6 The Beginning of an Emperor’s Path (2/2)

Arwen knew about these healing portions; a high-tier portion was so expensive since it could even heal a person who is on the verge of death. Obviously, Arwen didn't know what tier was the one he just drank but soon as he drank the potion, he felt a hot wave surging in his body and he looked at his bruises on his hands to see them disappearing, the healing speed was visible to the naked eyes.

”This is a high tier healing potion!” Amaryll said.

Astonishment and shock were written all over her face. Arwen was also shocked to see the effect of the potion and he couldn't believe that someone would waste this precious potion on someone like him. This was a life-saving potion that normally in the human cities, high tier healing potion like this would cause a riot but Don just gave it to him like candy.

”Thank... thank you and how do I address you”

”Just Don would do”.

Don knew Arwen and Elrond gave their loyalty to him when he had nothing so he would treat and view them as friends rather than subordinates. The elf trio thought Don didn't want any honorifics because he has neither kingdom nor throne so admitted to calling him Don, so they won't make this an awkward situation.

”What about others, Don what are we gonna do?” Knight questioned Don while looking at the elves. Arwen and Amaryll gazed at Don as they expected his response.

” Since they are people of Arwen, Amaryll, and Elrond, they can follow me for a year. I will make sure that no trouble find them but after a year if they don't trust me” he paused for a moment before continuing,

”they can do whatever they want and I won't hold them back”.

The meaning of this statement was very clear to the elves. He clearly meant that ”I will give my protection to you for a year after that you can swear allegiance to me or get lost”

Of course, Don knew one year was more than enough to obtain the loyalty of the elves and he was certain about that.

The elven trio was happy to hear that Don would protect them for a year. After this time, in the very least they would relocate the tribe to a more secure place. They didn't know about Don's future plans so they had to make arrangements for their fellow elves.

Since Don and Knight had nothing to say for now, they stepped aside and let the elf trio and other elves make arrangements for the funeral of their fallen brothers and sisters. Initially, hundred and thirty elves were living in this tribe but after the bandit attack, twenty elves have died including Elrond's parents.

If not for Don and Knight, the casualties would have been higher and many remaining elves would be captured and sold as slaves to the highest bidders in the slave market. Elrond couldn't control his tears when he saw the lifeless bodies of his parents.

Normally the funeral ritual would take about seven days to complete. The family gathers either just after or near the day of the loved one's death. The body would be washed and wood would be gathered for the pyre. The arrangements had normally been done at the same time. For larger families, the immediate family members were given a little longer to mourn and the more distant family members gathered the wood and prepared the body.

After the body was washed and the wood gathered, The pyre was built. The size of the pyre depends on the family and was up to the people who built it. Normally the pyres were rather small and made for one or two bodies at a time.

The body was then wrapped in cloth. At sunset on the following day, a torch was lit at the pyre site as the body would be placed onto the pyre an hour before the pyre had to be lit. The people that wished to watch the proceedings gathered then. When the sky was dark the fire would be lit. The family would stand near the pyre until the fire burns out.

But because of the threat of the mysterious mage, Don asked Arwen to hurriedly finish the ritual, the elves were stricklers to the rituals but they knew about the threat and did as he asked grudgingly.

When Elrond's parent's pyre lit, Don went near him and stayed with him.

”Elrond remember this, as long as you remember your parents and make them proud, they'll live within you”

Little Elrond was still looking at the fire when Don talked to him,

”Yes, and I will honor them by making sure that no one would feel the pain that I'm feeling now ” a determination and purpose rose within his little heart and Don nodded in approval.