Our tavern were emptied for the night and several large tables pushed together to accommodate the 40 plus people from just two families really.
We were seated close to the main Monroe family.
Aside from Ceron and his two sons, one of them a single father of the three kids who looked..somewhat like him. I suppose.
Their mother passed away from a bad fever years ago.
His brother who had the knife thrower daughters and was Veila father as well and a few cousins totaling a dozen the other like Catalina and her daughter ended up with them over time.
" I believe the last time we had such a feast we were performing for Lord Mai, himself. "
Ceron Monroe looked like ..a smarter man than he deemed at first glance.
He wanted to make sure the flattery never stopped and kept talking about the individuals in his troupes. Mostly his nieces.
" They might not look like it Lord, but my other nieces can throw and apple off your head 30 ft away with their special knives. "
Zephyr was charming and polite all night, showed interest in everything told.
" Mnnn..May I see one..the knives? "
He was quickly handed one to examine.
Then turned to me with a shit eating grin.
" Look at this my love..these knives can act more or less like..an arrow!..won't you want to switch up maybe? "
The idiot wanted his insults turned into a reality..I took the knife anyway.
It was light and ...balanced. Perfectly shaped and I could just imagine them slicing through the air splitting targets in half...damn it.
I wanted to throw one.
" Nope..no, no, no..no." - I saw it on his face handing it back that it was one too many no's. "..maybe just the design of them..they are interesting looking. "
His surprise was entirely fake but, I had to smile how well he knew me.
" I suppose they do look interesting..ladies would you mind showing off your skills? My wife needs one more little push.."
Damn him and his antics.
Aim and Mai Monroe was all too ready before he ever smiled at them like that.
"" Of course!! ""
" Brothers, let's help the ladies. "
They cleared some space at the end of the tavern for them and Lucian and Manata returned with targets..about an inch length perfect tree slice. You could count every ring.
Only our rapiers could do such a work of art.
The girls lined up and looked back at Zephyr holding Anna in hand the rest of us moved closer to see it as well.
" Let's make it competitive .. each take a target, 5 knives each and whoever hits the middle ring the most..gets.." - he looked at Anna who lifted one finger. "..one gold coin."
Well that sent the room into a frenzy...why, my love?
This was suspicious..why is he spending so much lately.
It can't be Carlos's gold he never accepted his gifts.. in fact lately he chastised him so bad for it he probably never gift anything to anyone, ever again.
Tonight is going to be a long one..talking.
The Monroe sisters and their parents were lost what to say to the two girls, who lost all their confidence for a second but soon realized no matter who wins their family receives a gold coin.
It's funny that moody little sister of theirs hidden one in her boots for days.
They turned around and took aim.
" Mai, you go first..elders and whatnot.."
Mai who was the elder gave smirk but, didn't shy away.
( SWISH....THACK )
Her first one hit the second closest circle from the middle.
Not bad..the way her body contorted was imprinted on my brain.
Her sister..Aim hit her target dead in the middle...
The families cheered around us until it was repeated by Mai and then Aim again...
They kept hitting them out of their stuck position... it was very entertaining.
It came down to Aim's last knife..if she hit it for the 5th time in row, she won.
No hesitation like with the other 4..
( SWISH....THACK )
...Third ring out from the mid. She lost.
But never looked happier..it was another suspicious thing..letting her older sister win.
The cheering went for both not just the winner and as they bowed...
I decided to try this art myself..and somehow accept the fact that ..my husband knows me sometimes better than, I know myself.
Best husband acquired..thank you Ehlite.
He stepped closer clapping happily. " It was .. incredible..a noble battle. Ladies, you both deserved to win after entertaining my family..take this. Let's hear it for the winners.."
He interrupted them and let the crowd cheers drown out any chance of refusing the gold coin they each received.
Their family received 200 silver for 10 minutes of entertainment.
I still counted it into silvers..like, how I had 970 silvers in a form or 97 gold coins in a large pouch on top of thousands of bronze coins in a chest near our bed.
He walked towards me all righteous and superior.
" Should we tell Olaf to custon make some for you? "
I bribed him with a few kisses first, hoping to lessen his mockery. " Yes, please..and have Nifa paint them later. "
" Yes dear..want me to tell you.. pfftt..your next weapon obsession as well? "
" No need..I'm sticking with these..for now. "
He took be my waist and rested his head on mine.
" Tomorrow you will be busy..and we still have the meeting soon as the dinner ended..." - I did my best to sound intimidating. " Tonight you will tell me everything in detail and I'll have questions on my own Mr.."
" ..and I'll have questions on my own Mr..adorable when you trying to sound intimidating. "
Would've kicked him it was always easy to land one this close but the dinner party was wrapping up and we still had a meeting telling those needed to know about the direction our village is heading.
We had new arrivals in week or two and plans already in the works.
Busy night indeed.