The Words of an Assassin

Aedael raised his eyebrows at her in sudden surprise at her vehemence. He didn’t think she needed to be so emotional but Galara was and she defended her queen. “Galara, I did not speak of Queen Laurelen but perhaps, someone close to her,” he said. He tilted his head curiously as he watched the wheels of what he suggested turn inside her mind. “He wondered what it would be like to be ‘with’ someone like her. His mind banished the notion almost as quickly as it came though. He was male but as a High Elf he had control over his urges. At least he thought he did. He tried not to take in her scent just then.

“I would not think someone who wrote these words would but not all of our people, yours and mine are honorable,” he added calmly and saw her mind working behind her eyes. To say such about his own people was telling about exactly who Aedael was. He was known for his honor and honesty and it shined through him now to her. “You wish to find the truth of it just as I do Galara. If you stop and think to consider why they would come...well, follow your thoughts to conclusion and it only leaves motives that are distasteful.

Galara kept her gaze upon Aedael as he spoke. She would like to think that all Wood Elves were honorable, but she knew that was not necessarily the case. She suddenly began to fear that perhaps one of their own was working with the Dark Elves against the Queen. If that were true then she would personally hunt them down and kill them herself.

"The truth is all I seek. However, we must continue on and give the letter back to the Queen. You may then speak to her, if she allows it, and we shall see what she thinks on the matter."

She then re-blindfolded him and continued to lead him towards the palace.

Before they even got very close more soldiers surrounded them to escort them in. Galara’s sister, a scout named Kaethera came up to her. For Aedael there were so many sounds around him it was nearly impossible to tell how many were there. In any case if they decided to disarm him then there would be little he could do about it. Kaethera summoned her sister over to her and away from the High Elf’s ears.

Already Kaethera scowled and it was clear to Galara that she was outraged by the High Elf being led into their city and armed no less. She would hear as to the why of it though Galara was her superior officer and elder sister. When Galara nodded and another came to take the silk cord did she move to speak to her sister.

“I would hear the reason why you brought...this...this ‘animal’ to our home. Do you know who this is Galara? What madness has overcome you this day?!” She said urgently and with more heat than Galara might expect from her sister.

As they got closer to the palace Galara knew that more soldiers were watching them. The palace was always heavily guarded and it was impossible to get close to it without being watched by almost a dozen soldiers. Galara continued to lead Aedael until her sister, Kaethera, appeared. Her sister was scowling at her and Galara handed the silk rope to a high ranking soldier before stepping aside to speak to her sister.

"You would do well to remember who it is you are speaking to," Galara replied. "We may be sisters by blood, but I am your elder and your superior. The decisions I make are not to be questioned by you. I am taking Aedael to the Queen. An attack happened earlier today involving worms and Dark Elves and Aedael found a letter belonging to the Queen. He has agreed to return the letter to her and wishes to speak to her. I shall let the Queen decide if she wishes to see him. Return to your post and do not speak of this."

Kaethera narrowed her eyes at her sister and her mouth made a thin line that denoted her aggravation and discontent with Galara’s response. “Very well Galara, if you think this to be...wise. I remember that you let him touch you at the Ambassador's ball. A High Elf Galara, do not forget what he is. And he had killed many of us, a great many sister,” she said and her eyes seemed to cloud up with moisture just then. Her fiance had been one of those that had been killed during a skirmish that happened near their western border years ago. Aedael wasn’t involved in that but he was a High Elf and thus deserved her scorn and distrust.

“I will go,” she said finally then stepped away from her and put her helmet on. Before long she disappeared into the trees once more. She ran towards the city, the queen would hear of this! She vowed. She’d tell her about who was in their midst before her sister arrived.

At the palace Rhazien was not there any longer. He went back to his home to rest after his injury. His wife had wanted to talk to him but he had asked her for seclusion and so she left him alone though she had been so worried for him.

Kaethera was permitted entry and she moved up toward the queen who sat her throne.

Queen Verya sat upon her throne contemplating everything that had happened that day. Her trusted advisor and his guards had been attacked by worms right at the forest border. He had survived but the letter he had been carrying to the High Elves had gone missing. That letter was the first step in peace negotiations and it seemed too coincidental that it should be thatletter that went missing. She was deeply upset and frustrated. She was tired of this war...tired of the fighting. She wanted peace and for her people to live comfortably and without fear of attacks. However, she knew that there were some that would never want peace between the Wood Elves and the High Elves. That is why this letter had been sent in secret. However, now she did not know whose hands it had fallen into and if word got out that peace negotiations were in process she did not know what the reaction might be.

She heard the main doors to the throne room open and glanced over to see Kaethera enter. Kaethera was the younger sister of Galara, one of her high ranking soldiers, and she moved with a purpose towards her. Verya sighed and looked at her.

