RhaegarRRL
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Chapter 755 Era
🕑 Added 2021-08-28 13:06:57 +0000 UTCAuthor's note: Heya. New chapters and more probably sometime next week. I'll try to get something out by Tuesday as it's the last day of the month but we'll see. Again - might take a week off sometime in September.
Let me know what you think :).
PDF/EPUB: https://www.patreon.com/posts/32241245
Chapter Index: https://www.patreon.com/posts/37813894
New project ch1-21: https://www.patreon.com/posts/project-chapter-55087157
Chapter 755 Era
Ilea craned her neck, biting her lips as a light moan escaped her. She started breathing faster as she grasped the sheets with her hands, her legs twitching slightly before she felt her muscles flex.
Felicia held her legs, looking up a few seconds later, a sheepish smile on her face. She moved up, stopping with her face above Ilea’s.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Ilea said in a whisper, trying to turn to the side.
Felicia put a hand on her shoulder, stopping the movement before she went down and kissed her neck. “Not so beastly anymore,” she whispered.
Ilea looked back with a grin, ashen limbs moving out from her back.
Felicia sighed, both of them lying next to each other, utterly exhausted. “We should probably get back… the suns will set soon.”
“So very responsible,” Ilea mused but the bite wasn’t there. She wasn’t entirely focused. “I’m hungry.”
“Me too,” the wind berserker said and stretched. “Do you have a bath in here?”
“I usually use the ocean,” Ilea said as she slowly sat up. Her legs were still shaking. “But I do have a bath… yes. Might be nicer.” She moved them both down and past the enchantments, the tub filling up with heating water a moment later. She helped it along with Embered Heart.
They soaked in the heat for a few minutes, Ilea relaxing her head on a perfectly shaped pillow of ash. She opened her eyes. “Let’s go raid Keyla’s kitchen. She’s in the town hall.”
Felicia sighed. “You want to show up there together, like some ravenous beasts?”
“Exactly. We might not even miss the ceremony,” Ilea said.
“I’m sore,” Felicia murmured.
“If only you knew a healer,” Ilea mused and used her spell on both of them, quickly bringing them back to life. They stayed in the water for a few more minutes before she stood up and stretched.
Yellow eyes followed her every movement.
Ilea smiled and went down to kiss the woman, teleporting both of them out in the next moment.
“Ilea! At least warn me,” Felicia exclaimed, covering her chest before a set of armor appeared over her body.
Ilea laughed and moved in close, herself still not wearing anything. “Who’s going to see? The swordmouth tigers?” she asked, turning to the cave. Black wings spread on her back as her mantle formed in the shape of her dress. The same design she had gotten in Yinnahall, with a far more comfortable and durable material.
“Do you ever wear anything below that?” Felicia asked as she took flight as well, not wearing a helmet but otherwise ready for battle.
Ilea looked at her as she moved her wings. “That’s non of your business, Redleaf,” she said with a smile.
The woman rolled her eyes and followed, the two soon flying over the patches of forest in the valleys of the southern mountain chains.
Morhill was cast in shadow by the nearby mountains when two hungry women entered a busy kitchen near the town hall.
“Code black,” Keyla said after taking a single glance at Ilea.
All the cooks tensed up and finished what they were doing, resuming their work in a sped up manner.
Ilea got her first plate thirteen seconds later, sitting down on the kitchen floor with the armored Felicia next to her. She wolfed down the seared fish fillets in seconds as Keyla approached.
She crouched down. “I can set up a table or something too. Are you okay?” She glanced between the two of them.
Ilea nodded, both receiving another plate by one of the cooks. “I am, thanks Keyla. I love you.” She chose telepathy due to her occupied mouth.
The dragonlike woman laughed before she patted Ilea on the head, one of very few people allowed such a gesture. “You two eat your fill,” she said with a toothy smile, looking between them, her reptilian eyes lingering on Felicia for a few seconds before she stood up and got back to commanding the kitchen staff.
