The atmosphere was heavy in the room, and Kilian stood still observing the many people sitting around a large table placed in the middle.
The door swung open again and an elder man that looked to be around his grandfather's age walked in.
His hair was white and short, and a scar ordained his left cheek, still, his eyes were amber-colored and didn't look cold compared to his menacing first impression.
Kilian bowed in sync with the rest of the people standing in the room, only the nobles sitting were not.
He smiled to himself, thinking that even with the scar on the king's face, his grandfather's presence was more imposing, and he noticed how the king only gave the Archduke an acknowledged nod as he passed to find the last empty chair at the end of the table.
The king started a welcome speech, and Kilian tuned out, instead, he tried to imprint the features and names of the attending nobles.
Plaques with engraved family names were integrated into the large old wooden desk like it was expected there would always be representatives from these families present at the meetings here.
'Foster Family...the ones who were recruiting regular citizens as soldiers', he thought seeing a woman wearing all black in the chair behind the plaque.
"Harpies…"
Cratos voice stopped the chattering in the room.
Kilian only knew the king had asked something but no one had known what to reply.
'What had he asked again?'.
Kilian had not paid attention enough, his leg had started to hurt more and his body was swaying and staggering slightly, as he kept moving the weight on his feet.
He didn't know how long the meeting had been, but he was sure he could not hold on much longer.
"We encountered metal harpies in the North, creatures only heard off in fables and old stories".
There was audible scoffing from people around the table.
People ridiculed the very thought of it, and some just looked shocked.
The latter was older-looking people, who as Kilian assumed, knew not to take the Archduke's words lightly.
The king raised his hand and people stopped their chatter instantly.
"How many have you encountered?".
There was no doubt in the king's words, he showed the room he believed the words of the Archduke with his question.
"My grandson encountered them on his way to the North, and we were ambushed by a flock of them on our way here".
Cratos didn't have to raise his voice, it already carried weight and depth, and everyone was quiet while listening.
There was a burst of nervous laughter from someone at the table and Kilian saw how Count Heathgrave was leaning over the table resting his head at the edge of his hands with a cynical smile.
"Are you sure your grandson wasn't just making this up, and that you didn't just encounter a big flock of ravens"?
The room went quiet, everyone repeatedly turning their heads between the Count and the Archduke.
A few younger nobles nodded at the Count's words, and it seemed as if the Count had expected to be backed up in his mockery.
The stupidity of the man only encouraged him to continue as if he felt his words held more regard than that of the old man across from him
"Why should we believe these creatures exist, the war is in the west not the north, and the creatures there are reported to be very different from your flying human birds".
The man's dark blue eyes shimmered, even more, when the young nobles near him again nodded in agreement.
The king just gave a deep sigh and rubbed his forehead, which the Count did not seem to pay any attention to.
Kilian stood behind his grandfather, he was mostly hidden, as his grandfather was a huge tall man, and the chairs had a tall back as well.
Even if he was somewhat visible, the Count had not deemed him worthy enough for even a spare glance this whole time, and even when mentioning him, had he not looked behind the Archduke.
It did not keep him from staring back at his father with daggers, trying to keep his mind in control so he did not accidentally issue any "command" as he had named it, and cause some kind of scene in front of the king.
Kilian shifted on his foot.
The Archduke stood up, his size and presence in the room seemed to make the rest feel like there was no space to breathe.
The count looked baffled and sat back in his chair as if he was expecting the big man to grab him and toss him around.
Kilian looked up at the frame of his grandfather unsure what he was about to do but knew that whatever it was, he would support it.
Until.
Cratos turned around and placed his hand on Kilian's shoulder.
"You should sit". He said out loud, then whispered to Kilian only.
"You better tell me next time you are in pain".
That was all he said then picked up Kilian like he was a child and placed him in the very chair he had just stood up from, right by the Valen plaque.
Cratos then proceeded to stand behind him, keeping his hand on Kilian's shoulder.
Kilian's cheeks were flushed and he cleared his throat while looking at the nobles that now were staring at him as if he had just committed an atrocious crime.
Some faces were shocked and some even looked jealous or in disbelief.
He made sure to remember the faces of the ones that seemed to have malice written on them, which was more than a couple of the heirs that were still standing.
