Seeing the town used to be something Amaro enjoyed. That was until he could see the masks people would put on when talking to him and his family. They were always especially kind and catering. Especially if his father was taking time from his very important and busy schedule to have a family outing with them.
Lorshiir and the rest of the help were more family to Amaro and his siblings than his father had ever been. Always so distant from his children, coming home only to admonish them and hold them to his standards of prestige.
And when they met them or even exceeded his standards? Then he’d simply move the goal post just as he had done to Tulos only a few minutes ago.
There was a time he believed his father cared for them. When he could see the warmth in his eyes and feel his tender guiding touch.
But Amaro had to wonder if he wore a mask just like all of the merchants who lived on this blasted mountaintop. But was Kadmus’s mask that of the cruel father or the kind one? Amaro could never tell. As far as he was concerned, deceiving him at all was evidence enough that Kadmus had only pretended to be a good father until he grasped power.
Amaro’s siblings trailed behind, lured by every shopkeep in the marketplace offering a gift to the illustrious heirs of the Xirxus noble house.
Amaro used to be overjoyed by their generosity until he figured out it was all a ploy to gain favor with his father and his family. But was it really their fault?
Everyone clung to power like flies to dung, and no one was more powerful in Yvian than Kadmus Xirxus. Yet even the head of one of the most influential and ancient noble bloodlines in xiozian history still hungered for more. His status was only matched by the emperor themself, but that didn’t seem to be enough for Kadmus.
Unlike a xiozian king, who had to constantly prove their worthiness of bearing the crown, Amaro’s father was guaranteed this power by birthright.
But though his power was guaranteed, the fear and respect of those beneath him were not.
Emperors might come and go, but the Xirxus bloodline runs forever. At least until their blood runs in rivers along the cobblestones. That’s how people saw it.
Tulos didn’t know the trouble he’d be in the moment he was left alone in these streets.
When they finally got out of the mercantile feeding frenzy, the crowd parted for them. Those who knew also knew to pull the ignorant out of the way. Amaro could hear their low whispers, and even though his hearing might not have been as good as Raktus it was still more than keen enough to pick out what they said.
“They all came from the Xirxus estate?”
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“Those four children pushed open the gate? So young.”
“What? Not a chance! Their father likely opened it for them.”
“Idiot! Keep quiet! They can hear you!”
Anitus shot an orange bolt of fire right past the head of the naysayer and made it hover at his cheek, “Care to speak up, curr? I wouldn’t mind a proper challenge of my strength!” The flame burned blue, making the commoner flinch.
“Do not concern yourself with the opinions of the peasantry, Anitus. No matter how ignorant they might be…” Kadmus said firmly without looking at him.
“As you say, father” Anitus bowed his head, dismissing the flame.
Amaro could hear the crowd’s change in tone.
“Did you see that? Such control over his magic at that young age!”
“Xirxus blood runs as strong as ever I see.”
Amaro focused his attention on the Coliseum ahead and tried to tune out their voices. It’s not as if his strength was something they couldn’t also work towards. He just had a good mentor in Lorshiir.
Amaro could sense some form of pride radiating from his father. It seemed even he was taking joy in their opinions and disbelief.
“You’re glowing, father.” Amaro shot out.
“I am a happy father to spend time with my family on this day.” Kadmus shot back.
Such a sweet lie. But a lie which Amaro still found himself enjoying the sound of nonetheless.
They entered the Colosseum through an alternate route. The arena staff recognized them immediately and directed them to their private box. The guards were earth elements, using their magic to split the solid brick wall between them.
It was a private space reserved for only the most prestigious elite, and lunch had already been prepared for their arrival.
Sitting opposite from one another were two twin sisters of obsidian black and alabaster white. They sat poised, stern, and decadently beautiful. And yet even they could not hide their surprise, nor their elation to see more than Amaro and Anitus in attendance.
“I see the two of you have been waiting patiently.” Kadmus said with a confident stride, “On this day twelve years ago, you blessed me with not one but two worthy heirs to my name. So today, I bless you both with four of our children who’ve made it out of the gates on their own power.”
Tulos shuffled in place.
“We heard the bells, but we scarcely believed it to be true until we saw it with our own eyes.” Romula said with reserved cadence.
“And to think it would be our next youngest children each no less!” Evra said with a haughty laugh.
Sancta curtseyed with as much grace as she could muster. It was not often she saw her mother in person, “Mother Romula, Aunt Evra.”
“Sancta.” They returned in unison.
Sancta paused, as if wanting to ask something but deciding against it. Amaro knew it was about them being Tibur.
“Mother-” Sancta paused, looking at the open wall behind them,“Actually, nevermind. I wish to discuss something about our trip this winter but it can wait.”
Romula raised a brow and then looked over to Kadmus accusingly, “How was your discussion at breakfast?”
Kadmus raised a hand to the guards, “Leave us to our privacy if you will. We do not wish to be disturbed.”
The guards obeyed and closed the wall behind them, a magical barrier glowing like a skin over the bricks. No one could hear them in here, nor see them.