Chapter 15
Nenalata
"Molag!" a low voice whispered insistently, the sound ringing painfully off the stone walls of the cave. Atkynd let out a soft grunt and blearily opened one eye, glaring at the sound itself rather than the person making it. As his vision swam into focus, he saw Tari crouching in front of a bundle of small sticks and tinder enclosed in a ring of stones. She had her hand extended, and her eyebrows were scrunched in an expression of intense focus.
"Molag!" she hissed again. A moment later, a flash of flame erupted from the palm of her hand, striking the sticks and igniting them instantly. Atkynd's other eye snapped open in surprise as she let out a triumphant laugh, waving her hand to dispel the lingering flames.
"Well done," Atkynd praised her as he pushed himself up, yawning. Tari's smile dropped instantly, a look of contrition replacing her joy.
"My apologies!" she exclaimed as she watched him groggily push himself up into a sitting position. "I didn't mean to wake you!"
"No, no, it's my fault. I should have taught you silent casting," Atkynd replied drily as he yawned again, pushing himself up fully. He lessened the sting of his quip, however, by sliding forward and examining the flame intently. "I'm pleased to see that you're continuing to practice, and that it's evidently paying off." He tilted his head slightly, adding, "Are you feeling any residual effects from the Ayleid well?"
"No. Those wore off well before mid-afternoon yesterday," Tari replied, grinning with pride down at her little campfire. "This was created solely by my own power."
"Truly?" Atkynd asked, blinking rapidly to dispel the last vestiges of sleep. "Then you've already surpassed the most powerful flame I've ever conjured. Well done indeed! Perhaps you were correct, that you simply needed to understand how a spell felt before you could cast it." He smiled warmly at her and inclined his head. "I'm pleased that you've completely proven me wrong."
Tari smiled shyly at him as she reached for a bowl of water and used it to douse the flames. As she did, Atkynd noticed that there were several other charred sticks piled next to the fire. Evidently this wasn't the first time that she had succeeded in casting the spell, which was an even more encouraging sign – at this early stage, consistency was far more important than the strength of the spell. "Well… I have you to thank for teaching me," she said modestly.
"All I taught you were the words," Atkynd shrugged. "You were the one who cast the spell." Then he smiled slightly. "Now comes the true challenge. While you have cast your first spell, you have not truly mastered it. Once you have, then you must begin expanding your repertoire of spells by learning new ones. And you cannot neglect your practice of your first spell. Once you become more comfortable with it, perhaps you should consider experimenting with shape and form. A true mage can mold flames into spheres, walls, cloaks… merely casting a stream of flame is the simplest fire spell a mage can learn. It's up to you to improve upon that initial success while also expanding your knowledge to other spheres of magic."
"Indeed? Then what else can you teach me?" Tari asked eagerly.
Atkynd held up his hand, grinning sheepishly. "Ah… in truth, there's little more that I can share. I've only truly mastered the calming spell and the light spell you've already witnessed. I certainly can't call myself a mage." He was surprised to feel a faint pang of envy as he added, "What's more, as I've said, you've already surpassed my abilities with flame. If possible, you'd do well to seek out a proper mage to teach you." He chuckled wryly to himself as he added, "And should you find one, inform me as well, as I should also expand my magical knowledge."
Tari frowned at his self-deprecation, glancing down at the flames. "Well… then I'll remain vigilant for an instructor," she said finally.
"Please do," Atkynd chuckled. He then glanced around, stretching his limbs and wincing when he felt his elbow pop. Once his limbs began to unstiffen, he wandered over to a section of the cave where he had laid out his clothes to dry the night before. "Where's Pasare?" he asked.
"She should still be in the wilds, scavenging," Tari answered as she knelt by her pack and withdrew a piece of bread. "I invited her to rest a bit longer, but she said that she wished to survey the area before we departed."
"That's wise of her," Atkynd agreed, scowling as he inspected his wrinkled trousers and tunic. They were still slightly damp, but at least they were no longer soaked through, so he began pulling them on. "In the meantime, shall we eat while we can?"
"We shall," Tari replied, pulling out a hard loaf of bread. "This is a bit stale, but at least it's still dry."
As she was handing him the food, Pasare suddenly bolted into the cave. Atkynd noticed that she was breathing heavily, which surprised him, as he'd rarely seen her fatigued. She stopped short in front of him and Tari, her eyes wild.
"We must depart. Immediately," she said shortly.
"What's wrong?" Atkynd asked, though he followed her order and immediately began packing his bag. Tari hastily did the same, shoving the bread back into her pack.
"Ayleid patrols are nearby. Nearer than I had expected," Pasare replied hastily. She bounced impatiently on her toes as she waited for them to finish stowing their belongings in their bags.
"Are they aware of our presence… or location?" Tari asked shortly as she slung her bag over her shoulder once again.
"I'm uncertain," Pasare shook her head. "However, when I was surveying the area, I not only spotted two separate patrols, I also realized that when we were traveling last night, we left much clearer signs of our intrusion than I had first thought. We left a trail of broken branches, disturbed vegetation… and footprints in the mud that were not washed away as they normally would have been." She looked away and added regretfully, "That is my failing. I should have been more aware of the signs we were leaving behind."
Atkynd winced as he realized something. "Does that mean that they also noticed our climb up the riverbank?"
"Possibly," Pasare said slowly, scowling. "Which means that the Ayleid we left alive may well have notified his companions."
Atkynd narrowed his eyes at the accusation in her voice. "Perhaps, but if that was the case, would he not have sent patrols after us immediately?" he countered sharply.
"Enough!" Tari interjected. "How near are the patrols?"
"Near enough to make me nervous," Pasare said grimly. "Are you two ready?" When they both nodded, she hurried to the entrance of the cave and briefly glanced around, then motioned for them to follow her.
The early morning air was misty and refreshingly cool, much to Atkynd's delight. If it wasn't for the dire situation they were in, he could have almost enjoyed the weather. It also meant that Pasare could lead them at a swift pace without the heavy humidity and heat weighing down on him. His steps felt surprisingly light, and he was initially able to keep pace with her through the dewy foliage.
However, the fatigue from the day before still lingered, and it wasn't long before he was once again struggling to keep up with their guide. Her palpable tension created a sense of urgency which spurred him on and staved off some of his weariness, but he knew that fear couldn't sustain him forever. Within an hour, his lungs were burning, and his limbs were growing heavy.
"Hold!" Pasare hissed, suddenly throwing her hand up and catching Atkynd across the chest. He stumbled forward a step but managed to keep his balance as she pulled him behind a cluster of tall ferns. Tari knelt down beside them, drawing her dagger and gazing around warily as she panted heavily, struggling to catch her breath. At first, Atkynd heard nothing except his own labored panting and the blood rushing in his ears. After a few moments, however, he gradually became aware of a soft snuffling, and then what sounded like a large body pushing its way through the undergrowth. As the sound drew closer, an alien creature unlike anything Atkynd had seen before lumbered into view.
