House Ravenin - The Folded Path Pt. 03

Jansen, one of my friends that had stood with me during the slave auction, was next in line to inherit House Gour's lands and titles. It meant Jansen may have planned for his own land to be attacked and sacked, causing tension between the elven and human lands. The scheduled attack would have thrown a smoke screen for inserting people from this mercenary army into the slave trade, purchases snatched up by unsuspecting houses and then quietly taken apart from the inside.

House Quirar assuredly would have provided assistance with swords and provisions, supplying big names with black market deals as it made profit from playing both sides. House Ciav would have provided the legal ramifications for beefing up the war fervor, bringing them to the tipping point of all-out battles.

Sonnaju must have been paid to upset the balance of the Ivory Council. Their job had been to keep the snakes busy, the Masters of the Folded Path diverted, so that a seamless takeover could be accomplished without bloodshed or loss of valuable land. In the wake of the oncoming war acres could have been easily snatched up by House Gour due to their status, dividing the spoils amongst their allies.

The tabard and the helmet were the only links of the wide-reaching conspiracy. The quiet mountain town high in Ul'Uril had been destroyed because of it. Sonnaju and the coalition of houses sought to further aggravate hostilities that would set off the border war, Atarah's home becoming a necessary loss in their minds. The helmet had been dropped there to cast doubt and anger upon any that survived or happened upon it. It had succeeded, causing her to slay for them without mercy.

The pieces of the detailed plan had been cleanly laid out in the mission statement of House Ravenin's ladies, the knowledge true and just followed by the action that had been taken in response.

Letters had been hastily written to Lenu's father, detailing the important findings and what House Ciav was apart of. Her father had mentioned such a legal battle during his visit, stating that he found himself in a weaker position due to Lenu's absence. It must have been another factor that had been keenly been taken advantage of, used to press more effectively during political talks and negotiations.

Lenu's friends that night not so long ago, comets and stars once shining bright in the sky, had died under the banner of betrayal. All but one of her friends had been present, the one that had suggested the mercenary group in the first place. He was a son of House Ciav, and his name was Alstar. He hadn't been with them when they attacked Crissone, conveniently missing after he made sure noble children of respectable houses were fully in the throes of adventure. It had been a stroke that incited despair from fathers and mothers, confusing and making them pliable to suggestion.

It made complete sense when laid out, even more with the realization of who had been procuring land, stealing picks and baskets, along with passing propaganda for workers and soldiers knowledgeable of house etiquette.

It was a mammoth undertaking with dozens of moving parts, showing how it would have caused more problems with such blatant exposure. It was too huge to be handled by one house crying wolf. Any decisive action singularly made would have only succeeded in clipping the feathers of the beast that hounded us, not plucking them.

So a master stroke plan had been created by Xia, Lenu, and Alasia. It rallied the houses allied with House Ravenin and the good folk of Illunais, making them aware of what had been transpiring right beneath their noses. Only the most trusted houses, legacies long and honorable on both sides of the border, were being mustered to pool their resources. There would have to be a subtle subversion of power and resources, a disruption of communication and understanding between the conspiring factions and houses, followed by a swift and total withdrawal of support.

If it was done correctly, upon separating the connected parties it would leave them with nothing to rely on.

The offending houses would either submit and give themselves up, thereby exposing the conspiracy, or make very bold moves during a tremulous Storm Moon in order to stay ahead of the tide that was preparing to crush them. The Storm Moon, when used in conjuncture with the plan to alienate, separate, and aggravate the factions and houses that had been fanning the flame on this whole thing, would suddenly find themselves in precarious positions. They would have to scramble to find shelter on a ship that was shrinking and sinking insanely quick.

Stacks of correspondence had been received back in a flurry, all with the names of great houses ready to enact the plan. They saw the truth, their own records and perceptions of activities now making sense. With Lenu's quick mind both sides of the border were now quietly enacting their master plan. It would shatter the conspiracy in a devastating maneuver designed by Lenu, Alasia, and Xia.

Each of their diverse talent sets had been put to use for this one, astoundingly detailed plan.

