54 The Arcane Order (2/2)

Rainer thought. He was not a politician. And while he had skills which improved his negotiating ability he knew there was no chance in the long run if he played along.

So, he would set the pace.

”First most I must apologize for invading your realm. However, Yulia's crimes were many, and she had gone against a prime tenet of our order…Devil Calling.”

None of the Fae reacted outwardly, but many of them internally confirmed their initial assumptions.

But an annoyed cry interrupted his speech.

A small reptilian head escaped Rainer's jacket ignoring a quietly pleading fairy who had a better judgment not to leave the jacket.

The entire council froze in shock as they immediately used [Appraisal].

”A dragonling…” A whisper had come out from a younger Fae before he covered his mouth. An older female Fae to his right gave him a stern look, but inwardly, her emotions were no different. Yet overcoming her shock the red-haired Fae chastised herself. This accident was likely no more than a posturing, she thought.

Rainer could only sigh as he saw Tiamat look up lovingly at him. He pet her head as he thought over just how he could handle such a reveal.

In the end, he only gently pushed her back in inside. She argued a little but went back to sleep after her head was lightly petted a few times.

”Perhaps now would be a good time for introductions,” An older Fae said as she rose, the one who now assumed the dragonling was a tactic. However, as she rethought the prospect of using a dragonling familiar as a mere tactic in negotiation, she had second thoughts.

She, originally, was supposed to introduce herself first but decided to wait. Never having expected the [Archon] to simply ignore their customs after just a few seconds.

”I am Elder Kateya Larareia of the Summer Court and a former Queen,” The Red-haired Fae gave an elegant bow of the Fae.

The rest continued as Rainer only paid true attention to the two Fae seemingly in favor of him. A few moments in [Sleep Learning] and he could commit their names to memory in any case.

”I am Elder Taramath of the Winter Court,” The Blue haired Elder who received Rainer's gift of the Aura rune spoke.

”I am Lord Winmere of the Winter Court,” The White haired middle-age Fae spoke. Rainer noted immediately he looked similar to Elru. With his knowledge of [Fae Anatomy] just like with Goblins he was better able to tell apart different races.

Rainer looked out over the Court. No one said any questions about the interloper that appeared from within his coat.

Yet he knew the probability of the negotiation turning to his favor had increased. He, of course, did not wish to put Tiamat in danger for such a thing but, nonetheless, he would use it now that it had happened.

”I have a question to ask first, Adept Nvos,” Elder Taramath asked.

Rainer looked out toward the voice. Amongst the room, he noted only three Fae did not regard him with indifference. The first being, of course, Laneth. And then two Fae among the Winter Court, Elder Taramath, and Lord Winmere.

”Go on.”

”How did a member of the Arcane Order come in contact with our Queen?”

To them, this could be considered a large issue given her sequestration to the palace. Many of the Fae around listened attentively for the explanation.

”Put simply I had come across an agent of hers as I attended another duty. Her ideas interested me and lined with the ideal of my Order…but then I learned her true goal, and the means…in maintaining her throne. And later she sought my help through bribery. But when I refused, I later discovered the other preparations she had already made, regardless of my acceptance.”

Rainer gave a convincing sigh. Before suddenly, his eyes narrowed.

”Above all else. Devil Calling cannot be allowed to flourish. Do you not see my distinction even in its name? She called the act of calling Devils as Summoning? Arrogance!” Rainer's voice rose again and infused with Arcane, ”To summon a Devil to one's will is the height of hubris. It won't be long, and it is something that never changes, until something far more than you intended answers your call.”

Rainer calmed himself, as while the words were partially false, his anger toward Yulia hadn't fully subsided with her death.

”So then why did I seek to work with her in the first place?” Rainer added before anyone could interrupt.

”My Order's goal is simple; to proliferate and progress magic. A magic so different than ours, of course, brings great interest, even if there is some cross over,” Rainer said as he looked toward Elder Tararmath.

The Court was silent for a moment before Rainer spoke once more, ”I am happy to answer any more questions, but first I must apologize. I hope you did not take my gift the wrong way. It was always intended for you, but I needed to make sure all traces of Yulia's actions were cleaned up. It is my duty as an Adept of the Arcane Order. And for entering your land without permission, I can only give my humble apology for it as well once more. Her actions were bordering on madness when I declined her. Dealing with the Devils must come first.”

