Nessalir the Red

"That was quite the dramatic ending," Iarius observed. He had found Nessalir shortly after she entered the palace. Elves mingled all around them, each one doing their level best not to stare too long in the drakkowar's direction.

She could tell that they were curious, and scandalized, and that what happened tonight would doubtless be a popular topic of court gossip for the foreseeable future. Yet few possessed the courage to actually approach Nessalir and speak with her of what happened.

"I imagine these hunts do not often expose assassination plots," Nessalir replied. "I do wish it had been uncomplicated."

"Would that all our endeavors were uncomplicated."

Nessalir smiled. "Indeed. But how fared you, Iarius? Did you find the elves a welcoming people?"

Iarius blushed, which was an amusing thing to see. The scholar averted his eyes shyly, and between his flush and his beardless face, he looked every bit a boy, bashful and awkward. "They… were," he said. And for a moment, his gaze focused on someone across the ballroom, though Nessalir followed his look, she could not determine who precisely he had been observing.

"Did you perhaps find yourself a companion?" Nessalir asked with a smirk.

"Well," said Iarius. "I enjoyed my time here, suffice to say."

Which elf had stolen away for a dalliance with Iarius, Nessalir wondered? She had half a mind to ask, but before she could, she was approached by another.

"Nessalir," said Finn dy'Blodyn.

She turned her attention to the House of Flowers' hunter, all good humor now gone. She regarded the elf coldly. "Hunter," she greeted him. "Congratulations on your success."

"Thank you." His lips curled into a smile. "My chief concern was and remains the honor of my House, dragonblood. You may not understand our ways, but my conscience is clear. I have secured that honor."

"And that your victory was won from murder and treachery, this does not stain that honor?"

"Of course not," said Finn. "My hands were not the treacherous ones."

Nessalir scowled. Finn appeared unmoved. "You are an impressive woman," he continued. "I would enjoy it, if we spoke more later. Perhaps in a more private setting."

"I'm sure you would," said Nessalir dryly.

Finn's smile did not falter as he turned and walked away. Nessalir watched him go, and she contemplated what a shame it was--his body seemed well-built for lovemaking.

"He seems… proud," said Iarius.

"He is an arrogant lout," Nessalir informed him.

"The officers of Remura's legions are full of men like him," Iarius said. "Arrogance can bring a man far in life."

"Aye. Another injustice among many."

For a time, the two mingled among the partygoers. The elves were polite, but distant. The novelty of two travelers from Waragar being among them had faded, and now the Queen's Court turned its attention to other matters. At length, Iarius begged off from more socializing, and instead retired to quarters prepared by Dolabhí. Now bereft of her companion, Nessalir soon enough found herself once more in the company of the Queen.

"I thank you, my friend, for exposing Archedes' plot," Eldorith said. The crowd was beginning to thin as more and more elves retired for the night.

"I did what I could," said Nessalir. "I am sorry I could not claim the beast as well."

"It could not be helped," said the Queen. "The House of Flowers will reign for the next decade, and then a new hunt shall begin. Perhaps you shall be my champion once more, when that time comes."

Nessalir laughed. "I hope that by then I will be retired from the mercenary life."

"Retired? You?" Eldorith chuckled. "Would you truly be satisfied, living an existence without adventure?"

"Perhaps," said Nessalir. "Or perhaps not. But one day I do wish to find out."

Siuchrat, who stood behind his queen, smiled and caught Nessalir's eye.

"Speaking of retiring," said Eldorith, "I find myself growing weary."

"If you wish to rest, then by all means."

Eldorith's eyes sparkled. "Rest is far from my mind. Would you not agree, sweet Siuchrat?"

"I stand ready for whatever my queen desires," said the guard.

"And Nessalir? Do you stand ready as well?"

Nessalir smiled. "I suppose I do," she said. "My Queen."

Without another word, the Queen of Elves strode away, down a hall toward her private chambers. Nessalir and Siuchrat shared a knowing, hungry look, and then both followed Eldorith.

The night was far from over.

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Thank you so much for reading Nessalir the Red! This marks the end of Volume 1, and so I'm going to take a little break from updating for about two months. In that time, I hope to build up a new buffer of chapters, work on some other projects, and even put out a collected volume with re-edited chapters; including the "Journal of Iarius" chapters that are currently exclusive to my Patreon and Ko-Fi! For more information, see this post.

There's more of Nessalir and Iarius' adventures to come! I hope to see you back here in December for the next arc: "Den of the Wolf Mother!"