The question lingered between them. Atheline considered it carefully, though he himself couldn’t come up with a concrete answer. Eventually, he answered.
"I want to say it’s the beginning of another catalysis or the world itself is warning us..."
The High King nodded without a change in his expression. Atheline continued.
"... but I also want to say it’s nothing but a coincidence. One thing happened and the domino effect is extending it."
"Or it’s probably nothing to worry about and we’re panicking for nothing"
The high king remained silent as he listened. Atheline chose his words carefully. He couldn’t explain everything that happened, but he knew some of this was probably connected to the novel.
"Personally, I think it’s more of a warning of something bigger to come."
The High King raised an eyebrow. Atheline continued.
"The incidents will eventually reach our continents and we should plan earlier before everything becomes dangerous."
The high king immediately understood more than he revealed, as rulers often did.
Atheline looked toward the falling snow beyond the window.
"Caius should have already informed you this..."
The High King frowned which Atheline caught.
"He did."
"The corrupted in the blood ocean ruin could wield Aether normally and were far stronger than most people... intelligent even and the timing fits."
The room grew quiet again. The High King slowly tapped one finger against the armrest, thinking and analyzing the information given.
Atheline patiently waited. Eventually, the high king sighed.
"I dislike mysteries."
Atheline laughed.
"I learned from the best."
That earned a genuine smile. The conversation continued for nearly another hour. They spoke on trade routes, military cooperation, the relations between kingdoms, and the growing importance of maintaining communication.
The High King expressed approval regarding the current alliance with the Dark Elven Kingdom, not that he ever truly opposed it. The marriage had already proven its value many times over.
Atheline felt a certain amount of relief hearing that, because hearing it directly still mattered. It felt like his decision had at least benefited two nations at once.
Eventually, the discussion reached a natural conclusion. Atheline rose from his chair. The High King did the same right after.
Neither man seemed particularly eager to end the meeting, yet responsibilities waited.
Atheline reached into a storage pouch. The High King looked mildly curious.
Atheline smiled.
"I brought something, I might have forgotten to give it to you first"
The high king raised an eyebrow.
"A gift?"
Atheline nodded.
"A small one, a token from both of us."
The High King looked amused. Atheline carefully removed a crystal container. Inside rested several sun crystals. There weren’t many, just a handful but their value was enormous since they were of the highest quality.
The High King’s expression shifted immediately, from recognition to understanding.
Atheline placed the container on a nearby table.
"A personal gift."
The High King studied it quietly. The sun crystals reflected light throughout the room. Unlike the normal ones, these crystals were mined from the very top of the mountain. They were extremely beautiful, rare, and powerful.
Atheline spoke softly.
"For the kingdom."
The older ruler remained silent for several moments then smiled, a warm smile, one that he used to give him when he was young. As an elder and someone proud of the younger generation.
"You didn’t need to do this."
Atheline shrugged.
"It’s only right that a visiting monarch brings a gift, even just a little."
The High King nodded slowly then accepted it. He understood what they represented; trust, family, alliance, and goodwill. The foundations upon which kingdoms survived.
The fox woke briefly, looked at the glowing crystals, and then immediately tried climbing toward them.
Atheline grabbed it. The High King laughed. The fox tried to pull itself from his hold but couldn’t. It could only helplessly whine, the sound echoing in the throne room.
The High King stood and patted his shoulder lightly.
"So," the ruler smiled," what do you plan to do with the rest of your visit?"
Atheline hesitated briefly, then answered honestly.
"The World Tree."
That immediately caught the High King’s attention.
"The World Tree?"
Atheline nodded.
"I haven’t visited it since becoming king. I think it’s about time I pay a visit to the being that approved my marriage."
Which was true. The last few months had been chaos and the World Tree had somehow been pushed aside amidst all of that, yet now that he was back home, the desire had returned. Especially after the reports regarding the Blood Sea.
The roots of the World Tree extended throughout the continents and if anything unusual was happening beneath the world, then surely the World Tree would know.
The High King studied him quietly then nodded.
"You have permission."
Atheline smiled.
"Thank you."
The High King chuckled.
"You never needed permission."
That was probably true. Still, protocol was important. He was a ruler of another nation not just a normal high elf.
The high king’s expression softened slightly.
"Visit while you can."
Atheline smiled. The High King glanced toward the distant silhouette of the tree visible beyond the palace windows. The snow had made the usually visible tree almost invisible.
"Many forget to appreciate it until they’ve left home."
For a moment neither spoke, then Atheline bowed respectfully and left.
The high king watched as the door closed behind Atheline. He smiled to himself and walked back to his throne.
Moments later a small door to the left of the throne room opened. Solaris walked, his gaze sweeping across the empty throne room.
"Father, I heard Atheline was back," he said, "Did I miss him?"
The high king nodded.
"He left a few minutes ago, you can meet him tomorrow," he said, " he will be visiting the World tree."
Solaris glanced at the closed throne room door then back to his father.
"Did you tell him about the tree?"
The king sighed. " I didn’t know how to bring that up. He should be able to see it if the tree considers it. Only the priests will be able to explain. I can’t believe it myself."