Descendants

Chapter V - Elixirs, Faeries, and Other Things

A quick recap of the book so far since it's been a while:

• Claire escaped the Ward facility, meeting Elven rebels Andil and his military superior and mentor Erendriel

• The Royal Family of the Rhenas Empire (800 miles west of Claire and the Appalachian Mountains) and the nation in general is mourning the assassination of Princess Lynn, though the aim was intended for her elder brother and heir to the throne Bairon (both were/are little kids)

• Indral has been transcribing records on Fae and Elves for the Imperial Library, earning disdain from some superiors. He is at home processing the awful news of the Princess over coffee with his superior, Orthil.

• Andil took Claire to a hot spring to bathe and heal, but she fell into a faerie ring and is trapped in another realm

• Vithir spoke at length with Erendriel over recent events.

(Note: Claire woke up and went to the hot springs with Andil around the same time Princess Lynn was killed. Everything between then and now has taken place within the same day, but I realized the timeline wasn't presented as smoothly as it could've been so I felt this note to be necessary. I'll try to avoid that mistake in the future!)

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'Death is not so terrible for those undertaking the journey. It is those who remain behind that must remember how to live...Remember how to live. That is the very hardest thing to do, but the most important as well.' - GreenScholarTales, Starting Anew

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From the private journal of Indral Nephilis

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Lunas. XVI of Gerst., 3406, NLC.

Such a dreadful state of affairs. My heart is quite heavy as I write, despite the freedom for lack of formality which the transcripts require. Today the great people of Rhenas have lost a soul which we all held dear. The Princess, rest her soul, dead! Assassinated! Such ugly words for a pure girl, though is death not ugly that in of itself? As a man not only of literature but of medicine, it seems a constant which we shall not escape. Though, I digress. I am grieved, as is the Capitol. How the Empress must be! I shall send them a mourner's parcel and my deepest condolences. And remember to include Camellia sinensis and Piper methysticum for the nerves, and perhaps Cannabis indica for the poor woman as well. I heard she became quite ill after the shock, and fell victim to Hysteria's Curse. Pray tell it does not return!

The Guardsman who relayed the news noted that it is believed the Prince had been the original target, and though such speculation is a detriment to the heart, logic besets my conscience. He is the heir, and therefore a more understandable target (Gods protect him). My penmanship - blasted hands - is failing, and Orthil, my dear friend and superior, has finished reading one of my recent translations. I shall continue this entry soon.
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Audrine groaned and rolled back into the sea of blankets she'd hidden herself in, determined not to come back out. Her head was spinning, her neck was sore and she was pretty sure there was a plain mess to her face, both kohl and rogue washed down, and stained upon her worn features from the tears. Light footsteps could be heard as sunlight streamed through the room once more, causing the woman to throw a pillow at her maid.