After Carl’s planned departure, it still left the others. Lixiss wanted a talk with just Agazuul. Why did he have to bring that failure of a human. Why bring the one who had gotten them into this messy life. If Carl hadn’t stopped her from claiming a head that day, she wouldn’t have had to stop a civil war. Lixiss thought bitterly when Carl rushed to the nearest toilet.
“It pains me to say Agazuul but I can’t just let the actions of Carl go unpunished. The death of a dark elf in my domain shall be made just by my judgment.” Lixiss scanned the rest of the table, taking stock of everyone he had brought here.
“Any crime committed against dark elves shall be paid back twofold.” Qilynrae quoted religiously.
“Two deaths for one, though the matter of death need not be recreated.” Zo’Nuh added, a hint of disappointment.
“I am not a cruel leader or the monster you take me for.” Lixiss said, leaving a small pause before continuing.
“I would allow you to choose.” The life drained out of Agazuul, everyone under his guard grew pale, save for Patrik who sat there apathetically.
“You’re asking me to send two of my own to the gallows? It was Carl’s actions who brought the death from your person… It wasn’t me!” Agazuul was shocked at first, confused second and shouted the injustice he felt was being done.
“Carl would not have been here if it were not for you. A leader has to make difficult decisions.”
“This isn’t necessary, all these people came with me for my goal. It is our goal, don’t you want to finish what we started all those years ago?”
“I would be delighted to join you to kill the Demonic Duke of Death, but first we need to settle the scores.”
“I’m begging you Lixiss, we don’t have to do this.”
“That’s where you’re wrong Agazuul, that’s what you don’t get and could never understand. You and I are different. You play the leader while I plot a course for a future that I might not even get to see.”
“I’ll do anything, but don’t ask me to kill my own people.” His words started to grow heavy, hard to get out.
“I’m not, I’m asking you to choose. You won’t have to bear the weight of the axe yourself. I’m not cruel, Agazuul.”
“She is just and merciless.” Qilynrae added
“Strong and vicious.” Gwyryn added.
“Intelligent and incorrigible.” Zo’Nuh finished. The room was quiet in anticipation, until Mirva threw her glass across the room in anger.
“Why did you take Carl along? He’s already meant the end for Eerik & Kaino not to mention the drayman Ambrose who came along. While we were fighting for our lives against a wyvern he stood by and did nothing! Why would you want someone like that by your side?!”
“He’s capable of things which puts our combined strength to shame.” Agazuul said, before taking another good look at Lixiss.
“The Void, a sword sharp enough to cut souls. That sword was given to you on loan, so when we would face the Demonic Dukes we could end one. Once and for all time.”
“She has what? That blade belongs to the Sanguinators and is only meant to be wielded by our kin!” Gadraek shouted.
“Why does she have that sword?” Gileon asked.
“We were going to do great things…” Agazuul’s argument meant to persuade Lixiss but all he had done was sow doubt into the minds of his two closest companions.
“You think that fact buys you anything?” Lixiss pulled the sword from the sheathe, the sword glimmering with godblood magic. A blur when it moved, vibrating with tremendous power.
“A sword needs a wielder worthy of it, and none of your pathetic academy are worthy of a sword like this. You might’ve had a worthy wielder in days of yore, but now…” Lixiss sheath the sword.
“You cannot give me what I have, and you cannot take what you cannot win by force. You have rightfully pointed out how crucial the sword is, but I am its wielder. So all you’ve done, dear Agazuul, is proven to the entire table why without me you’ve no chance of achieving your goal.” Lixiss continued, her words stung and Agazuul seemed at a loss for words.
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“Agazuul, you’ve stood with her in the grand battle. You’ve saved the world once, surely you can save the lives of two people.” Alma said it in a hopeful tone, but the despair and pleading was plain to hear.
“We all stand together and if you’re going to even think of hurting him, I will personally end you!” Paula shouted while pointing at Eira.
“Whether he or you get hurt is entirely up to Agazuul.” Lixiss answered calmly.
“Gwyryn lead them outside so me and Agazuul can discuss this.” Gwyryn nodded solemnly and started getting everyone trying to lift them gently from their chair or grasping them more firmly where needed before handing them off to a servant guiding or dragging them outside.
“Zo’Nuh and Qilynrae, leave us.” Lixiss added as soon as Agazuul’s companions were all escorted out. They nodded courteously and left the room without argument or hesitation.
