*** 50 Years Ago, Somewhere in the Emel Empire ***

Star walked out of her tent in the encampment as various troops ran by her. There had been an increase in the commotion outside, and she had no idea what was happening. The Princess wore fine, well-made studded leather armor with royal symbols all over the chest. Her hair was tied back tightly, and she had a rapier at the side. She grunted and paced slightly, looking at various elven soldiers and other non-elven troops moving about in a rush. She whistled over to a soldier, "What is going on?"

She was ignored as the soldier ran off to join a unit. She found herself a bit taken by this, and as she was about to chew out the solider when a young, black hair Harengon  ran up to him and saluted her, "Princess."

Star saluted back, "Captain, report."

The young Harengon  shallowed hard, "I regret to inform you that your brother, The Crown Prince, has taken command of this encampment." Star's face sank as she looked toward her brother's tent and saw a lot of activity. She stepped towards it, but the Captain put his hands up to stop her. "You have been ordered to remain in your tent."

"And my troops?" she said softly.

"They have.... refused to follow orders unless issued by you," he replied.

"And why are you here?" She said, looking down at him. 

He shrugged, "I'm the youngest, so... I guess they thought I was the least of a threat. I am to ask you to send orders for them to lead the attack."  

Star growled, moved to a sentry, yanked him by his collar, and forced him in front of her.    She pulled out a note and scribbled orders, "Take this to my troops. Tell them to stand down. Do not leave camp, but do not cause trouble."

"Highness... I'm..." the young elf began to stutter. 

"I am the Seventh Star, daughter of the Emperor of the Emel Empire. You dare defy me!"  She screamed at him. The elf took the note and ran off.

She looked back, "Captain Midnight," he took another piece of paper and wrote a quick note. "Take this note to the teleportation tent and return to the castle. I am asking my father to put me back in command."  She handed the note, "Hurry!"

"Yes, your Highness," the young Harengon said, saluting her and then running off to fulfill her orders.  

Star growled, "Fuck," She moved back into her tent and poured herself a glass of wine. She paused and did not drink it. "I see our sentries need some retraining." She turned to the shadows of her ten and out stepped a man with short red hair and a red beard with hints of gray.  

"You and I have been sneaking out of Emel Empire camps for two decades, old friend," he said with a soft smile. "You think I couldn't slip into this camp?"

"I was hoping you wouldn't," Star said, turning to look at him with her arms crossed. "You need to leave, both of you."

"Call it off," Alistar said, stepping forward. "Do not attack that town."

"I can't," She said, shaking her head.

"Please," Alistar said, pleading with her and taking a few more steps toward her. "If our friendship meant anything to you, I need more time."

"There... is... no.. more... time," She said, yelling back at him. "There is no more time. I told you. I told you this would happen. I told you that if she did not stop her rabble-rousing, the Empire would respond like this."

"Star, she is my wife," he said with a quivering voice. 

"I know," Star said, holding her hands up. "You think I don't know? How do you not know this wouldn't happen? This is the Empire's response to any defiance. How many villages have we destroyed together? How many people have we killed to protect the Empire?"

"This is different," Allistar shaking his head. 

"You are different," Star said with a tear in her eye. "Where's the man who tore up the countryside with me protecting the Empire? Where is my friend I'd drink with all night because we didn't care what others thought? Where's the leader of my troops? The only non-all-elven royal force. The best one in these lands."  She walks up to him and grips his arms, "When did he leave me?"

"I'm still the same," Alistar said quietly. "But this is all different now."

"It's not," Star said with a smile, "By the gods, my friend. It is not. The only difference is my best friend is too blind to see what is coming. I told you that you need to get her to stop. She didn't. I told you that you two needed to leave. You didn't. I told you that we were coming, and you stayed. I have stalled all that I can. I can't hold this back anymore."

"What do you mean?" Alistar said, looking shocked. 

"It ends tonight, old friend. It ends now," She said with teary eyes and a shrug. 

"No," Alistar said, seemingly shocked.

