Chapter 2
The Day was busy as many different nobles and visiting royal came to the city, of course lingering only a few minutes outside of the wall only to drop off their horses at the stables, where Art worked. the smaller stable outside the wall, was cheaper then the more established stables on the inside so of course everyone unless they cared not for their gold dropped their horses with Art. he always found it funny that after they leave their horses in his care, they always tipped him a bit of extra, the funny part was that with the cost of taking the animals as well as the tip, it always came out to about the same amount that the wall's stables cost. as the day wore on, Art's mind wandered as it usually does to his family, whom aside from his step father deserved the chance they were getting, moving into into the inner city, inside the wall, Art knew that it was rare indeed for a family to be granted the status his was. carrying on all through the day with the mundane tasks that fall to a stable boy, Art had worked up quite a sweat. his Muscles ached and burned, though he didn't mind that. he had worked his whole life the burn was second nature to him now. it was while he was shoveling the last stall for the night that he was brought from his mind by the sound of heavy footfalls outside the double doors. raising his head up, he watched as the swish of a great travel cloak preceeded the wearer. Tall standing figure, around Art's height if not taller, and the build that filled out the cloak could only mean it was a male. "sorry sir, I'll be taking off in a bit" Art said. "your more then welcome to use the stables on the inner city, the cost is a little more but its worth it i assure you" leaning the shovel against the wall, he took the strip of fabric from around his waist and wiped his hands, as the figure would lower the hood he wore, revealing the most angelic looking face that one would lay eyes on. molten silver eyes stared ahead, as a slow smile spread on the lips. "forgot an old friend already Arturo?" the man asked, as his long, silver hair was pulled free, allowed to tumble down the man's back, stopping when it reached the bend in his legs. Art smiled and laughed. "how could i forget you, every time im out with you i get ignored by all the ladies" walking over,the two men embraced like brother's. large arms wrapping around each other, and hard pats on the back. "good to see you again Geod, you were sorely missed my friend" Art said, pulling back from the hug, Geod chuckled. Art was friends with Geod every since he was fourteen and he had saved him from a rather angry royal that believed the lessers should be beat for nearly anything, as it was Art had tossed an apple core and it hit the royal's head dead on, it took only but the word of Geod and Art was freed. Geod was part of a race that shared the lands of Elemetia, the race was known as the Veri. a strong, older race, they lived among the Veri Tribes in the Northern, Eastern Mountains ranges, peaceful unless acted against firstly. they were all fair skinned and beautiful to look at, extremely wise and long lived, Geod himself, though he wouldn't tell outright, Art figured he was around a hundred years old. aside from the looks, the Veri were very agile and graceful when they wanted to be. what most found disturbing was that the Veri were life drinkers or the drank the blood of the living to sustain them. Art had been talking with Geod one night when Geod told him that the Veri have to drink blood to help keep them alive, after the initial shock, Art's curiosity had taken over and he asked about everything that had to do with that, finding out that the blood drinking was preformed during certain times of each month, and the blood came from the animals. when asked if they drank from humans, Geod's features became like stone and he had told him to drop his questions, which Art did, to this day he didn't know if they took from Humans. it didn't matter though, Geod was closer to him then anyone else, except maybe Art's mother. Geod pulled off his gloves. "you were missed to my friend" he said as he stuffed his gloves into his cloak pocket. "my dear sister was not well, i had to leave as she is all we have for each other and to heal her i was required" Art nodded, understanding. for a Veri to be healed, they required a blood relative to preform the healing or it wouldn't take and they would become sicker. "she is well i hope" Art said, moving back to the shovel, having to finish before he could leave for the day. "she is doing quite well actually, and she sends her regards" Art's ear got red and his cheek started blushing, making Geod laugh his usual booming laugh. "and she has mine too the next time you head home" Art replied, never forgetting the last time Geod came to town, his sister traveled with him, and Art had never seen such beauty on a person before.. her long blonde hair tumbled down well to her legs, and looked like spun gold, and her eyes of the soft blue, made the world stop dead so it too could gaze into them. of course for a young man of sixteen, he spoke his thoughts and told her, and ever since she wouldn't let him forget that he found her "the most amazing creature to ever grace the earth" Geod always found it funny. "oh" Art said. "Isabella manifested" Geod looked back to Art, brow arched. "is that right" Art smiled, beaming as he nodded. "yep, she came and told me this morning, already wearing the white dress and everything" Geod clapped him on the back. "thats great to hear, whats he gift?" Art would shovel the last of the mess out of the stall, moving he would hang up the shovel. "healing magic" Geod smiled wide, revealing the tale tell signs of his race, the tips of his fangs. "healer, that is rare indeed" everyone knew that Healers were coveted, and every city hoped to have mani-festers of the healing arts. Geod was about to say something when a man entered, stumbling drunk and reeking of booze, Art looked into the face of his step-father
