Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era - Обсуждение

She finally reached the Amelkiian plaza. It seemed a strange place for negotiations, but at the same time, choosing the very heart of the city was in Benjamin's style – a demonstration of his family's influence and the metaphorical crossroads at which Jadame found itself. The other delegates and their entourages were also present:

• The Templars were represented by Anastasia, also known to the common folk as "Gentle": she was a shy, delicate girl with luxurious blonde hair, braided so tightly that it resembled a golden snake slithering down her cloak;

• The Guild chose Una as their envoy – she was an old, lethally dangerous-looking witch, surrounded by what could be described as a shroud of sincerity and wisdom;

• The Fairies sent none other than Elder Tss'kish – a powerful and ancient dryad, whose knowledge spanned centuries, including secrets long lost since the Silence fell upon the world. He was assisted by a young faun named GingerTail, known for his frequent encounters with outsiders.

Ilvari's thoughts were interrupted by the roar of the host, echoing from beneath the center of the plaza:

"Welcome, my dear guests!" Benjamin Laudrin announced as the statue of the Dragon Queen opened, revealing a red-skinned elf who quickly emerged from its depths.

"Charming, as always," she thought. As he descended to the ground, Benjamin approached each group of envoys and greeted them in the manner customary in their lands: a bow with hands joined as if in prayer for the Templars, a magical symbol representing Nira for the undead, a heartfelt whistle for the fairy folk, and a gentle kiss on Ilvari's hand, followed by the elf's whisper, "Alvar Diruil," which is usually translated as "Peace to Alvar." After that, he returned to the statue and said:

"I would like to thank you all for arriving so quickly – my family and I are proud to welcome you and to show you the vision of the future that our beautiful city of Ravenshore represents," he continued. "However, the magnificence of House Laudrin is not the main concern of this summit. I will allow the true star to speak." As soon as these words left the elf's lips, all eyes turned to the young medusa. She glided to the statue, her mind filled with the message she carried.

"As you all know," she stated, "the threat we face is something we have never seen before on Jadame. It goes without saying that if we do not unite, everything and everyone we love will be lost. However, discord and disunity plague us, causing strife where there should be understanding. I believe that my words may be perceived as false enchantments cast upon you for the political interests of Alvar. That is why I asked the respected Laudrins to invite the only being on the continent who speaks not on behalf of rulers or on behalf of people, but on behalf of the Ancestors themselves."

No one noticed when the Oracle – a slender, fully veiled, vaguely elven being, shrouded in complete mystery for most of the people living in Jadame – appeared next to Ilvari, along with the young medusa. Next to them was a mirror that shimmered softly with a blue glow, as if it were magically enchanted. And then the Oracle spoke.