For the rest of the night, those gathered celebrated as jubintly as the small area would allow. Various guests came by Mahal, who hung out in the corner of the temple.
“Here’s the birthday boy! Dilya, look at the d, hanging out in the corner like those, um… what the in hells is the Elvish for it?” a voice boomed from the other side of the temple
The Dwarf behind the voice became clearer as he and his father walked side by side, with his father still ughing from something said earlier. Mahal had seen the sameOn the other side of the Dwarf was an Elf, perhaps a foot taller than Mahal. As she followed, she said, “Just call them Lily Loons, Gilolin”
“But the Elvish name sounds so much stupider! The boy looks like he needs a ugh. Or a beer”
“You certifiably insane if you think given the boy should ingest any of the poisonous liquid you brought”
“You say that, but I’ve already sold your kin guards, in their shiny pte, some of it. I’m pretty sure I’ve made a permanent client out of them”
The Dwarf went to nudge Mahal’s father as he chuckled to himself, but instead he found Mahal’s Father’s face frozen. The Dwarf in that instant, also froze. The Elf walked silently, but held the butt of her sword firmly. Her stare was directly pointed towards the dwarf.
“Dilya, from the depths of Vulcrom’s Mines, I’m sorry”
“Your apology is as shallow as those old mines”
This stunned the Dwarf, before he quietly said “It’s still a couple thousand feet-”
The Elf stopped, pulling the bde ever-so slightly as Gilolin held his hands up, “Aye, I’ll shut my mouth”
All three walked in silence before fully making their way to the front. Mahal’s father led in front as he gestured for Mahal to come forward.
“Mahal, I’d like to introduce you to a couple of my friends from some years ago”
The elf bowed her head, and it sounded almost poetic as she spoke, “Greeting, son of Marcio Aurao Auroret. I’m known by my kin as Di’yna, but feel free to call me Dilya”. Now fully in view, Dilya was at least a couple feet taller than Mahal. She wore a rose-gold colored dress, along with a rose gold arm band on her left arm. Her white-silver hair fell past her shoulders, with her pointed her poking it
Without any prompt, the dwarf extended his hand out, and shook Mahal violently as he reciprocated the handshake. “Gilolin of the Volous mines, pleasure to me ya’, Mahal”. Standing about a half taller than him, Gilolin wore a steel chest pte, with a fashionable gambeson that nearly touched the floor underneath it. His beard was braided into two identical sections.
“It’s a pleasure to meet both of you” Mahal bowed, before looking at his father.
“Gilolin and Dilya had a few things they wished to talk to you about, that’s all” His father said as he held his hands up.
“Armu?ti?ri’s sake, stop acting all mysterious. There’s no fuckin’ elves near us, ‘cept for little miss lightning storm here,” Gilolin looked at Mahal as he extended grabbed something from his pockets. “Take this, boy, and don’t let anyone but us three see or know of it”
Dilya looked over Gilolin’s shoulder, before repeatedly kicking him in the shins as she said, “Really, Gilolin?! You swore to leave it home, to not possibly start anything. But of course you had to ignore me”
“If he’s going to be a proper smith, he’ll need a proper metal to make his masterpiece.” Gilolin took Mahal’s hand, and with it, a heavy material wrapped in cloth was exchanged. “It’s best to keep it hidden for now. Wait till’ your out to sea”
Mahal nodded as stowed it away in one of his pouches.
However, just as the conversation was about to recede, Da Hote briskly made his way through the crowd, occasionally giving an apology for everyone he was bumping into.
“Marcio, we need to- oh, I’m so sorry, Madam, excuse me, Marc- I didn’t mean to sir, I’m just-”
His father quickly nodded to all three of them before walking over to meet Da Hote.
All three of them stood there awkwardly, before Gilolin asked Mahal, “So, Mahal, are you ready?”
“Wow, how incredibly vague”
“Oh shove it, I’m trying to ask the kid a genuine question here”
Mahal looked at both of them, before ughing a bit to himself, “Have you two always been like this?” Mahal quickly thought about what he was saying as he rushedly said, “If you don't mind me asking that is!”
“Since we’ve met, I’d say”
“He continued this even on our wedding day”
They bickered back and forth, each having a seemingly endless amount of grievances to throw at each other. But Mahal saw that each one brought out ughter rather than actual malice.
As the arguing shimmered to murmers, Gilolin looked at Mahal, “Whatcha getting at? Why ask?”
“You have each other, I presume. And I’d imagine both of you have fountains of friends outside of this. I… oh nevermind it. I just was curious”
All three sat in a second of silence, but in another moment, Gilolin pulled Mahal in, hugging him tight, “Look, Mahal, your pa’s been breathin’ down my neck since my first pickaxe. He’s a good fel, and I know he raised ya well. If you need anything, me and Dilya are more than willing”
“Dilya and I, you mean Gilolin,” Dilya rolled her eyes, but quickly shifted to a warmer look as she said, “but yes, our doors are open to you for as long as you need and want. Your father tells much about you, how proud he is. We’d be honored to host such a brilliant young man such as yourself”
“I’m honored by your generosity, both of you” Mahal bowed before letting out a small smile.
At that moment, his father and Da Hote emerged back from the crowd. In his father’s hand was a knife that took a shape close to diamond. Holding it to his side, he gestured for Mahal to come close.
“Are you ready, Mahal?”
He looked at his father. Here it was. Two minutes and 30 seconds was all it would take to determine the rest of his 200 year or so existence.
Millions of Dhrami before had to make the same sacrifice and call. None in their history had ever denied it, as far as he knew. His heart beat against his body, as if punishing him for having doubts. His mind raged like the seas against the sands. But despite it all, he knew what he must say.
“Yes… Marcio”
