The 4th Month & 2 Days 

The good news is that I have gained a certain level of competence in this world's language. It is amazing what effect having nothing to do but memorize words has. The bad news is that I have hit a major obstacle. There is only so much that crops up in conversation around me, and I simply cannot remember words I have never heard!  

I have tried pointing at objects and saying a random sound. Maybe then someone would comment on it or tell me the correct word. Said method worked a couple of times as well. But it cannot be used on a regular basis, purely because of the suspicion it would generate. What actual baby would be intelligent and focussed enough to learn the language in this manner? No, I have to limit myself and spend time on other activities. 

And my chosen activity is currently physical fitness and control. I would prefer to learn magic as a means of getting stronger but, despite meditating like mad, nothing has come of my efforts. I haven't given up on magic though. Definitely going to ask about it once I can actually speak words, and am old enough to not give myself away. For now, though, I exercise and babble my days away. 

The 4th Month & 2 Weeks 

I can crawl! For a short way, at least. It feels... underwhelming. But what did I expect? It is crawling. I can also prop my body up in a sitting position against the side of the crib. Much better for seeing out of the tent flap, which in turn is much better for alleviating boredom. The line of sight is limited, unfortunately. I can tell people are moving back and forth doing some sort of task. Don’t know it's nature. What I do know is that most everyone is busy - except for me. 

I adjust my posture back and forth, but no luck with getting a clearer view. Still, physique wise it seems like the daily workout of moving my limbs as precisely as possible until exhaustion sets in is working. Pushing my body upwards used to completely drain me. I haven't done my exercises today though.  

Well, since I'm going to be taken outside in a moment I want to preserve my energy. And, right on time, the slave girl named Yuna re-enters my tent and smiles down at me. She's the one who has been looking after me the most recently. I think the middle-aged woman, Maya, is busy with whatever it is that everyone else is doing.  

"Young Master, we will now leave." 

It is a very formal mode of address for a baby. Irritating as well. Because of all this respectful speech I still, to this day, have not a single clue about what my name is. Do I even have one? As I muse on the potential identity crisis chaos you could instil in a child this way, Yuna disturbs my contemplation. Scooping me up gently, she tucks the shawl a little more securely around my small form. It's sunny, but given the speed of the wind, the temperature is slightly chilly.  

As we exit I realize what all the commotion is about. The tribe is packing up, most likely another migration. Tents are being taken down and the herds which normally roam free are being rounded up. It's done with super efficiency. Dimensional storage is a serious transportation cheat. As soon as a box is filled it vanishes off into wherever and the men and women move on to the next task.  

Yuna looks at a loss for a moment, before she spots Tsuri in an area full of children and heads in that direction. It turns out to be a makeshift playground surrounded by boxes which also serve as benches. After settling herself down she sits me on her lap, since the boxes block the wind there is no need for the shawl any more. 

The play is mostly unsupervised. Adults passing by take a glance now and then, if they aren't in too much of a hurry. Stick fighting seems to be the game of choice here. And despite the fact that Tsuri is only four or five years old, that is something he excels at. It's not just because he's big for his age either, he actually has some skill. I watch him knock the stick out of his opponent's hand, impressive given that said opponent is a head taller than him. 

Of course, any admiration that might have risen up is soon scuppered when he proceeds to kick that boys leg, hard enough that a whimper escapes. Laughter erupts as a result, especially when no attempt at retaliation takes place. I'd like to say it's just Tsuri being an arrogant brat. I really, really would. But that's how the pecking order in the playground is established. I've seen it all before. Just not with Tsuri involved. 

But seeing him in action is why I have decided that today I will begin Plan Prodigy! Starting with my crawling skill... Well, that is the only appropriate skill I can consider showing off. I am exceptionally good at crawling for my age, yes, but not ridiculously so. If I recall correctly basic crawling should be achieved by six months old. So, four and a half months is early enough that I will likely be seen as a prodigy.  

This is something that I both want and have to do, for two main reasons. The first is that I have no intention whatsoever of becoming cannon fodder, I want to have a say over my life. This leads to the second factor, which is that maintaining a position as a talented individual will bring benefits. A higher position in this society, a more luxurious life in the future... Is it really so wrong to want this? 

