Pov: Cedric Blackmier
Alister left my study, as the door closed behind Alister, I found myself staring at the space he had occupied moments ago. A storm of thoughts swirled in my mind, each more perplexing than the last. My youngest son, always the enigma, had just shattered every preconception I held about him.
His knowledge of ískios and the Coralnox mission was troubling. How could he have come by such closely guarded information? Was there a leak within our ranks, or had Alister's abilities grown far beyond what I had imagined? The possibility both thrilled and unnerved me.
I recalled the look in his eyes as he spoke - a depth of understanding that seemed impossible for his age. It was as if overnight, he had transformed from a child struggling to find his place to a young man with purpose and determination. The change was so drastic, so complete, that for a moment I wondered if this was truly my son or some impostor wearing his face.
Yet, beneath my confusion and wariness, a small spark of pride ignited. Alister had always been different, set apart by his appearance and seeming lack of aptitude. Now, he stood before me, displaying a keen mind and a grasp of our family's affairs that rivaled his older siblings. Could this be the turning point I had secretly hoped for?
As I pondered these thoughts, my gaze fell upon the documents detailing the Coralnox mission. The stakes were high, the dangers real. Was I truly considering allowing my youngest, most unpredictable child to accompany me? The rational part of my mind rebelled at the idea, yet another part - the part that had always seen potential in Alister - whispered that this might be exactly what he needed.
I couldn't help but be amazed at his prowess he seemed to have a good head on his shoulders. I tried to return to my paperwork but couldn't focus on how my youngest son said to be a failure for not having the same appearance as a member of the Blackmier should be? Is he destined for something else, his ability to wield the shadow element isn't anything special unlike his older brother Lucian. He truly is an enigma, that being said his argument for allowing him to accompany me on this mission was sound maybe I can use this mission as a test for him to see how he can handle real-life combat experience. There is one thing that bugs me he knew where ískios lies only I was supposed to know and I'm supposed to tell the next head of the house where it was located in Obsidian Keep and how to wield it.
ískios was a longsword the blade is described as the deepest shade of black, giving it a dark and mysterious appearance. A line of glowing blue runes runs down the blade's center on both sides. Runes etched on the blade flow seamlessly to the crossguard, culminating in an eye-shaped gem. The weathered crossguard curled slightly downward, its coarse texture reminiscent of ancient stones. A short, black leather-wrapped handle allowed for one-handed wielding, culminating in a small circular pommel adorned with a glowing blue gem at its center.
Aside from the request to accompany me on the mission, he also asked if he could attend the Aurelian Academy when Evalin attends. Given his past struggles, I found myself conflicted. Rubbing my temples, I mused aloud, "It certainly doesn't seem like a terrible idea, but is he ready to attend? I know he never had an easy time with other noble families since he was different from us, and even Seraph and Lucian give him a hard time for being different."
I pondered the potential benefits of Alister attending the academy. It could provide him with valuable training, help him develop his unique abilities, and perhaps even boost his confidence. However, the challenges he might face there concerned me. As I weighed these thoughts, my mind drifted back to his unexpected knowledge of the upcoming mission, as I was wondering in thought.
Percival said, "If I may, my lord, I find it fascinating that young Master Alister knew the details of the mission you're preparing for." Percival said.
His observation brought me back to the present, and I realized that perhaps Alister's readiness for both the academy and the mission could be assessed simultaneously.
I looked up at Percival "Indeed. That's what troubles me. How did he come by such information?" I said.
Percival replied with his hand closed into a slight fist with his index finger curled more upward leaning against his chin "It's certainly unexpected. However, it might indicate a natural aptitude for our family's specialties - intelligence gathering and shadow manipulation."
I nodded slowly "You may be right. What do you suggest?" I said, Percival replied "I would recommend testing his abilities first, sir. It would give us a clearer picture of his readiness for both the academy and the mission." I replied
Percival cleared his throat. "My lord, if I may suggest some specific tests for young Master Alister?"
I nodded, gesturing for him to continue.
"First, we could assess his shadow manipulation skills. Perhaps a stealth exercise through the Whispering Gardens at night, requiring him to remain undetected by guards."
"Interesting," I mused. "What about his moonlight element control?"
"A test during the different moon phases would be prudent," Percival replied. "We could challenge him to perform specific tasks that align with the moon's current state - concealment during a new moon, dreamwalking as it wanes."
I leaned forward, intrigued. "And for combat skills?"
"A series of duels, my lord. Not just physical combat, but incorporating shadow and moonlight elements as well. We could enlist some of our more skilled guards, or perhaps even his siblings, to truly test his abilities."
"Excellent ideas, Percival. What of his intelligence-gathering capabilities?"
Percival's eyes gleamed. "A mock mission, perhaps. We could stage a scenario in town, requiring him to uncover hidden information and report back without being detected."
I nodded approvingly. "And to test his mental resilience and decision-making?"
"We could place him in morally ambiguous situations, my lord. Force him to make difficult choices under pressure, much like he might face on real missions."
"Very comprehensive, Percival. These tests should give us a clear picture of Alister's capabilities and readiness."
"Good. And Percival... keep this between us for now. I want to observe Alister's progress without interference from the rest of the family."
Percival bowing slightly said "Of course, my lord. Discretion is assured."
As I contemplated the complexities of the situation, I rose from my chair and began to pace the study. My fingers trailed along the spines of ancient tomes lining the bookshelves, their familiar texture grounding me in the present.
I paused before a seemingly ordinary section of the wall, my hand hovering over a hidden mechanism. The secret compartment housing ískios lay just beyond, known only to me. The weight of its presence, though unseen, felt palpable in the room.
Turning back to Percival, I noticed him watching me intently, his expression a mixture of curiosity and concern. I moved to the large window overlooking the Whispering Gardens, my gaze drawn to the moonflowers beginning to unfurl in the twilight.
After instructing Percival to keep the matter confidential, I turned to gaze out the window, my mind heavy with the weight of secrecy. Keeping Alister's sudden change and our plans from the rest of the family was necessary, but it didn't sit well with me.
Isolde, my wife, would undoubtedly notice the shift in our youngest son. Her keen intuition had always been a source of strength for our family, but now it posed a challenge. How long could I keep this from her? And what would be the consequences of such a secret?
Then there were Alister's siblings. Lucian, our eldest, had always disregarded Alister. Seraph, on the other hand, might see this development as a threat to his position. And Evalin, ever the peacemaker, had always been protective of Alister despite their differences and would be caught in the middle of it all.
The potential for discord within the family was significant. Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that this secrecy was crucial for Alister's growth. He needed the space to develop without the weight of familial expectations and rivalries.
As I pondered these thoughts, I realized that this decision could reshape the dynamics of our entire household. The path ahead was fraught with risks, but the potential rewards - for Alister and for House Blackmier - were too great to ignore.