Chapter 7.

PART 1.

Josh walks outside of his room, already done with his morning rituals. He thought that he would have to wake up Raven (something he would enjoy doing, considering how rarely he gets to do that,) but his dreams of torment were interrupted, as he sees Raven just closing the door of his room, similarly done with his morning rituals.

“So, you’re awake, I see.” Said Josh frostily.

“What, and let you torment me?” he asked, as they both began to walk to Hatori’s room.

“Yes! You should let me do that once in a while!” Raven just shook his head. “So, do you think he’ll be awake?”

“Most likely.” Raven answered. “Can you believe it though? We thought that he was just bluffing.”

“Tell me about it! This is exactly why I’m awake so early in the morning, during vacation days no less!” said Josh.

They arrived at Hatori’s room, but before they could knock, Hatori opened the door. “Oh, hey guys.”

“How did you know that it’s us?” asked Josh.

“Well, if someone else was here, their footsteps would sound different. That, and I’m familiar with the smell of the oil which you use for your hair.” Said Hatori.

“Good job.” A gruff voice said, making all the kids jump and line up like soldiers.

“Ah, such discipline, it brings a tear to my eye.” Zeko commented.

‘Yes, because indiscipline would bring tears to our eyes.’ They all thought together.

“I hope you’re ready for today’s training. But first, Hatori, tell me. Do you feel sore from yesterday’s activities?” Zeko asked.

“Um. Yes, my arms are not too bad, but my legs are a different story.”

“Okay. I won’t make you do squats in the day then. Now, follow me!” They all followed him to the ground.

Raven and Josh were running at the same speed, and Zeko never said anything about talking while running. So, they continued their conversation about their friend, while said friend was busy trying to keep up with them. “Look,” Josh huffed. “All I’m saying is that he has a vicious streak. As his friends, we must make sure that he doesn’t use it too often.”

“Look, I don’t think he would do that with us. Besides, this is also for our advantage.” Said Raven.

“Can’t argue with that.” Conceded Josh.

“But, as a mage, a certain level of viciousness is expected, we just need to learn what makes him tick.” Elaborated Raven.

“Yes, and make people whom we don’t like press all those buttons, and watch the fireworks from some distance.” Said Josh gleefully.

PART 2.

Hatori is sitting on a swing which he found in the garden of the castle. Since he was alone, he has been sitting there since lunch.

Raven’s parents, and Josh’s uncle took them to spend some time with them. This would be the same for him in the normal world, but he simply doesn’t live there anymore.

Someone sits down next to him on the swing, and since it is easily big enough for two adult people, Hatori doesn’t mind sharing the space. “So, are you bored?” asked the king.

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He even manages to sound like a king while sitting on the swing. “I am.” Hatori answers honestly, making sure that the answer doesn’t sound rood.

Porus looked at the child regretfully. He tried (oh, how he argued and fought) but nothing went through the heads of those morons.

Since he has been the king for the last fifty years, he knows how brutal is the world of politics. But he never liked involving children in it. He never understood the point, since these children would end up resenting family members anyway. Just look how many parents end up dying by the hands of their children once they get old in noble families.

This is exactly why he has kept Hatori in his castle. This is also why, Zeko, who is a trusted man of his, is currently training him. There have been, of course, many requests for access to the child, but he denied them all.

‘If I had it my way, then he won’t have to worry about those leaches, at least until he starts the academy.’ He thinks to himself.

“I… must apologize.” The king said, startling the child badly. “I could have fought harder against your summoning…”

“I don’t blame you.” Hatori cuts him off, “Because you could have just given me to a noble family if you wanted to.” Hatori said, although he still doesn’t get what is so great about these noble families that they command so much power.

“I did not tell you this before, but the ritual has locked you here. even if I wanted to, I cannot send you back, since you cannot cross the burier.” Explained the king. “Still, if you have any requests, no. orders for me, please come to me any time.” Said Porus.

“Could you…” Hatori said, while the king leans forward in interest. “Could you tell my parents that I’m safe. I won’t ask to talk to them. But they must be worried.”

It appears that he is very close to his parents, even though there is some evidence of difficulty there.

The words of the report flashed in Porus’s mind. “Of course, that is easily done.”

But Porus didn’t agree just because of a report. He understands the sadness of being separated from your family, though in his case, the family was the one which distanced itself from him.

The king brought Hatori to the castle, and he found his way to his room eventually.

Meanwhile, in his own personal part of the castle, he paced in excitement. ‘I can’t wait until the leaches accuse me of favoritism. It’ll give me an excuse to tear them a new one; it hasn’t happened in a while; they’re getting overconfident.’

Porus called some of his spies, who have the necessary skills to blend on to the other dimension. “You must find Hatori’s parents, and make contact with them.” He ordered, “Tell them that he is safe with us.”

“What if they wish to talk with the child, your majesty?” asked the man.

“It is no trouble. You have authority to use magic in their house to make contact with us here.”

“Of course.” Taking his orders, the man disappeared from Porus’s personal room.

(End.)