Ah yes, right. The whole blue skin thing. Alayne had been so quick to run down she hadn't even bothered to consider her new pigment, Titan stepped closer, towering over her. 

"Do you have an explanation for embarrassing me again in front of our fellow tribesmen?"

"Father I swear I didn't mean to, I spoke to this dragon last night, and it told me I'm special! This is great news father!" 

Snickers arise from the round table. Titan's expression grew dark. 

"If a dragon were to show itself, it would alarm everyone from three tribes over before even getting close to the Fell, quit with your games girl." 

Titan raises his hand, striking his only daughter across the cheek, but feeling an unusual tinge of pain, as his, Titan The Dragonskin's hand, swells and blisters. Small spots of blood peeking from his red hands, and a small numb feeling coming over it. 

Alayne on the other hand is typically is knocked to the ground, but instead she's just standing there, as if she felt nothing at all. same fearful look in her eyes, not understanding why he chose to strike her again in the first place. 

"Thank you for being lenient on your punishment father, I won't spout nonsense again." Alayne keeps her composure, and takes her seat. 

Titan scoffs, yes she's right, must've just went easy on her, she does look just like her mother after all. Scarlet hair and silver eyes, freckles adorning her wherever she pleases. 

*** 

With everyone seated, Titan begins the daily meeting, discussing trade routes, production numbers, local training strategies. Alayne pays close attention. Stopping to take notes or ask questions. Usually being met with a glare or a snicker. Bernie and Olette were in participation as well, they are weekly due to being head of production of one of the most profitable mines in the Fell. 

"Now Sir Titan, we all know you have been avoidjng it for a while now, what's the decision on whether to marry off Alayne? She's shown no considerable progress in developing her soul ocean, and given her prank today we are certain she does not take this tribe or it's people seriously." 

Baldwin Craig, one of the twelve granted a title after their first name, and who happens to have a son around the same age as Alayne, always brings up this topic. It just so happens that this boy is fond of Alayne, despite her breaking one of his arms for trying to bully Olette and Hansel a few years back. 

"I appreciate the question baldwin, given my foolish daughter's continued lack of performance. I've decided it would be best to marry her off. We cannot wait around forever before deciding on this. I shouldn't have let her games continue for this long anyways"

"THAT'S NOT FAIR, YOU CA-" Olette is suddenly muffled by Bernie, and forced back into her seat.

"Forgive my daughter Lord Titan. I think what she was trying to say, is that it seems to me, as if there may be some truth to what Alayne spoke of earlier, I have read books on those whose soul oceans were so vast they could occasionally seek audience with greater beings, and who greater than the daughter of Titan, to be able to have audience with our great ancestor?" 

Bernie bows her head, and the others of the roundtable begin to chatter. 

"Well if she's spoken to a dragon, maybe it bestowed a gift upon her?" Inquires Harmon.

"Her blue skin does seem more real with her being closer, being the daughter of Alessia, I wouldn't be surprised!" Chimes in Decatur.

"Enough!" Yells Titan, quieting the room.

"You will not compare my late wife to this brat. We shall see if she can properly control her soul ocean in a weeks time, if not a banquet will be prepared to select her husband. Meeting is over, all of you out." 

Titan whistles, and the arrowhawks all begin chiming the bell shortly after.

"Oh, and Alayne."

"Yes, father?"

"I don't want to see you until next week. Stay away from here until then."

"Of course, father."

*** 

Titan is sitting alone in his chambers, from a crawlspace comes out a little rat. The rat is holding a letter with a dark symbol on it. He tosses a blood coin at the creature, which grabs onto it, and scampers away.

"Oh Alessia, what do I do now…"