Preparations for the festival were already evident. Metal wire strung across buildings, which would have various weapons, like knives and swords. The knives and swords represented the men who fell in the war against the Divilamu. The blades would hang for a day, then they were taken down.

The real swords of the time were replaced with paper versions, for obvious reasons.

The festival was not completely related to the Summoning. Some people carried the tradition by the ancient Anviors or the Knights of The Horizon.

The oddest thing about this specific holiday was that there was no designated date to celebrate. It happened at some point during the year. According to the old legends, the Knights had insisted that there be no specific day on which we would celebrate, that we should do it once per year, when we felt like it.

Summoned weren’t really a fan of this, so they took control of the festival, adding parties and games to it. Jack didn’t mind. The Knights were really just a legend.

“Can’t believe we haul ass and they still dedicate the stuff to knights or whatever.” He heard a local summoned walk by. A woman next to him remarked. “I’m sure they mean it in the best way.”

A few people came to his stand this time. Maybe because there was more competition. Jack didn’t mind. He just wanted to see the Aldarians walking around. There weren’t that many. But then again, the festival hadn’t even started yet.

He saw Marina. She ran towards him when she saw him. She was crying.

“Bandit!” she wailed.

Jack stiffened. “Who?”

She shook her head. “I don't know.”

Jack looked left and right, scanning people's faces. “Did you tell a hero?”

She nodded. “They said they wouldn’t be able to find him. He- he had a knife.”

Halson ran up out of nowhere. “What's Going on?”

Marina wiped her tears. “Someone stole my bags! He has a knife! I had my wallet in there!”

“Did you tell a hero?”

“Yes, but they didn’t bother! They’re supposed to help, aren’t they?”

“They already do. They helped with the Orcs, remember?” Jack interrupted.

“It doesn’t matter.” Halson said, “Come on, we can find him before the sun goes down!”

“No!” Jack said. “They have a knife! Besides, we should let the Aldarians deal with it.”

Halson shot a look at him, then turned back to Marina. “It's alright Marina, we can get him.”

“I’m scared, Hal! What if he comes for me?”

Halson grunted, puffing out his chest. You don't have to come, I think I can take him myself. I was, after all, the tug of war winner back in 2420!”

“Alright, let’s go then.” Marina said.

“Wait!” Jack called out.

Halson stopped. He gave Jack a sad look, shaking his head. “It’s just one person.”

“Halson, please.”

Halson walked off, Marina by his side.

When Jack arrived home he was met by a hug from Helen.

"Dad, you won't believe the day I had!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm contagious.

“What happened today?” Jack asked. He tried not to think about not helping Hal or Marina.

She was giddy with excitement. “I saw Aldarians today, dad!”

Jack smiled.

“They had all sorts of cool swords and knives, they had spears and axes!” She rambled.

“Hi honey!” Sheila came and kissed him. “I’ve already prepared supper. How was your day today?”

Jack guided her to the end of the table, out of Helen’s hearing.

“Marina got robbed today.” Jack said grimly.

“Oh, that’s horrible. Did the Aldarians find him?”

Jack paused. “No, Marina said they told her they would keep an eye out, but they wouldn’t be able to find him.”

“Well, what happened then?”

“Halson decided to help her find the bandit.”

“Did they?”

“No, I don’t know, I didn’t want them to do it but they went without me.”

Sheila looked saddened. “Why didn’t you help them? You know Hal’s old, John.”

“What if he was part of a gang? Then what? What if things didn’t go as planned? How would you tell Helen her father died?” Jack stopped when he saw Sheila’s face. He then realized he raised his voice.

“Sorry.” He said. “I just… I don’t know. Maybe before I met you things would have been different. But we have to think about all of us.”

Sheila bit her lip. She then leaned forward and kissed him, then she sat back down at the table. Helen sat across. She was banging two butter knives together, simulating a sword fight. She turns overpowering her hands, making probably the most intense imaginary battle ever.

“Helen, put down those knives!” Sheila commanded

Helen set the utensils down, lowering her head.

