Aether Beasts

Kai stared at the retreating backs of the jungle queen and Sandra, still in shock at what had just happened.

'Am I dreaming?'

When he had first volunteered to go on the expedition and basically lead it for the Umbrin clan he had never expected any of this. At most he had thought Pate may learn something and improve, but not that he'd get an opportunity like this. If the gods were real then they must have been looking down upon him and his family favorably indeed.

Sandra had come to visit the clan area far sooner than he had thought, especially considering what had happened yesterday, and though she had been polite, he could tell she didn't really care for any of it, though she had seemed interested in Pate, which was good.

"Brother, was that a good decision?"

Kai turned to Pate. "This is a once in a lifetime chance. If you come out victorious then our family will rise to new heights, and you will marry into the main family, imagine it."

"And if we lose?" Pate questinoed.

"You won't," Kai said vehemently. "You are skilled, and yes, Aiden has been trained by Zirani, but only for a few months. You've been at this for years."

That seemed to boost Pate's confidence as he nodded. "Your right, I just need to go about this like normal."

"That's the spirit." Pate clapped his younger brother on the shoulder. "You'll make our family proud."

This was it, their chance to rise, and it was happening far sooner than he had ever expected. He had that they would have to wait for an official event of the clan or for Pate to prove himself in another way. Now, here in the plains, would be decided there future. Either they would rise or fall beneath the feet of Sandra, and be at her mercy.

A loyalty oath was a serious thing, and members of the Umbrin clan could only take it with other members, If done without anyone outside the clan, then they were no longer part of the clan, and in some cases, hunted down. Of course, the greatest loyalty would always go to the main family, but loyalty oaths essentially made you subordinate to another family or group like vassals.

His father would kill him if he lost, though he'd need to get Sandra's permission to do so, and it was too late to go back on anything. He believed the jungle queen's threats and knew that if she so much as suspected he would break his word, then he would be in for a rather unpleasant journey back home, and his family would be doomed. His brother would be sent to the queen that rules over the court of thorns.

'He'll win, he has to.'

"Where is she!"

Kai's inner thoughts were interrupted by a loud and indigent voice he recognized all too well. He turned and didn't bother putting on a friendly smile as Darn walked over.

The man was heavy-set, and he was one of the few overweight people Kai had ever seen in his life. His robe fit tight upon him and he waddled over. The first time Kai had seen it he'd laughed and ever since then they had disliked each other. Darn had been rather angry when Kai had arrived and essentially been given leadership over the other representatives of their families. He had tried undermining Kai's authority several times, not that any of it had worked.

"Darn, so pleasant of you to join us," Kai said.

"Don't give me that, where is she?" Darn barked.

"If you tell me her name, then maybe I can help you?" Kai said, though he'd rather kick the man.

"The lost daughter, who else," Darn shouted. "I heard she was here."

Kai smiled. "She was, and we had quite the time together. She was rather impressed with Pate. She's gone now though, too bad for you."

Darn growled. "You cannot just do as you please. We all have the right to speak with her!"

Kai motioned to the direction they had gone. "By all means, try and go after her. But she said she was done for the day, and I'd love to see what the princess does when you brother her."

Darn glared at Kai. "You think I don't know what you're up to?"

Kai shrugged. "I've no clue what you're talking about."

"You're trying to get her close to that brat." The obese arcanist pointed to Pate who just stared icily at the fat man.

? ?? ??-?? ???. ??? "Oh yes." Kai nodded, and then told him everything about the bet that had just been made. Kai wished he had a device to take a picture or recording of Darn's face as it went through numerous emotions befouling landing on rage.

"You cannot do this!"

"Oh but I can and did," Kai said with a smile that he knew would aggravate Darn. 'And the princess agreed. So if you have a problem, then take it up with her, of course, if you try and speak to her like that, she'll most likely have you and your horrible little family wiped out."

Kai was done being nice to this obese fool. He had heard about Darn's family and none of it had been pleasant. He felt most sorry for the children of the family who he had heard, had no choice in any matter. A lot of families controlled what their children did to an extent and up to a certain age, but not like Darn's family who might as well have been puppeteers with strings attached to their children.

Darn began to take heavy breaths in and out before he turned, and waddled away. As he went he yelled back. "This isn't over."

Kai shook his head and turned to Pate. "Ignore him."

"I know," Pate replied before heading away, probably to train.

"I hope that's not the same for me," A feminine voice said, and Kai turned to see a much more pleasant person walking over.

"Ashala, I'm afraid you've arrived too late," Kai said with a bow. He liked Ashala and had actually sent for her when he had been told Sandra was here. They had met at the gathering point and had become fast friends, both from rising families, not to mention that she was a beauty with golden-brown hair and light green eyes. Her robes were cut short and more revealing than the others, showing off a lovely figure.

"I know," she said. "I did overhear your conversation with Darn, rather amusing, but I must ask, is it true?"

Kai nodded, knowing what she was talking about. "It is, the fight will be in four days."

Ashala nodded with a frown. "I see, a shame."

Kai was confused for a second before he cursed inwardly, realizing what she meant. They had spoken of a union between her sister, Lucy, and his brother Pate, to combine their families and strengthen each other. Lucy wasn't as talented as Pate, but neither was she far off. Out of everybody she had come the closest to actually beating Pate and was the one he always wanted to spar with when possible, though Ashala had not allowed her to get too close to Kai's brother.

"Our potential union is no more then."

"It doesn't have to be," Kai said, an idea coming to mind. His heart raced and he tried to fight back a blush as he spoke his next words. "We could marry."

Ashala raised a delicate eyebrow. "You'd consider such a thing?"

He held back shouting yes, and instead spoke calmly. "Of course. You are a lovely woman, and I do enjoy spending time with you. What is happening with Pate doesn't change what I said to you on the journey. I do believe we should link our families."

Kai wasn't the backstabbing type or the type to break his words or promises. Ashala's family was like his, and he saw no reason not to help them, which would also help his family.

"Perhaps," Ashala said. "But let us wait until after the fight."

Kai bowed. "Of course."

He hesitated for a second before leaning in and kissing her on the cheek. The fact she hadn't dodged or held a hand out meant she hadn't minded which relived him. Kai wasnt really good with women. He had been with a few, but never in an actual relationship. 𝗳𝔯𝙚e𝒘e𝚋𝘯𝚘ν𝙚l.𝑐o𝙢

'Not like this.'

Ashala gave him a smile, before turning and walking away. Kai tried not to look at her rear as she did, but he was sure he had failed and was certain she was saying her hips on purpose.

Now, not only did the fight mean Pate's marriage to Sandra but also his potential mirage to Ashala. This would mean everything. A turning point in not only his and Pate's life but the life of their family, of their clan.

'He must win or our dreams are done for.'

Kai spun around and marched over to where Pate was. He believed in his brother, but no reason not to train him as hard as he could.

'For our family and future.'