“But why make us witness that?” Joelle demanded.
“To test your worthiness,” said Galadfrey, “and your reactions were pure. You have passed and are now permitted to see the angels.”
“So, if we’d not reacted, or let you kill that innocent guy,” Jed said. “We wouldn’t be pure enough to meet the angels?”
“Just so,” Galadfrey replied, walking away from the table and summoning his balcony of vines once again. “Now you can make the journey to them.”
“Why aren’t the angels down here, in the hill with you?” Joelle asked.
“Angels were not made to live in the gloom, nor under the Earth.” Alaydrian answered. “They need sun and open space to thrive.”
“But you guys don’t mind being underground?” said Jed.
“Of course not, we are of the Earth,” Flowriss said, “and we are at home amongst it. The angels are not from here, not truly. They fell from much higher. I take it you know how we faerie came to be?”
“I…uh. When there was first fallen angels,” Jed ventured. “Many angels died, their blood splashing across the plants and soil. The first faekind were born out of that angel blood mixed with the Earth’s magic. Right?”
“Exactly,” Flowriss beamed happily. “And we are descended from those first faekind.”
“Finally,” Bane drawled, “let’s see them before they wither away.”
Galadrey inclined his head. “Indeed, follow me.”
Mayb each of the 4 of them see different things like a drink smells diff to each of them.
NEED- to make it clear that ‘their first objective was seeking out the angels. Elorian said how angels were neutral to the disputes of faerie courts and may be able to help them bring the courts together.’
Chapter 18- The Realmer Republic
Once the great clock chimed, signalling the council meeting would begin, there’d be no going back for him and Brooke.
Evan knew that the High-Council represented all Realmers across the worlds. The council decided which wars Realmers fought in and all the missions Realmers took part in.
Ten members on the High-Council were comprised of those with impeccable track records throughout their careers, voted into the council by their peers, whislt the other ten members were the High-Masters of each of the strongholds.
Vanderain stopped at the end of the passage that led into the atrium of the council chamber. “Have you thought of aliases yet?”
Brooke nodded. “I think I’ll go with Kate, I had a friend named that.”
“Uh…Kevin.” Evan said the very first name that popped into his head, he had no idea why.
“Good enough, it’s best for us to be safe,” Vanderain replied, before leading them into the atrium, which served as a waiting room for the council.
At their arrival, everyone already in the crowded chamber turned to regard them. Evan was glad for once to be practically invisible. Everyone’s attention was on either Vanderain or Glommish. At once, several people surged forward to greet Glommish warmly, their faces showing the utmost respect. Vanderain received more of a mixed reception however. Evan saw a few people muttering behind their hands, or else shaking their heads in Vanderain’s direction.
Glommish turned to him and Brooke, his eyes twinkling. “Vanderain is seen as the black sheep of the High-Council. Half of them regard him as a hero, whilst the other half think him a reckless fool. Perhaps he’s both.” The gnome chuckled before shaking hands with yet more people eager to speak with him.
Vanderain himself ignored the stares and murmurs. “I won’t mention Taija to the council,” he told them quietly. “In case things do go badly, I don’t want anyone knowing she’s at Veneseron. They may try to extract her.”
Evan felt a mounting dread at Vanderain’s words. He couldn’t help assuming the worst and that all the council members would want to kill him and Brooke as soon as they heard they were demonic.
“Nearly every High-Master insists on bringing a retinue of Realmers from their Strongholds with them,” Nallador said to himself as he looked at the crowd. “Except Vanderain and Glommish that is.”
“Are you not a High-master then?” asked Brooke.
“Rueda no,” Nallador scoffed. “Being in charge of hundreds, if not thousands of trainees isn’t really my thing. I prefer maraudering through the realms, melting hearts and soothing souls with my extraordinary music and astonishing voice.”
“Humbleness isn’t your thing either,” Krysla added.
From Gettelung’s Archives lesson, Evan recognised a few High-Masters he’d been shown holograms of. He saw Icarun, the high-master of Sygorn, the floating palace. Sygorn’s Realmers were humanoid, but with birdlike faces and wings sprouting from their backs.
