PoV : Empress Elinor (What and … interesting Seraph…)
Recap: Sari’aél has officially stated that she will join, so long as Elinor can accomplish it through the fire that is before her, and she can prove to the Seraph that she can provide what she desires! Is! Our Empress will move heaven and hell to get this fallen angel!
The contact she’d discovered in the previous chapter was burned to ash by JadeFire … prompting our Empress to gain an ability to revive spirits! Victory, Demon! Now Kimlira’s spirit is feed on the emotional energy of the Nalveans to get powerful enough to manifest herself and talk.
Our Seraph was a little leery about sweets and why creatures eat unhealthy things for them, but our girls are adamant about getting some sugar!
Onward to sugarville!
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Elinor returned the way she came, having Castella guide them back through the halls; Nalveans were now filling the corridors of the palace, and upon inquiring of the Elite Warrior, she discovered it was 8:43 A.M.
It was a bit shocking to Elinor how an hour and forty-three minutes could go by so quickly, but considering the distance they traversed, constantly shifting directions, it was understandable. Sari’aél had returned to her silent nature, hovering around to peer into rooms or listen to conversations close by before returning to her side.
The Seraph’s actions and Elinor’s own examinations bubbled up a curiosity within her breast.
She focused on the rooms they passed, filling with various palace personnel that went over records or maps. She had no clue what types of jobs were done here, yet everyone appeared to be engrossed in their work.
A low hum passed through her throat while shifting to the two Nalvean soldiers following them, choosing to address another question on her mind. “What are your thoughts after following me?”
The Imperial Guards’ movements momentarily slowed, realizing she was talking to them, and Castella’s tail flicked to her left, a little nervous about what they might say, stepping to the side for a second to give them a quick look.
“Thoughts, Empress?” The left guard questioned.
A puff of fog released from Edmon’s mouthpiece as his gaze turned on them, leaving a trail of faint blue wisps that flicked from his helmet’s eye sockets. “The Empress wishes to know what you think of her.” His tone was neutral, but the deep, smooth vibrations had a commanding draw that snatched their attention.
“Actually,” Elinor gave them a searching smile, “why don’t you two introduce yourselves? We have time to chat while we head to the shopping district.”
That reminds me, Castella, do we have money to purchase anything?
Castella was far quicker to respond than the two guards, giving each other looks to see who would go first. “Minor expenses such as food are naturally covered by the High Ruler when National Leadership visit, Empress. So long as it is not unreasonable, everything will be charged to the Palace Diplomatic Budget.”
“A good policy,” Edmon replied. “I assume Nukulara expected Tal’tamine to explain that to us.”
The comment made Elinor frown; there were actually a few things she wanted to address or receive an update on, but it could wait since the more brightly polished red-scaled guard spoke up.
“Ahem, Empress, I am called Hikico’rova, and this is Romimaca,” he replied, gesturing at his fellow; Romimaca’s scales weren’t quite as shiny, showing a bit less hygiene, Elinor assumed. “We find the Empress’s actions … mysterious.”
A light chuckle slid through Elinor’s throat. “Don’t be shy; tell me how you have viewed our morning activities … elaborate so I may better understand your culture and view as this nation’s defenders.”
She shifted to her right as the soldiers increased their pace, keeping a reasonable distance to her left; Edmon took a slightly further back position, allowing her to see them while having the capacity to intervene if needed.
Their squirms the two Imperial Guards made were a bit amusing and perhaps a bit cute as she grew more accustomed to their frightening appearance, but she really was curious about how they’d answer.
Hikico’rova’s tongue slid through his lips for a moment, his shorter, thin tail remaining stiller than she’d previously noticed. “Well … I do not know if I am the best Nalvean to speak to a High Ruler of another nation,” he mumbled, making a few gestures to better articulate his words, “but I will do as you have asked.”
It was impressive how he could keep track of his polearm while moving and fashioning hand-signals. Elinor waited, giving him her attention as they made it to the courtyard, and began descending the pathway through the three palace gates to reach the city.
“To be honest,” he cleared his voice, seemingly realizing he needed to have a distinct tone when addressing her, “I am very interested in learning more about you, Empress, and many more have felt the same way.”
“Oh?” She asked, head tilting somewhat while smiling at him. “I was sure that most of the Nalvean population would be terrified of me. If you are, I will not hold it against you to voice.”
