The a few deep discussions on certain topics helped past the time before they all moved over from the reception lounge room to the dining area for their dinner.
As Val and Liz continued their discussion about general things, typically talking about their roles as parents and their kids' antics, the late arrival of Kaz and Gloria helped bring some fresh air into the dying atmosphere of the room.
Val pulled Tia closer to him out of caution, holding his daughter tightly with the arrival of the Byazan Noble Family.
Kaz was the City Lord that was appointed by both the Kros Empire and the Adventurers Guild, gifting him strength and power most people dearly wished for.
For someone of that stature to sit beside an old Smith left Val quite shocked, as even in his past when he closely dealt with nobles, Val would still be treated somewhat beneath their noble stature.
Kaz attitude however was the opposite of the nobles Val had ever come across.
He was a rather talkative man who was engaging in conversation, leaving Val shocked and surprised at the situation.
Kaz even asked about Vals Workshop and about taking on some tasks for the Byazan Family and the City Lords office if he had time.
Val didn't know it yet, but Kaz wasn't truly a noble, but instead a commoner who'd married into nobility.
It was one of the reasons their conversation went so smoothly since Kaz had lived most of his life as a commoner, only gaining nobility once he married Gloria, the Lady of the Byazan Family and heir.
However, at her insistence, Kaz was made to be the figurehead and patriarch of the family once Glorias father retired from the position as the family head.
Gloria didn't wish to take on all of the duties that the family head needed to take on since she had other interests, but Kaz was more than happy to take those roles on, one of which happened to be City Lord of Alynthn.
.
As the two continued on their discussions, Gloria and Liz were engaged in their own talks about the couple of projects they had been working on together ever since Gloria arrived at Alynthn.
"Liz, I think its best if we start preparing parts of the area surrounding the Outer City Walls now.
If we leave it for later, it'll be far too late and more problems will arise, such as the lack of labour to finish the work and the costs would be exponentially more than we can afford."
"I understand, but currently we don't have the force to hell, nor do we have the means to continue with that plan without the help of certain individuals…
For now, I think we should wait until we have gathered sufficient funds, also we need to focus on maintaining the city in general for now.
This season we've had a greater number of visitors than previous years… but it still hasn't been able to pool enough resources together or educated craftsmen…"
Their talks lasted for quite some time, enough to make Ben disinterested and excused himself, taking Tia along with him to where Drav and Lue were standing on guard.
The duo were standing guard outside the dining room, while waiting for everyone to finish up before moving onto another room to relax with some tea and light snacks.
Drav had spent this time to scold Lue continuously for his rude behaviour.
In fact, Drav was so angry that he slapped Lue a dozen or, so times and a handful of sharp punches were finally able to calm him down.
.
All Lue could do was brace for the beating.
He was already struggling since he was slammed into the pillar.
For a short moment or so, Lue felt he was alright after he some servants attended to him to see if he was heavily injured.
Unfortunately, after they said he was fine, Drav dragged him over to stand on guard as expected of him, while punching and slapping Lye when nobody was watching.
"Hey Drav, Lue, could we ask some questions regarding your particular choice of weapons?"
Ben asked as he and Tia passed through the doors to see Dravs crisp hand slapping the back of Lues head.
"Young Master!" Lue shouted in joy with tears falling down his rosy bruised face.
He leaped towards Ben, hoping his Young Master would be his salvation from Dravs incessant beatings.
"Forgive me! Please!!
I'm so sorry for my behaviour Young Master!" Lue cried as he fell to his knees before Ben.
His face was heavily covered in bruises, snot, and tears, with Lue trying to rub his face against Ben's leg, only for Drav to hit him again, but on Lues lower back before he could dirty the Young Masters clothes.
"You should know better than to dirty our Young Masters clothes Lue...! or have you also forgotten that?!"
Drav was about to drag Lue away, his anger bursting from all orifices, ready to beat Lue to death with his bare hands.
Before Drav could do anything, Ben stopped the rough form of discipline.
.
"Drav, that's enough… I think Lues learnt not to behave so brass from now on, isn't that right Lue..."
Bens charming smile was like the smile of death in Lues eyes.
Lue immediately straightened his posture when leaping to his feet, moving to stand beside Drav with his eyes peeled for any danger.
His eyes were shaking in fear, but Lue pushed through it, closing off his mind from the troubles he'd just experienced.
