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Elinor’s glowing green irises followed the Clavex Clan and humans as they left the hall with the Thélméthra sisters, still in human form.  The Ri’bot were not the only ones giving fearful glances up at her; it appeared like a few of the human women among the group had their reservations about the situation they found themselves in, but Elinor didn’t have the interest to focus on that particular issue.

Once they had exited, she ordered her Quen’Talrat soldiers stationed by the door to close it.  The muffled sound of the storm outside died, leaving the space mostly silent; a few grunts echoed around the hall from the Torlim as their long tongues made noises while wetting the beasts’ lips.

Elinor’s vision moved between the Aligator-toad creatures, noting the dead bodies inside the baskets they carried.  Her frown lifted a little as not a single person spoke, waiting for her to initiate the conversation.  Perhaps they’re learning respect.

Her focus finally centered on Folcra; after he witnessed Dalria’s compliance, it appeared he’d been lost in thought, but his eyes snapped onto her when she opened her lips.  “I will now move onto the Delthax Clan’s trial.  I think it was a rather poor decision to send your warriors away, Folcra.  Do you know why?”

A lump dropped down the leader’s throat, but his focus never wavered from her.  “I couldn’t guess your mind … Empress.  Is that what you wish me to call you?”

Edmon’s tone reflected his words.  “Are you trying to disrespect the Empress in a subtle way after hearing so many address her properly?”

“Not at all, Lord,” he stated with a slight bow.  “I simply ask for clarification, and I mean no harm.  Elder Valdar has been among many kingdoms and seen many customs that this … trial, follows.  I would never dream of standing in the place of the Empress; therefore, I could never fathom the depth of her question.”

Elinor watched the left corner of Tiffany’s lips twitch.  “How bold.  He’s trying to be subtly facetious.  Perhaps this is a defense or coping mechanism of his to deal with the stress.  How would you respond to his inquiry, Iris?”

“There would be no inquiry for me to respond to,” Iris stated, expression making them all too aware of what she thought of the Ri’bot and humans.

“Fair enough,” Tiffany giggled.

Edmon’s armored chest puffed out as he released a puff of air, sapphire fog expelling from his helmet to float below.  “All he is doing is increasing the length of his inevitable torment.  Let him dig himself a deeper grave.”

“Interesting choice of words,” Tiffany hummed.  “I’m sure our new little warden will have some new buried fantasies to act out once we’re done.”

Elinor let the silence stretch as she listened to the commentary of her Royal Court, but the conversation died once she responded.  “I will say it once, and only once.  My name is Empress Elinor, and you will address me as either Empress or Empress Elinor and nothing else.  After this warning, every time you disrespect my name, you will lose a finger.  Once you’ve lost the ten you have, then those of your fellow clansmen will be next.  Now answer my question; I will not ask again.”

Even the humans shivered at her response, and it took a moment for Folcra to respond; she’d made it clear that anything short of a proper answer would have dire consequences.  The two teeth on either side of his mouth pressed against his lower lips, and his hands were a lighter shade of blue than normal as they balled into fists.

After a few seconds, he cleared his throat and said, “I honestly don’t know why sending my fellow warriors home safely was the wrong decision.  I cannot answer your question because I do not see why bringing them with me to face certain death, and subsequently being brought back … barred from our ancestral home in the sky, was a wrong choice.”

Elinor’s hair shifted to the right as she cocked her head with a small smirk lifting her cheeks.  “You think yourself a hero, then, and this is some noble sacrifice for those under you?”

Tiffany could help but chuckle softly, covering her mouth with her fist with fits of mirth.

Folcra’s nose creased, vision shooting to the Witch, nostrils flaring a few times, but he managed to take a deep breath, closing his eyes for a time before opening them again, and his voice pacified.  “Honor is a way of life for many of the warrior tribes of the Ri’bot.  What I did was a sacrifice, but I do not consider myself worthy of such praise for allowing this new,” he licked his lips before continuing, “blight to sully our land.”

“What did I tell you, Edmon.  I was waiting for that phrase,” Tiffany said with a hint of amusement.

