The next few days were as tiring as the first. Khal had spent more time smiling and waving at the commoners in both Rodstick and Elbrach. The rest of the branch families weren't nearly as hospitable as Alec's branch, but they were respectable nonetheless. It wasn't until he spoke to the viscount of Elbrach City that he felt any semblance of animosity. Khal sort of expected it though, Viscount Gilbrid Dor was the most powerful after Marcus and the second highest ranked noble of the family. Although he answered to Marcus' younger brother, Khal could tell that the man was magnanimous in both warrior spirit and noble presence. He would be a dangerous enemy to any of the other Great Houses.
Gilbrid had two sons who were both quiet the entire time at the table when they were having lunch. Unlike Dercillus, the entire meeting seemed more like an unanswered power struggle. Khal had eventually learned the names and ages of the boy. The older one was called Torryn and he was of average height. Although he was only eighteen, he was already a Senior Knight and his father made sure that Khal knew it. While the younger brother, Teige, was just twelve, he was already able to feel his spirit energy, barely a squire. For elite warrior families, this much was already remarkable. Khal knew he was abnormal with his level of progress at eight years old and didn't see the need to boast to his cousins. His grandfather's words to exercise restraint was still fresh in his mind after all.
Baron Oter Dor of Rodstick Town was far less intense than Viscount Gilbrid and only spoke about his three pretty daughters and how great a man Marcus was. He seemed more like a fanboy of the great general than the baron of a town. Khal had to stifle a laugh just thinking about how silly the man seemed through the entire dinner proceedings. It also helped that Alec was there to nudge him a few times.
The soldiers Khal saw around the city was also a testimony of House Dor's power within the region. Besides being strong of arms, the soldiers were well coordinated. Even the drills Khal saw were far about Sergeant Michael's and Khal knew how difficult that training was. His body twitched to join them.
---
Three days had passed by the time Khal made it to Castle Dor. The castle was surrounded by a moat with a long detachable bridge. Khal had read extensively about the structure of a castle. Most in Valeria usually used these dug out trenches as a defensive measure against foreign attacks. Khal passed the murky water as his horse quickly galloped towards the front wall. Khal couldn't see much soldiers posted on the walls and he assumed it was because Elfheim city was already impenetrable, leaving the castle in the middle free to be defenseless.
Alec led Khal towards the inside of the castle after a few soldiers quickly opened the gates. The first place they headed was towards the stables since the horses needed proper grooming and nurturing. Especially his horse, Khal had eventually found out that the horse was his grandfather's gift to him for finding his way back home. Khal had eventually come up with a name for the horse, much to its liking it seemed. Getting down from the horse, Khal walked it towards the stables slowly before removing the saddle. He brushed the horse's back slowly while whispering, "Rest well Windcrest." It was a silly name when he first thought about it but when he first met the horse it was as wild and untamed as the wind and moved equally as fast. It helped that Khal was able to control wind element.
Although the horse was young, it was far bigger than his father's pack horse. His horse was a warhorse, almost twice the size of a packhorse with denser muscles and a broader built. The messenger horses Khal had seen in Sydenham town were a stark contrast to these powerful beasts. Besides being the smartest of the three types of horses, the warhorse was far stronger than the messenger horse and faster than the pack horse. It was a horse giving the best of the pack and messenger horses.
The messenger horses were easy to breed and train and were usually cheap. Their speed was the best between the three horses, but they were notorious for being difficult to communicate with using world energy. The pack horse, however, was the easiest to communicate with but were slow and never made good use of their high stamina. Most farmers and carriages usually had pack horses pulling them since they were meek creatures. They were usually at a disadvantage during war since their slow frames left their riders defenseless from arrows. It was only with Skill that Avery was able to control his horse so well given these disadvantages and Khal knew it could have cost him his life during the ambush at saddleback road.
