"My dear family"
The man who looks akin to rooster spoke as he looked at the people sitting around the table. His deep voice reverberated across the room.
His gaze turned warm as he smiles faintly while tapping the lid of the pot with a spoon.
"Tonight, meat is back in the menu"
A little chuckle escapes from the older woman near him, she covers her mouth with both of her hands to stifle the sound she made. She didn't cover her eyes however as it peeks over at him with happiness.
Shaking his head, the man still had a smile on his face.
"Lucia, stop laughing. Please help me serve the food."
He opens the lid of the pot as he lightly chides his wife.
Lucia puts her hands down as she lightly rose to her feet. She held her skirt as she curtsies him, a cheeky grin on her face.
"Of course master Rubia, I am happy to serve"
Rubia's face fell for a bit before he sighs and rubs his face.
"Stop playing around my dear wife."
A gentle smile now adorns Lucia's face as she drops the cheeky grin and hugs Rubia's arms lovingly.
"Sorry my beloved husband. I just can't help teasing you."
Softly she gazes into his face as her palm gently caresses the man's cheek.
"You were just so adorable. My apologies."
She tip-toes slightly as she kisses his lips softly.
One of the man's hands hugs her waist while the other holds the back of her head gently. They both share a tender kiss.
They kissed for a while before he slowly breaks the kiss. They pant slightly as they share a gaze, looking into each other's eyes with love.
"You'll be the death of me."
He then whispers as he leans closer to her ears.
"You will be punished later."
Slowly the cheeky grin returns to Lucia's face as she chuckles softly.
"Oh, yes please."
Once again they both lean in for another kiss.
However this time a loud cough interrupted them both. Two coughs actually.
They both paused before they look towards the table and it's occupants. The oldest son on the other end of the table was looking at them both, not impressed, the eldest daughter however was grinning teasingly towards the two parents.
The younger daughter and younger son however had different reactions compared to their older siblings.
Oura covered her face with her blanket while Rain was trying hard to ignore both his parents as he looks down on the floor quietly.
"I rather we finish supper first mother, father"
Finix sighs as he rubs his temple as if tired at their blatant show of intimacy.
Vulpi however whistles at them both playfully.
"Get a room."
Seems like the husband and wife was lost in their passion that they forgot the place and situation they're currently in.
Lucia gently puts her palm on her husband's chest to try and exit the embrace. Rubia however was not having none of it as he grunt once.
"We already have a room. One we'll spend time in later."
Lucia looks at him in shock before it turns into indignation as she softly beats his chest repeatedly with her fists.
"Husband! You!"
A laugh was the only thing that escaped Rubia's lips as he releases her.
"Well. Finix has a point. We should have dinner first. Dear, please serve the food."
Gently he caress her head with his hand. She pouts as she gave a soft huff of frustration.
"Alright fine."
Taking the ladle she gently scoops out some soup with meat onto a bowl as she passes it to each of them on the table.
Finally it's time to eat. One of the best thing to do in life.
After all one cannot live if they do not eat.
…
…
…
The food was delicious. The bread was delicious, the vegetables and fruits was fresh. Then there's the stew, dad really make good stew.
In fact, supper was so good that none of us was able to have small talk as we eat. Even Rain seem to have kicked his mumbling and intellectual musing down the hill for later.
I throw the apple up and down my hand as I walk towards the barn. It was not too far away from the house.
"Betsy, time for some dessert."
Slowly I push open the door of the barn so there's a small gap for me to slip inside.
Whistling fills the small barn as I walks towards Betsy's pen. There she was looking relaxed as always.
"How cute"
I chuckle to myself looking at my favorite cow's nonchalant attitude.
"Betsy, how are you holding up girl?"
My hand rubs her head as I lean against the pen. Betsy slowly turns her head to look at me while I did so.
"Moooo."
Stifling a chuckle I nodded.
"Happy to see you too Betsy. Here's an apple for you."
My other hand reaches towards her, in it was the juiciest apple from the basket I swiped during supper.
"Go on girl, have a-"
Whispering gently, I tried to show her my intention for her to eat it. Not that it matters since my words got cut off before I even finished as she basically sucks the apple into her mouth.
*CRUNCH, CRUNCH*
The sound of crunching was short lived as she easily finished the apple in like two chew or something.
"Hahaha, you cheeky cow."
I ruffle her head again, taking the chance to wipe the drool from her tongue on her own head. One that she seems to notice as she gave me that deadpan stare of hers.
Well, maybe that's just her resting face. She's still cute anyways.
"As much as I'd like to talk with you today, I can't."
Sighing, I lift my hand from her head.
"Perhaps we'll talk tomorrow Betsy."
A grin forms on my lips as I walk way from the pen towards the entrance of the barn.
"I also heard dad's getting some more cows, so you'll finally have more friends! You won't be lonely anymore."
