"Now that is an interesting game." James said.
"The unusual rule because of one of your kids and my half brother was 'you have to come up with something that won't intentionally force the next person to lose." I told him with a big yawn.
"Ah. Limitations to make the game last a little longer." James said.
"No, a challenge to make the hyper intelligent work harder at the game." I corrected. "The rule was made to push the two of them rather than a handicap them for the others benefits."
"Understandable." James said. "I can certainly see why it would be implemented that way."
I nodded. "There's some other word games. But I'm really sleepy now."
"That's alright. Go get some sleep. We can always go for round two later." Dirthin said. He really seemed to enjoy the game.
"Mhm. Good night, you both." I said, getting down from the seat and heading towards the waiting servant. She was going to show me which room I'd use.
"Have a good rest." James said as Marie took my hand and carefully lead me upstairs to the room.She showed me where the bathroom was, then got me into bed. I fell asleep quickly. I woke up in the early morning, around four in the morning. I got out of bed feeling wide awake and I contemplated what to do. Unsure, I hesitated. I knew I could head to James' office, or go ask for food. But I wanted to get something done and feel accomplished.
So I went to the bathroom and grabbed the soap bar. Then I drew a glyph on the floor that would take me to the far North Eastern woods, away from and villages. Where I should probably not go at four years old. But I had a friend there. So once it was finished, I put the soap back and activated the portal.
Stepping through, I deactivated it and found a stick in a bush. I was surprised with how dark it was at four in the morning. Unconcerned, I walked towards a nearby cave, figuring Plight would be nearby it. At least I hoped. It was most likely the place anyways. Based off of our conversations previously.
When I entered the cave I noticed signs that someone had been here. There was charcoal from fires that had burned, and sitting places that had been organized. The charcoal wasn't too old, but mostly cooled. And since the cave was relatively clean, aside from some bats flying in and out, I couldn't tell when he'd last been here.
Without a solid plan, I wondered back towards the glyph so I could activate it quickly if need be. Then I shouted. "Hello? Anybody?!" And I waited. A few forest animals scrambled away.
From the trees nearby, a larger critter than those I'd heard rustling away emerged. I couldn't make out well what it was due to my lack of ability to see in the dark. I shuffled my feet uncertainly, wondering if I should activate the portal when the figure spoke.
"Are you alright? What happened?" A familiar voice asked. It was a little hoarse, like if it'd not been used in some time.
"Um. I'm ok." I said quietly. "Are you?"
"I am not the lost child in the woods. I am ok." He said.
"I used magic..." I said, squinting, trying to see him. "I'm not ascared of you."
"Can you even see me currently?" He asked.
"Yes." I lied, puffing out my chest, imitating a child putting on a brave face. "I'm four. I'm not afraid of anything."
"Alright, tough guy." He said gently. "How do we get you home?"
"My mommy is sick." I said. "I live in the city. Mommy isn't there now."
"So you live in Valor's Crest?" He asked.
"Uh-huh." I nodded. "I'm Isarial. What's your name?"
"My name is Plight." He answered. He was maintaining a soft voice, trying not to scare me.
"Oh. Like manners?" I asked.
"Sure." He answered.
"Is the city nearby?" I asked. Nope, definitely not.
"Not particularly, no. It would take us a little while to get there." Plight said.
"Mm. What will you do when we get there?" I asked.
"Take you to where you need to be, then be on my way." He said.
"But if you go away you can't be my friend." I said, scrunching up my face, poutingly.
"Trust me. You can make better friends." He said. His voice quiet and regretful.
"Eh? I don't think so. I can tell. I once had a friend that broke my arm. I don't talk to them anymore." I said.
"That indeed doesn't sound like a good friend. Let's see about getting you home, and then we can talk about friendship." Plight said.
"I can maybe just open the portal. Do you think?" I asked.
"You did say you got here by magic, didn't you? If the portal can take you home, then yes." Plight said.
