Succeed or Die
A gentle breeze tugged Elinor’s hair back as she moved through the coliseum hallway, the distant rumble of thunder lifting her mood. Nobles made a wide berth when spotting her, keeping to the sides of the corridor and bowing their heads in silent respect while she passed with her escort of paladins that the king had sent to guide her.
Her bright emerald eyes maintained their forward vision, yet she took notice of every individual, and not a single Tempest stayed airborne in her presence. It was something she took notice of with each aristocrat’s sober acknowledgment of her passing.
This was the attitude she was cultivating in her new jungle home; as short as her time would be in this more sophisticated nation, she saw a small portion of the potential yield that could be reaped from the seeds she’d planted.
However, fashion in the Kaspir Kingdom left much to be desired since their policy seemed to be that the less you wore, the higher the station you presented. Who knows, maybe she would be a fashion setter in how she’d specified her more gothic theme.
Whispers were hushed when she swept by the nobility, leaving a tense jolt in the atmosphere that maintained her slight smile and gave her silence to think. There was so much to explore in this world and quite powerful individuals to bring to her side, yet the same could be said about her new planet that she called home.
Her victories here were a stepping stone for the conquest outside Roman’s fracturing and breaking Quest World. She would use everything she could to accelerate her empire’s growth, and promoting change in this kingdom might gain her further resources that she could call upon later.
An internal hum from her father brought her gaze to the tall, dark-haired man as he walked beside her; things were coming to a point, and she could see why her dad would be nervous about the enemies she was about to create, but they’d planned this out carefully. There was no way to stop it now.
Elinor returned her eyes to the back of the gold and white-themed armor of the Paladins around them while connecting to her dad through the Nexus. What’s on your mind, Dad? Don’t bottle it up. You understand I can feel what you feel… Almost as if it were myself.
The Death Knight’s illuminated blue eyes darted to her, but she remained front-facing. He ignored the gestures from the lesser nobles as much as her on their journey, his deep voice holding a melancholy note that she’d rarely heard come from her father; it was almost like he was… vulnerable.
“I’m just reflecting,” he sighed. “You’re so much like my little spitfire of a rebellious daughter before… all of this. Now, you’re shouldering burdens I didn’t know you were capable of and carving out your own home in this new world since ours was taken from us. I guess I’m… ashamed that I haven’t done more for you… taken more of the burden off of you.”
Elinor’s mouth fell into a line, her vision falling to the polished tile floors. Sometimes, I do wonder if I’m still the teenage girl who’s grounded for getting tattoos without your permission. There are days when… whenever I find a moment to myself, which, heh, isn’t common, when I enter my internal world to relive memories of our life in California.
A humorous chuckle came from her father as a sureness radiated from him. “Never have I thought you weren’t my daughter if that’s what you’re trying to hint at, Elinor. Are there times I want to strangle you and when I think you are taking too many risks? Absolutely. There are days I want to slap Tiffany because she acts… so much like your mother at times.”
She could feel a band of stress compressing around his chest from the emotion in his throat. “I’ve learned a lot about your mother from Tiffany… things she was scared to admit or talk to me about that the witch has no problem divulging. Her fears that—no, I don’t need to put any of this on you,” he groaned, catching her eye.
“Suffice it to say, I’m proud of the woman you’re becoming… that you’ve been forced to become due to our failures as parents, and that includes your baby sister, who I do worry about.”
Elinor suppressed an external snort at Butter’s inclusion into the family picture; it had been a few months now since her addition, but it was still bizarre to think about her butterfly sibling. I can’t tell what I truly feel about that fatty, she admitted, slowing her pace and causing her escort to stop as she pivoted to a window to look out at the approaching storm.
Finding her elbow behind her back, she showed the nobles and guards a thoughtful smile while searching for the proper words to describe what was burned into her heart. The gales gradually increased, fluttering her black dress and bringing with it the scent of musk rain as the air pressure changed. It would be upon them in the next thirty minutes.
I knew Butter in a previous life… I know that makes as much sense as me being able to bring back the dead, but we were twins before, and there is history between us. I hated her… and I also loved her. I trust her, and I don’t.
She streamed out a short breath, fixating on the thick, black clouds rolling over the clear sky like an ominous blanket that would match well with their plans.
It is such a mess of contradictions that I can hardly untangle the absurdity I feel, and that previous life is… impressing my past life on me somehow due to this Greater Seed within me. I can’t say if it’s new or if it accelerated the process that was already happening.
Tone drawing a serious stare from her father, Elinor met his gaze as the Paladins waited for any indication that she was ready to continue.
My mind and attitude have changed due to necessity, yet that can’t account for all of it. I know all of this is hard for you, Dad, but I have to explore this darker side of my personality if I am going to get answers and have the strength to do what I must in order to keep everyone alive… as ironic as that sounds from a Lich Empress.
“I’ll always be by your side,” he returned, showing a smile she’d almost forgotten in such a short time.
“I know Tiffany, Butter, and you are struggling in your own ways, and I would give almost… almost anything to have your mother back in my arms, but I also must respect her sacrifice… I will trust you… because you’ve proven yourself to be more of a woman than a teenager, and no ‘true’ father wouldn’t be proud to see their daughter grow so much.”
