Authors note: Woops, I called the old naga a left chamberlain by accident, when I ant left chancellor. Fixed to the previous chapter, but I thought I should ntion it here so no one would be confused. This chapter also marks the official kick-off of the third full arc, which will also be mixed in with the school portion. We get so glances at the future, and the first hints of the real enemy.
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Is the purpose of your presence here to discuss the terms of such alliance, or to officially invite to discuss the matter with the Eternal Empress in the Coral Palace? Neleh asked the naga chancellor.
The old naga gave a small bow. Indeed we are here to extend the invitation and perhaps provide an incentive to encourage the Immortal Fla to accept the invitation. No one has the authority to negotiate a binding treaty on behalf of the Eternal Empress, may she live forever.
Incentives? I hardly think opening a discussion that may or may not result in an alliance really requires that much of an incentive. When such a discussion can take place, may be a different matter. But feel free to make your case Chancellor. Neleh replied a bit surprised. She didnt think her negotiation position was so high as to warrant incentives to even accepting an invitation.
The purpose of the incentive is in fact because the sowhat ti sensitive nature of the negotiations. There is no real hurry for the visit and negotiations to take place, but it is the hope of the Empress that such negotiations take place before two years have passed. As for the incentive, Ill have to quote Her ssage directly. We drew most of our people back to our underwater empire because we werent sure the celestials could or would stop the first conflagration. After all, they could have prevented the event that precipitated the civil war and chose not to do so. If you co to the negotiations before the two years are up, we will be able to prevent the second conflagration. Im dont know what the ssage ans, but I assu you do? The old naga looked at Neleh with seeking confirmation.
I do know. Chancellor Toyotomi, you have perford your duty, and you can inform the Eternal Empress that I will pay a visit to the Coral Palace before the two years is up. Neleh answered suddenly becoming almost grim.
She had realized two things from the empress ssage. First among them was that according to the Eternal Empress, the celestials had known about the dragon attack on the Sun Palace and had decided to do nothing. This warranted a discussion with Azrael, and would most certainly sour Nelehs opinion on the celestials if it was true. If true, she would most certainly rember this the next ti she had dealings with the celestials. This warranted further investigation, and might even sour the relations between the two races as a whole.
The second thing she realized was that either the empress or so other naga serving the empress had the powers of a seer. And considering the information gleaned from the empress ssage, a very powerful seer at that. If they were able to discover information as precise as the empress ssage let her assu, then their words where worth a listen. It also explained sothing that had confounded Neleh since the old naga had greeted her. How could they know about her old life? Even for the seers of the Celestial Host, it was almost impossible to see into a souls previous life. Now granted, Nelehs soul was very unusual, so she might be a special case. But If the Eternal Empress had powers as a very powerful seer, then maybe they werent alluding to Nelehs past. Maybe they discovered the title from her future?
There was also the conflagration the ssage had ntioned. That was an obvious reference to what had happened when Selvaria had died. Calling it the first of its kind and implying that there would be a second, was a clear hint that soone close to Neleh would die to cause it. And the empress was hinting that they might be able to help prevent it. That was a powerful incentive indeed. There was a problem though. Any predictions of future that included Neleh were tenuous at best. Thats why Fate had such a chip on its shoulder when it ca to Neleh. Nevertheless, it would be a good idea to at least hear what they had to say, and its not like she had anything against the possibility of forming ties with the naga. Of all the other races, they might be the best for Nelehs own purposes, because of their control of the seas and their claim of neutrality.
In the end, promises were exchanged between Neleh and the naga chancellor that Neleh would try to visit the Coral Palace at so point in the near future, and that the naga would welco her and her companions at that ti. Naturally Yunalesca and Nimue were extrely curious about what had transpired between Neleh and the naga, and were asking many questions. To placate the two, Neleh shared her theory about the naga having the ability to see the future, and reminded the two about her skill in fire magic. It was not beyond the realm of possibility that she would be known as the Empress of the Immortal Fla in the future.
Whether that ant that she would be an actual empress at that point was another question, after all there were already acolytes that called her the golden goddess, so it might just be an exaggeration. It also wasnt beyond the realm of possibility that she was elected as the empress so day in the distant future, even if she was woefully too young for the position at the mont. Neleh did notice that a weird look passed between Yunalesca and Nimue when she ntioned the possibility of the naga being able to foretell the future. Perhaps the naga werent the only ones. Sothing to consider in the future.
Once their little eting was over, the party was starting to wind down for the day. The celebrations would continue tomorrow, but Neleh decided that her attendance was not going to be required. She had made her presence known, and the fact that she, the empress and the Grand Inquisitor had spent a great deal of ti behind closed doors might be forgotten if she didnt give any additional reasons to pay attention. That would also give the nobles so ti to find sothing and soone else to gossip about.
