8 months later, the baronet was filled with life like it never did, thousands of people from all the east territories were here. The population was nearing the tens of thousands of people. Father asked for reinforcement from viscount Harolts army. We rented 500 men for two weeks it costed 750 golds coins. He was nice enough to let us pay after the tournament.
The second day of the event, the Goalball games will begin there is 128 teams in the iron team tournament, 128 in the copper, 32 in the Bronze and 16 in the silver tournament.
We had to create three others arenas outside the wall of the territory, the number of applications was beyond our expectations , we bought food from everywhere, we built inns in hurry, those last 9 months were stressing for all the habitants of the baronet. We will feel better once everything end.
The fact we were in a rush didn’t mean we neglected our works. Each arena is a piece of art, each inn is designed to be pleasing for the customers, there were inns for merchants, inns for nobles and inns for commoners.
We taught our citizens to cook and set stalls, in the day, the population of the villages around us would descend to Bladebreaker city to work. To reduce the time of the travel between the city and the villages, we built new roads. Even with all our preparation some people had to sleep in tents.
Each Goalball matches would be 15 minutes long, or finish when a team put 3 goals. We first planned to let them play for 30 minutes but now it’s unthinkable.
The first day we had beast race a lot of people placed bet we earned a big sum, since we take 5% of the total of money. The races pleased the audience, we placed stall at the entries of the arena filled with book about taming, we were out of stock in one day.
The old Duke asked dad to have the privilege to be the speaker for the opening of the tournament, dad couldn’t be more glad to lift a burden from his shoulders.
« Ladies and gentlemen, I’m Albert Landerson, i am happy to open the first tournament of Helias history, a game that commoners and noble can enjoy together, I will oversee this tournament and help Baron Bladebreaker in keeping everything in order. Thank to lady Alana enchantment, I will be able to comment the match of this arena while my knight will comments the other 3 arena. The schedule is thight let’s the game begin. »
The day went by and the trained teams shined, we clearly note if a team had a sponsor or not. But in this tournament some unexpected teams made their way up. Our baronet could only participate to the iron tournament since only our guards were allowed to play. Our team won their first match. Unfortunately, i was alone to cheer for them, I was responsible to look at the players and see if someone was cheating. People respected the rules, so I had no real work.
After the duke speech, I checked all the players to look for cheater but there were none. Our baronet population grew by the year with our economic development, we have now 6480 citizen and dozens of merchants who come doing business weekly. This event has increased our population by 3 times for the next 2 weeks.
We went to the hydra beach to pass time with Ashley, she has a big belly, there is always someone with her. In order to be there if her labour start. I, mother or Buro need to be contacted, as soon as possible. I always check on her with my ability, I don’t know if this is a good or bad news but we will have twins. Since Ashely has pure mana, I saw our children slowly feed on it to grow. They are not tainted by elements, what will be the effect of pure mana on their grow? I didn't share this information with anyone, they have enough anxiety for the moment.
Ashley was training our sea mages who are mermaids and nagas women, 10 baronets soldiers were guarding the cliff to stop any tourist. Since people came here to see the tournament, they also visited all our territory, we need to keep all the visitors and local safe and detect the possible spy or curious adventurers.
Our sea army began to take shape, its far from being useful but when I will return from the border in more than two years we will be able to go to the second part of the continent.
Ashley and i will set off for our military service at the end of the tournament, we will be accompanying the old duke and his men. Dad said it was the safest way to the border, no one would bother the old Duke.
« Hey sweetheart how is going the training? » asked to the fat girl
« Fine, they do well, I believe in two or 3 months they will be qualified low mages, they will began to be more active in the sea and began to hunt the rank 1 and 2 magic beast. The knights have already kill numerous rank 1 magic beast with the hydras. Now, stop standing there and come here I need a pillow! » she said with authority and a smile.
I complied, I lied on the hot sand, she sat next to me using my body as a back pillow.
