Raivis practically ran to the farm where his family lived, so excited to tell evwryone about his upcoming journey.
He burst the main house's door open and hugged his nearest uncle, Dorovīns, practically shouting into his face:
—I am going onto a journey!!!! Given to me by the KING!!!!!
—Woah Rivi, greetings to you too! — The tall hatted blond chuckled, patting his head. — My luck, do you really only ever visit us before going on trips?
Raivis' eartips heated in slight shame; he did forget to answer their many letters.
—Well,, I am a very busy person you see, and...
He was saved by his mother coming into the room and taking him over from Dorovīns in a very tight hug, putting her hand on his head and pusbing it face-first onto her chest so he couldnt talk.
—Oh, my dear boy, how I missed you.. Please be quiet, your vectēvs sleeps on the fireplace. — She let go of his head and kissed his forehead. — Come, come to kitchen, let's all eat bread and butter and you call tell us all about your new journey peacefully.
After many invasive questions about love life and work and other embarassing familial talk with his uncles, mother, cousin, and grandfather who woke up just smelling the fresh bread; He finally got them to change the go of the talk, and asked them all to pray to Lady Luck so that he would succeed in his journey.
Raivis' other uncles Taikautas and Jurgis harnessed his gray horse, his grandfather helped him load the small cart with all the traveler's nesesities, and little Anne was watching everything from the wide window, listening to Dorovīns comentate on how badly Jurgis was doing everything.
They all said their goodbyes, and Raivis took his seat and was about to wave everyone farewell, when his mother called him over.
He speedily went up to her with his arms open for a hug, which didnt came; she instead out her hands on his shoulders and looked him into eyes. He looked elsewhere.
She took a deep breath and admired into what good and besutiful person her son had grown into.
This was just like when he was going on his quest years ago. Raivis felt so small and didnt want to leave the side of his mother.
—Even if you fail, and bring unluck to our family, we will still love you, do you hear that?
—Yes, mamma. But I wont bring unluck and shame to our family.
—You being well and alive is more important than the Kingdom, do not overwork yourself, do not rush for deadlines, do you hear that?
—Yes, mamma. But I will not be unwell and dead.
—Flee when you notice a person having fang's, their eyes deepening in color; Do not ever make deals for which you cant pay in money upfront. Do not ever, I say, ever talk with someone, who appeared seeminly of nowhere and suddenly. Do you hear that?
Every time he wentured out she repeated the same, and he answered the same too. This time, though, her voice thembled more than ever. He wanted to believe it was her old age.
—Yes, mamma. I will not be tricked by Jokers.
—Good, — She pulled him into a tight embrace and slid his hat back, holding his head close. — Dont die out there. Because then I will kill you, — she kissed his forehead and held him still for as long as she could hold her breath. Raivis almost wished it lasted longer. — Your coat buttons are undone, why? That's bad luck!
She scolded as if he was a toddler, and buttoned them, smiling tenderly at him, as he did at her too.
—I will come back before the wooden bridgw grows up with grass, before our rooster grows a ninth rag, and before he flies over the bridge clucking 'kakariku'.
—Farewell, my son. I love you.
