Death of a Boy

A Loving Mother

Adrian definitely has his mother's beauty. Erin sees a lot of him in her. They have the same petite frame, the same rounded face that you'd only see on children. They have the same luscious hair, the thin locks being brushed by the lightest of breezes. Of course, just like her youngest and much-favoured son, she has big blue eyes that seemed to embody the ocean itself.

Surprisingly, Adrian has none of his father's attributes. He is someone that could easily tower over anyone, with a tall build and lanky limbs. You'd guess that a man over six feet tall could easily intimidate someone, but once you look into his eyes, you see the same child-like innocence that seems to run in the family. His eyes are the colour of espresso, rich with russet flecks. His hair is the polar opposite of his wife and son's as well, curled and dark, always dancing between black and brown. They hang in waves around his head, unlike his other two family members, whose hair can't hold any shape to save their lives.

Erin sees Adrian's father first this particular day, who opens the door with a steaming mug in his hand. From the smell wafting from inside, it is easy to guess he'd just finished brewing some coffee. Maybe even some bacon.

"Can I help you?" His voice is strangely feminine, matching his young looking eyes, but not his lofty frame.

"Yes, actually," Erin tells him, "I'd like to speak with you and Miliana if that's all right with the two of you." Upon mention of Adrian's mother, she appears from behind a corner in the house. Her mesmerizing eyes met Erin's instantly, and they both stand there for several moments, while she silently evaluates the seer.

"I don't see why not." Adrian's mother - Miliana - finally announces through clenched teeth, showing a quick smile that disappears as fast as it appears.

Miliana's husband steps out of my way, and Erin chooses to ignore the nervous look clouding his face. "I came to talk about your son," Miliana's eyes squint back at the seer, and Erin decides on adding more detail to her claim. "Your youngest, Adrian." Miliana's face clears into one of understanding, which slowly transfers to confusion.

"Why would Adrian have anything to do with you?" Erin is briefly aware of the sound of the door closing behind her, as well as Miliana's husband's soft footsteps as he makes his way back to the kitchen. "He hasn't done anything wrong, not a thing."

"I understand," Erin tells her quickly, forcing her eyes to stare down at the floorboards in order to evade Miliana's captivating glare. "He's a nice young boy, he'll grow to be a strapping one indeed."

"Then what?" Her voice is shaking with rage at this point, "It was that bloody messenger woman, wasn't it?" Miliana throws out the accusation without a second thought, shaking her head angrily, "She always had it out for me, sir. She'll do anything to take me out, that little wanker."

"She didn't send me," Erin doesn't even know the woman's name, "I came upon my own free will."

If anything, Erin's new exclamation only seems to scare the woman more. "Adrian could never hurt a soul." Miliana tells the seer quickly, "Whatever you think he did, it wasn't him."

"You're wrong," Erin sees her skin visibly pale, Miliana's already vampire-esque skin now looking near transparent. "A night sentry and I caught him sneaking out just last night."

Miliana's fear seems to be the only thing present on her face, eyebrows furrowed, bottom lip quivering in an attempt to hold back a sob. "I made sure he was sent home without consequence." Miliana's expression once again changes, now one of both confusion and sorrow, "I came only with one question, and that is that if Adrian would be given the permission to become my apprentice."

It takes several seconds, maybe an entire minute, until Miliana seems to fully understand what Erin was requesting. She had never seen the mother look so out of place, chest heaving, eyes wide with her pupils dilated. Erin briefly wonders if she has dropped too much information on Miliana at once, but before she could ask if her thoughts were true, Miliana finally speaks up.

"He's a smart boy," If anything, those words seem to be spoken only to reassure herself, "He wants to be a scribe, not a seer. He's small, he's not fit for battle."

"So am I," Erin lifts the cowl of her hood back, exposing her own rounded face. Miliana's face seems to light up in shock, but just to emphasize the seer's point, she pulls her cloak back to expose the clothing that barely clings to her slim body. "Most seers are small, mostly because there's less to hide. Also, if this appeals to you more, we aren't fighters."

"Is this some kind of joke?" Miliana asked her, "I've heard you seers are better than any knight."

"In our own ways, believe me." A small part of Erin takes her comment as a compliment, and the seer feels a warm bubbling feeling in the pit of her stomach. "We're experts in the art of stealth. We kill in the protection of the moon, our victims are given as merciful a death as possible, dying before they're aware of what's happened." It is obvious that Miliana is still wavering with her decision, so Erin continues. "Of course, he needs to be evaluated before I can even accept him as an apprentice. I've already sent a letter to Shaun, the Overseer, ensuring that I'd get your approval and signature sent to him today. Another thing I put in that letter, was that if you were to accept my request, I'd evaluate your son."

Miliana let her words sink in, at a loss for words for the second time that morning. "I... But, he's so smart," Miliana's voice is quivering, her beautiful blue eyes glazed over with tears. "He's no seer, please, he's a scribe. He's a scribe."

"I'm not forcing you," Erin tells her, sending a calm and reassuring smile in Miliana's direction. "Don't take my request as threatening, take it as a compliment to your son." Miliana's breathing slows, and Erin is grateful her words seem to come out as soothing to Miliana. "He's smart, that's definitely a quality we look for in seers. Not only that, but he's small and easy to hide, a quality that he can use to his advantage under my care." The mother nods along, lips pursed, "I feel as though his talents would be wasted as a scribe. Just give him a chance with my test, and you'll see my thoughts."

Miliana pauses for several moments once again, her petite hand raking through her hair several times before she responds. "I don't want him hurt, sir." Her voice is firm, "He's a delicate boy."