Family

It was an annoying journey to visit his mom today because of the large crowd blocking the street. Nathaniel suppressed the urge to elbow everyone out of his way on his walk there and it was to their luck he made it there with time to spare or else he would have. Nathaniel's mom's home was on the second and third floor of a three-story building. The first floor was a bakery that was also owned by his mother. The bakery was called Helen's Charmed Cakes because who wouldn't be charmed by her as she likes to say. Nathaniel's mother didn't originally own the whole building it was because Nathaniel bought it for her as a gift that she did.

Nathaniel cared for his mother and though the two aren't blood related he sees her as nothing else besides his actual mother. Helen's bakery was still closed because it was still early and all the goods have to be freshly prepared. Nathaniel entered the bakery through the backdoor by using a key he owned. Stepping inside he entered the kitchen where he saw Helen's preparing an assortment of different baked goods. Like cookies, cakes, bread, and other such items that were expertly designed making them look more appetizing. Helen has employees to assist in this work, but they don't start work this early and even if they did Helen's wouldn't stop working she opened the bakery because she likes it not just for the money.

Nathaniel closed the door and said with a sneer, "hello, mother".

Helen rolled her eyes while kneading the dough and snapped back, "I'm not your mother you thieving child I have no children so stop calling me that you make me feel old. It's Helen for god's sake Helen".

Helen rolled her tongue when she spoke giving her a heavy accent. She was short about 5'3'' had vibrant puffy red hair with curls and smooth plain skin. Her clothes were nothing exotic she wore plain clothes that she didn't mind getting dirty that were all covered by an apron.

Nathaniel chuckled a bit he knew Helen didn't like him calling her mom or whatever that's one of the reasons he does it. Nathaniel replied with a bit of joy, "but you are old so shouldn't I treat you as such".

Helen slammed the dough down on the counter while fuming at the ears as she stared at Nathaniel. "must you say these things Nathan I'm not even 90 plus I still got the looks to charm men half your age don't you remember Danton".

Nathaniel held back the urge to hurl once she brought up Danton again. His disgust about that subject wasn't an exaggeration. The horrors of what he saw that day could not be expunged only buried deep in his mind. Nathaniel steadied himself on a wall while Helen enjoyed the sight of his suffering.

After easing his stomach Nathaniel stated," I thought we agreed never to speak of that".

"Oh, grow up you baby your 50 for lord's sake. If you didn't want to see me getting my face painted then you should learn to knock before entering a room".

"Knock it was in the middle of the kitchen my adopted father's kitchen might I add. It didn't even look right It was like a horse taking a piss".

Helen blushed at that fact and added, "well you weren't the only one surprised by that it was almost more than I could handle".

While waving his arms around Nathaniel said, "THIS!, this is why I banned all my friends from coming here".

"Don't get your knickers in a bunch if you don't want me to keep bringing this up then stop calling me old especially when you know I get more action than most of the other young ladies out there. Now be a dear and take those sacks by the door to storage for me there only 300 pounds each so you can do it by yourself".

Nathaniel already expecting Helen to get some free labor out of him. Use to it Nathaniel took off his overcoat and placed it on a counter nearby. Nathaniel picked up the 2 sacks fairly easing and carried both with one hand each. Nathaniel barely felt their weight they were both like two oversized pillows and didn't find the activity challenging. As a leshman even an unfit adult can lift 400 - 500 pounds above their head. The typical average any full grown adult should be able to lift 1 ton. Nathaniel took the sacks into a storage room and tossed them in without care the two heavy sacks flew across the room like they were made of feathers and landed on the other side.

After dusting himself off Nathaniel left the storage room and laid eyes on some freshly made pastries. As he tried to grab some the screeching voice of Helen stopped him.

"What do you think you're doing you thieving beggar. Those are for the customers stick to the day-olds like we agreed or pay for the good stuff like everyone else".

"Oh, come on I practically paid for this entire building and renovations just let me take what I want".

"It's because you did all those things that I even let you take the day olds for free every day. You didn't think I did it because I loved you? I'm running a business here haven't I given you enough. I let you suckle on my tit for free long enough or is it that you wanted to keep taking from this lovely woman who fed your scrawny ass warm meals when you were living on the streets. I honestly regretted giving you that piece of cake when we first met you know because I couldn't get rid of you afterward. What surprised me was the kind of man you turned out to become who knew that all it took was a piece of cake to turn a rat into a prince? So, as you can see you owe me for everything you have. If it wasn't for me you would have probably starved to death and if it wasn't for your adopted father Douglas god rest his soul who knows what else would have happened to you".

