Nadron and Faelwen remain in the bedchamber as Delfarius enters. Nadron sets aside his coffee, while Faelwen turns from the bedside table to give him their full attention.
Delfarius
Caelen proposed a relationship, then withdrew it and said he did not want to see me again. Mortals are remarkably efficient at making affection into a political crisis.
Faelwen
That sounds less like a clean ending and more like a door slammed during a storm. What happened to make him retreat so sharply?
Delfarius
A conspiracy threatened his council standing. They meant to expose him, remove him, and turn his family’s position into leverage. I found the records, stopped the accusation, and restored the votes without Caelen ever needing to know.
Nadron
You protected his position while he was refusing to see you. That is either devotion, terrible judgment, or the most elaborate form of spite I have ever witnessed.
Delfarius reaches the bed, exhales through his nose, and collapses across the covers. Faelwen absorbs the account in silence; Nadron studies him with sympathy carefully disguised as amusement.
Delfarius
Mortals are so fucking messy.
Faelwen
Then rest, my lord. You have repaired enough of their mess for one day. When you wake, you may decide whether Caelen’s silence deserves your attention.
“I roll onto my back and throw my hands up into the air. "I spoke to the Lord Aerion's corruption then got Dorian involved. He arrested Lord Aerion and Caelen was concerned it made him look like he was in the royal's pocket. When I reassured him he then professed, more or less, his want to be in relationship. Then I needed to remind him of who I was and how that would look. He sent me away with a note of not reaching out to him until he want to talk to me, if ever." I say the last two words with heavy sarcasim.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Delfarius
I spoke to Lord Aerion’s corruption, then got Dorian involved. He arrested Lord Aerion, and Caelen worried it made him look like he was in the royal’s pocket. When I reassured him, he professed, more or less, that he wanted a relationship. Then I reminded him who I was and how that would look. He sent me away with a note not to reach out until he wanted to talk to me, if ever.
Delfarius rolls onto his back and throws both hands into the air. The final words drip with such heavy sarcasm that the bedchamber seems to hear the missing “ever” as a curse.
Faelwen
So you protected his position, answered his affection with the truth of your danger, and now blame mortals for believing the consequences. That is a remarkably complete summary of your predicament.
Nadron
He asked for more, you reminded him that more could ruin him, and he chose distance. Painfully sensible of him, really. I dislike how much sense it makes.
Faelwen sits beside Delfarius while Nadron retrieves the abandoned coffee. Neither treats the matter as settled forever, but both understand that Caelen’s boundary is clear and must remain his to change.
Faelwen
You contained the political crisis. You did not contain what it cost him. Rest now, and let his silence be a boundary rather than another problem you must solve today.
✓ Quest Accepted
Reassure Nadron and Faelwen that their trust remains respected
“I motion for them both to join me on the bed. "yeah, I am sure I will hear about it sooner rather than later. But right now, I need cuddles I think"”
Delfarius
Yeah, I am sure I will hear about it sooner rather than later. But right now, I need cuddles, I think.
Delfarius motions them both toward the bed. Nadron sets the coffee aside, while Faelwen’s expression softens with immediate understanding.
Nadron
That is a request I can fulfill without making politics worse. Move over, my lord.
Nadron climbs onto the bed and settles beside Delfarius, drawing him into a careful embrace. His warmth is steady, affectionate, and free of questions.
Faelwen
Then you shall have them. No analysis, no remedies, and no decisions unless you ask for them. Just rest with us.
Faelwen joins them on the other side, arranging the blankets before resting against Delfarius. The bedchamber grows quiet as both remain close, letting his exhaustion finally have room.
Quest Complete
Reassure Nadron and Faelwen that their trust remains respected
“I settle in and let them both ease my tensions. The cuddling and holding leads to me giving Faelwen soft kisses and then giving Nadron kisses, to me taking my clothing off, to me ravishing both of my pets with my undivided attentions.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +3)
Delfarius settles between them and lets their warmth draw the tension from his limbs. Faelwen strokes his hair while Nadron holds him securely, asking nothing of him.