Sari’aél giggled at her comment for some unknown reason, but she didn’t want to analyze it at the moment.
He slowly nodded. “Yes … there is a certain level of fright that I share with others, yet the strength and boldness you have displayed, in addition to the mastery of our language, is very empowering.”
Empowering … why is that, Castella?
The female Nalvean’s tone was a bit sheepish. “It’s his misunderstanding, Empress. He believes that you must have spent many years dedicated to mastering our tongue, which puts a high level of respect on our culture. He believes you are an admirer of the Nalvean Empire.”
Not entirely wrong … I do see a great deal of advancement within your society.
Hikico’rova had taken her silence to mean he should continue, talking while she questioned Castella; he became more animated and excited to give his opinion as time went on. “There are many interactions that I have witnessed in the past two hours that have fascinated me…
“How you can seemingly communicate with your subjects without words is amazing by militaristic standing; I wish we could develop such swift and silent methods.”
“We do have the Light Telegraphy System,” Romimaca mumbled, “but yes, the Empress’s speech seems far more complex than what we use.”
Castella was translating while they spoke. “We use those crystals you see every so often on the walls as a source of distant communication; it is sent to a signal hub where it is translated and redirected to the proper location.”
Elinor had noticed the inactive red gems lining the walls but didn’t know they could be utilized for communication purposes, and she recalled the three Cs that Tiffany taught her or the pillars of an Empire, communication, control, and commerce. Interesting…
“Right,” Hikico’rova chuckled, “I haven’t been able to detect how you talk at all … no hand signals, body language seems to be irrelevant; it’s just so mysterious.”
“Hmm,” Elinor followed the progress of a few strange birds the size of a goose, landing on the large trees spaced around the pathway leading to the second gate. “What about my ability to raise the dead?”
The two guards fell silent, pondering the question, and after several seconds, Romimaca responded. “Unnerving … when I first heard about it, I believed it was similar to the Clavex, the Corpse Eater Seed they use with their music, but…” He trailed off, glancing over at Edmon.
Castella shifted her posture to glare at the two men. “The Empress’s power is nothing like those silly toys.”
Hikico’rova gave her a forced smile, shaking his head, “I apologize, Lieutenant … umm, Castella…”
“It’s understandable,” Elinor commented with a soft chortle, “you needed something familiar to link it to. Your point, Romimaca, was that it is not like the Clavex’s Minstrels?”
He nodded, tongue sliding through his teeth again. “Yes, Empress. Umm … I have been baffled about the butterflies, though. They are … spirits, correct?”
The polished red-scaled Nalvean’s jaw tightened while looking up at the emerald-flamed butterflies flapping above them in a large circle. “You called them to the statue, which means … there was a spirit inside of it?”
“Hmm? Smart. He’s wondering about me?” Sari’aél asked with amusement. “Is this another one of these plots from this Demon character?”
Probably not … yet; they were sent to follow us.
She took a moment to enjoy the morning; parts of the scenery reminded her of California. Hikico’rova and Romimaca went back and forth about various topics as she listened.
The guards atop the watchtowers and walls followed their movements down the gradual decline, leading away from the palace; there were at least four dozen sentries within eyesight, which spoke of how expansive the Nalvean military was and the riches the Empire had to support such an active body of soldiers.
Elinor’s boots clicked against the tile as they went, and the morning sun made the gloss of their various shades of armor reflect. Unlike the heavy jungle scent and frigid wind that came off of the high mountains in her valley, the sea breeze was crisp and clean.
The elegantly dressed black-haired woman beside her stole her attention. She felt a little bad for Violet; the youngest Spider Sister had been in a constant state of alertness since she’d been called to fulfill the role of her mother and hadn’t taken a single break. Her halo-like eyes scanned the skies, dozens of other senses searching for the faintest hint of danger to Elinor.
Iris needed to be saved, and their enemies dealt with … this wasn’t the kind of Empire she wanted to build, where she could be assassinated by a random blackbird monster at any moment … to live in fear.
Hikico’rova released a low hum, drawing the other soldier’s notice after his comments about the statue. “Because the butterflies the Empress created released Kimlira’s spirit to find her killer, and the butterflies that have been following us went into the Aviary Flight of the Morning Dew.”
“Yes, that was when it happened,” Romimaca replied with growing interest; they’d become a lot more talkative after being invited to speak. “The Empress had that discussion with the Empress of the Sea about returning her to life.”
