The elves stared at Elrond with eyes full of doubt and curiosity. They were unable to find out what was going on inside of this kid's mind. Although they knew that Elrond had lost both of his parents in the fight against bandits, they didn't know how Elrond could trust a human this easily. If this happened in human society, they will just scold that the kid was behaving out of his age. But this was not the norm in the elven community. Their kids must grow faster than human kids, both psychologically and physically, because the rule of the wild was unrelenting. They wanted their children to know about that reality. Even Don was surprised to witness Elrond giving his loyalty to him.
Arwen and Amaryll were still analyzing the situation.
"It seems like you're gonna have to prove more than saving their lives, Don," Knight sent a telepathic message to his master.
"Yes, I've expected that. Even though they're pushed this far, they are still elves. The pride in their hearts is still strong," Don replied to Knight.
"One year. I will give you a year's worth of time before you swear your allegiance to me. Meanwhile, I will make my move to unite the other races to build a powerful kingdom that no one has ever seen," Don firmly declared. There was a certain spirit in his voice.
Swiftly, Arwen stepped forward, "I can't speak for others. I don't know why you chose to rescue us, or what secrets or plans you have for us, but you saved me and my sister's lives and honor. Without you, she would have faced a fate far worse than death. That's a debt I cannot repay even with my life. So I, Arwen, son of Cameron, swear my allegiance to you from this day onwards till death."
He went to kneel in front of him, but Don stopped him from doing so. "I accept your allegiance, but never kneel in front of anyone other than your god and parents."
Arwen nodded in agreement. Don did that because he didn't like it when his friends and companions knelt in front of him. Also, he didn't want Arwen to kneel down because he knew about the proud nature of elves.
"I will follow my brother to the gates of hell. So if he trusted you to swear his loyalty, then I will do the same," Amaryll said as she, too, stepped forth. "I, Amaryll, daughter of Cameron, swear my allegiance to you."
She didn't try to kneel since she heard what Don said to her brother.
Don nodded in approval and flicked his fist. This time, a red-colored potion appeared instead of the torture bug he had used on the bandit leader.
"Arwen, take this potion. It will heal your injuries." Don gave the red potion to Arwen, and the elf pondered for a moment. "Don't hesitate, Arwen. I require you to be in your healthiest state."
After he said, Arwen took the red portion and drank it all in one gulp. Arwen knew about these healing potions. A high-tier portion was so expensive since it could even heal a person who was on the verge of death. Arwen didn't know what tier the one he just drank was, but as soon as he drank the potion, he felt a hot wave surging through his body. He looked at the bruises on his hands as they disappeared; the healing speed was visible to the naked eye.
"This... this is a high-tier healing potion!!"
Amaryll said with surprise and shock was written all over her face. Arwen was also shocked to see the effects of the potion. He couldn't believe that someone would waste this precious potion on someone like him. This was a life-saving potion. Normally, high-tier healing potions like this could cause a riot in human cities. But Don just gave it to him like candy.
"Thank you... How do I address you?" Arwen asked.
"Just Don would do," Don said firmly.
Don knew Arwen, Amaryll, and Elrond gave their loyalty when he had nothing, so he would treat and view them as friends rather than subordinates. as he was taught by someone so special to him. Arwen, Amaryll, and Elrond thought Don didn't want any honorifics because he had neither a kingdom nor a throne and accepted to call him Don so that they won't make it an awkward situation for their new master.
"What about the others, Don? What are you gonna do?" Knight asked Don.
Arwen and Amaryll gazed at Don as they expected his response.
"As I've said before, I will give them a year's time. In the meanwhile, since they are the people of Arwen, Amaryll, and Elrond, I will make sure that no trouble will find them. After a year, if they still don't trust me, they can do whatever they want and I won't hold them back."
The meaning of this statement was very clear to the elves. He will give his protection to them for a year. After that, they can swear allegiance to him or get lost. He won't bother about them anymore.
Of course, Don knew one year's time was more than enough to obtain the loyalty of the elves. He was certain about that.
The elven trio was happy to hear that Don would protect them for a year. After this time, at the very least, they would relocate the tribe to a more secure place. They didn't know about Don's future plans, so they had to make arrangements for their fellow elves.
After this, Don and Knight stepped aside and let the elf trio and other elves make arrangements for the funeral of their fallen brothers and sisters. Initially, there were a hundred and thirty elves living in this tribe. But after the bandit attack, twenty elves have died including Elrond's parents. If not for Don's intervention, the casualties would have been higher, and many remaining elves would be captured and sold off as slaves to the highest bidders in the slave market. Elrond couldn't control his tears as he saw the lifeless bodies of his parents.
Normally, the funeral ritual would take about seven days to complete. The family gathers either just after or near the day of the loved one's death. The body is then washed and wood is gathered for the pyre. This was normally done at the same time. For larger families, the immediate family members were given a little longer to mourn, while the more distant family members gathered the wood and prepared the body.
After the body was washed and the wood gathered. The pyre was built. The size of the pyre depended on the family, and it was up to the people building it. Normally, the pyres were rather small and made for one or two bodies at a time.
The body would be wrapped in cloth. At sunset on the following day, a torch would be lit at the pyre site. The body was placed onto the pyre an hour before the pyre is to be burned. The people that wish to watch the proceedings gather then. When the sky is dark, the fire will be lit. The family will then stand near the pyre until the fire burns out.
But because of the threat of the mysterious mage, Don asked Arwen to hurry up and finish the ritual quickly. The elves were sticklers to rituals, but they knew about the danger ahead and did as he asked reluctantly.
When Elrond's parent's pyre was lit, Don went near him and stayed beside him. "Elrond, remember this: as long as you remember your parents and make them proud, they are alive within you."
Elrond wiped away his tears and looked at Don, "Yes, and I will honor them by making sure that no one would feel the pain I'm feeling now. "
A determination and purpose rose from within his little heart, and Don nodded in approval.