Today marks the first meeting Cillian has with King Silas Casteron of Varusa and Hias Gaisser of Esadom as a Ruler of his own nation. To be truthful, he has never been nervous about anything in his life. Not even on the day he was knighted. He is more nervous about meeting Silas for the first time, given his infamous reputation, than anything else. He fears saying or doing the wrong thing and setting him off.

As he awaits in the Great Hall for Silas Casteron to arrive, he stands behind his chair along with the clergy, merchants, and the lot. He observes as they all converse with each other in low tones except for Hias Gaisser who looks as though he wishes to be anywhere else.

Cillian plasters a polite smile and extends a hand toward Hias. "Pleasure to meet you, Sir. Cillian Quaid. I trained Delyth Aiken. She mentioned you and the stories I heard were against my will from her fiance, a dear friend of mine, Tiarnan Holian."

Hias tilts his chin and his mouth rounds. He chuckles and shakes his hand firmly. "The pleasure is mine. She wrote about you all briefly in her letters. I am very grateful for your help with the lass. Remarkable, isn't she?"

Cillian nods. "Very. It was an honor watching her growth over the years. When she first arrived, she was very impulsive but the more time she spent with us, the more she opened up. It was difficult for us to get her to tell us about herself which was understandable because she went through a lot before she was under our care."

Hias nods in agreement, recalling their first meeting. "Impulsive indeed. She can really grow on you, that one. A Warrior, like I had inscribed on her sword."

Cillian's face lights up in recognition. "I saw that. Splendid work on that, by the way. She never goes anywhere without it..." He trails remembering the one time she did forget to carry it with her and it almost cost her life.

Hias notices the pause but doesn't question. When he opens his mouth to say something, Silas finally makes an appearance. He unbuttons his jacket and takes a seat at the head of the table which then allows everyone else to sit.

"Gentlemen, let's begin, shall we? First things first."

Delyth playfully grabs Tiarnan by his shoulders from behind which startles him a bit. "Cillian is here. He's in a meeting. Did you get a chance to see him before he went in?"

Tiarnan's expression darkens drastically which takes Delyth aback. "No, I was burying my horse. The bunch of neanderthals slaughtered him."

"Oh, my apologies. I had—Would you like me to do something about them?" A smile quickly passes across his lips by her instinctive response to defend him. One of the many things he loves about her is that she is always ready to stand up for what is right and protect the people she cares about even if it means throwing herself in danger.

He rests his hand on her cheek and plants a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Thank you, my golden dream, but that is not necessary."

"Your request is granted. The church will be given more funds for the next fourteen months until the renovation is complete and it will recur to its original payment. Swuybia will be offered more metal per your requisition. Hias and the merchants will need to have a discussion among yourselves to come to a conclusion on the short supply of supplies and food in Esadom," Silas declares.

"As it regards a personal matter, I would like to inquire about the safety of Delyth Aiken while she resides here in Lardel Castle," Hias poses the question which makes Cillian sit straight in his chair and waits patiently for Silas's answer.

Silas narrows his eyes at the two gentlemen, not taking their concern well. In other words, they don't trust her in his custody. "I assure you, Lady Aiken is perfectly safe behind these walls."

"I really hope she and Tiarnan Holian are being treated well because I would not like to hear that your guards and knights are abusing them in any way and you are allowing it." Silas's jaw ticks at Cillian's underlying threat.

He calls for his Page, Ivor, while maintaining eye contact with Cillian. "Call for Lady Aiken, now."

The teenage boy sprints off and in a moment's notice, Delyth appears and bows, addressing everyone in the room. "My Lord."

The corner of Cillian's mouth twitches up at the bored tone in her voice. One sign that she is physically okay yet another sign that she could be hiding her pain under snark.

"Pulchra, are you and your consort comfortable here?" Delyth rolls her eyes. He has asked this question before, therefore she knows that he isn't asking for himself.

She looks at Hias and Cillian and smiles, reassuringly. "I appreciate the concern but you need not worry because we are both very sheltered here and very well taken cared for."

The two hold eye contact with her, not completely sure how truthful she's being. Either way, they know she is not the type of person to complain about her problems, so they don't question further.

Silas clears his throat and leans forward in his chair. "Do well to remember that it is because of the Dame's advice that you are sitting at this table. If you ever question my competence as to how I care for my guests, not only will you lose your position but something much more important," He sends a menacing glare, looking Cillian straight in the eye, ensuring that there is no doubt to how serious he is to carry out his threat.

Delyth's hand reaches for her sword and she goes to make a step forward. Hias shakes his head at her as an attempt to stop her but her focus is unwavered on Silas.

Silas side-eyes Delyth, "Careful. You are dismissed, Lady Aiken." He takes a sip of the wine in his chalice the moment she silently huffs and turns on her heels to leave.

"Another important matter to discuss is the empty piece of land where Naelund once was. What do you propose we do with it?" Delyth's heart stops, she pauses and she forgets to breathe. She inhales a deep breath, holds her chin high and continues walking, her feet suddenly feeling heavy as she hears the suggestions being thrown in the air.

It disgusts her how much disregard he has for the people he killed there. What else is she to expect from such a man who never made any effort to help with their survival for decades and killed them all looking for her which he failed at? He is Silas Casteron, after all. Everything he does must benefit him in some way.

Delyth is brushing Outlaw's mane, her eyes shining with tears. She licks her dry lips as a tear escapes. "He's tarnishing my home further, Outlaw. As if burning it wasn't enough," her voice cracks." He's going to either sell it or build whatever disparaging thing in the space so he can forget about them. Rid any evidence of the iniquity and suffering he caused me."

She lets out a humorless laugh and nods fervently. "I just wish I could cause him the same pain but the only person he cares about is one of the people I'm growing close to and I won't hurt him." She shakes her head and wipes the tear from her chin with the back of her hand. She places her hand on his rib and rests her head there, letting out a shaky breath.

Hastily with a trembling hand, she removes her armored suit and falls to her knees. A loud sob releases from her throat and she squeezes her chest trying to alleviate the burning sensation. Outlaw sits beside her, turns his head and brushes his chin against her shoulder and neighs softly.

She interprets his gesture as him consoling her that everything will be just fine. She smiles softly and brings her hand and strokes his forehead, hiccupping every now and often. "I know. Thanks, boy."

18/08/22

Au revoir...

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