Chapter 70

**Merianna**


Finally things seemed to have started moving forward in earnest. Jasnine was keeping tabs on Ferina and Junnie, making sure that they were still being kept in the dark about everything happening at the Order. Fog had started gathering all the Order Members, and alerted the trainees to remain in their dorms until further notice. Raska was dishing out weapons like it was a big party and started putting teams together. No one was working in the shadows anymore.

“My Lady, I do not like this impending battle.” Hezerial said from behind me as I stood in one of the towers, looking down at the commotion below.

“Don’t worry Zerial. We’re strong, and we’ll have the upper hand in terms of information. The Dark Warlocks don’t know that Dermon practically led us straight to them. Dermon himself also doesn’t know that we know where he’s hiding now.”

“Indeed, My Lady, that does seem to be the situation. However I cannot help but feel uneasy.” I knew he was looking at me with a frown. I knew him well enough by now to know that he was worried about me again.

“I’m also not weak. But, I do get your point. If he wanted to, Dermon could have wiped the floor with me back then.” I didn’t like to admit it, but it was true. Dermon was surprisingly strong, much stronger than the leader of the Dark Nirns I was up against last time. If I wasn’t careful, I could die the moment he got his hands on me. Hezerial was also not omnipotent. That Demon of Dermon’s gave him quite some trouble back then. If he hadn’t needed to protect me, he could have possibly won.

“Hezerial, I’ll have to count on you to keep that Demon Guardian busy with Ela. I won’t target Dermon so you don’t need to worry. I’ll be careful. You just need to focus on what you need to do for the plan to work.” I turned around to look at him. Sure enough, he had a worried frown on his face. I gave him a reassuring smile. “Look at this.”

I pulled the black sash I had tied around my waist loose and held it out for Hezerial to inspect. He took it carefully from my hands, looking quite surprised. “Are these ruins that are embroidered onto this sash My Lady?”

I straightened by back in pride at my handiwork. “Indeed! Wearing this sash during battle will be better than wearing a full set of armor that the humans wear in battle. It’s imbued with physical protection, magical protection, negation, knockback resistance, some mid grade healing inscriptions and more.” I said proudly.

“This is indeed a work of art My Lady! I’m impressed! This truly has the ability to withstand an attack from someone at Noch’s level. Maybe even someone stronger.”

I blinked at him for a second. “Really?” For some reason I couldn’t believe him. Was I underestimating my own handiwork?

“Indeed, My Lady. I have seen other witches in the past use similar inscriptions, but none of them had ever activated or chained the ruines to this extent. You truly have a gift with runes, My Lady.” He said with a delighted smile.

Well, I do have a knack with anything that has to do with runes, even Jasnine had previously mentioned she was jealous of my talent. But still, I didn’t expect my ruins to be THIS effective. Whenever I thought of a purpose, the runes always seemed to come to mind like a current. Making them chain and link together in a flow that felt effortless. It was honestly hard to say if I was doing it consciously or not.

I smirked as I took the sash back and tied it securely around my waist again. “You won’t be too worried about me if I wear this right?”

Hezerial smiled back down at me. “This does give me some peace of mind, My Lady. However, I do not think I will ever truly stop worrying.”

“Just focus on what Noch and the others would want you and Ela to do. A solid plan is most of the time, a successful one. Nelia and the Ga’s will also be nearby in case anything happens.”

“Lady Nelia does indeed have an astonishing talent for healing. I’m grateful that she will be close by, especially in the case that you might get injured. My healing abilities tend to cause pain to mortals before their injuries are cured. I would like to avoid that.”

Oh, and didn’t I know that all too well... That day in the reaper mountain was ingrained into my memories thanks to the pain I experienced when Hezerial healed me, not to mention all the other trauma from that day. I would like to avoid such a situation at all costs as well. “I think I agree with you. I would rather get whacked by Nelia’s new wand than have you heal me again.”

Hezerial chuckled. “Indeed, I cannot blame you, My Lady.”

