Moaning Mountains - Border between Valoria and Lunaris Kingdom
Pepper had just sat down across from her husband, Simon, to begin their nightly routine of playing word search games. Simon sipped from his mug, the corner of his mouth lifted in a smirk as he circled another word.
"That's five, Simon, zero Pepper," he sighed as he placed his mug down, sliding the paper toward her. "Winning these contests is all in a day's work."
Ignoring him, Pepper picked up her pencil, her eyes scanning the page. Already, she found four words, marked each one, and spotted two more. She then took a sip from her cup.
"Hm. Six Pepper, five Simon." Pepper announced, smiling. "I'm not going to go easy on you."
"I wouldn't expect you to. You've got that competitive drive like your sister."
Pepper flinched, but recovered quickly. "If you say so."
Simon's eyes widened, realizing his mistake. He reached over and grabbed her small hands in his massive ones, his brown eyes shadowed with worry. "I'm sorry I didn't mean - I forgot - "
"It's alright." Pepper chuckled. "It's fine. We've been living here in the mortal realm for two years now - my sister is no longer near me to torment me with her presence daily."
Simon blinked. "You don't miss the Sanctuary?"
"Of course I do. Just not my sister, we quarrelled often. I don't miss that." Pepper squeezed his hands, then moved to push the paper toward him. "Focus, love. I wouldn't want to beat you."
"As if that'll happen." Simon snorts, his previous worries forgotten. He picked up a pencil, eyes roaming the page.
Pepper watched him over her mug, and a knock at their door startled them. This wasn't routine - hardly anyone lives out in Moaning Mountain, and no one was crazy enough to be out at this time of night.
Perhaps it was the palace guards from the Valoria Kingdom who were questioning everyone about the disappearance of that noble boy.
Figuring this would be quick, Pepper stood, mug in hand, and made her way to the door. She opened it with a response at the ready, but who stood on her threshold was not palace guards or distant neighbors.
The woman before her had a delicate heart-shaped face and glossy black hair that fell down her back in soft waves. She wore a plain, silk gown that showed off her curves and slender arms. Golden trinkets covered both her wrists, and she had gold rings on each finger except the one that counted.
Pepper scowled. "Arcadia."
"Ah, Pepper. Is this what happened to my dear sister? Once a stunning princess with endless suitors to try for your hand - a warrior. Now you're living in this dump with that man you call husband." Arcadia's nose wrinkled. "I must say the odor is quite pungent."
Pepper was seconds from downing her sister with her still-hot tea. She pursed her lips instead and hissed, "What's the reason for this unexpected visit? I doubt this was because you've missed me."
"Do you think me heartless?" Arcadia purred. She pushed past Pepper into her cabin.
Pepper swore under her breath, followed her inside, slamming the door. She watched her sister observe every nook and cranny with her brows furrowed and lips pulled into a frown.
"It's worse than I thought," she mused.
Simon gaped at Arcadia. "What-"
"Save the surprise." Arcadia snipped, waving her hand. "I've come to bring you back to the Sanctuary."
Now Pepper threw the hot tea. Arcadia yelped, stumbling backward, nearly tripping over a side table. She stared open-mouthed at the stain on her dress, then up at Pepper.
"After two years. Two fucking years you and the other Watchers are suddenly concerned for me?" Pepper laughed. "I do not find this to be hilarious in the slightest."
"I'm not trying to be funny."
"You thought it was when you had me exiled." Pepper snapped, her temper finally reaching a boiling point. Her fingertips tingled. "Why are you here?"
"Have you not felt the change?"
Pepper sneered. "I'm a mortal. Change in what seasons? My age?"
"No, you twit! The magi, can you not feel it?"
"My magic has been depleting over the years." Pepper snarled, teeth bared. "Surely you must know that."
Simon cleared his throat, and both women turned a dark look on him. Simon opened his mouth to say something, but Pepper growled, and he closed his mouth again, turning back to the word search.
"Our Father believes that the Elemental Gods are being awakened from their slumber."
Pepper summoned a flame to her hand that flickered before going out. "How awful. What do you expect me to do?"
"You're going to help us try and stop this. We need to locate the crystals before they are awakened and cause harm to the mortal world." Arcadia urged. "You owe Kyan a favor, last I heard, isn't that right?"
Pepper snarls at the reminder of the deal she struck with Kyan. Her fingers ran over the hilt of the gold dagger in her pocket. "Why would Watchers care what happens to mere mortals like myself?"
"It doesn't only affect the mortals, you idiot. The Sanctuary also suffers, trees dying, immortals dying - some losing magic." Arcadia snapped, her patience at its end. "The sanctuary doesn't have seasons, Pepper. That is not normal."
Pepper frowned. "So, now that there's a problem, I'm welcomed back home with open arms?" she folds her arms.
"Pepper!"
"We should help," Simon muttered, still facing away from them. "I understand you hate your family right now, but turning your back on them would be worse than that. The Sanctuary was once our home," he turned, brows furrowed. "If you're not going to help, I will."
Pepper's anger faded. She'd never heard her husband speak like this - one of the things that drew her to him was his quiet nature. His words felt like a slap; she bit her lip.
Finally, she turned toward Arcadia. "Fine. I'll help."