[Sephora]In the weeks that followed after Sephora and Ambrose returned from The Seer, both Joe and Ravyn had managed to recruit over 300 new soldiers for Ambrose's army. Sephora herself thought that was a lot of men, but according to both Ambrose and Joe - it wasn't a lot of men at all. Not when Vince's army, accompanied with Lord Daemon's, totaled up to over 35,000 soldiers. Whereas Ambrose had only 10,000, after the attacks on the veil-stones and the defense of Lord Silas' lands. They were grossly outnumbered, and the need for allies was paramount.So the next time Ambrose and Sephora were in a council meeting - she had finally grasped how the politics and procedures of the court worked - Sephora came up with an idea that she finally brought to the table."The Assembly of Lord's is in two days correct?" She inquired, looking over to Ambrose across the wide circular table. Some of the ministers shuffled in their seats.They were all very weary of Sephora now, especially since the la
[Ravyn]Sephora and Ambrose had no idea how much it meant to Ravyn to have this particular day to herself. She hadn't been able to have this day to herself in a while, things had become so tense over the years, and Ambrose had needed her skills and information more than ever. But today... today she could take her time to do what she needed to do.It was Ravyn's birthday. Not that she'd ever tell anyone else that, nor did it really matter - Ravyn stopped aging the day she reached maturity at 21. And that had been over a century ago.No, Ravyn didn't care that it was her birthday - Ravyn marked it as the day of her mother's death. The day her mother stopped breathing after holding on long enough to give birth to her. No matter how many times everyone told her that it wasn't her fault, Ravyn knew that it was. Her mother had been perfectly healthy, only Ravyn had been too powerful for her mother to keep them both alive, and her mother's heart gave out before she could even lay eyes on her
[Sephora]Once Ambrose and Sephora had finished their preparations for the Assembly, Ambrose decided to take Sephora down to his favourite pub that he'd drag Joe and Ravyn to most evenings. Only to find, that the General and Shadow had already beaten them to it, and we're helping themselves to a large mug of ale as Ambrose and Sephora entered the crowded room. Both Joe and Ravyn waved them over, to join them at their table with wide smiles, so Sephora and Ambrose advanced to meet them.They had almost made it to the table, meandering through couples and groups of dancing and drinking Ardanams, when Sephora noticed that Ravyn was no longer wearing her fighting leathers. Instead she was wearing a beautiful blue dress, with pink and white decorations down the front and along the edges of the skirts. Ravyn looked so stunning, that Sephora had to stop and blink a few moments before joining them at their booth. She wondered what the occasion was to merit such a gorgeous dress to be worn - S
SephoraFire flickered and entwined around itself and around Sephora as she stood there before the dias. Everyone was cowering in fear, begging some ancient gods to save them from this flaming death that had come to claim them. But Sephora wasn't looking at them up on that dias, the only person that held her attention was smiling at her with so much love and pride it almost threatened to bring her to tears.Ambrose's pine green eyes glowed from the brilliance of her flames as he gaze down at her, and she gave him a slow wicked smile. Their plan had done it's work.Sephora had spent hours with Ambrose those past few days before the assembly. The minister's words had given Ambrose a brilliant idea of how they would prove she was the Pheonix. The Pheonix was a creature of fire, a magnificent bird that flew over the heads of their foes and reduced them to ashes and simmering embers. Sephora had to become that creature, that force of nature. And so, together in the fighting pit, they had s
Ambrose bristled and ignored the Lord, the same time a familiar face could be seen descending the steps as well - Brigand. Ravyn's mate followed after his Lord. Joe actually waved at the white haired scout with a friendly smile, and Sephora could hardly believe her eyes. They must have settled their differences after all - no wonder things between Ravyn and Joe seemed better."You can trust him," Ravyn suddenly declared from where she stood beside Sephora, her blue eyes locked onto the teleporting Lord. "Lord Vagus' story lines up with everything I saw at Vince's court - it explains why I never saw him and Vince coercing together. Lord Daemon was a prisoner."Lady Valda still didn't look convinced, "Hmm." She narrowed her dark eyes at the Lord - a look that would send most people running in the other direction. But Lord Daemon gazed right back at her, his face almost forming a smirk."Not to worry, Lady," He goaded, "I'm sure you'll be keeping an eye on me to make sure I behave." His e
Sephora smiled at the sea of faces, their eyes all filled with steel and hope. A bastion of flame before the darkness, that is what they would be. Together they had a chance to save her family back in the Mortal world. Overwhelming joy filled Sephora's heart, the same time Ambrose's hand slid into hers once again and he gave her a gorgeous smile. Sephora reciprocated it with a grin of her own, before together they descended the steps into the waiting crowd of people.The Lords and Ladies gathered before Ambrose and Sephora. Brigand with them, along with Joe and Ravyn and even Governor Hans stood, unsmiling, next to Lance and Megan. The latter still giving the Governor looks that could kill, and Lance smirking at the sight.Sephora bowed her head in greeting and thanks to all the Ardanams gathered before her. Without their support, they had no hope against Vince.Lady Valda gave Sephora a wicked smile in return and despite her original suspicions about the mysterious winged female, Sep
Lady Valda smiled but it didn't reach her eyes, "As wonderful as that sounds, someone needs to lead our armies to keep Vince's forces away from the Veil-Stones." Her dark gaze bore into Sephora, "Some of us simply aren't strong enough to take Vince on. Even if we were the greatest team fate could have provided - which we are not," She pointed a glance toward Daemon, who smirked, "It wouldn't stop him from overpowering us one-by-one. I'm not here to commit suicide, Majesty, I'm here to win a war."Sephora nodded, "I appreciate that, Lady Valda." She paused, considering, taking in all the female had said. Then looked up again to speak, "Lady Valda, Lord Rhonan, Lord Silas - I suggest you lead the armies against Vince's forces."Lord Daemon straightened, looking slightly alarmed, until Sephora quickly added, "Lord Daemon, you will be needed for communication between us - we need to know what is happening and of any updates that occur during the battle."The Lord instantly relaxed his sho
Ambrose shuffled uncomfortably under the Lady's gaze. And Sephora would have been happy to simply watch him squirm, but the male host of the Assembly had now taken to the stage, announcing that the Assembly was over and everyone should head home.Sephora's heart fell, they still had so much to plan and organise... But tomorrow was another day, and she had to remember that it was still a lot to take in for some people - so much had happened in just a few hours.Sephora said her goodbyes to Lance and Megan, wishing them well and hoping to see them again soon. Lord Rhonan and Victoria left without another word to either Sephora or Ambrose - they didn't take it personally, though Sephora was seriously questioning what Ambrose's definition of 'old friend' was from Lord Rhonan's behavior toward them. Lord Silas mumbled his farewell to Ambrose, and Sephora was finally formally introduced to Ravyn's mate, Brigand."I'm so happy that you two sorted everything out between you." Sephora said to