LCoT Chapter 37

After the test of strength, Clara had hugged him, and they had left the temple with the Chater of their House—a document detailing their granted rights, land, or privileges, along with the agreement defining the duties of vassal and House lord.

Unbeknownst to them, two figures followed them out of the Church.

The streets were filled with hunters by now, and there were a lot of them. It was as though they had just appeared one day.

The taverns were full of patrons, and the streets were crowded with more people than he had imagined seeing.

“Look at them all. They come to our city, destroy everything, and then leave. They are no better than the beasts,” the half-Goliath Gael sneered.

“Let’s head back to the manor. We have to bring the others the good news,” Clara said.

“Are all Houses given written documents like this?”

“Yes, mmhm. They are proof that we’re recognized.”

“And do they give them out for things like trade as well?” he asked, because he had just realized how dangerous it was to misplace the document Clara held in her hand.

“Yes. If you make a deal with another High House, you’ll be required to keep a copy of the agreement. Both parties should.”

Before he could ask his next question, Orlan spoke.

“Guys… I think we’re being followed.”

“By who?” Clara asked.

“I think… it’s some nobles.”

“You think they know and want to stop us?”

That had all the alarm bells in his head ringing. He could see it now—a noble House had seen them receive a House Chater and was seeking to eliminate the threat in its infancy.

This was made more apparent as he sensed someone using Mage Sight on him. As a person with high Arcane affinity, the probe couldn’t have been any louder.

“One of them used Mage Sight. I felt it too.”

“Me too.”

“Same.”

From his experience and lessons with Ivor about Mage Sight, he knew it was only used when someone was actively assessing a target’s threat level. And if the group following behind was doing the same, then it meant nothing good.

“Orlan. Gael. Take the House Pluck. Go protect the others at the manor,” Marcus said.

“If the guards bother you, show it to them,” Clara added.

“What are you two going to do?”

“We’re going to fight.”

Just as he said those words, he watched Gael tense up, and a moment later, he understood why. It was as if a sixth sense was warning him of danger.

Marcus turned, and his eyes met with a Goliath as large as Ivor, staring at him with intense focus—something he didn’t like. And the way red aether flowed into his eyes… he could only be using Mage Sight.

If Mage Sight was being used on him, it was only fair he returned the favor. And Marcus’s Mage Sight was unlike anything anyone on Taelaris had ever experienced.

He pushed all his magical weight into the spell and froze for the briefest of moments as he realized his odds of winning against the person following him. If worse came to worst, he would have to use Nova of the Shadow Sun.

As Marcus looked at Arlath, this is what he could read from the aether.

He turned and told Clara what he had seen, and despite the fear in her eyes, she ordered the other two boys to run.

“You there—halt, by the name of Lord Arlath!” a voice yelled, ordering them to stop.

Marcus didn’t. Instead, he pulled Clara along, and they hid in an alley. When they looked back, a man dressed like a Veystrix was standing in the path between the Lord and his aides.

And just as Marcus turned away to continue heading back to the manor…

He sensed it—the feeling was almost familiar, almost alien.

When the man drew his blade, everyone who was touched—gifted by bloodline magic—sensed a predator in their midst. A primal instinct told them: you must survive.

Marcus looked back, mesmerized by the sight of the crimson-red blade the Goliath in thick leather and steel armor held.

But what truly captivated him was the enchantment written and woven into the blade—the way it worked with aether.

All this time, he had been looking at spells the wrong way. What if spell formations weren’t circles… but spheres?

Arlath did not wait to be told twice. He drew his blade, and everyone touched—gifted by bloodline magic—sensed a predator in their midst. A primal instinct.

He thought he didn’t have to, but he would be a fool not to in the presence of Vedran.

“Butcher. Why are you still here?”

“The Tides.”

“You killed innocents. What does killing Tide beasts weigh against that?”

“One word from me, and you could never find him.”

“You wouldn’t dare. Someone that capable needs to be instructed.”

“You’re suggesting we control him?” Vedran laughed.

“So… it was a boy or man. That still isn’t enough.”

“Do you even know what he is?”

“So he’ll cause war in the mountains of the—?”

“Perhaps.”

“Then I’ll kill you here… and then I’ll kill him as well.”

“And they call me the Butcher?”

“Yes. You killed unnecessarily.”

“And you? What are you promising to do? I see no difference in it.”

“But I promise you—if you draw your blade against him, you’ll not only be fighting him but me as well.”

“I will kill you now. And then kill him later.”

“Sure, you might kill me… but are you willing to lose an arm? A leg? An eye is too small. And even then, you’d have to catch me first.”

“…Have you spoken to them?”

“I have not.”

“But you know who they are?”

“Yes.”

“Then point me in their direction, and I’ll be on my way.”

“That I will not do,” he shook his head. “Keep your blade pointed at the Tides. Do not threaten those of Srok.” He turned to leave.

“We can’t just let him get away,” Liala said, stepping forward.

“Stay your hand. If you attack him, it will be on your own.”

“That’s the Butcher of Thanath,” Vega said, stepping forward as well.

“How fast can you get to Driftspire to save your families? A day? Two days? By the time you get there, he’ll already have the blood of those close to you.”

“Vega. Liala. Stay your hand. He’s not a threat right now. We can inform the council after we return,” Dea said, relaxing her stance.

---

The noble Houses in Taelaris were the highest class organization—an assembly of men and women that anyone wanted to be a part of.

There were Houses of all sorts, from the three ruling Houses to the High Houses, to the servant Houses.

And yes, they were all known for different things, but the first and most important requirement was that they be recognized by the Church and given the seal that marked them as a House. It was on this same seal that Clara would have to fill out fifty members of the Church.

