Chapter 720: The Halls of Eternity (1/2)
Chapter 720 The Halls of Eternity
Ilea only had to show her Shadow badge to get into the fancy restaurant Geronimo had chosen. She had no interest in his advances but the whole affair certainly felt nice on some level. If only because he didn’t treat her like Lilith. Mostly. Eleonora on the other hand didn’t care in the slightest. She shared a name with the Scout Ilea had met in Morhill but the illusionist was definitely more free spirited than her namesake sister in the Lys army.
“The young lightning elemental was more or less a bird,” she continued the story, a fresh set of plates arriving with portions of delicious food. Not quite Keyla’s level but the place certainly didn’t have to hide.
“Ah, I would love love love to meet it,” Eleonora said, a broad smile on her face.
One of the waiters glanced at the free flying birds but chose not to comment, likely because the group was with a prominent Shadow. They didn’t know she was Lilith, or at least she assumed they didn’t.
Some of the other guests seemed to have an issue with their presence but others thought the situation amusing more than anything.
Ilea expected someone to complain soon enough. And she was prepared to deal with it.
“I’m sure we can figure something out in the future. I don’t know how well the being would like you though… it tried to kill me on our first meeting,” Ilea explained.
Eleonora giggled and waved her off, a sparrow landing on her hand as she did so. “Let that be my concern,” she said in a low voice and a devious smile.
Ilea raised her brows and continued her meal. The bird whisperer. I understand.
The other two women were growing a little bit anxious as time went on, the adrenaline from their fight gone and the reality of their situation settling in. They hardly talked and still picked at their first portions, mostly avoiding eye contact with Ilea.
And Veya was so promising near the gate, she thought with a slight smile. Ah well. Reputation and all. Couldn’t be helped with my entrance. The message still remained in her mind. The same werewolf that tried to hunt us down back with Kyrian and Edwin. Did it somehow follow my scent through the air? Or was it a coincidence? She also considered the possibility of there being more than one Beastwolf of Krak Duun. It was definitely playing with its food. Fatal mistake that.
“There’s gonna be an event in Morhill soon. Few weeks to a month I think,” Ilea said. “Your group should come,” she said and continued in a whisper. “A tournament is involved and the winnings are considerable.”
“Which means we’d never win anything,” Geronimo said. “Does sound interesting anyway,” he said and leaned closer. “Can we get some kind of special guest access?”
Ilea smiled. “Sure, just mention that you know me.”
He grinned. “Great. I suppose we’ll travel south next then, if everyone is in favor.”
The others gave their assent, the two women who had met her for the first time with some uncertainty.
“Well, I’ve eaten my fill. Got a few more stations to visit tonight but it was nice to meet you two again, and you as well,” Ilea said, looking at them each. She stood up and walked over to the main waiter, handing him a piece of gold. “Does that cover the meals?”
“Of course, lady shadow,” the man said with a light bow.
Ilea hesitated. “This is an inn too, right?” she asked.
“Indeed, one of the best in Virilya,” the man said, his voice sober.
“How much for those four in the fanciest rooms you have available? Services included,” she said.
“That would be another piece of gold for one night,” he answered and received the piece.
Ilea thanked the man and walked past the table where the group remained. “You can stay here tonight.”
Geronimo smiled and clapped once. “The stars align. Will you stay with me, Lilith?”
“No, I will not,” she answered with a smile and waved to the others as she left.
“The stars remain aligned,” the man whispered to himself as he sat down again and hid his face in his mug.
“Thank you!” Eleonora shouted while waving, a few of her birds flying through the establishment.
Ilea only saw the twitching eye of the waiter, his gaze moving to her before he sighed.
“You’ll survive,” she sent.
His eyes opened wide. “May I ask who you are, Shadow?” he asked to her surprise.
“Some call me Lilith,” she answered and left.
“An honor. I wish you a productive stay, Lady Lilith,” the waiter said and bowed despite her already being outside.
