227: Gift

Alira took the seat directly in front of the pot, immediately helping herself to it, while the royal family stood off to the side, looking incredibly uncomfortable and still not sitting down.

“Please come take a seat as well,” I gestured to them.

“Please don’t stand on my account,” Alira said, picking up the first piece of crab and holding it to her mouth.

It was strange watching her eat, because it wasn’t like others. Even though I knew that Lily consumed the mana in a food item, she still physically ate the food, while Alira just placed the item to her lips where it then started to disintegrate, forming a powder that glowed slightly before being consumed.

The royal family listened to Alira and took their seats at the table, though again, Kathrine, Luis and Elijah all sat at the far end as far away as possible, while Marcus and Amber, although they sat closer, still sat on the opposite side of Milo and Hari, putting some distance between them.

Huling looked like she wanted to say something, but stopped before she got the sentence out. I assumed Sylverith had said something to her.

“This dish is delicious!” she said happily.

I nodded, agreeing with that, though I suspected we had different reasons.

“The fire mana is so unique. It even has the flavour of the food infused into the mana. I’ve not had that before,” she said, ignoring everything else.

“Alira dear, I’ll need your help later,” Sylverith began.

“You’re stuck with her. I’ll not help you,” Alira said, pointing at Lily with a giant smirk.

Lily let out a loud growl that sent a shiver up my spine and had Clifford looking pale.

“No, Lily is fine with Trevor. What I need your assistance with is Banawa approaching the capital due to the same pulse that got your attention,” Sylverith explained.

“Oh, that old thing woke up?” Alira raised an eyebrow.

“I can assist as well,” Morlin spoke up.

Alira did a double take at Morlin. “I didn’t notice you, but you seem familiar. Do I know you?”

A grin spread across Morlin’s face. “We’ve met, though it would have been several centuries ago now.”

Alira looked to Sylverith, who just shrugged. “I have questions too, but now’s not the time.”

“I’m just a silent observer, though that mana pulse has done more than disturb old powers. It’s disrupted the demons’ war, and I would very much like to see the demon disagreement resolved,” Morlin said, taking another small tart from the far end of the table.

“Disagreement? They have been killing us for generations!” Marcus said, finding his voice.

“Yes, disagreement. Much history has been lost. They were not always your enemy,” Morlin said, looking at Marcus.

“And much doesn’t need to be repeated,” Sylverith added bitterly.

There was silence amongst the group as Marcus seemed to digest what was said, and I’m sure far more would be said if a different group were telling him, but it was hard to disagree with creatures and people who likely witnessed it firsthand.

Marcus shook his head. “They have never tried to talk to us before.”

Morlin scoffed. “They used to be your allies. Read this.”

A book was pulled out of his robe pocket that I swear was not there before, and it looked remarkably similar to the Demonic Invasion? And Who Started It. The very same book that I had in my own collection.

The silence that came over the group was broken by Liane. “Well, that turned awkward quickly.”

This seemed to send Huling into laughter. “I like this one.”

Marcus didn’t waste any time as he started to read the book he was handed immediately.

Taking the opportunity and not wanting to keep Clifford here looking terrified any longer, “Alira, we should head over and see the statue Clifford and Crisplet made. It’s fantastic.”

Looking up from the crab that was disintegrating in her hand, she had a giant grin.

“Yes! Let’s!” she said excitedly.

“Lily, could you take Clifford, Crisplet and me there?” I asked.

I didn’t even get out of my chair before Kathrine rose to her feet, speaking up for the first time since Alira’s arrival. “Could I come too? It might be better also to reassure the guards.”

I looked back at Lily, who just seemed bored. “Sure.”

“You go now, dear. We’ll meet you there,” Sylverith said with a smile.

Before I left, I stored a couple of the items on the table that I felt I could either use the leftovers of, or give to Archie. I also stored what little was left of the chilli crab that Crisplet made. I’m sure that Kathrine would use the rest wisely.

It only took a moment, and my world was plunged into darkness. Though this travel was becoming easier, I wondered what was actually happening. Was I inside Lily? Or was she dragging me into the shadows?

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It was over as fast as it began, as I landed on my feet. Next to me were Kathrine and Clifford, who quickly dropped to the ground breathing hard, with Crisplet rushing over to help, and Liane surprisingly was there too.

We were standing in front of the Alira statue, which was currently looking very modest, wings at her side, and although it was covered in feathers of flame, the Clifford part was much more prominent.

“Is Lily taking the other two as well?” Kathrine asked.

But I didn’t even get to answer before the dark sky lit up orange, and I knew exactly how Alira and Sylverith were getting here.

“I’d say they are getting their own way here,” I laughed.

We watched as a small fireball launched into the air before it raced towards us. It drew the attention of guards at the palace who started rushing to the courtyard and were surprised to see us standing at the statue.

“Princess! There is an attack coming!” one yelled from the side.

She waved them away, and with an obvious note of command, she yelled, “It’s fine; stand down! The great phoenix has decided to visit the city to witness the statue made in her honour!”

The guards did not hesitate or question it. They immediately lowered their weapons and dropped to a knee.

As that happened, the fireball landed right next to us, where Alira and a now translucent-looking Sylverith stood.