The Forsaken Hero

Just as R’lissea said, there was no other explanation. Lord Splitbark sat upon his throne, lounging with his chin resting on one hand. He was an ancient, wrinkled man with long white hair and rich green robes with stark white trim. Younger elves shifted around him, readying parchment, serving refreshments, or staring at us and whispering together. But to his side, seated in a small pavilion of their own, was a party of inquisitors. And at their head were two men whose faces I dreaded seeing, who made my tail curl and heart tremble. Lord Evlon and Father Ithris. The two survivors of Blacksand.

”It’s...not possible,” R’lissea whispered.

I nodded, but couldn’t find my voice. Some part of me suspected this might happen, though I didn’t know if it was from a vision I no longer remembered, or just the knowledge that nothing we ever did could be easy.

”Do you know them?” Korra asked, eyes narrowed at the party in white.

R’lissea nodded, gritting her teeth. ”They’re the ones who caused everything in Blacksand. They massacred the city and freed the dragons! They’re the reason Connor’s unleashed the Risen!”

They spoke in low, murmured voices, so that even Selena didn’t seem to hear. But Elise turned sharply.

”Quiet. Let me do the talking,” she fiercely whispered.

For a moment, I wondered whether she’d seen them or if she recognized them. But as we waited for someone to announce us, her knees quivered, and she kept her arms at her sides, fingers clenched to hide their tremor. There was no doubt she knew.

Two elves stood in the center of the arena-like chamber. The first, Aerion, offered us a smile. The other was another old elf with silver hair and a green formal tunic. He cleared his throat, gesturing toward us.

”I present Lady Lastlight, envoy of the demons, and her companions.”

Elise took a breath and strode forward, joining Aerion. After letting her get a slight lead, Selena followed, the rest of us trailing in her wake. We formed a small semicircle facing the Tribunal. I stayed in the back, half-hiding behind Korra, gripping my skirt tightly. My tail twitched in agitation, but I resisted the urge to grab it, afraid that would cause even more of a disturbance.

The other elf, the one who had announced us, nodded at Aerion and then stepped aside, hovering by the doorway.

”Lords and Lady,” Aerion said, addressing the Tribunal. ”I thank you for humoring my request to grant an audience to Lady Lastlight. You’ve already heard my report of the grievous state of our borders, and the threat of Risen and Demons.”

”So you’ve brought us a solution,” a strong, feminine voice said from the Whitemarsh pavilion.

”Indeed, I have, Lady Whitemarsh,” Aerion replied. ”And one with terms most favorable for us. But I shan’t pretend to speak for them. Only one in this world has the authority to negotiate for the infernal hordes. Please, though she is a human, please pay attention to Lady Lastlight.”

He stepped aside with a flourish, giving Elise a slight nudge forward. She gave us a last, nervous look before taking the front and looking around at the gathered elves. Many wore frowns, and more than a few of the older elves did nothing to hide their disapproving looks.

”Thank you for your time, esteemed Lords and Ladies,” she said, letting her gaze rest on the three pavilions to the front. ”I’ve heard many stories of the wisdom and courage of the decisions made in this sacred grove, but never did I dream to step foot and speak here myself. I hope that you’ll–”

”Enough with the pleasantries,” a harsh, snide man said.

Elise flinched, turning to him. The elf sat upon a throne in the third pavilion, Lord Ellenwinter himself. The elf was the youngest of the tribunal, barely halfway into his eleventh century. He wore royal purple, with a fur-lined cape and eyes that glittered with disdain.

”Well? We’re well aware of your proposal already, whore of the north. Just spit it out and be done,” he continued.

A gasp sounded around the audience chamber, every elf, including the Lord’s own retinue, turning to stare at him. He accepted their attention with a strong jaw and a proud look in his eye, and slowly, the elves returned their gaze to Elise. She wavered under their eyes, taking a small step back, her lower lip quivering. I wanted to run to her, to stand in front of her, but my feet were rooted to the wooden floor. Whore...of the north? That was...they couldn’t mean...

”Xiviyah!” Selena hissed.

I jumped at her voice, realizing my aura had begun to slip. Gold tendrils of stars, like the arms of the Milky Way of my old world, had snaked across the arena. They were subtle enough to avoid attracting anyone’s gaze, but if they reached the elves...I bit my lip, restraining it, and looked at the inquisitors. A lump grew in my throat as I found Lord Evlon staring directly at me, lips curved in a smile.

