Darius could feel his apprentice's uncertainty all the way through. He hadn't expected the young dragon to be completely unconcerned, but he didn't think he would be that flustered. He also had no idea whether it was the fact that it was his first time in a similar place or whether he was nervous about something else entirely. When they stood in front of the door it immediately opened inwards, at the sides stood two servants in blue livery and across from them, in the depths of the hall, were strutting another three, the same number of maids and four officers of Darius's private troops-Captain Evis Forth a stocky, grey-haired man with a face covered with numerous scars gained in battle while still at General Bleist's side, his right-hand man-Lieutenant Seth Retter a young , still inexperienced officer who was best at the staff table, Lieutenant Zun Ye in charge of supplies and communications between the troops a quiet giant with calm eyes and a menacing smile, and Lieutenant Trace Eghart an energetic young man recently promoted to his rank for his dedication and merit who was in charge of providing security at the main residence. They all froze in a position at attention. Next to them stood an unassuming old man in a blue mage's cloak with dark red epaulettes. He looked calmly at those entering, but Darius knew he would be forced to listen to a lecture on punctuality and good manners. Oscar often treated him like a small child regardless of the number of years that had passed.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that Draco had stopped in mid-step and was only beside Darius after a few heartbeats. He must be surprised at such a reception. He thought, wondering what Oscar had come up with again. He suspected the older man of honouring old traditions that were now a thing of the past. It seemed that the majordomo had decided to welcome his master's apprentice in a very festive manner. Darius expected that a veritable banquet prepared as a luncheon awaited them as well, and he began to wonder if it was worth keeping quiet about the fact that they had already had a meal at Matheo's and feigned satisfaction in the consumption. He suspected that he would regret it later, but he did not want to make the old man uncomfortable.
As they approached the officers saluted sprightly and Oscar bowed courteously. Draco flinched slightly, but quickly brought his demeanour under control by summoning a mask of calm to his face.
-Welcome young master to the mansion of Ed'heere.- The majordomo made another bow, and the dragon looked intimidated again. It seemed that his embarrassment was noticed by all but vetSalus. Darius met Evis's gaze and read from it regret at his failure to persuade the old man to change the rigid protocol to something more accommodating to the boy. Draco bowed to Oscar after a moment and thanked him for his greeting, but it was clear that the majordomo's constant titling him as young master did not give him much pleasure at all. After everyone had been introduced, the elderly mage invited them to dinner, and Bleist groaned deafeningly, hoping that vetSalus had not heard him. It had one positive effect, however- Draco smiled again as he watched the master's pained expression.
They all walked to the dining room, where another three servants and a set table were waiting. Oscar seated everyone as etiquette dictated-Darius at the head of the table, Draco on his right and the officers on his left according to rank and seniority. The dinner went on in a rather stiff atmosphere due to the majordomo circling the room with a stony face and casting chastising glances at anyone he thought had broken any rules of etiquette. As it turned out, there was only one person at the table who had not received a visual warning and that was, to everyone's surprise, Draco. The dragon sat like on pins and needles throughout the meal trying not to make a single mistake or skip any of the endless rules. By the end, the officers were looking at him with undisguised admiration, and Darius was relieved to see the satisfaction on Oscar's face. The student surprised Bleist in another respect as well - he ate with relish everything the majordomus served him. Darius had no idea how the boy was able to fit in a second hearty dinner, but he put it down to his youth and the demands of his ever-growing body.
-Oscar.- Darius spoke up as the dessert cups disappeared from the table and everyone tried not to pay attention to the cookies placed on the table by the servants. Although, as it soon became apparent, not everyone was stuffed to the limit and the chocolate shortbread cookies disappeared almost as soon as they appeared on the table. This brought smiles to the faces of everyone in the room.-I forgot to tell you that we would have guests in the evening.-He took a sip of wine while avoiding Oscar's chastising gaze.-I invited Matheo to dinner.
-Will Master Vittoro come with his wife?-Majordomus again summoned his mask of seriousness, but his eyes promised a looooong conversation.
-Yes, probably also together with his sons and apprentice.- Darius escaped with his eyes and quickly began to look for an opportunity to change the subject.
-How was your leave in Dagos Sir?- Ye came to his aid. He seemed to understand Bleist's desire to escape further questions from Oscar.
-I must say, busily,- he replied with relief. It looked like he'd managed to postpone the inevitable for the time being.-I had to take care of a few things with Othis, but in return, fate smiled on me and put Draco in my way.-He glanced at the student, who blushed slightly.-Well, there was still this and that happening afterwards, but the most important thing was that we returned peacefully to Atlantis.
-Well... Not so calmly.-The dragon spoke up for the first time without waiting for someone to speak to him first.-That thing at Matheo's...-He turned the last cookie in his fingers while looking at it carefully.
-Yes, there's that too.- Darius could have sworn he almost forgot the whole incident focusing only on the student's achievements.- Evis, be so good and double the guards. I fear we may have some uninvited guests in the near future.- He sighed heavily.
-As you wish Sir.-The captain was a competent mage who had his complete trust, just as his father had before him. He had always done his best to support and protect the Bleist family.-If I may know, however, what happened?- He became interested.
