13

Anima’s home, the Tredan household, lies in a residential area close to the center of Ecg. Although smaller than the home of the minister or many of the buildings in Clea, it was bigger than the other buildings in its vicinity, a sign of the wealth the owner enjoys. Its perfectly respectable size makes clear that the Tredan business is in no way floundering, but is also not among the greatest of the city.

Anima opens the door to her house and takes several steps inside. It takes only those few steps before someone springs towards, leaping into her. A large, burly man hugs Anima tightly, nearly bringing her to the ground in his excitement. A full, thick beard of silver obscures the bottom half of his face, the hair atop his head thinning. He wears a dress shirt, the sleeves rolled up to display the large muscles of his arm. His voice is deep and tinged with a doting love.

“Ohh, Anima, I’m so happy you’re home! You were out so late, and nobody had seen you all afternoon! Did something happen?” Anima doesn’t know how not to worry him.

“Everything is fine, I just went out.” He doesn’t realize her dishonesty.

“Good! That’s good! Dinner is already prepared, so let’s eat.” Sion has been standing at the threshold of the door watching them. Mr. Tredan only notices him now. He lets go of his daughter and straightens himself, attempting to appear composed. “Who might you be?” Anima answers him.

“That's Sion. He's my friend.” Mr. Tredan walks up and grips Sion’s hand tightly.

“Well then Sion, I'm Weald Tredan, Anima’s father. What brings you here tonight?” Anima answers him again.

“I was hoping he could stay here tonight.” Weald thinks about it for a moment.

“There shouldn't be any problem with that, if that's what you want. Alright then Sion, come eat.”

Sion follows him to the dining table. Weald quickly sets another placemat for Sion, then takes his own seat. Sion sits down across from Anima and the three of them begin to eat.

They eat some sort of simple stewed meat and vegetables, Weald continuing to ask Anima about her day as they do so. As before, Anima skillfully evades the topic of what exactly she had done today. She eventually turns the conversation back towards him, and he happily obliges her, telling her of the entertaining miscellanea of today's business. Having exhausted their ability to talk about their day, Weald then turns to Sion.Sion.

“So, Sion, I don’t think I know you, so how did you come to meet my daughter?” Sion swallows and puts down his utensil.

“She needed help.”

“I see, I see, when was this?”

“This morning.” A flash of shock crosses Weald’s face, only for him to collect himself quickly after.

“I—I see. What were you helping her with?”

“The goblins.” He’s worried now.

“Anima? What were you doing with the goblins?” Anima sounds repentant.

“We… may have gone to the nest…”

“The nest?! But that’s so dangerous!” Sion responds bluntly.

“We all lived and the problem is solved.”

“Ohh, Anima, how could you do something so dangerous?”

“We did what had to be done.”

“Sion…”

Weald goes silent from the shocking revelation. Sion sees this and presumes it to be the end of the conversation and returns to eating. He finishes soon after and clasps his hands together. Weald shoots up when he sees Sion finished, pulling Sion’s chair back.

“Well then Sion, I’m sure you’re tired, so I’ll show you to the guest room.”

Sion stands and follows him obediently. Weald opens a door and lets Sion pass by him. He closes the door behind them and stands up straight, his muscles bulging out. Now that he’s come face to face with Sion like this, Weald realizes that they’re nearly the same height.

“Sion, I’m sure you mean no harm, but don’t get my daughter wrapped up in those sorts of things again. Honestly, I’d rather you not be around her at all anymore.”

“I can’t do that. We have a connection now, and I can’t pretend we don’t.” There’s something painful in Weald’s voice.

“Sion… Please…”

“No matter what, I’ll protect Anima.”

Weald can find no fault or dishonesty in Sion’s words and eyes, and so he holds his tongue about his remaining misgivings. He turns around and leaves the room, shutting the door behind him, in an irritated mood. He rejoins Anima, her cheeks slightly flushed, at the dinner table.

Left behind in the room, Sion goes to bed. He lays down and stares at the nondescript ceiling. Now that he’s alone in the dark, he realizes how remarkably energetic he feels. Bishop Erd’s healing must have restored his vigor as well. All the fatigue of the day has disappeared and Sion cannot sleep. Sion keeps staring up at the wall, his mind scattering around to try and find a lull. Soon enough his thoughts too are keeping him far from sleep.

After several hours of laying there, Sion shoots up and gets out of the bed. He opens the door without considering whether it would make noise and walks into the dark hall. He doesn’t know what to do now that he’s left the room. He doesn’t want to walk around someone’s house at night, but he feels he’ll end up somewhere strange with how much energy he needs to kill.

As he’s pacing, he sees Anima walking down the stairs, a tired look in her demeanor. Sion stops in front of her, just before they collide. In her groggy state, Anima nearly walks into Sion, getting surprised when she notices his large silhouette. Sion begins to have his soul magic flow around his body, emerging from his skin just enough to make him glow, illuminating the two of them in soft blue light.

“Sion? You’re still up?”

“I wasn’t tired.”

“I can’t sleep either.” Anima pauses for a moment. “Do you want to take a walk?”

“Okay.”

Sion follows her out to the street. The sky is clear; the moon bright. Anima’s outfit is light and loose-fitting, flowing around with the slight breeze, wholly unsuited to violence. Sion walks beside her, his stature and dark outfit menacing under the shadows cast by buildings. They walk in silence for a while, then Anima turns to Sion and hesitantly begins to speak.

