The Majin - Chapter 2 Move

8 months have gone by, and I now understand the words the people around me say. Well, I say people but I only refer to my father and his servant. The woman I thought was my mother is just a wet nurse. Her role is keeping me fed, washed, and happy, which I believe to be quite manageable as I’ve only cried twice since my birth.

They never take me outside the house, so this room is pretty much all I know. This is what I’ve discovered so far: My name is Omen Wrath. Such a cool name but it’s too ominous! Who calls their son OMEN!? I know it means it’s a sign of good or evil, but people mainly use it as a sign of evil! Am I a sign of bad things to come?

My father’s name is Freed Wrath. He seems to be well off? Or poor? I can’t really tell with the presence of the wet nurse cause that means he at least has money or influence to put her in his service. But the question of my mother still remains in my mind. Where is she?

I’ve also learned that the creepy woman was a seer: a kind of sorceress that sees into the future. So, if I think about the information I’ve obtained thus far, this must be the 9th century for people to have such old relics. My father wears a hammer around his neck, and antique swords and knives reminiscent of those in Norse culture decorate the room.

A week later, the wet nurse, whose name I have yet to learn, takes me outside the room for once. She wraps me in some furs, and I’m finally able to see the outside world.

There aren’t that many people outsidemaybe thirty or soeach wearing old dresses and tunics and doing chores such as cleaning, fetching water, etc. All the houses are pretty much shacks with hay on top, I see a blacksmith, miller, stonemason, and other medieval craftsmen. The muddied ground has hoof imprints.

*Rumble*Rumble*

The sound of galloping horses sound in the distance, and soon I see men hastily riding into town. The wet nurse seems to be nervous because I can feel her heartbeat quickening. When they finally reach us, the lead man looks around and waits for the people to gather. It’s my father suited up in a chainmail tunic and sword belt.

“People of Embergrove! Our time is short. Raiders have organized into an army and as we speak are attacking our Sugarian kingdom. They have already come as far as Daydown Pond. Gather all your valuables and belongings! We leave!” my father commands.

I guess my father has more influence than I thought. If this is the 9th century, then he must be some minor noble with his own land right? My father jumps down from his horse and goes to take me from the nurse while everyone else, including the nurse, runs off to their shacks to gather their belongings.

Not long after, the people of Embergrove return with packs tied to them. The wet nurse hands my father a moderate-sized pouch which he ties to his sword belt. The warriors he has with him get on their horses as do we. “The raiders come from the north and will likely head towards the capital. We march South! Move!” Freed exclaims. Does my father expect to hold me on horseback all the way south? How far south are we even going?

_______________

We have been marching for a few hours now, and the sun is setting. I’m placed in a cart with the wet nurse seeing as how my father couldn’t hold me for the whole trip.

“Set up camp. We have another two days before we reach Terrin. There the Lord will give us shelter, food, and drink. Tonight we rest and tomorrow we must make haste”.

‘So we still have two more days of this huh’ I thought. It’s not like I’m having a hard time on this trip so far since I’m being carried, but it looks difficult for everyone else. The warriors stay on horseback, but their butts must be feeling sore and the town people on foot are likely far worse off.

The people set up camp rather quickly. Didn’t take long for them to find a bunch of hay and lay furs as a makeshift bed for me. I’m placed down after having my *cough* meal. I soon fall asleep as there is nothing else for a baby to do.

Time goes on and we soon reach Terrin. It’s a slightly bigger town than Embergrove. The first noticeable difference is the fancy buildings in the town square. Two stand out, with the smaller one being the more ornate of the two. These buildings were unlike any of the regular shacks that we had back in Embergrove. Lined up beside Terrin’s gates are soldiers decked in chainmail spears, and swords similar to that of my father and his soldiers

“Welcome to Terrin, Lord Wrath.”

A man walks out. He has blonde hair and muses. “It’s been quite some time since we last spoke.”

“Indeed Lord Fogroot. I believe the last occasion was on that unfortunate day. I appreciate your hospitality in our time of need.”

From this, I can see that these two are quite acquainted with each other

–“Of course! With the menace of those dregs running around, we must hold strong and become united. Only then will we survive. And how is your son?”

–“Yes, my son is in the carriage. He is a strong boy that doesn’t cry often. I believe him to one day grow into quite the capable warrior should the gods allow.”

I can hear them from the carriage. I’m to be a warrior? That’s kind of exciting. I believe I did some contact sport in my other life, so maybe that’s why I’m feeling this way?

Frogroot insists, “Come rest. I’m sure the path was not easy to tread. The people of Embergrove as my guests may stay at the East Inn. Tomorrow we shall start building homes and fortifying our defenses in case of enemy attack, but we are far south so rest well. ”

And so, all the people of Embergrove settle down. I and my father follow him to the larger of the elaborate buildings in the town square. My father finds a room for the two of us easily.

“Son, you must grow strong. The seer has seen your future and your life has value as she has seen you holding in your hands’ power beyond all others’” Freed foretells. I drift to sleep as he continues prophesying my grand future.