“It is concerning Terran,” Scylla hissed. “He has been polluted to a point that he claims worship of a false goddess! The blasphemes he asked me for!”
They were alone in the dining room, save for Zefuris, who stood waiting by the serving door. Terran frowned at their perfectly set table.
“I think there is more to this than demons of Tartarus,” Terran mumbled. “We would have known if one so powerful had escaped. No minor demon could enthrall a creature like Shadowsong in mere days.”
“But what if he hasn’t been here mere days?” Scylla replied. “What if that too is a deception?”
Terran glanced her way.
“You would doubt our mages now? They confirmed his story. His body still reeks of other-realm magic. He hasn’t been here long enough to have a normal magical aura, though that problem is being fixed with each passing day. Already he grows closer in magic to his kin, and they have been here far longer by their own admission.”
Scylla sighed.
“No. I believe both our mages, and the other elves. So far they have not spoken of false gods, and their ‘wizard’, Fordred, even embraced Harmony’s light. If creatures such as they can vouch for Master Shadowsong…”
Terran reached around her and rubbed the space between her wings, drawing a purr from the gryphoness.
“Give him time love. He has only been here for a couple days, and is already adapting to our ways. You saw how he reacted to the life-debt Valan owed him. As Aquila mentioned, perhaps in this other world of theirs Harmony merely took a different form, offered her gifts in a different way. Now that he is here, his magic needs to re-sync. Give him time, and I am sure he will find his way to Harmony.” He leaned in and nuzzled Scylla’s headfeathers, drawing a light groan from her. “Besides, my beautiful queen will be there to help his journey back to Harmony’s side every step of the way.”
The gryphoness blushed and leaned away before smacking him upside the head.
“Terran, we will have guests any moment!” Scylla admonished.
The gryphon took the hit with a grin, and he waggled in his seat with the opening signs of a pounce. Scylla swatted at him, this time bopping his nose.
“Enough you old bird. Save that for later.”
He waggled his eyebrows, his smile never dimming.
“As my queen commands.”
Scylla continued to blush as she sat up straight, fixing the ruffles he had put on her dress.
As if on cue, the door was opened by two guards, and Aquila led Valan and Kathranis into the room. The elf wasn’t wearing his usual armor, though his swords still hung from his waist. Instead he wore a modest tunic, covered partially with a crimson vest. His breeches matched the tunic, and the elf tried to subtly tug on them as the trio made for their seats.
“They’re still too tight,” he whispered.
Aquila snorted and swatted his hand.
“They’re fine Kathranis, you look great, and more importantly, you look official. If you wear armor all the time-”
“Yes yes, I’ll make myself look like a coward, you told me.” Kathranis gave the firm gripping leather on his rump another tug. “I still don’t like how tight these pants are.”
Aquila snatched his hand away as they sat down and held it hostage beneath the table.
“Well too bad, because I like it, and so will everyone else. You don’t hear me complaining every time I have to wear a dress, now do you?” She leaned in closer, whispering in his ear. “Now buck up, we’re about to have some very important guests, and Mom is staring.”
Kathranis’ eyes flicked across the table to where Scylla was watching him closely. Her eyes bore into him, as if she was considering attempting an “exorcism” on the spot. The smallest of moments to her left caused her to relax, and a glance that way found Terran offering a kind smile to the nervous elf.
“So,” the gryphon king started, “How has your day gone Shadowsong? I assume my children have been treating you well?”
Kathranis did his best to match the gryphon’s smile as he answered.
“They have. Valan replaced my cloak with one of far greater quality, while Aquila took me to your bathhouse. I must say, it was well worth the trip.”
“Oh?” Terran said, one of his eyebrows raising. “Did anything interesting happen?”
Kathranis had to force his eyes not to flick toward Scylla.
“Queen Scylla and I spoke momentarily about faith, and she extended a learning opportunity for me.”
He paused, carefully considering his next words. He could irreparably muck up the good will he had built with the gryphons so far, but again denying his goddess, especially now that he wasn’t in a panic…
“And did you feel Harmony’s light?” Terran asked.
“I did,” Kathranis admitted. “It was an inviting blanket of love and warmth. Had I not already pledged my soul to another, I would have embraced her wholeheartedly.”
“I thought we were going to continue the exorcism-” Scylla began.
“There is nothing to exorcise,” Kathranis interrupted. “Aquila provided that helpful excuse to save me from my own inability to confront my failed plan to bring our faiths closer together, and for that she has my thanks.” He met Scylla’s eyes. “But Lady Sylvanus is my goddess. She has been for over a century, and she will be until my dying breath. That is all there is to be said about that.”
Scylla’s beak clacked shut, and though she seemed more than a little irritated, the confidence in his words also seemed to placate her. She let out a low hum, before saying;
“I would still like you and your brethren to attend a prayer service, to ensure that you are not plagued by a demon.”
Kathranis smiled.
“That’s fine, and in fact, I think most of them would find much in such a service. Not all of them are so devout in their faith.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “But you will allow them to choose Harmony. If I have to withdraw my people to the trees to protect them, I will. Love is not a forced thing, even from a goddess.”
Surprisingly, Scylla smiled lightly.
“Are you sure that Sylvanus is not another name for Harmony? You speak like you could lead the sermon on Fifthsday.”
Kathranis finally relaxed, and with squeeze of thanks to Aquila, he spread his hands.
