The sun was nearing dusk. A hard day of work today at the field hospital was behind Ravia. A lot of lives were saved, some lives were lost but for Ravia it felt as if she was walking into the real battle right now. A battle that could mean her expulsion from elven society. Well, only if she went too aggressive into it. She hoped her choosing to "strike the iron while it is hot" will carry her through.

Ravia groaned in annoyance. 'I need to do this. Gelvian isn't safe here. Not anymore. A possible war with Nosbara or another organization could mean risking Gelvian. At the grove, he would be safe. With druids all around the grove and the various order inside the city?' She scoffed. 'Suicide to even attempt a kidnapping. The forest is their strength, too. I would like to see them out-pace a druid inside the forest. It is our domain.' She thought.

'Should I try asking taking Gelvian and Levia before the evening dinner? No, after is better. A full stomach is a content one.' She mulled.

She continued pondering over her plan, over her words. How should she express specific words? She shook her head. She was already in front of her apprentice's home. Their two-story house, built from wood and stone. A house she lived in as a guest for the past 2 years. Where she taught and ate with Gelvian. Played sometimes with Levia. Discussed the various ways of magic and talents with Elisia. She trained with Darius. A small base to return to when she was patrolling the forest. Only the first year. Most wild monsters or animals stayed far enough away from Cainyorf that there was no need for her to work.

The many cats guarding their house stared at her. One coming up to her. Snuggling at her legs. Meowing demands. Pets most likely. She rather not channel her talent just to hear their arrogant and holier-than-thou voices.

"Sometimes just hearing their cute meows is enough." 'Cuter that way' she thought. She rubbed the cat for a few moments before knocking on the door.

The dinner was great. A massive steak with various spices and potatoes. 'A full stomach is a content one.' She repeated to herself. She felt whole. 'Ah, she remembered after her druidic training where people looked at her funny for eating meat. As if a druid can not eat what was alive. We all are part of the cycle of life too.' Her thoughts turned to the family at the table. 'Just remember to keep the balance, Ravia. Keep the balance. Wait for the best moment to pounce.'

Levia and Gelvian were talking about something about dice and hexes. Fang the young Venom Drake was sitting near the fireplace enjoying his steak. Darius and Elisia were talking about what the future will bring. Ravia heard something about telling their children near the end and that Darius had someone tell him something recently.

Before shortly both husband and wife nod to each other. Then Darius stood up.

"Levia and Gelvian. Did, you know you have a half-brother?" Darius said with his usual enthusiasm.

The twins were motionless. Ravia was unsure how to react. Not sure if they all heard it right.

'This could easily be misunderstood.' Ravia thought.

"You absolute bastard!" Gelvian stood up yelling. "You cheated on mother?!" Both parents were shocked by the strong language of their son. Before recovering.

'Well, it was misunderstood.' Ravia thought as she took a sip from her cup.

"Wait I did not-" Darius tripping over his words not expecting this strong reaction from his son.

"Who was it with?! The market lady? One of the spinners?" Gelvian eyes turned to Ravia, horror written on Gelvian face. Ravia could see the gears spinning inside Gelvian. Ravia could swear she heard a "ding" from her apprentice's head.

"You slept with my teacher?!"

Ravia nearly spat out her drink. That was not how she envisioned his train of thought or how this evening, in general, would go.

"Wait-, Son this is a misunderstanding-" Darius was cut off by Ravia.

"While your father is an... handsome man. I did not sleep with him. But I saw him being friendly with a few women." Ravia added with a suppressed smug. She likes to have this kind of harmless fun. She knew that Darius did not betray Elisia. He was an honorable man and fiercely loyal to his wife Elisia. Although, he could have worded his announcement way better. It was time to rub salt, so he chooses his words more carefully next time.

"Ravia! Be careful of what- And how you say it!" A reddened Darius turned to his son who looked as if he was going to lunge at him. "Gelvian my son, Levia my daughter." He turned to his children. "I did not betray your mother. Your half-brother. He was here before you were born and before I really knew your mother." Darius breathed a sigh of relief noticing that both his children calmed down.

