Ebonheim woke early the next morning, stirred by the sound of rustling leaves and birds chirping to announce the dawn's arrival. As she stirred, she felt Serrandyl stir as well, her feline ears twitching as she let out a soft growl before settling again. With a stretch and a yawn, Ebonheim blinked away the sleep in her eyes and lifted herself onto her elbows before sitting up with a groan.

Serrandyl lifted her head and rubbed at her eyes before letting out a small yawn herself. "Good morning," she said with a raspy voice.

Ebonheim nodded in response and stifled another yawn behind her hand before standing up and brushing the stray blades of grass and leaves off her clothes. As she did, she noticed Aelindra and Ivera standing by, waiting for the two of them to get up.

"Good morning!" Ivera chirped, her leafy wings fluttering in excitement as she glided closer to the two of them. "Did you sleep well?"

Ebonheim smiled as she nodded to Ivera. "I did."

Serrandyl grumbled something inarticulate and laid back down on the ground with a huff, hugging her bag close as though she were trying to shield herself from the cold. "Ugh," she moaned, "I dreamt that I was being chased by harpies. Harpies are sca-" A loud snore interrupted her as her eyes fluttered shut again, and she drifted back to sleep.

Ebonheim snorted and shook her head at Serrandyl's antics. She had certainly been rather talkative during their journey to the gathering. But ever since the lords had arrived, she had been uncharacteristically quiet, despite her earlier bravado. Maybe she sensed their unfriendly aura and chose to be on her best behavior?

"Hey!" Ivera waved at Serrandyl with a huff, "No more sleeping!"

Serrandyl didn't respond, but she rolled onto her back with a loud snore, prompting Ivera to let out an exasperated huff. "Nope," Ivera said as she floated off to join Aelindra, "I'm not dealing with this one."

Aelindra chuckled as she watched Serrandyl's sleeping form from a distance and shrugged. "Let her rest," she said to Ivera.

With Serrandyl asleep again, Ebonheim stretched and lumbered towards Aelindra and Ivera before settling down on the soft grass beside them. "So, how long do you think we have to wait?" she asked.

Aelindra shrugged as she let out a small sigh and gazed at the sky above them. "I don't know," she admitted with a soft groan, "I never had the chance to attend one."

Ebonheim nodded and leaned back, placing her arms behind her as she gazed up at the sky. The morning sun had yet to crest over the horizon, and the sky above was still dark, but the stars had vanished, and the last traces of the moon were fading away into the dawn's light.

As she watched the sky transform from a dark indigo to a deep blue with puffs of white clouds against a backdrop of rich sapphire hues, a soft rustling drew her attention to a curtain of willow fronds, gently parting to reveal the silhouette of a creature stepping into the hallowed light.

Standing taller than the mightiest stag she'd ever seen, the newcomer possessed a grace that silenced even the birds' morning chorale in pure reverence.

Its head, framed by a flowing, ethereal mane that glows like a constellation in the night sky, is adorned with a pair of golden antlers. The antlers twist and turn, reaching out like the branches of an ancient tree, adorned with leaves and flowers of pure jade that glimmer in the sunlight.

Light from the burgeoning dawn caught upon an opalescent horn spiraling from its forehead, creating a dazzling display of colors that resembled a rainbow forged into an ethereal blade. The creature had the overall form of a stag, its body etched with lean muscles that hummed with a quiet, yet profound strength. Yet, it was enveloped in iridescent dragon scales, shimmering under the soft morning light.

Its hide was a living painting, deep emerald green and gold melding together at the crest of its back in a stunning mimicry of sunlight through leaves. The creature's sides shone with silver, while its underbelly softened to an earthy brown, all reflections of the forest's myriad hues. Its mane and tail flowed like water, shifting and twinkling with iridescent hues that reflected the spectrum of the dawn.

Awe-struck, Ebonheim watched as the glow of the creature's azure hooves illuminated the verdant field. A shroud of early morning mist wreathed around its legs as if the Eldergrove itself reached out to caress its guest.

As she watched, the creature's head turned towards her, and its eyes met hers—ancient and serene, they shone with a silver-blue light, like liquid moonlight. A silent moment passed between the Ebonheim and the newcomer, their eyes locked together for a drawn-out beat as she stared back into the creature's ethereal gaze.