"Are you gonna come with me?" I asked.
"Are you gonna go home if I don't?" Plight asked.
"Yeah. I gotta go see a vampire soon." I said. "But if you won't come home with me, can I visit you again?"
"Why are you going to go see a vampire?" He asked, very concerned.
"Because I got to." I said. "Is that a bad thing?"
"Yes. Vampires are known to eat people." Plight said.
"Oh." I said. "But I still got to. He's important."
"And why is this Vampire so important?" He wanted to know.
"He works for the Sultan. As an advisor. The Sultan even made the paladins go to the other city to leave him alone." I said. "My mommy is supposed to be going there, where they are."
"Child, it seems you are wrapped up in quite a few problems." Plight said.
"I guess." I said. "Will you come home with me? That big Uncle is gonna teach me to fight."
"Honestly, Child. Why are you so determined to take me to your home?" He asked.
"So I can be your friend." I answered.
"I am sorry, but I don't deserve friends. Be careful on your way home." He said. He turned and began to leave.
"But I can tell you about something important, Plight, and we can play games." I said. "And I'll find you again, no matter where you go. Because I have to."
"You do not have to, you do not know me. Good bye." Plight said.
"But the box!" I shouted.
"What box?" Plight asked after a short pause.
"There was a boy who was put in a box because his parents were bad and scared of something in the boy. And the boy is scared of that something, too. And that boy didn't know, but his sister was stolen away while he was in the box." I babbled. "When the bad parents got scratched away. The sister is hurt sometimes a lot."
"That's a.. interesting story you have." Plight said.
"That scary something was alive a long time ago, and when he comes back he tries to take over the one he is inside of." I said.
"Who told you all this?" He asked.
"Someone from another place, I can't go back to." I answered. "He was a happy man that got rid of that scary mister. Like a dream."
"Then he sounds like a very lucky man." He said.
"Can I show you in your head how he looked?" I asked.
"Alright." He breathed.
I Mind Linked to him and showed him the memory of Plight telling me his story. The one I repeated to him. And he said Sylvia helped him get rid of the ancestor. Though it had taken a few years. I changed it to a memory of Lucretia. 'Brother, there you are!' She said cheerfully, with a distended belly. She'd hugged him and he hugged her back, 'How is my newest nephew today?' He asked lightly touching her belly. 'He's healthy. We're working on a good name for him. Hi, Isarial.' I replied, 'Hi, Lucretia. How are the kids?' She smiled, 'The girls are bullying their father and Colin is playing with his cousin.' I ended the memory there, having not meant to share that part.
Now, I had to wait for him to react. When it came it was, "Who are you? What was that?"
"I shared my memory with you. I'm Isarial. I can do that because I'm a Kalashtar." I answered.
"Your memory of when? That's never happened." He said.
"It's from year 877. We're in year 860." I said.
"Why do you toy with me? You hunt me down and show me memories of the future?" He said. "This is certainly a bizarre trap."
"I don't mean to upset you. I just really liked you and wanted us to be friends as soon as possible. You're really nice and bad things have happened to you. I wanted to bring you good things so that my friend can be happy. I don't want to just be happy by myself. Plus, I'm really little." I babbled. I was starting to feel a little warm in the cool air.
"Fine." He said wearily. "Just take me to whatever you have planned."
I activated the glyph with some difficulty and said, "Ok, go through, please."
"I feel I might as well bind my hands as well, but.." He walked through.
I followed after him and said, "Do you want a bath? I feel sleepy all over again."
"Can we start with where you've taken me and who I should be talking to?" Plight asked. His voice sounded tired. Defeated.
"Ok. Will you carry me?" I asked.
"Carry you?" He asked pensively.
"No? Ok." I said. "This is the Hearthry Estate in the Capital." I went and pushed the door open, waving for him to follow.
