TBATE - Not Bound By Fate

Part 33

Kezess Indrath

It has been quite some time since Myre was the one to call a meeting of the Great Eight. Centuries, if my memory is right. She told me it would be about that lesser boy Sylvia spent her last moments with. Myre did say she was planning to visit him at some point, so I believe this is what the meeting is about as she wouldn't tell me any specifics. I was no stranger to her propensity to move without my knowledge, but it is not something that concerns me since she only does it either for personal reasons or for the sake of the Indrath clan.

As per usual I was the last to arrive at the venue. Unlike usual however, I decided to walk in this time instead of teleporting. I'll admit it was for my own amusement, and seeing the confused faces some of the clan heads were making I would say it was worth the time I wasted.

I took my seat at the head of the table next to my wife and my eyes glanced over the representatives of each race, searching for any signs of emotions I could exploit, but other than Rai Kothan - representative of the Basilisks - who was always anxious during these meetings and Lady Aerind who looked bored as usual, they all kept their composure.

We all sat in silence waiting for the maids to bring tea and snacks as that was how Myre liked to conduct her meetings. She really disliked talking over things without any type of refreshments to accompany it, a trait she had even before we married and one I never really understood despite how hard I tried to, so eventually I gave up the endeavor.

It didn't take long for the maids to arrive and set the tea cups and plates, leaving all of us quite surprised as no one recognized some of the sweets being served. We all looked at Myre for waiting for an explanation and she was quick to give one.

"Some of these are gifts from Seele. They are made by an elven chef who recently opened a branch of his cafe in the human kingdom. I had the pleasure of tasting a few before coming back and I have to say, the lessers have become quite passionate about their food in the last few decades. I would even go so far as to say a few of these taste otherworldly." Myre said with a smile.

Her words caught all of us off guard, and kindled some curiosity in a few of the clan heads. Mostly Lord Grandus and Lady Aerind, but they were always intrigued by new things.

"So that's where the little rascal disappeared to." Lord Thyestes commented. He became quite fond of Seele during his time as her mentor, as brief as that time was.

"Yes, she decided to stay in Diacathen to keep an eye on Arthur Leywin, the child who was with Silvia before she died and the reason I called you all here today." Myre said, getting into a more serious tone and the clan heads shifted in their seats now that the meeting was really starting.

"I heard you went to Dicathen recently, was the boy your reason?" Lord Eccleiah asked, clearly interested in the subject.

"That was my reason. I couldn't contain my curiosity, I wanted to see for myself what my daughter had created." Myre paused for a moment. "And yet, even after laying my eyes on him, I can't fully comprehend what I saw."

"And pray tell, what did you see?" Lord Thyestes was the first to speak after a few seconds of silence. While I did want answers as much as the other clan heads, if not more, I knew they would come to me in time so there was no need to voice my interest in this matter. All I needed was to observe and come to a decision once the facts were laid out before me.

"Something familiar, yet completely new. One of the reasons I wanted to meet with the boy is because we believed Sylvia gave him her body through an ancient art, and after having examined Arthur I can confirm that is indeed the case. From what I can tell his constitution is between eighty and ninety percent that of a dragon." Only silence followed that statement. No one knew how to respond so we simply sat there digesting the information given.

If what my wife is saying is true, then the boy will be a great asset against Agrona and his lessurans. I had already decided he was to be brought here for training, but it seems I will have to alter my plans for him. There is a bigger need to learn what he is capable of.

"What you said explains why you saw something familiar in him, but not what is new." This time it was Novis Avignis, representative of the phoenixes, who spoke. He usually kept to himself as long as the subject didn't concern his people, but it seems like curiosity got the best of him today like the other lords.

"There were two things that caught my attention, even more than his physiology. First, unlike us who feed and depend on mana for sustenance, Arthur's body feeds on aether."

"What!?" Came in unison from all the lords, interrupting Myre. I was even surprised at the revelation. Looking around the table, it was evident they all wanted to know how such a thing was possible, but there was no need to rush and speculate. I would learn soon enough.

"Our apologies Lady Myre, please continue." Lord Eccleiah said.

"No need for that, I can understand why my words would lead to such a reaction." There was a pause. "The second thing I noticed was the incredible amount of aether surrounding Arthur's core. An amount so great it makes me question how he is even alive. For all I know, it shouldn't be possible to control so much aether, much less keep it calm and unmoving."

This was even more shocking than the previous statement. As my mind raced trying to understand what it could mean or how it was possible, the only explanation that seemed plausible was that the boy had an aether core. But that should be impossible, there were multiple attempts of creating such a thing throughout our history and none were remotely close to being successful. So how did Sylvia manage such a feat? Only the head of the Indrath clan has access to the notes detailing those experiments, learning from was not an option for my daughter. Was there something special about the child that allowed the creation of an aether core?

More and more questions kept appearing in my mind, and I was no closer to the answers I wanted. In order to quench my thirst, the plans made for Arthur's stay here in Epheotus needed to be drastically changed.

"Do you believe he can influence or control the aether inside his body in any way, Lady Myre?" Lady Mapellia question pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Arthur has to be able to do so, otherwise all that aether would be running rampant." The simple and logical answer was delivered.

"It is clear the boy is special, so what are your plans for him, Lord Indrath?" Lord Eccleiah addressed me directly.

Glancing over the table, it was evident all the clan heads expected me to bring Arthur to our home as soon as possible. I closed my eyes for a moment as I pondered on how to best inform them what was to be done.

As I opened my eyes I began speaking. "You are right Lord Eccleiah, there is definitely something special about Arthur Leywin. It would be in our best interest to guide his growth in an effort to thwart Agrona and the Vritra's ambition. With that in mind, I would ask that your clans support the Indrath clan in this mission in the way you think is best."

Of course this was not all I had planned for the boy. Myre had brought the idea of taking him into the Indrath clan and recognizing him as our grandson, but I had dismissed the idea at the time. Now however, there is a chance Arthur could be useful to me as a clan member. If he proves himself during the war and is the one to fell Agrona, no other clan will be able to oppose us for the next few centuries.

"I will gladly support you, Lord Indrath. I can't deny my desire to see what a warrior trained by multiple clans would look like." Lord Thyestes was the first to agree.

"If it is equipment you need made, I'll have Wrain Kain make his best work yet." Lord Grandus declared his support and the rest followed suit.

"I thank you all for the support. Once preparations are complete I will inform you what is needed and when the boy's training will begin." I paused for a second and looked over to my wife. "Is this all you wished to discuss today?"

"Yes, that was all." She replied.

"Then this meeting is adjourned."