"Because you hate the current system and suffering. In addition to that, I sought you out with reasonable explanation as to how to make things better." I said.
"Fair enough." Ivan said.
I looked at the proxy, now. "I shouldn't, but I will allow you to take the papers to Laura. If anyone even looks like they are going to stop you, destroy the papers any way necessary. If this is leaked on her end.. You'll be fortunate if I don't seek compensation. Just also inform her that I won't tolerate a proxy again."
"Very well, I will relay this." The proxy said.
"Any more questions, or do you both agree to join in this venture as council members for the City?" I asked.
"Am I gonna be in charge of the workers for said farms? Or just over seeing the process?" Breena asked.
"Kind of both. I'd like you to teach people what you know of it, while also being the main one they see for direct complaints and such. You are also more knowledgeable when it comes to farming and can ensure the development won't be stunted if my plans are off. I understand you've studied East Haven to some degree?" I replied.
"Indeed I have. I wanted to implement their style in other areas." Breena said.
"I didn't include where I would like medicinal herbs to be grown, do you think you could handle that as well? I believe it's pretty similar for the most part. It's vital, because I want to end the reliance on the churches by popularizing accessible medicine." I explained.
"I believe I can handle the herbs as well, yes." She said.
"I appreciate that. There will be a unique and majorally unheard of light source for the city and farms." I told them. "I intend to have the ceiling enchanted by Fey spirits to reflect the actual sky."
"Well, that sounds very interesting. Fey magic here." Breena said.
"Breena's papers pertain to farming, Ivan's are of the market area, Laura's show the school and home designs, and Jaden's show the designs for the play and training areas. A rule for residency is the citizen must work, or attend the school. The school has special criteria for residents, they must be doing well, or go work. Training is required of guards and recommended of residents." I explained. "There is age restrictions. Five and older children must attend school, at ten the rule differs to they may work or attend school."
"Alright, I'm in." Breena said.
"I will participate." Ivan said.
"Excellent. The location that will be built in is a thirty minute walk East from Dueling Rivers, just after the second bridge, you take a left and you're there. Behind the metal door I will have a council room constructed." I replied. "I will be going North tomorrow, if any you'd like to come meet Elder Alberich."
"May I reach out to you in a few days time?" Breena asked.
"Yes. Feel free to anytime with questions or concerns. Dad has me being tutored three times a week in the North, so a letter may be easiest." I replied.
"I can do a letter, that's easy enough." Breena agreed.
"I believe I can make time to go." Jaden said.
"I believe I can as well." Ivan replied.
"Very well. What time shall I expect you both?" I asked.
"Shall we decide around noon? And to meet at Dueling Rivers?" Jaden asked.
"Yes. That can be done." I agreed, then looked at Ivan.
"Yes, I can make that." Ivan agreed.
"Great. I will see you both, then." I replied.
Ivan stood. "It was good to meet you all. I will see you again at a later date." He took his leave then.
The others followed shortly after. I looked at Nathan. "It wouldn't change the past, Nathan, but if you really want to make that wish about your family, I can take you to the Mansion and let you use the doll."
"Alright. I am very interested in seeing this place." Nathan said.
I nodded. Snow rubbed her cheek on Dad's, "I'll go with the boys and keep an eye on them." She said.
"Thank you, I appreciate that. There's no telling what they might get up to." Dad said.
"I'll accompany him tomorrow, too." Snow said.
"I feel that's the more important one." Dad said.
"No worries. I'll bring my sword." She smiled sweetly.
"Hopefully you won't have to use it." Dad replied.
We got up and headed out of the room. Plight came to ask if I wanted him to come, too. I asked if he'd prefer to go meet his sister or not. He acknowledged he wanted to go meet his sister, so I fetched the glyph to my father's estate and handed it to Plight. I told him to stay with his sister and Phintias as long as he wanted, and his sister can use the teleportation glyph whenever he is ready to come back.
Snow activated the two glyphs once I'd drawn them. Plight went through, after I explained it'd take him to Phintias' front door. The desk person could fetch either Phintias or Lucretia for him. Nathan and I went through the other portal, which took us right to the mansions first floor, only for Sienna to tackle us. Snow laughed as we recovered from the exuberant Celadrin's attack.