“Code black?” Felicia asked between bites.
“No idea. That’s her,” Ilea said.
“Suppose you have to have an emergency plan for a hungry Lilith,” Felicia mused.
Ilea didn’t reply. She didn’t care, entirely absorbed by the continuous stream of marvelous dishes. Twenty minutes later she sat in the kitchen with her entire system focused on digestion, her mind dulled and happy. I should fund some restaurant award system here in Elos. Keyla wins everything.
Someone opened the door to the kitchen and found the two women sitting on the floor. Claire took in the sight with one raised brow. “Took my advice to heart, did you?” she commented. “Greetings, Lady Redleaf. The ceremony starts in a few minutes, central town square. Would be nice to have both of you there.”
“I just ate,” Ilea said, looking up at the woman.
Claire crouched down slightly and offered a hand. “I can see that.”
Ilea grasped it while grumbling, Claire straining as she helped the woman up.
“You’ve grown again,” Claire said.
“More dense, yes,” Ilea replied. She offered a hand to Felicia, helping up the Imperial Major and head of House Redleaf.
“You should be there too,” Claire said to Keyla but the cook waved her off.
“Have to prepare for the next round,” Keyla said. “I have a reputation to uphold. Unlike some people.”
“Yes, yes,” Ilea said and straightened her hair, checking herself through her domain. She looked fine. “Let’s go then,” she said and teleported the four of them out, including all the cooks.
“Ilea what are you doing!” Keyla gasped.
“Just blame me if someone complains. Lilith sanctioned closure, for an hour or two. Come on, you all did a wonderful job the past few days, and before,” Ilea said.
Keyla sighed. “Very well. Everyone, suits and dresses,” she handed her storage ring to the group of cooks, each one in turn changing into a well cut outfit in their own style, the ring making the process incredibly quick.
The head cook herself changed into a set of light scale armor, black and yellow complimenting the beige colors of her own scales.
Ilea smiled, watching it all. “Wait, what about the wait staff?”
Keyla whistled towards the town hall, a group of fifteen people rushing out a moment later. They joined the waiting group with a casual demeanor, as if everything was planned.
Sentinels and Shadows, not at all the true beacons of power in the south.
“Where do you find staff like that?” Felicia asked.
Keyla gave her a look. “You train them yourself, pay them well, listen to their complaints, and provide the best working environment that you can.”
Claire chuckled.
“Should’ve seen that coming, noble,” Ilea said, touching her neck with a brief motion. “To the festival!”
“I do most of that too. Don’t have the time to train anyone myself,” Felicia muttered to herself as they walked towards the distant flashes of magic. Music soon joined in, various groups of musicians standing atop rooftops with Shadowguards or Sentinels nearby.
The central square of Morhill spanned over a hundred meters in both length and width, a large circular fountain set at the center. Near all the space was packed with people, small pockets open where performers showed off their magic tricks, illusions, and element manipulation. A wooden platform had been added to one side of the square, various representatives of the Meadow Accords, Ravenhall, and Morhill already present.
Their group joined the mass of people moving into the square, Ilea soon spotting a familiar fire mage in her domain. “I want to check this out,” she sent to the others.
“Kind of have to be up there, I’ll see you later,” Claire sent and vanished in the next moment.
Felicia followed and stopped when Ilea reached the edge of a performance pocket. “The Imperials rented a balcony for the occasion. I should join them.”
“Of course,” Ilea answered, looking at the woman next to her with a smile. “We should do that again sometime,” she added with a smirk.
Felicia’s cheeks flushed a little, her heartbeat increasing in turn. “We…” “We, yes. We should. You know where to find me… but I suppose with teleportation gates it’s a lot easier for me to go places too…”
Ilea grabbed her hand amidst the crowd. “I’ll show you the north sometime. I know some very good spots.”
