Lux was sitting in his room, plucking away at his lute. He found this to be the best way to let the booze kick in. His latest song was coming along nicely. It was a fun but sad tune that drew inspiration from the works of Scanlan Shorthalt and Alex the Unlucky. He was trying to think of a rhyme for ‘finally’ when he heard a knock at his door.
“Lux’aran?” It was the voice of his family’s servant. “Your father would like to see you in his study.”
Lux let out something between a chuckle and a sigh and started to feel the buzz. Perfect timing, he thought.
Lux followed the servant down the long, wide hallway. Lux had always thought this house was far too big for just him, his father, and the servant. When he reached his father’s study he swayed forward and rapped on the door with the back of his knuckles.
“Come in,” spoke a severe voice from within. Lux cracked open the door and poked his head in.
“Hey, Dad,” he said. Lux walked over and plopped down in the large dark oak chair across the desk from his father.
“Do you know why I’ve called you in here?” his father asked. Lux looked around the room.
“No...” he said. He kept his lips pursed and looked to his father for clarification.
“Well,” the head priest of The Eye of the Storm interlaced his fingers on the desk, “you’re 18 now and you’ve almost finished your studies. I think it’s time you start learning about the duties that come with being the head of The Eye of the Storm.”
Lux cringed. He could barely keep up with the responsibilities of his studies and his job so he was not looking forward to having more things to do. He knew what his father meant, but said anyway,
“So you’re asking me to take over...”
“I’m not asking you,” his father replied, “I am simply telling you what is to be.”
“Do I get a say in this at all?” Lux asked. His father took a deep breath.
“No. You don’t. You are my son, and so it is your destiny to take my place when I grow old.”
“I’m my mom’s son too,” Lux said accusingly. “I don’t suppose my destiny has anything to do with ever meeting her, does it?”
“That’s irrelevant.”
“Says who?” asked the boy.
“Says Talos,” his father replied.
“Well then fuck Talos!”
The words were out of Lux’s mouth before he could process what they meant.
“I’m sorry...I didn’t mean it,” Lux stammered.
His father slammed a fist on the desk and stood up.
“How DARE you!” he boomed. Lux felt the room swirl around him. Colours blurred, sounds faded.
“I didn’t mean it...I swear I didn’t mean it…” Lux felt moisture traveling down the front of his face.
“Lux’aran,” he heard in the back of his skull, “have you been DRINKING!?” Lux’s vision cleared and he realized he was looking about a foot to the right of his father.
“Unbelievable!” his father yelled, throwing his hands in the air and walking towards the window at the back of the room. He looked up at the sky and said, “Of all the trials Talos has placed before me in my life, you are the greatest…”.
“I can’t do this,” Lux said, choking out the phrase. “Do you even think I can do this?” His father kept perfectly still, watching the setting sun. After a long moment, he said,
“You can leave. We’ll finish this conversation once you’ve cooled off.”
Lux got up and practically ran out of the room.
That night, Lux packed his bag. In it was a change of clothes, a notebook, a bottle of ink, a quill, and a pouch containing all his coin. He also grabbed the wineskin he had hidden in his room and attached it to his belt. He was surprised at how light it was. He remembered it as being full that morning. He slung a water canteen and his lute over his shoulder and headed down the stairs to the ground level of his family’s manor. He went to the kitchen and grabbed ten apples, a loaf of bread, and some dried meats which he wrapped in a cloth and shoved in his bag. After one last look around, he headed for the front door. Right as he opened the door, he heard a voice from up the stairs.
“Where are you going, Lux’aran?” said his father. Lux leaned against the door frame with one outstretched arm and cursed under his breath.
“Why are you awake?” asked Lux, exasperatedly.
“I couldn’t sleep,” his father replied. He walked down the stairs to meet Lux at the door. “So would you like to tell me where you’re off to?”
“Truth is, I don’t really know. Anywhere but here,” said Lux.
“How long were you planning on being gone?” asked his father, gesturing to the stuffed bag.
“A while. Maybe forever,” Lux said. “I just figured I had nothing to offer to this city, and I figured you thought the same.”
“We’re very different, you and I,” his father replied. “I feel like I’ve failed. You were supposed to be the one left to run The Eye of the Storm in my absence, but after today’s conversation I feel like that’s not possible.”
“So you’re not gonna stop me?”
“No,” his father replied. “If you walk out that door I will no longer consider you a member of The Eye of the Storm and you will not be welcome back in this household.” Lux felt his throat shaking. “However, you are still my son, and so I want you to be safe.” Lux’s father pointed to a mountain range on the eastern horizon. “At the top of that mountain there’s a village. Show them your holy symbol of Talos, and they will allow you to enter. Their matriarch is a woman named Aramina...she’s your mother.” Lux looked up with wide eyes at his father. He tried to think of what to say, but his brain was processing far too much.
“Ok...” was all he managed to get out between his heavy breaths.
“Good luck, Lux’aran. May Talos have mercy on you,” said his father. Lux partially composed himself and nodded, then headed off into the night. As he walked he began to feel drops of rain on his skin. Soon, there was a total downpour, and Lux smiled. His hair and clothes soaked, he took off running down the road that lead out of town, as a bolt of lightning illuminated the mountains in the distance.
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