Chapter 10 Friends

"Yes a proposition indeed"

"What kind of proposition?" Fredrick asked.

"Well another Merchant Guild of course"

Fredrick was just baffled 'A merchant guild? here on the frontier?, this child is crazy doesn't he know how dangerous and costly that would be'.

"Ah... young master surely you jest?" Fredrick asked.

"No i'm not jesting"

'Oh god he's serious' Fredrick thought'

"But why? Young master this is a fruitless endeavor"

Brann smiled "On the contrary it's not"

"What do you mean?" Fredrick asked intrigued by Brann's answer.

"What i mean is, that i'm not making a merchants guild"

'What?' Fredrick thought.

Brann pointed to Fredrick with a smile "I'm not making the guild, you are".

At this point Fredrick was about to leave the carriage 'This child doesn't know what he's getting himself into'.

"Leaving already? You haven't even heard my plans yet" Brann said in a calm voice.

"I'm afraid i can't hold back my thought's much longer, Young Master this whole Idea is futile" Fredrick continued. "We can't go against the Merchant Guild and establishing a base of operations here is just too dangerous".

"Who said we're going against the Merchant Guild?" Brann said.

"What?!"

"I never said we would go against the Guild, my plan is to use the Merchant guild to make one here"

"But how?" Fredrick asked.

"It's all simple really, you just do what i tell you to do" Brann smiled.

"You're not normal aren't you?" Fredrick asked.

"No" Asher leaned back "Haven;t you figured that out yet"

"But before we begin with this come over to my Manor tomorrow we'll discuss our plans and i'd like to have more Rune stones and Rune weapons as well as books regarding Runes".

Asher said pointing for John to open the carriage.

"Wait i haven't agreed to anything" Fredrick said as he was politely pushed out.

"I'll be waiting Fredrick".

'Crap' was all Fredrick could think.

OUTSIDE OF THE MANOR

'Debby have you finished with the regiment yet?'

'Yes i have, would you like begin when you arrive?'

'Yes please'

They soon arrived at the Manor's Front door and the party is in full swing with many carriages parked, guest walking and servants running around.

'Wow' Brann thought.

'I agree, your mother knows how to throw a party' Debby said.

'I guess i'm skipping that training for now'

Walking into the Manor Brann was instantly bombarded with the atmosphere, Loud music and conversations could be heard. People Laughing and drinking, some debating.

'I don't think i'll be able to do any training today'

'Well you should socialize then make some friends'

'If nobles are what i think they are then no, their all gonna be pampered thinking that their all high and mighty'

'And you don't?' Debby asked jokingly.

'I am high and mighty, all that's left is to make these nobles know that'

'Why not start now?'

'It's too early, I'd rather work in the background for as long as i can'

With that Brann decided to go to his room but was interrupted by his mother calling him.

"Brann darling would you please come here"

'Great' Brann thought "Coming mother"

He made his way over to his mother who was taking to a man and a woman. The man was huge with broad shoulders and a menacing physique. He had on his face a thick beard but a soft and peaceful expression. From the looks of it the man was in his late thirties. The woman by his side compared to the man was gave off a much more different vibe. The woman was small and looked to be defenseless but Asher knew that underneath all of that was a menacing and calculated personality just from her eyes. She had dark hair and fair skin her eyes were golden brown complementing her beauty.

'This could be interesting' Brann thought.

'They don't look that bad to me' Debby said.

'Yes but it's what's underneath is what counts, both of them give off a strong and dangerous pressure'

Asher made his way to his mothers side. "Asher darling this is Count Brayan Threader and Countess Thera"

Brann bowed and showed his respects " It's a pleasure to meet you Count Brayan, and Countess Thera, my name is Asher"

"OH he has good manners, and didn't you tell me that he was only Five years of age?" The man Count Brayan exclaimed.

"This is indeed surprising a child as young as this to know and show courtesy" The woman Countess Thera also agreed. "Mavis i'm both surprised and glad that you have taught your son such manners this early"

Brann's mother beams "Oh thank you Countess Thera but this was all my sons doing, he can also read and write I have seen it with my own eyes while walking past the library"

'God damn woman you weren't suppose to tell anyone about this kind of thing' Brann thought.

'So i guess staying in the shadows isn't possible now huh?' Debby teased.

Brann sighed "I have just started to read and write Countess Thera, Mother, servant John has been teaching me" 'Hopefully they'll believe that'

'Wow throwing John under the bus' Debby teased Brann again.

'I'll apologize to him later'

"So you have already been taught? that is indeed impressive, my daughter has also been learning, she is about your age Brann" Count Brayan said.

"Yes, actually she is here at the party playing with the other children" Thera added.

"Oh that is just splendid, Brann would you mind befriending my daughter she has trouble making friends" Brayan asked.

'Oh great now i have to make friends with a child' Brann thought.

'Well you're also a child' Debby added.

'Thanks for pointing that out Debby'

'No problem'

Brann looked up and smiled "Sure thing, I would love to make friends"

"Well then it's decided, Her name is Marie" Thera said. Calling over her aid "Please escort Asher to where my daughter is playing"

"Yes my lady" the aid said.

And so Asher followed the aid towards where Marie is supposedly playing.

Arriving at the spot Asher sees a little girl with Platinum blonde hair and green eyes sitting by herself. 'So this is Marie, But where are the other kids?'

