Chapter 738: Concentrated Power (1/2)

Navalis stood to the side, her magic at the ready in case anything happened. Not that she expected someone to be quite that stupid.

Two squads of Sentinels protected the main city hall overlooking most of Morhill. Added to that were a group of war machines, fifty Shadowguard, and twenty high level Dark Ones from Hallowfort, all in full plate armor. Neither dwarves nor Dark Ones had been revealed yet to the general public.

She guessed some of the higher leveled adventurers were aware of things being a little strange but they would be distracted by the many available competitions and ludicrous winnings. She might’ve thought about competing herself if Sulivhaan hadn’t asked for their assistance. And she hated tournaments. Might’ve even had a chance with the bow one.

The need for at least a few actual Shadows to be present was obvious. Trusting Ravenhall’s teleportation gates was one thing, but to see the Sentinels, war machines, Shadowguard, and Dark Ones painted a quite unfamiliar picture. Most people in the Plains, nobility included, still thought of the Shadow’s Hand as the most powerful and prestigious order of paid adventurers and mercenaries. Their presence here brought some stability and trust. Something to cling to before they truly lose their minds.

The city hall had certainly been upgraded. Colorful banners, flower arrangements, magical lighting, red carpets. And yet all of it couldn’t perfectly hide the utilitarian stone structure itself. Built to govern a frontier town in the southern mountains. A town that didn’t benefit from the business and reputation brought by the Shadow’s Hand. The builders certainly didn’t expect the Empress of Lys to ever set foot into this hall. And yet there she was. In the flesh.

Navalis had seen her about a decade prior, but that was from afar. A few months ago she may have actually been impressed. Now everything here dulled compared to what she had seen in the North. These people are awed by teleportation gates. And yet it’s just a way to lure them in. To show them the truth. Four mark liches, taleen killing machines, and ancient space trees. Brace yourselves, humans of the Plains.

A small weight landed on her shoulder. Nothing she could perceive in any other way but she knew it was the tiny creature that had often been close to Ilea. Violence was its name. And it looked quite cute. Navalis however couldn’t shake the feeling that the little Fae was more dangerous than everything she had seen, even the Meadow. That didn’t mean she minded its presence. On the contrary. Knowing the Fae was on her shoulder calmed her down immensely. None of these rulers, guards, or high level adventurers really mattered in the grand scheme of things. She too was just one Shadow. What had once been thought to be the pinnacle of humanity, but those horizons were expanded too. The masked Empress’ Guard alone was not someone Navalis could identify.

They were welcomed by the Accords, the entire hall set up in a ball like setting, gentle music drifting past the many guests. No thrones or platforms. Catelyn and Helwart were probably the main attractions. Rulers and nobility had come from all over to attend these events. The gathered power and the amicable behavior from various very influential individuals made the event quite smooth, though it wasn’t hard to spot some who were very much against alliances with Dark Ones, dwarves, and ancient trees.

Navalis couldn’t help but smile. Insignificant nobles who don’t understand in whose presence they are. She glanced at Ilea, the woman wearing a black dress of ash that left her shoulders bare, her blue eyes downright striking as she approached the Empress and her guard.

She alone could wipe out half this hall. She felt a pat on her cheek. Yes. I shouldn’t stress out.

The royal family of Kroll was present, same as with Asila. Nipha sent nobles and merchants.

Navalis couldn’t place most of the people present but many seemed familiar with Lilith, or each other. I wonder if these people have ever been gathered in a single spot. If anyone wanted to weaken the Plains or start a war, this is the place to do it.

And yet she knew how foolish that would be. Ilea had destroyed an entire army on her own. The Shadow’s Hand had retaken a demon infested Ravenhall. That alone would dissuade most potential perpetrators but Navalis knew there was so, so much more. She had seen the Sentinels, their healing and fighting style similar to that of Lilith but compared to her they worked in teams. She didn’t know if killing at team of battle healers was even possible. One would have to overwhelm them entirely. And then there was Aki. Out there somewhere, with that spy. She didn’t know who terrified her more. At least the Pursuer didn’t pretend to be something it isn’t. She shuddered at the thought of its blade fingers.

She focused her magic and listened in on conversations to distract herself a little.

_______________________

Ilea was glad for everyone else in the hall. They took some of the attention off her. She had already seen Emmanuel Eilhart, Julianna Veyer, and most of the Kroll nobility. Michael had come as well. In the flesh even, if she hadn’t lost the intuition she built back in Erendar. Claire had been right. The benefits of this alliance far outweighed any past grievances or even the fact that she had brought back the Meadow. With the teleportation gates alone, they were now a major player. One that couldn’t just be dismissed or wiped out.

Representatives of the so called independent cities from the former Baralia were present too, as were high ranking members from the various Healing Orders. Allistair was present of course, as were other important figures from Riverwatch. Dawntree had sent a few officials too, despite their quite young government. As did Stormbreach. Ilea didn’t spot the Lady of Benevolence herself but she hadn’t exactly expected her to show up in the flesh.

