The color of Divinity II - The truth of Legends

The color of Divinity
By Ellnyon


Notes: I SURVIVED!! :) At long last! As always happens to me, took much longer than what I was hoping for, but I finally made it. I’m officially a graduate!! XD Anyway, the good news is that from now on, I’m going to have a lot more free time than I have had this whole year. No, let me correct that. These last two years. XD This means I’m going to finally be able to write my stories and pull off frequent updates. YAY!!

I just wanted to say: thanks to everyone still sticking and believing in me. Thanks to all who read and especially those who rate and review. I know it’s been hard and I’m sorry. Hopefully, today is when I start making up for your patience and kindness.

Please, enjoy the new chapter.


Part II
Chapter 8


“I’m so relieved you’re safe, Milessin.” The brown-haired man said softly, looking up at the hastily mended rips in the sheltering fabric above.

Midaen’niel, kneeling beside the prostrated man in the moving wagon, could only smile at him, both relieved and happy the Eth was finally conscious and speaking.

Yari’niel had stirred at early dawn, a couple of hours before they had lifted up camp to resume traveling. Upon wakening up for the first time, the brunet had been confused, not recognizing his surroundings and he had thrashed violently, probably remembering the horrors he had witnessed during the Whisperers’ attack. Midaen’niel had been worried then, especially when a swift sleeping spell was necessary to induce drowsiness and stop him from aggravating his healing wounds further.

Then, a few hours later into their journey, he had risen up again, now completely alert. He had recognized the typical features of his race and had acknowledged the men around him as Eths, calming down enough for a grizzled Eth to assess his condition. When the man left, Midaen’niel was finally allowed to go to him and the Ethen’s smile all but erased any doubt remaining in his mind about the men caring for him.

Ylrin’ne, the grizzled warrior, had also given him some medicinal soup which had dulled his slowly subsiding pain. Consequently, as the morning went by, he started speaking and moving his limbs around carefully, his strength returning quickly.

The other knights travelling along with them had given him time and space and had yet to make themselves known to him. However, Midaen’niel had told him everything he knew about what had happened and the glimpses he managed to catch of them throughout the openings in the wagon were enough for him to realize they were as safe as they could possibly be under their circumstances. Perhaps even safer than Midaen’niel could ever imagine.

“Sir Ylrin’ne says you’re healing well. He says you can even get up in a few hours, if you feel strong enough and promise not to strain yourself.” The Ethen was merrily chirping, grinding some healing herbs into a bowl with a large stone as he had been instructed by the grizzled Eth before. He had been talking to Yari’niel non-stop since he had come to him.

The lying man turned his head to glance at the blond beside him. Midaen’niel’s hair was disheveled, haphazardly knotted on top of his head and his dusty clothes were obviously too big for him. Surely, the Ethen had gone through too many hardships while he had been unconscious. Still, despite all that, he was talking cheerfully, thankful the brunet was going to be alright and caring for him, for the man who had been there solely to protect him and had failed miserably.

Pain flashed across Yari’niel’s heart when he remembered his fight against the Wizards. Less than two minutes. That was the time it took for a single wizard to defeat him. He had fallen so easily.

Yari’niel, who prided himself in being the best warrior among Nlie’sieri’s men and who was known as one of the best knights left in the Capitol. The same Eth whose dream had been to journey to war with his father and brothers to earn glory on the battlefield. He had been so angry at his father for not letting him go and now he found out that he couldn’t even last two minutes against enemies he thought he would slaughter if given a chance. He should’ve died there. If he hadn’t arrived so late into the fray, he would have too.

Tears welled up in his eyes and he moved his head to stare at the top of the wagon again. A futile attempt to prevent them from falling.

What had he been doing all these last ten years? Letting murder and torture go unpunished for a few bags of gold? Following a man who was ready to offer his country to those monsters just so he could call himself king? Chasing Ethen around, forgetting his noble lineage, his status and, most of all, his manners? His family might’ve been poor, even for low-class nobility, but his father had always worked hard to keep the Rarin’s dignity and honor intact. How disappointed he would be when he found out what Yari’niel had been doing. How utterly humiliated. He should’ve been training hard to join his family and his army in the fight against those beasts, like his younger brothers had been doing. He should’ve been striving to stop men like Nlie’sieri, not help him in his devious plans.

So what if he hadn’t known the true extent of the second prince’s betrayal. Yari’niel knew Nlie’sieri’s character; he knew the man had been up to no good! And now, he found out that he wasn’t even able to protect the Ethen who could salvage the situation and take away some of his guilt.

‘Midaen’niel was an Ethen who shamed Eths.’ Wasn’t that the way he had put it before? In the Capitol, when he still had some control over things, when everything hadn’t been so bleak, when he had been able to help the beautiful Lessin and rejoice at the prospect of spending time with him, perhaps even win the Ethen’s favor. One the beauty had been so reluctant in giving and for all the right reasons, too.

With a sad smile, he looked, outside, to the small group of strong Eths riding their powerful horses. Well, he thought with tears finally falling from the corner of his eyes, Lessin Midaen’niel didn’t shame all Eths. Just the weak ones like Yari’niel. Not the ones he was looking at.

Those Eths he saw riding beside them were true warriors, fighting for what was right, dying for what was right. Like Midaen’niel’s brother had. Like so many had before and after him in the last ten years. Like his own father and brothers were.

They all had watched family, friends or comrades die. And still they rose, day after day, and they fought. Against all odds they fought. And they won, and kept winning, to the point of making their enemies resort to scheming bastards like Nlie’sieri.

Those were the Eths worthy of Midaen’niel’s favor and the ones that deserved his sacrifice and his love. How could he ever have thought he was better than them? He had forgotten his place! He had been an ambitious fool, a blissfully ignorant one!

“I’m sorry I was not good enough to serve you as you deserve, Milessin.” He lamented, emotion clouding a voice already weakened from days of unconscious recovery.

Midaen’niel, who had still been speaking nonsense while struggling with the fibrous leaves, raised his head at the words, noticing for the first time the tears falling from Yari’niel’s eyes.

Touched by the man’s sorrow, the blond used his fingers to wipe his tears, in a gentle caress. “Don’t say that. You’ve helped me so much. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you.”

The brown-haired man shook his head, closing his eyes. “I only put you in even more danger. At least in the Capitol you were safe from those…creatures. If it hadn’t been for these warriors, I dread to think what they would’ve done to you.” He replied, his voice remorseful. Midaen’niel gazed sadly at him.

“I kind of agree with that point. Lessin Ridaen’ne was put into too much danger. But still, even that is ultimately our fault, not yours.” A baritone voice, coming from the front of the wagon, claimed, interrupting what the blond was about to answer.

Recognizing the accented voice, the Ethen blushed intensely, remembering the evening before. He had done everything in his power to avoid the man since then. Midaen’niel had been successful too, until now. He suspected that was also due to the Eth appearing to be a little embarrassed about their encounter. Though the blond doubted they were shamed by the same reasons.

Yari’niel raised himself on his elbows in order to look back at the dark-haired Eth. The man climbed into the moving cart with an agile move. Extending a hand in a polite gesture to stop Yari’niel from moving, he maneuvered into the wagon, with surprising ease for such a big body.

“If we had done our job correctly, these creatures, as you called them, wouldn’t be here in the first place. We were the ones who failed you.” He reinforced as he settled down at the brown-haired man’s left side, directly in front of Midaen’niel.

