The fighting outside wasn’t as heated as before. What with the urge to be first to present an Offer to him gone. The Houses stopped throwing armies at each other. Well, save for House Vorse whose Offer he held in his Hand. They doubled their efforts sending another Host of men, this time filled mostly of Chanters. From the visions he saw the other Houses were reluctant to confront the force. Leading it to reach Dailin estate with relative ease, they then camped around the parameter of his home. As of yet no other House has attempted attacking the force blocking the path to Dailin estate, he couldn’t blame them. The realm outside was a wasteland, most of the buildings around his home reduced to rubble, or were near collapse. Dailin wasn’t sure where the people who used to live in the area went, but he hoped that some got away rather than dying in the crossfires of a fight. Dailin felt heavy chested, his heart throbbing at the scene outside. It was his fault, even if it was unintentional, even though he hadn’t raised a hand to cause the destruction. He was to blame, he brought ruin solely by being here.

‘Worth? Who would have thought it was a curse.’ That the people around him would be blinded by it so completely that they would commit such acts on one another. He looked down, observed the small Shard in his hand. ‘All of this just for an Offer,’ he thought. It was full of every wonder House Vorse could grant him. The Matriarchs of the clan present such deal while in the nude, showing and offering themselves to him. All of them were attractive, beyond all the other women he’s seen in this realm. Their veins glowing bright with Mana, yet none of them had the union form shape that he and his children possessed. The Matriarchs framework was random, the working of Mana doing its best to mold the host with unclear thoughts. While Dailins was shaped with skilled hands. All because he gave the Mana a clear understanding of what he wanted.

It showed Dailin that even those at the top, or at least near it, didn’t know his secret. Didn’t know how easy it would be for all of them to be like him. That brought some peace, after the destruction these people were willing to let loose just to be the first at something. Dailin didn’t really want them to grow in power, not if this was the outcome it would bring. A wasteland, with people killed without a second thought. ‘Gods these people are as bad as the Nightmares that hunt us.’

“Papa,” said Tealhun, her voice interrupting his thoughts of gloom. “How’s the offer? Is it to your Worth?”

Dailin forced a smile, made his words warm when in truth he felt cold inside. “Perhaps, my Worth is always changing, but they did offer a great many things.” He held out the Shard towards her “Why don’t you take a look daughter, you're my Adviser after all.”

“Of course Papa.” She said with a radiant smile, always happy to hear her title said. She plucked the Shard from his hand and sat next to him. She was always next to him, always watching, and only left when he made her. ‘You’re just like your Mothers, Unthee most of all.’ He thought and part of him wanted to say out loud, just to see the look that would occur. He wondered how long it would be till a coup would appear to remove her. To claim she wasn’t Worth and a disgrace to their House, as she had done to her Mothers. It would be a fitting lesson, though this time he would be more on Guard. He wouldn’t let Tealhun die, for all her faults she was still his daughter, and sadly she believed what she was doing was in his best interest.

He waited for her to view the Offer, closing his eyes and embracing the silence. He’d nearly run out of his estate when a barrage of Chants struck and destroyed the buildings around his home. His house shook, and at first, Dailin had thought the building had been hit. His daughters rushed him, barring his path, begging that he stay put and let them check. He did, only because of the pained looks they gave, pleading eyes encompassing him. They were quick, giving him an answer in a minute maybe two. He relaxed after or at least tried to. His heart remained pounding for some time, his limbs aching to move. But he stayed put, let his children trained in these matters do their jobs. He was already causing enough trouble by merely being around them, he didn’t want to make things worse.

But the incident had been the finally stray. Once things were settled, his House back in order. He was going to have his children look for a Trainer that would bestow the knowledge of crafting Wards. Living in a building of magicless stone was suicide. Even now with the battle outside subsiding, he was still afraid that his home was going to vanish before his eyes. His children along with it, as a Chant tore through them. Even if he ended up in a Tower he’d still seek the knowledge. Any plans to live outside, away from this backward society, were to work, he needed to know how to craft Wards.

Yet another item added to a list of things he needed to learn. The ever-present dread surrounding him wasn’t making that easy. It appeared the knowledge of making better deals wasn’t one of the things his instinct considered beneficial to surviving the monsters outside. Dailin believed his feeling, knew it was right, but at the same time, he couldn’t ignore the problem. He’d already lost people he cared for by being clueless of the workings of a House. He wasn’t going to make that mistake again, not when he had children at risk. ‘What could be outside that would make my feeling consider this battle over me not important?’ The Shards clearly showed the swarm growing stronger, the size of them continued to increase. Ancients were a stapled now, from what he’d seen. There was always one around with the regular Nightmares. The things were clever to, compared to their children. Hiding most of the time, only showing themselves to launch an attack.

Dailin was confident he could take down many on his own, now that he had a body impervious to attacks. He no longer had to worry about defense, so when a fight with the beasts occurs he could attack with his full might. If they rushed and got in range of him, it mattered little. As long as he had Mana coursing through his veins he was untouchable. His one weakness, everything fell apart the moment he was spent, all his supposed Worth went away the instant that happened. He would be as vulnerable as any normal man. The thought drove him mad at times.

