Battle Scars

Spring

Spring was itchy. It was also too sunny for Eve. She wondered how she had ever lived here- even for a few months. The numbness had helped, she supposed. But now, with the seasons changing, Spring was getting annoying. She briefly wondered if Lucien visited much but her focus soon got taken by the ruination the once mighty court had become. It had been the only court that had been left untouched- mostly, by Amarantha but now it seemed as if it had been in ruins for centuries. The eeriness that now hung over the area did not help but add to show the extent of its devastation. If the High Lord himself refused to help its people, how on Earth were they supposed to move on from the war?

At present, Eve waited alongside Cassian and Rhys for Eris to deign them with his repulsing presence. Cassian kept shifting around, his hands swatting around while Rhys seemed a lost in his own mind. "He did specify this timing, right?" Eve asked. Cassian scowled, "he is late on purpose." He again started itching and shifting on his feet. Eve couldn't help but snort bringing Rhys back from wherever he had gone to.

"Stop scratching," he told Cass, his gaze still distant, on the flowers and the vines that were growing on a broken pillar near them. Tamlin' once glorious estate was nearby, Eve noted.

Cassian lowered his hand from his chest. "I can't help it if this place makes my skin crawl." Eve let out a small laugh. "Who knew? The feared and vicious General of the Night Court could be bought down with pollen and seasonal allergies." Rhys chuckled with her as Cassian gave an unnecessarily loud sniffle.

"I'd peel my skin off right now, if it'd stop the itching." Cassian huffed. "There's a sight I'd like to see," a voice said behind them and Eve sighed as she turned around. "Eris," she drawled, "you are late."

"I got held up," he excused himself, "besides, seeing the general in spring from afar was a true sight." Before Eve could reply, Rhys butt in. "Eris, a pleasure." Eris nodded at Rhys; his red hair dappled in the sunlight leaking through the blossom-heavy branches. "I only have a few minutes." "You asked for this meeting," Cassian said, crossing his arms. "So out with it." Eris shot Cassian a look before saying, "I'm sure he has reported my offer to you." "He has," Rhys replied, with his hands in his pockets, "the threat was not appreciated."

Eris shrugged. "I merely wanted to make myself clear." "Spit it out, Eris," Cassian said. He continued looking at Rhys, "I assume your Shadowsinger is off doing what he does best." None of them revealed anything. But, Azriel was in fact, in Velaris at the moment, taking a break and replenishing before he left at night again. How did he function with bare hours of sleep, Eve would never understand.

Eris went on with a shrug, "We are wasting our time, gathering information rather than acting." His amber eyes gleamed in the shade of the apple tree. "Regardless of the death-lord pulling their strings, if the human queens intend to be a thorn in our sides, we could simply deal with them now. All of them. My father would be forced to abandon his plans. And I'm sure you could invent some reason that has nothing to do with me or what I've told you to excuse their ... removal."

"You 'deal' with them and it will turn into another gods-damned war. We all know wars have been started for far less. Besides, dealing with even with one of them in the manner you are suggesting, Eris, would be more than difficult. Everyone will know who to point their fingers later at in anger- no matter what reason we try to invent to justify the actions." Eve countered.

Rhys angled his head. "Only if we're sloppy." "You're kidding," Cassian said to his brother. Eve gave out an exasperated sigh, "look I hate them as much as the next person but what he is suggesting is preposterous. Need I mention extremely dangerous?"

Rhys threw her a dry smile even as his eyes were a grave distance away, before he turned towards Eris again. "Tempting as it may be to take the easy way out, I agree with Eve. It's a simple solution to our current problems, and to thwarting your father, but it would create a conflict far greater than any we're anticipating." Rhys surveyed Eris. "You know that already." Eris stayed silent still. Rhys asked solemnly, "Why does your father want to start a war so badly?" "Why does anyone go to war?" Eris reached out a long, slender hand, letting the falling petals gather there. "Why does Vallahan not sign the treaty? The borders of this new world have not yet been set." "Beron doesn't have the military strength to control the Autumn Court and a territory on the continent," Cassian countered. Eris shrugged, "Who says he wants land on the continent?" His eyes darting to the orchard that surrounded them.