506 Hydrophobia

Tir ná Lia, Capital of the Aen Elle :

Inside a grand palace with the signs of frost beginning to encroach upon it's marble walls is a Great Hall with large glass windows allowing natural light in. The entire room in inscribed with runes and words with a high degree of significance to the Aen Elle Elder in their native language Ellylon.

Eredin Bréacc Glas, current king of the Aen Elle and subsequently, the Wild Hunt, sits with his legs crossed as two of his Generals begin to walk through the hall towards him. He notes that they are not wearing their typical armour for some strange reason, he taps his throne in annoyance at their lack of decorum but disregards it as they must have something important to say.

Imlerith who has been seething in rage ever since escaping the Mages magic at the cost of the men under his command slowly walks towards his King, his roiling emotions becoming more uncertain the closer he gets until he's finally in position to address Eredin... He kneels with his head down, usually a sign of respect but in this instance due to shame at losing the girl yet again as well as escaping with his tail tucked between his legs. He felt naked under the gaze of his king, the armour that usually hid his pale skin and bald head now at the bottom of some ocean in that god forsaken world.

Caranthir who had been walking beside Imlerith doesn't do the same however, he didn't regard it as his own failure at being unable to repel the enemies strange and powerful magic. Instead he thought of it as a learning experience, finding out that there was still much to learn and maybe that his former teacher Avallac'h hadn't imparted all of his knowledge. He stands next to his kneeling comrade with a neutral expression, knowing full well that he was too valuable for Eredin to even try to punish. He stands there confidently in scholarly robes with the hood up to hide his face, as even if the Generals knew what he looked like he would continue to hide his appearance.

Eredin look down at his two generals, he notes that Imlerith's usually pale white skin is slightly blushed and clammy, though Caranthir doesn't appear to have the same issue. "You bring not the girl, so news of your failure I assume?" he almost growls, despite his composure remaining untouched.

Imlerith tries to work up the courage but Caranthir addresses his king first, "The girl was with the Vatt'ghern that had escaped us." he states.

Eredin rests his head on his fist, "A single mutant wouldn't have you coming back here to grovel without armour or men... Tell me, what excuse will you use for this recent failure?" he says, letting it known that all of the failed Wild Hunt's forays have disappointing him greatly.

Imlerith "Eredin, my liege... They had a powerful Mage with them, one capable of annihilating our vessel and all the men aboard it, not even Caranthirs magic could block it." he says with his head still down, not daring to look his king in the eyes.

Eredin glares at Caranthir, "Is this true?"

Caranthir nods, "They used magic the Aen Elle have never observed before, in all of our records we've never come across something even slightly similar."

"Oh, please. Describe the spells used for us." a voice from above them on the balconies overlooking the hall says.

Eredin "Ge'els, if you wish to advise us then have the modesty to atleast attend properly instead of skulking around like an assassin." he says to his most trusted general but also most annoying general.

Ge'els sighs and opens up a portal from the balcony to beside Eredin's throne where he stands with his hands behind his back. His fine robes giving off a sense of dignity and nobility. "Now that I am present, won't you explain these "Spells" for me Caranthir?"

Caranthir nods, "First the Mage conjured what looked like diamond spears in a large quantity, once fired at our vessel I along with my apprentices tried to block them... Our spells were almost useless against it, as if it was meant to counter our magic."

Ge'els listens with a contemplative expression, could a traitor be funnelling information to their enemies? It would have to be Caranthir or a Navigator of high rapport for something like that... Shaking his head he decides that it must be something else other than a traitor unless some new information comes to light. He gestures to Caranthir, "Continue."

Caranthir "After the Diamond Spear assault we tried to quickly recover, my apprentices and I had barely regained our footing when I sensed a massive spell being conjured. One that would rival the Sages-"

Eredin slams his fist on his throne, "Sages!?! Was it Avallac'h! Did he escape the curse!?!" he shouts, the chance of the foe being his former friend and now nemesis Avallac'h bringing him unrivalled fury.

Caranthir shakes his head, "No, not Avallac'h. I would have sensed it if he was there, I do not know what being it was or what spell was being cast but after it was done a blade of Dark Red fire cut our vessel in two with ease."

Ge'els snorts, "I can already guess what happened next." he looks to Eredin, "Why must you insist on heavy armour even when not on land? There is a reason the common folk in others worlds think we fear water!"

Eredin "It is not the armour, but the fear it commands. My decision is final no matter how many times you try to challenge it." he states after calming down some.