Stand Tall, Stand Proud

" We came here for answers and-"

" And you got what you came for", Ian interrupted Dakran. His voice hardened, and so did his expression.

" Now, there is no need for this, and you know it. We can all discuss this in a civilised manner. There is no need to nitpick at anyone. No one here is without a fault." Dakran stated calmly, rationally

Haren grumbled something. Dakran threw him a menacing glance and slammed his fist on the table " You shut your gob. Your thirst for blood will get us killed one day. And I would very much like to live", he rasped, scowling at Haren

A numbing Silence settled in the hall once more. Everyone looked at each other askance. Menacing glares and displeased grimaces on the face of those around the table painted a clear picture. Working together would be difficult. Ian thought.

The air was charged with so much negative energy it seemed that everyone was at their tipping point. Everyone had a bone to chew. This was not going to end well. Common ground was necessary at this point. Otherwise, nothing would get done. Iris had forgotten about this part of being a ruler, court duty. What nuisance! She thought.

" Haren, where is the book?" Iris asked coldly, standing up from her seat and walking to where Haren was.

" In my chamber!" Haren replied in the same tone, quickly glancing at Iris, returning to sulking, staring at Maya and Dakran.

Iris could sense it from the way he looked at them. His eyes filled with envy and jealousy. Something that a brother shouldn't feel for another brother.

" Would you mind getting for me?" she feigned politeness, but the undertone of her voice was mocking.

Haren sharply glanced at her and then at Dakaran and Maya, pushed the chair with a screech and stomped out the hall like a child.

Iris returned to her seat, her dress and cape elegantly swept across the floor. Ian couldn't help but admire her beauty. Iris was suited to be a queen. She hadn't lost her temper and kept an even expression even when the fingers pointed at her.

" Now, can we move on? I'm aware that mistakes have been made. Please accept my humble apologies for lacking. I hope you will understand that I'm not all mighty, and I cannot control that which I'm not aware of." Iris paused for a moment " We can all work together and put an end to everything, or you can all be on your merry way and deal with it yourselves. " she gave her ultimatum " You will have till sunrise to decide what you wish to do. Now, if you have more spiteful remarks.." she paused, glanced at Haren, that walked back into the hall carrying a book," I would greatly appreciate it if you kept them to yourself. " Iris stood up to take the book out of Haren's hand, but he seemed reluctant to loosen his grip on it.

Iris's grip on the book tightened and pulled a little harder, and Haren finally let go of the book and smirked " All yours!" he said spitefully.

Iris's expression darkened, masked with a polite smile " Very kind of you to get it for me!" she glared venomously and returned to her seat.

Haren also took his seat and returned to sulking, slumped in his chair, elbow resting on the armrest, his chin resting on his knuckles, glaring at the two people in front of him.

Iris placed the book on the table and sat down " If anyone would like to say something, this is a good moment as any." she said calmly.

Up until that point, other than bitter remarks, no one said anything useful. So, Iris assumed that people might have something to say.

Edýia raised her head and looked around the table " What am I ? she stammered, shyly looking at Haren, who turned his attention to her and grimaced maliciously.

Iris's gaze fixed on the two brothers, but she decided not to give in and ignored the man. "There aren't many like you. I have never met anyone that can do what you do" she paused for a moment " Why do you ask?" Athan interrupted, " You are human, aren't you? Just like your brothers." he stated, a little baffled at Edýia's question

Edýia shook her head and looked at Iris with pleading eyes " I bear your mark, but it's different than yours, or so I'm told." she shyly replied and turned to look back at the table.

Edýia was confident that asking questions in a crowded room was better since her brothers wouldn't be able to brush it in a corner and bury it, just like they did for eighteen years. She wanted answers. She would stop at nothing to get them.

" Athan, if I'm not mistaken, she is the girl born out of fire and blood. I will have to see the mark to be able to tell for sure-

Rom pushed a piece of paper in front of him " There is no need for that. It looks like this!" Iris glanced at the two brothers and reached across the table for the paper, and looked at it.

She inhaled deeply, the nine-pointed star, each corner marked with a symbol. The markings looked more like the old language they didn't use anymore. They haven't been used for a very long time.

" So, you're here to wipe us out of existence?" Athan's lips twitched as he spoke.

" No! I wouldn't even know how to do it," she said defensively.

"Athan! A prophecy. It's just that it doesn't say that she will wipe us out of existence, and we believe that Edýia's presence here is not a coincidence. Bastos said she is Raense." Iris reasoned.

" He also said that she would turn anyone who had been touched by magic into a crisp!" Haren smirked and glowered.

" She has touched me, and I'm still here!" Iris countered. She was losing her patience with Haren.

The man had the talent for stepping on people's nerves, and he made the most of it.

" It's never that simple, and you should know. We are leaving, and there isn't enough time to go through the prophecy once more. But I'm certain you can be triggered only by forbidden magic, not just any magic. Now that I think about it, when Seth perverted Arkathira, he used a spell that was given to him by Guardian of the Hollow, and I'm fairly certain that's how the monstrous creatures came to be," she said, tightly gripping the book, her jaw clenched ever so slightly. Ian's heart swelled with pride as she stood her ground.