Chapter 55

Chapter 55

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Nelehs group approached the naga coastal city of Bluepearl. They had agreed beforehand with a representative of the naga that they would arrive at the city at this date. The naga had promised to handle their transportation from Bluepearl to Coral Palace. For Neleh personally it wouldnt have been much of a problem to move underwater, since one of the things she had figured out about the blessings she had received from the gods, was that the blessing of Medea made drowning impossible for her. That said, as someone who used to be a being of fire, water wasnt among her favorite elements. It was more a deep rooted bias against the elementals that signified the element than any sort of weakness on her part.

The city of Bluepearl was one of the largest naga settlements on the coast of the elven continent. It was also a major hub of trade between the two races, and as naga were the rulers of the oceans, it was very common for the trade ships of other races to dock in the naga settlements. Even if they were planning on trading with other races, it was safer to dock under the protection of the naga, and many of the trade convoys also hired the naga to escort their vessels during the perilous voyage across the oceans. Despite the danger, the trade between races was highly profitable. Although the races were largely self-sufficient on their own continents, certain products were only made by certain races and other products were higher quality when made by other races. Beastmen made the best alcohol for example, while the demon continent was the only source of Arcanite, a metal favored in crafting the most high end weapons.

The faerie and demon continents were connected by land, as were the beastman and human continents. Combined with the elven continent, these five continents formed the five major landmasses. Of course there were various islands, ranging from tiny rocks to islands large enough to defy the term, all situated between the five continents. These islands were usually the most common cause of war and struggle between the races, and most of them were held by either naga or humans at the current time. This was mostly because the humans were the last race to have successfully waged wars of conquest, though these islands were pretty much independent kingdoms not under the control of the human empire.

Due to the logistics of the land connecting the continents, one would assume that the humans and beastmen and faeries and demons would be each others most important trading partners, but their easy access in actual truth lead to most vicious hostility between the races. Partly because of this, and partly because their expert craftsmanship, the elves were the most favored trading partners of the other races. The naga were a close second, but their specialty wares covered a smaller selection, so elves tended to win by default.

As JaoeTinukai was one of the most important trading hubs in the elven continent, and Bluepearl was one of the largest naga settlements, the harbor of the city was a veritable forest of masts of the trade ships docked with the city. Even now there were a dozen ships either entering the well protected harbor or taking off on their journey towards the other continents. The harbor was such a perfect shape of a horseshoe, with the mouth of the harbor protected by a pair of large structures, that Neleh was certain the harbor did not come by its form by natural means. The fort-like structures at the mouth of the harbor had chains running into the water, an obvious hint that the harbor mouth could be closed by raising the chain, barring the entry or exit of hostile vessels.

The city itself was an interesting display of naga architecture. It seemed that the naga either built tall or wide, but almost never both in a single building. Most buildings were built of wood only one storey high. The roofs were tiled with a brown material, and the wood of the buildings was also deep brown in color. Much of the walls were meant to double as sliding doors obviously meant to alleviate the heat. The buildings were elevated from the ground, apparently built so in case the water level rose. The wooden civilian buildings made up the bulk of the wide single storey buildings. The more official buildings and anything to do with military was instead of built of white or grey stone, and was instead built for height and not width. This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

As they entered the city through the gate, they noticed that the tall wall surrounding the city was very thick, meant to withstand magical siege. Within the city they noted that the city made wide use of smooth ramps where elven cities would have stairs. Of course the reason was obvious when one considered the obvious difference between naga and elves, mainly the lack of legs. Neleh had noted that Kanako had an intense dislike of stairs, even though she could navigate them without too much trouble. Something about the edge of the stairs being rather uncomfortable.

Neleh was quite sad that the naga girl had not accompanied them on the trip. At first, when Neleh had mentioned their trip to the land of the naga, Kanako had been happy and excited about the prospect of showing them around her lands. However, once she learned that their destination was the Coral Palace, she had immediately refused to entertain even a thought about accompanying them. Kanako had mumbled something about not being worthy of showing her presence in the court of the Eternal Empress. Only naga of certain position and rank were allowed entry into the Coral Palace, and even fewer were allowed into the presence of the Empress herself. Apparently even the servants within the palace were the younger sons and daughters of noble clans and families, and even they had to show great promise to be accepted into the service of the empress.

That may have been a part of the reason for Kanako to stay in Rhianon, but Neleh suspected that wasnt the main reason. If Kanako had gone to the Coral Palace, it is likely that she would have run into members of her family, and Kanako most likely didnt want to show her face until she had gained a sufficient mastery of her magic to be a real asset. The relations between Kanako and her family were extremely complex. Aside from being a possible embarrassment to her family due to her magical affinities, she was also the youngest daughter of the family. Her brothers and sisters had gone on to do great things in the name of the Yumi family, while Kanako herself hadnt accomplished much in her time among the naga. Even though her family privately loved her, to the other noble families and clans, she seemed like the useless daughter.

Kanako definitely didnt want to be an embarrassment, so she approved of her gentle exile to the elven lands. She desired to return, but didnt have the skill and power to do so yet.

Didnt you teach her some fire magic? Azrael asked Neleh, when the topic of Kanako came up.

I did, as a sort of compensation for always leaving her alone at the academy. Im not a very good friend to her Im afraid. And she did make some leaps in her fire affinity. That usually is the case when a person finds out what fire really is, and what fire needs to burn. Most people think that fire is just about making the biggest flame possible and throwing it at the enemy, but fire magic is all about the control of temperature and fuel. Usually the most dangerous flame is the smallest, but the hottest. Unfortunately I cant teach her a bunch of fire spells, until she comes to terms with the deeper concepts. Once she does though, she can figure out the rest on her own. Shes not stupid. Neleh replied, while looking out of the window of their carriage.

