True Love's Seventh kiss: Part 2 Dungeon Break

Ch.7 Uncle Ivan

Once they settled down and started socializing, they really did seem like a chill group of people. Geoff explained that he came from the beastling nation, he born into slavery and escaped when his owner was attacked by monsters.

He took off his hat to show off the bitten off and slightly discolored ear from the encounter and explained that he had also lost his tail but kept his life. As a stowaway on an airship, he had managed to make it to Cliffgard somehow and met Miles at the orphanage. They'd been tried and true brothers-in-arms ever since.

Holly came to Cliffgard after her application to the Empire's air force was rejected. When her aptitude was checked she was scouted as a sky mage. She had found her place crashing through the battlefield ever since.

Birdie was a very real case of why there were so few pirates or rogue mages in Cliffgard. She had found a broom and learned how to fly just by watching and was a natural born talent. However, she came from a poor family and when her parents were too sick to work while she was young, she began to steal and used her flying prowess to get away with it. At least until she met a better flier and was caught. She was then scouted for the sky mages apprenticeship with the conditions that her parents would be looked after. They made a full recovery and Birdie pledged her loyalty to the county.

While they were out socializing an even more curious event took place.

Whitney walked onto the training field with Gurrand, Novak, and one of the knights. From what Marion could hear they were doing technical training on the Seven star spar. Specifically, the second phase about mimicking another's sword style. It was probably the hardest part for someone like Whitney who had such a loyal heart to her family's sword style. Especially, since there was a lot that Novak lectured on with Gurrand speaking up every once in a while.

While that was happening Irina came to join Marion while holding the arm of a gentleman that had the same faded blue hair. He was tall and handsome and overall... much neater than mother whose weak and demure image was destroyed when her tomboyish behavior was revealed. He had half-moon shaped spectacles, tidy hair, and what looked like permanent dark circles under his eyes.

"Children!" Irina said in a happy and bubbly voice. She nearly skipped over to the group dragging the man that looked like he needed his 12th cup of coffee for the day after his third all-nighter.

"Ivan, these are my two lovely Children, Marion, and Erabella. Children, this is my older brother, your uncle Ivan." Irina introduced. When your grandparents passed away, he took up their affairs and hasn't been able to visit much, but with my health on the rise I insisted he move his operations down here to Cliffgard. He was instrumental in diagnosing our conditions and figuring out that Elven water would save me. He even began the Starbrand project to make more money to find a cure, and nearly killed himself doing it. Which is another reason he is here so I can keep an eye on him."

"It is an honor to meet you uncle, I would greet you properly, but a stomach wound prevents me from moving around excessively." Marion nodded respectfully. "I graciously welcome you and hope that you will get plenty of rest."

"Mmm..." Erabella hid behind Marion from her uncle's gaze. "Scary."

Ivan's face paled even more somehow.

"She likes horror stories but is scared of family." Marion mumbled.

"Marion is the one that figured out the location of the dungeon inside the forest where the Elven water was. And retrieved it with Novak, who you always said was so unreliable." Irina stuck her nose up pridefully.

Meanwhile, Marion turned to Erabella. "Come on Jelly Belly. He's not scary at all, look how much mom likes him. Does mom like any scary people?"

Erabella nodded her head and Marion's logic failed him.