Day of the Twilight Solstice Prologue

In the Port town of Shade-light, rested a temple dedicated to the Skylord of Night. There, his followers would spend their lives spreading the word of Twillon. The temple was one of the smallest throughout the land, and responsible for placing the town upon the map of Sky-Jewel, the country where Shade-light was established.

Each temple had a High Priest or Priestess to commune with the Skylord associated with the Skylord of each temple. But in the capital city of Skystone, the High priest was the true leader of the temples throughout Sky-Jewel. The High Priests of Skystone were part of the Eastern Sky Council, the ruling group for the eastern side of Sky-Jewel.

Just as the High priests of the minor temples looked to the Council for guidance, the council would look to the dreamer for leadership. The Dreamer was a woman with a blessing from all five Skylords, she was chosen as their avatar, and voice amongst Sky-jewel. The Dreamer was the true ruler of Sky-jewel, she chose which High Priest married and kept diplomatic ties to the other countries surrounding Sky-jewel.

This is where our story begins, the choice she made for the marriage of High Priest Sereth Rosewood of Shade-Light and High priest Mykah Hawthorne of Skystone. And the events that followed soon after.

******

It was common for outsiders to visit Shade-Light, some sought passage offered by the ships sitting in the port, and some were pilgrims for the Temple of Twillon looming high above the town. But these visitors didn't seem like pilgrims of Twillon or travelers, no… They wore to fancy of clothing for being either of the common visitors. Bystanders along the path leading up to the temple watched them in awe as the visitors went by on horseback. One carried a flag with the symbol of the Capital city, Skystone.

The visitors pulled their horses to a slow stop before jumping onto the dirt road. Two of them exchanged a few hushed words before walking towards the Temple's entrance. The flag carrier waited by the horses with one other visitor who held the hilt of a sword latched to his belt.

Inside, the strong perfume of incense filled the nostrils of the visitors whilst the whispered voices of the priests and priestess chanting prayers filled their ears. A long aisle way stretched to an altar that housed a small statuette of a black wolf houses the strong scented incense at its base. A brunette haired woman stood beside the altar with her arms raised in the air as she prayed to the Skylord. She didn't wear any sash or robe of the Twillon priesthood like the priests did in Skystone. Instead, she wore an off-white shit under a brown vest held closed with an indigo sash, brown trousers and slippers.

The visitors walked towards the woman, stopping just short of a few steps before gaining her attention. The woman smiled at them as she fixed her amber eyes upon them.

"Welcome to the Temple of Twillon, I am High priestess of this temple," Said the woman in a low, but welcoming voice.

"High priestess Sereth, I am First knight Kyrin and this is Knight Gabriel. We are the knights of the Dreamer," said first Knight Kyrin.

Sereth felt a chill run down her spine, the Dreamer only sent her knights out when she required the presence of a high priest or Priestess.

"I am honored to be in the company of the Dreamer's knights," Sereth replied as she gave them a bow.

"The Dreamer has sent us to bring you to the Capital, she has chosen you to be married to High Priest Mykah of Skystone," Gabriel announced.

Sereth kept her composure, but deep within, her heart sank at the thought of her leaving her home to be a wife to a complete stranger. True, the man that was to be her husband was the head of the entire Priesthood of Twillon, but she still had to leave behind her family and friends for a single person.

"H-How long do I have before we depart?" Sereth asked as she cleared her throat to stop herself from crying.

"You have one day to gather your things and say your goodbyes before we set out to the capital," replied the First Knight.

Sereth nodded and motioned for the Knights to follow,

"While I gather my belongings and pass the news to my family, please enjoy the hospitality that my hometown can offer," Sereth said with the best voice she could muster.
"Thank you High Priestess," said the First Knight "When you are ready, my Knights and I will be waiting by the front gate with our horses ready" he added.

Sereth nodded and faked a sweet smile before breaking her gaze away from the Knights. They exited from the temple, welcomed by the bright light that the Lady Solstice- Twillon's Mother- offered. The Knights moved over to where their horses waited, watching as Sereth moved down the hill towards a small cottage near a high Oak.

******

"Mom, dad…" Sereth said as she entered her home.

A woman with white-blonde hair and aged cream skin walked out of a small kitchen, dusting flour from her hands. She smiled at Sereth sweetly before moving to hug her,

"Sereth, welcome home, is business at the temple done for the week?" asked the woman.

