Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Author's note: This chapter was brought to you by the power of music. Was listening to this song on repeat: /watch?v=qFZ9e4wx1H8

Music is a good way to keep yourself focused on a task. Hope you enjoy...

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The next two weeks of civil war werent kind for the Eldarinwe. The rebels already outnumbered them two to one, but the weeks saw more and more Eldarinwe units either stepping out of the war declaring their neutrality, or even joining the rebellion. To add to the imbalance, the guards of the Sun Elf and Moon elf cities joined the fight, while the guards of the Eldarinwe cities decided to stay out of it. The civil war was in many ways a very weird form of warfare. The fighting mostly stayed outside the cities and towns, because the urban environment would both increase collateral damage and increase the chance of traitors amongst the citizenry.

Thus, when cities and towns fell into the rebel hands, the takeover was usually very peaceful. A nearby army would let the town know that they were now in rebel hands, and the town would accept that fate without much protest. Elves werent usually very big on looting and pillaging even when attacking other races, but the civilians were left almost completely untouched during the civil war. There were requests for food and supplies of course, but even those were usually phrased politely, and often even paid for. In the early days of bloodlust, some units did take out their anger on some pockets of Eldarinwe civilians, but the soldiers who were caught doing that were summarily executed, which crushed that line of thinking pretty quickly.

With the armies coming out of their haze of bloodlust, the battles turned away from slaughters and became more of the tactical and strategic affairs expected of elven armies. Surrenders replaced frenzied last stands, and the rebels pushed into the Eldarinwe territory with rapid pace. There was a stark difference between the first few frenzied days and the sharp and methodical warfare of the next weeks. The civil war had turned as close to a civilized form of warfare as was possible. This in turn made those commanding the Eldarinwe forces increasingly desperate.

When the tide of war started turning against them, the emperor tried ordering the martial orders of the temple, the Inquisitors and Templars to join the war. When the temple refused, he tried the same with the academy and the Hunters Guild. Both decided to also remain neutral. This enraged the emperor, who ordered one of the more loyal Eldarinwe armies to march into the capital, and intimidate the resisting forces into joining the war. The emperor believed he could intimidate them, and those forces could tip the balance of the war, since they contained some of the most powerful individuals in the empire. This would be especially devastating, because the Great Silver ranked combatants had so far stayed out of the war. Those on the rebel side tried to avoid a massacre, and those on the Eldarinwe side did it because they would gladly stay out of the battle if that kept the numerically superior elites of the enemy off the field too. So for the first time in ten thousand years, an army approached Rhianon.

The temple had foreseen the reaction of the emperor, partially because of the insight offered by Estelar who knew the emperor well. As a result, they had recalled most of the Templars and Inquisitors to the capital. The martial orders of the temple were joined by the hunters as well as the majority of the students of the academy. To add insult to injury, the combined forces were joined by majority of the city guard, who not only stood morally by the temples forces, but also considered it an insult for an army to try and cause trouble in their city. The combined army faced against the Eldarinwe army outside the city.

The forces arrayed against them were cobbled together from various sources, but the general leading the Eldarinwe wasnt stupid. The martial orders might not be numerically superior, but they were the strongest fighters of the elves outside the Legion of the Phoenix that guarded the imperial palace. The students of the academy might not be fully trained, but the idea of almost ten thousand fledgling mages arrayed on the other side of the field sent chills down the generals back. In addition, the academy in the capital was where the most promising mage students were trained, so these werent your run of the mill mages capable of only a couple of spells useful in the battlefield. They would be capable of causing a lot of death and destruction, and all that didnt even consider the teachers.

The hunters might not be the equals of trained armies in a large battle, but the guild had the largest number of powerful individuals, and unlike the other forces, they were not shy about bringing along their Great Silver ranked fighters, lord Alduin Rhys chief amongst them. The old Medjai was the inspiration of every warrior and mage in the empire, and it was doubtful there were more than a handful of individuals in the whole empire capable of fighting against him equally. And none of those were standing on the other side of the field. It also didn't escape the generals notice, that the city guard of Rhianon were all recruited from the army, so in essence the guards were all soldiers that had finished their time with the army, and as such had significantly more experience than the soldiers facing them.

