Child of Fate

Chapter 3

Father is coming.

Calamus had been busy with the thought all morning. No matter what he did, he couldn't sway his mind away from it. Each time he came, something felt off. It was as if his mother's mood would switch on the sight of the man, changing the entire atmosphere.

Now, he had no particular dislike for his father. Just like his mother, he loved him. He was his father after all. Each time he came by, they did have fun, but never could he escape that thought that something else was going on, something he was not informed about.

As the thoughts lingered, he was eating breakfast: A simple mix of mashed berries in a wooden bowl. It sadly didn't contain his favorites, but it was a meal nonetheless. He had to hold out until noon for the good stuff, as his father always brought luxury foods not found in the wild.

"Sooooo, a bit nervous, are we?" A mischievous voice called from behind him. Alula was standing right behind him, hands in her side. "He's our dad, Cal-Cal, everything will be alright. Just relax for once and enjoy the fact he's visiting us. Not everyone has their parents to be with."

"I'm aware, Alula, but I just can't shake it. I feel like something's being withheld from us by mother. Why does seeing the man she loves make her so...sad?" Calamus muttered in response. He couldn't comprehend it, no matter how hard he tried.

She had sacrificed everything for their father. She'd moved thousands of miles away from her homeland, choosing to live in isolation, hiding from the nation's population, just to be with him the brief moments he'd visit.

She'd abandoned her family, holding little contact with any of the royal family. His uncle, with whom he was barely familiar, hadn't been in touch for atleast fifty years, being all but a hazy memory to the young Calamus.

All morning he'd spent aimlessly wandering the grove, thinking about possible explanations, though none made sense.

Was she simply falling out of love? No, that couldn't be it. There is still that loving gaze in her eyes each time beneath the somberness.

Was he mean to her? No, that isn't it either. He always treats her with such love and care.

Then what is it..?

Before the next possibility could spring into his mind, Calamus was interrupted by the sound of metal footsteps, a sound most unusual in the midst of the forest. He could hear it get closer and closer, each clank getting louder and louder.

Soon, the approaching figure would appear from the thick shrubbery. There he stood, a middle-aged human male, proudly standing there in a hulking suit of silver adorned armor, equipped with a sword on his side and a shield on his back.

"Father," Calamus nodded, greeting the familiar face. "It's been a while. I'm sure mother will be pleased to see you again," He spoke to him, trying to keep a formal tone with him, having been taught to speak to his father with respect and decency.

"You know I'm no fan of language like that, kid," He'd respond, shaking his bearded face with a grin. "Just call me 'dad' and call your mother 'mom', that'll do fine. Such a formal tone is unbefitting of a boy your age. Now, come over here and give me a hug," He invited, kneeling down and spreading his arms wide.

Calamus felt his earlier worries fade and gladly accepted the warm welcoming gesture. He clenched around his father's waist and pressed his head against the hard chestplate. "Do you have to be wearing armor?"

"Sorry, bud, but I just came back from a patrol. They're still seeking out the area after a rumor went around about a figure being spotted in the bushes. You'd know nothin' about that, right?" To which he was met by an innocent shake of the head. "Of course not, that's good. Now, where is your sister?"