"What is it Kaethera?" she said with a hint of irritation in her voice.

Kaethera didn’t hate her sister but her arrogant attitude had rubbed her the wrong way once too many times. She went too far and she felt her sister was taking dangerous chances with their queen’s safety. High Elves didn’t belong in Alysian. The Silverlake Forest was her home. The Wood Elf home, not a place a High Elf should be. Not now, not ever! She thought angrily. Jaoldwin died 3 years ago but his death is still quite raw in her mind and in her heart. She bowed to the queen and came onto a knee in reverence to her.

“My queen, it is my duty to inform you that Galara is escorting a High Elf to the palace,” she said plainly with her head bowed. She paused a moment to let that settle in and then rose her head up and offered more.

“It is Aedael Caemaere and though he is blindfolded he was still armed! He has brought the sword ‘Laica’ with him,” she said nearly breathlessly. That sword was well known by their people. It had seen many wars, first held by the war hero Hasalin, Aedael’s ancestor. And it is well known that Aedael has learned their family's ancient art of combat. Kaethera held her eyes up defiantly with an angry glow in her eyes. “Galara goes too far,” she growled.

Verya looked sharply at Kaethera. "Do NOT presume to tell me what I should or should not think Kaethera. You would do well to remember your place," she said, echoing what her sister had said earlier, "and remember that I am Queen here and I shall be the one to decide when Galara has gone too far OR not. You have done what you wished to do and informed me of the situation. I shall handle it from here. You are dismissed Kaethera."

Although Verya maintained an outwardly neutral expression, inside she knew exactly why Aedael had come. There was only one reason he would bring Laica with him...to kill her. She remembered seeing Aedael once. She had been standing with her father and the two of them had looked at one another across the borders of their lands. Their eyes had met and at the time she could have sworn that something unsaid had passed between them. She had thought him handsome and almost regal in the way he had held himself. He was a fierce warrior and as a fellow warrior she had admired his fighting style. Now, years later he had been sent to use those skills against her. She closed her eyes for a moment, contemplating what to do. Her eyes then opened when she heard the doors open again and the sound of footsteps approaching...

Aedael was more than tired of being bound and blindfolded but he played along. He could hear the sounds of people and when they were outside and inside by how those sounds changed. He made no overt movements and even hunched his shoulders to appear less imposing but he still knew he was well and truly watched. He focused on his other senses too, his sense of smell above all the others. He could smell sweat from those around him, herbs and flowers from the soaps people used on themselves. He smelled real flowers and plants too and the oils and sinew from the weapons.

He had seen Verya before and recalled a moment they shared with their eyes. He had loved how different her hair looked. It’s fiery tint set her apart as well as her eyes. She had wonderful eyes and it was truly a shame why he was there now. Not to converse with her socially. That would be an indulgence he couldn’t afford. It is always more difficult to kill someone you knew personally. And so he’d make their conversation short.

He heard doors opening and closing and the light around him seemed to change as he was led into a large chamber. It still seemed they were in the trees but this room was massive. It must be within a massive tree and it took real effort to calm himself. To maintain a slow heartbeat and take even breaths. If they detected an increase in adrenaline from him they’d likely take him in arms and then all would be for not. Finally he felt the silk robe slack ahead of him and he stopped.

Several guardsman moved quickly into the room and took up position suddenly around Galara and the others. They had their swords drawn and formed a screen in front of the queen. Galara was just as surprised as her men were though Aedael had no idea what was happening besides how many people were near him now. Galara gave his lead to another then approached the guards. Two of them shifted without prompt and turned aside so the queen and herself were face to face. She went onto a knee and bowed her head.

“My queen, I bring Aedael Caemaere alone to treat with you,” she said. In a much softer tone she added. “He has your peace declaration in his possession.”

Verya watched as Aedael was led in. His hands were bound in front of him with a silk rope and he was blindfolded and being led by Galara. She could see Laica at his side. She maintained a neutral expression as she watched a large number of guards came around and formed a circle around Aedael. She remained quiet as Galara handed off the silk rope to a guard and approached her. When she heard that Aedael had the peace declaration that had been lost she felt a sense of relief come over her. At least it had not ended up in the hands of the Dark Elves.

She was quiet a moment before looking at everyone in the room.

"Leave us," she said in a commanding voice. The guards hesitated and Galara seemed surprised.

"Leave us NOW!" she repeated loudly.

Slowly, Galara rose, though she continued to hesitate. Verya could see that she wanted to argue with her, but Verya gave her a sharp, warning look and Galara lowered her eyes and made her way out of the room. She was followed by the guards, leaving only Aedael and herself. Verya stepped up to Aedael and first loosened the bindings on his wrists. She then carefully pulled off his blindfold and found herself looking into his eyes. Neither of them spoke for a few long moments. Finally, Verya broke the silence.