All of this caused the general to make the best decision of his life, when he decided to ignore the orders given to him. He also made the fairly intelligent move of keeping his army positioned near the city, thus tying down the forces that were now sure to be fairly hostile against the emperor. Because of this, the combined army had to also maintain their position. The Eldarinwe general was later quoted for having said the following: Fuck it! The emperor can come here and fight this collection of freaks himself if he wants it so bad. Im not having anything to do with it. Of course, this also tied down a fairly large portion of the Eldarinwe army, which was already stretched to a breaking point.

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----Estelars POV----

Estelar had to wonder at the collection of powerful individuals that had gathered to discuss the situation in the camp of the combined forces. There were more Great Silver level combatants gathered in the fairly large tent, than in any of the three elven kingdoms, although most of them didnt advertise their power. Great Silver ranked warriors usually kept a leather cord signifying their rank tying their hair, but this was not a required practice, and certainly didnt extend to those who followed other paths to power.

There were of course the heads of the martial orders, the Grand Inquisitor Yunalesca and Lysanthir the Grandmaster of the Templars. The great Medjai Alduin Rhys was probably the most powerful individual present, and had brought with him two other hunters who also seemed to be of the Great Silver rank. One seemed to be an older mage, while a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Neleh was more of a mystery to Estelar. She carried a pair of elven blades, but Estelar could also sense the presence of magic around her. She was hiding her power well enough that Estelar was not really able to tell how powerful she was. He would very much like to have a talk with her, and ask if there was any relation between her and Neleh.

The headmaster of the academy was of course one of the most powerful mages in the empire, though interestingly he was accompanied by a pair of students. One was an elven girl, apparently a fifth-circle mage judging by her badge, as well as a fiery natured celestial, also of the fifth-circle. The celestials presence was a bit odd, since students from other races were exempt from fighting. Unsurprisingly a majority of them had taken the chance to practice their magic in a real combat situation, though celestials were rare. The city guard were also represented by their captain and vice-captain, both wearing the customary leather cord in their hair.

They had gathered to discuss both the state of the civil war as a whole, and the situation they found themselves in now. Lord Alduin was the person currently speaking, though Estelar had missed some of it in his musings, and because he had heard most of it before. and the army across the field is showing no intention of attacking us, but it isnt showing any intention of leaving either. This leaves a huge hole in the empires defense, and the Sun Elves and Moon Elves are pushing in on all fronts. The Eldarinwe are mostly retreating, so battles arent common. The rebels are stopping to re-supply at every opportunity, taking no chances and strangling out the empires forces methodically and with certainty. Alduins voice was calm and collected.

They dont want to take any chances, or walk into any ambushes that might turn the tide of the war. Lysanthir commented. They are winning this civil war as long as they dont do something very stupid, and they dont want to risk it.

Estelar noticed the wistful expression on the mystery womans face. Apparently Yunalesca was not the only one who wished that. Now that she paid more attention, lord Alduin and the female mage student had also made interesting expressions at the Inquisitors words. He raised his voice. We might want to make sure all the armies also get the message so they can cease hostilities, and allow the monarchs of Sun Elves and the Moon Elves to come to the meeting. They need to be sent a word too. We dont want to tarry with picking the next Emperor.

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Neleh had remained with Elune for an undetermined amount of time when she noticed the goddess tense up. The goddess had kept to her word and used Neleh as a hug-pillow for all this time, and had a blissful expression the whole time. The goddess getting serious suddenly drew Nelehs attention. What is it? Something happened didnt it?

