𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆

TEIGEN - 5◇

~ Ryker

"Er, what is all the noise about? One cannot get a peaceful day in this town anymore" Mr. Rae grumbles, approaching the loud crowd that had gathered in front of the market place.

Maybe they had caught a thief? I haven't witnessed any action around here, the quiet was becoming deafening but why this now when I wish to retire? Maybe I should move to a more desolate place.

Hm, the young lad would probably refuse, if I move where would he come to when he returns?

A sad smile wore his lips at the thought of Ryker. He must be getting such good training and living his life, why tie him down to an old fool like me?

Mr. Rae got to the growing crowd and stood, trying to peek at what the fuss was about. Suddenly he heard a voice, one he could identify anywhere, despite his failing ears

"Thank you for the very warm welcome townspeople. I missed you all dearly as well but I must be going to see my fa-" just then his voice stopped.

Ryker looked into the crowd, the unmistakable smell of coal, steel and sarcasm filling his nostrils. He was here, father was here. Ryker pushed through the crowd, splutter of apologies as he bumped passed people.

"Come here lad" he felt an arm gripping him and tugging his stoic form. He crashed into him, hugging him tightly. Ryker smiled fondly, hugging his father right back.

Mr. Rae silently wiped away a lone tear, willing himself not to cry in the presence of the townspeople. Most of them did not think him human, he best keep his reputation. Ryker had certainly gained some height and muscles, he was much taller that Mr. Rae now, so much so that Mr. Rae was no longer towering over the young man. Indeed Ryker was no longer a young lad.

"My son" he pulled away, patting Ryker on the back affectionately.

"Father. It is good to see you still in good health" Ryker smiles, eyeing Mr. Rae's old form. He noticed Mr. Rae had begun to hunch over, his form leaning forward probably from too much time on the bench working.

They had so much catching up to do, so they left the presence of the townspeople who watched on with eager eyes, the mamas grinning from ear to ear at their future son in law. All wishful thinking, Mr. Rae made a mental note through his happiness to drive all of the hungry mamas away when they came over to "offer some pies"

☆

"You look well my boy" Mr. Rae noticed and I hid a smile, studying how much older he seemed but if possible not even a little bit different from the last day I saw him.

"I am. I've missed the smell of burning iron, smoke and oil" I grin, watching father grimace and shoot me a glare.

I snicker, pushing myself off the cot and walking over to the jar of water to get started on the dinner.

"Yer know son, this is a once in a lifetime chance. You have been offered to protect a Duke's daughter with housing and feeding provided" I continued pouring out the dough, rummaging around for the sac of sugar

"Yes, the terms are very favorable"

"So why did you not accept right away? You wasted time to come here instead, what if the Duke changes his mind and you loose this because of an old man? Silly boy" he shook his head at me in disapproval, probably already formulating a way to ship me back to Command Tanner so I could accept immediately.

Father always had a way of diminishing his worth, he had no idea how much he had saved me. He gave me every thing good I had right now.

"Where is your sac of sugar?" I ignored him, looking through the shelves of herbs n fruits.

"It's in mi drawer. I have been selling some of the sugar to the bread stalls, good money. Business has been slow, I'm getting old, my back is not what it used to be son" he sighs, rubbing at his hip.

I smile sullenly, reaching down to find the sugar. "I am going to be here for the next five market days and while I'm here I can make you better kitchen knives, these are all blunt" I side-eyed father, smirking at his reaction once the words left my lips

"You're getting rusty old man"

I could see a smile bloom on his wrinkled smile lines, warming my heart.

"You came at the right time. There has been news of this popular veiled dancer going around the city, the gossip spilled into the town of course. She is said to stop by at our little town to perform tomorrow"

Veiled dancer?
Hmm, interesting.

For most of the time I had spent with father, nothing interesting or remotely gossip worthy happened in the town ever since my arrival. And now? The talk of a veiled dancer who had become popular not only among the high society of the city but with us common folk? That was something worth seeing. I chocked on saliva when father mentioned she was worth the sight, with a weird suggestive gaze in his eyes that let me know this veiled dancer had a lot of male admirers. I was stunned into quiet amusement, I had never once taken father for a gossip.

It seemed things had really taken a turn since I had left. I finished with dinner and we went to the market to get some more supplies. Apparently the townspeople had been coming together to cook for father since I left. He grumbled about it, saying he hated having so many sweaty, breathing bodies.. All his words, in his space. I knew he secretly enjoyed the company, it filled the void I had left and the one I had filled.

The mamas didn't fail to try their usual gimmicks, offering us as many things as possible, some grabbing me and tugging me to their stalls to buy from their "single, eligible daughters".

They never failed to stress the single part. I swallowed my laughter, letting it out when I would see Father's disgusted reaction. I missed my old grumpy man.

***
Hope you enjoyed this chapter!