[Book II Chapter 92] HOPE: Astrolis’s Next Pilot

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A knock on the door drove Hope from her slumber. She groaned, struggling for consciousness.

“What is it?” She demanded grumpily. She’d been up late fretting about a situation beyond her control.

“You have a visitor.” The maid reported. “He’s waiting in the lounge.” The door closed before she could ask for details.

More surprises. Dressing and heading downstairs, she found a man in a poncho slouched on a sofa, a cowboy hat covering his face.

“Clay Donnaster!” She exclaimed. This was the first familiar face she’d seen in a while, and she couldn’t keep the excitement from her voice.

“Your mother sent me to pick you up.” The man smiled, pushing up his hat. “You’re awfully late for your training.”

“Does that mean they’re letting me go?” She asked.

“That’s another matter unfortunately.” Clay sighed. “Why don’t you grab a breakfast? We can discuss as you eat.”

A veritable banquet was laid out in the dining hall. Hope wanted to decry the waste, but her growling stomach prompted her to reconsider. Thanks to Clay’s reassuring presence, her hunger was making itself known, and she scarfed down the delicacies.

Clay sat across from her. “What do you know on Aery politics?” He asked.

“That there are two main factions: the isolationists who support the queen and the interventionalists who favor Astra.” Hope managed between muches.

“Color me impressed. That’s a decent simplification.” Clay chuckled. “And here Astra warned me you knew nothing.”

“Anyway…” Clay leaned forward with a serious expression. “This is a delicate situation, but I’m going to try to help. Do you have any objections if I act as your representative?”

“None.” Hope said firmly. “Please do.”

Clay nodded. “I should warn you getting Astrolis out of Aery is a lost cause. Instead we need to focus——”

A white knight entered the room. “The queen summons Hope Skyfell. Please come with me.”

As they were led across the palace, Clay whispered to her. “Except of Bracus Karel who returned to Roskild, the heads of the great house are in Sovenguard. In addition, Cacelia Skyfell, queen Kalista’s long time adviser and confidant, will be present. She and Robin Brack lead the isolationist faction. Brandon Gladesong and Anastasia Vellor are interventionists and our allies. Ellaria Raven is unaligned.”

“What about Bracus?” Hope asked.

“He’s unaligned but on friendly terms with the queen.” Clay answered.

They entered a grand hall and Hope was stunned by the decor. The room’s gray and white stone was fitted together flawlessly, and every inch was carved to perfection. Statues and relief art were everywhere, with gorgeous columns lining the walls.

Queen Kalista Skyfell sat on a white throne, Antoine by her side on another. Behind her was a woman Hope didn’t recognize. That must be Cacelia. Below the queen, Robin Brack and Ellaria Raven stood on one side while Brandon Gladesong and Anastasia Vellor stood across from them.

The queen looked them over and frowned. “Clay Donnaster… While it’s a pleasure to see you again, I don’t remember requesting your presence.”

“Hope was schedule to enter my tutelage before her capture.” Clay answered smoothly, while bowing. “I merely came to fetch her.”

Kalista crossed her arms. “That doesn’t explain why you’re accompanying Hope now.”The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“Who let him meet her to begin with?” Cacelia added sharply.

“It was me.” Antoine spoke up.

The queen and Cacelia turned sharply. “Wha——” Cacelia began before Kalista raised her hand for silence.

“Dear, you usually scorn political affairs and abscond when I hold court. Why involve yourself today?” There was curiosity and a hint of suspicion in the queen’s words.

“You might have forgotten, but immortals can be intimidating, especially to a seventeen year old.” Antoine replied. “I’m here because I’ve never tolerated the mistreatment of children.”

Kalista listened and smiled. “True, you’ve always cared strongly about that. Very well, Clay Donnaster can join us for this audience.”

“First order of business, I’d like to extend an invitation to Hope Skyfell to remain in Aery as Astrolis’s pilot.” She continued. “Do you accept?”

Clay glance towards her, and she shook her head. “She declines the offer.” No one appeared surprised.

“In that case, we move one on to the matter of finding a new caretaker for Jenna’s Marvel.” The queen declared. “Hope will remain as our guest until the matter is settled.”

“If I may be so bold,” Clay spoke up. “I’m sure there’ll be plenty of negotiating before the great houses settle on someone. Why not allow Hope to leave in the meanwhile?”

“Sadly, that won’t be possible.” Robin Brack smirked. “As there is nothing left to discuss.”

