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[[Yuuki x Zero]]

"I do not see any gain in helping you make your decision. After all, I do not need to waste resources to show you that Rika would be a more fitting wife for you. Summer may be of noble blood but she will be no help to you as a queen. Niall has sheltered her too much for her to be any good. With Rika, you could bring peace between our kingdoms and we could share the larger land of the Summer Court once you dispose of their only heir." Beira laughed, almost like she was happy as she thought of taking the land of the Summer Fey. "I'm sure you can get Niall to send a couple of girls from his harem to serve you so that you return his precious niece. He'll probably give you half his land if that meant he could get her back."

"As for my men, they know better than to double cross me. I've just proven that treachery would only lead to a most painful death. But without your promise of taking Rika as your wife, I will not call a truce between our lands. I see more gain in allying with Niall to steal them back from you rather than taking part on this 'game' you are trying to play. Do not be so arrogant, child. We have been doing this far longer than you have." Beira smiled at him then addressed Rika, "Rika, dear, take care of yourself. Make sure you win this little game for me. Kill the Summer Girl if you have to."

Turning her gaze back to Shido, she said, "Now, if there isn't anything else, I have to see to matters in my own kingdom. You may have taken my best warrior but while you've distracted yourself with your two captives, my son has just pillaged yet another one of your towns. Word has it that Niall's men has also destroyed another one of your major cities."
 
"Careful Beira, if you do not tread carefully, you may soon find yourself in the same situation as King Niall, with an only possible heir at my hands, and with the other elven kingdom asking for their deaths." He told her before he stopped the magic connecting them, effectively ending their little conversation as he sighed shaking his head. He moved to call one of his messengers to bring news of the front, where he was indeed informed one of his villages had been ransacked and pretty well frozen over. Clearly Beira made quite a push upon his eastern border in an act after his capture of Rika.

However, of his other front, his forces held still. There were bigger cities there, and with that more forces and easier to defend. It wasn't like the Summer elves were much for a surprise attack or such, their forces were normally easily seen and chivalric, and thus a magic upon magic battle would commence, and with no magi's really taken away in order to persue the two girls, their little skirmish ended in the Dark Elves fending them off. He ordered his guard to return to their posts, and to make sure his western front continued to hold true and to strengthen those in the east.

"Your queen is quite the bitter woman, Rika. Won't even budge and inch for a little bargin." He told them as he watched as clothes were now placed on a table before he let go of her and he notioned towards the clothes. "You two may dress yourselves again. Now that you are of my court, there is no need for further humilation. Help out Sasha with hers, as you will need to cut on the back for the wings." He told them. Both were clearly women's outfits, however Rika's was much more tight to the skin for her to keep the speed edge, and no back to keep her markings revealed, while Summer's was much more flowery, showing off of course, her pale skin against an off white dress.
 
Rika answered promptly, "She is no longer my queen, my lord. I serve only you." She spoke with sincerity. She got off his lap and moved forward to the table inspecting her clothing. The top looked more like one of those human bathing suits except with the back cut so low that her entire back was showing. They matched it with a short skirt that barely covered her butt. A matching pair of boots completed the outfit.

As promised Rika helped Summer with her dress, it was similar to the dress she wore earlier except for the color. She used her sword to cut out a portion of the back. Rika helped Summer pull the dress up over her hips then tied the back as tightly as she could. The dress hugged Summer's curves and pushed up her breasts rather nicely. Finished with her job, Rika stepped away and let Summer finish dressing up by tying the straps of the ballet flats around her ankle.

Rika stood, looking at Shido as she waited for further instructions. Summer shuffled over, standing next to Rika as she opened her mouth to voice her request to Shido. "If you may, my lord, I would like to speak with my uncle about several matters." Rika gazed at Summer, wondering what it was she was planning but Summer continued, "It seems that he has kept some things from me and I intend to find out what it is that he kept from me."
 