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The trio of Neleh, Asheara and Azrael were traveling in a carriage towards Nelehs original ho to et with her father, when Neleh brought up the issue of celestials inaction with Azrael.
So was the ssage from the naga empress correct? Did the celestials know beforehand about the dragon attack on the Sun Palace? Neleh asked seriously.
Azrael thought for a while. Im a warrior, not a politician so Im not privy to what happens behind the closed doors of the celestials upper echelon. That said, I did hear so rumors to the effect, and it would not surprise . I do know that so of the more important celestials had been worried about the elves taking part in the other wars, and if they had a way to reduce the elven power without any involvent from us, then they would most likely take that chance. I do know that Anauel could justify sothing like that to her herself, just by thinking that it is not our job to solve all the problems of other races. Its a rather shortsighted view, but shes not entirely wrong. Azrael finished with a shrug.
Not your job. You are right, it isnt you duty to fix other races problems. I shall have to rember that the next ti your race needs help, because it isnt my job to fix the problems of your race either. I lost my sister to that civil war. I wont bla you for her death, but dont expect any good will from either. Your people made their beds, and now you have to lie in it. Neleh said anger coloring her voice.
Ashearas angry voice surprised both Azrael and Neleh. She might not bla you for Selvarias death, but I do. And not just for her death, but for the death of all the others that died in the civil war. Sotis inaction is worse than actively doing evil. I dont expect you to have stopped the dragon attack, but at the very least you could have warned us about it. In my book, that makes you just as bad as the ones that actually caused the attack, and by extension the civil war. Your kind knew what would happen as a result of the attack and chose to do nothing. You may argue that you didnt cause the civil war, but you did allow it to turn much worse. Thats blood on your hands. Neleh had never heard her mother that angry.
Sotis the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing. Neleh whispered quietly.
What was that? Azrael asked.
Just sothing I heard long ago. Neleh said while gazing out the window.
Right, well Im not disagreeing with your points, but I do say that your anger may be a little misdirected. We might have had our part to play, but it was a minor part at best and completely ignores all the good that we have done over the years. The world isnt that black and white. Azrael said with another shrug of her shoulders.
The celestial was not wrong. Neleh was acutely aware that the universe was nothing but shades of gray. But that went both ways. She had very little in the way of good will left towards the celestials, and would feel no obligation to help them, should they ever need help.
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They arrived at the old ho of Neleh and Asheara and went off in search of Elluin, leaving Azrael to make herself comfortable at the house. Naturally, the first place they went to search was Elluins workshop. The man took his work seriously after all. They didnt even need to get inside when they heard the telltale sounds of the workshop being in use. They found Elluin in the smithy, hamring away at so project of his.
Elluin was so shocked to see his estranged wife and his youngest daughter all grown up that his hamr missed the target completely, and he ssed up the piece he was working on. He cursed at the ruined work, but at least he had not spent too much ti on the piece. The materials were kind of wasted though.
Hello father. Neleh greeted Elluin with a small grin.
It was hard for Elluin to handle the change that had occurred in his daughter. The girl had always been self-assured and beautiful, but now she wasmore. The girl practically radiated power, and her looks had acquired certain flare that had not been present earlier. The only way Elluin could explain it in his mind was that there was a certain sexual component in the girls charm now; when earlier she had been mostly cute and beautiful in a childish and innocent sort of way. Now she gave off the impression of a woman. And then there was a big chunk of sothing that could only be described as majesty. She looked like soone born to rule.
Daughter, Asheara. Welco ho is the proper greeting, I suppose. What brings you here? Not sothing bad I hope? Elluin greeted the two. He knew about what had happened to Selvaria. He had missed the Rites of Passing due to the simple reason that by the ti he had heard about Selvarias death, the Rites had already been perford. He had visited Selvarias grave. He had been to Rhianon on several occasion in fact, just to check up on his family, and to see that they were alright. I heard you beca the new Chosen Neleh. Congratulations are in order. I know I havent been much of a father, but I am proud of you.
That earned a scoff from Asheara, who had elected to stay silent as much as possible. Neleh glanced at her mother with a grin. She could feel the anger and disappointnt through the bond. Thank you father. Not to worry, there is nothing bad going on. In fact, its the opposite. We have co here to borrow your skills. Neleh finished with a smile.
Elluin could not hide his pleasure at being called father by her very successful daughter. My skills? Well this is interesting. What can I do for you?
Asheara has renewed her training as a warrior, and is doing very well. The problem is that the path she has chosen to pursue requires a very specific type of weapon. A Weapon that is not used normally by the elves, and as such needs to be custom made for her. And who better to make that weapon? I have the general plans for what is required as well as the necessary materials. Neleh was now grinning openly at the situation.
