Chapter 13:
The sun was high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the village of Eldoria. The air was filled with the sound of laughter and chatter as children played in the fields and adults went about their daily tasks. Arthur was sitting under a tree, reading one of the old, tattered books he had found in the attic. His mind was engrossed in the intricate details of mana manipulation when he heard a familiar voice calling out.
"Arthur! Arthur!" Elara's voice was frantic, her usually bright eyes filled with fear as she ran towards him. Arthur's heart clenched at the sight of his sister's distress. He quickly put the book aside and stood up.
"What's wrong, Elara?" he asked, his voice calm but with an edge of concern.
"It's them," she panted, pointing towards the village square. "The noble's son and his friends. They're being mean to me again."
Arthur felt a surge of anger wash over him. This wasn't the first time Elara had come to him with stories of bullying. The son of Lord Varric, a local noble, had been tormenting her for weeks. Arthur had tried to teach her to avoid them, but it seemed that today, they had gone too far.
"Stay here," he instructed Elara, his voice cold and determined. "I'll handle this."
Elara grabbed his arm, her eyes wide with worry. "Arthur, please don't. They might hurt you."
Arthur gave her a reassuring smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Don't worry, Elara. I'll be fine. Now, go find Tomas and tell him what's happening."
Reluctantly, Elara nodded and ran off to find their brother. Arthur watched her go, a dark determination settling over him. He took a deep breath, feeling the familiar coldness spread through him, a stark contrast to the warmth he usually felt with his family. It was time to show those boys who they were dealing with.
Arthur walked towards the village square, his steps deliberate and measured. As he approached, he could see the group of boys gathered around, laughing and jeering. In the center was Lord Varric's son, a boy named Cedric, who was a few years older than Arthur. Cedric was tall and imposing, with a cruel glint in his eyes.
"Hey!" Arthur called out, his voice cutting through the laughter. The boys turned to look at him, surprise flickering across their faces.
"What do you want, peasant?" Cedric sneered, his friends snickering behind him.
Arthur's gaze was icy as he stepped closer. "Leave my sister alone."
Cedric's smile widened, clearly enjoying the confrontation. "Or what? You think you can take us on, little Arthur? You're just a weakling."
Arthur's lips curled into a cold smile. "You have no idea what I'm capable of."
Without warning, Arthur lunged at Cedric, his fists flying. The boys were taken aback by the sudden attack, and for a moment, Arthur had the upper hand. He landed a solid punch on Cedric's jaw, sending him sprawling to the ground. The other boys hesitated, unsure of what to do.
"Run, Elara!" Arthur shouted, not taking his eyes off Cedric. "Go get Tomas!"
Elara, who had been watching from a distance, turned and ran as fast as she could. Arthur felt a savage satisfaction knowing that she was safe. He turned his attention back to Cedric, who was struggling to get up.
Cedric's friends quickly recovered from their shock and rushed at Arthur. Despite being outnumbered, Arthur fought with a ferocity that took them by surprise. He was smaller and younger, but his movements were quick and precise, each punch and kick calculated to inflict maximum damage.
The fight was brutal. Arthur felt fists and feet connecting with his body, but he barely registered the pain. All he could think about was making them pay for hurting Elara. He fought like a cornered animal, his rage giving him strength beyond his years.
As he fought, Arthur's mind was cold and calculating. He targeted weak points, using his small size to his advantage. He ducked and weaved, landing blows with a precision that belied his age. His opponents were older and stronger, but Arthur's sheer determination and ruthlessness began to turn the tide.
One by one, the boys fell. Arthur didn't stop to check on them. He couldn't afford to. His focus was entirely on Cedric, who was struggling to get back on his feet. Arthur tackled him, driving his fist into Cedric's face with a savage glee.
"Get off me, you little bastard!" Cedric screamed, trying to push Arthur away.
Arthur's response was a low, sinister laugh. "Not so tough now, are you?"
He grabbed Cedric's arm and twisted it behind his back. Cedric howled in pain, but Arthur didn't let go. He twisted harder, feeling the bones shift under his grip. Cedric's cries were music to his ears, a symphony of suffering that filled him with a dark satisfaction.
Just as Arthur was about to break Cedric's arm, he heard a familiar voice calling his name.
"Arthur! Stop!" Tomas's voice was urgent, filled with a mix of fear and concern.
