"Well you see, there are three factions mainly. The tribes of Wolvens, the houses of Felines, and the clans of Caimans. Each of them would have a single champion representing their whole race. they are ruled by faction races. Wolvens would be their own faction of tribes and nomads, same goes for the lizardmen and Felines. An example would be if the Black Manes wanted to participate in the next king or queen ritual trial, they must have the willing fighters fight for the representation of the Black Manes. those in the Black Manes will face off with each other non-lethally and whoever wins will be named "chosen". They will then face off against the different tribes chosen. This will continue until there is one final choice left. That last chosen who has beaten all the rival tribes will face off against another chosen from a different kingdom. If a Wolven beats all of his tribes men, then he will fight a Caimen or Feline chosen. The Caimen and Feline trials are the exact same way as the wolvens trials."
Wow that's a lot to process. I don't know if there is more to it and I just don't realize it yet.
"So, each tribe, clan, and house will have a chosen, then those chosen face off with each other until there is one last one and that last chosen become the next king or queen?" I ask with a puzzled look on my face.
"Yep," Ariel responds, " That's basically how I could put it in simple terms," Ariel says in a chippy attitude. I guess she has calmed down since then.
"Well hen I am glad we got to chat Ariel and I am so glad we got to speak after so long!"
"As am I Coda, but please don't go walking downstairs like you did years ago. That would be bad now, would it?"
"Oh come on it was on accident!" I say while standing up from my chair.
"Pfft" Lilith spits some of her food out.
I look at her with a puzzled look wondering what is so funny. Did I do something funny without knowing? Often something is funnier when it is not on purpose. Which makes sense.
"Oh, you just both are like mother and son in a way. Even though you weren't officially adopted by anyone I bet your adopted family has always been with you."
I think for a moment and agree with it. Regardless if I need a piece of paper in order to be called family or whatever. I know who has been with me since the beginning, and hope they will be with me until the end as well.
I push my chair out and start stretching. Arching my back backward and then extending my arms.
"Oooh! Agh my back hurts from sitting for too long! I think it is time we head back Lilith."
"Yeah, I am sure father is worried since I left without saying anything to why I left."
We both stand up and start gathering our jackets from where we hung them during our long conversation. Glad I was able to chat with Ariel for a good amount of time. I bet me being here for her has made her happier now in life.
As we walk out of the church I open the door for Lilith and she walks through bowing a bit and walking out. I wave goodbye to Ariel and start following her back into town which isn't far.
As we walk back into town we decide to make a detour somewhere else because the markets are selling some new produce. We decide to make a detour through the market a bit instead of the first path we took to the church.
As we walk through I notice some apples and remember apples are one of my favorite fruits. But I have very little cash on me by this point. Or coins I suppose.
"Damn, wish I had more coins on me but I have no pockets to have had them on me in the first place so." I say out loud.
"I can give you some silver coins if you want them," Lilith responds cheerfully.
"Thank you, but you don't have to do that for me I am just fine."
"Oh nonsense, here." she hands me about 6 silver coins.
I go up to the man with a bandana on who has a grey beard short cut. She seems jolly is something like that from old people. I gave him the 6 coins and get the two apples from him.
"thank you sir have a wonderful day,"" I say to him as I turn around and walk away.
As I am walking away my tail gets caught by someone. I turn around and the old man seems to want to ask me something. I think grabbing my tail is probably a very rude action to get someone's attention. He could've just said "excuse me".
"Uhm, yes sir? Did you need something?" I ask him
"Oh no no, just wanted a suggestion."
"Okay then what is it?"
He gestures me to come closer and leans in over his stand gesturing me to be even closer. He wants to whisper something to me but what could it be so secretive?
"I would suggest giving her a sweet apple instead of a plain one hehe. I know she will like it more from someone like you." as he leans back and pretends we didn't say anything he shoos me away. This man has the wrong idea we are nothing like that. Not a couple at least but giving her a sweet apple wouldn't be so bad would it? I doubt it.
"Hey I got us some sweet apples," I say
"Oh, you...shouldn't have I assumed you wanted to get yourself something not both of us."
"Well I did so here you go" I insisted
She looks at the apple for a bit and smiles warmly. She seems to be pleased with my actions.
"Thank you." she starts taking a bite out of it.
"MMMM so sweet and juicy! Come on have some!" she points into my hand to eat the apple.
I take a huge bite out of it due to my mouth not being human and take out half of the apple in a single bite. I start chewing and immediately start feeling the juicy sweetness flow into my mouth and between my teeth. So satisfying.
I take a second bite and finished the apple in my third bite leaving the apple core.
"Wow you ate that faster than me...No one I can't beat that." she continues to slowly eat her apple.
Wow. I guess that is a major difference in our capabilities due to our racial differences. I wonder...Can I eat the apple core and not well...choke on it? Might as well attempt and spit it out afterward if it won't work.
I take the apple core and drop it into my mouth and start chewing. It isn't as flavorful or juicy as the outer parts of the core but it has some crunchiness. I swallow it and feel the seeds in my mouth go down my throat. But then start coughing.
*cough cough* "ack!" *cough* "Shit!"
I look over to Lilith and she is just silent looking at me with confusion. But then cracks a smile. I think she is about to laugh at me for swallowing the seeds wrong.
"Pffft! Hahahahaha I can't believe you tried to eat the core! Hahaha," she starts laughing hysterically at my attempt.
But this was funny to me a bit but I won't give her the satisfaction.
"Hmmph well, at least I am better at eating apples faster than you!"
She continues to laugh at my misfortune and walks off in the direction away from the marketplace. Likely heading back to her tavern. We continue walking for a few more minutes and we arrive at the tavern. As we get to the entrance Lilith turns around and smiles at me.
"Thank you for the amazing da-" she gets cut off by the swing of a door behind her nearly hitting her.
A man with a red beard and brown shirt and black pants opens it and starts eyeing both of us.
"Lilith! Where did you go I was worried sick? Did this lizard here kidnap you? Is he a part of those thugs?!"
Thugs? Is he being racist to me or something? Calling me lizard for some reason feels like an insult or racist thing to say I bet. Though I am not offended by the term "lizard" using a term that is derogatory is disrespectful as hell.
"I am no thug sir," I say not trying to raise my voice, "but please don't call me lizard. Sort of hurts me a bit.
He tilts his head a little and eyes me for a bit. Maybe he has doubts of who I am. A complete stranger.
"Whatever, as for you young lady not only did you skip out on your shifts, and Ugmand had to do both his own and your shift and he was an ass the whole time!"
I guess Ugmand is an ass anywhere he is. no doubt this might be his personality unless he has troubles at home if he even has a home.
"Sorry father...I just...I just needed to get away from him after all the yelling. Like your doing right now." she looks down at her hands in shame.
The father looks at her daughter and sighs. He walks a bit closer and brings his daughter in for a hug but gets pushed back by her.
"Please just, give me some time" she walks inside the tavern in a haze seemingly in distress now.
"Hey sir, question" I ask
"Hmm? What do you want kid?"
"Is something I don't know, wrong? I hope I didn't cause any harm to you and your business I just offered to take her somewhere nice and that was it."
*sighs* "No you didn't do anything wrong really. I am also sorry for calling you a lizard. It was wrong of me. You see we...It is better you come inside for this kid. You seem not involved and a good kid."