The next morning, Reginald ended up in Garth's hand.
Although his parents insisted that he tutor in their home, Garth argued that they'll be distracting his lecture.
After all, with a dotting mother and a wild father, is it really a fitting learning environment?
Thus, Garth took Reginald to the villages groves.
It was the farthest Reginald had ever been, with the tribesmen skinning a beast what seem to be a large horse with a fish tail, women trying to clean the cloths of their households, and children either playing or working.
Of course, no one notice him since they're traveling undercover, wearing hoods that covered themselves. There's also two additional guards escorting them, only from a distance as to not arouse suspicion.
When they reached to their destination, it was far from what Reginald imagined.
Initially, he believed there must have been a huge forest to house them from the elements. An idealistic choice for iconic druid.
However, the grove is actually a small hut with a curtain as it's door. The roof had seen better days, with a few planks missing from here and there.
As Garth and Reginald entered the hut, a young girl is seen to carve a religious charm that looks like a doe.
"Alice! We have a visitor." Garth called out.
Alice looked up to see Garth was carrying a baby. Her face looked perplexed.
"Is that a baby? Did someone lose a baby?"
Garth chuckled.
"Of course not, this is your new classmate!" He smiled.
"Wait what?" She furrowed.
"Master! You can't abduct a baby in the middle of nowhere! You're gonna have an axe lodge into your head if you don't return it!" She angrily exclaimed.
"Alice? What do you mean? This isn't just any baby, it's the child of destiny that was born a week ago." Garth said.
Alice was shocked as she dropped the wooden piece. The chisel she was using rolled off the table. The sound of a bang echoed in the room.
"WHAT?!"
Garth remove Reginald swaddled blanket. It revealed the Triarch Doire on his chest as it glimmered.
"Look, see? This is Reginald and he'll be attending our little lecture together."
"What the hell?! Why is the child of destiny here?! Are you crazy?!"
"Calm down Alice, you're going to-"
Reginald bawled out. It seem the situation had gotten out of hand, thus he use his only option to call his personal aides.
"Druid Garth, what's wrong? Why is the chieftain son crying?" One of the two guards that were following them entered the room. His name is Elfeng, Halger's trusted companion. His long brown hair is tied to the back of his head, but his mustache wasn't groomed properly. Nevertheless, he wouldn't be on duty if Halger didn't have confident in his skills.
Alice eyes fled with fright as she backed up.
"I wasn't part of this! He forced me into it! I had no idea the chieftain son would be here!" She squealed.
"What in the three divines are you talking about? I didn't do anything wrong Alice. The chief agree and I agreed that I may tutor this child, you know?" Garth pointed out.
Alice was gawking at Garth, who was still holding Reginald.
Reginald stopped as he giggled at them, clapping his hand to his satisfaction.
She turned her head at Elfeng, who simply shrugged.
"It's true, young lady. Chief Halger agree that for the time being, druid Garth will tutor him until the Chief deems it." Elfeng looked at Reginald.
He didn't feel anything odd about the baby, only to leak out a smile. Seeing a joyous baby gave him an awkward feeling.
"Well, if you excuse me, I'll be waiting outside. Remember Garth, the child is to be return at noon."
"Yes yes, go on. I have many things to prepare." Garth waved him away.
Alice simply fell to her knees as she was flabbergasted. Never had she been near anyone that important in her life. Aside Garth, who is her mentor, she only watched from the sidelines during the coming of birth of Reginald.
"Am I dreaming?"
----------
Elfeng came out of the hut as he simply leaned to the side of the building across. The freezing cold still lingered about, giving him the shivers as he rubs his hands.
"This suuucks, why didn't Garth stayed at the chieftain's halls? I really want that jerky they're handing out."
Elfeng once displayed an impressive bout against a wyvern, where he hurled a spear towards the beast. This caught Halger's attention as he witness the men were cheering his name. Despite his skinny physique, he was by no means sickly, as he would often fight as any tribesmen would. However, he was a coward at heart that would try to run as fast as he could. Despite his flaws, it had fitted with his style of combat, which is to throw projectiles at the enemy of men and beast alike.
The other guard, who was waiting at the side of the building, came over as he held a small meat package, hanging on a thread.
"Hey boss, wanna try this? Mah' sister made it just in time before my shift."
"Thanks, Alric. This is freezing b@lls man, I thought we're gonna have a sunny day."
The guard shrugged.
"Looks like our lucky charm is a bit busy at the moment. I can't believe how an old man talked down the chief to take the baby to learn some words."
"Old men lived longer. He probably use some sort of silver tongue trick he picked up."
"I wonder if I ever grow that old."
"Hmmph, just focus on whatever trying to kill you. Who knows, maybe the gods will be generous and let us drink as much goat milk as we eat meat." Elfeng sighed.
----------
Reginald was placed on a tall chair that seemed to be handcrafted recently.
Perhaps Garth already planned that he would tutor the baby, despite Reginald parents rejection. Regardless, it doesn't seem to be that sinister, given that he goes as far as to provide him a place to sit.
As Garth went off to get something, Alice was staring at Reginald's little head from the side.
'This girl is a wee' bit weird... She better not be one of those fanatics I've been hearing about.'
Reginald tried to be as normal as a baby can be in his situation. However, with his recent mischief and the overall interactions he had with his parents, it wasn't the case. They probably thought that the gods indeed made him a talented genius.
The reason why he's trying to hide his capabilities, is simply because he doesn't want to jump off the pan into the burning fire pit. As of now, the other tribes are trying to delve into his secrets, sending a small hunting party close to their hunting grounds, trying to send invitations over, and so on.