“What can I say? My Lady and I hold great value in friendship. The balance relies on such after all, and it is why she asks me to try and broach such between our goddesses.” He folded his hands before him. “But I will leave that topic for another day. I quite like where we are right now in our understanding of one another.”
Scylla’s beak again curled in irritation at his comparison of two goddesses, but she merely nodded and said;
“Agreed.”
Terran and Aquila both let out relieved sighs.
“Excellent,” the gryphon king said, clapping his talons together. “Valan, take note. That’s how a king resolves the hard problems. Now let’s eat!”
Kathranis smiled bashfully as servants flooded in with platters of food.
“I wouldn’t quite go that far good King. Queen Scylla and I merely set aside the worst of the problem to a later date…”
“Giving you time to think of a real solution, while also not ruining your current relationship,” Terran said, his fork stabbing at a chicken breast as soon as the plate was on the table. “And you stood your ground to boot. A perfect amount of give and take is exactly what makes a good king, as does knowing when to do which.”
He grinned and stabbed at a deer shank.
“I might be doubtful about this “goddess” of yours, but so far, you have been nothing but a good influence around here. As long as you keep your beak clean, you can dance naked through the halls for all I care, and your “goddess” with you.”
Kathranis chuckled, sparing a glance toward Valan to give the gryphon permission to eat.
“You mistake me for a wood elf good King,” he said to Terran. “But noted. I shall do a special good deed in the near future, so that I might dance for you of course.”
Terran choked and began to sputter, while Scylla’s beak finally returned to a neutral, yet slightly smiling state. The gryphon king grasped the edge of the table and pounded at his chest. A servant ducked in, pressing a tall mug into his talons. He drank half the mug in a few swift gulps, then slammed it to the table. He gasped and panted for a moment, then fixed a playful glare on Kathranis.
“Careful Shadowsong. Slandering the king at his own dinner table is bad manners.”
Kathranis grinned.
“Yet still not as bad as my brother bringing guests unannounced.”
As if on cue, the doors to the dining room opened, revealing Huron again standing beside Princess Luna, flanked by a gray pony with tall, tufted ears. Kathranis’ smile dropped and he had to suppress a sigh, letting it out through his nose as the two approached the table. Terran gave him a wink and whispered across the table.
“It’s alright Shadowsong, this time she’s supposed to be here.”
“We see thou started without us,” Luna said, taking a seat to the left of Terran.
“Of course,” Terran replied, his eyes already on his next choice of meat. “We eat the cooked stuff, you eat the cold plants. Gotta keep it all fresh.”
Luna rolled her eyes.
“We are still all omnivores here King Terran. Cold Shadow eats meat the same as we do.”
Her eyes drifted to Kathranis, and though she flashed him a smile, it distinctly lacked any sort of warmth.
“Master Shadowsong, how good to see thou up and about. We art glad to see thou in good health. When no messenger came to alert us of a meeting with thee, we worried for thy safety.”
Mentally groaning at having forgotten to talk with the alicorn again, Kathranis gave her a smile and a slight nod.
“Apologies for that Princess, but I lost track of time. Princess Aquila is an excellent tour guide, and I’m afraid I became quite distracted in her presence.”
The gryphoness at his side did a stunning impression of her father and began to sputter and choke on her dinner. A wing slapped the back of Kathranis’ head as she flailed about for a drink, which another roaming servant provided. Aquila gulped it down, then slammed the empty mug down on the table before speaking with a too-wide smile.
“Which is to say I had Shadowsong outfitted in his fine new clothes, and took him to the royal bath house. Nothing more than that.”
A snicker reached Kathranis’ ear, and the elf glanced to find Valan holding back his laughter. A glance across the table found Scylla silently fixing him with a renewed glare, while Terran was again carefully watching him, his eyes tracing up and down Kathranis’ body in thought. To his immediate right, Aquila sipped at a second mug, her face flushed crimson as she pointedly avoided his eyes.
‘Smooth,’ Secil said as he padded into the room, slipping unnoticed by Huron’s legs.
Kathranis thought over his words for a moment, then felt a blush rise to his face. Upon review, there was some context that could be misconstrued…
He coughed into his hand and reached for the nearest dish, not particularly caring as to what it was.
“As Princess Aquila says, we merely acquired more appropriate clothing and paid a visit to the bathhouse. Nothing more.”
Kathranis’ nose curled slightly when he heaved a rather hefty length of saltwater fish onto his plate, but a short chirp from below found a pair of glowing yellow eyes staring hungrily up. The elf couldn’t help but smile at Secil’s adorably twitching nose, and he patted his lap, inviting the cat up.
Secil popped into Kathranis’ lap and began sniffing at the fish while Kathranis took a second glance around the room. Finding much the same as the first time, he cleared his throat and looked to Huron with a smile.
“Well don’t keep the good king waiting brother of mine. Take a seat.”
The words finally broke the awkward silence of the room, and Huron sputtered out a brief ‘okay’ before looking to Luna. The blue alicorn seemed to relax, and she nodded toward a trio of chairs to Terran’s right. As they got seated, Terran looked to Secil, who snacked happily on the fish.
“Shadowsong, I can’t let a pet stay at the table.”
‘PET?’ Secil yowled.
Kathranis winced and brushed between the cat’s ears as he offered a smile to Terran.
“Secil more than a pet good King, he is my familiar. Though he cannot speak with his tongue, he is just as intelligent as any here. He is wise council to me.”
