Chapter 17: What is mine

The beauty of the inn that Patrick that had allowed them to stay at had fascinated Cah’lia: it was among the finest locations she’d ever resided. If she’d been asked then if she could even imagine a fancier place, she’d have a difficult time of it.

It was only now, sitting in the mayor’s dining hall with Patrick and her prince, that she realized just how much better things can get. The room had a golden look to it, but mostly because it was literally covered with the stuff. Every plate, goblet, and even the linings on the curtains were all tipped with gold. Servants ran back and forth with purpose, refilling drinks and bringing large plates of food. Cah’lia sat next to Patrick and Daniel, and across from them sat Prince Saerith and a woman Cah’lia believed to be his consort. Rillith was still dealing with Sehn.

“I must apologize for the lackluster environment,” Patrick said. “I did not expect to be conducting such an esteemed meeting here in Koringrath. Alas, this is the best I can do.”

Cah’lia wasn’t sure if she wanted to spit out her wine or choke on it. This was considered lackluster?

Saerith waved off the remark. “It is perfectly fine, Prince Vasilis. I am simply glad to be dealing with someone who engages in such…civility. Honestly, I was quite shaken up by how one of my own subjects treated me earlier. It was enough to make me momentarily forget how these matters are supposed to be conducted.”

Patrick let out a playful laugh. “I do understand that Sehn is your subject, Your Highness, and that I am but an outsider to your people. But I must assure you, I’ve known Sehn for quite some time, and he is not what he seems to be. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that he cannot be compared to anyone, be it Human or Elf. Sehn, as I have said earlier, is simply Sehn.”

Cah’lia watched as the two raised their wine-filled goblets, before reciting a gift of thanks in their own tongue. They drank and placed their goblets with care back on the Rezza-silk tablecloth.

“I am worried, good Prince Vasilis,” Saerith began. “I feel that some mistakes have been made; some that need correcting, and others that are the result of a lack of communication between our Kingdoms. For far too long, The Seven Pillars and the Elven people have been content to ignore one another.”

Patrick nodded. “It’s almost humorous in a way, isn’t it? The two men who will one day rule their people are engaging in a conversation several years too early, in the one city where negotiations haven’t been made in almost a millennia.”

Saerith smiled at that, and Cah’lia felt her heart beat faster at the gesture. The young Elven prince was nothing short of gorgeous. His dark red eyes filled with mirth as he nodded at Patrick.

“Indeed, Prince Vasilis. I suppose when men like us are in charge, random meetings like these can be replaced by order and planned diplomacy.”

Patrick and Saerith exchanged dark looks. Cah’lia was fairly certain she understood why. She was no master at politics, but from what little she knew, the two royals had just exchanged pleasantries, and now they would discuss the heart of the matter in earnest. Cah’lia tensed and hoped it didn’t show in her expression.

“We Humans, we have a saying: ‘Let’s put our cards on the table.’ I would not ask this of you while also requiring you to do so first. So, I will be happy to begin. Prince Saerith, I know what Sehn is. I know who he is, and I know why over the last year he has become one of the most important beings alive. My Kingdom, without his aid, will be destroyed to the point where not a single Human will number among the living. It is for this reason that I requested of high-chief Suhn the use of his child, knowing full well the gravity of what I was asking for.”

Prince Saerith nodded compassionately, which Cah’lia believed was genuine. “I see. I must ask, my good Prince Vasilis: is it the rock you seek? Or is it the flute?” Saerith chuckled. “Do not look so surprised. We know about the two items of power. But as you have said: ‘Cards on the table’ yes?”

Cah’lia hadn’t a clue what the two were speaking of. What was an item of power? From what she had been told by Patrick earlier, they needed Sehn to access some kind of treasure for them. Were these the treasures?

“If I must be honest with you, Your Highness,” Patrick responded. “I am going after the rock, which is secure and resting safely in my capital city. The fact that the rock resides in one of our own cities is among the most highly guarded secrets. So, it is with great caution that I tell you this. I am going to bring Sehn there, and he is going to unlock it for us. Then I will try for everything I am worth to bring him home one last time.”

