Chapter 262 Gifts (2/2)

Jovan shrugged ”It's not so different froroup of bandi— ood relations with the local nobility is necessary, if you want to work unhindered”

Arran didn't fail to notice Jovan's brief slip of the tongue, and he was not at all surprised to hear that the roup of bandits If the man's skill as a steas any indication, he certainly would have been an effective leader

There was no chance to further explore the roup arrived

If the group froroup was ies, each dressed in the deep crimson robes of the House of Flaroup was Elder Theron, and he was every bit as friendly in greeting Arran and Brightblade as Grandhtly htblade, Arran noticed with a frown

More gifts were exchanged — with the Elder bringing one for Brightblade as well — and Arran found hiift than he had been with the dagger

The House of Flaifted hiestions for learning various h it wasn't quite as flashy as the dagger, Arran kneould have no trouble finding a use for it

After that, a series of other Houses followed, all of theifts for Arran He politely thanked each of the rows of tables that filled the gardens

Aifts were h Arran accepted theratitude, they did little to arouse his interest Yet there werethose, two immediately stood out

The first of these came from the House of Fists Their leader was the burly Elder had met before the duel, and the man had a proud expression as he presented Arran with a pair of spiked starmetal knuckles

Arran looked at the weapons with both wonder and delight They were as brutal as they were ridiculous, and on feeling their weight in his hands, he could not help but wonder how badly even a single punch with one of these would injure an eneine these weapons ever being useful — not coood sword, at least — soet the chance to put theift that stood out, however, was one he instantly kneould be useful

Given by the House of Creation, it was a full set of enchanted steel plate armor, its pieces crafted to protect nearly every inch of the body

It was soe, but when Arran saw it, his eyes ith joy While it couldn't be casually worn — not without drawing the attention of every person who saw him, at least — he knew at once that it would be invaluable on the battlefield

He was already difficult to injure, and with this additional protection, many enemies would pose no threat whatsoever no es to greet, and for several hours, Arran welcoracefully as he could Jovan proved a big help with this, firuests off to the tables Brightblade, however, had no such patience — after the first hour, she simply walked off, presumably toward the kitchens

Then, at last, the final guest arrived — the Matriarch, accoes frolance, Arran could tell , and he realized just how e

Yet despite the bloody work that still lay fresh behind her, there was only a warm smile on her face as she approached Arran ”It seeivethe festivities There are some announcements that need to be made”