A Night full of Surprises

[Tempest]

A Storm is Coming...

9th of Ymiden 721



The cold that constantly surrounded Viden even in the Hot Cycle was the last thing on everyone’s mind. So much had happened in the last several cycles that had the entire city buzzing. Even Yvithia was talking about what had happened. A dean had retired, a new dean had been named, the bonds with Scalvoris were strengthening, Faith Agustin had come and taught at the academy showing even slaves can become important among the higher caste. Most everyone had been talking about none other than Doran Thetys, however. A man that had come with little to his name had managed to claw his way up in the academy while also becoming very well known in other cities.

Yvithia walked on to her balcony and looked out over the city of Viden as it prepared for the celebration to be held later that evening. It would be celebrating many things one of which was Doran’s new deanship. He had proven himself time and again to have a good head on his shoulders, a calm assertiveness when dealing with people, and a natural leadership role from the rumors she had heard of his interactions at the debate. With a smile the Immortal had plenty to think of and more than that planned for the evening. However, all of that would come in due time. She returned inside and waited for the ball to begin.

As the suns of Ymiden disappeared behind the horizon the torches and candles of Viden began to glow brightly. The streets began to fill with party goers pulling on coats as the temperature dropped with the two suns. Many would stop and watch as the heads of each house in the aristocracy made their way to the castle where the celebration was to be held. Music floated out of the building as the garrison members kept a watch of who entered greeting anyone they recognized while never leaving their posts. As the aristocracy members entered the hall, they were announced so that everyone else knew they were there.

“Ah welcome Mr. Thetys. It is an honor to have you in attendance tonight,” the man stated and turned to face the room that was already full of people.

He announced the new dean’s arrival for everyone to know. Many stopped talking and looked up at where the man was before starting to whisper about him. It was clear that he had made a very big splash in the city. Now it was time for everyone to celebrate and enjoy themselves before once again starting to prepare for the cold cycle that was to come.

[Doran]

Sometimes, Doran could hardly believe how much his life had changed over the course of but a handful of arcs. When he had arrived in Viden, after briefly serving as the ambassador of Etzos in Rynmere, he had been a largely misguided man who believed that mankind was doomed. He had come to realize that he had been wrong though. There was hope, after all, and beauty, and that the world was fighting for, with everything that you had. The winter before, Xiur had forgiven him, and both Daia and he had marked him. Even though entire trials – the events surrounding the War against Slag’s Deep – were still missing from his memory, he found himself looking forward to the future.

In Viden, his Immortal aunt’s city, he had found a new home. He had been chosen as Dean Trandino’s successor, and Yvithia had herself had decided to host a feast to celebrate that occasion. He was not nervous because an Immortal, as well as the members of the aristocracy would be in attendance, at least not greatly so – he considered such a kind of behavior to be largely illogical. Instead, he felt happy, honored and grateful, to Yvithia and to the people of Viden, because of the fact that he had been given such an opportunity.

Life, he thought as he stood at the window of his study in his apartment in the Obsidian Prism and looked at the city below, was finally everything that it should be. He could not remember ever being so content, apart from in those rare moments that he had spent with Llyr.

He decided to spend the trial at home – fortunately, he did not have to teach a class this time – and prepared himself for the feast, reflecting on his work so far and on the plans that he wanted to realize as Deans of the Institute of Sciences. He wanted to strengthen the ties between Viden and its sister campuses, among other things. He did not eat a lot, only a light lunch that his mortal cook Elias had prepared for him as he did not want to ruin his appetite, but spent some time praying, to Yvithia as well as to the Immortals that had marked him.

When evening approached, he put on the suit that he had ordered from Scalvoris for the celebration – a bespoke suit made of fine and luxurious Shaggyoats wool that was decorated with delicate golden and silver embroidery, elegant, but not exceedingly flashy and appropriate for such an important occasion. After a moment, he also draped a cloak in a similar style across his shoulders – it was colder now than it had been during the trial – put on a pair of fine leather gloves and finally made his way to the castle.

