“Well herald, you have called for me, by name. A name hidden for good cause.

What is your message?” The deep baritone voice reverberated through Wren like the shock waves off an exploding claymore.

Wren opened the UI.

Shit. The mission didn't exactly tell me how I was supposed to activate the message.

Deliver messages?

Error, recipient must be within approximately 50 feet of sender currently.

“I apologize Mr. Riverson you must be at least 50 feet away from me or the messages won't activate,” Wren answered.

“I see. You are no herald. You are a participant. You, the human boy and the human girl who smells faintly of lost kin, all of you have become hostages to higher powers. The same that ensnared my brother. Do they now come for me?” a sinister tone of malevolence now laced the mysterious voice.

“I don't like to offer opinions on things I have no knowledge of, Mr. Riverson. I'm here to deliver the Last Will and Testament of a Mr. Malkanthor Umberdown and The Premonition of a Ms. Usuway Umberdown,” Wren delivered with a calmness he was far from actually feeling.

When in doubt and scared shitless by Laser Bass Barry White, hide behind the Customer Service SOP.

A few moments of silence passed before the water seethed and a figure emerged from the underwater hole, covered by nothing but undulating silken ribbons of water that left nothing to the imagination.

What the actual fuck? I finally encountered a pretty lady to help wash all the homo erotica out of my brain with and now this. Good grief, Lilly. If you're gonna just peek through your fingers why even cover your eyes in the first place. Oy, Oy why are you standing in front of me Troy? You wanna drown first? Alright, hurry your slow motion floating ass over here, this isn't an audition for 'god of supernatural romance fan girls and smurfs'.

“ Your thoughts are chaotic and unamusing. No, I'm not reading you. You are projecting. Take this, learn and copy it for my sake and all those like me whom you may meet in the future.” Glaucous said in terror inducing annoyance.

A shimmering blanket of force slammed into and covered Wren's mind with the delicacy of a car wrapping around a telephone pole.

Discovered: Rudimentary Psychic Shielding-crude but effective thought protection

Damage received: Astral Body-1% [remaining integrity 99%]

“R-right, let's get on with it then,” Wren said shakily.

Deliver Message?... Accepted.

Packet activated...Accessing participant resources

Wren felt like someone had cut his strings as some alien force used his soul as a movie projector. Later, when Wren asked his friends what they saw, it looked like he had turned into a medium from a ghost story as Glaucous and himself were surrounded in a solid sphere of darkness. To Wren it was just a blink. The lights went off but then they were back on. A more somber yet animated Glaucous greeting him.

“This event has given me much to dwell upon and reminded me that the singular duty I had devoted myself to was not the only duty I had, nor the most important,” Glaucous gave a poignant look at his son. “And as my first duty comes to a close I find the time for the second has nearly passed as well, neglected yet surviving without me but far from thriving. Two of your ancestor siblings have come and gone before you, Jaden. You may yet be the last. With what little time remains I will attempt to aid you.

“Wren, my gratitude to you goes beyond what you yet know. Allow me to aid you and myself in one breath. No one will assist you and your companions to leave in the next two lunar months and though you may choose not to believe me, for you and your companions to attempt it without outside aid will spell near certain death. I also know of the truth behind this delay in aiding you to leave.

“ The reasons are as follows: The time for the Rite of Blood Sharing is next lunar month. To explain briefly, it's a mass arrainged marriage ceremony to avoid shallow breeding and they wish to use Lilly as either substitute for the Matron's grandchildren or proving of fertility for my son should that fail. In addition, the daughter of the eldest Suncave has a gift none know how to help her grow and they believe the answer lies with you Wren. Rest well all and I shall contemplate solutions to our vexes and finish our preparations to meet them upon your awakening.”

A dreamless and deep sleep followed by intense discussion and planning whittled away the time before the appearance of the eldest Suncave son.

“ It's Wren I presume? I'm surprised to be greeting you at Light Shelter Gazebo but where are your companions, perhaps still resting?” said the man who was every bit the male answer to the beauty of the Matron.

“Would it be acceptable to call you brother Rohn?” Wren asked, a carefree smile on his face.

“Of course. Will your eldest and sister be joining us soon?”

“Unfortunately no. The Riverson has attended to their meals and requires them for his own needs today. I, myself have a couple of errands and require your assistance. Though one of them is on your behalf so that should please you.”

“ Perhaps there is some confusion. The Riverson is how we address the guardian of Suncave. Has my brother perha-”

“Precisely. The Riverson, has has enlisted us to mutually beneficial ends and who are we as guests of Suncave to refuse?”

“ You mean to say tha-”

“I know this is all terribly confusing but we should meet with the Matron so that I may pass on a message before heading to the Archives to collect the materials I need to help your daughter, and possibly even your son, unlock their potential.”

Man it feels good to have the initiative for a change!

After a bit of cajoling they were off to see the Matron

“Oh, Wren what a pleasant surprise. I had originally thought it would take till mid-circle before you were ready. Will your eldest or sister be joining us soon?” the Matron purred.

