Beautiful Blade

If she was the prize, she was determined that the contest must be equal to the victory.

Nothing grieved Kaze so much as to know his daughter had not only set the brothers against each other, but had begun a civil war when their followers fell behind each brother - sure that the victor would not only win Elseedi’s hand, but become king of the elves.

Kaze could not sit idly and watch the two brothers destroy the Sylvan in their private war. He must put an end to it. A three way battle ensued that was both costly and bloody. But try as he might to convince Elseedi of her mistake, she was not disturbed that she was the author of so much carnage. It pleased her to know that the two elf lords and brothers were not only so in love with her that they fought each other, but also fought her father. Perhaps it was because she remained untouched by it all in the towers of Solace. Even as Ander was killed, it brought no sorrow from her.

When Adan and his followers were captured, she was not concerned. Not even the Council could take the life of nobility. They would be banished to the wastelands. Adan would live, and Elseedi now knew who was the superior of the two brothers.

The council, after counting the cost of a bloody civil war, demanded that Elseedi pay a price. Princess or no, she could not go unpunished. But Kaze refused to give his daughter up. Spoiled or no, he was still her father. He could not abandon his role as protector of his own child.

Even as she embraced her father for his protection, she was planning and scheeming. Only The Maker knew what was going through that beautiful head.

Faithless daughter, Kaze thought. He knew the Council would find a way to take her from him. Perhaps it was his concession to their will that he did not post extra guards at Elseedi's door. He knew when he bid her goodnight, by her own will, or the will of the council, he would not see her again.

As he put the lights out in his room, he was already mourning.

A stranger came to the princess the same night, convinced her that he was a messenger from Adan, and was to take her to a place where they could meet and speak one final time. Elseedi was pleased by the request, and excited at the adventure of sneaking out of the Tower of Solace.

When the stranger took her to the Old Temple - she thought nothing of it except that it was the perfect meeting spot. No magic could be worked inside the temple but that which had been sealed by twelve members of the Council.

She was led to the center of the Old Temple - which lay exposed to the elements.

"Elseedi, daughter of Kaze," someone said from the shadows beyond.

"Adan?" Elseedi asked. She did not notice the stranger slip away back into the darkness.

Elseedi watched as one by one, twelve lanterns were lit. She looked on in confusion as she recognized the faces that circled her. The Elven council.

"For your part in this civil war," High Councilman Cerrus addressed the princess, "you must be punished."

"Where is my father?" she demanded.

"The council does not need the approval of the King when their decision is unanimous. The charges against you are conspiring to set two elf lords against one another and thus setting the elven nation at war. Do you deny these charges?"

"Why should I deny it?" she asked.