“Please, magistrate, be reasonable,” Mirelle said, trying her best not to lose her patience. Even the sweetest of princesses had her limits, it seemed. The magistrate left in charge of the Seven Islands in Princess Meryn’s absence was nothing short of hard-headed.

He was an honourable enough man, to be certain, but he was quite bullish when it came to the other kingdoms. Before the princesses and their Guild, the monarchs of each kingdom bickered and quarrelled over just about anything. And this magistrate, appointed by Meryn herself, had seen enough of that to develop a deep mistrust of anyone outside the Seven Islands.

So when Princess Mirelle of Fort Quatran came to him with a proposal of union with her kingdom and Fivellin, he would hear none of it.

“I will be reasonable as soon as you are, Lady Mirelle,” he said, taking his seat in a tall wooden chair beside the opulent, golden throne that Meryn would have been sitting in. Mirelle had noted how the throne had been covered over with cotton sheets to try and hide the absurd display of wealth she knew Meryn hated. The magistrate continued.

“What you propose? It’s nonsense. You cannot expect the people of the Seven Islands to be subjected to rule by a ruler who is not their own. They love good Princess Meryn. She has earned their eternal respect. Even more so after her unfortunate kidnapping many months ago when it was revealed that she was protecting her people as the Holy Sunlight and battling crime where the Royal Guard could not. They will not accept union with anyone, least of all Fort Quatran. It is nothing personal against you, my lady. You are a fair woman and a kind ruler. But the people do not know that. Surely you know the history between your kingdom and ours, Lady Mirelle.”

“Magistrate, this is much larger than the petty squabbles of the past,” Mirelle said. “We... we are all in danger. A greater union will battle these pirates I know your kingdom has been plagued by. We are stronger as one and Nara the Blade is a greater threat to us all than anything else.”

The magistrate sighed. “A fine argument...” he conceded. “But it changes nothing of our people’s hearts and minds. Though they, too, are plagued by this pirate menace many of their problems reach much further. And it was not long ago that Fort Quatran’s last king perpetrated the... Annex.”

Mirelle sighed. She had hoped he wouldn’t bring it up. Before Mirelle came to rule, the smallest Esterlin kingdom of Fort Quatran had a power mad king who hated the small amount of land his kingdom possessed. So, without warning, he forcefully annexed one of the Seven Islands, killing many unarmed civilians in the process, and claimed it as one of their own. The naval forces of the Seven Islands battled back and reclaimed the island, capturing the king and executing him after trial.

Soon after the seven princesses arrived, Mirelle took over and had to deal with the fallout and try to make peace.

Ever since then, even under Mirelle’s peaceful guidance and attempts to make amends, many in the Seven Islands have never forgiven for what was simply referred to as the Annex. Their hatred of Fort Quatran ran deep and the magistrate was right that many in the kingdom would never want to unite with the kingdom. There would surely be unrest, violent protest, and a diversion of resources badly needed to battling the pirates...

“I... I understand, magistrate. But everyone in Fort Quatran responsible for the Annex are long gone. There are only peaceful people in my court.”

“I know that,” the magistrate said. “But the people do not. Can you really blame them for not wanting to trust your kingdom, Lady Mirelle?”

“No...” Mirelle said. “But I believe we can find peace with everyone. I have to believe that. Please, at least consider our offer. You owe us nothing if you unite and your will still govern your people. As will Meryn, of course. And, should the other kingdoms agree, then we have a chance to let the people decide who will represent them.”

The magistrate raised an eyebrow. “Democracy? You wish to... abolish Esterlin’s long line of monarchy?”

“It is the people who are affected by our decisions, Magistrate. It is they who should hold the power. And it is us who should serve them. Surely you agree, being such a principled man.”

The magistrate nodded slightly. “You are not incorrect, Lady Mirelle. Though such talk has been... dangerous in the past. You are not the first to propose a democracy in the history of Esterlin. Many have lost their heads for even breathing the suggestion...”

“What of me? Shall I lose my head for it?” Mirelle asked.

“I would not do that. Not to you, Lady Mirelle. Besides, I have always liked the idea of democracy myself... I will consider your proposal, princess. And I will consult the people and those who represent them. I cannot promise they will pleased...”