Yes, it was twenty-five—twenty-five because, when Houses had gone to war in the past, the fighting had led to the deaths of more citizens than even the waves of monsters. And when so many powerful people fought and died, the mountains were often left with far fewer fighters to defend against the Tides.

So—twenty-five. That was the most a noble House in the mountains was allowed as its privileged members who held the seal of the House. All other members would be part of the outer House.

And for House Morkan, eight of those seats had already been accounted for, and Clara had to tell them.

This would be their first meeting, and she was excited to see how they would react as members and leaders of her new High House.

The table she had the boys place in the second well-built part of the manor was large and long, and although they hadn’t gotten the chairs to match yet, the benches would do for now.

Marcus was the first to enter, his hands curved in charcoal that he used to study magic.

Then Gabe walked in next, followed directly by Geneve and Ethne. Ever since the night they had faced Thornan, Gabe had changed. He no longer argued against her decisions, and she hoped whatever he was going through would soon end.

Oh, she knew he had tried to run—but in the end, it didn’t matter. All that was behind them, and she would have to speak to him later.

Zek, Linus, and Nell were all doing a lot better, and old man Ivor was a face she didn’t know how to feel about—especially after he had refused to help them against Thornan.

The living room with the long, wide table was fairly clean and not as cramped as she would have expected with all nine of them.

After they were all seated, looking at her, she spoke.

“Since we have gotten the official seal that recognizes us as a High House, we’ll be taking on new roles.”

She looked at each of them, gauging their reactions.

Geneve looked nervous, her eyes shifting from side to side, trying to see what the others thought.

Gabe sat up straighter, trying to give off an air of confidence.

Zek shared a look with his sister, clearly uncomfortable and uncertain about what Clara was planning now that they had gotten what they wanted.

“Like every noble House, I will be giving you all roles that will help us succeed in the future.”

She looked around at all the faces and continued.

“This is the first step in our dream, and if we all walk together, we can be the best.

“Firstly,” she turned to Marcus, “Marcus will be our Champion. If anyone tries to challenge us, he will stand—as he is the strongest. He has the grimoire, and his job is to protect House Morkan’s honor.”

She looked at Marcus. Marcus froze for a moment, not knowing what to do, and simply nodded.

She turned to her left.

“Gabe will be the First Advisor, my Quartermaster, and in charge of all the coin we make. He’ll run the store and warehouse, making sure everything goes smoothly.

“Geneve will be my Second Advisor. She will help Gabe in whatever he does and will oversee those who want to join us, along with him.

“Zek will be our Captain of the Guard. He’ll make sure no one disturbs the peace in the manor compound and the surrounding areas. Zek, you’ll be in charge of keeping our members from fighting among themselves.”

The big boy nodded after giving it some thought. For once, Zek expected his role would be much easier than everyone else’s.

“Linus and Nell, you two will be the Banner Sergeants. You’ll help patrol the area and make sure other filthyings don’t take what we’ve earned. You will represent us if we’re faced with conflict—along with Marcus.”

The two boys were as predictable as ever. They nudged each other, and Nell went as far as to place Linus in a headlock. This caused the entire group to let out a few chuckles, releasing the untold tension that had taken over the room.

“What about me? I want a role too!” Ethne said, raising a hand with excitement.

“Uhm…” Clara scratched the back of her head, seemingly in exaggerated confusion. “I don’t know.”

This caused another round of chuckles, and Ethne’s red-cheeked face lowered nearly behind the table.

“How about this—Ethne, you’ll be our Court Mage. You’ll watch and learn from Marcus and Ava. They’ll teach you magic.”

All in all, Marcus thought it was a good position for the younger girl to hold. With her affinity, she could probably become a strong magician in the future. If only now they could get her a grimoire of her own.

Despite the lifted atmosphere and the nearly nonexistent tension that had been in the room when Clara had called them in, there was still one person who had not yet been given his duty—a role to perform for their new House.

“Ivor will be the one in charge of teaching those who want to fight how to fight.”

“Do you think that’s why the Baron knows of me? That he won’t want me in the city after the Tide?” Ivor asked.

“As part of a noble House, the Baron will have no choice but to let you stay in the city. Otherwise, he risks offending the Church’s authority.”

“Very well done,” Ivor said.

“Now, that that’s settled…” Gabe started, “I’ve had a few things that are beginning to bother us.”

“They’re not bothering us, as you say it,” Clara corrected. “They’re just asking a lot of questions.”

“What sort of questions?”

“They were asking about Orlan and Gael—the group that joined us.”

“Have there been any fights in the compound?”

“No, not really,” this time it was Geneve who answered. “But Orlan and Gael won’t help out in cleaning up the manor when we ask them to.”

“I will talk to them.”

“And what if they don’t listen to you?”

“If they challenge me, I’ll kick them out,” Clara said.

“What of the other filthyings out there? They’ll surely come back.”

“If anyone bothers us, Gabe, they’ll have to deal with Marcus, Zek, Linus, and Nell.”

“And what of grimoires? Will I get my own grimoire?” Ethne asked.

“Gabe, do we have enough money to buy any more grimoires?” Clara asked.

The other boy shook his head.

“There will be no grimoires for now. How are people talking about us acquiring a royal?”

“Most of the filthyings who used to take up living in the nearby alleyways have left. There are only about three Houses from the manor left,” Gabe said.

“What of Victor?” Marcus asked, looking at Ivor.

“I sent Levin to the Rats Guild. If he notices Victor Stan moving, he’ll make his way back as soon as possible and tell us what’s happening.”

“Although I wonder why he hasn’t done anything to us after we killed Thornan…” Clara thought aloud.

And Marcus had to look away at the thought of killing someone.

“Let’s hope it remains that way,” Gabe said.

They all nodded in unison—clearly, none of them wanted to grab the attention of the Rats Guildmaster.