“That sounds wonderful. Yes… oh, I think some of the officers have spotted me. I’ll stay in touch! Thanks for… the evening,” Felicia said.
“The same to you,” Ilea said, considering if she should kiss the woman despite all the people nearby but she didn’t want to make it into some kind of declaration. Them leaving together already implied enough. She was sure Felicia could somehow turn it into an advantage within the politics of Virilya but there was little reason to add fuel to the fire.
The woman gave her a last smile before she vanished towards the balcony occupied by the nobility of Lys.
More than a few of them glanced down at Ilea but she was more interested in the pyromantic performance of Jirayu, the mage twirling in place as his flames appeared in flying birds around him, each moving in a distinct pattern. Compared to the dancers, it was clear the man had thought about and trained his routine. Lines of fire joined in as the birds started moving in more erratic patterns, some touching the lines and exploding in small but controlled bursts of flame, Jirayu himself dancing in place, rhythmic movements adding to the performance.
Ilea clapped when he came to a stop, many of the nearby crowd cheering as coins were thrown his way.
The man bowed with a smile, quickly collecting everything as the circle around him closed, his performance no longer demanding people to stand aside.
“Quite impressive,” Ilea sent his way.
Jyraiu looked around in confusion but refocused on the coins. “Collecting copper like some second rate performer. I should’ve been in the arena.”
“Could’ve asked me, you know,” Ilea said.
“You could’ve… wait… fuck…” his groans were muffled by the chatter around him, the performer punching the ground as he realized the missed opportunity.
____________________________
Helena glanced at the parting women. Claire Russel, former nobility of Kroll, head administrator of Ravenhall and one of the most powerful people in the Plains. Keyla Aranoth, head cook of the Golden Drake, experimental and dedicated. One of the best cooks in the Plains. Felicia Redleaf, new head of her House, quickly rising to importance and widespread respect within the capital due to her competence and her actions in the war. And she’s refrained from using her connection to Lilith to the extent I would. Always seemed like she wanted that part to stay hidden. Old friends perhaps? Helena smiled. She remembered the times when sentimentality prevented her from taking advantage of a situation. It felt like a lifetime ago.
Lilith herself she didn’t exactly consider, the woman focused on some pyromancer’s performance. Just another adventurer at first glance.
“You look particularly unpleasant tonight,” Heron said as he relaxed, leaning against the balcony railings.
Helena looked at the drink in her hand. “I rented this space to think. And I don’t remember sending out any invitations.”
“You’ve failed to have me assassinated in the past. Don’t act so cold. I can tell when you’re not in a good mood,” he said.
She looked at the set up stage. Nothing grand. Wood, a few banners here and there. Something one would find in a town like Morhill. And yet she was here. The Empress of Lys was here. Half the Lily was present. She had even seen Maureen watch the tournament disguised as an adventurer.
How could I be in a good mood? The world was about to change and everyone was celebrating. Long range teleportation, brought to us by some creature from an unknown realm. A being that could wipe out half of humanity if it used its magic against them.
“You cannot stop it anymore,” Heron said as he walked next to her, a light smile on his face. “Whatever our chances, whatever the risks. Things are now in motion that neither you nor me have seen. The next decade will be quite interesting.”
She didn’t disagree. A part of her looked forward to it. Helena was bad at losing. She knew as much, and wanted to have this balcony as some sort of solitary space to be miserable. Heron’s uninvited presence cut through that but she was too proud to send him off as well. He knew her too well and could use it against her in the future.
How dare you make me excited again without my permission, she thought, looking down at Lilith, the incomprehensible woman walking through the crowd with hundreds of eyes on her, uncaring for anything but the next mundane performer. “Infuriating.”
“Did you eat dinner?” Heron asked with raised brows.
Helena whipped her head his way and glared.
She had of course, otherwise the square would be coated in blood. Then again she didn’t know how she would fare against entire groups of Sentinels. The tournaments had proven they were remarkably tough, even more so for their respective levels. She mostly scoffed at the catastrophic failure of the other Healing Orders. If they had such powerful Classes as an option, why had they never chosen to train their people?