« that’s good! Now don’t move or I complain to grandpa James » she threatened
The old man became crazy since he heard he would be great grandfather, he began to protect Ashley like a mama hen.
« Did you think of the babies names ? » I asked
« It’s the father job, don’t ask me to do your job. But I will refuse any ugly name » she said
« I offer names and you judge, if they are nice or not? » i asked
« Exactly! » she said proud of herself
« In the end, I don’t chose » i complained
« Be grateful! I give you some right, it’s not your body that is being invaded » she reproached me
« Boss, yes, Boss!" i answered subservient. "Are you feeling good? From mom words the babies are soon full grown. » i asked
« I feel more tired, I can feel my belly got heavier, maybe you have one or two weeks, to find two names. » she said tired.
The third day, the duke kept the microphone like it was his most precious accessory. He was commenting, like a boss. He did the show more than the players in the game. The iron tournament ended with our team beating Count Gulan’s team 1-0. I didn’t watch the games, i patrolled with the guards or went to accompany Ashley. Mom and dad were watching over an arena, His Grace Albert was enthusiast of being in charge of an arena. The man was unbelievable, it seemed that doing a show and being in charge of them was his goal in life.
A news came from Viscount Harolts, the Viscount Macron messenger told him that Sir Marcon would not participate to the event since his team was ambushed on the way to the baronet. His son was heavily injured and his players dead. Look like Sir Harolts revenge came quite fast.
The Copper tournament started, after the iron final. Elise is counting our profit and calculating the winner prize. I was patrolling with Luna and Darkos, i used my eyes ability to look for anything abnormal a vain work, our military presence was convincing.
« Boss, can i go back to take Saly? »
« Don’t behave like a mom, she can stay with the others pets, she is too young to be in crowed street like ours ».
« She is more mature than her peers » she said proudly
« Every parent like their child » i retorted
« She hunt, and can cast druidic spells, she is naturally talented ». Countered the smiling Lynx woman.
« Your owl, is indeed special. But it’s a non - negotiable no. How is the training of the familiars? » i asked seriously. The familiars is the cub trained to be the war pet of the guards.
« Good, with a contract of equal adding the fast rank up, all masters can communicate with their familiar, we need real combat situation to correct unwanted behaviors in war zone. »
« We will soon, go to war. The north-east border are filled with Monster empire armies. How is the training of the mounts? »
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« They all evolved to rank 2, you mount awakened first boss ». report Luna
« We would have two hundreds silver knights, two mid- mages, all our mounts rank 2 accompanied by 50 familiars. You will all be equipped of mid-quality stuffs. Ashley and i will wear high quality and enchanted stuffs. If we don’t survive two years and don’t have an achievement we would deserve the worst. We should be the richest troops on the battlefield. » I commented
We experimented on leveling the strength of our mount, our first test were on livestock, their evolution took a longer time than a born magical beast. When the milk cow evolved she provided more milk with a better quality, the only draw back was the bigger appetite from the animal. There were no physical change, the change appeared at rank 2, they began to get agitated and aggressive, their bodies had doubled in size. We chose to evolve our livestocks to rank 1, we let them at this stage. We are now able to produce more diary products and wool at a better quality. We did the same process with our mounts to prepare them for battlefields of the North-East.
The patrols intervened in pub brawls caused by alcohol excess. The major crime who was sanctioned a few time was illegal betting, those people were directly send to the mines and we seized all their belonging. For nobles who did illegal betting, it was the old Duke who judged them, most of the incriminated parties were given a salty fine.
There were young people from prestigious families of the east part of Helias who came to watch the games. Some were present in the wedding, i spoke with the girls who took taming lesson from me. All the beast were healthy, Ashley pregnancy became the center of attention of those girls, conversation began and we seriously learned about each others, it was a fun time, i believe this time our social skills will not be blamed. Unfortunately, Francis couldn’t visit but he sent a letter explaining that he was training by mother advice and her books. He would be visiting when i’m back from the frontline.
