“I… believe I have noticed this. But to use it for a …” The Matriarch lost herself in some thought for a time before quickly apologizing and turning back to Joe to continue the conversation, “Ah… apologies. I was lost a bit in understanding your way. But… this is possible?”

“With many, many years of practice.”

“Simply practice?”

“Yes. First with learning basic movements of the body, then with using those movements in choreographed combat, then in actual practice combat, then with those movements freely used in actual combat… for years and years and years.”

“A cultivation technique?”

“Ah… maybe? I guess?”

She then pressed him on it and he began teaching her basics on some of the simpler forms he knew. She seemed especially interested and questioned him in depth, excitement growing as he answered her questions easily and with depth and without hiding anything. Their conversation continued till they’d covered the forms he brought up and slowly began dying out as the conversation reached a natural end. Once again, Joe noticed that she was struggling to broach a topic and this time, Joe decided to give her the impetus she needed.

“What do you seek, Toulnaria.”

She stared up at him, then breathed deeply, “If I may ask a boon of you.”

Joe nodded, “Please.”

“Coul… may I ask that you take Gwenvair?”

Joe blinked, surprised. He opened his mouth to speak then stopped, taking several moments to think carefully before finally asking, “Uh… then… what does Gwenvair desire?”

Toulnaria stared at him, utterly shocked, then began laughing uproariously, if with delicate grace. Her laughter shocked her and she quickly brought a hand to her mouth to silence her laughter even as everyone in the room quieted and stared at her. The moment of pause lasted only a second. It was certainly an awkward moment and everyone quickly turned away. Joe felt an eyebrow rise when he saw the Matriarch’s cheeks flush red in embarrassment. She turned her head away and put the room to her back for a bit to hide her face. She took a few moments to collect herself before she turned to face him again, finally calmed.

“She is… more than willing to be your shadow.”

Joe paused at that, “She is?”

“She is very excited.”

“She would love to join us?”

“Yes, eccentric.”

Joe looked away, his thoughts whirling quite a bit before he nodded a bit slightly, “Please don’t tell Gwenvair yet. I must ask the others if they are willing as well, although I am pretty sure that Kilniara would be ecstatic.”

Toulnaria smiled, “I think that you are correct.”

Joe added his own laughter and glanced back at the Matriarch, “Definitely. The two girls are like peas in a pod. Kilniara absolutely loves her. I think she would be very happy to have another girl.”

Toulnaria stared at him, her eyes searching his very carefully, “I am certain she would. You are… so cautious of other’s feelings and decision?”

“Of course! Everyone must make their own choices. This is a … core belief of my people. We must allow others to be able to make their own choices.”

Toulnaria smiled, “That gives me… much comfort. You will treat her well.”

Joe nodded seriously, “Of course I will.”

The conversation turned light and the two were once again speaking of a variety of topics, including a dip back into several martial arts katas.

* * *

Gwenvair’s gaze and conversation remained with Kilniara and the sycophants but her focus remained entirely on her mother and the… Joe… Joe. The two conversed, and her mother’s tension was obvious to her. However, after her mother’s startlingly clear and loud laugh, her mother’s tension immediately fell and Gwenvair’s own tension evaporated replaced by giddy excitement. She was certain she knew, but she still found her eyes glued to her mother for a time until her mother had a chance to look over at her. The beautiful smile and small nod was enough. Mom did it! She did it! He said yes!

Gwenvair turned to look at Kilniara, smiling brightly with agitated glee, barely able to hold herself still, feeling like bees were buzzing deep within her. Kilniara stared at her for a time before her eyes widened spectacularly.

“No!”

“Yes! Mom just did…”

“No!”

Gwenvair nodded, “Yes!”

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“He did?”

“He did!”

Kilniara barely kept her squeal down, pulling Gwenvair into an excited hug, and for the first time in a very long time, Gwenvair allowed her First in Line for Matriarch persona to be unworried, even downright ignoring the impropriety that welled up in concern over the excitement and improper leaping and absolutely squashed the cries against being hugged by a commoner or relegated to such a status. The two enjoyed their moment then Kilniara pulled back.

“Do it.”

“Now?” Gwenvair asked with some surprise.

“He said yes!”

Gwenvair laughed and nodded, closing her eyes and initiating the final metamorphosis. She shivered, feeling the change sweep through her and then opened her eyes with a grin. No going back now!

“Done!”

“That quickly?”

Gwenvair chuckled, “No. I have been preparing for… some time… and this is only the metamorphosis. The binding will come when the metamorphosis is complete.”

Kilniara smile dropped, “But… unbound?”

Gwenvair grimaced, “Yes.”

Kilniara grit her teeth a little bit, “Then we will have to keep you safe!”

Gwenvair grinned, “Yes.

Their joy returned and the two leapt back into the celebration with glee.

* * *

Joe’s conversation with the Matriarch, much more relaxed, was abruptly interrupted by a shout coming from where the boys were gathered. Startled, Joe instantly fired off another monster sense before realizing that it was actually a fight. He turned towards the ruckus. Garnedell lay on the ground, a hand pressed to his cheek while a young man stood over him, staring at him with faux anger covering an obvious smirk.

“You dare mock the clan?”

Garnedell stared up at the kid in anger and a bit of confusion but held himself in control. Joe watched for a bit. Let it play out? Give Garnedell some experience, or…?

