Apparently, the new government Njenda had planned had been one where every single citizen had a choice in what happened. Of course, this didn't happen immediately. And so people began to complain, moral in the military shot downward, you name it.
As a result, some lunatic who was in possession of an Imperial Arms killed Njenda, took control, forced about ten or so maids to have sex with him, and basically re-made everyone's lives shit. Nice huh?
Even though Luno and I were completely against the rebellion. And Old Man Poe would never think we would ever join it, the other elders are so naive and scared that if their ways weren't followed then the one breaking them must be a rebel.
My plan was to enlist in the military and fight the rebellion in order to clear my father's name. To be honest, Luno would sooner kill herself before even thinking of joining the army (she said it not me) and believes politics are the way to go.
The ceremony takes about an hour and a half, and was now at the part where we are presented with "gifts."
"For you, Luno" This guy is really the closest thing to a friend I have, but still wasn't quite that, "I offer this blade I made myself. May it protect you, so you may remain beautiful."
Luno was blushing, mostly from the embarrassment of receiving a gift from a guy she has no feelings for I'm guessing. This guy's only good quality was his weapon crafting skills. Old Man Poe actually said once that if he got any better, he could create an Imperial Arms.
"Fredrick," Old Man Poe began, grabbing my shoulders, "When you get to the Capitol, there is a package you must deliver for me."
I nod. A mission I must fulfill. For Old Man Poe.
"There is an old friend of your mother's." He continued, "She owns and runs a pub in the center of the Market Downtown district. Give this to her."
He steps aside and Jasone, one of the youngest children in Castor (a miniscule thirteen), is standing there. He is holding a small rectangular box-shaped object, wrapped in our best Dangerbeast pelt. I accept the object, and the mission that came with it.
"I will Ol-" I stop to correct myself, "Village Elder."
He nods, stepping back. I thought I caught a glimmer of amusement hidden in the corner of his eyes, but it was most likely my imagination.
He flowed to a table, with four different items set one next to the other. One was a large pelt of some kind, the next was obviously water, the third was some sort of small dagger with the word Unity inscribed in the blade, and the last was some sort of ornate necklace shaped like a wolf's head, that opened at the top.
The elder reached for the first object and held it with some assistance from the other elders. It was a small (but still large enough for two or three people) sack of highly dense fur, used to sleep in the outdoors. It was completely sealed except on one end, which is where you would climb inside to sleep. Old Man Poe folded the object and placed it inside the large and almost full pack that I'll probably get stuck carrying.
"May it warm the both of you when winds chill you to the very bone," He said slowly. The citizens slowly repeated, "May it warm you."
Next Poe moved to the water, saying something about how it will quench our thirst or whatever, and placed that in front of the pack. Third he lifted the small dagger and brought it to me. I slipped the box I had been holding up until this point into my right pocket, and carefully took the weapon from him. He also handed me a sheath that would accompany it, which was also ornately designed.
That guy must have made it. I thought to myself and fastened the dagger behind my back, in a way so I could reach it easily if need be. While I was doing so, Old Man Poe was saying that it would, "Protect you in times of distress, and remind you of your home here."
The last object, the ornate necklace, went to Luno. He carefully held it in front of her, inside the necklace seemed to be some kind of liquid. Poe began to explain.
"Inside this necklace is the blood of the Dangerbeast that killed your mother, dear Lunora," He placed the small metal object in her hands and folded his own over it, "This blood has the ability to heal but one wound. You must use every last drop or the wound will not heal. Even if it is a small scratch, every last drop of this blood must be used or there will be no effect,"
Luno was tearing up. Whether it was with sadness at the fact that she was holding the blood of the very beast that killed our mother, or the fact that she was holding blood of a creature, was beyond me.
"Keep it close," He said, lifting it from her hands and draping it around her neck, "For it will aid you."
"Thank you, Village Elder," We said in unison.
After that, the entire village escorted us as far to the border as they wanted to, or could manage. Old Man Poe kept stride with us the entire way, and eventually was the last one following Luno and I.
When we reached the border, Old Man Poe turned us around. His face had changed from the elderly old man the town needed him to be, to a much younger looking (but still aged) face that he only ever wore around us. Now he seemed more like a grandfather.
"It is time, my grandchildren," he started, his voice shaking slightly, but his eyes shining with warmth and pride. Although, deeper than that was also worry and concern for his only family left.
"Don't worry Grandfather," Luno said, hugging him, "I have Cris to protect me."
"Yes, yes. I suppose you do," He looked me in the eye, his own glimmering with amusement, "Don't do anything Grammy and I would do in our youth, now."
Old Man Poe is one of the examples I had stated previously, about how Crestor viewed incest. Just thought I'd say that.
"G-G-G-Grandfather!" Luno sputtered, backing away her face suddenly the color of Bloodberries (a very pink, sweet berry found along the wolf trails in Crestor forests.)
Old Man Poe chuckles at our faces, "I was only kidding. The entire village will miss your sibling antics," He clears his throat and says the final words of the ceremony, "Go now, and find your future, O young ones."
We both nodded, and looked at each other, both of us seeing the face that we'd be stuck with for our journey. I couldn't decide whether I was excited or dismayed that I'd have to spend so long with her. And then I realized, around the same time she did:
We're going to have to sleep together.