"True, very true." He replied to her as he moved with the mirror as he sighed just a little at Summer's request. He enjoyed Summer's outfit much more than Rika's, as her's was more or less just a lowly soldiers outfit. He would find something more, fitting for her sooner or later... "Well well, just because you ask doesn't mean he will truthfully tell you. But yes, I will allow you a little time to speak with your father, however not alone. " He told her before he moved to get a stand as he placed the mirror upon it and whispered a couple of words, before it began to connect to the plane of the Summer Elves before he moved to pull Rika away as he spoke in whispers to her.

"You are mine now Rika, so it is time for you to serve me well. Do you know what the Queen's son plans to do, and I require you to tell me all you know about the court and its secrets." He asked of her, hoping that catching her at this time, when she was angry at her Queen and her court that she would reveal what he wanted to know in order to gain the edge. For now, he couldn't really put her out on missions, however much she might want to regain some composure after losing the duel, as well as tonight, when he'd take one of them and place them to the test.
 
Rika answered truthfully, "My assignment when I was captured by your men was to assist the prince in attacking your eastern border." She hesitated for a moment, trying to decide whether she should tell him the whole truth about Beira's plan. Realizing he would find out sooner or later and she would be punished if she did not say anything, she continued, "As you said, we were running low on our military base. Our warriors cannot be as efficient if they have to defend themselves when attacking but we didn't have any front line soldiers. The prince is after your smaller towns, killing the women and children and taking the men. He offers to spare their life if they swear allegiance to him, like I did for you. He places them on the front lines as a shield of sorts. He's trying to build a large enough shield until he can infiltrate a major city."

Rika hesitated once more as she thought of all the court's secrets. It was not that she didn't want to reveal. It was just that she knew so many that she could not decide where to begin. She started with the easiest one she could reveal. "The queen may belittle the Summer Court in her words but she is more afraid of King Niall than you, my lord. Dark magic can easily be countered by sorcerers and she has a handful of talented ones. The Summer Court, however, have many, many soldiers and their sorcerers can control the sun easily. They could melt the ice without having to touch it which puts them to a disadvantage because physical contact is needed to hurt them like when my ice earlier made Sasha scream in pain."

Before Rika could continue, the mirror cleared up to show Niall's face. He looked tired and weary but as soon as he saw Summer, "Summer? What happened to you? Your eyes... and your wings..." Niall's face nearly turned red in anger. "Shido, show yourself to me NOW."
 
"Well well, so that's what she was planning hmm? But she's not going to be able to use many of my men as meat shields if they can't stay alive outside the dark courts." He murmured to himself before he heard that finally Niall was upon the mirror. He sighed a little bit, as he hadn't really wanted to talk to the Summer King at all. He looked over to Summer and wondered why she wasn't talking as he decided not to really enter the picture. After all, it was Summer whom wished to speak to her father right now. He would enter later with some news about possibly the Queen's speak. He looked over to Rika before he smiled a little.

"Well, now that you're in my court, I'm going to have you lie right through your teeth then. You're going to help me convince Niall to turn against the Winter Courts, anything you say that might help would be very appreciated, of course... that's after Summer gets what she wishes for." He told Rika, enjoying some of the secrets he had given her already, and knowing that if he got the two courts to clash directly rather than indirectly, it would greatly ease his cause.
 
"As you wish," Rika nodded her head, turning her attention to Summer. She almost felt sorry for her. She had been fortunate for knowing who exactly her parents were while Summer did not know them at all and she had spent all her life being lied to about them.

"Uncle Niall," Summer spoke, her voice catching slightly in her throat. There were so many questions she needed to ask and she didn't even know where to begin. "I want... I need you to tell me about my parents."

Niall paused, a pained look crossing his features. "Summer, dear, this not the right to discuss this. Let me talk with Shido so I can negotiate your release and then we'll talk about your parents."

