When Set entered Hadon's house, his martial presence gave way to a familial warmth. He relaxed his shoulders, a genuine smile replaced the stern expression typical of a commander, transforming him into the caring older brother everyone knew. Approaching, he told Adonis he had received his letter about the guests invited by Hadon.
Set greeted each person present with a firm handshake, his gaze lingering for a moment longer on Kal, whose striking physical features caught his attention. Adonis pointed out these traits, and Set nodded in acknowledgment before being invited by Markel to join them for dinner.
At the table, while everyone enjoyed the meal, Aura, curious, asked why Set had decided to visit them outside the usual schedule. With a slightly more serious expression, Set explained that he would be sent to war in less than a month and wanted to make sure he saw everyone before leaving. Adonis, concerned, tried to probe for details about the conflict, but Set was reserved, promising only that he would do everything to return safe and sound.
Interest in Set grew around the table, and Arphaxad, curious about the new visitor, was interrupted by a question from Draka, who, her eyes shining with curiosity, asked if Set was also a seed of the kings. With a nostalgic smile, Set confirmed, adding that, like them, he had been rescued by Hadon under difficult circumstances.
Eron, ever perceptive, touched on a delicate point: "If you're one of the seeds, why do you have free access to Saladon's palace while they're hunting down all the others like you?" Set paused, the smile fading momentarily. He looked at Eron, recognizing the gravity of the question, and replied that it was a long story linked to his role within the duchy and perhaps a tale for another time. The evasive answer left a veil of mystery in the air, enhancing the intriguing aura Set already possessed.
As Set retired to his room after dinner, the atmosphere in Hadon's house became more reflective. The residents expressed their affection for Set with smiles and warm farewells, showing how beloved he was there. Draka, curious and still learning about the complexities of relationships in that household, approached Sahara to inquire why everyone there held Set in such high regard.
Adonis, noticing Draka's curiosity, began to explain. "Set was the first of us to be saved by Hadon. He practically founded this refuge with Hadon," he said with a respectful look. Sahara added her personal experience: "Set saved me when I was only six years old. I was lost in the forest, nearly freezing to death. He brought me here, and since then, this place has been my home. Without him, I probably wouldn't be here today."
Draka, absorbing every word, asked if Hadon had legitimate children. Adonis answered that Hadon had two children, a son and a daughter, but both had died long ago. "After the death of his children, Hadon adopted Set as his legal son in the duchy's court. This was crucial, as it prevented suspicion whenever Set visited or mentioned 'visiting his father' to others," Adonis explained.
Sahara continued: "Hadon mentored Set in the arts of the sword and strategy, turning him into the formidable warrior he is today. Though Set seems to serve the Duchy, his heart and loyalty have always been with Hadon and us, his brothers."
Eron, listening to the story, began to understand the complexity of the situation. Hadon's ability to navigate the treacherous waters of politics and protect the seeds of the kings was nothing short of mastery. He had created a safety net not only to shield the seeds but also to operate under the nose of Felix Saladon and his followers, saving many from slavery or worse.
Set's story, his dedication, and Hadon's efforts brought a new level of understanding about how precious that refuge house was. Everyone there shared a story of salvation and the struggle against unimaginable adversity, forming a family bonded not by blood but by ties of survival and resilience.
That calm morning, as everyone in Hadon's house had breakfast, Sahara noticed Kal's absence, although part of her was delighted that Set was there after many months without his company. Kal remained immersed in meditation, with Ninea, the mysterious little girl, always by his side. Despite her silence and constant vigilance, Ninea briefly stepped away to meet her basic needs but always returned quickly to Kal's side, as if an invisible force bound her to him.
After breakfast, as everyone dispersed to their daily activities, Set found a moment to approach Kal, who remained in deep meditation. Sitting beside him, Set initiated a sincere conversation.
"So, Hadon invited you here?" Set asked, observing Kal's contemplative stillness.
"Yes, many things happened, and I realized I needed to understand my past to move forward," Kal replied, without opening his eyes, maintaining his focus on meditation.
Set, with a friendly smile, leaned in closer and continued, "Yesterday, when I arrived, you must have noticed I was surprised to see you, didn't you?"
"Don't tell me you were scared by my resemblance to the ancient kings of Tenai?" Kal retorted, still with his eyes closed.