Impossible to miss, not only because of his size, but his booming laughter as he greeted everyone who passed, was the Mandon Borasha. He was master of Tyranar Fortress, a jolly blond giant. But Evan remembered hearing Borasha was susceptible to bouts of rage when offended. The Realmers of Tyranar were part humanoid and part-beast. Men covered in thick hair with pig-snouts or beaks surrounded Borasha, as did a couple other Mandons.
Evan also spotted Sergeant Daylin of Kyloria. She was a human woman, with a long blonde braid, but Kyloria’s Realmers were mostly Yurodi, like Zeke and Nova, or Fomori aliens, like Firk and Fenik were decended from. A few human Realmers were sprinkled in amongst the group too. The trainees wore the same military power suit armour Daylin did, with either stun guns or laser blasters at their hips. Kyloria stronghold was one giant spaceship, and one Evan couldn’t deny he’d love to visit.
But the two Masters Evan knew to watch out for most were Captain Urax of Grezgul Mountain and Lady Regina of Laissont.
He hadn’t forgotten Gettelung’s lesson where they learned about those two Strongholds and their practices. He felt a flush of anger toward both Masters, remembering how Grezgul was known to punish his trainees too severely, and that Regina saw more worth in a trainee by how much wealth they had above all else.
A quartet of human Realmers flocked the Lady Regina though their uniform looked like clothes a royal family would wear, complete with sweeping cloaks and glittering jewellery.
As they passed he heard Lady Regina whisper loudly to her Realmers, “Is that what Veneseron trainnee’s look like these days? Could they not at least make an effort to look presentable? Embaressing.”
Commander Urax approached Vanderain now, his face twisted in an ugly grin as he greeted Vanderain.
“It’s been a few moons, friend. How’s my nephew doing down at your Fortress?”
“Urkzul has proved to be a highly skilled Master,” Vanderain replied politely.
“Aye,” Urax boomed. “That’s because I taught him well, back when he trained at a proper stronghold. You still going soft on your soldiers?”
“We don’t call them soldiers at Veneseron. And by your standars, I guess you would think our methods soft.”
“That’s why Grezgul Realmers are made of harder stuff,” Urax said, glancing at him and Brooke for the first time. “I doubt these two would make it at my place. Only the strong survive.”
“That’s quite similar to Velkarath’s idealogy,” Loren said coldly. “They let their weak die, or else force their other trainees to kill them.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t go that far,” Urax laughed weakly. “Grezgul values strength, but we aren’t killing the ones who fail. No use wasting Realmers eh?” Urax gazed down at him and Brooke before grimacing. “Hardly warriors you’ve got there Vanny. I don’t think either of ‘em would last a month at my place.”
“You think, do you?” Brooke raised her eyebrows. “I would’ve thought that was beyond you.”
Urax’s craggy face creased as he digested Brooke’s words. Eventually he puzzled it out and growled, “you dare to insult me, whelp.” The orc raised his hand, as if to backhand Brooke.
In less than a second, Evan had the point of his sword against Urax’s chest.
&
nbsp; “Compose yourself Urax,” Vanderain warned quietly, though his silver eyes flashed.
Urax let his hand drop, staring at Evan murderously, before smiling. “You’re fast, boy. And ready to defend the weak, I like that. You might just fit in at Grezgul.”
“Br—Kate isn’t weak,” Evan replied. “And I’d rather visit Velkarath then somewhere you’re in charge of.”
Urax’s smile slipped off as quickly as it had come, but despite his bravado, it was clear Urax feared Vanderain. With one last grimace, he strode back into the crowd.
The Lady Regina glided their way next, but her attention was on Glommish rather than Vanderain. “Oh, it’s been such a long time Glommish. I thought perhaps Vanderain had finally put you in a retirement home. And the dastardly Loren too.” Regina’s fake smile widened. “How nice of you two to finally deign the council with your presence. It must be five years since you last bothered to show your face at a meeting Glommish.”
“Gravest apologies my lady.” Glommish bowed low, using his staff to pull himself up straight again. “I’m afraid I have no excuse for my absences.”
