The walk home was uneventful except for the tale of his first day as an apprentice that Nosal regaled to his father. There was also a fiery kitchen, that was ran by a senior demon and filled with a whole cornucopia of ingredients. The ingredients were so foreign that even Lem, who thought himself quite the traveled Capyban had never even heard of. Then there was a monstrous golem that silently lurked about through endless corridors that were adorned with riches.

But Nosal was most animated when it came to the part where he recounted his time in the library, with him feeling a roller coaster of emotions; nervousness, dread and finally relief at having his Master come to his aid in regards to the issues of his botched grafting.

Even Lem himself who was half listening in amusement before, fell into shock and then a solemn mood when his son confessed to him of how he had been plagued by out-worldly thoughts. But instead of interrupting, he continued to listen on as his son recounted his Master’s theories if how how his son had subsumed a grafter.

“Pup, what you’re telling me is hard to believe.. even if it came from the master healer himself,” commented Lem once his son’s story had finished. The pair had rounded the last corner and were clear of the small copse of trees that obstructed the view to the farm. “But, it does make sense when we think of your unsung class and the unbelievable growth you have, those stat gains were hust.. unbelieveable.”

They continued to walk home as they both fell into silent contemplation, with only the sound of the dirt crunching below their boots to accompany them before Lem broke the peace.

“But pup, there’s one thing I agree with master Xerneg for sure…. And that’s the fact yer still my boy,” gently whispered the Capyban and even if he made this declaration softly, there was a confidence and surety that was projected in his unwavering tone.

Little Nosal gripped his father’s hand just a little more tighter, before looking up to his father’s face. Lem was looking dead ahead at the ranch as if to project that the there was nothing else to speak of in regards to this matter.

The little boy felt a sense of confidence that radiated from his father and smiled weakly, before he too turned to look at their home that lay ahead of them.

But in Lem’s mind was the gnawing worry that grew even more at the thought of what his son had to grow through with this whole Unsung business. He felt like he had somehow failed in his role as a father and a little disappointed that his son hadn’t confided in him of these problems that plagued the boy. But if there was something that Lem was good at, it was to project a fake stoic and calming facade. It was a handy habit from his days as a travelling caravan guard and it had proven to be invaluable time and time again when the role of single parent was unfortunately thrust upon him.

As they crossed the hay-field that marked the border to the Brownwhisker ranch, Lem was able to spot Kano as he pushed the wheelbarrow that was laden with dung and Joantack who was still napping in his Kaholin range.

“Looks like your brother’s still collecting the Kaholin balls in the field,” Lem commented as they got closer. It was to change away from such an intense subject, for he needed time and a possibly another drink to mull over these new developments. “Why don’t you head on over and give your brother a hand, plus he’s got some stuff to talk over with yer.”

“But father, I’m tired from my day at Master’s house… and I don’t really want to collect the dung,” complained Nosal with a musk of sadness before letting go of his father’s hand.

“Well… I guess yer can do as you wish, yer can head on up to the house or what not… Actually can you drop by the to see if your brother’s water the plot? I’ll just be in the field and…” replied Lem before realizing his mistake. The Capyban man sighed before coming to a stop which made his son turn back to look at him in confusion.

“What is it father?” asked Nosal.

“I’ve seem to have forgotten my scythe on the wall outside of Sarking-Tar’s shop,” sighed Lem before continuing in his walk.

“Why in the realms did you do that? That’s so stupid,” joked Nosal before breaking into childish laughter.

“Oii don’t you slight me pup, last time I recall yer still sleeping under MY roof and I’m still YOUR father, Speak to me like that again, and you can do those dishes you learned today for breakfast tomorrow… HUH, you want that?” grumbled Lem as he wrinkled his scarred nose. His remark quickly chastened Nosal before the two feel into another uncomfortable silence.

“Sorry father,” apologies Nosal whilst casting his eyes down at his feet. He kept on walking home with the hand that was holding onto his book gripping the leather cover just a tad tighter whilst the other fiddled with his bag nervously.

I’m definitely committing a Palpitor mistake as a parent by admitting I was wrong to the pup, but I guess he’s had a long day, Lem thought to himself as he looked down at his sullen son.

“Huuuuhhh,” he sighed.

“Sorry pup, I didn’t mean to tell you off, it was indeed pretty silly of me,” Lem apologized to his son before turning off the path and heading to the gazebo.

“Oh.. thanks dad- where’re you going?” asked Nosal as he turned to look at his father’s retreating back.

“Haha.. I guess I’m just gonna do as the humans do, and have myself a nap,” joked Lem with a musk of joy before waving over his shoulder lazily.