His quiet affection turns first toward Faelwen, soft kisses resting against her lips and brow, then toward Nadron, whose answering smile carries no teasing, only welcome.
Faelwen
You need not perform strength for us tonight. Let yourself be cared for, and take whatever tenderness you want to give in return.
Delfarius sheds his clothing, and both companions welcome him without hesitation. His attention moves between them fully, each touch deliberate, affectionate, and freely answered.
Nadron
Then stay with us, my lord. No councils, no consequences, no questions. Just this, and whatever comfort you choose to give.
The intimate night passes in mutual kisses, embraces, and devoted attention, fading from view as the Tower seals the bedchamber against every interruption. By morning, Delfarius has rested deeply, and the Tower has quietly cleared his schedule for three days.
“I wake up and do my routine. Faelwen brushes my hair for thirty minutes, I go to the balcony and mediate, I go back inside and my hair gets brushed again. I sit quietly looking over reports the Archives have given me about what is going on below in my creation as I sip my coffee that Nadron has brought me and whatever he has made for breakfast as the two of them join me in breakfast.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Investigation, rolled +1)
Morning finds Delfarius rested. Faelwen sits behind him for thirty quiet minutes, brushing his dark red hair smooth while the Tower keeps every interruption beyond the bedchamber.
He steps onto the balcony and meditates above the waking creation. Wind passes over the Obsidian Tower, and his thoughts settle into a clear, motionless rhythm.
When he returns inside, Faelwen brushes his hair again, patiently restoring each wave before leaving him at the breakfast table with the reports.
The Archives have delivered reports on the kingdoms below: corrected council records in Orosia, renewed trade movement, Tremble’s expanding routes, and quiet shifts along the ley-lines.
Delfarius reads with legendary precision, separating verified events from rumor and tracing the political consequences before they can gather into another crisis.
Nadron arrives carrying strong coffee and a breakfast of saffron-almond buns, fruit, and warm spiced eggs. Faelwen follows, taking her seat beside the reports.
They eat quietly together while Delfarius reviews the final pages. By the time his cup is empty, he understands the current movements below and has the morning fully contained.
“I put the reports to the side and the Archives gather them and file them away to where they belong. I look over to Faelwen and Nadron and smirk. "I think I can have the day to do what I want to do." I say as I take another sip of coffee.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +2)
Delfarius sets the reports aside. The Archives gather each page in quiet ribbons of light, filing them into their proper records while the breakfast table becomes pleasantly empty of duty.
Delfarius
I think I can have the day to do what I want to do.
He takes another sip of coffee and looks between Faelwen and Nadron with a smirk. The Tower’s morning wards loosen, accepting the day as his to direct.
Faelwen
You can. The reports are filed, the kingdoms are still standing, and nothing presently demands your hand. What would you like to do?
Nadron
A day chosen by you? I am intrigued already. We could leave the Tower, stay here, or do something gloriously unnecessary.
The last report vanishes into the Archives, and the coffee’s warmth settles through Delfarius’s hands. For once, the silence that follows is not waiting for a crisis.
“"Well." I say looking over to Nadron. "I was thinking of going to investigate the passage for me on the sky island." I smile at Nadron. "You two, hmm. What is it that you two do all day when I am off doing whatever?"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Investigation, rolled +1)
Delfarius
Well. I was thinking of investigating the passage on the sky island. You two, what is it that you do all day when I am off doing whatever?
Nadron
Mostly, we keep the Tower from becoming too quiet. Faelwen tends the household and its people. I read reports, entertain visitors, and occasionally prevent the furniture from judging me.
Faelwen
We also oversee the wards, answer messages, organize supplies, and make certain your absences do not become emergencies. Nadron is better at charming guests. I am better at noticing what they omit.