He followed apprehensively. I pushed my bedroom door open and headed to James' office. Where I struggled to reach the door handle. He reached over me, turning the handle and opening the door. Much as I expected James was at his desk. It's his habit to stay up working rather than sleep.
It looked like he might actually be reading a book. "Da-James, I found my friend Plight."
He looked up from his book. "Ah. Welcome to my office." A pause. "Wait, where did you go to find him?"
"The woods." I answered.
"The woods where? There are no woods inside the Capital." James said.
"Um, North by a lot." I replied. "Probably fifteen miles from the little village North and East of Dueling Rivers."
"It doesn't matter what your mind is, your body is that of a four year old. Do try and keep that in mind." James said, frustrated with me.
"That's why Plight is good to have around. He's an adult that I can trust and he is good at reminding others of their limits and he's a healer." I explained. "He also thinks this is an elaborate trap to cause him harm."
"Sir, I can assure you, this is nothing like a trap. My son is just.. Very different." James said.
"I'm sorry, it's just hard to believe that a child came out to find me just to take me home with him." Plight said.
"But I'm not even a good liar." I said, looking up at him. "Plus, if you're one of our people no one will touch you. I have to rely on my Dad, James, right now, but I'll become someone untouchable so that my friends and family can be safe."
"Big aspirations this one has. I don't have plans for my life right now, so if your father wants a stranger hanging around I will stay." Plight said.
I looked at James, Mind Linking to him. 'Plight is a vampire that eats animal meat. He's safe.'
'Then I will allow him to stay here, but he will be watched.' James responded.
'I know it's hard to trust, but I'd never knowingly bring danger to you.' I replied. 'He seems so hopeless and broken right now. It's sad.'
'Did you break the poor man's mind to rebuild him?' James asked.
'No, he was accidentally revealed a while ago and the town got wiped out trying to kill him.' I flinched, realizing that didn't bode well to inform James about. 'It wasn't his fault. As long as he's conscious he is himself.'
'And what precisely do you mean by that?' James asked.
So I explained about the ancestor and how he only becomes a problem if Plight is knocked out. It wasn't his fault. And his sister was a reason I was wanting to speak to Phintias. "Oh, Dad, I was trying to figure out how I should handle the talk with Phintias. Because I intend to solve some upcoming problems for the Sultan's people while asking Phintias to save a woman for me. But saving that girl would be in his best interest anyways because she'll be his wife one day. I don't know what I should ask for in return so that they won't feel burdened."
"The easiest thing to ask powerful people for is money, or keep it cryptic and ask for a favor you'll call in later." James said.
"I wonder if that would just make them more nervous." I pondered. I noticed my papers, quill and ink were still ready. "Oh, Plight. Do you want to see me do my ABCs?"
"Um. Sure." He said.
I went over to the table and got the papers ready, and setting the quill to the ink. I started with A and associated it wit a few words, going all the way to Z. It might have confused James initially, but I'm pretty sure he caught on to what I was doing. I switched hands and went over simple words with him and the sounds they make. Acting like a kid showing off his new skills, even saying my dad taught me. I then wrote Plight Acheron.
"What's this word you put behind my name?" He asked.
I sounded it out for him, and said, "You're last name is Acheron, and mine is Hearthry, because my Dad adopted me. Lucretia Acheron is a nice lady."
"Acheron." He repeated. "Hm." He leaned back appearing to think on that.
By about six o'clock, the maid Marie knocked on James' door and said, "Sir, the yo-.. Oh, he's here."
"Yes, it seems he snuck right past you all." James said.
Marie seemed to be processing that. "Are you ready for breakfast, Young Master?" She asked.
"Um.. Ok." I said, cleaning the quill and closing the ink before starting to get up, then looking at Plight. "Are you hungry?"
"Ah, yes.. I will need to step out for a little while." Plight nodded.
"Your needs can be met here. I can just ask for meat to be provided from the kitchens. You don't have to hide or be afraid." I whispered while covering my mouth.
"Would there be a private area I could go to?" He asked slowly.
