CHAPTER 928: WHISPERS OF AN OLD THREAT

There was little to be said in our meeting that I hadn’t already overheard or seen in a vision. Not that I was really listening. The entire conversation was little more than a background buzz, a distraction from the warmth of Luke’s hand in mine.

With so little time before the Tribunal cast its final vote, there was only so much left we could do now. Most of the dialogue was Elise explaining the various houses’ stances, what concessions they were willing to make, and what the likely outcomes would be. When it was finished, Korra smothered a yawn, looking at me.

"Hey, uh, Xiv? Mind if we visit Haven for a bit? Gayron and I were thinking of training full force, and that’s not really allowed around here."

I nodded, summoning my staff and opening a gate behind us. She gave a grateful nod, and the two ran inside. After a second’s hesitation, R’lissea stood and followed.

"I’ve been meaning to talk with Villie, " she said with an apologetic shrug.

"I suppose you two will be off, then?" Elise asked as we three were left alone.

"Actually, there’s something I wanted to ask you," I said. "At the banquet, I, um, heard one of the elves got murdered. A lord, uh..." I trailed off, biting my lip as I tried to recall the name. "Sobrein, I think it was."

"It doesn’t ring any bells, but I’m visiting more houses this week than the last month combined, so if it comes up, I’ll let you know."

"I suppose I should attend those with you," Luke said, frowning. "As little as I care for the elves, you’ve worked hard these last few months. The least I can do is accompany you."

She gave a relieved smile. "That would be great. It’s been exhausting, frankly, trying to convince everyone of your power and the threat the demons pose."

"They don’t understand/" Luke asked, taken aback.

She shook her head. "The common elves do, but the nobles have buried their heads in the sand. Well, most of them. We’ve come a long way, but I’m not sure we have enough time to go the rest."

"You’ll do what you can, and leave the rest to fate," I said softly, giving Luke’s hand a squeeze. "Things will work out, R’lissea."

"How are you so sure? If we fail, they’ll all die! I thought you were as worried about it as I am."

I held up my free hand in a placating gesture. "I am, don’t worry. But I’ve seen much that gives me hope for the future of this land. Sylvarus will endure, no matter what happens with the Tribunal."

"I suppose that’s true. Even if you attack, you’d protect our friends, right? Like the Sunsingers?" Elise asked, looking at Luke.

He pursed his lips, idly rubbing his horn. "I suppose. I’m willing to accept the surrender of any elf provided they accept my conditions. But can you be sure they’ll stand down if I’m forced to turn my horde on their cities? Will Selena and her house stay idle while those around them perish and burn?"

His question settled, thick and heavy in the summer air. I couldn’t answer, and neither could Elise. Or perhaps we just didn’t want to

Finally, Elise let out a sigh, standing. "I hope it doesn’t come to that. Luke, I’ll be going to a few Vassal houses of the Splitbarks this afternoon. I’d welcome you."

He nodded, standing, letting go of my hand. I balled my hands in my lap, trying to keep just a little of his warmth trapped in my palm.

"I suppose I’d best get my training over with, then. Xiviyah, would you call Fyren? I’d like to spar with him, if he’s available."

I started to nod, then paused as my soul connected with the fire demon’s. My brow furrowed, and I turned to him.

"He’s out of the city," I said, tail giving an anxious twitch. "Dealing with some errant cultists. That’s strange. Did you allow any of your mortal forces into Sylvarus? He said he dealt with almost a hundred demon and beastkin.

"No, they should be mustering with the rest of my horde south of here. Were there any demons with them?"

I shook my head. "No, but they were preparing to attack a village, apparently. Fyren stopped them before they could, but they must have been trying to open another demon gate."

"Another?" He raised an eyebrow.

Briefly, I explained the incident with the demonkin some weeks ago. His frown deepened as I talked, a particularly stormy expression ruling when I finished.

"I had nothing to do with that, nor did any of the other apostles. None of them are within a hundred miles of Sylvarus’s borders. Except Jessia, maybe, but even if she were playing around here, she’d never do something so overt."

