Revealing Ceremony - 1

" How did you get to level 3 so quickly ?? " asked my father.

I didn't know what to say. At least my memory sure was like 4 year old. How could I forget that he could see my level !!

" Training… " I made an excuse on the spot.

" What kind of training makes you level us so fast ? "

" The one where you have lots of magicules and tons of free time…" Woohoo I was on fire today.

" Hmm anyway show me how to do it... " he said, one eyebrow raised.

I tapped on edit and added more words to my Ahura Mazda skill saying that I also had extra skill : [ Yugen - Two extra affinity permanently given to user. ]

" Ok i think this should work…" said father reassuring us.

" If it doesn't, we just go with it. If worse comes to happen we will send her to Tristia. That should be far enough from the hands of Highswords and Sekhmet - Vahallas. " said mother with firm resolve.

Father and grandma nodded. It was kind of a big deal I guess. But what's all this with Highswords and Sekhmet people…?

The next day I had my study in the morning then i went to level up after lunch but just came back in 3 hours. Mother had said we had to prepare for the ceremony, so I thought it would be better to stay home. I killed 5 ogres, 26 goblins and 3 wolves though. I didn't get any skill scroll or anything important except some kind of ore of metal i didn't recognize from earth so i stored it in my secret lair. Mother tried 100 different dresses and hairstyles on me with some of her favorite maids. Like I was some toy they had to make look nice.

Late at night people started coming on horse drawn carriages. Lots and lots of people almost four times as when they came for Ruhak's send off. They were all the lords and ladies serving under father bound by the oath their ancestors took for the sword of the north ritual and new oaths taken once my father became sword of the north as reminder and beholden. I knew a lot about history but current stuff from a few years back was something I had no idea of. Father met several lords himself as equals, some just came to him by themselves, some never left his side and there were also some who did not look happy to be here at all. I could understand how this ceremony was much more than just revealing of some kids skills.

Next day in the morning the court was full with people. Every lord was sitting in position according to their status. Father was at the little stage in the middle. From his left and right were two lines of lords sitting opposite each other. Right side of father was lord Kasim, on left was lord Khairan they were the most powerful lords land wise after father. Slightly below was lady Zhirmin who was right next to lord Kasim. Next to lord Khairan was lord Shennad. And then on and on. Lastly were my favorite lady Katsya and lord Kursush. It was told that lady Katsya had once held against the entire fleet of ships from Karasta invading us on her own. They were small house but they were one of the oldest and most respectable house in Waccaria. Lord Kursush was fat and I loved his nickname laughing mountain, it was said that he always laughed no matter what, even when killing people. It was said that when people heard him laughing on the battlefield they would just turn around and run away even when he was alone.

When everyone was in their position. Father rose and gave a little speech on thank you for coming, our region is this and that and yada yada yada….

After his speech when clapping stopped. He spoke again, announcing Sekhmet sisters to come forward. Two ladies in their mid twenties or thirties came walking in full etiquettes and practiced walking. Their faces had weird makeup on it. They both were wearing yellow robe-like dresses with a white line going from their neck to the end of the dress. End of the dress also had white line in a circle. They also had crowns like something on their head. After they came in position beside father, my name was announced and I went dawdling with my entourage as we had practiced the day before.

Once everyone was ready one of the Sekhmet sister told me to give her my hand so I let my right hand in her hands. She touched me and looked me in the eye and said some words I couldn't understand. Then a golden yellow light coming from where our hands met enveloped the whole court. And then it was over. The Sekhmet sisters went back the same as they had come. And everyone clapped once again this time with much more enthusiasm. I thought it was finally over. But then lord Valmek stood up and said in his loud voice,

" Ohh lord of House Waccar, sword of the north, first defender of Waccaria, The renowned silent sword, my liege..….accept the humble request of my daughter as retainer to Young lady Neffrantini de Waccar…."

Then another lord Gurasin stood up, then lady Sitrish and another… at last 7 lords offered their daughter to be my retainer. What ?? What was this ? I was not told about this. Father just nodded at all of them as one by one all the girls surrounded me. After the ceremony everyone was doing their own thing. I escaped from a gang of girls somehow and found my father in discussion with one of the lords. I went there and waited till they were done and then father noticed me so i said….

" What was that ? I was not told about any retainers and stuff ? What does it even mean ? "

The lord that was with father looked at me amused. He said,

" So the rumors are true….she is satvik… "

" Neff say greetings to lord Kasim. " said father.

" Hello lord Kasim of Kasar, it is an honor to meet the first sword of Waccar in person. I hope your day is blessed. " I repeated the line they had fed me.

" Ohh she is well mannered too. Lady Zhiralin was quite fierce as I recall…hahaha " both of them laughed.

" Father…" I said.

" Ohh it's nothing ! offering retainers to worthy heir is our old ritual. I did not expect them to do that though. Whoever you choose will stay with us till you go to academy." said father

" Why would someone leave their home for me ? "

" Retainers are for life lady Neffarantini. They are the most trusted aid of any lord or heir. There is much honor in serving the greatness." said lord Kasim.

" But I am not the heir. And I didn't see any retainers with Ruhak or Zhira. " I said.

" Ruhak has one retainer but he sent him home to prepare for the academy exam. And your sister said she would only accept the one who could match her in a fight, so she doesn't have any. Normally the third daughter would not be considered heir but they believe that you are special. They must have heard some rumors from the palace. They think You will give their daughters glory." father explained.

" Just girls ? I can't choose a boy ?" I asked.

" Male heirs have retainers of both genders but females only choose girls. That's kind of custom of how it always goes." said father eying me.

" It doesn't stop me from doing it though, right?" I asked.

" Neff whoever you choose just don't make a scene…Not everyone here is a friend." Father said with an expression I had never seen before.

" Ohh don't worry. When have I ever done anything unreasonable…? Hehe" I said with an evil smile.