"Probably. Dad, are you gonna have breakfast or just coffee?" I asked.
"I did eat last night, but I suppose breakfast doesn't sound too bad." James said.
"I'm an impressionablible youth. Your bad habits may become mine." I said, though really I already had. I was just taught to overcome it. I looked up at the maid and asked, "Marie, can Plight have some meat to eat by himself? He's really shy and prefers it not cooked, please?" I badly whispered the last part to appear cute.
"Yes, Young Master, this can be arranged." Marie answered.
"Alright, alright. I'm coming." James said.
With Marie's level of professionalism, Plight was set up in another room, and the requested food brought to him, while James and I went to the dining room. Uncle was probably cooking for himself in his room. If anyone was surprised by James eating breakfast, they said nothing. Which was fine by me.
"What are your plans for the day?" James asked.
"Hmm. When is Uncle supposed to train me?" I asked. "I plan to continue writing useful things and teaching Plight to read." 'He was locked in a coffin at my age until around 160 years ago.' I said. "Aside from that I', not sure. I'll tucker myself out if I'm not careful."
"Your Uncle should be available to train you around noon. So before that, the day is yours." James said.
"Is there something I should be doing?" I asked.
"You are four years old. Even if I do wish you to continue writing out what you know of the future, I feel making you do so I a bit much." James said.
"I guess I could go play in the city." I said. "Plight can watch over me."
"Indeed. You may roam the city and see what you can get up to." James agreed.
I smiled and said, "With Plight, not much. Once I snuck into the King's bedchambers. It was a bet that I could not."
"Oh my." He said.
"Plight can be a stickler about right and wrong. He won't let me just do whatever. But he'll also make bad people think twice about trying to hurt me." I told him.
"Sounds like he will be of great use then. I do hope you manage to stay out of trouble." James said.
I nodded as I finished my breakfast. All I could figure was that the glyph usage was a pretty significant drain on my energy. "I'll try not to get in ober my head."
"I would certainly hope you don't. You're a smart boy." He said.
"I know where the phylactery is." I said.
"Phylactery for what?" He asked.
"The Lich." I answered. "It's ok. I can't go destroy it, I know."
"I would certainly say not." James said firmly.
I laughed lightly. "It's fine Dad. I'm staying in the city."
"I expected you to stay in the city last night. Not that I am complaining, but it's surprising to suddenly hear you were up in the far North." James said.
"Hmm. I'll talk to you before I make another move. I know, I can send Tilton a letter to talk to Bibs." I said. Proud of myself for thinking of it.
"Letters are a good way to get into contact with those who are a little far away." James agreed.
"Maybe I should write it in his handwriting." I laughed.
"Well that would be a good way to confuse someone." James said.
"It'd piqued his curiousity and paranoia for sure." I grinned.
"I'm not sure if paranoia is something you want to spark in someone, but could be interesting." James said.
I got down from the table when we were both done eating and headed out of the dining room with James. Plight was finished eating, too, and was waiting in the main room for us. I approached him.
"Plight, want to go play in the city?" I asked.
"It has been quite a while since I set foot here, so sure." Plight agreed.
"We'll come back, Dad." I said, heading for the door with Plight.
"You'd better. Or I'll send out another search party." James said.
Once I left the front door and gate with Plight, I headed towards the guard barracks. I wanted to ask Haril if I could play with his kid.
"Where are we heading first?" Plight asked.
"To see the Guard Captain. He has a kid my age, unless there is something else you want to do? Like join the guild."
"I..don't have a particular interest in joining the guild at the moment." Plight said.
I paused. "Should we call you a family member, teacher or personal guard?"
"From my outer appearance I think 'teacher' would probably fool most people." Plight said.
"Hm. Ok." I agreed. "We can have a teacher student relationship." I then continued towards the guard barracks. I saw Lord Reinier passed a vendor and froze, beginning to tremble, my eyes large.
