“...speak freely.” Leon met his son's eyes with a gaze of curiosity.
“While your gift is generous beyond expectations, I’m afraid that thirty fire gems will be inadequate for my needs.”
“Are you saying you will not accept this gift?”
“On the contrary, I believe it is too much. I believe five gems will be sufficient, one for every year of my journey.”
“Are you sure about this?”
“With the finances I’ve accumulated after my years of services to the archives and various other utilities, I am most certain in my decision.”
Leon knew there was something more to this jester of confidence but thought nothing of it, since tradition did not forbid this arrangement. To him it seemed foolish and reckless given the resources in his possession.
“...Very well.” He nodded his head, telling Briar to take back the bag, but before her fingers even gripped its leathery exterior Anthony spoke again.
“However, I do not wish to waste the remaining fire gems, but would like to distribute in a manner of my own devising. If that is permissible, my father.”
“...Proceed.”
“I would like twenty gems to be divided equally amongst the four maids who have generously indulged my curiosities over these past years in gratitude for their devoted service.” He called them each by name, bringing a monetary shock to their faces as if a sharp bell had just struck their ears catching their attention. “That would be Chloe, Eau, Delia, and Briar. I know you’ve never told me about your personal affairs, so forgive me if I've on more than one occasion eavesdropped about you sending money back to your families in other regions. I’m sure the value of these stones will help considerably for any expenses that they might incur from their current living conditions.”
“Young master...” Briar whimpered, nearly collapsing her knees at this act of altruism from a man she knew since he was a young boy, as did every servant in attendance.
“Very well, then.” His father gestured for Briar to hold the bag for a little while longer. “What of the remaining five gems?”
“I would like to give them to my sister, Vera.” The very notion caused all eyes to turn to her, as she nearly dropped the ledger in her hands at the mention of her names. “I understand the crusades are a competitive game and tradition dictates that we receive no favor from family once the journey has begun, but there is a statute that prevents participants from helping each other beforehand.”
Leon had to think hard for a second. Although there had been instances where crusaders had chosen to forfeit, lessened, or even given their inheritance away to others, never had it been given to their own competitors. It would disadvantage him either way, he was curious about one particular point.
“If I allowed this, what would you want her to use it for?” He asked.
“I understand she is working on concepts of elemental synergy with the professors at The Nomiki Institute, and it is having trouble procuring investment from the Imperial grants or other institutes. I would like those gems to be donated to the institute for the benefit of this research, so that it may help to further the Empire’s pursuit of higher learning.” It was a decree his father couldn’t disregard as it was technically not going to Vera, but to an institute for imperial research.
“...As it is for the good of the Empire, I cannot object to this request. Your sister will carry this gift to be delivered to the Nomiki Institute in the Erebus name. Let it carry your name as the first and hopeful not last goodwill gesture to the Empire.” He nodded to Briar to return the leather bag to him.
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Leon personally opened the leather bag and removed 10 gems from its depths. Then he handed the rest to Chloe with instructions to split the treasures with her fellow maids. He then proceeded to place the five gems in Anthony’s hand. He cradled them together in his fist and bowed before his father. When his father stepped away, he walked toward his sister Vera and placed 5 gems which she graciously accepted. Then she turned to Anthony next to her and wept as his gesture.
“Why Anthony?” She whispered, holding the gems in one hand and her book under her arm.
“You’ve always believed in my potential, dear sister.” He smiled in response. “Allow me to return the kindness.”
A single tear rolled down her eyes as Vera tried to find the right words to say. It was a touching gift to bestow upon her even after the words they had exchanged the night of the retirement ceremony. With her right hand she took the 5 gems into her embrace near her heart, the same place she would hold her brother for however long they would be on this journey.
With 5 fire gems in his possession, he stood in line with the rest of his siblings as father began the closing of the ceremony. Their father stood in front of his four children, his wife and maids behind him to utter his last words of encouragement.
“As of this moment, you stand apart from the house of Erebus.” He proclaimed in a fierce and fiery voice. “When you return in 5 years, it will either be as a new house leader or an outcast from its doors. May the Sacred Flames watch over your crusades to bring new honor and glory to your house and the Empire.”
Each child took their gifts and placed them against their chest as a sign of acknowledgement and Leon did the same. The ceremony had ended, and so the journey had begun. The maids proceeded to gather their belongings and placed them in the carriages that awaited. Before they entered, they each passed Anthony with a few words of choice, while he listened without saying a word.
“Father’s gift was very kind, brother.” Tundra said as she approached his side. “Consider it my parting gift when I take my rightful place as the head of the household.” Chloe heard these words as she dragged the heavy chest, but tried not to break her concentration given the harsh nature of her tones.
“Sometimes, I wonder what goes on in that head of yours, Anthony.” Helena shook her head in disappointment. “You just gave away the bulk of your inheritance on a pointless whim.” She looked him dead in the eyes with her next ultimatum. “Be assured I plan to use my mind more wisely, especially when I make Grand Master.” Delia carried the long box with a begrudging and annoyed look wondering why she had to carry a box Helena could have easily handled herself.
“I know we cannot help each other directly in this competition, Anthony, but...” Vera took a deep breath and said what she had wanted to say before but couldn’t. “...I’ll be sure to mention your name to every academic I come across. Although it’s my work, you’ve helped play a major contribution in what’s to come.”
Anthony quietly nodded to her words, knowing this was all the thanks he ever wanted or needed. He watched as his sister got into their carriages and headed off once again to their destinations. When they were out of sight, he took a long sigh of relief and sorrow, as the driver of his arranged carriage eagerly awaited his arrival. Before he could take his first step, he felt the strong pull of his arm, from a familiar face who had stayed in attendance.
“Young master...” Briar the wind maid could hardly contain her composure. “...what you did for me and the other maids, I just, I just...”
“You don’t have to say anything.” He removed her hand from his arm. “I never consider you all maids, you’ve been like family to me. Four aunts, whom my mother loves dearly, it is only right that I should look after all you since you have watched over me my whole life. You’ve told me things that go beyond the confines of this walled manor, and more than an average noble man could dare to understand. Just do me a favor and keep my mother from worrying too much about me. She’ll need everyone’s comfort for the next five years, maybe by then I’ll have some stories of my own when we meet again.”
Briar was once again at a loss for words, instead she put her hands together rubbing a grayish-silver ring on her right hand. Before the young master could take another step toward his carriage she called once more.
“Wait, please take this with you.” She took off the ring and placed it in her hand, kneeling before the young master.
“Ms. Briar, this is hardly appropriate, I love you, but not in...that way.” He said flustered at his initial impression.
“Oh, no, no, no!” She said, quickly rising to her feet. “Since you have given me so much, I feel it’s only fitting that I were to return your kindness in some measure. That is why I wanted to give you this small heirloom to take with you on your journey.”
Anthony stared at this gesture of kindness with a look of shock and surprise. That ring was an inheritance of its own and not so easily given or received, and now she wanted to entrust its care to him alone. For why he didn’t know, but she would later explain as she revealed the ring's prominence and heritage.