Life in Ravenshore had never seemed busier. Having risen to prominence, the Laudrin family had used its wealth to turn what once was a small fishing village into a bustling port town that was quickly becoming the continent's main trading hub. It came as no surprise to Ylwari to learn that the diplomatic summit would be held there — after all, the Laudrins welcomed everyone to their town in the name of trade.
She finally reached Amelkia's Square. It seemed a strange place for negotiations, yet at the same time, choosing the very heart of the city was in Benjamin's style — a display of his family's influence and of 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 commoners as "the Gentle": she was a shy, tender girl with luxurious blonde hair braided so tightly it resembled a golden snake gliding down her robe;
- The Guild had chosen Una as its envoy — she was an old, deathly-dangerous-looking witch surrounded by what could only be described as a shroud of sincerity and wisdom;
- The Faeries had sent none other than Elder Tss'kish — a powerful and ancient treant whose knowledge spanned ages, including secrets long lost since the Silence fell upon the world. He was assisted by a young faun named Gingertail, known for his regular encounters with strangers.
Ylwari's reflections were interrupted by a roar from the host, echoing from beneath the center of the square:
"Welcome, my dear guests!" Benjamin Laudrin pronounced as the statue of the Dragon Queen parted, revealing a red-skinned elf who quickly sprang out from within it.
"Charming as always," she thought. Once he had descended to the ground, Benjamin walked up to each group of envoys and greeted them as was customary in their lands: a bow with hands joined as if in prayer for the Templars, a magical symbol representing Naira for the undead, a hearty whistle for the faerie folk, and a gentle kiss on Ylwari's hand followed by the elven whisper "Alvar diruil," which roughly translates as "Peace to Alvar." After that he returned to the statue and said:
"I wish to thank you all for arriving so promptly — my family and I are proud to host you and to show you a vision of the future that our beautiful city of Ravenshore represents," he continued, "However, the splendor of House Laudrin is not the chief concern of this summit. I will let the real star speak." As soon as those words left the elf's lips, all eyes turned to the young medusa. She glided toward the statue, her mind overflowing with the message she carried.
"As you all know," she declared, "the threat we face is something we have never before seen on Jadame. It goes without saying that if we do not unite, all and everyone we love will be lost. Yet disharmony and disunity plague us, sowing discord where there should be understanding. I realize my words may be perceived as false enchantments cast upon you for the political interests of Alvar. That is why I asked the esteemed Laudrins to invite the one being on the continent who speaks neither on behalf of rulers nor on behalf of peoples, but on behalf of the Forefathers themselves."
No one noticed when the Oracle — a slender, fully cloaked, faintly elven-like being that was cloaked in complete mystery to most people living in Jadame — appeared beside Ylwari, including the young medusa. Beside them was a mirror that softly shimmered with a blue glow, as though it were magically enchanted. And then the Oracle spoke.
"And so you have all come, as the prophecy foretold. We welcome you amid this struggle that has befallen us all. We shall allow each of you to speak here before this vessel, for it will reveal your truth about what you wish to ask." The Oracle extended a hand toward Anastasia. "Speak, child — have you brought truth or strife? Is your Sun a ray of hope or a searing flash of longing?" The young girl approached them, a small bird perching on her shoulder as if on a tree branch, her modest yet elegant dress trailing over the stones behind her. She greeted the Oracle and addressed the others, her voice trembling.
"Dear envoys," Anastasia seemed even smaller as she spoke, "I am but a humble messenger. The Lords of Dawn asked me to convey their concerns and to petition on their behalf. I hope my message will be heard." She paused for a moment and turned to the Oracle. "But before I share it, perhaps the others might be introduced as well? If it's not a problem, of c-course! I wouldn't want to weary you, Your Grace," she murmured, gazing at the figure with warmth and a strange serenity. If the sight of an inquisitor was cause for alarm, then Anastasia's gentle aura inspired a feeling of self-contentment and happiness.
Ylwari couldn't shake the sense that magic was at work here, but said nothing. Innocence should not be a cover for wondrous enchantments, even when it appears so. The Oracle spoke again.
