Chapter 73 - News

Chapter 73: 73 - News

A few days had passed since Adrien and Evelyne returned from the city, and for once there had been no new disaster waiting for them at Greymoor. That did not mean Adrien had been resting.

He stood in the training field with Umbral Root across both hands while cold mist drifted close to the ground. Winter’s Reach covered most of the clearing, frost spreading over broken grass and old training marks, with Ariane standing near the centre of it.

They were still at the same Core rank. Two Stars. That was about where the similarities ended.

Adrien was stronger by a ridiculous margin now, four times perhaps five depending on what they were measuring, and neither of them bothered pretending otherwise anymore. A month ago, that difference had irritated Ariane every time she saw it. Now it simply made her work harder.

Another Frost Lance formed beside her shoulder and shot across the clearing, followed by a second before the first had struck its target. She kept Winter’s Reach active through the sequence, maintaining the domain while shaping spell after spell without losing control.

Adrien watched from the edge of the frozen ground.

’Not bad.’

Ariane had struggled to do both at the same time before, but now the rhythm was cleaner and the lances came faster.

The sixth shattered against a training post, while the seventh never formed. Ariane’s knees gave out instead, and she dropped onto the cold ground with both hands behind her to stop herself from falling flat.

Adrien dismissed Umbral Root and walked over with a bottle of water.

"You’ve improved a lot. A month ago, Winter’s Reach would’ve collapsed by the third lance."

Ariane drank enough that Adrien briefly wondered whether she planned to breathe again. She lowered the bottle and wiped her mouth with her sleeve. "I couldn’t stay where I was after watching you run ahead that fast. If I can’t catch you now, I’ll just keep getting closer." There was no bitterness in it anymore, and Adrien gave her a small smile.

Footsteps approached before he could answer. Vikir was crossing the field at a pace that made it obvious he hadn’t come to watch them train, and Adrien turned before the older man reached them.

"Something happen?" Adrien asked. Vikir stopped a few steps away before answering, "Nothing urgent, my lord. Your mother asked for you. There are two matters she wants to discuss."

Adrien took the bottle when Ariane held it back to him. "Alright, I’m coming." He had taken three steps before noticing another set of footsteps behind him and looked over his shoulder.

Ariane was following. She raised an eyebrow when she noticed him staring. "What? I’m a Clairmont too. If something is happening with the family, I’d like to know what it is."

Adrien considered arguing for half a second, then decided he didn’t have a reason. "Come on, then." Ariane fell into step beside him without another word.

Evelyne was in the small study she had claimed as her own since the household started expanding. Several folders were open across the desk, though she wasn’t reading when they entered.

Adrien closed the door behind Ariane. "Vikir said you wanted to see me."

Evelyne gestured toward the chairs. "I do. Two things. The first is simple. The mine transferred from Arquenay has begun operating again."

Adrien sat opposite her while Ariane took the chair beside him. "Already? I thought that would take longer."

"The workforce was still there. The delay was administrative more than practical." Evelyne moved one document aside. "Production will stay limited until we’re sure the tunnels and equipment are in acceptable condition, but it’s working again."

Adrien had barely thought about the mine since the territory changed hands. "Anything unusual?"

"Nothing worth worrying about yet. Old sections, inconsistent records, some galleries that haven’t been used in years." Evelyne’s tone made it clear she had already marked all of it for review. "For now, it’s simply another asset we need to make useful again."

Adrien filed the mention away and looked at the second folder in front of her. "And the other matter?"

"This one requires you personally." Evelyne picked up a letter from beside the papers, its royal seal already broken. "A message arrived from the capital this morning. It’s about the elves."

That got Ariane’s attention immediately. Evelyne continued, "The Crown is arranging a formal meeting with Sylvamir over what happened with the captives. Their king will be present, and they want you there as a direct witness."

Adrien leaned back slightly. He had found the camp, seen the prisoners and been involved in freeing them, which meant there was little chance of avoiding this.

"So both kings are meeting in person."

"That’s what the letter says. The Sylvamir delegation will be substantial, and Valebrand will have its own security around Osric." Evelyne paused, her expression tightening slightly. "It will be an important meeting. Possibly a dangerous one if somebody decides pride matters more than sense."

Adrien understood what she meant. Relations had already been strained before an elven princess was abducted by slavers operating inside human territory with a Great House involved. There were easier conversations between kingdoms.

"After what Osric did to your father, I’m not especially eager to put you in the same castle with him again," Evelyne said. Her voice remained calm, but the dislike underneath it was obvious.

Adrien rested one arm against the chair. "Osric is weak and too easy for other people to steer. That doesn’t make him suicidal. He won’t want a war with Sylvamir over something Gaspard did behind the Crown’s back."

Evelyne studied him for a moment. "I hope you’re right. Either way, you’re going prepared." She looked toward Vikir. "Have the maids prepare what Adrien needs for the capital. You’ll travel with him. You were there recently, and I’d rather he not arrive alone."

Vikir nodded. "I’ll make sure everything is ready before you leave." Adrien could already see him mentally arranging the trip.

Adrien glanced toward Ariane. She had listened to the entire conversation without interrupting, which might have been the most impressive thing she’d done all afternoon.

Then she folded her arms and looked at him. "So you get summoned to meet two kings, and I get to stay here and train. I’m starting to think being the less troublesome sibling has nice benefits."

Adrien stared at her for a second before shaking his head. At least Greymoor was beginning to feel normal again.