"Nattia," one of the Barking Knights called out to the figure walking her dog, "How's the magic?" Nigon slang for 'Are you okay after being around Magon?'.
"All fine," the girl called back, "You?"
"Well!" The knight, his light chainmail and leather armor clinking, made his way through the winding road to the girl, who stopped in her tracks for courtesy of conversation. "How is your mother? Your brother? Ah, and Hund here?"
She tried to remember why her mother was so happy the few past days. It's because of the meat and frostquills to preserve them, Nattia thought. "My mother’s doing well, since we just got the first stack of meat and frostquill in return for our taters. We also have a good amount of copper bits, and a few silver bits. The bits make my brother happy, so he's good. For Hund here, he's taking a walk with me around the farm, and he's rather lazy today! Very unlike him."
"Maybe he wants some of the meat you got? Dogs like that, except for the frostquills. Of course, you could always let us use him to fetch some game in the forest."
"He's got good years on him, so I'm sure Mother would be glad to lend you him for a few hunting days. It usually takes three days for a hunting trip, right?"
"Since we're so close to the forest, it can take only one two."
"I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem."
"Say, Nattia, can you ask your mother if she can accompany my sister and me to the city? We need someone to show us around near winter from now."
"She doesn't have much else to do, but she'll make my brother and me do chores."
"Work will always exist. After your walk, could you please?"
"Okay, sir knight." The girl giggled.
"Have a good day now." Children these days, he thought, they can't seem to obey authority.
After the knight was well away from earshot, the girl muttered under her breath, "I obey authority, but why would I obey authority from another county? Hmph." The dog next to her sighed. "What? I can say what I want. Our country allows free speech. Or, at least, wish it did..." I didn't sigh because of you, girl, the spirit possessing the dog mumbled in its head, I sighed because I don't want to be... walked. "... Did I just hear something?" The spirit stayed silent. The girl couldn't know that she had guardians; the last one found became cocky and is in prison now because of that. And before he became imprisoned, just some days ago, he was a lowlife.
Nattia soon finished her walk with the reluctant dog, let him loose in the fields (and he followed her, which she found weird), and went inside her home to tell her mother the news, shutting the door before the determined dog could enter. Damn these paws, the spirit thought. Nattia thought that she could here that voice again from the dog...
"Must I really?" Nattia's mother whined after discovering the news, "If I go, you and your brother will be doing my chores for me. If that'll be the case, then I'll be okay with it."
"Yes, I know," Nattia acknowledged. Loud footsteps were heard thumping down the stairs. It was Arren, and he wanted his say in this.
Arren started complaining silently, where his sister translated his banter.
"No excuses, Arren," the mother stated, "You're the youngest, so you should listen to what your sister and I say, okay? I swear, if I weren't still young and caring, I would whoop you with a plank." Arren grew white at that. He had a distant memory of his father, holding a plank, and striking his mother. He was a small kid then. "Oh no, honey, sorry! It's okay, he's long gone." She held her son in her arms. The boy felt comfortable, and had his color back. He wouldn't need to worry. His mother wouldn't be hurt by a scary man ever again, not as long as he and Nattia lived! And his mother is still young, just fifteen years older than Nattia. And Nattia is Magon, and can shoot shots as well as orbs! And... wait, he's not accompanying his mother to the city? Then he can't protect her! And the chores! By the gods, the chores!
He said this silently with his mouth, and his sister nodded in agreement. Nattia informed, "Arren doesn't want you going to the city alone. And me neither."
"I'm not going alone," their mother counter-informed, "I'm going with the two knights, aren't I?"
"Yeah... but what if Magon pick on you three?"
"Then I'll bust them in the cap." Magon were never very kind to the poor, young lady. Especially that bastard of a husband, she thought, Never trust Westerners; they only cause trouble. Unless is you raise them right, is a guess.
"That's illegal..."
"Then I'll warn them that the knights are of Aelveil County, and messing with them means war."
"Eh~ but that won't work with the Northeast people, like Aress~..." Nattia made her voice more high-pitched and carrying, sort of floaty in a way, a voice that her mother was always weak against.
The woman seemed undeterred. "Don't worry, pumpkin, I'll just get Aress for that! She's still a good friend of mine."
"But—"
"Oh, quiet up. I'll be fine! Just see." She gave them a reassuring smile, and left to the kitchen to prepare food for lunch, ending the conversation.
Arren and Nattia felt defeated. All that arguing for nothing, Arren thought. At least we'll still have the animals to keep us company, Nattia thought. Now I can watch her in peace, the spirit in the dog thought, ... Hopefully.
And so Arren went back to reading from the books the knights lent him, and Nattia decided to do some more magic. She called to her mother for permission, and, having obtained permission with a few pouts, descended to the cellar.
She practiced and practiced and seemed to be improving. Arren wants to protect Mom, Nattia thought, so I should practice more so I can protect her. I have to get into the Academy to change people's views; Magon are horrible.988Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg7jQQZg2J
