Lakka’s party was wild. And by wild I mean that Grashel smashed a table over his head and then roared into the sky. The man had to drink a barrel of, what I assume to be moonshine, to reach that level of intoxication. As the crowd drunkenly cheered the man then promptly vomited, let out another roar, and then passed out. The bear had begun his hibernation cycle. My father, slightly tipsy, said that a replacement table would come from Grashel’s paycheck.

It took four servants to drag his boozed-out body to into the house. I’ll have to make some loud noises tomorrow.

Besides that main bit of entertainment, the party was relatively calm. But then, anything would be calm after something like that. Many congratulated Lakka on her gift. To which she gave her thanks, visibly uncomfortable at being surrounded by people. Eventually, such attention proved too much for the girl and she escaped to sit with me, the Tindolst family, and my mother. Pattelia invited me to their farm as thanks for letting them attend this party. Their farm was only an hour by foot east of town, so it was pretty close. I asked my mother for permission and she readily agreed so long as I had a guard with me. So I agreed and said I’d pay a visit in two or three days.

Conversation turned to Lakka but she then shifted the spotlight to me.

“Daen, do you think you’ll have a gift?” She wasn’t comfortable being the center of attention. Made sense as she was a shy girl. I can see where she was coming from however, as I had asked myself that very same question.

“I’ve got as much chance as anyone else does.” I shrugged, “Why do you ask? Will you be lonely at the College?” I teased her. She then stuck her tongue out at me before mumbling something. While I couldn’t hear her, I could understand what she was thinking. She didn’t want to be dropped into a strange place without knowing anyone.

“I hope I do have a gift though.” I began, “Learning magic would be extremely interesting. I bet they’ve got a massive library filled with thousands of books on all sorts of spells and rituals!” Oh man, the idea of going to the College was so very appealing.

“Honey, you’re drooling.” My mother stated. With as much dignity as I could manage, I wiped my mouth with my handkerchief.

“Don’t worry sis, even if I don’t have a gift I’m sure we’ll be able to come visit every so often.” With a nod, my mother agreed.

“Indeed. Family is always welcome at the College. They even have an entire wing for visitors to stay at for long periods of time.”

“See sis, nothing to worry about.” Lakka smiled brightly,

“Okay!”

As the party went on, a few guests had to depart. One of which included the Tindolst family. With a fond farewell and my promise to visit, they had left. As for the guests that had come from far away, they were given rooms in the mansion to use. Though the party had ended, the celebration went on well into the night. Later that night, as I slept so very comfortably in my own bed, I was awoken by being lightly shaken. Grumbling, I turned to look at who would disturb my rest. A teary-eyed Lakka stood before me in her sleeping attire.

“I don’t want to go.” She whispered. A flood of tears was barely held back. The girl was a time bomb with the clock ticking. With a smile built to allay her fears, I sat up and patted the bed. With downcast eyes, she sat beside me.

“You don’t want to go to the College?” I asked.

“No.” Her rebuttal came quick.

“Didn’t you want to become a mage?”

“…yes.”

“Hmm, then we’ve got a bit of a pickle.” She gave a slight giggle at that.

“Teach me.” She demanded. Confused, I asked her what she meant. “You’re smart. Teach me.”

“Sorry sis, but when it comes to magic you know more than me right now.” That wasn’t quite true, my father let me read a book about magic about three months back. It covered all sorts of topics, from conjuration and enchantment spells, to how Enchanters invoke their powers. It was a very interesting read, but I didn’t want her to know I knew so much. We all had to grow up eventually.

“If you really want to be a mage, you’re gonna have to go to the College.” She was silent at this. The dam was beginning to break as tears slid down her face. With a sigh, I gave in. “Alright sis, how about this.” She turned her head to me, “If I have a gift, I’ll be going with you to the College, correct?” A nod. “Alright, well if I don’t have a gift, how about I go to the College with you anyway?” This seemed to take her by surprise for a moment.

“Yes!” She dove into me and began to hug me. Tightly.

“Though if I do have a gift, I’m going to be a better mage than you!”

“Nu-uh!”

Afterwords, she calmed down and quickly became very tired. I offered to walk her back to her room, but she shook her head anddemanded that I stay with her. In the end, I was forced to concede and share my bed with her. She fell asleep easily, but not me. Not because I was uncomfortable sharing my bed, but because she had my arm in a vice grip and it was very uncomfortable. I got maybe two hours of sleep that night.

