He froze.

The verdict that Mora was all but guaranteed to receive had been postponed by the shackles that now gripped at Ymir’s wrist.

Looking back, Ymir saw Ira wearing a pleading look on her face. With what little strength she had left, she had bound him with her chains.

No words needed to be said. In an instant, Ymir’s demonic arm had burned away, returning to just the mark that it once was. With that small affirmation of Ira’s feelings, her body collapsed to the dirt as if now at ease with the situation.

A slight creaking noise came from the bridge. Turning to look at what was approaching, Ymir saw a woman. She was adorned in elaborate battle vestments of purple silk, similar in appearance to a low-cut Qipao, but coated with chainmail rings; it was a perfect combination of cultivated beauty and defensive efficiency. In her hand was a long smoking pipe.

The woman inhaled the smoke into her lungs, as her slender legs strutted across the wood. Stopping at the last plank, nearest to Ymir, she scanned the scene, taking in the aftermath of the battle; her eyes went from Ira and Lilith to Mora, all of whom were down for the count, and finally to Ymir, who alone -- though bloodied and bruised -- stood victorious.

She opened her mouth and released the smoke she had taken in with a gentle puff. She spoke in such an elegant manner that it would almost seem condescending, “Let us have a little chat. Shall we?”

Looking at her with eyes of wariness, Ymir inquired, “Who are you?”

“I am the head of this faction.” She covered her mouth as she giggled. “As well as both Mora and Ira’s mother. My name is Erelia.”

He was at a loss for words due to her announcement. “I- I see... I’m Ymir. I’ve been traveling with Ira and Lilith.”

“Thank you for keeping one of my daughters company... and not killing the other.” Erelia smiled. “Now then, I believe we should clean up here and move somewhere a bit more comfortable.” At the snap of her fingers, a pair of Shadow Wardens came from behind her to retrieve Mora in her sorry state.

Ymir had slung Lilith over his shoulder while Ira supported herself on his other arm. With Ira’s left eye swollen shut, and her head ringing from the blows she took earlier, she drifted in and out of consciousness. She was only paying attention to Ymir’s arm which she clung to, and though she doubted her eyes, the sight of her mother from behind.

They had passed through the barrier and Ymir was bewildered at the sights on the other side. The cornerstones of the architecture consisted mostly of enchanted pine wood that was smooth to the touch, and the glazed tile structure of the roofing, with the edges poised in an upward curve. Even the streets were paved of cobblestone -- a simple amenity that Ymir had never seen from his life in Umbrium. The whole city was serenely lit with the violet light of the barrier that engulfed it.

Whereas the Shadow Wardens carried the half-dead Mora to a physician to be treated for her multiple lacerations and broken bones, Erelia led Ymir and the others into a large estate.

The interior was not gaudy, but simple; there was a large living room with a hearth and mantel with cushioned furnishings and a tea table sitting opposite of it. The design reflected that of the outside -- mostly composed of a seemingly stained wood and stone. Even with its simple decor, one could instantly discern that this property was that of a high-ranking family.

As Erelia saw the condition each of them were in, she reconsidered her earlier proposal, “On second thought, let’s have our chat when everyone is in a bit better of shape. I will have three rooms prepped for you all momentarily.”

Ymir nodded.

“Morris, come here for a moment please.”

From down the hall behind them came a butler at Erelia’s beck and call. “Yes, my master?”

“Would you please have the maids prepare three rooms for our guests?”

“As you wish, my master.” He bowed and proceeded to carry out her request.

Erelia’s attention had returned once more to Ymir. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I shall go ready myself to rest for the evening.” She brushed her hand across his jawline, where there was a small bit of blood that had not yet completely dried. “Let us meet again tomorrow.”

A few minutes had passed before the rooms had been prepared and Morris had returned to escort Ymir to them.

“Before I take my leave, I shall inform you that I have also brought a few medicinal items as well as fresh rags and a water bowl for your wounds; I have left them in the first room.”

Ymir gratefully welcomed the gesture as the butler walked away.

He placed Lilith and Ira each comfortably into their respective beds. Though he was now in luxury for the first time in his life, he tended to the injuries of Ira and Lilith for the rest of the evening. As he cleaned Ira’s wounds, one last thought crossed his mind before he fell asleep at her bedside, “Now we’re even.”