Knowing he was referencing back to the hateful queen, who thought her daughter weak and unworthy of her blood, Elinor closed her eyes. She wanted to hug her father, experiencing one of the rare moments of heightened emotion since her change, yet she satisfied herself with a verbal acknowledgment.
Thank you, Dad. And I know I am your responsibility, which you take very seriously… You became a Death Knight to better protect me. I need you… I need this family to build my empire, which means Castria also needs to feel the support of a father figure, and Elira needs to know that she was an amazing big sister who did her best to provide when no one else would.
Her father nodded, understanding that worrying about her all the time meant less time doing other activities that needed to be done; the action caught the eyes of the Paladins, taking it as a sign to continue moving.
Elinor resumed her path, enjoying her reputation and the order of things within this kingdom. Yet, her path stopped when she met someone new in the hallway. As tall as her dad and holding a presence as strong as her, Elinor’s curiosity peaked as to who this noble was until she caught the insignia cufflinks on his tailored 1600s-themed suit.
Her smile widened as she swept the 46-year-old patriarch’s appearance; his strong jaw and thick, swept-back brown hair tied into a man-bun at the back of his cleanly shaven neck. His high forehead and cheekbones matched his far less rugged and more pretty teenage son.
“High Lord Yeven, the current Head of the Great House of Tarnash,” she greeted as she met one of the strongest rivals to the king’s authority since the Yeven family used to rule this kingdom more than three centuries ago before the hag’s involvement. “You’re the first to bar my path, and I have noticed no Tempest flies when I am around. Thoughts?”
The atmosphere took a hit as several of the passing nobles hurried along their way, chilled by the Tarnash’s naturally cold aura since they excelled in the Ice Element. Yeven didn’t smile, keeping a professional tone with his hand clasped against his wrist while observing them. He gave a respectful nod, his voice like rocks rolling down a gentle river.
“Empress Elinor, the Raven Empress, as more commonly known within our kingdom. Seeing as I just left His Majesty’s room, I can see why he has been in deep thought regarding your surprise visit to our nation…”
His caramel eyes drifted to his four-centimeters shorter son. “What are your thoughts regarding the Empress’ question, Drake?”
The boy gave a far deeper bow than his father upon addressing her. “If the ground is comfortable enough for the Raven Empress, then far be it from someone like myself to reject its embrace.”
“A flirt,” Elinor chuckled, turning away from the teen to look his father in the eye, no doubt taking part in the ceremony in a few hours. “Do I take this as an invitation of some kind?”
Yeven’s mouth became a line, which was probably a smile from the patriarch. “I’ll send my son to arrange an appropriate meeting for later this week. Would that suit your schedule?”
Her mouth curved. “My schedule is dictated by first come, first serve… yet I expect my time spent to be fruitful and not wasted. Have your son schedule something with Princess Castria, and we may have time to chat.”
The High Lord stepped to the side with his son, a visible lump dropping down the teen’s throat, yet it was his father who had initially dragged him into the conversation. “I look forward to it. I hope you have a splendid Entrance Ceremony. King Edmon,” he acknowledged with another nod that her father mirrored.
Elinor swept past the pair, pausing to give him a mysterious, side-long look. “Oh, I’m sure it will be one history remembers…”
With that, she left the Great House of Tarnash behind her, the Paladins being neutral throughout the exchange. Elinor looked at the windows, fogged with a thin sheet of ice melting away as Yeven disappeared beyond the bowed corridor.
“Another phenomenally powerful figure to be worried about. These Great House Heads are not just talk,” her father grunted through the Nexus.
We are making quite the connections, she noted, happy at the surprise encounter as the gusts of wind outside increased dramatically with the storm’s approach. It seems you were right in thinking the king has been making plans for war with the Delva Empire, or at the very least, to recapture the Delenear March.
“So much will change after today that it might not even matter,” her dad growled, not too happy with the part she’d play.
We will see, she whispered as they came upon the king’s wing, lined with Paladins. We will see…
The double doors were opened when she neared, the ones beyond that, and the locked ones behind those, revealing a larger front entrance than her own private viewing area. Just as with her waterfall sitting space, the king had his own personal isolation room, only it had been cleared of furniture for a giant map of the kingdom, figurines spread across the war map.
Standing at its edge, the king was slightly shorter than her father, studious eyes scanning various places on the map. Elinor went to join him in the emptied room, her father taking the expansive terrace to stare up at the dark sky overshadowing the stadium, thunder now rumbling through the halls.
King Virelli ran his fingers through his mane of black hair before scratching his neatly groomed beard. “What do you make of this, Empress? Why conquer the Delenear March, kill their lord without ransom or demands, and then set up checkpoints while expelling everyone inside the territory? From what those that have made it to the capital say…”
He turned his amber eyes to her, mouth creased. “I’m told they’re searching for a pink-eyed non-noble Tempest with highlighted black hair.”
Elinor held her silence for a time, studying the vast territory and trying to gauge its size, which was hard, yet it looked quite large. The Grand Duke floated out of the sky to stand by her father, creating a colossal dome of water that collected the rain and cast the stadium in brilliant lights. Unfortunately, she didn’t have the chance to enjoy the show since the king’s question was a probe filled with potential barbs. It depended on what Logan told him.
After several seconds, she looked into the Tempest’s eyes that stood at the pinnacle of this society. “Are you suggesting that Princess Castria is no princess at all and is, in fact, the person they are looking for, and I used some kind of magic to change her appearance?”
