Hileywinn Archive

All chapters to date. Beware for this is a collection of all writen chapters for the lore of these fairies. I'll eventually have illustrations for every chapter but bear in mind this is part of a full exclusive Patreon content.

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1. A bit of the past.[X]

There’s nothing wrong with being ambitious. Until the harm of innocents involved is needed in order to obtain more power.

Reckar was a man of no measure, but so was he. His will to crush that worm was unmeasurable. He hadn’t been in Horynomi, but just from the reports, he knew. There had to be something to be done about it. Other kingdoms had been turning a blind eye on the matter. He had known the existence of bribes running down his lands, like melted ice. The news hadn’t been well received, but all the same for his complaints when assessing the problem in Court. As a Crown Prince of Yibaotu, it was his duty to care for his citizens and assure himself a good spot in Winter society, next to a well bred fae. He was just a pawn to expand power inside their own kingdom. But he would not make offspring under said premises. If he was to build a family, he would make sure it was a happy and loving one.

To hell with the expectations everybody laid on him. He didn’t wish for the riches, he didn’t wish for endless paperwork, but he did wish people to live the best lives they could. So, since he was aware Horynomi’s people were suffering and no one stood ground, the decision had been made.

He would flee with or without permission.

2. A traveling snowflake.[X]

Shouts, screams, disapproving looks, a couple of fights, overly dramatic tears and entreaties from his dear Queen mother. For a fae, being over four hundred years was a full grown adult. He was midway to two hundred. As a royal child, Crown Prince to be more precise, Elyon had many obligations. He had suitors lining up for him too. It didn’t bother him, but the moment they knew about his intentions, commotion was there to stay. He didn’t like none of them anyway.

There were a few suitable siblings that desired the throne more than him but of course, the moment he signed premature abdication, chaos reigned.

Royals had duties towards his people and other kingdoms. There was a balance to be kept, power and order to maintain. Royals not only comply with their obligations. They also have the power to balance nature, avoiding decay. Aside from securing citizens, evading wars and fight in stupid disputes. The fairies had always been tricky and mean creatures by default. They enjoy chaos, revel in challenges and savor contends.

Yet there is good in them, but their civilization is far more aggressive, unexpected, somewhat dramatic and also strictly guided by rules that would not work in the human world. Faeries were driven by a strong sense of loyalty despite their unruly nature. Most laws were revised and then accepted so there wouldn’t be an abysmal difference in social classes. But what Elyon was about to do, sent winter realm shaking.

He would not only abandon Yibaotu to invade another kingdom. This would earn him an exile from his motherland. Elyon would also defy a top priority rule. A royal family wouldn’t ever spread its wings to control other’s land. That disregarded global stability and for that, he would not be able to go back.

To be fair, he wasn’t fond of unfair kings. For all he cared, Yibaotu was not relevant anymore. Spring court needed a friendly hand to go back on track. He would not look back.

3. A steep ride.[X]

Threatened to be held hostage in his own home, prince Elyon took military personnel and a couple of loyal men in secret. Faeries would kill for their own land, but would rather ignore if it was a problem from an unrelated royal. Luckily for him, he had those that supported his cause in close range. Moona and Alya were fae that had trained with him, being the same age, sharing similar ideologies.They were good bodyguards and always wanted to fight for those who needed it the most. Even though they went against the common opinion, they’d never fret in front of a few bad glances.

Riding through pillars, lakes and mountains of ice, their white foxes galloped with ease. They rode in couples and some of them flew, rotating turns in the foxes when their wings got too cold. No matter where you were born, fae wings weren’t made to stand extreme weather for long. Water made them also unable to fly, temporarily. Combined, their wings started to feel numb in a blink.

Winter lands were bast, of the most extensive in existence. Landscapes were mostly bluish, yellow and gray. Ice was everywhere and warmer places were artificial. Summer lands were scorching by day, icing by night. Oasis full of green and life, a huge river but bast scenery full of dangers and sand, strong deadly sandstorms and angry beasts. Autumn was wind’s home, full of reds, oranges, browns and daily rains. But Spring was his goal. Full of colors, full of music, festivals and warm people.

He had to spend half month running on ice. Trying not to die was his first priority.

4. Will you melt?[X]

Yibaotu or Winter, were shameless people. They shared warmth in the most uncommon ways. At least some people from Spring thought it was weird to have orgies often with the excuse of being too cold. Adults were used to it. Even when you didn’t join one, like Elyon who had grown tired of them. He had witnessed that kind of scene and became something ordinary. Summer would react like Winter, except only royals would prefer to enjoy the benefits of a harem. Autumn were party beasts and free people, but still not quite the same. Every kingdom had its own customs.

Why did they live on ice? His wings would fall apart the moment they reached the borders. He’ll probably melt too. Winter clothes were heavy and thick but they also wore armor. A needed extra for the raid. An extra that heated their bodies as they crossed a fraction of Summer and part of Autumn’s. Some wild free lands offered another new challenge. Enemy lands, filled with horrors, trolls, demons and small aggressive vermin. Dark and sinister.

