Chapter 507: Copy of Upper hand (1/2)
Chapter 507: Copy of Upper hand
ARTHUR LEYWIN
I clenched and unclenched rand hall to be opened All twenty of those sent on the hunt were gathered, plus Boo and Regis The young asuras were quiet and almost reverent Beside me, Chul carried the small white remains of the beast on a plum-purple cushi+on It had been carefully arrayed to look as if it could be sleeping, with its fox-like snout tucked under its bushy white tail
The energy was nervous, but beneath the tension was a comfortable familiarity
On our return journey from the mountain—the descent was much easier than the climb, as we’d been allowed to fly—Naesia, Riven, and the others had continually assured h history, told in great tapestries and frescoes on the walls of their respective clan hoan forward Naesia, as the leader of our hunt, entered first with her phoenixes behind her She wore a red and gray gown eold and was draped in chains and jewels Each of her phoenix folloas adorned in equal finery
The dragons followed, led by Vireah Her long, pink hair was carefully coiffed atop her head, exposing her neck and shoulders Teal scales in the forown spilled down to her ankles, broken by the occasional twinkling geons, Riven walked side by side with his sister, Ro with their identical dark hair and red eyes Riven’s horns swept back and then up, slightly out to the sides, while Roain, like a ra their two clan members who came behind The basilisk who’d lost his ar the scarred stump
Zelyna led her leviathans in a position of pride just before hter wore her etched leather ars, worn like a shawl and skirt In a reversal of the other clans, her kins her stand out in her utilitarian attire
Finally, rand hall I i off in a little pocket of open space, as if she were hesitant to linger too closely to the powerful asuras who surrounded her
Next, I located each of the other great lords, spread throughout anificantly outnuons present The crowd applauded politely as each group of four entered, with Vireah and her Indrath escorts receiving the most attention My clan and I received a ed this with one shts
Beside own Garnets and amethysts studded the shoulders, and purple e currents of aether It was a gift from Veruhn’s clothiers, and I could tell just howdown at herself to watch the fabric and shi+ning embroidery move
Sylvie wore a scale dress like Vireah’s, except in silver and amethyst hues Beside her, Chul looked uncoolden hide of some Epheotan mana beast with embroidery of red thread
‘Still say it’s not fair that I didn’t get a fancy outfit for the big party,’ Regis thought fro beside Boo
‘Maybe when you becoht face as the crowd politely applauded for our entrance
My own attire had also been lovingly crafted by the leviathans, a gift waiting for me upon my return froh to keep it sily white doublet with split sleeves that revealed a hint of gray beneath A thick golden belt was fastened aroundal’s Ga a crown on my brow around which floated pale locks ofbeneath my eyes
Several other threads of s: primarily, those present, and their actions
Charon drew ainst the backdrop of shi+ning, colorful asuras He stood off by hilimpse of Vajrakor as well, deep in conversation with Sarvash of the Matali clan, the dark-haired, bearded dragon I’d struck after the battle to reclaiered in oblivious conversation with Morwenna, leader of the ha as if she could have been carved from wood Lords Rai and Novis flanked Radix of Clan Grandus, atched the basilisks and phoenixes h the hall with a sour look
The Aerind and Thyestes clans were notably absent I knew that the sylphs disliked convening under enclosed roofs and did everything they could to avoid exactly this kind of gathering Ademir of the Thyestes, on the other hand, was deeply at odds with Kezess Clearly their conflict hadn’t been resolved in my absence
Naesia stopped twenty feet or so in front of Kezess’s throne, where he sat overlooking the festivities with his usual sharp gaze His eyes were a light lavender in color today, but otherwise, he looked and dressed as he always did
The rest of the asuran huntersa path open in the center for me and my companions We filled in the space, then Chul and I took a single step forward “Lord Indrath,” I announced si beast of legend, the likes of which has never been seen in Epheotus before, nor will be seen again”
Kezess stood, his focus intensely on the posed body of the small creature Chul stepped forward, outwardly oblivious of his own unlikely position in this ceremony, and Kezess took a fe, purposeful steps away from the throne When they o down on one knee He did not
After waiting only a beat, Kezess seemed to realize this sers through the fox-like tail “A glorious hunt that will be , I’ into every corner of the huge chamber “I am told my wife has promised a boon toward the hunt’s victors”
“It was a battle no single asura or clan could have won alone,” I said in answer, ed to us all”
Naesia took a half-step out of the line of hunters “The Avignis clan would ensure the truth is known This victory belongs to Clan Leywin Lord Arthur defeated this beast alle-handedly when the rest of our efforts proved fruitless”
Vireah was the next to advance “Whatever boon the Lord of the Indrath clan sees fit to give should go to the archons, our newly risen brothers and sisters” Her words were echoed by the rest of the asuras
