115 The Practor Family (1/2)
”Oliver.”
”Pauller!” Leon shouted as he knocked his head of his little brother. ”You know that we can't just--”
”But he saved our lives,” argued Pauller, not giving as easily as usual. ”We have some extra rooms, so why not let him stay the night?”
”Well… We can bring him home but it's up to grandpa whether he can stay or not. You know that.”
”Okay!”
”Umm… I didn't agree yet…” chuckled Oliver.
”Oh, I'm sorry.” Leon bowed to the taller young man. ”Please, at least allow us to treat you to a meal. You can meet our grandfather, the family patriarch. I'm sure he'll want to reward you in some way and could very well allow you to stay with us free of charge.”
”Hmm… A meal does sound great right now. I've been living off of dried rations for the past nine moons,” Oliver laughed, startling the two brothers.
Pauller grabbed Oliver by the arm and started for home. ”Then what are we waiting for!”
Oliver happily followed behind the excited youth, anxious to finally have a good meal.
”What have you been doing for the past nine moons if you were living off of rations?” asked Leon, following along.
”I was busy traveling the Taltin Mountains and cultivating,” Oliver replied with a smile. ”I never really had a home to call my own, so a homecooked meal is the best reward I can possibly think of.”
”Then we can definitely grant your wish. Even if you don't stay with us, you'll always be a welcome guest of the Practor Family for saving us and for…” Leon's words trailed off, catching himself before he mentioned something he shouldn't talk about casually.
”I'll keep that in mind.” Oliver nodded, still being tugged along by the ecstatic preteen.
As the Practor Family estate came into view, Pauller shouted, ”There it is! That's our home.”
Oli wasn't surprised. It was a large property, but the buildings were all simple and straightforward. From the estate alone, Oliver could ascertain that the Practor Family wasn't one of the largest in the city, but at least had some kind of foothold and reputation.
As the two brothers entered the estate, a man approached them. ”You're late. And who is this young man?”
”Uncle Mertin, we were ambushed by thugs, but this man beat them all up,” explained Pauller, proudly pulling Oliver in front of him.
”Oh, is that true?” The middle-aged man's stern face softened as he gave the young man before him a once over.
Before Oliver could explain anything, Pauller answered, ”It is! And he did it so easily! He's way stronger than Leon.”
”Hey…” grumbled Leon, not denying the fact even though the blunt comment stung a little.
”Hmm… And let me guess, he's come to receive some sort of reward?” asked Mertin.
”Actually--”
”Nope! He turned down the money we offered him,” interjected Pauller, still not letting Oliver speak for himself. ”He only came because we offered him food and he hasn't eaten in a long time.”
”Oh, well we can certainly offer a meal to your rescuer,” Mertin sighed, feeling a bit better about the sudden guest. ”Go ahead and take him to meet with the patriarch as I order for a small banquet to be prepared.”
”Come on, Oliver! I'll take you to meet Grandpa Hurman!” The excited preteen again started to drag Oliver through the estate.
”Thank you, we can talk at the banquet,” added Mertin, lightly bowing his head to Oliver as the hero was pulled away.
Leon moved to go with them, but Mertin stopped him. ”Did you get the herbs?”
”Yes, here they are.” With speed, Leon passed the expensive pouch to his uncle. ”You know, he really did save my life.”
”Probably because you were too foolish to give up your treasures in place of your life,” mumbled Mertin. ”Just because these herbs help your father, doesn't mean that he'd want you to lose your life over them, you know?”
”Paying for these herbs is already too big an expense for the family, so how could I just give them away?” reasoned Leon.
”True… But what's more valuable, your life or some plants? One of which can be bought, albeit expensive, while the other is priceless and irreplaceable.”
”Uncle…”