“Oh come on, not this!” Fordred complained as he and Deyenidal walked into the room.
Eyes turned to the elvish wizard as he ran a hand down his face.
“Kathranis, I get keeping the joke running on me, but it’s hardly appropriate to play a prank on all of these people!”
Kathranis straightened in his seat, and the air seemed to grow slightly chillier as he fixed Fordred with a stare. The younger elf shrank closer to Deyenidal at the absence of Kathranis’ normal smile.
“O-of course if you decide it’s appropriate Blademaster…”
“A prank would be inappropriate Fordred,” Kathranis said evenly. “But as I have said many times in the past, Secil is my familiar, and he can speak. I would have thought you trusted my word more.”
He left unsaid how much he didn’t like being questioned in front of new potential allies. Fordred seemed to understand anyway, and he offered a hasty bow before drawing Deyenidal to an empty set of seats on the other side of Valan. Kathranis shifted his eyes back to Terran.
“As I was saying, Secil is not a pet, he is my familiar. He is capable of magical feats, the same as myself, and he is some of the evidence I have to my goddess’s love for me. He and I have been bound as friends for over a century now, and I would like to keep him with me as we speak. I would no more dismiss him than you would your wings.”
Kathranis scratched at Secil’s ears as the cat too stared at Terran. The gryphon king seemed to notice as their eye colors flickered and exchanged as the pair let their souls mingle. Kathranis gave a cat-like smile, showing off newly sharpened fangs, while Secil began to chuckle softly, his cat-like chirps replaced with man-like vocalizations.
“I hate it when they do that,” Huron shuddered.
Kathranis and Secil stopped the meld as Terran looked to the elder elf.
“And you would lend credence to Shadowsong’s words?”
Huron snorted and smiled as Secil tore into his fish again.
“I don’t know about the talking part, but that cat is smart, lets my brother work out his thoughts, and can probably out fight half of our little battalion. I trust him as much as any elf, and if Kathranis says he talks, then he talks. I trust him more than anything.”
The brothers exchanged a glance and twin smiles.
Terran mulled for a moment, his eyes flicking toward Aquila and Valan.
“And what of you two? Has Shadowsong’s cat shown that it is something more?”
Valan and Aquila exchanged a glance, and Aquila spoke up.
“We’ve seen Secil grown to the size of a panther, and he fights just as well as Shadowsong does. In fact-” she smiled and reached over to pet Secil “-he helped Shadowsong rescue us when we first met, then lured us back to the cave where they were staying. That could have been learned through training, but I’m willing to believe Shadowsong on his familiar. It’s new, and strange to us, but that isn’t exactly special these days, is it?”
Terran thought on her words for a moment, then shrugged and smiled at Kathranis.
“Fair enough. Just so long as it doesn’t act the beast, it won’t be treated as such.”
Kathranis chuckled.
“Hear that Secil? Make sure to mind your manners.”
The cat snorted and flicked Kathranis’ nose with his tail. The cat did, however, have enough manners to take the fish and drop down to finish it on the floor.
Casual chatter began to fill the room as everyone began to eat. More plates, these filled with a mixture of vegetables and meats soon flowed in. Kathranis decided to draw back though, content not to be the center of attention for a bit. He still found three sets of eyes drifting his way every so often. Scylla sent him frequent glares, usually whenever Aquila’s wing would drift his way.
Terran too stared his way whenever Aquila’s wings drifted, but his gaze slipped between the pair, usually focused on the gryphoness, as if he was trying to silently prod her for information. On his occasional glances her way, Kathranis saw nothing. She seemed as cheerful as usual, and to his eyes hid nothing.
Finally, Princess Luna was giving him odd looks during her conversation with Huron, but Kathranis didn’t have much time to pay attention to her as yet another party entered the dining room, this time announced by the on-guard Zefuris.
“Chieftain Calak of the Grass-Stomper tribe!”
All eyes turned to behold a striped pony flanked by a pair of amazonian warriors that made him look positively dwarfish. In fact, Kathranis believed that anyone aside from Terran would look small between the female warriors. Their mowhawks tickled the doorway, and their thickly muscled bodies blocked any light from escaping into the hallways beyond. They both wore simple loincloths, which scarcely covered anything.
“Told you everyone else goes naked,” Aquila whispered in his ear.
“They’re not naked,” Kathranis whispered back, subtly gesturing at the thin hides wrapped around their waists.
“They’re only wearing that for our sake Shadowsong,” Aquila giggled. “Just remember not to stare. You’ll make me jealous.”
Before he could answer in affirmative, the small male striped pony locked eyes with him, and a brilliant smile expanded on his face.
“Prince-Hero Shadowsong!” Calak called happily.
The creature rattled as he approached, making Kathranis aware of the bands of colorful jewelry decorating the pony’s body. Then he was yanked from his seat and wrapped in a tight hug as the pony lifted him into the air. Kathranis found himself back in his seat and completely bewildered just as quickly, and the striped pony let out a loud laugh.
“This one has not met a zebra yet, that much I see! Who would like to do the favor of introducing him to me?”
Aquila facepalmed and leaned back in her seat while Terran suppressed a sigh, not really succeeding. With a roll of his eyes, the king motioned to the zebra.
“Shadowsong, this is Chief Calak, a zebra from the south-lands, and one of our allies.”
