3. return to selene

 
 

John awakens as they are riding back toward Selene. Aletheia is noticeably shaken by what has happened but tries to hide it. John attempts to console her stating that she did what she needed to and saved his life in the process. She remarks that maybe she did but he was the one to come save her. It is clear though that John was willing to come save Aletheia despite not knowing she was the Princess of Selene. Even when he thought she was a stable girl he came after her.

RETURN TO SELENE - FOREST
They ride on the same horse with John sitting behind Aletheia. The second horse follows along side of them. As they travel, the conversation is directed toward Aletheia and her Faun heritage. John knows a little about Faun Elves though Aletheia simply confirms that she received her antlers from her mother. However, there seems to be doubt in her words as she speaks them. Aletheia, ponders what the Lord of Faces told her about her own heritage and if there is any truth to it but she keeps this to herself for now.

RETURN TO SELENE - GREY PLAINS
As they reach an ashy crater, John gets off to see the empty area. Aletheia tells John about what had happened there, and the great battle that took place. It was between Veiland’s Crescent Shield Knights and the Empress’s Phoenix Scepter army. The battle ended when both armies were destroyed. The area once known as the Bastion Forest is now known as the Grey Plains. John takes up riding the second horse as they continue past the site.

John reveals that he knows something of the event and eventually reveals that his father was killed in the battle. It is the reason that he was on his pilgrimage and only passing through Selene. He only recently found out about his father’s death and it made him feel lost. Aletheia says that she is sorry. John tells her that it is alright. He never knew his father. He barely remembers his mother, however, he then tells her about the gold medallion that he wears. It was an heirloom of his family and maybe one day it will be passed on to his own. Aletheia smiles at this. It is clear that there is something more between them now but Aletheia changes the subject.

RETURN TO SELENE - SELENE
They return to Selene and see the city from the edge of forest. They discuss what happened when John was put to sleep earlier. Aletheia then explains her power in further detail. Anyone that touches her skin is put to sleep, however, touching a Champion has something of a different effect on them. John is embarrassed for not believing in Champions. Before they can discuss anything further, they are met by Selene Guards. They are accommodating to Aletheia but are distrustful of John, asking where the Lunar Guardian is. They immediately believe John was involved in taking the Princess and have him arrested. One of the guards is a young man named Adam, whose horse John took earlier.

Aletheia protests to John’s arrest but another knight arrives. He tells the Princess that her father is waiting for her and he instructs Adam to escort Aletheia to the Crescent Keep. He assures Aletheia that the man will have his time with the King, referring to John. John says nothing during this dispute and watches Aletheia go, as he stays behind with the Knight and another guard.

THE CRESCENT KEEP - COURTYARD
Aletheia is covered and escorted into Selene through the East Gate. She arrives at the Crescent Keep to see the commotion of guards and several other important figures. A blonde man in a yellow vest sees her walks hurriedly toward them. He is visibly relieved to see her and says nothing else as he holds her shoulders and hugs her warmly. 

His nose begins to bleed as Aletheia responds immediately, worriedly pushing him away and asking what he is thinking. His name is Samuel Ward and he scolds her, telling him not to worry about him as he calmly takes a handkerchief to wipe the blood from his nose. He was worried about her and simply did not care about her power in that moment.

The guards insist she be taken before the King and the man tells them that he will take her. He asks if she is alright. She states that she is thanks to John and Michael. Her voice cracks as she says Michael's name. Sam asks her about Michael and she can't bring herself to say what happened. Sam understands what has happened and asks who John is.

At that moment, John is escorted into the throne room of the Crescent Keep. Another woman, rushes to Aletheia and checks to see if she is alright. The woman is name Ebigail and is the Lady in Waiting of the Crescent Keep.

THE CRESCENT KEEP - THRONE ROOM
Soon after, Aletheia and John are then brought before King Marcus. John is questioned about what happened and becomes somewhat at odds with the Commander of the Crescent Shield. Aletheia tries to speak up for John but is silenced by the King. After getting to the bottom of what happened, the Commander is still distrusting of John. However, the King begins to give John his trust after John mentions a priest named Father Basildes. Basildes is a close friend to John and happens to also have a strong connection to the King.

He commends John for his bravery, thanking him for rescuing the Princess but is also saddened by the death of Michael. He tells John that if there is something he can do for him he need only ask. John tells the King that Father Basildes is part of why John is there. It was him that suggesting that he go on a pilgrimage to help him find his path. Now John only requests that he be allowed to stay within his court by serving the King. He then pledges himself to the King.

