“… and then the festival will start with the three main events. The private meeting with allies in the courtyard, the parade down the main street to the Docks, and boarding the flatbed ships to announce the news to the residents of the outer city.”
Samuel read off the day’s schedule as Mileena straightened Akira’s collar and re-positioned the Dark blue silk cape that was clasped to his shoulders.
As usual for the twins, their son was napping while their daughter was wide awake and quietly staring at her mother and father. Whenever she started to fuss Azura and Maya helped distract her with handmade stuffed animals that they had personally made.
“I hope our son doesn’t have similar hair like you,” said Mileena as she gave up trying to tame his wild dark hair.
“It’s not that bad, but who knows his sister might get my thick hair instead,” said Akira as he walked over to the cushioned baskets that the twins were laying in.
“You should carry your daughter as she causes fewer problems when you’re around,” said Mileena as she picked up the basket holding their son.
“Alright, is everyone ready?” asked Akira.
Mileena and the three other girls all nodded their heads, while Fluffball wagged his tail furiously excited for whatever was happening.
The small group was led down the stone stairs towards the courtyard. At the castle’s large doors Akira’s personal guards joined them as they walked outside to the warm sunny courtyard garden that was a buzz with several conversations between the different allied dignitaries, special envoys, and grand elders of the various werewolf clans.
“Bu Buu!” a member of the castle guards blew on their horn announcing the arrival of the Duke and Duchess.
The small gathering of important people all halted their conversations and turned their gazes towards the new arrivals.
Akira and Mileena walked up onto the low platform that had been erected while their guards stood in front and at the sides of the platform ready to block or cut down anyone that tried anything suspicious.
Akira looked at each person one by one as they started to gather in front of the platform, many of their faces were familiar while there were also many new ones as well.
“I know for many of you, your time is valuable due to there only being a little over 2 months left to get things done during the warm months,” said Akira.
Several of the envoys nodded their heads.
“We thank you for coming here to celebrate with us in this important milestone for Kodria and the Dark moon clan,” said Mileena.
“With that in mind, let us introduce the main stars of this festival and start the naming ceremony.”
Akira placed the basket down and scooped up his daughter. Mileena did the same with their son.
The guards all became even more alert for any trouble.
“This cutie is Silvra [Silvy], the Silver Princess!” boomed a proud Akira as he cradled his daughter in his protective arms and showed her off to the small crowd of dignitaries and envoys.
The crowd politely clapped as they turned their gaze to Silvra, trying to guess the meaning behind her title. The Grand elders had all met the twins already so they understood the title related to her fur.
With so many gazes of unknown people staring at her, Silvra started to fuss and squirm letting Akira know she was not happy. He held her closer to his chest and rocked her a bit to calm her down.
Mileena stepped forward holding their son who was still napping on Mileena’s chest while ignoring everyone that had gathered.
“This handsome baby is Wyt, the Snow Prince.”
Again several people in the crowd were left guessing at the title as they clapped.
“With the birth of Wyt and Silvra, the dukedom of Kodria now has two heirs to carry on our legacy!” said Akira.
Several of the envoys and allies that had not been part of the earlier meetings were just now hearing about Kodria turning into a dukedom. They were listening very intently taking in all the information that they could so they could relay everything back to their leaders accurately.
After the short introduction, the allied delegates along with envoys lined up to present their gifts and well wishes to the young duke and duchess of Kodria.
The first in line was unsurprisingly Zundar.
“I have been waiting a long time for you to create an heir and you two have not disappointed me! I do not have a gift right now but when they are old enough just leave the training to me! I will be sure to teach Young Wyt the manly way of fighting! I can also help the princess with her weapons training.”
“Ah… thanks Zundar, that will be helpful,” said Akira, not sure how to take Zundar’s odd compliment.
The next to arrive in front of the platform was Delgar, he was using all of his muscles to pull a large metal contraption on wheels behind him.
“I represent all the Dwarves of Kodria in presenting our two gifts!” said Delgar pointing to the large black metal contraption that had a square bottom and a round top.
“This here is the newest and most secure baby carriage that we have put together!” Delgar pulled on part of the metal roofing to open it up revealing several sheathed weapons laying on thick padding and cushions that covered the entire inside.
“And these are a full set of training weapons that I have worked on with a few of my apprentices. They have been dulled, shortened, and lightened to allow for the young twins to use when they first start training in a few years!”
“We thank you for such… thoughtful gifts,” said Mileena.
Captain Pegleg stepped forward, his body clattering and his jaw clacking. Behind him, there was a wide opening as the other delegates were uncomfortable being in his presence. With the Molten Onyx Plague still fresh in their minds, they had no good feelings toward the undead captain even if he was not hostile. Some still harbored suspicion against him.