When the castle came into view, and the torches and candles of Viden began to glow, lighting up the darkness, he stopped for a moment in order to take in and enjoy the view before he walked on. He had seen and done a lot over the course of the four centuries that he had been alive, but the atmosphere – the aristocrats making their way to the castle, and the music floating out of the building – did not leave him unaffected, at all.

He paid close attention to the names that the man at the entrance announced – he was curious about who exactly would be there, he had to admit – before he finally stepped forward himself. When the man announced his arrival, he let his gaze drift across the people that were already gathered there, taking note of the whispers. They had celebrated him in Etzos as well – because of a deed that had become his deepest regret – but he had not cared about his fame in the City of Stones. This here was a joyful occasion though.

He felt truly blessed.

With that thought in mind, he entered, taking off his cloak and his gloves as he did so as it would not be appropriate to wear them inside. Unless someone approached him, he would greet the guests – the people that he knew, as well as the people that he didn’t know yet – calmly, politely and in a friendly way, exchanging a few words with them. He had to admit that he was curious about how the evening would progress and what exactly had been planned. He had been told that Yvithia herself had decided to host a feast to celebrate the recent transfer of power, and he had heard the occasional rumor, but nothing concrete.

He was looking forward to whatever was to come.

[Tempest]

A Storm is Coming...

As the man began to mingle, Yvithia watched the rest of the room with a contented look. It had been some time since she had held a party of such grandeur. Though it was a special occasion, her nephew had accomplished what many only dreamed of. He had made a name for himself without her aid. Going from an emissary to a professor at the Viden Academy, to holding position as dean of sciences. He had gained notoriety and brought people to the city to study under him. It was time he be celebrated for all he had done and would do. The Immortal nodded to her head of guard and watched as he got everyones attention.

“Hello everyone. I am Lady Yvithia, I want to welcome you all to my home! The city of Viden has endures many strange and scary events. But we have aided each other and prevailed. But tonight, we celebrate something more pleasant and certainly more exciting,” Yvithia stated and watching the reactions.

Most clapped and a few cheered as she finished the first part of her speech. She raised one hand and the room quieted down once more. The Immortal kept a smile happy to see everyone so excited. She truly hoped that everyone in attendance would enjoy themselves.

“Thank you, tonight we celebrate a young man who has worked hard to obtain everything that he has wanted. Doran Thetys, step forward please,” Yvithia stated. Should hr chose to do as she asked the woman would smile, “you have shown your dedication and passion for the science field here at the university. That same determination came through in your research for your thesis you have been working on. I cannot wait to see what more you accomplish. Everyone mingle, there is drinks being brought around. We have music for the night, dance with each other. Food is also available on the tables on the sides of the room.”

The Immortal clapped her hands and smiled as the band began to play music. Smiling she sat down once more and watched as the party goers began to disperse from the groups they had been in when the man arrived. Several of the younger women got together and talked excitedly while glancing towards Doran. Several members of the academy were there as well talking about their day waving to the man in recognition. Yvithia stood and spoke to any of the aristocracy that came up and spoke to her as it was an open room to mingle. The food on the tables were a mix of meats, bread, and fruits. Everything was fresh as waitresses and waiters move around the room carrying trays with drinks.

[Doran]

Doran knew that the celebration to honor his achievement had been arranged by his Immortal aunt, but he did not know that she was actually watching him, and the rest of the people in the room. He mingled with the other guests, the aristocrats, the members of the Academy and whoever else had been invited, talked to them and answered questions about his research and his plans for the future, if they had any, politely, patiently and often with a light smile on his face, for he was truly enjoying himself, and he was at ease.

When the head of the guard tried to get everybody’s attention, he turned away from the person that he was just talking to though, a slightly questioning expression on his face as he wondered what was going to happen. A moment later, when Yvithia began to speak, his eyes briefly widened, before he inclined his head in a gesture of deep respect – the Immortal deserved nothing less – and listened to what she said, his gaze focused on her.

