On the afternoon of the next day, the lord of Arsida received a letter from the king of Pantera. The king asked him to bring the girl with the Great Wolf's Zeal to the capital city, where the king lives.
Nireus hasn't been able to visit the Caspius manor. So, he thought why not stop by this time? On his way out, Theresa saw him and asked where he was heading.
"I'm visiting the Caspius manor."
"All of a sudden? Don't you have to read and respond to all those messages you've received, Father?"
The lord of Arsida smiled, "It's fine. I asked Sir Cylon to do it while I'm gone."
Cylon Gabras is a knight under Nireus. He is one of the thirty knights that have the rank of Chiliarch of Silver. Although he is qualified to lead a city as its lord, Cylon wanted to serve under Nireus. He was known as someone smart and possessing great judgment. The lord of Arsida views him as such and holds him in high regard. Cylon has red hair, wears circular glasses that emphasize his golden eyes, tall in stature, and has a serious expression as default.
Theresa stared at her father, "Didn't he just arrive?" she asked.
With a short chuckle, "He insisted," Nireus replied.
Theresa smiled, "Then, let me go with you."
The two decided to walk the streets of Heos. It was the first time Nireus had done it since he arrived at the village. People gaped at him, whispering at each other and pointing at the lord of Arsida as they saw him.
When Nireus meets eyes with the people, he smiles and slightly bows his head. Charmed, the people in Heos would show an overjoyed expression and return the gesture with a Panteran bow.
"Chiliarch Chronis is here!" shouted Tereus who was standing guard at the gates of the Caspius manor.
Arsen was inside the main residence, he rushed outside when he heard Tereus's loud voice. His mouth formed a smile when he saw Theresa in her white fitted dress standing beside Nireus.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, Chiliarch?"
Nireus smiled, "I was taking a stroll around Heos with my eldest," he paused for a couple of seconds, "You know, this place should be a town. It's already as big as one."
Arsen guided the two towards the main residence. Before they could enter, Tiriara popped up from the side. She had a grin as she charged towards them. Nireus was happy to see her daughter running to them. But, Tiriara passed by him and hugged her older sister.
"What are you doing here?" Tiriara asked.
Theresa chuckled, "Father wanted to visit, so I came with him."
Aeneas and Neoma followed behind Tiriara.
With a Panteran bow, Aeneas greeted Nireus and Theresa, while Neoma mimicked what he did.
In the living room, Crisa, Issa, Yri, and Lyra served treats and tea not only to the lord of Arsida and his eldest daughter but to everyone who was in the place. Even knights who were outside were called to have a break first before returning to whatever they were doing.
It was a rare sight even to Nireus. If he didn't already know who the Caspius's were, he wouldn't be able to guess them. He felt that they were almost a single huge family. Even their attires were of the same quality material. Aside from the lavish clothing that Lyra would sometimes buy for everyone, everyone in the manor didn't care about the clothes they wore as long as they were comfortable.
Having experienced it himself, the lord of Arsida has come to realize why his youngest daughter was always eager to visit the place. Even at the moment, he watches as Tiriara lets out a series of full-blown laughter while chatting with Aeneas and the others. Although the girl was always cheerful, he had never seen her laugh as much. Konon was also smiling and laughing more with the other knights compared to when he was at the Chronis manor.
Nireus thought that the line between the owners of the manor and their servants didn't seem to exist in the Caspius manor, and it might be detrimental when an event where the manor's hierarchy has to be questioned occurs. But, after spending a good time with them, he realized that he was quite wrong. He feels that everyone in the manor greatly loves, admires, trusts, and respects the Caspius's. So much that they would follow them even to the depths of chaos if they had to.
After a while of lively chatter, Nireus brought up the topic of the letter he'd received. Most became quiet when they heard it. Arsen stood up and said to proceed with their conversation inside his office. He also asked everyone not to wander around his office as it was a topic that needed privacy.