Saerith stood up from the dining table, twirling his wine in his left hand. With his right, he rubbed his chin, and then walked over to stand beside Patrick, who also stood up and met the Elf face to face.

“This is where we have our problem, Prince Vasilis. The Elven people are not blind to the suffering of your kind. We want to see Humans make it through these troubled times as well as Elves. Return Sehn to my company, and I will bring him to Elvadin, where he can unlock the flute. I see once again you look surprised. It makes sense though, does it not? That wretched man, he has the rest of the items. But as I speak with you, now at the very least we know why he has thus far been unable to obtain the final two Items he needs, and why he is building the largest army the world has ever seen. He must know where these two Items rest, and he will be coming for them.”

Cah’lia felt like she would pass out at any moment. None of this made sense to her. What army was being built? What good could a rock and a flute do?

“In the interest of time, Prince Saerith, the Kingdom’s Pillar is a bit closer than Elvadin, and we only need one Item to put a stop to the Hawk’s plans. I also worry that the Elves will act to protect their own people, and when the time comes humanity will be left to rot.”

Saerith narrowed his eyes on Patrick. “And you believe the Elves do not have the same fear as Humans?”

Even with everything that Cah’lia didn’t understand, the heart of the matter was now as clear as day. From what she could gather, Sehn could obtain two things that no one else was able. One rested in the capital city of the Elven people, and one with the Humans in the Pillar of Hope. Sehn would only live long enough to claim one, and there was an enemy that was bearing down on both of them. Neither Kingdom trusted each other, so now they were arguing over who ‘gets’ Sehn. To them he wasn’t even a person, just an object with an expiration date.

Cah’lia couldn’t control herself, and in the face of her own prince, she slammed her goblet against the table and stood up to join the two. They shot her odd looks, clearly surprised that someone with no significance would behave in such a way. Here she was, a lowly Elf, about to chew out two of the most powerful men in the world.

“You two,” Cah’lia said, putting disappointment into each word, “I don’t pretend to know as much as either of you, but some things here are pretty obvious. Whatever is happening, it sounds like something very terrible is about to befall our world. I don’t know why, or what it is we’re even dealing with, but if there is something in this world that can save it, then why are you two only thinking about power? Stop glaring at me, you two! I can hear it in each word of this little game you boys are playing. Something tells me that whatever this ‘thing’ is you’re after, it will still exist once you’ve saved our lives with it. Each of you is fearful about who will hold such an object after whatever the problem we face is dealt with.”

Cah’lia shook her head. Never had she felt such disappointment toward the people of her world.

“I know I’m not royalty, but my father used to have me study politics. I know where a conversation like this ends up. First, you will each call in some advisors. Then, shortly after, a few more will arrive. Before any of us realize it, Koringrath will have just become the number one political city in the entire world, with every Human and Elven noble weighing in on the issue until this giant army shows up at its front door!”

Patrick and Saerith glanced at each other for just a moment, and for an instant, they looked ashamed. “Cah’lia,” Patrick said, “that is not our intention at all. We are merely trying to decide what the best course of action is to—”

“I know it’s not your intent!” Cah’lia didn’t care that she was screaming at royalty. “But that’s where this is going to end up!”

Saerith turned to her, and did the last thing in the world Cah’lia would have expected of him. He got to his knees, gently lifting her arm, and kissed her the back of her hand.

“Cah’lia is such a beautiful name,” he said, gazing into her eyes. “To show such courage, what prince could be happier to have such an Elf among his race?”

Cah’lia blushed, feeling both angry and flattered at the same time. The prince of the Elven people had just kissed her hand and knelt down before her. Had he gone insane? Prince Saerith stood back to his feet and turned to Patrick.

“She’s right, you know? No matter how long we have this conversation, we will never come to an agreement. We truly are at an impasse.”

Patrick nodded, but it was filled with reluctance. He didn’t seem to like hearing what was so painfully the truth.

“Since Sehn is an Elf and thus my subject,” Saerith began, “it is, unfortunately, within my right to reclaim him. I know that can sound harsh to you, Prince Vasilis, but was he a Human, you’d say the same.”