“Wonderful,” said Tealhun, Dailin glanced towards her. “It’s blessed to see House Vorse offer an amount equal to your Worth. The women displaying themselves were Worthy to lay with you. The humble request that you join their House was expected, of course, all Houses will offer the same.”

Dailin hummed, “The Offer isn’t much different than the one giving to me before, by that Messenger you let sneak into my House.”

“It’s just a start Papa,” Tealhun reminded him. “You can add anything you wish, and have it sent. I assure you they will accept no matter the cost.”

‘Of course, they would” he thought, it was expected. After all the trouble House Vorse went through just to get that Shard to him, they wouldn’t hesitate to give a little more to make the whole expenditure worth the effort.

Dailin felt almost pressured to make a deal, so all those that died out there had been for something. “I’ll be taken all of you with me, that’s obvious, though once more the Offer seemed only aimed at me. You’d think they would have mentioned family.” He thought out loud.

“Its expected we’re to come with you Papa, you have no Maidens, they know this. Where you go, we follow. Well, till we’re a Cycle old. Then if your children wish to gain their Worth elsewhere, they can.” Tealhun said the latter part in a note of knowledge, rather than it being a realist occurrence. His children were, even the shy ones, clingy. During this whole ordeal, his children had been racing around keeping everything in order. Or as close to order as possible, he rarely even left his chamber, and the times he did he had a group of kids following him.

“Should I wait before sending a counter?” he finally asked.

“That would be ideal Papa, let the other Houses have their chance to redeem themselves,” Tealhun said with a knowing smile.

He frowned, “You think the other Houses are going to try something? Even with House Vorse Host sitting around my home making sure no one gets near.”

“It’s likely,” she said while rubbing the Shard in her hand. “They still have time, House Vorse would have sent a call out claiming you made an offer with them. You haven’t yet, so the other Houses know they still have a chance.”

“What do you think they’ll do?” He asked, dreading the answer.

“Well,” she said with a sigh, “in smaller skirmishes over someone Worthy, the weaker Houses would team up and overthrow the largest threat, then after turn on themselves. This would continue till a House had enough strength over the others that they could maintain their victory and get the Worthy in the safety of their estate.

Dailin felt a rush of cold go down his spine. “So if I don’t make an Offer quick the battle will start up again?

Tealhun gave him a look that showed the answer should be apparent. “Well, yes Papa. You’re still unclaimed, even if you took the Offer, House Vorse still needs to get you to their estate. The other Houses will harass them all the way, and send larger groups to try and take you from them.”

None of that sounded safe, for him or his children. But worse was this concept of him excepting being taken to an estate. “Tealhun I have no intention of going anywhere.”

“Oh, I know not now Papa, not till we’ve seen more Offers.” She said, not understanding what he meant.

“Let me rephrase. I am not going to live under the roof of another House, I’m not going to be an addition.” His words had Tealhun look concerned, confused, and then angry.

“Papa,” she said trying to keep an even tone. “You belong and need to be in a Tower, the Houses outside won’t let it be any other way.”

“And I will,” he said, his words soft, warm. “But it will be under my own name, not another House, I will remain a Founder, in charge of my own affairs.”

Tealhun remained silent, worry strung across her face as her eyes leveled down to stare at the Shard in her hand. The silence lingered for a few minutes before his daughter sighed in resignation. “They’re fighting over you Papa, they won’t be pleased to hear that you’re not part of any Offers.”

“That’s their problem, not mine.” Dailin said “I sent a message to all of them, clearly stating I wasn’t interest in becoming one of their members, and they choose to ignore it. But I’m kind” mirth working into his words, “The House whoever gets my offer won’t be unhappy.”

Tealhun gave him an unsure look, out of worry or of things not going as she expected, Dailin didn’t know, nor care all that much. “Don’t worry Daughter, the House I deal with will get my time, for a while. They won’t have me forever, and won’t hold sway over me. But I will take in their daughters for my new Maidens. I will lay with women they wish impregnated. They’ll get children of Worth, just not me.”

Tealhun relaxed, not completely, but she wasn’t a ball of stress anymore, a good sign. His offer had to have some merit since she hadn’t outright rebuke it. “How long will this Offer hold?”

“I don’t know.” Dailin admitted “I was hoping you would help in that regard. How long daughter would be enough for my Offer to be seen as Worthy to the Houses that engaged is this skirmish?” The last word came out harsh, for that was all these people saw it as. A normal outcome, the lives lost meaningless.

She looked away from him, eyes scanning the surface of the table as she thought, a hand playing with her hair. “At least ten Cycles, and more depending on the size of the estate you wish to have within a Tower.”

‘Ten years?’ it was far longer than he expected, then again his daughter was more knowledgeable to the cost this war had accumulated. He had a very haggard guess of the costs, but by the answer given it seemed he was far off the mark. ‘It has to be the buildings.’ He’d been given a Shard, which displayed the end battle of the group that finally reached him. It was quite the show, every building in sight being pulverized into dust. In truth it had his hairs standing on end, watching estate of similar or greater size than his own being blown apart with little effort. It gave him quite the scare.

“I advise offering seventy Cycles to them. That should give us enough room in our estate to expand without worry, for a time.” Tealhun said while her eyes were half glazed as she sifted through the Shard in her grasp. “Also it would be wise to allow one of Matriarchs to join your House, and giving the Title of Prime Maiden.”