"hello bastard" the man said, grinning as he took a swig from the bottle he held in his hand. Bastard was the name he had given Art a long time ago, a secret name the man would never use in front of his mother, for she wouldn't tolerate anyone speaking ill of her children. Geod moved to speak and to announce himself, but Art stopped him, he could handle this one all by himself. "hello drunk" Art's reply, grabbing some hay from the pile to toss into the stall he had just cleaned. "don't back talk me boy, you'll regret it now" Art closed his eyes, that threat could only mean one thing.. they had already granted the titles to his family, meaning that he was speaking to a royal now. "forgive me sir" Art was forced to say, making his step-father smile wide as he stepped into the stables more. "thats much better. my daughter tells me that Isabella came to this morning, even though she and i have had talks about her speaking to you" Art nodded. "She was excited about her magic coming to her and she wanted to tell me, it was harmless and besides" Art said, closing the stall door after tossing the hay in to coat the floor. "Lishea was the one to tell her to await her at my place, you cant expect her to stand outside in the cold morning air, so of course she came in and talked to me" Art spun on his step-father, smiling. "She enjoyed the breakfast i gave her too, even a simple plate of left over ham and day old biscuits" he knew what that would do even before the first word left his lips, and sure enough the hue on his step-father's cheeks went from pink to red, his eyes narrowed. Art knew the man couldn't stand it when Art could provide for them and he couldn't, when Art was younger it's what lead to most of the beatings he had, being able to do something a grown man couldn't. "you are to never give my daughter anything ever again, she has me to give her food, and if i cannot then she goes without like the rest of us" the man bellowed, stepping up to Art, getting into his face. "oh" Art said, not backing down. "wish you had told me that sooner, that basket of freshly baked goods and cut meats i sent to mother this morning wouldn't have been needed" Art laughed inside at the look of rage that was crossing his step-father's face, both men were stubborn anyone could see that, but Art wasn't going to back off, he never did. Geod finally thought to break it up before fists started flying. "excuse me, but i think you've had enough to drink, should probably return to your home and sleep it off" Geod stepped up as his step-father spun to Geod, about to tell him off, when he noticed who had addressed him. In Elemetia, there was different types of magic, some simple and common, while others like healing and such were rarer, there was another brach of magic that was even more rarer then any of that and it was one that could control the elements. Fire, Air, Water and Earth Manifestors were few and far between, and to be born one made you your own authority, even Kings and Queens bowed to you. Geod was one of those, his and only his race produced Earth users, something about being closet to the element then anyone ever could. Geod's silver eyes and hair marked him as an Earth user. the other elements, Water and Air were gifted to every race, and they too had different things that marked them for what they were. the only one that has never been seen or recorded was one that wielded Fire. a Fire manifestor was a legend or myth, some believed that the creator of fire was greedy and shared nothing, not even his power, and power Element Manifestors had, in abundance.. Art knew that Geod could easily bury the whole town, leaving no sign of it if he had an urge to do so, and that wasn't even scratching the surface he guessed. his step-father paled and stepped back. "Lord Geod, i had... i had heard of your greatness, though I've never gotten the honor to meet one like yourself" Art finally got his rage under control and stepped back, watching his step-father play the act of a honest man, something he had never been in his whole life. "the pleasure is all mine im sure" Geod said, the fake smile placed on his face. "you do know that royal or no, starting trouble in the outer city can get you into your own trouble, as can provoking a fight, go sleep it off then find me in the morning so that i may meet the real man and not the drink" with a final glance at Art, his step-father turned and left, the sound of a breaking bottle was heard right outside. Art would sigh, pinching the brim of his nose. "that man is going to get my family hurt with his antics, he nearly did it while out here, it will be worse in the city with his gambling and lies" Geod would place a hand on his friends shoulder. "worry not, while i am here I'll look after your family for you" Geod clapped him on the back then, smiling ."and besides, you should get home and dream some more of my sister yes?" he teased, making Art groan. "its bad enough i get it from her, you could stop" he said, unable to help the smile that came to his lips. "i could, but i wont" taking Arts hand. "see you later Arturo, sleep well" Art nodded. "and you to my friend" Geod would take his leave then, and Art would finish up his work, collect his pay for the day, which added to his extra was a fair enough amount. money in hand, he went and picked up the few supplies he needed, before he made the trek home, the cities wall faded behind him as he walked down the road, before it vanished on the horizon.