“Thank you, magistrate. I am glad you are willing to listen to me, at the very least...”

“Of course.” Both of them stood up and the magistrate shook Mirelle’s hand, bowing low before her. “I wish you luck in finding your wife...” he said. “Rest assured, you will have the navy of the Seven Islands at your disposal, if you should have need. Anything we can do to combat these pirates is worth it.”

“I appreciate the offer, magistrate. It is a fine gesture. I will find her, I assure you.”

“If anyone will it will be you, my lady. Good travels to you.”

“And good tidings to you and your kingdom, magistrate,” Mirelle said, turning and leaving the throne room behind.

She felt tears begin to form at the corner of her eyes as she thought of the magistrate’s words, reminding her of Luna’s kidnapping... though she quickly wiped them away, keeping up her resolute appearance for the Royal Guards flanking her.

Mirelle distracted herself with regimented thoughts, one at a time, to keep her emotions in check. The ship is waiting in port... Setting sail for the Southeastern Quarter... That’s where the pirates were last spotted...

She stopped her train of thought there, her hand reaching to the golden ring on her hand, inlaid with the sapphire Luna had given her... Mirelle spun the ring on her finger and kept her thoughts deeply focussed on the task at hand.

Set sail... find the island... set them free. Get that pirate...

...

“Mmmmmpphhh....” Luna groaned into her gag, shuffling slightly in her bonds. Her muscles ached from being kept in the hogtie for such a long time. She was inside a cell in the brig of The Blade, the notorious pirate captain’s ship.

Luna rested her head on its side, peering across the room at the short, thickly built woman currently tied to a wooden pole in the middle of the room, just outside her cell. The thick bangs of her short, black hair swayed as the muscular captain of the Fort Quatran Royal Guard struggled against her bonds.

A harness of rope framed her chest and pinned her arms to her sides and her wrists were crossed and bound behind the pole, with her hands sealed in tight leather mittens that forced them into closed fists. More of the rope looped around her waist and between her legs, causing captain Vera to blush slightly at the.... uncomfortable sensation of that rope. Further rope bound her above and below the knees and at the ankles. Her armour and weapons had long been stripped from her and Vera wore nothing but a tight, white sleeveless shirt and matching, high cut panties for undergarments. Ever since her capture at the hands of Nara the Blade, Vera had not stopped struggling and trying to escape... but it had proven fruitless thus far.

Luna had all but given up, realizing just how helpless Nara kept her prisoners. In her hogtie, Luna had the same harness of rope around her chest, though her wrists were looped over top of each other in a box tie and held together with strong rope. Her legs were bound in the same places as Vera and she had the same rope pulled between her legs... crotchrope. That’s what that bondage-loving fire witch calls them... Luna thought to herself. Further restricting her movement, Luna’s ankles were pulled up tight to her wrists and secured to the ropes around her arms.

Both women had been gagged with what Luna would describe as a ridiculous amount of cloth. Two shoved into their mouths, bulging their cheeks, one pulled tight between their teeth, two layers covering their mouths and then three layers on top of their mouths and noses.

Nara’s pirates never spared anything when it came to restraining prisoners. The captain would not tolerate escapes. Not from anyone.

With the pirate captain on her mind, Luna shifted herself onto her side, trying her best to remain comfortable in the tight hogtie. She was still wearing her pale blue, knee high sandals but almost nothing else... a tight set of dark leather bra and panties barely covered her body, leaving the rest of Luna’s rich, ebony skin bare.

Vera saw her and couldn’t control her thoughts as she stared at the princess’ shapely, toned body. She had to avert her eyes a few times to avoid such thoughts, though she was starting to understand part of the reason Princess Mirelle fell in love with her...

Luna hadn’t yet noticed the awkward stares of her fellow captive. Her thoughts remained with Nara and exactly where the ship was currently headed. Nara had interrogated Luna endlessly during her first day of captivity about this person called ‘The Faceless’ and the power they supposedly possessed.

