Lilliana woke to the smell of breakfast. She stretched her arms wide and yawned as Cassandra pushed the food cart to the side of her bed. “Breakfast in bed, Nan?” Lilliana asked. “Am I not to eat in the dining room? I thought I wasn’t a prisoner.”

  “The Council has decided it not wise to spread the news of your… condition just yet,” Cassandra answered. “So not to start a panic.”

  “What’s there to panic about?” Lilliana pressed in a grumble. “I’m the victim here. I’m the one he wants, aren’t I?”

  “And what do you think he’ll do if he doesn’t get what he wants?” Cassandra put forth a little too harshly. She sighed and steeled herself. “Sorry, my Lady. It’s just… Without your father here to protect them, there’s no telling what he’ll do to get what he wants from you. It’s not just you that’s in danger, but everyone you hold dear.”

  Lilliana stared down at her lap, thinking on her words. “You really think he would hurt someone to get me to… kill him?”

  “I think there’s no knowing the mind of the Mad God,” Cassandra said firmly, sitting at the foot of the bed. “It isn’t just him either, Lilly… There are others out there just waiting to sink their teeth in. Once they realize the King isn’t here… They may try and take advantage.”

  “What about the honorable ones?” Pushed Lilliana, looking up to meet her eyes. “The Council said there were good ones out there. We could find them, make allies!”

  “Good ones is a stretch…” Cassandra said as dry as the desert. “There are ones who would have the decency to stab you in the chest instead of the back.”

  “Better the devil you know?” Said Lilly with a hapless shrug. “What do you think we should do – cower here and wait for the end of the world?”

  “Of course not!” exclaimed the handmaid exasperatedly. She pinched the bridge of her nose and seethed. “I don’t know what to do. No one does. I’m not sure what we can do without the King. He’d know exactly what to do to send that fiend running off with his tail between his legs.” The redheaded maid sighed again. “You should eat up before it gets cold.”

  “I’m not sure if I have much of an appetite,” Lilly said softly, wondering how her late father managed to hold it all together. She stuttered a laugh. “And they thought I was ready to be Queen? With that at our doorstep?” Cassandra managed a smile. “I for one,” she said, “think you would be a wonderful Queen, horns and all.”

  Before Lilliana could say anything self-deprecating a strange sound erupted from outside – hollering and a sort of honking that sounded like the worlds angriest goose. “What in the heavens…” Cassandra said, standing up before marching over to the balcony. She unlatched and opened the doors letting in the awful sound full force. “What’s going on, Nan?” Lilliana said, shuffling out of bed. She walked to Cassandra’s side and seen that her face had gone pale. “Nan? What’s wrong? What’s all the racket?”

  Lilliana gently pushed past so she could look off her balcony to the world below. She saw town – always a charm – and a few guardsmen running up the winding road the led to the Caerwyn. They were chasing something, a strange horseless carriage that was putting leisurely up the roadway, heedless of the men jumping in front of it. “What in the world is that?” Lilliana asked, but not before Cassandra pulled her back in and quickly shut the doors behind them. Pulling the curtains down, Cassandra pressed her back up against the doors, eyes wide. “Maybe he didn’t see you…” She muttered frantically. “Maybe he’ll just go away.”

  “Who is it?” Lilliana asked, brows knit in concern.

  “The Fen-Lord!” Cassandra hissed through clenched teeth. “That sigil on the side of the machine – the serpent eating its own tail – that’s him! He’s here…”

  Lilliana’s heart began racing in her chest at the thought of being in the presence of that awful man once more. “What does he want?!” She exclaimed, more in fear than want for an answer. The pair looked at each other in concern as the honking suddenly stopped. Backing away from the window, they huddled together on the bedside and waited. “The guards will chase him off, right?” Lilly asked in a whisper. Cassandra didn’t have an answer for her. Together they waited there for five, ten minutes, until a knock came at the door, nearly driving them out of their skins.

  “Hello?” Lilliana said hushed nearly to silence before saying it again louder, “Hello?”

