Outlanders – Chapter 2 – Good Change
Xephos was the king's oldest son, but it wasn't always that way. At a time, Solon was the only son of the king.
Orphaned as a young boy, Xephos roamed the streets, helping others who needed it. One day, Xephos noticed a guard that was beating a boy for stealing some food. Not pleased by that sight, Xephos charged in and got the man's attention off the boy and onto him. He ran through the streets with the man following close behind. Not looking where he was going, Xephos ran into the most unlikely person, the king. Struggling to get out of the guards grasps, the king told them to release Xephos. "You are a vary brave boy, brave enough to risk your own well-being for someone else." The king said. Xephos had no idea that the king saw the whole thing.
"What is your name?"
"X-Xephos, sire." He said bowing his head in respect.
"Were are your parents Xephos? Surely they are looking for you."
"…They're dead. They died 3 years ago." The memory of when Xephos' father and mother's ship malfunctioned and crashed, made him cry inside. Even thought he was only 4 at the time, that memory still haunts him.
The king felt sorry for this boy, he knew how it was to grow up without a parent, for he had to grow up without his mother. "Come with me Xephos, let's talk." He said waving the guards off so Xephos and he could be alone.
"It must be hard to live without any parent to guide you."
"Yes sire, it is, for I have no place to call home, or anyone but myself to care for me."
"Please boy, you don't have to address me with sire. We are just merely two of the same people talking."
"Yes sire, I mean highness, I mean…" Xephos struggled and finally gave up with a sigh.
The king laughed, It was heartily and comforting to hear. "It seems we're going to have to teach you not to call me by title."
Xephos was befuddled. 'Why didn't the king want to be properly addressed?' he thought. "Why?"
The king stopped laughing. "Well Xephos, I've told my sons not to use titles when talking to family."
"But… don't you only have one son?" Xephos was completely confused now. 'First he tells me not to address him, then he said he has multiple sons, what is going on?' He thought.
"Well not after today Xephos. I see my family is not yet complete." The king said with a smile creeping out.
For being only a child and having no formal education yet, Xephos was pretty smart, he was figuring out were this was going. "Me?!" pointing to himself in shock.
The king just nodded slowly. "You have shown bravery and compassion that Solon clearly lacks, and it would be an honor to have someone like you in my family." He kneeled down so he would be at Xephos' height.
Xephos didn't know what to say, he would have a family. He wrapped his arms around the king neck. "Thank you…father."
On the other side of the city, another young boy, the same age, was on the streets. Rythian was being led by his mother to the Mage academy, to learn how to use his talents. The High Council was interested in seeing this Ender, for most have never seen one in their lifetimes. Rythian didn't show any emotions as he stood up in front of the other Mages. His purple eyes glowed as he looked at each mage. Purple eyes is one of the rarest colors of the Mecans, so is blue, but normally people have either green, yellow, or silver eyes.
"Do you know any spells Rythian?" the High mage asked.
Rythian spoke in a clear voice, trying to be proper, and said, "I do not know any incantations, but I'm able to move object around." He then placed his arm forward, aiming it at a cup one of the mages had, and it slowly started to move up.
The other mages were impressed, normally levitation had to be preformed with the reciting of a spell. "Very good," the High mage said as Rythian lowered the cup. "You will make a fine apprentice," he said walking up to Rythian and handed him a piece of paper, "Here's your dorm number, and schedule. Now why don't you go home and get your things."
"Thank you" Rythian said bowing and walked back to his mother, he was trying to keep a still face, but the excitement was just leaking out. He busted out into a big smile. His mother bowed and led her son back home.
"You happy Rythian?" his mother asked playfully.
"Yes, yes, yes." He said doing some jumps of joy.
"Well I didn't doubt, not even for a second, that you wouldn't be accepted. No way would the Mages give up the chance to teach a Ender." Rythian's mother said opening the house door. Rythian ran inside and up to his room. "Make sure you get everything you need now!" She called from the foot of the stairs.
Soon after, Rythian came down with two bags. "Ok, ready to go." He said still smiling.
His mother picked up one of the bags for they were too large for Rythian at this time. They made their way back to the academy where Rythian said goodbye to his mother and followed a mage up to his room. It seemed everything was well in the world.
But life can't be just good. And an evil will come, and all will be shattered.