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Claire bit her lip. Because as much as she wanted to say her story was true, the Fae Elder was right. They had no way of knowing if her story was true as they had been completely cut off from the rest of the Realm for the last two decades. Claire would probably be suspicious as well if she was in the Fae Elders’ seat. But how could she convince them that her story was true? Would the daggers be proof enough? Her magic? Would anything be enough to convince them?
Her friends and Triad were silent, letting her take the lead. The problem was, Claire didn’t know where to go from here? Maybe it was as simple as asking?
“That’s a fair point,” she began, choosing her words carefully, “I would likely have the same questions if I was in your shoes. What would make you feel better about my ‘pretty story’?”
The Fae Elder that had just spoken smiled and leaned back in her seat, seemingly impressed with Claire’s answer. She looked at her fellow Fae Elders waiting on their response.
Before the other Fae elders could speak up, one of the twin Fae stepped forward. “If I may, Elders, I have a suggestion.”
“Speak, Commander Kallan,” the middle Elder said with a tight expression on his face.
“If the Elders would agree, it would be my recommendation to have Arielle complete the Traditio.”
The Elder that had challenged Claire’s ‘pretty story’ earlier nodded thoughtfully. “Even though the Royals are no longer ruling, the tradition is a noble and longstanding one.”
Claire must have looked confused because Commander Kallan explained. “The Traditio is an ancient tradition that has for centuries evaluated Royal Fae as fit to rule. While Fae can be born into a Royal family, birth is not the only determining factor in one’s worthiness to rule. The Traditio is a series of tasks and judgements in three areas: Combat, Justice, and Magic.”
Claire bit her lip. The Traditio sounded like a good assessment of character for future rulers but was there enough time to complete it? The Council was upping the pressure if the ambush at the border was any indication. Not only was time to complete the Traditio a factor, it most likely required intensive knowledge about the Fae and their culture. Knowledge Claire didn’t have as she had grown up at Windshire. And judging from the less than warm reception they had received thus far, she wasn’t likely to get a lot of help. If she did this, she would be on her own besides what limited help her Triad and friends could provide. From the expectant look on the Elders’ faces, it didn’t look like she had much of a choice to complete the Traditio or not though.
“I am happy to complete the Traditio,” Claire stumbled over the word’s pronunciation but hoped it wouldn’t be held against her.
The middle Fae Elder nodded, a small frown on his face. Did he not want her to say yes? “The Traditio will take time to set up and prepare. We will allow you to stay for the duration of the preparation although for the safety of our people there will be no interactions until the Traditio. Then your performance during the Traditio will decide your fate.”
His words were almost haughty, as if he was doing Claire a favor. In a way, he might be. The Fae could have chosen to throw them out right away. At least there was a path forward to winning their trust, even if Claire wasn’t sure she was going to be successful.
Then, in a twist that Claire didn’t see coming, the Fae Elder turned to Kallan and his twin and said. “Since she is family, I assume she and her companions will stay with you?”
32
Family?
The shock of the word had Claire stumbling back a few steps before she regained her balance. Family? Had she heard the Fae Elder correctly? Had he just said that the twin Fae were family? To her? She studied them closer. They had the same eyes that she did but she thought maybe that was just a Fae thing. How were they related? Were they her… siblings?
She was so lost in her thoughts that she must have missed their dismissal. Everett placed a gentle hand on her back placing a light pressure on her back as he guided her towards the twin Fae who were standing at the back of the arena now. She must have been really deep in thought.
And she still had more questions. Did she have more family other than the twin Fae? Did they know about her? Knew she grew up alone? Claire couldn’t fathom the idea of abandoning family no matter the danger. She knew if she had known about them growing up she would have done whatever she could to find them. So is that why she didn’t know? Is that why she grew up alone? Claire had a feeling that the twin Fae that walked in front of them held some of the answers.
The twins, Kallan and the other one who’s name Claire hadn’t caught yet, led them out of the stone circle arena and deeper into the Fae territory. A large village started next to the arena and extended for another three hundred paces. Claire looked up at Everett who was radiating concern down their bond. But she didn’t have any answers for him right now. Instead she laid her head against his shoulder briefly as she walked and sent warmth and maybe a bit of confusion still down their bonds. Holly flashed her a smile as she met her eyes and Bethany mimed dying of boredom next to her. Claire smiled, hiding an eye roll at her friends.
Kallan and the other twin led them into a large village. The houses were built with solid stone walls hewn from the same color stone of the Dragon Mountains. The roofs had the long plains grasses braided together in long sturdy strands that formed a tightly woven shield from the elements. Some of the houses looked empty but others showed signs of life with a few toys lying around and smoke coming out of the stone chimneys. Although the village showed signs of life, the group didn’t see another Fae out although it felt like there were eyes on them from time to time. Claire wondered if the Fae had been told to stay inside till after they had passed through. Were the Elders that worried about outsiders? Or was it just Claire?
At the very back of the village, five large houses almost the size of Brandlevine’s coven manor stood like guardians. Behind them, grassy fields dotted with trees and stone boulders stretched. Whoever lived in these houses must have been the first line of defense the village had from an attack from behind. Is this where her other family lived? Were they living there now?
She pushed through the group a bit till she was up at the front next to Kallan. “Is that where you live? Do other family members live in the other houses?”
Kallan and the other twin exchanged a look before Kallan answered. “It’s just Kieran and I left. Well, besides you.”
Claire nodded and dropped back, stomach sinking. Desmond caught her hand with his and she returned his smile half-heartedly. She should have expected that answer but some small part of her had still held out hope even if it was silly to.
Claire had often dreamed of a place where she belonged when she had grown up at Windshire. Of a family she didn’t know but only imagined. She realized now that family wasn’t always related by blood but sometimes by choice. She looked around at all of her friends and Triad. She didn’t have the answers yet but she was surrounded by the only family she had ever known. This was the family she would die to protect.
Kallan and Kieran led them to the large middle house and through the double doors. While the foyer was large, there was none of the fine trimmings that Brandlevine held. Nothing that spoke of wealth or prestige, just carvings in the stone. Before she could get too distracted by the carvings, Desmond asked, “How is Claire related to you?”
Kieran was the one who answered. “Our mother was your father’s sister.”
When he didn’t say any more, Bethany rolled her eyes. “So cousins then?”
When Kieran just looked at her Bethany rolled her eyes again, “Would it kill you to elaborate a little bit more? We are kind of flying blind here. Do y’all have other family alive?”
