Chapter 483: Selia

Chapter 483: Selia

Gathering

"Ryun and Nayra will arrive at Eratemus's home in a couple of hours. I want us to be ready in case Eratemus is able to locate Anatalien," Selia said, her voice carrying clearly over the long table illuminated by the crystal hanging from the ceiling, casting blue-white light on the room.

Her eyes looked around, meeting everyone's eyes. Anrosh sat at the head of the table, with Selia herself sitting on her right. Across from her sat Karya, with one of her son'sEmrys sitting next to her. She had started taking more of her children to the Sect meetings, rotating them out. Having them learn from her and getting them all accustomed to leading. The death of Ender had hit her hard.

Erdania sat next to Selia, leaning back with her arms crossed over her chest. The last person in the room was Embesh, sitting next to Emrys.

They were in Consequence, in one of the palace meeting rooms.

"Any word from your contacts?" Anrosh asked.

Selia shook her head. "No," she answered. "I haven't been able to get in touch with Maleatus or Vesterius. That isn't that surprising, though. Vesterius is a mercenary, he often joined armies and fought on different battlefields. Maleatus... Well, he spent his days wandering the land, looking for things that interested him. I've left messages for them through our usual channels, but it could be months or even years before they think to check them. We haven't been operating as a group since the Dome's were opened. Most of what we sought to accomplish is no longer relevant."

"Is there any other way that you can think to contact them, maybe the other members of your group?" Embesh asked from across the table.

Selia sighed. "I've sent a message to the last member, though I don't know what kind of an answer I will get."

Of the seven members of the league, Vryull, Erdania, and Selia had become part of the Twilight Melody Sect. They still didn't have a confirmation of what happened to Sigmund, but Selia feared the worst. With Maleatus and Vesterius gone, there was only one other member of their group that Selia could reach. Fenera De Vemar, also known as Cloud, Princess of the Heavenly Cloud Kingdom.n0ve(l)bi(n.)co/m

"A small team," Selia said. "A group that can move quickly and can handle the opponents of the highest caliber. Myself and Erdania for certain, Zacharia and Nahamassa if they agree," she glanced across the table at Karya. "Would you be willing to go?"

Karya met her eyes. "Tali and I have a history. I would do almost anything to see her returned safely."

She paused, and Selia spoke to fill the silence.

"But?" She asked. She could feel a but coming.

Karya nodded. "But, all of us here have a responsibility toward the Sect. Ender is gone, the Sect has been attacked. The world is in a perilous place, balanced on the edge that leads back into chaos and wars. We can't all of us go. We must keep enough strength, in the sect, to protect against any danger. If you want me to go, I will. But someone else will then need to stay."

Selia tapped her long claw-like nails on the table in front of her. Karya was right, she knew it. The yeti had come and attacked them from out of nowhere. Zach hadn't seen the yeti at the Dome, but the Unchained were undoubtedly connected with them. They couldn't even rule out that all of this was just a ploy to have them leave the sect weakened. They still didn't quite know what the yeti was after, they had only suspicions based on his actions and words, but Selia wasn't going to believe that. The yeti had proven to be a terrible foe as well as a schemer. Nothing that he did could be taken at face value.

"You're right," Selia admitted. "I'll take others, if they accept."

"The Unchained are strong," Anrosh spoke up. "Their main members kill High Rankers, and we have no idea how large their organization really was, who else was part of it."

"I know," Selia said. "Still, a small team is best. We need to strike fast and save Anatalien," if she was still alive. She added the last part silently, though she was certain that everyone thought the same.

"Then," Anrosh spoke slowly. "I have some suggestions."

Selia nodded, then turned her attention and listened.