Richard Eno extracted a vial of forest green blood from Lana's arm. Then he pulled out a crystal seemingly from his pocket. Within moments, it was glowing. He told her to activate it by thinking about a specific symbol. It was a straight line with 1 diagonal line at the top on each side that reached out at 45-degree angles. Lana nodded and took the crystal with trembling hands.
"Lana, where's Shalt? Is he asleep?" Sil asked.
"Maybe. He was irritated by my pacing so he went in with the children."
"You two have children? Plural?" Eno asked.
Lana nodded, "we've done our best to keep our relationship a secret and the children are listed as Plantwell but a lot of those close to us know."
"Oh, why were the children on the ship when I got there?" Sil asked.
"When Sam said you were coming back, I authorized them to move back. Also, with the influx of people here, they have their own set of teachers so they moved as well."
"That explains the math teacher." Sil nodded.
Eno stated he needed to leave and did so. He looked over his shoulder, "it was good meeting you, Lana."
"You, too. Thank you" she smiled.
Sil chose to spend the night and have his days on the ship in case Quinn needed him. The couple fell into the previous routine. The next day, Mandy and Fiza returned from school. It had been cancelled due to the war with the students encouraged to join a faction and help. Lana got a message from Erlen. She joined him on the original Crow planet to speak to him one more time.
Sil volunteered to watch the kids so only Caser and Shalt went with her. The babies, Griddlebone and her babies were on the ship in the training room with the Blade kids. Erlen met Lana in front of the teleporter.
"So, you've given my proposal some thought?"
Erlen nodded. "I went home right after being released. It was too much strain on my parents. They are struggling with their standard of living, having to sell most things and live in a smaller space. I want my life to mean something."
"In that case, kneel."
Erlen did as he was told.
"Erlen Tiffle, do you promise to serve the Plantwell family with honor?"
"I, Erlen Tiffle, promise to serve the Plantwell family with honor, be an emissary when abroad, and protector of those in needs, especially Family."
Lana smiled and nodded, "rise Erlen Plantwell."
"Follow me please. Did you register with a faction?"
He nodded, "they had me register with the Cursed Faction when I first got here." He pulled his traveler tag from under his shirt.
"Do you have any gear?"
He shook his head. "I gave what I had to my parents to sell."
Lana nodded then they went through the teleporter.
They went looking for Sam who had just told Wevil that Quinn needed blood and he was off like a rocket. Lana raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.
"Sam, this is Erlen Plantwell. He is in the system as Erlen Tiffle of the Cursed Faction. I was wondering if we could do a name change then transfer him over?"
Sam stared at her for a few seconds, then made some changes. The ID glowed for a second then beeped indicating an update.
Lana smiled, "thank you, Sam. You'll get used to it." She winked at him as they left.
They next went to the training room. At this moment, the kids were learning history. Sil and Peter were in the back, Borden was in the front in a corner overlooking the students.
"Woah, there's a school on this ship?" Erlen said a bit too loud. Of course, Sil wasn't being very quiet with the kids either and Lana shot him a look.
"I apologize, Jamison, for the interruption. I wanted the newest member of the family to meet the kids." She turned to Erlen and waved her hand palm out, "these children are Sil's brother's and sisters. Part of your duty while in training is to guard them."
Erlen gulped, "Sil? You meet the guy that did that in the canteen?"
Lana smirked.
Movement was heard behind them. One baby was passed off to Peter. The other to Shalt. Sil walked up to Lana and kissed her. He then looked at Erlen, "you better remember that if you think of betraying my wife." His voice was quiet but the meaning was clear.
Lana chuckled and took the baby from Peter. It was then that Erlen noticed him. He dropped to his knees, "General Peter!"
"Finally! Recognition!" Peter said. "But you really don't need to do that stupid general stuff. You're with Lana now. You're in good hands. If you act up, I'll help Sil slap you." He demonstrated a slam by punching his palm.
Erlen gulped and squeezed his legs together. "yes sir! Er emm Peter. Sir."
Lana giggled.
"Let's go Erlen. We need to get you assigned a house."
"Wait, I get a house? All to myself?"
Lana laughed as she exited the room with the others in tow. She enjoyed bringing new people into her Family.
Getting Erlen settled in was pretty easy. He got the house nearest the access the Blades used to get to the shelter. This also meant he was near Lana and the library so he could study since his school was cut short.
Four days Sil spent on the ship, not knowing what Quinn was doing. He was shut in a training room with Eno learning his vampire blood skills, something Shalt really wanted to expand on. Sil was getting impatient. He had been given a way to get his brothers back but nothing was happening. He finally couldn't handle it anymore and went storming off to the command center.
Quinn had just left the training room with Eno and wanted to check in before getting some rest. He was talking to Sam when Sil came in demanding they make a move to get Vorden and Raten back. He was shouting nonsense about Quinn not wanting Vorden and Raten back. Quinn said, "Sil, are you crazy?" He knew immediately he screwed up. You never call a Blade crazy.
Sil began a water attack in retaliation for the use of the "c" word. Quinn told him to stop and he started crying. He felt betrayed by his friend, saying if he was going to be called crazy, maybe he should act crazy.
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