“A pleasure,” Kathranis said, offering his hand and trying his best to be tactful.
Calak seized the offered limb and shook it vigorously.
“The pleasure is all mine my new friend. Hopefully we can speak more when this dinner is at an end.” He giggled and dropped Kathranis’ hand. “But you look like you don’t trust us yet. Zendallia, please warm the hero’s head!”
One of the tall mares grinned and moved forward, only to stop as a wing slapped protectively around Kathranis’ body.
“He’s mine you featherless harp-”
“Aquila!” Scylla interrupted, shooting up from her seat.
Though her words were cut off, Aquila’s glare at the zebra mare did not cool. Determined to make sure no feathers were further ruffled, Kathranis glanced Aquila’s way and gave her a smile and a wink before turning the smile on Calak.
“I appreciate the offer Chief Calak, but Princess Aquila is right, I am quite comfortable right now.”
The zebra’s wide grinned failed to diminish and he offered a low bow.
“I did not mean to offend Princess, I-”
“No rhyming at my table,” Terran cut in. “You’re not good at it Chief Calak, and frankly, it insults my ears.”
Scylla whacked his chest.
“Terran!”
Calak barked out a laugh, and he shifted his bow to the gryphon king.
“I apologize to you then too King Terran. Perhaps later I will practice my lesson.”
Terran’s eyes closed and he again sighed as the zebra continued to giggle.
“Absolutely terrible. Sit so we can get started.”
The zebra rose and his eyes flicked to Kathranis, offering the elf a wink.
“Of course kind King.”
He and his companions moved around the table, taking seats beside Luna. Aquila curled her wings defensively around Kathranis as the zebras passed, and she let out a low growl when one of the zebra mares winked at the elf. For his part, Kathranis merely reached over and offered a comforting pat on Aquila’s thigh, trying to get her to relax. She did so, but still held a slight glare as the zebras got settled.
As more servants entered the room bearing platters filled with zebra appropriate meals, everyone continued to eat and chatter. After some time, Terran finished his plate and straightened. The motion seemed to be an unspoken signal for the servants to clear the table, and there were a few last-minute grabs for food before everyone settled to focus on the gryphon king.
“I am glad for you all to be here this night,” Terran started. “I know that some of you have traveled far, and have not yet had time to rest, but I’m afraid that tonight’s council must take precedent.”
“The threat of the humans is that severe?” Calak asked. “My mares tell me that they are small things, easily crushed in battle.” His muzzle morphed into a beaming smile. “And rumors tell me that Prince-Hero Shadowsong has slain many already! If he and his small band can inflict such grievous wounds on our enemy, then what can they do against a massed army of three mighty tribes?”
Kathranis couldn’t tell if he wanted to be offended or not by the zebra’s words, but there were far more pressing concerns in his talk.
“Massed army?” he voiced, looking to Terran. “This is the first I have heard of such, or even of a need for an army.”
“That is what tonight is for,” Terran said. “I intend to bring everyone up to date on the going-ons of my kingdom,” he glared at Calak, “and I would prefer not to be interrupted.”
The zebra shied away, grinning sheepishly.
“Apologies kind King. I simply have great enthusiasm for this thing.”
The glare hardened, and the zebra shrank further.
“Apologies,” he mumbled.
With a snort, Terran relaxed his glare and again addressed the table as a whole.
“Though there has been no such formal declaration as of yet, this is a war-council. The humans have attacked Gryphonia and we must repel them. But, let’s start at the beginning with what we know.”
Terran looked primarily to Kathranis spoke.
“Just over a month ago, there was some sort of magical storm over a village thirty or so miles from Stonetalon Peak. By the time our initial scouts came upon the place, the storm was gone, but a mass of strangely dressed humans were everywhere, milling about in confusion. The villagers, from the reports I received, were helping, offering food, and shelter.”
“And were you all among these humans?” Kathranis asked Huron.
The elder elf shook his head.
“No. Our group, along with a few injured human civilians were dropped further away from the city.”
“Interesting,” Kathranis mumbled. “Please continue good King.”
“The scouts withdrew to deliver the report here, and I sent out a larger party to make contact with the villagers, to see what they learned of the humans,” Terran said. “Only to find the village razed and the humans constructing fortifications. A foraging party attacked my soldiers, and killed three. The rest returned with news, and though I have continued sending scouts, I have remained defensive in this matter.”
“If I may, why?” Kathranis asked. “If it is as you say, and the humans destroyed a village, then would it not be more prudent to attack quickly?”
“My soldiers do not die to any foe,” Terran said. “And they certainly aren’t ambushed. Gryphons have the best sense of sight and smell out of any known race, yet the humans ambushed a well-trained party. My soldiers also reported powerful magic, on par with unicorn magic.” He nodded to Luna. “Spell craft has always been a vulnerability of ours, so it was wisest to wait until a powerful expert was on hand to counter the human magics, lest I send my troops into a slaughter.”
He looked back to Kathranis.
“But I understand that you are capable of some magics. I would very much like to see, to compare.”
Kathranis nodded absently, his eyes glazed over in thought.
“We could compare fighting ability as well… Huron, the humans you were with, where did they go?”
“At the time, we thought it best to escort them back to their army,” Huron said. “With Liuestriel and Riven acting as scouts, we did such, but upon arriving, we found much the same as King Terran’s scouts; a village raised and Tatiana’s forces constructing fortifications.” He nodded to Fordred. “He took the wounded to a healer, while I spent time at the tavern. It didn’t take long to learn what had happened, and so after ensuring that you weren’t in camp, we left to the trees, to await your arrival.”