Kezess sreat hunt, orchestrated and undertaken by soether reat clans It is with much pride and respect that I welcoreat hu, and skill I can see in your faces and how you interact that this trial has brought you closer together
“In addition, this was a chance for Clan Leywin to show exactly why they’ve been elevated to their new station, and it is clear they have succeeded” Kezess paused, and a ru was briefly audible from the back rows of the crowd The voices cut off ih Kezess did not outwardly react, I had no doubt he’d paused just to allow these voices to rise above the din, effectively calling out any detractors “Please, eat, drink, and socialize Hunters, enjoy each other’s company for these last moments before you return to your clan-hoathered asura, enous, dissolved into individuals and sroups once more Riven patted my back forcefully while Naesia squeezedthe other phoenixes to where her father, Novis, waited with a large congregation froed htmoment, then went to find her ainst o Conspiratorially, he said, “A fine warrior, that one She’d edof you quite often as well She—”
“Can hear you,” Ro Riven frohed, held up his hands, shot me a wink, and started to retreat
The basilisk who’d lost his arood ar everywhere but at et the abyss out of here I can’t wait to spend the next few days lounging around the healers and regrowing my arm”
The two followed Riven in the direction of the basilisk delegation
“The food does s his stoged excitedly “You don’t have to tellyour ass froh and kicked one of Regis’s front paws out fro the shadoolf for at Chul’s ankles, drawing uncertain looks frorowday,” Zelyna said She was the last of our hunting party to hang back Shooting a look at Kezess, as now speaking to a s asura, she quietly added, “Do not be lulled into a false sense of security” She then inclined her head slightly, gave rand hall
‘My grandfather is in a strangely pleasant ht She clasped hands with Ellie, as staring around in wonder My sister grinned at o see your mother I don’t think I’ve ever seen her look so unco for ons, ha me with compliments and questions about our hunt I withdrew the bulk ofwith the asuras in a polite but practiced way
In the days following our hunt, I’d had a lot of tiis The hunt itself had clarified several important details for me, and opened up many more questions about the future of Epheotus and its people I was beginning to feel like the gravitational center of a vast galaxy of decisions to bein and out of my focus
Afterto have a look at me, a familiar face approached
“Sarvash of the Matali clan,” I announced, holding out a hand as a gesture of good will We had not parted coave me a steel-eyed look as he tookhis hand, he crossed his arms and scoffed “Didn’t I say you’d never be an asura, no matter how much you pretended? More the fool, I, then Clan Intharah has long been close with the Matali clan, and young Vireah’s account of your hunt is already circulating a us I was dismissive of your abilities after our battle with the Wraiths I apologize for that”
“No need,” I answered honestly I considered apologizing for striking hie in our comparative station, I elected not to “It was a tense moment You lost a member of your fahtful After several long seconds, Sarvash cleared his throat “I won’t take up any more of your time, Lord Archon” With a nod, he slipped back into the crowd, returning to his people
“Nice to see you getting along”
Glancing out of the corner of ht next toenemies where allies could easily be found instead” As I spoke, I let ered on Myre, as flowing around the outer edge of the hall speaking to all she passed In her younger for, and I was reminded unfavorably of stories fro weak-minded townsfolk and children
A flicker of annoyance passed over Kezess’s features “So, you have earned a boon” He began to walk It was obvious that he expected me to follow I’d already considered how this conversation would go and was eager to have it, so I fell into stride beside him “What would Arthur Leywin, lord of the archon race, ask of me? Guarantees for the fate of Dicathen, perhaps, or maybe a promise not to harm your friend, Chul, or any of his traitorous kin”
He glanced atto shock nize Chul for what he was immediately, but the fact that Chul hadn’t i Epheotus meant they were unlikely to do so now Besides, the Path of Insight had already given away Mordain and his clan’s survival in Dicathen
Whatever his purpose, Kezess at least had the good grace not to look disappointed “Or perhaps you’ll askasuras who participated in this hunt I’ hard to make you see the sense of such an alliance”
I chuckled “You weren’t exactly subtle about sending Vireah aveat the corners “Must keep up appearances,reat clans had taken seats at a table set off to one side of the hall and appeared to be deeply involved in some private conversation The rest of the asuras in attendance gave this table a wide berth
“The truth is,” I began, veering off our course slightly to bring us closer to the rest of the great lords, “I don’t need to ask you for any of those things I am my own assurance that the…events of the past won’t be repeated in Dicathen The same can be said of Chul’s safety” I spoke at a normal volume but projected my voice in such a way that I kneould reach the ears of Veruhn and the others “I don’t need your boon, Kezess”
I stopped walking, strategically placing a column between Kezess and the other lords Radix watched me openly, while Morawenna cast nervous looks at the colu
“I see,” Kezess answered softly His eyes darkened to a pluht perhaps our clans were growing closer I ad”