Godslayer Lysette: Chapter 285

Chapter 285: Alliance

Zarielle and Lysette took the seats of honor in the center of the raised table, still floating through some sort of artifice unbeknownst to Lysette.  At first, she had suspected some sort of solidified air.  It was well within Rayleigh’s ability to create a mass of solidified air strong enough to keep a table or three suspended on top of it and keep it maintained for an hour or three.  For senior acolytes utilizing artifacts to support their strength further, such a feat would be trivial.  If that was what they were doing.

Even with Rayleigh’s power and control, creating a mass of solidified air would still cause small perturbations in the air just around the temporary structure.  A very slight disturbance, one inversely proportional to the skill of the wielder, but one which even an untrained person could detect if they knew what they were trying to observe.  But there was nothing of the sort present.

That left a few alternatives.  Clearly, they were not being held aloft by rocketing jets of flame the way Serrena and Solanna flew, and the Lady of Shadows would never countenance the use of any sort of light based techniques the way Aurie did.  That left the most straightforward method, but also the most difficult.  Simply building a device that negated the effect of gravity upon its target.  And it was quite well constructed, able to adjust the force on the fly, as Lysette discovered by placing her hand upon the table and pushing slightly.

“Enjoying yourself?” Zarielle asked as the two watched the others take their seats.  “Do not worry yourself about our conversation falling upon errant ears; our conversation will not be overheard, as I do not wish it to be.”

Lysette took a moment to gather her thoughts as the final handful of people sat down.  The seats immediately flanking the two deities were left empty.  To Zarielle’s left sat the Grand Abbott Skarillel, Dennell, and another man Lysette didn’t recognize.  Most likely another senior acolyte or temple liaison.  To Lysette’s right sat two extremely well-dressed gentlemen.  At least one of them was likely Martinek, of the ruling triumvirate.  Beyond them sat another beautiful woman dressed in robes of deep scarlet.  Most likely the last member of the trio, Zephira.

Lysette focused back on Zarielle.  “There’s a lot I know I don’t know.  And plenty more I don’t know that I don’t know.  Sometimes we generate inspiration for new inventions from the strangest places.”

“You sound like you speak from experience.”

“A friend and her maybe boyfriend, definitely disciple.”

Zarielle’s eyebrow raised ever so slightly.

“A free spirit can look at the world with a more open mind, not getting bogged down by artificial constraints of what is or isn’t possible.  Or what shouldn’t be possible but stubbornly defies sensibility to happen anyway.”

“Are you insinuating something, my dear?”

“Nothing nefarious.  Just studying the artifact that is keeping these chairs and tables aloft.  I can see plenty of uses for such a device.”

“You’re already capable of flight.”

“Not everyone is.  From my current understanding of Aimarion’s governing system, not everyone can be, let alone all the people who might have the potential to, but aren’t ever able to realize that potential.  I would have been the same, if not for the worst day of my life.”

“You still think that?”

“I didn’t say nothing good came of it.  But yes, I would say that day is still, on the balance, the worst day of my life.  Even if it did end up with me meeting the love of my life.  Have you ever loved someone, Zarielle?”

“I can’t say I ever have, my dear.”  Zarielle placed her hand on Lysette’s as staff began portioning the meal out to the guests.  “I’m not like you, remember?  I wasn’t born a mortal.  I’ve never experienced having a family of my own.  And while I’ve had cordial interactions with my peers from time to time, I would hardly call myself friends with any of them.  The closest I’ve come are the occasional Godslayers I’ve elevated over the eons.  Of those, I’d say I’m closest with you.”

“Thank you.”  Lysette knew, of course, that some or all of what Zarielle said was a lie.  Most likely this one was to ingratiate her toward some end that might not have been in Lysette’s best interests.  But once again, she could only smile and be polite and accept the compliment without letting it stoke her ego too much.

“What was it like?  When you were born or created or–  I don’t even know what word would be applicable to it.”

“I wish I could give you some eloquent diatribe about what things were like before my existence, but I simply cannot.  All I know is existing one day and knowing that my role was to govern Darkness in all its myriad aspects.  That much was woven into my very being.  But as to my name, my creed, my following, even this body?  All of it came over hundreds and thousands of years as mortals took shape and their thoughts and prayers and feelings and perceptions of the world helped mold me into the me that exists today.”

“You–”

Zarielle cut her off.  “I know, my dear.  You aren’t as good of a liar as you think you are.  You believe everything I am saying here is part of some elaborate scheme to benefit my own designs.  And you would be correct.  It just so happens that this scheme is to foster trust between us, as well as our people.  It is meant to help you come to a deeper understanding of our world and for us to strengthen our bonds for our mutual benefit.”

A sly smile crept up her face.  “Just because I am always scheming and planning and plotting out various eventualities does not mean those designs are intended against you.  Or anyone you care about.”  Zarielle raised a single hand in the air, and people began to eat their meal.  “Please, do eat up.  I do hope you enjoy our local cuisine.”