"I know why you are here Aedael."

Galara nearly gaped at the queen. Was she crazy? She was about to argue but Verya’s angry gaze made her lower her eyes. She was about to apologize and ask for a penance when they were summarily ordered out of the room.

Aedael didn’t move immediately he only flexed his wrists.he knew what was said and what Verya did. He thought he even knew why. She was an honorable woman and knew if it was her he was sent to kill that no other would he kill if he didn’t have to. He kept his arms clasped in front of him.

“You are the last Verya,” he would not call her by her family name. Too much blood had already been spilled by her family though her father had been more reasonable than most. “What I do today I do because those are my orders,” he said softly, almost sadly. And he did feel...something. Like this was wrong in some way. Like a shade or shadow had crept into the light that made up everything. Tainting it, dimming it. The light was all, he was part of it as it was part of him. His elven heritage commanded his will and he fought to remain calm and thoughtful in her presence. He admired her bravery and her control of her fear.

Rhazien had managed to find Authiel, finally and alone or as good as. He gestured to her to come to him as he limped toward the westfall overlook. He smiled at her and for a moment forgot that he wasn’t himself. He was Trikan. The pain in his leg hurt and he promised pain and suffering to those that had hurt him though they were doing what he asked. Ok, Trikan damn you! He said to himself about himself. He calmed his expression and straightened.

“Good day to you, Authiel. I’ve been wanting to speak to you, my regards in the loss of some of our men. I was surprised when the queen barely bothered to debrief me. She asked questions ofcourse about what happened but didn’t seem all that concerned about it,” he said evenly and in a low tone. A man and a woman passed by them not paying them any mind. “But that wasn’t exactly why I called you over,” he said as he looked into her eyes. He reached out and touched her palm with 2 fingers, slightly bent and drew them across. It was a very forward gesture. One that would make it clear he was interested in her without being so obvious. Her look of surprise made him want to laugh but he managed to keep his face calm though he did have a slight pleased look on his face. To this point Trikan had hardly ever spoke a word to her but they had worked together before. He was the queen's advisor and was a well respected and liked personality. He had a wife and children, everyone knew that and adultery was rare for Wood Elves. But it has happened. Wood Elves were more passionate than their higher born kin. More likely to react from a feel than dedicated thought, though only slightly more. He looked away from her and clasped his hands behind his back. His cloak rustled when he turned, his long, blonde hair ran down in waves down his back.

“Is there a place...we could go to...speak in private?” he asked softly. Rhazien wanted to sick up again. How these people survived this long he could not know but romance was horrible, just...just horrible!

Verya said nothing in response. She slowly walked over to a table upon which sat a bottle of wine. She uncorked the wine and poured two glasses. She walked back over to Aedael and offered him a glass of wine. She took a sip of her wine before finally speaking again.

"I am tired of this war...of the fighting. I don't even think we remember why we are fighting anymore. It has become apart of us...it is born into each generation and it must stop. Too many lives have been lost...too much blood has been spilt. I want both of our peoples to live in peace and without fear. That is why I wrote that letter of a negotiation of peace between our peoples that you found. I will not stop you Aedael if you choose to kill me...but know this...it will not stop this war. Killing me will only anger my people even more and they will retaliate and then your people will retaliate and this war will continue indefinitely until we are all dead. Peace will not come through the shedding of more blood. It will only come through negotiations of our peoples."

Authiel was standing in one of the hallways of the palace fuming with anger at her cousin. Her cousin continued to treat her as if she didn't matter...as if she were no more than a child. She had worked hard and deserved to be treated with more respect! She was so deep in her angry thoughts that she did not hear Trikan approach her until he spoke. She jumped and looked over at him. She was glad to see that he was doing well. As he spoke about her cousin's reaction, or lack there of, to the loss of their men it only fueled her anger even more. She was about to say something when Trikan suddenly said that was not why he had come over to speak to her. She couldn't know what he would want to speak to her about. Suddenly, she felt two of his fingers brush lightly across her palm. It was a very forward gesture and surprised Authiel. Trikan was married with children....and yet he was now expressing unspoken desires for her! As of late, Authiel had found herself looking more at Trikan and had even had passionate visions of them together. As her eyes met his she felt her own desires starting to grow as she thought about those visions. When he then asked in a soft voice if there was a private place where they could talk she felt a shiver of desire go down her spine. She nodded slightly before walking with him down the hallway. She opened the door to her private chambers and allowed him inside. She shut the doors behind her and looked at him.

"...What was it you wanted to speak to me about?" she said in a soft voice.