He had met several Immortals over the course of his exceptionally long life – he had only met some of them in passing and had close contact with others – but his association with Yvithia had been limited thus far. When he had first come to Viden, his aunt seemed to have suffered from some sort of mysterious ailment. She was different from what he had thought she was, friendly and welcoming rather than cool and somewhat distant.

Yvithia’s talking about the hardships that Viden had had to endure and how they had aided each other and ultimately prevailed, did not leave him unaffected. He shared the optimism of the people around him, that sense of hope, although he did not cheer. He considered cheering loudly to be somewhat inappropriate; besides, it seemed strange to cheer when he was the one whose accomplishments would be celebrated. He did applaud after Yvithia had finished the first part of her speech though, with a smile on his face.

When she told him to step forward, he did so immediately and bowed his head respectfully once more before he met her gaze. He could not remember ever receiving such praise, at least not from an Immortal. He was not someone who craved compliments, but what she said, about his determination and his passion, had an undeniable effect on him. “I thank you, Lady Yvithia, from the bottom of my heart, for your words and for this celebration”, he spoke in a polite and respectful tone of voice.

She was not only Lady Yvithia – she was also his aunt, his father Ziell’s sister – it would be strange to address her as such in a more formal context though, especially since they were not well acquainted.

When the music began – he found it quite beautiful – and Yvithia sat down once more, Doran turned to the other guests again. Upon noticing the young women that talked excitedly and glanced in his direction, he raised an eyebrow slightly and smirked barely noticeably – he wondered what exactly they were talking about. A moment later, his gaze went to the aristocrats that spoke to Yvithia, and then he made his way to one of the tables in order to get something to drink.

He occasionally took a sip from his glass as he talked to the people that were nearby – and wondered who he should dance with first, one of his colleagues or maybe one of the young women who, judging by the looks that they had given him, were likely quite interested.

Before long, he turned to look at Yvithia again though – he had finished his drink now. At a ball or a similar kind of celebration, at least if they were on the formal side, the first dance was often reserved for the highest-ranking person in the room. Besides, Yvithia should have someone to dance with as well in his opinion, provided that she wanted to dance.

With that thought in mind, he approached the Immortal once she wasn’t busy, bowed deeply and respectfully and asked in a calm and polite tone of voice, “Would you give me the honor of dancing with me, Lady Yvithia?”

[Tempest]

A Storm is Coming...

Yvithia watched with a smile as the guests began to move freely once more interacting with each other. She loved watching the most creative and ambitious minds in the city interact with each other. It gave a chance for her to observe their interactions. The Immortal was amazed with how mortals tried to figure each other out. She looked when a movement was seen in her peripheral view. A smile played on her face as the Immortal turned to face Doran when he approached her. It was an honor to see how much her nephew had managed to accomplish.

“Hello again, Doran,” Yvithia stated with a smile, “I would be honored to dance with you tonight. It is all about you after all.”

The Immortal took his hand and walked out on to the dance floor with him. She began to move gracefully as the music began a slow steady tempo. Elegant notes floated through the air as the musicians played. Yvithia smiled and enjoyed the dancing relaxing some and letting herself just be part of the party for a while.

“It seems that you have grown quite a large collection of admirers tonight. I do hope I am not taking you away from all these alluring young women,” Yvithia said with a chuckle, “on a more serious note, I am proud to see all that you have done. You have truly made leaps and bounds in your field of study. It will be exciting to see where you will help guide the academy.”

The woman continued to dance with the young man. As the song began to lower, the Immortal smirked and looked at Doran not able to wait any longer, “Doran, would you come out to the balcony with me for a moment? I have something I wish to give you in private before it is time for the main events tonight.”

Yvithia slipped off the dance floor with a smile walking to the balcony. She hoped that the young man would follow. A chill ran up her arms as she walked out into the cool air, the guards keeping them undisturbed if Doran truly followed her out.