Nosal wondered to himself what his father meant for a few moments. But finding no answer, he turned away and headed to the back of his home so he could remove his shoes before he can put away his bag and new reading book. Realms am I dead tired, he mused to himself as he walked down by the side of the house.

After removing his boots, Nosal couldn’t help by wrinkled his nose at the cheesy smell of his stinking feet before heading in trough the back porch. He found Dittat all curled up and sleeping in his little bed. With the Woodwurm’s mouth making rhythmic little gaping motions as he quietly emitted little chirps that were his snores.

“Good to see you buddy,” whispered Nosal and eliciting a small little twitch from the sleeping figure’s antennae. The boy tip-toed through the kitchen before depositing his load onto the hardly used dining table that sat beside the living room. Then Nosal headed upstairs to his room, before taking off his shirt that now smelt of spices and herbs and leaving himself walking about in just a pair of shorts.

Wonder if it’s possible for me to subclass as a cook without a classing stone? he thought to himself as he headed back downstairs to grab something to eat from the pantry.

As usual he was spoilt for choice so he just helped himself to small bundle of Yesterhay.

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He then headed through the kitchen before the sound of his pattering feet caused the sleeping little Woodwurm to stir in his sleep fitfully.

Oh I totally forgot Dittat was sleeping.. better be quiet, he thought to himself with a little musk of surprise as he begun to creep through the kitchen before heading out the back door.

Ahh I don’t want to wear my shoes anymore, they’re so stinky! he thought as he forgoed from putting back on his now musty boots. The little boy then walked bare footed through the paved back courtyard before going past the haybarn.

He wasn’t so sure as to how the Blinkers would react but he still choose to follow the normal dirt path beside the orchard, for he didn’t want his bare feet to be pricked by some weeds or thorns.

A tiny little sullen Blinker sentry then immediately spotted the Capyban boy and was just about to hoot out an alarm call. But the Blinker quickly stopped when it recognized him, before hooting in a softer tone and rushing out of the cover of the trees to greet Nosal.

“Oh hey there little mister Hoot,” greeted Nosal happily before bending down and reaching out a hand to the Owlmite that was furiously blinking and hooting in joy.

The little monster hopped back in surprise at first from his green glowing finger, before remembering that it was safe to approach Nosal. So it took a few steps forwards before grabbing the offered digit into both of its tiny little paws, as if a person was holding onto the world’s biggest sausage.

How are you doing mister hoot? And how is the rest of your family? Nosal queried through the link.

Hoot okey.. hoot not so happy because bigger Hoot beat hoot… for pointing out other hairy when the bright-bright was lower in the sky, replied the little Owlmite in a softer female voice to him through the link whilst hooting animatedly and blinking furiously.

Wait he.. no She, meant that another one of the Blinkers smacked her for making an alarm call at brother or his dad?… Probably brother, Nosal thought as he tried to figure out what the Owlmite was saying, all the while with one of his eyebrows raised in confusion. But seeing that the Owlmite was waiting for him to say something back, he snapped out of his own thoughts.

And your family miss Hoot? How is everyone after yesterday? He asked with concern.

Hoot…Many still not-happy because many hoots from the den do the long sleep -Hoot!- with no wake hoot, replied the little Owlmite before slowly blinking it’s large watery eyes as a sad look came onto its tiny beaked face.

They’re still sad… because many of them died? Nosal quickly worked out to himself as his mood took a downcast turn.

Hoot.. what is sad? What is dye-ed?, asked miss Hoot through the link.

Realizing he had shared his own thoughts through the link again by accident left Nosal scrambling to come up with a reply.

Sad is… not-happy I guess.. and died is, is .. is the long sleep you said, He finally managed to convey back to little miss Hoots.

Ahhh hoot knows that…, replied miss Hoots with a few blinks before looking up at Nosal expectantly as a sad little awkward silence came between the two’s telepathic conversation.

Nosal knew she was expecting him to help heal them, but he didn’t have the heart to tell her that is was impossible to bring back the dead. She must be feeling just like how I did when mum died… he thought sadly.

The boy didn’t know what to say or do after having brought up the matter of miss. Hoot’s dead family and was left awkwardly crouching next to the Owlmite that held onto his finger.

Well uhh.. good to see you Miss.Hoots, I have to go now… but come to the house if any of your family need healing ok? thought Nosal lamely as he sought to stand back up again.

The little Owlmite was then gentle forced let go of his finger, or else she would’ve been lifted off her feet. She released her hold with little leathery paw as another sad little expression came onto her face along with a forlorn little hoot.

“Bye now!” Nosal waved with a musk of sadness as he slowly backtracked towards the vegetable plot. I feel so sad for them, if only I was stronger then maybe I could’ve done more to help.

