The Reaper's Voyage

Chapter 33

Today marks the first meeting Cillian has with King Silas Casteron of Varusa and Hias Gaisser of Esadom as a Ruler of his own nation. To be truthful, he has never been nervous about anything in his life. Not even on the day he was knighted. He is more nervous about meeting Silas for the first time, given his infamous reputation, than anything else. He fears saying or doing the wrong thing and setting him off.

As he awaits in the Great Hall for Silas Casteron to arrive, he stands behind his chair along with the clergy, merchants, and the lot. He observes as they all converse with each other in low tones except for Hias Gaisser who looks as though he wishes to be anywhere else.

Cillian plasters a polite smile and extends a hand toward Hias. "Pleasure to meet you, Sir. Cillian Quaid. I trained Delyth Aiken. She mentioned you and the stories I heard were against my will from her fiance, a dear friend of mine, Tiarnan Holian."

Hias tilts his chin and his mouth rounds. He chuckles and shakes his hand firmly. "The pleasure is mine. She wrote about you all briefly in her letters. I am very grateful for your help with the lass. Remarkable, isn't she?"

Cillian nods. "Very. It was an honor watching her growth over the years. When she first arrived, she was very impulsive but the more time she spent with us, the more she opened up. It was difficult for us to get her to tell us about herself which was understandable because she went through a lot before she was under our care."

Hias nods in agreement, recalling their first meeting. "Impulsive indeed. She can really grow on you, that one. A Warrior, like I had inscribed on her sword."

Cillian's face lights up in recognition. "I saw that. Splendid work on that, by the way. She never goes anywhere without it..." He trails remembering the one time she did forget to carry it with her and it almost cost her life.

Hias notices the pause but doesn't question. When he opens his mouth to say something, Silas finally makes an appearance. He unbuttons his jacket and takes a seat at the head of the table which then allows everyone else to sit.

"Gentlemen, let's begin, shall we? First things first."

Delyth playfully grabs Tiarnan by his shoulders from behind which startles him a bit. "Cillian is here. He's in a meeting. Did you get a chance to see him before he went in?"

Tiarnan's expression darkens drastically which takes Delyth aback. "No, I was burying my horse. The bunch of neanderthals slaughtered him."

"Oh, my apologies. I had—Would you like me to do something about them?" A smile quickly passes across his lips by her instinctive response to defend him. One of the many things he loves about her is that she is always ready to stand up for what is right and protect the people she cares about even if it means throwing herself in danger.

He rests his hand on her cheek and plants a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Thank you, my golden dream, but that is not necessary."

"Your request is granted. The church will be given more funds for the next fourteen months until the renovation is complete and it will recur to its original payment. Swuybia will be offered more metal per your requisition. Hias and the merchants will need to have a discussion among yourselves to come to a conclusion on the short supply of supplies and food in Esadom," Silas declares.

"As it regards a personal matter, I would like to inquire about the safety of Delyth Aiken while she resides here in Lardel Castle," Hias poses the question which makes Cillian sit straight in his chair and waits patiently for Silas's answer.

Silas narrows his eyes at the two gentlemen, not taking their concern well. In other words, they don't trust her in his custody. "I assure you, Lady Aiken is perfectly safe behind these walls."