Silence, only interrupted by a cough here and there, dominated the tense air that clung around the Countess. Ash was at a complete losshed never experienced pressure of this magnitude before.

Even Evitagen doesnt put on an air like this.

That realization lit an attentive fire in the young elfs eyes. The edges of his mouth curved into a polite smile.

Ash Tsuga, at your service, he said.

The necromancer lowered his head before the Countess; an action he knew Zennereth wouldve utterly despised, had he been there.

No, EmissaryAsh felt the Countesss cold, silky smooth fingers wrap around his chinI appreciate the gesture, but you are my guest. An Emissary shouldnt bow their head before anyone but the Dark Ones.

She lifted Ashs face so he could stare into her radiant blue eyes. Much like the goddess the Countess worshipped, her eyes shone brightly with intelligencea trait Ash loved and loathed in equal measure. An intelligent person typically made for great conversation but also a worthy adversary.

Ash took the Countess up on her offer to stand upright and spoke:

Thank you, Countess, he began, making good use of the etiquette hed been taught, long ago, I was overjoyed to see your letter on my desk. To know that people with proper manners exist on these shoresthe young elf sent a mean stare to the shaman, who was still kneeling at the Countess feetbrings me great joy.

Eerika chuckled.

That reminds me. Voelv, you may leave, she told the woman at her feet.

Thank you, my lady, she replied before scurrying away.

That goes for the rest of you, as well, Eerika continued.

She was immediately obeyed, which only deepened Ashs respect for her. The necromancer had noticed that a great deal of her influence over the room came from the regal way with which she carried herself. It felt like every movement she made were the product of years spent dancing in front of a live audience.

He made a mental note to practice some respect-inducing postures, as well.

Countess

Please, call me Eerika.

Ash didnt even feel annoyed, being interrupted by the woman. In just the span of a few minutes, Eerika had managed to disperse his dislike for the high-and-mighty wording, shed shown him in her letter; it was an attitude that translated well into the way she carried herself in person, too. Ash could respect that.

Eerika, then. Id love to say that my trip was pleasant, but that would be an outright lie. Your guards forced me to fight my servant to beat himlike some kind of rabid dog.

The young elf took a step back from the Countess, who was still staring deeply into his eyes with her intelligent eyes.

I trust you werent aware of your servants behavior.

I was not. Voelv tends to go overboard when it comes to preserving the name of myself and Dark Ones. I hope you wont hold it against her, its simply in her nature, Eerika replied with a smile. Now. If you would follow me, I have more fitting facilities for conversation. I understand you like your liquor.

The fancily clad woman turned around and strolled to a door in the far end of the rectangular hall. She held the door open for Ash, who slowly walked after hercautious. While he was most definitely fond of the way the Countess carried herself, he knew that she was exactly the type of person he would have to watch out for.

I wont fall for that again, he thought to himself. A clear image of Robinia appeared in his mind. By Ashs standards, even Zennereth was technically not worthy of complete trust. After all, he had only known the lich for a few months. Speaking of

I came here with a few companions, Ash began, as he passed through the open door and into a hallway. Shortly after he was joined by Eerika and the sound of the door softly shutting behind them. They should be within your walls. Theyre probably also able to deduce that Im in the citadel. Would you make sure theyre granted passage to this place? Preferably with an escort.

Eerika gave off a short laugh, Theyre both waiting in their rooms. Your carriage is parked in the courtyard.

Uh, what? How?

Im no barbarian, she said and ran in front of Ash to block his way, before firmly planting her index finger on his chest. She was a head shorter than the elf, but she sure didnt feel like it. Of course, Ive taken care of your companions. You must think quite lowly of me, to assume Id disregard the Emissarys escort.

She removed her finger from his chest and opened a door to their left. Inside was a room matching the hallwaygray stone walls, a high loft, and blood-red banners hanging with a bit of space between them. The room was illuminated by brass chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, shedding their beautiful light over a single table, surrounded by leather couches.

Hhans, Ash stammered.

The young Northerner was seated in one of the couches. Behind him towered Zennereth, spreading his cold aura around the room, as if to contrast the otherwise warm light from above. As soon as he saw Ash, however, he rushed to his feet and stood upright like a soldier before a sergeant.

Glad to see the two of you made it here safely.

Zennereth had yet to say anything so Ash walked to him, slightly worried that the lich might be holding a grudge against him because of their fight outside town.

The young elf laid a hand on the lichs shouldera gesture that hardly seemed fluid, due to the considerable difference in height between the two.

Im sorry, the necromancer told his servant. I went too far out there.

There is no need for you to apologize. I was simply overwhelmed by your strength. I do not hold it against you.

That hardly gave the necromancer any closure, but he decided to leave it at that so not to appear a soft ruler before the Countess behind him.

Good, was all he said, clapping the lich on the shoulder before turning back to face his host. Well, youre the one who called me here, the elf began. What do you want to discuss?

Eerika joined her three guests by the couches, and motioned for them to sit down before joining them herself. This, Ash thought, was yet another gesture that testified to her probably countless years of experience parleying with peers and otherwise.

Before we get to that, I would once again like to firstly extend my warmest welcome to the three of you, she began. Ive heard of the two of youshe gestured towards Ash and Zennerethbut unfortunately I have not had your name grace my ears before. Hans, was it?

Yes, maam.

Manners, I see. Very good.

Eerika nodded in acknowledgement.

Ash Tsuga, Emissary of the Dark Onesyour arrival has been much anticipated. My spies in the south were quick to pick up on your existence; Ive waited for you to join me here for many months.

She extended her hand to the young elf, who, according to proper courtly etiquette leaned forward and kissed it.