The Tower opens a quiet passage to the sky island. Delfarius steps through into a high observatory of pale stone, where a concealed stair descends behind a constellation-carved arch.
His investigation resolves the passage immediately: it leads beneath the observatory into a sealed star-road, an intact route linking the island to a chamber hidden beyond ordinary distance. The entrance answers to his touch and opens.
Nadron
So while you investigate ancient passages, we manage the consequences of your household. It is less dramatic than sky islands, but someone must keep the coffee warm.
Faelwen
And if you are going below the observatory, take us with you or tell us when you return. We have become rather good at keeping your day from becoming another legend.
Beyond the opened arch, starlight gathers along the descending road. The route is stable, silent, and ready for exploration, while the Tower holds the connection open behind Delfarius.
“"Well." I say looking over to Nadron. "I was thinking of going to investigate the passage for me on the sky island." I smile at Nadron. "You two, hmm. What is it that you two do all day when I am off doing whatever?" I take another bite of my breakfast waiting for Nadron and Faelwen to answer me before doing anything else.”
Delfarius
Well. I was thinking of investigating the passage to the sky island. You two, hmm, what is it that you do all day when I am off doing whatever?
Delfarius takes another bite of breakfast and waits, his smirk inviting an answer without surrendering the morning’s quiet. Nadron and Faelwen exchange an amused glance.
Nadron
Mostly, we keep the Tower from becoming too quiet. Faelwen tends the household and its people, while I read reports, receive visitors, and prevent the furniture from developing opinions.
Faelwen
We oversee the wards, answer messages, organize supplies, and make certain your absences do not become emergencies. Nadron charms guests better. I notice what they omit.
Nadron
So while you investigate ancient passages, we manage the consequences of your household. It is less dramatic than sky islands, but someone must keep the coffee warm.
Faelwen
And if you are going below the observatory, take us with you or tell us when you return. We have become rather good at keeping your day from becoming another legend.
The Tower opens a quiet passage to the sky island beyond the breakfast table. Pale starlight spills across the floor, revealing the route while Nadron and Faelwen remain ready for Delfarius’s answer.
✓ Quest Accepted
Determine what lies beyond the sky-island passage
“I take another bite of breakfast and raise my eyebrow at Nadron. "Visitors? I get visitors? Whom?"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Delfarius
Visitors? I get visitors? Whom?
Delfarius raises an eyebrow at Nadron over the rim of his cup. The question turns the breakfast’s easy quiet toward the Tower’s well-used guest hall.
Nadron
Dorian has come twice to discuss Orosia’s trade records. Mallow accompanied him once, mostly to ensure nobody mistook royal business for permission to touch his belongings.
Faelwen
Morghain receives visitors as well, though she usually meets them in the library. Auralis has sent inquiries from Tremble, and the Tower has accepted several sealed messages from the guild there.
Faelwen folds her hands beside the breakfast plates, calmly sorting social calls from political obligations. Nadron reaches for another saffron-almond bun, watching Delfarius’s reaction with poorly concealed amusement.
Nadron
You also had one unexpected guest: Mallow came alone to inspect the Tower’s defensive arrangements and left after deciding they were sufficient, intrusive, and entirely too interested in her.
Faelwen
No one is waiting now. The guest hall is empty, the messages are filed, and the passage to the sky island remains open whenever you choose to investigate it.
Beyond the breakfast table, pale starlight continues spilling from the open passage. The Tower offers no urgent summons, only a quiet route and a household that has been managing itself in his absence.
Quest Complete
Determine what lies beyond the sky-island passage
“I push my empty plate aside and lean closer to Faelwen. "Morghain has been staying here? And is in my library?"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +0)
Delfarius
Morghain has been staying here? And is in my library?
Delfarius pushes his empty plate aside and leans closer to Faelwen. Nadron pauses with one hand around his coffee cup, watching the question sharpen the room’s quiet.
