"I trust you."
Kael spoke as he looked into the Princess’s eyes.
Those words were aningful, especially when they ca from soone like Kael’s mouth. After all, when he initially ca here, Kael was the incarnation of paranoia.
He doubted everyone he could, even considering the most absurd cases. Heck, he even doubted Elira and Arlan, his two closest friends in this world.
So when soone like him said words like ’I trust you’, they beca a lot more aningful than they normally are.
And Lavinia knew it.
She had heard his story, she knew what Kael had been through, she knew what his thoughts were like,
So she indeed understood the weight of those words.
"Thank you."
Therefore, the Princess smiled gratefully.
And while her mind continued to make future plans, her heart made sure she never forgot her initial goal.
As for what her plan was and when she was going to let Kael in...
The Princess decided to wait for a while.
The ga she was going to play was dirty, so she would rather not have Kael involve himself with it.
For now,
"I want you to forget that we have these resources."
The Princess asked directly.
"Alright."
Kael nodded.
It honestly felt a little refreshing.
All the weight he had been carrying all this while, it felt like he could finally share it with soone else.
"So what’s the plan?"
He questioned.
"As I said, we need to observe.
Let’s go to the Elders Hall, it is ti we earn our stay.
Now let’s decide what to say when we get there."
Kael nodded, and the conversation continued.
By the ti night fell, Lavinia and Kael landed on the mainlands and were instantly greeted by Morvain’s subordinate,
"Dragon Rider Kael and Lady Lavinia, the Matriarch summons you two."
The two nodded, and the soldier took them to the Elders Hall, where Morvain and the other mbers of the Iron Council were waiting for them.
"Hero Kael, you have been gone for long."
Morvain began.
"We were out there hunting and failed to keep track of ti."
Kael answered.
"You were hunting?"
Morvain raised her eyebrow.
"Not in Ashen Heights. We have no intention of affecting the ecosystem when we do not know anything about the current situation. We went to the forests beyond."
The Hero clarified.
"You went that far?"
"Well, I have Igni."
"...that makes sense."
Morvain couldn’t say anything against those words. The mont the Hero ntioned the Dragon, she and the Iron Council had no choice but to accept his words as truth.
"I thank you for being careful."
The Matriarch nodded.
Kael nodded back, not reacting too much.
For a mont, the Hall turned silent as no one said a word.
"Matriarch."
Suddenly, Nyris, the High Chronicler, coughed, getting Morvain’s attention. It seed like she wanted Morvain to say sothing.
Morvain hesitated for a mont. Soon, however, as if she made up her mind, she stared at Kael with a determined look on her face and,
"Hero Kael."
She called out.
"You are welco in Ashen Heights, but a shelter here does not co without a cost. The situation is grim; we are fewer than we were.
We do not have the luxury to provide a warm welco to our guests. Ashen Heights does not run on kindness. Every capable hand here carries weight, and yours is no exception."
She tried explaining the situation in an indirect manner, but Kael shook his head,
"I knew the situation when I ca here, Matriarch. I did not co here to sit idly because of my status as the Hero. If I am here, it is only natural that I earn my stay.
We have no intention of freeloading here. Actually, we were going to address this matter today if you hadn’t. We want to work for the betternt of Ashen Heights and the people residing here!"
Kael declared nobly, and once again,
"I thank you for understanding."
Morvain smiled lightly.
She liked that Kael wasn’t incredible just because he had a Dragon. He was strong, and he was humble enough to understand others’ plight.
He was indeed a perfect man.
’A Hero, huh...’
The Matriarch thought inwardly as her eyes observed Kael and his expression.
"As I said, this is sothing we should do, there is no need to thank us, Matriarch. We should be the ones thanking you for letting us stay here instead."
Kael bowed lightly, and Lavinia, who stood beside him, nodded inwardly, satisfied. This was going just as she had planned.
Now, the ball was in Morvain’s court.
The Matriarch smiled,
"I understand your situation. It hasn’t been long since you ca here, and you know next to nothing about Ashen Heights or the people here.
So let make things simpler for you."
She then raised six fingers,
"There are six places where your hands may find purpose."
She began,
"One—the Forge.
You are strong; we have seen it with our own eyes. That strength will be helpful inside the smithy. Of course, the Masters there will teach you, you can take your ti learning it."
Kael nodded at those words, waiting for the woman to continue,
"Two—the Southern Goathold. Our herders raise ash-grey goats that feed and clothe the Heights. It is hard work, but honest, and the goats bite less than our warriors."
Kael nodded again, not very interested in this one,
"Three—the Ridge Farm Terraces. You’ll find no wheat or wine here; we cultivate roots and frostthistle. The work is laborious and sweaty, but extrely essential."
The Matriarch explained.
"Four—the Weaver’s Hearth. Where broken soldiers and widows spin warmth from ash-wool. If you have patience and still hands, they will welco you."
Again, Kael wasn’t interested,
"Five—the Wall Watch. If you’d rather wield a blade than thread, the outer ring always needs eyes.
And sixth—the Stone Circle. You may serve as a scriber and scribe during our assemblies.
These are the veins that keep Ashen Heights alive.
You can choose whichever you wish."
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