “Charm, or…?” As anroup of skeletons rouhe er, their fleshless bones hidden behind thick armour and cloth, she found she was smiling. Well, I fear he is in for a surprise…

  ********

  David Reckless

  “Give it up, David, there is no way ye win.” Sarah, that red-headed bitch said sadly, and David wished he had the strength to rise up and punch her in her damn face. Fug traitor. You were our rade, we went through life ah battles together!

  “Get fucked, whore.” David spat at her, the bloody phlegm scattering off the invisible barrier she had jured. “I’ll win, even if I have t myself up with my damh, after all…”

  “… you’re the King of the Octagon.” She finished for him. “Or is it bashing my skull in now? Nay be like this David, ye think I wahis tae happen, tae go down this way? Ye know I didn’t.” Her eyes flickered over to the others. Raidre was down on his knees, his selkie sughtered, and several spears were rammed through him, holding him in pce. Oher side, Sir Arthur was kneeling, numerous bloody burns all over his body from the damn halos of energy those stupid singing bastards and bitches were juring, and his face was a ruin, one eye milky-white and blind.

  “There is no talking to them, I am afraid, my dear Sarah.” Mary Stuart stepped forwards, running a gentle hand over her cheek tenderly. Sarah looked a bit put-off by her touch, but her sad smile barely faltered. “The whispers of the fools who ’t accept salvation mean nothing. But the Lord is passionate, so sihey are your friends, I will endeavour to expin.” She k down in front of David, heedless of the white and gold cloth she wetting soiled with mud and blood, her crystal bells tinkling cheerfully, the sounds blending in with the droning of the Choir.

  Shit, if only I could move… the bitch behind this all was in reach, and it would only take him one blow to snap her neck. But the damage he had suffered was too great, and even now the lightning from that shitty traitorous brat Donovan’s spear was still sparking inside him. The pain was rather unbearable, far worse than anything iagon, and David knew he was finished, barring a miracle. Hawking up anobbet of bloody spit, he coughed it out, and it nded on Mary’s robe. Small pleasures, small revenge. His feral, bloody smile did not scare Mary off, and she reached down, patting his head, surprising him.

  “You are a strong man, David Reckless. A sinner yes, using false powers from false Gods. But you are also brave, and loyal. All characteristics the Lord values highly.”

  “If so, why have you ihe redhead and the brat to betray us? You killed Mary-Jane and Aditi!” David raged, and Sir Arthur spoke up, his voice rasping from his burnt throat, silver and red foam seeping free, staining his lips.

  “David is quite right. No good soul would tehis. The Princess was good to you, Sarah. How could you do this?” As Sarah looked ashamed, Mary tio speak. Behind her, Judges were peeling off, leading groups of strange, white armoured soldiers, as well as what remained of the forces belonging to the pair of traitors after they had ed out old man Arthur’s troops. Guess I should have spent more time focussing on my own damn Avalon, but once I’d id down my banner, all I wao do was get stronger myself.

  “We do not want to kill you.” Mary said, her eyes seeming ki determined. “Not needlessly. Even a sinner may repent. After all, we o secure the Tower, and to do that, the Princess must be willing to open the way. No, if she does not force our hand, we will not o resort to this, and after this is all over… reciliation.” She ughed then, and David’s blood was boiling.

  “You threw us aside for this fug madwoman?” David said incredulously. “Is your brain made of rocks, redhead?”

  Sarah shrugged, and David hated the way his eyes instinctively followed her movements. “Nae, I know what I’m doing. This was the only choice.” She reached into her armoured top, and David caught a glimpse of skin, as she pulled out a small rosary and clutched it. “I want the world tae endure, David. And the only way for that tae happen is tae follow the path the Ninth Heaven has id out for us.”

  “You talking that nonsense now as well?” David spat more blood onto Mary, in pitiful defiance.

  “It’s not nonsense, ye ken?” She snapped, angry now. “I have read the Book of True Revetions. It is so old, yet it predicts all this, ye see? Avalon, though they call it hallowed ground. The truth of the dest of the Gods’ Chosen. The fate of us all, the Earth, if we don’t aow. I ae let the fate of billions be decided just for our friendship. David, ye must see that!”