Faelwen
Yes. Morghain has been staying in the Tower by her own choice, and she has made the library her favored retreat. She is there now.
Nadron
She receives visitors there when she wishes, though most people wisely send a message first. You may enter without one, I suspect.
Faelwen folds her hands beside the breakfast plates, her expression calm but faintly amused. Beyond the open passage, the Tower’s wards confirm Morghain’s presence among the library’s violet-lit shelves.
Faelwen
She has not asked to be summoned, Delfarius. She is reading, and the Tower recognizes her as a guest. If you want her attention, go and speak to her directly.
✓ Quest Accepted
Speak with Morghain about her chosen stay in the Tower
“"You would have thought she would have asked me first." I scoff a short laugh. "And yea, I am sure I can go to my Archives without her permission. Excuse me, I am going to see about this." I say as I rise from the table and walk towards the Archives.”
Delfarius
You would have thought she would have asked me first. And yea, I am sure I can go to my Archives without her permission. Excuse me, I am going to see about this.
Delfarius rises from the breakfast table with a short, scoffing laugh. Faelwen watches him go, while Nadron lifts his coffee before it can be abandoned again.
Faelwen
Of course you can. The Archives will admit you, and Morghain knows you are its master. Whether she appreciates the entrance is another matter.
Nadron
I would ask first, personally, but I have never possessed your confidence in surviving the consequences of my own entrances.
The Tower opens the way without protest. Delfarius crosses amber-lit corridors toward the Endless Archives, his footsteps measured and his decision already accepted by the surrounding stone.
The Archive doors part before him, revealing endless shelves, suspended memories, and quiet ribbons of recorded thought. No permission is requested; the place recognizes its sole master.
Behind him, the passage remains open to the breakfast chamber. Faelwen and Nadron do not follow, leaving Delfarius alone among the records and whatever answer he intends to seek.
“I walk into the archives and see if Morghain is there or not.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Perception, rolled -2)
Delfarius passes beneath the Archive doors and lets the shelves answer his search. The records divide by presence, not name, and one living thread stands apart from the stored dead.
He finds Morghain in a high gallery overlooking a well of turning stars. She stands beside an open lectern, dark hair glowing blue beneath the Archive’s pale radiance, violet eyes fixed on a page.
Morghain
You were looking for me. The Archives carried your attention through three sealed indexes before it reached this gallery.
The search gives Delfarius certainty of her location, but costs him time: several adjacent entries bear her magical signature, and their echoes blur which one she has been studying.
Morghain
I was not hiding. I found a reference to the Concordance’s outer records, though I have not yet confirmed whether it names survivors or merely preserves their judgment.
Morghain closes the volume and marks its place with a strand of violet light. She turns toward Delfarius, leaving the unresolved reference open between them rather than pretending the Archives have settled it.
“I look at her confused. "You are staying here? And studding my archives without asking me first?"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled -2)
Delfarius
You are staying here? And studying my Archives without asking me first?
Delfarius looks at Morghain with open confusion, his question carrying a sharper edge than curiosity. The gallery’s turning stars reflect in her violet eyes.
Morghain
Yes. I am staying by my own choice, and I was studying your Archives without asking. That was discourteous, even if I meant no theft.
Morghain
You have my apology. I should have sent word before opening the volume, and I will not continue reading it unless you permit me to do so.
Morghain extends the closed volume toward him. The violet marker remains in place, preserving the reference to the Concordance’s outer records while surrendering control of the book.
Morghain
But understand the cost of my apology: I will remain your guest, not a supplicant. If permission becomes another name for obedience, I will leave the Archives and reconsider staying in the Tower at all.
The volume is now Delfarius’s to open or close, and Morghain has accepted his authority over the Archives. Her trust, however, is no longer assumed; it must be met with the same candor she has offered.