“Course you do,” Krysla said, looking like she longed to stick a knife in Regina. “You’ve been busy tackling the Disciples, ruining their aboniamble plans, whilst also training your pupils at Aunchden. Glommish has killed three Disciples in total now, my Lady. What have you done, other than host fancy parties?”
Regina’s cheeks blushed but her saccharine smile remained. “Yes Krysla. We all know you’re track records. All four of you have slain Disciples, but haven’t the all the other Eternals been wiped out in kind? By my count, there’s more than four Disciples out there.”
“I hear High-Mistress’s have a high death rate too,” Krysla replied thorugh gritted teeth.
“Now, now fair ladies,” Loren attempted to interject, both women told him to shut up simultaneously.
Evan felt dislike bubbling inside of him, but just then a piercing bell rang out through the atrium and the giant double doors swung open.
“See you inside,” Regina curtsied and drifted away as the members of the council slowly filed in, leaving their trainees behind. Evan and Brooke got many strange looks as they followed Vanderain inside.
A round table, carved from silver and large enough for an elephant to sleep on, filled the room. Throne-like chairs of white wood, were arranged around the table, twenty seats in all.
Names wrought in gold across the table, naming the council member’s seat.
The room was softly lit, with lampposts lit with blue fire in each corner of the chamber. One wall was a giant screen, the images flickering between the landscapes of numerous worlds, offering more light.
Evan realised there was no roof as the stars up high winked at him, although an almost transparent purple forcefield domed the room. Evan guessed the barrier was a spell so no one else could hear what was discussed in the room.
Three council members were already waiting for them, seated on the white wood chairs. Lord Belgun sat at the centre, between a smartly dressed goblin woman with greying hair and a middle-aged man that looked eerily similar to Sintian; probably the uncle Evan had heard about. He could tell Lord Markus was a Stray by the olive skin and wavy hair he had, just like that of the Stray brothers Evan unfortunately knew all too well. Belgun, however, didn’t resemble Bane at all. He was a small, thin man, his iron grey hair slicked back, forming a severe widow’s peak. He wore an immaculate light grey suit and unlike the two Realmers either side of him, Belgun Madagant didn’t glisten with expensive jewellery, he didn’t even wear a cloak. His face was stern and lined by age, and his eyes were a cold, unflinching blue.
Lady Regina narrowed her eyes his way as she took her seat. She gestured towards Evan and Brooke. “Vanderain, you know guests are not allowed into our Summit unless we have all agreed to their presence beforehand.”
“Correct, but they are the reason for my attendance today. I fear the matter is of much importance.”
Regina didn’t look happy with this answer, but she fell silent as Glommish took the seat beside her, smiling warmly.
Belgun glared at him and Brooke suspiciously, but he too, refrained from saying anything.
He and Brooke stood awkwardly behind Vanderain’s chair as twenty of the most important Realmers in all the worlds settled down. Evan noticed how some members looked upon Vanderain with dislike and others adoration. The moment the last Realmer was seated, Borasha‘s chair creaking under his vast weight, Belgun began addressing the room. “Continuing on from yesterday’s meeting, we have decided to intervene in the slave trade of Enlis realm, but let the gladiator fights on Aftar continue.”
“I still say we should end the slavery on Sarume too,” Krysla interjected.
“We’ve been through that,” Lady Regina sighed. “Sarume has powerful allies in multiple realms and our interference would cause a catastrophic war. Many millions would die in order for us to stop Sarume’s slavery.”
Belgun carried on before the point could be discussed further. “Now, thirty-five wars are currently active and our forces are involved in twenty-seven of them. Of course, most of our strength is focused against Akirandon’s armies, whilst many other large teams of Realmers are needed to contain the hordes of demons who don’t serve Akirandon, but are trying to get into any civilised world in order to feast.”
“Those magic bombs Glommish invented have been working a treat though,” Loren interjected. “I must’ve destroyed about a million demons with one bomb last time.”
“I hope only demons were on this realm.” Glommish looked at Loren like a stern father. “They are terrible things I created, and the after effects of my Uncular bombs leave the whole realm uninhabitable.”
