The Hidden Orphan (The Chronicles of Mistar - Book 2)

Two · · · Jadon (.2)

Jadon tried to quietly open the door to his wooded home, the door's hinges squeaking betraying his presence. The door slowly fell back into place as Jadon passed through the kitchen. His mother was busy making breakfast, smiling at him as he walked through the kitchen though she didn't say anything to him. Jadon winced when he came to the living room.

Sitting in his most comfortable chair as he sorted out his swords and knives was Jadon's father, Dandon Mackel. Dandon was large and muscular like most men of the king's guard, but he looked rough as if he'd seen many battles which was true. Pastel purple scars covered his sparkling royal purple skin. His hair wasn't as light Jadon's or Withel's, but it was still blonde. A small blonde beard clung to his face and his eyes were a dark brown with small flecks of gold. His smirk could have been seen for intas and it either brought joy or terror. It frightened Jadon more than the other alternative.

Jadon quickly passed through the room only getting a grunt from his dad. He was glad Dandon didn't stop him. He wasn't in the mood to cry.

As he ascended the stairs to his loft room, Jadon could feel his face flush from yellow to a plain purple out of relief. He had his own bathroom where he took a quick shower and got ready for the day. Jadon slipped on a pair of training pants that seemed hot due to their dark shade of green, but were actually cool and made in a way where the wind could right through them to cool off his legs. The shirt he wore was same with Lotna's crest, five stars in a line with every other one the color of a powan flower with the sun setting behind them, in the right corner of his shirt. A long time ago, when Jadon first got the uniform, he ripped off the shirt's sleeves so his arms could breathe better. Then he put on his brown leather boots that were lined on the inside with potu cotton for comfort and fastened his two sword sheaths on his back, each small sword as long as his forearm.

After he was ready for his Training to become a soldier like his father, Jadon descended the stairs from his room into the living room. His father no longer sat in his favorite chair, though his swords were still laid across the little table in the center of the room. Jadon found himself in the kitchen again. Breakfast covered the table but Withel was gone too. Jadon figured that they were outside by the front door waiting for Jadon to come out and say goodbye for the day.

Jadon grabbed a koata fruit from the counter before heading towards the front door. The fruit, as big as both of his hands combined, smelled of tangy juice. Its vibrant blue shell was in deep contrast to its dark purple, juice-filled seeds on the inside. Jadon couldn't wait to tear the koata fruit in half and stain his purple fingers an even darker shade of purple.

Throwing the fruit from hand to hand, Jadon walked outside to find his mom and dad talking to the neighbors. When they spotted Jadon, they said a quick goodbye and met Jadon by the road. Since Withel was shorter than her husband, she leaned her head against his shoulder smiling shyly.

Jadon stood in front of his parents, buffed up his chest, preparing himself for the insults his father would throw at him. He winced when Dandon cleared his throat but was relieved when his father only sighed and shook his head.

"I won't say a thing about your... mistakes," Dandon admitted. "I had a talk with your mother, and I was able to understand what you're going through. The memories of a long lost friend. Those don't just go away, but you have to get over it sometime. How about starting now? You've had eight births for goodness sake!"

Jadon's shoulders slumped. He didn't want to talk. All he wanted to do was go to Training and get away from this stupid conversation.

Finally, Jadon sighed as he said, "Can we talk later? If I don't leave now, I'll be late for Training."

Dandon pursed his lips and patted Jadon's shoulder in response. Withel's face only turned blue as she felt regret as Dandon's stayed a strong purple, trying not to show his current emotions. Jadon's face stayed a neutral purple too, doing the same thing as his father. Until this moment, Jadon never noticed how similar their personalities were.