บท 2: Chapter 2
Now, while I would say that I love my new life, I had been screwed. I mean, while I still have all the knowledge of my last life, save for the emotional connections, which was a major boon, I don't remember how I died. This may not be as big a deal as I try to make it, but I am curious nonetheless.
I heard a voice when I was in the womb of my new mother, and I don't recall ever being a very kind man to begin with. Sure, I would help where I could, and wouldn't bully other children or such things, but I wouldn't try to play the hero when it was clear that it only brought problems.
So the question stands, why am I here? Is it mandatory for people to get reincarnated with their memories? I doubt it, but then again, what do I know? Or maybe I did something special in my last minutes before death? It couldn't be an accident that I was here because the voice wouldn't have gifted me my "gifts" for no reason at all...or maybe it did.
Anyway, here I am, three years old and living in a gigantic mansion in the Freehold. Well, mansion isn't the right term to describe it as it has gigantic towers that would put Skyscrapers of my past life to shame. Life here is... well, let's say it's interesting. The mansion itself is a sprawling labyrinth of marble hallways, ornate arches, and countless rooms filled with treasures that would make any modern museum curator weep with envy. Every corner of this place screams opulence, as is expected of a Dragonlord family.
Even more so from a Dragonlord family as rich and prestigious as ours: House Baelaeron.
My parents, Lysara and Aelor, dote on me and my sister, Seraphine, like we're the most precious gems in their collection. And in a way, we are. My mother, with her silver hair and striking blue eyes, is the epitome of Valyrian beauty and grace. My father, tall and imposing with his own silver hair and purple eyes, exudes an air of authority and charm. Together, they're a formidable pair, and they expect no less from their children.
Seraphine and I spend our days exploring the vast gardens, filled with exotic plants and rare flowers. There's also the dragon nests, where we watch the majestic beasts being tended to by the dragonkeepers. These dragons are truly free beings, as free as creatures that are tamed, "enslaved" and cared for can be. But, It's a stark contrast to the fate that awaits the future rulers of the Seven Kingdoms, House Targaryen, whose dragons will be confined to cages.
But they are tended to. They like to just lazily lounge around like big cats and bask in the sun. Sometimes, they are here or on the big towers, which are surprisingly able to hold their weight. Magic, I suppose, or maybe the black material forged with dragonfire is just this resistant. It's a topic I need to research in the future.
Seraphine, with her fiery spirit, is particularly fascinated by them. I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up jumping on them and riding them, even though they aren't ours but of our family.
Not that she needs it, as we have our own dragons. They hatched when we were little and were placed in our cribs. Seraphine's dragon is a magnificent dark red with black lines mixed in, and mine is a deep, pitch-black color like the abyss, but with very charming blue lines that perfectly match my eyes. It's as if our dragons were destined for us, with their unique and complementary appearances.
Our extended family is a mix of characters. There's Uncle Vaelor, my father's younger brother, who always brings us sweets from his travels. Aunt Valaena, my mother's sister, is a stern but loving presence, often found lecturing us on the importance of Valyrian history and tradition. And then there's Cousin Laenor, a mischievous boy my age who seems to find endless ways to get into trouble.
There are a lot more, but not ones I have met before. As it stands, our Family has 30 Dragonriders, so there have to be more.
One particularly memorable incident happened a few months ago. Laenor and I decided to sneak into the kitchens to "help" the cooks. Our idea of helping, however, involved a lot of flour, a few broken eggs, and a very angry head cook. By the time the adults found us, we were covered head to toe in white powder, and the kitchen looked like a war zone. The look on the head cook's face was priceless, though, and even my stern Aunt Valaena couldn't hide her amusement.
Well, the cooks were certainly angry, but they couldn't do anything to us. While they are not 100% slaves, they are still servants who would be killed the moment they even try to touch us or try to remind us of things we shouldn't do.
"We're better than them," my dad always says. Lots of families have slaves who do everything for them. But just as many have regular servants who were trained since birth. They're loyal, obedient, and totally able to do their work. It sounds like slavery with a plus, but hey, who am I to judge?
On a more serious note, there was the time Seraphine and I got lost in the underground tunnels beneath the mansion. These tunnels are ancient, remnants of a time long past, and filled with eerie echoes and dark corners. We were playing hide and seek, and being the adventurous souls we are, decided to hide in the tunnels. After what felt like hours of wandering, we finally heard the frantic calls of our parents. The relief on their faces when they found us was palpable, and the scolding that followed was well-deserved. That day, we learned a valuable lesson about respecting the old places and the dangers they hold.
My sister did, but I didn't, although I wouldn't tell anyone.
And then there was one more of my gifts, or the only one I had discovered till now. I had magic. Now, this might not sound as impressive considering the very founding of the Valyrian Freehold is steeped in magic. One could argue that it is the dragons, but how do you think they tamed them? They certainly didn't just walk up to them, offer a few sheeps, and say, "Here, have a snack and be a good pet." No, it took powerful magic to bend those beasts to their will.
I first noticed my magic when I was playing in the garden. I accidentally set a tree on fire just by touching it. Luckily, no one saw me, and I managed to put it out before it got too bad. Since then, I've been practicing in secret, trying to understand my abilities without drawing attention.
Magic isn't frowned upon here; in fact, it's revered. But it is always good to have a few aces up your sleeve. While I will be taught the traditional Valyrian magic regardless, I know that what they can do and what I am capable of aren't the same. Their magic, powerful though it is, relies heavily on ancient rituals, incantations, and sacrifices while mine seems to come from within, almost instinctively. Not something just anybody can do.