When I finished the last page, having read each word of the connections and alliances that had been utilized in beautiful fashion, I looked up at Lenu who was patiently watching me. I gently took her right hand and lifted it to my lips, kissed it with a gentleness that made her cheeks blush, then looked up at her in awe.

"Lenu, this is marvelous," I whispered, kissing her knuckles and rubbing my lips against her fingers. "You have done something extraordinary, love. Although it will no doubt incite some kind of response, if it is done this way there will be little destruction, loss of life, or further misunderstandings. You've effectively brought everyone together and laid out a Path to peace for us all."

"My dear, you have saved us all," I quietly said, beaming with pride. "Well done, Lady Lenu."

Lenu's face broke into a brilliant smile as she raised my hand and kissed my fingers, eyes bright and shining with their own internal light. "I couldn't have done it without your guidance, Master Ravenin. I found my Path because of you. Thank you for believing in me."

"Thank you, Lady Lenu, for believing in yourself," I hummed. "You have done so many houses, families, and people proud with your insight and strategy. I am honored to have you here."

It was then in the den that Lenu started to glow, a radiance that was slowly growing and covering her from head to toe. Like the sun was rising to greet the evening sky, she was radiant and pure as she painted its velvet blackness with striations of orange, yellow and purple. Eventually there was only this warm yellow emanating from Lenu, a glorious and dulcet sight that set my hair standing on end. Lenu smiled and closed her eyes, leaned in, then kissed me beautifully.

We were suddenly on the beach in my mind, Lenu's presence an intense feeling that came in waves of heat and brightness. She was close as she held my hands, squeezing them as she continued to effortlessly radiate. I basked in her luscious shine, absorbing her deep into my spirit and breathing her in with each aching inhale.

Lenu leaned close and rested her head against mine, taking my face in her hands as she began humming. It was only a single bar, peaceful and loving, that continued on for precious moments; the sound itself coming from her entire being.

There is an island, deep in the sea, where one man waits for peace. Upon this island he waits, a perfect memory of what could be echoing endlessly inside him. Lenu whispered, the one note hanging in the air pulsing and teeming with admiration. It is a secret, this memory, of how the world used to be. Pure and innocent it loved endlessly and never hated, offering patience when there was only anxiety. It held and protected when all else fell from the sky and was lost, the sun hiding in the darkness for fear of what she had become.

A breathtaking light made the island in my mind gently come to life, imbuing it with vivid color, sharp detail, and welcoming heat. Lenu breathed deep, absorbing the peace and stability of who I was. She hummed contentedly, basking in my presence and filling my heart with light.

"I claim you as my own, Master Ravenin," Lenu said, drawing back. She stared at me with beautiful white-gold eyes, sunstruck and glazed with majesty. "I offer you this Pillar to stand next to you, to draw upon when needed as you walk the Folded Path. I believe in the Path you walk, marveling at the endless love and patience you exude in such times of strife and worry."

Lenu smiled like a sunbeam, her light so soft and tender drawing a tear from my eye. "I believe in you, Master Ravenin. I promise to serve you until the end of my days with honor, love, and truth. You will not walk this path alone, for there are others who walk with you. I pledge myself to your service, for you alone honor my choices and Path as I become who I desire to be."

"I desire to serve you, Master Ravenin of House Ravenin. I am no slave, and I claim you as my Master, " Lenu said, words spoken slowly, purposefully, and honestly. She believed every word of it, right down to her core.

"Dearest Lenu, I accept your gracious bond. I will hold it perfectly in my heart, striving always to honor and protect it," I said, returning my own bright smile. "I honor your commitment and Path, Lady Lenu, treasuring your claim upon me. In turn I claim you as my own, my precious Sun Pillar. I will honor your service and sacrifices as we travel the Folded Path together."

I softly squeezed her hands on my cheeks. "May the Path serve us both, equal and honest, until the world knows endless peace and prosperity once more."

"Until peace once more, Master Ravenin," Lenu said.

Lenu smiled brightly before she kissed me long and slow, washing my ears with an endless, perfect sigh. The sun beamed down on us from the cerulean sky, illuminating the fading darkness with subtle, gentle light, as we stood together as one.

