Eris
"He truly didn't have to come, you know?" Jurian says to Neph as if I'm not even there on this godforsaken island that somehow birthed the most beautiful thing in the world. Said beautiful thing was here to introduce herself to the island that indeed knows so much about her already.
She was something of myth and legend here, revered for the storm she had erupted when she was freed of captivity. Not nearly as fierce as the word her haggish grandmother- Cathilda- spread across the isle of her Oracle, that a Speirling would rise to power, that her vision seems to favor Neph.
I'm glad to hear at least one of Neph's family members isn't completely demonic... though the woman does eat rats alive.
"Yes he did," Neph snorts. "He would've sulked something fierce if we made him stay behind."
"I'm just saying," Jurian shrugs at my irritated glare. "The people here won't give a rat's ass about the High Lord of Autumn."
I shrug. "I'm to be the consort of Creagach," I remind him. "I can smile and wave just fine."
Jurian snorts. "I'd like to see that."
The other truth of it is that being here makes me feel better. I'm not sure I could bare to be across oceans when Neph's boots are on the same soil that he father has the power to turn against her. I'm fully aware she has saved my ass more times than I have saved her, that she's a far cry from a damsel in distress....
But I need to be around her. It's a protectiveness I can't put into words. It's a sad and pathetic thing, but it is what it is. And I think some part of Neph knows that.
"Perhaps if they crown me queen, I'll let you throw my coronation, Dear," Neph snorts to reduce me to such idle and remedial work. "I know nothing prods your mind quite like floral arrangements and table cloths."
"Cute," I say dryly before turning to Jurian. "You said this village wasn't far?"
Jurian nods. "It's somewhat of a hidden thing," he explains. "A precaution for when Hybern was recruiting lesser fae to fight his wars. There was a long gone witch that gifted a Haven to the people."
"Does my father know it exists?" Neph asks.
"If he does, he wouldn't bother try to seize control," Jurian says. "These fae could make pebbles of his soldiers if they intended to. And they would never willingly follow him. His best strategy would be to leave them in isolation."
My brow furrows. "And how did you come to know of this place?"
Jurian laughs. "I may be the mortal among us, but I'm older than the both of you," he points out. "I know secrets of the land that you might not even begin to guess, Fireling."
"Why should these people want to hear me?" Neph asks. "It would seem they have something pretty good going for them in their isolation."
"Their population grows," Jurian answers. "They might like to have a place beyond the borders of their wards. And despite what people think of lesser fae, they aren't beneath morals- morals that your father blatantly abandons, might I add."
"And what of the wealthy land gluttons on the isle?" I ask. "Even if we were to sway the lesser fae, the wealthy still hold a good chunk of the land. I don't imagine they'd align with us."
"They don't have to," Jurian replies. "When Fergus is defeated, they will fall with him, and Nephele may return the land back to the lesser fae and the mortals. People who would respect the covenant of the isle."
Neph tilts her head. "You've given this a lot of thought."
Jurian shrugs. "I've been fighting this war for centuries," he explains. "I'd like to see it finished."
...
Walking through the wards is a bizarre feeling. First: nothing, pine trees and rocky soil. Then: huts of stone, steaming fire pits, a town circle of cobble stone. Fae walk about in forms I had never seen before, some animalistic, some botanical, some other worldly. All in perfect harmony, even with the mortals in their mix, none shackled or slaved.
It was an oasis.
Nobody pays us any mind as we materialize through the border, but Neph looks just about as rocked as I do. Only a lone woman with purpled skin and long, white hair seems to care of our arrival, approaching Jurian.
"Leyte," Jurian greets her. "I have brought the woman Cathilda prophesied about. The one I spoke that hailed lighting."
Leyte looks over Neph in a way that makes me fidgety and restless. "Are we sure this is the enchantress Cathilda spoke of?" She asks skeptically, likely noticing that Neph isn't nowhere near as terrifying as her grandmother- and thank the gods for that.
Neph holds Leyte's gaze, not letting her harshness put a damper on her casual expression, her soft and generous smile. "I know," Neph clicks her tongue. "Beautiful and powerful? It's hardly fair." Jurian and I exchange a look of worry.
"Funny too," Leyte tilts her head, her coyote eyes. She was half terrifying, half beautiful. So no, I did not like her looking at Neph. "I wonder if that big mouth of yours will be enough to call everyone to the square."
