Chapter: 680 – Much to Discuss

Tala regarded Eskau Jern for a long moment in the drawn out silence. Beside her—well nearly ten feet to her side—Head Corinis was holding a perfectly schooled expression.

Even so, Tala had honed a pervasive enough perception to put together a few things. First, Head Corinis had had no idea about any of this. So, the House of Iron didn’t make their core tenets widely known. More than that, they must have actively worked to keep them hidden for millennia for such a long-standing House to not have had that information leaked by this point.

He also hadn’t known why they wanted to meet with the House of Blood. As it turned out, the representative at Tala’s reception to Platoiri seemingly had sensed the iron within her… or something like that. Such had been enough to spark their House’s interest, and this ‘Third Eskau’ was more perceptive in whatever way was required to perceive her relation to iron. Or this one has more authority to act overtly.

Second, Head Corinis was utterly shocked at what the Eskau was saying. Since Head Corinis couldn’t possibly know her Paragon revelation of self, that meant that the House of Iron Eskau was saying something else that she hadn’t quite understood. He was saying something else worthy of shock.

In that vein, Tala shifted, leaning forward. “Eskau Jern, while I understand the words you are saying, I believe I am missing the implication. Please speak plainly.”

He glanced up from his kneeling bow. “The House of Iron stands ready to join with you.” He hesitated, clearly trying to follow her request. “We will not become a subset of the House of Blood, nor slaves to your whims… It might be most accurate to say: we are ready to become the Eskau to your Pillar.” He hesitated a moment longer. “In this, assume an equal relationship rather than the Pillar having found and uplifted the Eskau.”

“So… a relationship of equals with deference given as appropriate?” Tala clarified

“Exactly. I will return to my House and announce you as Mother of Iron… by your leave of course.”

Alat cackled, providing a tidbit. -Their Head of House is called the Father of Iron.-

Tala closed her eyes, taking a mentally enhanced moment to think.

She wasn’t going to be able to hide away. She wanted to draw other Houses to the war, to her banner as Eskau of War.

This… Well, it wasn’t that, but it was close? Head Corinis said that they were a martial house. Moreover, he said that other Houses would follow their lead.

Still, Tala didn’t like how this felt. With a sigh, she opened her eyes as asked a question, “So… You believe I am some… what? Prophesied teacher?”

Eskau Jern blinked a few times, frowning. “What? No.” He seemed to be searching for the words. “Were that the case, we would put ourselves under your command as a House. I attempted to convey that this is not that.” His frown deepened. “For comparison sake, consider us as fumbling warriors. We have just walked past a sparring ground and seen a master of arms. We wish to learn from you, study your techniques, your magics, your… everything.”

She gave a slow nod, “And in this you speak for your House?”

His smile began to return. “I do. Based on first reports, I was coming to open relations to exchange knowledge, but that was because I and others assumed the reports were overblown. They were not.” He was nodding to himself. “The core of who we are is oriented toward iron. All will want a connection with you.”

And that rang true. They are conceptual in their magic. Of course they were, Tala knew that, but she hadn’t really understood that connections with people who had certain aspects or magic could strengthen that. In hindsight, it was obvious. With that added insight, she realized that the House of Iron might only be able to utilize iron magically because they were a House and group all united around the idea of doing just that.

Arcane magic is so ridiculous.

-Yeah… only arcane magic.-

…Fair.

Tala gave a slow nod. “Very well. I understand.”

The man smiled, but she held up a hand to forestall him.

“I will not have this be based on a misunderstanding. I might have little to teach you directly, but I might not.” She took a deep breath, gilding herself before surging ahead. “A part of my self revelation in order to advance to the level of Paragon was that I am the Iron Matriarch.”

There was the smallest of resonances within her, and as she considered, it was focused around her iron… which was spread throughout her whole self. At the same time, the House of Iron’s Eskau’s odd shield seemed almost to vibrate as well, causing the man to shudder.

“A good portion of this comes from the fact that I am soulbound to an iron dasgannach.” She hesitated, then shook her head. “Apologies, I was soulbound to one. Now? Now it is as much a part of me as my blood. We are one in the same.”

The man visibly swallowed. He was not taking this as dissuasion. -Oh! You haven’t checked up on it, but Adril, Brandon, and their assistants have been studying the altered dasgannach that you took from the Platoiri Revered City Lord.-

…Really? You’re telling me this now?

-Well, you haven’t thought about them since you took them. Now? You finally did.-

Obliquely.

-Hey, I’ll take what I can get.-

…Fine.

Regardless, Tala continued. “My iron aspects are a part of who I am, gained through special, possibly even unique, circumstances. I don’t know that I can teach you anything at all.”

The man didn’t seen dissuaded in the least. “Even being able to be near and study your aura and existence would forward our pursuits. If that was all, it would be worth much to us.”

Tala sighed, but slowly nodded, causing Head Corinis to visibly relax. Even so, he did not speak, allowing her to pull together her thoughts before breaking the momentary silence. “Very well. As you heard, I am Eskau of War. The war I am to prosecute is against the Black Legion. I trust you know of them?”

“I do.”

“I will require the House of Iron to join in that cause, bringing all appropriate resources to bear as we prepare for the coming conflict.”

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Eskau Jern stood, bowed once more, and straightened to meet her eyes. “I will take your revelations and requests back to the Father of Iron.”

“Thank you, Eskau. Go in peace, prepare for war.”

He smiled up at her, seemingly grateful to hear her give his House’s traditional send off. He returned the gesture. “Thank you. Part in peace, united by our blood, Iron Matriarch.”

With a final bow, he spun on his heel and strode from the room, obvious alacrity in his every step.

When the doors closed, Head Corinis turned to regard her. “Well… today is just filled with surprises it seems.”

She sighed, nodding. “So it seems.”

“Care to elaborate on any of… that?”

Tala grimaced momentarily before shaking her head. “Not at the moment, no.”

He regarded her for a long moment before nodding. “Very well. We are here if that changes.”

“Oh, I know.”

The next couple of delegates were simple enough with Tala just being a sort of political set-piece while Head Corinis handled the details.