“Why, Lixiss. We don’t have to do this. We can use every one of them to get to victory. I came here so I could ask you to join me on destroying Orcus.” Agazuul pleaded once more, and found his pleading unanswered.
“There are plenty here who would gladly join me and give their lives for such a cause. I should be careful in who lest rebels get ideas, but any one of them would be worth a hundred of those rookies you brought. Two more or less of them, what does it matter?” Lixiss asked Agazuul, it seemed a genuine question.
“Is that all that this is, a numbers game…” Agazuul started but stopped himself and thought.
“You’re not going to back down, no matter what, are you?”
“If it helps, I can help sell the lie that you fought with me endlessly about it. If it would put your mind at ease, we can even pretend that I’m the one who chose the names in the end. I’ll always know the truth of it and that’s enough.” Agazuul considered the words it was quite a while before he spoke but it was clear to Lixiss that he was weighing each and every one of his companions. No that isn’t right, he’s only weighing the rookies. Lixiss corrected her thought.
“I’ve come to a decision.” His words barely made their way past his lips.
“Good, you can tell the names to Gwyryn Hylarr. I've got business to catch up on and the impromptu dinner has already taken up too much of my time.” Lixiss said, her words cold and nonchalant. Agazuul sat back, the fight drained out of him.
Carl was capable of taking down one of my fierce warriors with a single spell, I remember his frost armor only giving protection and now it has offenses as well. He has grown. Lixiss reflected as she made her way down the hall just having given the command to Gwyryn to end whichever two names Agazuul puts forth. She met Qilynrae in a lounge room nearby, the door swung open allowing anyone to view her reading leisurely.
“May we speak, oh daughter of mine?” Lixiss asked.
“Of Course we can, Lixiss.” She pointed to an empty chair opposite hers.
“I take it Zo’Nuh has retreated to dark corners?”
“Yes, I must ask mother whether it is wise keeping such a creature close. I know only what I’ve learned through texts but if only half is true…can we trust her?” It was a weighted question, not one to be answered lightly.
“Her acts and actions are befitting those of her station. I can see your concern for her intelligence, but rest assured that her knowledge and interests seem to be inseparable. Zo’nuh Dro’seh would never act in any way that would keep her from the dungeons, she has so much to learn still and her hunger for esoteric knowledge is far greater than her ambition for power.”
“Yes I understand all of that, but what I don’t understand is why you’ve taken to elevating her above Z’resdryl Do’lyl? She put the Menatu guild at our disposal and was loyal.”
“She was weak and without blemish. Zo’nuh’s scars run deeper than skin and it has made her hardened and strong. The Menatu guild is one of the most important guilds to holding Myth’Ath’Areana and so with a weak leader it's like holding on to sand.”
“As you say mother, I was wondering if we could discuss something else as well…”
“You’ve taken a liking to Agazuul have you not?”
“It’s just the opportunity he provides…although there are qualities to him which I do find attractive.”
“I traveled with him for a long while and have not fallen for his stupendous advances, but if you have seen something I have not; I’d like for you to enlighten me.” Qilynrae considered that for a bit, waiving away several ideas that cropped up in her mind before deciding on what to push on.
“He’s an Ignigena, his blood is the fire of life. We’ve thought about the long war, where we would retake our birthright. We’ve not considered what the old words meant, the old words for sun and fire are one and the same.” Qilynrae paused before continuing.
“Borne all into darkness, cursed to despise sun’s kiss. They shall bear eyes of red, sun where heart should be. People of moon’s embrace shall walk the land of sun.” Qilynrae recited religiously.
“What if we’re wrong, what if its ‘fire where heart should be.’ We thought it was you reborn as you are now, but what if it’s a child of a union?” Qilynrae posited.
“You would lay with Agazuul?” Qilynrae blushed at the question, her skin darkening around her cheeks.
“That is what it would take, yes.” She answered, determined.
“You need not ask me, you’re free to do as you see fit oh daughter of mine.” Lixiss answered, making sure to keep her voice steady. Qilynrae took off, the book with her and cast a glance towards the dining hall before heading in the opposite direction. In her enthusiasm she had left the door open, Lixiss decided against perusing the bookshelves and instead headed straight out, she did have another council meeting with the guild heads and this time none would dare miss it. Lixiss cast a glance at the dining hall door, she saw Agazuul standing there endlessly staring forwards, his eyes shifting yellow to red. His eyes were open and saw nothing. What is it those of the sunrealm say? First the stick then the carrot.