“Is that…” Sir Arthur asked, awed, and Eleanor nodded.

  “Yes, a shard of the sheath that held Excalibur. I thought it lost. No, before retly, I thought it simply a story…” her tone was reverent. My Eye shone as I tried to exami, but it came up as mostly question marks, perhaps because it was broken. There is one gring discrepancy though. I’d have expected… I g Shaeu, and then at Eleanor. It needs more research…

  “It was, and it is, a must not be.” Lady Nimu? said cryptically. “Such a treasure, even if broken down by age and loss, must not be left to drift through the rivers of time.”

  “So, a Quest…” I pronouhe capital letter, as the Lady was saying it in such a manner. “What do we o do?”

  “Hold your peace, ye ae nae rush these things.” The San said. “Just as t’moon waxes and wanes, and fruit is en before it be ripe, the time for valour and hope will e, ye ken.”

  The Lady nodded elegantly. “Ihe time is not now. The mists have not parted yet…” She looked up at the moonlight shining down from above. “The first full moon of the year. e, bring this other seer of the moon, and the mists shall part. Three Trials, three Quests, all shall be revealed.”

  So, a side quest, huh? I looked at Eleanor, who was biting her lip. “Will there be danger?”

  “Whehere not, aye?” the San chuckled darkly. “This realm, it be not what ye ken, dark things dwell u’surface.”

  “Please be silent. You are not being helpful.” dy Nimu? said, before speaking more sympathetically. “As one who cares for what lies beh the Tower… yes, I know of the Tower.” she said as Eleanor looked surprised. “After all, I see much reflected in my ke.” She turo the s which was now dispying footage of a sold-out idol cert. “…it is remarkable how humankind has progressed. Their teology apes mysticism, and oft even exceeds it. No matter…” She shook her head, dismissing such idle thoughts. “…if you know of what lies below, then you know the truth of things. The Quest for the Grail was not as told by ter sages and schors, or embellished by bawdy pywrights or sodden authors seeking to make some . Yet there was a Quest. As, it was not successful, and many brave Fae, mortals and even those rare spirits who were born of both vanished from these nds.”

  “And that is what you want us to take up?” Eleanor looked down at the shard in her hands. She then looked over at me. “I ’t ask him to risk everything for us…”

  “Why nooot?” Hyath said, ing over, looking at the shard of Avalon with curious eyes. “I dooo not care for you much, woman, but yooou have made an effort, such as it is.”

  Eleanor frow her baded, almost insulting pliment, but let her speak.

  “Yooou ask, it is up to Akio whether he feels it is sooomething he would risk. It hardly be mooore trouble than you have already caused him with your stubbornness, nooo?” She arched one eyebrow sarcastically. “Besides, Akio sees you as oooo protect.”

  “Is that true?” Eleanor asked, before nodding to herself. “Of course. I am one of these Princesses your Diviner spoke of, and I’m o protect Shaeu…” Her words were interrupted by Hyath hissing at her angrily.

  “Nooo, stupid, idiot, fooooool!” she cursed. “I take it back, you are still annoooying and anger me! Do you holy think that if Akio had nooo need of you, he would leave you to your fate?”

  Eleanor looked at me for a moment, before looking down, ashamed. “No, I suppose not. I have issues with some of your as, but… I accept that you act for the good of those around you when you . But… this seems selfish. After all, it sounds like Avalon would go to me, were we to recover it.”

  “So? Isn’t it a weight off my mind if you’re iructible?” I grinned. “Besides, Quests sound like they e with opportunities, as well as dangers. Besides, I’m hardly so weak as to be afraid of a little danger.” I promised, only for Duke Vulpatrius to snort sarcastically.

  “You think you are strong, little… whatever you are.” He mocked me. “If the Lady of the Lake calls it a dangerous Quest, then you would do well to tremble under your bed and stay well clear. Besides…” he narrowed his eyes. “Fae treasures should remain with or return to the Fae. We have lost far too much already. And that was merely loao the King of you humans.”

  “Oh, are you still here?” I replied coldly. “I don’t recall us discussing this with you. As for my strength, you’d do well to be careful. How strong we are today isn’t us tomorrow. You could ask Grulgor, if he was here.” I turned back to Lady Nimu?. “The first full moon of the new year, huh? I’ll be here, and I expect Tsukiko will agree as well. Though if you could then instruct her in her gifts, I’d appreciate it. So…” I said to Eleanor. “…don’t worry about it. I did say you could rely on us, if you let us take some of what your Tuarded.”

