Mother of Midnight

Chapter 163 – Family Meeting

Tarric sat at the long wooden table in the clan’s meeting hall, his head resting heavily in his hand. The warm light from the fireplace flickered against the dark stone walls, casting elongated shadows of his family across the room. He loved his family, truly. It was just that sometimes they were too much. Especially Narek.

Narek sat across from him, his sharp, angular features locked in an expression of perpetual calculation. The clan’s strategist was already elbow-deep in a map spread across the table, muttering under his breath about choke points and supply lines. Beside him was Korriva, their mother and the indomitable head of the clan. Her presence was as commanding as ever, her long braid streaked with grey cascading over her shoulder. She watched everyone with an intensity that made it clear she wasn’t just listening—she was judging.

Kavren, the eldest, leaned casually against the far wall, his arms crossed over his broad chest. His confidence practically radiated from him as he observed the conversation, occasionally interjecting with his usual dry wit. Then there was Daran, perched at the far end of the table. Tarric’s second youngest brother had only emerged from his workshop for this meeting, his clothes still dusted with soot and his face smeared with grease. Daran rarely left his workspace, and his disheveled appearance was a testament to how foreign this environment was for him.

The tension in the room was palpable, each word thrown like a verbal dagger in the heated exchange. Tarric leaned heavily on the table, his jaw tight as he stared at his brother. The long wooden table separating them felt more like a battlefield than a place for discussion.

“She sacrificed a lot to save me,” Tarric said, his voice rising with exasperation. “That has to count for something. No, wait—most of it. She’s done other things, too. I say she’s proven herself.”

Narek’s brow furrowed, his piercing gaze locking on Tarric like a predator assessing its prey. “She’s a monster! I know my exomancy isn’t what I’d call competent,” he admitted with a sharp wave of his hand, “but even I could feel the weight of her presence. It’s oppressive, Tarric.”

“And yet,” Tarric countered, his voice steely, “she saved our sister on multiple occasions. May I remind you of your own words, Narek? She’s worked in the city under your supervision, providing you updates on exactly what she was doing. And she’s agreed to virtually everything we’ve asked of her without complaint. What else do you want from her?”

Narek’s fingers drummed against the table, the sound a staccato rhythm of his rising agitation. He leaned forward, his voice low and venomous. “When does it end, Tarric? When will that thing turn her eyes on our people? Do you even think about what she’s capable of?”

Tarric’s shoulders tensed. “Of course I think about it! I was there. I know what she can do. But she’s—”

Narek cut him off with a sharp gesture. “No, you don’t know. You saw what she did to that champion, didn’t you?”

Tarric nodded, wariness creeping into his expression.

“Then imagine that,” Narek continued, his voice cold and deliberate, “but not just one man. Imagine it on more than three dozen people. And that’s just the bodies we could find.”

Tarric’s eyes narrowed. “What are you saying?”

“I went down there,” Narek said, his tone heavy with grim authority. “After she was done, we needed to investigate the undercity fortress, validate everything she said. And do you know what we found?”

Tarric straightened, his voice dropping an octave. “What did you find?”

“She reported everything she needed to,” Narek admitted. “She did exactly what she said she would do. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Then there should be no problem!” Tarric exclaimed, throwing his arms up in frustration.

“No problem?” Narek barked, his voice sharp. “No problem?! Tarric, there were an estimated one hundred people in that fortress. Do you know how many bodies we recovered? Less than half. And do you know why?”

Tarric hesitated.

“Because excluding the few who escaped, if she is to be believed, the rest weren’t just killed—they were eradicated. Torn apart, consumed, obliterated to the point where there was nothing left to recover.” Narek’s voice trembled slightly, a rare crack in his usual composure. “She didn’t just fight them. She annihilated them.”

The weight of Narek’s words hung heavily in the air. Tarric’s jaw tightened as he absorbed the gravity of what was being said.

“And yet,” Tarric said slowly, his voice steady but laced with tension, “she didn’t do it to us. She didn’t turn on our people, even when she could have. She used that power to save me, to save Korriva, to stop a threat that could have endangered the entire city. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”

Narek’s fingers resumed their restless drumming, the sound echoing in the quiet room. “It means I don’t trust her, and neither should you.”

