There were three separate categories when it came to internal affairs for a noble family. The Realm, the House, and the Clan. "The Raven Clan" was an old term, one used to describe the entirety of House Raven. From shield to sword and every small fiber in between. While the shield stood at the top, Madam Pelmen kept order in the entire clan. Especially in light of Countess Ravenshield's sorely missed absence. With the Countess having long been forced to turn over her house to her son, she spent her twilight years overseeing the entire clan thanks to Count Ravenshield seeing her true value.
The original House of Raven, now a relic of the past, lived on only in the annals of Raven Clan's history, its members long since passed. Ravenshield, the current head, presided over twenty-eight branch families, each distinguished in its own right. Among these, Ravenspear, Ravenfeather, and Ravensword were the most prominent.
After that came Ravenblade, Ravenstone, Ravenwing, Ravenheart, Ravencrown, Ravenclaw, Ravenforge, Ravenstorm, Ravenshadow, Ravenflame, Ravenfrost, Ravensong, Ravenquil, Ravenwatch, Ravenbough, Raventide, Ravenmark, Ravenbane, Ravenchase, Ravencrest, Ravenmyst, Ravengale, Ravenloom, Ravengrave, and finally Ravenstride.
There were others. Grand names started with the familiar moniker of Raven, however, they followed their predecessor to the grave, none lasting even half as long as the family that started it all. A few more names these were the ones still alive and active in the clan. Each house was managed independently, typically by the head's wife or a designated steward. However each house supported the Raven name and as such Madam Pelmen, whose ability was renowned far beyond the shadow of clan Raven, not only managed the managers but also played an instrumental role in ensuring harmony among these diverse branches. After all, the Raven Clan had transitioned over time. While their vast military might remain strong, it was more a nod to their proud heritage than a necessity. Over the years, the families that grew from the tree had grown unique.
Not every problem brought to the main house could be easily solved. One such annoyance was dropped onto a small child who had followed her elder into a borrowed office. Madam Pelmen typically favored the small office in her greenhouse. Yet, she often made the journey to the Raven Clan’s main estate As such this roomy office painted soft brown and carpeted with plush white furs was practically her office away from home. The maids even cleaned it with her in mind and Mathus never allowed anyone else to use it. After all, she was a key member of this house, even if she herself came from a branch family.
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Anticipating an extended stay, Madam Pelmen had arrived with an abundance of work. Her carriage was laden with stacks of papers and folders, and expecting to remain at the manor for several months, she had brought almost an additional carriage's worth of documents.
From across the room, Madam Pelmen's sharp mahogany eyes fixed on Ravina. “This,” she declared in a firm voice, “is a test to see if there’s anything between your ears.” Her approach lacked any softness as she slid a folder across the table. Straightening her stooped posture momentarily elicited a pained grunt, but her focus remained unwavering.
“Ravenquil and Ravenwatch each owned a mine in the same mountain for generations,” Ravina winced slightly at the all-too-frequent use of the name Raven. “A recent collapse has linked two of their mines, sparking a bitter dispute. Each blames the other and seeks control over both mines. Resolve this.”
Ravina blinked. She hesitantly pulled the papers closer. “A land dispute?” she murmured, her voice a blend of disbelief and curiosity, barely above a whisper. Flipping open the folder, she discovered three pages of handwritten notes.
“You can handle something like this right? If you hope to learn from me this should be easy.” the old woman waved her away. “Now get going I have a lot more work to do.” She said pulling her eyes off the child and leaning her body over the table. She opened another folder and pulled it open. “Come back in a week,” she added, overlooking the documents before her, squinting her eyes to read them. “You should have it finished by then.”
Her words were final. With them, Ravina closed the folder and clutched it tightly, turning from the woman with her mind feeling oddly empty. Leaving the office she tried to fall into her thoughts. She expected a period of observation and learning under Madam Pelmen’s guidance, not being thrust into the midst of a land dispute. She wasn’t a lawyer or a mediator in any of her lives. Doubting her skills in this matter, she pondered her next steps while wandering the hallway, a sense of uncertainty following in her shadow.