14 Harvest Festival 2 (1/2)
Etienne was currently directing some of the guards, who had been given time to help thanks to the Golems taking their jobs temporarily, to begin clearing and preparing the large empty field next to the village that was used for the festival. Several long tables had been set up, while several firepits were being built. The chief himself was bringing in a keg of ale that had been acquired during the trip to Lightwood Fortress prior to Seran's arrival.
Seran walked over just as his father put the keg down on a stand by one of the firepits, ”Looks like it's going pretty well over here.”
The chief chuckled, ”Much smoother than in previous years, yes. At this rate, we'll be done by the end of today. How'd harvesting go?”
”With the help of Storm and his kin, we've already cut, bundled, and stored 3 fields. The remaining 3 fields can be done in the morning or before nightfall depending on how the festival preparation goes.”
”Good, good. This will be the best festival we've had since the first few the village had.” Etienne was all smiles as he pictured how festive everything would be.
”Hey, dad... if I told you that, last night, I gained the power to give others abilities, what would you do?” Seran had sworn not to keep secrets from his family unless it was extremely crucial or dangerous.
After stopping to ponder, Etienne sighed, ”I wouldn't do anything. It's your ability, not mine. What you want to do with it is up to you. If you do decide to use it though, use it wisely. Giving powers to the villagers is fine, but make sure you're careful with them. This village is one big family, so we trust each other wholeheartedly.”
”I know, dad. One of the reasons I'm asking is because it means I can also change talents... I can change your talent, dad, to be an S-rank Divine talent. Considering the highest talent in the village, other than me or Fen, is Nan with her D-rank Mortal, which is several major layers from the Divine class, then if I change the talents of the villagers...”
He was about to continue when Etienne knocked him lightly on the forehead with a finger, ”Hold that thought, kiddo. I'm more than happy that you want to do that. Do remember, though, that it'd be too dangerous to do so without having the power to protect the village. You still need to get the Elf Queen's agreement for you to begin the process for starting a kingdom, as we are in the ancestral forest of their people. A foreign kingdom suddenly appearing in their lands is certainly not a good thing.”
After a light grumpy look from being tapped on the head, Seran nodded, ”Yes, dad, I know that... I just need to find a way to meet with her. Since we don't know who's coming this year, I don't know how to do that...”
”Don't worry about that right now, kiddo. Just enjoy the festival, be a kid for once.” He gave his oldest son a hug and a ruffle of his hair, ”You're ten years old, Seran, you need to have fun sometimes.”
Returning his father's hug, the purple-eyed boy smiled, ”Okay, dad... I'm going to go visit Lady Khloe quickly, then I'll go help Fen.” Now that Etienne knew his son was going to take some time to enjoy himself, he let Seran head off towards the spirit spring, since the boy was now given permission to enter at any time, just like an elder or the chief.
--
Ten minutes later, Seran was sitting in front of Khloe's pond as he did his unique beseechment, simply with hands pressed together and eyes closed, ”I humbly ask for Lady Spirit to speak with me.”
As with the previous time, Khloe took her fairy form from the water, her crystalline eyes bright as she gazed upon the mysterious yet kind child before her pond. ”I am here, Seran. How can I help?”