"You may be young, but your heart seems to harbor grace. There would be nothing wrong in granting your request. Come." Then the Oracle beckoned Una forward. She looked frail, yet every step carried a sense of confidence and experience, a stark contrast to the priestess who had come before her. Ylwari could tell that the old witch had seen many things and knew many truths, but could conceal them at a moment's notice if need be. This time was no different from the perspective of someone as skilled in diplomacy as Ylwari. However, something seemed amiss — Una appeared to be in pain.
"The young one's gesture is much appreciated. Lady Lia did well in choosing you. You show great promise." Una's overall presence caused unease among the other envoys, as though they constantly had to resist a compulsion to voice their truest thoughts, so it was no surprise that her slightly patronizing words frightened the young girl, as if a needle had pierced her mind. Anastasia's posture grew more defensive and her muscles tensed; everyone could feel that the stakes had just risen a notch. The Oracle watched the witch and the priestess without uttering a word, but looked at them with disappointment. "Nightshade…" Ylwari interjected. "Dear envoys, please remain calm."
"I am sure Lady Una meant well. May I?" Ylwari touched both envoys and nodded to encourage them, her skin smooth as alabaster to the touch, her snakes reflecting the light on their iridescent scales, and her presence balanced the two of them — like a gentle, parental touch during a nightmare. Tiny, fresh traces of Nightshade magic could be felt on Anastasia, and on Una's face gleamed a shimmer of sacred dust — like tiny droplets of mercury, they were slowly poisoning each other. She focused on them and released. Immediately afterward, the Oracle whispered something in a language long forgotten by others, and a flawless dome was erected around the square.
"Since imbalance threatens the assembly, I have erected a barrier that will preserve the peace. Should anyone from without — or within — attempt to disrupt your deliberations, they will not succeed." The Oracle's power was colossal. Raising such a barrier required strength that only a few in Jadame possessed. "Could they be a vessel of the Forefathers?" Ylwari's reflections were interrupted by the Oracle's speech.
"Your matter may continue," he said, his voice impassive. "Speak, young sapling. You have been contemplating yourself in silence all this time — a feat I do not recall." Elder Tss'kish was an enormous being, the tips of his crown softly brushing the apex of the Oracle's dome, like a forest canopy beneath a calm sky. Very few ents could reach his size, and not many of them remained in the world long enough for it to happen. That he was called a sapling amused Ylwari. The Elder's steps lightly shook the ground as he approached the other envoys together with his retinue.
"Our Mycelium sings, my friend. It speaks of pain, sorrow, and nothingness. It sent me to remind the saplings of the consequences. I bring this song with me so that you may lend it your voice, old friend." As soon as the ancient ent finished speaking, the Oracle placed a hand on his bark and began to sing, his body not self-contained but rather an extension of something greater.
"A time of strife and sorrow shall follow the 'Age of Shefar,' and in this Age all shall turn to nothing when the gates of chaos open into Enroth. And this shall be a sign for you — when the elemental forces of Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water roam freely across your lands to bring death and destruction on their wings, you shall enter the final Era, the 'Era of Purification.' Once this Era begins, there shall be no salvation. For behold, the lords of Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water — all of them grant life and likewise take it away. In times of strife the cycle of destruction cannot be avoided, and your only peace shall be death. Yet in times of harmony, those who gather in alliance shall gain the chance to survive the purification and prevent the end of the 'Era of Shefar,' to then enjoy a lasting age of peace."
The silence in the square was deafening — anyone present might have thought that all sound had suddenly vanished from the dome they stood in. Ylwari looked around — Una, Anastasia, and Gingertail had gone pale as they grasped the meaning of the prophecy. Mr. Laudrin kept smiling nonchalantly, but it was clear to her that this was a mask hiding the panic in his eyes. Only the Oracle and the ent remained calm and focused.
"Your concerns are understandable, and I will not deny that a grim fate awaits us if we do not heed the warnings." The Oracle remained as impassive as he had been from the very start of the council. Una and Ylwari nodded gently. However, not everyone could maintain the same composure.
