The color of Divinity I - The delusion of reality

The color of Divinity
By Ellnyon

Notes and warnings

I’m way too late again. Kind of in a bad phase of my life…please forgive me.

Thanks for the luck wishes, everyone, and for your reviews too, of course. Again, I can’t properly express how glad, flattened and honoured I am by your words. Thank you. As always, I can’t thank everyone enough for reading this, especially my reviewers. I’ll keep doing my best and hope it continues to please.

Laie. Kind as always. Thank you so much for everything.

Sekre. I’m so happy you like it. Hope you continue to think that way as the story unfolds. Many thanks.

Scribbles. Thanks. I can’t wait for them to start sneaking around either :), but Meanea may be a bit difficult and Fenaleos and (not surprisingly) Iadden are definitely in the way… :)

Anon. Thank you. There are many villains in this tale you can dislike. And I’m pleased you want to like Iadden. Personally, I love him… :)

rosiel. Sorry I’m so late in updating. Thank you. Hope you can forgive me…

green. Thanks for everything. As I said to Anon, you can like Iadden. After all, he’s still just a child. He’s not purposely evil. There are other villains you can hate. :) No. Meanea is a regular blond Ethen. He’s not the dark-haired one from the legends…That one will come later. To complicate things, of course…^_^.

Rodanna. Wow. I’m honoured. You are definitely too kind. I want nothing to fail in the structure of the story I imagined. And so sometimes I’m afraid I spend too much time planning the profile of the characters, the way they present themselves, their reactions or other things like culture aspects or even world maps…I guess I’m kind of a perfectionist. And that’s why it takes me so long to update, too. Because I want to post only my best. Still, I know I have much to improve and your words make me believe I can truly do it. So thank you so much. I only hope you’ll never regret them.

To all the reviewers. You continue to be immensely kind to me. Thank you so much. I hope you all like this new chapter as well.

Enjoy your reading.

Part I

Chapter 3

“Don’t worry about it, tonight. You must be exhausted. We’ll take care of that tomorrow… you can go, now.”

“Thank you, Milessin.” Meanea smiled and nodded to his personal servants. The three low-class Ethen bowed and left with goodnight wishes. The high-class blond was finally left alone for the first time after the arrival at the capitol. Alone in his private quarters. In his temporary private quarters. He smiled. In one week the Ethen would be married and then he would, of course, move to the royal suite. In one week exactly, this night would be his first night with his king. His first night as the second ruler of N’Alaera. Meanea was happy. Everything had happened the best way possible.

Meanea hadn’t been sure what to expect when he set foot in N’Alaera’s capitol. He certainly hadn’t been waiting for such a warm welcome from everyone. He could hear N’Alaera’s citizen celebrating his arrival in the streets of the city even now, when the festivities at the palace had ended hours ago. He just wished he could become a ruler worthy of such expectancy. At least one as good as the beloved Queen Gialdia, prince Edyane’s mother, who had died twelve years ago. Prince Edyane. Meanea had heard rumours, of course, about the young prince. Who hadn’t? Such a handsome and beloved heir. But, from what he could already tell, they were pale compared to the real Edyane. Meanea was impressed with the young man. Not only was he charming and gorgeous as sin, the auburn haired prince had an aura of royalty and power Meanea had never seen before. Even Delaen’niel, the arrogant heir prince of Meya had yet to achieve such an influence on his court. He was respected and worshiped. Yes. But nothing like this. And Meanea could perceive that it wasn’t only among the nobles. No. The people were just as enthusiastic of Edyane, if not more. They were faithful to their prince in a way he had never imagined possible. Their adoration could be seen in their eyes. Prince Edyane was loved and respected, strong and imposing. The Ethen had no doubts that if the people and court were made to choose between their king, Fenaleos and their prince, Edyane, they would prefer the later. Meanea liked to think that he was well versed in royal politics. Being one of the higher nobles in Meya and direct descendant of its royal line, he had been in contact with them since birth and he could tell: If Edyane decided to dethrone his father and take his place, he would. Meanea had to be very careful. He had to fall in the young prince’s good books or he would possibly drag his future husband into disgrace along with him.

A soft knock on his bedchambers’ door pulled the Ethen away from his thoughts and surprised him. Who can it be at this hour? Turning around in the chair he had been sitting on to prepare for bed, he called.

“Enter.” A fraction of the door was opened and a small dark-haired head peeked inside. Meanea huffed.

“Shouldn’t you be in bed?” He asked in a low voice, somewhat annoyed. The masked boy bowed his head shyly.

“Sorry…” He whispered. Meanea sighed.

