Primitive Man

Chapter 155: Bullies

"Come on, little ones!" Garnt called out, his voice echoing through the square. His three kids, Aran, Mera, and Guni, rushed out of the main house-like entrance, their eyes wide with excitement, while Ayra went to call her other sisters on the orders of their husband.

The patriarch square buzzed with activity, surrounded by walls that divided the village. There were only five or six families living in that area with Garnt, and all of them were families of the important people that the village assigned as their new leaders in different sectors. All the other buildings were important buildings like the armoury and important buildings that the village considered to be the most important.

The square's surroundings were a mix of stone and wood, creating a unique blend of prehistoric charm and contemporary living. Stone pathways crisscrossed the square, leading to various cave dwellings like structures.

Garnt wanted to keep the core idea of who they were, so all the buildings looked and felt like prehistoric, but the materials and functions they provided were all modern.

[I know you don't like the class system, but sooner or later we need to establish that, otherwise, people would try to overstep their boundaries.]

Garnt heard the familiar voice in his head, and he just closed his eyes seeing the image of a blond woman.

"Eva, are you proud of all this? Do you like what I have become after all these years?" Garnt asked looking at his own kids and feeling nostalgic about when he first met one of the most important women in his life.

[Baby! I have been with you for so many years now and supported whole throughout the years. You're like a dear son to me now. Of course, I am proud of you. Our relationship is not what it used to be, and you know that.]

Garnt laughed at her words, left the house, and hoped to collect some clothes for the kids before they prepared for the party.

Meanwhile, outside the main square, neighbours greeted each other as they tended to their daily chores, some tending to their new gardens, while others prepared tools for the day's work. The village-like atmosphere was a harmonious blend of simplicity and modernity.

Garnt adjusted his makeshift leather vest, a staple in their village-style wardrobe, and smiled at his children. "Today's the day I teach all three of you how to swim and fish! So get ready, we are going to have lots of fun."

The kids cheered, their eyes sparkling with anticipation knowing it would be the best day of their lives.

As Garnt and his children approached the entrance of the patriarch square, he noticed the two women kneeling on the ground, their faces filled with remorse. Behind them stood two kids, tears streaming down their cheeks.

Guni immediately recognized them as the bullies who had harassed her brother earlier. She tugged at Garnt's sleeve, her eyes ablaze with determination.

"Father, those are the bullies! They were picking on Aran," Guni exclaimed, pointing towards the two women and their children.

Garnt frowned, his usually calm demeanour replaced by a stern expression. He approached the kneeling women, his towering figure casting a shadow over them.

"What's going on here?" Garnt inquired, his voice carrying a weight that demanded an explanation.

The women stammered, looking up at Garnt with fear in their eyes. "Patriarch, we... we're sorry. We didn't know about what our stupid kids did until the rumours started to go around the village. They didn't mean any harm. Please forgive us!"

Garnt crossed his arms, his gaze shifting from the apologetic women to the two crying kids behind them. Guni stepped forward, her fiery spirit not willing to let the bullies off the hook, but Garnt held her hand and asked her to stay calm in a situation like that because he wanted to teach his kids how to make rational decisions even in the craziest times.

He looked at Guni, who was still seething with anger. He squeezed her hand gently, signalling her to let him handle the situation. "Rise," he commanded, addressing the two kneeling women. "Make amends, and ensure your children learn the consequences of their actions."

As the women got up, Garnt turned his attention to the two crying kids. Kneeling down to their eye level, he spoke in a soothing tone, "Now, why did you bully my son? What drove you to such actions? I didn't teach about any of these things in the village, so why did you do that?"

Through tearful sobs, the kids explained, "We were jealous of Aran. He has you as his father, the hero of the village. Everyone admires you, and we wanted that too."

Guni's eyes widened as she overheard their confession. The realization hit her like a wave, and in that moment, Garnt seemed more than just her father. He was the hero of the village, admired and respected by everyone. Her heart raced, and a sense of awe enveloped her.

'He is amazing!'

That's the only thing she could think about the man in front of him, and sometimes she really had to doubt how her mother managed to find this man. These thoughts of hers showed that Garnt didn't have the closest relationship with his kids because even they saw him as someone superior to them.

Garnt sighed deeply, his stern expression softening just a fraction. "Jealousy is a poison that can corrupt even the purest hearts. It seems my children have something that yours desire, but that doesn't excuse their actions."

The two women, after kneeling again, nodded vigorously. "We understand, Patriarch. We will make sure our kids apologize to little masters, and we will discipline them properly. Please, find it in your heart to forgive us."

Garnt sighed again, a mixture of understanding and disappointment in his eyes. "I may be the patriarch, but I'm also just a father trying to teach his children right from wrong. Envy won't lead you anywhere good. So let's punish them. These two kids will serve Aran for a few weeks and let's see how they interact with each other."

The nervous kid who was hiding behind Garnt wanted to say something, but her sister Guni quickly closed his mouth since she knew being able to impress Garnt was like the highest privilege for them as his kids.

The two women, now standing beside their children, apologized to Garnt once more, promising to make things right. Garnt nodded, accepting their apology. As they walked away, he turned to his own kids.

"Now, let's focus on what today was meant to be - a day of learning and fun. We'll deal with this matter appropriately, but for now, let's enjoy the time together."

After all the annoying things he had to deal with, Garnt still accompanied by his children, made his way through the bustling village. The people greeted him with warm smiles and respectful nods, recognizing the hero and leader of their community. First on his list was the tailor shop, where the villagers crafted beautiful garments.

As Garnt stepped into the tailor shop, the air was filled with the scent of fabric and the hum of sewing machines. The shopkeeper, a skilled artisan woman in her twenties, approached with a bow. "Patriarch Garnt, what an honour! How may we serve you today?"

Garnt immediately recognized her; she used to be a student of his mother, and he could confidently assert that she was the best when it came to tasks like making clothes.

Garnt smiled, "I need swimming attire for my children. Something comfortable and fitting for a day of fun by the river."

The tailor's eyes widened with excitement. "Of course, Patriarch! We have the finest selection." Garnt began to choose swimming clothes for each of his kids. Aran received a sleek swimming trunk, while Guni and her sister got stylish middle-school girl-like swimming outfits.

Guni blushed as she tried on her new swimwear, and Garnt couldn't help but express his admiration. "You both look cute!" He started to act more and more like a doting parent. "Ahhh~ I can't believe my kids are this cute, don't you think tailor girl?"

The woman who was not second to Garnt also joined him and started to compliment the kids causing Eva, who was watching this interaction to sigh.

[How the tables have turned! I can't believe this kid is actually a father now.]

She commented on what she witnessed.

"Now, let's visit the meat vendor. I heard there's a special cut of bear meat they have for today." Knowing it won't be good to shop for too long, Garnt suggested.

The meat vendor's stall was a fragrant haven of spices and grilled meats. The vendor beamed at Garnt's arrival. "Patriarch, what a pleasure! What can I get for you today?"

Garnt pointed at a particular cut. "I heard this is exceptional. Enough for a feast by the river."

The vendor happily prepared the order, and the villagers gathered around, expressing their gratitude to Garnt for his leadership. After a few more stops at various shops, Garnt had everything needed for a perfect day.

Carrying the goods, Garnt and his children made their way to a private riverbank, reserved for special occasions. The river sparkled under the sunlight, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves. Garnt spread out a blanket, and the children eagerly helped set up for the party.

As the day unfolded, the riverbank transformed into a lively scene.

"Everything is ready, and let's wait for others now!" It was a moment that Garnt wanted to cherish in his life, after all, he was with his family.