The color of Divinity I - The delusion of reality

The color of Divinity
By Ellnyon

Notes and warnings

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me…

Looking at the reviews, or almost lack thereof, seems like I wasn’t the only one disliking the last chapter… Oh well, I’d like to thank everyone reading this, especially the ones who took the time to review and rate the story. As always, I’ll keep doing my best and hope it pleases. But, if you have the time, please leave a review. It would make me incredible happy and would help me improve. Thanks.

I moved the review replies to the end of the chapter, okay?

To all the reviewers. Thank you so much. I hope you all like this new chapter.

Enjoy your reading.

Part I

Chapter 4

The Guinares had been until recently, one of the greatest families in Meya. Along with the Siekih, the Erephine and the Benur’el. Only the royal line stood above them in the Eth society. The old Guinare, Supreme General of the Eths’ army, was very proud of his conservative ways and family influence. He had raised his son, Anaihr Guinare to be a perfect Eth according to Meya’s customs. And he did grow strong, proud and proper. Unfortunately, not even Anaihr knew that his father did not follow the rules he so vehemently enforced.

With ten years old, Anaihr got a promised one: the adorable Nargaine, prince of Meya and the king’s younger and most beloved nephew. Eighteen years later, they got married and one year after that, they had a child. The beautiful Ethen named Meanea was the joy of the household and Anaihr’s proudest achievement. But the old General was disappointed. He had been expecting an Eth to follow in the family’s name and military traditions. And he wasted no time arranging a good marriage for his baby grandson within his military and social circle. Meanea was promised then to the heir of the Benur’el family. Hel’denie.

Years passed with no signs of a new baby in the Guinares’ home. The old General grew impatient and the one to pay the price was sweet Nargaine. Constantly harassed and humiliated by Anaihr’s father, Nargaine grew sadder by the day, much to his husband’s despair. The immense love Anaihr had for his intended had only grown with the years. And he loved his healthy, lovely Ethen child even more. He was extremely happy with his life. Because of that he told his Ethen husband many times, not to worry about his father’s words. They didn’t need another child. But Nargaine insisted and Anaihr could not deny his lover anything, so…they kept trying…and trying…and trying.

When everyone, Nargaine included, had lost all hope, the miracle happened. And eleven years after Meanea, Anaihr got another son. An Eth this time. The baby had born premature and a little weak. Much to his grandfather dismay. However, his grandson’s fragility wasn’t the old General’s only problem. Because his past skeletons were about to leave the closet.

The old General had not been truly faithful to his intended throughout his life, as the Eths’ LAW demanded. As a result, his illegitimate son had been one of his servants since his Ethenim had given birth to him...

The General’s unofficial lover had refused his money offer to disappear with the child. On the contrary, he had even dared to ask for a job in the Guinares’ household. The General’s oblivious intended: a docile, frail Ethen had accepted, taking pity on an unmarried pregnant Ethen with no family. And so, the General’s husband and one of his many lovers had come to live under the same roof. Both his sons raised together. None of them aware of that fact. One became the Supreme General’s heir. The other a mere tutor. This tutor’s name was Mieri.

Mieri’s Ethenim had never blackmailed the General, effectively conquering the Eth’s respect and affection not with his body but with his actions. Being poor and alone, he had only wanted a safe place to raise his son. The Guinares’ manor was safe, warm, comfortable and abundant in food and wealth. Everything his simple mind had ever wanted. The Ethen had no desires for a life in high society. Besides, he had known from the beginning that the handsome and powerful black-haired General had an intended he loved. That it was going to be a one-time thing. Thinking anything else would only lead to disaster. The man was far too powerful and dangerous to irritate. And so the General’s one-time lover took what he was given. With time, he even grew to care about the Guinare’s family like he would for his own. Especially the General’s delicate intended and his gorgeous son, Anaihr. They both would die of grief if they knew the kind of husband the General really was. Especially the sweet Ethen who had been the kindest person he had ever encountered. So, Mieri’s Ethenim enjoyed the good life the Guinares’ household provided him and kept quiet. But only during his lifetime…

A few months after Iadden’s birth, the old Guinare’s one-time lover and lifetime servant died. Always fearing the General’s actions, he left his son a letter where the whole truth was written, as means of protection. To use only in case the old Eth thought of threatening his son’s wellbeing.

But the lone Mieri was not like his Ethenim. And he had always been envious of his half-brother’s life. The marvellous Ethen husband. The beautiful Ethen child and, now, baby Eth. The rich, extensive properties. The influence and power in Meya’s higher society. Mieri was jealous: Anaihr was almost royalty, Mieri was just nobody.

