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Chapter 44 - Chapter 44 -Lartius and the Dog

Lartius walked with his hands behind his back as Genie gave him a tour of the school. Martiea and Legate followed behind them. Legate with Martiea on his arm.

"I love this!" Lartius declared. "Just enough classroom space, and plenty of room for both indoor and outdoor activity. And this pitch where you play this game you told me about, what was it called, Legate?"

"Football-"

"Yes! I'd like to try that. It seems to be good exercise."

Legate smiled, "Of course. Shall we have something to eat first? Arles has made a lovely meal."

They all walked into Genie's flat. It smelled wonderful as Arles turned to greet them. "And you're just in time."

Lartius pat his chest proudly, "Certainly! I smelt the food had finished."

Martiea teased, "Like a dog."

Legate looked at Genie and both of them laughed under their breath.

Lartius laughed loudly, "Just like a dog! I have thought about getting a dog. Legate, do they have those here?"

Legate held a chair out for his grandmother and then Genie. He sat beside of her at the table and poured them all a glass of wine.

"A dog?" Legate asked.

"Yes. I hear they are loyal. Brave. Sounds like a Quauhtin."

Genie smiled, "They are."

"I might give this some thought."

Martiea rolled her eyes. "What is it that we're eating?"

Legate clapped his hands together. "It is lasagna. But, it does have a lot of tomatoes-"

"What smell are you trying to mask, Legate?" Lartius asked.

Legate chuckled, "Nothing. I promise. But, it is absolutely wonderful."

Arles sat down the large pan of lasagna on the table. Salads and breadsticks were already on their plates.

Martiea put her napkin in her lap. "Arles. This looks wonderful! Where ever do you get this cooking talent from?"

"I have no idea." He told her as he sat at the end of the table. "But, I enjoy it. There is also cake we'll have afterwards."

Lartius pointed at Arles. "My Arles is trying to make me fat. I've been warned about your cooking."

Arles looked worried. "Have you?"

"Primus John has told me that you are a brilliant chef. You can find a wonderful girl that way, son."

"Ah. It's not something I'm interested in, sir."

Lartius sipped his wine and looked back at Arles with a rose eyebrow, "Indeed. Perhaps, a wonderful man then, son-"

"Oh my God." Arles shook his head. "No! Lartius. Really, not interested in that."

Genie covered her face with her napkin as she laughed.

Arles looked back at her. "Oh, don't even-"

"Oh, you wait until I speak to Sammy." She insisted.

Arles chuckled and shook his head. "Oh geez. Anyway, what did you think of the school?"

Martiea smiled, "My favorite is the classrooms. I like how they have a big, round table. Not the small, tables like you sometimes see."

Genie smiled, "That's how we were educated when we were small. All sitting at one table, working together. It helps build community, and gets everyone involved."

Lartius nodded his head. "Indeed! I like that, too. I am excited about the music."

Legate ate his salad and smiled. "That doesn't surprise me at all."

"As it shouldn't. Do you still play?"

"Genie plays, too." Legate pointed out. "She can play anything. It's rather remarkable."

Lartius smiled proudly. "Well, of course. Rixalarians can play anything. But, Quauhtins also have to play. It's important."

Genie asked, "I'm not aware of this. Why?"

Lartius explained. "Well, because of Martiea's heritage, all of my children can play an instrument. But, it's something that Lovell began during his rule."

Legate nodded, "Yes. He said that to play an instrument, awakened another part of the brain."

Martiea smiled, "There have been doctors do tests about it, and as it turns out, it is beneficial to all Quauhtin Warriors. So, it's been taught at the Academy for hundreds of years."

Genie was amazed. "Really? I had no idea."

Lartius nodded. "Usually, everyone plays a guitar. That's the most common instrument chosen. Lewis plays beautifully."

Genie shook her head. "I've never heard Papa play anything."

"It may not be something he does anymore." Legate shrugged his shoulders. "He used to. A lot of Quauthin give it up."

Genie looked back at Arles. "Have you ever heard of this?"

"No." Arles smiled, "But, I can remember him trying to talk me into playing the guitar when I asked him for the drums."

Lartius laughed. "The drums! Yes! That was my preferred instrument as well."

Martiea shook her head. "He is so much better at the guitar though."

He smiled, "Am I?"

"Yes." She insisted. "Your guitar work is lovely. However, the drums….need work, dear."