The next day proceeded as usual. Wake up, prayer, breakfast, run around, lunch, reading and learning, dinner, more reading, and bed. Though I did explain to my mother the promise that I had given Lakka. She then called me a ‘doting little brother’. Honestly, I fully expected Lakka to forget my promise before she left for the College if I didn’t have a gift. At least, I hoped she did. That night I prayed to the Five that she would forget her promise before leaving for the College if I myself didn’t have a gift.

The following day I decided to pay the Tindolst family a visit. Before leaving with my escort after breakfast, I had made a quick stop in our kitchen. I didn’t get much, just a bit of uncooked sausage as a gift. We left shortly after I had wrapped up my gift. The woman rode a horse while I sat in the back of a wagon it pulled. That turned out to be a mistake, as my butt was sore after the trip. Cloud cover was heavy and dark, so I guessed we’d be getting rain later which was fine by me. Living in the southern part of the Dominion was hot all year round. Upon reaching the Tindolst homestead, my eyes drank in their property. Fields of fruit trees stretched far and wide. Beyond the trees were fields for planting regular crops. Closest to the house was a barn with a few fenced off pastures for horses or cattle. For a family of farmers, their home was bigger than I expected.

Over the ride to the Tindolsts I had gotten to know my escort a small bit. Her name was Cyn and she had been working for my father for about seven years now. She must have come from humble beginnings as she had looked at the farm with a smile and took in a deep breath.

“Reminds me of home m’lord.” She said in a nostalgic voice.

“Grew up on a farm, lady Cyn?”

“Aye. Times were rough where I grew up.” She grunted. “Had to leave me home and join the army at…ten I think. Sent most of me money home. Still do.”

“Do you ever go back? Like, when you’ve got time off that is?”

“Nay, tisn’t me home anymore.” She grinned and looked back at me, “I’m a soldier, home is where there’s food, drink, and a bed.”

“Can’t argue with that.” I chuckled.

“If’n you don’t mine me askin’, whats m’lord doing visiting a farm? Yer father don’t do that.”

“Hmm, I don’t think my father even likes me being friends with this family. For the moment he tolerates it simply because the one man kept an eye on me after I had gotten separated in town. As for why I’m visiting, its a gesture of friendship and respect. Besides, Nemmel and I are in a sort of business partnership.” The woman nodded, but said nothing further.

It wasn’t long until I stood upon their porch and knocked at the front door to their home. Muffled voices came from behind the door before it slowly opened.

“Hello Ilsha.” I greeted the daughter who stood behind the door shyly. She did nothing but stare at me for a few moments. I waved at her to bring her back to reality. Her eyes widened and her face became tomato red as she realized she had been staring at me. “What is there something on my-”

“Daddy!” She called out and raced off. Cyn then looked down at me and smiled.

“What? Shes shy.”

“Uh huh.”

“Think what you want, I’m too young for that lovey-dovey crap.” Cyn just kept smiling at me. This trip was turning out to be just grand.

“Me lips be sealed.” She said with a wink.

Not a moment later did Nemmel appear.

“Ah, welcome Master Daen. I’m sorta surprised you made the trip today, it looks like its about to storm.”

“Eh, a little rain never hurt anybody.” I handed over my gift, “Here, snagged you some sausage as thanks for your hospitality.”

“You’re too kind Master Daen.” The man lightly bowed before opening the door to let us inside.

“Sir Tindolst,” Cyn began, “Be it fine to stable our horse in yer barn for a time?”

“Ah, sure. We have a few stalls open. Go ahead and pick one.” Cyn nodded before unhitching the wagon and leading the horse away.

Walking through the Tindolst household made me realize how different our lives were. While I had anything I could want, these were people that worked hard for the little they had. There was very little furniture in the house. What they did have seemed old and rickety. But the home was clean despite it’s age. Obviously Pattelia worked hard to keep things in an acceptable state. It reminded me of my home from my previous life. We didn’t have much, but we had each other and that was enough.

This was home and it felt good.

“Master Daen, welcome to our humble home.” Pattelia announced herself from the kitchen. “I assume you’ll be joining us for lunch? I’ve got fresh bread baking.”

“Yes Mrs. Tindolst, my escort Cyn and I will be staying for a bit.”

“Honey,” Nemmel began, “Master Daen brought us a gift.” He went into the kitchen and handed her my gift.

