Slate smiled “I can’t wait for you to teach me !” He was beyond excited any dismay he had meeting Nyer had vanished.

With both parties having their own machinations churning, both Nyer and Slate underwent training for the dreamwalk from their respective mentors.

Slate and Opal grew closer especially once Seth began taking Slate into the dreams of the Moondove Phoenix. He was certain to emphasize that his son was not to directly interfere with the dream unless there was a real threat. He showed him the tricks on how to conceal himself and how to recognize if there was an outside influence muscling it’s way in. As the two children aged, Seth became less involved in mentoring Slate and instead left him alone to monitor Opal’s dreams. As the two were on the cuspid of teenagers, the young Dragon prince was blue to witness a dramatic shift in Opal’s dreams. There were foreign landscapes of metal veined structures fitted with large smooth lanes of glass, spanning as far as the eye could see. Sometimes he would find her flying between the massive glass mountains in her Phoenix form and other times he could hear the echos on her sobbing somewhere in the maze. Other times, he could relive the bullying she endured before knowing him and how she was occasionally murdered by her siblings only to be reborn. On the rarer occasion, Opal could be found dreaming of en empty palace in the Abyssal Mirror, calling for Slate until she awoke in a violent panic.

Nyer was placed under the duel tutelage of his once (and sometimes still) rival of the ivory satyr Oisin. While he harbored great resentment toward Nyer, he was as eager to make any positive mark upon the Queen. When in audience with others, Oisin was generally extremely helpful and a phenomenal teacher. However there wasn’t always an opportunity for them to be witnessed, where Oisin was still a good instructor, but also was interested in seeing Nyer fail. The second master Nyer was given an opportunity to study under was the shackled Chimera. He seemed to have a special fondness for Nyer and had a different style of educating the advisor from Oisin. Because the Queen Zoeva declared that Nyer’s primary objective was to pursue and nurture the seed of doubt he had planted, his skill at the dreamwalk became his highest priority, unless, of course, the Queen summoned him for other activities. Nyer’s training was almost constant and his skills easily surpassed that of the young Dragon Prince...

Since she had recently gained much better control over moving between her Phoenix form and her Changeling form, Opal had been given tasks around the Abyssal Mirror, leaving her with less and less time to spend with Slate. Seth had even gone so far as to provide her housing at the edges of the Mirror. She had just returned from her most recent promotion to the outer defenses of where the Mirror itself laid in hiding in a violent underground volcanic world. She walked into the grand hall, wearing a masculine outfit of pants and a tunic, but she was covered in soot and looked exhausted.

Seth eyed her, standing as the young girl moved to get addressed. He no longer viewed her as part of their family persay, and while it hadn’t been an open announcement, it was obvious to all, except for Opal herself. In the years since, a third seat had been added for Slate as Seth saw it important for his son to witness politics of the Fae world.

“Tell me what have you found in the wastes beyond the gleam of the palace Opal?” Seth’s voice commanded.

She took a deep breath, before coughing a bit. She used the back of her hand to wipe her mouth, leaving a trail of black ash across her cheek, “There was no trace of anyone or anything aside from the wandering hellbeasts. There’s two fresh liters of puppies, but that’s all.”

Nyer was busytaking in everybscrap of knowledge that he could from any and all of his mentors. He intended to nurture the seed of doubt he had planted until it was in full blossom but in the aftermath of that day he always held a new target in his mind. The Dragon had spoke so harshly to his Queen and with such disrespect that the seductive Changeling wished to crawl into the Dragons dreams and exact a punishment that he thought would be appropriate, he had no violent intent for the great dragon just a tricksters wish but he knew also by distracting the dragon his own seed would grow deeper. Nyer would encourage the Domains Helldivers to dive into the Abyssal Mirror just so that Nyer would be appraised of what was happening there.

Slate grew in charm, charisma, and power wishing not to just be entitled to his place as Prince but to earn it as well.

Noah spent what time he could in Arcadia but the Wyrd Magic affected his Wisdom in various ways forcing him to slip in and out of the realm while he searched for ways to reconcile the shards of his soul.

Slate looked on with amusement, he enjoyed seeing Opal in the palace again and could not hide his smile from the sight of her.

The Queen’s Helldivers were serpentine creatures with holes drilled through their fitted ball joints so they were bizarre wooden marionettes, the boy was black and the girl was white. Both Luca and Jasmine were charming and sensual Changelings, each excited to do work for Nyer. They’d often go together to delve into the reaches of the Abyssal Mirror, although it had taken a while for them to figure out to venture into the depths where the palace was well protected. But the Queen had commanded them to be at her favored advisor’s beck and call unless something came up.

With the information each garnered for Nyer, it seemed as though his plan was working accordingly and the seed was blooming at a rapid rate. He learned of the eventual chores that the Phoenix girl, Opal as the Dragon has renamed her, was sent on and how she had come to be forced from the palace walls and now dwelled on the brink of the Mirror.

