Rotierre quickly read through the coded message before returning his attention to the ongoing ceremony. The Rising Deep, currently an open aired temple that normally sat hundreds of feet below sea level, had been brought to the surface for the sole purpose of opening the water channels of the Ri’s only daughter. After all, Da’Astraea couldn’t be expected to breath underwater while weathering such a strenuous undertaking.
A full contingent of sea elves in full ceremonial armor encircled the boundary of the domed temple, the butts of their long tridents resting against the ground as their braided tassels that made them so deadly in the water gently swayed in the stiff breeze. Every one of the guards looked outward, scouring the water’s surface and skies above for threats. Another three contingents combed the depths, though he would never have noticed by using his eyesight alone.
The temple itself was immaculate. Carved from a submerged peak of tidal stone, the statue like pillars of sea dragons and kraken held up a roof that was covered in beautifully arranged aquatic plant life. Rotierre could appreciate the level of skill the local Arborists, though he hesitated to grant them such a lofty title, had in keeping such plants alive outside their natural habitat.
“Must have been important to have disturbed you here,” Ka’Mere, an overly muscular sea elf encased in reinforced tidal stone armor, stated. The sea elf eyed the shade crow perched quietly on Rottiere’s shoulder with a hardened gaze.
The question was as blunt and straightforward as he knew it would be. Subtlety had never been a strong suit amongst the aquatic elves, especially amongst the lauded sea elves who faced the dangers of the depths on a daily basis. One did not usually cultivate the delicate art of politicking and debate when facing near constant death. It showed in everything the sea elves did, from the blatant display of wealth so practically arrayed around them in the form of natural water treasures, high grade potions, and the readily available master level water magi attending to Da’Astraea, to the brilliantly worked and functional armor each of their warriors wore as they sparkled in the light of the sun. The reflection from the bright blue armor alone would draw every eye within a league to their location as if openly challenging any would be predators in the area to test them.
While the Grand Arborist didn’t appreciate the asked question, he could appreciate the brazen display of extravagance. It was a pittance when compared to what the royal house could put together in less than an hours’ time, but the fact he knew the Ka was practically bankrupting his house in hopes of currying favor with the Ri was a statement in and of itself that should be rewarded.
In time.
“A minor matter,” Rottiere waived Ka’Mere’s question away, his carefully crafted smile that disarmed others on full display. He had perfected that specific trait over a millennia ago, a talent that had brought down more great powers throughout the centuries than the whole of the human armies combined. The trick lay in making sure the smile emanated from the eyes, not just the face. “It often happens when I am traveling. My juniors sometimes struggle to know the difference between something of import and that which is merely interesting.”
“Ah yes, I had forgotten that Lo’Thyma was no longer with you,” Ka’Mere said, his bluntness a refreshing change from the subtle back and forth interpretations of greater house politics. “Did she fail to bond with the Silverthread Matriarch then?”
“I see you are well informed indeed,” Rottiere praised him, though he would have been more surprised if the obtuse sea elf hadn’t heard anything at all by now. Especially since he had personally seen to it that the Ka’s spies had been informed.
Changing the tenor of his voice to match the constrained look of grief he had just adopted, Rotierre continued. “As you know, we take great pains to screen all within the Arborist ranks, especially as they are burdened with additional responsibilities. Sometimes mistakes happen. It is unfortunate, and rare, but failed bondings happen from time to time. Her passing was… regrettable.”
“Regrettable indeed,” Ka’Mere intoned, his hardened gaze never flinching, not even when one of the attendants rushed a high-grade stamina potion to the Ri’s daughter. That potion alone would cost the equivalent of an average worker’s annual income. “That means you are again looking to take on another replacement.”
It was more a statement than a question, which didn’t bother Rotierre in the slightest. If only every conversation he had was this refreshingly straight forward.
“Yes,” he said simply. He could have used much more flowery language conducive to the courts or replied with the traditional ‘questing along the Overseer’s road.’ A symbolic phrase from a bygone era that indicated a master was looking to take on an apprentice. But why bother? The Ka wouldn’t use such language and would appreciate a straightforward response.
Still, if Rotierre was reading between the lines, which he could never be too sure of when dealing with Ka’Mere or his kind, it meant he was hoping to push forward a sea elf as a recommendation. How absurd. He wasn’t in the mood to make a token search for his replacement amongst any of the so-called Arborists within the lower houses. Especially any of the aquatic elf houses. Not only did they lack basic understanding of regular plant life, but they also lacked any political backing of worth. Still, one had to keep up appearances.
