Morning like every other mornings. Everyone to their business, Preparing for the day.
Young Lucius sat at a distance observing his fellow campers.
"I wonder from where they get their strength, they are always busy, either doing this or doing that" . He thought lazily.
"Child do you mind coming over here to help with the dishes" .
Madame Reynolds called to him.
Instead of Lucius to do as she had said he sat back staring into space. But madame Reynolds wasn't surprised by his behavior, it was a common thing, for he was a lazy child.
Madame Devlin would not like you call her beloved child "lazy" she would simply say he is a special child.
"Special or not he is a weak child" the other women will say.
They soon got tired of his lackadaisical behavior and finally decided to let him be.
Whether or not he joined in doing the chores they would surely be done.
"He might just grow up to be unlike his father" were the words of the oldest woman in their mist.
At the mention of his father he started to cry. And this had provoked his mother that she had almost spoken to her rudely. But that was all past now. Everyone minded their own business, especially when it concerns madame Devlin son.
"Lucius come over here and help us with tge dishes, you do eat from these plates too". Madame Reynolds said this time with more authority.
"I will catch a cold " he shifted his eyes towards another direction.
"Huh?" Really? You don't mean to say you are that weak to catch a cold just from washing dishes? Will you get over here now" she commanded.
Young Lucius was about to walk out on her when his mother who had been watching the scene stepped into the matter.
"Child…".
"Yes mother ". He was so happy, finally his mother was coming to save him from this old woman.
"Go over there right now and help with the dishes" she said calmly.
Everyone present were beyond astonishment , They were perplexed at her sudden change in behavior towards her son. Firstly she doesn't give him excessive food anymore, now she wants him to join in the chores, this was indeed flabbergasting.
"Mother…" he cried. She always stand up for him no matter what , had that changed? " if mother should change towards me and start wanting me to join in the camp chores…then I am ruin" he cried in his heart.
"Go right now child, it's just to wash the dishes " she smiled down at him patting his head.
The day was almost sun down. The workers were already heading back to camp. Everyone was tired from the day's work.
A sudden sound was heard from a distance. Everyone was at alert.
"What was that " a young lady asked holding her basket of wheat closer to herself .
"I don't know…maybe it's the warriors, I guess they are in their training sessions " another replied.
Few minutes later they arrived at camp . The women started with preparations of dinner, the men went in search of firewood , by chance they might see some forest animal. The ladies assisted in dinner's preparations while tge children played around, once in a while running errands for the women.
"Don't you think it's high time Lucius stared to go hunting and search for firewood?" Madame Reynolds asked madame Devlin as she grind some wheats .
"Hmm" Madame Devlin sighed. "You think so?".
"Huhmm" she nodded.
"Then he must tomorrow " she said with certainty.
"You know I am still wondering the reason for
Your sudden change " Carol a young lady asked.
"I would not always be here " she smiled at no one in particular " he needs to learn how to be strong on his own."