There was a statue of Alonso Strand in front of the Assembly. Emrhys thought this was quite ironic, Alonso was the reason it all began, the five hundred year war. Strand was a young magistrate who became popular with the humans. He was a radical man who hated the fact that the humans were the only ones who were not gifted, unlike the other species. After a long civil war, he overthrew the government of Asher Donovan, and started a war against the mages to steal their power but quickly lost.
"Welcome Senator..." The young clerk waiting at the door of the carriage was a mage, Emrhys thought this was also ironic. He turned to Jade, "Councillor Bellion."
Jade who looked disconcerted managed to reply, "Is everything in order?"
"Yes." The young man answered, "Senator Harrow is waiting for you."
Emrhys waited for Jade to compose herself and alight the carriage before he and Callan followed. The assembly was located in the centre of the city to reminde the people that they could approach the government at any time. The building was as grey and as old as Emrhys remembered, with only statues and fountains serving as decorations but there were few changes here and there.
"Why do you humans like statues so much?" Emrhys remembered asking Asher many years ago as they watched the Assembly being built, "I really don't see why your people think people made of stone are considered decorations?"
Rayleigh had thrown his head and laughed, he liked to laugh, Emrhys' old friend, Constance had also liked to laugh, "It's a Donovan thing" she would say.
People turned and looked as Emrhys and Callan made their way into the Assembly, it wasn't shocking. Emrhys had not made any public appearance since the end of the war ten years ago. Technically, the assembly was made up of the seven senators who led the seven states but he had always sent in his representative, Malachai Kydd. Kai had always been better at politics than him. Emrhys was a good ruler and he liked to rule, but he had never been one for politics. Elves were territorial but not possessive. They were not power hungry people, and so the games that came with politics did not come easily to them. Kai was the exception, maybe it was because of his human half.
"Sorry about the starring." Jade said, she had gotten herself back on the walk to the High Chambers where the Senate President resided, "Everyone has heard about you but few have seen you. A lot of my friends are always asking me about you."
Emrhys tried to ignore the stares, "look at his hair." Someone said. Callan glared and Emrhys drew his hood up to hide his hair. He had been in Eden so long, the weight of so many eyes was a shock to him.
As they passed, several people stopped and bowed to Jade. Despite himself, Emrhys couldn't help but be proud of Jade Bellion. She had made something of herself, when the people looked at her, they saw nothing of the fourteen year old girl Remus found dying in a ditch. They saw the warrior who had fought to the last in the battle of the favourites and won the humans and lycans their freedom.
Emrhys noticed that the closer they got to the High chambers, the less people they saw and the more security. Soldiers stood at every corner with magic and iron forged weapons. Emrhys felt Callan draw himself together, on alert to defend.
Standing guard at the door to the chambers were two centaurs fitted with light gold armour crossing two spears against the door.
"He is expecting us." Jade said flashing a gold medal. The centaurs uncrossed their spears as Jade waved the medal causing the doors to open.
Ten years had passed since Emrhys had last seen the Senate president. Back then he was the annoying boy that followed Constance back from a mission. "That street urchin wants you." Emrhys had told her.
"Don't be ridiculous." Constance replied, "Damien is just a friend."
After that, Emrhys hadn't paid much attention to the boy until the attack on Westeria when he had managed to use his fire magic calling on his fae side, something that should have been impossible with his wings bound. They all watched amazed as the boy fly with wings made of fire throwing balls of fire at the mage platoon that had attacked them. He looked down in his arms at Constance whose arm still bled from where the mage's lance had cut her, her eyes were fastened on Damien. The look in her eyes made Emrhys's heart tighten.
In the years since the war had ended, the love story of Constance Donovan and Damien Creedstone had become legend. Nobody cared for stories of the war, they only wanted to know the story of how the half lycan descendant of Asher Donovan had met the half fae half mage Damien Creedstone and their love had ended the war. The love story was always silent on how the elf resistance had fought for four hundred years to end the war. No one spoke of how Constance Donovan first met Emrhys, had first loved him.
Over a decade after Constance Donovan returned to Eden with a skinny smart mouthed rebel boy, Rhys came face to face with the Senate President of Centurion City. "Greetings, Senator Creedstone."