The heat would soon boil his soldiers spirits but they were strong. Hiding in long silver capes that shone under the sun. Not forgetting their land, but hungry to taste hotter fairy steel, they steeped into the first line of spring trees. A month and a half had passed since they parted ways with their families, ready to strike.

No longer needing to sleep back to back to avoid frostbite.

5. Cold rain. [X]

There were things that fae did not like to talk about. Wet wings was not only a term for intimate acts, but a literal meaning that could spoil an entire operation. At least they usually liked to talk about sex. Not being able to fly was a disadvantage and nobody dared to mention it. Not in front of the prince.

He did complain, several times as they crossed the lush forest, in search for the nearest town. Women and men fae to his sides, some smiled and laughed, mocking the prince for being a spoiled brat. Yes he was. There was no way to be royal and not be spoiled to the bone. But he had principles, he sought justice and maybe a bit of blood if Reckar resisted his authority. The truth is, no royal had authority outside its lands, not to the fullest. They had to pay respects to every land’s leader.

No way he’d do that.

The plan was risky and he hadn’t thought it twice before realizing the trouble they were in. So they got near,  tiny towns appeared in their way. People hid as they came. Would they really thank them once the dictator was dispatched? Chances were high for them to not have anywhere to go back to. Spring citizens could get angry for this. But first, allies had to be found.

6. Path of flowers.- sketch

Everything was different. There was full range of beautiful colors, smells and much more. It was overwhelming, incredible.

Life in Winter had always been hard, but it was what they were used to. Nature was wild back at home and usually went unseen. Walks in the night were something ill advised. Probabilities to die were high without the sun’s warmth. Spring…what their eyes witnessed was incredible. A bast land, sun, kind weather and so many flowers your eyes got tired. All of them feeling dizzy with contrast.

The invasion needed time, they would have to adapt. Those who were stronger would test the waters, investigate natives and be extra careful. Extreme weather changes was something faeries didn’t usually face, only emissaries and high charges. Summer would have severe problems too if they were to visit Winter. Their bodies had adapted to their own extreme weather and huge changes meant sickness.

People living in the periphery were first to notice. At first wary but then welcoming. Elyon learned that people who lived far away from the city were soldiers, usually. Explorers and guards located at their posts to watch for dangers and unwanted visitors. It wasn’t rare they got assaulted by thugs who wanted to steal resources from royal warehouses. Almost always with the intent of selling them to other kingdoms to get rich.

The prince had been able to meet a peculiar explorer of saffron colors. One that dared to pet bees as if they were domestic creatures.

Yibaotu was spellbound with nature and its people. It was the land of liquid gold. Honey and silk. The main sources that kept them standing. Even though the buzzing sound of bees and huge perilous animals in the surroundings were something to truly fear.

7. Front door. - sketch

He met Essel the soldier and Eolande the explorer. They were women wild as the animals. Essel always at the ready, open minded but filled with enough fury to land a fist in her King’s face. Eolande, on the other hand, was carefree and had ideas that would get not only her, but everyone else into the most serious troubles. She had steel wits. Brave and stupid.

They had to be organized, gather units and not make noise until arriving to the first root point.

Spring was stunning, not only for its people, the products and the wildlife or festivals. The big old tree was breathtaking. It was part hollow inside but alive and also holded palace grounds. You could see it from kilometers away if you were high enough. Great tales talked about the massive creature, and few felt close to their times. Thousands of years of sap running down its crust, kings, queens and impossible fantastic conquest stories.  

Entrance to the inner tree ring was their aim.

White armors, frost magic on, all yibaotus in the mid, escorted by horynomis allies on their sides. Spring’s soldiers, walking up the big street. They had needed half a month trying to open their eyes and join. There were many who had waited long for that day. Many citizens looked through the window, some nodded, others looked scared, hiding.

Winter fairies walked on literal thin ice but it would soon break, for one of four Glyms would greet them. Another name for them, the Bash’Diya.

These sentries were huge, they could fly, they weren’t really alive and every kingdom had them guarding their doors. But who had built them? No one had seen their faces and most doubted if they had one at all.

8. Power

The thing Winter was doing was a show of power. Spring knew. They had had conflicts and wars in the past, but it was easy to let small numbers pass. They weren’t scared by the small invasion. 

Reckar would also not skimp on expenses. The tyrant would use soldiers as a meat barrier whenever needed. Problem was the main source of young fairies being prematurely recruited. Old laws said anyone desiring or having to join the army forces, would have to pass a few years of training, tests and also growth in every sense. And if a faerie said ‘a few years’ that could easily be fifty human years or a hundred.

Elyon hated that man for the atrocities he had been doing to his citizens.

Winter was fierce but its leader was merciful. More wounds than dead people, thanks to the prince’s abilities and huge power. It wasn’t natural nor habitual but his lineage was well known for the purity of its magic. His grandma was still alive and Winter Royal Family didn’t suffer much losses in its past. They had survived and thrived, their blood powerful and steady inside their veins.

