Chương 76: Family matters (and other charges)

"Is it just me, or does the atmosphere around here feel kind of… off," Vera muttered under her breath as she, Elaria, and Serel were guided through a long stone hall cut straight from the rock. Armed guards lined the walls at regular intervals, helms forward, posture rigid, eyes fixed anywhere but on them.

"It is you," Elaria replied flatly. Vera frowned.

"You're saying it's all in my head?" She glanced at one of the guards as they passed—bronze-toned armor, sigil stamped clean across the chestplate. He didn't look at her, didn't react at all, but she still couldn't shake the sense that something about him was… tight. Unwelcoming. Maybe it was something about the way his Resonance sat in reaction to hers. Almost like he was watchful of her.

"No," Elaria said.

"I am telling you that you are the cause." Vera snapped her head around.

"Hey, what did I do?" Elaria gave her a single look.

"Many things, presumably." Then she continued on without adding anything further. Vera scowled, feeling that was wildly unfair, but she let it go. Instead, she focused on Serel, who was walking close to her side, quietly taking their surroundings in and casting nervous glances at the guards. This was the first time the kid had ever been anywhere like this. Of course she was on edge. Vera wasn't exactly comfortable either.

She just had the advantage of knowing that she could flatten everyone in this corridor without breaking a sweat, which made the knot in her stomach easier to ignore. They were currently deep inside Stoneward, which was a hardened compound embedded into the bedrock of a mountain overlooking Karthvale, and the seat of its Castellan.

Unlike Marrowfen, which used to be governed by the Boneward Concord, Karthvale had been one of the core holdings of the sprawling nations that'd once ruled most of the continent under the Ember Throne in the previous age. That legacy still lingered in the city's customs and titles, one of those being the Castellan—a ruler who'd once answered directly to the Throne, and now answered to no one but themself. Though Karthvale's Castellan also answered—loosely—to the Covenant of Flame.

The city had pretty deep ties to the old hierarchies which had formed the alliance. Still, while the Covenant sent representation according to the Cinder Council's will and the Ashbound Compact's statutes, day-to-day rule was very much in the Castellan's hands. Which meant, in practice, they could probably do almost whatever they wanted within the city's walls. That alone was reason enough for Vera not to be thrilled about this meeting. The rest of it was instinct.

She had this gut feeling that told her that this wasn't going to be pleasant for her specifically. That said, from what she remembered of the Castellan in the game, they were pretty fair-minded and pragmatic. Maybe even kind, depending on how generous you were feeling. Most importantly, however, was that they seemed like the sort of person who would avoid making scenes in front of children. Vera was banking on that.

Even if a small part of her worried that bringing Serel along might be what would complicate things in the first place. They continued on until they reached a dull set of heavy doors cut straight into a basalt wall. The guards guiding them stepped forward, pushed the doors open, and gestured them inside. Elaria entered without hesitation. Vera followed, Serel's hand tight in hers. The chamber beyond felt old. Like it'd been hewn straight from the mountain ages ago and left mostly as it was.

It had that cool yet weighted air to it. A long table and a few shelves added some structure, but compared to most places Vera had seen yet, the room felt fairly bare. She could appreciate the appeal. Minimalism had its merits. She just preferred a little more flair. If she didn't, Sablewatch Hollow wouldn't look the way it did. At the far end of the chamber, seated in a high-backed chair, was a broad-shouldered, middle-aged woman clad in layered, flame-trimmed vestments with a mantle slung over one shoulder.

Her skin held a warm bronze tone similar to Elaria's, her eyes faintly crimson, and along with her hair—cropped short and dark red—it marked her clearly as cinderborn. This was Lorin Nami Ashward. Vera knew her name well. She wasn't a central figure in Ashen Legacy, but she'd still played a decently important role in the earlier expansions. As the doors closed behind them, Elaria stepped forward and struck a fist to her chest.

"Keeper Elaria Valecrest of the Pyric Oath and Flamebearer of the Covenant of Flame greets the Castellan of Karthvale." The woman had been reviewing documents with a quill in hand. She paused, then looked up, her gaze settling on Elaria.

"Flamebearer," Lorin finally said, setting the quill aside.

"It is good to see you. I was surprised to hear you passed through Karthvale days ago, but… it makes sense now." Her eyes shifted and landed on Vera. Then they sharpened.

"Mournvale." That was all she said. Vera lifted a hand in a small wave.

"Hi, Nami." That greeting didn't seem to land well. A heavy frown formed on the woman's face. Vera felt a twinge of awkwardness, but honestly, she wasn't sure what else she was supposed to say. Calling her 'Castellan' felt wrong. Using 'Ashward' didn't really work since it was more of a title or an identifier. And there was no world in which she was about to start tossing around first names like they were old friends. Which didn't leave many options.