The beast seemed to be reptilian, with a squat body covered in mottled, dark green scales. Its head extended upwards into a rounded, semi-circular frill, with yellow, slitted eyes scanning the area and a beaked mouth hissing softly to itself. It stood on two legs ending in clawed, talon-like feet, and its forelimbs ended in smaller, wickedly curved claws. A long, straight tail extended behind it, which it used to keep its balance as it raised its head higher and sniffed the air curiously.
Pasare held her hand up to Atkynd and Tari, motioning them for remain silent, as she unslung her bow from her shoulder and cautiously nocked a bronze-tipped arrow, which she slowly drew back to her shoulder. The weapon barely made a sound as she sighted down the shaft, aiming at the creature shuffling around fifty yards away, continuing to sniff the air. At the last second, it suddenly whipped its head around to face them, letting out a vicious hiss, but at that moment, Pasare released the arrow. A twang softly echoed through the jungle as the bolt streaked through the air and slammed into the center of the creature's chest, sending it tumbling across the ground. The arrow must have struck something vital, as the beast didn't even let out a death cry once it stopped rolling across the jungle floor, its body remaining motionless when it came to rest.
Atkynd's breath caught in his chest as Pasare crept out from under the ferns and inspected the creature grimly. "Damn… I didn't think they'd send these things after us," she hissed.
"What is that?" Atkynd asked, his mouth dry.
"It's a clannfear," Pasare announced. When Atkynd tilted his head, she explained, "A daedra. I've heard of some of the city-states using them as tracking hounds of a sort, so it doesn't surprise me that Morahame summoned a few. They're relentless once they sense prey, and vicious when they catch it."
"You hadn't heard of this thing either?" Tari asked quietly. "I thought you were familiar with daedra. You knew about dremora."
"Only because some conjurers in Malabal used them," Atkynd corrected her. "By no means am I an expert on daedra."
"In any case, this isn't good," Pasare continued as she walked back over to them. "If there are clannfears in the jungle, it confirms that the Ayleids suspect that we've crossed the river and that they're searching for us. We're must make haste."
"So we can expect to encounter more of those beasts?" Atkynd asked, eyeing the dead clannfear with a shudder.
"I would be lying if I said I did not expect it," Pasare replied grimly. "But at least now you know what to remain on guard for. Come… I doubt this creature's handlers are far behind."
Pasare dove back into the swampy jungle with Atkynd and Tari on her heels. The morning seemed to crawl by as the trio warily scanned the jungle with every step. Atkynd was expecting every rustle of the leaves, every shadow that fell over him, to lead to another attack by one of those alien beasts, if not something worse. Though at least now he wasn't feeling quite as weary, he noted drily to himself.
After what felt like hours of travel and no further signs of Ayleid patrols, Atkynd was once again lagging behind their guide, and Tari was faring little better. Pasare finally noticed the pair needed a rest, and she motioned for them to halt. She impatiently folded her arms over her chest, uneasily glancing around. Atkynd noticed a fine sheen of sweat on her skin that indicated that she was also starting to feel the effects of the hard pace she was setting.
"How much… further… until we're… in Nenalatan territory?" Atkynd panted. He took a short swig of his waterskin, then passed it to Tari.
"In truth, I'm still uncertain," Pasare admitted reluctantly, tapping her fingers against her bicep as she squinted up at the sun. "We've been traveling northwest for quite a while now, but it's difficult to say where Morahame's territory ends and Nenalata's begins. It's not as though the Ayleid kingdoms have set borders. Their territory is always in flux." Atkynd exhaled heavily, whereupon she added in an almost conciliatory tone, "I do believe we are north of the city of Morahame, however, so we shouldn't need to travel much further."
"Do you think we-?" Tari began, but she was interrupted by something charging at her from her left. Before Atkynd or Pasare had time to react, a dark green shape hurtled into her, knocking the girl prone. She sprawled out on the ground, momentarily dazed, as a clannfear stood over her, raking her with its claws. The leather armor she was wearing protected her spine, but the beast's claws opened long gashes along the back of her left shoulder, and she cried out in pain.
"Tari!" Atkynd cried, drawing his sword and charging at the creature. The clannfear hissed and slashed at him, but Atkynd stopped short, and the daedra's claws sliced harmlessly through the air. Gritting his teeth, he dropped into a one-handed dueling stance and cautiously approached the beast with his blade extended in front of him. With a new threat approaching, the clannfear left Tari on the ground and began circling around Atkynd, growling at him threateningly.
Fear gripped him as he stared down the reptilian monster, but he held his ground, tentatively jabbing at the clannfear with his sword twice to keep it at bay. Both times, the monster reared back and snarled at him. After the second attempt, it lowered its head and charged him. Atkynd backed away and circled to the creature's left, keeping his distance as he lured it away from Tari. There was no reason to fight it, after all, as he was only serving as a distraction. The clannfear let out an irritated roar and lowered its head, but before it could charge again, an arrow flew at it from its blind spot and struck it cleanly in the neck. The clannfear's hissing abruptly ceased as it rolled across the ground, weakly clawing at its throat in a vain attempt to remove the bolt.
"Good work. Thank you," Atkynd nodded to Pasare as he panted. He then hurried over to Tari, who had managed to climb to her feet and was clutching her limp left arm. "How injured are you?" he added, reaching out for her.
"It's nothing to be concerned about," Tari assured him quickly, twisting her head to inspect the wounds. "These are long cuts, but they're shallow. I shouldn't need-"
"I thought you said it had detected a scent!" a voice exclaimed in an accusatory tone. "Where did it run off to?!"
"Be silent, fool!" a second voice hissed. "If it did discover a scent, do you wish for the entire jungle to hear you before we can track it?!"
The trio exchanged wide-eyed glances, and they hurried to find cover in the low, dense vegetation blanketing the landscape. Atkynd threw himself onto the ground under a bush beside Tari, while Pasare hid behind a cluster of colorful flowers, her bow drawn and an arrow resting on her bowstring. For a few moments nothing happened, but then the voices drew nearer.
"I'm certain I heard it screaming in this direction," the first, feminine voice insisted. Atkynd's pulse quickened as a pair of Ayleids, one male and one female, stepped into the glade. Both were clad in light leather armor much like their own, and each was carrying an elegant bow, with a quiver of arrows strapped to their right hips and a small bronze axe hanging from the left. They glanced around briefly, and the male's face twisted in disgust as his gaze fell on the limp corpse of the clannfear.
"Damn… all that magic used to summon it, gone to waste," he sighed. He knelt down, gingerly inspecting the wound in its neck as he added, "Bronze-tipped arrows. There are likely Nenalatan scouts nearby. We're near enough to their border."
"Are you certain? The king mentioned that we should be alert for rebel slaves from the south. What if a slave managed to sneak past the river?" the female suggested cautiously.
Her compatriot scoffed, turning to give her a look of disbelief. "Come now, do you truly believe a slave can shoot this well?" he asked, his voice dripping with derision. Atkynd stole a glance at Pasare and saw that she was wearing an odd expression that seemed to be a mixture of smug amusement and irritation. She caught Atkynd's eye and slowly began raising her bow.