Tarric leaned forward, his hands flat on the table as he stared his brother down. “You don’t have to trust her, Narek. But you do need to recognize what she’s done for us. For our clan. For our family.”

Korriva’s voice, calm but authoritative, cut through the tension. “Enough, both of you.” She had been silent until now, observing the exchange with her piercing gaze. “This debate will not be settled with shouting matches or fearmongering.”

The tension in the room simmered, but the brothers begrudgingly fell silent, exchanging sharp glances as they bit back further retorts. The flickering light from the sconces cast long shadows on the stone walls, dancing in rhythm with the subdued mood.

Kavren shifted, his armor clinked as he moved, his hands folding in front of him in a relaxed posture that contrasted starkly with the others’ rigid demeanor. “I think she’s fine,” he said with a grin. “Made for a damn good sparring partner, if you ask me.”

The corners of Tarric’s mouth twitched in a faint smile, but Narek let out a sharp huff.

Kavren wasn’t deterred. “And let’s not forget, she’s only gotten rid of people we’d want dead anyway. Bandits, traitors, people scheming against us—good riddance, if you ask me. So, where’s the problem?”

“The problem,” Narek said, his voice clipped and icy, “is that we didn’t ask her to kill those people. She decided on her own. That kind of independence is dangerous.”

“Dangerous, sure,” Kavren replied, still grinning, “but effective. You can’t argue that.”

Narek’s lips pressed into a thin line, his glare sharp enough to cut steel.

Daran, who had been silent up to this point, shifted in his seat. His clothes were plain, stained with ink and soot from countless hours spent in his workshop. His face was pale and drawn, as though he’d been pulled from his work against his will—which, knowing him, was likely the case.

“I dunno why I’m even here,” he said finally, his voice low and slightly gravelly. He adjusted his glasses, which perched precariously on the bridge of his nose. “Haven’t met her m’self. Don’t have much to say ‘bout someone I’ve only heard about in passing.”

Korriva turned her attention to him, her sharp gaze softening ever so slightly. “You’re here because you’re part of this family, Daran,” she said. “Your input matters.”

He shrugged, his fingers idly fiddling with a stray thread on his sleeve. “If you say so, mother. But from what I’ve heard, she’s done what she said she’d do, and she hasn’t made a move against us. Sounds to me like we’re borrowing trouble, worrying about things that ain’t happened yet.”

Tarric shot his brother a grateful look, but Narek bristled. “Borrowing trouble? You call the brutal slaughter of over a fifty people something that doesn’t warrant concern?”

Daran tilted his head, his expression unperturbed. “I call it war, Narek. It’s messy. People die. Ain’t sayin’ I like it, but if she’s got a body count, so do we. Don’t see you losing sleep over that.”

The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of Daran’s words sinking in. Korriva’s gaze swept over her sons, her expression unreadable. Finally, she spoke.

“Kavren has a point. Vivienne’s actions, while unorthodox, have only targeted those who posed a threat to us. And Daran is right as well—war is messy. We cannot afford to lose sight of that.”

Narek’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t interrupt.

“But,” Korriva continued, her tone hardening, “Narek’s concerns are not unfounded. Trust is earned, not given lightly. And with someone as powerful—and unpredictable—as Vivienne, we must remain vigilant. She may have proven herself to some extent, but that does not mean we should grow complacent.”

Kavren nodded, his ever-present grin fading into a more thoughtful expression. “Fair enough, Mother. But I still think we’re overthinking this. She hasn’t done anything to make me doubt her yet.” His arms crossed over his chest, the casual confidence in his voice tinged with a rare note of seriousness.

Korriva, seated at the head of the table, leaned forward slightly, her hands resting on the polished wood as she addressed her son. “And we must ensure it stays that way,” she said, her voice calm but unyielding. The light from the room’s sconces glinted off the gold accents of her dark robes, emphasizing the authority she carried effortlessly.