The king’s eyes narrowed as he held a finger against one particular figure on the board. “I am only asking why one of the Four Major Generals of the Delva Empire would be interested in finding a person that fits the fear the nobility have for this prophesied omen of their downfall.”
He took his finger off the general’s piece to slide his finger to a tipped-over rook-like piece, possibly representing the march’s fallen capital. “As a scare tactic, it certainly is a provoking move, yet they always scoffed at our traditions, so why divert such incredible resources into occupying territory and provoking us? A smoke screen?” he offered as a solution as she stopped over the vast Everborne Marshlands.
A rumble shook Elinor’s throat as she smiled and looked up at the king. “I heard you took quite fondly after my princess. Queen Alivau paid me a visit just after your invitation, yet I am not satisfied with her apology since… there was none.”
Her focus darted to two chairs that floated on a gust of wind to face one another, and the curtains of water surrounded them without a button being pressed. It was time to get to the main subject of this meeting.
Elinor sat on the comfortable armchair with the king as they faced one another, Virelli leaning against the side and rubbing his beard. There was no threat within his words but firmness that said he was not playing games, as not even the thunder or awe-struck crowd reached inside their isolated dome.
“I did enjoy my short time with Princess Castria since she wasn’t trying to butter me up and ask me for favors… instead I was met with a bold humility, which is sorely lacking in my court. She was pleasant to speak to, and the moment she took my son’s lightning bolt, she’d put a shock through his chest because… well, beyond her lovely cadence, she is also quite the beauty with her unique hair and eyes. Only…”
He held his hand over the nearby map to jab a finger down right on top of it, “…Princess Castria has detailed information that she should not have unless she grew up in Utralan. It is in her accent, her style of word choice, and her political views… from the perspective of one born poor, not that I have an issue with any of those things. And now, you offer to raise my dead wife from the grave… What are you after as a being beyond our realm?”
A short sigh exited Elinor’s lips as she closed her eyes and rubbed between them, realizing how much they’d underestimated this monarch; Logan hadn’t needed to tell him much since this king was competent all by himself.
“Hehehe.” Chest shaking softly with her laughter, Elinor centered her glowing green irises on the ruler, the chill of an autumn day breathing against the back of her neck. “What do I want, King Virelli? Then allow me to pull back the curtain… ever so slightly with what time we have left. I am here… because this planet is dying. Castria is the link to save it, and I need either the Delva Empire or Kaspir Kingdom to train her… I need the best.”
The king held her gaze for a time before creasing an eye and showing a half-smile. “The best… And did you go to the Delva Empire first, which is why they’re trying to find your charming princess?”
Elinor slowly shook her head and crossed her legs. “No. Actually, I only became aware of this fact rather recently myself from Roman, who is not a Duke of my empire. He tried to work his own angle to discover why Castria is of such importance, and in doing so, put her in a regrettable position that had her kill Marquess Delenear since she was a traitor and was working with the Dark Tower; her husband, was in the dark.”
Virelli ran his fingers through his hair. “That is… a serious accusation but aligns with several loose bits of intelligence I’ve been handed. So, this Roman fellow is some prophet attempting to save the world from some inevitable doom? And you trust him?”
Tilting her head to the side, Elinor hummed. “Trust is a strong word… I know that Castria has phenomenal potential, and I felt that when I resurrected her.”
Her sharp eyes darted to the ruler as she held a firm tone. “I stand behind those I call my people if it is life or if it is death. The moment Roman brought me into this mess he’d created, I made it clear that Castria was no longer in his care… she is no princess within my empire… she is a queen because I value her potential highly. It is she who has trouble with the title.”
“A good position to hold for someone in authority,” the king whispered, intelligent gaze scanning the map. “I am cautious about magic I do not understand… which has been a position drilled into me since I was a child, but I am no longer a child, and I have heard Grand Duke Logan’s opinion on you, Raven Empress.”
He sat straighter. “I have my own reasons for accepting your proposal. I love Lilya with all of my heart, yet I am not foolish enough to believe such magic does not come without a price… and I am no fool to think the hag will be happy with someone like yourself encroaching near her territory. Lilya’s return would drastically change foreign relations since her family runs half the trade between nations on the continent. My beloved wife’s return is quite expensive, though.”
Elinor slowly got to her feet and moved to the table, making note of each lord’s territory, the majority of which was held by the three Great Houses. “Let me walk you through my thoughts on that price and what I require for such an undertaking… I believe our goals can be aligned, King Virelli, and push back wherever you see fit until we can find a resolution.”
She flashed her teeth and picked up the Delenear March’s piece to right it. “Let’s begin the negotiations.”
◇ — ◇ — ◇ — ◇ — ◇
Thirty minutes passed as Elinor unraveled pieces and parts of her vision for his kingdom and how things could change within his kingdom. Here, she learned many more details regarding the nation that could be solved through proxy by her plan, such as the sanctions against the Kaspir Kingdom by the Jesna Desert Trade Prince and Princesses being lifted.
His former wife’s vast understanding of cultures and languages across the continent was legendary; as an academic and genius alchemist, she had ties to many areas that had been cut when she died, yet their desert way would have seen his wife fed to some demigod they worshiped, and he could not allow such a thing, which put tensions between him and the desert family.
