In the throne room of Kaltar’s citadel sat a gray-haired elf, a slim crown of gold upon her head. The grand chamber was filled with nobles, court attendants, and diplomats, all crowded shoulder to shoulder, whispering and conspiring amongst themselves.

  A Sylph knelt between the crowds and the steps leading up to the throne. "My queen, I come bearing news."

  The queen’s head shook in anticipation. "Well, out with it, then."

  Still staring at the polished wooden floors, the Sylph spoke, "The first army is returning, reporting that they have ended the war."

  "Fantastic, a queen who delivers," a southern noble said, emerging from the crowd with a bow.

  The queen leaned forward, wide-eyed. "Why, of course, Lord Eserant..." Her gaze darted around the room, trying to assess how such news had reached her. She leaned in further, voice tight, "Any additional information?"

  "No, the reports from their command have been vague," the Sylph replied.

  Holly, a the shadow at the queen’s side, leaned over and whispered in her ear. "My spy tells me Prince Elron leads the army home."

  The queen's eyes went wide again. She glanced at the crowd, then back at Holly, before bending to whisper. "He’s culled part of his army... and he’s heading straight here."

  Grabbing Holly by the hair, the queen yanked her ear closer. "What about my son?"

  Chron cleared his throat from the other side, and leaned in as well. "I think the best course of action would be to lure them in, like a moth to a flame, my queen."

  The queen shoved their faces away with both hands and addressed the crowd. "Court will only remain open for a short time, given this sudden news. Please, let the last few supplicants step forward."

  A young human boy stepped forward, clutching a tattered straw hat. He gave a slight bow but struggled to find his voice.

  The queen, resting her head in her hand, averted her eyes from the dirty boy. "Use your words,” she insisted.

  The boy stammered, "My village is—my parents are gone." Tears welled up, splashing onto the floor before he broke down completely. "I have nowhere to go!"

  The queen looked at him, her expression cold, before turning to one of her advisors. "Likely a remnant from the beastman attacks."

  The boy shouted, "It wasn’t beasts! It was elves!"

  The whispers and murmurs in the room erupted into full-blown gossip. Reckless rumors stirred around the room chamber like a wild fire.

  "Silence!" the queen shouted, slamming her hand on the armrest of her throne. She exhaled sharply and gestured to the guards. "See to the boy is cared for. Next."

  The boy was ushered away, and a female elf in transparent white robes stepped forward, moving with a grace that turned heads. She bowed slightly, her eyes closed. "My queen, first of her order. It pleases me to stand before you."

  The queen clenched her teeth, her lips pressed tight. "What brings a sister of the northern sect here?"

  The elf rested a hand on her swollen belly and smiled. "Thank you for having me. I come with a proposal."

  The queen waved her hand. "Go on."

  "We believe it would be prudent for our sect to have representation in your court and your council."

  The queen’s teeth ground audibly as she spat, "Absolutely not. Your people are polygamists and sex addicts. You’re lucky you're not branded as cultists!"

  A Sylph from the crowd stepped forward. "With all due respect, my queen, my cousin is not a cultist. I could have sworn you promised to include—"

  "I made no such promises, Lord Skyrend!" The queen gestured sharply to the door. "Thank you for your petition, but there’s the exit. Who’s next?"

  As the elf gracefully left the room, the court snickered, laughed, and stared through her robes. When they finally died down, everyone began to look around for the last petitioner.

  The queen sat up. "Well, it appears that will conclu—"

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  A hunched elf stumbled onto the red carpet, nearly tripping as he emerged from the crowd. All eyes turned to him as he nervously cradled something covered in his hands.

  The queen sighed. "Come forth."

  The elf darted glances left and right, avoiding the stares. Eventually, he reached the bottom of the throne's steps.

  Chron drew his sword. "Slowly, remove the cover."

  With regal poise, the queen raised a hand dismissively. "At ease. He’s already been screened."

  Sweat dripped from the trembling elf’s brow as he stammered, "Y-yes, sir, I mean, my highness," and cast off the small drape.

  The queen squinted. "What in the world is that?"

  The elf straightened slightly, his voice swelling with pride. "Why, it’s my new invention that will revolutionize the kingdom, my queen!"

  The court erupted into laughter. The device, a few metal rings and tubes, looked as insignificant as a snake-oil cure for ailments. Undeterred, the elf hoisted the contraption above his head with great effort.