Then, with an elegant dip of its head, as if acknowledging her presence, the newcomer strode past her with a soft wreath of mist in its wake, its azure hooves clopping against the ground as it approached Elmsworth's and the other lords' side and lowered its head to greet him.

"Nillen." Calyxia let out a soft hiss, but there was none of her usual venom in her tone. "We've been waiting for you."

Nillen acknowledged Calyxia with a simple nod before his gaze wandered towards Ebonheim's party, lingering for a moment longer on Ebonheim before shifting his attention to the others. "It's been a while." He addressed Elmsworth. His voice, when it came, was as melodious as the bubbling brooks, harmonizing with the surrounding birdsong. He turned towards Liselotte. "And we're all here now."

Calyxia's tail flicked lazily behind her while Liselotte sauntered towards Nillen, her wings flaring out wide before she folded them again as she planted herself next to him. "You're the last to arrive this time. How unusual."

Nillen cast a look at Liselotte before nodding towards the other lords in greeting, ignoring the harpy queen's antics. "Indeed."

Calyxia huffed and rose from her spot beside Elmsworth and slithered over to Nillen with a scowl on her face. "Let's begin. I don't want to be here longer than I have to."

"What's the matter, gorgon?" Liselotte chuckled as she circled around the both of them, her gaze drifting over to Calyxia's crown of writhing serpents. "Eager to lose the game again so you can return to your little den to cry yourself into a stupor?"

Calyxia's serpents hissed at Liselotte and turned their gaze on Nillen, as though expecting him to admonish her.

Instead, he spoke calmly, his tone even as he addressed Calyxia. "Now, now," he said to her in a gentle voice. "Don't let her rile you up."

Calyxia flicked her tail with a low hiss. "Let me remind you," she said to Nillen in a harsh whisper as she leaned close to him and narrowed her eyes at him, "That the last loss was entirely your fault. If you'd been paying attention, she wouldn't have been able to—"

Liselotte let out a cackle and jumped in between the two of them with an obnoxious clap of her taloned hands. "Well, now," she said, "Don't be such a sore loser. I won fair and square."

"You let me have your dice!" Calyxia snapped back as she attempted to shove Liselotte out of the way with her tail. "I'm sure you did something to tamper with them."

Liselotte stepped back with an amused smirk on her lips as she dodged Calyxia's attempts to push her away before sidestepping to Nillen's side again. "Did I?" she asked in a sing-song voice as she cast a sidelong glance at Nillen. "I have no recollection of such a thing."

Nillen let out a soft sigh before glancing back at Ebonheim and the others who had now gathered around to watch the lords bicker. He approached Ebonheim with a steady stride and greeted her with a gentle dip of his head. "I greet the goddess that has come to reside in these parts," he said in a voice as serene as a warm breeze, "Ebonheim, was it? I am Nillen, the lord of the eastern quadrant of the vale."

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Ebonheim met his gaze with an impassive stare before nodding in acknowledgment. "I greet the lord of the east," she said in a low voice and a reverent bow, "I am Ebonheim, goddess of the village bearing my name."

Nillen dipped his head again in acknowledgment before turning his attention back to the other lords. "Shall we begin?" he asked, his voice loud enough to cut through the bickering. "Or are you all too caught up in your little squabble to pay attention?"

Calyxia hissed and shot Liselotte another glare before gliding back to her spot next to Elmsworth. "Let's."

Elmsworth, who had been silent all this time, raised his head and addressed the gathering. "We have all arrived," he said, his voice ringing out loud and clear in the grove. "And now, we begin. First...," he paused before turning his head towards the rest of the lords. "Ebonheim will be participating in our gathering for the first time. Due to her contribution to averting the disaster wrought by the Elemental Conflux, I have declared her as a lord of the valley, equal in standing to the rest of us who bear the responsibility of protecting this vale."

Liselotte clapped and let out a low whistle, grinning mischievously as she flashed Ebonheim a wink. "That's wonderful!" she said as she raised her talons to her forehead in a salute. "A goddess among us! What a fortuitous turn of events."

