Chapter 35: The Birds of the Night

Clover shook their head with a smile watching the wizard's expression, "Not yet."

The woman shrugged as if disappointed. She withdrew her hands from Clover's neck and unfastened her hood. Short wavy blonde hair fell above her shoulders revealing pointed ears.

"You're an elf!" Bird blurted out.

The woman's cold purple eyes glanced in his direction and he went quiet. Albaric stepped forward with his blade still drawn.

"Who are you?" he demanded.

"You have to ask?" she rebuffed, "Wow, humans really are stupid," she glanced at Clover with a smile.

"This is my friend from the East," Clover smirked, "Her name is Kalandra,"

"How did you get in here?" the wizard glowered.

"She just appeared out of nowhere," Bird remarked as he moved closer to the wizard.

The wizard glanced at Ace and he gave a terse nod in agreement. He hadn't seen where she had appeared from either until she had her arms around Clover's neck. Although Ace had lived in the Elven country for those three months, he had never paid much attention to the Elven people.

However, seeing this woman now, he had to concede she was exceedingly beautiful. Yet her beauty was detracted from by the look in her eye. He had seen it before. It was the look of someone well acquainted with death.

"The Empire's security is pretty lax," Kalandra tilted her head back provokingly.

Both Albaric and the wizard were about to respond when Clover interceded.

"Were you able to get what I asked for?"

"Of course," Kalandra replied. As she pulled out the books from her rucksack and showed them to the Demon Lord. Then Ace saw something remarkable happen. Kalandra's hard, merciless expression abated. Her face lit up waiting for Clover's reaction.

Everyone pooled around the books. The wizard inspected them with reluctant acceptance. However, Ace remained a bit back from the group. As he watched Kalandra and lord Clover together, he saw them exchange looks. The demon lord smiled with an expression of satisfaction.

And in that moment Ace realised...it was much harder to be friends than he thought.

As promised, the book Kalandra brought had the information they needed. The wizard wasted no time in beginning to design the items according to the books. He and Bird spent several hours going over formulas, ingredients and incantations.

Ace, on the other hand, sat back in his window seat. He didn't have enough knowledge of magic to contribute. He wondered if the wizard would notice if he slipped away. He had spent the hours with his head in a book, but in truth, he couldn't help but steal glances at Lord Clover and their new guest. For a long time, they had been whispering to each other.

On the other hand, Albaric was so quiet, Ace almost forgot he was there. He was leaning against the wall with his eyes fixed ahead. He had his eyes on Kalandra. She had even drawn the sword saint's admiration. Ace had a strange thought.

Not long ago he had learned about Lord Clover's strange relationship with the Empress. Now seeing Lord Clover's warmth toward Kalandra, was it possible that was the part Ace had been lacking? Unlike the human world, demons rarely held any notions about a gender. Love didn't factor into their desire. But Clover was different. Ace knew it from the start Clover was different. Still it hadn't occurred to him. Maybe Clover was only interested in...

"Ace?" Albaric repeated, "Are you okay?"

Ace's eyes shot up. He knew at once from the expression on Albaric's face, he had been caught in the act. He inwardly chastised himself. He needed to clear his head. He quickly stepped to the door, but the Demon Lord's voice brought him to a stop.

"Where are you going?" Clover asked.

Ace glanced behind. From the corner of his eyes he could see Kalandra looking at him too. Ace couldn't help wondering what that look in her eye meant. Did she want him to leave? Ace forced a smile.

"I'm just getting some air,"

He quickly took off down the stairs before any more questions could be asked. The moment he stepped outside, Ace was hit by a chill. A cold wind was blowing over the courtyard. It was empty, without a soul in sight and Ace was glad of it. His usual tree was almost bare as winter beckoned. Nevertheless, Ace took his seat under its limited refuge. He inhaled deeply and closed his eyes.

A flicker of shadow prompted him to open his eyes. To his surprise, he saw Kalandra standing in front of him. He hadn't so much as heard a step, nor anything sound to indicate her approach. She tilted her head to one side as if observing him. Ace felt the cold, critical look in her eye barely perceived him. It was as if she was looking through him. He didn't like the feeling.

"Do you need something?" Ace asked reluctantly

"No." She answered without smiling, " I just came to get a closer look at you,"

"Excuse me?" Ace's brow furrowed.

"Someone like you doesn't deserve to be by Clover's side."

"What's that suppose..."