Trikan looked down at his feet and his face took on a pained look as if his mental faculties were waning in him. Something that Wood Elves didn’t allow often. “I lose faith in our leaders and I feel...powerless to change it,” he said sadly. “I try to obey her but...but it is hard Authiel,” he said, his eyes filling up with shame. Rhazien was very good at deceit. This was his forte.

He looked up at Authiel, his eyes so sad and forlorn. “I feel as everything in my life is slipping away. All that I’ve fought for, all that we’ve fought for. I need to feel...something, anything but this pain in my heart,” he said as he looked at her. His words were few but they suggested alot. He was losing faith in Verya, and needed someone to bring his faith back. Him being here with her now was clear who he meant. She would have an ally in him which was a huge boon to her.

Aedael did not lift a hand to take her offering. While her words made sense to everything he had learned, they also made what he had to do harder. A large part of him believed her. Or wanted to but if he let her live he knew he couldn’t return home. If he died here and now at least he’d die with honor. “I’m...sorry Verya,” he said as he fought to contain his emotions.

This close to her he could now see clearly what he had remembered from their last meeting. She was stunningly beautiful with fiery red hair that flowed back like real flames and her golden eyes, fearless and yet he could see desperation in them too. For himself he had made his peace with his death long ago now he was but a tool, a weapon to be unleashed when he was needed. He drew out Laica from it’s sheath. The blade made a ringing sound when it was brought out into the light. The metal of the blade gleamed in the every moving light of the room as he held it down at his side. He saw her hand with his cup of wine lower. He looked to be at his ease but she knew he was a cat about to spring on her. And in an instant after she would be no more. But he hadn’t attacked her yet.

The problem was simple. If he killed her and gave her back the letter it would look as if the high elves wanted war. If he kept the letter and only those under her spoke of it, it would look as if She, herself wanted war. Neither of those things were true and thus, this was precisely his hesitation.

Authiel had felt alone in her lack of faith of her cousin. She had dared not speak of it to anyone for fear of imprisonment or death. However, hearing that Trikan shared her feelings made her think that perhaps many others felt the same way, but just feared speaking of it. She looked into Trikan's eyes and Rhazien would know that he had her. Without a word she stepped closer to him and gently caressed her fingers across his cheek before lightly drawing them across his lips.

Verya closed her eyes for a moment and slowly nodded. She was exhausted and would not fight Aedael. She wanted to weep though...for both of their peoples. Today would not be the end of the war...but the start of a bloody new chapter. She could see in Aedael's eyes that he did not want to do this but had been sent by his King and to not complete his mission would mean death or the inability to return to his own country. It would bring shame upon his family. Aedael was honorable and if one was to kill her she was glad it would be him. He would do it quickly and not let her suffer.

She put down the glasses of wine and heard the sound of Laica being unsheathed. She turned and faced Aedael, prepared for her fate. She would keep her eyes upon him until the end. She looked into his eyes and held her breath as she waited.

Aedael held his sword securely and his face frowned. ‘This was wrong’ he said over and over in his head. Verya looked a little sad but she held herself like the proud and fearless woman she was. A queen, not in just name. One that wanted peace like he did. ‘This was wrong’ that voice said again. He stepped toward her and felt his calm slip.

Panting and drew his blade up to the side, poised to come down and slice her head off. He saw her close her eyes and for a moment he closed his. He was Aedael Caemaere, a hero to his people. But the wrong of it, the feeling that something that dimmed his inner light was at work here. He exhaled and drew his sword back then laid it before her at her feet. His inner calm shattered in that moment and he came down onto a knee before her then bowed her head.

“I can not,” he said in a strained voice. “Do with me what you will, I will not do this,” he said and would not lift his head. He deserved for her to kill him now. He no longer had a home and he deserved his fate for failing to do his duty.

Verya felt fear rise up within her. To not be afraid to die would be impossible. She was still very young and had much she had wished to accomplish. She would never find love, marry, bear a child, or see peace between the Wood Elves and the High Elves. She could only hope that she was wrong about her death and that instead of causing more blood to be shed that it would end this war as Aedael believed. That hope alone brought her some comfort.

As Aedael drew his sword to the side she closed her eyes...no longer able to look at him. She held her breath...waiting for the final blow...but it never came. Suddenly, she heard him place his sword on the ground before her. As she opened her eyes Aedael dropped down to his knee before her. She could hear the pain in his voice, though she could not see his eyes. Verya stood there for a moment before reaching down and picking up Laica. She walked away from Aedael and placed the sword upon the table. She then turned and walked back to him.

"You and I must put aside our differences and work together in our endeavor. You must not consider not killing me a failure on your part Aedael. You knew in your heart it would solve nothing...just as I know that killing you would solve nothing. You shall remain here with me and together we will find a way to restore peace among our peoples."

(new thread)