Chapter: 599 – Gredial Encounters

Tala held Lea’s hand as they walked through the streets of Alefast, Waning, with Rane, toward the Gredial Estate. The people they passed gave nods or greetings to those who were obviously Mages, as well as the seemingly young woman with them.

Terry rested on Lea’s shoulder once again, not because he specifically preferred her shoulder to Tala’s, but because he felt his presence there helped the girl.

Tala didn’t object, mainly because he was overtly and obviously correct.

Terry’s presence likely kept the greetings to the brief, polite nature that they were.

The Sappherrous family was accompanied by Master Grediv in order to, in his words, ‘make his position clear on the matter of Lea.’

The greetings were obviously directed his way as well, and many—if not most—of the citizens recognized him as a prominent figure in the city, even if they didn’t know him to be the City Stone holder. Not that they’d know what that is, even if they did know he held it.

-Ahh, to be on the inside of so many closely kept secrets.-

Indeed.

Master Grediv was addressing Lea as they walked. “Your Aunt Chloe is in town as well. Your grandmother and father didn’t specifically say who else was about, but they did say that some of their other children would be.”

Lea nodded, clearly a bit nervous, but whenever she glanced toward Master Grediv, she seemed to calm a bit.

Tala smiled to herself. He probably wanted her to feel as comfortable as possible, and he’s already broken the ice with her, so to speak.

-That is a kind interpretation of it.-

Oh? Do you have another?

-I do.-

…Care to share?

-No. If I’m right in my guess, it will be better as a surprise. That’s lost for me, but you can still get the ‘better’ experience.-

Tala sighed internally. Fine.

The household had been made aware of their approach. Thus it wasn’t a surprise when the gates swung open to reveal Rane’s parents, Mistress Chloe, and… Master Furgal awaiting them.

That last person was a surprise. It wasn’t specifically unpleasant, as the man was more annoying than a true problem, but it wasn’t exactly desirable.

-Hah, at least partially right.-

What are you expecting, Alat.

-You’ll see… or you won’t. I am capable of being wrong.-

… Fine.

The new arrivals stepped across the threshold, privacy and obscuration magics falling into place to keep this meeting—and the introductions that were incoming—out of the public eye.

The waiting group bowed deeply toward Master Grediv, then almost as deeply toward each Rane and Tala. Finally, they all gave hesitant, shallow bows toward Lea.

Master Neul stepped forward. “Greetings, Master Grediv, Mistress Tala, Rane.” He then turned to regard Lea once again. “And am I correct in assuming that you are Lea? Their daughter and my new granddaughter?”

Tala, Rane, and Master Grediv had all given shallow, appropriate bows in return, and now Lea did the same, though hers were deeper, as was proper. “I am, Master Neul.”

“There is no need for that, not from our granddaughter. Please, call me grandpa.”

Mistress Filha nodded. “Yes, deary, please call me grandma. We were not expecting grandchildren from you two who could address us so directly for a while, but such a surprise is entirely welcome.”

Mistress Chloe cleared her throat, opening her arms wide. “I’m your Auntie Chloe.”

Lea glanced toward her father, and then stepped in for a big hug.

“Are you old enough for coffee and baked sweets? I imagine we’re going to be getting quite the story from your parents, and time is always better spent with coffee and baked goods.”

Tala chuckled, interjecting even as her daughter moved back a step. “That sounds wonderful. Lea is welcome to whatever she wishes. Will your husband be joining us?”

“No, Dafnis had an issue with his mageling. That poor boy read a controversial book that was a bit more persuasively written than he’d expected, and what he pulled from it broke his fundamental understanding.”

All the Mages winced in empathetic pain.

“Still, it should be fixable. They were lucky in that his fundamental grasp of things is actually a widely held position, unlike with some people,” she gave Tala a meaningful glance, “and so there is a wide selection of materials available to help him shore up the broken understanding and reestablish himself as he had been.” She shrugged. “Or, he might reshape it based on his new beliefs. Either way, he needs his master with him through this time.”

Rane nodded. “We completely understand and hope for the best. Please let us know if there is anything that we can do to assist.”

“I’ll convey your well wishes and offer, Master Rane. Thank you for such a kind, formal offer.” She smiled mischievously.

He rolled his eyes. “Thank you, Mistress Chloe, and you are most welcome.”

The two only waited a moment before both shook their heads and chuckled.

There was a momentary pause as everyone turned to regard Master Furgal who was standing to one side. Their collective, focused attention seemed to jostle him free of his reverie, and he gave a weak smile and shallow bow. “Greetings, Lea Sappherrous. I suppose that I am your Uncle Furgal. You may call me that or Master Furgal as you desire.”

Lea gave another bow in return. “Thank you… Uncle Furgal.”

Terry let out a soft, derisive chirp, and Lea shushed him.

Master Furgal gave a small smile at the child’s choice, and Tala, for her part, really looked at him for the first time since their arrival.

He looked different.

That made sense as it had been years since they’d seen him last.

He seemed a bit more put together, a bit more confident in himself, rather than confident in a position that he believed that he held. Does that even make sense?

-Of course it does. After all, we came up with it.-

Not helpful…

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

His magic was in harmony with his body, and seemed almost to be pressing close into him.

He’s almost ready for Binding.

-Oh! Is that what that looks like? Fascinating. We’ve seen some of these signs occasionally, but never really noted it as such.-

I think so, yeah.

His clothes were nice, but also well-worn, as if he’d done his best to care for them throughout his adventures, rather than replacing them.

The group only stood in silence for less than two breaths before a servant called from the main building. “Masters, Mistresses, honored family, the sunroom is prepared with afternoon tea and coffee.”

Master Grediv gave a bow toward the servant. “Thank you. We shall be in presently.”

As the servant turned to go, the group moved almost as one to follow after. Lea’s eyes flicked to some of the statues that they passed, and from them to her father, but she seemed a bit too on edge to ask about them.

The house was just as Tala remembered it, which made sense, given the owners hadn’t changed, and they seemed to be people of habit and constancy.

Small words were exchanged as they moved through the house, but nothing of import was said.