Waterstrider

Canvas Town, Tseludia Station, Pantheonic Territory, Fifthmonth, 1634 PTS

I had expected it to be a vast dining room, but as Wei led us inside, it became immediately apparent that we had been taken to the Matriarch’s private dining chamber. Though the size and furnishings of the room were smaller and less extravagant, this was actually a great honor. It was likely that few members of even her own clan had dined here during her time as the Matriarch.

Sirena Hadal was an elegant woman. At first glance she would appear to be in her mid thirties, just a few years older than Cyrus appeared. In reality though, he knew that she was decades older. It was not that uncommon to find such individuals. A sufficiently talented individual who was fully supported by a force and survived the jealousy of their allies could have a clear path of advancement, able to reach great heights at a young age and reap the great benefit of an extremely long lifespan, and able to wait until the perfect moment to attempt their advancement into immortality. It was possible that Sirena Hadal still had centuries left to live. Such individuals were the true advantage of the orthodox path. A similar talent, when raised by an unorthodox force, would not be free of the longevity sapping nature of their own powers.

As we entered, Sirena smiled graciously, yet did not stand from her seat on one side of a rectangular table. It was simple in design, but I immediately recognized that it was made of real wood, and had likely been imported directly from Canvas as some previous Matriarch or Patriarch’s favored table.

“It is nice to finally meet you, Sect Leader Yu,” she said. “I feel this meeting is long overdue.”

“I would agree, Matriarch Hadal.”

She motioned towards the chairs on the table’s opposite end.

“Please, sit. I had the kitchen prepare some food for your homeland. I hope it will be to your taste.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

I sat, and Rachel followed suit beside me, while Wei sat down beside his Matriarch, mirroring us. I raised an eyebrow at this. I had thought the man was a mere aide, but perhaps in this clan such a position was more illustrious than I had expected. Perhaps it was due to his status as a spirit refiner and an Elder of the clan.

Sirena glanced at Rachel and steepled her hands beneath her chin.

“Forgive me, I never quite understood your name,” she asked. “Is it simply Rachel, or is it Rei Chell?”

Rachel smiled slyly.

“Whichever you prefer, Matriarch.”

Sirena smiled as well, and I found it difficult to tell if it was genuine or not. The Hadal Clan’s Matriarch was a difficult woman to read.

“I see. I shall continue to call you Rachel, then.”

The food arrived almost immediately. It seemed that they had started to prepare it in advance, awaiting our arrival. As a servant carried the dishes out to us, I was able to immediately recognize it from the smell. A rice and crawfish soup with roasted frog legs. The staple diet of the Downpour region. The meat was undoubtedly synthesized, and the spices undoubtedly were as well, but my mouth couldn’t help but water at the nostalgic scent. I hadn’t eaten this meal in almost a decade. For a moment I questioned whether it might be poisoned, but I quickly disregarded it. If they wished to kill me, there were easier ways.

“I apologize,” said Rachel, turning down the food presented to her as she and I had planned in advance. “I must fast in order to practice my techniques.”

Sirena’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if something had been confirmed, but in an instant she returned to her previous self and waved to the servant to remove the bowl which had been placed before Rachel.

“There is no problem. We are all martial artists here, and each of us has had to make sacrifices for our techniques. Some more than others.”

She glanced at me as she said this, and I couldn’t help but feel slightly nervous. Did she know? It wasn’t impossible that the information had gotten out back on Canvas, but I would not have expected it to reach Tseludia so rapidly. I made an effort not to react and reveal anything.

“Do you mind if I ask why you have requested this meeting, Matriarch?” I asked.

“You can call me Sirena,” she said. “I prefer to speak casually in private environments.”

So she wished to get me to relax, I thought. The leader of a clan this powerful would certainly be cunning enough for every aspect of this conversation to be planned in advance. Me and Rachel had done something similar, after all. Her request to make this meeting informal was a ploy just like everything else. Still, I had no issue with complying.

“Sirena, then,” I said. “What I’m curious about is why this meeting now, as opposed to when our forces last made our contract with one another.”

Sirena smiled again, and I took a spoonful of my soup as I waited for her reply. It tasted just as good as I had anticipated. It was not perfectly authentic, but the chef was skilled, and the taste was quite pleasant.

“You were involved with the death of that Exid Queen in Otan the other day, yes?”

I shrugged, taking another sip.

“Would there be a problem if we were?”

“There might be,” she replied. Now, Sirena’s golden eyes had grown harsh, and I knew we had finally reached the topic of business. “I’m sure you’re aware of the current situation.”

I took a sip of the wine they had provided alongside the meal.

“Of course.”

“What is your opinion about it?”

She took a drink herself, but her eyes never shifted.

“I find myself questioning who’s manipulating public opinion.”

Sirena smiled again.

