Covenant (5)

Inside the mansion, the dining room reflected Mr. Telderan's wealth—polished furniture, crystal chandeliers, and oil paintings of pastoral scenes. The long wooden table could easily seat a dozen people, though tonight it hosted a more modest gathering.

Mr. Telderan's wife, Rhea Telderan—a gracious woman with auburn hair—welcomed them. Their daughter Maya, a girl of perhaps ten with her mother's features, sat beside a most unusual addition to the family—a young foxen girl named Kara who appeared to be around the same age as her.

She possessed human features, in addition to her fox ears and a bushy tail that swayed behind her chair.

"Everyone, this is Valan Ferndall," Mr. Telderan announced as they took their seats. "A friend to our family."

"Another human with glasses," Kara observed, her amber eyes reflected a child's innocence. "Are you smart? Do all smart humans need those things to see?"

Valan smiled at her, not knowing what to answer. Mrs. Telderan laughed softly along with Arline and Celica while Maya giggled beside her.

"Kara speaks her mind. We've always found it funny, if occasionally embarrassing—but she's a sharp one," Mr. Telderan explained.

"Kara is smart. Kara wants glasses too, but Papa won't let me."

"Well, let's hope your eyesight stays sharp enough that you won't need them," Mr. Telderan said with a chuckle.

"She's been with us for three years now," Mrs. Telderan added, brushing Kara's hair gently. "My husband found her during his trip."

Arline, who sat beside Valan, closed in and whispered, "She was rescued from outlaws who wanted to trade her as a slave. Uncle ended up adopting her."

"Papa says I was too skinny, I need more food." Kara reached for a dinner roll. "Now I eat a lot of food. I'm not skinny anymore."

Valan's chest tightened at the mention of slavery. Although a number of countries had abolished it—including the kingdom where he was now—the practice still existed in this world.

Knowing it still thrived elsewhere—that children like Kara faced such horrors—made his jaw clench. Still, he managed his expression to remain neutral.

"It's fortunate she found such a caring family," he said quietly.

Mrs. Telderan smiled with a bit of a pride. "We're the fortunate ones."

"Every child deserves a proper home." Mr. Telderan nodded firmly.

Kara looked up from buttering her roll. "Valan looks sad. Did I say something wrong?"

"No, Kara. You didn't do anything wrong."

"He's probably just tired from traveling, dear." Mrs. Telderan added.

The dinner featured an array of dishes that made Valan's mouth water and his stomach churn in equal measure.

The roasted wylmie, glazed with honey, proved delicious. It was basically similar like Earth's chicken, although a bit bigger on its chest and wings. It had been his favorite since he arrived in Verda. But what Mr. Telderan's had here was probably the best he ever had. Money didn't lie, he thought.

However, the purple-hued vegetables that accompanied the main course were less appealing, their bitter, herb-like flavor making him reach for his water glass repeatedly.

"Not fond of mirdroot?" Mrs. Telderan asked.

"I'm sorry. I'm afraid my palate isn't quite accustomed to it yet."

Celica had positioned herself between the two younger girls and immediately launched into animated conversation about their journey. Her hands gestured wildly as she described their journey, making Kara's ears perk up with excitement.

"And then Arline made this face when we saw the huge fluffy bunny during travel—" Celica scrunched her features into an exaggerated expression of wonder and delight.

"I did not look like that, though." Arline protested, though her lips curved into a smile.

"You absolutely did!"

"Are you three prepared for the entrance examination?" Mr. Telderan asked suddenly.

"Absolutely!" Celica declared. "I can't wait already!"

"We've covered all subject," Arline added more measured. "We'll do fine."

Mr. Telderan raised an eyebrow at Celica. "I hope that means you've been reading actual textbooks and not just those romance novels you're always carrying around."

"Hey! I read the textbooks too!"

"What about you, Ferndall?" Mr. Telderan turned his attention to Valan.

"I'm confident in the academic portions," he replied, pushing the bitter vegetables around his plate. "I'm only hoping I'll do well in the practical arcane examinations."

"Practical magic can be tricky," Mrs. Telderan observed. "It's one thing to understand the theory behind spell construction, quite another to execute it under pressure."

"My wife and I both graduated from the Royal Academy in the capital," Mr. Telderan continued, cutting into his wylmie. "Though my wife here was always the talented one with arcane."

"Garon's being modest," Mrs. Telderan laughed. "He passed all his examinations perfectly well."

"Perhaps, but you were the one professors called brilliant." Mr. Telderan gestured toward his wife with his fork. "I only learned enough to make money from it."

"Don't sell yourself short, dear."

"Anyway, if you need any help preparing, we're here for you," Mr. Telderan offered, turning back to Valan.

"Both of us," Mrs. Telderan added warmly.

"We can help too!" Celica chimed in eagerly.

"Of course," Arline nodded.

Maya bounced slightly in her seat. "I know some magic! I can show you the light spell Papa taught me!"

"Me too!" Kara's tail swished excitedly. "I can make sparks! Want to see?"

"Perhaps after dinner, girls," Mrs. Telderan suggested gently, to their disappointment.

"Thank you. I appreciate it." Valan felt humbled by their offers of assistance.

He turned toward the two younger girls. "Thank you both for offering to help. I'm sure your magic is quite impressive."

Maya sat up straighter in her chair. "Papa says I'm getting really good at it!" she declared proudly.

"Mine makes pretty colors! Blue and yellow and sometimes purple!" Kara followed.

"That sounds wonderful. I'd like to see them sometime."

As the evening wound down, servants began clearing the table.

Mrs. Telderan rose from her seat, smoothing her skirts. "Maya, Kara, it's time for our evening story."

"Aww, but Mama!" Maya's face fell. "Can't we stay up a little longer?"

"Now, now," Mrs. Telderan's voice carried gentle but firm authority. "You know the rules about bedtime."

"Please? Just a few more minutes?" Maya clasped her hands together in an exaggerated plea.

Mrs. Telderan reached into a small cloth bag she'd retrieved from a side table. "Well, I guess Mama could read these new books alone..."

Both girls' eyes widened instantly.

"New books?" Maya's protest vanished. Kara leaned forward, her tail beginning to swish again.

"A grand tale about two brave knights and a clever fox who outwit an evil dragon," Mrs. Telderan said. "But if you're tired..."

"We're not tired!" both girls exclaimed in unison.

Mrs. Telderan smiled. "Come along then."

The girls scurried around the table toward her.

Mrs. Telderan turned to her husband. "Will you join us soon?"

"After I see our guests settled," Mr. Telderan replied, standing from the table. "I'll be up shortly."

"Alright, dear."

"Goodnight!" The children waved enthusiastically before disappearing down the hallway with Mrs. Telderan.

"Those two have enough energy to power half the city," Mr. Telderan chuckled as their voices faded. He gestured toward an archway leading to an adjacent room. "Care for some tea? The evening's still young."