Chương 813: [774] - Y03.074 - Vonda of East Lake I

Jaygak sipped the fruit wine slowly, feeling the warmth of the alcohol flow through her. The sweetness of the fruit wine danced against her tongue, washing away the taste of the roasted honeyed meat. She placed down her cup, slowly turning it within her hand, her eyes glued to the cup.

'Since Kitool is there, there should be no trouble…' His eyes fell to Lucy and Mara, who would be watched over by Jaygak that day.

'Since Jaygak is there, there should be no trouble.' Jurot's fingers twitched, wondering if there would be noble blood spilled that day.

'Since Kitool is there, there should be no trouble.' It was a different sentiment than the one Jaygak expressed, for Jaygak was not quite so bloodthirsty.

"Jaygak," Laygak called.

"Will you spar with me this morning?"

"Jurot will spar with you," Jaygak replied. Laygak's eyes fell to Jurot, who nodded, before the young man smiled. It was better for him to spar with Jurot since he had already sparred with his cousin so much already. Jurot could feel the expectant gazes of the other Iyrmen upon him. He supposed he could spar with them that day, though he wouldn't be able to handle them all. Jaygak smirked towards him, glancing towards Lucy and Mara, who could assist him, though probably didn't wish to bring attention to themselves.

'Should I offer to spar too?' Fred thought, his eyes swallowing the sight of the Iyrmen, before they ended up at Nirot. His eyes fell to Nirot.

'No, I'm too weak.' Jurot looked towards the others, from Jonn, to Nobby, to Fred. He could ask them to assist, though technically Fred was considered weaker than the Iyrmen, and no doubt it would have been considered bullying. Nirot thought about teasing Jurot, but realised he was already doing them a kindness with sparring them. If they teased him, he may use Phantom against them, cutting their spars short. Though, being struck by Phantom, which had even cut Lord Shama, would have been quite the story.

Jonn thought about how much Adam was going around without him, a Guardian who had sworn his oaths to the half elf… The air within the carriage was filled with an awkwardness, and not the awkwardness of Adam, but the awkwardness of seriousness. The half elf's eyes were glued to the woman, who wore her vestments. Adam wondered if he had seen her in her vestments before, but couldn't recall a time. They were almost pure white, with silver embroidery all across the trim.

They seemed so soft to the touch, not that Adam would have dared to cop a feel from the good Sir Vonda.

'They're right about people in uniform,' Adam thought.

'Should I get a uniform? Would I be able to find someone if I wear some vestments of death? Would the women into the God of Death be utterly crazy?' Adam paused his thoughts only for a moment. Kitool's ears twitching upon hearing the near silent words from Adam.

'…' Vonda furrowed her brows, falling out of her thoughts upon Adam's whisper.

'A cloth mommy?' Vonda flushed slightly, wondering if he was talking about her. Adam sighed.

'I want to talk about my adorable kids so bad, but they'll just think I'm cringe. At least if it was all guys, I could be cringe.' The carriage continued its journey through the roads of East Port, stopping every so often, before the group slowed down to a near crawl. Vonda barely glanced to the side, noting the familiar scenery, before letting out a soft exhale. She clasped her hands together and began to pray. The carriage finally stopped, the carriage driver opening the door for them.

"Sister Vonda, we have arrived at the Eastlake estate."

"Thank you," Vonda replied, before stepping out, Kitool and Adam following after her. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. The guards at the front remained at attention, though upon seeing Vonda, and her scarf, they straightened up. The guards glanced between one another. Each wore heavy chain armour, wielding spears in hand, with long cloaks of pale blue which fell to their knees. The white of the Eastlake family's symbol was hidden by the wall behind them.

"We welcome your return, Sir Vonda," the guard said, having not expected the young woman's appearance.

"Are the Lord and Lady in?" The guards glanced towards Adam and Kitool. One was obviously an Iyrman, and the other was a handsome man with a scarf around his head, the pair unarmed and unarmoured, so not guards.

"They are, Sir Vonda. We will inform them that you have returned." Vonda bowed her head gently, causing the guards to straighten once more, before they glanced between one another. One finally inhaled, taking the lead.

