The Journey, Chapt 24 = previous chapter
Chapter 25: Party!
The People of Edena were all bustling with excitement. Banners of purple had been hung on the sides of buildings, tables and seatings arranged at one side of the courtyard, while the band was situated at the opposite side. Neko walked through, plenty of people shook his hand, and wished him a happy birthday, some girls his age gave him a little kiss on his cheek. He wasn’t quite sure how to react about that but he was polite and said thank you. After all, Vivi and Timtur had drilled manners into his head.
Nekonata sat underneath a tree, and rolled a small coin between his fingers as he watched everyone rushing about. Meera the swallow suddenly landed on his shoulder, “Yes Meera, good greetings to you. I open up my mind for you.”
‘Happy Birthday little one.’ She said with a soft tweeting voice. ‘I have a gift for you. I’ve left it by your desk in you room’
“Thank you Meera.” Neko said, as he gave the little swallow a soft stroke along her back with his little finger. Meera chirped in gratitude and flew off.
“It’s not every day someone turns thirteen, becoming a man you know.” Said Vivi standing over Neko’s shoulder.
“Oh, just a once in a lifetime thing for every child who turns that age. Did you know 17 will turn 13 this year, including myself.” Neko said with a smile as he waved to others who had waved to him. “Master Vivi, could you tell me about her, my mother please?”
Vivi sighed, and looked around, “Your mother Julia, was an amazing woman, she was beautiful, and resilient, and smart, and sometimes stubborn, so at least you know where you get your stubbornness from” Vivi chuckled, and Neko looked up at him with a big grin. “Ok, Ok child, wipe the grin off your face. Your mother helped others, and tried to help all those in need, even when it seemed the world was against her.”
Neko stood up, and looked Vivi in his eyes, then suddenly gave him a hug. “Thank you for telling me, for telling me about my mother.” Vivi gave him a hug back, patting him gently. Suddenly the band started playing music, a dancer walked slowly into the centre of the courtyard, her hips swaying, her hands clapping softly above her head in time with the music. She was beautiful and elegant, and graceful, every dance move so swift and flowing, told a story of an elf who was once lost in the forest and met the love of his sitting on a large rock in the middle of a lake. As the dance came to an end, Neko still entranced, clapping enthusiastically.
Neko hadn't realised but Timtur was now standing next to him, Vivi was leaning against the tree watching quietly.
“Her name is Mia, she is one of the most famous dancers in Caa Alora. It’s a real privilege and honour to see her perform.” Timtur told Nekonata quietly.
Next to take centre stage was a comedy juggling act. Vivi guided Neko around the courtyard, introducing him to people and elves here and there. Until they came to a table, Vivi had Neko sit at the head of it, while he and Timtur sat either side.
Elvina walked up to the centre and did a dance of her own while conveying the blending of elemental magic and swordsmanship skills. It was a beautiful display of her ruby aura magic exploding in embers, and droplets and sparks. Mesmerised, Neko stood and applauded Elvina, who bowed gracefully at the end of the performance.
Next a dwarf and an Elf stepped forward, carrying something long covered in a drape.
“Walk around the table and stand before them.” Vivi whispered. Neko did as he was told. Standing before them, the dwarf and elf took to the knee, the elf raising the covered item, for Neko to take.
“My name is Jotundr, I come on behalf of Queen Gabija of Clan Panther, from Caa Alora.” The elf called out loudly for everyone to hear.
“And my name be, Prince Althor, Son of King Balthor of the Dwarven Keeps.”
“It is my honour to meet you both Prince Althor and Master Jotundr. Please stand up, and let us at least on this day strike up a friendship.”
Vivi and Timtur looked at each other and smiled, “We taught him well Vivi.” Vivi nodded quietly
The elf and dwarf stood up, with a small bow. Jortundr handed the gift to Neko, who eagerly unwrapped it, revealing a purple sheathed sword. Neko glanced back at Vivi who nodded at him.
“The blade of regal purple colouring was designed, and fashioned by yours truly Prince Althor, and smithed by none other than herself Queen Gabija, a master bladesmith in her own right.” Commented the dwarven prince bowing low to the ground.
Neko unsheathed the blade he noticed on one side towards the bottom of the blade was etched a squirrel, and the other side etched a swallow.
“You must give your blade a name.” Bowed the elf.
A thought flashed into Neko’s mind, ‘Tondro’ Suddenly a huge fork of purple thunder struck the blade from the skies, the blade flashed in purple static thunder, everyone gasped. Jortundr looked at the blade surprised.
“It was just a thought in my mind, I didn’t channel any magic I swear.” Neko said, shocked.
“Mine beard be dazzled, already have you found the true name!” Said Althor looking at Jortundr.