"I wondered whether the reports of your return were true," Lorin said.

"For the sake of all who walk under the Wounded Sun, I am glad they were. Personally, I would have preferred never to see you again." Vera managed a stiff smile. Seemed like her instincts had been on point. Lorin had never shown any particular dislike toward the player in the game, but Vera had just known that the woman wouldn't care much for 'Veralyth Mournvale.' The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

She might've been offended if something similar hadn't already happened a few times now. As it stood, it mostly just confirmed her growing suspicion that this world's version of her had a skill to rub people the wrong way. She was sure she had no idea where that might come from.

"Are you attempting to hide your identity, Mournvale," Lorin continued, "or is there another reason your hair is black?" Vera blinked. She lifted a hand, fingers brushing the hair over her shoulder.

"Oh. Right. I completely forgot about that." A pulse of Resonance rippled through her, and silver-gray flowed back into place. She rested her palm on Serel's head and followed it with another pulse. Her daughter's hair shifted to match.

"There we go," Vera said, looking back up.

"For the record, it wasn't just black. It was raven-gloss black. I think the raven-gloss part's important." Lorin lifted a brow in a way that felt distinctly familiar.

"To whom?"

"To my hairdresser, for one." Lorin stared at her for a moment, then shook her head. Her gaze finally dropped to Serel, studying her more closely. The frown returned.

"And who is she? Your niece?"

"No." Vera slid her hands to Serel's shoulders, pride cutting clean through all the lingering awkwardness she'd been fighting to ignore.

"She's my daughter." Lorin looked at her for a long moment.

"Your daughter?"

"That's right." Vera drew Serel closer.

"Isn't she adorable?" Serel's cheeks warmed as she ducked her head under the attention. Lorin didn't look convinced. Her gaze shifted to Elaria. Elaria inclined her head.

"It is true. She is Mournvale's daughter." Lorin didn't answer at once. Then she touched her fingers to her temple.

"To see the Ashborn Ascendant with a child. I never thought I would see the day." Her eyes returned to Serel.

"How old is she?"

"Six," Vera said. Lorin's gaze stayed on Serel, then she seemed to set whatever thought she was having aside as she looked back at Elaria.

"I received your message that there was something important you had to tell me. I am assuming your passage to Marrowfen was tied to the Silent Lord's revival and Mournvale's return, and that you are now escorting her to Caer Virell to help against the Silence?"

"Precisely," Elaria said.

"We will depart before nightfall."

"Then what was it you needed to discuss? If this concerns Covenant matters, it would be more appropriate to raise them through the Ember Conclave. You know this."

"I do. This is unrelated."

"I see." Lorin straightened, fingers resting against the desk.

"Then what is this about?" Elaria removed her helm. It vanished into her Vaultring, vermillion hair falling freer behind her.

"I am here to inform you of the existence of my daughter." Lorin froze. In Vera's arms, Serel tensed slightly.

"…Your daughter?" Lorin echoed.

"Yes." The Castellan's gaze drifted down to Elaria's abdomen, then back up.

"You are with child?" Elaria shook her head.

"No."

"Then have you taken in a ward?" A trace of confusion entered Lorin's voice.

"I was under the impression you had no intention of continuing your line. When would you have had the time to find a suitable heir?"

"I have not taken in a ward," Elaria replied evenly.

"I have a daughter of my blood." Lorin looked at her.

"Elaria, don't be ridiculous."

"I am not. I am informing you of the facts."

"Are you saying you have already given birth? When did this happen? Why have I not heard of it?"

"The circumstances surrounding the matter are complicated. But I can assure you that I am not trying to deceive you. Beyond informing you of my daughter's existence, I am also here today to introduce her to you." Elaria stepped up to Vera, resting a gentle hand on Serel's head as she looked at Lorin.

"This girl is my daughter." Lorin said nothing. Her gaze moved to Serel. Then to Vera. When she looked back at Elaria, her expression had changed.

"…You're serious?"

"I am." Lorin rose slowly from her seat and moved around the desk. She stopped in front of Serel and lowered herself slightly, air sharpening as she looked more closely. Serel flinched back, and Lorin paused, visibly seeming to catch herself.

"…Serel, was it?" she said, voice softening.

"Would it be acceptable if I looked at you a little closer?" Serel hesitated, then glanced up at Vera. Vera looked to Elaria, who nodded once.

"You can trust her, Serel." Serel swallowed, then nodded.

"Mmm. Okay." Lorin smiled faintly and leaned in, studying her eyes first, then her face. A crease formed at the corner of her eyes as she took in the details, then she glanced up at both Serel and Vera with a puzzled look. Finally, she reached out and lightly touched Serel's wrist. Vera immediately sensed the thin thread of Resonance that passed from her into the girl. A sharp breath escaped the Castellan.

"She bears the Ember Scar…" Lorin murmured.

