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Location: City Streets Alchemic Chambers.| Collaboration with
@The Muse
Through the frigid, icy streets of Dawnhaven, the lanterns flickered softly, casting a warm glow that danced upon the crystalline pathways beneath the star-studded sky. Nathaniel walked a couple of steps alongside Eris, deliberately keeping a cautious distance to avoid slipping on the treacherous ice that blanketed the ground.
As they strolled, the mention of Ayel drew a deep sigh from Nathaniel, his head tilting back slightly as he absorbed the chilly air. A faint smile crept onto his face, momentarily brightening the sombre atmosphere. With a chuckle, reminiscent of the fond yet exasperating memories shared with the pompous nobleman, he remarked,
”He can be a bit of a handful. There have been instances where he just couldn't help running his noble mouth a little too much.”He paused, the silence punctuated by the gentle crunch of snow underfoot, preparing to delve into a specific tale.
"Once, he berated a few servants over something utterly trivial," Nathaniel recounted, letting the moment linger as the chill of the night settled around them.
”My older sister—Isabelle—who possesses quite the temper, took matters into her own hands and, without a moment’s hesitation, punched him straight in the face.”A small laugh escaped him, the sound bright and warm against the backdrop of the cold night.
"We ended up fined quite a bit because of Isabelle's little outburst.”A giggle escaped Eris’ lips at the memory he shared, her breath visible in the crisp air. She could only imagine the shock and rage that must’ve gone through Ayel in that moment. How dare anyone touch his
perfect face?! Honestly, her imagined version of an angry Ayel was a little scary.
She tilted her head thoughtfully, still smiling.
“I can’t even imagine how upset Ayel’s family must have been.” she giggled again, imagining how red faced with anger their mother must have been. The Raunefeldt family had always taken their appearance rather seriously.
“I admire your sister for standing up to him, though.” she glanced up at him, her amusement faltering, replaced by a faint feeling of sympathy. She hadn't known Isabelle personally, but she knew her name and the tragic weight it carried. She had heard through the grapevine that Nathaniel’s elder sister had been sent to the Aurelian border in the name of research, only to vanish without a trace. Rumors spread that she had been taken by the blight—just one of the many.
“She sounds remarkable.” She added, careful not to say that she
sounded remarkable. She was not one to assume anyone was dead these days—not without concrete proof. She held onto hope.
But what was worse—dead, or risen by the blight only to become a feral monster? If Nathaniel’s sister had been taken by the blight, then hopefully she would be like the many who had come to Dawnhaven, having found their humanity again. Perhaps, one day, she would return.
As they made their way through the vast, snowy tundra, new flakes cascaded silently from the endless night sky, settling gently onto the ground. The delicate powder was crunched beneath their boots, creating a soft rhythm that accompanied their movements. The tranquillity of their journey was briefly disrupted when Eris posed another question, her voice breaking through the stillness.
A wave of tension rippled through Nathaniel; he felt a flush of embarrassment rise within him, slightly overwhelmed by the need for honesty.
"True, I could have kept dancing with her,” He began, his voice low and contemplative.
”But it just wasn't as enjoyable with that dance partner I had previously.” He spoke softly, the hint of emotion in his tone blending seamlessly with the crisp air that whipped around them. It was difficult to tell if the warmth on his cheeks was from the admission or the biting cold, but he pressed on, compelled to share.
A faint, shy smile tugged at her lips as she pulled her gaze away, pretending to focus on the snow-laden path ahead. Though she’d never admit it out loud, she was pleased with his answer. A soft buzz of warmth stirred in her chest, an almost giddy feeling that made her feel simultaneously foolish and exhilarated. Heat rose to her cheeks. Was he flirting? Or was she completely misreading the situation?
Goddess above, she was terrible at this sort of thing.
She stole a quick glance at Nathaniel from the corner of her eye, trying to gauge his expression, but the soft glow of the torch lights made it hard to read his features.
“Oh?” she fought back her own smile from rising further.