Laughing, Set gave Kal a gentle pat on the back and confessed:
"I have a gift that allows me to see beyond what a normal man can. I still don't know if it's truly a gift or a curse, but I didn't just see what Adonis and the others saw in you. I saw you, Kal... a bright light fighting a voracious darkness. I don't know who you are, but I feel you could be the world's savior..."
Rising to let Kal continue his meditation, Set gave one last significant look and added:
"...or its destroyer, which will you choose, Kal? Until you make that choice, I have to ask you to leave after meeting with Hadon. Your presence here could ruin everything we've fought to protect!"
With those words, Set walked away, leaving Kal with his thoughts and the gentle breeze that whispered through the leaves, echoing the weight of that potential destiny.
Set's words reverberated in Kal's mind throughout the day, echoing the tension between the potential for salvation or destruction he might bring. He wondered if there was a way to balance such a fate, a way to bear this burden without bringing pain to others. He had always known his choices would have significant consequences, and Set's words only confirmed his fears.
One of the reasons Kal distanced himself from Nannu was to protect those he loved. Even though he did not fully grasp the magnitude of the burden he carried, he understood the implications well. Therefore, he, who no longer had many emotions, refrained from forming deeper bonds with the bastards as the others had. Deep down, Kal didn't want to bring disaster to the tranquil life they always had. So Set's words came as no surprise to him.
Meanwhile, Adonis was preparing for the journey to the city, advising Arphaxad about the length of the trip and what they would need for the journey. Arphaxad, curious and eager to see the duchy's capital, organized his belongings, excited about the experience that awaited him.
Draka, sitting on a rock near the house, reflected on her situation. She felt torn between the comfort of this new family and the urgency of finding and rescuing her mother. The tranquility of the place almost made her forget her mission, but the responsibility weighed heavily on her heart, preventing her from fully relaxing.
Amidst her thoughts, Draka heard someone speaking in the forest. At first, she thought they might be looters, but since Yorin was on patrol and had not raised the alarm, she went to the location where the voices came from.
Driven by curiosity and the need for a moment of peace, Draka decided to investigate the voices she heard. Following the sound, she stumbled upon the enchanting scene of the clearing. A majestic and crystalline waterfall poured into a small river flowing towards Hadon's house. The flowers of diverse colors and fragrances crowned the majesty of the place, and as the waterfall hit the river, it created a fine mist like a cloud, sparkling rainbow colors in the afternoon sun. It was a place of pure beauty and tranquility, a perfect contrast to the turmoil in her heart.
As she approached, Draka saw Sahara alone, talking aloud as if conversing with someone invisible. Draka remained hidden, watching. Sahara seemed completely absorbed in the conversation, gesturing and pausing as if waiting for responses. The scene left Draka intrigued and a little concerned, wondering if Sahara was okay or if this was a common practice she used to cope with her own anxieties.
Sahara noticed someone was watching and called out to the intruder. Draka, slightly embarrassed, emerged from behind a tree. "It's rude to snoop, little girl!" Sahara admonished. Draka explained that she had been paralyzed by the beauty of the place but noticed Sahara was talking to herself and didn't want to interrupt.
"I was getting ready to bathe. This is my secret place," Sahara revealed, starting to undress and inviting Draka to join her in the river by the waterfall. Initially shy, Draka decided to enter the water when she saw Sahara already submerged. Draka's surprise was immense when she realized the water was warm. "The water is warm!" she exclaimed. "Yes, that's why this is my special place. The forest is cold most of the time. I remember that when I was about 12, I asked Hadon why he would build a 'summer house' in a boreal forest. But when I found this place, I fell in love. This place made me love flowers. Oh, and in the spring, you can hear the birds singing. It's perfect!" Sahara recounted.
Delighted, Draka asked if she could return to the place again. Sahara agreed, but with a condition: "Of course, but promise me you'll keep this place a secret. If too many people come here, this place might lose its beauty." Draka promised, assuring that she would keep the secret in honor of her mother's life.
After some time enjoying the bath, Draka, still curious about her own origins, asked Sahara about her test with Adonis. "I was the only one who didn't take the test. Could I be a seed of the kings like you?" Sahara looked at Draka with a sympathetic smile and said, "After Kal, the brightest golden eyes in this place are yours. Not even Brother Set has eyes like those. I see you shave your hair, probably because it's as silver as Kal's, right?" Draka was surprised by Sahara's observation. "How did you guess?" she asked. Sahara responded with a smile, "A little girl and her family living in Bercuranon during Saladon's violent hunt would probably think of some way to hide, right? Unfortunately, we can't conceal the eyes without magic, but we can cut our hair. I don't think Adonis needs to look at your spirit. You're definitely our little sister!"
