Page 79 of Magic & Secrets
An Elven leader called Simnia guided us to a long table at the front of the hall where we were to sit as the guests of honor. Based on how blind he was to Calla, I doubted he was a member of the Gathering.
As a feast of stuffed elk and grilled vegetables was set before us, I noticed Mali lingering in the background. Unlike every other Elf in the festive room, Mali wasn’t concerned with me. He only saw Calla.
“Is your hunt complete?” Simnia asked after offering his condolences to the lost Bane Shifters.
“The main culprits are dead. Their allies are likely with the rogue Elves in Balzica Territory. That’s a problem for another day. Tomorrow, after sunrise, I intend to begin my journey back to Mt. Elysium and inform Tempe what’s happened.”
“Why not allow the Elven Empire to transport you closer to your destination?” Simnia asked. “How long before Tempe grows concerned over your absence?”
“A week or two.”
“It’s been over a week since the slaughter at Haven Junction.”
A scowl worked its way onto my face as I glanced at Calla. She patted my hand and nodded as if unconcerned by his words. Despite her casual response, she was also troubled about the lost time.
“Consider my offer,” Simnia insisted. “Traveling by foot will take at least a week.”
Nodding, I tried my hand at politicking by explaining, “I have my concerns over trusting my fate to the Elven Empire.”
“Whyever would you be concerned?” Simnia asked, startled by my confession. “The Elven Empire has your kind to thank for our continued existence. Von Ehlinger sent their Armgard warriors to destroy everything we had built. The Bane Shifters extinguished the threat when we couldn’t.”
My gaze flashed to Mali sitting far away as if he might hide his secrets if he created enough distance from the evidence.
“The whole of the Elven Empire doesn’t concern me. Individuals within your council have split loyalties. I mustconsider if one of them might decide to drop me into the darkest ocean rather than return me to Mt. Elysium.”
Simnia glanced around the hall, echoing with chatter from the many Elves. I accepted he wasn’t involved in the Gathering. Simnia showed no reluctance to believe me, and his gaze lingered on no one in the room.
“Is the one stirring your concerns within reach as we speak?” he asked in a hushed voice.
“He eats with us, yes. Not only him, but possibly others. I suspect he plots ways to rid the world of me.”
Simnia looked me over and asked with utter honesty, “What weapon forged could kill a Bane Shifter?”
“The same one capable of doing so before. Von Ehlinger by another name emerges at the corners of Lavinia, waiting for their opportunity to claim ownership of the Territories.”
Simnia leaned back in his chair and stroked his chin. “This might explain the Murade’s recent behavior. The council believed the humans were plotting for action across the seas. We have heard rumors of land located beyond the storms. We assumed, perchance incorrectly so, the recent activity at Operation Overlord was related to the Murade’s plans to send a war force to claim the land. Perhaps, instead, they know of this new threat within Lavinia.”
“There is also the Cult of Ivitithi to the south,” I said, considering what Calla would want shared. “What recent activity has taken place at Operation Overlord?”
“Strange lights and noises. Rumors of experiments with ancient magic. Several explosions and deaths have been reported.”
“Toying with ancient magic is how the Murade made my kind.”
Simnia nodded. “That has always been the assumption.”
I glanced at Calla, who showed no reaction except for a casual stroke of my leg under the table. She knew as well as I did that our battles may be far from over.
Nodding, I muttered, “Trouble from this cult in the southern Balzica Territory. The Murade conjuring spells they can’t control in the northern Zorata Territory. And a secret society is rising in the Arbdorre Territory. The world has changed while I was on my mountain.”
Simnia could barely sit still next to me. He ached to call his council and discuss these matters. However, he must recognize not everyone he spoke to should be trusted.
“Our conversation could put you in danger,” I told him.
“If ancient magic has returned to the Territories, your life matters more than mine,” Simnia said earnestly. “The Elven Empire can’t fight such magic. Our survival depends on the Bane Shifters rallying again to protect those within Lavinia.”
His words crashed down on me, leaving my thoughts spinning and my mouth silent. I only wanted to bring Calla to Mt. Elysium and live quietly together. More war to save the Territories was only something I imagined in my nightmares.
Calla claimed we were pieces on a game board, moved around by unseen forces. I loathed to be a slave to another master.
