⚜solo 1 ⚜
“Why not be a bard or a trader? Or learn healing like your mother?” It was early afternoon and sunlight flickered through the huge bay window of the room, highlighting all of the golden designs intricately woven into the crimson rug beneath his feet. To the right side of the window stood an older Oban woman with crimson hair streaked with white. Yet despite her age she still held beauty and poise, especially in the way that she held herself while speaking. Draped around her shoulders was a silk shawl, the only sign of weakness as the desert heat typically caused one to wear less clothing rather than more. Her legs were hidden in the folds of crimson silk and golden baubles decorated her ears while beads of rare stone dangled around her neck. It was obvious that this woman was a wealthy noble who was not accustomed to shying away from any topic as years of power had developed quite the charisma. Something which showed now as she addressed the hybrid boy lounging about on the chaise behind her.
Twisting from his relaxed position Faisal glanced towards his grandmother with a slight frown. He had been content to spend the morning with her by reading together and sharing lunch, but now that she was addressing more difficult topics he was beginning to feel the heat. Or was that simply from the sunlight rising high in the sky marking noon? Either way Faisal found himself tugging lightly at the vest he wore as if that would give him more air and more freedom away from any such conversations, “Do we really need to have this talk right now?” He asked, trying to sound less snippy and more polite, but honestly it was hard! It wasn’t like he functioned well under pressure and she knew that! Faisal definitely knew though that he was meant to be a fighter because living a laid back life just bothered him. Not that he minded fun, but he was just far too competitive and thirsty for adventure to stay at home and whallow in his fortunes.
No offense grams. He thought hastily as if worried she would read his thoughts.
Instead she seemed too intent upon staring outside of the window. Was she that disappointed in him for not wanting to stay at home forever? No, it was more like she was just pondering his future because even he hadn’t seemed to make a move towards anything. Anything other than trouble that was. Sighing ever so quietly under his breath, Faisal slipped from his perch on the silk sofa and instead moved so that he could gently reach an arm around his grandmother’s waist and squeeze her in a hug, “It’s not like I’m going to rot away, Gramma.” He replied quietly as he too studied their view of the oasis, “I just don’t think I can sit still enough for anything.”
“What about the royal guard then?”
“Eh?” Faisal blinked as words that he had never expected left his grandmother’s lips, “What do you mean?”
“Well noble families often produce high ranking officers or even better knights that serve the royal family. You’ve always admired your father’s sword as a child so I pondered over the idea of having the blacksmith craft you a weapon….we could find you a knight to apprentice under as well.”
“Why can’t I learn from my father?” Faisal frowned as he pondered over this revelation. Not that he was upset or anything because he did cherish the sword. He just hadn’t expected his grandmother to suggest him using one….like ever. So it was indeed surprising to hear her make the suggestion whereas he had thought he would have to sneak it into the manor or better yet butter her up and then beg her to allow him to practice swordsmanship. This was surprisingly easy instead of all of that so admittedly he was a bit wary.
“He’s often so busy and that Outcast Unit well….it is rather appropriately named.”
“Mamma works with them here and there still.” Replied Faisal with a pout, “I don’t know why it’d be such a big deal.”
“Would you really want your parents with you all the time?” Countered his grandmother with a small grin, “I mean if you’d like…”
“Nope!” Faisal quickly shook his head, “You win there.” His father was awesome but he could already imagine how overbearing he would be while his mother probably would try to baby him! How embarrassing would that be?
His grandmother laughed at his reaction before resting her head against his shoulder, “Just think on it alright, darling? I’ll not rush you but you really should consider what you’d like to do. I can only be alive so long and I know you are not too fond of just living here and doing readings for the rest of your own life.”
A small smile flickered across his features before he kissed his grandmother’s cheek and excused himself from the room. While Dair was out he had found himself swept up into having lunch with their grandmother and while Faisal did enjoy her presence it was growing difficult as of late to answer her questions. Did he really know what he wanted? The sword was a great step forward and truly she had noticed his love for the blade, something that was somewhat touching, but Faisal was nervous. Was he going to be a knight then? Could he even pull it off as well as his father did?
What about Dair? His brother hadn’t really told him his future plans either. Sighing, Faisal ran a hand through his dreads and thought about it some more. A blade, yes. A knight? Maybe. An army man, probably not? He wasn’t the best at following directions after all. So how could he become a knight? IF he had honor, which he did, then it could be possible. It wasn’t like he had to walk in formation or go to war all the time...and he could be near home. Sighing Faisal shook his head. He was too young for this!
He didn’t want responsibilities. He wanted to just enjoy the world. A sword would be grand because then he could just travel with it. That would offer him protection and probably allow him to leave home more since he would seem more than ready for it! No more sneaking out, no more hoping to catch his grandmother in a trusting mood, etc. Now that he could live with! Grinning at the thought Faisal twisted around in the hallway before dashing downstairs and out towards the back gardens. Grabbing a stick he imagined jabbing forward with it as if it were a sword and with a chuckle he did just that!
He knew the stances, had watched so many others perform them, and in all honesty he had a blade hidden in his room. An older one that he had bought in the market but still a blade nonetheless. He could balance it well and he was prepared to fight anyone. At least that was his hope even if he did accidentally trip with the stick in his hands.
A bit too excited there I suppose. He joked quietly before stopping his antics so that he could just walk through the gardens. At least the garden was pretty and well organized, the exact opposite of his own mind. There was just so much he wanted to do, so much that he wasn’t ready to let go of yet and so much that he did desire at the same time!
Him, a knight? Nah. Faisal pondered the thought some more before shaking his head. It just wasn’t his cup of tea. But! The trickster part of him did sneak in a few tempting thoughts. Why not act as if he would take up the offer so that he could get a nice new sword and his grandmother would let him go out? HE would have to travel to his mentor and then he could perhaps take that funding to go explore the world instead.
How would Dair react to it though? It wouldn’t be like Faisal planned on being gone forever. It was more of a month vacation idea really. Then he could come home, face the wrath of his grandmother, and then share his stories with his brother! Grinning at the idea as it continued to unfold in his mind Faisal made a note of all that it would take to pull off such a maneuver. It would be a grand scheme and definitely his best trick to date! Just imagine traveling for free under the guise of going into training? He could just send a note canceling the plans with whatever mentor she wanted to give him and then just hop over the southern border into Jahaur...
If he actually did have the gall to do such a thing.
But who knew? Maybe he would and maybe he wouldn’t…
[1506]
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