  “Pardon me, Madam,” Announced the familiar voice of the councilman Eddard, “but you are… needed downstairs, I’m afraid. The Fen-Lord is here to see you and requests your presence.”

  “Tell him I’m not here!” demanded Lilliana as Cassandra held her tighter. “Tell him I’m not well enough for a visit! Yes, tell him I’m sick as a hound from his poison!”

  “Yes, well… I’m afraid, my Lady, that he is quite persistent,” Eddard answered, sounding as if he had a knife to his back, which he might as well have. “All our previous attempts have… fallen flat.”

  “Bar the doors?”

  “He broke through.”

  “Send out the guards?”

  “Sent and thoroughly routed…”

  Lilliana clutched her chest. It felt as if her heart was going to burst out and run away. There really was only one answer left – she would have to meet him lest he storms her tower. “Tell…” Lilliana began softly, “Tell him that I’ll be down shortly…”

  “No, Lilliana,” Cassandra insisted. “Nothing good can come from meeting that man!”

  “What am I to do, Nan?” Lilly begged, tears welling in the corners of her eyes. “Let him torment my people? What if he hurts someone? If… If all I have to do is meet him, maybe he’ll go away peacefully?”

  “There’s no peace with the Mad God!” Cassandra exclaimed, though she loosened her grip on her charge all the same. Lilliana stood up and tried to compose herself. “Then what, Nan?” she asked, but once more Cassandra hadn’t an answer for her. Lilliana sighed and shut her eyes tight, mouthing a prayer to the nameless gods of the Cubi. “What would Father do? Or the Queen Mother?” Lilly asked, already knowing the answer. They would face him, no matter the odds, for the safety and wellbeing of their people. But she wasn’t them, Cassandra’s stare reminded her. Both had been warriors, and she was just a girl.

  Lilliana clenched her teeth and made to dress herself. Moments of struggle later Cassandra joined her side to assist, saying softly, “I’ve seen how you dress yourself. Let me help.” Lilliana didn’t protest. “We can’t have you looking disheveled in your first meeting as Queen.”

  “I’m not Queen yet, Nan,” Lilly said with a weak smile. Cassandra pulled out a light gown from Lilliana’s wardrobe. “In case you have to run,” she said. That thought did nothing to calm Lilliana’s nerves.

  In short time, Lilliana was dressed and as ready to meet the man as she ever would be. She pressed her forehead to the door and tried to prepare herself for the ordeal to come. “You don’t have to do this…” Cassandra reminded her. But Lilliana would only shake her head. “I can do this. I can do anything for my people.”

  “I… I believe you,” the fiery haired maid said with a wavering smile. Lilly smiled back and opened the door. Eddard was once again on the other side, looking as if he had seen a ghost. “Oh – good, my Lady,” he said at once. “Most fortunate timing. I’m afraid our esteemed guest is getting impatient. He’s… treating the staff crudely.” Lilliana could only guess what that meant, and she didn’t want to. She seethed through clenched teeth, readying herself for the trials ahead. “Alright, take me to him,” she said, to which Eddard nodded quickly and started down the hall ahead of her.

  As they descended the spiraling staircases that led into the great hall, Lilliana spied what remained of the castle guards below. Amongst turned over tables and trashed furniture were the guardsmen, all nursing wounds or laid up on the ground as if they had been on the losing side of a great battle. “We’re just lucky he didn’t kill anyone,” Eddard said over his shoulder. “Seems he is in a merciful mood.”

  “Where is he now?” asked Lilly, unable to take her eyes off the warzone before her.

  “The garden, my Lady,” Eddard informed. “After he knocked out poor Barnabas, he worked up a thirst. We were able to coax him out of the Caerwyn with the promise of libations.”

  Lilliana stopped at the bottom of the stairs and scanned the ruin before her. She hadn’t thought her heart could sink any lower. It felt as if it rested in the soles of her feet. So many people were bruised and broken, and all by one man somehow. “My Lady…” Eddard prodded, pulling her attention from the rest of the room. Right, she had to focus. She could see to the men and women of the guard after she delt with their unwanted visitor – before he hurt anyone else.

