Chapter Ashborn 318: Camar Gadin

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Chapter Ashborn 318: Camar Gadin

The city was oversized.

That shouldn’t have surprised Vir—he’d imagined it would be. It was, after all, built for giants. Yet there was a difference between knowing something and seeing it in person.

Vir had imagined the walls would be taller, the gates wider and sturdier.

Only, he hadn’t imagined well enough. It wasn’t just the major structures. Everything, from mugs to chairs to tables—everything was built for giant hands and giant physique. Even the carvings on the ornate temples were large.

It made Vir feel out of place in a way he never thought imaginable. It worked its way into his skin, yielding a sense of wrongness that had him instinctively tugging on his Foundation Chakra.

“Didn’t that trouble you, growing up here?” Vir asked as the Cirayus, Aida and Vir walked through Camar Gadin’s wide streets.

“Aye, more than you’d know. Wasn’t so bad when I was little—everything’s big for a child, after all—but even to this day, giant-sized is a bit too large for me.

“And regular demon-sized is too small,” Aida chimed in.

“Leaving me in an awkward position, where nothing’s quite right,” Cirayus completed. “It’s fine, though. Now, I just have everything custom-made.”

It was an interesting problem that Vir would never have to deal with in his life, yet one that foiled Cirayus at every turn. Even so, he could relate.

“Reminds me of being prana scorned in the Human Realm,” Vir said. “Even basic utilities were a chore for me.”

“Indeed, I imagine they were,” Cirayus replied.

White canvas tents of all sizes had been pitched throughout the city, utilizing every available nook and cranny.

“Not nearly enough space in lodgings to house the spectators, lad,” Cirayus said. “Even with families welcoming guests into their homes. Every tournament, the city transforms. They’ve done it hundreds of times, and yet, it’s always an undertaking.”

“You sound like you’ve had some firsthand experience,” Vir said.

“We have,” Aida replied. “He always helps with the preparations. Always drags me into it, too. Even though I never participate.”

“Aye, and that’ll change one day,” Cirayus said confidently. “Mark my words.”

The giantess rolled her eyes.

“I have to say, though,” Vir said. “I’m surprised you’d help.”

“It’s not something a Warrior often does, I’ll admit,” Cirayus said. “And that is why I do it. Lets you learn. See things from the eyes of others. Did you know just how much of an effort feeding forty thousand people can be? Sewage, water procurement, medical aid, traffic... The list of considerations goes on.”

“You sound like Malik,” Vir replied wryly.

“Your logistical expert? Aye—keep him happy, lad. Keep him safe. There are few people more instrumental to the success of an army—or a city—than those who manage the mundane.”

“I’ll... keep that in mind,” Vir replied.

“Housing isn’t the only concern, either,” Aida said, nodding her chin to an Iksana and a Bairan who stood in the middle of a street, facing each other down.

Vir didn’t need to hear what they were saying to know a fight was imminent. Their body language said it all.

“Alright, alright, break it up,” Cirayus said, marching directly between them.

Both glared at him with anger and annoyance. Both did double takes, and when they recognized who he was, the fight in their eyes extinguished without a trace. It was replaced by fear and stammering, as both tried to save face and disengage.

Cirayus watched them huff off in opposite directions, then returned to Vir and Aida.

“Happens every year,” Cirayus said, shaking his head.

Shan barked at her, before walking past her legs and sitting in front of Cirayus.

“Count on a wolf’s nose to lead it to food, eh?” Cirayus said, throwing the wolf a treat.

“He looks fine to my eyes,” Vir said. “Now, I suppose I just need to teach him to use his tattoo before the Tournament.”

“Best of luck with that,” Aida said. “I don’t care how intelligent your mutt is. I’d bet my firstborn he doesn’t learn it for years. If ever.”

“I wouldn’t make that bet if I were you,” Vir said with a grin. “This one will surprise you.”

“I s’ppose we’ll see, then.”

Cirayus’ meal ended up being an enormous bowl of hot, hearty stew with bread. Simple, yet well-spiced and oh-so delicious. It was the sort of food Vir had always pined for growing up, yet only occasionally had.

Comfort food that reminded him of home. He found his thoughts wandering back to Brij. To the meals he shared with Rudvik by the fire that kept them warm. Of the tales his father would tell him, of heroes and monsters and demons and champions.

The grief of Rudvik’s loss had been faded, tempered by time. Though the pain would always linger, Vir could look upon those joyous, simple days with warmth and affection.

He wasn’t sure why a simple stew conjured up such images, but Vir was happy for it.

“If you could cook this well, why’d you always feed me raw fruit and vegetables in the Ash?” Vir asked. The cooking was genuinely good, with subtle, refined flavor, and where all the ingredients were in balance with one another.

“It’s the Ash, lad. Where are you going to get spices? And without spices, why even bother cooking? Might as well eat them raw.”

“That’s ajja for you,” Aida said. “All or nothing.”

“I wholeheartedly agree,” Vir said, grinning as he downed another spoonful and tore into his bread.

Time went by in a flash, with the three exchanging idle banter, and soon, the meal was polished off without a drop wasted. Even Shan devoured had his stew.

“Thank you,” Vir said softly.

“Cooking you a meal is the least I could do, lad,” Cirayus said. “After all we’ve been through, you would thank me for this?”

“Not just that,” Vir said, heart pounding. It was just one simple word, and yet, he struggled. “For... For treating me as you do. For treating me like... Like family, I guess.”

Vir blushed the moment he said those words, and he looked away.

Cirayus looked at Aida, then at Vir. “Not like family, lad. As far as I’m concerned, you’re as flesh and blood as my hot-headed granddaughter here.”

Vir had expected Aida to bonk Cirayus, rebuking him for his words. Instead, she stared into Vir’s eyes and nodded.

“Family.”

Vir’s chest suddenly grew hot, and his moistened. He broke Aida’s gaze and looked away.

“That’s, er... Thank you. Truly.”

“Alright, alright,” Cirayus said. “That’s enough, Aida. Before you go and make the lad lose his dignity in front of us all.”

Both grandfather and granddaughter laughed, and this time, Vir laughed with them.

“So... What now?” Vir asked once the laughter died down.

“Now? We get you registered.”