For that reason, he had to align himself with his current queen, who had an iron fist when it came to trade and its rival brand to the desert trade tribes. Naturally, that had only further hurt their reputation with the family, and only a miracle could save it… such as the former queen’s resurrection. The economy was heading for a collapse, and only the royal scholars could see it, but all of that could change.
However, that put pressure on his current wife’s family and trade empire, which was a whole new can of worms, but that was politics. When the discussion drew to an end, they fell into silence, staring at one another. There were a million issues, yet Elinor had one response to all of them: she was the Raven Empress.
◇ — ◇ — ◇ — ◇ — ◇
Virelli rubbed his thumb against his temple. “How can you possibly make Alivau not feel threatened by my former wife returning or the nobles seeing you have the power to bring back former monarchs? How can you convince the Four Houses to add a fifth to the school or teachers to join you?”
“Simple,” Elinor laughed, making a fist as green flames flickered in her shining eyes, “who is going to stop us? Give me your support, and I will make a way. You clearly do not like the way your kingdom is confined to certain traditions, evidenced by the woman you married. You stood up to your father and the nobility to ensure Queen Lilya had a place in your home… do it again, but you will not be alone this time. You want change… it requires chaos.”
The king mulled over her plan as the time for the ceremony’s start drew near. “Hmm. You do have a certain… way of projecting yourself that sparks mystery and caution. The legend of the Raven Empress is grand, and somehow, you made that look small when retaliating against my daughter and showcasing a taste of your power.”
He nodded with a tired sigh. “The enigmatic empress from across the seas wishes to build relations with the Kaspir Kingdom to train her princess, yet you are not a fan of such rigid structured Houses… so you propose a fifth.”
“I will do you one better,” Elinor snickered, lips curling into a devious smile. “Queen Alivau will support my creation of a fifth House. At least, heh, she will until it is too late for her to back out.”
The king’s vision narrowed. “Be very cautious of my wife, Empress, because she comes from a volatile culture. Yes, she has tempered in the last several years, but she has personally led genocides against those who cross the interests of her kingdom. She is very particular about her privacy and independence.”
Elinor sat back, folding her fingers in her lap. “Then… am I to assume you know nothing about the physical, emotional, and psychological abuse she had heaped upon your little girl because personally, I am quite livid with your current wife for the punishment she gave Princess Heather when I had already exacted my price.”
Virelli didn’t blink as he held his fist against his nose, staring at her and processing the information. “…What evidence do you have of this?” he asked with a low voice.
She didn’t hesitate or try to embellish what she’d seen. “I first heard rumors, and knowing such humiliation would cause an outburst within an abusive parent, I maneuvered Heather into being forced to go out the night after I publicly humiliated her. What did I discover? Poor makeup skills, which can definitely be fixed… and deep childhood trauma that she broke down and expressed herself.”
Her jaw tightened, shifting to the opposite side of her chair as her nose twisted. “Would you have liked hearing your daughter give excuse after excuse as to why her mother claws her face, lashes out with her tongue and fist, belittles even the slightest failing, and calls her a failure because she couldn’t beat her big, half-blooded brother, who is the son of an alchemist? How it is her fault that she lashes out. She is in the wrong.”
Elinor released a heated laugh. “Believe me, King Virelli, I can do a great many evils to get what I desire, but betrayal is something I most despise, and what worse betrayal is there than a parent betraying their child? I do want more than what I told you,” she admitted with a humorless smile.
“I want your daughter to have a proper support system as much as I want my princess to have the same. She will not be accepted into the House of Tempest. Your first wife will welcome her with open arms into the House of Ravens, who will be the mother Queen Alivau is incapable of being. And I will humiliate your current wife as she has humiliated her daughter and me, but it can never be equal.”
She stood up and held out her hand, head high and projecting power in her voice. “Your kingdom discriminates against your Crowned Prince. Wolves gather around you, blaming you for your kingdom’s decline. The Great Houses are being coaxed to lead a revolt. The Delva Empire is bold enough to attack your borders. Your queen conspires against your children by having a third that she will push for the crown.”
The green flames licking down her fingers slowly dissipated. “There are secrets and history in your kingdom to be explored and countless victories to be had if only your nobility will look beyond their own fears and diminishing social power… You see this. My question is… do you have the strength to support the chaos that will bring about a new world order?”
The king stared at her hand for several seconds and then took it. “You do not disappoint, Empress Elinor. I have my doubts, yet you paint a grand picture for the future… a dream Lilya had of all our people living in comfort, not just the nobility, which is why she tried to create a Philosopher Stone… I have much to ponder, yet I am convinced to move forward… with some stipulations. However…”
He guided her gaze to the falling water, the gentle sound coming into focus as he pulled away. “I am not the only person you need to convince. Logan controls a vast amount of power when it comes to the college. You are more dangerous than the wolves or snakes that slither around me, but Logan is my best friend, and he has always supported my decisions. In this… he may not.”
He picked up a wizard-looking figurine on the board inside the capital. “Logan only does what he believes to be right. So you better pray twice to whatever devil or god you worship and be damn convincing if you want this alliance to work… or else, as he told me… he will test how immortal you actually are.”
Thunder quaked through Elinor’s bones as the water slid back to reveal her father and the college rector. The man’s dangerous stare fixated on her, and a grin split her lips.
“Then let the show begin.”