"I'll slay the woman," she whispered, nodding to the blade at his hip. "Do you believe you can dispatch the male?"
Atkynd grimaced as he dropped his hand to his sword and slowly unsheathed it. He still wanted to avoid unnecessary casualties, but the scouts were too near for them to simply sneak by, and he doubted his ability to reliably cast his charm spell – he was exhausted, and it was more difficult to charm someone who was already hostile. Combat was, unfortunately, their best option, he mused bitterly. Pasare continued to stare at him until he nodded grimly, whereupon she turned back around with a nod of her own.
"Very well. When I loose the arrow-" she began.
"Hold!" Tari hissed suddenly. Pasare's grip on her bow faltered, and Atkynd hesitated as he turned to look at Tari. She motioned to a spot to their right, and the pair turned in time to see two more Ayleid scouts pushing their way through the foliage, guiding a clannfear with a leash around its neck. The daedra was yanked to a halt, and after a cry of protest, it began absently preening its claws as the first two Ayleids approached the new patrol.
"What news?" one of the new Ayleids asked. Still crouched behind the bush, Atkynd felt his blood run cold. They might have been able to successfully ambush two elves, but four and a clannfear…. He shot a quick look at Pasare to determine if she still intended to shoot the scouts. Pasare grit her teeth and lowered her bow, then ran her hand across her mouth, trying to decide on a new course of action.
"Our clannfear was slain. Recently by the looks of it," the female Ayleid replied, motioning absently to the dead daedra behind her.
"Mm… pity," the second new scout remarked in a tone utterly devoid of it. He leaned down to inspect the arrow, then added, "Would you like ours to track down whoever attacked yours?"
"If you would," the female invited him. Atkynd caught movement out of the corner of his eye and noticed Pasare furiously motioning for him and Tari to begin creeping to their left. The two silently complied and began crawling under the bushes as the second clannfear wandered over to its brethren's corpse. It nosed the body for a few moments, then lifted its head in the air and sniffed the air, its yellow eyes swiveling around. Atkynd and his companions began crawling faster as its gaze fell on the rustling bushes to its right. It raised a claw, letting out a high-pitched screech in their direction.
"That way?" one of the scouts asked. He drew an arrow and began following the clannfear's direction. Atkynd's heart stopped as the mer neared them, racking his brain for a solution. He might be able to slay one elf, but the rest-
"Molag!" Tari cried, suddenly springing from the bushes and raising her hand. Atkynd's mouth fell open as her palm blazed with flame, and the Ayleids hesitated at her sudden appearance. She slowly exhaled, then released the magic. A stream of flames erupted from her fingertips, igniting the plants around them. The Ayleids cried out in surprise and dove away from the wave of flames as she moved her hand slowly back and forth, bathing as much of the area as possible in fire. Though most of the plants were too wet to ignite, those that burned emitted a thick black smoke, and as she was standing downwind and facing the Ayleids, the smoke rolled towards them. The elves' vision was obscured, and they began coughing and choking as they backed away from her, swearing loudly. Tari managed to maintain the spell for a few seconds before the flames faltered, and she suddenly sagged, exhausted. Atkynd hurried forward and grabbed her hand, then began pulling her behind him as Pasare took off at a run, leading them deeper into the jungle.
As they fled, Atkynd glanced over his shoulder to see if the Ayleids were pursuing them. Though he did see a massive black plume of smoke rising above the jungle canopy behind them, there initially didn't seem to be any sign of pursuit… until an arrow flew out of the underbrush and slammed into a tree a few feet to his left. Atkynd swore and pulled Tari's arm more urgently, but the girl was struggling for breath, clearly having exhausted herself casting the spell. She was barely able to remain on her feet, and Atkynd doubted she had the energy to outrun the scouts. He suddenly felt a jerk on his arm and was yanked to a halt. Looking down, he saw Tari laying on the ground, groaning, with a vine wrapped around her ankle. As he glanced back up, two Ayleids came sprinting out of the brush, brandishing their weapons and snarling.
Immediately, Atkynd drew his own sword and stepped in front of Tari, dropping into a one-handed stance as the first elf swung her handaxe at him. He cleanly parried the blow off to the side, but before he had time to react, a second axe struck him in the chest. Fortunately for him, the attack was slightly off-center, and the head of the axe glanced downward off his armor. Still, the blow felt like kick in the stomach, and he staggered backwards, grunting in pain. Nevertheless, he managed to keep his balance, and he was able to duck under the first Ayleid's follow-up attack.
"Rise, Tari!" Atkynd shouted, sucking in wind. Out of the corner of his eye, he spied the Ayleid male dashing at him from behind, and he turned to face his attacker just as the female Ayleid swung from his left. He danced to the right and turned around, delivering a short thrust towards the Ayleid male's unprotected arm. The elf narrowly managed to pull his elbow out of the way, and the bronze blade merely grazed him. Atkynd was then forced to dodge backwards again as the female elf swung at him once more.
Thankfully, by this point, Tari had managed to climb to her feet, and she held her hand up again, aiming it at the two elves. They both yelled and darted out of the way, diving for cover. Atkynd and Tari immediately turned and resumed running, leaving both elves swearing furiously as they took off again. As the female rose to follow them, an arrow streaked through the air and caught her in the shoulder. She screamed in pain as Pasare stepped out from behind a tree with her bow raised, smirking with satisfaction as Atkynd and Tari hurried towards her, and the trio took off into the swampy jungle again.
"How much… further…?!" Atkynd wheezed as they resumed their retreat.
"I… don't… know!" Pasare panted in response, shaking her head. "We're likely… still… hours from Nenalata…!"
"Tari… can you continue?" Atkynd asked tightly.
Tari didn't verbally answer, but waved him off in vague affirmation. Atkynd shot her a concerned look, however, as he saw that she was struggling to keep her short legs moving. She was all but staggering through the underbrush now, and he realized it wouldn't be long before they were caught again.
"No… no! Damn it!" Pasare hissed, suddenly slowing to a halt and throwing her arm up to stop Tari and Atkynd. Atkynd nearly pitched forward as he was caught on her arm. He shot Pasare a look of confusion, and she explained in a hiss, "Up ahead. More Ayleids, on horseback this time. They're closing in on us from the north. If they reach us…."
"They'll pin us against the scouts from the south," Atkynd finished grimly, his chest heaving. He warily looked over his shoulder as the sounds of the Ayleid scouts pursuing them quickly grew louder. "How long before they're upon us?"
"Moments," Pasare replied grimly. She shot a worried look at Tari as the girl sagged, and she added grimly, "We cannot hope to escape. Our only option is to fight." When Atkynd shot her a wide-eyed look, she added, "Perhaps fortune shall favor us, and we may open a break in this noose closing around us. In any case, I would rather fight for a slim chance to survive than meekly surrender."
Atkynd bit the inside of his cheek, his stomach churning with fear, but he gripped his sword tightly to keep his hand from shaking and nodded grimly. "Should we face the riders or the scouts?" he asked, moving past Pasare to peer through the leaves at the cavalry approaching from the north.
