Chapter 64
Aeraxor was Adema's grandson, and though young, Kaelarys saw great potential in him.
Aeraxor's parents, Maelor and Yzella, were children of Adema, and like many in their family, they had chosen to live life to its fullest before worrying about children.
The urge to have children early and pass on one's heritage is a protective mechanism to preserve one's own kind.
But with the discovery of immortality, many things change for the human mind.
The need to reproduce and pass on one's genetic material was no longer as urgent as it used to be.
The fear of running out of time no longer existed. Why should they hurry to have children if they could live forever?
Kaelarys himself understood this change and even preferred it, because the more people needed the elixir, the more 'resources' he needed to produce the required amount of elixir.
And in a world that understood so little about hygiene and health, such a large number of people were simply not available for sacrifice.
There were an estimated 200 million people in the entire world, and yet he needed thousands upon thousands to biologically reset just a single person. The price of immortality was enormous. To reverse the effects of time for himself and his family, he needed about three hundred thousand human lives, a circumstance that was only possible because so many would die anyway in the years when they needed the elixir.
In the worst case, they would have to age until they reached an advanced age before taking the elixir, but no one wanted that. No one wanted to lose their youth, their strength and beauty when there was the possibility of staying young forever. Always full of energy, with firm skin and strong arms.
When Kaelarys approached his personal area of the palace, the Warborn respectfully stepped aside.
This area of the palace was reserved for him and his wives alone. No one else was allowed to enter without his explicit permission. Only specially selected and rigorously trained female servants were allowed to enter this part of the palace to serve him and his wives.
The massive doors to Kaelarys' private chambers opened silently as he approached. The familiar scent of exotic fragrances wafted towards him, but his attention was immediately drawn to the two figures intently looking at a table in front of them.
Lysandra and Seraphine sat across from each other at a low table, playing the Valyrian version of chess. The game board, made of black and gold stone, made a dull sound as they moved the pieces around on it.
Unlike many, he preferred his women to keep their wits sharp and cool, rather than lose themselves in luxury and laziness. Lazy seduction was the archenemy of many.
Over time, Lysandra and Seraphine had grown to enjoy it. They played against each other almost daily, or they wrote poems about all sorts of things. By now, he could fill an entire library with their writings.
"We're almost done," Lysandra said, without taking her eyes off the board. 'Seraphine almost has me cornered."
"Almost?' Seraphine repeated with a mischievous smile and moved a piece that changed the position on the board in her favor for good.
Lysandra groaned slightly as she finally accepted her defeat. "Not again."
"Don't worry, you're better than anyone I've ever played." Seraphine reassured her and rearranged the pieces so that they were back in their starting positions.
"You're right, but it's frustrating to keep falling for the same mistakes. You'd think with so much experience you'd learn, but it seems you don't."
Seraphine had always been more talented than Lysandra when it came to strategy and the like. She had beaten him many times, even though he still thought she had cheated in many games, but he allowed her these small victories.
"I heard you wanted to talk to me," he said, kissing and hugging Seraphine and then Lysandra. He had gotten out of bed early and they hadn't spoken yet today.
Lysandra rose and allowed him to sit on the love chair. As soon as he had taken a seat, Lysandra settled across his thighs, her arms resting lightly on his shoulders as she leaned her head against his chest. He hugged her tightly and pulled her closer to him while he waited for an answer.
"Lysandra and I have been talking, and we think there should be a change when it comes to the Elixir of Life."
When he received the message that they wanted to talk to him, he had expected it to be about something trivial, but it seemed that this topic was of greater importance than he had originally assumed.
"A change to the elixir of life? What exactly is this really about? I know you both well enough to know when you address a topic directly and when you dance around it."
The elixir worked perfectly and fulfilled the purpose for which it was created. He doubted that they wanted to get rid of the elixir, but then what? After all these years, they would hardly have a problem with the sacrifices that were needed for it.
They had all long since come to terms with the fact that immortality came at a high price.
It was Lysandra who spoke this time. "We have noticed that many of the young ones who take the elixir are increasingly involved in disputes with others and becoming more ambitious," she explained. "While we were hidden from the world, it was easy to control such things. But now that they are all on the loose and feel that the world is open to them, thoughts are arising in their minds that could become dangerous."
Kaelarys' expression hardened slightly. "Thoughts?" he asked. "What kind of thoughts?"
"The elixir makes them more ambitious. Some of them forget their loyalty to you, and if their thoughts are directed in the wrong direction, it could lead to serious problems. Now that the war has begun, the last thing we need is internal unrest. We thought it best that you know as soon as possible."
"They seem to forget that I created the elixir and that I can just as easily withdraw it from them. Perhaps it was a mistake to give it to them so readily."
He had been so focused on the war that he had neglected the potential dangers close to home.
Of course, Kaelarys' concerns were mostly for the more distant members of his family. He had little worry for his direct children, but it was their children, the grandchildren, and the children of his cousins, uncles, and aunts that consumed his thoughts.
"It's not so much a mistake as you overlooking something," Seraphine said.
"I agree. You only had the best intentions for the family, but greed has taken some with it. It is now time to set everything straight again, no more, no less." Lysandra took a sip of her tea, which she had left on the table.
His wives always knew what to say. Being married for more than a century has its advantages.
"Do you have names?" Kaelarys asked, his voice calm as he kept his eyes on the chessboard. The pieces were still there, and for a brief moment he saw himself as the king and part of his own family on the other side.
He knew he had to approach the situation carefully. So far, it was just idle thoughts, arrogance, and the natural tendency of the human mind to strive for more.
But humans were unpredictable when cornered. And while he wasn't afraid of them, Kaelarys wanted to avoid family disputes and open confrontations at all costs. Conflicts within the family were more dangerous than the battles he fought outside.
He had already experienced what happened when Zaelarys tried to cross his boundaries. Kaelarys had had the right and the power on his side back then, but imprisoning him had driven a wedge between him and his aunt.
But he knew by now that this was not a permanent solution. Even if he was in the right, such a step would only leave long-term tensions and cracks in the family.
He needed to address the root of the problem, not lock up everyone who looked at him funny like some tyrant.
Seraphine and Lysandra exchanged a quick glance before Lysandra answered. "We made a list. As long as it's just the younger ones."
Kaelarys nodded without taking his eyes off the board. "So the usual suspects. Young ones who think they're ready for bigger things too soon."
"They feel they deserve more than they've earned," Seraphine added.
Kaelarys sighed, more out of weariness than concern, "All right, I know what to do."
He had always wanted the best for his family, but it seemed that now he had to be more strict than kind. The time for indulgence and trust was over.
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Men scroll
Men see
Men smile
Men gifts Stones
Men leaves Review
Men leaves happily.
Yours,
Jasonenrick!