Chapter 4600: Common Interests (Part 2)

"Allow me to thank you on behalf of my people for your continued support and for once again coming to our aid in our time of need."

"Thank you, but it’s not necessary." Lith shook his head. "You and the people of Setraliie have been loyal allies of the Griffon Kingdom. As its protector, it’s only fair for me to help you and ensure our peoples can thrive in harmony."

He noticed that while Le’Ahy looked at him like the best Christmas present she could have asked for, the male elf seemed mildly impressed by Tista’s figure, if not underwhelmed.

"Oh, gods, where are my manners?" Le’Ahy didn’t need to introduce herself since everyone in the room already knew her, but the same couldn’t be said about her companion. "This is Ji’ner Leafwind, Sun Elf and representative of the vine city of Medolin."

The elf lord brought his right palm to his heart and patted his chest once as Le’Ahy introduced them.

"Lord Leafwind, these are Lord Morok Ernas, Lady Tista Verhen, Lady Solus Verhen, and Lady Aalejah Eventide, liaison between the Garlen Council and all vine cities. You already know the members of Tarna’s potentate and Zelex’s Senate."

"It’s an honor to meet you all, and a pleasure to see you’re in good health, Queen Syrah. I wish you and your aides a long life." The elf lord replied.

"The pleasure is mine, Lord Leafwind." Syrah and the members of Zelex’s Senate didn’t like the elf’s compassionate tone, but they had grown used to it during their past diplomatic visits.

With their peerless beauty and long lives, elves couldn’t help but pity creatures doomed to a fleeting existence and plagued by defective bodies like the people of Zelex.

The elves lived in the isolation of the Fringes by choice and were free to leave them, whereas the people of Zelex were prisoners of the mana geyser they lived on as much as of their own bodies.

Most elves treated Syrah and her people as terminal patients, and addressed them with a kindness that bordered on condescension.

"Please, call me Ji’ner. We’re all friends here." He said, offering the Hati Queen his hand, which she shook.

’Are we?’ She thought, her nostrils flaring slightly in annoyance.

"Only if you call me Syrah, dear Ji’ner." She replied.

"If that’s your wish, Syrah, so be it." Ji’ner replied and turned to Solus. "I know you’ve been wronged by the mad M’Rael and the even madder World Tree, Lady Solus, but let me assure you not all elves are bad."

He knelt to her in honest contrition.

"I thank you for overlooking the past transgressions of the rotten apples among my people and being here despite the bloody ties we share. If there’s anything I can do to put your mind at ease, just say the word.

"I can leave Tarna and attend the meeting through my communication amulet if my presence upsets you."

"You’re very kind, Ji’ner, but it won’t be necessary." Solus’ trauma was making her quiver slightly, but all her senses reassured her the elf lord was telling the truth. "Blaming all elves for the crimes of a few would be as unfair as blaming the Verhen family for the Dead King’s crimes. Also, please, just call me Solus.

Aalejah breached Awakened etiquette by looking at him with Soul Vision and reassured Solus with a mind link, helping her put her rampant paranoia to rest.

"As you wish, Solus." Ji’ner smiled at her, but not as brightly as he smiled at Lith. "Lord, no, Magus Verhen. I’ve heard amazing things about you, but this isn’t how I pictured you. Are you-"

"I’m sorry to interrupt you, Lord Leafwind, but we have... unexpected guests." Mekhar’s silvery fur seemed to turn paler as he interrupted the elf lord, and Syrah turning her head toward the door with her fangs bared was a clear sign the newcomers were bad news.

The door to the meeting room opened a few seconds later, letting Raagu in. Behind her came Abthot and Theseus, both in their Eldritch forms.

"I’m sorry for being late, but as you can see, I brought valuable allies with me." The Human Representative greeted everyone with a slight nod. "Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to two members of the Organization, a probationary member of the Garlen Council.

"These are Abthot and Theseus. I apologize for bringing them unannounced, but I learned of their interest in the matter only a few minutes ago, and I spent the time before our arrival questioning them about their motives."

"When you put it like this, you make it sound like we are your prisoners, Raagu, and we both know that’s impossible." Abthot sneered. "Moreover, let me be clear. I requested to participate in this meeting because *I’m* interested in the matter.

"Theseus accompanied me solely because I’m not allowed to move alone, and bringing my usual partner, Orulm the Breaker, was more likely to trigger a war rather than avoid it."

Orulm’s mention made even Peonia stiffen in reflex; color drained from her face. Only the people of Zelex showed no reaction, and only because, after living in isolation all their lives, they had no idea who the Breaker was.

Theseus smiled and waved at Solus like a happy child. He had volunteered to accompany Abthot to meet the daughter of her favorite painter again. The Bastet was so excited that black wings popped out of his back and fluttered wildly.

"Please, Lady Abthot, explain the reason for your presence here to us as well." Syrah’s voice came out as a growl. "I’ve never heard about one of your kind treasuring peace over bloodshed."

The Hati Queen’s knowledge about Eldritches was limited to what she had learned from the Council and the books on the Web, but Abthot and Theseus resembled the evil demons of legend too much for any member of the Fallen Races to trust them.

"It’s a rare event, but not as much as our bad reputation might lead you to think, Your Majesty. The members of the Organization aren’t bloodthirsty monsters anymore. That’s the one thing all of us have in common with your people." Abthot gave Syrah a polite nod.

"As for me, I’m a special case. I have two more things in common with those assembled here and as many reasons to participate in this meeting. This is one." The Eldritch’s energy body shapeshifted into the lithe figure of an elf.

Abthot now had pale rosy skin, forest-green eyes, raven-black hair streaked silver and blue, and exuded a soft silver light. Her body carried the lithe grace and lethality of a night hunter, and every one of her movements seemed to be followed by a gentle breeze.

"A Moon Elf?" Ji’ner was flabbergasted.

"Not any Moon Elf. Look at her clothes!" Aalejah pointed at Abthot.

After shapeshifting, she wore a simple mottled suit comprised of pants, a shirt, a leather hunting jacket, a cloak, and elvish boots that stuck to her delicate feet like a second skin and were so flexible they made no noise as she moved.

The longer she stood still, the more her clothes changed color to mimic their surroundings, making Abthot’s figure blur until she became nigh-invisible. Her smell, energy signature, and even her aura slowly faded into the background.

Yet it wasn’t camouflage or the effect of a cloaking item.