This was the second time Dallion was called to the duchess in as many days. Even so, he knew this was a big deal. Being called to have dinner with the head of an imperial family—even a branch family—was a distinct honor. As he was escorted there by Taem, who, as it turned out, was tasked to be his personal chamberlain, Dallion quickly got a brush up course in the etiquette when it came to similar events.

His attire, interestingly enough, wasn’t viewed as being of particular importance. His manners while there, though, were an entirely different matter. Apparently, he could no longer afford the rudeness and frivolity of his first meeting. Dining with the duchess wasn’t even reserved for all the members of her immediate family. At most a dozen would be present, normally half that number, all of which knew their place, which meant they only spoke when addressed by the duchess, never interrupted her, and never addressed anyone else without her explicit permission.

A small loophole existed—there was no mention regarding conversation with item guardians; Dallion planned to take full advantage.

“Think that the duchess will be upset with my duel?” Dallion asked while walking through a hallway wider than his entire new mansion.

“I cannot say, Master Dallion,” Taem replied. “You were victorious in all ways, so maybe you won’t incur her disapproval.”

That was the most political answer Dallion had heard in a while. It wasn’t like he blamed the butler. The unfortunate soul had gone all the way to Nerosal, pretending to be a merchant peddler, all so he could give Dallion his birthright.

“You know, I’ve been wondering.” Dallion took advantage of the few remaining seconds he had to speak freely. “How did you get me to buy the harpsisword? Combat splitting? Music? It can’t have been luck?”

“It wasn’t luck, young master. It was a test. Had you not felt the link and chosen any other weapon, your relation with House Elazni would have ended there and then. Fortunately, you were guided to your birthright.”

Yeah… which one? Dallion wondered.

So far, he had three: his birthright of Dherma Village chief, his birthright as an imperial noble, and his birthright from his other self on Earth.

The hall ended in a massive door of glass. Try as he might, Dallion was unable to see through it. It was as if the transparent surface was showing him anything else except what lay beyond.

The pair of sky silver metalins guarding the door stepped to the side in perfect sync.

Why are there no other people? Dallion asked within his realm.

That’s something you’d have to tell me, dear boy, Adzorg said. I’ve never been allowed here.

One of the metalins handed Dallion a small platinum earring. One look was enough to tell that it was a blocker item.

I guess just walking in there would have been too easy. Dallion took the piece of jewelry and clipped it onto his left ear. The moment he did, the door opened.

“I shall be right behind you, young master,” Taem said, remaining in his place.

The fact that he was allowed to join in spoke a lot about his place in the staff’s hierarchy. No doubt he was one of the trusted servants the old duchess had.

A hall the size of a town square came into view. Metalins and bladerers of sky silver and crystal stood at all the walls, motionless, as if they were part of the decorations. Massive paintings were on the walls, all depicting important scenes of the family history—mostly the second empress and her husband. There was no denying that she was depicted as beautiful in an almost common sort of way. Her clothes were outright simple compared to what nobility wore today. The only pieces of jewelry were her familiars and her weapon—the harpsisword that Dallion now held in his position.

Guess now I know why so many people were interested in it, he thought.

“Dallion,” the duchess said from the head of the table. That, too, was massive, large enough to hold over a hundred people. At present, only eight seats were filled. “Take your seat.”

Which one of you is my seat? Dallion asked the item guardians in a relaxed fashion.

That would be me, young sir, a chair replied. It was located three seats away from the duchess on her right side. Incidentally, Liya Elazni was on the same side, though seated immediately next to her grandmother. Between her and Dallion’s seat was a tall, dry middle-aged man, who looked more like an ancient academic than a noble. The glow coming from him clearly showed he was a domain ruler. In fact, all of the people seated were domain rulers, and each had a trusted servant standing a few steps behind.

Reaching his seat, Dallion waited for Taem to pull it back, then sat down.

“I heard that you created some commotion today,” the duchess glanced at him, slicing an exotic amber orange fruit Dallion hadn’t seen before. “The entire city is talking about your new mansion, and who you used to create it.”

The faintest of music threads within her word indicated that was, in fact, a question.

“I thought that a dryad’s touch would be welcome in the city, Duchess,” he replied. “Especially given the recent developments.”

“The outside doesn’t concern you now.” The sudden shift of tone almost smothered Dallion. He could feel the weight she put into her words. “There are enough dangers within the city you should focus on. Your misfortunate duel was just a taste.”

A boy the same age as Dallion, sitting four seats on the duchess’ other side, placed his knife and fork on his plate—an indication that he wanted to speak.

“Yes, Tors?” The duchess offered him a glance.

