The child of wolves (English version)

The meeting part 2.

Once the greetings were exchanged, Virion and Astral followed Hakon into the vastness of his manor. As soon as they crossed the threshold, the contrast between this grand residence and the modest house in FrostHeilm that Astral had always known became immediately apparent to the young boy. Here, everything exuded opulence and grandeur: the ceilings were so high that the chandeliers, suspended by golden chains, seemed to float in the air. Their crystals shimmered softly under the dim candlelight. The walls were adorned with rich tapestries, each depicting scenes of battles or historical events that Astral did not recognize, but which seemed to him full of grandeur.

The servants moved silently, almost like shadows, carefully avoiding eye contact with the guests. Their discretion was both admirable and unsettling. Everything in this place seemed calculated to impress and maintain a certain distance. Even the air felt colder, despite the warmth of the fireplaces and the familiar scent of burning wood that wafted through the vast corridors.

The evening light was fading quickly, and night was slowly settling in outside. The journey from FrostHeilm had taken most of the afternoon, and the fatigue was beginning to weigh on Astral's shoulders.

— "I imagine you must be exhausted after such a long journey," Hakon said with a polite smile. "But don't worry, I'll make sure you're well settled here. We can discuss everything tomorrow, once everyone is rested."

Virion nodded, visibly in agreement.

— "That would be best, yes. The journey has been long."

Hakon smiled, but his gaze briefly lingered on Virion, as if he was still weighing the man he had once known. Then he turned and called a servant to show them to their rooms.

Astral settled into the room that had been assigned to him. Located at the top of one of the manor's towers, the room offered a breathtaking view of the city of IsenHavn. Although it was larger and more richly decorated than anything he had known in FrostHeilm, he felt strangely uncomfortable. He opened the large window and leaned out, feeling the cool night breeze on his face. Just below, he saw the city's inner walls, massive fortifications that seemed to stretch endlessly. These walls, with their imposing watchtowers and solid stones, exuded an aura of mystery that captivated his imagination. He decided that after dinner, he would slip away to explore those walls more closely.

— "Astral, come, it's time for dinner," called Virion from the doorway.

— "I'm coming," Astral replied, gently closing the window. But before leaving the room, he cast one last glance at the walls, promising himself to see them again later that night.

Dinner was served in an immense dining room, where a long, richly adorned table stood in the center. The ceiling, so high you could float a dirigible beneath it, was decorated with frescoes depicting scenes of past battles and victories. On either side of the table, silver chandeliers delicately illuminated the room, creating an atmosphere both grand and intimidating.

The dishes that were presented were of incomparable finesse. Savory meats, finely prepared vegetables, and sauces so delicate that Astral had never tasted anything like them. Yet despite the quality of the food, he couldn't help but compare this meal to the simple yet comforting dishes that Thelaria prepared every day. Here, everything seemed perfect, but the soul was missing.

As they sat around the table, Hakon addressed Astral, clearly intrigued by the young boy.

— "So, Astral, this is your first big trip outside of FrostHeilm, isn't it? How do you find IsenHavn?"

Astral, a little surprised that the conversation had suddenly turned to him, took a moment to respond. His eyes lit up, however, at the thought of sharing his excitement.