Chapter Six Hundred And Seventeen – 617
Voracious Eye!
Name: Narin Saaf
Race: Sylphaen
Level: 43
HP: 2433/2433The debut release of this chapter happened at Ñøv€l-B1n.
SP: 6699/6742MP: 4345/4345Lore: The Sylphaen are a precursor of modern Elves, and have deep ties to the Supreme Elemental of air. As with many Races in the early Ages of the Continent, the Sylphaen carry part of that elemental power with them. Many of their core spaces are air attuned, which makes them particularly adept at flight with their vividly colored wings.Strength: More Data RequiredWeakness: More Data Required
The other two were Mosa and Idin Saaf, relations of some sort, and all of them lower leveled than Narin. Felix checked his memories, comparing them. They looked as gaunt as the Winged Elf in Felixs visions, but their hair color was different, as were their wings. The Unbound had wings of many different colors in a sort of gradient of hue, while these Sylphaen bore feathers almost entirely of one color, with only a smattering of others along the inner portions and top edge.
Felix checked his connections to the Unbound. It was dulled, as it had been for a while, with Archie and Imara somewhere relatively close. Beef was moving above him, somewhere in an upper level, and the rest were scattered far and wide. The cord he associated with the Winged Elf was dim and distant.
What is wrong? Vess asked. Only then did Felix realize that hed crumbled one of the forks in his hand as if it were made of aluminum foil.
He set it down gently on the table. Nothing. I thoughtnothing.
While the dancers certainly noticed Felixs analyzing themhe could tell by the deep flinches during their movementsthe Flight of Elegance were professionals. They continued their dance as the shorter Korvaa around them rotated into a spin, their earth-toned wings flared outward. Soon the Sylphaen moved as well, leaping between the gathered Korvaa as if jumping across a wall. The Korvaa fell backward, tumbling head over heels before fetching back up onto their clawed feet.
Magic swirled, shadow, illusion, and light Mana pouring from palms and elbows until the dancers were obscured by a veil of seeming. Snow looked to fall, until it appeared like a frigid squall had erupted within the ballroom. The fallen Korvaa had become walls and buildings, the Sylphaen fire, and all of it raged. In their midst, white figures bathed in flame stormed the walls. The Korvaa swept forward, wings held out as if bearing mighty weapons, and met the dangerous tide.
Trolls. Trolls versus the Watch and Ironclads, Felix realized. Theyre reenacting the fight against Imara.
When one of the Sylphaen appeared garbed in golden light and the illusory sheen of metal armor, another stepped out of the wreckage. A figure in a dark coat with bright blue eyes. Felixs stomach sank as they danced around one another, their movements in sync as only a pair of dancers could be. Overly dramatic movements were attacks, knocking each other around and to the ground, but it was clear from the outset that the Titan was on the backfoot.
The fight continued, a strange, floating dream before Felixs eyes. It conjured memories as he watched, too close to reality for comfort and too strangely surreal to take it seriously. He was left in a strange limbo, consumed by the magic of their performance as the inevitable played out. And it was magic, Felix was surprised to note. Humming threads of the Grand Harmony sang from them, hidden within the fabric of the world but expressed by their pure movements. It was beautiful, in a haunting sort of waywhich made the end all the more jarring.
Felix struck the Titan and the dancer flew away, propelled by spiraling illusions off into the snowy distance. Yet there was no Doric. No sacrifice. As if the mans final act meant nothing, the performance ended and the ballroom went dark.
Applause erupted, great and booming cheers following calls for more. At his table, Felix was jerked from the spell, his unsure enjoyment turned abruptly sour. Warm enveloped his hand as Vess took it, and Felix blinked at her. She said nothing, and Felix was thankful for that. He wasnt sure he had the right words to say, anyway.
I wasnt even in that, Pit protested.
Unbidden, a chuckle escaped Felixs lips. He ruffled Pits doggy ears and pushed another plate of steak at him.
The performers basked for a bit longer in their applause, but soon they departed, this time through the doors of the servants. Musicians were ushered in to replace them, and soon began a series of relatively sedate songs. Felix frowned. It was like elevator music gone medieval, and all the worse for the transition.
Lord Oslo emerged from behind the throne, once again in his normal clothing and smoking his long-stemmed pipe. He was grinning widely as he sidled up to their table. What did you think, Mr. Veil? Was it not glorious? Not an exact replaying of events, but such is art!
It was Felix cleared his throat. It was great.
The magic was quite dazzling, Vess agreed, amping up her own enthusiasm to cover for Felixs flat delivery. How did you come across this troupe?
By thinking beyond the rigid mindset of my people. Too many Dwarves are mired in past glories to reach for something new, but not I. The Flight of Elegance is renowned in their own Territory, and when I chanced upon them during my travels I was delighted. Ive hired them on for the next year, as I have done for a great many artists, in the hopes that they can bring a little outside perspective to the Hold.
Their Territorywhere would that be? Felix asked.
Felix, who was matching her step for step, gave a rueful grin. Such a simple change of perspective, and it helps so much.
They danced, and their display did not go unnoticed. Other couples moved to the floor, their own movements just as graceful and studied, until the ballroom was packed with those dancing. The songs turned happy, bouncy, and invigorating, pushing all of them to greater heights.
More than a simple distraction, Felix found himself having fun. There was a joy in movement, something often forgot in his drive to train and improve his Skills. Holding Vess close, they whirled about the dance floor, complicated steps weaving among the crowd. She was warm, even through her armor, and the laughter in her eyes was a balm to his frazzled nerves.
At some point the songs slowed and their pace with it. They stood among many, carefully navigating a measured pace, and Felixs thoughts caught up to him.
Im sorry, he said.
Vess raised an eyebrow. For?
Before. With that Rosalind lady. She asked if weI hesitated. You called us associates. I dont know what we are, yet, but that feltlesser.
She cocked her head, and a curl tumbled loose from her temple. Did you think I was angry?
He winced through his smile. I mean, I thought you thought it might have been rude
Felix. You have an ability to read my emotions. Do I seem angry now?
Well, I usually dont use that on you. Its invasive, andoh, no youre not. He paused. If youre that amused by me, I guess Im a lot funnier than I thought.
You can be, but no. You are an incredibly frustrating man, but you are also good. Compassionate to a fault, and willing to make hard choices for your people. You deny it and cast aside crowns and scepters, but you are a king, Felix. It is baked into your bones.
Im all that? Felix asked, a little nonplussed.
You are.
And youre not mad.
A smile quirked her lips. I am not. Iif I were being honest, associate was only a balm to my wounds. I did not wish to presume thatwe shared a meal and a kiss and I too am unsure. Of where I stand.
Felix held her a bit closer to him as the music swelled. You stand with me.
That dimpled smile blossomed. So I do.
Still, it is worthwhile to make our Intent clear, is it not? I would officially court you, if I could, Felix Nevarre. She looked up at him, the gold in her brown eyes catching the light. Would that bepleasing to you?
I cant say Ive ever been courted before, Felix admitted. Its fancy.
Evie says I am the fanciest. Vess bit her lip. What do you say?
In response, Felix kissed her.
Yintarion snorted out a little bit of smoke. Mortal courtship. Bah. A silly tradition.
Mr. Veil?
Felix and Vess stopped in their tracks, their dance interrupted by a familiar woman flanked by two Forge Knights. The courier, except now she was wearing an elaborate formal gown.
She curtsied. The Hinterlord would like a word.
