Chapter 16: Ch 15

When Gadric Cintog arrived at the farm, he furrowed his thick brow and squinted his already-narrow eyes at the sight before him. His son, though not by any blood relation, had already done a considerable amount of plowing through the field.

The boy was already drenched in sweat, working intensely with the rusted hoe.

                “Oy, what’s going on with you?”
                Cedric looked up, having not noticed his father’s appearance at all.

                “Ah, good morning father. I just had trouble sleeping, so I thought I’d get a head start this morning.”

                “That so…”

                Gadric ended the morning pleasantries with that, and began his own workload tending to the crops. As Cedric continued working with even more fervor, he wondered if his father noticed his currently plummeting state of mind. He looked up to the sky while taking a quick breather, face wrought with unease. The grey sky was always like this, but the atmosphere it gave off today matched his burnt out melancholy.

                The sleepless boy was no longer petrified, but at a loss. He knew that things around him were going to change soon, and he didn’t know what he should do to navigate those changes. From the talk of the next heir, to the worsening war and his mental defeat, he was beginning to see himself as helpless to impact any change in the upheaval that loomed larger every day.

 

                “Father…do you think we’re on the verge of losing the war?” Cedric posed his concern plainly as the two made their way back home.

                “What makes you think that? Has your world changed in any way because of the war?”

                “Ah…I guess not…no,” Cedric half lied.

                “Then, do not concern yourself with matters that others have the role of addressing. No matter what happens, we must only continue in our roles. If you are not a soldier, you needn’t think of unnecessary things.”

                “Ah…understood…”

                They returned home, and Cedric remained downcast as he bathed and prepared for lessons.

                Eating his portion of breakfast in a hurry despite having little appetite, he then stood up and made for the door.

                “Is it really your wish…to become the next Sword Heir?”

                Cedric’s heart stopped. He turned to look at his father, who was sipping a mug of hot tea at the old worn down table, as if to confirm it was actually him. He had, without exception, never once talked about the Heir competition with him. Cedric assumed he didn’t want him to bring unnecessary attention to them, and thought he maybe even resented him for his name simply being thrown into the ambiguous race. Therefore, it was a complete shock to hear him mention such a thing.

                “I…I can’t say that it’s my desire to be the Heir. I think what I want is- no, I know that I want- to be a knight.”

                “I see,” Gadric muttered before silently puffing on a wooden pipe.

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                “Your birth father was the same way.”

                Cedric’s heart jumpstarted, only to stop once more. Gadric had said this like it was nothing, but it was the first time he’d ever mentioned either of his parents.

                “You…knew them?” Cedric managed to breath out his words, stunned.

                “Barely. I only had brief contact with them in the mountains where they lived.”
                “Mount-

                Another shot of ice-water directly into his heart.

                “I’m- an offspring of the mountainfolk?”

                His father gave a silent nod.

So, I’m essentially-a descendant of the campsite.

                He looked down at the table with wide, shaking eyes that threatened to pour tears out at any moment.

So, then Garik…

                Cedric clenched his fists. Part of him wanted to hear more, but knew very well he shouldn’t pry further. It was a miracle his father decided to divulge so much information to begin with.

                “Anyway, if you’re truly shooting for knighthood…I only expect that you make sure it’s within your grasp. Reaching out beyond yourself, in whatever you do, will result in failure. Keep your duty at the core of your heart, and do not explore its possibilities carelessly.”

                “My duty…to the Teutons…?”

                “Your duty to yourself.”

The inside of his chest thumped like a drum. He wanted to indulge his father further, to ask him what duty he should hold to himself. However, the words wouldn’t come out. He was too overwhelmed by the things his father had said.

                “…I understand. Well then, Good day, father. I’ll see you at dinnertime.”

                Gadric returned his words with a short nod, and Cedric thought for a second that he looked slightly less stern than usual.

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