The De Vonder received their invitation letter for the celebration in the citadel of Duero as Fillode promised. They dressed in their finest suits. These days, they were wearing clothes used by the lower segment of the upper-class nobility. The lord of Duero sent a carriage to pick them up. Xavier and the boys delayed their departure for almost an hour on purpose. They didn't want to spend much time alone with Fillode.
"Announcing the honorable mercenary family of De Vonder," announced a servant.
Many people began to murmur in the large hall of Fillode's mansion, where the banquet was been celebrated.
'Ah! The men of the momen' Fillode welcomed them.
'Excellency.' Xavier and his nephews made a small gesture of reverence.
'My dear Xavier, I remind you that we decided to drop the titles,' Fillode reminded him.
'Forgive my bad memory, Clerence.'
'It's all right. Boys, these suits look great on you,' Fillode flattered, shaking hands with the two young men.
Fillode turned and headed to the center of the hall, thinking of starting his speech, when the hall door opened.
'Announcing his Majesty the third Prince, Seigmur Van Telas, accompanied by the lord of Farpas, Tamalor Van Trell'
Fillode's face turned pale. He immediately approached the door of the grand salon.
'Your Majesty,' Fillode greeted with reverence. 'I'm sorry I didn't extend an invitation. I did not know that your majesty wanted to attend my humble mansion'
Seigmur did not pay much attention to Fillode and concentrated on the De Vonder who approached him on their own.
'How are you doing, Seigmur?' Uruk greeted the prince with familiarity, raising even more rumors in the room.
'Uruk, how have you been, you little devil?' asked the prince as they shaked hands.
'Seigmur, Tamalor,' greeted Temma and Xavier.
They shook hands and treated each other in such a familiar way that the whole room looked astonished. Fillode was in such shame that he wanted to die; he was in his own house and was still treated like an extra.
'You arrived just in time; our host, Clerence, was about to say a few words.' Xavier had saved him from further humiliation.
One of the servants announced a newcomer again.
'Announcing the princess, heir to the throne, Mable Van Telas, accompanied by the members of the royal court.'
Fillode passed from pale to a white color worthy of a corpse. "By all heaven, the princess and the royal court are here; what do I do? What do I do?"
Fillode looked in all directions; suddenly, the painting, the decoration, the food on the tables, the atmosphere, everything seemed inadequate. Princess Mable represented the highest social ladder in the dynasty.
The princess and a group of six masked men and women entered the room.
'Seigmur, my dear, I didn't know that you would come to this event; after all, you never leave Asmode's house,' said Mable, greeting her brother.
'You are such a bad liar, sister. I remember having clearly announced my intention to come to this celebration during the last court meeting in which it was proposed to arrest the De Vonder by force,' Seigmur responded with a smile.
The princess's face turned into a spark of anger for a few seconds.
'I don't know what you are talking about, brother. As far as I know, the Vonder have been doing wonders for the most in need members of our society. Despite being a family with two titled magicians, they still live in a humble house in a poor villa in Duero and have devoted themselves to destroying the nuclei of miasma throughout the dynasty; the royalty would never allow people with such integrity to be abused,' the princess rebuked.
'Such kind words, Your Majesty,' exclaimed Xavier, though he took mental note of the situation. "What an irony; the prince interferes with the princess and the court on our behalf, but hired murderers to kill me." It was almost funny.
'I suppose you must be Xavier de Vonder, leader of the Vonder family' the princess acknowledged Xavier.
'It is an honor for me that your magesty knows a name as humble as mine,' replied Xavier.
'You underestimate the height of your name,' said the princess, approaching Xavier and extending her hand.
Xavier was a little confused by the gesture, not yet accustomed to the noble life, although he knew most of the nobility etiquette after watching the nobles for days or weeks when he was a criminal. Executing it was a little harder. Finally, he took the princess hand and kissed her gently. The princess, skillfully and discreetly, brought their approach to a situation in which they ended up arms in arms.
'I'm thirsty; let's find something to drink,' said the princess while they were moving away from the rest.
Seigmur and the others noticed the princess' act, but they did not want to create more drama. There was enough gossip going around the living room already.
'Don't trust my brother and Tamalor. They will bring your family into a conflict in which you do not want to participate.' The princess warned him in a low voice.
'I am aware of the situation' replied Xavier, 'and I can assure you that I will not sacrifice myself or my family for anyone.' Xavier's and the princess' eyes met, a glance of mutual understanding for a second. "Killer," they both thought at the same time.
'Well. I am glad that this is clear,' said the princess. 'Only the issue of the education and training of the future titled magicians remains,' Xavier suddenly separated from the princess. 'I will take care of the education of my boys. They will not attend an academy, and that is definitive.'
'Nothing is definite,' said the princess, moving away from Xavier and approaching other nobles who were nearby.
Xavier returned to the group from which the princess had separated him. Before he could say anything to the others, the servants again announced the arrival of another nobleman.