“Is something wrong?” she asked.

Sheila sighed. “Nothing.”

“Let’s change the subject.” Jack said. “Helen, what do you want for your birthday?”

Helen pondered a bit, then she smiled. “I wanna join the Summoned!”

Sheila choked on a piece of mashed potato. Jack sneezed, water dripping down his chin.

“You want to do what?”

Her smile faded. “I wanna join them to help protect the village and go on adventures too!”

Before Jack could respond, or even catch his breath, There was a bang on the door. It barged open only a second later. Several men and women clad in armor and capes walked in.

"What in the world is happening here?" Jack exclaimed, his protective instincts kicking in.

The leader of the Aldarians , a stern-faced warrior with a scar across his cheek, “I am Gerrin the Great!” He announced proudly, “and I am seizing your house for battle!” He barked orders to his companions. "Gather supplies! We're heading into battle, and we need everything we can get."

Sheila, her eyes wide with shock, stepped forward. "You can't just barge into our home and ransack it! What battle are you talking about?"

The warrior glared at her, unsympathetic to their protests. Then grabbed her food right off her plate and shoved it into his mouth. “We need your food to heal, you must know that the lives of everyone depends on your compliance. Alright everyone, find weapons and food stores!”

Jack felt a surge of frustration and anger, but the sight of weapons strapped to the Aldarians ' backs gave him pause. He reminded himself that despite all of this, there had to be a good reason. He exchanged a worried glance with Sheila, silently conveying the need to cooperate for the safety of their family.

As the Aldarians rummaged through their home, tossing aside personal belongings in search of provisions, Helen clutched Jack's hand, fear in her eyes. The invaders showed no regard for the sanctity of their space, and the once-homely atmosphere of the farmhouse turned chaotic.

‘Helen, go to your room.” he ordered.

She made her way to her room quietly.

"Please, at least tell us what's happening," Sheila pleaded, her voice shaky but determined.

Gerrin paused, his glare meeting Sheila's. “What?” “What do you think we need this stuff for? We defend you for a living.” We need to defend your stupid village from another monster attack!”

Finally Jack spoke.

“If you ask, we will give you the supplies you need.”

Gerrin looked like he was about to respond when another hero interrupted.

“Shit! There's nothing here but low level loot and trash!”

“Shut up!” Gerrin barked, “fits your low level ass just fine!”

“I think that's everything.” one hero remarked.

The leader looked at Jack. “bye then.”

Then they began to walk out of the house. On the way out, the last hero in the line grabbed the doormat, then left.

“They must be having a big battle,” Jack said.

Sheila was obviously disturbed by the encounter. “They can't just barge in like that!” she exclaimed, “Can they?”

Jack sighed, the Aldarians were sometimes rude, but would never hurt any villagers.

“Don’t worry.” Jack said, “they would never hurt us.”

Jack continued to survey the aftermath, his eyes lingering on the now-empty cupboards and drawers. Sheila, still visibly concerned, joined him in assessing the damage. "I've been planning to clear out some of the junk in there anyways," Jack lied, attempting to downplay the severity of the situation, “and besides, I would rather have my stuff taken by Aldarians who protect us than monsters and demons.”

Sheila looked at him helplessly. The Aldarians had the legal right to take supplies from a house if it was deemed necessary

Sheila wasn't convinced. “I'm going to sleep now.” she said, walking to the bedroom.

As Sheila left the room, Jack couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling he had. He glanced around the once-cozy farmhouse, now disheveled by the unexpected intrusion. The remnants of the Aldarians ' hurried search were scattered across the floor, a stark contrast to the warmth that usually enveloped their home.

With a heavy heart, Jack began the daunting task of tidying up the mess left behind. As he gathered scattered belongings and righted overturned chairs, his mind raced with conflicting emotions. He understood the Aldarians ' duty to protect the village, but the manner in which they had invaded their home felt like a violation.

Jack felt like something was missing…

The bag! The Aldarians must have taken it in their collection.

He tried not to worry, other two Aldarians would probably understand that the money they left behind went to a good cause.