(Ashmeer POV)
I sat across Ashdeer, a large table full of the maps of the Andoran mines between us. I gave him a level look and said, "Azriel is too valuable to be taken into the mines, and you know it."
He pursed his lips and said nothing, staring down at the maps. My scar was livid and twitched, something it had continuously been doing since I entered Andora. It had been delivered to me many years ago by a creature from the Blight, and whenever I was near the Blight it twitched like it did just now.
"Vizriel is afraid of us brother. He will not let us enter the mines just like this. A blood tie is needed. One of us must marry one of the daughters."
"You are already married Ashdeer, or have you forgotten?"
"Since when did that stop us Irimians from marrying again?"
It was true. Irismus had seen so much war that the men were permitted to marry again and again. In fact, having 2 to 3 wives and 6 to 8 children was probably the norm in Irismus rather than the exception. Ashdeer had married the daughter of one of the tribal chieftains of Kush, but she had turned out to be a sickly little thing. After the birth of three stillborn children, she had birthed Learon 3 years ago and since taken to her bed. Her duty to Ashdeer was done and she had given him a son. But, we both knew it was not enough.
"Eva is beautiful. She has been the toast of the court. Marrying her will give you an ear with Queen Ishatar herself."
"Brother, you already are a part of the King's inner council, why would we need Ishatar's ear as well? Also you and I both know Eva will never be able to live in Irismus. She is too frivolous. I will not have her as a wife."
"Azriel has not made her debut yet." Ashdeer observed.
"Those things do not matter in the North. It is just another foolish custom Ishatar has invented to keep the nobles busy with fetes and galas and away from the real running of the Kingdom."
A nerve twitched in Ashdeer's temple. He was a cunning man, my brother, and he had changed a lot in the past three years. Ever since Learon was born, he had begun to see me as a threat. He felt I would usurp his throne, because my magic was stronger than his. Learon had taken after his weak mother and was often sick. He also had not a drop of magic blood in him. I knew now why Ashdeer was keen on Azriel. A union with her would give him strong magical children. It was all a Duke of Irismus would want. Yet, he was also a diplomat. He knew that countering me in this matter would be wrong. I wondered what his next move would be.
"I shall ask Vizriel for Azriel's hand then for you. Once the blood tie is done, we can make the trip to the mines."
"I look forward to it brother!" I said, but the victory though sweet, seemed top soon and sudden. My brother has capitulated too soon. Also while he cold sense Azriel's magic he had no idea of her true nature. If he did, he would never consent to the marriage in the first place.
I watched him get up and stalk out of the room. I watched the maps on the table gloomily. I had no idea if Azriel's family would agree to the match, but now that I had seen her real self, I knew I was the only one who could protect her from the terrible fate that awaited her. Irismus was the only place that accepted all magical beings, beasts, witches, and mages as part of its citizens. In the rest of the Elveren Kingdom. In every other part, King Alavar and his band of white sages had culled, killed and burnt any magical creature they could find. Irismus had been spared as magic was one of our few defences against the forces of the Blight. Everything in our arsenal was used against these dark creatures and King looked away as long as the rest of his Kingdom was safe.
Now though, the Blight had entered Andora, and if we could not stop it, it was but a matter of time before it entered the rest of the Kingdom and consumed it. As I had told my Little One, the world was going to be a dark place indeed.