"This is the way of the Empire, Alistar. Generations have done this before us and will continue to do so. It is... the way... we maintain power," Star said in a shaky voice.   

"Star, please, I'm begging you. Stop the attack," Alistar said, gripping the arms of his elven friend.  

"I'm not in command!" Star said, shaking loose, "My brother, the Crown Prince, has taken command."  She shook her head, "The other Captains are refusing to enter the town, but there are more than enough troops here to wipe them out. I hope to the gods that your wife is out of there. Whoever is in there is dead. My brother will..."

"I have a child," Alistar blurted out. "I have a son."

Star looked like she had been punched in the gut as she nearly fell back, only holding herself up with her hands, "How? When?"

"This week," he said with a smile. He shrugged, "A pretty intense romp in the Feywild 9 months ago if you are that curious."  They both shared a small laugh, "It was a difficult birth. The doctor thinks he may have a divine touch, but we won't know for a dozen years or so. He was too weak to move."

Star shook her head, turned around, and knocked everything off the table behind her, "Damn it!"  She turned to him and grabbed him by the arms, "Go, go now. Go and get them out of there. Head west. All the way to the edge of the Empire. There is a man there who can get you to the Sword Coast. I have a few connections out there...."

"They aren't together," Alistar said, shaking his head. "She has him and the other children in a large church in the center of town under guard, and she is on the front lines."

Star nodded, "Okay.. okay. She won't listen to me. Go to her and get her out." She paused for a moment, "I'll get your son. I'll get him out of town and meet you two outside."  

"Come with us, Star," Alistar said with a smile. "Come with us to the Sword Coast..... the three of us and the New Captain Crimson, my Son. Start a new life with us."

Star shook her head, "I can't. I am needed here. My family needs me."

"We won't make it there without you," Alistar said, pleading with her. There was a short pause between them as Alistar's eyes pleaded with her, "Please, old friend."

"I will come with you to the Sword Coast," Star said softly. "To make sure you can get there. Then I have to come back,"

"I'll take it," Alistar said with a smile. He let go of her and took a few steps back, "I'll see you soon. Promise me you'll protect him, no matter what."

Star nodded, "I will protect him, no matter what. Until the end, old friend."  The two shook hands, and Alistar immediately ducked out.  

Star turned her hands around and spoke Elvish for a few moments, her eye flared up a soft green, and she stepped into the ethereal plane and rushed to the town. Already she could see flames in the distance as the attack had begun. Passing through this way allowed Star to sneak in and out of places easily. She could see and hear what was happening, but no one else seemingly could. Those attuned to the arcane could send something, but there was so much going on around them that very little was paid attention to a "sense" that there was someone else around. She could see her brother in the distance directing the attack from a safe, elevated position.

The town did not stand a chance. There was a militia and some mercenaries, but these were elite royal troops. They would probably lose some soldiers, but there was little doubt about who would win this day. Star looked to the side and watched a squad of well-armed Elven swordsman tear into a rag-tag group of the town militia. There were a few skilled swordsmen in the group, but, as per the training Star was very familiar with, they were singled out and quickly overwhelmed by the elven troops. Half of them were already slaughtered by the time Star lost sight of them. 

Star knew precisely what she was going to find Alistar's son. Over the last two weeks, as the attack force camped outside of town, Star had gone into town under a flag of truce to try to defuse the situation. In the past, Star and Alistar would have ridden into town and burned it down. Star had played this off as trying out a new way that would be more effective for the Empire, but she was trying hard to prevent conflict. Alistar had gone into town and refused to return to her service without explanation. Although now, having known his son was being born, it made sense. These negotiations occurred at a large church in the center of town. Star would step out of the ethereal plan, get this young child, and then get out of town one way or another.

Things were already looking bad.   She was passing by burning buildings with screams coming from those trapped inside. The Empire was making an example of this town.   Glancing down one alley, she saw several townspeople being executed by various forces.   She pushed forward and turned the corner, and gasped. The church where the old and young were taking refuge was on fire. In front of the entrance, there was a pitched battle between Empire forces and the militia. The militia was outmatched but was holding their own.   Star rushed forward, still in the ethereal plane; she passed through everyone and entered the church. Inside there was panic as people ran all over the place trying to put out the fire while others were falling over, succumbing to the flames and smoke. She moved through the fire and rooms until she reached a room with a cradle and a coughing baby.