The inquisitors...it had to be them. They’d already poisoned the elves against us!

”I...it’s not...” Elise bowed her head, gripping the hem of her sleeves.

”Lord Ellenwinter,” Lady Whitemarsh said, giving him a disapproving frown. ”Lady Lastlight has come here with dignity and respect. It’s unbecoming of one of your stature to degrade her as such.”

”Respect? Her very presence taints this sacred ground,” Lord Ellenwinter grumbled.

”Please, order,” Lord Splitbark called. ”Lady Lastlight, if you would continue.”

Elise took a deep breath, finding her voice again. It wavered this time, but she spoke clearly. ”The demons have every intention of destroying this forest. They hunger for your shards and soul, and will stop at nothing until they’ve rooted out every tree and slaughtered every warrior. They did this to the Ingrid Alliance, Uthra Kingdom, Brithlite, and countless others.”

”You’ve come to us with threats?” Lord Ellenwinter asked.

”No, but the truth. If you face the demons, you will be crushed like the rest. But Blacksand chose the alternative. They surrendered to the horde, offering up their shards and land for the demons to claim. In return, their cities, villages, and even farms were spared. They will continue, changed but alive, after the demons have left this world behind. I’ve obtained an even more favorable condition for you if you accept. Surrender to the demons, and they’ll spare not only your people but your shards.”

”What exactly do you mean by ’surrender?’” Lady Whitemarsh asked, leaning forward intently.

Elise shot me a look, and I nodded.

”You will swear your lands to the demons, covenant to never strike or retaliate against their hordes, and remove the church’s influence from among your people.”

Her words were met with silence. Not thoughtful, or contemplative, but shocked. The air trembled with the force of a hundred auras, from the weakest noble, here to observe and nothing more, to the powerful guards simmering on the edge of the amphitheater. They were conditions Luke had given me when we spoke, and he agreed to spare their shards. But I couldn’t understand the reaction. Weren’t they infinitely better than dying?

”What say you, Lord Evlon?” Lord Splitbark asked, turning to the party of inquisitors.

The High Inquisitor snorted, one of the only people in the room who showed no concern for what Elise had just said. ”A foolish proposition. Who could trust the word of a demon? I was there, in Blacksand, and personally witnessed the ’negotiation.’ Before even coming to the table, the demons had slaughtered multiple cities, staining their boots red with the blood of over a hundred thousand. But they forced the mighty empire to bend with the rather...suspicious release of two sealed ninth-level dragons. Don’t be fooled by her pitiful appearance and generous offer. This tainted princess carries only filth and deceit. What else would you expect from one appointed by demons?”

His words were met with strong nods of approval and a smattering of applause. Lord Evlon relaxed, motioning for a servant, who brought him a glass of wine. He watched over the rim as he drank, smirking as the swish of my tail only grew more agitated.

”That’s...not what happened,” Elise said unsteadily. She looked around, shifting her weight nervously as it became apparent that not a single elf seemed to know the truth. ”It was the church that murdered the refugees the demon had spared. They released the dragon in a bid to convince the empire to fight to the end, exactly what they’re trying to do for you.”

”Lies,” Lord Evlon said calmly. ”The gods have sacrificed much for this world. I speak with confidence when I say they would never turn on it.”

”Does that include its people?” Korra muttered under her breath.

If anyone heard her, they gave no such indication, save for Selena, who shot her a glare.

Clearing her throat, Elise said, ”Surely you have communication with the Blacksand Empire. It would be a simple matter to call their diplomat and confirm the truth.”

A chill ran down my spine as Lord Evlon’s lips curved in a grin. ”An excellent idea. Have you any word from Blacksand?”

Lord Splitbark frowned, scratching his cheek. ”I’m afraid the Blacksand Embassy is currently vacant. We were expecting an ambassador to arrive sometime last week, but we’ve heard no word.”

”A pity.” Lord Evlon’s sneer made it clear he thought it was anything but that. ”I do hope they didn’t meet any unfortunate circumstances. The roads are dangerous these days, no thanks to the demons that hold your chains.”