Lesser Bloom

The Aerindels

Hughan

I have got even more questions now in my mind than the ones I have arrived with, but looked forward to find the answers for them. I had to admit that the Castle of Aerindel had a breathtaking structure of white stone and living wood, its slender towers spiraling upward like silver horns.The air felt lighter here, filled with the scent of night-bloom flowers and faint, ethereal music which to my ears to be fair sounded painful. I preferred the lively music of the taverns or the songs of the traveling bards. One of the two elegant guards in leaf-shaped armor and cloaks of shifting green, whom we met with Lance escorted me inside.

The interior was luminous and airy. My travel boots stomped loudly as I walked along wide halls floored with pale marble shot through with threads of living root. Soft light filtered down from skylights of translucent crystal and glowing leaves. Delicate arches lined the corridors, carved with flowing elven script and scenes of ancient woodland lore. My escorts led me up a sweeping staircase that spiraled around the trunk of a massive living tree growing through the heart of the castle. At the top, they entered a quieter wing bathed in warm golden light. The final corridor was lined with tall windows overlooking the shining forest canopy. At its end stood a set of graceful double doors made of silvered wood. We stopped and the guard knocked softly on the door before opening it. He escorted me to the Lord’s Office — a circular chamber with a high domed ceiling of interwoven branches. Bookshelves of living wood curved along the walls, filled with ancient tomes and glowing crystal orbs. A large desk carved from a single piece of starwood sat near the far window, where Lord Aerindel awaited. He looked at me from head to toe with disinterest written all over his face. His long silver hair resembled willow trees around a lake and his amethyst eyes examined me throughoutly. Next to him sitting on his desk was a gorgeous but cold looking elven lady, with almost glowing golden hair, heavily adorned dress and fine jewelries. Her full appearance screamed her title, and her green eyes were filled with displeasure. Behind Lord Aerindel, in the window steel a younger boy was pretending to read, but I could tell by the way he tilted his head that all his attention was at me. On the left side of the room, on exquisite silk covered sofas were hanging out a young girl with golden hair and Lord Aerindel's amethyst eyes, in deep purple dress hiding the rest of her face behind her fan. The youngest boy whom was sitting with his back towards me, noticing the shift in his sister's actions, turned around the sofa to check out what was happening. I bowed slightly.

- Lord and Lady Aerindel, my name is Hughan Driftveil, Mercenary of the Red Knight, I'm here because I have accepted the writ of finding The Lesser Bloom. - The girl on the sofa scoffed and shut her fan seemingly annoyed.

- That traitor dares to slander our family after everything we have done for her! - Her mother's eyes sent daggers at her.

- Shut your mouth Sylvara, no one asked for your opinion. - She turned back to me.

- Despite her speaking out of line, I'm afraid I share my daughter's opinion on the matter. - Lady Aerindel said.

- Hughan Driftveil. - Lord Aerindel spoke and the whole room felt silent.

- I understand that you took the writ, but still can't comprehend why are you here now? - the boy on the sofa grinned and the one sitting on the windowsill closed his book.

- Exactly, shouldn't you be after that brat? - he asked, but this time the mother didn't speak. " Looks like this little fella is the family's pride and joy." - I thought and Lord Aerindel sent a glance at him and waited for my answer.

- Lord and Lady Aerindel, to be able to successfully complete my writ, I nedd more information on the matter and the suspect. Pardon me for my blunt response, but the information in the writ is nothing. - I felt a grin speading on my face as I looked into his eyes. Unlike the others in the room, it looked he did care a little for thos Lesser Bloom. His care wasn't love for sure, nor affection, but some sort of respect which I couldn't fully understand.

- Unless the lack of information was intentional, I'm afraid it won't be enough. - The young boy hit the coffee table in front of him and jumped up turning towards me with a short sword drawn.

- How dare you talk to my father like that?! - I put my hands on my hips and tilted my head. This boy is an elf. Within their standards it is still a baby and he tries to attack me? "At least his got some balls, he'd need them with this lack of brain of his." - I shrugged.

- I'm just speaking the truth boy, and put that toothpick away before a flake gets into your fingers. - I pointed at his sword and saw anger boil in his eyes. "Oops, I touched a sensitive spot." - The older brother walked to him putting his hand on his and smirked.

- Don't let a pheasant half-breed anger you Vaelindor. Keep your composure. - The second half of the speech sounded more like an order rather than genuine guidance and the young boy put his sword away. The older one pat his head like he was an obedient dog, not his brother and the whole scene made my stomach turn.

- Anyways, I need to know more about her if you really want her captured. - Lady Aerindel rolled her eyes and took a deep breath.

- Lirael is a child out of wedlock. My husband has been charmed by a filthy human slave. - I fought my best not to clench my fists, thinking about my own human mother abandoned by my elven father. "Why are these pointy eared clowns always think they are superior to other...?"

- Her mother died after she was born and we took her in. We raised her as our own, she had access to the best textbooks, teachers, she was fed and had a roof over her head. - Her gorgeous and stoic face not had an ugly smile on.

- As expected from a half-breed instead of serving her family with devotion, the first moment she had power she turned against us almost killing our knights! - I scribbled down a few notes about what she said and I turned to Lord Aerindel.

- What are your observations my Lord? - he took a glance at his family and sighed.

- Lirael was very talented with heaking magic, quiet and almost never caused any trouble, that's why her betrayal is so difficult and surprising.

- Why did you send a child to the battlefield Lord Aerindel? I'm sure that your castle and army doesn't lack good healers.

- Lirael was the direct discipline of our best healer, to serve her purpose and to earn her place in this family she was choosen. - With a heavy feeling in my chest I scribbled down my opinion and turned to the kids.

- Anything to add? - I asked and the girl smiled sweetly.

- She was ungrateful, I gave her many dresses but she never took care of them. Lirael was always in the way and tried to take things that didn't belong to her like Thalorion's Unicorn!

- Yes and she always actes weird! Even sleeping at the library like some kind of madwoman! - The boy names Vaelindor spoke, it was the turn of the oldest. He had the same stoic expression as his mother but our of all the three, he seemed the sharpest.

- Lirael was interesting but didn't appreciate the opportunities she got. Didn't know her place and she'll get what she deserves for her betrayal. - I nodded and asked for the Lords permission to speak woth a few servants and knights. The Lady tried to stop me but Lord Aerindel saw that I won't just leave them alone as long as I haven't got my answers. With a pained expression and a deep sight he allowed me only for that day to gather intel for my writ.

- My sunsent I want you on your way Hughan Driftveil to find Lirael. - I bowed and thanked for his permission and their time before heading out to the barracks.