Step!
Twice in a week, I stepped into the Salvasar Hall, the house of the Lord of Owlspring.
I would have preferred the meeting to be held in the city hall rather than the Manor. This act would further reinforce the view that I am in her camp.
I had requested a meeting with Verulus, but they informed me that Miss Tylcharis wishes to meet with me instead.
I wanted to decline it, but agreed after some thought.
It's clear that Verulus wanted me to meet with her, and seeing how much he adores her, it is a bad thing. Yes, there are risks and there will be consequences, but I cannot always play it safe.
I need to take the risk, and I'm doing it here. This meeting will further reinforce that I favor Miss Tylcharis, and I do.
I like the woman, not only because she has done a lot for my city, but also because she is a wonderful person.
I am not talking about only my experience, but also Carla's. She knows her better than I do.
Soon, I entered the manor, and the guide led me inside. Once more, I couldn't help but admire it. It is really beautiful, I want to build something like this one day.
Though not anytime soon. I have too many things to do than spend time on a vanity project.
The manor isn't simply a vanity project; it is used to host important people, parties, and other things, but I have something different planned for mine.
Soon, took a turn and stopped beside beautiful brown open doors guarded by the two people, with many others hidden.
"Please come in, Lord Silver," came the voice from inside. Hearing that, I stepped inside the parlor.
It's beautiful, with soft, muted color walls and exquisite furniture. The design and style are impressive, flowy, and soft. That exudes comfort and grace.
I turned to a woman who was wearing a simple, but graceful, white dress with her long hair bound in a bun. She looks tired, and the tiredness is deep, not sleep deprivation due to the baby.
She is sitting on a beautiful blue chair, gently rocking her son in her arms, while the cradle I had gifted lay beside it. I stared at it for a moment before turning to her.
"Miss Tylcharis," I greeted. "Lord Silver, thank you for coming to meet me," she said.
"It's my honor, Miss Tylcharis," I replied.
There was a silence; she knew I wanted answers, and I would not leave without at least getting some. For the political quagmire, they have dragged me into.
"How was your trip to Yaris? You had returned earlier than I had expected," she asked.
"It was good, there were some surprises," I replied with a smile and the worried expressions that appeared on her face eased up.
"I am glad,"
There is curiosity in her eyes, but she didn't ask.
There was a silence, not an awkward one, but comfortable. I looked at her son, who has now opened his eyes and is looking at me.
He is cute, with puffy cheeks that one would want to pinch.
"The spell your coven imprinted on the crib had helped protect my son from those who wished to harm him," she said.
Her words surprised me. I knew she needed witchcraft protection, which is why she had asked for it, but I didn't expect that she would reveal it directly.
"I am glad to hear that," I replied carefully.
"I have a favor to ask you, Lord Silver," she said, and I wanted to shake my head immediately. Instead, I kept looking at her. I would hear her out before expressing my decision.
"I will be coming to Greltheaven in the next few weeks. I want your coven to cast a protection spell on my child."
I don't know whether to become shocked or stunned by her words.
I had expected her to ask for another crib with protection or something like an amulet, but she is asking to cover the child with the protection directly.
Doing so is not a simple thing; witchcraft is tricky. People barely trust their own witches, but here she is asking to cast protection from a witch, she didn't know.
She knows Caena, but didn't know her as the witch.
Direct spell is a big thing; people only allow the witch they trust with their life.
"I am desperate, Lord Silver. I have nearly lost my child and could lose it once more if I don't do anything. So, I would put faith in you and hope you will aid in protecting my child," she pleaded.
She is desperate, I could see it in her eyes.
"Why me? I mean, you have witches. I believe, Owlspring has a coven and so to the State of Meldhorn," I asked, and to that laughed.
The laugh didn't have any mirth, but the pain. So much that it hurts to see.
"I am no one, Lord Silver; my parents were simple teachers. I have no powerful house behind me, nor do I have any powerful connections."
"The only thing I have is Caelus. While he is very powerful, he can't protect our son from everything," she replied, with desperation in her voice.
