The color of Divinity II - The truth of Legends

The color of Divinity
By Ellnyon


Notes: And chapter 3. TCD’s archive is located at www.edyane.webs.com. Besides the story it contains info on the characters, races and a journal (for now). It’s still very far from finished but you’re welcome to visit it. As always, I’d like to thank everyone following this story, especially those who rate and review. It’s your encouragement that keeps me going! I sincerely hope you enjoy my work.


Part II
Chapter 3


The moon was already high in the sky when the old Lord of the Siekih manor and family’s patriarch decided it was time to retire for the night.

After giving a brief reprimand for not receiving his cousin that morning, when the golden Ethen had descended for dinner, the old Lord had spent the rest of the evening solely enjoying the company of his beautiful younger son. Looking at the elegant Ethen, which reminded him so much of his late husband in looks and behavior, the Siekih lord marveled at Midaen’niel’s soft smile and crystalline voice while conversing about the flowers that bloomed steadily in their expansive gardens and that his Ethen child loved so much. The Siekih Lord knew the Eth society was currently in a phase where Ethen were viewed and used as precisely such: beautiful flowers. The lord believed those prejudices wouldn’t last very long, though.

The war had brought the Ethen previously hid in their homes to the streets and they were slowly but surely regaining the status they had lost in the last thousand years. With many of the Eth fighting in the war, someone had to take care of their business. Life had to go on. In the lowest classes, the Ethen had been the ones to do it and rather successfully, it had to be said. The noble classes were different, still, in both mentality and circumstances. With the nobility, a lineage had to be maintained, so youngsters, who did not want to go to war, were allowed to stay behind to aid their elderly. And that was why the Council was actually being lead by the second prince.

Nevertheless, in all these years, the only things the Ethen had not yet proven themselves as good as or even better than the Eth were the fighting arts. And the Siekih Lord dreaded the day they even tried. Prejudice or not, the battlefield was the last place befitting an Ethen. If they came, they would be very dark days, the days where Ethen had to march for war alongside Eth. Why couldn’t things be solved like Prince Nlie’sieri had, in the first place?! Why was war always the first option to Eths?! The Siekih lord had never been a decent warrior and, now that he knew what he did, he damned the day he had sent his older son to a training camp as a child.

To be completely honest, at first the Siekih lord had been proud of his son when he followed the first prince to war. The Siekih had never been a family known for their great fighters like the Erephine or the Guinare (and surely, the lord suspected, Ryaen’ne’s aptitude didn’t come from his Siekih side of the family, but from his royal blood). In a race where warriors were venerated, a noble family of weaklings was a great shame.

Still, now, he had wished his son had stayed behind with him and his brother. He hadn’t actually believed his strong and vigorous child would be killed. He hadn’t actually believed Maguenta would take his son away from him, too. He had already lost and be through so much when Fealiha had died in that tragic accident that had also killed the Guinare family…raising his sons alone and aid in raising his nephews as well, while coping with the loss of the one he had loved and would forever, had been hard times for the old Lord. Almost as hard as the ones he was living now, wondering what to do with his own life without his oldest and good-humored son constantly barging into the house with a crazy story and cheeky expression.

Fortunately he still had Midaen’niel. The most enchanting Ethen in the world was his child. If he could, he would like to keep his son with him forever, but he knew that was impossible. Midaen’niel was patient, kind, but also resolute and sensitive. And the Siekih lord had no right to prevent his fair happiness. He knew Midaen’niel wanted a family of his own. It was reflected in the way his blue eyes shone and on the slightly wider curve of his smiling lips when a gift or news from his betrothed arrived.

His Ethen son was already two years into marrying age. On normal circumstances he would already be married. The old Lord had no illusions. His lovely son would be leaving him soon as well. With the war ending and the return of the armies, certainly the Erephine heir would want to claim his heritage and his rights over Midaen’niel. Contrarily to his son and the populace, the lord did not believe a word that was circulating about the Erephine boy’s apparent intentions of breaking the commitment. Because, unlike them, he knew the boy. No. The man. For he was most certainly a man by now. His soldiers worshiped him. Lnorien Erephine was a general. Strong, powerful, courageous and principled. And a man with that kind of character honored his obligations. He did not run away.