"Please..." She spoke again, glancing at Shido briefly before looking back at her uncle. "I need you to tell me. I'd rather hear it from you than from him, please... It's important. Who was my father?"

Niall sighed then finally nodded his head, "Fine, if you're sure you want to hear it. It's about time you knew." He paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before he continued. "Your father went by name of Tavish. I'm sure Shido remembers him, quite fondly I may add. He used to work for Shido's father, a loyal warrior and the same man who taught Shido everything he knows. It was years before the war ever started but there had already been animosity between our three kingdoms and he was sent here to negotiate the release of five Dark Fey that we had imprisoned after they burned down an entire village on the north side of the village. Your grandfather refused to let them go but as a courtesy to our guest, we let him stay for one night before he would be sent back to the Dark Court. When we woke up the next day, your mother was gone. She had gone with him to a cottage that now resides in the Dark Court's land."

"He kidnapped her?" Summer asked.

"No, Summer, your mother loved him. She truly did. But your grandfather thought the same way that you did. A week after your mother had gone missing, he sent an entire troop to find her. He ordered them not to ask any questions and just kill your father and take your mother back to the palace. That's what they did even when your mother tried to shield him with her own body." Niall shook his head. "When she came back, your mother was catatonic. We had to enchant her so she would eat or talk. One night, she came to me. She told me that she was pregnant and she worried that father would have you killed because you had Dark Fey blood in you. She made me promise that I would protect you, keep you from harm. I took your mother back to the cottage that belonged to your father with an excuse that being around too many people didn't help in her recovery. She gave birth to you but it was difficult. I had to choose between my sister and my niece. But I promised to keep you safe so I chose you. She died in an instant. I was the one who named you Summer."

"But I grew up in the palace. I knew my grandfather." She pointed out.

"I brought you back. By that time, your grandfather was gravely ill. He was so weak that I was able to cast a spell on him. I made him forget that your father was Tavish. That was the only way I could get him to accept you. You have to understand, Summer. I kept it from you because it was the only way I could ensure that I could keep you safe... to keep the promise I made to your mother."

Summer was near tears when Niall finally finished speaking. She turned to Shido and spoke to him, her voice shaking as she fought back sobs, "I'm done." She said before turning back to Niall who looked like he was about to cry at any moment as well. "I'm sorry, Uncle. I need to stay here for a while. I need to know that my father was not a bad person. Be safe, Uncle Niall." She said before turning away until he couldn't see her anymore.
 
Shido went over to the mirror once they were all done. He was a little surprised at what had transpired, and was quite alright with parts of his story at least. Indeed, he did know Summer's father, when he was still alive, and the fact that he was slain left him angry for quite a while. He moved in front of the mirror as he smiled at King Niall. "Well well, so after all this time you finally tell her hmm? Quite interesting that you would keep such a secret from her for so long. Had I not contacted her, perhaps she would have just hated the Dark Elves forever not knowing she is partially one herself hmm?" He asked, but from there he pulled Rika from behind him and into view.

"However, this is not something I am up for discussion. For now, I understand that you have spoken with Queen Beira and had planned on attacking and taking my city. While I have taken your neice from you, she belongs to me just as much as she does to you, as I hope you understand. However, you have also been played by the Winter Fae, as the Queen has requested that I kill Summer and align with her to destroy your lands." He told him as he hoped that it would be now that Rika would back him up, without looking... as they were linked.

"I am going to be taking one of these two as my wife, and you have my word, if you help me take care of some of the Winter Elves, then even if I do not pick Summer, she will not be harmed." He told him, attempting to strike a deal now, as hopefully he would be easier to deal with than Beira. He really did'nt have any intention of killing either of them even when he was done, and having him attack the winter elves would only work to his advantage.
 