Elyon’s grandma had lived in Bastard King Ulf’s years of conquest. He had been a young rebel who didn’t only provoke a huge war between huge clans, but also put an end to it. He had also been at fault for banishing fairies to a world that felt made just for them. Nowadays most faes believed they were locked in, but the truth was far away from reality.

9. Coup d'etat

High ceilings and long passages led them to the throne room. A long shadow stayed behind Recka and it was detaching itself from the faerie at the precise moment they arrived. The tyrant screamed, he didn’t want to be left alone, not against the barbarians. Elyon could not doubt, under any circumstances. Doubt lead to failure so he froze the crazy faerie to his shoulders. He would make him talk, Essel and Merle to his sides, assisting.

They could not discover anything aside from an unknown shadow creating chaos in every known fae kingdom, and the information didn’t come from Recka but the other leaders. They could not guess where they would strike next or even if there was a ‘they’ at all.

When guards reunited around the square at the foot of the tree, the three generals of the guard made their appearance to accuse the Winter prince of invading Spring and coercing their ruler.

The reason? They would not allow him to take over the throne, his throne, of them three.

10. Heartless Bash’Diya

There was no way out. The three generals got him in invisible chains and kept him in place. Controlled, apparently subdued, unable to do anything. Yet he ate, and slept, and plot a plan to get out. Winter wasn’t going to ask about its prince, ponder if he was alright or not. Elyon even doubted Spring called his name, wondered where the prince had gone. He had helped and yet, there he lay. 

The rot in Spring was something new to him. Winter had its own weirdness and fights, but didn’t tend to lead to a coup. There was something also new. Some guards made in the rotations. He made sure to control them, the hour they passed by, the time they fed him. Someone was also plotting and he only had to wait, reading signals Elyon somehow understood. Small smiles, respectful looks.

And then two brave women bursted in. Gave him his armor and weapons, offered him the chance to recover the throne, but not for him, since he was now worthy. They wanted him as a tool, and so he became. Only to put some order and recover respect and some dignity. After all, the three generals had a spy between them and none wanted them at the front, challenging the rest of the leaders.

Kings from other kingdoms never moved a finger, but only if their lands and power got threatened. 

11. Between us

His story had just begun back then. With no home to go back, no functional title, but a new kingdom to investigate and total freedom. Spring citizens were usually warm and welcoming. Everybody knew who he was although most of them joked around. The lost Princeling he was. And who ruled them as they waited for a new king or queen? Elyon got dragged by the towns people along with their representative, to attend council meetings. Offering a neutral but political point of view. Peace had always to be an option or they would fall. With his help, Elyon got a regent ready with the help of others. Distant family of a long lost line of noblefae that had touched the throne once, with their own asses. The hours he had spent rampaging through documents weren’t worth the mediocre results.

People looked at Elyon even though he wasn’t fit for the position. Yet. Even though he had started to accept the idea of living freely, caring about people like Eolande and her hateful buzzing bees, the soldiers and town citizens started to push him. Not everyone, but all of those who mattered most.

Essel was one of them. Although she treated him as if he were his enemy. The woman became his master pillar. Someone he could confide in and fully trust. She also didn’t let him slack off a single moment. For if he wanted to rule, he would have to learn the ways, the respect and trust. Being Winter born, things wouldn’t be easy as the months passed, his people and himself started to suffer the consequences of excessive weather contrast. Laughingstock as he was, Elyon took the tasks Essel threw on him as a challenge while Eolande eased him and helped him, relaxing, learning, gently and peacefully.

People said it only took a beautiful marriage and a throne to make a king complete. Except commoners had never joined the royal blood, so it was a out of the question theme. That kind of union diluted their magical and ancestral gifts. But also, Eolande was a hard to get woman and Elyon pretty shy about the feelings he started to grow through the next years. He lived slowly, carefully with a bit of fierceness. 

12. Polen song 

Spring faes worked the fields, cared for the plants and the flowers. Some cared for the bees, which made honey and brought good wealth. Others guarded the reign from dangers. Outside and inside. And as March 21st got closer, fairies got more nervous.

Spring and life celebrations lasted a month and are known for their wide range of activities. Merle riders razing, the big harvest competition to check who had the best veggies in the kingdom, the Gold Honey pot, a prize for the best beekeeper and a few activities more, like street parades, dancing, food contests…Elyon found himself surprised with the silver dust ritual.

This ritual was made from ancient times, in honor of some first fae romance that involved painting oneself with handmade paints. Those who managed to fetch the best materials, would shine between the rest, even though this didn’t assure to find a life mate, but maybe a nocturnal skimming. Those who participated in the ritual were often fae who had already some kind of involvement. Guards were placed everywhere just to avoid unwanted or violent encounters.

It took years, literally, for Elyon to act and participate. His constant tries to woo Eolande had been followed by soft jokes. Not taken seriously, his flirts intensified year after year as a constant slow burn caused by her extreme naivety…which was partly a facade.

Twenty years is what took him to dress his silver loincloth and paint himself with the most shiny blues and pinks. The light shone even in the darkest of the night and everybody wondered who was the princeling after.

13. New leaf (soon)

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