Felyma POV
Having been informed by my mistress. Litralia Frenost earlier this morning, concerning the news from the capital. I felt a great deal of anxiety.
'What purpose was there in having Rielfin and me present?'
It would end up like an interrogation session. Questions aimed to find what the questioner desired, while slowly destroying the questioned. Having taken part in such actions in the past, to be the one answering questions does not sit well with me.
"This meeting should not take more than a few hours."
Or at least, that was what reiflin and I were told an hour ago, so being prepared for only a short visit to the capital. Our group, of five, found ourselves standing in the centermost area of the estate, one of the five gateways had already been opened allowing for immediate transport to the capital.
I have aways found traveling in this manner to be foreign as well quite unnerving. To step from one side of the empire to the next so effortlessly, the distance being more than eight thousand miles north of our present location.
Stepping through to the other side viewing the opulence as well the grandeur. Of the Strentolos primary estate brought to my attention how truly small I felt. Pure white stone almost like glass forming an awe-inspiring dome similar to where we had all just come from.
Never in my time, working in the Frenost estate have I ever had the opportunity to come to the capital. Being brought in to assist Milty Trigel to care for the young master, it had not been twenty minutes of having met him that I realized the reason why I had been brought in.
That boys behavior felt entirely off from all the other children I had worked with in the past. He would proceed to execute some action, whether it was walking, talking, or something unrelated like reading advanced text his interests were many and varied. Walking in his presence felt like I was not watching a child at all. A disturbing thought for a maid that is meant to be caring for a small boy who always seemed ready to disappear at a moments notice.
Greeting Hall
"Litralia you have come." [Pamreila]
Observing the group of five coming towards her Pamreila greeted them, having been instructed to do so by Arielia Strentolos.
"I am pleased to see you Pamreila, truly far better than having to deal with Fienya. And listen to her disdain throughout the halls." [Litralia]
As both drew closer towards one another, their countenance towards each other slowly began to change. There was not a smile between them, just a silent understanding of the situation.
"So Nedral has fallen into another of her traps, for a man of such prominence in this country he is still a man." [Lanthim]
Litralia had come to the capital in order to attend this meeting. That her husband had been preparing for the last few weeks. Having received instruction to be present. From her mother-in-law, this alone was all she needed to realize that Nedral had likely requested his mother to instruct her to be present. Himself having no real authority to demand the presence of his wives. Only his male children did he have any real control over until they came of age.
"Feinya has remained silent concerning her involvement. It is possible that she has other ambitions than causing you more trouble." [Pamreila]
Pamreila beckoned Litralia to follow her, not paying any mind to Mynrea that was also present. The halls that connected the many rooms of the estate stretched like snakes over the eight hundred acre compound. For generations, the Strentolos Clan had controlled the politics. Of magical society in the empire from this estate. Being the most powerful family of the six Magical clans that provided the empire's most powerful witches. Over the many years, however, this shining star of the Magical world was beginning to fade. Having not brought into the world a truly powerful witch, in over three hundred years slowly the clan was declining.
"To think that we four would meet again under such circumstances, only four months have passed since that time in Boucorym Province." [Mynrea]
Following behind the rest with her son eldra. Mynrea showed no emotion concerning Pamreila not welcoming her well. Seeing as she cared so very little when it came to Clan affairs or Arielia Strentolos desire to place herself over Mynrea. It became increasingly rare for Nedral's dragon wife to appear at any Clan function unless she felt like doing so.
"Only two of your sons showed any interest in this meeting Mynrea. You will forgive me, if I think that you hold little care. For the predicament that this child's disappearance has caused." [Pamreila]
Pamreila's attitude towards Mynrea was like shifting sand depending on the situation at hand. One day she would be helpful and bearable. Any other day however, it seemed Mynrea had to remind everyone that she was not the same as the rest of them.