“We came to an arrangement this morning.” Anastasia concurred.

“That was… an unusually swift consensus.” Clay stammered, which made Hope’s anxiety resurface. “Who did you settle on?”

“It’s the process we finalized.” The queen explained. “Each house with put forward candidates ——as many as they’re able—— and Hope will select among them.”

They made this a game, Hope realized. I’ll face an endless stream of petitioners competing to sway me, and I’ll have to play along I wish to escape this palace. This is hell. She loathed being the center of attention this way.

“And you all agreed to this?” Clay asked incredulously, looking to Anastasia Vellor and Brandon Gladesong.

“We did.” Anastasia answered. Brandon nodded. Unless I’m missing something, I should make my pick from their faction. Wouldn’t that prevent the queen from leveraging Astrolis against mother?

“Ahum.” Antoine cleared his troat loudly. “To be clear, as long as someone put forward by a great house is accepted by Hope, then no one present will object?”

“That’s correct.” Ellaria Raven confirmed.

“Perfect.” Antoine continued. “Then I’ll put forward the first candidate. Emerit Blaze, please come out.”

Hope’s eyes opened wide as Emerit strode in from a side door wearing his usual crimson clothes and fiery-patterned cloak. Queen Kalista winced seeing his red-tipped orange hair. “So tacky and crass…”

“Now, now…” Antoine said gently. “You promised you’d make an effort for the Dark Age.”

“That I did.” Kalista groaned. “I suppose I can tolerate Emirit for the greater good.”

“That’s the immortal Emrit Blaze.” The man corrected, before winking at Hope. “I’ve been busy.”

“I choose Emirit as Astrolis’s next pilot.” Hope declared loudly, before anyone could speak. He’s perfect, and I’m not losing this chance.

An uncomfortable silence fell over the room. “Is he even a member of house Skyfell?” Robin eventually protested.

“I am a Sovengard native.” Emerit confirmed. “Despite what my affinity suggests.”

“Yet, you rejected my matchmaking attempts in the past.” Cacelia cut in. “Have you had a change of heart?”

“I have, as long as I can keep my name.” Emerit grinned. “I’ve grown attached to it.”

“Will your children be Skyfells?” Cacelia pressed.

“They will.” Emerit nodded.

Cacelia exchanged glances with the queen. “He is a legitimate candidate…” She admitted.

With a look of resignation, Kalista leaned back in her throne. “Then this matter is concluded.” She announced. “Once Astolis’s ownership is transfered, Hope is free to go.”

Hope quickly met up Emerit after leaving court. “How did you end up here?” She asked.

“Antoine contacted me yesterday, interrupting my week long celebration after reaching the Wall of Legends.” Emirit revealed. “I agreed to return immediately once he explained you were in trouble.”

“To be honest, the thought of piloting Astrolis would’ve been enough to convince me.” He added sheepishly.

“I’m surprised Cacelia and the queen went along with this.” Clay chimed in.

“The queen cares for Antoine dearly. The fact I was his nominee was enough for her to give up her scheming rather than confront him.” Emirit revealed. “As for Cacelia, she saw the writing on the wall and so switched her focus. Recruiting Astrolis and an immortal to house Skyfell was decent consolidation prize.”

“About that,” Clay said. “If not for the king’s interferance, wouldn’t Astrolis have ended up with house Gladesong or Vellor? Why did the queen go along with such an approach?”

“Because she obtained assurances from all the other houses that their candidates would act as her champion if necessary.” Emerit smirked. “Unfortunately for her, house skyfell wasn’t part of this arrangement.”

“What about the matchmaking?” Hope asked. “Are you really going to marry?”

Emerit gave her a long look. “When needs be, I can be more serious than anyone. I love myself and this world I live in. By becoming Astrolis’s pilot, I can protect it.”

“I fled Sovenguard when Cacelia first approached me about finding a partner. Since I’m a little Flamboyant for queen Kalista’s tastes, she convinced Cacelia to drop the matter. However, I’ve become an immortal and a dark age has begun. I can no longer shirk my responsibilities. Besides, my reason for doing so has already passed away.”

“So you’re fine with this?” Hope asked.

Emerit nodded. “I’ll do my best to love my wife, but it might be for the best if I don’t. It’ll be less painful when I outlive her…”

He then made Hope jump with a loud clap. “Enough of this. Where’s Astrolis? I can’t wait to go for a spin.”