Betty
Serafina - Wisdom Magistrate
Somewhere in Central Terresol

Serafina chuckled at his question of her validity. "I am." She paused for a moment and picked off a wheat bud that had lodged onto her shirt, throwing it to the ground. "Listen, Cleos, I want you to know that while I am here as an official representative of the Southern Pantheon I am not going to make you do anything you do not want to do. But the tides are shifting and there are things you should be aware of.

Charity is not well-loved by the people of Terresol and there are rumours that she will be abdicating the throne. With the plague running rampant across Marin, an empty throne is a disheartening thought. As the last remaining Vortigern, you are the heir to the Terresolian throne." Serafina's eyes studied Cleos as she broke the news. On their journey to the manor she had debated the best way to bring their proposal of ruling to the boy and had ultimately decided to just get it out into the open. "You won't need do it alone. I, along with many others who wish to see you on the throne, will stand by your side and assist when you need us to."
Kenneth
Cleos
Somewhere in Central Terresol

Cleos wore a slack face as Serafina spoke. It was if her words of proposition were an incantation that bewitched the young man. The stalks of maize were spinning around him; soon, they would be reaped and harvested and turned into nourishing food that would keep the community well. Their very matter would never be the same again, but their sacrifice would be worthy. If the wheat had a choice, would it choose to live on as it was: still, stagnant, dancing faintly in the breeze? Would its desires even matter?

Saris created wheat to be nothing but food. Perhaps he created Cleos to be nothing but a king.

Cleos sat down beside her, joining his arms around his knees. His face was solemn, and his eyes were fixed on the earth at his feet. "I'm not the last Vortigorn," He answered meekly. "There's still Carney. Caderyn and Fleur are still alive too, aren't they?" He turned his gaze upon her. The look in his eyes made him seem a decade younger.
Betty
Serafina - Wisdom Magistrate
Somewhere in Central Terresol

Serafina watched the boy process her information and change from a confident young man to a meek child before her eyes. He had to grow up too quickly, losing his family in the blink of an eye. As he sat, she studied him, eyes holding concern. *Perhaps I should have eased him into it.*

"I don't know." Serafina admitted. "But Carney and Caderyn took vows under Saris not to take the throne. If Fleur is still alive, Mafalda protect her, she is too young to rule." Turning to face him, the woman gently grasped his hands and held them. "We are looking for them, Cleos, but until we find them, Terresol needs a ruler. My offer does not come lightly. I've consulted the gods and they've given you their blessing. A high praise for anyone."
Kenneth
Cleos
Somewhere in Central Terresol

*Vows under Saris?* Cleos winced. Why had his uncles forsaken the throne? Why had they dumped this burden on the heads of their niece and nephew? He wasn't ready for this; for all his dreaming, all his yearning, he didn't have what it took to take over the kingdom on such short notice.

That's what he was ruminating on before she took his hands and told him of his god-given destiny. His eyes widened with disbelief. "The gods favour me? *Me*? My lady, I'm ... I'm a bastard! Mother was a scullery maid." Speaking of her suddenly hit a dark old string in his heart, and its sounding made his eyes dim and drift aside. He sighed, then looked her in the eyes. "Even if Queen Charity is doffin' the crown ... Surely this won't be easy. I mean, if one bastard Vortigon can romp up and take the throne, surely there're a dozen others who'll be squealin' for it."
Betty
Serafina - Wisdom Magistrate
Somewhere in Central Terresol

As he spoke of not being worthy Serafina's mind flashed back to the words of Circle of Xolile leader during her trials and his voice echoed in her mind. *Only those worthy will pass. Only those worthy...* Serafina had doubts of her worthiness during the trials, but her ethereal experience with Xolile as her feet were burned on the grates covering the eternal flames had shown her otherwise. Since that time, she had come to learn that worthiness was yet another mystery of the gods. 

