Far from the Strum family manor was the training grounds borne from an open area that was turned into blasted heath, the result of generations of the storm-blooded younglings hard at work to develop their magical talents.
The intention being that while spaces like the Royal Sword Hall exist, Vauntuss' predecessors believed that his descendants needed a space for themselves to work hard without feeling the need to perform in front of the nobles. For their work as true knights of the kingdom required a respect for duty not a desire for fame.
An interesting feature of the Capital city of Voix ta Mon, and a lot of the modern cities of the First World is the embedded magical seal into their foundations. The idea behind an embedded magical seal is that the very structure of something forms the seal, as opposed to drawing or carving the seal onto the surface of an object.
For Voix ta Mon, the construction of the Capital Square, Noble Square and Ring of Knights was done with the primary purpose of establishing a magical barrier that increases in strength the closer one gets to the Songfall Palace at the heart of the configuration. A marvel of magical seal research and alchemy, the noble households that could afford it went as far as to replicate this system on a smaller scale, for perhaps a business situated in a dangerous neighbourhood or your home that houses valuable possessions.
When the original predecessor to the Strum family received the land for which the family manor would be built upon, he carved out a small space for a particular purpose. A space that Vauntuss would spend a great deal of time around, much like blue glass solar that he slowly made into his own through his diligent care.
Being the youngest child meant that space was usually empty if not used by him and his instructors as his siblings had all grown beyond its use so long ago, he held on as it gave him a firm reminder of his family's efforts and his responsibility to remain ever sharp and ready to serve the crown.
With his Soul Arm in hand, he struck at the dolls formed from his unbreakable ice, with how dense it was, his magic would quickly repair the dolls if his strikes were too shallow. A style of training he created that relies on no one else, training his magic by having it constantly used while training his skills by fighting an unbeatable foe repeatedly.
As creative as the training method was, it was only adapted to his purposes after Vauntuss witnessed his Vysander and Saevess training, both would face against storm the other commanded, using all their skill to avoid the bolts and in the worst case, withstand the wrath of a lightning strike, all the while facing each other head one.
Vauntuss was much too young to train with his siblings by the time his magic was revealed to him, moreso, possessing an affinity of Ice Magic, one that none in the family ever possessed, meant even training him would be a new experience. However, Vauntuss was never dismayed, and while his father sought an instructor for him, he practiced on his own.
In that moment just like he did in the past.
The icy constructs crumbled while his silent and chilling aura wrapped around them, reforging them.
'The silence' He wondered with each blow, he attacked with greater precision and determination, with the constructs unconsciously taking on a new form, one more reminiscent of a terrifying creature. Each time they reformed they grew closer in appearance to the golden eyed devil, the beast that breathed white flames until the face the frozen dolls possessed was unmistakable.
The shape of their scars and wild mane brought out a primal cry from his blade. From the agitated blade and its screaming edge came forth a blinding aura light following his next strike, as it split all the frozen dolls in two with a single slash.
"Their voice…it is faint, but they still sing."
In the wake of such a display of swordsmanship, the change in the very winds would always be intense if he wasn't focused, which made it easy for Validus to find him, but hesitation gripped him for a moment as he thought of what he would say to his confused little brother.
But while he debated with himself, their guest had already been on her way. Heading over the stone facade overlooking the training grounds and landing in the frosted area.
"Vauntuss!" For the first time since they've known each other, she had seen something that had her react, not out of rage as she called to him.
Tersia's presence was only noted after the air around them was so frigid that the sound of her flesh stinging woke him from his wandering thoughts, releasing a powerful wave of magic as he wrestled back control of his wits.
"Lamia...what are you doing here?" He rushed to her side, feeling crumbling frost beneath his hands as he reached her.
"Evidently, getting the cold shoulder…you took off without saying a word." Playing off the biting cold only to wince after he clasped her bluing hands with his own.
"This is not funny. I could have killed you!" Grabbing both her hands to see the damage, he reacted swiftly.
Tearing strips of cloth from his shirt, he carefully swaddled them the cold burns before scolding her to be more careful next time .
"Don't treat me like an idiot!"
"Excuse me?"
"I may not know the whole story but it's obvious that something happened with your dad to have you worked up like this."
"It is not like...I just lost my train of thought."
"...and completely missed that I was here, really? This coming from someone as perceptive as you, do you really expect me to believe that?"
"I do not care what you believe, Lamia. Why are you here, why did you approach the training grounds when you saw I was occupied, you must have known how dangerous it was yet you still drew near...do you just like putting yourself in harm's way?"
"Or is it in your class' nature to meddle in the affairs of others–" Pulling away from his grasp, she free one of her hands, slapping him across the face, leaving them both wide eyed at what just happened.
"You don't get to say that about my class. And for your information, I only rushed over here because...you can't even see it can you?"
"See what?"
Drawing both hands back, she looked at the bandages before she reached out to him, holding his cheeks in her hands and feeling their surprising warmth, she felt tears beginning to stream down as she looked at him.
"Vauntuss...you're crying." She said, her tone softer than ever with her own tears now starting to flow.
"Are you such a symptom of your name that you can't even tell when you're saddened? How dense is the ice that guards your heart?" Tersia tried to wipe away his ice streaks left in the wake of each tear.