”Then shall we recess for the day? If you wish to tour our city, Laneth can serve as your guide,” Laneth father, Prince Yaf, spoke to the Court. No one seemed to disagree. Though once more many were inwardly displeased at the Autumn Court stealing the lead in relations before they even understood the man in front of them.

”Then I shall be waiting for you then,” Rainer gave a bow before leaving the room. Many looked at him in confusion as now was the time to have personal meetings, but even as Rainer knew this he viewed his next task as more important.

And so, the moment he left talks rose between the Fae within, but he paid it no more mind. Kara already used her senses to listen in.

”I'm blocked by something,” She whispered to Rainer.

Rainer only nodded. He imagined such could be the case.

”Rainer, my father is here, is it alright if I go speak with him first?” Elru spoke up.

”Go ahead. We're going to find Quera in the meantime,” Rainer answered, now figuring out the other Fae in the room who looked at him without any displeasure.

”It'll only be a moment, I shall rejoin you if you can wait,” Elru said.

Laneth came out of the room as Elru entered. Looking through the open door, Rainer noted many of the Fae leaving, likely for their own private talks.

Just as Rainer was about to speak Laneth got straight to the point, ”I imagine you'd like to go visit Quera's family?”

”Sure, I need only feed my familiar, wait for Elru, and then we can go. Though speaking about my familiar, I may need your help with something.”

Led by Laneth, they headed to a settlement an hour of flight away. Per what he found, Quera only had a still living mother.

As they flew, Rainer gazed out at the varied colors of the Fae realm. No part of this nature was bound to the usual colors of the world. Bark the color gold, with leaves of blue, elk-like creatures with a ruby red fur and a variety other flora and creatures dotted the landscape. The forests served almost like a natural farm. Many spent their days gathering the quick growing fruit and other plants to be consumed for Mana.

”Can Mana potions be made from all this?” Rainer asked as Laneth spoke about the forests beneath them.

”No. As far as we are aware only us and others who consume mana may gain any use from the Magical plants.”

Though hearing him, Gunthar laughed. He found it all too similar to when Elru was explaining to Rainer only Fae could use Body Enchantments.

A single stone road led in the direction they were heading.

As they approached the village, Rainer noted the houses were built in a circle a tree in the center. Rainer immediately recognized it as a Branch of the World Tree. The smaller version of the Divine tree stood tall in the center. It's height still dwarfing the surrounding ones.

All the houses seemed grown from the ground beneath, made of wood. They were decorated in a variety of colors and cloth. But most now hung a black cloth as well out of their windows.

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”I only could find out she lives here; we'll have to ask for the house. News of your existence likely hasn't spread here. Wait up here and then when I find her, I and Elru can cover you in a Glamour as we go down.”

Rainer nodded as he continued to maintain his flight spell around the party.

”It is a shame we could not help the Lady of the Fae's benefactor, Sorcerer. Have you any idea what to say to her mother?”

Rainer held the token of the deceased Quera in his hand as he thought it over. With Laneth's word that it would be delivered to the proper recipient, they could take it from the Watcher.

”[A Fruit of the World Tree], and the Gold that was in Yulia's spatial ring. I didn't hand all of it over.”

Elru then recalled how casually he had thrown the Fruit to her.

”And If I ever need another, hmm…Elru would you want to be Queen?” Rainer asked.

Elru stared at him annoyed. She took his words as a joke. But in truth, Rainer wasn't joking. With the knowledge, earlier from Elru that the Trial only required its taker, not their helpers, to be Fae, he knew when it came to a singular strength that few among the Fae he saw could likely match him.

Let alone the future him.

Laneth came back soon after as he then led the group to their destination.

They arrived in front of the house. It too had a black cloth attached to its roof.

Rainer knocked first on there.

”Elena Meliah, I am Rainer Nvos, a human guest of the Fae Realm. I wonder if I might speak with you regarding your daughter.”

Following a short cough, the door opened to a confused Fae.