“Too cliché.”

“Far too easy,” Tiffany agreed.

Elinor shifted her hands in her lap, righting her posture.  “At least you take some credit for the circumstances you are in, but you’re far too lenient on your participation.  Why was your decision wrong?  Because, now, I need to go back to your Clan’s homes to retrieve those responsible.”

“I gave myself willingly as a sacrifice … is that not enough?”  Folcra asked in disbelief.  “I gave up eternity with the Great Chiefs to pay the price demanded.”

Tiffany smiled while slowly shaking her head.  “Oh, how very arrogant or at least ignorant of you.”

Folcra seemed confused as he shifted his body to look at the humans, staring at him with malice as he sought an answer to Tiffany’s statement.  “What … do you mean?  How am I being arrogant or ignorant?”  He asked, looking up at them, but his eyes moved to the black-armored Doom Guard as he explained.

“If a Ri’bot steals food from another, is it the hand of his brother that is taken?”

“No…”

“No, justice requires the hand of the one that stole it.  Justice cares not if that hand can throw better than his brother’s or is quicker, but it takes its pound in flesh.  The Empress was very merciful to the Clavex Clan because of their honesty and the witnesses that testified upon their behalf of their benevolence.

“However, mercy cannot satisfy justice, and she will drink her fill.  The Clavex Clan kidnapped and robbed the humans of more than just their world and property, but much more, and they were sentenced because of that.  How will those you imprisoned testify of their treatment?”  Edmon asked, pointing a cold gauntlet at the bloodied and torn humans across the room from the Ri’bot.

Folcra’s tone broke for a moment as he glanced between their flaming eyes.  “I can’t—you will g-go to such lengths … even to the Delthax Clan’s land?”

Elinor chuckled softly, leaning forward a little as she glared down at the blue-skinned Ri’bot.  “I told you, it was a mistake, Folcra.  Now I will have my Undead horde cut a path through your lands and gather up every last Ri’bot that was present during that raid, and if there are casualties among those uninvolved due to your carelessness, then that is on your own head.

“I will see every Ri’bot that took part in that slaughter before my throne to be judged, and they will be held to the fullest extent of my law.  Do you understand what that means?”

Green blood appeared as his teeth bit into the outside of his lip, jagged edges cutting the flesh, and he needed to grip his left arm to stop it from shaking, likely envisioning green flaming Quen’Talrat rampaging through his home.

Elinor’s smile rose further as she watched a few of the humans spit on the floor at him, faces screwed up with disgust and hate.

“Serves you right.”

“Bastards.”

“You all deserve to die.”

The mutters died as she spoke again, addressing Folcra.  “I haven’t even asked them their experiences yet, and they’re cursing your entire clan.  I’m not an unreasonable Empress, Folcra, but even I am having trouble reconciling this wrath within me that wishes to burn the whole Ri’bot race on stakes.

“Because I want to be merciful … even if I believe it to be mostly in vain, I’ve given a challenge to both Nadraca and Dalria to save their race by convincing me otherwise, and I’ll tell you this, Dalria has not done a good job.

“Nadraca, on the other hand, with the words of a child, has taken a decent first step.  You better pray to your ancestors and hope that what I experience with retrieving those Ri’bot you sent home doesn’t hurt their efforts.  Now,” she turned her attention to the humans, “have you chosen a representative?”

A large Hispanic man stepped forward, nosed twisted with disgust as he glared at Folcra.  “Yes, Empress Elinor.  My name is Gervasio, and…”  He glanced back at several of the heavily wounded individuals, teens, and the few elderly before returning his gaze to Elinor.  “We’re still coming to terms with everything, but we first wanted to thank Camellia for everything she did for us and explained.  We don’t know exactly what’s going on, but it seems pretty apparent.”

He took a deep breath before shaking his head, and a shiver ran down his frame.  “We’re in a whole new world … and if we want to survive, then we’ll do what you say.  It’s obvious that you’re not exactly human anymore, but it seems you care for us at least a little, and we’re thankful for that.  Umm … yeah, a trial.”

