“It is now in the presence of the Elders gathered, and the Originator himself that we bestow upon Lady Layrion the title of Elder of Clan Elecores, Guardians of the Northern Wall of our Great City and Berth.” Michael stood before the gathering of Elders, a fraction of the full number, as most could not risk the trek across the worn torn land. Layrion knelt before him, in a lavish robe of cream silk that fell behind her in waves, gold chains hanging from her form. Scars peaked from the trimmed sleeves, her hair braided into golden flowers behind her. She glowed in the full moonlight above, and as she stood, a hush fell on the crowd of gathered Elders and observers. There was not a doubt in any of their minds, seeing her there glowing in the light that she held a power beyond their understanding, and even the oldest of the Icchorians gathered knew that they would one day fall to her power.
“I, Layrion, Daughter of Dicion and Elysia of the North accept the title of my father and his father before him.” She held out her bare arm, a red hot rod was brought out and handed to Michael, who gently pressed it to the inside of her wrist, branding the symbol of her family for all to see. Once the mark was left he set the rod aside and took her arm into his weathered hands, raising it for the gathered.
There was a silent murmuring as all present bowed low before them, acknowledging her new position within their ranks. Her words would now hold equal weight with their own, her influence would be great. Layrion returned the bow and stepped down, smiling as Ammy approached her and the gathering began to disperse, talking among themselves.
Layrion sighed, sagging slightly into her sister’s smaller frame. “That was painful. Could it have taken any longer?” She grumbled into her hair.
Ammy chuckled, hugging her, voice warm with pride. “Father would be happy to see you taking some responsibility. Already steps ahead of our brothers.”
“Peter never did care for ceremony.” Layrion smiled drawing back, seeing Yggdrasil behind Ammy, a smile on his face.
“Looking beautiful as ever my Lady Layrion.” The white-haired Icchorian did not look amused, glaring at him while brushing some of the gold on her shoulder aside.
“I look like a doll on display. My armor would have been just fine for this.”
Ammy tisked, turning Layrion around to straighten the golden flowers there. “I understand why you never wanted to dress up for the dinners at Akil’s home, but here is something that is just for you. Please try to go most the night without complaining.”
“You’re just saying that so I can stay in good favor and ask Lady Panlena to allow you into the library.”
“And if I am? We do have orders from you already, and you weren’t even an Elder then.”
Layrion laughed, shooing her sister small smile. “Alright alright. Just leave it be then. Where is Rune?”
Just as Ammy was to answer, a heavy voice cut through. “Using his name so freely, a title not even mistakenly forgotten. You must be the upstart that has led him astray.” All three of the Icchorains tensed as an older Icchorian stepped among them. He had grey hair streaked in a faded brown, wearing a thick dark cloak of brown that was trimmed in a soft grey. His hand rested on a deep cherry colored cane that seemed to stab into the ground with an offending sound as he came to a stop. His golden eyes were sharp, unkind as they regarded Layrion.
Ammy was the first to respond, bowing her head respectfully and Yggdrasil followed suit. “Lord Marith Eindride, it is a pleasure to meet you.” Layrion cut her gaze to Ammy in surprise. Rune’s father was here? The Elder did not remove his gaze from Layrion, regarding her coldly. He ignored Ammy.
“Are you the one filling my son’s head with nonsense? He talks of making peace and trying to end the war. A war which is our destiny young…..Elder.”
Layrion straightened, feeling a bit out of her element in the flowing thin dress and gold adornments. But she would not back down before him. “I can assure you, whatever thoughts your son has are his own. As he is not hesitant to voice them freely.”
“Indeed he is not. But to abandon the station given to him by his family and to run about pointlessly in the countryside is a grave transgression. He was raised better than most. He will be better than most.” Marith eyed Ammy and Yggdrasil then, both with their heads bowed. Layrion bit back the growl that threatened to spill forth.
“I will not have you insult us. Rune has not abandoned anything, he chose to come freely and he can leave just as freely as before.”
“Lord Rune has made it quite clear what he would like to do. He has also mentioned that you asked him to leave his clan to join your hodgepodge of a group, living in the dirt Humans wouldn’t even walk upon. I will not have my son lower himself to your kind. He will not be leaving with you.”
Layrion bared her teeth, ready to strike out at the Icchorian before them when a growl rang out. “Father! Enough! You will not speak for me!” Rune stalked over, pushing past the Elders who looked on in surprise.
