Lizarbecue

Ch.

After exiting from the second elder's chamber Leonard walked through the long hallway to go to the third elder's chamber. Turning to his left he walked pass the chamber for the second and third elder's assistant, and straight up to the end wall where a human size portrait was there occupying the wall.

The portrait was of a huge tree in the middle of an island like with a bridge, which the island was in the middle of a lake. The huge tree bears so many flowers with different colours and its petals were transparent like glass. The portrait shows a tea table set up with six chairs underneath the huge tree, and there were nine people in total smiling including a small boy on the other side leaning the huge white beast like winter cat, bigger than of human size napping. And there were one bed covered in petals and some plants crawled its way on the bed foot beside the napping beast. On the bed lays a lady with her eyes closed. Her skin was as pale as white as the snow in northern land. Her hair was long and shiny like silk, and gold in colour. She was like sleeping there peacefully like- without any care of her surroundings.

It was a detailed painting of a place which no one would believe it to be a real place, but he, Leonard knows that the place on the portrait was a real place as he went and been there quite often in the past.

Leonard's mouth twitched upward facing the painting infront of him. He had told his sister before to take it off as its huge and not suited in the council wall, but as stubbornness runs in the family; the portrait was still on the wall. Not took out or even changed.

He then heard noises and foot step behind him walking nearer, and he turned, hence, he already knew who it was.

"What were you doing standing at the door front?" He heard Aaliyah asked walking towards him with the others. "Enjoying the painting?"

"It seems she didn't take it off after all.", commented Miss Laùreth Élburgh upon seeing the painting. "Fascinated by Lifpà's gift as always. Its truly beautiful."

"Indeed, and yet disturbing at the same time." he said turning back his gaze at the portrait.

Aaliyah was walking infront beside Thashie and Karlt, and behind them were the others: Miss Laùreth Élburgh, Faljha, Mister Armzile- the man with an eyepatch, and Zamier with his sister Bellatrixe, Ulysses and Eilwe who's helping August, and Herdille- the scars man on his neck and arms.

"It seems all is here." He observed.

"Their're here to see the mark on your eyes.", said Thashie nonchalantly making the others confused and intrigued. "It is worth to see."

Walking towards her, Leonard lift her chin up with his slender fingers and their eyes met, leaning forward to her, "They're not worthy to even have a glimpse of it- of what you saw.", he said, and he could see Thashie's lips twitched as she just stood there doing eye to eye with him. "You cannot embarrassed me, darling."

"Oh. That so..." Without warning Thashie stumped on his foot hard and shoved him into the painting and vanished. "Get inside already! Stop looking the past, you gormless one."

"Really, Thashie! Tu melius gratias ago quod te amo, non obstante importunus me!"

They then heard the voice complaining on the other side which made those who understood to giggled, and they all went following Karlt, Aaliyah who just smiled, Bellatrixe who laughed, Thashie whose face seems annoyed but turn into light pink, and Miss Laùreth who teased the girl as they went inside the third elder's chamber.

* * * * * * * * * *

As the others left the room Elder Avis then sank down in his chair behind his desk unbuttoning two of his stained white long sleeves shirt. He took a files in the drawer under his desk and passed it on the two man who still in his chamber along with Prince Chervil, Céllistáh, and Lady Marvella who still didn't left and have some conversations with themselves.

"Give this files to Lady Velsa and ask her to check it and send it back to me." He said glancing at the prince and the others as he notes the prince was stealing glances at their direction- like his observing them. Elder Avis twitched his lips at that, 'No wonder that man wants this guy.', he thought. "She knows what she needs to do with it."

After taking the files from the second elder one of the man said, "Sir, Lady Aria asked me to pass a message for you,", Elder Avis nod and asked the man to continue, and the man says, "She said, the preparation was done for the Hollow Banquet and the invitations will be sent out in four days, while the invitations to the nobles and aristocrats of our two lands will be sent overmorrow by Miss Clairry and Miss Brooklyn."

Elder Avis nodded. "Hitpose, when you go down to the seventh floor ask Mister Wiley about the investigation occurring in Dylarianion and McQuaid about the thirty-eight missing young ladies in total now, aged fifteen to twenty-one to keep investigating until further notice along with the two special elites that the third elder will be assigning to them.", he said. His gaze then turned to the other man, and he said, "Henryson, please ask Mytilus to inform everyone in the crews except those who were here awhile ago."

