”We might have another problem.” Dee pointed out, darkening the already morose mood hanging in the air. “I just saved Faylen from being taken as a hostage by the freelancer’s guild. According to my source, she wasn’t the only one they aimed at, and I doubt the order will just take this lying down.” Her words were more for Razark than the other two who already knew the details.

“I’m fairly confident you’re right on both accounts. While the grandmaster’s sister would be a good hostage, once they are committed to capturing members of the order still within the empire, they would go all the way. The order will most certainly not take it lightly. How hostile things will get exactly, is an open question. There’s a sort of silent agreement that the large communities that have placed their headquarters together will not attack each other in that area. The damage would be too great. It’s not uncommon for the five communities to get into conflicts, but this is escalating things to a new level. I’m guessing the guild has been planning this for a while, and it’s not just about the elven empire anymore.” Razark brought up his guess.

“The odds are this forest will become a war zone at least.” Faylen pointed out. “The two communities already have armies in the area and they are interested in the power struggle anyway. That’s why they’re here in the first place. With the king about to die any day now, the whole thing is about to come to a head. The forest would be the perfect place for a proxy war of sorts. “

“That might work to our advantage actually.” Noyala pointed out. “Whatever we decide to do, the best time will be when everyone is busy fighting each other.”

“That reminds me.” Razark suddenly returned to the earlier topic. “We were talking about the other groves, and how attacking those would cause the curse on Noyala to grow in severity. Would the same apply to the heart of the forest where you got cursed in the first place?”

“You mean would the curse grow in severity if you went there? Yes, but theoretically you could also remove the curse by destroying that grove. However, attacking the heart is not that simple. I didn’t fail just because of the curse. The heart is well protected, and chief among those protecting the place is the Winter Queen. She might be a faux immortal only due to the Authority, but she’s still powerful, and she’s not the only protector of the place. Besides, even if the corruption of the groves became public knowledge, destroying the heart would instantly turn you into the enemies of the elves and Sidhe.” Noyala replied.

“Why? I can make some guesses, but I want to know the real reasons.” Razark asked stubbornly. He didn’t want to leave the groves alone, and it was their mission from the grandmaster after all. He wanted a clean break with the order so that he could go after other pursuits, like revenge, without bringing trouble to his friends and subordinates.

“Well, the heart is the center of the whole great forest. The reason both the elves and Sidhe can stay here so comfortably is because they have an agreement with the forest. Other races have tried to get a foothold in the forest, but they have always failed. Should the heart be destroyed, then so would the peace between the empire and the forest. The forest wouldn’t actively hunt us down, like it does to other races currently, after it lost the main controlling force, but it would still turn the forest from a fake paradise into a rough place to live. The elves and Sidhe will not thank you for breaking that peace. I know many Sidhe at least would argue that the life of some sacrifices is worth it to them, solely thanks to the fact that the ambient mana makes it easier for our race to breed. Not to mention the other benefits. While they would agree that something should be done about the corruption, they would also spend the next thousand years arguing about a way to possible cleanse the groves instead of destroying them.” Noyala explained with a grim expression.

“You tried attacking the heart anyway.” Dee pointed out the obvious.

“Yes but I’m actively trying to get my race out of the forest, and was planning on assuming my sister’s identity and become the new queen. That’s not an option for you. And something as major as destroying the heart of the forest is not something you can do in secret. The powers involved will reveal your presence without a doubt. Besides, I didn’t know how difficult of a task it would be back then. I know better now.” Noyala replied sharply. She knew she had to face the heart of the forest at some point before the curse killed her, but dreaded the consequences both for herself and for Dee should she do it.

“What level of defense should one expect if they were to attack the heart?” Razark stubbornly asked.

Noyala didn’t really care about him, and it would be perfect if he was the one to take the fall for the whole thing, so Noyala was happy to explain. “Well the central grove itself is easier to enter than the other groves because other people besides the druid have to go there. You’ll need one of the amulets that those people possess. I still have the one I stole and used the last time. On the flipside, the whole grove is surrounded by the elites of the both elven and Sidhe military. A single immortal would find it difficult to enter by force. Many of the guards specialize in detection so even Dee would have trouble going in by stealth. The grove itself is defended by the king and queen who can both be recalled immediately thanks to their Authorities, as well as a handful of powerful Treants. And the heart itself of course.”

“What is the heart anyway?” Dee asked. “Is it some really old Treant or something?”

“No.” Faylen said from the side. “The heart holds the Tree of Life. The tree controls the whole forest, so if the groves really are corrupted like you told me, then the Tree of Life must be behind it. I know from my family that the tree has a level of intelligence and self-awareness, but it’s not capable of combat in the same way as a Treant would be. Why the tree would do something like this, I do not know.”

