Chapter: 655 – We Must Clash

Tala tried to meet the gaze of each of those present as her words hung in the air. Even so, it was Pillar Sanguis who finally responded. “Let’s get our other guests out here. If I am not mistaken, you can allow Eskau Meallain to speak with us while not having her breach her banishment, is that correct?”

Tala nodded. A moment later, Rane, Terry, and Lea appeared around her. As they’d been watching via slates within the sanctum, they already knew what was going on.

Similarly, Eskau Meallain was in the know. So, the woman wasn’t surprised when Tala drew a hollow square of iron to the superficial and opened a portal within it that allowed the elf to see out but not step through. Tala’s will kept it in the air as much as anything else, given the iron was hers.

Tala very carefully, kept all traces of the magic within Ironhold from crossing the boundary, so none present should be able to tell what a trove of magic she held within.

That would likely not stay a secret for long, but it would certainly muddy the waters in the current discussions.

Pillar Sanguis gave a tight lipped smile as he looked at the elf. “I assume you were kept apprised of what was discussed?”

Eskau Meallain nodded. “Just as I stated in my reports. Eskau Tala is able to share what occurs outside her hold with those within, if she so wishes.”

“And in this case, she wished you to be kept informed?” The man clarified.

The elf smiled. “Obviously. Additionally, I requested it of her, and she is kind enough to take my wishes into consideration.”

That caused the Pillar to frown. “So, you truly are shackled by her? Suppressed and restrained?”

Eskau Meallain nodded seriously, no hints of mirth in evidence. “Unequivocally. In that light, I would like to voice my support for Eskau Tala to be elevated to the position of Eskau of War.”

His eyes opened wide in surprise. “Is this a personal recommendation, or do you claim to speak on behalf of your Pillar, Cruas, Second of the House of Blood? I will not insult you by asking if this endorsement is coerced or in an attempt to gain favor with your jailer.”

“It is both personal and something I am confident in representing Pillar Cruas in. I state this of my own free will, without prompting or persuasion from Eskau Tala.” She stated the last with a bit more force than was actually required.

The Pillar grunted, seeming to take a moment to consider before responding. “That… carries weight. Thank you, Eskau.”

She bowed in return, her head almost crossing into the hold of the House of Blood but not quite.

Rane cleared his throat, drawing all eyes to him. “I know we are discussing my wife’s position—and I don’t mean to detract from that—but what do you have for me, while I am here? I am content to be her protector both in name and truth, but I am able to do more, if you so wish.” After a moment of silence, he clarified. “I mainly bring it up in case my involvement might open up more options for the central topic, here.”

Pillar Sanguis nodded along, giving his answer shortly after Rane stopped speaking the second time. “You are something we discussed at great length in preparation for your arrival. No matter what we do, you will be challenged. That cannot be avoided, and anything we did to mitigate it would weaken both the position of our House and that of gated humanity. We might have considered you as a Pillar, but that would put you beyond direct challenge, and such would be seen as a lack of confidence in your abilities and weaken both your position and ours.”

Rane grunted. “Then, shall I act the part of an Eskau of humanity? Make and take challenges, spread the ‘honor’ of those I represent?”

Pillar Sanguis held up one hand, horizontally above the floor, waffling it back and forth. “In a sense, but more accurately, we believe that you should take a stoic role. Accept all challenges, but don’t seek any out. That will show gated humanity as they expect, and elevate you further.”

Rane grimaced but finally nodded. “We aren’t aggressive, but we respond to threats with strength and violence.”

“Exactly. It will strongly present that to the population and minor houses, as well as the newer Major Houses.”

He sighed. “I can do that.”

Lea spoke up next, clearly seeing an opportunity to ask her own question. “Since we are discussing my family’s duties, what of me?”

Pillar Sanguis gave her a kind, paternal smile. “You, Child, you should simply be. Grow in strength, enjoy what amenities our hold—and the city as a whole—can offer. I would also recommend you pursue the next step of your advancement, for your own safety.”