":You're eyes are a happy color!:" Sienna noticed, looking into Nathan's eyes.
":Thank you?:" Nathan said slowly.
":This is Sienna. Sienna, this is Nathan.:" I introduced them.
":It is a pleasure to meet you.:" Nathan told her.
":Good to meet you, too, Nathan.:" Sienna replied in a friendly manner. ":Did you guys come to play?:"
":No, I came to show Nathan the mansion, as he may live here.:" I explained.
":Oh.:" She said, immediately sad.
I sighed. "Do you want to play with her after a look around?"
"It has been a while since I've gotten to play. That would be nice." Nathan said.
Sienna jumped up and cheered. ":Then, can I follow you?:"
"Yes. You may. Try common." I replied
"Yes.. ok." She said carefully.
"Where's Alexion?" I asked.
":Temple training.:" She said. "Ada is upstairs, but Amilë is collecting some things to decorate."
I nodded. "Ok. Mo- er, Snow, can you give a tour again? You're much better." My face turned red.
She patted my head, "Yes, I can do the tour."
And so from bottom to top Snow gave the tour of the mansion, with Alex joining us. She gave as much detail as she could. Once we were done with the tour, we played with Sienna while Snow chatted with Alex. Alexion and Sylvia came home half way through, so he was roped into playing, too.
After we'd all calmed some, I looked at Nathan, "Do you really want to make that wish?"
"After much deliberation, I've decided.. no." Nathan answered. "It would mean nothing to change them like that."
"Would it change your mind if I said they'd die, due to high treason in twelve years?" I asked.
"If they cannot change themselves... then it will play out as it does." Nathan said.
I inclined my head. "If that's how you feel. Do you want to inherit your Father's estate?"
"I can try, but I don't know if it will play out like that." Nathan said.
"If you are the only Denoir left, it is yours to claim." I pointed out.
"Unless I am disowned before then." Nathan said.
"He would have to register that in the court system before attempting to strike your name from the family records. That also takes money to do, which he has. But won't file it with the court." I informed him.
"He would do everything in his power to not seem weak." Nathan said.
"He'll hire assassins to murder you if you step out of line. He'll verbally disown you. He won't legally do so, nor is he smart enough to look in his territory for you." I said. "What we haven't told you, is that I have memories from when I was sixteen. I returned in time, essentially."
"S.. you have.. memories from the future? How?" Nathan asked.
"I died. Came back, got banished, well, my internal monster got banished, I used a glyph to go home, went to the wrong reality, came home at four years old." I shrugged. "With a lot of trauma to go with all that."
"That sounds like a lot." Nathan said.
"It is. It's how I know the things I do." I told him. "Meeting you in the other reality is why I want to help you."
"So by the way your speaking.. my family does not.. ever turn it around." Nathan said.
"No. I'm sorry. I can say if I left things alone, everyone in the Capital would die in March of 872 because of your father's schemes for power. But if I interfere, he will be removed due to treason." I told him. "There is a possibility that my Dad would be offered the Denoir estate at that point. If I asked, he'd take it."
"Maybe that will be for the best." Nathan said.
"Of course, I could just murder them. Then the people they've magically enslaved can go free. There are bad people working for him, though." I said.
"Yes, there certainly are." Nathan said. "If you ever decide to take care of them.. don't tell me."
"Not 'please keep them alive?'" I asked.
"To do what? Keep them imprisoned for the rest of their lives?" Nathan asked.
"You're a gentle person. I can respect that." I said.
"Thank you." Nathan said. "I find that someone must be."
"You be the softy, and I'll be the one stabbing people that try to harm you." I said.
He chuckled. "Alright. I agree."
"Let's not have the four year old talking about stabbing people, ok?" Alex said.
"Stabbing people!" Sienna shouted, jumping on Nathan, knocking him to the floor. She started giggling and poofed, popping up next to me and picking me up, snuggling me.
Alexion was staring at his sister disgruntled. "She does bite people, Atar."