She paused, her gaze sweeping across the room to ensure she had the full attention of her gathered family. “I have spoken with Vivienne at length,” she continued, her tone softening but remaining resolute. “She is... difficult to read, I’ll grant you that. But I cannot deny the value of her actions. She has proven herself to us several times now and by her actions, she’s shown she is willing to align herself with us.”

Narek leaned back in his chair, his lips pressing into a thin line. He was clearly unconvinced but remained silent for the moment, his fingers tapping an uneven rhythm on the table.

Korriva’s gaze lingered on him briefly before shifting. “We also need to consider Rava’s opinion. She has spent more time with Vivienne than any of us. She has seen her in the thick of things, trusted her at her back in combat, and worked alongside her. And as much as I trust all of you, Rava’s instincts in these matters are second to none. If she places her trust in Vivienne, that must hold weight in this room.”

Daran, sitting at the edge of the table with a faintly distracted look, adjusted his glasses and spoke up, his voice measured. “Rava ain’t exactly soft when it comes to trust, either. If she’s seen something worth believing in, I reckon it’s not for nothing.”

“Exactly,” Korriva affirmed, nodding slightly toward Daran. “Rava’s judgment is not given lightly. That alone warrants Vivienne the benefit of the doubt, at least for now.”

Narek, ever the skeptic, finally broke his silence. “Rava’s instincts are sharp, yes, but even the best judgment can falter when dealing with someone so... unusual. She is not like us, Mother. Her power is unlike anything we’ve dealt with before.”

“And that is precisely why we must tread carefully,” Korriva said, her voice firm but calm. “Carefully, but not rashly. I will not have us create a threat where there may be none. Vivienne is an ally for now, and unless she gives us reason to doubt her intentions, I expect her to be treated as such.”

The room fell into a tense silence, the weight of Korriva’s words settling heavily over the table. Kavren broke it with a shrug, his grin returning faintly. “Fair enough. I’ll trust Rava on this one. And if Vivienne does turn out to be trouble, well...” He pounded a fist into his open palm with a playful smirk. “We’ll handle it.”

Korriva’s lips curved into a faint smile, though her gaze remained steady. “Let us hope it does not come to that.”

Narek clicked his tongue, a sharp, irritated sound that broke the silence hanging over the room. He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table as his sharp eyes locked onto Korriva. “I don’t see why you’re placing all this trust in her, Mother. That is what confuses me most,” he said, his voice low but laced with unmistakable frustration.

Korriva didn’t respond immediately. Her gaze settled on Narek, calm and unyielding, a look that had silenced far more obstinate men in her years as the head of the clan. The flicker of the firelight reflected in her dark eyes, the only sound in the room the crackle of the hearth. The rest of the family sat in tense silence, their attention fixed entirely on her.

Finally, she exhaled, a quiet sigh that carried the weight of the moment. “There are a few reasons,” she began, her tone steady but grave. “Some of which we’ve already discussed. But what I’m about to tell you cannot leave this room. Is that clear?”

Tarric leaned forward slightly, his elbows on the table, a flicker of concern crossing his face. Kavren tilted his head in curiosity, while Daran, still fiddling absently with a small gear, paused mid-motion. Narek’s jaw tightened, but he nodded along with the others.

Korriva let the silence stretch a moment longer before continuing. “First,” she said, “Vivienne is not of this world. She was originally human.”

The statement landed like a thunderclap. Kavren blinked in surprise, his usual grin vanishing. Tarric straightened, his expression a mixture of confusion and alarm. Daran furrowed his brow, setting the gear down entirely. Narek stiffened, his lips pressing into a thin line.

“She was human?” Kavren was the first to speak, his voice tinged with disbelief. “You’re serious?”

“Yes,” Korriva replied. Her tone left no room for doubt.

“How do you even know that?” Narek asked sharply. “Did Serranos tell you?”

Korriva shook her head slowly, her hands clasped on the table before her. “Yes, Serranos has spoken to me. But not regarding this. I know because…” She paused, her voice softening. “Secondly, I am also not from this world.”