Plight crouched down and said, "Your fear is palpable. What is wrong?"
I turned and climbed on Plight, clinging to him, trying to hide. "That's a bad, bad man." I whispered. The week his family had held me had always haunted my mind, and here I was a small child within their reach again.
He held me and said, "It's alright. There is no way they can touch you while I am here."
"Is the child ok?" A woman asked.
"Yes, he had a nightmare last night and something around here spooked him." Plight lied, glancing up at the woman.
"Aww. Poor dear. Many things to be scare of in the city. I hope you day gets better." She said.
I glanced at her as she started to leave. She was one of the prostitutes. She was always a nice lady. I glanced around, Reinier had moved on and was no longer within sight. I sighed in relief, beginning to relax. "He's gone." I sighed.
"Would you like me to put you down now?" Plight asked.
"Um, yes. Thank you." I said, embarrassed. "I'm not a very lobeable child and haven't gotten a lot of affection."
"That's a very sad thing to hear. But I can understand not being loved." Plight said.
I nodded. "It's another reason I wanted to find you.. You can relate to me in a way." I sighed. "But let's go see if I am allowed to make friends with Haril's son."
"Why would you not be allowed to make friends?" He asked.
"Because James doesn't get along with Haril, in a way. Plus, slum kids are usually thieves. I was born in the slums." I said, starting towards the guard barracks again. I was being more watchful of my surroundings.
He seemed to be thinking that over when we reached the guard barracks. Plight opened the door for me, letting us inside.
"Can I help you?" A man asked.
"Is the guard captain in?" I asked pointing at his office door.
"Um, yes. One moment." The guard said, frowning, heading to the office. He knocked, waited and entered.
Haril came out after that, looking imposing and approached us. He was looking at Plight. "So, how can I help you two?"
"My student here was interested in meeting your child actually." Plight said casually.
He looked down at me and said, "And how do you know my son?"
"I don't." I answered. "But I saw him from the window once. He looked nice."
"Might I ask.. Who you are?" Haril asked.
"Isarial Cross, well, Isarial Hearthry." I answered.
"Cross. I know that name." He said.
Shame faced I said, "My Father gave me to James to pay off his debt to him a couple days ago." I then brightened. "But I get to eat yummy food now, and they aren't mean to me and let me have a teacher. I am learning reading and writing and arigamatic. No, arifmatic."
Haril smiled and said, "Close enough. Well, I'm sure my son will enjoy having someone to play with. He's probably very bored here in the office."
I smiled as he took us to the office. He introduced me to his son, Simon. Simon was a shy boy, but warmed up quickly, showing me his toys. Despite being an only child, Simon was willing to share his toys. Which I wasn't sure how to play with, but I followed Simon's lead. It was actually kind of fun. Plight was permitted in the office and sat in a chair, watching over us. I wasn't sure if I'd played with him before or not, but it was comfortable.
Haril excused himself after some time to go on patrol. He allowed us to stay in his office in the meantime. By the time he returned from patrol it was time for me to head back and get ready to train with my Uncle. Well, an hour to. I needed a nap as well. Simon didn't want me to leave so soon, but we excused ourselves anyways and headed back to the Estate.
I took a brief nap once back at the estate, and at the same time as Uncle came to get me for training, Marie gave me a sandwich. "My body isn't used to having much food." I admitted when she gave it to me.
"Just eat what you can. It's good to let your body have a little more." Marie said. "You're growing, after all."
Uncle insinuated I had time. So I munched it. I was a short man at sixteen, only 5'6". My mother was 6'2" though. Perhaps without my incident occurring, better eating habits and more sleep would improve my height. Or I took after my short 'Father.' Amazingly, I managed to eat the entire sandwich. And the resulting cookie Marie gave me before she returned to other duties.
"What you said before.. to Haril.." Plight began slowly, "Was that true?"