Charming, when he wants to be. Lovely. And Zennereth de Sarryou were on my fathers radar, quite a few years ago. Unfortunately, he, like you, perished before he could reach out to you. A man of your talents is an anomaly around herea welcome one, but an anomaly all the same. Pleased to make your acquaintance.

Eerika didnt extend her hand to Zennereth, as she had done to Ash, as he was no longer considered nobility by any standards. Not that the lich seemed to mind. In fact, he nodded in acknowledgement of the Countesss understanding of their respective standings.

I am Eerika, Countess and Queen Regent of Nefar, Ruler of Frostborg and Protector of the People. You are my guests and may address me as you see fit, she declared and looked around at the faces of the three, who had come to her capital. all of you, she added. Her eyes resting on Hans who seemed unsure of what to do with himself in the face of the woman under whose rule he had lived until just recently.

Pleasantries asideAsh rose to his feet, fed up with formalitiesyou called me here so we could discuss terms. You dont like me settling on your landwhat do we do about that?

Eerika stood up to face the necromancer on a somewhat even levelhe was taller than her. The blonde nobles face didnt show any signs of slight at her guests relatively straight-forward and brash behavior.

I do have a few ideas, but I was actually hoping you might have come with a proposition, great Emissary. With no intention to come off as overbearing, I hope you do understand that intruding upon and then settling down on my land is something I, in any other case, would punish with death. The Countess looked deep into Ashs gray eyes. However, because of your standing with the Dark Ones, I dare not even begin to ponder the consequences of punishing you.

Ash stared at her for a few seconds, as if to say what are these ideas, you speak of? It seemed the Countess was going to make him prompt her to speak, so he did.

Go on.

I see two options, Eerika began, each of which have their own appeal. The first would be to appoint you a lord of the realm. While this is by far the easiest solution, it also places me above you and makes me responsible for everything you say and do.

The Countess paused for a bit.

I see, Ash said.

He wanted to say that wouldnt work out for him, but decided to hear the womans other proposition first. He didnt know if his army could hold up against hers, if negotiations failed. His current task was to make sure that they didnt.

The other option is marriage.

Eerika said this with such dry flatness that she might as well have been talking about the weathera very boring topic in a land where the climate offered everything from snowy to snowier weather.

Eexcuse me, what? the necromancer stammered.

He frantically looked at Zennereth with eyes that practically screamed for help. The lich just nodded towards the blonde girl, as if to say, Hear her out.

Well, it makes sensedoesnt it? Your divine connection, coupled with my existing grip on the southern regions of The North, makes this the obvious move for you.

I can see that Ash mumbled, scratching his chin which had recently started sporting stubbles of beard.

In reality, he couldnt really wrap his head around why she was proposing marriage, out of all things. Ash had actually thought stuff like that was completely off the table for him, ever since he realized that humans and elves were treated differently. Robinia had briefly piqued his interest, but she

She wasnt useful like this.

A rarely-seen glimmer appeared in the elfs eyes.

It looks like you get the idea, Eerika said. Thats good. Ill give you some time to weigh the ideas against each other, but it looks like you see that the merits of marriage far outweigh those of lordship.

She stood up, seemingly done speaking; then sat down again, apparently still with more to say, I hope you do understand that taking my hand in marriage will leave you unable to frivolously chase other women. That would be problematic, in multiple ways.

Ash nodded.

I understand.

Good, well then, I have a meeting to attend. Ill tell the lords and ladies of the realm that youve arrived safely. If theres anythinganything at allyou need, feel free to call a maid. You can find them around the citadel.

Eerika nodded to the room and left into the hallway outside, gently closing the door behind her.

The room was silent for a few seconds. The young elf was lost in thought, sitting with his head in his hands. His two servants didnt appear to know what to saywell, Hans probably didnt; Zennereth just appeared to respect the fact that his master probably didnt want to be disturbed.

If its this easy to get influence in the entire southern regions of The North, then I dont see the point of not going along with her proposal. Unless, of course

Five minutes, or so, passed before Ash finally raised his head from his hands.

Zennereth

Yes, master.

Correct me if Im wrong, but I dont think I should be taking the Countess up on her offer. What do you think?

Ah so you think so, too It is as you saythis is likely a test.

Ash clicked his tongue.

She wants to see if Ill instantly go for the more powerful position. Its likely the same with allowing us to address her informallyalso a test.

Sowhat is she trying touh. Is she trying to understand your personality? Hans asked.

Zennereth laughed coldly.

No, shes trying to understand the kind of threat we pose. Our lust for power.

which, to be honest, is quite grand. What can I say? Ash licked his lips, Im insatiable.

The young elf looked at Zennereth. Despite the skeletal nature of his face, the elf could easily make out the displeasure in his mind.

But, while I will not settle for this indefinitely, Ill take her up on her offer to appoint me a lord of the realm. Its a step up from being a slave, right? he said, not without a chuckle. Im gonna head out. Have the maids prepare dinner for two people. Other than that, I dont care what you dogo explore town.

With those words, Ash left the room. He could hear indistinct chatter erupt between Hans and Zennereth, as soon as the door closed behind him.

He felt a bit of a smile surface on his chapped lips.

Im glad those two are getting along.

The smile quickly faded into a more serious expression when he reached the citadels entrance hall.

The soon-to-be lord knew that if he wanted to have any chance of winning the peoples favor, he would have to tie up any loose ends such as...

His mind went to the boy he had shouted at earlier.

With a sigh, he nodded to the two guards at the citadels gate, who promptly opened the door to let him out.

The Countess instructs you to be back before sundown, one of them stiffly announced, just as Ash found himself bathed in the light from the cold winter sun outside.

Not to worry, I will.

This wont take long.