Yari’niel glanced at the red-cheeked, breathless Ethen to his right (staring everywhere but at the newcomer in front of him) and then at the man himself, who was bowing his head in greetings. He couldn’t help but be a little jealous. Midaen’niel had never reacted like that upon sight of Yari’niel. But then again, even he could tell the warrior was drop-dead gorgeous and he wasn’t particularly appreciative of Eths’ looks.

“Forgive me for the interruption. Milessin. Milord.” The knight was saying with impeccable manners, bowing his head to both of them again, oblivious of their thoughts. Looking down at the lying man with more attention, his ice-blue eyes widened a little as they took in the traces of tears in the northern Eth’s face.

“I came to check on you. How are you feeling? Are you in pain?” He asked, sounding genuinely concerned. A little surprised with the stranger’s kindness, Yari’niel remained silent for a second, pondering on his answer.

“Only my pride still hurts, milord.” He admitted, closing his eyes and acknowledging his shame. What point was there in lying to the warrior? He had been the one to save them. Might as well recognize his weaknesses before another pointed them out. Midaen’niel regarded him with a desolated expression. That Ethen was too thoughtful to be real, sometimes.

Still, he wasn’t the only one, apparently.

“Well, that’s good.” The ice-eyed Eth said firmly with a shrug, stunning both Yari’niel and Midaen’niel who turned to look at him. “It means you have not lost it yet.” He clarified.

“But, you know, milord Rarin, you really shouldn’t feel that bad about what happened.” He added, his deep voice a lot softer, the accent broader in that tone.

“Everyone makes mistakes, everyone despairs and everyone loses more often than not. No matter what anyone tells you: nobody is perfect.” He continued, understanding and considerate.

“You lost a battle, not the war. What counts is that you managed to survive. Learn with your mistakes. If your heart remains true and your head stays clear, then your will and your sword will grow stronger. Next time they’ll find you wiser and then, they’ll be the ones to fear… and fall. Today, your job is to rest your body and your mind. Tomorrow, you can rise to fight again.” The Eth concluded, his eyes displaying a more liquid hue of blue, showing confidence and strength. But a different kind of strength than those Yari’niel was used to. This man had strength of character.

Midaen’niel was nodding and smiling beautifully. It was clear he completely agreed with the stranger.

A little astonished by the man at his left side, Yari’niel stayed silent, not knowing what to say. He wasn’t used to Eths being generous and supportive. He was used to be punished for his failures, physically even.

Both Midaen’niel and the ice-eyed man waited quietly too, patiently giving him time to think.

More out of respect for the knight’s attempt to cheer him up than anything else, the former spy took advantage of the silence to reflect on the warrior’s words. Further amazed, Yari’niel found out that they actually made sense to him. Perhaps this Eth wasn’t merely trying to be agreeable. Maybe he was even right.

Yari’niel wasn’t dead yet. He had been given a second chance. He ought to do something with it. Something right this time. He could rise to fight again. He would do so, to the best of his ability, and this time he would be sure to pledge his allegiance to a worthy Eth. A strong, reliable and wise leader. Like the man beside him.

“Thank you.” He replied finally, honestly grateful for the vote of confidence the warrior was giving him. His own resolution was making him feel more positive, too. If he proved he was willing to fight for what was right, his family wouldn’t be ashamed of him. They would only be saddened if he didn’t recognize his wrongs and didn’t do something to correct them.

The southern man shrugged, shaking his head. “I did nothing. Words are easy enough to say. The hard part will be yours to accomplish.” He returned, serious. Yari’niel nodded. He knew that, perhaps even too well, but he was not desperate anymore. Not all powerful Eths were like Nlie’sieri. This ice-eyed southern warrior was proof of that.

Smiling softly, the man put a hand on his shoulder. “I can see in your eyes that you’ll do it. But save that for later. Right now, focus all your energy on recovering your strength. I realize the bumpy road might not be helping much, but make an effort. We’re almost at the Sacred Wall.” He affirmed, nodding his head to the southern horizon, in the direction of the huge structure which was getting bigger by the minute.

Midaen’niel glanced at the southern Eth in front of him silently, admiring his pleasant expression. The man was amazing, knowing exactly what to say and how, in order to make Yari’niel regain his lost confidence. The brown-haired Eth might have much to repent for, but he would manage it. Midaen’niel had also seen the determination in his coffee-brown eyes. With a simple smile, he dropped his gaze to his discarded wooden bowl and resumed his previous task.

“The Sacred Wall?” Yari’niel asked the ice-eyed Eth.

The man gave a curt nod. “The Alliance’s army is camped inside.” He added.

Yari’niel’s eyes widened imperceptibly. The army had not disbanded yet. So Nliesieri’s plans were not going as smoothly as the prince expected. Good.

“My father and brothers are part of His Highness’ royal guard...” He said simply, not knowing how much of their mission Midaen’niel had actually explained to the southern leader. Certainly not all of it, if the false name he had heard the man call him by was any indication.

The sitting Eth nodded, possibly mistaking his cautious sentence for concern.

“They are there. We know them well.” He commented, smiling. “You look alike, by the way. We almost didn’t need to see your ring to confirm it. Though I am curious. Are you the third in the family, the one who stayed behind at the Capitol?” He asked, sounding interested indeed.

Not having a particular reason to lie about that, the brown-haired man confirmed. “Yes, my name is Yari’niel.” Still, he was a little wary about the conversation. Even if Midaen’niel didn’t appear to be worried about the topic of the Eths’ talk, (smiling and smashing healing herbs without a care in the world), the northern Eth was still unsure how to answer the man’s questions. He knew they were safe with these men, but at the same time, he didn’t want to compromise the Ethen.

Fortunately, the ice-eyed warrior simply nodded, satisfied, and didn’t ask anything else.

“Your ‘cousin’, Milessin Ridaen’ne, has already informed me about why you’re here.” He stated instead and Yari’niel felt like laughing when the man gently emphasized the word ‘cousin’. He had been worrying for nothing. Their savior already knew that Midaen’niel had been lying. He was just too much of a gentleman to point that out to the Ethen and force him to tell the truth.

Yari’niel sighed and shook his head slowly while the other Eth smiled gently and decided not to pry. “When we reach the army, I’ll take both of you to them, so you can share the details of what you know.” He promised.

“We appreciate that.” The brunet said, thankful.

The ice-eyed Eth nodded, putting a hand on his shoulder again. “I’m really glad you’re recovering well. I’ll leave you so you can rest.” He affirmed.

Yari’niel looked up at that. “Thank you for your help.”

The man dismissed it with a wave. “You’re welcome.” He started getting up to leave when he suddenly stopped. “Ah…”

Obviously remembering something embarrassing, the man sat again, his cheeks coloring a soft shade of pink, and he looked at the oblivious beauty in front of him, still fighting with the stubborn herbs.

“Milessin,” He called gently. Midaen’niel raised his head to gaze at him, a quizzical expression on his face. The ice-eyed Eth looked down for a moment and then bowed his own head, a little awkward.

“I didn’t have an opportunity before, but I’d like to apologize for yesterday.” He said softly. Midaen’niel blushed deeply as he had when the man had first arrived. “I didn’t mean to scare you, I’m just not used to have an Ethen around.” The Eh added, gently and clumsily, very obviously being sincere.

Midaen’niel arched his eyebrows in wonder. The man thought he had scared him?! Forgetting his own mortification, he could only smile at the gorgeous Eth, loving how that God of a man could be so innocent.