Starling had only mentioned The Faceless in passing and Nara knew more than Luna did on the subject, she just seemed to enjoy tormenting her helpless captive. They were headed to an island somewhere in the Esterlin Sea shrouded by a perpetual lightning storm. Peeking out from the clouds, the legend went, the island’s looming towers soared into the sky, dark and foreboding, and The Faceless One was said to live inside these towers, apparently sometimes all at once.

Though the cursed book they had created was no longer in their possession, The Faceless possessed more power than any witch or sorceress or magic user of any kind had possessed in Esterlin’s history. It was perhaps fortunate they kept themselves secluded on the hidden island, though it was said they constantly searched with their prodding mind, yearning for the book they had lost. But they had yet to find it as the dangerous coven who had stolen it from The Faceless shrouded it’s presence with a curse of blindness. The Faceless could never have known that the Thief Witch had stolen it long after the coven of witches had been disbanded.

Nara, too, knew of this book and seemed to understand that Aurora held it in her possession. Luna didn’t know what Nara’s plan was but she could guess it likely involved an alliance with The Faceless predicated on procuring the book for them. With that kind of powerful ally, there would be almost nothing to stop Nara from taking Esterlin for herself.

With her worried thoughts dancing through her head, the hulking, muscular pirate with her one eye and long, pale silver hair strode into the room and knelt down in front of Luna’s cell. She remained silent and let the distant roll of thunder outside rattle the inside of her ship.

“Hear that?” Nara asked with a smile. “We’re almost there. The Island of The Faceless. We already spotted the towers...”

“Mmmmphhh! NMMMM!!” Luna said, battling her ropes and failing to do anything but squirm around on the floor.

“Oh, don’t worry, dearest Luna. I won’t hurt your precious wife. Or her captain. Or even you. Heck, I’ll even let your wife work out that alliance with the other kingdoms. After all, a peaceful kingdom is much easier to inherit than a divided one.”

Luna furrowed her brow and struggled onto her stomach again, trying to look up at Nara.

“So what do I want? I want that power on my side, Luna. You know how unstoppable I would be if anyone decided to, say, resist my will. We’ll call this insurance. And besides, I want that Thief Witch out of the way. I know it had to be her that made the Griffin Knight into... that...” Nara said, shuddering at the memory of the black armoured knight who had vowed revenge on her.

“Got plenty of room for more captives. And that Thief Witch would look so nice in that cell with you. Plus, we’d be getting that... monster’s book back for it. It’s a win-win, don’t you think so?”

“Mmmmpphh...” Luna said, laying her head down on the floor again.

“No fight left in you? Shame. I always liked the defiant ones better.” Nara stood up and rested her hand under Vera’s chin, who glared and shook her head, battling her restraints. “Like this one. She’s never given up the fight. Tough as nails. I might just keep her. Dress her up, tie her in chains, straps, maybe some creative gags... hmmm... Yeah. Sounds pretty nice.”

“MMMMRGGHHH!!” Vera growled. “NMMVMMMRR!! GMM TMM HHMMMLLL!!”

Nara chuckled, her thick, deep voice echoing off the walls. “See? She’s perfect.” Vera squealed when the larger woman leaned down and kissed her on the gag where her lips would be. She battled the ropes but there was no give in them.

“Oh, you are a fun one...” Nara said. She smiled when Vera’s cheeks started to turn red. “And she blushes? Oh yes. You’ll be a good personal slave, my dear. No selling you. I’m going to display you in my throne room...”

“MMMMPPHHH!!”

“Yes, keep on screaming like that. It’s wonderful.”

“Captain!” a voice called from above. “We’re ready to set anchor! The island is close!”

Nara stepped back and blew a kiss at Vera, winking once, before heading back to the stairs. “I’ll be back for you, princess,” Nara said. “It’s said The Faceless will not appear unless a ‘comely maiden, silent and bound’ is presented before them. Don’t know why but... we do what we need to get in. Sit tight till then.”

As Nara left them again, Luna began struggling hard again in earnest. Vera did the same though neither woman made any progress. With those words lingering in mind, Luna had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. Something told her Nara was in for way more than she bargained for and it would put them all in danger...

...

“Captain!” a voice shouted from above. “The Blade! She’s moored just off the port bow!”

