That night was strange as Page and Tarron were up all night talking and it was the first time Feren had seen Page genuinely happy to have a guest at his house. Feren was shooed out of the room quickly after dinner and what was talked about was never brought up to him again.
The summer stayed much of the same except Tarron had a habit of dragging the three of them to the firing range for practice to prepare for next spring when they would attend the morning classes. The best and most consistent was Andrew to everyone's annoyance as he wouldn't let anyone forget this fact.
Feren was a lot more sporadic, some days he would hit the mark easily and others he was about as useless as a blind goldfish. On a good day he would start feeling sick after a while.
Andrew's father was pleased to see them practising something productive and good in his eyes and sometimes came just to see their progress, he even gave some helpful advice on form when Tarron couldn't be there.
With Autumn came the fog and with the fog came preparation for winter. None of them could spend as much time together as they helped with the small things but a letter had come with news that his parents were coming to visit for his birthday as soon as they could.
Feren was learning about some basic tanning when a loud knock came from the door. The knock was already nostalgic but the voice from the other side of the house made Feren sprint round to the front door from out back.
"Mum, Dad," Feren smiled as he saw his parents smiling right back from the sunset.
"That's a strong smell," Stacey smiled weakly while hugging him. She had never had a strong stomach.
"Don't worry about that and come in," Page grumbled. "Feren hasn't been able to stop talking about all the thing you can do while you're back."
Gary's smile turned into a frown and he kneeled down to have better eye contact, "I'm sorry, but me and your Mum have to go back tonight."
He pulled away dejectedly and sat on one of the chairs. His parent both came in sheepishly hanging their coats as they came in.
"Let's try to make the most of tonight, it's Feren's birthday and if we only have time for a meal at least it will be a good one." Page seemed to be covering for his parents. "I have everything prepared, it would make anyone from Gillmoore University jealous."
Stacey rolled up a sleeve, "I don't know about that, how about we have a cooking contest."
"Sounds like a good idea, Feren and I will put the tanning equipment back in the storehouse if you find that agreeable," his Dad said.
"Fair enough, the key is on the top shelf next to the flour pot."
Gary took his son by the shoulder and led him out the back making sure to get the key on the way out.
He watched his dad roll up his sleeves to move the bucket, he looked in his element but very different then when he was back in the city. In the city he had to act like a scholar at all times, the relationship between him and his wife's parents was strained. He was from the countryside while they were from a distinguished well-travelled family in the Odist church. It had been hard for him.
"Can you get the runestone?" Gary said picking up the bucket.
The runestone was the thing that helped with the tanning process, it made it quicker and the process doable without a tanning pit and just a bucket. It was a complicated runestone and one of many found around the house, like the one for hot water for the tap.
He gladly picked it up and they went round to the store house. Kabe was on the roof like he normally but when Feren waved the cat decided to ignore him. It seemed to be one of his grumpy days.
"I heard Kabe had taken a liking to you," Gary said.
"I don't know about that…" Feren responded.
Gary put the bucket down and got the key out. When inserting it into the lock the whole building seemed to glow with exquisitely crafted lines of light, the air hummed with power and a surprising intense shock ran down Feren's spine making him jump back in a yelp.
The doors swung open by themselves, and Gary looked at him sadly. He picked up the bucket and walked into the store house. Feren followed.
The store house was full of supplies for winter but in the corner Feren could make out some bows and black bag. Each bow seemed to radiate a power like the store house did earlier.
It was obvious his father hadn't forgotten how to hang the skins as he took them out the bucket, his body just went through the motions, Feren just watched.
"I had got news about your accident but I couldn't really believe it until now." His Dad said.
"It hasn't been much trouble," Feren said with a smile.
"You can't use rune magic, your magic won't allow it," Gary's voice was grim as he talked. "Understand this, when the Spring festival rolls around you will have to hide, the priests cannot be allowed to check your magic."
"Why, I can't use it."