“Welcome, citizens of the Plains,” a voice rang out from the many enchanted devices set up around the square.
Helena already tuned out the speech, the presence of all the rulers here more courtesy than interest. They already knew about the Meadow Accords, about the teleportation gates. She watched the various groups speak, the fox and her council introducing themselves to the stunned and excited crowd, followed by the dwarven war machines. What a quaint little circle, she thought with gritted teeth, looking down at her swirling drink. When did I get so old and bitter?
She smashed the glass in her hand, the sound entirely drowned out at the cheers of the crowd. Heron remained in calm contemplation.
“… teleportation gates available to everyone for use. Through Morhill you will have access to the frontiers of our lands. The Isanna desert, the North, the cities of the west. Monster attacks will be repelled by adventurers, Shadows, and Sentinels.”
Get on with it.
“Various gates are already present in the city. From this moment on, they’re open to the public. Depending on the countries and cities involved, there will be a fee to pay but it should remain more than reasonable compared to the physical journey. The safety of the gates has been tested by Lilith herself. May you find your way through the Plains, merchants, travelers, and adventurers.”
The speech ended in a decidedly neutral stance, as if the potential conflicts and tensions weren’t clear to the speakers. Well chosen, Helena supposed. If any large scale struggles arose, it would be blamed on whatever country or settlement involved instead of the Accords.
And everyone will want their hands on that piece of magical technology. Helena wondered who would figure it out first. If anyone did at all. The Taleen ones had been around for long enough and nobody had managed to duplicate anything remotely similar. However now there were human mages around that could be made to share information. There was documentation to be stolen, and there were much safer environments to study the gates compared to a Taleen dungeon. Plus now they knew it was possible for humans to produce. At least that was the assumption. That or the Meadow provided everything.
I will have to face it again. Or have other people go interact with it. She schooled her face, hiding away the slight smile that threatened to break out. She was afraid. Terrified even. Finally.
Helena was aware that there were monsters out in the wilds she could go face tomorrow but it always struck her as madness to engage in such activities when they simply weren’t a necessity. And her entire order would fall apart, devolving into petty squabbles and bloodshed until one of her underlings gained control. No, she was right where she needed to be.
Cheers, music, and excited conversations drowned out her thoughts, the celebrations fanned once again by the various announcements she had already known about. Merchants would be scrambling to change their entire businesses, nobles will be pushing for regulation or bans to prevent losses, guards will be looking for more favorable positions in remote towns once teleportation becomes more widespread. The implications and possibilities were many, too much for anyone to ignore. Helena had plenty of considerations to worry about herself.
“And so a new era begins,” Heron mused.
“The era of prosperity? Of teleportation? Or the era of the Meadow?” she asked.
The man smiled. “Only time will tell. I shall return to my Empress. May you find favor in the coming chaos,” he said and bowed lightly.
Helena mirrored his gesture, a new drink in her hand as she watched the celebrations. She finished it and vanished. To work then. Six of her assassins appeared close to her as they made their way to the Virilya gate. Investments to get a gate near Myrefield had already been made. Far enough away to remain somewhat safe of course but they couldn’t ignore the benefits. Nobody could.
Comments
buca117
I'd be lucky to get that much vacation time after 3 years of working for a company. Europeans are spoiled.
Daniel
I've worked the last 3 years without vacation. (dies inside) *sigh* Now get back to work wordslave! LOL (Sarcasm)
Joshua Little
Thanks for the chapter.
SpaceGoddess76
I’m still hoping for a POV of the Empress I’d Lys and possibly other rulers. Or a POV of Maureen.