Thunder cracks, Neph's mouth twitching in a smile as the town circle collectively jumped. "I've found that no matter how much I may run my mouth," she looks skyward, lightning sheeting across the clouds. "The sky speaks volumes louder."
Leyte looks at Neph, something between disdain and respect in her black eyes as she inclined her head. "Come," she says statically. "I'll show you to town hall."
Leyte begins to walk in the other direction, Jurian at her heels, and as Neph passes me by, she pauses, slipping onto her toes to whisper in my ear, "you reek of arousal," before moving past me.
...
Town hall is the tallest building in the clearing, nearly as tall as the trees that surround the oasis, that obscure the huts and homes beyond the central circle. Nephele is led onto a platform, townsfolk gathering around to survey the newcomers. Jurian, they seem to already know, but I catch more than one child pointing to my auburn hair and muttering to their parents how it resembles the pelt of a fox.
I could laugh if Neph weren't on a platform right now.
Leyte reminds the townsfolk of Cathilda's tale, and I find myself grappling with the surprise that they had let the terrifying woman into the town in the first place to tell such a tale. "This woman bares the lightning of her father," Leyte closes. "And she has come today to convince us that she will use it to defeat him on our behalves."
"I want to convince you of more than that," Nephele addresses the crowd. I stand off to the side, watching the whole engagement, and I can't help the pride I feel. Neph never would've called herself a leader, but she was her compassion. No one could deny that diamond heart beating in her chest.
"You, as a people, as a collective, as a townscape, have seen entirely too much tyranny," Neph explains. "You have put down because of your blood. You have been put down because of the heart that pumps that blood. You have been cowed into this place of secret and wondrous beauty, and you have made a settlement of your own. I wouldn't dare condescend you my offering vengeance at the price of your own freedom."
Leyte's brow furrows, but I can already tell where Neph is going with this. Her next move is something I can't not pay attention to. I have to know her in every capacity, like predicting the unpredictable. Predicting where lightning will strike.
"I compiling a parliament," Nephele says. "Only a tyrant would seek to seize a vacuum of power and rule by their lonesome. What I offer you folks- and the folks of infinite towns and infinite villages across the isle- is representation."
The crowd resembles confusion, some muttering about. "You will appoint a representative from this place, and they will vote on behalf of your voices, vote on legislation across the isle," she explains. "And they will see that the voices of the small are heard. I will see that you are heard."
Now... now the crowd is silent. And as Neph turns to Leyte, I see confusion in her sparkling eyes too, a mouth agape. "I make only one recommendation to you all- but the choice is ultimately yours," she says. "I think this woman would do excellently in parliament."
Leyte blinks. "Me?"
Neph nods. "You were perfectly skeptical of me as we met," she says. "It's quite clear that you care about these people deeply. I'm sure they would agree."
There's some murmurs of agreement, some cheers and chants for Leyte. "And what would you do?" Leyte asks Neph quietly. "The prophecy called for a crown upon the head of a Speirling."
"A crown isn't, in and of itself, a source authority- this I've come to know as of late," she glanced at me, a soft smile. "It is protecting an oath, a promise to the people. It is being what they need of you. It is listening and giving others a voice," she shrugs. "That is my vow to all of you: I will be your servant, your protector, your amplifier. The only responsibility I give to you all is that you hold me to that promise."
...
"I've never heard anyone quiet a crowd like that," Jurian shakes his head as we walk to the winnowing point. I'm reminded that Neph could just as easily winnow us anywhere she liked, immune to wards, but it would be better like this. No one should know Neph lacks the weaknesses that most have- they might start to look for other weaknesses to exploit instead.
"Get used to it," Neph rolls her eyes. "I'm offering you a position."
Jurian's brow furrows. "I'm sorry?"
"I expect any parliament might require a mediator," Neph says, her hand in mine. "Someone beyond bias, who cares for the betterment of the land in general. Someone who might preside over arguments, who might break ties or squash feuds."
"And you'd give that job to me?" Jurian raises a brow. "A mortal?"
"If you'd take it," she answers. "Even if I can manage queen, I'm still High Lady. I want to be able to do right by both of my peoples, and that would mean never being too proud to ask for help when I need it."
Jurian glances in my direction helplessly. "Don't look at me I'm just the consort," I shrug, withholding my smirk.
Jurian shakes his head. "I'd be honored," he says. "Thank you."
"Thank you," Neph replies. "Not just for bringing us here... but for never turning your back on this place. It's nice to know that people can still care for this lawless island."