'Announcing the captain of the regulators, the future leader of the Van Castin family, Astrid van Castin.'
Many of the nobles became pale, and the nervousness could be seen. Vices and dirty business were common among the high spheres of the nobility.
Astrid came through the door of the living room, wrapped in a magnificent red dress that matched her now-short red hair.
'Wow. Xavier de Vonder. You've become a famous character in the last year. Leader of the De Vonder family, successful mercenaries with two titled magicians who have taken the dynasty and the continent by storm with their meteoric advance. There is nothing left of that poor shadow magician from eight years ago.'
'Hi, Astrid. Nice to see you too. I hope you're not here to accuse me of being a warlock,' said Xavier, laughing.
'Be at ease. Although there are rumors that your nephews may have stolen enchanted clothes. Do you know anything about that?' asked Astrid, smiling.
Xavier, Temma, and Uruk showed confused faces.
'And why do you think that to be the case?' asked Xavier.
'Magicians are not able to compete physically against knights, that is not possible unless wearing enchanted armor or clothing like the uniforms of the regulators,' replied Astrid.
'I am sorry to disappoint you, ma'am, but my strength is all natural,' urged Uruk. 'I can demonstrate it if you wish.'
Fillode interrupted, 'This is not the right place.'
'I insist!' said Uruk.
Prince Seigmur laughed. 'Excellent. Nothing can cheer up a party like a little action. Don't you think so, Clerence?'
'If you say so, Your Majesty,' Fillode gave in with a false smile.
'Now we need a knight to be the opponent,' said the prince. 'Mable, dear, would you be so kind to provide us with one of the knights of your escort for the test? We don't want people to think that we're helping my friend Uruk with a fixed challenge.'
'Oh brother! Always so savage and uncivilized. For today, I will accommodate your eccentricities.' Astrid then turned to one of the servants. 'Tell Verlant to come in.' Some of those present in the room made noises of surprise.
'Who is that knight?' asked Xavier.
'Verlant became a knight of Mable's escort after gaining fame as a gladiator in the Arena of Telasa. Until a few years ago, he was the undisputed champion of the arena, retiring as a gladiator after being hired by my dear sister.'
'This will be a spectacle,' assured Tamalor.
'Announcing Knight of His Majesty's princess, Mable Van Telas, escorts. Verlant'
Xavier was surprised to see the imposing mountain entering the living room. It was a black man over two meters tall. He wore complete armor, the heaviest of the knight's armor. His arms were thicker than Uruk's trunk. Uruk looked like a child in front of the giant.
'Wonderful,' said Uruk with a smile on his face, showing his sharp, pointy teeth. His instinct told him that this man was stronger than the knights he faced in the royal city.
'Well. Let's get this party started!' cried Seigmur to the room.
Under Fillode's direction, the servants moved the tables to create space for the gladiators in the middle of the large hall.
'I will examine your clothes to make sure they are not enchanted,' Astrid offered. While she was thinking, "This show is a lot more than I expected." She occasionally looked discreetly at the members of the royal court who accompanied the princess.
'No need,' replied Uruk, taking off his clothes. In a matter of seconds, he was naked in the middle of the room, with his hands on his waist and his male member in sight of all those present.
'Oh, by the heavens!' some woman said.
'He's a savage.'
Some of the nobles were scandalized. Others admired him.
'No doubt, a savage,' said one of the nobles, looking at the young man's crotch.
Prince Seigmur laughed. 'My dear Uruk, you don't cease to surprise me,'
'This way, you will be sure that I will use only my strength.' Uruk proudly declared.
'Let's start then,' announced Prince Seigmur.
Verlant and Uruk looked at each other as they walked in circles in the middle of the hall. Uruk took the initiative and threw himself against the knight. Verlant did not expect that speed; he managed to avoid Uruk's fist through pure instinct and his experience as a gladiator. A second later, Uruk smiled at him.
'The next one will be serious.'
Verlant activated his armor; a gray aura covered the knight, who went on to attack. His speed, strength, and agility increased up to five times above normal. The guests watched the fight taking place in the middle of the hall with fascination. Verlant was a decent rival, but it was obvious that Uruk had the advantage. In less than a minute, the knight had received several hits, and Uruk's attacks became more vicious and savage.
However, after avoiding one of Uruk's attacks, Verlant managed to grasp his arm and throw him against a wall. The whole building trembled with the impact. That should have been the end of the battle; however, Uruk returned to the attack immediately with greater brutality and savagery than before. A little blood was dropping from his nose. Verlant couldn't face Uruk's barrage of attacks. Uruk kicked him, and Verlant flew away and crashed into the wall, cracking it. Uruk raised his hand and licked Verlat's blood as he approached him, showing his teeth.
'Uruk!' Xavier called.
