Arthur's Point of View

Pendragon Estate

Time had passed since my talk with Elincia. Thankfully, she didn’t bring up the future possibilities of her getting pregnant via my seed and her magic nonsense. However, Elincia was quite interested in how I attained so much wealth. Buying out the land, and property out from under both Priestesses in a legal manner surprised her given the cost. Naturally, I avoided discussing my success.

The Festival of Lights came and went. It was an emotional day for many. Normally, I would’ve ignored attending the funerals, but given how Cass and a few others were going for Kine, I thought it necessary to attend for their sakes. I shook many trembling hands that day. Many wives, husbands, fathers, and mothers came to meet me. The thanks I received felt awful given that I acted out of my own self-interests, but if it made them feel even remotely better, I kept my silence.

That night, as many had hoped, candles decorated the mountain. It was as beautiful as it was the previous year. Cass would’ve had quite the pyre going as well, but her, Austin, and Rennal were at my home. The Reed siblings were looking forward to honoring their grandfather. However, many more were expecting some manner of grand pill of flames to shoot through the sky like last year. Several mentioned it at the funeral, and while I didn’t exactly feel like it this year, I also felt like they deserved some manner of closure.

Alwin stood beside me as he had finally recovered enough to be moving around. “Is this safe?” Breeze and I were working with Rock for what we had planned. All of us stopped and looked at him. “It was just a question.” He said softly at our looks.

“I mean, as safe as fire can get.” Was my reply.

Breeze snorted at that. The entire household was present along with Greigh and Ziah. Alwin’s other family members were also present with Lucia. Succubae children stayed by Freya as they watched off to the side while Marina spoke with some of them. I tried my best to pay them no attention.

Lucia decided to comment on it. “Can I ask you a question, Arthur?”

Rock was creating a wall of sorts for protection. “Mmh?” I let out as I helped him.

“You clearly ignore Freya every chance you get.” Lucia began.

I stopped. “Cleary? No, I don’t.”

Breeze and Alwin both scoffed at that as the Elf crossed his arms. “Father, I don’t mean to upset you, but it is pretty obvious.” The wind wolf stated.

Rolling my eyes, I replied. “Agree to disagree.”

“Anyway…” Lucia picked back up. “Despite your obvious attempts to dismiss her at every turn, why would you go out of your way to invite her and the Succubae to attend tonight?”

My eyes turned to the Succubae for a moment before I turned back to helping Rock. “I thought tonight might be good for them.” Was my soft reply so they wouldn’t hear. “Everyone else has someone to mourn or honor. They do too. Most of that, my fault, but I’m not going to pretend that I’m perfectly fine with what happened.”

“What do you mean?” Alwin inquired.

“None of you were there, but I wasn’t exactly merciful when it came to my rampage in their tunnels. I literally murdered Freya’s mother right in front of her.” My whispers made many of the group look over at the Succubae. “Did she deserve it? Absolutely, and I would do it again given the chance. However, I don’t think any child should have to look at the one who murdered their family.” Then I gestured to myself. “But that’s all I am to most of them. They’re just children who don’t fully understand what happened.”

“Then why did you take them in if you felt that way?” Lucia asked me softly. “Because of me?”

I nodded. “Yep.” Shrugging, Rock and I had finished so we moved back. “Freya is clearly terrified of me. She’s probably horrified at what I might do to the remaining of her people.”

Breeze chuckled at that. “I don’t know about that. She clearly knows you’ve gone out of your way to keep them healthy and happy.”

“Agree to disagree.” My quick response made several of them glance at each other. “Anyway, we’re almost ready. Where are Cass and the others?”

“Cass, Rennal, Austin, Greigh, and Ziah are all getting small candles for everyone. They should be here soon.” Ayda’s voice cut in. “I am curious as to why you need such a strange wall though.”

Ignoring her curious nature, I looked at her mother whose hair was starting to come in. “How’s everyone holding up?” My question got her to look around.

A small smile came to her face. “Many have had time to mourn. Some longer than others, but I think Priestess Elincia was right to hold the funeral today. A nice clear nice with snow on the ground makes for beautiful illumination.” Aydalia told me as she gestured to the mountain. “Just look at how Helmsforth is sparkling.” We all looked as she spoke softly. “It’s beautiful.”

Chuckling, I turned to the group. “It’s funny how easy it is to lose track of time. Thought I had only been here for a few months, but it’s been over a year. More than a year…” I commented. “Although, I also wasn’t supposed to be back for a few more months.”

“We’re glad you’re here, Arthur.” Lucia told me.