"Allow me to escort you, Sir Vonda." The guard opened the gates, before stepping through, holding the gates open for the guests. The estate of the Eastlake family was large, about as large as the Littlesea's estate. Adam understood why it was called the Eastlake family, noting the large lake over to one side, the sun floating over from his right.

'So they're east of the lake family, and not the lake is east family.' The estate continued towards the sea to one side, most of the noble estates overlooking the coast, and the fortress of the Eastsea's fortress estate. The greenery along the area sometimes was marked by small woods, with a handful of manors built. The group were led to the largest of the estates, where Adam spotted a pair of guards, standing like statues.

Each wore breastplate over their chain, but otherwise were near identical to the guards they had passed. As they approached the estate, a servant appeared, an older woman, whose hair was pulled into a tight bun, adorned in the black of the servant's attire, with pale white trim, her collar embroidered with golden thread.

"Sir Vonda, we welcome your return," the woman said, her face completely neutral.

"It is good to see you again, Mildred."

"I will inform the Lord and Lady of your return," the attendant said, before motioning with a hand for the woman to enter. They were led through the main estate, through the grand foyer, where Adam noted the tiled art, like that of a raging tsunami, which drew them in towards the doors at the end. Adam noted the guards bringing up the rear, each adorned in heavy armour, spears in hand, and blades at their side.

As Adam settled himself beside Vonda, Kitool taking her other side, cheese and meats were brought out for the group. Soon after, he heard the rushed steps, which slowed as they grew closer, before a well dressed man and woman appeared. The pair each had tan skin, dark hair, and hazel eyes, just like Vonda. The man was slightly heavier set, though not without muscle, while the woman was thin and lithe. Vonda was almost a perfect combination of both, lither, but well built.

"Vonda," the Baron called, his face lighting up with delight.

"You've finally deigned to return." Vonda's face remained neutral, her eyes falling upon her mother, whose face was also plastered with a smile. The smile was like the smile they used to show, a smile she which caused something deep within her to stir. She refrained from narrowing her eyes.

"I should have known you would have preferred to respond face to face, rather than through the written word," the father said, his eyes falling across the woman's scarf for a moment.

"I had assured the hall it would be held during noonval." Adam's eyes fell between Vonda and her parents.

'…'

"I have come with another intention, Baron," the young priest said.

"I will inform the administration of my wish."

"It's a perfect wish," the Baron stated, flashing a white smile.

"Sir William of the Thunder Riders is a more than capable young man, and with his prestige, and future accomplishments, there is no doubt he is a grand fit for you."

'…' Adam furrowed his brows.

'Sir William? Thunder Riders?' History Check (Intelligence) D20 + 3 = 13 (10)'Why does that name sound so familiar?' Then his eyes snapped to Sir Vonda, having realised what the topic was about.

'I didn't hear about a marriage.'

"I have come with the intention to inform you I intend to give up the family name."

"Vonda…" the Baron stared at her, as though he was struck by a slap.

"Vonda, what are you saying? To give up your family name…"

"I am a Priest of Life's Rose," Vonda said.

"I will give myself to Mother Soza."

"Think about what you are saying, my dear," the Baron said, carefully, his eyes full of displeasure.

"We have found you a suitable marriage partner in Sir William, you have been promised to him." Adam tilted his head to the side, suddenly full of heat, but he closed his eyes and crossed his arms.

'Calm down.'

"He may marry another woman who better suits him."

"Vonda, my dear," the nobleman said, his eyes falling between the two beside her. He recognised one of them, and though the handsome man seemed familiar, he couldn't quite place him.

"You can't do this. You have to think of your duty, not just to Mother Soza, but to us, your parents who raised you."

"It was the order which raised me into the woman I am," she snapped back.

"Vonda, you are our only child, you must fulfil your duty. What would Bartholomew-,""You!" came a vicious voice, one which had caused even Adam to sit upright, his eyes snapping to the side. Adam had known Vonda for years, a young woman who had joined him during his first year within this land. In all that time, Adam had never seen her face so red hot, nor her eyes so eager to spill blood.