“I accept your apologies.” He said, almost smirking. The man actually sighed in relief, as if a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

Yari’niel watched the exchange quietly with a frown marring his features.

“I’m truly grateful. Do you need help with that, Milessin?” The southern warrior asked, nodding towards the bowl Midaen’niel had in his hands.

“No, I can manage. Thank you.” The blond said, still smiling. The man nodded.

“Well, I’ll leave you then. Do call if you need anything.” He offered, getting up with another bow. He moved out of the wagon through the back exit, this time, and performed an elegant jump to the ground outside, landing perfectly.

Midaen’niel and Yari’niel watched as he next hopped into his shiny dark-brown battle horse with the familiarly of someone who had been doing that from the moment he had left the cradle. Then he passed their wagon in a comfortable, elegant trot, and slowed down further ahead, accompanying the first wagon carrying the other injured man, who still remained unconscious.

The blond Ethen went back to his task, grinding the herbs, and Yari’niel lay back down again, pondering on what subject he should discuss with Midaen’niel first. A particular one topped the others.

“What was he apologizing for?” He asked. Midaen’niel stopped milling and chuckled. Grabbing some herbs from a bag beside him, he put them in his bowl.

“I caught him bathing.” He answered, trying not to remember the sight. He was unsuccessful, though, as the images came unbidden into his mind. He couldn’t help but blush a little.

Yari’niel frowned. “You saw him naked.” Midaen’niel nodded. “What happened next?”

The blond sighed. “Well, I left and he… continued his bath, I suppose.” He answered, putting some more herbs into the bowl, choosing not to tell Yari’niel what he had done subsequently to having left the place.

Perhaps tipped by Midaen’niel’s somewhat guilty expression, Yari’niel didn’t seem totally convinced it had been that simple.

“He said he scared you.” He pressed on. The blond chuckled again.

“I was washing my face and he suddenly appeared from underwater. He didn’t know I was there and I wasn’t expecting him.” Midaen’niel explained, patiently.

Yari’niel wrinkled his brow again in confusion. “If that’s all there was to it, why was he apologizing? It was an accident.” He commented. Midaen’niel grinned.

“Well, because I’m an Ethen and he’s a gentleman.” He claimed, with a satisfied smile and grabbed the stone to resume crushing the herbs.

The Eth sighed and actually nodded at that. He had thought the same thing about the man, moments before.

“I agree with you, Milessin. He is a gentleman. They all are.” He uttered in a strange, condescending tone. “Why didn’t you tell them your real identity?” He chastised softly. The blond was about to answer, but imagining what he was about to say, Yari’niel didn’t let him start.

“They know you’ve been lying. They know my father and my brothers and they surely told them we don’t have a single Ethen in our family.” He affirmed, matter-of-factly, looking at the distressed Ethen.

Midaen’niel frowned, a little sad. “Well, I don’t know who they are. They could’ve been working for Nlie’sieri…” He claimed, defending himself.

Yari’niel sighed again. “Prince Nlie’sieri’s men would’ve tortured you to get the truth or worse. Besides, these are southern warriors.” He declared. Midaen’niel nodded.

“I know. I recognized the accent.” He admitted, softly, grinding the leaves almost violently.

“It’s not just their accent.” The former spy said, amazed. The Ethen scowled.

“Should I recognize anything else about them?” He asked, a little hurt.

The brunet sighed. “These are southern knights. And not just any knight. These are true warriors. Putting aside the ease with which they obviously defeated the wizards that attacked us without a single injury, you have many other details that expose them a special kin.” He explained, taking pity on the Ethen. Midaen’niel stared at him, waiting for the so obvious clues.

“One thing you should have noticed immediately are their horses. Purebred southern battle horses. Look at the mark in the one who pulls our wagon. Haven’t you seen it before?” The blond turned his head to the horse ahead of them and eyed its branded flank. For some seconds, he wondered where he had seen that brand before. Suddenly, out of nowhere, he remembered.

“It’s the same as Lnora’s!” He exclaimed, astonished at himself for not realizing it before. Yari’niel nodded.

“These men would never work for Prince Nlie’sieri. Nor Prince Delaen’niel for that matter. Their allegiance is to one man only.” He affirmed, glancing significantly at the Ethen, whose sapphire blue eyes widened.

Nodding, he smiled sadly. “Lnorien Erephine. My betrothed.” He stated.

“The Lord General.” The Eth confirmed, crestfallen. “This is the escort you should have had in the first place, Milessin. If they knew who you were, they would have treated you like a God, like you deserve.”

“They treated me well enough. I could not ask for more.” Midaen’niel affirmed firmly, but his expression was one of sadness. One name. It was all it took for the Ethen to realize he could not escape his society or his status. As soon as they arrived at the army, he would forcefully be recognized and then he would be an Ethen prince again. With all the responsibilities, the duties and the distance it would entitle. As an afterthought, he would finally meet his elusive betrothed too and he would at last clarify the state of their commitment. Whatever his feelings, when he entered the Sacred Wall later that day, he would become Prince Midaen’niel Siekih of Meya once more and all this adventure, the good and the bad, would instantly be behind him.

“Do you know the name of the man who came here?” Yari’niel’s question startled the Ethen from his thoughts.

“I know only that he leads them. He didn’t tell me his name.” He answered truthfully. He had wanted to know the man’s name, though, so that he could keep at least his name in his heart, after his transformation back into a demure Ethen prince.

“Probably because we would recognize it.” The brunet was saying, thoughtful. “His manners, his armor, his horse, the way he speaks, the way he moves, the way he rides, possibly even the way he fights. Pure southern nobility. He’s definitely from at least middle-class. At the very least. He must work directly under the Lord General.” He commented, closing his eyes.

Midaen’niel gasped in shock. “You think that man works directly for my intended?”

Yari’niel nodded, eyes still closed, intending to rest a bit. Unexpectedly, he was feeling tired with all the talking. “I’m sure of it.” He muttered.

The Ethen sighed deeply and grabbed his forgotten bowl. That last thought stayed in his mind for a long time. So, if he married the Lord General, he would have to live all his life next to a man he couldn’t have and befriend his perfect Ethen husband?

&&&&&&&

The dark-skinned human sat down with a heavy huff, the wooden chair complaining loudly in the process.

The only other human in the small room didn’t bother turning to the noble. In fact, Quera pretended the man wasn’t even there. The blond had been more than cranky with the warrior lately. Even he would recognize it. Still, no one could say he lacked reasons to act that way.

The situation was too severe and complicated as it was. And no other tactical general was available or capable. It was up to Quera to come up with a solution, a path they could tread. He definitely didn’t need Tenaii’s antics to confuse his mind further.

For over a week, Delaen’niel had been in complete denial. Edyane had dedicated all his attention to him, talking to him for hours and hours each day, trying to calm and reason with the blond prince, but said Eth had yet to emerge from the quarters he had locked himself in, seven days ago.

His strange behavior was responsible for the rumors that had been spreading around the army. The men had not been told what was going on, but everyone could tell something was very wrong. Tenaii and Fentarr had managed to maintain the moral somewhat in normal levels until now, but the fact that Lian’niel, a high noble Eth, was heavily guarded and locked in a tower did not help their efforts in keeping the atmosphere as unruffled as possible. Especially among the Eth part of the army.

