Songs were a means to amplify power. Word had power and song more so with the effort put into them. The melody and tune, the notes and lyrics all many that it became a complex mix of new revelation.

Therefore also forbidden to the orphan children- it was simply too dangerous. No one had taught them to do it at this age and no one would, for these children had no one with the knowledge to share.

Yet when Aodhan sang; his song was haunting to the ear; a melody of despair and grief. The tune wrapped its way along the base of the flaming candles burning brighter with their new fuel. The rhythm danced a silent lyrical weave, spreading outwards in a radiant arc of soft golden dust.

Safire's lips parted in wonder as the others returned to their seats to listen in equal parts eagerness and fright. Their eyes constantly darting to the entryway and back should have made Aodhan uneasy but no, a calm settled over him as the thought that his friend would warm him before something terrible occurred, took root and made its home. He would always have them he vowed to himself.

A startled gasp left scarlet soon swallowed by hushing from Rhian and Auric along with an accusatory glare from Rachel as they sat engrossed in their brother's lament.

As the last notes faded away carried on a phantom breeze that had laid in wait blowed, sweeping frigid and icy snow .

7 heads simultaneously turned startled at the figures that lurked in the shadows and soon began to tremble in fright, Auric and Scarlet stood swiftly bowing before quickly and efficiently without much fuss placing themselves before Safir, Rachel and Aodhan. Rachel and Aodhan who had come to stand before Safire arms crossed in front of them and legs spread in a defensive stance were silently flanked by the twins Kyril and Rhian, scowls deeply embedded on their faces yet equally fearful...

Kyril cleared his through drawing the figures gazes to him. "Out apologies, sirs and madams we will leave right away. We did not know of anyone using this hall for quite some time." He fibbed - this hall was never used apart from meals and the newcomers knew this.

"No, please stay. We were only looking for a quiet place to commute. You have a wonderful voice, and your song also was truly touching. "Ulric a knight slightly to the side of who could only be distinguished as the king with his gleaming crown smiled back.

"Oh... well, it was truly a pleasure to meet you but we should surely head off now. We have to get to bed early to help with the preparations for the hunt tomorrow." Auric reasoned realising Kyrils growing panic.

"No, I insist. Please stay" a gruff voice asked but it was clear his 'suggestion' was really a command. Battle scarred and arms crosses across his barrel chest the man from the tavern smirked once he had caught the little boys eyes from earlier. Aodhan gasped - he had just realised who the person in front of him was. It wasn't a pleasant sensation to tell the honest truth but then again understanding who you had latched on to in the presence of the king no less was at the least mortifying. But he had to check....

"Mountain ?" Aodhan whispered. The mans emerald eyes fleshed and a shrouded emoting flew over them for just a second before they were gone, gone from view, gone from mind, gone from the surface of thought for there was other more pressing matters. A small nod was his only greeting "Lad" He ferally grinned back back.

"If you insist, I must plead that you allow some of us to leave and the rest to retire later. we could alternate if you would still like someone to wait on you later in the night and fetch you some snacks. " Scarlet hopefully answered although a bit hesitant.

The kind smiled but his eyes remained cold. "And who pray will stay and who will leave ? Who will decide ? " Sillence met his reply the children all shaking in fear "I'm still waiting " was the last echoing words before a light hand rested on the kings shoulder and moved him to the side to wedge her way between him and the children.

"Oh, hush you ! Your scaring them senseless, oh ! and their adorable. Hello darlings ! You may call me Ellyn. "

"Queen Ellyn or Her Majesty will do " rebuked the king. Earning a harsh glare from his mate.

Ellyn gently rubbed her belly, eyes turning wistful as she looked at the children. "For someone who is so close himself to being a father you don't seem to be very good at speaking to children my love... " A grunt was his only answer " Please do smile, you are positively radiant when you do , compared to now however.. " Ellyn let her sentence trail as she pouted in mock sadness and humour.

This now earned her a smile from the king and a rueful eye roll from her brother Ulric and the king's brother or 'mountain' as Aodhan had christened him.