And unexpectedly, the impossible had happened. With this startling revelation, his wildest dreams would become true. According to Mieri’s point of view, he had the same rights Anaihr did. They were brothers. His life would finally change. His father, the old General had to maintain a flawless image. So, convinced he would definitely be successful, Mieri decided to take the risk and stupidly threatened his biological father…

“If you don’t give me, at least, one third of the Guinare’s treasure and estates, I will tell the whole court about your unfaithfulness throughout the years and you’ll fall into ruin, along with our family’s name, of course. You might even be arrested.” The General, comfortably sitting behind his desk in his private study, looked up at him with amused dark aquamarine eyes.

“It’s your word against mine, boy. What makes you think anyone will believe you?” He questioned in a calm strong voice. Mieri smirked.

“Well, I wasn’t lucky enough as to heir the famous Guinare’s eyes as my half brother and nephews did, but my Ethenim left me something equally revealing...” The younger black-haired man searched his pants for the letter and showed it to the General. “It contains places, dates and witnesses that will back me up.” The General arched his eyebrows and then sighed, tiredly.

“I see. And what do you expect I tell my family when I give you what you ask?” Mieri shrugged.

“No one would ever dare to question your decisions in this house or outside of it. As to our dear family, you can always tell them the truth. I’m sure they won’t spread it…” The tutor smirked, disdainfully. “They’re not like you and me, father…” He said confident. “They’re weaklings and softies. They’ll possibly even try to understand your position. After all, Anaihr‘s a weak dweeb, your intended’s a blind fool, even that baby brat can barely breathe. You’re the pillar of this family. And I’m the only one who takes after you…” The tall older man inclined his head slightly in thought and slowly rose from behind his study’s desk.

“I’m sorry you feel that way…” He said simply. Mieri realized too late what his father was up to. In a well-practiced fast move, the General had his sword drawn from the scabbard hanging on the back wall and breaking the tutor’s neck skin. It didn’t really hurt, although a single drop of blood still fell. It was the indignity and knowing he was impotent, which pained Mieri the most. The younger man had never had any fighting training contrarily to his older half-brother, and the man before him was a legendary fighter. He had no way of escaping and no skills to fight back. Looking at his supposed father in panic, a thought came to his mind. The man wouldn’t kill him, would he? The General didn’t. He only shook his head.

“Look at you. Trembling… And you call Anaihr, a courageous and brilliant knight with unmatched valour and outstanding character inside and outside a battlefield, weak? You’re pathetic. You come here with nothing more than empty threats thinking you scare me? It’s a pity you didn’t heir your Ethenim’s humility.” The old man scolded not moving his weapon an inch. “You know, if you had a little more respect for my intended, who took care of you and loves you as his own child; for Anaihr, who always treated you as an equal; and for my two grandchildren, who are smart and lovely and the things I love the most in this world; I might give you some of your birth rights. As it is, you are too arrogant for my liking. Now, give me that letter!” He said irritated, levelling the sword and strengthening his grip. It was with rising humiliation and fury that Mieri extended the hand with the letter. Only to see the older man grab it with his free hand, read it briefly and burn it on a nearby candle. Right then and there, in front of him. Dropping the letter in a glass ashtray, the mighty General shook his head in disappointment once more, retrieved his sword and looked at the piece of paper being rapidly devoured by the flames. Mieri looked at the same sight as if mesmerized by the consuming orange dance. His hopes and dreams were turning into ashes, just like his Nim’s letter. If the situation wasn’t so depressing he would certainly laugh at that particular thought. It was such a clichéd comparison. As it was, he had been given the most important trump card and he had wasted it. All because he had been impulsive and stupid. Now, he saw why the General had been and was so feared and victorious. The man was strong, authoritarian but also ruthless and extremely deceiving. He knew how to conceal his greatest weaknesses. In the end, Mieri had misjudged him. His supposed father was not the cold bastard hungry for strength, power or influence Mieri had always believed him to be. The old man already had achieved those in a battlefield. He didn’t need them anymore. What he wanted now, most of all, was the love and admiration of the family he was carefully and affectionately creating. The family he loved. And that family was his intended, his son, his son-in-law and his grandchildren. To loose their respect would mean losing everything. Only the Supreme General was too arrogant to show it. So, he maintained that tough exterior that couldn’t be farther from the truth. When all is said and done, Mieri realized, his Ethenim was a lot smarter and had had a lot more insight than he. And Mieri was enraged. At his Ethenim, at himself, but especially, at the whole Guinare family.

