“You look so, um, young for an elder,” said Elron, his gaze lingering a little too long on the red-haired elf seated before him.

  Viona blushed, a playful snicker escaping her lips. “You flatter me, but I’m four hundred and two this year, my lord.”

  Elron carefully aligned the stack of papers in front of him, every edge perfectly straight. “Ha, well, I suppose the years don’t truly show until after five hundred. And there's no need to call me 'lord,' Viona. We can speak as equals here,” he said, his voice carrying an undercurrent of respect as he felt the potent magic she wielded. It was almost tangible in the air around her.

  She crossed her legs slowly, her eyes locking on his. “Well, thank you.” Viona tapped her cheek thoughtfully before continuing. “verything you have presented is sound, and whoever wrote it up is well versed. However…”

  “However, what?” Elron’s tone sharpened, his curiosity piqued.

  “There are some underlying issues. Take the two who fought in the village center yesterday. Once the human knew he was going to lose his shop and everything he held dear to the other blacksmith, he lashed out, attacking you. Now, imagine that scenario playing out across the kingdom—millions facing the same fate, in a land that takes half a year to traverse by elkback.”

  Elron’s expression hardened. “There are some clear issues with implementing some of the changes, most definitely.”

  Viona smiled at him, though there was something almost condescending in her gaze. “That’s putting it mildly.” She ran a finger absently in a circle on the table. “There is so much you just don’t know.”

  “I understand—”

  “Do you know how your father became the first king of the elves?” she interrupted, leaning forward, her chin resting in her palm.

  Elron blinked, momentarily thrown back by the simple question. “Well, he won the war against the humans to the north, and the people crowned him king.”

  Viona chuckled softly, shaking her head. “No, no. The king was not crowned by the people. These lands, where elves lived wild and free, had no king, no kingdom, for tens of thousands of years.” She flipped her hair out of her face, her voice lowering. “The idea of a king—that’s such a human concept.”

  Elron’s brow furrowed. “So, how did he become king, then?”

  She smirked, reclining in her chair. “That is a secret passed down from elder to elder, something I cannot share.”

  His face twisted in frustration. “You claim to support me, yet withhold such knowledge?”

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  Viona burst out laughing, the sound echoing in the chamber. “That’s tradition for you. Besides, knowing wouldn’t change a thing. You could do everything perfectly, rise to power, and still wind up dead the next day.”

  Elron slammed his hands down on the table. “You’re toying with me. Just help me and my army teleport to the capital already!”

  Raising an eyebrow, Viona said calmly, “Oh, I will. But not before you sit through my lectures.” Her voice was both playful and commanding.

  Reluctantly, Elron settled back into his seat, waiting for her to continue.

  She studied him, her expression darkening. “You will need support from the major elven houses. If you walk into the capital and kill the queen without a backing, you will end up like her—just a brief note in the long annals of elven history.”

  Elron opened his mouth to speak, but she silenced him with a flick to his forehead. “Hush.”

  Her voice turned grave, her eyes narrowing. “I can sense the dark mana within you, prince. It nearly consumes you. If you do manage to seize the throne, you must be careful. Put the right people in power. I believe you can change this kingdom, but I fear you won’t be able to sustain it. Do you understand?”

  Elron rubbed his forehead, his confusion evident. “No, it doesn’t make sense. Why help me if you doubt my ability to maintain the kingdom?”

  “Because,” she said softly, her tone sincere, “I know you care for the people. Truly.” She reached beneath the table, revealing a crystal ball, glowing faintly.

  He narrowed his eyes. “You’re a witch, not a mage?”

  She snorted. “I’m a spiritualist, thank you very much. I see things others cannot.”

  Viona held her hands out to him, palms facing up, inviting him to touch the glowing sphere. Elron hesitated before placing his hands on the crystal ball. In an instant, Viona slapped her hands over his, pressing them firmly onto the surface.

  “What’s happening” Elron cried, as his eyes rolled back, leaving only the whites visible.

  Viona’s voice echoed in the silence, her eyes also white. “Can you see it, my prince?”

  A vision unfurled within the crystal and their minds—a vision of Elron, standing before a braided, vine-like archway, chanting and gesturing wildly.

  Elron’s jaw dropped as he recognized himself in the vision. “Is that... me? Opening the Elven Road? But how?”

  A voice whispered in his mind: You have learned Song of the Webway.

  Elron watched his future self leap through the portal, leading an army into battle. “Whose forces are those? Where is this? When—?” he rattled.

  The vision popped like a bubble, the image collapsing into darkness. His eyes snapped back into focus, and he gasped, gripping the table.

  “What was that?! The future? And what in the hell is the Webway?” he demanded, still reeling.

  Viona giggled. “I may have... exaggerated my abilities. I can’t open the Elven Road. But I knew you could learn how.”

  Elron now grinned ear to ear, his heart racing with newfound determination. “Thank you!” He extended his hand, which Viona shook lightly.

  With a nod, he turned to leave. “Take care, Viona.”

  Viona stood abruptly. “You don’t even know where the nearest gate is.”

  Elron froze mid-step, his face falling. “Right...”

  Shaking her head, Viona smiled warmly. “There’s a grove just north of here. Head there.”

  Elron saluted her with a grin, then marched out of the room.

  As Viona watched him disappear through the doorway, she whispered to herself, “Let’s see if you can handle your futures to come, Prince Elron.”