“I know, I know. You’ve warned us countless times,” Loren replied. “It was one of the worlds where only demons dwelled. Demons that may have one day escaped and wreaked havoc on innocents.”
Glommish nodded sagely. “I just hate how one bomb ruins the world forever. And the few I have must be used for emergencies.”
“We should drop one of them on Velkarath,” Urax interrupted raucously, “rid them of us once and for all.”
“Even if we knew Velkarath’s location and then could get through their defence spells,” said Glommish, “would you doom all the innocent slaves and Venators Velkarath force into working for them.”
“You have a point with the slaves, but Dark-Venators don’t last long if they’re not as evil as the rest of them,” said Lord Stray, “I say wiping out a few slaves in order to destroy Akirandon and her Rakarn would be well worth it.”
“Back to the wars,” Belgun marched on, visibly irriatated by the interupptions. “In Trulga realm, both sides are in the wrong, a land dispute where innocents on both sides have suffered. We chose to pull our Realmers from Sargresh and decided to leave the centaur-goblin war alone. Today’s agenda will be…” he broke off as Vanderain cleared his throat.
“No more interuptions,” Belgun snapped. “This is an official meeting, not a social gathering.”
“Apologies my Lord, but what I have to say is really quite important.”
“Let us hear the boy,” Borasha boomed, before taking another glug from his mead mug.
“Aye,” said Glommish, his words chorused by several others.
Belgun sighed heavily, sharing an irritated look with Lord Stray beside him.
“Fine, Vanderain of Veneseron. You wish to adress to the council?”
Vanderain stood before the table. “On this day, I bring a very serious matter to you all. One I’d wished to contain myself, but I realise now that it is far bigger problem and I’d be doing the Republic a disservice by keeping it from them. It is the reason why my trainnees, Kevin and Kate stand before you now.”
Evan shifted uncomfortably as the other Realmers looked at him, many for the first time. Borasha appeared immensely confused, and Daylin curious, whereas Belgun, Marcus and Ionee’s expressions ranged from irritable to intens
e dislike.
“I informed you all about the Disciple Kalkavan’s attack on my son and several Venators weeks ago,” said Vanderain. “But I withheld the reason why Kalkavan was there, it is the same reason he invaded the dreams of these two Venators before me just today. Kalkavan is after the demon-spawn.”
There was a moment of complete silence, and then Borasha burst into rumbling laughter around his mug. “Good one Vanny.”
The man sitting beside Marcus shook his head in disdain. “Why would you make such a joke?”
“I regret to inform you that this is no joke, Lord Corridian,” Vanderain replied.
“Demon-spawn?” Urax spat, “they don’t exist, you old fool.”
“Indeed,” Lord Belgun agreed, “I fear Vanderain has taken leave of his senses.”
“Well there are rumours that Akirandon has two demon-spawn who control her armies,”
Sergeant Daylin spoke up, shifting uncomfortably in her power armour.
“Yes, yes,” Belgun scoffed. “We’ve heard of the ridiculous rumours that Akirandon has two children. But I saw one of these children myself in battle. Granted, it was far away, but he looked like just another one of her Dark-Venators. Akirandon is trying to pass off her regular Rakarn as demon spawn to instil fear in her enemies.”
“There were reports that the two Akir claimed were spawn have used demon magic though,” said Loren.
“Drivel,” said Regina. “I suspect they were Dread Lords wearing illusions to appear human. The council has discussed Akirandon’s fake spawn before.”
“Let’s just pretend the demon spawn are real,” said Ionee, the goblin’s voice thin and reedy. “Why does Kalkavan believe you have them.”
“Because I do,” Vanderain answered. His words were quiet, yet they triggered an enormous uproar around the table.
“Vanderain has betrayed us,” Urax roared.
“Sit down and shut up,” Borasha bellowed back at the orc.
“Holy Rueda,” Sergeant Daylin swore. “You’re being serious?”
“Indeed,” said Glommish, “Vanderain wouldn’t lie about a thing like this.”
Angels and Elves- Act I Page 29