Cut Content: De'Vas Book 2 part 3

Ash kept his eye on the Elf carrying the sword. Cleo might have wanted him to stand down, but if the bastard tried to attack her, then were was no way he wasn’t getting involved. He also kept an eye on the Dark Elf woman behind him, not for fear of an attack. The poor woman seemed to be in a daze, he couldn’t blame her though, even Bo was out of it for a few days when he rifted. Her head swished side to side, eyes wide as she took in the no-doubt strangeness of this new world. Ash cut his pace until he was walking beside her.

“Your kingdom is very unique, I have not heard of anything like on Vas in all the books I’ve read.” The Dark Elf woman said to him, her violet eyes meeting his. She had long white hair, with red tips at the ends and her complexion was the dark purple known to her race.

Ash’s mind played several responses. None of which seemed like a good idea and made him consider keeping his mouth shut until Cleo explained things, or got into a fight with the sword-carrying Elf she had called Rory.

“I guess that’s because we are no longer on Vas.” The Elf stated.

She was still staring at him, waiting. He nodded his head to confirm her suspicions.

“You’re handling that realization well.” He said.

The woman let out a meek laugh.

“Oh, I will not once I have time to actually process my thoughts. I’m sorry if the translation ring makes this sound horrible, but you shouldn’t exist. At least tell me I’m not dead.”

Ash gave her a small smile and a nod of understanding.

“You’re alive and safe. Just in a different world populated by humans.”

The Dark Elf woman let out a series of laughs at that. She gave him a smile once she calmed down.

“My name is Alyndra.”

“Ash.” He held out his hand for her and she stared at it, slowly she placed hers beside his. “Sorry, it’s a human greeting. Here I’ll show you.”

Gentle he closed his hand around her’s and gave it a small shake. She watched the greeting with interest and smiled back at him once he released her hand.

“Well, Ash, I will be dependent upon you to learn about this world and human ways.”

“What trickery is this Nightmare Queen?!” Rory shouted.

Ash broke his attention away from Alyndra to see Cleo had led them to The Twins. The neon open sign for the tavern was lit up and a few patrons lingered outside the door and on the patio. Mostly Orcs given it was a popular place with that community, but there were still several Beastkins and Lizardkins enjoying food and drinks.

“It’s a tavern, Rory, we will have a pint and talk. The humans have a saying, let us bury the hatchet, that encompasses this. You will learn humans have a lot of sayings.”

“No! We should settle this with steel and magic!” Rory snarled.

Cleo turned and faced his anger with a calm demeanor.

“Why?” She asked.

Rory looked at her in disbelief and confusion for a moment, then he scowled at her.

“For the Kingdom of Everwood, for the soldiers who gave their lives to defend the Kingdom when you invaded!”

“The Kingdom of Everwood is gone, you will never see it again, nor will I. The same for the rest of Vas. This is our world now and if you wish to know what kind of world it is, then look at the high stone walls around us. They are not for our protection, but to keep us in here.” Cleo turned and entered The Twins.

Rory hesitated just a moment before following, Ash and Alyndra behind him. The Twins was the same as always. The smell of greasy food was in the air and paranormals huddled around the pool tables, dart boards or the TV’s hanging over the bar. The only thing that made it stand out from every dive bar Ash had been in was the shields hanging on the back wall. Each was painted with a symbol belonging to one of the Orc tribes back on Vas. It was not uncommon for an Orc to raise their glass in the direction of the wall.

“Councilwoman Blackthorn, District Boss, how may The Twins serve you today?” Mander greeted stepping from behind the bar.

“Table with some privacy and some rounds. The good stuff. Also, a plate of your jalapeno poppers that I like.” Cleo said.

Mander blinked before quickly grabbing menus and directing them towards a table.

“I was unaware you were familiar with my restaurant Councilwoman Blackthorn.”

Cleo’s face made a small twitch that Ash caught, showing she had messed up. Silver loved The Twins’ jalapeno poppers. So much that Bo and him were in for a hellish night if they went there and did not bring any back for the bossy bunny.

“I had ordered some takeout from here and she tried them during one of our meetings at the Flatiron,” Ash said before turning to look at Cleo. “Beer, seriously it’s not even noon?”

“Fine,” Cleo said rolling her eyes. “Mander, a soda for the lightweight.”

A small white lie, but with how often Bo made use of The Twins’ delivery service, he was sure they had made deliveries to the Flatiron more than once. Mander bought it or just didn’t care. The old Orc had a big grin on his face as he led them to their table.

However, Ash had to get Alyndra’s attention so she would not be left behind. Her eyes were fixed on the basketball game on one of the TVs.

“They’re humans!” She said excitedly to him as they followed.

Their table was at the back of the bar. Which offered the most privacy in the place, though not much. Still, Cleo’s reputation kept the bar’s patrons on the opposite side. Alyndra twisted in her set to stare at a TV showing some street racing movie. Rory kept his eyes locked on Cleo, though his hostility seemed to have simmered.

“Well go on, tell me what you want to tell me,” Rory demanded. “You were cryptic enough outside this establishment.”

Cleo gave a nod to the Elf.

“Vas is ending.”

