We had now become a full on military parade with the addition of the 100 soldiers marching in pairs of two behind us. Since their joining we had passed through an additional two walls and their respective checkpoints ; with the buildings, roads, and people all becoming increasingly higher in affluence each time. Despite this they all gathered and cheered the same, I simply did my best to maintain a forward gaze and proper posture.
Eventually we reached a large clearing in the usually packed buildings. It was circular in shape and the closer to the center of the clearing we approached the more the city was overtaken by green. Patches of grass and various other plants broke through the cracks of brick road until it eventually overtook it completely.
As well as the out of place flora, there was a large marble statue placed directly in the middle of the opening. Standing on a square base was a woman cloaked in priestess-like robes looking down at the orb she gently grasped in both hands. At each corner of the 20 foot tall or so statue's base was a guard. They were all at least 7 feet in height and dressed in medium to light armor that seemed to marble like the statue they guarded, it must be damascus. Held firmly next to them were pole axes that matched both their height and armor.
As well as them an assortment of other presumed nobles were scattered around, usually in small groups with a couple knight like individuals nearby. Standing isolated and especially close to the statue was a cluster of 8 Elves wearing coordinating white ceremonial like cloaks embroidered with designs from silver thread. At their front were an additional two men. One was older and stood in the same ceremonial cloak yet his thread was gold in contrast to the others. He had long straight black hair like Louis though it had a bluish hue to it. His facial features were sharp and defined, complemented by his narrow verdant green eyes he simply oozed menacing. With arms crossed he clearly had an irritated and impatient demeanor.
Sitting on the grass next to him was a large and once chatty man drinking from a wine like bottle carved from wood, though like everyone else he had simmered down when we arrived and stopped talking completely when the guards that trailed behind us split off perpendicularly encircling the immediate area. Most of their accompanying knights/guards had taken an alerted stance.
At our halt he had raised off of the ground and began to approach with the former during which I noticed a crown wrapped around his head. Though it was only an inch wide band made of simple amber like stones encased in a black metal, it still seemed out of place. Most likely because the garments he wore were no more than baggy martial arts like clothes made from a silk that matches both his hair and eyes in terms of a grey ish denim blue color. On his hip dangled a hatchet sized damascus axe with a leather handle, on the edge of the blade were several runes.
We now all stood with a few feet in silence as the Valkyrie and my mother both dismounted. Unsure of what to do I panicked and did the same then followed them to meet the two waiting men. As we walked to them I briefly looked at the surrounding area to see that beyond the guards was people packed huddled together in silent anticipation.
The Valkyrie spoke in a loud booming voice "Her Majesty the Queen, Lady Ventris Vinswain, The Lightbringer of Lindor, has officially called for a Royal Summit as is withinin her rights. Henceforth her and his majesty, the current 9 members of the Elven High Council, as well as a court of the houses shall convene at the Temple of the Maiden beyond the realm of mortals."
In a calm, collected manner my mother spoke, gesturing her hand to the statue "Shall we?"
The older man looked down at me with disgust before forming a smirk and looking back at her "He is not of age. Therefore he cannot enter the temple and must remain here."
Returning a smile she replied "Very well, Vincent shall remain here and watch over him."
Both he and the Valkyrie reacted with slight shock though they quickly tried to mask it. As the tension started to rise the The King chimed in with a cheerful and carefree clearly tone clearly trying to defuse the situation
"Well then! That settles that! Now let's get movin before we find more problems huh?"
He began to make his way to the statue with the man I'm assuming is Arbor close behind. My mother briefly turned to me "Please wait for me here" and then joined them.
"With me, come" the Valkyrie placed her hand on my shoulder before leading us and the horses further back. From there I watched as all the remaining nobles filtered them selves with a small handful joining the group at the statue ; Their guards and attendants as well as the remaining nobles made their way to the sidelines joining me.
With that my mother, Arbor , and the King all sliced their thumbs with a blade before letting a drop of blood drip onto the statue's base. After all three, the eyes of the statue began to weep a glowing white liquid that dripped and oozed into the grass stretching lines that formed a large magic circle. When it completed a flash of light blared only to reveal that the group of Elves had vanished.
Two hours had passed. Despite this I stood anxiously the whole time waiting for their return, as did the onlookers and nobles who now chatted and conversed in various groups. After another 15 minutes or so the circle reformed and soon after so did those that vanished.
With Arbor taking the front they made their way towards the gathered and he spoke "The Summit has Concluded. The principle ruling will be the immediate absolvement of the Queen's exile and her return to Lindor as a head of The Federation of Silver Elves."
With this a smile formed across my face, it was the outcome we had hoped for. Apparently our wish was shared as the surrounding townspeople broke into cheer and applause. It felt like I could finally breathe again.
Speaking louder and disregarding their celebrations he continued "In regards to the council seat vacancy resulting from the missing Yeldan, The Iron Ear of Lindor. It shall be filled by one Aela Vinswain until Elwen Vinswain, son of Ventris, is of age to take head of their respective House."
My head was practically going light. It felt like I had stumbled into a dream. After everything I was told and that had happened my body was practically a vessel of fear, stress and anxieties held together by a crumbling confident facade. I wanted to let myself go fully into all the good news I was hearing but I knew better. There was something more. I watched closely as he continued
"At which point the council seat will be filled by Elwen Vinswain's wife, lady of the house, and current fiance Cere Valhorn, daughter of Arbor Valhorn."
There it is…