The Invite

"Good morning everyone!" A tall, black-haired prince yelled as he entered the dining room with a happy greeting back from the people of Asterin. The dining room was big at the heart of the kingdom and consisted of one medium size for the prince, king, and close player table for the prince, king, and friend, 2 long dining tables for the castle staff and their families, and multiple scattered dining room tables for anyone who wants to join.

“Oh Vule, when did you come back?” Jack asked as he notice the long, wavy hair brunette with the most serious green eyes sitting at the dinning table among with some other childhood friends of his.

"Too early for you." Vulpecula, an assassin for hire, groaned as she adjusted a bandage that hugged her toned curves.

"She arrived late last night and maybe if you let me help you then you would be in less pain." A sophisticated, soft sounding, blonde girl said huffing as a young man in golden armor with wavy brown hair and a light scar across his face braided her hair.

“I told you I will be fine, plus I love healing the natural way.” Vulpecula stated as she turned her head to face Jack. “The forest is becoming more and more erratic; you should probably see what’s going on in there.”

“Yeah, I’ve been meaning to talk to dad about that. We haven’t been to the forest in 50 years apparently.” Jack answered as he watched the man pulled on Zerha’s hair to make her look straight across the table.

"Leo Percy! What did I tell you about doing that?! You know I have a sensitive scalp." Zerha said as she rubbed her head.

"Really Zerha? All this magic and you still have a sensitive scalp!?” Leo Percy exclaimed.

“We’ve been through this conversation… that’s not how it works.” She huffed as she fixed her posture.

“Hmmhmm, unless you would like to look like a jester, I highly suggest you stop moving your head." Leo Percy said as he tried to braid her hair.

"You wouldn't dare!" Zerha yelled at him as he smirked to.

"Jack. I will stab this fork into their hearts if you don't get them to-” "Good morning everyone!" A hefty voice, belonging to King Harry, yelled as he entered the dining room, receiving a welcome in return. "Oh Vulpecula, when did you get here and will you be staying long?" he asked noticing her as he scratched his thick, black beard.

"Sorry your highness, but I have rather personal affairs to attend to. I was just staying for breakfast, no one and nothing could make a killer breakfast like those fairies." Vulpecula laughed as she played with the one silver streak in her hair from which she had received in an assassination attempt gone wrong many years ago. If it weren't for Jack and Zerha being in the wrong place at the right time, she knew she would be dead.

"Thank you are right." Harry said sitting down as Zerha and Leo Percy giggled.

“You have personal affairs?” Jack asked joining in their giggle. He never thought that those words would come out her mouth and left his quite curious.

"Oh, hush now all three of you. Mind her personal life. Right well, I'll just have to have my chess rematch with you some other time." King Harry said noticing the dining room started to reach max capacity as Vulpecula nodded her head with a gentle smile. "Good morning to all, please do not forget to thank the fairies!" Harry's voice boomed as the doors to the kitchen opened and food of all different scent and flavors started to pour out. It looked as if the food was flying on its own, but if the wandering eye paid close attention it could see the bunch of small creatures.

These creatures were the fairies. They had grey, pale skin that was often covered in a black design, like tattoos. No two fairies had the same set of wings or looked even remotely alike. They often had sharp teeth and their hair differed in style and length, however, they all shared the same white color. Although they are nice and loved to be petted, the fairies were famously known to be tricksters and if you pushed their buttons, they will chew their way through your bones.

This was how meals were often held. Then, King Harry and Prince Jack usually take a morning walk together to different parts of the kingdom to talk to Asterians about the most recent problem they are facing, but today was different.

"Good bye Vulpecula, try to stay safe this time!" Leo Percy shouted as the muscular assassin walked out of the castle. Adjusting her cloak, she quickly turned around to wave goodbye to the trio.

"I bet you five silver pieces she gets a new scar!" Zerha said turning her back away from the big white doors of the castle and flipping her hair onto her shoulder.

"Awe, come on guys. I just want her to come back safely." Leo Percy said, adjusting his helmet that rested in the space between his side and arm. Jack laughed softly.

"Knowing her, I'll take you on that bet Zerha." Jack said as Leo sighed.

"No, no, no... Let's hope she comes home safely." Leo Percy pleaded as the two laughed.

"I'll make it one gold piece." Zerha and Jack said at the same time looking at each other.

"Hey! Cut it out!" Leo Percy snapped.

"Awe, Leo Percy being the protective guard he is." Zerha cooed. "We're just messing with you. We hope for her safety as well, plus she’s on ‘personal affairs’ remember?" Leo Percy's cheeks went red as he realized that he had snapped at them.

