10
Hyxver
“We’ve spotted her, my lord. She has returned…” The Xeoserp hovers before the high-backed chair with her message, her accent a smooth, slow roll. ‘Her’ is not specified. I am not sure who she is referring to.
“You know my name, Ingrid,” I reply with a warm chuckle, “I am not your master, call me Melaclis.”
“Yes, Melaclis…” Ingrid responds with a polite bow. Her form wavers between solidity and shadow.
“Who is this person you speak of?” I question for clarification. It is not often that the Xeoserps come to me with information. Typically, they come with requests of their own or when they need help in their village.
“The Star Elf…” Ingrid responds patiently. For something to happen. For it to happen. A twitch begins to build at the corner of my mouth, an answer to her call. I mourn my final moments. I have no idea who she is talking about, but someone does.
“Who?” I ask delaying for time. I trace the smooth arm of my chair with a finger. Any moment now. Ingrid repeats this entity with a droning tone. This, ‘Star Elf’.
A memory.
An explosion of pain reverberates through the skull. It is ignored without utterance. A Xeoserp stands before the throne with a message.
“What is it? Speak.” A flick of a finger beckons a platter of meat. It is raised to the mouth by the hand that is mine to command. Human meat is better than animal, only slightly. This is a small luxury. Supposed pleasure is ruined by the empty space the human could have filled. A failure. Yet again. There is a duty to be fulfilled.
“The Star Elf, my lord. She has returned…” Ugly creature. What does he keep them for? Company?
Pathetic.
“Cryptic language will not be tolerated. Where is she?”
“In the centre of the city, as you predicted…” The Xeoserp bows. It was not predicted as much. It was calculated that she would emerge from the south-east side of the city. Flattery will not be tolerated. Lies will not be tolerated.
“Tell me you have her.” The Xeoserp floats back, but an inch but it is enough to catch. Interesting. It should have stayed in its position. This is a showcase of emotion. Discomfort? No. Fear.
“No, my lord…She fought back, we had no shape to hold us together…” The noise is irritating. A constant slithering hiss. We could be rid of it now. It would come back anyway. “She is headed towards the human town, Jemtong…We spotted this through the trees…” Why could he have not chosen something more appealing? Like the Fae or the Elementi?
“How did she fight back?”
“With fire, sire…” Vile, vile thing.
“Bring that information to the scholar, have them make your cloaks resistant to flames. Send out more of your kind to fetch the Star Elf.” Each demand is commanded sternly without wavering. The Xeoserp would do right to follow them without hesitation.
“Yes, my lord…should we alert your mother as to this development…?”
A sudden flash of anger. A finger twitch.
Ingrid stands in front of my throne with a message. I do not remember getting here. I wait, but she does not speak. I missed something.
“Ingrid. Fill me in.” Ingrid runs through the information quickly, her voice a melodic hush like a breeze through windchimes. A pang of shame tugs at my heart when I surmise who she had to go through before getting to me.
“Should we tell your mother…?” she finishes, her tolerant eyes pulsing in and out of existence. She works constantly to retrieve her old form, more than the others. Though she is more patient and witty than the rest, it proves a constant challenge. I can not imagine going through the same strife as she.
“Yes, tell my mother at once if you can. That would be great.” My mother! She will be so proud that I found the Star Elf. After all these years, I can redeem my tragic mishap. I can complete what was meant to be finished four centuries ago. Then, I can continue on our mission.
“Thanks, Ingrid. Anything else?” Sometimes she might have a question for me, or need help with a newly awakened but she shakes her formless head. Shadows cast across the room. Then, she is gone, a trail of ice in her wake.
I suppose I should see to the creatures anyway. Feeding time.
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