Azurine returned to her chambers. Her jaw hurt from the backhand blow. She glanced over at Milo who was sitting on her bed as she walked towards the water basin and pitcher. She picked up the porcelain pitcher and poured water into the basin as she grabbed a small cloth. She placed the pitcher down and dabbed the cloth in the water. She touched the corner of her mouth that still cracked and bled slightly. It was starting to bruise.<br/><br/><br/>“Don’t say anything Milo” she stated as she wiped the blood from her mouth. She knew he would have a straight forward opinion of her staying behind and dismissing him to her chambers only to be hurt by Maddox physically once Milo had left. “I don’t want to talk about it” she finished as she dropped the cloth on the long table. She turned towards Milo and then walked over to where he sat. She ran her fingers through his hair and then sighed. “We need to go see Anthony, come along” she suggested as she turned to walk out of her chambers knowing that he would follow.<br/><br/>----------------------------------------------------<br/><br/>Maddox turned to his twin demons and picked them up off of the floor. He waved his hands over their bodies and restored them to how they were before Milo ripped them apart. “We have a problem now with Arashi meddling in my affairs” he barked as he paced within his study, wringing his hands behind his back. “I want Azurine watched. I want to know where she goes, who she speaks with, where this Bakaneko is at all times, and where she lays her head at night if it is not in her chambers or mine!” he growled. The twin demons bowed in acknowledgement and respect and headed out of the study to search for the girl and her pet.<br/><br/><br/>A few moments later Mirielle strolled into Maddox’s study, brushing up against him as she gripped his right arm and brought it to the front. “Maddox, the lower city is under siege and we’re losing to this unforeseen power that is freeing the fae” she stated as the worry displayed across her delicate face. She did not like to lose and could not understand where this uprising was coming from. “This is Azurine’s fault! She has not kept order with the mages!” she snapped.<br/><br/><br/>Maddox raised an eyebrow at Mirielle’s conviction. “I will send in my armies to deal with this uprising. I would not be so quick to blame Azurine. Those mages can only do so much. You must remember that the fae have their magick as well my dear” he said as he lightly caressed her cheek and bore into her eyes to the depths of her soul, “I will however speak with her since it concerns you so much.”<br/><br/>Mirielle seemed to plummet into a trance as she gazed up into his blackened eyes. “Yes my love, whatever you think is best of course.”<br/><br/>“Good girl” he replied as he removed her hand from his arm. “Now leave me” he ordered.<br/><br/>-----------------------------------------------<br/><br/>Maddox made his way down to the training grounds that were located behind the great fortress, still walled in with the rest of the inner city. There were hundreds if not thousands of undead standing at attention when he stepped onto the dirt field. He walked along the front line of soldiers, examining their armor and weaponry that they had been fashioned with. With a wave of his hand they all drew their swords and brought forth their shields. This pleased Maddox as he grinned. He turned towards their commander and snapped his fingers twice. The commander stood at attention, sheathing his sword and slinging his shield upon his back.<br/><br/><br/>“The first thousand will descend upon this uprising. Slay the fae and leave no one left alive whether they are man, woman, or child. Teach them obedience through terror!” he snarled. The commander saluted Maddox before he bowed in submission. “Go!” he ordered. The commander turned to his troops and made a hand gesture for them to fall out and march to the lower city as the fire and smoke could be seen from the great wall surrounding the castle.<br/><br/>------------------------------------<br/><br/>Azurine passed through Anthony’s barrier to his home as did Milo right after she observed the undead force marching through the inner city streets. She swallowed hard before turning away from the ghastly sight. She walked through the gardens cautiously as she sensed a fae nearby. Her fingertips crackled with electricity as she approached his side door that she often entered and retreated from. “There’s a fae here” she said to Milo as she turned the knob to the side door and opened it.<br/><br/><br/>“Anthony?” she asked as she entered the room with Milo close behind. She heard a sword scrapping its sheath as it was drawn and then from around the hallway corner, Lunelra approached with her sword drawn.<br/><br/><br/>“And who are you girl?” Lunelra asked as she positioned her feet in a battle stance. Azurine noted her posture and ignited her hands with blue flames.<br/><br/>“Please fae, I could squash you like a bug. I suggest putting your sword away now” Azurine suggested as she took a few steps forward, Milo standing to the left of her and just a step behind.<br/><br/><br/>Lunelra paused for a moment and then sheathed her sword. Not knowing what you were facing was not the time to test the waters in her son’s home. She changed her posture to a more inviting one yet the caution was still present, “Again I ask, who are you?” Lunelra asked, a little less demanding as she looked at the mages ignited hands.<br/><br/><br/>“I am the Queen’s Archmage Azurine. I am here to see Anthony, Zion, whatever he wishes to call himself” she said as the sarcasm oozed from her mouth