Chapter 143: Champion, Chapter 73: The Play Begins

Aidan

The Realms

Fifthday, 2nd week of the 11th month, Age of the Chosen 1

Mid-Morning

Caellach Macht, Mistvale Highlands

Congratulations! You have reached level 22 in Persuasion.

Congratulations! You have reached level 77 in Sex.

Congratulations! You have reached level 35 in Foreplay.

Aidan yawned as he walked out into the morning sunlight. The previous night was one he would remember for the rest of his life. Even so, he might have planned his proposals better. Getting engaged to three women—and promising the same to a fourth when circumstances allowed—the night before a critical political meeting wasn't the smartest idea Aidan ever had.

The ladies paired off in various permutations throughout the night, but Aidan hadn't received more than a few minutes of rest at a time. Each of his women needed to show that they reciprocated his love for them. Beyond that, the specter of the coming conflict clung to them, giving all of them an edge of desperation, as if anything left unsaid or undone might stay so forever.

As a result, Aidan needed a cup of coffee more than he ever had in either life. Too bad it didn't seem to exist in the Realms. Not this corner, anyway. He stifled another yawn, then trudged along the short path to the main chamber of the Idyllic Forum. Ailis was probably already there; she'd been gone when the sounds of the servants preparing breakfast woke him up.

Aidan still wasn't comfortable with the idea. He had no problem with the people involved. He, Aoife, Brighid, Cai, and Llwyd interviewed and cleared all of them. Though, now that Aidan thought of it, he might see about getting Eldrid in front of them. Regardless, it wasn't the individuals who made him uneasy.

Aidan understood the need for servants. He appreciated the extra time they gave him and his fiancees. Still, there was something about paying someone else to do the housework that made him feel like a slacker. Probably some remnant of the workaholic ethics that ruled his former life.

Aidan shook off the thought as he entered the Forum proper. A chorus of whispers greeted his arrival. The seating area was already half-full of observers even though the Summit wasn't scheduled to start for another half hour. Centaurs were the most numerous group, which made sense. They were both the most populous within the city and the group with the most reasons to want Karsarrym dead.

For a moment, a litany of names started up in Aidan's head, but he forced it back into the dark corner of his mind where it lived. Not the time, he told himself. Then, spotting Ailis speaking with Searlas, Aidan made his way over to them.

"Yes, the supplies have been quite helpful, thank you," Ailis said in answer to a question Aidan hadn't caught.

"I am pleased to be of assistance. Perhaps, in time, the wounds of the past might close enough for our tribes to be friends. Ah, good morning, Lord Aidan."

"Good morning. I hope your accommodations were acceptable?" Ugh, small talk. Aidan hated small talk.

"A bit on the plain side, but I can forgive you, given the circumstances." Searlas's smile did not quite reach his eyes. Aidan suppressed a frown. Was Searlas really upset about not having a fancy room to stay in? Ceallach Macht didn't have anything to compare to the opulence of Searlas's manor.

Aidan opted not to make an issue of it. "Do you mind if I distribute your scouts' report among the other delegates?"

Searlas waved a hand through the air. "It is in your hands now. Do with it as you will."

Yeah, you didn't answer the question. Something's up. "Thank you," he said anyway. "I won't keep you from your conversation any longer. I just wanted to check in." Aidan inclined his head to Searlas, then turned to Ailis and gave her a quick kiss before making his way to the Council seats.

A quick glance around the Forum floor showed that most of the representatives were already present. In fact, the only ones who seemed to be missing were Eldrid and the Ebon Bonekin group. Aidan figured that Eldrid was the type to make a dramatic entrance just as time ran out. But, to be charitable, it was also possible she was preparing for her part in the afternoon demonstrations.

The arrival of the eight wolven distracted Aidan from his musing. Wait a minute. Weren't there only six of them? Alerted to the incongruity, he realized two of the Bonekin wore different clothes from the others. Six of them—the original representatives, he assumed—wore simple, unadorned black robes. The two newcomers, in contrast, wore charcoal gray robes with bone-white sashes.

Aidan turned to Eilwen, who sat to his left. "Did the Ebon Bonekin send a secondary delegation?"

She shrugged. "I am not the one in charge of such things."

That was fair. Aidan turned to Cai to repeat the question, but the wolven appeared to be making their way to him, so he waited for them to approach.

"Bright morning to you, Lord Aidan," the leader said with a bow. "I am Guirec ker Derrien. I believe you already met Tadek, Maelia, and Gwilhou. My other colleagues are Brivela le Segalen and Marivon le Troquer." Each of the wolven inclined their head to Aidan as Guirec named them. Both Brivela and Marivon had feminine figures, but as with the others, their robes concealed any distinguishing features.

"Pleased to meet you," Aidan said. He rose to his feet and returned Guirec's bow to as precise a degree as he could manage. "I hope you found shelter and comfort this past night."