"Hoh.. don't bite people, honey. Unless they really deserve it." Alex sighed.
"They do." Sienna said. Still cheerful and full of laughter.
Nathan picked himself up from the floor. Sienna looked at Nathan, set me down and point at him, then across the room and he was then across the room. Which spooked him.
"It's an ability of Eldadrin and Celadrin elves. Just refuse next time." I explained to him. Then my eyes lit up with an idea. I went to Snow. "Can we go to town, please?"
"Alright. Sure." Snow said. "But why?"
I bounced on my feet excitedly, "To talk to the baker!"
The twins looked very curious now. They looked at their parents questioningly. Nathan asked, "Why are we going to talk to the baker?"
"To give him a recipe to bribe Sienna's spirit friends." I said.
"My friends?" Sienna asked. "Oh, like Baas and Undine?"
I nodded. "Undine and the ones like her."
Alex said, "is it still Kaz at the bakery?"
"Yes. It's Kaz." I answered.
"Oh I wonder what he's come up with since I last seen him." Alex said.
"This has also caught my attention." Sylvia admitted. "We may go."
Even Alexion was genuinely excited at the prospect. So, we all walked to Dueling Rivers. On the way, Snow said, "Teacher, want to take out a goblin den nearby after treats?"
"Have the goblins been a problem for the local populace?" He asked.
"I don't know. My boyfriend's son wants to build a city in their home, though." Snow replied.
Alex looked at me, "And why is this?"
"It's legally no man's land. It would also be easiest to defend." I explained. "Or are you looking for a different reason?"
"All solid reasons." Alex said.
"I don't have anything noble in mind, like Nathan does.. I originally built a town there because I wanted a space that kids like me wouldn't end up getting hurt.. I came to be a Hearthry because Dad bought me to settle a debt with my birth father." I said. "But I thought my parents abandoned me and feared Dad would too, if I was useless."
"Well, I certainly hope nothing like that has ever come to pass." Alex said.
I shrugged as we neared the gates. "Everything will be different now. I'm doing my best to keep everyone safe."
"I do believe that we will all help you." Alex replied.
"I know. You and Bibs will help if I ask. And so will Ashtar. Who is the person I was gonna ask to clear out- oh, it's Wren. The goblins. I was gonna ask Ashtar to clear out the goblins cause she will if asked. Like you." I told Alex. I'd noticed Wren in the square. I wasn't very interested in her because Thomas hadn't been born yet. She'd glanced at us when I'd said her name, but that was all. "*Don't make Wren angry.*" I warned everyone in draconic quietly.
We crossed the square and went inside the bakery. Kaz greeted us, "Welcome to Kaz's bakery, what can I fill your belly with?"
"Probably cookies." Snow answered, picking me up. "But this child has something interesting for you."
"Oh?" Kaz asked.
"Yes. A new recipe! That the mayor will grudgingly love." I said.
"Well, that sounds intriguing, what can we do?" Kaz asked.
So I relayed the recipe and how to make the treat. Knowing full well that he'll experiment with it. "It's soft and basically melts each bite."
"Well, you've got me intrigued." Kaz said. "Let's see what we can whip up and try out."
He went and started getting things ready. It was a super fast creation to literally whip up. So we waited. He plopped the fluffed creations into some pans, he'd made enough for a few of each of the flavors. After the short baking time, he placed them in a fanned cooler, so that we could all try it out.
"Well, don't leave me in suspense, how'd they come out?" Kaz asked us, once we'd all tried it.
"I'm not a fan." Snow said, "But I also prefer a firmer bite to food."
"We love it." The twins said.
"I think it's delightful, and your idea to add flavors to it is remarkable." Sylvia said.
"I'd like to order a dozen." Alex said.
"And I'd eat those." Nathan said.
"I knew you'd be the right one for this." I said.
"If you have any other things for me to whip up, by all means, bring 'em by. I'll do my best to do them justice." Kaz replied.
"Well, do you think you can make cookies that are strawberry and cream flavored?" I asked. "I helped make peanut butter cookies and jam cookies the other day and they were both really good."
"I believe I could do that." Kaz said.
