Chapter 854: The Verdant Grove
When Selena had mentioned our destination as the Verdant Grove, I’d imagined a small peaceful copse of trees, with a bubbling brook and a flowery meadow humming with bees.
That image couldn’t have been more wrong. I stared up in awe as Luxxa helped me from the carriage, following the twisting branches of the largest tree I’d ever seen high into the sky. The trunk itself had to be over five hundred feet in diameter, formed of segmented pieces of trunk that entwined together, forming a veritable tower of wood. The bark was a dark, glossy brown, like stained glass, while the leaves shimmered like Borealis’s feathers. They rustled with the tinkling of glass and bells. A leaf the length of my arm fluttered on the breeze, evaporating from the moment it left the branch into flurries of green light that faded before it hit the ground.
"It’s beautiful, right?" R’lissea said, hopping out of the carriage behind us.
I nodded, voice lost in the grandeur of the grove. It wasn’t just this one tree, but several, clustered together, forming a structure more magnificent than any of the mansions or keeps we’d passed in the Old City.
"You’ve been here before?" Selena asked, looking at the Life Hero curiously.
R’lissea nodded. "A few times. I only really remember the first, which was when I was presented to the Tribunal as the new elvish hero. They were really pleased to see me."
"I wish we’d come under such pleasant circumstances," Elise said.
"You don’t look all that amazed, yourself," R’lissea said.
Elise shrugged. "I’ve seen paintings of it many times, and my Father...er, the King of Ornth, used to tell me stories of the elves singing songs and holding grand council within. It’s impressive, but..."
She shrugged helplessly, a shadow crossing her face. I finally managed to tear my gaze from the Grove and hugged her. To my surprise, as our cheeks brushed, I felt the warm trickle of a tear.
"It’s alright, you can do this," I murmured. "You spent hours preparing for this with Aerion. We’re with you!"
"Totally," Korra said, nodding.
"I’m glad you’re all so inspired," Selena said, "But we must get moving. Remember, you’re not to speak out of turn. Let Elise do the talking. Don’t do anything to break decorum or disrespect anyone, most of all the Tribunal."P
"We know, we know," Krora said, rolling her eyes. "I still don’t see why we heroes don’t get special treatment, though."
"We would, if we were still real heroes," R’lissea said. "But we kind of lost that once we betrayed the gods."
"Eh, I guess. Doesn’t change we’re trying to save their sorry hides," she muttered.
She shut up after a stern look from Selena, and together we approached the gnarled doors serving as the entrance. A dozen powerful-looking guards moved to intercept us, hands falling to their swords. When they saw Selena at our head, their expressions only tightened. They all looked over five hundred, and none wore a scarlet ribbon. Perhaps that was just a fad among the younger generations?
"Lord Amberheart," Selena said, inclining her head.
The leader, the oldest of the squad, with long flowing white hair, looked us over, his lip curling in disgust as he got to me.
"A demonkin. That’s low, even for you, Lady Sunsinger," he said.
His expression tightened further once he saw Kahlen, who stood unabashedly at my side, arms crossed over his metallic robe. The demon returned his gaze unblinkingly, a slight smile curving his expressionless face.
Lord Amberheart’s sword appeared in his hand, drawn from his scabbard so quickly I hadn’t seen him move. The harsh ring of steel set my teeth on edge as his guards followed suit, fanning out to surround us.
"A demon? Here? In the heart of this sacred forest? How could you?" he spat, glaring at Selena.
His sword rose, pointing at Selena. I flinched, drifting closer to R’lissea. She took my hand, much to my relief, squeezing it reassuringly. But Selena herself remained impassive, not the slightest bit of pressure exuding from her tranquil soul.
"You’re aware of why they have come, are you not?" she asked calmly.
"Lady Lastlight, yes, but that filthblood alone is crossing a line, much less a full-blooded demon."
Selena’s lips pursed in a frown. "I don’t appreciate you using such a derogatory term for one as pure-hearted as the Oracle. If you can’t bring yourself to refer to her by that title, then please use her name. One as noble as you should understand the need for common respect and dignity in discussion."
