Chapter 57 - Emissaries

Silias sat across from Winter and Talessia in a contemplative silence that descended heavily over the room. A frown so deep on the wilderelf’s face that the mark between her brows gave the appearance that it had been cleaved by an axe. Silias slowly nodded, meeting Winter’s defensive steel gaze.

“Are you well, Winter?” she asked quietly as her features softened, noting the valkyrie’s nod she frowned slightly, “Pele is going to be so...”

Winter couldn’t help but chuckle, “Annoyed?”

Silias nodded, a smile growing on her lips, “Sian is alright?”

“She is well.” Winter replied, closing her eyes, letting their shared bond wash through her, “Maybe, a little too well.”

“Our Lord, Antrandis?” Silias asked, her expression serious, “What was his...Reaction?”

Winter glanced at her, “Accepting of that which can not be changed.”

Silias nodded, a small bitter-sweet smile coming to her as she watched Winter, “Sometimes the best way to gauge his real reactions is to watch your conflict.”

Winter looked at her, “He told me, ‘no more, she is the last’.”

Silias bit at her lip, giving a slight nod as she thought, “What is this Ekavira like?”

Winter gave a short deprecating chuckle, “You might have the chance to meet her tomorrow. Only two of us have met with her since they became recluse, Silvast and Antrandis. The last time I saw her in person was before the fall.”

Silias’s eyes widened, the question on her lips as a knock sounded at the door. Hearing it open behind her, she mouthed the dragon’s name and received a nod in return from Winter.

The sound of the gentle rush and babble of water lapping against the stone-lined shore could be heard throughout the gardens of the lowest level of the Sanctum of Dagnatheln. A quiet rustle of leaves as a breath of air tickled the trees of the chasms. The trees of the world of the Everdark, the caverns and paths under the surface of the Eld that delved through stone and burrowed in the earthy night. A realm that burned with its own life, far below the surface world.

Harks smiled as a faint, wailing shriek sounded from above, skirting the treetops and cutting through the sounds of the underground river.

“Kelis is enjoying herself.” Jaina commented, brushing against him gently.

Harks nodded, his eyes wandering to Jaina as she glanced briefly over her shoulder.

“The low light. She’s enjoying it.”

Jaina smiled, “Are you enjoying it?” she said, her gaze lingering.

He frowned, glancing in the direction of the owl as she glided through the trees and perched nearby, her large eyes watching intently.

“She saw something?” asked Jaina.

He nodded, “She can’t describe it, just that it was.”

She smiled, coming to him and taking his hand, “A few days off the road and a proper bed is welcome at the very least.” she said, guiding him along, “Kenda did say that the negotiations would now be taking place here. Eira and Aleenastra both will be arriving. What is happening for such changes to be necessary?”

Harks nodded, squeezing her hand gently, “Something much bigger than expected. Winter arrived earlier this morning too.”

Jaina’s eyes widened, “But Winter is meant to be… Why is she here?”

“To shift from us, Silias, Pele and Talessia acting as emissaries to DeKalenstaad to reestablish trade, to what it is now? Something of great import has taken place. As soon as Eira arrives we will…” he stopped, listening to Kelis’s faint barking sound in warning.

Jaina glanced about, “We were told to meet at the riverside garden. Come.”

Harks smiled, allowing himself to be led by his wife. Jaina’s determined walk and grasp on his hand not to be underestimated. As the stonework of the garden came into view ahead, they could see the movement of an elf and a couple of dwarves preparing the dining area.

Kelis swept past them, her flight almost silent as she cut through the air. Harks watched as she landed on the edge of the stone railing that led down to the hollow among the trees. He frowned slightly as Kelis’s thoughts came to him in a slow trickle.

“Jaina.” he said quietly, guiding her off the path and in amongst the trees.

She moved to speak, a frown on her face. He shook his head and she waited, looking back to the path.

“There.” he whispered into her ear, nodding toward the large figure that walked the path, a valkyrie tailing a few steps behind.

She turned her head and looked at him, “Is that what…” her voice falling silent as he nodded.

“One of the two males.”

“There are only two?” Jaina asked as she watched, before glancing back at him, “How…”

Harks smiled, “Eira had Talessia explain to me before we left. Everything she could tell me.”

Jaina smiled quietly, “Are you sure you are ready to do this?”

“Old and well worn shoes, dearest Jaina, well worn shoes.” he said, a faint glimmer coming into his startling blue eyes, watching the path until the rakshasa took the steps down to the riverside.

