Chapter 291: Erased History.
“I only ask for a place to stay.”
Lavinia asked with an earnest expression.
The Matriarch stared at her for a moment and then,
“You said it yourself, I am allowed to monitor your actions.”
She raised her eyebrows; her tone was still full of suspicion.
“As long as it eases your doubts and worries, I do not mind it.”
Lavinia nodded, and looking into her eyes, the Matriarch nodded back,
“Alright then, I will allow you to stay.”
“But Matriarc—”
“Matriarch you ca—”
“Matria—”
The elders of the Elders Hall tried to stand against this decision; the Matriarch, however, raised her hand, instantly silencing everyone.
She then glanced at Kael and,
“Does this mean Lord Dragon Tamer will be staying here as well?”
“I will.”
Kael nodded. With Lavinia’s acceptance, he had no reason to say no.
“Then I will make the appropriate arrangements.”
The Matriarch nodded. Soon, however, as if she recalled something, she shook her head and glanced at him,
“And please forgive me for not introducing myself earlier. It was unbecoming of me.”
“It is not that big of a deal…”
Kael shook his head and smiled wryly. The difference in treatment after he showed Igni was almost frightening.
“No, it is a big deal. I have shown you a side I would usually never show to an outsider. I apologize and would like to correct my mistake.”
The woman then grabbed her sword proudly and,
“My name is Morvain Velmourn, the Matriarch of the Velmourn Family and the Warden of Heights.”
She introduced herself, then she pointed at the man beside her.
“This is Korvath Velmourn, the Commander of the Watch.”
Korvath’s face was a weathered stone—deep-set eyes beneath heavy brows, a squared jaw marred by an old scar that ran from cheekbone to chin. His silver-streaked beard was trimmed short, disciplined like the man himself. He looked to be in his late fifties, with the sharp gaze of someone who never truly sleeps, always watching the mountain passes.
Morvain then turned to the next figure.
“This is Draksis Velmourn, Leader of the Forge.”
Draksis was thick-necked and broad-shouldered, even under the heavy fur cloaks they all wore. His skin was tanned and singed at the edges, and the calluses on his hands were visible even as they rested at his sides. His face was blunt and square, his features strong but softened by age—thick eyebrows, a flattened nose, and gray hair slicked back into a rough knot. He looked to be in his mid-fifties, with heat-born wrinkles around his eyes.
“She is Aelindra Velmourn, Warden of Provision,”
The Matriarch said, gesturing to a tall figure with a solemn expression.
Aelindra’s face was sharp—hawk-like, elegant, and lined with quiet stress. Her eyes were narrow and calculating, pale gray like frost. Her dark hair, now threaded with white, was pulled into a long braid draped over one shoulder. In her late forties, she carried the look of someone who had measured every sack of grain and drop of water with sacred care.
“And this is Tarevian Velmourn, Voice of the Commonfolk.”
Tarevian had kind, sun-worn features—a face that might’ve once belonged to a farmer or merchant. He smiled gently, the lines around his eyes deepening. His dark beard was neatly trimmed, more pepper than salt, and his voice, when he nodded in greeting, was rich and smooth. He looked to be in his early forties, the youngest among them, but bore the weary kindness of someone who had listened to a thousand complaints without losing heart.
Finally, the Matriarch’s hand moved to the last figure.
“She is Nymeris Velmourn, High Chronicler.”
Nymeris was the oldest by far. Her face was thin and angular, with cheeks that had sunk in with time. Her hair was stark white, bound in a high knot with ink-stained pins jutting from it like spears. Her eyes, however, were alive—gleaming with intelligence and a glimmer of defiance. Wrinkles webbed the corners of her mouth and brow, but her spine remained straight, unbent.
“*This* is the Iron Council.”
Morvain spoke up, her voice filled with pride and resolve,
“The Council that rules the Ashen Heights.”
Kael stared at every Council Member and nodded at them. Unlike with Lavinia, where they openly showed their distrust, when it came to the Dragon Tamer, they were all especially kind to him. Tarevian even acted submissive, as if he would fall on his knees if Kael were to request it.
Of course, with the introductions from Morvain done, Kael stepped forward and,
“My name is Kael Carter, a Dragon Tamer and the Hero of Nerathis.”
“Hero?”
Morvain raised her eyebrow at that word.
Kael already expected it. These people were cut off from the rest of the world; obviously, they wouldn’t know what a Hero was.
“I wa—”
However, before Kael could explain himself,
“So they really did summon an otherworlder, huh…
No wonder you were able to form a Bond with a Dragon.”
Morvain muttered to herself.
“How did you know I came from another world?”
Kael questioned instantly.
“Hmm? Aren’t the Heroes summoned from other worlds? Or at least that was the case in the past.”
Morvain questioned back with a confused frown. Her answer, however, surprised Kael.
“The past? Are you saying Heroes have been summoned to this world in the past?”
He questioned directly, unable to control himself.
“Of course, how else did you think we managed to defeat the Corruption?”
Morvain answered as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“Huh?”
“Huh?”
“Huh?”
The entire room frowned in confusion.
Kael and Lavinia were surprised by the fact that other Heroes were summoned in this world before Kael, while Morvain and others couldn’t believe that Kael and Lavinia did not know this common knowledge.
Soon, however, Morvain understood,
“The Drakthar must have erased Velmourn history and the history we preserved.”
“What…?”
“This is not the first time it has happened. As they say, history is written by the winners. After our defeat, the Dragonborns must have altered the history to paint themselves in a positive light, and while doing that, they must have erased the records they couldn’t be certain about or just considered to be legends.”
Morvain nodded to herself, satisfied by her deduction.
“So you are saying… that the Drakthar leaders erased… such an important part of history… just to… make themselves look good?”
“Well, it wouldn’t be the first time it happened.”
Morvain shrugged.
…
A/N:
*Nyrri’s Egg (Gemstone Form)*
*Nyrrion*
*Morvain Velmourn*
Hello hello,
Thank you so much for sticking with me last month despite the low upload rate—I deeply apologize for it.
Last month was probably the most difficult month of my life. Too many things piled up, and even writing a few words would trigger long headaches. I was barely able to upload one chapter a day for this book and had to take a 20-day break from my other book—probably the longest break I’ve taken in three years of writing.
On a positive note, things have gotten comparatively better, so I hope to return to the normal schedule of two chapters a day starting today.
Thank you again for your patience and support—I really appreciate it.
Love you~