The little miss Hoots took a few faltering steps after him along the dirt path before coming to a stop. Then she blinked at him furiously before looking down at her tiny stubby paw. Then she rose her paw before waving it side to side as she copied the hairy healer, but soon the fear of not having the comfortable canopy above her head drove her to disappear back into the shade of the orchard.

Nosal watched all this with conflicted feelings and teary eyes, for the little boy didn’t really know how to console the young Owlmite. So he sighed before turning away to check the plot.

Finding that vegetables under the netting was still damp, he confirmed that his brother had tended to them and was thus able to head back to the house.

…

Upon reaching the back courtyard he found his brother standing beside the house and waving at the retreating back of Mister Joantack. The orange minotaur farmer was waving and whilst his other hand was hauling his cart that full of dung back down the path to the village.

“Hey Kano!” shouted Nosal with his musk of joy as he crept closer silently after his brother turned around.

“Ohhh! Hey you!” shouted Kano in surprise as he spun round to face his little brother. “I’ve been waiting to speak to you.”

“About what? And you stink of Kaholin poo, you asshat,” joked Nosal whilst pretending to put a hand over his nose whilst laughing.

“Says you! You smell all…. All FUNNY!” Kano retorted back whilst also smiling as he punched Nosal softly on the shoulder. “How was work?”

“It was terrible, I had to cook soooooooo much!” moaned Nosal whilst throwing his head round in a silly circle whilst expressing how much work he had to do. “That’s why I smell like all these weird cooking herbs! Uggh.. they were so many!”

“Speaking of work… Mister Joantack just gave me a job, a job to do some Pest-Taming on his farm tomorrow,” declared Kano proudly as he took a step closer to loom over his brother. He did so whilst folding his arms across his chest and looking down through his nose imperiously.

“Wait what?! Thats.. cool I guess,” replied Nosal as he took a step back. He wasn’t feeling so enthused at the idea, after having spent a horrible morning working at his Master’s kitchen.

Kano scoffed before snorting down his nose at his little brother at his weak reply.

“Pfft you’re coming with me on the job tomorrow, so don’t make that face,” spoke Kano as he sneered down at Nosal before putting a hand on his brother’s shoulder.

“What?! No! I’m not going anywhere tomorrow, I’ve already worked so hard today!” complained Nosal as he tried to wriggle away. But Kano was gripping down on the fur of his bare shoulders and holding him in place.

“Father said you’re coming, mister Joantack told mee,” goaded Kano as he lowered his face down to Nosal’s own.

“Plus we’re getting PAID,” Kano whispered before taking his hand off his brother and taking a step back to enjoy Nosal’s reaction as he put both his hands on his hips.

The effect was immediate, with Nosal stopping in his little protests before turning back to his brother with wide eyes and flaring nostrils.

“How much?! I want half if I have to come!” Nosal declared manically with a crazed look as jealousy overcame the little boy.

“Seven… SILVERS,” Kano lied with an equally crazy look overcome the young boy’s face. But he quickly schooled himself before wiping the little trickle of drool that was trickling from the corner of his mouth.

“Seven silvers!” eagerly shouted Nosal with his musk of surprise as he stood there with his mouth agape.

“Seven silvers,” confirmed Kano with a wicked grin.

“I want five!” declared Nosal greedily with a evil glint in his eye.

“Two,” replied Kano firmly.

“That’s not fair! I want four at least!” whined Nosal before squaring up to his brother.

“Two,” spoke his brother as the corner of his mouth started to lift into a smile. Huh Nosal, you silly fool, you shall never stand the chance against my Haggling! he thought with wicked satisfaction.

“Threeeeeii please Kano!” whined Nosal with his brave façade crumbling.

“Alright you get three,” Kano immediately replied with a huge smile as he felt the pleasure of tricking his brother.

Nosal was left slightly confused with his brother agreeing to easily, but he knew that there was something slightly wrong with the situation.

“Can I have four instead?” he tried whilst squirming uncomfortably.

“Nope its three, you agreed to it,” Kano breathed down right into his face in a taunting manner.

Nosal knew he had been had and seeing no other option, he grabbed his brother’s arms before quickly lifting his knees into Kano’s testicles. Then before the bigger Kano even crumbled to the floor in a miserable heap, the little boy begun to wail as he used his well-used and practiced fake crying.

“Nosa- Urgagghahhhhooooohhh!” moaned Kano as he slowly crumbled like a lifeless doll.

As Kano begun to let out little weird animalistic guttural noises whilst suffering in agony, Nosal took the opportunity to apply some saliva to his eyes as he continued wailing in his fake performance.

“KANO WHAT THE REALMS DID YOU DO TO YOUR BROTHER!” rumbled Lem from far away.