Chapter 84


    A/N: The plots are afoot! I hope you enjoy this one.


    ----------


    It surprised none of the people gathered when King Aelrindel stormed out of the pce. His attempts had failed in a spectacr fashion, and he had embarrassed himself in front of all the gathered nobles. By his own words, he had also lost his position as king. In many other circumstances this could just end as an embarrassment to him, but he had made his promise in front of the empress and the gathered nobility. Now it became a problem where the empress had to enforce the result of that promise, or it would be a loss of authority to her as well. However, it was obvious that Aelrindel wouldnt just take the loss of his position without putting up resistance.


    To the gathered nobles, this was arge issue that threatened to break the already strained rtionship between ns, and maybe even result in another civil war. However, Nimue, Yunalesca and Lysanthir all noticed how Neleh had a light smile on her lips, and didnt seem at all stressed by the situation. She obviously knew something they didnt. As such, the four of them gathered in another room to discuss that problem as well as several other issues.


    You seem rather calm. You do realize that Aelrindel is racing towards Sris to gather armies for a civil war? He wont give up his position willingly. Yunalesca asked with a raised eye-brow.


    Before Neleh could answer, Nimue interjected her own view. Even if that is the case, Im still d this happened. This has been in the works for a long time. Ever since I became the empress instead of him, Aelrindel has been going more and more out of control. We were all aware of his hostility towards Neleh and everything shes aplished. Sooner orter it wouldvee to a situation where only one of them walked out. This simply became the perfect excuse. Maybe with him being on the obviously wrong side of things, we might be able to limit the damage.


    Again, before Neleh had the chance to say anything, Lysanthir took over. Agreed. The man has shown himself to be unsuitable for the position as we all feared long ago. While the Sun Elves dont generally ascribe to the wild rumors surrounding Neleh, they would still hesitate to go against the will of Elune in such a clear fashion. He might get some support, but not much.


    Neleh pped her hands to draw attention. Im d you all approve, but youre really worried about something that will note to pass. Did you really think I would do something as shy as this without a n in ce? And do you really think that n didnt include answers for Aelrindels reaction? She asked a little miffed. Theck of confidence in her was quite disappointing.


    All three of them looked at her, suddenlying to a realization. Aelrindel isnt going to make it back to Sris, is he? Yunalesca asked, dreading the answer a little.


    No he will not, and even if he did, theres already a new monarch taking over his position. I sent the word as soon as he left. Neleh answered simply.


    Dont you think it will cause quite a bit of bacsh once the Sun Elves find out you had their king killed, even if he did lose his position in name at least? Theyre kind of jumpy about matters like that after what happened to the Sun Pce. Lysanthir asked a little pointedly.


    Not to mention that it is still a crime to have one of the monarchs of the ns killed. We are still supposed to enforce thews, you know? Yunalesca pointed out.


    That would all be very interesting and important if I was the one who killed him, but Im not. The Sun Elves are going to do it all by themselves without any help from me. Even a coup sanctioned by the empress would be a rather poor one if they didnt get rid of the old monarch. Im simply not stopping it from happening. Neleh replied with a small smile.


    The guards! Lysanthir suddenly blurted out. I knew there was something off with Aelrindels royal guards, but I couldnt put my finger on what it was. Those werent his own guards. I wouldnt have even noticed if I wasnt used to paying attention to such things.


    Even he should notice if the guards around him wereplete strangers. Nimue said a little unconvinced. Now that she thought about it, there were enough members of the Legion of Phoenix that she wouldnt even notice if some would change.


    He might if they wereplete strangers, though I doubt he actually pays attention. The thing is, those were still royal guards of their family, just not his. Youre a bit wrong, though. It would be too much to ask for royal guards topletely abandon their duty and kill their charge. That would go against everything they stand for. However, they wont bepletely familiar with his habits either as they arent used to guarding him. There will be gaps. And because of those gaps, dear Aelrindel will be ill during the journey. Unfortunately the illness will turn out to be something a normal priestess is unable to heal. He will suffer a tragic, but very natural death while traveling home. Neleh exined calmly.


    For someone whos supposedly not behind the whole thing, you seem awfully familiar with the details. Lysanthir said a little usingly.


    Lets just say that the Sun Elf nobility arent bright enough toe up with the entire n on their own. They might have overheard a certain young female elf and a friend of hers n the death of her husband in a tavern. My sources tell me that they consider the n to be a very good one, and somehow a vial of certain toxin was sold to the nobles in question a short time ago. I have absolutely no idea what they might be nning on doing with that vial, and I certainly am not aware of any of the Sun Elf royal family encouraging them to do it, to save their n from a civil war, which wouldve beenpletely impossible to predict few weeks ago. Neleh said with feigned seriousness.


    Shiori has been busy. Nimue scoffed. Are you sure they will seed?