“If you think it wise.” Dailin said, ‘I see that causing quite a bit of infighting, Wonder if they’ll try killing each other.’ The thought had him happy, those who were the true perpetrators of his children’s death would finally meet some form of justice. It was fitting that they died, rather the score of innocents this battle had brought about. He looked at his daughter “I have to admit Tealhun I’m rather surprised at the advice of yours. A Prime Maiden won’t be fond of you, whispering in my ear while she’s trying to do the same.”

Tealhun turned her full focus back to him. “At first there will be some friction” she admitted. “But things will settle, once the Maiden knows I’m not leaving. She’ll likely turn towards trying to influence me as well Papa. It’s not all that uncommon based on the visions our Mothers, and our Trainers offered to us. Men of Worth often have women that given them advice but aren’t Maidens nor the highest standing within a House.”

“I see,” Dailin said, wondering how the events would unfold of someone trying to influence his daughter. ‘If it was for my betterment Tealhun would likely play along.’ The girl was obsessed with him, well all his children were. Tealhun was just the most vocal with her devotion. But if the new Maidens acted in the same manner as the previous. He had little doubt it wouldn’t be long before he found himself getting another report that the unworthy had been cleansed. “I trust you’ll do your best for our House, dear daughter. You have my permission to remove those you find trying to harm my children.”

Tealhun smiled, it wasn’t a kind one either. “Thank you, Papa, it will make future matters easier to right. Regardless of which House you choose to bring in, the Founder or Matriarchs of it will do their best to fill yours with their own loyalist.”

‘That a given,’ Dailin thought, he may not have paid attention to ruling before, but it was obvious that his rivals would want eyes watching him at all times. “Not much any of us can do about that, not with how short staffed my House has become after the Faceless butchered more than half of it.” Tealhun was going to speak, protest against his choice of words, she instead inclined her head towards him. “Also daughter I put you in charge of protecting your brothers and sisters. You are to make sure these new Maidens don’t try to do something nefarious with them.”

“Do not worry Papa plans have already been made your Chosen won't fail you. None will be allowed to lead you astray.” Tealhun said, her eyes becoming zealous.

‘Not what I meant, oh well, as long as it means they’ll be safe it’s good enough.’ He was glad Tealhun was here, even if the child had issues, organizing his House seemed easy to her. A proponent from her training, he guessed, or she liked being in charge and telling people what to do. Either way, he was glad for the help, his memories showed he’d never been the best organizer, leaving the matter to others whenever he could.

A quick secession of knocks echoed from the chamber door, gaining both Tealhun and his attention. “Come in,” Tealhun said in a commanding tone, then turned to him, “A report from outside, it seems things are finally moving again.”

Sounness quickly opened and closed the door behind her. She held a Shard in her hand as she made her way over to him. “Movement Papa,” she said, “The other Houses have joined together, a massive Host is heading for our estate.” Her eyes glancing up to his for an instant before dipping down, her body tensed when she caught his look of worry. “There’s nothing to fear Papa, the other Houses will close to engage. None would be foolish enough to fire Chants off towards the rival lined around us.”

Dailin made his face loosen, he believed his daughter thought that true, but Chants had been fired close to his home before. He wasn’t expecting such a thing not to happen again. Not with how much has already been lost to get to him.

His daughter placed the shard by him, but before Dailin went to claim it for himself. He grabbed the few remaining Hearts by his side, wrapped them up in a sack and handed them over. “For my sons.” Was all that needed to said. He didn’t know whether any of his children had used the last batch he gave them, but he wanted them to be as safe as possible.

“Most kind of you Papa,” Sounness said holding the bag of Hearts close to her.

“It should be expected, my blood wellbeing comes first.” He said weaving mana into his words, he wasn’t blind, though his children put up a good act. He could see they were afraid of the events happening around them. Dailin would be to if he didn’t have a body with Rune skin. He pulled his attention away from his daughter, down towards the shard he grabbed and held into his palm. From the corner of his vision he saw his daughters talking to each other in their silent speech. Another thing he should learn if he was allowed to. He’d yet to see any of his sons talk to each other in such a manner.

He closed his eyes and opened them to a realm of ruin. The buildings around his home were gone, allowing him to see the far estates leading to the dome wall that led to the outer sections of the Sanctum. He was also appeared to be hovering in the air adding to the view. ‘This used to be such a nice area.’ Every building had been a sculpted piece of art, the surface covered in designs or pictures of plant life. Many had lifelike carvings of grand Chanters standing in heroic poses. The streets themselves had detailed weavings, now cracked or hidden completely by the rubble of destroyed structures. Some still stood, though filled with large holes, the art on the surfaces damaged or gone interiorly. The Gardens that had encompassed much of the area were gone too, trampled or flattened by the falling of buildings.

‘All this, for me.’ He placed blame for this mostly on his skin, even though his body was practically a walking light show now. He had doubts all of this would have been done merely for his vivid Mana veins. There had to be others as Mana infused as him, likely not as well framed but still potent. He had heavy doubts anyone had skin such as his, for if those in power knew how to mimic his work they would have already done so. Instead, from the Offers he’s seen, which was very few, he’d not glimpsed another like him.

