Interlude 1
Rhiannon paced elegantly through the gardens that surrounded her palace. As always, the atmosphere was one of somnombulance. The air seemed still, faintly echoing the enchantment that surrounded the entire place. Rhiannon sat on a bench and surveyed her domain, smiling in satisfaction. There was nothing of the seemingly careless layout that she had not meticulously planned. Her glass palace hung in the distance, its appearance deceptively fragile. Any fool attacking would find is spells flung back in his teeth, for she had worked reflective spells into every bit of it, using the glass' natural properties as a base.
The thorn maze that surrounded the maze helped with this image. Would-be invaders tended to think that the enchanted vines were her major defense and that if one could successfully navigate them, the way would be clear. The thorns and charming filigreed castle were also meant to lure a visitor into a false sense of security. Someone stumbling upon her realm would think he had stepped into some fairy-tale land, where treasure might be won and princesses rescued. Rhiannon's lip curled delicately. There was a particular message she was conveying to her kin, as well. Seeing what she had created for her own, they would think her a sweet sentimentalist. Rhiannon smiled slyly. The more she was underestimated, the easier would be the coup in the end. She suspected that her father was not fooled, but it might work on the rest of her Daemon kin. Her father thought her the dutiful daughter anyway.
Rhiannon arose gracefully and resumed walking. The mist played about her silken skirts and the wind lifted her wings and hair. Soon, her period of waiting would be over as the time for direct action drew near. She had spent a long time secluded in her mists, using magical arts to monitor the outside world while awaiting the word to act. From what she had observed of late, not to mention the pricklings of prescience, she knew the time was almost at hand. She expected word from her father any day now, to tell her that it was time for her to go forth into the mortal world.
Rhiannon smiled to herself, wondering if her half-sister would remember her. She probably would, Rhiannon was fairly sure that Lillith would not have allowed the memory of her or any of the Daemon to die.