Her hair was deep gray and she displayed an aged appearance. Yet even at the age she appeared her Fae Beauty still shined through.

As she appraised the strange visitor her eyes opened wide. Rainer, in turn, did the same.

[Fairy, Female, Fae Enchantress lvl 25]

Yet what surprised him was that her Mana Pool was likely only a single point.

”Akhor's sickness…” Laneth spoke with a grave tone.

”Prince-” Elena went to bow but he immediately stopped her. The crest on Laneth's shoulder denoted him as a Prince of the Courts.

”I'm here unofficially. Rainer here would like to speak with you alone if that's alright.”

She was hesitant but with the presence of the Prince, she let Rainer in. He closed the door behind him.

Following another cough, she led Rainer into what looked like a dining room. She poured herself a drink and she was just about to offer it to Rainer before she remembered he was human.

Compared to many of the extravagantly decorated houses, hers appeared as far more empty.

Rainer then understood most of the decorations were likely magical constructs. And without sufficient Mana, there was likely little Elena could do.

He sat down across from her, who sat nervously.

”I'm here to deliver this,” Rainer said as he placed Quera's token on the table.

A gasp escaped her as she reached out toward the black token on the table. She held it in her hand gently rubbing it.

Luna decided to remain within Rainer's coat pocket. She did not know how to explain her relationship to Quera or how much Elena knew about what her daughter was doing.

Time passed as neither side said a word. With tired eyes Elena looked toward the human sitting in front of her.

”How?”

Rainer paused for a moment. He did not know how to answer the question. As he learned from Laneth about how most saw Yulia's rule outside of the courts which side Quera's mother fell on wasn't clear.

He too then wasn't sure whether Quera served the Queen willingly only to have a change of heart or if it was another matter.

In the end, he thought the woman in front of him, to who he owed so much to the daughter of, deserved to know as much of the truth as he could give.

”The Queen, had her killed.”

Elena did not say a word as she thought over the words.

”Quera, she…saved someone dear to me. And she had earned the Queen's anger. I…could not repay her favor to her. And I know nothing will be worth her to you, but I do hope you will accept this from me…”

A Fruit and a sack of Fae gold appeared from Rainer's spatial ring, but Elena didn't pay attention to them.

Rainer continued to sit silently. He knew the one in front of him too little. Nor did he even know the real relationship between mother and daughter. But until she asked him otherwise he would remain here.

The originally blue sky of the Fae realm seemed to begin to dim. Having heard of Elena's strange sickness Rainer spent his thoughts on it as he waited for Elena's reply.

”I only wanted her to be happy,” She suddenly spoke, ”But she insisted on trying to work for the Queen and try to get me a Fruit. In my state, I had no chances of passing any trial, nor would any Court risk providing me aid. But I knew how Yulia was really thought of by the Courts…I knew how dangerous it may be…”

Rainer was surprised by her declaration.

”Do you think I am happy Quera, that you have succeeded…” She said to nowhere in particular.

”Please leave. Thank you for bringing this to me, but I do not want it.”

”It's fine...you-”

”Take it!” Elena suddenly yelled at Rainer. Reluctantly, Rainer took the Fruit, though in his mind he planned to return and try again. Perhaps seeing who she saved might be of help, Rainer thought.

As Rainer left the house Laneth spoke up.

”Shall we head to the accommodations?”

Rainer nodded. He'd come back here again after the Court meeting once more.

”How did it go?” Kara asked as they flew.

”Not as planned. But I'll be back soon enough.” Rainer answered as Luna was quiet within his jacket.

The group flew as day turned to night across the Fae Realm. Rainer spoke to Laneth about Akhor's sickness of which there was neither a known cause nor cure. He only sighed, and wondered what kind of life a Fae could live without Mana, as he thought of Elena and of then Matheus who could considered in luck having at least been born without knowing the alternative.

As they approached the city Rainer noted strange lights illuminating the various houses. He was led to a manor toward the center of the city. Its construction had strange spirals amidst its figure that contained stone and naturally grown wooden structures.

”There is plenty of room in my family's mansion.”

Rainer nodded, as he as his party entered. They prepared for the night, and for the next day.

There was much to be done.