Son of a slave
Chapter 69

Chapter 69: Chapter 69

Something caught his attention as it ran between his feet, though he didn’t react rashly and simply allowed it to proceed on its way.

"A mouse!" Rather than shrieking and running off as he had seen the other girls do on multiple occasions, Emely got down on her hands and knees and then crept about as close to the skittering critter as she could without touching it. "Don’t be scared," she said in a gentle voice, the rodent coming to a hesitant stop as she surprised him further by scooping it up and holding the little thing as if it were the most precious of treasures. "How adorable you are."

Alistar watched with interest as she fawned over her little friend like a parent to a child, attempting to feed it little pieces of grass.

"I don’t think he wants to eat that."

"You mean she."

"It’s a girl? How can you tell?"

"You can’t?"

She placed the mouse down as carefully as she could, the rodent disappearing into the well-trimmed hedges as soon as it was free. Now that her attention was on the bushes, something caught her eye and caused her to rush over to another section where she directed his attention to a small lump of white fur that was tucked away beneath the foliage.

"Look! It’s a baby bunny."

The rabbit was so small that he couldn’t even sense its life signal.

"How did you know it was there?" Mice were common in the central gardens, but he rarely saw rabbits. "Is it alive?"

She reached into the bushes and carefully removed the little rabbit, which was shaking in her palm. "Are you okay? Where’s your family?"

Alistar gave her an odd look, as the girl was speaking to the rabbit as if it were a human being. "Its family is probably somewhere close by. That, or she somehow wandered in here from the outside."

"She was dropped here by a bird. See how her legs are all crooked? I think they’re broken."

Looking at the pitiable animal, he saw that she was correct about its legs. "How can we know for sure that it was a bird that dropped her? Maybe someone stepped on her without noticing." Some of the house servants liked to enjoy their meals here, after all, so he figured that his theory was more likely.

"It was a bird," said Emely, who appeared thoroughly convinced. "She says it was a bird."

He ignored a sudden impulse to clean his ears. "She said? As in, the rabbit said?"

"You can’t hear it either, then."

Seeing the flicker of dejection that filtered through her face, he couldn’t help but ask, "You don’t mean to say that it spoke to you?" When met with a nod, he suppressed a thought that questioned her sanity and instead became quite curious. "I didn’t hear anything, though?"

"It doesn’t use words. It’s like...it’s like a feeling. I just get the feeling that a bird dropped it here, and it makes sense when I think about it."

"Ah, so you’re just guessing."

"I’m not guessing. She was dropped here by a bird the day after her family was killed by a fox. Now she’s all alone."

After living most of his life in Crystellum, Alistar had become quite capable at reading people’s expressions. He’d had no choice but to develop this habit, as the guards there had been far more likely to lie to him than to offer him a genuine response, and the people there tended to be very dangerous and violent individuals. He’d seen with his own eyes what happened when somebody let their guard down in front of a smiling face; food was stolen, bones were broken, and sometimes people were even killed.

Staring into Emely’s big, brown eyes, he was positive of one thing. Even if communicating with animals was impossible, this warm-hearted girl truly believed what she was saying.

"You know, Uncle Caedmon supposedly knows some healing spells. Maybe we can ask him to help mend its legs?"

"Good idea, Alistar. Do you think he will help?"

"If he can, he will."

"Do you hear that? We’re going to make sure you feel all better. Then I’ll take you home to the orphanage."

Holding the rabbit as if it were made of the most fragile glass, she followed after Alistar as he led her back the way they had come.

All throughout the walk back to the others he thought about what he’d just witnessed. During this time, Emely continued to talk to the little rabbit as if she wasn’t simply having a one-sided conversation with an unintelligent creature but a young child. When the two of them returned out front of the manor house with the addition of their little friend, Jaden and Woods immediately began to tease Emely over the baby rabbit.

"A rabbit this time, huh?" said Woods, whose expression betrayed his contemplations of trying to cook the little animal. "What happened to the rat that you made friends with last time? What was his name, again?" He was covered in sweat, his face, hands and clothes smeared with dirt.

"It was Little Grey." Jaden walked over and looked at the rabbit with squinted eyes. "What’s wrong with him? His legs are all crooked."

"Her legs are broken. Alistar was just about to go ask the lord to mend them."

Alistar nodded when Jaden looked his way. "Even if it’s only a rabbit, it’s just a baby. We can’t just leave it like this." Looking at the shivering, frightened animal, Alistar subconsciously saw a shadow of himself. Fear and pain had been constant throughout most of his life, unwelcome companions to him, and there had been many nights where all he could do was shiver and cry, much like the little critter in front of him.

The adults were all congregated around the tables that had been brought outside, which numbered four more than had initially been brought out. These supported a healthy stock of drinks and snacks, mostly consisting of wines, juices, crackers, breads, cheeses and fruit.

"A baby rabbit?" said Caedmon, whose conversation with Madeline and Alder had just been interrupted by a polite intrusion. "Sure thing, Alistar. Where is it?"

"It’s with Emely. Should I bring it here?"

"No need, no need." His uncle put down the glass of wine that he had been sipping at and promptly took the lead as the two of them made their way over to where the other kids were horsing around.