Niall watched in despair as his niece turned away from him, moving out of sight just as Shido replaced her along with Rika. "I was trying to protect her. Do you really think it would do her any good to find out that her grandfather murdered her father? It's already bad enough that she blames herself for her mother's death." He sighed deeply and massaged his forehead, feeling a headache coming on. "And she does not belong to you nor to me. It is up to her to decide where she wants to stay. And while you've managed to turn her against me by meddling in our family affair, I know my niece well and she would still choose her mother's court."

Niall listened to his offer. He seemed to think about it more than Beira had. After all, his niece's life was more important to him than his pride. "That's not enough, Shido, and you know it. I will not be satisfied with Summer alive and living in your court. I'm most certainly not satisfied if you take my niece as your wife without her consent. If I help you, you must assure me that you must bring my niece back to me unharmed and back to her old self." He sat back and gazed at Rika before looking back at Shido. "I had expected as much from Beira. I knew that she'd make sure that she'd be on the winning side so she would also ask for a truce with you."
 
Shido watched him as he rolled his eyes at the other King. "Absolutely not Niall. You want me to promise to give her back, even though she could perfectly well enjoy my court over yours? That's a little bit of a double standard, but it's not as if you haven't been taking advantage of her since she was born hmm? Things have just been so simple for her to blame herself too hasn't it? Rather than blame you and her father for her mother's death. After all, she did run off to my court now didn't she? Really if you thought about it, I don't think other than you taking her in, the Summer court has done nothing but hurt her."

He was being quite frank, and now that he and Niall were talking in the presence of Summer, she would be the whole story from both of them. Her mother had given birth alone not because of anything the dark elves did, but because of that the Summer elves had done to her. He would drag the whole story out of him, and then if he wanted Shido to keep quiet about things... well, then launching a little preemptive attack against the Winter Elves would be greatly appreciated.
 
Summer had sat down on a chair offered to her by one of the guards but she stood up once more, curious of what Shido was insinuating. She inched closer but not close enough to be seen by her uncle. "Let me remind you, Shido, that Summer would not be in your court if you hadn't forcibly taken her. She did not run away from anyone. I sent her to her father's cottage because I thought that would be the safest place for her." He sighed, "I have given her everything and more than what the Summer Court can offer her. I raised her like my own like I had promised her mother. Do not for one moment make her believe that I have not done everything in my power to keep her safe and to make her happy."

Rika noticed how torn the Summer king was between keeping his secret by attacking the Winter Elves and continuing his assault on the Dark Court with the help of the Winter King. "Very well, Shido. I shall go instruct my guards to intensify our attacks on the Winter border. But this is not over. I still intend to get my niece back... whatever it takes. And if you harm her in any way, I will burn your kingdom to the ground and I will personally make sure that your head is delivered to me on a silver platter." With a wave of his hand, Niall cut the connection between the two courts.

"What is my uncle so afraid of?" Summer demanded. "What do you know that I should know?"
 
He watched as Niall seemed to give into his demands, as he told him he would intensify the war between the Summer elves and the Winter. Well, he had gotten what he wanted of course, but at this price, he'd have to not tell Summer the truth, or at least keep what he had until he had their support. He sighed a little as he finally disconnected, and looked back upon Summer. She seemed quite intent on knowing everything about her past, even at the cost of breaking down what she once thought was true.

"Well, I believe I just promised your father not to tell you hmm? Suffice it to say, he wasn't lying about doing all in his power to make you happy... but the truth isn't always the happiest thing now is it? Come, I'm starving perhaps if you wish we may discuss this over a meal." He told them before he stood up and began to walk out of the throne room towards the banquet hall.

It would be mostly the first time the two saw his castle, or at least that which wasn't the dungeon. It was quite lavish, the hallways dark with blue flames lighting them, as sometimes small waterfalls adorned underneath. His court was very much something more neutral. It chose to mix the flames with the ice, and while it was not as pretty as the Summer's or elaborate as the Winter's, it held its own beauty.

