The 4Month & 2Days


    The good news is that I have gained a certain level ofcompetencein this world''s language. It is amazing what effect having nothing to do butmemorizewords has. The bad news is that I have hit a major obstacle. There is only so much that crops up in conversation around me, and I simply cannot remember words I have never heard!


    I have tried pointing at objects and saying a random sound. Maybe then someone would comment on it or tell me the correct word. Said methodworked a couple of times as well.But it cannot be used on a regular basis, purely because of the suspicion it would generate. What actual baby would be intelligent and focussed enoughto learn the language in this manner? No, I have to limitmyself and spend time on other activities.


    And my chosen activity is currently physical fitness and control. I would prefer to learn magic as a means of getting strongerbut, despite meditating like mad, nothing has come of my efforts. I haven''t given up on magic though. Definitely going to ask about it once I can actually speak words, and am old enough to not give myself away. Fornow,though,I exerciseand babblemy days away.


    The 4Month & 2Weeks


    Ican crawl! For a short way, at least. It feels... underwhelming.But what did I expect? It is crawling. I can also prop my body up in a sitting position against the side of the crib. Much better for seeing out of the tent flap, which in turn is much better foralleviatingboredom. The line of sight is limited, unfortunately. I can tell people are moving back and forth doing some sort of task. Don’t know it''s nature. What I do know is that most everyone is busy - except for me.


    I adjust my posture back and forth, but no luck with getting a clearer view.Still, physique wise it seems likethe daily workout of moving my limbs as precisely aspossible until exhaustion sets in is working. Pushing my body upwards used to completely drain me.I haven''t done my exercisestoday though.


    Well, since I''m going to be taken outside in a moment I want to preserve my energy.And, right ontime, theslave girl namedYunare-enters my tent and smiles down at me. She''s the one who has been looking after me the most recently. I thinkthe middle-aged woman, Maya, is busy with whatever it is that everyone else is doing.


    "Young Master, we will now leave."


    It is a veryformal modeofaddressfora baby. Irritating as well. Because of all this respectful speech I still, to this day, have not a single clue about what my name is. Do I even have one? As I muse on the potential identity crisis chaosyou couldinstilin a child this way,Yunadisturbs mycontemplation. Scooping me up gently, she tucks the shawl a little more securely around my small form. It''s sunny, but given the speed of the wind, the temperature is slightly chilly.


    As we exit I realize what all the commotion is about. The tribe is packing up, most likely another migration. Tents are being taken down and the herds which normally roamfree are being rounded up. It''s done with super efficiency. Dimensional storage is a serioustransportation cheat. As soon as a box is filled it vanishes off into wherever and the men and women move on to the next task.


    Yunalooks at a loss for a moment, before she spotsTsuriin an area full of childrenand heads in that direction. It turns out to be a makeshift playground surrounded by boxes which also serve as benches. After settling herself down she sits me on her lap, since the boxes block the wind there is no need for the shawl any more.


    The play is mostly unsupervised. Adults passing by take a glance now and then, iftheyaren''t in too much of a hurry.Stick fightingseemsto be the game of choice here. And despite the fact thatTsuriis only four or five years old, that is something he excels at. It''s not just because he''s big for his age either, he actually has some skill.I watch him knock thestick out of hisopponent''shand, impressive given that said opponent is a head taller than him.


    Of course,any admiration that might have risen upissoon scuppered when he proceeds to kick that boys leg, hard enough that a whimper escapes. Laughter erupts as a result, especially when no attempt at retaliation takes place. I''d like to say it''s justTsuribeing an arrogant brat. I really, really would. But that''s how the pecking order in the playground is established. I''ve seen it all before. JustnotwithTsuriinvolved.


    But seeing him in action iswhy I have decided that today I will begin Plan Prodigy! Starting with my crawling skill...Well, thatisthe only appropriate skill I can considershowingoff.I amexceptionallygood at crawling for my age, yes, but not ridiculously so.If I recall correctly basic crawling should be achieved by six months old.So,four and a half months is early enoughthat Iwill likely beseenas a prodigy.


    Thisis something thatI both want and have to do,fortwomain reasons. The first is thatI have no intention whatsoever of becoming cannon fodder, I want to have a say over my life.This leads to the second factor, whichis thatmaintaining a position as a talented individual willbring benefits.A higher position in this society, a more luxurious life in the future... Is it really so wrong to want this?


