Summoning [II]

"Mother, when do we get to see father again?" Two year old Leo had asked his mother as they watched the moonlight through the cracks in the dungeon ceiling.

Carefully smoothing Leo's hair as he stood in the night's pixie shine, Lady Layla smiled as she was grateful she was with her son— only if things could get better.

"Your father has gone on a journey— a very distant journey that is very important." Lady Layla replied, hoping Leo would believe her words— he had no reasons not to believe her, anyway.

Leo stood still for a minute, stretching his arms like he wanted to fly while the light dawned on him.

"Will he come back for us?"

"Hmmm…" She humed slowly, trying to pick her next words carefully as Leo could be sensitive at times.

"Watch out for cacao elixir. When your father decides to come back for us, he will bring a mountain of elixirs just for you."

"Does it taste good? Better than breast milk?" He asked again.

"Yes!"

Amused, Leo turned to face his mother, a warm contagious smile swelling on his lips. Lady Layla soon caught the flu— the excitement in her son's eyes.

"Really?"

"Of course, Leo. Your father loved you very much and would do more than that for you… even though he has never said that to you."

"But mother, what is cacao elixir?" The toddler asked.

Alex, who had been watching them quietly within the shadow, stepped forward into the light.

"It is a rich, velvety potion made from the rare and magical cacao beans that grow only in enchanted forest." Alex explained.

Leo gave it some thought then said, "Will that be a remedy to awakening an ability for me?"

Lady Layla shot a glance at Alex, asking him a question with her gaze: 'Did you tell him about the outside world?'

Alex lowered his head, away from the Lady's gaze.

"Leo, even without an ability, you are a special child and I couldn't ask for more."

"But that's just a normal life; that makes me different from the people outside the wall— like Alex, like you too. You were once a healer, mother— before you had me." Leo said.

"What's wrong with being normal? You are perfect, my child and I do not regret choosing you over my powers and I will make that choice a—"

With a sudden rupture within her, Lady Layla gripped her chest tight, her words and strength failing her as she pummeled to the ground with a seizure.

"My lady!" Alex called as he dashed towards her immediately he saw her fall.

"Mother!" Leo cried.

***

"Mother will be fine, right?" Leo asked Alex as the ride in the carriage continued.

His eyes were cold and numb just like the cold night air that Alex couldn't get past the bridge of defense Leo had built around his thoughts.

"Yes, she should be fine in the end." Alex assured.

Leo let that rest, allowing silence to sway like a mysterious creature between them. The sound of the hoots of the horses and sway of the carriage was the only disturbance in the night.

Leo was aware of Alex's uneasiness at his own silence, but he was solely bothered about the outcome of his summoning not yielding to success.

He had to find a healer for his mother or perhaps get some healing potions for her before it was too late.

"Alex, why do you think my father abandoned me at birth and what the purpose of this summon might be?"

"I'm not sure I am in the position to answer your question, but I'm sure your father has a reason for doing this— perhaps, he is protecting you."

"From what exactly? Why allow mother to rot away with her sudden ailment?"

"Leo—"

The carriage stopped moving and the door drawled open, welcoming Leo to step into the world away from the cold dungeon palace.

The soldiers formed an entourage for Leo, positioning themselves in a double line straight file, giving way for Leo to walk through.

The air around the palace was different from what Leo had ever felt.

A host of mages were present for the walk and their terrifying gazes loomed over his small construct as the soldiers led him in.

Leo was undoubtedly the only child amongst the host of heavily built men, a small seahorse in an ocean full of sperm whales.

He was small, but his aura was not opening grounds for intimidation. 

Finally arriving at the forecourt, Leo could see a variety of people he could decipher as important personalities in the clan.

They had all been waiting for Leo's arrival and as soon as his presence graced the forecourt, the tension became palpable.

Alex was stopped as Leo had stepped into a sector in the courtyard and he was ed towards a corner.

He tried to resist this order, insisting he was going to continue to walk with Leo.

"Only Leo can step into this part of the court." The general declared with a cold stern.

Leo gave Alex a signal to stand down while he continued walking towards the throne.

Up ahead of him were standing two kids whom he guessed were around his age according to their build.

One was a girl while the other was a boy.

The girl was a beauty to behold despite her young age. Her young eyes were a well toned emerald which were complimented by her long red hair.

Her eyes were kind as he looked at Leo tenderly, almost inviting him with a smile, but she restrained herself from such an act.

The boy on the other hand had a cold stern in his eyes which were a pair of blue shards while his cold demeanor was evenly graced with his white hair.

It was obvious he didn't like Leo's appearance at the palace, but he had no choice than to contain such uninvited feelings.

The door of the front porch slid open in grand style and the most important personality of the day walked out of the door in all his glory.

It was Duke Alaric Thorian Hawthorne. He looked the same as he was four years ago just like everything had happened yesterday.

His gloomy eyes seized Leo up, the look of disgust he had shone on him that night still in existence despite the distance between them.

Perhaps, he would find answers to his questions today. That day was either the beginning of his journey or could be the end as well.

"Father," Leo said.