Succeed or Die
A gentle breeze tugged Elinor’s hair back as she moved through the coliseum hallway, the distant rumble of thunder lifting her mood. Nobles made a wide berth when spotting her, keeping to the sides of the corridor and bowing their heads in silent respect while she passed with her escort of paladins that the king had sent to guide her.
Her bright emerald eyes maintained their forward vision, yet she took notice of every individual, and not a single Tempest stayed airborne in her presence. It was something she took notice of with each aristocrat’s sober acknowledgment of her passing.
This was the attitude she was cultivating in her new jungle home; as short as her time would be in this more sophisticated nation, she saw a small portion of the potential yield that could be reaped from the seeds she’d planted.
However, fashion in the Kaspir Kingdom left much to be desired since their policy seemed to be that the less you wore, the higher the station you presented. Who knows, maybe she would be a fashion setter in how she’d specified her more gothic theme.
Whispers were hushed when she swept by the nobility, leaving a tense jolt in the atmosphere that maintained her slight smile and gave her silence to think. There was so much to explore in this world and quite powerful individuals to bring to her side, yet the same could be said about her new planet that she called home.
Her victories here were a stepping stone for the conquest outside Roman’s fracturing and breaking Quest World. She would use everything she could to accelerate her empire’s growth, and promoting change in this kingdom might gain her further resources that she could call upon later.
An internal hum from her father brought her gaze to the tall, dark-haired man as he walked beside her; things were coming to a point, and she could see why her dad would be nervous about the enemies she was about to create, but they’d planned this out carefully. There was no way to stop it now.
Elinor returned her eyes to the back of the gold and white-themed armor of the Paladins around them while connecting to her dad through the Nexus. What’s on your mind, Dad? Don’t bottle it up. You understand I can feel what you feel… Almost as if it were myself.
The Death Knight’s illuminated blue eyes darted to her, but she remained front-facing. He ignored the gestures from the lesser nobles as much as her on their journey, his deep voice holding a melancholy note that she’d rarely heard come from her father; it was almost like he was… vulnerable.
“I’m just reflecting,” he sighed. “You’re so much like my little spitfire of a rebellious daughter before… all of this. Now, you’re shouldering burdens I didn’t know you were capable of and carving out your own home in this new world since ours was taken from us. I guess I’m… ashamed that I haven’t done more for you… taken more of the burden off of you.”
Elinor’s mouth fell into a line, her vision falling to the polished tile floors. Sometimes, I do wonder if I’m still the teenage girl who’s grounded for getting tattoos without your permission. There are days when… whenever I find a moment to myself, which, heh, isn’t common, when I enter my internal world to relive memories of our life in California.
A humorous chuckle came from her father as a sureness radiated from him. “Never have I thought you weren’t my daughter if that’s what you’re trying to hint at, Elinor. Are there times I want to strangle you and when I think you are taking too many risks? Absolutely. There are days I want to slap Tiffany because she acts… so much like your mother at times.”
She could feel a band of stress compressing around his chest from the emotion in his throat. “I’ve learned a lot about your mother from Tiffany… things she was scared to admit or talk to me about that the witch has no problem divulging. Her fears that—no, I don’t need to put any of this on you,” he groaned, catching her eye.
“Suffice it to say, I’m proud of the woman you’re becoming… that you’ve been forced to become due to our failures as parents, and that includes your baby sister, who I do worry about.”
Elinor suppressed an external snort at Butter’s inclusion into the family picture; it had been a few months now since her addition, but it was still bizarre to think about her butterfly sibling. I can’t tell what I truly feel about that fatty, she admitted, slowing her pace and causing her escort to stop as she pivoted to a window to look out at the approaching storm.
Finding her elbow behind her back, she showed the nobles and guards a thoughtful smile while searching for the proper words to describe what was burned into her heart. The gales gradually increased, fluttering her black dress and bringing with it the scent of musk rain as the air pressure changed. It would be upon them in the next thirty minutes.
I knew Butter in a previous life… I know that makes as much sense as me being able to bring back the dead, but we were twins before, and there is history between us. I hated her… and I also loved her. I trust her, and I don’t.
She streamed out a short breath, fixating on the thick, black clouds rolling over the clear sky like an ominous blanket that would match well with their plans.
It is such a mess of contradictions that I can hardly untangle the absurdity I feel, and that previous life is… impressing my past life on me somehow due to this Greater Seed within me. I can’t say if it’s new or if it accelerated the process that was already happening.
Tone drawing a serious stare from her father, Elinor met his gaze as the Paladins waited for any indication that she was ready to continue.
My mind and attitude have changed due to necessity, yet that can’t account for all of it. I know all of this is hard for you, Dad, but I have to explore this darker side of my personality if I am going to get answers and have the strength to do what I must in order to keep everyone alive… as ironic as that sounds from a Lich Empress.
“I’ll always be by your side,” he returned, showing a smile she’d almost forgotten in such a short time.
“I know Tiffany, Butter, and you are struggling in your own ways, and I would give almost… almost anything to have your mother back in my arms, but I also must respect her sacrifice… I will trust you… because you’ve proven yourself to be more of a woman than a teenager, and no ‘true’ father wouldn’t be proud to see their daughter grow so much.”
