So this was a Nacht kingdom? Verk observed the frankly dull reunion of Mint and her father from the back of the crowd. Everywhere his eyes fell, he saw the influence of humans. His night elf cousins—the Nacht, known as the Night Flower Elves—were supposed to be assassins, infiltrators, and spies. Every fiber of their being was meticulously crafted with stealth in mind.
That was their original purpose. What his grandmother—the goddess Elfania—intended for them. Their existence was so shrouded, their numbers so few, that even other elves thought they were a myth.
How strange for creatures born in the shadows to be living so openly in the light. Mysterious assassins of shadow and dagger now wore armor and carried swords. It was a far cry from their roots.
Still, they've kept their bloodline uniquely pure.
Much like Mint, the other Nacht had the same blueish pale skin with not a half breed such as him among them. Some possessed a darker shade and some lighter, but all retained their blue hue and luminous locks that glowed when shrouded in darkness. He wasn't sure why his grandmother blessed them with that feature. Glowing hair seemed counterproductive to their purpose, but perhaps at the time of their creation it was a necessary feature.
They may be pure-blooded elves, but they're hardly divine.
It was only natural as time progressed and the original Nacht reproduced that their divine flame would dim. No elf, not the Nacht, the Nymph, or the sylph was immune to this. Though every Nacht here was a full-blooded elf, they were scarce. All those gathered here most likely comprised the bulk of their population. For all their careful planning, their numbers couldn't be higher than a few hundred. Perhaps a thousand if he was being generous. If the other kingdoms were in a similar state, the Nacht were truly on the brink of extinction.
They rule over their followers as nobles, but don't see they are livestock.
Verk looked upon the sprawling human city surrounding castle Bellanyx. Was it the Nacht who proposed the building of this castle and walls, or was it the humans? Given their origins, he assumed it was the humans, but that asked another question. Did the humans do this because it was in their nature to build such things, or did his grandmother order them to? No human or Nacht alive would know.
What was his grandmother thinking? Why change the very nature of one of her children? Surely his grandmother would want the Nacht actively participating in the holy war, then mill about pretending to be human nobility. Or did she no longer consider the Nacht her children? Were they so far removed from her divine presence that she no longer bothered with them? If that were the case, she wouldn't have bothered ordering Mint to keep on the path laid out for her. She wouldn't have told mother to visit and force his hand to protect Mint. Elfania was very much interested in the Nacht, almost too interested given their lack of numbers and power in the grand scheme. That left only one conclusion.
They're doing what she wants, or she's merely interested in seeing what will become their unique circumstances. If that's the case, what are her plans for Mint?
Mint was a vessel. The Minervians wanted to her summon Lilith into the mortal plane, the Solarians would want her house an Archangel like his brother Acht, or maybe even Solaris herself. Elfania was unique among her sisters because this was her realm. She didn't need a vessel to walk upon the earth. All her daughters were the same, though their powers were tied to their territories.
Perhaps it was simply a matter of not letting her sisters gain a valuable asset? Regardless of his grandmother's plans, it wouldn't change the fact that he wanted to keep Mint safe. To do that end, when Minette's father asked him for a reward, he took the chance and lied through his teeth.
"I've no personal demands," he declared. "However, it is the will of Elfania that Princess Minette be kept safe, and thus, I ask you to allow me to be her personal knight."
It was half-truth, half lie. His grandmother did indeed want Mint safe, but hadn't said it needed to be him. When no one rose to contradict him, the meeting proceeded with the king discussing Mint's other marriage prospects.
He was surprised to hear there was a mermaid and gnome kingdom. Perhaps he'd been secluded in the woods for too long. Sure, there were gnomes north of his home, but a single settlement did not a kingdom make. Hearing that Hidalgo had an actual prince and government was shocking as well. Seems the Salamanders were far more sophisticated than he assumed. Having bred with almost every race across the land and seas, they were probably testing to see what mutations would occur mixing with other elves now.
"Seems we will be together for a bit longer, Sir Verk," Mint said with her entourage behind her. Her smile was stiffer than he was used to, barely noticeable without a hint of teeth showing. He'd grown fond of her unrestrained snorts.
"For as long as Elfania wills," he replied, eyeing the two guards behind her. They were a motley pair, but impressive for humans. "Are these your only guards?"
"Including you, yes. I doubt I will be given more so long as I remain in the castle, which seems to be the indefinite future. So they will suffice. I'm rather fond of them, so I hope you'll get along."
He nodded and fell in behind the group as they escorted Mint to her chambers. Only the woman was allowed inside Mint's room.