“So you’ve noticed it as well.”

“It’s obvious,” said Rachel. “Neither you nor the Heirs should have any interest in a true war at the current stage. It’s why you keep compromising with one another to try and dampen the issue. But such a rapid radicalization is unusual. I find it doubtful this could have happened without someone stirring the pot. The Drelistai perhaps, or one of the corporations.”

“Or a faction within the Heirs themselves. But I find myself in agreement with you. Still, It may be too late for us to take control of public opinion. We can delay, but ultimately I suspect there will be war.”

I took a hearty bite from a frog leg. It tasted excellent.

“And you wish to know what our plans are for this conflict,” I said.

“That is correct,” said Sirena, speaking frankly.

“That would depend on how things turn out,” I replied in the same spirit. “I obviously feel more inclined to my own people, but it may be unwise to involve ourselves in such a conflict. Our sect’s foundation is, after all, a mere month old.”

Sirena smirked and turned to Wei.

“It seems your assessment of him was correct.”

She then returned her gaze to us.

“And if we called on our side of the contract we signed?” she asked.

“I would never infringe upon the honor of my sect,” I said, my expression stoic. “We will accept a number of requests from you as agreed.”

“I’m glad to hear that we are on the same page,” she said. “Beyond those matters, however… should you find yourself in trouble, you need not fear but speak with us. We are all of the same people, after all. This far away from home, words such as orthodox and unorthodox are meaningless distinctions.”

I nodded to accept her grace. Should we end up in such a situation, I would happily accept her offer, though I would prefer to avoid such an outcome. We might end up becoming a vassal organization in such an event.

“Speaking of our contract,” I said. “So you intend to call it in after the war begins?”

The Hadal Matriarch shrugged noncommittally.

“That would depend on how matters progress. Still, if you wish to know our plans, you could always ally with us. We could split the rewards once the Celans have been suborned. We could also assist your force in… establishing its foundation.”

I smiled.

“I’m afraid I would wish to discuss such a matter with my advisors before agreeing, Matriarch. Still, I certainly find it to be an interesting proposal.”

Sirena laughed.

“Interesting, huh? What a polite way to refuse. Still, don’t believe that just because I have been lax on you, that our clan cannot easily destroy your force, Riverfiend. We can start, if you wish.”

Her eyes almost seemed ablaze with golden light, and I could sense the slight seepage of genesis miasma from her perfect skin.

“We would never dare to threaten the Hadal Clan,” I explained. “But as I said before, we simply cannot muster up the forces to assist without leaving ourselves vulnerable to a raid ourselves.”

“So you say. I’ll take your word for it, Sect Leader Yu.”

I let out a breath I had not realized I was even holding. I very much did not wish to enter into a fight with the Hadal Clan. Not yet, at least.

“I thank you for your understanding, Matriarch Hadal.”

The rest of the dinner was far calmer, the topics less pressing. Rachel discussed films and plays with Sirena, while I quietly enjoyed my meal, filled with memories of the past. Sirena no longer pressured us to join them, though I knew that it was only my promise to hold up our end of the contract that had made her choose to allow us to leave. A less useful man might have been killed for the insolence I had shown her.

As I was exiting the room’s door, Sirena called out to me one more time, a serious look in her eyes.

“Jin, I have some final words of advice to you before this all starts. Sometimes, one needs to choose a side or else they risk making enemies of both.”

“It was a pleasure to finally meet you, Matriarch Hadal. I wish great fortune for both yourself and your clan.”

With that, I stepped back into the hallway, making my way towards the exit to the headquarters.

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After I left, Sirena sighed to herself, annoyed.

“So he intends to play mercenary between both sides. I suppose it is better than him joining their force outright.”

“Perhaps we can trick the Celans into believing he has sided with us?” suggested Wei. “If they believe he is attempting to trick them, perhaps they will feel slighted enough to refuse his offer.”

“See it done.”

“Yes, Matriarch.”

As Wei shuffled off, Sirena idly made her way back to her office. She had forces to marshal and a war to plan. Failing to capture the Riverfiend’s loyalty was a setback, but one which was not unexpected. There would be further opportunities in the future.

Races of the Pantheonic Territory and Atmospheric Requirements: [While most humanoids as well as the Staiven and Escalos all breathe the same atmospheres, this is not true for all races. The Exid, for example, do not breathe at all, while the Reth can breathe standard atmosphere, but only for limited periods of time. The Telaretians are able to breathe in standard atmosphere, but only due to genetic engineering and implants. Bloodspawn can breathe in most types of atmosphere without issue, provided the pressure is within acceptable ranges, while certain races such as the Rylians and Reilanh have different atmospheric requirements, and thus their spread within the Pantheonic Territory has been heavily limited. Most species with such requirements simply do not live within Pantheonic space.]