My step stops near the entrance. I look at her, my face still smiling as I wave at her.
"Good night Betsy"
"Moo"
The sheer cuteness made me shake my head as I step out of the barn.
Slowly I pull the door and close the barn. A sigh escaped my lips as I gaze at the stars. My eyes looking at them quietly.
There's something strange about the stars tonight. No, they look the same but I can feel it in my heart. Something is different.
The stars, they look brighter. No, some of them look brighter, bigger, different.
The celestial bodies, they are-
"Finix?"
A voice jolts me awake. I look at the source of the sound and saw Vulpi staring at me, I also just realized one of her hand was on my shoulders. I also can hear panting, as if someone just ran from the village to our farm without stopping.
"Are you okay? You look shocked."
Only after Vulpi said so that I realize.
The panting, it came from me. I can also feel my cloth sticking to my body from sweat.
I look at my hand, it was trembling. Slowly I balled it up as I calm myself down with deep breaths.
After a few moments have passed, I finally feel my breath turning steady, I look at my hands, they weren't trembling anymore.
Still sweating however, but nothing can be done for that.
As my head clears, I remember I haven't replied to Vulpi's questioning yet. So I turned towards her and gave her a smile that I hope was filled with reassurance.
"I'm fine Vulpi, I was just thinking about you swapping place with Betsy."
My palm goes to my chest as I slowly rubs it in mock gratefulness.
"Thank goodness I didn't imagine it too much, I nearly got stuck in a nightmare,"
Grinning, I turn towards her. She was quiet the whole time. I can see she didn't believe me completely but she gave me a weak smile and punches my shoulder lightly.
"You silly oaf, come on. Let's go back home already. It's time for a prayer."
She held my hand as she practically drags me with her, not even waiting for a response.
I can however feel a slight tremble in her hand. Perhaps seeing me in that state affected her more than I thought.
Moments later we reach the house and entered it, still holding hands. Father calmly looks at us while mother threw us a gentle smile, both of them sitting on the comfy chair near the fireplace which faces each other.
Oura gave us a curious gaze but her face seems like she's trying to look quiet and noble once again, she was sitting on a stool next to mother.
Rain was quietly looking at a parchment that he perhaps borrowed from Psemuel, he's sitting near the fireplace on the wooden floor.
"Father, we've returned."
"Yes. I can see that."
Father gave a calm answer, which is hilarious and one that me and Vulpi would laugh about. Had we been in the mood for it of course.
"Then. It's time to pray"
Father stands up from his seat as he walks towards in the middle of the room before facing the fireplace.
Or specifically the statue hanging on the top part of the fireplace.
It was the statue of the goddess that our family worships. The statue was that of a woman in what seem to be a shepherd's garb. Both of her hands were intertwined in front of her chest, on of top of her palm was a flame. It was as if she was scooping it like water.
We joined father in the prayer, Father in the middle and Mother next to him. Me and Rain joined next to father on the right side while Vulpi and Oura fall in line next to mother on the left side.
"Oh great goddess Chammius, our family hopes for your protection as we slumber tonight and for our family to stay bonded no fate throws towards us."
My mind drifted back to the moment from before when I gazed upon the stars. Strangely I don't feel as bad as before, my breath was fine and my heartbeat was normal.
But I can tell something isn't right.
I clench my hands that was intertwined for the prayer as I bow my head and press my hands on my forehead.
Never did I expect there to be god. I'm not a true believer in any of them.
But I've seen prayers getting answers and miracle happened.
I'll put my hope in the gods this time.
Goddess Chammius, if you truly exist. If the gods are truly true and not mere pillars of faith.
Please hear my prayer. I beg of you.
Whatever happens to me, whatever happens to the lands, the kingdom, the world and the heavens above.
Protect my family. No matter the cost.
…
…
…
Calm and Serene.
That description fits the current state of the village as the people rest inside their houses. Well, except for the few townsguards that are currently patrolling the village.
A window was open on one of the inns. There was no light however so one cannot see what is inside from outside, not even with the help of the moonlight.
Something gradually flies towards the window. Quietly and unnoticed by anyone an owl managed to sneak into the town.
It land on the windowsill, a letter seem to have been tied up on one of its legs.
Slowly a hand reaches out of the dark of the room and gently untie the letter from the bird's leg. Then just as slow as the first hand, another hand comes out of the dark as it unfolds the letter, Slowly the hands brush the letter's surface with its fingers.
A golden ring in the shape of a serpent with tiny red rubies for it's eyes seems to glint under the moonlight, it rests neatly around the middle finger of the right hand.
Quietly the owner of the hand reads the letter on its hands.
'The realms are shifting.'
'and the River of Creation is ebbing,'
'The gods are wailing.'
'and the stars are falling.'