“-however, a point of concern is likely the fact that Amin, as well as the two human priestesses Yannie and Cara who came with him, all have either assassin or spy classes. As none of these three have fought with demons, it is clear that they obtained these classes from means that we would consider despicable. Therefore-” (Aleesha)

“Murderers. That’s what you’re telling us that they are.” (Vhau Vamellen)

Aleesha frowned as she was interrupted. “Therefore, it is natural to draw the assumption that the humans are murderers. But I’d like to reiterate that humans are weak, and their inherent weakness is what I believe to be the reason for why they fight among themselves.”

“How so? The centauri are weak as well, but they don’t fight.” (Vhau Heyleene)

Aleesha moved her gaze to councilor Heyleene. “How would our society be different if we had no druids? Would we have enough food to feed everyone? And if there was a drought, what would happen?”

“Spare us your hypotheticals, Shau.” (Vhau Vamellen)

Aleesha’s eye twitched before she let out a sigh to calm herself. “Humans fight over resources: fertile land being one of the greatest. Because they are weak, they have fought each other when they had to in order to obtain the necessary resources to survive.”

Vamellen snorted. “Ridiculous.”

“If they lacked food, they could simply grow more, no?” Councilor Heyleene asked curiously. 

Aleesha resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose. …We’re not as different from humans as I thought.  

She had understood from her conversations with Amin, Campbell and Andrew that the human leaders, the so called nobles, were often detached from the reality of the lives of their people - which was another factor why they were willing to start wars on short notice. And in a way, Aleesha had realized that the councilors were similar; trapped in their own perception of the world.

But the difference between the humans and elves was that no single elf could lead their people to disaster. It required a majority of wise elders to make the same choice - though Aleesha occasionally wondered whether their supposed wisdom had been lost.

“Yes, they can try to grow more.” Aleesha let out a sigh. “But frankly, when compared to the life on Whildernae, the plants and trees on Teyrin seem sickly. Like the life that was about to be swallowed by the desolation. And without druids to maintain them…”

“As long as there’s enough of them, it should be fine, right?” (Vhau Heyleene)

“Not if there’s a drought, or some other kind of disaster.” Aleesha replied. “Their world has large seas, which seems to make the weather quite extreme.”

The councilors discussed amongst themselves for a while, until Councilor Vamellen’s voice broke through the murmurs. “Are you saying that we should accept humans, as they are, as our allies? They eat flesh!” 

“Are you suggesting we intervene?” (Vhau Heyleene)

“That’s exactly what I’m suggesting!” Vamellen exclaimed. “If we must move soldiers to Teyrin sooner or later, we might as well do that now, and save the lives from the fate of being eaten!”

“With all due respect!” Aleesha exclaimed as she rose from her seat. “As I understand it, the races on Teyrin do not eat flesh merely because they desire to, but because it’s necessary for their survival! Even if we were to invade and try to stop them, they’d merely end up starving!”

“Then our druids can help them grow more food!” (Vhau Vamellen)

“Isn’t that exactly what Amara is asking us to do?” Councilor Heyleene asked as she cocked her head with faint amusement. “If we were to do what Amara requests of us, then we can indeed help them make food. If we help them so there is no shortage of food, they won’t be eating flesh out of necessity, no?”

Aleesha nodded in agreement to echo her words. “Exactly!”

Although that wasn’t the reason for why Amara suggested we send druids, it still aligns.

“Are you suggesting we surrender to the will of an outsider, Amara? A human?” Vamellen snarled.

“I’m suggesting that we review her request not based on what she is, but on what her request is.” (Vhau Heyleene)

“Then you’re suggesting the same as granting Amara a seat at this council?!” Vamellen exclaimed. “It’s an outrageous suggestion!”

The conversation was brought to a halt by the rumbling interjection of the sapling. The sapling, who normally stood silently with its eyes closed, had been acting strangely ever since Aleesha brought the news that they found Teyrin; with its glowing eyes fixed on her, and slowly moving the tendrils on its arms, it seemed restless. [This one recalls how your race consumed flesh when your kind first arrived on Whildernae.]

Several jaws fell open at the sapling’s declaration, and Aleesha soon realized she numbered among them. …We used to eat flesh?