“She seemed a little rusty on her feet, to me.” she quipped, a playful look in her eyes.
Too shy to even make an attempt at flirting back, Eris quickly busied herself by brushing away some stray snowflakes that had settled on the ends of her brunette hair.
Turning to meet her gaze, he found himself entranced by her striking blue eyes, which glinted like icy pools under the night sky.
"Can I ask you this? Why did you leave? You seemed a bit upset about something,” He gently inquired, his curiosity laced with concern.
Eris met Nathaniel’s gaze, his question making a slight frown form on her lips despite trying to seem nonchalant.
“I just… I felt like I should probably get back to work.” she said quietly, shrugging.
“There’s a lot of people depending on me, you know?” She hesitated, her eyes flicking downward as she got lost in thought, deliberately leaving out the part about how she had felt out of place. The unease of watching Nathaniel move so gracefully with Daphne, the way the woman’s effortless and confident charm had made Eris feel small and inadequate. Quickly, she brushed the thought aside.
As they reached the alchemy chambers, Eris unlocked the door with a soft click, her fingers frozen against the icy metal doorknob. Stepping inside, she held the door open for him. Once Nathaniel stepped in, she gently closed it behind them, engulfing them in momentary darkness.
Nearby, Eris picked up a candle from an end table near the doorway. With a subtle flick of her finger, a tiny flame sprang to life, casting a warm glow across her face. She moved quietly through the room, using the single candle to light others scattered around, the dim glow gradually illuminating the space. Shadows danced along the walls as the room came alive with a warm, golden hue.
To the right of the entrance, bookcases lined with well-worn tomes surrounded a seating area, where a fireplace sat dormant, its embers long dead in the ash. The faint scent of aged parchment and dried herbs lingered in the air. To their left, a spiral staircase wound upward to the higher levels—to the spaces that she had grown to call home over the last two months.
Nathaniel surveyed the myriad of displays that enveloped him, his eyes finally settling on the towering bookcase that loomed invitingly beside him. The very thought of perusing its eclectic collection of books sent a delightful shiver skimming down his spine, a sensation that mingled with the remnants of the frigid air that was beginning to dissipate. An astonished whistle slipped through Nathaniel's lips, a spontaneous expression of admiration as he took in the sheer allure of the titles that beckoned for his attention.
“Well, this is it.” she said, glancing around the first floor. Behind her, hallways branching off into the dark hinted at more rooms beyond. The fact that there were no candles already lit let her know that none of the other sages were here. They were likely out enjoying themselves at the feast, which made her happy. They deserved a break.
“The labs and workstations are back here.” she explained, gesturing for him to follow her. With her candle in hand, she walked down the hall, the flickering light leading the way. The sound of her footsteps echoed faintly against the wooden floorboards, emphasising the stillness of the building. As they moved down the hall, she paused intermittently to light wall sconces.
Nathaniel trailed closely behind Eris as she navigated the winding corridor of the Alchemy chambers, each thud of his boots creating a rhythmic echo that resonated against the stone walls. He couldn't help but ponder the other sages who inhabited this place, each one likely harnessing a unique form of magic that tantalised his curiosity. As he walked, his eyes drifted to Eris’s cascading brunette hair, the strands shimmering softly in the flickering candlelight. They danced lightly with each step she took, leading his gaze down her back, where the gentle curve of her form caught his attention. Her hips swayed slightly, a hypnotic motion that left him momentarily distracted. Nathaniel shook his head,
"Stop staring at her rear." A mixture of determination and embarrassment urging him to refocus on their surroundings. Yet, amid the intrigue of the Alchemy chambers, he couldn't entirely dismiss the allure of the moment, as he marvelled at the enchanting figure before him.
Eris stopped at one of the first doors in the dimly lit hallway, her free hand reaching out to grasp the handle. She opened it with a quiet creak, stepping aside and lifting her candle toward the inside, allowing its light to spill into the room. The space was a private office, its walls lined with shelves crammed full of books and various artwork. A large wooden desk dominated the center, two chairs facing it, with papers spread haphazardly across its surface alongside neatly arranged quill pens.