"A great horse you got there, lad," an old man said as he approached Khal's horse. "Are you the new stable boy? These Dor warriors always manage to gather the best horses aye," he smiled as he grabbed the reins of Khal's horse. Khal could see the dirt marinated his fingers as he held on to Windcrest. His hunched back made him seem far shorter than he really was. "Umm, yea thanks. I'll leave the horse in your care then," Khal said before bowing to the man. "This the first time this old Donn ever hear a stable boy so polite. Where you from Lad?"
Khal smiled to Donn before declaring, "I'm Khal Dor, I believe I'll be living from now."
"Hmmm, a little bigger than the rumors say. I heard you were just eight, but you look twelve by the looks of it. Come here let me see." Donn quickly grabbed one of Khal's hands before sizing it up. "Oh, you're right, your bones are definitely that of an eight-year-old." Khal tried his best to pull away, but the old man was far stronger than he appeared. "I'm sorry uncle but who are you?" Khal demanded quickly. "You do not know? I am Donn Clide, the groundsman. I take care of everything around this here castle. You be careful now young Khal. That power you hold many be wanting," Donn whispered the last part almost jokingly. Khal wasn't sure whether the man was crazy or not, but his bulging eyes certainly made him seem so.
The man then released Khal before taking Windcrest further inside the stables. What a strange little man. Khal then met up with Alec before entering the castle. His granduncle was at the steps with two women at his side. One was an old but elegantly dressed woman with a head full of long silver hair. The younger one didn't seem like a middle-aged woman with black hair rolling down her back. It was easy for Khal to deduce who everyone was. His granduncle, Matrus, held his wife in his arms. She was the younger of the woman and was named Finola. The older woman was definitely Khal's great-grandmother, Moreen. She was an intense woman, far stronger in spirit than any other of House Dor. At least that's what Alec warned Khal.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
"We finally meet Khal," his granduncle shouted as he approached Khal. He looked just as tall and overpowering his Marcus, but his hair was far thicker and lack any of the white strands, unlike Marcus. "Greetings, granduncle!" Khal said with a powerful voice. He wanted to appear as a strong figure in the eyes of his great-grandmother. Although Matrus was the head of the family, his commands could always be overruled by his mother if she felt like it.
"Oh! How powerful," Matrus said admirably, "You're definitely one of Dor's." Khal felt pleased with himself. If he could be seen as a strong person, then he was one step closer to becoming a pillar for his family.
After the greetings, everyone made their way into one of the chambers. Khal was convinced that his family placed a lot of emphasis on eating. Maybe all martial families bonded this way, he wasn't sure, but he liked it. At least here he wouldn't have to resort to stealing food.
Khal was shocked to learn that Matrus and Finola were yet to have any children. That meant that Khal was next in line to rule if the couple never manages to have any kids. They were still fairly young since they both had enough spirit energy to live a long life. Khal also became aware that Matrus, despite his similarities with Marcus, were extremely different. He was far more tactical and soft-spoken than his older brother but there was still a hidden fire within his eyes that Khal could see. He seemed dedicated to his role as the head of the family, being interrupted from his meal ever so often to deal with other matters.
"They say you defeated a Senior Knight," Moreen finally stated after being quiet the entire meal. She was sitting on the further side of the long table, with two guards behind her. Khal looked up to see the woman's eyes burning into his soul. So, this is where grandpa got his personality from. "Umm yes, yes I did," Khal stuttered as he finished. For some reason, this woman made him uneasy. "Really?" she said rhetorically as one of his eyebrows receded. "You don't sound so sure of yourself," she added slowly, allowing her words to echo throughout the room.
"Mother, you've read Marcus' report. Surely you don't think he would lie," Matrus begged. Moreen raised a hand slowly to stop her son from finishing before turning back to Khal. "Tell me, young man, how did you defeat this man? Was it some sort of Durmondae trickery?" she probed further. Khal face hardened, if this woman was insinuating that he was unworthy of his accomplishment because of his birth then he would put her in her place. He got up from his seat before stepping closer to the woman. Her two guards quickly held on to the hilt of their sword before she signaled to them to stand down. "Well? What are you going to do boy?"
