The Phoenix's Fire

Endlog

Avol:

I sat in my living space given to me by the academy. It was small but I am rarely around to notice. All I need was food, a bed mat, and a cup of hot cocoa. The academy provided me with two of the three things. The hot cocoa in my hands was thanks to my mother who just happened to stop by. She fiddled in the small kitchen off of the living space. She never liked to sit still. She looked warn thow. Her cheery air was now hinted with sadness.

"Mama." I called to her, "There is nothing for you to fiddle with. Come and sit. Chat with your son."

Mother huffed resentful stalking back into the living area and plopping down on one of the chairs. She picked up her cup of cocoa and took a big gulp, "Since when did my son ever clean up after himself."

"Since he learned to grow up."

Mother laughed but it was tinged with sadness. "Yes, Isadore, you have grown up." She took another sip, "What about your room? Is that clean." She practically sprang up from the chair.

I grabbed her before she could even take a step, "Mama." I say in a commanding voice, "What brings you here? Why are you sad? Has someone hurt you?" I sit her back into the chair.

"No," Mother croons, "No, one has hurt me." She blows out a long breath. "Isadore."

"Yes, mama."

She takes another breath, "I really don't know how to begin this."

I sit down in front of her chair and take her hands, "Mama, you can tell me anything."

"I need to talk to you about your father."

I still. I really don't want to know who my rat bastard father is.

Mother patted my cheek, "Get that scowl off your face. Your father was a good man."

"He left you." I snip. "He left me."

Mother shook her head, "No. He didn't leave. Isadore I need you to lesion closely. Me and your father were married." My jaw dropped. "Your father was part of the King's inner circle and when he had told the king he wished to marry me the king agreed to it. But you father was worried about all the repercussions I would get for being a servant. So our marriage was kept secret from the court."

"I'm a ligidemet child? Not a Bastard?"

"No. Me and your father agreed that you would be raised with me as a servant boy until we knew you had powers. Neither of us would have predicted that would be when you were so young."

"Mama." I interrupt, "You are beating around the bush."

Mother smiled, "Your father was Rano, Isadore."

I didn't hear the gumble of words after. It felt like a punch to the stomach. Rano was my first teacher. Rano was the one who always heard me out. I looked to Rano in all the ways a son did with his Father. His death hurt. Now it felt like that hurt was notting up ready to spring out with one more coil.

"Isadore? Isadore."

I focused, "Yes?"

"Did you hear any of what I just said?"

I wince, "No, mama."

Mother sighed, "Isadore you have been gone since you were fourteen, and a lot of things have happened in that time. I haven't seen you in five years, nor have been to the castle in nearly six years." I place my hand on mother's knee. She took another long breath holding back the tears that I knew she wanted to shed, "You have siblings."

That was a low blow. I felt the wind knocked out of me and all the possibilities run though my head. "How many?"

"As of right now, two."

"As of right now? What does that mean?"

Mother's hand went towards her already swelling tummy, "There might be another one on its way..."

I raked my hand though my hair. "How old are my siblings?"

"You little sister, Areea, is five and your little brother, Grandle, is three." Mother rubbed her tummy again, "and this little one is five months in."

"Mama," I struggled out the words, "Why did you never tell me? I would have came home to help."

"That was the point. I didn't need any help. With your father, there was nothing to worry about but now that he is gone..." She trailed off, "I just can't take care of three kids on my own."

I rose up enough to kiss her on the forehead, "I know mama. I understand. You won't have to do this alone. I just wish you told me." Tears did come then and I stayed with her until she fell asleep.

When she was fully passed out, I picked her up and put her in my room for the night. She needed rest. I sat back on the sofa a letter sitting in front of me. Rumus was asking if I would be prepared to take the title of Fire General permanently. It wasn't that hard of a decision and I got to work writing my reply.

I wrote two letters that night to the king. One for the confirmation of becoming general and one for the request that if any of my circle want to graduate early from the academy they were granted permission. The day after my request was sent, the king lettered his reply back.

It only read:

-Granted