Elune sighed. Yes. The emperor and his family are dead. Her choice of action was smart, but I cant condone my powers being used against the ruler of the elves. Otherwise my future Chosen might get the idea, that it was ok to use my power to elevate themselves into the position of the empress. I dont mind them having the position if they earn it, but I do mind my powers being used to get it. Im afraid I have now lost my Chosen. Ill have to take her powers away as punishment. Elune paused for a short moment. Ah, apparently she knew this would be the result, and approves. She sighed again.

Shalheira killed the emperor and his family? Neleh asked surprised. Was this the plan that the Chosen had talked about? I wish I knew what was going on

Pretty much what you would expect, though the civil war became less brutal only a little after what happened to you. Actually your little show might have had something to do with it, but then again maybe not. One of the reasons I love my children, is that they are not prone to needless violence. They will most likely be choosing a new emperor in a little over a week. It will take that long for the council to be gathered, even though both king Aelrindel and queen Amaranthae were leading their armies in person. On that note, it might be best for you to return to Rhianon by then. As much as I enjoy this, I think its time for you to wake up. Elune said a little sad.

Neleh gave a small chuckle. Its not like they need me for that. I have no role in choosing the new emperor, and Im pretty ambivalent on who gets selected, as long as he or she is better than the old one. I do kind of wish I had the chance to take revenge on the emperor myself, but I suppose that would have been a bad idea. Besides, this has been a good replacement. She said giving the goddess another squeeze.

Elune laughed. I wouldnt be so sure. Its customary for the Chosen of Elune be present while choosing a new emperor, in the event the old one didnt leave an heir. And if youll remember, my old one just lost her position. The amusement was back in the goddess voice, although mirth bit be more accurate this time.

Oh, Khali damn it! Youre not suggesting what I think you are? Neleh sighed.

Why not? I wouldve given you the position when you performed the ritual for the Ignasia, but the position was filled then. Besides, the other races are already unhappy because the elves have two Chosen. Can you think of anyone more suitable for the position? Im telling you now; youre the only hug-pillow I have. Elune continued mirthfully.

And having one elf with the power of two Chosen is better? Neleh tried to argue.

Well, the celestials are the only ones that know of your other title at the moment, and if you let people know of your title as my Chosen, the other races are less likely to believe the other title, since it has never happened before. The other races also dont know if theres even any extra power with being Chosen by a second god. For all they know, the competing blessings might conflict. Also, before you ask, and as you know, they wont. Elune finished with amusement. She knew she was winning the argument. Neleh wasnt really all that averse to the idea, and the idea was a good one.

Besides, the goddess knew she would keep at it, until Neleh accepted her fate. Elune could not even imagine having someone else as her Chosen anymore, and this would bring her into relative parity with Satai. Previously Satai had held the strongest claim on Neleh, but this way things would be even.

Neleh gave a deep sigh. Ha-ah, fine! Have it your way. Ill be the servant to a loose cannon goddess that also has an unhealthy fondness for hug-pillows. Do your thing, and kick me awake. Im guessing there are some celestials waiting for an explanation when I regain consciousness, and if Im expected to be in Rhianon soon, we better get to it.

The goddess gave a squee more appropriate for a teenaged girl and gave an even bigger hug. Then she let go of Neleh and stood in front of her. She put her hands on the girls cheeks and gave a kiss directly on the girls lips. Neleh could feel the blessing of Elune growing inside of her, becoming equal to that of the one granted by Satai, maybe even slightly stronger, because of the connection with the goddess. Neleh thought she had also felt a slightest bit of tongue in the kiss, just before the goddess broke contact. The goddess was blushing slightly, apparently having gotten carried away a bit.

Im going to go out on a limb here and guess thats not the usual way of picking a Chosen. Neleh managed to cough out, giving her lips a small lick.

The goddess blushed a little harder, and gave Neleh a slight push. Neleh noticed she was now falling back to consciousness. As she had suspected, the goddess had distracted her from the civil war, and had kept her unconscious while it lasted. She understood though. It would have been bad if she had returned to take part in the civil war without having the limiter the goddess had mentioned. She might have lost herself in revenge

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