Knowing he was referencing back to the hateful queen, who thought her daughter weak and unworthy of her blood, Elinor closed her eyes. She wanted to hug her father, experiencing one of the rare moments of heightened emotion since her change, yet she satisfied herself with a verbal acknowledgment.
Thank you, Dad. And I know I am your responsibility, which you take very seriously… You became a Death Knight to better protect me. I need you… I need this family to build my empire, which means Castria also needs to feel the support of a father figure, and Elira needs to know that she was an amazing big sister who did her best to provide when no one else would.
Her father nodded, understanding that worrying about her all the time meant less time doing other activities that needed to be done; the action caught the eyes of the Paladins, taking it as a sign to continue moving.
Elinor resumed her path, enjoying her reputation and the order of things within this kingdom. Yet, her path stopped when she met someone new in the hallway. As tall as her dad and holding a presence as strong as her, Elinor’s curiosity peaked as to who this noble was until she caught the insignia cufflinks on his tailored 1600s-themed suit.
Her smile widened as she swept the 46-year-old patriarch’s appearance; his strong jaw and thick, swept-back brown hair tied into a man-bun at the back of his cleanly shaven neck. His high forehead and cheekbones matched his far less rugged and more pretty teenage son.
“High Lord Yeven, the current Head of the Great House of Tarnash,” she greeted as she met one of the strongest rivals to the king’s authority since the Yeven family used to rule this kingdom more than three centuries ago before the hag’s involvement. “You’re the first to bar my path, and I have noticed no Tempest flies when I am around. Thoughts?”
The atmosphere took a hit as several of the passing nobles hurried along their way, chilled by the Tarnash’s naturally cold aura since they excelled in the Ice Element. Yeven didn’t smile, keeping a professional tone with his hand clasped against his wrist while observing them. He gave a respectful nod, his voice like rocks rolling down a gentle river.
“Empress Elinor, the Raven Empress, as more commonly known within our kingdom. Seeing as I just left His Majesty’s room, I can see why he has been in deep thought regarding your surprise visit to our nation…”
His caramel eyes drifted to his four-centimeters shorter son. “What are your thoughts regarding the Empress’ question, Drake?”
The boy gave a far deeper bow than his father upon addressing her. “If the ground is comfortable enough for the Raven Empress, then far be it from someone like myself to reject its embrace.”
“A flirt,” Elinor chuckled, turning away from the teen to look his father in the eye, no doubt taking part in the ceremony in a few hours. “Do I take this as an invitation of some kind?”
Yeven’s mouth became a line, which was probably a smile from the patriarch. “I’ll send my son to arrange an appropriate meeting for later this week. Would that suit your schedule?”
Her mouth curved. “My schedule is dictated by first come, first serve… yet I expect my time spent to be fruitful and not wasted. Have your son schedule something with Princess Castria, and we may have time to chat.”
The High Lord stepped to the side with his son, a visible lump dropping down the teen’s throat, yet it was his father who had initially dragged him into the conversation. “I look forward to it. I hope you have a splendid Entrance Ceremony. King Edmon,” he acknowledged with another nod that her father mirrored.
Elinor swept past the pair, pausing to give him a mysterious, side-long look. “Oh, I’m sure it will be one history remembers…”
With that, she left the Great House of Tarnash behind her, the Paladins being neutral throughout the exchange. Elinor looked at the windows, fogged with a thin sheet of ice melting away as Yeven disappeared beyond the bowed corridor.
“Another phenomenally powerful figure to be worried about. These Great House Heads are not just talk,” her father grunted through the Nexus.
We are making quite the connections, she noted, happy at the surprise encounter as the gusts of wind outside increased dramatically with the storm’s approach. It seems you were right in thinking the king has been making plans for war with the Delva Empire, or at the very least, to recapture the Delenear March.
“So much will change after today that it might not even matter,” her dad growled, not too happy with the part she’d play.
We will see, she whispered as they came upon the king’s wing, lined with Paladins. We will see…
The double doors were opened when she neared, the ones beyond that, and the locked ones behind those, revealing a larger front entrance than her own private viewing area. Just as with her waterfall sitting space, the king had his own personal isolation room, only it had been cleared of furniture for a giant map of the kingdom, figurines spread across the war map.
Standing at its edge, the king was slightly shorter than her father, studious eyes scanning various places on the map. Elinor went to join him in the emptied room, her father taking the expansive terrace to stare up at the dark sky overshadowing the stadium, thunder now rumbling through the halls.
King Virelli ran his fingers through his mane of black hair before scratching his neatly groomed beard. “What do you make of this, Empress? Why conquer the Delenear March, kill their lord without ransom or demands, and then set up checkpoints while expelling everyone inside the territory? From what those that have made it to the capital say…”
He turned his amber eyes to her, mouth creased. “I’m told they’re searching for a pink-eyed non-noble Tempest with highlighted black hair.”
Elinor held her silence for a time, studying the vast territory and trying to gauge its size, which was hard, yet it looked quite large. The Grand Duke floated out of the sky to stand by her father, creating a colossal dome of water that collected the rain and cast the stadium in brilliant lights. Unfortunately, she didn’t have the chance to enjoy the show since the king’s question was a probe filled with potential barbs. It depended on what Logan told him.
After several seconds, she looked into the Tempest’s eyes that stood at the pinnacle of this society. “Are you suggesting that Princess Castria is no princess at all and is, in fact, the person they are looking for, and I used some kind of magic to change her appearance?”