I beg to differ. Shiori said a little acidly. Or should I say, at least she plays the role of a dummy. A little too well, Id say.

Your suspicion of Kanako is both noted and understood. I would prefer if she was as she appears, and dont quite agree with your suspicions, but do keep an eye on her if you feel that is necessary. Truth is, despite the time we have spent together, I still dont have a clear picture of what makes her tick. Dont be too hard on her though. Being wary is good, but being too suspicious will leave you alone in the world. Neleh replied with a small grimace. She probably wasnt the best person to advice on such matters.

The distance in naga lands often means the distance from the Coral Palace. The naga empire radiates outwards from the Coral palace in a circular formation. The further away you are from the palace, the lesser the power and rank of the clan controlling the lands. The wealth and power gathers towards the center of the empire. The clans holding lands adjacent to the Coral Palace are also the most powerful. When you hear a term first rate clan, it literally means a clan that holds land in the zone closest to the palace, second tier in the next zone and so on. The captain explained.

The captains words proved to be accurate, since the luxury of the lands kept increasing as they neared their destination. The vessel was not allowed to dock with the Coral Palace directly. Instead they were forced to stop on the lands of one of the first rate clans, and they traveled the rest of the way on a weird egg shaped carriage, ironically drawn by seahorses. Several guards accompanied their carriage, not allowing for much of a chance for sightseeing. Interestingly, their escort stopped just before a zone of empty space, where they were met by a small squad of the largest naga they had ever seen. One of the Kenshin, or sword saints as the imperial guards were called, explained briefly that they were the only military force allowed within the grounds of the Coral Palace.

Once they drew close to the Palace, they saw a large complex of buildings. The palace itself was surrounded by a fortress of coral, which looked much stronger than normal, obviously enhanced by magic. They saw several Kenshin patrolling the surrounding waters. The palace complex was one of those dome covered areas, with a huge amount of the one storey buildings surrounding the palace proper on all sides. The palace itself was one of the rare buildings made by the naga that was both tall and wide, looking like a fortress with several tiers rising towards a central castle. The fortress grounds held a large amount of Kenshin in a parade formation ready to greet them.

It seemed every Kenshin not required for patrolling the surroundings had been gathered to receive them. They exited the carriage on the edge of the dome, and were lead onward by their escort along a central path leading through the center of the Kenshin formation. Banners were lining their path, and the tiers were interestingly separated by stairs instead of ramps. Despite their isolationist nature, the Coral Palace was clearly built to awe any visitors with its majesty and grandeur. The others were suitably awed, but Neleh couldnt help that think that the sight reminded her a little of the warlords she had met in her old life.

They met both the left and right chancellors on the gate to the central castle. After a polite exchange of pleasantries, they were asked to relinquish their weapons, and were lead on through the long corridors towards the central chamber. They were instructed to not approach the throne of the empress too closely, and to stop to bow on the send tier down from the throne.

The two chancellors lead them into a large throne room. There were several tiers descending downwards from the throne, the first tier around the throne left empty, while the other tiers downwards were filled with high ranking naga. Neleh could see that the naga had arranged themselves by faction, with the members of the highest ranking clans, and the leaders of the factions towards the front. The central path leading towards the throne from the door was left open. The chancellors stopped on the second tier bowing their heads, both chancellors standing on their respective sides, close to their own political factions. Every naga in the room, aside from those on the tier with the empress were in a position reminiscent of a one knee bow, with both hands clasped in front of their chest and eyes cast down, except of course the naga didnt have knees. Nelehs companions took the hint and performed a similar one knee bow.

Neleh on the other hand remained standing, and looked straight at the highest tier. The empress herself was shrouded from view by a curtain that showed her silhouette and nothing else. Several high ranking priestesses were surrounding the empress, keeping watch on the assembled people. The sides of the room were lined by Kenshin standing guard.

Eternal Empress, may you live forever. We greet you and present to you the visitors you requested. The left chancellor also rattled off their names and ranks. Nelehs rank as Chosen brought a murmur from the assembled nobles, greatly amplified when they noticed that she wasnt kneeling like the others.

The empress gave a little gesture, and one of the priestesses announced in a loud voice. The Eternal Empress, may she live forever, requires a meeting with the one known as Neleh Khalidor in private. Everybody else is to leave the room. This brought a shocked murmur from the gathered nobles.

Neleh noted that this had clearly been planned. The empress was making a point, dismissing everyone in such a public manner instead of simply having them not attend at all. She also made her wish known to Neleh, that her companions should leave also. Neleh gave a small gesture to urge them to leave.

After everyone except the priestesses and the Kenshin had filed out, the empress had another surprise. That means everyone, including you my seers and guards. This room shall hold me and the Empress of Immortal Flame alone. Came the clear and firm voice of the empress. This was apparently a surprise to the guards and priestesses, but they did not protest. The empress word was absolute.

As the last person had left and closed the large doors behind them, the empress came out from behind the curtains to greet Neleh.

Good to see you little sister. The woman said, giving a small smile.

Her form might have been that of a naga, but her aura and spirit clearly were not. The eyes of the empress also told their own story. Well, well. This explains the eternal part. Who would have thought the empress of the naga was in fact not a naga herself. Greetings elder sister. Neleh replied with a smile.

This was a dragon that had taken a humanoid form. In addition, this dragon was not the same kind as the ones Neleh had seen in this world before. This one would have a real form closer to the serpentine dragon of flame Neleh was currently able to assume for short times.