"What I actually wanted to say. You have a half-brother and I found out where he lives! His name is Ferderon Inman but in our traditions, it would be Ferderon Dainsman. He works as a potter in Derviu. He moved there a few years ago."

"That... sounds cool/amazing." Gelvian and Levia both said and the same time. "You could have said so in the beginning!" Gelvian added.

"Sorry, I should have led with him that." Darius said a bit sheepish.

"We have an older brother, brother! I can not wait to meet him." Levia said. "I guess that makes you the little brother, right?" Levia asked Gelvian with a smug grin.

"No- How old is he?" Gelvian asked curiously, anger replaced with interest.

"He should be 121 years, old." Darius replied as he sat back down. "He was born in the summer and you both were in winter." Darius smiled.

"So, a sweet summer child and my winter twins?" Elisia said smiling.

"Hah! That's right my dear." Darius answered holding lovingly Elisia's hand smiling.

"When do we go meet our big brother?" Levia asked again.

"Not the coming year. Sadly we need to prepare." Darius answered.

"Because there is a war coming?" Gelvian asked.

"No-... Yes." Darius admitted thinking best to not best to lie to his children.

"Your mother and I can't leave for a few weeks just to meet your brother."

"But how long will our brother stay? Or better when can we go? Father, he is your son, too." Gelvian said.

"I know. It hurts me I can not meet him right away but duty and responsibility force me to stay. Your mother, too" Darius looked sad as he remembered something. "If I were to go. Many could- no, would get hurt. Many more than now. When you are placed between something you want to do and something you need to do. You choose that which will protect your family and friends."

"We need to attend the funeral ceremony the coming week. Another reason to stay." Elisia added.

'This is my chance.' Ravia believed.

"While you all need to stay for the funeral. After that, how about I take the Twins to Derviu... for a year?" Ravia asked nonchalantly as possible, holding her breath for the reaction.

Darius slowly turned to Ravia. Elisia stopped as if to make sure that she heard correctly.

A heavy silence sat in the room. Ravia began sweating from the stillness of it. Calling her nervous would be an understatement to describe how she feels. Terrified was more accurate. She rather fights two basilisks with one arm tied behind her back than be here right now. But for Gelvian sake and her ambition. She must risk it.

"Did... We not have this talk 2 years ago?" Elisia asked her voice carrying simmering anger, heavily suppressed anger.

"That is true my dear wife. It seems Druid as someone has forgotten." Darius answered also with barely constrained anger. Ravia took a deep breath.

"I know how this must sound and look for you. Someone with powerful connections or some kingdom attacked this town. Kidnapping a lot of people and nearly getting your Children, too." Ravia breathed out.

"Thanks to you I still have them here for only that! Is the only reason we are not throwing out. Right. Now." Darius answered.

"I am thankful for saving my children but-" Elisia added before being cut off by Ravia.

"In the barely 2 to 3 years I was here. I knew Cainsyorf was a safe place but if the rumors of war are to be... believed. I would recommend moving Gelvian and Levia to Derviu. Just for a year." Ravia said her conviction returning. She needs to commit or she will have lost her chance for good.

"And that would be safe? You know why we did not allow you, in the past. Why we said no. My twins, my children must grow up here. With their family and their friends. In their hometown!" Elisia said.

"What if you... lost? Nosbara taking Cainyorf-"

"That will never happen-" Darius said quickly.

"The attack yesterday was a 'never happen' day too. And still. It did happen. I have sealed a pact with your son. He will grow up to be strong but here? It to unclear what might happen. I only want him to be safe."

"It never will happen when we are there to protect my children." Darius said irritation slowly building.

"But you can defend your town better, when you know they are safe. You both can not be at 2 places at the same time..." Ravia stopped before deciding to double down. "You were not able to reach your children." Ravia said as if twisting a knife in their gut.