Patrick stood his ground. “But he won’t go with you, Prince Saerith. Sehn will not budge an inch for you. Surely you must know that just based on your short meeting with him. He has already agreed to come with me, and it has taken me a very long time to get him to that point. I had to spend months gaining his trust. Do you really think he will go with you just because you command it so?”

Saerith didn’t appear disturbed by Patrick’s words. “No, I don’t think anything I can do or say will make him cooperate. It is for this reason that, even if I have to cut off his arms and legs and throw him in a sack, I will do so. It is for the future of both our people, and all that lives in this world.”

Upon hearing this, Cah’lia regretted hitting Sehn. She should have let the Elf shout all of his vulgarities at their prince.

“How can you say that?” she shouted at her prince. “Sehn doesn’t even know why he’s being brought along. He thinks he’s being given some great treasure, to build a life for himself with. Will no one ask him how he feels about this? Will no one tell him the truth?”

Patrick spun around towards Cah’lia and frowned at her. “Show some respect to your prince, Cah’lia! Behave yourself at once!”

Now Cah’lia was confused. Why was Patrick taking Saerith’s side?

That’s right, she remembered. For all his acts of friendship toward Sehn, deep down he only sees Sehn as a tool to be used. No different from Prince Saerith.

“Thank you, Prince Vasilis,” Prince Saerith said, “but I do understand where the lovely Cah’lia is coming from. It warms my heart to see such compassion in one of my Elves, even if they are unable to think of the bigger picture.”

Cah’lia had to bite her own tongue to prevent herself from leaping at the prince. It was a treasonous thought but emotions outweighed logic. They both looked at her with pity and understanding, mingling with a frightening yet grim determination.

Patrick grabbed her shoulder. “Sehn has no choice, Cah’lia. He never will.” Patrick turned to Prince Saerith. “There is something you should know: one final secret that the Elven people, I am sure, are not yet informed of. This is the reason I need Sehn now— right away. I should not be telling this to you, but you have left me no choice.”

Saerith looked very interested, his eyebrows rising as he leaned closer to Patrick. “What is it I do not know, Patrick?”

“The attacks have already begun.”

As if Patrick’s words were a weapon of magic, Saerith seemed to be knocked back by them, nearly tripping over his own feet.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?” The prince asked, alarm filling his every word.

“That man, his army, they have already attacked my people! Over twenty smaller villages have been destroyed, slaying all who live in them, even down to the smallest child. He leaves no survivors, takes no prisoners. If you do not allow Sehn to return to the Pillar City and claim the item of power, then I can promise you before this time next year, the man will have it in hand. The one you have taken will not matter at that point. He will be powerful enough to do as he wills, even without the final item. Not even every man woman and child combined, in my entire Kingdom, will be able to stop him from breaking into the city and taking it for himself. Our only hope is to bring Sehn there as soon as possible.”

Saerith trembled, and looked like he was about to fall. Cah’lia rushed to her prince, and helped the young royal sit down.

“It’s too soon, Prince Vasilis, we need more time. It can’t be happening already.”

“But it is, I am afraid.”

The prince looked shaken up, torn between duty and emotion. “Can you promise,” he began. “Can you promise me, in a signed document of the Kingdom’s highest legality, that if I give you Sehn, you will allow the Elves use of the item?”

Patrick kneeled on the ground, causing both Cah’lia and Saerith to look surprised. Much in the way a servant kneels before his King, Patrick kneeled before Saerith, casting his eyes to the ground. His words were even more shocking as they were not of the Human tongue.

“By the very fabric of mine own soul, against the beating heart of mine own existence. Knoweth you this, Prince Saerith, Heir to the Kingdom of Elven kind. That whilst even a drip of mine blood has yet to dry, too shall thou promise have been kept. Now and forever, until the Goddess Helena returns and the world begins anew.”

Against her own volition, Cah’lia’s eyes became moist at the words of Prince Patrick Vasilis. She didn’t know there were Humans who knew of the sacred vow. Once spoken, no crime one could ever commit ranked as highly as breaking it. Even the staunchest liars and the most deceitful among Elves would not dare invoke it as part of their mistruth.

Saerith gently pulled Patrick up from where he knelt, once again peering into the eyes of the man who would someday rule the world alongside him.

“I believe you, Patrick Vasilis. I believe you.”