Chapter 1: Homecoming
What is it that you seek, young one? The power to protect? The ability to dominate? Or destroy? Find it within thyself, young one. For which I have chosen you. Now you decide if you wish to carry this burden.
I woke up in a cold sweat. I frantically search my room, my eyes still attempting to adjust to the darkness. My eyes adjusted to the room, and I saw nothing but myself and my belongings. I lay back down. My heart is racing, my hands are shaking. What was that? WHO was that, I said to myself. I get out of bed and look out my window. The moon peers down on me from behind the clouds, and the night sky lights up. There was not a soul in sight. I listen for the voice, and the only thing I hear is the sound of livestock and the wind. I sigh and lay back down.
I look outside and realize that the sun is starting to rise. I get out of bed and get ready for the day. I wash up and get dressed, putting on my clothes. I wear a grey tunic, light blue trousers, a necklace my parents had made for me, and brown shoes. Dawn breaks as I tie my shoes. Light floods my room as the sun continues to rise. I grab my bag and head into the kitchen.
Our house wasn't the biggest in Gefjun, but it serves my family well. My father is a mercenary, while my mother owns a shop on the edge of Gefjun. 'The Broken Toadstool'
she called it. My father is away on missions most of the time, so it's my mother and me by ourselves to take care of the house and ourselves.
I enter the kitchen and see a note on the table. It reads:
Dear Orion,
Happy Birthday! I cannot believe you're already twelve years old! I still remember the day you were born. It was a magical day when you were born. A true blessing from the gods you were. Since it is your birthday, you have the day off. I already spoke with Mr. Hancock. He agreed to give you the day off, and Mr. Novak said he would give you the day off as well. All I need is for you to pick something up from Mrs. Hardwicke's shop, then you are free to enjoy your birthday. Also, when you finish up, make sure to stop by my shop. I have an early present for you.
Sincerely,
-mother
I completely forgot that today was my birthday! Gods, I'm such an idiot. With everything that happened this morning, it slipped my mind. I put the letter down and grabbed my bag. The first stop is Mrs. Hardwicke's shop, huh? Okay then, let's go.
I step outside, and the sun is blinding. I am not a morning person, so I give my eyes some extra time to adjust. Gefjun Village is an agricultural village for the Kingdoms. The Villages provided food, clothing, and other resources for the 4 Kingdoms (Caldera, Rosewood, Snowfall, Puren). In return, The kingdoms supply the villages with money and protection based on what villages are closest to each of the Kingdoms.
Gefjun is one of the few Villages that have a marketplace or something that draws travelers in. Gefjun’s marketplace is shallow compared to the shopping districts in the Kingdoms. Our market sells produce, trinkets, armor, herbs, potions, etc. A few people are up early and are setting up shop. I say good morning to them as I pass by, and as usual, they try to get me to purchase something.
I ignore them and walk into Mrs. Hardwicke's shop. Her cat, Miyuki, jumps off the counter and greets me at the door. I scratch her behind the ear, and she runs back to lay on the counter.
"Mrs. Hancock! you here," I shout. "Orion, is that you ?" she yells back. She stumbles out of the backroom with several boxes in her arms.
"How come you're here so early," she asked. "Your mother said that you wouldn't be here until this afternoon".
"I woke up early," I answered.
"Hmm. you're still having those dreams, aren't you?"
"How do you know about them?"
"Your Mother always stops by to pick up herbs and ingredients that she ordered, and we talk each time she comes. She told me a few days ago that you were having these weird dreams and were having trouble sleeping. She asked me if I had any herbs that could help you sleep". Interesting, I thought. What else did she tell you," I asked. "Nothing, she said. Afterward, she only said that she would find a way and proceeded to leave. But enough of that. I have that order for you ready in the back".
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She motioned for me to follow her. I follow her into the back room, and she leads me to a table with the order. "Here's everything your mother asked for. If you need anything else, you know where to find me".
"Thank you, Mrs. Hancock," I said. She nods, and we part ways.
Blackwood Forge is one of the oldest buildings in Gefjun Village. It predates the year the village was founded by [insert name here]. The Hancock family has been the sole owners of the forge for generations.
Blackwood Forge gained its namesake after a fire that happened during its construction. After the flames settled, they began repairs but only built upon what survived the fire. The building definitely reflects its age, even to this day. Sporting moss and ivory that grows in corners and dark shadow-ridden places. Cracks have also formed, widening with each passing day. Though the outside still retains the look of an old run-down barn, the interior is constantly repaired, and the supports are still as strong as they were in their heyday. Smoke starts billowing out of the chimney; I take that as a sign to head inside. I enter then immediately head towards the forge. The owner of Blackwood Forge, Johnathan Hancock, has been the head since before I was born. My parents said that Mr. Hancock was the owner since they were little too. He has been a blacksmith for decades, which has earned him the rank of Forgemaster, a title only granted by the Kingsmith of Caldera. Mr. Hancock is revered among blacksmiths for his work rate and his technique.
