Chapter 83: Preparations
The formal lunch was served in the same dining room where they had dined the previous night.
The table this time was more elaborate. Seven dishes instead of five. Three different types of elven wines. A small ceremonial bouquet of white flowers in the center that, according to Lady Marell’s explanation when they entered, formally marked the acceptance of a bond between houses.
Nathan entered the dining room with a smile adjusted to "I’m going to maintain diplomatic neutrality and not comment on the bouquet" mode.
Liaraen entered with her aristocratic posture fully restored.
And with the sword at her side.
In a new ceremonial sheath that Lord Erenn had ordered prepared on an emergency basis over the last two hours. The sheath was dark green leather with silver details. Apparently it matched the sword’s formality. Apparently Lord Erenn had emergency tailors available for exactly such situations.
Nathan noticed.
He didn’t comment.
They sat at the table.
Lord Erenn raised a glass.
"Before we eat, I want to make a formal announcement."
Everyone listened.
"House Vaelith recognizes Liaraen Sael’thoryn as the sole and legitimate heir of House Sael’thoryn. It recognizes the discovery of Lord Aeren Sael’thoryn’s ceremonial sword as confirmation of the lineage. And it recognizes Hunter Nathan Voss as the informal guardian of the heir until she completes the elven major transition."
Lady Marell inclined her head.
"Approved."
Lord Erenn drank from his glass.
Everyone drank.
Nathan drank, and his expression shifted to one of pleasure. The wine was good. Considerably better than any wine he’d tasted in his life. Nathan noticed.
*I can’t believe what this marvel is made of... I’ve never tasted anything like this in my life—it’s as if angels are weeping tears of joy in my mouth. It can’t compare to the garbage I used to get drunk on until I passed out.*
They began to eat.
---
The first course was a cold green herb soup with small pieces of a white meat Nathan didn’t recognize. It tasted like chicken but with nutty notes. Nathan ate with the calm efficiency he’d developed during the journey.
At the second course, Lord Erenn spoke in a different tone.
"Liaraen."
"Yes, Uncle."
"About the sword."
"Go ahead."
"Your father’s sword is a ceremonial weapon. It is not a decorative weapon. It was forged for actual combat and responds to the Sael’thoryn line with specific capabilities, as it was forged exclusively for that bloodline."
"Understood."
"However, you were never formally trained in elven fencing. Your instruction was diplomatic, botanical, and ceremonial. Not martial."
"Correct."
"And you’re carrying a weapon with capabilities you honestly don’t know how to use."
Liaraen paused to process that for a moment.
Then she nodded.
"Also correct."
Lady Marell spoke then, with a softer voice.
"Liaraen. I recommend that you seek a formal instructor when you establish your temporary residence in the human kingdom. There are exiled or retired elven masters scattered across the continent."
"Understood."
"It’s not really optional. The sword has lineage recognition. If you don’t learn to use it, sooner or later the sword is going to activate capabilities on its own at moments you might not anticipate. And that can be both good and dangerous for you and for those around you."
"Understood."
"We’re going to include a letter of recommendation among the provisions."
"I truly appreciate it, Uncles."
Lord Erenn nodded once.
Then he turned to Nathan.
With the expression of someone who’d been waiting for the right moment to introduce the next part of the conversation.
"Hunter Voss."
"Yes, Lord Vaelith."
"We also want to make a specific recommendation to you."
Nathan lowered his spoon.
He paid attention.
Lord Erenn continued.
"You are officially F-Rank Hunter. You’ve demonstrated exceptional capabilities for your rank. The description Liaraen gave last night, even considering the filters she applied, suggests you have a growth trajectory considerably above average."
"Yes."
"However, to assume Liaraen’s informal guardianship, individual combat capability is not enough. Formal training in continuous protection techniques is required."
"Understood."
"Your Class is powerful, but apparently you had no formal instructor. Your combat has been intuition and adaptation. And that works up to a certain level. Beyond that level, the lack of formal instruction becomes a limitation that can apparently cost lives. Including Liaraen’s."
Nathan processed that.
*If only they knew.*
"Understood, Lord Vaelith."
