The afternoon had came and went, without Jorge showing his smug grin. Janai had crossed the Breach alone once more, to see what was going on.
"I don't know", Ezran had told her, making her frown, "To make matters worse, I now have the man who probably sent you that dark magic dragon whipping up my people against us. I need to take care of that, and soon. It's my plan to go there in person, tonight. Taelin is only a few hours away. I hope that's not going to be a problem."
Janai seemed surprised, "Naturally. Your people should come first. Don't misunderstand me, I will wait for your return with baited breath", she lifted her eyebrows meaningfully, "I believe the old man from Del Bar - Solveig, was it? - has a dagger hidden behind his back. Literally. I see him fumble for it whenever he sees me."
Ezran nodded grimly. "The only longer conversation I've had with the man was about my brother and Rayla's mission. Well, until he realized that she's an elf. He's not fond of your people, Prime Legate."
"I cannot blame him. It looks like he's seen his fair share of battle."
"You might like Aanya better. Here she comes, now."
The Lady of the Bloom stepped through the open door, closing it behind her.
Janai tried her best to curtsy, like Ezran had shown her.
Aanya exploded in laughter, earning a disapproving stare from Ezran and a confused glance from Janai.
"Goodness! I am so sorry, Prime Legate! The gesture means a lot, thank you! I simply had not expected it, and, I'll be honest, it does not fit you."
Aanya saluted her, in the elven way and Janai returned the gesture, looking somewhat angry but bemused.
"I see you are of good humor", the warrior said, gruffly, "Your letters are rather formal, I had not expected such cheer. It is good to meet you in person."
"Please, excuse my reaction, it was improper. It's a shame we couldn't have the pleasure, Janai, it was a messy two weeks."
"And it will continue to be, Excellency."
They now shook hands and Aanya sat, facing both Ezran and the Golden Knight.
"I trust Aanya, Janai. She's been our strongest supporter."
"I'm aware. I will carefully extend the same trust, Excellency", Janai said, "However, it is hard to believe a queen such as yourself could forgive the killing of her subjects without some reprimand, at least."
Aanya considered this. "I don't know what you could mean by that. I believe we suffered shared loss in the face of a common enemy."
Janai nodded pensively, "It's easy to appreciate an answer such as that. We shall see how honest you are about its meaning."
The queen of Duren scoffed. "You are quite to the point. I like it."
"As such, I'd like to move past niceties.", Janai leaned forward, placing her elbows on her knees and interlocking her fingers. "Tomorrow we are expecting reinforcements from a man who has lost his significant other here. He has not replied to my messages. Some of his scouts have already met with our force and have doubled back to report on our status."
"Do you think he's going to be a problem?"
"He is a Prime Legate, like me. He has the power to relinquish me of my duties, given support by my lieutenants. He is also the remaining Yatende Vocant, giving him the instant support of the sky soldiers I command."
"What does that mean, a `Vocant`?", Aanya asked.
"The Sky elves organise themselves by family rather than by geology or culture, Madame. A convocation is such an organisation, lead by a pair of Vocants, or speakers. Yatende is a very well respected name, they have a lot of power in Xadia", Janai explained.
There was a knock at the door.
Amaya poked her head inside and looked at Ezran. He nodded and she stepped inside.
'Jorge is here', she signed, 'You won't believe what he has to say. I sure didn't.'
"Jorge is here. Janai, no offense, but I think it would charge the situation if you came with. Can I ask you to wait for a bit?", Ezran asked his guest.
She nodded gruffly.
Ezran, Amaya and Aanya walked outside, where the Katolin crown guard had hastily built palisades pointing both in- and outward.
In front of the inward barricade stood the Eveneran King. There was a cart behind him, covered in a tarp.
"Ezran!", he called out, waving.
"What is going on?", the Katolin King whispered at Aanya and she shrugged clandestinely.
"Good of you to join us, Sir!", bellowed Solveig, stepping past the crown guard to shake the King's hand, "We have a great deal to discuss. You need to join us."
"Actually, once I'm done saying my piece here, we probably won't have to spend a long time talking", Jorge said, anguished, "Ezran was right. I was wrong. There. I said it. Apology over."
Solveig's expression flickered, going from enthusiasm to hatred to plain in a finger's snap.
"What do you mean?"
"One of my mages did a thing. We found this", he showed them the shoulder blade with the dark magic rune, "If it had been Moonshadow Elves, this would be the rune for moon. It's not."
"We can see that", Falconer Ebro said, smugly, "So, you will stand down your troops and continue the talks?"
"Ebro, you can cram your attitude where the sun don't shine", Jorge shouted at him, "Take my apology with some grace, you birdbrained dolt!"
Ebro seemed affronted, but said nothing more.
"Look, I brought something. I'm sorry to say that we already kinda started… cutting. But everything's still there. It took a bit to, uh, find the parts and make them look nice."
The Eveneran King moved the tarp on the cart to reveal a dragon's lightless eyes.
"There were ten, Ezran."
The Katolin King wanted to kiss Jorge. The fact that he had this feeling disgusted him more than any of Callum and Rayla's face-sucking exploits or the nightly meals of bugs.
Trying hard to control his explosive happiness, Ezran simply said, "Thank you. So, so much", then he turned to speak to all the assembled royals and bannermen, "If nobody here has any objections, I would like to bring Prime Legate Janai into this, to receive the dragon's body."
Solveig scoffed, walking off. One issue managed, the next one was already on the horizon. Maybe this one could be Aanya's problem.
Amaya went to get the elf, returning shortly after.
"I'm super sorry about the… slicing and stuff", Jorge offered, sheepishly.
"Once more I have to admit to being surprised", Janai said plainly, "I had told Ezran this shortly before you barged in on us, E-Excellency, but I understand quite well what you are giving up here. The gesture is majestic, no matter the state of the body."
The slight stutter of hesitation in the honorific sent a small smile to Ezran's face. Keep it up, Janai.
After having his people push the cart into the courtyard where a suspicious Amaya and Gren inspected the corpse thoroughly, Jorge rubbed the back of his neck, "I did what I came to do. So now I'm gonna gooo…?"
Aanya smirked, "Why, Jorge, I am impressed. You showed real grace today."
"Don't push it, dwarf", he said over his shoulder, walking away, "I'm not a fan of all this and won't be around to suck up to the Bruisers. But I can admit when I'm wrong."
When he was out of earshot, riding off with his honor guard, Aanya turned to Ezran.
"Well. He's still a rude piece of work, but at least he's out of our hair."
"Sure. Speaking of, I should really be going. Are you going to be alright here?"
She nodded, firmly, extending a hand. "I'll keep the kids from burning down the house."
Ezran shook with her. "Thanks. I'll send you a raven whenever I get a moment. Please do, too."
Aanya nodded, then gave him a quick hug. "It'll be good Ez. You're doing really well."
"Sure. I've had great teachers, like you. Thanks, Aanya. I'll be in touch."
With this, he sent Corvus to fetch his bags and collected his crown guard.
Where he was going, he would probably need them.