V2Ch70-Harpy Meeting
“That’s why I request that you appoint me as war chief,” Tybalt finished.
“Your envoy also indicated that you wished to be considered for elevation… to a higher position than war chief,” said the harpies’ Eldest, a gray-haired and gray feathered woman named Allegra, one eyebrow raised skeptically.
There was a murmur of agreement from the other Elders around her, and some of the women nodded as well. This Council of Elders was entirely female, since all harpies were women, which made for a very different dynamic in discussion with them.
Far fewer interruptions, much better manners, less open disagreement - though Tybalt understood that behind the scenes, their apparent unity might not be as strong as it seemed on its face.
“I am seeking the crown, yes,” Tybalt replied unabashedly. “In these trying times, the tribes should be speaking with one voice, acting as one body, taking care of each other like brothers and sisters. Surely you have seen this need. What kind of sense does it make for me to have separate meetings with the cat council, the harpy council, the ibex council, and the fox council, before we act against an enemy who wants all the beastfolk exterminated? What opportunities might we lose acting so indecisively? Is it truly acceptable for one tribe to leave another to fend for itself when the Army threatens all?”
“You raise good points, Lord Necromancer,” Allegra said. “Please excuse us for a few minutes to consider your two proposals.”
Tybalt bowed his head slightly and rose. Vidalia and Dero got up alongside him. He had asked the dark elf to accompany them while Kistana was unwell, though it was actually mainly for moments like this.
They stepped out of the harpy village chief’s house and moved along the cliffside until they reached the border of the village.
Tybalt was certain they were outside of harpy or beastfolk hearing range when he asked Dero, “Well? What are they saying?”
The elf scrunched her face as if concentrating hard.
“Oh, it’s difficult,” she said, putting a finger to her chin. She closed her eyes. “So hard to hear. So far away. Um, something about an arrogant outsider who needs to learn his place… Sorry, that’s the best I can do!”
Tybalt’s eye twitched. Beside him, Vidalia barely kept from laughing out loud, covering her mouth with one hand.
“You need to lighten up, Tybalt,” Dero said after a moment, smirking. “Look at your little girlfriend there, she knows how to appreciate a joke.”
“Yes, my little vixen is very mischievous,” the necromancer replied. “I’m not surprised that the two of you are getting along now.”
“Hey, I - I behave!” Vidalia protested feebly.
Tybalt swatted her ass.
“You’re mischievous,” he replied, then turned to Dero. “Now, seriously, what did you hear?”
“I like watching you two interact,” the dark elf said. “It’s cute. Easy to forget you have that side of you if I don’t see you with your harem.”
The necromancer raised an eyebrow at the word choice.
“That’s what it fucking is,” Dero said, shaking her head. “Anyway, they like you and think you’re a very nice young man. After everything you’ve done, and all the good stuff a certain harpy named Tatiana has said about you - she’s the grandchild of a woman named Elder Valeria - they think you’d be a good king, or a good husband for any of their granddaughters, but…”
“What?” Vidalia asked, suddenly just as impatient as Tybalt.
“They don’t like to be out on a limb, declaring things like that on their own,” Dero said, shrugging.
“The harpies’ Council of Elders is afraid to make a decision that other people might not agree with?” Tybalt asked slowly.
How do they lead anything?
“It would be easier for them if one of the other tribes would come out and declare you were the Beastking instead of them having to do it,” Vidalia said. “Is that the only problem? The cat tribe will declare for him, and then- ” But she stopped mid-sentence.
“Unfortunately, they don’t seem to be thinking about the catfolk,” Dero said. “They specifically mentioned the ibex and fox tribes. Or maybe if you were willing to marry one of their granddaughters…”
The necromancer and the foxgirl exchanged a quick glance. They had already discussed the reality that the harpy tribe, being entirely female, was always concerned with finding partners for their offspring. But there was no political advantage to marrying one of them, Vidalia had pointed out, because it would create one grateful grandmother and seven jealous ones.
“There is a bit of distance between the catfolk tribe and the others, we know that,” Tybalt replied, ignoring the comment about marriage. “Fine then. What’s the word on the war chief appointment?”
“Oh, did that one matter to you?” the elf asked. “Are you sure you want to bother if they’re not ready to bow down and make you king?”