  The pair walked through the hall in silence, out the front doors and towards the garden. Once outside, Lilliana would break the silence, saying softly, “You know more about… everything than me. Is there anything about him I should know?”

  “I am sorry we kept so much from you,” Eddard admitted with a slow nod of his head. “We were on strict orders from your father – an oath we could not break, no matter how much we might have wanted to. He was quite the sorcerer after all.”

  “Father bewitched you?!” Lilliana pressed in shock.

  “Not just us, but everyone,” said Eddard. “A spell of silence was cast upon the kingdom whole. We were not to speak of the outside world to you until you were ready to face it.”

  “I can’t say that I’m ready,” Lilliana offered meekly.

  Eddard sighed and the said, “No, but you’re not alone anymore. Somehow when you broke the barrier you freed us from the spell as well. I’ll do anything in my power to see you succeed. Of that, you have my word, your majesty.”

  “Thank you, Eddard,” Lilly said with a smile. “It’s good to know I have allies in court.”

  “As for the Fen-Lord,” the portly councilman huffed. “What can I say? At best he’s a thorn, and at worse he’s the whole bramble bush. There’s simply no way to get around him without getting stuck. He’s an ill-tempered madman with too much power at his disposal. I was still in the army when your father was Lord, so I don’t have much experience with the man myself… But if the stories are to be believed, he’s nothing short of a time bomb. It isn’t if he blows up, it’s when.”

  “Comforting,” Lilliana uttered with a frown, wanting dearly to turn around and go back inside. “Is there anything good to know?” Eddard shrugged haplessly. “Not if legends have the truth of it. But people seldom live up to their legends, Princess. So… who knows for sure?”

  As they pressed into the courtyard they found the Fen-Lord’s strange vehicle, parked on the grass naturally. It was a fanciful thing, shiny and black with gold trim. Lilliana couldn’t help but stare wonderingly as she walked by. “How does it move?” she said, more to herself than anyone else. “There’s no horses.”

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  “It’s a human machine,” Eddard informed, pausing to look the thing over himself. “No doubt from the Veiled Woods. An internal engine powers it I believe. Humans are fond of their machines.”

  Lilliana dared to draw near to get a look inside. She peeked into the back window spying empty leather seats, then moved to the front windows. Empty. She half expected a face to be there staring back. “There’s no driver?” she asked idly before backing away. “Is it enchanted?”

  “No, my Lady,” Eddard said, trying to wave her forward to their destination. “He keeps the… driver with him. You’ll see.”

  The distracted princess broke away from the vehicle, following his direction – as much as she didn’t want to. Moments later they stood at the entrance to the garden. They were greeted by the sweet smell of flowers, poppies and roses. The pair entered reluctantly. At the center of the garden, sitting at a glass table by the fishpond, was the Fen-Lord and who Lilliana guessed was his driver. She was a pale corpse-like woman with glassy eyes and a distant stare. She sat on her knees with her hands in her lap just waiting for his next command. Lilliana automatically felt sorry for the loathsome creature, to be treated like a dog by such an awful man. Surely, he could have offered her one of the four chairs around the table, but no, she sat like a faithful hound at his feet. It made Lilliana angry, but she bit her tongue.

  The Fen-Lord sat slumped in his chair with one leg propped up on the table. In one hand he clutched a bottle of their finest brandy – nearly empty – and in the other a long black pipe that he was nursing tenderly. The only thing more overpowering than the flowers was the smell of alcohol in the air, a scent that made Lilliana cringe as the pair drew near. Once at the table, they found that the bottle of brandy was one of several tossed about the garden green. Not only was he invading their fair kingdom, but it would seem that he was doing it while drunk. The two stood there for a minute, staring as the man puffed away, blissfully unaware of their presence until Lilliana cleared her throat. “Shit,” the Fen-Lord cursed, nearly dropping the pipe. “A little warning would’ve been nice.”

  “That’s my line,” Lilliana said, eye twitching as the anger welled up within her. “What are you doing here, besides abusing my hospitality and guard?”