The banquet hall was filled with food of all kinds, servents lining the room waiting on their King as well as certain other nobles of the Dark Elves. Certain ones gave the two girls quite dark looks, not enjoying that the King had done something such as converting a Summer and Winter elves, and that it was quite possibly they whom might enter the Dark Elven line, and increase their status.

He stood at the end of the table now, the two empty seats to the left and the right reserved for the two elves beside him as he brought some wine for a toast. "To all! Welcome our two newest members of the Royal Court, Summer and Rika. They are here and are Dark Fae, however I do extend to them, my own personal bias. However, they will be under one exception of our Dark Elven laws, they are not required to duel should they be asked. May we wish them well in our court!" He said as he brought his cup up, and the others mostly very reluctantly also brought theirs up. He knew that it was very possible they would both be dueled to death, and many were aching to try. Even Rika, whom might survive some of them, could find herself forced to fight in a string of duels, the last one of them wearing her out to unfair perportions.
 
Most of the people in the throne room followed Shido out towards the banquet hall. Summer had not moved from the spot where she stood, frowning. Rika, who had trailed back to see if Summer would follow, turned to her and said, "He's not going to be pleased if you do not follow. You do not want to be punished, do you?" Summer scowled at Rika but walked after her, looking around the castle. The Summer Castle was much prettier. Flowers had bloomed everywhere you looked and each room had a unique flower scent.

Rika had moved forward and took her seat while Summer stayed back, getting stares from the nobles who sat at the table. Summer looked at Shido as if trying to decide whether she should sit down to appease him or demand for the answer he and Niall hid from her. She took a step forward but instead of heading towards her seat, she propelled herself up to the ceiling where she was beyond the reach of any of the guards. Rika watched her take flight and she sighed. Shido wouldn't take kindly to being disobeyed in front of his own people. Summer was foolish to think that the truth was worth getting punished for.

"Would you like me to talk her down from there, my lord?" Rika asked Shido.
 
He watched as Summer attempted to 'act out' by flying upwards instead of taking her seat. He sighed quite audiably before he moved to take a bite of food as some of the others did the same, not wanting to do anything to infuriate the king, and some just wanting to leave because of this embarassment. A little bit after Rika had spoken, he replied back to her. "No, talking not punishment enough for this, freeze her down." He told her as he continued to eat, not even bothering to look up.

He was a little upset that neither of them really seemed to have the wit that he had wanted from a bride. Unfortunate that he had most of the other qualities. Rika was strong, agile, frigid while Summer was noble, childlike and had a well of healing magic. But still, he felt that perhaps he was wrong to only pluck two, then again he didn't really have the forces to get another.
 
Rika nodded her head then walked until she stood just under Summer. Summer began to move away braced herself against the wall to kick off so that she could fly faster in the opposite direction but Rika had placed her hands on the wall and froze up to where Summer's wings touched the wall. Summer shrieked as the ice began to freeze her wings and even as she moved away from the wall, her wings continued to frost over until they looked brittle and Summer began to fall. Rika used a gust of wind to slow down Summer's fall then grabbed her before she hit the ground.

"You should have listened to me." Rika frowned at her.

"You shouldn't have lost." Summer retorted.

Annoyed, Rika resisted the urge to slap Summer and instead, she brought Summer to the table and sat her down, unfreezing her wings in the process. Rika went back to her seat and sat down as well, continuing to eat. The soup tasted wonderful to Rika. The heat of it was so much different from the cold food that was served in the Winter Court. Summer didn't touch hers. Instead, she contented herself with glaring at the windows over Rika's head. She knew she was being childish but she felt she deserved to know the truth. She was angry with Niall for lying to her and she was even angrier at Shido for keeping the truth from her as leverage to manipulate her uncle's actions.
 
He watched as the two bickered a little and continued to eat. He finished up when most of the others had finished up as he waved them off to leave, as many of them did so even without his consent. He could tell they were quite unhappy with the two new fae in the court, but knew they wouldn't complain. After all, this was his court, and he had done much more good than bad since he had taken over.

