Bab 92: Antani Tells All

If Antani wanted for her mother to approve of them, then she must tell all. About how she spent months in the underdark within Ellamir's care, how she fought for Ellamir's honor, Ellamir giving her freedom back, and finally becoming high ranking adventurers. All in all, Antani's point was that Ellamir isn't as wicked as the rest of her brethren, and she promised to leave their sadistic ways once Antani had given birth to their child.

"Hold on, are you telling me that you're planning on carrying that woman's spawn?" Alara interjected, the limits of her will was already being tested by listening to Antani's sappy tale but did her little sister just mention having a child?

"Have you been listening to what I've told you, sister? We are in love, it's only natural for us to want to have a family." Antani suddenly smirked, "Maybe one day you'll be able to experience such bliss when you have a lover of your own."

Alara merely laughed off her sister's condescending remark. Bliss? Alara would attain it once she had been crowned queen come next year, she has no time for paltriness such as 'romance'. There are as many ways of life as there are living beings, it just so happened that Alara's way was to devote all her time into training and studying from her mother how to become the perfect queen. In Alara's point of view, finding romance was of little importance. Even more, if all it does is make you crazy and blind like her little sister, then love can go fuck itself.

"I have no need for cheap bliss." Alara's gaze became transfixed on their mother upon the throne. "Mother, can you please talk some sense into this deluded fool?"

Ysbeil sighed. What cruel mischief Artemis had played upon Ysbeil for choosing to withhold this crucial information. Maybe Antani's explanation didn't hold that much weight because it was simply told? Ysbeil wasn't really buying her daughter being with this Ellamir.

"Antani, I am glad that you have returned to us, and I recognize your independence to make your own decisions but…will you truly not reconsider having this dark elf as your lover? She gave you your freedom, take it and return back to us." The Queen questioned.

Betrayal and disappointment marred Antani's demeanor, Antani thought her mother would understand, but like her sister she would prefer her and Ellamir to be apart.

"Mother, It's like you didn't listen to a word I just said, I love Ellamir."

The Queen gestured her hand underneath her chin. Ysbeil remained calm amidst the trepidation, a Hallmark of graceful Queen under pressure. How then, should she respond?

Banish her beloved daughter who had finally returned after one long year?

Order Ellamir's execution and forever earn Antani's scorn?

Or simply just let it be and let unrest pervade amongst their entire tribe because of the dark elf in their midst?

Or she could use the information that Artemis had provided in order to temporarily keep the buzz around the dark elf with an even greater one, opening up a fourth option…

And besides, overconfidence is a vice for the strong, Alara would have to learn this the hard way if she is truly fated to lead them.

"Is that the sole reason for your return, to participate in the festival?" The Queen goaded.

"No, there is another…"

Ysbeil saw, no - Ysbeil felt the determination through Antani's gaze, making the Queen break into a smirk. It was the hunger, the drive, the desire to become the next one to sit upon where Ysbeil is sitting right now. It was Antani's want to be the next Queen.

"...I wish to invoke the right of succession."

Hearing those words come out from Antani's mouth was even more ludicrous than the proposition of carrying the dark elf's child. Was her little sister serious? Is this a changeling wearing the guise of Antani?

"Are you fucking kidding me right now, Antani? You know I'm gonna have to kill you if you invoke that!?"

Their fistfight from earlier was just the tip of the iceberg, the magnitude of their fight would be different once they are armed with their preferred weapons.

The fight ends only when one of the two royal combatants surrenders or gets their life snuffed out. And none of the two will consider the former.

"So arrogant of you to assume I'm the one going down. Or maybe you're just afraid of me finally taking over the throne?"

"Afraid of you? I would impale you with my spear in front of the whole tribe!"

It seems the two are already getting heated, it was time for Ysbeil to step in or their succession fight might happen prematurely.

The Queen suddenly stood from her chair.

"By Artemis' authority, the right of succession should be held tonight, with all of the 7 tribes as a witness. Both of you, prepare and we will meet at the arena once the sun sets."

+++

The room that Moja had escorted the party to was spacious enough to contain beds for all 6 of them, with Zarg being escorted to a special stable for other mounts.

"I can't believe Antani's sister just knocked you out in one punch." Stefano teased with a chuckle.

Unfortunately, Ellamir would have taken this jab in stride but with her mood more sour than fermented plum, it wasn't the wisest the cleric could have done.

"Shut up or I'm going to show you firsthand what it feels like."

"Like I said, that was a cheapshot. Curse that giantess for resorting to trickery!"

The door opened to reveal Antani. Her smile, brimming with confidence.

The one to greet her first was Yulia, "Your sister seems pretty strong."

"Sorry, Yulia, but I'm first in line."

"That's a shame, then how about your mother?"

Gloria squinted, why does it seem like the tiefling wasn't simply looking for a fight?

"I'm going to tell Magna." Gloria warned.

"You're going to tell her what!? I was looking for a sparring partner, it's been a while since I had a good fight!" Yulia can't believe she has to explain to the mermaid that her intent was clearly to do battle, for the thrill of combat! Although the tiefling had to admit, Antani's mother was pretty hot, 'Aged like fine wine' is how Yulia would put it. Still, Yulia may like to sleep around, but being unfaithful is where she draws the line.

"It better be."

Meanwhile, Antani sat next to the edge of the bed where Ellamir sulked.

"You seem awfully quiet, anything wrong?"

Ellamir gazed at her lover straight in the eyes and said, "I want to murder your sister."

Antani giggled while running her fingers through her lover's freshly healed, good as new nose, "Don't worry, I'll avenge this pretty little nose of yours."

"It's not only about that, Antani. She dismissed our relationship, our love for each other."

"Let her, we can't win over everyone. It definitely hurts coming from my own sister but…" Antani laid both of her hands on her lover's head, bumping their foreheads. "...Alara can dismiss us all she wants, what's important is that we have each other."

Antani gave Ellamir a kiss, not only to soothe the dark elf, but to calm herself as well. To hold at bay the fear of going against her sister and her spear. The next time that they would face each other, one of them might not make it out alive.

Fearful she might be, Antani was going to make sure that her promise with Ellamir would be fulfilled.