"How can you expect us to speak of prophecies or peace when monsters are present among us?!" Anastasia trembled, her anxiety giving way to anger.
"What would you have us do, child — slaughter one another here and now, so the rest of the continent descends into chaos?" Una seemed displeased with the priestess. "You should spend less time around that Furious Catalina and her calls to violence." As the situation quickly devolved into unrelenting bickering, Ylwari decided to take matters into her own hands.
"Dear envoys, please — this is no time for philosophical debates. You may hold different views, but our goal is one. If we do not set our differences aside, there will be nothing for us to return to," she continued. "Do you not both enjoy the festivities when your people — our people — take part in celebrations across the continent, whenever they occur? Would you not wish that we could focus on the beauty of the upcoming Equinox at one of Jadame's markets? All of this will simply vanish in the flames of conflict if we let our emotions cloud our judgment."
Ylwari's words, laced with a soothing ripple in her voice, ultimately proved true. Both the priestess and the witch looked at each other, then at her and the rest, stepped apart, and fell to thinking. Seeing an opportunity to take control of the ongoing dispute, Ylwari pressed on.
"Moreover, recent events on the continent have left our most respected minds utterly baffled — they cannot understand why the fauna is behaving this way. Many of their schools have also been raided by insects, leading to even more speculation about what these phenomena across the continent mean. My vassals in Alvar have decided to step up security at the colleges, temples, observatories, and universities, since it was initially believed these were deliberate acts of sabotage, but the chaotic nature of these attacks makes it incredibly difficult to predict where this... hive will strike next. Reports also indicate that some scholars have gone missing — I am worried about their whereabouts."
Ylwari surveyed the square, her snakes cautiously flicking their tongues as if to gauge what impact her news had on the assembled envoys. It was a calculated move, because while everyone held different views and outlooks on philosophical and religious matters, no one wanted to accept the loss of the brilliant minds who toiled away, drawing what little knowledge they could from the readings of the stars left behind by the Forefathers. Surprisingly, Anastasia was the first to react.
"I know how important scholars are, but what about the common people? On the road here I witnessed terrible things with my own eyes: families torn to pieces, blood and body parts on the roads, houses on fire, livestock felled or driven mad. These people need our help too. If we ignore them and leave them to their fate, then even if we avert the crisis, there will be no one left to save. Lady Zenith and her Lightweavers have sent aid to everyone they could reach, but our supplies aren't enough to provide for all — sooner or later famine will grip everyone affected."
She may have been the youngest among the assembled negotiators, but compassion for the poor and hardworking was a trait the priestess expressed in abundance — a result of her roots as an initiate. Quiet whispers of approval rustled among the envoys' guards, which then quickly fell silent when Una chose to address the council.
"Perhaps your words are dictated by anxiety and worry, but how much truth is in them?" Una ignored Anastasia's plea, focusing entirely on Ylwari's words. "My brethren have detected strange activity in our lands: odd signs placed on the ground in villages, unnatural magical traces covering corpses, rumors of spies infiltrating our guilds. Moreover, of late the swamps of Duskmoor have been in complete chaos, and the hydras there are behaving overly aggressively, as if being driven to it. What can you tell us about this?"
All eyes were now fixed on Ylwari. She needed to come up with something, because as far as she knew, none of this activity had been sanctioned by the Spy or the rest of the Triumvirate. Could it somehow be tied to the insectoids' doings? However, that was not the end of the accusations against her lords.
"The song is dissonant." Elder Tss'kish's words rang across the entire square. "Where harmony once reigned, ties and false notes now appear. All this mana — wild, chaotic, volatile — bodes ill for the Mycelium. Nightmarish forms, not belonging to this world, take shape, then freeze and shatter what has been part of our song for centuries. If they keep doing this, the song will be broken and the barriers destroyed. Do not let the song fall silent."