Inside Arsen's office was the same group of people that was in the Chronis manor yesterday. Arsen, Nireus, Konon, Donos, Lyra, and Theresa were in the room talking about the contents of the king's letter. Nireus already informed Cylon about all that happened before leaving and made decisions while listening to his suggestions.
"I plan to ride for the capital on the fifteenth," Nireus said. He continued by telling them that he planned to go with a few knights and that he needed to bring Neoma with him.
"Should we include her in this conversation?" Arsen asked.
Lyra and Theresa agreed while Konon and Donos remained as listeners.
Neoma was called. The moment she entered, the girl felt that everyone was looking at her. Her instincts combined with the feeling of embarrassment made her decide to storm out of the room.
She was asked for her presence again, this time Aeneas accompanied her as she requested. Tiriara felt annoyed that she was the only one among the three who wasn't included in the conversation. She remained at the other side of the closed door with her right ear pressed against it and with a face of annoyance.
With a smile, Lyra held Neoma's hand, "You have to accompany lord Nireus to the city of Khrysos," she said.
Neoma was confused, even so, there was only a slight change in her expression and it was almost unnoticeable.
Lyra explained it to her in more detail, yet in a way that she would understand much easier. Included in her explanation was the reason why Neoma needed to go to Khrysos. She also condensed the story and told them about the Moonlord and the village hidden in the Great Verdant forest of Pantera located south of Arsida, where people bearing the same Zeal as her live.
Having learned the story for the first time, the Zeal-bearers of the Great Wolf struck Aeneas with awe and admiration. Lyra asked him not to mention it to other people, to which he nodded in response.
Then, a question popped up in the boy's head, "Why does she need to meet the king when the Great Forest is much closer to us than Khrysos?"
Nireus said that only the king was allowed to contact the village, and only when it was about something serious. Also, the king wanted to meet Neoma.
"We'll ride at the fifteenth," said Nireus.
"Aren't you going through an airboat, Chiliarch?" Aeneas asked.
The lord of Arsida chuckled. Saying that he was someone who loved a traditional journey, riding his trusted steed while viewing the scenery of the Panteran land.
"Father's afraid of flying," Theresa said.
Nireus let out a nervous chuckle and didn't say anything back to his daughter. He stood up and was preparing to leave.
"We will leave at dawn. I trust that you'll help Neoma prepare, sir Arsen."
"Of course, my lord."
But, before Nireus could leave the room, Neoma blurted out, "Wait."
The embarrassed girl caught everyone's attention.
"What is it?" asked Lyra.
"Will Aenie go?"
Lyra explained that there was no reason for Aeneas to come with them.
Neoma clung to Aeneas's shirt, "Then… I stay," she said.
"But, you need to—"
"No!" The girl blurted out. Interrupting Lyra's reasoning.
Hearing the girl's condition, Nireus turned to Aeneas, "What do you say? Do you want to come?"
As Aeneas stared at the pleading eyes of Neoma, he couldn't help but nod in agreement.
"Well then, I guess I should ask Sir Arsen and some of his men to come with me instead," Nireus said while looking at Arsen with a smile.
From the other side of the door, Tiriara shouted that she also wanted to come with them. Pleading his father to let her in. Once inside, she then begged him to let her tag along their journey. And as the doting father that he is, he couldn't refuse her request.
"I guess I should come as well," Theresa said, staring at Arsen who gulped and smiled the moment their eyes met.
"What about you, mother? Will you come?" Aeneas asked.
"I'm sorry Aenie. I haven't told you yet, but I have to leave again to continue my research."
"But it hasn't been long since you've returned. And the summit is next month."
Lyra explained that she received a letter about a newly discovered ancient ruin found in the kingdom of Regas. She already made plans to leave on the sixteenth.
Saddened, Aeneas stared at the ground. It was hard for his mother to see him act in such a way. With a sigh, Lyra decided to cancel her plans on a whim and told Aeneas that she would come with them to the capital.
"But after the summit, I'll leave for my research, okay?"
Aeneas agreed with a huge smile on his face.