Walking down the creaking stairs of our home, golden sunlight flowing through the windows. My wife rotates from fixing the table and preparing the meal on the stove.

  “ Dear, do you know where Valen is? “.

  She perks up and looks at me with warmth.

  “ Oh yes! He’s out playing with the kids again! They came by asking for him, they should be at the festival. They’ll be back soon though. “.

  “ Alright, I’ll go and get him home then, let me grab my coat then I’ll be off. “.

  The fresh air laced with the scent of flowers and bloom are potent to the senses this morning! I know their favorite play spot is the tiny ditch between our homes. As well as the biggest tree in the area between our yards, so Valen and his neighbor friends always climb it. Always catch them over there when I need to find the little guy. A couple months ago I even installed a swing on it, my, they never leave it alone now. The sun's light dimmed, clouds looking like they'd baked, rolled and fluffed in the sky. A bright moon barely peeking through.

  An old woman carrying her fruits passes by as I near the kids playing, she lives adjacent to us.

  “ Oh my Aelios, look at those three. They never stop, do they? You’re going to be a great grandfather soon I reckon! You, me and the whole village knows Kio has the biggest crush on Valen. “.

  She says happily and grinning.

  “ Ahah, it's possible. All three of them have been friends since they could run around. But I don’t know about the other stuff, we’ll see. “.

  Kio’s father, Pallius and his family have been old family friends. They’re forgers who have served the temple well with their craftsmanship. Pallius’ father, his father, and so on.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  “ Bye now Aelios! Sun’s getting low, have a good night now! “.

  I wave her off as she leaves.

  Walking down the ditch I hear laughter and see them all. Kio on the swing and her younger brother Penn begging Valen to teach him more fighting techniques. Valen and Kio were born within days, and were the only kids in this area of the village so naturally they grew close. Attended the same Academy, still do.

  “ Haha! Valen push me again! “.

  Valen is strong for his age, no wonder he's making her fly as he pushes her on the swing. What a charmer, like his father.

  “ Hey kids, it's getting late now. C’mon, I’ll walk you all home now “.

  “ Okay! “.

  they all yell. She asks Valen to slow down the swing, and he does. They all run off behind me talking about whatever it is they did that day.

  When we get to Kio’s house, which is next to ours, they all hug goodbye, and Valen shows Penn quickly how to throw a palm strike. Finally they part ways, but Kio comes running back.

  “ Valen, don't get too hurt during your training today okay!? Tomorrow we’re going to finally climb the top of that tree! You promised! “.

  She looks down and shyly blushes.

  “ Don’t worry, I know we will Kio! “.

  She responds

  “ See you tomorrow then! “. and he replies excitedly

  “ Goodnight !”.

  He’s laughing and smiling, maybe they really will get married, hah. Still a dense young boy though, we all are at the start. I look at him as we walk and slyly tell him

  “ Don't rush now boy, all men start dumb before becoming smart enough to have a wife, maybe you'll learn faster than I did “. He laughs.

  She goes back home and we walk together.

  “ I know you could climb that tree if you wanted to, why don't you? Most kids your age would love to show off you know. “.

  Without hesitation he tells me.

  “ Because I don't want to leave them behind, I want all of us to experience it together Grandpa! “.

  He's smiling again. We get to our yard, and take off our coats, and prepare to begin training. The air is finally cool, and the sun has sunk lower in the sky.

  “ The better you do boy, the better the food tastes! “.

  He laughs as we begin.