Mark of the Fool

Chapter 252: Grand Gifts and Unholy Friendships

Theresa, Alex and Selina stared at the sheathed blade in Mr. Lus hands. The blade and its twin had held legendary status in the Lu household while they were growing up: always to be kept stored away from prying eyes and curious little fingers.

Theyd gotten used to seeing Theresa carrying the one shed borrowed, but to see its twin in Mr. Lus hands nowhad taken all three of them by surprise.

I wont lie, Mr. Lu said as he walked up beside his daughter, who seemed to be in a state of shock. His grip tightened on the swords scabbard. For years I wondered what to do with my grandfathers blades: which one of our children to pass them down to. There was always the traditional way: grandfather passed them down to his eldest son, and my father passed them down to me, his eldest son. Always eldest to eldest.

He chuckled. But our eldest sonAlberthad no interest in either of them. He made that very, very clear; even said that if I ever gave them to him, hed cart them off to the nearest merchant and sell them.

Theresa made a sound like a puppy whose tail had been stepped on, which Alex found to be amazingly cute. He wouldnt! she said in alarm.

Mr. Lu gave a wry smile. Maybe not, but I dont really have any interest in forcing burdens on people. And swordswell, theyre always burdens. Theyre a responsibility, and I lost sleep trying to figure which of our other children should take that responsibility. That is, until Theresa took the decision out of my hand by sneaking away with one while my back was turned.

His daughters eyes immediately looked down, and her father watched her, evenly. I wont lie, that did upset me. You needed a weapon, Theresa: did you really think I wouldve said no if youd just asked me for them? You needed them.

ImIm sorry. There wasnt time, she said, shifting in her chair uncomfortably.

Welltheres time now. And youve shown your mother and me that these swords can do a lot of good with you. He presented her with the blade like he was a high priest conducting a coronation. Grandfathers sword always looked lonely in your handI think its time for its twin to meet it again.

Mrs. Lu rose from her seat and smiled at her daughter. Happy nineteenth birthday, Theresa.

Theresa stared at the sheathed blade for several heartbeats. Her eyes began to shine, and she jumped up and wrapped her arms around her parents.

Thank you! Her voice was choked with what sounded like a host of emotions. Thank you! Oh by The Traveller, thank you!

Alex felt himself begin to choke up; he also heard a sniffle come from nearby.

Selina must be feeling this too. I guess-Thundar!? He had turned to see the muscular minotaur leaning away from the table with a napkin pressed to his face.

I just got something in my eye. Bloody dust! he grunted.

Yes, it is called a 'tear, Thundar, Isolde said, and she too looked a little red around the eyes. Alex noticed her cradling the hilt of her stiletto.

Selina looked like she was quietly sniffling into her napkin.

Thank youthank you so much, Theresa said to her mother and father. Ill try to bear both of my great-grandfather's swords in a way to make both of you proud.

Youd better, Mr. Lu said. If after all this, you go and sell, break, or lose them, then Ill never be able to show my face to your uncle again. He wanted those bloody swords so much when we were young.

Really? Theresa said. Why didnt grandfather give them to him then?

Because he was just that right mix of wants them too much, wants to use them too much and knows too little about how to use them. They wouldve gotten him killed; your uncle can make swords, but he sure cant use them to save his life!

Im going to tell him you said that, Mrs. Lu giggled.

Not if you dont want the rest of our stay with him to be as unpleasant as a boil on a mooses behind. He laughed.

Now that we have that taken care of, lets eat! Everyone dug into the feast laying before them, though Theresa could hardly think about food. She kept looking down at the curved sword on the table in front of her with a mix of awe, excitement and nerves.

Alex could sympathise: that weight of responsibilityhed felt it all too often.

As the party went on, topics shifted. Shi-Shi, some of Theresas other friends from Life-Enforcement, Isolde, Khalik, Thundar and Grimloch all lined up to see the fabled second sword of Twinblade Lu.

I cannot get over the sheer craftsmanship, Isolde murmured. Just look at it.

Theresa didnt unsheathe the sword in the bar, but Alex noticed that the hilt and crossguard had been freshly cleaned and polished. The scabbard looked like it had received some love too: the leather was bright and the brass on it was polished to a perfect shine.