Star stepped out of the ethereal plane, ending the spell, and looked down at the newborn half-elven baby struggling to breathe. She teared up a bit; this child was not doing well and needed to be evacuated. "Shhh...." She said, looking at the name on the crib. The partially burnt piece of paper only had "Alistar Raylot" written on it. Alistar and Star often moved the letters around in their name when giving fake names. She reached into the crib, "I got you, Captain Crimson."  

"Who are you!" A voice yelled out behind her. Star turned around to confront an older lady with a short sword, flanked by a young boy and young girl, likely brother and sister, holding axes who were barely teenagers. "Princess Star?"

"I'm here to get this baby out. Get out of here," She said, holding her hands up. "Flee."

"You aren't taking him," the older woman said. "Stop her." The two young boys rushed forward and swung, and Star dodged both swings. She drew her sword and killed both of them in single strokes. The older woman cried out, "No!"  She rushed forward and traded a few blows with Star. However, the royal Princess, perhaps the most well-trained of her siblings in dueling, quickly ran through the older woman. The woman's eyes filled with tears glaring at Star. Blood trickled down from her mouth as she attempted to say something, but Star threw her into the other burning room.   

Star went to the crib where Alistar's son was wheezing. The smoke had gotten to him. Picking him up, she kicked open a door and entered the street, where she was confronted by several elven soldiers who charged her. She  pulled down her hood and yelled at them, "Halt."

The soldiers instantly recognized her and aborted their attack, "Princess, what are you doing here?"

"Making sure the job is done correctly. They are having problems out front; come with me."  She turned and led the soldiers into the engagement out front while holding Alistar's son.  

"What are you holding, Highness?" one of them said, looking at the baby.

"Spoils of war, soldier,"  The soldiers ran before her. Star planned on staying behind and peeling off to meet with Alistar and his wife. She glanced down at the wheezing baby. He was beginning to fade, "Hang in there."

The group turned the corner, and Star's eyes went wide. The fiery redhead that was Alistar's wife was charging towards the burning building with a large force. With so many family members seemingly trapped in the church, she rushed there with others. There was a collective gasp from the crowd, and once they saw elven forces turn the corner, seemingly being led by Star, they rushed forward.  

"No!" the woman screamed, looking at Star, holding her son. She rushed forward. Two Elven soldiers lowered the pikes and charged at her. She held out her, and they were flung 60 feet to the side, crashing through the doors of a burning building. Star looked behind her and saw Alistar, wounded and holding a sword. They looked at each other. Alistar looked at his wife, charging forward with townsfolks into the elven force, which was being reinforced quickly.  

"Don't do it," Star whispered to herself.  

Alistar reached out toward Star and his son for a moment. He then drew his sword and led a charge of townsfolks toward the losing end of a battle. With tears, Star turned and walked away into the darkness. She could hear the struggle and death behind her slowly get quieter and quieter as she put some distance between the town square herself. Also, with fewer and fewer townsfolks to kill, there was less battle. She glanced down and saw the baby was still doing very poorly. Star began to run back to the encampment. Getting back to her tent, she saw Captain Midnight standing outside. 

"Princess, The Emperor has denied your request to take command." The Harengon paused and looked at what she was holding, "Princess?"  

"Once my troops have been released by into my command, have them return to the castle immediately."  Captain Midnight saluted and ran back to where her troops here being held. Star ran to the teleportation tent, where mages kept a connection back to the castle. They could not send an entire force this way, but royalty and their personal guard could be shunted back if needed.   

"Princess," one of the older mages stood up. "I...

"Send me back now," she said, standing in the circle. "Now!"  She yelled, startling the other mages. Within a few moments, she was in the warm surroundings of the teleportation room in her home.   A servant came up, and before she could speak, "Send for the Arch-Druid to my room."