" No, leave us then" commanded King Zoricus. No sooner had those words left that Auric picked up safire and dashed out the room. after them Scarlet trailed. Closely followed by Kril and Rachel herding a reluctant Aodhan out last as his eyes strayed from noble to noble, calculating, considering,curiosly watching.

***** 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕹𝖊𝖝𝖙 𝕯𝖆𝖞*****

Aodhans perspective :

The members of the hunt had left early - as soon as the the sun had kissed the horizon to be more specific and the only place to be was the stables. The horses where warm and after the stalls were cleaned it didn't smell too bad. The new horses were magnificent or they looked magnificent of what little I had seen of them. Helping in the stables put me at ease and It didn't mind either. Yesterday was too full of excitement and Auric and Scarlet had made everyone promise to keep a low profile today so I stayed at the back with the young foals who weren't visited often excluding the staff who came to coe at them and aww.

Allen started to nuzzle into my shoulder bending a little to reach me - at only a few months old he was already taller than most young foals and knew it too. Taking advantage of the height difference to keep his apples at a higher ledge or lift his head and straighten up to intimidate the others. The foals 8 in total walked slowly around me snickering at my crouched state their eyes obviously telling me 'What are you doing !?'

I had to explain : "No don't think like that, I'm not going to be here long. Just for now the hunt had already left and no one will be here. well no one of importance. I can stay with you and next time I'll give you half my apple - okay ?" I explained " oh! and not you guys your awesome - your totally important, I ment people - important people. Sorry " I backtraced sheepishly.

Buttercup walked closer snorting in my face as our foreheads rested together, her eyes imploring. "give us all of it. " Her eyes told me

I gasped "Buttercup, that's mean you know We only get fruit once in while how 'bout 65 ?"

Azure pawed the ground his dazzling eyes unsure and titled his head to the side. After thinking for a while he raised his head. A raise then. "well, okay how 'bout 75"

They thought about it as a group slowly moving away eyes fixed on me as they snickered together for a good time before eventually being led back to me by Allen who gave me his hoof to shake. I grudgingly accepted.

"Well, thats one intelligent horse. I don't know if i should be surprised or a little worried." An unfamiliar voice remarked while two silhouettes rose from behind me. Their shapes stretching to a scary form as the sun shone down from above smirking at my torment.

Instantly I remarked "He's a foal - not a horse. You should get your vocabulary right or you risk upsetting them and giving them thoughts they can do what the things the other fully grown horses do and start complaining. And I think being intelligent is the best thing a foal can do - just imagine having a dumb war horse that can get their rider killed by not understanding the situation." The word were out of my mouth before I could filter them. I quickly placed my hand over my mouth with a loud slap due to the force.

"OH no! My cover was blow, Abort mission , I repeat Abort ! " It screamed in my head annoyed at my stupid mouth for running of before my legs.

I cautiously turned around, feet dragging in the sand, head spinning in fear, eyes wide.

Their shining armour and golden crest of a phoenix gave them away, The Royal Guard.

I swallowed my throat hard as parchment, my tongue felt too big for my mouth and my hands twitched. I could just about hear Scarlets hushed whisper in my head telling me how this was NOT keeping a low profile.

Ulric and Edgar if I remember correctly from last night. I had crept back out late into the night - the thing the others didn't know, and would never if it was up to me - I could envision their horrified faces and it made me cower in shame, of course I knew it was stupid and of course I knew it was dangerous but what could a boy do when the claws of curiosity had sunk in. Nothing - it was as simple as that. For it I had only gained a head full of nonsense hope and unwanted plans of escape. The King had a plan - today apparently was the day, the day we would be free of our misery, the day we would be free of our shackles, the day we would be forever free of fighting for a tyrants sick pleasure.Today was the day of our redemption, And I didn't believe a word. What's the point in hope when it's futile, what's the point in believing if there is no outcome, what is the point of something so ineffective.

"Do they know " It asked me. I watched as Edgar gently rested his right hand on the pompel of his sword, multiple daggers glinted beneath the fold of his outfit. I gulped audibly as my gaze dropped to the ground.

I had no clue but I was going to find out. ...

****A/N****

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