The old lord had set his eyes on that boy the moment Midaen’niel had been born. He wanted a good marriage for his Ethen child. It was his duty as a father to ensure Midaen’niel was taken into a prestigious and considerate family. His son deserved the best and the Erephine’s were the greatest family in Meya. That boy in particular had been respectful and mighty from his very birth. And he was proving it in the war. Supreme general with only thirty years old. Such an accomplished man had much else to think than be unfaithful with another Ethen he knew almost nothing about. After all, he had been fighting a war for ten years and the little time he came to Meya was to escort new troops and resources to the war. He didn’t have time for extended visits. Not the time necessary to court a noble Ethen.

And then, if Lnorien in his little knowledge of Ethen beauty had become enraptured by Nareill, he would forget him the moment his eyes landed upon Midaen’niel. The old lord believed it was not his eyes of a father that made his Ethen child look so utterly perfect in every way.

‘In truth, I have never seen anything as dainty as Milessin Midaen’niel.’ Lnorien himself had said the day they had sealed the commitment in his always polite and objective way of expressing himself. Of course the Erephine heir had been eleven and Midaen’niel three years old, but that was of little importance.

The only problem with the Erephine general was that he most probably would take Midaen’niel with him to his manor, away from the capitol, where the Siekih had their properties. And the old patriarch would be alone and not able to see his son and future grandsons not nearly as frequently as he needed or desired.

A year ago, when the rumors of Lnorien’s unfaithfulness had spread, and seeing Midaen’niel’s shock and sadness, the Siekih lord did make a proposition to his son: they would be the ones to break the arrangement. He should be already married for a year and with no visits from the Erephine heir, they had that right. Then he would marry some other noble Eth, of a lower family but one who would treat him as a God.

But, apparently, that had made Midaen’niel even sadder and they had dropped the idea. Somehow, his Ethen child was very fond of the Erephine heir even if he didn’t even remember what he looked like. That was perhaps due to the stories of their adventures that his brother used to tell him, where Lnorien always appeared as some kind of wise and cunning savior or the more recent tales of his deeds in the war, the lord couldn’t tell. The sad fact was that a man he didn’t even know seemed to have more power over Midaen’niel than his own father, already.

As it was, unless Midaen’niel changed his mind or Lnorien really proved himself unworthy of his son, the Siekih patriarch’s future son-in-law would forcefully be the Erephine heir. The second case would probably never come to happen. After all, even if he didn’t visit, Lnorien Erephine always had the thought of sending gifts more often than not and never forgot a special occasion or date, so it was not like he didn’t care about his betrothed (even if most of those presents were a bit weird, like that battle horse the day before). And let’s not forget that Ryaen’ne always vouched for him when he was alive and he most certainly knew him better than any of them. No one wanted Midaen’niel’s happiness more than Ryaen’ne. If he entrusted his ‘humming bird’ to the man, then the Erephine heir had to be a decent gentleman.

Thinking about his deceased boy always tired and depressed him. And Midaen’niel didn’t need to see him like that.

“Well, my child, it’s late and it’s been a long day. Shall we go to bed?” The lord asked his son. Midaen’niel nodded with a soft smile.

“Tomorrow is another day and we ought to do this more often. We haven’t talked like this for a long time, have we?” Midaen’niel’s father said in a somewhat reproachful tone. The blond Ethen sighed and rose from the sofa he had been sitting on.

“Most of the days, you are busy with business or guests in the evenings, Father.” The old lord narrowed his eyes at his son’s words, watching the Ethen move gracefully towards the nearby window.