His tongue slid across his dry lips, and he breathed in a sharp breath through his teeth.  “They whipped us, cut us, killed children, women, and elderly indiscriminately, and forced us to walk through that storm without giving us a leaf for cover.  The hail killed some…”

Gervasio’s throat constricted, and a few of the other humans began to cry as he continued.  “They fed—a few kids and elderly to their—their monsters as their family watched … they seemed to—enjoy it.  They didn’t let us use the restroom or slow, and—they learned quickly that harming loved ones got us to move quicker.

“A few died of allergic reactions, poisonous bugs—I think, too, and if someone d-died, then they’d just throw them up on top with the rest of the dead.  Personally … there was one woman in particular that haunts me … her screams when the monster was crushing her bones.  She was alive … for so long … dragging half her through the mud while eating on the move.”  He whispered, closing his eyes while hugging his shoulders.

“I see,” Elinor stated.  “Is there anything else you’d like to add?”

“... Just the memories … how it felt,” he mumbled.  “I can’t—express it.”

Elinor nodded, ghostly green irises moving between the injuries on each of their bodies and the pain and hatred written upon their scarred tissue.  Her focus shifted to the trembling blue toad-man.  “Valdar oversaw your journey back?”

“It was me…”

“Say that again,” Elinor demanded, vision narrowing.

“It was me … Valdar didn’t do anything to them.  It was all me.  My orders.”

Her tongue pressed against the side of her mouth as her nose creased.  “I don’t like being lied to, Folcra.  I know Valdar was the highest-ranking member in your group; everything would be done under his supervision, and therefore, directly responsible for allowing this to happen.  Nadraca proved that some Ri’bot can be caring and considerate; because of her leadership, her people are not being sent to be punished with the Roxim Clan members.”

Folcra bowed his body for a moment, taking a deep breath before whispering, “To the glory of Chief Valdar…”

Elinor’s eyebrow lifted as he bent down, shot up half a meter into the air, and dropped like a bag of rocks into a crumpled heap.  What in the…

“Pathetic,” Edmon huffed.

“My, Iris, you’re so quick!  I didn’t even see what you did.”  Tiffany mused, hands behind her back as she bent forward a little to study the Ri’bot’s motionless form.

“Some form of projectile,” Edmon stated.

Is he alive?  Elinor questioned, breaking into the conversation as the humans froze in their movements, watching the fallen warrior with cautious eyes.

“Yes, Empress, he is alive.  I paralyzed him.  Given their natural resistance, and the type of genetic code I’ve seen within the blue-skinned Ri’bot, I’d determine he will be incapacitated for fifteen minutes.”

“Wonderful work, but I shouldn’t be surprised,” Tiffany chuckled.  “You are the Royal Executioner, after all.”

Iris seemed entirely oblivious to the Witch’s praises as her glowing red irises moved to study her Empress.  “What would you like me to do with him?”

Elinor closed her eyes with slight annoyance before releasing a soft sigh.  Give me a moment to think.  He kept repeating that he was the one that gave the orders, but I’ve come to see a very strict order within the Ri’bot community structure.  Valdar would have been the one directing things if he was there, which means he was lying, or…

The world returned as she opened her eyes to scan the corpses littering the baskets on the back of the Torlim, and she smiled.  Each of the baskets was separated between Ri’bot and human, but there was only one with a single corpse, and though she wasn’t sure, she had an idea of who it was.  Well, then, Valdar, let’s see how you died.

She activated Herald of the Empress; the emerald flames lit to life around her folded hands as a handful of butterflies detached themselves from the blaze, gently flying down to the corpse just within the ability’s range.  They silently circled the body, and the ghostly image of the Ri’bot rose from the remains.

Elinor smirked down at the elderly toad as he stood up, feet still inside his corpse as he looked around.  The humans tensed as she started to speak, and it soon became clear that she was addressing the body the butterflies circled.  “Valdar, I didn’t expect to find you dead.  Did one of the humans get the jump on you?”

