The Forsaken Hero

We were ushered to a small balcony-like gazebo on a small cliff overlooking a pond. A few colorful fish drifted lazily through the shallows, ducking behind reeds and floating water lilies whenever I tried to steal a glance. The ground beneath the marble pillars and tiled roof was white-washed cobblestone, smooth against my shoes. It wasn’t long before we were seated, and a waiter appeared.

”What’ll you be having?”

I looked up, eyes wide, at the man addressing me. He wore a white uniform with the runes of The Spire’s End emblazoned on his left breast. And he was waiting for me to answer.

”I, um...” I looked helplessly at R’lissea, sitting beside me.

”Something light,” she said quickly. ”A broth, maybe.”

”T-that,” I said, nodding.

The waiter glanced at Elaine, who shrugged.

”As you wish. And you, Life Hero?”

She ordered some specialty dish I didn’t know the name of, and the waiter left. I let out a pent-up breath, sagging in my seat.

”What, never been to a restaurant before?” Elaine asked.

I shook my head. ”Never. Soltair and Trithe took me once, but I think that was their way of teasing me.”

”I’m sure this will be a more pleasant experience. The Spire’s End is the most reputable place in the empire. The emperor himself regularly attends meals here, especially when meeting with diplomats,” she said.

”They negotiate in a restaurant?” I asked.

”There are few better ways to get to know one’s nature than over a meal,” Elaine said. ”It’s a common practice around the world.”

”Is that why it’s so big?” I asked, looking around.

The gazebo was easily thirty feet across, with four tables and room for several dozen customers. It was empty for now, save for the table the three of us occupied.

”Indeed, though there are several others I expect to join us soon.”

Before I could ask what she meant, footsteps sounded on the path behind us. I turned, smiling in relief at seeing Elise. She took a seat next to me, barely suppressing a yawn.

”Gods, being a noble is a lot of paperwork,” she grumbled.

Elaine grinned. ”If you want the privileges, you must shoulder the responsibilities. Even so, it wouldn’t be so bad if you weren’t leaving straightaway.”

”I know, I know, but what else can I do? The world won’t save itself,” Elise said with a chuckle.

”A bold sentiment for someone who negotiated in favor of demons,” Elaine said.

Elise shrugged. ”That I have to do that says more about the world than it does me. I’ll do what I have to do.”

”Hmm, is that right?”

Elaine stared intently at Elise, making her squirm. I tugged on Elise’s sleeve.

”What’s happening?” I asked.

Elise’s lips drew into a thin line. ”It’s...nothing.”

An uncomfortable quiet descended on the table. I picked at my skirt, fingering the hem of one of the slits.

”Well, uh, your dress looks nice,” Elise finally offered.

My grip tightened. ”Thanks. Elaine gave it to me.”

”I’ve considered getting one, too, but the style’s a little much for me,” she said. ”After Brithlite, I’m not sure I could wear something like that again.”

Her voice turned small at the end. I looked up to see her staring into the small fish pond, eyes wavering.

”Was Brithlite truly that bad?” Elaine asked. ”There’s plenty of rumors about the north side of the continent, but credible information has been hard to come by, even for the empire’s experienced spies.”

”Worse than you could imagine. The demons control every territory with the exception of Heartland. Entire kingdoms are desolate, with tens of thousands dead. But it’s still better than when the Circle ruled it,” I said.

Elise nodded. ”The Circle and the church enslaved almost everyone at one point. The heart crest is more monstrous than anything the demons could do.”

”But what about ten years from now?” Elaine asked. ”Provided the demons keep their word, our empire will endure relatively unscathed. But the northern kingdoms no longer have leadership or structure, and all their most powerful beings have been slain.”

Elise stared at her lap. ”I...no, someone will rise and take over. Someone always does.”

”And what if they’re a tyrant? In a lawless land, the strong dominate the meek. Would you be satisfied if a warlord took over?”

”I-It’s not my place to say,” Elise said weakly.

Elaine’s stare never slipped, burrowing into Elise. ”If you can’t, then who could? You alone hold claim to the people and land there.”

”I’m from Ornth,” Elise mumbled.

”Really? Would they welcome you back?” Elaine asked.

Elise closed her eyes. I took her hand, glaring at Elaine.

”What are you trying to say? Why are you acting like she did something wrong?” I asked.

Elaine perched her chin on her hand, staring at me curiously. ”So you haven’t told her, then?”

