Chapter 106: Testing the Volunteers
"What do we need to talk about?" Father asked. Paike got the sense that he didn't like the old man. What the deputy sect leader had done to earn his Father's ire, Paike had no idea.
It wasn't like Father was someone who typically made enemies, but he did occasionally mention to Mother that something was going on in the book of grudges when they were arguing. That always led to her rolling her eyes and the disagreement coming to a close.
Even then, they were always small things, like what they would have for dinner or what to name their next child. Father made a point of suggesting ridiculous names. Paike remembered this for the youngest of his siblings. For the week before they were born, Father was striding through the halls proclaiming that baby Thorinia was about to join the family.
Mother had final say on names.
When Father did have a real issue with someone outside of the family, it was always dealt with swiftly. Most of the time there wasn't even any violence involved. Few dared push him that far. There was usually just a payment and forgiveness.
"Well, we need to talk about the expedition that you are leading." The old man said with a resigned air; it was as if he knew how the conversation would go, but had to have it anyway.
"I don't remember agreeing to lead an expedition," Father said.
"We contracted you to gather information on the barbarian threat and to take care of it if it was something that our disciples couldn't handle." The old man sighed.
"What about that means that I need to lead an expedition of your brats?" Father challenged.