Nyxara
"As you may have noticed, we have ventures in various industries, so you don't have to worry about us not having the insight to guide you should you decide to branch out and start up a business of your own." My hand cramped slightly as I tried to focus on writing down Korran's words. As I wrote, my thoughts were making connections. "This is… a lot. A lot to take in. A lot to process."
"It is. So just make reference notes. Everything we go over has been provided to you in the file folder. We will move quickly, but we will not rush through the material faster than you can absorb it." With his words, I relaxed a bit and wrote my remaining notes in shorthand.
Korran's expression softened—just for a heartbeat—the teacher giving way to the parent. "For now, it is enough to know the framework. In time, you will memorize the details, learn to read complex contracts, and navigate dull political conversations. What you learn with me will also give you an advantage when you are performing your Sentinel duties. If you are assigned to a high-ranking squad, you will have to interact with the power players both in the region and outside of it. So learning the foundations here will help you navigate the world you will be stepping into."
Huh, so my heir studies will be helpful to me in my chosen career? If that is the case, I'm even more confused by Grey's resistance to learning this knowledge.
I sat back, my pen tapping absently against my notebook. My lessons are more than remedial. This is my inheritance. Each part gives me roots I never had before. I can slowly start to see the web and how it connects back to what Aspen told me earlier in our session.
Korran sat down across from me, capturing my gaze. For a moment, I felt myself falling into that now familiar enthrallment until he blinked, breaking our connection. He raised an eyebrow but didn't make a verbal comment. I just shrugged and looked down at my notes. I shivered, feeling a chill with the window at my back.
Before it was even a complete thought, Lima placed Nimra's shawl around my shoulders. She then placed tea and chips on the table before bowing out of the room. I looked at Korran, bewildered, and he looked at me, amused. "I see that you and Lima have been re-introduced. She had submitted herself for a system upgrade after being told about your incident." He sipped his tea with a sigh and threw some chips in his mouth.
"She didn't have , then but still felt it was her fault for not noticing her Mistress was in distress. She requested the AI upgrade so she could be of better service to you. It is weird to say, I hope she forgives herself just as we are trying to forgive ourselves for not noticing either." Korran's commiserating, sad smile appeared for a moment, then faded into his neutral teaching expression. With its appearance, I knew we would be jumping back into the lesson after this short break.
Korran did not immediately start talking. Instead, he folded his hands, and his posture became tighter—not less approachable, but heavier. "I've shared the basic shape of the Enclave," he said, voice low. "Now you will hear about the more complicated side of our position." Intrigued, I set down my pen and turned on the audio recording. I didn't want to be distracted by note-taking for this part.
"As a councilman of this region, I carry not only our name but the balance of law. By default, as my tharym and enclave, everything you do, people will watch. How you speak, how you hold yourself, how you respond when tested. Because to them, you are not only Nyxara—you are Ajei. And currently, you are considered the weakest link, so those who feel bold enough will try to prey on you."
He let that settle before continuing. "It is my hope, both as your patriarch and father, that this will no longer be the case once you are ready for the public. I will never abandon you, but I also do not want to be a crutch for you again. So you must become strong enough to stand on your own. Your enclave should be, in addition to your personal authority, not the only authority you have. As a lady of the enclave, the expectations others have of you are exacting. Poise in public. Control over your scent and expression. Grace under scrutiny, even when insulted. Deference where it is due. And strength—always strength—where it is not."
I exhale slowly, turning over what he just said. "How diplomatic does a lady of the enclave have to be?" I can hold my tongue most of the time, but sometimes a person needs to hear they are full of shit.
Korran's lips curved faintly, as if he could read my thoughts. He isn't a psychic so he shouldn't be able to …unless parents get an unfair advantage I wasn't warned about. I was broken out of my conspiracy spiral by Korran's next words. "Diplomatic enough to not cause a cold war every time you open your mouth." He chuckles as if remembering a past disaster. He doesn't tell me why he was laughing and I honestly feel a bit miffed about it. "I will teach you how to say exactly what you mean—without ever revealing more than you intend."
I must look exactly as unsure as I feel cause he leans back slightly in his chair with a challenging glint in his eyes. "A practical scenario to test what I mean then." I brace myself unsure what scenario he will give me. He likes to act like the reasonable parent but over these days and weeks I've learned he is just the most publicly reasonable parent. The man is mated to Nimra and Azrail for a reason.
"Setting: you are seated at a council dinner beside the heir of the Nazuren line who is from a region we have an uneasy truce with. He compliments your attire, then remarks—politely—that he is surprised that with our smiths requiring an increased budget, you decided to splurge on such an expensive gown. How would you respond?" I don't immediately speak, taking my time to consider how I truly react to this attack. My first instinct is to call him out with subtle honesty. Unsure, I chew my lip as I give my answer. "I'd tell him that how I dress has little to do with our smiths. They'll still get the funds they need."
Korran's brow rose. "While true, that is a very defensive response. You will lose if you respond like that. Listen to what could be an appropriate counterattack." He shifted forward with a cordial smile; his voice cool and pleasant. "Your concern is appreciated, but you need not worry. We have the wealth to dress ourselves well and still supply our smiths beyond their need. Shall I put you in touch with our personal accountant, so you may see how we don't mix personal spending with business? I have heard that your clan doesn't keep the two separate. Maybe you want to learn from our success?"
I blinked and let out a small laugh. "That is… cutting deep." "Is it? I would call it gracious," Korran corrected softly with a malicious grin. "Gracious enough that no insult can be pinned on you. Sharp enough that no insult can land and they will know that you are not prey to be trifled with."
He let me sit with that for a while. He likely enjoyed the various expressions that flowed across my face as I imagined various scenarios in which I got to verbally face-slap people. He spoke again, his tone shifting to something quieter, more personal. "I was not good at this when I first became a councilman and patriarch." This surprised me because I can tell he is so good at it now. I let my face show my surprise and chuckled. He reached across the table to hold my hand as he spoke to me about his first year as a councilman and patriarch.
He had a small, rueful smile on his lips that made him look younger. "Yes. Those first few meetings, I was arrogant and impatient. I did not know when to speak or when to hold my tongue. I begged Davina to take my place, telling her she had the better temperament and mind for the role. Nyota, on the other hand, I could not in good conscience allow to be in the role."
With a loving smile, he explained his reasoning. "He would have maimed or killed them all, then told us it was an accident. I hadn't known him long when Davi told me that is what would happen if I let him be my representative, so I just trusted her. Within a year, I learned for myself how right she was about our third's disposition.
Davi kept telling me to stop acting like I was more brawn than brains. So I took her advice and started to truly apply myself to the role. I've made some enemies over the years. I've made some allies in unexpected places too. The biggest thing I learned is that the light can hide darkness just like shadow can hold light. I do not want you to have to learn hard lessons the way I've had to learn them. So I will teach you to protect you."
His gaze softened, though his words remained firm. "You will stumble. That is expected. But your stumbles will not undo us, so long as you hold to the heart of what we are. Balance. Stewardship. Control. These are the measures by which we expect you to judge yourself, for they are the measures the rest of us judge ourselves by." My throat tightens as I nod in understanding of the directive the head of my enclave has given me.
It was strange, hearing that Korran had once doubted himself. But also comforting. He didn't become the man I admire overnight. He patted my hand, then withdrew to his side of the table. "Let us go over a few more scenarios, then we can go over any questions you have about what was discussed today." With a sense of pride and direction, I spent the remaining time with him discussing scenarios, asking questions, and somehow getting roped into a bi-weekly chess game.
Hopefully, chess here isn't Star Trek-style. I'm not sure my mind works on that mental-level.