Ilea smiled at the Empress and her guard as they moved on to talk to the council of Hallowfort. She addressed the next group, some of whom she knew personally. “General Ryse. It’s good to see you in good health,” she said, quickly glancing at Felicia who stood to his side.

“I can’t say I share the same sentiment,” the General spoke, though his words lacked passion. He looked tired. “You brought that dreaded thing back.”

“Please don’t talk about my good friend in such a manner,” Ilea said with a bright smile. “You know I don’t exactly care about diplomatic relations.” It wasn’t exactly true but she assumed beating up a General wouldn’t immediately cause a war. Not after her meeting with Alyris and her guard. Not with the teleportation gates and the Meadow Accords.

He grit his teeth but chose not to provoke her. “I hope for the best, Lilith. I shall mingle,” he said instead and walked off.

The other nobles and military leaders had a variety of reactions, likely based on their previous opinion of the man.

Ilea didn’t care. “Major Redleaf,” she said and walked a little to the side.

The woman had chosen to wear her armor to the event, her black hair propped up with red pins, near yellow eyes taking in the various guests. She grabbed a glass of wine from one of the waiters and joined Ilea.

“You’re so very blunt. That dismissal just offended half the Lys nobility, and your favorable treatment of myself will cause me quite a bit of trouble. And opportunities. At least your talk with Ryse will balance things out,” Felicia said, the two finding a window sill at the side of the hall, ignoring the chairs and benches. The woman waved her hand. “Apologies. I just spend so much time around nobles.”

“Still don’t know how you do it,” Ilea said. “Just looking at this hall makes me want to go out and punch something.”

“Yes. I can tell,” the woman said and sipped on her wine. “How have you been?”

“Good, I suppose. Been training a lot. Some interesting new partners,” she said.

“Sleeping around, are we?” Felicia asked.

“Hush. You know what I mean,” Ilea said.

“I do. I’m just not sure which one would be more intimate to you,” she said.

Ilea smiled. “It’s really not that simple of a question.”

“Maybe you’d indulge an old friend with a spar then, sometime in the future,” Felicia said.

Ilea grabbed a glass of wine as well. She sipped on it, avoiding eye contact with the woman. “I will think about it.”

“This is really quite an unprecedented event, but then what’s new with you. Michael is here too. Are you fine with that?” Felicia asked.

“What am I gonna do? Start a war for his revenge? He saved your life,” Ilea said.

“You don’t sound convinced. But I agree. You wouldn’t like the outcome of a conflict. And I’m sure neither would she,” Felicia said.

“I wouldn’t exactly know,” Ilea answered. Eve hadn’t been the most open person she had met. At least the man didn’t come and talk to her about the Meadow.

It was definitely a little strange, to see influential humans interact with Catelyn and her crew. If they knew about her cake obsession. Will have to introduce her to Popi finally. Quite a lot of potential introductions to be made.

She wasn’t particularly interested in the current setting, mostly there as an additional deterrent if anyone decided to do something outrageously stupid. Her name had a certain weight attached to it, even if Kyrian could likely do just as well dealing with whatever could occur. A part of her did wonder what would happen to the Plains if everyone in this room would be removed in an instant. Half the Lily was there too. The members she knew at least. Nero was talking to a group of nobles and Helena had taken an interest in Elana. Guess that’s the next member.

Ilea assumed the secret organization would happily bend the rules if the potential benefits were present.

“I have to go talk to some of the others, lest the world starts to think we’re an item,” Felicia said and stood up, bowing in a respectful manner.

“Do enjoy yourself,” Ilea said. She watched the woman go and turned her attention to the window, the bustling town with its massive festival extensions reaching through the valley beyond.

“You look miserable,” Kyrian said as he joined her.

Ilea puffed. “Well. Yeah. You never struck me as someone who would enjoy a setting like this either.”

The man sat down on the sill and looked at the crowd. He wore clothes for once, instead of his metal armor. He touched the fabric close to his hands constantly. “What do you mean? I had an entire court back on the Krahen Isles.”

Ilea checked Heron for a reaction but she was either too late or he hadn’t listened in. She assumed everyone was listening to everyone in here. She just didn’t want to bother censoring herself. People now knew about the Meadow, at least in theory. Soon those who wished could visit Hallowfort.

“Court of birds?” Ilea asked.

“It’s not that different,” he suggested.

“I don’t even want to hear your reasoning,” she said.

“At least I’m not the famed Lilith. I’m surprised at how few of the guests have approached you,” he said.

“They’re watching each other. Gauging who has what kind of connection. This might as well be a battlefield. Just one where they can’t brutally murder their opponents, so they talk, mingle, make deals. Approaching me is a risk, a declaration,” Ilea sent.

“A declaration of what?” Kyrian asked.

“I have no clue. Look, I’m not good at it. But I can see some of the patterns. And it’s exhausting. That’s why I leave these talks and negotiations to Claire and Catelyn. As long as everyone benefits far more than they lose, I’ll hope that peace is possible,” Ilea said.