The king’s eyes narrowed as he held a finger against one particular figure on the board. “I am only asking why one of the Four Major Generals of the Delva Empire would be interested in finding a person that fits the fear the nobility have for this prophesied omen of their downfall.”
He took his finger off the general’s piece to slide his finger to a tipped-over rook-like piece, possibly representing the march’s fallen capital. “As a scare tactic, it certainly is a provoking move, yet they always scoffed at our traditions, so why divert such incredible resources into occupying territory and provoking us? A smoke screen?” he offered as a solution as she stopped over the vast Everborne Marshlands.
A rumble shook Elinor’s throat as she smiled and looked up at the king. “I heard you took quite fondly after my princess. Queen Alivau paid me a visit just after your invitation, yet I am not satisfied with her apology since… there was none.”
Her focus darted to two chairs that floated on a gust of wind to face one another, and the curtains of water surrounded them without a button being pressed. It was time to get to the main subject of this meeting.
Elinor sat on the comfortable armchair with the king as they faced one another, Virelli leaning against the side and rubbing his beard. There was no threat within his words but firmness that said he was not playing games, as not even the thunder or awe-struck crowd reached inside their isolated dome.
“I did enjoy my short time with Princess Castria since she wasn’t trying to butter me up and ask me for favors… instead I was met with a bold humility, which is sorely lacking in my court. She was pleasant to speak to, and the moment she took my son’s lightning bolt, she’d put a shock through his chest because… well, beyond her lovely cadence, she is also quite the beauty with her unique hair and eyes. Only…”
He held his hand over the nearby map to jab a finger down right on top of it, “…Princess Castria has detailed information that she should not have unless she grew up in Utralan. It is in her accent, her style of word choice, and her political views… from the perspective of one born poor, not that I have an issue with any of those things. And now, you offer to raise my dead wife from the grave… What are you after as a being beyond our realm?”
A short sigh exited Elinor’s lips as she closed her eyes and rubbed between them, realizing how much they’d underestimated this monarch; Logan hadn’t needed to tell him much since this king was competent all by himself.
“Hehehe.” Chest shaking softly with her laughter, Elinor centered her glowing green irises on the ruler, the chill of an autumn day breathing against the back of her neck. “What do I want, King Virelli? Then allow me to pull back the curtain… ever so slightly with what time we have left. I am here… because this planet is dying. Castria is the link to save it, and I need either the Delva Empire or Kaspir Kingdom to train her… I need the best.”
The king held her gaze for a time before creasing an eye and showing a half-smile. “The best… And did you go to the Delva Empire first, which is why they’re trying to find your charming princess?”
Elinor slowly shook her head and crossed her legs. “No. Actually, I only became aware of this fact rather recently myself from Roman, who is not a Duke of my empire. He tried to work his own angle to discover why Castria is of such importance, and in doing so, put her in a regrettable position that had her kill Marquess Delenear since she was a traitor and was working with the Dark Tower; her husband, was in the dark.”
Virelli ran his fingers through his hair. “That is… a serious accusation but aligns with several loose bits of intelligence I’ve been handed. So, this Roman fellow is some prophet attempting to save the world from some inevitable doom? And you trust him?”
Tilting her head to the side, Elinor hummed. “Trust is a strong word… I know that Castria has phenomenal potential, and I felt that when I resurrected her.”
Her sharp eyes darted to the ruler as she held a firm tone. “I stand behind those I call my people if it is life or if it is death. The moment Roman brought me into this mess he’d created, I made it clear that Castria was no longer in his care… she is no princess within my empire… she is a queen because I value her potential highly. It is she who has trouble with the title.”
“A good position to hold for someone in authority,” the king whispered, intelligent gaze scanning the map. “I am cautious about magic I do not understand… which has been a position drilled into me since I was a child, but I am no longer a child, and I have heard Grand Duke Logan’s opinion on you, Raven Empress.”
He sat straighter. “I have my own reasons for accepting your proposal. I love Lilya with all of my heart, yet I am not foolish enough to believe such magic does not come without a price… and I am no fool to think the hag will be happy with someone like yourself encroaching near her territory. Lilya’s return would drastically change foreign relations since her family runs half the trade between nations on the continent. My beloved wife’s return is quite expensive, though.”
Elinor slowly got to her feet and moved to the table, making note of each lord’s territory, the majority of which was held by the three Great Houses. “Let me walk you through my thoughts on that price and what I require for such an undertaking… I believe our goals can be aligned, King Virelli, and push back wherever you see fit until we can find a resolution.”
She flashed her teeth and picked up the Delenear March’s piece to right it. “Let’s begin the negotiations.”
◇ — ◇ — ◇ — ◇ — ◇
Thirty minutes passed as Elinor unraveled pieces and parts of her vision for his kingdom and how things could change within his kingdom. Here, she learned many more details regarding the nation that could be solved through proxy by her plan, such as the sanctions against the Kaspir Kingdom by the Jesna Desert Trade Prince and Princesses being lifted.
His former wife’s vast understanding of cultures and languages across the continent was legendary; as an academic and genius alchemist, she had ties to many areas that had been cut when she died, yet their desert way would have seen his wife fed to some demigod they worshiped, and he could not allow such a thing, which put tensions between him and the desert family.