Starling, the Griffin Knight, peered through the fog and narrowed her eyes when she spotted the familiar outline of the massive pirate ship. Her own ship, devoid of armament, wouldn’t be able to get close.

“No sail!” Starling called, her voice echoing beneath her dark helmet. The ethereal whispers echoed around her voice as the runes on her helmet and sword glowed bright white. Her powerful glare was invisible beneath the helmet but an inhuman growl escaped the helmet and shook her ship’s crew to their core. “Lower the anchor...”

Mirelle heard the call and approached the Griffin Knight, stopping beside her. She spotted the ship moored just off the coast of the darkened island, surrounded by swirling storm clouds. “Is that them?”

“It is the Blade...” Starling said. “Those two will be on board...”

“I still can’t believe you left her alone,” Mirelle said. “All in the name of your silly vengeance.”

“I...” Starling began, the ethereal whispers going silent for the moment. “I was not thinking clearly. That’s getting more difficult... This power is... dangerous. And it has only gotten worse as we’ve approached this place.”

“What’s gotten worse?”

“The voices,” Starling said. “They feed my anger. I can hardly control myself anymore. I need to... to kill that pirate!” She said, her voice echoing again. The whispers returned.

“No! We are not murderers! I will not let you!” Mirelle said. “Starling... Griffin Knight... hang on to your true self! Please! Fight back against this darkness!”

“I am sorry...” Starling said, her voice changing yet again. “I will do what I can.”

Both women then found themselves ignoring each other. Mirelle spotted some people leaving the ship in the distance, walking into the driving rain pouring down on the island. One of them was hopping strangely and being led by what looked like a leash by a large woman in a tricorn hat with pale silver hair. Mirelle would recognize that ebony skin and pale blue hair anywhere...

“Luna! They’re... taking her onto the island!”

Starling didn’t answer, instead spotting something she hadn’t expected. A figure dressed in white stood some distance. Her cloak fluttered in the wind, her thick, dark bangs slinging to her face as the rain poured down. Eyes closed, staff in hand, the very soul of calm... Starling’s rage overtook her again and the runes glowed brighter.

“Leila...” she hissed.

“Starling?” Mirelle asked. “Didn’t you hear me? Luna’s in big trouble!”

The inhuman growl once more burst forth from Starling’s helmet. She said nothing to Mirelle and charged for a lifeboat, slicing it loose with her sword. It splashed down into the sea and Starling was already rowing ashore before Mirelle knew what had happened.

“Starling! Stop!”

The Griffin Knight ignored her, the sight of Leila consuming her mind. The staff wielding warrior had returned from their last battle, it seemed. And she was still on Nara’s side...

...

“Mmmrrgghh! Lmmt gmm mmf mmm! MMMPPHH!!” Luna fought and struggled as the pirates carried her from the brig and out onto the deck in the pouring rain, releasing her from the hogtie but keeping her still tightly bound and gagged. Her hair, her entire body, they were both soon completely drenched as she was brought before Nara, who clapped a steel collar around her neck. She felt weak as soon as it snapped shut.

“Not that you could in your state, but a little something extra to keep that moon magic at bay, princess...” Nara said, gripping a piece of rope tied to a loop in the collar around Luna’s neck.

She pulled it once, forcing Luna to hope forward one step, just barely holding her balance. “You will follow me... understand?” Nara said, yanking the rope again.

Luna took another hop forward and still just about held her balance. She growled beneath her layered gag and simply nodded, glaring into Nara’s eyes.

“Good then. Let’s move.”

She started walking but then a tall, thin figure in white barred her way. Nara nearly bumped into her.

“The Shroud... what are you doing!?”

“This is foolish...” she said. “You have no comprehension of the power you are trifling with on this island.”

“I know exactly what kind of power is here. The kind that can make me a Queen. No, an Empress! I’m getting that monster on my side, Leila. You can’t stop me.”

The staff appeared in Leila’s hand when she snapped her fingers and she slammed it into the wooden ramp, stepping forward and meeting Nara eye to eye.

“Yes. I can. But we have an agreement, you and I. The power here... it is not something you can control. It will destroy us all.”