He'd need a while to try out that experimental recipe, but he took in the orders for the treats, and named it 'Elven Pillows'. Which the twins loved. Once the official batch was ready we paid and headed back towards the mansion. I made us stop by Bibs and Kershka's house first, to give Kershka some Elven Pillows.
This turned into a full visit, with Bibs coming outside to chat, and Kershka tossing each of the kids, and Snow, in the air. They all laughed delighted. While we played, Alex played a gentle melody that showed his happiness. It was a seriously peaceful moment, even when Ashtar joined. Boisterously laughing and enjoying the liveliness.
Ashtar heard Alex make a joke about the Elven Pillows and Tilton. He happened to be passing at the wrong time, she asked for one and went up to Tilton.
"Hey, Tilton. Found your pillow." Ashtar said.
He took it daintily by an edge. "And what is this?"
"An Elven Pillow, made by a master baker." Ashtar replied, not scared.
Alex was hiding his face. Tilton squashed it, and tossed it at her head, "Suits you better now."
She caught it, as it fell and sprang back to it's normal form. "Oh wow. That's cool. Try a bite?" She offered it to him then.
"And why would I try a bite of this thing?" Tilton asked.
"Why not? Scared?" She asked.
"Absolutely terrified. What is it even made of?" He wanted to know.
"Egg, sugar, fruit and tiny bit of cornstarch." I said.
"It's good." Kershka said. "You should try it."
"Fine Kershka. I will try it." Tilton huffed. He tore a piece of and did so. "This is definitely not sleep quality."
Ashtar laughed and said, "Trouble doesn't sleep anyways, isn't it?"
"Indeed. I do not sleep. Then again, I could try and smother you with it." Tilton said.
"I'm not afraid of you, you rapscallious troll." Ashtar responded.
Lightning fast, the elven pillow was between his fingers and pressed against her mouth. "No. But you should be."
She hated eggs. Everything about them. In her second lifetime she was even allergic to them. "Never." She said.
He sighed. Plopped it on her head and walked away, which only made her laugh. Alex said, "That could have gone worse."
"Oh, he's all bark and trouble makin'." Ashtar said. "You should have seen the snow ball fights we all had."
"I've never known him to be such a thing." Alex said.
"That's alright, a long time has passed, it seems. I've been told he's an upright member of society now, but I still see him as trouble." Ashtar replied.
"Well, maybe with you around again, maybe he'll go back to being trouble instead of all serious all the time." Bibs said.
"Maybe. Dunno. I'll have to paint him sometime and see." Ashtar said.
"What.. what did you mean by paint him?" Alex asked.
"Hmm. Well, you see, you get an arrow without a tip and crush some red flowers into a dye with vinegar, you fill a pouch with the stuff, and shoot him from a distance. It explodes and dyes him. Then you hide. Hiding is important cause then he stews." Ashtar explained.
"I'd imagine the hiding part is very important, yes." Alex said.
"Indeed it is. The longer he hunts, the funner the game." Ashtar declared.
"I do remember these little games of yours. It would infuriate him greatly. Though it was amusing." Bibs said.
"He just gets me back when I'm asleep." She shrugged.
"Indeed he does." Bibs agreed.
"I wouldn't want Tilton around me when I'm alseep... he's devious." I said.
"That's part of the fun." Ashtar replied.
Alex looked deeply concerned. I patted his hand and said, "It's ok, Alex. They are really good friends."
"There is a limit to what friendship will stop, retribution wise." Alex replied.
"Well, so long as I don't go crazy and start harming people for no good reason, everything's fine with Tilton. Oh, and as long as I don't rearrange anything in his house. That'd break boundaries." Ashtar said.
"Yes, it would." Bibs agreed.
"And friends don't go around stomping boundaries, you know?" She noted.
It was like if a light went off in my head from that comment. It seemed simple and obvious. It put Lana and the rest into perspective for me. I listened to them talk some but, comfortable next to Kershka, I fell asleep, my body flopping against him.
When I woke up from the nap, Snow was nearby and we were at the mansion. When she noticed I'd woke, she said, "Took care of the goblins. Warded against them temporarily. Nathan is playing with Sienna and Alexion downstairs."
