13 Chapter 13: Greetings

When I had still only just started in my position as Earthen Mother of Terra, Dahlia used to repeat phrases and words of wisdom to me daily. Every morning when I woke up, she would leave me with choice advice and every evening before I retired to my chambers for the night. Every day. Without fail, Dahlia would bring herself to impart her wisdom unto me whether I wished to listen to it or not. Most of these were sayings I had simply forgotten or dismissed to start with but just one had stuck with me. Even now, four months after that fateful day, it rung in my head. I even recall her smug delivery of it. "Miss Sylvari, my dear girl. Listen and listen well. You may find that you are on a sinking ship, as you see it, in life. Perhaps it is not sinking, but drastically off-course. But each ship has a crew. The crew work together to prevent the worst possible outcome. Sometimes, simply the crew you have are not enough. Maybe they do not have the right skills or perhaps there is simply too few. At times like this, you would do well to remember that new people-new friends, colleagues and acquaintances can all be lifeboats. Even if you are on a sinking ship, there is the chance of a new solution to the problem. As the name implies, they aid in preserving life. Not that we have many boats around here!"

"Another of Dahlia's sage advice?"

It was Adoria who was asking, her long ponytail gently floating behind her in the strong breeze. The time had come for the other nations to arrive for the Council of Four Nations. A path had been cleared for them to get to and up The Great Oak. We stood at the base of it, the three of us. I stood side by side with Adoria and Uli, of all people. Dahlia was watching from above and my knights were stationed just behind me. None of the other nation's parties had arrived, yet we were to wait here until each and every one had been properly greeted as was tradition.

"Yes, it was. I did not often take notice of what she had to say before but this may have been when I finally started listening." A small chuckle escaped Adoria as she rolled her eyes and looked at me as if I was a child who had been misbehaving.

"Though you can still be rather stubborn. I hope you will listen to both her and my words from now on, Your Majesty." I could feel my own frown forming. Heartbroken would be too extreme for my reaction, though I was a little upset.

"I have gotten better on that front, thank you!" Almost instinctively, I went to stomp my feet in protest before restraining myself from doing so as I saw the large crowd that had gathered. The crowd that included so many familiar faces as well as faces I had never seen before. Lami had been one I had come across earlier that I shared a friendly exchange with. I recognised my Mother and Father, several of the shop-owners, many of my fellow residents of the Palace but none stood out to me other than one man.

It was not fair. Why did he have to be here of all places? I would recognise that frame anywhere. Tall and strong, but a cute round face and a gentle smile that told you he would not be able to harm even a fly. The aura of kindness he gave off. It used to make me feel so at home yet now it felt invasive. As if a remnant of my past was attempting to drag me back. Adoria gave me a small shake on the shoulders despite the crowd, quite obviously unsettled by my lack of response that had come over me suddenly. It should not have been surprising Gaius was here, yet I found myself frozen with fear like I had never been before with a million thoughts swimming in my head.

Fortunately, a small shove from Adoria in the back managed to start me moving once again. As luck would have it, just in time as well. From the horizon, I could see a large group approaching. They displayed banners bearing an ocean blue wave atop a simple light blue background. Aqua had arrived. Though she had guards behind her, Lady Marina led the concession with pride. Taller than I, by at least an entire foot. She must have been just as tall as Adoria, if not larger. Her gait and stride had all the pride and strength one could muster. The Queen took large strides and walked with a confidence that radiated off of her. Her long blue hair held back in a high ponytail, supported by the two fin-shaped headpieces that Uli had taught me served as a crown. Marina's lighter blue skin glistened as if she were swimming in the ocean the entire time she walked towards me. Just behind her was another woman, nearly as tall with long braided hair swept to the side and scales showing upon not only her face but her forearms as well with her fancy short-sleeved tunic showing off her strength. The serious expression was just as menacing.

I could almost feel myself quaking in my boots as the pair approached me. Lady Marina spoke first. "Well, Queen Lutum, I am glad we finally speak face to face! You are much younger than I had anticipated, I must say."

"Yes, I imagine I will be hearing that a lot over the next few years. It cannot be helped, that is simply what The Great Oak decided!" At that, Marina smiled. A smug grin, almost. It was impossible not to feel it. The aura of strength and confidence she radiated. Every little thing she did, I was terrified by. Had I disrespected her? Annoyed her? Perhaps I looked pathetic to her! Who wouldn't look pathetic next to such a strong woman and leader? Before I had time to collect my thoughts, she broke the silence with vigor.

"I look forward to you proving that you are a Great Queen, with or without the approval of your tree!" My heart raced. Some would take that as great insult. I needed to remain calm or I risked offending someone I desperately needed on my side right now. No matter what it takes-I need to make sure Lady Marina and I are friends and our nations allies.

"Yes-I will make sure to prove it to you, Lady Marina. I believe that I have the potential to be a wonderful ruler." Marina and her companion both smiled, bowing their heads. I was still not used to that. Especially not from a ruler of another nation!

"By the way, Queen Lutum. This is Ghira. Captain of the Atlantan Knights and my effective second-in-command. Before you ask. Yes, it is ok for her to accompany me rather than stay home. My people are all capable, they shall be fine."

I had not intended on making a point of that, but Marina spoke too quick for me to get any point I would have wished to in anyway.

"Ah, it's a pleasure to meet you Ghira." I almost instinctively lowered my head, but kept it held high and steadfast. If I am being honest, Ghira terrified me. If I were to ever meet her or Lady Marina in a fight for whatever reason, I knew I would stand no chance. These people were not people to make an enemy of.

