Asha walked into the hall with the grace of an elven noble but with the attention of a soldier who had entered a warzone. The hall was big enough to fit a few hundred without getting crowded, but only a dozen guests waited at the other end. Yet, it didn’t look empty since dozens of servants waited at both sides of the entrance carpet holding all sorts of refreshments and napkins.

At the end of the hall, elven dignitaries and some Clows were engaged in an amiable though pointless discussion. Asha knew the latter was born into the ruling family because of their hair and eyes that came in all shades and tones of purple. Somehow, because of their craft, those… she better mind her thoughts, those rulers acquired the traits in the same color of soul essence. Though it was rare, one of them might be able to ‘perceive’ her thoughts.

Thankfully, Clow protocol didn’t demand them to arrive before the rulers, or else this would have been awkward. The pair walked the hall and bowed towards their hosts, Asha going a little lower.

“Greetings, Minister.” Ailen said while her daughter held the bow.

“Countess, Lady Asha.” The old man with sharp eyes returned the greeting. He stared deeply into Asha’s eyes as she straightened up.

Then, they turned to the elven group and bowed higher, though Ailen's bow looked nothing like a bow, more like a nod. Asha suppressed a laugh while the receiving party didn’t mind hiding a sneer.

“Countess.” The silver-haired elf with faint green eyes said in a tone of mockery. Since she forced him to start the greeting as the lower part should, he would remind Ailen of her current standing. However, contrary to what he expected she just returned the greeting stressing his position too.

“Ambassador.”

Asha wasn’t sure if their brief dispute was an act for the Clows, but their disdain towards each other was definitely real. An elder elf behind the Ambassador didn’t mind the proper protocol and just stepped forward.

“Ailen, as always, you look dashing… Dear Asha, let aunt Aynar see you. You seemed to have grown ever taller…” The woman’s disregard for formality somehow broke off the hostile situation.

Fortunately, the Minister didn’t seem to care either way. However, the boy and girl beside him seemed to find the whole exchange amusing. Then, the servants started moving, offering refreshments to the guests. Asha breathed a sigh of relief as she manage to use this as an excuse to escape from Aynar.

After that initial debacle, the meeting became uneventful. Ailen exchanged pleasantries with both the elves and the Clows but only superficial subjects, and Asha managed to escape to the balcony after dodging some useless questions. Breathing fresh air would help her resume the act and the silence was welcomed. Until the Minister decided to come to her. He was drinking a glass of red sparkling mystic drink and his expression… Well, the young elf wouldn’t dare to check his expression.

At this point, Asha realized that she had made a mistake. The time that she could escape impune from the conversing obligations had long passed, and she would pay for trying to do so. Even without looking at his face, she could understand his reasons for coming to her alone; he was here to pressure her and discover how far her gift had progressed.

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For the first time in years, the young elf missed being under the controlling presence of her mother. Deeming Ailen Treefehl as powerless would be foolish if not fatal, even the Clows wouldn’t press her too far without a really good reason. Her mother might be a hostage but royal blood still ran strong in her veins. Unfortunately, Asha had been caught alone, and judging by the carefreeness of the other party, nobody should be interrupting their exchange any time soon.

Each step of the old neuromancer made Asha’s heart skip a beat. Though she tried not to, she couldn’t help but look at him better. He was wearing a dark noble vest adorned by some silvery metal chains, naueri she guessed, and matching trousers. His hair was dark but with clear shades of purple, and his eyes followed the same pattern though in a lighter color. Asha could guess that his face had wrinkles and other signs of age, but she couldn’t ‘see’ it clearly. The Minister of foreign affairs was using a set of four or five purple crystal rings, which should help stabilize and amplify his craft, much like the naueri metal.

“You seem to have grown fairly and beautiful in this last year, Lady Asha.” He commented inquisitively. The elf had to rely on the guardrail to prevent herself from stepping back.

“Thank you for the compliment, Minister.” She limited her answer to a formal acknowledgment. The fewer words she used the less likely she would fall into a trap.

“It’s just the truth… It’s brighter and greener, your… eyes.” He said as Asha started to feel dizzy. The enchanting voice continued:

“I wonder, how far can you… reach? What can you feel?” The Minister’s eyes shined discreetly, as did his chains and rings.

Asha’s vision blurred as her soul spread reaching through the floors and ground below them, and then towards the nearest trees.

“I feel… the garden, the trees, the roots the travel further below… the plantations, nurturing crops… the wild green surrounding the Seat…” She muttered while losing control over the craft and herself.

“Can you reach further, pass the woods, into Elvyhn?” He compelled.

The elf struggled, seemingly exerting herself past her limits.

“What?” Asha returned to herself, confused and panting. She realized what happened and couldn’t say another word. Her legs were shaking, she couldn’t fathom the consequences of having the dept of her gift laid bare for the Clows to see. Pointlessly, she looked around trying to find a path of escape.

“You don’t need to panic, girl. Since your power isn’t enough to reach the elves, you’re not a risk… Still, we should get someone to ‘help’ you understand your depth better… Yana!” The Minister said disdainfully before commanding.

“Yes, uncle.” A girl with light purple hair appeared out of a place Asha hadn’t noticed, making the elf more desperate.

“You will follow Lady Asha and the Countess back to their small town. A trip to the borderlands should do you good. While there, I’m sure Lady Asha would appreciate some help learning more about her gift.” He proclaimed while leaving.

The scared elf barely managed to look up to Yana, who gave her a surprisingly non-threatening nod before also exiting the balcony. She felt lost and ashamed. Her will and craft had been violated. Asha could now understand the power of the Clow and the dread they inspired. The history of their nation finally made sense, the reason why clans and Kingdoms had bowed down to invading foreigners, either giving them sizable territories or just downright submitting.

‘What have I done?’, Asha cried to herself. It would have been better if the Minister had labeled her a threat and enprisoned her on the spot. But no, her moment of weakness and neglect had invited the enemy right to their doorstep. And she wouldn’t be the one footing the bill, her parents, the town, and probably the bookstore would be the ones entering the Clows’ aim.

Once the Clow overseer got to Mountainend, a lot would be at risk. Everyone who crossed her path might be destroyed. Her father’s plans would be crushed, and if discovered, he would be charged with treason. Even the bookstore which had little to do with the Clows might end up on their hands. All because she didn’t play her cards right.

Back in the hall, Ailen had been too entranced by the Minister’s wife's story to notice Asha’s absence, until the girl returned visibly disturbed. Without waiting for others to notice, she hurried to her daughter’s side and tried to calm the girl.

“Mother, I… I made a mistake, a terrible mistake…”