“Half right.” Noyala confirmed with a nod. “The tree itself is not combat capable in the general sense, except it did curse me for example, so it has more indirect methods. It’s also the Tree of Life. You can’t just walk in and chop it down. It’s a being with unrivaled levels of vitality. Destroying it is nigh impossible. As for why? That’s exactly why. The tree has gained a level of intelligence and personality and wants to become something more. The only thing is, it can’t just turn into a Treant by gathering mana like some other trees due to its nature, and Treants are more like elementals of nature anyway. In return, it has time to reach whatever goal it chooses. Endless time. It would have gained the ability to move and a proper personality at some point, but it doesn’t have endless patience, unfortunately. The dark druids might have something to do with it, but I can’t say that for sure. I suspect they just sped up the process and the tree was already heading the wrong way.”

“Can it curse others?” Razark asked the obvious question.

Noyala frowned in thought. “Tough to say.” She finally replied. “Messing with the powers of an immortal like myself is not an easy matter. Cutting me off from my totem takes a lot of power. It is only able to create two Authorities even though more would work in its favor, which tells us how hard meddling with power at the level of immortals is. I would assume it depends on who it was trying to curse and how many.”

“So we might need help.” Razark mumbled to himself.

The voice was caught by Noyala. “You really should not count me in your possible attack plans. I’m already losing power and it would only get worse if I entered the heart again. I wouldn’t even be a match to a rank six person at that point, assuming I wouldn’t die outright. I’ll still repeat that this is a very stupid idea. If you do plan on it, however, the best time would be a little after the king dies. The Authority can’t be passed on while the queen is alive, but she will grow weaker by the day after the king dies. I wouldn’t wait too long though, as it doesn’t take long to just pick someone as a queen and the kingship already has an obvious choice. In any case.” She took out an amulet with an obvious nature theme and tossed it to Razark. “Just in case you do decide to go with this plan.

Faylen suddenly voiced her agreement with Noyala, to both of their apprehension. “I agree that it would be a really bad idea. Think about all the people that would die once the forest turns hostile. Knowing people are being sacrificed is bad and letting it go would be against our vows, but the death toll will be even higher if you do this.”

Faylen slightly missed the point on her entreaty. She assumed Razark was worried about the sacrifices since it would bother her, but Razark was more concerned about completing their mission and the possibility of his people being sacrificed. Alpyrans were not an uncommon race and were prone to such things due to their nomadic nature, and he had not mentioned that he recognized at least three Alpyran skeletons in that single grove. Those three and the mission mattered to him much more than any number of other sacrifices or even elven lives, and who knew how many other Alpyrans had been sacrificed in the other groves. The elves had brought this upon themselves by their inaction and had a choice even if the worst came. Most of the elves resided in cities with teleportation gates. They could always leave if things got too bad.

“You’re missing something important. The Tree of Life has a goal while keeping the peace with the elves and the Sidhe. What happens once that goal has been achieved? It might be a thousand years from now, but do you think the tree will stick around to maintain the peace after it gains the ability to leave, especially since it worked so hard to get that ability? Or that it will leave quietly?” Razark pointed out something all the others had missed.

Noyala suddenly looked up towards the trees. “We need to leave. The forest is trying to find me again with the curse. I don’t relish the possibility of another backlash like the last one. Dee, you mentioned something about leaving the forest for a bit to help Faylen. Well, now’s the perfect time. Whatever we do, it’s better if we do it after the king dies and the two communities start a proper battle. I need to get out of here right now.”

-----------

Moirai was fussing about as they were approaching the room currently used by the leaders of the Four Winds Alliance. One could theoretically call it a throne room, except there were no thrones and the four leaders from each of the four races preferred a little more informal setting. If they really wanted pomp, there were other less practical spaces for that. “You could’ve at least worn something a bit nicer.” Moirai complained while brushing away imaginary dust from Dee’s shoulder. How the diminutive woman reached so high was a miracle in itself.

“I didn’t exactly come with a wardrobe. The fanciest thing I brought is the little black dress I used in a Winter court party, but it’s designed to be alluring and not fancy. I might as well go in as I am, a person that can fight.” Dee replied lightly. She was in her normal form and was wearing the scout attire of the order.

Moirai decided to just ignore that comment. “Remember to be respectful. All the four races have picked one among them to become one of the leaders. They don’t necessarily have to be the most powerful member of the race, but that’s how it ended up anyway. Thus all four of them are immortals, and three of them are what normal people like us call rank eleven. The Anshar representative is rank twelve, so definitely don’t pick a fight with him. He is the main reason we have confidence in eventually advancing to the second circle.”