“Only insofar as their survival matters to me,” he said. “We have enemies who must be destroyed, and the beastfolk need to get real battle experience in order to be useful against the actual trained soldiers later.”
“Right, they have to kill innocent humans so they’ll be strong enough to fight off the soldiers and protect the… innocent beastfolk here,” Dero said, tongue literally in cheek as she finished.
“Yeah, and I got a level in pestilence mage in my sleep last night, which means the virus you helped me spread to those innocent humans is finally taking root,” Tybalt replied, sticking his tongue out at her in response. “If the beastfolk don’t go and attack them in the next few weeks, we’re going to lose our opportunity. Because the humans will be dead. Thanks to your hard work. As much as that would be good for my experience in both classes, I’m not really the one who needs it right now. Our little army’s not going to be much good if we don’t train it more.”
“Lord Necromancer!” a voice called from just beyond the nearest hut. “Lord Necromancer?”
“We’re coming!” Tybalt said.
As they reentered the Council’s presence, the necromancer took in the expressions on the Elders’ faces. He was surprised to find they looked a bit nervous.
I shouldn’t be shocked. They know they’re about to announce a decision I won’t like, and from their point of view, I am someone important. Sounds so strange to say it, even in my head. I’m someone important. But it’s true. I am.
“We would like to delay a decision on appointing you as our choice for the next Beastking, Lord Necromancer,” said Eldest Allegra. “However, we are ready, based on your compelling words and your reputation, to vote you power as the War Chief for the harpy tribe.”
Tybalt forced a smile, and he saw relief blossom on a few faces.
“I do not believe this will be sufficient, in the end,” he said, “but I thank the wise harpies for their willingness to appoint me to a position of such responsibility. I hope I will prove myself worthy of your trust. Then we can discuss the delayed decision again.”
Old women around him nodded with approval at his words, and without hiding her apparent relief, the Eldest agreed.
“It will be good to see you again after our people have won a victory or two under your command, Lord Necromancer,” Allegra said. “Thank you again for your visit and your courtesy.”
“It has been a pleasure visiting you, as it was meeting you before,” Tybalt replied. “May Lord Mudo watch over and protect you all.”
“Um, thanks also to our lord for his willingness to invest two of our tribe’s members with priestly authority,” added a wrinkled woman with gray feathers. “Despite the fact that some other tribes might not look so kindly upon it.”
Vidalia said she was Elder Renata, I think.
“There was no good reason to continue the tradition of a single-sex priesthood,” the necromancer replied in what he hoped sounded like a solemn, pious voice. “We must all pull together, not allow ourselves to be caught up in divisive games of status and separation.”
“You actually sounded almost wise there, Tybalt,” Dero said as the three walked away from the meeting.
“I’m almost thankful for your words,” he replied. “They were almost kind.”
Vidalia just looked amused at the exchange.
“What next?” Dero asked, turning to the foxgirl.
“Tomorrow we meet with the ibexfolk,” Vidalia replied. She gave what looked to Tybalt like a slightly pained smile. “However the two of you felt about today, I think you’ll find tomorrow will be worse.”
“Well, I never expected this to be easy,” Tybalt said mildly. “No one instantly wins a crown.”
“The ibex tribe is very traditional,” Vidalia said carefully. “In a sense that’s different from all of the other tribes.”
“I have a strange feeling about this,” said Dero.
“I’ll say more back at the hut,” Vidalia said.
“All right, I’m not waiting, both of you hold on,” the dark elf said. She looped arms with both Tybalt and Vidalia, and suddenly they found themselves outside of Tybalt’s hut.
“Right, that’s very convenient,” the foxgirl said brightly, without any indication of surprise.
Was that her way of getting Dero to teleport us without having to ask her? I know Vidalia’s legs get tired. Did… she already figure out how to get Dero to do what she wants?
The foxgirl stepped into the hut, and Dero followed after with just a quick look back at Tybalt first. He couldn’t help noticing her toned lower half as she entered.
Don’t look at Dero that way, he thought. She’s so sour, I can’t imagine her… Well, actually, I can. Cursing creatively all the way. Probably moaning loudly too. More accurately, I shouldn’t imagine her as anything other than a useful asset I have to watch carefully. Because that’s what she is.
