I return to the estate at the end of the week with twenty lobsters in storage, plus a fancy new sword and knife. Running magic through the new equipment will be part of my nighttime routine, though it’ll make them unusable around normal people.
I settle my belongings, then get ambushed by Oliver. “Brother, you’re back! How far into the mountains did you get?”
“Hey Oliver, I made it past the second peak and explored the forested area there. I saw a small herd of deer, but I didn’t want to haul one back from that distance, so I stuck with smaller game.”
Oliver’s eyes sparkle at my words. “But there’s deer up there just like you thought! When can I go with you, brother?”
“Aha, you know the family rules; I wasn’t allowed to go on hunting trips until I was 8 and comfortable with the sword.”
Father was spot on when he said Oliver needed training to gain confidence. Ever since we started, he’s been like a different kid. I can count on one hand the number of times he burst into my room to talk before we started training, but now there’s no stopping him.
“But if you go with me, I’d be safe. The biggest boar out there would take one look at you and run away!”
“Oliver, don’t make me sound so scary. I’m just a slightly bigger kid than you. But if you keep training hard and getting stronger, I’ll talk to Father about bringing you hunting earlier than I was allowed to.”
“Really!? Alright, I’m off to train. I’ll do all my sword strokes and stances 100 times today. Then I’ll run! I’ll run until I drop!” Oliver bolts from my room, his voice echoing through the halls.
“DON’T OVERDO IT, OLIVER!”
I could’ve yelled it an inch from his head, and it wouldn’t have stopped him.
***
Before dinner that night, Father summons me to his office.
Knock knock
“Alfred, come in, boy.”
“Good afternoon, Father. How were things while I was away?”
“Your Mother worried, and Oliver asked how long until you were back each morning. The same as every time you leave lately...”
“I see, Oliver was in good spirits when I saw him. He’s eager to join me on a hunting trip, but I told him he needed to be a bit older and stronger before he goes.”
Father’s eyes move from me to something on his desk. “Yes, he’s a fast learner, but he’d be entirely reliant on you for his safety. I’m sure you could manage that, but the point of his training is to improve, not to be cared for.”
“I agree, Father. I’ll continue seeing to his training. Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?”
Father moves two bricks of soap to the far side of his desk. “There is. I met with Alec Dulec while you were away. The plants needed for your soap are starting to grow. His group also practiced with the material you left them and feels confident in the refinement process.”
I pick them up and examine them. The texture and smell match what I make, so I have high hopes.
“Please test these and make sure they’re of sufficient quality,” Father requests.
“Understood, Father, I’ll use them over the next few days.”
“Right, that’s the only business to discuss.” Father pauses, while giving me an interesting look. “But I found myself curious while you were away. You’ve read every travel account that’s been written. What is it you’re looking to find when you leave here?”
“Hmm, I’ve read of an antlered animal larger than a horse in the forest to the northeast of the capital. During my school days, I plan to explore that area thoroughly. And during breaks, I’d like to start exploring the continent to the north; they should have foods and spices we’ve never seen before, and access to the ocean means seafood.”
But that’s only part of it.
“It’s what’s not written about that’s even more interesting, Father. I doubt I’ll have the chance during my school years, but maybe after, I’d like to make my way to the monster continent in the west. There’s very little information on the area, likely due to the danger, but with a few more years of training, I’m confident I’ll be able to traverse it safely.”
I plan on seeing the monster continent while I’m in school, but he doesn’t need to know that.
“So, the cursed land is one of your travel destinations... I’m confident in your ability with the sword, but you must not let ego beat out sense. And you cannot, under any circumstances, tell your Mother you plan on seeing that place.”
I think he’s more scared of Mother than the monsters.
“It will be our secret, Father.”
“Alright, that’s all. See your mother and Sara. You know how they worry.”
***
Mother and Sara are attached at the hip, though it may be more accurate to say Mother is always attached to her youngest at the hip. It’s part of why I wanted siblings so badly. Children draw their parents’ attention.
“Mother, are you in?” I call out into the study where she and Sara spend their afternoons.
“Alfred, sweetheart, you’re home, and you look well. Did you enjoy the mountains?”
I love the family I have in this world, despite how my manipulations and lies make it seem. But I feel awkward around Mother. Babies really shouldn’t remember being breastfed, especially when their mind is almost thirty.
“Yes, Mother, it was fruitful. The animals I expected to be roaming past the second mountain were there in significant numbers. And the forested area was large; I wouldn’t have been able to scout the area effectively with any less time.”
“I see, I’m glad you're safe, and it was a good trip, but please remember you’ll be going away for school in a few years. We won’t see each other as much…”
“That’s years away, Mother. You won’t be rid of me anytime soon.”
“...hmmmrr ahhh…” Sara groans as she lifts her head from Mother’s lap.
Sara’s a cute child. She’s short for her age with strawberry blonde hair and light eyes. But her best feature is her smile; it could warm a room covered in ice. If I had a sweet little sister like her in my last life, I would’ve used her to help me pick up girls.
“Oh, Sara’s awake. Sweetie, greet your big brother. He just returned from another trip.”
“Big brother… welcome home. Did you get… anything tasty?” Though tired, she can still think of food.
“Only small game this time, Sara. The mountains I was in were very far away. It’d be hard to transport anything large. But it’s good to see you; you can fall back asleep.”
I bend down and stroke her hair gently. Given permission, Sara’s eyes close and her head falls back onto Mother’s lap.