Life change - Part 2

Buro appeared calm on the outside. Sometimes, he also smiled proudly at his son. He was a more sentimental man than his rudimentary appearance suggested. With a more serious expression, he took a step forward and stood close to the brown-haired boy.

Although Lince wasn't considered a tall boy, he had already matched his father's height at just fifteen years old. In fact, they looked very different, and his growth highlighted that. His brown hair became even lighter, as did his amber eyes, while his face was thin and delicate, the opposite of Buro's appearance. Lince also retained his slender body, and unlike Rude, he still had some of the innocent boyish features he had in his childhood.

"This is the first time we've been apart for so long..." Buro began, and his voice tried to convey confidence to his son. But he lacked words to continue.

Lince knew that behind those words, there was concern. And with a big, reassuring smile, he said, "Don't worry, Dad. I'll be fine."

"I know you will." Despite saying that, Buro was already worried about his son. He just tried to hide it from the boy.

Still smiling, Lince continued, "I'm not going to a dangerous place, after all. And I'll be back soon."

"It's just that..." Buro paused, looked at his lord, and shrugged.

"What is it?" Lince noticed the subtle change in his father. "Are you hiding something from me?"

"There's nothing to hide," Lord Aspriel said.

Something worried his father, Lince thought. So, to comfort him, he showed a big, confident smile.

After his mother's death, only the two of them remained. They became even closer to each other as his father tried to fill the void she left behind. That's why it was painful for him to leave and see him stay behind alone. But it's not like they would never see each other again, Lince thought.

Buro put his hand on his son's shoulder and looked into his eyes as he said, "Behave while you're there. And try to stay out of trouble."

"You can count on it!" Lince replied enthusiastically.

Unlike Rude, Lince lived his days without pursuing any vocational activities like fencing or having any lasting hobbies. He wasn't good at fieldwork like his father either. Sometimes, his life seemed too simple, and he missed doing something more exciting, like going on a real adventure. And maybe one was starting at that moment.

A few days ago, Lince learned that he was going to a academy for young nobles in the kingdom of Asterl. With the news coming so last-minute, he hardly had time to prepare. In his bags, he packed very few of his old things; everything was new and prepared by the lord. So, it wouldn't be strange to think that, starting this spring, he would begin a new life, completely different from the one he had been living until now. Thinking about it made him feel a new enthusiasm, but it also brought new fears.

"Well, I'll ask you one more time... if you can stay out of trouble, it would ease this poor father's mind," Buro said, with a voice that was a mix of nostalgia and concern.

At that moment, Lince looked down. Maybe his father didn't have as much confidence in him as he thought.

"I think he already understands," Lord Micaelo said, with a relaxed smile.

Lince smiled again and said, "You can count on me, Dad. I won't do anything to cause trouble for you and Lord Micaelo."

Buro trusted his son, but he also knew him well enough to worry about him living in an environment he was never prepared for. But what choice did they have?

Buro looked again at Lord Aspriel, who returned the gesture with a nod.

"Why are you still there?!" Rude shouted from inside the carriage, and his voice was far from friendly. "How long are you going to make me wait?"

Sitting on one of the comfortable seats in the vehicle, Rude had an ugly expression, and some veins were bulging on his forehead. His patience, after waiting for so long, had already run out. He was tapping the sole of his new boot against the floor vigorously, making an impatient sound.

Buro suddenly approached his son and gave him a tight hug.

"Dad... you can let go... I need to go now..." Lince said with a muffled voice.

Lince waved one last time to the men before entering the carriage. Then he sat on the opposite side of the other passenger. The coachman didn't wait a second longer; he cracked the whip over the horses and made the vehicle move quickly until it found a steady and pleasant rhythm.

"Now that the mourning for King Algus is over, the kingdom must be in great turmoil," Buro murmured. "Are we doing the right thing, aren't we?"

Micaelo agreed with his servant's words. He also had his own reasons to worry because the change of kings was always a turbulent period among the five kingdoms, especially concerning the four duchies of Asterl.

Algus had indeed had a good reign, being considered a just and wise king. The kingdom had prospered economically, and he maintained good relations with the neighbors. However, no one could predict what the next king would be like or what his intentions would be. Or how the kingdom's enemies would act during this time without a sword's owner. This generated an atmosphere of uncertainty for everyone.

Still, for Micaelo, his greatest concern was inside that carriage. After all, he could already imagine the problems that would come very soon, and about that, he could only feel bitter about the choices of fate and wish the boy good luck on his new journey.

"I'm sure this year the academy will be even more chaotic," he suddenly murmured, but his smile seemed positive.

Unlike Lord Aspriel, Buro didn't show any kind of confidence when he said:

"I still think sending him to that place wasn't a good idea." He then sighed before continuing, "Lord was generous in paying all of my son's expenses, but I can't say I'm not very worried about it."

"Let's stay calm," Micaelo said, putting his hand on Buro's shoulder. "This was a request from King Algus himself before his death, remember? How could we refuse? If he had a thought that Lince could be the next Master, there's no reason why we shouldn't have it too."

"That's what worries me the most."

Buro's concern had a valid foundation. Micaelo still had a clear memory of that day when Algus, already weakened by his illness, knelt before them and made an unthinkable request: "This is not a lie, Lord Elliot. Your son could become the next Sword Master. I beg you, please, don't hinder his path. But guide him, as you have been doing."

Who could have imagined that one day this could happen? But deep down, perhaps Algus's words weren't so unreal.

After coming out of a brief reverie, Micaelo put his hand on his servant's shoulder to support him. They both watched the carriage travel along the winding road for a while, until it disappeared into the misty forest.

The beginning of a journey was starting there.