Kathranis hummed contemplatively.
“And did you ever speak directly to Lady Tatiana?”
“No,” Huron said. “I thought it best to draw distance between ourselves and the humans, to watch them from a distance before any harm could come to our band.”
Kathranis again hummed, his eyes focused on the table. There was a solution of sorts there. If he could contact Tatiana and speak with her, perhaps some reasoning could be discerned.
“Shadowsong,” Terran repeated.
The elf looked up with a blink and found everyone staring at him. He smiled sheepishly.
“Apologies good King. Merely thinking.”
“I asked if you were involved with the humans,” Terran said.
Kathranis noted that the body posture of many of the tables occupants had shifted into a negative territory. Calak’s was the most significant, his bright smile replaced with a terrible scowl, directed solely at Kathranis. Scylla was much the same, though she frowned more than scowled. Even Valan and Aquila looked concerned, though both scooted somewhat closer to the elf, as if to protect him. Only Luna remained completely neutral, though there was a somewhat predatory glean in her eyes as she awaited his answer.
Kathranis met Terran’s eyes and spread his hands.
“In full honesty, yes we were. Our home was destroyed after decades of war. A war many of us were raised solely to fight.” He glanced toward Fordred. “In fact, some of us never knew much outside of that war.” His eyes shifted back to Terran. “But after, once we were exiled, we escorted our people to another elven stronghold but came to the conclusion that elves like us… couldn’t be trusted fully with peace. Not when there were so many wrongs in the world that needed righting. It was carelessness and an unwillingness to fight beyond our borders that contributed to our downfall, and my brethren and I felt that we better served our people abroad than sitting at home.”
“As Blademaster, it was my duty to give direction,” Kathranis continued. “And I saw no larger threat to our people than the mad wizard of Thay, a necromancer called Szass Tam. He blighted the world with his armies of undead, and so we joined the humans fighting against him.”
“You speak of dark magic,” Terran whispered.
Kathranis was surprised to see the gryphon king looking genuinely afraid, but the signs were easy to see. The gryphon’s feathers puffed out slightly, and his fingers curled, displaying his razor sharp talons. Kathranis offered a nod.
“Yes. Our world had many… practitioners of such, and he was one of the most powerful. I could think of no better opponent to defeat, and so we joined the army of one Tatiana of Thay, a red wizard specialized in the lore of fire. She welcomed our assistance and offered pay in the form of food, shelter, as well as training for Fordred, who was a novice wizard at the time.” He sighed and rubbed his forehead. “We were fighting a battle with the undead when we were transported here. Luckily, none survived the trip, but to hear that Tatiana’s army butchered an entire village… it is unlike her. It is likely that she did not survive the trip either, especially since Huron never spoke to her.”
He shrugged.
“But friends can be alienated by cruel acts, and if your question is to determine if we still hold allegiance with the human forces, then the answer is an easy no. Huron cut ties, and I see no reason to renew them for the moment.”
“For the moment,” Terran echoed. “And what does that mean Shadowsong?”
“Evil is rarely absolute, and most can come back from misdeeds,” Kathranis said. “Reparations and repentance can be discussed, but if this council is to discuss the wholesale slaughter of a species, I won’t be a part of it. Every chance must be given before things are settled with violence. This if for your own good as much as theirs.”
“These humans are truly so powerful?” Luna asked.
“Yes,” Kathranis said with a nod. “And they are battle-hardened. Losing though their battle against Tam was, they still found victory on occasion, and they made every loss difficult. There are brave warriors among the Thayans, and they should not be trifled with.” He looked back to Terran. “I would caution care good King. Perhaps I can lead a diplomatic mission to their camp, to see who is control of the human army.”
“They butchered a village Shadowsong,” Terran said, rapping his talons on the table. “And you speak that they fought forces of dark magic. How do I know they are not tainted? How do I know they do not blight the land as we sit and talk about peaceful treaties?”
“More the reason to send a mission sooner,” Kathranis said. “If you do not wish to expend one of your own, then I will go. My face will be familiar, and easy to recognize, and more importantly, expendable to you.”
“Absolutely not,” Aquila snapped. “Do you forget that those humans you wish to speak with ambushed you? You could have been killed! Valan almost was killed!”
Kathranis glanced her way.
“Galdug has always held a… rivalry with me. He vied for what he perceived was split attention from Lady Tatiana, and his attack was no doubt his attempt to end the rivalry once and for all in a way that would have him seen as a hero. I highly doubt that he is controlling the humans.”
“But we don’t know,” Fordred said. “I don’t mean to challenge you Blademaster, but perhaps before we send a delegation, we use magic to scout the human camp.” He glanced toward Luna. “I have heard rumor that Princess Luna is a powerful spellcaster. Perhaps she has the power to pierce Thayan wards.”
Kathranis smile and gave the elvish wizard a nod.
“That is a fine idea my friend. We can use magical, and physical means to investigate the human settlement. If we determine that no taint is in the camp or the land surrounding, we can send envoys to talk.”
“If I have not already set my mind on attack, that is,” Terran interjected.
Kathranis’ eyes turned back to the gryphon king, and his smile fell.
“You have set your mind to bloodshed then?”