"As am I, Cleos." She replied, gently, trying to hide the painful flashback from her eyes. "A bastard daughter of a noblewoman, but the gods have blessed me and guided me through life." She paused for a moment to consider her next words, dropping the boys hands and leaning against her own in the dirt. "Why do the gods choose anyone?"She mused out loud. "What if the life you've lived was to mould you into the kind of person Saris desires to rule the people?" Her words stemmed from her own experience. Had it not been for the trials, she would never have joined the Abigreth and become a Wisdom. "Do you doubt their divine hand?"

Serafina turned to meet his gaze as he looked towards her, listening to his qualms before answering. "The Vortigern name is recognized and respected among the people. Furthermore, you've lived among them. It gives you a unique perspective, one I hope you retain during your rule." Straightening, Serafina brushed the dirt from her palms and stared at Cleos with a powerful, penetrating gaze. "Most important, you alone have the gods blessing."
Kenneth
Cleos
Somewhere in Central Terresol

Cleos found himself frowning with sympathy as Serafina delineated the common threads of fate that bound the two of them. *What if the life you've lived was to mould you into the kind of person Saris desires to rule the people?* That struck him resoundingly. He looked at his tough farmboy's hands. He looked around at the fields, the fields *He* Had helped to cultivate and reap every year since he'd they planted him here. He toiled and sweated, drank and danced, laughed and frowned with the ordinary people of Terresol. His blood was half-and-half, and that loured upon his claim to the throne, but his heart and soul were half-and-half, and that would make the greatest ruler this kingdom had ever seen.

The spark of passion she'd just lit inside him made his eyes widen a bit. He hadn't felt so ambitious in a long, long while. Perhaps the gods truly had blessed him; he could feel their divine grace pouring down on him in the sunbeams. *Do you doubt their divine hand?* In that moment, at least, he doubted no one and nothing.

When she finished talking, he found himself gazing across the fields. "I love these people. They're honest. Rarely anythin' to hide, rarely any fake face to hold up." Guilt appeared on his face. "What would the gods make out of me? A warrior? A great master of trader? A man who works through shadows?"
Betty
Serafina - Wisdom Magistrate
Somewhere in Central Terresol

Serafina nodded in agreement with his words. She had found the same during her time in the outer villages. The people were simply living their lives and trying to please the gods in the process. She admired it and in some ways she missed the lifestyle. Her time at the Abigreth as a Wisdom - and more specifically in service to the royal household - had consisted of whispers and secret meetings to bring about the gods will. 

"Isn't it obvious, Cleos? A King." She replied simply.
Kenneth
Cleos
Somewhere in Central Terresol

Cleos eyed her thoughtfully. "A king?" He looked off at the buildings and people beyond the edge of the wheat field, twiddling his fingers. "I could be a king. Well, I suppose *Anyone* Could be a king, really." He looked her in the eyes; where once they had quivered with childish apprehension, they now glared steely determination. "But I'm goin' to try and be a good king. No more messin' around." He got up to sit on his knees and offered his hand. "The owl has roosted too long. She will fly for her kingdom once more."
Betty
Serafina Wisdom Magistrate 
Center of Terresol somewhere

Serafina smiled at the change she saw and took his hand, pulling herself up with his help before dusting off her clothing. The boy had a determination in his eyes and it was enough to reinvigorate anyone in the moment. Resting a hand on his shoulder she gave it a reassuring squeeze. "May she rule wisely and heed the council of the gods.

I'm afraid I cannot stay for long. I must return to Terresol to prepare for the Council." She paused, turning to glance at her guards. "It may be some time before I see you again, but your name will always be in my prayers." She smiled. "Draw close to the gods, Cleos, and they will bless you beyond measure. I'll send for you when the time is right."
Kenneth
Cleos
Somewhere in Central Terresol

*That's it?* He was expecting her to take him away to Sol right there and then. *No, Cleos, have patience. Patience is a quality of a great king.* He made a holy gesture and said 'Praise Saris' in Old Soltongue, butchering the pronunciation. "I hope the 'right time' comes soon. I, um .." He smiled brightly. "I'm eager to claim my throne. Do good for my people in these dark times. Uh, anyway, I wish you well at the Council."