The King agrees to let John serve him but is unsure of in what capacity. Sam speaks up and says that John has done a great thing and states that he is a hero. Sam suggests to the King that John be the new High Champion to which Aletheia agrees. The King is initially taken with the thought but responds that John has no powers to be the High Champion. However, in the meantime, John will serve as a member of his Court, until they can find a new High Champion. John will be named a Royal Sentry and be the head of the Royal Guard of the Crescent Keep. He will also assist in keeping Aletheia within their walls. Aletheia is initially offended but the thought of having John at the Crescent Keep alleviates some concern.

The King states that public will not be immediately told of the Lunar Guardian’s death as it will begin to cause them to worry about the state of Veiland. Without a High Champion to protect them it may begin to lower their spirits. Sam is tasked with seeking out new Champions to possibly replace Michael as the High Champion.

The King meets with Aletheia after all of this but the King does not scold her or reprimand her. He only hugs her and says nothing. The princess cannot bring herself to say anything to him about what has transpired.

GUARD OF THE KEEP

John is christened as the acting Sentry of the Crescent Keep and given a Guardsman Sword of which he has limited skill in using. He is also officially introduced to Samuel Ward who he will become fast friends with. Samuel Ward who is a scholar and researcher in the King's employ as the Alchemist of Selene. Sam researches Champions and has become an authority on Powers. This stems from a book that his mentor Heron Daima had found many years ago called the Shakti Manuscript. The mentor had acquired the manuscript in Miridian years prior which details certain aspects of Champions well before they were called Champions. The notebook is unknowingly the Journal of Simon Perish.

WARD
During the next few weeks, Aletheia and John Noble grow closer while he is the head of the Royal Guard at The Crescent Keep. Sam is revealed to also be a Champion in that his power can alter the chemical and elemental makeup of material which he has termed as Alchemy. Sam helped both Aletheia and Michael with much of their understanding of their powers which is how she was able to turn the Black Jester to Diamond.

The story of their escape is something Sam is very interested in and is fond of hearing of John's journey so far. It is here that Sam shows John his creation of Artifacts that will one day allow others to use the powers derived from Champions. Most of his research on Artifacts is continued from notes in the Journal. His mentor acquired the book shortly after the fall of the Empire Ensanguined. Sam acquired the Shakti Manuscript after his mentor’s death. Sam furthered his mentor’s research and created several Artifacts derived from his own Alchemy power. These Artifacts are not true Artifacts though, as they can only be used once before breaking the item and losing the power. He demonstrates it by allowing John to use one to change water into wine. John also notices that he has notes on the chemical makeup of several things including an explosive. The notes sit in front of a display that holds 3 gold coins.

MESSAGE FROM THE SOUTH
As soon as John becomes accustomed to his role as the Royal Sentry, word comes to Veiland that the Southern Nation of Wisperad has come under attack and they have asked for Veiland's help to send the Lunar Guardian.

The King is compelled to help Wispread, which has long been Veiland’s ally, but is troubled that they have no High Champion to send. He fears the nation would be seen as weak if they don't send a High Champion to assist them. Furthermore, the Commander of the Crescent Shield has been sent to investigate the Star’s Edge of anything related to the Princess’s kidnappers. However, the King does not divulge this information, simply stating that the Commander has been sent on a King’s Order. John feels that since the abduction of Aletheia, Selene’s safety should be a higher priority despite The Lord of Faces and the Black Jester being dead.

John volunteers to go as a representative of the Crown. He will go and learn more about the situation first with a small regiment of knights while Veiland’s forces stay in Selene. He will send word if they will be needed. The King agrees to this and sends Sam Ward with them. Sam has previously been to Wisperad and met with the Sultan, years ago when he went with the King and the Lunar Guardian. John and Sam will represent the King as emissaries of Veiland.

SOUTHWARD
After several days of preparation, John and Sam are given the Silver Nightfeather pin, signifying their status as respresentatives of Veiland. Aletheia sees John Noble and Sam at the Crescent Keep. She hugs both of them as they leave with the small company of Crescent Shield Knights, led by a man named Adam. After she sees them off Aletheia struggles with what has happened and remembers the words of Gilcolm. She has tried to ignore them but they have remained in her mind. Although Gilcolm implied that the King was not her true father, she could not bring herself to confront the issue to the King. She also cannot keep herself from wondering if there is any truth to Gilcolm's words.

In reality, Aletheia was not born of the King and Queen of Veiland. She is the daughter of the Empress Anahita and Simon Perish. The Empress of Gules was not assassinated as many believe but died in child birth and was then adopted by the King of Selene. This was the end of the Sanguine Empire which then became known as the Empire Ensanguined. Aletheia looks at the statue of the Queen and contemplates her situation and all that has happened.

END OF STOLEN MOON ARC