  “Yes, but that was in exge for your aid in saving my life and that of my brother… now I feel awfully ungrateful.” Eleanhed, before she shook her head. “No, I’m not one for making the same mistake over and ain.” Ign Hyath’s disbelieving snort, she tinued. “I’ll accept your aid in the spirit it was offered. Though don’t think I’m as easy to win over as the others, I have no i in you that way, I’m not prepared to share.”

  “Sure, it never crossed my mind.” I promised, while Hyath tio surning to Duke Vulpatrius, who was grinding his teeth, openly antagonistic, I shrugged. “As for Fae treasures, I’m no expert ohs, and I don’t even know if they are accurate anyway, but wasn’t it the Lady here who owhe sheath in the first pce?”

  “That is hardly the point…” the fox snapped, only to be surprised by the giant form of Duke Formor, who loomed over us.

  “Be tranquil, Duke.” The giant rumbled. “This is a day of celebratio aside yer.”

  “That es from you?” Vulpatrius snarled. “Your fury and rage surpasses all others, and you lecture me?”

  “I do.” He ughed, like stones grinding together. “For defeating the Unseelie traitors, the Wild Hunt, all our enemies we pour out our blood, our spirits, our lives. We know hatred, rage, a yearning for vengeance. If we must sacrifice to destroy our enemies, Duke, we would give it freely. So sacrifig my fury… that I do.”

  As Duke Vulpatrius looked stunned, Shaeu spoke up. She had been holding her peace at the provocations for a while, but had finally had enough. “Will you be-be silent?” she said to her father’s hated rival, before addressing Duke Formor. “We have had our disagreements, to put it rather-rather mildly.” She sniffed, somewhat amused yet still rather bitter. “But I do not-not wish t strife to the Seelie Court, not-not now. And you have done as pledged, and seem eager for battle.”

  “Of course.” He chortled loudly. “I await the day the traitorous giants who hold Samandrastrae pay in blood.” His eye burned red for a moment, before his apanying giant urged him to calm himself, which he did with great effort, the glow fading. “I hate the weak, for the weak cost us much. But you are hardly weak. You say even Grulgor has grown stronger?”

  “I will speak of that shortly. It is nearly-nearly time.” She looked around, seeing everyone broken into small groups, enjoying delicacies, booze or the eai. “As for you, fox… I want Risha to face justice. Your lies will not-not serve you. And you will fall into line. If not-not…” she looked at me and I nodded. “Akio will be more than happy to face you. A fox-skin bo warm my legs when I sit on my throne would be rather-rather nice.”

  “Why, you little…” he snarled, before the presence of Shaetanao, Urakaze and Anna halted him.

  “I shall help-aid him skin you myself.” Urakaze pronounced, eyes hard. “Do you not realise you have no friends-allies here?”

  Duke Vulpatrius looked around, before slinking back to his seat, shooting us baleful gnces. It was then my sis came over, trailed by a pensive Haanōbō. “Hey, what’s up? That fox looks pissed. You hate him right, Shaeu?”

  “I do indeed. Yet that matters little-little now.” she turo Lady Nimu?. “So, this Quest. I shall lend-lend my aid.”

  “A quest? What’s going on?” My sis asked. “I’m up for it, now I’m finally here with you all, I won’t be left out anymore!”

  The Lady of the Lake shook her head. “Until the moon reveals all, those who are chosen to uake this ordeal remain obscured by the mist. Until we see who will, who might, and who must not… patience.”

  “aiting isn’t my strong suit.” My sis pined. No kidding. But… As Shaeu reassured her, we gathered up everyone once more, ready to move onto the stage of the iations…

  ********

  “So, what-what do you think of our Spring?” Shaeu said imperiously when everyone was seated again.

  “It’s rather exg.” Ffionnan decred, s jingling in her long hair. “But what are y to aplish? Other than currying favour. But there’s naught so expensive as free, so I always say. What’s the catch?”

  Moira had joined us, and now she was maniputing the projector to dispy pictures, charts and graphs. She’s a quick study, she only had like thirty minutes of guidance before we came here… “The Spring holds a precious Spirit Water.” Moira showed an image. “It is feeble pared to the heights before the Myids came, but it is slowly refilling. It is a pce that water Fae find most sacred, as well as…”

  “It’s where… I transded myself. Oh, the world is spinning.” Estalian piped up, looking pale and shaky. I know Fae get drunk, Shaeu does, but seeing this little one so wasted… it’s kind of amusing. As Primal Forest shifted, she turned green, holding her hands over her mouth for a moment, before she sighed and tinued. “The Spring is for all Fae, the waters likewise. Though before you, it has been a long time… ulp..” she made a sickly noise, before cursing at Primal Forest to hold still. “…siny before you succeeded.”

