Leinea sat with her grandmother and Syrelia in one of the many bathhouses in her territory. While these three were part of the Drathalkin clan, they were also part of the Nyrotral clan. This being the case, Syrelia, while training to enter the forest, would learn the necessary skills and etiquette for a young wife. While what she was being taught was more informational. The little girl already had a superior understanding of how to behave in a social setting.
She was thrust into the social spotlight by her grandmother from quite a young age due to her being praised as a genius. She learned and applied the teachings her older brother had left for her.
"It would be better for you to live in the Dragon lands for a season. While everything you have been taught is excellent, without sufficient practice, it all means nothing." [Mynrea]
Having grown up in the Dragon lands all of her young life, Mynrea understood the complexities of dragon society. The most extreme of these was a continually declining birth rate, which resulted from conflict with the Haldrathin over a protracted period. Therefore, the insistence on early marriage and the coming forth of children was aggressively pursued.
To a degree, Lanthim advanced the same thinking by not restraining Melryn upon his marriage to Illtris. With the Drathalkin clan being so small, he would not compromise on increasing the next generation. It did help that they were inseparable and enjoyed each other's company. So, it was seen that Melryn would be a fruitful branch.
For the two wives of Lanthim, though, there was a tension that was not fading. Lanthim was still to their understanding in the mountain. He had been there for a considerable amount of time, healing himself. Five months before he had received a Caldrumo Seytr a powerful gem that was said to heal even the most deadly wound. This being the case, Leinea had concluded that she should prepare for the coming of children. She knew that Mynrea was unhappy with her reluctance before Lanthim was injured to pursue a more sexually active relationship with him. The reality is that now she is the matriarch of the clan. She would lose all credibility among the dragon clans, directly subordinate to the Drathalkin. Regardless, both kept what they felt to themselves, striving to maintain harmony in the clan.
"Brother requires my brothers and I to enter the forest for a time. When he comes, we should ask what his thoughts on a trip to the dragon land would entail." [Syrelia]
Having said this, Syrelia noticed both dragons looking at her with a severe gaze.
"What do you mean by that, Syrelia?" [Leinea]
There had been no news from the mountain in days. Please leave it to the little future watcher to see and say something frightening.
"All I know is he has left the mountain." [Syrelia]
Hearing this, both women arose from the bath and went to the dressing room.
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
Much would need to be said to him once he was found. More likely, though, he would pop up and surprise them without warning.
"Syrelia, get dressed quickly. We must find your brother.[Mynrea]
"No, I think I will remain a little longer. I would not want to get in the way." [Syrelia]
So, the child knew more than she was letting on. With this knowledge, both dragons dressed and left Syrelia where she was.
"Wondering around aimlessly will get us nowhere. If he is out, we should go anywhere, and he will be there." [Mynrea]
"True, we will go to my study for now. There is still some work that needs to be looked into." [Leinea]
Much still needed to be dealt with; the Drathalkin clan had thousands of subordinate clans below it in rank. Therefore, attempts to undermine her authority over them were many. That being said, if something serious happened, Leinea would receive a report of the perpetrators passing away under controlled circumstances.
To date, such events have happened twice with the other clans. Seeing how easily the perpetrators were dealt with, the rest turned to more overt behaviour.
"What you have said is true. The work of the matriarch of a powerful clan never really ends." [Mynrea]
It had never entered her mind that the current situation could even happen. All of Mynrea's planning, while Lanthim had disappeared, had evaporated with the formation of the Drathalkin clan. While opening opportunities that she could not help but be excited about.
Both walking ways saw the grass was greener, and the trees stood tall. There always seemed to be some natural response to Lanthim. Entering the structure Leinea called home a feeling of peace permeated the entire building. Both felt anxious as they reached the door that led to Leinea's study. For a moment, neither tried to open the door. Without a doubt, Lanthim was there.
"I hope you do not intend to remain on the other side of that door for too long." [Lanthim]
Surprised by the voice coming from within the study, Leinea released the door knob. Only for the door to open by itself.
Timidly looking through the door, both dragons could see their husband sitting on one of the many couches that Leinea had placed in the room. While he looked perfectly well, his eyes were still covered with linen bandages.
"Even with assistance, you could not completely heal yourself." [Leinea]
Having entered the room, Leinea noted the reality that was present. Walking closer, she could sense something off about his covered eyes.
"The damage was far greater than I anticipated. However, they will heal in time." [Lanthim]
Saying this, Lanthim could feel fingers touching his bandaged eyes. Leinea had hoped that he would recover fully from the wounds he had sustained.
"We are pleased you are in a far better condition now."[Mynrea]
Now, both stood together, looking at Lanthim as he looked through a stack of
documents.
"Yes, this is the best I can accomplish with the current resources." [Lanthim]
Having spoken, he beckoned for both to sit with him. Moving quickly, they sat on either side of him.
"My three younger siblings will enter the forest within the week. This being so, I would like Frelimta to accompany them." [Lanthim]
Holding a piece of paper in his hand, Melryn, Aldain, and Syrelia, along with sixty other names, were present.
"That should not be too difficult to see too. Frelimta spent much time these last months training with Melryn in particular.[Mynrea]
The two young men had become inseparable like two peas in a pod. While Frelimta had not attempted to become a student of Lanthim, he did train a great deal with Melryn. Both strived to become stronger, allowing Syrelia to have an acceptable husband.
"They will not be in the forest for more than two weeks for their first time entering. Putting that aside, your suggestion for Syrelia to experience a season in the dragon lands sounds like an amazing idea." [Lanthim]
Having said this, all his wives could do was look at each other with a "No point in asking how he knows about that" look on their faces.
"That would be excellent, but what brings your sudden interest in going to the dragon lands? Yes, we have been given land and have built on it, but I feel there is more to this." [Leinea]
As she asked this question, Lanthim rose to the window overlooking the entire estate.
"My mother wishes to remarry as it is best to place her in the best possible location to acquire a good catch." [Lanthim]
This answer was a surprising one. Yes, Leinea had noted her mother-in-law looking increasingly lonely as the months passed.
"I have already spoken with her on the subject. I shall not restrict or define the type of person she should marry. But the Drathalkin only have one child on the way and three able women who have none. It works against our clan's interests to allow things to remain as they are." [Lanthim]