That afternoon, while Sahara and Draka refreshed themselves in the secret waterfall, a slight rustling of leaves startled Draka. She was ready to run, but Sahara, with a calm smile, reassured her. "Don't worry, it's just the third person who knows our secret," she said seconds before Nia, the energetic little dog, emerged from the trees and jumped joyfully into the water with them. The girls' laughter echoed through the clearing as they played in the warm water, surrounded by the forest's serenity.
As night fell, Hadon's house transformed into a festive scene. With floral decorations from Sahara, colorful lights crafted by Aura, and a banquet prepared by Markel, the atmosphere was perfect to celebrate Set's arrival and bid farewell to Adonis and Arphaxad. Yorin, with his lute in hand, began strumming melodies that elevated the festive spirit even further.
The celebration flowed with laughter and dancing. Set elicited hearty laughs with his clumsy jokes, while Arphaxad, Draka, Eron, and Ninea delighted in the banquet and drinks. Even Kal allowed himself a smile, caught up in the contagious joy. Sahara, trying alcohol for the first time, couldn't take her eyes off Kal, especially when he smiled. Markel tried to invite her to dance, but she preferred to sit, watching Kal with a gaze drunk on fascination.
Yorin played songs that swayed the night as everyone sang and laughed together. Adonis, usually serious, succumbed to the allure of drink. Despite Aura's desire to try as well, Adonis snatched her drink, joking that it was to protect her. The stern guardian transformed into a chatty and hilarious figure, creating one of the evening's highlights.
The celebration at Hadon's house was a breath of joy and unity, a rare and precious moment for everyone there. The bonds formed that night would be remembered as one of the happiest and purest moments they shared, especially for the Seeds of Kings who had suffered so much. At the end of the night, each went to their room, carrying memories of a night they wished would never end.
The following tranquil morning, the air was fresh, and everyone in Hadon's house gathered to bid farewell to Adonis and Arphaxad. They mounted their horses, ready for the journey to Zoarlath. The goodbyes were warm, with wishes for a safe and successful journey. With a final wave, they departed, leaving a trail of dust as they galloped along the trail to the duchy's capital.
Meanwhile, Kal felt the need to retreat and meditate more deeply. Inspired by the celebration and Set's words, he decided to walk deeper into the forest. Before departing, he asked Yorin to care for Ninea and prevent her from following him, worried that the little girl might get lost. Yorin, understanding the gravity of the request, accepted the responsibility and promised to keep Ninea safe while Kal prepared for his meditation retreat.
Draka watched Kal prepare to leave and, fearing he would depart for good, voiced her concern, reminding him of his promise to help her find her mother. Kal, with a reassuring smile, assured Draka that he hadn't forgotten his promise and would return soon. Markel, watching the scene, felt a mix of relief and disappointment, while Sahara, silently, let a tear escape, worried about Kal's departure.
Then, Aura appeared, running toward Kal with an object wrapped in cloth. With an enthusiastic smile, she unwrapped the fabric, revealing a mechanical prosthetic arm for the one Kal had lost. "This arm uses magic to connect to your nerves, allowing you to use it like your own," she explained as she helped Kal adjust the prosthetic. Once attached, the clear stone on the wrist glowed intensely with a golden light, perfectly fitting his body and starting to move naturally as if it were really part of him. Everyone around watched in amazement, impressed by Aura's skill and the magic she had used in creating the prosthetic.
"I always said I'm a great inventor!" she concluded with a smile.
In the stillness of the early morning, while darkness still cloaked the forest, Adonis and Arphaxad finally left the dense foliage behind, heading toward Zoarlath. Their horses trod softly on the damp ground, leaving a visible trail that would later be used by suspicious figures.
Watching from afar, a group of men concealed in the shadow of the trees observed the two travelers emerge from the forest. Intrigued by the origin of these strangers, who seemed to emerge from a place known for its uninhabitability, they murmured among themselves, casting cautious, calculating glances. The decision was made almost instinctively: they would enter the forest at dawn, following the fresh tracks left by the horses.
As the first rays of sunlight pierced the tree canopy, the men, armed and alert, began their journey into the forest. Curiosity mixed with caution guided them, while the sound of their footsteps blended with the murmur of the awakening wildlife. They didn't know what they would find, but they were determined to discover the origin of these mysterious visitors and what exactly lay hidden in the dense forest that so many avoided.