After he was newly dressed, Sil and La took Ryuu on a tour of the castle. Everything was so magnificently designed. Ryuu was in awe of everything he saw.
"Wow! This castle is so... awesome! My Gelfling parents never told me about how you guys lived." Ryuu said.
"Most Gelfling who not serve us in castle would never see it." Sil replied. He and La felt increasingly jealous that they had missed out on the most precious trines of their offspring's life. But at least they were still getting a chance while he was still a child at all. If it wasn't for the war with the Gelflings, they might have never seen him at all, until much later perhaps.
The throne room, he had already seen. They showed him the Crystal, the heart of Thra itself. The adults explained a little how they depended on it for a source of energy every day, like a second food. Ryuu shouldn't have to use it. He had plenty of energy and youth on his side. But then, Sil wondered if they should let him try Gelfling essence in secret. He wouldn't bring it up around him just yet. He would talk to the Scientist and La later about it secretly.
They did walk by the lab, to just let him know it was there, but he wasn't to go in it. SkekTek could do some very radical experiments that just weren't meant for a child to see. SkekRyuu was just told that he should never enter SkekTek's domain. Not unless there was to be some kind of emergency, if no one else could be found.
The dining hall where most of the meals were served was next. Ryuu would be getting to eat with his parents later, as a guest of honor.
"What foods you eat all trines living with Gelfling?" Sil asked.
"Grains, plants, fruit and vegetables. Things all that Gelfling eat. When I was a baby, they said they fed me on Nebrie milk. Of course, I ate Nebrie cheese and drank their milk all my life too. I love it." Ryuu explained happily.
Sil and La looked at each other in worry. Sure, they had had Gelfling food in the past too, but had never ate exclusively on it. Meat was more their food of choice.
"Ryuu, here, we Skeksis do sometimes eat that kind of things, but you should know that we do eat a lot of meat around here. Skeksis are meant to be meat eaters. Mostly. Only the Gourmand has flatter teeth, while most of us have only some of those, right under the tip of our beaks. Look." La said. She opened her mouth for SkekRyuu to see some incisors at the front of her mouth that were hidden under her beak. The rest of her teeth were fangs.
"See? We have mostly sharp teeth fit for meat, that's what we use them for when it comes to diet." La explained. "Have you ever eaten meat before?"
"No. I was taught how to live in harmony with animals. Get along with them, and they get along with you, and they'll tell you their secrets." Ryuu declared.
"We only consume other creatures to survive. It not evil, natural." Sil stated. "We can have some Gelfling food served, and some meat served too. Must try it. Sure you find it good."
"But it's amazing what you say about the animals' secrets. Animals never fully trusted us. Least of all loved us." La said.
"Why?" Ryuu asked. He was testing them secretly.
"Just Skeksis ways. Not important." Sil wasn't going to have it revealed just yet why. La looked at him in concern. Truth was they just never concerned themselves with that sort of thing like Gelflings and Podlings did. They just saw animals as food, potential material for clothing, for pulling their carriages, or use them as mounts if they ever needed to leave the castle. Rarely ever there had been a select pet or two among them. Those, however, always felt distant to the Skeksis one way or another.
They moved on to the Treasurer's room where all the tithes were brought and counted and such. Another area that Sil took part in at times during the day, aside from the Treasurer.
Ryuu saw that the Treasurer didn't talk much, but could a little when he tried.
When they got to La's office and that of the Scroll Keeper, Ryuu was allowed to see the Great Library of the Skeksis. It was amazing at its size. No Gelfling had ever laid eyes on it. Sure, in the past, Gelfling had been allowed to carry scrolls for the Skeksis, but SkekOk had wanted his servants out of his library office anyway.
Sil and La both served in here at times. La more than Sil though.
"I would love to be able to read all these scrolls and books! I can read and write." Ryuu said. "This is one incredible library."
"Really?" the Historian stated. "Can you read Skeksis?"
"I'm afraid not."
"We will teach him how to read it! If you want to pitch in, you can too, SkekOk." La encouraged.
"I have no time for teaching a childling to read. I must keep track of all Skeksis accounts of history and new ones." Ok argued. "But can see, at times. No promises."
They left the library after that. They talked more after they were away from Ok's office.
"I also take SkekOk's scrolls to other parts of castle and to Emperor." Sil stated. "I stay a lot at Emperor's side. And to make sure he is entertained and feeling fine."
"So, what job do you think I would qualify for?" Ryuu asked curiously.
"We don't know yet. You need more instruction first. We will find you a job soon. Just more Skeksis education first. You must work hard and earn it." La explained. "Some of us are harder than others about explaining how we do our jobs and how we sometimes treat each other."
"I know how to work hard. My other parents taught me that. And there were also times for fun." Ryuu said.
"Skeksis have fun too! Just may not be like how Gelfling do it." Sil replied.
"Like how?" Ryuu asked.
