After Rinna’s reassurances, Avryn prepared to get back to Baradov. Just before he left, Rinna told him to call her if needed. He nodded at her before embarking on the boat heading to Baradov. He produced the business card from his person and called the number.

  “Hello, this is Roderick Sterling speaking,” the other person from the Scribe answered.

  “This is Avryn Starbright, I’d like to schedule a meeting for this afternoon,” Avryn replied.

  There was a pause, and then an answer.

  “Of course, of course. I’ll arrange for it. I’ll see you later.”

  The Scribe beeped as the call finished. Avryn took a deep breath, and then sighed. The first step was made. Now for the next one.

  Half an hour later, he finally reached Baradov. He booked a cab to Vistopolis. From there, he booked another cab to the address on the business card. The jewelry shop wasn’t too far away. He arrived on time. Another cab was there.

  “Are you Avryn Starbright?” the driver asked.

  “Who’s asking?” he replied.

  “Redorick hired me to take you to his house,” the driver explained.

  Avryn nodded and got in the cab. A ten minute drive later, he arrived. It was a mansion. Avryn took a good, hard look. They must’ve had a lavish life then, he thought. He sighed and disembarked from the cab. He was greeted by a couple of maids. They bowed.

  “Welcome home, master Avryn.”

  To be called master when he was never the master of his own fate back then. It felt like a stinging sensation going up his back. He gritted his teeth and returned their greetings. Redorick came out and greeted him.

  “Ah, you’re here. Come, we shall have plenty to talk about inside,” he gestured.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  The mansion didn’t look all that bad. It looked more humble than the rest of the mansion’s he’s been so far. Not too big, neither. Perfect size for a family of four, he reckoned. He was guided inside and seated by a dining table. Two women sit opposite of Avryn, the younger bearing some resemblance to him.

  “My wife, Keylaureth. And your sister, Revina,” he introduced them to him “My loves, this is Rerios--”

  “I much prefer Avryn, thanks,” Avryn corrected him.

  “Ah, I am sorry for that,” Redorick bowed. “Please, eat. Keylaureth made it all herself.”

  “I didn’t know what you preferred so I cooked a bit of everything,” the older woman smiled.

  Before Avryn was a bounty of freshly made dishes. Plenty of them being meat. Avryn instinctively went for the steaks and veal. The rest of the family begun eating as well.

  “So, how did you know me?” Avryn asked.

  Redorick explained he first heard of him through the Battle Festival tournament. He saw on the newspapers his face and confirmed the family resemblance. Gut feeling also helped reinforce that. Avryn couldn’t deny. One look at Redorick and him, the resemblance is strong between them. That answered one question. Time for a few more.

  “How did you lose me? And why didn’t you come after me?”

  To answer Avryn’s first question, Redorick recounted that dreaded day. They were on a cruise ship. It was supposed to be a family vacation. Then, Corpse swimmers attacked the ship, they had to call for help. The ship was quickly sinking, and people were guided to the lifeboats. Redorick and Keylaureth were separated so the care of a young Avryn was given to the former. More attacks ensued before the military arrived and helped them. A storm came by and drove Redorick’s boat away from the others. It presented itself a target for the straggler beasts to attack, but Redorick fought like a madman to keep his son safe.

  Holes in the boat started to form, however, despite his best efforts. There was one grave choice left for him to do. He grabbed a plank and threw himself overboard. The plan was the removal of the weight would prevent the boat from sinking faster. He swam for hours on end,, pushing the boat one direction and hoped for land. Exhaustion got the better of him and made him fall unconscious.

  Avryn paused. He knew the latter half of the tale.

  “Fortunately, that baby landed on the shores of Kuldrin,” he told him.

  “Kuldrin, of course.” Redorick felt like kicking himself for not thinking that.

  Almost aware of that, Avryn spoke.

  “You never thought of going there? Not even once?” Avryn almost snickered.

  “Believe me when I tell you this,” Redorick leaned forward. “I had used all my resources in finding you. Had I known that, I would’ve swam to Kuldrin, myself.”

  The man could not hide his shame.

  “You must’ve had a terrible childhood,” he guessed.

  “It was neither terrible, nor was it any good. But I survived. I’m alive,” Avryn answered. “I had to learn or perish, and I refused to perish.”

  “I am sorry. Truly.” Redorick bowed.

  Avryn made eye contact with Revina. She bashfully looked away, not sure of what to do or say. He then looked at Keylaureth. Deep regret was in her eyes. How else would a mother had felt knowing her son suffered and yet she couldn’t come to comfort him.

  “Look,” Avryn straightened up. “I didn’t needed family then. Like I said, I survived. I fought for my life every day and it has gotten me to this point in my life. I will continue to fight for the right just to breathe the free air. Now you expect me to be happy and finally rejoin the family?”

  “I only wish for your forgiveness and understanding. What comes next is up to you, son,” Redorick bowed his head.

  “Don’t son me,” Avryn snapped.

  “My apologies…Avryn,”

  Avryn leaned back and thought of everything that has been said, but couldn’t. Not with all of them here. He stood up.

  “Well, thank you for your time. I have a lot to think about.”

  Redorick stood with him.

  “Of course. I hope you’ll come for another visit soon,”

  Avryn was awfully pessimistic.

  “Who knows when that’ll happen. I have my own duties to fulfill,” he explained. “Thanks for the meal.”

  Another a short sigh later, he left the mansion.