Vamellen fell back into his seat with a shocked expression as he muttered. “...Impossible…”

[It took many generations for your race to adapt. It was not a forced change, but rather a choice the elves made one by one, after living alongside us and the centauri.] (S)

The room was silent for a long while, before Aleesha hesitantly decided to use the opportunity. “Since the wise elder says so, then it is evidence that we can make humans change as well. Without forcing them.”

“““Hear!””” (Vhau Heyleene)(?)(??)

Vamellen let out a sigh as he looked over at the other councilors. “Then, what about Amara? Are we to give her an equal voice in this council?”

The councilors looked at each other thoughtfully, before Aleesha’s father suddenly spoke. “Why do we not speak with Amara first? The prophet is waiting outside, is he not?” 

Murmurs of agreement sounded through the chamber, and Aleesha left to bring Amin. Before letting him enter, Aleesha cast a translation spell on him so he would be able to converse with the councilors. 

When Amin stood before the councilors, he surprised several of the councilors with his strange mannerism by bending an arm over his chest with a respectful bow. “Well met, respected elders of the elves. I am Amin, the prophet of Amara. For what it’s worth, I’m also a prince of the Alarice Kingdom, though I may have been disavowed.”

“Well met, Amin of Teyrin.” Aleesha’s father, Feynhil returned his greeting on behalf of the councilors. “For the sake of clarity, may I ask what exactly does the title ‘prince’ mean?”

“...It means that I am of a royal bloodline. The royal families are those who rule the kingdoms on Teyrin.” Amin explained after a moment of thinking. 

“From what we understand, your next generation of rulers are not chosen based on merit.” Feynhil cocked his head. “Is that true?”

Amin frowned for a moment. “...It depends on the kingdom in question. In some kingdoms, the next ruler is simply the firstborn child of the king or queen, while in kingdoms such as the one I’m from, the crown is passed on based on both merit and blood.”

Whispers were heard between the councilors. Aleesha was suddenly reminded how she had felt during her first hearing with them, and stepped closer to Amin and told him a quiet warning. “Don’t take offense if they suddenly say outrageous things. The councilors have a habit of…airing their thoughts, no matter what they are. They don’t mean anything unless they are voting on something. And you don’t have to answer things you don’t want to.”

Amin glanced at her and nodded with a faint smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“From what we’ve heard, you are an assassin that hasn’t fought the demons. Is it true that you have commited murder? That you have killed your own kind in cold blood?” Vhau Vamellen suddenly asked in a sharp tone.

…I was afraid of that. Aleesha suppressed as sigh. Though, I’m also curious about it.

Amin’s eyes widened momentarily in surprise. With a faint smile, he nodded. “I have.”

Murmurs erupted among the councilors. Amin merely stood as if he was unaffected by the reaction, until Vhau Heyleene raised a question. “Who did you kill and why?”

Amin frowned and was silent for a while. “...A noble who had become an obstacle for the good of the Alarice Kingdom. He was preventing a trade agreement between the kingdom and the naga from being carried out.”

“Why was that a cause to kill him? Are your people not allowed to choose who they want to trade with?” Vamellen asked harshly.

“They are.” Amin replied with a faint smile. “However, the nagas weren’t trading with him, but with the kingdom. All he needed to do was let them use his port, but he kept making excuses that the presence of nagas would spread fear. In the end he was judged to be more trouble than he was worth.” 

Aleesha furrowed her brow. The nagas have no qualms about eating humans, right? I can understand why the noble was afraid.

“But why-”(Vhau Vamellen)

Aleesha’s father suddenly cleared his throat to interrupt the councilor. “I believe this subject will be lengthy and require a hearing of its own, where we learn more about how human society operates.” After the councilors muttered murmurs of agreement, Feynhil turned his gaze to Amin. “We’d like to speak with Amara. Would that be possible?”

Amin nodded. “One moment.”

Aleesha watched how Amin stared at the floor with a distant look. She had noticed that Amin did so whenever he spoke with the goddess, likely because he didn’t want to offend anyone by staring at them without seeing them. 

Amin suddenly looked up at the councilors. “Amara says hello.”

[This one greets our new goddess.] (S)

The councilors suddenly seemed awkward as the sapling had spoken to Amin without hesitation. Heyleene was the first to speak, once they settled down. “I believe I’m not the only one who is wondering about this, but is Amara able to hear what we’re saying?”