She went into telling them about the first wave of rifts five years ago, the Thin Veil Theory, humanity, and the birth of De’Vas. Rory listened intently his knuckles white as she clinched his fist. Alyrnda had even broken her gaze from the TV to hear what Cleo was saying. Mander came with pints of beer and the poppers Cleo had requested.

“So…it was all for nothing..” Rory said softly, his eyes fixed on the table before him. “The lives lost and bloody wars fought for scraps of land. Meaningless in the end.”

Cleo gave a somber nod.

“The old disputes are meaningless now. Something only the foolish still cling to. Those of us from Vas, who the humans refer to as paranormals, must work together to survive in this new world.” Cleo said as she took a sip of her beer. “Join the Council Rory, you have the strength to be accepted. Help us in building a new home.”

Rory looked up from the table and shook his head as he met Cleo’s eyes.

“The ship we were on was headed to one of the Elven citadels. Most of its passengers hoped the ancient runes would protect them from the Vanishing. I did not fear The Vanishing.

“I just wished to have a quiet place, away from the court life of the Kingdoms. I am tired, Blackthorn. Tired of leading soldiers to their deaths and teaching nobles’ sons who only wish to learn how to wield a blade.

“I will bury the hatchet as you said, but please let me find a place where I can find my peace.”

“Very well Rory, I understand,” Cleo said.

Ash was staring at the Elven swordsman. What he had said caught his attention.

“Did you teach them other things? Like the history of Vas, mathematics, education not related to war?”

Rory turned and faced him, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

“Yes, I tried to prepare them for the world.”

This might be a horrible time to make his pitch, but his gut told him if he didn’t then there was a chance he might never get another chance.

“I’m establishing a school in District 114. A school for every child in the District and I need teachers. If you’re interested, I wouldn’t ask you to fight except to protect the children. You could live in this District with steady pay.”

Rory stared at him for a moment.

“Would I be teaching them war, how to wield a sword?”

Ash shook his head.

“No. I want to bring up citizens, not soldiers.”

Rory picked up his beer and sipped it.

“I will consider your offer.”

Cleo asked Rory about the state of things back on Vas, which was grim from what little Ash understood. Alyndra asked him several questions about whatever was on the TV. She seemed fascinated that humans were everywhere on it.

After The Twins, Cleo led them back to the beached ship which the Elves called The Tempest. Alyndra and Rory stated they would discuss things with those aboard and meet with Ash again tomorrow. Rory went further saying it would take some time to convince the others this was not a trick by The Nightmare Queen.

Ash was ready to go back to sleep. Though he was sure Faylen would want to pick up from where they left off this morning before Lilly, well was Lilly. Whatever the Dryad was up to, Ash was sure he would hear about it later. Cleo gave him a look that said she was not done with him yet.

“I have things I need to discuss with you in private,” Cleo stated as she turned to leave the beach. “I will meet you in your office, don’t make me wait.”

Cleo was sitting in the chair behind his desk by the time he made it to the office. The chair swirled from the window she was looking out of to face him. She stared at him for a moment with her red eyes almost glowing.

“Your mother contacted me.”

Ash groaned. Of course, she did.

“Can’t believe I’m saying it, but I kinda understand why Bo is terrified of her.”

Ash’s hand went to rub his brow.

“Is that what you wanted to discuss in private? That my mother called you?”

Cleo smiled at him.

“No, I just knew bringing it up would make you uncomfortable and I find that amusing.” Cleo dropped the smile and let out a tired sigh. “What I want to talk about is far from amusing. Well, two things I want to talk about, and neither is amusing.”

“Alright, lay it on me,” Ash said as he took a seat on the sofa.

“This wave of rifts has been different than the first one, not completely random. A decent number of them have appeared in De’Vas. The leading theory is they are appearing in areas frequently exposed to magic, like the old cargo ship.” Cleo said.

“So magic is like an anchor or something for where the rifts will appear? This sounds like a good thing. Not like anyone knows how the rifts work, if there’s a reliable way to predict where they might happen then that’s more than what we currently know.” Ash said with a shrug.

“The problem with this theory is that several large rifts opened near military bases around the world making the news. I am sure you can understand why that’s concerning and has the Council rather tense.”

Ash’s gut twisted as his mind recalled some of the declassified stuff the governments around the world would rather keep quiet.

“But that’s a concern for the Council. A more immediate concern of mine is Selena. I worry she is in trouble, but not telling us.”

Ash frowned.

“Why do you think she’s in trouble?”

Cleo let out a sigh as she leaned back in the chair.

“I’ve checked out District 208 as Silver. It looks rough, also I’m concerned she is being watched closely. I worry she won’t reach out for help until things are bad.”

Ash knew where this was going. Council laws prevented Council Members from getting involved directly in disputes within the Districts or between them. Cleo might play fast and loose with the rules, especially as Silver, but there was a risk for her and real consequences if she got caught.

“You want me to step in if things get that bad,” Ash said the part Cleo was beating around.

“Yes. I’m sorry Ash, but I know I can depend on you. I promise I will compensate-”

“Cleo, I’ll do it,” Ash answered cutting her off before she made a ton of promises.

“Thank you, Ash,” Cleo said with a warm smile. “If it’s alright, I’ll take a room in the Flatiron and stay around as Silver, help you with your training. Council will just spend weeks accusing and arguing with the human governments, nothing I am needed for.”