The Visit

"I don't know what to say!" Gwendolyn exclaimed, peering down at the small creature nestled in Leo's arms.

"What exactly is it?" Emelina asked, her wide eyes sparkling with curiosity as she bent down to inspect Soot.

"I don't know," Leo replied, still mystified. "I found it by the stream, and the strangest thing happened."

"At the butchery?" Emelina scrunched her nose. "How is it still alive? I would think Bruno would've swallowed it whole," she giggled.

"Don't say that, Eme. I'm kind of taken with her," Leo said, his voice softening. "Can I keep her, Ma?"

Before Gwendolyn could respond, the air around them began to shimmer. Gwideon, the King's Royal Mage, stepped through the wall as though it was no more than mist. Leo instinctively took a protective step in front of his mother and sister, gripping Soot tightly to his chest.

"How did he do that?" Emelina gasped, her breath catching in her throat.

"How he did it doesn't matter," Leo growled, still on edge after his encounter with the Wraiths. "Get out of here, specter!"

"Leo! Emelina! Have respect!" Gwendolyn snapped, her tone sharp. "This is Gwideon, the King's Royal Mage." She stepped forward and curtsied deeply, gesturing for her children to do the same.

Leo grimaced but followed suit, bowing stiffly while Emelina curtsied beside him.

"Rise, rise," Gwideon said with a soft chuckle, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Leo watched him cautiously as Gwideon took Gwendolyn's hand in his.

"It’s been far too long, my old friend,” Gwideon said warmly, kissing her hands.

“Speak for yourself, old wizard,” Gwendolyn teased, a smile tugging at her lips.

Leo and Emelina stared at their mother in shock.

“Mother!” they cried in unison.

Gwideon laughed heartily, his voice filling the small cottage.

“It’s alright, children,” he said. “We go back a long way, your mother and I.”

Gwideon’s face turned more serious. “But Gwen, we need to talk. Privately.”

“Children,” Gwendolyn said, turning to them, “take... what is it called?”

“Soot,” Leo answered, holding the little creature a bit tighter.

“Yes, take Soot outside and play for a while.”

Before they could leave, Gwideon peered at the creature in Leo’s arms.

“Is that what I think it is?” he asked, leaning closer. “Why, I haven’t seen a Dragosquirrel in decades.”

“A... what?” Leo’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Yes, a Dragosquirrel. They’re exceedingly rare, almost extinct like their dragon relatives,” Gwideon said sadly.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“I was trying to find its mother,” Leo admitted, his voice barely a whisper.

“I’m afraid you won’t have any luck there, my boy. Dragosquirrel mothers lay their eggs and move on. It’s their nature.”

“That’s horrible,” Emelina muttered. “How could they just leave them?”

Leo’s expression hardened. “Parents shouldn’t abandon their children.”

Gwideon raised an eyebrow. “Are we still talking about Dragosquirrels, Leo? It’s simply their way. But it looks like Soot has chosen you,” he added with a smile.

Leo nodded slowly. “I’ll take care of her. Is that alright, Ma?”

Gwendolyn glanced at Gwideon, who gave a slight nod. “Yes, Leo. But she’s your responsibility now. Make sure you look after her.”

Leo smiled and ushered Emelina outside. “Come on, Eme. Let’s go.”

They wandered to the edge of the clearing, Emelina gently stroking Soot’s head as they walked through the cool evening air.

“I think something big is happening, Leo,” Emelina said in a whisper. “A strange visitor and talk of magic... it’s like the stories from those stories Mother always told us.”

Leo’s voice held a slight tremor as he replied, “I know. When a wizard shows up in your house, it’s never good. I have this strange feeling that everything’s about to change.”

Inside, Gwendolyn’s face paled as she turned to Gwideon. “What is it? You’re scaring me.”

Gwideon’s eyes darkened. “It’s started, Gwen. I can feel it. The power is shifting. The magic in the caverns is being siphoned. It won’t be long before they break free.”

Gwendolyn gripped the edge of the table, her knuckles white. “By the Gods, no. I thought we had more time. I didn’t believe it would happen in our lifetime.”

“Does Leo know?” Gwideon asked.

“That I once studied magic under you? No. He knows nothing of that. It’s better that way.”

“Gwen, magic doesn’t just vanish. It’s in your blood, and it’s in his blood.”

“I know,” Gwendolyn whispered, her voice trembling. “I think about using it every day to give my children a better life, but I can’t. You know why.”

Gwideon placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I do. But this isn’t about any of us anymore. It’s about Leo. He’s one of the chosen, Gwen. He needs to come with me to the manor.”

Gwendolyn’s heart sank. “No. He can’t. He doesn’t know the first thing about magic.”

“But magic knows him. He’s more powerful than you realize, and the future of our realm depends on the initiates. Leo is one of them. The darkness is growing, Gwen. We need him now.”

Gwendolyn’s shoulders sagged, her strength leaving her. “When?”

“Tomorrow morning. We can’t wait any longer. Leo’s already behind in his training.”

“And what will I tell Emelina?” Gwendolyn asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Tell her that her brother is going to serve the King bravely, as he was always meant to.”

Gwendolyn nodded as Gwideon disappeared from sight, his voice echoing softly, “It was good to see you again, Gwen.”

She collapsed against the table, tears spilling from her eyes. “There’s simply no escaping the past.”

----------------------------------------

“But Ma! You and Emelina need me here. I can’t go!” Leo shouted, his fists clenched.

“Leo,” Gwendolyn said gently, “you can’t refuse service to the King. There will be a stipend. We’ll be alright.”

“There are dangers you know nothing of. I’m not going!” Leo growled, but the fire in his eyes dimmed when he saw the silent tears streaming down Emelina’s face.

“Hey, Eme,” Leo said softly, crouching beside her. “Don’t cry. You’ll see me all the time. They’ll send me back once they realize I don’t have any magic in me.”

Emelina looked up at him, her tear-filled eyes wide with sadness. You know that’s not true.

Leo wasn’t sure if she had spoken out loud or if the thought had come from somewhere deeper. How can I protect them if I am not here? Leo’s head started to throb as his birthmark began to warm. He pulled his sleeve down to ensure it stayed covered.

“I knew you were special. The King will be lucky to have you, brother.”

Gwendolyn pulled her children close in a tight embrace.

“Come now,” Gwendolyn interrupted, trying to keep her voice steady. “It’s both of your birthdays. Let’s enjoy the meal I made.”

She brought a pot of their favorite stew, some honeyed bread, and fresh fruits to the table. They sat together, sharing the simple meal in near silence, each lost in thought. As they ate, memories of birthdays past—filled with laughter, homemade gifts, and songs—floated through their minds, bittersweet under the weight of the next day.

Gwendolyn reached across the table to hold her children’s hands. "There is so much I should have told you. But no matter what, Leo, remember you are loved. Emelina and I will be waiting for you to come home."

As the meal wound down, Emelina, wiping away her tears, forced a small smile. Leo, I’ll practice everything you taught me—catching frogs, hiding well, everything.”

Leo chuckled softly. “You better. Or when I come back, I’ll be the best frog catcher, and you’ll never catch up.”

The three sat together until the fire in the hearth dwindled to a warm glow, and the quiet of the night enveloped them. The future loomed uncertain, a shadow over their last shared evening as a family.