“No,” Terran said, shaking his head. “But let’s pretend I have. What is your response to that?”
Kathranis leaned back in his chair, his brow furrowed as he thought. On one hand, the idea of merely siding with the gryphons had its merits. They were already in good graces with the gryphons, and siding with them in a war all but assured a long prosperous relationship for his band of elves. On the other, it burned him to merely turn against what had been fast allies. There were bad apples among the humans, true, but that didn’t mean he could merely turn a blind eye to their slaughter.
Kathranis let out a sigh and glanced toward Huron. The elf had a passive mask on his face, waiting to support anything he said. The loyalty of his elder brother was astounding in that regard, and Kathranis couldn’t help but give him a grin before looking on to Fordred. The younger elf was not nearly so calm, and his eyes flicked nervously toward Deyenidal more than once. He needed express no more.
With a calming inhale, Kathranis sat up and met Terran’s eyes.
“I would withdraw my people just as Huron did, to live among the trees and find our own way.”
“Coward,” Calak growled.
Kathranis’ eyes flicked toward the zebra, then narrowed as he found a harsh glare meeting him.
“We would scout as we described,” he continued, holding eye contact with the zebra for a long moment before looking back to Terran. “Should we find the humans corrupted beyond saving, I would have no problem leading my people into battle alongside yours. But should evidence of such be lacking, I will not slaughter innocent families. That would make us no better than you claim the humans are.”
“Claim?” Scylla hissed. “You think we’re lying?”
“Have you seen any bodies?” Kathranis challenged. “Burned buildings are how I assume you figured out the village was razed, but have any of your troops actually gotten into the camp?”
Terran frowned, then shook his head.
“No, they were always driven away. After the ambush, I stopped sending parties large enough to make such an attempt.”
“Then though it is little consolation, it is possible that the villagers are in fact alive,” Kathranis said. “Thayans were renowned for being slave traders before the rise of Tam. Black habits tend to stick, so it is possible the village was cleared and that now the Thayans hold the villagers hostage as leverage, or as a workforce. We do not know which until we make ourselves more informed, and attacking could see the villagers slaughtered alongside the innocent humans.”
“So you abstain fighting until we gather more information,” Terran stated more than asked.
Kathranis nodded.
“Yes. We do not attack unless we know what we are fighting. To do otherwise makes us no better than beasts.”
“Coward,” Calak again growled. “King Terran has summoned you to fight and you would sit and watch?”
“Call Blademaster Shadowsong a coward one more time and I remove your tongue,” Huron snapped.
The pair exchanged death glares while Kathranis gave his brother a look.
“Calm Huron. A flaring temper is unlike you.”
The elder elf’s eyes flashed with anger as he looked to Kathranis, visibly biting his tongue to hold back sharp words. Kathranis’s gaze hardened, and his eyes narrowed slightly, daring challenge. After a moment more, Huron relented, nodding silently and taking deep, quiet breaths to calm himself.
Kathranis let out a slight sigh and looked to Terran.
“I am willing to scout for if you’d like good King, but my brethren and I will not fight without more information. It is not our way.”
“And what of your debts?” Scylla said.
“What debts?” Kathranis replied. “Do not see my disdain for life-debts as ignorance of them. I was willing to forgive all in exchange for the services you have brought to my people and I, but if you’d like a tally, then let’s compare the score, because I believe I have done more than enough to keep the score settled.”
Valan shifted uncomfortably beside him, while Aquila’s hand again snuck to his thigh, giving it a slight squeeze. Kathranis glanced toward the gryphoness, found her still concerned for him. His anger couldn’t help but cool, and he offered her a slight smile before looking back to Terran and Scylla.
The latter continued to scowl at him, while the former shook his head.
“That won’t be necessary Shadowsong. We are still heavily in your debt, and if you wish to abstain from war, then by all means abstain. Your brethren can stay here as long as you wish.”
Kathranis could sense a but on the end of the gryphon king’s sentence. He rapped his knuckles on the table.
“I again offer my services King Terran. I am an exceptional scout, especially while running alone. There is no beast I cannot track and no enemy I cannot evade. Let me see this settlement the humans have constructed, let me attempt a quiet kind of contact.” He smiled. “I don’t think it passes anyone’s notice that humans and elves look almost exactly the same. I can slip into their settlement at night with only a cloak and none will be the wiser. Let me collect information before any ‘war’ councils are brought to order. It is a better way to peace, and saves far more lives.”
“So you believe,” Terran said.
It was clear the gryphon wasn’t trying to be antagonistic, he was merely testing how far Kathranis would press for peace. The elf smiled and spread his hands.
“In your world I am a believer of exotic things. What is one more insane opinion?”
He waggled his eyebrows, and tension fled from much of the table. Terran snorted and his beak settled into a thoughtful smile, while Scylla huffed and looked away, still sitting tall in her seat. Luna leaned over and whispered in a still-furious Calak’s ear, who continued to glare daggers at Kathranis.
“Should I send you on this mission, and should you find the humans corrupted beyond hope of redemption, would you then join us in war?” Terran asked.
Kathranis’ smiled dipped.
“I’m afraid not. At least not-”
“Coward!” Calak cried.
Kathranis watched as Huron’s hand crept toward his sword belt. The elder elf’s eyes flicked up, but Kathranis shook his head slowly back and forth. Huron’s lips curled in a disgusted snarl, but he held as Kathranis continued.