Lartius rose his eyebrows. "Well then! After we dine, we will play! We may begin a band!"

Martiea shook her head and mumbled, "Oh, brother."

Lartius sipped his wine. "So, Ashena had to leave."

"She did. She left this morning." Legate told him. "She took the other Legate to Kaitos."

Lartius nodded. "It was a responsible decision that he made."

Genie shook her head, "What? Legate is gone?"

Legate took her hand and kissed it. "Yes."

"But, why?" She asked.

Legate sighed. "I'm sorry I hadn't told you. I had intended to before they arrived."

"It's alright. You've been so busy today."

He looked into her sad eyes. "Can I explain it all to you, later?"

"Yes." She looked back at the King and Queen, "I'm sorry. I just hadn't expected that."

Lartius sipped his wine. "It was a decision of duty. It shows me that Legate has finally grown up."

Martiea dropped her fork and looked back at him. "Now, how can you say that?"

"My lips move and-"

"With her sitting here. Without any explanations. She was his primary!"

Genie shook her head. "No, it's really alright. This Legate is actually my-"

Legate took her hand as Martiea continued to fuss at Lartius. "Do you see that she's upset?"

Genie shook her head, "I'm not really upset. Just surprised-"

Martiea wasn't listening to her. "And to say he's grown up. What would have you make such a statement?"

"Well, if he's going to be the heir-"

"You are the King and you haven't grown up!"

He shrugged his shoulders, "What's the fun in that?"

Arles and Genie looked back at one another and started to laugh under their breath at their argument.

Lartius looked back at them and smiled. "But, anyway. As I was saying. We have a Promise to attend to."

Legate rubbed his hands together and looked back at Genie. "Yes." He said as his face spread into a wide smile.

Martiea smiled, "Oh, I love it. What has John said?"

Genie groaned, "He doesn't know-"

"Doesn't know? Even now?!" Lartius insisted.

Legate shook his head. "Well, Lewis knows. Rose knows-"

"Nevermind them. John is just as important. Why hasn't he been informed?"

"Well…" Legate was at a loss for words. "We talked about this. He's one of the Primaries here-"

"Oh, yes." Lartius remembered. "That's right. And you said he wasn't going to throw you out of a window."

Arles chuckled. "Oh, he might."

Martiea laughed and told Genie. "My father threw Lartius out of a window."

Genie covered her mouth and laughed. "Oh wow."

Arles wiped his mouth. "There is a bet-"

"As there should be!" Lartius insisted. "I want in on it. Who is the holder?"

Legate pointed back at him, "Arles is."

Lartius turned back to Arles. "Then, son! I believe he will throw Legate through a window-"

"He's not going to throw me out of a window-" Legate insisted.

"And then…." He stopped and thought. "Well, hang on. Let me have a think."

Martiea looked surprised back at him. "What is this?"

Lartius smiled at her. "I'm reconsidering. She's not pregnant?"

Genie shook her head, "Not pregnant."

Legate rubbed his face with both of his hands and mumbled, "Why does everyone think that?"

"Hmmm." Lartius rubbed his chin. "I say that you will get sloppy. A man in love does really stupid things."

Legate groaned and rubbed his hands together. "Oh geez."

Genie looked back at him and smiled at his embarrassment.

"And based on your own stupidity, he will find out before you have the nerve to tell him-"

"Which is what happened to your Grandfather here." Martiea told them.

Lartius nodded, "Yeah, it's true."

"Genie has decided to tell him in person!" Legate insisted.

"All the more reason!" Lartius insisted. "And he won't throw you through a window, but he'll threaten it afterwards."

"Within, how long?" Arles asked, clearly enjoying Legate's discomfort.

"Ten minutes. He'll mention he should have done that. But, instead, he'll just hit you. One, really good time. In the face."

"Blood?" Arles smiled.

Lartius considered, "This is my grandson. He's tough."

Legate looked back at Genie and mouthed, "Can you believe this?"

She laughed under her breath. "You should hear my bet."

Legate looked shocked. "You are betting, too?!"

"Why wouldn't I?" Genie laughed.

Lartius continued. "He will not bleed, but this is a Primus. It will knock him out."

"For how long?" Arles asked, smiling.

"Well, hell isn't that enough? If I win, I want a dog!" Lartius declared.

"That's it? A dog?" Legate asked.

"Yes! Now, have you sorted your Ten?"

Legate nodded, "Yes, sir. I have."

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