The Forsaken Hero

Elise raised her head with her proclamation, as if daring Aerion to say something. But it was I who was most taken aback. I jerked, staring at her, lips parted in shock.

She glanced at me, an amused smile flickering across her face. ”Isn’t that what you wanted?”

”Well, um, I...” I grasped my tail and held it to keep it from twitching. It wasn’t that I hadn’t expected that--I’d seen it myself--but to hear such brazen ambition from her was a shock in and of itself.

”I suppose it was a bit bold of me,” she said, a light blush dusting her cheeks. ”But I’ve made up my mind. There’s no point mincing words. I’m going to forge a new kingdom out of the chaos and build a place for the weak and the strong to live in harmony. Even if I have to fight every warlord and bandit to do it.”

Aerion nodded slowly. ”I can appreciate that kind of resolve. Nothing less will carry you to victory.”

”Then do I have your blessing?”

”You do, though, if you intend to be a monarch, you’ll need to drop that bowing and scraping. People give you the respect you demand.” Aerion leaned back, letting a smile crack. ”To be honest, this is better than any of the scenarios we were planning for. My advisors were certain you’d try to reclaim Ornth. That would be a headache for everyone.”

Elise nodded sympathetically. ”I was feeling much the same way. But I trust that you’ll take care of what remains of my people. Er, not my people, but...”

He held up a hand. ”I understand. And yes, I intend to allow them to recolonize the cities they wish, and join the nation of Sylvarus, elf or human. I see no purpose in dividing elves from humans. Should they desire, they can carve a place for themselves as easily as any other. When will you be leaving?”

”I’m not sure yet, but as soon as I can. I’ll be taking the Last Light Company with me.”

Aerion’s eyes flashed with interest. ”Truly? That’s...unexpected. But welcome, nonetheless. As grateful as we are for their assistance, no sovereign could be content with a foreign army on their soil. Especially one as powerful as the Company. My advisors estimate their return in two weeks, to the day. I’ll have my servants begin to gather what provisions we can spare for your journey.”

”You would do that?”

He inclined his head. ”We may not have much, but it is more than the people of Brithlite. I would rather you see this as payment for your services rather than a favor you owe in return. May it be the first of the abundant trade and prosperity shared between our nations, though we be on opposite sides of the continent.”

”I thank you for your generosity, and as long as I’m able to establish dominance, I swear it shall be so. I won’t forget the kindness and cooperation you’ve shown me thus far, and neither will my people.”

”Nor will we forget the blood you’ve shed for our lands. Now, do you have any idea how many people might still be living in the northern regions? I would like some rough estimates for my clerks.”

I slowly backed away, smiling wryly as neither noticed me withdrawing. Elise had passed the point where she needed my support anymore. Now, it was just a question of planning and logistics, something I had little ability for.

As I slipped through the door, a servant closing it quietly behind me, I found myself amid a small crowd of elvish nobility and soldiers. My shoulders hunched as many of them gave me questioning looks, and I slipped between them, grateful to spy Kahlen standing at their edge. They gave the demon plenty of space, but no longer seemed to consciously notice his presence.

But before I could flee entirely, a familiar floral perfume tickled my nose, and I turned, recognizing a younger elf woman with a wreath of flowers on her head.

”Lady Newspring!” I cried, giving a slight, instinctive curtsey.

The other elvish raised their eyebrows, but the lady smiled warmly, ignoring their curious gazes.

”If it isn’t the Oracle. We were just discussing amongst ourselves who might be bold enough to warrant our king’s attention on the eve of his return.”

”I’m sorry, you all probably have a lot to catch up with him on. But, um, do you have a moment for me?”

I plucked shyly at my hair, brightening as she nodded.

”I always have time for a young, bashful maiden. Tell me, is it the apostle? You seem to be getting along well,” she said, giving me a teasing grin.

”N-No, it’s not Luke,” I stammered, cheeks warming. ”It’s about the Nivaelas you gave me. I wanted to do something with them, but I don’t really know how. Would you help me?”

”Of course, you need but ask,” she said, much to my relief. ”What did you have in mind?”

Five minutes later, I was on my way, humming softly, the tip of my tail swishing back and forth. I’d been worrying about those flowers ever since I’d received them. They were beautiful, but like the flowers in the wreath I’d made with Tana and Korra, I knew they could mean more. Now, I finally had a plan.

Time moved quickly after that, but peacefully. I was often alone, my friends and companions away doing their own things. Luke, Korra, Sari, and Gayron spent nearly every waking moment in Haven, but I could only watch them study and spar for so long before boring and wandering the floating islands or Duskwood streets. I saw R’lissea even less, and heard from Elise and the servants that she was spending more and more time with the elvish nobles. One, in particular.

It was with them I found myself two weeks after our return from Ornth, sitting at a round garden table sipping a cup of tea. Though R’lisesa had invited me along, I quickly fell into the background, eclipsed by her interest in the elf across from her. Esvitt, the young soldier with mismatched eyes, one emerald, the other cerulean. As handsome and interesting a feature as his eyes were, I was much more worried about his soul. I’d seen him in the future and knew there was more than fancy between them. Or there would be. Probably. Unless I did something.

”You have the most beautiful aura,” Esvitt said, leaning on the table, gazing at R’lissea. ”I can feel it everywhere, laced with the archmages. It reminds me of your eyes. Soft, gentle, but strong.”

Her pointed ears twitched, reddening, but she kept her voice smooth. ”After all the horror this land has seen, a blessing is the least I could offer,” she replied, smiling shyly. ”It’s nothing compared to what you’ve done. You single-handedly showed all the nobles you’re worth something, even if you’re just a commoner.”

”Just?” he raised an eyebrow.

She blinked, looking startled, then nervous, but he let her off with a chuckle.

”No need to worry about that. I wear my common blood with honor, as bad as the Crimson Thread was.”

”But now you’re an officer! That’s even better than a noble, under Aerion.”

He touched his lapel, where a bronze leaf was pinned to his uniform. ”I suppose I am, though I didn’t do anything remarkable. I just fought where he ordered.”

”You led the charge against the inquisitors defending the cathedral.”

”And let the Arbiter escape. Not that anyone could stop it.”

”So? You also defeated one of the liches. I heard you had it forced against the wall when the fire demon lord arrived and incinerated it.”

”Bah, I would have had it in a few more minutes. It had the soul of an old Ornth general, but his skills hadn’t translated so well.”

”He was still a full level above you.”

The soldiers shrugged nonchalantly, lips tugging in a wry smile. ”I suppose that’s true. It’s hard to be modest with you around, isn’t it?”

Just as I started to tune them out, debating whether to say anything at all, a stream of soul speak ran through me like a lightning bolt. I stiffened, almost dropping my untouched cup of tea, before bolting to my feet.

”Fable!” I cried. ”They’re here!”

The great silver wolf, lounging across the garden, lazily lifted his head. His tail thumped, responding to my excitement, and he rose, padding over.

”Already?” R’lisesa gasped, apparently remembering why I’d been waiting with her.

”Do you need to go?” Esvitt asked, brow furrowing.

She looked at me, pleadingly, and I shook my head. ”I just need Elise.”

I climbed onto Fable’s back, and we left in a stream of stars, bounding across the city. We stopped at the Sunsinger Manor and collected Elise before traversing the outer city and leaping over the walls. A mile through the forest, and I finally sensed them. A wave of infernal mana, mixed with the familiar auras of the Last Light Company. In seconds, we were passing through the outer hordes of the Devoted, nearing the gleaming ranks of marching soldiers within.

Finally, they had returned. It was time to keep my promise.