Chapter 791: Drinks (2/2)
The Fae landed on her head and nestled into her hair.
“And I’m Claire,” the woman said and sat down.
“You’re friends of Ilea, make yourself at home. Food and drink is on the house,” Walter said.
“We appreciate it,” Claire said.
The Vultures introduced themselves in turn.
“You seem tired,” Celene said, looking at Claire.
The woman nodded, drinking from her mug. “Oh this is good,” she said. “Do you have anything stronger?”
Walter smiled. “Yes, feel free to browse,” he said and motioned to the shelves with dozens of bottles.
“I’ll pay, don’t worry,” Claire said as she stood up.
“I assume she’s told you some things already?” Trian asked, looking at Celene.
“The machines, the Taleen, Accords, yes. She’s mentioned some things,” the woman answered.
“Yeah. Ilea left us to deal with the details of the Taleen integration into the Accords,” he said and rubbed his temples. “They’re far more obsessed with contracts than anyone I’ve dealt with before.”
“Still only took a few hours,” Kyrian said.
“Thanks to the Meadow, yes. And all the other insane minds. Plus we have plenty of contracts set up already, it was just a matter of adjusting and expanding things. The Taleen were prepared with their demands as well. The negotiations were short,” Trian said. “But intense. I do enjoy managing the Sentinels way more.”
“Not like this happens every day,” Ilea said, stuffing her face with bread, cheese, and cold cuts.
“First, you left after the initial meeting. Second, no it wouldn’t, if you wouldn’t constantly find new people to join,” Trian said.
Ilea shrugged. “Sorry, I go out and meet beings. While you sit in your office.”
“You were the one who asked me! The Sentinels were your idea,” he said, squinting at her.
Ilea offered him a cheese sandwich.
He took it.
“I’m just saying,” he said between bites. “You’re not exactly around a lot. I have to deal with everything.”
“And I appreciate that,” Ilea said.
“Do you?” Trian asked. “Last week I had to console a twenty four year old adventurer because his resistances weren’t growing as fast as those of his peers. Headmaster, it just hurts so much. Is this not for me? He asked me. I’m still thinking about that.”
“What happened with him?” Lucia asked.
“He joined the Shadowguard after we talked and I advised him. Not everyone is made for the gruesome training of the Sentinels, and that’s okay,” Trian said before he downed his ale.
Claire sat down with a sigh and a drink, herbs sticking out of her glass, a citrusy smell coming from the mixture. She put down a bottle too.
“You know your spirits,” Walter said with a smile.
“I’m not the head fucking administrator of Ravenhall to drink crap,” she said and took a long swig.
“Prominent guests,” Lucia said. “Trian, it seems like you’re doing a wonderful job with the Sentinels.”
“I do try,” he said and raised his mug to her. “See, that’s what I mean with appreciation,” he said, glancing at Ilea.
She offered him another sandwich.
“You can’t solve everything with food and punching,” he said.
“I disagree,” Ilea said.
Violence, the Fae said and nodded.
“Incredible wealth helps too,” she said and ate the sandwich herself.
“And apparently people that do the more complicated work for you,” Walter said.
“Yes, like dealing with Cerithil Hunters,” she said and winked.
“Exactly. Ben has been quiet,” he said. “I do hope he’s fine. They live such a dangerous lifestyle.”
“He’s doing okay,” Ilea said. “They’re moving to the Descent now.”
“The multilayered dungeon below Hallowfort?” Naiir asked.
“She’s told you quite a lot, hmm?” Trian asked.
“Oh yes,” Walter said. “I mean you know her.” He gave the man a meaningful look.
Trian looked back before they both nodded ever so slightly, each taking a drink from their mugs.
“With their main objective done, they don’t really have anything to drive them I guess. But they’re still considered cursed and are hunted by the elves of the domain, most of them at least. Oh, did I tell you about Nelras Ithom?” Ilea said.