Ka’Mere nodded at his response but didn’t say anything for a time, which Rotierre noted as out of character. But he wasn’t going to be the one to bring that line of discussion up again.
As they watched, one of the master water magi stepped forward, relieving the one who had been helping Da’Astraea guide the powerful master level potion. Of course, helping was likely too strong a word. More like doing the work for her.
“They are at a tricky stage,” Ka’Mere said with all the concern of a rock facing the inbound tide. “The last mage helped her eminence locate the entrance to her water mana channels. With that complete, Lo’Speira,” he indicated the female mage who had just taken over, “will help the young royal to properly shape the mana flows from within in preparation to remove the block within her mana pool.”
One of the remaining two mages began circling the Ri’s daughter and Lo’Speira, chanting softly to himself as he slowly moved his arms in big sweeping motions.
“Bei’Shekran will begin preparing the mana flows that will be drawn toward us,” Ka’Mere continued with his explanation. “The potion that was ingested will last up to two days. Throughout that time, all water aspected mana within the potion’s reach will be funneled toward her. If we allow too much too quickly, the mana will tear her apart from the inside. If we restrain the ingestion of mana to much, Lo’Speira won’t have enough to remove the block and open the mana channels.”
All of this was nothing new to Rotierre. He had overseen such ceremonies in the past. While this set up was a bit more crude than he was used to, it was acceptable, even down to the last mage present who would be helping the Ri’s daughter map out her water channels once they were open. So long as Da’Astraea didn’t feel too much pain all would be well.
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If the Ri had wished it, they could have used one of their greater water beast cores within their vaults to do this. It would have been near instantaneous but would have cost them an irreplaceable treasure. Instead, they had decided to let the sea elves go further into bankruptcy, which would further restrict their economic base while providing the Serevlir house with unfettered access to the depths' natural treasures. All so they could show their loyalty to the royal line.
“Myself and the Ri have full faith and confidence in you,” Rotierre replied, once again adopting his gentle smile.
As they watched the proceedings, Rotierre turned his mind back to the message he had received earlier. The delivery had been unexpected and ill-timed. After all, how was one supposed to explain away the raven sized bird that had leapt from his own shadow onto his shoulder? Still, it would take more than a mere bird to crack his perpetual serene visage and likely added to his overall mystique. But after being alive for nearly two millennia, he was growing weary of coming up with yet another layer of lies to hide simple truths.
The shadow elves had been dispatched and were on their way to the grasslands. Their diviners had projected the best place to intercept this new royal elf and his party was to the north of Asylum, one of the Free Cities.
While the news was surprising, he didn’t question it. His Shadows knew their business. Besides, this was a much better scenario than sending an army into the Spines where their diviners had originally found them. He was still paying the price for the last time he had sanctioned such an action.
Rotierre reached up and tapped the shade crow once on the bill, acknowledging he had received the message and that he didn’t intend to reply. The bird melted back into his shadow and disappeared.
Ka’Mere was kind enough not to comment.
“I may have a recommendation for your replacement,” Ka’Mere said after several long minutes of quietly watching the ceremony.
Rotierre knew the conversation would be coming, but he had hoped it could have been avoided.
“Yes?” He replied with a hint of curiosity added to the tone of his voice. It was much harder to do than normal. Just the thought of conducting fake interviews with these so called Arborists gave him a headache.
“I have it on good authority that an Arborist that once oversaw House Benfyr has recently come out of seclusion,” Ka’Mere replied, his hardened gaze growing sharper as he glanced at Rotierre out of the corner of his eye. It was the first and only movement the weathered sea elf warrior had made besides what was strictly expected of him within the ceremony. “The last Ki banished her…”
“Da’Herraine has returned from seclusion?” Rotierre asked, interrupting what was likely a well rehearsed explanation. He didn't bother hiding his genuine interest, though he did tone down his surprise.
“After the recent Benfyr succession,” Ka’Mere confirmed. “Ki’Thefain welcomed her back.”
It was odd that Ka’Mere had known about Da’Herraine’s return and he had not. No one had heard from the Benfyr Arborist for over a century after she had pruned the recently deposed Ki’s oldest son. Not unless…
Realization dawned on Rotierre as several old pieces of information he had gleaned over the decades came together in an flash of insight.