— — — — —

Seth waved his hand to dismiss her, “You may return to your dwelling. I expect you to report in a week’s time of all that you see unless there is cause for otherwise. Now go.” He turned and moved to look out of the windows of the grand hall behind where the trio of thrones sat.

Opal nodded, but her attention shifted to Slate. She smiled back at him, glad to see her one and only friend. But she knew she couldn’t stay, so she gave him a wave and turned where a new attendant was waiting to escort her out. Of course though, Opal couldn’t resist a look over her shoulder at the Prince.

Nyer delighted in every scrap of information the helldivers brought him, one by one the dominos were falling into place the only problem was him developing his skills enough to guide the dragon along the road he wanted.

———

As soon as Slate had the chance he slipped away from the palace hall in hopes of catching Opal before she departed the castle.

“Nyer!” Came Alexios’ voice before he even came around the corner, “We have a boon!”

Jasmine and Luca both slithered into hiding as Alexios approached. As he came to the exotic Changeling, a broad smile bloomed on his lips. “I made a rather risky strategic move and spoke loose of your schemes to Chimera... He is excited to show you the real depths of the dreamwalk. I believe you can make this work to your advantage.”

— — — — —

The attendant didn’t even show Opal the way out, but directed her, so she was in the hall walking at a slow pace. She pulled free part of the tunic, letting it fall at her waist and revealing a thin frame with a slight curve.

“Are you sure such a deal is not some scheme of Chimera?” Nyer k ew he could not appear to jump at the chance, he had worked up an understanding with Chimera in the past and in truth there was nothing that was going to stop him from his ambition.

———

Slate raced through the castle to get to Opal before her departure “Opal, it has been a long time.” Slate said with a smile while looking at the attendant to give him some privacy.

“He seems eager yes,” Alexios admitted, “But it was only after I mentioned the Dragon to him that he sprung to life. Perhaps he wishes some vengeance against the scaled beast. But Chimera is well versed in Oneirmancy. He still parades about in other’s dreams.. I think he is looking for so,etching specific, which I told him may be of interest after you have achieved victory for our Queen.” Alexios smiled, “So what say you? At least speak with Chimera?”

— — — — —

“Hey Slate!” Opal’s face lit up at the sight of the young prince. She waited until the attendant ventured a ways down the hall, “I’ve missed you. Your dad has me constantly running around and doing stuff, but I think about how much fun we used to have... How are you?!”

“Since you think this will be worth it I will play along.” Nyer did his best to hide how ecstatic he was.

———

“It is so good to see you again. Dad has had a lot on his mind lately.” Slate said with a sligh sigh “you look like your doing well for yourself despite all the work, maybe some time we can get together?”

Alexios grinned and lead Nyer to the highest peak of the castle where the moon shown through a tower of glass constantly. It was a specially crafted prison for Chimera where the Moonlight could always watch him. Chimera himself was sitting in the middle of the chamber in a meditative state, but he couldn’t help but to smile as he heard his guests enter.

“Chimera.” Alexios’ stern voice rang out, “Are you still willing to entertain our deal?”

He opened one eye and his smiled widened, his singular gaze on Nyer, “I will, but it takes time and dedication.”

— — — — —

“Yeah! I’d love that.. I’ll see if I can ask for audience to get a some time off from the patrols.” She smiled, an ethereal glow to her as though in correlation to her mood, “I hope everything gets sorted with your him soon. It’s weird seeing the both of you actually.. Feels like it’s been forever. Hey um.. I was going to bath then get some food, but if you wanna join me for dinner, we could get something now?”

“Well then, for my Queen I will dedicate myself to what you have to teach.” Nyer was content to sell it as best he could.

———

“Certainly, I never get out of the castle, what kind of places do you like ?” Slate asked amused at sneaking away from the castle.

“Nyer, would you like me to stay while he addresses you?” Alexios asked with a serious nature. Nyer knew he had received a new group of servants to educate in the Court, although none were to be the same class as Nyer himself. Alexios has won his battle with Oisin and being named Prince to the Queen was something Nyer had to accomplish himself.

Chimera sat there patiently, smiling away as he was wholly focused upon his favored Changeling.

— — — — —

“I mean, it’s not going to be anything like what you get here, but I can take you around to the place I live now.” Opal blushed faintly, “Should I wait here while you tell him where you’re going?”

“You are busy and the rest of this business is mine, should anything for wrong I am sure my screaming will already you.” Nyer said with a polite bow.

———

“No let’s just go now, otherwise I am sure there will be some lecture for me, we will sneak out and back before dad even knows.” Slate said excited by the sense of danger.