He decided to however, address Summer's problems as she was still eating. "I'm sure you can understand why I can't speak with you over this sort of matter. If your uncle does not wish to tell you than I see no reason why I should. Would you even believe me, if I were to tell you such a thing?" He asked of her, wanting to get her to stop pouting like she was and get over it. He didn't wish to give in, and would have likely told her had she not thrown such a tantrum like she was.
 
Summer watched, relieved, that most of the people dining with them got up to leave. Rika seemed relieved as well. Their angry stares were quite disconcerting especially while they watched her as she ate. She was listening quietly as Shido talked to Summer about what had transpired earlier in the throne room.

"Probably not. I doubt that you would tell me the truth. After all, you are using it as leverage so that my uncle would do what you say." Summer answered, dryly, not looking directly at Shido. Her anger had faded but her hurt seemed to grow until it was the only thing that was left. "You and Uncle Niall... you're the same. All you do is lie and manipulate your way into getting what you want. For a very long time, I believed the lies that Uncle Niall told me and now, all I want is the truth. Yet, he continues to lie to me and you've done nothing but use it in your favor."

Summer crossed her arms and took a deep breath. She had either been in tears or fighting back tears the entire day and she was exhausted. All she wanted to do was curl up in bed at home but it only made her realize that she did not know where home truly was anymore. Surely, home was not a place where you have been lied to all your life and it surely wasn't the place where you've been kept against your will. She spoke again, looking at Shido. "I, however, intend to find out what truly happened to my parents with or without your help. I wonder though what you'd do if I try to leave this castle in search of the answers that you and my uncle refuse to give me."
 
"Huh, if you leave this castle what am I going to do hmm? I'm not really sure... why don't we ask Rika eh? What do traitors get subjected to in the Winter Courts?" He asked her, hoping that she would give a very serving little dark answer. "After all, since Rika here will be doing some work for me, she'd also be giving you your punishments, such as what happened when you acted out just a second ago. As for the reason why I'm not telling you..."

He chuckled a little as she assumed he was just using leverage against Niall. "You're not very bright if you think leverage is the only thing. I could get you to act, and even if I told you, it would just be a stick to him. You really think I care what he thinks? No, the only reason why I'm not telling you, is purely because of how childlike you're reacting to this." He informed her as he finished up his dinner before he stood up. "Well, I do still have more buisness to attend to. There are rooms waiting for you two, and I suggest you check them out, however... Rika, you are mostly going to be protecting me, understood? Be on alert to be by my side." He told her before he moved to walk out.
 
Rika waited until Shido was out of the room before she spoke to Summer, "Do not try to leave this castle. I assure you that you do not want to know what we do to traitors back in the Winter Court. Even the strongest of men do not last more than a day under that treatment. Surely, you would not last more than a few minutes of it." She paused, thinking of the fate of the scout that had betrayed her earlier. Summer only gazed coolly back at her until Rika gave up and left the banquet hall.

One of the servants directed Rika to her bedroom and Rika eventually found herself in a massive bedroom that looked to be twice the size of her home back in the Winter Court. The room was pretty bare, only a few furnishings here and there along with a large comfortable looking bed. A few sets of clothes, similar to the ones she was wearing right now, were laying on the bed and Rika put them away in the large closet. Once everything was put away, Rika lay down on the bed and closed her eyes briefly, starting to feel the exhaustion from the battle earlier.

Summer ate some of the soup in front of her but pushed it away after a few spoonfuls. She exited towards the hallway and thought about finding her way out of the castle. She walked along the hallways, unsure of what to do until a servant came upon her, lingering near the kitchen. Instead of telling Summer where the exit was, the woman told her where her room was and eventually, Summer found her way there. The room was not much different from Rika's in size. The large window on one side of the room attracted Summer and she stood there, gazing at the scenery outside. She turned to the bed and saw some clothes folded neatly in a pile. Next to it, Summer saw her sketchbook and she wondered how it got there. It must have been among her possessions when she was taken and it was brought along. Picking it up, she flipped through her sketches and sighed before setting it aside on the bedside table. She climbed onto the bed after kicking off the sandals that she had worn and went to sleep.

