Legend of Ransera

Yesterday Linden turned 13 and it was a joyous affair even if it fell on the Mahrainic Festival. Spending the day with his parents and siblings before they went out to see what Raellon had to offer this year. Hoping to see one of the many craftsmen from Clan Myaldar today and see if they had any new puzzle boxes to test his mind. Particularly one from Gorm Vidhunn, a grizzly man in his 40's and broader than any tree that will not fall with a swing of his ax that made the most beautiful, delicate creations. Usually joking about how people believe that if one is so big that surely they couldn't have a cunning mind. The last puzzle box he bought from him the year prior took Linden almost the entire festival to figure it out as he refused to sleep or play until he could open it.

Linden remembered watching him for a day as he sat down on the ground with the puzzle box and watched how the large hands seemed to carve out the small wheel mechanisms that worked with pieces of steel. Gorm even told him about how he studied under one of the Hallbjorn family members to craft Atvalthal steel, but all sorts of different minerals and metals as well which made his items very popular.

"Mom! I'm going and taking Adorellan and Keishara with me!" Shouts Linden as he finishes putting on his black boots that rose to his shins.

"Are you sure you don't want someone to go with you? Your father says he can join you so you won't be alone with the twins," replies his mother as she finishes putting on the childrens light coats that they seemed to resist.

Grabbing his vest and donning it on, he checks to make sure his watch and chain were attached as he looks to her with a smile. "I'm 13 and how hard can it be keeping track of those two? If I hear screaming I know where they are," Linden grins and tops his entire ensemble with his newsboy cap and goggles as if he was going out on some sort of adventure.

"Do you have your coins?"

"Yes."

"Do you know what time you should come back?"

"Whenever the twins get overly whiny and I can't carry them both back alone."

"Linden."

"I should come back in a few hours, but you know how I get distracted."

"Yes, but you need to pay attention to your surroundings. At least learn to... Side-step perhaps?"

Linden frowns as his mother chuckles happily while walking over to kiss the top of his head. "I promise I will not be running or anything. Unless it is to catch up to them that is."

"How about asking one of your siblings to go with you? I'm sure they-"

"No... I don't need them. I got this mom, believe in me."

"Oh my little love, I do. I just wish that you would -"

"Make more friends? I'm not made for friends because I'm too odd. I'm not like the others and besides. I have Alyssum whenever she comes around so that is more than enough friends for me! Other than the ones I like in the family that is," he gives his mother a reassuring smile.

"Linden, you are made for friends. You just have to find the right ones. You have friends in the other clans do you not?"

"Yeah, but we only see each other when I travel with the family and we don't see each other all the time. We only write to each other, but it's not the same."

Smiling knowingly, his mother presses her forehead to her son's and rubs noses with him. "Friends are about the connection like you have with Alyssum. If you write with them and get excited to see them they are your friends."

"Yes mom," he smiles when there were pushing and tugging between them. Adorellan and Keishara were pushing in between them and demanded attention. Wrapping their small arms around their legs and yammering away. Kei being pushy by saying she wants to go and Ador saying "his mommy" which made Linden roll his eyes. "Okay! We are leaving! By mom! See you soon!" Reaching out with both hands, the twins grab hold as they make their way of the home and to see what was awaiting the trio.

---

Out in the open of Raellon, the festivities have already been underway as it was approaching 11 in the morning. The voices of vendors could be heard as well as various forms of chatter and laughter from all walks of life and regions. Languages blending together and common being spoken as dialects had some vendors scratch their heads. The clothing of the people who visited was extraordinary to Linden as he kept his eyes out for those from the region of Karnor, specifically Kalzasi. Their robes and gowns were exotic and brightly colored silks and linens that made his young mind wander in a world of fantasy. Almond, monolid eyes that conveyed warmth and wisdom some artwork he has seen and whenever Linden would see them he grew shy and stared.

Exotic spices reached their nose as he wondered if his mother would like some spices or perhaps find her a pretty ribbon for her hair? Oh! A matching ribbon for their parents to tie their hair backs together so they are together when he isn't around! Upon reaching the bakeries the air mixed with the warmth of yeasty bread and sugared sweets that lined the streets when the twins began to try to pull Linden this way and that. His high-pitched voice telling them to calm down when the confectioner of Sugar Cube stepped forward with a small treat.

