Faerdham

Lucian's eyes burst open as he is being violently shaken.

"Wake up!" Harald shouts angrily.

Harald slaps Lucian across the face with the force of an ox.

Color returns to Lucian's eyes as he is slapped back to reality.

Harald's angry expression lightens, seeing he is finally awake.

"What are you, an idiot?"

"Your first day as an apprentice, and you're already trying to kill yourself?!" Harald shouts some of his anger returning.

"Huh?" Lucian moans in confusion.

Harald palms his face due to Lucian's stupidity.

"Do you not know what you have done?" Harald questions him angrily.

Lucian shakes his head.

Harald shakes his head in response to this. His anger lessened to pity for Lucian's arrogance.

"You nearly died from mana poisoning just now. You're lucky I woke up just in time to heal you." Harald says calmly.

"Oh...Thank you." Lucian says apologetically.

Harald looks at Lucian with a stern face.

"This is no small matter. In most circumstances, overusing your mana as you have just done is a death sentence. If I had not learned healing magic during my days as a soldier, you would be a goner."

"What is mana poisoning?" Lucian asks with sincerity.

"Mana poisoning is the overuse of the mana circuits within your veins. After extreme outputs of mana, your circuits require rest to not be permanently damaged. What you have just done is strain your circuits to the point that they leaked pure mana into your blood, poisoning you."

"That burning feeling you felt is the sign for you to stop using magic."

"I guess I can't scold you since your circuits were still at a point where they could be healed.

However, I suggest that you never do this again if you want to continue using magic. Even with my healing, your body will still need time to recuperate." Unlike his stoic appearance, Harald speaks with a wise but considerate tone.

"I apologize. Now that I know, I'll be more careful." Lucian says, apologizing again.

Harald nods his head, understanding his pupil's lack of information.

"No matter, we will just have to postpone magical training for a while."

"Tonight's training will be altered," Harald says with dangerous ambiguity.

"Tonight?" Lucian says, surprised.

"Yes, tonight. Head to my quarters after dinner." A devilish smile creeps from Harald's lips.

The sounds of conversation drift into the carriage.

Lucian's eyes drift to the source of the noise.

"Until then, I suggest that you get yourself acquainted with your new home."

Lucian looks back to the Marquis.

"Yes, Master."

Harald nods to his apprentice before drifting away into thought.

Lucian turns back to the carriage window as the small village surrounding Faerdham Stronghold comes into view.

Dozens of people walk through the streets even with the sun having gone down sometime earlier. It is now 6 pm. Contrary to Skalborn, it seems that villagers here have no fear of crime. This can be deduced by the significant military presence that is present here. Soldiers patrol the streets in squads exponentially larger here. Around a dozen fully equipped soldiers walk past the convoy—a few of them reprimanding a man too drunk for his own good. However, the reprimanding is not harsh, as one of the soldiers takes the man around his shoulder, leading him back to his home. Various shops reside on either side of the main road into Faerdham and multitudes of residential buildings. With the strong military presence here, many families have established homes near their loved ones.

Moments pass by, the wooden construction used for the village outskirts is no more, as two-story stone homes become more apparent the closer Lucian gets to the castle.

The village comes to a close as stone walls fill the window frame.

Faerdham's walls stand 50 feet high and span several football fields in either direction. Towers reside along the wall at set intervals, concentrating near the gatehouse. Faerdham's keep rises high into the sky, it's top blocked by the Northern mists. Dozens of guardsmen stand atop the walls hurrying as inaudible orders bark. Faerdham's menacing iron gates begin to screech open as the convoy approaches.

'My new home. Didn't expect my life would lead me to live in a castle. I'd always fantasized about it when I was a kid since it seemed like a dream to escape those rough times. Life is strange.'

The convoy passes through the castle gates.

Inside the first layer of walls, there are many military buildings, including barracks, stables, smithies, and anything else you could think of to maintain an army. Ahead there is another layer of walls. Two gates are attached to this set of walls, one opening outwards and one inwards. They have both been opened for the convoy ahead of time.

The convoy passes into the inner layer revealing the keep in its entirety.

Faerdham Keep looks to be nearly double the height of the walls surrounding it, with four towers stretching even higher from each of its corners. The keep's exterior looks simplistic in its design, built for its utility rather than extravagance.

"We have finally arrived. Welcome to your new home, apprentice." Harald says.

Lucian's eyes still stare out the window taking in the changes to his life that will come in the next eight years.

Harald opens the carriage door stepping down to the stones below.

'I've finally arrived. It's time for things to change.'

Lucian follows Harald out of the carriage, his parents exiting their carriage simultaneously. At the same time, the convoy's guards begin to unload the wagon at the convoy's rear.

A tall man with a slender frame wearing a black suit shakes the Marquis's hand.

'Looks like he's the butler.'

"Welcome back, sir. I trust that everything was alright with your journey." The man says.

"Yes, thank you for your concern, Baldwin." Harald responds coolly.

"It's good to be back."

"I trust that I can leave them with you? I have business to attend to. Please send dinner to my quarters." Harald says with an air of command, gesturing to Lucian and his parents.

Baldwin nods. Seeing this, Harald begins walking towards the keep. While Baldwin gestures to Lucian's parents to come closer.

The family is now close enough for all to hear Baldwin.

"My name is Baldwin. I am the Head Butler of Faerdham Keep. Your family's accommodation will be one of my primary duties during your stay here. So please feel free to ask me for anything you may need."

"Thank you, sir." Lilith replies, half-curtsying in respect, as she carries Talia.

"Now, if you would please follow me. I will be giving you a brief tour of your new home before dinner is served." Baldwin says, bowing to the family before turning on his heels towards the keep's doors.

Lucian and his family follow shortly on his heels, eager to explore their new world.

...