//------------------------------//
// Chapter 13: Keeper of Secrets 
// Story: The Watcher: Rise of the Purveyor 
// by GnollReader 
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Princess Celestia watched the purveyor's unmoving form upon his throne with mixed feelings. He had complied to her condition to appear at the council, true enough... but she had still hoped he would make an entrance somewhat... less dramatic. Stormhorn still had not managed to get up again.

There was something far more troubling though... the name he had chosen for himself; Dorchadas. Even she only knew little of dragon mythology, but she knew of the terror that name held to their stories. And now that she saw him sit on his throne above her... it seemed to fit him to an almost terrifying extent.

Then there was the matter of Nithhogr himself...  How long had the old dragon been aware of the purveyor's existence? Did he know of his true nature? And most importantly, what deals did Nithhogr have with the purveyor? She would have a word with Nithhogr in private if the occasion allowed it, but she knew him well enough to realize that the old dragon was not likely to give her the answers she demanded.

Something else was disturbing her as well... the purveyor's appearance. At first, she hadn't been sure if her eyes had betrayed her... It was only for a mere moment, so short that she almost failed to see it... but when Stormhorn had talked to him, his form... Celestia couldn't quite find the words for it, but his form seemed to waver. It almost looked like he was about to fall into shadows again, but then it passed away again in nothing but a moment, seemingly unnoticed by the other deities. On his way up the ranks of the council, she saw it happen five more times.

Another groan from Stormhorn broke princess Celestia from her thoughts. She would find answers to her questions later, "Guards." she called out, the guards springing to attention instantly, "Please see to it that Stormhorn is attended to."

Queen Chrysalis watched the guards carry Stormhorn outside the council chamber, well aware that the minotaur did not suffer from any physical wounds. She knew that it would take weeks for his mind to recover again. Even as fearful as the purveyor's display of power was, it was also impressive, too impressive for her liking. Chrysalis decided then and there that it would be in her best interest to stay as far away from the Dorchadas and the Barrier as possible... his mere presence in this world was already troubling enough, not to mention the promise he had once given her.

"This council of deities has heard the claim of Dorchadas, deity of the void." the words tasted bitter in Celestia's mouth even as she spoke them, "Do any of those present here wish to question this claim?"

Silence. Not one of the deities raised their voices. They only stared at the unmoving form of the purveyor; the only thing that moved at all were the shadows around his armor-encased body... Up in his seat, it almost looked as if the darkness itself was looming over them... waiting to fall down upon them at his command.

Celestia took in their silent faces for a moment, "Then his claim stands unopposed. I now open this council to general discuss..."

"Who are you really?!" Anathis shouted from her seat before Celestia could finish, "What are you doing inside the Barrier?! Are you responsible for the recent disturbances we have felt?! What is your connection to the alicorns and Nithhogr?!"

The purveyor remained quiet at first, letting his gaze wander over Anathis' furious face. It seemed that his initial judgment of her character was correct. "So many questions..." his hollow voice was as impassive as ever, "I chose this name because I found it suiting. My real name carries no importance to what I am; I am the void, and that is all." his shadows changed their pace for a short moment, "As for your other questions... Yes, my actions inside the Barrier have been the cause of the disturbance you have felt for these past two days. As for their nature..." he paused, "I have no intention of telling you."

He could see Anathis shake with anger, undoubtedly she was not used to being denied her demands but he carried on nonetheless, "As for my connection to the alicorn princesses and Nithhogr..." he almost smiled at his words, "I have no intention of telling you either..." 

"Why you..." Anathis fumed.

"What alliances do you hold?" Strongwill interrupted her with a calm voice, "On whose side do you stand in this world?"

Zaeres frowned, "I hold allegiance to no one. What skirmishes or deceit you carry out among one another holds no interest to me."

"And which race do you represent?"

The purveyor remained silent for a moment, Strongwill always did have a sharp mind. "My race... they have yet to find a name for themselves. Until they do, they shall remain nameless."

"And where are they? Why have we never seen a race like you before?"

"They sleep within my shadows. And until the day that they return... you will not come to see them."

Strongwill brow furrowed, "So you have a kingdom which we are not allowed to enter, and are father to a race that is hidden from us."

"Correct."

"Then tell us, how shall we contact you?"

The purveyor leaned forward, slightly confused by Strongwill's question. "Why would you wish to contact me?"

"You are a keeper of knowledge and secrets, by your own words... and even if you say that you hold no interest in what we do, that does not mean we hold no interest in your presence in this world and the secrets you carry. Even if you take no action, your mere presence will alter the balance of power. Old pacts will be broken and new ones formed... and if you hold as much knowledge as I suspect you do... some of us may be willing to request your services."

A small chuckle escaped the purveyor's lips, "You wish to purchase my knowledge?" The thought was interesting... after all, once he had brought his race back to life, he would have an eternity left with nothing else to do but watch and prepare for the coming of the cycle. That, and he was sure that it would help to keep the deities in check if they wanted something only he could offer. A purveyor of knowledge... what an amusing thought.

Princess Luna spoke up, "An interesting proposal... Many conflicts arise on the uncertainty of heritage and old feuds. With your knowledge, many could be avoided."

"Or started..." princess Celestia commented, "There are secrets in this world that could serve to start wars." not to mention what it would mean for the status of a deity should they actually obtain his support. The power that could be obtained with his knowledge was frightening.

"To know what that your enemies are scheming..." Anathis smirked, "A great tactical advantage could be drawn from this, but not all should be entitled to his services." she was already envisioning the conquests this advantage could bring her. She would no longer need unreliable spies... and she would finally know for sure which of her warlords were truly loyal to her alone.

"And you would decide who would be entitled to my services, Anathis?" Zaeres voice interrupted her, the tone in his voice was almost threatening, "Rest assured that my knowledge, should I decide to offer it, will come at a price." his voice became cold, "And it will be interesting to see which of you are willing to pay it..."

"Then how shall we contact you?" Strongwill spoke up again, "Surely, you can not expect us to wait until another council takes place?"

Zaeres thought about the problem. He could of course tell them that his shadows would hear it whenever they called for him... but then he would likely suffer from an unending flow of calls for him, and even these days he had little patience for such things. But if he had a contact person, just one able of contacting him would be enough... and there already was one who knew how to reach him. "I will declare a mediator to relay your messages to me... and to deliver my reply should I choose to answer."

Celestia raised an eyebrow, "A mediator? From your race?"

"No. This task will require an immortal... and I already have someone in mind."

For a moment, Celestia did not understand his words. Then, a terrible suspicion crossed her mind and her eyes narrowed, "Who?"


---


In the crystal kingdom, Twilight Sparkle was about to end her schedule of the work for the next day and call it a night, when a letter popped into existence before her. It bore the royal crest of the council, the mere presence of the seal almost commanding in itself to be treated with respect.

"What is this about?" she asked with surprise, wondering if something had occurred at the council. She had expected a letter from Celestia once the council was over, but it was far too early for that to be the case. She hoped that the purveyor had not caused too much of a commotion with his appearance... and she couldn't help but wonder what he would make of her words once he would read her letter, if he had not done so already.

Carefully, Twilight removed the seal from the scroll and read the words within, confusion taking over her features as she did.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle. The council demands your immediate presence."