"Yes, Sir elder.", said the man named Henryson, while the other one named Hitpose just nodded and the two bowed then left closing the double door of the room as Elder Avis dismissed them.

"Lady Marvella,", called the second elder that made the lady to turn at his direction, "Why you didn't go with them?"

"Come now my love,", said Lady Marvella smiling and wave her hand in the air, "Ought I always stay with them? Nay! I am planning of venturing the town with Lady Brooklyn."

"Tonight?"

She nodded. "Indeed. Tonight at Tempest Zik Street.", she said and winked.

A knock came and the door opened slightly then Miss Brooklyn's head popped inside who smile at them. "Apologies for the disturbance. Lady Marvella I'm done with my tasks here. I shall accompany you now."

"Oh, Okay!" Marvella then stood up immediately and said her goodbye to Elder Avis, Céllistáh and Prince Chervil who just nodded, and she's gone.

"I'll just go and change my shirt." After the lady's gone Elder Avis stood up and went at the side where there's a divider used for changing clothes. While changing he said, "Too much question in mind right now. Am I right, Your Highness? Lady Céllistáh? Unfortunately, though there are questions that I can not answer myself for I don't really know. So, at that I apologize in advance. And my advice for your curious mind is that you open and read the letter from your grandfather and make your decision clearly, and the rest will come to you."

Chervil and Céllistáh knew it by now that it would be the same as with Ulysses. Céllistáh sigh as it never happened before. Its some kind of puzzle which her friend's grandfather wants him to continue, thus, by then, solve it... with the guarantee of unknown..?

"Second elder, what is your involvement with these all?" Céllistáh asked as Elder Avis walk out of the changing divider unto the long table where she and Chervil sat. "I don't believe you don't have any involvement in this matter, Sir."

Avis then sat down looking at Céllistáh before he open his mouth, "That I have, Lady Céllistáh. Though my only involvement was to agree on what they discussed, and with what I know was right of that time that also would benefit the future which is this now. And safekeep things that I should be going to deliver, so does the letter from His Highness grandfather... Thus to some others too."

Chervil was on his own reverie about Leonard which he somehow saw those eyes before from someone whom he'd acquainted long ago on his youth as just like the man on the portrait outside the second elder's chamber. And thus, he remain silent.

"How about his grandmother then?", asked Céllistáh again. "Was the former Queen knew of this?"

She doesn't understand things quite well regarding the agreements of the past. She's trying to weight off something in her head which her elder sister said to her before which involves the former Arch-Queen, and thus, she keeps asking about the former Queen involvement with the matters.

Elder Avis thought for sometimes and proceed on saying looking directly at them, "I am might be older than you, and yet I am much younger than your grandparents. The affirmation that you're seeking from me shall be answers by the former Queen. Your grandmother, the former Arch-Queen was and is the foundation of the former Arch-King's decision making that lead to this current one."

"Why it have to be with his grandmother? Why couldn't you just tell him?", asked Céllistáh again almost becoming agitated. "And those thing they did. How could they do it? What kind of abilities were those? I knew you-"

"Enough, Céllist."

Chervil who had enough of Céllistáh questioning the second elder who as he observed was being patient with such so many questions thrown at him which he knew that wasn't like the second elder. He just cut off his reverie and focus on the one infront of him. Looking at the second elder he reminded himself of Dion's lazy and yet powerful demeanor, or it was Dion whom he remembered of the second elder.

"I have a question. I also asked Ulysses about it awhile back, but he didn't gave me satisfaction replied." He proceeded on saying and saw the second elder nodded at him. "Can you tell me about the third elder? Anything, as to why my grandparents put their trust on this myth of an elder?"

At that elder Avis sip the coffee-blood on the table that was prepared earlier which is cold by now.

"The third elder was not a myth.", he said after sipping his cold coffee. "The third elder's family or those few connected to their families whom they trusted who were the only ones that can tell which person is of the title. The third elder's families are living just like the citizens of this empire. Watching all and helping people their own way. They're living as normal people with wealth and power in their hands but instead of boosting it to everyone, they hide it from everyone and just let few known. Whom they trusts. They weren't that greedy people. Thus, that's why they were intrusted by the former ruler, your grandparents."

