A long table was occupied. On the top of table furthest away from table sat middle aged man overlooking fourty-some people. On his right, a woman sat. She is mother of three sons and lady of house Astem. Next to her sat her youngest son and opposite of them sat other two sons, older one closer to his father. Next to those two sons were seated parents of Luis Astem, the current head. Guests sat next to youngest son and rest of table was taken by members of household.

Such a lord Luis Astem is that he allowed servants sits by same table. Ordinarily family would eat in smaller room but youngest son caught a deer and they are celebrating.

Current head if house stood up and silence took the room.

"Today, my son caught beautiful dinner, let us all enjoy this feast." He spread his arms and everyone started talking and eating. They may be loud bunch but all servants were taught to eat properly, clanking echoed around the room.

"In less than two weeks is my coming of age birthday. How about we celebrate it with a boar? Will you catch it for me Evan?" The blond haired youth sitting next to his father spoke. With his hair taking curls on his mother he played while he waited for deer to be cut and shared. The oldest son looked at his youngest brother named Evan.

"I don't know. Maybe if Ember and I go deeper into the forest we will find it. I'm confident we will kill it if we see one."

"Father, can you convince Ember to take Evan deeper?"

"I could but I won't. Ember is teaching Evan. The decision lies within him. You should know that would be my answer." The father looked at his oldest and youngest son before glancing at archer sitting further down the table.

"It would be a shame if celebration isn't grand for heir of our house. Don't you agree with me?" Oldest son looked at his mother who is supporting the most his oldest son. Everyone notices it, yet, as she is lady of house, they dare not speak such thing.

"Don't be greedy my son. You may not become heir if you are like that. We are supposed to be noble family, not rotten as many others. If I don't agree on you becoming heir, your father will take my word in account." Golden and curly hair, her oldest son really took after her. She smiled at her son who constantly showed his wish for grandiose events. It was scary smile and they knew it.

Big doors opened and guard after catching his breath at entrance walked towards the lord.

"My lord, sorry for intrusion. Fifty armed men with sigil of house Egale walked into your territory. Currently they are just camping next to God's finger. Shall we intervene?" Guard kneeled as he spoke to his lord.

House Egale is neighboring viscount. Their house is known as a house of trickster magicians and they aren't on good side with the deeds they do. Being on the west, they are closer to central city. Their land is rich with gold and silver so they prosper a lot. However, their head forces people into mines. Because they are tricksters, they have lot of friends in town king resides in, not so much near borders.

God's finger is a rock jutting out of ground. Being tall over twenty meters and having striking resemblance to a finger, people started calling it such.

Lord Astem stood up, motioned for Rudolf to follow him and walked out of room without saying anything.

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No, I didn't misspell eagle, house name is Egale.

Naming characters is really troublesome, but I have to. *sigh*

See you in next chapter.