343: Shared traits (Egon's POV)

Shared traits (Egon's POV)

Egon's eyes flared with incredulity.0

It was evident that this was no ordinary child. The falcon, a creature of the wild, had responded to the boy's call with a loyalty that transcended mere training. What caught Egon's attention even more was the boy's strength; his arm easily bore the weight of the falcon that was half the boy's size.

It was impossible.

'Look at his wrist,' Andreas communicated telepathically.

Egon's gaze shifted downward, and his eyes widened further. There, on the boy's wrist, was a one-of-a-kind stone that Egon had thought he would never see again. It was no longer in its original brooch shape; instead, it had been incorporated into a sophisticated design on a wristband that encircled the boy's arm. Before Egon could examine it further, the boy turned his back to the two men and focused on rewarding the falcon with a treat from his pocket.

While Egon remained in a dazed state, Andreas took a step forward with a wide smile on his face.

"You seem to be quite the expert when it comes to falconry. Who taught you how to handle birds of prey?"

Andreas's question hung unanswered in the air as the boy continued to blatantly ignore the two men as if they didn't exist.

"Would you look at how he handles that bird, Egon!" Andreas admired aloud, seizing the opportunity to engage Egon's interest after years of seclusion.

"Indeed," Egon responded a moment later, his gaze still on the boy's Emorian hair as it caught the sunlight, bringing back memories of the woman he had once loved.

How long had it been since he last had a conscious thought about her?

That woman's face and name were strictly forbidden in Egon's world. Of course, he could not prevent the retaliation of that action. For she haunted his dreams whenever he had the luxury of having one against the pain in his body, as if that peaceful charade he had set up in Kolhis mountains was too much to ask for.

Observing the range of human emotions crossing Egon's face, Andreas's own expression brightened as he turned back to the boy. "Young friend, would you mind sparing us a few moments of your time?"

The boy spoke without looking at Andreas this time, his small hand gently combing the feathers of the bird. "Outlander, you assume another person is deaf, but then you are the one who does not heed their words? Why do you insist on conversing with an unattended child after specifically being told not to?"

Egon took a step toward the boy this time but halted when the falcon reacted, raising its wings and one of its feet, appearing as though it might attack Egon at any moment. He raised his gloved hands slowly in a non-threatening gesture, attempting to calm the bird down. His gaze remained locked on the boy who now seemed to regard Egon with interest.

"Is the bird yours?" Egon asked in the softest tone he could muster.

The boy raised his chin proudly. "All the creatures in Emoria are the property of His Majesty, King Kaiser de Lanark."

The title of 'King' felt somewhat strange to Egon's ears, though not entirely unexpected. However, something about the unexpected response amused him, and one corner of his lips twitched slightly upward. He kept his palms extended forward and slowly crouched down to bring his eyes to the same level as the boy's.

"You're applying human logic to a bird's mind. I'd wager that if the bird could talk, she'd say she belongs to you." 

The boy regarded Egon with renewed interest.

"Something to think about," Egon added, winking at him.

"...Taking the animal's loyalty into account does not change who she belongs to," the boy insisted.

Egon's smirk broadened as he took another glance at their surroundings, recognizing that the valley they currently stood beside threatened even an intelligent boy like the one before him. He met the boy's inquisitive gaze once again.

"You must be aware that this is not an appropriate place to train a falcon. It's better to continue your lesson on your own property," Egon remarked.

The boy focused on the brown falcon perched on his arm, she had long since lost interest in Egon and was now seeking attention from its young master. The boy's face flushed ever so slightly, clearly taking Egon's advice against his initial judgment to heart.

"You are right, but my mother won't hear of it," he muttered with a hint of regret.

"Does she approve of you being here?" Egon inquired with a gentle tone.

A guilty expression flickered across the boy's face. It was clear that he had a devoted mother, one who would certainly disapprove of her child playing so close to a cliff.

"You should not break your mother's heart," Egon softly reprimanded.

The boy appeared lost in a world of his own inner thoughts, his distant yet intelligent gaze reflecting deep contemplation. Though the color and shape of his eyes were different, the reminder of the woman who often contemplated silently and only spoke when necessary pained Egon, and for a fleeting moment, the pain in his scars dulled as he watched the boy's introspection.

Andreas, mirroring Egon's posture, crouched down to make eye contact with the boy. "Excuse our initial meeting, my young friend. We are merchants well-acquainted with His Majesty, King Kaiser de Lanark, our stay in Lanark will not be long," he explained. His blue eyes shifted to the wristband on the boy's wrist. "Your jewelry caught my eye. Would you be willing to sell it to me? Feel free to name the price your heart desires."

Initially taken aback, the boy's demeanor quickly shifted to one of joy. "You have a keen eye, outlander, but what you've taken interest in is not available for sale."

Andreas beamed, "I understand. That's unfortunate! Could you at least share the name of the stone with me? I'd like to keep an eye out for it."

"It's not a stone; it's a precious family heirloom that wards off bad dreams."

The revelation that the Empress's Heart influenced the boy's dreams in a particular way left Egon feeling perplexed, a stark contrast to the effect it had on the woman he had once loved.

"What is your name, boy?"

Andreas asked in a serious tone which didn't go unnoticed by the boy. His demeanor shifted defensively, and though it was unexplained, both Andreas and Egon felt a slight need to adopt a similar posture, something they hadn't experienced since Andreas had trained Egon in combat.

"Your Highness!" A voice shouted from a distance.

"Prince Noctavian! Your Highness!" Another exasperated voice followed.

"We beg you!" Said the first voice. "Her Excellency is on her way with the delegation from Latora. If she finds out you've run away again… May God have mercy on our souls!"

"Your Highness!" More voices joined in, growing increasingly urgent.

While Andreas and Egon were focused on the distant voices, the boy released the falcon into the sky, diverting the von Conradies' attention back to him.

"It will get crowded here soon. I must go."

Egon's gloved hand suddenly snapped up and grabbed the boy's arm. Both of them frowned at each other for a moment before Egon released his hold.

"...The friends of His Majesty can call me Ian. Have a pleasant stay in Lanark, gentlemen."

The boy spoke with the flawless regality befitting the head of a noble family before turning around and running off like any other eleven or twelve-year-old boy would, leaving Egon's and Andreas's bewildered gazes trailing after him until he disappeared from sight.

pqdm.com