"You saw the magic on the store house earlier, I would even guess you've seen wisps of it around you, Tarron told Page he had suspicions on your magic. I would guess Old Kim is aware of it as well."
"Is, is this bad?" he stuttered.
"Thankfully they can be trusted but you can't make it known about seeing magic, that's the realms of becoming one of the tainted."
Feren shivered at the mention. That would be a nightmare, they were beings told about to scare those who didn't respect magic, those that were controlled by the magic and not the other way around, the shapeshifter in the forest was most like a magic beast who had lost control of its magic, this was surprisingly common.
Gary finished hanging the last skin and took the runestone from Feren and put it on the top shelf. He then kneeled to eye level with Feren, "Just stay quiet and keep your head low, for me and your mum. We don't want to worry."
Ruffling his hair they got up and headed out the store house and back to the house.
Feren was a bit confused but took comfort in having his Dad there next to him. His large figure made him feel safe and while he wasn't the best in diplomacy Feren had never seen him lose a fight, with or without magic. There was a reason he was not challenged as a top scholar in Gillmoore and his power was what gave him the respect he deserved.
When they got back to the house they washed up and found Page and Stacey being surprisingly cordial with each other.
"I was expecting to see you two at each other's throats," Gary said with a laugh.
Stacey sighed, "Your old man doesn't make it easy but he's doing us a favour. Plus, he can cook, I'm learning quite a lot from him."
"I'm glad you've found some common ground, but how long until the food is ready," Gary asked.
"Just sit down, I'll just get it," Page said shooing them to the table.
The food was a feast. There was some boar that Page had hunted especially for this day and no expense had been spared for this meal. He hadn't had a meal this luxurious since he left the city, even then it was fresher and each mouthful seemed to be cooked to perfection.
The old man seemed to have been holding out on his meals before if he could cook like this.
"I was thinking of teaching Feren some of the family skills if he's going to be with me much longer, he will be turning seven soon," Page said.
Stacey dropped he fork but composed herself a bit, "What like?"
"The basic hunting skills and such, I heard he has a talent with a bow and Tarron reckons with a bit of training Feren could be better than him."
Gary seemed to be a bit tense as he spoke, "Why Feren? I thought you didn't want anyone to learn your skills."
The atmosphere grew very tense as the silence seemed to threaten the happy atmosphere that once permeated the room.
"Gary don't act like that. You didn't have the talent and certainly had better options. Feren needs to learn some things and this may be the best way, Tarron and I have come to an agreement on this, if you let us train him."
Stacey almost flipped the table as she slammed her hand down, "You're a hunter, you know you aren't looked well upon in this country. Death follows people like you and we smell it."
Page glared at her, "Our job is necessary, stop with the prejudices. It's because of us and the butchers you get meat on your table and the magical beasts don't riot through your cities."
"Don't act like that's all your doing. The knights fight the magical beasts if they become too strong for you hunters. You can feel grandiose about what you do for the country, but you are worthless when it gets to the truly dangerous animal." Stacey was almost spitting with rage.
"Stacey, stop it." Gary warned. "Page has his reasons and it might be a good thing for him to learn, just make it his decision. We can't make all his decisions."
The room went quiet as the adults turned to look at Feren as he was happily munching on the food. The conversation had mostly gone over his head.
"So, Feren. What do you think of learning about hunting," Stacey asked nudging him to get his attention.
The roast potato fell from his fork as she said this causing Feren some distress. He looked up to see them waiting and just nodded.
"Are you sure? It's a big decision." Gary asked concerned. Page nodded in agreement.
"I can't do healing and without magic it will be hard to pick up another trade." Feren said matter-of-factly. "I was going to ask, Andrew had suggested it might be an idea and Tarron even advised me to ask at the Spring festival."
"Tarron really has shown an interest in you," Page sighed. "That elf doesn't know when to stay out of family business but bless him."
Stacey looked disappointed, "Just know that if you think of anything else we'll support you."
