The Forsaken Hero

Time stood still. All of my watching friends, Aerion’s raised eyebrow, and the maids’ intentional distraction faded into the warmth and relief of being nestled in Selena’s arms. The tears didn’t stop, not violent cries, but a gentle sob that shook my shoulders. She rubbed the back of my head, holding me close with a hand on my back.

”You’ve grown taller,” she said, ”And a lot more...timid. You used to hate it when I patted your head. And your face...it’s more mature. More sad.”

”I-I wasn’t a child,” I sniffled.

”No, not anymore. But you were. So young and naive, unaware of the suffering your path held. I used to admire that hope,” she murmured, giving a slight shake of her head. ”And now you’re what, fifteen, sixteen?”

It was probably closer to twenty, given my head start in my previous life, but those years hardly felt relevant. Until a few months ago, I would have given anything to be back in the streets. At least there, when someone hurt me, they gave me a full meal and a warm place to sleep for the night.

”Your eyes don’t shine like they used to. I can feel the weight of the burdens you carry just from your hug. It’s been a long, hard few years, hasn’t it? I wish I could have been there for you,” she said.

Selena’s hands rested on my shoulders, guiding me away from her bosom to arm’s length so that she could look me in the eye.

”But there’s so much more to you now, too. Where there was once naivety of the horrors of this world, there is courage to face it. And that hope has become resolution. You walk your own path now, free of chains and the tyranny of the gods.”

I looked at her, my vision still blurred by tears, but a different warmth began to spread through me—not just the comfort of her embrace, but something lighter, like sunlight finally breaking through clouds, or a bubble rising in a turbulent sea. She’d found every burden, every shadow, and every scar I carried with a single hug and thrown it all back at me. And yet...I didn’t feel them. To speak of freedom, and yet not feel the chaffing of the chains. To mention hope, yet not the dread left behind after it was stolen from me. Was this what R’lissea had spoken about? Was this what it was like to heal?

I sniffled again, rubbing my eyes with my sleeve. Then, I threw my arms around Selena again, hugging her tightly. She moved back half a step, absorbing the impact with a softness that enveloped me, washing the last of my restraint away. I started to cry in earnest, melting in her arms.

”But despite all that, you’re still the little hero I loved. Sweet and gentle,” she said, caressing my back. ”That part of you has never changed.”

”Forgive me, Archmage, but you know Xiviyah?” R’lissea asked curiously.

Selena smiled. ”She was my final pupil at the Divine Throne, before I made the decision to...retire.”

Aerion snorted. ”And here I thought you fled here after they tried to execute you.”

She shot him a glare before smoothing her face over. ”Regardless, we spent a lot of time together, training and studying. I watched her cast her first spell.”

”She gave me my staff, too,” I said.

”Really? I’d heard someone stole it, but to think it was the archmage,” R’lissea said thoughtfully.

”I don’t know what I would have done without you and Thron,” I admitted quietly.

She regarded me thoughtfully. ”I do. You grew a few inches, broke into eighth level, and if I heard right, defeated a pair of ninth-level dragons.”

My face warmed, and I quickly looked away, content to keep my face hidden against her robe.

”It wasn’t just me...” I mumbled, tail flicking.

”Of course it wasn’t. No one’s supposed to do things alone.”

At last, Selena released the embrace and guided me to a couch beneath a window overlooking the city. The cushions were soft and plush, reminding me of the couches in the Library of Light at the Divine Throne. The rest of my companions found seats as well, save for Fyren, who leaned against the doorframe, arms folded, eyes narrowed at Aerion. The Star Guard assumed a vigil, keeping watch from the window, the stairs, and the corner of the room.

”Come, Xiviyah. Tell me everything. What happened to you after the trial, and however did you end up with a horde of demons?” Selena asked.

As she questioned me on everything from Lord Byron to Luke, Selena waved at one of the servants. The maid slipped into a side passage, returning with a tray of porcelain mugs. She pressed one into my hands, the porcelain warm against my palms. It was steaming lightly, smelling of lavender with a touch of freshly trimmed grass. I took an experimental sip and blinked, taken by the pungent flavor.

