Chapter 2: The Autumn Harvest-Part 1

The next six years passed by as if in a dream. Soon, Blumiere was 17 years old and he had more responsibility and training as a chief alongside his father. More importantly, a special ball was taking place that night. That was when Blumiere would choose a noblewoman to be his future bride. He felt anxious at the thought of it and not for the reasons that his father was hoping for.

He looked out the window, watching the wind blow and trees sway with the wind. He also thought of his upcoming birthday at the end of the month.

"It's the first of November. At least I have something to look forward to. Still, why does it have to come at the end? Why did I have to be born on the last day of the month?" Blumiere thought of cake, balloons, and people having a good time. "I suppose that will have to wait…"

Blumiere looked to his brother. Erik's leg was trembling, his silent way of indicating that he wanted the meeting to be over. He did plenty of that when they studied together as kids. "I wish Ben was old enough to be here. He managed to make those private lessons more interesting...Still…" His mind wandered to a different topic. "Why is this ball even called the Autumn Harvest Ball? All of the main autumn crops have already been harvested... Soon it will be nothing but winter crops…"

"Blumiere."

The lord turned and saw everyone's eyes on him. He completely forgot that he was a Tribe meeting for a moment. He looked to one person in particular."Yes, Father?"

"What do you think?

"I think…" Blumiere looked around. Suddenly, his eyes landed on his grandfather. "...That we should listen to Grandfather's opinion first. He is the oldest and smartest of us. Is that not so?"

There were murmurs of agreement. Father looked among the other members of the group before nodding himself. "Very well…" He turned. "Nero, what do you think?"

"This idea of yours is foolishness, Derrick," Nero said.

Blumiere froze. He looked to Erik. His brother gestured for him to come closer and Blumiere did so. He whispered, "He's just talking about the humans again. Don't worry." Blumiere let out a sigh of relief. He hadn't missed anything important. Good.

Father frowned. "What are you talking about? These dirty humans are a disease."

"A disease that is contained within their walls. We still have the barrier and no human has ever crossed that, nor any current member of the Tribe. It has been 16 years since one of us even thought about crossing the border. "

"Yes...Anyone who broke that rule would have to answer to me…" He turned. "Blumiere? What are your thoughts on this?"

The young lord hesitated. He knew that Father wanted him to take his side, yet he couldn't see why he hated the humans so much. When Blumiere was a child, he mimicked his Father's disdain of them so easily. However, when he got older, the hatred made less sense. The humans were weak and quite useless, but they weren't hurting the Tribe in any way. They deserved to live quiet lives in their tiny village, so nearby and yet so distant from them.

"Grandfather has a point. If those creatures aren't attacking our homes or any member of the Tribe, then I see no reason why we would have to attack them. Just keep things separate, as they have always been."

"They're right, Father," Erik said. "Attacking their village unprovoked puts us all in danger, not just the military."

The rest of the group murmured in agreement with the old man and his grandsons. Father frowned, but even he knew when he was outnumbered. "Very well. But this is an issue we will have to deal with at some point. We cannot let their breed go on forever...not so close to our borders…"

"You are letting uncertainty cloud your sense of judgement," Grandfather said. "As long we have our barrier and no one crosses it, then everyone in our tribe will be safe."

"Yes, indeed. You are all dismissed. Blumiere, a moment?"

Blumiere froze. However, he knew that he didn't have much of a choice. "Yes, Father. Of course."

As everyone began to leave, Erik gave his brother a reassuring pat on the back. He looked like Father with his round eyes and smile most of the time, but Blumiere saw his Mother's features in his younger brother too: violet hair and skin, yellow eyes, and a long nose. Even with his father's likeliness, Erik's grin gave Blumiere a small bit of comfort. It lasted until he left with the rest of the group, making sure to shut the door behind him.

There was a moment of silence. Father turned to Blumiere. "So, my son...Have you given any thought to the ball tonight?"