“That doesn’t mean you cannot join us.” He replied measuring his words. “I mean, most of my visits are elderly Eths but I’m sure they would all enjoy talking to you. It’s not like they are used to chat with young and beautiful Ethen anymore.” Midaen’niel sighed again, turned and glared at his father’s playful grin. That expression reminded the Ethen of his brother Ryaen’ne. It was strange how much father and son resembled each other, and it was unnerving how he was only now starting to notice it. It made him wonder if he had really known his father before his brother’s death or if the man was somehow trying to replace Ryaen’ne in some way by acting like him.

“Oh yes, they would love to see me and praise my hair and skin, but they wouldn’t actually listen to what I have to say, would they? Not if my words were something other than a polite ‘Thank you’…” It was the Siekih lord’s time to sigh.

“There you go again, boy, trying to act like an Eth…” He voiced, in his rugged tone. “When are you going to realize that your greatest strength resides in being an Ethen?” Midaen’niel crossed his arms in front of his chest and arched his delicate eyebrows at his father in a rare display of defiance. The old man smirked and nodded, satisfied at getting a fiery reaction from his commonly composed son. His previous depression appeared to have faded away. He owed that to the young Iararin’ne, he supposed. His son became a different boy after he left.

“Ethen are our lifeblood.” The old man indulged his skeptical son. “Our religion, our tradition revolves around you. You have the gift of bringing life to this world. You are created of the same essence as Gods. You share their wisdom. An Ethen child is a small Seraph on the mortal world, a blessing from the Heavens. A family to which an Ethen child is born is considered rich even if they don’t own a single thing to their name. You are powerful simply because you exist.” The blond Ethen smiled sadly at his father’s words.

“Even if that were true, Father, not all Eth think like you do, and even if they did, it wouldn’t change a thing. We are not allowed to fight for our ideals or speak in the Council. Our opinions do not matter, our voices are not heard, our knowledge in never valorized.” The old Siekih lord frowned at that. Then he rose and spoke while approaching his son.

“Midaen’niel, listen to me. You are a royal prince, cherished by the King and his sons. You are heir to the Siekih household, one of the most powerful families of Meya. Your cousin, who adores and raised you, is Vice-king of N’Alaera. And you are betrothed to the Supreme general of Meya’s armies, the Erephine heir. Right now, there is perhaps one man more powerful than you in Meya and that’s the black-haired Ethen, who can speak to Maguenta. If you wish to speak or vote in the Council, my child, by all means do, no one would dare to raise his voice against you. And if I ever discouraged you from expressing your concern in some matters is because I don’t want you to worry over such things, not because your opinion matters little to me. I know I have a bright son, kind and devoted. Please, don’t hold it against this old man. I want only what’s best for you. To keep you happy and safe.” Midaen’niel, moved by his father’s earnest and affectionate words, closed the short space between them and hugged the old Eth tightly.

“I know, Father. I’m sorry I’m such a rebellious son. I love you so much! Please, forgive me.” And Midaen’niel meant every word. His father was a good man, supportive and loving in his own Eth way. And he had already lost enough in his life. In the end the only one he had left alive in his family was about to make him worry and suffer so much more.

Surprised by his son’s gesture, the white-haired Eth almost forgot to return the embrace. Sensing Midaen’niel’s distress, the man felt guilty for something he didn’t exactly know what was. As an Eth he wasn’t exactly accustomed to such open displays of affection and even though he wanted to calm his son, he didn’t know how he should act to do so. He sighed, at a loss.

“Also any educated Eth knows better than to upset or anger an Ethen…” He whispered to himself, while his hand hovered above his son’s head, trying to decide if it should pet the golden hair or not.

Midaen’niel didn’t give him the time, though. With a smile, the golden Ethen disentangled himself from the loose hold of his father’s arms and looked up at the white-haired man.

“Iararin’ne brought the designs for the ceremonial robes that we’re going to wear in Natura’s festival, this year.” He commented softly. Surprised by the sudden change of subject, but nonetheless glad they had left the worrisome and awkward topic behind them, the old lord acted accordingly, asking earnestly.

