Terlin leaned back in his root-grown throne, resting his head against the high-backed seat as he stared across the empty Harkhall. It was just him in here now, along with the Greater Fae that inhabited the Harkcrystal, of course. The crystal hung suspended from a collection of thick roots, gently pulsing with a soft yellow glow that lit up the chamber. These same roots made up the entirety of the chamber, they were interwoven with one another, making up the floor, ceiling and walls. His throne, once the Harkmother's, sat above a deep pit beneath the Harkcrystal, where those seeking an audience with him could be brought in the blink of an eye.
Which is what happened to his long lost sister, Belaine. He'd thought she had perished in the Fiendwood, as had been his plan all those millennia ago. It was regrettable, but he had needed to secure his place as heir of the Fire-Eyes clan, doing so meant being rid of his elder sister. Her pride had only needed to be stoked by Terlin to convince her that she could slay Kazon, and like the arrogant fool she was, she had believed him.
Yet she was not supposed to have returned from such an expedition, especially not after a thousand years of absence. Her survival should have been impossible, but the reasoning for it had soon been revealed to him. She'd been forcibly turned into a Fiend, being cured once Hoplite, or Jason as he was now calling himself, had helped lay the Lord of Hate low. Fear had bubbled up in his chest at hearing that Jason had survived, and not only that- had made it back to the Fiendwall.
The old Spiral Queen's prophecy repeated itself in his mind, "Clad in the metal of the stars he will come, without face, without respect for your ways. He will come, bearing weapons unheard and being short of word. He will come, to burn the tree and to bring death to thee, Terlin Fire-Eyes, this is what I see."
He grit his orcish teeth as he thought on how to proceed. Still in possession of Tuji's body, he'd be able to hold his own against Jason… but the prophecy warned that he would still kill him, not only that, he'd burn the Ilum Tree. A battle with Jason must be avoided at all costs, and so he had sent Belaine, along with some of his most trusted elves, to go and exile the Fiendwallers. He'd been planning to do so from the start of his reign, but other issues had needed to be taken care of first.
Once the Fiendwallers were gone, Jason would likely go with them, along with that loose-leaf Lancela. If that failed, then he would grant them passage, just this once, to peacefully leave through the Faewood, never to return. Conflict with Jason was the last thing he wanted, Terlin would not fulfill that prophecy, if he needed to bend his own rules to do so, then very well.
Belaine would be able to mediate things well enough between Jason and the Watchers hopefully. His men had assured him that they would handle exiling the Fiendwallers with swift efficiency as well, and once that was done, the Watchers would reclaim the wall for the Faewood. Their armaments should do well enough to route them, hopefully.
A voice then grumbled in the back of his mind, deep and guttural, "You're a fool." Tuji's voice resonated, "Once Hoplite sees what you have done, sees that you've stolen his weapons, he'll come here to slay you and free my soul."
"Quiet." Terlin ordered, forcing the half-orc back down into the recesses of his mind.
Tuji was growing stronger lately, able to make his thoughts known now, much to Terlin's irritation. It was good that his mind could not be touched by the Pillar-Born's madness, else he may not be able to rule effectively. A sick smile touched his lips then as his crimson eyes stared into nothing.
It was his right to rule, it always had been- he'd be king, and so much more in time, it was his destiny. He blinked, coming back to himself with a sigh. Tuji was right, Jason could potentially become irate with how he'd seized his weaponry, but with his elves armed, that would give him pause. Jason's armor was strong, but surely it couldn't stop the bullets these thunderstaves could propel. The threat of being shot should be enough to convince him to comply, and if not… then Terlin would face him.
But not here, not at the Ilum tree. Doing so would bring disaster-
Suddenly, a Day-Watcher appeared, gasping as he fell to one knee, "King Terlin! I have horrible news!"
Terlin's eyes widened, "Out with it." He ordered.
"L-lady Belaine, along with the Watcher's you sent-" He gulped, holding up a bloody piece of torn crimson cloth.
A piece of Belaine's robe?
"They were all killed by Hoplite!" The Watcher declared, shaking his head, "I'm so sorry."
Terlin stood, "He did what!?" Terlin shouted, fear overwhelming his anger.
He kept his composure though, at least outwardly. Was Jason on the way here now? If so then he needed to get out of the Ilum Tree immediately. It had been over two weeks since he'd sent Belaine out to do his bidding, she should have returned two days ago, but he'd simply chalked up the delay to difficulties in travel, the rainy season was in full swing, after all.
The elf continued to stare up at him, mouth working but words failing him, "I asked you a question." Terlin growled.
"His squire said as much, t-that the contingent you sent had been slaughtered by him." The Watcher said, anger becoming clear in his tone, "The Outworlder Michael, he sent this as a warning." He said, holding up the tattered piece of Belaine's robe for him to see, "'Leave the Fiendwall alone, or Hoplite will launch an attack on the Bastion' is what he told me."
The loss of Belaine didn't ache his heart nearly as much as he thought it would, or perhaps it was due to the fear he felt in his heart. If Hoplite could slay Belaine- no, no he could not feel terror. He had an oceans worth of Foundation while in this body, along with the might of a Son of Zodd. This situation needed to be handled delicately, else it will spiral out of his control. The prophecy must not come to fruition, no matter the cost.
"Tell our army that we must prepare to drive them out," Terlin ordered, "But do not attack them without my order, understood?"
"Yes my King but…" The Watcher hesitated.
"Speak." Terlin glared.
"...Why don't you go to slay Hoplite right now?" He asked, "Surely with how mighty you've become-"
Terlin silenced him with a raised hand, "I need time to plan out my vengeance for my dearly departed sister." Terlin lied, "Hoplite must suffer, not be killed immediately. Therefore I must consider my options."
"Of course sire." He bowed again
Terlin could not let it be known that he feared Jason, doing so would threaten his integrity as a ruler. He was about to sever ties with Akan-Dar, doing so would mean maintaining an air of ultimate power, not only to the humans, but to his own subjects. Following all that, he would turn his wrath upon Umant, and slay Creetan once and for all, freeing the Clipped from servitude.
A smile creased his face once again… he would be a hero in the eyes of his people-
"I will take my leave now, unless there is another order you deign to give me?" The Watcher asked.
"Take the Watcher's oath of silence and ensure the others you spread word too also take this oath. Ensure that no one outside of the Watcher's hear about what Hoplite has done, understood?" Terlin asked.
"Yes sire." The Watcher bowed, giving his oath, before blinking out of existence.
Terlin ran a hand down his face, letting out a sigh. Spreading the word of Belaine's murder would no doubt rally the people against Hoplite, but then the same question of 'Why not kill him now' would likely be asked of him. It would be best to ensure the people remain ignorant for now.
Still, there had to be something he could do to retaliate, some way to exact vengeance upon the Fiendwallers for deigning to defy him. A sick grin spread across his face again as realization struck him.
There would be no need to do so, Grayshaner caravans could no longer pass through the Faewood, meaning the Fiendwallers would eventually starve to death or relocate themselves closer to the Shot in order to fish for food. They were on borrowed time.