-Maybe it came out rather unfortunate, but thankfully it all ended without any major problems.- Darius looked after everyone and decided that he had to tell them. He figured Draco had mentioned what had happened for a reason, and he was grateful for it.- Matheo is in trouble, and a rather big one at that.- He began, wondering what should be said first.- It's about my dear cousin...- It barely made it past his throat. He couldn't imagine that he was related to someone like that.Laven Kerling-Bleist dreamt up a weapon forged by the hammer and anvil master Matheo Vittoro. He thought all he had to do was spill the gold and he would immediately get what he wanted. Well, it didn't work.- He shrugged his shoulders, thinking that dear cousin really was an idiot. - Huffing and puffing and calling the family name, he tried to force Matheo to break his resolve. As Matheo himself described it Laven flew out of the studio on kicks. Honestly, I'm not even surprised, and I would argue that he deserved it.- He leaned on the table feeling everyone's gaze on him, even the servants.- Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to understand such a thing as refusal. A few days after he had been thrown out, his henchmen came to the establishment. Fortunately, they only waved their weapons around a bit and that was it.- He did not want to repeat what his friend had told him. Somehow he didn't think it was the best idea to go into detail.- They issued an ultimatum, the context of which you can probably guess. They didn't get an answer, so they came again today. Unlucky that we happened to be at Matheo's and...- He glanced at a student who was thoughtfully finishing his cookie.- We managed to foil their plans. More precisely, it was Draco who managed to save Matheo's student.- The dragon froze for a moment and lowered his gaze mumbling that he hadn't done anything at all and it had just worked out that way.-Now I'm expecting a visit from either my dear cousin or one of his... protégés.- He finished by crooking a little.
-You were planning something similar, weren't you Sir?- Seth asked, looking closely at his superiors.
-I was going to send six or seven men to Matheo's studio.-He said looking at Trace.-Could you?
-Of course.-The lieutenant nodded briefly.-I will select the best and send them out immediately. I think three shifts of six will be quite sufficient. The mere presence of our soldiers should be sufficient protection against extortion attempts.
-Thank you.- Darius breathed slightly and sipped his tea. He wanted to ask Oscar for a mint, but was a little afraid of his reaction. He raised his gaze and looked at those seated at the table. The officers were quietly whispering amongst themselves already determining what they needed to do. He shifted his gaze to his apprentice and almost gasped in surprise. Oscar was just placing another plate of chocolate cookies in front of him and exchanging some sort of remark with great preoccupation. What was most surprising was that it looked like the old majordomo had not only managed to accept the dragon as his employer's apprentice, but to like him too, which was written in Oscar's gaze when he looked at Draco. And all in one meal. He thought again slightly amused. He also honestly couldn't find a reason why everyone shouldn't like the boy, who really did have something friendly about himself. Maybe it is hereditary? He wondered if it could be a manifestation, an echo of the abilities Nasua possessed. In any case, they have nothing to dislike him for. He's polite, he can behave himself, he's always aware of his surroundings and he also has that thing in him that pushes him to help others. He smiled when Draco looked up at him from over the shoulder of a leaning vetSalus.- Trace?- He turned to the Lieutenant suddenly getting an idea.
-Yes, Colonel?- The officer interrupted his conversation with Ye and looked at Darius.
-I have to take care of some papers that have probably piled up in my absence and unfortunately I won't have time before supper.-He started and looked at his apprentice, who momentarily turned towards him.-Could you give Draco a tour of the mansion? Unfortunately I cannot do it myself, which I regret.-The dragon nodded quickly understanding what he meant.
-Of course, with great pleasure Colonel.- The lieutenant straightened up, looked at Draco and smiled in a friendly manner. The dragon replied in the same manner.
-Since everything is settled, I guess it's time for everyone to go, right? -The tone with which Oscar spoke did not herald anything good at all. The hairs on the back of Darius' neck stood up and shivers ran down his body. He had a bad feeling about this.
The officers rose from their seats as one and rushed to the exit, saying their hasty goodbyes. Only Eghart stopped at the door and waited for Draco to approach him so he could show him around.
-Lieutenant?- Oscar looked at the soldier, who momentarily stood at attention.-The young master's room will be prepared when you return, so when you have finished your tour of the mansion please escort him to the east tower, to the penultimate floor.
-Yes, sir.- Trace tapped his heels again and it was evident that he barely refrained from saluting. Darius was a little amused by the way the majordomo put everyone in their corners.
-When you have seen everything, please make yourself comfortable in your room and freshen up.-Majordomus turned to the dragon, who only nodded hastily.-When Master Matheo arrives, I will send one of the servants to ask the young master downstairs.
-Thank you, sir vetSalus.- Draco bowed slightly as he stood up.
-Oscar will suffice.- The majordomo bowed to him gracefully. The dragon was already about to say something, but noticed Darius insistently shaking his head and bit his tongue.-If you wish anything please ring the bell on the desk.
-Thanks Oscar.- The dragon nodded to him and at Bleist's signal he moved towards the waiting lieutenant.
When they left and Bleist was left in the dining room alone with Oscar he immediately let out the air heavily and mentally prepared himself for the coming storm. He closed his eyes and waited. After a moment of protracted silence, he slowly opened his eyelids and looked at the majordomo. The older man stood leaning on the back of a chair and stared at the door behind which the dragon had disappeared. Some kind of unprecedented nostalgia was painted on his face.
-I had previously ordered a room to be prepared in the western part of the mansion.- He said quietly after a moment. Darius was surprised. He had already wondered why Oscar had prepared a room for the dragon in the eastern tower, which was meant for the closest family, and now he did not know what to think about what the majordomus wanted to say.-I hope you are not angry with me?-This was the first time he had heard something like that from his mouth. Not once in the past had Oscar apologised for anything.
-No, I have nothing to be angry about.- Darius looked at the closed door himself.-You were right Oscar, you were right.- VetSalus smiled slightly and turned to leave.
-I have to get everything ready now, and there's still supper left for the guests.-He sighed patiently, but didn't look away. Only when he put his hand on the doorknob did he look at a surprised Darius.-He reminds me of you when you were younger.