That gift comes at a good time, Khalik said to Alex. It will serve her well during the expedition.

Yeah. Alex speared a piece of fish, while trying to manoeuvre around his slung arm. Every now and then hed have a Wizards Hand feed him, but kept it to a minimum when Isolde made a comment about unseemly behaviour in a public place.

I will take some comfort knowing that we are properly equipped, Khalik said. Between those swords and Grimlochs armour, The Games proved very fruitful in bolstering our resources for whats coming.

Mhm, Alex said quietly. Its a good thing too. Im sure The Raveners monsters wont exactly lie down and hand us the dungeon cores.

Indeed, Khalik agreed. I suspector at least hope that the attack by the demon summoner was much more dangerous than what we shall face in your homelandbut one never knows.

Yeah, Alex said. Well just have to meet that challenge when it comes, just like we did on the beach.

True, we will not be alone. Still, though Khalik said, glancing down at Alexs sling. How is your arm?

Its alright, the young man said, gently touching the sling. It was making eating the birthday meal a little more complicated than he would have liked, but hed made the best of it so far: it couldve been a lot worse. Its inconvenient, but it doesnt hurt or anything. Mostly just itchy these days, and Im supposed to get this thing off soon.

That is good. That is good news. Butin any caselet us not dwell for much longer on such grim talk. We celebrate Theresas birthday. This is a time for joy, not dread.

I hear that, brother, Alex said.

The party continued, and people at other tables came and went. Eventually, a familiar figure appeared at the entrance to the Brass Grapes.A short figure had slipped into the barlooking all aroundthen brightened when he spotted the long table.

Kybas! Theresa stood up. Welcome! Alex said you might come!

Sorry Im late, Kybas approached them with his familiar at his side. Is there room for Harmless and me?

Will be once we get another chair. Grimloch turned around, reached over and grabbed an empty seat at the next table, startling the guests sittingthere.

Grimloch! Nua-Oge chastised him. You shouldve asked if they were using that!

He growled. You using this? he said to the people at the table.

Even if we were, we arent anymore, one of them said.

Good. Grimloch dragged the chair over then pointed at it. Sit.

Grimloch, I- Nua-Oge started to say, then just pressed her mournful face into her hands. Nevermind. Just nevermind.

Alright, I never minded.

No, Grimloch, I-

I dont mind either! Kybas said. I like this group! You all know how to do things right!

He jumped into the chair as Grimloch gave him a grunt. Hm. That we do. What was your name again?

Kybas, and you?

Grimloch. Whos your little friend.

Harmless! Kybas grinned evilly. I am feeding him lots of body enhancement potions so he grows up very big and strong! And killy! Then when bad guys are running and screaming, I can say: No worry! Hes Harmless!

The sharkman actually looked startled for the very first time since Alex had known him.

Then he did something absolutely terrifying.

He laughed.

Deep, booming, harsh laughter that sounded more like boulders grinding together under water, filled the bar, drawing horrified looks from every other table.

Thats brilliant. Grimloch grinned.

I know, right? Kybas grinned back.

Everyone at the table looked at each other in alarm, as though something unholy had just been forged. The thought of Kybas and Grimloch getting along actually chilled Alexs blood.

What have you done? Khalik whispered.

I dont knooow? Alex whispered back.

Ooo! Just in time for dessert! The goblin rubbed his hands together as he saw the waitstaff approaching.

Warm butter cookies, slices of tiramisu, berry tarts, biscotti and candied chestnuts were brought to the table, much to the delight of everyone there, who then promptly began ignoring the horrifying conversation taking place between Grimloch and Kybas.

Well, everyone except for Selina, who seemed to be listening with interest.

Well, thats unnerving, Alex thought.

By the time dessert was done, he felt like hed swallowed a large bag of rocks and it looked like everyone else was in the same state of food-coma. Quicklybefore anyone fell asleepthey got to the gift-giving part of the celebration.

From me, Isolde said, handing Theresa a fine poniard. I saw you staring at it in the weapons shop more than once, and I thought it would look much better on your belt than it did hanging on their wall.

Thank you so much, Isolde, Theresa hugged the taller woman.