For that reason, he had to align himself with his current queen, who had an iron fist when it came to trade and its rival brand to the desert trade tribes. Naturally, that had only further hurt their reputation with the family, and only a miracle could save it… such as the former queen’s resurrection. The economy was heading for a collapse, and only the royal scholars could see it, but all of that could change.
However, that put pressure on his current wife’s family and trade empire, which was a whole new can of worms, but that was politics. When the discussion drew to an end, they fell into silence, staring at one another. There were a million issues, yet Elinor had one response to all of them: she was the Raven Empress.
◇ — ◇ — ◇ — ◇ — ◇
Virelli rubbed his thumb against his temple. “How can you possibly make Alivau not feel threatened by my former wife returning or the nobles seeing you have the power to bring back former monarchs? How can you convince the Four Houses to add a fifth to the school or teachers to join you?”
“Simple,” Elinor laughed, making a fist as green flames flickered in her shining eyes, “who is going to stop us? Give me your support, and I will make a way. You clearly do not like the way your kingdom is confined to certain traditions, evidenced by the woman you married. You stood up to your father and the nobility to ensure Queen Lilya had a place in your home… do it again, but you will not be alone this time. You want change… it requires chaos.”
The king mulled over her plan as the time for the ceremony’s start drew near. “Hmm. You do have a certain… way of projecting yourself that sparks mystery and caution. The legend of the Raven Empress is grand, and somehow, you made that look small when retaliating against my daughter and showcasing a taste of your power.”
He nodded with a tired sigh. “The enigmatic empress from across the seas wishes to build relations with the Kaspir Kingdom to train her princess, yet you are not a fan of such rigid structured Houses… so you propose a fifth.”
“I will do you one better,” Elinor snickered, lips curling into a devious smile. “Queen Alivau will support my creation of a fifth House. At least, heh, she will until it is too late for her to back out.”
The king’s vision narrowed. “Be very cautious of my wife, Empress, because she comes from a volatile culture. Yes, she has tempered in the last several years, but she has personally led genocides against those who cross the interests of her kingdom. She is very particular about her privacy and independence.”
Elinor sat back, folding her fingers in her lap. “Then… am I to assume you know nothing about the physical, emotional, and psychological abuse she had heaped upon your little girl because personally, I am quite livid with your current wife for the punishment she gave Princess Heather when I had already exacted my price.”
Virelli didn’t blink as he held his fist against his nose, staring at her and processing the information. “…What evidence do you have of this?” he asked with a low voice.
She didn’t hesitate or try to embellish what she’d seen. “I first heard rumors, and knowing such humiliation would cause an outburst within an abusive parent, I maneuvered Heather into being forced to go out the night after I publicly humiliated her. What did I discover? Poor makeup skills, which can definitely be fixed… and deep childhood trauma that she broke down and expressed herself.”
Her jaw tightened, shifting to the opposite side of her chair as her nose twisted. “Would you have liked hearing your daughter give excuse after excuse as to why her mother claws her face, lashes out with her tongue and fist, belittles even the slightest failing, and calls her a failure because she couldn’t beat her big, half-blooded brother, who is the son of an alchemist? How it is her fault that she lashes out. She is in the wrong.”
Elinor released a heated laugh. “Believe me, King Virelli, I can do a great many evils to get what I desire, but betrayal is something I most despise, and what worse betrayal is there than a parent betraying their child? I do want more than what I told you,” she admitted with a humorless smile.
“I want your daughter to have a proper support system as much as I want my princess to have the same. She will not be accepted into the House of Tempest. Your first wife will welcome her with open arms into the House of Ravens, who will be the mother Queen Alivau is incapable of being. And I will humiliate your current wife as she has humiliated her daughter and me, but it can never be equal.”
She stood up and held out her hand, head high and projecting power in her voice. “Your kingdom discriminates against your Crowned Prince. Wolves gather around you, blaming you for your kingdom’s decline. The Great Houses are being coaxed to lead a revolt. The Delva Empire is bold enough to attack your borders. Your queen conspires against your children by having a third that she will push for the crown.”
The green flames licking down her fingers slowly dissipated. “There are secrets and history in your kingdom to be explored and countless victories to be had if only your nobility will look beyond their own fears and diminishing social power… You see this. My question is… do you have the strength to support the chaos that will bring about a new world order?”
The king stared at her hand for several seconds and then took it. “You do not disappoint, Empress Elinor. I have my doubts, yet you paint a grand picture for the future… a dream Lilya had of all our people living in comfort, not just the nobility, which is why she tried to create a Philosopher Stone… I have much to ponder, yet I am convinced to move forward… with some stipulations. However…”
He guided her gaze to the falling water, the gentle sound coming into focus as he pulled away. “I am not the only person you need to convince. Logan controls a vast amount of power when it comes to the college. You are more dangerous than the wolves or snakes that slither around me, but Logan is my best friend, and he has always supported my decisions. In this… he may not.”
He picked up a wizard-looking figurine on the board inside the capital. “Logan only does what he believes to be right. So you better pray twice to whatever devil or god you worship and be damn convincing if you want this alliance to work… or else, as he told me… he will test how immortal you actually are.”
Thunder quaked through Elinor’s bones as the water slid back to reveal her father and the college rector. The man’s dangerous stare fixated on her, and a grin split her lips.
“Then let the show begin.”
