Chapter: 678 – Opportunities

Tala sat down to a private meal with Head Corinis, the man seeming quite happy for her company.

His private dining room was as white as the celebratory dining hall had been dark, with perfectly smoothed stone composing every surface, rendering them with a near-perfectly reflective finish. The windows allowed in natural light which was more than sufficient given the reflectivity of the stone.

His table and chairs were of polished steel, crafted so expertly—and to such a high polish—that it was a mirror in all but form. Even the darker nature of the material didn’t ruin the effect. In fact, that slight darkening served as a boon among all the white and other mirrored surfaces, the coloration practically insisting that the occupants keep their focus on the table and those sitting at it.

The dishes were similarly of polished steel, their value shown in their thin elegant strength rather than any unnecessary detailing. In fact, the overall effect was for the plates to practically vanish from sight when placed atop the table, leaving the artfully presented food to stand on its own merits.

And stand, it did.

Tala loved good food, and she’d rarely cared about how that food looked, so long as it wasn’t unappetizing in presentation. This though? This was like looking at a painting specifically made ephemeral.

She almost didn’t want to eat it.

Almost.

As a prime example, this first plate looked like a peacock, plumage flared behind it. The body was a perfectly cooked chicken breast under a blue glaze that was both savory and evoked the idea of blueberries without being sweet.

She had no idea how it had been done, but it was excellent.

The plumage was composed of various fruits and vegetables chosen and arranged as much for proper visuals as for taste. That fact that both were spectacular showed just how skilled those involved had to be.

The drink—seeming to float in a too clear glass—was a blueberry wine, once again stripped of almost all sweetness through the fermentation process, yet without the alcohol within becoming overwhelming in flavor.

When she’d asked, she was informed that it was actually too alcoholic to truly be considered wine any longer, but regardless, it was delicious.

I might need to have Kedva and her assistants train with these chefs while we’re here… or we can find similar expertise in Platoiri? I would bet the cycling cities have it as well; we’ve just never thought to look?

-It is lovely, and the taste seems exquisite… sure? I’ll ask if she’s open to it. No need to use political capital only to have her refuse or lack interest.-

Thank you.

Now, this meal was private, but it was only so by the arcane definition. Servants were in attendance, ready and waiting out of easy sight but within quick-response range.

Head Corinis’s Eskau was also there, standing behind his Pillar on the lefthand side. Tala hadn’t gotten the man’s name, and she felt like asking at this point would be… awkward.

-I don’t understand that. You have perfect memory. You know that you haven’t been told his name.-

Yeah, which means I should have asked long ago…

-…Yeah… that makes no sense.-

Tala sighed internally, turning her focus away from the alternate interface.

She and Head Corinis chatted about small things while enjoying the meal. It was mainly pleasantries. The man asked after her husband and daughter, curious about Lea’s training, and how she was progressing. He also commented positively about Rane’s duel, having heard about it from various informants.

Tala returned his polite curiosity with inquiries of her own after the man’s family and got an odd response.

Head Corinis froze, hesitating for a long moment before giving a tightlipped smile. “I’ve no living family, Eskau Tala. I do appreciate the inquiry, but I am without such ties any longer.”

And that killed that part of the conversation. She expressed sympathy for his loss—losses?—and they moved on.

As the remains of third course were removed, Head Corinis leaned forward, a seriousness coming across his features for the first time in the meal, aside from his brief stoicism around the topic of his own family. “I would like to get this in the open, Eskau Tala. If it pleases you, attend to my next words carefully.”

Tala raised an eyebrow but leaned forward as well, putting her full focus on the man.

“The House of Blood has ever been a meritocracy. As such, the Head of House must be the best person for the job.”

She tried to not let her expression fall. Was this just going to be some sort of ego stroke? No… that didn’t fit what she knew of the man. She kept her face neutrally attentive as he continued.

“As it is a political position, that necessitates skill in that arena as well. Even so, while I have held this post for a long time, it has not been without opposition, not without those attempting to unseat me.” He smiled broadly at that point, some of the seriousness fading to the background. “Thus, I must thank you. Your return and elevation has done more to cement me as Head of House than any other event in recent centuries.”

She tilted her head in confusion. “I am grateful to have been of assistance. From my understanding you have led the House well, and upheld the intentions of the founders faithfully, but how have these events solidified your position?”

He held up one finger. “First, I openly opposed Pillar Be-thric’s actions even while he was alive—you can check the records if you wish—while also staunchly refusing to have you removed. Most of our colleagues either grudgingly approved of the distasteful things he had done, given the results, or wished to wipe away all taint from those actions, which would have meant your death. I and a scant few others saw the middle ground once we learned the full truth, and while I did not foresee how it would… come to a head, I did see the value in your life, even if as a shadow of your former self. I imposed restrictions on Pillar Be-thric, insisting that he no longer tinker with your mind… though I suspected he danced the line, there. We required that he allow you to grow into a full person naturally.” He chuckled. “I did not know that you had returned to yourself and the ‘fully actualized person’ you were becoming was the real you. I likely would have acted differently had I known, but hindsight blinds us to our own faults. I cannot promise that I would have done differently than I did.”

Tala felt a bit out of sorts with all the information and decided to simply express that. “Why are you telling me this?”

He smiled and nodded. “Because the end results, now fully revealed, entirely vindicated my position. Pillar Be-thric was punished by his own hubris—showing how right those who opposed his actions were—and you have shown yourself to be an asset to the House regardless, proving that those who fought against your removal and execution were right to do so.” He grinned. “That is exactly in line with what I pushed for again and again.”

Tala gave a slow nod. “So, my own elevation, which includes tacit approval and deference from all the House branches, is at the same time a joining of the House to your widely known view of the best path forward.”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“Exactly. His actions, and later your disappearance, was a minor blemish that those who wished to unseat or replace me attempted to use to accomplish that aim. It wasn’t of great concern at the time, but now? Those have been removed as tools in their arsenal. Moreover, with an Eskau of War in place, I cannot be removed without a unanimous vote of the council, confirmed and approved of by you. Even then, House Law requires you to present me with the reasons for my removal, and give me a chance to change my ways and rise to meet the needs of the House.” He waved one hand dismissively. “There are, of course, provisions for your removal of me if I present a clear and present danger to the integrity of the House in the face of the prescribed foe, but that has not only never been done, it has such stringent requirements that I would practically have to be found shaking hands with the Black Legion in soulbound friendship for such to be invoked.”

Tala grunted, finally understanding. “So, your position is effectively unassailable while I remain as Eskau of War?”

“Exactly.” He lifted his glass to her. “Thank you for that. I will not forget it. I would want to aid you even if I didn’t already see our interests as aligned. I don’t understand all the nuance of what you are pushing toward, but I am absolutely behind the reduction and eventual elimination of non-willing vestiges. I do not have the proper foundation in the requisite portions of magical and gate theory to meaningfully move toward such a change myself, but I am excited to support your efforts in that regard.”

She found herself nodding in gratitude. “I am happy to hear that.”