NOVEL NEXT 80 - Arrogant Prick
The next day, after a quick breakfast, Nemacara came back to introduce the Camboacian delegation to the youth of Bavacium. Despite how exceptional this year's gathering was, the original intent of the gathering was to create ties between the villages' younger generation.
Nemacara and Vedovessa led the class toward the local school while the other adults caught up with their Bavacian friends they had made over the years. Some of those friendships dated back to their own youth gathering when they were newly awakened teenagers.
Bavacium's school was structured in the same way as Camboaci's. Each year had its own class, or in this case, classes. With its population slightly higher, Bavacium had to open two classes per year, although each class only held about fifteen students.
[Ugh, I'm not too thrilled about meeting new people again.]
(Me neither, I'd prefer if we locked ourselves inside and worked on our skills.)
But there was more to life than levels and ranks. Even if their life in the Lien River basin was new, they wanted to keep their options open. If they wished to stay in Camboaci, they needed to socialize with their peers.
There was no way around it.
The first meeting was to take place in the school's gymnasium. Due to limited space within the walls, it was covered and not particularly large. Still, it was plenty to host the few dozen students and their teachers.
Since Bavacium hosted the meeting, it was customary for the guests to see the local youths first. Then, they would organize meetups with other attendees.
"I wonder what kind of people there are in our year," Segorix said, his eyes gleaming in anticipation.
"I hope some have interesting skills…" Lug added.
"Ours are bound to be better," Ambisena said.
"I'm counting on you to be polite," Genno said, pleading. "Don't embarrass us."
While the villages on the Lien River were allies, the distance between them led to them developing a sense of competition.
When they arrived, the thirty or so Bavacian students were already waiting for them.
"They look normal," Ambi whispered to her friends.
"Of course they do," Genno answered. "What did you expect?"
"I don't know, something closer to Div and En," she shook her head. "More exotic."
"Excuse me," Div and En cut in. "Ambi… please stop."
Seg and Lug looked at each other, a faint smile on their lips. Before they could join in the fun, Nemacara spoke.
"Visitors from the north, let me introduce you to our newest crop of awakened. Students of Bavacium, please welcome our Camboacian guests."
The crowd of students gave their salutations in unison.
In answer, Vedovessa spoke.
"Thank you, we are grateful for your hospitality."
Div, En, and their classmates stared at the students across from them, gauging them, and the Bavacians did the same.
After a few seconds of silent observation, a teacher from their side broke the silence.
"This year, you are fortunate, for our representative is none other than the youngest son of Elder Divilina. Rigomaros, please step forward."
A young boy stepped out of the ranks and faced the entire Camboacian delegation. His head was held high, his intense gaze fully displaying the pride he felt.
Div and En instantly disliked him.
[He reminds me of our grandparents.]
(Except he isn't even Ascended Rank himself.)
Div and En were keenly aware of how having high-ranked ancestors wasn't everything. Although in Rigomaros' case, his mother clearly cared for him.
Which changed a lot.
"Our representative," Vedovessa stated, not fazed by the attempt at intimidation from the other side, "is Gennorina, the newest druid of Camboaci."
This had been decided long ago. Typically, the most outstanding member of their generation would serve as the representative. While Gennorina had argued that Div and En were supposed to take the role, they were not suited for it.
Even if they had the most skills, the most facets, and the highest levels, they were not truly Camboacian. It turned out that even Theaphilia leading the delegation was pushing it, Div and En didn't have the legitimacy.
In the Lienien communities, Camboaci was the druidic village. It made sense for Gennorina to represent them. Especially since representatives were only there to coordinate students from all the villages.
Div and En were not capable of doing that.
"Nice to meet you, Rigomaros," Gennorina said, as agreeable as ever. "I'll count on you to introduce me to the other representatives."
"Of course, I believe we will work well together."
The teachers let their students mingle for a while. After a period of awkwardness, both sides found they had a lot in common and started talking.
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
As different as the two villages were, they were basically neighbors and shared the culture of this region of the Wildlands. They ate the same food, wore the same clothes, fought the dark days, and witnessed the passage of Elenvind all the same.
Div and En were making small talk with Lug and a few Bavacian students when Rigomaros strutted over. He was followed by three other Bavacians and even a classmate of theirs from Camboaci.
"You," Rigomaros said, pointing a finger at Div and En. "Where are you from? I've been told you're a southerner."
[Rude way to start a conversation. What does he think he is pointing to?]
(Please don't make a scene.)
[Am I one to do so?]
En could see that Div was frustrated. He was too. But between the two, Div was supposed to be the steady mind. The one holding En together when things didn't go his way.
En wanted to be the same for his brother.
(He must have made a mistake. Let's be open-minded.)
[You're right, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.]
Somewhat put off by the situation, Div and En shared a glance with their classmate behind Rigomaro and received an apologetic head shake in answer.
"Yes, I am from Kheiron," Div said, using his signal so that Lug would know it was him talking.
Rigomaros scoffed, then took another step toward them. They were so close that Div and En could feel his breath blowing over their face.
"You have no business being here, southerner."
"Says who?" Div retorted.
"I, Rigomaros, son of Divilina the Ascended."
