The morning sun peeked over the horizon, painting the sky with warm hues of orange and pink, as Aiden prepared for his first journey beyond the village. He was brimming with excitement and curiosity, a bag slung over his small shoulders, packed with his belongings.
Downstairs, he caught sight of his father, Orin, leading the family's carriage out of the outhouse. The horses neighed softly as Orin strapped them into place, their sleek coats glistening under the dawn light. Inside the modest kitchen, his mother, Ayleen, was busy packing a bundle of food for the trip, ensuring they had enough for the long journey ahead. The aroma of freshly baked bread and cured meats filled the air, a comforting reminder of home.
"Come on, Aiden. Don't forget anything," his mother called out, smiling warmly as she saw him coming down the stairs, his bag in tow.
As the first rays of sunlight bathed the village, the family embarked on their journey. Aiden's excitement bubbled over as he climbed into the carriage, clutching a small wooden toy he had brought for the ride. The rhythmic clatter of the carriage wheels on the dirt path filled the air, mingling with the faint chirping of birds.
"Dad, where are we going?" Aiden asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
Orin smiled at his son. "We're heading north to Dermon City. It's governed by the House of Venti, a noble family of counts. It's the closest city to our village, but even so, it will take us half a day to get there."
Aiden's eyes widened. He had never been outside their village of Brishelm, nestled deep in the forested hills. As the carriage wound its way along the forest path, Aiden was captivated by the towering trees that seemed to touch the sky. Their ancient trunks stood like sentinels, and their dense canopies cast dappled shadows on the ground below. The scene was both enchanting and eerie, the stillness of the forest broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant cry of an animal.
Sitting snugly in his mother's arms, Aiden marveled at the world outside the village. He caught glimpses of deer darting between the trees and flocks of birds taking flight as the carriage passed. The serenity of the forest filled him with a sense of wonder and peace. Before he knew it, the gentle rocking of the carriage and the warmth of his mother's embrace lulled him into a peaceful slumber.
When Aiden awoke, the carriage had come to a halt beside a sparkling lake. The horses drank eagerly from the clear water, their reflections rippling on the surface. Orin was unpacking their lunch while Ayleen prepared a small picnic.
"Wakey, wakey, sleepyhead," Ayleen said, her face close to Aiden's as he stirred awake. Her cheerful tone made him smile, though he felt slightly embarrassed for dozing off.
They sat by the lakeside, enjoying the meal Ayleen had lovingly prepared. Aiden munched on bread and cheese, listening to the gentle lapping of water against the shore. After lunch, they resumed their journey. This time, Aiden sat up front with his father, eagerly asking questions about the carriage and its workings. Orin chuckled at his son's enthusiasm and began teaching him how to hold the reins and guide the horses.
As the afternoon sun began its descent, the towering walls of Dermon City came into view. Aiden's breath caught in his throat as he saw the massive stone fortifications, their imposing height a testament to the city's strength. Guards in polished armor stood at the gates, their watchful eyes scanning the incoming travelers.
The carriage rolled to a stop at the gate, and a guard captain approached, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "State your business," he demanded.
Orin answered calmly, "We're merchants from Brishelm, here to trade goods."
After a brief inspection and a payment of five copper coins per person, they were allowed entry. This was the first time Aiden had seen currency, and his curiosity got the better of him.
"Father, what's a copper coin worth?" he asked, holding one up to examine it closely.
Orin smiled. "A copper coin can buy you a loaf of bread. One hundred copper coins make a silver coin, and one hundred silver coins make a gold coin. There's also a rare currency above gold called mana crystals, but those are mostly used by mages."
"What are mana crystals?" Aiden asked, turning to his mother.
Ayleen explained, "Mana crystals are precious resources for mages. They can be used to replenish mana or as a training material to improve their magical abilities. Pure mana crystals are incredibly valuable and can sell for a hundred gold coins or more. That's why they're rarely traded."
Aiden nodded, his mind racing with new information as the carriage rolled through the bustling streets of Dermon City. The sights and sounds overwhelmed him—vendors shouting to advertise their goods, children playing in the alleys, and townsfolk going about their day. Buildings of stone and wood stretched as far as the eye could see, a stark contrast to the simplicity of Brishelm.
They eventually arrived at an inn, a modest yet welcoming establishment. As they unloaded their belongings, Aiden noticed the curious gazes of the inn's patrons, their eyes lingering on him and his mother. He frowned, uneasy with the attention. Before he could dwell on it, a man in his early thirties, flanked by a group of rough-looking individuals, approached them.
The man's eyes raked over Ayleen, and he smirked. "Need some help, beautiful?" he asked, his tone lecherous as he reached out toward her.
Aiden's fists clenched, anger boiling inside him. He was about to step forward when he caught sight of his father's smirk. Confused, Aiden hesitated, and in the next moment, he heard a sickening crack.
The man was on his knees, his face contorted in pain as Ayleen twisted his arm to the brink of breaking. The thug's cries echoed through the inn, and his companions stepped back, too stunned to intervene. Saliva and snot dripped from his face as he begged for mercy.
"Disgusting," Ayleen said coldly, releasing him with a shove. The man collapsed to the floor, groaning in agony.
Aiden stared, wide-eyed, as silence fell over the room. He had always known his parents were strong, but witnessing his mother's strength firsthand left him in awe. Ayleen turned to him, her expression softening as she scooped him into her arms.
"Aww, sweetie, I'm sorry you had to see that," she said with a smile, as if the incident were nothing more than a minor inconvenience. "Now, how about we get some dinner?"
Aiden blinked, his earlier anger replaced by a mix of admiration and confusion. "Mom, when are we eating?" he asked, his voice small.
.
.
.
Meanwhile, at the city gate, the knight captain who had inspected their carriage was making his way to the grand mansion in the city's center. The mansion belonged to Countess Fiona Venti, the ruler of Dermon City. Upon arriving, the captain was escorted through the opulent hallways and across a lush garden where he found the countess enjoying her evening tea. She was a striking woman in her late twenties, her dark purple hair cascading over her shoulders. Her lavender eyes met his, and a shiver ran down his spine as he dropped to one knee.
"What brings you here, Captain?" Countess Venti asked, her voice calm but commanding.
"My lady, I have a report," he said, keeping his gaze lowered. "A family arrived today from the village of Brishelm. Their description matches the individuals in the poster you showed us during our training."
The countess's eyes narrowed, her expression sharpening. "Are you certain?"
"Yes, my lady. The woman displayed extraordinary strength, subduing a man with ease, while the man seemed to observe calmly. They had a child with them, around four years old."
Countess Venti set down her teacup, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "After all these years, she's finally left her sanctuary. This is unexpected. I suppose I should pay them a visit."
The captain bowed deeply. "As you command, my lady."
Dismissed, the captain hurried out of the mansion, leaving the countess alone with her thoughts. She gazed out at the darkening sky, anticipation flickering in her lavender eyes. Something told her that this family's arrival in Dermon City would set events in motion that could not be undone.