Today is my 18th birthday. So far, it has started out like any other day. Thomas, my manservant, wakes me up at my usual time. Getting dressed takes no time at all. Going down the long winding staircase to the dining hall, I meet only the usual staff about the house. Delicious smells are coming from the sideboard in the dining hall, and I see a huge spread has been laid out. My father must be getting up early as well. Sighing at the thought of possibly encountering him, I grab a plate and fill it up with breakfast. Taking a seat at the long, elaborately carved table, I dig in. Maria pours me ombliss juice and coffee. Smiling at me, she says, "Happy Birthday Master Herrel." "Thank you Maria." "I have a special treat for you for your lunch Master Herrel", she says, "But you can't eat it first" she scolds.
Finishing up breakfast, I race up the stairs to grab my training gear. Today, I will be getting fitted for a greatsword. Master Karl thinks I am ready to handle the weight. Grabbing my duffle I take the back stairs to avoid being seen by any of my family. My training is my one secret. I don't want to be like my brother, who spends most of his time in the pubs or hanging out with his good-for-nothing friends. Halse is my older half-brother. We have never liked each other. We have the same father, but different mothers. I was born in Elysea. My mother is the Lady of the House of Redsgarth. My father is an Asmodian Lord who has seduced many an innocent lass in his time. He cares nothing for either of us, but we are still required to obey his every whim and command.
The weapon smith shop is twenty minutes away. I run most of the way there. I arrive a bit early and only slightly out of breath. Master Karl greets me with a gruff hello.
"Drop your stuff in the corner lad and come with me." Eagerly I follow him into a smaller room where he does the measuring. He takes my measurements. He then has me handle several different test weapons. Several hours later we are finished and I'm free to go. I grab my bag and head out.
My next stop is the library. I love to come here. The age of the place, the musty scent of books is like no other. Most of the researchers here are buried in their own work. I know I won't intrude on them. I find my usual table and settle in for some quiet reading. I have chosen to read some of the old history, before the cataclysm. There aren't very many books left from that time. They are very old and fragile. Dust drifts off the covers and the pages. I turn them very carefully. I have been learning the old tongue and can read most of the book without any trouble. My peace doesn't last for long.
My older brother Halse and a couple of his friends have just sauntered in. Groaning, I look around for an escape, but they spot me before I can get up. Sighing, I wait resignedly for them to come over. They don't disappoint.
"Well, well, well, look what we've got here!"
Halse smirks to his friends. "My baby brother."
"What do you want Halse?"
"Why we came looking for you." "It's your birthday, and I wouldn't want you to spend it hiding away like you usually do." He smirks again.
"Thanks for your concern, but I'm quite happy where I am, thank you very much."
"Too bad little bro, but you are coming with us." Halse smirks again.
Grabbing me in a choke hold, he drags me out of my chair.
"Knock it off Halse!" "Leave me alone!"
"No, no, no, little bro. No can do." "We are going to show you a good time today."
"Grabbing me by the back of my shirt, he practically drags me out of the library."
Turning my head, I look wistfully back at the book still sitting on the table. The librarian will not be happy. Halse pushes me again to hurry me along my way. Gods, I really dislike him.