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"You're modest too. Good, good." Virion turned to my parents. "This is a good kid. You should consider yourselves lucky to have him as a guest."
Arthur visibly relaxed, but I could see that his mind was still working, evaluating. He was wondering how dangerous Virion was. Whether he had passed his test.
They're both sizing each other up, I thought. Two warriors recognizing one another, even though one pretends to be a kindly old grandfather and the other a lucky child.
"Arthur," Virion spoke again, his tone becoming more serious. "I'd like to ask you a few questions. Nothing intimidating, I promise. Just the curiosity of an old soldier. May we talk?"
Arthur looked at my parents, who nodded reassuringly.
"Of course, sir."
"Good. Kael, Tessia, why don't you go inside with your parents? The adults need to talk."
Tessia immediately protested. "But Grandpa!"
"Inside, little one. We'll play later."
My mother led us both back into the palace, but not before I cast one last look toward Arthur. Virion was already speaking with him, gesturing toward the wooden sword.
He's evaluating him, I thought. Seeing if he's worth training. Everything is going according to canon.
That night at dinner, Arthur finally gathered the courage to ask the question he had been carrying.
We were all seated around the large dining table: my parents at the heads, Virion to the right of my father, Tessia and I on one side, and Arthur alone on the other.
The meal had been cheerful up to that point. Virion had been telling stories from his days as an adventurer, embellished for younger audiences but still fascinating. Tessia listened with shining eyes, asking about dragons and dungeons.
I listened too, but for different reasons. I vaguely recognized some of those stories from the manhwa. Details the world shouldn't know yet. And Virion told them as if they were simple anecdotes.
Then Arthur gently set his fork down on his plate.
"Lord and Lady Eralith," he began formally, his words carefully chosen. "I have a request."
My father looked up, his expression open. "Of course, Arthur. What do you need?"
"I've been here almost two weeks now," Arthur continued, his hands clasped together on the table. "And while I deeply appreciate your hospitality, I must… I need to contact my parents. They don't know where I am. They don't know whether I'm alive or dead."
I saw guilt cross my parents' faces. In their gratitude and relief over Tessia's return, they hadn't considered that Arthur also had family waiting for him.
"Of course," my mother said immediately, her voice full of understanding and remorse. "Arthur, I'm so sorry. We should have thought of that sooner."
Virion, who had been listening silently, set his cup down with a thoughtful tap. A sly smile crossed his face.
"Ah, that has a more immediate solution than you might think, boy," he said, his eyes glinting with something like amusement. "I know someone who can help you contact your parents. Today, if you want."
Arthur blinked, genuine surprise crossing his face. "How?"
"My sister-in-law," Virion explained, leaning back in his chair. "Rinia Darcassan. She's a Diviner, a seer. She has special abilities that allow her to… let's say, establish connections across distance."
"A seer?" Arthur's voice carried a carefully controlled note of skepticism.
"Don't underestimate Rinia," my father interjected. "Her power is real and extremely rare. If anyone can help you contact your family, it's her."
"Where is she?" Arthur asked, hope seeping into his voice.
"In the Forest of Elshire," Virion replied. "Not far from here. We can go tomorrow morning."
"Can we go too?" Tessia asked immediately, looking at our parents with pleading eyes. "Please, I want to see Aunt Rinia."
My mother and father exchanged glances.
"I want to go too," I added quickly. I didn't want to miss this moment. Elder Rinia was someone important in the story, and I needed to meet her. Besides, I wanted to see whether her diviner powers could detect something about me.
"All right," my father finally agreed. "But you stay close to us at all times. The forest can be dangerous."
"Yes!" Tessia cheered.
Arthur looked at me, and I saw genuine gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you," he said softly.
I nodded. You don't have to thank me. This is part of your path. And I need to see with my own eyes the woman who can see the future.