Div and En stared into the arrogant prick's eyes for a long moment, until Gennorina appeared to pull them apart.
"Enough," she said, her voice stern and her hands pushing the two boys away from each other. "Rigomaros, who lives in Camboaci is none of your business."
Rigomaros stepped back and laughed.
"Do you hear that, guys?" He said, addressing his followers. "First, they let themselves be led by them, then they replace their children with foreigners. How low has the home of druids fallen?"
"Rigomaros," Gennorina said. She wanted him to stop, but she hesitated. She didn't expect the situation to devolve so quickly.
Thankfully, Lug was there to give his support.
"Out of all the villages, Camboaci is the one with the weakest relationship to Kheiron."
Rigomaros looked at him, his face turning serious.
"Watch your words."
[Alright, I'm pissed.]
"I wonder how weak Bavacium is…" Div said, loud enough that the entire gymnasium could hear him. "Feeling threatened by a single foreigner."
The hubbub of countless conversations that filled the gymnasium came to a halt as everyone turned their heads toward the source of the noise.
(Div, please.)
[It's my turn to be unreasonable. He doesn't get to talk to Lug this way.]
"Do you dare repeat that, southerner?" Rigomaros said.
"No," Gennorina cut in once again. "Diven, don't make things worse than they already are."
"It's too late for that, dear Gennorina," Rigomaros said as he inched closer to Div and En. "Do you dare?"
(Div, you should listen to her.)
"Why would I not dare?" Div said. "Do you think I'm scared of you?"
"You should be," Rigomaros said, slowly. "My mother is of the Ascended Rank. And soon, I will be too."
Div smiled, showcasing all his teeth. They were not as bright as they used to be.
"One Ascended Rank is nothing," he said. "I have more than ten times that among my relatives."
(But they're not here. And even if they were, we've been expelled. I can't believe I'm the one who needs to remind you of that.)
[I can't stand him.]
(You're better than that, Div.)
[Don't worry, the others know I'm the one talking. You can tell them you had nothing to do with this.]
(That's not the point.)
"If so," Rigomaros said, his face twisting into a grin. "What are you doing in Camboaci? Do you think I don't know that only exiles end up in Camboaci?"
"Then what are you afraid of?" Div asked.
"I'm not afraid of you."
"Are you not? It looked like you were."
"No, it looked like you were afraid of me," Rigomaros said.
It was at this moment that Vedovessa decided to intervene.
"Alright," she said, slapping the back of both children's heads. "I've seen enough. Since you can't stop squabbling and start acting your age, I'm taking you two with me."
"But…" Div protested.
"You can't!" Rigomaros exclaimed.
"Watch me," Vedovessa said as she used her magic to condense water from the air and willed it to bind the two boys' limbs.
"My mother will hear of this," Rigomaros threatened.
Vedovessa shrugged and started walking away, pulling the two bickering students behind her.
"Do you think I don't know Divilina?" She asked. "She will be satisfied by the punishment I choose for you."
(See, I told you it was a bad idea.)
[Don't flaunt it. Usually it's you who puts us in trouble.]
The rest of the students were watching silently as Vedovessa dragged them away. Even the Bavacian teachers and Nemacara didn't interfere. They weren't happy about Div's outburst, however it didn't mean they approved of Rigomaros' behavior.
To Rigomaros' dismay, Vedovessa dragged them through the streets of the village, shackled by the magical bondages. Div and En found it embarrassing, but at least no one here knew them.
People paused and looked at them, yet nobody tried to stop the water mage.
"Where are you taking us?" Div and En finally gathered their courage and asked.
"I'm disappointed," Vedovessa said, not bothering to look back at them. "If you ever plan to take a step in Kheiron again, you need to learn to control your emotions."
She was right, and they knew it. Now that he had been forced to cool off, Div was surprised how strongly he had reacted. It wasn't like him. Defending Lug, yes. But leaning on his old clan…
He didn't want to do that ever again.
"I'm sorry," Div said.
"And you, Rigomaros," Vedovessa continued. "I'm sure your mother hasn't taught you to be so rude. I don't know what kind of issue Kheiron has been causing, but Diven is certainly not responsible for that."
"We can't know that," Rigomaros retorted. "He could be a spy, the southerners have been…"
Vedovessa summoned water into the boy's mouth, shutting him up.
"Not here," she said. "I will learn of the situation soon enough, no need to inform everyone."
"Sorry," Rigomaros said, spitting the water out. "But my point stands."
Vedovessa pulled her lips inward, grimacing in annoyance.
"Regardless," she stated. "I have a friend who works at the flowing sheep farm. I'm taking you there to do some odd jobs for him."
"No!" Rigomaros said, his eyes wide. "No, no, no, no, no. Not the flowing sheep."
"What's a flowing sheep?" Div and En asked.
"Idiot," Rigomaros said. "You don't know about flowing sheep? The pride of Bavacium?"
"Is that where their wool is coming from?" Div and En asked their teacher, ignoring the panicked Rigomaros.
"It is!" Vedovessa beamed. "You'll get to see what makes their wool so soft and warm."
"Please…" Rigomaros begged, leaving Div and En to wonder what was so bad about flowing sheep.