After about half an hour, Elyon returned to his family's home in Ael, a cozy two-story structure built from brick and wood, with wooden stables and cattle sheds adjoining it. A little ways off, about five hundred yards from a small river, stood a mill equipped with a waterwheel.
"You girls go ahead inside. I'll take the cart to the stables and be right back," said Darius, pulling up to the entrance. Once Elyon retrieved his luggage from the cart, he and his two sisters stepped into the house.
Inside, a wooden, elongated table dominated the entryway where a middle-aged woman was absorbed in her calculations. Her appearance remained unmarred by time; she was dressed in a white dress with ruffle trim, a black lace headpiece, her long black hair swept back in a bun, and her eyes the same brown hue as that of her daughters.
This was their mother, Liora, a shrewd and assertive woman. Thane was often subdued by her, sneaking off to the stables for a drink to avoid her lectures.
"Mother, it's been too long. I bid you well," Elyon said, hanging up his coat.
"Hmm? What brings you back? Don't tell me you've followed in your feckless brother's steps, knocked up a girl and had to flee here?" Liora's witticisms were as erratic as ever, but she set aside her pen and paper upon seeing him return.
"Not at all. As you know, the Grammar School doesn't have many women, and your second son's reticence doesn't make him a favorite among the young ladies," Elyon retorted.
"I'm just taking a brief respite before graduation, stopping by to let you know that I've secured a job."
"What's the yearly salary?" Liora cut to the heart of the matter, seemingly uninterested in the job details.
"200 gold pounds, the pay might increase with time served."
"Not bad at all, my boy. You haven't squandered the hundred pounds we spend on your education each year. Your father and I had quite the argument over it; he figured any old school would do, no need for the 'best' university."
"It is the finest university in the Caelon region," Elyon attempted to correct her, but she was already firing off another volley of words.
"The only thing that still irks him is that neither of his sons followed in his military footsteps. What would you like for dinner? Seeing as you'll be earning money, indulge yourself tonight. Even if you want the brandy your father has been hoarding in the stable for years, it's not out of the question."
Liora put away what appeared to be a ledger and donned an old coat.
"How about fruit pie? And may I also request some smoked meat, esteemed Mrs. Liora?" Elyon suggested, recalling Darius' endless chatter about the fruit pie on the ride home—an item missing from his fragmented memory.
"No problem at all. But instead of smoked meat, how about a freshly cooked roast chicken? It's sure to taste better than anything cured. I'll have your brother slaughter one out back right away."
Liora commanded and then disappeared into the kitchen to start preparing the meal. Elyon carried his suitcase up to his second-floor room and then returned downstairs to chat with his sisters.
"Where's father?" Elyon inquired, placing a soft cushion on the long bench he intended to sit on.
"He should be on his way back from herding cattle by now; those beasts are his treasures," Seraphina responded.
"I'm really tired, could go for a proper drink. Love, do you reckon we should start a brewery on the side as well?"
A rugged, gruff voice approached from outside. A man sporting a black wide-brimmed hat, leather jacket, and black canvas trousers, with a pipe clenched in his teeth, entered the house.
"Good evening, father. It's been too long," Elyon stood to pay respects.
"Huh, the second-born returns. Well, nevermind that—give me a cup of tea; this afternoon's cattle herding has worn me out."
Thane slumped onto a couch and lit his pipe for a deep puff.
"I'm about to graduate, and I've found a job. I just came home for a brief respite," Elyon said as he passed Thane a cup of tea his sister had poured.
"That fast? I thought for sure you'd have a tougher time finding work. At the worst, I figured you might have to come back and help your mother with the books," Thane remarked.
"Thanks to Professor Russell, he referred me to a clerical position at the police station. By July, I expect to be a mid-level chief."
"Police?" Thane's expression soured as if he'd swallowed a fly. "Didn't I want you to go into government?"
"Do you really think we have the influence or the gold to be taken under someone's wing? Even if I were in government, it would just be stamping papers forever," Elyon reasoned.
"Guess you could try harder, but alright, a police officer is fine, at least it's a regular job," Thane softened, settling into the reality.
"Father, in all your years in the army, did you ever encounter anything out of the ordinary?" Elyon prodded, recalling his mentor's subtle hints.
"Why do you ask?" Thane tapped his pipe, refilling it with fresh tobacco.
"Well, now that I'm about to become a chief, you know we have to deal with all kinds of oddities and supernatural beings," Elyon explained.
"Let's talk about that another time. Tomorrow, if you're free, come with me for a hunt. We need more meat for the table." Thane avoided giving a direct answer.
"Sure thing."
As the moon climbed higher, Liora's laboriously prepared dinner was served at the table. The roast chicken, its skin golden and crisp, exuded a mouthwatering aroma. The stewed beef was tender to the bite, complemented by a tangy tomato soup that cut through the richness.
Accompanied by fresh peas, the meal was an appetizing affair. Freshly baked bread, once dipped into the beef stew gravy, became more palatable.
Darius rummaged through the liquor cabinet to find two bottles of red wine, pouring for the whole family.
"To Elyon's respectable new job! In four more years, once you two are also working, the old folks can finally retire." Liora raised her glass in a toast.