“Mhm,” Hikico’rova’s head fell a little to stare at the ground. “And then we began to increase our movements after finding the Aviary Flight of the Morning Dew had been moved.”
Elinor was a little impressed by their breakdown, but one part of Hikico’rova’s account starkly stood out to her; of course, Sari’aél’s focus was elsewhere.
“… Aviary Flight of the Morning Dew … what an odd thing to call me.”
I suppose … how did he know about the conversation I had with Yesenia yesterday? As far as I know, he wasn’t on that detail. What do you think, Edmon?
“Hmm … word spreads swiftly among the Imperial Guard. It might not be for a nefarious purpose, but our entrance has put every eye on us and made every action we take a talking point for passing Guard chat.”
That does make sense, Elinor replied; if the Imperial Guard did nothing but patrol, stand in the same spot for hours on end, and had little else to do other than take note of who passed, then it would come to reason that gossip would be a significant interest on everyone’s tongue.
Nalveans didn’t have phones or modern entertainment methods to occupy their time, so discussion took place. It didn’t exactly have to be malicious; they were just new and exciting.
So, we need to be even more careful with what we say and do, yet … can we? If these foot soldiers could figure out we’re interested in the statue, then others will soon enough. Meaning … we can’t be careful while going after it; the longer we wait, the more people will know it is valuable to me.
Sari’aél still seemed to be stuck on the previous topic. “Where did they get that kind of name for me?”
Elinor chuckled internally, privately addressing her inquiry. It’s not a name they called you, but the artwork they crafted around you. They found your body among Ke’Thra’Ma’s collections and took you back as a symbol of power.
“They did not even recognize I had been alive … and how does taking a weak race’s artifact give them power?” Sari’aél questioned. “No, it is a symbol? They believe they are powerful by taking from conquered races … I do not follow the logic. Taking from the weak only shows that you are weak, unable to accomplish it yourself; pitiful behavior.”
Elinor couldn’t argue with that reasoning. You never took from those you conquered?
“Conquered?” She asked, floating down to stare at her. “The Children of the Sun do not conquer; the word you use implies there is some problem or weakness we must overcome. The Children of the Sun dominate by simply existing. Those that claim to be our enemies are of the highest hubris; we have none because all that have tried have only proven our power.”
The pride in this angel’s breast was something to behold; one day, she hoped to maybe see this Seraph’s home. I look forward to seeing it one day.
Sari’aél’s golden eyes fell to the cobblestone street, voice becoming quiet. “How would I see my people if I returned … weak?” A shiver ran down her frame, including her six wings; it was the first time she looked somewhat divided and a little scared.
What are you thinking?
“… How standing with my brothers and sisters might feel … the thought never crossed my mind while basking in the light of the Eternal Blood Sun, yet … if I were weak…”
She trailed off, deep in thought.
The two guards pulled her attention back, still discussing the random actions they’d taken throughout the day, currently on a discussion about her visit to Mocreln, the 1st Gatekeeper Shift Leader, and how strange the visit was; she went in for several minutes and then left.
“I appreciate your honesty,” she cut them off, which made their mouths snap shut. Once silence had been established again, she said, “It is nice knowing the Nalveans are becoming more interested in me than frightened; I expect to do a great deal of trading with your Empire, and peaceful relations is always preferred.”
““Thank you, Empress!””
After their response, they both retreated into their thoughts, and Elinor went to a new subject. They’d just passed the last of the palace gates and entered Gatekeeper Square; the area appeared to be quite busy with the constant travel between the palace and city, prime real-estate for a goods shop.
Klaus was making his way toward them at a moderate pace through the crowds, drawing eyes that soon found Elinor’s party; more than a quarter of the residence paused in some fashion to ogle them. On the other hand, at least one out of ten hurried out of sight … progress was being made.
Elinor stopped with her group to allow him to join.
“Empress!” He greeted with a bow; she was always impressed with how groomed he was; Emelina certainly had a good eye for men.
Klaus still wore his suit that Violet had crafted for him, which was fit to a T, and his combed back blonde hair had recently been conditioned by its shine. His blue irises casually swept the area before falling into line.
I’m glad you could make time. Now, Castella, how close are we to a shop that sells sweets?