Guirec said nothing for a heartbeat, then pressed his hands together and bowed again, lower this time. "We wanted for nothing beneath your roof. You honor us, Lord Aidan."

"Indeed." One of the gray-robed wolven spoke. "It is unusual to see a human who cares for the cultures and traditions of others." His voice had an odd quality to it. Aidan could only describe it as translucent, despite it making no sense. "My name is Kaou, one of the Thousand Ancestors of the Ebon Bonekin."

Ah. That explained it.

"And I am Fanchenn," said the other ghost. "The two of us are the representatives of our tribe. These descendants serve as our aides and anchors. Pray forgive us this small deception."

"There is nothing to forgive. The invitation allowed for each of you to choose your own delegates." Aidan lifted his shoulders in a shrug, then smiled. "This particular result is beyond what I expected, but you are welcome nonetheless. Ceallach Macht is open to all who harbor peace in their hearts."

Both honored ancestors inclined their heads to Aidan. "Thank you, Lord Aidan. We will take no more of your time for now. Later, perhaps we will have more to speak about."

With that cryptic remark, the wolven withdrew to their position at the table. Ailis, who was waiting for them to leave, settled in next to Aidan. "Are we ready to begin?" Aidan asked her.

"Captain Eldrid is still not present." Ailis's dry tone spoke volumes about her opinion of the otterkin's tardiness.

"She'll be here. I suspect she just wants to make a dramatic entrance. And it's not like she doesn't know everything anyway."

"As you say, my Lord."

Aidan brushed his fingers across Ailis's skin at her waist. "You don't need to be jealous of her."

Ailis looked at him out of the corner of her eye. "Do I not? You only have so much time to spend with any of us. How many more do you plan to add to your harem?"

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Aidan frowned and slid his hand around to the small of her back. "We'll talk more about this later. I don't want you to think I'm dismissing your concerns, but this isn't the time or the place for it. Until then," he sought out Ailis's left hand and tapped the new ring on her finger, "remember my commitment to you. I take those seriously."

Slender fingers entwined with his. "You are right. I am sorry, I just..." Ailis trailed off, shaking her head. "I feel like she is a threat to me where the others are not."

"I promise that she poses no threat to your place in my heart. I love you." Aidan squeezed her hand.

Ailis cupped Aidan's cheek and turned to give him a slow, tender kiss. "I know," she said once her lips withdrew. "And do not look now, but my rival has arrived." Aidan chuckled and gave his fiancee another quick kiss as a reward for the wordplay. Then he turned to follow Ailis's gaze.

Eldrid stood illuminated by the noon sunlight streaming in between the columns supporting the Forum's roof. An impractical-looking suit of leather armor clung tightly to every one of her voluptuous curves. Worse, it had a pair of diamond-shaped cutouts, one showing off her pale cleavage and the other revealing a belly button piercing.

"That had better be enchanted," Aidan muttered so that only Ailis and Eilwen could hear him. A snicker to his right answered him.

Seeing that she had Aidan's—and the crowd's—attention, Eldrid cocked her hip to the side and blew a kiss his way. She strutted up to Aidan, hips rolling and swaying with every step.

"Please forgive me for being late, Lord Aidan," she said, projecting her voice so that the gathered crowds could hear as well. "I needed to prepare for this afternoon's demonstration. I look forward to seeing how hot and bothered you'll be able to get me."

Aidan rolled his eyes at the blue-haired Captain. "Coming on a little strong, aren't you?" The words had barely left Aidan's mouth before he realized his mistake.

"Not yet, but a girl can always hope." A triumphant smirk spread across Eldrid's midnight blue lips. She bent down, sandwiching his left arm between her leather-clad breasts, and whispered in his ear, "Keep an eye on Lord Searlas. He's planning something. Dunno what or who it's directed at, but be careful." Eldrid followed her warning by nibbling Aidan's earlobe and stroking her fingers down his chest.

Aidan caught her hand before it reached his belt and raised it to his lips. "I look forward to seeing all you have to show me," he said, following her lead in speaking to the crowd. Then, summoning up a Magic Hand, Aidan squeezed Eldrid's outthrust butt. With a surprised squeak, she jolted upright and whirled to look behind her, hands covering her rear. "Something wrong?" Aidan asked in a teasing tone.

Eldrid turned back around. "Was that you?" Aidan didn't respond except with a slow, smug smile and another pat with his phantasmal appendage. Silver eyes gleamed at him between narrowed lids. Then a matching smirk spread across Eldrid's face. "My mistake. I must have imagined someone touching what they're not supposed to."

"I can't imagine why someone would risk that. Regardless, I need to call this meeting to order. If you would take your seat?"