Frowning, Sereth pulled out of her mother's hug and twiddled her thumbs,

"I wanted to talk to you about that actually…" Sereth muttered in a low voice.
Sereth's mother took notice of her daughter's emotion and guided her over to a small sofa to sit. Her mother then walk to a small set of stairs leading to a second floor loft and climbed it, calling for her husband.

"Mikael, Sereth is home!" she called.

A few seconds had passed before a man with graying brown hair and sun-tanned skin entered the room with a wooden pipe protruding out of his mouth. He sat across from Sereth and gave his pipe a few puffs before pulling it out and balancing it between his fingers.
"How is life at the temple?" he asked with a slight raspy voice.

Sereth lowered her shoulders with a silent sigh before she looked at her father with her amber eyes.

"Some Knights of the Dreamer came into town today…" she started out.

"So that's who they were, I thought they were just escorts for a noble in Star-light…" Mikael said as he took another puff from his pipe.

"I am leaving for Skystone tomorrow… to be married to the head High Priest of Twillon. I thought I would spread the news to you before I leave," Sereth added.

Sereth's mother gasped before looking to her husband for him to at least say something. Sereth looked down to her hands as her heart and stomach dropped.

"I-I don't know whether I am proud of you or concerned for your safety…" Mikael said after another puff from his pipe.

"I should be fine, but I don't know if I may see you again. I also have to find another Priest or priestess to take my place at the temple," Sereth added.

Sereth's mother sat next to her daughter and pulled her into a sideways embrace,

"Whatever may happen, just know that we are always here for you," she murmured.

"Bailee, you help Sereth get her things together, I want to speak to these knights before they leave with our daughter…" Mikael said as he extinguished his pipe and headed for the door.

"Don't do anything rash dear…" Bailee called out before her husband closed the door behind him.

******

Sereth walked out into the early morning light with a yawn. Her father returned after a few hours yesterday with her cousin Kim following close behind. Kim was a few months younger than Sereth, not yet out of her years as a Novice. When Mikael spoke with the Knights, Kim was nearby with her friends when she overheard the news.

She stayed with Sereth all throughout the night, calming her whenever the sadness hidden deep within her spilled from her eyes. When Dawn had ushered her grandson from the sky, Sereth had only been asleep for little more than an hour.

After Sereth had gathered her few treasured belongings and a small meal, she left for the front gate of Shade-Light with a thick grey cloak hanging from her shoulders. The knights straightened when she came into view, one stepping forward to take her belongings over to a freshly saddled horse.

"Ms. Rosewood, this is Felix. He is the captain of the Skystone guard, and will be your protector until we reach Skystone," explain First Knight Kyrin.

Sereth gave a slight nod before turning to her cousin; she pulled an amulet over her head that was hidden under her shirt. The Amulet held the symbol of Twillon with blue and purple gems embedded along the shape. She placed it around Kim's neck before placing her hands on her shoulders,

"Kim, you are now the High Priestess of Shade-light. Simply show this amulet to Arch Priest Tylen, he will understand what it means and tell you everything you know," Sereth explained.

"Ms. Rosewood, we have to leave…" murmured Knight Gabriel.

Bailee took hold of Kim as Sereth began to back away towards the knights. As she turned to face them, Felix held out the reins of her horse for to mount. Sereth pulled on the hood of her cloak before looking to her family.

"I promise I will write as soon as I am able," she murmured before looking forward to the gate.

The First Knight took lead as Knight Gabriel and Felix moved to either side of Sereth's horse, the Banner carrier following behind for his job and for rear guard.

******

'Mom,
We arrived in Skystone after a week of travel. The Knights had kept a steady pace, only stopping to stretch their legs and feed and water the horses. We stopped in the small villages scattered along the road to the capital, surprisingly, the people knew who they were and gave us free rooms for the night.

I will be meeting my husband to be within a few hours. He is in session with the Eastern Sky Council and will have to prepare to travel to Dreamer's Rest where we will meet for the first time. Rest assured, he is actually three years older than me, freshly turned twenty-eight.

Give my love to dad and Kim for me, I need to get ready.

Love you always,
Sereth'

******

"High Priest Mykah, we are sorry to interrupt you and the council… But the Dreamer requires your presence and the council's as well," announced a Guard wearing a dark blue tabard sporting the Skystone Knight emblem.