    Well, Aelrindel didnt pick his entourage on looks alone. I have to say that the one thing he is good at is surrounding himself with talent. Although I make it seem like Im holding their hand through the whole process, they actually didnt require much in the way of encouragement. They could make the connections themselves. They know theyre being manipted, but they cant say for sure by whom, and they certainly wont confess to colluding regicide. I made very sure that all the signs pointed to the Sun Elves doing the whole thing by themselves, which isnt too far from the truth. They know that they cant fight the changes I represent, and most of them dont even want to. I simply made sure they have a better chance to seed. Theres also a n B in ce, in the event they fail or get cold feet. Neleh exined dropping some of the acting.


    The power of tradition has always stood in the way of change. For a good reason, as change isnt always good. The changes you bring are rather radical, even if they are mostly good, so its no wonder some struggle against them. Im guessing that even if Aelrindel did make it home, he would find no support among his people? Yunalesca asked with a small sigh.


    Correct. Ive made sure most of the Sun Elf nobility understand the consequences of this civil war. Our disy against the Caledorians shouldve been a good enough demonstration anyway. Ive also made sure that just because they might not be the ones fighting the war, that doesnt mean they are safe at home. They will personally face the consequences, and not just the people doing the fighting. Nelehs face was a little grim as she said that but brightened as she continued. On the other hand, I also made sure that there was a carrot involved in this approach and not just stick. The Sun Elves will find their economic situation improving if they go along with my ns.


    Nimue gave a smallugh. You seem to have this figured out. However, did you consider the consequences of dismissing one of the elven monarchs in such a public fashion? Now its obvious who really holds the power in our empire. Im the empress in name only. I thought the n was to have me stick with the position for at least a decade still? Now we might as well get you voted into the position since the electors aside from the Sun Elf monarch have gathered. From what you tell me, the new monarch can also be here in few weeks. Stalling any longer will only cause problems.


    Neleh gave a small sigh. I was pretty much prepared when I put things in motion. Sometimes ns change, and at the very least this will give me more time to prepare our race for the storm.


    Never thought that wed see an empress this young during my lifetime. Yunalesca mumbled to herself.


    Speaking of theing storm, I have a request. Lysanthir suddenly said.


    I think I know where this is going. Neleh said with a grimace.


    The Temrs are supposed to be a bulwark against external threats, and for that we need to be as strong as possible. Currently that seems to be in doubt when I look at the members of your Order. What would it take for the Temrs to go through your training? He asked.


    We can easily arrange for the Temrs training, and they are already in a much better condition than most of our recruits so the training would be faster. However, there will be consequences that Im not sure youve considered. We break the recruits during the training, both physically and mentally. Your men would no longer be Temrs after they finished that training. They would be members of the Order. Neleh replied.


    I have more faith in the allegiance of our people that that. They arent so easy to change. Lysanthir said a little defensively.


    You dont understand. Theres a reason why there are no traitors among the Order, despite us taking in all those willing, no matter their background or race. Those that go through the training are thoroughly broken and rebuilt. Only someone who has gone through it can understand. Thats why they wont follow anyone not part of the Order either. If you wanted to remain the Grandmaster of the people that go through the training, the only way that can work is if you go through it as well. They will not follow you otherwise. Neleh said a little exasperated.


    It was hard to exin the type of conditioning that the training instilled. That training turned the brothers as sisters into one, into a family. Arge but a very important family. There was a reason they divided people into those that belonged to the Order or outsiders. They didnt look down on the outsiders, and didnt think any less of them, but they knew there was a difference between them. Those that were on the outside couldnt quite understand the kind of bonds that tied the Order together.


    They follow you. Lysanthir replied pensively.


    They do. But only because they know I have and will continue to go through even worse. They know I was the one who designed that training. They know only someone who understands what they are going through would be able to design it that way. And they also know that if they do get uppity, I can make things much, much worse. Im one of them. Neleh replied with a small smile. He would understand. He would hesitate, wonder if he should go through with it, but in the end he would do it. The imperative to protect was too strong in the mans character to do otherwise.


    Ill have to consider. Lysanthir said a little hoarse.


    There is no time limit on our offer. Whenever youre ready. She was so certain that he would approve, that she had originally designed the third Order with the Temrs in mind.


    Yunalesca interrupted the silence. So whos the new monarch of the Sun Elves? Im guessing its still going to stay in the family?


    You will soon see. Neleh replied with a grin.


    ----------


    The council of Electors gathered once again when the new Queen of Sun Elves had taken her position. None of the Electors was entirely sure of the reason why they had gathered, as they watched the woman with a ming red hair take her position at the table. She wasnt familiar to most of the others, even if they had heard the rumors. Aelrindels passing had left a sort of confusion about the next monarch, but the power vacuum had been filled almost before Aelrindels body was cold, precluding any internal struggles among the Sun Elves. It made sense though. Even if she was the illegitimate daughter of the old sun king, her parentage was one of the worst kept secrets in the elven history, so there were no other imants. All those gathered could see the warrior nature and the internal strength of the new queen.