"Can we keep studying? I thought father intended for us to stay and help out after completing church school," Nyara asked.
"Help out? You girls can't work the fields or herd cattle. Even though your second brother squandered 400 pounds of our money by not entering government service, at least he has a decent job," Thane pointedly reminded them of his unfulfilled expectations.
"I must object, father. Police work is government employment, and we too swear loyalty to the king," Elyon continued his dispute.
"But can we afford it? Just the tuition for both of you is 200 pounds a year—that's almost half our income. Board and meals are another significant expense. Darius himself has reached the age for marriage, and the costs of a wedding and future children are considerable. We haven't had systematic education; it's tough to compete for Aegsburg University," Nyara added, rubbing the hem of her dress nervously.
"No worries, I can wait a few more years. If you don't go to school, you'll be stuck here in this small town," Darius said with a wistful smile.
"Alright, then."
As dusk settled, the dinner Liora had painstakingly prepared was laid out on the table. The roast chicken boasted a crisply browned exterior, its aroma inviting. The stewed beef was tender and perfectly chewy, complemented by a tomato soup with just the right touch of acidity to cut through the richness.
Accompanied by fresh peas, the meal stirred up a hearty appetite. The newly baked bread, once dipped into the beef stew's juices, was far from objectionable.
Darius fetched two bottles of red wine from the liquor cabinet and poured a glass for each family member.
"A toast to celebrate Elyon securing a respectable job. A few more years and you two will also be working, and then us old folks can retire," Liora announced, lifting her glass.
"Will we be able to continue our education? I thought father planned for us to stay home and help after finishing school at the church," Nyara inquired.
"Help? What could you two fine ladies, who can't do fieldwork or herd, actually help with? Your second brother may have wasted 400 pounds of family money without securing a government position, but at least he has landed a job," Thane didn't forget to jab at the unmet expectations.
"To correct you, father, police work is also a form of government employment, and we are loyal servants to the king," Elyon maintained his rebuttal.
"But can we really afford it? The tuition fees for both of you studying together amount to 200 pounds a year, nearly half of our income. Then there's the cost of board and meals. Plus, Darius is at the age to marry, and the expense of a wedding and future children will be substantial. And we haven't had systematic education; it's tough to get into Aegsburg University," Nyara said, twisting the hem of her dress with a lowered head.
"Don't worry, I can wait a few more years. Without schooling, you'd both be stuck in this small town forever," Darius replied with a resigned smile.
Witnessing the crestfallen sisters and their brother, whose hairline had receded to a forehead, Elyon interjected:
"Why must someone always make a sacrifice? Ladies and gentlemen, have you forgotten that I have secured a job? Nyara and Seraphina could very well live with me. After all, I need to find a new apartment closer to my workplace."
"What about meals?" Nyara challenged.
"Two more mouths to feed is hardly an issue. Besides, you won't just eat and live for free. When you're there, you two can handle the cooking and cleaning. It's certainly better than hiring a maid to look after your brother."
"And our school?" Seraphina added.
"As for studies, that's the easy part. If you can't get into Aegsburg, there are other options. The Caelon Political and Economic Institute in my district, Gonia, has a far simpler entrance exam. With many social elites sponsoring it, the tuition is only 60 pounds a year. For both of you sisters together, it would be 120 pounds, not much more than what I paid alone, and you'll save even more subtracting board and meals."
Elyon paused, scanning the reactions of his family members at the table. Seeing no overreaction from his parents, he continued:
"If you're still worried about your studies, there are private tutoring institutions in Aegsburg that specialize in preparing for entrance exams. At 5 pounds per person per month, it's a bit pricey but reportedly effective. Nyara, with your love for literature, could pursue history or arts, and Seraphina, you're smart enough to tackle economics."
"Don't study economics; I want to study law like you, brother," Seraphina protested.
"As for Darius, once father's mill is operational, plus my income, our family's annual earnings will easily reach 800 pounds. With a good harvest, breaking 1000 pounds isn't out of the question. I think the biggest obstacle to Darius's love life is his wooden personality. Hahaha, we can afford a decent wedding for him as long as he doesn't set his sights on a noblewoman."
"Alright, you two listen to your second brother. And Darius, you better find us a daughter-in-law this year, so your sisters can rest easy."
"I'll get to it," Darius grumbled in response.
"You girls will start learning to cook with me tomorrow. It's a plus when you get married. When your brother returns to Aegsburg, you'll accompany him for tutoring sessions. If you pass the exams, send a letter home, and we'll send your tuition fees. For now, eat up and behave, we've got fruit pie for dessert."
In the end, it was Liora, the true head of the household, who made the final call, and no one had objections.
Elyon found the meal as satisfying as the two-pound lunch he'd had at the Golden Crown, save for the lack of rice and chili. Chili wasn't common in the small town of Ael.
As for rice, it could only be imported from the southern continents and was more than twice as expensive as wheat—only high-end restaurants offered such a luxury.
The family wrapped up their brief meeting and happily dug into their food.
After the hearty meal, the sisters helped their mother with the dishes, while the brothers chatted idly with their father, who again regaled them with tales of his war years in the northern colonies.
After evening ablutions, the Sasson family wished each other goodnight and retreated to their respective bedrooms.