  “Yes. It is an aowledged fact-fact that we Fae ge and grow. You, who ma twice, are a legend I deeply-deeply respect.” Shaeu fttered her, though I could tell it was geoo. “And now roof it be done again. Not just me. Selensha, and Grulgor too-too. I io allow once more the Spring to offer a ce of such feats. Yet…”

  “The waters replenish slowly. No, perhaps it is more accurate to say the Spirit Waters. The ke itself is filling nicely, and has nearly reached the levels of before. But within, the moonlight needs more time to fortify it. Yet eventually…” she showed some graphs. “… the water will return to prior levels. Though we do not want to wait the required turies.”

  “Taking water from the Spring will slow-slow the return.” Shaeu said, and more charts dispyed the projected effeortal Engineers had calcuted. “But we pn to accelerate this, by Mortal Engineering and also by…” she smiled at me. “…a fair-fair exge.” She smirked at Ffionnan. “Indeed, I do not-not trust free myself. After all, an Oath must have a matg Boon.”

  “Even Grulgor of the trolls, known for being rather slow and full of anger, has mao transd his base elements. Ixitt, an ued ratkin, has bee one of fme. I have not had time, however…” Moira looked at me, and I nodded, giving her permission. “To prove our worth, please say now. Which element should I master? I will return within a moon, having bee a being of that element.”

  “Darkness, surely, you ill-omened, misfortunate child.” Vulpatrius taunted, and while Prihethrion made to defend her, I stepped up. Moira’s been good to us. Besides… I hate stupidity like that. Just because she’s got bck hair… it’s no more true than bck cats being witches’ familiars…

  “I know you’re only saying that because you think it a challenge, Darkness being rare for Fae. If it was because you were trying to insult Moira, then I’m afraid that would be the sort of thing where I’d have to ask you to step outside.” I growled. “Because I’d have to defend her honour, and I don’t think you’d like it.” He’s like a shittier Shaeraggo, without the redeeming love for family, even if overbearing. No, wait, he wao marry his own daughter so… ugh, fet it, he’s creepy. Prihethrion smiled at me, while Moira looked on, stoid hidihoughts. “Do you mind Darkness, Moira? It’s one we’ve only scratched the surface of so far.”

  “No, if it will prove our point.” She pursed her lips, looking more like a prissy secretary than ever. “So be it. By the moon, I will have mastered Darkness. And why, you ask? Because…”

  “The Spring was for all the Fae, and it still is, yet Akio and I, along with staunch help, did-did recim it alone. And Asha here, she is the st-st who lived here before. So we shall protect it and allocate the resources. But…” she grinned. “…for proper pensation, we offer more-more than merely wasting such precious waters. We have bihe study of mortal sce with Fae knowledge.”

  Moira brought up more slides. “Earth, Water, Fme, Wind, Darkness, Light… even Space.” Moira intoned. “Those who wish to learn , and with revolutionary knowledge and the aid of some special mortals, even Grulgor grow strohose of you who wish to learn the purer Spirit Water too, though in exge…”

  I listeo the discussion on prices. Spatial was obviously the most expensive, requiring maherites, treasures or other services in exge, as it likely would require the aid from Arisu-san as well, as we couldn’t rely on just the Klein Bottle. For Spirit Water, the pensation was to spend time geing more water to repce what was taken, and pledge time to help refill the Spring for some years afterwards. We also pn to ere array of mirrors to further refleore moonlight, hopefully increasing the geion and potency of the moonlight Spirit Water. When it returo its previous volumes, we could then even sider trying to trate some, to make it High moonlight Spirit Water once again.

  “So there you have it. But I uand proof we deliver is key.” Moira finished. “So I will be the proof. Of course…” she looked around. “…perhaps we have a volunteer?”

  Princess Ffionnan raised her hand. “I uand the principle of payment. After all, we did enjoy fooling mortals with Faerie gold, trash that turo stones or base metals when the sun came up. Oh… sorry.” She apologised. “I fot we had some mortal guests.”

  “No problem!” my sis ughed. “You said it yourself, nothing in life that matters is free. Unless it’s my bro, of course. No, wait, I pay for that by being the best sister ever!”