A man with chestnut brown hair pulled into a tail draped over his shoulder rose from a wooden chair and bowed his head before moving towards the Knight. His eyes were mix-matched, one a deep jade while the other a bright turquoise. His dark robes swished in his movements as the Knight escorted him to the large towering doors leading outside. The council followed shortly behind, keeping their eyes low as they walked across a white marble bridge set over a sparkling sapphire lake.

They entered an elegant building carrying the fragrance of various flowers and sparkling in Solstice's nurturing light. The knight stayed by the door as a woman wearing a white silk dress that hung loosely from her shoulders motioned for the council to follow.
Mykah wondered what the dreamer required of the council, she only called upon them when there was an urgent matter regarding the Skylords, but she would of came herself if that was the case. As the woman guided them into a spacious room housing a dais decorated in soft pillows under a gossamer white curtain, all thoughts disappeared when Mykah's eyes rested on the Dreamer herself, she had white hair with accents of lavender. Her skin was a soft cream in color, and her eyes a crystalline blue. Mykah and the council bent their knees to their lady, keeping their heads pointed downward in respect.

"Rise," said the Dreamer in a harmonic voice.

The council obeyed, but kept their eyes downward, they would only look upon their lady when she spoke or when she required their gazes.

"Approach me, Mykah," said the Dreamer.

Mykah approached his lady and stopped just at arm's length. He met her gaze as she reached out to touch his shoulders,

"I was given a vision by Lord Twillon about whom you should marry. I sent my First Knight and a small group with him to the southern plains to retrieve her," the dreamer announced.

Mykah felt his pulse quicken as his heartbeat sounded in his ears. The thought of marriage had never occurred to him, he was so engrossed in the council that he had never thought about it.

"She will be the Arch-Priestess of Skystone and your wife, her name is Sereth Rosewood," the Dreamer added. As the Dreamer turned, a white oak door opened and entered First Knight Kyrin who was guiding a woman wearing a silver dress with a violet sash wrapped around her waist. Her brown hair was pulled into a loose tail. Mykah's breath was taken away at her beauty, but what caught him most by surprise were her strange amber eyes.
"Sereth Rosewood was the High Priestess of Shade-light, and she carries a blessing from Twillon that allows her to see. She had the sacred dream of the wolf at the age of fifteen that granted her sight and allowing her to enter the Priesthood of Twillon," the Dreamer explained.

First Knight Kyrin paused in his movements and unlinked his arm from Sereth to give a bow to his matron.

"Lady Sereth, I am High priest Mykah Hawthorne, it is a pleasure to meet you," Mykah introduced as he bowed.

Sereth remained silent as she returned the bow. The Dreamer placed a hand on their shoulders and smiled.

"The wedding will be held tomorrow night when Twillon's daughter Luna is high in the sky," the Dreamer announced.

Sereth felt numb as she stood across her future husband, he was just as surprised as she. Mykah hoped she would at least say something, but she would need some time to warm up to her sudden life change.

******

Sereth and Mykah ate dinner together that night in private, Solstice was leaving the sky to let her son Dusk usher his brother, Twillon out of his slumber and into the sky holding his daughter's hands. They Dreamer had provided them with their own rooms until they were bound forever through marriage. Sereth was quiet, slowly eating her food and keeping her eyes glued to the plate as she sat in awkward silence with her future husband.

"Tell me about yourself, Sereth, I'm curious," Mykah said after swallowing some wine.

Sereth raised her amber eyes slightly, eyeing him before sighing. She reached out for her untouched crystal glass of wine and began bringing her fingers across the smooth surface, the orange rays of Solstice's light creating a crimson glow on her skin.

"I thought the Dreamer told you everything…" Sereth murmured slightly.

Mykah sighed slightly before wiping his mouth and rising from his chair, walking over to a tall window overlooking the bridge connecting the capital city to the small island they were on. His arms were folded behind his back as he became bathed in Solstice's receding light.

"I didn't even know we were to be married until today, all I know about you is what the Dreamer told me, about the blessing you were given by our Skylord himself so you can become his follower, and the town you hail from…" Mykah answered as he gazed over his shoulder slightly.

"What else is there to be said? What the Dreamer told you about me is all you need to know about me," Sereth replied as she took up her wine glass and taking a long sip of the sweet crimson liquid.

Mykah turned away from the window and leaned against the wall, his arms now crossed over his chest, a slight smile playing at his lips.