What had previously been just a whisper among each envoy's entourage now turned into a cacophony of quarrels and disputes. The Oracle spoke again, this time raising a hand to draw everyone's attention.
"Your temper betrays you. Do you not have land to defend? Do you not have kin to protect? Make the effort. This is no time for petty squabbles. Many centuries before your life began, this world saw many calamities." The Oracle waved his hand, and the mirror beside them began to ripple, as though they had disturbed the surface of water. Images of spherical devices that seemed at once mechanical and magical in nature appeared to watch as a host of enemies clashed with one another, among them undead dragons. The constructs felt at once alien and familiar in form, as if subconsciously they were known to the envoys on some fundamental, basic level. As soon as the vision faded from the mirror, the Oracle continued.
"Order must be preserved. Your quarrels will lead only to your ancient protectors deeming you part of the chaos that your lords wish to eradicate — should this assembly fail." Silence fell again. What had been a warning the first time now seemed almost a threat from forces far more ancient than anyone else gathered there, including the ancient treant. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Ylwari addressed everyone in the square.
"My dearest envoys," Ylwari's words were woven with great care, every syllable a note designed to convey precisely the tone and message she wished to convey, "I hear your concerns and must admit that the situation appears far more serious than even our lords suppose. It is therefore all the more important that we unite against the looming storm." She paused for a moment, then continued: "When I stood before Her Majesty Amelkia, She spoke to me not from the position of a monarch or a ruler, but from that of a person who was willing to sacrifice her own dreams if it meant that Jadame — and all it can offer — would be preserved for future generations." Ylwari stopped for a second to produce a scroll bearing what appeared to be a mixture of dragon runes, elven inscriptions, and minotaur seals — "To do so, She, along with the rest of the Alvar Triumvirate, has authorized me to extend to any of you and your lords the full military, civil, and magical support our people can offer, should you join our cause. She has also granted me the right to share a plea for help we received from Garrot's Gorge."
The sight of the Triumvirate's decree took the envoys by surprise. Although it was common for various missions to deliver direct messages from their suzerains, the Pact of Alvar, as a nation, rarely — if ever — applied its laws on what could be considered a nationwide scale, preferring to let local authorities strike treaties and then pass the results of such negotiations up to the capital, effectively forming a flexible network of fiefs. The diplomats' reflections had to be set aside, however, as Ylwari continued her speech.
"Among dragons there exist as many opinions as there are shades of scale that they share." Ylwari's mention of the dragon kin drew hushed whispers that quickly subsided as she went on: "But I believe that the one thing uniting them is their pride and their belief that few on the continent can threaten them. That those in Garrot's Gorge are sending pleas for help to Her Majesty, whose ideals they considered beneath them, alerted Her almost at once. Our investigation into the matter has shown that many eggs have been stolen — Her Majesty's brothers slain or driven mad by ancient magic. Whether this is the work of some higher mind or simply a series of accidents remains to be seen, but it is clear to us that this is an action aimed at plunging the region into chaos and shattering the alliance we have worked so hard to build."
A new feeling appeared in the square: fear. Dragons were thought to be colossal juggernauts, capable of destruction yet nearly invulnerable to it. To learn that not only had many of them been destroyed, but that their precious eggs had been stolen? A few hours ago Ylwari would have been called a liar, a fraud — but now? After everything the council had shared, the horror of something killing dragons in droves was but another melody in the catastrophic chorus the Oracle had presented to them — and yet Ylwari had not finished delivering the dire conclusions.
"In addition to what I have shared thus far, there is one more matter you need to know of. Many centuries ago the Alvar elves abandoned much of the ancestral holdings inherited by them from the ancient Vori, for reasons that no one else seems to remember. These monuments of the past were sealed due to dilapidation and remained untouched until recently. Reports from the Frozen Keeps speak of mystic forces that have looted many of them, leaving strange marks and extraordinarily high magical readings scattered across them. We learned of them shortly after one of our agents suddenly stopped sending us dispatches, but we have been unable to track them since the invasion of the ruins. Their activity also coincides with what the envoys of Shadowspire and Murmurwood reported in their accusations. Who knows what their purpose was — and what they have stolen from there? I would like to know, but for now it remains a mystery that will have to be solved sooner rather than later. What I can assure you of — dear envoys — is that whoever stands behind these renegades does not act on the Triumvirate's orders."