“When did she depart from your protection?” He asked, enjoying the look of shock on Ka’Mere’s face. Really now, what had the Ka expected? He had practically admitted to providing sanctuary when he had told him of Da’Herraine's return.
“Just before you arrived,” Ka’Mere said, visibly shaken. “How long have you known?”
“Thank you for your suggestion. I will take it under advisement,” he replied, not bothering to answer the Ka’s question. It was best to let him think they had quietly sanctioned the act from afar. “Yours is the first real recommendation I have received since we lost Lo’Thyma.”
It was true. After Lo’Thyma’s passing had become public knowledge every major house had pushed forward their recommendations for her replacement. No one seemed to care how or why Lo’Thyma had failed to bond with the Matriarch, only that they could gain from her demise. This might actually warrant a small boon to be given to the sea elves.
“Is there anything I might be able to offer in return for such timely information?” he asked, already planning his visit to the Verdant Woods.
There was a pause, Ka’Mere looking him in the eye for several long moments.
“I have a small favor,” he asked slowly. “Though I am hesitant to ask.”
Rotierre kept quiet, his genuine curiosity turning into full intrigue. This was most unusual, especially for one as bold as Ka’Mere.
“My daughter has taken the path of the Arborist” he said slowly, dragging out every word as though it caused him great pain. “She would greatly appreciate the opportunity to continue her advancement above the waves.”
“How old is she?” Rotierre asked. He didn’t bother asking about her attunements or skills. She was coming from the sea after all. They would be limited and niched.
“She is still young, Grand Arborist. Barely 22 years,” he said, the hardness in his eyes softening as he glanced toward one of the few Arborists caring for the aquatic plant life inside the open aired temple. The young girl was tall and lithe, like most aquatic elves. The gills on her neck stood out against the backdrop of seaweed green hair that fell down her back. But where the sea elves around them looked like predators with their piercing gazes and ready stances, this young girl looked as gentle as a new born lamb.
Practically a babe then. Still, the idea intrigued him. They had never had an aquatic elf tend to the gardens at the royal palace before. At first glance, the possibilities were… intriguing.
“I’ll see what I can do,” Rotierre said, his smile never wavering, but it felt far more genuine than normal.
A messenger approached Ka’Mere, whispering something that was just beyond Rotierre’s hearing. After a moment, the large sea elf turned to him, his hardened gaze having returned to its normal severity. Though, he couldn’t help but notice a glint of excitement was now shining in the elf’s eyes.
“There is a disturbance several leagues out that will likely complicate the rest of the ceremony,” he said, though he didn’t look at all worried. “It appears there is a human ship that is gathering a massive amount of air mana around it. We do not know for what purpose.”
Rotierre processed the information, identified potential causes, and assessed the risk to Da’Astraea in moments based on the limited information provided. He found it all negligible. There was absolutely no chance humans knew they were there and the sea elves patrolled this area religiously. Every sentient sailor and sea creature knew to avoid this section of the ocean at all costs. In addition, Ka’Mere wouldn’t have notified him if the ship had come too close. His people would have simply sunk it. That meant the threat was more in the peculiar amount of air mana being taken in.
Again, Rotierre didn’t see the issue. The Temple of the Rising Deep was typically reserved for distinguished water magi who were on the cusp of attuning themselves to the Resonant level. The runes and enchantments meticulously carved into every square inch of the incredibly powerful tidal stone structure not only concentrated mana flows, it repulsed all other aspects of mana other than water. That the sea elves had not only opened the temple to the Ri’s daughter to open her water channels, but had raised it to the surface, was going completely overboard to show them how much they respected the Serevlir line.
They were perfectly safe from his perspective, though he would let those who had accepted them into their home say what risks they would, or would not, take.
“What are your thoughts on the matter?” he asked instead.
“The ship is too far out to be of any danger to us in the physical sense. But the amount of air mana that they are pulling overlaps an area where Da’Astraea’s ingested potion is pulling water mana from. It has created the stirrings of a storm,” the last part Ka’Mere said with a grin that exposed his serrated front teeth.
The look would have sent shivers down any normal person’s spine.
“A storm?” Rotierre asked calmly, realizing he had miscalculated. If the mana flows were pulling in opposite directions over open water while one of the attracting bodies was moving, that would mean more than a minor storm brewing.
“Yes,” the sea elf said, his smile widening as he looked out over the water. A dark spot could be seen on the edge of the horizon. “I hope you don’t mind a little rain.”