Planet Leven, at one glance was a habitable planet like earth but five times its size. Much of the planet’s surface, about two third, was covered with water and fog. Remaining was all land separated into three continents.
The Maand continent was the largest of the three continents ruled by a single empire, the Moonshine empire.
To the north of the continent lay various large and small mountain ranges reflecting the sun’s ray as if they were meant to filter out and distribute the light into the lands below. The hills and lands below the mountain ranges were covered with lush forest defining the quality of the land. Various flora and fauna spread across the land.
Similarly, countless cities and towns were situated in the entirety of the land filled with houses and trees, muddy roads. However, it didn’t seem like the civilization existed separately, it looked like they were molded into the nature, as if the cities grew naturally over time.
In the midst of various such cities lay a small town surrounded by hills forming a valley around the town as if standing to protect it from all sides. With an area of about 9 squares km but there were fewer houses than one would expect from a town of that size.
The name of the town was the Silvermoon town, home of the Silvermoon clan, established by the genius general Jagan Silvermoon about 7000 years ago. An orphan who grew out to be one of the most vicious general of the Moonshine empire.
Overtime, the town accepted various other small clans and now was home to them all. But, the leadership of the town was always passed down to the Silvermoons as a form of custom and respect to the famous general.
On the center of the town were few one and two story houses, courtyards, small gardens clustered together to form an estate. One of such houses was a little bigger than others, completely white with plants and grasses growing out of walls. Supported by two round pillars at the front which had stems and roots of plants wrapped around them as if a snake coiling around the legs of an elephant, the white and green made it more beautiful.
The top and corners of walls were lined with sculptural art of snakes, dragons, warriors, making them have an ancient feel. A round triangular roof was mounted on the two story house, the whole house gave the vive of a holy palace or temple. Surrounded by grasses and plants with a long pavement across the front, making the house not much less than a palace.
This was the residence of Alfons Silvermoon, head of the Silvermoon clan who was the current leader of the town. A worthy leader, noble and calm, loved by the people of the town.
It was an auspicious day for the Silvermoon family. Erna Silvermoon, the wife of Alfons Silvermoon was giving birth to their second child after 14 years. Outside an wooden door with silver knob, was a man pacing around left and right with an anxious face. Alfons was quite worried for his wife and soon to be son because the town priestess had predicted that they would face complexities during birth of their second child.
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
“Goodness gracious Alfons, get a hold of yourself, will you? This is not the first time you’ve having a child!” complained an older man with long white beard and big stature. Alfons’ father was himself a retired captain with quite a few scars on his name.
“But father, the priestess said it would be a difficult birth and I haven’t heard a single sound from inside, is mother even there?” grumbled Alfons looking towards his father. Only women were supposed to be present during the time of birth so the men were waiting outside.
Even though he was built the same as his old man with broad shoulders and sculpted face, Alfons’ eyes had a gentle and noble look on them, just a little worried. Wearing a white robe with silver linings, long black hair which reached few inches below the shoulders, he gave quite an air of nobility and character.
“Don’t mind that old witch! We are the Silvermoons, one of the strongest, what problems can one of Silvermoons have? Your child will be born like a dragon, healthy and kicking, hahahahaha, hahahahaha!”
“hah!” The only thing Alfons could do was sigh after hearing this senile old man who was more proud than their famous ancestor himself.
“Don’t worry Ethan, you’ll soon have a younger brother for yourself to teach and bully around” said Alfons smiling towards a youth of 14 years old leaning towards the wall in the side of the room.
“I should be saying that to you father with all the prancing around, and who’d bully my brother, I’ll thump them if they dare!” said the teenage youth with a slight hint of anger and care at the last part of the sentence. Ethan was their first born, a good son, devoted and already showing signs of a future leader. Wearing the same white robe with hair tied to a pony standing proud, he was his fathers son alright.
“AARRGGHHHHH, I’M GONNA KILL YOU... YOU UGLY OLD WOMAN...” came a high pitched stressed sound from inside.
“Calm down Erna, its almost over. You there! Hold her down and may be stuff her mouth with a towel or something!” said an old woman to Erna, trying to calm her daughter in law without minding her tone.
Hearing his wife shout like that, Alfons tried to explain to his father - “Sorry father, please don’t mind her words, it should be the pain talking”.
“What are you talking about? She’s really the daughter I never had, she didn’t even use any swear words this time. Hahahaha, hahahaha!”. The old man gave a questing look before bursting our laughing again.
“Sigh!!” It was Ethan this time giving a long sigh who felt he was the only normal one in this family.
“AARRGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”
“.............................................................................”
“.......................................”
“........................”
“Uuwaah, Uuwaaah... Uumuu.. waaaaaahhhhhhh!
“CLANK... Shwoooshh!” The door was opened after a minute and a maid walked out hurriedly. Turning to Alfons, she bowed and spoke in an excited tone - “Master! The lady has given birth to a healthy child! Both of them are fine. Your presence has been requested”.
“Swoosh!!” Everyone rushed inside hearing the good news.
Inside the room were four people, two maids, an old woman and a sweating woman in her early thirties sleeping in the bed, smiling at a new born baby at her side. That satisfied smile of hers looked as if she had never went through any pain earlier.
“Erna, my love!! Are you ok?” The first thing Alfons did after rushing in was to check in his wife and then take a glance at his second son.
Erna smiled sweetly and replied - “I’m just a little tired honey, this one took a while to come out, I bet he’ll be the stubborn one, hehe”.
Holding the baby, Alfonse slowly lifted him in his arms with teary eyes that didn’t suit his face. “My.. son...” He couldn’t muster any more words before admiring him for a minute. “He’s quiet already after only few minutes. He’ll be a genius”. Alfonso couldn’t help develop a reason to make him proud of his son. “Come, Ethan! Meet your younger brother”.
As if waiting to be called, Ethan jumped out for the chance to meet the younger brother who he’d always promised in his heart to take care of.
Taking the sleeping baby from his father, Ethan looked with a big smile on his face and said his first words to his brother.
“Welcome to the world... Adrian!”