Once we had made our introductions, Lady Marina stood by my side with Ghira just behind her, similar to how Adoria was standing with me. We would each stand side by side, as leaders of the four nations with our most trusted guard behind us. That was tradition at least. Though I had not expected Dahlia to come down from being above me to stay by my side as well, claiming that she 'really could not miss out on the fun'

Before I knew it, I saw a young man appearing from the same direction that Marina had. By his garb, I could tell he was from Ventus. By which I mean, the garb that was barely present. His open, light green robes revealed his strong dark chest and he wore a smile that radiated playfulness and a carefree attitude. There was no mistaking it. This was Luo.

Though I had received heavy instruction on how to conduct myself with those of Aqua and those of Ignis, Ventus was an entirely different story. I was not sure if I was supposed to remain casual or if the Ventus people preferred people to stick to their roots. All we could truly gather was that nothing will stop them from acting the way they do, so you may very well find yourself going along with them.

What I had not expected from the leader of their nation was for him to kiss my hand and bow before simply ranting on about this year's big race in Parum Venti. I became lost at that subject, I could point to that city on the map, but I knew very little of it as was the case with most Ventus settlements. He also did not waste any time in flirting with almost everyone he saw around him-Adoria, myself, Uli-even Dahlia! I suppose there is a simple natural charm to the carefree exuberance that he shows.

Once again, I was interrupted from being deep in my own thoughts, but it was a louder disruption than usual. What looked like a small army had begun to congregate on the horizon of the path to the Great Oak. Dozens of instruments were sounded, trumpets and tubas, the brass fanfare had arrived. Then in the middle, the man who must have been King Enji, of Ignis. A crown covered his balding orange hair, matching his regal suit of armour adorned with symbols of his nation. The King raised his hand with a clenched fist, then yanked it down and in in sync with his movements, the noise immediately ceased as his procession came closer towards me. It was not difficult to tell he was not impressed by me. Whether that was due to my age, or my appearance or how I acted, what have you, I could feel his gaze piercing holes into me.

As I had with each of the other leaders, I offered a small curtsy to the King and what entailed made me so furious I felt as if I could kill someone. It is not often I lose my temper to that degree but truly, I have not been that angry for some time. As I held out my hand to shake as you would, he instead of shaking it, spat and remarked "Pah! This is the new leader I am presented with? You expect me to treat a child like I would a true Queen? You are happy with this transfer of power? And your authority, Queen Dahlia?"

As I said, furious does not even begin to describe the rage swelling within me at this point. I could feel my cheeks flush with anger and before I could even think of the best course of action to take here, "Well, perhaps we should shorten it to the Council of Three Nations then! I see your crown is nearly as large as your head but I had not expected that a King's Head would function without a brain!". It was simply blurted out of my mouth, before I could stop myself.

I felt an almost instant regret, though I had not expected a slap on the back from Dahlia as she chuckled heartily and the King of Ignis stormed past me without a word. Adoria offered a reassuring hand on my shoulder as well. Dahlia could not contain her excitement much longer,

"I know you're thinking you should have tried to be more hospitable with him, Miss Sylvari. But that old man needs to be put down a peg or two, he hasn't changed since I stepped down I assure you! He'll learn his lesson in due time."

"But Dahlia, what if he does not attend the Council? I despise this man, but for his nation to miss out…would that not be unfair?"

"Oh don't be silly, even if he were to abstain, which I very much doubt he will, you saw his marching circus, he has advisors that can fill in for him."

"Yes, I suppose that's true. Does he bring them every time?"

Dahlia simply chuckled with a slight nod "Without fail."

Now that all four nations had gathered, it was my duty to give a speech before they departed for their resting quarters for their stay before the actual meeting. I stood on the first branch of the Great Oak to raise myself a tad, and shouted down below.

I braced myself for boos and jeers from the Ignis contingent but carried on nonetheless.

"People of Locus! Ignis, Aqua, Ventus and Terra! Four Nations make up our world and we need each other to balance ourselves out and keep ourselves in harmony. You all know the stories of the gods. Without Caeli, Ventus would not have their affinity with the sky and the excitement their people bring. Without Aarush, there would be no fiery passion! Without Eden, the soil would not grow and we would not be able to cherish the wildlife as we do today. Without Anahita, we would not have the ocean's blue waves and our water. The gods needed each other, and their people need each other just as well! Without a balance, without harmony. We are nothing. Dirt. But banded together, united? From that dirt, we can grow. What starts as a branch of friendship becomes a great tree of unity, standing together against the dangers and the injustices of the world! In order to become a tree of unity, like our very own Great Oak, we must come together!"

I took a small bow to signify that the speech was over and braced myself for a poor reaction. What I received wasn't poor, but it was clear I was not the most popular either. A light, polite applause though no standing ovation. In truth, I was simply glad not to have been subject to a thousand boos.

I looked around for the reactions of the other leaders. Marina gave a polite applause with a small smile on her face. She seemed to have enjoyed it at least. King Enji…well, I was not sure he was listening. The man looked bored more than anything. Luo. Luo was giving…a standing ovation? With this man it was hard to tell. The sounds he was making definitely sounded like cheers and he definitely looked happy but I could not be sure that he had actually paid attention if I am honest. Or that his reaction was even to my speech and not to something else.

"Not a bad first speech" chirped Dahlia, a wry smile on her face.

"It was alright then?" I replied.

"Well," began Dahlia, her smile quickly shifting to a mischievous grin, placing her hands on her hips "let us just say that the true trials of the Four Nations Council have only just begun. You have gotten past the easy part now, but this will be 'do-or-die' from here on! I hope you are feeling up to it, Miss Sylvari."

Strangely enough, I did feel up to it. I would not have much confidence for this sort of thing for a while I had thought but well, that encounter with the King only spurred me on to be better than him when it came to the Council. I could not wait to make him eat his words.