"Lofie will handle things from here. Come, Sir Verk, there not much for us to do for now."
Thus began his time as Mint's 'personal knight,' a task he took with the up most seriousness. To his relief, Tallinn took his duty as seriously. He first despised the knight, not for anything the man had done maliciously, but he'd been the key factor in Mint wanting to return home. It took a bit longer than Verk would admit to warm up to him, even after weeks of traveling together and several guard shifts.
"Your job is dreadfully boring."
"That it is, Sir Verk," Tallinn replied with a chuckle.
Today, two weeks after Mint was returned to the castle, they were on guard duty watching Mint have a tea party with the Queen and her half-sisters. They were stationed fairly far away, but with his ears he could hear everything being said. Somehow his name was a frequent topic among the ladies. While she was still reserved, he witnessed Mint blush amidst the teasing. She was practically hiding behind her fan the entire conversation.
"Shouldn't knights be more productive?" Verk asked. He understood how important it was to protect their charge, but standing around wasn't improving their skills. He told Tallinn as such.
"Training can't prepare you for everything, as I've learned." The man admitted bitterly. "My performance in the field is proof of that. I wasn't the most well regarded when I entered Lady Minette's service, but now I'm a heralded veteran. It's truly harrowing to think I might be the best our kingdom can offer."
Among the humans, Tallinn was a standout. Over the past two weeks Verk was forced into many duels with the noble sons of the kingdom. All of them eager to test their test with the 'Midnight Princess's savior and 'Elfania's champion'. He indulged them all get a feel for the Nacht's strength.
The results were middling at best. His challengers were all around the same level of strength, with few standouts. None of them even fought in the manner his mother had described. Rumor was only the King's guard possessed the ability to emerge from shadows. He'd yet to confirm it, though.
"I'm surprised you can live in such security."
"Thank the king," Tallinn said proudly. "We may have traveled via the road, but the path here is not as it appears to many. Or perhaps you didn't even notice?"
Verk was certain he knew where Bellanyx was, but when he thought of where it would be on a map in relation to his home forest. He became confused. Which road had they taken back? What were the landmarks? All he remembered was endless trees flanking them on and on, sure the road twisted here and there, but they'd only ever gone one way. They never turned. That wasn't natural.
"A place you can't find unless you know where it is already." He smirked. "The magic differs from what I was told, but it seems the Nacht still possess the power of illusion. Am I to assume even a city of this size is not as it appears? From afar or above?"
"Perhaps," Tallinn grinned.
He was understanding his grandmother's interest in the Nacht kingdoms. The fabled 'hidden' kingdoms of the night flower elves. He always wondered how someone could hide an entire kingdom. It was not the flashiest or mightiest of abilities, but there was utility to it. What if it could be replicated in other elven nations?
There were downsides to it, though.
"If you're hiding all the time, then you never have the chance to grow stronger." Pressure was needed to cause growth after all.
"That is true as well." Tallinn conceded. "We know of many threats greater than us, but have no countermeasures against them. We couldn't even handle that Night Yeti at first. In Halifax, they send out knights to their allied Nymph forests to hunt stronger beasts or fight outsiders. I think it would be wise of Bellanyx to adopt the practice."
"I agree." Mint was safe as she could be here. His time would be better spent eliminating external threats rather than waiting for them to appear. "Have you asked the King about this?"
"I have, but you might be more persuasive. Having the War Minster on our side would aid us as well."
"We'll find him after the ladies are done."
--break
His first meeting with War Minister Ottovark came surprisingly swiftly. The grey, wrinkled night elf was soon to greet his two hundreds, comically making him barely older than Verk in age. He was perhaps the most grizzled looking individual among the Nacht.
"An expedition, eh?" Ottovark rubbed his lush beard with a coy grin. "Yes, I've longed to give the lads a real chance to test their steel, but too many worry what would happen if all the young men died off. Even sending out the Pactmakers is difficult. Can't have any gaps in security, you know?"
Though Eldrin Ottovark was the War Minster, the Nacht haven't been to war in centuries, making his position and power rather limited in the day-to-day politics. A warrior's perspective was hardly needed, his contemporizes said.
"Bah, they think me a glory chasing lunatic. Wanting to send their sons off to die for nothing! But what could will a sharp sword do in weak hands? Nothing! That's what!"
Verk nodded, letting the elder elf rant. It was a frustrating position to be in. "A single unit will do. Led by me and Tallinn, we'll take those who are eager for glory out into the fields, slay some beasts and come home. Think of it as a hunting trip."