Jessy
Helena’s assassins guild is separate from the lily. The golden lily is just a group of strong humans who sometimes work together when needed
Michael Otton
I mean the "head of the assassination arm of the powerful secret government/council that truly controls the mortal plains" isn't
hill44
If some party was stupid enough to go after any of Ileas friends, I can see her leaving a mountain of corpses comprised of those responsible when all was said and done. With the way things appear to be going with Felicia, as it seems shes the first person since arriving in Elos that Ilea has/is developing deeper feelings for, I can see her going straight to the nuclear option. And I think Edwin, Aliana, and Kyrian at the least would be right there with her. Fey, Trian, and Claire among others, would probably want to help but get told to stay out of it to prevent a wider conflict.
Vortozan
Thanks for the chapter! ❤️
Matt
Illea should level dancing skill for sure. I wouldn’t be surprised if she gained 10+ levels considering company and magic involved
W Maxwell Cassity-Guilliom
Considering this is a full-time job you should get 4-6 vacation weeks a year. Just tell us a month or so ahead of time, I'm very happy to keep supporting you under those terms
Veronica
With the Felicia developments, we may finally get some more character development for ilea. It's been a long time since team 34 and eve, and since then ilea stayed the same mostly. She has been fighting for about 5 years now, and maybe we can get some developments in other directions. Something like, someone kidnapping Felicia, and ilea razing a whole country to find her, and the aftermath of such a decision
Acquiles Vitorino de Melo Graça
Well yeah, but this is literally the first time we're not seeing Illea imediately try to say some bullshit about it all being casual and the like. Literally everyone could notice when kyrian and Fey came into the scene and did the 'job' without much connection to it, but Felicia actually both cares about her on an emotional level that would allow for something serious and does actually understand her likings and pursuits, sharing them with diferent prioritasition, but still!
Ato
These recent chapters were a massive improvement in quality, take all the time you need if this is what results from it
Ato
They've been pining for each other for ages :D
Acquiles Vitorino de Melo Graça
I'm so fucking proud of Felicia! She's actually roping in ILLEA! Of all women.
Or the only other Azarinth healer in the world? She could go on adventures and or level out of dawntree.
Veronica
Tentacles are sure to please any noble woman
reeen
these last 2 chapter are some of my favorite chapters that i have read
Helena's jealousy/envy sounds like the origin of a future evil mastermind
Alex Galaitsis
I think she hates not being in control of the situation, and feeling like she’s no longer the top of the pack. She’s used to pulling strings and making the world dance to her own schemes.
Could you elaborate some more on the point of view of Helen. Why is she so sour about the rising of Lilith in power. I understand that Lily is an order of powerful individuals of the Plains, and they heavily influenced humanity throughout centuries. But i don't really get the motivations of Helen. She has an Assassin Order which is responsible for, well, assassinations apparently, and it was implied that she used to do some shady business, by eliminating uncontrollable individuals of greater power, possibly in the 300-500. By either manipulating them to kill themselves or using their emotional weaknesses to control the power level of the Plains. Am I right? Or is it just bullshit? So, is she mad that Ilea slipped through and reached three marks, and is doing whatever she wants? I didn't get it, why she seem so pissed, jealousy, rivalry or something else. In my view, she doesn't concern herself with control. It is just that Ilea seem so unbothered with the power she got and how much did it take her to reach that power. She can't stand that someone else has so much more influence and power. Is it just pettiness? Can someone please explain it to me?
buca117
As the others said, take whatever time you need. I'm absolutely loving this story lately (I prefer character over action), but if its really becoming difficult, take a step back. Remember: if you stop having fun writing it, chances are the quality is going to drop and we'll stop having fun reading it. Phoned in stories are always less interesting than ones written with passion and care.
Gian
Appreciate you releasing chapters for us in your writing rut!
Benjamin
Hmmm. It does feel like a jump in quality and cohesion with the story the last few chapters. No action, but just some good story telling. Looking forward to an action arc tho ;) Keep it up G.