Calyxia gave Liselotte a sour look but said nothing, instead narrowing her eyes as she watched Ebonheim with a cold stare.

Nillen's gaze wandered over to Ebonheim with a note of surprise before he gave her a small nod and let out a soft hum of acknowledgment. "Indeed," he said, his eyes searching hers before turning back to the others, "she has served well. If the Conflux had been allowed to progress further, we would have suffered great losses."

Ebonheim suppressed a shiver at the reminder of the Conflux and offered the lords a slight nod of thanks before turning back to Elmsworth again. "Will my presence affect anything?" she asked.

Elmsworth shook his head. "Not at all," he said, his gaze solemn as he looked her way again. "We will be discussing matters pertinent to the valley. For your sake, and theirs, I would recommend listening carefully to what is said."

Ebonheim nodded again. "I will."

----------------------------------------

For the rest of the day, the gathering proceeded without any fanfare or extravagance. Aside from the occasional quip by Liselotte or a disdainful hiss from Calyxia, the lords maintained a sober demeanor as they discussed the state of the valley and their respective lands.

Serrandyl eventually woke up from her slumber and joined them, albeit in a sullen mood as she slinked around and huddled close to Ebonheim as though to avoid Liselotte's attention. Ebonheim watched on, remaining quiet most of the time while occasionally asking questions to clarify certain matters.

"The Kungwans have encroached upon my territory this past month," Calyxia said with a low hiss, "Ever since Kelzryn's 'disappearance,' they've begun to grow bold and foolish."

Liselotte let out a snort as she folded her wings back behind her and leaned forward with a scowl. "That old wyrm is hardly 'missing,' you know," she said with a derisive click of her tongue. "He's probably gone off to spread his influence or search for some lost treasure."

Ebonheim raised her hand to forestall any further arguments from the two and turned to Calyxia, who was glowering at Liselotte, her serpents hissing angrily. "Who or what exactly is Kelzryn?"

Calyxia blinked before turning her gaze to Ebonheim and waved a dismissive hand in Liselotte's direction. "Kelzryn is the lord of the southwestern part of this valley," she said in a blunt voice. "We're not allied with him, but he's never done us any harm."

Liselotte clicked her tongue again before turning to Ebonheim with an amused smirk and said, "Kelzryn is an elder dragon, one of the four ancient dragons that still exist in this world...or so I've been told by Elmsworth. Isn't that right?"

Elmsworth dipped his head in acknowledgment. "Correct," he said in a calm, measured voice, "Kelzryn is a dragon whose age and power eclipse even mine. Although he does not see eye to eye with us on certain matters, he has never been hostile towards us."

"A dragon?" Ebonheim asked in disbelief. A dragon?! Where has she heard that word before—Bjorn and Thorsten mentioned it once or twice when they shared tales from their homeland, Engin mentioned it during one of his history lessons, and a few storytellers in her village weaved tales of dragons in their performances for the children.

Serrandyl, who had been quietly watching on with wide eyes, tugged on Ebonheim's sleeve to draw her attention before whispering in her ear, "What's a dragon?"

Ebonheim blinked and shook her head. "I...I'll tell you later," she said to Serrandyl with a whisper before turning back to Elmsworth again. "Then why does Calyxia think he's missing?"

Liselotte let out a chuckle as she shifted her wings and leaned back with a casual air. "Well, you see," she said, "the old wyrm hasn't been attending our gatherings for the past ten years or so. None of us know what happened to him." She glanced at Calyxia and flashed her a mischievous smirk, her eyes narrowing in an appraising gaze as she watched Calyxia's reaction to her words. "I'm sure that if Calyxia did, she'd have said so by now."

Calyxia's serpents hissed at Liselotte again before twining around her neck.

Ignoring the serpents' hisses, Liselotte shrugged and waved her wing dismissively. "But as far as the Kungwans go, since my territory is the farthest away from theirs, I'll leave them to you."

"I would have dealt with them long ago if they were not so favored by Kelzryn," Calyxia hissed at Liselotte. "He was the one that let those damnable frog-beasts nest in the valley, despite my objection. Now I have to deal with their harassment on top of everything."