"I cannot believe you two sometimes." Leo Percy huffed as he walked the opposite direction from them. "I'll catch up later, I'm about to be late for guard duty." Leo waved goodbye and headed out towards the gates of the castle.

"Do you have anything planned today Zerha?" Jack asked as they continued to walk down the corridors of the castle.

"I do as a matter of fact; I have to run an errand and collect some intel." Zerha said casually, keeping her posture straight.

"Oh?! Where at this time?" Jack asked. It's been awhile since Zerha has last gone out to collect intel for Asterin. Although Zerha keeps an amazing façade of being prim and proper; she is willing to do anything for her kingdom. One of these being collecting intel, so she's a spy.

The tall girl stopped in her tracks allowing her flowy dress to hit her legs lightly before saying, "Promise you won’t mad be mad?

“Zerha… where are you going?” Jack asked slightly stern afraid of the answer.

“I decided to take this on myself, but it's in Findara with this servant named Lilith." Zerha answered with her head held high.

"Are you crazy?! Do you have any clue what they will do to you if they catch you?!" Jack exclaimed holding onto her by her shoulders.

"Yes. I do." She huffed, shoving his hands off of her. "That's why I volunteered. I've been doing this longer than the others. Now if you don't mind." Zerha finished as she walked away leaving Jack to stand alone. He knew the type of girl that Zerha was; the careful and clever cliché. Although he knew that she could do this, he still worried.

Those damn Findarians cannot be trusted. Jack thought as he scratched his forehead and started toward the gardens where his father should be waiting.

On his way down, Jack studied the intricate castle designs that never ceased to amaze him. He loved at how much thought and love the mother witches poured into the castle before the extermination. No one, except for those who have stepped foot into the castle, know of the clouds that covered the ceilings or how the stained glass is constantly changing to a new design, never to be repeated twice.

"There you are my boy." King Harry said brushing his hands through his brown beard as Jack met him at the garden entrance. "Wonderful work everyone! You have to teach me sometime." He said to a few of the gardeners as they bowed to him. “No need for the bowing, but would you mind if we had some privacy? I think you have all worked hard enough in this heat.” Harry asked as the gardeners happily left.

"Dad, how could you let Zerha spy on Findara? I thought we only attend business and intel trades during their stupid balls." Jack said furiously in a hushed tone making sure no one it listening.

"Listen I was just as opposed to the idea as you were. But as of lately we can no long wait on a public event to show up. Things are starting to get worse Jack; it’s only a matter of time and they’re planning something huge. We can longer just sit back and hope that they will behave." Harry said as Jack nodded his head only fearing the worse.

"Speaking of Findara." A guard named, Eris Bennett, said entering the gardens, the guard had a curly pixie hairstyle with an undercut that made them look masculine. On the other hand, their defined jawline and structured cheekbones allowed for a feminine look but most ignorant people get confused when they see Eris. To Jack, Eris is a beautiful human being who was simply androgynes. Eris' muscles popped out beautifully and they always held their head high. Although sharp looking, their soft facial features always gave a warming reassurance.

"What about Findara?" Harry asked as Eris looked over their shoulder. Entering through the garden was Percy Leo and two men who wore gold and red amour. One man was olive-skinned, jet-black hair, and grey, soul-sucking eyes. The other man had a pale skin completion, slightly shorter, facial hair, and a stern look, but clearly had more of a muscular built. "Oh, Findarians? To what do I owe the pleasure to?" Harry asked as the guard bowed in front.

"King Harry and Prince Jack of Asterin, I'm Sebastian and this is Cain. We are here on behalf of King Oliver of Findara to invite you and the Asterians to Prince Ace's 21st ball." The olive-skinned guard announced as Harry and Jack begin to laugh.

"I'm sorry. You came all the way here to tell us that Oliver actually invited us?!" Harry cried out between his hefty laughs.

"Well, it technically was Prince Ace who wanted to send a formal invite." Sebastian clarified. Their laughter died down as they looked at each other with confusion. Prince Ace's name was usually never mentioned in Asterin, but then again not many Asterians had seen the Findarian Prince before.

"I know. Leo Percy and I had the same reaction, but I think you should hear them out." Eris said as Harry ran his hands through his beard, contemplating his next choice of words.

"Very well. Gardeners spread the news. Fairies, please prepare some afternoon snacks for our guest." King Harry ordered with kindness as he walked up to the Findarian guards and wrapped his arms around their neck. Both guards instinctively flinched by the sudden touch from the king, which would not go unnoticed by Jack who followed behind them along with Eris.