Discordant Note: Crescendo | TBATE

Chapter 169: At the High Sovereign's Call

Toren Daen

I stood behind both Seris and Cylrit, my mind jumping with anxiety and my palms already sweaty. I had to restrain the urge to tap my foot as I waited impatiently for the tempus warp to be fully prepared.

Today was the day of the war summit. And as I stood in the depths of Scythe Seris' estate about to be portalled toward the High Sovereign's personal fortress, I couldn't help but have second thoughts.

Aurora's retreated from our bond, I thought, clenching my hands behind my back. Our tether is as cold and dark as it was the day Agrona saw me the first time. He shouldn't be able to sense her.

I wore my standard crimson vest, dark gray leggings and boots contrasting the bright shirt I wore underneath. The sigil of Named Blood Daen stood out proudly on my chest, the blazing symbol quiet and steady, contrasting the beat of my own heart. I'd pulled my hair into a half-up, half-down style, the strawberry blonde locks neat and groomed for the occasion.

Cylrit looked the same as ever, his matte-black armor polished and clean as his white cape streamed behind him. His eyes faced forward, not sparing anything unnecessary attention. If he were seen by anyone else, I was sure they'd think him some sort of perfect sculpture. A statue made manifest.

Seris, however, had changed her own standard attire slightly. Her long, pearlescent hair draped loosely to her mid back like raindrops sliding down a pane of glass. She wore speckled lipstick that added flecks of bright purple to her lips, and deep eyeshadow made her dark eyes seem even darker. She wore a black battledress as always, but it seemed more sleek today. It bore fewer frills and accentuating lines across her form. She wore her fur mantle like armor, the dark material clinging to her neck.

The Scythe seemed dressed for war.

"It is an endless pit, is it not?" her silken voice suddenly said, breaking the tenuous line of my thoughts. "The anxiety before facing a coming battle."

My back straightened as I exhaled a shudder. "I am afraid," I admitted, my mind flashing back to the deep darkness of the Central Cathedral. "I worry that if I step into Taegrin Caelum, I will not walk out."

Seris' focus remained straight ahead on the anvil-shaped tempus warp. "Your fear is good, Lord Daen," she said succinctly. "Never forget the fear you bear for the High Sovereign. It might not keep you alive, but it will keep you aware. You also cannot dismiss the attention you shall receive upon entering this summit."

I swallowed heavily. I was going to meet the forerunners of Alacryan society. The Scythes were the pinnacle of power in this world, second only to the asura themselves. I also couldn't forget the Retainers that would be there, carrying the will of their Scythes.

I tried to remember Aurora's teachings. This wouldn't just be a war summit. It would be entrenched in politics. "Who–what–do I have to watch out for?" I asked, steeling myself. I'd caused waves in Alacrya, especially as the Doctrination slowly crumbled in the wake of the Plaguefire Incursion and Varadoth's execution. I had no doubt the Scythes would want to poke and prod at me.

"A good question, Lord Daen," Seris acknowledged. "You will be a new face amidst the crowd. An anomaly many will seek to entice for their own reasons." She paused. "Be wary of Scythe Melzri and Retainer Uto above all others. You rather soundly defeated Retainer Mawar, Melzri's protege 'daughter.' That will attract negative attention. And while Scythe Dragoth presents himself as affable and boisterous, his Retainer is crass and brutal. Uto is a mouthpiece for Dragoth's darker thoughts." Seris met my eyes from over her shoulder. "Above all else, do not rise to provocation. No matter the words uttered."

I forcefully stilled myself, controlling my breathing and heartbeat. "Thank you for your advice."

In the absence of Aurora's warm touch, my mind felt a brittle coldness. Yet Seris' words gave me something to focus on; to ground me and give me direction in this upcoming summit. She was calm, collected, and knew precisely what she was doing. It helped center me in a way I did not expect.