"The scouts outnumber us, but perhaps we can use the terrain to our advantage," Pasare replied shortly. "And the elves on horseback will find fighting in the jungle difficult. In truth, I'm unsure why scouts are bothering with horses…."
Atkynd peered through a gap in the leaves at the mounted mer, leaning forward to get a better look at them. When his gaze fell on the sigil on their shields, however, his eyes widened with disbelief. He let out a cackling laugh as he turned back to Pasare and Tari, who stared at him as though he had gone mad.
"No… we should meet the Ayleids on horseback!" Atkynd insisted.
Pasare raised an eyebrow. "Why…?" she asked slowly, but before either of them could continue the conversation, a rustling in the bushes interrupted them. The pair traded pointed looks, and then Atkynd took off to the north, fleeing from the approaching scouts.
"Hurry! And sheathe your weapon!" Atkynd shouted. Pasare hesitated, but she thankfully decided to trust him. Atkynd slid his own sword back into its scabbard as he ran, half-dragging Tari behind him. She was dead on her feet, but they didn't have far to go.
As they burst out of the bushes, the elves sitting astride their horses turned, startled, towards the interlopers and raised their weapons, but Atkynd quickly held his hands up, panting.
"Hold, hold!" he shouted. "We have no intention of fighting!"
"What is this?!" the lead Ayleid demanded. "Who are…?" Then, as his eyes fell on Atkynd, his mouth fell open. "…You…!"
A shout of frustration erupted from the bushes behind them, and Atkynd turned in time to see the scouts pursuing them glaring at them through the bushes, raising their weapons. They paused, however, when the lead Ayleid lowered his spear and glared threateningly. Immediately, his half-dozen companions did the same, following their commander's lead, and they began advancing slowly on the scouts. The scouts considered their options and reluctantly melted back into the bushes, staring daggers at the trio that had managed to successfully elude them.
Atkynd nearly collapsed with relief as the elven commander behind him chuckled. The mer nudged his horse forward so that he could speak with Atkynd face-to-face.
"Well now… that would make this the second time I've come to your aid, wouldn't it?" the elf remarked in an almost chiding tone, his grin widening as he held his hand out.
"Indeed. We must stop encountering each other like this," Atkynd agreed, his own smile broadening as he clasped the mer's forearm. "By the Divines, it is good to see you again, Your Highness."
Pasare's eyes flickered back and forth between the two men as they reached out and clasped forearms. "Telepe… you know these elves?" she asked slowly.
"Well… this one in particular, yes," Atkynd explained as he lowered his hand. The Ayleid on horseback straightened up as he added, "Pasare… allow me to introduce you to the Crown Prince of Nenalata, Prince Dynar."
"Thank you once again for allowing me to ride with you, Your Highness," Tari murmured from where she sat behind Dynar, her arms wrapped loosely around his middle.
"Think nothing of it, Tari," Dynar replied gently, glancing over his shoulder at her. His men had been apoplectic at his suggestion that a slave ride with him, but a simple glare had silenced their complaints. "I fear that if we made you walk, you would faint before we walked a hundred paces with the state you're in. You all must have had quite an adventure," he remarked, looking down at Atkynd, who was managing to keep pace with the prince's slow walk.
"It's… been a journey," Atkynd confirmed, folding his arms over his chest. "In truth, I didn't realize that we were so close to Nenalata."
"You are, and yet you are not," Dynar replied. "In truth, we encountered you on the very edge of our territory. Our scouts had reported that warriors from Morahame were prowling near our borders, and my father ordered me to take some men and investigate." He shot Atkynd a pointed look and added, "You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you? Come to think of it, why are you still in Cyrod? Surely by now you could have returned to Malabal, yes? Did you encounter trouble hiring a captain in Veyond, as you did in Fanacasecul?"
"You haven't had any news from the south?" Atkynd asked. When Dynar and his men shook their heads, he blinked in surprise, and then spent the next several minutes relaying the general events of the rebellion up until that point. Dynar listened silently, obviously stunned by Atkynd's revelations. When he finally finished, the prince exhaled slowly, running a hand down his face.
"So you three traveled all this way just to negotiate with my father?" Dynar asked, his voice heavy with disbelief. "Despite the danger you would be placing yourselves in?"
"The life of a slave is fraught with danger… Your Highness," Pasare retorted shortly, remembering her manners at the last moment, to Atkynd's relief. "When we were held in bondage, our lives were subject to the whims of our masters and could have been taken from us at any time. At the very least, fighting in this rebellion allows us to risk our lives by choice."
Dynar regarded her silently for a long moment until she uncomfortably looked away. Smiling to himself, he turned to Atkynd. "And what of you?" he asked.
"Emissaries face constant danger as well, Highness," Atkynd pointed out with a shrug. "Traveling for weeks on end through the wilds can hardly be called a safe occupation, to say nothing of being executed if we displease a ruler-"
"Forgive me, I was unclear," Dynar interrupted, holding up his hand with a chuckle. "Why are you assisting this rebellion, if I may ask?"
"Ah. They requested it," Atkynd answered with a shrug.
"Then you are in their service?" Dynar pressed.
"…No," Atkynd replied slowly. Dynar tilted his head back, seeming unconvinced, and after carefully choosing his words Atkynd added, "I remain in the service of the Kingdom of the Bjoulsae, and I certainly have not betrayed my homeland, if that is your question. However, I see little harm in teaching these former slaves how to conduct diplomacy, and even occasionally interceding on their behalf when they request it. After all, should the rebellion succeed, my king will have already established excellent relations with a new realm. And if they fail… well, there are many Ayleid kingdoms, yes? Some will surely remain amenable to treating with my kingdom. Surely."
"Mmhm. I see," Dynar said noncommittally. Atkynd glanced at him and noticed an infuriating smirk lingering on his lips. He scowled to himself and decided to change the subject.
"What news of your kingdom, Your Highness?" he asked. "How fares the war between Bawn and Anutwyll?"
Dynar's amused smirk quickly dissolved into a deep frown, and he leaned forward on his horse as though a heavy weight had just been laid across his shoulders. "Well… you were candid with me, so I shall provide you the same courtesy. Naught has changed," he replied in a low voice, gazing down at his horse's neck, his bright blue eyes clouded. "Each week, more ships are sunk, more men from every kingdom in the region die… and without the ability to trade, our supplies dwindle. My father still clings to hope that the war will end soon, but neither kingdom seems inclined to enter peace negotiations." He slowly looked up and added, "We have not had access to the northern Niben in some time, and we have been forced to keep a wary eye to the south, as Morahame always lurks on our doorstep. Our king could manage our situation when it lay dormant, but since they began sending warriors north, I fear the stress of potentially facing a crisis from both the north and south may soon drive him into paranoia and madness. He's begun to see enemies in the faces of his own men at court, and I pray he will not begin ordering executions." Dynar sighed slowly, but when he noticed the anxious look on Atkynd's face, he added, "However… I do not believe he has reached that state yet. He remains reasonable, and if you have come to treat with him, I believe I can secure you an audience. I simply fear that he is beginning to feel the tightening of a noose around his neck."
