Chương 329: Epilogue 3. Splendor

"Resplendent Mistress. The Pathbreaker and his family are here to see you."

"Thank you, consort," Heavenly Star Glinting in the River of Fate, Bejeweled Guardian of Heavenward, replied from where she was lounging atop a mountain of pillows, clad in her robe of jewels which draped her draconian form.

"Send them in." Glint had already felt them with her aura senses of course, but the consorts of her harem became so much calmer when they felt like they had a purpose beyond their dedication to her. Less irritable, and less prone to unnecessary duels. Soon, the steps of her guests could be heard walking the corridors of her manor before the doors slid open to reveal Kite, Dragonfly and their growing brood.

Five of the children walked readily on their own while two were carried in the arms of a parent, one more than when they had last visited, Glint noted.

"Welcome, my bond. Dragonfly. Children," Glint called in greeting as many of her consorts also started arriving to see who had been allowed to stand before their Mistress without even making plans in advance. She could feel the burning jealousy in some of them as she kept referring to Kite as 'her bond', a title much more intimate than any of them had yet deserved, but the hot feelings of silver-rankers meant little to golds such as them.

And besides, the two of them were still bonded even though their unified climb towards the heavens had been put on hold for some time as they both pursued other interests.

"Glint! It is wondrous to see you again!" Kite called in return, stepping up while the rest of his family stayed a bit behind as some of the younger children grew shy in the presence of the many draconians.

"We've come to present the latest addition to the family to you. Meet Celadon Soul Butterfly, our seventh child." Glint had of course not missed the sleeping baby in Kite's arms as he entered, but she still couldn't help but lean forward to inspect the girl further.

In spite of their general messiness, babies and children still fascinated her, and Glint supposed that it was probably due to lingering memories from the many hours she had played with Raven during the time when she was still constrained to her carp form.

"Another fine addition to your family, my bond," she said, accepting the bundle. Little Butterfly awoke at the shift, opening blue eyes inherited from her father in which Glint could see her pearlescent scales reflected as the girl took in her form before sending a brief, gummy smile her way.

"Come now, the rest of you. Let me have a look." At her call, Dragonfly ushered the rest of the children forward with varying degrees of success as they lined up before Glint's discerning gaze.

"Wren. You are growing ever faster, I see. And Cicada too. Your aura feels firm and collected. As does yours Heron, especially for one your age. And Moth! I do approve of the robes you are wearing. Most befitting."

"Thanks Auntie Glint!" Dancing Moth beneath Golden Moon - taking after her mother quite a lot, and therefore being one of the least shy - giggled, twirling to show off the robes of pale, shimmering silk she was wearing. This did cause two-year-old Mantis to dare peek out from behind Dragonfly's legs, sending a shy smile Glint's way before ducking back when she met the girl's gaze.

Little Hawk, on the other hand, had no qualms in looking at everything and everyone in the room in the unabashed way of the one-year old, apparently feeling safe enough in his mother's arms.

"It is a fine brood you have sired, the two of you," Glint then said, addressing Kite and Dragonfly.

"And with such expediency too. I have barely had the time to arrange my estate the way I like and grow my winter gardens, while you've gone from no children to seven. I suppose that Fantina is most pleased."

"Oh indeed. She has been present to welcome each and every one of them," Kite confirmed.

"I suppose it is much easier for her now that their youngest is closing in on adulthood. Just a few more years and they will all be grown, meaning that the LanCaire's are once more leaving for the call of adventure."

"Given our current circumstances, my bond, I believe both of us can empathize with their choice. And speaking of, for how long will I have the honor of hosting you, my bond? I assume that you will meet with the Queen now that you have made the journey all the way to the capital?" Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"If I don't, I believe that her Majesty might just come north and drag me back. I did promise her to remain somewhat available," Kite laughed.

"This year, I will even be participating in her annual tournament now that family life has stabilized. Anything I should be aware of in the capital or with the sects?"

