Pendragon

The Pendragon family, a wealthy and powerful noble family of Novamantus. The Pendragon was known throughout the land for their influence and status.

John Modeus Pendragon, the patriarch of the family, had a wife named Isolde who gave birth to their first child, a boy.

The boy was raised with all the privileges that came with his noble bloodline. From a young age, he was taught various knowledge about the histories that occurred, and he spent his entire life surrounded by riches, being a cosetted child.

As a member of the direct lineage of the Pendragon family, the first son was kept from harm's way. His parents feared for his safety and forbade him from wielding any weapon and especially venturing beyond the castle walls.

Whilst John was married to his wife, he also kept a concubine named Freyja, who bore him a second son.

This second child, however, was not raised in the same manner as the first. Though not treated as a low life, he was never given the same love and attention as the first. Instead, he was made to do various menial tasks around the castle at a very young age.

Despite his less privileged upbringing, the second son developed into a compassionate young man. The head maid and servants of the castle took a liking to his playful and kind personality.

Years later, the second son grew up more independent as he became a squire for the Dreadmoore knights.

And though he lived a childhood full of war and bloodshed, the second son never lost his humanity. He was determined to prove himself and gain the respect of his family, but he also harbored a deep desire for his mother's love, which she never fully gave him. Even as the biological mother, Freyja never gave him love. Although, he was not always alone.

The mother of the firstborn son, Isolde, have taken a liking to the mistress' son. Often times, they would be seen dining together and engaging in conversations. The servants would often see them both alone, but they did not pay it much attention.

Meanwhile, as the first son grew up, he as well wanted his mother's attention. But the mistress, Freyja, gave all her attention to him instead of Isolde. The firstborn didn't mind her affection as years passed by.

Until one time he found out about his step-brother's relationship with his mother. This caused the first son to turn cold to the mistress, and the firstborn became resentful towards his step-brother due to jealousy.

One eve, whilst dining, the eldest son suddenly started to share his fervent desire to become a knight of Dreadmoore. He told of how passionate he felt whenever he thought of practicing swords and leading war conquests.

When in actuality, he just sought for his mother's favor and wished to exceed his step-brother in both status and strength prowess so that his mother would give him attention that he thinks to himself that he rightfully deserved.

Throughout the whole eve, the firstborn earnestly implored his father to grant him tutelage in the way of the sword and tactics of war. As they listened, the youngest one was overjoyed at the thought of him as his older brother's temporary teacher; being able to teach him swordplay and share his knowledges.

None did oppose the eldest's decision, not even John himself. He said that as long as the firstborn was content, he would have his father's full backing.

As years passed, their relationship as knight partners began on a rocky bottom. But with time, the eldest's hatred towards his step-brother began to fade away. Often times, they would have merry conversations whenever they trained after both of them became knights of Dreadmoore.

After years, the first son has finally stopped striving so hard for his mother's attention and focused on building a bond with his younger brother. It was indeed a brotherly love, bound by the ties of blood.

As the winter drew near, the brothers made a return to their home to take a break from their knighthood duties. Upon their arrival, their parents greeted them with a grand feast, filled with pride for their sons' achievements.

Freyja, the mistress, greeted the youngest with a warm hug. She weeped as she embraced her son warmly, finally coming to realize the love that her first son had for her despite the ill treatment she had given him.

The family of Pendragon hosted an event in celebration of winter. Many people from various noble families convened to partake in their grandiose feast. The firstborn son was much sought after by the young noble maidens, while the second son may not have garnered the same level of attention, yet some still found him of interest.

As the youngest son sat upon his chair, he took a sip of the wine placed before him. "Gaaah! I never knew this drink would taste so foul," he exclaimed in disgust, looking down at the red wine in his cup.

A young noble maiden approached him with a light-hearted chuckle at his reaction, asking him if it was his first time drinking. The ensuing conversation stretched on as the night wore on, with the two sharing their interests and passions, and finding themselves to be most compatible.

As the grand feast came to an end, the young noble maiden bid farewell to the youngest son with a wave. Just as she left, the eldest son interjected with a playful tease, remarking on the chemistry he had noticed between the two.

During their stay, the brothers mostly spent their remaining time with family activities, hunting in the nearby woods, and exploring the countryside. It was a normal life one could ever want... And for the second son, it was the best time of his life.

...

One chilly night, as the howling wind rattled the shutters and the flickering flames of the hearth cast shadows across the room, the second son was awoken by the sound of a door creaking open.