Amin glanced at the sapling. “Not if it's telepathic. In that case I need to relay the words myself.” 

[This one can pray to the goddess to be heard.] (S)

Amin frowned and was silent for a moment. “Amara says it’s difficult to discern an individual voice from all the prayers she’s receiving. So she apologizes, but your prayer might be lost among the crowd of voices.”

The sapling was silent for a while before its rumbling voice once again sounded in Aleesha’s mind. [This one believes the goddess has yet to understand how prayers work. This one greets the goddess Amara, and hopes to stand with her on the field of battle.] 

Aleesha’s mind went blank by the force behind the sapling’s words. Judging by the reaction of everyone else, and how Amin flinched as he almost lost his balance, she wasn’t the only one who thought it had been excessive. 

Everyone were silent before Amin looked at the sapling with surprise. “...She heard you. Amara asks how you did that.”

[This one imbued its voice with mana.] (S)

You can imbue your voice with mana? I mean, wardens do that to draw the attention of their enemies, but you can strengthen your telepathic voice as well? Aleesha looked at the sapling curiously. “Can we learn to do something like that too?”

[This one knows learning it is the same as learning telepathy.] (S)

Aleesha fell in thought as the councilors erupted into murmurs. Telepathy is notoriously difficult to learn. For saplings it's easier than for us, but…

Maybe we could create a spell for it? After all, Amara can create new spells that-

A loud banging was heard on the doors that led to the chamber. As everyone turned their gazes to the door, an elf peeked its head in. “The sapling Zenon is about to arrive.”

Everyone had surprised expressions on their faces. Aleesha’s father was the first to recollect himself. “Let it in.”

There was a tense silence as they waited. To Aleesha’s knowledge, no sapling had ever requested to take part in a meeting. 

As a result, when the pale sapling entered the chamber all the elves in the room rose and bowed their heads. Amin, who didn’t have the same kind of reverence for saplings, didn’t do so immediately, but rather did as everyone else did when he realized he stood before a notable individual that even the elven leaders were showing respect to. 

“We welcome you, wise elder. May we ask what brings you here?” (Feynhil)

It has to be because of Amara. Word seems to travel fast between the saplings. 

Zenon stopped in front of Amin and looked at him wordlessly with its glowing, yellow eyes. After a long while, it spoke with a force that was even stronger than its comrade. [This one greets the goddess Amara and her prophet. This one is Zenon, and was once known as the prophet of Alarice.]

Everyone was shocked, not only by the force of Zenon’s telepathic words, but also their meaning.

…Prophet of Alarice? 

“...Well met, Zenon. I am Amin. Amara greets you as well.” (Amin)

Aleesha looked at Zenon with a furrowed brow as she felt complicated over the revelation. “Why didn’t you tell me that you were the prophet of Alarice?”

[This one recalls you never asked.] Zenon was silent for a while, seemingly realizing that the explanation was poor before the sapling elaborated. [This one was a prophet a long time ago. This one still holds the title, but has not heard from Alarice since before your race arrived on Whildernae. This one’s title is now meaningless.]

Everyone was silent, unsure of how to react before Amin broke the silence. “Amara asks if you’re here because you have a request.”

A safe assumption.

[This one, and those like this one are at Amara’s disposal.] Zenon replied. [This one asks Amara to tell us how we can help her.] 

“Hold on!” Vamellen exclaimed. “Are you going to make yourselves subservient to Amara? She is human!”

[Amara is our goddess.] Zenon replied without hesitation, as if the statement somehow explained why. [This one asks Amara to tell us how we can help her.]

“That’s not a sufficient reason, is it?” Heyleene asked with a raised eyebrow.

Everything was silent as they waited for the sapling’s response. Aleesha could hear when Zenon’s eyes moved in the cavities of the sapling's face when it turned its gaze from Amin for the first time since entering, and looked at the councilors. 

A moment later, the yellow light in Zenon's eyes seemed to glow brighter, which made a chill run down Aleesha’s spine. Her intuition told her that the change was akin to a silent warning - a prelude to whatever would happen next. 

And her intuition was correct, because immediately after a deafening creaking was heard as the world tree seemed to be twisting, making the floor underneath Aleesha’s feet move and make her bend her knees for balance. 