"Jorriln and Torvold correct always so obedient those two. Not caught up in the silliness back in the dragon lands like their brothers." [Litralia]
Litralia caught in the middle of these women, began to feel the pressure between them. Having stated what, she felt on the subject both became silent not speaking to each other. With only the sound of their footsteps, to provided some sound. In what was now an awkward silence the group arrived at the location of the meeting
"Nedral is inside with everyone. Just remember to answer any questions you are asked truthfully and you should be fine." [Pamreila]
Having led them, this far Pameila remembered that earlier that morning. She to had been questioned concerning her thoughts of the boy when she had last seen him. Truth be told telling Arielia what she wanted to her was always the better choice than a lie that she would likely see through.
"With Lanthim being the only male human capable of manipulating mana. I do not find it strange she has not exhausted every avenue in order to have him returned." [Pamreila]
Both Litralia and Mynrea agreed with this statement. Both nodding to each other while listening to Pameila.
'Better to get this over with quickly. Lanthim will not remain in the wastes for long.' {Litralia}
As the doors to the south meeting hall began to open. The sound of people arguing amongst themselves could be heard.
"We have no idea how the child will react when we tell him to come home. Already he has gone into the Yelsoman Wastes before encountering Milty Trigel, she having demanded his return only for him to disappear deeper into the wastes. We have no idea how he will respond if force is used.
The table at which almost thirty men sat. Having been made some time before the breaking. Looked almost ready to break under the strain, of so many sets of hands continuously hitting it. At the head sat Arielia with a furious look on her face. Seemed to Litralia that they had been at it for some time before her group had arrived. On the far end of the table, a young looking man looked towards Litralia as she entered.
"My lady It pleases me to see you have come." [Cortrael]
Cortrael Frenost one of Pameila's sons who she had met several times in the past. Being only one hundred years younger than herself the look of age had not yet come to him. A blessing from his father no doubt, with an expression of near defeat on his face it almost seemed that Litralia's presence had brought him new life.
"Ah, you have arrived Litralia please sit a place has been provided." [Nedral]
Nedral motioned to an empty seat opposite himself, and three down from Feinya who sat directly to the right of Arielia. Always a glaring reminder of one's position in the family four wives and each was to remember her place. At least, that is how the Strentolos Clan maintains such strong control over their family.
"I am pleased to see the four of you here today and the child's caretakers as well though I think one is missing." [Arielia]
Being greeted by Arielia was never a simple affair as long as there was something to criticize she would do so without even the slightest care.
"Milty is still in the wastes mother. I am assured that Lanthim has not gotten to the other side." [Litralia]
"I see, well that is something, at least, losing him now would likely lead to greater problems." [Arielia]
The agitated expression on arielia's face began to fade slightly. Long had been this chase and she had worked hard to see the boy brought back.
"I will only ask you one question Litralia. At any time before he left did lanthim speak of anything, a reason to leave or possibly locations he would likely be heading too?" [Arielia]
An eerie silence cover the room like a dense fog. No one spoke or made any sign that they would do so. Until they heard something they wanted to here. Thinking back to those days almost two months ago. She could only recall what Milty reported to her, on a daily basis and even at that time there had been no sign.
"I am sorry mother, Lanthim at the time showed no sign. At least that was reported to me of having any plan to leave home." [Litralia]
A groan went through the entire hall. As many began to talk amongst themselves. Trying to figure out how this new information, fit into an ever growing puzzle. Lanthim to his credit never spoke his ideas or plans openly to others. The puzzle that was Lanthim Frenost was one of many questions and few answers.
"I will not bother asking the caretakers it is unlikely that they have any useful information." [Arielia]
The contempt, manifested towards Felyma and Rielfin. Was not something that anyone was going to question. Even though they are hired to do a specific job, and could leave at anytime. Arielia was not going to show individuals, of lower status any degree of recognition.
"I find it troublesome, that they would be called all this way just to be treated such. Felyma you had the time to interact with, Lanthim. Is there anything that you remember when you were with him." [Mynrea]
Standing against the east wall behind her mistress. Felyma looked to Mynrea how was now looking directly at her waiting for an answer. Thinking back, her memory of that time seemed unusually clouded. She knew that there was something just needed to remember.
"The Forest of Legrcstim he asked me once about its location." [Felyma]