Chapter 22

Coen's maturity as the brother equally amazes their parents just as much as Toren's talent does.

They shine with different values, but they were good to each other, nevertheless.

During the scholarly teachings, though, Coen was considerably more diligent and patient.

He always listened attentively to his father about being a soldier and about the importance of loyalty and freedom. And so, at such a young age, Coen was such a patriotic and loyal young man that they were assured that he would be the last person to even think of betraying the country.

After a few hours of training and teachings, Muren would gather the other members and have their meetings.

Meanwhile, Airen would collect her sons and they would return home, leaving Muren working on other more important things.

At home, Airen would give them snacks.

"The training today must have been quite exhausting," She said. "Both of you did a good job."

"I did not do much, mother," Toren chuckled. "Coen was really amazing earlier. He had finished father's teachings in a shorter time."

"Someday, when you join me, I bet you will be better," Coen said. "You were quite amazing too, you know."

"All of you are amazing," Airen intervened. "Including your father. We are all working hard, indeed. And we must keep up the good job for our improvement becomes a benefit to the village too."

After resting for a bit, Airen did some laundry while the children played nearby, chasing each other and role playing some events they had seen from the neighborhood.

When dinner had come, Muren had also returned to their house.

The meals were already prepared by his family and he was warmly comforted with them.

They would have a conversation about ordinary things and wash the dishes afterwards.

When they were finished, Airen privately went into a room with Toren.

"What is it, mother?" The boy asked.

Airen was a little hesitant at first, but she figured her courage was needed.

"Do you perhaps remember what happened last night?"

Toren's brows furrowed. "Last night? Of course! I have dreamt about gazing over the stars with you, mother!"

"Gazing the stars with me?"

"Yes. What about it, though? I dream a lot. I dream about weird-looking animals, running naked, flying through the sky and discovering the world!"

Airen stared at the boy for a while, observing some imaginary shadows lying beneath his irises. Hidden and inconspicuous and forbidden.

"What about flower beds and sipping stars and your father slowly dancing with me? Have you never dreamt of those things?"

Toren stared silently for about a minute, not pondering about anything, but seemed more like he was waiting for the right timing to answer.

"Mother, are you perhaps talking about beautiful gardens? Was that it?"

Airen ended the conversation soon after clearing some doubts. From the looks of it, nothing seemed out of place with Toren.

He did not seem to be aware of his appearance to the otherworld.

And so, after telling those things to her husband, they decided to test it again.

At night, when all the lights were blown off, people prepared their beds and got ready to sleep.

Muren and Airen simultaneously went to the otherworld just like the usual and gazed around to look for anything more peculiar.

After a few strides away, they have seen their second son again.

He was still peacefully sleeping on the rose flower beds without even bleeding at the thorns as if he was actually lying by some fluffy clouds.

"Shall we wake him up?" Airen asked.

Muren just shook his head slowly whilst staring at their son. "No. Just let him sleep. It might have caused some mysterious curiosity to us, but he seemed peaceful with his slumber. He does not pose any harm, anyway."