In the now dimly lit shop, Velka explained everything in detail about the state of Belfast, what they had found and about Renard.
May listened to her, slowly digesting the information, now understanding the gravity of the situation they had.
"I commend Neil for offering to take care of him, although do you understand the risks associated with taking him in? You even mentioned he is an Aetherion. If any official gets to hear this..."
"They will rush to kill him while he's still young and fragile. Yes, we all understand that. But, we don't have iron hearts, at least not strong enough to ignore a child." Velka replied.
May sighed as she looked up at her dusty lamps- she needed to replace them. She let out another sigh, placing that thought aside.
"Now, are you really sure you will pay for all the things you will need? I will need to pull my strings for a fake permit for the kid and an active illusion spell to make him look more.. Human."
"Yes, yes we will. But knowing your way of thinking, let me remind you something; He is an Aetherion. A Sovereign with the power to actually heal from certain death or even reviving him. So in due time, he will grow to become a Sophiarch." She said as she paused a bit.
May was now certainly drawn in. Sophiarchs are the pinnacle of strength, those chosen by Sovereigns, representing absolute understanding of mana; beings that weave the very threads that weave the world. To be affiliated with one of them will instantly grant you authority equal to Kings.
As soon as she understood that, she came to know Velka's true intentions.
"You are really sly, you basically want me to form strong relationships with your group, so you can save on costs and all, knowing very well that I will not let such an opportunity go." May said.
"Well, we won't really have a lot of funds now, taking care of the boy is what we want for now." She replied.
"Very well, from here on I will be at your beck and call. I shall immediately start preparations, let us all meet here after an hour."
***
Renard had finally calmed down, which allowed Neil and Mordain to come into the room. Neil had lit a fire at the fireplace. Its warm light brushed against the quiet room, lighting it up.
The window had been sealed shut, closing them off from the outside world. Renard sat on the bed, wrapped in a heavy blanket. His crimson eyes were distant, staring at nothing. Jin sat close to him, careful not to disturb him.
"Hey," Jin called out, his voice soft and gentle, as if he was talking to something fragile.
"You're safe here now, okay?"
Renard didn't react. He maintained his tight grip on the blanket, his breathing shallow.
"You're scaring the kid with your ever serious face Jin," Mordain said as he moved closer to the bed, leaning towards Renard.
"Don't let him scare you, he's a good guy, I promise."
Renard's gaze shifted a bit towards Mordain.
"You don't have to talk if you're not ready. but I'd like to know your name, when you feel okay to share it." Neil said.
It took some time, long heavy seconds that seemed to stretch out. Eventually, Renard whispered, as if afraid of his own voice.
"Renard."
"Renard, that's a good name. Can I call you Ren?" Jin asked, his smile softening.
A nod
Neil who had been quiet the whole time leaning against the wall, finally spoke.
"You're safe now, Ren, so don't be afraid." He said in a fatherly tone, one that seemed to draw Renard in.
"Yeah we're not the scary type. Well maybe him," Mordain said as he nodded at Jin, earning a faint eye roll from him. "But the two of us? Completely safe." He said as he let out a soft chuckle. For a brief moment, something flickered across Renard's face. Maybe a smile, or maybe something less heavy.
"Hey Ren," Jin called out, "Are you feeling cold? Or hungry?"
Renard hesitated, then shook his head.
"Okay. If you ever do, you can tell us anytime. We'll look after you."
As silence lingered in the room once again, Renard rested on the bed, curling himself as if he wanted to vanish.
Silence settled and the three looked at each other, unsure of what to say- until a low growl rumbled from Renard's stomach, sharp and undeniable.
His eyes suddenly widened in embarrassment, pulling the blanket over his face. Jin chuckled, a warm honest sound that reminded Renard of the peaceful times he had.
"So the cat's out of the bag now," Jin said as he stood up." Hold on, let's fix that."
"Your tummy decided to reveal your secret huh," Mordain said in a teasing tone as he sent a quick glance at Neil.
He pushed off the wall as he looked at Renard- now fully covered inside the blanket.
"Don't worry, I'll find something quick." He said.
"Next time you don't have to wait until your stomach tells on you alright?" Jin said in a soft but teasing voice.
"Okay." Renard replied faintly, his voice muffled by the blanket.
"You got a favourite food, Kid?" Mordain asked.
"C- Cirils." Renard replied.
"Cirils huh, alright I'll get you some myself." Mordain said, recalling the fruits they had collected the day before. Cirils were a rarity- he was lucky he had picked some.
"Then, hmm do you know what is sweeter than Cirils?" Mordain asked.
No answer
"Steak, dripping in honey," he said.
There was a subtle shift beneath the covers. The word honey had caught Renard's attention, and Mordain had noticed.
"They say honey is sweeter than Cirils, sweeter than anything you have ever tasted. Now imagine a well made steak- fried to perfection, encased with honey....."
Slowly, a small tuft of Renard's dark hair peeked from under the blanket, followed by wide curious eyes.
"I can assure you, it's so sweet you will forget everything else for a moment." Neil said as he stood by the door.
Jin, catching the hint, walked towards Neil.
"I guess we're going to get that, huh?"
"Yes," Mordain said, waving a hand. "The best steak, the best honey. Nothing less. And the two of you better hurry your weak legs."
Jin looked at Mordain, wishing he could slap him that very instant. He was having way too much fun.
"Alright, we will be back." Neil said as he walked towards Renard, ruffling his hair slightly. "We'll be back soon."
As the door clicked shut behind them, Mordain now sat beside Renard, satisfied that he'd done all he could.
A spell crest appeared on his hand and two cirils appeared.
"You will love it so much that cirils might stop being your favourite."He said as he handed him a ciril.
"Is it really... that sweet?" Renard asked, his voice still a whisper.
"Sweeter than you can ever imagine,"
Renard remembered what he was told about honey, and now he was finally going to taste it- not in the way he thought he would, but regardless, his mood was more optimistic now.
And that's all that mattered.
***