Chapter 07 – The usual politics!

Her face became red all of a sudden. She began to tremble all over. I thought she couldn’t accept her defeat and had a mental break of a kind so I put a bit more force on my left arm and pressed her small body tightly onto mine. Even though she was older than me, we had a bit of height difference.

I was taller now. Pull-ups had an effect on my body size.

I heard whistles from all over the arena. Back then had no idea why they did whistle and began to clap. I looked around, some were shouting that I should kiss her on lips. Why should I? Was it a kind of ritual or rule that winner had to kiss the loser? What the hell, what if 2 males were fighting?! I got disgusted of that idea so much that I let go her unintentionally. She turned, facing me for a second, observing me. Should I kiss her now? The idea of kissing her had me blushing too. I wanted to do it. And she slapped me hard. What the hell?

[Mariette]: PERVERT!

She ran away. What does pervert mean? I looked around and saw my family. I went to them. My mother had her face down to ground. My sister had the devilish look and grinning. My father was laughing.

[Father]: That’s my son. I’m proud of you!

[Me]: You saw how I teleported. It was awesome, isn’t it? I can engulf my body in mana so that it protects me from harm upto some level. Nice, ha?

[Father]: Dumb kid! Don’t you know I despise fighting? I’m talking about the blondie.

[Lei]: He is clueless.

Father put his arm on my shoulder.

[Father]: Aslan, it’s time talk about some important matters.

[Me]: Me becoming a warrior?

[Father]: No! More important than being a warrior! More important than demons! More important than beast men! More important than world peace! Although not as important as female elves.

My mother pinched my father. We want back home.

We had a meal. Father did not drink. He looked at me and made facial expressions as if to follow him. I stood before him and went out. He walked out just after me.

[Father]: After me!

[Me]: Okay.

We walked a bit so that we get out of reach of people.

[Father]: We need to have man to man talk.

He told me about everything. Literally, everything. How to please and get the pleasure. If the stuff what he told me about could be classified as science and had a school of its own he would be the headmaster. He talked about his youth and I again confirmed that he was a certified as*#01e. He had become a warrior just to please his carnal pleasures. Though I got to accept that he had planned out everything in details like what he would do and how he would it. His story ended by marriage and how after marrying mother he stopped and throw himself into alcohol.

[Father]: Aslan, there is just one thing you do not have to do. It’s a rule #1. You broke it today morning. I will help you get out of situation this time. But do not expect me to be there every single time.

[Me]: The rule is?

[Father]: Actually, it was a rule that I had come up with after marrying your mother. I’m going to pass it to you, so I think it should be referred as proverb.

After using “proverb”, he stalled for a moment and smiled. It was an evil grin.

[Father]: Snake crawls in curves to everywhere it goes, but in a straight line when it enters its own house.

[Me]: What you mean?

[Father]: Snake is me. Everywhere was any other place which I had gone. Curves is the process of meeting woman from other tribe. Using their insecurities while saving caravan from demons or protecting their village from beast men attacks. Own house is my own tribe. Never! Never ever do anything that could get you married into a girl from our tribe. We have some strict rules. I got into alcohol because I could not lead the life which I had before marriage. If I did, you would be fatherless now.

[Me]: What rules?

[Father]: You will learn tonight. Let’s go.

We went back to home.

We had guests. I saw Mariette sitting beside a man and a woman. My father took control of the situation from moment one. Introduced me to them and asked my mother to bring tea or coffee. They choose tea as drinks. My mom nodded and went to kitchen.

Raez was Mariette’s father’s name and Lynnette was her mother name. Mariette didn’t greet anybody, she had her head down looking to her knees. She looked like a doll. She was wearing very beautiful blue dress down to her knees and black shoes.

After tea was served.

[Father]: Brother Raez, may I know the reason for a visit to our house by a great warrior such as yourself?

[Raez]: Don’t sweet-talk me. Tonight they will be betrothed!

[Father]: What is the reason for betrothal?

[Raez]: Your son defiled my daughter in front of all village and tribesmen. Anything more?

[Father]: I think you are mistaken Raez. First of all, my son is (it seemed like he used WAS) a pure kid of 13 years of age. Secondly, there could be no kind of dishonoring in duel within the context what you are talking about. You are a great warrior, but do not forget that I had my share of accomplishments in my time before I retired. I still know what a duel is. In any duel, there is no male or female. There are just 2 sides. Two warriors or apprentices facing each other to prove or test their skills. What I saw today was a duel where my son won with a great advantage using his bare hands (he had an evil grin for a second). He did not have or used a weapon. How as a warrior he should attack or defend without using a weapon? His hands of course. I would feel like you would if it happened to my daughter too. But we are not kids, we are grown up people. We should avoid acting upon emotions and think rationally. In case, you want a public speech from me regarding this matter, I will state everything what I have told to you. I will personally challenge anybody who even whispers about this matter later on to a duel of death. That is all what I have to say.

I was frozen. I never expected him to be this sly.

[Raez]: But…

[Father]: Raez for the next 4 years they will study together. If they feel anything towards each other I will be honored to come to your house for marriage proposal.

A person opened the door and entered our house.

[-] Thank god, I found both of families over here. I was sent after you guys.

[Messenger]: Village elder Taham wants to see both of you families in his house right now.

Mariette’s family left before us. As we were leaving after them…

[Me]: I hope Taham does not force the marriage upon me.

[Father]: I do not think he is calling us for that.

[Me]: What for then?

[Father]: Usual politics, my son. The usual politics!

Next: Chapter 08 - Skeleton Warriors.