  Kelthazan belched and threw his legs off the table before pushing himself to his feet. Both Lilliana and Eddard took a cautious step back, something that offended the Fen-Lord instantly. “I’m not going to bite you,” he said snappishly, somehow managing not to slur his words.

  “You already attacked my guards,” Lilliana put forth. “I’m not going to pretend to know what you’re willing to do. You poisoned me!”

  “Pish-posh – I did not,” Kelthazan lied. “I just roughed them up a bit. Besides – they attacked me first. And I gotta say, this new generation of king’s guard is eh.”

  “Did you come here just to argue?” Lilliana pressed, stamping her foot.

  “No – no, no. No, not at all,” Kelthazan said, waving her off. “I came to talk, just talk.”

  “Then talk and let’s be done with it,” Lilly said firmly.

  “Alone, my dear, alone. Lord to Lady,” said the Mad God with a hint of a smile. “Send ol’ pudgers there to get me another bottle.”

  “You’ve had enough,” Lilliana snapped. She didn’t know where all this feistiness was coming from, but she kind of liked it. Everyone was so afraid of the man, but she wasn’t about to let that fear make her decisions for her. Father nor the Queen Mother would have cowed to him, and neither would she. Lilliana was feeling… brave? It was a strange feeling that was overcoming her. It was just tens of minutes ago her and Cassandra huddled arm in arm in the darkness of her bedroom. But now she felt as if she could take on the world.

  Kelthazan cocked a brow and studied her. “Let’s talk,” he said, hint of a smile turning into a knowing grin. “You must have so so very many questions.” That was true, questions only he could answer – if he was truly willing and not just stringing her along.

  “Fine,” Lilliana said, turning to Eddard who looked shocked at her willingness to comply.

  “My Lady, no,” Eddard exclaimed. “Don’t be caught alone with this fiend! There’s no telling what he might do!”

  “It’s fine, councilman,” Lilly affirmed. “If he wanted to kill me, he would have already.”

  “That’s right,” Kelthazan said with a huff. “I could have killed countless folks on my way in… But did I? I think not. Daliah’s driving is bar none.”

  Eddard just looked at her desperately, but she shook her head. “Alright, my Lady…” He said softly. “I’ll be in the Courtyard if you need me.”

  “Thank you, councilman,” Lilly said with a bow of her head. She turned to Kelthazan and then said, “And your servant?”

  “Daliah? Who will I have hold my stuff?” Kelthazan said with a pout. Lilliana just gave him a stern stare and he quickly relented. “Fine… Fair is fair,” said the Mad God with a roll of his eyes. “Daliah – get the car ready.”

  The ghastly woman slowly made to her feet, bones popping as she stood. It looked like such an ordeal, Lilly wondered why he would even employ such a creature. Was it sympathy? Or cruelty?

  “Oh her?” Kelthazan said as if he had read her thoughts. “I’m keeping her for a friend.”

  “Does… Does she mind living like that?” Lilliana couldn’t help but ask as she watched the zombified woman inch across the garden and back to the courtyard.

  “I don’t think she minds much anything, to be honest,” the Fen-Lord answered with a shrug. “But that’s neither here nor there, my dear!” He downed the rest of the brandy and then hucked the bottle as hard as he could over the garden walls. All Lilliana could do was stare at the disrespect. Someone would have to go get that now.

  The Fen-Lord stretched and moseyed over to the pond where he sat down on the stone. “The fish have gotten fat,” he mumbled looking down into the water. Lilliana sighed through clenched teeth and quietly made her way to his side. He just tugged at his beard with one hand while tracing designs over the waters surface with the other, exciting the fish below. “First things first, I suppose,” he said, not looking up at her. “’Why me?’ Right?”

  “Right,” Lilliana confirmed, choosing to remain standing. “Why me?”

  “Well, in short, it had to be you,” Kelthazan said with a huff. “That’s how the prophecy goes, my darling – you, me, mano a mano. I tried others – believe me, I tried. But they all… missed the mark. Not just anyone can drink my blood and – well – survive! For the love of your dear ol’ dad, I tried alternates for years, exhausting my options and time. Now I’m out of both, and you’re up to bat.”

