Dryads of the Stars

Chapter 25 : Tea Party in the Dark

Their fourth day at the hotel arrived with a light rainstorm. They all took their breakfasts in Ieria's room since their usual place -the veranda- was now flooded with water. And why at her room? Well, she was the resident currently occupying the royal suite of the hotel, meaning she had the largest room amongst everyone else. Her room was consisting of a large bedroom, a room for dining, a bathroom, two toilets, a dressing room, a living room and a closet. It was practically a house for an entire family.
They had all sat around the dinner table that was large enough to fit four more people, waiting for Ieria. The familiar man from the stuff appeared from her bedroom, only to inform them that she was not going to be keeping them company.
"The lady has overexerted herself over the past few days, so she will keep resting. She insists though that you stay and take your breakfast here."
After saying that, he disappeared before giving them a chance to ask questions.

They had finished eating when the tea came in. If they had any concerning matters then the time to discuss them was now. 
"I have never heard of or seen this person before. She must be a noble from somewhere." Amir was scanning the luxurious room with his eyes the entire time he was there along with the others.
"Something like that." The only sincere answer Iliad could give about her was that short.
"Perhaps you would like to tell us about your acquaintance with the god from the story of Elicia?" Karam went straight to the point.
"You mean Aranor?" Zenith had the same face of disgust as last night. "What would you ever want to know about that piece of trash?" 
Iliad looked at her with a hint of pride on his face as she said that.
"Well we are curious about him." Amir added.
Iliad took a slow sip of his tea before giving his answer.
"For starters my friends, he is no god. If there are gods out there, I for once have never met them. Aranor is but one of my many children that have gone astray. It seems that it was just yesterday that I found out he had stolen treasures from the skies to offer them as gifts to that human woman."
"Then, where were you when Elicia met him?" The mood had gotten serious all of a sudden. 
"I, had been asleep at the time that occured. My slumber ended only recently you see. It was something I had no control in." Iliad's expression darkened along with his aura. The atmosphere had thickened with negative emotions and the room fell silent.

The sound of the bedroom door opening made them forget that situation for a while. 
"Bring a cup of tea for me Sal. I shall join them." Ieria had come out of that room looking more irritated and relaxed than even. She had managed to mix these two contradicting emotions perfectly together. The familiar server, apparently named Sall, brought a cup of tea and placed it at the head of the table where she would later sit.
"Are you alright? What brought you here?" Azul looked genuinely concerned for her while the others simply questioned her appearance.
"You might have not been talking loudly, but the atmosphere you have created and your loud thoughts have ravaged my entire room. I could not rest further like this, so I came to calm the spirits." She took a sip from her cup almost angrily after finishing her statement.
Iliad seemed to be relieved by her presence in the room and surprisingly so did Zenith.
"And how do you intend to do that my lady?" Yenu was intrigued by her presence. You rarely see such a small woman exude such confidence when doing the simplest things.
"By regulating your conversation." Her nose wrinkled and her eyebrows arched.
"In what way?"
"Keep talking and you'll find out." If the way someone looked at you could kill, Yenu would probably be traveling the skies about now.
They all looked at eachother and silently decided to change the subject of conversation.

"We have news from our informants that Helenia is in a dire situation right now. By the time we arrive it will have already been invaded by the Sun. I hope we make it in time for an evacuation of the people. Kiria has denied any type of cooperation with them, or us and they have also taken themselves out of the northern alliance. The council that took place in Viritia a few weeks ago suggested that we do not expect their help, but their resistance." Amir looked concerned as he spoke. Yenu followed the sentiment.
"How could they at a time like this? They are the only kingdom bordering Helenia besides the Sun. If they need to evacuate the citizens, it is the only way." The tones were steadily rising as the conversation kept going, as did the tension.
"There is another way, but it is going to be far too time consuming."
"What are you suggesting brother? That they evacuate by sea?" Amir seemed to find the idea proposterus. "The northern islands can only offer that much. We cannot request an entire fleet from them."
"But there is no other way. Next is Markesia and you know they have almost allied with the Sun. They will never assist us."

A light knock came from Ieria's knuckles hitting the wooden table.
"Silence please. I have a question for you Amir." The irritation was gone from her face, giving way to relaxation. "As far as I am aware, Lyberia is a part of the northern alliance, has a fleet and an obligation to help you. Why won't they?" Her eyes were those of a predator eyeing its prey.
"They indeed have the obligation to assist us at all times since we offer protection but, if Helenia falls and the Sun takes over, our protection will no longer be enough. They will be exposed from the sea to them."
"So? How is that any of your problem? It sounds to me like it is their issue. A future one too. Since all these years you have protected them from enemies, the least they could do is assist you. They are not even going to be involved directly at the war. You are a king, making hard decisions comes with the job darling."
Amir lowered his head looking defeated.
"I suppose you are, correct. Perhaps time has come for me to make those hard decisions that you speak of."
"Worry not, for it is futile. Whatever happens, happens. You will do what you must, the rest is with fate."

The tea had gone cold by the time that subject of conversation expired. A second round of it was served, warm and fragrant as before.
"Oh, I almost forgot to mention it. The eastern continent has made contact with us, requesting a meeting."
They all looked taken aback by Ieria's sudden announcement. The eastern continent was one of the greatest mysteries to ever exist in their world. It was discovered by accident by none other than the sirens of the golden sea some time ago. The western part of their continent was completely unaware of its existence since it was a common secret of the eastern part.

"What kind of meeting? When? How?" Amir was asking the questions that everyone was now thinking.
"A meeting for an alliance, as far as I've been told. As for when, that will be whenever you get there. After the war is over perhaps. Now the how... I guess by ship?" She was obviously mocking his over excitement, making him go back to his gloomy side. 
"After the mission in Helenia is over, all you have to do is cross the Padesar ocean and you'll be there."
"I'm afraid it is not as easy as you present it to be Ieria. Don't forget we will also be going with them and Amir will not be coming." 
"Of course, I say this for everyone Iliad. You all have ears to listen, I do need to be looking at you individually. Besides that, I will also be traveling with you. I think I am more aware of this journey than any of you, since I've been to the eastern continent before."
"What?" A question that left them like a chorus, simultaneously.
"You speak it as if it is but a mear accomplishment?" Amir sounded almost offended by her attitude.
"It is nothing grand. Now stop focusing on me and concentrate on your own business."
"But-"
"Oh and I forgot one more thing. As you know, Ilaira will be a member of your party at this quest of yours. She is the personal royal informant of the queen and holds part of the royal treasury. This hotel is a key point of the queen's network and the heart of her information. She will prove to be essential for your purpose."

"It seems that we have more questions than answers since we began this... tea party."
"Indeed." The two brothers were in agreement, as for the others they did not seem to care that much about anything really. 
"Perhaps miss Ieria would like to answer some of those questions for us?" Yenu was trying to play the nice in the room, but Ieria was smarter than that.
She stood up from her chair, with Sal right behind her helping her put on a coat.
"Ieria will not be answering any questions. She will be going for a walk and she suggests you all do the same. Now if you'll excuse me." She was talking in third person making them frown at her straightforward way of speaking. She walked out of the room without sparing them a single glance, having Sal close the door behind her.
Although morning, that room now felt more dark than any night.
"Perhaps once again, we should follow her suggestion." Amir said in a defeated manner.
"Perhaps." Iliad, who had kept silent the entire time, was sipping the last of his tea getting ready to go out the room as well.
"The rain might pose as an obstacle, but we should manage inside for a while." They all agreed with Yenu and so they all left the room in a slow pace to go entertain themselves elsewhere.