"I..." Elisia said tears started welling up.

"Neither can you Ravia! You are but one woman. And you know the nobles. The moment they get whiff of Gelvians or Levia talents." Darius burst out.

"I have other druids who follow my call, who respect me. Your children will be protected. I can shield them from the nobles, not their children but the patriarchs and matriarchs. Be it from physical or mental dangers. I can protect them. It is only for a year. I am not asking you to give over them forever. They will return to Cainyorf when it is safe."

"I have none! Of this. Anymore!" Darius said thumping the table, tableware clinking to the fist. "I swear. If, you had not saved my children. It is only my respect for you and that you saved my children that keep me from calling for your banishment. Right now." Darius balled his fist together.

"Does nobody care what we want?" Gelvian asks cutting through the heated air. Darius looked a bit starstruck. Elisia raised her eyebrow. Ravia thanked the gods for Gelvian in her mind, again.

"I really want to go visit our brother." Levia added.

"I do too. I could continue my training with other druids to compare myself. I have nobody to talk about my talent. My sister neither. The cats don't count either." He snickered.

"Gelvian my son, you don't know. The nobles are-" Darius said.

"I can think what they want from me. But I am not some innocent fool nor is my sister. We never were left wanting. Be it love or material things. You always cared for us but so does Ravia."

"She is my teacher. My master in the druidic arts. But she cares for us. She risked her life for us. She nearly died for us, Father." Gelvian took a deep breath.

"We both are your children. Both are important to you. But. Again. Ravia is right." Gelvian collected himself thinking about how to word his next sentences correctly. "You were not there when we caught. Fang told us to get to you, Mother. But we could not find you. Worse. We got found and caught trying to get to you. I, also with only luck found my Sister. I found her fighting off a man. We both fought the Kidnappers the first time. What if I did not find her? Would she be missing while I was still here?" Elisia cried softly. "When we crawled along the wall to find you, Mother. You were not there. Not because you are a bad mother. But because you tried everything, and everything, may have not been enough. Frontlines are full of surprises like this. If we are not safe in the back your mind will be torn between saving us and you doing your duty." Gelvian spoke as if he was a veteran of conflict Ravia noted.

"My teacher is offering protection far from the frontlines. Safety far away from here. While yes it is still dangerous. With from the sounds of it mostly political and nobles to fighting for power. It is safer than on a frontlines towns or villages." He raised his broken arm with the sling around it. "And as a bonus, we meet our Half Brother. Whose mother certainly raised him properly and honorable if father was in love with her in the past." Gelvian said.

"Also, we can be outside the town more! I always wanted to go to a big city. I don't want to wait until I am 20 or 30." Levia added.

Both Darius and Elisia looked at each other. Their facial expression slowly changed from one of anger to fear before calming down.

"While, I rather not send you away..." Elisia said her arms closed in front of her after she wiped her tears. "I can not just send you away. It is too dangerous. As much as I am against sending you... I see merit and logic in the idea to have them live in Derviu. If it is only for a year."

"Should, War break out. Then it would be the safest place, second only to the Elven Kingdoms..." Darius said.

Then he turned to Ravia. "I was a bit harsh to you. I... My children were nearly taken from me and you bring up this idea to take them to Derviu. A place that can rival the Elven court with its intrigue and backstabbing. They... won't see Gelvian or Levia for what they are. Only what they can offer their bloodlines." Darius clenched his fist. "Ravia. A Promise..."

"Anything." Ravia nodded.

"Protect them as much as you can. Even if it is for a year. Should my children be any trouble that you smell bring them back here. Or should we not, be not, be... available anymore. Bring them to the Elven kingdoms. There you will be able to train my son Gelvian and only you." Darius turned to his daughter. "For Levia. Your mother has an aunt in the Kingdoms. There she will be able to learn under her as your mother has."

Ravia with a strong voice " I promise. They will not be harmed as long as I live. I promise on my honor as a druid and my elven blood in my veins." Ravia said putting a hand over her heart.