Invincible Blood Sorceror

Chapter 219: I will breed with you

"I was half-convinced you’d be up at dawn organizing construction crews and planning settlement layouts."

"I considered it," Jorghan admitted, moving to examine the documents.

"But you were right. I needed rest. Now I need information. What’s happened in my absence?"

Sigora gestured at the organized stacks of papers, maps, and reports.

"The six absorbed clans are beginning their migration. The Nue’roka, Ma’zenti, Dhra’ckin, Bjornnaga, and Housha, roughly eight hundred elves total, are relocating from their scattered territories to join us here. Most should arrive within two weeks."

She pulled out a detailed map showing the region around Brownhill Dunes.

"The Colloniel ruins are about three days’ journey northwest from here. The site is extensive; the original Sol’vur settlement at its peak housed over two thousand elves. Most structures are intact, just abandoned and requiring restoration. Water sources are good, defensive positioning is excellent, and the land can support agriculture and livestock."

Jorghan studied the map with tactical precision.

"What about hostile neighbors? Other clans that might object to Sol’vur establishing a major settlement so close to their territories?"

"The Keishana clan controls territory to the north, but they’re one of the five that lost everything to Empire attacks. They’re barely surviving, focused on their own reconstruction. They won’t threaten us."

Sigora pointed to other marked locations.

"The Ma’ulankr clan is northeast, but Yasoraga expressed support for your restoration at the Council. She won’t interfere and might even offer trade relationships."

"And the Colloniel ruins themselves?" Jorghan asked.

"Any current occupants? Bandits, wildlife, rival clans using them as outposts?"

"Some wild predators have moved into abandoned buildings, but nothing organized or threatening. Sik’ra led a scouting party last week. His report says the site is essentially waiting for someone to reclaim it."

Sigora’s expression became more serious.

"It’s almost too convenient. As if the universe has been holding that place in reserve until the Sol’vur were ready to return."

Jorghan didn’t comment on the implied cosmic significance. He was more concerned with practical matters.

"Resources? We’ll need building materials, tools, and food supplies for hundreds of elves until we can establish sustainable agriculture."

"Already coordinating with the absorbed clans," Sigora replied.

"Each group is bringing what they can: supplies, equipment, and skilled workers. The Nue’roka will provide organizational expertise and initial leadership structure. The Nuwe’rak have excellent builders and engineers. The other clans contribute various specializations."

She pulled out another document.

"But there’s a bigger issue we need to discuss. Those hundreds of elves sound like a lot, but for a major clan, it’s barely sustainable. The thirteen great clans average three to five thousand members each. The Sol’vur, even with the absorptions, are still tiny by Council standards."

"Population growth," Jorghan said, understanding where this was heading.

"Exactly."

Sigora met his eyes directly.

"A clan isn’t just warriors and workers. It’s families, children, and the next generation that ensure continuity. The absorbed clans brought some young people, but not enough. Birth rates among elves are low compared to humans, maybe one child per couple every fifty years on average. At that rate, it’ll take centuries to grow the Sol’vur into a truly powerful clan."

"And that leaves us the only ones who still carry the Sol’vur bloodline. Even though I’m half-blood, my mother was from the Nor’vack clan, so I got only half of Sol’vur."

He looked at her as he wondered why he hadn’t asked her about this sooner. When he first met her, when she said she was his aunt but looked a lot different, he got that doubt then, and as things went in such a flow, he had completely forgotten.

Jorghan moved to the window, looking out over the settlement where elves were beginning their daily routines.

"You’re suggesting I need to address this personally."

"I’m saying that as the clan head, your bloodline is the most valuable genetic contribution you can make to Sol’vur’s future," Sigora replied bluntly.

"The Berserker’s capabilities, the essence manipulation, and the raw power you possess—those are traits worth propagating. Other clans understand this. That’s why Madayanti, Yasoraga, and Naikini all propositioned you at the Council."

She stood and moved to join him at the window.

"You are an adult, Jorghan. Young by elven standards. But you’re also the most powerful warrior of your generation and the head of a clan that needs population growth. Taking multiple partners and fathering children who’ll carry your bloodline, that’s not indulgence. It’s a strategic necessity."

"You’ve thought about this," Jorghan observed.

"I’ve thought about everything concerning Sol’vur’s survival," Sigora confirmed.