Used to working with high level beings. Guess I’m not the only one with telepathy to have visited Virilya. She stepped out into the large square, looking around until her gaze found the largest building in the vicinity. Walls of stone, battlements, high reaching towers ending in highly decorated peaks. A monument to the empire and its military might, the last defense of Virilya and the political core of Lys. She took it in for a minute, wondering if there’s a slot for letters or if she should just waltz in with her magic.
“The Halls of Eternity. Quite imposing, aren’t they?” a voice spoke, coming from her left.
Her perception failed to pick up the source, Ilea turning with a raised eyebrow. She found an older gentleman with well kept gray hair looking forward, the vitality in his black eyes suggesting his somewhat thin and aging form didn’t quite represent more than an outer shell.
[??]
Veteran told her he was a little above level three hundred, Ilea trusting her instincts to know that he wasn’t particularly dangerous. To her. Still he managed to sneak up without showing up in her dominion or any of her other senses. Nor did he use teleportation to get here. She would’ve noticed the shifting space.
“I didn’t know the name,” she said and looked forward once more, to the broad stairwell leading up to a massive open gate in the outer wall. People wearing elaborate armor and dresses came and went, many of them flying or teleporting. Military personnel dressed in the empire gray and red made up the majority. The man next to her too wore a light gray robe, a complex cut with a lot of space to hide items or weapons. A single rune on his chest was colored red, the rest of the various embroideries done in silver. “A little pretentious,” she added.
He chuckled, a grin tugging on his lips. “Bold, to insult the very center of our Empire while standing in front of it. I agree of course. Fortress of stone would’ve been a more apt name. May I introduce myself?”
“Go on. I expect you’re aware of who I am,” Ilea said. She wore a set of casual clothes by now, her black hair open and falling to her back.
“I have... an inkling suspicion,” he said. “My name is Heron Krahen, myself part of the Immortal Guard. That is what the guard of the Emperor is called, or the Empress, as is the case in the current age. That name too could perhaps be brought to modernity but breaking down tradition is a difficult and long process, a battle often not wise to fight in the first place.”
“That is a curious name,” Ilea said. “I’m Lilith. And I’m interested to know how you’re hiding against Identify.”
“Leave this old man the few secrets he yet retains,” he said and paused. “I had hoped for it to be you. Few of your power walk these lands, and fewer yet retain their humanity. Is there a purpose that has brought you to the Halls of Eternity?”
“I’m here to deliver a letter to the Empress,” Ilea replied.
“In person?” he asked.
She glanced his way. “That’s the idea, yes.”
He looked at her for a few seconds and blinked his eyes before he laughed. A hearty sound, both hands on his stomach as he leaned back slightly. He calmed down a few seconds later, the smile remaining on his face. “I’ve heard much about you. It seems to hold true. A fortunate thing that is, both for my confidence in my informants, and this night.”
“I’m glad you’re having fun,” Ilea said, mirroring his smile.
“A ridiculous request. Let me help to grant it. Follow me, if you will,” Heron said and started towards the massive fortress.
He vanished a moment later, and so did Ilea, latching on to his teleportation spell. Shadow magic. Fitting I suppose. She appeared in darkness. A hall. Enchanted to prevent her from seeing out with her dominion. According to her marks she was now below the fortress, at least fifty meters deep.
“An ability granted by space magic? Or did you have another way to find me?” the man’s voice resounded a few meters ahead.
Ilea couldn’t see him. At all. “You’re really good at hiding,” she said, a thin mist of ash spreading out around her, white flame erupting to bring light to the vicinity. The radiance reflected off his eyes.
“The flame of creation. You are more than extraordinary. Most would fail to understand the significance. I too can only grasp at the very edge of understanding. Who was it that granted you this power?” Heron asked as he walked to the left, his steps not producing any sound.
“You’re asking a lot of questions,” Ilea said.