“You have nothing to say?”

Garnedell remained on the ground staring up at him and Joe stifled a sigh. Is he going to do something? Or… ooh… right… clanner versus … what, commoner? Peon? Is he not able to stand up to him? Something like a noble back on Earth having a fight with a commoner then? So… clans really are like nobles?

Joe waited for a few moments more, but Garnedell stayed down and while he was angry, he restrained himself and just stared up without moving. The boy standing over Garnedell grew more arrogant and cruel.

“If you have nothing to say, I will now offer appropriate punishment.”

Really? That’s…

“Garnedell. Stand up.”

The room froze, everyone looking over at Joe. Joe remained completely neutral, his face impassive and emotionless as he didn’t want to reveal his thoughts on where he stood on this too quickly. He wanted Garnedell to stand up for himself, but that meant he had to keep his position neutral. He couldn’t be too strong or the clan kid would back off, but he had to back up Garnedell enough to give him the strength and willingness to stand up for himself.

Garnedell looked at him and Joe gave him a subtle nod, although Joe did keep his face impassive. Garnedell nodded back and stood up. He stared at Joe for a bit. The two stared at one another for a bit of time until Garnedell firmed himself, now certain. He turned to the clan boy.

“I offer my apologies for the offense you feel you have taken. I meant no offense.”

“You believe simple words are enough?”

“Simple words were given.”

“Words against an entire clan.”

“And an apology to the entire clan.”

“Words are meaningless from a simple commoner.”

“Then my insult must have been meaningless as well.”

OK. That… was a good one! Joe struggled to hide his smile, and a small twist at his side had him looking at the Matriarch. She was also hiding a smile and their mutual glance had them struggling to keep in their chuckles. OK. That… at least she’s not going to be a problem?

The young clan boy actually struggled with that statement. His anger grew as he remained silent but unable to respond. Finally, his anger overthrew his restraint.

“Your insult cannot be abided. Accept your punishment.”

It was Garnedell’s turn to find himself at a loss as he stood silently before him. As Garnedell stayed silent.

“You have no response? Hold out your right arm. It shall be recompense enough.”

Garnedell stared at the boy, not saying anything but not responding either.

“Raise your arm, now, boy.”

“I think I would object… boy!”

Joe’s response growled at the end, harsh on his belittling mockery of the ‘boy.’ The room stilled as everyone looked towards Joe. With everyone looking at him, he stepped forward.

“You call my apprentice a worthless and meaningless commoner. I find your words quite… insulting. Should I demand equal compensation for insulting my poor judgment in apprentices?”

The boy froze at that, staring at Joe in wide eyed fear.

“So, tell me. Should I seek compensation for verbal insult? Or are words enough for compensation?”

The clan boy starred at him before stuttering and nodding his head rapidly, even adding a bow, “Of course. Of course. Please accept my apology, eccentric. I wish no insult to you and your apprentices.”

“Excellent. Then there is no longer any need for compensation for an insult, is there?”

“No. Of course not! No!” the boy rapidly bobbled her head.

“However, let me ask my apprentice. Garnedell, are you satisfied with his apology?”

“Yes, master. I am quite satisfied.”

“Excellent. Then, how about we settle this as gentleman and warriors. We can have a spar.”

The room, silent till this point, broke into rustling noise as whispers and swishing clothing broke the unnatural stillness. The young clanner looked at Joe, staring with some trepidation.

“With you?”

Joe smiled, “No. You would… have no chance. I was thinking of a spar with my apprentice.”

The clan boy’s trepidation immediately disappeared, mockery sliding across his face for a moment before it rapidly disappeared behind a neutral look.

“A spar with your apprentice. I would be honored, eccentric.”

“Shall we head out to the courtyard?”

“Here?” the boy asked, his certainty evaporating.

“Why not? You seemed certain.”

He stared nervously at Joe, flickering his eyes back and forth between Joe, Garnedell, and another older clan member. Joe and Garnedell did nothing, really, but the clan elder stared at the clan boy with a heavy look. The boy did not seem particularly happy to see the elder’s firm look but nodded quickly, if nervously.

“Of course, eccentric.”

Joe smiled, “Don’t worry. I’ll not allow harm to occur to you. Amongst my people, there are several forms of combat. I would suggest the simplest, till first surrender.”

“Only to surrender, eccentric?” another old elder questioned with some disdain.

Joe turned to look at her, “You wish for your clan member to be hurt so badly he is unable to continue growing? To harm his foundation and future? The future of your own clan?”

The questioning elder seemed taken aback, anger spilling through her but she refrained from responding. Joe turned away and took Garnedell with him out to the courtyard. He quickly began speaking to Garnedell with a hushed voice.

“Listen. The boy has been trained well and likely has better stats than you, but his training is … likely all practice and no experience. Use your staff well. If he has a sword or other shorter weapon than yours, use yours to keep him away. When you can, use your strikes against his limbs. If his arms or legs are very pained, it will be hard for him to swing his weapons or walk. Keep him away, just like you do so with the goblins, wear him down slowly and carefully. Remember, though, he will not be as dumb as the dungeon beasts, so keep him away but hit him hard and fast.”

Garnedell nodded as Joe spoke, listening carefully until Joe finished. He continued walking at Joe’s side but seemed a bit concerned. Joe noticed.

“What’s up?”

Garnedell looked at him, “Are you… certain?”