Ebonheim leaned back, observing Calyxia's tail, which had been twitching and flicking in annoyance ever since she had spoken Kelzryn's name. As though feeling her gaze, Calyxia glanced at Ebonheim and narrowed her eyes at her before she turned away again with a huff.

While Calyxia continued to fuss about her problems with the Kungwans, Elmsworth watched the exchange with an impassive expression, his silence only breaking when Nillen addressed him again with a question about the forest's resources.

A few more hours passed as they continued to discuss matters in the clearing. Some points were contentious, such as Calyxia's claims that the Kungwans were encroaching on her territory. Other points, such as Nillen's concerns about the state of his forest's flora and fauna, were far more mundane.

Aelindra chimed in to recount her ordeal with the magitech device that had corrupted her mind. Ivera added her own experience, describing how the dryad's grove had been changed and warped by its influence. Aelindra's tale of how she had been enslaved by the device until Ebonheim saved her was listened to with somber silence by all present.

Nillen gazed at Ebonheim and gave her a small nod of appreciation speaking again after a moment of silence. "Have you found out more about the origin of the device, or who planted it into Aelindra?"

That device was still kept locked within her strongbox, underneath the floorboard of her now-abandoned hut. She had asked Engin briefly about his knowledge of magitech, but the elder knew little about them. He did mention that the best person to ask would be an Artificer, or to ask Roderick the next time he visited. Even asking the Akashic System had been met with silence, but she still hoped to discover more about the device at some point.

Ebonheim shook her head. "I haven't," she admitted with a heavy sigh, "I wish I could tell you more."

Nillen nodded and lowered his gaze before speaking again, his tone sympathetic as he said, "I understand," before turning back to the others. "Let us be vigilant against any group of strange beings that may lurk within the valley. If they have the means to corrupt spiritual beings such as Aelindra, then we are all at risk."

Elmsworth nodded in agreement. "Indeed," he said, "we must remain wary and cautious."

Liselotte clicked her tongue again and drew herself to her full height with a huff, spreading her wings wide in a dramatic display of agitation. "If I find even an inkling of these vermin prowling in my domain, I'll eviscerate them and feed them to my flock. I swear this!"

Calyxia gave Liselotte a condescending smirk before snickering. "Oh, sure. It's all talk and no action."

Liselotte shot Calyxia an icy glare as she bared her fangs at her, her pupils narrowing into slits as she hissed, "You'll eat those words."

Calyxia coiled her tail around her body, a challenge gleaming in her eyes. "And you'll choke on them," she said with a low chuckle, her serpents hissing and slithering around her head in response.

More discussions followed, with Calyxia and Liselotte engaging in verbal jabs with one another while Nillen tried to keep them in check. Elmsworth remained silent, occasionally addressing the others with a few words, but overall, he chose to observe rather than intervene.

Eventually, the sun began to set again, painting the sky in a brilliant array of purples and crimson hues as it descended past the horizon, leaving only the twilight to cast a subdued light over the clearing.

Liselotte yawned and let out a low groan before rising to her feet with an audible crack as she stretched her wings out wide again, letting the last rays of light caress her feathers. "Well," she said as she folded her wings back again, "Now that the boring stuff is done with, I'm going to find something to eat. See you at the game tomorrow."

With that, she leapt into the air and fluttered her wings before taking off into the darkening sky with a thunderous gust of wind and scattering leaves in her wake—prompting Serrandyl to cling to Ebonheim.

Ebonheim blinked and looked up at Elmsworth. "What about these games?"

Elmsworth dipped his head again and gave Ebonheim a smile. "Every year, we play a game that the humans have invented." He glanced over to Nillen and gave him a small nod before turning back to Ebonheim again. "To make things more...interesting, we wager portions of our domain against one another. The winner gets claim over whatever they desire within the losers' domain. However, since you are new to this gathering, we will only wager for minor goods or services...this time around."

That's...unexpected—A bunch of powerful beings wagering away their territories in a game? How do they do this? How do they keep track of who has what territory and how big each territory is?

"Um..." She made an uneasy smile as she glanced at Elmsworth again and asked, "Can I opt out of it?"