[Doran]

When his Immortal aunt greeted him with a smile and told him that she would be honored to dance with him that night, Doran returned the smile before he bowed once more, slightly less deeply, but no less politely, and extended an arm in order to lead her to the center of the dance floor. Yvithia was graceful, he observed, and relaxed, and she was obviously enjoying herself. For a moment, he thought about how different she was from what he had thought again – the Immortals in general seemed to be astonishingly human sometimes - and then he decided to focus on the moment, and on nothing but that.

Doran was by no means a masterful dancer, but he was sufficiently competent, and he moved to the music, trying to match the rhythm of his dance to Yvithia’s so that they would be in sync. There was something extraordinary, something almost magical about that evening, about the atmosphere and the elegant music, he decided, and he found himself relaxing in a similar way as his aunt as a consequence. For a while, he did not say anything, but simply danced. When Yvithia commented on the collection of admirers that he had apparently acquired, he raised an eyebrow and smirked slightly though.

“I’m sure that they will understand and that they will manage to entertain themselves until I return”, he remarked, the corners of his mouth twitching very lightly, and briefly looked at the young women in question before he focused on his aunt and their dance once more. When the song began to draw towards its conclusion, and Yvithia asked him to join her on the balcony for a moment, he could not help but be curious.

He had his thoughts as well as his emotions under near-perfect control most of the time, but the mention of a gift was unexpected, and his surprise was thus comparatively noticeable. “Of course, Lady Yvithia”, he replied and followed her outside at once, but a step or two behind her. Upon noticing that his aunt seemed to shiver, he took his suit jacket off and offered it to her. He didn’t mind the chill particularly, but Yvithia seemed to be freezing.

He didn’t ask her what exactly she wanted to give to him, and why she wanted to give it to him in private rather than in front of the guests – she did without a doubt have a very good reason. He considered it to be more appropriate to patiently wait for her to broach the topic, and he tried to refrain from wondering what she had planned, at least excessively so.

He simply stood there, next to her, appearing calm and relaxed, and looked at her, on that balcony where the music and the chatter of the guests were much less noticeable, and where it was quiet and peaceful.

[Tempest]

A Storm is Coming...

Yvithia was glad to hear the man following behind her so closely. She was sure that the mention of a personal gift had intrigued him like nothing else did. When the young man offered her his jacket, the Immortal chuckled gently and nodded her head letting him put it on her shoulders if he wished. She did not want them to stay too long in the cold. It was no surprise that snow still blanketed the city even during the warmer Ymiden season. With the glow of the party behind them, the Immortal took a deep breath letting the cool fresh air flow through her.

“It is quite a beautiful night for a celebration. I trust that you are enjoying yourself tonight,” Yvithia started, “You have become quite a leader and even a great man at the academy. No one has had Trandino’s backing to join the head staff of the university before. He sees something great in you for what you have accomplished and what you will do in the future. I have heard that you have made very powerful acquaintances one of which being Dr. Augustin. I do hope that will come in useful to you should you ever need help.”

Yvithia turned to face the young man before continuing as a smirk played on her lips. The woman was finding it hard to keep her surprise a secret any longer.

“You have learned much information and seek to learn even more. My personal gift will be able to help with that,” Yvithia stated and reached up touching the side of his head.

She smiled as he felt a pain in his head for a moment before pulling her hand away. Yvithia had marked Doran with a smile gently returning his jacket to him.

“I hope you will enjoy this little gift. I’m sure it will come in very handy. Come let us return inside for the rest of the celebration. I’m sure there are plenty of rumors starting already,” Yvithia said with a chuckle winking heading back inside.

The Immortal walked back in first and cleared her voice getting everyone’s attention. The music died down so that she could be heard without having to raise her voice unnecessarily. Yvithia walked back to the middle of the room with her chair behind her.

“Thank you all so much for being in attendance. It has been quite a magical evening. We are not done celebrating just yet. There is still something that must be presented to Dean Thetys. Come young man,” Yvithia motioned for him to stand before her.