Helen's account of what happened when they first met is far different from what he knows and remembers, but he lets her keep her story because he didn't want to upset her. In defeat, Nathaniel gave in to Helen's demands and didn't sample any of the newly baked goods while she was looking that is like a proper son.

"You know what kind of life I lived before I met you and what I was trained to do. So, stop saying that you saved my life. I would have been fine on the streets. No average Joe can kidnap me. Also why are you speaking as if Douglas is suddenly dead. I saw the man last week".

Helen scoffed, " a man, ha-ha. Are you sure about that? I know no man that loses the will to even look at himself in the mirror after a single breakup. The Douglas I knew is lost alongside his pants and died who knows where".

"Ya, well you didn't exactly let him down easy. Nearly 20 years of being a faithful partner and that's how you end it".

With shock Helen confronted Nathaniel, "What are you saying that its my fault. I thought you were on my side".

Brow raised at the statement Nathaniel took the initiative to set the record straight, "Ok, here's the facts one I'm on no one's side because I don't want to get to deep into your mess of a life and two it's completely your fault".

Aghast Helen had difficulty closing here jaw. " Ah, I can't believe you I can't believe men. Your all so clingy and needy especially whenever I want a few weeks of alone time. Besides It's not like I hid anything from the man he knew from the start what I was doing or well who I was doing at the time. He was even apart of a few of them I have proof on video in my collection if you want to see".

Before his brain could even fully register what Helen said Nathaniel on reflex shouted "NO!". It was a shout fueled with enough horrid memories that Nathaniel's forehead began to perspire with sweat from the strain.

Taking a deep breath Nathaniel centered himself regaining composure. " No, for all that is sacred in the world no. NOT AGAIN".

Helen rolled her eyes at the what she felt was an over exaggerating buffoon. "Fine drama queen".

Nathaniel ignored her snide remark to say with no humor in his voice, " listen don't speak just listen. You are wild, carefree, and somehow far more of a child then I ever was even on the day we first met. To tell you the truth I don't think anyone will be able to rain you in but for the love of God woman your going to end up alone forever if you don't take it down a few hundred notches. Harems may be a common thing but you're really pushing the limits of it. I mean just come on you party like your 20 yet still flirt like your in your 50s. You're an absolute wildcard and I love you but I think you have to face the fact that Douglas is the best you're ever going to get".

Taking great offense to those words Helen snapped back, " the best I can get are you trying to say my looks have faded are going to fade. What makes you think that I have reached my peak? Tell me are my tits not perky, is my ass flat, do I have crows feet, hmm. What about me makes you think I have to settle for anyone."

Halfway through her shout at Nathaniel, Helen had grabbed Nathaniel by the collar of his suit and hoisted him up into the air as though she where a bouncer at night club about to throttle him. The disparity in the two's sizes made the scene awkward. But the mad look in Helen's eyes made reason have little sway hear.

With a bit of difficulty Nathaniel tapped Helen's wrist submission to get her to loosen up, she did not. With no other choices Nathaniel sucked up to he to get her to call down and see reason.

"No I would never say that even a fool would be able to see how beautiful you are. Everyone else is just a side character to you you're the main show on every stage".

Helen blushed as she held her cheek with her right hand and held Nathaniel up with her other as he squirmed in it.

"Oh, stop you flirt you're just saying that".

Frantically Nathaniel replied, " no, I'm not". While inside his mind he shouted the obvious answer, 'of course I am'.

Her rage quelled Helen thought about what she should do for a second before throwing Nathaniel on he floor.

"Fine you can keep living, now get back to work and no more talk about Douglas out of you. Do I make myself clear".

With those words and murderous glare later Nathaniel was toiling away under her with as much gusto as a paid laborer.

While toiling away Nathaniel got bored completely forgetting about the terror that befell him as quickly as it came, so he brought up the situation at the port.

"Did you get a chance to see the wreck at the dock yet?"