"And those they did?", questioned Chervil. "Were those magic?"

"Yes. And no." Elder Avis supporting his chin with both his hands while explaining to them. "Yes. August used some sort of illusion spell which made it alive in some way. He used water and wind. Water for live reflection images and wind to carry the actual sound. However, the very foundation of the water mirror spell was what Thashie did. And no. Thashie didn't used spell, but her own gift as what we call it. But they call it endowment or inborn gifts. Though unlike us who only has one gift, the endowments person can have two or more abilities—unique ones. The thing Thashie used was part of her endowment. The art of arcade; Landscape replication."

He took out his pocket watch and look at the time then sigh inwardly. He wasn't used being questions and his tolerance was so low when it comes to it, but here he was answering questions. It feels like an interrogation from the prince to him. He sigh again inwardly. "What they did earlier was just an example to your Highness, and Lady Céllistáh not to be oblivious in the future... if they are to do it again."

He couldn't help but think about a few weeks ago when he loses the bet of chess against the third elder's youngest siblings; And thus, the punishment was whoever loses the game should obey whatever the winner would to ask. He was so confident that he could win but it only took three steps and he loses, therefore, this is they asked of him as a punishment. They knew that he is not fond of this punishment if it weren't for the elder's youngest sibling he wouldn't agreed with this arrangements. He could only sigh thinking about it.

"Were they like us? Vampires?", asked Céllistáh looking at the elder in front of them speaking like it was just an old story to him. "Or humans perhaps."

"Yes, perhaps... They are. And they are not."

Chervil frown leaning forward the table, "What do you mean by perhaps they are, and they are not?"

"The third elder and their direct family weren't really Vampires, hence, some.. no. They are the oldest of old souls thing. A human, they are. I cannot tell you what's their specific line, because I'm sworned to secrecy along with the others. However, almost those under the third elder's command were vampires. There's also what they called Normal, Halfling, Highbreed, Changeling, Pureblood. It categorizes like that by the third elder." The second elder said in not so clear statement, "And asides from that I could not say more about the categorising thing as only the third elder can answers all about those subjects."

"How about Princess Aaliyah, Zamier and the others?", Céllistáh couldn't help but asked while pointing at the door. "The painting on the wall outside? My father was there too."

"Ah, I see.. You mean the portrait outside. I think you already have the answers to that. Didn't you Lady Céllistáh? Your Highness?", answered elder Avis. "Your father along with the others were acquainted with the third elder. Leonard, and those who went out following him earlier were the ones who had close connections with his family, along side with your grandparents and few of your friends. They knows the third elder as I did."

"Then, why not us?", questioned the Prince.

"That's because of the chaos happened fifty more years ago. In order for them to live and have just a little peace they withdraw from public, tho not completely since they have an obligation in the society. And thus, they locked in the memoir of some of their acquaintances to safekeep what they needs to keep and protect. Since our priorities is to protect what the third elder is protecting. And no more questioning since I can not answer what you're about to ask.", said the second elder annoyed of his situation now.

"So you have knowledge about the third elder.", said Lady Céllistáh astonished.

"That I have..." Elder Avis sip his coffee nonchalantly and look at them seriously. "Because I am relatively related to them. I have ties with them thru my father's blood line."

After talking to them for another hour answering their questions while also explaining what has to be explained; Elder Avis stood up immediately and walked out of his chamber as his done what he has to say, and thus left Chervil and Céllistáh there as the two were pondering over the informations they learned.

Chervil could only thought, 'My grandparents arranged everything with very little information...' Taking out the envelope from his suit pocket he looked at it for a while, turning it before he open it carefully to read whist glancing at Céllistáh who

nodded at him.

{Chervil, my most precious grandson... This might be confusing to you since I will let you decide on your own with the future of this empire, but I think and I know that you can do it. You can change this empire to a most better one- better than what I, or your grandmother has achieved. You can do it! I believe in you, and your grandmother too.

And if you received this letter it means that the things we did in our times had become fruitful at your time. Our friends and family will help you with everything they can do; Hence, only when you decide to continue what we started... However, if you don't continue where we left... this very empire won't be ruled by you or any descendants of our family bloodlines. This isn't a condition that I made with them- my friends, but I knew how capable they were and they will act for what's best for the people of this very land. Therefore, act accordingly with what your instinct tells you and the rest will follow.