“Come on in. Don’t stand there. If Lessin Sanari or Sir Athios find you here, you’re in trouble.” The boy entered swiftly and closed the door behind him, but didn’t move far from it as if afraid he would have to do a hasty exit. Fidgeting, with his head bowed, the boy stood, silent, quiet and perfectly still. Meanea sighed again. Sometimes the blond really hated his younger brother. It was clear that something was troubling the boy. Unfortunately, Iadden was not the kind of child who took comfort in his older brother’s arms when scared. The boy was, in part, like that, due to Athios’ encouragement all his life. However, the greatest culprit was the boy’s own personality and mentality, the Ethen was afraid. Excessively proud, brave and strong since a very young age, the small Eth child had not even once come to Meanea for help. No, Iadden dealt with his own troubles alone. No one was allowed inside the brick walls surrounding his sorrow and pains and his all-revealing eyes and expressions were hid behind that damn white mask at all times. Meanea hated that mask, but by now he was more used to it than to his brother’s actual face. The last time he had seen it had been a year ago, the magical mask only disappearing whenever his brother lost concentration and consequently the iron grip he had on his powers. And according to Athios, his brother’s tutor in the arts of war and magic, not only his powers but also his control on them had been improving greatly in the past few years as well as his fighting abilities. Meanea was not surprised. Iadden’s time was passed studying, training and getting himself into trouble. Those were some of the reasons he lacked so much in social skills. However, for a boy so amazingly quiet, with his face always hid behind a mask, it was not very hard for someone who really knew him to identify the boy’s moods. When Iadden experienced a strong emotion, his remarkable magical aura changed and the people around him felt it even if they could not see it. Like when you throw a pebble at a lake and the water ripples in every direction. This was one of those times. Meanea could feel the boy’s distress. So, if the Eth child was upset and would never come to him if simply scared or sad, for him to appear in the middle of the night at his brother’s private bedchambers when he should be asleep hours ago…Meanea frowned.

“Iadden? What have you done this time?” The boy apparently lost in thought, startled a little, looking sharply at his brother.

“I…hum…I’m sorry.” He said in a small voice. Meanea sighed.

“Go on.”

“It’s just…” He sighed. “I wanted to apologize for what happened earlier at the pier. I know I embarrassed you…again.” Meanea exhaled relieved. So that was the problem. They hadn’t had time alone since the arrival and of course Iadden would be worried. The blond Ethen had forgotten it already, but the young boy did not tolerate failures. Especially his own… He rose and kneeled next to the child.

“It’s okay. You just have to be more careful, next time. How is your ankle?” Iadden angled his head in order to look at his older brother.

“It still hurts a little bit, but it’s okay. Do you forgive me?” Meanea smiled. He knew the boy had already been punished by Athios.

“There’s nothing to forgive. Prince Edyane asked me several times about your condition. He and King Fenaleos were very worried about you. I heard from a reliable source that the prince found the situation and your actions very amusing and intriguing for someone your age and thinks highly of you. I’m sure you two will become very good friends.” Iadden huffed and angled his head again.

“He only acts and talks like that to please you. You should be wary of him. He’s charming you and you’re allowing it.” This comment baffled Meanea. He rose sharply and towered menacingly over the other boy.

“Iadden!” he exclaimed. “I’m your older brother, what are you implying?” he said angry. But the stubborn boy always lost any kind of submissive behaviour whenever he thought he was right. He wasn’t intimidated, in the very least.

“I’m just telling what I saw!” he replied confident. Meanea bristled.

“Iadden, mind your place. Don’t you dare getting in trouble with prince Edyane, you hear? He was so very nice to you… And you have to understand the gravity of your words. I’m marrying his father!” Iadden huffed another time and turned his head to the left in a stubborn display. Meanea frowned. Iadden could be so rebellious sometimes. He had to agree with Lessin Sanari. This was not the kind of manners best befitting an Eth of his status.

“Oh, please, Meanea, don’t treat me like a baby. I have eyes, brother!” he said exasperated and then continued in a reproaching tone. “He couldn’t take his eyes off of you…” He affirmed and looked sideways at the blond Ethen. ”…and you were enjoying it.” Stunned, Meanea almost lost his composure a second time, only to resume a much more authoritarian posture.

“Stop, Iadden. Stop right now! Even if that was the case, I don’t have to justify my actions to anyone but my fiancé. Least of all to my younger brother. Eth or not.” The child sighed.

“I know, but…” he said in a soft voice. ”I’m just warning you that your actions may have heavy consequences. The prince is handsome, charming, clever and he seems honest, too, I know, but…I can tell he’s also not happy with this marriage. If that wasn’t enough, he looks at you as if fascinated. You cannot encourage his advances any further. He’s too young and spoiled to be anything but selfish and you certainly saw the influence he has on his court. Fenaleos is such a good man, such a good king. You have to be very careful, my brother…” he affirmed in a cautious voice. Meanea, stunned once more, calmed his temper for a second to gather his thoughts and ponder on his brother’s words. Could Iadden apprehend all this from watching them for a single evening? He knew his young brother was quite perceptive for his age. And sometimes he spoke with so much wisdom and intelligence that he was tempted to believe him. It wouldn’t be the first time Iadden was right about something like this, either. Still, Meanea also knew of his brother’s fertile imagination. He was just a nine years old boy after all. And if he had something else alarming him concerning the blonde’s friendship with the young prince…Suddenly, a thought crept into his mind. Of course, that was it! Iadden saw Edyane as competition. Meanea had been more of an Ethenim to Iadden than a brother. Idiot child. The blond kneeled again in front of his smaller brother and smiled sweetly, cupping his cheek. Iadden’s aura grew suspicious and the older brother chuckled. Meanea could just imagine the lovely pout on the boy’s rosy lips.

