78th Ashan, 717
The Patersons, and the Claymores had been fighting for as long as Tei'serin could remember. The two families lived on neighboring farms, and they had been rivals for...forever as far as Tei'serin could tell. It was something of a joke for the people living in and around Treth. Their kids were in Tei'serin's class, and their struggle to best each other in class placement was legendary. Tei'serin actually saw it as a good thing in some ways, since it drove the others to do their best too, if they wanted a shot at being the best in their year. When the Patersons' prize bull escaped his pasture, the oldest Claymore boy "rescued" it, and returned it to them...after using it to breed all of their cows for free, and anyone else who wanted free stud service that they could contact within a three trial period. The retaliatory prank the Patersons' boys played had involved catnip, the Claymores' barn cats, and several dozen large bags filled with feathers. As Tei'serin remembered it, the Claymores were still finding random feathers on their property even now, seasons later.
The incidents were mostly harmless, if annoying to those involved, and amusing to those who heard about them later. More importantly, no laws were ever broken. So, by and large, the village left the two families to feud in peace. In the odd chance that an innocent bystander was dragged into their affairs, the offending party was always quick to apologize, and do what they could to compensate for any damage done. And this status quo had existed undisturbed for generations.
But last Cylus, the kids from both families had gotten out of hand. It had happened after school, breaks after everyone had gone home for the trial. The Paterson, and Claymore kids came back to settle some slight one had given the other trials before. It had started as contest where each family tried to best the other. But when neither group of kids had been satisfied with the outcome, the contest had turned into a dare. Fire had gotten involved, and Tei'serin still wasn't certain how that had happened. The frantic explanation babbled among horrified apologies had been scant on details. But the how of what happened was less important than what had happened.
The bell stand that supported the school bell had been damaged by the fire the kids had started. It had been damaged severely enough that the weight of the bell had caused it to collapse completely. And the bell itself had been damaged in the fall.
Tei'serin had been horrified. The school bell was a symbol to many. It had existed long before she had been born, and she had assumed that teachers would be using it to call children to class long after she died. It was a part of the school, and a useful one at that. But it was more than just a school bell. It was an important part of the village. In the case of an emergency that would affect the entire town, someone would ring the bell. Everyone who heard the bell would gather at the sound if it was run outside of the normal times. Word of the emergence would be given, along with orders of what to do. From there, farmers living near Treth would be informed by messenger if they were likely to be involved, too.
The parents of both families had been called in, and punishments had been given. But the problem remained. The town needed a new bell. And for that, they needed money. That begged the question of who was going to buy a new one? A new bell, and a stand to support it wasn't going to come cheap. The school bell wasn't private property. Because of that, no one person could be forced to step up and pay for it. Some said that Tei'serin should have to buy the new bell and stand since she was the teacher, and the incident had happened at school. But she had quickly pointed out that it had happened after school, and late enough in the trial that she couldn't reasonably have been expected to still be there. People agreed, and the suggestion was quickly dropped, which was just as well. Tei'serin couldn't afford to shoulder such a heavy cost even had she wanted to.
The Patersons, and the Claymores had been fighting for as long as Tei'serin could remember. The two families lived on neighboring farms, and they had been rivals for...forever as far as Tei'serin could tell. It was something of a joke for the people living in and around Treth. Their kids were in Tei'serin's class, and their struggle to best each other in class placement was legendary. Tei'serin actually saw it as a good thing in some ways, since it drove the others to do their best too, if they wanted a shot at being the best in their year. When the Patersons' prize bull escaped his pasture, the oldest Claymore boy "rescued" it, and returned it to them...after using it to breed all of their cows for free, and anyone else who wanted free stud service that they could contact within a three trial period. The retaliatory prank the Patersons' boys played had involved catnip, the Claymores' barn cats, and several dozen large bags filled with feathers. As Tei'serin remembered it, the Claymores were still finding random feathers on their property even now, seasons later.
The incidents were mostly harmless, if annoying to those involved, and amusing to those who heard about them later. More importantly, no laws were ever broken. So, by and large, the village left the two families to feud in peace. In the odd chance that an innocent bystander was dragged into their affairs, the offending party was always quick to apologize, and do what they could to compensate for any damage done. And this status quo had existed undisturbed for generations.
But last Cylus, the kids from both families had gotten out of hand. It had happened after school, breaks after everyone had gone home for the trial. The Paterson, and Claymore kids came back to settle some slight one had given the other trials before. It had started as contest where each family tried to best the other. But when neither group of kids had been satisfied with the outcome, the contest had turned into a dare. Fire had gotten involved, and Tei'serin still wasn't certain how that had happened. The frantic explanation babbled among horrified apologies had been scant on details. But the how of what happened was less important than what had happened.
The bell stand that supported the school bell had been damaged by the fire the kids had started. It had been damaged severely enough that the weight of the bell had caused it to collapse completely. And the bell itself had been damaged in the fall.
Tei'serin had been horrified. The school bell was a symbol to many. It had existed long before she had been born, and she had assumed that teachers would be using it to call children to class long after she died. It was a part of the school, and a useful one at that. But it was more than just a school bell. It was an important part of the village. In the case of an emergency that would affect the entire town, someone would ring the bell. Everyone who heard the bell would gather at the sound if it was run outside of the normal times. Word of the emergence would be given, along with orders of what to do. From there, farmers living near Treth would be informed by messenger if they were likely to be involved, too.
The parents of both families had been called in, and punishments had been given. But the problem remained. The town needed a new bell. And for that, they needed money. That begged the question of who was going to buy a new one? A new bell, and a stand to support it wasn't going to come cheap. The school bell wasn't private property. Because of that, no one person could be forced to step up and pay for it. Some said that Tei'serin should have to buy the new bell and stand since she was the teacher, and the incident had happened at school. But she had quickly pointed out that it had happened after school, and late enough in the trial that she couldn't reasonably have been expected to still be there. People agreed, and the suggestion was quickly dropped, which was just as well. Tei'serin couldn't afford to shoulder such a heavy cost even had she wanted to.
Off Topic
Bonus experience approved by Jade, to be given to the following character(s) involved in this thread, only upon the completion of the review, where the character(s) demonstrated celebration of the holiday, Day of Armistice, on Ashan 78th, Arc 717. The details of this this holiday include: A trial devoted to peace, where all war is forgotten and everyone is encouraged to work peacefully together. People join together in peace and put aside all conflict, dedicating themselves to their future - not their past.
Bonus Experience Upon Review Completion:
Knowledge
Ne'haer Holiday: Day of Armistice
+2 Bonus Skill Points
Free Item: A necklace with a shimmering stone housed within metal wire crafted expertly around it. The stone is Azotic Topaz, better known as Sun's Star Gem, which is rumored to bring harmony to the one who wears the necklace. At night, the tiniest bit of light makes the gem glow with enchanting light, almost mirroring soft, sun rays. This item cannot be sold.
Bonus Experience Upon Review Completion:
Knowledge
Ne'haer Holiday: Day of Armistice
+2 Bonus Skill Points
Free Item: A necklace with a shimmering stone housed within metal wire crafted expertly around it. The stone is Azotic Topaz, better known as Sun's Star Gem, which is rumored to bring harmony to the one who wears the necklace. At night, the tiniest bit of light makes the gem glow with enchanting light, almost mirroring soft, sun rays. This item cannot be sold.