Several of the councilors let out gasps or yelps in surprise. But it was clear that the world tree had somehow responded, as if expressing the faint anger that laced Zenon’s voice when the sapling spoke moments later.  [This one remembers the heavenly war. This one remembers who saved us. This one remembers who taught us how to protect ourselves. This one does not need to explain its reasons to you any further.] 

As Zenon’s voice faded from their minds, everything seemed to calm down as the light in the sapling’s eyes returned to its usual dim light. As if its outburst had never happened, Zenon returned its eyes to Amin and repeated its request. [This one asks Amara to tell us how we can help her.]

None of the councilors dared to speak after the sapling's outburst. Aleesha, who had spent a lot of time with Zenon during her investigation of their records, was even more shocked.

Did Zenon really have this kind of side? And how did the world tree act according to Zenon’s will? 

Noone actually knew much about the world tree, other than that it was precious. Aleesha had found out that Alarice had helped the saplings create it, but she knew nothing more than that. She didn’t even know if it had a will of its own, or was an extension of the mobile saplings.

Amin cleared his throat awkwardly as he broke the silence. “Amara says she’ll need help in collecting natural resources and processing them, such as all different kinds of metals. She will also need to…create tools as well as mass produce things such as paper. Which means…that she’ll need to fell a lot of trees.”

Aleesha wasn’t sure whether it was Amara who hesitated or Amin, but the reason for the pause was evident. The saplings were much akin to trees, and making the assumption that a sapling would be offended by such a request was not a wasted caution. The councilors, who knew what a sapling would think of such a request were unsettled, and several of them opened their mouths to object. 

However, Zenon surprised them both by how quickly he responded, as well as what he responded. [This one and its peers will help if that is what Amara needs. This one regrets felling our younger cousins, but we will do what is necessary to bring victory. This one and its peers will take on the task so it is done with little suffering and little impact on Whildernae as a whole.] 

“Amara is grateful for your understanding and help.” Amin replied. “She will also need craftsmen and researchers - people that are willing to create the things she requests, or study the knowledge she provides. Once we have both resources and manpower, Amara will give us instructions on what we should create and study.”

Zenon was silent for a while. [This one believes this one’s kind will be of poor help with such tasks. This one’s kind has slumberous minds, that makes learning new knowledge take a long time. This one’s kind does not have any experience in creating items either. This one belives the centauri or the elves would be of greater assistance.] Zenon turned his gaze to Aleesha. [This one wonders if you can help gather those that can help Amara with these matters.]

“...Of course.” Aleesha nodded. She knew that she was acting without the council’s permission by agreeing, but her intuition told her it was the right thing to do. Both in order to maintain the relationship with the saplings, who had just shown that they too could get emotional when pushed, but also because she believed that the council would eventually agree regardless. They just had to debate about it for a day or two, in order to vent their concerns. 

The light in Zenon’s eyes vanished for a moment, before it returned. Without replying, the sapling turned towards the door and walked out. Aleesha suspected that Zenon was satisfied with her response, but she still thought it strange that he suddenly chose to leave. 

“Where are you going?” Aleesha asked curiously. 

[This one is going to fulfill Amara’s request.] (Zenon)

As the sapling went out of sight, Amin spoke quietly to Aleesha. “...Not the best at socializing, are they?”

Aleesha shrugged with a faint smile. “Saplings live solitary lives. Communication isn’t their strong point.”

As Vamellen cleared his throat behind them, it reminded Aleesha of the councilors’ presence. Several of them had angry or annoyed expressions on their faces, and clearly weren’t willing to let Aleesha’s insubordination slide. 

Aleesha smiled at the councilors. “I’d like to finish this meeting so I can fulfill the wise elder’s request. Unless the council disapproves?”

The councilors exchanged conflicted glances. It was Vamellen who eventually spoke while giving Aleesha a harsh glare. “Volunteers only, until we’ve discussed this further and made an official decision. Understand?” 

Aleesha returned his glare with a smile. “Of course, Vhau.” But even when you’ve discussed it, it would still be limited to volunteers. We have never forced our people to do anything, other than when we’re at war. You’re just saying that because you want to express your dissatisfaction.

…Perhaps I could convince Zenon to visit our meetings more often?

