Sitting alone in the largest of Mynrea's four gardens, Syrelia looked far into the distance beyond the forest that surrounded the three mountains on which her brother's residence had been built. An endless wasteland was where her brother Lanthim Frenost had built his home as far away from the nations of Man, Elves, and Demi-humans as he could. On a dead continent where nothing grew. Except within the Forest of Legrcstim it was here that. Lanthim brought abandoned children of any race to teach them what he had learned. From within the forest and the library within.
Syrelia having received training from her older brother. Or at least the teachings he left behind before, he had left the family estate when she was young. Was considered like her other two brothers Melryn and Aldain to be students like the rest who live in the residence. As such Syrelia would have to begin the same training as every other apprentice in order to enter the forest. Due to her older brother having injured himself the plans for Syrelia to moved to the lower ties was put on hold.
Within the gardens which Mynrea had kept pristine. Syrelia relaxed on a blanket that had been prepared for her. On her lap a series of letters that she had already opened. The young eleven year old soon to turn twelve. Had been very busy since the day before. Writing letters to her grandmother and others summoning them to the residence to see her brother.
{Syrelia bring those you have summoned to me I can sense their arrival.} [Lanthim]
{Yes my brother.} [Syrelia]
Syrelia left the blanket behind which was swiftly retrieved by one of the maids that waited on her.
'Those two actually thought they could use a magical artifact to kill brother how sad for them. Sadly brother has no interest in taking over the clan so he will likely spare them again.' {Syrelia}
Walking towards the terminal where all people who wished to come to the residence would have to arrive first. Syrelia waited for the first portals to open.
'So brother knows who I summoned here.' {Syrelia}
Almost instantly five portals took shape opening in several different places some Syrelia had never seen before.
"Grandmother it is good that you have come today." [Syrelia]
"You may say that child. But I feel that there is more to this summons then you lead on." [Arielia]
The head of the Strentolos clan had come to her brother's home. Apart from Litralia or Eldra no had seen the residence that Lanthim had built. But it was not just her grandmother who arrived Eldra and his son Frelimta as well as her father Nedral and his wives.
"Syrelia why have you asked so many to come here? We are very busy at the moment." [Litralia]
"My brother has awakened after three days, and you will move forward. With our father's taking of another wife without consulting him A poor choice mother." [Syrelia]
Litralia retreated for a moment. Long it had been since she had seen her son. But vivid was the memory of his power and impatience towards Arielia.
"You think your brother is a greater power than your grandmother in this clan child? The decision to move ahead is already given nothing will stop this marriage." [Feinea]
Calm but patronizing as always Nedral's first wife Freinea always held any of her husband's offspring from his other wives with complete disdain. Having tried to kill Lanthim on several occasions it was a wonder that she was even left alive.
"My brother has no equal in our clan or any clan that resides on this continent that said please this way." [Syrelia]
It was a sizable group that followed. Syrelia through the twisting corridors that lead to where. Lanthim was still talking with his wives. With every step, the feeling of Natural mana becoming denser could be felt until the reached the outer doors of the Meditation chamber
"My Lady the necessary stones for entry into the meditation chamber have been placed here by grand master Melfsol."
A maid standing next to a long table gestured towards the prepared items. While Syrelia took a stone placing it on the back of her hand.
"What place are we going to that we require magical items to protect us?" [Nedral]
"To your son, my father." [Syrelia]
Inside Meditation Chamber
Lanthim tired and sore could not move his head to look at those he was speaking with. The damage to his neck was such that he would easily be overcome. By the pain of the action. That being said if he absolutely had to move he would do so.
"What is this smell I like it." [Lanthim]
His words did not receive a response as they who were present did not immediately understand his meaning. Yreni who out of everyone in the room had a decent sense of smell twitched her nose trying to find what he was talking about.
"What smell do you speak of Grand Master there is nothing that I can find all that interesting." [Yreni]
Turning to the others who were present Leinea was the only one clueless as to what was happening.