Still, that had been Delaen’niel’s decision and Edyane hadn’t wanted to upset the prince even further by diminishing his command. Even if that single action had brought an instability among the Eth warriors they definitely didn’t need right now. Delaen’niel, first prince or not, always explained his decisions to his generals, what hadn’t happened this time. And, unfortunately, he wasn’t the kind of leader who could pull off a ‘because I said so’ and be blindly obeyed. THAT was Lnorien’s department.

But then again, Lnorien Erephine would never display such an odd behavior in the first place. He was far better at controlling his emotions and at finding logic and rationality in these situations. Maguenta knew he had had his own troubles with his family and still, look where he was…

Quera sighed. It was like the desperate months that followed Ryaen’ne’s death had returned all over again. With the enormous difference that, in those days, they had known what to do. Where to direct their anger. Who to fight. Their enemies had been right in front of them. Lnorien had been there.

Now, it was not so. They were not yet sure what or who to believe. One of their greatest generals and his prime Guardian Corps were nowhere to be found. And Edyane, as respected as he was, did not have the authority to lead the Eth army alone. He had not been given the Maguenta’s Heir title by the black-haired Ethen and, as such, to the Eths, he was merely the prince of N’Alaera.

Whether Lian’niel had been speaking the truth about the second prince’s betrayal or not, this situation and uncertainty were surely disheartening Delaen’niel. One way or another, Meya’s leaders would be struggling for command and the country would be divided in a time where everyone was supposed to be fighting for a common cause. It had to be extremely shaming for such a strong and proud race. Mainly when the cause they were all giving their lives for was their freedom.

This would inevitably be another heavy blow to Delaen’niel, indeed. And the pale-haired human had conscience of that fact. Still, it was also the worst time for the prince to break down. Meya needed him strong and confident. The Alliance needed him strong and confident.

For, despite Quera’s rightful concern for his friend, he had to concede that the fate of the Alliance troubled him far more. Because Delaen’niel had friends who cared and stood for him. They would not let him fall into despair. The Alliance, though, once destroyed, wouldn’t be able to rise again in time to prevent the catastrophe. They were treading thin ice already.

And the worst was that their Eth prisoner's words made all the sense in the world. Many things could be explained under the light of Lian'niel's revelations. One of the most evident was that suspicious peace treaty. Nlie’sieri, purposefully or not, might not only be betraying his brother but also his country and the Alliance as well.

Moreover, it was bad enough having to face the Death Whisperers in the battlefield. If they were also being sabotaged on the inside, then the Alliance did not have a chance of survival. It would certainly fall like the Death Whisperers intended.

Maguenta, they were under a huge peril. Like no other before. A threat so great they could not even fathom their true extent, least of all, a way to solve it. If what he revealed was true, Lian’niel had been right in coming to them, but he hadn’t known enough to help them decide on a course of action. He might have been too late.

What would be the Death Whisperers’ next move? Where would they attack? What could they do to stop them? They were lost as to what to do, where to go. And there was no one out there who could help them.

Quera couldn’t believe all they had suffered and fought for had been for nothing. Were they that powerless? Had Maguenta really abandoned them like Lnorien always claimed? And where the Hell was Lnorien anyway? Was this finally the first time the mighty Lord General would fail them? The first time he did not bring the answer to their prayers?

A light touch to his left cheek awakened Quera from his troublesome thoughts. Raising his teal colored eyes to his left, he found Tenaii frowning at him in worry, his hand receding but still very close to his face.

Compared to the storm brewing in the horizon, his problems with the dark-skinned man were obviously meaningless, Quera knew. Still, his despair fuelled his usual latent anger towards his lifelong companion.

In those last years, the teal-eyed human had tried to look detached and speak to Tenaii like his behavior didn’t affect him. Like in the past, when they had been teenagers and the taunts between them had been common and always present. When he knew where he stood in the man’s heart. When they had been best friends and comrades in arms. In the past, before the dark-skinned man had ruined their friendship with his endless lust and claims of love. Before Quera had realized that he wanted those claims to be true. Before the blond realized HE was the one in love with the other man.

The attraction had been there before, certainly. Tenaii had always affected him greatly with his innate charm, his good looks and his mysterious, witty ways. The same uniqueness that attracted so many to his bed, Quera could bet. But those many men and women did not know Tenaii like he did. They knew nothing of his inner strength and courage or his loyalty, trustworthiness and unwavering faith in his prince and companions.

The dark-skinned man hid much of himself behind his bravado. It would take a lifetime to completely discover everything Tenaii was. And, knowing the other human since his birth, Quera could say he had a considerable advantage in that regard.

What shocked and infuriated Quera so much more was that he had thought he had also known well all of Tenaii's faults. It seemed clear now he obviously did not, for the pale-haired human would never have imagined Tenaii Ruana could be such a good liar. That, or the dark-skinned man was teasing him, like usual. Only Tenaii never used to joke about important matters. And Quera couldn't even express how much it hurt him to think Tenaii could regard the blonde’s feelings as something minor.

And so, said blond had tried to remain unaffected even when he was hurt. Tried, because the human couldn’t have failed more poorly. His reactions were those of someone utterly outraged and he was sure Tenaii could tell exactly that, most of the time. However, Quera couldn’t avoid some of his rejoinders. There were some things he just couldn’t be quiet about. Some of Tenaii’s behavior, for example. He couldn’t say what irritated him more. If the man’s incorrigible bragging regarding his numerous love affairs or his consequent lies about the feelings he supposedly had for him.

“What in the Underworld do you think you’re doing?!” He cried bluntly. The dark-skinned man lowered his dark eyes and pursed his lips, as if wounded. He mumbled something under his breath, before looking at the blond again.

“You looked desperate for a moment there.” He claimed, softly. A few silent seconds passed in which the blond human merely stared at the other human’s strong features, not really knowing what to say to him, his anger receding quickly at Tenaii’s concerned expression.

Finally, he looked away, sighing. “I AM desperate. I do not know what to do. I’m supposed to be advising Edyane and I do not know what to tell him. I’m lost.” He conceded, trusting Tenaii with his worries despite all the bad water between them. Despite himself and his own insecurities.

Tenaii watched him quietly for a long time. His dark eyes had a strange light in them that Quera had no idea what it meant. The blond human looked at the other attentively, but could not even begin to fathom what the handsome man was thinking. And the dark-skinned man’s silence was getting to him. First, because Tenaii Ruana was not someone who usually remained silent for so long when directly addressed even when measuring his words. Second, because it was Tenaii and the last thing Quera wanted was to appear flawed in his eyes. Perhaps the man was disappointed with him for his despair, for his lack of answers.

I should’ve stayed silent, Quera thought, turning his eyes to the table, hurt by his own thinking. In that moment, Tenaii sighed, regaining his attention.

“I should’ve known.” He started, shaking his head. Quera pursed his lips at the other man’s irritated expression, a reply ready on his tongue, decided not to concede any more of his doubts to the self-assured warrior. However, Tenaii had not finished yet and what he said next definitely surprised the blond into silence.

“A perfectionist like you. Ten years in a war, Quera, and you still think you’ve got to have the solutions to everything? The answer to every problem, the tactic to every battle, the foresight to predict every move? It doesn’t work that way. You’re not alone in this. It doesn’t fall on you to solve everything.” The blond stared at the dark-skinned man with widened teal eyes.

“But I’m the tactical general…” He said softly, not quite comprehending Tenaii’s irritation. It kind of was his job. The man shook his head, scoffed and hurried to clarify him.

“Well, I’m certainly not a tactical general, but I’m here too, with you.” He claimed, looking Quera in the eyes. “And like me, many others. We will find a solution. Together.”

