The Patriarch Talarof was seated in his study verifying his supply contracts for the year. Due to the greater concentration of mana on the mountaintop his clan had been able to get some crystals mana infused, making a rare resource that could be used as a rechargeable mana well. He hoped that this would be able to secure the resources to expand and stabilize their hold in the city but he'd gone over the contracts three times while he waited for news. The oldest of the soldiers, Mirv, was standing at attention in front of the door to ensure he wouldn't do anything rash.
Talarof clenched his fists. His son was lost somewhere in the city with wraiths about and the Silver Chain was acting strangely but he was unable to be among the search parties. His people needed him, especially if his heir was in an uncertain state. Not that she'd let him keep power if her son died.
"Let me search."
"I'm sorry my lord. It is impossible."
He slumped, defeated by his own good sense. He knew Gerolf was well trained in defensive magic, as all prince aspirants were, but he'd lacked the practical experience that Talarof had been planning to ease him into.
"He's only got twelve years on him."
"He will be fine" Mirv assured. "You know that if Lady Aurika had (seen) anything she would have sent a message. She cares for him just like you do."
"But if it had been too late to arrive? If those mercenaries had gotten to the messenger? If-"
"He will be fine." Mirv slapped Talarof's head, holding back enough that his hair was rustled while his scalp got a bare pat, "It's you I'm worried about. You've haven't eaten anything all day. Let's go to the kitchens and get you a bite."
They both left, Mirv standing beside Talarof and behind him when it was impossible.
The study had been set on one of the fourth story buildings overlooking the inner courtyard so they ended up walking down one of the two staircases. The basement floor here had been set up as a kitchen for the large inn though most of the equipment had been taken. A few barrels had remained but they had brought their own cooking tools even if they only occupied half the firepits that the room had designed.
A small pot was simmering with the young apprentice cook dutifully stirring it, even if her eyes had the glazing look of imagination running wild. Her vacant gaze intersected with Talarof and then her face flushed, the silver-blue deepening to beet red.
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"M'lord I have some stew. J-just give me a moment to get a bowl and spoon." she rushed off.
Talarof sat down on the apprentices stool and closed his eyes. He was starting to feel exhausted waiting, like a forgotten bow that would warp itself into uselessness. The apprentice sprinted back, her footfalls skidding to a halt beside Talarof.
"He's back my lord." A much deeper voice. Talarof opened his eyes and saw one of the gate guards standing at attention with an unimaginable grin on his face. Then the words hit him.
He might have spilled the small pot of stew but He made it up the stairs and out the main doors in two heartbeats before he calmed himself and only ran lightly to the gate. several of the other soldiers who had not been searching were milling about the gate though they opened the gate when he ordered it.
"My boy you're alive." He embraced Gerolf and then saw the man who had saved him.
He had light skin with green undertones that looked like the veins of a leaf. Though Talarof had never seen such kin before he wouldn't make any assumptions. Men called his kin 'beetles' with the venom of a spider. Beside him was a strange dog with one pale eye and on his shoulder was-
"Aria Taravyna, this unworthy servant greets you." He'd known from records that the Goddess Aria Taravyna did not appreciate bowing and scraping but he'd lowered his eyes all the same.
"Child you are recognized." Aria spoke in the same disinterested tone that she was known for. Her renown of gentleness and kindness was only through her actions, which were much greater to compensate, "We have saved your son from the Silver Chain. They were hunting kin and had found him this morning. Me and my priest would also ask for hospitality for this night."
"I will have a banquet. We have food left over from winter so we could eat for a whole week without stopping. Come in and let me speak with my cook-
"If it is alright I would ask you to postpone any feasts. My priest is in need of rest.
"Of course. I will provide the best that I, Talarof Pitarav Patriarch of the Pitarav sub clan will be able to. From where do you hail, friend-priest."
The priest gave him a vacant look with a polite smile that showed he had ne idea what Talarof was saying. It was possible that Aria would have an idiot for a priest since she'd never accepted anyone into the position before. None were aware of her requirements though having that as one would-
The priest turned his head to Aria and spoke
"(are you well)" The magic radiated out of his mouth. Talarof had been acquainted with the god's speech, having some familiarity with the low god's tongue, though there were enough differences that would be improper for strict adherents, and none had mana so rich as-.
"My priest does not know your tongue." Aria interrupted his thoughts, "He only knows the High tongue. I would ask you to assist with that later on. But for now it would be best that he would sleep." A tendril of her hair caressed the priest's cheek.
Talarof came back to his senses and saw that the priest was almost teetering on his feet, needing the dog to stay upright.
"A bed to the empty store room now!" He ordered his men and three ran off to do one's job. A goddess' arrival was liable to incite some madness in judgement, though Aria Taravyna would be one of the most forgiving of the divines.
He ushered them in, gripping his boy's shoulders as he talked with Aria. He would have given everything to have his son not get lost in the city and attacked, but given he befriended a goddess he may be willing to think of it positively in a half decade when Garolf was crowned king.