"Well, you could tell me about your hometown, your family, what our Skylord is like… You did meet him when he granted you his blessing I presume," Mykah replied with a playful tone.

Sereth looked to the man in front of her, he infuriated her, he was too cocky for her tastes, but he also had a very warming aura about him… the kind that would make a girl swoon for him any day. She rose from her chair, a lace napkin sliding off the silver silk of her dress onto the floor.

"I'm sorry… I-"Sereth paused as her amber eyes caught his bi-colored ones, her breath escaped her, all that she wanted to say escaped her mind. She simply turned her back to him and moved towards the door, opening it enough to allow her to slip through and closing it behind her.

"Dear Twillon, did I do or say something wrong?" Mykah asked in a whispered sigh before moving towards the table and drowning down the rest of his wine.

******

Sereth leaned against the white marble railing of a balcony overlooking the lake the island rested upon. Dusk was ushering out Luna and Starza from their sleeping place, awaiting Twillon to ascend and bring forth the night. A soft breeze scented with jasmine and gardenias played with her chestnut hair and the silver silk of her dress. She sighed gently as she watched the crystalline waters of the lake starting to sparkle in Luna's light; she looked to the young Skylord placing a hand over her heart.

"By the next time you rise, I will be married away to the head of the priesthood dedicated to your father… I hope to find happiness in this new life I was pulled into, and I hope for the best for Kim and my parents…" Sereth murmured out in a prayer.

"Having second thoughts?" asked a gentle voice.

Sereth turned her head slightly to rest her eyes on the voice's owner, to her surprise, it was the Dreamer herself. She wore a different outfit than she did from earlier, a shimmering gossamer material hung from her shoulders over a loose silken nightgown.

"No, my lady Dreamer… I am just confused…" Sereth replied.

The dreamer smiled and walked forward until she stood next to the young priestess, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, looking to the sky where Starza spread her sparkling crystals across the sky while her sister slowly rose into the sky.

"What are you confused about my dear?" the Dreamer asked softly.

"A great many things… About this marriage, about Mykah, and why I was chosen, out of all the other high priestess of Twillon…" Sereth replied, looking to the Dreamer.

"You are wondering why Lord Twillon chose you, but I am afraid he hasn't told me much, he just told me to have you be bound to Mykah. I believe it is because of the blessing he gave you," The dreamer replied.

Sereth sighed once more and looked over the lake,

"I think I will return to my chambers for the evening lady Dreamer…" she murmured as she stepped away from the railing.

"Rest well my dear, you will need it tomorrow…" the Dreamer said in a harmonic voice.

As Sereth walked down the corridor leading to her chambers, she felt a presence behind her. As she turned, she saw Mykah leaning against the doorframe of his room, his arms crossed over his chest, and his brown hair loose.

"I'm sorry about earlier, I never had the time to socialize with anyone but the Dreamer or the council…" Mykah murmured.

"It is fine I guess…" She murmured before looking forward once more.

"See you tomorrow, Sereth…" Mykah called after her in a gentle voice.

Sereth nodded slightly and continued towards her room, which she was greeted by two of the Dreamer's handmaidens, one holding a nightgown for Sereth, the other held a wash basin for her face.

"My lady, the Dreamer instructed us to take care of you for the time that you are here," said one of the maidens.

Each maiden wore white silken dresses and a veil over the bottom half of their faces the first had black hair and honey eyes, the other was blonde and hade jade green eyes. The maiden with black hair pulled Sereth to a privacy screen where a tub of water waited, sweet scented bubbles spilling over the side as the blonde handmaiden poured some more water into it.

"I am sure you would like to be nice and clean before you retire for the night," said the first handmaiden.

Sereth sighed gently as the handmaidens moved to remove her dress, hanging it on the privacy screen next to her nightgown before helping her into the water. Sereth leaned back, allowing the water and bubbles to cover her collarbone, feeling the waters sooth her muscles the longer she sat.

"It is interesting that the Dreamer chose the Winter Solstice for the wedding…" Sereth murmured as soap was lathered into her hair.

"Perhaps Lord Twillon himself told her my lady," said the first handmaiden.

Water cascaded over Sereth, rinsing her clean of the soap then the Handmaidens helped her out of the tub, wrapping her in towels,

"That may be so, but for now, we will just have to see…" Sereth murmured as she was dressed in her nightgown.