"Then it's fortunate that we may provide him with a way to slip the knot, yes?" Atkynd replied, trying to keep his voice cheerful.
Despite himself, Dynar slowly grinned. "I certainly hope that's the news you bear," he replied, reaching down to clap Atkynd on the shoulder fondly. "I am truly glad to see you and Tari again, too. I've missed traveling with you two."
"Likewise!" Atkynd nodded, matching the prince's grin.
Dynar nodded and turned his attention back to the road as Pasare sidled up beside him, staring at him with mild awe. "You continue to astound me," she murmured. "To speak so casually to an Ayleid prince…."
"These are unusual times," Atkynd reminded her. "Besides, we shared an adventure once before. Such an event can forge bonds that transcend status and hierarchy, which is why we are speaking so freely with each other."
Pasare simply shook her head, but before they could continue the conversation, Dynar announced, "Excellent! Nenalata's on the horizon. Let's make haste – we'll see to it that you all are fed and cleaned before your audience with my father."
The elven prince led them to the gates of the city, which immediately swung open upon his approach. Atkynd noticed the Ayleid guards eyeing them curiously as they walked through the gates, though thankfully there was less hostility than he usually experienced. The interior of Nenalata was much like the other Ayleid cities he had encountered – white marble walls, high houses, and wide cobblestone streets, though there were subtle differences that distinguished it from the other cities Atkynd had visited. The city evidently relied heavily on the river, as narrow irrigation canals had been cut through the city, allowing thin, shallow streams of water to flow like a second set of roadways, though none was wide enough for a boat. The fresh water was used to create patches of park-like areas, with flowering bushes and tall, fruit-bearing trees dotting the landscape, which made Nenalata the most colorful city he'd seen since Fanacasecul.
However, his admiration of the city was tempered when he noticed the human slaves accompanying their Ayleid masters on their daily tasks. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched as a girl was struck to the ground by her master for dropping a clay pot. A few of the elves shot him a look of disapproval, but didn't move to stop him as he hauled her up by the arm and dragged her off, hissing under his breath. It was a sobering reminder that as much as he personally liked Dynar and appreciated his aid, this was still a slave-owning kingdom, and that was an issue he would have to address before Perrif would agree to an alliance.
As he looked closer, he also noticed subtle signs that the city was indeed in poor condition, despite the beautiful surroundings. The slaves seemed thin, even by Ayleid standards, and even the elves' clothing seemed to fit loosely. The market stalls were half-empty, and what food was available seemed scanty, such as the stringy chickens and pest-bitten apples on display at one stand. Most of all, there was a tension hanging in the air, and slave and master alike wore grim expressions. Conversations were held in whispers and low mutters rather than loud, joyful voices, and more than one eye glanced warily at the palace. It was a sign that the city was chafing under its ruler, Atkynd realized. Swallowing hard, he followed Dynar quickly to the north, where Nenalata's palace loomed over the city.
The king's residence rested atop a round, semicircular staircase, with one entrance facing the city and the other facing the river. A quartet of Ayleid guards snapped to attention at Dynar's approach as the elven prince dismounted from his horse and quickly ascended the steps, followed by his three charges. He pushed open the massive wooden doors of the palace himself and strode into the magically-lit main hall. The throne at the end of the hall was empty, and upon noticing this, Dynar turned to his companions and smiled briefly down at them.
"Forgive me for my abrupt departure, but I must consult with my father," he explained. "It will take some time to secure an audience, so in the meantime, I implore you to enjoy our hospitality. The slaves will see to it that you're fed and bathed, so please rest, and relax. If you'll excuse me."
The prince swept out of the room, and immediately a pair of humans dressed in white chitons approached, quietly ushering them to a side hallway. Atkynd was guided away from his two companions and led into a marble room with a drain, where he was provided with a cloth, a bar of soap, and a bucket of hot water, and then he was left alone. With little else to do, he decided to take Dynar's advice and enjoy the luxury of a hot bath. He stripped off his dirty, wet traveling clothes and took his time washing himself, relishing the feeling of being truly clean for the first time in weeks. It was a luxury that he had he had taken for granted in his homeland, where similar baths were the norm for elven nobility, and he hadn't realized until that moment how much he had missed being free of grime. By the time he was done, his pale skin had been rubbed almost raw, and his long, silver-blond hair was finally free of tangles, mud, and oil.
Once he had finished bathing – spending far longer than he should have, he reflected later – he pulled his diplomatic clothing out of his bag and changed into his formal tunic and trousers. Thankfully, the oiled bags had prevented his clothes from being soaked in the river, and they were even still folded neatly and relatively free of wrinkles, much to his surprise. As he emerged from the baths, one slave scooped up his discarded clothing to clean it while another guided him to a dining room.
Twin marble tables dominated the room, with polished copper cups and plates laid out at each place. Pasare had evidently finished bathing before him, though the dark locks of her short hair lay in a straggled, wet mess around her head, as though she hadn't bothered to dry it off. She had also been provided with a clean, sky-blue chiton, which she seemed uncomfortable wearing. As Atkynd approached, he noticed that she was idly plucking a piece of bread between her fingers, eyeing it uncomfortably.
"I hate this," she announced as he took a seat across from her. A young boy approached him and set a few slices of dark bread in front of him – a marked change from the white loaves the nobility typically ate, he noted – and a hot bowl of vegetable soup. Atkynd smiled and whispered a thanks to the boy, whose eyes widened, but Atkynd didn't notice as he returned his attention to Pasare. "I loathe being waited on."
"It's simply part of the diplomatic game," Atkynd explained patiently as he picked up the spoon and ladled a purple carrot and some broth into his mouth. "Hosts provide their guests with amenities and see to their needs."
"If it was the hosts providing it, I would not mind so much," Pasare replied curtly. "The kitchens, the baths… they're tended to by the slaves, not their masters. And I despise the thought of my fellow men being forced to serve me when I should be liberating them."
"And they shall be liberated in due time," Atkynd assured her calmly. "I understand your concerns, but for now, rejecting the king's hospitality would do more harm than good. It's best to accept it gracefully so as not to offend our hosts."
Pasare scowled, reluctantly picking up the piece of bread she had been playing with and popping it into her mouth. After chewing it, she added, "I also hate bathing in hot water. Hot water!" she emphasized while Atkynd raised an eyebrow, amused. "We were meant to bathe in rivers and lakes! Whoever heard of a hot river?! It's unnatural!"
"It's an elven custom," Atkynd replied simply, though his shoulders were shaking with laughter.
"It's madness! They were trying to stew me like a chicken!" Pasare shot back, at which point Atkynd burst out laughing, leaning back in his chair and covering his mouth, and soon she began giggling as well.
"I'm simply grateful we were provided with water at all," a voice announced from the hallway behind them. "I don't care if it's warm or cool, so long as I'm clean."