“I have come to greet my skin-covered bony friend and offer congratulations. I have no gift that would be suitable to you who live, so I will offer a free ride on my Shnips to the two younglings whenever you want to take up the offer!” said Captain Pegleg, his jaw clacking as he talked.
“We will be sure to take you up on that offer in the future,” said Akira.
The rest of the delegates were not as… Unique as the first few in line.
The main delegates from the Nyaan clans, Dwarf mountains, Kamen, Jeora, Puman, and lastly Yuki, all gave useful items such as books, clothes, or other trinkets.
One envoy Akira was surprised to see was Reakrac from the Ramia who only passed along a short congratulations and nothing more.
With the naming ceremony and gift exchanges finished, Mileena returned to the castle to take care of the twins’ feeding and diapers before the next event.
Akira was left to talk with the delegates while sipping fresh juice and snacking on the several light foodstuffs that the bakers had prepared for the festival. He continued to work on further strengthening Kodria’s friendship with everyone present.
A half-hour passed by leisurely before Mileena once again arrived, this time pushing the new metal baby carrier which the twins fit in well with enough room for them to still be able to use it for a few years before they would be too big.
Akira and Fluffball joined Mileena next to the metal baby carriage and inspected it closely.
The royal guards formed up around them and as one, they moved towards the castle gates. Behind them, the delegates and envoys formed up into two lines to follow them.
High above in the sky, Pii’per flew in circles watching everything happening below.
“Bu BUUU! Make way for the Duke and Duchess of Kodria!” shouted a guard on top of the castle’s walls next to the castle’s main gate.
The castle gates slowly opened just enough for the guards to exit and form a blocking screen on the main street, allowing Akira, Mileena, and their personal guards to start the parade down the street.
With the appearance of the two royalty of Kodria, the gathered crowd cheered wildly. When they saw Mileena pushing the metal baby carriage with the young babies inside. Several similar questions were shouted out toward the couple.
“What are their names?”
Mileena stopped for a moment and looked to the crowd on either side of them. Akira stayed next to the carriage to keep Silvy company and calm. With all the noise Wyt was unable to sleep and was also becoming grouchy.
The crowd seeing the small parade halt quickly quieted down to listen to what they had to say.
“Their names are Silvra [Silvy], the Silver Princess, and Wyt the Snow Prince!” said Mileena proudly.
Like a tidal wave, the twin’s names and titles spread out from the nearby crowd reaching everyone else in the inner city just by word of mouth!
The small procession once again continued down the main road to the city’s main gates with many shouts of congratulations and roaring cheers.
Amid all the cheering and celebrating citizens, Fluffball shot off running towards the wall of Kodria’s front gates. His body quickly expanded to his full size while his Holy armor glittered as it covered his body.
The crowd oohed and ahhed at the sight as they watched Fluffball fly down the street.
“Fluffball?” shouted Akira, wondering what he was doing.
“Roar!” Growled Fluffball sending an alarming warning Akira!
“Pii!” Pii’per started a steep dive in the same direction as Fluffball was headed, yet Akira saw nothing.
As he was squinting at the wall, four glowing green bolts shot out from thin air heading right towards him!
Without time to think, Akira instinctively transformed. The black mist covered his body as he grew taller and his thick black fur covered his body. His hands turned into sharp deadly claws, while his teeth turned into razor-sharp tearing daggers and his large tail burst out from his rear.
A strong killing aura burst out from his body as he dived forward to intercept the four bolts. They were not targeting him, but the baby carriage!
With a swipe of his right claw, he managed to swat away two of the green bolts receiving deep cuts to the pads of his clawed hand. The two bolts went off course and embedded themselves into the stone pavement a short distance away.
With a second swipe using his left claw, he managed to swat a third green bolt off course, sending it slicing through his right shoulder and flying into a nearby building where it dug deep into the stone wall.
To Akira’s horror, he had missed one of the bolts! He lunged forward trying to block it with his body before it could reach its intended target… but the bolt was too fast!
Clang!
Fortunately, Mileena had reacted quickly and had shut the metal roofing of the carriage which the green bolt slammed into and bounced off into the nearby crowd of citizens.
“Ahhhh!” a woman’s pain cry rang out as she was hit by the green bolt.
Akira hovered protectively in front of the baby carriage along with the guards that now tightened their loose escort into a secured shield wall around them.
“Who dares attack my children!” roared Akira. His voice echoed through the inner city and was loud enough for even those from the outer city waiting at the shoreline to hear.