"You never witnessed a wedding my lady?" asked the second handmaiden.

Sereth shook her head as the first dried and combed her hair,

"My town existed before the temple was built; many of residents stick to tradition and marry at the town's shrine. The Temple served as a place for the Skylord himself, and pilgrims," Sereth answered.

"That is troublesome, but it is nice of the temple not forcing a town to give up their traditions," said the First maiden as she put down the comb.

Sereth was then lead away from the privacy screen over to a bed under sheer white curtains that billowed in the soft nighttime breeze. Sereth thought it strange that in the winter, the windows had no glass and allowed the winter to come in freely. She parted the curtains slightly and settled into bed, feeling herself sink in from the softness the bed provided.

As soon as the curtains were closed by the handmaidens, it got warm, as if the windows weren't letting the cold in. Sereth felt sleep pulling at her, the comfort of the bed and the warmth the curtains kept in were just enough to make anyone fall asleep.

******

"Shh… Don't cry dear Sereth…" whispered a medium tone voice.

A young girl wiped her tears and tried to locate the person speaking, her hearing being her eyes due to her blindness. She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder, and looked to her right as she felt someone or thing touch her forehead.

"I give you the gift of sight, you deserve to see the world in which you live through the blessing I give you, no longer will you have to rely on your other senses and be rejected from my temple because of your inability to see," said the voice once more.

Sereth felt a surge of warm energy against her forehead, moving down to her eyes where her vision began to slowly clear until she gazed upon the Skylord of Night himself. He smiled at her before removing one of his hands from her forehead and began to draw his symbol in the air. It floated in front of Sereth's new eyes before disappearing before her.
"You now carry my mark and blessing, be glad, most of my followers have to hunt with me before they earn my mark…" Twillon said as he stepped away.

"M-my Lord…" Sereth called out.

Twillon looked down at her, his black hair billowing in the aura surrounding him.

"Yes my child?" he asked.

"How would I ever repay you for your kindness?" Sereth replied as she bowed her head.
Twillon smiled at her, and knelt down to her eye level and reaching out to touch her cheek,

"You can repay me by doing what you have dreamed about; by becoming a part of my temple…" Twillon murmured.

Sereth smiled at the kind Skylord before he slowly began to disappear.

******

As the night stretched on, Sereth felt the pressure of the nobles staring at her and Mykah as he guided her in a dance. Mykah was a foot taller than Sereth, having to look down to her as they danced. Sereth felt her neck beginning to ache from looking up at him along with the stress of being starred at.

During the feast, the murmurs of the noble women reached her ears, commenting on how strange she looked, and how she was a poor choice for Mykah because she wasn't as pretty. All she wanted to do was to leave the temple and go somewhere she could not feel the negativity the nobles surrounding her.

As if Mykah could hear her thoughts, Mykah stopped dancing and guided her towards the balcony, feeling the cold air cool them down from being surrounded by nobles. Sereth sighed in relief as she felt the pressure leave her, allowing her to calm her nerves.

"How can you stand living in a city where the people thrive on gossip and rumors and only care about parties?" Sereth asked as she rested her hands on the railing.

Mykah mimicked her motions and side glanced to his wife, smiling slightly at her question.

"I don't let it bother me that much, the council keeps me busy enough that I don't attend many parties or mingle with any nobles…" Mykah replied.

Sereth sighed and looked to him, her amber eyes catching Luna's light and having a glowing effect.

"That is not what I meant… I am talking about is how can anyone be so inconsiderate of others, caring only about fine clothes and jewels and gossip!" Sereth snapped.

Mykah wrapped an arm around Sereth's shoulder, sensing what she was referring too,

"You are talking about the noble lady who insulted you… I am afraid that she is one of the people I have trouble with on a weekly basis with my temple. She comes in claiming to pray to Lord Twillon and instead comments on the lack of fine silks hanging from the windows and how the followers of Twillon are nothing more than a few rejects of society…" Mykah murmured.

Sereth felt herself shiver from the cold winter breeze, her gown not doing any help by being thin silk and lace. Mykah removed his cloak and placed it over her shoulders before pulling her into an embrace. Sereth didn't melt into it as any wife would do, she hardly knew the man and here he was showing his affections to a complete stranger. When he released her from his embrace, Sereth backed away, shaking her head slightly before turning and walking away.

"Sereth?" Mykah called after her as she reentered the main hall of the temple.

