Chapter 37: Chapter 33 – A Return to how Life used to be

"The past five years have been hard on my father. The burden of responsibility for the nation rested almost entirely on his old shoulders, and despite everything I or my son attempted to do to lighten his burdens, he still shouldered most of it.

 

What happened to Aideen had been a shock to him, as it reminded him of the past all too vividly, though fate at least reversed this particular mishap, in a manner. On the other hand, the revelation of traitors within the council had truly hurt him where it mattered.

 

Every single one of the councillors had been fighting alongside us for decades, close friends that we almost considered family. Finding out that not just Megaera, but also Daon had colluded with the enemy, was a blow well below the belt.

 

As for where those traitors escaped to, we had not known for certain. If they went to Junora, they were either dead, caught in the Bone Lord's massacre of Danna, or we would find them one way or another. Else, they might be hiding in Antemeia instead.

 

If they do, I pray to Vitalis that they never know a good night's rest ever again, for one day, we will get our hands on them, and they will pay for their treachery." - Ciarran Fiachna, Head of the Templar Order of Vitalica, circa 40 VA

After the formal reception at the chapel, the group - minus the templars, who went back to their other duties - retired to the Fiachna mansion for refreshments and relaxation.

 

In the past five years the mansion had an additional wing built into it, where they had accommodated Brenegan and Sera back then. Mimia had used Aideen's old room, though the little girl often sneaked to Theodin's room when he happened to be around. To cuddle.

 

Everybody had sat or stood around the dining room's table - the room was rather cramped with so many of them there - as they discussed matters for the future. The Bone Lord and the Pope sat at the table, while everyone else stood around them.

 

On their short trip back to the mansion, Theodin had discussed with Ciarran and they decided to choose Orwen, an old compatriot of Theodin's who had been in the rebellion from its start, as their ambassador to Ptolodecca.

 

On the other hand, while the Bone Lord and the Pope discussed national matters, Ciarran and Faerghus had Kestera cornered, with their gazes fixed upon the nervous elf.

 

"Really though? I had nearly lost hope on that dumb boy ever getting serious with someone, and then you came along. What do you see in him, girl?" Asked Ciarran to the somewhat flabbergasted elvish girl in a fatherly tone.

 

The past few minutes had been of Faerghus and Ciarran good-naturedly putting down Diarmuid in front of her, which surprised Kestera. She had thought most parents liked to extol the virtues of their offspring to prospective spouses, and had feared that Diarmuid's father - Aoife already gave her tacit approval - might not approve of her.

 

Instead what she found was a warm welcome, and Diarmuid getting disparaged and teased without mercy by his father and brother.

 

"Father, do remember that the girl you're talking to is older than grandfather," chimed Aideen from the side with a slight chuckle.

 

"Hey now, I'm still the equivalent of a teenager for my race!" Replied Kestera as she mocked up some indignation on her tone.

 

"Doesn't change that you've been around since before my grandfather was even born, though~" Aideen teased back good naturedly. She had gotten along decently well with Kestera, and just couldn't resist joining her family in some good natured ribbing.

 

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On the other side, Diarmuid turned the table on his older brother when he let slip that he had been pursuing a woman himself of late, this time seriously. Unlike the more taciturn Diarmuid, Faerghus had always been more outgoing, and had several relationships in his past, though none of them had bloomed successfully.

 

"Really now, brother? You think you're in for the long haul this time?" Asked the younger Fiachna to his elder brother. The two siblings contrasted greatly when next to each other, as Faerghus had taken after their father while Diarmuid more after their mother.

 

"I believe I do, Diarmuid," stated Faerghus with some nervousness. Much like his brother, the woman he had gotten close to was not without her issues, and in his case, it was an issue much closer to home. "Please don't tell me you think Akeshia was in cahoots with her grandmother."

 

"Oh no, I do believe that Megaera had acted on her own," admitted Diarnuid solemnly. The topic of council members turning traitor had been a sore point to most Vitalicans, and it was felt the most by none other than the descendants of said traitors, who were not even aware of their elder's indiscretions. "She wouldn't be running off well before you all caught her tail and left her entire family behind otherwise. There was definitely enough time to take them along… if they were in the know."

 

"That's what we figured out too… and old Garrett nearly dying off a heart attack when he found out… rather puts things into perspective," said Faerghus as he nodded to his little brother's words. Garrett was another councillor, and Megaera's husband for many years. He had resigned out of shame after the scandal, and last Faerghus heard his health had taken a turn for the worse since, and he rarely left the house.

 

"Had you told Aideen yet about this?" Diarmuid asked in turn while he filled himself a glass of ale from a pitcher. "She was quite close to Akeshia before all this mess, so she might be able to help."

 

"What's this about me and Akeshia?" Aideen asked as she walked over while nibbling on a slice of fruit. She had caught the tail end of her brother's conversation and came over out of curiosity.

 

"Oh, nothing much. Just our dear elder brother here having the hots for her, sis," replied Diarmuid with a smirk.

 

"Hey now, I'm being serious here, little bro!" Protested Faerghus at his words, his voice pretended to be scandalized at the implications.

 

"Huh? You and Akeshia?" Aideen asked. "I know you saw each other often when she was training under grandpa, but didn't know you two were close like that~"

 

"To be honest… we only got closer after her grandmother was found to be a traitor," Faerghus answered with some bashfulness. It still amused Aideen that her brother, despite being ten years her senior, was still one who blushed easily. "She was completely distraught at her grandma turning traitor, and her grandpa nearly dying, and I had helped console her back then. We have grown closer since."

 

"Well, if you're really serious about this, go for it I'd say," Aideen replied while she pondered the implications. She had heard how some people had ostracized Daon and Megaera's descendants despite their claims of innocence in the matter, so Faerghus getting together with Akeshia would in a way state the Fiachna's stance on the matter. "Does father know?"

 

"He does, and he said I'm old enough to choose for myself," replied Faerghus sheepishly.

 

"I should visit her later anyway. It's been years since I last talked to her. I'll put in some good words for you bro, but the rest will depend on yourself."

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