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22 – Birthday Party I

There were two guards standing still behind James and Kal-min Lyth. They were tall men wearing undecorated helmet, breastplate, shield, spear and sword. Only on the breastplate a letter was carved out – “L”. Only the eyes and the mouth of the guards were exposed as the nose-guard and the check-pieces were covering everything else. The first thought that comes to person’s mind upon seeing them is “brute”. “Are they showing off their power?”, I thought to myself.

“It’s an honor to welcome the Cohen House representatives in Cyrus’s birthday party!”, James Lyth spoke diligently. My focus changed to James and Kal-min Lyth.

Looking closely James didn’t have the vibe of house elder. The expensive clothing that he had on was covering his bodily defects. In reverse, Kal-min’s white skin and beautiful womanly features would carve deep feelings of affection, desire and yearning in hearts of men and women. A golden necklace with deer pendant and flavored with emerald, rock crystal and colored glass was hanging on her neck, shining brightly under the lights of sun.

There were two female slaves sitting on their knees few meters behind Kal-min. The slaves were there to carry the bright green cape that Kal-min was wearing. Kal-min's delicate nose, straight brows and bright green eyes of Kal-min gave her the aura of a 20 year old maiden.

“She is a fairy”, I murmured and Kyle’s gaze switched to me, a smile appearing on his face.

We followed them into the mansion. More likely a palace though. We went into the big hall where the celebration was going to be held. Lots of people were talking and chatting with each other. All of them were representing cities and towns from Lyth and other territories. Everyone bowed as soon as they saw us passing by them which caught my interest.

Waiters and waitresses were welcoming guests, serving drinks, demonstrating the menu and describing dishes. We reached end of hall where a young boy of Kyle’s age was standing by himself. He was wearing a golden armor and golden sword. Eyes are mirror of soul I was told. This kid’s eyes were mirroring greed and lust. His posture was emitting arrogance.

“Kyle”, he shouted as soon as we came into his vision. “Hows life treating you, Cyrus?”, Kyle said and they began to talk. I understood that this ferocious looking kid was Cyrus Lyth.

After few minutes of chat, Cyrus went ahead towards the stairs close to us and got on top of a stand. Trumpets were blown as soon as he reached top of stand. Everyone's attention was focused on young Cyrus while total silence ruled through the hall.

“Dear father, mother and sister”, he said and looked to James and Kal-min. “Where’s his sister?”, passed my mind. “Dear Farrell and Kyle Cohen!”, he stressed the surname part. “Dear friends and guests! I thank you all for attending my 17th birthday party! I’m honored to see this many great people coming to share my joy! Thank you all!”, he said and left the stand to join us.

Excited murmurs, babble of voices and noises of shuffling feet filled the hall again. Everyone was enjoying themselves to the fullest. Kyle patted my shoulder and I turned to face him. “Father says you should go and enjoy yourself. We will be here for long, one bodyguard is enough for us!”, he told me.

I left them to wander around the hall. I couldn’t start a conversation with others as they would take me as a kid. I was offered fresh apple juice by a waitress and I asked her whereabouts of kids around my age. She pointed towards an exit and told me “Your peers are there, enjoying themselves!”.

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I exited the grand hall, went through quite a few small halls and got lost once. Luckily a waiter showed me to the place where kids were playing around.

It was nice to find out that the place prepared for the young ones to enjoy the party was the mansion's backyard. The word ‘backyard’ is a bit lacking at describing the actual place because whichever way I looked the walls to show the end of the yard was not visible. Green trees and shrubs had covered every inch of the yard.

Nevertheless, it was much less crowed and peaceful in comparison to inner hall where the main party was held. Kids aging from 10 to their teens were playing, chatting, eating and drinking near a place on my right. I strolled on a stone walkway in opposite direction. I walked for a while and layed down the ground under a beautiful sakura tree.

I saw a stone which attracted my interest. There were inscriptions on it.

Cyrus cometh forth into heaven by thee, Pyrr. The face of Cyrus is like the Angels. The wings of Cyrus are like the Eagle. The nails of Cyrus are like the claws the Wolf. There is no word concerning Cyrus on earth among men. There is no hostile speech about him with the gods.

“Arrogant prick”, I murmured and closed my eyes to sleep.

“No, don’t”, was last the thing which I heard...

SPLASH!!!

Cold water was spilled down onto my face waking me up. I jumped in confusion. Instinctively my hands went up to my face. Checking my surrounding I see a bunch of kids same age or older than me standing around me. One of them has a bucket in his hand, a wide, childish grin spreading across his face from ear to ear. Others let loose giggles which irritates me.

I stood up to face the crowd. There were few teenagers around but rest were young. “I’m sorry for cousin Dai’s mischief”, a beautiful girl said to me. My eyes were fixed on girl who spoke in a lady-like manner with childish voice. I half-drew my katana and sheathed it back with force and a “chuck” sound broke out. Silence fell. “For a beauty like you I would cut through the biggest mountain and kill the wildest beasts with my bare hands...”, I said and seeing her blush I continued “Water is a blessing. No impurity in it, you shouldn’t be worried or sorry”.

“Damn you brat! Do you know who you are talking to?”, a male standing by the girl spoke. “Cousin Dai!”, she whispered. “Aila you stay out of it”, Dai replied. “A mere peasant showing mercy to us?”, Dai told harshly. “Peasant, noble, warrior or mage does not matter. I’m an honored guest of Cyrus Lyth. By trying to make fun out of me, you are making fun out of him”, I said, my eyes met with Dai’s.

The bucket dropped out of his hand. “Peasant, next time you won’t be protected by my cousin! Let’s go everyone”, he said and departed.

Everyone turned to go away. Swiftly I caught girl’s hand and she turned back hesitantly.

I haven’t had a hair-cut for long time so my hair was almost up to my shoulder. The wet hair was covering my face. I used my left hand to push it back. “I’m Kain and you are?”, I released her hand. “Aila”, she whispered nervously. Most probably it was first time Aila was talking to a male who was not a relative of hers.

“Aila, can you help me out to find new cloths?”, I asked.

P.S: is there any progress in grammar?

Next: 23 - Birthday Party II