A few soft footsteps followed by a deliberate cough jolted Aaron's concentration from the book in front of him.  He furrowed his brows, trying to desperately recover his train of thought with the passage in the book in front of him.  Letting out a quiet sight as it slipped away, he looked up to see a servant standing off to the side waiting for his acknowldgement.   Closing the book he nodded to the servant, "Ok, what do you need?"

Bowing to Aaron, the servant said "Pardon the intrusion, but the master asked me to bring you to his study."

Aaron nodded and closed the book before standing up.  He clicked his fingers together and a distortion formed in the air, settling into a roughly humanoid shape.  "Clean up and put away the books," he ordered the force servant before standing up and heading towards the door.  "Let's go," he said to the servant.

Passing through the sliding doorway, Aaron quickly made his way through the tastefully decorated halls.  Upon arriving a a doorway.  The servant stepped quickly ahead and knocked on the door frame before sliding it open in response to a muffled sound.  Aaron stepped in and tilted his head towards the sole occupant in the room.  "Father, you called for me?"  He mentally shook his head while looking at his father who was nearly hidden behind a giant wooden desk.  With his spare frame, thin wire rimmed glasses, and balding hair, his father looked like nothing more than a simple scholar rather than the local lord.  Yet somehow, he caused everyone encountering to treat him with the utmost courtesy.  It was a trick Aaron had yet to figure out even has he succumbed to it every time.

"Yes, that's right."  Like Aaron a moment ago, his father was still regaining his focus of the real world outside the papers on his desk.  "It's about time for you to be heading to boarding school in the capitol, so I wanted to talk with you before you go."

Aaron nodded his head as he recalled that this fall should be the start of his first year of boarding school in the capitol.  The school he was going to was somewhat ostentatiously named The Preparatory School of Arms, Arts, and the Affairs of State.  It was by no means the only, or even best school in the capitol, but it was the one his parents had attended and so it was considered something of an automatic choice for him to attend as well.  

 His father opened a drawer and pulled out a book and a ring.  "As you're now 15 and considered an adult as far as inheritence goes, I've had a signet ring for our house made for you.  It's a bit special, however, in that you can use it to leave a mystic signature in place of a standard seal.  Also, it's enchanted to protect you from being affected by overly hot or cold weather.  I also obtained an extra copy of this year's almanac, which includes the latest maps in addition to the usual calendar and auguries for the year."

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Aaron stepped up to the desk and picked up the ring.  Looking at it, he saw a swan on top of a fluer-de-lis, the symbol granted to his parents when bestowed with the house name of "Swan."  Sliding it onto his thumb, he immediately felt the temperature change slightly.  Then he carefully picked up the book.  "Thank you father, I'll take good care of these."

"See that you do," his father said before hesitating a moment.  "Do you remember what your mother told you about mystic spellcasters?"

"I do," said Aaron, "I'm an innate spellcaster, which is extremely rare.  Most of my classmates will be both older than me, and have studied to become extrinsic or acquired spellcasters similar to yourself.  I follow in Mother's footsteps in that regard."

"Right," his father said.  "Just remember that the very first spellcasters were innate spellcasters and all that followed was a result of their efforts.  Although most ignore or are unaware of that fact, and are even dismissive of innate casters, don't let that affect you.  Just continue to forge ahead on your own path, and that will make both of us happy."  He then picked up the paper he had been reviewing earlier.  "Have a good trip, you should leave in the next few days.  Your mother is off settling some disputes, so you won't be able to see her before you leave."

Aaron thanked his father before backing up and stepping out of the room.  Looking thoughtfully at the book in his hand and the ring on his finger he shook his head.  Now, out of his father's presence, a smile formed on his face and an excited twinkle shone in his eye.  For the first time, he was going to be able to travel on his own, and it was to the capitol at that!

Three days later, early in the morning, Aaron stood at the gate leading out of the manor.  He was plainly dressed in very standard traveling clothes covered with a simple leather armor.  A crossbow and backpack were slung across his back, while a light mace made of ironwood hung at his side.  Held in one hand was a spear.  He had spent a couple hours in front of his mirror ensuring he looked the part of a traveling fighter.  He rather hoped no one would notice the brand new spear hole in the wall next to his mirror.  Young spellcasters are all too often seen as easy prey, so he had decided to dress the part of someone with a different specialization.  Besides, it's not like he had never wielded a spear before.

Aaron clicked his tongue and made a gesture, causing a horse to appear next to him complete with saddle and bridle.  Launching himself into the saddle, he nudged the horse into a walk as he passed through the gates, waving at the guard.  It was finally time to embark on his trip!