Kalandra was about to step forward when Albaric blocked her path. Ace blinked in confusion as Albaric grabbed her by the hand. As her cloak slid down her arm, a spiralling black bird came into view. Albaric glanced down at the tattoo and back to Kalandra.

"We still haven't gotten the Emperor's permission for you to be here. You just showed up out of the blue. You can't be wandering around wherever you please," he cautioned, "Either go back to the tower or leave,"

Kalandra yanked her hand from his grip.

"Or what?" She stared at Albaric cold-bloodedly.

"OR you're going to make things difficult for Clover," Albaric replied shrewdly.

Kalandra appeared to back down. She began to retreat back to the tower. Albaric was about to follow but before departing he quickly turned back to Ace. The expression on his face was grave.

"Don't be alone with that woman," he whispered when she was far enough away. He turned back soberly and followed her up the tower before Ace could reply.

Ace let out a sigh. He was still unsure how to interpret the encounter but decided to do as Albaric said. In truth, he didn't want to be alone with her anyway. The look in her eye made his blood turn old. Now he knew for certain what it meant: Stay away.

Ace remained sitting outside for a while. Thankfully the wizard didn't call him back. He remained sitting until the sun started to set.

Finally, he began the trip up to the office. The tower was a warm retreat from the windy courtyard. The candles were lit, casting a warm glow over the steps. On reaching the office, Ace found Kalandra back by Clover's side. The wizard and Bird were still bent over the new books in intense study, but Albaric was gone.

At the moment, Albaric was outside the Emperor's court. There was no court in session but as usual he had to wait until the guards granted him entry. The long dark aisle leading to the throne was dimly lit. The throne was empty. The high backed seat sat at the pinnacle of the room, a few steps up. The arm rests were adorned in gold with great spiralling depictions of battles long past. It was a solemn and silent room without the powerful presence of the Emperor

A crack of light led Albaric into the back room. The Emperor was leaning over the war table. His eyes were drilling into the maps with an abnormal intensity. Yet without looking up, he said in a low voice:

"What is it?"

Albaric paused hesitantly at the door. He didn't have the right to go in as he pleased anymore.

"I have a report about the visitor to the tower..." Albaric glanced up as he moved around the table. He hadn't noticed before but beside the Emperor there had been another person standing beside. Leila was standing by the Emperor's side.

"May I see the report?" she asked, but her words weren't directed to Albaric.

The Emperor's eyes finally peeled up from the war table. They met Leila's eyes through careful scrutiny then assented. Albaric reluctantly handed over the document. She studied it for a moment before passing it to the Emperor. After a while, Albaric spoke up:

"What do you want me to do?" he said slowly.

The Emperor turned to Leila, "What do you think?"

"The Noctis Aves are only a legend. We haven't received any substantiated reports from the East," Leila replied.

"She had the tattoo belonging to one of the vilest assassins group in East!" Albaric protested.

"that's mere speculation," Leila countered, "but by all means, we'll have her followed. That said, if she is an assassin, it wouldn't bode well for the Demons intentions,"

"The Emperor's safety is..."Albaric began.

"Since when do you care about that?" Leila interceeded.

"That's enough Leila," the Emperor cautioned. "Just see to it that this woman remains under our surveillance,"

Leila smiled and gave a slight bow. She left the room with a condescending glance in Albaric's direction. He didn't meet her eyes. Instead he waited till she had a left. The Emperor's focus was back on the map. Once more he spoke without looking up.

"Is there something else?"

"May I speak candidly, your majesty?" Albaric asked earnestly.

"If you wish," came the flat reply.

"I ask that you do not hand this matter over to princess Leila,"

"I have not restored her title yet," the Emperor finally met Albaric's gaze directly, "Why are you involving yourself with this? It was you who chose to leave. You've made it clear at every opportunity that you want to distance yourself for the Empire's affairs. Now, you're questioning my judgement?"

"Keitel," Albaric swallowed hard, "My actions lately must seem irrational to you. Perhaps they are, but I have been trying to act in accordance with what I believe is right. And right now, I think it is a mistake to give that woman power again. I'm telling you this not as an Emperor, but as your friend."

"I haven't forgotten what she did, but she is still my sister. She is all I have. You would have me send her away?"

"Of course not," Albaric faltered, " I'm just saying that she should not be left in charge of such affairs."

"Then will you take care of them?"

"Keitel..."

"That's what I thought," the Emperor swiftly returned to the map, "People can change. If your change can be so great, why can't hers?"