“Oh my, Master Daen is too kind by far.” She was extremely cheerful. “This will go great with dinner tonight, thank you once more Master Daen.”

Moments later, Cyn joined us and we all sat at a table together. Even Ilsha overcame her shyness to sit with us, though she was more focused on my escort than me for the time. It was probably her first time seeing a female soldier. She asked a few questions about being a female soldier. Not long after the questions started Pattelia served us lunch. Even as we ate the questions continued. Ilsha was quite inquisitive when she was comfortable it seemed.

“It ain’t be an easy life. But I wouldn’t live any other way.” Cyn finished, which made Ilsha smile in admiration.

“Wow.”

A sharp crack of thunder boomed throughout the house. The storm had finally broken as rain fell in big drops. More lightning crashed in the sky, which caused Ilsha to yelp out in fear and hide under the table. Even more lightning lit up the sky and thunder clashed with a terrible bang.

I sighed, we had planned on leaving after lunch to make it home before the storm broke.

“Seems pretty bad outside.” I said as I gazed out a window, watching the lightning thrash through the sky.

“Mmmm, kind of expected this today.” Nemmel stated.

“If you wish Master Daen, you could stay the night until the storm abates. I don’t believe the storms will be going anytime soon.” I thought about that for a moment. Its not like I could turn on the weather channel and see when the storm was going to pass. But going out in that downpour wasn’t looking very appealing neither.

“Are you sure?” I asked, “I don’t mean to impose.”

“Oh no Young Master, we’d be pleased to have you in our care!”

“Then I thank you once more for your kindness.” I bowed my head.

“I’ll be headin’ out. Someone’s gotta tell the boy’s mother where he’s at.” Cyn smirked as she rose from her seat.

I hopped down from my seat and followed her to the door.

“Why don’t you stay Cyn? Its dangerous out. I’m sure they’d find some room for you as well.”

“Bah, I’m no stranger to danger Master Daen, but thank ye. You’re in good ‘nuff hands already.” With a light bow, she raced out into the storm towards the barn. Shortly after, I watched her gallop away as lightning illuminated her racing off into the distance.

“Be well you crazy woman.” I murmured to myself. After Cyn was out of sight I closed the door and walked back into the house. Ilsha was still cowering under the table, hiding from the thunder and lightning.

“Mind if I borrow a stool? I’d like to watch the lightning from the porch.” They looked at me questioningly, but in the end Nemmel picked up a small stool and followed me to the porch.

“Pardon me saying Master Daen, but yer a little crazy wanting to watch lightning.” I laughed,

“None taken. I just like watching lightning. It…reminds me of something.” In my past life I had watched lightning on a porch just like this with my family. It was a time where we would just relax and enjoy nature in one of it’s forms. Nemmel nodded as he placed the stool down.

“Be well Master Daen.” He bowed his head and then went back inside.

It felt good being able to sit and watch lightning flash across the sky with the sound of rain hitting the roof. Now if only I had some popcorn I’d be in heaven. The best part was that it wasn’t windy at all, so I didn’t have to worry about rain reaching under the porch. It was perfect lightning watching weather. As another streak of lightning shot through the sky, a timid voice spoke from behind me through a slightly opened door.

“…Not scared?” Ilsha spoke as she peeked through the door.

“Nope.”

“Why not? Its loud and scary and strange.”

“Things are less scary the more you understand them.”

“You understand lightning?” I nodded,

“A bit.” She looked a bit uncertain at my words, but stepped outside with me.

“Explain. I don’t want to be scared.”

“Alright,” I got up from my seat and motioned for her to sit. With a nod she did. Together, we watched the sky light up with another flash of lightning. Ilsha shook a bit but sat firmly in her seat and watched the sky.

“Think of two different colored balls. A red ball and a blue ball.” She nodded. “Now when these balls rub against one another enough they make a small spark of lightning. Now imagine that those clouds are filled to the brim with those balls rubbing against one another. The sparks from those balls combine to a big spark and make a loud noise.”

Without taking her eyes from the sky, she nodded. When the next flash of lightning ran through the sky she didn’t jump.

“You’re right. It is less scary the more you know.”

“Congrats, you now know about electrical currents.” She looked at me then with a confused look, but I just stuck my tongue out at her. She giggled at that. Together, we spent the rest of the time until dinner watching lightning in silence.