Chapter 6: Bonds and Growing Ties
The Augustine estate, vast and quiet as it was, never felt lonely to Argus. There were always people around—the maids bustling through the halls, the steady presence of Celeste, and, of course, his family. But there was one person in particular who brought an unexpected warmth to his life: Lily.
Argus sat under one of the large trees in the garden, a book resting in his lap. The shade from the branches above provided a cool respite from the midday sun, and the gentle rustling of the leaves was calming. He had come out here for some peace, but the sound of footsteps approaching interrupted the silence.
"Argus!"
He looked up just in time to see Lily running toward him, her brown curls bouncing as she hurried across the lawn. Before he could react, she leaped at him, her small frame landing squarely in his lap.
Argus grunted, though a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "You're getting heavy, you know."
Lily giggled, her face lighting up with joy. "I'm not heavy! You're just weak."
Argus raised an eyebrow, his expression playful. "Weak, am I?"
Lily's eyes widened in mock fear, but she quickly dissolved into giggles again as Argus gently poked her side. Despite the formality and tension that often permeated the estate, moments like these felt refreshing—genuine, even.
"I was looking for you," Lily said, her voice softening slightly. "I wanted to show you something."
"What is it?" Argus asked, curious.
Lily reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, folded piece of paper. She handed it to Argus, her face full of expectation. As he unfolded the paper, he saw a carefully drawn picture of the two of them—him standing tall with a sword, and Lily holding his hand with a wide smile.
"I drew it," she said proudly.
Argus looked down at the drawing, a soft warmth filling his chest. "It's good, Lily. Really good."
Lily beamed, her eyes sparkling with happiness. "One day, I'll be as strong as you, Argus."
He smiled, ruffling her hair affectionately. "You don't need to be strong like me, Lily. You're already strong in your own way."
Lily's face scrunched up in thought, but after a moment, she nodded, satisfied with his answer. She leaned against him, content to stay there as they both enjoyed the quiet of the garden.
Later that evening, Argus found himself in the east wing of the estate, where Rhea and Lily lived. It wasn't unusual for him to visit them in the evenings, especially after spending the day with Lily. Rhea had always been kind to him, but lately, there was a shift in their interactions—something more personal, more genuine.
As he entered their sitting room, Rhea looked up from the chair where she had been reading. She smiled softly, setting her book aside as Argus approached.
"Lily told me you spent time together today," Rhea said, her tone warm.
Argus nodded. "She showed me a drawing she made."
Rhea's smile widened. "She's always drawing these days. You seem to inspire her."
Argus looked down for a moment, feeling a strange sense of pride at Rhea's words. He had never thought of himself as someone others looked up to, but with Lily, it felt... different.
Rhea stood and approached him, her movements graceful as ever. "You're good with her, Argus. She adores you."
Argus met her gaze, feeling the warmth in her words. There was something about Rhea that put him at ease—something that felt less formal, more comforting. Their relationship had always been cordial, but lately, it felt like there was a deeper connection forming.
"I care about her," Argus said quietly.
Rhea's smile softened, and for a brief moment, she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I know you do."
The gesture was small, but it carried a weight that Argus hadn't expected. He looked at Rhea, seeing her not just as Darius's third wife, but as someone who had her own quiet strength—someone who understood the complexities of the household, yet chose to navigate them with grace.
As they stood there, a quiet understanding passed between them. It wasn't spoken aloud, but it was clear that their bond was deepening. Rhea's kindness, her patience with both Argus and Lily, had created a space where Argus could feel something beyond duty—something more personal.
Argus's training continued the next day, but it wasn't Celeste overseeing his practice this time. Instead, it was another tutor—one his mother had arranged to teach him something different.
As Argus stepped into the study, he was greeted by the sight of a tall, lean man with sharp eyes. His name was Loric, a tutor in the more intellectual arts—strategy, rhetoric, and the subtle art of negotiation.
"Master Argus," Loric said, inclining his head slightly. "Today, we'll be working on something that will require both your mind and your instincts."
Argus nodded, intrigued. He had always excelled in physical training, but this was something new.
Loric spread out several maps on the table, each one detailing different territories and political boundaries. "Strategy is more than just knowing how to fight. It's understanding the landscape—both physical and political. You need to know when to act and when to hold back."
Argus studied the maps closely, taking in the intricacies of the borders and the movements of troops marked on them. Loric continued to explain the importance of positioning, alliances, and timing—all crucial elements in the larger game of power.
It was different from the physical training he was used to, but Argus found himself drawn to the complexity of it. There was something satisfying about understanding how every move could influence the outcome of a larger conflict.
"You've already begun to grasp the basics," Loric said, watching Argus with a keen eye. "But you'll need to master this if you want to navigate the world outside these walls."
Argus nodded, his mind racing with the possibilities. He had always known that power wasn't just about strength, but now, more than ever, he understood that it was about control—about knowing how to move through the world in a way that others couldn't anticipate.
Argus leaned forward, his eyes studying the maps spread across the table. The intricacies of borders, trade routes, and cities sparked something within him—a challenge that went beyond the physical training he had become accustomed to. Loric, standing across from him, watched with a critical eye, assessing the young boy's ability to absorb the information.
