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On a summer day, the sun shines crimson-hot and the scorched soil radiates heat.
Closer to the streams racing down the hillsides, past scarce plants, and winding through woods of chestnut, pewterbark, silveroak, and milkwood, the ground became cooler.
The stream gradually swells into a vast, raging torrent. The olive gardens and orange plantations that cover the foothills close to the river could inspire wonderment and breathtaking attraction.
As the river reaches an area of meadows and farmland, vibrant and alive with crops and the noises of people, the river appears to slow down.
A few children's voices could be heard at the edge of the fields, near a shoal by the river, interrupting the sounds of birds chirping.
A child yelled, "Stop moving, or I will no longer wash you!" The child appeared to be struggling and fighting with a juvenile ferus. The wet hair on the ferus shaggy, maroon-colored mane was currently dripping.
Its eyes were rolling, its ears were gently quivering, and its tail was softly wagging. Solomon yelled from the shallows, "Do not do it! you dare not do it!"
As the little ferus wriggled its body and water splashed around him, he moved his hands to shield his face. Solomon uncovered his eyes and began to chuckle as he became wet.
He heard a commanding, yet pleasant, voice call his name. He turned and saw his mother sitting on the grass with his two younger siblings, watching him and his siblings play in the mud. There were maids around and guards in the periphery.
"Come now, son, I've just learned that your brother is returning from his journey. We should return and arrange his ceremony." He could hear the pride in her voice as she spoke of her oldest child and his older sibling.
He grasped the end of the rope that was tied around the neck of my small horse and drew it from the water.
As his mother ordered the guards to prepare the chariots for departure, he observed the servants packing food and rolling the rug they had brought along, as well as the nannies carrying his two younger brothers.
He paused momentarily to observe his mother issuing commands that she was born to give.
She was Gwenllian merch Rhun Lámfhada, Teyrnoges of Cadellwg, Arglwyddes of Asa and Azila, and Hlafyda of Varandi.
She was certainly an attractive woman. She has a majestic demeanor and an aura of nobility. Her face was as luminous as the moon; her eyes were glossy and her eyebrows were arched like a bow. Her complexion was as white as jasmine. Her lustrous auburn hair was adorned with gold jewelry and gems and was tied and twisted in jewelry. She stood tall, at least three or four heads taller than the males surrounding her because she had long ago awakened her blood.
He urged his spirited mount forward and approached the chariots. He heard his mother call for him to join her. He tethered his horse to his mother's and rode with her as the chariot began to move, she addressed him in her own language: "Selyf, in two years you will celebrate your eighth birthday. I pray to the gods for your safety, but at that time it is for you to quest as well."
She placed her hand on his head. "Your father and I are both proud of you, my brilliant kid," she said with a smile as she tousled his hair. He replied, "I will not displease you, mum."
His head dipped as he reflected on the past. Six years had passed since he entered the world, yet he could not recall any of his memories at the time.
When he reached the age of five, his memories began to slowly return. To this day, he remembers only fragments of his prior existence.
Due to his memories of his former existence, he initially believed he had traveled back in time, but that was obviously not the case, as this world was obviously different.
There are various animals and species in this land that did not exist in his old life. This land is also mystical and magical. It is populated by descendants of ancient legends and heroes, whose blood carries with it strength and power.
If he could compare them to anything from his past, it might be Hercules and Conan the Barbarian.
He grinned as he recalled how, when he heard tales of sorcerers, he was reminded of Dungeons and Dragons a game he used to play.
His desire to become a wizard was dashed when he approached the local druid and requested that he teach him magic.
The druid was almost unable to contain his laughter as he stated that he was not a magician but rather a communicator with spirits and gods.
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Following that, he asked his parents if they knew someone who could teach him magic. The expressions on their faces were priceless as they attempted to explain to him that it was unnecessary for him to learn magic because magic is something you are born with and cannot be taught.
And unfortunately for him, he was of the blood, and no one descended from someone of the blood has ever been born with magical abilities.
In addition, his parents had never seen or heard of a Magus in their lifetimes. Apparently, they are exceedingly uncommon.
Although he had numerous memories of his previous life, he had come to recognize that many of them were useless.
For example, Iron does not exist. The majority of weapons are crafted from Arstone or an alloy composed of Redstone and Vizorstone.
Still, he recalls that some things are useful, such as history. Through it, one may form inferences, and mathematics could prove incredibly valuable.
A tap on his shoulder jolted him from his reverie, and he looked up to discover that they had already arrived at the fort.
"Please bathe and dress appropriately." He nodded while staring back at his small steed. Before fleeing into the keep, he said, "You be good now." Before reaching his room, he traversed the hallways and up a flight of steps.
