Bab 4: Young Elf
3 years later
'Who knew being a toddler would be so tiring!' Kai thought as his mother continued trying to teach him the elven tongue. When he was born, he thought he'd have a headstart because he retained all of his knowledge from his past life. However, that thought was instantly thwarted by this obstacle.
During his years as Devon, he never bothered to learn another race's language. He never thought he would have to either, as everyone around him spoke in the common tongue. Unfortunately for him, his new saint of a mother only knew a few words of the common tongue. Kai learned quickly that this is by design.
One day he was off chasing a butterfly, thinking that was what toddlers do when he overheard whimpering. Making sure to stay in the shadows, he peeked from behind a bush as he saw a Baka whip a servant. "This language isn't for ye. Ya ain't no house servant. No part of yer existence allows ye to speak t's tongue, ye filthy goblin."
Kai was slightly confused because the Baka was a goblin himself. He surmised that the Baka was probably too stupid to realize this, and thus thought himself superior to the servants he commanded. A nice way to keep him in line, Kai thought.
Returning to the present, Kai struggled to call a cup "Kea" instead of cup. It took all of his will, day in and day out, not to speak in the tongue he's known all of his life (well, past life). He definitely didn't want to get his mom in trouble though, so with great concentration he managed, "Kayyup."
His mother smiled as she waved the cup, saying, "Close, little Kai. But it's Kea, Ah, not Keap, Ahp. There's no p."
Kai didn't understand much of this, as he couldn't speak the elven tongue yet. Blinking his eyes in confusion, his mom realized her mistake.
Laughing, she rustled Kai's hair, causing him to fake his annoyance. With a pouty lip he fixed his hair, then returned his attention to the cup.
Kea.
Kea.
Pointing to the Kea, he said, "Kea!"
With a delighted, bright expression in her eyes, his mom exclaimed, "Yes!" before setting the cup (kea) down and hugging him.
Kai returned the hug with vigor, thrilled to finally find some kind of parental love in his life. The first 3 years of his life had been very pleasant, even with the turmoil that comes with being a servant.
Still, Kai never let that happiness take over his hatred. Even as his mother hugged him and he was beaming with pride and love, he repeated a phrase over and over in his heart.
'Father, I'm going to kill you. Father, I'm going to kill you. Father, I'm going to kill you.'
Their hug was cut abruptly short by the sound of thundering boots. Kai knew that it was time for his mom to go work in the fields, and for him to act stupid. As long as the Baka never knew his real level of intelligence, he would be able to remain in the safety of his house. If not, he'd be assuming the role of his old friend Gyra as another miner.
Kids were perfect for fitting into tight spaces, after all. Even if they died, like Gyra, they were easily replaceable. Servants didn't have much to look forward to, so they were often sleeping around.
"The filthy critters breed like rabbits," as one of the Baka said.
So, when the door to their house viciously swung open, Kai put on the dullest expression he could. Meanwhile, his mom was quick on her feet and ready to go to the fields, in the hopes that her haste would keep them from pestering her son. She would do anything to keep him from the mines.
Where his father had died.
As his mom was forced out of the house with hard shoves, even though she was perfectly compliant, Kai watched the Baka with ill-disguised malice.
'I'm going to kill you, then I'm going to kill Father.'
...
6 years later
For some reason, Kai was being escorted to the Lord's house. In the past few days, some weird men had been visiting his mom. 2 rough, broad-shouldered men who carried a dignity far higher than any Baka. His mom barely understood them, and Kai had to act as if he didn't, as they were speaking in the common tongue.
"Ma'am, I am told that your child has shown a severe lack of basic motor functions and other such principles of intelligence. Lord Shuzen himself sent me down here to investigate."
'The Lord?' Kai thought to himself in wonder. 'Why would he care about me?'
The other guard had noticed Kai's shocked reaction, and promptly walked over to him, kneeling on one knee as he asked, "Child, do you understand me?"
'Focus! Focus!' Kai thought to himself as he struggled to remain still. He already knew that he was fighting a losing battle, that he was found.
As the man nodded to his partner, Kai began frantically looking around for anything that could be a weapon.
'I- it doesn't matter that I'm a child! That- that just means they won't expect me to strike them! I won't let them hurt mother!'
He was too busy searching for anything that could inflict damage to notice that he was now suspended in the air, one of the men holding him over his shoulder. As he carried him away, he saw the other man hold back his mother as she screamed in the Elven tongue.
"No!!! Bring him back! He's a good kid!!!"
The man tried to reassure her, but with the language barrier, it was impossible.
Kai narrowed his eyes at the man before turning his attention to the other guard, vowing to kill them both.
...
Now he was standing in the presence of Lord Shuzen himself. Kai stared around the room, taking in ornate qualities he hadn't seen in 9 years. Gold plates with intricate designs were stacked on a table made of fine marble. The furniture was adorned with fine silk and embroidery. There was a table in the center that was decorated with many exotic fruits. The fireplace smelled of Gisha wood, one of the most elegant trees on this continent.
If a random servant was to be believed, Kai was reincarnated in the continent Ashtyria. There were a few facts that supported this, such as the fact Kai had no Idea who Shuzen was, even though he knew every noble in his continent. He had also heard that those trees did naturally thrive on this continent.
However, he couldn't be so sure until he saw the beasts. That would be the best indicator for Kai.
What continent he was living in wasn't important right now though, as Shuzen was expecting far more manners than Kai was currently showing.
After feeling a sharp pain in his back, Kai crumbled to the floor. Doing his best to maintain his balance, he barely managed to land on one knee, falling into a perfect salute. Not wanting to incite any more violence from Shuzen, Kai sent a silent glare to the man who had kicked him.
Who had taken him from his new mom.
"I've been watching you with intrigue for quite some time, young elf. Tell me, where did you learn the common tongue from?"
Shuzen said this with what appeared to be minor consideration, as if he was indifferent to the topic but was forced to act as if he cared.
Kai felt sweat trickle down his face as he tried to come up with a reasonable answer.
'I can't just say that I was reincarnated, but I also can't have him suspect mom! Not only is she innocent, but I just don't want her getting hurt...'
As he stared at the marble floor, his mind went blank.
Shuzen walked to the fruit table and picked up 2 apples. Tossing one to Kai, he said, "You are fine, boy. I'm not planning on harming any of my servants, or you. I am a benevolent master."
He studied the boy as he bit into his apple, savoring the crunch more than he did the actual flavor. Kai hesitated for a second, scared that eating the apple would cause scorn to his mom for some reason. However, he was also starved. No one he knew in the fields, mines, or textile factories had ever eaten an apple. It had been a long time since he had one.
Eventually, his peasant hunger won, and he took a bite out of the apple as he eyed Shuzen, waiting for the sting of a sudden slap. When none came, Kai had another bite. Then another, and another, until it was done.
Shuzen held his own finished apple and said, "Follow me."
Leading him to the trash can, he threw away his apple and then instructed Kai to do the same.
Smiling, Shuzen said, "Ok, now you owe me. That's how a noble, elegant life goes. I do something for you, now you do something for me."
'What does he mean?' Kai thought, once again searching for anything that could be a weapon. If they were to threaten his mom...
"Follow me again," Shuzen called as he walked away from Kai.
Taking one uncertain look at the fruit stand, Kai followed his master.
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