I saw the difference between how my eldest and second eldest brothers were treated not long ago. Even though the eldest son should be the most favoured, because he is seen as a weakling, all the attention is lavished on Tsuri. I don't want to be spoilt rotten, but all this time in my tent has really driven it into me that I need social interaction, company, to not be alone. I want friends, if at all possible. 

"Catho!" 

Tsuri shouts out suddenly, happily and most of all, sarcastically. He's good at sounding gleeful. But his smile is malicious.  

"What are you doing brother? Reading? Outside?" 

That's right. The person he's addressing is my eldest brother, whose name I now know. He holds an old leather book in his hands, the spine is cracked and the pages are almost falling apart. I strain my neck to get a glimpse, but as expected I cannot read this world's letters.  

A small groan of frustration escapes me and Yuna flinches. She looks pale and stats rocking me gently while mumbling a lullaby as quietly as she can. It does make sense, though. If I were a slave and I found myself in a dispute between noble's children I wouldn't want to be noticed either. I do quiet down however. Gut instinct says that I need to observe this. And it is at that moment that Catho responds to Tsuri.  

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"Yes." 

The monosyllable carries through the silence. But that silence is soon shattered. Tsuri's group resembled nothing more than hyenas who have scented blood. They crowd him, pushing and shoving and making barbed comments. Watching to see what he reacts to, what his weakness is.  

Only he doesn't react at first. Catho just glares at them – that is until they try and snatch his book, giving him an elbow to the stomach in the process. Then he doubles over and has a coughing fit. And while they scramble to get out of the way, he directs it all over the book. Before his lips form a thin smile. 

"You still want it?" 

He holds out the book towards one of the larger boys. The one who had tried to pry his fingers of off it immediately prior to this. The recoil is immediate, and just like that the roles of predator and prey have been switched. And Catho isn't letting them escape. Flicking open a page, he draws it along his finger. Blood wells out, a red blot on the parchment. 

"Here it is. Go on. Take it. And maybe you'll change. Become cursed. Just. Like. Me!" 

At this point the circle around him has formed again, but at a greater distance. No-one speaks up. Does that mean that curses are really a thing here? Well I mean, I've seen elemental and dimensional magic, as well as the runes on the tent in action - so I suppose yet another type of magic existing is not too much of a stretch. Ah, but I'm letting myself get distracted. Back to focussing on the stalemate. 

Or not. Why? Because am much older boy, early teens perhaps, steps forward. Which is abnormal since some of the unwritten rules that I have picked up on are as follows. Fights between similarly skilled or similarly aged opponents are fine. But Tsuri is what, four and something? And Catho is two years older than Tsuri, I definitely heard that brought up in the taunts, so he is approximately six? Even if they joined forces, which would be never, they couldn't win against an at least twelve-year-old youth. 

Not that they want to. Tsuri is the first to react and hastily bows his head. All the children in his group, and most of the others follow suit. And not just because Tsuri did it. That older boy exudes arrogance. And judging by his clothes, which are finer than the ones that Mother wears, and the elaborately decorated sword sheathed on his waist... Well, he most likely has the status and skill to back up that pride. 

After my momentary distraction I realised that I was once again bundled up in the shawl. Yuna, however, was making her way to the exit with as much stealth as she could. Did I just get abandoned? Since I'm already propped up on the bench-like seat, I might as well watch the proceedings for the time being. 

"Now, what occurred here to cause such a commotion? We start for the Heartlands in a matter of days, was your squabble serious enough to justify a delay?" 

The older boy smiles gently. Still giving off a super-intimidating aura though. Taking a fortifying gulp of fresh air, Tsuri is the one to respond. Albeit reluctantly, and after checking to see if there was any other option. 

"No. I apologise, elder brother." 

Wait... What?! 

"Apology accepted, do try not to err again." 

Does that mean that everything is okay now? Of course, not, how could it be? I don't get this? I have a step-brother? Or a cousin called elder brother as a form of respect? Maybe he's just that high ranking...? While I don't have a good opinion of my mother, she would have had to be a child at the time of pregnancy were that the case. Please, don't let my dad be a paedophile. Though that would explain his absence... Gah! 