"You see this line here," Loric said, pointing to a narrow strip of land between two larger territories. "It may seem insignificant, but controlling this trade route is the key to controlling both regions."
Argus nodded, his mind already working through the implications. "Whoever holds this route would hold the economy of both territories," he said, his voice calm and measured. "It's not just about military strength—it's about leverage."
Loric raised an eyebrow, impressed by the quick analysis. He had expected Argus to grasp the concept, but not with such precision and speed. For a moment, he offered a small nod of acknowledgment, a rare gesture for someone so restrained.
"Correct," Loric said, his voice even. "And how would you maintain control of such a critical point, knowing it could be targeted by multiple enemies?"
Argus frowned, considering the possibilities. "Securing alliances with neighboring regions would be one way," he said slowly, "but alliances can be fragile. I'd need a secondary plan. Perhaps setting up supply routes that don't rely on that single passage, or even preparing to sabotage the route if it falls into enemy hands."
Loric felt a flicker of surprise at the boy's foresight. It wasn't just the solution—it was the depth of his thought. Most students would stop at securing alliances, but Argus had already considered contingencies. Internally, Loric couldn't help but feel a quiet admiration for the boy's growing intellect.
"Very good," Loric said, his voice betraying nothing of his internal thoughts. "You're beginning to think like a strategist. Remember, it's not always about who has the most troops—it's about who controls the flow of battle."
Argus felt a flicker of pride at the compliment. He had always excelled in combat training, but this was different—this required patience, foresight, and a level of understanding that went beyond physical strength.
"Remember, Argus," Loric said, his eyes locking onto the young boy's, "the greatest strength lies in the mind. You can win battles with your fists, but you'll only win wars with your intellect."
Argus nodded, feeling the truth of Loric's words resonate deep within him. He had always known that his awakening marked the beginning of something greater, but now he understood that his power would mean nothing if he didn't know how to use it.
Loric stepped back, allowing Argus a moment to absorb the lesson. "You'll need to learn how to think three steps ahead," Loric said. "Not just in combat, but in every decision you make. The world outside this estate is full of people who will try to control you—people who will want to use your power for their own gain. You must be ready for them."
Argus met Loric's gaze, a quiet determination settling over him. He wasn't just preparing for the future anymore—he was preparing to take control of it.
The lesson continued well into the afternoon, with Loric presenting increasingly complex scenarios for Argus to solve. Each map, each hypothetical situation, pushed Argus to think beyond the immediate—beyond the obvious. He began to see the world as a series of interconnected pieces, each one influencing the other.
"Look at the patterns," Loric said, gesturing to a series of troop movements marked on the map. "What do you see?"
Argus studied the map closely, his eyes tracing the lines that represented the movement of soldiers and supplies. At first, it seemed like a simple exchange of power—a straightforward conflict between two armies. But as he looked deeper, he began to notice something else.
"They're funneling the troops into a bottleneck," Argus said, his voice thoughtful. "Whoever controls this pass controls the outcome of the battle."
Loric nodded, his approval subtle but clear. "Exactly. It's not always about who has the most soldiers—it's about who can control the flow of battle. Position is everything."
Argus absorbed the lesson, feeling his understanding of strategy deepen. This wasn't just about learning how to win battles—it was about understanding the larger game, the invisible forces that shaped the world.
"You're learning quickly," Loric said, his tone more casual now. "But don't forget that theory is just the beginning. When the time comes, you'll need to make these decisions in the heat of the moment. That's when true mastery will be tested."
Argus nodded, his mind racing with the possibilities. He had always known that his future would involve more than just physical combat, but now he could see how crucial this type of knowledge would be. It wasn't just about strength—it was about control. Control of the battlefield, control of the people around him, and, most importantly, control of himself.
By the time the lesson ended, Argus felt a new sense of clarity. The day had been long, but the knowledge he had gained from Loric had left him with more questions than answers. The complexity of the world outside the estate was becoming clearer, and with each passing day, Argus understood that his awakening was just one piece of a much larger puzzle.
As Loric gathered the maps, he looked at Argus with a rare flicker of admiration. "You have potential, Argus. But potential means nothing if you don't learn how to use it."
Argus stood, feeling the weight of the lesson settle over him. "I will."
Loric nodded, a small smile playing at his lips. "I don't doubt that."
As Argus left the study and made his way back through the estate, his thoughts churned with everything he had learned. His days of study, training, and quiet reflection were shaping him into something more than just a boy with power. He was beginning to understand the responsibilities that came with it, and the careful balance that power required.
He passed through the hallways, nodding briefly at the maids who curtsied as he walked by. He could feel their subtle glances, the quiet whispers that followed him wherever he went. Even now, he could sense the shift in the way people treated him. His awakening had changed things. It had changed him.
As he entered his room, he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the large mirror by the window. For a moment, he stood still, studying the boy who looked back at him. There was something different in his eyes now—something sharper, more focused. The weight of his future, of his growing power, rested on his shoulders, but he no longer felt burdened by it.
He was ready for whatever came next.