I turned around to look back out the window again, only to squeak and jump back in surprise at the fire message that suddenly appeared in front of my eyes. The flames arranged themselves in letters in front of me. ***All members prepare weapons and gear, gather in the Atrium at dusk***. After the message was read, the flames dissipated again into thin air.

“Looks like things are finally going to start in earnest.” I commented to no one in particular.

“Indeed, My Lady. We should prepare.” Hezerial said seriously.

“I’ll go put on my gear and grab my weapons. Might as well also grab a bite to eat on the way since it doesn’t look like we’ll have time for dinner tonight.”

“I shall get something for you in the kitchens then while you prepare, My Lady.”

“Thanks Zerial. I’ll meet up with you in the dining hall then.”

My nerves were all over the place after that fire message was received. I was finally going to be able to see that bastard again. I didn’t mind not being the one fighting him. I knew he was much stronger than me and I wasn’t stupid. But I still wanted to see him getting his ass kicked by Noch and everyone else.

After I had geared up and met up with Nelia, who had also rushed to her room to change and get ready, the both of us met up with Hezerial in the dining hall. It seemed that everyone had the same thought that I did. No one wanted to go out fighting on an empty stomach.

Not long after that, it was time for us to meet up in the Atrium. 

I saw faces in the crowd that I hadn’t seen in months. Most of which went out on long-term bounties, or went to travel the world. I wondered if it was Fog or Raska that had tracked them down and made them come back for this fight. It had been a very long time since I had seen so many faces in the Order. Some of them I had actually never seen before, and those were the ones that were giving Nelia, Hezerial, and me curious looks.

“Merianna, dear over here!” I heard Jasnine call out. Once I spotted her waving hand, I grabbed Nelia’s hand and shuffled my way over to her.

“Space!!!” I cheered after I reached her and noticed that the space around the Elders wasn’t so cramped.

Jasnine laughed and ruffled our hair. “Merianna dear, I wish you’d wash out this dreadful black colour. Your blond hair is so much prettier.”

“Not going to happen. I like this colour since Noch said it made me look more dangerous.” Jasnine laughed and pulled us closer into the area where Fog, Nana Ara and Raska were standing.

“I suppose it’s all up to you, my dear, since it’s your hair.” She said helplessly.

“I like it.” Ela said as she popped up behind Fog.

“Me too!” Raska agreed. “I like the black a lot more. It suits your personality.”

“Question.” Nelia interrupted before anyone else could comment on my choice of hair colour. “Who is the group of people over on that side? I’ve never seen them before.” She said, pointing to the opposite end of the space.

“Oh, those are the reinforcements sent from the Council. The Council Head himself is also here to take part in the attack.” Fog answered as he nodded in their direction.

Curiously, I tried to stand on my toes to see if I could spot this Council big shot. I was curious as to what he looked like, since Noch despised him so much. I huffed in annoyance. Everyone was taller than us and I couldn’t see anything past the mass of Order member’s arms and legs.

I let out a surprised squeak when I was suddenly picked up from behind and hoisted onto a shoulder. I looked down in surprise at Hezerial. He merely smiled up at me. “Are you able to see now, My Lady?” He asked cheerfully.

“You didn’t have to, you know?” I muttered down at him.

“I do not mind My Lady, in fact, I’m honoured to be used as your arms and legs.” His smile was blinding. Too fricken blinding. Why did he have to be so good looking?!

Without another word, he bent down, and while I was concentrating on keeping my balance, I heard an identical squeak to mine. When he straightened up again, I saw that he had picked Nelia up as well and had her sitting on his other shoulder.

I laughed and glanced around as Nelia muttered that she didn’t need to be picked up and insisted on being let down again. Hezerial was having none of it though, and insisted on being of use. While they were having that interesting debate, I took advantage of the added height and looked over the throng of people that were now practically crammed in the Atrium. The space was by no means small, but it was practically packed to the brim. I had never in my life seen so many people in the Atrium before.

As I was scanning the unfamiliar faces, I saw a group of people clustered together around a particular man not too far from us. From the way the surrounding people were interacting with him, it seemed that he held a high position in the Council. It seemed that he noticed he was being watched because in the next minute he swiveled his head and his gaze landed on mine.