“Even you?” Nara asked with a smirk.

“I implore you... do not go further. Return the captive to her cell. Turn around. Proceed with the original plan. This fool’s errand will be your undoing.”

Luna stared at the caramel skinned woman standing before her. The woman called Leila, or The Shroud, was quite imposing though Luna did find her rather pretty, in a brooding sort of way. She liked that she was willing to stand up to Nara, at least. Though she had been there that night when Nara kidnapped Vera...

“I know where this monster’s book is, Leila. It will help me if I help it. That’s the way these things work.”

“They,” Leila said.

“What?”

“The person is not a monster, Nara. Though their identity is lost to power and time, they remain human in some form. Besides, they are far more than a mere monster...”

“Who cares what I call them? There’s power here. Power I can use. That’s all that matters!”

“They have heard you...” Leila said, taking a moment to look around slowly. “You and your disrespect of their being. Do not anger them further. Leave.”

“I will not,” Nara said. “Stand aside, Shroud. Honour our agreement, you merc thug.”

Leila growled under her breath and walked down the ramp, staff in hand, stepping away from the ship. “Very well then. Dig your own grave, Nara the Blade. I will not battle The Faceless.”

“Do what you must, Shroud,” Nara called back. “We’ll see whose grave is dug when I’m through here!”

She nodded to the pirates behind her, pulling Luna’s leash as she started down the ramp again. After Leila’s warning, the knots in Luna’s stomach tightened. She swallowed hard at the tall, looming towers as they reached the solid rock on the ground of the island. It was smooth rock, at least, and not slippery in the rain so the going would be easy enough. But Luna, now starting to tremble, could already hear whispers in her mind...

Princess of the Moon.... Sorceress of Ice... Listener of Moon Spirit... I accept your presence as the bound maiden... Come to me....

“Mmmmpphh....” Luna whimpered into her gag, trying to block out the voice.

This is my domain... You cannot resist me. Come... I await your presence...

...

The pirates were already exploring the towers by the time Mirelle landed on shore with some of the ship’s crew. Starling had landed long before her, sword drawn, and was walking toward the woman in white some ways off in the distance. Mirelle called after her, still trying to reach her, but part of her knew that Starling wasn’t really ‘present’ that moment. Instead, it was whatever beast from within that she had chosen to unleash...

Leila’s eyes opened as soon as Starling stopped walking several paces in front of her. She stood straight, one hand on her staff planted on the ground. The other hand she placed in front of her face, palm flat, and made a small circular motion. Sparking energy jumped from her hand as she did and a circle of arcing, electrical energy surrounded the two women in an enclosed sort of arena.

“You come again, even though your allies need you...” Leila said. “A mistake. Now you are stuck here with me.”

“It was no mistake,” Starling said. “I will have my vengeance. First you. Then the pirate.”

“And what of your allies? If the other princess is captured, what will you do?”

Starling growled again; the rumbling, monstrous growl of the power beginning to drive her mad. “If I kill all their captors... they will go free.”

“Murder, Starling?” Leila asked. “I thought you had moved past that.”

“You’re one to talk, working for a pirate,”

“With,” Leila said, an edge to her voice. Her eyes hardened and she gripped her staff in both hands. “I work with the pirate.”

“What’s the difference? You still do her bidding as her lapdog.”

Leila seethed and the sparking energy from her hands leapt to her staff. Her voice echoed when she spoke next. “I am no one’s lapdog.”

“Then why work for the pirate, Leila?” Starling asked, her voice echoing as well. Her sword’s runes began glowing even brighter as she tightened her grip.

“I have my reasons... mostly to face you.”

“Mostly?”

“Can’t you figure it out, Starling?”

Regaining her composure slightly, Starling looked around at the towers, the raging storm, the driving rain...

“The Faceless...”

“Not the person themselves... their power. I am the one who told Nara of the power here. Though she is foolish and refused to turn back, despite my warnings.”

“You needed her to find the island...” Starling said.

“I am no sailor. Nor a navigator. Even powers like ours are limited, Starling. So I desire something... more.”

“The book...” Starling said. “Midanyami. You’re going to take the book.”