There, standing in the doorway, was Isolde. The youngest son was surprised by her sudden presence in his room and wondered what had brought her there. Yet, despite his confusion, he welcomed her and offered her a seat on his bed. The two of them sat together, bathed in the light of the full moon, and began to converse.

Isolde confessed to him that she had missed him dearly and longed to be near him more often, especially now that he was frequently away due to his knighthood duties.

The youngest, moved by her sincerity and concern, could not resist embracing the woman who had always treated him with kindness and love ever since he was a child, even though she was not his own mother.

But that was a love that was perceived differently by both. For, while the son felt only motherly affection, Isolde felt the stirrings of lust. It was a long and dark night, with the wind howling fiercely outside, and the flames of the hearth flickering low.

The second son tried to reason with her and tried to change her mind, but...

Alas, in the end, the hunger of the flesh won over them as they fell into each other's arms under the same bed.

...

At the dead of night, the eldest suddenly awakened from his slumber. Clothing himself, he proceeded to the kitchen to quench his thirst with a cup of water.

Despite his efforts to return to his restful state, he found himself completely awake. It was then that he pondered the idea of conversing with the youngest son. He walked down the dim hallway towards his brother's room.

As he approached, he noticed that the door was slightly opened, a faint light of the moon shining through. At first, he paid it little mind, until he heard sounds of lustful moaning emanating from within.

Curiosity piqued, the eldest son was drawn to peer inside with a large grin to ascertain which servant his brother had taken to bed...

And what he witnessed was a sight that broke his heart into a million pieces—his own mother and the man he called brother, rutting like dogs in the throes of passion.

!

It was then again, the fire inside his chest that waned were reignited within him, a flame of rage that threatened to consume him whole. It was a feeling of utmost betrayal that pierced deeply into his chest, a wound that reopened his heart.

The eldest son felt his heart shatter into pieces as he hurriedly made his way back to his room. Once there, he laid in bed, buried his face into his pillow and wept bitterly. But within his tears was a burning rage, for he knew that when morning comes, they would have to face the consequences of the vile things that they did...

As the sun set once more, the family gathered for their morning meal, as they had always done. But this day was different. Isolde and the second son chattered and laughed between themselves as they ate, while the eldest son scowled at them with a deep sigh filled with resentment.

With a smile, the father then asked the youngest how they were faring, now that they had finally become knights. The second son responded, saying that things were going exceedingly well for them both.

John nodded in acknowledgement before turning to the eldest. Noticing why he seemed so down, he asked him what was bothering him. At first, the son gave no response, but the father persisted until he finally spoke.

The atmosphere was fraught with tension as the eldest revealed what he had seen last night. The father was filled with disbelief and demanded to know if his wife and the youngest were aware of such a scandalous claim.

However, their silence was enough to answer his question.

Isolde, quivering in fear, eventually spoke up, vehemently denying the accusations of her eldest. The youngest attempted to calm the situation, but his attemptes were made effortless by Freyja's rebuke.

Isolde's voice was tinged with guilt as she spoke. John gritted his teeth as he rose from his seat and approached the second son, grabbing him by the collar and delivering a strong slap to his face.

"How dare you!" he thundered.

With this one mistake, he was banished from the Pendragon family, stripped of his nobility and his status as an honorable knight of Dreadmoore.

With a saddened eyes, Freyja once again shunned him with an apology. And Isolde who gave him love and treated him at least like a son, he...

Never saw her face ever again.

...

In a city situated on the southern lands, a large city stood amidst the sprawling grasslands.

The City of Gwyntoedd.

For nearly half a year, a young man had been wandering the city's streets, desperately hoping for a miracle to occur. As usual, he found himself alone and hopeless, with an empty stomach and nothing to his name.

He laid on the cold floor, closing his eyes for another night to avoid the hunger he's feeling. Just as he closed his eyes, a knight appeared before him.

"Sir, I humbly beg your pardon. I will take my leave at once! Pray do not cast me into prison..." he spoke with a tremble in his voice, struggling to stand.

However, the knight placed a hand on his shoulder and offered a warm smile. "Fret not, I am not here for that."

"...Then what is it you need from a mere beggar like me?"

The knight chuckled and said, "I find myself rather lonely this evening. Would you care to keep me company? I will pay for your sustenance."

...

Inside a humble local tavern, the young man savored his meal with relish, as he had not had a decent meal in days. The knight chuckled and warned him not to devour his food too quickly, lest he choke.

"What is your name, young man?" the knight asked, holding a tankard of mead.

The young man looked up at him and met his gaze. It was then that he smiled, genuinely and without restraint.

"Kaelsa. My name is Kaelsa."