“I don’t think it’s suitable for him to be using the heirloom,” the man said. “Giving him a plot here was generous enough. He’s part of the family now, so he should return—”

“Should?” Duchess Elazni interrupted. “You’re my favorite great-grandson, but don’t talk about things you don’t understand. The sword was earned by his mother, and she decided that he have it, even if we don’t mention the name of that man in this house.”

There was no need to guess who “that man” was. Could it be that the duchess herself had orchestrated the banishment of Dallion’s grandfather? It wasn’t out of the question, though it didn’t seem likely. Dallion’s grandmother wasn’t here, which meant that she was either dead, or banished along with him, but to a different place. Personally, Dallion hoped she was banished; that granted him the option, even if faint, to find her and maybe even bring her back to Dherma.

“The guardian has accepted him, which makes the weapon his,” the duchess said firmly. “In any event, this isn’t the reason I called you here. Introducing my long-lost grandson was just a comfortable pretext.”

Everyone stopped eating.

“There's been a shift in the power of the world,” she continued. “Ever since that idiot’s death in Nerosal, the smaller players have been striving to form an alliance with the stronger powers. Destroying several countries of the Azures only hastened that effort. As of yesterday, the last neutral dukedom has joined the Alliance of Stone and Steel. That leaves three major powers in the world, and that means the wilderness is ready for expansions once more.”

Dallion would have very much liked to be able to have a few words with Vihrogon or Harp. Both could illuminate him far more on that matter and others. Sadly, the conversation was too important to have any echoes or guardians listen in. Looking closely, Dallion was able to see identical earrings on all participants, even the duchess herself.

“It’s only a matter of time before the emperor opens the borders for conquest. And you all know what that means.”

The expressions of the others round the table suggested that he was mostly right. While most probably knew what she was referring to, Dallion didn’t. All he could do was guess. Based on what he had heard so far, he suspected that this was an invitation for volunteers to venture into the wilderness and claim new territory for the empire. It was merely speculation, but in times such as these, glory went to the decisive, so he quickly placed his fork on the plate in front of him.

Immediately, all looks turned his direction.

“Dallion?” the duchess acknowledged him.

“I’d like to volunteer to increase our domain, duchess,” he said quickly. “I’m familiar with the wilderness and—”

“Commendable,” she didn’t let him finish. “But you are mistaken. The emperor decides who will go where, not anyone else. The only way to gain his blessing is to acquire his favor within the capital.” There was a slight pause. “You’re still yearning for the key that will let you out of the cage.”

“There’s still a lot of wildness within him,” Liya said without permission. Clearly, sitting next to the duchess came with its benefits.

“He has the best chance,” the bulky man on the other side of the duchess said. Round as a teapot, he had made an attempt to mask what nature had granted him with expensive and fanciful clothes, ending up making it even worse. “Hunter, mage, and briefly favorite of the emperor. Unless you want to go out there.” He gave Liya a warning glance.

“No.” The duchess uttered a single word that felt as if ten tons of iron had fallen on everyone’s shoulders.

Dallion could see the music within it, he even knew what it was, and yet found himself unable to counter it in any way. By the looks of it, he wasn’t alone. Some were faring better than others, but everyone was suffering.

“He will not take part in the selection,” she declared. “His achievements will make him the likely candidate and attract all eyeballs. Meanwhile, our real hopes will subtly slide through the layers of the city, working their way to the emperor’s favor. Am I clear?”

The weight was lifted from Dallion's shoulders. Quickly, the rest of the nobles nodded. After a few moments, so did he.

“Tors, you wanted a chance to shine. Here it is. Succeed or fail, it’s all up to you now.”

“Thank you, great grandmother.” A smile flickered on the noble’s face.

“And as for you, Dallion.” The duchess raised the index finger of her right hand. On cue, the servant behind her stepped closer, placing a small wooden box on the table by the duchess. “A small gift to celebrate your stay. Think of it as compensation, if you wish.”

Dallion was just about to use a spell to fetch the item, when Taem made his way all across the table, at impressive speed, took the box, then returned to his previous spot, placing it in front of Dallion.

A bribe? Dallion looked at the box.

Given the opulence the duchess lived in, he had no idea what the gift could be. His only fear was that it might turn out to be a useless heirloom with great historical significance: the pinky ring given to the second empress, a locket that marked him as her direct descendant, or maybe it could be something useful as one of her familiars?

The material of the box overflowed with magic, making it impossible to tell what could be inside. After several seconds, Dallion put an end to his personal suspense and opened it.

Really? He almost asked out loud.

There was a single skill gem in the box. Such a gift was beyond generous. Hunters spent their entire lives hoping they’d come across something of the sort, even if they didn’t need to use it. And that was not all. This wasn’t any skill gem, but the one that Dallion had been lacking all this time—carving.

“I trust it’s to your taste?” the duchess asked.

Dallion found himself incapable of replying. Instead, he reached down and grabbed it.

CARVING skills obtained!