“Did you miss us?” Vidalia was saying as Tybalt entered. She had quickly approached Victoria and embraced her after going into the hut. The words were spoken as Vidalia pulled back.
“You’re back sooner than I expected,” Victoria said.
“Tell us about the ibex tribe,” Dero said, tapping her foot. “Come on.”
At the same time that the three of them spoke, Mariella entered the hut from behind Tybalt and planted a gentle kiss on the side of his neck.
“I missed you, my lord,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around his waist.
“Missed you too,” he whispered. “Thanks for taking care of the children.”
“They mostly take care of themselves,” Mariella said. “You know they already know how to read?”
Tybalt smiled in response, reached back to put an arm around the fire mage’s waist, and then focused on the conversation happening in front of them.
“We’re back sooner thanks to Dero,” Vidalia was saying. “I was going to tell them about the ibex tribe once we got back here, and our new friend just couldn’t wait.”
“Right,” Victoria said, sighing. “You’re meeting with them tomorrow, aren’t you?”
“‘You’re,’ as in excluding yourself?” Vidalia asked, frowning.
“I… have plans,” Victoria said. “And the ibex tribe are…”
“Yes, we both know how the ibexfolk are,” Vidalia said. “That’s why we need you.”
“Hey, someone tell me how the ibexfolk are!” Dero interjected.
“Right,” said Victoria. “Well, they value masculinity and everything associated with it.” She looked at her twin. “I guess I’ll go with you. I wasn’t that enthusiastic about my existing plans anyway, and it’s true that one additional woman might make a little difference.”
“If they value masculinity, what exactly is the point of dragging Vicky along?” Tybalt asked. He looked at her and then to Vidalia as he continued, “No offense, I think you both contribute a lot, but you’re not exactly masculine.”
“The status you hold there is usually correlated in part with the number of females you… control,” Victoria said after a moment, keeping her expression as deadpan as she could.
Dero pulled a face. “Charming.”
“I insist on coming,” interjected Kistana sleepily from her place curled up by the fire. Tybalt hadn’t even realized she was awake, and from her expression, neither had Victoria. “I am one of the women you… control… in the sense that I am sworn to protect you. Even if I am not your mate, I should still be counted as one of my lord’s assets. There’s not even likely to be any fighting, so there’s no reason for me to stay behind!”
“You’d have to act like you’re in love with Tybalt,” said Vidalia. “Are you willing to do that?”
“Can you even stand up straight?” Mariella asked from just behind Tybalt’s shoulder.
“Of course!” Kistana exclaimed. She paused. “To both!”
“Go back to sleep, then, Kistana,” Tybalt said gently. “We’ll wake you up tomorrow. If you can’t walk properly in the morning, you’re staying here, not going anywhere. I’m not going to march you across this mountain and the next just so you can look half-dead. That’s not the show of strength we have in mind.”
In his head, the calculation was closer to, I want you to get well properly, but he knew the catgirl wouldn’t just accept that.
“The elf can teleport me,” Kistana grumbled. “No walking involved.” She propped her head up on one arm and looked at Dero with a pleading expression.
“Sure, sure,” said the dark elf, waving a hand. She turned to Tybalt. “But, you know, I’m not one of your women.” She crossed her arms over her tiny chest. “You definitely don’t ‘control’ me…”
“Yes, but if you don’t act like you’re absolutely enthralled with Tybalt, the ibex tribe will look down on you and him both,” Vidalia said. “They’ll see you as a feral woman, ill-mannered and stupid, and they’ll see him as a weak man.”
Dero opened her mouth to say something else, but Tybalt cut her off.
“So, you can either act the part the stupid Elders want you to act, or you can choose not to come,” the necromancer said. “The second option is perfectly fine with me. I completely understand why you wouldn’t want to have to put on an act of being subservient to me.”
“No, no, I’ll go with you,” Dero said after a moment. “I’m a little bit curious, and I want to see these idiots firsthand. Even if I never go back and meet them again.”
Tybalt exchanged glances with Vidalia and Victoria. The former looked amused, while the latter appeared slightly mortified that Dero would be joining them for this.
“Just as long as you don’t tell them how stupid and ridiculous you find them to be,” the necromancer said after a moment.
“I promise,” Dero said, raising one hand as if taking an oath on a holy document.
I have a bad feeling about this.