"Well, since Lanthim is injured he will not be able to take advantage of this opportunity. I found it strange though that it took this long." [Mynrea]
Looking even more confused than before Leinea watched as all four sisters nodded together.
"I do not understand." [Leinea]
"Oh, It is nothing child you are just entering your first fertility cycle that is all." [Nervym]
Turning red instantly Leinea retreated to the edge of the platform with frightful speed.
"I don't know what she is so bewildered about it's not like he can do anything. If he was able that is a whole other story altogether." [Palrena]
The main reason for Leinea's immediate retreat was the fact that Lanthim had been able to notice the distinctive scent that was created pheromonally during a female's fertility cycle. Have yet fully digested the facts concerning her husband's ancestry the idea of him being part Dragon and Haldrathin felt incredibly foreign to her. Mynrea, on the other hand, seemed pleased with this turn of events. Not that he was injured in battle to such an extent but the possibility of a quick pregnancy was possible now.
Lanthim's instincts would drive him to have children and due to Leinea not being trained to suppress the required scent markers that trigger a male's desire to breed. While it could be seen as cruel Myrnea would not allow this opportunity to be driven away.
'Even if Lanthim is in this state now in a few months he will be well enough. Until then I shall leave Leinea be and allow things to take their proper course.'
Having been left alone due to Leinea's retreat Mynrea had a closer look at how Lanthim was injured. By the condition of the bandages that cover most of his left side looked to have been changed before their group had arrived. His right arm was gone there was no bandage as the stump that remained looked to have been healed in the condition it was found. The left arm was bleeding heavily likely from when Leinea had landed on his left wing forcing a reaction that opened the wound.
Looking to the young Demi-human called Yreni who sat closer to Lanthim then the rest one could sense a large amount of purified mana coming from her.
"Grandmaster we have prepared the linen you asked for."
Turning to see who had entered the meditation room Mynrea noticed four maids all holding large amounts of carefully prepare linen to be used as bandages.
"Very good leave them there on the platform then you may go." [Yreni]
Silently the maids bowed then preceded to do as they were instructed. Placing the linen beside Leinea the maids departed in silence not looking back. Watching as they left Leinea could not believe what she had heard.
'Grandmaster? I thought Melfsol was the only Grandmaster after Lanthim.'
Thinking this Leinea was startled to see Melfsol entering the room leading a large group of people.
"Syrelia you have come." [Lanthim]
"Yes, brother I have our father and grandmother with me." [Syrelia]
A frightening frown formed on Lanthim's face as he heard this. Long had he kept his home a place far away from the clan only to have syrelia bring them here.
"Come forth and speak your purpose here I do not have much time." [Lanthim]
"Before that My master, there is something that must be attended to quickly." [Melfsol]
A dark expression came upon Lanthim's face as he sensed the item that Melfsol had brought. A powerful, magic item that when used properly could be devastatingly destructive. Advancing slowly to where Lanthim lay Melfsol placed the item place the item beside his master. Taking several steps back he sat cross-legged waiting for Lanthim to respond.
"So this is the spear of Dyhnal." [Lanthim]
"Yes, master it is." [Melfsol]
Moving his left arm over slightly to touch the spear Lanthim could feel his shoulder wound opening.
'If there is still enough natural mana stored I could repair some of the damage to my body.'
Reaching further as the pain in his shoulder increased Lanthim felt Yreni's hand on his right shoulder.
'Master, you must not move the wounds to your left arm are too great and I only have enough mana to stitch your wounds one more time before I collapse." [Yreni]
Regardless he continued to move his arm as the bandages began to turn bright red with blood. All he had to do was touch the spear and he would be able to repair something. With the amount of blood loss reaching a critical point, Lanthim began to feel faint. Regardless neither Melfsol of Yreni attempted to help him while the rest just silently watched.