Valdar straightened, frame tilting to look up at her as his hands found each other behind his back, and his voice was young, unlike what she’d heard before; it seemed his spirit had been returned to his prime.  “Elinor,” he sighed, ghostly nose twisting as he glanced around the hall.  “I hoped never to see this place again … it seems you’ve captured Folcra, and rescued the rest of your kind.”

He shifted his waist to get a better look at himself from the legs down.  “I appear to have died.  Cruel, that I feel more alive like this than as a living elderly Ri’bot.  So,” his purple eyes lifted to her.  “What does the great Empress of the Dead wish with me?  I will say, it’s more than a little disconcerting that I don’t recall entering the Great Hall of the Ancestors.  Hmm … perhaps I made too many stupid mistakes in my life.  Regrettable…”

Elinor chuckled; she couldn’t help but like the Chief’s attitude, but the humans seemed a little concerned about her soft laughter in the deathly quiet throne room.  “I asked you before, how did you die?”

Valdar’s tongue slid across his mouth, crossing over his two left teeth.  “I could lie to you and spin all kinds of stories.  I was rather fond of stories, although most Mystics tend to be well educated in our culture and history, but no, Empress, I know that would only draw your ire, and you’d only compel me to be honest.”

He was silent for a moment, closing his eyes before speaking.  “There it is … I feel the same darkness within you that the jungle showed me.  There’s a network … it’s grown stronger since I last sensed it.  Wait … this feeling is familiar.  I experienced this cold shiver before…”

His purple eyes shot to Iris.  “You brought back a terrifying monster … Thélméthra.”

Tiffany clapped her hands excitedly.  “Oh, how perceptive!  It’s true that you are in a way connected to the Empress’ network, so it stands to reason you’d be able to sense parts of that link, and the strongest sources would stand out.  That you are able to discern Iris’ connection, though … you have quite the sensory abilities, my dear Mystic.

“A Ri’bot warrior named Denral was quite talkative about a few of the Mystics in the different Clans.  He did mention a few things about you that were special, though.”

Valdar tested his range of motion for a moment before determining he was able to jump down from the back of the beast he was on.  He walked over to Folcra, voice tired.  “How did I die?  Ironically, it was in a vision of you.  I suspect my frail heart gave out.”

Elinor’s smirk fell back into her passive expression.  You had a heart attack while having a vision of me?

“Don’t sound so surprised.  The things the jungle showed me … what you have become is something never intended.  It’s not like you are the first of this world to return from the dead, and have such unholy abilities.  However, the growth I sense is … something else entirely.  You swallow everything … consume everything.  You even beat back the vastness … the unseen eye.”

He was silent for a moment as he studied the fallen warrior, stepping back as one of her Quen’Talrat moved to take him to the dungeon with the others.  “Where are you taking him?”

“To his punishment for what he’s done,” Elinor stated without emotion.

“What he’s done,” Valdar whispered, turning to survey the humans.  “We all must answer for something in the end.”

“A rather sagacious thing to say,” Tiffany commented.  “Spoken from age?”

“You could say that.  We all have regrets, but regrets are vain without action to correct them.”

“Oh?”  Elinor questioned, unfolding her legs to lean forward and stare down at the old Chief.  “And what action will you take in correcting the horrors done by those under you?  Did you order them to harm these human prisoners like they did?”

“No, and I know I can do nothing to ease the suffering they’ve endured; I won’t be so pretentious.  I don’t need to be a Mystic to know the pain and hatred they must feel.  I do feel somewhat responsible since the warriors that followed me likely took out their frustration on these people, trying to ease the shame of losing a Chief under their protection.  Not that it’s an excuse.”

He looked up at her with a long sigh.  “So, I will pledge myself to you, Empress Elinor, and hope that you will take my counsel.  I understand that you have these … what do you call the position of those three beside you?”

“The Royal Court,” Tiffany stated with amusement.  “Although, I highly doubt you qualify for such a role.  I’d call that a show of arrogance.”