As Reginald thought of his predicament, Alice poked his cheeks.
He turned his head to see a curious face on her.
"So you're the chosen one, huh? You must have been pretty lucky to be born as the chieftain son." She then took out a bag of dried berries in her sleeves.
"Here little guy, this is a Brizle berry. I hand picked them myself when I was sent to gather some herbs for the master."
Reginald took a good look at the berries. They had a purple color, much like grapes, but if he looked hard enough, there seem to be blue poki dots on it.
He frowned as he looked back at her. He then pointed his mouth, to show that he hasn't developed teeth.
"Oh, sorry about that little gu-Wait, you can understand me?"
Reginald looked away from her eye sight. He's been too lax on his effort hide his cards from the world. If he doesn't come up with something, she'll probably confirm that Reginald's intelligence is above average.
As any baby would do, he suckle his thumb as he stared else where.
She stared intently as Reginald continue his facade. Sometime, he would take a short peek at her, only to wander his eyes around.
"Hmmmm... Probably my imagination."
'Yush!!! She didn't notice!' Reginald gleed.
Garth entered the room with what seemed to be old books, who's cover had been long deteriorated beyond repair.
He blow off the old dust off the book, flying towards them. Reginald braced for impact as he closed his eyes and mouth. Alice wasn't so lucky.
"Aaaggh! Master, why did you blow it in our direction? You ruined the berries I worked hard for!"
Garth looked unamused.
"Alice, you know that this is a druid hut. There is no time for mere berries when the knowledge of the world is in our hands. Also, is that the reason why I haven't gotten enough Reem Roots because you were busy picking berries?"
"I was going to share some." She defended.
Garth dismissed her insubordination. As of now, there are far more important things to do. Reginald, who was watching from the sidelines, caught his attention as he brought one particular book over.
"Young Reginald, this is called a book. It was used by our ancestors that came before us. It was a durable object, but it had been rotting for some time. But the contents within it are far more important for our people. I'll teach you their words so that it wouldn't be entirely lost." Garth opened the first page as he continued.
----------
Bjorn was waiting at the gates of the village. Halger should've returned with a large beast in tow, boasting how he slain it. The gatekeeper that was station there brought over a cup of warm water.
"Bjorn, shouldn't you go home? Your mother is probably worried sick for you, you know?"
Bjorn grab the cup as he drank its contents. He kept a wooden sword at his waist that he recently learn how to sharpen the tip of the stick. As of now, he felt pretty confident to go toe to toe with a beast like his father had.
"I am a man now. I have no time to be pampered by mother. I want to go with father in his hunting trip."
Bjorn knew that Halger would make multiple trips into the wilderness. It not only allow him to resupply and empty his cargo, but signifies that he was alright. This strategy ensures that the number of hunters and gatherers would be able to recover if they gotten injured or to turn in their reports of any differences.
As Bjorn was diddling about, a horn rang as the gates opened.
Halger was able to collect 2 steppe wolves, 5 husk badgers, and a owlbear. Overall, this was only his second expedition for today.
Bjorn ran towards his father as he saw him.
"Bjorn my boy!" He waved his hand.
Bjorn leaped off the ground and tackled his father's guts. Of course, it didn't faze the giant as he simple catch Bjorn to a hug.
"What are ye doing out here? I though you still have training."
"The teacher had to do something important! I learn how to make a stake with my sword!" Bjorn landed on his feet as he pulled his wooden sword from it. It revealed a sharp wooden spear that only seemed to be a sword.
"That's great son. I'm sure your mother would be impressed if you show it to her. I know you'll make a fine hunter like your old man." Halger smiled.
Bjorn sheath his sword as he took out a sack from his back. Halger notice the moment of silence as he kneeled to one of his leg.
"What's wrong, Bjorn?"
"I want to join your hunting party." He exhaled.
"No." Halger quickly replied. There was no hint of surprise found in his expression.
Bjorn smile turned upside down as he glared.
"Why not?" He asked.
"Do I need a reason to? You're too young to fight against a beast. Not only that, but too inexperience to actually hunt one. You'll just hold the party back." Halger replied.
"You said I was strong! I can help you carry the meat back to the village!"
"And what if you die along the way? I would never forgive myself if I put my eldest son in danger. You should wait until you're ready."
"But I am ready! I beaten all the eggs by myself! I challenge each one of them in a one on one duel!"
Halger lowered his eyebrows. Although he knows better than to antagonize his child, he felt that he need to share a word of wisdom from his experience.
"Bjorn, those were against your fellow tribesmen. The world is a lot crueler that you realize. If you fight against other people from different tribes, they won't hesitate to torture you whenever they feel like it. If you fight against a beast, it won't hesitate to feast on your flesh. That's just how the world works." Halger explained
"You have no idea how hard it is for a mere child to move up in life. That is why you must learn so that you may prepare yourself in the future."
"But I-" Bjorn tried to argue back, but Halger put his foot down.
"Bjorn, go home! I will have none of this, you will obey your father or else you'll face the consequence!" He then look at the guards station at the wall and gave them a nod.
They quickly came over as to escort Bjorn back to his home.
As Halger went out to hunt once more, Bjorn was tightening his fist. The feeling he felt inside burns through his heart as the taste of betrayal still stings in his mind. If paranoia permits it, his father might try to demerit him to choose a new heir in the village. Regardless, he still has a long way to go before he could unleash his full potential.