                                                                  ●

As Erelia entered her chambers, she walked toward her desk. With one hand, she opened a drawer and reached inside. Rummaging around for a few seconds, she found what she had been looking for and pulled out a small glass vial.

Damn it. I wasn’t accounting for any of this. I knew there was going to be one irregularity in this situation, but now that Ira and Lilith -- especially Lilith -- are involved, I have to take care not to take any hasty decisions.

Still having Ymir’s blood smeared onto her other hand, she delicately scraped off what she could into the vial.

One wrong move here and I could not only expose my connections with the Empire, but also make an even greater enemy of the Lilim.

Lilith and Erelia had known each other for several years -- such was the fate of those who worked in politics of bordering regions. It was not at all a relationship built upon the foundations of friendship and trust, but more of a mutual respect for one another’s power and authority. Being as she was the Matriarch of the Lilim and held a seat on the Proxy’s council, Erelia feared what repercussions would be taken against her if she provoked Lilith.

She put a cork into the top of the vial, and took preventative measures in making sure it would neither be easily identifiable nor broken.

At the center of her desk was a stack of blank parchment, and to the right, behind it was an inkwell and quill. Prior to resting, she spent the rest of her time awake jotting down notes of everything she had witnessed and the gravity of the situation to be used later in her report to King Solum.

Erelia may have sold herself to the Empire without her people’s knowledge, but it was not as though she had betrayed her people. In fact, she had done it for their sake. For too many years, the citizens of the Shadow Wardens’ Grove, including her husband -- the late Grovekeeper, Tallinn -- had paid with their lives to keep the other factions at bay.

For now, all she must do is play her part in harboring favor with the King and obediently follow his orders and the protection of her people’s territory and way of life -- the protection of her husband’s ideals was practically guaranteed.

                                                                  ●

As the light of day made its way through the barrier, so too did the city glow. The sun’s rays penetrated through the window and gently kissed their skin.

Ira was the first to awaken in the room, noticing Ymir slumped over the side of the bed, with his head buried in his crossed arms. In his hand was a small hand towel, and a bowl of water sat on the nightstand beside him. Looking down at her own body, she saw bandaging and ointment applied to her wounds. Ira realized what he had been doing all night and, contrary to her usual level-headed attitude, couldn’t help but shed a single tear and cracked a small smile in appreciation of his acts; however, her sentimentality ended when she remembered where she was.

She shook Ymir awake.

His eyes cracked open, still half-asleep, “Good morning...”

Ymir’s words were quickly disregarded as Ira questioned him in a loud whisper, “Why are we here?! Who brought us here?”

“Your mother, Erelia,” he said as he rubbed his eyes with his hand. “She crossed the bridge a bit after you stopped me, and then led us here. Why?”

Her suspicions were confirmed as she looked at him with a perturbed look, “So, this is my family’s house...”

The two of them got up and stumbled out the door. They made their way down the hall to find Lilith and the woman sitting together, drinking tea.

Lilith greeted them with a smug look on her face, “Good morning, you two! Enjoy your time together?”

Erelia also joined in to stoke the flames, “Ah, youth is a wonderful thing.”

Neither Ira nor Ymir wanted to even attempt a futile rebuttal, but Ira cut straight to the chase, “Why did you bring us here, mother?”

“Well, you’re quite lively this morning, aren’t you?” Placing her teacup down onto a saucer, she looked up at Ira with a stern expression. “I must admit, I never thought you would go this far to achieve your foolish ideals -- ideals that I will not support. Though it pains me to say, I am still your mother, so I have a responsibility to see to it that you receive adequate care at the very least.”

Ira ground her teeth in frustration at her mother’s snide remarks.

“Be that as it may, I was having a nice discussion with my old acquaintance, Lilith, about your journey eastward to Umbrium. I must say, I am quite interested to hear more about this boy, Ymir.” Erelia pointed to two open seats, gesturing Ira and Ymir to sit.

Ymir was thankful for the hospitality given to them by Erelia, but was visibly uncomfortable at the situation that he now found himself in. Not only did he feel he was intruding on a private family matter, but he was also now the center of attention.