“Well, after digesting our conversation yesterday we had a great deal to consider on how we were to pay back your generosity. Fortunately, The Riverson and his boy provided us with quite a few answers to that conundrum; Firstly, we and Jaden had little difficulty in convincing The Riverson to exempt Suncave from his ire over a deliberately sloppy interpretation of the pact that changed it from guiding the first 888 young of your people into guarding your people for 888 years. Secondly, with some help from Jaden's teacher, I will attempt to tutor your grandchildren in the usage of arcane essence. Thirdly and finally we will be making a few moves, both publicly and behind the scenes to bolster the Suncave family against a few detractors who have attempted to collapse you through brutal usage of the Blood Sharing, mama Ku.” Wren drawled, playfully clasping Rohn's shoulder which he quickly released after being rewarded with a scowl.

Gotcha big guy. You're a tested warrior not a university bro. Guess I'll dial it back a notch. The idea is to keep them unbalanced not piss them off.

The matron attempted to interject, “Then we have much to discuss. Would you care to join me for tea?”

“As much as your enthralling presence is a balm to my soul, moma Ku, The Riverson would be a much better source of information. The sooner I get started on his errands and begin tutoring brother Rohn here's youngins, the greater the chance and effect of success. Though, if it's not too much trouble, I'd like brother Rohn's personal assistance today.

Wren quickly switched gears and began to appeal to Rohn directly. “ I would greatly appreciate your knowledgeable company. Not mentioning your status, just simply being accompanied by a warrior of well known prowess as yourself will allow me to avoid many unpleasant inconveniences. It's also worth noting that the Archive will be one of my destinations today. If I'm to be teaching your kids I might as well round out the lessons with some practical knowledge we can learn together. Who better to help me with that since your lovely mother's plate is likely to be full.”

Hopefully a little flattery will help smooth out the sting of today's events.

Scratching the back of his head and looking a bit fidgety, Rohn replied, “You certainly make it difficult to say no. If mother agrees, then I would be honored to escort you.”

Wren was thrown a for a loop when he observed genuine mirth dancing in the Matron's eyes but that was nothing compared to his complex feelings after the Matron said, “Openly seducing my eldest while shamelessly flirting with me in such an agreeable way, it's a shame you were not born a woman of my people. You would have likely made a formidable matron. In that vein, Rohn dearest, you shouldn't take his actions outside his words of action so seriously. You know as well as I that outsiders have been recorded as frequently making the mistake of unintended intimate overtures.”

Rohn coughed dryly to cover his embarrassment and the interesting shade of purple his face was turning before he said, “ Oh, yes of course. With the state of affairs as they are, I or one of my band, would have likely accompanied them for their first few outings anyway.

While beginning the trek to his first destination, Wren frantically thought at Glaucous, “Okay. Please explain to me, before this feeling of wanting to cough up blood becomes a reality, what the hell I did that constitutes open seduction so I don't ever do it again.”

Wren heard boisterous laughter echo through the connection for some time before getting the reply, “The short version is that skin to skin contact outside of necessity is considered an invitation to intimacy. The purple cast wears little clothing while home to discourage casual contact. I doubt you need me to explain how flattery can be mistaken as flirting within any culture when paired with intimate behavior and expressing the desire to be close to a man's children in any nurturing aspect outside of certain contexts is considered to be expressing to that man your desire to please and be taken in by him.

“I don't see you actually having a hard time understanding this society when you see it through the right lens. Due to my guardianship and lack of sufficient medical advancement, with a few other factors, the male portion of each generation remains fairly steady while the female portion declines over time. I'm sure you have no trouble imagining what kind of impact such a situation would have on any culture. That being said, maintaining the facade of closeness to Rohn while outside would save you a great deal of unwanted attention.”

After noticing a great deal more looks of interest now that he was walking around the city without Lilly, Wren decided to bite the bullet once he found an appropriate moment, “This might be an awkward thing to ask after earlier but allowing the misunderstanding that we are, well, close to be known would be a great help to me. Brother Rohn, I only ask it if it costs you little as it's just a favor of convenience.”

“That suits me fine. Lightly touching my arm to get my attention and me guiding you by yours now and then should be sufficient to get the point across. Besides, I don't believe either of us would garner the other a loss of face by association,” Rohn replied cheekily.

Bro, I could have lived without that last observation.

As Rohn led Wren through the bustling trade bazaar, Wren was struck with awe at the easy, natural polyamory and sexual fluidity of the people. He came to a strangely mundane yet profound realization that his views and philosophy were the outsider here. These people were living their lives, lives that weren't really different in any fundamental way to anyone he had ever met. They were just people living and loving in a society that environment and circumstances molded into a different shape. He felt small, lost, petty. He hadn't cared about their fate but at that moment, these red and brown adorned people, they had become real.

They're going on about their business unaware that they...I don't know what I can do but if there's a way, if I can figure something out, I'm going to do what I can. Even if it's just one more, that's one soul that won't haunt me.

On their way to the Archive, a young man wearing a purple waist sash and little else, was on a directly opposing path to their own. As he came closer Wren realized that there were two other red sash individuals with him, a small stylized black symbol stitched on to them.

“What's the little mark on those sashes mean, brother Rohn?” Wren whispered discreetly.”

“Trouble.” Rohn said grimly.