Chapter 77: A helping hand

Erik: 

I go back to the room I share with Givontair and Nathaniel. When I open the door, I see Sorix and a white-haired man in there. I blink at that. 

"Hey, kiddo. Did you come to pick up a book?" Sorix asks. I hold up my notebook. 

"I did my tasks for the day, and I am ready to do my homework," I tell him. He smiles, and then nods at the white-haired man. I doubt that the man is an albino like Givontair. His hair is white, but his skin is tanned, and he has green eyes. 

"So, you are my grandson?" The man asks, and I blink at that. Now that he said that, I begin to see similarities between Giv and the man. They have the same nose, the same cheekbones. I take a step back. 

"Don't worry, Erik. Ajax means you no harm," Sorix tries to assure me. Quickly, I rush to him, and hide behind him. Just what is Ajax doing here? Did he come to hurt Giv? Why is Sorix so relaxed around him? Sorix chuckles, when I take a hold of his tunic. "I think some explanations and proper introductions are in order. Ajax, this is Erik. My, Givontair's and Nathaniel's adopted son. Erik, this is Ajax the Bold. Your grandfather." 

I peek from behind Sorix, and see that the dragon shifter has an amused look on his face. 

"I won't harm you, child. Come out from behind your father," he says in a calm tone. I let go of Sorix's tunic, and step out of his shadow. Still, I can always go back to hiding behind him, if Ajax lunges at me. 

"Why are you here?" I ask. I refuse to call someone who tried to kill Giv my grandfather. Furthermore, I don't know the details behind their confrontations, but I do know, that they weren't instigated by Givontair. 

"To destroy the Black Book. There won't be any more prophecies, if we succeed. I do hope you can hold on to your sanity, until then," Ajax says. I blink at that. 

"You knew what the source of so many ruined lives was, but did nothing?" My accusation is clear in my voice. Ajax holds his hands up in surrender. 

"Don't judge me so harshly, child. It is no easy feat, to go into the palace of the Dread. I was never strong enough to try," he sounds sincere enough, yet, I am confused.

"And you are now?" I ask him, my head tilting to the side. He chuckles. 

"Oh, no. Far from it. Still, I know that we can manage it, this time. My son is as strong as me, perhaps even stronger. With two dragons battling their way to the book, I think we will manage," Sorix rolls his eyes at Ajax then, and the dragon adds. "Of course, I am sure that a Dread Lord, a fire mage, a dragon slayer, and a vampire will also be of assistance. You, on the other hand, will be safe and sound in Khuzd." 

"I can help too," I protest, but Ajax shakes his head. 

"You haven't activated your prophecy. I can feel it in your mana. The last thing you need, is for the Elder Dryad to begin whispering in your ear," I want to argue, but Sorix places a hand on my head. He gives me a couple of pats. I scrunch up my nose at that. 

"I am not a puppy," I snap at him. The Dread Lord chuckles. 

"No, but you are still adorable. Now, if you'd excuse me, I need to go see how Nathaniel is handling the news," I want to ask what news those are, but Sorix makes it to the door, and gets out, before I manage to ask him. Now, I am left all alone with Ajax. 

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"So, you are doing your homework?" He asks me. I nod. "Do you need any help with that?" 

I bite my lower lip. About this time, I should be doing Common practice. My writing needs a lot of work. The teacher back in Amestavora called it a chicken scraw. 

"You can dictate me a story, so I can write it? And afterwards, you can check for mistakes?" I ask, as he grins. 

"Sounds easy enough," I go to my desk, and pull out one of the books Giv bought me, so I can do common practice. It is a thick tome, with Yule stories.

Normally, kids aged around 6 will use it for dictations, but I didn't have such practice, when I was at that age. Instead, I helped the caravan leader with the counting of the coins. Which was good for me, as I am not so far behind in Math, as I am in everything else. I hand Ajax the book, and he opens the index. 

"What do you want? A story about a bread bun, which goes on an adventure to cool?" He asks. I blink at the fact he knows what the story is about. 

"You are not supposed to tell me what the story is about," I fold my arms on my chest. Givontair lets me be surprised. It is the funniest part of the dictation practice. 

"Oh, sorry. It is just that, I have already read these stories. I can dictate you Giv's favorite one?" He suggests. I quirk an eyebrow at him. 

"Giv said you were never there for him," I say. Ajax hums.

"I can shape shift. I can assure you; I have read him more than one story. Well, until he turned three-years-old, and began to read medical texts," Ajax sounds fond of the fact. My eyes go wide. 

"Giv could read at three?" I ask. Ajax chuckles. 

"He could knit by that age, as well. I always wondered, why he did it. I still keep the gloves he knitted me, when he was four-years-old," Ajax takes out a bottomless bag, and pulls out a pair of gloves from there. "I placed a preservation rune on them. Just to protect them, from the elements." 

"They look small," I comment. He nods. 

"Back when he made them for me, I had the form of a child. Hm, let us see if they fit you," Ajax hands me the gloves. I put them on, and smile at how soft they are. "Now, that you have something of your father's and your grandfather, I think it is time for you to learn which is Givontair's favorite tale." 

I take off the gloves, and place them on the desk. Then, I take out a notebook and a pen, and ready myself for the dictation.

 Givontair's favorite tale, I soon realize, is about a hero who is also a healer. I wonder, as I write it down, if it was the one thing, which inspired Giv to choose this path. 

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