With a gentle rub of our noses we were back in the den. Lenu was safe in my arms, head resting against my chest as her glow slowly faded away.

"I suppose we should join the party now. There's quite a few people here so you'll have to make introductions." Lenu looked up at me. "Also, I couldn't find any history on the helmet. I don't have a clue where it originated from."

"Oh, don't worry. I'll take care of that," I said. "I have just the plan to use it correctly."

Lenu smiled, cutely rubbing her nose against mine. "Then I'm sure it will be perfect, Master Ravenin. Whatever service you need from me, please ask at any moment and I will provide."

"Thank you, Lady Lenu," I said, stepping back and respectfully bowing. Lenu bowed in return, her smile still gorgeous and pure.

I moved around the desk and took the stack of parchments, unlocking the drawer and stowing them away for safety. As I closed the drawer I suddenly stopped, drawing it back out and sparing a glance at Lenu before turning my gaze back in the drawer. "Where did it go?"

"Where did what go, Master?" asked Lenu, genuinely curious.

A confused look passed my face. The drawer on the top right was missing the choker piece from the Biting Desire set, the same one that Atarah had once worn. The bracelet was still there, taken from Euriss seemingly an age ago. It left a strange wonder that one would be gone, but not the other.

I did a cursory search around the desk, along with a short investigation through the other drawers, before finally accepting that the choker was well and truly missing. As I muddled through the mystery a soft tone resonated through the house, the subtle tapping of a deep gong breaking my mindful inquiry. As though on cue a deep rumble of thunder made the house and estate lightly shake, the heralding call of the oncoming storm drawing close.

Lenu looked up at me in surprise. "What was that?"

"My guess would be the house summons for the Storm Moon Feast to begin. The storm sounds like its getting close," I said, absently closing and locking the drawers on the desk before standing up. I rounded the desk and offered my arm to Lenu. "Would you be so kind as to join me?"

Lenu grinned, wrapping a warm hand around my elbow. "I would be honored, Master Ravenin."

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We strode in step out of the den, unhurriedly pacing the wider turns through the grand hallways of the estate until the clamor of people began in earnest. A grand dining room had been set up in the wide hallway running north to south. A wall of slightly ajar balcony doors to the west were draped with dark blue curtains, the thick cloth slowly swaying in the cooling wind.

Around a hundred or so people milled and talked, glasses of dark wine in hand as trays of luscious fruit and cubed meats made their way around. I grabbed two glasses of deep mahogany wine as they passed, handing one to Lenu. I toasted with her before slowly imbibing, a luscious and strong taste filling my chest with warmth.

Lenu and I were greeted and bowed to as we slowly mingled into the main area of the hall, returning the many gestures in kind acknowledgement before finding Ignia. Standing proud in his bronze skin that glowed with inner fire light, he was next to two other individuals that radiated a primal presence.

The male to Ignia's left was clearly imbued with stormy elemental water, his form smooth and fluid. A voluminous robe of silver and blue silk draped over his aquatic shoulders, framing his sea foam green eyes and pure blue skin. The female standing to his right was tall and proud-chinned, attuned with earthy brown rock that made her look stiff and burly. Draped in a military-looking garment made of unpolished ores pieced together with silver, gold, and diamond links, her stony gaze was unflinching as it slowly panned the room.

Lenu and I approached the trio, bowing deeply. Ignia turned to us and returned the respectful gesture. "Master Ravenin, may I introduce my brother, Voulun, and my sister, Ghiva, patrons of the Liagua and Krakan clans."

Voulun and Ghiva slightly turned their heads toward me, tipping their own in respect. I dipped my head lower before rising, meeting their powerful eyes. "Gracious Nenis, you honor this house with your presence. Whatever House Ravenin can offer to make your stay more comfortable, you have only to ask and it shall be done."

"Thank you for your hospitality, Master Ravenin," Voulun kindly hummed, his voice watery yet deep. "We are ever in your thanks for retrieving and accepting us so readily."

"Yes, we are thankful, Master Ravenin," Ghiva hummed, her earthy voice deeper than Voulun's and holding a fierce authority. "I apologize for my demeanor, yet I find all of this quite misleading to be bordering on deceptive. The world was not a kind place for us when we decided to slumber, yet here I find such equality and peace that leads me to believe it is less than trustworthy."