”Wellspring tea,” Selena commented, taking a mug for herself.

R’lisesa accepted one eagerly, followed by Korra, who gave it a suspicious sniff.

”It’s strong,” I murmured, taking another sip. ”But...good. Like a breath of fresh air.”

Every sip sent warmth seeping through my limbs, reinvigorating my muscles and washing the exhaustion away. Even the ache in my legs from climbing the tower faded away, replaced by a hazy hum.

”Archmage,” Korra said, sipping her tea. ”Why was Lord Greenpine so...”

”Inhospitable? And please, call me Selena. Archmage is more of a position than a title, and I’d rather leave formalities for those I hate.”

”Right. We spoke once before, when the Last Light Company first arrived in the area, and he was receptive, if a bit wary. But this time, it felt like he was trying to get rid of us. Doesn’t he care what would happen to his people?”

Selena sighed, setting her mug aside and leaning back against the couch. ”The words he spoke were not of himself, but of the Verdant Tribunal.”

”The Tribunal?” R’lissea asked. ”But why would they interfere?”

I frowned, thinking back to everything R’lissea had told us of Sylvarus. The Verdant Tribunal was the governing council, taking the place of a king or emperor. Supposedly, it was formed of the oldest, wisest, and most powerful elves, doing all things with perfect unity.

”A rider arrived yesterday. He wore no colors, but I recognized his soul from the Ellenwinter guard. He bore a sealed message for the lord, ” Aerion supplied helpfully.

”Hmm, Ellenwinter,” Selena’s lips twisted distastefully. ”A rotten branch on a rotten tree. What could the tribunal possibly be thinking?”

She didn’t elaborate on what she meant. Ellenwinter had to be one of the Tribunal members, but what about the rotten tree? Could Selena be referring to the whole kingdom, or just the noble house?

”Why would your rulers reject help in a time like this?” Korra asked.

Selena’s face darkened. ”That’s what I don’t know. I’m here on special assignment to study the Risen and find out if they have any weaknesses. Personally, I suspect it was to get me out of the capital. They’ve been growing suspicious of my sway and attempts to consolidate power.”

A shiver ran down my tail. ”What does it mean to be an archmage, exactly?”

”As I said, it’s a position, not a reference to strength or noble blood,” she said.

Aerion yawned. ”Oh, quite it with the humility. The Archmage is the most powerful and experienced mage in the lands. They’re guaranteed a spot in whatever circle they wish, from the military to the Verdant Tribunal’s inner councils.”

”Really? You’re that strong?” I asked, eyes shining.

Selena chuckled. ”I suppose so. No other elvish mage stands on the threshold of the ninth level.”

I stared up at her in shock. Ninth? She was obviously eighth now, but how much dedication and focus must she have to be so close to the apex of Enusia? The thought sent a thrill through me, and I had to bite my tongue to keep from asking more. There would be time for that later.

”But the fact stands, we’re uncertain why the Tribunal would wish to force you out,” Selena said. ”But the truth is, I doubt it matters. Greenpine is cautious, but he’s not stupid. If your friend is any good at negotiating, he’ll have no problem allowing you to stay and recover from your journey, and perhaps contribute to the defense a little longer. He’s a rather reasonable fellow, I assure you.”

Korra rolled her eyes. ”So I keep hearing, but that doesn’t change how quick he was to insult Xiviyah. No one gets away with treating her like that.”

”What? What did he say?” Selena asked sharply.

”Filthblood,” R’lissea murmured. Her eyes widened as she noticed us staring, and the trembling in my tail, and she clapped her hands over her mouth. ”S-sorry, it just slipped out.”

Selena pursed her lips. ”Filthblood, huh? Not a slur we typically rely on. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I heard an elf use it. It’s just not in our vernacular.”

”Smells like the inquisitors,” Korra muttered. ”They’re a poison everywhere they go. Trust me, I was one of them.”