He would have followed after her, but he felt that she needed some time to adjust to her new life. Being ripped away from your family and customs to marry a stranger would take an impact on anyone like Sereth.

******

When Sereth returned to the temple, Mykah was speaking with the First Knight of the Dreamer's Knights. When he rested his wizened eyes on the bride, he bowed and backed away to allow Mykah to speak with her.

"Kyrin told me that he and the two knights who brought you here were just about to escort us to our home, he told me to come find him when we are ready to leave…" Mykah murmured into her ear.

Sereth nodded slightly before resting her eyes on the noble lady who was whispering about her at the feast. She laughed before using a fan to cover her red lips as she whispered away to two other noble women who began laughing at whatever the gossiping noble had just told them. Sereth felt her mood drop as her sensitive ears began to pick up what the noble lady had said. Mykah had heard it too as a noble man behind him listened to his wife spread the rumor.

'I heard she was a blind mongrel and pulled a sad story to the Skylord to grant her sight…'

Mykah gripped his fist and turned to the noble lady who was laughing with her friends, taking Sereth's hand and pulling her towards the noble. When she rested her eyes on the High Priest, her green eyes looked at him,

"Lady Thorne, if I were you I would refrain from insulting my wife. She is a devout follower of the Lord of Night and carries a blessing from Twillon himself, a blessing, not an act of pity!" Mykah spat.

Lady Thorne looked fearful of Mykah as she nodded slightly, her caramel curls bouncing from her head movements. Mykah moved away from the noble lady with Sereth following. When they were away from the noisy ears of the nobles, Mykah turned to his wife.

"That should stop her for at least a day," Mykah said cheerfully.

Sereth felt grateful for what Mykah had done for her, feeling the overwhelming need to embrace him. And so she did, earning a slight chuckle from Mykah,

"Thank you…" she murmured.

"You don't deserve to be ridiculed… We should head home and something like Lady Thorne won't happen again; and I am sure you are tired," Mykah murmured as he held onto Sereth.
Sereth nodded slightly before releasing her embrace and following Mykah over to the Dreamer's Knights.

******

Mykah's home wasn't as far from the temple than Sereth thought, instead his-their- room had a great view of the temple and its gardens. She sat in bed with a book in her hands, murmuring the words to herself as she read about the history of the Skylords.

'In the beginning there was only sky and a lord who took care of his people with grace and kindness. His name was Skye and he was considered a giver of wishes, for one day his people wished for morning and so he granted it, causing the birth of Dawn and her twin sister Aura. The next day his people wished for Sunlight so their crops can grow, and so he granted it, bringing the forth of Solstice, the daughter of Dawn. Three weeks later his people wished for a day of shadow so their crops can cool down from the long day, and so he granted it, bringing forth Eclipse the mate of Solstice.

Several months passed since the last Eclipse and Skye's people were growing restless, and so they wished for sunset so the Solstice can rest her bright rays of sunshine and allow their crops to rest, and he granted it, bringing forth Solstice's first son, Dusk. The people were happy for a few years before they asked their lord for one more thing, Night time, and so the lord granted it, bringing forth Twillon, younger brother of Dusk. Little did the people know, the lord had begun to falter, growing old and feeble. The people felt guilt wash over them for all they did were ask and never gave, so they prayed to the Dawn, the Sun, the Dusk, and the Night to help their lord live out his life, and so they granted it, giving the lord a few more years to spare before finally passing on.

Without a lord to govern them the people of the village began to commune to the Sky, erecting temples across the land to each Skylord. And as a final gift, they blessed the Lord's youngest daughter with each aspect of themselves, beauty from the dawn, kindness from the sun, reasoning from the eclipse, clairvoyance from the dusk, and Immortality from the night. They called her the Dreamer, and she governed the land with her gifts, creating a council for each temple dedicated to each of the Skylords to guide the temples and the followers on each side of the land.'

Sereth sighed gently before closing the book, rubbing her eyes after reading. Mykah was walking from the other side of the privacy screen with damp hair and his chest bare. He slipped under the covers and lowered the oil lamp to cast a light amber glow to allow Sereth to keep reading if she wished it. Before settling, he reached over and kissed her temple before lying down to sleep.

Sereth sighed once more and looked upwards towards the hidden sky murmuring a prayer to the Skylord before she too settled down for bed, the book on the nightstand with a bookmark tucked in the spot where she left off.