Marith scowled, his cane coming out to rap Rune’s chest to stop him from drawing closer. “I told you to stay in the room Rune. Go back now.”
Rune knocked the cane away, eyes burning in anger that was echoed in his father’s eyes. “Stop ordering me around. I’m an Elder too. I took your place on the council, you have no say here.”
“You were to take my place upon your return home from serving under Lord Francisco. You never left and never returned, so you are nothing in the circle of Elders.” He snapped harshly, cane slamming back to the ground. “Now get back to the room. We will discuss your actions and disappearance these last few years later.”
Rune clenched his fists, a snarl on his lips. “I am going nowhere with you or near that damn room. I will be going with them to help how I can. It’s the right thing to do. Wasting my time trying to be your pawn isn’t going to change things.” He gestured to Layrion. “She is moving in the right direction, even if she’s doing it in the most obnoxious way possible. I will not be left behind.”
Marith gritted his teeth. It was very apparent where Rune’s temper came from. “You will stop this insolation immediately and embarrass me no further if you want to stay in this clan. Do you understand? If you leave, and continue to associate with wayward beasts like these, you will lose favor with the Originator and this clan. We will leave you. You will be no son of mine.”
Ammy and Yggdrasil sucked in a breath. Rune always had pride in his family name, and where he stood in the world of Icchorians. He wasn’t as loyal to Layrion and her cause as they were, he had no reason to defy his father. A father he still had where they had none. Ammy tried to catch Rune’s gaze, to tell him it would be ok to leave now, he would still be their friend. But Rune had eyes only for his father, gold meeting heated gold. The silence was deafening, as all awaited Rune’s response to his father’s ultimatum.
“Then I am proud to claim myself an orphan. These three are, and seem to be turning into better Icchorians than you could even hope to be.” He growled lowly, all trace of the spirited Rune of before gone. “The only difference will be that instead of forcefully being separated from my parents and family, I leave you willingly.” He spun on his heel facing Layrion, bowing low to one knee and placing his hand over his chest, as Layrion had done many nights ago to Alina. “I, Rune of No Clan and no home, wish to join the clan of Lady Layrion Elecores of the Guardians of the Northern Wall. Will you have me?” His tone was sharp, his raised gaze cutting into her like glass, daring her to refuse him. She could barely hold back her smile. Defiance even in fealty. Just like him.
“I accept you as one of our Clansmen, Lord Rune. Please rise as our equal in this.”
Yggdrasil’s mouth hung open in shock, Ammy clearly sharing in his feeling as both her hands were clasped tightly in front of her showing her distress. Their reaction was nothing compared to the look of mixed horror and anger on the face of Marith’s face. The wood of the cane cracked in his anger, the ground trembling slightly.
“You insolent spoiled brat! May you rot in your forgotten state. No fool will be missed in my house!” He spun about, coat flaring out as he left the stricken room. Never in the history of the Icchorian race had a father left their son, or son willingly abandon the namesake of his family without the separation of death. They stared at the collection of four friends- now clansmen as Rune seethed in his position still kneeling before Layrion.
Turning her cold gaze on the crowd, Layrion raised a brow. “Do you not all have a dinner to attend? Leave us.”
The Elders looked properly abashed, excusing themselves to give them privacy. Ammy dropped down beside Rune, wrapping her arms about him and Yggdrasil continued to stare, not sure what he had witnessed was true. Silence stretched between the four until Layrion finally spoke.
She looked to Yggdrasil, murmuring slightly. “Am I obnoxious…?”
All three jerked their heads up to look at her in surprise. “All that and you latch onto you being obnoxious?” Yggdrasil laughed, turning away from them. “You are impossible!”
Ammy shook her head, chuckling even as her gaze returned to Rune. “Yes sometimes you can get in your own head and be very…….” She paused, trying to find the right word.
“Pretentious.” Rune growled, standing slowly, nodding to Ammy in thanks.
Layrion blinked, seeming to think it over. “I’d like to think I’m more of a firm leader.”
Yggdrasil laughed even harder. “Please...please just stop talking Layrion. Your words do not match what you are trying to say.”
With the rest of the night ahead of them, the four friends stepped out into the Grand Hall, united under one name. Clan Elecores was reborn.
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