‘Soon there will be though, gods I hope that I’m wrong.’ His children had inherited his changes, their lines of Mana better built than others, they were growing faster than children their age, and seemed smarter, or maybe their minds were maturing faster. He had a hard time picturing normal children planning and organizing a coup against their parents. His future may become more hectic if later children gain his Warded skin. The battle he witnessed before would be nothing compared to the ones to come. It would be a while yet before that came to pass. The children that would have gained said skin had all been killed within the wombs of his Maidens.

‘How long will you last Tealhun, with brothers and sisters with Rune skin? How long will any of my older children?’ They had killed all they considered unworthy, would that repeat? Would those born with his skin, find their older siblings not Worthy?

‘What have I started?’ Dailin pulled himself from the darkening thoughts of the uncertain trials of the future and instead returned his focus to the present. To the Army heading towards his home, his daughter had been right. It appeared every House involved in this mess was working together now. Aimed at removing the current winner of this sick game for his audience. He hoped that if this combined force won, they wouldn’t turn on each other, and would just send the Houses offers to him. He was tired of this event, this senseless destruction.

The other Houses should be too, with how much of a debt they should have accrued. A sizable section of the second tier of this Sanctum had been ruined, Dailin couldn’t see how that wouldn’t put a pause to any House regardless of how High they claim to be. Yet here he was watching another army march towards another battle. Towards the victor House encircling his home, ready to defend the land as if it were some sacred site.

Freeing himself from the scene Dailin opened his eyes and found his daughters talking to each other in quick hand gestures. They stopped the moment they noticed his awareness was on them.

“A Worthy force Papa?” Tealhun asked, bathing him with a charming smile.

“Yes,” he answered, “Hopefully this battle will put an end to this distraction.” ‘To this senseless killing’ he thought.

“Agreed” his daughter replied, “Though Worthy, this has gone on long enough, they’ve wasted too much of your time Papa. I think it would be best to demand more from however wins. It needs to be shown that such a thing shouldn’t be allowed to happen again.”

Dailin nodded his head, he didn’t agree on the reasoning behind it. But if it stopped the battles in the future from stretching this long, then he would do as he daughter advised. “I’m surprised House Vorse hasn’t come asking for my counter Offer, or if I accept the one they delivered. With the force arrayed outside, I had expected them to try and sneak me away.”

“This is a test Papa,” she said, his question adding mirth to her words. “They are displaying themselves to you, allowing you to know clearly who is the most Worthy. Who has the right to take you in, or as you have planned, be your partner. For House Vorse to come begging that you make a decision now before the coming battle would be a clear show they aren’t up to the Task presented to them.”

‘So people are to die, so others reputation remain high in my view?’ It shouldn’t be foreign to him, he’s seen it many times before from his lives as a slave or servant. People killed for somehow slighting a lord. Still he’d never been the cause for it before, not the way these people were killing each other for his ‘benefit’. He should feel pride, happy that people hold him to such a high regard. Instead, he only felt guilt, disgust, and annoyance. Not once had anyone asked him if he wanted this that he cared about people’s image. If the Offer was to his liking he would have accepted it, even if it came from the lowest House.

“And what If I were to send my counter offer now before the battle? What would happen then?” He asked.

The happiness coming from Tealhun vanished, her smile quickly falling to a disapproving frown before smoothing out to a neutral tone. Her eyes locked to his, she seemed to be searching for something, perhaps trying to understand what he wanted. She remained looking at him, long enough that Sounness grew nervous and answered his question. “House Vorse would instantly take your offer, but not much else would change. The Host sent against Vorse is to close for them to retreat with you towards their estate within a Tower.”

“What if I sent a message out myself, that an Offer has been accepted, and is finally that this skirmish is over and the Houses are to leave, what would happen?” His question had Tealhun breath in sharply, anger visible for a passing moment before being hidden. But not from the eyes, those burrowed into him, and he responded with a glare. Tealhun looked down, and answered with a terse tone, “They might disperse, out of fear of earning a mark from you. But the Houses would eventually come again. They would do their best to undermine House Vorse, or damage them enough they won’t be able to care for you in a sanctifying manner.”

Tealhun looked up, the anger replaced with concern. “Please Papa reconsider, let the Houses spend themselves, let them show their Worth.”

“People are dying daughter,” he said trying to get her to understand.

“For you Papa,” Tealhun said her arms opened wide her face the picture of confusion. The thought of him not wanting this, not happy with this outcome, was apparently an oddity.

“For me” he replied in a somber tone. “And it is a waste, all of this is a waste of the highest order.” His voice rose “I need none of this, nor want a mountain of corpses laid at my paws in some ill ritual to show they respect me. I just want their Offers, nothing else.”

Tealhun arms lowered, her hands balled into fists, whether in anger or frustration he didn’t know. But she was taking deep breaths, was glaring at him, before looking up towards the ceiling and closing her eyes. When her head lowered and eyes opened, they looked tired. “We can do as you ask, do our best to please you, but the things you want, demand. Are beyond us. The Houses will fight each other whether you approve of it or not. For you are Chosen, divine, none will stop in their attempts to claim you. You delay this final show of Worth it will only happen elsewhere. The Houses will not stop till a clear victor has been shown.”

