The Forsaken Hero

The cheerful bustle of the outer city slowed as we strolled toward the heart, passing from the open markets and blocks of half-timbered buildings to the quiet estates of the inner city. The uneven cobblestone streets led us past walled courtyards and gardens, the thick canopy overhead casting us in cool shade. Autumn came late and mild to Sylvarus, but the few rays that broke through the boughs barely warmed the chill.

"We could have flown," Luke said as we passed a cold stone manor pocketmarked with craters. One of the houses that had fallen in the aftermath of the war.

"It’s fine," I said. "I’d rather walk with you."

"We’ve been walking for a while. Are you sure you’re not too tired?" he asked.

I shook my head. My feet hurt a little, and my breathing wasn’t nearly as even as I liked, but it was more than worth it to hold his hand and enjoy the quiet walk. There weren’t many opportunities for that left. And none in such a peaceful place.

All thoughts of that disappeared as we crested a small knoll, and the trees broke, revealing a gaping hole in the canopy. Sun pooled across a shattered stretch of forest, dominated by the blasted husks of the Verdant Grove’s trees. The great trunks, once the mightiest in the forest, were broken and scorched, their boughs torn asunder by fire, shockwave, and mana cannon. Elvish workers and mages were scattered around us, repairing the deep craters and coaxing blackened flora back to life. The colossal framework of a stone structure was being laid around the grove itself, carved stone and new saplings woven together into a seamless foundation.

"They saved this place for last, focusing their salvage efforts in the outer city first," I explained, waving shyly to a group of elvish mages working on what had once been an administrative facility as we passed.

"How generous," Luke said. "Aerion certainly knows how to gain the support of the people."

"It’s not just that. I think he really cares."

He let out a low chuckle. "Is that right? Or is that just what you want to believe?"

"So long as it’s what happens, isn’t it alright if I want to think it’s done for the right reasons?"

His tail flicked, and he lowered his head. "You’re right, I’m sorry."

I flicked my tail against his tail with a gentle swish, letting him know I wasn’t upset. It was a small gesture, hardly forward, but it still made my heart flutter as he smiled back. Most demonkin were more physical than humans or elves, possessing a greater range of physical expression. It came naturally to most demonkin, a normal part of their communication, but it was still a novelty to me. Something I wanted to practice.

"Xiviyah!"

Selena’s voice called down from the skeletal branch of a tree some fifty feet in diameter. The mage appeared a second later, dropping down to us on a pair of glowing translucent wings. The winds of her descent stirred my hair and dress, and I stepped closer to Luke, lacing my arm through his.

Selena’s wings vanished as she stepped onto the ground. She wore a beautiful light green dress with flowing sleeves, its skirt brushing her soft leather boots. She glanced at Luke, but only had eyes for me, beaming.

"You look beautiful! How long has it been since you’ve worn a proper dress?" she asked, giving me an approving nod.

"Too long, I think," I giggled, returning her embrace. "Since the dance."

"As for you," she said, finally turning to Luke. Her lips pursed in a frown. "Black cloak, black boots, black tunic, and that giant black sword. Even your horns are black! Do you have any idea how to properly escort a lady? I’ve seen graveyards more cheerful."

He raised an eyebrow, reaching up and brushing his horn. "They’ve always been that color. Even before I accepted the emperor’s power."

"I like it," I said, rubbing the fabric of his sleeve between my fingers. "It suits him."

"I suppose it does. And it’s not so bad. Even dim stars stand out on dark nights, and you’re already radiant." She winked at me.

"Selena..." My cheeks warmed. I never had noticed how striking the crimson of my sleeve was against his tunic, but now that she pointed it out, I felt a little self-conscious. Were all those stares not just because I was the Oracle?

Luke cleared his throat. "You brought us here for a reason?"

"Oh, right." I shook the blush away. "Selena, I’m leaving. It’s time for us to strike the Southern Continent."

Her expression sobered up, and she folded her arms, regarding us coolly. After a few tense seconds, my heart pounding, she gave a firm nod.

"I’m sorry to see you leave, but if you’re after my blessing, you have it."

I smiled in relief. "Thank you. I thought you’d try to persuade me otherwise."

She chuckled wryly. "Aerion might, but you’ve always been committed to following your path wherever it leads. After everything you’ve done for our kingdom, for us, the least I can do is respect that. Still, it’s a little strange to think you’ll be returning after all this time. It felt like just yesterday we were both fleeing our accusers there. Are you truly ready for that?"