Atkynd turned around as Tari walked into the room, and his eyes widened when he saw her. Her pale skin had a slightly rosy glow to it, suggesting that she'd spent even longer than he had scrubbing herself vigorously to ensure she was completely clean. Her reddish-brown hair bounced unbound and untangled around the nape of her neck, and for the first time Atkynd noticed that it had a slight curl when it wasn't matted to her scalp. She had been given a fresh marigold chiton that fell to her thighs, and it complimented her bright green eyes and dusky red hair rather well. He once again realized that though she wasn't stunningly beautiful like Perrif, she was quite pretty in her own way. Tari flushed as Atkynd's gaze lingered on her, and he suddenly realized he was staring.
"What is it?" she stammered.
"My… you do clean up well," Atkynd commented. Tari's cheeks burned even brighter as she hurried to a chair opposite him, and she looked away until a servant served her as well. Off to the side, Pasare watched them with an amused smirk.
"Thank you," Tari murmured, though with her looking away, it wasn't clear if she was addressing Atkynd or the servant. Atkynd finally decided to spare her by changing the subject.
"You seemed exhausted after casting that flame spell," he remarked. "Are you feeling less weary now?"
"Somewhat," Tari nodded, finally meeting his gaze again. "I wasn't exactly tired… or, rather, I was, but it was a different sort…."
"I know what you mean," Atkynd said. "When drained of magicka, you feel weariness, but not in the same way as if you had just run a long distance. It's more of a mental exhaustion. A sort of headache, or an inability to focus, almost as though you're suffering a head cold."
"Exactly!" Tari nodded. "I was already quite tired from our travels, and casting that spell spent the last of my energy." She lowered her gaze and added softly, "My apologies. Had I conserved my stamina, we would not have nearly been caught…."
"You have nothing to apologize for, Tari," Pasare assured her gently. "Had you not cast that spell when you did, we would not have escaped at all."
"Nor would my men have found you," a new voice added. The trio looked over to see Prince Dynar approaching them, still clad in his bronze armor. "We were only nearby because we saw smoke rising to the south, and we feared an imminent attack, so we decided to investigate. You were the one who cast the spell, Tari?" When Tari nodded shyly, he shook his head in wonder. "First I've heard of a human mage. Strange times indeed," he murmured. Then he shrugged. "Well, you'll have plenty of time to rest and recover, so in the meantime, please enjoy your meal, and feel free to sleep if you need to. We'll have a room prepared." He turned towards Atkynd and added, "My father has agreed to see you when you're ready. He has other matters he can attend to in the interim, so you needn't rush, but don't take too long."
"Thank you," Atkynd said, inclining his head. "How is his mood?"
"He is… disconcerted by my report, but he is willing to hear your message," Dynar said slowly. "That is the fairest mood one can expect from him of late."
"Excellent! Finally, a bit of fortune for you, Telepe," Pasare teased him.
"…Telepe?" Dynar repeated, frowning.
Atkynd sighed, shooting a glare at Pasare. "The Paravant's warriors insist upon calling me by that name, despite my protests," he explained shortly.
"Why is that?" Dynar asked.
"He captured the fortress of Telepe almost single-handedly, without a single casualty," Pasare interjected before Atkynd could explain. When he glowered at her, she added, "That's the sort of deed people tend to remember."
"You're embellishing!" Atkynd insisted. "I simply convinced the King of Veyond that relinquishing control of the fortress was in his best interests, and in exchange we gave him the crown of his city! It wasn't as though I broke down the gates and slaughtered a thousand warriors alone, as you seem to be suggesting!"
"Indeed? Even so, you did seize control of a fortress without a fight, which is impressive in its own right," Dynar countered. "Telepe… I rather like that name, actually," he remarked thoughtfully, grinning at Atkynd's exasperated expression. "And if you are conducting negotiations for the Paravant, adopting a different name may be wise, especially if you wish to differentiate between diplomacy conducted under your kingdom's banner and on the rebellion's behalf."
"I… but-!" Atkynd cried.
"I concur," Tari piped up suddenly, surprising Atkynd, and he turned to face her as she set down her spoon. "That name is a mark of respect from the Paravant's rebels, and though you may not consider it an accomplishment worthy of praise, her warriors certainly feel it was. Your humility is praiseworthy, but it might also be perceived as arrogant of you to downplay your achievement, as though you consider it inconsequential." Atkynd was stunned, and as he mulled her point, she smiled and added, "Besides, Telepe – 'Silver-speak' – suits you far better than 'Elder Child.'"
Atkynd remained silent for several long moments, staring into his half-empty bowl, and then he abruptly set down his spoon and pushed himself up. "We should not keep the king waiting, Your Highness," he announced, ignoring his friends' infuriatingly smug expressions as he walked around the table. He shot a look at Tari and added shortly, "Ensure that you rest."
"As you say," Tari called after him as Dynar led him out of the room. Behind them, he could hear the two women giggling, and Atkynd pointedly ignored Dynar earnestly trying to catch his eye as they left the room.
The prince's good humor vanished immediately as they entered the throne room and his eyes fell on the figure slouching on the throne. The King of Nenalata appraised Atkynd with a look of obvious distaste, which led Atkynd to suspect that he was only humoring his son by agreeing to this audience. He had no true interest in what Atkynd had to say. Still, Atkynd thought to himself, he couldn't expect every king to be eager to treat with him, and at least King Dynar was willing to at least allow Atkynd in his presence. Even if it was a slim opening, he had to make do.
Atkynd stopped several paces from the king's throne and sank into a deep bow, though he was careful not to appear sycophantic. When he raised his head again, the king bade him to speak with a lazy gesture, and he began, "Your Majesty, thank you for permitting me a moment of your time."
"My son claims that you bear news from the south that we have not received," King Dynar said bluntly. "Deliver your message."
"Of course," Atkynd agreed quickly. "I've come to inform you that a human rebellion has begun in the southern regions of the Blackwood. You may have heard the rumors of a Nedic uprising led by a young woman known as the Paravant. This rebellion has spread swiftly – in a few short weeks, they have defeated and occupied the kingdoms of Veyond, Arpenia, and Atatar. At present, they are being held in check by the forces of Morahame, and their northward progress has stalled."
The king sighed deeply, running a hand down his face. "As though my city didn't face enough troubles," he growled to himself. Then he nodded. "Very well. You have my thanks for delivering this report to me. You may depart."
Atkynd glanced at Prince Dynar, and the Ayleid made a subtle gesture with his head towards his father, encouraging Atkynd to press on. Atkynd turned back to the king and continued, "If I may be so bold, Your Majesty… I would also like to speak with you about the possibility of forging an alliance."
The king scowled, resting his cheek on his fist as he regarded Atkynd coldly. "You are the Manmer who visited my realm a few weeks ago, yes?" he asked. When Atkynd confirmed his question quietly, he shook his head. "I have already refused your offer, and I have no intention of amending my decision. Your kingdom is too remote for us to reasonably trade with you, and with this rebellion no doubt blockading the entrance to the Nibenay, seafaring trade will be impossible-"
"Forgive me, Your Majesty," Atkynd cut in quickly. "But I was not referring to the Kingdom of the Bjoulsae. I am approaching you on behalf of the rebellion. They would like to negotiate an alliance with Nenalata."
