Soft splashing and the laughter of children could be heard as Aerecura looked onwards from her spot on a boulder, she was far from the rushing water but close enough to keep an eye on the children. Ciaran looked up from the river calling to his mother

“Mummy, look what I built”

Ciaran pointed towards a tall pile of rocks. the rocks were in many different shapes, however most of the rocks were rugged unlike the smooth banks of the river that held a dull beauty under the speckled cover of leaves. Aerecura smiled at Ciaran her gaze filled with a simple and pure love for her little one as she pondered a response, her mind slow in the comfort of nature’s embrace. Before Aerecura could finish her thoughts, Ciaran was already dragged away, his clothes now drenched thanks to Hemlock.

Aerecura shook her head in amusement, turning her head behind her to see one of the village guards playing with Solace, the poor child was too meek to play with the other children. deciding that Ciaran would be safe under the eyes of Hemlock and Caitiff’s parents, Aerecura slid down from her rock arriving by the little ray of light hidden by the shadows.

Solace and the guard were playing with sticks drawing battle lines and formations, Solace had a knack for numbers far greater than his brother but even, so he was still only six. Aerecura’s movements were nimble and refined as she sauntered over, she picked up a small stick and crouched down drawing a third army in dirt.

The guard raised an eyebrow at first but did not complain knowing that she was connected to “That Clan” a thought far more prevalent in his mind then her noble heritage. The guards lack of concern for her skill was vindicated, her ability evident whenever she forgot to hold back for poor Solas, she ended up walloping both of them twice. despite losing it was not Solas that got upset but instead the guard.

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Solas believed deep down that he had won as he had learnt from this little game, and every little piece of information he learnt brought him closer to the one he admired. the guards putting also slowly subsided as he was enthralled by the woman’s beauty her smile unending, as if she were a queen, every happy moment and memory with her children the jewels adorning her crown, her eyes filled with nothing but love and a deep softness. The guard knew that he would never have a chance due to “That Man” but he seemed to be content with just observing her beauty that seemed to meld with the forest itself her presence barely a whisper.

Days went by peacefully, the calm waters turned into raging rapids, but Ciaran wasn’t content, He had tried to build some muscle for the blacksmith, but his progress was ever lacking. No matter what he did he couldn’t fill out his tiny frame. Ciaran had consulted everyone from Mr Luper to his little brother.

Ciaran had associated knowledge with power and power with strength despite its flaws this idea was not the first to falter, instead it was how much time he spent each day on exercise. Ciaran normally spent the time Mr Luper allotted each day and sometime after school.

Ciaran finally decided to take action putting his thoughts away and marching to his father that lay in hall as normal, his peaceful eyes were no deterrence to Ciaran, and he was woken by the determined little boy.

“Daddy!”

A long exhale preceded his father’s words

“What is it?”

“I need to grow bigger and stronger”

After seeing the confliction on Ciaran’s face from his words the tall man rose from his chair and walked to a small wooden box, opening it he took out a piece of “encouragement and dangled it in front of Ciaran

“I can wait”

After handing the small glossy sphere to Ciaran his father sat back on his chair looking on in amusement as Ciaran devoured the small treat.