The sky above Elarion turned dark before noon. It was not because of a storm. It was because of wings. Lots of wings. Elven scouts ran across the bridges of the capital city while warning bells rang out all over the silver city.
"Wyverns are coming!" someone shouted.
"Valtheris banners are confirmed!" another person yelled.
Elven people started to panic. It was not because they thought they would be attacked. It was because Valtheris rarely came to visit in peace.
High up in the palace Queen Aelira stood by the window that looked out over the city. She could see the shadows of the wyverns approaching. Behind her Elder Sylvain looked serious.
"They came faster than we thought they would " he said.
Commander Seris put her hand on the hilt of her sword.
"They want to pressure us before we make a decision." she said.
The Queen nodded a bit.
"Then we will not give them what they want." she said.
Nearby Elira tensed up. Ronan did not say anything. He looked out the window at the sky. He knew those flying formations. Wyvern Riders always flew in sharp groups. That was the way of Valtheris.
Queen Aelira turned to them away. "Ronan needs to stay hidden " she said.
Kael looked confused "Do you think they know he is here?" he asked.
Sylvain answered calmly. "They think he might be…" he said.
"And just thinking he might be is dangerous enough he must stay hidden at all cost." he added.
Ronan looked away out the window again "I do not like hiding." he said.
Sylvain stepped closer to him. "This is not a fight that can be won with strength and we will not lose the hero again." he said.
Ronan did not say anything after that. Because deep down he knew the Elder was right. Not every enemy could be defeated with a sword.
After that the Wyvern Riders landed outside the city of Elarion. Their big wings flapped through the air as they got off their wyverns. Armored riders stood before the city gates, watched by Elven guards.
Vaelor stood at the front of the group. Beside him was Cael. Soon as Cael's boots touched the ground the atmosphere changed. It became cold and heavy like something was being calculated.
Cael looked around at the city. It was beautiful and old. It was also fragile like it could be broken easily. That was perfect he thought.
The group from Valtheris was taken through the city in silence. Elven citizens watched them from above. No one welcomed them.
When they finally got to the audience chamber the tension was very strong. Queen Aelira sat on her throne with Elders on both sides of the room. Commander Seris stood nearby like a sword to be drawn.
Cael bowed respectfully. "Your Majesty." he said.
Queen Aelira nodded once.
"Commander Cael, it is rare for you to show up in any occasion." she said.
Vaelor stood behind Cael looking around the room all the time.
Cael stepped forward calmly. "Well, Valtheris wants to keep the peace between our kingdoms so they sent me here to negotiate with you…" he said.
His words sounded like he had practiced them many times.
"And provided Sylvaris does not interfere with matters concerning Kaelmyra." he added.
The room became even quieter. One Elder narrowed his eyes. "Interfere?" he asked.
Cael stayed calm. "Valtheris thinks Kaelmyra is planning to rebel against our kingdom." he said.
His words were careful and polite. Also threatening.
Queen Aelira's eyes became sharper. "And what does Valtheris want from Sylvaris?" she asked.
Cael answered away. "Valtheris wants the Elven Kingdom to stay neutral as they are." he said.
He paused for a moment.
His eyes slowly looked around the room.
"Also, those who helped the Hero near the border need to be handed over." he said.
Vaelor finally spoke up.
"The adventurers who helped the Hero that I can identify." he said.
Several Elders tensed up. Queen Aleria's face did not change. "What are you saying the Hero is long gone in this world." she said.
Cael kept looking at her "Is he now?" he asked.
For the time the room felt dangerous. Not like a fight was going to start. Like something sharp and thin was in the air.
Cael continued to speak "Valtheris is willing to forget about the misunderstandings." he said.
He paused again.
"But kingdoms that stand with traitors often share the same fate." he said.
The implication was clear Kaelmyra may target Sylvaris next.
Vaelor watched the reactions of the people in the room carefully. Cael felt something else. It was faint and familiar. A presence. His shadow magic moved around his boots. It was not enough to be sure. It was enough to make him suspicious.
His eyes narrowed, invisibly.
Then the audience finally ended. The group from Valtheris turned to leave. Before they exited Cael paused briefly beside Vaelor. He whispered quietly, "He is here." he said.
Beneath the palace hidden deep in ancient chambers Ronan slowly lifted his head. Because for the time, in ten years he had heard the voice of the man who betrayed him. The hatred that had been buried beneath his silence finally started to stir again.