The king sat silently, staring at Atkynd incredulously. "Have you been touched by Sheogorath, boy?" he asked quietly. "What could possibly compel me to even consider such an offer? For that matter, why are you speaking on their behalf?!"
"They requested it," Atkynd answered quickly. "And an alliance with this rebellion offers many benefits, I assure you. For one, they are eager to establish favorable relations with friendly Ayleid kings. The King of Veyond has already agreed to such an arrangement, and he has already begun to reap the benefits. Trade has begun flowing between the three settlements-"
"You would have me turn traitor against my own people?!" King Dynar roared suddenly, sitting forward. Atkynd managed to control himself enough not to jump, but he was startled by the king's sudden outburst.
"As I've said, Your Majesty, the rebellion does not discriminate between races," he backpedaled. "If Ayleid kingdoms are amenable to amicable relations, the Paravant is more than happy to negotiate treaties-"
"Do you think me a fool?" King Dynar snapped, sitting back on his throne with a scoff. "Were I to even consider such a proposal, the other Ayleid kingdoms would turn on me in an instant."
Atkynd considered the king's words, trying to find an opening. "Which alliances would you be breaking?" he asked simply.
King Dynar hesitated for a moment. "That is irrelevant," he growled.
"Truly?" Atkynd pressed, keeping his voice light while struggling to excise all accusation from his tone. "As I recall, when last we spoke your focus was upon the naval war being waged between Bawn and Anutwyll, yes? If you've forged an alliance with either of those kingdoms, I can certainly understand your reluctance."
The king's eyes narrowed further. "We have remained neutral in their conflict," he said tightly.
"I see! In that case, I'm pleased that the war is going so well for you," Atkynd chirped cheerfully. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Prince Dynar raising an eyebrow. "I trust that by remaining neutral, those kingdoms have ceased raiding your ships, correct? Or have the northern kingdoms finally interceded on your behalf?"
King Dynar exhaled slowly, clearly trying to keep his temper in check. "There are other matters at hand that have demanded the attention of the White-Gold City," he explained slowly.
"That is unfortunate," Atkynd said solemnly. "Nevertheless, surely your patience will pay off. If I may, what gains do you hope to make once the war ends?"
The king's eyebrow twitched. "Once the war has concluded, both kingdoms will be in a severely weakened state," he explained. "By remaining neutral, we conserve our strength and place ourselves in a position to become the dominant power in the central Niben."
Atkynd tilted his head slightly. "Is this a stance you've taken before?" he asked innocently. "How many wars have been fought between Anutwyll and Bawn?"
"…Several," King Dynar admitted.
"And you've always benefitted from the ensuing peace?" Atkynd continued, maintaining the tone of a student eager to learn from a master.
"We… at times have, yes," the king replied, though his stutter didn't pass by Atkynd unnoticed. "In the past, when our rivals exhausted themselves, we enjoyed a period of prosperity. We were free to broker new alliances at our leisure and resume trading up and down the Niben River."
"I see. And how long have these periods of peace lasted?" Atkynd asked. "How long did Anutwyll and Bawn honor their alliances?"
King Dynar hesitated, folding his hands in front of him, while behind him, Atkynd noticed a slow smile spreading across the prince's face. "Peace is never certain in Cyrod," he said evasively. "And alliances are constantly shifting."
"Ah. And while you were enjoying these moments of prosperity, did your rivals eventually notice your good fortune, and in turn band together to attack you?" King Dynar's eyes widened threateningly, and Atkynd quickly added, "It's common for the kingdoms of Malabal to pursue similar courses of action. I was simply wondering if comparisons can be drawn between my homeland and Cyrod."
King Dynar's face was growing redder as he explained in a low voice, "Yes, that has happened before. However, this war between Bawn and Anutwyll has been waged far longer and has been more destructive than prior conflicts. Thus, it is my hope that they will fully exhaust themselves by the war's end. Nenalata will then be in an excellent position to dictate whatever peace terms I choose, and I can then secure our position as the dominant power in the Central Niben for decades to come."
"And you have the forces necessary to assert your will?" Atkynd asked. "Even after both kingdoms have continued to attack your vessels? Denied you the ability to trade? Isolated you?"
King Dynar sat forward on his throne, lacing his fingers together and glaring down at Atkynd. "You are treading in dangerous waters, emissary," the king warned him.
"Your Majesty, I am not criticizing you," Atkynd said soothingly, holding up his hands. "I understand your logic. You have been backed into a corner by your rivals, and with no way to forge alliances or conduct trade, your only option has been to patiently wait for their war to end while minimizing your own losses." He then raised his head. "However, that is no longer your only option."
"Allying with rebels is not an option," the king snarled.
"Who, then, would you treat with?" Atkynd replied simply. "What has been your relationship with your fellow Ayleids? By your own admission, Bawn and Anutwyll, your closest neighbors, have already proven their treachery time and again. The northern kingdoms are apathetic to your plight at best, and I know firsthand how vicious the southern kingdoms were. So, what commonality do you truly have with them?"
"At least they are Ayleid!" the king snapped. "As I said, I am not fool enough to ally with slaves who would gladly see every Ayleid kingdom toppled, who would stain the Niben red with elven blood! Claim Veyond's allegiance all you wish, but I know the ultimate goal of your rebellion!"
Atkynd tilted his head back slightly, resisting the urge to smile. "The other kingdoms certainly don't seem to hold racial loyalty in high regard," he countered smoothly. "Where was their loyalty to their fellow Ayleids when the Barsaebics were massacred? More importantly, why do Ayleid kings continue to fight with each other? Do your rivals truly care one whit about the fact that you are an Ayleid? If so, why do they continue to attack you despite your neutrality? Though I concede, perhaps announcing an alliance with humans would provide them with justification to officially declare war on you."
"Then why should I allow them to?!" King Dynar snapped.
"Because despite your concerns, you have nothing to lose by doing so," Atkynd replied simply. "Certainly, Anutwyll and Bawn may well declare war on you, but as I said, have they not continued to attack you, regardless of your neutrality? How, then, does the situation change, other than officially acknowledging its reality? Furthermore, you would not be alone. The rebellion has proven itself powerful enough to topple three kingdoms already. Four hundred warriors defeated an army of thousands, and its ranks have swelled several times that number since. Its generals are more than a match for the finest Ayleid warriors and kings. And the rebellion has far more to gain by aiding you than by fighting you."
"Even if the other kingdoms declare war on us, at least we may finally freely fight back," Prince Dynar added. His father turned to glare at him, but the prince held his ground. "We should not fear shedding Nenalatan blood, father. Our enemies have been slowly bleeding us to death for years anyways."
The king regarded his son coldly, settling back on his throne with his fingers laced together. "And you expect me to trust these… humans instead?" he scoffed.
"Not every hand extended towards you is clutching a dagger, Your Majesty," Atkynd said in a reassuring tone.
"You have done nothing to prove yours does not," the king retorted shortly. "Nor can you."