“Perhaps you’re right,” Valdar chuckled.  “I could not hold a candle to the power I sense within you four.  However, I believe I may have the ability to contribute, and I will do anything to help preserve my Clan.”

“What about your race?”  Elinor asked, eyes narrowing.

“I cannot speak for all Ri’bot.  I will be satisfied with just my people, and I feel that alone will be a daunting task.”

“Wise decision, indeed,” Edmon nodded.  “I can respect it, and you’ve shown nothing but respect to the Empress.”

“Pride is for the young,” Valdar sighed.  “May I be of service, Empress Elinor?  If only for my own sins against you, and if the opportunity presents itself, my Clan.”

Elinor was silent for several seconds as she searched her own feelings on the matter.  She couldn’t understand why, but Valdar’s words touched something within her, something connected to her Empress Passives.  “Edmon’s right; I suppose you are proof there can be some wise Ri’bot.  Very well, Valdar.  You will serve me, even if you are only a Rare-Grade spirit; I’m sure Edmon will find some uses with your knowledge of this world.”

She called upon him to awaken, and his spirit vanished, returning to his body.  Valdar’s skin burned with green flames as the butterflies converged upon him, and parts of his bone shone through.  He wasn’t quite as whole as Camellia, showing much of his bone and muscle, but he was far from just bone.

Elinor turned her attention back to the humans; the doors had remained open after her minion had taken Folcra to the dungeon.  “You will all get the opportunity to see Folcra’s punishment soon.  Follow one of my minions to the rest of the humans.”

“Umm … Empress,” Gervasio cleared his throat, obviously a little agitated after seeing Valdar’s body rise from the dead; the former Chief was silently studying his new body.  “I fear many of the wounded won’t survive long in this environment without proper medical attention, and … I know there aren’t any hospitals here.”

She turned to Tiffany, expecting her opinion.

Tiffany folded her arms under her chest, pulling up for a moment as she let go of a long sigh while studying the group.  “They’re not wrong, but I’m far from a medical expert within the Empire.  I do have some knowledge of physiology that could be connected to medical school, but nothing so life-saving.  There are some rituals that could aid in their recovery … however, every ritual has a price, and this would be vitality … life.”

Then it’s time to call upon that Ri’bot that threw the child into the river.  Elinor stated.  She seemed young enough.  Would that suffice?

“Maybe … honestly, I have no clue how much it would take.  I’ll use every drop, though!”  She hummed as a thoughtful smile lifted her features.  “I don’t want to use too much of my own energy, so I’ll need to be a bit rougher on her, but that’s not an issue.  It will make a lovely experiment to test some of my healing rituals.  Yes, actually, this is a wonderful opportunity!”

One of the apes around them shifted positions for Tiffany to sit on his palm upon her order.  “Yes, the Empress has heard your pleas and has seen fit to allow me to aid in your treatment.  Follow me to the main hall, and I will begin preparations!  This will be fun.”

By the look of their expressions, they weren’t convinced but followed her out.

Edmon folded his arms, causing his armor to clatter a little.  “I’ll continue my work with the fortress and question Valdar further upon the surrounding area.  Is that appropriate, Empress?”

Yes, Edmon.  That will do fine.  I’ll have Iris stay with me for safety while I think.  I have a few things to consider, and after that, I’ll see what the human and Ri’bot are talking about.  I’d like to understand what’s on their minds.

Tiffany’s voice entered her mind.  “I doubt they’ll be so willing to speak openly while you’re present, dear.”

No, I think you’re right.  I’ll watch through the eyes of one of my minions.

“Ah, I had nothing to worry about,” Tiffany chuckled.  “Very well, I’m off to be a Witch Doctor.  Oh, this will be so much fun!”

Edmon sighed before hopping off the edge, dropping more than twenty meters to land on the granite floor, landing on one knee before rising.  He walked out of the room, Valdar following him without question, and Elinor was left with three Skeletal Apes, Garu, and Iris.  So … now, I need to set some rules, but first, I should observe them.  What do they really think of me?

“That, we shall see, my dear,” Tiffany hummed in what seemed a knowing way.

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