Moirai’s rapid instructions were cut short as they reached the simple sliding door before their destination. Moirai gave a small sigh before flaring a small burst of power, announcing their presence and desire to enter. A similar small burst of power told them to come in. It was much easier this way than shouting. Dee watched with growing amusement as Moirai quickly bowed before even seeing anything going on in the room. Her master also started a spiel of introducing Dee and Faylen, which was cut short.

“Yes, we know who they are. You’ve been bragging about your student long enough that I already know more about her than most of my own students.” The Jun representative interrupted. She was in the middle of tuning a musical instrument that Dee was unfamiliar with. She was also the only one sitting on the very slight podium that was supposed to show their elevated position, though in practice it did nothing of the sort. It only raised four chairs a bit higher from the floor.

The other three were locked in some game at the side of the room. The two large frames of the Anshar and Dagon representatives towered over the diminutive Meilin representative, but their expressions were a mix of dismay and stumped as they stared at the game board. The Meilin representative was looking victorious with her wide grin. Dee couldn’t help but notice the appearance of that Meilin, which was very similar to Moirai’s appearance, though part of that might have been the squirrel-like tails they had. Her suspicions were soon confirmed though.

The Meilin representative spoke looking up from the game. “You’ve always been a stickler for ceremony. You should really learn to lighten up a little. One of the guests is already officially part of our community, so family, and the other one is about to become at least an unofficial member, so almost family. No need to be so stodgy.”

The Dagon representative tried to use the slight distraction to cheat with the game but got his hand slapped by the Meilin still looking away. Apparently, she had been prepared for the cheating attempt. Moirai was growing increasingly embarrassed. This was not going how she had planned this meeting to go! “Mother, please! You’re the representative of our race. At least try to show some dignity!”

The other representatives laughed. “Why should she bother? She would be the only one among us to do so. Come now Moirai, you know we can be all official when the situation calls for it, but this is not the time.” The Jun representative said before looking at Dee. “So. You’re the great protégé of Moirai’s.”

Dee felt several searching waves of power go through her. She could’ve used the Authority to stop them, but decided not to. “Interesting.” The Anshar representative said. “And you’re really just twenty?”

“That is correct. According to the Threads of Fate at least. My childhood is a little…unaccounted for.” Dee replied. All she knew about her age was based on what the Threads of Fate had told was her tenth birthday.

“We heard.” The Dagon man grumbled, clearly unhappy. Strangely on Dee’s behalf. “You spent quite a bit of time in the tender care of assassins. Moirai tells us that you didn’t come out unscathed and that there’s a fair bit of darkness and violence in you as a result.”

Dee was not quite sure how to respond but decided honesty was better here. “That is true. Despite what my sister here has taught me, I can’t claim to have quite the same moral scruples as a normal member of the order. “ She smiled warmly at Faylen to signal that she was alright. Faylen had looked a little worried.

“Good.” The Jun representative said with a smile. “The waters we swim in are not for the faint-hearted or the idealists. Kindness and light have their place, but we would prefer someone who won’t be afraid to use their strength when the time comes. I’m sure Moirai has already mentioned it, but we are rather interested in your future. Your current level of power will not sway the battles at our level, but you’ve shown rapid progress and a great potential for future development. When the time comes, we can both benefit from each other.”

“On that note, I have a message from the Threads of Fate. They are seeking protection from the storm coming in the future. They have done me a favor, so I have agreed to help protect them in turn, and to bring their proposal of joining forces when the time comes.” Dee suddenly brought up the other reason she was here.

“Ah, time for business then?” The Anshar representative rose from the game table, glad to be done with the losing game. “Tell me. What conditions did you give for your protection? I assume you didn’t give a blanket promise.”

“Of course not. I promised to help be a shield and a facilitator with you, but I made it clear I would not shield them if they picked a fight themselves.” Dee replied.

“A defensive alliance then. That’s good. Well, in theory, the Threads would be a great ally for us. Their ability to glean the future and their copious trade connections alone are a good reason. We have great production and artisan abilities, but less ability when it comes to forming trade relations. We will have to hash out the details, but on principle this should work to both our advantage.” The Anshar man’s voice was gravely, almost like he was chewing on pebbles. Which wasn’t that weird seeing as his skin looked like something formed from black rock interspersed with veins of flowing lava.

"We will send some people to discuss what, exactly, this alliance entails, so you don't have to worry. You can consider that part of your duty fulfilled.” The Meilin said, her ears drooping a little as the game she had already won was cut short. She would remind the other two later. Repeatedly.

