"Granny are you okay. Is there's anything else I can do for you."
The elderly lady looks fondly at the young boy, she smiles.
"Oh no Paidro, you're such a good boy, but you should not be here. Your father would punish you if anyone see you here."
A sad expression cross Paidro face as he places weird heavy book back on the shelves.
"Grandma, why do everyone think you bad, they called you a witch and won't let you in the village. Even though you help them when they're in trouble, even day won't come over."
"Oh now baby, don't hold it against your dad, the world is a confusing and crual place. He trying to hold everything together, once you get holder you'll understand."
Paidro shack his head disagreeing, "No! no, I won't granny, no matter what I would never leave you." He hugs her. "I love you granny."
Filled with warmth she reaches for a small box, giving it to Paidro.
"What's this grandma?"
"You are such a sweet boy Paidro, this is a gift, it's a seed. A magical seed that will grow into a magical tree, and as long as you treat it with love and care. Then one day it will give what you want and need most in the world. Now you go on home, take care my sweet boy."
Paidro runs through the dense woods smiling ear to ear, clenching the small box. He hastily past the guards at the gate.
"Oi, Paidro! Your fathers looking for ya."
"Thanks, I'm heading home right now."
The guard watches me run into town.
"You don't think he was in the forest with the witch again do ya?"
The other guard shrugs.
"I wonder what father wants; does he know I went to go see grandma. No maybe he has something to do, I did all my chores." Paidro thinks hard as he stops at the road the leads to his home.
Paidro father is a knight that is a vessel of a lord in the capital. Though they own the entire village his father is what the villager calls a rooted man. Paidro father was born in the village, spending his days working the farmland until he went to war. Once he returned, he took ownership of the Village, but even so. His three sons and two daughters have to work the land, now sense there's more than ever.
Paidro thinks about what it could be, but nothing comes to mind. He rubs the box in his hand stuffing it inside a pocket of his trouser. Feeling the box bounce around, afraid it will fall out or be discovered. Paidro places the box in his underwear, after adjusting himself he walks in the house.
He is greeted by the butler who directs him towards their family room. It is a mild spacious room where everyone gathers. Paidro second mom sits in a chair next to his father, brothers and sisters' seats are arranged in front of the parents. Paidro joins the circle taking his seat.
"Now sense everyone is here. I'll be heading back to the capital for some time, the two oldest, Sofie and Isvic will be coming with. You two are old enough to enroll in school, it's time to find what you want out of life."
Paidro father eyes glares at him for a moment
"Joseiv, Monie, help you mother while I'm gone, don't any of you cause any problem. Especially you Paidro, the guard reported about how there's been sighting of monster in the woods of late. And you, coming from those said woods."
Paidro eyes drop to the floor, his father sighed.
"Just... just be careful if you're going to go see her anyway."
Paidro face lights up, for so long his father has told them to avoid his grandma.
"That's all if there's nothing else, make sure yall be back in time for dinner.
After, Paidro quickly made his way outside. Take the seed to an open spot on a hill overlooking his family land. Digging a small hole, he plants and waters the seed with a smile on his face.
"I will take good care of you."
The next day Paidro watches his father and older brother and sister leave for the capital. Losing sight of them. He immediately turns to doing his chores. The secound sister steps into the room.
"Look at you, already doing your chores. Dad not here and mom will let you do them later, as long as you get them done."
Paidro continues to work, his sister squints at him pressing her lips together.
"I see? Your trying to go see the witch again, when you end up dead in a pot, tell me what the afterlife is like."
Paidro head snaps towards her, "she's not a witch, she's grandma!"
His sister face twisted into a wicked smile.
"Sooooo, you are planning to go see the witch, tch tch tch" she shake her head disapproving. What would dad think after he hears about how you disregard his words. I think you gone get in troubleeee."
"Nooo, don't tell him sis. Please!
"I don't know Paidro, I'm just looking out for you, I think Ima really have to tell me."
"Nooo. I do anything."
With these words she looks as if she was considering something.
"Okay, I tell you what, if you do all my chores then I won't tell."
"No way yours are harder than mines!"
"Then I'm guess I'm telling dad then."
Paidro pouts, "then maybe I will tell dad too."
She looked at him puzzled. "Tell him what?"
"Just how you see that boy Zeth even though dad said you can't, but you still do. Even saw you kissing, being nasty! Making kissy sounds, yuck!"
His sister fills with anger, her eyes seem to catch fire.
"You little twerp, you'd better not. Fine I won't tell but you do two of my chores!"
"One!"
Her lips tighten so hard they made a line, "fine, but you best keep your mouth shut."
After watering the seed Paidro rushes through the village gates to the woods. Meeting his sweet sweet grandma.