“Use it, Starling. I will give The Faceless what they want. To incur their wrath is suicide and I am not yet finished with this world. I cannot move to the next by temporary death. Not yet.”

“Of course you can,” Starling said. “And I will be the one to give you that death. You cannot use the book, Leila. It will...”

“What? Drive me mad as it has done to you? Not in the hands of its creator, cursed as they may be.”

“It will destroy everything. I will not let you touch it. It’s power is too much. For either of us.”

“You’ve grown weak with age,” Leila said. “I am stronger than you now. To think, this all started because I just wouldn’t die after you killed me... But you can’t kill me now. Can you?”

“I would gladly put that to the test...”

Her speed would have been naught but a blur to any normal opponent. Anyone else would have been on the ground and bleeding in less than a second. But Leila wasn’t just anyone...

The sword, impossibly fast and swung with the superhuman strength, stopped dead in mid-air as an echoing crash of metal resonated across the entire island. The staff blocked the sword, heavy sparks flying into the air from the tremendous collision, the power of the weapons colliding sending shockwaves out from their battleground.

Starling pulled back and swung low for Leila’s legs, trying to catch her off guard but Leila jumped back, equalling Starling’s superhuman speed and lashing out with the staff, battering the side of Starling’s helmet.

The mighty knight didn’t even stumble, instead swinging upward with both hands on her sword, forcing the staff and Leila’s hands upward. Starling brought her sword down again, equally as quick, the blade crashing into the white leather cuirass covering Leila’s robes. The sword sparked from the collision again and forced Leila backward, who also did not flinch.

Again and again, the two women struck out at each other and got in the occasional hit on her opponent, driving each other back and forth into the electrical barrier surrounding them. Their weapons clashed as the battle between them raged on and on, once again neither of them gaining the upper hand.

They were tireless in their pursuit of each other, relentless in their attack, staunch in their defence, and too fast for human eyes to see. Finally, however, both of them seemed to tire out. Leila had rips and tears in her cloak and wide sleeves. Starling’s helmet and armour was dented and chipped. She pulled off her helmet and stuck her sword in the ground, growling in frustration. Leila snapped her fingers and the staff disappeared. She closed her eyes and felt the heavy rain falling on her head, trying to catch her breath.

The barrier around them dissipated and Starling, her tied back, bright red hair now soaked through, waved a hand over her helmet to bring it back to pristine condition. The runes glowed again and Leila noticed her rival’s eyes turn black for a fleeting moment before they went back to their intense green.

“There is darkness in that power you wield, Starling.”

“It is the book,” Starling said. “That is why you must not wield it.”

Leila ignored her words and turned to face the tower behind them. “They are all up there. Your princess allies both need aid. Though the green haired one seems to be in hiding...”

“Save your all-seeing nonsense...” Starling said, placing the helmet back on her head. She picked up her sword and sheathed it at her side once more. “I will be there.”

“And what of your vendetta?”

“Later... I have wasted too much time on you.”

Leila chuckled. “Perhaps that was with intent, Starling.”

Starling narrowed her eyes and glared at Leila again. “What?” she asked, gritting her teeth.

“To give time to The Faceless to... do their work. On the pirate.”

“Work? What work?”

“Go inside and see,” Leila said, nodding toward the tower. “I will not be here when you return.”

“When next we meet, Leila...”

“Spare me your idle threats. Get out of my sight, you foolish knight. Your allies await you.”

Though she was reluctant to leave the fight unfinished yet again, Starling headed off to the tower and began the long ascent to the top. Her focus shifted then to Nara and the deep, snarling, growl emanated from her helmet yet again, the runes around it glowing bright white once again. Though now the whispers had a different voice.

Midanyami... I sense its influence within you... come to me, knight of darkness... I command it!

Though she wanted to fight it, the voice compelling her, with a power like the runes but stronger, seemed to pull her from within and seek out the source of the voice. Compelled by forces out of her control, Starling was climbing those stairs whether she wanted to or not...

...

Laying upon a large oak table, Luna had been hogtied again and set in the centre of the room with a strange orb of pale blue light above her, shining a bright beam over her entire body. Nara stood back as someone circled the table, staring at her, looking her up and down, even reaching forward to caress her hair.