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Vaelor had always found his nephew Kaelarys to be a fascinating child. There was something about the boy that set him apart from other children his age, something beyond his curious nature or his intelligence. The boy was only five, but he carried himself with a grace and intelligence that was both surprising and impressive.
Today, as he strolled through the grand halls of the family mansion, Vaelor found himself eager to spend some time with Kaelarys. He had brought back a few gifts from his latest travels, and he was curious to see how his nephew would react to them.
He found Kaelarys in the study, a massive room lined with shelves of ancient tomes and scrolls. The boy was seated at a small desk, his silver hair falling into his eyes as he concentrated on a text that seemed far too advanced for someone his age.
"It is good to see you again, Uncle Vaelor," Kaelarys said, looking up with a polite nod. A smile played on his lips, though it didn't quite reach his eyes.
Vaelor grinned widely at him. "Ah, Kaelarys, my favorite nephew! I see that you are reading once again?"
"Yes. Mother always says that books are the weapon of the educated, the shield of the curious, and the companion of the wise. And I intend to be all three of them if I want to be a good Lord of the House in the future, so I read." Kaelarys replied with a cheeky smile, his eyes returning to the books once again.
"You are well-spoken for your age, and I think you will make a good Lord, but that will take quite some time. Your father still has some energy left in him the last I saw him," Vaelor remarked teasingly, looking down to see what he was reading.
Kaelarys tilted his head slightly, regarding his uncle with a quitly expression. "Though I must admit I am sorry for not greeting you earlier, I was a bit engrossed in my readings, as you can see," he says, showing him a book about the Laws of the Freehold.
Vaelor's smile softened, becoming more genuine. "Don't worry, my boy. But surely, amidst all that, you still find time for some fun?"
"Of course," Kaelarys replied. "But I find learning to be enjoyable as well. There is so much to discover, especially the Bloodmages, I would love to study it.
Vaelor chuckled, genuinely impressed by the child's maturity. "A scholar and maybe future Bloodmage already. But I do have something that might pique your interest beyond books today."
Kaelarys's eyes widened slightly, curious about what his Uncle had in store for him. "Oh? And what might that be, Uncle?"
Vaelor gestured for him to follow. "Come with me. I've brought back a few gifts from my travels."
Kaelarys stood gracefully, leaving behind the books and quills on the table. They left the study and walked through the grand corridors. Vaelor led the way to his private quarters, where he kept the various treasures he had collected from around the world.
Once inside, Vaelor opened a richly decorated chest and pulled out a small, intricately carved box. "This, Kaelarys, is a puzzle box from Yi Ti. They say it holds a secret that only the cleverest can uncover. And from what I can see, you might be able to solve it."
Kaelarys took the box with interest, his fingers tracing the delicate carvings. "It's beautiful, Uncle. Thank you."
"And there's more," Vaelor continued, revealing a small, shimmering crystal. "This is a fire crystal from Asshai. They say it can hold a flame without burning, a true marvel of magic."
Kaelarys's eyes lit up as he examined the crystal. "It's incredible. I will treasure these gifts, Uncle."
Vaelor placed a hand on Kaelarys's shoulder, "I know you will, Kaelarys."
Just as Vaelor was about to speak up once more, the door burst open, and a small whirlwind of energy ran up to him, slamming into him with surprising force.
"Uncle Vaelor!" Seraphine exclaimed, her silver hair flying as she hugged him tightly. She was a cheerful, beautiful little girl, her purple eyes sparkling with mischief and joy. Though she was kind-hearted, there was also a fierce and willful spirit within her that shone brightly.
"Seraphine!" Vaelor laughed, lifting her up and spinning her around. "You always know how to make an entrance."
She giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I missed you! Did you bring me anything from your travels as well?"
Vaelor set her down gently and ruffled her hair. "Of course, my dear. I would never forget my favorite niece." He reached into the chest again and pulled out a delicate, hand-carved wooden dragon with rubies crafted into it. "This is for you. A dragon from the forests of Yi Ti."
Seraphine's eyes widened with delight as she took the dragon, cradling it in her hands. "It's beautiful, Uncle! Thank you!"
Kaelarys watched his sister with a small smile, clearly used to her energetic self. "Seraphine, Uncle Vaelor also brought me a puzzle box and a fire crystal."
She turned to him, her eyes wide. "A fire crystal? Can I see it?"
"Of course," Kaelarys said, holding out the shimmering crystal. Seraphine's gaze fixed on it, fascinated by it even if she didn't have a single clue what it was about or could do.
Vaelor watched the twins with a smile on his face, envious of the innocent youth. The bond between the siblings was strong, and he loved seeing them share in the wonders he brought back. "You two have grown so much since I last saw you. It's good to be home."
Seraphine looked up at him, her expression turning serious for a moment. "Are you staying long this time, Uncle Vaelor?"
Vaelor knelt down to her level, his smile gentle. "For a while, yes. I want to spend time with you both and hear all about your adventures."
"Good," she declared with a nod, her cheerful demeanor returning. "Because we have lots to tell you!"
As Vaelor sat with his niece and nephew, he couldn't help but let out a hearty laugh. The two children were truly remarkable in their own unique ways, and he held them dear to his heart. "Yes, I believe that," he said with a warm smile. "We'll have plenty of time for stories and lessons as we spend more time together."
He was grateful for the chance to be part of their lives, to watch them grow and to help guide them on their journey.
"Now," Vaelor said, standing up with a dramatic flourish, "who's ready to hear about my adventures in Yi Ti?"
Both children cheered, their eyes bright with excitement. Vaelor smiled, feeling content.
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I can't believe it, but I managed to finish a second chapter. I still don't know what to do next, so nothing has really changed.
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