  “I see you’re an idiot. So they knew in advance? So fug what?” he groarying to rise. “That’s their truth, it doesn’t make it true! I could look up the eclipse on damn Wikipedia, and that wouldn’t prove the world was ending if I said the eclipse was an omen, even if the eclipse happened as promised.”

  “Logic. Always the refuge of the sihe Lord does not care for sweet-sounding words that make superficial sense. But theation is always seductive.” Mary said. “The path to salvation is only through the Ninth Heaven. You may cry out against it, deny it, but the truth is evident. Now…” she leant in almost close enough to kiss him, her breath hot on his cheek. “… help us persuade the Princess, and all shall be fiven. You give up your false powers and useless trash…” she looked down at his mace, lying in the mud. “… and we will give you rength, like Sarah here. Her path to Sainthood aernal service to the Ninth Heaven is long, but the first steps begin today.”

  Sarah looked a little guilty to his eyes, but she nodded. Sainthood? The fuck is that?

  “What… what of the others? How the dead five?” Old man Arthur enquired wearily, and Mary Stuart shrugged, her face lifting away from David.

  “The first step to Sainthood is to take the hallowed ground from others… no, false hallowed grounds, false divinities. Sarah has taken two steps, though many more lie ahead. Fear not, the Lord is kind. Losing these false favours perhaps may not be fatal. It is possible to survive it, many do. They likely will not be the same again… but the True Revetion has the Sororibus Medendi, those of the healing hands. Persuade the Prio relent, and they will know a fortable life, praised for their role in this victory. When the false Grail is returo us, the path to the Ninth Heaven will be smoothed like gss.”

  “David, Sir Arthur… I pray, ye should make the right decision.” She pleaded. “Even ye, Raidre. There’s no reason for ye to die here.”

  “You think?” Raidre spat, the cold iron of the spears supressing him and causing great pain. “My kinfolk died to honour their Pledged Oaths to the Princess. You are er than an Unseelie.” He srying to move his body, the spears causing further deep wounds.

  “I shall spare you, in defereo our new didate for Sainthood.” Mary smiled benevolently. “I do hate you creatures, but again, all serve the Lord. As for the two of you, do you not want to see eternity together with Sarah? The Princess could have it too, were she to cede willingly.”

  She’s worse than mad. This bitch believes everything she is saying. Nothing more dangerous than an idiot that believes they are absolutely right. Anything is justified then. But ohing doesn’t fit… “What of Donovan, then? The little shit. He doesn’t seem like he’s oh to Sainthood.” His tone was withering. “And you’re letting him… and the Princess… fuck, I ’t say it.” His fists ched helplessly.

  “Well, sometimes even the Devil works in ways that be God. That was mostly Max. He tricked me, but at least…” she smiled. “He has fled the Tower, it seems, and the false Grail remains uncimed. No, Max is … very persuasive. He must be, to have even used me, though I used him too. But it seems that Donovan was especially receptive to his words. You’re a hero. The protagonist of the world. Women, money, power, it should all be yours. Really, all of that is dross. The Lord provides, wealth and temporal power are meaningless. As for women… yes, we should go forth and multiply, for the Ninth Heaven needs believers and warriors, new Saints born from the Earth. But such a base creature… he will never enter Heaven unless he repents. As for the Princess… suffering is holy.”

  Sarah nodded slowly, though now David could see what he fancied was genuine remorse and torment in her eyes, her hand gripping her rosary so tightly blood was trig down her wrist. I’ve no sympathy for your suffering. Think of Aditi, Mary-Jahe Princess… well, if the cavalry was going to bust in and salvage this mess, now would be the time for it…

  “Sorry David.” Sarah said suddenly, shuddering with self-loathing. “This nay does have a happy ending. The other teams, they’ve been clearing house, ye ken? Most of them are with us. Even now, they should be hunting down Eleanor. She’s tough, our Princess, but she nae has the firepower tae handle a half dozen or more of us.”