I took a moment and studied Ghiva, her garnet eyes examining everything before slowly returning to mine. I saw what she saw, a varied people sharing peacefully in fellowship amidst awaking under the pretense of being abused for war-time power. I understood completely, and thankfully also planned ahead.

"Lady Ghiva, I understand your perspective," I said, drawing a raised granite eyebrow from her. "I can see how such a thing as this estate and its people, not to mention being awoken to such a world that is both foreign and new while lacking things reminiscent of the old, would draw your pause and distrust. Your feelings are honored and respected, Lady Ghiva. Might I offer you a gift of understanding to ease your way back into the world?"

Ghiva scrutinized me for long moments before she gently nodded. I waved over a few servants, asking them to retrieve the packages from the the back of my horse. They rushed away and returned within minutes, bearing two rolled brown leather rugs tasseled with red and gold. Placed on the table, I offered them to Ghiva.

"Gifts, gracious Nenis," I loudly announced, drawing attention from everyone within earshot and quieting the room. "Promises made long ago from the Ivory Council, House Ravenin, and House Shivashi, returned to your hands once more."

Ghiva, Ignia, and Voulun turned toward the table, hands of stone, fire, and sea brushing against the tassels on the rugs. Familiarity rang in their widened eyes as the din of the storm rumbled nearby, fingers trembling as the rugs were slowly unrolled.

Inside the rolls were a number of items: a scepter of golden orange topped with a smooth orb of spackled white diorite, a head circlet of ice-colored glass with chains of small pearls hanging down to the brow, a draping shoulder sash made of square-inch bronze and marbled jade tiles run through with smooth plates of cobalt, and a scroll made of crushed pink velvet wrapped in a ribbon of twisted red spider silk.

A low moan escaped Ghiva's lips, rocky fingers extending to the scepter laying polished and peaceful on the rug. When she took it in her hands a gentle tremor of emotion rippled through the air, like the shifting of gravity as huge boulders were being moved.

Voulun took up the glass circlet and held it in his hands, visually inspecting every detail about it before placing it primly on his head. Ignia grinned and held up the bronze sash before he pulled it over his arm and head, resting it peacefully across his shoulder and down his chest. The scroll laid undisturbed, no doubt belonging to Ignia's second sister.

"I thought this had been lost when I didn't awaken with it," Ghiva murmured, tightening her fingers around the scepter's handle. "Worse still was the fear that it had been buried elsewhere or sold abroad when I found my chamber forgotten by time...just like me."

Ghiva looked up at me with emotion-filled eyes, her voice noticeably softening and dropping. "How is this possible?"

"Gracious Ghiva, honored Voulun, proud Ignia," I slowly recited, bowing my head. "Long ago, our people were peaceful and respected in each others houses. A bond had been forged between us, a connection thought to be eternal in the face of years and ages yet faced. So strong was our unity, so infinite were our dreams and what we could do with them, that the possibilities and potential for everlasting peace and prosperity were brighter than the sun could shine. It was a good dream, honored Nenis, one that I offer back to you."

"Though the ages have been quiet and the bonds of yesteryear a faded memory, there are those that remembered. History was not forgotten, honored Nenis, nor were our treasured bonds cast astray. Honor and respect are not words that grow weaker with age, rather becoming stronger and more vibrant as the winds of change blow across our shared world."

I proffered my hands across the unrolled rugs, gold embroidered words showing themselves beneath the ancient items. "These are binding contracts and understandings, words woven with care into mantles made long ago, protected by the Ivory Council since your sleep began. Before you lies authoritative scripture, a behest of ownership over lands, rights, and ancient foundations once given to the Ivory Council. The ancient houses once pledged to protect you while you slept now graciously return what was yours, keeping with this most precious arrangement."

There was movement in the group of people standing around us, Alasia stepping forward from the crowd. She was in a beautiful blue dress layered with black frills going down to her knees, paired with long black gloves stretching from fingers to elbows. Her brown hair was twisted and folded upon itself to sit gently atop her head, amethyst studs glittering in her ears as she gracefully bowed.