Emerging from the treeline and rejoining the path, Harks gave a swift nod to Kelis, following her movements as she took to the wing and circled out over the river. Gliding in low from the opposing bank, the dark, midnight waters rushing below. A smile came to his lips as he felt Jaina lace her fingers into his before they reached the stairs. She gave him a quick nod before they made their way down.

Below them, the rakshasa’s back was turned, his broad shoulders covered by a dark cloak that could have doubled as a curtain for its size. Harks smiled slightly, seeing the rakshasa’s attention was on watching Kelis’s approach. He raised a hand, offering it to Kelis as she flew in fast, whipping past the rakshasa’s ear and landing in a flurry. Jaina glanced at Harks and gave him a knowing smile and shook her head at his tactics.

The rakshasa turned, his large pale eyes landing on the both of them, assessing them as they reached the bottom of the stairs. He let out a low rumbling chuckle, as the light from above shone in his eyes.

“Dear, he is… Incredible.” Jaina whispered, her eyes on the beast as he turned.

Harks leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Incredible is all?”

She glanced at him with a puzzled expression and nodded. Harks smiled knowingly, looking back to the pale blue eyes of the rakshasa as Kelis nuzzled her head into his neck.

“I did not expect to see an elf with a familiar.” the beast said, his voice rumbling deeply.

Harks smiled and tipped his head, “I did not expect to see a tiger of the snowy wastes walking and talking like an elder race.” he said, leading Jaina closer.

He smiled further as he heard the deep rumbling chuckle, a cross between a laugh and a growl.

“Your kind has not been seen in almost an eternity, but those who know are aware of you.” Harks said, feeling Jaina grip his hand as the rakshasa stood over them.

“Were you aware of me, elf?” the beast said, eyes narrowing suddenly, “You do not, bend like others. Neither does she. What is this?”

Harks, smiled, unflinching and calm, “I do not need or have to bend to you or any. My will is my own.”

Another deep rumbling laugh rolled out, now strained, unsettled.

Pale eyes narrowed to slits, “You are of the Aletere… Maybe your kind is more prevalent than I thought. I only met twins, a monster of a female and a man just yesterday. It was a swift fight.”

Harks smiled politely, “I only know of two that can fit your description. You are brave, Rakshasa. Neither are easily defeated.”

Harks watched as the rakshasa’s ears slicked back and how easily the beast took a dismissive, nonchalant stance.

“The boy went down easily enough, the monster could not…” the beast continued, his voice rumbling.

Harks felt Jaina’s hand on his arm, a reminder; he smiled in return to the words, interrupting, “I suppose it takes one to know one.” he said, his eyes unwavering, “Though, you have misinterpreted my intent.”

“Misinterpreted?”

“Yes. Boasting of being defeated is not tactful in the pursuit of winning the favour of others, especially when in desperate need of their assistance.” Harks continued.

“I, defeated? We do not need…” the rakshasa slowed, his eyes narrowing, “Assistance.”

Harks smiled disarmingly, “I was sent to speak directly with your Empress at the behest of the Lady of Knocht and the Lord of Meliandra. As I do not feel that you represent your Empress’s best interests I will ignore your baiting.” he said, watching the rakshasa’s physical response, “You arrived with Winter Kahn’Draneth Darkfall, Lord’s Consort and the Dark Priestess of Toth, did you not?”

The beast stared at him, whiskers twitching.

“To arrive as her guest, escorted under her guard. Boasting of defeat and your attack on the adopted children of Darkfall would make you an enemy, my enemy and an enemy of the domains of Knocht, Meliandra and their peoples. Choose you next words wisely, Ja’Sessh of The DeKaalenstaad, or your Empress will not be able to save you.”

Ja’Sessh glared at him, eyes narrowing, ears slicking back and hackles rising, “You dare threaten me?”

“Threaten? No. A simple fact, Ja’Sessh, Rakshasa of the eight. Sibling of Ja’Ekavira, Empress of the Ke’Shasan. Demon child of Azzar Kar’Sharn’s craft. Once conservator of the great Dragon Sanctum of Escorath. As the vaunted General of the Ke’Shasan, you should be well aware your actions within the abandoned halls of Escorath constitute enough of an instigation to be considered an act of war.”

Ja’Sessh stood in silence, his eyes wide.

“Did I threaten you? No, but you did threaten those I represent, and directly.” Harks said, while patting Jaina’s hand, his eyes drawn to movement on the stairs behind Ja’Sessh.

“How... How could you know this?” Ja’Sessh asked, “How did you know my name?”