There was something i didn’t understand. I’m the only heir from a promising baronet, who can do deals directly with the Dukedom and Counties. We wrote books which open new field on taming and magic. However all men of my age avoid me like as if i had the plague. I should ask dad and grandpa. I mean when i speak to a merchant son, he tries to cut short to the conversation while noble sons ignore me. I embarrassed myself 3 times, i remember the face and names of those 2 baron heir and the viscount who they were boot licking. In the futur, they can't bet on my cooperation.
Today is the final of the silver competition. I’m currently running with Ashley on my back, her labour began, i’m using everything to win this race, knight energy, support spells. I’m breaking speed records on the new road built between Lira village and Bladebreaker city. A trip which would have take an hour was done in 10 minutes. Grandpa who was staying by Ashley side just for this moment ran like the cheetah he is, to mom who would deal with the delivery. I used soul link to call Buro, if an extra healer was needed.
« Run faster, it hurts like hell » Screamed my passenger to my hears.
« I’m doing my best we will be there in few seconds » the mansion was before my eyes when i finished my words. I kicked to open the door, i saw the old Duke, who had his eyes wide open.
« Has mom arrived » I screamed, noise could be heard behind me, i switched Ashley from my back to my arms.
« John, let her lie on a bed, we should go to your bedroom » I followed Elise who just arrived. We arrived in the bedroom, and put down Ashley nicely.
« You could have being more gentle » said the fat girl.
« Aunt Elise, What do we need? » i asked, i could hear my breath was short and quick, this run took the best of me.
« A clean towel, warm water, water if she needs to drink, it can take hours ». Specified aunt Elise.
I left the bedroom, the Old Duke was there.
« Sorry for the door, i didn’t know someone was behind ». I apologized, never be rude to high nobility.
« Don’t worry, it was natural. Do what you have to do, i’m here to satisfy my curiosity ». Dismissed the Old man. I nodded, and rush to find the needed items. I also diffused the news by soul link explaining the guards that the mansion had to be protected and why.
Buro came with Eva, i told him to stay outside the room and tend to the Old Duke if need. Eva helped me and we returned to the bedroom. Mom arrived, she was teaming with Elise, Ashley was lying on the bed with cushions behind her back, her legs were wide open to let the babies out. I put the basin down and bottle of water near the future mom, Eva gave the towel to Elise.
« Do i need to stay? » I asked Ashley. I seriously didn’t want to see her parts being torn, with my eyes which i often lose control, i will see even more than Elise who is in front of the action.
« I don’t want you to see me like that! Stay outside! » She screamed while throwing a cushion to me.
Outside Buro was staying silently on a corner of the corridor, James was staying with him. I believe he was angry to death. He had to play the slave because of Albert. Dad was speaking to the old Duke, i went to his side with Eva. She was still too young to see the truth about babies.
« Did you think of a name? » Asked dad.
« Hum, yes and no, all the name i proposed were refused by Ashley » I told him.
« oh, like? » curiously asked dad.
« Theodore, Leo, Marc, Mateus, Angus, Malcom for the boy. Emma, Kelly, Gabrielle, Anna, Janis for the girl ». I answered in one breath.
« Some of them are original, some are popular names. I believe a name has a power, a common name can force someone to work for being outstanding contrariwise it can make them easier to forget. A original name can burden who burden the child or make them stand out. » explained the old duke. I’m glad i don’t share this belief but…
« That’s an interesting point of view, i believe an original name give a distinction that a noble need. Our family have common first names, to impulse a change we should break that unconscious usage. » Bullshit! I just like Angus and Janis.
« Good idea, i should advice my grandson to do that when the time comes » said a pleased Duke.
The labour began, we heard the voice of a pained Ashley. Dad and Albert conversed like they heard nothing. Grandpa was nervous his eyes fixed on the bedroom door, he was walking in circle. I used eyes to look the belly of my wife, the first child was leaving is nest, the head was out, his birth was smooth. The second had something around his neck the nearer to the « exit » the tighter was the « rope ». I rushed to the bedroom and told what i saw to mother and Elise.