Quest Complete
Speak with Morghain about her chosen stay in the Tower
Skill Upgrade: Spire Lore Great→Superb
“I just have a stunned look on my face. "You would have thought I would know whom was staying in my own tower." I look over to her a bit stunned. "And you do not even say hello to me in the mornings?" I walk a few paces and look towards a tome on my shelves and rest my hand respectfully on it. "I would think you would have asked first, that is all. That would have been the respectful thing to do, not to betray my suspicions of..." I sigh. 'She has been here since the date and when I showed her around my tower, did she assume that was an invite to stay?' I think to my thoughts alone.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -3)
Delfarius
You would have thought I would know whom was staying in my own Tower. And you do not even say hello to me in the mornings?
Delfarius walks a few paces with a stunned expression and rests his hand respectfully upon a tome. Morghain remains still, the closed volume held between them.
Delfarius
I would think you would have asked first, that is all. That would have been the respectful thing to do, not to betray my suspicions of...
Delfarius
She has been here since the date. When I showed her around my Tower, did she assume that was an invitation to stay?
Delfarius sighs over the unfinished accusation. The gallery’s turning stars cast pale light across Morghain’s face as she lowers the volume, accepting the rebuke without touching his private uncertainty.
Morghain
I understand the distinction now. Your tour was not an invitation to move into the Tower, and I should have asked before treating your hospitality as permission to remain.
Morghain
I will greet you in the mornings and ask before entering the Archives again. I am sorry, Delfarius. My assumption has cost me some of your trust, and I will not demand that you restore it immediately.
Morghain
The volume is yours. The reference remains marked, but I will not continue reading it unless you grant permission plainly. If you want me to leave the Tower, say so, and I will leave by my own feet.
“I just look at her not saying anything. 'Why does almost every possible relationship I have with people end up getting mess and overly more complicated than it need be' I think to my thoughts alone. Morghain explains why she has stayed in my tower to me as I have an unreadable expression on my face.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +0)
Delfarius
Why does almost every possible relationship I have with people end up messy and more complicated than it needs to be?
Delfarius says nothing. He keeps his expression unreadable, offering Morghain no visible answer while the turning stars cast pale light across the silent gallery.
Morghain
I stayed because I chose to, not because your hospitality silently became an invitation. After our date, I wanted time near you without pretending that desire gave me a claim.
Morghain
The Tower offered safety, knowledge, and a place where I could examine what the Concordance made of my life without returning to the Astral plains before I was ready.
Morghain keeps the closed volume between them, neither retreating nor reaching for Delfarius. Her violet gaze remains steady, while the Archives preserve the silence he deliberately maintains.
Morghain
I should have asked. That was discourteous, and I accept the boundary you are drawing now. But I stayed because I wanted to discover whether being close to you could mean choice rather than another form of captivity.
Morghain
If you want me gone, say so and I will leave. If you want me to remain, then let it be because we have spoken plainly, not because either of us mistakes silence for permission.
“I shake my head. "Well you have been staying here so far, why change that now." I say with a frown. I walk away and throw my hand up as I go. "By all means, research what you will in my archives." I say sarcastically as I walk out.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Delfarius
Well, you have been staying here so far, so why change that now? By all means, research what you will in my Archives.
Delfarius shakes his head with a frown, throws one hand upward, and turns away. His sarcasm makes the permission unmistakable: Morghain may remain and study freely.
Morghain
I understand. You are granting permission, even while making clear that you dislike having to state what seemed obvious to you.
Morghain inclines her head and keeps the closed volume in her hands. The Archives respond to Delfarius’s decision, loosening their restrictions around her without surrendering their deeper seals.
Morghain
Then I will remain as your guest and research what you have permitted. I will greet you in the mornings, ask before opening further volumes, and leave if you tell me to go.
Delfarius walks out beneath the turning stars, his raised hand falling as he leaves the gallery. Behind him, Morghain opens the marked volume and begins her research, free to continue without another request.