“My adorable brother, just because Edyane is going to be sort of a son to me, doesn’t mean I will love you any less. He will never replace you in my heart, honey. I love you so much, Iadden, you have no idea. I just want you to be happy, sweetheart. I just want to hear you laugh and see you play like any other child your age. So stop acting like an adult, stop these silly ideas of yours and don’t worry about anything. You’re going to love it here, you’ll see. We’re going to be very happy, both of us, and one day, you won’t find a use for that mask anymore.” Meanea brushed the point of his nose against Iadden’s masked one. A butterfly kiss. Iadden’s short arms went around his neck and Meanea marvelled in his brother’s rare embrace, winding his own arms around the boy’s small frame. The raven-haired child smelled so good. A clean and fresh scent like a strange mix of pine, wild flowers and sea breeze. He loved his brother’s unique aroma. He loved him. Iadden had been his only family for so long. The boy’s short hair was a silky surface against his cheek and the boy’s breath was a warm feather against his neck when he spoke.

“I love you too, big brother. So much. And that’s why I cannot sit idly by when I can see it coming. Please, brother, consider my advice…” he said releasing himself from Meanea’s arms. The golden Ethen sighed.

“Okay, I will. Happy?” Iadden nodded. “But you have to promise me you’ll stop with these stories. I don’t want to hear any more words concerning this subject. You cannot judge people based on a few hours, Iadden. Sometimes it takes a lifetime to really know someone. You have to stop suspecting every person you know, stop getting in trouble with everyone. Now, especially, don’t harass prince Edyane, you hear?” The boy bowed his head but didn’t nod and Meanea continued. “I’m starting to think that your problems in Meya weren’t due to the jealousy of the other Eths. Perhaps it was you who was envious…” The boy raised his head sharply, looking at Meanea directly, instantly too stiff and quiet. For a split second his mask wavered. Or Meanea thought it did, because he could almost swear he had seen a flash of aquamarine eyes filling with tears. He hadn’t been too harsh, had he? The boy rolled his shoulders and faced straight ahead suddenly very straight, in a proud move. He had. In a strained voice, Iadden spoke.

“I apologize for troubling you, Milessin. I shall return to my own quarters now. Have a good night.” And then he quickly turned and left. Meanea’s “Iadden…” was muffled by the slamming of his living chambers’ door. Meanea stepped forward not knowing if he should go after the boy or stay in his quarters and go to bed. For the sake of appearances he decided to wait for the morning to speak with the child. Meanea sighed. That boy was going to be the ruin of him, someday.

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After stomping out of Meanea’s chambers and making sure his brother hadn’t followed him, Iadden slowed his furious pace to his own rooms and took advantage of the relative silence in the palace’s hallways and the night’s clean air to do some thinking.

So, his brother didn’t want to admit the obvious. Iadden had not been born yesterday and he knew him. Did Meanea think he could fool the boy with well-placed lies and displays and words of affection? No, he wouldn’t let himself be deceived. The golden-haired Ethen had been enchanted by the prince at first sight. He had given him the time of the day, almost neglecting his own fiancé. He had seen it. If that fascine would lead to something else, Iadden wasn’t sure. However he could not allow anything else to occur between the two. Especially when the feeling certainly seemed to be mutual and Iadden suspected king Fenaleos had noticed it, too. Oh. This was not good. Not good at all. And exactly now, when everything was going so well…

He had seen it happen before, in Meya’s court. Disgraced Ethens. Lifetime compromises broken. Great families’ names being dragged in the mud… All because of these kinds of affairs. It would be one thing if Meanea could marry Edyane. But that was not possible. The LAW was very clear. An Ethen’s intended has to be at least five years older. Not four years younger than the Ethen himself. The Council would never approve it. And Fenaleos? The good King? Betrayed. In his own household. By his fiancé and his only son, no one less. What a huge scandal. Iadden could only imagine the utter humiliation, the pain, the anger…No, it would be a cold day in hell before he, Iadden, would see it happen with the people he loved, without doing everything in his power to avoid it. He had to stop it in the beginning. If he let the situation evolve further, it would be much too late when he acted. Meanea was very proper and correct, but he was also a romantic fool. A forbidden romance would appeal to him, especially one with a powerful and young man like the prince. If the worst was to happen and they fell in love, Iadden did not trust his brother to make the only right decision. And that stupid prince! Who did he think he was? Had he no common sense? Was he such a cold, selfish bastard as to be hitting on his own father’s fiancé, in front of the king himself? Or was he just utterly dumb? A sudden idea popped into Iadden’s mind. What if it was all a scheme to show Fenaleos that his fiancé could be unfaithful to him? To disaccredit Meanea in the King’s eyes? Iadden could not discharge these options, even if the handsome prince didn’t seem the type to act from the shadows. If he was, he wouldn’t have achieved the instant trust of Athios and his men. Or that of all the servants they had brought who were talking about how nice the young heir was. Those made Iadden realize that he had to be extra careful with the prince. This was his terrain, after all. If Iadden wanted to be successful in his plans to stop this romance in case it happened, he had to study his opponent very well. And he had to be aware of Meanea’s every breath during that week, until he was sure his brother’s marriage would be a certain event. Unfortunately, his earlier conversation with the golden-haired Ethen would alert his brother to the Eth’s plans so he couldn’t be the one spying on Meanea. Regrettably, his brother knew him as well as Iadden knew his older brother. Regarding the fact all servants were loyal to his brother in equal terms they were loyal to him, and Athios’ guardsmen would never believe the young Eth boy, for he was a troublesome child (they would probably claim he was only causing trouble again and scold and punish him), there was only one person he completely trusted who would believe and join him in his quest as well as be considered totally harmless in the others’ eyes. And that person was Midaen’niel.