"Oh. Thank you." I said.
"Don't worry bout it, little baby. It wasn't a difficult thing." Snow replied.
I got up and we headed downstairs. We had been in Snow's personal rooms here, so it wasn't far to go. Once I saw Nathan, I had a question I needed to ask. "Did you decide about your living arrangement?" I asked.
"I would like to live here. This feels more like a home than mine ever did." Nathan answered.
"Is there anyone you'd like brought here?" I asked.
"Umm.. I'll look into a couple people first before I say." Nathan said.
"Then you'd like to return to the Capital?" I asked. "I could easily have your things collected."
"I'm sure you could, but I need to be there. I need to see their faces before I leave." Nathan said.
I patted Nathan's arm. "I understand. Come to the Estate immediately if anyone tries to hurt you, and I'll send you here."
"Of course. I doubt anything is going to happen, they ignore me more than anything." Nathan replied.
I nodded sympathetically. Then I looked at Sylvia and Alex. "In the future, if I invite anyone to live here, I'll talk to you both first."
"It would be good to have a heads up." Alex said. "It's hard to have things prepared when you don't know the future."
"I do not mind either way. This place is your home, it's your decision that matters. But I appreciate you seeking our input." Sylvia replied.
"By the way, if there is decor you'd prefer.. please do redecorate. This is gaudy." I said.
"What is your taste, then?" Sylvia asked.
".. I.. don't know..." I answered slowly after thinking about it.
"Start with colors." Alex suggested.
At my prolonged silence, Snow said, "You haven't spent much time on your own preferences, have you?"
"No." I answered. "I've never mattered to me."
"Well, a little self reflection may do you some good." Alex said.
"Mm." I looked at Sylvia. "Am I really Fey?"
"In part, yes. Just like my children." Sylvia answered.
"You know of Kalashtars?" I asked.
"Vaguely. I know of their origin." Sylvia replied. When I started to speak again she continued, "You are a unique existence. You are a Kalashtar Fey blessed by the God Pyreleous. Who is also a Fey God."
"Now that's a mouthful." Alex said.
Seeing my confusion. She said, "Well, then tell me. Do you resemble your birth parents at all?"
"I look like my mom some. Both my birth parents tanned in the sun. But he is a short blonde balding man with dark eyes. My mother is a tall woman with black hair and green eyes." I described them.
"Show me." Sylvia said. I did so mentally. "Then I would suggest your mother was tricked and your birth father is not who fathered you. You bear no resemblance to him at all."
"That's something to ponder upon." I responded, with a slight frown.
She petted my hair and said, "I would suggest going to a temple and asking the gods themselves if you are particular curious."
"You may get an answer, who knows?" Alex said.
"Hm. Maybe in the future. Are you ready to go back, Nathan?" I asked.
"Yes. I am ready." Nathan said.
"See you all tomorrow." I said while drawing the glyph to take us back. Nathan was going to be sent directly to his home.
They acknowledged that, and we went home. I read some books with Snow till dinner time, then we played games after dinner. The next day, we had breakfast, then Snow and I headed to the mansion with my schematics. I studied with the twins, I drew the council room during studies, until close to noon, when the Snow took me to town.
We waited in the square for Ivan and Jaden. Laura actually arrived with them. She didn't say much outside of normal greetings. So I also didn't say anything in particular to her. We went to the Dwarven Union, then, and I asked for Alberich.
Alberich arrived quickly enough and after some chatting, and reviewing the schematics, pricing was discussed and everything was agreed upon and started. With that, we adjourned for the day, once that was done, I showed them the cave after picking up some protection runes from Tibin.
I commissioned lion statues from the lumberyard, through Snow, and gave them the runes to apply tonthem, and told them where to put them. After we looked around the cave, Snow had cleaned the bodies out the day before. Once Jaden and the others headed out, Snow and I moved the things from the cave room to the Mansion. Placed in the storage room. This included the 'library' room, too.