It wasn’t long before Emely had carefully handed over the little rabbit to Caedmon, who inspected it with probing eyes for several minutes before he nodded to himself in a convinced manner.

"I’ve never healed an animal before, but it shouldn’t be too difficult for one so small." He placed his other hand over the rabbit so that it was completely cupped in both of his hands, focusing intently as all of the kids stopped what they were doing so that they could see the man work his magic.

Most attentive of all was Alistar, who focused intently on the rabbit in Caedmon’s hands both with his eyes and his magical awareness as a gentle stir of energy began to seep out of his uncle’s palms and swirl around within his grasp.

The kids watched with wonder as a gentle green light began to emanate from the gaps between Caedmon’s fingers, their oohs and aahs punctuating the backdrop for a few moments before the count calmly opened his hands to reveal a healthy albeit still shivering rabbit.

"What spell was that, Uncle?" asked Alistar, the first to speak after the wondrous phenomenon that had just enchanted him and the rest of the children. "Was it difficult?"

"It’s nothing special, Alistar. Just a bit of normal mending magic." He handed the rabbit back to Emely, who accepted it with words of heartfelt thanks. "No problem, dear. It was very nice of you to worry over that little guy."

"Of course," she smiled, "she’s my friend."

"Ah, then I should say ’little lady,’ shouldn’t I?"

Alistar tugged at his sleeve to get his attention. "What did you mean by normal magic, Uncle? Can anyone learn it? Could...could I learn it?"

Caedmon let out a sigh that quickly turned into an affectionate grin. "I knew you would start asking questions as soon as I finished up here."

"Normal magic is the same as basic magic, right? The sort that anyone can use as long as they’ve come into their energies?"

"Where did you learn that, Alistar? I thought I removed all of the books on magic from the library."

"I read about it at the Collegia," he admitted, feeling a bit guilty. "I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to practice magic in secret or anything. I just wanted to know more about it."

Chapter 70

"As long as you’re not practicing," came a stern response. "But yes, normal magic is the term for the most basic of magic spells. Anyone who’s come into their energies can learn such things, even if they lack an affinity for a particular element." Seeing the expectant looks that the kids were giving him, he continued on with his explanation. "For example, most people in our family have either an affinity for water magics, like myself, or for healing magics, like your mother had. Even though I can’t use advanced techniques from any element aside from water, I can still do simple things like lighting candles or healing superficial wounds, like I did with your little friend there. Ah, I should point out that it was easier in this instance because she’s so small."

Lessa stood up straighter once he finished his explanation. "Does that mean I can use other magics aside from water-based ones, Mr. Silverkin?"

"Simple spells, yes. Though I think you’ve learned for yourself just how dangerous it is to practice magic without a teacher, so I trust that you won’t be trying anything like that again without supervision, right dear?"

She bowed her head, face flushed as she stared down at her feet.

Alistar felt quite excited. "What’s my affinity, Uncle?"

"We’ll talk about that another time. For now, just focus on your studies with Mrs. Dawn and your lessons with the sword master. You don’t want to distract your—Anice, get off of him right now!"

Woods was crawling around on all fours, Anice on his back as she tugged at the shoulders of his shirt as if they were reins. She let out a giddy laugh as her father began to approach her, digging her heels into Woods’s sides and tugging at his clothes in a rough manner.

"Hurry, Woods! We need to escape."

Woods tried to move faster, but stumbled and fell over. "Y—you’re still going to give me sweet bread next week, right?"

"Do you think I’m a liar?"

"I know you are."

Anice laughed and ran off as her father began to chase after her, a scene that quickly developed into a happy game of tag that involved all of the other children. The uncertainty and discomfort that they had shown earlier in the presence of the count had all but vanished, as they took turns tagging and tackling the man amidst an air of excitement and laughter. It wasn’t long into their game that Alder, Stason, Madeline and Patricia joined in, which made for one of the happiest memories of Alistar’s life. Never before had he played with so many people, and so enjoyable was the experience that all of his worries and depressions completely disappeared from his mind for a short while.

By the time that lunch rolled around, everyone involved in the game was covered in dirt and grime—all save for Madeline and Patricia, who miraculously hadn’t marred their dresses even a little bit. These two were constantly beaming at Alistar as they watched him play around with the others, both in the highest spirits that he had ever seen them in, which made him happier still.

Do you see me, Mama? Do you see all my friends? It was now clear to him why his mother had been so hopeful that he would gain many companions in his new life outside of Crystellum, where he’d only ever had Kaila for company during the working hours of the day.

I’ll save you, Kaila. I’ll bring you here, and you can be friends with everyone else, too.

Taking his uncle’s earlier advice, he pushed aside all of his forlorn thoughts and then focused on his meal, for everyone had put the game on pause and retreated to the area where the tables had been set.

"This rabbit stew is amazing," said Woods, barely understandable with a mouth full of food. "If only I could have this every day."

"Stop looking at her like that!"

Emely stood up and switched seats so that she was no longer sitting beside the large boy, holding the little rabbit to her chest like a baby to a mother’s bosom.