"For sport huh, perhaps that could slip by those old fools." Ottovark relished the idea. "It's so tempting I would like to do myself. Perhaps I shall, if time allows. For now, this arrangement will be volunteer only. A unit of five to ten at most. Once the other lads catch wind, I doubt we'll struggle to fill the roster."
That was the start of the Nacht's noble hunting excursions. He and Tallinn led a small group outside the Nacht's territory and tracked down some lessor demons. They started with wiping out the local goblin dens and moved onto larger game such as ogres, cyclops, dire wolves and the like. Those types of beasts littered every land. All the creatures were Minervians by nature, servants under the dark goddess, but were mindless pests mostly. Easy enough prey to wet the blades of the inexperienced knights.
Once they'd rotated through the entire garrison, it was time to hit something tougher. For that Verk had to lead his men further away from Bellanyx proper. Night Yetis didn't simply roam around mindlessly; they were surprisingly intelligent creatures, despite their inability to speak. He asked Acht if he knew where some were located. And his brother gladly offloaded several of his missions to them.
Technically, they were aiding the Solarians, but the Minervians were no friends of the Elfanians either. Taking out the vile creatures would aid both sides.
"Follow Tallinn's lead now." They were a week away from Bellanyx, far to the south on the fringe of a minor sized black forest, a haven for Minerva's more powerful beasts. Verk stood at the back, letting the knights gain much needed experience, but ready to loose an arrow if things needed to be settled quickly.
Tallinn was in the melee. He was strong enough to slay a Night Yeti single handedly and demonstrated as such to the men. Now he kept back, letting the younger knights wet their blades. They hacked the giant's ankles as if it were a tree. Eventually the beast fell forward, and they hacked at its neck until it was severed.
"Excellent work," it wasn't the most impressive display of force, but enough for warriors of this caliber. The hope was that each of the men here would eventually rival Tallinn in strength. "Let's get two more, then head back home."
Today marked the end of his first month since coming into Mint's service. Ironically, he's spent more time away from her these days, then guarding her. Eight-six days and he probably only guarded her for a quarter of them.
"Sir Verk," Tallinn approached him with a grin. The man's standing had risen even further since the start of their expeditions. The influx of trophies from their prey was causing many waves among the nobility of Bellanyx. As one of Princess Minette's knights, that raised her station as well. "I think next time I should head the next expedition alone."
"Feeling confident?" This was perhaps the most dangerous time for the men now. A cocky attitude could leave to some early graves. That's be counterproductive to his goals.
"A bit," Tallinn admitted as they made their way back with their loot of meat, bones, and fur. The alchemists would be happy with the new material. "But it's necessary. We can't count of you being here all the time. The men must learn to do this even without me, otherwise what would be the point? Besides, you would be better served spending time in the castle. Reputation is one thing, but people remember faces more than a name."
The captain had most likely caught onto his plans. It's not that Verk was being secretive of them, in fact it could be said Tallinn was his coconspirator.
"You know the path I have in mind won't lead you to glory." He warned, but the captain merely chuckled.
"I've obtained my fair share of honors, more than I ever expected or desired. In fact, I've grown wearily of rising any higher. There are already whispers of making me the deputy War Minister. Can you believe such a thing?"
The Nacht were a broad-minded folk if they were considering letting a human take on such an important role in the kingdom. Elves liked things to remain stable; having a human who could only live to barely a quarter of their live time take on such a position was an interesting development. Perhaps Night Elves were more open to such things because they were the shortest lived of all the elves?
"I think you're suited for it." Was Verk's honest option. "By the way, what is Ottovark's position on the princess's engagement?"
Ottovark was stanchly in favor of doing anything that would increase the kingdom's military might. One could say he was the largest propionate of sending Mint away.
Tallinn's smirk broadened, "It's softened considerably. I may have hinted that your continued service to the kingdom was tied to the princess's location. Ottovark maybe elderly, but he was a young man once as well. He can see such things. He won't oppose the king over it, but he could sway opinions."
That was exactly what he wanted. "Perhaps I will sure up my position in the castle. Whose ear do I need to catch?"
"The Ministers overseeing the castle alchemists and the smiths might be amenable to your voice. You've aided them greatly by donating your spoils to their workshops."
"I'll be sure to speak to them."
--breakio
For the first time since his arrival, Verk could be found in the castle. He wandered the halls, greeting everyone who looked important and making sure they knew his face. It was a profoundly awkward experience, given most of his life had been spent in isolation.