Elise’s grip on my hand tightened. I shared a look with R’lissea, who looked just as confused as I felt.

”It doesn’t matter,” Elise said, sounding like she might cry.

”Elise...” I whispered. ”Does this have to do with that letter? And why don’t the nobles here like you?”

She shivered, avoiding my gaze. ”It’s not important.”

I wanted to say something, anything, but I didn’t know what. I knew the pain in her eyes and just how deeply it was embedded in her heart. This wasn’t something that could be fixed with a hug or a platitude. I wasn’t even sure it could be fixed at all. Somehow, I felt this was connected to Alverin and the atrocities he had inflicted upon her. If that were true...well, some scars were just too deep to heal. I carried many myself.

But understanding the reason for her hurt didn’t make my heart ache any less. I squeezed her hand, wishing I could tell her how much I cared for her, how much I wanted to take her pain away. She didn’t deserve the shame and heartache.

R’lissea sighed and sat back, arms folded tightly, looking at Elaine. ”If she doesn’t want to say anything, there’s no reason to force her.”

”Some choices won’t wait forever,” Elaine murmured. ”But you are right. Today is not the time for contemplating the grimness of our world. Today, we are celebrating. And look, here comes the food.”

The waiter was at the head of a small party of people, only three of whom actually wore the white uniform. The others were richly dressed nobles with smooth skin and shining hair. An eighth-level guard accompanied the group, taking up a sentry position between two of the marble pillars.

”Elaine!”

A noble girl no older than I ran up and hugged Elaine. Elise stiffened, her grip on my hand tightening.

”Ah, Belisa. I see you decided to come after all,” Elaine said with a smile.

I stared in shock, vaguely recalling the girl’s face from the banquet. Wasn’t she the imperial princess?

Belisa tossed her hair, straightening from the embrace. ”My tutor decided to give me the day off. Apparently, there was a strange, magical phenomenon discovered in the town today, and he needed to interview a few people.”

”Avant’s always busy, isn’t he?” Elaine said. ”But I suspect he’s wasting his time. The cause of said phenomenon is already known.”

”Really? Was it one of those undead crawling around?”

”Of course not. It’s the Oracle,” a man said, coming up and placing his hand on Belisa’s shoulder.

He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a noble face and dark, striking eyes. I remembered him from the banquet as well—the crown prince of the Empire.

”M-my Lord!” Elise gasped, rising and dropping a low curtsy.

I followed suit, looking at R’lissea. She remained seated, not even glancing at the two royal children. Instead, she smiled at the waiter, taking a glass chalice of wine from him.

”They’re here, too?” Belisa asked, eyes wide.

”I told you I was coming to meet someone,” the prince said.

”But why them? She’s a...a...”

”Someone Father recognized,” he replied firmly. ”Lady Elise, correct?”

The prince glided over, taking Elise’s hand and raising her from her curtsy. She froze, eyes wide, as he bowed, pressing his lips to the back of her hand.

”It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said, giving her a warm smile.

”M-my Lord...” she stammered, flushing slightly. ”Please, I’m not worthy of such–”

”Please, call me Benjamin. Your dress is beautiful. Made in Brithlite, is it?” he asked.

”Y-yes, it was given to me by my late fiancé. Before...um...it’s very soft,” she squeaked, flustered.

The prince’s face fell. ”Prince Jarrod, was it? I heard he was a good man who fought valiantly against the demons. His loss is felt keenly by this world.”

Elise bit her lip, voice wavering. ”He was...kind. Our engagement was arranged, but I...I miss him.”

”And you, Oracle. You’re more vibrant than a sunset, and just as beautiful,” Benjamin said. ”I see you’ve taken to our fashion?”

I flushed, smoothing my skirt with a trembling hand. His voice was silky smooth and sounded authentic, but his words were dangerous. What purpose did he have in flattering me like this? Alex had done the same thing, and he had wanted to–

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to return his gaze. When my eyes met his, Benjamin shivered, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. Starlight curled around him, and though it didn’t engage in a vision, I felt a sense of...power. He had a presence that belied his sixth-level aura.

Elaine cleared her throat. ”Why don’t you take a seat? And please, every drop the formality. This is but a gathering among friends.”

Belisa snorted, sliding into a seat with infuriating poise and grace. Benjamin smiled at us again and sat down. Surprisingly, he sat next to Elise instead of his sister.

”So, Elise, I heard you attended Western University,” he said, ”What was it like there?”