After leaving the library, Heron dragged Elswyth along to go explore more.
The young woman followed him with a humoring smile on her face. She matched his pace easily. He would not have been surprised if she was actually slowing down her normal pace in order to do so.
He might have long legs, but she was a ranger. And also was fairly long legged.
They spent several more hours exploring. There were so many rooms and corridors. Storage closets, bedrooms, a war council room, the throne room, parlors, studies, three armories, and even a room for blacksmithing.
They did not stay long in any room, just peeking in and then leaving. And they still hadn't gone up to any of the towers. He could not seem to find the staircase that would lead there. A pity really. He had wanted to explore everything. Know where everything was and were to go to get there. He wondered what was in the towers. Of course they could just be decoration, but he really wanted to know one way or the other.
Eventually a servant came and found them telling them it was time for dinner. Heron and Elswyth went to the grand dining hall and found chairs at the mostly empty table. Queen Serendiah was already seated. She smiled in welcome at them.
A few moments later, Kuryzan came in. He sat beside of the queen a bit rigidly. His eyes darted over to Heron and Elswyth briefly before focusing on his plate.
Dinner was served by some servants.
It was so quiet as they ate. And Heron felt homesick. His sister would have been happily chatting away. He missed her so much. Her and that stoic best friend of hers.
But he kept a smile plastered to his face and tried not to dwell on how much his heart just longed for home.
He wished though someone would talk but all of a sudden he had no idea what to say. He had so little knowledge of Serendiah. Or of her elven ward.
Once again he wondered how that even worked. How did a human raise an elf? Especially when you were so young and the elf was pretty much grown up?
Before he knew it he had spoken outloud. "How? Isn't it hard for a human to be the parent figure of an elf?"
Serendiah had looked up as he asked. And then she laughed, "He's more the ward of the throne than specifically my ward. He was much younger when my great-grandfather took him in. Honestly, I've always viewed him as my brother so this is weird to both of us. Him suddenly being considered as my ward."
Kuryzan chuckled a little too. But he didn't say anything.
Heron accepted her answer. He wondered how they managed to deal with having their relationship suddenly changed on them.
"It's especially weird cause he was always my big brother figure," Serendiah continued, "He taught me how to read you know. And history, and math. I was a bit of a difficult child and wouldn't listen to any of the tutors my parents hired. Kur was the only person I would sit still for. And he was so patient with me."
Heron nodded and glanced at Kur. He seemed a bit embarrassed at Serendiah's praise. But he murmured softly and near incoherently, "You weren't that difficult. Just wanted to be outside all the time."
She chuckled, "I was difficult. Less difficult for you. I hated making trouble for my older brother. I don't know why exactly – maybe I admired your quiet spirit."
He smiled softly, and looked down embarrassed.
Heron smiled as he watched the exchange, "You are close I take it."
"Yeah." Serendiah nodded. "We are very different though. Kur pretty much spends all his time in the library. I prefer doing more physical activities."
After that Heron talked with the queen a bit. Kuryzan kept mostly quiet, but he was listening. Elswyth was quiet too, but she was actually zoning out. Heron wondered briefly what she was thinking about.
Dinner finished and Heron headed back to his bedroom. Elswyth walked beside of him. He felt rather comfortable in her presence. She was a good woman and he was glad they were friends. She left him at his door and told him to call her if he needed anything. He just laughed and went into his bedroom.
He deposited Kimp onto his pillow and then fell onto back onto the bed. He was out as soon as his head hit the pillow. He was barely aware that Kimp had slithered onto his neck under his chin.