“-immediately. It’s another of those exotic thoughts of mine.”
“Do tell,” Terran said, pointedly glaring at Calak, “without fear of interruption.”
“Good King, he would side with your enemies,” the zebra protested.
“He has said no such thing, and you will be silent in my kingdom.,” Terran snapped. “Even if Shadowsong was a cowardly traitor, he has every right to be so until I say he cannot. I am king here Chieftain.”
The zebra bowed his head, his eyes still blazing with fury.
“Of course King Terran. Apologies.”
The gryphon king relaxed and looked toward Kathranis.
“Please, continue.”
“Though I as Blademaster have final say on what my people do and where they go,” Kathranis said. “I uphold our traditions of council. Elven city-states are not ruled by kings, they are ruled by a myriad of voices from all walks of life. It is only in times of crises that one is put in control to cut through the crawl of bureaucracy. I perform that role now, but I like to grasp what my people are thinking, and if I am single-minded in a goal.”
He nodded toward Huron and Fordred.
“As I have close advisors, so too do I hold a Talk whenever a significant decision must be made. A declaration of war is such a thing. I held one when I proposed my crusade against the lich, Tam, and I will hold another to discuss the conflict against the humans. If a great enough people do not find wisdom in such a fight, or if they are possessed with enough of a silver-tongue, I may be dissuaded from fighting. Who can know?”
“You could,” Terran said. “You say you are not a king, but you have the power of one, if of a smaller kingdom.” He looked to Huron. “If your brother said this fight was your own, would you not follow him? Would the elves turn away and replace him?”
Huron looked toward Kathranis, then to the table.
“We would follow, even if we lacked a majority,” he said honestly. He swallowed before adding; “I would follow him anywhere, for any reason, without question.”
“And you?” Terran pointed toward Fordred.
“I would follow as well,” the elvish wizard said. “I owe Kathranis everything. As long as he isn’t clearly mad, I see no reason not to trust him.”
“Is that truly why you follow me?” Kathranis asked, turning to face Fordred with a look of disbelief. He couldn't help but feel as a touch of heartbreak showed as well. “I saved your life and now you are obligated to serve me?”
Fordred looked equally as hurt as he stared into his blademaster’s eyes.
“Of course not, but you must realize, you have kept us alive and as happy as you can. You guided us from a dying city and helped our people to safety. You then gave those of us without peaceful purpose something to live for. Perhaps we didn’t all always agree with the direction you took us, but we are more than happy to follow because it was you who took us there.” He spread his hands. “Let us not also forget the fact that you are Blademaster Shadowsong, Ranger of Lady Sylvanus, who has, to all appearances, followed us to this new world. Your goddess answers when mine does not. You have access to divine wisdom, when none of us,” he motioned to Huron, “do. Your judgment has not led us astray yet Blademaster, and I am confident it will not do so for some time, because you do not act the king even though, as King Terran points out, you could if you wanted to.”
He looked toward Huron.
“I cannot speak for everyone, but every time Kathranis has asked us our opinions, I feel listened to. I feel like my opinion is respected and considered.”
“As do I,” Huron said with a nod of agreement. He met Kathranis’ eyes. “You could act the king Kathranis, but it’s the fact that you don’t, and the fact that you attempt to treat us as equals that gives you that ability. None of our band feels undervalued, because you know and respect our strengths.” He smiled. “Before our last battle you carried Fordred’s books because he could not. If that isn’t a sign that you just want what’s best for us, I don’t know what is. If Blademaster Shadowsong want’s to become King Shadowsong, I will support him. I trust him.” He pointed at the younger elf. “I trust you.”
Kathranis flushed slightly, and he couldn’t help but smile.
“I thank you for your complete trust then,” he said, bowing his head. “I just ask that you revoke such as soon as I stop earning it. I would prefer pride not be my downfall.”
Huron chuckled and rolled his eyes.
“Of course not, oh humble one. I’ll keep an eye on your pride.”
The two shared a short, playful glare. Kathranis broke away first and met Terran’s gaze.
“To answer; I would hold a Talk first. I like knowing the minds of my elves.”
Terran matched his smile.
“Very interesting Shadowsong.”
He leaned back in his seat and they all sat in silence as the gryphon king stared at the elf. Eventually, he heaved a sight, tapping his talons on the table.
“Well then, I suppose we are done for the evening.”
Kathranis gave him a slight, passive smile.
“Good King, if you would like my kin and I to leave so that you all may talk more, we can do so.”
“No,” Terran said, waving the suggestion away. “We are finished, because you’re right. We do not fight battles without knowing why we are fighting them. I shall send more scouts, and shall likely call you to your offer of the same.” He stood, and everyone quickly did the same as he motioned around the room. “Let us all get to know each other better over the coming days, and let us hope that we do not find horrors that drive us to war.”
He looked at Kathranis.
“Shadowsong, please have your ‘talk’ about this with your brethren. The next time we meet, I would like your answer to be firm, even if it is a firm no.”
Kathranis gave the gryphon king a nod.
“I will have such. Thank you for your understanding.”
Terran’s eyes momentarily flicked toward Aquila, then back to Kathranis.
“Think nothing of it friend,” he said with a smile.
An intense rattle came from Calak and Kathranis looked the zebra’s way to find him vibrating with apparent anger. The zebra kicked back his chair and slammed a black-palmed hand on the table, his eyes focused on Terran.