Atkynd hesitated. The discussion was going in circles, and though the king was at least reluctantly acknowledging his situation, Atkynd knew he had to do something significant to fully sway him. An idea crept into his mind, and he grimaced. It was a gamble, one that could have dire consequences if he misjudged the king. But it would at least show that he was serious about attempting to win the king's trust.
"If you desire a show of faith, then may I approach?" Atkynd asked. The king's eyes widened, and he explained, "I wish to share some information that only you and your son may hear."
The king glanced at his son, and Prince Dynar nodded. With a sigh, the king motioned Atkynd to step forward, though he watched his approach carefully. Atkynd stepped up to the throne as both Dynars leaned in, and Atkynd spoke to the pair in a low voice so that the guards couldn't hear. "At this very moment, the rebellion is camped at Atatar. They are attempting to rebuild the damaged walls of the city, but the repairs will require at least a few more days to complete. There are large holes in the southern and western sides of the city that an army could easily breach. I doubt that the rebel army could withstand a full assault from both sides. If you were to march from here, it would only take you two days, and if you allied with Morahame, you could potentially overwhelm the rebellion and slaughter the rebels with little resistance."
Prince Dynar's eyes widened with shock as Atkynd stepped back, while the king glared at him suspiciously. "There are several ways to use that information to your advantage, Your Majesty," Atkynd continued in a calm voice, trying to ignore his hammering heart. "You could march south and end the rebellion yourself. Or perhaps you could share this information with the other Ayleid kingdoms. No doubt you would curry favor with them. Either way, now you not only know that the rebellion is not holding a dagger to your throat, but now you're holding the blade. Should you choose to use it, there is nothing the rebellion could do to stop you. That, Your Majesty, is their show of faith. Has any Ayleid kingdom ever bared their neck to you in such a way?"
The king brooded over the information for several long moments, steepling his fingers together and staring ahead silently. Atkynd could feel his ears burning, feel the sweat glistening on his skin, but he tried to maintain his composure. Prince Dynar's eyes flickered back and forth anxiously between his father and Atkynd as the silence hang heavily in the air. Finally, the king raised his head slightly and met Atkynd's gaze.
"Suppose I were to agree to an alliance," he said. "What would be your terms?"
Atkynd struggled to keep from grinning "This alliance would consist of a trade agreement and mutual defense pact with the other kingdoms that the rebellion has already liberated," Atkynd explained. "The cities of Veyond, Arpenia, and Atatar would become your partners in an open war to liberate the other city-states in Cyrod. You would enjoy the benefits of trade with them, including an open sea route out of the Niben and access to all of Tamriel."
"I see. And in exchange?" the king pressed, clearly unconvinced that there wasn't a catch.
Atkynd swallowed hard, steeling himself as he presented his demand. "In exchange, they would ask that you free the slaves in your city and grant them citizenship." The king's eyebrow raised, and Atkynd added quickly, "They would still be beholden to you and your nobles. The rebellion simply asks that they be treated as equal to any Ayleid under the law."
The king was once again silent for several long moments while Atkynd wondered if he had already overplayed his hand. "…Anything else?" the king muttered.
Atkynd knew better than to breathe a sigh of relief. "More immediately, the rebellion requests your aid in breaking Morahame's control over the Panther River. The two armies are currently at an impasse over control of the river, and while a crossing by the rebellion alone is possible, Nenalata's aid could prove decisive. Therefore, the rebellion requests a coordinated attack against Morahame, with the ultimate goal of sacking it and uniting the southern cities. From there, it will in turn provide material and military aid in securing the central Niben and resolving the ongoing war between Anutwyll and Bawn… in your favor."
The king tapped his fingers against his knuckles as he considered the proposal. "So Nenalata remains the front line of this war," he muttered. "Only now we could potentially be facing every other kingdom in Cyrod."
"Only until the front line can be pushed north," Atkynd pointed out. "And the rebellion has enjoyed surprising momentum. Consider all they've accomplished in a short period of time. I have no doubt that the pressure Nenalata faces would soon be relieved, allowing your kingdom a much-needed opportunity to recover and enjoy the benefits of its new alliance."
The king sighed and pushed himself up. He folded his hands behind his back and glanced at his son, then turned back to Atkynd. "This is not a decision that I can make lightly, nor one I can make alone," he explained. "I will require some time to deliberate with my nobles." He paused, then added in a softer voice, "However, rest assured that you have presented a strong case, and I will consider it seriously. If I do not, I am certain my son will continue to hound me about it incessantly," he added. Atkynd noticed the shadow of a smile finally flicker across his face as he gazed at Prince Dynar, who chuckled drily and unrepentantly. "In the meantime, you and your companions will remain here as my guests."
"As you wish, Your Majesty." Atkynd bowed. "Thank you for considering this proposal."
"Yes…. What did you say your name was again, emissary?" King Dynar asked, pausing.
Atkynd hesitated, shooting a glance at Prince Dynar, and then past him to the doorway leading to the dining hall. Then he looked back at the king and replied firmly, "Telepe, Your Majesty."
"Telepe. Interesting," the king remarked as Prince Dynar's grin broadened. "I shall remember that name. Very well. I shall summon you again in a few days. Excuse us." With that, he motioned for his son to follow him.
Prince Dynar gazed at him triumphantly and mouthed a silent "thank you" as he tailed his father out of the room. Atkynd responded with a wink, then turned on his heel and strode back to the dining hall. Giddy elation mixed with worry as he entered the empty room and sank back into a chair, staring up at the ceiling. There was certainly no guarantee that the king would agree to join the alliance, and if he decided to act on the information Atkynd had provided him, it could spell the end of the rebellion. Guilt welled up inside of him as he considered that possibility. Still, at least he'd caught the king's attention, and his assurance that he would consider Atkynd's offer was the best he could hope for.
Atkynd sighed as he pushed himself up again. It was out of his hands now, and he could only see where the dice fell. But in the meantime, the waiting and anxiety were going to kill him, he thought bitterly.
Three days later, Atkynd was sitting on the steps of Nenalata's palace, gazing at the ships bobbing in the harbor of the Niben River and wrestling with his simultaneous impatience and dread of the king's response. He almost didn't hear the boots approaching him from behind, and he only turned around when he felt a hand rest on his shoulder. He looked up to see Prince Dynar grinning down at him.
"We must send a message to the rebellion immediately," he announced. "Nenalata has agreed to join your alliance. We march on Morahame."
A/N: DrWandel: After considering the crossing at Welke, Pasare led Atkynd and Tari northwest a little ways and instead crossed the river from southwest to northeast, landing on a small peninsula formed by the river, before resuming their journey north. As for the cave where they spent the night, no, it's not a marked dungeon on the Oblivion map. It's just a cave they found, and it doesn't even exist several thousand years later.
Rein26: My primary source for research has been the Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages. I've mainly pieced together the story from the Song of Pelinal and the Adabal-a, and filled in some of the gaps with wiki pages about in-game dialogue and the Ayleid language. I then extrapolated a bit and added a few touches of my own for flavor, hopefully without straying from the lore too much.