The room instantly began to buzz with quiet whispers and excitement when Doran entered again the mark of Yvithia fresh on his face. The crowd cleared a way for him to stand before her while watching what she had planned.

[Doran]

“I am truly enjoying myself, Lady Yvithia, thank you”, Doran replied when his aunt started to speak again, inclined his head in a gesture of appreciation and smiled at her. Without his jacket, he could feel the early Ymiden cold a bit more, but he did, again, not mind. On the contrary, there was something about the slight chill that made him feel alive and that almost heightened his awareness, and he took a deep breath, inhaling the cool and clean air as he listened to the Immortal as a consequence. She pointed out his accomplishments once more and talked about how he had managed to impress Trandino.

He knew that he had done a lot – he was not arrogant, but he saw no need to downplay his accomplishments either; he had invented a new branch of alchemy, after all - but to hear those words from an Immortal …

… he felt honored, almost beyond measure, and grateful.

“I did”, he confirmed when Yvithia talked about how he had made powerful acquaintances. “Mrs. Augustin and I did not only meet when she came to Viden last Ashan and talk about our work; she also helped me with my research of Slag’s Deep”, he explained in a polite tone of voice, although it was entirely possible that his aunt was already aware of the nature of his most recent work, being the Immortal of Intelligence. He did not think that there were a lot of things in the city that she was not privy to, at least not in the long run.

He had been trying to curb his curiosity, and he believed that he had been successful for the most part, but when Yvithia mentioned her personal gift and that it would help him learn, his eyes widened once more. At first, he wondered what exactly that gift entailed. When she reached up in order to touch the side of his head, he realized that he knew though. He remembered a meeting with Llyr, one of their last ones before his lover had disappeared from his life, either forever or only temporarily (he preferred to assume the latter).

He remembered the shimmering blue mark adorning the etherist’s face where nothing had been before. Llyr had told him how it had happened, that it had happened during a ride north …

He inclined his head, both so that Yvithia would have an easier time reaching it and out of reverence, just as he felt a brief sharp pain. A moment later, when she pulled her hand away, he abruptly bowed, deeply in order to show his gratitude, before he put his jacket on again. A chuckle escaped his lips as she mentioned the rumors. “I agree, let’s go back inside”, he remarked and followed her, briefly touching the spot where she had marked him in order to see if it felt different.

The man that he had been once upon a time, the Hero of Oscillus who had tried to kill Xiur during the battle at Treid’s Tomb would never have accepted an Immortal’s mark, apart from Syroa’s, but he bore three now, and it felt right to him. He had been mistaken when it came to his father’s kin. They were flawed, yes, but they weren’t evil oppressors for the most part, and it was better to help them and serve them than to turn away from them.

When the music died down, and Yvithia raised her voice once more, Doran stood a couple of steps behind his aunt, arms clasped behind his back. He had been convinced that her mark had been the surprise that she had talked about, all of the surprise, and thus he raised an eyebrow slightly when she mentioned that there was still something that had to be presented to him. What more could she possibly give, apart from her mark?

He did not wonder about that for long.

When Yvithia motioned for him to stand before her, he pushed those thoughts aside and approached her without hesitation and with the kind of gravitas that was appropriate to the situation, momentarily glancing at the people that cleared a path for him and that were whispering excitedly and nodding at them. Finally, he stood before her again and met her gaze.

[Tempest]

A Storm is Coming...

Yvithia smiled and waited patiently as the young Mortalborn soon stood before her. She was proud to see her mark upon his face after all he had accomplished. The woman was sure that he would do even greater things than he had already done. Taking a deep breath, she raised her hand again causing the crowd to quiet down once more and pay close attention to what she had to say. The Immortal looked at Doran with a proud look upon her face ready to give him another gift for the night before the party continued until people were ready to leave.

“Doran Thetys, it is my pleasure to honor you here tonight. Here among the elites of the city of Viden. Though we are nestled in permanent snow, that has not stopped or slowed the pursuit of knowledge. You have gone above and beyond what has been expect of you. That is one reason I stand before you very proud of your accomplishments and happy to honor you,” Yvithia stated and chuckled when the others in the room cheered and clapped.