    I saw the difference between how myeldest and second eldest brothers were treatednot long ago. Even though the eldestson should be the mostfavoured, because he is seen as aweakling, all the attention is lavished onTsuri. I don''twant to be spoilt rotten, but all this time in my tent has really driven it into me that I need social interaction, company, to not bealone. I want friends, if at all possible.


    "Catho!"


    Tsurishouts out suddenly, happily and most of all,sarcastically. He''s good at sounding gleeful. But his smile is malicious.


    "Whatare you doing brother?Reading? Outside?"


    That''s right. The person he''s addressing is my eldest brother, whose name I now know. He holds an old leather book in his hands, the spine is cracked and the pages are almost falling apart. I strain my neck to get a glimpse, but as expected I cannot read this world''s letters.


    A small groan of frustration escapes me andYunaflinches. Shelooks pale and stats rocking me gently while mumbling a lullaby as quietly as she can. It does make sense, though. If I were a slave and Ifoundmyself in a dispute between noble''s children I wouldn''t want to be noticed either. I do quiet down however. Gut instinct says that I need to observe this. And it is at that moment thatCathoresponds toTsuri.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    "Yes."


    The monosyllable carries through the silence. But that silence issoon shattered.Tsuri''sgroup resemblednothing more thanhyenaswho have scentedblood. They crowdhim, pushing and shoving and making barbed comments. Watching to see what he reactsto, what his weakness is.


    Only he doesn''t react at first.Cathojust glares at them – that is untilthey try and snatchhisbook, giving himan elbow to thestomachin the process. Then he doubles over and has a coughing fit. And while they scramble to get out of the way, he directs it all over the book. Before his lips form athin smile.


    "You still want it?"


    He holds out the book towards one of the larger boys. The one who had tried to pry his fingers of off it immediately prior to this. The recoil is immediate, and just like that the roles of predator and prey have beenswitched. AndCathoisn''t letting them escape. Flicking open a page, he draws it along his finger. Blood wells out, a red blot on the parchment.


    "Here it is. Go on. Take it. And maybe you''ll change. Become cursed. Just. Like. Me!"


    At this point the circle around him has formed again, but at a greater distance. No-one speaks up. Does that mean that curses are really a thing here? Well I mean, I''ve seen elemental and dimensional magic, as well as the runes on the tent inaction - soI suppose yet another typeof magic existing isnottoo muchof a stretch. Ah, but I''m lettingmyselfget distracted. Back to focussing on the stalemate.


    Or not. Why? Because am much older boy, earlyteensperhaps,steps forward. Which is abnormal since some of the unwritten rules that I havepicked up on are as follows. Fights between similarly skilled or similarly aged opponents are fine. ButTsuriis what, four and something? AndCathois two years older thanTsuri, I definitely heard that brought up inthe taunts,sohe is approximately six? Even if they joined forces, which would be never, they couldn''t win against an at leasttwelve-year-old youth.


    Not that they want to.Tsuriis the first to react and hastily bows his head. All the children in his group, and most of the othersfollow suit.And not just becauseTsuridid it. That older boy exudes arrogance. And judging by his clothes, which are finer than the ones that Mother wears, and the elaborately decorated sword sheathedon his waist... Well, he most likely has the status and skill to back up that pride.


    After my momentary distraction I realised that I was once again bundled up in the shawl.Yuna, however, was making her way to the exit with as much stealth as she could. Did I just get abandoned? Since I''m already propped up on the bench-like seat,I might as well watch the proceedings for the time being.


    "Now, what occurred here to cause such a commotion? We start forthe Heartlands in a matter of days, was your squabble serious enough to justify a delay?"


    The older boysmiles gently. Still giving off a super-intimidating aura though. Taking a fortifyinggulp of fresh air,Tsuriis the one to respond. Albeit reluctantly, and after checking to see if there was any other option.


    "No. I apologise, elder brother."


    Wait... What?!


    "Apology accepted, do try not to err again."