Elluin could also see the humor in the situation. Well, Im touched by your vote of confidence, and I certainly owe Asheara my best effort if she does require sothing from . Asheara had still not spoken a word, simply standing behind Neleh resting a hand on the girls shoulder and glaring at Elluin.
Excellent. Here are the plans for the two weapons that we need. Neleh handed two rolls of scrolls with detailed descriptions, and guides on how to make the two weapons. And heres what we need you to use as the basis for the weapons. Neleh dumped a large amount of odd white tal on the floor of the workshop from the ring she used for storage.
Youll most likely need so help on few of the steps of the weapon, as well as so explanations, so well stay around for a while. I look forward to working with you. Neleh finished still grinning.
Elluin gave the designs a quick glance, seeing a pair of swords, one ant to be fairly large two-handed weapon, and one being a bit more traditionally sized sword, albeit with an odd, slightly curved shape. The larger sword had the na no-dachi ntioned on the plans, while the smaller one was apparently called katana. Elluin had heard rumors about so of the beastn and naga tribes using similar weapons. What really drew his attention was the white tal Neleh had dumped on the floor. He had never seen anything like it, and he was an expert smith. It was his job to recognize different tals, and he was very good at his job. But this was sothing new. He had been a little sceptic about needing any help with the process, but Neleh might be right. He had never worked a tal like this.
Elluin got another surprise when he looked up from the weird tal. Asheara was no longer glaring at him; instead she was now looking at Neleh with a very warm gaze. He recognized that look. It was sothing that Asheara had directed at him, when they were taking the first steps of their life together, and was not sothing he would ever forget. Directed at their daughter, though? Co to think of it, Asheara had always seed to have almost an unhealthy obsession with their youngest daughter. That gaze seed more heated than anything ever directed at Elluin.
Maybe it wasnt just hate that kept Ashearas mouth closed. Maybe she was afraid that he would notice sothing. Despite their falling out and the hate that Asheara now felt towards him, he knew his wife well. Maybe she was worried that he would notice her feelings towards Neleh if she spoke. Now this is interesting. Elluin mused. He hadnt really expected that they would ever get back together with Asheara, and didnt begrudge her finding a new love. Goddess knows it would only be fair after the cheating he had done before. Trying to find that love with their daughter seed like a bad idea, though.
Elluin wondered what Neleh felt about this whole thing. It was doubtful Asheara would be able to hide it. It took only a few minutes for Elluin to notice sothing was going on, and Neleh had been very sharp several years ago already, and likely had not dulled her wits. It was very unlikely that she would not notice. This called for further looking into. And working alongside Neleh would offer a chance at that. This could turn out to be a very interesting process.
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Neleh and Asheara were walking back towards the mansion, with Asheara complaining about Elluin. Suddenly Neleh could feel a gateway opening sowhere on the planet. It was not difficult to sense the gate opening if you knew what to look for, and Neleh was paying attention to such signs because she knew what they signaled.
So it begins. The voice of Elune said in her mind.
It began eons ago. Now is simply the first ti that this world feels its touch. Neleh replied back.
What do you think ca through? Elune asked, all amusent gone.
A scout almost certainly. The Enemy is nothing but patient. It will look, it will plan, it will bide its ti. The real troubles start when the harbingers co through, to sow chaos and unrest. We have ti. Neleh replied confidently.
Not that we dont have enough trouble even without outside help already. How much ti do you think we have? Elune asked. This world had not been touched the previous tis, so Elune had surprisingly little knowledge of the Enemy.
Judging by the last ti? At least several decades, at most a couple of centuries. Like I said, the Enemy is patient, and a few centuries is nothing on the grand scale of things. The thing is, its dangerous to judge the Enemy by the last ti. The problem with the Enemy is that every ti they co back stronger. Especially after the last ti. I went a little too heavy, and now we pay the consequences. Neleh thought in a serious tone.
What do you an too heavy? And how did you beat the Enemy last ti? One would think it would be too hard for a single being to do. And do you think we can beat them back? Elune asked. It was sothing she had wondered for a while, specifically the part about how Neleh had beaten the enemy.
Last ti neither side was ready. I ran into the Enemy while they were still preparing. As such, most their forces remained intact, ready for the next ti. Can we beat them back? That depends on how much attention we draw. We are not the main players in this little show. The Celestial Host and Inferno are. If we draw the attention of only a few lower scale factions, then you can defend even without my interference. If only one of the higher scale factions takes notice of us, then we can probably beat them back with difficulty. If one of the main factions or Khali forbid the Enemy itself takes notice, then we are in trouble. One thing is certain, though. With the scout here, we can be confident that they will co. Neleh replied with a sigh.
You didnt really answer the questions. What do you an too heavy, and how did you beat them last ti? Elune refused to give up on her line of questioning.
Neleh gave a deep sigh of regret. How did I win? I let my darker nature take control.
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