《The Devil and the Huntsman》Chapter 6: A Feast of Dedication
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Julius stood there and was stunned by the fact that Harald was planning a feast for the people of Loftain. His daughter was old enough to join him and be with him for only a little while before he had to go hunting demons again. Harald's son was also eligible to attend the feast, and he allowed his son to see and know what it is like to be a man. Once every year, there are about two feasts that the person attends to have a large sense of peace enter their minds. Julius had no idea what to tell his wife about this news, but he wants to do the best he can to not disappoint her.
"When is this feast?" He asked.
"The day after tomorrow. It will be the day of not only remembering the bravery of our father but knowing which of us is to rule and bring honor to his name," Harald answered.
"I'm sure your rule will be as stunning as usual."
"And I'm sure you will do fine as well. Considering all the events that are happening at this moment, I'm sure we can allow a few celebrations to our benefit. The two of us ruling together sounds like a splendid idea, but by tradition and law, there cannot be two kings sitting on the same throne. Eventually, there will come a time when you will have your chance at being a ruler."
"I haven't heard from your son in a while. How is Brant doing?"
"He is growing up extremely well. He's on the verge of adulthood and will be my successor one day. I could give you the right to live out the rest of your days in peace if only the demonic invasions would end. But, Brant is as healthy and fit as any other teen. Since you've asked about my son, I would like to know about your daughter. How is Lagertha doing?"
"Lagertha is still as precious as the stars. I would lay down my own life to make sure that she's protected and taken care of. She did everything my wife tells her to and knows how to take care of the house when she is away. I've always shown love to my daughter and she always returned the favor. You know, I honestly like it when we talk about our kids to each other. Lagertha just turned nineteen, but how old is Brant?"
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"He also turned nineteen not too long ago. I gave him a book filled with tragedies and poems. All written by a famous playwright. He told me he loved the book, and it was the one thing that kept him from being bored. In about a year or two, he'll be able to have his own place and have twice as many friends as he already has. But what about you? What did you give Lagertha on her birthday?"
"A sketchbook. She said she likes drawing things and usually likes painting. Lagertha once told me that she likes seeing the world in front of her eyes. She also asked me if she and I could go hiking. Of course, I see that happening and I would do anything to make her feel happy and safe. It's about time that she'll eventually become a young lady."
"Ah. It appears that you and I have lots of plans for the future. I like that. It shows not only our family but our people that we are a loving and caring family to our kids. But, of course... I have things to do and plans to make."
Julius and Harald were sitting down together and having this long conversation about their children, and they all felt satisfied while doing it. It is usually under a different circumstance that they are both able to speak freely and be open-minded about other things. Sometimes it is best if they don't talk about some horrible night that one of them encountered. They could both be having a hard time trying to get back to the place where the walls kept them safe. The two brothers knew and understood each other and would do anything to get something done under their request.
"So, Harald? What's next for me?" Julius asked. Harald looked at him and started to think about something he could do for him as he was busy preparing for their next move.
Then he answered and said to Julius, "As of right now, nothing. For now, go home to your wife and daughter. I'll have the feast prepared by the night after tomorrow. I also have to get back to my wife to be with her, for I have also missed her."
Then, Julius gets up from the chair and begins to head out from the room as Harald continues to look at the world map.
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"Farewell, brother," he said. And so, Julius left the planning room and began to head out of the palace; some people were coming inside through the front door.
It was the usual people who served the earl and sat down to have some conversation that they planned out by themselves. Julius simply ignored them and continued to walk towards the front doors of the palace and head outside. As he went outside, the sun was already high in the sky and the people were living out their daily lives. The people who lived in Loftain were either roaming around and buying certain things from the market, or they were silent about the many things that could likely happen to them by the demons. The demons were the biggest things that most of the citizens were deeply afraid of, and they could never stop thinking about them.
Julius continued to walk on the trail that led to the city's entrance; he didn't stop for anything nor talked to anyone. This was one of those cases where he did not have time to speak with strangers, and he couldn't get the time to give them what they wanted. These people were the type of people who were very fearful or fearless of the night creatures and had to fight back. Even the city's guards were a bit silent, yet suspicious of what is happening, what has happened, and what will happen. For the most part, they stayed silent and kept being away from politics that might seem to get out of hand.
Then, he opened the entrance doors and began walking in the outside world on the long, dark road that went on and on. The road seemed to never end and it seemed to continue from where Julius stood all the way to the ends of the earth. He walked all by himself without a carriage driver to take him to his destination; it would have been much easier if he actually did have someone take him home. But, he has always considered himself to be an outsider and always called himself a hunter of demons. So, he got used to the idea of being under the sun and having the wind revolve around him as he lived with his family.
Julius walked with his armor on, his weapons and cloak on his back, and his mindset on only seeing his family. He was so reliant on his family because he might never know the day that will come when he will find them all dead by the demons. He and his brother always disowned the monsters of oblivion for what they did and what they might do to poison the world with their power. Eventually, he was about a mile away from the city of Loftain and was still heading towards his house. Elsewhere, Lucy was waiting for Julius to come home, and she wanted to calm herself and relax from this morning.
Lagertha was in her room and was looking at all of her sketches and drawings that she did in her sketchbook. She had at least two or three sketchbooks in her room, but the one that her father gave her had about a thousand pages and more space for her to draw. Occasionally, if a drawing that she's ever done was a special type of art, then she would take it and attach it to her bedroom door. She would usually keep it as something that would remain inside of her for as long as she lives. She was the type of person who would look at a landscape and see if she could replicate the place and make it her own.
"Oh, mother. What has gotten into you?" She asked. Lagertha takes her sketchbook and turns to a blank page where she can draw something new; she tries to think of something she hasn't drawn before.
She picks up her feather pen, adds some ink to it, and begins drawing a large sword with two edges. It was a beautiful looking sword that was unlike any other blade known to man, and it would be her special type of weapon.
It would be her heirloom sword if she could at least learn how to wield it and use it to her own benefit.
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