Tenaii’s dark eyes shone with a kind of intensity that was rare even for the forceful man and Quera remained still for a moment, quietly bewildered by the raw strength emanating from the man’s expression. But that moment eventually passed and the blond sighed, lowering his teal-colored orbs.

Always the optimistic. That was Tenaii. Quera definitely didn't share Tenaii's confidence in the future. Yet, he couldn't deny that the dark-skinned human's words had lifted his spirits somewhat. Mostly because he was happy Tenaii didn't think any less of him when he showed his weaker side.

In his anger regarding Tenaii's behavior, Quera had foolishly thought he had lost the man's friendship, his support and respect. But, apparently, he had been misreading the man because that obviously seemed to be untrue. If nothing else, they were still close friends. He could still trust Tenaii with his worries.

“You don’t understand. At this rate the Alliance will fall. The armies will disband. We will be decimated…” Quera argued, his voice weak with dread. The dark-skinned man gazed at him in disbelief.

“What do you consider the Alliance to be?!” He asked. The blond eyed him carefully.

“What do you mean?” He returned, confused. Tenaii shook his head slightly and looked down, smirking. The curl of lips looked wrong, though, not confident at all. It was more a sad smile disguised of a smirk. As if Tenaii had been expecting Quera’s confusion towards his question and was saddened by it, but didn’t want to reveal it. It was the same smile he wore every time Quera rejected his advances.

“To me, the Alliance is us." He started to explain, still looking down at the table. "I don’t have the kind of intelligence you, Lnorien or Edyane do, but I trust you to make the right decision. I have put my life in your hands I don’t know how many times. When I feel lost, I believe in you. When I feel desperate, I look up to your self-assurance and I feel it too. As long as we care for each other, as long as we are ready to give our lives for each other, as long as we remain together, there might come a thousand betraying princes, a million wizards, hell might fall onto our heads: as long as we believe and trust each other, the Alliance will not fall. We will prevail, I’m sure.”

Tenaii raised his head to stare at Quera then and the blond was immediately overwhelmed by dark eyes full of strength and faith. Unable to sustain the intense gaze, Quera instead darted his own eyes away in a cowardly fashion that shamed him more than he had the courage to admit.

He wanted desperately to believe his friend’s words, he did. And he wanted to share his belief as much. Yet, he didn’t dare even to try. He couldn’t afford to. It was so much easier to always expect the worst. So much more convenient.

That trait was what made Quera such a magnificent tactician. Like Tenaii’s faith and optimism made of him such a good morale raiser. It was part of their personalities.

But Quera hated feeling like that. He had always hated those insecurities of his. Every since their teens. He just suffered in advance what he hoped to avoid suffering in the end with the lesser shock. And still, he suffered again as if he hadn’t been expecting it at all. When all was said and done, he always ended up hurt twice as much.

Still, even knowing this, no matter what he did, he just couldn’t avoid being pessimistic. How very different he was from the strong man sitting in front of him. His friend and companion. The man he admired. The man he loved.

A fleeting thought crossed his mind then. What if he was doing the same regarding Tenaii’s supposed feelings? What if he was simply being insecure and negative once more? What if he had been denying the man’s advances to stop himself from hurting in the end even when he was already suffering so much in the process?

The noisy sound of a sharp intake of breath in front of him captured Quera’s attention from his bothersome thoughts. He glanced at the other warrior.

“You are becoming desperate again.” The man said plainly. Quera averted his gaze and sighed. He didn’t think he had ever stopped being desperate. There was just too many urgent conflicts in his mind for him to be able to even sort them all.

Tenaii scoffed as if he had been reading the blonde’s mind that whole time. “Can’t you just believe in me? Just once?” He pleaded. Quera sighed and opened his mouth to reply, but Tenaii didn’t allow the words to come out.

Raising his hands suggesting surrender, he was far from there. “No matter what you say to me or how many times, I’m not giving up on you. You believe in facts, right?” He suggested. Even if he sounded a little exasperated, he simply wasn’t the kind of man used to quitting.

Quera cast a quick look in the dark-skinned man’s direction, blushing softly when an uncanny sensation that Tenaii’s words referred to more than just the subject they were openly discussing crossed his mind.

The intensity of those dark eyes was still unbelievably powerful, like a black flame burning relentlessly in the depths, but there was something else there too. An unnamed feeling. Equally earnest, but a thousand times more tender.

Quera’s unsuccessful attempts to give a name to that very specific emotion displayed in Tenaii’s eyes almost diverted the blond from the man’s words.

“Lian’niel came here, despite everything, despite belonging to the bastards’ side. He risked everything to warn us. The fall of his family’s name. His own life. He risked them because he trusted and believed us.” Tenaii affirmed matter-of-factly.

“Has it ever occurred to you that perhaps he had no one else to turn to?” Quera retorted sadly, giving up on his tries to decipher the mysteries in the dark-eyed man’s gaze. Said human huffed, probably angry at the fact that Quera’s words actually made some sense.

“I can’t possibly believe everyone that stayed in Meya wants the fall of the Alliance!” Quera stayed silent, finding no words to reply, and Tenaii continued with a confident nod.

“Like Lian’niel, I’m sure others will come, in search of help, to help us. Many might be there, fighting for us. Didn’t he mention Iadden on our side? Like him there will be others, I’m sure. Have faith! Not in Maguenta or any other God. Have faith in people. You might not have the solution, but maybe there is someone who does. Maybe he or she is arriving as we speak. How many times, when all seemed lost, did Lnorien walk through the door with hope in his wake, with a crazy solution? How many times?” Quera shook his head, dismayed, not wanting to, but starting to hope, despite his best efforts not to.

“Lnorien’s nowhere to be found. He might be dead for all we know. He wouldn’t be suspicious of his own kind. An assassin sent by the second prince could easily…” The blond stopped in the middle of his sentence, when he saw Tenaii crossing his bulky arms in front of his chest and glare heatedly at him.

“Stop being so negative, Quera! It’s LNORIEN you’re talking about!” He growled. “Damn it! Trust our people, our army, our friends. By Maguenta, trust ME, damn it!! When have I ever let you down?”

Quera sighed and looked downwards to the tabletop.

“Never.” He conceded quietly. “Never regarding war, but...” he continued even softer, remembering well the reasons why he had been so disappointed in the dark-skinned man lately, but not daring to mention them out loud.

Tenaii uncrossed his arms, leaning his head towards the blond man, eyes hardened by confusion and building anxiety.

“But?” He pressed, impatient.

Quera shook his head, regretting his unthinking slip and hurried to cover his mistake. “Nothing. It’s not important. The Alliance-”

Of course Tenaii would not let him get away so easily, though and, as such, didn’t even allow him to start.

Narrowing his dark eyes, the warrior glared and stated with his rich baritone. “I’m not having that. Don’t change the subject.”

Quera raised his head at that, genuinely aggravated at the direction the conversation was leading and at the other man for his annoying sense of opportunity. “You’re the one changing the subject!” He replied, angrily.

Tenaii backed down and leaned back on his chair, looking down at the granite floor with a sad expression on his features.

“It’s us, isn’t it? You and me.” He uttered, gloomy. It was not a question. Quera scoffed, deciding this conversation was going where he definitely didn’t want it to.

“Tenaii, this is definitely not the time to-” He started admonishing in a raspy tone, but Tenaii cut him short.