The figure was a person, that much was certain. Their entire body was wrapped tightly in what looked like dark grey bandages and a withered, old cloak with a hood that matched over top of that. Their face was shrouded in darkness beneath the hood and, even when light shined upon it, the darkness did not lift. As Nara watched the strange figure’s lilting steps around the table, she couldn’t help but think that, even if the hood were removed, the person’s face would still be hidden by a pall of shadows.

Indeed, The Faceless One lived up to their name. They were so beyond recognition even they themselves did not know who they were before the curse of the book, Midanyami. All they had become was the curse, the power, and the yearning of the book they had created many centuries ago.

The Faceless pressed up close to Luna and the princess certainly felt the gaze of eyes upon her, though she could see none beyond the thick veil of shadow. She shifted a bit in her bonds as The Faceless stepped back and turned their back on everyone in the room.

“A comely maiden indeed...” The Faceless said, in a voice of varying pitch and cadence. The voice seemed to come from everywhere and the oddity of their tone suggested they didn’t often find cause to speak to people.

“So then... we are accepted?” Nara asked.

“She is accepted,” The Faceless said. “But I am not so easily appeased, pirate.”

Nara rolled her eyes. “What else do you want?”

“My book...” The Faceless said, in a voice of many tones and pitches, resonating around the room. “Midanyami....”

“Well, you’re in luck,” Nara said. “I happen to know where this book of yours is. And I’ll tell you... for a price.”

“Yes. And the price will be most steep indeed,” The Faceless said.

“Um... yeah...” Nara said, doubt beginning to enter her mind. Maybe this really was a bad idea...

While they spoke, the soft rattle of a suit of armour in a deep alcove was barely audible in the large room at the top of this tower. But no one seemed to hear it as Mirelle hid behind it, trying her best not to shuffle and knock the ill balanced suit of armour over.

Mirelle pressed herself as far back against the wall as she could and waited for anyone to begin speaking again.

“Tell me...” The Faceless said. “What is it that you want, Nara the Blade?”

“You’ve heard of me?” Nara asked.

“I’ve heard many things... within the minds of others. You are not as beloved as you believe yourself to be, ruling through fear as you do.”

“You don’t know anything,” Nara said.

“Do I not? What about your eye, pirate? You claim honourable battle won you your current title. But I can see it now. The poisoned dagger in your hand while she slept. The captain knew, however. The heel of her boot took the sight from you with her last vicious kick as you plunged the dagger in-”

“Lies! Who told you that!? I’ll have their head for spreading such nonsense!”

“I tell no lies, pirate,” The Faceless said. “But you do. Even in your mind. You have but one chance to tell me the truth. What do you want here on my island?”

“I... I want power. I want you to help me take Esterlin. In exchange, I’ll get you your book. I know where it is.”

“So you have said...”

“I’m telling the truth.”

“Well... we shall both soon find that out...” The Faceless said, turning away from her and waving raising their hands to the ceiling.

“What are you doing?” Nara asked.

Suddenly, all around her, incoherent whispers breathed into her ears and surrounded her. The room went pitch dark and everyone within it disappeared. Even The Faceless, standing before her, had vanished into the darkness. “What’s going on!?”

Someone snapped their fingers and the darkness turned to an empty, white void all around her. She spun around in place, looking for anything discernible in shape, but saw nothing but the void. “Hey! What’s happening!?”

From out of the whiteness, The Faceless appeared again in front of her. “This void... it is the in-between.”

“Between what?” Nara asked.

“The world... and your mind.”

“Wait... we’re inside my mind?”

“Almost...” The Faceless said. “Not unless you let me in.”

“No way! Why would I do that?”

“I expected as much... Very well. Battle it shall be...”

The Faceless vanished again and Nara drew her cutlass and pistol. “Come on, then! Face me!”

Nothing answered Nara as she shouted into the void. “Hello!? Let’s go! No way are you taking my mind!”