The ruins in question date back to a time close to the Silence and are attributed to the ancient Vori settlers. Whoever decided to interfere with them was more than well-informed about the secrets they could potentially contain.
"I trust you have a prepared stockpile for this case." Una was the first to speak, and Ylwari was more than ready to oblige her.
"That is true. While suspicious activity is observed in long-forgotten and forbidden places, and the insectoid raids continue, I am afraid the continent will remain in chaos. That is why we wish to propose the following plan." Ylwari paused for a second, produced another official missive from the Triumvirate, and began to read.
"By the authority vested in us by the admiration and trust of our people — we, Queen Amelkhia of the Stygian Scale; Grand Architect Balthazar, Son of Balthazar and Chieftain of His Lair; and Master Kaspar Silvertongue, Patriarch of the Alvar Elves — hereby wish to invite all who would protect Jadame from the threats that would leave it forever disfigured to join us in laying down arms against one another and raising them against those who wish to destroy our beloved continent. If this Winter Truce that we propose enters into force, our borders shall be open to you, and our relics of power shall be at your full disposal. In return we ask that your archives and banks of wisdom be made accessible to us, so that we may assess the threats plaguing our peoples and find the strange malefactors of which you may have been witnesses. We reserve the right to withdraw from this agreement should any party attempt to abuse it to harm another member of this truce.
Alvar diruil."
As soon as Ylwari finished reading, the entire square erupted in a cacophony of sounds. What the Triumvirate had proposed struck many as absurd, some as blasphemous, and some as impossible. A difficult task stood before her.
Ylwari looked around — the chaos she beheld was colossal. As she had expected, Anastasia and Una were bickering with each other, accusing one another of monstrous deeds, their lords disrespected the Twilight Pact and went so far as to suggest that the insect threat was but a diversionary tactic created by their masters to allow the Church or the Guild to freely conquer Jadame. What surprised the young medusa was that Ginger and Benjamin were also arguing with each other, the former calling the latter crazy if he thought the faeries would let his entrepreneurs anywhere near the forest, even if only in pursuit of knowledge. The wording of the message had thrown everyone into confusion, and it was clear that personal antipathy and prejudice would always fuel conflict.
"Dear envoys, I would once again like to..." But this time no one was listening to her. Unable to make herself heard over their shouts, Ylwari was ready to simply wait it out, but the Oracle had other plans. They raised a hand, and the square was once again emptied of sound.
"Your blood runs too hot in you, and your temper needs a constant reminder of what is at stake. Were the fate of the continent not being decided here, your bloodlust would already have consumed this place. Remind yourself that it is not your future you must defend here, but your cubs and prospects. If this assembly fails, the beauty of this place will vanish."
The Oracle made use of the mirror once again, displaying an animal long unseen: the kitshorn. These little playful creatures were a common sight in Jadame in ancient times, but now only a handful of their hunting grounds remained in this world. The reminder of something so primal, majestic, and at the same time vanishing because of mortal pettiness gave everyone a moment of clarity. Una was the first to speak.
"By the authority vested in me by my fellow scholars of the Shadowspire Chapter of the Necromancers' Guild, I, Una the Shadow Spinner, swear my loyalty to your cause and solemnly vow to help you uncover the truth behind these matters." That the necromancers were the first to agree surprised Ylwari, but she was glad of their support.
"We shall join our song to yours, for it is change that has always guided the Mycelium, and it is change that shall keep it safe. Let our chorus aid you with its music, and our forests point you the way." The Elder's words rang with power and grandeur, and they were joined by his retainers, who pounded their fists against their chests — an alliance of the softness of the forest wind and the ferocity of its keepers.