Blumiere felt a wave of relief. Father hadn't noticed that he wasn't paying attention. Soon, however, that burden was traded for more weight on his shoulders. "Erm...Some."

"Some?"

"I, uh…certainly feel anxious about it. I would prefer not to think of it though."

"You should think about it. You have an important decision to make."

Blumiere lowered his head. "I know…"

"Consider yourself lucky," Father said. "Your mother and I did not have the option of choosing our partners."

"Yes...and I am grateful you are giving me this choice." The young lord looked up. "However, is one night really enough time to pick the woman I want to marry?"

Father frowned. "Love is not as difficult as people say. When you know you have a connection with someone, you will be able to tell. It did not happen overnight, but after our parents told us we were getting married, I fell for your mother."

"Oh? And what did Darren say about her?"

Father grew tense. Blumiere wondered if he stepped out of line. Over the years, he had grown curious about his estranged uncle. Who was he before he became a traitor and an outcast? Still, it felt like he was walking a thin line between growing closer to his father and making him angry with questions like these.

After a brief moment, Father sighed. "He said that Laurette is beautiful and I should be happy that I get to marry her."

Blumiere waited to hear more, but his father said nothing else. "Is that all he had to say?"

"Yes. As young adults, we talked about having a double wedding. Darren said that since we were born at the same time, we might as well marry at the same time too." There was a moment of pain in his father's eyes before they grew cold and hard. "But as soon as he met that dirty girl, he was gone…"

Father looked back at Blumiere. "I would never want you to share the same fate as him. Banishment and disgrace is not fitting for a young man of such promise…" He thought for a moment before saying, "Choose and choose wisely, my son. You are excused."

The lord nodded before leaving the room. Once he was alone, he let out a sigh. He caught up to his brother, who was waiting for him at the end of the hall. The two left the building together. "So, what did Father have to say?" Erik asked.

"He just wanted to hear my thoughts on the ball tonight."

Erik grinned. "The autumn harvest ball, dear brother."

Blumiere frowned. Flatly, he said, "Thanks for the correction."

His brother looked to him with concern in his eyes. "Is everything alright?"

The older brother kept walking, eyes focused straight ahead. "I am anxious...uncertain...words that Father doesn't seem to know the definition of."

Erik frowned. "Blue, I think you're being a bit harsh."

"Really? I think you're being a bit easy on him."

"Well, even if Father didn't notice, I know you weren't paying attention during the meeting. Why don't you try and work something out with him?"

"I have tried, but he doesn't want to listen to anything I have to say."

"Maybe he's more focused on the rest of the Tribe. Please, Blue...at least try and look at it from his point of view?"

The older brother sighed. "Perhaps you should be the future chief then, Erik..." With that, he walked ahead of his brother.

"Blue, wait!" Erik called out. However, moments later, he sighed and let him go without him.

After taking a moment to calm down, Blumiere went outside, where he knew his other brother would be. He went out to the field where he normally practiced archery. "Ben? There's something I-"

Suddenly, an arrow shot past Blumiere and he jumped back. The arrow hit bullseye, albeit the corner of it. The older brother turned with a frown. Ben laughed. "Blue, you know better than to get in the way when I'm doing target practice!"

Blumiere rolled his eyes. "I was not in your way, Ben."

"Yes, you were!"

"I was not."

"You definitely were!"

Blumiere sighed. His brother certainly could be stubborn at times. "Fine. Whatever you say."

Ben furrowed his brows. He looked much like their father and even Blumiere to an extent: red eyes, dark blue skin, and even the same hair color. However, he had some of their mother's characteristics too: a longer face and slender nose. Still, unlike Blumiere who resembled their father and Erik, who more resembled their mother, Ben had some features that seemed to be all his own, like the way his blue hair sprouted out of his head in wild waves.

Even with his whole-hearted embrace of nature and fighting, however, he still had his softer moments. This was one of them. Lowering his arrow, he asked, "Is something wrong?"

