The sounds of the forest permeated Leinea's senses the impression of something living gave her some relief in what felt like a mana-less void. In her hands, Leinea held a cup of tea that Yreni who had taken a seat on the sofa nearest to her presented.

"Unlike the others, this tea is to allow for your body to better purify the natural mana which has increased. I have made sure that your grandmother receives the same." [Yreni]

Leinea took a sip of the tea and felt the effects immediately, a feeling of gentle warmth fell over her as if her whole body tense from the unknown l amounts of mana had been lifted from her body. From the corner of her eye, she could see a smile on Yreni's face as she sat knitting.

"I thank you for the tea to think that there are some out in the forest now that have to go without its protective effects." [Leinea]

'I must use this opportunity to gain more information about Lanthim and those attached to him.'

Continuing with her knitting Yreni turned her attention to the forest behind. Deep in the depths of the Forest of Legrcstim thousands of abandoned children, some as young as four years of age slowly made their way deeper into the forest.

"In this world, there is no safe harbour for the abandoned and helpless, the strong demand for the obedience of all beneath them as the weak simply disappear from all remembrance. The experience gained by those that enter the forest is valuable not only for themselves but the increase of everyone around them. A little pain or discomfort at the beginning of training is necessary." [Yreni]

Continuing with her knitting the young Demi-human looked to the door behind Leinea having heard the footsteps of two young girls arriving together.

"Syrelia just because no one can sense your presence does not mean you can enter my territory without permission." [Leinea]

Even though the tea made Leinea feel much better her reaction to the two girls presence was sluggish, as she looked towards the door seeing Syrelia and Freina Belrie a young girl of only six was standing next to her friend, trying not to fall over with all the strength she could. Having been brought to the residence for rehabilitation, after being healed by Lanthim half a month prior Freina had taken great strides in regaining her ability to walk. It made Leinea feel overwhelmed to see the child walking on her own, with Syrelia giving whatever support her friend required.

"I am sorry to cause trouble sister but as you can see something unexpected happened." [Syrelia]

"I can see that, Freina how do you feel." [Leinea]

All eyes fell upon the little child who stood without assistance. Taking a step forward from the doorway it was clear that her legs were healed.

" I feel strange." [Freina]

One step after another she moved timidly towards the centre of the large room. Carefully watching was Leinea who was the closest to the child waiting in case Freina fell. Yreni sat silently with her hands still knitting away, A kind gentle smile brought calm to everyone in the room.

" Child sit here a moment." [Yreni]

Beckoning to the cushion next to her, while putting her knitting aside the little girl moved over to the place that was indicated. Taking a moment to situate herself on the sofa next to Yreni the little girl looked up with surprise as the older placed her hand on Freina's forehead.

" Do not be afraid I am going to check your physical condition so sit still for a little moment." [Yreni]

" O-Okay." [Freina]

The hand on her forehead felt gentle like her mother's of what she could remember of her mother. But it was not just this hand but a feeling that filled her entire being that made Freina feel happy and safe.

" I can feel no abnormalities in your body, a moment ago you said you felt strange can you tell me in what way?" [Yreni]

Removing her hand Yreni sat intently waiting for the little girl's response.

"My legs felt tingly." [Freina]

"Like stepping on thistles or walking across a rough carpet." [Yreni]

Freina sat and pondered for a moment looking as if stumped by the question.

" The only real difference between the two option is the severity of the pain one being marginal and the other severe. [Leinea]

" There is a purpose to my questioning however we shall send these little ones away for now." [Yreni]

Lifting Freina off the sofa Yreni placed the little girl on the floor in front of her.

"Go with the young miss, and don't worry about what I asked if what you felt, had been a bad feeling you would have said so from the beginning." [Yreni]

Having a confused look on her face Freina turned to see Syrelia holding a hand waiting for the little girl to come over so they could leave.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"If anything happens return Freina to me quickly young miss I can't heal something if the damage progresses too far." [Yreni]

Turning around just as they both crossed the threshold of the door Syrelia simply nodded towards Yreni. As the two young girls left silence filled the room as Syrelia continued to drink a second cup of tea while Yreni took up with her knitting.

' I wonder what she is working on over there from what she has done so far it may take a while to finish.' [Leinea]

Watching Yreni slowly move from one stitch to the next Leinea felt that if she did nothing the young woman in front of her would just sit in silence forever. Moving to readjust her sitting posture it was Yreni who spoke first.

" It was the Grand Master who healed the child as she slept in the night." [Yreni]

Looking surprised by the suddenness of Yreni's statement Leinea slowly slumped into her original position.

" Of course he did and while his condition is so severe as well." [Leinea]

" You are afraid of him?" [Yreni]

While asking the question Yreni looked up from her work to see Leinea looking away from her out of the many windows that allowed for a wonderful view of the forest below. Peering out over this vista she could feel the question stirring her mind.

"Yes, for so many years I lived my life the fiance of a man I never knew. Suddenly he appears and Grandmother and I are married to him. And if that is not the best part he is some Dragon, Haldrathin hybrid." [Leinea]

"Also the fact that your fertility cycle happened to be noticed now and not earlier." [Yreni]

Leinea's face upon hearing the words what Yreni spoke turned strawberry red with embarrassment. While it was true that she had slept with Lanthim only once since they were married, the chance of pregnancy between humans and dragons was so low.

Rising quickly from the couch Leinea moved to the large fireplace that was situated in the north wall. The mantel above the fireplace was bare of any possessions except for five fine candlesticks of varying hight. The centre is the smallest as the rest became taller surrounding an unknown portrait.

" I knew from a young age that I was to be together with Lanthim, I heard every night the same story about how he defeated a dragon servant of Grandmother's and nearly killed her." [Leinea]

Her feelings subsiding Leinea looked up at the enormous portrait that hung above her.

" While I was afraid back then as I grew older they became just that stories that no one really could prove. I would tell myself that it was impossible for a human male to manipulate purified mana in any way. Then one day he appeared and my entire world evaporated like water on a hot day." [Leinea]

Knock Knock

Entering quickly a maid stood just inside the room.

"Misstress Lady Mynrea has come to see you."

"My grandmother may enter." [Leinea]

Bowing upon receiving her instruction the maid signalled another outside the room who ushered the Older of Lanthim's wived into the room.

"Leinea you look well this morning the sevalm tea has also worked its magic on you as well." [Mynrea]

The yellow on her dress made Mynrea shine brightly as the sun struck her person. Power and Beauty, as seen by dragon females to be the qualities required to make a good partner for any mate.

"Indeed I was surprised by the swiftness of the effect of the tea on the body." [Leinea]

Truthfully the tea had far exceeded her expectations if all it took was drinking a little tea to better withstand the intensity of Natural mana on the body the some of the unexplored areas of the world could be visited.

"Leave it to Lanthim to develop something interesting also I see you also have a portrait above your mantel as well." [Mynrea]

Walking over to where Leinea was standing both looked at the portrait together. A striking portrayal of Lanthim sitting on a gold-crested chair finely made with the smallest detail being brought out by the artist's hand.

While sitting Lanthim's face looked down on something he was holding. Upon closer examination of the object, both wives realized what he was carrying a child in his arms.

"Yreni in all the time Lanthim has been here was there any young women that he could have had a child with." [Leinea]

While any normal woman would feel her husband was not loyal to her after seeing such a picture. Looking at his face Lienea could tell that the feelings conveyed were of congratulations not joy as a father would have for his own child.

"No while there are a few who would desire such a relationship with him." [Yreni]