  “Well, you’re just going to have to find someone else,” Lilliana stated adamantly. “I’m not doing it. I can’t do it! I wouldn’t even know how.”

  “Crushing my head would be my bet,” Kelthazan suggested morbidly. He then shrugged and looked up at her. “Don’t worry, you’ve got a little time. I’m not… there quite yet.”

  “What do you mean?” Lilliana asked, looking at him sidelong. “I don’t even know why you want to die.”

  “Does a man really need a reason to want to leave this world behind?” Kelthazan mused, a statement that only got him an annoyed stare in return. He licked his lips and then clicked his tongue. “I do what I do out of pure selflessness, I assure you,” he said with a dramatic flourish of his hand, accidentally dumping the contents of his pipe while doing so. “Dammit…” Kelthazan sighed and let his hands fall limp at his side. “I’m tired…” He admitted, looking down at the embers dulling in the grass. “I’m downright exhausted. Do you know how old I am?”

  “Forty?” Lilliana innocently guessed, making the man snigger beneath his breath. “Come on now, things can’t be that bad.” She said, sitting down by the water. Maybe, she thought, maybe if she sympathized with the man he’d change his mind – or better yet, leave.

  “Try older than the moon,” Kelthazan informed sharply. “I helped make this planet after all. Me and… someone I hold dear.” Now that Lilliana didn’t believe. She huffed and shook her head. “Now, if you’re going to continue making up stories, I’m just going to leave.”

  “You used to like stories,” Kelthazan said idly with a soft smile. He tucked his pipe away into his waistcoat. “Well – to cut the story short… I’m dying already, but not in the best of ways. There’s something… wrong with me.” He shut his eyes tight as if he were trying to recollect something important. “There are times… I’m not… me.”

  “What do you mean, not you?” Lilliana pressed.

  Kelthazan leaned in and tapped at his temple. “I’m not alone in here anymore…” he said in a whisper. “And I feel it getting stronger and stronger every day. Sometime soon, that… other self is going to take hold and it’s not going to want to give it up again.”

  “So… you want to die as yourself?” Lilliana realized sympathetically.

  “And you’re the only one who can do that,” he affirmed. “But don’t worry – you won’t be at it alone…” Kelthazan reached into the breast pocket of his vest and pulled out an envelope. “It’s been a while since I threw a proper party.” The Fen-Lord stood and handed her the envelope.

  “What’s this?” Lilliana asked with deserved caution.

  “An invitation, my dear!” Exclaimed the Fen-Lord. “To the world’s most exclusive party… Where you will meet everyone you’ll ever need to know.”

  “A party?” Lilliana questioned as she took the envelope tenderly, half-expecting it to light ablaze or something. Thankfully it didn’t. She took it in hand and inspected it. Lilliana could tell it was made of the finest of papers just from the feel of it. From the look of it, it said as much as well – being black with gold embossments lining it, ivy detailing no doubt made from real gold. At the center was his sign – the ouroboros – stamped in crimson wax that smelled like roses. You could probably buy a pretty horse with it, Lilliana thought to herself.

  “Some have,” Kelthazan said with a smile. “Well, I think that’s enough of a visit for one day,” he announced, standing up with a groan. “I’ve groan weary, so further questions will have to wait until after the party. I need my strength to put on a good show – I’m sure you understand.”

  “I haven’t said I was going,” Lilliana quickly proclaimed, looking up from the envelope.

  “Oh – you’re going,” Kelthazan said, already on his way to the exit. “You can’t afford not to, my dear! So, hurry to your tailors, you’ve got people to meet, people to kill! Ta-ta for now, love!”

  In an instant, as abruptly as he had arrived, the Fen-Lord was gone, vanished again from her life, leaving her alone in the garden, invitation in hand. It was only moments later Councilman Eddard and Cassandra made their timely appearances, trying to squeeze through the garden entrance at the same time. “Move it, you oaf!” Cassandra said, forcing her way through.

