The View

"What can I do to help you out?" (Rehor)

"Just relax for today, you only just got back. Take it easy." (Mother)

"But.." (Rehor)

"Take it as if you're a guest. You don't need to do a thing." (Mother)

"I'm used to do nothing. I'm always busy, I don't know what to do with time to myself." (Rehor)

"That's all the more reason for you to relax." (Mother)

"But…" (Rehor)

"Rehor…" (Mother)

Live in the hall was not easy, to say the least. However, ignoring the some of the worst parts of training, it was a rewarding life. Education on different areas of study, was something done on a daily basis. Either be it by reading from books and scrolls, or from physical labor. Everyday we were busy.

Now, seeing my family, all having work to do, they want me to just sit here, and do nothing. I do not know what to do with myself, without something to do, or distract me. It is vexing.

Today, Father is walking about the woods, and is trying to decide which areas of the forest need to be thinned out. Mother, she is finishing up the work around the house, before she helps Katarina with the garden. As for Sofija, she is just playing around.

"Sofija, what are you up to?" (Rehor)

"No~othing." (Sofija)

"Why don't we do nothing together?" (Rehor)

"No. I don't want to." (Sofija)

Cheeky brat. I know she does not have anything to do, but she is putting off my advances to play with her. I am bored. Let me play with you.

I will admit, I do not know nor remember how to play with children. It is hard to even remember the games that I played with Katarina, when we were young. And to try to remember anything from my previous life, is nearly impossible.

As for trying to tell her a story, impossible. None of them that I know, are appropriate for a child as young as he is. The ones I know about, are only focused on more mature themes. And the stories that I can barely remember from my other life, I am not able to make them consistent with where I am now.

How do you tell a story about a lumberjack and a blue ox? I can barely remember that an ox is some type of cow-like creature. But, there are no cows around this land. And other such tales I remember, are similar in that I can not relate them to what I know about here.

"You don't want to play with me?" (Rehor)

"No." (Sofija)

* * *

I did yield to the demands of my mother, to not do anything. Well, that is not completely true. As I was getting agitated, with nothing to do, I decided to wander around the land, that had forgotten what it was like.

Seeing the peaceful terrain, with all of it's wandering hills, was a sight that helped nurture my being. The majestic trees, rising high into the sky, are a thing of wonder. How old they must be to grow to such heights. The lush clearings of clovers and flowers. The stream running near the house, with it's clear blue water. The small things, that I never appreciated.

All the things, that would remind me of what I had lost. I could not live here and see these things without being reminded of what I had to go through in my training. I, now, want to be near my family, but I can not live here.

* * *

"Are you done with your training?" (Father)

"Yes. I just finished with it a few days ago. I'm free to do whatever I want to, now." (Rehor)

"And do you have any plans? Have you decided what to do?" (Father)

"I have an idea of what I want to do? But my plan has changed a little bit, so I'm not sure how it will work out." (Rehor)

"What didn't work out?" (Katarina)

"Please don't ask. It's private." (Rehor)

"Come on, tell me." (Katarina)

"Katarina, don't try to force your brother." (Mother)

"Yes, Mom." (Katarina)

"I was thinking about becoming a carpenter. It is one of the better trades that I learned, throughout the rest of my training." (Rehor)

"You could do that, but there is not that much of a need for another carpenter. Alvis and his son, have barely enough work to keep them busy. I'm not saying you can't do that, but.." (Father)

"I see." (Rehor)

"Why don't you go to Lord Girts. He might be able to help you out." (Father)

"Is he the one with that the house where I used to help you deliver wood to?" (Rehor)

"Yes, that's who I'm talking about. He's a good person, that looks out for the land that he is in charge of." (Father)

"I guess my plans change once again. It'll take up your suggestion Da...Father" (Rehor)

"What were you going to say? Were you going to say Daddy? Are you embarrassed to say that?" (Katarina)

"No. I...I… Never mind." (Rehor)

Dang, that girl. I was just trying to call father by a more mature title, and now she is mocking me for that. Has she no respect for her older brother?

"You can stay here as long as you need to." (Mother)

"Thank you, Mo...ther. But, it's mid-summer right now, and this place makes me think of the training I went through. And, I don't want to think about that too much. I want to make my own life." (Rehor)

"What did you do?" (Sofija)

"There were some, uncomfortable, parts that I had to go through. It was needed, but, it was...difficult." (Rehor)

"What was it?" (Sofija)

"I'd rather not talk about it." (Rehor)

"Why not?" (Sofija)

"It's painful to remember." (Rehor)

"Why?" (Sofija)

"Come now, Sofija. Rehor doesn't want to be bothered by your questions." (Mother)

"Yes, Mommy." (Sofija)

"Thank you." (Rehor)

"Don't be worried about it. But remember, this place will always be your home. No matter what." (Mother)

"Yes, Mommy." (Rehor)