She shook her head, her words soft, “You may see this as a waste, but it is to your benefit, Papa. Even more so with your plans to remain the Founder of a House. Those outside are our rivals now, there’s nothing better for us than them using their strength on each other. I know you care for us Papa, so please let us guide you. This is the best for us, best for you. With the Houses weak we can rise faster, break free from wanting hands and you, you can finally stand above all.” Her eyes glowed brighter at the end, her voice filled with the tone of utter belief in her words.

Dailin sighed leaning heavily into his chair, closing his eyes to the scene of a daughter mad with devotion. “They will fight no matter the words I say against it?” he asked already knowing the answer.

“It’s the way of things Papa. Only the Worth shall be allowed to stay in your light.” She said.

‘No matter the choice I make, people will die.’ He prayed to the gods he knew and remember. He asked for mercy, that they not judge him too harshly for his choice. ‘If these people are to die, then it might as well be for my children’s sake.’ He opened his eyes, looked at his expecting daughters, “Very well Tealhun, I’ll wait, I’ll let them have their battle of Worth.” the word came out laced with disgust. “Do want you must for our House to thrive, to stand above the rest.”

His daughters smiled as she relaxed, breathing in a deep calming breath. “We will Papa, all we do is for your benefit, for you to rise. We will not stop till you’re above all, in your rightful place amongst the Divine.”

-------------------------

Vollow hovered in the air, standing on an Ascendance surveying the area around him. He was rather high up, forcing him to kneel instead of standing straight. It was poor timing for him to discover he was fearful of cavernous heights, but he endured. He used the scene ahead of him to distract and push away the fear that clawed for control over his tensed limbs. The lesser Houses, for that, was what they are till they defeat House Vorse, were circling the estate. They had stopped moving forward, wisely choosing to stay well out of the range of an aimed Chant.

Vollow grunted in dissatisfaction, it was a large force, triple the size of House Vorse entrenched around their Father estate. But considering it was made up from the combined efforts of multiple Houses, he considered it lacking. He’d expected the Houses to assemble everything they had to remove the winning rival unless this was everything they had. The thought brought conflicting emotions to the front of his mind. Joy at the possibility their rival Houses had weakened themselves to such a degree, and worry that the victory House won’t have the resources left to accommodate his Father.

That was a cursed outcome Vollow wished to keep away, now would be the worst possible timing for it. His Father was already annoyed by the event before them. The added curse of being unable to acquire an Offer was something that may push his Father to anger. Vollow pleaded to the Giver every Renewal that such an outcome never happened again. He had never been so afraid, so helpless. His Channels had made him believe he was capable of facing the challenges life. His Father showed he was not, nor may never after Vollow felt the pressure of his Father soul. Even now the vision of the past had him shiver. Their Father light warms, but it could just as easily burn and consume them all with the rest that stands in the way of his Wrath.

Possibly even the Givers wrath, for Father, was one of her Chosen, someone stepping into the thresholds of divinity. That made Vollow worry in new ways, their Father blinded by his own kindness, gave away the Hearts meant for his use. If the Giver decided to bless their Father again with so few souls around for him to consume. Vollow wasn’t certain what would happen, that maybe the blessing would be lost, or the Giver would be angered and turn away from their Father. This uncertainty sat ill with him, and if he had the foolishness that claimed Tealhun, he would have ordered the Hearts returned to his Father.

‘Tealhun,’ he should have expected the Offer his sisters came to him with. Asked for his and his brother’s aid to have her killed. She was too brazen, still is, talking to their Father as if she was equal to him. Even had the lunacy to talk to him as if he was lower than her at times. Every Rotation Vollow waited for the clap of Chants to echo from their Father chamber. Waiting for the Givers Wrath to come and consume them all.

Yet For all his worries, Vollow had refused, it was poor timing, their Father was already close to removing them. Adding another corpse to the pile of unWorthy, one of his Children. It could have been the last act to curse them all. Even so, he still regretted not acting, for now, the moment was lost, and removing Tealhun was going to be difficult now that she was one of their Father Advisors. That had caught them all by surprise, the calls for Tealhun death went quiet, for a short time. But the topic was creeping back up again, with each arrogant act his sister committed, more began to talk, to plan. When the call for her death returns to his ears Vollow will accept it. Till then he would do his best to maintain their House, to keep their Father from being misled by souls wishing to claim his light for themselves.

More importantly, Vollow would do his best to maintain their Father kindness, his warmth rather than the wrath waiting to be let out. His sister seemed blind to it, blind to the possibility that the odd behave of their Father could be spent. That the warmth he embraced them with could be replaced with the same indifference of their Mothers. That would be a truly cursed moment, for Vollow had become quite attached to the warmth their Fathers light encompassed them in. It was what had caused him to turn from his Mothers, from the Task assigned to all of his brothers.

He sighed, even high up above the ground, with fear nipping at him, he still felt the fatigue his constant state of worry was placing upon his body. He pulled his attention to his surroundings again, using the act to distract himself and to find some reprieve from the constant naggings of his worried wart mind.