Time passed until December came around. I'd been studying general things this Alex's family along with Nathan, I'd hired some people to tend the mansion as servants. Plight had gotten close to his sister, and we'd all attended Lucretia and Phintias' May wedding. She was now heavily pregnant. As was Snow. In fact, Snow was due soon, and they'd married in November.
Plight was excited to be an uncle. He'd grown a lot stronger under Snow's verbal guidance. After she'd gotten pregnant it was up to Uncle or Alex to physically teach him. Especially when her belly grew round. She wasn't even allowed to carry me around anymore, cause Dad was being protective. I didn't mind. I just cuddled up next to her so she felt like she was still giving me attention and affection.
Hearthstone was coming along swimmingly. Sylvia had leant her magic in addition to mine and Sienna's to create the special ceilings. And as a reward to the spirits hard work, we all played music for them. They loved it because Sienna looked so happy playing with all of us. So far, we had guards for our town and had the farms set up, we were working on getting workers now. It was triple layered, because to adequately provide for the Realm, that's what Breena said we needed.
I'd gone to the Realm with Plight and talked with Phintias and the Sultan about the farms. Food security was something the Sultan was seriously interested in. It was a major win to gain rights to trade with the Realm directly. I bought a warehouse that we could move the vegetables and animal products to here. Then I'd locked the teleportation circle in Hearthstone Town to the warehouse.
It had become a port. I'd explained it was more reliable than dealing through Valor's Crest, and they'd agreed. Now their people wouldn't starve. The animals were easy to get because Sylvia helped through Fey connections. The animals were similar to our farm animals and we set up a spacious place for them to be taken care of. The school was ready. But not yet running. The training facilities were so much fun. Alexion, Dean, Nathan, Simon and I raced each other through them.
I'd gotten Dean interested in the whole thing. He and I were neck and neck a lot of the time. Once Dean had started trusting me, I'd told him my future secret and he'd accepted it. Every day was so much fun. Especially spending time with Snow and Dad. I sometimes called Snow my Mom, she told me I could do as I pleased.
Something unexpected was that Ashtar and Gregor had begun a romantic relationship. I had never expected that, but as shy as Ashtar was about it she seemed happy. It wasn't uncomfortable in their friend group either, and I was glad she moved on from Tilton. It would have been sad if she'd continued to pine for him. He wasn't entirely the same man she'd liked all those years ago anyways.
As I said, this all went on up to December, I'd been adopted in March. As is, Snow was discussing with Dad how to handle going and meeting my mother. The choices had changed considerably as Snow had gotten more visibly pregnant. Which she accepted to not be more involved. She was just wanting to know exactly how it'd go. Snow was determined that my mother should be reunited with me before my fifth birthday.
I was gonna leave it to them. They both had points. "Then, why not watch the fights? We could jump down into the Arena and reveal the fact that I'm alive. I can't see Dad being so dramatic, but Uncle, or Alex definitely. Sylvia would probably teleport or something."
"Hmm, that may be the best way. I just hope Dirthin can control himself." Dad said.
"That is certainly a way I could also keep an eye on things." Snow said.
"I feel we will need a level head with this much uncertainty." Dad said.
"Uncle can be level headed." I commented.
"Calmness is key. I agree." Snow said.
"Your uncle can be level headed in a great many situations. Prospect of a good match is not one of them." Dad said.
"He's never fought my momma before." I said.
"I'm sure that was eating him alive inside. But if you're willing to vouch for it, it's fine if he comes. I just don't want him causing you problems." Dad said.
"I don't know that she'd be a worthy opponent for him right now, and I don't think he'd do anything that may potentially hurt me." I said. "Snow's baby, either."
"He is indeed very mindful of risk to family." Dad agreed.
"Has it been decided, then?" Snow asked.
"I believe so." Dad said. "We'll let Sylvia take him to her. And from there, hopefully a conversation will be enough."
I contacted Sylvia with my item and informed her of what we were up to today, and asked if she'd perform the part of bringing me to Mother in the Arena after her match. She commented that it was such a dramatic plan that she would have to bring Alex along. I relayed this to my parents.
"The more the merrier, I suppose." Dad said.
"She knows Teacher so well." Snow said.