| Chapter 2: Adolescence |
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This went on for years. And so did the children’s responsibilities. Each grew up, and some quicker than others. Cynthar grew tall. At the age of twelve he already stood as tall as his father. Raistas was introduced to his father’s forge, which before he had been banned from. He had always noticed something strange about his father. It could not be so that he worked in a forge all his life. He seemed too knowledgeable, and worldly. He knew so many stories, and once in a while would receive letters from strange people. Whenever Raistas asked, however, he was told they had family in other cities, and that they were just keeping informed. All his friends’ families all lived around them. But he never let this issue press him. Dart and him became closer. Often they would spend a night at each other’s house, when they’d talk about new stories, and legends. They’d talk about chores, and what people were like in other lands. They replaced their sticks with broomsticks, and smaller staves as swords. There were times, even, when they would practice with one another. Almost always one would strike too hard, and his opposite would go home bloodied. Nathan was able to beat almost anyone when he tried. Occasionally someone would get in a lucky blow, but he was quite impressive. They didn’t mind, however. As time had gone by, the obnoxiousness had left Nathan’s demeanor, and he adopted the way of delegation. It was strange—the guys grew up almost perfect for the roles they had once played. Even Luthien remained small, yet grew in girth, becoming almost stocky, yet still far too tall for a dwarf of legend. It so happened that Dart’s sister, Erin, grew up as well. And when she was old enough, she too joined the questing, whether as a lost princess, or a fearless warrior, or elf. She played her roll with the zeal of anyone else. Yet always her eyes looked to Raistas. Nathan hated this, and every time the two began to talk he would find some way to separate them, or to put him into the spotlight, no matter the consequence. Raistas found himself attracted to the young girl. But it grew slowly, enriched with the years. When Raistas was fifteen, he and Erin played their first couple. At the end of the day’s play, which had grown more serious, Nathan had had enough. Drawing his wooden practice-sword, he challenged Raistas to a duel. And though Raistas was more than willing to allow him the glory, a simple glance at Erin’s hopeful gaze bolstered his courage, and he accepted. Raistas went home with a broken arm, a black eye, and bruises throughout his body, but at the end he did win, by brute strength alone… and a small amount of encouragement from Dart and his sister. Raistas realized for the first time why the hero’s actually fought. They had a reason to fight. As it was, after both parents found out, Raistas apologized to Nathan, who did the same in return. And after that, there was very little strife between. To Raistas, it came after he witnessed the respect shared between his parents and Nathan’s. Nathan’s parents were angered, but seemed in awe of his father. Yet after a few minutes of speaking with them, the walls were torn down, and respect was mutually given. The same passed between Raistas and Nathan. However, Raistas once again found something strange about his father—like his knowledge was too great for a simple blacksmith. But maybe he was just a kind man. It soon came time for Raistas’s 16th birthday. That age was special. In a sense, it was a time when youth entered the pre-stages of manhood. To Raistas, it seemed only another birthday, but he noticed, already, that the adults treated him differently. His presents were more expensive, less frivolous. For one, he received a practice sword—and a rather nice one. He received a corset, “for later,” they told him. It was a bit big, but he liked the maroon and white coloring of it. Lace frills lined the buttons of the white, silk shirt he wore underneath. He felt like some prince, or lord, from a story. He received, also, a hammer, only five pounds, but after a look at his father, he realized the importance. He held it close, and offered a smile. As any father did at the time, the knowledge of his craft past on to his son, and the trading of tools was another semblance of Raistas’s manship. He would now, during the week, train with his father, crafting simple items such as horseshoes and nails. He was surprised at his father’s patience, and Raistas learned quickly, crafting those simple items with the skill of his parent, though he was far from as quick—that would come in time. Others soon had their birthdays. And the restraints that bonded Raistas soon enfolded them as well. But it did not halt their adventures. And after dinner, those that could would come to the center of the cul-de-sac. They decided it was time to branch out