Mothers Return

The next few months passed in much the same way, although the warmer weather and green leaves sprouting from the trees made things a lot more pleasant. 

Hungerford finally allowed me to pick up my wooden sword for something more than just set sequence practice, which was good in one way, but less fun in another, as he would mercilessly exploit my mistakes, of which I made many, and I would end up getting repeatedly wacked and jabbed with the wooden stick he used to spar with me. 

"He's a Master Bladesman," I kept telling myself. "I'm lucky to get this level of training."

Tell my poor, battered, body that.

My meetings with Gisel carried on as well. We had taken to exploring the surrounding areas, going for walks along the forest, and sometimes even within a little bit. She taught me about various plants that grew there, and what they could be used for.

"Oh, look," she said, one day, as we were strolling along. "It's a Pearl plant." She squatted down next to a small shrub, sitting in the roots of a tree. "When it blooms, the flowers have a small round appearance. You can pick and dry them, and use them as a general purpose antidote to poison. We must remember where this is and come back for it when it blooms."

"Pearl plant," I muttered, writing in the small notebook I had taken to carrying around with me for just such events. 

"What language is that?" Gisel asked, peering over my shoulder. "It doesn't look like man-creature writing, or even my language."

"It's from where I grew up," I said, without even thinking about what I was saying.

"What do you mean, grew up? You're five!"

"Oh, er, I mean, it's a special code I made."

"Make your mind up." Gisel gave me a look.

Maybe I shouldn't take notes in English, practicing this world's language wouldn't be a bad idea, but it was just easier, and also more private.

"Sorry, it's just easier for me."

"It doesn't look like it's easier to write. What are all these squiggles? That's nothing like the language I've seen in the books my teacher has shown me."

She meant the runic writing of this world's human language I guessed. It did look very different.

"Are you learning to read too?" I asked her, desperate to change the subject."

"I am," she said, proudly. 

"I never thought about helping you to do that. Maybe we can go over some lessons. What about your tongue? I can't read any of that. Well, I've never seen any writing in it."

"I shall teach you too!" she declared. 

After that, we both worked on reading and writing, although progress was slower, as materials were a little harder to come by. Gisel said there were only two books in the village in her language, and she herself wasn't very skilled at writing. Even so, it was all useful.

One time, as I was returned home from one of these mutual lessons with Gisel, Hungerford approached me.

"Lad," he said. "Where have you been?"

"Just walking about," I replied, keeping it vague.

"Well, I don't want you straying too far just now. There have been a number of monster attacks just north of the village in the last few days. Two men out hunting game were attacked, one was killed, and the other is missing."

"Monsters?"

"Aye. We're not sure what kind. Maybe orc, could be goblins. Just don't wander off into the wilds."

"Yes master," I replied, absent mindedly. It couldn't be goblins! Could it? No, Gisel's tribe had been in the forest for well over a year, and they hadn't attacked before. Why would they now? It must be some of these other creatures that had been displaced from the troubles to the north.

It was too late to return to speak to Gisel that day, so I had to endure the evening, night, and all through training the next morning before dashing up to meet her. I even used my magic to fly there, I was in such a nervous rush.

Which meant I arrived before her of course, and had to wait for half an hour before she turned up.

"Oh, you're early today," she said, when she finally appeared.

"Gisel, do you know anything about these attacks on the village?" I asked, not beating about the bush.

"Yes, I am well, thank you for asking." She scowled at me.

"I'm sorry. Good morning Gisel, you are looking lovely today." A bit of flattery never hurt, even when the girl was a goblin, and only about six years old. 

"Thank you." She beamed, and sat down on the fallen tree we always used. The wood was beginning to get smooth from the wear of our behinds, small as they both were. "Yes, I heard yesterday. There were some kobolds that wandered into our territory. One of our patrols found them feasting on a man. They were killed. My father doesn't want any trouble with the village."

"I thought it must be something like that," I said. "Hopefully it will be a one off."

"Yes." She didn't look too concerned, so I relaxed. "Now then, I want to teach you how to write some plant names…" 

With the death of the kobolds, the attacks in the village stopped, and life slowly returned to normal, much go my relief, and it wasn't long before I had a letter telling me that my mothers would be returning soon!

