Hexe - The Great Exodus

[CH. 0019] - The Little King and the Mage

Eu

Ew

Type: Pronoun

Meaning: In the Menschen language, "Eu" signifies the self, used to reference the speaker directly. It conveys a sense of personal assertion and identity. When combined with "mir," it becomes a gesture of offering or informing, transforming the statement into one of sharing or declaring a personal action or state.

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After the exhaustive lessons, Xendrix sat hunched over a bench table outdoors, his gaze drifting across the expanse to where the Meerio reflected the nine moons. A frown creased his brow. Noctavia observed him from afar. She had already noticed that the young Prince would be moody each time he saw Ulencia slipping discreetly into Mediah's tent. Noctavia didn't need to be a seer to grasp the budding closeness between the two halflings and the growing jealousy of the human. Ulencia, with her gentle beauty and kindness, seemed naturally drawn to Mediah's steady presence. And why not? The man had the stature of a dream, the serene countenance of a sage, and hair that fell in a cascade of hazel locks.

Mediah reminded her of Yeso when she first met him. And like Yeso, the young halfling always seemed to possess the right words for every moment, a gift that Xendrix didn't show to possess. Xendrix reminded Noctavia, a court jester in his own tragic play. Shorter, rounder, and lacking the effortless intellect of his peers. He compensated with a silver tongue that could deceive others into seeing a wisdom she feared he didn't own.

It was hard for Noctavia to imagine how he could contribute anything to the kingdom of Keblurg or even to her people, among whom he now lived. Was he just another mouth to feed, depleting their already scant resources?

She couldn't see anything besides a sad, fat kid.

"You think too much," Noctavia's voice sliced through the night as she walked closer, startling Xendrix from his brooding. He turned to see her approaching, wrapped in a black robe, her presence commanding even in such simple attire. He blinked in surprise; he had been under the impression that she didn't speak human language, as Yeso had once mentioned.

"Oh, uh, sorry," he stammered, unsure of how to address her unexpected fluency.

"You are apologizing for thinking?" she quipped, climbing to sit beside him on the bench, the robe enveloping her like a shroud of night. "You are silly. You need to articulate better and choose your words with care. You use your silver tongue to trick others into believing what is not, and when you actually have something to say... there is nought."

"Oh, I..." Xendrix struggled for a moment, words failing him.

"Knowing your words and wielding them appropriately is as crucial as choosing the right weapon for battle. You wouldn't bring a bow to a melee, not unless you can outpace the wind, and even then, success isn't guaranteed," she said, her words rapid and incisive.

"I'll try," he managed to respond, a note of defensiveness creeping into his voice.

"Trying isn't enough, not when you're reaching for the impossible. To achieve the impossible, you must do the impossible," Noctavia declared, her blue gaze piercing.

"Sounds like... impossible," he joked weakly, attempting to lighten the mood.

Noctavia ignored the attempt at humour. "What do you know about alchemy? Enlighten me, your highness."

Xendrix hesitated, then began, "It's a form... that imbues magic into objects, turning them into... magical items." His voice faltered, and he doubted his own understanding.