Chapter 19: The Dinner Conversation.

Another year passed and the children were almost five years. It was mid-summer thus the brilliance of the sun didn't diminish one bit. The scorching heat called for iced drinks ever so often. It shone brighter on all residents unbiased.

The flowers withered while some retained their blooming resilience and beauty. The fields that spread as far as the eye could see had golden yields and harvests. It was a season of celebration and happiness. 

Over the past months, the children had persisted in their daily lessons on magic and sword. Lucien had made more significant improvements. He had memorized four more spells and could execute them to perfection. 

These were aqua, flame, breeze, and earth. Aqua was a water spell that could conger up water and to some extent manipulate it to hover and stretch. The Flame was a fire spell that would light up a small nail-sized amber fire. Breeze sent a soft wind blowing and could help sweep dust away. The Earth spell could manipulate soil, dust, mud, and stones. 

Lucien had also memorized the symbols and activation words for spells such as freeze, blink, darkness, daze, and many more. The only issue, lay in that he could not execute them. Either the symbol was too complicated or the spell was hard to pronounce, this, he had no idea. He practiced all day, every day to activate them to no avail. He didn't give up, however.

He spent more of his effort on further perfecting his mastery of the five spells he had mastered. Either by helping clean, lighting the stove, or gardening. 

At this point, he felt an inkling within him that there was a wall blocking him from further improving. This feeling grew as the wall became more perceptible by the day, but he didn't know how to go around this dilemma.

As usual, asking his father, Merlin was out of the question.

Mikaela and Lucien had grown slightly taller. Lucien still held his baby skin while Mikaela had his puffy cheeks. In recent days, they had gotten their first haircut. Their silky baby hair had to be shaved as per the tradition of the kingdom. Later it was burned and left no trace in the world, not even ashes as it was done by magic fire. It was to offer a part of their children to the ancestor dragon and thus be blessed by its benevolence and protection. 

At least, the parents just wanted to do it for the sake of it. Not to anger a being they couldn't go against. 

It was only until recently that they were no longer bald as a short layer grew on their heads. Mikaela had been making fun of Lucien as long as he got the change forgetting his head was just as bald. Lucien was impassive to all the jokes and fun Mikaela made. 

Bianca was especially regretful since none of her hair products for Lucien seemed to fit him anymore. So for the days that Lucien didn't have a bow hanging on his head, he was glad, although he would never mention this.

…

On an evening, which was hot, the windows were opened revealing a dining room with six individuals gathered.

On a large dining table, the meal was served for six. On the table were, Bianca, Merlin, Lucien, Anette, Mitchell, and Mikaela. They were served the delicious chicken stew with pan-baked bread and vegetables on the side. The broth was an appetizer with an addition of a secret spice recipe mixture. One that Bianca had perfected after countless trials and experiments in the kitchen. 

It was a wonderful breakthrough for the family. She was so good at making meals now that they proposed to have one or two meals of the day together just to taste her cooking. Bianca was more than happy since she was free most of the time when she was not helping Anette with her research.

Anette currently had a new look on her face. Nothing changed except her dark circles and heavy eye bags from days of missed sleep. She was reading the countless books the family had given them and some of the mage's collections. She had become a bookworm for the past year in the severe sense of the word. The pressure of having found no solution to their predicament left her completely helpless and desperate

She believed if she could find a solution, it would be out of her current resources. She had tested and tried all rituals and now she could be called a master of the art due to her practice.

Anette had come to a decision.

"The food is delicious Mom!" complemented Lucien.

"Yes, Auntie. It is so good!" added Mikaela while nodding in agreement.

The table was cheerful until the end of the meal, the plate having been wiped clean.

"Stay a while, I need to talk to you. All of you!" declared Anette. 

She had her signature cold voice but her expression could not be any less concerning. Her eyes looked tired and at her wit's end. She placed her elbows on the table to support her chin and when everyone's attention was on her she said,

"Children, you know I have been doing research over the past year, right?" She looked at Lucien and Mikaela who subconsciously nodded, "Well, with the village resources I am unable to complete this research. It is time you knew of the world beyond the Grinas village."

Lucien and Mikaela widened their eyes. They were in utter shock and delightful surprise and in profound enlightenment at the same time. 

'So that is why we are different from the other villagers, we aren't from the village. I always thought it was weird being called outsiders.' Lucien nodded thoughtfully.

"The village is just a black water place which is isolated from the rest of the world for unknown reasons…even we haven't figured out why. We can leave and return by will but this only applies to us since we are 'outsiders'," Anette emphasized and motioned the rest of the adults to continue.

There was a short silence since they had no idea where she was going with such a stunt. It was too random, even for Anette.

She hadn't discussed it with any of them, not even her husband, Mitchell.