79 Sisters 2 (1/2)
They found Nikolai amongst the carriages and carts, scurrying around the various gifts with his cane in hand and Jarek trailing behind. A bruise on his cheek was the only remnant of the previous days rituals. He would rub it occasionally and mutter curses under his breath, eyes flaring with frustration. Elya giggled at Jarek's long suffering expression as the boy carried out his assigned tasks. He would gaze longingly at the children staring from outside the area set aside for the Morales convoy, waving occasionally and sighing when he received no acknowledgement.
”He doesn't seem like such an awe-inspiring War Mage.” Lidia leaned against a fence post and crossed her arms. ”Bit effeminate as well. Could do with some facial hair. I'm sure a beard would give him more of a… ummm what's the word?” She chewed on a fingernail as her brow furrowed in thought. ”Oh yes. Presence! He needs more presence.”
”Don't you dare tell him to grow a beard. It's one of the first things I got rid of.” Elya growled at her sister and knelt down to adjust her boots. They rushed out of the library so quickly she just carried them in hand.
”Right. You're fond of the delicate type.” Lidia uttered with distaste. ”How disappointing. Without a staff he doesn't look like a Mage and what's the point of marrying one if you can't show him off. Set him down in any city of the Empire and people would mistake him for a scholar.”
”What's wrong with scholars?” Elya ground the heel of her boots to check the fit before rounding on her sister. ”And I think the beard is just an inconvenience, it's far too prickly.”
”What were you doing for his beard to prick you?” Lidia arched her eyebrows, a smirk tugging at her lips.
”None of your business.” She blushed faintly at the question and cleared her throat. ”Do you want to be annoying or do you want to meet Niki?” Elya walked away before her sister could respond, raking fingers through her hair in an effort to flatten them while ignoring Lidia's mutters.
”I would meet him, anyway. No wonder papa is sulking so much. You only met him a few weeks ago but now your family comes second.”
”Not true.” Elya corrected. ”He just comes first.”
Speechless, Lidia sputtered incoherently for a moment before following her. They wound their way through the carriages, occasionally stopping to pick up an errant bolt of cloth or a piece of jewellery from the gift carts. Lidia would hum in appreciation and Elya would roll her eyes at the delay until they reached one of the carts with weapons. Dozens of enchanted blades, spears and sets of armour were packed tightly, radiating barely contained power. They gushed at the sight, swinging each weapon to compare its capabilities.
”I should have known you'd be at one of these carts. Your family shares the same interests with a passion I've never seen before.” Nikolai chuckled as he came up to them, nodding at Lidia in greeting. He pointed at the crowd of silver haired children in the distance. ”Even those little Suzdals came here first. I was worried they would hurt themselves so I brought Jarek along to keep them away.”
The boy stuck his tongue out behind Nikolai and waved at Elya, pointing to the paper he held. ”Khan you said I should help with the inventory. You didn't say anything about the other kids.”
”Jarek I've told you call me Master. Especially now that we're out in public.”
”Yes Khan.”
”Master.” Nikolai muttered. ”You weren't doing anything, so I brought you along to help me maintain order.”
”There were problems?” Elya frowned, concerned her family was making trouble for him. It wasn't unheard of when the couple were from different social strata.
”No No. No trouble.” He hastily assured her, but the way he turned away from her gaze was a sure sign of guilt.
”What happened Niki?”
”Nothing.”
”They wouldn't have bothered you so much if you weren't trying to make such an imbression Khan.” Jarek nodded seriously. ”You showed off your magic and gave them treats.”
”Impression Jarek. Not imbression.” She corrected. ”Treats?” Elya ignored Nikolai's stuttering excuses and looked at Jarek.
The boy pointed at Nikolai's 'bag of treasures' and rolled his eyes as if it should be obvious. ”Even the Khanbikeh turns into a greedy girl and you expect us kids to have control? Also you promised me an egg as payment.”
”I do not turn into a girl.” Elya muttered and Lidia covered her mouth with a hand, faking a cough, but by the colour rising to her face, Elya knew she was controlling a laugh. Nikolai grumbled but handed an egg to the boy. Elya swallowed at the sight but looked away in guilt when Jarek hugged the morsel protectively. [Even if it's delicious, I can't take it from a child. Now why doesn't Niki give me one? How dare he ignore me!]