Blumiere sighed, walking closer to him. "Just a Tribe meeting that went on too long. Nothing else…"

Ben thought for a moment. "Well...do you want to practice with me? Take your mind off things?"

"I'm not in the mood for that…"

The younger brother shrugged. "Suit yourself." He turned and shot a second arrow, smiling when it hit the center of the target.

Blumiere watched before sighing. "Do you have an extra bow and quiver?"

After the older brother retrieved his own tools, Ben talked to him more. "So, what's the problem? Is it the marriage stuff?"

He looked at him in disbelief. "Marriage stuff?" He sighed. "Why is everyone so accepting of this but me?" Blumiere turned away and shot his arrow, missing the target by a long shot.

Ben laughed. "Wow. You were way off!"

"Yes, Ben. I know. This is your strong suit, not mine."

"Well, to be fair, I don't know how you keep up with those long, boring books. So, I'll consider us even," He said before turning away and hitting another bullseye.

Blumiere raised an eyebrow, lowering his bow. "How are you so good at this?"

"Practice," Ben replied. "Try adjusting your stance. Arms up a little more, eyes focused on the center. Even if you miss, you'll still get a little closer."

Blumiere nodded and let another arrow loose. This time, he hit the far end of the target. It was nowhere near close to the center, but at least he hit something. Ben seemed to think so too. "There! See, you hit the target this time!" He said with a smile. Blumiere couldn't help but grin.

"Anyway, I think you're just nervous because you're the one who has to choose a bride."

The older brother nodded. "Yes, that's right. Still...why do I even need to marry? Why can't I just rule on my own?"

"Father is concerned about future heirs. He wants to keep the bloodline 'pure,'" Ben explained, making air quotes with his fingers. Blumiere saw his point. Father was always going on about future grandchildren, how adoption wouldn't pass his genes on and was only a last resort. How could he have forgotten that, even for a moment? Ben went on."Besides, I don't think it'll be too bad. It might even be fun to meet girls."

"Perhaps…"

"Oh, come on, Blue!" He said, giving a playful shove. "There'll be several noble girls there, all wanting to meet you! You have to find someone you like!"

"I am not one for large gatherings. I can do five people in a room, maybe six maximum before getting too exhausted...and I would be one of those six people…"

"You gather in large groups all the time for tribe meetings," Ben pointed out.

"That's different! And somewhat more manageable…"

"How come?"

"If we're gathering to discuss Tribe matters, that's one thing. But if people are gathering just to dance and make noise, then we really have no business there other than to be figureheads. Yet Father drags us along anyway."

"Ah, yes," Ben said with a smirk. He put on a deeper register, imitating their father. "Look at me and my fancy suits! Look at my wife! Look at my perfect children!" Next, he put on a high falsetto, imitating the partygoers. "They are so well-behaved, Derrick. So refined and graceful! They are most ideal for leading the Tribe!"

Blumiere couldn't help but laugh. "You're right, Ben. We are the most ideal for leading!"

"Of course we are! We're Nightshades, after all!"

With that, the boys laughed. Once they were done, Ben continued. "Well, if it makes it easier, pretend that it is a Tribe matter."

Blumiere thought for a moment. "In a way, it is…" Turning to face his brother, he said, "I did not consider that before."

"See? All it takes sometimes is to look at something from a different point of view!" He gave his brother a quick side hug before turning to the target. "Now, give it one more try! Last arrow!"

He nodded and pulled his arrow back before releasing it, hitting the center of the target. Ben's jaw dropped before he laughed, a smile dancing on his lips. "Blue, you did it! You hit the target!"

He blinked. "Yes, I did…"

He let out a cheer before hugging him. "I'm so happy for you!"

Blumiere showed a small smile. "Thank you, Ben. But it really wasn't much…" He sighed, turning to the target. "Now, let's ask for the servants to clean this up..."

