Chapter 10

When Poison next saw Aelthar, it was from her place at the long meeting table in the hall, he entered the room looking classically haughty. As soon as he caught her eye he made his way over. "Lady Gull." He inclined his head, but never took his eye from her. "Lord Aelthar." Poison returned the gesture, she watched as Scriddle sat down next to his master, and discreetly checked the floor to make sure Andersen was still there. When she saw him she made a slight gesture of her head, and he hopped lightly onto the chair beside her. Now she was facing Aelthar, and he Scriddle. It felt more even.

"Lords and Ladies of the many realms, please stand for your host." Benches creaked as every man, woman, and thing stood. "Thank you." The hushed voice of the Hierophant's ethereal widow drifted across the table. "As you know, we have all suffered a great loss. The death of my husband has been a tragedy for all," Poison took a quick glance around, most were nodding along, but none that she could see meant it. Even Pariasa was slightly, how could Poison even think it? but slightly false. Her falling tears were beautiful, but so was her hair, everything about her was perfectly preserved, the black silk gown she wore seemed so well suited to the occasion, Poison could not help but wonder... what grieving widow spent that much time choosing a dress?

Realising she had zoned out, Poison dragged her concentration back to the situation, a brief glance at Aelthar told her he'd noticed her odd behaviour. She couldn't dwell on it now though, Pariasa was speaking again. "Since my late..." here she paused with a perfectly timed, delicate sniff, "My late husband, did not appoint an heir, it is of the upmost importance we rectify this. I would have you all cast in your candidates today, and I shall personally test them for suitability." With this she lowered her eyes, but for a moment her mask had slipped, and Poison had seen the business like quality to her grief. There was something seriously wrong here, and she was beginning to gather the pieces.

"Lady Pariasa, I am sure I speak for everyone here when I offer my greatest condolences! But I'm afraid I must make a suggestion." The Lady nodded gently, "You all know that the Hierophant must be of human blood, well I'm sure we don't all have humans running around our realms." There were appreciative titters from around the table. "So, we must have time to find a candidate. Give us a month my lady, and we shall return to you with a human each." Poison sat dumbfounded. Oh no they wouldn't! Not from her realm.
"I already have my candidate, I should like to put forward Scriddle, my secretary." Lady Pariasa smiled serenely, nodding in ascension. "But he's not human!" Poison exploded.
"He is half human. I do not believe it was ever specified how much human blood is needed." Poison took a breath, well, everything had slotted right into place. As she took her breath, Poison felt her throat constricting, she tried to cough, but some curse was preventing her making a sound. Though her breath still came, it felt strained.

Standing, Poison strode from the room, she had been walking quickly, regaining her breath for a few minutes before she realised she was being followed. At first she tried to lose them, turning suddenly aside into darker, more removed corridors, but she soon realised it was futile. Stopping, Poison turned and waited for her pursuer to come into view, a moment later and Aelthar appeared at the corner. "Finally, I thought you would run away forever." Damn. Poison suddenly realised her predicament; the Hierophant was dead, as was his protection, and she was alone in a corridor with a Phaerie lord who had expressed his desire to kill her several times over. At least she still had the dagger on her thigh, discreetly, she took a grip on its handle.

"What do you want my lord, I have business to attend." He scoffed at her,
"Your business was in the hall you just ran away form." Poison stayed silent, she had no interest in having this conversation. "Lady Gull, I was under the assumption that you would choose the moment I disclosed my plan to the rest of Lords and Ladies as the moment you revealed your suspicions about Scriddle. It would have caused the most embarrassment."
"So you silenced me? How dare you? I am a Lady, I have as much right to speak my mind as any of you! This is – "
"Wait, I did no such thing, what are talking about?"
"The curse, that constricted my throat, don't pretend."
"I am not! I did not use magick on you, unless..."
"Unless what? I have no time for games Aelthar!" She waited a moment, but he didn't speak up, so she left.

"Wait, Poison, wait! Listen to me, Scriddle would have enough power to do that, and I swear it wasn't me. I know you have no reason to believe me, but I ask you to anyway. There is something happening, and I am unaware of it. If it does involve Scriddle, well, I shall not tolerate one of myservants lying to me." Poison sighed again, she was so tired of politics.
"Then we shall uncover this plot together, but, I must have your assurance of something."
"What is it?" There was a short pause before Poison answered,
"Firstly, that all humans in your realm shall be freed, and no more shall be taken from their homes. Secondly, you will support in my campaign against this fool idea you put into the heads of the other Lords and Ladies, I will not have them taking my people from their homes either!" Aelthar pinched his lips, "I shall agree to both, if, and only if, we uncover some evidence of a plot involving Scriddle." Poison nodded, extending her tiny hand to be engulfed by his. She was mildly surprised he didn't wipe it on his trousers after they shook.

Something like exhaustion hit Poison when she walked through the door to her chambers, but she knew she must persevere, instead of lying down on the bed as she wished, she searched her desk until she came across the book she'd collected, the book about Aelthar. She had read a large part of it already, about his life, his many great accomplishments in war, against both Ur and Human, but what she read next changed Poison's view on the great Lord of the Phaerie forever.

Thanks Peppy, I was toying with a few directions for this story to go in, and I've only recently made up my mind.

I hope you guys think it was the right direction! :D

Btw, I had to make a small adjustment to the last chapter, otherwise there would have been a continuity error, right now Poison doesn't that Scriddle had planned on being the new Hierophant, she only discovered that a moment ago.