The Houses Host was moving slowly, doing their best to travel the rugged terrain. Lines thinned out as they circled the estate, or tried to. The passages were a mess, many either completely destroyed or hidden underneath the rubble of buildings. Something House Vorse continued to contribute to, even after they came out victories. They destroyed everything building near Vollow home, even destroyed paths. Those of House Vorse hadn’t been idle as he looked down towards the rival House. A wall had been made from the largest chunks of nearby rubble. They stacked it high, melted the stone so it meddled together. It matter little, as the wall wouldn’t slow the attacking army, but it did obstruct the view of the estate.

Vollow wasn’t light on the number of curses he sent to House Vorse, using his Father home as a shield against their rivals. The Houses wouldn’t risk firing Chants without being sure it didn’t harm the estate behind the wall. Something House Vorse would be counting on, as they would be able to launch a stream of Chants without worry of a counter. Least not at first, once the Houses got close, however, things would change quickly. The Collective Houses would launch Chants from angles that would avoid the Estate being in the line of sight. Once the wall was gone, and the distance closed Vollow held the belief most of the fighting would be finished with Guards, backed by Chanters using weak winds and the bending of stone.

Tired of the scene he lowered himself slowly back to the ground, gaining all he could from the view of the realm, the battle would take place soon, he hoped. Once started Vollow was positive it would be down before this Rotation end. Then they could finally get to the Task of fixing and growing their House. ‘This was not what I envisioned the moment we removed our Mothers.’ He had expected subtler things, small skirmishes in paths, bribes for his service to sneak a shard in for his Father to see. Not a true battle between Houses.

Vollow exhaled in relief as the Ascendance touched the ground and he was able to step off and place his paws once more on solid stone. A pull of will had the construct disassemble and the pieces stack on top of each other. He placed the contents into the pockets of his robe and walked over to His brothers, who were looking at him with eagerness in their eyes.

“Well how was it, did they send a force Worthy of our Founder?” His brother Arron asked once he got close enough they could speak without being overheard by prying ears.

“Worthy enough” Vollow replied, “triple the force around us if they get things going soon, this show be all over before the Rotation end.”

His brothers exhaled, many of them relaxing. It seemed Vollow wasn’t the only one consumed by the worries this whole affair was causing. “Should we head inside?” asked another his is Brothers.

“No, not yet” he said, turning to scan the Guards and Chanters racing about. “Once the battle starts we’ll head inside, till then we’ll stand by the door.” They nodded, and as they walked back to their posts Vollow asked “Has anyone come to speak with you? Ask if our Founder is pleased with the Offer given?”

His brothers shook their heads, “They’ve kept to themselves” said Arron “Though the Taskmaster will look our way at times, I believe it’s because the man is watching, hoping the door opens and one of our sisters comes out.”

Vollow let out a small chuckle, his brothers doing the same. The members of House Vorse hadn’t been subtle in their stares towards their sisters. A blessing none of them had stayed out in the open long. Just enough to pass information of their Fathers current state, or if Vollow and his brothers needed help. Vollow didn’t want to see a line of Lowly offering themselves to his sisters, they had enough egos of self-Worth already.

He leaned against one of the Gate doors and watched the Lowly prepare themselves, or act like they were. For the Guards there wasn’t much the Soulless could do, as for the Chanters they spent most of their time talking and trading items with one another. Some watched the rival army from small platforms they molded out of stone so they could see over the rubbled formed wall. Part of him wanted to hover back in the air, but his fear held that compulsion back. Instead, he closed his eyes and spent the time asking the Giver to bless him as she had blest his Father. That his channels and soul was of a similar strength. The mantra helped calm him, the image of his Father invoking warm thoughts, and a feeling of safety. Something he was forced to call upon often. As the many worries that traveled his mind caused his body to become overstressed.

He was near complete relaxation, and his body at the edge of sleep when the rushing of steps and calls for arms disturbed his bliss. His eyes lids flicked open to the scene of Guards and Chanters getting into formation. The Taskmaster was looking at something from beyond the wall, whatever it was had the individual bothered.

“Should I form a platform of barriers to see what's happening?” asked his brother Arron as he tapped the stone floor with a paw continually his body demanding action.

“No,” Vollow said “Don’t use our Fathers secrets around rivals, no matter how convenient it makes life.” He paused then looked at his brother “You haven’t done so, correct?”

“Of course not” his brother said defensively “haven’t needed to” he added under his breath.

Vollow sighed and pulled out his stored Ascendance and handed it to Arron. His brother smiled and quickly whisked it from Vollow fingers, Soul pouring into the Construct.

Arron hopped on and quickly rose into the air, hovering just enough that his head was over the wall. His head bobbed around some, before his brother rose higher, Arron whole body blanched and the Ascendance came flying back towards Vollow.

Arron was doing his best to hold in his merriment as he hurriedly jumped off the construct and neared and neared him. “Oh, you’re going to like this,” his brother said. “There are Chanters out there covered in Warded armor all of it glowing bright as our Founder channels.”

Vollow eyes widened at the news, “This should be over sooner than I expected” he commented. It explained why the force sent by a collection of House was so small. ‘They most have traded many of their own to gain such armor.’ The Craftsman and those High within a Tower would have demanded a large Offer. For and the allowance of such constructs to used within the Sanctum. His vision turned towards the Taskmaster, who was watching the army with thinly veiled fear. Vollow understood and even shared in the emotion, though it brought him joy that the Houses went to such length to gain an audience with his Father. Though Armor of that nature was not something Vollow wanted near his family estate. Especially not when the people wearing it had intentions to fight a rival House around the building perimeter.