"House Vaelith recommends that you also seek an instructor over the coming months. Preferably one who can teach techniques appropriate for your specific Class. Not any human master will suffice. Your Class, according to the description Liaraen gave, is specifically unusual. It requires someone who can adapt instruction to the non-standard capabilities you handle."
"Selene probably knows candidates as well."
"Lady Marell and I assume so. She’ll be able to guide you both."
"I appreciate the recommendation."
"It’s not only for Liaraen, Hunter Voss. It’s also for you. The progression Liaraen mentioned, according to what she understood from the contact with the twins in Sareth, suggests you’re going to reach considerably higher strength levels in the next two years. An appropriate master can help you channel that growth in directions that are useful to you. Without a master, apparently the growth will happen anyway, but probably with waste and avoidable risks."
"Understood."
"Consider it part of the guardianship agreement."
"Acceptable."
Lord Erenn inclined his head once.
And returned to his plate.
---
The third course was a tender red meat with a dark fruit sauce. The fourth, a fish with herbs and spiced rice. The fifth, a small plate of cooked vegetables with nuts. Nathan ate all of them with calm efficiency. The food was considerably better than any food he’d tasted in his life. And Nathan had internally decided he wasn’t going to allow himself to comment on the quality, because perhaps he was going to miss it when he returned to Greywall, and perhaps it was better not to acknowledge the difference out loud.
Lady Marell spoke during the fifth course.
"Hunter Voss."
"Yes, Lady Vaelith."
"Liaraen’s current equipment is insufficient for the journey you’re going to undertake."
"Understood."
"She left the family mansion fourteen months ago in ceremonial botanical expedition clothing. And apparently she’s going to need appropriate clothing for daily life in the human kingdom."
"Understood."
"So at this moment, we’re preparing a new wardrobe. Formal clothing for the occasions that her new position as heir will require. Everyday clothing for daily use. Sturdy travel clothing for journeys. All in the style appropriate for a young elven heiress temporarily residing in the human kingdom."
"Acceptable."
"However, there’s a practical problem."
"Which is?"
"An appropriate wardrobe for a major house heiress requires several storage trunks. Your current cart doesn’t have sufficient capacity."
"Understood."
"House Vaelith is going to provide a larger cart. With double traction. With space for the trunks, for extended provisions, and for two beds if the journey requires roadside rest."
Nathan looked at her.
"Lady Vaelith. Honestly, a cart with two beds is considerably more than the original escort required."
"The original escort was an emergency. This journey is a formal transfer of a major house heiress. The conditions are different."
"Understood."
"Furthermore." Lady Marell added in a softer voice. "The return journey is going to be considerably longer than the outbound journey because you won’t be able to use the Veil system with the same level of discretion. You’re going to have to pass through formal inns and official posts at several points."
"Why?"
"Because an elven heiress traveling with a human guardian is not an event that can be hidden. Apparently the elven tribunal is going to require formal transfer records. And the human kingdom’s Church is going to require diplomatic verification at the border."
Nathan processed that.
"Understood."
"There will be inspections. There will be questions. And you’re going to have to carry formal documentation validating the guardianship arrangement."
"House Vaelith is going to prepare that documentation?"
"Correct. Lord Erenn already started the procedures this morning. The documents will be ready before you depart."
"When do we depart?"
Lady Marell looked at Lord Erenn.
Lord Erenn responded.
"In three days. The preparations will require that time. The documents, the wardrobe, the cart, the provisions, and the escort to the border. Everything will be ready in three days."
"Acceptable."
"During those three days, you’ll remain here as full guests. You’ll be able to visit the Sael’thoryn mansion ruins if Liaraen wants to conduct a preliminary structural assessment. You’ll be able to rest. And you’ll be able to have the necessary conversations to prepare for the new dynamic."
Nathan nodded.
"Acceptable."
Liaraen nodded as well.
"Acceptable."
Both uncles looked at Nathan.
"Without any impure acts."
The sixth course was a dessert: fresh fruit with a honey and almond cream. Nathan ate it with his usual efficiency.
The seventh course was a small herbal liqueur that Lord Erenn described as a traditional closing to formal elven meals. Nathan took a sip. It tasted of mint with sweet undertones. He drank the rest with diplomatic neutrality.