Through The Fractured Lens

Lucian

We entered inside the manor as bright lights overtook my vision for a mere moment, before adjusting to the lighting.

It was... amazing.

Swirled patterns outlined the walls, with tall baseboards to compliment. Dual spiraling staircases leading upwards, with a jaw dropping chandelier hanging from the ceiling above.

Whoever this man was, he was rich.

I wonder how Draven met him—their relationship, per say.

Entering in silence, we began walking towards the left and down into a long hallway. Paintings flooded the walls, along with different artifacts, blades, and other items cased perfectly along the sides.

We kept walking until we turned into one of the rooms, which held a large couch shaped like a half circle, with a fireplace just off to the side.

Gesturing both of us to sit, the man began pouring tea into 3 glasses, of which Draven stopped him from pouring him one, slightly raising his half empty bottle of liquor.

He slid the glass over to me before sitting down himself, taking a sip.

"So, what brings you over to my house? Or Vorrak in general, Draven?" The old man asked, however he continued to look over at me.

"The town got raided. I was on my way here for my own reasons, but this boy here was taken by the bandits, so I went ahead and brought him with me," he began, pointing at me with his bottle still in hand.

"Anyways, I was hoping you could help me figure out what to do with the little guy. Parents died in the raid, and no other known family," Draven finished.

"You know I'd like to help, but I've already fostered 10," The old man shot back, surprising me.

This guy? Fostering 10 kids?

Draven took a second before replying, thinking of what to say. "Well if you can't take him exactly, what do you want me to do with the little guy? Can't exactly take him with me, you know."

The old man finally look over at Draven. "You could. After all, this kid is a spirit user at the age of 7. Maybe he could learn a thing or two being with you."

"Him, learning from me? Only thing he'd pick up is my drinking."

Yeah, he's right about that.

Draven let out a late chuckle before looking over at me, then back at the old man. "Besides, I get myself in dangerous situations more times than I care to be, that's not the kind of environment I'd want to drag a 7 year old around in."

"Maybe so. As I said before, I don't think I could be of any assistance to him," The old man replied, leaving Draven clearly unsatisfied with his answer.

Finally, I decided to speak up, getting a little tired of this conversation.

"Since I'm the main point of conversation here, you mind if I have a say in any of this?" I asked.

Both Draven and the old man looked over at me, both equally confused. I took a second to see if any of them were going to shut it down before I continued.

"Even though I'm just a mere child, I feel as if I can handle myself quite well. Now I don't mind what you decide, but please keep that in mind. Those bandits are lucky they caught me in a poor situation," I explained.

Tension built up in the room quite fast, clearly shocked that I said that—or anything, for that matter. Finally, the old man cleared his throat.

"Well, Draven was right. You are quite the interesting one, are you?" He asked.

"As interesting as I am, I'd like to resolve this," I shot back.

The old mans confusion covered his face clear as day. I probably shouldn't have talked like that, however if I wanted things to go my way—exploring this continent and figuring out more, I needed to speak up.

Finally, Draven burst out laughing before controlling himself, ready to say something.

"Many days spent together yet you still are full of surprises, kid."

"Whatever you choose to do, It can't be here unfortunately. You're welcome to spend the night, however," The old man spoke up.

Draven shot him a grin. "I appreciate your hospitality."

"Oh shut up," the old man replied.

"Oh my, where are my manners! I forgot to introduce myself," the old man began as he looked towards me. "You can call me Thorne, I'm an old friend of Draven's."

"My name's Lucian, and it's no problem," I replied back.

After a moment of silence, Thorne got up and began walking away. "Now, if you follow me, I'll show you to a guest room, you can get cleaned up there."

I got up just after smiling at Draven, as I followed Thorne.

Walking in silence, Thorne brought me back out to the main hall before going up the stairs and into a guest room that looked nicer than any room I've ever stayed in.

We walked in before he quickly left me to go chat with Draven more.

After taking a minute to rest, I looked around the room—more specifically, the bathroom.

The room was an interesting contrast to the typical design this manor held. The floor was a harsh, rocky black tile, with deep wood walls and a dark yellow light that appeared just slightly dim above the whole room in the center.

'Too tired for this,' I thought to myself.

I started to run the water in the bath just for it to warm up slightly as I began to take off my clothes, practically diving into the water.

It had been forever since I could actually clean myself. From the bandit attack, to traveling through the woods, now inside Vorrak—being attacked within just a few hours of arriving, which was just of my luck.

***

After cleaning up, I walked outside with fresh clothes and down the stairs, where I heard mumbling coming from the other room.

"What do you expect from me?"

"—dangerous for someone his age!"

As I walked in, they both paused as they looked over at me, clearly not expecting my arrival. Without saying a word, I sat down beside them once again.

Before I could speak, Draven stood up.

"So, Lucian. Appears you'll be coming with me for a while," Draven began.

"Well, I'll be in you care then," I replied with a wide grin.

"Unfortunately so," Draven replied before letting out a chuckle.

The old man, Thorne, cleared his throat, getting our attention. "Of course as I said before, you guys are both welcome to spend the night before you leave tomorrow."

"Thanks," I shot out, before getting up again.

Thorne gestured for Draven to follow him, likely showing him up to where he'd be sleeping.

I went back over to the stairs and into the guest room that I'd be staying before slumping down onto the bed, which was oddly comfortable in contrast to it's weird fur coating.

'I wonder where this life will take me,' I asked myself.

Finally, I closed my eyes, allowing myself to drift to sleep after a long few days.