Chapter 328 Chapter 327: Rising Tensions Part 2
Back on the western continent, the last of the northern Kolieans had arrived back at their settlement, the atmosphere though was anything but calm.
"We demand answers! We were so close to victory!"
"What is the meaning of this?! Did our brothers fall for nothing!"
"This is a mistake! Allow us to return to battle!"
One after another, the voices of unhappy male Koliean warriors echoed through the settlement.
One had to understand that their efforts against the scattered beast mongers although short, were brutal and tragic.
Many lives were lost in the campaign to subjugate these scattered Koliean warriors, and now when they were so close, the council demanded they return.
Their rage was understandable, after all, it was the same council that sent the order to start the campaign to unite the entire Koliean population.
As their voices raged on just outside the settlements main building where the Matriarchs convened and lived, a figure among them rose to the skies with a frown adorning his face.
"Silence!"
His voice echoed with much greater ferocity than the collective yammering from the others.
The figure's long blonde hair blew beautifully alongside the wind and added majesty to what was an otherwise daunting appearance.
Like most Kolieans, the male who rose up was massive, but even by Koliean standards, he was huge, standing just a little over four meters two with bulky build to match.
His stern crimson eyes pierced through the hearts of warriors below him, bringing many of them to an immediate silence following his very vocal command.
Some however, remained abrasive and shifted their anger towards this daunting figure.
"Magna, you support this decision? Even after all we've suffered?!" An older looking Koliean took off his helm in a fit of range and tossed it aside angrily before pointing up at the massive warrior.
Magna met the gaze of this veteran Koliean with a cold expression.
"What is their to support? The council's word is law. It is what separates us from those very traitorous savages who have weakened our people! It is not your place to question their decision to retreat, so I advice you to remember your place before I put you in it…"
Magna's voice echoed with a fierce aggressiveness to it. It made many of warriors who were yelling just a few seconds prior to shirk back, not even daring to meet his gaze.
The one named Jarek was about to speak yet again but hand touched upon his should and he looked back to see a comrade shaking his head at him.
"It's not worth it Jarek."
Although very much unwilling, Jarek no longer spoke. He angrily shook off the hand on his shoulder before scoffing loudly and walking away, his bulky stature pushing aside warriors of a slimmer build.
In the next moment, high up from a balcony atop the main building, Matriarch Elia appeared with Ertha and Monlar by her sides.
In times where the Kingdom of Kol had no Queen, either a representative of the council or the previous Queen would address the masses on matters of great importance.
Seeing the magnificent wings of these three very well known Matriarchs, the Kolieans of the settlement ceased whatever it was they were doing and turned their attention to them.
No prior announcements needed to be given as Kolieans were often incredibly well-organized and disciplined, especially the women.
Immediately they say a set of grand wings appear at the lone balcony high up at the main buildings summit, they would quietly look up and wait for what it was they were about to be told.
Elia who stood in the middle of the three stood right at railless balcony's edge and lowered her gaze before speaking.
"We understand many of you, our kingdom's warriors, are unhappy about returning when Victory was nearing. But things have changed now, and the biggest threat to our people, Jor Harald, now has a powerful ally. So until we understand their position better, we will not risk remaining defenseless."
The explanation was short and Elia soon turned away from the masses. The females below immediately move away as well, knowing that the announcement was over and that they could return to their respective duties.
Most of the males also began to disperse, but Magna remained hovering above and called out to Elia.
"Please wait Matriach Elia, this warrior has a request of you."
Magna, who was daunting and seemingly unyielding before, shifted to a humble tone as he spoke in a loud voice.
The scattering crowd halted in their steps just as Elia did above. She turned her steely eyed gaze toward Magna and acknowledged his presence.
"What does our people's future Jor wish to ask of me?"
The curious Elia tilted her head slightly at the fierce looking warrior, awaiting an answer along with the many Kolieans of the settlement.
Magna looked up at her with complete confidence and spoke boldly, "I wish for you to honor me with the title of becoming your partner once the traitors are defeated and I rise to the position of Jor…"
This request, caused the audience to go silent, no one daring to speak up and instead watching for Elia's reaction.
Koliean customs were unique but often simple, as was the act of finding a partner with whom to make offspring with.
A strong male needed only to outright ask a female of their choice to be their partner and the same could be done by the females.
Once a child was made the partnership would come to an end. Whether the male or female sought another partner in future was completely up to them, this was the freedom surrounding partnerships in the kingdom of Kol.
However, it became a bit more tricky for those of a higher position, such as Queen, Matriach or Jor.
As the Jor or future Jor, one had a choice of any female they wished, after all, who wouldn't want a child with the strongest male in the kingdom?
Even Matriachs would be moved as competition surrounding the partnership of a Jor was fierce.
More often than not, it would be a Queen or Matriach who became their partner and rightfully so.
But what made this instance so unique was that the Matriach in question was perhaps the greatest Queen the kingdom of Kol had ever had.
And more daunting was the fact that the previous partner is also regarded as the greatest Jor ever to be seen.
The audience couldn't help but be curious of what Elia's response would be. Thankfully, they didn't need to wait long as it came swift and without hesitation.
"I will have to reject your request, for I do not wish for a partner. Perhaps another Matriach or Queen candidate even will be willing to indulge your request. If nothing else."
Elia turned her head and continued to walk away, leaving Magna expressionless but unsurprised.
'We shall see if you can still say the same once I defeat Jor Harald.'
In his mind, he felt Elia saw him as inferior to Harald, like many others did. It didn't anger him, instead only fueling his ambition to defeat Harald and forge a partnership with the strongest female of their kingdom.
Saying nothing more, Magna flew away from the main building and the crowd gathered also began to disperse.
Far above, as Elia was walking away, a smiling Monlar approached from behind and couldn't help but comment on the incident with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"It seems you still the urges of many warriors Elia. Why not accept my brother's request, you bear quite the strong child? Or right, I forget you're faulty in that regard."
Monlar's words were clearly a provocation, but Elia continued to walk without giving an emotional reaction.
"And yet the council wishes to scramble to seek out my child, ironic isn't it?"
Elia's reply however did cause Monlar to shift from smiling to displeased. Choosing to no longer hold back her words.
"What I find really ironic is the fact the so called greatest of Matriachs has not only never bore a child, she has never even tasted the warmth of a partner. The only reason the council puts up with your farce is to maintain order Elia. You may have succeeded as Queen, but you're failure as a woman of Kol."
Elia maintained her inexpressive look and just gave a side glance toward Monlar. In the next moment, she gave a small smile to go along with it.
"I find it pitiful that the only fault you and the rest of the council hold against me is the one I could not control. And I find it embarrassing that even with this fault, I made a child far superior to any of yours. So if I'm a failure as a woman of Kol, then you don't even qualify to call yourselves Koliean."
This harsh set of words caused Monlar's eyes to go bloodshot but she didn't make a move or say anything more, instead trying her best to maintain a calm expression.
Elia gave Monlar a final look of contempt before walking away.
Ertha who listened from afar approached Monlar and shook her head.
"Let her continue to act high and mighty, her time is soon drawing to an end."
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