He pushed open the door. He hurriedly arranged his clothing on the bed after straightening everything out. It was a garment made from Redtarus hairs, a jeweled and inscribed leather belt, a set of golden bracelets, and his child's necklace.
As he crossed the room and retrieved his mirror and ivory comb off a stand, he deemed the situation satisfactory. He regarded his reflection in the mirror. His entire body was covered in white skin, but his slightly chubby face featured a red tint.
His hair was fair and auburn and hung down to his chest. He straightened his hair with his ivory comb before returning to don the outfit he had planned.
As he did, he eagerly anticipated meeting his older brother. Since he had been absent for over a month, he had missed him. They have been together since their youth.
He instantly realized one of the significant contrasts between his previous world and this one.
Here, kin and kith are relevant. They are the basis of one's support and power. A feudal-tribal society exists.
And his brother, being the firstborn, would inherit his father's most important titles.
He and the rest of his siblings would receive estates or lesser titles enough that they could live well, and they would presumably serve as advisors to their brother or their father which is more likely since their father could live a further a hundred or more years and he is already forty years of age.
This encouraged him to imagine that he would enjoy the luxurious life of a small lord without many studies, but when he turned six, he realized he was mistaken.
His education was very similar to that of his older brothers; he sat in when his father listened to his subjects' appeals and dispensed justice and on his councils; he began to learn the ways of weapons and the art of war; and furthermore, he had to learn his mother's language as well as a great deal of her culture and the customs and history of her people.
He left his chamber, ran down the stairs, and arrived to the front of the fort doors, where his parents were standing with a large group of children, including his eldest sister Mildritha, who had just had her twelfth name day.
Before he could utter a word, he noticed that his sister was beaming at him.
She remarked, with a teasing twinkle in her eye, "Here he is, mother Solomon the Late."
"I'm sorry for my tardiness, Lord Father and Lady Mother." He touched his chest with his hand apologetically. His father responds with a snort as if fighting back a chuckle.
His mother spoke to him, "Come, your brother will soon arrive."
He stood by them as he saw a cloud of dust approaching from a distance as it penetrated the fort.
A pair of slaves hurried up to seize the reins of the steed pulling the chariot, and a dashing young man leaped off; it was his older brother, Aescwine.
The armor scales he wore appeared rusted and cracked. The helm he clutched in his palm had a large indentation, and his face revealed a story of a struggle fought.
As he raced up smiling broadly, he was bruised and a bit bloodied, but otherwise in good health. When he was close enough, he knelt in front of our mother and father. "I did not displease you, and I sense that the awakening is imminent."
Our father laughed and lifted Aescwine off the ground while he did so. "You have performed excellently."
Our mother's expression was initially one of concern, but she swiftly transformed it into a broad smile. "We always knew you were capable."
During their conversation, the slaves removed a huge carcass from the chariot.
It was an enormous cave bear. "A she-bear Aescwine, you are incredible!" He shouted as he ran up to his brother and patted his shoulders.
The group of children surrounding us leapt up and began to make noise, with some of them clutching Aescwine's legs as the family began to greet and welcome him home.
We heard my father say, "Allow your brother to leave now. Before our dinner celebration, he should bathe and clean up. The majority of the warriors will also be present."
At dinner, we were regaled with tales of Aescwine's victory over the she-bear. As we feasted upon the beasts flesh.
He described how he had ambushed her at the entrance of her cave, trapping her with stones falling from above, how he had harried her with his javelins and then fought against her with spear and sword, sustaining damage to his armor and a collapsed helm.
Despite being injured, he ultimately managed to kill the beast. As the night petered out and everyone went to their beds so did the family.
Solomon sneaked into Aescwine's room at the end of the night to discover him conversing with Mildritha.
"Here is our younger brother," Mildritha spoke initially.
Solomon smiled as he approached them both and flopped onto the bed.
"So how do you feel? Are you any different? How powerful are you now?" He began to pose many questions. "How could you determine that you are awakening?"
Mildritha laughed, and Aescwine responded, "Well, I don't feel much of a difference, although I am a little stronger. How did I learn? As I fought the bear, I felt something within me erupt, as if my insides were on fire. This fire is still pulsating through me at this moment. Without this eruption, I am sure I would have died." He spoke in a soft voice.
Mildritha acknowledged, "Stupid, I've told you before that it takes time. He will not notice a significant difference for at least one lunar cycle, and even then he will continue to grow. Now that I've seen my twelfth name, I continue to feel like I'm growing. Our father says, perhaps it never ends, but once you reach a certain level of power, you may no longer perceive your growth." She elaborated
After that, they engaged in conversation, caught up, and inquired about Aescwines' trips till daybreak, before falling asleep in Aescwines' bed.
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