Chapter One Hundred and Eleven - What had happened to him

Since Caprian had transferred to the inner alchemist school, thanks to a certain improved pill that he had stolen, then subsequently been expelled for the same reason, Tor had not actually seen the spoiled son of a renowned alchemy family.  Although it was true that his family were considered retainers of that family and therefore somewhat subservient, Tor had 'failed' in his duties as Caprian's person and allowed the other to fall upon the crooked path.  At least, that is how the two families saw things.  In fact, the moment he stepped a foot into his home, he'd been forced to kneel in shame before his angry father, who was enveloped in rage.

"We will immediately head to the Pricacorn Manor and you will begin for forgiveness from young Master Caprian and from the family head!"

"No," Tor had refused.  His father had raised a hand to silence him, but Tor had continued on; "Why should I be held solely responsible for Caprian's crimes?  A man can listen to advice, but he cannot be made to take it."

"Oh, so you claim that you advised the young Master not to rely on other's creations and pass them off as his own?"  His father had sneered.  Tor had not been able to respond as he'd known that this was not true.  He had not tried to stop Caprian from doing anything he wanted, all because of his own selfish wants that Caprian had promised to help him with, namely transferring to the Beast Taming School.  Instead, he had followed in Caprian's wake, just clearing up messes, bribing seniors and on one occasion providing a life sustaining pill...  "You waste of space!"

"While I can't deny that I did not stop Caprian," Tor had admitted, quietly, "it was his lack that had him destroy his future as a student of the Institute."

"Lack?  What lack?!" His father had refuted.  "Young Master Caprian has the greatest potential of your generation when it comes to alchemy!  All he required was a strong, guiding hand and yet you failed in this!"

Caprian was born with two roots.  Ordinarily, such would be considered a hindrance, not a boon, but there were always exceptions.  Those with a fire and wood type of either major or minor roots usually had the most prodigious talent in alchemy, able to better temper the fire and understand the herbs within their cauldron.  Though Caprian's roots were flame and plant, meaning that his potential while not peak, was not to be sniffed at either, his lazy and impatient nature meant that whatever talent he might have was wasted.  He hadn't the temperament to sit about a cauldron and create pills.

Tor had mentioned this to his father, but simply received another backhanded slap.  Tor  had spat out blood on the floor, unwilling.  "You're a fool!  Caprian is likely to become the next head of the Pricacorn clan and you slander him in this way!"  His father had lifted his hand ready for it to fall again.  But he then hesitated, not expecting that his younger son would begin to laugh.

"If that is so, then the future of the Pricacorn clan is bleak," Tor had shaken his head, then dared glare at his father in the eye.  "And what does that mean for the sons you willingly gave to the Pricacorn as slaves?"

"Tor..." his mother had pleaded him softly to stop, but Tor had simply shaken his head again, while his father had denied their roles in the hierarchy as such.

"Really?  Did you ask Caprian for his opinion on my position?" Tor demanded to know.  "Just because there is no official contract, to Caprian, I was no better than a little servant bought in from outside.  Or did you not know this already?"

"Young Master Caprian is just young," his father responded, dismissively, gesturing with his hand.  "Young Master Caplin's relationship with your older brother was also like this once."  Tor noticed his brother roll his eyes and shake his head a bit in denial.  Caprian's older brother had never treated Tau like he would a servant, only ever a trusted subordinate when it was necessary and a close confident at other times. 

Tor's earliest memory of Caprian was when they were six and the spoiled youth had ordered him to climb a tree as he wanted the sweet fruit hanging from it's branches.  And what had his father told him when he'd refused?  That it was his place to serve the young Master well, that he should have sought an older servant to get a ladder and get the fruit for the child.  In fact, anytime that Tor had made attempts to reason with Caprian in the future, his father would just remind him of his duties.

"Anyway, clean yourself up," the man had washed over Tor's arguments as if they were just an irritating cold breeze.  "We'll head to the main House after you are presentable."

"You haven't listened to a word," Tor had risen to his feet.  "While I have no problems apologising to the Pricacorn head for my part in the situation, I won't speak a word to Caprian.  If he is truly the heir, then he should admit to his own faults, not place them on my shoulders, which I imagine from this lecture, is precisely what has occurred.  He is no longer my master and I am not his subordinate."

"You dare reject this honour?" His father's expression had been incredulous. 

"What honour?  What rejection?" Tor had sneered.  "If I recall correctly, it was Caprian that abandoned me the moment he entered the inner school as he desired.  And after his expulsion, I was brought in for questioning by the Teachers regarding my role in the matter.  It turns out that Caprian claimed that stealing pills, beating and framing students, that was all my idea, that I had done so without his knowledge, just handing him the pills as proof of my loyalty to him."  He'd naturally denied it, he'd admitted he'd suggested to Caprian to buy pills from the poorer students when he'd found out Caprian was threatening students and he'd admitted very shamefaced that he'd kept quiet and just watched when Caprian beat others.  If it had not been for Teacher Volun and Teacher Sagi speaking up for him, he likely would have been expelled as well.  "I owe Caprian nothing."

His father had slumped back in his chair, at first seeming to have no words, but then, he'd said what Tor least expected; "From this day, I have no second son."

"Husband!" His mother had exclaimed, but as she was ruled by this man, she was unable to overturn his decision.  His father had always been loyally blind to the Pricacorn family, indoctrinated to think of the past glory of the two families at all times.  Forget the falling state that both were in now...

Tor had left the home of his birth without looking back.  He did have some regrets, he missed his warm older brother and loving mother, but he did not wish to have his name nor any possible descendants tied to the old alchemy family any longer.  Especially not one to be headed by a youth who despised his own heritage the most.