Tamralan finally found Velriel just outside the city gates after searching for him for nearly an hour. He reached out to the other but thought against it, dropping his hand to his side. “Is.. everything alright?”
Velriel briefly looked over, then returned his gaze to the setting sun, its golden rays peaking through the treetops. “Ir abelas, I didn’t mean to disappear on you. I’ve… had a lot on my mind. This is the closest I can get to feeling like I’m still home without leaving the city.”
Tamralan leaned against the wall alongside him and folded his hands in front of him. “The walls are confining, I know. Even while trading, I’ve rarely liked them. What comforted me was knowing that I had the forest to return to when I was finished.” He looked over to him. “Someday we can return.”
Velriel remained silent for several minutes, and Tamralan couldn’t read the impassive expression on his face. Velriel was always careful to expose his emotions. Even though he was his late love’s nephew, Tamralan never had a chance to closely work with him. His parents made that difficult enough, and he could sense competition between him and Thelrand. And he sensed that was born of some sort of jealousy.
Tamralan clasped Velriel’s shoulder. “I’m proud of you, do you know that?”
Velirel turned his head sharply, his eyes wide, though his eyebrows pulled up slightly in the center. “Uh… why?” His voice was quiet.
Tamralan gave the younger’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Because you have flourished over the past year. Because you fought bravely when the human nobles threatened our lives. Because I realized I have never said it to you your entire life, even though you deserved to hear it every day. Because you’re you, Vel.”
Velriel’s ears turned pink, shrugging a little and rubbing the back of his neck. “I only did it for the clan. Like, this place isn’t really home for me, but you all are here, and I didn’t want to move again. The journey was hard enough on Runale. And… well, I’m just filling in for Thelrand until he comes back.”
When Tamralan didn’t immediately respond, he shrugged his hand off his shoulder and crossed his arms. He made a point to angle away from him. “I mean, that’s the only reason why I’m your apprentice: Thelrand up and left and you need someone to fill his spot. And when he comes back, he’ll be welcomed with open arms, like always, and it’ll be like he never left, and it’ll be one more thing I’ve failed at.”
Tamralan frowned, mulling over his words with a deep sigh before starting. “Yes, Thelrand’s absence opened spot that I had to fill, but only that’s where you’re correct. Understand that his departure wasn’t favored by many. He’s still welcomed back, but trust has been broken.” Even with the other’s back turned to him, Tamralan smiled. “And, in the event that Thelrand returns, he will need to find a new role to fill, because you’ll be the one to replace me when I decide to step down.”
At that, Velriel finally turned around, his mouth agape. “But…But why? Thelrand’s always been the best at everything, and I always had to play catch up. I still feel like I am. Why me?”
Tamralan quirked a brow and smiled wider, shrugging nonchalantly, as if his decision was no big deal. “Being the clan Master doesn’t require you to be the best warrior, the best leader, the best anything. Just the drive to better the clan no matter the cost, to get up and try again when you fail, and accept that you will fail. I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving than you.”
“But you still chose Thelrand first.”
“Yes, but despite his accomplishments, I never officially declared him my successor. The hahren already know, if you accept.”
Shock was still clear on Velriel’s face, and Tamralan couldn’t tell if the boy was close to tears, or the setting sun was playing tricks on his eyes. “I don’t need your pity,” Velriel said.
“I am not giving you pity, Velriel. I do admit that I feel like I have failed you, like I should have seen that you weren’t given the chance you deserve. I’m.. sure it doesn’t take much to imagine why I was distracted.”
Velriel rolled his eyes and snorted, giving him the first smile Tamralan had seen in a long time. It was half-hearted smile, but a smile none-the-less. “I am too tired to be mad about it. Better late than never, I guess. I still expect you to change your mind. I.. never thought that I had a chance to be Master someday. I-I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything.” Tamralan returned his hand on his shoulder. “Just do what you’ve always done and know you deserve all the good that comes to you.”
Now there was a genuine smile. “Serannas, Tamralan. I won’t waste this opportunity.”
Tamralan pulled him into a hug. “I know you won’t.”