Like someone coming out of a trance, Uruk looked at Xavier. They looked each other in the eyes for a second. Then Uruk continued to walk towards Verlant and gave him his hand, helping him to get up.
'At last, a decent fight,' said Uruk, smiling.
It was hard to believe that the small and weak Uruk was able to defeat a giant like Verlant. The knight left the hall, returning with the other knights of the princess's escort and receiving medical care.
'How is this possible?' asked Astrid.
Everyone looked at Xavier, looking for an answer.
'We don't know. We spent a long time lost in the jungle of Morr. We ate all sorts of things—herbs, monsters, mushrooms, and insects. One day the boys became strong, and I was cured of the miasma disease,' replied Xavier.
Astrid, Tamalor, and the prince had investigated or already knew about Xavier and his story.
'It is true; I haven't seen you cough a single time,' said Astrid.
'Titled magicians who are as strong as knights. You have it all, boys,' said the prince, laughing.
After so much excitement, things calmed down. Fillode gave an emotional speech that caught little attention. Most of the nobles tried to approach the De Vonder without much insistence. The striking characters were always in the company of the lords of the citadels, the royalty, or a regulator.
'Do you not like the food?' asked Fillode, concerned. The two young men did not seem to be interested in the dishes on the tables.
'Oh! I had forgotten,' said Tamalor. 'My dear Clerence, the De Vonder have a very special taste. I myself was very surprised the first time I saw it, but don't worry. I imagined this could happen, I've got you covered.' Tamalor made a sign with his hands for one of the servants. Soon a new table was placed, on which the servants placed some heavy plates. When the taps were removed, the raw meat became visible to everyone.
'Thank you, Tamalor; I was dying of hunger,' said Uruk, raising a piece of meat and biting it enthusiastically in front of the horrified eyes of the guests.
The prince laughed. 'It's normal for you to be hungry after exercising.'
'I'm sorry about the show, but my nephews have developed a taste for raw meat after living in Morr jungle,' Xavier explained.
Once again, Tamalor had left Fillode in evidence, and his lack of proximity with the De Vonder was noted.
'It's not so bad; I'm even developing a taste for it myself' said the prince, cutting a piece of raw meat. '¿Wanna try?, sister,' said Seigmur, offering the meat to his sister, who covered her mouth with a little nausea. The prince put the meat into his mouth and began to chew it in front of everyone.
The comments and murmurings in the room began again. Some brave men venture to try raw meat, with different results. The least stoic of them ended up vomiting in a corner as the servants helped him and cleansed the contents of his stomach from the floor. Meanwhile, Uruk and Temma ate the meat with total abandonment, showing no interest in the opinions of the nobles.
'I think I am in love,' said some of the girls and women in a loud voice. 'Do you remember how he looks naked?'
'Uff! Don't remind me, he has a thin body, but it's all muscles, and that meat rod,' said a girl, biting her lower lip.
'Somehow, seeing him eat raw meat just makes him look wilder and more sexy.'
'I wouldn't mind if he ate me raw,' said another as they all laughed.
An hour later, the dance began, and many of the girls wanted to dance with the Vonder. Xavier rejected all the offerings of the ladies of the high nobility on the pretext that he could not dance. Although it was true, it was just an excuse. While the younger girls were trying to teach Uruk and Temma how to dance, both boys were adapting very well to the atmosphere and quickly learning the dance steps.
'Would you grant me this dance?' Astrid asked one of the court members who accompanied the princess. 'No one wants to dance with a regulator,' explained Astrid, looking at the princess.
The princess looked at the masked man and nodded her head. The man stood up and accompanied Astrid to the center of the room.
'Jude, eh!' said Astrid.
'How do you know my name?' the masked man asked.
'I know more than your name. Did you really think I wouldn't find you, Clinton?'
'How?'
'With a long investigation, finally, this party helped me confirm my suspicions. Some habits cannot be changed. Many things have happened today that have surprised many people. But not you. You're staying impassive to it all. Even with that mask, I can see your stone face and your indifferent attitude.'
'Well, what are you going to do now?' asked Clinton in a mocking tone.
'Nothing, at least not here and not now. But I assure you, I will keep my promise. I'm going to kill you with my own hands,' threatened Astrid smiling.
The song was over. Astrid bowed to Clinton and thanked him for the dance. No one suspected the interaction between the two. A few minutes later, Astrid apologized and left the party. In the garden of the mansion, she climbed into a carriage. A man was waiting for her inside.
'You were right, Geralt. It's Clinton.'
'We will need allies,' said Geralt.
'It will be difficult to find someone to trust; surely there are traitors among the regulators; maybe some or all of the titled magicians and the masters of the tower and academies are also involved. Perhaps Master Delfin can help us with that.'
'But what are we going to do if the titled mages and masters are involved?' asked Geralt.
'We're lucky. I'm sure the De Vonder wouldn't mind taking care of that problem.'
The party ended without any new surprises. The De Vonder returned Fuera de Mola.