Long before he became Elector in Edoreka, Sana Sunamunan was our first Ambassador to The Víya in Nifolor. I was slender and short for my age, so I was selected to be a page in his entourage. The Naia were very particular about appearances. An Archmage of the Fourth Rank opened the way for us, and we were received by a young Nyx baronet. He was vain and (so I thought) insultingly familiar. Ser Sunamunan was the picture of equanimity, and you would have thought that pretty creature a princeling of Oyyad for his deference.
My eyes were everywhere at once. Nifolor was dark, and we were surrounded by towering trees and lush, leafy underbrush like none I had ever seen. Shadows abounded. I had that tingle of the spine one gets when expecting a prick in the back. Pale glowing insects buzzed over our heads, occasionally diving toward us. I learned later that they were miniscule Naia. The baronet’s guards shooed them away with glowing staves.
Ser Sunamunan praised the size of our escort, which made the baronet practically snort. “You are not accustomed to our ways, but this small number would never do for an honor guard in this Realm,” he said. “This,” and here he gestured with a delicate sword that looked to be made of glass, indicating the hundred armored Naia that stood with their backs to us, facing down the darkness, “this is just a security detail.”
“I am impressed. Is this Realm so dangerous, then?”
The baronet raised a brow and shrugged. “Dangerous, yes.” He toyed with the rapier negligently, but it was clear he was showing off his prowess. “There is war in Nifolor.” He carefully smoothed the brocade over his epaulet. “There is always war in Nifolor,” he murmured.
“Against the Víya?” asked Ser Sunamunan politely.
“The Känto against the Víya, the Víya against the Morvúl, the Känto and the Morvúl against the Old Duke.” He sheathed the sword at last and waved airily. “But that is all tiresome politics and I am bade by the Víya to entertain you. Tell me about your Realm. Tell me of Iferwon.”
“Iferwon?” asked Ser Sunamunan. He looked away for a moment. “There is war in Iferwon,” he replied carefully after a pause. Glancing slyly at the Nyx, he concluded, “There is always war in Iferwon.”