I shook my head, my tail curling for Luke’s. I knew what she meant, and it still filled me with unease. Radia, the Divine Throne, the inquisitors. All of it.

"Probably not," I admitted. "But I’m not going alone."

"Ah, I see. You’ve come to collect R’lissea, then? Pity. She’s been a great help to our restoration efforts," she murmured. She shook her head. "But never mind that. Come, she’s with one of Aerion’s captains. Esvitt, I believe his name is. A promising young elf, that one."

She turned gracefully, her dress swaying after her as she strode into the heart of the construction. I looked at Luke, and he shrugged. Together, we followed after her.

The inner depths of the Verdant Grove were in slightly better condition than the outer courtyards and trees, which had absorbed much of the battle. Some slender towers still rose amongst the trunks, and most of the buildings stood in various states of disrepair, binding the trees together in a veritable maze of bark and stone. It was like a miniature city in and of itself, save that everyone we passed was either a soldier, mage, or noble.

The grove cleared as we reached the innermost depths, where what had been the council chamber once stood. It had been obliterated by a mana cannon shot, but a series of white canvas tents and open-aired pavilions were erected in the crater. The rebuilding efforts seemed centralized in this location, with messengers running to and from the pavilions, where wizened elves poured over blueprints and plans.

The center of the camp was dominated by a wide pavilion, its sides drawn up to let in the breeze. A long table sat at its center, maps and scrolls strewn across it. R’lissea stood beside it, leaning over it with a few others, but my eyes fell on the man beside her, dressed in the green and gold of the elvish court.

"Your majesty!" Selena called, effortlessly raising her voice across the noise. "The Oracle has come seeking an audience."

Aerion straightened, his crown flashing as the golden jewel within resonated with the stars of my aura. His smile was welcoming but calculated, not too warm, not too distant.

"Please, come in. It’s not much," he said, gesturing at the pavilion, "But I can hardly complain about this when so many of my people are stricken as refugees with their homes buried beneath Risen corpses and ash.

I subconsciously slowed as we stepped under the canvas roof, intending to curtsey, but Luke’s grip was as iron on my arm, dragging me forward. I lowered my head, the weight of the advisor’s and officers’ stares making my tail twitch, but he was undaunted, meeting their stares with brazen arrogance.

"So, you’ve returned," Aerion said, a slight chill to his voice. "I assume that means you plan on whisking our Oracle away from us?"

"Your oracle?" Luke snorted, not bothering to conceal his derision. "You have benefited greatly from her light, but she shines for more than you alone."

He released me only to put his arm around my shoulder, holding me possessively. I squirmed beneath the weight, gripping my skirt with both hands, unable to meet anyone’s gaze for fear I’d break from embarrassment. Why did he always need to challenge Aerion like this? Couldn’t he just talk normally?

"Oh, stop it, both of you," R’lissea said, putting her hands on her hips and glaring at Aerion. "Can’t Xiviyah do anything without you trying to spin it in your favor?" Her gaze switched to Luke. "And you. I hoped you’d be a little more considerate, given how anxiously Xiviyah waited for you to come back."

I gave her a grateful look.

"You’re right, forgive the presumption, Oracle," Aerion said with a smile I couldn’t help but find condescending.

"Hmph." Luke looked away, but his grip didn’t lesson. Not that I minded, given he shielded me from most of the stares.

Aerion straightened, clearing his throat, speaking loudly and clearly. "It’s regrettable that your time among us has passed. But know that elves live a long time, and have an even longer memory. Be it you in a hundred years, or your descendants in a thousand, you and yours will always be welcome in our lands."

He paused, looking around to be sure he had everyone’s attention, before approaching us. Luke stiffened, gripping my shoulder, but the king just withdrew something from his spatial ring. I peered curiously as he held it up, a small ring of pure gold, with the delicate likeness of cascading leaves entwined with ribbon. Or maybe they were supposed to be rays of sunlight. Either way, it matched the signet upon his finger, the new royal crest of Sylvarus.

"The Leaves of Sylvarus. May all who see it know of the service you have done to our people. Any elf who sees this and turns you away is no longer fit to be numbered among us. Take it, please, as a token of our gratitude, and a promise of our friendship."