"You!".
The word was spat out before it was thought through, and Count Heathgrave quickly shot up when he realized his outburst got him a stern look from the two biggest presences in the room who also happened to hold the most authority of them all.
The flustered look on his face made Kilian send him one of the fake cute smiles he had already used so many times.
Kilian then kept up a somewhat haughty attitude playing the role of a spoiled heir and raised up his hand holding it flat out with the palm upward.
He didn't say anything, but soon after his grandfather had taken out something from under his coat like he had been a servant ordered around.
Kilian could see the eyes of the Count shot up, staring at something above and behind Kilian.
Kilian knew the way he acted seemed as if his grandfather doted on him, and it was not entirely wrong.
However having the highest noble right under the royal family do your bidding, put Kilian in a position even the Count could not easily touch, and Kilian knew his grandfather well enough to know he was enjoying this just as much.
Three pieces of metal feathers were placed in Kilian's hand, they were wrapped loosely in fabric so the edges didn't cut into his hand, and the sizes ranged from the length of his palm to the length of his forearm.
Everyone at the table forgot what had just happened and stared at the feathers.
In the light, the metallic look stood out, and they looked somewhat both crude and deadly, like long thin sharp daggers.
Kilian spoke up.
"We have confirmed these are sharper than steel".
Eyes widened and the king gestured to hold one, and Kilian nodded respectfully handing the longest and biggest of them to the only knight that had entered with the king, instead of directly turning a sharp object towards a royal.
The notion was noticed and the king had an amused look in his eyes nodding back, till his attention was drawn to the metal object the knight offered him.
It was as if the room held its breath while the king studied the metal feather.
Then a light golden light shot out from the king's finger, only to instantly get repelled by the metal, redirecting the shot to a wall inches above a now frightened-looking noble.
"We have confirmed the creatures repel most magic unless it is destructive to the very space they are in".
Kilian continued.
The king nodded, then stared back at Kilian.
"How much would you want for these feathers?".
Kilian knew what the king was thinking. The shape and size were useful for both weapons and armor, especially with a war coming on.
Kilian had already thought of this, which was the reason, the carriage and the knights were not only bringing wounded knights with them.
Luckily as Valen, they were not subject to inspection, and they had transported as many of these feathers as they could with them into the city.
Kilian knew a business opportunity when he saw one that literally fell in front of him.
"I will let that be up to the king's discretion".
This way the king would offer what he thought it was worth, and no nobles present would know the price, which meant Kilian could both make the king happy and sell them later at a different price.
The king smiled and sent the knight out of the room with the feathers.
"I will have someone send over payment to the Valen residence in town".
Kilian kept sitting in the chair for the duration of the meeting, and he was not ashamed when he got up and reached for his cane, using it to support himself when walking out of the room alongside the Archduke.
The estate at the capital looked as if it was newly built, everything was spotless, and the staff that resided there had kept every room to a high standard.
Cratos complimented them on their efforts when he showed Kilian around, and Jasper followed behind them with a sigh.
Kilian knew his grandfather enough to know he didn't care about showing off with elaborate or lavish things, but he indulged the old man as he seemed especially proud to show it off to Kilian.
The old man went on and on about the long family history in loud words so everyone they passed could hear it as well, and Kilian nodded and simply smiled.
A big room was opened to Kilian and three maids tended to all his needs, he even suspected one of them to try to seduce him with the way she acted.
Kilian just ignored her and pretended to look bored when she corrected her cleavage and bend down elaborately, which somehow gained him more favor from the other two.
The lady looked like her pride was hurt when it didn't even receive a glance from Kilian.
She was pretty, Kilian admitted, but he could not very well tell her she didn't have the right equipment, even if it wasn't her fault.
They finally left him for the night.
His feet were sore as always and he gladly sat down on his bed. It was even bigger than the one at the estate in the North, and he laid down with a content sound.
A golden light lit up the area around his bedside, and he saw the little golden bird flying close to his face and sat down on his pillow.
It had with it a ring tightly clenched in its claws, and it was rummaging around, trying to have him take it.
"This… Is this Rayden's?"
The bird chirped frantically at his words.