 

_______________

 

Almost immediately after they left the meeting, Aleesha heard the news that the world tree’s branches were swaying. It had caused a small wave of panic among the public, as nobody knew why. And the few saplings who had been present at the world tree, who were the only ones who would know with certainty, had all suddenly uprooted themselves and left for an unknown purpose without saying a word.  

But once the news spread that the prophet of Amara had arrived, and that the world tree reacted during the meeting between a sapling and the prophet, the centauri were quick to jump to conclusions. And the conclusion that had dominated the discourse for days was that the world tree was celebrating. 

Aleesha disagreed with that conclusion, but she had no better explanation either. She would have thought that the world tree was angry, as if echoing Zenon’s outburst during the meeting, but when she witnessed the swaying branches herself, they didn’t seem threatening. Rather, it was if the world tree had merely…woken up. 

But Aleesha found that explanation equally unlikely. Why would the world tree wake up at a time like this, rather than when the demons were invading?

Whatever the reason for the world tree’s actions and what those actions actually were, Aleesha had little time to think about it. Because people were now returning to the world tree in numbers they hadn’t done since the war. 

Aleesha held speeches a few times a day to inform the new arrivals on what had happened and what could be done. The centauri had been delighted that they now had contact with their goddess, and had wholeheartedly thrown themselves onto the task of helping; Aleesha didn’t even have to ask for volunteers, they simply volunteered themselves, or began helping in what manner they could without even listening to what needed doing. 

The elves were the ones who were the most hesitant in helping. That was the largest problem for Aleesha. She needed people to do research and crafting, for which the elves were the best choice, as they didn’t have a short attention span like the centauri or saplings. While the centauri were curious, they also tended to consider everything a game. The saplings on the other hand, had the right mentality for performing research, but they would often get distracted by their own thoughts.

Aleesha was relieved when Amin told her that Andrew was willing to send a smith and an enchanter with the next batch of migrators to Whildernae. Both were few and far between on Whildernae, and Aleesha knew that she would need competent people in every branch of crafting. 

Is this why Amara suggested that everyone gets general education? That way, you would know that everyone has at least the same basic knowledge and skills. Now…I have no idea what people can do, unless I ask them. 

The matter of introducing public education had also become one of the things of highest priority for Aleesha. She knew that even if they began now, it would take several seasons before the effects began to show. 

Fortunately, the council didn’t seem as reluctant to introduce it as she expected. The issue of finding competent individuals had always been a problem, especially during the war. Thus they managed to decide merely in a few days that after one season, education of the first batch of elves that would become the teachers would begin. Leading up to the start, they had time to decide what should be taught, as well as find teachers. 

Amara proved instrumental for the curriculum, as she seemed to have an endless supply of knowledge for them to choose from. She even had clear, specified suggestions on what should be taught, most of which Aleesha had never even heard of. And when Aleesha asked Amin, he turned out not to know anything about what Amara was talking about either. 

It all made Aleesha feel awe and somehow understand how Amara had been chosen to become a goddess. She was a being that truly had a wealth of knowledge that was simply beyond their comprehension. Amara had sternly disagreed with that statement, saying that the knowledge could be obtained as long as they were willing to spend the time learning.

And time was one of the problems when it came to educating the centauri. The large centauri had lifespans comparable to humans, but the smaller ones didn’t live for longer than five or six seasons. The fact that the centauri lacked proper leadership was an issue as well, but they eventually drew the conclusion that it was best to simply educate all the races together, and those with shorter lifespans would not be required to spend as long learning as those with longer lifespans.

But despite all troubles and questions that arose with the sudden changes, Aleesha felt invigorated. Because she realized that in the end, she was witnessing a time when they were changing the course of history. And everyone else seemed to know it as well, for even though the city under the world tree's branches was less populated than it had been during the height of the war, it was bustling like it never had before. For Aleesha couldn't remember if she had ever seen her people celebrate without the lingering presence of death on their minds.

 

_______________

 

 

 

[Bang!]

“Aleeshaaaa!!” (Fawn)

Aleesha looked at the centauri that broke into her office as she was in the middle of a meeting with Amin. Before she had time to rise from her seat, Fawn had already darted through the room - which involved slipping and skidding on the floor - and planted her face against Aleesha’s neck. 

Glancing at the door, Aleesha saw how Zanadell stood with a helpless expression and shrugged her shoulders.