“This is where the Prince and his advisor usually meet with the blight-born for interviews before admitting them to Dawnhaven.” She glanced back at Nathaniel, her expression thoughtful.
“We keep track of them—ask about their experiences, their abilities, what mutations they inherited from the blight… what they need.”Her eyes lingered on the desk for a moment, imagining the conversations that had taken place there. The ones she had avoided out of fear, despite the Prince having invited her to each meeting. She gave Nathaniel a moment to take in the room before stepping back and closing the door again.
Her footsteps echoed softly as they continued down the hall, passing door after door. Some were left slightly ajar, revealing workstations cluttered with books, charts, and unfinished experiments. One of the larger rooms they passed was open, the air thick with the faint, earthy scent of dried herbs. Inside it was filled with shelves overflowing with herbal medicines, potions, and small labeled jars.
At the end of the hall, Eris stopped again, pushing open the door to reveal a sprawling workspace. She stepped into a large room filled with alchemical supplies—rows of bottles, racks of potions, and tables piled with notes, vibrant samples, and apparatuses.
Nathaniel slowly scanned the workstations surrounding him, taking in the varied states of organisation. Some desks gleamed with precision; every item was neatly arranged as if the occupants took great pride in their meticulousness. In contrast, other workstations were a chaotic jumble, strewn with crumpled papers, scattered notes, and half-finished parchments. At first glance, the hastily scribbled notes resembled nonsensical doodles, but Nathaniel found himself thinking that they likely conveyed some vital insights to the individuals responsible for them.
As his gaze wandered, something peculiar caught his attention, compelling him to dart over to one of the more disorderly work areas. Upon closer inspection, he noticed a delicate white quill perched precariously next to an open inkpot. The inkpot, with its dark, glistening liquid, posed a significant risk of waste if left uncovered. He felt a pang of urgency, understanding that a careless moment could result in a regrettable mess.
Carefully, he reached for the worn quill, noting how its once vibrant feathers had faded and frayed from the countless hours of writing it had endured. It felt surprisingly comfortable in his hand, a testament to its frequent use. Without hesitation, he dipped the fine tip into the ink, ensuring that the pot was properly sealed to prevent any potential spills. Satisfied that he had mitigated the risk of waste, Nathaniel turned on his heel, making his way back to Eris.
Moving further inside, she lit a few more candles along the way, casting a warm glow across the cluttered space.
“This is usually where I am.” she said, glancing around, slightly embarrassed that she had not cleaned up her workstation very well before leaving this morning.
Her gaze moved on to a far table, where a soft, eerie purple glow emanated from a single vial. It lay beside a sealed glass bottle containing a sample of a withered crop, its edges faintly luminescent with blight. The vial seemed to strain against its confinement, pulling faintly toward the crop as though compelled by an invisible force.
Nathaniel stood in awe as he took in the sight of Eris’s workspace, a small enclave brimming with her scholarly pursuits. As the lead sage of their group, he had expected a more organized haven for her to conjure her brilliant ideas. Instead, he was greeted by an almost chaotic landscape of papers and paraphernalia. Crumpled notes, many scrawled with her hurried thoughts, lay strewn across the oak desks, a testament to her relentless creativity and tireless dedication.
As Eris glided toward her desk, her presence seemed to command the space despite the clutter. Nathaniel couldn’t resist allowing his gaze to wander back to her, captivated not only by her brilliance but also by a certain charm that radiated from her, even amongst the chaos of palm-sized scrolls and hastily abandoned experiments.
"Stop it." Eris approached the table and picked up the glowing vial. The vial trembled faintly in her fingers, pulling against her grip as if it were alive, desperate to return to the corrupted crop nearby. She turned back to Nathaniel and held it out toward him.
“This is the blood that led to the discovery.” The faint purple hue from the vial illuminated her face as she explained, the light shifting subtly with the vial's movements, reflecting in her eyes and making them appear almost violet.