The guards called for silence once more while Yvithia stayed silent as the crowd quickly quieted down once again.

“Thank you everyone for sharing my excitement. Now you have gained recognition at the university enough to become dean, you have represented Viden with great honor by helping Scalvoris, and even made connections with very well-known people. Because of this you are among the elites within the city. So tonight, with great excitement I welcome you to the aristocracy of Viden! You are now the founding member of House Thetys!” Yvithia said with a smile.

The room erupted in cheers and claps for the man once more. Everyone truly seemed to be happy for the man as he was the first one to become a member of the aristocracy by achieving the rank. Most that became members married into the families that already made up the aristocracy. Yvithia called for silence one last time looking at Doran.

“I know this has all been a lot to throw on you at one time. I want you to take a few days come up with a family crest if you do not already have one, colors, and an animal to represent your family. When you have made these decisions, please let me know. I will make sure that you have a crest made to display in your home, as well as any jewelry or clothes made with the sigils on them. Of course, I am sure you know this will make you even more intriguing to the young people of city. I am sure you will have a great many callers after tonight. Remember to trust your heart and be careful who you trust,” Yvithia stated with a smirk.

[Doran]

Doran did not think that any Immortal had ever looked at him with such obvious pride before, apart from Xiur – the memories of the Forging and of the way that his father had embraced him had still not returned. Had he been a less disciplined man, he might have been overwhelmed. Even as it was, the events of the evening had an undeniable, unexpected effect on him. Once upon a time, he had thought that the world was doomed, and he with it, and that there was no potential for happiness anymore, but he felt like he finally had everything that he wanted. There was always hope, and the possibility of a better tomorrow.

He did not focus on his own thoughts and feelings though, at least not for longer than a couple of trills, but paid close attention to what Yvithia was saying, his head momentarily bent out of respect for the Immortal before him before he met her gaze once more. It surprised him that people cheered and applauded so much that the guards had to call for silence. He could not help but wonder if some of them cheered for him because they expected something to gain from it rather than because they were genuinely happy for him and wanted to celebrate him, or at least celebrate with him, but in this moment at least, he did not care.

He smiled, and he inclined his head to show all those people that were gathered in the castle that night that he appreciated their support. He did not speak yet though, but waited for what else Yvithia had to say. She mentioned his helping Scalvoris – he was glad that his work outside of Viden had found her recognition as well as her approval as well – and stated that he was among the elites within the city which caused him to raise an eyebrow slightly as it seemed as if she might use that statement as some sort of transition to the revelation of her second surprise, whatever it might be (He still did not have the inkling of a clue as a blessing seemed like the greatest gift that an Immortal could give to him).

When she welcomed him to the aristocracy and told him that he would be the founding member of House Thetys, there was a look of obvious surprise on his face once more. There was not a lot that surprised him anymore after he had been alive for such a long time, but this was something that he had not expected, especially since most people became part of the aristocracy through marriage rather than because of their accomplishment. He immediately realized what a great honor it was, and what a rare occurrence. He could in fact not think of a single person that had just been made a member of the aristocracy recently.

He inclined his head once more before he finally raised his voice. “I thank you, Lady Yvithia, from the bottom of my heart, for this great gift and this great honor, and for your advice”, he spoke, his tone of voice calm and clear despite his surprise. “I will start to consider my future family crest, my color and the animal that will represent me as soon as this celebration is over, and I will do what I can to continue to advance the sciences, represent Viden well and forge connections with our sister cities in the future”, he continued – he did not intend to rest on his laurels as other people might without a doubt be tempted to after being rewarded to such an extent.

On the contrary, he was motivated to do even more now.

“And I also you thank you all”, he spoke and let his gaze drift across the people gathered in the room, smiling slightly. “For being here tonight, celebrating with me and sharing in that moment”, he continued – he wanted them to know that he appreciated their cheering for him and showing their support - before he turned to face his aunt once more.