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The small gig carriage stopped in front of a dirty old inn. The place, whose unreadable name was carved in a discoloured wooden tablet hanging above the door, was decaying. From what he could see, the paint was falling and the front wooden door was fouled with stains he didn’t want to try to identify. Some windows had broken panes and loosened overhangs. But the worst was the fetid smell surrounding the place. The young prince wrinkled his nose. It was disgusting really. Sometimes he wondered if it wasn’t easier to just poison his brother and get it over with. He sighed.

“Tell me again Lien’nier, why a meeting in such a place?” he asked his tutor. The old man huffed.

“Not me who decided it. But, either way, it still works as a charm. No one would ever dream you would come to such on your own free will, your highness.” He answered somewhat harshly, annoyed by the fifteen year old boy’s constant bickering. Such boy sighed. His tutor was right. No one would ever believe the impeccable prince could be found in here of all places. The prince didn’t believe it himself.

They had left Meya’s capitol city at sunrise. Then they had journeyed to the south of the country towards the Maguerer, arriving at the port village of Alhaiy near the estuary of the river two days after. Once there, they had waited for the night and had crossed it clandestinely, travelling further south for 3 hours, through obscure paths to reach this inn in the middle of a nowhere dark forest. The prince didn’t know these type of places even existed in his home country.

“It’s time. Let’s get this over with.” He ordered, not wanting to remain in the area any longer than the absolutely necessary. His tutor agreed.

“Just remember to keep your hood in place. We don’t want anyone to recognize you, my prince.” The prince nodded. Lien’nier clapped his hands and the carriage door opened. The bulky guardsman who appeared bowed slightly and helped the prince out. The tutor descended next.

“You’ll come with us.” He said to the guardsman and then turned his attention to the inside of the carriage. The third person occupying it looked sideways at him.

“If we’re not back in an hour, you know what to do…” the cloaked figure shrugged uninterested but nodded slightly and the door was closed. Lien’nier bristled but reined in his fury at the reprehensible behaviour. He clapped his hands again and the coachman snapped the reins. The prince, his tutor and the guardsman stood outside the inn for a few seconds more, seeing the carriage disappear in a large curve further ahead and slowly being swallowed by the dark forest. Far away, an owl hooted and a wolf howled to the twin red moons. The prince took a deep breath and glared at the guardsman, impatient.

The bulky man hurried to the inn’s door and pulled the cord attached to a small bell. A shrill noise was heard and a rounded red-faced fat human male with a yellowish-brown apron which, the prince suspected, used to be white, opened the door with a bow. Seeing the three tall cloaked Eths, he startled.

“We are here to see the forbidden riders.” The grey-haired Eth said, not waiting for the expected inquiry. The innkeeper’s small muddy brown eyes shone with relief.

“Of course.” He said in a raspy voice. “They’re waiting for you, already, gentlemen. Come on in. Come on in.” As soon as they entered, a strange unpleasant smell assaulted them. A rancid smell: combination of cheap alcohol, vomit and other body fluids. The prince wrinkled his nose for the nth time that night. And he had thought the smell outside had been bad. He couldn’t understand how someone could attend that place at those hours, but the fact was that the common room was packed. Why the owner of the inn had been so frightened upon sight of them was comprehensible. The large room was a nest of illegal activities. All kinds of them could be seen among the more common ones like drinking or gambling. And of course, not a single Eth was in sight. Besides them, of course. Some of the customers turned to look at them with a bit of curiosity on their eyes. Every sort of bad faced people. What else could one expect from such a place, at such hours? They soon lost interest, however. The appearance of three cloaked figures was not uncommon, even if the appearance of Eths in the inn most likely was. Eths were too refined, even the low-class ones, to frequent inns of ill repute like this one. But, the fifteen year old prince was not yet totally developed and hiding his features behind a cloak and hood could pass for a tall human. Their bulky guard looked more like a native of Opamin, with his dark tan and long tattoos on his bare arms. And he wasn’t the only native of the country, which bordered Meya on the South, on the house. Only his tutor could somehow give them away, but a fortunate distraction in the farther end of the room took care of that. Whistles and catcalls were heard when in a small stage near the fireplace various people and beings in chains were displayed one by one. Slaves to be sold, the prince figured. Slavery had been banished and forbidden by the LAW one thousand years ago, in Meya. The prince was astonished. Not that he had anything against slavery, no. As long as he was not the slave, it was fine by him. He couldn’t even say that he didn’t find the idea appealing. What he could not comprehend was how his father, older brother and Council could let the LAW be so amazingly broken, in their own lands, by other races. That only proved to the second heir, once again, that his father and older brother were too weak to deserve the power of ruling the greatest nation in existence. When he became king, this would change. Forcefully. If anyone would be making profit out of slaves from then on, it would be the Eths. The prince actually took some time to admire the slaves while crossing the room to a well concealed back door. Most of them were attractive human females he did not particularly appreciate, but obviously a lot of the people in the inn did. He could also see, despite the distance, some kind of grey wolf and a ragged man by his side with fur covering his waist. Most likely a Wolf Rider and his mounting: natives from a small country north of N’Alaera, the prince didn’t care to remember the name. It was amazing really. They had to probably travel all N’Alaera’s length to bring them here. As slaves. A country where slavery was equally condemned. Why was he surprised? He knew N’Alaera’s rulers were no better than Meya’s current ones. Anyway, knowing the savage nature of both the beasts, they had to be drugged to be so quiet. Who wasn’t most certainly drugged was the large muscled human female who came next. With nails sharpened as claws and a fierce behaviour, the native Igolian warrior lashed the best she could at the lecherous crowd. She wasn’t lashing at the men leering at her, though. She was protecting someone else. A young, lovely man. When that man finally stood on the stage, a whole new cheer was heard.