"Whatever it is, you have to remember that you are also a person. Separate from what anyone else expects of you. And if you happen to forget…" Vauntuss waited on her next word, as without even realizing he held onto her other hand.
"Then I will be the one to remind you." With a smile lit bright by her blue eyes shimmering like a sea of a thousand-thousand sapphires.
'Perhaps we've done enough, Erie.' Validus thought to himself after he witnessed their embrace at the heart of a faded storm.
Letting out a tired sigh before vanishing in a silent stroke of lightning, as the brilliant flash let nothing but a scorch mark in his place.
After Vauntuss brought her back into the Manor, Mr. Wyndrest helped to treat Tersia's burns when a call came in for her from her family home. Leaving her to her own devices, Vauntuss accompanied her to her room before giving her some privacy.
"Uncle–"
"You forget yourself child. Has your time spent in the company of the lessers robbed you of your decorum?"
"I..I am sorry, Baron Lamiastell."
"My dear, Farah, it seems my late brother's failure to instill discipline in his spawn has not changed."
"Do not allow his failures to mar you grandeur, my beloved. The girl is as hopeless as ever."
"You are a refreshing font of wisdom, my love. Now, young lady, why have you not returned to the estate? We were expecting your arrival yesterday?"
"Un…Baron Lamiastell, have you forgotten? My transportation home was not provided, and I was left waiting at the Academy's residence campus."
"Was…are you saying you aren't there anymore…where have you gone gallivanting now? I swear if you wandered back to that dingy antique store, so help me…"
"I am in the Capital! I was escorted home by another student after they learned of my situation."
"What…"
"A young knight of the Strum Family. He took it upon himself to escort me home."
"...."
"Those who guard the Royal family, Baron Lamiastell."
"I know who they are, stupid girl. Tell me, if they've brought you to the Capital, why haven't you returned home yet? Is your aim to make us look bad in the eyes of those who hold the King's ear?"
"I would have come home had they not extended their hospitality. The Lord and Lady of the House welcomed me."
The following moments were overtaken by hushed arguments had in murmured voices over the call before they returned to the line, proper.
"Young lady, you will conclude your affairs, and make for your way home as soon as possible. Your transportation will arrive before midnight. But not before you get on your knees and thank Lord and Lady Strum for their kind hospitality that they have taken to showing someone so undeserving. We will end this embarrassment as soon as possible." The Baron hissed as the call cut abruptly.
She left her room only to run into the Lord and Lady of the House on her way through the corridor.
"Lady Lamiastell, I do hope you are feeling better now."
"My dear, they may be children but they are also Guardians. They are a study bunch. That being said, I am disappointed in how something like this could happen. For you to be harmed in my own home, please know that I will work to correct this mark against your honor, Lady Lamiastell."
"What my dear husband meant to say, child, is that Erie is very sorry and so are we. We do hope you can forgive us." Lady Inro again embraced her with a look of concern about her, only eased by Lord Strum's gentle touch of her shoulder.
"You owe me no apology. I have no intention of holding an accident against those that have been so kind to me. I am a stranger, and you welcomed me into your home." Freeing herself from the Lady's surprisingly fierce grasp.
"Sweet child, how I wished for the day one of my sons would bring home a bride such as yourself."
"I don't think I am anything of the sort, my lady."
"But I am curious. Your family is truly blessed to share such love between them that I can't help but wonder why Vauntuss is the way he is? Why is the one that seems to walk with the heaviest shackles or rather what is he to you that he is so willing to forget himself in pursuit of being that very thing?" Her tone was firm, as she looked at Lord Impetus.
Intrigued, but still concerned for what might happen to their guest, Lady Inro tried to stop him but he asked why she would ask him such a thing.
"Your name? Your legacy and that of your family is known by all in the kingdom and possibly even further, so what is it you'd want more, so much more from your son?"
"...to be ready. When the time comes he needs to know who he is and where he stands. You ask what I want from him, it's no secret, I want what any father would of their son" he turns and starts.to walk away
"To see him grow into a capable man, with his goal and own convictions. We aren't given names that relate to storms because we are meek and shallow. It's because we are born with an unyielding spirit."
"Has he not proven himself enough, even after everything he's shown you?"
"From what I have witnessed, he still has a lot of growth ahead of him but he seems to be on the right path...I just wish that it wasn't one such as his brother's at times. However, it is his conviction not my own." Leaving Tersia with his final thoughts as he and the lady of the manor departed.
The words she heard left Lamia with a smile that Vauntuss noticed after bumping into her.
"Oh, Lamia, you seem to be in good spirits, I take it to mean that all is well with your family?" His remorseful look turned surprised after she gave him a hug.
"They are no worse for wear. And just like I told your parents, I said it's fine, so you can stop moping. If it's not you, it's Erai or Stephen or Ketsu, all you serious types need to learn to relax a little."
"..."
"And you need to give yourself a break. If you start doubting yourself all you'll ever do is look back. And that's not we're your hope lies, it will always be right in front of you." She said as he looked down at her...causing her to let go as he did, in a flustered huff.
But he held on, and to her surprise, she enjoyed the warmth of his embrace.
"Now, will you escort this lady to lunch?"
"Should we not be thinking of getting you home?"
"On an empty stomach, I thought you were a gentleman, good sir." She said, teasingly.