“Yes, it is! This is exactly the time. I can’t take it anymore!” He claimed, gazing at Quera, the previous intensity returning to his eyes. The blond sighed, sparing an indulgent sidelong glance at the dark-skinned man, but he was not really ready for what he was about to hear.

“You’re different.” Tenaii affirmed, glancing away from Quera’s face as if recalling his memories. “You were always calm and collected. Always in control, it was irritating. You were overly rational and you would analyze and explore every little possibility, even the worst case scenarios,…but you were hopeful, too. And if you didn’t have a solution, you’d search incessantly for one and you listened and trusted. You’d let me support you…” Quera looked at Tenaii, surprised. The dark-skinned man had a soft smile in his lips. A smile which disappeared as he continued speaking.

“Now, you just sit silently brooding in the corner.” Tenaii said, with a sad expression. “I’m here, in front of you, FOR you, but it’s…as if I wasn’t. You see right through me. You don’t trust me. You don’t believe in me. You don’t let me help you in any way. I can’t reach out to you anymore, Quera!”

The blond sighed, easily defeated by pleading dark eyes.

“You’re the one who changed.” He replied, tiredly. “I feel like I don’t know you, sometimes.”

Tenaii narrowed his eyes at those words, adopting a defensive attitude as if wounded.

“Are you implying that your insecurities, your harsh manners towards me and your distrust in our friendship are my fault?” He asked harshly, incredulous. “The only change from when we were younger is the fact that I’ve assumed my love for you. Is that your reason?”

Quera looked sharply at the angry man. It was his turn to be infuriated. How could Tenaii bring that topic to a serious conversation? Had he no scruples?! He scoffed and reigned in his resentment.

“Tenaii…” He warned, with a somewhat condescending tone, looking sideways at the dark-skinned human. Upon hearing him, Tenaii’s anger enflamed further and he rose from his seat in an enraged move, slamming his hand into the table. The chair he had been sitting on tumbled backwards, hitting the floor with a loud sound.

“Don’t ‘Tenaii’ me!” He growled. Startled, the blond looked up at the man and backed against his own chair.

Staring at Quera’s bewildered expression, Tenaii passed his hands through his hair. He then let out a long sigh and grabbed his fallen chair, sitting on it again.

“You don’t choose who you fall in love with.” He resumed in a more even voice. “And the fact that I love you doesn’t change our friendship. It doesn’t have to change the way we deal with each other, either. I’ve loved you for years. I’ve loved you since we were teenagers. The only difference is that I didn’t know then it was love. Most of all, I miss you, Quera. I miss how we were.” He concluded with a gravelly tone.

The blond huffed, irritated in his own right. So annoyed, in fact, that the truth of his feelings came out of his mouth easily in the form of irony. “You have a very strange way of demonstrating your love. Always trying to get me into your bed, like I’m just another one of your conquests.”

Denoting a hint of uncharacteristic jealousy in Quera’s tone and expression, the anger and sadness disappeared swiftly from Tenaii’s dark eyes. They were replaced by the earnest, tender look of before.

“It’s not like that. That’s…just me, I guess. I mean, I don’t know what else to do to get your attention. I’m a physical person and I would be lying if I said I didn’t want you. I do. I want to know your scent, to feel your touch, to taste your skin. I want to make love to you. And I want to watch you sleep in my arms and wake up to your gorgeous eyes. I’ve never wanted that from anyone else.”

Quera looked up at his longtime friend, blushing deeply, surprised at the change in tone and at the words coming from the dark-skinned man’s lips.

A few minutes ago, Tenaii had been angry to the point of violence. Now, he sat calm, staring at him with a tender look and a smile so silly, it was endearing. There was nothing lecherous about his tone. It was as if Tenaii was simply stating a fact.

“But that doesn’t really matter, now. Even if you don’t want me and you reject me, I’m still one of your best friends. That will never change. Just pretend I’m messing with you, like I did when we were kids. No matter what I say now, I just know I will continue to tell you that I love you and I will try to get you in my bed every time. As long as you don’t have anyone else, I will always hope that someday you might come to love me too. That’s…who I am.”

Optimistic to a fault. That was Tenaii. Quera looked down and smiled softly, not quite matching Tenaii’s silly grin, but coming close. Would it be so bad to give that guy a chance to prove if he was for real or not? He appeared so sincere, not to mention persistent. Damn it. He knew Tenaii. He wasn’t that good of a liar.

“You’re an idiot, that’s who you are.” He said calmly. Tenaii frowned, eyes narrowed in suspicion, possibly also a little hurt.

“I’m serious, Quera.” He affirmed forcefully, probably afraid the blond would consider his feelings a tasteless prank once again and reject him with mockery like always. That was not the teal eyed man’s intention this time, though. For once in his life, Quera decided, he would take what he was offered without overly thinking about it. To hell with the consequences.

“Okay.” The blond affirmed with a sheepishly smile, raising his head to meet the dark-skinned man’s eyes. Tenaii apparently was so convinced this would be yet another one of those times when he would be harshly rejected that he wasn’t able to cover his surprise at the blonde’s simple, ambiguous answer.

“Okay?! That’s all?” He claimed, somewhat skeptic.

Quera shrugged slowly. He had wanted to say more, but now that he had taken a decision, another problem had surfaced. What to tell Tenaii about his own feelings and how. He had no idea.

“What do you want me to say?” He asked earnestly instead, deciding to acknowledge the other man’s needs, for a change. The dark-skinned man stared at him for a moment, seeming a little taken aback.

“I…don’t know.” He finally confessed, passing a hand through his hair while looking down at the floor. “All I really ask is for you to believe in me and trust that I’m not going to let you down.”

Quera looked at the man in front of him and crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Well, belief and trust have to be earned, you know.” He affirmed plainly, remembering Tenaii’s endless bragging about his sexual escapades. Tenaii scoffed and cast an annoyed glance in the blonde’s direction.

“One would think so many years of friendship and camaraderie would’ve counted for something, but whatever. What do I have to do to get you to trust me for real?” He inquired, jabbing an elbow on the table and supporting his head on his palm, an annoyed expression distorting his handsome features. Quera huffed, now not so sure if Tenaii was as serious as he had appeared minutes ago. He was suddenly becoming infuriated with the man again. And that rising anger was probably what made him say what he did next.

“I want you to stop having those countless affairs. I demand exclusivity.” Tenaii gaped at the blond, now surely utterly shocked with Quera’s request. Whatever the man had been expecting, that had most certainly not been it.

Quera nodded, pleased with himself, and continued. “And sex between us will happen only when and where I want it. Until then, I forbid you to have intercourse, of any kind, with anyone.” The dark-skinned man closed his mouth, opened it, closed it and opened it again. Only at the third attempt did he actually manage to utter something resembling a complete sentence.

“I don’t… understand. Did you just talk about having sex with me?” He queried the blond, his voice so low it was almost a whisper. Quera heaved a suffering sigh at Tenaii’s stunned expression. His words had been very clear, hadn’t they? Damn, he was even a little embarrassed about how he had posed his conditions. How could Tenaii have doubts about what he was talking about after he had heard what he had said?

“I’m sorry.” Quera started, a little bit sarcastic. “I was under the impression our discussion was about us two as well. I thought an evolution of our relationship was at stake. Was I wrong?” Tenaii’s dark eyes widened and he rose from his chair in a swift move.

“No! You’re right.” He confirmed as he knelt in front of the blond, his tone strong and serious. “By Maguenta, are you implying that I have a chance with you?” He queried quickly, still a little insecure with the fast turn of events.