Chapter 25: Party!
The People of Edena were all bustling with excitement. Banners of purple had been hung on the sides of buildings, tables and seatings arranged at one side of the courtyard, while the band was situated at the opposite side. Neko walked through, plenty of people shook his hand, and wished him a happy birthday, some girls his age gave him a little kiss on his cheek. He wasn’t quite sure how to react about that but he was polite and said thank you. After all, Vivi and Timtur had drilled manners into his head.
Nekonata sat underneath a tree, and rolled a small coin between his fingers as he watched everyone rushing about. Meera the swallow suddenly landed on his shoulder, “Yes Meera, good greetings to you. I open up my mind for you.”
‘Happy Birthday little one.’ She said with a soft tweeting voice. ‘I have a gift for you. I’ve left it by your desk in you room’
“Thank you Meera.” Neko said, as he gave the little swallow a soft stroke along her back with his little finger. Meera chirped in gratitude and flew off.
“It’s not every day someone turns thirteen, becoming a man you know.” Said Vivi standing over Neko’s shoulder.
“Oh, just a once in a lifetime thing for every child who turns that age. Did you know 17 will turn 13 this year, including myself.” Neko said with a smile as he waved to others who had waved to him. “Master Vivi, could you tell me about her, my mother please?”
Vivi sighed, and looked around, “Your mother Julia, was an amazing woman, she was beautiful, and resilient, and smart, and sometimes stubborn, so at least you know where you get your stubbornness from” Vivi chuckled, and Neko looked up at him with a big grin. “Ok, Ok child, wipe the grin off your face. Your mother helped others, and tried to help all those in need, even when it seemed the world was against her.”
Neko stood up, and looked Vivi in his eyes, then suddenly gave him a hug. “Thank you for telling me, for telling me about my mother.” Vivi gave him a hug back, patting him gently. Suddenly the band started playing music, a dancer walked slowly into the centre of the courtyard, her hips swaying, her hands clapping softly above her head in time with the music. She was beautiful and elegant, and graceful, every dance move so swift and flowing, told a story of an elf who was once lost in the forest and met the love of his sitting on a large rock in the middle of a lake. As the dance came to an end, Neko still entranced, clapping enthusiastically.
Neko hadn't realised but Timtur was now standing next to him, Vivi was leaning against the tree watching quietly.
“Her name is Mia, she is one of the most famous dancers in Caa Alora. It’s a real privilege and honour to see her perform.” Timtur told Nekonata quietly.
Next to take centre stage was a comedy juggling act. Vivi guided Neko around the courtyard, introducing him to people and elves here and there. Until they came to a table, Vivi had Neko sit at the head of it, while he and Timtur sat either side.
Elvina walked up to the centre and did a dance of her own while conveying the blending of elemental magic and swordsmanship skills. It was a beautiful display of her ruby aura magic exploding in embers, and droplets and sparks. Mesmerised, Neko stood and applauded Elvina, who bowed gracefully at the end of the performance.
Next a dwarf and an Elf stepped forward, carrying something long covered in a drape.
“Walk around the table and stand before them.” Vivi whispered. Neko did as he was told. Standing before them, the dwarf and elf took to the knee, the elf raising the covered item, for Neko to take.
“My name is Jotundr, I come on behalf of Queen Gabija of Clan Panther, from Caa Alora.” The elf called out loudly for everyone to hear.
“And my name be, Prince Althor, Son of King Balthor of the Dwarven Keeps.”
“It is my honour to meet you both Prince Althor and Master Jotundr. Please stand up, and let us at least on this day strike up a friendship.”
Vivi and Timtur looked at each other and smiled, “We taught him well Vivi.” Vivi nodded quietly
The elf and dwarf stood up, with a small bow. Jortundr handed the gift to Neko, who eagerly unwrapped it, revealing a purple sheathed sword. Neko glanced back at Vivi who nodded at him.
“The blade of regal purple colouring was designed, and fashioned by yours truly Prince Althor, and smithed by none other than herself Queen Gabija, a master bladesmith in her own right.” Commented the dwarven prince bowing low to the ground.
Neko unsheathed the blade he noticed on one side towards the bottom of the blade was etched a squirrel, and the other side etched a swallow.
“You must give your blade a name.” Bowed the elf.
A thought flashed into Neko’s mind, ‘Tondro’ Suddenly a huge fork of purple thunder struck the blade from the skies, the blade flashed in purple static thunder, everyone gasped. Jortundr looked at the blade surprised.
“It was just a thought in my mind, I didn’t channel any magic I swear.” Neko said, shocked.
“Mine beard be dazzled, already have you found the true name!” Said Althor looking at Jortundr.