“Out of respect for your Ethenim, I’ll let you continue to live in my estates. However, if you ever bring up this subject yet again or talk about it to anyone, I’ll have to take drastic measures. You won’t like those, I assure you, boy. You should thank Maguenta I’m being this generous. I’m not usually like this, as you should know… Now, get out of my sight. I have wasted enough time with you as it is…” At this point, the tutor’s humiliation had reached critical levels. Mieri was so angry he couldn’t maintain a straight face. Who did the old man think he was? He and his perfect family?

“You’ll pay for this! You and your beloved family!” He raged to the older man, who was putting down the enormous sword and resuming his place behind his study desk. That same man sighed and looked at his bastard son in the eye. Mieri tried not to flinch at the intense stare, but in the end he was too furious (or too coward) to manage it. He eventually punched the wood desk and left the room in a furious pace, nursing his abused neck. Because he left his father alone, he didn’t witness the old man’s tired and sad look.

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Life works in a funny way. As it was, the General never got to see his baby grandson becoming one of the strongest young Eths. This, because one month after the previous conversation, he and most of his family tragically died in a carriage accident. What only Mieri knew and Athios suspected was that it hadn’t really been an accident. In fact, it had been he, Mieri, who had, in his need for vengeance, slackened the horse’s harnesses. On a sharp fast curve, in a rainy night, the carriage got loose near a cliff, fell and splintered against the forest, fifty feet below. The sight had been horrendous. Not even one person on the carriage had survived. The General, his intended, Anaihr, Nargaine, Nargaine’s older Ethen brother: Fealiha Siekih, no one. All had perished by his hands. He had wanted to kill Meanea and Iadden as well, actually, but their parents had decided not to take them on the trip, in the last minute, so the children weren’t travelling with the rest of the family when the accident happened. Killing two small lively children didn’t appear all that difficult, anyway, so Mieri decided to exact revenge on them some other time. In the end, it was proven impossible to hurt the two boys. Athios, who had stayed home in order to protect the children that shocking night, became a security maniac regarding them and remained alert throughout the years. The General had been a father to him. Athios’ biological father had served the old Guinare in the war and had died in the man’s arms. Due to the immense esteem the General had for his father, he financed orphan Athios’ education, making him one of his main guards, once the young man finished, with merit, his military and magic studies. With time, Gariane Athios became an important part of the Guinare’s family. Mieri didn’t dare mess with the guard. Being trained by the General himself, Athios was as cunning, mistrustful and maybe even more dangerous than the General himself had been.

Later, Mieri would actually be grateful that the children had lived. They presented his opportunity to recover what should have been his by right.

“I’ve finished my exercises, mister Mieri. Can I go now?” The black-haired tutor was pulled from his memories of the past by his student’s acute voice. He gave the young boy a stern look.

“Iadden, I know we’re in a new country, with a whole new city for you to explore and many friends and enemies to make. But still, you shall not neglect your studies. Besides, it’s very early in the morning. Everyone is still asleep after yesterday’s late-night festivities. Don’t be impatient and focus on your lesson for now. Let me see those exercises.” Iadden frowned behind his white mask, but passed the scrolls he had been working on to his tutor.

“I know I should, mister Mieri.” He said slowly. “But I have so much in my mind… And I promised Midaen’niel I’d help him with the archery lessons.” Mieri frowned disapprovingly.

“You two haven’t given up on that, yet? I wonder what Lord Siekih would think of you, if he knew you’re teaching Lessin Midaen’niel to fight...” He said in a reproaching tone. Iadden fidgeted.

“I know it’s wrong to teach military techniques to an Ethen, mister Mieri. But everyone has the right to know how to protect themselves. And it was Midaen’niel who asked me…” the boy concluded. Mieri huffed.

“Yes. Lessin Midaen’niel is as illogical as you are.” He said and added as an afterthought. “And I’m a fool, because I know of it and I’m doing nothing to stop you two…” Iadden chuckled.

“That’s because you’re a good person, mister Mieri.” The boy said plainly. ”Sometimes…” he added playfully. Mieri smirked amused.

“How can you say that, milord?” The tutor said in a mocking voice. “I’m a softie, that’s what I am. All because I don’t like you getting in trouble with Athios.” He said more seriously. “If he knew about these lessons…” And let the words hang in the air.

