They say blood makes you related but
loyalty makes you family
As the boy shivered, Loren’s eyes narrowed. Now that he was paying closer attention, he could see that the teen was too thin, and probably not adequately dressed. So when Granger didn’t accept the summoner’s handshake, the Launceleyn just dropped his hand with a smile. ”It’s nice to meet you Granger.” Although the boy was a little older than the children the summoner normally hung out with, Loren could recognize the same signs of stubborn rebellion he often saw in Beatrix.
Maybe that was why when Granger attempted to kick snow over Vi’s Rose, the Launceleyn didn’t feel the spark of anger he might’ve expected once upon a time; instead, he simply moved in the path of the powder, letting it splash harmlessly against his boots. Or maybe it was because he could see that Granger wasn’t doing great, and that the anger he expressed seemed entirely out of place in the presence of the final flower the summoner needed to plant. Weirdly, the snow started moving back where it had come from, and the Launceleyn glanced at it briefly before dismissing it as harmless.
Instead of responding to Granger’s action, Loren just rubbed his hands together. ”Bit chilly, don’t you think?” Then, with an effort of his will and a drop of his magic, a phoenix exploded into being in the sky above them. It flew in lazy circles above them, radiating heat and light. If that didn't impress the child, well, the summoner had more tricks up his sleeve.
Turning his attention fully to the boy, the Launceleyn gave him an appraising look. ”I take it you haven’t encountered anyone with the blight then?” The summoner’s voice came out bluntly, but not unkindly. Being called a do-gooder wasn’t the worst name he’d heard in his life, which meant that Granger was going to have to work a lot harder to get a rise out of Loren. Having two children at home had taught the summoner a great deal of patience. And while it might not be wise to tell the boy about the blight, it was more dangerous to let him live in ignorance.
Maybe that was why when Granger attempted to kick snow over Vi’s Rose, the Launceleyn didn’t feel the spark of anger he might’ve expected once upon a time; instead, he simply moved in the path of the powder, letting it splash harmlessly against his boots. Or maybe it was because he could see that Granger wasn’t doing great, and that the anger he expressed seemed entirely out of place in the presence of the final flower the summoner needed to plant. Weirdly, the snow started moving back where it had come from, and the Launceleyn glanced at it briefly before dismissing it as harmless.
Instead of responding to Granger’s action, Loren just rubbed his hands together. ”Bit chilly, don’t you think?” Then, with an effort of his will and a drop of his magic, a phoenix exploded into being in the sky above them. It flew in lazy circles above them, radiating heat and light. If that didn't impress the child, well, the summoner had more tricks up his sleeve.
Turning his attention fully to the boy, the Launceleyn gave him an appraising look. ”I take it you haven’t encountered anyone with the blight then?” The summoner’s voice came out bluntly, but not unkindly. Being called a do-gooder wasn’t the worst name he’d heard in his life, which meant that Granger was going to have to work a lot harder to get a rise out of Loren. Having two children at home had taught the summoner a great deal of patience. And while it might not be wise to tell the boy about the blight, it was more dangerous to let him live in ignorance.
LOREN
