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After their first kiss, and many more all over their respective faces, our happy couple settled down on a bench in a part of the gardens where they could continue kissing peacefully.
In comfortable silence, they watched the fluttering of the fireflies. They were snuggled together, Rook's head on Emmrich's shoulder as he put his arm around her.
“Thank you for introducing me to your parents, it means a lot to me.”
“Thank you for being so understanding and open-minded. I know it must not be very conventional in Tevinter. Talking to the dead.”
“They're your parents, they're not just anyone. Besides, I'd rather talk to spirits or listen to you speak with the dead than with some of Minrathie's acquaintances.”
“That's kind of you, thank you Enerys. And... if you feel like it, would you like to tell me about your family?”
Enerys, surprised, raises her head from Emmrich's shoulder.
“If you don't feel like talking about it, that's your right. I was curious, Emmrich reassured her, his cheeks slightly red. Enerys smiled tenderly,
and his heart swelled at the affectionate man.
“Well, first, I was found on the battlefield by my father, Charon Mercar. He's on the military staff at Tevinter. I'm his one and only daughter.”
“I was very lucky to be wanted in the Mercar family. Even if I didn't have any magic in me.
My parents didn't hide anything from me about my adoption and we had a long discussion about whether I wanted to start researching my biological family...”
“And what did you choose?”
“If I started researching, I was likely to come across three scenarios, two of which were very bad for me: the first was that I came from another soporati family, so it didn't make much difference. The second scenario was that I was the non-magical child of an Altus family who, out of shame, wanted to get rid of me, discreetly.
And lastly, and most unpleasant of all, I'm the daughter of a slave. My parents' Master, who must be a Magister, has every right to claim me.”
“Enerys, I'm sorry, I...”
She stopped him with a kiss.
“There's nothing to be sorry about. It's not a secret and I'm happy to talk to you about me, and not about Rook. Besides, I'm not sad that I don't know. I've got parents who love me and two dreadful big brothers who'd do anything for me,” laughed Enerys.
“All right, my darling”, Emmrich laughed and placed another kiss on her forehead.
“My mother experienced this abandonment. She was the eldest of an Altus family, the Asprena, born without magic. Shamefully hidden away by her family. She was given an education befitting her rank, but when the time came for an arranged marriage, she ran away.
She met my father in Ventus, after taking refuge with an old aunt who was trying to ease tensions with her family.
As he was already a member of the General Staff, the marriage was able to take place. She gave him two sons, one of whom is a mage and has become a powerful justicar...
He's one of the few in my mother's family who can use spells lost because of their ‘high blood’.
The Asprena have it pretty bad.
According to Magister Pavus, it would only take a few years for the Mercars to have a seat in the Magister thanks to my brother's powers, which are rare and ancient.”
“I'm glad you're a happy, loving family. Despite what your parents have been through. Are they aware of your involvement with the Shadow Dragons?”
“Yes, I was lucky, and it was my parents and my aunt who encouraged me in my decision. But before joining the Shadow Dragons, like my other older brother, I joined the army as a broker.”
“What does that involve?” asked Emmrich.
“A sort of spy but selling information. I collected the right information and gave it to the right people.
Then either I sold it to pigeons to make money or I created it according to our needs and gave it to the targets.
I was trained in double blades, poison and a couple of thieves' tricks. And it was there that I met my best friend, Epidia, who is also Tarquin's cousin... he too doesn't have an easy family, especially Epidia's family.”
“You're incredible. I can't imagine the risks you must have taken for the sake of your team-mates and your country.
I suppose that seeing the injustices over the years, and the sacrifices you had to make, made you want to leave the army for a more just cause.”
“I decided to offer my skills to a better cause. I knew that my cousins were already with the Shadow Dragons.
I offered them my services. That's how I met Tarquin after several months of waiting. “
“Cousins?”
“Yes, my mother's younger sister's daughters. She was the perfect daughter of the Asperna Altus family.
A very good and powerful magician. An arranged marriage with a scion of the Ramirus family. She had her twins, my cousins.
From then on, everything changed: she felt she'd done her duty to everyone and asked for a divorce.
To join the Shadow Guardians.
And gave up magic.
To become an incredible warrior of the slayer class with a 3 meters hammer.
The Ramirus family, shocked and humiliated, threatened to sell their magical daughters into slavery.
So, she took them under her arm, used her magic for the last time and blew everyone away.
Literally.
She stayed with us for a while in Ventus, before we moved to Minrathie. My aunt left for Weisshaupt, with her daughters.
She met her second husband and raised their daughters with him. They took their adopted father's name, took courses in magic and joined the Shadow Dragons, but that's another story. They have very little relationship with their sire.”
“You've got quite a family history. So, their adopted father is a guardian too?”
“Yes, I hadn't met him until a few weeks ago. He happens to be the first High Commander now.”
“The first... Oh my, the skulls of the great necropolis! Does he know you're his niece?”
“Not until our first meeting, at the Cobbled Swan... Fortunately, Magister Pavus stopped him in time, and I suspect my cousins sent a message to my aunt because she arrived a few minutes later. If you'd seen her face... priceless.”
“I can only imagine, yes,” laughed Emmrich.
“So, to sum up, we have loving parents, two older brothers who are protective but not too clingy, a VERY stubborn uncle but an aunt who sets him straight, twin cousins who have a monster network and who, between us, turn the heads of two of our Shadow Dragon leaders, and a best friend who has become a Templar knight-captain and who, in addition to Tarquin, gives us invaluable information. Proud members of Team Dragon,” Enerys finished with a big smile.
“Room for a necromancer professor and his faithful assistant?”
Enerys pretended to think and decided to tease him a little.
“I'm still thinking about the Professor, but Manfred's already got his place of honour!”
“What?!”
“Don't get me wrong: cute and adorable as you are, I'm going to have some competition. Besides, you should know that dragons are attracted to anything that glitters.
And my dear, you're covered in gold,” taking one of his arms with his bracelets.
Emmrich couldn't help laughing at Enerys' antics.
“I assure you, my darling, I only have eyes for you. And for my gold, I can throw in a glamour.
That will avoid temptations from your dear dragon team-mates,” replied Emmrich, winking at her.
“Phew,” smiled Enerys, who kissed him, “welcome to the team, my sexy sentinel.”
“Thank you for that warm welcome, my darling,” continued Emmrich, continuing to kiss him.
“I'm honoured by your confidence in sharing your story and the different members of your family.”
“I'd love to. Shall we go inside? I can see Manfred starting to stomp around.”
“Ah, it must be teatime. As you know, he loves boiling water and watching the steam escape from the teapot. Would you like to join us for tea or a red fruit infusion? I think that's your favourite, isn't it?” said Emmrich, standing up and holding out his hand.
“I'd be delighted to extend this moment with you,” Emmrich,’ smiled Enerys, taking his hand to stand up.
Smiling, our couple, hand in hand, made their way out of the gardens towards the Eluvian and back to the lighthouse, ignoring the knowing glance between Myrna and Vorgoth.