“Before you ask, yes we can take in your…sister was it?” The Jun woman half asked with a raised eyebrow. Faylen was clearly an elf, while Dee was a lot of things but not that. “We don’t have enough people able to use holy power within our ranks, so even one more is a blessing. No pun intended. We can discuss privately what the details will be.”

“Now that that’s done, how about a game? We can get to know each other.” The Meilin suggested with a grin and hope for a new game. “Incidentally my name is Nyx, the Jun fiddling with her instrument over there is Shioko, the Dagon guy is Kawhena and we call the big pile of molten rock Smoky.”

“Smoky?” Dee asked a little confused, while Moirai was facepalming about the nickname of the most powerful member of their community.

The Anshar grunted. “My real name is….” The man said while the sound that came from his mouth in the place of a name sounded like a whoosh from a flash fire. There was no way anyone would be able to accurately replicate the sound.

“Thus, Smoky.” Nyx said definitively.

------

Dee spent the next few days getting Faylen settled. One of the things Faylen had managed to nab from her home during her stay was the magical contract binding her servant Qinlana, who had followed Faylen all the way here. The duo had been assigned a place for now, as well as some time to adjust. Both of them would find things to do in short order.

Meanwhile Dee also spent time getting to know the leaders of the Four Winds. More specifically the four slightly eccentric people wanted to get to know her, seeing as she might become important to their futures as well. Nyx also enjoyed having someone who could play against her equally, as the other three representatives were simply not her match, mostly thanks to the fact that she too was a psion, something she had passed on to Moirai.

Things got more serious when they got word that the Summer King had finally passed away. This brought about frantic activity within the elven empire. The entire forest started going through the motions for state burial, as well as the impending death of the Winter Queen. That would naturally leave the selection for successors, which escalated the bloody game for the position, especially within the Winter court. Summer court already had their future kind chosen and was simply waiting for the Winter court to acquiesce to his demands about his chosen Queen. Which the Winter court was not planning on doing. This did not come as a surprise.

What was more unexpected, were the open hostilities between the Radiant Sun and freelancer’s guild. The order had marched their armies straight into the forest as soon as the word about hostages got out, and it was obvious no amount of hostages would sway the order. The guild already had much of their forces there, so the forest was descending into a full-blown war, especially with the four courts’ armies finally coming to blows as well. Now that the king had finally died, the last fetters holding the conflict at bay were cut.

The whole mess was growing infinitely more complex with the Holy Orders and Mystic’s Guild throwing their own weight into the mess, though less actively. The two groups were not engaging the Radiant Sun or the freelancer’s, but they were supporting the agendas of the two elven courts. Spring court was offering to take the queens crown, with the Mystic’s support, if the Winter court was so unwilling to do so, while the Autumn court wanted to become independent of the control of the monarchy completely. This aspiration was supported by the Holy Orders, who were also facilitating the peace between Winter and Autumn courts despite their aims somewhat conflicting with each other. For now, the sides were still divided into two camps along the lines of the Winter and Autumn courts and their supporters against the Spring and Summer court and their benefactors.

When Dee expressed her intent on going back to the forest, the leaders of the Four Winds were less than keen on the idea. They had taken a liking to her and had great hopes for her future prospects. While her future was promising, she was not an immortal yet and thus would be quite vulnerable going back to the quagmire forming in the great forest. Their attitude got worse when Faylen mentioned that Dee’s future plans might draw the ire of the whole empire if things went badly.

Faylen was only worried for Dee and noted the four leaders shared that worry, which is why she spoke. She knew they would try to stop Dee from going. The four leaders didn’t care about the alliance drawing the ire of the elves by sheltering Dee, as they were a third circle community preparing to become a second circle one. They could destroy the whole forest if they wanted to. The empire also didn’t speak for all the elves, so angering them would not draw the general condemnation of the elves in general. What worried them was that the empire might try ganging up on Dee. There were only so many people actually capable of hurting Dee in the empire, but if they all joined hands to hunt her? That would be trouble for Dee, even without considering the four large communities backing the courts lending a hand.

The four leaders would not actually stop Dee from going, it was her choice after all, but they were trying to pressure her into staying. Finally, Moirai pointed out Dee’s ability to gain power from the deaths around her and pointed out how much Dee might be able to benefit from the mess in the forest. It was a risk, but one had to take risks on the path to becoming immortal. Dee might be able to cut down on the time it took to become immortal greatly, and would be all the stronger for it. She would also be more willing to work with the Four Winds if they showed reason instead of trying to stop her.

The four leaders had finally acquiesced. When it had become clear that Dee was going back with Noyala, Faylen had wanted to come too but had been dragged away by Moirai. Dee’s old master knew that Faylen would get in the way as things stood. Faylen lacked the power necessary to help and her nature as one of the elves and a templar might even become a problem.