Another silence descended, heavier than the last. Kavren’s eyes widened in astonishment, and Tarric froze, his fingers curling tightly around the edge of the table. Narek’s expression shifted from shock to suspicion, while Daran’s mouth fell open, uncharacteristically speechless.

“You’re from the same world as her?” Tarric finally broke the silence, his voice low but urgent.

Korriva nodded. “I am. Though my arrival here was far different from hers, it is a truth I have carried with me for many years. A truth that I never intended to share.”

Kavren leaned back, letting out a low whistle. “Well, that’s… something. Why didn’t you ever tell us?”

“Because it was not relevant,” Korriva said firmly. “I came here, I built a life here, and I devoted myself to this clan. My past was of no consequence. But now, with Vivienne among us, it is something you need to know.”

Narek’s brow furrowed, his skepticism unabated. “And you think this connection makes her trustworthy?”

Korriva met his gaze unflinchingly. “It means I understand her in a way you cannot. I know what it is to lose everything you’ve ever known. To be thrust into a world that is not your own, forced to adapt or perish. That kind of pain shapes a person. And while it can make someone dangerous, it can also make them resilient, loyal, and determined. Vivienne has shown all of those traits.”

“She’s also shown she can be terrifying,” Narek countered. “And unpredictable.”

“She’s shown that she keeps her word,” Tarric interjected, his voice measured but firm. “She’s worked with us, not against us. She’s saved Rava’s life, and mine, the former more than once. That has to count for something.”

“And we must ensure it stays that way,” Korriva said, her tone brooking no argument. “I have spoken with her at length. She has proven herself to us, and we cannot ignore the trust Rava has placed in her.”

Kavren tilted his head thoughtfully. “You’re saying she’s like you. Out of place, figuring things out as she goes?”

“Yes,” Korriva said. “And it is why I believe she still has attachments to her humanity, no matter how tenuous they may seem. Those attachments are worth nurturing.”

Narek clicked his tongue in frustration. “Even if that’s true, it doesn’t erase the danger she poses. She may be cooperating now, but what happens when she decides she doesn’t need us anymore?”

“Then we deal with that if it happens,” Tarric said bluntly. “Narek, I know you are looking out for the clan, it’s something I really admire about you, but I’m not going to condemn her for something she hasn’t done. Not after everything she’s done for us.”

Narek opened his mouth, his brows furrowed in the telltale sign of an impending argument. But then, just as quickly, he closed it again, his jaw tightening. His fingers drummed against the table as he let out a long, reluctant sigh. “I don’t like it,” he said finally, his tone clipped, “but you all have a point. I won’t argue further.” He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “But make no mistake—I’ll be watching her. Closely.”

Tarric exhaled, his shoulders dropping as the tension that had been coiled in him for the entirety of the conversation finally began to ease. The relief was almost palpable. He’d been ready for this to escalate, for Narek’s stubbornness to dig its heels in, turning what should have been a family discussion into a grueling debate. But this? This was unexpected.

But now, with Narek begrudgingly stepping back, it felt like a weight had been lifted. “Good,” Tarric said, his voice carrying an edge of finality. “That’s all anyone’s asking. If something changes, we’ll deal with it then. But until that happens, we treat her as an ally. She’s earned at least that much.”

Korriva gave him a small nod of approval, her expression softening ever so slightly. Kavren grinned, though there was a knowing glint in his eyes, as if he found the whole thing amusing. Daran simply shrugged, clearly eager to move on from the topic altogether.

Narek, however, remained silent, his gaze distant as if weighing his next move. Tarric could see the wheels turning in his brother’s mind, the strategist in him unwilling to let go of the uncertainty completely. But for now, it was enough.

Tarric leaned back in his chair, letting the moment of reprieve settle in. They’d reached an uneasy consensus, and while it wasn’t perfect, it was better than the alternative. For the first time in weeks, he felt like they were all on the same page—or close enough. And that, for now, was good enough.

“Now then,” Korriva said, her tone shifting from reflective to commanding as she straightened in her chair. “Let’s return to the matter at hand—Greyreach Pass.”