That evening, Blumiere changed into his evening clothes. When he finished, he stared at his reflection in the mirror and frowned. As of late, it had been bothering him how much he looked like his father. He had his crimson eyes, small nose, skin tone, and tall height. He had his mother's longer face, but that was about the only physical similarity he shared with her.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, interrupting his thoughts. "Come in."

The visitor opened the door, stepping in. Blumiere turned. "Oh. Hi, Roselyn. What do you need?"

Roselyn smiled, stepping further inside and shutting the door behind her. (She still allowed her family to call her Rose, but liked her full name better now.) While Blumiere had taken on his father's appearance, Roselyn was the spitting image of their mother. They both had the same violet skin and face, though Roselyn had violet hair instead of their mother's lighter shade.

As the youngest sibling, her growth was something that nearly every visitor commented on. According to Mother, it was only yesterday when she was a little girl, following her brothers around and saying little. Now, as a child, she maintained a gentle spirit, but she was also friendly and sociable. Father always went easier on her when it was her turn for a beating, but Blumiere overlooked that usually. She was still his sister.

Smiling, Roselyn said, "I made something for you!"

Blumiere tilted his head. Lately, she had picked up the hobby of designing and making clothes. It was mostly for her and her friends, so it was rare for her to make something for a man. "What is it?"

"Close your eyes and hold out your hands!" Blumiere did as his sister asked. Roselyn pulled something out from behind her back and placed it in his hands. "Ta-da!~

He opened his eyes. He now held a tall, white tophat. He blinked. "A tophat?"

She nodded. "Uh-huh! I made a couple hats for you for tonight, but I think this one would look better on you. Try it on!"

Blumiere put it on and turned to the mirror. Father wore tall tophats like these. Now, he looked even more like him. "Hmm…"

"Well?" She asked. "Do you like it?"

He took it off and turned to her. "I look like Father…"

Her smile faltered. "So?"

Blumiere didn't know how to explain his plight to her. She could tell Father later and get him in trouble. She tattled on all three of her brothers growing up. Sometimes, she couldn't always help it. Roselyn was too much of a gossip for her own good at times. So, instead of telling, Blumiere pointed to the other hat she had brought: a black, shorter tophat. "Can I see that other hat you have?"

Roselyn nodded and handed him the hat. He put it on and turned to the mirror. Looking at his reflection, Blumiere felt a bit better. "Hmm. This works better, I suppose…"

"You want that one then?"

He turned to face her, nodding. "Yes. It will work for tonight."

Roselyn smiled, hugging him. "Okay! I'm so happy you like it!" She let go of him, beaming. "Oh, I'm so excited! There'll be so many cute boys there! Girls too! Blue, aren't you excited?"

"More anxious than anything."

She furrowed her brows. "Why? You'll get to meet the girl of your dreams and dance into your happily ever after!"

"I don't believe in fairytales, Rose. Nor the notion of "the one." I'm not interested in ladies in general. Now I'm supposed to pick one to marry?"

"Oh, come on, Blue! It'll be fun! You'll see!"

Blumiere thought for a moment, then grinned. "Yes, I could see it being enjoyable. But on one condition."

Roselyn blinked. "What?"

Taking her hands, the first-born heir said, "Will you be my first dance of the night, Lady Roselyn?"

The fourth-born heir grinned, letting out a giggle. "I'd be happy to, Lord Blumiere!"

Blumiere gave his sister a warm embrace. Rubbing her back, he gave a solemn sigh. Whether he liked it or not, he would have to find a bride tonight. Not only that, but he would have to stay with her for the rest of his life. He hoped he would make the right choice.

It's true. He will meet his future bride tonight. Most likely at somewhere more interesting than a ball though... ;)

I posted Chapter 1 about four months ago, but I've also rambled a ton about this story and these characters, mainly the sibling OCs, to my friends on Discord. So, of course I had to do a second part. However, the original Chapter 2 was over 8,000 words! I've released long chapters before, but I wasn't interested in that this time. My solution was to just split them up in two parts. The next part will probably be up tonight or tomorrow.

-Free