- I own nothing it all belongs to Tamora Pierce, and I'm broke, so don't even try and sue me-

The Many Things You Learn in Life
Chapter One- Family Love

"If you can look into the mirror without laughter, you have no sense of humor."
--Unknown

Life and death are two extraordinary things. I've seen many examples of the both of them in my day. I've seen the many wonderful blessings and hardships of life, and the many difficult and significant journeys surrounding death. I am proud to say I have lived my life to the fullest with no regrets.

Let's start with some background shall we? I am an old man, there is no need to tell you the exact age, because that just makes me feel older. I have a wonderful wife, whom I love, with all my heart. I have 7 miraculous children, and 28 astounding and rambunctious grand children. We're all mad there's no doubt about that; but you can say it's a sort of a… run-of-the-mill type of madness.

Now, this story I'm going to tell you, is quite different from your average "married to a Lady Knight" tale. Let's see where it all really begins. Oh yes. I believe it was mid-October, in Corus the capital of Tortall; in the 21st year of the reign of Jonathan IV and Thayet, his Queen, in the year 460 H.E.. There was a ball celebrating the marriage of Lord Raoul of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak, to Buriram Tourakom.

You didn't see them dancing, but having a very intense conversation with Numair Salmalin and his lover Veralidaine Sarrasri (known as Daine to her friends). I looked around the room, spotting my very strange cousin and his wife Yukimi noh Diamoru, I could see he was starting to crack jokes about how the young woman next to him actually looked like a lady instead of a maiden warrior. His wife came to the young woman's defense and started to yell at my cousin, much to my enjoyment.

As I went to go sit down and mingle with my friends and Neal, I was abruptly pulled out into the palace gardens. I was quickly hurried off into a deeper and more secluded part of the gardens hidden by the many branches and leaves of a willow tree, with a knife to my back. Once I got there the person who grabbed me, pushed me down against the tree. I tried to get a look at the guy, but he was wearing a hooded cloak.

Now you're probably wondering, with me being the man that I am, why didn't I fight back? Well at that time I didn't think anyone would be brave enough to try and kidnap a guy like me, so I went along with it. As I was sitting there trying to figure out who it could be, they took off the hood of their cloak. It turned out that he was a she. The girl started laughing and helped me get up, I was shocked and very excited to see her.

" Shara! What are you doing here?" I asked in disbelief.
" Well… I decided to come and see you! I haven't seen you in a long time, and I was uh… wondering what you were up to these days."

" Nothing too exciting, how did you know to find me here?"
" I heard about the wedding and I figured that you would be here since your in the King's Own, and Lord Raoul commands the Own."
" That does make sense."
" Yes it does."

Shara slowly walked over to me. I got kind of nervous because I wasn't sure if she was going to hit me or something, but I knew it couldn't have been anything too bad. She got a little closer then started to run at me, she was smiling. I thought Uh-oh but then she jumped on me and gave me a huge hug after all we were very excited to see each other, then she gave me a kiss on the cheek.
" I missed you so much!" Shara said to me.
" I missed you too!" I replied.

" So how are mother and father?" I continued.
" They're doing fine, mother wanted to buy father a new dagger to add to his collection for their anniversary, but father said no and they got into a fight over weaponry, it was quite entertaining." Replied Shara.

I started to laugh and then I realized that I had to get back to everyone, so I invited my sister Shara along so she could meet everyone and have a chance to humiliate Neal.

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" And remember that one time, where Neal got his head stuck in the weapon rack!" said Shara.
Everyone exploded in laughter. Shara and I had been sharing our many adventures of our younger years with Neal, to Merric of Hollyrose, Keladry of Mindelan, Baird of Queenscove, and Roald of Conte'.

" Oh, and remember the one time where Neal got stuck in the apple tree after he had been chased by our dog Bruiser?" I said.

"Yes, then after that he tried to make himself grow taller so he could be able to run faster!" laughed Baird of Queenscove (who was Neal's father).

Through all of this Neal had slumped down in his chair with his head in his hands, he had given up trying to defend himself against all of these, in his mind, absurd stories.

" Well, I had better get back to my rooms, it's getting quite late and it looks like Neal is about to cry from all of his embarrassment." said Keladry.

Neal sat up and started rambling on about how everyone else was insane and he was the only sane one. Kel walked away before he could start on her.

Okay, tell me what y'all think so far, I know it's a little different but different can be good right? Yeah I hope so lol.
– Gigi Ose