  "This is a butt cleaner!" he declared.

  The room, already snickering, burst into uncontrollable laughter. The elf panicked, shrinking under the weight of his invention.

  "Quiet!" the queen snapped, though a few giggles still echoed from the back.

  "Give me one reason why I shouldn’t jail you for this foolery. Did you come here just to waste the court’s time?"

  The elf shook his head desperately. "My queen, this device will eliminate the need for leaves. It uses water! It cleans better than even paper!"

  The queen rested her head in her palm, her patience worn thin. "Send him to the dungeon. Get him out of my sight."

  The elf’s lip quivered as he was hauled away. "But my queen! I swear by it! My ass knows no chaf—"

  The queen stood abruptly, cutting him off. "Court is over. You are all dismissed." Without another glance, she swept toward the exit.

  She flung her fox scarf to the floor in disgust as she stormed down the hall. "Ugh, I should have known better. There was a reason they were all at the end of the docket..."

  Chron quickly scooped up the discarded scarf, hurrying after her. "My queen, you're going the wrong way. You have a meeting with—"

  "Reschedule it, I don’t care," she snapped, not breaking her stride as her heels clicked one in front of the other.

  "Will do," Holly chimed in, floating behind them, scribbling notes without missing a beat.

  After a long stretch of walking, they reached a circular section of the floor. The queen stomped her foot, frustration bubbling over as she snapped her fingers. "Hello?! Send us up."

  Holly, tearing her eyes from the calendar, hastily cast fly on them. With barely a whisper of wind, they floated upwards through a series of circular openings in the ceiling. After rising through many floors, they came to a stop near the top of the tree and stepped off onto one of the highest platforms.

  Holly pulled out her wand, her voice quieter now. "My queen... Are we going to see her?"

  The queen remained silent, her footsteps growing louder as they approached a door—massive and foreboding. Dark mist seeped from the seams, quickly evaporating but leaving an oppressive unease in the air.

  Chron gulped. "Is there a reason for coming here? It's not like we can enter."

  "Hush!" The queen hissed, raising her hand toward the crystalline doorknob.

  With a single index finger, she pressed into the cold surface. In an instant, her flesh began to rot, and her finger decayed before her eyes, the skin falling away and leaving bone exposed to the air.

  The old queen stared in shock at her hand, frozen in place. Before she could scream, a green glow enveloped her injury.

  "My queen, please warn me next time before you try something so reckless!" Holly exclaimed, as she mended the queen's rotted finger.

  The queen winced, struggling to hold her finger steady against Holly’s magic. "I want to see that bitch, just once..."

  Holly exchanged a wary glance with Chron.

  "I’m not touching that door," Chron stated, crossing his arms in defiance.

  Holly sighed. "I can’t open it with magic, and I’m certainly not touching it. This one’s all yours."

  Chron grumbled under his breath before positioning himself in front of the door, pulling his fist back. He inhaled deeply, steadying himself, then exhaled, his hand hovering just outside the cursed miasma. With a powerful punch, he sent a shockwave that split the door in half, the wood groaning as it revealed the room beyond.

  The queen stepped forward, taking Chron’s place as she peered into the dimly lit chamber. A bedridden woman lay motionless, her faint halo glowing above her head. She was covered to the chin, her frail body unmoved by the sudden intrusion. She didn’t open her eyes or stir in the slightest.

  "I know you’re still alive in there," the queen spat. "Otherwise, this cursed energy would be gone, you whore."

  Holly leaned over the queen’s shoulder. "I think she’s moving!"

  "It appears so!" Chron added, leaning in as well.

  Slowly, the bedridden woman uncurled her wrinkled hand, revealing a long, gnarled middle finger aimed directly at the queen.

  "I’ll kill her!" the queen screamed, lunging forward, only to be held back by Chron and Holly.

  "Your Highness, please don’t! You'll die if you go in there!" Chron pleaded, straining to keep her from charging through the threshold.

  "The kingdom will be lost without you!" Holly echoed.

  After a few moments, the queen relented, stepping back and brushing off her gown as though dusting off her frustration. "If only we had that amulet... we could get in and end her once and for all."

  A wicked grin slowly spread across her face. "But that amulet is coming to us, isn’t it?"

  Holly’s smile mirrored hers. "Why yes, yes it is."

  The three turned and walked away, laughter echoing down the hallway, growing more manic with each step.