  Fuck. It’s worse than I thought. In that case…

  “I wouldn’t do that, David.” Mary chided him gently, stroking a golden ring on her finger. “If you think the words I speak are all I do, you are sadly mistaken. I have already takeowards Sainthood, and have ied the fortune my te grandmother possessed. I am very lucky. This has taken far too long, but in the end, I will liberate the false Grail, just as the other Cardinals will succeed at their tasks.”

  “Give it up.” Sarah said softly. “There’s nae one in Engnd that stop us now, ye know that. Just… help us David. I nae want Eleanor tae suffer. And I nae want to have to destroy your hallowed ground.” She raised a hand, and David knew she could and her array of defeo fire at will.

  Maybe that would be for the best. At least then the princess wouldn’t be suffering her bombardment. Well, she’ll not die from that. He looked at Sir Arthur, who turned his half-blio meet his gaze. So, old man. What the fuck do we do?

  ********

  Donovan Patterson

  This is it, the moment I step out of the shadows, onto the stage! Donovan chuckled to himself as he skipped up the steps of the Tower unhurriedly, towards the room that Eleanor, his Princess, always occupied when she was entering the Boundary. Avalon, what a pretentious name for it. Max says that the true Avalon is far distant and far more beautiful, full of nymphs and faeries seous it would take my breath away.

  There was o hurry, Mary Stuart was going to be busy trying to persuade Eleanor to surrender her hold oower, and he knew Eleanor was incredibly stubborn and rarely wao ge her mind on things. It’s endearing, it really is. She’s too good to waste on someone else. After all, I’m the protagonist, I’ve always thought so, and this only proves it! Max knows.

  Going from a girlish nobody that got almost no attention from women, to the hero that was destio save the world, sy the dragons and demons, and rescue all the Princesses aiful women in distress was his destiny. It all made so much sehose other women, Niarie, Suzanne, Sonia, they were all nice girls, girls he couldn’t have dreamed of attrag when he was just quiet, shy, girlish Donovan Patterson. But as Donovan, panion to the Princess, greatest spear-wielder in Britain, no, the world, it was amazing how quickly they would try a close to him, ftter him.

  Max was right. Those type of girls are fine for some fun, but as partners for the hero of the world, they are utterly g. Maybe I’ll show them merd when I’m King, I’ll let them be my maids, and py with them a bit when I’m bored. Not that I’ll have time to be bored… Hopping up to the area that wasn’t open to the public, he entered a code on the keypad there, activating the metal doors, which slid aside. Oering, he walked over to Eleanor’s room. The door was shut, and with a grin of anticipation, he grasped the handle.

  Huh, locked? That’s unusual. The handle wouldn’t turn. That was a little annoying, but hardly a problem, as Donovan wrehe hao one side, snapping it, and the door opened. Donovan waited, anticipation building, for the moment when he would see the sleeping Princess and awaken her with a kiss. I suppose she won’t wake up, not until Mary Stuart gets what she wants. Her… I need her, but she’s not fit to stand beside the hero. The way Mary looked at him, as if he was filthy, it reminded him of being ignored, of g value, of looking down when anyone gred at him. She was definitely beautiful, but unlike Nid the others, he felt no desire for her. No, she’s just like everyone else. Judging, whispering. But she’s wrong! Max was right though, sometimes we have to deal with devils for the greater good. But we have to remember to put down the devils when their usefulness has passed.

  The moment on him, and the door creaked open, revealing a small room with a fortable bed, a small TV, and a mini-fridge stocked with drinks and snacks. But the bed… empty?

  Donovan stared at it for a moment, fused. The Princess always es here to enter. She’s said many times she’s weaker if she doesn’t… no, wait… He quickly looked iher rooms, growing more and more annoyed as he did so. “She ’t have stayed in the Pace? It’s possible…” he hammered his fist into the wall, feeling a sting. “If so…” she would be beyond my reach, at least for now. No, o panic. I’ve helped Mary and Sarah stage their betrayal. That surprised me… Sarah didn’t seem the sort. Though her teasing was annoying. I may have betrayed Eleanor, my Eleanor, but when all this is done, she’ll only have me to turn to, the shining hero who save Britain from the wicked hands of Mary Stuart and her ilk…

  Lost in his fantasy, he heard footsteps from below, and immediately perked up. Eleanor? Is it? No, she should be in the Boundary still. Unless Mary Stuart has failed somehow. If so… He grinned, his expression hidden behind his long bangs. “Eleanor, you came. Give me a moment to expin, I did it all for your sake, you might not believe me, but…” he paused, again fused, as the woman that stepped through the door wasn’t Eleanor, or anyone he had ever seen before. The woman was short ae, wearing a long, pure white, summer dress and a matg hat. Taking the hat from her head, he paused, awestruck.