"About my birth father? Yes. James offered him a deal to hand me over to clear his debt, or do jobs to pay off the debt." I answered. "He left me in the drop off location and immediately got my mother and what belonging he could and left with a merchant to head to Ymir's Town. My mother right now really is dying. Ymir's Town has a cure for her. If you're curious, I am worth six hundred and thirty-four gold." I noticed Dirthin working his jaw, a sign of his temper flaring. "In James' defense, he never thought someone would give up their child like that."
"I would not have expected someone to do that either." Plight said, sounding regretful and sad in equal parts.
"I know Uncle and Dad can seem intimidating, but they are good to me. Far better than that man. They don't even get mad if I cry." I told him.
Dirthin ruffled my hair. "Alright. That's enough suckin' up. Time to kick your ass."
"Ok." I said, grabbing Uncle's hand and holding on tightly.
He closed his hand around my tiny fingers, swinging me gently as he took me to his office. "We're gonna work on your grip on the way."
I was laughing before we reached his office, having enjoyed the play. Plight followed us to the office, which Uncle didn't argue. We started working on stamina and agility. Basic strength and grip. I did the best I could, but I became lethargic and wheezy with a flushed face after a little over an hour. The training wasn't even hard. I hadn't been joking about being unhealthy.
"Alright." Uncle said, "Let's go ahead and take a little break."
I nodded and wondered over to Plight.
"Are you alright? Do you need a drink? I don't know where to get one of those, but I can ask." Plight said.
Rather than answering him properly I placed Plight's hand on my overly warm face. The coolness of his skin felt nice.
"I'll take that as a yes. Dirthin.. do you.. happen to have a.. drink he could have?" Plight asked.
"Yeah, I've got something. Gimme a minute." He went to the back of his room where the kitchen area is and got a glass of water. He brought it back and gave it to me.
I made sure to sip it. Gulping would make me ill. "I forgot how poor off my body is." I said after I'd drank half. I was frustrated.
"It's alright. We'll get you there." Dirthin said. "We'll turn you into a respectable weapon."
"Yes, you're very small. And you'll.. be able to get healthy real easy." Plight said.
I nodded again. "I'm gonna make Phintias save your sister. He's really strong." I told Plight. I wasn't ready yet to continue.
"I.. If I do have a sister.. Which would be nice.. Then that would be good." Plight said.
"I don't know if she shares the same parents, but I know she'd have been in the box next if you'd died." I said.
"Well then I am glad I managed to hold on. No one should have to go through that." Plight replied.
"She's really nice." I said. "Like you."
"Well, thank you for that. I am glad my coming here wasn't a trap." Plight said.
"It was in a way." I said. "I should teach you about herbs."
"What kind of herbs?" He asked.
"All sorts." I said. "Mostly healing and medicinal. I can teach you to make medicinal candy."
"A medicinal candy." He repeated.
"Yup. Sweets makes kids, and Uncle, eat bout anything." I said.
"Ay. Just because it's true doesn't mean ya gotta spread it around." Dirthin said.
"It's just Plight. I could tell him you wear pink footy pajamas and he'd still be intimidated by you." I said.
"I don't know if that speaks for my own intimidation value or if you're calling him pathetic." Dirthin replied.
"I don't think Plight is pathetic. I don't waste time on people I think are less than." I said. "I can't even remember what my birth father's name is. He's pathetic."
"We can agree on that. He is pathetic." Dirthin responded.
"If you're ready, I think I can continue." I decided.
"If I'm ready? Alright. Let's get back to it." Dirthin agreed.
With that we were back at it. We continued the training he'd planned for me for another hour before my body couldn't handle it anymore. I'd pushed too hard and neary fainted as a result. Uncle decided it was enough for today. I wanted to argue, but between Uncle and Plight, I simply couldn't.
So I trotted to Dad's office, patiently waiting for doors to be opened and dejectedly began writing the future events again. Plight had followed and asked me what I was writing, so. I read them to him as I wrote.