Arthur looked up to see Tomas running towards him. For a moment, Arthur's grip on Cedric's arm tightened, but then he released it, letting Cedric fall to the ground, sobbing in pain. Arthur stood up, bloodied and bruised, his chest heaving with exertion.
Tomas reached him, his eyes wide with shock. "Arthur, what have you done?"
Arthur wiped the blood from his lip, his expression cold and unyielding. "They were hurting Elara. I made sure they won't do it again."
Tomas glanced at the boys on the ground, then back at Arthur. He could see the rage in his brother's eyes, the same rage that fueled their father's forge. But beneath it, he also saw a dangerous intelligence and a hint of satisfaction.
"Come on," Tomas said gently, putting an arm around Arthur's shoulders. "Let's get you home."
Arthur nodded, the adrenaline beginning to wear off, leaving him feeling drained and shaky. Together, they walked back to their house, the quiet of the village a stark contrast to the violence that had just occurred.
When they arrived home, their mother, Elise, was waiting for them. Her eyes widened in horror when she saw the state Arthur was in.
"What happened?" she demanded, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and concern.
Arthur lowered his head, unable to meet her gaze. Tomas stepped forward, his voice steady. "Some boys were bullying Elara. Arthur defended her."
Elise's expression softened slightly, but her eyes were still filled with worry. "Arthur, you know you shouldn't resort to violence. There are other ways to handle these situations."
Arthur clenched his fists, his anger flaring up again. "They deserved it. They were hurting her. I couldn't just stand by and do nothing."
Elise sighed, pulling Arthur into a gentle embrace. "I understand that you want to protect your sister, but you have to be careful. There are consequences to your actions, and you need to think about them."
Arthur felt tears sting his eyes, but he blinked them away. "I'm sorry, Mama."
Elise held him for a moment longer before releasing him. "Go clean yourself up. We'll talk more later."
As Arthur walked towards the washroom, he heard his father, Maren, enter the house. Maren took one look at his bloodied son and then turned to Tomas, his expression serious.
"What happened?" Maren asked, his voice calm but firm.
Tomas explained the situation, and Maren listened quietly. When Tomas finished, Maren nodded, a thoughtful look on his face.
"Thank you for standing by your brother, Tomas," Maren said, placing a hand on his elder son's shoulder. "Family must always look out for each other."
Tomas nodded, his expression serious. "I know, Dad. But Arthur… he was different today. It was like he was someone else."
Maren sighed, glancing towards the washroom where Arthur was cleaning up. "Arthur has been through a lot. More than we can understand. But he's strong, and with our help, he'll find his way."
That evening, the family sat around the dinner table in a subdued silence. The events of the day hung heavy in the air, but Maren broke the silence with a quiet voice.
"I'm proud of you both for protecting your sister," he said, his gaze steady. "But we need to be smart about how we handle these situations. Violence should always be a last resort."
Arthur nodded, his eyes fixed on his plate. "I understand, Dad."
Maren reached across the table and squeezed Arthur's hand. "I know you do. And remember, no matter what happens, we'll face it together as a family."
Arthur looked up, meeting his father's gaze. For the first time, he felt a glimmer of hope. With his family's support, maybe he could find a way to balance the darkness within him and become the protector he wanted to be.
As the days passed, Arthur's actions spread through the village, and the incident with Cedric and his friends became the talk of Eldoria. Some villagers praised Arthur for standing up to the bullies, while others worried about the consequences of crossing a noble's son.
Lord Varric himself paid a visit to Maren's forge one afternoon. He was a tall, imposing man with a stern expression. Maren greeted him with a respectful nod, wiping his hands on a rag.
"Lord Varric, what can I do for you today?" Maren asked, his tone polite but guarded.
Varric's eyes narrowed as he looked around the forge, noting the various tools and materials. His gaze lingered on a collection of mana crystals that Maren used for his work. "I see you have quite a collection of mana crystals here, Maren. Impressive for a humble blacksmith."
Maren's expression remained neutral. "They're essential for my work, Lord Varric. Is there something specific you need?"
Varric's eyes darkened, and he stepped closer to Maren. "I came to discuss the incident involving your son and mine. In this village, the punishment for a commoner who attacks a noble is death. However," he paused, a cruel smile forming on his lips, "I am feeling particularly merciful today. Instead of death, I will allow your son to receive only a few lashes as punishment."