Castella’s expression became somewhat strained while shifting directions to the right side of the gate. “I still do not understand the appeal of something scalding hot…”
Edmon, Klaus, and Elinor had the same reaction, her former father speaking up first.
“Hot? The Empress wants something sweet, not spicy.”
The former Lieutenant slowed to a stop, eyes swimming with confusion as she turned to Edmon. “Spicy … we weren’t talking about various powders. I thought we were going to get treats hot enough to burn a hole in your tongue? No, I said hot, not a mix of flavors … like Red Lanice inducing fire in your throat, hot enough to burn your tail on the way out.”
Sari’aél’s brow furrowed as she smiled. “Hot enough to burn your tail on the way out? What an interesting expression.”
Klaus’s hands tightened around his back with a thoughtful look. “Hold on … Empress, I believe we are coming across our first limitation or flaw in your communication skill?”
It took a moment for it to click in Elinor’s mind. A flaw in my … oh, Nalveans don’t have the same taste buds as humans.
Castella soon caught on. “You … actually think the Red Lanice is good?”
A thought came across Elinor’s mind that made her chuckle. Wait … how would you describe hot flavors?
“Sweet? Oh, wonderful!” The woman chimed. “I have a little sweetness with my morning cup of Koli Soup. So … you believe sweet flavors are like the Red Lanice … that’s weird.”
The guards observed them closely as Elinor’s soft laughter increased, standing on the side of the road with Nalveans watching their silent conversation like they were crazy.
The soup that I was poisoned with was supposed to be sweet, but it tasted like habaneros on my tongue! The poison was supposed to add to the sugary flavor.
“Those … concepts don’t mix in my mind, Empress,” Castella mumbled. “A habanero, or at least with how it is being translated, would be sweet … not like a Red Lanice.”
Elinor waved her hand dismissively. Hehe, it’s just funny, Castella; the way our biology works is entirely different, and so food that I think is sweet is actually hot to you. I suppose that is a weakness to my skill, Klaus. I’ll need to be more careful about it. Alright, Castella, bring us to the sweetest place you’ve got in this city.
Klaus and Edmon were also chuckling at the ridiculous discovery but trailed off as Violet stole their concentration.
“We are being watched … third building to our right, second window.”
Mmh? Elinor straightened, keeping her gaze away from the place with the rest of her party.
Edmon’s light tones returned to its grave nature. “A lot of people are watching us; what makes this one so special?”
“Intent. Unlike the others which show nervousness or interest, this individual is looking with purpose.”
It was impressive how the Thélméthra’s senses were so sharp that she could differentiate between how someone studied them.
“Malicious intent?” Klaus pushed, casually gazing around the square.
Castella swiftly added her own details. “The building is for out-of-city travelers.”
“An inn, hmm?” Edmon replied.
Violet’s focus darted to their right. “More Nalveans with the same intent are occasionally looking at you, but they are likely not together; I would need to get closer to identify the places a person has been and the taste of the people they’ve come into contact with.”
Well, they’re only observing for now, but do they have malicious intent?
“Currently, three are not strong enough to elicit immediate danger, but hovering on the edge of the knife.”
Elinor’s smirk returned, watching the crowds hurry along after their strange behavior. Let them watch, but keep a close eye on them. We must get some sweets, though. I couldn’t stand returning to Aileen and seeing her crestfallen face. Let’s go.
She wanted to add the little detail about her Head Maid and Ambassador getting some sweet alone time together but also didn’t want to hurt the mood. It could be enjoyed in silence.
Well, teasing Emelina was alright, but she wasn’t quite comfortable with doing it to Klaus for some reason; perhaps it was because he was a suave guy and Emelina a cute assassin woman … she didn’t care enough to deliberate on it, though.
Castella guided them down several long streets, passing carts pulled by large Torlim, the alligator-toad creatures the Ri’bot were so proud of. Each of the Ri’bot Clans was extremely dependent on them, and they didn’t appear to have all that many from what she’d seen, but the Nalveans had the domestication thing on lock. She started to wonder if they’d learned the craft from the salamander-people with the vast number passing through.
She got a few flashbacks to the first time she’d seen the monstrous things when it had dropped down from a house roof and started eating one of her kidnappers. Within just the short week and a half she’d been in this world, the memory of his snapping bones, shrieks, and dripping blood had become utterly desensitized. Of course, even while it was happening, she’d been relatively calm.
