The Red Hand

Interlude 25 – A Tense Ride and a Meeting.

"It's been quite some time since I've last had the pleasure of visiting the Whistlewoods. Kialru is truly a wonderful City. I really should come more often." Jacabey said with a warm smile as he tried to make conversation with the male Elf seated across from him.

The Halfling had gotten his wish and was appointed as the official Ambassador for the quickly growing Alliance of Nations, and was immediately tasked with bringing the Elves, Dark Elves, and the Dwarves on board for the coming battle with the Demon Lord. Naturally, he would do his utmost to ensure the success of his mission and had absolutely no ulterior motives. "I can understand why the Elves of the Whistlewoods wish to pass the time in such a peaceful place, but I do think it would be best to open up a bit more. What say you, Lord Nolan?" Jacabey said to his 'conversation partner;' the scowl on his face saying more than any words could.

"I say that all outsiders do is bring trouble." Nolan said with a blunt snort. "Every time those outside the Whistlewoods seek to engage with our people, it always bodes poorly. Elves are better off keeping away from the rabble."

Nolan was one of the three children of the current Elven Primarch, and he, along with his twin sister, were front-runners for succession. The Elven 'monarchy' worked similarly to that of the Demon Kingdom, though eligibility was restricted to those of the Royal family's direct lineage, and the current Primarch had the final say as to who their successor would be. At present, the current Primarch of the Elves was Eordren, an ancient and powerful Elf who'd lived so long that he'd actually fought in the war against Vikes four thousand years ago. Such longevity was unusual, even for an Elf, and it was that horrible experience that drove him to withdraw the Elven Kingdom from international affairs for the better part of the last two thousand years once he took charge.

"And yet the fact that the Primarch has accepted my meeting tells me everything I need to know." Jacabey smiled, showing a grin that only made the Elf grimace more.

"My Father fought in the war against Vikes, and now a second one of those vile creatures is tearing up the land and threatening to unravel everything he worked so hard to build." Nolan huffed. "Even we cannot ignore such events so easily."

"No matter how much you wish to be left alone, the world outside won't allow it, right?" Jacabey laughed. "If things were that simple, then I doubt we'd see any conflict in this world."

"Tell me, are the Gods truly so desperate that they'd consider pardoning our Dark Kin?" Nolan said as his sharp gaze cut through the Halfling's laughter.

"My, wherever did you hear something like that?" Jacabey stopped laughing and decided to play stupid. "And I don't believe we've discussed any of the negotiation points in detail since your carriage picked me up. Freeing the Dark Elves from their punishment would be a great concession indeed."

"Drop your usual airs, Halfling. You're high-ranked enough in Confederation political affairs to understand that while our people are secluded in our forest, that does not mean we are ignorant of the goings on of the outside world." Nolan said as he tapped the back of his hand on the carriage's window. "You would do well to remember that."

"True, true." Jacabey smiled, his glasses momentarily glinting in the light as he adjusted them. "Perhaps we can have a candid discussion then? After all, you are the current heir to the throne."

{Elven intelligence gathering is on an entirely different level to that of the Empire and the Confederation, as much as it pains me to admit. They likely already know everything I plan to discuss, which would explain why one of their messengers sought me out instead of the other way around. Though compared to Lady Akagi's forces... Well, that's hardly a fair comparison, isn't it?} (Jacabey)

"What exactly is your game?" Nolan said, breaking his prior facade of at least some

amicability and now exhibiting explicit hostility toward the Halfling. "A man of your type does not play a simple errand boy for anyone, even Gods.""My game..." Jacabey hummed for a moment as he carefully organized his thoughts. "I suppose I'm merely doing what's in my best interest. Naturally, surviving is the most beneficial thing I can do. Can't make money if you're dead after all."

"Survival is indeed important, but..." Nolan said as he swiftly drew and placed a thin blade to Jacabey's neck. "For some reason, I'm not convinced that's all there is to this." He said, the two men locking eyes as a tense quiet overtook the carriage.

"Whatever could you mean?" Jacabey continued to smile, not flinching as a blade was only inches from his throat while continuing to meet the Elf's gaze.

"You're playing a bigger game." Nolan growled, seeming to read the Halfling like a book. "I know your kind well. Even if I believe your claim that this is all done in the name of survival, that does not explain your direct involvement at this level." He continued as Jacabey held his poker face, something that only irritated him more. "You are the kind of man to sit back in the shadows and allow his minions to do the heavy lifting. But here you are actively playing diplomat and deal maker. That goes against everything I know about you."

"I took direct action during the Spirit War, did I not?" Jacabey said as his glasses glinted in the sunlight that pierced through the thick canopy. "I provided training, money, gear, and much else to the Heroes to equip and train them into what they became today. Why is it strange that I'd do the same here? When the world is once again at risk?"