“Natura’s festival? Isn’t it too early, still?” The Natura’s festival to celebrate the abundance and prosperity of summer months didn’t have a rigid date but usually it was held a lot later in the summer. Midaen’niel nodded at his question.

“Apparently, they want to hold the festival to celebrate our armies’ return.” He answered. The older man understood.

“I see, that’s probably why it’s on such short notice. You’ll be very busy.” Midaen’niel nodded. It was the noble Ethen’s responsibility to organize the festival.

“Probably. I’m alone. Iararin’ne has to go to his family near the Maguerer during the next days. It appears they need his help with his cousin’s upcoming celebration.” The old man huffed.

“All at the same time…I won’t be seeing you for weeks, will I?” Midaen’niel smiled sadly. If only his father knew that he wouldn’t be in the capitol to organize the festival either…

“I’m sorry.” He apologized. His father nodded and smiled. Though the old man had no idea what his son was actually apologizing for.

“As long as it makes you happy,” he said, with a tender glow in his dark eyes. “I’m content with a glimpse of you here and there.” Midaen’niel bowed briefly in thanks and smiled at the man.

“Thank you, Father. I’m going to bed. My day begins early tomorrow.” He decided to end this quickly or he wouldn’t have the courage to do what he had to. The blond Ethen had wanted to spend some time with his father before his journey, and so he had descended for dinner, but he hadn’t been expecting that the warmth of his care would soften him so much. It hurt a lot more to leave his father behind (and in the dark about everything that was happening) than he had thought it would. It didn’t help that he had to lie to the man as well. He hated to lie. But the Siekih lord would never approve of his actions or thoughts. He apologized to his father a few more times in his head and prayed the old Eth would forgive him someday.

“Yes, I’m going too. I’m not getting any younger…” The Siekih patriarch was saying while sighing at the same time. Midaen’niel smiled at that.

“You’re not that old, either.” He replied lovingly. “Goodnight. I love you, Father.” He concluded quickly, giving the man a small peck on the cheek. ‘Goodbye. I hope I’ll see you again.’ Were his last thoughts before he waved a hand and left the living room to climb the stairs to his room.

“Goodnight, my child.” The old patriarch said, blinking, a bit bewildered by his son’s uncommon behavior. But then he shrugged and decided it was probably due to the excitement of Natura’s festival and the Erephine boy’s return. With a tired, but contented look on his face, also he exited the living room to retire for the night.

Outside, the moon was high in the sky, but the murmur of people passing the gates to leave the city was just starting.

&&&&&&&

All the lights in the Siekih manor had been out for a few hours already and Yari’niel was becoming bored of babysitting a house where everyone was already sleeping, while he had to stay put, awake all night. He had direct orders from his Highness, Prince Nlie’sieri, to spy on the Siekih (day and night) and gather information on whoever entered or left the Siekih manor. As one of Nlie’sieri’s most reliable knights, he was often given important tasks and even more mighty rewards for his services. But this job, unlike many others he did for the second prince, was a job that actually pleased him. One of the reasons was because it was fairly harmless. And the second was due to whom it was related to.

Yari’niel was the third Eth of the Rarin noble family. His father and two older brothers were currently fighting in the war under the command of the First Prince and his three younger ones were training to join them on the front. But, apart from being a noble family, the Rarin had little influence in Meya. They had no authority, first, because they were from the lowest nobility class existent, and second, because their wealth had been wasted by his great grandfather on some crazy business. So, summing up, they weren’t rich or powerful to begin with, what only left them room to prove their valor on the battlefield. And that was the reason why his father and older brothers had immediately answered to the First Prince’s call and were part of his personal Knights.