"I see you may need this to keep up with them," she smiles with rosy cheeks and cooed at the twins. Ditching their older brother to hug the woman who smelled so wonderful as she presented them the small gift. "Oh I know you will be back probably, but do enjoy these latest treats I made."

Popping it into his mouth, Linden melted at the taste. It was delicious and sweet. They were the small tomatoes that were grown locally and she rolled them in sugar before drying them in the sun. Really, the sweet tooth needed to be curbed otherwise he might grow wider than tall. "Thank you, Ms. Dowse. They were delicious!"

"Oh I'm glad to hear, but dear. Your twins are running that way," she points and his head followed.

"AH! Thank you! I'll be back I swear!"

Ms. Dowse chuckles at the youth as he darted off. For the twins being so small, they were fast and he wondered how he didn't lose them in such a busy place. On their backs were a brightly colored monogram of their first name initial in gold that helped a bit. What didn't help was how they passed between small spaces of people's legs and ducking under horses on a carriage that made the other pale. If anything happened to them, how was he going to explain himself?

"Adorellan! Keishara! Stop! Come back! I'm going to count to three and you better listen!"

The three-year-old twins didn't listen to their older brother one bit or they didn't hear as they squealed with delight. The people around not batting an eyelash as it was perfectly normal for children to run around crazy this time of year and Linden was starting to run out of breath. He wasn't built for this. Long strides and breathing through the nose? Or was that breathe through the mouth and out the nose?

"Can't someone just stop them?! Please?!"

The water grew pink with blood.

It was a good day at the hunter's market, even with the extra stalls, the city was full of people from all over and there had been more than enough customers to go around. They had made modest coin to buy winter supplies and new boots for the coming year and maybe enough for another night in town. Despite his protests to keep working, Iakovos had been dismissed for the day by Halvor, his grandfather, who felt the teenager deserved some free time to mingle with the locals. 'Go find yourself someone pretty. Or get drunk- Be young, Iakovos! While you still can, You''ll have the rest of you life to do this.'

The old man was right, of course. They weren't in the city often, only a few times a year and so Iakovos now crouched by the city well and washed his hands in an old bucket. A few young girls carrying skewers of charred meat had invited him to dance at a local inn, but the smell of food had been more enticing; the thought of dancing only brought a grimace and a polite decline. Around him, he could hear the shrieking of children and he straightened, shaking droplets from his callused fingers as someone shouted, "Can't someone just stop them?! Please?!"

Lifting to the balls of his feet, he idly scratched the stubble along his jaw. From his vantage point he could see someone slight with dark hair chasing after toddlers to no avail. The tiny children ducked and weaved, one of them causing a woman to stumble, stepping on the fabric of her dress and rushing between her legs. When they climbed beneath a carriage and when one narrowly missed the hooves of a horse, he realized how dangerous this game had become.

Blood cleaned from his hands, Iakovos pounced, using his long reach to scoop the children up and against his chest. Up close he could see the details of their silk jackets, a moniker on both the boy and girl. They were young, maybe three or so, and held a close resemblance to one another. Twins, he realized, remembering what his mother had once told him. Twins were a holy symbol, a sign of a split soul to never be separated. A blessing in Atinaw.

They thrashed and he had to tighten his hold, lift his chin up to avoid getting headbutted. Wild animals required care when rounding, but he was a hunter, not a herder. When their laughter split to a frustrated tantrum, the long hair youth grimaced. Don't cry, he silently pleaded, opting to spin around in a tight circle. Round and round the trio spun until the children giggled. Iakovos, reassured, spun faster. The crying ceased. The twins shrieked in delight and when he slowed, the cobblestone felt like shifting waves beneath the leather of his boots.

Their delight was infectious and a rare smile flashed across the hunter's face just as their caretaker broke free of the crowd. Iakovos leaned over to set the children down, and was still grinning when the man approached, "Sorry," he tried to pull away, but the twins wobbled for only a moment. Enjoying the game, they jumped up and down, pulled at his belt, his jacket, the fur trim of his collar, begging to be spun again. Iakovos gently pried their hands away and rested his blue eyes on the breathless boy who approached. Probably a few years younger, Iakovos wasn't sure of the relation, "Here ya go."

The words were spoken in natural Kokalath, Iakovos' first language and then, reminded that the festival brought all walks of life, awkwardly switched to Common, "They look like a handful" he tried to coax the children back to their brother, not quite sure what to say, "Are you related?"

◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀ ◀

So many things were going through Linden’s mind as he bobbed and weaved. Losing sight of the twins for a fraction of a second and soon he couldn’t find them anymore. The images of worst-case scenarios came to mind and the conversation with his parents.

I didn’t need anyone, Linden thinks bitterly. I could handle this all myself I said.

Then he saw them. In the arms of someone he didn’t recognize and at first, Linden thought they were going to run off with them, but instead, he started… Spinning? Relief filled him knowing that they weren’t there to kidnap the twins and when their eyes met the older youth set them down. Though it seems the twins had other plans as they grabbed the stranger.

"Here ya go."

Of course they will speak in Kokalath, he thought and told himself he needs to learn to become fluent in the regional language. Knowing a few words here and there wasn’t going to cut it.

"They look like a handful. Are you related?"

A sigh of relief washed over Linden when they spoke in Common as he took ahold of both twin's hand while they gripped the other with no intentions of letting go. “Thank you so much,” Linden pants out and looks at the twins while shaking his head. “And yeah, these two are with me. I’m Linden and this one is Adorellan and this one is Keishara, my siblings. And what is your name?”

“Up! Up!” Shouts Keishara as she yanks her hand out of Linden’s and raises her hands to the other youth.

“We o round an round an round!” Giggles Adorellan as he begins to spin his brother around excitedly.

“Um… Thank you again so much for snagging them and are you new around here? Also, it seems my siblings are taken with you and if you are not busy,” Linden clears his throat and scratches his cheek. “Could I ask you to accompany us for a while? I.. I can pay you and can provide a meal or two.”

Was Linden bribing a total stranger that the twins seemed to like? You bet! At this point, having another set of eyes on them was a good idea and he didn't want to go home to try and find someone. Much less show his mother that she was right in this regard that he needed a second pair of hands. Not that Linden was a proud Asmund or anything to admit such a thing.

"Lind! Up and spin too!" Adorellan demands and grabs the hem of Linden's shirt and begins to tug.

"Hey! Enough of that!"

"You! I said up!" Keishara demands as well to the other youth as her face puffs up and her eyes continued to glow.

"Keishara! Manners!" Linden barks at both twins and tries to grab his sister as she dances out of the way. "May the Old Ones help me! I am about to take you both home so this young man doesn't have to suffer the three of us!" The threat fell on deaf ears as Linden's face began to turn a shade of red as he tried to calm himself down by taking deep breathes.

“Iakovos.” he answered with an extension of his callused hand. The hunter might not of had much in regards to material possessions, but he always had his honor and good manners. At least, that’s what Halvor was always telling him. Reaching out was more of a habit, copying what someone else in a higher station might do, but to his surprise, his palm never came in contact with the younger boy, instead snatched away by the ever eager Keishara.

Kova’s gaze settled on the girl while he corralled her hands and tucked them into his own, “It is nice to meet you, but you must be patient.” His voice was firm and soft, surprising decisive considering his youth and for a moment her demands for lifting softened, giving the two boys to finish introductions.

Iakovos circled back to the question, “I..” he had to think, not quite sure the best answer to that question, “I live on the outskirts of Grimholdt with the rest of my kin. Three days out from the city. We’re just visiting for the festival and to sell furs. Resupply.”

Keishara was growing impatient, pushing her weight against him and tugging at the fabric of his shirt while Kova was offered the proposition. It surprised him and he had to take a moment to consider it. Help look after the children? “I do not have much experience with children,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. From how the twins had been running around, it was clear Linden needed a bit of help, and he didn’t want anyone to get lost or hurt. The stranger wasn’t exactly the biggest boy in the schoolyard.

Adorellan and Keishara were tired of waiting. They increased their demands and without much thought, Iakovos scooped the little girl and watched the exasperation of the older sibling. Someone was asking for his help and he had means to grant it. And while it didn’t quite feel right to take someone’s money for something so trivial, a free meal did sound nice, “I have some time,” he relented, changing his hold on the girl until she was propped upon his hip. Tightening his grip, Iakovos smirked and hooked his fingers, wiggling them against the Keishara’s rips until her face twisted and she shrieked in laughter, kicking and trying to rip herself out of the arms she had so desperately wanted the attention of. The tickle attack made Kova grin, and he looked back at Linden, “Where would you like to go now?”