Both of their face became white.
« what ? » i asked nervously
« It happen sometimes, the child die strangled when delivered ». answered Elise
« Noooo no no no no! » Said quickly Ashley, she started to panic.
« If we open the belly above the child to take him out and use magic to close the wound, will it work? We saw it be done in different worlds with Ashley, when we observed pregnant women and their labour across the universe." However the world who did this medical intervention were more evolved in techniques or magic.
« I don’t know » said mom
« What do you think » I asked to the new mother, Elise was taking care of the newborn. The baby was crying while Elise cleaned his body.
« Do it, i don’t want a dead child » said Ashley.
I send an order to Buro, he told it to grandpa, who rushed to get a knife. It took him less than two minutes and he gave it to dad, who entered the bedroom, we explained him what was happening, he nodded and went outside. I used fire magic to burn the disease on the blade, i casted (Sleep) on Ashley. I started my work, i used my vision as i cut my wife belly. The child was moving, he was trying to find his way out. I enlarged the wound, Mom casted (Dispel) on our hands, she kept the hole open while i took he little girl out, i cut the « rope » and gave her to Elise. Mom and i casted (High sacred light) three times for the belly to close, i didn’t see any internal bleeding. I took the towel and cleaned her belly, and put the blanket on her.
« What’s their names? » asked mom. She was sitting, by Ashley side with the boy in her hands.
« Angus for the boy and Janis for the girl » I said.
I stayed by the bed side until Ashley woke up. the first thing she did was checking the babies and the second was to learn their names. She like Angus but i got punched hard for Janis which didn’t gave a « feminine vibe ». The babies shared our bedroom, while Ashley went to wash herself with Elise help, the servant cleaned the room and installed the babies beds, clothes and toys. Dad and Albert visited the children, the next morning a lot of people came to congratulate us, offering present for the babies.
Today, was the reward ceremony. The four champions would get their money, we decided to give them a statue, as a rewards, Each winner would get a metal statue, a iron statue for the iron tournament, a copper statue for the Copper tournament etc.
We chose to do the ceremony in front of the wall of the baronet which was the widest space available in our land. We created a stage, decorated in the four color of the tournament, we also showed the emblem of each winning team. Each team was called with their sponsor and the noble of the territory they represented.
We were the Iron champions, we earned 6200 golds and a iron statue, the copper champion was from Count Larcher who won the copper tournament their prize was 7250 gold and a copper statue. The third team was from Count Amarantha territory, they earned 10150 gold and the silver winner came from the Dukedom who earned 15005 gold coins, that was the tournament with the least player but the richest sponsors and nobles.
This night we used the 3 arena to create a big party within all the baronet, to celebrate the winners, Albert reluctantly shared the microphone to the musician. However this party showed the limit of our baronet we didn't have good performers, the food and alcohol are the best but we clearly showed that it wasn’t a skill we mastered.
Mom decided to employ three nourrices to get enough milk for the children, she said they would help her to take care of the children when we are to the frontline. We will leave in one week. For the next week, we would take the time to embrasse our role as parents. Mom and Buro took the teacher job to train our sea mages. Grandpa prepared the 200 guards for war, he organized food, ropes, pics, tents, cookings stuffs, papers, pens, armors and weapons, and finished the magic beast training.
I stayed with Ashley, Angus and Janis, the latter two ate, cried, slept and… POO, How such a small body can produce so much waste? The week passed quickly Ashley was cursing her father because as the second daughter, she wasn’t supposed to go to war, it was the heir job.
She was mad and sad, she switched to anger, cursing mumbles, and cries, she did that with the babies in her arms, mom and Elise were there trying to take the babies from Ashley. It was dad who put this situation to an end, he came a bit violently, and said « Young girl the duke waited for you for one week, its already a great show of kindness from his part don’t go overboard, give your children, my grandchildren to Alana, we will take care of them until your return. » his tone was firm, and severe, Ashley took few seconds to understand everything, she reluctantly gave the babies to mom.