“I don’t believe you did,” Celene said. “It sounds like an exotic name. Can anyone travel to the Descent to meet the… elves?”
“They’re not there yet. But I guess, sure,” Ilea said. “Maybe I can introduce you to some.”
“Please don’t,” Lucia said, rubbing her temple.
“You’re not my mother,” Celene said.
“It sometimes feels like that,” Lucia said.
“Not to me,” Celene said. “Who’s Nelras?”
“So, I found this orb, it contained the soul of an ancient elven Monarch… like a Monarch, not a monarch, I do think I mentioned that before. Super powerful in his prime, at least he claims as much. So we used a machine from the Soul Forge of Kahn Joggoth to move the soul into a war machine made by the Meadow, a few enchanters, and Owl,” she said.
Kyrian just looked at her and smiled, everyone else listening.
“Owl, the Greater Lich?” Harthome asked, the smith back at the table.
“The one,” Ilea said.
He nodded in understanding.
“So there’s a former elven Monarch, male leader of an elven Domain, within a war machine, capable of talking and walking around… somewhere in the north?” Walter asked.
“Yeah, I guess. I think he’s still teaching the enchanters and the Meadow the runic system of the Ascended,” she said, looking at the ceiling as she thought. “Maybe we should talk to him about the Cerithil Hunters.”
“We did that while you were busy,” Claire said.
“Anything useful?” Ilea asked.
“He wanted to fight the Val Akuun, cursing his powerless new form before he got back to work,” Claire said. “He did ask to meet you again.”
“Why would he want to meet me?” Ilea asked.
“Because you will probably consider the mad demands of an ancient elven Monarch, whatever they may be,” Trian said. “Unlike sane people.”
“Hey, if the ideas are fun,” Ilea said.
“The Meadow is around, don’t worry about it,” Claire said, looking at Trian.
“You say that like I’m unreasonable,” Ilea said, squinting her eyes.
“Said the woman fighting eldritch horrors in Kohr, for fun,” Kyrian said.
Ilea looked at him for a few seconds before she continued eating in silence.
Not
mad.
Ilea
violent, the Fae sent, patting her head lightly.
“Is that supposed to be a compliment?” she asked.
The
Highest
Praise
“I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic,” Ilea sent.
Who
knows
“Speaking of new people to add to the Accords. What about your Fae cluster? Think you would be interested?” she asked.
Fae
Exist
Beyond
“That’s pretty arrogant,” Ilea said.
Yes, Violence replied.
“Okay,” Ilea sent.
The creature giggled.
“At least that means I don’t have to manage trading with the Hunters anymore,” Walter said. “Though I would like to meet Ben again,” he murmured. “An interesting being to talk to.”
“Their magic is really impressive too. Some of them are above level seven hundred, granted they did start at around level two hundred,” Ilea said.
“And the other factions involved were fine with all that?” Lucia asked. “I mean we’re still technically in hiding because of the magic we use, and the people that are here.” She looked at Granpa Bones.
He seemed to be sleeping.
“The risks are present, but the votes were cast,” Trian said. “The Hunters didn’t join the Accords, they will merely relocate to the Descent. So that any interested parties can familiarize themselves with the elves, learn from them, and maybe build ties.”
“Don’t know how easy that’ll be,” Ilea said. “I just didn’t want them to run off and fight the Domains immediately. Or all of them to fuck off and do their own thing.”
“Would they attack the Domains? They did choose exile to protect their own kind,” Walter said.
“I don’t think they decided on anything. I know a few that definitely want to change the status quo, some others have already left now that the Guardians are dealt with. Only time will tell, but at least with them in the Descent, we should know what they plan to do,” Ilea said.
“If they share anything with us,” Kyrian said.
“The Meadow is watching,” Trian said.
“The Meadow isn’t all seeing,” Kyrian said.
Ilea smiled, looking towards the mark she had on the being. “Is it not?” She waited but no snarky comment was sent her way. Guess it really isn’t.
“Limited Meadow,” she murmured.