Chapter: 687 – Revered City Lord

Tala strode across the incredibly expanded grounds of the Revered City Lord’s home, pulling some enjoyment from their grandeur, but what she felt was mostly surprise at how little they had changed since she was last there.

The Revered City Lord was an old being, so Tala supposed that he’d be a bit set in his ways and slow to change.

That lack of change was likely one reason he was still Revered.

She did find it funny that if they succeeded in their destruction of the Black Legion, and the Cycling Cities entered into truly peaceful relations with the arcane cities, there might be an explosion of prosperity. In that case, it might not actually be that many more centuries before another Revered—all but Hallowed—truly clashed against Platoiri, allowing for both beings to potentially give mutual acknowledgment.

Would that be enough to let the man finally take another step? Would that be a good thing?

Tala… honestly didn’t know. In her position, with her current power, she might be able to slay the man. If she brought Terry, and utilized the Talons? She’d give herself more than even odds, even in the center of the man’s power.

But, if she could bring allies, then only a fool would assume that he couldn’t, or wouldn’t, as well.

There would undoubtedly be split loyalties, but Tala did not delude herself into thinking that the other Houses would casually allow the House of Blood to usurp the Revered City Lord, no matter how willing they were to follow their lead in the war with the Black Legion.

After all, bad but consistent leadership and laws were usually better than change, at least for the short term.

Long term? Of course change could be for the better, but Tala’s authority as Eskau of War was almost entirely based upon the short term in the way arcanes regarded such things.

She wasn’t letting that hold her back, of course. Her goals were long term, and she’d managed to make quite a few advancements.

As prime example, nearly two dozen Hold Wardens were nearing the final two tests, the last hurdles before they could come into active duty. Those being the bonding of dimensional creatures and becoming Bound.

They would either succeed at those steps or fail and be made into vestiges.

She grimaced at that, remembering the seventy-seven candidates who had already fallen to that fate.

The fact that those vestiges were being used for the varied purposes each hold warden candidate had chosen before beginning their training was hardly comfort to Tala.

This path was more humane than the one these people had been destined for, but she still hated it.

Her only consolation was the twenty-three hopefuls. Mages raised with a knowledge of the watershed, trained in strict lines of power and thought, the entirety of their education driving toward these largest of hurdles.

Tala blessed her stars that she wasn’t directly involved, even if she would be when they tried to attract devourlings for the prospects. Those weren’t the only option for dimensional creatures, but they were tried and true, and that meant it was worth trying here.

Still, she’d avoided more than passing involvement up to this point. She doubted she could have borne making connections with the trainees then watching them fail one after another.

Alat did her best to offer comfort. -This is a horrific first step, but a necessary one. We are turning a hostile ship from within.-

Indeed. Tala had been… distraught to learn that, generally speaking, the attrition rate for gated becoming vestiges was unbelievably high, to the point that their perfect success on their… failures was already being remarked upon.

Apparently, the vestiges choosing how their power would be used increased compatibility and removed some of the variables that had been plaguing vestige use for generations.

Tala was a bit horrified that no one had ever bothered to ask the condemned how they wanted their soul to be used… but putting it that way made it pretty obvious why it hadn’t happened. Doing so would have humanized the victims, and made it harder for those involved to continue.

At least that’s what Tala assumed.

She was brought from her reverie by her arrival at the front doors of the manor proper.

She was met by powerful servants who showed her the exact level of deference her own power and position required before she was led up to an all-too-familiar tower.

She ascended alone, coming up into the Revered City Lord’s study, pausing to admire the result of the rising sun painting a spectacular wash of orange across one wall.

She only hesitated momentarily, allowing the sole occupant to set aside his book and rise. “Eskau of War.”

Tala turned as the Revered City Lord gave a shallow bow, dipping her head in return. “Revered City Lord.”

He straightened, meeting her gaze for a moment before grunting. “There is no one else here. You may shorten that for ease. May I address you as Tala, or Eskau Tala might be preferred?”

She gave a slight nod. “Either is acceptable.” She considered. The man no longer had a name, not really, and addressing him as ‘City Lord’ or ‘Platoiri’ risked acknowledging him and allowing him to advance. She hid a small smile as she decided to needle him to test how he would react. “What about Re-celo?”

The man’s eye twitched before he began rubbing his temples. “You aren’t, by chance, a reincarnation of my sister, are you? The stars sometimes seem capable of such ill-favor, as much as I’d like to see her again.”

Tala frowned, confused. “Sister?”

“Oh? Eskau Pallaun has not spoken, even to you?” He gave a slow nod. “I find that pleases me… Regardless, I will not leave such a thing unsaid.” He gave a tight smile. “My sister was married to Eskau Pallaun, and she died.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Even as she gave the expected answer, she blinked at the blunt delivery. Is this the explanation for the reality ties that I saw between Eskau Pallaun and the Revered City Lord?

“It has been… long, but both of us still mourn her passing in our own ways. She and I were twins, and our power was… intertwined.”

Tala didn’t really know how to take that, nor how to respond. As such, she simply waited, allowing the moment to drag slightly toward an awkward silence.

The man regarded her for a long moment before shaking his head and sighing, ending the quiet before it went too long. “I must apologize, I should not have mentioned her.” He then gestured to a table prepared to one side. “Please, come and eat. Have you broken your fast, yet?”

She hesitated, considering lying but saw no reason to. “I have, but not thoroughly.”

That got a chuckle. “Then, I am happy to call for more if this is insufficient.”

Tala gave a half-smile in response. ‘This’ was a table laden with enough food to feed half a hold. “I will let you know.”

The two moved to a two person table which was situated within easy reach of the massively laden buffet.

The large surface had an interesting contraption upon it that slowly moved the various selections in a circuit, changing what they had easiest access to and allowing them to take as they wanted without having to rise.

Luxury.

-Over the top.-

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

True, but still nice.

He and she ate in silence that… somehow didn’t become awkward? It likely helped that the view out the near window was both expansive and stunning, looking toward the near mountains as they were bathed in growing light.

Finally, Tala set aside a half-finished selection of berries and pork belly and looked toward the Revered City Lord.

He noticed the motion and met her gaze.

“Why did you call me here?”

One side of his lips lifted. “Partially to see if you would come. We have not crossed paths since your elevation, and I was curious how deep you avoidance would extend.”

She huffed a laugh. “It would be rather… contentious if I did not come.”

The man arched an eyebrow. “Really? Would it have been?”

“If you had made an issue of it…” Tala hesitated. She wasn’t actually sure what would have come of it.

He seemed to have no issue informing her his thoughts on the matter. “I would have been openly announcing that I could be defied within my city.”