Nathaniel's attention was entirely ensnared by the small, delicate vial of mesmerising purple fluid that Eris had carefully presented to him. The light in the room danced upon the surface of the liquid, causing it to shimmer with an otherworldly glow.
”Fascinating...” He murmured, his voice trailing off as he became lost in the depths of the vial, which held the elusive and rare blood of a Blightborn—a commodity he had long sought after. Throughout his endeavours, he had learned that most Blightborns were not welcoming; their instinctual hostility often made the extraction of their blood a perilous undertaking. However, Nathaniel had succeeded where others had failed in his encounters, his determination and cunning always serving him well.
Stepping closer to Eris, he maintained his intense focus on the vial, his heart racing with possibilities.
”You mentioned that the magic that triggered a reaction was Light, correct?” he asked, his voice steady yet filled with curiosity as he leaned in closer, eager to absorb every detail.
His mind whirled with a torrent of theories as he continued to scrutinize the vibrant liquid inside the vial.
”I've always theorised that the blood of a Blight-born would always be different.” he mused, cupping his chin thoughtfully while lost in contemplation. His gaze flickered between the vial and Eris, a spark of understanding igniting within him.
”Since each Blight-born never has the same abilities, their blood would too.” he exclaimed, the revelation unfurling with clarity like the petals of a flower in bloom.
Eris nodded in agreement, her eyes flickering briefly to the glowing vial in her hand.
“You’re right,” she said softly.
“This blood isn’t like any other I’ve come across. It’s thicker than usual. And the color…” She trailed off, lifting the vial slightly, watching the light play off the swirling purple liquid.
With care, she stepped toward the shelf where the blighted crop was contained. Placing the vial down just a few inches away, she watched as it rolled slightly with a soft
clink, pressing itself firmly against the other bottle.
With excitement bubbling within him, he began to scan the room for a suitable work surface.
”Is there a desk I could use here?” he inquired.
"I want to stay here with you, to brainstorm ideas that could help us and explore other types of magic that you might not have considered. This could lead us to significant discoveries!” He simply said to her.
Turning back to Nathaniel, she caught his gaze and felt a sudden wave of self-consciousness. He wanted to work here—
in her space? Her stomach fluttered with an odd mix of embarrassment and uncertainty. Normally, the other sages were scattered up the hall, each absorbed in their individual tasks. She worked alone more often than not, preferring the solitude to dive deep into her thoughts without distraction.
“Oh, uhm...” she stammered, her gaze darting around the room.
“I can definitely set you up with your own workstation tomorrow, but for now...” She moved toward one of the desks on the opposite side of the room from her main workstation, the surface cluttered with stacks of scribbled notes and sketches.
Eris carefully gathered the papers into a neat pile and moved them to a nearby counter where an assortment of empty vials glinted faintly in the candlelight.
“There,” she said, brushing her hands together as if to mark the task complete.
“You can work here.” she offered, her tone polite.
Having someone else here felt... strange. Not entirely unwelcome, but foreign and unexpectedly intimate. Her workspace had always been a haven of quiet focus, and the idea of sharing it—especially with someone she just met—was a little unsettling. She had never adjusted to change very easily.
Yet, if she allowed herself to admit it, there was something comforting about not being alone in the dimly lit room. Perhaps it would be nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of, to help pull her from the cyclical spiral of her own thoughts. Still, she felt a subtle pressure to entertain, to talk, to distract.
“You know, I did want to start preparing for the journey to the blight lands. I need to make a list of all the supplies we should take.” She began to drag an extra chair towards the table so they could both sit at the freshly cleared desk. She paused just before sitting down, feeling a subtle need to cater to her guest—something that had been ingrained in her from childhood.
“Would you like some tea first?” she asked, her eyes meeting his, a soft smile on her lips.