"Young lady this is Master Brann the son of Baronet Vern and Baroness Mavis the aid announces and leaves.

Now with the two being alone "So... What's up?" Brann asked her prompting Marie to raise and tilt her head in her direction.

Debby of course was dying 'Bwahahha What's up?, is that the best you could do?'

'Hey it's not my fault I don't know how to talk to kids'

'But you are a kid'

"Um.. I am doing good" Marie answered.

"Well that's good, how come you aren't with the other kids?" Brann asked.

Marie looks at the ground and stares. "Well, It' because they don't like me" she says in a sad tone.

"What do you mean by that?"

"They say that my hair is weird"

"Well in my opinion it looks pretty, and the color is cool"

Marie was taken by surprise by Brann answer, looking up at Asher. "T-thanks"

"No problem, Well my mother said to make friends so do you want to be my friend?"

Marie takes a moment to process what Brann just said "You want to be my friend?"

"That's what i said" Brann said holding his hands out.

Marie looks at it before shaking Ashers hand. "OK"

"Great!! Now that we're friends follow me" as Brann leads Marie to his room.

'Brann what are you up to?'

'Debby scan the girl see if she can use magic'

And Debby did 'Yup she can use magic a lot of it, but why?'

'I'm gonna see if she can activate the Rune Sword'

'Are you serious? that's dangerous'

'It's fine im not the one holding it'

'Brann!!!'

Brann sighs 'Fine, fine i'll just experiment with something else'

"Um... Where are we going?" Marie Asks.

"Oh, were going to my room to play with my uh.. Toys"

"Oh OK" was all Marie said.

They soon arrived at Brann's room where John was waiting.

"John please provide Marie here some refreshments from the kitchen"

"Yes, Young Master" John bows and leaves.

Opening the door Brann invites Marie in "Come on in" and Marie did.

Closing the door and turning towards Marie.

"Woah is that a sword?" Marie asked.

"Umm.. Yeah" Brann said in confusion "Why do you like it?"

Marie answered with awe in her voice "Absolutely, I've always wanted to hold a sword but Mother said it's not how a lady should behave" looking at Marie now she looks totally different from the girl who looked sad when Asher first met her.

"Well you're not a lady yet" Brann said as he went to fetch his sword.

"How come you have one?"

"Oh i asked my Mother about it and she said yes"

Marie looks at the sword in Brann's hand "Could i hold it?"

"Sure thing" as Brann was about to give it to Marie Debby cuts in.

'Hold it mister, don't even think about it'

'Ugh fine'

"On second thought i don't think you should" Brann said with a look of disappointment.

"Aww why not?"

"Because the sword is different"

"How so?"

"It's a Rune sword so it uses Runes like these" Brann point to the Rune stones sitting on the floor. "And uses the Runes to create Magic"

"Oh so it's a magical sword"

"Not exactly it uses the Rune stones but it doesn't need magic to use"

"Why is that?"

'Ugh so many questions'

"It's because i can't use magic"

"WHaaat!? You can't use magic?" Marie says surprised.

"Yes unfortunately" Brann says as he puts the sword down and opens a book.

"Is that why you don't have any friends?"

Asher was taken back by her question "What! No it's not that, i have other friends you know"

"Oh then what's their name?" Marie teases.

"Um.. uh their name is..." Brenn begins to think of someone 'John? no hes a servant, then Fredrick? no hes my merchant.

"Ha so I'm right you don't have friends" Marie says triumphantly.

'haha she's right Brann you really don't have any friends'

'Quit it Debby'

Brann thinks for names or people who might be his friend. Then giving up realizing that he doesn't.

"Aww don't look down, You said so your self that I'm your friend so it's fine" Marie says trying to reassure Brann.

"Thanks i guess"

This went on till late at night, with Marie asking Brann questions about magic and why he know all of these things. She then talks about her life and how her parents pamper her and how she wants to use a sword and become a knight.

Then the door to his room opens up as Brayan and Thera enters with Mavis behind them.

"Oh so this is where my daughter has went" Brayan says.

"It appears that you and Brann have become friends, wouldn't you say so Mavis?" Thera asked.

"Yes definitely its sure looks like it" Mavis answered.

"Well come now darling it's time we go" Brayan says picking up Marie.

"Aww but Brann hasn't finished his stories yet" Marie protested.

"That's lovely dear but we must be on our way now" Thera jumps in.

Seeing as how Marie is going to throw a fit Brann tries to calm her down "It's fine Marie I'll finish my story nest time OK"

Marie finally relents "OK" she sighs "Promise?"

"Promise" Brann said with a smile.

With that the Threader family has left along with most of the guest, as the party dies out Brann is left alone in his room with his Mother seeing the guests out.

'You really invited her here again?'

'I know, it was a mistake she was going to throw a tantrum so i said that to calm her down plus i was tired, it is already late at night'

'Well you should sleep then you have training to look forward to for tomorrow.

'Oh right i forgot about that, you're right i need to sleep'

'And don't forget Merchant Fredrick is coming too'

'Oh yeah him, thanks Debby'

'No problem'

'You know i actually have another friend'

'Oh and who's that?'

Asher sighs 'You' he says as he cover himself with a blanket and proceeds to sleep.