"And Eight Binding?" For most people, trying something like that would probably have triggered a backlash. Serel was already of the Eight Binding, after all, and her own Resonance would have fought back. But from what Vera could tell, Lorin was likely closer to the Ninth—roughly lining up with her level in the game—which explained how she'd managed it so cleanly. Lorin looked back up at Elaria.

"She truly is of the Ashward line. But how…?" Her gaze shifted to Vera again, frown returning.

"You said she was your daughter?"

"She is both our daughter," Elaria said. Lorin exhaled slowly. She stepped back from Serel, rising before lifting a hand to pinch the bridge of her nose.

"My senses tell me you aren't lying. But you will have to forgive my disbelief. How is this possible?" Vera glanced down at Serel.

"It's… complicated. Like Elaria said." Lorin shot her a look.

"Are things ever uncomplicated with you, Mournvale?"

"I'd like to think so, yeah." Lorin ignored her, turning to Elaria as if expecting a more proper answer.

"We can discuss the specifics later," Elaria said after seeming to consider her words.

"For now, simply understand that the assumptions you might be harboring about me and Mournvale are not true."

"Assumptions?" Lorin snorted, folding her arms. Her gaze returned to Serel, then to Vera.

"… Fine. Hopefully, you are correct." Somehow, Vera felt offended. She figured that was Elaria's way of telling the woman not to ask any probing questions about Serel's birth—or about their relationship status—in front of their daughter. That part made sense. What didn't sit quite as right was the way Lorin's gaze was very noticeably softer when it rested on Serel, only to sharpen so much again whenever it drifted back to her.

Sure, Vera had hoped Serel might act as a kind of buffer, and that part seemed like it had a shot at working. But she'd also just hoped some of that goodwill might bleed over to her. Her thoughts were cut off when Serel tugged lightly at her hand, turning slightly and standing on her toes to whisper.

"Mommy… what's the ember scar?" Vera had to consider for a moment.

"Right… That one's a little complicated too, kiddo." She dipped her head slightly, nodding toward Elaria.

"You see, your Mama's kind of special. The Ember Scar is something that gets passed down in parts of her family, and that lady just confirmed you've got it as well." If she was being honest, Vera hadn't even considered the possibility. She hadn't thought Serel inheriting it was on the table at all—especially since she wasn't fully cinderborn.

"Does that make me special too?" Serel asked. Vera smiled.

"You're plenty special even without it. But yeah, it does make you just a teensy bit extra special. Like your Mama." Serel seemed to mull that over, looking to Elaria, who met her gaze calmly. Then another thought must have struck the girl as she turned back to Vera, brow furrowing.

"Mmm… but the ashward thingy? Wasn't that that lady's name?"

"Technically, yes." Vera scratched her chin.

"You could say it's your Mama's family." Serel's eyes widened. She looked over at Lorin, her voice coming out a little louder.

"Then is she my aunty?" Both of Lorin's brows lifted.

"In a manner of speaking," Elaria replied.

"She descends from an auxiliary line several steps removed from my own. However, to me, she has always filled the role of the closest living relative within my lineage." That, more than anything else, was what had made Vera uneasy about this meeting. With Elaria, this was about as close to meeting the parents as you got. Serel stared at Lorin for a few long seconds.

"…If you wish, you can call me Aunt Lorin," the older woman said. Serel relaxed completely in Vera's arms.

"Aunty Lorin!" Lorin didn't show much of a reaction. In that way, she was very similar to Elaria. Suddenly, though, her expression shifted, what warmth was there draining away as she turned back to Elaria.

"Since she bears the Ember Scar, do you intend to have her undergo the Tempering?" Elaria's expression hardened instantly.

"No." Lorin frowned.

"Are you certain? Without it, she may—""No," Elaria repeated. Lorin's gaze lingered on her.

"Very well." Vera looked to Elaria. The woman met her gaze, and they held it briefly. She would also very much prefer that Serel never had to deal with any of those things. Lorin turned away.

"We will discuss the rest after, Elaria. Since you have already brought Mournvale here, there is something else that must be addressed first." She moved back to her desk, opened a drawer, and sifted through a stack of documents before retrieving a single rolled parchment. Returning, she stopped in front of Vera and looked her in the eyes.

"This is for you, Mournvale." Vera accepted it with a flicker of confusion. Unrolling the parchment, she scanned the first lines. Her eyes widened.

By Authority of the Castellan of Karthvale, Bearer of the Ember Mandate and Warden of Stoneward Let it be known that Veralyth Mournvale, styled The Ashborn Ascendant, is hereby named and recorded as Answerable to Karthvale for the following acts: —The unlawful breach of the Vaults of Stoneward —The seizure and removal of a relic held under Castellan seal —The violation of Ashbound Compact provisions governing protected holdings and sanctioned redress