Arianna's Lotus [http://i.imgur.com/oOhwKDZ.png]

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Delegating

I paced back and forth in the small house Nalithor and I were staying in within Dimquth, a book open in one hand. Since I couldn’t really communicate with the locals well, I had decided to leave that work to Nalithor. While he learned from Fihr and the citizens, I focused on reading the few local books I could translate. Much of their literature appeared to be in that strange language that they and Lalira spoke, but some was written in Draemiran.

Unfortunately, not many of the people were bilingual, and they all felt more comfortable speaking in their native tongue.

I had hoped to find mentions of more Aledacian Forests in their literature, but most of the books written in Draemiran appeared to be fairy tales. The rest were academical, but not in any of the areas that would help me. It was quickly becoming apparent that we would have to go to the Nrael’mar Continent ourselves if we wanted answers.

“Arianna?” Nalithor called, causing me to turn and look up from the book. “You didn’t eat breakfast yet?”

I followed the motion of his hand, glancing toward the covered plate sitting on the kitchen table. “Oh, right. I’m done reading for now, so I’ll eat.”

Nalithor followed me and took a seat across from me at the table. “Did you find anything?”

“No. If you can’t get information from them or from their other books, we’re going to have to go to the Nrael’mar Continent ourselves.” I shook my head. “Unless there’s some other way for us to gain information without leaning on the Vorpmasian Empire?”

“I’d prefer we went ourselves.” Nalithor settled back in his chair, releasing a contented sigh. “After so much time where I couldn’t perform my duties as Balance, I’m eager to make up for the decades lost.”

“It would not be wise for you to travel to the Nrael’mar Continent when neither of you have any Chosen.” Djialkan appeared from a burst of shadows and sighed heavily at us. “Nor should you separate to investigate matters.”

“You aren’t leaving us with many options,” I remarked, shooting Djialkan a displeased look. “Neither of us are keen on ‘Chosen.’”

“Only because the both of you are so wary of the misuse the other gods have displayed!” Fraelfnir huffed, striding into the room in his boyish form. He shook his bangs out of his eyes before walking over to the table and setting a flat crystal on it. “I believe my brother and I can assist the both of you in seeking out suitable Chosen, and it is something we should do before Darius’ influence grows. The Chosen you do choose will need to evacuate to your temple near Sihix and Yiltanys’ domains immediately.”

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“Evacuate?” Nalithor narrowed his eyes.

“The boy’s influence continues to pick up speed.” Fraelfnir shook his head. “There is much to do here. Leave the search for Chosen to Djialkan and I. We will seek out suitable individuals and report back to you once your work here is done, or if the situation shifts.”

“You think that Darius, or whatever is involved with him, may target Balance’s potential Chosen?” I slumped back in my seat, sighing, then looked to Nalithor. He didn’t look pleased either. “Then we don’t have much choice, do we?”

“Keep us informed.” Nalithor nodded to the fae-dragons before turning his attention to me. “In the interim, I believe you and I should find a way to shield Dimquth from further attacks. If I’m not mistaken, we’re fairly close to the border with Draemir. We might be able to convince Xiinsha to lend us aid.”

“You wouldn’t prefer to reach out to the Sizoul?” I raised an eyebrow.

“No, if the empire might fall to Darius’ influence, then we should seek out a more neutral party, such as the Lari’xan.” Nalithor shook his head. “Xiinsha and Fihr could easily protect this place from the Jivyador while we are gone. Until we find and save more of the Lari’xan, we cannot realistically return Dimquth to where it is meant to be.”

“Shall we send a Vulin, then?” I tilted my head.

“It would be best.” Nalithor fell silent for a moment, contemplating something. “Given the Lari’xan’s nature, normally I would say one of us should go with the Vulin to voice our request in person.”

“Except if one of us goes, then so should both?” I grinned at him and shrugged. “Well, if I’m staying here…”

“Of course I found something for you to do.” Nalithor chuckled and reached across the table to tug at one of my fluffy ears. “We are going to examine the perimeter of Dimquth, from the outside, and determine if repairs can be made to the broken structures. The broken ‘aqueducts’ we saw were once connected to a portion of the city’s defensive measures.”

“They had their defenses outside their walls?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Not quite. Only the inner portion of the city was transported. There are three more rings that weren’t.” Nalithor shook his head and rested back in his seat. “I want you to look for threats while I examine the broken magitech. If it’s similar enough to what the Vorpmasian and Beshulthien Empires use, we should be able to fix a portion of it.”

“See threat, kill threat?” I perked up. “That works for me! I’ve been so damn bored just reading all day!”

“And keep me company, of course.” Nalithor shot me an amused grin. “Finish your breakfast first. We should also don armor before we venture out, just to be safe.”

“Mmm… You really think the Jivyador may do something?” I tilted my head. “They should hesitate to act after so many of their kind were slaughtered. Well, unless they want to die just as much.”

“They do love to investigate, even when they are powerless to contest us,” Nalithor replied, shaking his head. “We may be free of them, for a time, if none of their comrades live on our continent—or if their comrades are unaware of what’s happened. Either way, we should err on the side of caution. The fae-dragons and their warnings are making me uneasy.”

I nodded my agreement. “I get the impression there’s more they aren’t telling us, for some reason or another.”

“Dimquth must be more important, otherwise Djialkan or Fraelfnir would have spoken up already.” Nalithor studied me as I pushed my chair back from the table. “You’re done eating?”

“Mmhmm, let’s go.” I latched onto his arm the moment I could. “I want some fresh air at the very least, even if nothing troublesome shows up!”

“Don’t go causing trouble either.” Nalithor smirked, shifting his arm out of my grip and sliding it behind my back instead. “If Jivyador attack either of us, try to keep one alive. We should question them—and if you are good, I will let you help.”

“Promise?” I shot him a playful smile.

“Of course.” He leaned down to kiss me between the ears.

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