"How do you feel today, Caden?" asked Arthur.
"I feel good." said Caden with a smile on his face.
"So son. Have you decided your answer to my question? Will you let me be your father? Let me be one on your father's behalf!"
Caden closed his eyes and thought about it for few minutes but with determination on his face he agreed to Arthur's request.
Arthur gently smiled hearing Caden's positive response. Arthur was a forty-year-old man whose wife and children had died in the battle between Nightsreach and Primordia therefore he had no heir for the Starhaven family. As Thorian's brother and the Patriarch of Starhaven family, he decided to choose Caden as the next Patriarch and tell him about it once he was old enough and had training.
"Caden! I wanted to ask you a question today. Your birthday was two days ago right? And you have now turned eight. So, do you want to go to the magic academy, knight academy, or do you want a personal instructor? Understanding of magic and history of the world is important."
Caden's eyes lit up as he heard of the Magic academy and he could hear nothing past it. The flashbacks of the time when Celestine helped him fly kept repeating in his head and without a doubt in his word he uttered.
"I want to go to the magic academy!"
"Good choice, Caden!"
"Caden! Why don't you come with me today? I will show you around the magic academy and treat you with good food."
Caden's excitement went over the top as he exclaimed, "Yes!"
The sun had just begun its slow descent, casting a soft golden hue across the white marbled roofs. Arthur stepped out first, dressed in a long navy cloak embroidered with silver threads, the Starhaven sigil etched on his coat sitting proudly over his chest.
Caden followed behind, still a little small in height but his steps were quick, almost eager and wearing the same navy coat like Arthur with the Starhaven sigil on the chest. The coat belonged to Arthur's youngest son who had passed away during the war. He never wore it, it was too late before he got the chance.
They walked side by side, weaving through the lively districts of the inner city. The people recognized Arthur. Whispers floated through the crowd about the boy with him. Some were even whispering if the death of Arthur's youngest son were false.
Despite the tension some respectful bows were exchanged, and yet Arthur never lost his gentle smile. His hand occasionally reached back to rest on Caden's shoulder, guiding him forward.
"Have you ever seen a whale in the sky before?" Arthur suddenly asked.
Caden stopped walking, confused. "A what?"
Arthur grinned. "You'll see."
The path they were on led to an open bridge that stretched across the higher quarter. From there, the city looked endless. But what stole Caden's attention was the sky above.
Floating slowly across the clouds with vast and luminous body was a sky whale, its translucent fins faintly glowing with arcane symbols, trailing particles of magic like stardust.
Caden gasped. "It's… real?"
"You came at the right time, Caden. They only pass over Noxthistle once every five years," Arthur said. "The mages believe that they were formed by the gods to watch over the world when they disappeared two-thousand years ago because it was then when they were first found by a sailor. It's just what people believe, whether it's real or not… no one knows!"
For few heartbeats, they stood in silence and admired its beauty, watching it soar. Then Arthur gently nudged Caden. "Come now. We aren't far from the academy!"
They passed through an arched gate lined with tall statues of the seven heavenly saints and their seven great techings— Magic, Sword, Knight, Knowledge, Faith, Balance and Creation.
The academy grounds were enormous, like a city within a city. Grand towers spiralling toward the sky, connected by hanging bridges, and trees with bright green leaves swayed beside marble walkways.
Young mages in robes of different colours, each representing their respective fields, walked about, carrying books, grimoires, and scrolls. The air shimmered around the academy, the open field carried crisp and earthy scent.
Arthur knelt beside Caden, his hands on Caden's shoulders and spoke softly, "One day, you will be one of those scholars or magicians. Then, this place will be your second home. But more than anything, I want you to learn what kind of power is worth having… and what isn't. So, make your decisions wisely my son. You know the cruelty of this world but so too its kindness. Remember, never let your past hold you back nor let your future control you. You're in the present, alive, living, breathing and that's what matters the most. Never lose your way and if you're alone in the darkness, look inside yourself for you may be the light."
Caden looked around, eyes wide. "I understand, father. I will learn everything."
Hearing the word 'father' reminded Arthur of his own sons but this time, Arthur smiled.
"Then we'll begin tomorrow."
But before they went home, Arthur led Caden to a small vendor at the edge of the academy plaza. It was a small cart run by an elderly woman with wrinkled skin and toothless smile but the aroma from her pot was heavenly.
"One honey-braised skewered drake tail for the young master," Arthur ordered.
As soon as Caden took a bite, his eyes immediately lit up.
"This… this is better than what Celestine made me eat yesterday!"
Arthur chuckled. "Shh! Never let her hear that or she might torture you to death!"
The two walked back as the quiet night set in, laughter between them, their shadows stretching long across the stone.
The warmth of the house greeted them like an old friend as they took the first step in the house. The hall was lit up with lanterns but what caught Caden's eyes the most was the table which stood in between the hall.
A red velvet cloth covered it as though hiding something precious beneath.
Arthur closed the door behind him and gently placed his hand on Caden's shoulder.
"There's one more thing I wanted to give you," he said softly. "A late birthday gift. Go on, lift it."
Caden slowly walked toward the table as his fingers trembled with excitement. With a slow breath, he reached out and pulled back the cloth.
Beneath it rested a sword unlike any he had ever seen.
Its blade gleamed with faint blue with intricate patterns that ran along the blue steel and the hilt was wrapped in a dark leather stitched with silver threads. The guard was enchanting, forged in the shape of spread wings and a gem embedded in between them.
Arthur stepped beside him, his voice low but proud.
"You can name it whatever you want son. It was forged by Vyracite— the ore found on the frozen peaks of Azkaroth. The colour of the blade is naturally blue but it will change depending on magical power of the wielder. You will be the third person to wield it."
Caden looked up at him in awe.
"It's beautiful…"
Arthur smiled faintly. "It belonged to your father. He was suppose to be the Patriarch instead of me but he refused the post and went away with his lover," Arthur chuckled, "I kept it safe all these years, knowing one day it would find its way back into its rightful owner. It's too big for you now but once you are old enough to wield it, it will be yours!"
Caden held the sword closely but the weight of it anchored him down in more ways than one.