Afraid

Edgar was exhausted when Sir Woodwin finally released the class before the fifth evening bell. He quickly found the guardsman his father had assigned to watch him across the street from the school house. Edgar approached her the same as he always.

"Don't you ever go and do anything else then stand here while I'm at my lessons?" he asked .

"I would young Lord, but alas to gamble one needs coin which I don't have currently." she smiled as she adjusted her studded leather tunic. the one reason Edgar accepted his father's wishes and kept this guardsman around was because she refused to wear breastplate or chain complaining that it made too much noise or allowed little to no movement. "Come now young master Crescent, your father is expecting you to join him and your sisters for supper"

"Fine then Cylia I get it, will my brothers not be attending?" Edgar could only wonder at what his two elder brothers thought of him, he had neither their looks or lust for warfare and military strategy.

"They are attending a conference with a viscount about gaining a new barony to expand the Good Kings lands." Guardsman Cylia replied as she retired her flax colored hair into a tight bun and walked with Edgar through the streets of the small town his father governed.

.....

Earl Vincent Crescent was troubled after the supper he shared with his three youngest children. As his two eldest were ready to go to war, his two daughters only interested in wealth young men, and his youngest... what would become of Edgar.

"Your face is scrunched again old friend" Murk said from the corner of the room.

"And your still a short little shit Woodwin" Vincent sighed relaxing slightly at seeing a good friend. The two men shared a laugh as Vincent sent a maid to fetch cups and ale.

"What troubles you Vincent?" Murk asked as he sat upon several book so he could see over the table in the Earl's meeting chamber.

"Well my gnomish friend, it's my children, tell me how goes Edgar's studies?" Vincent asked solemnly, having run a small portion of land as an Earl for the past 25 years had a draining effect on the former adventurer, and Murk could see this as he slid over several pieces of parchment.

"Edgar has great skill as you can see, but.." murk didn't finish the sentence as Vincent looked at his son's artwork, seeing that ever sketch contained an etheral flame or shadowy creature.

"What is all th...." the question died in the Earl's throat as he saw what could only be a self portrait drawn by his son. the image was of Edgar staring at his own reflection, behind him in the reflection was a smiling shadowy creature. "Is he taking liberty with your assignments or is he really seeing these?" Vincent was visibly shaken by the final image.

"Vince, it's not that simple, even Octavia mentioned that he would flinch at nothing in the beginning, Edgar hasn't said anything about it, he doesn't say much to me really"

"I'm just concerned that he has his mother's gift and no understanding... please watch over him"

"of course my friend"

........