“There are sentries posted throughout the tower below where the stone begins again.” Alexios tried to reassure Nyer as well as let Chimera know that there were threats immediately available should he choose to act out of line, and then the advisor left.

“Nyer, my charming love...” Chimera stood without the use of his shackled hands, still smiling, “You haven’t come to visit me in some time.”

— — — — —

Opal smiled and grabbed Slate’s hands, her fingers interlocking with his as she suddenly pulled him down the halls, leading them outside. Instead of taking the main pathway where the grand hall looked out, she lead him to a narrow pathway along the palace exterior. “Can you hold on tight?” She asked looking over her shoulder, clearly excited.

“Business keeps ideal hands busy, I could say the same for you after all, but I assume you know why it is that I am here.” Nyer walked right up to Chimera.

———

“I sure can.” Slate had no issue keeping pace while he was a noble he was physically quite active.

As Nyer moved toward Chimera, the bizarre type of Fae lifted his arms so when Nyer before him, he could lowered them and hold the Changeling close. He nuzzled against Nyer’s neck, breathing softly against his skin, “I did miss you. You were the only one to come forward and attempt to negotiate through any means necessary. But I hope you missed my touch as well.”

— — — — —

“Good. Then get ready.” Opal smiled and in an instant she shifted into a grander Phoenix that what Slate had last seen of her.

“If I didn’t I would not have gotten so close.” Nyer said with a breath of ease. “I did not think you cared so much for what transpired between us.”

———

Skates eyes went wide with excitement just like they were children he was dumbfounded by the majesty of her grown form. “Your brilliant.”

Chimera smiled in a sultry way, leaning close to Nyer, “Of course I care. And I meant no harm for your Queen; you know that better than almost everyone. I love having relationships no matter the feeling behind them. It’s so delicious and complicated.. But the body cannot lie about what one truly thinks and feels. So why not tell me what it is you’re scheming this time my charming love.”

— — — — —

Opal soared them high above the palace and flew them to the reaches where the world seemed like a haze. Beyond that barrier was known the Fae of Arcadia as Abyssal Knot because the place was an incredibly dangerous maze where the prized Abyssal Mirror laid and only a few True Fae held the power of shaping a domain within a domain and holding the Magic’s so separately. It was a barrier that Opal would be crossing everyday into the foreseeable future as Seth had appointed her as a guardian to the barrier.

In flight, she showed off for Slate, taking tight turns and steep gliding falls before she eventually came to a gentle landing outside of a decrepit looking hut with no door. The meager structure had a layer of stone as the base, but the rest was twigs with a thatched roof. She waited until Slate was on the ground before she shifted back to her human form, “I’m just going to grab something quick then we can go down the ways for some dinner.”

“I understand, in fact the queen is the cause of my visit, you see the one who put you hear levied great insult to her and I wish to make his pay for that transgression.” Nyer said with a smile.

———

Slate was awe struck by the views he saw before him captivated by the beauty that he could barely make out any words.

Chimera smiled and brought his lips so close to Nyer’s that as he spoke, they brushed against his, “Always with the Queen at the forefront of each and every thought... What about me, lovely faerie?”

— — — — —

Opal blinked at Slate’s silence and she put a gentle hand on his shoulder, “You okay? I’ve never seen you so quiet.”

“I must admit the thought of you here alone like this makes me upset for ... what was Lost.” Nyer was struggling to keep himself composed he could not deny the favor Chimera had shown him.

———

“I’m sorry this is just amazing to see everything like this, it really is spectacular.” Slate said through a gleaming smile “What is it like for you out here ?”

“Do you think if I prove myself with aiding you...” his voice was breathy against Nyer’s lips, his gaze intent on only the Changeling,
“You might come visit for leisure’s sake?” His adjusted his arms to rest on Nyer’s shoulders, his head tilting just slightly as he waited for his beloved faerie to show any sign of affection.

— — — — —

“I mean, I wouldn’t call it glamorous. It’s nothing like the palace... Like this,” she gestured toward the sad twig hut as she walked Slate toward it, “This is my home now. But for what I use it for, it does the job. And I get to see things I wouldn’t never seen if I hadn’t been sent out here. But hang a second...” she jogged into the hut and pulled out a small wooden chest from beneath her bed, it was easily viewable from the open doorframe. Opal rummaged through it, moving the black and gold dress she’d been given as a child in the palace and fishing out a small plain looking box.

“You have nothing to prove, lest of all to me.” Nyer admitted “I want to see you but they keep me very busy ... it is hard sometimes I wonder if I am meant to be more then just a tool.” Nyer moved to hide his head in Chimeras chest “but I am good at what I do, at least.”

———

“So this is where you stay.” Slate looked around “He certainly sent you far away but if you like it I am glad for you. He has been keeping me busy greeting the endless line of guest that come to see him.” Slate looked close “I can’t believe you still have that dress after all these years.”