Nathaniel meticulously adjusted the two wooden chairs, angling them just to create a cosy nook that allowed both the use of the vacant desk and an inviting atmosphere for conversation. Once satisfied with their placement, he felt a wave of comfort wash over him. He methodically removed his coat, a dark wool garment that had provided warmth against the chill outside, and draped it over the back of one chair, letting the thrush against the polished wooden floorboards below.
His gaze turned to meet hers, and an inexplicable warmth spread through him as he noticed her soft smile illuminated by the gentle light streaming from the dimly lit candles. When she inquired if he would like some tea, he returned her smile with genuine appreciation.
“Yes, I would love some, thank you,” he replied, his voice imbued with kindness.
After a few moments of comfortable silence, he remembered the small treat he had brought along.
”I have some Aurelian shortbread in my satchel; we can enjoy it with the tea,” he added, eyeing her with a hint of enthusiasm.
“Oh, yum! I haven’t had that in so long,” she admitted, her smile growing.
“I’d love that.”His satchel, a well-worn leather bag that bore the marks of travels and treasures, hung comfortably over one shoulder. With a deliberate motion, he slid it off and placed it on the chair that cradled his coat. As he rummaged through its contents, the familiar feel of paper and fabric brought a smile to his face. He uncovered several neatly written notes, along with delicate sketches of people and landmarks that spoke of his adventures.
After a moment of sorting through, he uncovered a small, cloth-wrapped object nestled at the bottom of the bag. Carefully, he set it on the desk and began to unwrap it, revealing several golden pieces of shortbread, each perfectly baked to a crisp, inviting texture. He looked back at Eris and, with a sense of camaraderie, moved a fraction closer to her side. Channelling his innate manners as a noble gentleman, he offered,
”I’ll gladly lend a hand in making the tea, then we can discuss more about this expedition and what we'll need.” His voice carrying a warm invitation to share the moment.
She hesitated, her thoughts tangling. Now he wanted to help with the tea too? Tea wasn’t hard to prepare… and the idea of bringing him into her private quarters upstairs felt far more intimate than having him in her workspace. Then again, did she really want to leave him alone here? Did she trust him enough, this handsome stranger who she had only really ever heard rumors about? He could dance well, and that’s about the only thing she was certain of with him. The whole situation felt overwhelming, a stark departure from her usual solitude.
Eris hesitated, fumbling over her words.
“Oh, uhm... I—” she paused for a second, allowing herself a breath to collect her thoughts.
“That’d be great.” she managed to get out, glancing up at him with a sheepish smile.
“The kitchen is upstairs, just follow me.” she said, gesturing toward the door. Before leaving, she picked up a nearby candle, then led the way down the hall, tracing the steps they had just taken to get there.
She led him back to the spiral staircase, the soft glow of the flames casting a warm glow upon the stone walls as they ascended. She paused briefly at the landing to light a few more candles, illuminating the corridor that led to each room of her living space. Once in the kitchen—filled with shelves of jars and herbs all neatly arranged—she began to rummage through her small pantry.
Retrieving a tin of black tea leaves, she set it on the counter before reaching for two cups and a teapot from the cupboard. With a wave of her hand, she drew moisture from the air, conjuring water to fill the teapot. A soft glow flickered around her hands as she channeled another thread of her magic, steadily warming the water within. When the water reached the perfect temperature, she poured the tea into each cup, steam curling upwards.
Turning, she handed Nathaniel a cup. Leaning back against the counter, she cradled her own cup in both hands, letting its heat seep into her skin. For a moment, her thoughts wandered as she soaked in the normalcy of sharing tea with someone. It had been so long. It almost felt wrong.
Nathaniel gently reached out and took the delicate cup from Eris, their fingers briefly brushing against each other—a fleeting connection. Once she relinquished her grip, he cradled the cup with both hands, savouring the comforting heat radiating from it, a stark contrast to the coolness of the room.
”Thank you,” he said softly, a genuine smile spreading across his face, lighting up his features.
“This is nice.” she mused, glancing up from her cup to meet his gaze.
“Better than that ale.” she joked, a playful smile reaching her lips this time.