That set Freia and Hungerford into a cleaning frenzy. My lessons were cancelled as we scoured the house from top to bottom, preparing for their return. It was a good job I was fitter now, from all the training, otherwise I think I would have collapsed under the constant barrage of tasks Freia assigned to me. I swear I polished every single bit of wooden floor in the house twice over. 

Eventually though, it was done, and not a day too soon as, one late afternoon, a wagon, perhaps not the same one as before, appeared on the road, with a familiar figure sitting at the reins.

"Mother!" I cried, waving like mad and running towards them. I had been waiting in the garden.

"Theo!" Rath waved back, and Lissa's head popped out from the back, joining in the waving.

I sped up to the wagon, and, using a quick blast of wind-jet magic, literally flew up into Rath's arms.

"Oh my word! How did you do that?" Rath asked, clutching at me in surprise, and hugging me close.

I buried my head in her generous bosom and hugged her back as both Lissa and Rath peppered me with kisses.

"We missed you so much!" Lissa said.

"Look how much you've grown!" Rath held me up in front of her, making me giggle. For that moment I actually felt the age my body was. It was a nice feeling.

"Hungerford has been training me!" I said, as Lissa took me and sat me on her lap, and Rath gee'd up the oxen that had come to a halt.

"I look forward to seeing what you can do sweetie." Lissa stroked my head. I leaned back and took in the scent of my mothers. I really hadn't realised quite how much I had missed them.

Hungerford and Freia had both been working in the kitchen for hours, preparing a meal for us all. I had been shooed out, after Freia nearly tripped over me for the tenth time, which was why I was waiting in the garden.

"Thank you for your letters," Lissa said, as we pulled up in front of the house. Freia appeared, and waved. "They were very welcome. Your writing is much neater than my own!" She laughed.

"Welcome Blessed, my lady," Freia said, bowing as the wagon came to a halt. 

"Hello Freia, you're looking well. I hope our boy here hasn't been too much trouble."

"He's fine," she replied. I was slightly relieved she didn't mention me spying on her in the bath. Looks like I'd got away with that.

"Glad to hear it. Hello Hungerford."

I jumped down off the wagon, and Lissa and Rath both followed, climbing down in a more sedate fashion.

"Blessed, lass," Hungerford replied. He always used a more respectful tone with Lissa than with Rath, but I guess Rath had been his student, whereas Lissa was a representative of the goddess.

We headed inside, where my mothers went to their room to wash and change. I helped put the plates out, and do the last minute things needed before we sat down to eat.

It wasn't long before we were all around the table, eating the delicious meal that Hungerford and Freia had prepared. I sat between my mothers, getting the occasional pat on the head, and just ate slowly as the adults, at least the physical adults – and Freia – caught up with the news, including Hungerford's report on my progress.

"You are definitely going to join magic class when we get back to the academy," Lissa said, looking down at me, after Hungerford finished his summary.

"Yes mother," I replied. I was actually looking forward to being able to learn some new skills. I had exhausted everything useful in the material I had smuggled back.

"With that in mind, we brought you a few new books for you to read," Rath said.

"You did?" I grinned in delight, trying to stand up.

"After dinner!"

"Yes mother."

"One more thing," Hungerford said. "There was some monster activity a little while ago. They stopped after two men were attacked, one killed, one missing, but recently there have been other sightings, and a few henhouses broken into, not by foxes either.

Lissa and Rath exchanged a glance. 

Interesting. I thought. What was that?

"Now you're here, I suggest you call a village meeting about putting some measures in place," Hungerford went on.

"I need to visit the temple anyway," Lissa sighed. "We can head there in the morning, and Rath can talk to the mayor."

"You know the mayor?" I asked Rath, eyes wide.

She smiled at me. "I do little one," she said.

"Your mothers are important people in this town," Freia said, waggling a spoon.

"Come now Freia, we're just common citizens," Lissa said.

Freia didn't reply, but made a face that suggested she thought otherwise. I had to agree with Freia on this one. A skilled Weapon Master and a highly respected Sister of the Blessed were not ordinary titles, especially in a small village like this one.

The meal went on with less significant talk after that, and finally ended with Lissa taking me up to bed, and tucking me in like a child. 

Well, I guess I still was.

May as well enjoy it whilst I can, I thought, just before I fell asleep.