At the beginning Yari’niel was supposed to follow them as well, but then his Ethenim died and, even though he had the abilities and the age to follow his father and brothers, he was forced to stay behind to take care of his younger siblings and the few goods his family possessed. Yari’niel never really forgave his father for denying him the chance of glory alongside his brothers, even if he did understand his reasons. But the fact was that by staying behind, his father had put him compellingly under the orders of the second prince. And, Prince Nlie’sieri was nothing like Prince Delaen’niel, he supposed. He had done too many dirty jobs for the former to realize it. Some ‘errands’ had been really hard to do, but Yari’niel had adjusted quickly and sold his soul for his family and gold, hence becoming one of Nlie’sieri’s most trusted mercenaries. He was sure he would burn in Iairra’s domain when he died, but he had promised Maguenta he would redeem himself one day. If one day he could make a difference, he would.

Not that he ever knew enough to make a difference. Nlie’sieri only explained his plans to a few higher nobles that followed him. Yari’niel was merely a mercenary that did what he was told without asking why or how. And the prince’s demands were getting crueler by the day. He was becoming a ruthless dictator and no one even realized or if they did, like him, they didn’t dare to oppose the second prince.

All this to say Yari’niel had been glad when his current job had been assigned to him. The Siekih were a fairly calm family that rarely got themselves in trouble (even if they were often subject of gossip). He supposed Prince Nlie’sieri wanted to watch them just because he feared their power. And it was fine by him.

He didn’t care much about the old patriarch: he was a common noble lord. However, his Ethen child was another very different story. Yari’niel smiled unconsciously and his eyes were drawn to the farthest window on the second floor of the huge house. He couldn’t see a thing now, of course. It had been dark in that room for hours already. But, sometimes, mainly in the morning, Yari’niel caught glimpses of Lessin Midaen’niel exchanging clothes in that room. And Maguenta, if there was someone in this world that could make an Eth lose his mind, that person was that Ethen. His skin was fair and perfect, his hair more golden than gold itself and his body so desirable, it made him hot for the rest of the day. He longed to touch his lips, his skin, his hair, make that Ethen his. What was, of course, an impossible dream. Lessin Midaen’niel was as forbidden and unattainable as he was beautiful. Not even Nlie’sieri had the power to offer the royal Ethen to him.

He had first seen the Siekih Lessin a few years ago and of course he had fallen for him upon sight. What was there to not like about the gorgeous and demure man? He had once made the mistake of mentioning his desires for that Ethen to his friends. His answer had been a roaring laugh and a smart remark. ‘He’s not for the likes of you.’ And in fact, he was not. The third child of a low-class noble family. No. He was for the likes of a supreme general, heir to the greatest and richest noble family in Meya: the enigmatic and heroic Lnorien Erephine. But, damn, he would give his life for that Ethen to acknowledge his existence.

Still, for now, he was happy just imagining that Ethen sleeping peacefully in silken sheets, his shiny hair spilled across the many pillows in his large bed. For now, he was content just watching him tend to the flowers of his garden or leave the manor, in expensive clothes (that don’t do him justice), accompanying his father and Ethen friends. For now, he was satisfied just dreaming…

A slow movement coming from the backyard of the manor drew his attention from the dark window. He blinked a few times trying to discern what exactly was that shadow when he realized it was a person. A person wearing a huge dark cape and a big horse. Regarding him from a distance, Yari’niel dismissed him as a merchant coming from the Siekih manor. They were all over the streets at this hour, preparing to leave the capitol at dawn after selling their produce in the market the day before. Lord Siekih’s servants didn’t go to the market. Instead, they called the merchants to their house with the goods, so the lord and knights could inspect them themselves. Yari’niel had lost count how many traders he had seen entering and leaving the manor the day before, so it was possible one of them had been allowed to stay for the night and was now leaving.

