“You asked to see me, Alpha,” Li’Uin said, approaching with no hesitation. The Hindel people were not much for obeisance or fawning; they were direct and upfront, believing that efficiency was more critical than time-wasting matters of protocol. Although Li’Uin served the Alpha as part of the pod, he wasn’t a servant.

“I have had words with some of Jai Myche’s pod,” the Alpha replied, getting right to the point. “What I have learned is concerning.

“The young woman is talented, reaching the Qi Gathering realm in under a year. A good part of the reason for her rapid advancement has to do with her treatment by others in her pod. Members of her Sect. Sisters and brothers who attacked or harassed her because of jealousy or unwarranted belief in their importance.

“They coveted her Platinum level spirit root, believing her unworthy because her origins were ‘plebian.’ Her family is of common stock, without the advantage of Clan or House to point to.”

“Is that a surprise?” Li’Uin wondered. “The Elven pods are strange, the people not really trusting or relying on each other. And they treat those weaker than themselves, even within their own pods, with a contempt that would be considered pathological in any Hindel.

“Why would you weaken your own pod by demeaning or harming fellow pod members?

“But what can we do about it? I haven’t met this Jai Myche, but the pod knows of her. They know that she was the first to treat the Hindel as equal, knows that she understands, and has a desire to manage natural resources respectfully. She knows they should be protected.

“The Pod knows how she stood before the Patriarch of her Sect and the Prince of her Empire and dismissed their words of warning when they spoke of the ramifications of her actions and dealings with our people. We would help if we could, but what can we do?”

“I would adopt her into our pod and give her the right to speak on our behalf,” the Alpha explained

“You would make her a Voice?” Li’Uin asked thoughtfully.

“I would make her her own Voice,” Alpha responded.

“You would make her Beta, give her the last of your five slots to one that would not understand what the significance of the appointment means, one that would live her entire life on land?” Li’Uin replied in disbelief.

“What would that mean for her lands, people, and duty to the Empire?”

“I doubt there would be little difference for her people, maybe some for her House. Her lands are hers by right, awarded for her talents. She can rule them as she sees fit. As for her duty to the Empire, she has made no oath to the Emperor. The only oath she has taken has been cursory at best, a promise to protect her people and land as a Baron of the Empire.

“That oath would never come into conflict with her role as a Voice,” Alpha added.

“Still, I doubt the Empire would like to see her serving two people. They will respond,” Li’Uin warned.

The Alpha agreed with Li’Uin’s warning. She was pleased that he was able to understand the nuance and consequences of her idea. He would have made a suitable consort, which made her solution to the problems he had raised workable.

“There is little they can do if the two of you form a Dao Bond. The rules that govern Dao covenants supersede those of House, Clan, Sect, and Empire,” the Alpha made plain her plan.

“The wars that have been fought when others have tried to interfere between Dao companions have forced even the Empire to bend to circumstance.”

“Why would Jai consider me for a Dao companion? Is it even possible between our two people?” Li’Uin wondered.

“Some of Jai’s people were talking about the event Four Element Sect is hosting. An event that was created to introduce Jai to people that she should consider partnering with,” Alpha replied. “Partners that might suit as a Dao companion. Jai was unhappy about this and made it clear she wanted nothing to do with the politics or machinations involved in these types of social intrigues.

“She is much more Hindel in that manner—plainspoken, upfront, honest, and uncomfortable playing the game of social standing.

“I will make the offer with no prevarication or subterfuge. I believe she will see the benefits of being adopted and named Beta and will accept you as a Dao companion. Your affinity with water matches well with hers, and your metal affinity adds an addition to her cultivation that she lacks.”

“And forming a Dao bond between Hindel and Elf is possible? Has it ever been done before?” Li’Uin asked.

“It has—a handful of times. In fact, the cultivation between those Dao partners advanced faster for some reason. Our scholars believe the Heavens reward these partnerships, rewarding those that take the chance to forge new paths. These couples often found enlightenment by embracing the difference between our two species.”

“That it is rare makes me wonder. Why now? Why Jai? It can’t simply be because she treats the Hindel as equal,” Li’Uin argued.

“The rift that was discovered in the lake at Four Element Sect offers an opportunity to any cultivator given access. Even the Hindel would benefit if they remained on the edge of the rift where the waters of the lake intersect with this extra-dimensional plane.

“I have had our Seers watching and listening to the discussions taking place, concentrating their efforts on the Patriarch, Prince, and Council. The meetings were interesting and enlightening.

“The Prince and Council will ignore Jai’s contribution to discovering the rift. She and her people will not be given access, and there will be no reward. The Hindel wasn’t even mentioned when they decided how to profit and control access to a world that opened on their doorstep. A world that they failed to notice.

“Jai is a person of worth. She does not deserve to be discounted. Her contribution to the Sect should not be ignored. If the Elves cannot or will not see her value, the Hindel can and will,” Alpha proclaimed, managing to contain the [Dao] authority she held as alpha.

“How will the Empire respond when part of the land they recently purchased? Land with a Mystic Realm that is no longer under their purview? We now know how petty and bigoted the Empire can be. Do you think they won’t react or try to deny Jai’s claim as territory ruler if those lands fall under Hindel control once more?” Li’Uin inquired.

“They might if they weren’t about to go to war,” Alpha conceded.

“War?”

“One of the more powerful Clans has been caught in treason- a clan that is too powerful to destroy easily - a Clan backed by Sects, Houses, and powerful cultivators. They have enough powerful allies to refuse to accept an Empire edict demanding their Clan dissolved, their properties, possessions, and monies confiscated, and their council elders and leaders executed,” Alpha explained.

“The Empire is about to be embroiled in civil war. They cannot afford to risk losing that war by attacking the Hindel. And I will make it clear that an attack on Jai or an attempt to reclaim her territory or the Mystic Realm that she controls would be an attack on the Hindel nation.

“Elven memory is long. The Empire will remember the last time our two people waged war and that they lost access to any land that bordered a body of water we had access to. That war was costly for the Elves, and the Hindel were not the people that first mentioned capitulation and restitution.

“The Empire might be willing to take the risk, but this is just one Empire among many that exist across the planet. The Cai’Li Empire might find itself forced to fight a civil war, a war with the Hindel, and a war with other Empires that will hope that by allying with the Hindel, they will be safe from our attacks.”