Harks gave a smile, “It is my business to know.”

Ja’Sessh’s ear twitched as her voice rang out.

“He is only a messenger, Harks.” said Winter as she walked past.

Harks gave a short bow, “A fact not lost to me, High Priestess of the Absent God. A pleasure. Please, are your children well?”

Winter smiled and nodded, reaching him and allowing him to take her hand, touching his forehead to its back, “They are, and no worse for wear. Your assessment?”

Harks glanced past her to the glowering Ja’Sessh, “A messenger. No more, no less.” he said quietly to her, “Apart from his own physical prowess and desperate need for approval, he is true. Ja’Ekavira is shrewd in her choice. Very little of worth can be discerned from one who only thinks of himself. Though, I am surprised that it came to blows. Though, maybe not.” he finished, once again looking at Ja’Sessh’s towering form.

Ja’Sessh glared at them both, “He has not introduced himself.” he said, voice low in the presence of Winter.

With her back still turned to the rakshasa she shared a glance with Harks, noting the pale, white shimmer under the startling blue of his eyes, “You did not give Rhuthain the chance, why should I expect you offered the opportunity to Harks?”

Harks gave a slight nod, a small smile and walked past to stand before Ja’Sessh, Jaina at his arm and gave a short bow, “May I present Jaina of Knocht, Arcarnist of the Eternal Fire and Fragile Life, adviser of the Spyres, my partner and wife.”

Ja’Sessh watched as Jaina tipped her head in a small nod before turning his gaze to Harks, “And yourself?”

“Harks, Emissary of Eira Lin Haarlstarn and chief negotiator in her name. Student of the late Odessia, hero of the Spyres. Teacher and Father to Lia, Sovereign of the Fyrlings. Husband to Jaina.”

Harks smiled, his eyes unwavering in their stare and building in intensity, their shimmer turning to a sharp glow.

Ja’Sessh matched him, “You are too modest, elf of the Aletere.”

Harks nodded, “There is only so much time in the day.”

“Negotiator?” Ja’Sessh asked.

Harks looked up at the rakshasa in curiosity as Ja’Sessh frowned.

Narrowing his eyes, he spoke, “A simple word of advice, Ja’Sessh. Reign in your thoughts. You are betraying yourself.”

The rakshasa glared at him, “What would you know?”

Harks looked at Ja’Sessh, “More than you would like.”

Silver-flecked emerald eyes looked up, a faint glow in their depths. They slowly took in the sight of the silver dragon sprawled on the bed, her elven form unnaturally graceful even in her dishevelled state. The rich, moss coloured sheets barely covering her, almost sliding off her unusually well-toned and powerful body. Her thick silver hair was in disarray, half hiding her face as she shifted in her sleep, the seductive curve of her waspish waist and behind shaping the fabric as she lay on her stomach.

A smile came to Sian’s lips as Silvast made gentle noises in slumber. She could feel Winter’s probing thoughts, playing on the edge of her mind, reliving the experience she had missed now she was alone. Sian shook her head and chuckled softly to herself. Winter’s patience for Ja’Sessh’s conduct was wearing dangerously thin; her aggressive responses to his blatant disrespect of the emissaries had woken Sian earlier. As she had laid against and entwined in Silvast’s arms she had calmed the valkyrie’s frustration before extracting herself and quietly donning her clothes once more.

She could feel her beloved above in the upper halls. He had been conversing with Rhuthain and the valkyries. Discussing the resurrection of the Sanctum and the immediate plans in the aftermath. He had left earlier while she had been sleeping. Though, his thoughts now ranging to the unearthing of the main entry. She smiled again, carefully sliding another sheaf of paper back into its cover and replacing it in the case before taking a number of small boxes out and laying them out on the edge of the bed to check their contents.

Sian looked up as she saw a gleam of silver, a glimmer of platinum shine from the slit of Silvast’s eye. The languid stretch of Silvast’s hand as she reached out to her lazily, neither truly asleep or awake. She leaned forward, sliding her hand over the sheets and touched Silvast’s fingers gently as she kept her eyes on the dragon’s until they closed, once again slipping back into a proper slumber. The movement of Silvast’s lips did not escape her, the words not needing sound though still delivering their heartfelt meaning.

Sian smiled gently, leaning further onto the bed and lifting a few stray hairs away from Silvast’s face.

“There has never been a need to thank me, Sil.” she breathed out, shaking her head and caressing Silvast’s cheek, “We are your treasure, just like you are ours.”