As his blood soaked the white silk-like surface of the platform that the entire group sat upon. Lanthim's hand reached the spear with this action he let out a relaxed sigh. His complexion in that instance seemed to improve as he took a firm grasp of the spear the air seemed to swirl around them.
"Melfsol what is happening." [Mynrea]
The sudden shift in the natural mana within the meditation chamber began to exert of physical reaction as it was being pulled towards the spear. to such an extent that Mynrea had to deploy barrier magic to keep everyone from being pulled towards Lanthim. While both Melfsol and Yreni seemed completely unaffected by the phenomenon.
"The Grandmaster is attempting to use the spear to draw natural mana to the spear than to himself in order to hasten to heal. He may not get much though the amount of mana required is too great." [Melfsol]
Yreni still beside Lanthim had begun using magic to attract all of the blood that her master was laying in away into a large basin close to the door the led into the chamber.
"Nedral what is going on I do not understand any of this?" [Freina]
None of the group that arrived with Syrelia aside from her mother had ever tried to comprehend Lanthim's true power or potential. Thinking him to be some great nuisance that would eventually destroy the reputation of the clan.
But Nedral did not answer all Freina could see was a terrible fear in her husband's eyes. Turning to look back at Lanthim to her own amazement he had sat upright while she had turned away. His countenance had improved even more and his breathing was in no way hindered but he still bled from his wounds.
"The spear will allow me to maintain this position for a time. However, I have better uses for this power than to have you all fear my presence." [Lanthim]
Even though it was incredibly dangerous for him to be sitting in this position Lanthim would not talk with his grandmother laying on his back like an invalid but sitting as her equal. There was but one problem however that being his large wings that had spread to their full length. Which to some would seem awe-inspiring felt more like an overload dictating his will upon others.
"As I told you after your match in the tournament opener Syrelia's engagement has been dissolved." [Arielia]
Being situated directly in front of her grandson Arielia felt like she was being interrogated for a crime she actually had done. The feeling of intense pressure that if she spoke anything untrue Lanthim would know.
"It is due to this dissolution that our clan has agreed with the Cousrlim clan to have a change in marriage partners." [Arielia]
"So the son is rejected so they ask for a change. What purpose is there in the union between our clans I see no need for this now." [Lanthim]
"Seeing as you live so far out of the sphere of our clan's influence it is no wonder you know nothing. Every few years our clan loses sway to the other six clans. Too few sons to be married out and not enough daughter's to keep our power base secure." [Aierlia]
In truth, as she spoke the empress was continuing to take more advice from the advisors provided by the other clans then herself. Spreading clan influence into another country could bring in intelligence that could be useful to the empire in the future and that was what this marriage was all about.
"Even if what you say is true using another clan as a means to maintain power at home could backfire quickly if not within a generation." [Lanthim]
"I am well aware of that but there is nothing that can be done now you are of no use to the clan due to your present choice in wives. No self-respecting human woman would marry you." [Areilia]
Lanthim smiled as he turns in the direction of Mynrea and Leinea both seemed worried for him seeing his wounds continue to bleed but not badly. Without his eye's Lanthim relied on natural mana to see and even then it was like looking at a mist that faded over time.
"Tell me about this woman is she older than Lanmair or younger better not be younger since that would be illegal in the empire." [Lanthim]
Nedral could be considered an ancient man by the standards of this world due to the most part to his age of almost eight hundred and ninety-seven year. Due to the seals placed on human males that restricted their ability to manipulate mana, almost all male humans would die by the age of seventy-four. Lanthim's father, on the other hand, seemed to have been born with a strange mutation to the seal which meant that he would age the same as a female with the ability to use mana.
This being the case Nedral was the only human male to reach his present age and would continue to live on for many hundreds of years.
"It is Lanmair's twin sister Varym that has been chosen to take Mynrea's position as your father's fourth wife." [Arielia]
"I see yes I see." [Lanthim]