A sense of relief washed over him that they were open to the idea. At leastpartof his goal could be achieved.
“And what of those in Spiral Haven?”
Silveria’s lips thinned momentarily. “If it’s the best option, and we’re able to make contact with Weldir to see if it’s viable, we’ll consider it. We’d like to remove the Demons from Earth if possible, and we’ll reveal ourselves to the humans in order to take back their world once we have managed to save our own. We’re aware that we have a lot to make up for there, as well as to the Anzúli who have aided us. If Spiral Haven is a start to making amends, then we’d like to go down that route.” Then Silveria clasped her hands on the table before her, as if she was done reading her notes, and met his gaze. “We have two final requests of you. Firstly, Zerik was interested in the texts you found in Tck’ith. Can you elaborate on the state of the mountain library?”
Jabez’s brow cocked, and he shifted his eyes to the man to his left. The elderly Elysian gave him a sheepish smile, his eyes hungry for knowledge and the ability to preserve it. Jabez figured he was still the head of the library here in Nyl’theria, even after all these years.
“The main area is completely decimated,” he stated, making the man’s smile fall. “However, the inner sanctum does have a few books that have survived. I will admit, my discovery of it has rapidly increased its deterioration, but I could obtain everything there easily since no Demons have ever found it.”
“Whatever you are able to procure, even if it’s just one book, I will be pleased with,” Zerik offered. “Thank you.”
“The last note on our agenda is the magic you have obtained,” Silveria stated firmly. “Merikh has recounted all he knows of your abilities and the spells he’s witnessed you use.”
“Has he now?” Jabez said with a smile, despite clenching his jaw in vexation.
“We would like for you to teach us what you can, especially the spell that protects Demons from the sun. Merikh said not only can you shield just your body, but also an entire castle. Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the Delysians within the city would be greatly appreciated.”
“I will teach you everything that I’m willing,” Jabez answered, lifting his chin defiantly. “Much of what I’ve learned would be considered taboo, cursed, or wrong – such as the ability to transplant body parts to myself in order to regenerate limbs. I also won’t teach anyone how to teleport.”
“Why not?” Ulric snapped out, bashing the side of his fist against his tabletop.
“It’s always good to keep your most valuable attribute close to your chest,” Jabez stated with a dull expression and his lids lowering in disinterest. “I like being powerful and needed. Makes me feel important.”
He pushed his bottom lip forward to feign a pout and fluttered his eyes coyly.
When Ulric opened his mouth to be pissy, Silveria quickly spoke before him.
“Agreed. We already discussed the possibility of you rejecting such a request, so the fact that you are willing to teach us some things is better than we hoped for. Your sun barrier is what we are most interested in, although your ability to create stable portals with nothing but a wave of your hand is also high on our priority list.”
“I don’t think you will be pleased if I reveal the main requirement for such magic,” Jabez answered, and sheepishlyaverted his gaze to the ceiling. “You may throw us from the city once you learn of it.”
A few of the councilmembers shared wary looks due to his dark, humour-filled tone.
Silveria waved her hand towards Mericato, and the soundproofing dome from the first meeting enclosed them. They had a quick conversation in private amongst the council to discuss what he’d said. Once they were done, it disappeared.
“If you’re willing to share it, we have agreed that we’ll overlook it and our approval will still stand,” Silveria stated.
“I have your vow on that?” Jabez asked, and she confirmed. “It requires the use of gilded ore.”
Ulric stood so fast that his chair knocked back and crashed against the ground, then he bashed both his palms against the table. “That’s sacrilege! No one is allowed to touch the Gilded Maiden’s tears! To mine such ore is one of the few restrictions the deities have placed upon us.”
“She is a goddesse who rules over Elysians, not Demons,” Jabez told him, his grin widening.
“You are an Elf, whether you accept it or not!”
“And yet here I kneel, unscathed,” Jabez rebuffed. “In order to control such chaotic magic, you need a power source strong enough to withstand it. I also used such ore to extend the life of a human well beyond her years, something considered impossible with a regular mana stone.”
The ore itself was difficult to mine, and its metal was so soft that it dripped like tears when touched. The moment he touched it, his hands had started to decay and his veins had blackened like flaming ink had slipped inside his bloodstream. He’d torn his own forearm off to prevent it from infecting the rest of his body, and it’d taken him multiple attempts at finding a material that could withstand it. Solidifying it was also difficult, and Jabez had success using only a tiny amount mixed with othermetals. Once combined with other ore and the aid of prolonged stabilising magic, it was usable.
At the ashen, sickened expressions in the chamber, he brought his head forward to meet Silveria’s annoyed gaze. “You made a vow, or is the word of your people so hollow?”
“We can’t allow this,” Ulric bit. “He will curse us all for such actions. The Gilded Maiden will not look down on us favourably should we allow such wickedness into our city.”
“Sit down,” Cleth demanded at the man, before folding their arms and leaning back. “You did say you were cunning. You knew we would be outraged, yet you still dared to speak the truth while forcing us into a corner.”
“Is there anything else?” Jabez asked, tilting his head condescendingly. “I tire of being in this stuffy chamber.”
“No,” Silveria said as she motioned to another councilmember. They promptly stood to walk towards the exit doors. “Upon entry into the city, we provide everyone with a home and their own personal pouch of coin. You are free to go, but remember what we spoke about here today, Jabeziryth, and remember, we will be watching you closely.”