Chervil, I'll give you my full trust with everything because I see it in you since you were young, and I am proud of what decision you will make. Take care of yourself and your siblings.

P.S. Son, I'll tell you the truth about things you should know, however, this letter was not it. I safe-keept it on the library of your mansion, the book of your grandmother's favourite. I knew you know what book it is, thus, look for it and inside it was my true letter about the reason of this matter now that you face.}

* * * * * * * * * *

When all of them got inside they all settled where they want to.

Laùreth sat and settled herself by the window where there's a table with one chair, and on the table was a four layer of books, parchments with some written notes on it, a bottle full of ink, and a feather used for writing. And there's also a large rectangular transparent glass filled with water; and inside the glass full of water were sea sand and plant- plants that could only grow under water, and ten different kinds and sizes of underwater animals such as seahorses, starfish, tabios fish, jellyfish, and an angelfish which she remembered. It was called "Terrarium" by the third elder which she recalled, and she guessed that only them in the entire land has it.

She's been here often in the past along with Aaliyah. She looked around the room and noticed nothing much has changed except for the wallpaper which they regularly change every ten to fifteen years. And this time, Laùreth observed, the wallpaper were white and gold with magnolia flower designs.

The table where the third elder would have works were on a pavement side where Karlt, Leonard and Faljha were. There's four big bookshelves on one side of the entrance while on other side were like a small pantry table that has foods and drinks, and a long table with twelve chairs on the other side of the room. And at the center were a two sets of furniture where August was being laid down on one of it, while the other one there's a set of cards and a set of chess for playing; and there's big and small sizes of pots and vases with flowers too.

Laùreth looked where they entered. The entranceway inside the chamber were noticeable and visible to see: the gold arch like roots were there, and in the center of the two adjoining archs were empty black with blue like dust glimmering the black surface. She could only smile to herself remembering the past; when she was being shoved to the wall by Lady Brooklyn to get inside when all she saw was only the huge painting of such place on the wall. And she wasn't aware of the wall way the first time because they would used the teleportation system always, and not by coming through the Q Court entrance.

The portrait really was an entrance to the third elder's chamber, and it was just there as a sign where the correct door were as it is a way without an actual door that you can open and close. Without the huge painting on the wall as a sign no one could tell which side of the wall where there's a wall entrance. The third elder's doorway was an invisible one, and thus, only those who knew where and knows how to activate the entrance into the chamber could get in, even without the third elder's permission or the assistant as a guide. Thus, the chamber was always open and yet close; always close and yet open.

Bellatrixe then went to the pantry area where there're different kind of fruits, cakes, cupcakes, breads, candies and chocolates. And different kind of drinks were there too.

Laùreth who observed the girl as she stuffed some sweets in her dress pockets couldn't help but smile. "Slowly with those sweets, honey.", she whispered which only Bellatrixe could heard. "Its not good if your brother finds out. And certainly not good for your health."

Bellatrixe froze turning to Laùreth who smiled at her amused. She turn to look at her big brother who's busy helping Leonard and the others arrange those documents. She then saw Leonard look at her with a smile and just winked before talking to Karlt and Zamier.

Thashie also went to the pantry area to get some drinks when she saw what's going on and just ignored it. She then walk to Bellatrixe and hand her a pouch in secret as she whisper, "Bring more and share it with others." She winked at her before going back to where Eilwe, Mister Armzile and August who's still weak and laying on the long couch.

Taking the drinks from Thashie, Eilwe handed one to August who smell it first before sitting up and drinking it.

"You really exerted your force this time.", said Eilwe after sipping his glass of bloodwine.

"Yeah.", said August weakly. "Water mirror reflection spell wasn't my forte. It just that I'm the only one who can manipulate nature without much restriction."

Eilwe and August then smile teasingly looking at Thashie who already know what the two fools were thinking. They were communicating with their eyes.

"Seems like the medicine were effective wasn't it, Thashie.", August said smiling after sipping his drink. "Or... Was it the one who gave you the medicine were the only real medicine whom you really need."

Ignoring them Thashie just rolled her eyes thinking, 'These two wants to become barbecue.'

"I didn't know that it would affect your physical state in anyway.", said Eilwe while smiling. "Well, since it was your endowment."

