Within the Mountain of Toulmal Lanthim rested sensing the anxiety of all that were present. Having lost both his eye's in the battle with the Renthial. He could only perceive the actions of others through the flow of natural mana. Before himself was the current head of the Strentolos clan of which he was a part. Arielia Strentolos was directly in front of him. From what he could sense Lanthim's grandmother seemed terrified of what she saw presently before her. It was not natural for a young human male to become this thing she saw before her now.
Looking at the daunting dragon form that sat before her made Arielia's skin crawled. In fact, the entire experience of coming to meet with her grandson had been a series of startling firsts. The first of which was seeing the enormity of the residence he had built. Adding to everything she had heard up to the present time the feeling of superiority she carried as head of the clan had by now completely shattered.
"So the Cousrlim clan shall marry a seventeen-year-old girl to a man over seven centuries old I feel there is more to this than I am being told." [Lanthim]
There was a deepness to Lanthim's voice as the Dragon and Haldrathin blood in his veins began to find unity. Listening to his every word like a soldier would a commanding officer Arielia could feel the truth being pulled out of her.
"If it pleases my brother the woman in question is Halgathy." [Syrelia]
Suddenly shifting his sightless eyes to where Syrelia sat Lanthim's face bore an expression of fearful surprise.
"Is there a child?" [Lanthim]
"Yes, Lanthim there is a boy." [Litralia]
As more revelations came forward Lanthim's expression began to darken the same could be said of both Yreni and Melfsol who both looked to each other. With Melfsol nodding to her then swiftly left the chamber.
"How old is the child My lady?" [Yreni]
Litralia looked to the six-tailed demi-human with growing alarm even Lanthim's two wives seemed to grow in agitation as the conversation went on.
"He should be two now I believe they will be coming to visit me at my estate if you would like to meet them before the wedding takes place." [Litralia]
Trying to break the heavy atmosphere that hung around the entire group Litralia attempted enthusiasm in what seemed to be a gradual decline in understanding between grandmother and grandson.
"You know what becomes of haldrathin half-breeds when they are left to their own devices grandmother. Entire cities have been destroyed because of them wars have been fought to obtain their power."[Lanthim]
"I don't need a history lesson on the past sins of other men. Our family losses influence in court daily. The Empress hears the words of those women who have been jealous of our clan's power." [Arielia]
Listening silently Lanthim's expression softened in the teaching he had left for his sibling he had taught of unwavering support for the clan in all things. So he as well would have to tow the line as it were and accept this marriage even with the strings that came attached with it.
"While I have my reservations I shall not interfere with the marriage moving forward." [Lanthim]
The sigh that came from Leinea while surprising did expose the greater tension which Lanthim chose to entirely ignore. The atmosphere felt much clearer with no traces of alarm, agitation or anxiety.
"I will have one condition that will have to be met before I can give any blessing to this marriage." [Lanthim]
Everyone looked at him with astonished faces but their joy at an apparent victory made Arielia and Freina. Both confident that no matter what he asked for it would be a nonfactor moving ahead.
"I shall be taking custody of the boy effective immediately he shall remain in the care of a master who will see to his training so he will not become a menace among us." [Lanthim]
Like Syrelia months before Lanthim would not allow a potential powder keg. Into his grandmother's hands that she could manipulate as she pleased. Especially when that powder keg had the potential to go nova on its clan and drive everything before it.
"You believe that it is possible to restrain such a being grandson. I shall let you have him. All I need is the clan connections that our clan shall receive from this marriage. The child is just added luggage do with him as you please." [Arielia]
'She will not fight me on this then how convenient.'
"Very well all shall move forward as it should. Now leave me I must begin my meditation immediately." [Lanthim]
The first to stand was Yreni who made her way around her master attempting to not cause too much movement to his body.
"If you will all follow me there are refreshments prepared that you may partake of before you return to your homes." [Yreni]
Lanthim said nothing as the chamber was cleared. Still remaining in the sitting position everyone. Could feel the density of the natural mana begin to increase. Walking towards the exit that opened into the fresh air outside the mountain.
"Young fool! What will he gain by taking Varym's son? The child was to be left with his grandparents and would likely never see his mother again." [Feinya]
Leinea had waited for Feinya to say something against Lanthim. It was only a matter of waiting for her patience to wear. Even with all, she had seen from Lanthim's wings to his tail did not sway her open hatred of the grandmaster.
"The supervision that child will receive here will be on a level far surpassing anything. First order beings such as yourselves could possibly hope to provide." [Yreni]
Mynrea could only sigh to herself, as she listened to Yreni. Go from being a gentle creature that would not hurt anyone to what she had grown used to from Melfsol. With an air of superiority that rivaled all before her, the rest of the group happy to not saying anything.
{Yreni antagonizing Feinya could damage brothers ability to gain support from the clan in the future try to be a little more gentle.}
Making her way ahead of the rest of the group Syrelia seemed to be in a hurry to distance herself from everyone present. She did have one person who she was dragging as fast she could away from the rest of the group. Frelimta a younger sibling of Leinea's had for some time been engaged to Syrelia if only secretly with Lanthim's blessing.
Frelimta was to turn fourteen soon so Eldra felt. There would be a need to keep his interest in Syrelia as high as possible. So to maintain a stronger union between them when they actually married. While some would see two young people going off on their own would be a grave error on the head of the girl's guardian. To combat this the maids that occupied the Frenost clan's living quarters were Templar ranked trainees that were allowed to live with their masters family.
To this effect, in order to keep favor, these maids would maintain the structure and order laid down by their master. Saying all that Frelimta seemed confused to be pulled away from the rest of the group.
"Stop struggling boy, if you do not just accept the inevitable she will walk all over you in the future." [Nervym]
With a smile on Syrelia's face and a slightly defeated expression on her charge both disappeared.
"The apple does not fall far from the tree." [Nervym]
Looking to Eldra who just shrugged with a confident look on his face. For most dragons strength meant everything, and with all of the day's revelations concerning his Father in law. Even with the age difference between Lanthim and Mynrea the truth that he had been able to see made Eldra feel excited about the future.
"We have arrived please proceed inside." [Yreni]
"Will you not join us Yreni I would like to talk more with you." [Leinea]
Watching the young woman who was at least the same age as herself begin to take her leave. Leinea would not lose the opportunity to learn more about this person that just appeared out of nowhere with such close attachments to her husband.
"Three days of having to deal with that wounded fool. Has left me too tired my lady, if it pleases you we may talk tomorrow." [Yreni]
With that said Yreni left looking exhausted leaving Leinea alone outside of the building prepared so the entire group could eat together.