The city was clean, and large streams of red water were flowing in channels along the side of the streets with elegant bridges in crucial locations to go over them. All of the liquid appeared to come from the palace’s direction, returning to the great lakes, which meant they probably had some kind of massive pump and sewer system.
Shops were very different from what Elinor was used to, and it was strange watching people pay for goods with various colored shimmering gems. The insides of the buildings were crafted for the much larger race; Elinor felt like a child inside them.
Nalveans carried around the gems in elegantly designed pouches attached to their silken waist wrap. Certain products sparked more attention than others, like comparing Jordans to Nike, but other than a slightly different shape or aesthetic, they weren’t all that diverse to Elinor’s untrained eye. Castella couldn’t understand how she couldn’t spot the obvious styles that were lame or trendy.
There didn’t seem to be many department stores, and the few around the Capital were owned by the Trade Tycoons that ran chains across the Nalvean cities.
Supermarkets were more common, yet at a much smaller scale than Elinor was accustomed to, and it didn’t seem all that inclusive with the varieties they had to be called a Supermarket. Still, she managed to get several types of sweet products that Castella shuddered just handling.
Convenience stores were popular, but kind of disappointing with the selection. Elinor was used to walking into the small storefronts and seeing thousands of stuffed in products that you could select from, but these places had things like … spoons, odd wooden brands of dolls, a bucket of water and three types of jerky, a few makeup-like powders, flowers, and hygiene items, such as scale scrub brushes.
Maybe my standards are just too high… She mumbled to Edmon while spinning around the wooden figurine of a Frave, one of the large raccoon-like creatures in the jungle. It was very well made to be almost life-like, yet seemed too kiddish for her to actually take.
Edmon picked up one of the odd badger-like bat creatures on the lower shelf to study it; the store owner watched them closely. “Items like these might be handy for Tiffany … maybe I should get her one of each.”
A sly smile lit Elinor’s lips as she rose to her feet, brushing back her braid; right, she was sure Tiffany could use something like these for some voodoo magic but was that really the reason Edmon was thinking of getting her one? She doubted it.
Yeah, that would be nice. How many are there, Castella?
Castella released a constrained chuckle, forced to listen to her unimpressed complaints over the past twenty minutes while browsing between stores on the street she’d lead them to. “Empress, these are trendy items among Nalveans … collectibles. I myself have a few dozen. Tal’tamine is adamant about visiting the shopping districts to add to her collection. She has an incredible selection.”
“Oh?” Edmon asked. “Do they represent real creatures?”
“Of course,” Castella mumbled, walked to a new shelf, “how else would the crafters create such models; the rare ones are from the traveling merchants that go to the … mmh … the Golariex Holy Empire … the specialty stores,” she painfully mumbled, still unable to come to terms with the High Ruler’s betrayal to the Nalvean female standards.
“How many do you think there are?” Klaus asked, lifting an eyebrow while browsing through a few silken garments.
Castella glanced his way. “Umm … thousands and thousands … way more than I could really say, but … those are female tail wraps, Klaus … I’m just saying.”
Klaus’s focus shifted from her uncomfortable smile to the female store owner, giving him a stern look, and then to the two other customers, both eyeing his hands on the products. “I’m … guessing that a male touching these is inappropriate?” He asked, retreating from the racks of various lengths of silk.
“Uh … in short, yes, but … they’re more or less looking at you because they don’t know what you are.”
“Smooth,” Elinor mused.
He nodded with a sheepish chuckle. “Noted. I’ll need to ask some of my contacts to brush me up on Nalvean fashion.”
Elinor retreated from the store as Violet’s gaze moved to a particular Nalvean that had been tailing them, Edmon by her side. If we get the princess cured, she could be an excellent tutor … Violet, is she working up the courage to approach?
“Soon.”
Then we’ll wait. That reminds me, Klaus, anything more to add on the subject of the princess? Oh, and Castella, get one of each of those collectibles… perhaps engaging in some of the Nalvean merchandise, and hot collectible series will be a good talking point with the High Ruler.
She stood to the side of the street, most Nalveans avoiding them, but something interesting soon happened … the passersby began bowing and greeting her as Empress. It must have been someone from the palace that started it, but soon after, more and more caught on that she was nobility from out of the country; it could have also been Castella’s fashion, too.