He was about to let the man go his way, when the horse caught his attention. That wasn’t a common mount and he knew that horse. Watching it closely, he realized the stallion was a purebred red Gya’ana. The purebred red Gya’ana that had been gifted to Lessin Midaen’niel. He stood stupefied for a moment, his heart finding here a chance to meet and talk to the beautiful Ethen. And that was when he really looked at the thief, moving carefully along the street, as if afraid of being caught. He almost startled when the scarce light of the sliver of the new moon lit the thief’s delicate features for a second. At first, he didn’t want to believe his eyes, the sheer impossibility of it getting hold of his mind. But then those same eyes fell on the way the man walked, as if floating on air, the utter gracefulness of his movements, and days upon days of watching that Ethen gave him the certainty that the new moon was not playing tricks on him. That was Lessin Midaen’niel Siekih.

His mind turned and turned a thousand times, in search of a valid motive for that Lessin to be there in front of him instead of sleeping in his quarters. What was a distinguished, rich and absolutely delectable Ethen doing alone, with no escort but a battle horse, in the streets of the capitol, in the middle of the night? By Maguenta, only two options came to him. The first was very unlikely for he was almost sure Lessin Midaen’niel had no reasons to want to run away from home. And the second…well, could it be that Lessin Midaen’niel had a secret lover?

It took Yari’niel a few seconds to make a decision. And it took that long only because his mind was jealous and his heart throbbing in his chest. But, he couldn’t go tell this to Prince Nlie’sieri like he was supposed to. Nor could he risk the Ethen being recognized by the other spies scattered across the city. It would be the Lessin’s downfall. And he cared too much for the beautiful Ethen to see it happen. Besides, Prince Nlie’sieri would use this information to make Midaen’niel do whatever he wished. And the Siekih Lessin was one of the few with the latent authority to resist the man. He cared too much about his country to see yet another fall into the prince’s web.

Coming out of the shadows and crossing the street in a swift move, he reached for the Ethen. Shocked but with good reflexes, Midaen’niel avoided being caught in the strong grip. He tried to run away but the startled red Gya’ana neighed and pulled him the other way, making him trip and fall into the Eth’s arms. Yari’niel silently thanked the battle stallion and embraced the Ethen, effectively stilling his efforts to release himself, while he pulled him and his horse quickly to the safety of a nearby dark alley.

“What do you think you’re doing, Milessin Siekih?! You’re going back to your manor this instant!” He commanded in an angry whisper, when both the horse and the Ethen had calmed down. But he didn’t let go of the Lessin’s arm, afraid he might try to run away again. Midaen’niel looked up at him, then, with a frown in his forehead and confusion filling his eyes. His very, very blue eyes. Like polished sapphires.

“You are Lord Yari’niel Rarin.” The golden Ethen said softly. Flabbergasted that the Ethen of his dreams recognized him, he didn’t even know what to say, and so he only nodded with a short bow. But his joy was short lived, for his reputation preceded him.

“You’re one of Nlie’sieri’s men.” Midaen’niel spoke again, more firmly this time. His eyes flashed for a slip second, but rapidly returned to their previous puzzled state and he didn’t continue. However, the implication of his previous words hung in the air, nonetheless. Yari’niel sighed and looked to the side.

“I am.” He confirmed, acknowledging everything with the simple sentence and finally letting go of the Ethen’s arm. Surprisingly, the blond didn’t attempt to escape. He simply waited patiently for a further explanation, but it wasn’t like Yari’niel had anything else to say regarding that topic. Not without sounding like a coward, avaricious man.

“You should go back to your house.” He reiterated firmly, instead. The Ethen didn’t move a muscle.

“Were you spying on me?” He asked evenly, looking suspicious. Yari’niel sighed for the second time, but found no point in lying to the blond. It was clear the beautiful Ethen was aware of what was happening in that country. What was… bizarre, to say the least, since the old lord didn’t appear to even notice it.

“Your family, to be more precise.” Midaen’niel nodded, not shocked.