I step into the forge and see him immediately working on something. "Good morning Mr. Hancock," I yelled over the clashing of steel. He stops mid-swing and turns to look at me.
"What the hell are you doing here so early, boy?".
"I couldn't sleep."
"That still doesn't explain why you're here."
"Oh! My mother left me a note. Told me to come here and pick something up", I said. He took a sec to think about it, then left the room quickly. He returned with something wrapped in cloth. The seal of Blackwood forge tops the center. A hammer and sword crossed over an anvil mark the symbol of Blackwood Forge.
“What is it?”
“It’s a special blade that I've been working on. Specially requested by your mother, no less”. Mr. Hancock cuts the seal and removes the cloth wrapped around it. It was a finely crafted and beautiful longsword. Runic symbols were etched into the blade. I noticed a symbol in the center of the guard and recognized it instantly. A snowflake surrounded by swords. Its’ my father’s crest.
“Did my mother request this for my father? This is my fathers crest,” I state.
“Aye, your mother did request this for your father. Before I can send you back, I need your help with one final thing,” he said. “What is it,” I ask. He leads me to a table with some stones and markings on it. I realize that they are rune stones and spell markings. “The final thing we need to do is place an enchantment on the sword, and give it a name,” he said. “The process is quite simple. All we need to do is place the sword in the middle of the spell circle, surround it with the stones, then place the enchantment with an incantation. Easy enough?”. I stand there for a moment processing everything he said, then I nod. We set everything up for the enchantment. We recite the incantation: “O' Divinum. hunc gladium in tua protectione benedic et per lumen tuum illum dirige”. The stones glow as with the spell circle. Slowly, mana starts pouring in the sword. When all of the markings on the sword glow, the enchantment finishes. Mr. Hancock picks up the sword and sheathes it, handing it to me. All I can manage to say is “wow”. He laughs and gives me a pat on the back.
“Good. Now you’re all set,” he tells me. “Make sure to say hello to your mother for me”.
“Yes sir, I definitely will,” I said. I take the sword and wrap it back in cloth. “You should stop by sometime for my party”
I’ll think about it,” he said while smirking. I nod, then leave the forge.
The Broken Toadstool. Owned by my mother, Lillian Lancaster. The Broken Toadstool is a general herb and potion shop on the edge of town. The shop earned its name shortly after its completion. The building was modeled after a toadstool (as the name implies) which is commonly found in the surrounding forest near Gefjun. After the building was finished my mother set everything up and started to work on potions. She wasn’t paying attention and knocked over a mixture of Ashlen (a flower that grows near flame vents) and spark powder onto an open flame. The explosion took out most of the interior and blew a hole into the roof. Luckily, she escaped with only minor burn marks. The building was eventually repaired but a part of the roof remains unfixed. She thought it built character. A broken shop for a broken woman, She joked.
I walk in and see my mother attending to some customers. She notices me and waves, motioning me over to the counter. Mother is a mage and has always had a specialty in magic. She's a 3rd-stage Arcane Mage. Mages have a ranking system starting from the 7th stage up to the 1st, or the arcane stage. Everyone has always said that my mother was a powerful mage, but I've never been privy to see that side of her. All my life I've only known the sweet, kind, and helpful person she is today. After she finishes, I go up and talk to her. Before I could even say anything she rushes over the counter and hugs me tightly. I reciprocate, then squirm my way out of her grasp. “Look at you,” she said, putting her hands on my shoulders. “I can’t believe it's been over 12 years since you came into this world. Now look at you: so strong and capable, at such a young age no less”.
“Thank you, Mom. For taking care of me all of these years,” I replied. She kisses me on the forehead and returns behind the counter.
“Did you get everything on the list?”
“Yes, Sword and all”
“Great. Now we just have to wait for our guest to arrive”.
“Guest? Who is it?”
“You’ll see,” she said with a huge grin across her face.
Who could it be, I asked myself. I started listing off names in my head, but none of them felt right. After about halfway, someone walks in. I turn around and see they’ve gone to the counter and started talking to my mother. I started feeling something. Something familiar. When he turned around I instantly recognized him. “Hello, Orion,” he told me. It was my father.