Now that he was staying in the castle, he wanted to see Mint. Not Princess Minette, but Mint. To accomplish that, Verk decided to be a bit forceful.
"Lofie won't be much trouble, but that Marigold." Him and Tallinn were practically peas in a pod now. Dare he say they were friends. He was less associated with Mint's female attendants; they were always stationed in the castle. Everyone overlooked the time Mint was in his care since her chastity was still intact, but Lofie and Marigold were intent on keeping them at arm's length. As was their duty to maintain their mistress's reputation.
His plan wasn't to sneak in through the window or anything of the such. He'd enter through the door and there was nothing they could do about it. No matter their conviction, they were both still Elfanian humans, and he was a Nymph.
"Sir Verk," Lofie greeted him in front of Mint's door. "It's rather late."
"So it is, but I've an important matter to discuss with the Princess. It won't be long, I promise." She fretted in place before allowing him entry. They may not share the same bond as he and Tallinn, but Lofie understood she couldn't stop him. When the door shut behind him, he faced his true opposition, Marigold.
"Such visits are not proper, Sir Verk," Marigold stood defiantly before the entrance to Mint's room. The princess was most likely in bed, though probably still awake. Unlike with the knights, the handmaiden possessed no genuine love of him. Sure, she respected his position as Mint's knight and envied his Nymph blood, but she remained steadfast in her duty. It was respectable. She even brought her Ent limbs to a bare to bar his path. Shame they wouldn't help her.
"Step aside and keep silent," he said with authority. Marigold's face contorted through various emotions as her wooden legs moved to his command. If she'd been wholly human, this wouldn't have been as simple. He didn't enjoy imposing his will upon her; Mint might very well grow distasteful of him if he abused his authority. That was perhaps his only restraint.
He entered Mint's room without a sound and by the window, blocking the moonlight. She tossed for a bit, her green eyes shining in the darkness they fell upon him. There was little surprise in her gaze; perhaps she'd heard him, or maybe it was something else.
"Tell me this isn't a dream." Mint said, sitting up. Her black nightgown was thin and did little to hide her admittedly modest bust, but she was the picture of beauty in his eyes.
"Would you believe me? If I said it wasn't?" Was his reply. "Tell me, what do I do in your dreams? I'd like to know."
A heavy blush filled Mint's face. "Such things are to be kept private. However, if this were a dream, we'd already be engaged in such actions."
Verk fought back a snort. He'd grown used to Mint's royal persona, to see her flustered like this reminded him of their time at his home. The way she fidgeted while trying to hide her embarrassment was enduring and fueled his resolve.
"If it's your desire, I can spirit you away, tonight even, should you want."
"You know I cannot wish for such things."
Verk lifted Mint from her bed and brought her to stand before the window that overlooked the moonlit city below. "I'm not asking for what you wish, but what you want."
"Is there a difference?"
"A wish is something you hope to happen; a want is something you make happen. And I can make whatever you desire a reality. If you wish to be free of the burden of your crown, I shall raise this kingdom to the ground; if aspire to be its Queen, I shall make it so. You know my words to be true. The only chain I possess is you."
Mint stared far into azure tinted darkness, burrowing deeper into his embrace. "I've no desire to see this place in ruins, nor do I wish to lord over it. This is still my home, the place where I was born, the kingdom need not suffer for my selfishness."
"And if I can bring forth a future where we can be together without crowns or ruin, would you accept it?"
"Can you do such things?" She asked, looking longingly at him. "Such a thing cannot be brought about without blade and fire."
"I can, and I've already begun. You should lend more of an ear to the court. After my next excursion, I shall make my move. If your father desires my continued service, he will have to compensate me, and there's only one thing I desire." He squeezed Mint's delicate frame against his firm body. "However, if you've not the patience to wait, I can take you away tonight. We can return to my home in the forest and live as we please."
He could see the desire for such a life in Mint's eyes, but there was still hesitation in them. "If I were such a vile woman who could heartlessly abandon those who sacrificed so much for her, would I still be the woman you love?"
"I'm more selfish than you think, Mint."
"But you're not as cold as you project either," she countered. "I will wait. Defeat my father without blade and fire, I will still be here until the end of spring."
He left her to sleep. The next day he set out once more to raise his reputation. Verk had already gathered the support among the nobles he needed. He just needed one more accolade to tip the scales, a prize so grand that no mere Elfanian prince or any other kind could match it. He'd win Mint's hand without the aid of his mother's linage, nor the brutality of his father's.
He found his prey, but when he returned, his true prize had been stolen away.