While she waited, having multiple people bow and greet her, Castella went to get the rest of the items she wished to buy, putting them on the High Ruler’s tab. There were Discount Stores, Pawn Shops, Clothing Stores, and Drug Stores none of which had the heavy regulations the U.S. had, there were even Private Stores that you had to be invited to in order to gain entry.
Restaurants were also shockingly diverse since they had to compete with others, boasting special recipes, seasonal choices, and many unique dishes from other cultures that they’d learned during the Fire Wars.
Sari’aél was having the time of her life passing between buildings; most of the residents didn’t even notice the butterflies, and those that did mainly passed them off, but a few smaller Nalveans, likely children, were making a game out of trying to catch them.
The whole experience was new to the Seraph; she listened, watched, and studied the products with wonder. She’d never seen so many items; the Children of the Sun lived rather modest and practical lives considering their extreme power. The customs and details Castella talked about fascinated her curiosity about other cultures.
Klaus informed her about the mission while Castella did the shopping.
“I’ve isolated the person that most likely would have done the operation; he is a very old Nalvean, which happens to link with the High Ruler’s secret garden.”
Edmon told you? She asked, glancing up at her Doom Guard to her right; Violet had returned to her original form, clinging to the side of the building above her to not be an invisible wall people could run into.
“I did.”
Hmm … okay. Continue.
“Grand Designer Jumi’kerune is his name, but he only worked as a private contractor after the Fire Wars; his ancestors created the gem and water technology the Empire uses for communication and hydraulics, among other things. He fits the profile perfectly and lives on an estate across the Sea Grass Plains.”
Family?
“None that the Shadow Hand nor I am aware of; he has been in contact with one high-ranking Shadow Hand member that runs the outfit in Joru’Kora’s City-State. Imiunarus and Camellia managed to get you an invitation to Joru’Kora’s palace, but that would come into play after the High Ruler is finished with negotiations.
“As to the Shadow Hand Leader in that section, my contacts aren’t of the proper rank to have much information. Due to my silent take-over of parts of the organization, I am left with limited knowledge over most of the network; I’m discovering the higher-echelons are very cautious, and I don’t want to tip them off with how much support I’ve gained.
“Still, Jumi’kerune is one of the few Untouchables within the Nalvean Empire; even if the Shadow Hand got a hit on him, they would refuse the contract.”
Edmon folded his arms across his chest, drawing eyes and causing several nearby Nalveans to bow and hurry along with their children. “He’s an Untouchable … high-ranking contacts with the High Ruler?”
“As far as I can tell … everyone that’s important,” Klaus uneasily replied. “I’m glad we sent Camellia, Lacra’Moro, and Imiunarus as a unit … given what I’ve heard about him … I’m a bit uneasy about this capture.”
What’s the primary reason for your unease? Elinor asked, vision narrowing. Is he strong enough to give them trouble?
“I can’t be sure,” Klaus sighed. “Jumi’kerune is 286 years old, which would be roughly 90 or so in human years … no, older because of the extra hours in a day … well into his 100s. He should have died decades ago by Nalvean average mortality, which is in the latter half of the 200s.
“He designed the High Ruler’s secret chamber, which means he can be trusted by the Crown, renown enough to be on the blacklist for the Shadow Hand, and appears to have practicing knowledge of ancient technology that probably links with Demon.”
“Mmh,” now Edmon sounded troubled, “so … he’s probably a high-ranking agent of Demon within the Nalvean Empire.”
“That’s where I’m leaning right now, but we cannot get back in touch with Camellia at this time, and she was sent before I could verify any of this information.”
Sari’aél hovered back over to her, causing the children to pause in their game with sad expressions, seeming to know they shouldn’t approach her with the massive black-armored knight beside her.
The angel’s slight excitement had diminished, and her passive smile in place with her hands behind her back. “You think a lot about this Demon personage; is he really such a … thorn in your side?” She asked, testing out the comparison that she’d learned from Emelina’s conversations with Aileen.
Elinor sent her a private response. I would love not to think of the creep, but yes … yes, he is a thorn in my side.
“Hmm…” The Seraph responded, thinking about it before returning to her random adventures; the kids happily chased after the flaming butterflies again with shouts of joy, loving it when their nets would pass right through them. They soon moved to try to use their hands.
She sighed. In short, you don’t know why the Shadow Hand doesn’t target him. Right?