"I believe he is sleeping, Highness."  The servant said, unsure.

"Then wake him up and tell him if he isn't in my room in 10 mins, he'll spend the next month in the dungeon," she said, pushing him back and heading to her room.   

Sure enough, within 8 minutes, an older, barely dressed man came into her room panting as he had been jogging. Star laid a blanket and pillows on the table and placed the young, half-elven baby there. He had not opened his eyes at all and was barely breathing. Star paced until his arrival. He immediately knew what was going on and asked her to leave the room so he could work. Star stood outside the door of her room for close to two hours, pacing. She could hear various magical incantations in there, but that wasn't how it was going.   It has not quite sunk in that Alistar and his wife were likely dead. She went through her mind various ways how he could have gotten out of there, but as time progressed, she knew it was less and less likely.  

Finally, the door opened to an exhausted druid, "You Highness."

"Is the boy alright?" She said, rushing up to him.

"He passed," he said, causing her to gasp, "But I was able to put his spirit into a new body." He shook his head, "There is something very unique about his spirit. The new body did not take on any elven features. Very, very strange. But he is alive."

Star sighed in relief and nodded. She moved into the room and saw the baby there sleeping peacefully. It had a full head of crimson hair, and although it looked different, at the same time, it wasn't. Star sighed in relief. "Thank you Arch-Druid. On your way out, could you send my pages?"  The older man nodded and patted her on the shoulder, and left. Soon enough, young elven pages came in. "The room across from mine, clear it out and send up a room for a baby. Have Nana Evergreen come here immediately."  There was no hesitation as the servants left and grabbed a few more people. Star was known to be demanding, so it only took about 10 minutes for the room to be cleared out and set up with a small bed and crib.  

A very old elven woman came in, "Starizie Róvan Emel, you've grown!" 

Star smiled, "I'm the same size. You've shrunk."

She laughed softly, shuffled in, and immediately saw the baby on the table. "Oh boy, what do you have here."

"I need your help to look after him for a few hours," Star said. "The room across from mind is set up."

"Oh my, what a handsome baby boy," She said, picking him, and she began to sing to him in Elvish. The baby yawned, looked around with deep blue eyes, laughed softly at the older woman, and grabbed her nose. "Who has my nose? Who has my nose?"  Nana Evergreen now completely ignored Star and took the baby to the other room. It was clear she loved holding and talking to babies.  

Star looked at herself in the mirror, covered in dirt and blood. She would bathe, but her chest felt tight and needed some air. She moved to one of the balconies and leaned on the railing, looking over the edge. She gently tapped her fist on the stone railing and held her head down slightly, "Alistar.... you fool."

She heard familiar footsteps behind her. She smiled gently and laughed a bit. She took a deep breath and stood up but did not turn around. "I think I owe you an apology, for once, father."

The Emperor of the Emel Empire stood beside his daughter and took a deep breath, "Wouldn't that be something."  There was a slight pause between them, "I wanted to see how you are doing. Your brother reported that your friend, Captain Crimson, was killed."

"Scarlett," she said softly. "He took a new name a few days ago. But yes, he is dead."

"I know you two were close," he said, looking out next to her. "I'm sorry you weren't able to talk some sense into him. I hope you'll consider creating an all-Elven force for your missions."

"We are not an all-elven country, father. My mixed group of troops may stick out on these castle grounds, but we blend into the countryside.   You can't deny we haven't been effective. We've accomplished everything you've asked of us," She said, defending the choices.

"Until now," her father firmly reminded her. "I heard you brought back a child?"

"Captain Scarlett's child," Star said softly.

"I see. Who do you intend on giving it to for care?" He asked gently.  

"I'll look after him," Star said gently. She could see her father's discomfort, "Besides, I have a theory. If we take the time to raise children to be our guards, there will be no question of loyalty."

Her father did not say anything for a few moments. "Proceed, for now."  He finally turned to her, "I'll see you in the morning for your next assignment."