“Is that an Ethen?” the prince asked out loud in disbelief, looking at the lovely and frightened silver haired Ethen dressed in scarce clothes and bound with chains. The fat owner of the inn answered him.

“Yes… well… hum… I’m sorry if it displeases you, young master…” He stuttered, nervous, misinterpreting the boy’s expression. “I’ll see to his immediate release.” The smirk that appeared on the prince’s lips after the surprise ebbed away, and the lust in his eyes was very clear.

“No, don’t bother.” Meya’s second heir replied, laughing. “I wouldn’t mind seeing some Ethens I know on chains.” The innkeeper smirked, pleased.

“If you want, I can make arrangements for that Ethen to please you tonight, young master.” The prince took his eyes off the Ethen and stared at the fat bald man, grinning. He wouldn’t have really accepted. But his tutor intervened, nonetheless.

“We don’t have time today. Perhaps another day.” He said elbowing the young prince who shrugged playfully. “Let’s get going.” The prince looked forlornly at the scared Ethen again but followed the two other Eths.

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The concealed back door led to a dark corridor, filled with cobwebs on the ceiling and walls. The short passage ended in a stairwell to the basement. This underground room was cleaner and already lighted by several candles on the walls. It appeared to have a lot more use than the above passage, indicating that another entrance to the place most likely existed. The subterranean was composed by a corridor lined with various doors. From behind some of them you could actually hear muffled screams and grunts. After what he had seen on the top floor, the prince could only imagine what happened in those. The bald innkeeper led them to the farthest left door. There, he knocked and at a rough call of enter, instead of opening the door, he turned to the Eths and bowed. Lien’nier gave him a few golden coins and the man grinned, satisfied.

“For your services…” The old Eth said. “…and your silence.” The man nodded.

“You are incredibly generous, sires.” He said staring at the three with alert eyes. Perhaps finding what he looked for, he continued. “I’ll have someone waiting for you to escort you back, once you’re finished.” The old Eth didn’t spare him another glance and opened the door. Their guardsman was the first to enter followed close by the prince and finally the tutor.

Compared to the rest of the inn, this room was actually a large luxurious suite. It was extensively lighted with red candles displayed in expensive candelabras and sconces. A delightful fragrance filled the air coming from the perfumed candles. There was a large bed with clean red sheets to the far back and in front of it a table surrounded by four armchairs facing each other. Sitting on the one facing the door was a man with shoulder-length well kept white hair and strange purple feline eyes. He had youthful features and his skin was very pale. He almost resembled a ghost. This ivory colour was accentuated by the fact he was completely dressed in black. Gloves included. He was extremely attractive and the devilish smirk on his thin lips made him seem all the more dangerous. On his left side, sitting in the chair’s left arm, with her long legs crossed in front of his lap, a gorgeous female raked her big hazel eyes along the young prince’s cloaked form. She then looked sharply up, staring at his eyes for a few seconds. A mysterious glint appeared and a smirk graced her features. With a short laugh, she shook her long unbound white hair with her right hand and turned to the man dressed in black.

“Kizaínã.” she said quietly in a slippery voice. The other’s smirk grew wider. A robust man with chopped white hair, skin tinted a light blue colour and filled with weird red tribal marks was leaning on the far wall. Having apparently heard the woman, he crossed his arms in front of his chest, forcefully displaying his bulky muscles, and looked at the prince. Almost immediately after, he arched an eyebrow and few seconds later started laughing disdainfully. The prince didn’t know what the woman had said, but he felt extremely insulted somehow. He faced the blue-skinned man right on, glaring at him without a hint of fear. After all, there was no greater fighter in the world than a trained Eth. And he had been training since he was two. Muscled men, even if Whisperer ones, did not frighten him. The man, sensing the silent threat, stopped laughing abruptly and looked surprised for a second. Then he sneered at the young prince. It was a red cloaked figure sitting on the chair left to the woman that ended the hostile glares.