The vegetable dish was first, consisting of a medley of various steamed cruciferous vegetables.  Common broccoli was chief among them, but the dish also included several other regional variants with which Lysette was unfamiliar.  They were all drizzled with some slightly-sweet, slightly-spicy honey sauce that she never would have imagined pairing with vegetables.  Not bad, but not to her taste.

Following the first course was a small portion of rice mixed with shrimp cutlets, horseradish flakes, and glazed with butter and herbs. The shrimp in particular was juicy and succulent, and although horseradish was not one of Lysette’s favorite flavors, the chefs went with a more mild strain that didn’t overpower the dish.  Good, but nothing she felt compelled to recreate with Mirae.  She nearly forgot to use the correct utensils, noting only at the last second that it was the second course of the meal, and therefore a prime number.

Following that was the main course.  Lysette took a bite at the strange-looking mound of meat in the center.  It wasn’t bad at all, despite looking less than appetizing.  Extremely gamey, and oily as well, but the flavor of the meat complemented the light seasoning of salt, pepper, and parsley.  Off to the side was a potato casserole dish filled with cheese, pork sausage, some different, lighter meat, spinach— which Lysette thought was more than a little strange— and an assortment of seasonings that Lysette couldn’t fully pin down.

Whatever those seasonings were, the dish was delicious, and Lysette had to restrain her first impulse to request several additional helpings of the dish.  It was— sacrilegious though it sounded— every bit as good as the food at the Academy.  With the exception of the lemon custard.  Nothing was as good as that.  The Blessings of Reciprocity be upon their creator.

Finally, a small slice of chocolate cheesecake for dessert.  Rich and decadent as all good desserts should be.  Perhaps a bit too much so, especially considering the generous portions from the previous three courses.  Even though the meal took nearly ninety minutes in all, very few people seemed to be able to stomach more than half of the final course.

Throughout the meal, a few people did make polite conversation on the lower tables in the hall-turned-banquet.  But by and large, the group of people ate in relative quiet.  Zarielle was eyeing each individual bite with all the curiosity of a young child, furrowing her brows as she tried to decide exactly how and when to take each bite of her meal.  Probably the first time she’d eaten anything in the last few decades.  It was almost enough to make Lysette feel sympathy for Zarielle.  Almost.

After the meal, the table of honor was slowly lowered back to the surface and the various attendees broke away from their seating to mingle amongst one another.  Zarielle herself separated from Lysette shortly thereafter to speak privately with her most senior devotees, while Lysette herself was approached by the woman who had been seated at the edge of her table.

“Lady Lysette?” she asked.  After a nod, she bowed slightly.  “Apologies for waiting to introduce myself.  Zephira Makat.  An honor to make the acquaintance of someone so esteemed.”

“Likewise, Your Majesty.”  Lysette Reciprocated the bow.  “Thank you for the warm welcome.  I understand that it is generally customary for visiting diplomats to present themselves to Your Majesty upon arrival, but I had prior engagements.”

“You needn’t concern yourself with such formalities; Her Divinity’s staff had already informed us of your arrival.”

“I am glad.  If I may speak business for a moment, I would like to know more about Ereill’s government from a secular perspective.  Regardless of my personal alliance with Zarielle–” at least for the time being, “–I would also like to build trust and rapport between our respective people as well.”

“If Her Divinity says that there will be an alliance, then there will be an alliance.  Is there something you need from us?”

“Nothing at this time.  Although…  Now that I think about it, there’s only so much I know about Ereill’s people, customs, traditions, holidays, and so forth.  His Excellency Dennell has given me a brief course in formal etiquette, but that can hardly cover every aspect of living here.  I was thinking that, should we all be amenable at some later point, that we should have a cultural exchange of sorts.”

“An exchange of diplomats, perhaps?” Zephira asked.  “Although Your Ladyship and Her Divinity may communicate directly from time to time, I would not dare expect either of you to handle all the minutiae of governance and international relations directly.  Rather, if you have a trusted intermediary who you would feel comfortable sending to Ereill, we could establish full diplomatic relationships alongside your proposed cultural exchange.”

“I have someone in mind, though I would need to speak with him when he is awake and able to decide for himself.”

“Will you not simply order it so?”

“Difference of cultures.  If there is anything pressing that demands immediate attention, or concerns imminent matters of defense, then I will step in.  Otherwise, I am trying to take a more indirect role and allow for more self-determination in the governance of the people of Ciricu.  A goal I have, admittedly, not always been the best at thus far.”

“If I may be so bold as to offer one piece of advice, Your Ladyship.  While I think it is commendable that you are trying to offer more autonomy to your subjects, sometimes being a leader means making unpopular decisions for the good of your people.  Sometimes you must order your subjects to do things they do not wish to do, because it is in everyone’s best interests that they do so.”

“I will keep your advice in mind, Your Majesty.  However, we are still different in our roles.  A goddess cannot hope to rule in the same capacity as a monarch.”  If indeed a goddess— or anyone should rule at all.

“Of course.  And I apologize for taking your time.  Her Divinity is expecting you now.”

Chapter 284: https://www.patreon.com/posts/116884298

Table of Contents: https://www.patreon.com/posts/101896170

Chapter 286: https://www.patreon.com/posts/117005454