Willful as always. Aleesha realized a smile had spread on her face when she patted Fawn’s head. “It’s good to see you again, Fawn.”

Aleesha felt how the cloth that covered her shoulder seemed to get wet as Fawn sobbed. “I knew you’d be back!”

“Of course I’d be back.” Aleesha replied with a smile. “Whildernae is my home. I was just going on a trip.”

Fawn smiled with a tearful face as she eventually separated from Aleesha’s shoulder. “I heard you found They-...Teirun? …Turin?”

“Teyrin. We did.” Aleesha smiled and gestured towards Amin. “In fact, Amin here is a human from there.”

Fawn’s head flew from side to side as her gaze darted between the elf and the human. Suddenly, a large grin spread on her face. “Oh, I see!” Fawn turned her eyes to Aleesha with a teasing smile. “So you finally followed my suggestion!”
Aleesha tilted her head as she tried to remember. “What suggestion?”

“Oh, don’t pretend you don’t remember!” Fawn giggled and grinned as she hopped around the desk and took a closer look at Amin. From Amin’s reaction, it even seemed a little too close. “Ahuh, mysterious…dangerous…oh, how delightful! I should have expected that to be your taste! I approve! You brought home an excellent toy boy!”

Aleesha blinked in confusion. However, Amin seemingly understood what Fawn meant, as his face reddened before he replied. “We’re not-”

“Oh, please! That’s exactly what a toy boy would say!” Fawn said with a grin before she backed away from the human and grinned at Aleesha. “Really, I’m so happy you followed my advice! I always thought you seemed stiff, and…well, you still seem stiff. Maybe it wasn’t enough? Yes, you probably need more than one! That must be it! Do you want me to help you find more? I have excellent connections, and-”

“Fawn, I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Aleesha said as she let out a sigh. “What’s a toy boy?”

Fawn blinked repeatedly. “Oh, you forgot?” After glancing at Amin, she pointed at him. “What he is. After all, he knows what he is.”

“I’m not a toy boy!” Amin retorted. 

“That’s what they all say! Really, why do they always deny it? At least, that’s what all of mine have said-oh!” Fawn gasped as she seemed to realize something. “I have to let you meet my kids! You’ve been gone so long you never had time to meet them and-”

“You have kids?” Aleesha asked as her eyes widened in surprise.

“Three!” Fawn declared proudly. “They’re adorable! Though, the last one seems a bit dumb, but maybe he’ll grow out of it - I hope he does, anyway. I wonder why he’s stupid though, because his father seemed smart. It makes me wonder how those things work, you know? Because he has spots that are exactly like mine, and-”

“I’d love to meet them, Fawn.” Aleesha said with a smile. 

“Of course! Oh, I forgot, will you be their godmother?” Fawn moved back around the table and grabbed Aleesha’s arm. “Please? You will, won’t you?”

Aleesha couldn’t help but feel a little bit troubled, as she knew that her duties would make it difficult to spend time on helping Fawn to raise her children. But she also realized that if she didn’t agree to it now - for the only person who was a friend that she didn’t make through her duties - then she likely never would in the future.

Actually, isn’t it just a sign that I need more hands to help me? Let’s add that to the top of the list. After all, the number of things I need to do keeps growing faster than I can-

“Aleesha?” Fawn suddenly asked with a broken voice.

 Ah. Aleesha smiled and patted the back of the centauri's small hands. “Of course. Sorry, I just realized that-”

“Great! I knew you were a good person!” Fawn exclaimed with a grin. “I’ll get out of your hair! Speaking of hair, could I have some more of yours? I’d like to…no? Okay! Anyway, I should go! After all, I need to tell everyone! You finally got yourself a toy boy, and that we can soon expect baby-Aleeshas-”

Aleesha blinked repeatedly as she heard the last word. Baby-Aleeshas?

Turning her eyes to Amin, who was pinching the bridge of his nose with a red face, Aleesha suddenly felt reluctant to ask him. Instead, she looked to the door, where Zanadell met her confused gaze with a strange expression. 

“Zanadell, what is a toy boy?” Aleesha asked. 

Zanadell let out a long sigh as she began explaining. 

Moments later, Aleesha darted after the centauri with a boiling face. “Fawn! FAWN!”