“Tãírra!” He growled in an authoritarian voice to his standing ally. The man complied immediately, slightly hanging his head. The other rose and bowed to the Eths. Removing the red cloak’s hood, he finally showed his long, bony face. The Whisperer race’s common white hair didn’t betray the man’s age. But then again, nothing in his fluid movements or pale features did. Only his unusual frightening eyes spoke of old and devilish power. The eyes, with pupils black as ebony and the rest red as blood, appeared those of a monster. It was like they had been dipped in pools of blood and only the pupil hadn’t retained the liquid’s colour. The prince schooled his features as the Eth he was and how he’d been taught all his life to do. Not only because he knew he couldn’t show fear to the Whisperers but especially since the honour of his race and his pride demanded no less. Even though he had to admit that the sight before him was somewhat creepy. The man with his sucked face and strange eyes looked like someone sent by the Goddess of Death herself. And seeing the red mark on the man’s pale forehead, he didn’t know how much of that was really true. But then again, he told himself, you knew to whom you were coming before you came and now that you’re here, you won’t turn back. Straight forward was forcefully the way.

“You’re prince Nlie’sieri of Meya, I suppose?” The red eyed man slowly asked the prince with a weird, scratchy accent. The fluid and beautiful Eth language, which when spoken by some Ethen voices was a song on itself, sounded poisonous and dead on the man’s evil baritone. The prince huffed, casting aside his previous fear, suddenly annoyed by the man’s words and the whole situation he had gotten himself in.

“If I was any other Eth, prince or not, you would all be dead by now.” He said confident, rolling his eyes. The Death Whisperers were strong and powerful, he knew. But the Eths were no less dangerous. That was one of the reasons he was here. The cloaked wizard acknowledged his words like a parent would to a persistent child just to shut him up. The sitting man, however, apparently not as uncaring of his words as the wizard, arched an eyebrow.

“Arrogant, are you not?” He affirmed. “Just so you know, among the four of us here, it would only take Harghãì’s finger to kill you three on the spot…“ Nlie’sieri shrugged, at ease, while the other two Eths grew faintly anxious.

“Or so you’d like to think…” He simply said, somewhat disdainfully, looking at the purple eyed stranger. The man held the boy’s stare for a few seconds and then grinned.

“I like you, prince Nlie’sieri. I’m going to enjoy being your ally.” He declared. The prince shrugged again, indifferent.

“Hürruss ker ay narkarãe, zere!” The other man said quietly to the woman sitting on his chair’s arm. She grinned, liking her lips while raking her piercing eyes along the prince’s body again.

“Soërtez, tãnu…” The other laughed at her.

“Kizaínã ter za. Kar na uarnãsi ter zuo eze.” He said. The woman growled and pouted. Meanwhile, oblivious or uncaring of the other’s conversation, the red cloaked man presented himself, capturing the Eths attention, again.

“I am Harghãì. A Zãìnea’s Supreme wizard. The man in the chair is my sire: Kizaí Arën, heir to our glorious empire. The woman is Sarzen and the other Uirtz. They are his guards.”

“A pleasure, your highness.” The Kizaí smirked. His guards nodded in greeting. Nlie’sieri sighed.

“I see…this is my advisor: Lord Lien’nier and one of my guards. Now, if you don’t mind, let’s go straight to the point. I have no time to waste.” The wizard acknowledged the young prince’s words once more, lowering himself into his previous chair while motioning the prince and his tutor to take a sit in the two vacant ones.

“Well then,” the Kizaí explained “I called you here simply because I wanted to know what type of people I was dealing with, the sort of influence you have, and, of course, what kind of help you can provide us.” The advisor and the Eth prince sat down, the former taking his hood off first. His shiny chin-length red hair was then released to frame his perfect Eth face. The demanding pose and stern look he’d want to maintain in the current situation was betrayed and somewhat ruined by his youthful pale skin and big sapphire blue eyes, but Nlie’sieri didn’t seem to notice. Or pretended not to care. Still, a malicious not completely devoid of surprise glint appeared in the Kizaí’s purple eyes. The woman next to him became aware of this and arched her eyebrows. Her Kizaí didn’t spare her a single glance.

“Once my brother’s out of the picture, there’ll be no other with greater influence than me in Meya.” Nlie’sieri replied. “My father is sick and old. He won’t last long, especially when worried with a war. The question here is: are you able to surpass the North Alliance’s defences?” He continued, serious. Kizaí Arën forgot his surprise at the prince’s appearance for a moment and scoffed, irritated.

“Our power grows each day that passes and our soldiers are thirsty for blood and victories. Soon there’ll be no one who can stop us.” Nlie’sieri smirked amused.

“And yet you come to me for a deal…” Kizaí Arën huffed further annoyed.

