Lixiss expected that such changes would come with a significant cost. The life of Lho’Ris’Lar would end today, and with his demise, an early death of the Prodis guild. Gwyryn Hylarr set up the coordinated strike to remove all of the guild members, but unanswered questions remained. Lixiss held his yet attached head, lifting him off the ground.
"Are you ready yet to give up your collaborators? Your strike almost killed Qilynrae Qintoris; you and yours killed more than three hundred guards. Which other minor guilds are involved in this?!" Lixiss shouted, knowing she wouldn’t get an answer from a man smirking at death. Lixiss produced a small engraved stone between folds in her clothes; one side a carved mouth, the other an ear.
"Gwyryn, hold off on deadly force. Arrest them all; I am getting no answers from Lho’Ris’Lar." Lixiss said once she was out of earshot from him. After a short moment, Gwyryn answered.
"As you wish, I don’t think there’ll be much of an issue. The Pugnas warriors have been a great help so far." A sore reminder that two other minor guilds had already been erased to capture Lho’Ris’Lar. It would take at least seven or more minor guilds to do what they did.
Who was involved in this conspiracy? Whomever it was, they believed that with the change of leadership, there’d be no future for Myth’Ath’Areana, despite Lixiss’ words and the backing of the very god that had blessed her–their beloved leader. Could it be that Lixiss mistakenly believed their worship translated into faith in leadership? No, this had to be something far more sinister, much less straightforward.
Sinister–now that might be a good idea. When a living subject is unwilling to answer, there is always death. The dead love to talk if you know how. The Menatu guild came quickly at Lixiss’ summons, the head of Lho’Ris’Lar lying upon a burgundy pillow on the table in the council room. It appears Z’Resdryl Do’Lyl had sent a delegate instead of coming herself, although Lixiss had no interest in seeing that weak chin again. They went through all the formalities before awaiting Lixiss" approval for the introduction. Lixiss nodded, pleased with their knowledge of courteousness, although she’d expect no less from a member of the Menatu guild.
"I am Zo’Nuh Dro’Seh of the Menatu guild, necromancer savant and proud to be of your service. Z’Resdryl couldn’t attend as there was an urgent business with the diviners’ triumvirate. If something in their divination could bring new information, you shall be made aware posthaste." Their aquiline features betrayed no emotion.
"Then how is it that I was not made aware of the attempt upon my very home, upon my daughter Qilynrae Qintoris?!" Lixiss shouted, angered by Zo’Nuh’s statement.
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"Can you or can you not raise the dead for questioning?" Lixiss asked, with little patience in her voice. Zo’Nuh nodded, their eyes fixed on the head of Lho’Ris’Lar. They arranged candles and various bones around the head, drawing runes in the space between.
"Do you know what to ask? The hold upon the dead is fickle; their souls no longer belong to this realm." Zo’Nuh said without even glancing at Lixiss; their sole focus lay on the successful casting of this spell.
"Yes, I know what to ask," Lixiss responded. The room grew dark, and a heavy aura laid thick upon the very air. The candles flickered wildly, and only a moment later, they all went out. The flame returned to most candles arranged in a circle around the head. An intense and consuming flame, eager to devour all the wax in mere moments, seemed centered on the candle next to the one out. "There’s limited time; feel free to start asking questions," Zo’Nuh said, unaware that Lixiss had seen others use this magic, each time differently. Lixiss didn’t waste any time.
"Lho’Ris’Lar, who, besides from the Prodis guild of our dark-elven brothers and sisters, wants Qilynrae Qintoris dead?" The question was answered by a heavy sigh, rattling the decaying flesh at the remaining parts of the throat of Lho’Ris’Lar; a gurgled noise exited his mouth, which changed to a cough. Lho’Ris’Lar’s eyes opened and looked straight at Lixiss, neither of them fixating on any particular point, staring into nothingness. Working up from a whisper carried by a voice, not of this realm, Lho’Ris’Lar started his response.
"As many brothers and sisters want to see her dead as spiders in your council room." Lixiss took this in momentarily; what Lho’Ris’Lar talked about wasn’t rebellion. It was a possible end to everything Lixiss fought for, the end to their unification. This conflict could end in returning Myth’Ath’Areana to a city where every guild allied itself only to find the right strike time. Politics again getting in the way of the dark-elves taking all of the Deeprealm for themselves. Lixiss would not allow that to occur. A couple more candles had gone through their wax; his answer had spun her out of her usual calm head.
"What guilds lead these brothers and sisters who wish to see an end to Qilynrae Qintoris?" Lixiss asked, hoping to get a few targets.
"The Visinet Guild instigated our banding together, drawing in the support of the Fulekh, Artek, Prodis, and Magmea guilds. They and all under them wish to see the end of Qintoris." It took a moment, but Lixiss realized the difference. She was too focused on getting to them not to see it sooner. This attack wasn’t because of a disagreement in changing leadership; this was a coup because they had decided Lixiss was weak. She would have to prove not only herself but the strength of Qilynrae as well. Lixiss had seen how far forgiveness had taken her; those who took advantage should be reminded of her wrath for all to see.
End Of Chapter 7 - Lixiss 2