{He's got a sharp wit, I'll admit that. And where one would think him hot headed I can see him for what he truly is... If this man ever takes the throne, I can already smell war.} (Jacabey)

"It is that question which makes me want to cut off your head and send your corpse back to the Gods as a warning." Nolan said as he withdrew his blade. "You are the worst kind of man, merchant. You scheme and connive at the expense of others. Men like you never take action for altruistic reasons. That you seem to be doing so now makes me... I'd say suspicious, but that word doesn't even begin to capture my skepticism of you." He said as the carriage passed over a bump in the road.

"You say you're suspicious of me, and yet my head is still attached to my body." Jacabey chuckled as they crossed under a large stone arch that marked the entrance to the Elven Capital. It was a large settlement with many of its structures either built onto or within the large trees of the Whistlewoods. Tens of thousands of Elves called Kialru home, and where the Imperial or Confederate Capital were of a cosmopolitan make, the Elven Capital was generally homogeneous. Though surprisingly the streets were quite busy as other races went about their business without much issue. The Wood Elves were notoriously isolationist and xenophobic even before Eordren's rule, but over the last few thousand years, these traits only became more prominent. Outsiders were tolerated due to the fact that their wares and services brought in a great deal of wealth, but most believed their usefulness stopped there.

"I only stay my blade in deference to my Father's judgment." Nolan said as the carriage continued down the main road. "He has invited you to speak with him, and I shall not allow my own judgment to supersede his, but..." He paused, glaring at the Halfling. "If I find that you've come with ill intentions for my people, I'll ensure that even the Gods couldn't resurrect you."

"Hah, Hah!" Jacabey laughed loudly. "Then we shall have no problems, my friend! I assure you that my intentions here are earnest and true. I merely seek to foster cooperation and friendship between the races so that we might guarantee peace for future generations. And believe you me, I believe that once I've finished speaking to Lord Eordren, you will be glad that I've come."

{I do hope Lady Akagi forgives me for going a bit off script here, but I think the results will speak for themselves, especially given I know what she intends to do during the pending conflict in the Demon Kingdom.} (Jacabey)

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"Disrepair doesn't even begin to describe this place..." Sol sighed as she examined the dust-coated interior of the Temple, lighting a set of torches with a flick of her wrist. "But I suppose that is to be expected. After all, I doubt anyone other than the Fairies has set foot in this place in over a thousand years." She said as she examined a large carving above her. It had a humanoid shape, though instead of one head, it had two. Each wore a mask, one crying and one laughing, with a large plume jutting out from the top. It was an eerie sight, only compounded by the creaking and groaning of the Temple that one could easily mistake for laughter.

"It was for the best that outsiders stopped coming." Alm said as she approached Sol from behind, removing her hood and allowing her now purple eyes to glint from the torchlight that flickered around the room. "They would just get in the way. I only hope that the Fairies remember what I told them all those thousands of years ago. If not, then my plan may all be for not. Hopefully the scatter brained fools will have kept their word."

"I think we'll be all right. But I'd like to talk about the cute form you've gotten for yourself, Kalego." Sol chuckled as she admired Alm's adorable appearance which was far different to the Primordial she'd once known.

"My name is Alm." Alm hissed, unhappy about being referred to by the name of the Chaos Primordial. "Inheritor I may be but you will not refer to me by that name, anomaly."

"Fine, fine." Sol said as she put her hands up in a mocking fashion that only annoyed Alm more. "No need to get all mad. You'll ruin that cute little face of yours with all that scowling." She snickered.

"Enough chatter. Tell me, has your awakening gone well?" Alm asked, trying to get back on track as she walked over to a dusty stone table and used wind magic to clean it off, her eyes briefly showing something akin to nostalgia. "Were there any side effects from absorption and integration?"

"Besides sleeping for over three thousand years, no." Sol shook her head as the walls in the room sprang to life as an orange light ran through patterns on the wall much like blood through a person's arteries as it traced its way to the carving. "It will take a bit more time for my body to adjust, but I should be ready for the next phase at least."

"Good." Alm said as she looked at the large carving that was now glowing as the light flowed into its crevices. "Then we must ensure that everything is in place for the Demon Lord's arrival, and for what happens after that."

"Do you really think she'll choose Halifax?" Sol asked as a small stairway opened at the base of the wall in front of the carving. "It would make far more sense to cast her aside and take the quicker and easier route to end the Gods."

"I can't say for certain what path she will choose for this world. All we can do is hope and prepare for that possibility." Alm said as she turned back to Sol. "That is the only way to preserve even a fraction of this world and its people. So we have no choice but to pin our hopes on that single choice.” She said, the reborn Primordial's eyes locking with Sol's in a manner that reminded her that despite the cute exterior she was an ancient and powerful being on the inside. “Now, come, we have much to do. To start, you must slay the one sealed below this place. Their power will be necessary if we are to use the Gods' own machinations against them." She said as the two slowly descended the dark stairs.

Spoiler

Nolan!

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