Post by TermaForever on May 31, 2007 22:31:26 GMT -5
A warm soft light emanated from the fireplace in the adjoining room. Gareth watched the silhouettes of his brother and father sitting by the hearth, talking.
“You have grown into a fine young man, my son.” His father’s voice was quiet, almost sad. “Though it pains me that you wish to leave, it also brings me joy that you have found your calling. And with Gareth having such a keen interest in continuing the business when I retire, I see little reason why should not support you in your calling.”
Gareth’s brother, Marcus, leaned over and hugged his father. “Thank you father, I promise I will not disappoint you.”
His father pulled away and patted Marcus on the shoulder. “I know you won’t, my son. I know you won’t. In the morning I’ll ask my friend about getting you some proper lessons with a sword. I’ll also look into getting you outfitted for the road. Your mother will kill me if I don’t set you out there good and prepared.”
Marcus laughed. “I imagine she will.” Gareth felt a wave of sadness go through him at the thought of his big brother leaving. Still his father always talked about grandpa’s adventuring days and the many strange and wonderful things he had seen. And of course the wealth of treasures he had found that had allowed him to begin the family business. As much fun as it might have been though, he was content to stay home and continue to run shop.
“Brother?” Helen’s soft voice came alongside her tug on his sleeve. “Are you going to keep reading?”
Gareth smiled. “Oh right! Sorry.” She smiled happily as he continued the story. Helen had not yet had the opportunity to learn how to read. Though Gareth had begun teaching her, there was still nothing she enjoyed more than being read to by her big brother. He had always been closer to her than to Marcus. Helen was two years his junior while Marcus was eight years his senior and had never been exceptionally close to either of them. Still he looked out for his younger siblings.
His mother’s hand on his shoulder made him stop. “Come now, to bed with you two,” she whispered. Gareth looked over at Helen, a disappointed frown on both their faces. He shrugged and marked his place in the book, setting it on the table.
“You have grown into a fine young man, my son.” His father’s voice was quiet, almost sad. “Though it pains me that you wish to leave, it also brings me joy that you have found your calling. And with Gareth having such a keen interest in continuing the business when I retire, I see little reason why should not support you in your calling.”
Gareth’s brother, Marcus, leaned over and hugged his father. “Thank you father, I promise I will not disappoint you.”
His father pulled away and patted Marcus on the shoulder. “I know you won’t, my son. I know you won’t. In the morning I’ll ask my friend about getting you some proper lessons with a sword. I’ll also look into getting you outfitted for the road. Your mother will kill me if I don’t set you out there good and prepared.”
Marcus laughed. “I imagine she will.” Gareth felt a wave of sadness go through him at the thought of his big brother leaving. Still his father always talked about grandpa’s adventuring days and the many strange and wonderful things he had seen. And of course the wealth of treasures he had found that had allowed him to begin the family business. As much fun as it might have been though, he was content to stay home and continue to run shop.
“Brother?” Helen’s soft voice came alongside her tug on his sleeve. “Are you going to keep reading?”
Gareth smiled. “Oh right! Sorry.” She smiled happily as he continued the story. Helen had not yet had the opportunity to learn how to read. Though Gareth had begun teaching her, there was still nothing she enjoyed more than being read to by her big brother. He had always been closer to her than to Marcus. Helen was two years his junior while Marcus was eight years his senior and had never been exceptionally close to either of them. Still he looked out for his younger siblings.
His mother’s hand on his shoulder made him stop. “Come now, to bed with you two,” she whispered. Gareth looked over at Helen, a disappointed frown on both their faces. He shrugged and marked his place in the book, setting it on the table.