He suddenly had a confused expression that turned into being perplexed before shaking his head. I had no interest in what he could be thinking, so I shrugged to myself and went about scanning the faces again. I knew Noch was supposed to start the meeting soon.

“Excuse me.” I heard a voice say from close by and looked down again to see the man I had been looking at not too long ago.

“Oh Counselor Jernok! How have you been?” Fog greeted politely from Nelia’s side.

“Ah Fog, it has been a while.” The man replied.

Wait, that man was the Head of the Council? The man that Noch didn’t like interacting with? The one that had his finger on the pulse of everything going on in all the Covens around the world?

As he and Fog exchanged pleasantries, I just couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that this extremely ordinary looking guy was so high up on the food chain.

“And who are these young bloods?” I heard the Council Head Jernok ask Fog while turning to look at Nelia and I, still sitting on Hezerial’s shoulders. Luckily, Hezerial had tucked his wings away, so he appeared as a normal person to others.

“Ah, these are our newest Members although they’ve been with us for quite a few years now. This is Nelia, Merianna and Merianna’s Guardian Hezerial.” Fog said cheerily.

Jernok looked at the three of us curiously. “So you’re a Guardian. I thought you were only a new recruit.” He said to Hezerial.

“Indeed, I am My Lady’s Guardian, Hezerial.” Hezerial replied politely. 

I tapped his shoulder to get his attention. “You can put us down now, Zerlial.” without another word or any hesitation he bent down and put both Nelia and me down.

“How old are you two?” Jernok asked curiously to Nelia, since she was closest.

“Oh, we’re both turning sixteen this summer.” She said innocently.

“Are you both here out of curiosity?” He asked with a frown.

“No, we’re here to join the infiltration and possible fight. Nelia will be standing by with the Ga’s while I go in with the groups.” I answered flatly. I knew what he was getting at. Junnie was the same when she first met me.

“Were the two of you previously associated with the Order?” He asked next with an even bigger frown. What he was obviously asking was if the two of us were with the Order in a previous life.

“No, this is our first lifetime. We’re brand new.” I answered while linking my arm in with Nelia’s.

Jernok whirled back like I had slapped him and turned his gaze sharply to Fog. “How is this possible?! How could you guys send such young children out on this type of operation?!”

“Oh, don’t worry. We’ll be perfectly fine. This is not the first time.” Nelia said nonchalantly. It was at times like these where I saw that she had a bit of my temperament as well.

Jernok on the other hand, looked like he was about ready to throw a fit.

“Don’t worry, Council Head. They are a lot more competent than what they might look like. They’ve been living and learning at the Order since they were twelve. They were also part of the battle with the dark Nirns.” Fog explained calmly.

“Yes, they can handle themselves perfectly fine. Especially the Demon Spawn over there.” Noch suddenly said, appearing from behind Fog.

Jernok stopped short for a second. “Demon Spawn? You said something similar when you left my office as well.”

“Indeed, the Demon Spawn is the black-haired twin right there.” He said, pointing directly at me.

I glared up at him. “I’d have no problem biting your finger off, so stop pointing at me. It’s rude.”

Noch guffawed and turned back to a stunned Jernok. “Don’t worry, they are capable. They have survived and passed all the tests that any of the other trainees go through multiple times.”

Jernok rubbed his forehead. “That is what worries me even more. Why didn’t you send them off to some other coven or something when they were younger?”

“We didn’t want to.” Nelia said seriously. “They gave us options, and we chose to stay. We wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“She’s right. We didn’t want to go to any coven because we weren’t raised as witches in the first place. The Order took us in and we have no regrets.” I supplied as well with a dark smirk. “Just because we’re young doesn’t mean that we’re helpless.”

“Well said Demon Spawn!” Noch said happily as Jernok seemed like he didn’t know what to think about us anymore. “Let us start this strategy meeting now, shall we? It seems everyone has arrived and are eager to get going.”

“I swear one day things’ll have to be explained properly.” Jernok muttered as he followed Noch out to the central area for the leaders.