Chương 12: The Ward estate

Connor reached The town of parting at the dawn. He asked the receptionist and entered where Osmond and Riley were staying.

Osmond was the only one that was in the room. He was laying in bed when Connor entered and woke up to the sound of the door. He stood up seeing Connor.

"Where is Riley?" Connor asked.

Osmond rubbed his eyes, tired from the sleep."He left last night with a woman. Said he will be back in the morning," Osmond replied yawning.

The morning was here and Riley was not. But more importantly, he broke his word; the word that he will stay and protect Osmond.

Connor was going to ask about this. Riley was good with a sword but apparently, he was not good at keeping to his word.

"I am going to clean myself and take some rest after which we are leaving, with or without him," Connor said and Osmond nodded to that.

Connor went and came back quickly. He fell to the bed all the while Osmond sat there silently.

Connor was the only link that Osmond had for his family now, old and new. He felt he should be glad that he is back.

After some time Connor woke up. He checked his bag if he lost anything. His sword, his older apparel and the money were still there.

Three knocks came from the door and it opened, letting the wind in. Riley had come back but he was not looking decent. His hair was a mess and his buttons were unfastened. He was sweaty all around.

"I didn't put you here to go play with whores." Connor glared.

Riley gave out a sigh. "A man has his needs master," he rubbed his green messy hair.

"I told you I am not your master when you called me that last time," Connor spat.

Riley was confused. "What is the problem now?"

"The problem is your inability to follow an order," Connor was not going to back off

"You didn't order me, you asked me. Don't act so high just because you are a Centurian." Lines emerged on his head.

"Stop it," Osmond shouted.

People fight when they live together and there were instances when Viktor and Louise fought. But Osmond hated that.

"Nothing happened right," Osmond said.

Riley smiled. "The boy got brains. Nothing happened right? Nothing was stolen and the boy is safe." Riley said rubbing his hair.

Connor looked away. "Next time this happens, this won't be the outcome," Connor said.

"Yes, yes," Riley said without any care.

"Since you are here, take your things. We are leaving," Connor ordered.

Riley went to his things, tired. He pushed the clothes inside his backpack without concern, but he still cared for his sword. They left the building with their baggage.

"We will go by horse, it will be faster. Get yourself one." Connor said looking at Riley.

Riley went away annoyed. Connor saddled Osmond on snow and climbed behind.

Riley came back with a grey horse. It was trained so that it returned.

"Let's go," Connor said and they went off in haste.

They went through straight from the junction of parting. The rustling sound of leaves of trees and the chirping of birds were heard around them. The road twisted and turned, finally stopping at a tall iron gate. Two large men came, checked the visitors and opened the gate.

They travelled the straight stone paved path bordered by gardens. The smell of roses, jasmine and marigold swirled around them.

They stopped in front of the manor and Osmond thought his earlier manor was a hut compared to this. The five-storeyed building was brick red coloured. Windows were built in equal intervals on each floor. The main door was made of mahogany with something being sculpted on it.

Its black scales were blazing. Its forked tongue licked the outside through the wood and then the world. Its claws were black obsidians of incredible beauty.

Osmond had seen that spirit before, in his mother's books, with its lava-red eyes starting to his soul. He had recognised it; the salamander.

The large mahogany door stood in the middle, as the gateway to fire. Connor went to the front and knocked on the golden ring that hung over the door. Shortly after, the door opened and a man came out with white hair and crimson eyes. He wore a full black suit with a white bow tie.

"Audrey, inform mother that I have come," Connor said.

"As you wish my lord," Audrey said and went inside.

"You will be given a room in the trainers' quarters, go with her." Connor signed Riley and pointed to a maid and Riley went off with a lack of interest on his face.

"You stay here boy. My mother will want to see you." Connor ordered Osmond and went inside.

Osmond stood there alone. He tapped his feet on the stone floor to break the silence. He stared at the white clouds sprayed on the clear blue sky. The sun-kissed him and he felt a little thirsty.

He wondered about the woman coming. She was Connor's mother. So he was also Viktor's mother and that made her his grandmother. He had never seen his grandmother before and felt light of joy inside.

A woman in her fifties came out. Her hair was tied in an elaborate bun behind. Her hair was white

With a lock of fiery red hair in between. Her chin and nose were sharp. Her lips were painted red and her face powdered. A golden hairpin swayed as her head moved.

Despite her age, the woman's body emanated youth. She was slim and toned. She wore a yellow full-sleeve dress embroidered with a peacock below. She wore jewelled white wrist cuffs and a pair of yellow gloves. Behind her Connor also came.

"This is Viktor's son, mother," Connor said.

Osmond had worn the garment from the last town now, but he looked like a servant boy in front of her. The woman gazed at Osmond head to toe and announced, "my name is Marjorie ward and I don't approve of you as a Ward kid."

"But you have my blood flowing in you and so I must protect you. Arrange a room for him in the side quarters Audrey," Marjorie commanded Audrey.

"Yes, my lady." And with that Audrey went to ready Osmond's room.

"Connor, tell the boy what we have discussed. I am going." And with it, Marjorie left.

Connor stepped in front with his arms folded. "Boy, for the next three years you will study and train here. You will help around the estate in your spare time for earning your keep. When you are strong enough, you will be sent for quests. Is that clear?" Connor said with his hands folded and looking down at Osmond.

"Yes," Osmond whispered.

"You will be assigned a tutor in teaching to control The Zest and I will train you in controlling your Crux," Connor told his plan for Osmond.

"Now go to the right. Audrey will be waiting for you at the side house." Connor said pointing.

Osmond started walking, wondering what awaited him tomorrow

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