    Does that mean that everything is okay now?Of course,not, how could it be? I don''t get this? I have a step-brother? Or a cousin called elder brother as a form of respect? Maybe he''s just that high ranking...? While I don''t have a good opinion of my mother, she would have had to be a child at the time of pregnancywerethat the case. Please, don''t let my dad be a paedophile. Though that would explain his absence... Gah!


    "And you, I am very disappointed in you."


    So now he''s moved on toCatho. Literally, the arrogant12-year-oldwho may or may not be my brother steps forwards and plucks the book out of his arms. He then begins to pace in a wide circle. Did I refer to the younger kids as predators before? I was wrong to. This one is the real deal.


    "Your lineage may not be noble, but it is scholarly.Yourgrandfatheris Chief Chronicler of our tribe, dedicated to preserving knowledge for future generations. To defile a book with your blooddeliberately... how could you?"


    So,he was watching everything for a while then. And chose the most opportune moment to intervene, how very cunning.


    "You have brought shame upon your family. Ah, Imisspoke. You are a living disgrace to our family already. But you were not satisfied and had to continue to contaminate your maternalgrandparent''sreputation. How can I tolerate this-?"


    "Young MasterAmbrai. What a surprise to see your illustrious self at the playground. Surely you are not one to indulge in childish fits of fancy?"


    Mother has just arrived,Yunaclose behind. But even though her words are composed, the woman herself is not. Slightly out of breath, slightly less than immaculate hair and accessories... she must have rushed over as soon asYunaalerted her to whatever it is that is so serious. And, par for the course,Ambrai''ssmile doesn’t waver in at all.


    "Naturally not, Third Mother.I was merely attempting to resolve a dispute between brothers. Alas,your sonsseem to have inherited a certaindisposition of disrespect. It truly surprises me. HonouredFather has never had any such trait in his bloodline."


    For the record, I have in no way beendisrespectful. I am a baby, and remarkably well behaved for my age. Though my anger pales in comparison to mothers. Her jaw muscle is twitching and that smile is more of a grimace. But she hides it quickly, eyes flicking back and forth, taking in everything that happened. Before the word I expected forms on her lips.


    "Catho! You wicked child... to steal from my personal library... and to try your brothers so!HadTsurinot prevented you from doing so, that book would be in tatters, would it not?Do you wish to anger me to death? To scorn out ancestral spirits?!


    Thankfully Young MasterAmbraiwas passing by and was able to assist...Young MasterAmbrai, thisincompetentmother offers her gratitude. I admit my faults in raising an insolent child and will accept the consequences of my actions."


    Tears begin to spill down her cheeks.


    "IUzure, willsacrificeto theancestors and beg forgiveness. ButTsurihas barely seen four Summers,and only meant well in preventing hisbrother''sevil actions!Ignorance is bad, but not as insidious as malice.Pleading with Young Master to explain this toHonouredHusband so that justice is done!"


    Ambrailooks deep in thought, brow furrowed as if he is trying to solve an impossible problem. Even his voice, when he speaks is pensive.


    "But a great wrong was still done. And justice must also be served in that regard..."


    Mother looks up through long eyelashes, glistening with her unshed tears.


    "As much as it pains me to say, what can I do but agree?Cathomust face the full consequences of his actions..."


    "Hey!"


    It is at this point thatCathospeaks up, and manages to get all of one syllable out before Mother reacts.


    "Quiet! What did I do to deserve this unfilialchild...?"


    She then sways slightly, as if about to faint.Yunaquickly moves to support her.


    "Madam! Ah, Madam! Your body is still weak..."


    AmbraiwatchesYunafuss over Mother, annoyance brieflymaking itself known on his features. He sighs.


    "Very well then. I shall relay Third Mother''swishes and repentance to Honoured Father, and willlikewisesacrifice to the ancestorsfor your health to improve."


    He then turns and leaves. After everyone else is gone the colour returns somewhat to Mother''s face and she rushes over toTsuri.Yunahurries over to check on me. And a summoned guard is tasked with detainingCathoin one of the yet to be dismantled tents. He''s muttering curses and glaring at me, again. But Mother doesn''t seem to hear him.


    No-one speaks for the entirety of the trip back to my tent, and Mother andTsurido not linger there either. Fatigue mixed with emotional exhaustionhits me hard and before I know it I am out of it once more. Honestly, I''m surprised I lasted this long.