“It’s not the common earthly creatures we worry about. Even if we have confidence in our own abilities and our Goddess, History has taught us that your God’s knowledge of our Dark Lady’s power is enough for our defeat. Especially, when our opponents are weaker. I won’t make the same mistakes my ancestors did, in the past.” He sneered and then calmly stated. “We will own the world.” Nlie’sieri arched his eyebrows but then shrugged.

“I don’t really care about that. You’ll get what you want if I get what I want.” He said. The purple eyed Kizaí arched an eyebrow and smirked.

“I know what I want… what is it that you want, your highness?” He asked in a deceiving soft voice. The prince answered, not perceiving or dismissing the other man’s seductive undertone.

“I want Meya to remain under the rule of the Eths. My rule, to be more precise.” The Kizaí nodded.

“As long as you cooperate with me, I believe we’ll understand each other just fine.” He affirmed, confident.

“We acknowledge the Eths strength. Our army would be a lot more powerful with your people on our side, young prince.” The wizard spoke. “Some things would have to change on your society, of course, but nothing too drastic and certainly nothing that would hamper your rule.” The young prince nodded.

“I agree with you. Changes will have to be made…” He said pensive. The wizard and the Kizaí exchanged surprised looks but didn’t pursue the matter.

“But, tell me, your highness, why not depose your brother or kill him yourself?” The purple eyed heir asked, intrigued. Nlie’sieri scoffed.

“When it comes to my father, I can worsen his sickness with the aid of some unsuspecting herbs, but my brother is different. Delaen’niel has the loyalty of all the main Eth generals and their offspring. Not to mention the Council on his side. Deposing him would be hard if not impossible. Kill him in our lands when he’s healthy and strong would lead to suspicions I cannot afford. I’m the second in the line, but I’m not the only one who seeks the throne.” He sighed. “No. I need my brother to die far away from Meya and our allies. Preferably, a tragic death which can be in no way related to me. And, by the way, Delaen’niel has to die before my father does or before he marries.” The purple eyed man chuckled, interested.

“Eths are so complicated. So many conditions. Why is that?” The red-head Eth rolled his eyes.

“Not that you need to know but I’ll tell you anyway. If my father is alive when my brother dies, his second son will ascend the throne, because my brother was not crowned king before he died. That would be me. If my father is dead when my brother dies we may have a problem. Especially if my brother was married and king already. In Meya, when the king dies, the first son is crowned king immediately and marries, all in the same day (if he wasn’t married, yet). When the heir marries, the intended Ethen becomes the second ruler. In that case, if my brother died while married and king, it would be Iararin’ne, his husband the one to ascend and choose the next king. And this, only if he didn’t have children already or wasn’t pregnant. For the record, that stupid Ethen thinks I’m false and arrogant. He would never choose me.” The Kizaí kept the impish grin, extremely amused.

“Well, you are plotting against your brother and father. I’d say you are kind of devilish, don’t you think? Not that it is a bad thing, but perhaps the Ethen is right.” Nlie’sieri scoffed and fingered a lock of brilliant red hair in an uncaring manner.

“I’m not any more devilish than you, I’d bet.” He said matter-of-factly. Kizaí Arën laughed wickedly and didn’t deny the prince’s words. When the laugher died, a reproaching look from the Supreme wizard told him it was time to get into more serious matters.

“Now that I know what you want... Do you have any information on what I want?” Zãìnea’s heir asked. The prince nodded and turned to his mentor.

“Tell them what you heard, Lien’nier.” The advisor nodded as well, proud of his student. The boy had been perfectly playing his role. Nlie’sieri was the only one capable of ruling Meya in the rough times that would come, the mentor had no doubts.

“I overheard two important members of the Council comment that the priests had found an Ethen boy with hair of an unusual dark colour in a small, almost hidden, town in the Northeast district of Meya. The boy is very devoted to Maguenta and claims he has visions of the God. They took him to the Sea temple in Loania’s island…” All the Death Whisperers in the room looked gravely at him, in silence. Finally, the purple eyed heir looked to his right side in contemplation.

“So Maguenta’s interpreter exists. That single Ethen has been responsible for our empire’s fall too many times in the past.”

“We have no certainties, yet. But, the time is right. It’s probably him.” The advisor agreed.

“What do you want me to do with him? Shall I kill him or bring him for you to do it?” Nlie’sieri asked. All the Death Whisperers looked at him taken aback.

“You would kill the only divine creature to be born among us, earthly beings?” The woman asked with awe in a very strange pronounce and with difficulty. It was obvious her Eth language was rudimentary.

“He’s an Ethen. If I was to believe all that the priests say, all Ethen would be saints. And believe me. They’re not. Some are even more manipulative than me.” He said unconcerned. The Kizaí smirked but didn’t comment the redhead’s words. He definitely liked this prince. If he was not so obviously Eth, the purple-eyed Kizaí would believe him to be a Whisperer.

“No, do not kill him. If you can, use your influence to bring him to our side.” The purple eyed Whisperer declared.

“Yes, you’re right, my Kizaí. Maguenta loves his followers, but there’s no one he loves more than his interpreter. He’ll aid that Ethen. And if he’s with us, the North Alliance won’t stand a chance.“ The bloody-eyed wizard spoke with a nauseating gleam on his frightening eyes. Nlie’sieri sighed.

