Sixteen

One.

On his sixth birthday, the eldest son of the Lord of O'Khasis was kidnapped. He was rescued by guards nearly a week later.

Then his father changed.

...

Two.

On his tenth birthday, the eldest son of the Lord of O'Khasis was denied the chance to train to be a guard. He'd sobbed for hours as his father locked him in his quarters for thinking such a thing.

It didn't stop him from convincing one of the guards to teach him in secret.

...

Three.

On his twelfth birthday, the eldest son of the Lord of O'Khasis was told he'd be marrying the eldest daughter of the Lord of Scaleswind to avoid war. He begged to let his younger brother marry her, but he was locked up in punishment.

So he sat and began planning, even as he kept training alone in his quarters.

...

Four.

On his thirteenth birthday, the eldest son of the Lord of O'Khasis faked his death, and ran from home. He fled his father's tyranny and made it into the guard academy of Ru'Aun.

It was hard, leaving his half-brother and mother.

But he didn't even feel bad for abandoning his other brother or father.

...

Five.

On his eighteenth birthday, the eldest son of the Lord of O'Khasis graduated from the academy at the top of his year. He declined the chance to become a Jury of Nine member, and set off to find a village to call home.

It was a long trek, but he found a tiny settlement and pledged his loyalty to the Lord of Phoenix Drop.

...

Six.

On his nineteenth birthday, the eldest son of the Lord of O'Khasis became head guard of Phoenix Drop. He was happier than he'd ever been as he took his oath.

His Lord stood proudly before him, one arm around his pregnant wife, both more family than his blood relatives ever were.

...

Seven.

On his twentieth birthday, the eldest son of the Lord of O'Khasis failed to save his Lord. He lost the Lady of the village, and her son vanished with her.

Unknownst to him, his memory of them faded within days, even as a lady in purple arrived from the forest.

...

Eight.

On his twenty-first birthday, the eldest son of the Lord of O'Khasis sobbed as he betrayed his Lady and his home. He broke free of the spell his brother had cast and managed to protect his friends.