The Fernost estate being nestled on a flat outcrop off Mount Gretalos. Was where a meeting of young girls was taking place. The eldest of them could not be more than ten years of age.
There were twelve girls for today's classes most days however, their instructor would teach more than thirty. Who would when they came of age, would go to learn in one of several Academy's for the education of witches.
However, due to some incident, unknown to them their instructor, Litralia Frenost had been called away. The door she had left through was left ajar, so a little sound could be heard from where they were all sitting.
"Are you sure of what Lanhou saw?" [Litralia]
Litralia asked showing no real emotion on her face.
Standing before her was Milty the Caretaker for lady Litralia's youngest child.
"Yes my lady all I have reported is true, as things are now eventually we will not be able to keep this a secret for much longer." [Milty]
Looking about her, Milty notices the door still ajar and motioned a hand towards it, closing the door so none would hear what was being spoken.
"He grows so swiftly, never have I heard of such growth even among the races of the second order." [Milty]
Milty spoke first after closing the door.
"He acts not like a child, but more like a man bored of his youth, who's eyes point towards some place we can not see." [Milty]
Litralia listened to every word Milty spoke, It was true that Lanthim was far exceeding. What a child should be able to do in such short amount of time. In order to counter the possibility that someone, outside finding out anything about his ability to manipulate mana she had taken drastic steps. Lanthim was a prisoner of the east wing of the estate, never to have interactions with children his own age, or any other staff of the house, aside from Milty his caretaker and Felyma assistant caretaker.
His mother with her constant teaching schedule rarely saw him. Only four or five times a day, for less than an hour each visit. When they did have longer time together, Lanthim would always act distant. As if, the joys of a young child were wasted on him. Then the daily reports of his attempts to use mana. Would reach her ears and her entire being would shudder.
"My lady, eventually this news of a male capable of manipulating mana will reach the capital, and then he will be in the greatest danger." [Milty]
What Milty spoke was true, the five great clans, of the empire, would not allow even the smallest test of their authority. To be left alone for too long. Being the leading family's, in the development in advanced magic spells, and the command sequences to use them. These six had the greatest monopoly, on magic and its users in the empire.
"Have you contacted my husband concerning this matter Milty? I think it would be unwise at this time. You know that he very rarely sees any letter I send him, without it being read beforehand." [Litralia]
Litralia spoke, turning towards a painting that was hanging on the wall just behind her. A family portrait, produced some years before after her third daughter Mahyna was born. Standing behind her was Nedral Frenost with his long black hair, and strangely red eyes. Not impressively tall but not short he looked powerful for a man.
"You talk of lady Fienya the masters first wife why would an elf care for such a child?"
Milty asked, still where she was standing when the conversation started.
"The danger does not come from her being an elf." [Litralia]
Explained Litralia, turning again, this time, facing the door to the library with her hand on the door.
"It is her attachment to Nedral's mother that causes me the greatest concern."
Ending there, she opened the door, and proceeded to continue the lesson for the day that had been prepared.
Elsewhere in the east wing of the estate Lanthim, sat cross-legged. Meditating upon his bed, the calming sensation of mana flowing through him helped clear his mind, and through that clearness find peace. How very beautiful it felt never in his previous life had he known such serenity, such calm.
Today he had been able to manifest mana as Felyma had called it. Into a physical form something of substance and texture. It may have been only a small amount of water but for him, it was a major step into greater things. The joy and satisfaction, of actually being able to do it made him buzz with excitement even now.
"Well well, you seem to be quite able to use Mana manipulation far better than was originally expected."
A voice came to lanthim's mind calm, and serene he knew this voice. Opening his eyes, he looked to his immediate front. The world around him began to warp, and change colors seemed to blur. Then, as if She had always been there a woman appeared before him, standing just at the foot of the bed. Leaning forward with no adjustment to her dress at all she meets Lanthim's gaze.
"Not even a year old and you believe you can move the world."
Bringing herself upright the woman continued.
"The others are so displeased by your inability to just live out the early stages of your life as a child."
Confused by this strange person, Lanthim said nothing just stared. Wondering what exactly what was going on. As both just watched each other strangely neither spoke just silence for a time.
"Well, what an inconvenience have you really forgotten my voice. True you did not see what I looked like back then, however, that is no excuse."
The woman was first to break the silence. Lanthim looked at this person more closely, the dress she wore. Did not look the same as what he had seen around these parts. Or what he had been informed about, when he asked about the fashions of this area. Always seemed to make Felyma or Melty a little reserved whenever he asked questions. He was not ignorant as to his being kept locked up in the east wing. Litralia had tried for many months to stop lanthim from continuing to manipulate mana. But he would continue to practice in spite of any restrictions.
Then he remembered something, a memory that he had allowed himself to forget. Even though it was not long ago his experience with the six true magi.
"Frera one of the magi who I met in that place before coming to this world." [Lanthim]
Lanthim spoke with a little surprise, all he had known back then was just their voices. Now to see one of them in the flesh, he could not contain himself. Frera, on the other hand, did not seem so pleased with his long delay in remembering her. There was no smile, nor frown, just a calm displeased stare that made ones hairs stand on end.
"Well since you are ignorant about this world, I will forgive you for including beings of our power, and presence with that of this plane of existence."
Speaking Frera had again met lanthim's gaze
"I am one a the True Magi, try not to include me with the little witches of these land. Who would think themselves so great." [Frera]
'Ah, crap it seems I have said something I should not have.' {Lanthim}
Speaking to himself Lanthim smiled weakly.
"A smile I see sadly for you I am not here with happy tidings." [Frera]
Frera had noticed his smile and noted it, however, what did she mean by the last part.
"I am afraid that what you are about to experience, has been decided upon by the six of us as a whole. You did not think we would just leave you to do as you please." [Frera]