Nessalir the Red

As servants prepared a mid-afternoon banquet, Eldorith explained the Hunt to Nessalir:

"The Questing Beast is an ancient entity, whom we Elves have kept since time immemorial. We bind it with powerful magicks, which we do not renew. With every Bright Moon, the magic that seals it weakens--for as you know well, the light of the moon is magic that the Lunar Dragon syphons from the world below as she ever attempts to escape the stars' prison.

"It takes ten years for the magic seals to fully deplete, and when they do, the Questing Beast is unleashed into the Wildwood. Representatives of the three most favored of the Seven Houses then hunt the Beast, and whichever House claims its head reigns as my right hand until the next Hunt. The Beast is reborn and rebound on the next Dark Moon, when magic in the world below is at its strongest."

The Beast would be freed come nightfall, but presently Nessalir and Iarius were ushered to the baths deep within the palace. Nessalir was attended to by Dolabhí; the Elf aided her as she bathed and cleaned herself, then dressed the drakkowar in a silk gown, white but for the living plants woven into the fabric--clothing which befit a guest of the queen.

Nessalir was then guided back to the banquet hall, where she saw Iarius, guided by his own attendant, dressed in a tunic of similar style. The Remuran's hands continued to toy with the vines and leaves that adorned his sleeves, and repeatedly the Elf beside him had to remind the scholar to leave the plants be.

"In Remura there are many styles of dress, from all corners of the empire," Iarius told Nessalir as they were brought into the hall. "Yet never before have I encountered clothes such as these!"

Overhearing this, Dolabhí replied: "You will find many wonders in Ailefgar unheard of in Waragar." There was just a hint of pride in her voice.

At the great table at the head of the hall sat Eldorith, now wearing a grand dress of shimmering gold, her collar beset by thorns and white roses, long ferns draped across her sleeves. The branches of her crown had grown longer and stronger, and had borne fruit. As each Elf came to greet her, the queen plucked a red fruit from her crown and presented it to her guest.

"The Queen's Huntress arrives!" declared the guard Siuchrat, who stood behind Eldorith. "Presenting the half-dragon Nessalir the Red, and her human companion, Iarius ex Maritoris!"

All eyes turned to Nessalir and her companion. While she had spent time before in the Court of Elves, Nessalir still felt a wave of anxiety at their scrutiny, for hers was the life of a warrior, better suited for the barracks and the battlefield, away from the manners and etiquette of the wealthy and refined.

Yet she smiled as graciously as she could muster, and she waved at those assembled with her red hand. Beside her, Iarius attempted a similar maneuver. Their efforts were, evidently, enough to pass muster, and they were shown to their seats at Eldorith's left.

"The two of you clean up well," observed the queen once they had been seated. "It has been some time since a human--or one with human blood--has been present for a Hunt. Look, see how the Lords and Ladies already whisper among themselves."

Indeed, Nessalir's golden eyes could pick out a number of Elves, all dressed in elaborate finery, glancing her way and conversing.

Eldorith went on. "Tell me, Nessalir, do you see that man with the red hair, conversing with the black-braided hunter? No, do not stare too openly; simply let your eyes pass them by. That is Prince Siach ly'Blodyn, of the House of the Flowers. It was his hunter who claimed the Beast's head ten years ago. The hunter he brings tonight, Finn dy'Blodyn, is the former champion's son, and he is no-doubt eager to reclaim his father's glory.

"And there--you see the nobles with dark skin there? Prince Vedyr ly'Gwinwyd, and his sister, the Lady Sahar, of the House of Vines. He is an ambitious man, and under his leadership the House of Vines has risen greatly in status over the last decade. See how their hunter, Akirim, even now studies you. Do not underestimate that one, my friend.

"Now look at that golden haired woman, Princess Iviana ly'Cangen. She rules the House of Branches, newly ascended after her father's passing. Rumors abound that she is a master of poisons, though none have ever proven that she had a hand in the old prince's death. Orov dy'Cangen is her hunter, and look how unconcerned he is! That is a man who is either very confident or very foolish--or perhaps both.

"As for the other four houses, they will not participate in tonight's hunt. Yet you should know them regardless. There is Prince Sef ly'Dail of the House of Leaves, and there is Prince Archedes ly'Gwraidd of the House of Roots. There, you see that woman? Princess Margalis ly'Rhisgl, who rules the House of Bark. And just arrived now is our final Lord, old Prince Chesik ly'Ffrwythau, who has commanded the House of Fruit for the whole of my reign."

Nessalir did her best to commit each name to memory, though she worried she would soon forget each one.

"Princes Sef and Archedes seem to be in disagreement," Iarius observed.

Indeed, the two Elf Lords were having a heated discussion in the corner. Nessalir had already forgotten which was which, though the man with the black, curly hair suddenly spun around and stormed from the hall, followed swiftly by a woman who was no doubt his retainer.

"Yes, Archedes is known for his temper and his… disagreeableness," Eldorith noted. "He will return soon. The master of the House of Roots is given bouts to rage, but rarely do they last longer than a few minutes."

"Lady Sahar seems invested in our conversation," Iarius noted. "Her eyes have not left our table since we arrived."

Eldorith laughed. "She is every bit as curious and adventurous as her brother is serious and conservative. Watch out for that one, Scholar of Remura."

Yet it was the hunter from the House of Flowers who commanded Nessalir's attention. The man, Finn, watched her with bright green eyes, and a smirk on his face. His black hair was woven into a series of long braids, and he drank of his mead with the easy confidence of a man sizing up his next conquest.

If he thought to conquer her in the Wildwood, Nessalir would have to disappoint him. She had every intention of claiming the head of the Questing Beast for herself, and presenting it to the queen before any of the other hunters. Yet if it were a different sort of conquest he wished, perhaps once the hunt was over, then Nessalir might find herself more amenable.

There was something about Elves, their natural grace and inhuman beauty, that humans found irresistible. And for their part, the ailefari seemed just as drawn to the crude charms of humans and half-humans. This was a truth Nessalir knew well; never had she been lonely while visiting Eldorith's court before.

She sipped of her own mead, and she spoke with Eldorith and Iarius, and when the food was served, she ate lightly, so that she would be fit and ready for when the hunt began. As the banquet continued, the sun sank low, and night began to creep over the sky.

At long last, the moon rose, and Eldorith stood.

"Friends and honored guests!" announced the Queen of Elves. "The time has come! The Lunar Dragon, known across the world by names such as Lansa, Hamanira, and Amasa, among others, now draws the world's magic into herself. The bonds weaken, and presently, they break! The Bright Moon Hunt begins!"