It was two days since the attack on the Lodge tower and, the result was disastrous. A quarter of all the witches and wizards in the tower had died or been badly injured. There had been similar attacks all over the known world with similar results.
Arya stood before the High Council of the Lodge in the small assembly hall at the top of the tower. The hall was bright with large windows, white marble pillars, and statues. She didn't know why she had been summoned, but she thought she knew.
'Did they know she had killed a shadow demon before the attack came? I was going to tell them, but I didn't have time...
Who am I kidding?
I should have told them about the shadow demon first before I went after Elix and demanded he makes me new runes...' she thought with feelings of guilt.
She felt like she was awaiting judgment, but she held her head high. The summons had come without warning and, she hadn't even had time to change into something appropriate. Her hair was set in a ponytail as usual and, she was wearing black short shorts and a short open back crop top. But the men and women in front of her didn't seem to care in the least.
Of the ten council members, she only recognized Siona, who smiled a warm smile at Arya, which made her feel better. Of the ten council members, it was a man on the outer edge who began to speak. He looked no more than thirty but, Arya knew he was several hundred years old. He had a timeless aura.
"How are you feeling after everything that's happened, Arya?" He asked.
"Uh, I'm fine," Arya replied hesitantly. It wasn't common for the council to ask how you were feeling.
"My name is Aaron and, I am a member of the Council but, I also represent the Royal Court." He paused for a brief moment to see if he got any recognizable reaction. And Arya looked more and more like a question mark.
"I was there when you and Elix saved Eleonora from being killed during the attack..."
He continued in a calm and steady voice.
"Because of your heroic achievement, you will be rewarded." He cleared his throat.
"From now on, you are not just Arya of the Lodge, but Arya of the Stormborn."
"... What?"
"You are now a member of the nobility. " Siona replied.
"What?!!"
Arya just gaped with her eyes wide open.
"This is the first time in a thousand years that a new noble lineage has been formed," Aaron said, smiling with satisfaction.
"You're kidding..." Arya couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"You are the first Stormborn and the mother of all future Stormborn via marriage as well as childbirth. But of course, that comes with some precedence.
The head of the household must be of your blood and, an in-married person cannot be the head of the house. It is not possible to renounce the noble title 'of Stormborn.'
The land that belongs to you is in the north. The city of Trisada and a small number of villages will be under your protection. They will also pay taxes to you as you see fit.
You have the right to employ soldiers and extend your lands northwards, which consist of wasteland... if you wish...
Siona cleared her throat. "You will also have the opportunity to start a Lodge branch. A convent. Where new mages and guardians can train and, Magas can operate against demons."
"That is something the royal house also wishes you to do."
Arya just stared at them.
"Can I say no?" Arya asked hesitantly but, she already knew the answer.
"No... this must be done..."
There was no idea to ask why. Everything was politic, not just gratitude for saving the princess.
"Can Elix come with me?"
Siona looked regretfully at Arya.
"No, he's needed here."
"How many people can I get to come with me to start the new branch."
"None at the moment. The attack killed many and, we don't have the manpower."
"Can I get some guardians?"
"We... it may be safer to have no guardians at the moment. There are traitors..."
"So I ride alone? "
"Yes, but you will receive a considerable amount of money and proof that you are the new lord. There is a governor who will help you settle in. His name is Robb and, he is loyal."
"How do you know he's loyal?"
"He will die if he does not obey. He has sworn a blood oath. But when you are in control, he will go to the tower and report. You can't rely on him."
"Do I have a place to stay when I arrive?"
"You will have two castles, the Moon-keep and the Sun Castle. The Sun Castle is located in the town of Trisada and, the Moon keep is placed on a mountain beside the sea three miles from Trisada. Robb will meet you in the sun castle. Go there and present yourself as Lady Stormborn and give him this letter."
"How far north do I have to go to find... my... properties?"
"Three weeks' ride approximately."
Arya sighed deeply.
"I would need a man who could draw runes for me. Is there anyone there who can do that?"
"There is, but they are not members of the Lodge. They are friendly to us and will support you if you pay..."
"How many wizards and witches...?"
"About ten, probably fewer."
Arya was silent for a moment.
"When do I ride?" she finally said.
"Immediately, go and pack. A horse will be waiting in the tower area. You can bring whatever weapons you want. A wizard is waiting in the courtyard and, he will fill them with Yang mana before you leave."
--Three weeks later--
It was a clear day. Arya's horse stamped restlessly and, her familiar flew high in the sky. She stood on a hill just a few hundred meters from Trisada, a medium-sized port town. It was surrounded by high walls and several towers from which it flew banners with a silver phoenix on a black background. It was her crest as Lady Stormborn.
Movement in and out of the town was brisk. Many merchants but also farmers drove in and out of the city with all kinds of goods. Arya followed the way into the city through a massive gate. The houses were of grey stone and wood painted in different colors. The streets were straight, made of flattened earth, and, here and there, were deep wheel ruts.
'This is my new home and my subjects. First I was an orphan in an orphanage and, now I have become the founder of a new noble House. It's madness. But I've never been as lonely as I am now. Arya thought sadly.
Arya looked up at the sun castle. Everyone could see it no matter where they were in the city. Five massive white towers stretched towards the sky, joined together by equally impressive black walls.
'I'll have to get up to the castle and see if I can meet this Robb.'