“And then you were supposed to report to him… Nlie’sieri would not chance to kill a high noble inside his perfect capitol before he became king. Not when he has other means to control them…” He murmured to himself, a delicate hand on his chin. Yari’niel was surprised. That Ethen was definitely not the demure creature he appeared to be. But then a thought popped in his mind and he understood everything. This had to be Lord Guinare’s doing. Lessin Midaen’niel was close to his cousin and the latter was Prince Nlie’sieri’s only challenger. That was how the blond knew what was going on. Yari’niel smiled a bit. The second prince had many times hurled insults in rage at the dark-haired noble for ruining his plans and he always kept a low profile when the man was in town. All the Council did. It was as if they were afraid of the young Guinare Lord.

If only Yari’niel had had the influence necessary to approach the Guinare heir, maybe his present situation would have been different. If the young Lord Iadden had decided to live in Meya, instead of N’Alaera, perhaps Meya’s current situation would have been different. He sighed. As it was, he now had a very beautiful trouble ahead of him.

“You should go back home, now, Milessin.” He tried for the third time. His voice seemed to awake the blond from his thoughts. Midaen’niel glanced up at him again.

“I knew Nlie’sieri had spies around, but I never thought a noble like you would be the one doing those jobs. Why are you working for him?” He scolded, looking him in the eye. The Eth wasn’t able to bear the disapproving stare and averted his gaze to the left.

“That is of little importance. The war is over. Once Prince Delaen’niel returns, everything will be back in order.” Midaen’niel sighed.

“If he returns…and the war is not over…” he replied. Yari’niel turned to him at that.

“What do you mean?” He asked. The blond seemed to know something that he didn’t. Midaen’niel glared at him.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know!” He replied in an angry whisper. But then continued with a disinterested shrug. “Anyway I don’t have time for idle chat. I need to get going. Will you give me my horse or will I have to force you?” With the fierce glare still directed at him, Yari’niel didn’t know what to make of the blonde’s apparent empty threat, so he simply arched his eyebrows in disbelief. With a sigh, the Eth crossed his arms in front of his chest, not letting go of the horse’s bridles. He then spoke up, calm and cold, like the Eth he was supposed to be.

“I don’t know what you are talking about, but the only place where you will be going is back to your palace. I’m not the only spy Nlie’sieri has around and the others won’t be as benevolent as I am.” Of course Yari’niel’s high and mighty tone as well as his words only served to aggravate Midaen’niel even further.

“And let Meya be destroyed?!” The Ethen asked rhetorically to the taller Eth. “No. Give me my horse.” He ordered, coldly as well. The Eth frowned, a little swayed by the blonde’s perseverance.

“Meya has nothing to do with this.” He countered, but his words didn’t have the same conviction Midaen’niel displayed. That Ethen looked exasperatedly to the man, as if the Eth was being purposefully blind to the gravity of the situation.

“Meya has everything to do with this. Do you really think that once they destroy N’Alaera and Crano’en, that the Death Whisperers will leave us alone?” The Eth narrowed his eyes at this, a little worried.

“What are you saying? What do you know?” Upon these words of the Eth, Midaen’niel frowned, reigned in his frustration and really regarded the man, taking in his honest eyes and upset expression. Then he understood. The noble had no clue what was really going on. Perhaps Midaen’niel had been too fast into judging the tall man. After all, the Eth had gone to him instead of directly to Nlie’sieri.

“You really don’t know…” He commented simply. Yari’niel shook his head.

“Prince Nlie’sieri never tells me anything.” He admitted, softly. “I’m merely a pawn…” Midaen’niel nodded. Nlie’sieri didn’t completely trust even his own men. Though, the blond had a feeling that with this particular Eth, that had been probably because he was controlling him not with his ideals of grandeur, but something else. And those were very good news, not to mention they explained why the man was trying to stop him, instead of doing his job as he should.

“If I tell you, will you let me go my way?” He tried, testing the man. The noble Eth sighed and shook his head.

