Fate Weaver's convergence

C86 Winters Crescendo 5

Lorn looked over the celebrating children, the results of her labors come to fruition. For three full moons, she toiled to capture the wyvern used today to test the extent of their strength. Another four on top of that to ensure the beast had no chance of truly pressing escape against its confines should the children not be up to the task.

You three continue to exceed expectations.

Lorn smirked, her brows furrowing as if to say 'You had nothing to worry about.'

"So, are we clear to continue as planned, your most endearing lordship?"

To Lorn who was basking in the afterglow of a successful assessment, Callum's voice was like a hammer shattering glass.

Could you not at least let me ponder before asking?

Lorn's smile faded as she took what remained of her cigarette from her lips, snuffing it against the wooden railing before flicking it into the area.

We're clear to continue... But not with him at the helm. Part of this assessment was for class selection, and it's clear he can't be the one to train the girl further.

"As planned, all of you are to collect your children and take them immediately to my office as soon as they're freshly clothed. The assessment will be completed, and each child will have their class locked in. All the paperwork will be completed, they'll be given their identification tags, blase blah."

Lorn waved her hand as she rambled, still looking to the arena as she turned to her side and dismissed those present.

"Callum, you take Kiyomi. You're the closest thing to a parent present right now, and I'd rather you kept a close eye on her."

Lorn looked to Callum, the human stopping in his tracks as she called him out. Callum looked past Lorn to the arena, then back to the rather tired elf.

"I take it, there's a specific reason you're emphasizing this given I was going to escort her regardless?"

Callum seemed confused for a moment, leaning against the door frame just as most of the party had left. Only Avery was still present and seemed to remain unmoving even then. Callum shifted his glance to the Arachne, then back to Lorn. Pointing to Avery as if to question 'She's still here?'. Lorn nodded in response.

"She's here for more than one reason, one of which is regarding Kiyomi. It's pertinent she knows so she can formulate her opinion."

Lorn waved off Callum's concern, opting to ignore it entirely.

"Her nightmares, her screaming in the middle of the night, the random freezes and inconsistent personality."

Lorn leaned back against the railing, pulling one of her tablets from her pocket before crushing it in her teeth.

"Your involvement in her life will likely impact her more than you think, Callum. Consider that when you attempt to keep her at arm's length as her teacher."

Lorn parsed her words carefully, hesitant pauses dotting her speech. Callum tilted his head, rubbing his neck before looking back to Lorn.

"What're you saying exactly, Lorn?"

Callum was obviously uncomfortable with the subject, though it was difficult for Lorn to truly ascertain why. Lorn brought her weight forward, the thump of boots against wood filled the air.

"You're not going to be her teacher forever. Being an Adventurer? It'll be nice for her to only come home to a full family instead of an array of instructors"