He felt sure of Quera’s answer when the blond didn’t back away into his chair like he had done every other time the dark-skinned man had approached him. Instead, the blond inclined his head with a smile, looking down into Tenaii’s face and marveling at the intensity of his dark gaze. “Weren’t you hopeful that I might give you one?” He returned, softly.

Tenaii smiled broadly, his eyes shining with happiness. “I was. Only Maguenta knows how hopeful I was.” He admitted, raising a hand to caress Quera’s left cheek.

“You still have to respect my conditions.” The blond warned when Tenaii’s fingers travelled to the first lace of his tunic. The man arched his eyebrows and backed a little from his obvious advances. His hand remained in Quera’s shoulder, though.

“The no sex thing, huh?” He huffed. Quera nodded, not liking the displeased frown in the man’s forehead one bit.

“For how long?” Tenaii inquired, looking at him sideways.

The blond merely shrugged. “I haven’t decided yet.” And that was the absolute truth. He might love the man in front of him, but he wasn’t yet ready to trust him completely regarding his promiscuous ways. Besides, he knew how much Tenaii loved a good chase and Quera’s surrender would also feel much sweeter after he had had his fun frustrating him. Their relationship had always been a little of a game. There was no reason to change that yet.

Tenaii’s grip in the blonde’s upper arm intensified. “Maguenta, are you trying to kill me? At least give me a period of time.” He complained, shaking Quera a bit. The blond rolled his teal colored eyes.

“You’re not going to die from abstinence, Tenaii.” He said with a smirk.

“I might!” The dark-eyed man claimed, sounding outraged, but his dark eyes were playful. Quera simply glared at the man still kneeling in the granite floor in front of him. Said man hunkered down and raised his arms in surrender.

“I’m sure there’s some way to make you change your mind…” He suggested with a hand on his chin while cocking his eyebrow, his eyes full of mirth. The blond merely furrowed his brow.

“I’m serious, Tenaii. Go to anyone else and you lose me. Forever.” He stated in a grave tone. The dark-skinned man shook his head and scoffed, rising on his knee again.

“What do I need others for?!” He asked, his right hand grabbing the blonde’s chin softly, while the left trapped Quera in the wooden chair. “If I had known I could have you, I would’ve stopped that a long time ago.” He affirmed, pulling the blonde’s face gently towards his own.

“The only one I want is you.” He concluded in a whisper, near the blonde’s ear. Quera shivered with the words, realizing he would fall to Tenaii’s charms far sooner than he intended, even if he wasn’t quite sure the man really meant what he said or not.

Closing his eyes, Tenaii took a second to breathe in Quera’s pleasant scent, and only after that did he dare to kiss his way down the other man’s jaw, having his lips as final destination.

However, a pale hand pushed his face away before he could reach them. So yes, Quera would fall to Tenaii’s charms sooner than he wanted, but not as quickly as this.

Standing in a precarious position to begin with, it took all of Tenaii’s agility (and both his hands) to stop him from dropping down backwards on his ass with the force of Quera’s push. Finally finding his balance again, he glared up at the teal-eyed man, whose most delightful lips displayed a rather self-satisfied grin.

“What, I’m not even allowed to kiss you?!” Tenaii growled from his place on the floor, now appearing truly outraged.

“You’re on probation, Tenaii.” Quera shrugged. Tenaii’s eyes flashed with challenge. Quera smiled. There he was, the Tenaii who loved a chase, the Tenaii he knew.

The dark-skinned man got up from the floor and cleaned his hands on his pants. “Fine, you devilish little thing. I’ll show you. For now, I guess I’ll just be happy that you’re smiling brightly again, even if it is at my expense.” He said, with a smirk.

Quera’s eyes widened. Suddenly he realized that somewhere along this conversation he had completely forgotten his previous despair. The Eth’s treason didn’t seem as worrying now as it appeared then either. Quera didn’t know if he should be ashamed that he had placed such a grave situation to second place in his mind now or embarrassed for the sad spectacle he had made of himself due to his insecurities and lack of faith before.

“I’ll smile even more brightly when Lnorien or someone else arrives with a solution to this mess…” He promised with a sigh.

Tenaii, about to sit in his chair once more, stopped in mid-movement at Quera’s words. A few seconds later he finally sat down with a healthy grin plastered on his face.

The blond looked at him quizzically, not understanding his antics. “What are you grinning like that for?”

“Will you let me kiss you when that happens?” Tenaii proposed with a strange voice. Quera rolled his eyes. Talking about a single-minded man.

“You mean Lnorien and the solution?” Tenaii nodded, still good-humored. Quera arched his eyebrows. “Why would I do that?”

Tenaii shrugged. “Because I deserve compensation. After all, my irritating and hopeful Quera has always been right there and I have been worrying for nothing all these years.”

The blond stayed silently nonplussed for a moment, looking at the other man’s assured grin. And then, just like that, the puzzle pieces fell into place. He understood why Tenaii had been grinning and why he had forgotten about his previous despair. He had said he’d smile even more brightly WHEN, not IF. And of course Tenaii had picked right up on that.

Quera could say it had been a matter of speaking, but that would be dishonest. His hope had indeed returned.

He didn’t quite know what had been the real reason for that occurrence. If believing in Tenaii’s optimism or in the truth of his feelings. Perhaps a mix of both. Whatever it was, Quera felt finally at ease, like a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders and yes, for the first time in a long time, he felt truly hopeful. It was all thanks to Tenaii. What do you know? Maybe the sly idiot did deserve compensation, after all.

The teal-eyed noble smiled. “It’s thanks to you, you know.” He admitted to his best friend and future lover. Tenaii smirked with pride. He was looking intensely at his companion from his chair and he was gripping the edge of his seat so tightly his knuckles were white. Quera got the strange impression the other man was doing so to prevent himself from jumping him. That or his own imagination was beginning to run too wildly for his tastes.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” Tenaii said and the blond smiled simply not denying it. Noticing this fact, the dark-skinned warrior grinned and abruptly raised his arms in the air, clapping his palms with a loud sound.

“Ah, I have a really nice feeling about this.” He concluded.

Quera sighed and shook his head. “You’re really an idi-”

However, he didn’t have a chance to finish his half-hearted insult because, out of the blue, a call from the watchtowers of the fortress startled the two warriors into silence. They looked at each other and got up swiftly. Tenaii ran to the entrance, exiting the quarters while Quera opened the southern window to the backyard.

He instantly realized two things. One, it was a beautiful sunset outside. Everything Quera could see, from his window on the third floor of the fortress, was bathed in reds, oranges and golden tones. The twin moons had already risen too, adding to the ambience. And all this meant his conversation with Tenaii had lasted at least three hours and he had gotten almost no work done that afternoon.

The second thing he noticed, and the most surprising one by far, was that the clamor he could hear in the backyard was not of men readying themselves for battle, but thousands of warriors chanting in happiness and hurrying to the main northern gates. That could only mean one thing.

Tenaii peeked through the open door to the quarters at the same time Quera was rounding the table to leave them. His face was split into a huge grin and he didn’t even bother to lower his voice for the sake of discretion because of the innumerous men passing him in the corridor outside.

“My kiss is arriving, Quera. It’s Lnorien!!” He exclaimed, letting a loud, joyous laugh escape him as he turned and ran through the corridor to go meet the arriving Eths. The blond hurried behind the other warrior, but amidst the whirlwind of feelings he had inside, only one thought actually clung to his mind.