"And you, I am very disappointed in you." 

So now he's moved on to Catho. Literally, the arrogant 12-year-old who may or may not be my brother steps forwards and plucks the book out of his arms. He then begins to pace in a wide circle. Did I refer to the younger kids as predators before? I was wrong to. This one is the real deal. 

"Your lineage may not be noble, but it is scholarly. Your grandfather is Chief Chronicler of our tribe, dedicated to preserving knowledge for future generations. To defile a book with your blood deliberately... how could you?" 

So, he was watching everything for a while then. And chose the most opportune moment to intervene, how very cunning. 

"You have brought shame upon your family. Ah, I misspoke. You are a living disgrace to our family already. But you were not satisfied and had to continue to contaminate your maternal grandparent's reputation. How can I tolerate this-?" 

"Young Master Ambrai. What a surprise to see your illustrious self at the playground. Surely you are not one to indulge in childish fits of fancy?" 

Mother has just arrived, Yuna close behind. But even though her words are composed, the woman herself is not. Slightly out of breath, slightly less than immaculate hair and accessories... she must have rushed over as soon as Yuna alerted her to whatever it is that is so serious. And, par for the course, Ambrai's smile doesn’t waver in at all. 

"Naturally not, Third Mother. I was merely attempting to resolve a dispute between brothers. Alas, your sons seem to have inherited a certain disposition of disrespect. It truly surprises me. Honoured Father has never had any such trait in his bloodline." 

For the record, I have in no way been disrespectful. I am a baby, and remarkably well behaved for my age. Though my anger pales in comparison to mothers. Her jaw muscle is twitching and that smile is more of a grimace. But she hides it quickly, eyes flicking back and forth, taking in everything that happened. Before the word I expected forms on her lips. 

"Catho! You wicked child... to steal from my personal library... and to try your brothers so! Had Tsuri not prevented you from doing so, that book would be in tatters, would it not? Do you wish to anger me to death? To scorn out ancestral spirits?!  

Thankfully Young Master Ambrai was passing by and was able to assist...  Young Master Ambrai, this incompetent mother offers her gratitude. I admit my faults in raising an insolent child and will accept the consequences of my actions."

Tears begin to spill down her cheeks. 

"I Uzure, will sacrifice to the ancestors and beg forgiveness. But Tsuri has barely seen four Summers, and only meant well in preventing his brother's evil actions! Ignorance is bad, but not as insidious as malice. Pleading with Young Master to explain this to Honoured Husband so that justice is done!" 

Ambrai looks deep in thought, brow furrowed as if he is trying to solve an impossible problem. Even his voice, when he speaks is pensive. 

"But a great wrong was still done. And justice must also be served in that regard..." 

Mother looks up through long eyelashes, glistening with her unshed tears. 

"As much as it pains me to say, what can I do but agree? Catho must face the full consequences of his actions..." 

"Hey!" 

It is at this point that Catho speaks up, and manages to get all of one syllable out before Mother reacts. 

"Quiet! What did I do to deserve this unfilial child...?" 

She then sways slightly, as if about to faint. Yuna quickly moves to support her. 

"Madam! Ah, Madam! Your body is still weak..." 

Ambrai watches Yuna fuss over Mother, annoyance briefly making itself known on his features. He sighs. 

"Very well then.  I shall relay Third Mother's wishes and repentance to Honoured Father, and will likewise sacrifice to the ancestors for your health to improve." 

He then turns and leaves. After everyone else is gone the colour returns somewhat to Mother's face and she rushes over to Tsuri. Yuna hurries over to check on me. And a summoned guard is tasked with detaining Catho in one of the yet to be dismantled tents. He's muttering curses and glaring at me, again. But Mother doesn't seem to hear him.  

No-one speaks for the entirety of the trip back to my tent, and Mother and Tsuri do not linger there either. Fatigue mixed with emotional exhaustion hits me hard and before I know it I am out of it once more. Honestly, I'm surprised I lasted this long.