The rest of the night was talking about the goings on in the village and how trade in the capital was going. Apparently the Odist church was looking for some land to build a church in Mistwood but there was a bit of resistance within the town.
The Lord of the town Baron Slater wanted it, but the townspeople seemed to be going out of their way to make sure it didn't happen. In response the church has been sending people to improve the relationship with them while spreading the gospel. Apparently, he was going to be coming to the inn in a few days' time.
Whenever Page asked about his parents' work, they kept it vague but it seemed to be going well from what he could tell. The conversation turned back to Feren learning and what it would entail
Page was very descript, the first four years would be under his tutelage. This would include looking and learning about the habits of the magical beasts in the forest and learning how to tell each one apart. Also learning hierarchies and so on.
It would also entail the basics of trapping food to eat, maintenance of equipment and how to butcher some animals for their meat. This was the more practical side, while this was happening he would have to learn some maths and English so he could conduct business sufficiently by himself.
Tarron wanted to teach him for four years as well. While Tarron was no longer a hunter, he had trained Page a long time ago, his training was brutal but would harden the mind, body and soul into three great weapons
"Honestly," Page finished. "It's only because of my training with Tarron that I lived through the war with Fasen and it looks like things may be starting up again but this time in the south. Conscription is never off the tables."
"Let's hope not," Gary said. "I don't think Barotan would try to make war at the moment, they would be facing Taranelle, Fasen and Sta Kor. It wouldn't end well for them."
Page looked thoughtfully at the table, "I've heard some disturbing rumours of Barotan recently. Apparently, they aren't above attacking pilgrims and some new leader is trying to whip up a resistance."
Stacey sighed loudly, "That would be the escaped sorcerer, Callahan. He's been causing a real nuisance for us in the university."
The room was silent, apparently this name held a lot of weight in this room, but Feren was clueless.
"We'd better be off," Gary said getting up and getting his coat. Stacey was close behind.
Feren just watched sadly, he knew it was coming but he just wanted to be with his parents for at least a day. He ran up and hugged his Mum's leg.
"We'll be back sooner then you know," Stacey said with a smile as she put on her coat.
They hugged before they went for the door but the silence between them spoke for how much neither the parents nor child wanted to go. Maybe I nothing was said they wouldn't have to be separated.
"Good luck," Page said as they walked out.
Feren watched to see the two silhouettes go down the hill and into the fringe of the village, it wasn't long until the night fog engulfed them, and they could no longer be seen. Even then Feren just kept watching.
A strong arm comforted the child while he looked out the window. "Those two are the strongest mages I know, they aren't going anywhere anytime soon."
Kabe appeared from the shadow of the couch and nuzzled up to Feren, "Now those two are gone I think I'll make myself at home again."
"You're not being very tactful for the child."
Kabe snorted in derision, "Those two raised a good kid, maybe too good. He needs to learn to let out his emotions for God's sake. They couldn't be there when their own child was bedridden, I don't know why he didn't speak his mind, I was tempted to give them a lecture."
The wall that Feren had built since coming here started to crack.
"They tried," Page defended.
"I know, but they brought the boy here from the city against his will and away from his friends. I wouldn't think it fair," Kabe hissed. Something seemed to resonate with him as Kabe said this, repressed emotions seemed to come forth with everything the cat said.
Feren started letting out notable sobs, he just wanted to spend more time with his parents.
"They didn't so much as apologize for not being able to see their own son at his lowest point," the cat seemed to be bearing his fangs while saying this.
This cause Feren to break down into full on sobs, and a torrent of tears.
"Don't listen to the cat," Page said while embracing his grandson. "Those two love you dearly and tried to see you but couldn't, trust me in this." This eased his pain and the anger he was feeling turned into a pit of loneliness.
Kabe snuggled in close, Page left them, and the child fell asleep with the cat for comfort. With every second close to Kabe the feeling of safety and familiarity grew stronger, they were connected in spirit and shared the pain of seeing his parents leave.
The feeling only eased as they slept, even in their dreams Kabe was trying to comfort the child.