Khal removed the sword from his sheath before cladding it and embedding it with wind element. It earned him a few murmurs from the family members, even Moreen was a little shocked. "There is no need to do or prove anything. I am Khal Dor, grandson of Tunderfist Dor and scion of a Durmondae. It matters not whether you believe grandfather or not but never question my honor. I am Dor by blood. The same blood that runs through your veins."Khal then sheathed his sword before returning to his seat. He continued to eat his meal while everyone stared at him. Moreen didn't continue her probing and instead smiled faintly before returning to her meal.
The rest of the day passed without any more incidents. Khal was taken on a tour of the castle, seeing the wide range of chambers as well as the meadow in the back. There was also a training ground for Marcus which excited Khal. After his tour, Alec said his farewells to Khal before joining up with Marcus at the Northern Wall.
---
The blanket of darkness covered Castle Dor by the time Matrus returned to his chambers. It was a thankless job being the head of the family. He had longed for this ever since he was a child. If he had known, it would be this much work he would have begged his brother to take it. Finola was busy giving the maids their orders for the following day, allowing Matrus a moment alone. Just as he entered the room, the first thing he noticed was his mother, Moreen. He wasn't sure how long she had waited here for him, but it seemed important. She had remained an enigma throughout his life. Regardless of the peaceful time they lived, she never trusted anyone or placed any confidence in anyone besides her two sons. In fact, it was part of the reason she probed Khal so strongly. If the boy didn't at least show some backbone and either prove that he really had the ability to kill a Senior Knight or at least somehow show that he was really of Dor blood then Moreen would never trust him. She would restrict him as best she could so that he never held any position of power. Who knew that the boy would prove both, shocking the woman into submission.
"Mother, what are you doing here so late?" Matrus questioned Moreen.
"I'm free to go where ever I please boy," retorted Moreen, earning her a chuckle from her son. "What do you think of him?"
Matrus smiled before sitting on the bed next to her. "He inherited Marcus' element and even the fiery spirit. Even Nicole wasn't this skilled at his age. He's here to prove something. Avery's banishment from the family must be weighing heavily on his mind. What's more frightening is that he's just eight years old! We need to-"
"We need to do nothing, the boy's ability will remain a secret," Moreen said with authority.
"Mother, he's an unprecedented talent. If the other Great Houses knew, we could rise above them all in a matter of years. He'd be the second coming of Marcus!"
"Foolish! You think Calum would sit idly by while we gain yet another Marcus? We need to keep this contained. Luckily, no one believed an eight year old actually killed a Senior Knight. Has anyone else seen what he can do?" Moreen asked.
"No mother, Alec reported that most of the men that knew he could control wind element is now dead. Only Lord Tommel, Sagdel, and his father are aware of it."
"Good, keep it that way. Explain to him only what he needs to know so he wouldn't risk exposure. Write a letter to Marcus explaining what we discussed." Moreen then placed a hand on her chin, deep in thought. "What of the Recluse? Anything new to report?"
"Nothing yet mother. Alec reported something about the Raven Council. House Rhodes seems to be involved somehow. I'll write to Marcus and have him notify his Recluse," Matrus said thoughtfully. His mother only nodded slowly before quickly leaving the room.
---
It was a late night, a few days after Khal made it to Castle Dor. On the Northern Wall, Marcus was in his study reading all the reports his brother had left for him to sort through. It was at that time that another shadow entered the room. Without turning around Marcus said firmly, "Report!" A masked man clothed in all black bowed towards Marcus before saying, "We have reason to believe that the Black Recluse may be compromised."
Marcus smiled at the thought. "Lord Coin has tried to revolt against you, but Lord Claw sent him to the afterlife." Marcus smiled no more, his face instantly hardened and his browed knitted tightly together. "Lord Coin? Summon Lord Claw to me at once, I will see what he has to say about this." The masked man slowly stepped away before responding, "Quel T'luze!" He disappeared just as they came, allowing the still of the night to accompany Marcus once more.