    Queen Sna. Neleh greeted with a smile, and a small nod. She could see that Sna had gone through a lot of internal growth since their separation. She no longer seemed lost, like she had before. Now she seemed like a woman with purpose, and she also seemed to find her own inner strength with the peace that purpose provided.


    Chosen Neleh. Sna replied with a smile of her own. She had missed Neleh terribly since their separation. That said, she could hardly recognize the woman in front of her. Before, Neleh had been a girl wise beyond her years with secret power and charm. Now she was majestic. Sna could see how the rumors about Neleh being the embodiment of Elune had started, as she now radiated power and gravitas. She had really blossomed.


    After things calmed down, Nimue announced her resignation as the empress. She cited that she was always meant by Elune to be a transitional ruler, to help their kind through the turbulent times after the civil war. Now the elves deserved a real ruler, someone that would lead them to greatness and glory. It didnt escape anyones notice that Nimue seemed to have a specific candidate in mind to be her sessor. At least Nimue was subtle enough to not mention Nelehs name.


    The vote to have Neleh elected as the new empress was record braking in speed. Even if some of the electors had other ideas, they knew it would be pointless as any other empress would just face the same problem of being overshadowed by Neleh. As a result, the whole process only took a couple of minutes. It was a little hard for some of the nobility to swallow that their empress was changed in less than an hour, but there was very little they could do, and its not like that had not seen thising.


    Long live Empress Neleh! The announcement went through the room, and out into the city.


    -----


    The electors along with Nimue were gathered in a private room to discuss the future ns. Nimue was nning on bing a normal priestess in a temple in Nan Yanoi, as a sort of retirement, but they all knew that was never going to happen. Neleh already ns for her old mentor. Their main point was to organize the coronation ceremonies that would this time be done with a proper amount of celebration and pomp, sincest time the ceremonies were shadowed by the civil war that had just ended. Neleh wouldnt officially start doing her duties until after the ceremony, so Nimue wasnt off the hook on that part either.


    Seeing as we have nothing prepared yet, the celebration can take ce in a month or so, I assume? Queen Amaranthae asked.


    I actually started nning the event as soon as I heard about Nimue stepping down. We can have the whole event start once the dignitaries from other races arrive. We already sent word to them. All the races are nning to attend. Neleh replied lightly.


    I havent noticed any preparations. Whats going on? Yunalesca asked a little worried. As the leader of the Inquisition, missingrge scale ns like this were a shock to her.


    Oh dont worry; your informants should be getting a word to you any day now. The reason you havent heard anything yet, is because the coronation will take ce in Nan Yanoi. The city had reced Rhianon as the heart of the empire anyway, so Im nning on moving the imperial pce there, and making Nan Yanoi into the new imperial capital. Rhianon can remain as the seat of the Eldarinwe kingdom. Neleh had a smile of someone ying a prank when she looked at Yunalesca.


    Not to be rude, but youre staying either inside Nexus or the central tower of Nan Yanoi. Where will you hold the event? I think I wouldve already gotten a word if you were building a pce rivaling the imperial pce. Yunalesca wondered, her mind working a little slower than usual. Many of the others already realized what wasing and were grinning.


    You werent paying attention. I said Im nning on moving the imperial pce. Why would I build a new one when we already have a perfectly good pce with all its inbuilt defenses? Neleh replied ying innocent.


    Moving the pce? Are you saying that you just n to float the pce into Nan Yanoi and plop it down there? Yunalescas eyes looked a little wild.


    I never said I would plop it down. I knew the spells required to make a floating ind simr to the celestials a long time ago, I just didnt have the necessary power to keep it afloat. The celestials had their cities lifted by their god, and theyre held aloft by every celestial donating power to the spell every few weeks. Now that we have the magical item called the Source, we can use several of those to keep the pce aloft. Should be much safer that way. We can have permanent gate connection between the ground and the pce to facilitate people moving in and out of the pce. Neleh tapped her finger on her jaw while thinking.


    I should be able to move the pce by the time the other races arrive, and it should make for a suitable spectacle. I think we should take the facilities belonging to the Legion of Phoenix with us as well. She finally said.


    Lysanthir cleared his throat a bit. Isnt there a risk of someone trying to make the pce fall onto the city?


    I was nning on extending the city shield to cover the pce as well, so anyone attempting such a feat would need to get through that first. Also I was nning on having the pce above the river and theke, with a backup spell to ensure a softnding in an emergency. Neleh replied with a smile. She was quite amused by her own idea. A feat like this would cement in everyones mind the fact that things were changing.