Families

Families is a part of The Heirs of Zyainor Volume Two, also a part of Tales of Arkain.

## Synopsis

Ca'lea Vail Bloodclaw was visited by her daughter Zurae.

## Story

A group of riders is closing in on the tower, led by a young woman in a simple robe. Most of her face is hidden under her hood, but the part that is visible would make anyone seeing it stop and stare at her, stunned by her beauty. It is dangerous for a woman of that beauty to travel alone, hence she comes in company of several riders, wearing symbols of a black fist. No one would dare attack this group of fifty riders, even if they outnumbered them. They belong to the Blackguards of Black Keep, a dangerous foe to fight for anyone. They are far from their home as Black Keep lies within Isalmur, not here, this close to the capital. They accompany my daughter to my tower, the "Tower of Vail" as it has been fittingly named. My refuge. The one place where I can be far away from the politics, the problems... and my internal enemies. I leave the window alone and take the letters from my desk into one of the drawers. The tower is guarded by a strong garrison of loyal Zyaise troops and kept operational by a large amount of servants, all completely loyal towards the rulers of Zyainor. The irony is not lost on me, two decades ago people hated me as soon as they knew who I was and today they'd kill for me.

Someone knocks on the door to my chambers and once asked to come in, Zurae enters the tower, smiling at me. I smile back and hug her as she comes towards me. "Mother! It is so good to finally see you again!" she says. I give her a parental kiss on the forehead. "It is good to see you again too, Zurae. Take a seat, I already had the servants prepare some food and water." I say and we both sit down on the dinner table. She takes a glass and we toast. My lovely daughter has grown from a beautiful girl into a beautiful young woman and skilled mage. I still remember her when she was a little child. Gardon never had much time for his children. Though he had tried to spend as much time with them as he could, most of their training and raising was done by me and those whom he trusted enough to be near his children. However, unbeknownst to her siblings, Zurae would often sneak into his chambers and spend time with him there while he was working. He allowed her to do so, but only when her teachers had finished training her. I also remember her sneaking into a supply wagon once to travel with him when he was about to leave for a few weeks. It took us HOURS to find her in that wagon, but in the end, we all laughed about the entire matter.

"Mother, there is something I have been wondering for a while now. Why are you REALLY here, in this tower, when you could be in the fortress father has built? I know that you dislike politics and a lot of other things, but you are so far away now. Father won't tell me. They claim that the two of you have 'finally' started to hate each other. I know it isn't true, but what is it then?" she finally asks. I expected her to get to this topic soon. It had been kept as secret as possible. It is true that Gardon's relationship with that elven queen annoys me, especially since Larine has proven to be rather jealous and very hostile towards me everytime we meet. It is also true that the flask he always has with him these days confuses me a bit, but people are fools if they actually believe that we hate each other. He and I both are very similar in many ways. It is our similarity that made us start liking each other. I smile at Zurae. She is too smart to believe what people say and too social to not care.

"It is complicated, Zurae, but I can assure you that everything between me and your father is fine. There is a reason for everything, that is all I can tell you now." I explain, putting my hand around my daughter. She cares for our family, she always did. She is a fierce follower of the belief that our family, the rulers of Zyainor, are the only ones who can protect humanity - and preserve it. I believe I may have allowed Thanok to spend too much time with her when she was still a child, but I tend to agree with her. Gardon was betrayed and therefore unable to destroy the Demons for good. But I know him, he won't just leave them be - he and I are very similar after all. Zurae smiles at me. "I understand. I can't say that I like being left in the dark, but I trust you as I trust father. Also, I think I know why you are doing this" she says with a conspiratorial grin. My lovely daughter will be a force of destruction against the enemies of Zyainor. She may enchant others with her beauty, but behind her beauty lies power beyond anyone's comprehension hidden. When she was still but a child with only little training, Gardon had her wipe out a camp of armored brigants and rebels all by herself. With age, her powers only grew and it had taken a lot of training until she could fully control it - we had to rebuilt parts of our home several times, I remember. But what mother would blame her daughter for her skills? We continue our talk until we grow weary. I bring her to the door and tell her to sleep in the guest room. She gives me a hug and leaves. I smile after her and close the door. I wonder how her siblings are doing. Garan is far away on a secret operation that even I don't know all the details of and Hotar should be joining the Ca'rach this evening. I should send him a letter, congratulating him. Then there are the other two... They are not my children, but they also are Zurae's siblings even if I don't really see them as such. If I am not mistaken, one of them is studying under Birram and the other one is tutored by the Guardians of the Grave. A mage and an archer using necromancy from Larine, a tactical mastermind with both magical and martial skills, a powerful wizard and a great warrior from me. I can't help but smirk, Gardon has raised a group of powerful children. Sometimes I wonder if there are any more than that, but I doubt it. A powerful family to fight the enemies of Zyainor. However, the children won't be the only ones doing all the fighting. We will protect them, as all parents would.

The next day, my daughter and her fifty guardians leave, I am again sitting in front of my window, watching them. Zurae turns around and waves, I wave back, smiling. My face turns grim as I turn away from the window. I, Vail Bloodclaw, Ca'lea of Zyainor, will protect the lives of my children with my own life if neccessary. The realm of Zyainor has brought back order to the human nations and I will do what I can to make sure it stays this way. The time of kings, high kings and emperors is over, the time of the Ca'laers and Ca'leas has returned.