Chapter 7 A Gift

The celebration is now in full swing with many people dancing and getting drunk. This sort of thing is a breath of fresh air as the country is yet again gearing up for another war.

Brann on the other hand is enjoying himself with many merchants who are trying to gain favor with the Ashflame family. As Brann is presented with gifts, Many being toys and trinkets but a few have been promising. One was a book on the introduction to Magic, it doesn't teach magic but it will explain it. He was given a sword which was too big for him to carry. The sword was nothing special but it from the look of it, it looked to be strong and sturdy.

"What is this hole for?" Brann asked the merchant who gave him the sword.

"Oh, then let me explain young master, The sword is a rune sword" The merchant explained "Kind of like a Magical sword but it doesn't need Magic, the hole is for a rune stone, simply place a rune stone on it and it can embody the rune stones magic" The merchants name is Fredrick.

'Huh, best to keep him in my families pocket, i wonder what i else i can get from him' Brann thought as he looked the sword over.

"So the sword is really strong?" Brann asked.

"Well sort of, it's not as popular as magical swords because rune stones have to be replaced after being used at a certain point" Fredrick said.

'Huh, something like this is perfect for me, but the problem now is the rune stones'

"Do you have any rune stones?" Brann asked.

Fredrick smiled "Well as luck would have it i do have a crate or two would you like to take a look?"

"Yes please" Brann thought. "But let me ask mother first"

"Oh No need, i'll bring the crates over to you young master, it is after all your birthday" Fredrick said as he walked away.

"Sir Fredrick please wait have one of my servants accompany you" Brann yelled.

"That would be most helpful young master" Fredrick bowed and waited for a servant to help him.

'Are you sure about this?'Debby asked.

'Yeah this is an alternative to magic, and i'm quite lucky to have stumbled upon this'.

'What about your mother?'

'Ahh crap i totally forgot, i was so caught up in the Rune sword that i forgot about her' Brann began to think of ways to fix the situation.

'I think I've got it' Brann exclaimed.

'Oh no that's not gonna work' Debby retorted.

'Oh it will'

Brann walked over to where his other Mavis is talking to other women.

"My little boy is just the cutest hahaha, oh and speaking of my little boy here he comes" Mavis looks over in the direction of where Asher is walking.

"Hello honey let me introduce you to my friends, This is Carly Corvalius the wife of Baron Michel" She said pointing towards a woman in her early thirties. "Mary Broven the wife of master merchant Arilius" Pointing at another woman also in her early thirties. "And this one here is like my own sister the second wife of Duke Jorrvell Duchess Valarie" Mavis pointed at another woman this time in her Early twenties.

Brann greeted them all "Good afternoon Madams" He said as he bowed down.

"Oh and he knows how to address us also, Mavis your child really is indeed brilliant and let us not forget cute" Said Mary.

Soon all of the women had circled around Brann hugging, pinching and kissing his cheeks.

Debby of course was getting a laugh out of this 'How's it going cutey pie?' she asked in between laughs.

'Oh can it Debby, I've got to get to the point' Asher thought.

"Mother can i please have a sword?" Asher asked. He smiled as if his life depended on it.

All of the women stopped and looked over towards Mavis. 'Haha score put someone on the spot where they can't say no, Sorry mother but this is how life works'

"So? Carly asked "Will you get him a sword he is a boy after all and it's good that he's engaged into some activity early, My son Will bless his soul is too lazy for his own good"

"Yeah" Valarie agreed "My son too has been quite lacking in in physical activities he's always in his study reading"

"Same with mine" Mary also agreeing "My daughter has nothing but clothes and dolls in in that head of hers"

'Thank you ladies for your input, it should definitely sway my mother into saying yes to my request' Brann thought "Please Mama" Asher said hugging his mother tightly and showing her a sad face.

"Uhh yeah sure honey tell what sword you would like" Mavis finally agreed.

"Oh i have already picked one Mama" Brann said as he pulled his mother along. The other women too had tagged along curios to see Brann's requested sword.

'I have to admit being a child has it's perks' Brann thought happy with the results of his calculated pleading.

'To be completely honest i never thought that it would work' Debby interjected.

'Thanks Debby that's really inspiring'.

'No problem'.

Making their way over to where he and Fredrick parted ways.

"Ahh young master i was beginning to wonder where you were, Oh and it appears that the Baronet and company has graced me with their presence" Fredrick said bowing.

'Oh you're not smooth talking my mother' brann thought.

"The sword Sir Fredrick i would like to look it over as well as the.... Shinny stone" Asher asked him pausing to correct himself 'I don't think my mother will be thrilled at the idea of me having Rune stones'.

"Certainly" Fredrick said dragging a crate over and opening it revealing stones of different colors. "And the sword" Giving Brann the sword.

"Here Mama the sword i wanted" Brann said giving it to her.

"Hmmm it's not that pretty looking, are you sure you want this one? i could get you one that looks cooler". Mavis said looking at the sword.

Fredrick got worried seeing that his items might not be bought.

"But i like it Mama and it's strong too" Brann said making Fredrick relieve.

"OK then how much for the sword?" Mavis asked.

"The shinny stones to Mama" Brann said.

"Very well the stones also" Mavis said agreeing.

"Well the sword would be ten gold coins and the crate of...." Fredrick said looking over at Asher. Asher then ever so slightly shook his head.

"The crate of Shinny stones will be forty coins, But as it is the Young master birthday i will be willing to sell it for twenty coins for all of them" Fredrick says.

'Sly business man, Making it appear like a good bargain which it is but he doesn't walk away empty handed with the Rune stones, And good job for him on not telling my mother that' Asher thought.

"Ok then twenty coins it is" Mavis said agreeing with the price.

"Very well your grace twenty gold coins it is and may i also interest your company with my other wares?, I don't just sell swords or... Shinny stones but jewelry and trinkets that you won't get anywhere else" Fredrick said enticing the other women.

"Oh I would like to see that"

"Me too"

"Same for me as well"

All of the women looked over at Mavis waiting for her answer.

"I guess it wouldn't hurt" She said. "Honey please have the servants take your things to the carriage"

"Yes Mama" Brann nodded and quickly hugged her "Thank you Mama this is the best birthday ever" With that Mavis's smile returned.

"You're so very welcome my cutie pie" Mavis said before joining up with her friends leaving Brann alone with his servant.

'You sly merchant now i really have to keep an eye on you' Brann thought.

'Indeed, that guy just has a way with words, how come you didn't get me anything?' Debby asked.

'Don't worry I did, remember the Rune stones?' Brann answered her.

Debby remembered 'Of course now we can finally get to the bottom of this thing called Magic'

They walked on and enjoyed the party more until it was time for him to sleep as he is still a child. Sleep is Brann worst enemy as he tend to be sleeping a lot.

'tomorrow i will have to check with the Rune sword and Rune stones but today i need to sleep' Brann thought as he was being tucked into his bed by his Mother.

'Agreed' Debby too was tired.

"Good night Honey" Mavis said kissing Brann's forehead.

"Good night Mama"