Her other gifts were things she also had a connection with: a nice collection of world maps from Khalik, beads that folk used when meditating from Shi-Shi, an antique book about Life-Enforcement from Nua-Oge and Grimloch, a new leather quill filled with arrows from Thundar, a pair of very realistic looking clay figures of her and Brutus running that Selina had carved, and a lot more good stuff that she really appreciated.

Alex had decided to go all out with his gift.

Happy birthday, Theresa, he said, handing her a box that was long, broad, and not too deep.

Whats this? she asked, shaking it.

Dont shake it! Mr. Lu chastised her. Come on, Theresa, youve turned nineteen, not five.

Father, I wont see twenty if you keep embarrassing me like this! she protested.

Well, thatll be bad, but if you do keel over from embarrassment in the next year, at least youll do it with a cool new toy, Alex said. Open it.

Everyone leaned toward Theresatrying to get a better look at the large giftas she undid the clasps on the box. She slowly and gently lifted the lid, like she was opening a treasure chest in some ancient temple.

She gasped. Oh, by The Traveller!

The huntress drew a curved, C-shaped object from the box. It was crafted from a mix of fine wood, the horns of a bone-drinker, polished brass, and glue made from the bones and tissue of monsters from The Barrens.

Alex, thank you, thank you, thank you! she excitedly hugged him. Thank you so much!

What is it? Nua-Oge asked.

Its a composite bow! Theresa said, grinning like a happy child. Its got the power of a longbowor even morebut its smaller and more compact! Its perfect for hunting!

Yeah, and the draw weight is a heck of a lot higher than the bow youve been using. With the right arrows, that thing could punch through chainmail and thin plate armour. Now the downside of these bows is that wet weather can mess up the glue that binds the horn and wood, Alex said. But your bow had an alchemical treatment to seal the glue: you could drop it into the middle of the Prinean and it wont come apart. It isnt enchanted, but its what alchemists would call enchantment ready. Which means the materials will take mana well. And it's got glyphs inside thatll make it easy to enchant. So, if you want, you can get magic effects added later.

This is great, she said. And the brassits going to go well with the golden string I got from the archery contest!

Right? Alex smiled. That was kind of the idea. A really cool bowstring deserves a really cool bow for its really cool archer.

Gross, Selina said. Now youre really sucking up!

I am not!

He is, Selina, he is, butby The Travellerhes doing a good job, Theresa said.

As the gift-giving came to an end, everyone drank and talked a little longer before finally pouring out of the bar and heading home.

Theresa came up beside Alex as they walked through the moonlight.

That was amazing, she said to him, her parents, and Selina. Thank you so much. She looked down at the sword on her waist, the velvet bag with the clay figures inside, and the box with the bow in itwhich she clutched to her chest like a precious baby. I cant wait to use them.

Im glad youre so happy, Mrs. Lu said. And Im glad we got to celebrate with you before we leave. Now, we just have one more birthday to go.

She pat Alex gently on his shoulder. Just a couple of weeks until you turn nineteen too.

Yep, He said. And I expect you all to absolutely spoil me. I can even come up with a gift list. An expensive one!

Pfeh, Thundar grunted. So much for ageing gracefully. You didnt even get me anything for my birthday!

You didnt tell anyone when your birthday was! Alex protested.

Excuses, excuses, the minotaur snorted like he was offended.

I think we should get him the greatest gift of all, Khalik began.

Oh no, Alex groaned.

-expulsion.

Oh, come on!

Perhaps we should frame him for a crime, Isolde tapped her chin in thought.

He probably already did something, you know how much of a hardened criminal he is. I heard they even dragged him down to the station. Suspicious, if you ask me, Thundar glared at him suspiciously.

Youre all traitors! Alex shouted.

Oh dear, Theresa, I didnt know you were dating a hardened criminal. Mrs. Lu looked at Alex with feigned worry.

Ugh, with friends like you, who needs The Ravener? He asked mournfully.

It had been a full day for everyone. It began with paying respects, sorrow, and recognition, and ended with a much needed celebration. Wounds had begun to heal into scars, and some folks could think about moving forward to brighter tomorrows. All in all, it had been a bittersweet day.

Alex looked forward to getting his sling offthough he was worried about what his arm would look like under the magically treated bandage.

Wounds might heal, but scars tended to stay.