"Including the uncomfortable fact that you and I can’t continue as we have been. What we shared was appropriate when you were just a warrior, when the clan didn’t exist, and when we were just two people seeking comfort.

But now? You’re a recognized clan head. You need legitimate heirs, political alliances through strategic partnerships, and a clear succession structure."

Her hand found his, squeezing gently.

"I’m not saying we end what we have. I’m saying we acknowledge that it needs to evolve. You take partners appropriate to your position. I remain your advisor and supporter. And we both work toward building the Sol’vur into something that outlasts us."

Jorghan considered Sigora’s words, his tactical mind processing the implications.

She was right—building a clan wasn’t just about infrastructure and territory. It was about people, about creating the next generation that would carry the Sol’vur name forward.

"The matriarchs who propositioned me at Council," he said slowly.

"Madayanti of the Amasurata, Yasoraga of the Ma’ulankr, Naikini of the Sarpetaretsu. You think I should accept their offers?"

"Selectively," Sigora replied.

"Madayanti’s offer creates an alliance with the strongest clan on the Council. Any children from that union would be incredibly powerful, combining your bloodline with Amasurata genetics. But Madayanti is also intensely political. She’d use the relationship to influence Sol’vur decisions."

"Yasoraga?"

"Smarter choice politically. The Ma’ulankr are powerful but not dominant. An alliance with them gives you Council support without the strings that come with Madayanti. And Yasoraga herself is brilliant, any children would inherit not just power but intelligence."

"And Naikini?"

Sigora smiled slightly.

"Personal appeal rather than pure strategy. The Sarpetaretsu are a good clan, well-respected, and Naikini genuinely seems attracted to you beyond just bloodline considerations. That matters. Partnerships built on mutual respect work better than purely transactional arrangements."

Jorghan returned to the table, studying the maps and documents.

"What about within the absorbed clans? Are there women who’d be appropriate partners?"

"Several," Sigora confirmed, pulling out a different document, a listing of the absorbed clans’ members organized by age, abilities, and status.

"The Ma’zenti clan has a warrior named Sylara, six hundred years old, with exceptional combat skills and strong essence capacity. The Dhra’ckin have twins, Mira and Kira, both highly capable and from a bloodline known for producing powerful offspring."

She pointed to other names.

"The Bjornnaga matriarch Ariandal is already showing leadership qualities. And the Housha clan has several younger women who’d be honored to partner with you and strengthen their integration into the Sol’vur."

"You’ve really thought about this extensively," Jorghan said, somewhat surprised at the thoroughness.

"It’s my responsibility as your advisor," Sigora replied.

"And as your aunt."

"You focus on combat, politics, and grand strategy. I handle the practical details of actually building and maintaining a clan. And right now, one of those practical details is ensuring you produce heirs who’ll continue the bloodline."

She moved closer, her expression becoming more personal.

"I know this is uncomfortable. Elven culture isn’t as rigid about monogamy as humans, but multiple partnerships still require careful management. Jealousy, hierarchy, political implications—all of it needs consideration."

"Will you help coordinate?" Jorghan asked.

"Not just identifying potential partners, but actually managing the relationships, ensuring everyone understands their position, and preventing conflicts?"

"That’s traditionally the role of a clan’s leader," Sigora confirmed.

"The woman who manages the clan head’s household coordinates between partners and ensures children are raised appropriately. I’ve essentially been filling that role already. Formalizing it just makes the structure explicit."

Jorghan nodded slowly, accepting the necessity if not entirely comfortable with the implications.

Jorghan’s eyes moved back to Sigora.

The tactical part of his mind fell silent, overridden by something more primal, more personal. He looked at her, truly looked at her. Not as his advisor, not as the woman who managed his household, but as the only other living soul who carried the Sol’vur blood in her veins.

"No," he said, his voice flat, final.

It wasn’t a rejection of her plan.

Sigora blinked, her composed expression faltering for a heartbeat.

"No? Jorghan, the strategy is sound. We need to—"

"We need Sol’vur blood," he interrupted, pushing away from the table.

The maps rustled.

He took a step toward her.

At six feet tall, he was powerfully built for a human, a wall of muscle and intent. But she still towered over him at eight feet three, an imposing figure of earthy curves and maternal authority. He didn’t seem to care about the difference.

"Those diluted alliances and the political half-measures, they are all fine, but...

You."