“Kill him, now.” He advised. ”Some Ethens bring nothing but trouble. You might regret not killing overly important ones when you can.” The purple-eyed Kizaí chuckled.

“Why do I have the feeling you’re talking about your brother’s intended?” The prince scoffed and glared at him. Bingo. Kizaí Arën grinned but continued. “Anyway, we are preparing to attack the south countries closer to the empire, shortly. Just the ones beyond the Sacred Wall limiting N’Alaera on the South. Still, we might be starting a war with the Alliance. Does it hinder your plans, your highness?”

“No, not at all. Go ahead. Those countries, although small and insignificant compared to Meya, N’Alaera and even Crano’en are still part of the North Alliance. Because they are powerless, they’ll come begging us for aid. My brother and his noble friends will have to honour the agreement and they’ll have to go. However, they won’t expect a massive and organized attack so they’ll be somewhat careless. You can take advantage of that to kill them all. My brother included. If you want a date for the attack, someday next week would be perfect. It’ll be my cousin’s marriage with N’Alaera’s king. Those small countries south will be for the most unprotected. Everyone important will be in N’Alaera.” The Kizaí’s impish grin was in place again.

“So you want to ruin your cousin’s marriage…got anything against him as well?” he asked, curious. The Eth prince rolled his eyes.

“No, not Meanea exactly. More against his younger brother. My father and brother favour him over me. And that Guinare brat has the nerve to reprimand and talk back to me on several occasions.”

“I bet you’ve made his life hell?” Nlie’sieri laughed.

“Me and my friends. Not that we need to do much. He’s a clumsy, overly kind idiot. Eths are not kind. He eventually begets his own hell…to our amusement, of course.” The red-head shrugged. “Anyway, if you do not need me any longer, I’ll have to get going.” He said rising from his chair. The young prince’s advisor rose, as well as the Supreme wizard and Kizaí Arën. The younger Whisperer reached for the prince.

“A pity you have to go so soon. I was enjoying our conversation…” He said in a deceiving disappointed voice, while helping the prince pulling on his hood. “I was even hoping we could spend some time alone…together?” He whispered seductively, to the prince’s ears alone. Nlie’sieri raised his widened blue eyes in surprise to look at the taller Whisperer’s attractive face. The lustful gleam on purple eyes only confirmed the prince’s suspicions. As if to prove his intentions further, the Kizaí let his gloved fingers travel through the prince’s flushed cheek down to his lips. The prince had not been expecting these developments, but he too knew how to play this game.

“We have a deal, Kizaí Arën…” the young Nlie’sieri answered trying to control the shivers running through his body at the contact. “Make me king of Meya and I shall give you whatever you ask of me.” He continued, lightly kissing the fingers on his lips. Then he turned sharply on his heels. “But only then!” He declared in a firm, cold voice. “Anything you need, use the predefined method. Only next time…” The prince wrinkled his nose. ”Please find a more pleasant place for our encounter. Farewell.” Without another word on each party, the three Eths bowed and left the room, leaving the four Death Whisperers with smirks on their faces. When they couldn’t hear the Eths’ steps outside of the corridor any longer, the Kizaí asked no one in particular.

“Nzieu aio Eth, o’nára er?”

“Heasi oare tarise, nára re?” The Supreme wizard inquired, looking at the slightly taller but much younger Kizaí. The purple-eyed heir grinned.

“Hürruss azuntt? Anu…” he said, nodding. ”Meya Kizaí Zaí urande? Tanumör…” He continued while shrugging, indifferent. “Meya uartae ure?” he looked at his wizard with a serious devious face. “Oa Anu o’!”

TBC…

Ending Notes: Are these chapters getting bigger? Even though there are some parts I really like, personally, I’m not very fond of this third chapter. Anyway, hope you still liked it.

Kizaínã – Death Whisperers’ language: ‘Royalty’.

Tãírra – Death Whisperers’ language: ‘Enough’ / ‘Stop’.

Kizaí – Death Whisperers’ language: prince/royal

Hürruss ker ay narkarãe, zere! – Death Whisperers’ language: Finally, a race worth killing!

Soërtez, tãnu…– Death Whisperers’ language: Or enslaver…

Kizaínã ter za. Kar na uarnãsi ter zuo eze. – Death Whisperers’ language: He’s royalty. He would never belong to you.

Zãìnea - Death Whisperers’ empire and land.

Nzieu aio Eth, o’nára er? – Death Whisperers’ language: Eths are exquisite creatures, aren’t they?

Heasi oare tarise, nára re? – Death Whisperers’ language: Are we really going through with the deal?

Hürruss azuntt? Anu…– Death Whisperers’ language: Kill his brother? Of course.

Meya Kizaí Zaí urande? Tanumör… – Death Whisperers’ language: Make him king of Meya? Perhaps…

Meya uartae ure? – Death Whisperers’ language: Maintain Meya’s independence?

Oa Anu o’! – Death Whisperers’ language: Most definitely not!