Chapter 482: The Next Lord of the High Pass
Sitting next to Nyrielle, Ashlynn took a deep breath and tried to still her beating heart, or at least quiet it enough for her to take comfort in the calm, steady echo of Nyrielle’s heartbeat within her chest.
They had discussed what was to come and worked hard to build toward this moment, but until they arrived at the conclusion, every step felt like it was taken on thin ice over a vast chasm. Hauke’s momentary escape from his curse had given her great hope, both for her friend and for the future of the High Pass, but now, as the final moment was upon them, she couldn’t help but tremble with anxiety that something would go wrong at the end.
"Last night, Lord Ritchel fell in single combat against the Thistle Witch," Nyrielle said, shocking everyone in the hall with what seemed to be a decision to grant the throne of the High Pass to Talauia by right of conquest.
"If this was enough to lose his place as Eldritch Lord of the High Pass, then no lord would ever risk their thones to stand in battle with their own army," Nyrielle continued before someone like the young Darfrir could raise a fuss.
"There are times when a lord must suffer a personal defeat for his nation to claim victory. Because we understand this, even though she defeated Lord Ritchel, the Thistle Witch Talauia will not claim the throne of the High Pass," Nyrielle said. "Unless you wish to contest my judgment?" she asked, raising a dark eyebrow at the winged witch.
"Not at all, not at all," Talauia said, hovering above her seat with wings that beat rapidly. "I cannot, cannot rule this place at all," she declared before any of the people who still looked her with eyes filled with hostility over the death of the Honor Guard could make trouble for her. "I never wanted to take the High Pass. I just wanted, just wanted to break his sorcery and free Auntie Ashlynn."
"You did the right thing, Talauia," Ashlynn said with a gentle, reassuring look. "If you and Sir Ignatious hadn’t done what you did to break the ice prison, I might have fallen to the ancestors. If that had happened, I doubt that anyone would have survived the aftermath of my death," she said, reaching out for Nyrielle and lacing her fingers through the other woman’s hand.
"So if not the Thistle Witch by right of conquest," Commander Jannik said, standing up and squaring his shoulders as he faced the two women on the dais. "Then who will take the throne of the High Pass? Do you intend to open the floor for challengers now?" the dark-furred Frost Walker asked, flexing his claws with eagerness at the notion.
"There has already been a challenge issued for the Throne of the High Pass," Nyrielle said smoothly as though she had anticipated the question. "The spirits of your ancestors issued a challenge, hoping to claim the throne directly. My Seneschal Ashlynn answered that challenge, defeating them in single combat."