  As I rolled my eyes at her antics, I took over. “Yes. Now, I know that the Fae areirely used to paying for things, though there is a barter system foods or services. No society funs without such. But we don’t i the worst excesses of the mortal world here either. Only luxuries and things that require maintenance, such as the level of Spirit Water in the Spring, require payment. We’ve trialled it in my Territory, and it seems to work.”

  “There will always be those-those of atus.” Shaeu agreed, nodding to Moira, who ged the dispy again to a list of prices. “I wele all to my Spring, and all - py freely iers, or be served tasty booze. But those who want-want to indulge, to taste expensive, mortal or specially crafted luxuries, to sit-sit in gilded fort… then a tribution must-must be made.”

  “I see.” Ffionnan tinued, rubbing at her , eyes bright. “So…” she pulled out a glittering Blue Etherite from her pot, looking at it a little regretfully before tossing it to one of the servants. “ I take home a few barrels?”

  “Of course, Princess.” Shaeu gestured, and soon Ffionnan’s own escorts were carrying a number e wooden casks.

  “It pains me, I like shiny things, treasures. Perhaps I am part dragon.” she said with a mirthful smile. “So, I volunteer. It will be free, no? Except for my support and endorsement? I’ve always wished for the element of light. Treasures look so brilliant uhe glow of the moo I feel that it doesn’t reach their true potential, the illumination is g. Although…” she paused. “…if I keep having to offer tribute, eventually I will run out…”

  “You Fae are amusing.” The four-tailed fox chuckled. “None of us of the Hyakki Yagyō would ever care about that. Why, our coffers are running quite bare. I expect Red and Blue are already out rampaging, looking for more treasures to pawn for booze. Pleasure is all.”

  “Treasure is my pleasure.” Princess Ffionnaed. It was then I spoke up.

  “I get that. But nothing is more wasteful than dead money. Not that I ever had much money up until retly, so I feel a bit of a fraud saying it. But using money, or in your case treasures, to make more… There’s such a thing we humans call iing…” I took a deep breath, and apanied by Moira’s presentation, I delivered my pitch…

  ********

  “I see. That’s crafty. It seems we Fae are not the only ones who pretend things are treasures.” The intrigued Ffionnan said. “Yet you say my wealth will increase if I i in these shares?”

  “Yes. Basically, what matters right now is we have many ideas and pns, but not enough resources. So now is the ideal time to make an iment, you give us support aherites and other materials we need, and when our profits start rolling in, you get a share based on your iment, what you’ve tributed. You also loan us more and we’ll pay i, so you make a profit.”

  “I do so hate parting with wealth, but…” she looked hesitant, yet greedy for more.

  “I hardly believe I’m sitting here watg you give iment advice to spiritual beings.” Yukiko-san said. “But from what I’ve seen, this isn’t the strahing even today…” She shook her head, before her support. “It’s standard practice for humans to raise money in that way. There’s obviously risk… he left that out…” she smiled at me slyly. “…though in this case, I don’t think that’s a problem. Maybe I should i myself. I know Ichijou house has. I don’t have much money, but…”

  “…what about us, Princess?” Sir Arthur stroked his beard pensively. “Closer ties might be desirable, especially since…” He looked down at the fragment of the Avalon she was still holding tightly.

  “Aye, things have ged a great deal, ye ken.” The San grinned. “Though moneylenders still be around, it seems. They be snakes and rustworthy, but…”

  “I’m somewhat offended. I’ve actually crushed some illegal loan sharks… sorry, moneylenders before.” I wonder how Ichika-san is doing? No, that’s for aime. Now… what we need is more Etherites to make more devices and scale up produ, as well as Rhyming Trees. Now that’s a brutally unfavourable ask, Primal Forest is sitting there in silence ever since we presehat part… but…

  “How sad for us. You simply sell, yet to these Fae you offer a partnership?” the four-tailed fox said nguidly. “I feel so discriminated against, so unloved.” She turo Urakaze. “It seems your dear daughter favours her father’s side of the family over us.” She blew smoke from her pipe, chewing the shaft once again.

  “Oh, you wish to i?” Shaeu said, surprised. “I do not-not care where the necessary funds e from, so long as all-all parties abide by the agreements. With the Fae, we - trust our Oaths, but Yōkai have no-no such certainties…”

  “Yes, such bitter disregard. I feel so heartbroken.” Her four tails were wagging in response. “I hardly think we have done anything to earn your distrust. Oh, well, perhaps there was the issue with the kitsune and the Kijo Matriarch… but then, I think my fellow fox…” she gri Duke Vulpatrius. “…would be just as eager to see you dead, and for less reason.”

