“We told Casimir of what lay beyond the forests and rivers. Of gods and monsters that predated borders and banners. The beings you now call the Ancient Fae.”
Blaire leans forward. Her composure cracks slightly.
“They existed before kingdoms and borders. Before gods needed names or worship. They were pieces of the world given consciousness and will.”
The chamber trembles as he shifts.
“But Casimir needed to save his people. His ships were falling apart. Disease was spreading. So the Inquisition began. War erupted between the elves and gods and monsters.”
Rhydan pauses, his eyes staying distant. Something moves through his ancient face.
“The Ancient Fae were strong and unbeatable. I watched the funeral pyres from these cliffs. Thousands upon thousands dead in the first year alone. The smoke blotted out the sun for weeks.”
Tallulla makes a small sound of distress.
“And yet… Casimir’s people did not surrender to despair.” Rhydan closes his eyes briefly. “They changed. They began to kneel. Altars rose in the forests. Offerings were left at ancient stones. Prayers whispered into roots and rivers.”
Silence falls over the chamber.
“And some of the Ancient Fae listened.”
He opens his eyes and looks directly at Rhianelle.
“Some accepted the worship. They were curious and flattered. They permitted Casimir’s people to settle within their domains. Some even shielded them from those who refused appeasement.”
Rhydan’s ocean-blue gaze does not leave her.
“This is how your seventy-seven gods were born. Not gods at all. But Ancient Fae, the Firstborns who agreed to be worshipped in exchange for land and peace.”
I hear Eyepatch’s sharp intake of breath. The knight’s hand goes to his throat where religious symbols of Tavarra the Traveller hang beneath his armor.
“Casimir divided the land into thirty-two regions. He invited Völundr and Kashran to join this new kingdom.”
Rhydan’s voice lowers.
“Only Völundr accepted. Wiolant saw the advantage. Casimir’s influence brought stability, especially in controlling the sea dragons. So Völundr bent the knee. That was the first time the antler crown bowed to another.”
Rainer’s jaw tightens but he says nothing.
“The Firstborn Fae who proved benevolent received temples and devotion. Shrines rose in their honor. Priesthoods formed and rituals took root. Faith was shaped from necessity.” Rhydan’s expression darkens. “But not all would bargain. Some refused worship and restraint. They saw mortals not as followers — but as prey.”
The room tightens around the word.
“We called them the Un.”
“The Untamed Ones,” Kahedin murmurs from the shadows.
“Yes. The Unbroken. The Unyielding. Forces too violent to appease, too ancient to reason with. Their only desire was ruin — returning the world to primal chaos.”
Rhydan’s massive hand curls against the arm of his throne. “Casimir made a choice. A terrible one. Perhaps the only one left to him.”
The air feels suspended in breath.
“He confined them to Astefar. What you now know as the Forbidden Forest. He gathered his most powerful mages and his most desperate volunteers. They forged a seal.” His voice drops, heavy with memory. “A prison.”
Dust trembles loose from the vaulted ceiling.
“Thousands died in the making of it. The power required was catastrophic. It was not wrought by mortal hands alone. The Ancient Fae who had accepted worship lent their power to bind their kin. Together with the Firstborns who had chosen coexistence, it finally held.”