"We have special feasts, wines for drinking, dancing and music. Podlings serve those. Also serve us our food, as assistants. SkekAyuk, Gourmand is in charge of food." Sil explained.
"I'm familiar with Podling ways too! My family had some Podling friends. That's how I was brought to my Gelfling family. A Podling found me in the wilderness, crying and alone. Someone had left me. Maybe you, Mom." Ryuu explained.
"Never! Did not leave you, not lost you! A Gelfling stole you away from me!" Chamberlain snapped. He was suddenly outraged by being reminded of what had happened years ago, and had misunderstood the words of his son for an accusation. "You were born in forest, while I was out from castle. Had to rest, slept in forest. You were asleep in my arms! When wake next morning, you were gone! I look for you. Not find you! Rakkida kill the gelfling that took you. Thought you were dead too! Would never let someone have you without fight! Had to come back to castle alone… it was horrible."
Ryuu had cringed in fear when his mom had snapped at him, but he came to realize what Sil had said. He had obviously wanted him.
"We did want you, Ryuu! From the moment we learned you were coming." La said, to make him understand further. She wanted to hug him so badly. He was her child too.
"If you wanted a child and you lost me, why didn't you have another?" Ryuu asked.
"When Emperor found out, he forbade it. And after what happened, wasn't sure if wanted another one." Sil replied. "Emperor always had forbidden mating among us. But we did and got in trouble."
"But he seemed inclined to want to build a number when I met him." Ryuu declared.
"Who knows. Emperor might change his mind. Our numbers have remained same for many trines. Hundreds of trines." Sil said.
"We don't have the energy and vigor we have now that we had when we were younger. But we still can get around good enough… still, the Emperor is prone to have, let's call them changes of heart. He might think it is a good idea to have younger Skeksis around to share the empire with us now that he saw you." La said.
"Come, let us get on with things!" Sil declared.
They continued on with their tour until every inch of the castle was explored, even abandoned areas.
At the end of the tour, Sil and La showed Ryuu the empty rooms that were available. He would need his own bed chamber after all too. He would be allowed to decorate it however he wanted in time.
He picked a room that was closer to La's room. At least he would be close to one of his parents.
After picking his room, Ryuu said, "Thanks for showing me the castle and letting me pick a room, but I may need an escort for awhile to make sure I don't get lost around here. The castle's so big."
"We not see problem with that. We see what Emperor says about Gelfling parents too. Or what to do next." Sil declared.
They all went back to the throne room. The Emperor was still sitting on the throne.
"I see the young one is in Skeksis attire now." SkekSo said.
"Yes. Have shown him around castle. Certain areas of course, and ones not to be meant inside." Sil explained simply.
Ryuu heard that his 'mom' didn't speak in complete sentences and made a strange humming sound a lot, but at least his words were understandable. His 'dad' did though, as did most of the other Skeksis, other than the mostly silent Treasurer.
"My Emperor, what is it in mind that maybe young SkekRyuu can do next? He wants to know what he can do for a job around the castle."
"I said the two of you were in charge of him. The others will help educate only when it falls on their department, to see if he fits in with any of them." the Emperor declared.
"Alright, my Lord." La bowed.
"But, I will start things off with you two, and in the next several days, SkekRyuu will see what each Skeksis does for work. Except the Scientist." So declared. "Just to start on his real education."
"What about when I can see my Gelfling parents?" Ryuu asked.
"Alright, young one. You can see them first thing tomorrow, but you are going to tell them that you are no longer one of them. You are Skeksis, and shall remain with us. You will learn to know what being a Skeksis is all about. Am I made clear?" So raised his scepter.
"Yes, Lord Emperor." Ryuu replied, bowing as well.
Ryuu hated the thought of not being able to be around his Gelfling family again. He loved them so much. He knew he had just found his birth parents and their clan, but he still only barely knew them. But there definitely was something very welcoming from them.
There was something about the Chamberlain's voice that Ryuu found very comforting about it, with the humming sound and the softness of his voice. It probably stemmed from being carried back in pregnancy, but it wasn't something that he remembered personally. And the Illustrator had downright fussed over him, and it made him feel welcomed.
Sil and La would be proud to be in charge of their child. He should have been their responsibility trines ago, and Ryuu would be well versed in Skeksis education right now.
"SkekLa, take SkekRyuu to the dining hall for dinner." So ordered next. "SkekSil, remain behind."
"Yes, my Lord. Come, child." La said. She led Ryuu away.
"What to talk about, Emperor?" Sil asked.
"Make sure he stays out of the lab. He can't find out what we do to Gelflings. At least not yet. For the first few days, do what you do best, following others around. I want him to know everything it means to be a Skeksis. If he proves useful, I might change my rules around about more Skeksis being added in the long term." the Emperor declared.
"Really?" Sil asked.
"Yes."
"Thank you, Emperor. Anything else? And I promise I watch my child." Sil replied.
"Good. Now we go to dinner." So said, and the two of them went to the dining hall for the evening meal.