  “Shut your yap, abomination. You are no true fox.” He grated iurn, and she merely blew more smoke, pleased her taunting had an effect.

  “Am I not? My lineage is purer than yours, I have no doubt.” She turo us then. “I have spent a little on alcohol, I fess it, but… I am a wise fox, one of the oldest Yōkai in the Parade, below Lord Nurarihyon and his inner circle, perhaps. I have secreted many treasures. The world is ging.” She ughed. “So, how about this?” She looked straight into my eyes. “If I am an ior in your enterprises, I am your ally in truth, no?” She turo Princess Ffionnan, her expression sly. “That is the true profit to be had here. For they would sy anyone who harms their own. Or to recim what they hold dear. After all, where are these Myids now?” she shrugged, and mine weren’t the only eyes dragged to her overflowing chest. Annae is hauling on Shaetanao’s ear rather painfully, and I think Shaeu’s noticed by her expression.

  “Of course, I do believe you will indeed see the promised wealth. And you even gain a new element for free, shrewd woman that you are.” The fox praised her, leaving Ffionnan looking a little perplexed. “But I myself… I am the st of the great kitsune of old. Perhaps some of my sisters and cousi lurk in the ers of Japan, but if so, they are well-hidden. Now even a sed tail is a rarity. How far we have fallen. But time has not been kind to us, spiritual power wanes. Yet now… it returns. And I know where I would stand. After all… you did indeed make a bargain with Lord Nurarihyon. That shows a certain… character.”

  “I do not-not like your flirting, fox.” Shaeu warned, and the foxwoman ignored her, turning to Lady Nimu? this time. “You seek aid to recover this relio? Well, I have a relic too.” She grinned, removing an item from the chest of her kimono. Where was she hiding that? “You like quests, and seek power? I quite agree. Now more than ever, power is needed. Prophecy is a strahing.”

  “It is. But you do not seem to possess the gift.” Lady Nimu? said, her eyes narrowed. “Although…” she looked at the ke beh us, and her eyes shoh reflected moonlight. “I see… not clearly, but there is a fog… no, not a fog, a poisonous, reeking gas…. That blocks my view.”

  “You know of Uranai, no?” she asked, and I nodded, remembering the human-faced calf that prophesised for Nurarihyon. “One day, to assuage my curiosity, I asked her about a certain matter. And she gave me three riddles. The first…” She tossed the object at me, and I caught it, my Eye shining. A bck stone… no not just a stone…

  Bezoar Of A Great Basilisk - Item Css: [Imperious] Item Type: [Rule]

  This Bezoar stone was carved out of the stomach of a great serpentine Basilisk, and tains the essence of both poison arification. It draws in toxins, especially airborne poisons, aralises them, growing stronger and more solid the more that is purified. The stone alsthens the Earth Element of the bearer in proportion to the poison sed.

  This is a treasure of immense value… My inh element was reag, my root chakra ing, even as I held it. Surprised, I looked up at the four-tailed fox, who was smiling in satisfa. “…was that I o venture abroad, and find a serpent to kill. It was quite the battle.” She puffed out smoke, lost in fond memories. “My clothing was turo stone, and my poor fur fell out, my skin turning bck. I was so ugly… but in the end I won, and the creature was sin. I dug that from the corpse.” She wi Shaeu. “Let that be a lesson to you. Wiifully, or win grotesquely, it’s all the same. You won. The human girl, Eri, she knows. For her body was maimed, yet in the end she stood while her enemy died.”

  “But why? What’s this for?” I asked.

  “At this moment, an iment. I want a share!” she decred. “But for the future… two more riddles I received. Even with the sto would require someoh great strength in both earth and wind, two opposing elements…”

  “To do what?” I asked again, though I had a vague idea.

  “Why, I would have thought the answer was obvious. Or it would be, were I to tell you what I asked Uranai that day. I asked, how the dee of the kitsune be halted, and how I gain my fifth tail after all these years?”

  “And this stone was an answer?” I asked.

  “An ahis Bezoar, the oh both great earth and wind attributes, and stly…” her eyes glittered as she spoke, and it wasn’t just me that cried out in surprise, Urakaze and Yukiko-san did as well. I was right… I should have known. g the Bezoar in my hand, I felt my skin crack, despite its durability. I turn this down? But I afford it either? It’s hard to decide…

  ShipTeaser