Grave Wardens

Grave Wardens is the last part of The Heirs of Zyainor Volume Two, also part of Tales of Arkain.

## Synopsis

Velina, one of Queen Larine the Exile and Ca'ler Gardon Bloodclaw's twin daughters was recruited into Grave Wardens order.

## Story

I enter my room and close the door behind me. Moments later, stepping before the mirror, I study my body. Over the last few years, I have grown from a young girl into a young woman. Without the grim armor of the order, I don't think anyone would suspect that I was part of it, considering me to be just some young elven princess, thinking about nothing but my looks. I will admit that I do not consider it unimportant, I am still the princess of my people and therefore people will talk about my looks, but other things are more important, hence I am hardly seen wearing dresses. My mother was an exile, so people are not really shocked to see me, like her, break with some of the "sacred rules" of nobility. I believe that some armor serves me far better, especially when I am hunting or on duty. In fact, I am quite sure that wearing a dress would make the rest of the order make fun of it the entire day - I would do the same if one of the others would suddenly wear a dress. I smirk, imagining Thlea wearing a dress. That'd be kind of funny, considering her completely non-aristrocratic behaviour. I like her and the others, I am not treated like a princess here in Zyainor. In the Elven Kingdom, people are all way too nice to me all the time. I put on my formal leather armor and get moving. Lord Varan the Soulkeeper has requested my presence at a meeting he is having today. I do not know who his guests are, but he wanted me specifically to record everything said. Before leaving the room, I throw one last glance towards the mirror in my chamber. I often wonder if it was her looks that made my father choose my mother as a lover or her wit and intelligence. Maybe all of it? Mother says that he would have married her if he hadn't been forced to marry his current wife for political reasons. I wonder if it is true or if she is just telling herself this. I leave the room and go to the chambers of the First Grave Warden. Mother told me that he was once a soldier who rose through the ranks of the Ironfist and his dedication made him master the arts of necromancy and martial arts alike. It is stories like his that that keep motivating the soldiers of Zyainor to strive for more. I stop before the door of his chambers. There are voices inside. Am I late? I knock on the door and open it after being called for. Lord Varan sits in his chair, on the other side sit two men. All three look in my direction. I pause, staring at them. One of the other men is High Lord Birram of Isalmur. The other man is... my father. Ca'laer Gardon of Zyainor. Quickly I bow my head. "Forgive me, Lord Varan, for being late and for interrupting. I had believed the meeting not to begin for at least-" "You are not late, aspirant Velina. High Lord Birram and Ca'laer Gardon arrived earlier than planned and we decided to start without you as you were still training." Lord Varan interrupts me politely. I raise my head. "I could have stopped earlier, mylord." I dare to say. Was High Lord Birram just smirking for a short moment after I said that? "Your dedication is recommendable and welcome, but there were things to discuss that better stay classified. A record would not have been neccessary therefore. I would have told you, but it was a rather short-term decision of our Ca'laer." Varan explains, bowing towards my father as he says the last part. My father shows no response. "You may return to your chambers and-" Varan is stopped by Birram who is raising his hand and looking at Gardon. Gardon nods towards the exit. "Varan, Birram, if you don't mind?" Gardon says. Varan immediatly stands up, salutes and leaves the room, Birram follows him closely, bowing towards my father as he leaves the room.

My father gives me a close look as soon as the door closes. I look back, withstanding his piercing eyes. He finally nods. "It has been a long time, Velina. You have grown. Varan tells me that you are very skilled and will become a great Grave Warden one day. You remind me a lot of your mother, I see a lot of her in you now... daughter." he says. I bow before him. "It is an honor to see you, father... even if it is still only behind closed doors that you call me your daughter." I say, looking into his eyes. His eyes seem to have lost part of the cold they usually emit. I believe I can even feel some... warmth? Or is it just my imagination? He turns around, looking out of the window down to the courtyard. I can see a small flask at the side of his belt, my ears can hear that it is probably empty. Maybe that explains it. "Even if I can't acknowledge you and Parlea officially as my children without causing a political uproar, I have kept an eye on both of you. I did what I could to make sure that you are in good hands, just like I take care of all of my children." he explains. I cannot resist the urge to make one step towards him upon hearing this. "Are... are you just saying this because you believe I may think otherwise? Are you really treating us all the same, father? Are you denying the mother of your pure-blood human children your presence when she would love to have you next to her? Are you only rarely with them as well? Have you not seen them growing up too?" I ask, getting louder with each word. I quickly regret it and look to the ground. "I... I am sorry. I shouldn't have shouted..." I whisper. A heavy hand is laid on my shoulder. Looking up, I see the eyes of my father. "Velina, like you, I was a bastard child. I would not treat you any different only because I am not married with your mother. There's almost no free time for me, I have to rule the most powerful human nation of Arkain. I spend only slightly more time with the Ca'lea as I do with the Queen of the Elves. I haven't been able to see you or my other children grow up like others fathers have. My time is spent with the realm and the war that will surely come soon. In your eyes, I have not been a good father. However, I want you to know that I do all of what I am doing for you and the others. For our races, our nations, our future. Keeping the realm safe is the only way to make sure that all of you have a future that is not by the design of demonic or other sinister powers." he explains. He moves towards the exit. "One day, it will all be over, Velina. I wish you good luck in your efforts, I have high expectations of you." he says. Before he can open the door, I raise my voice. "Do you love us? Your children?" I ask. He turns around, looking at me for a short moment before replying. "I do. I always did." are his last words before he opens the door and goes, leaving me behind. I think about his words before leaving as well. I have made my decision. Lord Varan is gazing after me as I go towards my room. I stop and turn around, bowing before him. "Mylord, I'd like to ask a favor of you." I say. I cannot see his face as I am looking to the ground, but I imagine him raising his eyebrows. "Stand up and tell me what it is you want to ask of me, aspirant." he says. I look up without standing up. "Allow me to be your student, mylord. I want to learn from the best of the order. I know that I have declined your offer to do so in the past as you had said it would have meant to sacrifice the entirety of my spare time. I humbly ask of you to renew this offer so that I may serve our nation and rulers more effectively." I reply. It sounds less like I am begging, I think it sounds as if I am DEMANDING it. I am my father's daughter after all, I guess. Varan studies me before he nods. "I shall grant you your wish. Your training will begin tomorrow, aspirant. Go, get some sleep. You will need all your strength." he orders. I nod and leave, satisfied with the result. I, Velina, daughter of Queen Larine and Ca'laer Gardon will train to become the greatest of the Grave Wardens, proving that my father's trust is justified. I'm going to make my mother proud of me and master the art of necromancy just like my skill with the bow. My sister and I will one day be acknowledged as children of the Ca'laer, not for the public fame but so that we could finally spend time with him like his other children - and maybe even become a real family one day. That is my way serving our great nation, my father and my mother.