“Excuse me,” he said as he placed himself onto the furniture. “What would you like to --”

“Why do you care about Ymir?” Ira cut in as she took a seat.

“Please do not interrupt your friend, Ira. I thought I had raised you better than that; however, it seems after twenty years of life your manners are still lacking.” She cleared her throat to regain her composure. “Firstly, as the Grovekeeper of the Shadow Wardens, it is my duty to ensure the safety of my faction -- something I made explicitly clear when I had excommunicated you from our lands many years ago, Ira. Seeing as this young man has immense, albeit unrefined power, I must be aware of the type of threat he poses.”

Thinking back on the conflict that occurred only a day prior, Ymir spoke up, “She’s right, Ira. It’s true that I can’t completely control this power yet, and I did kill two men yesterday.”

“Mora and those Wardens ambushed us!” Ira retorted. “You only acted in self defense...” Her head had dropped down a little. “Besides, you saved me.”

“Yes, yes. I am very well aware of yesterday’s circumstances.” Erelia further explained, “Mora had acted of her own accord. I had given her no permission to act so barbarically, and as such, she will be punished accordingly.”

Lilith, deciding that she had sat idle in listening for long enough, joined the conversation, “So, now that yesterday’s quarrel is out of the way, what would you have from us now, Erelia?”

“Well, I can say I am a bit surprised to see that your ‘Proxy’ alliance has found someone of this young man’s caliber that is suitable to use as a pawn.” Her eyes glared over to meet Ymir’s. “It seems that your dream may actually come to fruition with him by your side...”

The room fell silent as the three of them studied Erelia’s words. They still could not grasp at her intentions behind all of this.

“As you already know, Ira, your father died defending this land from those other factions within Nocterra who sought to conquer it. What you are doing now is disgracing his sacrifice.” She sighed before continuing, “I will not ask you to give up on your foolish ambitions; however, I will ask that you give me Ymir. He is a wild card and I cannot risk having him as an enemy.”

Dumbfounded at this request, both Lilith and Ira stood and responded in unison, “I refuse.”

Ira, whose nerves were struck in particular, continued, “You do not need to remind me of my father. Do not forget who it was who stood by his side in his final moments.”

Erelia covered her mouth as she let loose a giggle at their response. “I figured as much. Then, Ira, allow this to be the last time I played the part of your mother. Leave the Shadow Wardens’ territory and do not return. From here on, I will see you only as an enemy and will show no mercy at the sight of you.”

Though she was cold and distant toward her eldest daughter, Ira, Erelia was suffering on the inside. She had to wear this facade of a strong leader due to the politics involved, but beneath the mask she still loved Ira as any proper mother would love their child.

“Mother! Would you place your pride behind you for one second and listen to what we, the Prox-- no -- I, your daughter, have to say?”

“I have listened to your idiocy for much too long, Ira!” Erelia’s voice began to crack, giving a slight glimpse at the emotional weight of every word. “Even if I were to listen again and reconsider your proposal, it is too late for me now. There is too much going on behind the curtains that you neither see nor understand!”

With no attempt to suppress her frustration, Ira shot up from where she sat and stormed out of the estate. In an audible display of her anger, the door slammed behind her.

Lilith and Ymir remained in their seats around the tea table, exchanging glances in contemplation of the best course of action to take at the moment.

Erelia's voice cut through the silence, "Now that my fool of a daughter has excused herself, let us resume."

Ymir had no experience in dealing with politics, and neither was this really the time nor place to be taught, as he was the topic of the discussion at hand.

"Lilith, you will give--"

"Erelia, I thought you were smarter than that. It seems, however, that I've been mistaken." Lilith stood up and straightened her dress. "You will receive nothing more than a 'Thank you' for your hospitality."

"I don't think you understand the position you're in." Erelia's smile began to fade as frustration made itself visible on her face. "I have guards stationed outside this estate, and they will not allow Ymir to leave."

Lilith broke out into a childish laughter at that statement. "First of all, do you really think a couple of guards could stop us? Secondly, from the moment we stepped foot onto your soil I made contact with my retainers. A small army should be outside your barrier at this very moment." Her lips twisted into a devilish grin as she leaned into Erelia's face. "Now would you rather have Ymir or would you rather keep your land and life? Ah-ha-ha! Ha-ha-ha-haaaa!"