Rika awoke an hour later, still tired but feeling a bit better. She got out of the bed and came out of the room, in search of Shido. It was her job, now, to protect him and that meant that she had to know exactly where he was at all times.
 
Shido himself was getting ready for bed, and had actually expected both Summer and RIka to stay in their rooms. He had both of his guards at their doors, protecting them rather than he, since he really didn't think anything of tonight, as news wouldn't have spread that he had kidnapped them to their kingdoms for at least another day. However with Rika now wandering the halls... his plans would be changed quite a bit. He knew there would be those after them, and he wasn't sure if either would understand that their powers changed now that they were dark elves.

Rika should be able to tell where he was, however... the castle itself was quite a maze in any case. For a soldier such as herself, it would take a couple of days of walking through it to perhaps understand the layout, which was specifically designed to ward off invaders. However, for Rika right now, getting lost wasn't a very good choice, as a dark noble elf was watching. She knew that she couldn't ask her for a duel, but that didn't mean that she could go and off her. She didn't care that she would be killed herself, but found that having such a Dark Elven murderer possibly become Queen would be quite unacceptable.

She was holding a spear and after Rika had walked by she went and charged at her, only her loose dark cloak making fluttering sounds in the air. The spear was aimed at her heart, hoping to pierce it and be done with it in one hit, before surrendering herself as the one whom had murdered the murderer.
 
Rika followed her instincts as she walked through the hallways. She knew that one way or another, her instincts would take her to where Shido was but she also knew it would take longer since it would be the first time that she had done it. Beira had been easier to track, after all. The Winter Queen mostly stayed in her room and Rika only had to go to the Queen's chambers to find her. But since Rika was new in this castle, it was quite difficult to navigate. She kept walking though, knowing Shido's room would not be too far away.

The slight rustle was enough to alert Rika of the woman's presence and she turned to see her assailant. Unfortunately, Rika had left her sword back in the room but took a smaller knife instead. Knowing she was at a disadvantage due to the reach of her weapon, Rika thought of her options. She had seen dark elves battle and she wondered if she had gotten the same powers that they had. Recalling how Shido used vines to bind her earlier, she tried to do it as well. But instead, large spikes made of ice grew from the floor and separated her and the robed woman. This bought her enough time to figure out her next step as the woman used her powers to try and break the ice down.

Taking her knife in her hand, she looked at it. It seemed that whatever powers she had when she was a Winter Elf was amplified instead of diminished. So by focusing her energy on the knife, she was able to create an ice sword. It was heavier than she was used to but she was able to hop over the ice wall with it.
 
"Get out of the Dark Elven Courts. You don't belong here and we don't want you cold blooded ingrates." The woman screamed at her as she stepped back as the ice wall seperated them. She held the spear steady as she allowed the cloak to mostly cover her. It was embued with darkness, and would not only make her harder to hit since it blended her with the surroundings but would also create what would seem like shadow duplicates. She moved in again, attempting to make sure she stayed far enough away that the spells would not hit her, moved around to continue to make herself hard to follow.

She knew if there was any time to bring Rika down it would be before she realized the potential of her dark magic. And especially before she could understand the mechanics of using it in conjunction with anything she already knew. After all, the dark magic was not the opposite sucn as the winter and summer magics. So both could benefit greatly from the increase, and if they worked at it, would find themselves able to dip into the dark elven pool and become as lustful for more mana as some of the more powerful magi.
 