"No, nothing of particular note. While I am not the most connected mistress of this city, my dear consorts keeps me apprised. There is constant competition for the spots among the magisters and other staff in the capital when their various tenures reach their ends and many of the sects and other affluent families work hard to provide good candidates that might catch the Queen's eyes.

But so far, it seems that the Queen's very public venue of her arena leaves little option for backroom dealings when it comes to the matters she herself oversees, and the Crows can usually pick up what she can not. And as you said, the annual Grand Tempering does keep most eyes on the competition. Rumor has it that your father might even return for the next one, my bond."

"Wait? Grandfather? Is Grandfather coming?" Wren exclaimed from where he now stood beside Kite, the now seven-year-old turning to his father.

"Can we see him? Please?"

"Oh I do not believe you need to worry yourself, Son," Kite smiled while patting the boy on the head.

"Given how your grandfather dotes on you all, I do not believe he will ever miss a chance to visit on his return-trips." This caused a general cheer to go through the gathered children, and Glint couldn't help but smile at the raw enthusiasm and slight expectant greed in their auras. From that alone, it was easy to discern that Ardent Horizon Seeker was rather generous in regard to presents and treats whenever they met.

"But come now, I believe it is time for refreshments. Prepare the third garden. We shall dine there and let the children play," Glint proclaimed, clapping her hands as her staff sprang into action beneath the stern gazes of her consorts.

"You have truly done well for yourself here, Glint. The estate looks most impressive, and I have no doubt that you have set many trends in motion," Kite noted as he and Dragonfly sat next to his friend and familiar in the garden gazebo while the children still played with the long, blue fluorescent fronds of the trees planted there, the light chasing away the gloom of the evening.

Only the two youngest - Hawk and Butterfly - had been tucked in for the night, but from the way Mantis looked to be almost teetering on the spot, the two-year-old was soon to join them.

"Thank you, my bond. My consorts are most dedicated, and my little fashion venture goes well. My saved stipends have sponsored many tailors and weavers who caught my eye."

"Oh, I do not doubt it. Some of the trends have even reached as far as Gilded, if the groans of Jarvan and his empty purse are to be believed."

"Quality does merit proper pricing. A harem like mine won't fund itself either."

"And I don't even see any missing faces from my last visit, so at least they have kept their duels civil?"

"Indeed. The chastisement for the first few times set enough of a precedent," Glint replied with surety.

"They have learned that striving for excellence and splendor is not something accomplished by cheating their peers."

"Any plans for children of your own then?"

"Heirs? Yes. Eventually, should one of my consorts reach gold rank and prove worthy of the honor."

"Heh. I can just imagine a small school of shimmering carps flying around and making trouble," Dragonfly giggled.

"Or would they be draconians from the start?"

"I would not settle for anything less than true dragons like myself," Glint scoffed.

"That, or Fertility better ready herself for a talking to."

"Should any of your offspring desire adventure, at least you know where to look for potential bonds, assuming that they - like you - prove able to initiate them yourself," Kite noted with a smile as he looked at his playing children.

"We do not yet know the paths of our young ones, but it would greatly surprise me if at least Wren and Moth did not walk the path of the adventurer."

"Of course, my bond. Should they prove worthy, I foresee great things when our lines continue to intertwine their paths."

"Oh, the world better be ready if Moth keeps up her love for everything that glitters, water included," Dragonfly noted, before sitting up from where she had been leaning into Kite and looking at Glint and her husband.

"And the two of you then? Will you too continue the climb once the children are grown?" The question caused the two to pause, looking at one another while a series of flickering thoughts and emotions were sent back and forth through their familiar bond. And eventually, it was Glint who answered.

"Well, I believe that even this Mistress might start to long for the heavens sooner or later. And with such a capable bond such as your husband, our success isn't even in question. So yes, in time. When this time of calm has passed, I believe that the Bejeweled Guardian of Heavenward shall once again take to the skies. We have a wider world where most will not yet have been blessed with witnessing our splendor, after all. Once the time comes, that shall have to be corrected."