“You have to be kidding me…”

&&&&&&&

Midaen’niel had never seen anything like that. Yari’niel, sitting beside him in the front of the wagon, looked up too, equally stupefied.

The Sacred Wall towered over them, appearing to touch the sky above, and stretched from one side of the horizon to the other, seeming to go on forever. Whether the Ethen looked east or west, the building was there, endless and impressive in both length and sheer height.

The blond had never journeyed this far south in N’Alaera and so he had never had the opportunity to see the famous fortress. The Sacred Wall was the greatest fort in the Alliance’s lands and had been built after a millennium war serving as a last resort to protect N’Alaera from the invasions of the Whisperers. It extended for miles, covering all the country’s southern border and even some small parts of Crano’en’s to the east and Meya’s to the west.

It was an imposing building, embodying strength and power in each granite stone, overwhelming just for itself. It was no wonder the Whisperers didn’t dare to invade N’Alaera through the regular means.

Still, that wasn’t the exact reason why Midaen’niel was so awestruck arriving there. It was the life showing everywhere on the walls, towers and windows of the fortress that had surprised him.

Flags of the nations of the Alliance were everywhere at the top of the stronghold, flapping in the breeze, some of its colors lost in the golden and red hues of the setting sun. Midaen’niel even managed to notice some banners of Meya’s nobility, his own up there too, in what appeared to be the highest surveillance tower he could see.

It was absurd, the Ethen thought, there was no motive for that flag to even be there. The Siekihs had no one fighting in the war ever since his brother, Ryaen’ne, had died. It was an homage the army was doing to his brother, he realized, tears surfacing in his eyes. They hadn’t forgotten him, even after ten years. The blond smiled softly, touched by their tribute.

Only one flag was seen in various places and sizes, throughout the battlements and towers. It was black with white wings surrounding a white or golden ring in the middle. The southern warriors had produced a similar flag from their things and the younger rider had ridden ahead toward the fortress, waving it high.

As soon as he did so, Eths, humans, men and women had started to appear in the walls and towers of the building and the huge drawbridge of the north gate had begun to descend on top of the moat, to allow them entrance into the Sacred Wall.

The hundreds of people, clapping and chanting, were everywhere in the openings of the building in front of them. As their little caravan neared, trotting a little faster, the praises became louder, drawing smiles from the riders, who waved back their hands in return.

Midaen’niel was too awed to do much more than breathing. He had believed his savior when he had said the armies had not disbanded, but to witness it like this was almost too good to be true. Because the armies weren’t only still united under the same flag, the Alliance’s flag, they were chanting too. They were still strong and ready to fight.

The Ehen felt like crying again. He had made it to the army. Against all odds, he had reached them at last. And they were still together and in high spirits. N’Alaera could be saved. The Alliance would prevail. All that was left for him to do now was to tell what he knew and convince them of the right course of action, which was to march to N’Alaera’s capitol to help Iadden fight the Whisperers.

However, Midaen’niel hadn’t seen anything regarding human activity yet. As his wagon crossed the suspending iron gates, entering the archway passage that led to the stronghold’s backyard, the clamor of the warriors intensified.

His wagon finally exited to the yard too, and the blonde’s eyes widened as he was struck silent by the impressive crowd who had gathered inside the fortress to welcome them.

“By Maguenta!” Yari’niel exclaimed next to him, his stunned whisper lost in the deafening exaltation.

Surely, those had to be thousands of people, cheering. In the ground, in the walls, everywhere. They were all around them. One call started to emerge from the, until now, imperceptible acclamation. The Ethen frowned when he discerned it.

“Long live the Lord General!!”

The exclamation sounded, repeated, time and again, throughout the entire building, and eventually the handsome dark-haired man with ice-blue eyes who had saved them, the one those powerful warriors had called their leader, smiled and raised his right fist in the air. The crowd applauded in a whole new vigor.

The Ethen remained shocked silent for a long while, not daring to believe his eyes or his ears. It couldn’t be. That man was Lnorien Erephine?! The Eth he had been avoiding because of his forbidden feelings was HIS own betrothed?!

Yari’niel turned to him, gapping, shock also evident in his expression. “Now we know why he hid his name, but…how come you didn’t recognize each other?” He rightfully asked.

Midaen’niel snapped then. He felt betrayed, outraged, absolutely irate. How could that man hide something so important? He had been scared, damn it! He had been plagued by sadness and misery. If that Eth had appeared at his door at least once, if he had revealed his identity from the start, the blond wouldn’t have suffered so much with doubts and uncertainties! He would have known he was safe in the first place.

“Oh, I’m going to kill him!” He cried in rage, jumping out of the wagon into the floor below.

Yari’niel hastily extended a hand to grab his arm in order to stop him, but he was still too weak and didn’t move fast enough to accomplish it. With a sigh he watched as the Ethen ran towards the space where Lnorien was dismounting his horse and started to descend to follow, albeit a little more carefully.

“You’re Lnorien Erephine?!” Midaen’niel asked loudly, reaching the man and hitting him hard on his chest with the palm of his hand.

Everyone around him, including Lnorien himself, looked at the enraged Ethen, surprised.

“Yes. I am Lnorien Erephine.” The man eventually confirmed with a sigh, under the unwavering glare of beautiful sapphire blue eyes focused fully on him. Groaning, the Ethen smacked him again.

“Why are you hitting me?” The ice-eyed man asked, puzzled.

“You deserve it! How can you hide like that? Do you know what I’ve been through?!” The blond complained, smacking the Eth’s arm one more time for emphasis.

Lnorien opened his mouth to say something, but Alsatia beat him up to it.

“Hey, Milessin, aren’t you forgetting something?” The blond directed his glare to the dark-skinned southern Eth. “Like your place?” The man asked, rhetorically, arching his brows. “Lord Erephine’s a High Lord, you owe him allegiance and respect.” He reprimanded.

Some unknown knights who were arriving to get the horses laughed at that. Midaen’niel looked at Alsatia’s smirk a little stunned first and then smiled beautifully at the man.

“My name is Midaen’niel Siekih.” He said, slowly and loudly, for everybody to hear. “Fourth prince of Meya, heir to the Siekih household, brother to the deceased Ryaen’ne Siekih, cousin to Prince Delaen’niel of Meya, betrothed to LORD Lnorien Erephine.” He added, with another charming smile. “Dear Lord Alsatia, I do believe you owe ME allegiance.”

Everything stopped in the yard. Everyone shut up. Most of the knights gaped, Alsatia included. The Lord General was rendered speechless, for the first time in his life. And Midaen’niel kept showering smiles around, extremely pleased with himself.

Tbc…


Ending notes: Hope you enjoyed it. It took me three full weeks to write this chapter. Quera and Tenaii were being particularly difficult. :( Even though it probably won’t be a very large chapter, I’ll try to have something up by December 5th. See you then!

Notes (December 5th): I'm sorry. I did my best to have Chapter 9 ready today, but unfortunately I didn't make it. I don't like what I wrote and I didn't get to proofread it either so I prefer not to post it today. I'm still a little slow after these last, hard months and I was overly positive to think I could write a proper brand new chapter in just two weeks. It's a very small chapter and I'm embarrassed at its poor quality. I'll give myself ten days to remake the chapter, so this update will be postponed to December 17th. By that date I'll update for sure, whatever I have, but I have faith it will be far better than this. I apologize for the inconvenience. See you then. I'm very sorry.