Rika tried her best to dodge the attacks but there just seemed to be too many of the robed figure, confusing her. She knew this as one of the techniques of the dark elves but she always had her sister, a skilled sorceress, to back her up to counteract the magic of the dark elves. Tonight, her sister wasn't there to help her out and she had to find another way. She attacked one shadowed figure with her ice sword but realized a moment too late that the real opponent was next to it. Rika was only able to step back fast enough to avoid the spear aimed at her heart. Instead, it grazed her left arm, causing a large wound.

Cursing, Rika covered it with her hand as blood began to trickle through the cut. Her anger flared at the cut that now marred her pale skin and she retaliated by using her foot to trip the woman. It knocked her off balance and Rika quickly got back to her feet, kicking the woman's spear aside as she pinned the woman down with ice shackles that sprouted from the floor with a simple flick from Rika's fingers. "The last time I checked, the Dark King was the one who kidnapped me and forced me to take an oath that would bind me to your kingdom. I'm only here because I'm bound to the king. If you want me gone, you'd have to take it up with him."

Rika was surprised at how well she could control the ice now. Just earlier today, she had to have physical contact in order to freeze the floor. She had felt more powerful after she joined the Dark Court but she had not realized that it would become like this. She knew she had to learn more if she wanted to control it well and she'd decided on asking Shido about it.

Rika heard movement from down the hallway and she worried that it was another enemy. Thankfully, it was just a guard, coming down the hallway looking for her. He looked from her to the robed woman and back to Rika. "Take her to dungeons. I'm sure King Shido would like to speak with her when the morning comes." The guard nodded his head and took the woman with him as Rika went back through the hallway, finally getting to Shido's room and knocking on his door. She was still bleeding from the large gash on her arm but otherwise, she was feeling fine.
 
The woman tried to take one more cheapshot, but the guard prevented her fully from doing so, placing a protective orb around her before leading her away towards the dungeon. Since there were no guards in front of Shido's room, it was readily openable. When she knocked, he had already put himself into quite light clothes, obviously nothing as royal or special as the robe he had been wearing during the day. Once he opened the door he sighed quite loudly at the gash in her arm, as he moved to push her into his room as he looked around for a guard, calling one over finally when he found one and told him to go get Summer. He closed the door then and looked to the wound before rolling his eyes a little.

"I'm guessing you were attacked Rika? Well well, I expected some members to resist but not so quickly. Unfrotunantely, I am not really one much for healing, perhaps we can get Summer to fix you up a little." He told her before he sighed before moving to his bed. He had thought about taking one of them tonight, but not only was it too soon now, but he felt that, it might just be appropriate and stick with the tradition of taking his bride after the wedding, and not before. Then again, what did he have that... well, he could ask of course. "Tell me Rika, are you still a virgin?" It was blunt, quick. She had reacted quite harshly to the effects of the aphordesiac, and he could draw a conclusion, but he'd like to hear it from her lips.
 
Rika frowned at the question and took her time before she answered. "I did not become the warrior that I am without certain sacrifices, my lord." She thought for a moment, "Most women in my family don't have to go through the training that I did but without male heirs, my father had no choice but to train me as a warrior. I didn't have the time for it and I would not have found a fitting partner." Beira had tried to persuade her to look for a partner to ensure that their clan would survive but it was not at the top of Rika's priorities while the war was raging on. "If you don't mind, my lord, why do you ask?"

Summer was sleeping soundly when a knock came to her door. She got out of the bed and moved towards the door, opening it. A guard stood there but did not make a move to enter the room. "King Shido has requested for you." Summer opened her mouth to refuse, not wanting to talk to Shido now more than ever. "Rika was attacked. She is hurt."

She sighed and nodded her head. She exited the room, running her hand through her hair as she was guided to Shido's room. She entered, interrupting their conversation. Wordlessly, she went to Rika's side and healed her arm. It didn't take her as long as she usually took despite of how deep the gash was. The wound also healed completely, without any scars like she usually did. Summer stared at her hand for a moment then turned to Shido, "Is there anything else?"
 
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