Silber Gron: Prologue
A pleasant smell makes its way from the kitchen of a small house in Mantle as snow softly falls outside. A woman calls out.
"Silber the stew is ready, can you set the table and fetch your grandfather?".
A young man of 13 with long silver hair tied in a low braid answers "Sure thing Ma!" Silber starts setting up the plates and glasses as both his mother Lapis and grandfather Teal walk in. Teal sniffs the air and smiles leaning on his cane.
"Mmmmm smells divine Lapis" he sits down at the table.
"I should hope so" Lapis smiles as she puts the large pot down on the centre of the table "You wouldn't be as big as you are if you didn't like my cooking dad".
Teal laughs loudly with joyl as Silber chuckles behind his hand "You can thank your mother for that Lapis, you're just continuing her work".
"If I continue it anymore you won't fit into your clothes" she teases him, earning another loud laugh from her father. The three of them tuck into the stew with gusto, laughing, smiling and just have a wonderful family moment over a delicious meal.
It was a tender moment between them, Silber's childhood really hadn't had many problems, except for finding out he was the illegitimate son of some pompous Atlas elite. Did it make him angry? Very much so and the rage helped unlock his semblance, however in the end he learned that his mother and grandfather were all the family that mattered. Most of Silber's time was spent listening to Teal's stories from when he was a professional huntsman, the sights he saw, the adventures he had or they would train together when they had the chance. The stories fueled Silber's curiosity to want to leave Mantle and see the world outside the kingdom, so at an early age he decided he wanted to become a huntsman like Teal. Before a leg injury caused him to retire and walk around with the aid of a cane. Lapis was a kind soul but could be fierce when she wanted to be as any mother could, she supported her son's choice even more so than her father did. She was the head chef at a local diner in Mantle; she ran the kitchen with an iron fist and wouldn't take any talk back from customers.
After they finished dinner the topic came up of Silber's big day.
"You nervous boy? I know that starting combat school can be intimidating" Teal leans forward.
"A little bit" Silber rubs the back of his head "Not just about school though".
"Oh Silber, you'll be fine. Your height is something most people wished they had" Lapis playfully punches his arm.
"I know ma, it's just an old habit. I mean not many kids reach six feet by my age and I will stand out or I could OW!" he rubs his head looking at his grandfather "What was that for gramps?".
Teal lowers his cane "That was for worrying too much. Don't doubt yourself boy".
Silber nods "yes sir".
Silber had always been worried about his height ever since he noticed how much taller he was than the other children at school, combining that with his semblance of Berserk which allowed his strength to grow when angry. He couldn't help but worry.
Teal slowly gets up from the table and walks over to the mantle above the fireplace "I have something I want you take Silber" he reaches up and lifts his old great axe Odin from its stand. It's grip was a dark curved wood with a single axe head atop it. Bringing it over he sets the axe on the table.
"My axe, take it".
Silber eyes widen as he stands up instantly "G..Gramps I...I can't" he stutters from the shock".
"You can and you will" Teal sits back down "Odin has been through hell and back with me, it deserves to be used, not sitting up on a mantle gathering dust. So take him Silber, make Odin a worthy axe once again".
Silber strokes the wooden hilt gently and picks Odin up "I will and gramps. Thank you for everything".
His mother coughs "Oh and you to Ma, sorry" he blushes.
"You better be sorry" she smiles, teasing him.
Teal just chuckles in his chair as he watches. It wasn't going to be an easy life as a huntsman but Silber knew it was one he wanted to have.
In a few days time he would start at combat school, it was just the first step of his adventure and one he couldn't wait to have. The Journey of a million miles begins with the first step after all.