“He’d kill me.” Was Iadden’s offer, his voice low with dread. But, his courageous personality didn’t have space for fear at all. And so, he soon forgot Athios’ angry face, his intelligent mind replacing it rapidly with words of the LAW that would back him up. And perhaps save his skin. “But there’s nothing in the LAW that forbids an Ethen from knowing how to fight or how to invoke defensive and offensive spells.” He replied in a confident tone. The tutor nodded.

“No, but it’s frowned upon. Most of the Eths disapprove of it. Including the Council, Athios and especially Lessin Midaen’niel’s father.” Mieri stated matter-of-factly. Iadden remained silent. He had no smartass reply to that. The black-haired man nodded, pleased with the small win, and started to read Iadden’s perfect calligraphy with ease.

Few minutes later, the tutor was interrupted in his corrections by the entry of a bright child in the small room.

“Good morning!” The young Ethen said bowing, making his long blond locks bounce everywhere. ”Iaddy, are you ready?” he asked the dark-haired boy in the room. Mieri huffed. Talking about the small devil…

“Up so soon, Lessin Midaen’niel?” he asked glaring at the child. The glare had no effect at all. The eleven year old smiled brightly.

“Yes, mister Mieri. The servants are occupied finishing unpacking and Athios is examining the palace’s security with the rest of the guards. They have to make sure we’re safe, especially with the tournament in honour of Lessin Meanea starting this afternoon. Now it’s the perfect time for my archery lessons.” The blonde Ethen explained happily. “No one will miss Iadden or me…” He giggled, purposefully dismissing the tutor’s critical frown.

“Well, Milessin, Iadden can’t go now. He’s in the middle of his own lessons.” The small Ethen blinked once, twice, his large blue eyes wide.

“Oh…” the blond child pouted and looked sadly at Iadden, who shrugged. “He has to study even today?” He pleaded, looking at the tutor and wrinkling his small nose.

“I’m afraid so. Perhaps you could return later in the morning.” The man offered. The Ethen child smiled brightly again.

“Oh, I can wait…” He looked fleetly at Iadden and then pulled a chair to the table, facing Mieri, who arched his eyebrows. The bright boy sat on it, big eyes focused on the black-haired man and a big smile of his round face. The tutor tried to focus on his teachings but he was just too tired and troubled to withstand Midaen’niel’s big sapphire blue eyes staring hugely and unwaveringly at him. Really, for an eleven year-old Ethen, that child could be amazingly persuasive. He had no choice but to surrender. The tutor closed the book on his hands and sighed.

“Okay. You two can go.” Iadden chuckled amused. No doubt the black-haired small Eth had already been on the end of that gaze before.

“I’m sorry, mister Mieri. I’ll work really hard, next time.” He offered. The man just nodded and gave a dismissing wave.

“Please, don’t tell anything to Sir Athios, please?” Midaen’niel pleaded.

“I won’t. Just don’t hurt yourselves. And if you’re caught, I didn’t know a thing…” The older Eth said, organizing the books on the table. The two boys nodded and bowed.

“Thank you, mister Mieri. We’ll be going now.” Iadden said and then they left. The tutor was finally left alone. Ugh, how he hated those children! He had wanted to question Iadden about some new information. Some suspicions he had which could help his soon to be destroyed plans, but he was quite relieved he had sent the boys away. His façade of good, caring tutor was starting to exhaust him. And he needed time to think. Iadden was a powerful weapon needed to enforce his plans, but more important than the stupid young Eth, was his brother Meanea. His nephew had grown up real good and not surprisingly, as beautiful as his Ethenim. Mieri couldn’t let the Ethen marry the king or he would definitely loose the chance to complete his revenge on the Guinares. He had come too far, done too many things, to give up his plans now. He would find a way. After all, he always did.

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First, it was some sharp annoying sound that registered itself into Edyane’s sleepy mind. Second, an irritating light aimed right at his face. The boy grunted, pulled his bed covers up and sheltered his head. Only to feel someone pounding at that same head. From the inside.

“Urgh!” he eloquently complained. As the pounding increased inside his head, he turned and tossed, trying to find a position in which the pain wasn’t so bad. Unfortunately, moving only seemed to incentive the small goblins trying to smash his brain. With heavy sledgehammers. So he kept very still, hoping the obliviousness of sleep would claim him once more and stop the hammering. The earlier annoying sound, however, the one who had started to wake him up, was back and wasn’t helping his efforts. It was getting louder, too.

“Leave me alone!” Edyane uttered in a weak voice to no one in particular, very proud of himself. He could clearly speak words. Amazingly, the sound only got louder.

“Edyane! Wake up…” Was he being shaken? The pounding on his brain reached higher levels. He was. Wait, he dimly registered. Was that annoying sound, words?

