Chereads / The Prodigy of the Elements / Chapter 4 - Early Years

Chapter 4 - Early Years

Axel showed quite the aptitude of arcane arts through his prowess as a newborn. After the promise of his mother, his eyes glowed unnaturally, showing a prowess that his line of the family have never seen in a few generations.

The tone deepened again as Jarl Endervein *pronounced yarl* entered the room. He strided closer to Elane holding Axel. He caught a glimpse of Axel's eyes glowing unnaturally and said, "He has a hard and fruitful future ahead of him Elane. You should be proud. He has the same prowess as my great grandfather, Jarl Enstain Endervein." He then patted Axel on his chest and gave Elane his blessing.

As the Jarl left the room, Elane blushed and glowed with pride from the blessing she recieved as she looked down on her newborn son.

Weeks passed as she recovered from the birth of her son Axel. She spent many nights alone with him making sure his needs were met. She got the rest she needed on the weekends as the maids took over her son.

By the age of 4, Axel was taken to the throne of the Jarl. There he was to be given a role that he will lead for the rest of his life. The Jarl stood and looked upon Axel as he knelt before him. "You, son of Elane Endervein. I have pondered your role for the years of your life and studied you as you grew." Axel looked up to the Jarl as he spoke. "I have come to the conculsion that you will achieve great things for our family. Therefore, I command that you and your mother, Elane, live with the main family." The Jarl stopped his speach and approached Axel and said, "Rise my kin, you will be assigned no role, but a duty. You are to take on the footsteps of our forefathers and train to be the main protector and leader of the family."

Axel didn't know what the Jarl meant as he was absorbing his words. He rose and smiled brightly, oblivious to what the Jarl meant as he stated his place in the family. His mother embraced him later that day as she wept in joy for her son and his new place within the family. "See son, you will live a great life and I couldn't be more proud to hear of what the Jarl said."

By the age of 5, Axel woke to his mother sitting at his bedside. She held out the medals that the guard gave her the day Axel was born. "These are the achievements your father earned in his time as a soldier when he was called to take a pledged to serve for our great nation." Axel took the ribbon donned medals and looked at his mother with confusion. "Where is my father? I never met him and would like to embrace him as you do me."

Elane looked at her son with dread. "Your father died in battle. I was given those medals he earned the day you were born." She rose and left his bedside and said, "I'm sorry that I didn't tell you earlier. He is watching over you from the heavens." Axel's demeanor turned cold for a moment before he moved from the bed and replaced it with pride. "I will show you mother, that I am going to reach great things."

Elane looked at him with wide eyes, astonished at what he just said and nodded. Axel put the medals away and joined his mother later. He followed her to the courtyard and noticed another family from another region. "Who are they mother?" Elane looked and said to him, "They are the Cleinfields."

Axel saw a girl and a boy his age with the adults. "Can I go and say hi?" Axel was eager to make friends as everyone else in his house wasn't too keen on a side family's son taking such a privileged role for a future.

Elane smiled and looked at her son. "Sure. But be nice, good friends take care of eachother." Axel smiled brightly and sprinted towards the family to introduce himself.