Eldrid gave Aidan a smoldering look, then tossed her hair over her shoulder in a spray of blue and walked over to join the other Captains. Aidan rose to his feet and raised his hands to quiet the crowd. In this more formal setting, they reacted far quicker, a hush descending on the Forum within seconds.

"Friends and visitors all, I welcome you to this historic occasion!" Aidan spoke from deep in his chest, projecting his voice out to reach as much of the crowd as possible. "Here in this building—in our city—five different tribes have gathered in peace. Who here ever dreamed of seeing such a sight?"

Aidan let his words sink in for a moment before continuing. "Alas, it is not peace we discuss here today. Several weeks ago, a caravan of Starchasers—elders, children, and injured among them—was attacked. The attacker struck without warning, provocation, or mercy." A litany of names ran through Aidan's head only to be shoved back into the dark corner it lived in. He sucked in a shuddering breath. "Two hundred people, mostly non-combatants, died in less than five minutes of fighting."

Aidan made eye contact with each of the representatives at the table, even the Snow-Water Rider Captains. "You may be thinking that this does not concern you. That such things happen every year here in the Highlands." He slashed his hand through the air. "I say that you are wrong. This was not the work of bandits, slavers, or even a warband from another tribe. No, I bring you far worse news. Our would-be conqueror is a dragon."

This didn't come as a surprise to anyone, of course. Karsarrym's nature was the bait that drew these disparate tribes to Ceallach Macht. It was still a useful rhetorical tool.

"Karsarrym showed no interest in coexistence. It did not even bother to demand surrender. When I confronted it in defense of my people, its only response was to issue deadly threats." Aidan placed his hands on the table and leaned forward. "Make no mistake, ladies and gentlemen. There are only two viable options available to any of us. We can fight for our loved ones, our homes, and our livelihood. Otherwise, we must flee from the region and pray for a warm welcome elsewhere."

With a grimace, Aidan straightened. "Sunnild, if you will?" Aidan nodded to his fiancee, who walked around the table distributing the duplicated Mist Stalker scouting reports. Once everyone had a copy, he continued. "We have a unique opportunity. I managed to wound and blind Karsarrym when I drove it off. It retreated to what we believe is a temporary lair in Mist Stalker territory. There, it established a nest and is currently protecting a pair of eggs."

Excited murmurs spread among the watching crowd. This was new information for the ordinary citizens. New and terrifying. "If you think one dragon is cause for concern, imagine three. Yet, Karsarrym will not stir from its position until those eggs hatch. This gives us a guaranteed first strike." Once again, Aidan sought out eye contact with all the representatives. "In a few weeks, depending on further planning, I will lead a force to attack the dragon. I invited the rest of you here to warn you of the threat and to request assistance in ending it."

His opening speech finished, Aidan sank down into his chair. The others at the table remained silent for several seconds. Finally, breaking the silence, Ailis took up the thread of conversation. "We do not expect you to act solely out of friendship or even self-interest. Ceallach Macht is prepared to offer various concessions, from upfront payment to favored trade deals to shares of the treasure and materials gathered in the assault."

"That is all well and good," said Fanchenn of the Ebon Bone-kin, "but our children must survive to profit from any payment. How can you be so certain of your victory?"

It was an inevitable question. Having seen Karsarrym's might first-hand, Aidan would have asked it himself if someone else proposed this plan. "Because there is no other path open to me," he answered. "The Starchasers have entrusted their futures to me. I will not betray them by leaving Caer Macht's Throne to the dragon. As to how I intend to succeed?"

Aidan leaned forward in his seat. "First, I have enlisted five companies of Snow-Water Rider mercenaries to my banner." The Captains inclined their heads in affirmation. "Second, we already made Karsarrym retreat due to wounds inflicted. One of the things you will see during the demonstrations later today is a section of Karsarrym's tail severed during the fight. We also have samples of its blood and scales. Finally..."

Aidan reached into his pocket and pulled out a glowing gem. He slid it into the center of the table so that all the delegates could see it. "We have access to unique resources thanks to the Labyrinth located here. That is known as a Blasting Gem, and if all else fails, I will use them to collapse the entire lair on top of Karsarrym."

Another, louder, murmur ran through the crowd. "Would that not kill you as well?" asked Kaou.

Aidan leaned back in his chair and nodded. "Yes, barring a miracle." Needless to say, this contingency did not meet with his fiancees' approval.

The two honored ancestors exchanged looks. "Then we, as well, look forward to your demonstrations."

With a nod, Aidan rose. "Is anyone willing to commit before seeing what we have to show?" No responses came. Expected. Who would commit before receiving all the available information? "Then let us move to the practice fields."

Congratulations! You have reached level 23 in Persuasion.

Congratulations! You have reached levels 7 through 9 in Oratory.

Zurai

Aidan's current status screen:

Brighid's current status screen:

Sunnild's current status screen:

Pronunciation Guide (infinitesimal spoiler warning, names only without any details)

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