“Friend? Friend?” Calak bellowed. “This cowardly human plots your downfall and you call him friend?”
Huron shot to his feet, hand on his sword.
“One more ill word of Blademaster Shadowsong and I cut your tongue.”
“Calak, sit down,” Terran snapped. “You have no right to say such things about-”
“He is a traitor in our midst!” Calak raged, jabbing a finger at Kathranis. “He talks of peace with the rabid beasts that razed your village! He talks of peace with the animals that nearly killed your children! It is cowardice! It is betrayal! He should be dragged through the streets and flayed alive for so betraying your trust King Terran! To so align himself with these cowardly creatures mean that he is a coward him-”
Steel flashed and Huron pressed the tip of his sword against Calak’s spine.
“I said, that’s enough,” the elf spoke calmly.
“Huron, put your sword away!” Kathranis shouted, shooting to his feet.
Zefuris began drawing steel, but a hand wave from Terran warned the gryphon off. The gryphon king met Kathranis’ eyes.
“Your brother is in the right defending your honor Shadowsong. Why, may I ask, do you halt him?”
“It is not our way to come to blood over words, no matter how ill,” Kathranis said. “We are practiced in intimidation, but to press a sword against someone’s neck,” his eyes flicked to Huron, “is not right. We do not attack with heat and anger, we attack with cool, calm calculation. We take risks, yes, but never hot-blooded ones, and never for the sake of pride.”
Huron’s eyes flashed with anger as he met Kathranis’ stare.
“You’ve always been too kind to insults,” he hissed. “This kind of disrespect should not be tolerated, and I am your second. It is my duty to protect you from this slander!”
“If I wanted his tongue halted I am perfectly capable of having Secil fetch it for me,” Kathranis said. “Now put the sword away and take your seat before I have you dismissed.”
Huron’s lip curled, but he relented, sheathing the blade and re-taking his seat next to Luna. Kathranis watched silently, waiting until his older brother settled into a cross-armed glower before turning his attention elsewhere. Namely the offending zebra that was sending death glares Huron’s direction. Placing his palms against the table, Kathranis leaned toward Calak, keeping his voice low, yet audible to all.
“Chief Calak, as I previously stated, my allies are thus until the moment they see fit to betray their morals. If I find myself in disagreement, I have no issue turning my back, and then if pressed, my blades to them.” His eyes narrowed. “But let me make this clear; we number but thirty, but we have more than enough strength and prowess to stomp your insignificant tribe from existence. I alone have more than enough power to do so.” He noticed Huron’s glower fade, replaced by slow nodding of agreement and a touch of a proud smile. “Do not make the foolish mistake of making me your enemy. I have been a bladesinger since before your birth, and I will continue to dance among the trees until long after your grandchildren’s bones are naught but dust.”
“You do not scare me human!” the zebra snarled, his weight shifting forward, a hand on his curved sword.
Kathranis replied to the act with a single sung word.
“Entrapped!”
The tattoos on his left hand glowed in an emerald light, spreading through his hand and into the table in thin lines like tree roots. He continued to hold the tone as the magic crept through the wood, then leaped out at Calak just as the zebra began to draw his blade. Roots of magic became oaken as the magic pinned Calak to the wall. The two zebra mares shot to their feet, and Kathranis’ eyes shot to them, taking on the emerald color of his magic. Both mares found themselves pinned beside their chieftain, joined in the same thickening, twisting mass of tree roots.
Beginning to run short on breath, and seeing Calak’s sword pinned under at least three layers of roots, Kathranis let his voice fall away. The magic stopped seeping from his tattoo, eventually falling dark. The elf lifted his palms from the table and straightened the cuff of his shirt before taking a seat, his posture perfect as he met Terran’s eyes.
The gryphon king grinned, his eyes blazing with delight. Even Scylla seemed amazed, and she remained silent, offering the slightest nod of appreciation. Kathranis felt a touch flush, his mind replaying the king’s question. He swallowed and did his best to remain confident and stern as he spoke.
“I do hope I passed your test.”
The gryphon king seemed on the verge of leaping from his chair to hug Kathranis again, but he settled for a slight nod. Kathranis looked to Luna, then Calak. The former had an even hungrier look in her eyes, while the latter looked amazed. A grin spread on the zebra’s muzzle, and he began to let out muffled chuckles, strangled somewhat by the layers of tree roots pinning him to the wall.
“A powerful warrior with amazing restraint!” the zebra cried. “Who better to fight the humans and their blackening taint!”
Terran’s smile vanished and he groaned.
“And with that I say goodnight my friends. This meeting is at an end.”
All stared as Terran’s eyes widened at the realization that he too had rhymed. He slammed a fist on the table, then glared back as Calak continued to laugh aloud.
“Not a word you striped demon!”
“Oh but you had me help with your royal test, to see you rhyme is for the best!” Calak crowed.
Terran growled and looked toward Kathranis.
“Let him loose so that I can strangle him.”
Kathranis grinned sheepishly.
“I… can’t.”
Terran’s eyes narrowed as Calak let out another loud laugh.
“And why not?”
Kathranis spread his hands, chuckling lightly.
“I did not summon magical roots, I grew them from this fine piece of oak we dine at. Chief Calak is… well, you’ll want some axes.”
Zefuris sighed and pulled open the doors.
“Let me go find the castle carpenter.