Her words carried a veiled barb, laced with a ribbon of pressure. The guards stiffened, and Lord Amberheart clenched his jaw.
"Threats hold you sway here, Archmage, but I accede to your point. That–" he said, gesturing stiffly at Kahlen, "cannot remain here. It’s too much of a danger to the Tribunal. There are too many state secrets kept here to let it roam freely."
"You fear what you do not understand, mortal," Kahlen said suddenly.
The temperature lowered as every guard flinched, weapons shifting in sweaty hands.
"It speaks," Lord Emberheart croaked. "What devilry is this?"
"You know nothing of demons. All the more reason to get out of our way already and let us discuss them with the Tribunal. That’s our entire purpose for being here, after all," Selena said with a sigh.
"Kahlen," I said, laying a hand on his arm. "Please, wait outside."
"With the rest of your guard," Lord Emberheart said sternly. None with weapons is allowed within the Verdant Grove. I can guarantee your safety within, even those with infernal blood."
"How very honorable," Selena said dryly. "Now, I believe we’ve stalled long enough. Lord Emberheart, escort us inside, or move out of our way. We will not keep the Tribunal waiting."
The command seemed to chafe the lord, but he smoothed his ruffled feathers and turned, striding away with the click of his boots on the cobblestone street. I gave Luxxa, Jenna, and Gith what I hoped was a confident smile, but my shivering tail likely betrayed any chance they believed me.
"We’ll wait outside and keep him out of trouble," Jenna said, looping her arm through Kahlen’s. She hugged him tight, causing her ample bosom to bulge against his arm.
The demon glanced down at her, frowning slightly. "What are you doing? Do you think an immortal demon could fall for mortal wiles?"
Jenna fluttered her eyelashes. "We’ll never know until we try."
I shook my head, smiling despite myself. It was obvious she was just trying to lighten the mood. Probably. Actually, the fact that I couldn’t guarantee she wasn’t actually interested in the demon somehow convinced the butterflies in my stomach to settle down.
"To each their own," Korra said, chuckling lightly.
With a final nod at the Star Guard, I followed the others through the gates, entering the heart of the gigantic tree. The interior was disappointing compared to the outside, looking much the same as any other castle or palace. The walls were textured the same as the bark, dark and glossy, but the gold moulding and portraits of elves of ancient times were distracting from the natural beauty. The only thing that truly caught my eye was the chandeliers, which were made of pure colored crystal or glass shaped like bouquets with leaves shaped like the tree canopy.
Selena noticed my gaze and smiled. "The trees of the Verdant Grove flower in the fall. It’s a truly marvelous sight to behold, but until then, you’ll just have to enjoy these instead."
Lord Emberheart led us through massive room-like hallways with elves working in alcoves set in the sides. It was all scribe work, from copying books to writing on feathery parchment. Their curious gazes mingled with disgust as they watched us pass, making my horns itch.
With little warning, the hallway abruptly ended, opening up into a massive amphitheater. The chamber was brilliantly lit with several massive chandeliers like the ones throughout the Grove, suspended on vines from the ceiling, some five hundred feet above us. The sheer grandeur of the room stole my breath, and I shrank against R’lissea, feeling incredibly small.
Rows of terraced seating surrounded the primary audience floor, which we stood on. Elves, numbering over a hundred, stared at us. On the far side of the room from where we entered, sitting on raised pedestals, were three distinct structures, each engraved with the crest of one of the great houses. They were shaped like open gazebos, with plush couches and refreshments served by attendants. Over twenty people occupied each one, centered around a veritably ancient elf seated on a throne.
As I started to study their faces, R’lissea suddenly snagged my hand, her breath audibly hitching. I turned to her, startled. Her lips were drawn in a thin line, her sparkling eyes narrowed, burning with an anger that looked out of place on her gentle face.
A cold knot twisted in my stomach as I turned, following her gaze to the middle and highest structure, belonging to House Splitbark. The moment I laid eyes on the occupants, it was I who held her hand in a deathgrip.
"Inquisitors," she hissed. "Here? Among the elves?"