Helen remarked, "Of course I did I live right next to the damn place how could I possibly not. The World Navy is sending those people to their deaths I tell you. We have been fighting those filthy creatures for hundreds of years yet we're no closer to exterminating those monsters than we were a millennium ago. Those new behemoth-sized battleships cast in iron they paraded around in the harbor brought hope, but it turns out it was just a falls hope. Those things outnumber use 1000:1 our situation is so bad it makes you wonder who the dominant species on this world really is?".

Helen looked upset as she spoke about this topic which wasn't surprising the ever-present lanshi problem has affected everyone in some way. Overseas trade has at times stalled or completely halted, travel between regions is far more perilous than it should be, and the amount of orphans because of the high death rate when facing those creatures is far higher than anyone would like it to be. Nathanial a prime example of the former has experienced firsthand the difficult life one could potentially face once they are thrown from their homes and left to the mercy of the system.

Orphans aren't as well looked after as people think more often than not they disappear with no one knowing or caring where they went. Orphanages were more like a fight for survival there was no guarantee you would live a comfortable life only that you wouldn't die on their property. Nathaniel wised up only after a month since there were too many orphans and not enough resources Nathaniel left on his own accord to see his chances on the streets because at least there his chances of reaching adulthood at 14 and claiming his inheritance left to him by his actual father who died serving as a soldier in The World Navy.

A deep seeded anger for his father was left in Nathaniel's heart because of that and with his father, dead Nathaniel directed his anger at The World Navy. Nathaniel dislikes The World Navy because they convinced his father to join them with their constant propaganda campaigns. Nathaniel's father before he joined The World Navy was a mercenary. Nathaniel watched him leave to fight under the banner of other lords over territorial disputes or whatnot. It took weeks sometimes even months but in those days Nathaniel knew that he didn't have to worry because his father would always come home to him.

At times tired, drunk, beaten, smelling like blood, or caring a new scare, but he still came home. Those times were simpler Nathaniel knew the chances of his father never returning one day but hope kept him from thinking of it. So, it was that more devastating when it all ended because of one trip out to sea. The accumulated emotions that he kept buried burst out like a flood gate and nearly broke him. Those were dark times in his life those memories hurt but weren't something he'd want to forget because if there is one thing he learned from the teachings of The Iron Ring its that the pain he feels ignites his heart on fire it shapes who he is now and now he is on the path to being who he always wanted to be.

With that in mind, Nathaniel replied to Helen, "you know that The World Navy receives no favors from me but even I can set aside my indifference with them and see the bigger picture. Many have died yes, but our entire race would be wiped out if we didn't fight them. Our battle has raged on for so long most people don't even see how deep it have affected us culturally. Let's do something easy and take our days of the week for example. Do you know why there are 10 days in a week?".

Helen had a feeling she knew where this was going. She sighed and answered what she thought because she felt a rant coming on and if past experiences have tough her anything there was no stopping him now. "because there are 520 days in a year and it would be stupid for there to be something like 7".

Nathaniel shook his head in disagreement and stated, "that's a practical answer which would make you correct at an elementary level but the true reason is because it's a reference to one of the oldest text in the world. It refers to our birth, the world, the lanshi, and even a bit about god funny enough. The text is long and boring so I'm gonna paraphrase don't quote me on any of this.

On the first day, there were leshman the embodiment of pride, resilience, and the pinnacle of intelligence. On the second day, there was discontent. On the third day, the world grew sick and from this sickness, lanshi came they are madness, hunger, vile incarnate, impure, the plague. On the fourth day, there was drought, ruin, the fall. On the fifth day, there was war. On the sixth day cataclysm, a flipped world, a split tomb, mercy. On the seventh day, there was peace. On the eighth day, man mourned. On the ninth shape took form. On the tenth day, there was war, rebirth, order. This is what each day of the week symbolizes, so do you see?"

Helen a bit confused replied, "see what?".

"How deeply rooted lanshi are in our culture and also how stupidly inconsistent history is. I mean come on god was only referenced once and that was on the sixth day. You would expect God to be the beginning or at least have created the beginning, right? But, no we were the beginning which is an acceptable answer since people are self-centered as shit. But, what about the second day discontent for what, about what, it could be anything? Since the lanshi only started ruining things on the third day it still doesn't explain the second. Not to mention the anomaly on the tenth day. It says war but with who? The lanshi, ourselves, it makes no sense, and other philosophers have discussed and written books on the subject but it's all basically just 400 pages that translates to I don't know.

