In a peaceful town atop a seemingly unending cliff lived a family, leading a safe and productive life with little worry just as their neighbors do under their leader, Chief Malema. With near-familial ties to the Chief's family, this family has and always will flourish in the town of Kudu. The father, who grew up alongside the Chief as his friend, found himself a position as their leaders' right-hand man.
The family gained a new member during one winter, much to the surprise of the father - who immediately set up a plan once he found out that he got his maid pregnant. Coming to an agreement that the child would grow up in the household as a worker-in-training, the wife was fed the lie that the child was 'one born from a happy mistake between the maid and a good friend after a few drinks' from the year before when the maid was away for a week celebrating her family's existence, an event which saw entire families taking a week off every year according to the schedule given to them by their leader.
Although she had her doubts- knowing her husband was quite frivolous when it came to women in his younger days, since many women did chase him many years ago, herself being his biggest advocate - she accepted it as the truth, as she had no way of knowing whether the newborn was truly birthed with the help of her husband. She also wanted to believe it, as she couldn't fathom the man she loved so dearly betraying her in such a harmful way, having not carried a child of her own yet. She would know in the coming years, as young Liro grew, with the telltale features finally giving her an answer.
By the age of three, Liro's features told the wife everything she needed to know. The child had light brown skin, brown eyes, and dark brown hair that had a hint of red when under direct sunlight. This was oddly similar to her husband's deep red hair and brown eyes, as well as the maid's brown hair and brown eyes in contrast to the wife's darker skin, green eyes, and light golden hair.
She fell silent soon after, leaving her former husband behind as she walked out with her belongings. This was tough on Liro's father, and as much as he deserved it, it sent him into a deep depression. From his third to his tenth year, Liro was brought up almost exclusively by his real mother, the maid, as he watched her struggle to keep their home together. The entire serious of events caused serious lasting issues with trust and relationships between Liro and his father, since he practically grew up not having one.
He never had time to go to school, to make friends, or to learn his family's trade, which he did have quite the interest in. He was taught by his mother- the family maid - from a young age, learning about everything around the house, until he was in practice as good a maid as his mother. He could sew clothing by hand, clean properly, cook well enough, and he was physically quite strong for his age since he had to cut logs quite often in their garden in order to trade with their neighbours.
He didn't like cutting logs for up to a few hours on most days, but it helped him and his mother live a comfortable life. His father got packages of food weekly to support the family further as gift from a friend from the Chief, however Liro was tasked by his mother to do some extra work to help out a bit.
He couldn't yet at such an age, despite having matured faster than other youths his age appreciate all his mother had done for him growing up and unfortunately he would only come to understand the fact later on in his life.
On his tenth birthday, Liro awoke from his bed at an early hour, the sun wouldn't touch the town with its warmth for another two hours. The town bell signaled the middle of the day, also functioning to wake people who hadn't yet gotten up. Before getting dressed, he stretched his limbs for the day ahead for a few minutes. He found it easier to get to work after breakfast if he stretched his body in the morning, and it certainly did just that to an extent.
Upon reaching the kitchen, his body now fully clothed and awake, Liro sat down. The meal his mother had prepared was the same as always, but he had become used to it. It was a plate with a potato and some bread with a cup of blended juice of the purpurfruit to the side. Unsure of where she was, he assumed that she was busy somewhere else in their larger than average, yet empty home.
Liro still felt uneasy about his conversation with his mother the night before. She had come to him after his dinner to speak with him about the future of their family, and his mother- although hesitantly- broke the news to him. In a year he would be sent to work under the the Chief's family as a creaturer. It was a great honour to be working such a niche job, which is held only by a handful of people at a time, and their apprentice, which is the position Liro would be taking up due to his father's old connections with the Chief.
Despite his eagerness to learn even more about the fauna and flora in Kudu, he rather would like go and explore it for himself, however leaving the town was near impossible and strictly forbidden, as the cliff was said to be an extremely dangerous place with hideous, frightening monsters and poison on every surface, or so he was told growing up, as many of the other children were.
He didn't want to spend the rest studying grass however, he wanted adventure, and he certainly wouldn't find it here. However, leaving the town with guards that were stationed at the one exit of the town, meaning running away would be very, very difficult. Especially for a child.
He wanted control over his future, over his fate. At this point, he didn't even know if fate was the right word. Why couldn't he have gotten a job that was more fun, like a blacksmith or a guard? Couldn't they just pick someone who already had a proper education to the point where they could become a better creaturer immediately? Liro had many questions. By the time he had finished his breakfast, he came to the conclusion that his mother likely made the decision for him, as he didn't have any aspirations besides becoming an explorer- something he wouldn't be able to do if he stayed in Kudu. He at least realised that he was lucky to receive such a honourable job right from the start, although he wasn't planning on staying to actually fulfill his role.
He gave it some thought as he walked to the family study, where his mother sat, waiting for him to give him his first lesson of the day. He thought about upcoming events, and remembered that the Chief was having a large party to celebrate his daughter's 16th birthday in a few weeks, signifying the beginning of her adulthood.
Liro remembered his father receiving an invitation to the party just a week ago, although his father decided that he would not attend, as expected. Liro thought that he might be able to sneak away the letter of invitation to gain entry to the party, and he would do so on the night of the event in a week's time. After all, it would be a rare event, and certainly would have a lot of tasty food and drinks for him.
Reaching the study, he walked in the room, seeing his mother sitting at the desk, awaiting his arrival.
"Good morning." She smiled, returning the greeting with a simple nod as she gestured for him to take a seat.
"I know how much you want to explore the world, but you know that the Chief and your father would never allow it." She spoke softly, with her gentle voice reaching Liro's ears immediately.
"I also feel unsure about your dreams. The cliff is dangerous you know... I don't like the thought of you going down there alone without proper preparation and experience." She continued.
His mother was a kind soul, working hard for the people she loved, and never causing any harm to him. Whenever Liro did something wrong growing up, she would use the opportunity to teach him, instead of scolding and beating him. Sometimes, though on rare occasions, his mother felt glad that Liro's father was in such a state, so that she could bring him up well, and not under the influence of an angry and depressed man ruined by a sour divorce.
"Mom... if I learnt how to survive out there, and learnt to fight, would you stop me?" Liro asked.. He was curious, and although he asked this, he didn't have any current plans to leave at the moment. His posture spoke with confidence, just how he was taught to sit, however his tone showed his true emotions: curiosity. This was unusual for him, however this was his mother he was speaking to, and it was such a sensitive subject after all. There was silence for a minute, as his mother was thinking up a response to his question.
"Liro, can I be honest?" She finally asked, looking at him for clarification, just to make sure that he was dead serious. She brought this child up from the start. He was her child, however she truly did not know if he was serious in this moment. Liro merely nodded, looking down at his hands which were fiddling in his lap, a result of his nervousness of course.
"All I've heard about the cliff growing up is that it is dangerous, and that nothing good comes from it, so I would be very worried and scared for you. I think the Chief would be very angry, although I don't think he'd send anyone after you because of his rules regarding leaving the town."
Liro had decided. "Mom, could you please teach me how to survive on my own?"
She didn't quite know what to say. She hoped that her son would give up on the idea, but she figured she could entertain the idea for the meantime and see what happens. "I can only teach you the basics. We know nothing of the animals or plants outside of our walls, so I can't help you with that."
Liro nodded and thanked her. He could go out on small expeditions to prepare for his final departure, though it would take time, and he would have to be extremely careful as to not get caught.