36 BW

  It was a stormy night, a voice boomed in the hall of the King of Tenebris.

  “THE ENVOY FROM SOLEN KINGDOM HAS ARRIVED!”

  The soldier bows down at Noir, who sat at the throne.

  Elda was talking to Noir about their thinning supplies and questioning about the alliance Noir keeps suggesting. Noir rubbed his forehead, thinking deeply about his decision. He shushed Elda before focusing back at the soldier.

  “Prepare the guest. Give it 30 minutes before bringing him here,” Noir ordered his men. As they bowed, Elda restarted the conversation again.

  “If only brother Olivier was still here. He’s good at managing supplies and agriculture, even in this barren snowy land.”

  “Yet politics doesn’t suit him. It’s for the best. He gave the knowledge to his children who stayed, and his apprentices. Who was doing a great job, it’s just that our place's condition has gotten worse.”

  Noir rolled his eyes when she huffed. Knowing that an argument was coming.

  “And yet you didn’t want to expand our territory towards a place that does have better conditions.”

  As she said those words, Noir stared directly at her. Eyes challenging her to something.

  “To where is the question, my dear sister? Towards the Ventus Region or the Aqua regions? We barely made peace with them. Do you know how many people we would lose if we were against them? The Terra, Ignis, Ventus and Aqua regions are allies. We lose in every way,“ said Noir with urgency before he sighed.

  His face fell into resignation and when he’s like this, Elda thought he looked old, despite having a youthful appearance.

  “Besides, I don’t want more casualties than needed. From my side also theirs,” he added more softly.

  “You’re too soft,” scoffed Elda.

  “Yet was I wrong about our total defeat if we tried expanding our territory?” inquired Noir. In which she couldn’t refute. Her brother may be soft, but he is also wise.

  Elda twirled on a loose strand of hair that fell out of her buns. Trying to think of other possibilities besides diplomacy and partnership with other Kingdoms.

  “There is still no access to the Holy Land?” she asked for the other option.

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  The Holy Land. The land that was said to be prosperous. Yet it was the place where their father, Tenebris, and also their uncle, Lucis, clashed. Elda knew they were powerful. But even just their aftermath of a fight left a residual magic that made it impossible for anyone to step into that land. Elda was angry at her father. But what use of anger if there’s much to do in the present.

  “No. I don’t know what father and uncle did. But even I couldn’t pass through.”

  And if even Noir couldn’t go there, there are no hopes for the others to do it. Elda knew their cousins had tried to do it too, and failed. Elda sighed, giving up on finding other solutions. There are so little choices.

  “So this alliance with the Solen Kingdom was the only option?” She asked more calmly now. Noir relaxed a bit in his throne although the frown didn’t leave.

  “That’s what I thought, I also have discussed it with my most trusted men. They suggest Solen for this alliance," answered Noir promptly.

  Elda supposed it was the wisest choice. Solen has the most amicable relation to Tenebris. As there was a lot of history there between Solen and Tenebris. That’s just an overall situation though, Elda personally didn’t like them, or to be exact some of Solen’s decisions in the past.

  “Your foresight?” inquired Elda as she sat besides him, on her mother’s chair that is for now empty.

  It would someday be filled by someone Noir chose as a wife and Elda has suspicion of the candidate already. A woman from the Aqua region that he secretly meets from time to time. He couldn’t hide it from Elda though. Never could.

  “No matter what we choose, there’s a risk,” he looked over her sadly. She hates it when he makes a face after a foresight, like he knew something she didn't, which is true but infuriating.

  An ability she both longed for and was afraid of. They paused their conversations and just breathed to calm themselves.

  “I… must apologize to you in advance, my sister,” said Noir, breaking the silence building between them.

  “Something concerning me?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. Noir gave a smile, as if it would cover the emotion conveyed by his furrowed brows.

  “Yeah. Road full of heartbreaks, for both you and me,” he said with a voice full of tremble.

  Elda thought to herself for a second. Of being exhausted living like this. Yet, as much as she was angry at her father, she loves him the same. As frustrated she is with this land, she loves it the same. As much as she has mixed feelings about her siblings, she loves them the same. And as short as her memories with her mother, she cherished it the same.

  Would she sacrifice herself for it? She doesn’t know. But she would fight for it.

  “If it’s for the people, for this land, I’m willing to take it. As foolish as it is,” Elda settled on saying that to her brother instead. Noir looked to the ground, hunching.

  “Yeah I do too. But I have an advantage of knowing what’s ahead. You would be traversing blindly,” he said with pity. Pity she always hated.

  “Maybe it’s a curse, Noir. You suffered it twice. I trust you chose the most beneficial route possible. For the Kingdom. And I won’t blame you for it.”

  And yet, she also pitied her brother. Truly they’re of the same blood. She wondered if he hates being pitied too, or being unpredictable as he is, loves it.

  “I know you wouldn’t. Even if we end up on different sides, you wouldn’t.”

  He stared at her softly and wistfully. Like he could break at any moment despite the sweet sentence he just uttered.

  “I always wondered. Is your vision a full vision or glimpses?” Asked Elda, trying to spare them from a sentimental conversation.

  “I’m surprised you haven't asked this from a long time ago. I know you and our siblings seemed to be curious about it. But to answer you, glimpses. It used to come at random. I can control it a bit now.”

  They both relaxed at their seats. Sighed deeply, waiting for the envoy to enter the room. Elda stared at the sword displayed near them.

  “Can’t believe I would miss Sister Freya,” she said as she saw the sword beside her.

  Their sister Freya, Noir’s twin. A great warrior and commander. After 50 years of fighting, retiring as a nomad.

  “So both of you could take the same side when it comes to me?” Noir laughed in mirth. Resting his elbows on an armchair and his palm on his temple.

  “And in other things we would clash. I can’t believe you were that patient, handling us.”

  Even Elda couldn’t imagine handling her younger self and Freya. She’s thankful that she’s born the youngest.

  “As an oldest I have to,” said Noir with a thin smile.

  “You and Freya are only 5 seconds apart,” jest Elda while rolling her eyes.

  “True, I’m still the oldest though.” Noir smiles widened as he chuckled.