"Yes, father," she said, nodding. She took a deep breath and headed back to her room. Halfway there, she encountered her other Captains, including Captain Midnight.

"Is it true?" one of them asked.

"Is he dead?

Star looked at all of them, "He is. I tried to save him but couldn't. Nothing we can do but move on."  They all nodded. "Sleep well. We have business tomorrow." 

They made a path for her as she moved past them, heading toward her room.  One of them called out, "Are we going to get a new Captain Crimson?"

"I already have," Star said, moving away from them and heading immediately into her washroom to clean up and disarm. She stood in hot water for a while, crying softly to herself a few times before finally finishing up and regaining her composure. Putting on a heavy robe, she stepped out and walked out of her room and into the makeshift nursery next door. Nana Evergreen was humming and knitting an outfit for the baby. "How is he?"

"Sound asleep," Nana looked up with a smile. "But I didn't ask you his name."

"Captain Crimson," Star said softly. The baby yawned and woke up, looking around.

"Oh, a Sword Captain of the Royal Family already? You must be a very important little man," Nana said, gently tickling his feet. The baby squirmed and smiled. The old woman wrote "Captain Crimson" on a card and put it on a little placeholder on the crib. "What is his real name?"

"Oh, umm," Star said, realizing Alistar hadn't said anything. "Let me go look it up." She went back into her room and sat down at her desk. Sitting on the table was the last letter Alistar had sent her. 

It was a short message that read:

"I need more time.

Sword Captain Raylot"

She smiled. When sending messages to each other, Star and Alistar would often sign different names, rearranging the letters of their names to make new ones. 

On a blank piece of paper, she wrote down "Raylot" and then unscrambled it into Taylor.  

She wrote down the Elvish words for "Sword Captain."

Kerytm Selberdrshim

She leaned back and said the words over and over again. In bastardized common, those words sound like Colt and Sebastian.  

Taking a small card, she wrote down "Colt Sebastian Talyor / Captain Crimson."  She walked over towards the nursery, looking at the name and then at the baby, looking up at him. "Here," she said softly.  

"Colt Sebastian Taylor," Nana Evergreen smiled, "What a big name for such a small person."

"He'll grow into it," She said, returning to her room to go to bed. She undid the braid in her hair and closed the door, crying herself to sleep.

*** Present Day in Neverwinter, in a room off from the main ballroom of a royal wedding ***

Colt pushed a freshly poured glass of Elvish Whiskey across the table to his old friend, Star, who took it with heavy eyes. He poured himself a drink, "So that's how it happened."

"Yeah," she said, sipping it. "I'm sorry it happened how it did. I hope this doesn't change anything between us."

"You always worry about that," Colt said with a smile. "Why? Have I ever seriously considered abandoning you and going my separate ways?"

Star smiled, "No." She sipped her drink, "I'm just afraid to lose you. You are the only part of him that's left," she whispered.

Colt nodded and looked down, "Must be hard how much I remind you of him."

Star smiled, "That's why I stayed away until you were older. I thought it would be too hard. But you actually don't remind me too much of him. I see an echo of him in you. And your mother, but you are most certainly you, old friend." 

"I am willing to bet there is an echo of you in me, Star. A loud one," Colt smiled. "I've picked up a lot of your traits."

"Oh? Which one? Disregard for authority? Refusing to keep one lover? Forcing a third choice when there are only two? Picking fights? Drinking? Gambling? Yes, you have all of my bad qualities," she said with a laugh. "Those traits?"

"Yeah," Colt said with a wide smile. "The fun ones." They clinked glasses, "I am who I am because of you. Whatever happened has happened. I have you, and now... apparently, a sister and a brother. I would never trade you for anything, Star."

"Thank you," she raised her glass and sarcastically toasted. "To the Empire."

"To the Empire, indeed," Cold said, blowing a few red curls out of his eyes and fiddling with a braid that matched the one she had in her hair. "I hope you never question my love for you, Star."

"Never, old friend. Never." The drank their whiskey, "Let's get back to this wedding."