Heritage
Levi looked at everyone gathered together in the sitting room. Eris, his lovely submissive, was sitting in her favorite armchair with her fins crossed politely, attentively waiting for what he had to say. Nina was beside her alone on the small couch, a spot left open beside her if he so chose to sit down.
Tom, Harry, and Caspian were on the larger couch, with Caspian ostensibly sitting in the middle, though it was comically different than expected with Tom on one side with the two teens bunched up on the other side with a lot of space open between.
Levi couldn't say he was happy about Harry's influence on his grandson. Sure, he was certainly glad Caspian had made a friend, as being homeschooled by his family circle, Caspian had never had the chance to make one before. But Caspian was always such an obedient child around Levi and now he was being so rebellious about the silliest of things when it came to his mentored student.
For some reason Caspian had fully come to agree with Harry with Harry's hate for Tom and was making life difficult for the man. At least considering how Caspian was trained he was being very mild in his open dislike of Tom. He could be so much worse if he wanted.
Harry on the other hand was being petty and avoiding the man and even Levi at every turn.
Levi got a headache dealing with his student and his student's son's drama. They made it worse by dragging Levi's own family into it with Caspian, and even Caspian was trying to get Eris and Nina on his side. Levi knew Nina wouldn't bother with this drama, but Eris? Oh, his lovely Eris would definitely get in on this at some point and turn Levi's headache into a full on migraine.
Today Levi had had enough and had ordered Nina to round up the rebellious teens, his submissive, and his student into the sitting room for a talk. He knew Caspian could never say no to Nina and Tom was being cooperative with everything so far.
As much as he'd like this intervention to be about the end of whatever little drama was taking place in his house, Levi knew he had to prioritize. And as such he should begin before he lost the teens' attention.
“Today is the day that is scheduled for the ritual with the Royal court mage. With this ritual we will know from which merrow family Tom is from and be able to act accordingly. Tomorrow we venture to land and head for the main Nevarean Library for the family scroll of the Rydel's. Any mischief will not be tolerated on these excursions.”
The last words were said with a particular look from the teens, to his student, and finally to his submissive. At least he didn't have to worry about anything from Nina. He already despaired seeing the two teens having an entire conversation silently with their eyes at his words.
“Now, we will begin leaving for the palace and I expect you to all be on your best behavior. We don't want to offend any of the Court.”
Everyone silently agreed and he went on to open the portal.
“Hyenda Portalis, Merrow Palace, entrance hall,” he chanted, his magic swirling into a portal gate for them.
The palace was as beautiful as ever, made of shining sea glass with coral decor. Levi saw Harry's wide eyed amazement and couldn't help but smile. The boy may be making a bit of chaos in his house but he seemed to be a good kid.
A guard came up to the group of them and greeted them formally.
“Levi Ulyian and party to meet with Mage Verian?”
Levi nodded seriously. “That is us.”
“Come this way, then.”
The group of six followed the guard down the long and twisting hallways of the palace finally stopping at an archway into a large ritual room already set up.
Levi told his Earthborn companions, “This room was set up years ago when the first of the Lost Children was found. It's a room set up specifically for the ritual that was created to test known merrow family magics with a being to see if they are descended from them.”
A merrow stepped from the shadows of the room. He was tall with long frilly fins and teal skin, with a darker teal for his long hair.
“Verian,” Levi greets his old friend happily.
Verian raises an eyebrow imperiously as he drawls, “Levi.”
Levi just sighs. All of his friends always expect the worst from him, he swears.
“And your student?” Verian asks, looking upon Tom and Harry.
“Tom,” Levi said, gesturing to the merrow in question. “He's the one here for the ritual.”
Verian nods politely to Tom.
“Only some members of the court need to appear to keep witness to the ritual before we begin.”
Levi nodded solemnly. The reason he had asked everyone to behave was because when conducting this ritual, it was custom for at least one royal to be present along with the court advisor.
Within a couple of tense minutes, Kieran and three others entered the room. Just his luck, Levi thought.
It was King Alcandor, his queen Killigan, and the Crimson Tide himself, Krymsen.
Levi supposed it wasn't such a surprise. There hadn't been any Lost Children found since Alcandor took the throne. This would be the first time he was attending the ritual as king.
But that didn't make it any less nerve wracking for Levi. He had to keep his entire family and his student and his student's son on their absolute best behavior now if they didn't want to offend anyone.
“Begin the ritual,” Alcandor ordered and Verian was quick to comply.
Tom was directed towards the center of the circle and Verian began chanting as the sigils and runes around the room began to light up in brilliant blue light.
Tom himself began to glow with his own magic before one sigil in particular began to glow especially bright as the rest dimmed.
Levi knew the family crest the sigil was and was surprised. This was a family that predated the Lost Children in its extinction.
“It has been done. This one is a member of the Ceirean family,” Verian said imperiously, sounding just a touch as surprised as Levi.
There were looks thrown around the room.
This was hardly the expected result of the ritual.