Today was a training day for Kurt, but he forgot it also meant it was also the day they were all supposed to have a meal with the elves and his small council of goblins. Harvey was playing elsewhere on the top of the pillar.

Talia was in her prone relaxed position, watching Kurt go. Eyeing him devilishly.

Grand Master Trenton and Kurt were sparing. Kurt was trying to maintain focus, he could feel that pulse this time like in the heat of battle, he couldn't pull it out but he could feel it when it reacted.

A quick strike, and slide of the swords, and they stepped past each other. Kurt gave a flurry that surprised Trenton, taking him on the defensive, he curled to the left, and Kurt stepped on a loose rock, and lost a bit of hit footing. Trenton took advantage. Kurt was still quick enough to block and hold. "You lose track of your surroundings." Trenton said as they pushed off.

"Wow, dude when you learn to fight like that?" said Jacob. "You'd take my dad for a run. And is that like an elf?"

"Yes, yes, and yes," said Kurt.

"The truth is," said Trenton, "Kurt has been holding back."

"You saw," said Kurt, "your technique though, it's still better. I'm just faster now."

"Have a solution for this for next time," said Trenton, " I think we can call it a day, you seem to have more guests than usual, my lord."

"Awww," said Talia, "why stop?"

Jacob took one look at Talia, and forgot he had ever seen her before, and went, "Kurt, aren't you going to introduce me to your friends."

"This lovely thing is Countess Talia of the Valentine Clan, and this is Weapons Master Trenton."

"A pleasure," said Talia.

"It's all mine," said Jacob.

"So why are you here?" said Kurt.

"Is it like that, dude I'm like living with my parents again, it's embarrassing."

"Who is this?" said Talia.

"He's Arthur's son."

"Ohh," Talia's face turned sour, "..the Fire Clan brat. I forgot about you."

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?"

"Well we are about to have like a thing, a bunch of the elves are coming and some goblins, your mom seems to hate them, they're not all bad," said Kurt, trying to ease the situation.

Harvey came running up to Kurt because he had stopped, playing with Master Trenton. And started to try to get his attention.

"Dude what happened to you? This is just crazy. A few months ago you were barely paying me rent, and that thing was way smaller last time I saw it."

"Me is Harvey," said Harvey.

"And Harvey is his name, I guess," said Jacob.

Talia had gotten up and gotten herself closer and held Kurt's hand. Talia said "Well, now you're supposed to bow, I must have missed you doing that."

"Really?" Jacob said annoyed.

"Yeah, actually," said Kurt, " to me and her as well. Your father does."

Jacob begrudgingly bowed to them, after the others that were around, the elves and the goblins didn't seem to think it was at all funny. This made Talia smile, "do you really have to be like that?" said Kurt.

"Yes, Kurt he has to realize you're not the commoner you were but the lord," Talia said, to Kurt's rolled eyes. "I swear I have to teach every one of you."

They had gotten into Kurt's house and there was food that had already been prepared for them. He had a room with a large table, though he had to make the gnome move a few things.

Trenton, Lord Victor, and a few other elves were there. Hank, Tom and Joe, with a couple others. Kurt sat next to Talia at the head of the table and Jacob had found some room elsewhere.

"So you've seen some griffins coming?"

"Yes," said one of the elves, "there will be more, we don't know yet if they plan to stop."

"The most concerning news from us is the skelton," said Tom, "it was in the distance past the border only one of them."

"Shouldn't be anything much," said another elf.

They continued to talk about what was going on throughout the settlement. Keeping Kurt much more informed. Talia was teasing him throughout, feeding him some grapes every once in a while, close enough you couldn't say no to her.

Jacob actually seemed to eventually lighten up and get to talking to the elves and goblins around him. It was probably going to be tough for him. Kurt didn't know why he even wanted to stay other than, well. Even then, it's a big difference.

Lord Victor had also presented Hank with the small shield he was missing , which Hank enjoyed. It was simple: you could hold it on your arm or use a handle with your hand, so Hank could ride while swinging.

Carl had come into the room to join them, but he seemed to be in a rush. And came to Kurt's side and whispered into his ear.

"Someone closed the gate."

"What here?" Kurt said.

"No, the one in Dakota Springs, it's closed, gone in fact."

But that's impossible. Layla was here, the whole time. Kurt would have known. Could she even close someone else's gate? Unless, someone else had closed it. How in the world.

"Did Layla?" Carl shook his head.

"She seemed just as surprised."

"Thank you for telling me," Kurt.

Kurt sat there for a moment, pondering what it even meant. That was not new he was expecting. Was it good news? Or bad news? I mean less gates the better in some respects, but also the kingdoms what would they think.

"What is it Kurt," said Talia, holding a grape from a vine Kurt had been ignoring.

"The Dakota Spring Gate is gone," said Kurt loud enough to be heard by the table.

Everyone had confused faces on themselves.

"Who?"

"How?"

"Did Layla?"

"I'm telling you because," said Kurt, "how would that be kept a secret, I have no idea, Layla was here the whole time. I don't think she did this."

"The fire clan?"

"Maybe."

The situation had changed, how had that even happened.

"That changes a few things," said Talia.

"Does it really?"

"I mean," said Talia, "it moves the power a lot, I'm going to need some time to process, what the hell are the kingdoms going to do? We have no way to close the gate, we thought no one did until Layla."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.