further. Already they had began questing long away from their fenced in bounds, and into the fellow township. It was nearly the same, for the most part, except Raistas noticed that the homes seemed in more repair, though dirtier, as they progressed towards the central market. One day, perhaps, they would build up the courage to go there. The ultimate adventure, they all believed. There were also many more people, some quite enigmatic, in their cloaks and bundles. They could only wonder what the town hall would be like, all those lords and ladies—and the knights, every city had knights. Raistas found himself spending more time with Erin and Dart, and less with everyone else, but he expected this to happen some time. He also noticed that his parents, and her own, always hid grins and smiles, when he and Erin were found alone, like they knew something that he did not. It was the beginning. At her fourteenth birthday Raistas gave her a kiss, and under the persuasion of his parents, asked her over for dinner. He felt a bit odd about having her over, and not Dart as well. Before she left, Raistas gave her a scarf his mother had made for her. It was nothing too great, and he thought it cheesy, but he handed it over none-the-less. The look she gave him then was unlike any he had before received. He felt a bit weird, but endured it. She gave him a hug, and then quickly ran out of his house. He wondered what had just transpired. His parents then came out of their hiding places, and walked up to his son, bringing up random topics despite his questions. The next day, things began as normal. He woke up to the smell of fresh cinnamon bread. As he stumbled down stairs wearing only his britches, he was unaware that there was another couple there. They were not noticed till it was too late. Dressed up in the embodiment of magnificence, they looked like a Lord and Lady. Raistas paused, and stared at them with an open maw. The gentleman, who appeared a few years younger than his father, greeted him with an almost voracious smile, and leaned forward in a small bow. The lady did smile, and suddenly Raistas was aware of his lack of clothing. For his age he was built well, due to the constant work in the forge, but he was always humble. He did not know what to say, and so he was thankful for his father’s introduction. The man’s name was Beragon, and he was, Raistas gathered, related to his father. The lady was his wife, and from their dialects he was able to surmise they were visiting from another city. For some reason, they seemed to hold Raistas under an air of respect. Raistas reciprocated that respect, and soon found himself alone with the gentleman. Finding it curious how his father knew such a man, that was his first question. And to his surprise, the man was, indeed, his father’s brother. For so long he was under the belief that his father had no relatives. Throughout the conversation he found out that they lived in Kladimor, and were well thought of there. He wonder how they got into such a position, and his father was a blacksmith in a small city hundreds of miles to the east. As time continued he realized his uncle was hiding something, but despite his questions the man craftily dodged each. Finally Raistas gave up; he would try again another time. At the moment he was just pleased to know he had other relatives. Time passed by quickly, and if it weren’t for Ladir bringing him his breakfast out in the living area, he would have missed it. The time for parting ended only when Dart and Erin came by. They had not heard the hammer strikes of the forge, and wondered what was going on. Raistas quickly introduced each. He noticed that once Erin found out of the man’s relativity, she stiffened up, and slid over to stand close to him. He was reminded of their play, and felt as though he grew a few inches. Dart, excited beyond belief that a Lord occupied Raistas’s home, was faltering between his questions and exclamations. When Richard and Theressa came into the room, asking for Beragon, the youth left the room, and went outside to meet the others that would come, and begin the venturing. Raistas told everyone that his uncle was going to take him into town—into the market and maybe even the hall. The others exclaimed with surprise, all except for Nathan, who had apparently been to both places on numerous occasions, though to him an idea, came. He had gone, but not everyone had. He asked Raistas to persuade his uncle to take them all. Surely their parents would allow them to go under the guidance of this Lord. Each then quickly ran into their homes, asking and some begging their parents to go. Raistas used his most crafty speech to ask his uncle, but the man fell for none of the sweet tongue, but did agree to take them along, if their parents would consent. Each’s parents did. And even Luthien was reached by Nathan, and he was allowed to come. This was their chance. |