“I suspect it’s connections, but … no, I cannot be sure.”
A thought came like bitter water on her tongue. So … what if they don’t attack him because they can’t.
“Possible … Imiunarus was the one that informed me about his Untouchable status within the Shadow Hand. He should be cautious when approaching his estate.”
Let’s hope. Elinor mumbled. I have enough trouble with getting Sari’aél’s body back.
She made a note of everyone in her Nexus, following their general directions with her eyes. Camellia’s group would have probably just gotten to the hilly grasslands with the distance she’d seen on a map and would have to travel relentlessly through the day and part of the night to reach the estate—a journey that generally took Nalveans days to arrive even with decent transportation.
Kimlira was still in the process of sucking out emotions in the palace, gorging herself on their energy, which would almost have no visible effect on the Nalveans because of how weak she was, yet given the volume of people, it was only a matter of time until she could manifest.
Iris was still alive, but that was all she could tell from this distance … it didn’t make any sense to Elinor, and she started to worry again. How could Iris be dead? She had to be captured, but to overpower Iris—overly cautious and calculated perfection, Iris? She’d rather die than be humiliated or give information about Elinor to the enemy, which meant whoever did it had to be incredibly strong—far more powerful than Baxter.
Sari’aél, the extremely proud Seraph, was her only option; if everything the angel said was true, and judging by the colossal, nigh-infinite amount of power she felt from the woman, she wasn’t bluffing.
Her hopes soon arrived with a Nalvean woman who came up with a few others to bow; this had been one of the nine separate individuals keeping surveillance on her.
“Empress Elinor,” she greeted with a deep bow; she had a slight lisp like Castella once had. “I was sent by Stateswoman Lukuroha to seek an audience.”
Stateswoman Lukuroha?! Elinor growled. You must be kidding me! The ruler over the far western province?
Violet’s response caused Elinor’s rage to trip, though. “She smells of Statesman Baltoma … they had intercourse recently … with Prince Micru’jire within twelve hours of that.”
“Intriguing,” Edmon mumbled. “Perhaps it is something we can push to find answers. We should go with her; others might try to intercept to push us to see their client or master first.”
Klaus studied the Nalvean woman as she began to fidget with the silent treatment Elinor was giving her invitation, ghostly green eyes less than welcoming. “I agree. I did not expect this turn of events … so many intricate social weavings within the palace.
“How does this connect?” Edmon asked. “She comes at Statewoman Lukuroha’s request and yet has slept with two very prominent members within different factions in the higher circles of the Royal Court.”
… Well, at least it’s something connected to Baltoma, Elinor grumbled, watching Castella return with a handful of items in a rough fur-skin bag that she’d grabbed from the shop to carry their stuff. Do you know this woman, Castella?
“Umm … no, but she wears the shape and seal of Stateswoman Lukuroha’s personal attendants … not very well, might I add,” she stated with a slight glare at the woman’s folded silk around her tail, arms, legs, torso, and neck. “I’d question if she were really from the Stateswoman’s circles with the sloppy manner she folded the chest and left leg.”
Elinor was a little surprised with how critical Castella was about Nalvean fashion, but considering it represented position, it made sense since she was a high-ranking Imperial Guard and needed to know who was what and in which area of the palace. In fact, few would probably know enough about the different City-State colors and proper silk positions like her Elite Warrior.
“So … she may not be with Lukuroha. Is what you’re saying?” Edmon mused. “We have a chameleon on our hands, which makes sense with the meeting being so close; Kukuroha will long be in the middle of it by the time we make it inside the palace.”
“The plot thickens,” Klaus hummed.
Elinor refrained from releasing a tired sigh. “I’m in your care,” she replied, causing the possible imposter to lower herself further in acknowledgment before rising and gesturing them back toward the palace.
Falling into line, Elinor shifted her gaze to Castella’s bulging bag. You have the sweets?
“Yes, Empress … I have them,” she mumbled, shivering slightly while glancing down at the bag; she couldn’t imagine anyone eating the hot items that were rarely ever used by Nalveans … yet there was a small demand which kept them in stock.
Let’s see what trap we spring next, Elinor mumbled.
It was 9:47 A.M.; the closed-door meeting would have started well before they arrived, which the Stateswoman should be in attendance … something else was in the works, and they wanted her to know it or had made a critical mistake. Either way, it was an unexpected turn of events.
Maps:
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