  “Pardon me, madam!” Eddard replied with a disgruntled huff, shuffling after her.

  “Lilly, oh Lilly,” Cassandra exclaimed worriedly in a demeanor shift. She threw her arms around her charge and pulled her into a tight embrace. “Are you alright? He didn’t hurt you, did he? I’ll never forgive the fiend if he said so much as a cruel word!”

  “Uh – no… No, I’m fine, Nan,” Lilliana said. “He was… I don’t want to say pleasant because that’s a lie… No, he was… forthcoming.”

  “Lies, I’m sure,” the fiery haired maid stated surely. “He’s a snake as sure as the one on his sigil!”

  Eddard shuffled to their side, breathing heavily as he then said in confirmation, “Your handmaid is correct, my Lady. You cannot trust a word he says! Even if he speaks the truth, it’s not the whole truth. It’s just the version of it he wants you to see.”

  “It might be out of turn, but…” Cassandra pushed away gently, “What did he want?”

  “To give me this, I guess,” Answered Lilly, showing the envelope. Cassandra’s eyes shot wide at the sight of it. “You know what this is, Nan?” Lilliana asked with an arched brow. Her maid looked away and shook her head. “No, my Lady,” Cassandra quickly denied. “Anything from the Fen-Lord should be treated with the utmost caution…”

  “Right,” Eddard agreed. “It could be cursed!”

  “It’s an invitation to a party,” Lilly said dully, looking down at the envelope. “Or so he claims.”

  “It could be bewitched, my Lady,” Eddard continued. “Burn it, I say!”

  Lilliana threw caution to the wind and made to tear it open. Holding it far away from her face she tore one corner to the other. Nothing. No poison gas, no explosion, no rabbit. It was exactly as he said it was. Lilly reached in with her fingers and pulled out a letter. The paper was black with gold font that read: Dear Lady-Queen Lilliana Aldridge of the Dreamscape, you are here by cordially invited to the Five-Hundred and Fifth Annual Isles Masquerade Ball – location below. Fanciful dress is a requirement. NO dream-wool! Dress to impress. Expect to stay late into the evening, so shoes you can dance in are highly recommended. And no external food – it’s not a potluck! And lastly, no pets, butlers, maids, plus ones, thralls, or escorts allowed. Lords and Ladies only! Location: The Darktide. Time: Weeks End, 5 o’clock sharp. A carriage will be sent for you. See you there ~ K.

  Lilliana stared at the letter silently for a long moment. Cassandra put her hand on her shoulder causing her to look up, but it was Eddard who broke the silence. “What’s it say?” he asked with arched brows.

  “Nothing good, I’m sure,” Cassandra commented firmly.

  “It’s an invitation, like he said,” Lilliana answered, “to a masquerade ball for Lords and Ladies of the Isles.”

  “You’re not thinking of actually going, are you?” Cassandra pressed, looking distraught.

  “I’m not sure if I have much of a choice, Nan,” the princess replied with a frown. “I think… I think this is happening whether I like it or not.”

  “Of course you have a choice!” Cassandra exclaimed. “Don’t go!”

  Lilliana gave her a resigned look and shook her head. “What would you have me do?” asked Lilly. “He’s already made it clear that he’s more than willing to show up on our doorstep. It’s like you said – what will he do if I don’t play along? Who will he hurt to get me to do what he wants?”

  “So, what? You’re going to kill him?” pressed the fiery maid. “How? How do you kill a god?”

  “I don’t know,” Lilliana replied curtly before saying in a softer tone, “but I do know I can’t do it by myself. We need allies, Nan, and this is the perfect opportunity to find them.” Cassandra just stared at her searchingly for a brief moment before looking away. “It’s as you say, my Lady,” the handmaid uttered reluctantly. Lilliana looked at Eddard and he gave her a hapless shrug before saying, “I’ll have to inform the Council of your decision, but it is well within your right, as Lady, to go.”

  “Then it’s settled,” Lilliana proclaimed, some small semblance of excitement welling up within her. “I’m going.”