  She’s beautiful. Perfect, doll-like features, amber eyes that seemed to be glowing like golden suns. Her lips were set in an impish smile, but Donovan, who would normally have shied away from such mog expressions, found it suited her perfectly.

  “Who.. who are you?” he asked. She’s perfect. I want her for my harem. She stand beside Eleanor, if her personality is good.

  “Me?” The woman tilted her head, long amber hair swaying. “I believe it is good-good mao introdueself first, before asking such of others, is it not-not?”

  Good-good? Not-not? So adorable. “My apologies.” He put on his most winning smile. “I am Donovan Patterson, personal bodyguard of the Princess, and greatest warrior in Britain.” There was no harm in exaggerating, and if anything, he ying it down. Future husband of the Princess, and King of Britain. Hero of the world. “Now may I please have your name, beautiful maiden? What brings you here?” If she got into the Tower she ’t be ordinary. Is she with Mary Stuart, or one of Britain’s Gods’ Chosen I’ve not met? Though surely I’d have heard of her…

  “Me? I am Shaeu Tu Shae Dannan, princess of the Seelie.” She said, her voice melodid one word caught his attention. Princess? Excellent, she has suitable pedigree as well as beauty. Wait, Seelie? It was a day of surprises, and this was just one more.

  “Are you a Fae, then? Do you know Raidre, the selkie of Bermondsey isle?” If so, has she e for me? No, I’ve never seen her anywhere before, and why would she be here?

  “A selkie? Annoying skin-shifters. No, I do not-not know him. Now, a question for a question? ould you be here, so-called bodyguard of this Princess, while she seemingly fights for her life-life? A poor bodyguard indeed.”

  It’s none of your business! But… you’re elegant, so I’ll answer. “I was cheg to make sure her body was safe. I’ll… be heading back shortly. If you are a Fae, you must be w fods’ Chosen, right? He must be very lucky.” I’ll take you from him, have no fear. Only a King should have a Princess beside him.

  Her eyes shone brilliantly, and she murmured a few words. “I see. Not-not charm, unless it is of great subtlety.” She sighed. “So, what-what did you do all for her sake, Donovan?”

  Hearing her say his name pleased him, but the words, which he had uttered earlier, made him pause. He smiled, c up his annoyance.

  “Oh, a simple misuanding. Now, if you’ll…” He reached out and grabbed her arm, only to find his hand radiating pain, a shimmering green wind of needles surrounding her bare flesh where he tried to hold her.

  “I do not-not like to be touched, not-not by your hands.” She sniffed coldly. “Treating a female so casually, I feel rather-rather sorry for this Princess, if you are her guard.”

  Donovan twitched. You have a sharp tongue. I’m starting to resider your pce by my side. No, I retrain her, I’m sure. A hero needs Princesses… “My apologies.” He let go and brushed back his hair, giving her his most winning, charming smile. As he did so, a surge of green energy, like a million sparkling jade fireflies, filled the room, and he felt his mind fog a little.

  “So, tell me true. Did-did you betray the Princess, and why?”

  Her words echoed in his ears, and he smiled. “It wasn’t a betrayal, not really. Eleanor, she should be mine. I’m the greatest hero, the true one. Max says so. Even Mary Stuart aowledges me, and needed me to pull off her pns. Don’t look at me like that, my precious. I’ll take care of you. I love Eleanor, but a great hero love many women!”

  “True. I do most-most certainly agree.” Shaeu nodded, and Donova a surge of giddy excitement, which was soon dashed by her words, stoking his anger. “But you are not-not any kind of hero. No female could ever love-love a male who betrays her and what she holds dear. Besides… I already have-have my hero, and he is not-not you.” She stepped back, and Donovan growled.