He lifted the cup to his lips and took a slow, sip, the tea enveloping his senses with a rich, fragrant warmth that seemed to seep into his very core. The exquisite balance of sweetness. When Eris made her little comment about it being better than the ale they had earlier, he nodded.
” Indeed. I haven't had a good cup of tea in weeks,” he remarked with a hint of nostalgia, savouring another warm sip.
”It's a shame there's no music playing; otherwise, I'd ask you to dance once more. But we can save that for another time,” he mused, his voice tinged with a playful tone. Eris smiled at his playful remark, a faint blush rising onto her cheeks.
As his gaze locked onto hers, a curious warmth blossomed within him, quickening his heart rate to an unfamiliar rhythm. He pondered whether it was merely the heat of the tea or something more profound—a connection that lingered in the air between them.
His mind began to drift back to his days among the sages back home, reflecting on their oft-critical opinions of Eris. They had branded her a loner, someone who kept to herself and had little regard for others in her circle. How wrong they were, he mused, returning his focus to her radiant smile. In truth, she was not only beautiful but also exuded a kindness that felt rare in their world. If she were as sequestered as they claimed, she wouldn’t have so graciously offered him a desk beside hers, nor would he be here, within her private quarters, sharing a quiet moment over tea.
Bringing his thoughts back into the present, he found himself intrigued about her life before this moment.
"Do you spend time socialising with the other sages who reside here?” He asked, his voice steady yet imbued with genuine curiosity. The question hung in the air, inviting her to share more about herself.
Her expression shifted slightly, her gaze dipping to the swirling steam above her tea. Of course she socialized with her colleagues. She spoke to them every day as they shuffled in and out of the Alchemy Chambers, she greeted them every morning, theorized with them, answered their every question.
And yet, she couldn't deny that she kept them at arm's length. The sages were coworkers, and nothing more—not friends. Despite the journey they had endured to get here, and the last two months of working so closely together—never friends. She didn’t allow it. Work and personal life were to be separate, and she needed to stay focused.
With a small shrug, she replied,
“Sometimes,” she said, her voice quieter.
“We meet every day to discuss our work, to share progress and ideas, but… that’s about it.” Her fingers traced the edge of her cup as an uncomfortable silence stretched between them for a moment.
“Well, I guess we better get to it.” She said, breaking the silence and shifting the focus of the conversation back to her comfort zone—distraction by way of work. Balancing her tea in one hand, she picked up a candle with the other and began heading toward the spiral staircase. As she descended, Nathaniel followed quietly behind.
Trailing closely behind Eris, Nathaniel cradled his steaming cup of tea, its warmth barely calming the fluttering nerves in his stomach. The dimly lit hallway stretched out before them, the flickering light of the candle she held casting dancing shadows on the walls, barely illuminating the way ahead. As he watched the soft glow highlight her features—her determined expression and focused gaze—he felt a sudden surge of courage rising within him.
He opened his mouth to speak, words tumbling forth in a rush before he could fully grasp them.
”Eris,” he began, his voice barely above a whisper, laced with earnest sincerity,
”I wouldn’t just love to spend more time with you in a professional capacity…” He hesitated for a moment, the weight of his vulnerability settling on him like a heavy cloak.
”I—I would love to spend time with you in general."As the words spilt out, he felt them hang in the air, full of unspoken meaning. His heartbeat pounded in his ears, each thud matching the echo of their footsteps on the wooden floor. If it weren’t for the sound of their movement breaking the silence of the corridor, he wondered if she might have heard the frantic rhythm of his heart betraying his poise.
The thought of sharing moments beyond the confines of work stirred an unexpected fluster in him. Why was it so easy to feel unsettled, to succumb to this peculiar blend of excitement and anxiety over what seemed like a simple question? Was there more to it?
Eris glanced back at Nathaniel, her expression softening with a faint smile. He caught her off guard, and for a moment, she felt a strange flutter of excitement in her chest. And she couldn’t help but question it.