He motioned towards where the marketplace was, “I believe someone’s painting faces. Would you or your siblings like that? Maybe after, we can find food.”

A smile spread across Linden's face as he looked up to this older boy and after a few interruptions, finally took ahold of Iakovos's hand. Their shake was firm and he can tell that they worked with their hands based on the callouses that could be felt compared to his that were still smooth. The frustrations of his siblings leaving him as well as they seemed to have "settled" down for the moment.

"Nice to meet you, Iakovos and Grimholdt huh? I know the Clan makes amazing boats and that they are also a major hub of trade since they are close to Kamdin right?"

Linden attempted to ask more questions to get to know them as they accepted their offer in a sense. Asking about the type of furs they brought, what kind of supplies they need to restock on, and if he was alone or if there were others so he didn't keep them away too long. Though he got sidetracked when he watched the way they picked up Keishara and begin to tickle her.

"I don't know what you are talking about, but you seem to be great with kids or at least my siblings," Linden says smiling when Adorellan wanted to be picked up and tickled as well, but was being ignored. So he grabs his brother's belt to give it a tug and use their foot as a stepping stool.

"That is a fantastic idea!" Shouts Linden as he picks up his brother now through gritted teeth. Though it seemed Adorellan didn't want to be placed on the others hip or even tickled now. No, they had to one-up their twin.

In some strange form of acrobatics, hair pulling, and disheveling of clothes and losing his hat, the younger sibling climbed Linden like they were some sapling tree as they both fell forward. Small hands wrapped around the top of Linden's head as they laughed and at first he thought they were going to eat the dirt below. Instead, they fell against a sturdy chest as one arm steadied him with the twin's head collided with theirs. The other arm holding onto Keishara closely.

He seemed completely unfazed with the head butting that just occurred and still continued with the same energy. The new companion tried, with one arm, to grab ahold of the other that was squirming and swaying the brother's head and neck. "I sit here!" Adorellan shouts to Iakovos before Linden's hand grabbed the twin's leg and the other on Iakovos's wrist.

"It's fine. He can sit on my shoulders and next time he will have to state that and not try to break me since I'm not dad or Kerr," Linden frowns and mutters in Vithmi.

"You said bad word!" Points Keishara at her older brother. "Bad word! Bad word! I'm telling Arif!"

"I-I did not!"

"I'm telling Arif!"

"Then I'm taking you home and no face painting or anything!" Linden huffs at her with reddened cheeks. "Same goes for you too, Adorelan."

There was silence between them before Keishara tugged on Iakovos's shirt and asked nicely to be upon their shoulders. Batting her long lashes up at him thinking that it would help since it worked with some of the other house members and they always caved into her ways. The request though made Linden sigh and he apologized to them. Telling them that if they wished to back out that they could and he will at least pay for something for what they had to just endure. Namely the headbutt.

"If you are willing to stay with us, face painting and food sounds nice and there's a vendor we need to stop at and then maybe we can see about supplies for you and selling furs? My friend will probably know someone who could always use furs with any luck," he smiles hoping that maybe that tidbit of information would make them want to stay. "Also... Could you be so kind to get my hat from the ground? I'm not able to bend down to get it..."

“...I know the Clan makes amazing boats and that they are also a major hub of trade since they are close to Kamdin, right?"

“Uh,” Iakovos paused to scratch the brunette stubble that had only recently begun to shadow his chin, “Yeah, sounds about right.” He gave a forced smile, glancing at the little children; How should he know? The young hunter had made his way to Kamdin once or twice by practiced memory, so it must have been closer than the others, but as for the imports and exports, well… He just knew furs.

“We sell a lot of rabbits, badgers, beavers. Sometimes deer, boar, ibex… Grandfather took down a cougar once but we, uh… we don’t go looking for trouble if we can help it.” And cougars? They were trouble.

Iakovos answered a few more questions, mostly how they needed medicine, salt, seeds, and construction supplies. A few of their tools had gotten worn, and if he was being honest, he could use another pair of leather boots. His toes were starting to pinch and the sole was beginning to wear down, but he kept that to himself. Linden and his siblings seemed to be in a different category when it came to money.

Despite the financial gap, they seemed to like the idea of face painting, and praised the suggestion while Adorellan climbed the older sibling. And then, without much time to react, the two were spilling forward and hazel eyes were widening. Iakovos twisted to keep the collision from hitting the girl and something hard smacked into the side of his face. Iakovos grit his teeth but remained steady, blinking as he reached to grab for any falling children, “Are you okay?” Pain flashed against his cheekbone in a throbbing ache.

