While Yennefer was healing Artie, Ash went over everything that had happened during her period of isolation.
When he finished speaking, Artie
eyebrows creased together as she contemplated.
"This is…"
There was little she could say about the development. How was she to believe that there was a wood elf capable of using such high level healing magic?
And then Eliron had awakened a divine ascension… it was too much to even fathom.
And yet, the elf was healing her right before her eyes.
Artie breathed out a tired sigh and placed a hand on her face. Although her mind was tumultuous, she maintained her composure.
"This is a lot to take in…" she muttered, and then she turned to Eliron, a genuine smile appearing on her face.
"Congratulations my lord."
Eliron was taken aback.
Artie did not look a day above eighteen, but she was actually well above fifty…
Although she was still a youngling amongst the elves, she was old enough to have seen the horrors of living in the forest, and had suffered many attacks in the past.
Coupled with the stories of just how amazing she was as a warrior, Eliron had expected her to be a little more stoic.
He cleared his throat, looking away.
"Uhum…. Thanks."
"There, all done!" Yennefer smiled proudly as she finished healing her.
Artie bowed slightly. "Thank you miss Yennefer."
Yennefer nodded and glanced around the camp. "By the way, why is your camp this far into the forest? It's quite a trek, my legs were aching throughout."
Eliron gave her a look.
'How is that possible when you floated for half the journey?'
Artie stared at the camp with a certain fondness in her eyes. "The camp serves as a break point whenever we go on hunting trips."
She pointed at the forest, illustrating as she explained. "Wild animals and monsters often follow the trail of blood left by the game."
"If we were to go straight to our village, or if we had built the camp any closer, then the monsters would pick up our scent and make it a hunting hot spot."
Yennefer winced. "Yeah, that doesn't sound very good…"
Artie stood up and dusted her clothes. "Forgive my rudeness my lord, would you like something to eat?"
She scratched her cheek nervously. "I only have some dried meat and herbal tea, but I assure you, they taste decent—"
Eliron slowly shook his head. "I'm afraid we have far more important business to discuss—
GRRRRRR!
Silence…
GRRRRR!
Eliron folded his arms across his chest, his expression downcast.
GRR GRRR GRRRR!!!
"Stop it!" Eliron yelled.
Yennefer suddenly grabbed her stomach, her face flushing pink. "How can I stop it?! My belly has a mind of its own!"
Ash was whistling, trying to ignore what was going on, while Artie smiled. "I'll only be a minute."
She left the group and walked into the hut, grabbing some wooden cups and some dried meat.
But before she left, she glanced at them through the window.
'The young lord has completely changed.'
After the passing of the former elven lord, Artie had wondered how affected Eliron would be by it.
He had been a very loving person, innocent and as delicate as a flower.
But now, there was a look in his eyes that she found difficult to associate him with.
It was almost like he was another person entirely…
And yet, she could still see that old jovial side of him peaking out through the curtains.
She sighed as she walked out of the hut, maintaining the smile on her face with practice proficiency.
'Is it because of his loss?'
Deep inside her, she felt guilty that she was unable to stop his death and personally blamed herself for it.
But… She sighed. It didn't matter.
She already knew what he was here for, and so she had to be objective about her decision today.
Because the choice she would make would either lead to wood elves to greater heights, or lead to their eventual collapse…
It took less than five minutes to set up everything, and soon, the pleasant aroma of herbal tea was waffling in the air.
Artie handed Eliron a tray with a little amount of dried meat. He brought the cup to his face, discreetly smelling it before he brought it to his lips.
There was a little bit of wild honey mixed in with a light bitterness. It was not like the premium tea he had once drank in his boss's office, but it was decent.
Still, the food in front of him only went to remind him of the dire state of the elves.
"Mmm… this tastes great!" Yennefer chimed, eating the dried meat far faster than anyone else.
After eating, it was finally time to get to the meat of the matter.
The mood in the space shifted.
Eliron, Ash and Artie both had a subtle yet noticeable shift in their demeanors, only Yennefer remained the same.
"So…" Eliron began. "You should know why I am here…"
Artie nodded politely. "I expected you to be a little less conscious about things like this, but you seemed to have caught on pretty quickly."
Eliron shrugged. "It was hard to not notice when they were being so obvious."
"I was surprised that they would make their move so quickly, considering that the lord has just passed…" Ash said, his fingers balling to a fist.
He was the former lord's right hand man, so this singular act of betrayal had rubbed him the wrong way.
"Hmmm?" Yennefer raised a brow. "What are you guys talking about?"
Elirom wiped off the crumbs of meat from her face as he spoke. "It's the elders, they are trying to take over the village."
Right from the time Eliron had given his speech, up to this very moment, the elders had been screaming to take over.
And the reason was obvious.
They felt he was weak, too fragile to rule the elves. At least, that was their reason on the surface, but the truth was that they simply wanted the power all to themselves.
Eliron needed to save the elves, but having a divided people would only make things far too difficult.
He had already shown the elves one miracle, so deep in their hearts, they were banking for his success.
Now, he needed more.
And the support of the woman standing in front of him was key to his next plans.
Eliron set his cup down and looked at Artie who had a light smile on her face.
"So? What is it going to be? Will you side with the elders, or join me in my plans?"
Artie stared into the fire, her red hair glowing like embers.
Then she breathed out and stared into his eyes, every single false emotion, courteous smile and friendly facade faded, as though consumed by the fire.
The person now in front of him was the real Artie. Cold, calculating and ruthlessly efficient in nature.
"And why should I help you?"