Why was he so drawn to her already? And, even more unsettling, why did she feel a faint thrill at the thought of spending more time with him? Her mother’s meddling must have had something to do with this. Surely, she’d filled Nathaniel’s head with exaggerated tales of Eris’ supposed brilliance, charm or notoriety. All lies in order to get him interested, hoping that her daughter would want to settle down and return to Aurelia. Had that been his only reason for coming here?
“Careful what you wish for, Nathaniel.” she teased, her tone light and playful. The words were a deflection, a barrier to her rising suspicion, and a way for her not to fully address what he had said. Whatever had just passed between them, she wasn’t ready to linger on it—at least, not yet.
Without waiting for a response, she turned her gaze forward as she continued down the hallway. Once they reached her workspace, Eris retrieved a notebook from a nearby shelf and carried it to their shared deskspace. Setting it down, she slid into one of the chairs, her expression thoughtful as she opened it.
“We’ll need healing herbs, certainly,” she mused aloud, reaching for a pen and beginning to jot down a list.
“Probably….” she murmured as she tapped the pen on her lower lip, staring at the parchment in thought.
“Probably most of my supply, just in case.” she lifted her gaze to Nathaniel, a flicker of concern in her eyes.
“Hopefully, we won’t need it all… but you never know what we might find out there.”Sitting down beside Eris, Nathaniel shifted in his chair to face her, his posture conveying both interest and engagement. As she animatedly shared her extensive knowledge about various healing herbs—her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm—he listened intently, his pen gliding across the notepad he had balanced on his knee. He nodded frequently, jotting down key points, his mind buzzing with the possibilities of her insights.
With one hand free, he reached out to the shortbread that sat on the desk he had placed before, choosing two pieces. He handed one to Eris, their fingers briefly brushing together, and savoured the buttery sweetness of the other as he took a modest bite.
”I have a small amount of healing herbs that I brought with me; I can part with them," he said after swallowing, his voice laced with sincerity and a hint of determination. He followed the decadent morsel with a warm sip of his fragrant tea, feeling revitalized.
As he contemplated their upcoming expedition, an important detail struck him that needed addressing.
”Well...” he began, his tone shifting to a more serious note,
"We'll need to accommodate the people who will be coming along with us.” His pen met the page once more with a gentle scribble as he recorded his thoughts.
”For instance, we’ll require tents to provide shelter for everyone. If we can do that, some people might have to share it with others. Not to mention we’ll need individuals to help protect those who can’t fight” Setting her tea aside, she bit into the shortbread, her eyes fixed on Nathaniel as she listened to his thoughts, her head tilting slightly in consideration.
“I’m certain the Prince will take care of the logistical details—tents, protection, and all of that. I trust his judgment.” She paused, glancing at her notebook again.
“We can focus on what the Sages can offer—herbs, potions, magic…”His gaze locked onto hers, steady and earnest.
”I’m committed to this, ready to discuss this the rest of the day if needed.” A light chuckle bubbled up from his chest, breaking the intensity of the moment.
”We'll likely need more tea if that does happen,” he added playfully. The thought danced in his mind that perhaps they should shift their discussion to her living area, where they could comfortably settle in without the constant trips back and forth for refills, allowing their thoughts to flow freely without interruption.
She smiled, nodding in agreement.
“You’re not wrong.” she said, a hint of amusement in her voice.
“I should have brewed my entire tea supply.” Glancing back at her notes, Eris took another bite of the bread, her mind quickly refocusing and running through scenarios of everything they could possibly bring to help with the expedition. As she scribbled another note down, she stole a glance at Nathaniel. His brow furrowed in concentration as he, too, wrote down a note.
It was… nice, she realized, to have someone who genuinely seemed to want to help her. Even if his original motivation might have stemmed from her mother’s intervention, it didn’t change the fact that he was here now, fully invested. Many of the other Sage’s simply waited on her to come up with an answer rather than help her.
She shifted her gaze back to the notepad, a faint smile tugging at her lips. Whatever the reason for his arrival, she found herself grateful he was here now.
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