Herald
On the time off note, you should take a week off I do hope you have something planned for it for yourself. I would like to suggest that for the month of September as well as your week off you should throw the schedule away and only post chapters when you finish them, I feel like taking the pressure of the deadline away will help you relax a great deal. Once October roles around you may find a better time table for your project that would make you feel better.
Herald
Love the progression and the foreshadowing you manage to drop, always teasing at more. Reading your work always makes me feel like this is really a "world" rather then a narrative of one person. Sincerely Thank you for writing this and sharing it with us.
Straven
The stories strength/quality has gone through the roof of late, don't know why I feel that way but hell am I loving it! Thank you for the chapters, I hope your doing well and not pushing it much. Don't forget to enjoy a break if you need it, this stories well past worth the wait!
Jacqui Andronicos
Great two chapters! Loving it!
Luciaron
Thanks for this story
AchroniaXenia
a Legend
StarWolf
It could be interesting and possibly entertaining, but I think there is still a lot of AH to tell. There is IZ and that whole situation, the Elves and the domains, the Ascendant, dragons, she has not even left the continent, except for her island trip.
Kelan
So when are we gonna have a keyla training arc where ilea takes her to the north to evolve her classes and cook exotic meat?? I wonder what a cook at level 300+ would be like if she is already regarded as the best now :p
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This would be a great point to end AH and start another story... or multiple. One could follow Lily, one the sentinels, and another about Ilea's adventures thru the multiverse and beyond.
Wyv
> Ilea looked back with a grin, ashen limbs moving out from her back Ahem.
Andrew
Thank you!
Camelopardalis
But another great chapter. Thank you.
Camelopardalis
I like the idea of the Lily as a somewhat ambiguous force for order in deeply dappled gray. I’d be interested to see them do something questionable, assassinate a good leader for the sake of the status quo, support slavers so the spice could flow, etc. Right now there’s a bit too much mustache twirling without a payoff.
Alsia
Thank you for the wonderful chapters this week :) Enjoy your break in September!
Camelopardalis
Typo: “That’s non of your business, Redleaf,”
Blackmoon11
At least GH doesn't leave us on painful cliffhangers, I swear, Mecanimus is just toying with us at this point for his own sick amusement.
Julien Fellegara
Great. You are so far from what you were at the early. Take your time !
Tjark
I doubt it'll be anything really serious but I hope it won't be a one-time thing.
thanks for the chapter
Mark
This is going to be great weekend. I'm going back to bed, someone wake me up when A Journey of Black and Red posts.
Zmal
It actually feels like the end of Ilea's Arc and maybe a start of another characters Arc which would be interesting bringing her in as a later figure but starting off with somebody new or maybe like Cless
Samuel Gatto
Love you Harthane! You are amazing ♥️
Veronica
This feels like the setup to a timeskip, and I'm so happy that feliciaxilea is finally happening. I hope ilea commits
Tim Johnson
i think its clear with the title and with the last few paragraphs it is an end, but technically more a focus on the beginning of the humans of the plains breaking free from the perceived chains that had been holding them back, from advancing, from exploring the wider world. Now with the gates, i assume we'll get stories where ilea will be flying through the north and will see teams of shadows/sentinels fighting mistwraiths, stuff like that. i bet the overall average level of adventurer goes up by at least 50, as people find better/easier places to train and level, and the requirements for becoming a shadow probably jump up too, not just level 200.
Thank you for your work. Take a break and take care of yourself.
Brent Heustess
I am glad you are feeling a bit better. Thanks for the chapters. You go have a nice vacation next month. I know I want one. I will miss Illea, but like a bad penny she always comes back. Usually covered in blood & guts.
Dragonkinn
Many thanks
Alexander Dupree
Not that I want this story to end but this chapter had a lot of finality flags in it and I wouldn't feel terrible if this was the end of it. Hope for the future and some threads left open but nothing left hanging too bad. More like a world that continues on in my imagination
Alexander Dupree
Thanks for the chapter
