Chapter 7: Heir Black!

Quickly snapping back to reality I blinked, "Cool." I said plainly not really sure how else to react to the news openly. I didn't want to give away anything like how I already knew about all this when I wasn't meant to.

Ironclaw nodded, "Indeed Master Black now if you would follow me to my office. You need to don your heir ring before we can continue with any further business you have today." he said before gesturing to the door.

I nodded and got off the table, before looking to the other goblin, "Thank you for your assistance Healer Bolgrif, your help has been most appreciated." I said giving a bow of my head.

Bolgrif smile back at me, "It was my pleasure to aid the House of Black, young master." he returned before both I and Ironclaw left the room and started back down the corridor.

As we walked my mind was racing a mile a minute as I tried to think what all this meant now, there was so much happening and so fast.

I needed to priorities, if the heir ring was like I had read about in fan fictions before it was going to make me next in line for the title of Lord Black, when I came of age, whenever that would be.

I clearly needed more information.

"Account manager Ironclaw?" I spoke curiously, "What is this ring you spoke of earlier, and what is an heir?" I asked doing my best to sound like a curious child.

Ironclaw glanced over his shoulders towards me as he spoke, "As you are the last Son of a Son of the House of Black, the line of inherency falls to you making you the Heir Apparent of the House of Black, the Ring signifies this. When you reach your majority at sixteen you will become Lord Black unless emancipated before such when you can take up your title earlier."

"Emancipated?" I asked still using my best curious tone.

Ironclaw nodded, "It means you would be recognized as an adult and not as a child. Such automatically happens when you reach your majority." he explained as we neared his office.

Okay that was yet another thing I would have to research when I had time. While I had read a number of fictions that involved the taking up of lordship where the character was emancipated.

I wasn't sure if it was a good idea yet. I had no clue on what was fact and what was fiction so I would be better to hold off on that until I got a proper lay of the land as it were.

As we arrived back in his office I noted it was well kept and furnished much like the rest of the bank.

Account managers must all get their own offices for some reason or another likely so they can manage more important accounts who would like their finances kept secret. I could understand that much.

As we entered I was gestured to wait as Ironclaw made his way over to the large vault within his office.

I watched on as he ran his finger down the middle of the door as I heard the sounds of the internal mechanics clicking open before he opened it, retrieving an ornate wooden box form inside before returning to me and opening it.

Inside laid on the black cloth interior was a cameo styled ring sitting with its circular head pointed towards me. The black sapphire gem flashed with the house black crest for a moment before fading to leave only the sapphire.

I took a moment to look at it before reaching out and taking it. The gold of the ring felt cold to the touch and it was rather large. I knew that I wouldn't be able to wear it.

But no sooner had I put it on my finger than I saw the gold flash and then the band shrunk to match my finger width before there was a rush of what I can only describe as something cold rushing through my veins for several moments before it faded and I let out a gasp and panted slightly suddenly feeling very drained.

"W-What was that?" I asked as I tried to get my breath back.

Ironclaw only smiled at me as he closed the lid of the box. "That was the final confirmation that you ae indeed the Heir black. It was the heir ring confirming you were worthy to wear the ring and as such worthy to be the Black heir and then the next Lord Black. My apologies for not telling you about it but it was not my place to do so." he said with a bow of his head before he turned to take the box back to his vault and close the door without another word.

I took several deep breaths trying to get my breathing back under control. I looked at the ring before I spoke, "and if it didn't judge me worthy to be the heir and I put it on?" I asked not sure I wanted to know.

Ironclaw gave me a grin, "That would depend on if you weren't a Black. If you weren't then the family magic in the ring would have simply killed you, very slowly. As you are a Black you would have only been in a lot of pain until you passed out. Then the ring would have removed itself from your finger by shrinking so much that it cut it off." he said as if it was common knowledge.

I did my best not to gulp hearing that and thanked whatever deity there was looking out for me. I forgot that House Black was a rather dark house, of course, their heir ring would be cursed to do something like that to discourage any who wasn't the heir.

Ironclaw then cleared his throat, "Congratulations Heir Black. Now if it pleases you I can take you down to your family vault for you to collect any gold you may need as well as browse your other belongings."

I thought for a moment on that. I did need to gather some gold for my school supplies, but I was also curious just what else was in the vault. Part of me was wary about them, given the Black's history.

I'd just have to be careful this was too good an opportunity to pass up. Who knows what I could find down there to help me. I nodded, "Lead the way."

Ironclaw nodded and we soon departed his office heading for the carts.