Lue clenched his hands hard to stop himself from losing control over his body and succumbing to the horror behind Bens dashing smile.
With great difficulty, Lue tried to speak, but all that could come out was inaudible words, leaving Lue to only lower his head in acknowledgement of what his Young Master had said.
"Benny! Stop it!" Tia shouted as she quickly grabbed him, giving him a stern glare.
His voice icy cold "…Who said you could call me Benny…"
"Mama Liz calls you Benny so I'm gonna call you Benny!" Tia replied with a brilliant and vibrant smile, uncaring of the cold glare from Ben.
"…No…"
"Yes!"
"No."
"Yes!!"
"…No…!"
"YES!! YES!! YES!!"
She leaped about and shouted with all her might before Ben, Drav and Lue as she tried to get her way.
Drav and Lue kept quiet and still as statues, knowing it was best to keep quiet in such situations.
One thought it was a lovers spat at a young age, leaving him to pray for Ben's future.
The other thought one kid was being illogical, while his Young Master was being unreasonable.
Neither was right.
So, neither said anything, as Dravs eyes started to dart around, and Lue decided to play around with the tassels on his tunic.
They just kept their thoughts to themselves, leaving their hope in Ben to not give up and to be resilient.
Especially Lue, who was close to losing his mind from the rough punishment and torture he received at Dravs hand during the time they were hidden away from the guests.
He knew there was more still to come from the rest of the guys, so he was trying to hold it together, but he never expected Drav to go so wild and beat him into a wreck struggling to keep afloat.
Lue just thanked the Gods and Goddesses that he wasn't roughed up by Allat right away, as he'd chosen to guard the other door leading into the dining room.
.
"Fineeee, now please stop."
"OK! Benny!! Hehehe…"
Tia wrapped her arms around Ben and was smiling happily, ignoring his annoyed expression.
She felt her efforts deserved an equal reward and decided to bury her face into Bens puggy, tough arms, snuggling up close to his cute young body.
Ben didn't want to question Tias actions right now and decided to ignore everything, looking over at Drav and Lue with determination to find himself a way out of Tias death hold over him.
"Drav, Lue, is it alright if we ask some questions about your fighting style, abilities and skills as an individual and as a whole group when in combat.
From what we've learnt so far over the last few weeks I've tried crafting your orders, I need to know what best suits you guys so I can make some headway with the projects.
Can you help out right now?"
""Of course, Young Master…""
Drav and Lue shouted in unison with a twinkle in their eyes.
For quite a while, Ben and Tia continuously questioned the duo about everything, from how their current armour and equipment felt to the materials used to make their items.
Everything was up for grabs and the two young Smiths wished to know all.
They especially asked about the thoughts and desires each adventurer had for their weapons.
Even if it were a faint thought about what they expected from the weapon, it would be tremendous help for weapons development in the two young Smiths minds.
In the case of Lue, he always wanted to stun his opponent to think he was unarmed by throwing his weapon, but the sudden attack from his second weapon would be the surprise awaiting them.
Typically, it paid off and would stun the opponent for a couple seconds, which would allow Lue the chance to attack with the second weapon.
However, when there were more then one or two people opponents around, Lue would find it difficult if not impossible to fight using his wild style.
Only, with the groups assistance he could do sudden attacks and quickly move to the next victim with the Shield Bearers like Drav and Zio defending or he would try and dodge his enemies' attacks if possible.
From the demonstration in the wide halls, it seemed like he was implementing spearmanship with swordsmanship, creating a unique style that would rely on his arms to be the very pillars of fighting style like a spears handle.
Even the fact, he could throw a heavy iron sword with decent accuracy and doing so throughout the battle required an unbelievable amount of stamina, pushing his body to become as sharp as a blade and the berth of a spears attack.
Tia and Ben discussed Lues various aspects that made him unique, just as his erratic fighting style.
When it came to Drav though, Ben found his thoughts about his weapon to be a bit farfetched.
Drav explained he would envision himself as a knight when he wielded his own sword and shield.
In Dravs mind, he was protecting his friends and strengthening them with his defence and offence, so they could return home to the people they care for.
Most of all though, Drav wanted to fight all day and night long if he could ever be given the chance.
Unfortunately, it wasn't possible no matter how much he'd tried.
In the end, the discussion with the two adventurers left Ben quite puzzled, leading him to believe he made some headway before they continued with further questions, before taking some rough measurements.
...
..
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