Page 103 of The Ascended
"Aelix," Xül greeted him. "I was beginning to think you'd found a more interesting engagement."
"And miss this spectacle of divine excess?" Aelix grinned, pulling out a chair for Marx before taking his own. "Never."
"Miss Morvaren," Aelix said, turning his attention to me. "You’re looking remarkably intact."
"I'm difficult to kill," I replied, taking a sip of the luminous drink that tasted like summer berries and sparkling wine.
"So I've heard."
Marx rolled her eyes. "Can we skip the cryptic posturing? I'm starving, and whatever that is—" she nodded toward a servant carrying a platter, "—smells incredible."
As if her words had been a signal, servants appeared around the hall, bearing plates of food that defied description. One was placed at the center of our table. It resembled fish but with colors no natural creature should possess, arranged in a spiral pattern.
As I ate, I let my gaze wander across the hall. Thatcher sat at a table with Chavore, Kavik, and several Legends I recognized from the Choosing. He seemed engaged in conversation.
"Have you noticed our audience has grown?” Aelix asked. “More viewing portals now than at the beginning of the evening."
I looked around and saw he was right. The shimmering distortions had multiplied, positioned strategically throughout the hall. One hung directly above our table, I realized with a jolt.
"The others may not attend in person," Xül said quietly, "but they're watching. Everyone is watching."
"Delightful," Marx muttered. "Nothing like having your meal observed by immortal voyeurs."
As dinner progressed, I became increasingly aware of the complex web of interactions around us. Every movement seemed choreographed, every conversation layered with hidden meanings. Across the hall, I noticed a contestant speaking animatedly to aLegend. The Legend smiled, but predation lurked in the corners of his eyes. Nearby, a viewing portal shifted position, angling to better capture the exchange.
"Darian from the Teranta Mountains," Aelix murmured, following my gaze. "Kavik's chosen. He's been trying to curry favor with other Legends. Dangerous game."
"Why?" I asked, keeping my voice low. "Isn't rapport part of this... spectacle?"
"Rapport, yes. Appearing desperate and disloyal, no." Xül's fingers brushed my wrist beneath the table. "Watch."
The Legend leaned closer to Darian, asking something that made the young man's face light up with enthusiasm. With each word, the Legend's smile grew.
"He's quite the talker," I murmured.
"And everyone is listening," Xül agreed.
Sure enough, across the hall, Kavik had noticed the exchange. His expression remained pleasant, but a cold fury radiated from him. When Darian returned to his table, Kavik leaned close, whispering something that made all color drain from the young man's face.
"What will happen to him?" I asked.
"Best case? Kavik merely withdraws support, leaving him to navigate the next trial alone." Aelix shrugged. "Worst case... well, accidents happen during training."
The cruelty of it twisted my stomach. Music began to filter through the hall—a strange, haunting melody played on elaborate harps. The first couple moved to the center of the floor—Chavore and Elysia.
"They're definitely fucking," Marx observed bluntly. "Rather enthusiastically, from the looks of it."
Aelix choked on his drink. "Your tact is, as always, remarkable."
"Am I wrong?" she challenged.
"Not at all," Xül replied, amusement coloring his tone.
More couples joined the dance floor, each moving with that grace that followed allthe Legends.
"Xül." A feminine voice broke into our conversation. Nyvora had returned, her expression set in determined charm. "Surely you won't deny me a dance now that the formalities of dinner have concluded?"
I felt rather than saw Xül's hesitation. But he rose, perfect courtesy masking whatever reluctance he might have felt. "How could I refuse such a gracious invitation?"