“I… overheard you talking with my dad. And… I just want you to not be angry with him.”

“Why would I be?”

“Don’t you think he went too far? He’s always been overprotective of me, but I don’t think he’s ever gone that far before.”

“Isn’t it normal to want to protect the people you care about?”

“You really don’t think he went too far?”

“It’s not something to be angry at him for, at least.”

“It meant I couldn’t talk to him though.” Sion looks at her, puzzled. “About leaving tomorrow with you. I’m sure he wouldn’t let me.”

“But I promised him I’d protect you, so shouldn’t it be fine now?”

“I doubt he took your word for it.”

“Why wouldn’t he?”

“My dad only believes in action.”

“But I did protect you.” Anima giggles.

“To him, you’re the only reason I even was in danger.”

“I see.”

“Well… I don’t think that’s right. I went with you because I wanted to. But I don’t know how to tell him that.” Sion answers bluntly.

“Just say what you feel.”

“But I know he just wants me to be safe, and when I think about that…” Sion looks up at the moon and thinks about the best way to explain himself for a moment.

“When I left my village for Clea, my father told me that although he and my mother will always want me to return home, it’s my choice alone if I ever do. Bonds are not chains that bind us.”

“Your father really does sound like an interesting man.”

Eva and Scima return to Minister Feoh’s manor, Regn trailing behind them. The guard, lazing against his spear, shoots up with a burst of energy when he sees them. He salutes, his back perfectly straight.

“Welcome back, Your Highness! Please allow me to escort you back to the manor! The minister awaits you!”

The guard stiffly leads them deeper into the manor. He opens the door, where the head butler awaits. The head butler leads Eva and Scima through the halls. He pushes open a large set of double doors, and announces their arrival.

“Her Highness Evangelina and her knight have arrived.”

The doors open to reveal a large dining room. Inside are Minister Feoh; Lufe, shying away from others; and two women and one young man Eva and Scima don’t recognize. Eva and Scima approach Feoh and the unknown woman beside him. The minister still looks tired and gaunt, but nearly as much as behind his desk. Feoh bows his head to Eva.

“Lady Evangelina, good evening to you. I hope you enjoyed your day in Ecg.” Feoh gestures to the woman beside him. “This is my wife.” She curtsies.

“It is an honor to meet you, Lady Evangelina. I am Clara.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you.”

The other unknown woman approaches the group. Eva turns to her. The woman bows deeply then introduces herself confidently.

“It is an honor, Your Highness. I am the Saturgrani minister of Ecg, Merces.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you.”

The unknown man then presents himself to Eva. He has a smirk on his face as he does a shallow bow, his eyes never leaving her.

“Hello there, Lady Evangelina. I’m the second son of the lord of Misces, Uro. Charmed to make your acquaintance.”

Eva recognizes the name of Misces, but only for its proximity to the border. It is a small, weak, and unremarkable territory. Despite coming from such a minor family, however, Uro paid little respect to Eva. He has little respect for her person or station. Eva understands already that he cares only for her lands and bloodline. It is already clear to her that he is just another utterly charmless and irritating would-be suitor buzzing about her. She looks at him with cold eyes, but with a slight smile on her face, and responds simply.

“Yes, very.” As they finish exchanging words, Feoh’s weak voice rises up.

“Well then, now that we are all acquainted, and since we are all here, let us share a meal.”

The seven of them sit at the long table, Feoh and Eva sitting at opposite ends. Eva is flanked by Scima on one side and Uro on the other. Several servants emerge, setting the table and bringing out the meal. They begin eating. Scima takes his meal in silence, and Eva gives only short responses when she is prompted. She makes extra effort to pay especially little attention to Uro. Lufe, on the other side of the table, repeatedly takes quick and wary glances towards Eva and Scima. When Eva finishes, Scima stands up and walks next to Eva’s chair, then leans down towards Eva. They begin to whisper.

“Lady Eva, do you want to get out of here now?”

“Yes, I would much rather be resting right now.”

Scima straightens his back and begins to announce their intention to the others.

“This night has been wonderful, but we intend to leave Ecg tomorrow, and so Lady Evangelina must rest. We beg your pardon for excusing ourselves early.”

Scima pulls Eva’s chair back. She stands up and they both begin to walk back to the door. A young butler stands just outside. He looks at them when they exit and bows.

“Your Highness, Sir Sion, I take it you now intend to rest? Allow me to take you to your rooms.”

As they follow him, Scima and Eva return to their whispering.

“That Uro guy, what a piece of work! And it’s only been one hour!”

“Scima, show him the proper respect.”

“That Lord Uro guy, what a piece of work!”

“Scima, that’s no better.”

“Am I wrong though?”

“That’s besides the point, Scima.”

“Why should I have to bother respecting people like that? What has he done to earn my respect?”

“Whether or not you think he’s deserving, you need to remain respectful. We need to form good relations with nobles of other nations.” Sion sighs.

“Fine, fine, I won’t mess up in public.”

“Stop doing it in private, before it slips out when it shouldn’t.” Sion sighs again.

“I’ll try my best.”

They separate when the butler reaches Eva’s room.