Art's trip home was eventful, on the way he went and checked his traps, finding two rabbits, he quickly killed and skinned them, thanking them for the meal they will make as he did, holding the now cleaned and ready to cook rabbits he would enter his home, only to turn as some one was there, a soft voice would whisper from the shadows. "welcome home my son" Art smiled wide. "mother, you nearly gave me a heart attack, why are you sitting in the dark" Art laid his things upon the table, before moving to the small fireplace, he had never had trouble in the dark, he could see clear as if it were day, when he was little and asked his mother about it, she would pat his head and just say "your inner fire is burning bright." the stacking of woods and the strick of a flit, the fire sparked to life and soon was burning on its own, turning he would see that his mother wore a smile on her face as she stared into the flames, before looking to him. she was a short woman, Art towered over her when he was fifteen, and he was winded her two of her side by side, but that didn't matter, he was still very much a mamma's boy as she would wrap him in her warm hug. "you just keep growing on me" she would say, making Art chuckle. "pretty soon even bending down wont let me kiss that cheek of yours, I'll need a stool" she teased as he would lead her to the table. "and I'd gladly make you one" his reply. helping her sit at his small table, he would quickly set about fixing the rabbits, placing a small pot on the fire to boil some potatoes as well. once that was done he sat down. "how are you mother? did you get the basket i sent this morning" her smile was all the answer he needed. "i did" she reached and touched his cheek. "always looking out for us arnt you" she said. "i very nearly burst my dress from eating all that food you sent, everyone was stuffed and we still have half of it left" she would say. Art's smile faded. "you wont when you return home i fear" he didn't look up, though he knew she had her eyes on him in that way only a mother could do. "he came to the stables" his mother's sigh made him angry, not at her but at his self. "he'll toss it out then" she said softly, Art's hand gripped the table as his anger rose, he always let the man get to him enough that it ended up costing not him but his siblings and mother. "im sorry mother, i know that i shouldn't let him get to me like that, i couldn't help but rub his face in it" her laugh made him look up at her. "child, you've been rubbing his face in it for as long as he and i have been together" she shook her head, still chuckling. "its okay Arturo" she never called him Art, to her he was always Arturo. "he'll find only what i want him to find, I've hidden what i can, we wont starve" when she realized what had happened, she looked up at him, staring into his eyes. he smiled, taking her hand. "i already know mother, and i couldn't be more happy for you and everyone.. moving into the inner city, that is something you've always wished for" he kissed the back of her hand. "and now its came true" she would nod, glancing toward the fire. "i don't want to leave you out here, alone" she finally said. "there are wilds out there, wilds that you cant imagine, if i lost you" a tear formed in her eye. as it always did when she talked about possibly losing him. "mother" he groaned, moving from his chair and kneeling beside her. "you are not going to lose me, nothing bothers me here. no wild animals, no monsters from the past, nothing" he smiled and nudged her. "well, this beautiful woman does come to bother me time to time" he teased, knowing she would know he was talking about her. "but i don't mind that, looking upon her face is like staring at the sun and seeing all its beauty" she wiped her eyes as she laughed her true laugh, the sound of tinkling bells. "oh, that tongue of yours.. it gets anymore silver and you can sell it" she said, winking at him. Art would stand. "enough talk of what could possibly happen, you will eat with me and tell me all about my siblings and how they are doing" he said, moving to the fire and the roasting Rabbits. that Night he had one of the best he ever had with his mother, she stayed for hours, telling him about his siblings all the while they ate and drank, when the stories of his siblings were done, she would regal him with stories of her childhood, of her parents she never sees anymore and how his stubbornness came partly from her. the whole night they laughed and carried on like they use to do when it was just them.
Morning came and Art groaned as he sat up in bed, not remembering how he got there as he had one to many drinks, he was sure his mother got him into bed. he rubbed his eyes, already knowing she had taken her leave right as he had passed out, that is what she always did, she couldn't stay as that was against the "rules" laid down to her by the idiot man. groaning, Art stood and staggered his way outside where the loud splash would be heard as he ducked his head in the rain bucket, letting the cold water wake him up. once all that was done, Art moved back inside, only to stop as he looked to the small box that laid on his table, beside the remains of the night's dinner. that wasn't there before. moving to it, he would run his hand over the top, it was smooth to the touch. the box was one of the finest he had ever seen, that was no doubt. carefully he took it from the table and would move to open it, his eyes widened as he saw what rested inside, laying on a bed of deep satin. a wrist band, but one unlike anything thing he had never seen. it wasn't large and flashy.. the silver in the band was thin, but it was strong when he took it from the box. he looked it over, seeing that it held a pattern, etched across the band and upon closer look he saw they were flames. in the center of the band was a crimson red ruby, the size of a pebble. he ran his finger over top of it, compelled by the stone. what brought him back to reality was the sound of something falling to the floor. looking down he saw that it was a note, curious even more now he would set the box and wristband down, bending and picking it up he opened it. lucky for him he was taught his letters a long time ago, thanks to Geod's incessant teaching after saying he wasn't going to read another thing for Art ever. The flowing script was making it a little hard as it read "my Dearest son, please forgive me for leaving before you woke, but i had to return home, like always you got me sidetracked and the real reason i came was forgotten til you had passed out. the box and the content inside was a gift, on the day you were born from your father, he wore it himself and i watched with my own eyes as he took it off his wrist right as you came into this world and declared that it was yours.. i had meant to give it to you sooner, but problems arose and i couldn't. all my love, you mother" he dropped the letter on the table, his eyes falling onto the wristband again. it was from his father, his actual father.. the one his mother never once would speak about when he asked as a little boy. reaching out and taking the wristband again into his hand, he would smile. "i might not have known you father, but i wear this gift proudly" he said, slipping it onto his wrist, where it fit perfectly. smiling as he looked down at it now on him, he would take the box and having another use for it, he took his collection of money that was under his mattress, along with what was left of yesterday's work and place it inside. once done with that, he hid the box and would go to leave the house, as he had things to do around the farm. as he walked out of the door, the stone glowed, the flames on the band would move like true fire did, before they settled down and became still, the stone dimmed.