"Could it be the doing of another member of the Council?" I asked.

"I hope not, for their sake. We agreed that any such action against a kingdom must be voted on together. I’ll ask Jessia to investigate. With any luck, she’ll actually tell me what she finds out, if she doesn’t know already," he said.

"Luke..." I said, catching his sleeve as he turned. "I, um...I think Fyren knows more about it than he’s letting on. If he were going to tell me, he would have, but maybe....maybe he’ll talk to you about it."

"I’ll ask him when he comes around. But if that’s not today, would you mind if I entered Haven? Barring the Lord of Ash, the remnants are my only capable sparring partners."

"Always," I said, smiling at him. "If the gate’s open, you don’t even have to ask."

He smiled back, and reached over, taking my hand and squeezing it before letting go again, and slipping into the gate. Elise raised an eyebrow.

"You’ve gotten over...whatever that was?" she asked.

I blushed, eyes fixed on my lap. "It’s...complicated. I’m still scared, but not of Luke. I like being with him."

She smiled, and we parted ways, me to study magic with Sari, and her to prepare for her duties. The hours passed, and night fell, bringing more visions and dreams. The next day passed just as quietly as the next. During the day, R’lissea was a scarce as Elise and Luke, often leaving the manor entirely. She wouldn’t say where she meant, but in an idle fit of curiosity, I happened to glimpse a vision of her walking with Esvitt in a secluded garden, their hands just inches apart.

On the morning of the fourth day, I found Luke in the gardens, looking over some sort of map, spread across a stone table. Fyren stood beside him, pointing at some location. As I approached, I realized it wasn’t a map, but a diagram of the forested region surrounding Duskwood. There were marks of black and red scattered across it.

"What’s all this?" I asked.

Luke looked up sharply, gathering the map with a look at Fyren. The demon nodded, pensively watching me with that ever unreadable expression. My tail twitched as Luke stored the map in his spatial ring and cleared his throat.

"We were just discussing some of the cultist activity in Sylvarus. Nothing for you to concern yourself with right now," Luke said.

I folded my arms, my bottom lip pursing in a pout. "Not you, too!"

He chuckled, holding up his hands in surrender. "I just meant there’s nothing we’re going to do about it right now. The Devoted have shut down almost five different cults since your arrival, with no hints as to where they keep springing up from."

"He’s right," Fyren said, "I’ve got my suspicions, but there’s nothing that can be done right now. That being said, if you see anything regarding Rash’alon, please inform me."

I gasped, my tail going rigid. "You think he’s involved? But you killed him," I said, looking at Luke.

"Unfortunately, all I did was send him back to the infernal realms. Under normal circumstances, once a demon has been slain in a mortal world, it’s impossible for them to return to it through a demon gate."

"So you think he’s trying to get summoned through a ritual sacrifice?" I asked. "Is that even possible?"

"It wouldn’t be the first time he’s attempted such, if you’ll recall," Furen muttered darkly. He straightened, letting out a sigh. "But again, I can’t say for sure that’s what’s going on. Just keep your eyes open."

I let out a slow breath, the tension in my tail easing. "Alright. Thanks for telling me something."

My eyes darted to Luke. "Oh, um, Luke? Are you busy today?"

"Fyren and I were just discussing sparring later. But I have an hour or two before then. Did you have something in mind?"

I shifted, the fabric of my dress bunching in my hands as I stared at the ground. "Well, um...I was wondering if you’d dance with me. Anrynth said he’d teach us more if you were interested."

Luke’s expression softened, a smile touching his lips. "That’s fine, but just for a bit. I don’t like you wearing yourself out like last time."

He nodded at Fyren, and I went to him, grabbing his arm. My tail swished happily as I led him to my quarters, summoning Anrynth with my ring. Demon cults, stubborn houses, and looming war faded away as I led him to the ballroom, my tail swishing happily behind me. Even if it was just for a few minutes, I could finally have Luke to myself.