So, she wants me to be her ally, and it is a big ask—a minefield of danger.
"I know, it is a big favor, but you are the only one I could turn to." She pleaded with the eyes of a desperate mother who is willing to do everything for her child.
"You understand the life my child will leave, having experienced it yourself."
"It will not be an easy life for him, but as his mother, I want it to be as safe as possible," she said and looked at her son with eyes deep with love.
Bastard!
That is what she is referring to; he is a bastard, even if Verulus legitimized him.
Things were hard for old Remus and me, but they were nothing compared to what this child would experience. There is a city at stake, and very powerful people are against him.
"I would welcome you to Greltheaven, Miss Tylcharis," I replied finally, and the smile bloomed across her face.
As I had said earlier, there will be consequences, but I can't always play it safe. I will have to make some tough decisions.
"Thank you, Lord Silver." She thanked with tears welling up in her eyes.
A few minutes later, I walked out of the parlor. "There is a message from Chief Robin; Owlspring had affirmed the sale of light armors," informed Zela.
It is something I have been negotiating with different merchant states. These armors are lighter, but stronger; they are also expensive, and merchant states don't sell them to everyone.
I am buying it fot Orok's force. He was promoted to Colonel, and I have asked him to increase the size of his elite battalion to a brigade.
He had done very well with the brigade, better than we had expected.
It is expensive to maintain an elite force, but seeing the result. It is worth it; I am even thinking about creating another one, of a different type, but not soon.
Currently, I do not have enough money, but once I do. I will.
"When did it come?" I asked. "A few seconds after you entered," she replied. Hearing that, a smile appeared on my face.
I am impressed with a Verulus.
He did it even before I accepted the request. He didn't know whether I would accept or not. Maybe had expected it and did it, or maybe, he thought, I would be non-committal, and this would make me accept it.
Still, it is a gamble, but he did it.
The armors I want are really good and expensive. The merchant states only sell them to allies, and I am not.
Verulus will have to provide the reason behind his selling to me, and with pressure from outside. Especially from his wife and her house, it wouldn't be easy.
I have only ordered two hundred and fifty of those armors. If it were up to me, I would have bought a lot more.
Unfortunately, I did not have that much money. So, for a while, it will be only two hundred and fifty, equipping the best of the brigade.
Soon, I walked out of the manor and sat in my carriage. I will be in Owlspring until night before leaving for Greltheaven.
…
Safmae Tylcharis
"What did he say?" asked Sav as he walked into the parlor. "He agreed," I replied, as a relief appeared on his face.
We didn't know whether he would agree or not; I prayed for it, because he was the only safe option I had.
If it hadn't worked, I would have needed to contact the witch in Belnin. She and her coven are powerful, but their help is not without a significant cost.
"His life was in danger, even before he was born. It made me feel ashamed that, as an uncle, I am too weak to protect him and you," said Sav.
I could feel the shame in his eyes.
Sometimes, I wish I hadn't met Caelus. My life would have been much safer. It wouldn't have been dangerous at every step, and now my son will inherit that danger.
"You are the best uncle anyone would dream of. He is lucky to have you in his life," I replied.
Our family was small, and after our parents died, we only had each other. Things were hard, but with the support of each other, we made do.
He didn't say anything and took my hand into his and squeezed it.
We shared a moment before he turned to his nephew.
"Your life won't be easy, but you will survive. You are a survivor like your mother. I will be with you at every step and protect you with everything I have." Promised Salv and kissed him on his head, before turning to me.
"I wish they were here," he said. "Me too," I replied softly.
My parents would have loved their grandson. They were so loving, but gone so soon.
I wiped my tears away and looked at my brother.
"Silver had agreed, but we will need to do our preparations as well. Contact Lady Salt and ask her about the things we will need for the spell," I said to him.
Witchcraft needs things, especially for a powerful protection spell.
Silver is already doing me a huge favor; it will cost him politically. It is why I am still surprised that he has agreed to it.
Since he is doing it, I could at least provide him with the materials for the spell.