Returning back within the palace from the cold chill that had met her on the platform,
Azlat strode down the halls to rejoin the others. The rumors of the dragon had turned out to be true, though the peril she had associated with him had been purely imagined.
Norvyk had not been deceptive as the other
Pretender had been, and though the two were akin in kind there were clear differences between them. Azlat still had much to learn of the northern lands and those who dwelt within. Now that her concerns had been sated, the priestess turned to learning more of those whom had invited her, the
Sky Elves.
Though they were as mysterious and unknown to most on
Arethil, Azlat was unfamiliar with most of Arethil. She had no basis to understand just how distant and estranged Sky
Elven society had been. Even the concept of an Elven society was new to her, for on
Malakath elves for the most part existed within the slums of
Thagretis. They held no city of their own – There were not enough of them, as far as Azlat was aware. Perhaps she was wrong in that assumption as well? After all, if Elven society had existed up in these mountaintops for hundreds of years without widespread knowledge, perhaps the mountains of her homeland held similar secrets. For all she knew, there
could be Elves in Malakath, hidden away in parts unknown. Unlikely, but still possible.
Knowing little of elven society, this was Azlat’s opportunity to discover more about it. Both share common ground, in that the greater world of Arethil was still new to them, and that bode well to the establishment of diplomacy. Both the Thagretans and Sky Elves were dealing with a world that had only just opened up to them, and were new to the ongoing politics of the land. That they were on relatively equal footing in this regard was a comfort that endeared her to the elves. They may not be human, but they were in a position in which she could empathize with far more than most of the human kingdoms. It was not lost upon her that
humans had been among those who invaded her city. There’d been only two, but they were in league with the pretender that had attacked them… At least, as far as Azlat believed.
Settled back inside, she travelled down the halls and back towards the ballroom. She’d been so distracted with the arrival of Norvyk that she hadn’t had a chance to meet Gwyn yet, whom had extended the invitation. Azlat kept a serpentine eye out for the princess, finally catching sight of her across the crowd. Azlat headed to her, acquiring a drink from the tray of a servant on her way over.
“Princess Gwynnestri! My gratitude for your invitation. Thagretis extends our warmest regards.” Azlat warmly greeted her in a diplomatic tone. Her delivery was dry and official, the message was truth. Both were forging their way among unfamiliar kingdoms, and Azlat hoped the Sky Elves would become valued allies. There was much to discover together.
Gwynnestri Ravaneiros