He returned his focus back to his brother “Was the Host moving this way?”

His brother shook his head “The army staying put, but the Chanters in the Warded armor are heading towards the wall, gliding along on Ascendance.”

“Planning to make demands then?” Vollow wondered out loud, if the Houses could avoid a battle near the estate it was a blessing for all, it would certainly lessen the worry festering in his gut.”

“Maybe” Arron commented “Or their showing off, there’s seven of them out there, none of the armors is the lowly kind either. Hearts encompass all the pieces, and there no telling how many they have hidden underneath.”

Vollow stayed silent in thought, the battle was already decided. Those seven alone would easily remove the force around the estate. He was worried however if the Houses after their victory would turn on each other instantly. Seven Chanters encased within Warded armor would cause havoc if they started fighting one another.

Vollow ears flexed straight as a voice boomed in the Air. “Hear me, House Vorse, for this is your only chance. Surrender, and leave the area around the Founder estate. Do this and all of you will be allowed to live, to return to your House. Or fight” the Chanter said amusement thick in his voice,” and be consumed by our light within a Breath.” Vollow motioned to his brothers, then the door, all were quick in obeying his command. The doors were opened enough to let them pass single fill, then hurriedly closed and locked. Not that it would do any good. A Chant from one of the seven Chanters would reduce the entire estate to dust. Vollow forced deep breaths down into his lungs as he fought for calm. Others doing the same, the noise they made attracted sisters nearby who walked over to them.

“Are things underway.” Asked one “Yes” he answered, “Seven in High Warded armor are giving terms to House Vorse.” His words had alarm mar his sister features as they signed to one another. A sister hurried off, heading in the direction of their Father chamber. She hurried along even after the whole estate began to shake, the air bursting with violent energy. Vollow and his brothers acted instantly encasing themselves and their sisters in a Barrier that they quickly added to and fortified. The realm stopped moving for them once barriers formed under their paws, allowing Vollow to point his full attention on fortified the construct around them. Even within the estate, Vollow heard the words. “Was that supposed to harm me Taskmaster?”

Vollow didn’t hear a response, instead, the realm shook again, he only noticed because of the clattering of furniture bouncing about on the tiled floor. The violence outside lasted less than a Sequence before calm returned. It was disturbed by the steppes of paws, and when Vollow looked he saw his Father striding into the room. The look of worry his Father was displaying vanished, replaced by relief when he looked upon them encased in a thick blanket of protective Barriers. Tealhun was by his side and Sounness with an assortment of others sisters. None pleased that their Father presence was removed from his chamber.

The air rippled with the will of souls as the echoes and vibrations of Chants reached Vollow ears. His Father reached a hand towards the Barriers, and Vollow could fill him effortless peeling away layers. Vollow and his brothers helped, opening a gap for their Father and sisters to enter. It closed quickly behind them when the last was through.

Then their Father added his soul to their Cord, the air came alive, the whole room bathed in divine light. The Barriers around them expanded pressing against every surface of the room. The construct layers grew so thick that the details outside began to blur. All this in a passing breath, all powered by their Father who stood unfazed by the Chant.

“So” his Father said, amazing all of them that he could speak and Chant. “Warded armor,” their Father looked at Tealhun. “You’re sure they won’t destroy my estate by accident?”

“Positive Papa, the Armor itself is the reasoning, they wouldn’t have spent themselves acquiring something so grand only to risk having a mark placed against their Offer.” Tealhun said looking straight into their Fathers eyes. Vollow had to squash the anger and fear coursing through him. ‘For the Givers sake, Tealhun lower your eyes!’ He wanted so badly to scream at her, to reprimand her actions.

The realm calmed, all of them waited for a volley of Chants to echo again, instead, the silence continued, a Sequence passing by. It ended with a series of knocks against the Gate.

“Papa please, return to your chamber all is well now.” Tealhun said in a rushed tone a hand reaching towards their Father. Vollow Father sighed, before taking the offered hand. The Barriers parting for them and the Host of sisters as they headed off guiding their Father away.

Vollow turned from them, opened another gap in the Barriers and opened the Gate enough to peek outside. An armored figured obstructed most of his view, and what the individual didn’t others did. The seven Armored Chanters stood around the opening. Vollow opened the doors fully, the eyes of the Chanters for a passing Breath moved from him to the thick layer of Barriers that glowed beyond.

“Apologies Chosen,” said the nearest Chanter “We didn’t mean to raise alarm.” Vollow nodded and blessed the Giver his voice came out calm “No need, we’re aware mistakes can happen when such large quantities of souls are loosed upon the realm." He stepped forward, the Chanters parting to let him pass.

Vollow looked around, inspected the destruction of the realm. The stone floor was charcoaled colored now and warped. The Chants must have turned much of it molten, before being quickly cooled. The rubble wall was completely gone, he couldn’t see any trace of it, nor any bodies. The Houses Host was growing near, marching towards them at a comfortable pace. Vollow turned from the army and look at his Father estate.

