Feeling bad for Mighel and Barat, who would not be given their father's name, I made a coat of arms just for them. Ottie did not want them to be his heirs. He had a legal wife now. All he needed was a son from her. More sons were even better. Ottie's hybrid children would go by Yellowtail. Ottie was happy enough to give them a different family name. It made it easier to distance himself from them. Anthony and Fabien did not want to be seen with me or Ottie if the hybrids were around. I did not care about that. At the wedding for Simon, they were sitting a pew behind me, my wife and our daughters. Mighel and Barat were next to them. After the wedding was a feast. I was happy to schmooze with the nobles. The Whites were in attendance. All 4 were invited to watch as guests: Gerald, Marion, Tholy and Bernard. Bernard White was the head of their family. Gerald sought me out on the way to the feast. We had a pleasant chat. Unfortunately, he never found the courage to leave his family home. Marion was living with the archbishop at the episcopal palace. Both were devoted to their duty.
Not really expecting much of it, I said "We have a county, but there is no bishopric within it. Maybe you can ask to be relocated there with your brother. It would be a step sideways, but it might be fun to get fresh air and not have a ton of haters there." His eyes sparkled. "That does sound nice." he said. Marion and Tholy came to get him. It was time for them to be seated. He left with them. The children were meeting and eating in a separate hall. There was something I wanted to say to them before I let them go off. "Keep close. Do not let anyone hurt you, your brothers or your friends. If someone attacks, push them back. I will back you as long as you are not hitting the humans first." Bruiser, Boxer, Brawler and Battler nodded their heads. It was their job to protect Johna, Holly and Molly. I was not expecting anything too bad to happen to them here. That was wrong. The feast was good. The children's hall turned into a total bloodbath. Some asshole nobles wanted to yank on their tails. Bruiser pushed a boy back. Another kid socked Boxer in the face. Brawler and Battler fought the others.
Johna saw it all. Since my boys were part beastkin, they were much stronger than the children their age. Stronger than children thrice their age too. The parents wanted them punished. I would not have it. "There is no reason to punish children simply defending themselves." Ren and Len were being watched by the Brownflank Tribe. The father of the most injured boy was a count. He stormed over to us. "I demand satisfaction for this. They will be whipped for this." he said. I crossed my arms. "Over my dead body. These are my children. If you want to hurt them, you'll have to survive a duel with me." I said. He looked at me. "And who are you?" he asked. I just smirked at him. He frowned. "What's so funny!?" he demanded. I said "My name, my lord, is Sir Collin Rhombus. People have called me many things over the years. Maybe you've heard of me. Phantom Thief Real Rhombus, Blood Knight, Cutpurse Cutter, The Butcher of Hereford. I like my title of The Collared Cat of the Swifthunt Family. You get the point. You're risking your life making me an enemy." He flinched. "That's just myth!"
The man had heard of me. He backed down. I simply glared at him. He backed down quickly. Several other nobles also backed down. One man stepped up to me. "Your names don't scare me. My champion is going to humble you. Then we'll move onto those dirty halfbreeds of yours." he threatened me. All I could do was shrug. I turned my back on him to look at my children. That offended him. "Who said you could turn your back on your better!?" he snapped as he slammed his hand on my shoulder. He was in danger. "Unhand me." was all I said. He refused. I grabbed him by the wrist and moved it myself. "You have a champion. Assaulting me is unneeded. If you touch me again, I will defend myself as if you were my opponent." I warned him. The noble did not heed the warning. He slapped me in front of everyone. "You need to learn to be silent in front of your betters." he gloated. I just looked at him, the crowd and then at him. Everyone was silent. Waiting. I did a roundhouse kick to his temple. He was out cold. I reached down and took the hand that slapped me. I broke every single finger.