  “Wait, did you bewitch me? I never meant to speak.” Shaking it off, cirg all the power inside, as Max had taught him, Donovan pulled out an old, rusted spear. Shaeu’s eyes went wide as she looked at it, and Donovan chuckled. “Really, I should give up on you. But instead, just like Eleanor, I’ll have to help you to make the right choid be my obedient, loving wife. If I’m saving the world, that’s the least I deserve, right?”

  “So Tsukiko was right.” Shaeu said, uttering an unfamiliar o him. “Well then, if you think you -, by all means try. But this Mary Stuart you speak of, I know little ion, but Akio has mentioned her…” I’ve heard that name. A fn visitor who met my princess, right? I hate him already. “… I hardly think she would approve of your as, no-no?”

  “That’s where you are wrong…” Slowly, carefully. I don’t want to ruin her beauty, else she’s not fit to be one of my Queens. Max had also shown him how to awaken the spear here ierial, and as his aether flowed into it, faint sparks of purple, green and yellow began to form on the rusted tip of the spear. “… King Solomon had a thousand wives and es. Why should I, the hero, be any different?”

  “A thousand? I see-see. Well, Akio will have his work cut out for him then, if he is to better that-that.” She snorted, and as she ughed in amusement, Donovan struck.

  “Don’t mention other men in front of me. I hate the way Eleanor is always ughing with David, or talks with Arthur. She should only be looking at me!” The spear smmed into her unprotected body, lightning discharging violently. It’s not as strong here, and I haven’t peed her body like I did with David, but I think even Raidre would be stunned by this.

  “I’m sorry.” Donovan said, as he firmed the lightning had run through her body. “You’re brave to bear the pain. I’m only doing it because I o. Just like with Eleanor. Sarah is the same! We don’t enjoy betrayal, but we are right! We have to do this!” He justified himself, and reached out a hand to grasp her shoulder.

  “I think not-not.” Shaeu said, and suddenly the lightning around her intensified, and Donovan staggered backwards, shocked as her hair was swaying, rising up, lightning more intehan he had jured shimmering in the air around them, the st of ozone cloying. “I told you, did I not-not, I only allow those I love to touch me. You, I do not-not like. And this lightning is pathetic.” There was a whining like a saw and Donavan screamed, dropping the spear, along with his arm. Shaeu bent doicked up his spear, his sacred relic. The pain was unbearable, the blohtening him, but seeing someone else touch what was one of the proofs of his heroism somehow hurt worse.

  “Hmm, I see…” she flourished it, eyes shining brilliantly. “Not-not terrible. But lightning…” Another whining sound and fsh of jade, and his other arm came free. Then the spear crackled, and lightning struck his stumps, scorg the wounds shut. He screamed and howled, smoke rising.

  “You… you bitch, what did you do to me?” Donovan ranted, vision going bck.

  “I would have thought it quite-quite obvious.” Shaeu snorted. “But you worry about losing some arms? Shameful. you not-nrow them? Well…” He hit the ground as his legs flew off, and lightning and fire once more seared the stumps, followed by a cool, squirming feeling. “A little healing, I would not-not have you die. I suppose there is a slim ce that you are not-not at fault, but are a puppet. sider this suffering a lesson. Do not-not seek to take females from others. Now… your resistao my winds must surely be weaker now. So, time-time to talk…”

  As Donovan writhed on the ground, limbless and helpless, he found words spilling from his mouth in a rapid stream. A few mier, when he was done, he heard a few beeps, and then Shaeu spoke again. “Grulgor, yes, I have the information. You should go-go aid Akio, the situation seems grave-grave. I will be there shortly. I will go and join the sleeping Princess. It seems she is rather-rather smarter than this fool.”

  As he felt himself being dragged along by some sort of force, he mented bitterly. No, I’m the hero, the King to surpass Solomon, the saviour! Why else did I get this power, if not to be the protagonist? Max… Max, you promised me. You proooooomised meeeeeeeeeee!

  ShipTeaser