Walking to them from the book shelf Herdille eying Eilwe and August, telling them not to make fun of the girl, however, they just ignore him and continue teasing the girl. Herdille sat down at Mister Armzile single couch holding a book. They're just looking the scene hoping it won't escalate to chaotic one.

"Must I say your acting was good.", winked August at Thashie. "Seems Marvella have to pursue you on acting career."

"Oh August," Eilwe second him while smiling. "She's so good at it, tho, she only perform in private."

"Oh my.. Oh my.", said August still teasing the girl. "Looks like not only your special endowments that shouldn't look over with, hence, also the still on other areas too. Hoh ho..! I should have known! Hahah!

The atmosphere surrounding them becoming hotter and hotter which Eilwe could feel, but some how he was shivering. He then elbowed August to make him stop, however, doesn't understand him and keep teasing Thashie.

"Oh la lah!", exclaimed August in a teased way and wiggling his brows like having another meaning, "Unfortunately I can not make request. You're an exclusive one after all."

"Umm, Sir Leo... Is it okay that we left everything on Elder Neithan?", ignoring the three Mister Armzile questioned while sitting down on a single couch eyeing Leonard at the pavement side where the third elder's table who was with Faljha, Zamier and Karlt as they're going thru some documents ignoring their companions. "Thou art knoweth for sure that those two children would ask questions regarding thou and thine family."

"Well, It's time for Neith to practice answering questions rather than he always asking ever since he became an elder of interrogation." said Leonard while stamping some documents which Karlt and Faljha handed over to Zamier to read and sort before passing it to Leonard as some of it needs the actual signature of the third elder. "And besides, he's one closer to us other than August, Docellia, Ulysses and some of those royal family of Dylarianion Kingdom. Neithan is much more relatively know of us aside from August. And August isn't that known unlike Neithan who's an elder and part of the council, hence, much his more acquainted with the current royal family. He, so knoweth what to say and what not to say to them."

"I know but-HEY! DON'T-Lady THASHIE!"

"I ALREADY KNOW THIS COULD HAPPEN! DAMN!"

"Thashie! THASHIE! WAIT!" Eilwe pleaded the girl. "FOR-FORGIVE ME PLEASE! WAIT!!!"

Leonard look up immediately when they scream and saw the scene which he couldn't help but chuckled looking at them trying to stop one girl from tossing two lizard into the blue flame there on the fireplace which she created earlier when they entered.

"AUGUST! THIS IS YOUR FAULT! DARN IT!"

"Lady Thashie!!! PLEASE!" Herdille said trying his might to block the way. "DON'T!"

"No! IT'S YOUR DAMN FAULT!" August then scream a prayer, "OH, MY DEAR FATHER WHO'S ART IN THE REALM OF THE DEEPEST FIELD OF GRASSY GREEN PLACE, HELP AND SAVE YOUR PRECIOUS GORGEOUS SON! PLEASE!"

"Oh gorgeous SON OF A Bitsh, AUGUST! WHAT KIND OF PRAYER WAS THAT!"

"Sir! SIR LEONARD! A LITTLE HELP HERE PLEASE!", cried out Mister Armzile while hugging Thashie to stop her but all he got was a chuckles. And the girl hit him with the two lizard who's screaming like maniacs in her hand as she was tossing them left and right while holding them on their tail. "Ouch! Ouch! Sir! PLEASE! Ouch!"

"Ouch! Ouch! THATS HURTS! HEY HELP, RAI!" Eilwe complained. "Its HURT, THASHIE! Ouch!"

Zamier, Laùreth and Ulysses went to help along with Herdille and Mister Armzile who's struggling to stop the girl, but even five of them they are still struggling to stop Thashie there who's skills and strength were beyond humans of her age.

"Ouch! That's the BEST PRAYER TAUGHT TO ME! PLEASE HELP, RAI!! LEONARD!"

"Ouch! Ouch! DARN IT! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT, AUGUST!"

The hilarious thing was that the two lizard were screaming and crying in human language while putting the blame on each other.

"They never learned." Faljha sigh and shrugged, while Karlt sigh looking at the chaotic scene infront of them.

On the side Aaliyah and Bellatrixe was laughing hard watching them along with Leonard. While the white cat was unbothered by the chaotic noise there as she continue to nap beside the Terrarium glass.