“I don’t know, but I can’t help you unless you do tell me.” Midaen’niel liked his answer. It seemed sincere enough. And Midaen’niel really had no other choice but to trust the man. He was unarmed against a fully trained and armed knight. He couldn’t win against him in a fight. And his Ethen charms weren’t exactly working, either. Where was his so famed breathtaking beauty when he needed it? He thought sarcastically.

Also, the man was right and the blond needed all the help he could get. After all, he had a feeling his plan to leave the city had failed, since he hadn’t managed to fool even one of Nlie’sieri’s spies. Even if that might actually prove to be a blessing.

“Nlie’sieri made a pack with the Death Whisperers. They put him in the throne of Meya and he lets them pass our borders freely to attack our neighboring countries. As we speak, the Death Whisperers are already marching towards N’Alaera’s capitol, killing everything in their path.” Yari’niel gasped in shock. Then he realized his lack of decorum and tried to look more composed in front of the Lessin. He couldn’t have known he was aiding the destruction of the Alliance by simply working for the Prince. He thought he knew what the second prince wanted but to go as far as to compromise the Alliance. The man was insane.

“By Maguenta, and the Alliance’s armies are returning home, thinking they are finally at peace.” Midaen’niel nodded. Yari’niel Rarin had a lot more to repent for than what he had thought he had. He would start this very moment. Their lack of courage to face Nlie’sieri had even driven a beautiful Ethen to take action. For now he knew, Midaen’niel wasn’t risking himself to see some lover. He was doing it out of desperation, for the sake of his country. Midaen’niel’s valor shamed the other Eths, to say the least.

Seeing the growing determination in Yari’niel’s eyes, Midaen’niel comprehended that he had found an ally. In a very unlikely place, but an ally, nonetheless. Maguenta had put that man in his path. To aid him.

“What do you intend to do? Send someone to warn the armies?” The Eth asked, gravely. Midaen’niel shook his head.

“It’s the word of whoever goes against Nlie’sieri’s…” Yari’niel nodded. Lessin Midaen’niel didn’t need to say anything else. The Eth understood his words. He knew, perhaps better than anyone else, what the lack of influence could do to you and your family. You got stepped on. And he also understood another thing. Why the Ethen was trying to leave the city with a battle horse.

“I see. That’s why you’re going.” Midaen’niel lowered his eyes, but nodded.

“Iadden has to defend N’Alaera’s capitol. Even if I warn the armies in time, we won’t be able to get there before the Death Whisperers.” He subtlety admitted. Yari’niel smiled bitterly. It was sad but Midaen’niel was right. No one else, besides the royal Ethen prince or his cousin could go. Only their words would be considered, when speaking against the second prince. They wouldn’t believe anyone else. He sighed. It was crucial. Midaen’niel had to reach the armies.

“Even time is against us. Do you know how to get to our armies?” He asked the Ethen. Midaen’niel averted his eyes and smiled sheepishly.

“I’ll ride south?” He responded, unsure. Yari’niel shook his head. Desperation indeed.

“I don’t think that’s a very good plan. Nlie’sieri has spies throughout all Meya. An Ethen riding alone in a purebred battle stallion will definitely catch their eyes.” He affirmed, not without a little bit of sarcasm. Midaen’niel scowled.

“Well, do you have a better idea?” He dared. Yari’niel thought for a second and then looked at the Lessin, sure of himself.

“Yes, I believe I do.” Midaen’niel smiled softly.

“So, you’re going to help me…” The Eth, busy preparing the docile Gya’ana to leave quietly, turned to him, serious.

“Of course. I made a promise to Maguenta a long time ago. I believe He wants me to fulfill it now.” Midaen’niel smiled. He had already known that man had been sent by Maguenta, but the confirmation was welcomed. “Come with me and hide your face better.”

TBC…


Ending notes: Well, this chapter was not planned. At least not this way. LOL I had the first version scraped in my notebook, but when I started typing it, I made it completely, totally, 180º different and created a whole new character. LOL Oh well, I can always kill him…