For what took place around it, the building was in blessed shape. There were some scorched marks and dented cracks where rubble struck. But nothing that he and his brothers couldn’t fix within a Round. Their father would be pleased with the outcome, something Vollow found astonishing that the estate hadn’t been hit at least once. Not even a glancing blow had occurred, a clear vision of how desperate the Houses were to avoid a mark from his Father.

He returned his attention to the Armored Chanters, who stood still waiting for his judgment. He couldn’t see their faces, but he could tell they were anxious to hear his decree.

“Congratulations,” he finally said after he did a loop around the Estate. “I’m sure it was no easy feat to remove the unworthy without damaging the Estate enough to warrant a mark.” The movements were subtle but Vollow noticed for a few their postures relaxed.

“Thank you Chosen,” The Chanter that greeted him said, “It was a cumbersome Task I’ll admit, but for the appeasement of your Founder, we wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.” Vollow smiled, even though it was blatant praise-talking it still held some sway over him. For it was wonderful to see so many running about trying to gain his Father's eye. Vollow walked back to the Chanters and raised his hand. “Now that judgment is done, and none of you have been found for the need of a mark, its time I take your Houses Offers to my Founder.”

Only one of the Chanters moved at his words, pulling a Shard from a hidden pocket and placing it in Vollow offered hand. He looked to the other’s waiting for similar acts, instead, they remained still. “Only one?” he finally voiced before anger got the better of him and echoed in his words.

“An Offer from all our Houses Chosen.” The Chanter answered, “After” he swept his hand towards the realm around them. “This skirmish, our Houses deemed it necessary to join together in order to fulfill your Founder needs.”

Vollow inclined his head, the anger ebbing away as he listened to the words. “This skirmish was very destructive.” Vollow said. He had wondered how the Houses were going to remove the numerous marks they had collected from this affair, now he knew. “I’m sure my Founder will be pleased to hear the efforts you all put in to maintain your ability to accommodate him.” He said while observing the shard, it was large than most, so the Offer inside must be a long one. Likely the many Houses explain themselves, doing their best to display they weren’t slandering his Father. Vollow hoped his Father wouldn’t be upset, this whole affair had done him enough ill.

He looked up at the Chanters all of them watching his movements, he smiled and made his words kind. “It shouldn’t be too long before my Founder makes a decision on matters, but you’re more than welcome to come inside and rest. We’ll do our best to meet your needs.”

His words were met with the display of shaking heads. “Most kind Chosen,” the Chanter said inclining his head to him. “But sadly we must decline, we have many more Tasks to accomplish before this Rotation end.” Vollow followed his look to the surrounding area. That is when he saw the army hard at work clearing paths and smoothing out the stone. “A great many Tasks indeed,” Vollow said while turning to face the Chanters. “I offer the Givers bless you.”

“Most kind of you Chosen,” the Chanters parted, and Vollow took the clear sign to depart from them. He relaxed once the Gate closed behind him and the scanning eyes of the Chanter were removed.

His brother’s eyes replaced them, each one looking with expectation. As he glanced about he noticed none were maintaining the Barriers anymore. Yet they remained vivid and strong, yet another display of his Father Worth.

“The skirmish seems to be at an end for now brothers.” He said pushing himself from the door. “The Host outside appears to be here only to begin the Task of fixing the mess they’ve caused.”

“And the Offers?” one of his brothers asked to his side. Vollow raised his hand and let them see the Shard held within. “Just one?” asked another.

“Just one,” he mimicked, his brother’s showed looks of confusion, concern, then all showed the beginnings of anger. “A Collective Offer.” He said hastily before they began to voice a complaint. “By all the Houses that aided in the assembly of the Host outside.”

The anger he saw around him withered, and Arron asked “Why?” his brother voicing what many thought.

Vollow looked down at the Shard tempted to take a peek of what laid inside, but he controlled himself. “The Houses seemed to have spent themselves, we all know this size of a skirmish is unheard of. Those involved have come together to ensure they have the Worth left to properly display an Offer befitting our Father.” He got murmurs of approve from brothers around him, who were no longer glancing at the Shard with distaste.

“That is blessed to here.” The voice came from the back behind his brothers that had crowded around him. They parted and Vollow saw it was Sounness with a smile across her lips. She walked towards him, and when she was close Vollow placed the Shard into her offered hand.

Sounness grabbed his hand with her free one, “Our Father will be pleased to hear this news.” She said, at the same time pressing her thumb into the middle of his palm. Her sign that she wish to speak with him later, alone. There was only one thing Vollow know that Sounness would want to talk about alone with him. ‘Tealhun must be acting above herself more than usual, or maybe my sisters are just tired of her.’ His sister’s constant need to fight with one another over Worthy things was something he was glad he wasn’t part of. He’ll do what is necessary for the benefit of the House, but nothing more, he will not be of any games.

She parted from him hurrying down the hall to deliver the much-needed Offer to their agitated Father. Vollow looked at the Barriers again, at his Father work. a Breath of effort and it was more than any of them could have done within a Rounds worth of time. Vollow wondered if it came to it, whether the Chanters outside encased in Armor would be able to stand against his Father. If they too would be swept aside if anger ever claimed his Father in full. ‘He must be kept appeased, his warmth cared for. Giver provide us mercy if it ever turns to Wrath.’