"You eat like this every day, huh?" said Jaden, who was enjoying a heap of hearty food. "Coming from those mines, this must be heaven."

Lily, Lessa, and some of the other girls sent Jaden aggressive glares, making it known that his comment was out of line.

"Sorry..."

Alistar shook his head. "It’s okay. You’re right, I’m really lucky to be here. I’d only ever eaten tasteless porridge back in Crystellum."

"Stop looking at me like that! You heard him, he’s not mad."

Lily threw a piece of bread at the broad-shouldered boy, which he caught and dipped into Woods’s stew before swallowing it down without giving it much thought.

Today was clear and bright, with open, cloudless skies and a pleasant breeze that fanned away the effects of the hot summer air. Even though everyone had gathered here for his sake, Alistar made sure to excuse himself so that he could run a basket of food over to Harold and Rayson at the estate’s eastern gate. They accepted the food with wide smiles and heavy pats on the back, both of them swearing that he was a child that Lucian himself had sent from the heavens.

Once he returned to the others, who had just about finished up with their meal, his uncle commanded everyone’s attention and then gave a short speech about the purpose of the day’s celebration. It was at this time that he directed focus to Alistar, who grew a bit uncomfortable with the sudden shifting of so many gazes in his direction.

"As you all know, Alistar is a member of the Silverkin clan, though the specifics of his parentage remain unknown even to him." Caedmon’s look cautioned him to play along, so he simply nodded at his uncle’s words and continued to listen with a patient, slightly flushed expression. "Be that as it may, anyone can tell that he’s of Silverkin blood." Amidst the silence of those present, he lifted his glass high up into the air, wine swirling within its crystal boundaries. "Due to the uncertainties of his background, he might not be able to receive a third name but he will forever be a part of this family. And so here and now, I take pleasure in proudly proclaiming that Alistar will, from this day forward, be known as Alistar Silverkin, a beloved member of Caedmon Distan Silverkin’s household!"

Everyone present erupted into cheers, including his friends, at which point his uncle requested that he say a few words to those gathered, as was apparently a custom of the celebration.

"I..." he said, suddenly shy. Taking a deep breath, he stood up on his chair so that everyone could see him, relying on every ounce of his willpower to stutter out a few spontaneous sentences lest he offend anyone with his silence. "I haven’t been here long, but you’ve all been very kind to me. If it weren’t for you, it would have been a lot more difficult to get used to being here and...and living like this. So, thank you everyone for being here with me, and for being here for me. Thank you so much!"

The dining area erupted in a round of applause, his shyness slipping away as he saw the warmth in the gazes of those clapping. Sitting down, his uncle said a few more words before encouraging everyone to continue on with the festivities.

"How did I do?" he asked Zech, a bit uncertain. "I didn’t embarrass myself, did I?"

"Embarrass yourself? If I didn’t come today I’d never have dreamed you could talk to adults so casually."

"Casually?"

"Seriously," huffed Jaden. "I had a hard enough time talking in front of everyone at the orphanage when I turned ten, and I’ve known them forever."

"Well, if you guys say so."

"Now that we’re done eating, you want to go practice those offensive and defensive techniques?"

"He’s not practicing," snapped Anice, wiping at a pale cheek with her napkin. "You take up all of Alie’s time these days, so today he’s playing with me." Though she spoke in a confident tone, she seemed a bit nervous as she peeked in his direction, awaiting a response.

Seeing the earnest look in her silver eyes, he couldn’t help but hide a sigh before shaking his head at Zech. "We can practice tomorrow. Mr. Herst has to go into town, so I’ll be free all afternoon."

"You will?" Zech shook Jaden by one of his shoulders. "Did you hear that? We can practice all day tomorrow. You’ll be coming with us, right?"

"If I have nothing else going on, then maybe."

"Great, come by my house at noon and we can practice a bit before Alistar shows up. My ma will make us something to eat, too."

The other kids looked in their direction with questioning gazes.

"What are you practicing?" asked Woods. "Is it related to why Zech and Alistar are always busy these days? I’ll practice too, if you ma will make me food."

"Can I come?" asked Helen. "If Zech’s practicing something, it must be fun!"

"We’re practicing sword swings, but you’ll get hurt," said Zech. "You’re a girl, after all."

Helen crossed her long arms, fixing them with a determined glare. "Now I really want to come."

"You can’t. It’s really hard and—"

Giving a harrumph, she turned her head to the side as if the matter were already settled. "I’ll see you guys tomorrow at noon."

Emely linked one of her arms with Helen’s. "If she’s going, then I’ll come too!"

"Me too!" said Lily, quickly followed by exclamations from all of the other girls.

Zech gave Alistar an apologetic look, since it would be very difficult to train with so many people around.

"We can think about it later," he said, smiling. "For now, would you guys like to play another game of tag?"

Anice scrambled out of her chair and slapped him on the back of the head before sprinting away at full speed. "You’re it!"

Everyone else shared a momentary look before scattering away from the dining area, leaving Alistar alone at the table with a smile on his face. Pushing his chair back in an unhurried manner, he decided to go after Zech since he was the only one in the group that could keep up with him.

Like this, the rest of the afternoon passed by with an abundance of high-spirited play.