“EDYANE!” Yep. That was his name, he could tell. Ooooooohhhh! Someone was going to DIE!….but after he had a little more sleep.

“Shooo. GO AWAY!” he shouted, waving a hand out of his covers. A new stab of pain assaulted his already abused brain, followed closely by a wave of nausea. Well, at least the irritating person had disappeared. All the quietness returned. Only the goblins in his brain remained, of course. Edyane wished he could shoo them away as well.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, something very cold and very … liquid dropped on top of him.

“SHIT!” Was his loud reaction, as he jumped wide awake, sitting upright in the bed. The spike of pain and sickness was mildly expected and Edyane held his head in his hands immediately after.

“Shit.” He repeated more composed, nursing his dripping head.

“Rise and shine!” A familiar voice vibrantly greeted him. Why wasn’t he surprised…

“Fuck, Quera! What the hell are you doing?” He asked, daring to raise his head in order to rightfully glare at the blond nobleman. Quera, perfumed, well-dressed and impeccable as always, arched a fine eyebrow.

“Your valet requested me to gently wake you up, that’s all.” Edyane directed his heated glare at Andro. He was standing behind the blond nobleman, with a smug grin.

“A bucket of cold water? You call this gentle?” Andro shrugged, but his evil smirk got wider. It was Quera who answered.

“Why, it’s what you deserve for making us drag you through half-palace semi-unconscious. This, after searching the whole city, only to find you passed out in Lessin Meanea’s private garden. What were you doing there? Trying to peek into his bedroom…Or so you explained on the way here, last night. This was the closest room we had access to, without being overly suspicious…“ Though his features were somewhat calm and his tone soft, Quera sounded awfully accusing at the same time. Edyane looked incredulous at him.

“I did what?” Quera smirked, a frightening look gracing his face.

“Oh?” he said mistakenly sweet. “You don’t remember? Do not worry, my prince. This friend of yours passed his early morning making a list of your streaks of good behaviour, last night. We’re going to need a lot of time, but I’ll have the utmost pleasure in exposing them to you. But first…” Quera made an act out of reaching near the prince to sniff and wrinkle his nose. “You need a bath.”

“Did I puke?” Edyane asked, identifying the worst of his stink.

“Yes. On top of me and Andro. Our clothes are ruined, but at least the servants didn’t have much to clean on the floor…” Edyane looked at Quera’s glare and smiled with some embarrassment. Quera sighed.

“Let’s get you to your room…” He said. Edyane looked at his surroundings.

“Right…”

“You hadn’t noticed, yet?” Quera asked stunned.

“My head hurts…” He justified. A sudden loose thought occurred to him. ”Wait, what happened to Tenaii after he was rejected by each and every Eth and Ethen in the palace last night?” Quera huffed, annoyed.

“He probably ended up in bed with that foreigner lady. Nasiera was how she called herself, I believe.” Edyane laughed amused.

“It’s a good thing you remember her name…” he said, smirking at Quera’s expression.

“Why?” The blond asked.

“Because Tenaii probably doesn’t.”

TBC…

Ending Notes: Well, more bad guys and another chapter that leads nowhere, but after the last one it’s a little refreshing to be writing Edyane and Quera again. Hope you liked it. Please leave a review. Please, please? It’s my birthday…

bambi4real: First of all, thank you for your review. As to your questions: Iadden, as a common Eth, can have black hair. This is because the Eth race is composed by the regular Eth (common tall males) and the Ethen (smaller males able to have children). All Ethen have light hair, the regular Eths can have brown hair, red hair, blond hair and even black hair. You’ll see there are many Eths in the story (but not Ethen) with black hair. Sorry if I confused you. Please, keep reading the story; you’ll see Iadden will be of a major importance and I’m happy everyone likes him. I promise I won’t disappoint you regarding Iadden’s fate. About Meanea’s innocence, I’ll let you be the judge. About Nlie’sieri. I totally agree with you. He’s a fool. It’s his immensurable greed that blinds him. To him, an alliance with the attacking race is better than with the peaceful ones, due to the fact that if they have the means to attack, it means they can better protect him as well. He likes to think he knows the world better than anyone because he’s better than anyone else, but of course that’s not true and eventually he’ll get what he deserves. I’m glad you think the Whisperers are scary. It was my intention to make them appear like that but in the end, I ended up having doubts if it had worked or not…

tf: Thank you so much for your review. I like that pairing a lot, too. :) Hope you continue to read and like the fic.