Not all Lumani are as benevolent as you might think. Remember, all those Noble parents who sent their kids off to scout matches. They’re all True-Bonded with Lumani. And some Nobles I’ve met have been… ah… well even more corrupt.
Truly? I thought—
It’s not something that we share openly, but… we Lumani start to take on some of your human characteristics after a while. It’s one reason I’m a bit girlish and giggly. Some others have acquired less desirable traits over time, and when they Bond now, they are seeking humans like them, which only perpetuates and builds upon their nature. Such matches can be truly surprising in their vileness. I wouldn’t say it’s common, but you should be prepared. Such True-Bonded are out there. I don’t sense anything like that from Pebble or Haleia though.
I was too shocked to reply. What sort of world would I be getting into, if I was chosen for a Noble House?
Yes, some Nobles are corrupt, but really, most of the Noble Houses are good places.
Most?
Well, ah… yeah.I could sense her discomfort. She’d dug herself a hole, and I wouldn’t let her out of it.Your sister’s House, Pegasus, is quite lovely. Some of their members are a bit full of themselves, but I wouldn’t say they’re bad people. And Pterolycus House is a bit wild and dangerous, but never to innocent people. They protect our border in the north and need to be a bit fiercer in nature. Panther House are insular and can be a bit superior. There may be a few not-so-nice members there. Wyvern… well I know you idolize their leader, and Skyfire is a true soul, but some of her members are a bit… bloodthirsty. They, like Pterolycus are fierce protectors of the nation, some just like battle and killing a little too much, but they are mostly contained. The same is true of Grizzly House. They all have a bit of a ferociousness to them, but few of them would ever dare to use it anywhere other than to protect Elista. Tanuki and Porcupine Houses are generally good and wholesome Houses, open and friendly, though looked down on a little by some of the other Houses for their charitable work.She hesitated, pausing a moment. The only two she hadn’t mentioned were the Royal House, Owl, and House Maverick.
What about the Royal House? I asked.
Ah, they are, strong and powerful…
But?
But… they don’t all want to use that power for the good of the nation. Some of them are a bit too power hungry. They’ll stay in line as long as Queen Whitewing is in power, but I fear what may happen if she dies.
This was a shock indeed.
I didn’t know what to make of this. I’d thought the Royal House to be a strong and guiding influence over the nation, but if it was just filled with selfish, power-hungry types, what would happen if the benevolent Whitewing stepped down. If she died, there would be a Council of Nobles, where the various House Leaders would choose a new Royal House and perhaps Owl might not be chosen. But if Whitewing stepped down then others from her House would rise to power. What then?
I don’t know.
Not what I wanted to hear.
And what about Maverick? I asked.
They’re… odd. A House of misfits and outcasts. It began with a few Nobles who left their Houses, seeking someplace where they fit in. They found that together and founded the House. Maverick has made itself a safe haven for anyone, but I truly don’t know what it’s like there. Not a House I’ve ever been a part of.
Ah.
I’d lost the conversation going on between Hearth and Pebble and tuned in now to try to get away from my own whirling thoughts.
“…we wanted, so, what do you want?” Hearth was asking.
Pebble sighed. “I just want to get off the streets… find a real home.”
Maverick would probably take someone like him, Auwei said softly.If he does end up Bonding. I don’t think he’s got what it takes to make it in any of the other Houses, though.
Would I? Suddenly I wasn’t sure and I didn’t know where I’d want to be placed. Pegasus sounded nice, sort-of. Perhaps Pterolycus? I’d need to find a bit more of my fierceness to fit in there, but I was passionate about protecting the nation, so maybe?
You’ll do fine, wherever you end up, Auwei said reassuringly.
I hoped so.
The day drew on and eventually we all grew hungry. We made our way back to Silverveil but had missed lunch. I went looking for Crown, while Hearth and Pebble waited in the shade of a tree, still chatting. I hoped our instructor might have a bit of pull to get us some food.
I found him in the great hall chatting with a few other instructors. He spotted me and nodded, breaking off his conversation and coming over to me, a basket in his hands. “I noticed you three weren’t at lunch, so I put some things together for you,” he said handing the basket over. “How was the walk?”
“Good. We learned a lot about each other.”
His blue-eyed gaze caught on mine for a long moment. “I think I’m going to let you take the lead with those two, if you’re well with that.”
“Oh? Why?”