All eyes were fixed on Anastasia. She could see her weighing her decision — after all, alliances such as these, however fickle, hold great power and leave an indelible mark on the pages of history. After a short moment she answered, her voice ringing even for the first time:
"As the Chalice ordains and as mighty is the light, I, Anastasia, Priestess of the Sun and envoy of my lords in the Dawn, give over to your service my powers and the powers of our beloved Order. Let all the powers of this world know that, however strange this land may be, we shall defend it with the same zeal as the cause we believe in."
As Anastasia spoke her words, the Mirror beside the Oracle glowed with the symbols of the Forefathers, as if binding them all in agreement. Their actions were being watched, and from now on they would be held accountable for breaking the truce. Ylwari was glad to have achieved the results her subjects had desired. She drew everyone's attention to herself and began to speak.
"I am deeply grateful that we have managed to come to an agreement with one another. I know it was not an easy decision, and I hope that we shall all be able to reap the fruits of such a mutual exchange." As she prepared to slip over to the other envoys to thank them personally, the Oracle raised a hand one last time and said:
"Be careful — your oath from now on is worth more than you might think. The consequences of breaking your alliance shall be harsher than you expect." They lowered their hand, and the barrier they had formed followed them, marking the end of the council.
As the diplomats began thanking Ylwari for her decisive and gentle approach to the meeting and dispersing to their quarters before departure, her own thoughts were elsewhere. "I must speak with the Oracle. There may not be another chance."
Ylwari's reflections were interrupted by the snow — a harbinger of the winter equinox, also known in Jadame as the winter solstice: a name that varied across cultures. There was no time to lose. She slipped across the square to join Benjamin and the Oracle, who were heading to the Laudrin estate.
"What has caught your eye, little dreamer?" The elf and his wit were always quick, and this time was no exception. "I thought I'd help you and the Oracle a little — perhaps there's something you want to ask but haven't yet." But her thoughts were just as quick. "In that case, would you like to take a walk with us, Miss Ylwari?"
The city was a sight. Ylwari remembered the times before the Laudrins, when it was but a couple of huts and fishermen, and historical records indicated the Templars' influence in districts that could be considered the city's foundation stones. To see it as a thriving multicultural port was impressive not only upon entry, but even while casually crossing its streets.
They reached the main road leading to the estate and stopped for a moment. "What weighs on your mind, child?" The Oracle sensed that Ylwari was here for a particular purpose, not to muse on the cityscape. "I was going to thank the illustrious Mr. Laudrin for his help. I'm afraid that without his influence and connections, this council would not have gone so well. However, I would like to ask: what role do you play in this, dear Oracle? What did Benjamin ask of you to bring you here?"
The Oracle smiled, slightly surprising the young medusa, for they had been impassive up to that very moment. They looked out at the sea and said:
"Our task is to observe events as they unfold and to declare folly should they go unheeded and unacted upon. The young elf was but an instrument to reveal your tasks at the most fitting time." They looked up at the sky and continued. "However, be careful, young Ylwari, for conflict is brewing within your very heart. It will consume both minds and souls, and the very fabric of reality shall be torn apart. When? We cannot say, for time does not flow as it should when it concerns them. We shall watch your actions with great interest."
The next day
Ylwari had passed the outer walls of the city and was heading back to Alvar. Benjamin had supplied her and her retinue with provisions of the highest quality, as well as all the other luxuries he could afford, and told her she would be a welcome guest at his estate at any time she wished to visit Ravenshore. Yet the generosity of House Laudrin was the last thing on her mind right now.
The Oracle's words echoed in her head. Such a warning was very rare, as the Oracle was not known for such a direct approach; and yet she couldn't shake the feeling that it had been granted to her for a reason: perhaps in the future she would have to beware of something. But what exactly? How was it all connected? Where did the insects come into play?
"I will deal with them as they appear," she thought. "What matters now is to report our success to the Triumvirate. I can only hope this truce will hold. It must." For the first time in her life, Ylwari felt that she would have to be more than just an envoy. She would have to understand how quickly loyalties could shift and what might prompt such a transformation. That, however, is a story for another time...
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