The Relistar: Rejoining Vol. I

Rejoining | Ch. 5

V.

Hunters

Haketh, Inner Chamber of Kasian's Twelve

They assembled in that dreary chamber on the fifth morning of Wakingtides, that third month of their thirteen-month calendar. They called it Dwi in the Calamoni tongue.

The chamber of Haketh was big and dome-topped, built in the same architectural style as Athica, though the materials were of black obsidian, and the windows shone not light, but twisting purple magic. Her magic.

Opposite the grand dark oak door, there was a man-sized indentation in the wall which acted as a gateway, should they need it. Above it was a painting in intricate detail; a silver, platinum, white dragon, floating above a dark field covered in soldiers like swaths of ants. Dying soldiers, blood-covered men fighting for their lives. Her wings were splayed out, and soaked with crimson blood. Her name was Evra.

But The Twelve sat around that rounded, hollow table in the middle. They sat and argued and contested, until finally Kogar stood, and slammed his fist down.

"Someone has erred. One escaped the Azar'kara project – or rather, the maelstrom as a whole." he said, and brushed a hand through his short black hair as though it was much longer than it was.

"I'm positive that he did not survive my elemental. Forget him." Ivalié answered from the seat closest to the door.

"How callous of you to expect Serkukan, Evra's firstborn, to be snuffed out by a mere pawn. We'll arrange a hunting party–"

"He was a bastard, I may remind you. A breeding between an Etherian and a man, the first man. He is full of unhoned rage, and uncontrollable emotion."

"And yet he killed Algirak." Kogar tilted his head.

The other six in attendance looked bored and disinterested around the obsidian table. This was not the first time they'd usurped civil discourse for argument.

"There was an unforeseen element – the Outsider."

"Llestren'vatis." Kogar narrowed his eyes. "And yet you imply that he is no longer influencing that boy, who sprinted so readily to Calamon. As if he knew."

"There are more pressing matters at hand. Do not forget that."

"You speak down to me? You, who is so absent from matters concerning our kin?"

"You command nothing, Kogar. The Twelve act independently."

Kogar's face became a harsh grimace.

Ivalié rose calmly from his seat, as though anticipating an attack.

Suddenly there was a slow, soft clapping that broke the tension in the air.

"Gentlemen, must you always bicker so?" came the serene and oddly sensual voice of a woman.

They turned to see her; the black-and-purple gowned woman with pale skin, and violet eyes. The woman who still wore the dark crown of their hellish home from so long ago.

Rykaedi. Ivalié narrowed his eyes to her.

A woman who had never concealed her identity as an Etherian. The only member of the Twelve who had no taste for subtlety.