The experience of meeting his sisters was enjoyable, At least, Lanthim thought it was. The gardens with all of the many flowers had been a most wonderful place for them all to meet. Lanthim would sit in the garden, recanting the memory over and over. As time passed, months gave way to years with almost no real change in his daily life five years had passed.
Lanthim had grown well over the years for a child of six. He felt that he could do anything. Or so thought, the once thirty-year-old soul that inhabited this young body. To his joy, his mother would allow him to go with Milty into the village. For the first time in his life, he was going to be able to leave the grounds of the estate.
The means of travel would be a small cart. The horse that was used to pull the cart was Clydesdale-sized. A real powerhouse. His name was Helgre, being used by the servants for trips to the village.
Being his first trip alone with Milty, his attention was on everything around him. The trees and hills looked so different from his perch in the cart. Looking at them from the estate, one could not truly see the beauty.
Looking around him, he could see men working in the fields, with their horses and plows slowly preparing to plant. The efforts of these men would feed many hundreds of thousands.
"We are soon to enter the village, young master." [Milty]
Milty announced as he looked at every little thing that moved.
"There are so many people about, Is there some festival happening today?" [Lanthim]
Asked, Lanthim now looking at Milty, waiting for an answer.
'Well, at least, he is sitting now.' {Milty}
Milty thought to herself as they entered the village.
"No young master, it is only planting season now, and everyone is hard at work. Since this region has such fertile soil, many farmers live here, so this time, of year there are a lot of people about."
The village of Homal was one of six, which provided the entire regions grains supply. So it was common for many thousands of people, either hired hands or merchants, to be active around the area at such a time.
Selling wares or even grain seed, the merchants that did their business at this time of year generally made great sums of money. The number of stalls, wagons, and just the whole new sensation, of being in a large group of people was new for Lanthim.
"Milty, would it be possible for us to look around a bit while we are here?" [Lanthim]
His desire was strong though Milty had important business to attend to he still asked. The estate at this time had gone through a few expansions over the years. Also, in the five years since Lanthim's experience having met his sisters, three new family members had entered the world.
A brother, and two sisters, with these three the youngest being six months old around. Lanthim found himself in an interesting situation in his previous life. He had been an only child, with no siblings or relatives with children his age.
Now, he not only had many siblings before him but a growing number behind. It was for these three that Milty was presently in Homal. Not to buy but to retrieve items that had been delivered. To the clan stores in the village to be taken to the estate. With the estate growing to such a size as it had. The need to store all the goods coming from the capital was needed.
"We shall see the young master. However, these visits can take some time." [Milty]
Milty's response was quickly given it was true that her work here would take time. The number of people walking the streets here was substantial. Hitting anyone, even by accident, would lead to time lost. The clan storehouses were just outside the village to the east, three large buildings with the Frenost clan's crest welcoming them.
Entering the complex that the storehouses had been constructed Lanthim could see at least ten large carriages what they carried he did not know. From what he could see, someone of influence was moving into the area. A lot of what was packed, into the carriages, was covered in large pieces of canvas. From what he could see, though, he had grasped that this person was wealthy and prominent.
Voices could be heard at the head of the train of carriages. Men moving here and there in a hurry to be underway, one of these a tall, bald man approached their carriage. He had a strange tattoo that went up one side of his neck to his left eye. Lanthim felt great interest in this man for some reason. As he watched this man approaching he could sense natural mana flowing into the tattoo itself and not into his body.
"Milty Trigel, it has been far too long since last I saw you."
The man's words made Milty frown. She did not seem to like this guy too much.
"Pitralin Bretryn, what is an unwanted soldier doing out in these parts?" [Milty]
A small hateful smile was on her face. Lanthim looking back and forth between the two of them felt that he was not safe in his current position.
"You still mad about what happened in the capital last year? I don't see the problem. It's not like you were going to allow yourself to be beaten by a man." [Pitralin Bretryn]
"I think this conversation if it carries on. Will result in a dead fool and us being late Pitralin hurry this up we are leaving." [Milty]
Another man suddenly killed the argument between the two others. Both froze when he spoke, bowing to him when he came into view.
'I wonder who this is?' {Lanthim}
Lanthim thought to himself as he just sat watching everything unfold around him. This newcomer looked like someone he should know, just slightly shorter than Pitralin. He looked like a person of influence. With how he just stopped Milty from melting this other guy likely someone who was part of the family.
"Well, I never thought I would be so lucky as to meet you outside of the estate Lanthim. I had heard that your mother keeps you where she can see you."
This person's way of speaking somewhat bothered Lanthim, like meeting someone that you could be safe with until the situation changed to suit them better. However, he would not allow himself to act frightened in front of such a person.
"Mother felt it was a good opportunity for me to come out with Milty today."
Lanthim spoke calmly.
"May I ask who exactly you are. Sir?"
Finishing with this question Lanthim waited.
"Ah! I see, so you know nothing of your other siblings, aside from your sisters through your mother. I see well that can't be helped Litralia always hated being obedient to grandmother. Well, we can put the clan situation aside, for now, to answer your question. I am your older half-brother. My name is Cortrael Frenost, twelfth son of Pamreila Frenost, our father's second wife." [Cortrael]
Cortreal's answer was not something that overly surprised Lanthim. He had tried on many occasions to ask his mother concerning other siblings. However, she would never entertain the conversation.
"It has been an interesting meeting for us both, sadly. I have some business that takes me to your mother's estate today. So we can not delay I am pleased to have met you, Lanthim." [Cortael
Turning away and signalling the train to move out, Cortrael was gone, an interesting meeting that would lead in future years to many adventures.
"Young master, if you will stay with the cart, I will see to the items we are here for today."
Milty's countenance still seemed strained.
'She must hate that Pitralin guy for her to be still mad?' {Lanthim}
Thought Lanthim to himself as Milty made her way into the main storehouse.
She was not in the storehouse long when a group of men. Arms full of many different kinds of items began to fill the cart.
There seemed to be lots of clothes for young children as well as many other assorted items. His three younger siblings and himself were constantly growing. So a need for new clothes was a must. It was not long for the cart they had brought filled quickly.
Milty, after seeing that it had all been properly stored, grabbing the reins. Sitting again next to Lanthim, looking down at him with a smile.
"We will have time to look at some stalls. If you like young master, we will have to take the cart back to the estate first, though." [Milty]
The expression on Lanthim's face was one of great joy more he wanted to see and experience so much more.