After a severe scolding by his father, Reginald was carried to his cradle. He was too sleepy as Hera was humming a lullaby.
Even so, he still want to try and exercise his little body so that once he could walk, he would at least have the edge over his peers.
However, his fatigue succumb him into a deep slumber. The drama between the adults and the meeting with the goddess had taken a toll on him.
Hera carefully fluff the bed as she was holding Reginald with one hand. If she had carried Bjorn when he was his age, she wouldn't have much difficulty in a mere chore. However, Reginald is much larger than the other babies within the village, despite being a week old. She couldn't fathom why the gods had given her Reginald many blessings.
The image of the three still carved into her mind. With such elegant beauty and unimaginable powers, were they truly the patrons of the Triach Doire? Regardless, it didn't matter to her since she hasn't had interest in the mysterious work of the all mighty. The only reason why she thought of it was simply for her child and nothing more. Whatever the gods had planned, she would at least try to prepare him so that he wouldn't risk his own life for pointless glories.
There had been many children's folklore that spoke of warriors who braved the impossible they've faced. But some never had a happily ever after.
Even so, she wasn't deterred from facing the challenges, all to protect her family.
As she walked out of the room, she heard a commotion downstairs at the banquet hall.
Halger and Garth were sitting on a table as argued.
"I had held our ancestors knowledge since my mentor made a druid! If Reginald is ever going to become the leading foundation of our people, he must learn our ancient customs!"
"As if! Didn't you see that Reginald has a natural talent with his strength? If we trained him, think of all the bountiful games he'll bring back. Not to mention that sooner or later, some chieftains might try to arrange their daughters to garner his affection."
Hera reached to the bottom as she watched from the sidelines.
Each of their argument had merits, whether it's to benefit the village or to teach Reginald how the world works, both had a guarantee prospect.
"He's the child of the prophecy! Don't you get it? Reginald is the chosen one to prevail against the coming darkness of the void!"
"Then that's more the reason why we should train him the art of combat! Besides, if your so called darkness of the void is hoax, then it wouldn't matter regadless!"
"But your son chose me! Halger, I know you want to have an impact on Reginald's life, but what if destiny had a different mind for him? The gods had always worked in mysterious ways. Yet the fact that they granted him so many gifts, makes me wonder if there had been any warrior of the past who experience it as well."
"Are you calling my son weak?! He's literally the biggest baby in the village!"
"It does not change the fact that Reginald was granted these gifts. What if the prophesied doom is much stronger than that the gods themselves? What if Reginald existence could mean life or death of our people? Could you bear that responsibility, knowing that you might limit his potential? Could you!?"
Hera slams her hatchet on the table.
"ENOUGH YOU TWO! Garth, it has been a long day, surely there are people who are in need of your attention. I need to speak with my husband for the moment."
Garth nearly open his mouth, but stopped a split second as he nodded.
"Very well. Please understand that my intentions wasn't to cause harm for your family, Halger. I beg of you to think this throughly." He stood up and left to the door.
Hager slumped to the chair as he rubbed his eyes. He was a warrior by heart, just as his forefathers were.
For every hunt, he enjoyed feasting upon their carcasses.
For every duel, he would try to prolong the inevitable.
For every skirmish, he would hack as many people as he can.
But now, he felt that his fighting spirit had waned.
Hera comforted him as she drag his head to her embrace.
"I don't want to waste our time together. Once we've grown old, we won't have enough time to spend together as we did when we were younger. All I ever wanted was to grow as a father so that I can enjoy with my family to the fullest." Halger placed his arm around Hera's waist.
He then use the other hand to point toward the throne.
"That chair has been in this house long before my father was born. Although people assumed that the chair represents my family's authority, it's simply a chair. It was an old reminder that we came from somewhere that used to be paradise. Since then, I always knew there would be a world bigger than I could imagined. That's one of a few reasons I would raise a family." He chuckled.
"But now, I feel as though the world might fall apart. Reginald is going somewhere that even I couldn't reached. I never felt so helpless." He mourned.
There was a moment of silence as he looked up to Hera.
"Hera, please speak to me. What should I do?"
"Halger…" Hera was tearing up.
She never thought he would expressed his emotions like this.
Usually, he would be as jolly and stubborn as a bear would to find honey. Now, she could felt sincere intent to keep their family together.
"I know you care for Reginald. We both do. I don't agree that Reginald should become a druid, but Garth is right about one thing. The prophecy might be too much for our entire village to handle. Whatever this so called doom he refers to, it best if we let Reginald learn about a thing or two."
"You're suggesting we give up our son to a haggled old man?"
"Not exactly. How about we take turns teaching Reginald?"
Halger furrowed his eyebrow.
"We all have our duties in the village. You are a chieftain that suppose to lead our people. Garth is an elder druid who teaches other people. As for myself, I'm a pretty darn good housewife." She boasted.
Halger thought for a moment. It's true that he had duties that needs his attention, while at the same time, Garth is needed to help the tribes with spiritual matters and healing.
"How do you suggest we split it?"
"Simple, we will teach Reginald in one day, Garth mentors him on the next, and so on so forth."
Halger sighed. Perhaps he been too tensed up with Reginald mischief that he tried to gain more control over the matter.
Nevertheless, the fact remains that Reginald will have to make use of his talents to utilize his lessons so that they can determine if he's competent enough to face the challenges ahead.