Maren's heart sank, and he clenched his fists at his sides. "Lord Varric, please. Arthur was only protecting his sister. He is still just a boy. Punishing him so harshly would be…unjust."
Varric's smile widened, his eyes glinting with malice. "And yet, justice must be served. Fifteen lashes should suffice. Bring the boy here."
Elise, who had been listening from the doorway, rushed forward, her face pale with fear. "No, please! He's just a child! There must be another way!"
Maren stepped between his wife and the noble, his voice steady but desperate. "If someone must be punished, let it be me. I'll take the lashes in his place."
Varric raised an eyebrow, considering Maren's offer. "Very well, if you are so eager to protect your son, you may take his place. But know this: your sacrifice will not be forgotten, nor will it lessen the consequences of future transgressions."
Maren nodded, his expression resolute. "Thank you, Lord Varric."
The noble gestured to his guards, who stepped forward to seize Maren. Elise cried out, her hands reaching for her husband, but Maren turned to her with a reassuring look.
"Elise, take the children inside," he said quietly. "They shouldn't have to see this."
Elise hesitated, her eyes filled with tears, but she knew there was no other option. She took Elara and Tomas by the hand, leading them away from the forge. Arthur, however, stood rooted to the spot, his eyes blazing with anger and helplessness.
"Maren!" Elise's voice was a mixture of desperation and fear. "Please, don't do this!"
Maren gave her a gentle smile. "I'll be fine, Elise. Stay with the children."
As the guards restrained Maren, Arthur felt a burning rage consume him. He watched helplessly as his father was stripped of his shirt and tied to a post in the center of the village. The villagers had gathered, whispering among themselves, their faces a mix of curiosity and concern.
Varric's overseer stepped forward, a whip coiled in his hand. He raised it high, and the first lash struck Maren's back with a sickening crack. Maren grunted in pain but did not cry out. Arthur's heart pounded in his chest, each lash feeling like a dagger in his own flesh.
Elise clutched Elara and Tomas tightly, her face buried in her hands. Elara sobbed quietly, her small body shaking with fear. Tomas stood beside them, his fists clenched, his face pale with a mix of anger and helplessness.
Arthur's vision blurred with tears, but he refused to look away. He watched every agonizing moment, his heart breaking with each strike. His father's back was soon a mess of blood and torn flesh, but Maren remained stoic, his jaw set in determination.
"Fifteen lashes," Varric's overseer announced, finally lowering the whip. "Let this be a lesson to all."
The guards untied Maren, and he stumbled forward, barely able to stand. Arthur rushed to his father's side, supporting him as best he could.
"Papa, I'm so sorry," Arthur whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "This is all my fault."
Maren shook his head, a faint smile on his lips despite the pain. "No, Arthur. You did what you thought was right. And I would do it again to protect you."
Together, they made their way back to the house, where Elise, Elara, and Tomas were waiting. Elise cried out in relief, rushing to help Maren inside.
That evening, as Maren lay resting, Elise tended to his wounds with gentle hands. Elara stayed close, her eyes wide with worry. Tomas sat beside Arthur, his expression serious.
"Arthur," Tomas said quietly, "we need to be careful. Lord Varric won't forget this, and he might come after us again."
Arthur nodded, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. "I know. But we can't let them win. We have to stay strong."
Elise looked up from Maren's side, her eyes filled with determination. "We will face whatever comes together. As a family."
Arthur felt a deep sense of love and loyalty for his family. The pain and humiliation they had endured only strengthened his resolve. He would protect them, no matter what. And he would never forget the lessons of that day.
As the night fell and the family gathered around Maren, Arthur's mind raced with thoughts of vengeance. The darkness within him, once a mere flicker, now burned brighter. He would bide his time, learn all he could, and when the moment was right, he would make Lord Varric pay for every tear and drop of blood shed.
The days turned into weeks, and the scars on Maren's back began to heal. But the emotional scars left on the family would take much longer to fade. Arthur trained harder than ever, his determination fueled by the memory of his father's sacrifice.
Elise, though still fearful for her children's safety, found solace in the strength of her family. She knew that together, they could face whatever challenges lay ahead.
And so, life in Eldoria continued, marked by the quiet resilience of the family. Arthur's bond with his father grew stronger, forged in the fires of adversity. And deep within him, the seeds of vengeance took root, waiting for the day when they would bear fruit