Adorellan was unfazed and shouted about his seating arrangements, riling up Linden, who had clearly had enough of the twin’s misbehavior. He snatched up the boy and reprimanded him, muttering a word that Iakovos didn’t recognize, but that the children certainly did. They seemed to delight in the slip up and it took another round of back and forth before the matter was settled.

It didn’t take long for Keishara to redirect her attention and he glanced down at her tugging, “Hm? You didn’t get hit, did you?” She shook her head and asked to be upon his shoulders, “Oh, um…”

Linden had agreed to do the same for Adorellan so he saw no harm in agreeing, “Alright.” Iakovos lowered to the ground and slipped her off his waist, turning her around before she could protest in misunderstanding, “You ready?”

Strong hands cradled her under the armpits and brought her upwards in easy, fluid motion as he rose back to his full height, each of her legs suddenly on either side of his head. He felt blindly till he could take one of her hands, using his other to push the fabric of her skirt out of his eyes while Linden apologized and tried to offer payment, “Accidents happen, no need to worry about it,” he cleared his throat, gently prying his hand away from Keishara’s tiny digits. So high up, her legs were a vice around his neck, making it harder to breathe, “Here.”

Iakovos spotted the hat and stepped towards it, squatting down as his fingertips brushed the cobblestone, trying to keep the little girl balanced at the same time. A bit of effort, he swiped up the hat and held it out, pointing in the direction of their destination, “I’ll lead the way. We can go to the vendor after?”

Given the blow to the face, if he had any doubt helping the family, it didn’t show. Weaving through the crowd, Iakovos could be seen among the heads in the crowd, made easier by the extra height Keishara added upon his shoulders. After a bit of walking, Iakovos found a booth surrounded by other children and their parents, little decorations drawn on their cheeks and forehead. Some were laughing, others crying, and on a large piece of parchment hung examples of different designs that could be drawn. He stood before it, and pointed to a small pin butterfly, “This is pretty, right?” he asked Keishara, tapping the back of his knuckle against it, and trying to glance back to see if the other boys had caught up, “I like this one though.”

It was a blue dragonfly, simple and sweet. “That, or the cat's face.”

“Linden,” he called, “Are you getting painted too?”

"Thank you," smiles Linden as the twins were settling down so they didn't fall. Though he would be lying if he didn't feel a tad bit of anxiety at the fact that Keishara's skirt was covering the other's eyes. Wondering if they would need help which Linden had no idea how he would even begin to assist with Adorellan on his shoulders. Luckily Iakovos seemed to know what he was doing and fixed it himself. "I'm fine, but I just hope you don't bruise from this one's thick head," the duo begins to walk with Linden behind them and it was great really. Linden didn't have to worry about losing them with Iakovos's height and Keishara's bright red hair.


While they all walked and headed to their destination, Adorellan would pull on Linden's hair to get him to look at some vendors that caught their attention. The older brother saying "he'll think about it" as he took the time to look over the older teen. It wasn't that Linden had a complex or anything, but at the age of 13 he can't help the thoughts that came to mind.


Would I get as tall as him? Will I have something about me that is masculine because he is making some people's heads turn? Maybe a jawline, I hear the other girls talk about it.

Reaching the face painter and seeing it fairly busy is when they started to look to see what kind of design they would enjoy. It appears that Keishara was taken by Iakovos which was funny to him as they caught up.

“Linden,” he called, “Are you getting painted too?”


"Me? Um... Sure? I mean, it's just paint and not permenant right?" He smiles and begins to look over the designs with Adorellan trying to look too.

"I be a scary lion! Rawr!" Growls Adorellan and begins to bite the air and growl at his twin sister.

"I want the ragonfly," she smiles and begins to hug the top of Iakovos's head and begins to pat his face. "You paint face too?"


"Oh, this looks nice," smiles Linden and points to a picture of flowers in multiple colors.

"NO!" Shouts Adorellan as he leans forward and begins to fall/move off the shoulders to slap a picture on the board. "This! This!" The design was around the eyes as they were the shape of stars and moons.


"You think so?"

"Yeah! You like staring up," the little brother nods and looks at Iakovos intently. "You should be a bear because I'm the lion."