Eric was now three years old and playing in the sprawling, lush gardens surrounding the Emberhart family manor one bright, sunny spring day. He was about to witness real magic for the very first time.
Lady Ellara Emberhart and her dear friend Lady Amarantha Whitehaven lounged comfortably on ornate, gilded iron chairs set up in the gardens, chatting amiably while keeping a watchful eye on young Eric and Emily. The two toddlers giggled with delight, weaving in and out of the flowerbeds as they engaged in a spirited game of chase.
Emily's long golden blonde hair streamed out behind her like a cape as she nimbly darted this way and that, always staying one step ahead of Eric's grasping little hands. Her blue eyes sparkled playfully as she called back over her shoulder, "Can't catch me, slowpoke!"
Driven by boyish determination, Eric pushed his short legs to pump faster as he struggled to match the athletic girl's impressive speed and agility. "I'm...gonna...get...you!" Eric shouted between panting breaths, his own unruly mop of dark hair flopping across his forehead haphazardly.
But quick as a fox, Emily suddenly veered off in a sharp angle to the left, ducking behind the wide, ancient trunk of a stately oak tree. The abrupt change in direction caught Eric completely by surprise. His foot snagged on a protruding tree root sending him crashing face-first onto the grass with a heavy thud.
Fat tears immediately welled up in Eric's wide hazel eyes as searing pain flared across his tender palms and knees where he had landed hard on the unforgiving ground. A miserable wail built in his throat, ready to echo loudly across the garden. But before the anguished cry could pass his lips, a strange and wonderful sight stunned him into abrupt silence.
Lady Ellara was already rushing over, her flawless alabaster hands beginning to glow with a soft, gentle aura of blue light emanating from her very core.
"It's alright my dear, this will make it all better," Lady Ellara murmured soothingly as she reached Eric's side and crouched down gracefully next to him on the grass.
Eric watched with astonished eyes brimming with tears as his mother carefully held her illuminated hands just above the ugly scrapes marring both palms and knees. The worst of the vicious stinging and throbbing rapidly subsided into a residual dull ache before disappearing altogether as if they had never been there at all.
When the healing was complete, the ethereal blue light surrounding Lady Ellara's hands faded away as mysteriously as it had first materialized. Eric stared down at his smooth, unblemished skin in pure wonder and disbelief, flexing his palms and patting his knees experimentally. The injuries really were completely gone!
"You did magic, Mama! You made all the ouchies disappear!" Eric exclaimed, looking up at Lady Ellara with an expression of pure awe and adoration.
Lady Ellara smiled mysteriously, her eyes crinkling at the corners with affection for her beloved son. "Yes, you saw me use healing magic just now, my special boy," she confirmed in a hushed, reverent tone. Rising gracefully back to her feet, Lady Ellara immediately swept little Eric up into her arms. She embraced him tightly to her chest and planted several tender kisses atop his perpetually mussed dark hair.
"Such a precious child," she murmured near his ear, her voice thick with emotion. Over Eric's shoulder, Lady Ellara exchanged an intense, meaningful glance with Lady Amarantha who had been watching the entire incident unfold with great interest. A silent acknowledgement of the significance of this event passed between the two women.
Just then, little Emily approached cautiously, her bright blue eyes glistening with unshed tears of contrition. "I'm so sorry you got hurt, Eric," she sniffled remorsefully. "Are you alright?"
But Eric was far from upset. He wriggled out of his mother's arms and bounded over to Emily, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet in excitement now that all lingering pain had been erased.
"It's okay, Mama used magic to fix me! The glowing lights made the ouchies disappear!" Eric explained enthusiastically. He grasped Emily's hand and pulled her along as he broke into a jog. "C'mon, let's play more!"
Lady Amarantha arched one elegant brow and exchanged an amused maternal glance with Lady Ellara as they observed the children race off again without a care in the world.
Lady Ellara sighed contentedly, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Such pure, resilient spirits they have." There would be time enough in the coming years for everything to be revealed to Eric about his past, his immense magical potential, and the great destiny that lay ahead of him.
For now, she resolved to simply cherish these innocent, precious early years while her beloved son was still so blithely unaware of the incredible power flowing through his veins. She wanted to let Eric's childhood unfold organically, each new experience arising naturally in its proper time.
But Eric's vibrant imagination and intellect had been ignited by this first tantalizing taste of magic. Though he did not fully understand yet what he had witnessed, it had stirred something primal within him. When Lady Ellara called him inside for supper that evening, Eric bubbled over with exhilarated chatter about the day's events.
"When I'm big and strong like Papa, I'll be able to make the glowing magic lights too, right Mama? And heal ouchies and do all kinds of other magic stuff too?" Eric asked eagerly, his young mind spinning with the possibilities.
Lady Ellara just laughed gently, indulgently smoothing back his unruly hair. "All in good time, my dear. For now, let us simply enjoy each moment as it comes to us." But she made a mental note to begin Eric's magical instruction herself soon. His abilities were clearly developing rapidly. Proper guidance would be crucial...