Helen zoned out partway through Nathaniel's rant as she typically does and only snapped back after he finished. Back in the present Helen said, "well that was riveting but I think after that display you overstayed your welcome".

Nathaniel suspicious replied, "you weren't even listening to me were you?".

"Of course I was you know how much I love how much you fact check and prattle on about history like some teacher".

Nathaniel sensed the sarcasm in her voice and gave her a piece of his mind.

"You know without history we would be lost in the world. Do you have any idea the amount of real life legendary figures actions shaped our society, culture, religion, entertainment".

"No, but I'm sure you'll tell me that's why I want you gone. My lord your obsession with history baffles me to this day. Why don't you just chase skirts around like a normal boy your age".

"History is the only skirt I fancy gazing under at this time. I only occasionally cheat on her with geography but don't tell history that she rarely forgets mistakes made by men". Nathaniel whispered softly into Helen's ear tickle it with his warm breath.

Helen pushed Nathaniel away because he was making her uncomfortable. In disgust, Helen replied, "ugh, you're such a loser no one cares about any of those things, so why do you?".

"I care because no one else does. I want to become an archaeologist, a leading historian, I wish to uncover every secret in the entirety of the world and map it. That's why I can't stay still in this city any longer I need to go out and uncover what's underneath. That's why I-I'll be quitting my job soon".

Helen became wide eyed at that statement and smacked Nathaniel across the face on reflex. Pain covered the left of Nathaniel's cheek after Helen struck him. Flustered, confused, and furious about Nathaniel's choice Helen shouted, "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU! Are you out of your mind you lunatic that's the stupidest thing I have ever heard you say?

Quitting your the youngest senior treasury member of the board of treasury. You're one of the few in line to become head treasurer of the entire kingdom yet you're telling me you want to quite.

Nathaniel sucked his teeth as he rubbed the left side of his face that stung greatly as he replied, "Yes".

*SMACK*

The first time was an accident but this time sure of her decision Helen put her back into it and let loose her frustration out on Nathaniel's face.

"You are practically at the top of society's hierarchy yet you want to throw that away for what a pile of rocks and dirty manuscripts. I've seen how hard you worked do you just want to become some nobody all over again".

Nathaniel putting his foot down on this matter stated, "I am throwing nothing away. Decades ago I swore an oath with my brothers that we would escape the cycle of torment we were thrust into and achieve our dreams. I am just as ambitious then as I am now. I may be stepping away from the dreams of another, but that job is not my calling.

"But you could have so much if you just stay there". Helen's voice was choking up as she strained her voice.

"That place is no longer for me that job is a dead-end the current head treasurer isn't going to die any time soon. The blood of the young is keeping him rejuvenated and by the looks of it, he'll even outlive you. Besides that even if he did suddenly keel over there is a zero chance I'll take over because the head treasurer is chosen by the king not elected".

Helen still had a look of disapproval on her face, Nathaniel calming down explained, "this to you may seem like a foolish idea, but it's what's best for me. I'm not happy there anymore and I'm not going to suddenly fade away into society's background good or bad I'm going to be famous I already have a sense of direction on how just trust me and I'll promise you the world will know my name. I just need to see it one more time".

"See what?".

Nathaniel had a slip of the tongue but played it off and got the subject changed. Helen was still against it all but she knew she couldn't exactly force Nathaniel to do anything so she only gave a small suggestion.

"If you don't like it fine, but just promise that you will think your actions through and be sure that this is what you really want a hasty decision can ruin your life.".

While smiling Nathaniel replied, "I've already thought long and hard about this already. I will see this through to the end no matter what it takes. Just wait not long from now people will be writing books about me have a little faith in your son mom".

Less concerned and more pissed off by Nathaniel's words Helen says, "I'm still not your damn mother. If you were my son you'd be listening to what I say and be neck deep in a pile of naked women not textbooks".

"Everybody's kids go through a rebellious phase this just happens to be mine".

"Ugh, I'm tired of you just get out you waste of space".

With time getting closer to start his day at work Nathaniel put up no resistance and went off to finish his final days at work.