" Perfect, I knew I could find you here."
The wind blew south carrying with it the cold sensation of the early winter, the sky was cloudless and ever blue, sanctioning the light from the sun. The old marble stones of the mansion's training ground were filled with snow, creating a cold but serene atmosphere. However, despite the chilling cold, a young man stood shirtless, indifferent to it all. In his hands, was a wooden sword and nothing but air before him. Time after time, he swung his sword as sweat run down his body. At a pillar not far away, a man dressed in a grey uniform stood, a hint of clear amusement plastered on his face.
Then suddenly, as if now realizing the man's presence, the young man in the snow turned to look at the man in grey. Slowly, a smile formed on his face as he made his way through the snow towards the man in grey.
" Uncle Jack ! When did you come back! you should have called or sent a message. "
" I did, but I guess someone was too busy doing sword practice. Ha ha ha! Look at you , you've grown so much, you're now just as tall as I am. How old are you now ? Sixteen?"
The two hugged each other then took a seat on the smooth marble tiles. Jack, the man in grey had deep grey eyes and a characteristic scar across his left cheek. He seemed young despite commanding the strong presence of an old experienced veteran.
" Seventeen actually, the last time you saw me I must have been twelve years old, that was before you left for the mist right?"
" Ha ha... it's been that long huh, but I'm glad that you're still practicing the sword, you've gotten better, the last time I saw you, you could barely hold a stick let alone a sword."
"I put a lot of effort into it, it's essential if I want to be a venturer one day."
" A venturer you say, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised... Aren't you cold, the winter can be very unforgiving."
The young man let out a chuckle before wearing the shirt that was hang on the pillar. His grey eyes fixed on his uncle's grey uniform, he hadn't failed to notice how his uncle had avoided the topic on the mist.
"I must agree, the cold is exceptionally dominant in the north. So, have you met up with father and the others, they must be thrilled to hear of your return"
" You'd be surprised...I've met up with a lot of people though, and they had a lot to say about the bastard of the Greys, the disappointment of the family. I hear goes by the name the Darn"
" Well I hear he doesn't like that name"
" Well, Dameon, if you ask me, you're an excellent Grey, bastard or not. Your family doesn't define you so don't let their words get to you. Oh, before I forget, I brought you a gift."
Jack stood up from the floor and let out a long sigh, as mist formed from his breath. He smiled before taking out a small wooden case from his pocket. Dameon, continued to fix his gaze on his uncle, confusion and anticipation written on his face. He took the wooden case from Jack and hesitantly opened it.
Slowly, the case was opened exposing a crystal vial with a black viscous fluid inside it. The fluid was black but still glowed, it gave off a mysterious and profound allure that staring at it made Dameon loose focus. The shock on his face was clear, as he managed to whisper the words.
" It's... an Elixar"
"Yeah, it's a black Elixar , I got it on my way back. It's still not stable enough for consumption but it should be good enough once the glowing stops, it's also important that no one finds about this or we'll both get killed for stealing from the empire. I don't want to be beheaded for such a trivial thing, well, I'll leave you to it then, I still have to meet up with your old man. See you later Dameon."
" Thankyou uncle Jack, really"
" Whatever, oh, take a shower, you wreak."
Dameon closed the wooden case and placed in his pockets as he watched his uncle walk away. The training ground was soon back to it's usual tranquility, as Dameon stood looking at the clear sky above him. He took the wooden sword and slowly made his way out the training grounds.
Soon, he was at the front of his room, a small servant house in the back edges of the mansion. It wasn't as grand but it was comfortable, good enough for him. Periodically, he could see other servants move in and out of their houses not far away. The horses in the stables weren't far away either and their occasional neighs sanction the already noisy environment.
" What's the point of having horses when there are cars ?"
After getting into his room, he quickly took a shower before examining the Elixar one more time. Soon, his thoughts drifted away before a knock on the door brought him back. After hiding it away, he opened the door bringing a young man into view. He was neatly dressed and had the same deep grey eyes.
" Hello bastard."
" Hello lord Stark, to what do I owe the pleasure of being honured by your presence ?"
" Spare me you bastard, I have a message from father. "
" Is that right, so he sent his little errand boy instead of telling me directly himself."
Suddenly, Stark pushed Dameon to the wall his cold grey eyes fixed intensely onto Dameon. His breathing was ragged and veins popped up on his head. He was furious.
" Stupid bastard, the only reason you're even allowed to live here is because father was kind enough to let you... The royal family will be coming for a banquet in four days, be sure to be there, and on your best behaviour too. I wouldn't want the princess to know that I was related to a lowlife like you."
" I didn't know that bastards were allowed in such occasions."
" If it were up to me, scum like you shouldn't be allowed to exist. I've said all I had to say."
Stark took a step back before pushing Dameon away, with a mix of disgust and anger, he spit on the ground before walking away. Dameon let out a long sigh and got back into his room.
Lying on his bed, his thoughts spiraled as he thought about his future. He wanted to leave, to be free of all the mockery, to be free of the toxic relationships of family. With the wooden case in hand, a small smile formed on his face. He had finally gotten a way to be free. Suddenly he felt his phone vibrate, that was when he saw it. Five missed calls and ten unread messages, all from uncle Jack.