The girl frowned. “But… I already have power. I have mastered my magic. I can fight. I can be of help.”

He nodded along, an understanding look on his face. “Yes, you have, and you can. I can see that in your aura and in how you carry yourself, but those of the Houses who match you in advancement would be less than a half-century old. Such can hardly be trusted to show restraint, and so they are generally barred from duels.” He shrugged helplessly. “There simply are not any who could challenge you within the structures of civilized discourse.”

Lea’s frown shifted to a grimace, clearly having latched onto a portion of what the man had said. “I’m less than fifty.”

“I am aware. Your mother was last here less than thirty years ago, you could hardly be older than that.”

She nodded in acknowledgement before pressing. “Still… I don’t want to just languish in a hold somewhere.”

Tala cleared her throat. “You can come with me. It is not uncommon for Eskau to have an attendant, even if Children are generally not among those selected.”

Pillar Sanguis arched an eyebrow. “And they are generally not children of those they attend, but…” He glanced toward Eskau Pallaun. “That can be arranged. At least, it can if we find a position into which you will fit.”

Eskau Pallaun sighed. “It would be so easy if we already had another Pillar in Be-thric’s position, as Eskau Tala could come alongside that Eskau in a mentor role. That would solve our issue for at least a decade before it would become odd.”

Both he and Pillar Sanguis gave Eskau Meallain dour looks, and the elf shook her head, responding in an almost flippant tone. “I’ve been gone for years. How is this my fault?”

It was the Pillar who answered. “No one has been willing to step forward for consideration. Not since you killed the last one…”

Eskau Pallaun shook his head. “Pillar Sean didn’t deserve to be killed.”

Eskau Meallain shrugged. “He shouldn’t have taken the role then. It was clear enough that death would come.”

Pillar Sanguis interjected. “Hence why no one else has stepped forward, despite your absence.”

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

She simply grinned. “Wise of them.”

He sighed. “Can you now make an announcement that you are open to the position being filled? We have quite a few candidates who are ready to be considered, and while we’ve filled other such positions Pillar Be-thric’s is still open.”

Her smile turned incredibly self-satisfied. “And because of that, Eskau Tala’s position is uncontestable, allowing us to have this wonderful meeting, along with all its potential benefits for us all. Her absence for the first decades of a new Pillar’s tenure would have made her stepping in as their Eskau’s mentor now odd to say the least, if it would be accepted at all.”

That got grumpy looks, but nothing else in response. Instead, Eskau Pallaun turned to regard Tala. “We do have one issue to deal with before we can send to the other Pillars for their official response to your potential new position as Eskau of War.”

“Oh?” Tala was fairly certain she knew where this was going, but she didn’t want to assume. “Do tell.”

He grinned in response. “I, of course, would be a much better Eskau of War. Therefore, we need to send along reasoning for the choice of you over me.”

She gave a half smile in reply. “You mean aside from the fact that you do have a Pillar?”

Eskau Pallaun shrugged. “He could take another if I were raised. You, in fact, could become his Eskau.” Before anyone could comment, the man shook his head and continued. “I do not want this, and it would go against the agreement which Pillar Sanguis used to draw me into his service, but the others will want a tangible reason.”

“So?” She was sure now, but she still wanted him to say it.

“So, my dear Eskau. We must clash, and show once and for all that you can hold your own, even against me.”

“And if I cannot?”

The man shrugged. “Weakness leaving our House is a good thing.”

Lea’s eyes widened, and she looked to Rane. Her father met her gaze before looking back to his wife and the obsidian arcane. “It will be alright, Lea. Let them fight.”

Eskau Pallaun laughed. “It’ll be alright, Child. We are not beasts to lay waste to all that is around us in a clash. The chance of either of us dying is very small.”

The girl frowned. “But you said…?”

“Weakness leaving the House? Yes. If she cannot defeat me, or at least give a good showing, then it is unlikely we will find a place for her in the House long term. It will cause some issues, but not as many as allowing weakness to take hold among us.”