What Nara didn’t know was that, in the room, she had gone completely still. Her eyes went blank and The Faceless turned to shadows that seemed to absorb themselves into her body. After a long time standing stock still, Nara’s eyes jumped to life. But, to the horror of the pirates around her, her bright blue eyes went all black and she stepped to the table again where a bound and gagged Luna struggled against her bindings.

“Princess of the Moon...” Nara said, her voice faraway and... very different. “Your trial is over. For you, I am appeased.”

Nara snapped her fingers and the ropes on Luna’s body fell limp and came undone, as did the cloths, and Luna sighed as her sore muscles finally got a break. She spit out the cloths in her mouth and stretched her jaw, laying prone on the table for the moment.

“My... my friend...” the exhausted Luna said. “She’s still trapped. On the ship...”

With another snap of her fingers, Nara brought Vera into the room in a flash, fully armoured in her Green Steel once again and free of her bonds.

“How... why...”

“It is not the pirate who speaks to you now. Though she is fighting me. I shall have to rectify that. She will regain control soon, I fear... She is strong.”

“You’re... The Faceless?” Luna asked.

“I am. And I will seize this pirate’s mind and search for my book. That is my one purpose. To be reunited with that which I created.”

Nara snapped her fingers again and the pirates in the room disappeared, reappearing back on the ship. Turning around to face the door, The Faceless within Nara sensed a presence there and held her hand out.

Starling froze in place, unable to move any part of her body. The light of the runes and the shadows emanating from Nara’s body were drawn to each other. The Faceless spoke once more.

“The knight... Touched by Midanyami’s power... I could make you serve me if I needed. But, fortunately for you, I have no such need.”

Nara’s hand dropped to her side again and Starling found herself able to move once more. “What... what was that?” Starling asked.

“I command the power you wield, knight of darkness. Your foolish desire for vengeance has made you a pawn in my quest. But I have no use for pawns. Continue on as you were. I will warn you but once. Stay out of my way. I will do what I must to obtain my book, Starling the Griffin Knight. And do not forget... I command your power.”

Nara walked back to the alcove where Mirelle was hiding and, with a wave of her hand, the armour she was hiding behind fell over and clattered to the floor.

“Um... hi...” Mirelle said.

“Motivated by love, you risk yourself to save the Princess of the Moon... Yes, I knew you were there, Princess of the Earth.”

“Uh... sorry?”

“You did not come seeking my power. I need no appeasement. Go in peace with your friends. And do not get in my way. I will find my book. I return now, to Esterlin. It has been centuries... but this pirate is a perfect vessel for my return. But I shall have to battle for control of her mind. I wish you well, princesses. Beware the knight of darkness. This power it... corrupts. She may lose herself before long.”

With one final snap of her fingers, Nara and The Faceless as one disappeared again. Within moments, the pirate ship was setting sail again back toward Esterlin with this internal battle for the mind within the body of Nara the Blade.

Mirelle looked to her wife and the captain of her Royal Guard, stunned out of her mind. “I... I don’t know what just happened...”

“Mirelle...” Luna said, running to her wife and throwing her arms around her. “It’s wonderful to see you...”

“Your Grace...” Vera said. “Forgive my interruption but... what happened here... this has made things worse.”

Mirelle and Luna separated and Mirelle then threw her arms around Vera’s shoulders. “I know... I’m sorry I’m just... glad you’re safe...”

Vera stepped back. “My lady Mirelle... this Faceless One. In Nara’s body? That is terrifying. And we know who has the book. You assured me the Thief Witch is an ally...”

“She is. And I fear what The Faceless will do when they find her,” Mirelle said.

“Then we have to warn her,” Luna said. “Or at least protect her.”

“But how do you face a person with such power?” Vera asked.

“I don’t know... but we will find a way. We will stop them. The Faceless and Nara both. We have to. For the sake of Esterlin,” Mirelle said. “Because if we don’t... I fear what will become of us...

All their eyes turned to Starling, the runes on her helmet and sword still glowing bright. If only a fraction of the power The Faceless could wield did that to someone... there was no telling what it might do to the people of Esterlin once they were reunited with the book. Mirelle was right. They had to get in the way of The Faceless. And, so the legends go, there had been none who had that lived to tell about it...

Story Theme Song: The Rolling Stones- Doom and Gloom