Chapter 163 Defense line

Chapter 163 Defense line
Koth was not happy as he walked towards the gates to the estate. He had his arm around Irin, ready to protect her from whatever danger could appear. Next to him, Junior walked with Junia. On Irin's other side was her father. Trailing behind them was the rest of their family and most of the guests. If Amon and his father were expecting a warm welcome, they would be surprised. The group stopped just inside the gate. They stood in silence and watched as the group of riders got closer. Koth smiled as he sensed two magic users in the group. They rode up and stopped a few metres from the group. None of them dismounted.
"Garan," Amon's father greeted Irin's father.
"Aron," he greeted him back. It caused the older man on the horse to frown.
"I heard there was a large group heading to your place yesterday. They were handing out sweets and gifts," Aron said.
"That's true," Irin's father admitted. He looked pleased as punch. There was a silence when they both looked at each other. Aron was expecting Irin's father to go into more details, but he didn't.
"And why was that?" Aron finally cracked and asked.
"Irin is getting married tomorrow," her father answered. Both Aron and his son looked at Irin. Koth pulled her closer.
"We haven't received an invitation," Aron pointed out.
"What made you expect to get one?" Irin's father asked. Koth enjoyed how his future father-in-law was handling the situation.
"How dare you speak to me in such a way? I'm head of the local noblemen's committee!" Aron said, full of indignation.
"Ah, that is you? Good. It saves us a trip into the city," Jacob said as he and the other heads of the temples walked forward.
"H-High Priest Jacob?" Aron stuttered and then his eyes landed on the other three, one by one. "What brings you here?" he asked.
"We are here to wed these two young people. We are happy they accepted our offer," Libero said.
"That being said, we also planned to ask for a meeting with you, while we are here," Senaya added.
"Of course you wanted to talk to me as well. I'm sorry you have had to stay in this place overnight. I can assure you, we have better lodgings," Aron told her. The four heads of the temples looked at each other.
"Our stay has been lovely," Almot said.
"Oh." Aron looked too surprised to find words.
"We wanted to talk with you about selling out a noblewoman for your own gain," Jacob told him. Aron's eyes grew bigger.
"As head of the local noblemen's committee, that is a grave offence. One of your main duties is to oversee the safety of noblemen and their families," Libero told him.
"I wasn't... It... They were his family..." Aron tried to find the right thing to say, to make it all go away. Koth was enjoying every moment of it. It was unusual that he and Irin could just stand by and watch. This time it seemed they didn't need to solve any issues.
"I have written to the High Council of Noblemen and recommended that you be removed from your position and that a new head of the local noblemen's committee should be voted on by the noblemen of this area," Jacob said.
"Similar letters have been written by all of us," Almot told them.
"And just to make it clear, in case you haven't grasped the point. Koth and Irin have the protection and friendship of all of our temples," Senaya added.
"We will all stand with them," Libero finished.
"Irin, talk to them! You can't just let my father suffer through this!" Amon exclaimed. Koth was about to growl at the man.
"You don't talk to her. Not after everything you have put her through," Junior practically growled.
"The delusion to think you would be invited to her wedding," Junia tutted next to her husband as she patted his arm.
"This is amazingly entertaining. I think I would pay to watch this," Meghart said as he was leaning against the open gate. Koth smirked at his friend, he agreed.
"As head of the local noblemen's committee, I should have been invited since dignitaries from the major temples are invited," Aron objected.
"The dignitaries from the major temples disagree," Jacob said.
"We are here to be part of Koth and Irin's big day. We really don't care if you are here or taking a nap in a pigsty," Libero agreed. Aron was not used to being talked to like that, Koth could tell. He was turning an amusing number of shades of red. What made the whole thing even more entertaining was that due to their high status, there was nothing Aron could do. He was used to being a top dog. When he wasn't, he looked like a fish out of water.
"I think the best thing for you to do is turn around and go back home. From today, you, your son, and anyone in your family or who works for you are not welcome on my family land," Irin's father told them. Amon looked at Irin with a look that was filled with longing and regret. Koth had had enough of letting everyone else have their fun.
"Look at her again like that and I will burn your eyes straight out of their sockets," he growled at the human. Amon looked at him in utter shock.
"That is so sweet of you," Eliza cooed at Koth. Koth lost track of his glaring and looked at Irin's sister with shock. Irin chuckled next to him.
"You have to go easy on him. He's not used to being called 'sweet'," Irin told her sister.
"But what he did was super sweet," her sister insisted.
"I know," Irin agreed with a happy little sigh that made Koth shake his head. He saw Nenhir watch Eliza. If she thought Koth's display of protectiveness and grumpiness was sweet, maybe there was hope for his friend. Koth turned back to Amon.
"Why are you still here? Didn't you hear Garan tell you to leave?" he grumbled. Amon paled.
"Come on, father. I-I think it's best we leave for now," he said and before the sentence ended, he had turned his horse around.
"This won't be the last you hear of this," Aron told Irin's father.
"Threatening one of your members as well?" Senaya asked and then made tutting sounds. "That will have to be another letter. I think you are a danger to noblemen in general." Aron tried to say something, but it came out as incoherent stutters as his brain tried to make up a comeback that didn't disrespect the High Priestess.
"The best move is to go after your son and your men. They are almost out of sight," Almot remarked. Aron looked behind him and realised he was alone. The rest of the group he had arrived with was almost at the main road. He got a panicked look in his eyes as he turned his horse around and made it set off in a gallop. The group by the gate laughed.
"That was fun," Junior said as he watched to make sure the troublemakers wouldn't double back.
"It was," his father agreed. "But I think we can expect Aron to find a way to retaliate."
"I wouldn't worry too much. Our word has a heavy weight. In a week or two, once the letters have had a chance to go there and their reply to come back, he won't have any power left," Jacob told Irin's father. Everyone was turning back to return to the tasks they had all abandoned. Libero put an arm around Irin's father, who looked shocked at the gesture.
"Have you ever thought about running for office, Garan?" the high priest asked.
"Who? Me? Running for office? Can't say I ever have. We aren't that prestigious a house," Irin's father answered.
"That can't be true. Look at your daughter and what she has accomplished. I have seen her wield that family sword. Impressive to say the least. And your other children are no less impressive. A son who has managed to turn a failing farm into a successful one. A daughter that has taught herself magic, eight of ten children have been the top students in the city, and the other two came in close second. They are all wonderful people and have been most kind and welcoming to us all. That is a prestigious house right there," Senaya told him. Koth could see how Irin's father puffed out his chest with pride.
"You have been looking into our family," he said.
"Of course we have. When you have a daughter like Irin, you can't expect to live in the shadows," Almot chimed in. They all went back to decorating the garden and getting it ready for the next day.
"Irin, you will come with me and the girls," Junia said after dinner.
"But we need to get to bed early today," Koth objected. Everyone laughed, making him realise he had missed something.
"That is why she is coming with us. You can't share a bed the night before your wedding," Junia insisted. Koth felt a moment of panic. When he let Irin out of his sight, bad things happened. Then he saw her relaxed smile and reminded himself they were amongst family and friends.
"Fine, will you at least tell me what room you'll be in?" he asked.
"Not a chance!" Ayyan said, and the women laughed as they walked away with Irin in the middle of the group.
"Cheer up brother! We will keep you company and make sure your bed isn't empty," Jasper offered and made kissy noises.
"Idiot!" Koth huffed, but couldn't help but smile.
"We will all help you," Meghart agreed, and the men laughed, even Junior.